LIVE: Demons v Giants

Melbourne will be keen to put its best foot forward against GWS Giants today. Source: Getty Images

NO CHANGES
SUBSTITUTES: Aaron Davey (Melbourne), Anthony Miles (GWS)

A CLUB on its knees on and off the field Melbourne will be looking to go some of the way to erasing memories of a torrid week with a win over Greater Western Sydney.

But victory is far from assured for Mark Neeld's battered Demons after three rounds of pain.

Port Adelaide belted the Demons, while Essendon schooled them in a four-quarter demolition.

Jack Watts returns after a week on the outer, Mitch Clark should be nearing the top of his game while Jacks Grimes and Trengove have a point to prove.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats

Meanwhile, GWS coach Kevin Sheedy can sniff a third victory in Giants strips.

Jon Patton going down last week was a huge blow for the fledgling club, now looking at Jeremy Cameron to shoulder the bulk of the load inside the arc.

Callan Ward has been solid form while Tom Scully shows plenty of upside.

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Schoenmakers to undergo surgery

Ryan Schoenmakers writhes in pain after twisting his knee at Aurora Stadium. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

Hawk Ryan Schoenmakers walks the boundary on crutches after the injury. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN has confirmed Ryan Schoenmakers will require a knee reconstruction and miss the rest of the season.

The defender went down early in yesterday's win over Fremantle at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

Scans this morning revealed Schoenmakers had snapped his anterior cruciate ligament and strained the medial ligament in his right knee.

Hawthorn football operations manager James Fantasia said Schoenmakers remained upbeat despite the devastating news.

"While Ryan is naturally disappointed by the injury, we're certain he will approach his rehabilitation with the same professionalism, positivity and dedication he has displayed as a young player," Fantasia said.

Schoenmakers will consult with a specialist in coming days.

It's the Hawk's third serious knee injury behind Brendan Whitecross and Matthew Suckling, who went down at the same venue during the NAB Cup.

Schoenmaker's injury paves the way for Hawthorn recruit Brian Lake to make his debut after joining the club as a free agent last year.

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Selwood inspires Cats to victory

A superb third quarter from Geelong helps the Cats defeat Sydney Swans in a high-scoring clash at the SCG.

The spotlight returned to the AFL's sliding rule when Sydney goal sneak Ben McGlynn became the latest pinged for making the football, not the man, his sole objective

Geelong captain Joel Selwood bursts out of the middle to drive the Cats forward. Picture: Philip Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

A VINTAGE Joel Selwood performance has led Geelong to a 21-point win over Sydney, as it confirmed its premiership credentials.

The Geelong captain was exceptional at the SCG as the Cats extended their unbeaten run to four wins to start the season.

Selwood had 30 possessions in a dominant display, again leading from the front as the Cats fought from 19 points back in the early stages of the second quarter, to run out comfortable winners.

The 4-0 start to the season, with the Western Bulldogs to come next week, sets up a perfect run to the second half of the season that includes six of the last 10 games of the season at Simonds Stadium.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats

Geelong beat Sydney at its own game, picking the perfect time to turn around its form at the stoppages which saw it ranked last in the competition heading into this round.

The Cats' intensity and work at the clearances blew the game open in the third quarter, as they piled on seven goals to one for the quarter.

They stopped Sydney's run through the middle which strangled its scoring opportunities.

The Swans didn't kick a goal between the 11-minute mark of the second quarter, when the margin was out to 19
points, to the 26-minute mark of the third quarter, as Geelong completely got on top.

Selwood played a quarter to remember in the third term, picking up seven disposals, at 100 per cent efficiency, which eventually led to seven Geelong scores, including six goals.

AFL - Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats at the SCG. Sydney's Adam Goodes gets out a diving handball ahead of the Cats Joel Selwood. Picture: Hillyard Philip Source: The Daily Telegraph

Geelong's pressure on Sydney became its trademark, particularly from the midway point of the second term, as it applied the screws.

The Swans simply couldn't find the answers.

Geelong dominated the clearances in the middle two quarters when the game was really in the balance.

They won seven to four out of the centre in those two terms.

Young Geelong midfielder George Horlin-Smith vindicated his promotion back to the senior team, ably assisting
Selwood in the middle with 23 touches and doing his lion's share at the stoppages, winning seven clearances.

Swans lose discipline, composure

Daniel Hannebery worked tirelessly for the Swans all night, battling on after copping a couple of huge knocks to finish his two-goal game with 29 touches.

It was a night when Geelong's key forwards didn't get it their way, but the spread of goalkickers is what did the Swans in.

Twelve Geelong players kicked goals last night, with the main target, Tom Hawkins, getting his three when the Cats finally had all the momentum.

Hawkins battled Ted Richards, who probably still finished with the points, despite Hawkins finishing with a credible three goals.

The contest was setup by an extraordinary first quarter that produced 15 goals.

For two teams renowned as tough, contested sides, it was an unexpectedly open, end-to-end term, as both teams ran the ball out of their back half, and converted remarkably accurately.

Lewis Roberts-Thomson was started up forward, but Chris Scott countered that, sending his own swingman, Harry Taylor, forward in a cameo in the middle of the first term that produced two goals.

The Cats were clearly intent on using the corridor, going inside at every opportunity as they tried to slice through the middle of the SCG.

AFL - Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats at the SCG. Sydney's Adam Goodes gets out a diving handball ahead of the Cats Joel Selwood. Picture: Hillyard Philip Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Swans were pushing all their numbers back, and then trying to outrun Geelong on the way back to goal.
Josh Kennedy, after a quiet start, started to get into it the longer the first quarter went.

The Swans started to get the game on their terms in the second quarter, restricting Geelong as it battled to get the ball past centre or half-forward.

They had kicked five of six goals either side of quarter time and were really starting to step up the scoreboard pressure on the Cats.

Geelong put the clamps down on Jarrad McVeigh, who had a game-high 10 possessions, four clearances and two goals in the first quarter.

He was held to just two touches in the second quarter as the Cats held in as Sydney threatened to open a comfortable lead.

With Steve Johnson and Steven Motlop held to just three touches for the second quarter, Sydney had stifled Geelong's creativity, and that had flow-on effects as it tried to go inside 50s.

Daniel Hannebery continued on his way, racking up 18 touches by the main break, but it was Selwood who stepped it up for the Cats, picking up 10 second-quarter possessions, as he lifted the intensity in the middle.

And while it was Sydney that looked to be getting on top in the first half of the second quarter, Geelong had pegged the margin back to just five points by half time.

The damage was restricted because of Geelong's dominance in the middle, winning 11 clearances to Sydney's three for the second term.

They had 100 possessions to just 77, and had control of the uncontested ball as the tried to find space.

Sydney's setup was also hampered by a knee injury to Roberts-Thomson, who was subbed out of the game during the second quarter.

Geelong kicked six unanswered goals from just before half time to the final 10 minutes of the third quarter, to establish an ascendency Sydney would never peg back.

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LIVE: Saturday arvo footy

David Mundy will captain Fremantle. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Limited

LATE CHANGES:
Hawthorn: Brent Guerra out, replaced by Shane savage
Fremantle: Luke McPharlin out, replaced by debutant Tanner Smith
Collingwood: Tyson Goldsack out, replaced by Brent Macaffer
Richmond: Nil

SUBSTITUTES:
Hawthorn: Shane Savage
Fremantle: Lachie Neale
Collingwood: Josh Thomas
Richmond: Brandon Ellis

VIDEO: Watch highlights of new Docker Tanner Smith here

DAVID Mundy will captain a further weakened Fremantle side against Hawthorn today, which has also lost star defender Luke McPharlin.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats and more

The full-back was a late withdrawal after suffering concussion in the opening minutes of last week's loss to Essendon in a collision with Paddy Ryder that cost him a three-week suspension.

The Hawks also swung a late change, with Shane Savage replacing Brent Guerra.

Savage and young Docker Lachie Neale will start in the green vests.

Track the match with live SuperCoach points, scores and more at Live HQ

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AFL to grill Dees over Dank link

Melbourne is the second AFL club embroiled in the performance-enhancing drugs controversy after text messages between sports scientist Stephen Dank and club doctor Dan Bates emerged

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says Melbourne would have broken league rules if it is found to have had an association with Stephen Dank.

The AFL and anti-doping agency ASADA will today grill Melbourne club doctor Dan Bates over text messages he is alleged to have exchanged with Dank. They were due to meet at 10.30am this morning.

"They will be in breach of a rule," Demetriou said on 3AW this morning. "But can I just wait until after we've had a briefing this morning.

"We (AFL) asked the specific question that the media had asked: 'Was Stephan Dank approached or did Stephan Dank approach Melbourne, or was there a discussion around employment at the Melbourne Football Club'.

"And we got the same answer the public got. The people in authority didn't give us the answers."

Demetriou refused to reveal whether the club officials that responded to the AFL's original inquiries remain at the club and also said that "there may be more" to story.

Demetriou also said claims on the ABC's 7.30 Report that it had text messages between Bates and former Essendon sports scientist Dank were inconsistent with what Melbourne had told the AFL.

"They had maintained a position ... that they've never employed Stephen Dank,'' Demetriou told ABC radio.

"If there is an association with Mr Dank, that is inconsistent with what we have been told.''

Demons' full statement: we are clean

The ABC's revelations are certain to lead to the ASADA and the AFL widening the probe into supplement use to include the Demons.

Demetriou said Melbourne had some questions to answer if the ABC report was true.

"As of this morning we will be calling in the doctor, the Melbourne Football Club doctor, together with any other relevant officials based on things we'd been told previously,'' Mr Demetriou said.

"There appears to be some inconsistencies.

"If there was an association, regardless of whether there has been an employment agreement, I think that would have been relevant to our briefings.''

Demetriou did not want to speculate on the ramifications for the club, but did say that Melbourne would have broken league rules if it was shown to have mislead the AFL about a relationship with Dank.

"This issue of ethics and trust in our code ... is something that you can't play ping-pong with,'' Mr Demetriou said.

"If anybody hasn't got the message that they must be absolutely truthful ... then there will be consequences.''

Sports scientist Stephen Dank.

Texts trip up Demons

In a lengthy statement on Friday morning, Melbourne said there was no evidence any of its supplements breached the WADA drug code, and that Dank never directly treated players nor worked directly for the club.

But it admitted Bates and Dank had been in communication prior to the launch of ASADA's investigation into Essendon, though Bates always had the final say in any treatment for Demons players.

"At no time was Dank able to directly treat players,'' Melbourne said in its statement.

Demetriou backs silent James Hird

"Dank and Dr Bates communicated via email, phone and text, regarding supplements (prior to the ASADA investigation).

"Our processes require Dr Bates to consider the appropriateness of any treatment and make a determination as to its suitability at all times, to ensure that the welfare of our players is always maintained.''

Neeld: We're level with GWS

The AFL, which last week said Essendon was the only club involved in the wider Australian sport anti-doping investigation, issued the Demons with a ``please explain'' over their involvement with Dank on Thursday night.

"The AFL was not previously aware of the claims broadcast ... by the ABC and these will form part of ongoing investigations by ASADA and the AFL,'' the AFL said in a statement.

"The AFL is urgently seeking a further explanation from Melbourne Football Club about the veracity of the claims and how they can be reconciled with previous statements from the club.''

The ABC alleges the text messages between Dank and Bates continued until the day Essendon fronted a media conference to reveal they had concerns over their supplements program and Dank's work at that club.

AFL Round 4 teams: Watts back for Dees

SOME OF THE ALLEGED TEXT MESSAGES

Dank to Bates: "Meeting with Neil Craig next Tuesday or Wednesday. Spoke to Dave today."

Bates to Dank: "Great."

Dank to Bates: "When we will start Jack Trengove on the AOD?"

Bates to Dank: "Tomorrow"

Bates to Dank: "Where can I get him to pick it up from?"

Dank to Bates: "The pharmacy. Tell him to ring me and he can meet me there."

Bates to Dank: "...Lynden Dunn would like an injection on Thursday if possible (good about Dunny asking, as he is doing it because the other guys have said they feel good). Dan."

Dank to Bates: "Great. I will book him in."

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Magpies say Cloke will play

Sam Edmund, Jay Clark and Ben Dixon join Brad Johnson to discuss their picks ahead of round 4.

Travis Cloke left the training track early today after hurting his finger. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

FORWARD Travis Cloke sent a scare through the Collingwood camp this morning when he was forced to leave training early with a dislocated finger.

But Magpies officials strenuously deny the All-Australian is in any doubt for tomorrow's blockbuster clash with Richmond at the MCG.

Club doctors didn't try to hide the extent of the 26-year-old's mishap as they attempted to put his finger back in to place on the boundary line at Olympic Park.

And teammate Dane Swan said Cloke was showing no ill-effects after training.

"From all reports he's good to go, he popped his finger back in," Swan said.

"I just saw him and he said he's fine, so I think he's fine."

While Cloke's importance to the Magpies line-up cannot be understated, it is the midfield group that Swan believes will go a long way to deciding the game against the Tigers.

Swan praised the way Richmond has started the season and said it was up to the likes of he, Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom to curb the influence of Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio and co.

"They've for some very speedy, good types in there," Swan said.

"For me, personally, I think that's where the game will be won or lost.

"If we can beat them in contested footy and clearances, which I suppose everyone says every week, but this week there's nothing more important for me and the other midfielders to give our forwards first use of the ball.

"If we get it in our forward half first it gives is a chance to set up defensively behind it as well."
 

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Swan wants to stay on with Pies

Collingwood star Dane Swan has said it's ridiculous where some rumours start, and if every rumour about him were true, he'd be dead.

Magpie Dane Swan (centre) at Collingwood training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Dane Swan in action against Hawthorn last Sunday. Source: Herald Sun

CONTROVERSIAL midfielder Dane Swan wants to play on with Collingwood beyond his current contract, which expires at the end of next year.

Swan, who against Richmond on Saturday will play his 200th AFL match, has said previously he would give the game away when his existing deal ran out.

But the 29-year-old revealed last night that he had changed his mind - partly because he felt he still owed the club more.

"I am certainly not going to be Dustin Fletcher and play until I am 38," Swan told The Club on Fox Footy on Wednesday night.

"I am contracted until the end of next season and hopefully I can go around at least once or twice more.

"While I am able to contribute at a reasonably high level, I would like to think I would still be around, (but) the footy club would have to have me first."

Swan also said:

* HE had no intention of playing for another AFL club when his time at Collingwood was over.

* HE still owed the club more than it owed him, for saving his career "when it was going down the toilet".

* IF all the rumours about him were true, "I'd be dead".

Also during the interview, which the Herald Sun reported on last  night, Swan admitted he wanted to change the public perception of him.

"There is a perception of me out there," he said.

"Whether it's right or whether it's not, I suppose the damage has been done.

"But I'm slowly trying to repair it because I don't like my parents and family listening to talk-back radio and reading social media tweets."

Swan said his family had been hurt by what has been said about him.

"When your mum rings you up and you hear she is upset on the phone, that's when you probably realise that enough is enough," he said.

Swan said the life of an AFL footballler can be a "horrible world" and understands how it could lead to depression.

"I can understand how some AFL players could get depression," he said.

Picture gallery: Swan warms up for game 200

"Sometimes it can be a real horrible world for AFL footballers, even though we do have a great lifestyle.

"Just the media backlash you cop and the social media outbursts and the rants on all the websites and blogs.

"If you didn't have thick skin or you didn't handle negative words really well, I can understand why a player could suffer from depression."
 

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'I'm so proud, thank you so much'

The Hangar was granted exclusive access to Essendon's post-match speeches following their win over Freemantle.

Bombers coach James Hird celebrates beating Fremantle with David Zaharakis (left) and Ben Howlett. Source: Getty Images

ESSENDON coach James Hird delivered an emotional speech to his players in the Subiaco rooms last Friday night, in which he thanked them and told of his pride after their win over Fremantle.

On Fox Footy program The Hangar last night, Hird's post-match speech to his players following the win was shown.

In it, Hird - who this week met with ASADA investigators - told his players just how much the win meant to him and the club.

"Anything is possible if you continue to play with that hunger and train with that hunger," Hird said.

James Hird and the players belt out the team song after beating Fremantle. Source: Herald Sun

"I'm so proud of you, I thank you so much. I personally...just thank you, thank you."

READ HIRD'S FULL SPEECH TO HIS PLAYERS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY

Inspirational skipper Jobe Watson was not to be outdone, jumping in following Hird's speech to declare his solid support for the club.

"From a player's perspective, the way the club is handling it and the people around it, it's comforting to come to the club and see these people here," he said.

How sweet it is. Source: Getty Images

"Because you know the people inside the football club care about you and they're the people you can lean on.

"So, I'm saying it now - I know when I get around the club that we'll be OK.

"It's special because of the people in this room."

Hird's full speech to the players in the rooms following the win:

"Let's talk about pressure and the way you handled that pressure. We didn't handle it well early, did we?

"They were much better than us early. You're going to have to handle more pressure than that - finals are big games.

"But to come from five goals or six goals down at Subiaco and beat a very, very good team and run them off their legs, it's an incredible effort.

"And I think Jobe you said it at the start of the game, let's coach ourselves out on the ground.

"That's what leadership is all about - coaching yourself when things aren't going right. Well done to everyone in this footy club, tonight was an amazing effort. Everything has been incredible - we just have to keep it going, alright?

"You've got to enjoy your win, get to bed when you get to bed, wake up the next morning in the hotel (laughs) and let's go after St Kilda.

"Anything is possible if you continue to play with that hunger and train with that hunger. I'm so proud of you, I thank you so much. I personally...just thank you, thank you."

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Mick weighs up four talls

Robert Warnock could play his first game for the season against West Coast on Saturday night. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON coach Mick Malthouse is considering recalling both Levi Casboult and Rob Warnock for Saturday's crunch game against West Coast.

The Blues lost ruckman Matthew Kreuzer to a broken thumb, which only compounded their 0-3 start to the season.

Warnock's 2012 season was ruined by a shoulder injury. He hasn't played since Round 14.

"It's either going to be Levi Casboult, or both, and Robbie Warnock,'' Malthouse said today.

"We understand we're a little bit short in terms of talls in our side…We might go a little bit taller.

"We could play both.''

Shaun Hampson is already in the side and Malthouse said he wasn't against playing Sam Rowe in the ruck, but admitted he would need support.

"You're talking about the No. 1 ruckman in the league, (Dean) Cox has been that for a number of years,'' he said.

"We know that we're going to have a big job and perhaps the best way to do that is multi-choice and multi-go. It's very hard to lock one player in on a bloke like Cox."

Jarrad Waite and Eddie Betts are not expected to play this weekend.

Malthouse refused to dwell on the club's poor start to the season.

"It's not about win-loss, it's about process," he said.

"Are we playing good football? Yes, we are in patches.

"Are we playing well enough to beat our opponents? No, because we're not doing that for a full game.

"That's what we have to look at, not (just) the result of the football game."
 

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Beams out for another month

Collingwood onballer Dayne Beams is out for another month. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: The Advertiser

COLLINGWOOD best and fairest winner Dayne Beams has reinjured his thigh and the midfielder is at least another month away from playing again.

Beams' setback has cast a pall over the Magpies' preparations for the blockbuster against unbeaten Richmond at the MCG on Saturday.

The classy midfielder felt pain in his thigh when he tried to step up training last weekend and he has been ordered to rest.

"The last thing you want to do when you walk into a medical meeting is to hear one of your better players is probably another three or four weeks (out) longer than you anticipated,'' coach Nathan Buckley said today.

"Beamsy is incredibly frustrated by it and our medics are working hard to get him up to speed. At the same time, it's no use pushing a player up if he's 85 percent fit. The intensity of the game requires full fitness and we won't be putting any of our players in that danger zone by pushing them up before they're ready.

"It's a bit of a rebleed which just signals to us that it (injury) was more significant than we initially thought and we've just got to give it a little more time.''
 

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