Victory proves who's the Voss

Brisbane smash Carlton in the final quarter to win NAB Cup.

Lions coach Michael Voss and AFL chief Andrew Demetriou after Brisbane's super impressive win in the NAB Cup grand final. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Brisbane Lions midfielder Dayne Zorko celebrates a goal. Picture: Andrew Tauber Source: Herald Sun

AS A player, Michael Voss expected perfection, personally and from teammates.

As a coach, it's taken time for that same stamp to be noticable - but make no mistake, signs are becoming evident.

From the Brisbane coach's viewpoint, a disturbingly large gap between old and new Lions still exists.

But when it works, look out.

The Lions won the NAB Cup by 40 points last night on the back of two stellar periods of football that, in simple terms, Carlton couldn't match.

The Blues, who themselves had some exciting patches, wouldn't be troubled long-term with their rivals seemingly more advanced in their unbeaten pre-season preparation.

But these understated Lions have pieces of the next top-flight puzzle coming together.

The arrival of Stefan Martin combined with the bigger and fitter presence of Aaron Cornelius not only gives Brisbane's forward line more structure, it permits Daniel Merrett to stay at home in the key defensive post.

In turn, Matt Maguire and Joel Patfull are shuffled down the defensive totem pole, with Jed Adcock and the ultra-impressive Pearce Hanley free to swoop on more balls brought to ground.

NAB cup grand final. Carlton v Brisbane @ Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.Lions Jonathan Brown goes for a mark against Jamison Picture: Tauber Andrew Source: Herald Sun

But it's when the next phase of play across half-back links up with Daniel Rich and Dayne Zorko that these Lions become killers.

Time and again last night, the Lions swept the ball the length of the ground with July-like precision.

Jonathan Brown (five goals) and Patrick Karnezis (21 disposals, one goal before being subbed at the final change) are the principal targets on the rampage, but Josh Green (three goals) has that Cyril Rioli-like capacity to alter games with minimal possessions whether off his own boot or setting up others.

There were times last night, whether through increased intensity or Brisbane lapses, when the Blues impressed.

Kane Lucas and Kade Simpson were running standouts, while Mitch Robinson appeared the Blues' barometer with his typically bullocking style augmented by some incisive forward forays.

But with Chris Judd underdone and the influence of new skipper Marc Murphy limited, the Lions midfield held sway.

NAB Cup,Grand Final,Carlton v Brisbane,Chris Judd tackled by Brent Moloney, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source: Herald Sun

They shot the reluctant visitors out of the gate to a 27-point lead 23 minutes into the first term, before two of those lapses Voss must eradicate to make them a top team cost them two supergoals on wraparound plays for Bryce Gibbs and Zach Tuohy either side of quarter-time.

The Blues edged out to a 13-point lead at the long break, but when the Lions rebooted the game plan - particularly across half-back - the Blues were blown away.

At halftime, Carlton had managed 14 scoring shots to 12.

By game's end, the Blues had managed just six more compared to Brisbane's 17.

Hanley, the Irishman whose knowledge of the game's finer points continues to both advance and amaze, was brilliant across half-back.

He and co-captain Adcock are a lethal springboard combination against whom opposition coaches must guard.

Because when they look further afield now, it's not just Jack Redden and Tom Rockliff, it's Rohan Bewick, Brent Moloney and the destructive Zorko and Rich who help diffuse attention from Brown.

NAB cup grand final. Carlton v Brisbane @ Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.A jubilant Lions after the win Picture: Tauber Andrew Source: Herald Sun

Carlton will be better for the run.

It shouldn't be forgotten that the Blues are still building and were far from rampant victors in their early NAB Cup rounds.

Bryce Gibbs showed flashes of the impact he will have in the midfield this year, while Michael Jamison already looks fitter than in recent seasons at full-back.

Make no mistake, though, this won't be the last time the Lions salute in big games this year.

It's folly to suggest a NAB Cup trophy is a guarantee of something bigger.

But you can see Voss' imprint - and it's impressive.

NAB Cup,Grand Final,Carlton v Brisbane,Stefan Martin tackles Bryce Gibbs, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source: Herald Sun

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Zaharakis firms for Round 1

David Zaharakis looks in top shape at Essendon. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON star David Zaharakis emerged unscathed from his pre-season debut last night to enhance his chances of taking on Adelaide in next week's season-opener.

The goalkicking midfielder was ruled out of the Bombers' NAB Cup campaign with a quad injury, but he returned through the VFL yesterday and played three quarters, impressing with his touch.

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Zaharakis kicked a goal and is now a red-hot chance to be selected for the Round 1 clash against the Crows on Friday night.

Forward Scott Gumbleton stole the show, booting five goals as Essendon's VFL side crushed former affiliate Bendigo Gold in the trial match at Melbourne Airport.

But Dons father-son sensation Joe Daniher was a late withdrawal, ruled out with a corkie.

The Bombers are yet to roll out their No. 10 draft pick but Daniher has impressed with his first AFL pre-season.

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Goddard slams Saints cash claims

Brendon Goddard in his new colours. Source: Herald Sun

STAR Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard says suggestions he held former club St Kilda to ransom over his contract are "a complete bunch of lies".

Goddard was questioned about comments by Saints president Greg Westaway, who said his demand for a lucrative four-year deal would have made the club pay him $750,000 at age 32.

"I don't think so. It would have been derelict of our board to have sewn him up for that fourth year," Westaway told Fairfax Media.

But Goddard totally rejected the claims.

"That is totally fabricated and untrue," he said on The Footy Show.

"For Greg Westaway to come out and say that - a complete bunch of lies - is somewhat hurtful, because it's not true at all."

Goddard said the $750,000 figure was wrong and he felt he left the club on good terms.

"Pretty much he's suggesting I held the club to ransom on those figures, so it's pretty hurtful.

"There was a number of things (that led to the decision to join Essendon) and obviously the talks went a bit pear-shaped, but at the time summing it up I thought it was the best decision for me personally.

"I played 10 seasons at St Kilda and 200 games, I played in a couple of Grand Finals, so they're always going to hold a special place in my heart.

"To think that I walked away disappointed, or on bad terms, is a bit hurtful. I just thought I made the best decision personally for myself."

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Drubbing doesn't bother Dogs

Tory Dickson of the Bulldogs cools down during the practice match against Fremantle in Mandurah. Source: Getty Images

THE Western Bulldogs deny any momentum gained from the NAB Cup win against Hawthorn a fortnight ago was lost in last week's Fremantle drubbing.

The Bulldogs took a severely under-strength lineup to Western Australia last Saturday and paid the price with a 109-point loss.

But with a near-full compliment of players to choose from for tomorrow's final pre-season hitout against Richmond at VISY Park, Dogs assistant coach Shannon Grant said preparations for Round 1 were on track.

"I think more than anything (the Freo game) gave some of the older guys a chance to have a week off just to recover," Grant said.

"The demands of the game are pretty high these days and it is a long year so we're hoping it works the other way for us.

"It was a great experience for the kids to be able to go across, a lot of them haven't travelled yet interstate. Perth is a long trip, it takes a lot out of you.

"You certainly don't like to lose by that amount, but I still think we can take a lot from it."

Some teams hope for nothing more than a clean bill of health from their final practice match.

But Grant said the Dogs would be using the match as a tune-up for Round 1 against the Brisbane Lions in a fortnight.

"We'll certainly have a much stronger side in (than last week)," he said.

"So we'll be treating it as basically a full dress rehearsal and hope that we go in to Round 1 with some confidence under our belt."

The Bulldogs only have short-term injuries to Easton Wood (hamstring) and Jake Stringer (ankle) to worry about - and neither player has been ruled out of contention for Round 1.

Grant said the absence of any long-term injury concerns made the coaching staff's job much easier at this time of year.

"Being able to have a lot of depth makes for a lot more competition for spots," he said.

"We've got a healthy list and we're hoping to keep it that way."
 

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Pies, Cats at full strength

Collingwood stars Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury are back after a week off. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

COLLINGWOOD and Geelong will have a dress rehearsal for Round 1 with both sides naming full-strength teams for their practice match tomorrow.

The Magpies have recalled Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, Travis Cloke, Heath Shaw and Harry O'Brien to the team that was beaten by the Brisbane Lions last weekend.

Geelong, meanwhile, welcomes back Jimmy Bartel,  Corey Enright, Harry Taylor, Josh Caddy, Allen Christensen, Billie Smedts, Mitch Duncan and Jared Rivers.

The Cats made a late change to the squad, with Paul Chapman pulling out.He has been replaced by Jordan Schroder.

Expanded squads and the interchange cap trialled during the NAB Cup are gone as clubs make their final preparations for the start of the home-and-away season.

For the Cats that means stars Steve Johnson and James Kelly, who will both miss Round 1 through suspension, won't play against Collingwood. The club says they could take part in a VFL practice match.

Missing for the Magpies are injured stars Dale Thomas, Luke Ball, Alan Didak and Ben Reid. Only Reid is a chance to play in Round 1.

Among the youngsters seen during the pre-season to make way this weekend for established stars are Magpies Josh Thomas, Ben Kennedy, Kyle Martin, Adam Oxley and Marley Williams, and Cats Jackson Thurlow, Joel Hamling, Shane Kersten and Jordan Schroder.

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Collingwood has named rookies Sam Dwyer, Jack Frost and Caolan Mooney, who are vying to be promoted before Round 1.

The Barometer: How every club is tracking for Round 1

The Pies have two vacant senior list positions but one seems certain to go to experienced ruckman Ben Hudston.

Hudson hasn't been named in the Magpies' squad this weekend, however, with Jarrod Witts to back up Darren Jolly in a hint he could be in line for a Round 1 debut.

PRACTICE MATCH SQUADS

Collingwood v Geelong, Simonds Stadium, Friday 4pm

Collingwood
2 Jordan Russell, 3 Brent Macaffer, 5 Nick Maxwell, 6 Tyson Goldsack, 8 Harry O'Brien, 9 Marty Clarke, 10 Scott Pendlebury, 11 Jarryd Blair, 14 Clinton Young, 15 Jarrod Witts, 16 Nathan Brown, 17 Dayne Beams, 18 Darren Jolly, 19 Jamie Elliott, 21 Quinten Lynch, 22 Steele Sidebottom, 26 Ben Johnson, 28 Ben Sinclair, 32 Travis Cloke, 34 Alan Toovey, 36 Dane Swan, 39 Heath Shaw, 40 Paul Seedsman, 41 Sam Dwyer, 45 Jack Frost, 48 Caolan Mooney,

Geelong
1 Mitch Brown, 2 Billie Smedts, 3 Jimmy Bartel, 4 Andrew Mackie, 5 Travis Varcoe, 7 Harry Taylor, 11 Joel Corey, 13 Tom Lonergan, 14 Joel Selwood, 15 Jordan Schroder, 19 Taylor Hunt, 21 Jordan Murdoch, 22 Mitch Duncan, 23 Josh Caddy, 25 Jared Rivers, 26 Tom Hawkins, 27 Matthew Stokes, 28 Allen Christensen, 29 Cameron Guthrie, 31 James Podsiadly, 32 Steven Motlop, 33 George Horlin-Smith, 34 Josh Walker, 37 Cameron Eardley, 38 Jackson Sheringham, 41 Jesse Stringer, 44 Corey Enright, 46 Mark Blicavs
 

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The Barometer: Round 1

Collingwood's Dale Thomas is struggling to be ready to go in Round 1. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD could be without Alan Didak, Luke Ball and Dale Thomas for Round 1, but Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs could boast full-strength sides.

See how your club is shaping up for its all-important Round 1 clash with the first installment of The Barometer for season 2013.

ADELAIDE

INJURIES
Brodie Smith (collarbone) 4-5 weeks
Ian Callinan (knee) test
Richard Tambling (back) test
Jason Porplyzia (stomach) test
Sam Shaw (knee) test

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SMALL forwards Ian Callinan and Jared Petrenko are up against it trying to make the cut with limited match fitness under their belts. Sam Shaw has struggled with patella tendonitis in his knee while Brodie Smith is out with a broken collarbone. Richard Tambling is battling a back complaint and is an unlikely starter in Round 1.

- Gilbert Gardiner

BRISBANE

INJURIES
Simon Black (knee) indefinite
Jesse O'Brien (groin) 2 weeks
Brent Staker (knee) 5 weeks
Matthew Leuenberger (achilles) 2-3 weeks

BY and large a healthy list with Matthew Leuenberger the only concern after an interrupted pre-season. It's hard to see the big ruckman lining up in Round 1 given his lack of match fitness. Champion Simon Black remains on the outer but the young Lions midfield has the talent to cover his loss.

- Gilbert Gardiner

VETERAN: Simon Black at Brisbane Lions training. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

CARLTON

INJURIES
Jaryd Cachia (hamstring) TBA
Andrew Collins (ankle) test
David Ellard (hamstring) test
Andrew McInnes (knee) 16 weeks
Jarrad Waite (calf) 2 weeks

JARRAD Waite remains the main injury concern at Visy Park amid a bounty of tall timber options including three bona-fide ruckmen. Andrew McInnes is the only long-term injury on the list with fringe players Andrew Collins and David Ellard available for selection.

- Gilbert Gardiner

Click here to see this weekend's practice match squads

COLLINGWOOD

INJURY LIST
Ben Reid (knee) 1-2 weeks
Alan Didak (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Luke Ball (knee) 3 weeks
Dale Thomas (ankle) 3-4 weeks
Tim Broomhead (glandular fever) 4 weeks
Michael Hartley (shoulder) 4-6 weeks
Corey Gault (groin) 6 weeks
Lachlan Keeffe (knee) 6-8 weeks
Brodie Grundy (back) 8 weeks

THE Pies will enter Round 1 with a hefty injury list, as they did last year. Ben Reid and Alan Didak are rough chances for the North Melbourne clash, but it looks a stretch to see Luke Ball or Dale Thomas take the field that match. Still, neither will be far away and of the rest only Lachie Keeffe will quickly strengthen the senior side. Boom ruckman Brodie Grundy could take a while to get stress fractures in his back right, but it'll be worth the wait. The Pies also have two rookies eligible for elevation prior to the season-opener, one of which will be journeyman Ben Hudson.

- Sam Landsberger

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley speaks to Luke Ball about he ongoing issues with hamstring soreness. Source: Getty Images

ESSENDON

INJURY LIST
Michael Hurley (ankle) likely
David Zaharakis (quad) doubtful
Jason Winderlich (groin) TBA

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MICHAEL Hurley will be fine, and David Zaharakis will audition for Round 1 in a VFL practice match tomorrow, say the Bombers. That reads as some serious relief for the Dons, who were monstered last year by injury. Hurley sported a moon boot after the win against GWS, but the club says that was only precautionary and he'll be fine to tackle the Crows. Zaharakis is yet to feature this pre-season, so will enter underdone, and while Winderlich won't play Round 1 he, too, isn't too far away despite no date being set on a return.

FREMANTLE

INJURY LIST
Matt Taberner (glandular fever) test
Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) 5 weeks
Anthony Morabito (knee) indefinite

AARON Sandilands is a massive blow, but ruck understudy Zac Clarke has performed supremely throughout the NAB Cup. Sandi won't be right until at least Round 3, with Ross Lyon expected to take a cautious approach with the star veteran. Morabito is tracking well from his tragic third knee reconstruction, which he underwent LARS surgery with. The Dockers regained a few stars across the NAB Cup from injury including David Mundy and Ryan Crowley and are in tip-top nick ahead of the Round 1 derby blockbuster next Saturday night.

- Sam Landsberger

Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito had LARS surgery to repair his injured right knee. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

GEELONG

INJURIES
Jed Bews (foot) TBA
George Burbury (foot) TBA
Josh Hunt (glandular fever) indefinite
Hamish McIntosh (knee) indefinite
Daniel Menzel (knee) 2 weeks
Trent West (knee) 2 weeks
Dawson Simpson (back) TBA
Stevie Johnson (suspension) Round 2
James Kelly (suspension) Round 2

THE Cats will be sweating on the fitness of Trent West to bolster their dwindling ruck stocks currently led by former Olympic aspirant Mark Blicavs. Recruit Hamish McIntosh remains the big unknown at the Cattery after having minor surgery on his knee last month. The former Kangaroos No.1 has struggled with niggling knee problems since breaking down last year. Dawson Simpson also had minor surgery on his back. Emerging forward Daniel Menzel would be rough chance to line up in Round 1 after undergoing snap LARS surgery in January to replace a damaged tendon in his left knee. Meanwhile, superboot Josh Hunt's battle with glandular fever continues.

- Gilbert Gardiner

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GOLD COAST SUNS

INJURY LIST
Matt Shaw (illness) available
Luke Russell (knee) available
Henry Schade (back) 1 week
Clay Cameron (groin) 2 weeks
Trent McKenzie (knee) 2 weeks
Tom Lynch (ankle) 2-4 weeks
Liam Patrick (hamstring) 2-3 weeks
Seb Tape (knee) 4 weeks
Nathan Bock (leg) indefinite
Campbell Brown (suspension) Round 7

IT looks a long list at first glance, but not to many serious worries for the Suns, Nathan Bock aside. Only defenders Bock and Seb Tape look certain to miss the season-opener against the Saints, with Liam Patrick, Tom Lynch, Clay Cameron and Trent McKenzie all outside chances to feature. And a list of that health bodes will with the Suns' golden run across the first two months of the season proper.

- Sam Landsberger

Nathan Bock just wants to get on with season 2013 as he endeavours to put last year's horror movie behind him. Picture: Adam Head Source: The Courier-Mail

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

INJURIES
Matthew Buntine (punctured lung) 6-8 weeks
Chad Cornes (knee) indefinite
James Growden (hip) test
Dom Tyson (knee) 8 weeks
Callan Ward (concussion) test
Jonathan O'Rourke (hamstring) 2 weeks
Will Hoskin-Elliott (back) available

No.2 pick Jonathan O'Rourke hamstrings remain a concern after the talented youngster broke down in his first competitive hit out. O'Rourke, plagued by hamstring injuries as a junior, left the field shortly after coming on as the substitute last week. Veteran Chad Cornes' career could be at the crossroads with the former Port Adelaide stalwart sidelined with a knee injury. Cornes also had surgery during the off-season to remove a cyst from his shoulder. Callan Ward will return after being subbed off with concussion last week. Will Hoskin-Elliott (back) is an outside chance at getting a call up after impressing for the Giants' reserves.

- Gilbert Gardiner

HAWTHORN

INJURY LIST
Cyril Rioli (ankle) likely
Luke Hodge (niggles) doubtful
Brendan Whitecross (knee) indefinite
Matt Suckling (knee) indefinite
Alex Woodward (knee) indefinite

The Hawks say Cyril Rioli will play the Round 1 blockbuster against Geelong, but Luke Hodge remains at long odds. He could return that weekend, but through the VFL, as the Hawks play it safe with their veteran. They did the same last year and he came back and booted five goals. Other than that the Hawks will enter the season relatively settled, given they know the fate of their three long-term knee victims.

- Sam Landsberger

Hawthorn defender Matthew Suckling will sit out the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Picture: Getty Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE

INJURY LIST
Jordie McKenzie (virus) available
Jack Viney (neck) test
Chris Dawes (hamstring) test
Tom McDonald (ankle) 1 week
Mitch Clark (foot) 2-4 weeks
Jack Trengove (foot) 2-4 weeks
Sam Blease (ankle) 2-4 weeks
Rohan Bail (concussion) 3 weeks
Max Gawn (hamstring) 3-5 weeks

SEVERAL Dees are locked in a battle with the clock to line up against Port Adelaide in Round 1. Heading that list is co-captain Jack Trengove and superboot Mitch Clark, who are both outside chances to resume through VFL affiliate Casey next week. You can lock Jack Viney in for a Round 1 debut regardless of whether he faces Gold Coast this weekend. The midfield terrier doesn't need another trail match to prove his worth to coach Mark Neeld after recovering from a neck strain. A fairly lengthy injury list for the Dees, but on the plus side is all could be back firing by next month.

- Sam Landsberger

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NORTH MELBOURNE

INJURIES
Taylor Garner (shoulder) TBA
Nathan Grima (back) TBA
Brent Harvey (suspended) Round 7
Scott McMahon (suspended) Round 2

ALL quiet in the Kangaroos medical room with Nathan Grima the only walk-up casualty leading into Round 1. Grima has struggled with a back complaint for most of the pre-season and looks to be racing the clock to be fit. Recruit Taylor Garner is being nursed along while Majak Daw (knee) is playing with strapping on his knee. Brent Harvey will sit out the first six weeks of the season serving suspensions for striking.

- Gilbert Gardiner

PORT ADELAIDE

INJURY LIST
Angus Monfries (hamstring) - available
John Butcher (hips) - available
Robbie Gray (knee) available
Brent Renouf (knee) available
Dom Cassisi (calf) 1 week
Brett Ebert (hamstring) 1 week
Nick Salter (foot) indefinite

THE Power will receive a massive boost this week when Robbie Gray returns after 11 months through the SANFL. The silky star joins plenty of Power stars ready to return, including Angus Monfries and John Butcher. Dom Cassisi and Brett Ebert will miss the final pre-season clash against the Swans but should suit-up against the Dees in Round 1, leaving just Nick Salter in the medical room. That's just about a full-strength side to attack Melbourne at the MCG.

- Sam Landsberger

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RICHMOND

INJURY LIST
Dylan Grimes (hamstring) 2-4 weeks
Nathan Foley (Achilles) 6-8 weeks
David Astbury (foot) 2-3 weeks

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THE Tigers have only two first-choice players on the injury list and are talking positively about both playing early in the season. The club says it is delighted by the success of Grimes' latest hamstring surgery and the injury-cursed defender is back in full training – but well short of match practice. Foley has started sprinting but will be carefully managed. Damien Hardwick says he will be available for selection "about Round 5-7". The unlucky Astbury seems out of Round 1 calculations. Competition for spots is high but there are likely to be at least a couple of new faces against the Blues on March 28 with top draftee Nick Vlastuin and former Port Adelaide defender Troy Chaplin both likely starters.

- Al Paton

New recruit to Richmond Troy Chaplin Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA

INJURIES
Daniel Markworth (knee) indefinite
Rhys Stanley (knee) 3 weeks
Sean Dempster (hamstring) 2-4 weeks

THE loss of Dempster, who finished third in the Saints' 2012 best-and-fairest, is a major blow. The defence could be even more exposed than usual for the opening rounds with Rhys Stanley also sidelined. The forward-turned-backman, who injured his knee during the NAB Cup, is improving rapidly and could be back as early as Round 2. Markworth has a long road back.

- Gilbert Gardiner

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SYDNEY

INJURY LIST
Nick Smith (knee) available
Marty Mattner (hip) available
Tommy Walsh (back) likely
Kurt Tippett (hand/suspension) Round 13
Gary Rohan (leg) indefinite
Alex Johnson (knee) indefinite

THE Swans lost Alex Johnson, most likely for the year, last week when the young premiership player twisted his left knee. He's in Melbourne this week deciding whether to undergo a traditional reconstruction or opt for LARS, but in better news for Sydney it will welcome back defenders Nick Smith and Marty Mattner from long-term layoffs this week. Tommy Walsh should be ready to go in Round 1 after a back injury, while Kurt Tippett's hand will be well and truly healed by the time his 11-game ban ends.

- Sam Landsberger

Sydney defender Alex Johnson will consider LARS surgery on his injured right knee. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

WEST COAST

INJURIES
Andrew Embley (hamstring) 2 weeks
Daniel Kerr (knee) 2 weeks
Nic Naitanui (groin) TBA
Sharrod Wellingham (ankle) 4 weeks
Mark Nicoski (hamstring) indefinite
Andrew Gaff (head) available
Chris Masten (quadricep) available

NIC Naitanui headlines the list of Eagles walk-up starters set to miss the club's opening round clash against Fremantle. Naitanui has battled a groin complaint during the pre-season. Look for veterans Andrew Embley and Daniel Kerr to line up in the Western Derby but no such hope for recruit Sharrod Wellingham. The former Magpie damaged ligaments in his ankle mucking around on a trampoline recently. Chris Masten sat out of the Eagles last NAB Cup match experiencing tightness in his quadriceps. He should be fine for Round 1 along with wingman Andrew Gaff who copped a knock to the head. Mark Nicoski has been listed as indefinite as snapping his hamstring.

- Gilbert Gardiner

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WESTERN BULLDOGS

INJURY LIST
Luke Dahlhaus (cork) available
Jake Stringer (ankle) 1-2 weeks
Easton Wood (hamstring) 1-2 weeks

ONLY minor concerns at the Doggies, who could still yet boast a clean bill of health when Round 1 rolls around. They open their season against the Lions at Etihad Stadium and running defender Easton Wood looms as the biggest worry. He strained his hamstring at the weekend but with two weeks in between could yet prove his fitness.

- Sam Landsberger

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

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Hawk new AFL football boss

Hawthorn football manager Mark Evans will be the AFL's new football operations manager Source: Supplied

THE AFL today announced Hawthorn general manager of football operations Mark Evans as Adrian Anderson's replacement.

In a boost for clubs who wanted the new AFL football operations manager to come from club-land, Evans won the role after a tight race from several key candidates both from within and outside the league.

SuperFooty exclusively revealed the appointment this morning, which was confirmed at an AFL press conference.

Evans is a highly regarded football official, having served a number of years with the Hawks and also with Melbourne.

He has been instrumental in the re-making of the Hawthorn Football club, joining the Hawks at the same time as coach Alastair Clarkson in late 2004.

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Evans, who last year attended the Harvard Business School as part of his role at the Hawks, said he would not make any "grand statements" until he had runs on the board at the AFL.

"I was absolutely delighted to accept Andrew's offer to join his executive team. This is the best sporting administration going around, without a doubt," he said at AFL headquarters today.

"I know the role will be challenging and I hope that my background … will stand my in good stead for what's ahead."

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Evans thanked the Hawks for their support over the past nine years, while AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the league was thrilled to snare the one-time Demons media manager.

"We're absolutely delighted that Mark has accepted the role, I'm thrilled and pleased we were able to attract someone of Mark's calibre and experience."

Who is Mark Evans?

Mark played for Box Hill from 1992-1995 and in 2010 was awarded life membership to recognise 10 years' service as a player and administrator. He is currently a Hawthorn director and is a former director of Sandringham Football Club.

Evans holds a Bachelor of Education from Ballarat University and in 2012 completed key executive programs in strategy, strategic leadership, negotiation and innovation at the Harvard Business School.

He is also studying for a Master of Business Administration from Southern Cross University in topics including sport and the law, economics and labour market in sport, leadership and culture, marketing, communications and crisis management.
 

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Blues, Lions set for bumper years

Jonathan Brown will try and lead Brisbane to its first ever pre-season title on Friday night. Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

LOCK in at least one of Carlton or the Brisbane Lions to burst into the top four this season and expect both to see September action.

That is if recent NAB Cup form is any guide to the season proper.

Not since Denis Pagan's bizarre pre-season success – where the Blues collected wok-shaped cups in 2005 and 2007 only to disastrously bomb out in the real stuff – has a NAB Cup grand finalist missed the eight.

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In fact, the past 10 pre-season grand finalists have unearthed winter-time success.

They've netted seven top-four finishes, two runner-ups and one premier, when the Cats collected the 2009 premiership double in the midst of their golden era.

Each of the past five NAB Cup deciders has foreshadowed a top-four side, while in 2009 and 2010 all four March grand finalists went on to seal double chances.

It took two Grand Finals for NAB Cup runner-up St Kilda to go down in September 2010, six months after it was trounced by a Barry Hall-led Western Bulldogs.

NAB Cup Grand Final. Western Bulldogs v St Kilda. Etihad Stadium. Barry Hall with the trophy. Picture: Darren Tindale Source: HWT Image Library

The Dogs finished fourth that season, edged by the Saints in a preliminary final.

Adelaide's rapid rise last season surprised most – but perhaps was to be expected after collecting the NAB Cup silverware.

The Crows beat West Coast for the pre-season title, before the Eagles went onto finish fifth.

TAB Sportsbet rates Carlton a $2.75 chance to finish in the top four this year, while the Lions are still at $15.

The Blues are $1.35 to make the eight, while Brisbane is sixth last in the betting line at $3.50.

Friday night's clash at Etihad Stadium will be a rematch of the 2007 decider, when the Blues downed the Lions, before NAB Cup grand finals began to consistently unearth impressive sides.

NAB CUP GRAND FINAL FORM GUIDE TO THE REAL SEASON

2008
NAB Cup premier: St Kilda (finished 4th in real season)
Runner-up: Adelaide (5th)

2009
NAB Cup premier: Geelong (Premier)
Runner-up: Collingwood (4th)

2010
NAB Cup premier: Western Bulldogs (4th)
Runner-up: St Kilda (Runner-up)

2011
NAB Cup premier: Collingwood (Runner-up)
Runner-up: Essendon (8th)

2012
NAB Cup premier: Adelaide (3rd)
Runner-up: West Coast (5th)

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Pie fined for stealing car spot

Travis Cloke has been fined for parking in Gary Pert's car spot. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Magpies chief executive Gary Pert. Picture: Town Jay Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD have fined star forward Travis Cloke $1000 for repeatedly parking in the car space of club chief executive Gary Pert.

Fairfax Media report the club's leadership group handed down the bizarre sanction to Cloke last week.

Car parks outside the club's training base at the Westpac Centre on busy Swan St are in short supply and Cloke has reportedly been warned about parking in the spot reserved for Pert more than once.

It's been reported the 2010 premiership player had been parking in Pert's spot on and off for more than a year.

The AFL Players' Association is not amused.

"It sounds like a ludicrous situation," an AFLPA spokesperson said.

"We can only assume there has been some kind of confusion - clearly the AFL players' code of conduct makes no reference to players being sanctioned for parking in an executive's car space."

Cloke signed a new five-year deal with the Magpies late last year following a long year of negotiations.

Many believed the contract situation affected his form last year, a claim Cloke has since denied.

It is the second time in a week Collingwood has fined a player for deeds away from the field.

Brownlow Medallist Dane Swane was fined for taking part, without the club's permission, a television interview in which he addressed rumours about alleged drug use.
 

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Live chat: Mike's Top 50

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett reclaims top billing from Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin, who has dropped to fourth spot in Mike's Top 50. Picture: Adam Head Source: The Courier-Mail

IS THE worth of a great player diminished in a team sport simply because he plays for a lowly team, as some would have you believe of Gary Ablett?

The cynics argue the Gold Coast champion is pretty much allowed to do as he pleases by the better teams because those teams know they are vastly superior overall.

They say it doesn't matter as much if he has 40-plus possessions, the result in most cases is a foregone conclusion.

I say that's nonsense.

It seems to me every team that has a player good enough to run with Ablett assigns that player to the little bloke; he simply burns them off as the game unfolds.

Consider the following stats from 2012 and then find a fault in the Ablett package.

He finished sixth in the Brownlow in a team that won three games, he led his club in the following categories: long kicks, short kicks, handballs given, handballs received, tackles, inside-50s, rebounds from defensive 50, hardball gets and looseball gets.

He was equal-third for contested marks, too.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: CLICK HERE TO SEE MIKE'S FULL LIST PLUS EXCLUSIVE FOX FOOTY VIDEO AND RATE EVERY PLAYER

If there was a category for ground covered in a game, I suspect he would have won that one, too.

Even his famous father would have to nod in appreciation of such a comprehensive list.

Gary Ablett Jr is the most complete player in the game.

It was the view of a massive percentage of the player group of 2012, it is the assessment of so many neutral supporters and me in my annual task picking the top 50 players in the AFL in order.

The argument that he should be downgraded because his team is down the bottom is simplistic, fatuous, disrespectful.

Is Bobby Skilton's exalted status in the game diminished by the fact he won more Brownlows (three) than he played finals (one)?

The same question can be asked of Kevin Murray, who played finals in just two of his 18 seasons with Fitzroy, yet won nine club best and fairest awards and represented Victoria 24 times. Another all-time great.

Replay Mike Sheahan's live chat below

Using a mobile device? Click here for a better chat experience  

Ablett Jr plays a different game to his father, yet both will be remembered as legends of the game.

The younger Ablett has been voted by his peers the most valuable player in the game four times - at two clubs.

His father, widely regarded as the most talented player ever, won the award once. Wayne Carey, the best player I have seen, won the MVP twice.

Enough. Surely the debate is won.

Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury comes in second.

He is a superb player, deceptively tall at 191cm, not a speedster yet rarely run down, possessed of huge endurance and resilience, and he has an outstanding work ethic - he led Collingwood for tackles last year despite missing four games.

He has finished top three in Collingwood's best-and-fairest in five of the past six years.

I have elevated Patrick Dangerfield to third spot.

While it's death by a thousand cuts with Ablett and Pendlebury, Dangerfield can turn a game in five minutes.

They say his teammates call him "Raging Bull''; what the rest of us know is he was born to wear Mark Ricciuto's No.32 guernsey.

He is about to turn 23, he has played 89 games and kicked 94 goals, he is the most dynamic midfielder in the game, a reminder of the young Chris Judd at West Coast.

Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

I have pushed Buddy Franklin down from No 1 12 months ago to No 4.

He remains the most exciting player in the game, yet the flaws remain.

He isn't strong overhead and no one with any level of interest in football needs to be told about his kicking for goal.

He booted 69.64 from 19 games last year, including 3.4 in the Grand Final. Remove the 13 he kicked in the picnic against North Melbourne in Launceston in Round 10 - OK, give him five, his next best return last year - and it's an average of just better than three a game.

What was encouraging was a one-grab pack mark against the Western Bulldogs in the recent NAB Cup game and a significant reduction in the bend in his run-up when kicking for goal.

Franklin is followed by four high-quality midfielders - Josh Kennedy, Joel Selwood, Trent Cotchin and Jobe Watson - who could have come in any order.

Cotchin might end up being the best of them because of his dash, but, for the moment, Selwood's record is amazing, while Kennedy and Watson are blue-collar men with energy, strength, nous and impact.

Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

The second punt in my top 10 - Dangerfield might be seen as a gamble at No 3 - is his Adelaide teammate, Taylor Walker.

He is a natural key forward who reminds me a little of the young Tony Lockett.

He is a superb athlete for a man of such imposing dimensions - 192cm, 100kg - has nice hands and is a thumping kick. Accurate, too (63.35 last year).

He kicked four or more goals in 11 of his 19 games. He thrived under Brenton Sanderson, although a couple of lapses of discipline cost him five games to suspension.

At 22 (23 late in April), the sky is the limit for him.

There's a school of thought he will suffer from the departure of Kurt Tippett, with more opposition pressure coming his way.

His ability to cover ground and score from up to 60m will solve that potential problem.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MIKE'S FULL TOP 50 AND HAVE YOUR SAY ON EVERY PLAYER

Dayne Beams rounds off the top 10. His development - on and off the field - in the past couple of years is extraordinary.

Best-and-fairest in 2012, a member of the leadership group in 2013. Wow. That's what a wild young man can do when he realises he has both rare talent and a rare opportunity

As always, lots of good players miss a berth in the 50.

Jordan Lewis is desperately unlucky, but how many midfielders can you have before the list becomes unbalanced? I have 30.

Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Lewis Jetta also was in until the final scan. He is a gamebreaker who was the leading goalkicker for the premiership team last year. Spots in the 50 don't come easy; he needs to back up again this year.

Then there's Matthew Boyd and James Kelly and Eddie Betts and Michael Hurley ...

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Face facts, Ablett just too good

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett reclaims top billing from Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin, who has dropped to fourth spot in Mike's Top 50. Picture: Adam Head Source: The Courier-Mail

IS THE worth of a great player diminished in a team sport simply because he plays for a lowly team, as some would have you believe of Gary Ablett?

The cynics argue the Gold Coast champion is pretty much allowed to do as he pleases by the better teams because those teams know they are vastly superior overall.

They say it doesn't matter as much if he has 40-plus possessions, the result in most cases is a foregone conclusion.

I say that's nonsense.

It seems to me every team that has a player good enough to run with Ablett assigns that player to the little bloke; he simply burns them off as the game unfolds.

Consider the following stats from 2012 and then find a fault in the Ablett package.

He finished sixth in the Brownlow in a team that won three games, he led his club in the following categories: long kicks, short kicks, handballs given, handballs received, tackles, inside-50s, rebounds from defensive 50, hardball gets and looseball gets.

He was equal-third for contested marks, too.

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: CLICK HERE TO SEE MIKE'S FULL LIST PLUS EXCLUSIVE FOX FOOTY VIDEO AND RATE EVERY PLAYER

If there was a category for ground covered in a game, I suspect he would have won that one, too.

Even his famous father would have to nod in appreciation of such a comprehensive list.

Gary Ablett Jr is the most complete player in the game.

It was the view of a massive percentage of the player group of 2012, it is the assessment of so many neutral supporters and me in my annual task picking the top 50 players in the AFL in order.

The argument that he should be downgraded because his team is down the bottom is simplistic, fatuous, disrespectful.

Is Bobby Skilton's exalted status in the game diminished by the fact he won more Brownlows (three) than he played finals (one)?

The same question can be asked of Kevin Murray, who played finals in just two of his 18 seasons with Fitzroy, yet won nine club best and fairest awards and represented Victoria 24 times. Another all-time great.

TONIGHT: WATCH MIKE LIVE ON AFL360 ON FOX FOOTY FROM 7.30pm EDT

Ablett Jr plays a different game to his father, yet both will be remembered as legends of the game.

The younger Ablett has been voted by his peers the most valuable player in the game four times - at two clubs.

His father, widely regarded as the most talented player ever, won the award once. Wayne Carey, the best player I have seen, won the MVP twice.

Enough. Surely the debate is won.

Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Collingwood's Scott Pendlebury comes in second.

He is a superb player, deceptively tall at 191cm, not a speedster yet rarely run down, possessed of huge endurance and resilience, and he has an outstanding work ethic - he led Collingwood for tackles last year despite missing four games.

He has finished top three in Collingwood's best-and-fairest in five of the past six years.

TOMORROW: BLOG LIVE WITH MIKE FROM 11.30AM AEDT

I have elevated Patrick Dangerfield to third spot.

While it's death by a thousand cuts with Ablett and Pendlebury, Dangerfield can turn a game in five minutes.

They say his teammates call him "Raging Bull''; what the rest of us know is he was born to wear Mark Ricciuto's No.32 guernsey.

He is about to turn 23, he has played 89 games and kicked 94 goals, he is the most dynamic midfielder in the game, a reminder of the young Chris Judd at West Coast.

Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

I have pushed Buddy Franklin down from No 1 12 months ago to No 4.

He remains the most exciting player in the game, yet the flaws remain.

He isn't strong overhead and no one with any level of interest in football needs to be told about his kicking for goal.

He booted 69.64 from 19 games last year, including 3.4 in the Grand Final. Remove the 13 he kicked in the picnic against North Melbourne in Launceston in Round 10 - OK, give him five, his next best return last year - and it's an average of just better than three a game.

What was encouraging was a one-grab pack mark against the Western Bulldogs in the recent NAB Cup game and a significant reduction in the bend in his run-up when kicking for goal.

Franklin is followed by four high-quality midfielders - Josh Kennedy, Joel Selwood, Trent Cotchin and Jobe Watson - who could have come in any order.

Cotchin might end up being the best of them because of his dash, but, for the moment, Selwood's record is amazing, while Kennedy and Watson are blue-collar men with energy, strength, nous and impact.

Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

The second punt in my top 10 - Dangerfield might be seen as a gamble at No 3 - is his Adelaide teammate, Taylor Walker.

He is a natural key forward who reminds me a little of the young Tony Lockett.

He is a superb athlete for a man of such imposing dimensions - 192cm, 100kg - has nice hands and is a thumping kick. Accurate, too (63.35 last year).

He kicked four or more goals in 11 of his 19 games. He thrived under Brenton Sanderson, although a couple of lapses of discipline cost him five games to suspension.

At 22 (23 late in April), the sky is the limit for him.

There's a school of thought he will suffer from the departure of Kurt Tippett, with more opposition pressure coming his way.

His ability to cover ground and score from up to 60m will solve that potential problem.

CLICK HERE TO SEE MIKE'S FULL TOP 50 AND HAVE YOUR SAY

Dayne Beams rounds off the top 10. His development - on and off the field - in the past couple of years is extraordinary.

Best-and-fairest in 2012, a member of the leadership group in 2013. Wow. That's what a wild young man can do when he realises he has both rare talent and a rare opportunity

As always, lots of good players miss a berth in the 50.

Jordan Lewis is desperately unlucky, but how many midfielders can you have before the list becomes unbalanced? I have 30.

Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Lewis Jetta also was in until the final scan. He is a gamebreaker who was the leading goalkicker for the premiership team last year. Spots in the 50 don't come easy; he needs to back up again this year.

Then there's Matthew Boyd and James Kelly and Eddie Betts and Michael Hurley ...

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Roo cops one-week ban

North Melbourne defender Scott McMahon is set to miss the Roos' Round 1 clash against Collingwood. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne has lost defender Scott McMahon for the AFL opening round unless he can overturn a one-match penalty.

McMahon was hit with the suspension by the match review panel for striking Geelong's Jordan Murdoch in Saturday's NAB Cup match at Simonds Stadium.

Essendon's Heath Hocking is in the clear after a report for a front-on bump on GWS Giants Tomas Bugg was thrown out.

The match review panel decided that the force used by the Bomber was below that to be a reportable offence.

Giants' gun midfielder Toby Greene also has no case to answer for contact to Bomber Brendon Goddard that was also determined to be insufficient force.
 

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Suckling to undergo knee reco

Matthew Suckling injured his knee in this contest during today's NAB Cup match against Richmond. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Matthew Suckling injured his knee in this contest during today's NAB Cup match against Richmond. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

HAWTHORN defender Matthew Suckling's season is over with the superboot opting for a traditional knee reconstruction to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Hawks footy manager Mark Evans today confirmed the injury following scans on the 24-year-old rebounding defender's knee.

"It's obviously a devastating thing to happen to Matt on the eve of the season, but his attitude will be to throw himself into his rehab program and come back a stronger player from this,'' Evans told the club's website.

Coach Alastair Clarkson's dislike for the NAB Cup grew deeper yesterday when Suckling left Aurora Stadium on crutches and seems destined for a season-ending knee reconstruction.

The Hawks' coach, who has labelled the AFL's preseason competition as a TV gimmick and nightmare for coaches, resigned himself to the fact that Suckling's year is over.

Statistically Hawthorn's best rebounding defender last season, Suckling spent the NAB Cup making his case for a spot further upfield with the departure of hard-running Hawk Clinton Young to Collingwood.

Suckling's knee gave way while he was evading a tackle from Richmond defender Troy Chaplin at the seven minute mark of the third quarter of their one-point NAB Cup loss to Richmond in Launceston yesterday.

Click for breaking news and match day coverage

"We've had five knee reconstructions in the past 12 months and that's the brutal nature of the game."

The Hawks coach is already dirty on the AFL for announcing its plan the slash interchange rotations from a league average of 130 per game to a cap of 80 next year.

"Once again, it (Suckling's injury) focuses on how important it is for us all to give serious consideration to the demands of this game on our players," Clarkson said.

"It's a very demanding game, in my view the most difficult ball sport to play in the world.

"We need to be especially mindful of the loads on our players."

The preseason competition, Clarkson said, was the most dangerous time for players.

"Most knee reconstructions happen either in the NAB Cup series or the first five or six rounds of the season," he said.

"We'll get the occasional one after their bodies are hardened and are match-conditioned.

"But this is a real precarious time for the players and unfortunately you're going to lose someone along the way and unfortunately we lost Suckling today.

"That's disappointing, but we'll have to replace him with another bloke and forge on."

Matthew Suckling injured his knee in this contest during today's NAB Cup match against Richmond. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Hawthorn lost its fourth consecutive NAB Cup match yesterday, going down to the Tigers, who won 0.13..7 (85) to 0.13.6 (84).

Clarkson took solace from the loss,

"They (Richmond) looked to be in control of the contest but we hung in there and that was really pleasing," he said.

"We've played a lot of our young players over the series.

"Interestingly, us and Sydney sit on the bottom of the NAB Cup ladder.

"It's all because our preparations are a lot different to a lot of the sides.

"All four sides we played (Gold Coast, Brisbane, Bulldogs and Tigers) didn't play finals last year so they've had longer campaigns than us.

"We'll get our side a lot more stable over the next few weeks leading into the Geelong game in round one."

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Bombers rely on the silent treatment

Essendon coach James Hird is becoming an expert at swatting away anti-doping investigation queries. Picture: Quinn Rooney. Source: Getty Images

IT was all quiet in the national capital on Friday night as Essendon was confronted with another series of questions after the Cronulla debacle played out just hours before.

It is a delicate situation and arguably the silence from the Bombers hierarchy was either a silence wrapped with confidence or a silence cloaked with fear.

The Bombers flew out of Canberra within 90 minutes of dismantling Greater Western Sydney, and Cronulla, which earlier that day stood down its coach Shane Flanagan after findings of "serious management failures", was a topic for another day.

Bombers' chairman David Evans wouldn't even pass comment about the Cronulla situation.

Chief executive Ian Robson would only say Flanagan was stood down and not sacked to correct a mistake at James Hird's press conference, while Hird has quickly become a pro at swatting away queries about the anti-doping investigations.

We'll talk about the Essendon Football Club and we won't talk about anyone else

"I've said a number of times there's an investigation going on, but the resilience of the players of the Essendon Football Club to go out and play and train the way they're training shows the character of the people and sometimes you need events to happen to work out where the quality of people are," Hird said.

The day before, Hird said it would have been impossible for his players to have not noted the events at Cronulla, where more than a dozen players had been offered six-month suspensions if they came forward to ASADA.

Asked if he, as coach, had noted the controversial actions to stand down Flanagan, Hird said: "I've heard second-hand but, as I said yesterday, we'll talk about the Essendon Football Club and we won't talk about anyone else."

The Cronulla situation has similarities but is not entirely mirrored.

The Bombers might be naive, but they remain extremely confident their players were not given performance-enhancing drugs.

The key plank at both clubs is Stephen Dank, who was employed as a sports scientist briefly at the Sharks in 2011 and who worked for 12 months at Essendon last year.

Dank maintains he has done nothing wrong. The Cronulla investigation suggests otherwise.

What's intriguing is the startling revelations that equine supplements were given to Cronulla players.

That will cause more concern for the Bombers.

The internal Cronulla investigation, which saw Flanagan stood down and four others sacked, was run by ASADA's former deputy chair Dr Tricia Kavanagh, who took no prisoners.

The Bombers also have an internal inquiry, but theirs is being run by former Telstra chief Ziggy Switkowski.

At the centre of both is the management processes.

Evans has admitted Essendon is aware of mistakes it has made, and AFL boss Andrew Demetriou recently made it crystal clear what he thought of the practices of Essendon players being taken off site to be given injections, with suggestions an external doctor was used, as well as a registered nurse.

We can only wait to see what further blood-letting happens at Essendon.

Dank was let go after Essendon learnt of his activities, which included a serious questioning of his expense accounts, which were revealed by the Herald Sun to be of tens of thousands of dollars.

High performance manager Dean Robinson has been stood down. He is unlikely to return, and has started legal proceedings against Essendon.

And football manager Paul Hamilton resigned. Hamilton is said to have not known of Dank's activities.

Internally, the Bombers believe they haven't been inactive as they confront the club's biggest scandal.

The critics say they should have been as active when players were being shuttled across the road from Windy Hill, where maybe police had surveillance on the clinic.

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