We just didn't turn up: Craig

Neil Craig and Mark Neeld at Melbourne training. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

NEIL Craig has joined the chorus of criticism of Melbourne's insipid Round 1 loss to Port Adelaide.

The Demons' director of sports performance used his first video on the club's website to analyse a "really poor performance" against the inexperienced Power.

Craig said only co-captain Jack Grimes deserved to be spared, claiming his teammates simply didn't turn up to play.

"For me it was a confirmation of the importance of bringing to the game a level of effort, intensity, competitive spirit, call it what you like, but clearly that wasn't on show and that was the most disappointing aspect of our performance," he said.

10 things wrong with Melbourne

"That's the No.1 priority of any club because your gameplan, how you want to move the ball and all your structures are heavily underpinned by players bringing that competitive spirit to the table, and that certainly wasn't there.

"It's the performance we've produced. It's now our responsibility to change that with Round 2 coming up against Essendon. In the end it will be about our actions and the way we respond (that matters), to win back some trust from our members and supporters."

Craig said Grimes was thriving on the captaincy.

We lack leadership: Watts

"Jack's performance was one of the few bright spots or highlights of the weekend," he said.

"I thought his performance, in a really tough game, was exceptional and on top of that his leadership qualities ... the way he tried to drag other players along with him, was outstanding."

Stats make Neeld eat his words
 

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'Nothing but respect for Mick'

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley says he has nothing but respect for former mentor Mick Malthouse. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has played down suggestions of a rift with Carlton coach Mick Malthouse ahead of Sunday's blockbuster encounter.

"There's plenty of people keen to drum that up and to try to make it an adversarial relationship,'' Buckley said today.

"I've got nothing but respect for Mick.

"I learnt a lot from him, played under him for a number of years as his captain and worked under him as an assistant coach in the plan to eventually become senior coach.

"We've had many frank discussions, not in recent times, (but) we've had many frank discussions about that situation.''

Buckley said he did not think there would be any pre-game acknowledgment between the two coaches before Sunday's clash.

Jon Ralph: Mick's private war against Buckley

"I very rarely go to any of the opposition coaches on game day,'' he said.

"I caught up with Mick at the coaches' AGM last week, I will see him tomorrow morning at the Peter MacCallum breakfast and I am sure, watching the TV shows, I will see plenty of his head between now and Sunday.''

Buckley inadvertently brought some humour to the build-up when asked if the two coaches had had any recent conversations.

"He's the coach of Collingwood,'' he said of Malthouse before correcting himself.  ``He was ... he's the coach of Carlton.''

Dayne Beams (quad) will miss Sunday's clash and could be on the sidelines for a few more weeks, but Buckley remained confident Ben Reid (concussion) and Ben Johnson (thigh) will play.

Heath Shaw (illness) is a certain starter.

Buckley refused to rule out Dale Thomas, who missed yesterday's training session, but played 75 per cent of last week's VFL match.

Clinton Young, Alex Fasolo, Paul Seedsman and Andrew Krakouer are also in the mix.

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Cats v Hawks: 10 things we learnt

Steven Motlop puts the pedal to the metal as he runs forward during the last quarter of the Hawthorn vs Geelong match at the MCG. April 1, 2013. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

THE Geelong-Hawthorn rivalry is one for the ages, but yesterday's match taught us more than just that Kennett's curse continues.

1. Cats are now quick
Geelong used to make up for the relatively slow legs of stars such as Jimmy Bartel, Paul Chapman and Corey Enright with quick minds. The new breed of Cats – Steven Motlop, Allen Christensen, Travis Varcoe and Jordan Murdoch among others – are flatout fast. 

2. Hawks look under-done
Hawthorn has probably had the most injury interrupted pre-season of any team and it showed in the second half yesterday. Too often, the Cats had multiple players overlapping, exposing the Hawks' lack of run. It will be interesting to see if the Hawks' late game fitness improves through the year or if it becomes an Achilles' heel.

3. Brad Hill can play
The livewire small forward was the Hawks' best player in the first quarter and a half, having a hand in at least four goals. He looks to have cemented a place in the best 22. Hill was subbed off but looks a great addition for the Hawks – and SuperCoaches who snared the $152,000 midfield bargain.

Geelong have continued their recent dominance over Hawthorn with a thrilling seven-point victory at the MCG.

4. Cats' ruck problems may be over-stated
Geelong's Trent West and debutant Mark Blicavs were done over by their Hawks opponents in the first half, as the brown and gold midfield dominated the centre clearances. But by the end of the game, Blicavs shows enough endeavour around the ground to indicate he has a future at this level.

5. The Hawks need Plan B going into attack
Too often Hawthorn's midfield kicked long and high to their tall forwards. Against Harry Taylor and Co – who are so good at reading the play - that was never going to be a recipe for long-term success. Pack marks aren't Lance Franklin's strong suit and, aside from a two-goal second term, Buddy had a dirty day. Jarryd Roughead, meanwhile, was rarely sighted until the final term.

6. Harry Taylor still has the best pair of hands in the game
See above. If one AFL player had to take a contested grab for your life, who would you choose? My vote goes to Taylor.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson concedes the Hawks ran out of gas in their loss to Geelong.

What did we miss? Have your say below.

7. AFL is blessed with leaders
On Saturday night, Gary Ablett set a high bar for what it means to lead from the front, but Joel Selwood did his best to clear it in the third term. Selwood had a hand in several Cats goals with the highlight coming when he tackled Shane Savage, ripped the ball away and started a chain of handballs that led to a Mitch Duncan goal. Meanwhile, Sam Mitchell did everything he could to try to will the Hawks over the line, collecting a game-high 37 touches.

8. Clarkson is praying for Lake's health
The big question after the Hawks' traded for Brian Lake was would the former Dogs' body hold up through the season? He was a late withdrawal yesterday and the longer the game went, the more Alastair Clarkson needed his sure pair of hands against the Cats' key forwards.

Joel Selwood escapes from the centre clearance with the footy during the third quarter. Picture: Michael Klein

9. Varcoe experiment needs more work
One of the big changes for Geelong this year is meant to be Travis Varcoe's re-invention from a half-forward to a half-back sweeper. In the first half yesterday, he looked lost at times defensively and struggled with decision making. He played forward more in the second half.

10. It's probably time for Kennett to keep quiet
He was a great president for Hawthorn, and the game as a whole (especially us in the media). But this constant commentary from the sidelines – including last night's ridiculous call for Clarkson to step down at the end of the year - is doing no favours for the club he claims to love.

Mark Blicavs, Jared Rivers and Josh Caddy - all making their debut for the Cats - celebrate in the rooms after winning the round one match. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

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Betts out with broken jaw

Carlton small forward Eddie Betts has a broken jaw. Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON has been dealt a double blow ahead of Sunday's blockbuster against Collingwood, with Eddie Betts and Shaun Hampson both ruled out.

Betts has been diagnosed with a broken jaw in the wake of last week's loss to Richmond, while Hampson had surgery on Saturday night to have his appendix removed.

Betts' injury slipped through the net until Carlton confirmed it today. The goalsneak played through the pain against the Tigers after he involved in a collision in the first quarter against the Tigers.

He consulted surgeons earlier today. The Blues said they would be guided by medical advice, but have already ruled the influential forward out of their Round 2 match.

"Eddie sustained the injury early in the game, so it was a great effort in his behalf to keep playing. But he won't be playing this week and we'll be guided by the doctor," Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said.

"Shaun felt really terrible on Saturday afternoon, saw the doctor and was diagnosed with appendicitis. He went straight into hospital and had his appendix removed.

"Obviously we'll have to replace a 'tall' and a 'small' in our forward line, so there are a couple of spots up for grabs."

The Blues are already without first-choice pair Jarrad Waite (calf) and best and fairest Heath Scotland (suspension), but Mitch Robinson (concussion) is expected to prove his fitness.
 

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LIVE Hawks v Cats: Lake out

Brian Lake at Hawhorn training. Picture: Stephen Harman Source: Herald Sun

BRIAN Lake is a late withdrawal from the Hawthorn team to face Geelong at the MCG today in the final match of Round 1.

LiveHQ: Follow the match live with live SuperCoach points, stats, commentary and more

Lake was named in the Hawks' defence despite not playing since he hurt his calf in the first round of the NAB Cup.

The team sheets for today's match have just been submitted and the former Bulldog is out, replaced by ruckman Max Bailey.

The late inclusion means the Hawks have three potential rucks in their line-up - Bailey, David Hale and Jarryd Roughead - while the Cats are playing first-gamer Mark Blicavs as first ruck. Trent West is on the bench.

The Geelong team is unchanged.

The subs are Jed Anderson (Hawthorn) and George Horlin-Smith (Geelong).

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Scott tells Bucks to butt out

North Melbourne goalsneak Lindsay Thomas faces a nervous wait with the match review panel after flooring Collingwood's Ben Reid with a big bump.

Lindsay Thomas's bump has sparked a war of words between the coaches. Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

Brad Scott and Nathan Buckley have clashed over an incident involving North Melbourne's Lindsay Thomas and Collingwood's Ben Reid.

A SCATHING war of words erupted between opposition coaches Brad Scott and Nathan Buckley last night as the postscript to the North Melbourne and Collingwood clash at Etihad Stadium which turned sour.

Scott told his Magpies counterpart to keep his opinions to himself after Buckley called Lindsay Thomas's off the ball hit on Ben Reid an "average'' act that would see the AFL "hold him to account for his actions''.

Magpies defender Reid did not return to the field having been left concussed and bleeding from the mouth after the third quarter incident.

VIDEO: See Lindsay Thomas's bump which has sparked so much controversy in the player above

As the ball was trickling out of play, Roos forward Thomas changed direction and clashed heads with an unsuspecting Reid who lay motionless on the ground for a couple of minutes.

A grossly undermanned Collingwood outclassed North Melbourne by 16 points, but the Thomas/Reid incident was the major talking point afterwards.

"I thought it was pretty average,'' Buckley said.

"I have full faith that the systems the AFL has in place will hold him to account for his actions.

"It was off the ball, unprovoked and we'll see how it happens.

"I don't want to pre-empt anything, but clearly if it's behind play and it it's high you're in a bit of strife.''

North Melbourne V Collingwood at Etihad Stadium, 31/3/13. Clash of heads between Ben Reid and Lindsay Thomas saw Reid off with a bloody mouth and players in a scuffle after Scott Pendlebury tested Lindsay Thomas's Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

Scott was left seething by Buckley's remarks.

"Nathan Buckley should just worry about his own team,'' Scott said.

"Commentary like that doesn't help. I don't know what incident Nathan Buckley saw but a head clash is a head clash, it does happen in football, we play a contact sport.

"Bucks should just keep his opinions to himself when it comes to decisions and things that will be taken care of by the powers that be.

"It doesn't help when a senior coach comes in and starts influencing things and casting dispersions (sic) on our players.

"If Bucks wants to call me he can.''

Brad Scott tells Buckley to "keep opinions to himself".

Scott said it wasn't for him to say what he thought of the incident himself.

"But certainly from where I sat it didn't look malicious, it didn't look like he tried to hurt Ben Reid,'' he said.

"But as I said, it's not for me to say and it's certainly not for him to say.''

Reid's absence was further accentuated by the fact Ben Johnson had to be substituted at half time with a corked thigh.

Asked how he felt seeing Thomas continue while his side went down to two players on the bench Buckley simply said: "He stayed down and tried to fake that as well.

"It is what it is, it was not a great act and I'm sure he'll be feeling pretty sorry for it right now.

"Reidy will play next week."

Live HQ: North Melbourne v Collingwood

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Scott tells Bucks to butt out

North Melbourne goalsneak Lindsay Thomas faces a nervous wait with the match review panel after flooring Collingwood's Ben Reid with a big bump.

Lindsay Thomas's bump has sparked a war of words between the coaches. Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

Brad Scott and Nathan Buckley have clashed over an incident involving North Melbourne's Lindsay Thomas and Collingwood's Ben Reid.

A SCATHING war of words erupted between opposition coaches Brad Scott and Nathan Buckley last night as the postscript to the North Melbourne and Collingwood clash at Etihad Stadium which turned sour.

Scott told his Magpies counterpart to keep his opinions to himself after Buckley called Lindsay Thomas's off the ball hit on Ben Reid an "average'' act that would see the AFL "hold him to account for his actions''.

Magpies defender Reid did not return to the field having been left concussed and bleeding from the mouth after the third quarter incident.

VIDEO: See Lindsay Thomas's bump which has sparked so much controversy in the player above

As the ball was trickling out of play, Roos forward Thomas changed direction and clashed heads with an unsuspecting Reid who lay motionless on the ground for a couple of minutes.

A grossly undermanned Collingwood outclassed North Melbourne by 16 points, but the Thomas/Reid incident was the major talking point afterwards.

"I thought it was pretty average,'' Buckley said.

"I have full faith that the systems the AFL has in place will hold him to account for his actions.

"It was off the ball, unprovoked and we'll see how it happens.

"I don't want to pre-empt anything, but clearly if it's behind play and it it's high you're in a bit of strife.''

North Melbourne V Collingwood at Etihad Stadium, 31/3/13. Clash of heads between Ben Reid and Lindsay Thomas saw Reid off with a bloody mouth and players in a scuffle after Scott Pendlebury tested Lindsay Thomas's Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

Scott was left seething by Buckley's remarks.

"Nathan Buckley should just worry about his own team,'' Scott said.

"Commentary like that doesn't help. I don't know what incident Nathan Buckley saw but a head clash is a head clash, it does happen in football, we play a contact sport.

"Bucks should just keep his opinions to himself when it comes to decisions and things that will be taken care of by the powers that be.

"It doesn't help when a senior coach comes in and starts influencing things and casting dispersions (sic) on our players.

"If Bucks wants to call me he can.''

Brad Scott tells Buckley to "keep opinions to himself".

Scott said it wasn't for him to say what he thought of the incident himself.

"But certainly from where I sat it didn't look malicious, it didn't look like he tried to hurt Ben Reid,'' he said.

"But as I said, it's not for me to say and it's certainly not for him to say.''

Reid's absence was further accentuated by the fact Ben Johnson had to be substituted at half time with a corked thigh.

Asked how he felt seeing Thomas continue while his side went down to two players on the bench Buckley simply said: "He stayed down and tried to fake that as well.

"It is what it is, it was not a great act and I'm sure he'll be feeling pretty sorry for it right now.

"Reidy will play next week."

Live HQ: North Melbourne v Collingwood

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LIVE Hawks v Cats: Lake out

Brian Lake at Hawhorn training. Picture: Stephen Harman Source: Herald Sun

BRIAN Lake is a late withdrawal from the Hawthorn team to face Geelong at the MCG today in the final match of Round 1.

LiveHQ: Follow the match live with live SuperCoach points, stats, commentary and more

Lake was named in the Hawks' defence despite not playing since he hurt his calf in the first round of the NAB Cup.

The team sheets for today's match have just been submitted and the former Bulldog is out, replaced by ruckman Max Bailey.

The late inclusion means the Hawks have three potential rucks in their line-up - Bailey, David Hale and Jarryd Roughead - while the Cats are playing first-gamer Mark Blicavs as first ruck. Trent West is on the bench.

The Geelong team is unchanged.

The subs are Jed Anderson (Hawthorn) and George Horlin-Smith (Geelong).

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Hawks punt on star's fitness

Underdone Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli will step out against Geelong tomorrow. Source: News Limited

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson admits Cyril Rioli and Brian Lake's preparation leading into tomorrow's blockbuster against Geelong at the MCG is not ideal.

He said both sides had taken a little bit of a punt on selections, pointing out that  Geelong had named Trent West.

"It's not always ideal going into round one and we'll just see how we go,'' Clarkson said before today's 30-minute training session at Waverley Park.

And he confirmed that 19 year-old Jed Anderson, whose wife is due to give birth in the next few days, will make his debut after being traded by Greater Western Sydney for Stephen Gilham.

"It's pretty exciting for Jed,'' Clarkson said.

"It's been a great effort for a lad to get drafted and then force his way into a side that played off in a grand final.''
Rioli (ankle) and Lake (calf) have not played since Hawthorn's opening NAB Cup game.

Lake, recruited from the Western Bulldogs, will be assigned key Cat Tom Hawkins as the Hawks attempt to break a nine-game losing sequence against Geelong.

Clarkson said the Bulldog veteran had been  recruited specifically to play on bigger players.

"Hopefully he will acquit himself well,'' he said.

"Hawkins has turned into an outstanding player in the competition and whoever plays on him, no matter what stage of the game it is or what stage of the season, it is a formidable task, so we'll see how we go.''

Clarkson said Rioli and Lake were "okay'' going into clash, despite their lack of game time

"It's not ideal going into round one without the same game time as some of the other players. They are quality players and both of them are All Australian players.

"Sometimes first up they can play really well too, and sometimes it's the second and third game that you're worried about.''

Clarkson said that after a long pre-season, Geelong and Hawthorn had to wait until the last game of the opening round.

"There is so much excitement and anticipation  around the first round of the season,'' he said.

"It's the latest game of the round and we can't wait to get out there and perform.''

Clarkson said he was again expecting a great contest from Geelong.

"We have always had great games against Geelong and we just haven't been able to get over the post in the pressure of last minutes of games so we need to get better at that,'' he said.

Clarkson was reluctant to make any comment about the controversial sliding rule.

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LIVE: Demons v Power

Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney bursts forward against Port Adelaide. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

2.27pm: Demons 44 - Power 73

THE case for goal line video technology is mounting with contentious marks being paid to Port Adelaide sharpshooter Jay Schulz and Melbourne utility Cameron Pederson.

Schulz was awarded a mark on the goal line despite an inconclusive review.

Moments later, Pederson clunked a strong mark next to the goal post which looked at real speed to have crossed the line.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores and stats

The Power dominated the first half setting up a 29-point buffer at the main break.

Paul Stewart booted three goals while Kane Cornes leads the Power with 14 disposals.

Meanwhile, debutant Jack Viney is the pick of the Demons with 15 touches -- 12 contested -- and a goal to his name.

The tough as teak midfielder also has four clearances to his name.

2.04pm: Demons 31 - Power 58

MELBOURNE continues to find a way of keeping up with Port Adelaide at the MCG today.

The Power have made all the early running but until now have been unable to shake the pesky - at times outclassed - Demons.

Goals to Shannon Byrnes and Jeremy Howe, his second, cut the margin to 27 points midway through the second term.

Port Adelaide has kicked three goals in the term, its last in somewhat controversial circumstances with Jay Schulz awarded a mark on the goal line.

Schulz, who launched over the pack, looked to clunk the ball over the line. The umpires paid the mark despite a video review showing Schulz, his Demon's stepladder and the football clearly over the line.

Regardless, it was a goal, and great mark, either way. Play on!

1.49pm: Demons 19 - Power 45

ALL Port Adelaide and Melbourne's Jack Viney in the first quarter with the Power running rings around the hapless Demons.

The boom father-son prospect leads the Demons with nine disposals.

But the Power look superior to their rivals with Hamish Hartlett on track for a best on ground performance.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores and stats

The classy midfielder has 10 disposals and two goals early in the second quarter.

Mitch Clark made a welcome return to senior footy kicking two goals in as many minutes during the first quarter.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Hamish Hartlett of the Power passes the ball during the round one AFL match between the Melbourne Demons and Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 31, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

1.34pm: Demons 13 - Power 27

MELBOURNE spearhead Mitch Clark has made a welcome return to senior footy kicking two goals in a hurry to claw the Demons back within striking distance.

Port Adelaide made all the early running at the MCG with midfielders Hamish Hartlett, Brad Ebert, Kane Cornes and young gun Olli Wines dominating the stoppages.

Clark's timely goals helped the Demons get back in the match before Power sharpshooter Jay Schulz's courageous mark in the goal square.

It took Melbourne about four minutes of play to register its first kick, a free kick to co-captain Jack Grimes at half-back.

PRE-GAME

Melbourne lines up as selected in today's match against Port Adelaide at the MCG.

The Demons will unveil prized recruits Jack Viney and No.4 pick Jimmy Toumpas in the Easter Sunday clash.

Port Adelaide also boasts a couple of new faces including No.7 pick Olli Wines and mature-aged recruit Kane Mitchell who will start as the substitute.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores and stats

Demon Sam Blease will also start on the pine wearing the green substitute's vest.

Melbourne will join Port Adelaide in wearing black armbands today in memory of Power midfielder John McCarthy.

The former Collingwood and Sorrento utility fell to his death while on holidays in Las Vegas with Power teammates last year.

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