Swan's manager hits back at Eddie

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire wants to increase fines for players who break club rules. Picture: Ian Currie. Source: Fox Sports

DANE Swan's manager Liam Pickering has accused Eddie McGuire of being a hypocrite, conceding his relationship with the Collingwood president has deteriorated since the Brownlow medallist's unauthorised interview on The Footy Show.

But the man who manages two of Collingwood's best players - Swan and Scott Pendlebury - swears he does not have a strained relationship with the Magpies.

Responding to McGuire's criticism of his role in setting up the Swan interview, Pickering hit back today, saying it was another case of the Magpies boss "playing the man".

Speaking on SEN radio, Pickering said there was little difference to how the Swan interview transpired to what McGuire did with his interview with former Melbourne forward Liam Jurrah last year.

"It's 100 per cent hypocrisy," Pickering said.

"Absolutely I take offence to what (McGuire) said.

"I've had a gutful of it."

Pickering said McGuire's claim that he would have liked to have fined Swan $25,000 for breaching club protocol was "ridiculous".

He said if Collingwood intended to fine Swan the maximum of $5000, he would take the matter to the AFL Players' Association.

McGuire yesterday said  fines would increase for players who break club rules.

As the fallout from Swan's controversial paid television appearance continues, McGuire said the $5000 ceiling clubs could currently impose was inadequate. Swan earned a reported $25,000 for his interview, where he discussed stories surrounding his off-field behaviour.

"The fines will go up. This five grand fine for players - the AFL are on to this, it's going to go through the roof because people are snubbing it," McGuire told Triple M.

"If I could make it 25 grand (for Swan), I'd make it 25 grand to make the point.

"I'll give you the tip now, it (unauthorised interviews) won't ever happen at Collingwood again.

"Because every player who does not follow protocol at Collingwood, and I would speak for every club now, is going to get blistered and blistered hard.

"Philosophically, I didn't have an issue about him on The Footy Show. I was quite happy with what Swanny said.

"Swanny's pretty much done the right thing, if you like, and all the rest of it, but the protocol has been absolutely jumped over the top of.

"Protocols are going to be big. It's protocol that got Essendon in trouble."

Liam Pickering, Swan's manager, yesterday conceded he should have alerted Collingwood about the interview.

"I feel a bit for Walshy because he only found out about it a week ago - but (president) Eddie McGuire did know before it was filmed.

"And he (Swan) wasn't doing it to spite the club. He just wanted to clear up a few things that were going around about himself, which he had every right to do."

AFL Players' Association chief Matt Finnis said last night: "We are not interested in having a discussion about increasing fines.

"We think fines are, in fact, an improper manner of regulating player behaviour."Last year, McGuire upset Melbourne officials when he interviewed Liam Jurrah without seeking the club's consent.

At the time, the Pies president said: "If James Brayshaw was good enough to get an interview with a player who invited him into his house and was going to run it on Thursday night on The Footy Show, good luck to him."

Jurrah was not paid for the interview.

Swan has been rested for tonight's NAB Cup game against the Brisbane Lions, along with teammates Scott Pendlebury and Travis Cloke.

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LIVE: Hawks v Tigers

Hawk Derick Wanganeen pounces on Tiger Brandon Ellis during the first quarter at Aurora Stadium. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

FOLLOW today's NAB Cup action with games featuring powerhouses Hawthorn, Richmond, Geelong and Collingwood.

2.07pm - Jack gives Tigers breathing space
Hawks 0.5.3 (33)
Tigers 0.8.4 (52)

JACK Riewoldt has helped Richmond to a handy 19-point lead at the main break kicking his second goal of the match.

Riewoldt could have had three in the half but passed off to an unmarked Shaun Grigg in the goalsquare when lining up from 25m directly in front.

The Tigers dominated play in the first half barring a five-minute burst in the first quarter when Hawthorn kicked three goals to level the scores.

Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

2.07pm - Tigers in control over Hawks
Hawks 0.5.3 (33)
Tigers 0.7.3 (45)

RICHMOND is making light work of a sluggish Hawthorn outfit at Aurora Stadium.

Veteran Chris Newman gave the Tigers the ideal start in the second quarter when he converted a set shot from close range.

Newman was the beneficiary of a 50m penalty against Hawk recruit Matt Spangher, who failed to return the ball to Newman after the umpire blew his whistle.

Jack Riewoldt added to the Hawks woes when he found an unmarked Shaun Grigg in the goalsquare to make it a 12-point ball game.

Hawthorn answered through Jarryd Roughead but it short-lived as Jake King pounced late in the term kicking his second goal.

Sam Mitchell leads allcomers with 15 disposals including five rebound 50s. Mitchell has also laid six tackles.

1.33pm - Hawks strike back
Hawks 0.4.0 (24)
Tigers 0.4.1 (25)

HAWTHORN is mounting a charge at Aurora Stadium after letting Richmond skip away to a cheap lead.

The Tigers kicked four of the first five goals before back-to-back Hawks goals cut the margin to one point.

Opportunist Shane Savage opened the floodgates snapping truly from the top of the square before Jed Anderson and Shane Burgoyne chimed in with goals in a hurry.

Burgoyne kicked the Hawks' first goal marking about 30m out uncontested.

Richmond threatened to kick away midway through the term when Tyrone Vickery and Jack Riewoldt slotted two goals in as many minutes.

Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

1.22pm - King gives Tiges the lead
Hawks 0.1.0 (6)
Tigers 0.2.0 (12)

RICHMOND has started the better of the two sides with Jake King and Brett Deledio giving the Tigers an early lead at Aurora Stadium.

The 'Pushup' King made no mistake from directly in front after winning a free kick in marking contest.

Enter classy Deledio who rubbed salt into the Hawks wounds taking a strong pack mark before converting his shot on goal.

The near full-strength Tigers have dominated play early in the first quarter.

Join in our Live HQ coverage by tweeting your thoughts on today's games @gilbertgardiner or @superfooty

But Hawthorn veteran Shaun Burgoyne answered for the Hawks taking an uncontested mark in the pocket before cutting the margin to six points.

Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

1.10pm - Hawks, Tiges do battle
Hawks 0.0.0. (0)
Tigers 0.0.0 (0)

RICHMOND captain Trent Cotchin has drawn first blood, winning the toss against Hawthorn who remains winless in the NAB Cup.

The Hawks line up with Jarryd Roughead playing out of the goalsquare replacing the injured Lance Franklin.

Check back for regular updates and breaking news throughout the day.

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Are Eddie's ethics everywhere?

McGuire rubbishes suggestions Swan didn't get club support.

Swan denies he, or anyone at Collingwood, has drug problem.

Eddie McGuire on the set of Fox Footy show EMT. Picture: Ian Currie Source: Herald Sun

EDDIE McGuire is up in arms.

Fine Dane Swan $25,000 he says, just to make a point.

Blacklist The Footy Show.

There is a principal at stake, says the Magpie president - and, bizarrely, former The Footy Show host and current Channel 9 heavyweight.

Eddie says protocols are important. He doesn't have an issue with what Swanny said last night, but he didn't follow protocol and neither did the TV station.

"I'll give you the tip now, it won't ever happen at Collingwood again," McGuire said on Triple M this morning.

"Because every player who does not follow protocol at Collingwood, and I would speak for every club now, is going to get blistered and blistered hard.

"I was quite happy with what Swanny said last night ... but the protocol has been absolutely jumped over the top of."

Which makes you wonder if McGuire remembers saying this in March last year:

"If James Brayshaw was good enough to get an interview with a player who invited him into his house and was going to run it on Thursday night on The Footy Show, good luck to him."

That was after he and a crew from his show Eddie McGuire Tonight paid a house call to troubled then-Melbourne star Liam Jurrah.

I'm not worried about the issues – I got the story, it went to air, full stop.

McGuire conducted a personal interview with Jurrah, his mother and his grandmother, following Jurrah's return from Alice Springs for a court appearance on serious assault charges.

The interview angered the Demons, who had not given permission to speak to their troubled star, and prompted questions about McGuire's conflict of interest as the president of a rival club.

But McGuire was unrepentant.

"I don't care if there is a conflict or not in this situation," McGuire said during a heated exchange on SEN.

"The point is this – I've been a president and a journalist for 12 years now. Wake up and smell the roses.

"I'm not worried about the issues – I got the story, it went to air, full stop.

"If I'm being dammed because I got a massive exclusive, with a player who trusted me and invited me into his home to do an interview with him and his nanna, and accurately reported it and did it in a tasteful way that didn't cause any ructions between club and player and actually soothed the situation and gave it a human dimension - that to me is what journalism is all about."

McGuire said Melbourne CEO Cameron Schwab "knew I was doing the meeting," but brushed off the question on whether or not he was actually given permission.

The Magpies president could claim there is one difference between the interviews - he says Jurrah approached him, not the other way around, and McGuire said this morning Jurrah was not paid - but tellingly McGuire declared that if a rival president scored a similar exclusive with a Collingwood player he would applaud them - even if it was done without the Pies' permission.

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Eddie slams Footy Show cash splash

McGuire rubbishes suggestions Swan didn't get club support.

COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire has questioned The Footy Show's chequebook journalism in the wake of last night's Dane Swan interview on the Footy Show.

McGuire said he didn't watch the interview but was incensed that Swan's manager Liam Pickering and Channel 9 hadn't contacted him or the club before it was recorded.

McGuire also voiced concern at reports Swan had been paid to give the interview.

"If you're going to start paying $25,000, which is apparently what I'm hearing for an interview," he said

"Just as I'd like to know whether they paid Cloke last year and Leon Davis last year to come in and try to say some things that muddied the water at Collingwood, and even more importantly, whether they paid Mick Malthouse when he did that story that blew the club up in its quest for a premiership.

Swan denies he, or anyone at Collingwood, has drug problem.

"I'd like to know if there's been $100,000 spent on interviews with Collingwood players."

Collingwood yesterday slapped Swan with a fine in a fresh sign of tension between the Magpies and their most decorated current player.

Swan was summoned to a meeting with officials yesterday afternoon where he was told he would be sanctioned for taking part in a pre-recorded interview on Channel 9 that had not been authorised by the club's administration.

Under AFL rules, clubs cannot fine players more than $5000. It is believed Swan's fine is less than the maximum amount.

2013 preview: The Magpies will struggle to make the top four this season, according to Fox Footy expert Brad Johnson.

Short memory: Are Eddie's ethics everywhere?

But McGuire said he expected that ceiling to be lifted as a way of discouraging players from going outside the usual channels for arranging interviews.

"The fines will go up. This five grand fine for players. The AFL are onto this, it's going to go through the roof because people are snubbing it," he said.

"If I could make it 25 grand, I'd make it 25 grand to make the point"

Dane Swan at Collingwood training today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Injury setbacks for Ball, Didak

The former Footy Show host said Collingwood players would be hit hard if they spoke without club authorisation in the future.

"I'll give you the tip now, it won't ever happen at Collingwood again," McGuire said on Triple M this morning.

"Because every player who does not follow protocol at Collingwood, and I would speak for every club now, is going to get blistered and blistered hard.

Collingwood season preview - Will Pies make the top four?

"Philosophically, I didn't have an issue about him on The Footy Show. I was quite happy with what Swanny said last night.

"Swanny's pretty much done the right thing, if you like, and all the rest of it, but the protocol has been absolutely jumped over the top of."

Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert refused to comment when contacted yesterday afternoon.

The Magpies confirmed in yesterday's Herald Sun that they only learned of Swan's paid interview with The Footy Show after the deal had been negotiated and the interview had been filmed.

While Pert would not comment yesterday, a day earlier he told this newspaper that the club was "surprised" Swan had taken part in the interview without club permission.

Swan declares: I don't have a drug problem

"Dane's management negotiated and conducted the interview before the club's administration was advised," Pert said on Wednesday.

"While we encourage our players to do media work because our supporters enjoy it, we were surprised with the timing of this interview."

Paid interviews with former coach Mick Malthouse in 2011 and Travis Cloke last year caused serious tensions within the club.

It is understood a number of Swan's teammates expressed frustration at his decision to agree to the interview.

Some believed it was poor timing given the likely subject matter and the fact that the club is only 24 days away from its Round 1 clash with North Melbourne.

The 29-year-old, who has long railed against authority, was suspended by the club for two games last year turning up to training in an unfit state.

Swan, who has won three Copeland Trophies as well as the 2011 Brownlow Medal, has been the subject of much scrutiny in recent years in terms of his off-field behaviour.

In interview aired on Fox Sports last night, Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley conceded Swan has had to change part of his carefree nature to fit in with the club's program.

"Our football program has changed a little bit and our players have to move along with that," Buckley told Fox Sports.

"'Swanny' has come along for the journey, his attitude has been fantastic in what he has given to his teammates, but ultimately the true test is out on the field.

"There has been a lot of focus on 'Swanny' and rightly so when you have that many tatts you are going to get a little bit of attention."

Swan has been rested from tomorrow night's NAB Cup game against Brisbane, along with other stars Scott Pendlebury and Travis Cloke.

- with Glenn McFarlane

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Ball pulls out of Footy Show

Dane Swan, left, at Collingwood pre-season training with coach Nathan Buckley. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD midfielder Luke Ball has cancelled an appearance on The Footy Show in the wake of Dane Swan's surprise TV interview.

Collingwood said yesterday it was "surprised" the Brownlow medallist agreed to a paid interview with Channel 9 without the club's knowledge.

It's understood Luke Ball was scheduled to appear as a panelist on the first show of the year tonight, but he is a last-minute cancellation.

It is not known if the decision was made by Ball or the club.

The midfielder has been replaced by North Melbourne forward Drew Petrie.

Chief executive Gary Pert admitted the club's administration was unaware Swan had taken part in tonight's nterview until last Friday -- days after it had been recorded.

"Dane's management negotiated and conducted the interview before the club's administration was advised," Pert said last night.

"While we encourage our players to do media work because our supporters enjoy it, we were surprised with the timing of this interview."

Pert was reluctant to comment any further.

But it is understood some within the club are concerned the controversial midfielder could potentially disrupt the club weeks out from the home-and-away season.

Paid interviews with former coach Mick Malthouse in 2011 and Travis Cloke last year caused serious tensions within the club.

It is believed Swan was paid more than $20,000 for the interview, in which he is said to have denied suggestions he had a drug problem.

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Judd locked in for Round 1

Chris Judd before Carlton training. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON says star midfielder Chris Judd is a certain starter for its Round 1 blockbuster against Richmond despite his absence from the NAB Cup.

The former skipper was again left out of the Blues side to face Adelaide that will automatically book a place in the NAB Cup grand final with a win at AAMI Stadium tomorrow night.

Training strongly in the heat at Visy Park today, Judd will definitely play next week - either in the decider or a NAB Challenge game against another AFL club.

Assistant coach Gavin Brown said there was no danger of the 29-year-old Judd missing game one against the Tigers on Thursday March 28.

He said Judd supported the club's stance which was designed to make sure he played out the season.

"Juddy's going really well and training wonderfully well," said Brown.

"It's more about management and getting him right and we expect him to be right next week."

The Blues say they have no concerns about Judd adapting to their new game style, initiated by incoming coach Mick Malthouse.

"We do a lot of structural work and game style at training and Chris has been involved in that," Brown said.

"That, plus he's a very smart footballer ... it's certainly not a concern."

Andrew Carrazzo will captain the Blues against the Crows in his audition for the vacant top job but Brown wasn't giving away anything on who was likely to permanently lead the team.

"Mick said from the start he was going to give the leadership players a chance to captain at each of the NAB Cups and that finishes off tomorrow night.

"The match committee will then sit down and discuss the pros and cons but, whichever way we go, we're confident we'll have a very good leader."

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Injury blows for Tigers, Blues

David Astbury celebrates a goal for Richmond. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND defender David Astbury is in doubt for the start of the home-and-away season while Round 1 opponent Carlton has lost four players for at least five weeks.

Astbury will miss the final two weeks of the pre-season after sufffering what the Tigers describe as a "minor foot injury".

The young defender was on the brink of completing his first full pre-season since arriving at the club in 2009 and was one of Richmond's best players in its win against Essendon last Saturday, shutting down Bombers forward Michael Hurley.

But after the match Tigers medical staff discovered a "stress reaction" in his left foot.

Astbury is competing with the likes of Dylan Grimes, Ben Griffiths and former free agent Troy Chaplin for a place in the Tigers' defence in Round 1.

"It's very frustrating that I'll miss the opportunity to (push my case for selection), but hopefully I'll still be considered and get an opportunity soon," Astbury told the club's website.

Carlton, meanwhile, will be without tough midfielder David Ellard (hamstring) and rookies Andrew Collins (ankle) and Rhys O'Keeffe (heel) for the next five weeks.

And draftee Nick Graham won't play for two months after arthroscopic surgery to relieve swelling in his knee.

Key forward Jarrad Waite (calf) won't resume full training for two weeks and is in extreme doubt for the March 22 clash against the Tigers.

In better news for Carlton, Chris Judd and Heath Scotland are likely to play their first pre-season matches against Adelaide on Friday night.

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Clubs get new ump update

AFL Umpire's manager Jeff Gieschen. Picture: Greg Scullin Source: Herald Sun

AFL clubs are receiving weekly training video from the umpires department in a bid to avoid surprise rule crackdowns in 2013.

Umpires boss Jeff Gieschen has revealed the umpires coaches are sending every club the same notes and vision they give their umpires each week during the pre-season.

The process will continue in the home-and-away season.

The move is designed to avoid players being surprised by a crackdown on a particular rule - although Gieschen stressed the umpires did not have a "rule of the week".

Using the phrase "refocus" rather than crackdown, he said umpires were like players and sometimes had to be reminded of certain areas that needed attention.

"Some people thought we got the umpires locked up and say 'we have to pay this' and 'we have to pay this' and not tell anyone," Gieschen said.

He said clubs had looked closely at the vision in the first weeks it had been sent out, but that attention had eased.

"I think they realise there's nothing sinister there."

Gieschen also revealed the new rule to pay a free kick for forceful contact below the knees was driven by fears for players' careers and the revelation clubs were training players to slide into tackle bags before picking up the ball off the ground.

On game day the bag would be replaced by an innocent player - such as Magpie Scott Pendlebury who suffered a broken leg when Josh Caddy, then with Gold Coast, dived into him when attacking a loose ball at the MCG last season.

"It can be career-threatening," Gieschen said.

"A lot of people are saying it's part of the fabric of the game but I don't think those people realised teams were training for it and it was only going to get worse."

North Melbourne v Essendon. Etihad Stadium. Ex Carlton footballer now umpire Jordan Bannister with Michael Hurley Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Forceful contact is one of three new rules for this season, along with making ruckmen stand 1m apart at stoppages and umpires throwing the ball up around the ground. The bounce will remain after goals and at the end of each quarter.

Umpires will also alter their interpretation of a number of other rules, including making players kick out quicker after a behind - the permitted time has been cut in half from 10-12 to 5-6sec - and cracking down on players taking up to 40sec to shoot for goal.

Gieschen said St Kilda forward Ahmed Saad, known for his slow-motion approach, had responded positively to the new interpretation.

"On the weekend he was terrific. He actually jogged back to position and started to walk in straight away.

"We all know he is pretty slow on the walk-in but we've worked with the Saints on that.

"I made sure our umpires give him positive feedback at the next opportunity."

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

And Gieschen said he was keen to have umpires tested for illicit and performance-enhancing drugs.

"It just makes sense. You wouldn't want anyone going out there to make decisions being affected by illicit drugs," he said.

"In the time I've been involved there hasn't been one skerrick of concern but in the current climate, why not? If it's good enough for the players, it's good enough for our guys.

"We're really keen and it's just a matter of time before that comes in."

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AFL might pay for Buddy move

Lance Franklin has delayed contract talks with Hawthorn until the end of the season, prompting fears he could be headed elsewhere. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Swans champion Tony Lockett was paid by the league as an ambassador in an expansion market. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

LANCE Franklin could be paid by the AFL outside the salary cap should he choose to leave Hawthorn for Greater Western Sydney.

The AFL would consider making Franklin an ambassador of the game, as it did rugby league converts Israel Folau and Karmichael Hunt.

But the league would not enter into an arrangement until after Franklin had committed to the Giants.

There has already been a strong reaction to the story this morning.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said there would be a uprising against the AFL if this was to happen.

"If the AFL start cheating their own salary cap, Hawthorn won't stand for that," Eddie McGuire said on Triple M this morning.

"I'll give you the tip, there will be a massive push because there will be a position free on the AFL Commission soon, there might be a Hawthorn bloke (Jeff Kennett) going on there.

"If Buddy Franklin gets paid outside the salary cap to go to Greater Western Sydney, there will fair dinkum be marching in the street.

"That's just intolerable."

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou yesterday confirmed a precedent existed where an AFL player - Tony Lockett - was paid by the league as an ambassador in an expansion market.

Lockett joined Sydney from St Kilda in 1995.

Demetriou yesterday stressed the AFL would not be part of any deal to send Franklin north, but would look at a proposal from GWS after Franklin had signed.

"It would be assessed on its merits, and if it made sense, our guys would put a recommendation in," Demetriou said.

"Under no circumstances are they to enter into an arrangement with a club to entice a player to go somewhere on the basis we are going to top up his salary."

The game's most dynamic player has delayed contract talks with Hawthorn until the end of the season, prompting fears he could be headed elsewhere.

His manager, Liam Pickering, said at the weekend he had not fielded offers from another club.

GWS chief executive David Matthews would not comment on recruiting, although it is understood the Giants, who last week re-signed several players, including key forward Jonathon Patton, would now put Franklin on the agenda.

Rioli slams new indigenous team

The club has room in its salary cap to pay Franklin about $1.2 million a season.

Demetriou, who believes Franklin will stay at the Hawks, said an ambassador's role had to be "unique".

Saint icon Barker clear for take-off

"If there's going to be an ambassador, it's got to be because the player is doing something unique and they're helping us promote the game," he said.

Summit to hear conflict

"The last player who went to Sydney on that sort of basis was Tony Lockett, and he was an ambassador, so there is a precedent for it.

Cloke and dagger TV deal done by dad

"We set up Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau because they were two rugby league players and we paid them quite publicly outside the cap. And they did a lot of work in that role."

Footy comes first at Etihad

The AFL also has appointed 11 multicultural ambassadors, including Richmond's Bachar Houli, Collingwood's Harry O'Brien, St Kilda's Leigh Montagna and West Coast's Nic Naitanui.

Demetriou said splitting Franklin's contract was not an option.

"We couldn't have a discussion with GWS to say we'll give him $5 and you give him $2 and we can give him $7 ... we wouldn't be party to that," he said.

It's not fair to the other clubs."

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Dogs back AFL coaches' cap angst

Western Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis expects to feel the pinch of the AFL's interchange cap later in the season. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

WESTERN Bulldogs midfielder Mitch Wallis backed the AFL coaches' condemnation of the 80 interchange limit being trialled during the NAB Cup.

Wallis said today that he believed such a restriction week after week would take a heavy toll on players over a season.

"Talking to the coaches earlier on, it would be fine for a game, but to have it for a while season, fatigue would set in,'' Wallis said.

"Like I said, it would be right for a week, but as the season wore on and you played 22 games with 80 rotations, I think fatigue would set in.''

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou today re-iterated the league's position on the cap despite the disapproval from coaches.

"The fact of the matter is, unless people have got amnesia, the AFL Commission has already passed the rule," Demetriou said on SEN Radio today.

"It said at the end of the year the cap is coming on."

Meanwhile, Bulldogs defender Easton Wood said he felt more weary after the one-point win against Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium last Friday night.

"I'm always pretty tired any game I play, but I was pretty tired at the weekend. It's like anything, we'll play with the parameters we get,'' he said.

Wood said Melbourne's hot summer had helped prepare the Bulldogs for a potentially hot conditions when they play Fremantle in Mandurah, south of Perth, late on Saturday afternoon.

"It's just another chance to work on what we've been doing for the whole pre-season. We've had a pretty hot pre-season, so we're well prepared for it,'' he said.

"We'll just follow advice from the dietician as normal, drink up and prepare yourself.''

Wood said the loss of tall defender Brian Lake to Hawthorn has been more the offset by the return of experienced Dale Morris after being forced to sit out last season while recovering from a badly broken leg.

"I look at it the other way. It's such a positive, we've got our most experienced player in Dale Morris back. It had a huge impact last year without him playing,'' the Dogs backman said.

"I played with him in the first couple of years and the impact he has is enormous and to have him back, I couldn't be happier. But at the same time we have a young group and we can all work together to where we want to go.''

Wallis and Wood said the mood around the Whitten Oval has been buoyed by the Dogs' ability to hold out the Hawks last weekend. And Wood dismissed gloomy predictions for the club this season.

"You never like hearing that sort of stuff. Look, we don't work as hard as we do to just write a season off like that,'' Wood said.

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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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Mick v Bucks in NAB Cup final?

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

Mick Malthouse is unbeaten as Carlton coach. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD and Carlton are on course to clash in a blockbuster NAB Cup final.

Carlton sits atop the pre-season ladder after a big win against Fremantle on Saturday, while the Pies are third after a road win in Perth last night.
 
Collingwood plays pre-season bolter Brisbane - sitting second - in a virtual preliminary final at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Blues have to travel to Adelaide on Friday night but given the Crows' pre-season form, another win seems a distinct possibility.

North Melbourne is the other unbeaten team but has a lower percentage than the Blues, Lions and Magpies and plays its third-round fixture against Geelong at Simonds Stadium.

Port Adelaide is the surprise packet, sitting inside the top eight with two wins, while remarkably the only two teams yet to record a win are 2012 Grand Finalists Hawthorn and Sydney.

NAB CUP LADDER

1. Carlton 3-0 185.5%
2. Brisbane Lions 3-0 143.2%
3. Collingwood 3-0 129.9%
4. North Melbourne 3-0 111.2%
5. Geelong 2-1 129.8%
6. Richmond 2-1 113.5%
7. St Kilda 2-1 99.4%
8. Port Adelaide 2-1 123.5%
---
9. Essendon 1-2 111.8%
10. GWS 1-2 111.7%
11. West Coast 1-2 101.2%
12. Melbourne 1-2 89.6%
13. Gold Coast 1-2 76.1%
14. Western Bulldogs 1-2 74.1%
15. Adelaide 1-2 64.0%
16. Fremantle 1-2 60.1%
17. Hawthorn 0-3 83.2%
18. Sydney 0-3 63.3%

NAB CUP FIXTURE

Round 3

Friday, March 8
GWS v Essendon (Manuka Oval, 6.10pm) FOX FOOTY
Adelaide v Carlton (AAMI Stadium, 8.10pm) FOX FOOTY

Saturday, March 9
Hawthorn v Richmond (Aurora Stadium, 1.10pm) FOX FOOTY
Melbourne v St Kilda (Casey Fields, 2.30pm)
Fremantle v Western Bulldogs (Northam), 3.30pm
Geelong v North Melbourne (Simonds Stadium, 3.40pm) FOX FOOTY
Collingwood v Brisbane Lions (Etihad Stadium, 6.40pm) FOX FOOTY
West Coast v Port Adelaide (Alice Springs, 7pm)
Sydney v Gold Coast (Blacktown ISP, 7pm)

Grand Final

Friday March 15 or Saturday March 16
(Venue TBC) 7.40pm FOX FOOTY/Channel 7

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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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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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