Viney on track for Dees debut

Jack Viney gets the footy moving forward during the Casey Scorpions vs Port Melbourne practise match at Casey Fields, Cranbourne. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Mitch Clark kicks at goal at Casey Fields. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

JACK Viney is almost certain to debut for Melbourne against Port Adelaide next Sunday after a strong performance for Casey Scorpions today.

And the Demons have not given up hope that Mitch Clark and Jack Trengove could also play after both players got through three quarters unscathed of the game against Port Melbourne at Casey Fields.

Viney was one of the Scorpions' best players while Clark and Trengove were a little rusty after long layoffs.

Demons football manager Josh Mahoney confirmed Viney would likely make his debut next weekend, while Clark, Trengove and Chris Dawes (who did not play yesterday) would be assessed over the coming days.

"We were keen for him (Viney) to get one more (game) in and he played really well," Mahoney said.

"We would be expecting him to be very close to playing (in Round 1)."

Mahoney said Clark, Trengove and Dawes remain a chance to play, but the Demons would have to wary they do not take underdone players into the clash with Port Adelaide.

"They are a chance to play," he said. "It will be an interesting week - we will have some decisions to make."

Clark kicked one goal in his first game since a foot reconstruction after Round 13 last year.

He attacked the ball - and at times his opponents - with intent, but was sometimes frustrated by the opportunities that were presented to him.

Trengove looked a little underdone after overcoming stress fractures and struggled to have an impact.
Both he and Clark left the field midway through the last term.

Dean Kent, who had impressed the Demons during the pre-season, was reported after an incident just before quarter-time.

Meanwhile at Frankston, Adam Schneider put his hand up for selection in St Kilda's Round 1 side with a second strong performance for Sandringham in two weeks.

Read about how the St Kilda-listed players performed

HERE

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Schneider steps up workload

Adam Schneider celebrates a goal for the Saints. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA pair Adam Schneider and Tom Simpkin pushed their claims for Round 1 selection against Gold Coast when they got through today's practice match with VFL affiliate club Sandringham unscathed.

Schneider stood-out in Sandy's big victory - 11.22 (88) to 11.4 (70) - over Frankston.

He suffered an injury setback during the pre-season but got some valuable match practice under his belt with 60 minutes game time for Sandringham last week.

Saints football operations manager Greg Hutchison said Schneider go through his planned 80 minutes today without any concerns.

"He played the minutes that he was scheduled to do and did what he had to do in terms of conditioning,'' Hutchison said.

"And Simpkin did what he had to do. Because he has missed a bit of footy, we were able to get permission for him to play and from a conditioning aspect he also got what he needed from the game.''

Although the Saints had permission to play Rhys Stanley, it was decided to keep him on the sidelines.

Stanley hurt his knee against Sydney earlier this month with an injury that was diagnosed as likely to keep him out for 2-4 weeks.

Scans cleared him of any structural damage when he hyper-extended his knee when he landed after a marking contest.

Hutchison said Stanley trained fully on Friday but the conditioning and coaching staff decided the session was more beneficial than playing yesterday.

The club will assess all three players during the week.

Meanwhile four of Sydney's 2012 premiership players - Shane Mumford (ankle), Martin Mattner (hip), Nick Smith (knee) and Mitch Morton (back) - received valuable game time in a practice match between the Swans reserves and Sydney University on Friday night.

The four hope to play in the opening game against Greater Western Sydney.
 

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Jobe a real leader, says Hird

Essendon put woes behind them by winning season opener.

Jobe Watson celebrates after nailing a goal against the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

ESSENDON coach James Hird has paid credit to the leadership qualities of captain Jobe Watson who he said had his "game face" on from last Thursday until the end of Friday night's victory over Adelaide.

"It was a game face that no-one was going to take this away from us no matter how bad the start goes or no matter how bad the game goes, this game and this team is going to stay on track," Hird said yesterday.

"And that takes great leadership when sometimes it's hard to just play the game and you just want to get out and play the game and there are other things going on in your head. He removed it from his head and made sure the team was heading in the right direction.

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Hird, in interviews with 3AW and SEN, said Watson had provided enormous leadership to his teammates and the club in general during the past six weeks.

He admitted that while Watson had won the Brownlow Medal last year, the mid-fielder was disappointed with the way the team finished the season and at one stage wasn't motivated with the thought of another long pre-season campaign.

"He obliviously won the Brownlow and then had two or three weeks of intense media interviews, then went away for a month and then I think he saw another five months of pre-season in front of him and he wasn't that motivated by that," Hird said.

"So the guys went to Colorado for three weeks and I think he he got his motivation back, which was early December, and he has been on top of his training."

Hird said Watson hasn't missed a beat since suffering a slight mishap in January when he hurt his medial ligament.

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Dockers rout winged Eagles

Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich and coach Ross Lyon reign supreme in Derby No.37. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

THE kill was swift, effective and without mercy.

You would expect nothing less in a Western Derby and for the purple-clad crowd, Fremantle's 28-point win over West Coast at Patersons Stadium last night was a Round 1 win worth waiting six months for.

The Dockers began the third quarter nine points down and ended it with the game virtually in their keeping after a six-goals to one term.

With the Eagles in a daze as their injury woes mounted during a horror quarter, Fremantle delighted in pulling the trigger.

While the Dockers' rout of their local rivals in Round 19 last season came with Matthew Pavlich and Hayden Ballantyne playing starring roles, last night's triumph came with minimal input from the headline pair.

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Midfielders Michael Barlow and David Mundy shone in the middle, having 27 touches each, while the run and penetration of Stephen Hill and Danyle Pearce was significant.

Judges couldn't separate Barlow and Mundy for the Ross Glendinning medal, with the pair sharing the award in a derby first.

The only real positive for the Eagles is that they have 15 days to try to regroup before they host Hawthorn.

AFL- Fremantle Dockers v West Coast Eagles, Patersons Stadium, Perth. PICTURED- Fremantle's Danyle Pearce and Michael Johnson are sprayed with Powerade after the win, during the team song. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: Herald Sun

With a host of first choice players already on the sidelines, Mark LeCras and Eric Mackenzie were added to the injured list.

It was a heartbreaking comeback match for LeCras, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.

Only the most hard-hearted of Freo fans would not have felt sorry for LeCras as he came from the ground using his guernsey as a sling for his right arm.

The Dockers have a worry of their own, with Pavlich on report for charging Eagle Will Schofield in the second quarter.

Several other incidents will be scrutinised by the match review panel after a fiery first-half.

Live HQ: How the game unfolded

Early on the Eagles silenced the purple arm, having 18 possessions to three in the opening four minutes as St Kilda recruit Jamie Cripps kicked the game's first goal after a minute.

Ashton Hams was another unlikely hero for the Eagles in the opening stanza, booting consecutive goals.

The crowd was livid with his second, which came after the 174cm Hams attracted a high tackle from David Mundy that slid from his chest to his neck.

West Coast led by 21 points by the time Nick Suban got Fremantle on the board 18 minutes in.

Eagles club champion Scott Selwood was left dazed on the turf in a behind the play incident in the final The second quarter had nearly everything.

While the Pavlich-Schofield wasn't overly malicious, Schofield received a 50m penalty after Pavlich was fractionally late and the Freo skipper will have a nervous wait.

Eagle Mark LeCras comes off the ground with a serious arm injury. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

The Pavlich incident came after another flashpoint between Adam Selwood and Ryan Crowley earlier in the second term.

Crowley appeared to instigate contact as he came from behind Selwood and contact was what he got as the Eagle threw his right elbow back and collected Crowley high.

It came after Crowley had kicked the Dockers' fourth unanswered major as Freo hit the front for the first time at the eight-minute mark of the second quarter.

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Pavlich report sours victory

Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich was reported for charging Eagle Will Schofield in Derby No.37. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE'S crushing victory over West Coast last night was soured only by the report of captain Matthew Pavlich.

Pavlich, who was held goalless after kicking eight goals the last time the teams met, had his number taken in the second quarter for charging Eagles defender Will Schofield.

Pavlich faces a nervous wait after he crashed into the back of Schofield after he had taken a mark on the wing.

The Dockers are well placed for a flying start to the new season, following the 16.12 (108) to 11.14 (80) win in front of a parochial crowd of 39,629.

They now have a 14-day break before taking on the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in Round 2.

Key midfielders David Mundy and Michael Barlow tied for the Glendinning Medal after starring with 27 possessions and six clearances each.

Nick Suban and Michael Walters kicked three goals each, while free agency addition Danyle Pearce was terrific in his first appearance for his new side.

Forward Hayden Ballantyne was subbed out with a lower leg injury but coach Ross Lyon expected him to be fit for the Bulldogs clash.

"He sort of knocked his shin and got a cork in the calf, so we subbed him out,'' he said.

"There's no red alert here.''

Lyon took some pity on Fremantle's cross-town rivals, saying an undermanned West Coast had put in a brave performance against the odds.

"I think you've got to admire the Eagles,'' Lyon said.

"I know paper teams mean nothing, but the reality is that they were depleted in some areas, particularly in the midfield.

"I thought they came out and took the game right up to us. But in the end I thought our preparation and our total teamsmanship in the end was quite dominant.''

Fremantle trailed by nine points at half-time but completely controlled the third term to lead by 24 points at the final change.

It came after the Eagles led by 21 points mid-way through the first quarter when the Dockers were yet to score.

"Probably there were signs well before half-time, but we just couldn't hurt them on the scoreboard and they scored pretty easy,'' Lyon said.

"So once we tidied a few of those things up, I thought our third quarter was dominant, and then it was a real arm wrestle in the last and it opened up a bit.''

Fremantle dominated the overall inside 50 count 61-38 and won the centre clearances 17-9 despite the Eagles edging them in overall stoppage wins 42-37.

The victory put the Dockers on display around the country, with the derby the only AFL match played yesterday.

Lyon said he was unsure what message it sent the rest of the competition.

"I'm not too sure to be honest, its hard to know what other people think,'' he said.

"I think they would say we are a competitive AFL team, and that when they play us we'll be competing strongly."

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League will tighten drug loophole

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou is part of the drugs working party. Picture: Glenn Daniels Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL's illicit drugs working party has agreed to tighten the loophole which allows players to admit drug use yet dodge testers.

The self-reporting loophole will be tightened but not totally disregarded to ensure it is not abused by players.

Clubs believed a small number of players were reporting the use of drugs not as a cry for help, but simply as a way to sidestep positive strikes.

Some club officials even believed their players had done so when made aware testers were at their club.

But the AFL confirmed today the working party had agreed amendments would be drafted for review by the AFLPA and AFL, to be discussed again in 4-6 weeks.

The AFL Commission and player delegates of the player union would both need to agree to alterations of the AFL's illicit drugs policy.

"We also had considerable discussion about how the policy framework can be strengthened to deal with a very small number of players who might disrespect the policy's objectives and disregard how their off-field behaviour impacts on other players in the competition, their own club and the AFL itself," AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said.

Demetriou chairs the working party, which also includes AFLPA chief executive Matt Finnis, AFL medical officers and club representatives.

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Waite in wars again

The Blues could be without Jarrad Waite for the next month. Source: Getty Images

CARLTON forward Jarrad Waite is expected to miss the club's early season blockbusters after another setback with his troublesome calf injury.

Waite is not expected to be available until Round 3 or 4 at the earliest and, given his poor fitness base, may need several weeks in the VFL before he is ready for senior selection.

It is understood a scan a fortnight ago revealed a second calf tear after Waite struggled to recover from the injury suffered in early February.

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Waite was sidelined for seven weeks for what the club initially described as a "minor calf strain" so his rehabilitation could stretch past 10 weeks.

Waite is one of the Blues' most important players given their lack of key forwards and his goalkicking talents.

Carlton will handle Waite's latest injury setback with extreme caution.

The Blues first five rounds are testing with games against Richmond, Collingwood, Geelong, West Coast (away) and Adelaide, before their draw becomes more manageable, with just one double-up against a top-eight team from last season.

Carlton great and SEN commentator Robert Walls, who is seventh on the club's all-time goalkicking list, said yesterday that, given his history with injury, the Blues could not rely on Waite.

"He is 30 years old and in his last four years he has averaged 12 games a season, so you can't build (a team) around him because he's not there," Walls said.

"There is the injury and there are the (recent) suspensions. So you can't rely on having him out there.

"Having said that, you think about how (coach Mick) Malthouse likes to play and he brings the ball in wide and needs someone to lead up to the wings and take marks.

"Waite is the perfect one to do that.

"But averaging 12 games a year and being 30, will we ever see him put in a solid year?

"His best is very good, but he doesn't play enough."

Waite, a father-son pick in the 2001 draft, kicked 27.14 from 11 games last season as he battled a mystery back injury.

With game tallies of nine, 16, 12 and 11 in the past four seasons, Waite is a star who simply cannot get on the ground.

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Dons bounce back from hell

 Jobe Watson celebrates his last-quarter goal Picture: Sarah Reed Source: HWT Image Library

THERE were two main points of interest for Essendon fans going into the season opener against the Crows in Adelaide. Would the players come out firing after a summer of controversy, and how would boom recruit Brendon Goddard perform?

In the end, both these factors had no bearing on the game.

The Bombers had a crack early, but were outplayed and barely managed to get the football inside their forward 50 in the first quarter.

Likewise Goddard - who along with mature recruit Nick Kommer was the only member of the starting 22 not embroiled in the 2012 supplements scandal - struggled to have an impact in the first term.

Live HQ: Adelaide v Essendon

Starting on a wing against Crows young gun Rory Sloane and pushing forward, the former Saint managed just three ineffectual possessions in the first 30 minutes.

The Crows had the first six scoring shots of the match. Essendon's first score did not come until the 19th minute, when Michael Hurley gathered on the boundary and kicked a point; its first goal came from a Brent Stanton snap in the shadow of quarter time.

AFL - Adelaide Crows v Essendon at AAMI Stadium - Round 1 - Brenton Sanderson at quarter time Picture: Sarah Reed Source: HWT Image Library

At the first break, with the Dons trailing 22-9, the one shining light was Dyson Heppell, who had racked up 10 disposals including the Dons' first of the match.

In the lead-up to the game, however, coach James Hird had put another issue on the agenda that was ultimately more significant. Speaking to the playing group during the week he had bluntly spelled out that resilience was the one element that had been missing from this group. Would the summer of controversy bond this group, he wondered, and help them find that resilience.

In the second quarter the Bombers found just that, bouncing back by lifting their work rate and laying countless tackles. They slammed on two goals within a minute, and managed six of the seven majors scored in that term.

Leading the way were Brownlow Medallist Jobe Watson, Courtenay Dempsey, Ben Howlett and 366-gamer Dustin Fletcher.

AFL - Adelaide Crows v Essendon at AAMI Stadium - Round 1 - Essendon united Picture: Sarah Reed Source: HWT Image Library

Essendon began to dominate in the third quarter as the game opened up, getting out to a 27-point lead midway through the term.

Tom Bellchambers had the chance to put them 32 points up when a Michael Hurley tap on found him unattended 15 metres out from goal. But he hurried his shot, dribbling it wide.

Alwyn Davey was in everything, tackling, smothering and steering through three goals for the quarter, while Paddy Ryder was influential in the ruck.

There remained a suspicion the Crows would get on a run, find some momentum and storm home. But the Bombers responded to Hird's call and showed resilience.

After quarter time Essendon took the game on and was rewarded. The Dons ran and spread and attacked and created. Yet two of their players who could take much credit for the win were negators: Jake Carlisle shut out the Crows' key forward Taylor Walker, while Heath Hocking stopped the explosive Patrick Dangerfield from igniting Adelaide.

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Crows midfield exposed by Bombers

Essendon captain Jobe Watson gets a kick away against Crows midfielder Rory Sloane. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE'S strength became its weakness on Friday night. In a summer of turmoil and bitterness from an opportunity lost in 2012, the one critical quality that took no hit on coach Brenton Sanderson's whiteboard was the Crows midfield.

Geelong premiership captain Cameron Ling only last week described it as the AFL's best - and the reason why Adelaide would win this season's premiership.

But last night the Crows midfield failed - miserably - in the premiership-season opener loss by 35 points to Essendon at AAMI Stadium. The numbers do not lie.

Rather, they will haunt the Adelaide midfielders when they have the game statistics read to them as a horror story.

Beaten at the clearances, 33-44. Smashed at the centre clearances, 9-18. Outclassed in creating supply while setting up just 48 inside-50s.

Crows midfielder Patrick Dangerfield this week made the revealing observation that Adelaide's greatest concern from its lukewarm pre-season campaign was the habit so many players had developed of "trying to make something out of nothing".

Former Adelaide coach Neil Craig used to describe this ailment as his men playing "cute" football.

In less subtle reviews, the assessment will be of a lazy team that refused to have its hunger brought into question during an indifferent pre-season.

While Adelaide continues to look inferior to the opposition in tackling, that image will stick - and tighter than the Crows' half-hearted tackles.

Adelaide's hope of settling its now wobbly defence was hurt by the loss of young defender Luke Brown - the kid chosen to cover for retired hero Michael Doughty - with a left-ankle injury in the third term.

The injury list also has forward Ricky Henderson who took a heavy knock to his shoulders while sweeping in defence during the last quarter.

The tactical surprise of the night was how Sanderson dealt with the absence of key forward Kurt Tippett, who has defected - with much pain for the Crows - to Sydney.

Despite all the indicators in the pre-season, Josh Jenkins did not start as the goalsquare-based key forward working behind Taylor Walker in a direct fill-in for Tippett.

Rather, Jenkins began on the bench to work a tandem with lead ruckman Sam Jacobs while the versatile Henderson was the preferred second attack forward with Walker.

On the evidence of the first 14 minutes when Adelaide scored 3.4 while holding Essendon on 0.0 it seemed a smart ploy to maximise that quick, direct movement Sanderson craves from a Crows squad he has made the highest-scoring in the club's 22-year history.

But forwards live off supply. This is created by industrious midfields. And Adelaide's engine choked late in the first term and continued to sputter in the second when Essendon's major playmakers led by captain and Brownlow Medallist Jobe Watson and Ben Howlett opened up the game ad burned the Crows in space.

If Tippett still loved Adelaide, he would have starved as a Crows forward - as Walker did in that second term when the Adelaide midfield lost its work ethic.

Imagine what Sanderson is going to say in Monday's review when he points to his players making just seven tackles in the second term while losing the disposal count 69-81. That is simply inexcusable.

ESSENDON  1.3  7.5  13.7   18.9 (117)

ADELAIDE    3.4  4.9   8.14  11.16 (82)

Best: Essendon: Howlett, Watson, Heppell, Stanton, Dempsey, Bellchambers. Adelaide: Reilly, Wright, Douglas, Thompson.

Goals: Essendon: Howlett 4, Davey 3, Goddard, Stanton, Dempsey, Myers, Hocking, Melksham, Watson, Hibberd, Kommer, Crameri, Bellchambers. Adelaide: Walker 3, Douglas 2, Mackay, Johncock, Jenkins, Petrenko, Porplyzia, van Berlo.

Umpires: Simon Meredith, Scott Jeffery, Brett Rosebury.

Official crowd: 42,218 at AAMI Stadium.

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Jobe well done, skip

Jobe Watson was the hero for Essendon. Picture: Getty Source: HWT Image Library

JOBE Watson played like the outstanding captain he is by leading Essendon out of its off-season from hell to a spirited win over Adelaide.

With his club reeling from a pre-season drugs scandal and travelling to a hostile AAMI Stadium against last year's preliminary finallist, Watson produced the ultimate captain's game.

Live HQ: Adelaide v Essendon

The born leader kept Essendon players in their huddle for an extended period before the first bounce, then showed he'd lost none of his Brownlow Medal form by unleashing a 10-possession first quarter.

And that was when the going was tough as the Crows jumped the visitors to lead by 22 points.

But when support arrived in the middle, Essendon responded and dominated the contest after the first break.

He finished the game full of running and his goal 28 minutes into the final term triggered the celebrations.

The Crows tried to tag him in the first half with Matthew Wright, but Watson was virtually untouchable, finishing with 34 possessions - 13 of them contested from his seven clearances.

Jobe Watson follows through with his shot on goal despire Sloane's best efforts to put him off. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

When Adelaide threatened to mount a late charge in the final term, Watson showed strength and a cool head particularly in defence to weather the storm.

Crows midfielders exposed by Dons

Even more pleasing for Bombers fans was that as good as Watson was, his understudies in Dyson Heppell and Ben Howlett weren't far behind him.

Star recruit Brendon Goddard delivered on his promise, Brent Stanton was solid and debutant Nick Kommer showed he'll be a player with pace and, more importantly, poise with the footy.

Kommer said the club's off-season drama was spoken about before the game and afterwards he could feel the emotion of the 35-point win as he stood in the middle of the team song with Goddard.

The Bombers celebrate at the final siren. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

"It was really good, emotional and a bit heart-felt," Kommer said.

"It was definitely spoken about, the boys sticking together, we were the only ones who really understood what went on so it's good to stick together and there's nothing better than playing with your mates who went through it."

Mature-age East Perth recruit Kommer capped a memorable first game with a goal to seal victory in time-on in the last stanza.

Dons bounce back from hell

"I was struggling, cramping up a bit so I thought I'd ease it through and it got there," he said.

"I've been training and they threw me straight into most of the big drills which helped me a bit."

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Adam Goodes' brother back in AFL mix

Brett Goodes, brother of superstar Swan Adam Goodes, will make his AFL debut for the Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: Herald Sun

BRETT Goodes is the accidental footballer.

Even his biggest fan - dual Brownlow medallist and older brother Adam Goodes - thought his dream of playing AFL was over three years ago.

"The dream was probably over when he decided to take a position in Darwin," Adam said. "That was a big decision for Brett - does he stay in Ballarat or get his career going and put footy on the backburner?"

Goodes upgraded to seniors list

Brett chose to leave VFL side North Ballarat, where he won back-to-back premierships in 2008-09, and move to Darwin to play for the Thunder and work for the AFL in their indigenous programs.

But fate would intervene soon after when the Western Bulldogs head-hunted Brett to work as their player development officer.

Brett returned to the VFL where he continued to impress while playing at Williamstown.

Bulldogs Supercoach preview

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney liked what he saw and gave Brett the chance he had been waiting for all of his adult life.

He is set to become one of the oldest players to debut in recent history - if Brett is selected to play in the Bulldogs' opening match against Brisbane next weekend he will be starting his AFL career at the age of 29 years and 41 days.

"I'm really proud of Brett," Adam said. "It's a great story of determination, hard work and not giving up."

While Adam was a bargain at pick 43 in the 1997 national draft, Brett was overlooked because he suffered a serious compartment syndrome injury in both lower legs playing for North Ballarat in the TAC Cup.

Nowadays recruiters pay more attention to mature-age players like Geelong's James Podsiadly, Adelaide's Ian Callinan and Fremantle's Michael Barlow.

Last-minute SuperCoach cheat sheet

But a decade ago AFL list managers rarely took a second look at players like Brett, who had been passed over in the draft.

The Goodes brothers have never played together or against each other. Earlier this year they missed out playing together for the Indigenous All Stars against Richmond in Alice Springs. Adam was still recovering from the knee injury he suffered in the grand final.

They will have to wait until the round 19 clash between the Swans and Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

"That's OK, it gives me plenty of practice and his knee will be right so he'll have no excuses," Brett said. "I'd love being out there with him."

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Swans bonus helped pay for Tippett

Relive the 2012 AFL Grand Final between the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Hawks.

Former Adelaide Crow Kurt Tippett in a Sydney Swans jumper for the first time after his first training session with his new club. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Limited

SYDNEY'S contentious $900,000 salary cap allowance is being paid by the AFL.

The Swans yesterday confirmed it was the league - and the not the club - which paid out the 9.8 per cent bonus.

Rival clubs expressed dismay, saying it meant the AFL had effectively paid for Kurt Tippett to become a Sydney Swan.

"It's a joke," one senior club figure said.

Last-minute SuperCoach cheat sheet

Sydney added Tippett to their premiership list in last year's pre-season draft.

But AFL boss Andrew Demetriou told the Herald Sun all clubs had signed off on the allowance about five years ago.

"It's not a secret. We went to the clubs and asked them as part of a unique cost - and the clubs all agreed," Demetriou said last night.

Captains poll says Swans will dive

"It's a cost that other clubs don't incur."

Clubs are also frustrated that the Swans are saving another $672,000 this season by listing six players as veterans - Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton, Ryan O'Keefe, Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Malceski and Lewis Roberts-Thompson.

Changes to veterans list rules mean all clubs receive $112,000 relief in the salary cap for eligible players.

"It's the perfect storm up there," the club figure said, pointing out that the Swans have featured in the finals in 12 of the past 15 seasons.

The AFL is reviewing the cost of living allowance and is under pressure to scrap it to equalise the game.

But the Swans have indicated they will fight to keep the bonus - also afforded to Greater Western Sydney.

"That it is significantly more expensive to live in Sydney than in any other city in Australia is indisputable," Swans chief executive Andrew Ireland said in a statement.

"Our estimates suggest the true cost of living disparity is closer to 15 per cent and there is no shortage of evidence to support this.

"A major point of contention is the suggestion that we have stored the allowance and used it to recruit players, such as Kurt Tippett. That is simply incorrect.

"Every player contract at the Sydney Swans stipulates that the allowance must be paid in addition to the agreed contract figure.

"Every player has a manager, and every one of those managers is aware the club has the allowance. The allowance is also added to the standard contracts of rookie listed players.

"Like all clubs, each contract that is signed is reviewed by the AFL."

He said the Swans delisted or traded six senior players at the end of last year - Matt Spangher, Trent
Dennis-Lane, Mark Seaby, Jarred Moore, Brett Meredith and Nathan Gordon.

"This player movement opened up approximately $1 million in the club's salary cap," he said.

"Those players were replaced with draftees and, of course, Kurt Tippett."

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Step up, Stanton, and shut down Danger

Essendon begins their season with a fully fit squad after being decimated by injury in 2012.

Essendon's Brent Stanton may be given the job of tagging Crows young gun Patrick Dangerfield tonight.. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

IT'S time Essendon reinvented Brent Stanton and it could start tonight if he's given the job of playing on Adelaide's dynamite midfielder, Patrick Dangerfield.

It's unlikely because Stanton hasn't got the inside game to match Dangerfield's ferocity, but at the same time he has the running capacity to go with Dangerfield, and possibly hurt Dangerfield offensively.

Whoever has to go to Dangerfield will have a ridiculous night.

Last-minute SuperCoach cheat sheet

One opposition analyst suggested the Crows send Dangerfield to match Essendon captain Jobe Watson at the contest and then burn Watson off using his explosive speed. The analyst didn't like Stanton on Dangerfield for the simple fact that Stanton is not a coal-face footballer, and Dangerfield is perhaps the best hard-ball getter in the competition.

As it is, Dangerfield and his skipper, Scott Thompson, are key midfielders for the Crows and need attention.

With revitalised and injury-free Heath Hocking almost certain to tag Thompson, it leaves Dangerfield as the single greatest headache for Bombers coach James Hird.

Dangerfield is a unique player in the sense that he is elite at the contest -- thus wins his own ball -- and is elite as an outside runner.

LIVE HQ for tonight's game

He was the No.1 hard-ball get player in the competition last year and, astonishingly, was ranked eighth overall in metres gained.

Champion Data tells us 59 per cent of his possessions were won in a contest, which was the second highest percentage of the top 50 disposal players.

He was also second for clearances in the competition.

On the face of it, Stanton wouldn't have a chance.

For hard-ball gets last year Stanton was ranked about 200th.

The Bombers spent much of the pre-season trying to develop Stanton's defensive game. They had to.

As a pure outside talent, Stanton has the capacity to hurt opposition.

The problem is, opposition sides eventually jump on him and Stanton's effectiveness is too easily curtailed. That's the nice way of putting it.

To be brutal, he is too easily tagged out of the game.

Last year, from Rounds 1-8, Stanton's numbers were elite, but when sat on for the second half of the season, his numbers dropped in all categories; namely in possessions (minus seven), clearances (minus one) and metres gained (minus 130).

Stanton's season mirrored Essendon's, which tells us he is a real barometer.

For all his qualities, Stanton can't remain largely an outside runner if Essendon wants to win the premiership.

The Bombers are the worst defensive team in the competition over the past eight years and part of the problem is too many players work harder running to one end than toward the other.

Stanton needs a more rounded game, as do the Bombers as a whole.

Maybe Dangerfield isn't his perfect match, but a run-with role who can hurt -- as opposed to a heavy tag -- could be the reinvention of Stanton.

Twenty-three touches and a defensive mindset is far better for the team than a mix of 35 touches on a good day and 15 on a bad day.

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Bombers name Hurley, Zaharakis

Essendon begins their season with a fully fit squad after being decimated by injury in 2012.

David Zaharakis will take to the field for the Bombers against the Crows in Adelaide tonight. Source: News Limited

IT'S been galvanising and character building, but Essendon coach James Hird doesn't expect six weeks of emotion to be unleashed in tonight's season-opener against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

The Bombers last night named a full-strength side with David Zaharakis and Michael Hurley both in the starting 18 alongside marquee recruit Brendon Goddard and 22-year-old debutant Nick Kommer.

The West Australian, who was pick No.73 in last year's draft, was named in a forward pocket after a solid NAB Cup campaign.

Last-minute Supercoach cheat sheet

Hird said he wouldn't be using the emotion of a troubled off-season -- including continuing investigations into the alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs by players -- as added motivation.

"Certainly we're after a win. That's what we're hopeful the outcome is," Hird said yesterday. "But we want to play a certain style and I think for our boys it's about football and how they play."

Paddy ready to step up

The Crows pulled a major selection surprise by overlooking youngster Brad Crouch. The 19-year-old mini-draft graduate was regarded as a certain Round 1 starter after playing every pre-season match, and averaging 61 SuperCoach points, but he was named as an emergency.

Former Bomber Josh Jenkins is set to replace Kurt Tippett and partner Taylor Walker in attack.

Tex Walker ready for extra attention

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Friday night football with Sam Edmund

Sam Edmund and Brad Johnson preview Hawthorn.

Sam Edmund and Brad Johnson preview Adelaide Crows.

WHAT happens on the field no longer stays on the field. In the first of our new regular column, field marshal Sam Edmund dissects the statistics and battle strategies of the week's big matches

HOW THEY WILL LINE UP

ADELAIDE v ESSENDON

AAMI STADIUM, TONIGHT, 8.40PM

RADIO: 3AW, SEN, Triple M, ABC 774

TV: Channel 7, Fox Footy, 8.30pm

TAB SPORTSBET

CROWS $1.45

BOMBERS $2.75

Patrick Dangerfield leads Adelaide for points scored in Round 1 matches in the past three seasons, averaging 100 a match.

Last-minute Supercoach cheat sheet

Brent Stanton has scored more points than any other Essendon player in the opening fixture since 2010, averaging 142 points a match.

LAST TIME Rd 19, 2012, Adel 16.8 (104) d Ess 15.10 (100), AAMI Stadium

UP FOR THE CONTEST

Adelaide improved significantly in the contest last season. They averaged 11.6 more contested possessions than the opposition - a differential 3.5 better than any other team in the competition. At the clearances they averaged 5.7 more per game than the opposition.

LIVE HQ

Patrick Dangerfield led the way for the Crows in the contested possessions with 16.1 per game - ranked second in the AFL - while Scott Thompson averaged 6.8 clearances per game - ranked third in the competition.

Throughout the pre-season the Bombers have been ball hogs averaging a time in possession differential of +6.7% - ranked second. They have ranked second in disposals, No.1 in marks, No.1 in uncontested possessions and fourth for inside 50s.

A strength of the Bombers throughout the pre-season has been its defence. Jake Carlisle appears to be set for a breakout season after winning the ball off the opposition 21 times in the NAB Cup - ranked fourth. His 10 intercept marks and six contested intercept marks both ranked No.1 in the competition.

IT was once best described as the Windy Hill welcome mat.

Now it's more like a reinforced steel "trespassers will be prosecuted" sign.

It is the entry to Essendon's defensive 50m. For almost 10 years, opposition clubs have strolled through it to score more freely against the Bombers than any other club.

Statistics obtained by the Herald Sun have laid bare Essendon's years of defensive pain.

From 2004 to 2012 the Bombers conceded the highest points-against average of any side in the AFL.

In that time, Essendon sides coached by Kevin Sheedy, Matthew Knights and James Hird coughed up an average 105.6 points a game.

On average, it is a staggering 25 points more each week than modern-day defensive powerhouses Geelong (80.2), Sydney (80.4) and St Kilda (80.7).

Hird this week spoke frankly about the desperate need to shut the gate ahead of his third season in charge.

"I think defensively we haven't pulled it together for a long time at this club and I think for the last 10 years we've been poor defensively," Hird said.

"If we don't pull that together and become a really defensive team then we'll get scored against easily and beaten in games quite easily at certain times. We need to get that defensive side of our game a lot better."

Adelaide will be confronted by a new Essendon in tonight's 2013 season-opener at AAMI Stadium.

In a dramatic change, the Bombers allowed only 38 points a game during the NAB Cup to enter the season as the stingiest team in the competition.

It's only the pre-season, but Essendon's No.1 ranking is clear, conceding 10.6 fewer points per contest than any other club.

Hird's men also held on to the footy better, ranking second in time-in-possession differential.

They ranked second in disposals and were a dominant No.1 in marks and uncontested possessions.

The Bombers are also moving the ball through the corridor less often, meaning that if they do cough it up it is far easier to push back and defend the danger.

If former prime minister Paul Keating were in charge at Essendon he would say it was "the transformation we had to have".

Dating back to 2004, Essendon's stark inability to stop the leaking has crippled its premiership hopes.

Since 1970, 35 of the 43 premiers have ranked in the top four for points-against.

Forty-two of the 43 have been in the top six for points-against.

The average ranking in points-against for the premiers in this time is between second and third.

The message is clearer than ever before - defence wins premierships.

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AFL to crackdown on science

The AFL will push for a uniform date to start pre-season. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

THE league's war on sports scientists could result in a uniform pre-season start for every AFL club, regardless of their ladder position.

The AFL Commission on Wednesday told captains at their annual lunch it strongly supported the idea.

One start date floated in discussions across the industry has been December 1, but clubs would rebel against such a late start.

Melbourne was the first club to start pre-season training this summer - on October 29.

Beaten grand finalist Hawthorn started its pre-season four weeks later on November 26, while reigning Premiers Sydney officially started the pre-season December 8.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou raised the prospect of a uniform start date in last year's player pay negotiations.

Commission boss Mike Fitzpatrick also pushed it in informal talks with club executives.

Players have a mandated eight-week leave period - and then 10 days over Christmas - but the AFL Players Association believes clubs already break into that period by forcing players to return for best-and-fairest awards presentations.

It is working with the AFL on a proposal that would involve a six-week blackout period plus another two weeks.

Players would get an extra week's leave if best-and-fairest presentations were held in the blackout period.

AFLPA general manager of player relations Ian Prendergast said he was happy to further discuss issues of leave and starting dates.

"We are interested in discussing a restructure of the annual leave period, and any proposals which would provide a more meaningful annual leave period," Prendergast said.

All clubs would have the same start date, but experienced players would have their returns staggered.

Essendon captain Jobe Watson has already advocated a December 1 pre-season start date.

"I would like for it to be looked at, whether it's something like every club returns on December 1 or something like that," he said last year.

"That would mean the changes the AFL are trying to make are actually working and not being sucked away by the length and stress that players are being put under during the pre-season."

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$35m plan to rebuild Hawks

Hawthorn Football Club reveals its business plan exclusively to the Herald Sun. Included in the plan are details about proposed redevelopment of its Waverley training base. CEO Stuart Fox with club president Andrew Newbold Picture: Pinder Lawrence Source: HWT Image Library

HAWTHORN will embark on $35 million redevelopment of Waverley Park as part of a five-year plan to keep the club at the front of the AFL pack.

The Hawks want to double the size of the football facilities at their home and build a separate training base away from Waverley for closed sessions.

The moves are key elements of the club's 2013-2017 strategy document, to be presented at its season launch tonight.

The Herald Sun can reveal Hawthorn:

- HAS re-signed chief executive Stuart Fox for five years to drive the ambitious project;
- IS determined not to compromise its list strategy in negotiations with unsigned star Lance Franklin;
- WANTS 80,000 members by 2017, up from the 60,800 record;
- BELIEVES it can maintain top-four finishes for the next five years;
- OPPOSES profit sharing between clubs; and

- CONSIDERED a full relocation from Waverley Park, but decided the move was too costly.

The Hawks will use a mix of its own reserves, private investment and possible government and AFL funding to help build the infrastructure, which in part would be open for community use.

SuperCoach is back! Free to play & you could win $50,000

As the AFL equalisation debated heated up at yesterday's summit, Hawks president Andrew Newbold said the club was not in a position to share its profits.

"We want to be humble about the fact that we are in a privileged position," Newbold said.

"We want there to be an even competition. We don't want that gap to be bigger - it's how you go about bridging that gap that's important to us.

"We have set out an agenda for this footy club based on a set of rules."

"We thought we were operating under a five-year equalisation policy," Newbold said.

"We are happy to share a whole lot of things, but we are not happy to change the rules after year one."

Hawthorn's vision is to become "The Destination Club", which attracts and develops the best people.

"If I could make one comment on what I perceive what others do and what we do, there is an awful a lot of rigour about who we get into this footy club," Newbold said.

The "Destination Club" vision will face an immediate test with Franklin.

Newbold said the club would have no regrets with its offer to its marquee player.

"What we are confident of is, we have given him a really respectful offer," Newbold said.

"Now the ball is in his court as to whether he wants to be part of the Hawthorn Football Club or not.

"Let's make no mistake that we think it is a privilege to play for this footy club. If people don't want to take that privilege, that's up to them."

The club has backed its recruiting department to maintain a top-four position, but shied away from putting a number on how many premierships it wanted in the next five years.

However, Newbold said the players would probably feel they had failed to capitalise on their talents if they could not secure another flag soon.

"I think when these guys retire, if they don't win another premiership in the next three or four years - I think human nature will tell they will look back and say, 'We, you know, underachieved'."

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Rich deal for Mitchell, Buddy waits

Sam Mitchell is set to sign a new deal with the Hawks. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: HWT Image Library

SAM Mitchell has agreed to a new deal at Hawthorn as the latest piece of the club's free-agency puzzle falls into place.

The fine details of the short-term contract are still being finalised, but the Herald Sun understands the Hawks will announce Mitchell's commitment soon.

It is a significant win for the club, which is vulnerable to free-agency poachers and still has biggest fish Lance Franklin, Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne and Xavier Ellis coming out of contract.

SuperCoach is back! Free to play & you could win $50,000

Mitchell's re-signing comes soon after Jordan Lewis' new deal and is the last brokered by football manager Mark Evans, who is leaving for the AFL. Franklin has put off contract negotiations until the end of the year, but the fact it will be the biggest deal of his career has created an inevitable ripple effect.

Captain Hodge, who has battled knee and calf injuries for most of the past 12 months, admitted this week that he would be prepared to take a pay cut.

It is understood Mitchell did not - and was not asked to - do the same, despite turning 31 later this year, given he has won two consecutive Hawthorn best-and-fairest awards, was runner-up in the 2012 Brownlow Medal and has displayed durability.

Lance Franklin, Adidas deal. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

It is believed Mitchell is happy to keep signing short-term deals if the conditions reflect his form. He is determined to eventually retire on his own terms and turn to coaching.

Hawthorn has stated publicly that it expects to retain Franklin, but industry sources said they believed one and possibly two teammates could be forced out.

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Clubs push to end Sydney allowance

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and chairman Mike Fitzpatrick. Picture: David Caird. Source: The Daily Telegraph

SYDNEY'S contentious $900,000 living allowance appears doomed after a push by clubs to equalise the game.

A key agreement from yesterday's AFL gap summit was for a return to a "pure" salary cap where all players at all clubs are paid the same.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou said a decision on the Swans' 9.8 per cent allowance - also afforded to Greater Western Sydney due to the city's high cost of living - would be made by the end of the season.

Yesterday club and league chiefs were also united on reducing the gap in football department spending between rich and poor clubs.

Collingwood spent $21.2 million on its footy operations last year, compared with $15.7 million at the Western Bulldogs.

Other equalisation options raised include:

REPLACING the AFL logo on club jumpers with a sponsor brand and sharing the profits among clubs.

STAGING an annual mini-draft to help battling clubs buy, swap or sell franchise players.

BUYING back Etihad Stadium to eradicate disastrous stadium deals affecting St Kilda, North Melbourne and the Bulldogs.

TAXING excessive poker machine profits banked by the richer clubs.

Asked about the Swans salary cap allowance yesterday, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said: "I have a very straightforward belief . . . and that is that salary cap and its adherence has to be (equal) . . . otherwise it just blows up.

"You can't have teams having $2 million more salary cap than others."

It was also suggested that from next year the AFL should help cash-strapped clubs pay 100 per cent of the $10 million salary cap - up from 95 per cent.

League chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said all clubs supported the concept of "disequal" distributions to assist the poorer teams.

"Fans should expect that their club will be competitive on any given day," Fitzpatrick said.

"We also agree that not all clubs are or should be equal - support for equal funding of smaller clubs remains."

He said the commission had made no progress on buying back Etihad Stadium from its management company.

North Melbourne chairman James Brayshaw said all clubs were supportive of changes to distributions.

"It's going to come in and it will be good for everyone," Brayshaw told Triple M.

"We can't have what we have in the EPL in England, where it's the same four clubs every year and the rest of them are just a waste of time. That makes for a very poor competition."

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Equal cap is a must, says Eddie

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire and his sons after the finals loss to Sydney last year. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

WITH much pride, Collingwood president Eddie McGuire helped slay Brisbane's salary cap allowance almost decade ago.

With more than a hint pride yesterday, McGuire officially set his sights on Sydney's $900,000 handout.

It's still to be determined if the Swans will retain their bonus, but at the very least it's firmly back on agenda.

Among a host of ideas floated at yesterday's equalisation love-in, McGuire continued to push his belief that a uniform salary cap for everyone was the first step in equalising the game.

There's fixture issues, horrible stadium deals, gaming profit issues, and, of course, an uncompromised draft to work through, yet McGuire believes equalisation begins on the field.

He has a point.

Sydney paid $1.75 million more to its players than three clubs living on the bottom line in 2012.

They were the Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide.

And there's a sliding scale from there.

The $1.75m adds up to a superstar and two very handy players.

The problem is not every club has the ability to pay its full salary cap, a situation the clubs and the AFL want to rectify from next year. Where that money comes from is what yesterday was all about it.

McGuire might have personal - read, Collingwood - reasons for wanting to strip Sydney of its excesses, but it would appear he has support from most of the clubs.

Clearly, they wouldn't have been hard of hearing.

As other officials drew breath, McGuire time and again highlighted the blatant argument for equalisation - the cap.

Even AFL boss Andrew Demetriou acknowledged there was a push for a "pure" salary cap.

He didn't offer thoughts on whether the Swans' allowance should stay or go, although he has mostly been in favour of its intention.

Time will tell if he also has been swayed.

On the day when the most senior members of the AFL industry held hands and spoke of a brave new world, footy fans should be happy.

It would appear a fan tax is not on the agenda - "we want to keep it affordable", Demetriou said - and that wealthy clubs won't be unhinged by a cap on football department spending.

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Petterd, Goodes promoted

Amazing transition: Brett Goodes was the Western Bulldogs' player welfare manager this time last year, playing with VFL affiliate Williamstown. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Brett Goodes shows promise in an early NAB Cup match. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

UPDATE: THE Cinderella story of Brett Goodes has taken another step with the brother of Adam upgraded to the Dogs' senior list.

Seven rookies were upgraded to senior lists today, including two Magpies, a Lion and a Blue.

UPGRADED ROOKIES:

Brett Goodes (Western Bulldogs)
Ricky Petterd (Richmond)
Orren Stephenson (Richmond)
Jack Frost (Collingwood)
Ben Hudson (Collingwood)
Ed Curnow (Carlton)
Justin Clarke (Lions)

SuperCoaches awaiting the potential upgrade of Port Adelaide's Kane Mitchell or Geelong's Mark Blicavs need not fear - they are still in the running to be replacements for teammates on the long-term injury list, so they can be elevated at any time.

The 29-year-old Goodes was the Bulldogs' player welfare manager this time last year, playing with VFL affiliate Williamstown.

His promotion was confirmed this morning.

The Lions have also moved early, upgrading 19-year-old defender Justin Clarke to their senior list, while Richmond has confirmed its two vacant senior list spots will be taken by former Demon Ricky Petterd and delisted Geelong ruckman Orren Stephenson.

Petterd was delisted by the Dees after playing 54 games from 2007-12 as a forward, but he has been playing across half-back for the Tigers during the NAB Cup.

Stephenson was one of the stories of the 2011 national draft when he was plucked by the Cats at age 29. He played eight matches last season before being axed, then given another lifeline as a back-up for Tigers big man Ivan Maric.

Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia said Goodes' addition to the senior list would be warmly received by his teammates.

"They'll all be thrilled if and when he gets his opportunity to play," Fantasia said.

"He's certainly done it the hard way in terms of career path. I think this a dream come true for him. I'm sure there would have been a time when he thought the AFL dream might have passed him by."

Fantasia said Goodes was no guarantee to play in Round 1 against the Lions on Saturday week.

"I wouldn't want to pre-empt that completely," he said. "But what it does do is it shows that the coaches have got a lot of confidence in what Brett's doing and what he has to offer."

Geelong talls Blicavs and Josh Walker, both in contention to play Hawthorn in Round 1, are likely to be promoted off the rookie list as long-term injury replacements for Dawson Simpson (back), Lincoln McCarthy (foot) and Josh Cowan (achilles).

At Port, mature-aged recruit Mitchell is in the box seat to win a short-term senior spot in place of the injured Nick Salter, but last year's revelation Darren Pfeiffer is also in the mix.

Veteran Ben Hudson will win his way on to a fourth senior list.

Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh confirmed the club would upgrade two players today.

"We've got some set thoughts on it, but we haven't told any of the players yet," Walsh said.

The Pies opted for key defender Jack Frost as their second elevated rookie, ahead of 26-year-old VFL star Sam Dwyer.

BELOW: The rookie situation at your club

SANFL football - Woodville-West Torrens Eagles vs West Adelaide match at Unleash Solar Oval. Rory Laird marks. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE
Rookies: Ben Dowdell, Kyle Hartigan, Tim Klaosen, Rory Laird (above), Timothy McIntyre, Dylan Orval, Jack Osborn

Adelaide has a fit and full list of 40 and won't elevate a rookie on Tuesday.

"At this stage, barring a serious injury we won't be elevating any of our current rookies until the mid-season rookie upgrade (Round 11). (Our rookies) have all had good pre-seasons and have shown positive signs, with running defender Rory Laird the standout. Kyle Hartigan, a key defender recruited from Werribee, has also impressed." - Crows List manager David Noble.

BRISBANE LIONS
Rookies: Callum Bartlett, Jordon Bourke, Justin Clarke, Nick Hayes, Sam Michael, Richard Newell, Stephen Wrigley

Brisbane has one spot available on its senior list and had upgraded young defender Clarke.

"The decision was based largely on his form in the pre-season, where he has demonstrated that he has developed well enough to be considered for senior selection at some stage in 2013. From a list point of view he also provides us with some depth in an area where we are potentially exposed due to injury." - national talent manager Rob Kerr

CARLTON

Rookies: Tom Bell, Jaryd Cachia, Andrew Collins, Ed Curnow, Frazer Dale, Rhys O'Keefe.

The Blues had two vacancies on their list, but they have now been filled.

"We have Ed Curnow as an upgraded rookie and Tom Bell has been elevated for Andrew McInnes, who has a long-term injury." - Blues football administration manager Shane O'Sullivan.

COLLINGWOOD
Rookies: Sam Dwyer, Jack Frost, Michael Hartley, Ben Hudson, Kyle Martin, Caolan Mooney, Adam Oxley, Ben Richmond, Peter Yagmoor

Collingwood has 38 players on its senior list and can elevate two players.

"All of our rookies are in the frame ... we will avail ourselves of that opportunity to nominate two players, we've got the space to do that and we've been given the all-clear by the AFL to do that from a salary cap point of view." - Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh.

ESSENDON
Rookies: Lauchlan Dalgleish, Cory Dell'Olio, Hal Hunter, Ariel Steinberg.

Essendon has a fit list of 40 players so won't be elevating a rookie today.

"Thankfully we don't have a long-term injured player at this point in time." - Bombers football operations manager Danny Corcoran.

FREMANTLE
Rookies: Alex Howson, Sam Menegola, Craig Moller, Haiden Schloithe, Matt Taberner.

The Dockers have a full list of 40 and no room to promote a rookie.

Geelong vs Adelaide at Skilled Stadium, Geelong. Mark Blicavs over Sam Jacobs Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG
Rookies: Ryan Bathie, Mark Blicavs (above), George Burbury, Cameron Eardley, Jackson Sheringham, Josh Walker

The Cats have 40 on their list, but have put midfielder Josh Cowan, forward Lincoln McCarthy and ruckman Dawson Simpson on their long-term injury list, meaning they can accommodate three rookie upgrades before Round 1.

"It's nice to have that option of having a few rookies who are in form and giving the coach some options. We've got guys putting their hands up to play." - Cats list manager Stephen Wells.

HAWTHORN
Rookies: Andrew Boseley, Jonathon Ceglar, Amos Frank, Will Langford, Derick Wanganeen

The club has a full list of 40 and won't be nominating a rookie today.

"The club has placed Brendan Whitecross onto the long-term injury list and with Matt Suckling and Alex Woodward rehabilitating from long-term knee injuries we haven't made any decisions about upgrading a rookie player, which we can do at any stage throughout the season." - Hawks recruiting and list manager Graham Wright.

GOLD COAST
Rookies: Andrew Boston, Josh Hall, Leigh Osborne

With 42 players on its list, and also with a need to trim that to 40 next year, Gold Coast is not in a position to elevate any rookies.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Rookies: Joseph Redfern, Zachary Williams

With only two rookies on its books and a full playing list, GWS has no wiggle room.
 

St Kilda v Melbourne. MCG. Beau Wilkes battles for the ball with James Magner Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE
Rookies: Mitch Clisby, Tom Couch, James Magner (above), Nathan Stark

"We haven't got a nominated rookie spot, so players are only elevated in the case of long-term injuries. We have Max Gawn on the long-term injury list but he's due to come off in the next few weeks. James Magner and Tom Couch, who have both played AFL, are both on our rookie list." - Demons football manager Josh Mahoney.

NORTH MELBOURNE
Rookies: Tim McGenniss, Cameron Richardson, Ben Speight, Eric Wallace, Max Warren

North Melbourne does not have an available spot to upgrade a rookie.

PORT ADELAIDE
Rookies: Danny Butcher, Justin Hoskin, Kane Mitchell, Darren Pfeiffer

Port Adelaide has a full list of 40, but has Nick Salter on the long-term injury list and so can elevate a replacement.

"Tomorrow's irrelevant for us ... we can name a replacement for Salter whenever we want. It won't be happening (today)." - Power football manager Peter Rohde.

RICHMOND
Rookies: Ricky Petterd, Sam Lonergan, Steven Verrier, Cadeyn Williams, Orren Stepheneson, Ben Darrou

Richmond said it still hadn't decided last night which rookies to upgrade, but this morning gave the nod to ex-Demon Petterd and former Cat Stephenson. Former Bomber Sam Lonergan made a late bid for promotion with some excellent clearance work in the wet against the Bulldogs last Saturday, but he was beaten by Petterd's versatility and the Tigers' thin ruck stocks.

- No comment provided by club.

Richmond player Ricky Petterd could be investigated over alleged "vile abuse". Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA
Rookies: Tom Curren, Jackson Ferguson, Darren Minchington, Cameron Shenton, Jordan Staley

No upgrade space available with a full list to choose from.
 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 03: Dane Rampe of the Sydney Swans runs with the ball during the round two AFL NAB Cup match between the St Kilda Saints and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on March 3, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Source: Herald Sun

SYDNEY
Rookies: Shane Biggs, Brandon Jack, Jake Lloyd, Sam Naismith, Dane Rampe (above), Xavier Richards, Daniel Robinson

The Swans have Alex Johnson and Gary Rohan on their long-term injury list. Rampe, a Sydney-raised defender who has trained previously with the Western Bulldogs, is likely to get promoted as a fill-in for Johnson, while midfielders Jack - the younger brother of Kieren - and Lloyd are expected to battle for the other spot.

- No comment provided by club.

WEST COAST
Rookies: Jamie Bennell, Jeremy McGovern, Callum Sinclair, Simon Tunbridge

Mark Nicoski (hamstring) has been put on the long-term injury list, creating space for a rookie promotion. Ruckman Callum Sinclair could be called upon to help cover injured big man Nic Naitanui.

"The coaching staff don't usually promote anyone unless they think they will be in the (squad of) 25." - Eagles spokesman.

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Rookies: Mark Austin, Brett Goodes, Alex Greenwood, Lin Jong, Jack Redpath

The club has 39 players on its senior list and will upgrade Brett Goodes today.

"It's a great result for him. He's worked really hard over the pre-season and I think it's starting to play dividends. I think even his pre-season form has been enough to suggest he'll be a worthy rookie nomination." - Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia.

COMPILED BY: Warwick Green, Jon Ralph, Jay Clark, Sam Edmund, Eliza Sewell, Matt Windley

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NAB Cup SuperCoach stars

Shane Crawford reveals his SuperCoach 2013 line-up including some big smokies

Daniel Rich capped a huge pre-season by winning the Michael Tuck Medal for best on ground in the NAB Cup final. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

SEE the SuperCoach scores of every player for every NAB Cup match.

As a resource for picking your SuperCoach side, you can't go past pre-season form.

How many times have you heard a player halfway through the season credit his good form to his best pre-season ever? Or another player put his bad form down to not getting a good run at it before Round 1.

That tells you that despite all the coach's games, these games do count for something.

They can also throw up some funny numbers - the No.1 scorer for the NAB Cup was Kangaroos defender Nathan Grima with an outlandish average of 163 points. But that was scored in one match - which was played in a monsoon at Craigieburn and was called off halfway through the final quarter.

But if you take a broader view and look at players who appeared at least three times, Brisbane Lions midfielder Daniel Rich is the standout.

SuperCoach is free and you could win $50,000. Sign up now!

He scored 246 in the opening NAB Cup double-header and followed up with 132 in round three of the NAB Cup and 97 in the final - claiming the Michael Tuck Medal.

Lions teammate Patrick Karnezis was the surprise packet of the pre-season, averaging 97 SuperCoach points over four matches, while other players in the breakout window include Saint Jack Steven (average 105) and Demon Jack Watts (106.5).

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE EVERY NAB CUP SUPERCOACH SCORE

TOP 10 NAB CUP AVERAGES
(min 3 games)

118.8 Daniel Rich (BL) $485,800 mid
117.0 Andrew Swallow (NM) $585,100 mid
116.8 Bachar Houli (Rich) $444,800 def
116.0 Gary Ablett (GC) $740,500 mid
112.0 Josh Kennedy (Syd) $643,000 mid
111.8 Brendon Goddard (Ess) $541,500 def/mid
109.7 Dane Swan (Coll) $675,300 mid
108.5 Jarrad McVeigh (Syd) $526,000 mid
107.5 Joel Selwood (Geel) $629,500 mid
106.5 Jack Watts (Melb) $460,100 def/fwd

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BARGAIN BIN

97.0 Michael Hibberd (Ess) $395,100 def
96.8 Patrick Karnezis (BL) $262,200 fwd
82.3 Daniel Currie (NM) $109,500 ruck
80.0 Brett Goodes (WB) $128,200 mid/def
79.5 Ricky Petterd (Rich) $240,800 fwd
76.6 Brent Moloney (BL) $362,400 mid
76.6 Jordan Russell (Coll) $266,000 def
72.6 Jaeger O'Meara (GC) $115,900 mid
71.0 Dean Kent (Melb) $109,500 mid
70.0 Lewis Stevenson (PA) $115,900 def
69.8 Dean Terlich (Melb) $109,500 def
68.5 Mark Blicavs (Geel) $115,900 mid/ruck

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ALARM BELLS

66.8 Travis Cloke (Coll) $436,400 fwd
64 Dustin Martin (Rich) $473,500 fwd/mid
64 Trent Cotchin (Rich) $622,100 mid
59.7 Taylor Walker (Adel) $536,000 fwd
57.3 Sam Fisher (StK) $444,100 def
57.3 Tom Scully (GWS) $424,700 mid
52.8 Shaun Atley (NM) $380,400 def
52.2 Greg Broughton (GC) $441,900 def
34.3 Tom Lee (StK) $115,900 fwd

Source: Champion Data

Got a SuperCoach question? Send it to supercoachtips@heraldsun.com.au and watch The SuperCoach Show on Fox Footy for answers from the experts. The SuperCoach Show screens on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week at 7pm and every Thursday at 6pm during the season.

EVERY NAB CUP SUPERCOACH SCORE

Note: Scores for week 1 of the NAB Cup include both round-robin matches, with scores scaled to reflect the shortened matches - this is factored into the overall average. The final column includes scores for the full-scale Fremantle v Adelaide practice match three weeks ago.

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Suns, Giants gain draft bonus

The Giants dominated the draft last year. Picture: Matt Roberts. Source: Getty Images

THE two expansion clubs are again poised to enter this year's draft with extra early selections after activating first-round compensation picks.

Greater Western Sydney triggered its mid-round one selection, which will be taken directly before the eighth-placed team's first pick.

That pick was originally cast Geelong's way as part of its compensation for losing Gary Ablett. But the Cats sent it back to the Suns in a juggle of draft choices, before Gold Coast forwarded it the Giants' way at the trade table in 2011.

Seven rookies were today upgraded - find out who

The Suns activated their end-of-first-round compensation selection, which will take place after the premier's first choice.

That pick was originally sent to Adelaide when Gold Coast poached Nathan Bock. It then made its way to Richmond as part of the Richard Tambling deal, before the Tigers returned it to the Suns in 2011.

Four compensation picks were held over.

The Suns hold another two, one of which must be used next season , the Giants hold one more while West Coast has a round-three compensation pick which will be activated in 2014.

The two activated this year can be palmed off to other clubs during October's trade period.

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Hodge expects Buddy big pay cut

Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge, pictured here alongside the other 17 AFL skippers, expects a pay cut as the Hawks move to keep Lance Franklin. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN captain Luke Hodge expects a pay cut as the AFL club tries to keep Lance Franklin.

While Franklin's decision to defer contract talks until post-season is the big-ticket item, Hodge and former skipper Sam Mitchell are among other premiership stars the Hawks must re-sign.

Hodge, 28, who played just 10 games last year because of injury, said he and 30-year-old Mitchell were at the stage of their careers where ``we don't have quite as much pull as Franky does''.

"As you get older it's proven in the past that you're going to have to go lower so that the younger blokes coming through can get paid probably a little bit more than what they deserve,'' Hodge said.

But the Hawks won't break the bank on Franklin either.

"The club have thrown Buddy the best offer we can give with the blokes that we've got on our list,'' he said.

"It's up for Bud to take his time this year, have a good think about it and see where his future wants to be.''

Hodge was in no hurry to re-sign and said his deal didn't need to be a priority as there was no doubt he'd stay a Hawk.

He was confident he could recapture career-best form this season despite coming off knee surgery and last year's illness and injury troubles.

"If your expectations drop then you probably shouldn't be playing,'' Hodge said.

He said the knee was fully healed but doubt remained over whether he'll face Geelong on Easter Monday.

The Hawks are out to break a nine-match losing streak against the Cats since their 2008 grand final win.

While Hodge would love to be out there, he has learnt the hard way that rushing back is not smart.

"I made the mistake last year of coming back probably a little bit early with my calf and hurt that just before round one,'' he said.

"We deliberately haven't set a date that I'm going to be back.

"We'll just take it as it comes.''

The Hawks also hope Cyril Rioli (ankle) and recruit Brian Lake (calf) can face the Cats.

Lake's return would be particularly useful.

The club recruited him to combat power forwards such as Geelong's Tom Hawkins, who kicked six goals including the winner after the siren in their most recent meeting.

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Riewoldt relies on blood jabs

2013 preview: Fox Footy expert Brad Johnson says the Saints need to find the next group of stars to take the baton from Nick Riewoldt and Co.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt catches his breath. Source: Getty Images

ST KILDA captain Nick Riewoldt continues to be injected with his own blood to help prolong his career.

Riewoldt will rely on a German medical technique to nurse a degenerative left knee injury through the AFL season.

"Yeah, it's something I've got to manage and I think ultimately it will be the thing that probably forces me to retire. But certainly I've got a few years left yet,'' he said today.

"It has been ongoing for a while now. I managed it pretty well last year. I was able to put in a pretty solid year until I got injured (missed the last three rounds) with a totally unrelated injury.''

Riewoldt has the Orthokine therapy at the Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre. The treatment remove proteins from the blood that inhibit inflammation and are injected to the affected joint.

"They take your blood and - am I allowed to say inject? - and I've had some pretty good success from that,'' Riewoldt said.

"If I start to get sore and swollen, it's something I can go to. So, we have that up our sleeve.

"It's a concentrated burst. You have six weeks go of it and that lasts for six months.

"They spin the blood and take out the concentrated anti-inflammatory part of your blood and then inject it back.''

American basketballer Kobe Bryant and baseball slugger Alex Rodriguez are among other sportsmen to use the technique.

Riewoldt said the treatment allows him to continue to train during the season and play a match at full capacity.

On the long-term prognosis for the knee, the Saints skipper said: "If I want to go and run marathons, it's probably going to be an issue. But if I want to walk 18 holes at golf, I should be fine.''

The skipper also shed light on the Saints selection dilemma bolstering their short-handed backline.

Sean Dempster (hamstring) looks set to miss Round 1 with former Docker Dylan Roberton the likely replacement.

Rhys Stanley would also be considered in a more defensive role but he too is sidelined with a knee injury.

Riewoldt said he was happy with the club's attacking options with Beau Maister, Terry Milera, Ahmed Saad and Trent Dennis-Lane enjoying solid pre-season campaigns.

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AFL pre-season matches wrap

Gary Ablett appeals for a free kick as the Suns beat the Dees. Picture: Adam Head Source: HWT Image Library

THE Suns beat the Dees, Hawthorn broke its pre-season duck and a Roo was placed on report. Get a full wrap of all of today's AFL pre-season matches here.

RICHMOND 148 (92) def WESTERN BULLDOGS 12.11 (83) at Visy Park

A BURST of last-quarter domination from Tigers rookie Sam Lonergan ignited Richmond to a nine-point win against the Western Bulldogs in a hotly contested match at Visy Park today.

Both sides fielded near full-strength sides as a proper tune-up for Round 1, and the Dogs controlled most of the match before Lonergan separated the sides.

Richmond v Western Bulldogs at Visy park, Sam Lonergan crash's into Luke Dahlhaus Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: HWT Image Library

The former Bomber won a pair of centre clearances and kicked an important goal as he fights to win a place on Richmond's senior list.

Ruckman Ivan Maric was best-afield, booting three goals and impressing around the ground, while Shane Edwards, Shane Tuck and Shaun Grigg relished the winter-like conditions.

Former Docker Nick Lower took another step towards sewing up a Round 1 place for the Western Bulldogs, shutting down superstar and Richmond captain Trent Cotchin.

Lower has excelled as a tagger this pre-season, also taking the honours against Sam Mitchell.

A Jason Tutt goal cut the gap to just three points in the final term, before Jack Riewoldt found the sticks to secure victory.

It was Riewoldt's sole goal as he was shutdown by a magnificent performance by Dale Morris, who is ready to play his first proper game in 18 months after snapping his leg.

Earlier, the Dogs raced to a four-goal lead as Adam Cooney and Mitch Wallis got busy.

Cooney booted a last-quarter goal when Nathan Hrovat, the first-round draft pick who the Dogs debuted today, spotted him in attack.

Hrovat and Tom Liberatore impressed in the final quarter with their inside midfield grunt.

Jordan Roughead again showed signs his move to defence is set to pay off, while a dazzling interception from Luke Dahlhaus set up a Daniel Giansiracusa goal in the third quarter as the Dogs looked set to run away with the match.

Richmond v Western Bulldogs at Visy park, Sam Lonergan crash's into Luke Dahlhaus Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: HWT Image Library

But the Tigers held firm until the last change before making their move, with goals to Maric and Brett Deledio to start the last quarter.

Brett Goodes capped his incredible summer with another standout performance from halfback and looks certain to make his AFL debut in Round 1 at the age of 29.

GWS GIANTS 16.6 (102) def ST KILDA 12.14 (86) at Blacktown

ST KILDA has suffered a 144-point turnaround from its debut meeting with GWS Giants late last year, falling to the baby club to end its pre-season campaign.

The Saints leaked six last-quarter goals as they were overpowered by the wooden-spoon favourites in a shock result at Blacktown.

It prompted Giants coach Kevin Sheedy to issue a stern warning after the match to nemesis Sydney, declaring "they wouldn't want to treat us with any disrespect" when they do battle in Round 1.

Beau Maister goaled to give the Saints the lead late in the third term, but it was all GWS after that as the home side cruised to a rare victory.

Jack Newnes again impressed, while Gold Coast recruit Tom Hickey was spared the majority of ruck duties as Ben McEvoy took control

Oddly, St Kilda beat the premier (Sydney) and lost to the bottom side (GWS) this NAB Cup. The Saints now have a week off before travelling to Metricon Stadium to play Gold Coast in Round 1.

GOLD COAST 12.8 (80) def MELBOURNE 8.7 (55) at Southport, Queensland

A DOMINANT performance from maligned Dee Jack Watts did little as an undersized Melbourne was exposed by Gold Coast in its final pre-season match today.

A Demons side missing Mitch Clark,  Jack Viney, Jack Trengove James Frawley and Chris Dawes lacked firepower up forward and was stretched in defence as the Suns' young tall timber speared the home side to a 25-point win.

Big men Aaron Hall and Charlie Dixon combined for five majors, while Gary Ablett stepped his pre-season up another notch, collecting 24 touches in the 12.8 (80) to 8.7 (55) victory at Southport.

Watts racked up 25 disposals as he was unleashed from halfback, while James Sellar provided a lone target in attack, booting three goals.

Mature-aged recruit Dean Terlich again impressed for Melbourne and is on track for a Round 1 debut against Port Adelaide in two weeks.

Terlich collected 21 touches and booted a goal, while Mark Jamar was dominant in the ruck.

Suns' first-round draftee and midfield wrecking ball Jesse Lonergan injured his wrist and was spotted sporting a sling after the match.

16/3/13 AFL -The Gold Coast Suns play the Melbourne Demons in NAB Cup game at Southport Sharks on the Gold Coast. Jesse Lonergan in a sling after the game. Pics Adam Head Picture: Adam Head Source: HWT Image Library

HAWTHORN 19.8 (122) def NORTH MELBOURNE 5.11 (41) at Craigieburn

HAWTHORN and North Melbourne called off their practice match halfway through the last quarter as wild weather lashed Craigieburn.

With the Hawks leading by 79 points and 13.55 on the clock, both sides mutually agreed to end the contest.

And the Roos could be without another defender for their Round 1 clash against Collingwood with former Sun Taylor Hine reported for a high bump on Jack Gunston.

The Roos are already without Scott McMahon for the season-opener, while veteran Brent Harvey is suspended until Round 7.

The Roos were monstered by Hawthorn, with David Hale booting four goals in the first three quarters against his old side to spear the Hawks to a 76-point lead at the final change.

Nathan Grima and Ryan Bastinac tried hard for the Roos, while Lance Franklin and Gunston kicked three goals each.

For updates from Craigieburn follow Matt Windley on Twitter

PORT ADELAIDE 15.12 (102) def SYDNEY 10.12 (72) at AAMI Stadium

NEW Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak speared his side to a five-goal win against premiers Sydney to cap the Power's impressive pre-season under Ken Hinkley.

The midfield star booted three goals from 29 touches as Port shot clear in the final quarter.

But forward John Butcher injured his hand during the 15.12 (102) to 10.12 (72) win, although Port Adelaide tweeted it did not appear to be a serious blow.

Brad Ebert collected 25 touches, while former Eagle Lewis Stevenson racked up 21 from defence as he continues to bolt towards a Round 1 Power debut after 10 games for West Coast in 2010.

Goals to Sydney stars Adam Goodes, Kieran Jack and Jesse White in the third quarter sent the Swans into the final break just seven points down, before the home side seized control in front of 5042 fans.

Sam Reid kicked Sydney's sole major in the final term, two weeks out from Sydney's Round 1 match against GWS.

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Hawks win carries worries

Sam Mitchell spins out of trouble. Picture: Scott Chris Source: HWT Image Library

HAWTHORN finally got its first win of the pre-season, but will now sweat on the fitness of Josh Gibson and the Match Review Panel's verdict of David Hale's hit on Leigh Adams as it prepares for Round 1.

The Hawks defeated North Melbourne by 81 points in Craigieburn this afternoon in a match that was cut short midway through the final term as both teams opted for a safety first approach at a rain-swept Highgate Reserve.

Gibson was smashed in a marking contest in the dying seconds of the first half and appeared to be short of breath and holding the left side of his rib cage.

Get a wrap of all the matches here

He moved gingerly towards the bench, but then was assisted from the field by two trainers once the half time siren sounded.

He did not return to the field, but coach Alastair Clarkson said afterwards it was always planned to rest Gibson - as well as Jordan Lewis and Jarryd Roughead - in the second half.

nm#38 Majak Daw gets away from h#25 Picture: Scott Chris Source: HWT Image Library

Hale was reported for making forceful front on contact to Adams in the first quarter.

Both attacked a ground ball in the Hawks' forward 50m, but Adams was sent crashing to the turf after being collected high.

He played on, but was sporting a black eye after the match.

Injuries and reports aside, it was a fairly routine win for Hawthorn against an extremely undermanned Kangaroos outfit missing up to 12 of its first choice players.

After a competitive first quarter, the Hawks ran out 19.8 (122) to 5.11 (41) winners.

Hale kicked four goals while Gunston, Lance Franklin and Sam Grimley chipped in with three goals each.

Clarkson said he was confident Gibson would be fit to face Geelong at the MCG in 15 days time.

"I think he's going to be OK, Gibbo ... he just got a bit of a knock in a marking contest,'' Clarkson said.

nm#38 Majak Daw gets away from h#25 Picture: Scott Chris Source: HWT Image Library

"We were going to take him out at half time anyway. He'll be OK, he's a pretty tough competitor.''

Many Hawks fans would have headed to the northern suburbs hoping to glean information on how their side would go about replacing the injured Matthew Suckling.

Matthew Spangher was good in defence and can play both tall and small, while Kyle Cheney was also serviceable.

Interestingly, Gunston also won a fair few possessions in the back half and also had two rebound 50s to his name.

Clarkson said the art of re-working his side's backline was still a work in progress.

"We'll work it out, we've got good depth at our footy club,'' he said.

"Suckers is obviously a loss for us, but you've just got to forge ahead _ when one goes down you replace him with another guy.

"We think we've got enough depth, is it the same quality? We'll wait and see. We'll keep putting blokes in there and hopefully we'll get the same rebound as last year.''

The coach said Gunston's clean foot skills could be utilised in defence at times.

"But just his polish in the front half is really valuable for our side, so we'll continue to explore things across half back but we probably don't want to rob the influence he can have for us in the front half of the ground.''

Clarkson said the match had been approached as a full Round 1 dress rehearsal and, as such, he was happy enough with the outcome.

"You can only control what you can do ... by and large it was a good hitout for both sides.''
 

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Tigers primed for Round 1

Richmond star Brett Deledio in full flight against the Western Bulldogs at Visy Park. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick came away from yesterday's nine-point win over the Western Bulldogs confident his team was in great shape for its Round 1 showdown against Carlton.

The Tigers have dropped only one game in the pre-season and have almost a full list to chose from for the season opener on Thursday week.

Against the Dogs they came from 18 points down in the third quarter to kick seven of the last nine goals in scrappy conditions at Visy Park, and did so with subdued performances from key players Trent Cotchin (18 disposals), Jack Riewoldt (one goal and six disposals), Dustin Martin and Chris Newman (10 possessions each).

''It was a tough old game really, and the conditions weren't really great, but to walk away at the end of the NAB Cup campaign with four wins and one loss was a reasonable result for us,'' Hardwick said.

Jake King and Daniel Jackson, who were rested yesterday, are both expected to be available for the Round 1 match against the Blues.

Chris Knights and Dylan Grimes, who have had injury-interrupted pre-seasons, are expected to get at least a half in Coburg's VFL match against Weribee on Sunday.

Nathan Foley remains at least a month away from playing.

The Tigers had six multiple goalkickers, led by ruckman Ivan Maric, with Luke McGuane (two goals) presenting as a third marking forward.

''He was good, kicked a couple of goals,'' Hardwick said. ''He does compete, Luke, that's the one thing we love about him.''

The Bulldogs were disappointed they could not finish off the march, but would be encouraged by knowing about a half a dozen new faces could come into the team that finished the 2012 season, with Brett Goodes, Jason Johannisen, Nick Lower and Tom Young among those with strong cases for inclusion.

Lower did exceptionally well nullifying Cotchin, restricting him to just six disposals in the first half and frustrating the Tigers skipper throughout.

Assistant coach Brett Montgomery was buoyed that experienced core played well, but several recruits had played well.

''At the selection table ... we've got plenty to choose from and there were at least 12 or 13 weeks last year where that wasn't the case and we were just putting whatever we had out there,'' Montgomery said.

Adam Cooney (24 touches) showed glimpses of the explosive best that was a feature of his glory days, Robert Murphy was damaging alternating between half forward and half back and Daniel Giansiracusa (two goals) was a constant threat.

Ryan Griffen collected 30 possessions and Dale Morris totally outplayed Riewoldt.

Montgomery said the club was hopeful Shaun Higgins, Easton Wood and possibly Tom Williams would be available for the Round 1 match against Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, although the Dogs were conscious of not including several underdone players in the 22.

Higgins and Wood are likely to play at VFL level next weekend.

Hardwick also backed the AFL's new sliding rules after the match.

''Overall I think the rule is great, I really like it. 54 free kicks today is a lot of free kicks. It's really hard for the umpires to administer. Is it forceful contact or is it (just) contact .... wet conditions is tough. I think the overriding concept is good.

''There's a couple though on a wet day where a guy slides to get the ball and a player falls over the top. They're probably the ones where we have to wait and see (how the rule is interpreted).''

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Gray happy to be back

Robbie Gray at Port Adelaide training. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide specialist forward Robbie Gray will step up his workloads after a successful return from serious knee surgery to competitive football on Saturday night.

Power assistant coach Garry Hocking today described Gray as a "kid in a lolly shop'' in his chase for the ball during half a game with SANFL club West Adelaide in a night trial at Richmond Oval.

He added the recuperation program would now have Gray play three quarters in SANFL trials with roles in the midfield.
 
Independent observers noted Gray has lost none of his pace despite his legs having naturally lost their tone.
 
Gray yesterday Tweeted: "Got through and pulled up well. Good to be back playing again!''

Gray was injured in April in Port's away clash with Collingwood. At best, he could resume in the AFL on April 6 at home against Greater Western Sydney.

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