Walker fires Crows to Showdown win

Updated April 29, 2012 20:30:24

A six-goal haul to Taylor Walker proved the difference for Adelaide as the Crows won Showdown XXXII over rivals Port Adelaide by 19 points to secure a spot in the top four.

However Walker may face a nervous wait for the review panel, after the Crows forward collided with Jacob Surjan's shoulder after sliding into a contest with his knees.

Walker picked himself up to lead the Crows to a tense 16.14 (110) to 14.7 (91) win at Football Park following an unlikely comeback by Port Adelaide.

The victory puts Adelaide in the top four under first-year coach Brenton Sanderson, while Port Adelaide is anchored in the bottom eight on one win and four losses.

The Crows now faces Sydney and Geelong in the next two weeks.

"I think our next five going into the bye are all teams going pretty well,'' ruckman Sam Jacobs told Grandstand.

"We won't look past Sydney next week, and Sando has already touched on it - six days and get ready for the Swans.''

Jacobs said Sanderson was happy with the team's effort to seal the win.

"We spoke early in the week about how important Showdowns are to us, these are big games, and Sando just praised us a bit for the way we fought back in the last quarter,'' Jacobs said.

"It doesn't matter where Port is on the ladder or we are on the ladder, you know it's going to be a hard contest," Jacobs added.

"They (Port Adelaide) are the ones in front for the overall total (of Showdown wins), so it's our turn to peg some back.''

Adelaide has won the last two Showdowns - the overall record now stands at 17 wins for Port Adelaide and 15 wins for the Crows.

Adelaide started strongly, with Port Adelaide's defence having no answer to Showdown medallist Patrick Dangerfield, who racked up 12 possessions in the opening quarter on his way to a game-high 39 touches.

Port Adelaide also had to cope with the loss of tall forward Jay Schulz, who was subbed off at half-time after receiving an accidental poke in the eye by Adelaide's Michael Doughty.

Four first-half goals to Walker - including three in a frantic minute and a half at the start of the second term - gave Adelaide a potentially match-winning three-goal lead at the main break which inflated to 26 points in the third quarter.

But out of nowhere Port Adelaide strung five of the next six goals to the final change, including a shot on the run from Brad Ebert, and an heroic snap from Justin Westhoff while falling backwards from deep in the left forward pocket.

It was a six-goals-to-two quarter which lifted the Power back into the contest and put Port Adelaide up by three points at the final break.

In the final quarter a booming goal from Graham Johncock gave Adelaide some breathing space, before Walker kicked two more majors to seal the game.

Adelaide: 16.14 (110) - Walker 6, Petrenko 2, Johncock 2, Callinan, Jacobs, Wright, McKernan, Tippett, Thompson.

Port Adelaide: 14.7 (91) - Westhoff 4, Butcher 4, Ebert 2, Broadbent 2, Jacobs, Schulz.

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, adelaide-5000, port-adelaide-5015, sa, australia

First posted April 29, 2012 19:20:34

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Pressure key for Port: Primus

Updated April 29, 2012 11:12:13

Matthew Primus believes Port Adelaide will triumph over the Crows in the Showdown if his side plays with the right intensity.

The Power have won just one of four games so far this season, though performed encouraging in defeat to Collingwood last week.

Primus believed the "simple things" could deliver Port a triumph.

"The amount of pressure we place upon Adelaide - we have got to be able to place more than we have been able to in the last month," he said.

"And we think if we can do that, attacking-wise and being able to score when we need to will look after itself."

Primus said the intense rivalry with the Crows was just one part of the picture this week for Port, with the team frustrated at not putting together a consistent performance for a whole match yet this season.

"Playing Adelaide adds a bit of spice to it," Primus said.

"But we're sick of playing three quarters, three quarters and a bit, and having 20 minutes of footy cost us.

"We think we are capable of winning games of footy if we can just stick at it a little bit longer ... we are desperate for a win - as much as we were last week and the week before."

Primus admitted Port have to play a diferent way without Robbie Gray who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week.

"Robbie is unique," Primus said.

"We don't have anyone who can do what he can do forward and we have probably a couple of guys who can do what he can do on-ball.

"He's a unique player for us, we can't go like for like with him.

"But we have to keep looking at what is the best balance for us to generate enough ball and be dangerous for us up forward too."

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says the Crows must improve despite lying in fifth position with three victories and a loss.

Sanderson acknowledged the football jury remain uncertain about his club, given they're yet to beat a finalist from last season.

"We have still got a long way to go and we're still improving, we're certainly not playing our best footy yet," Sanderson said.

"We can't keep playing the way we are and having wins.

"We need to improve.

"So we have addressed some issues this week, as we have right from our first NAB Cup game - little things that we need to keep improving on.

"We feel like we're making small improvements but we can't keep standing still."

Sanderson has recalled Ian Callinan for the derby after the goalsneak recovered from a calf complaint.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, adelaide-5000

First posted April 29, 2012 08:29:14

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Coach expects Ablett-Crowley battle

Updated April 29, 2012 14:00:16

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna predicted Ryan Crowley will mark Gary Ablett next week after the Brownlow medallist criticised the Fremantle tagger.

Ablett was watching the Fremantle-Carlton game on TV on Friday night and described Crowley's close-checking tactics on Carlton playmaker Chris Judd as a joke.

"Play the ball, not the man!" Ablett said on his Twitter account.

"That's why Lingy (ex-Geelong skipper Cameron Ling) was such a great player he ran both ways! #givejuddafreekick."

McKenna, speaking after Gold Coast suffered a 34-point loss to North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, was keen to play the incident down.

The next chapter in the Crowley-Ablett rivalry is set to be played out next Saturday at Gold Coast's Metricon Stadium, if Ablett recovers from a knee injury in time.

"If he plays next week, I know Ross reasonably well but I reckon Ryan Crowley might line up against him," McKenna said.

McKenna said he would have preferred Ablett to tweet about the high quality of the food at the team's hotel in Melbourne this weekend.

"I wasn't expecting that sort of tweet. I've spoken to Gaz about it," McKenna said.

"He understands what he's done. But we're in the modern world.

"Would we prefer it not to happen? Of course we would.

"But we can't keep living in a cocoon all the time. It's technology.

"It's hard to control. It's hard to stop.

"He tweets all the time.

"You don't want to incite a riot or hurt anyone's feelings and I don't think he's quite done that."

Earlier on Saturday, Western Bulldogs president David Smorgon said Ablett was out of line.

"I wouldn't like it, wearing my (president's) hat, and I can assure you that Brendan McCartney, our senior coach, wouldn't like it and I'm sure a lot of the team-mates wouldn't like it either," Smorgon told SEN radio.

"It's a difficult issue for clubs because players are individual ... but they also have a responsibility to their employers - AFL clubs."

Hawthorn great Dermott Brereton also said he felt Ablett had made a mistake by tweeting about Crowley.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, carrara-4211, qld, australia

First posted April 29, 2012 11:28:06

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Eagles battle past fighting Tigers

Updated April 29, 2012 18:37:36

West Coast was made to work to defend its undefeated record with a pulsating 10-point victory over a gutted Richmond at Docklands on Sunday.

The Eagles led by as many as 26 points before half-time, but the Tigers fought back to take a thrilling four-point advantage early in the last quarter.

But the boys from the west replied to kick four of the next five majors, making Richmond pay for costly misses in front of goal with the game on the line.

Daniel Kerr was outstanding for the visitors in the crucial stages, finishing with 28 disposals while Matt Priddis had 24 including two match-winning goal assists deep in the forward line late in the match.

Forward Josh Kennedy struggled with an ankle injury but Jack Darling and Josh Hill filled the hole with four and three goals respectively.

Trent Cotchin led the Richmond response with 29 touches along with Dustin Martin's 26 disposals and two goals.

Despite putting his side into the lead after three-quarter time, Jack Riewoldt had a disappointing day, losing his composure with some wayward kicking with the pressure on.

The Tigers started well but the home side struggled to work the ball efficiently out of defence, allowing the Eagles to lead 5.3 (33) to 4.2 (26) at quarter-time.

West Coast brought substitute Adam Selwood onto the field for the second term for Mitch Brown (head knock), who was a late replacement for defender Eric McKenzie.

Kennedy limped off with an ankle injury as Richmond's Brad Miller levelled the scores at the 14-minute mark, while Deledio and Riewoldt also needed attention on the bench.

But West Coast still had plenty of height up forward as Darling and Dean Cox sparked a run of four successive goals, broken by a spectacular mark and goal from Riewoldt.

Miller's second goal left the Tigers trailing by 14 points at half-time, 11.6 (72) to 9.4 (58).

Kennedy returned in the third term with his left ankle re-strapped but had little influence as the Tigers outscored the Eagles three goals to one in that period to narrow the gap to two points.

With scores locked on 14.11 apiece at the 21-minute mark of the final term, Priddis produced another superb handball to set up Scott Selwood's goal to put the Eagles back in front by six points.

Five minutes later, Riewoldt from 25 metres and Deledio from outside the 50m arc, missed set shots which would have given the Tigers the lead.

A huge mark on the wing by Beau Waters with a minute left was followed by a late goal to Darling which sealed the result before a crowd of 28,464.

Port Adelaide host the Tigers next Sunday while West Coast is at home to North Melbourne on the same day.

Eagles: 16.11 (107) - J Darling 4, J Hill 3, C Masten 2, Q Lynch 2, A Hams 2, S Selwood, D Cox, J Kennedy.

Tigers: 14.13 (97) - B Miller 3, D Martin 2, D Jackson 2, T Vickery 2, J Riewoldt 2, I Maric, B Ellis, T Ctochin.

ABC/AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, richmond-3121, vic, australia, perth-6000, wa

First posted April 29, 2012 18:08:55

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Saints keep Dees winless

Updated April 29, 2012 14:01:53

St Kilda withstood a much-improved performance from Melbourne to win their tight clash by three goals at the MCG.

The Saints kicked the only two goals of the last term in the rain on Saturday night to beat the winless Demons 12.12 (84) to 10.6 (66).

Veteran St Kilda onballer Lenny Hayes was best afield with 25 possessions and 10 clearances.

Hayes also kicked a superb goal halfway through the last term after forcing his way past two opponents.

It was a key moment after the teams had battled ferociously for the vital opening goal of the last quarter in which the Demons ultimately failed to score a point.

Saints defender Jason Blake and midfielder Jack Steven limped off in the last quarter with leg injuries.

It was a fierce contest that deserved a lot more than the poor crowd of 24,798.

Stephen Milne kicked two goals in the first half to become the 50th player and only the fifth small forward to reach 500 AFL goals.

The goal umpire also signalled a goal for Milne in the second term when it clearly went through for a behind.

The value of the league's new and controversial video review system was shown when the goal was overruled.

It was also used in the first quarter to rule that Saint Nick Dal Santo's shot for goal was an obvious behind.

St Kilda kicked the first two goals of the third term to take a 16-point lead, but the Demons hit back with two of their own and trailed by three points at the last change.

Clint Bartram brought the Demons to within one kick with an outstanding running goal, kicking the ball with the outside of his boot on an acute angle.

Melbourne tagger Jordy McKenzie was driving Brendon Goddard to distraction with his physical tactics and the pair clashed repeatedly.

Goddard received a free kick during the third term against McKenzie, but the young Demon negated the Saints star's influence.

The Demons pressured St Kilda throughout, but the Saints were able to score when it counted and they kicked the last two goals of the second term to lead by two points at half-time.

St Kilda's Leigh Montagna will come under video review for an incident in the first term where opponent James Magner had to briefly leave the field under the blood rule.

While the Demons are now 0-5, they will take heart from beating St Kilda for total possessions, 338-326.

St Kilda: 12.12 (84) - B Wilkes 3, S Milne 2, N Riewoldt 2, J Steven 2, L Hayes, L Montagna, R Stanley

Melbourne: 10.6 (66) - N Jones 2, R Bail 2, B Moloney, A Davey, M Bate, L Dunn, C Bartram, J Watts

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000

First posted April 28, 2012 22:28:02

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Cats slip and slide past Lions

Updated April 28, 2012 23:00:18

The elements and a classy Geelong side rained on Simon Black's parade as the Cats cruised to a comfortable 38-point win over the Lions at the slippery Gabba on Saturday night.

Brisbane was held goalless to half-time while the Geelong veterans had a field day in the abysmal conditions to run out 12.7 (79) to 4.17 (41) victors, with forward Tom Hawkins booting six goals straight.

The Lions managed to kick their first goal 20 minutes into the third term and another three in the final quarter to close the margin and also avoid a string of unwanted records.

The hosts were in line to register the lowest score at the Gabba as well as by a Brisbane side, but managed to finish strong and earn a bit of respect in Black's 300th game for the club.

Black is now the first player to have won an AFL premiership, both the Brownlow and Norm Smith Medals and broken the 300-game barrier.

Paul Chapman responded to recent criticism to return 29 touches and two goals in the wet, level with young gun Allen Christensen.

Tom Rockliff battled hard for 32 touches for Brisbane ahead of Black who rounded off his milestone with 22 disposals and a goal in the fourth quarter.

With the result sealed by half-time when Geelong led 7.5 (47) to 0.7 (7), most interest turned to Brisbane's goal drought.

The Lions at one stage looked likely to fall short of the lowest score by a Brisbane club - the Bears' 2.5 (17) effort against Hawthorn in round 12, 1988.

Then there was the merged club's worst total - 5.3 (33) also against Geelong, in round five 2009.

For good measure, the Lions' lowest score at the Gabba - 5.8 (38) against Carlton in round 11 in 1996 - also looked to be erased.

But much to Black's relief, the Lions finally managed to find the goal square in the last term.

Daniel Merrett and Jonathan Brown chaired Black off the field after the final siren and, in keeping with the Lions' butterfingered effort on Saturday night, almost dropped their champion along the way.

Lion Andrew Raines may find himself in trouble for a fourth-quarter clash in back play that left Geelong's Joel Selwood dazed.

Cats: 12.7 (79) - T Hawkins 6, P Chapman 2, J Corey, M Duncan, S Motlop, J Selwood.

Lions: 4.17 (41) - Black, Brown, McGrath, Rockcliff.

ABC/AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, brisbane-4000, australia, qld, geelong-3220, vic

First posted April 28, 2012 22:42:10

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Goodes hits milestone as Swans sink Hawks

Updated April 29, 2012 18:14:43

It was a big day for Adam Goodes but a bigger day for the Sydney Swans, who beat the fancied Hawthorn by 37 points at York Park to start the year with five wins from five.

Goodes reached a milestone for the Swans, breaking his cousin Michael O'Loughlin's club record by playing his 304th game for Sydney.

Like his team, the co-captain started slowly, but he led from the front in the second half to finish with three crucial goals.

Sydney looked anything like winners in the first half, as the Hawks shut down Sydney's attack, while Jarrad Roughead looked unstoppable up front kicking five goals to half-time.

Hawthorn led by 20 points at half-time, 8.6 (54) to 5.4 (34).

It was a totally different story in the second half, as the Swans rediscovered the path to goal, overwhelming Hawthorn by 11 goals to two after the main break.

Sydney smashed the Hawks in the middle and improved its delivery to the forward line to turn the match around.

Josh Kennedy told ABC there was a simple explanation for the change in fortunes between the first and second half.

"It was pretty basic, we got smashed in contested possessions, that was really where the game was won in the first half,'' he said.

"Probably in the second half we were able to turn that around, get numbers to the ball and get it going forward and make the most of our opportunities."

The crucial period came in the third quarter. Two early goals to Goodes put the Swans back on track, as Sydney shut down Roughead and the rest of Hawthorn's attack, kicking 4.3 to no score for the term.

The Hawthorn-dominated crowd willed the Hawks on to victory in the final quarter, but even some trademark moments of brilliance by Cyril Rioli were not enough to take back the momentum.

The Hawks could not make headway in the final term as Sydney answered the challenge, and fittingly a goal to Goodes in time on sealed the win.

A seven goals to two final quarter for the Swans left the Hawks looking dispirited by the end. Hawthorn now sits at 2-3, raising questions about the team's ability to challenge for the flag.

In contrast, there were many positives for Sydney. In defence, Ted Richards lowered Lance Franklin's colours, keeping the Hawks spearhead goalless, while Luke Parker had Sam Mitchell well covered all day.

Craig Bird and Jude Bolton were also important for the Swans, but the clear best on ground was Sydney midfielder Josh Kennedy.

Kennedy had 28 possessions, 11 tackles and three goals, as Hawthorn failed to find anyone to stop him in the second half.

Kennedy said the result was a huge win for the club and for Goodes.

"Obviously he's a legend of the club, and of the game,'' Kennedy said.

"Micky O'Loughlin was down there, to present him with his record-breaking jumped before the game ... it was really important that we lifted for him in the second half and showed how much it meant to us that we were able to do that.''

Sydney: 16.10 (106) - Kennedy 3, Goodes 3, O'Keeffe 2, Bolton 2, Bird 2, McVeigh, Jetta, Hannebery, Jack.

Hawthorn: 10.9 (69) - Roughead 5, Hale 2, Lewis 2, Rioli.

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First posted April 29, 2012 15:59:27

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Sheedy to make up to five changes

Updated April 23, 2012 18:11:10

Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy is likely to make up to five changes to the side that recorded a competitive 46-point loss to Adelaide on Saturday.

The defeat was by far the Giants' best performance in the team's debut season, but the four-time premiership coach suggested he will keep rotating young players through the squad in an effort to make sure they all gain experience and remain fresh.

"We'll probably make about five changes this week. Four or five," Sheedy said.

"We'll bring some boys in maybe for their first game and we'll also bring back a couple who were rested this week."

Round two rising star nominee Jeremy Cameron will return, but ex-Carlton utility Setanta o'hAilpin is likely to remain in the reserves.

"We might leave him for the Carlton game," Sheedy said of the 29-year-old who has played two games in the NEAFL after missing the entire pre-season with a badly corked calf.

"It's good to get him through games at the moment and we'll need everyone of these players with experience coming back in the next month.

"Because sooner or later we will rest (Dean) Brogan, Chad Cornes and those sort of boys. They're not going to play all the matches this year."

Jonathon Patton played his first NEAFL game on Saturday after undergoing knee surgery in Sweden in January, but he is lacking match fitness and is unlikely to return until late May at the earliest.

AAP

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First posted April 23, 2012 13:50:04

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A city enriched by the love of Jim Stynes

Gerard Whateley

Updated March 22, 2012 12:39:08

ABC Grandstand's Gerard Whateley remembers Jim Stynes not only as a great footballer but a man who leaves an incredible legacy on his adopted city of Melbourne.

He was the adopted son of a city, its indigenous game and the oldest club that bore its name.

He enriched the town through his determination to change the lives of its most vulnerable inhabitants.

He redefined the code, becoming its best and most enduring player, opening its mind and removing its borders.

And he saved his football club for his children's children, providing it with a will and a way at its most susceptible.

In his premature departure he united Melbourne one last time. In grief. And in thanks for the many blessings that was the life of Jim Stynes.

His story might have been the butt of every Irish joke you'd ever heard and some that were yet to be written. The teenage Gaelic footballer imported to play Australian Rules, the game he'd never seen.

The Irish Experiment could have ended in his first season when he wandered across the mark of Hawk Gary Buckenara at the climax of the 1987 Preliminary Final. A mistake born out of naivety that cost Melbourne a place in the Grand Final.

His spirit was stronger than to be crushed by such failure. Instead, four years later he had come not only to learn, but master this most foreign game. His ruck work and pure athleticism carried him to the AFL's highest individual honour, the Brownlow Medal.

He amassed a record-equalling four best and fairest awards with Melbourne and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame not because of his pioneering spirit but his brilliance on the field.

His skill was matched by a freakish durability. Injury couldn't cruel him. Broken bones, torn muscles, midweek surgery. He came to defy the medics and personify the Monty Python adage "it's just a flesh wound."

He played every match for 11 years and set the consecutive record sequence at 244.

At the end of 264 games his legacy would echo through the generations. It is there in the words of Fijian-born Nic Naitanui. The West Coast ruckman moved to hail the man with a champion's heart: "Jimmy Stynes, if it wasn't for you, blokes like myself from a different background wouldn't be in the AFL."

Whatever debt he felt to Melbourne he repaid when the country's oldest football club teetered for not only relevance but its very existence.

He assumed the role as president and became the touchstone for unity, recovery and ambition. A boy from Dublin saving the club of Barassi, Smith, Mueller, Flower and Neitz.

His motives touched at the core of why football matters so much. He wanted his son to one day come to the MCG with his son to barrack for the mighty Dees. If he expressed one moment of resentment toward the illness that he knew would claim him, it was that he wouldn't live to be there with them.

Stynes saw two more Christmases than medical opinion allotted. He waged bloody war against the aggression of cancer. He routinely left hospital to sit with the Demon faithful behind the goals at the MCG. His presence inspired.

It also ensured football had the chance to tell Stynes what he meant to it. There would be no regrets. No sentiment left unexpressed. Stynes liked to tell the story against teammate and media personality Garry Lyon who confessed that he didn't like many people but he loved Jim.

In the most memorable moment a Brownlow Medal night has known, the community rose two years ago to applaud the man in its midst. It was the same embrace afforded an ailing Ted Whitten as he was driven around the MCG in a car shortly before he died.

Football wasn't the sum total of the man. His most admired deeds came through his philanthropy. He recognised the needs of Melbourne's lost youth. He took his crusade to the streets in the city's darkest hours through the creation of the Reach Foundation.

He didn't speak in platitudes; he spoke directly to those that needed help. To the teenager in foster care full of bitterness and rebellion. The soul that seemed destined to be lost to drugs and crime or the scourge of youth suicide. His gift was the ability to reach across a divide no other figure of authority could bridge. He connected with the most disaffected.

Some of those he touched, the ones he saved, spoke of their gratitude in the hours after his death. The self-awareness the years had provided led them to know Stynes had sacrificed time with his own family to bring them back.

Jim Stynes's death, aged 45, was not unexpected yet it brought with it a pall of sadness that touched even those who had never met him. It settled over Melbourne with the realisation we were the richer for his life and deeds. And the poorer for his passing.

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, melbourne-3000, vic

First posted March 20, 2012 14:55:15

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Johnson to challenge charge

Updated April 24, 2012 12:46:54

Steve Johnson will challenge a rough conduct charge at the tribunal on Tuesday night, although the Geelong forward has pleaded guilty to a separate report for tripping.

Johnson will miss Saturday's clash with Brisbane if he is unsuccessful in overturning the charge of rough conduct against Richmond captain Chris Newman during Sunday's match at Kardinia Park.

Due to his existing bad record, Johnson could not have got the sanction lowered from one match to a reprimand with an early guilty plea.

But he was reprimanded and had 78 demerit points added to his record for tripping Tigers midfielder Daniel Jackson.

North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas will also appear before the tribunal on Tuesday night in a bid to overturn a three-match ban for a level three rough conduct charge from an incident that left Sydney speedster Gary Rohan with a broken leg.

St Kilda key forward Justin Koschitzke has accepted a one-match ban for striking former team-mate Zac Dawson in Friday night's clash with Fremantle.

Geelong's Trent West (rough conduct) and Sydney's Ted Richards (striking) have both pleaded guilty to incidents from round three and been reprimanded.

Greater Western Sydney defender Chad Cornes ($1,800) and Adelaide's Matthew Jaensch ($900) have been fiend for wrestling with each other.

AAP

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First posted April 24, 2012 12:46:54

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Maxwell supports Wellingham ban

Updated March 22, 2012 17:26:02

Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell says the Magpies needed to come down hard on Sharrod Wellingham to uphold their standards.

Wellingham was suspended by the Collingwood leadership group for the first two rounds of the AFL season after drinking alcohol while injured, then missing a rehabilitation session the next morning.

Coming on top of season-ending injuries to forwards Andrew Krakouer and Brent Macaffer and fitness concerns over Maxwell, Chris Tarrant, Alan Didak and Ben Johnson, Wellingham's indiscretion was the last thing Collingwood needed.

"We've got team rules and standards that we want to uphold and he didn't uphold them," Maxwell said on Thursday.

'We expect more from him as an emerging leader at our football club and someone who is really important to us.

"It's not good timing with the situation we've got with injuries and guys unavailable, but we're willing to make sure that the long-term standards of our club are held up.

"Sharrod understands, he knows what he's done wrong, and he took it on the chin well."

The midfielder will miss Collingwood's matches against Hawthorn and Richmond.

Maxwell was optimistic he would recover from his ankle injury in time for the round-one clash with the Hawks, but was not so confident about some of the Magpies' other casualties.

"I'm expecting to play next week, Taz (Tarrant) is still a good chance of playing, Johnno (Johnson) and Didsy (Didak) will both be touch and go," Maxwell said.

"Probably the fact they haven't had match practice will mean they may have to miss round one, so they will be looking to come in the next week."

Maxwell said the Magpies' preseason misfortunes had made things harder for rookie coach Nathan Buckley.

"It's probably been hard on him, but he's handled it really well, and we've always known that we're focused on round one," he said.

"One good thing that has come out of it, is that we're not peaking right now.

"I think last year we were peaking right at the start of the season, early in the season and we sort of fell away towards the end."

AAP

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First posted March 22, 2012 17:26:02

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AFL sees silver lining in Crows race row

Updated March 23, 2012 07:53:25

AFL community engagement manager Jason Mifsud says the competition's racism controversy can be used to help Indigenous players.

But Mifsud said he does not know whether he can remain friends with ex-Adelaide recruiting manager Matt Rendell, who resigned last week after a racist comment he made in a conversation with Mifsud became public.

Rendell told Mifsud in a meeting earlier this year that the AFL was heading towards a situation in which he would not recruit an Indigenous player unless he had at least one white parent.

Mifsud, speaking publicly for the first time since Rendell's forced resignation, said Rendell's offensive comments were just one aspect of a concerning attitude that had been bubbling away in the AFL.

"The reality is there have been some murmurings within the industry because of the attrition rate of Indigenous players over the past year or two," Mifsud told the ABC's Marngrook Footy Show, an Indigenous-themed program.

"The situation and the murmurings around moving away from drafting Indigenous players because of the complexities, because of the cultural dynamics, because of some of the challenges that we've had in the past number of years ... they're the things that we need to get back to addressing.

"There isn't a panacea, there's no magic bullet."

But Mifsud said the attention drawn by Rendell's comment could prove a breakthrough in increasing cultural awareness in the AFL.

He compared it to past incidents in which Indigenous players Nicky Winmar and Michael Long were racially abused, leading to the creation of the AFL's racial vilification policy.

"Now that it's on the agenda and we've got a wave of momentum, despite it being uneasy for all of us, we need to capitalise upon it, we need to be very solution-oriented," Mifsud said.

"One of the things that have missed in the most recent time is cultural education for the industry.

"That's one of the things that have come out of this that we want to aggressively tackle now."

Mifsud confirmed his conversation with Rendell made him uncomfortable for "a host of reasons", not just one comment.

He said he felt for Rendell, but could not shy away from his responsibility to stand up for Indigenous rights.

"I never have and never will," Mifsud said.

He could not say whether he and Rendell, who had been friends, could remain so.

"I don't have an answer," Mifsud said.

"It's better than saying we're not friends.

"Matty needs to consider where he's at and where he's going.

"He's got a lot to work through in that situation, as I do.

"This is a significant moment for me, both personally and professionally."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, indigenous-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander, community-and-society, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted March 22, 2012 21:55:29

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Longmire praises Parker's toughness

Updated March 28, 2012 20:38:56

Sydney coach John Longmire has praised the courage of his talented teenage midfielder Luke Parker for playing on after his jaw was fractured.

While some pundits thought the illegal bump on Parker, which earned Giants midfielder James McDonald a two-game ban was the big statement to come out of last Saturday's first Sydney derby, Longmire thought otherwise.

"For me, the big statement out of the game was a 19-year-old kid who was cleaned up and had an injury being able to play the rest of the game out and play really well," Longmire said on Wednesday.

"That's the statement that really matters to me and really matters to Luke's teammates.

"He's a super-tough kid."

Parker, who suffered a hairline jaw fracture, was eventually substituted.

"We had to actually make the decision to sub him. He didn't want to be subbed - he wanted to keep playing," Longmire said.

"He's one of the toughest kids I've seen play at that age.

"He's 19, he copped a knock, didn't whinge about it, got up, dusted himself off and kept playing."

It was initially expected Parker would miss two to three games with his injury, but Longmire feels he may still play next week.

"Whilst he's hard and tough and fearless and will no doubt want to play, we'll make the right decision based upon how he feels next week and that's a decision that will be made by the medical staff," Longmire said.

Longmire hoped injured veterans Ryan O'Keefe and Rhyce Shaw, both of whom missed the GWS game, would resume training next week, with the former already doing some running.

Longmire admitted Sydney needed to improve on the form they displayed in their 63-point win over GWS.

"Can we play better? Yes we can, and we'll need to play better next week against Fremantle," Longmire said.

He suggested he would consider supplementing his ruck division by possibly adding Mark Seaby to counter the potential threat posed by Dockers' giant Aaron Sandilands.

"The good thing from our point of view is that we've got an option in Mark Seaby in particular that played really well (in the reserves) on the weekend. That gives us the chance to bring him in if we need to and that's something we'll consider next week," Longmire said.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, sydney-2000

First posted March 28, 2012 20:38:56

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Demetriou wishes Cousins well

Updated March 29, 2012 21:54:53

AFL chief executive officer Andrew Demetriou said he hopes Ben Cousins can get his life back on track following the disgraced football star's arrest on a drug charge.

Cousins was arrested at Esperance Airport in Western Australia's south on Tuesday night and has been charged with possession with intent to sell or supply methylamphetamine.

It is alleged the 33-year-old was in possession of 4.56 grams of the drug.

The former football star flew back to Perth on Wednesday night after being released on bail and will face the Perth Magistrates Court on Monday.

A confessed methamphetamine addict, Cousins had been attending a drug rehabilitation clinic in Esperance - called Teen Challenge - for the past month.

Demetriou said the AFL Players' Association in particular continued to offer support to Cousins, along with his clubs and the wider football industry.

"We are all hopeful that he can keep his life on track, as this has been an extremely sad story for him, his family and those close to him," he said.

Cousins, who has had a very public battle with methamphetamine addiction over the years, was one of the most decorated West Coast Eagles players, winning the 2005 Brownlow Medal and playing in their 2006 premiership side, before the club sacked him in late 2007 because of his drug use.

He was suspended for 12 months by the AFL for bringing the game into disrepute before ending his playing career with the Richmond Tigers in 2010.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, drug-offences, crime, law-crime-and-justice, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted March 29, 2012 20:17:44

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Morabito finally ready to return

Updated March 28, 2012 10:22:17

Fremantle winger Anthony Morabito will put more than 15 months of frustration behind him when he lines up in the WAFL reserves on Saturday.

Morabito was a revelation in his rookie year of 2010, establishing himself as one of the league's rising stars with some polished performances through the midfield.

But the 20-year-old's dream start turned into a nightmare when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee at preseason training in December.

A series of subsequent setbacks delayed Morabito's return, but the number four pick from the 2009 draft is finally ready to hit the paddock again.

Morabito will line up for the Peel Thunder reserves on Saturday and is confident of making an impact for Fremantle whenever he's deemed ready for senior action.

"I'd like to think that I've run very good volumes, so when I get a fair bit of confidence and change of direction and all that, I'd like to think at the back-end of the year I'd be able to have a fair impact," Morabito said on Tuesday.

"I'm just going to keep putting my hand up and giving good effort at (WAFL) level and hopefully that's what gets me picked.

"At the end of the day, when you get to this stage of your preparation and you look back on however long it's been ... it's all worth it."

Meanwhile, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has all but ruled out midfielder David Mundy for Saturday night's clash with Geelong in Perth.

But ruckman Aaron Sandilands (calf) and on-baller Michael Barlow (leg) remain in the frame to take on the Cats.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, fremantle-6160

First posted March 27, 2012 23:13:01

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Weather won't rain on Pies, Bombers parade

Updated April 25, 2012 14:25:05

The car parks are full at the MCG, and a huge crowd is expected for the Anzac Day clash between Collingwood and Essendon.

Conditions will be damp after rain this morning in Melbourne - the forecast is for 5-10mm of rain, easing as the day goes on.

The final teams are in, and despite expectations of late withdrawals given that both teams are on a three-day break, Collingwood and Essendon will line up as named last night.

This means that Kirk Ugle will make his Magpies debut in the cauldron of the MCG on Anzac Day, while Nathan Brown will play his first game for Collingwood since the 2010 premiership.

Brown had a knee reconstruction in 2011 after tearng his left anterior cruciate ligament in training. Later that year he injured his right knee cap while on a training run in Arizona.

Final interchanges:

Collingwood: Jarryd Blair, Simon Buckley, Paul Seedsman. Substitute: Kirk Ugle.

Essendon: Ricky Dyson, David Zaharakis, Ben Howlett. Substitute: Cory Dell'Olio

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted April 25, 2012 14:21:47

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Port welcomes five new names

Updated March 30, 2012 13:33:46

Four players will make their debut for Port Adelaide in Sunday's match against St Kilda, says Power coach Matthew Primus.

Recruits Brad Ebert and John McCarthy, youngster Chad Wingard and ruckman Jarrad Redden will all face the Saints at Football Park.

"Four guys pulling on the jumper for the first time is great for us and shows the direction we're heading," Primus said on Friday.

"They have all earned their spot."

Ebert joined Port from West Coast while McCarthy left Collingwood in search of greater opportunities.

Redden was drafted by Port in 2008 while 18-year-old Wingard was the club's prized number five pick in last year's national draft.

"There is not much of him but he's a real competitive kid who puts his head over the ball," Primus said of Wingard.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, sa, port-adelaide-5015, australia

First posted March 30, 2012 13:33:46

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Pendlebury signs four-year deal with Pies

Updated March 29, 2012 13:10:51

Collingwood's reigning best and fairest Scott Pendlebury has signed a new deal which will keep him at the AFL club until the end of 2016.

The new four-year contract puts the 24-year-old premiership player out of the reach of Greater Western Sydney, whose poaching concessions do not extend beyond this year's post-season.

It also means the Magpies do not have to sweat on their vice-captain becoming eligible for restricted free agency at the end of his eighth season, next year.

Pendlebury is already eyeing another contract at the end of the current deal to stay a Magpie for life and he hopes one day, lead the club.

"I want to play in Premierships and I think I've got the best chance to do that at Collingwood," Pendlebury told Fox Sports. "I didn't receive an offer from any football club.

"I obviously want to be a Collingwood player for life. Hopefully I find another (contract) at the end (of four year contract) and stay a one club player. That's very important to me.

"Down the future I'd like to lead the football club, I've been lucky enough to learn off guys like Bucks (Nathan Buckley) and Burnsy (Scott Burns) and am still learning under Maxy (Nick Maxwell) at the moment. He's a fantastic role model for me so I've got to learn as much as I can from him.

"Down the track if it presents itself that's something I'd love to do."

Meanwhile, Carlton livewire Mitch Robinson will play his 50th AFL game on Thursday night, but has set his sights on 100 after signing for two more years with the Blues.

"Mitch is highly regarded by everyone at the club and I know the supporters love the way he plays the game," McKay said.

"The fact he finished seventh in last year's best and fairest is an indication of his importance to our team."

Pendlebury is the latest of a wave of big-name AFL stars to sign long-term deals tying them to their teams, in what is seemingly an attempt by clubs to prepare for free agency's arrival at the end of this season.

The Magpie midfielder's deal comes soon after Geelong captain Joel Selwood, Richmond two-time best and fairest Brett Deledio and Essendon key forward Michael Hurley agreed to five-year terms with their clubs.

Young Sydney key forward Sam Reid also recently signed a five-year deal with the Swans.

Pendlebury had been a target of the Giants, though he insists he received no offer from the club.

His commitment to Collingwood is set to increase the speculation over whether team-mate Travis Cloke, believed to be another Giants target, will stay or go.

The 25-year-old power forward, who comes out of contract this year, said last week he would prefer to put off any new deal until the end of the season.

He acknowledged that would leave him facing a year of constant questioning over his future.

While Cloke also said that ideally, he would stay with the Magpies, his reluctance to re-sign quickly gives the expansion club plenty of opportunity to try to lure him to Sydney's west.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, collingwood-3066

First posted March 28, 2012 20:04:23

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Cassisi to complete career with Port

Updated March 26, 2012 11:39:16

Port Adelaide captain Dom Cassisi says he will finish his AFL career as a one-club player after signing a contract extension.

Cassisi, 29, has played 184 matches since debuting for Port Adelaide in 2002 and is going into his fourth season as captain.

While Port Adelaide as a rule declines to reveal the length of contract extensions, coach Matthew Primus indicated it was for several more seasons.

"I'm delighted that Dom has re-signed and I know he's going to continue to play a very important part in the club's journey over the next few years, both through his leadership and his consistency on-field," Primus said.

Cassisi said it was an "incredible'' feeling to be a one-club player for the Power.

"I love captaining this football club and I'm just so excited as to where our young group has come from and to where it's heading,'' he said.

"We think we've laid a pretty good platform for this season but we're also aware that we need to make the most of our hard work by maintaining our competitiveness across the whole year, starting with a very tough challenge against St Kilda in round one."

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, port-adelaide-5015

First posted March 26, 2012 11:32:48

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McLeod shattered at Crows' racism row

Updated March 18, 2012 12:39:12

Adelaide's games record holder Andrew McLeod says he is shattered his AFL club is embroiled in a racism row.

The Indigenous McLeod would not pass judgement on ex-recruiting manager Matthew Rendell, who quit on Friday for saying the Crows would not draft any player who did not have one white parent.

"What I do know is that in all my dealings with Matt Rendell, I have never seen it (racism)," McLeod said in a statement on Saturday.

"I will be as keen as anyone to hear him explain his side of the story."

McLeod, considered among the greatest Adelaide players, said it was an understatement that he was disappointed with the controversy.

"Quite simply, I am very shattered that my football club has been questioned over its attitude to not recruit Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island players if they have two black parents," he said.

"If this was the case and I had an inkling that my club was racist, I wouldn't have spent 16 years in that establishment.

"I simply cannot sit by and let a club I consider like family - a place that I was nurtured in and gave me an opportunity to achieve a boyhood dream without any bias or prejudice - be dragged through the mud and have its name tarnished as racist."

McLeod retired in 2010 after 340 games for the Crows.

He said the club would acknowledge "instances where they could have done things better in regards to the way they have handled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players, or any other player for that matter regardless of their background".

"I know for certain, though, that the comments being bandied around at present accusing the Adelaide Football Club of being racist are unfair and unwarranted," he said.

Rendell, who was Adelaide's recruiting manager from 2007, said his comments were taken out of context.

But Adelaide hierarchy said Rendell's position at the club was untenable in the wake of the remarks.

General manager for football operations Phil Harper told Grandstand on Saturday morning that he has never heard anything of the sort said in any recruitment meetings he has attended.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, adelaide-5000, sa, australia

First posted March 18, 2012 10:18:11

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SANFL finances improving, says president

Updated March 20, 2012 10:28:14

SANFL president John Olsen says the league's financial performance improved last year, aside of one-off costs.

The SANFL has reported a loss of $3.8 million, which has been attributed to support given to troubled Port Adelaide Football Club in 2010.

Mr Olsen said aside of that cost there would have been surplus of about $1 million for 2011.

"Our first quarter results this year show yet again a slight improvement," he said.

"In that context we've stabilised factors that have had significant negative impact in 2010.

"We've seen a turnaround evident in 2011. Now what we've got to do in 2012 is move that into positive territory."

Tags: sanfl, community-organisations, sa, adelaide-5000

First posted March 20, 2012 10:28:14

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Mifsud, Davey put to bed AFL race row

Updated April 10, 2012 16:45:24

The AFL's most senior Indigenous official Jason Mifsud has apologised to Melbourne player Aaron Davey for distress he caused him over what he called a misunderstanding.

The AFL released a statement saying Davey had accepted Mifsud's apology after they met in a mediation session.

It followed the publication of an online column by former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas in which he claimed Melbourne coach Mark Neeld treated the club's Indigenous players differently to other players.

He made the claim based on a conversation he had had with Mifsud but withdrew the allegation and apologised after a phone call from Neeld that day.

Amid speculation that Indigenous player Davey had been the source within the Demons who had passed the false allegation on to Mifsud, Davey denied any involvement.

The AFL moved to end the matter on Tuesday with its statement after Tuesday's mediation session between Mifsud and Davey.

"Aaron and Jason had a discussion a few weeks ago," the statement said.

"Both have different recollections of the conversation which gave rise to a misunderstanding.

"Based on his discussion with Aaron Davey today, Jason now accepts that Aaron didn't say the words that were published by Grant Thomas and Jason has apologised to Aaron for putting him in the situation where those words were published."

Mifsud said: "I have apologised to Aaron personally for the distress this has caused him and his family and I am pleased we were able to fully discuss the matter."

Mifsud had offered to resign last week and was under pressure over a perceived lack of trust between himself and the AFL's Indigenous players, with former Indigenous stars including Andrew McLeod and Dean Rioli speaking out against him.

But Davey stood by Mifsud.

"Clearly there was a misunderstanding following my conversation with Jason a couple of weeks ago," Davey said.

"Jason is a man I trust and respect and I look forward to working with him in the future."

Mifsud said he was looking forward to continuing his role with the AFL as community engagement manager.

The Demons and AFL chief Andrew Demetriou both said they were pleased to see the matter resolved.

"Importantly, this has provided the opportunity to bring this matter to a close for Aaron, Mark Neeld and the club," Melbourne chief Cameron Schwab said.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted April 10, 2012 16:45:24

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Dees back Neeld over rumour

Updated April 03, 2012 15:01:30

Melbourne co-captain Jack Grimes says coach Mark Neeld is justified in wanting to know the source of allegations about his treatment of the club's Indigenous players.

Grimes says Neeld told the players on Monday of a rumour that has been circulating about him and they are so stunned that they initially thought it might be a joke.

The Demons are furious at the allegation that Neeld spoke with non-indigenous players individually over the preseason, but only addressed Indigenous players as a group.

The club has asked the AFL to investigate.

"He (Neeld) was pretty hurt by it and pretty taken aback," Grimes said.

"It was almost like blokes thought it was a joke, because it couldn't be further from the truth.

"We didn't know where it came from, we didn't know why the comments were made.

"But we could tell it had affected him a fair bit, because it's a fair sledge to have at someone, to say a comment like that.

"It definitely affected him and his family and he probably has the right to look into it a bit more."

Former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas made the rumour public in a blog posted on Monday, but took down the comment after Neeld rang him to protest.

The Demons are under fire after opening the season with a bad loss to Brisbane on Saturday at the MCG.

They now go to Perth to face in-form West Coast.

Grimes also dismissed a suggestion that Neeld's tough attitude has alienated the players.

"I did hear that and I just thought it was a ridiculous thing to say after one game," he said.

"It couldn't be further from the truth ... we're right behind him."

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000

First posted April 03, 2012 15:01:30

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'We've closed gap': Clarkson

Updated April 01, 2012 13:55:18

Hawthorn's impressive start to the season shows it has closed the gap a little to grand finalists Geelong and Collingwood, Alastair Clarkson reckons.

The Hawks coach Clarkson was at pains post-match to note that the job is far from complete though.

The Hawks kicked clear in the final term of Friday night's MCG blockbuster to beat the Magpies by 22 points.

It was the first time they had beaten Collingwood since round 22, 2010.

Their next opponents on Easter Monday are the Cats, who they have not beaten since their upset 2008 grand final triumph.

Collingwood broke the Hawks' hearts when they beat them by three points in last year's preliminary final, ending their season.

"We've made up some daylight, I reckon," Clarkson said.

"There was daylight between Geelong and Collingwood and the rest of the competition last year.

"What we've tried to do over the summer is ... bridge that gap a little bit.

"Now beating them in the first round of the season doesn't suggest we're there, we still have a lot of work to do.

"We don't get much respite - we have a rest of eight or 10 days and then we're into the Cats."

Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge missed Friday night's game after aggravating a calf muscle injury at Thursday training.

Clarkson said the star utility is an unlikely starter for the Geelong game.

"He'd be pretty doubtful to play (against) Geelong ... calves are just tricky little things," he said.

Clarkson and Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley separately described Friday night as an ebb and flow game.

Unusually for these two sides, the forwards dominated and Clarkson was disappointed that the 'Pies had so many scoring shots.

"I don't think either side play footy in that type of manner - they're not sides that allow oppositions to kick 16, 18, 20 goals," he said.

"That's probably just a reflection of ... round one of the season, players under fatigue, 130 minutes of footy, a pretty warm night.

"I'd expected that will settle down a bit over the next few weeks."

But it was a great result for fans, with the game producing plenty of highlights.

One of the stars was Hawks forward Cyril Rioli, who helped spark the side with his second-quarter brilliance.

He took a superb mark over Heath Shaw and kicked two goals.

"I got my workrate up in the second quarter - in the first, I was a bit down," Rioli said.

"I was happy with my couple of goals.

"I think it was my second 'speccy' - I was happy with that, I don't take too many of those, so I will take that."

Clarkson also praised former Brisbane ruckman Broc McCauley, who made his Hawthorn debut and was competitive against Magpies star Darren Jolly.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, hawthorn-3122, vic, australia

First posted March 31, 2012 16:21:58

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Swan denies Buckley rift rumours

Updated April 23, 2012 13:45:55

Collingwood superstar Dane Swan has dismissed rumours of a rift with his coach Nathan Buckley, saying they have a great relationship.

The Brownlow medallist fronted the media before the Magpies strolled around the Botanical Gardens as part of their rehabilitation before their massive Anzac Day clash with high-flying Essendon at the MCG.

"People can believe what they want," Swan said.

"I have a great relationship with him, just like I did with Mick (former Collingwood coach Malthouse).

"We're fine and we have no issues."

Former North Melbourne great Wayne Carey said last week that up to seven Collingwood players had fallen out with Buckley, a claim which was denied by the club.

In addition to the Buckley rumour, the heavily-scrutinised Swan has been criticised for being out of shape.

Swan said he was an easy target because until his stand-out performance in their last-round win over Port Adelaide, he had not been playing well.

"I think I wasn't playing well and we were losing so people tend to pick on you when you're not going well and you're at a high-profile club," the 28-year-old said.

"For everyone who has any interest, which I'm not sure why, I'm about 800g heavier and my skinfolds are two points lower so for all the people who care about that, there you go."

He said rumours were made up by some people to feed their inflated egos but it did not affect the players or the club.

"They think they're reasonably important so they make up rumours to get their heads in the papers and their name on Twitter.

"We only care about what happens internally at the club so people can write what they like."

Swan had 36 touches in Collingwood's 24-point win over Port on Saturday as his side got its spluttering season on track.

The Magpies are set to have Alan Didak and Nathan Brown back in the line-up against the Bombers after strong showings in the VFL.

"If Bucks (Buckley) decides to play them, they're both premiership players and in our best 22 so whether they'd be right to come in off a four-day break or wait until after Anzac Day, that's for the coaches to decide."

Swan described the clash with unbeaten Essendon as a "massive challenge".

"It was good to get a win on the weekend but we weren't at our best," he said.

"We'd like to think we kick-started it on Saturday and we'll hopefully build on that."

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, melbourne-3000

First posted April 23, 2012 13:34:22

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Watters hoses down Lyon hype

Updated April 19, 2012 16:23:22

New St Kilda coach Scott Watters was expansive about opponents Fremantle and mentioned its former coach Mark Harvey, but did not say Ross Lyon's name once.

Watters was determined not to buy into the hype about his predecessor on the eve of the much-anticipated match between the two clubs on Friday night at Docklands.

It will be the first time that Lyon coaches against his old side after last September's tumultuous events.

In the space of a few hours, Fremantle ruthlessly sacked Harvey and replaced him with Lyon, who had just walked out on the Saints.

Asked how much the St Kilda players had spoken about Lyon this week, Watters replied: "I can honestly say that has not been mentioned once.

"Again, players need to invest in their game plan, they need to invest in their own performance.

"They need to make sure they take care of business from a football point of view.

"There's a lot of outside noise, potentially, but it has no impact on the way we prepare or play.

"It's not on our priority list."

Similarly, Watters was not interested in discussing how Saints fans would greet Lyon.

Saints veteran Lenny Hayes has called on their supporters to not vent at Lyon, who joked he might wear a spray jacket to the game.

"To be honest, I won't even notice - it's not even on my radar," Watters said.

"I hope our fans support our players, I hope they make it a hostile environment for the Fremantle players, like any interstate side coming to Melbourne.

"Outside of that, the rest of it is discussion points for other people."

Watters was more worried about the impact of Dockers stars such as Aaron Sandilands, Matthew Pavlich, Stephen Hill and Hayden Ballantyne.

"(They're) strong defensively, hard-nosed pros - they're an elite interstate side," he said.

"I'm certainly not fooled into thinking this is an inexperienced or rebuilding team.

"The list they've built over three or four years under Mark Harvey is an outstanding list."

Ballantyne will return from two games' suspension after he created plenty of strife against Geelong in round one.

Cats defender Matthew Scarlett is in the last week of a three-game ban for punching Ballantyne.

Watters once coached Ballantyne in the Western Australia state side and loves the small forward's feisty attitude.

"He hasn't changed one bit - I love his gamesmanship, I love the way he goes about it," Watters said.

"Opposition players, umpires and coaches are getting more familiar with the way he goes about his business.

"We'll be pretty disciplined and focussed, particularly playing against a quality player like 'Ballers'."

Meanwhile, Saints defender James Gwilt will resume in the VFL this weekend after recovering from his knee reconstruction.

Watters is hopeful Gwilt will be back in the seniors within a month.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, st-kilda-3182, vic, australia, fremantle-6160, wa

First posted April 19, 2012 16:23:22

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Cats confident of no Hawks hangover

Updated April 11, 2012 15:37:36

Geelong coach Chris Scott admits his side will carry a physical toll from Monday's bruising clash with Hawthorn into Sunday's meeting with North Melbourne.

But he is confident the reigning premiers can overcome that challenge.

Scott expected courageous captain Joel Selwood, who copped several knocks to the head, and star forward Steve Johnson (corked thigh) to face the Kangaroos.

North has a day extra to recover from what was a vastly easier clash with Greater Western Sydney, which it won by 129 points compared to the Cats' two-point comeback victory.

But Scott said his Cats had proven their resilience.

"We've got a few corkies, we do every week," the coach said.

"Steve's was significant, it did affect him towards the end of the third quarter.

"He seemed to be able to get through it well in the last quarter, so we'd expect him to be okay, but it's pretty early days.

"Are we going to be affected because it was a hard game? Probably, but we've got to be able to rise above that.

"I don't have too many doubts about the mental side, but we won't know that for sure until Sunday afternoon."

The other challenge the Cats face is scouting their opponents.

Scott said the Kangaroos' lopsided encounter with the Giants was hardly worth analysing, the Cats instead reviewing North's round one clash with Essendon.

"It's not (the Giants') fault. Everyone understands, I hope, what GWS are trying to do and the difficulties they face," Scott said.

"Essendon put up a pretty strong contest in round one and if we're going to learn anything about North, that's probably the best indication we'll get."

Scott said he had no issue with some clubs being advantaged through the fixture by playing the Giants and fellow expansion club Gold Coast twice, while the Cats meet them each just once.

He said it was reasonable that top clubs faced a tougher draw.

"I'm certainly not going to complain about the draw and I don't think anyone else should either," Scott said.

Ruckman Orren Stephenson should return from a virus to play his second AFL game and help Trent West combat Kangaroos big men Hamish McIntosh, Todd Goldstein and Drew Petrie.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, geelong-3220

First posted April 11, 2012 11:30:51

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Clarkson confident Roughead ready

Updated April 09, 2012 13:20:07

Hawthorn believes its cautious approach to Jarryd Roughead's comeback from a snapped Achilles tendon on Monday against Geelong at the MCG - the team he was hurt against - will help him make an impact straight away.

Coach Alastair Clarkson said Roughead would be expected to contribute immediately.

"He's not in the side to be nursed through - he needs to be able to play," Clarkson said of the versatile forward-ruckman, who made a brief preseason appearance in the Hawks' campaign.

"That's why we've played him at Box Hill (Hawthorn's reserves) over the last couple of games to get that competitive nature into his game and to withstand the rigours of the game.

"We've been pretty cautious and conservative with his re-entry to playing competitive footy, but he's raring to go now.

"He's been raring to go for about six weeks. We couldn't keep him out any longer."

Clarkson expects Roughead to play "a number of roles" in Monday's match - though a stint in the ruck where there are different stresses on limb and ligament would appear unlikely first-up.

But action in the forward line as a tall foil to Lance Franklin is guaranteed as the Hawks attempt to address a shocking losing streak against the Cats.

Since the Hawks beat Geelong in the 2008 grand final, the Cats have won all seven encounters.

Clarkson has regularly spoken of how the Hawks have a gap to bridge to challenge the two best teams in the competition - Geelong and Collingwood.

The Hawks laid to rest their Collingwood ghosts with an impressive and hard-fought win to open their season last weekend.

Clarkson said if the Hawks could show the sort of resilience they displayed against the Magpies, they would give themselves every chance of breaking the drought.

"Both those sides have been the best sides in the competition the last three or four years and we've sat underneath both those sides," Clarkson said.

"We showed a resilience against Collingwood last week where were able to challenge, able to fight back and still win which was really pleasing.

"But we know it's another heavyweight battle tomorrow. At different stages, both sides are going to have control of the match.

"You've just got to make sure you hang tough in those periods of time where Geelong have the ascendancy."

Both sides go into the match without key players.

Star Geelong defender Matthew Scarlett is suspended, robbing the Cats of a proven match-up for Franklin.

The Hawks remain without skipper Luke Hodge, whom Clarkson admits could also miss next week's clash with Adelaide because of a calf injury.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, hawthorn-3122, vic, australia

First posted April 08, 2012 15:08:26

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Unbeaten start flatters us: Bombers

Updated April 16, 2012 12:55:20

Power forward Michael Hurley acknowledges Essendon's unbeaten start to the AFL season has been flattering to the Bombers.

The Bombers are one of four teams with a 3-0 record after a last-gasp victory over North Melbourne and wins over Port Adelaide and Gold Coast - both of whom were widely expected to struggle in 2012.

"I don't think we're playing super football at the moment, I think there's room for a lot of improvement," Hurley said on Monday.

"I think we've just been lucky to get away with a couple of wins."

Dempsey said the Bombers needed to work harder on consistency with their structure and "getting the small things right".

"We've drifted away from that at times during games and it's really cost us," he said.

Meanwhile, Essendon brushed off the club's mounting list of soft-tissue injuries, with Courtenay Dempsey the latest victim, having gone down with a hamstring problem against the Suns.

After a weights-focused pre-season the Bombers have had six players suffer soft-tissue injuries - David Hille, Mark McVeigh, Nathan Lovett-Murray, David Myers, Jason Winderlich and Dempsey.

"They're all pretty minor," Hurley said. "I'm not really sure of the exact details with Demps but he seems pretty good and hopefully we'll have him back soon.

"It's early on in the season so we're being a little bit cautious I suppose, but it's not a worry.

"You need a bit of luck in footy and we haven't really had that."

Essendon have a major task ahead of them to keep their record unblemished with games against unbeaten Carlton on Saturday and then Collingwood in the Anzac Day clash the following Wednesday.

"We'll have a massive emphasis on recovery, we've got to try to get our bodies right for a big couple of days," Hurley said.

He forecasts a number of team changes due to the extra short turnaround.

"I think it's going to be hard for the (same) 22 to play two games in five days," he said.

"It makes it a bit tougher but you work with what you've got."

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, essendon-3040

First posted April 16, 2012 12:54:12

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Pies make five changes for Port clash

Updated April 19, 2012 22:32:22

Collingwood's early-season dramas have continued with Heath Shaw and Dale Thomas pulling out with hamstring injuries ahead of Saturday's clash with Port Adelaide.

The 13th-placed Magpies (1-2) have made five changes for what looms as a vital game at Docklands.

Shaw and Thomas (both hamstring) have joined Luke Ball (season-ending knee injury) and Ben Reid (quadricep) this week on Collingwood's growing injury list, while back-up ruckman Cameron Wood has been dropped.

Ben Johnson is one of five inclusions, making his return to the senior side following three VFL games after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Simon Buckley, Tom Young, Paul Seedsman and Jackson Paine also come into the side.

Port regain key forward John Butcher from a hamstring injury among three changes.

St Kilda has named an unchanged side for Friday night's Docklands clash with Fremantle, coached by ex-Saints mentor Ross Lyon.

The Dockers have regained niggling midfielder Hayden Ballantyne from suspension and have named Nat Fyfe despite an ongoing shoulder problem.

Carlton has thrown a lifeline to midfielder Brock McLean for Saturday's MCG clash with Essendon. McLean played only 10 games last year.

Dennis Armfield is out with a knee injury.

The Bombers regain Sam Lonergan and Cale Hooker and have included debutant Cory Dell'Olio.

Adelaide has made four changes for Saturday's home game against Greater Western Sydney, including Graham Johncock's omission because of a thigh injury.

The Giants regain former Melbourne skipper James McDonald from suspension.

Brisbane's champion onballer Simon Black has made a comeback after missing just two matches with a fractured hand. The Lions host Gold Coast in the Queensland derby at the Gabba on Saturday night, with Campbell Brown returning to the Suns' lineup.

Ladder leaders West Coast regains Darren Glass, Matthew Priddis and Matthew Rosa for Saturday night's clash with seventh-placed Hawthorn in Perth.

The Hawks have promoted debutant Bradley Hill for Luke Breust (concussion).

Meanwhile, the Cats will be without star onballer James Kelly (groin) for Sunday's game in Geelong against Richmond.

Sydney star Adam Goodes is unavailable for Sunday's game at the SCG against North Melbourne because of suspension.

Suspensions have also hit Melbourne and Western Bulldogs for Sunday's game at the MCG, with Bulldogs defender Brian Lake and Melbourne co-captain Jack Trengove to miss the match.

Melbourne regains 2011 club champion Brent Moloney from a groin injury.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, collingwood-3066, vic, australia

First posted April 19, 2012 16:41:34

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McGuire slams Malthouse for not supporting Buckley

Updated April 16, 2012 09:54:48

Club president Eddie McGuire has slammed former coach Mick Malthouse insisting he "wouldn't have a friend at Collingwood today."

Malthouse and McGuire have been embroiled in an increasingly bitter war of words which has escalated following the 60-point loss to Carlton on Friday.

After just three games in charge of the 2010 champions, Nathan Buckley is already under pressure and McGuire, who also slammed Magpies fans for not supporting the team during Friday's defeat, feels Malthouse is adding to his former assistant's problems.

"Mick, if you're listening out there mate, your legacy is secure," McGuire said on Triple M.

"You've been a sensational servant to the Collingwood football club, we love you, but move on now because picking over the scabs, you're doing exactly what you used to hate (former coach) Tony Shaw doing to you.

"Give Bucks a bit of a go mate, because when Bucks was the captain he carried that team for you, he played his guts out for you - give the bloke a bit of a chance, he's in his first year."

McGuire said Malthouse "reneged" on the five-year contract put to him in 2009 that would see him coach for two years moving to a director of coaching role with Buckley as coach from this season on.

"We signed off on a plan two-and-a-half years ago that Mick was all over - and if he wasn't, certainly his manager was. We had it and he decided not to stay at the club," he said.

"But I'm disappointed this morning that basically he's bagged me, bagged Bucks, bagged (football manager) Geoff Walsh - which is very disappointing because of the support Geoff Walsh has given him.

"He's come out and blamed the grand final loss on Dane Swan, Chris Tarrant and the umpires. That's hard.

"You can't claim the glory for the coaching plan to get to the grand final and then bag the players who actually followed it out.

"I love Mick and I've supported him 100 per cent, but I tell you what, he wouldn't have a friend at Collingwood today. He hasn't missed anyone."

McGuire also bristled at suggestions from Malthouse that Leon Davis, a key defender for the Magpies in 2011, would have stayed with the club if there had not been a change of coach.

"I spoke to Leon Davis 15 minutes after the grand final and he told me that he was going home for family reasons," McGuire said.

"It wouldn't have mattered if he was offered a million bucks, he was going home.

"Leon was going for every reason other than football, let me tell you that. Whether Mick was going to be there or not, I don't think that was going to make any difference."

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, collingwood-3066

First posted April 16, 2012 09:14:39

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Embley out for three months

Updated April 11, 2012 15:36:16

The AFL's new interchange system has convinced Andrew Embley to undergo surgery on his troublesome left shoulder, with the premiership midfielder now set to miss the next three to four months.

Embley's left shoulder popped out for the second time this year in the Eagles' 108-point mauling of Melbourne on Saturday.

The 233-game veteran had the option of playing on with the injury, much like Fremantle's Nat Fyfe did last season.

But with the risk of suffering another dislocation relatively high, Embley opted to have surgery.

West Coast coach John Worsfold said it was the right decision in respect to the team given the alterations made to the interchange system at the start of last year.

"With only having three on the bench, plus a sub now, if you lose a player early in a game then you are potentially a little bit disadvantaged if you happen to get another injury at some point," Worsfold said on Wednesday.

"So just weighing that up, weighing up the likelihood that it may dislocate again, looking at how easily it came out last time, it really meant that there was too much risk of continuous dislocations. So we decided to get it fixed."

Embley's setback is another major blow to West Coast, which has already lost star forward Mark LeCras (knee) for the season and fellow goal sneak Mark Nicoski (hamstring) for 12-14 weeks.

Nicoski remains in a Perth hospital after being struck down by a high fever following a second round of surgery on his damaged hamstring.

Worsfold said the 28-year-old was battling a suspected infection, but his playing return would not be delayed by the latest setback.

The injuries have failed to put a dent in West Coast's early-season form, with the Eagles notching big wins over the Bulldogs (49 points) and Melbourne (108).

West Coast is expected to notch another big win on Sunday when it takes on Greater Western Sydney in Blacktown.

Such is the gulf of class between the two sides, some bookmakers have refused to offer odds on an Eagles win.

But Worsfold scoffed at claims it would be a guaranteed win for his club.

"I'm not going to be comfortable at any time this week that we've won the game until that siren has gone," he said.

With the season only two rounds old, Worsfold said he was unlikely to rest a mass group of players.

But defender Darren Glass could be given the week off to ensure his groin problems of the past two years do not resurface.

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, perth-6000

First posted April 11, 2012 13:08:10

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Buckley wary of Blues assault

Updated April 08, 2012 14:55:56

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley likes what he saw against Richmond on Saturday night, but knows a much bigger challenge awaits from Carlton on Friday night.

While the Magpies' 12.13 (85) to 8.16 (64) win over Richmond was their first of the season, the Blues have been extremely impressive in blasting away the Tigers by 44 points in the opening round then thrashing Brisbane by 91 on Thursday night.

Buckley said Carlton looked good in every department.

"They've been dominant really," he told reporters.

"Their midfield's up and running, their defence is very strong, their forwards are looking dangerous.

"They've given us plenty to think about."

Collingwood will almost certainly be without key defender Chris Tarrant, who was subbed out with a calf injury on Saturday night.

"If he can't get through a quarter of footy, I wouldn't think six days later he'd be right to play four," Buckley said.

But the Pies should regain skipper Nick Maxwell, with Sharrod Wellingham, Ben Johnson and Alan Didak also in contention.

The win over the Tigers was a gritty, unspectacular performance, apart from a five-goal burst in the opening seven minutes of the second half.

But Buckley said while it might not have been a crowd-pleaser, he much preferred it to the shoot-out loss to Hawthorn in round one.

"The first three quarters were exactly the way we wanted to go about it," he said.

"Our contested ball was good, our ball movement was okay, but I think we defended a lot better than last week."

The Magpies' decisive third-quarter burst was inspired by a three-goal term from midfield star Dale Thomas, which came after Buckley had urged him to lift on a quiet first half.

"It's not often you need to ask Daisy for a little bit extra and when you ask him, he finds it," the Magpies boss said.

The winless Tigers lost small forward Jake King to a posterior cruciate ligament injury, expected to sideline him for six weeks.

Their defeat sets the scene for a desperate struggle on Saturday with another winless club, Melbourne.

"We're 0-2, we need to win. Melbourne are the same," coach Damien Hardwick said.

"As far as we're concerned it will be a solid build-up for us and we'll come out and play our best, as Melbourne will. It's a really important game for both football clubs."

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, collingwood-3066, vic, australia

First posted April 08, 2012 14:53:36

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Goodes reported as Swans down Port

Updated April 14, 2012 17:36:00

Two-time Brownlow medallist Adam Goodes was put on report as Sydney's maintained its perfect start to the season with a 22-point victory over Port Adelaide at Football Park.

Goodes was booked for rough conduct during the Swans' hard-fought 16.9 (105) to 12.11 (83) triumph.

He slid knees-first into the Power's Jacob Surjan early in the second quarter.

Surjan was not injured but Goodes' report threatens his looming milestone match.

Goodes is due to break the Swans' record for most appearances next Sunday, surpassing the 303-match mark of Michael O'Loughlin.

His report came as the Swans scrapped their way to a third consecutive win this season.

They needed a powerful late burst to shrug off a determined Power outfit, the Swans kicking six goals to three in the final term to secure victory.

The Power trailed by just three points at the final change but were ultimately overwhelmed by the midfield influence of Daniel Hannebery (36 disposals), Josh Kennedy (27 touches) and Luke Parker (30 possessions), while elusive Lewis Jetta kicked three goals.

The Swans' Martin Mattner felt his side was again guilty of not producing a four-quarter performance, as evident by the Power fight-back in the third term.

"We spoke today about four quarters and we didn't do it again," Mattner told Grandstand.

"So this week against the Kangas we have to do it again and I guess that is something we change up at half-time and try and get people switched on in the third quarter."

But Mattner was pleased the Swans were able to close out the match when it counted.

This week we were able to kick some goals and win by a good margin," he said.

"So that's the pleasing thing of the game. We didn't have to battle and battle and win by a couple of points, we actually kicked a few goals and won quite easily in the end."

The Power's losing streak to the Swans, dating back to 2006, was extended to eight matches despite the best efforts of sweeping defender Hamish Hartlett, Justin Westhoff (two goals) and recruit Brad Ebert (two goals).

The Power travel to Melbourne to play Collingwood next Saturday, while the Swans host North Melbourne the following day.

Sydney: 16.9 (105) - L Jetta 3, A Goodes 2, C Bird 2, J White 2, R O'Keefe 2, B McGlynn, J Bolton, J McVeigh, S Mumford, S Reid

Port Adelaide: 12.11 (83) - D Stewart 3, Brad Ebert 2, J Schulz 2, J Westhoff 2, J Surjan, M Broadbent, M Thomas

ABC/AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, port-adelaide-5015, sydney-2000

First posted April 14, 2012 16:52:26

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It was just another game: Lyon

Updated April 21, 2012 12:32:44

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon says he took no extra satisfaction out of the Dockers posting a 13-point victory over his former side St Kilda at Docklands on Friday night.

While the 14.8 (92) to 11.13 (79) win will be a bitter pill to swallow for Saints fans still angry over Lyon's decision to walk out on the club last September, Lyon says he has moved on from the drama and is more intent on building the Dockers' self-belief.

The Dockers traded three goals each with the Saints in the last quarter to hold on for a tense victory before Saints fans booed and hissed at Lyon as he walked onto the field to celebrate with his players.

It was the Dockers' first win in Melbourne for almost two years and broke an eight-match losing streak against the Saints.

"I've moved on. Both players groups had," Lyon said.

"I used the term the sideshow. It was emotionally a tough night in some ways.

"I take no joy out of beating St Kilda Football Club other than getting the four points."

Lyon praised the role played by Ryan Crowley on key Saints midfielder Nick Dal Santo (18 possessions) and Adam McPhee's effort to hold dangerous small forward Stephen Milne to one goal and nine disposals.

"Adam ... did a good job on an incredibly dangerous player," Lyon said.

"Ryan Crowley, he's dog hungry. He really needed to work hard on one of their better ball-users.

"We're a work in progress. Good teams win interstate and we're aiming to be a good team."

Lyon says it will be a huge challenge for his side against Carlton on Friday night in Perth, although the Dockers are set to be boosted by the return of star utility Nat Fyfe.

Fyfe was a late withdrawal from the Saints encounter after his shoulder popped out during last week's win over Brisbane.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, melbourne-3000, fremantle-6160

First posted April 21, 2012 12:06:17

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