Richards ready for Buddy test

Updated September 27, 2012 13:52:07

As a key defender there is no greater challenge than an on-song Hawthorn feeding the ball to superstar Lance Franklin in full flight.

It is an assignment Sydney's All-Australian backman Ted Richards, who will almost certainly be given the arduous task of stopping Franklin in Saturday's AFL grand final, is all too familiar with.

"It's not something that I haven't done before. I played on him a fair bit this year and last year," Richards said on Thursday.

"But in saying that, I'm fully aware of what he's capable of. He's a gun player."

The last time the two giants came together was round 22 at the SCG, when Franklin returned from injury and the Hawks kicked six goals in the space of 10 minutes to turn the game on its head in the second term.

Franklin was quiet early but came to life, as he so often does, booting three of those six majors.

"He kicked quite a few goals on me and I was really able to see that he doesn't need much room to be able to expose you," Richards said.

"In a couple of minutes he can have a couple of shots on goal ... I'm trying to limit those opportunities."

Richards and his fellow defenders were able to steady on that occasion.

Franklin kicked only one more for the game, but the damage was done and his side claimed an epic seven-point, come-from-behind win.

The 29-year-old knows all too well that another Franklin-inspired burst is on the cards this weekend.

"Early on in my career, I could get a bit flustered when the opposition had momentum," Richards said.

"But I think the strength of us this year is when the opposition's got a couple of quick goals, we've been able to hold the fort.

"It's not easy to do, and it's something I know will happen on the weekend. They're going to get some momentum at different stages of the game and we've just got to hold as a back six.

"I'll be needing as much help as I can get ... we all need to support each other, we're not going out there as a defensive group thinking we've got six one-on-ones - it's six on six."

The Swans held a closed training session at the SCG on Thursday, but Richards said he was a certain starter despite rolling his ankle in last Friday's preliminary final.

"It was a little sore after the game, but a couple of days later it was fine."

AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, sydney-2000, hawthorn-3122

First posted September 27, 2012 13:27:02

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Hawks pair ready for Crows test

Updated September 18, 2012 18:20:32

Key Hawthorn duo Jordan Lewis and Clinton Young will be available for the preliminary final after they completed Tuesday's heavy training session.

The pair were major omissions from the side that beat Collingwood two weekends ago in the qualifying final and are set to return for Saturday's twilight final against Adelaide at the MCG.

Lewis was a late withdrawal with a tight hamstring and Young had a calf injury.

Assistant coach Adam Simpson said the Hawks had a solid hitout on Tuesday after the qualifying final win gave them the week off.

"They trained well - for a week off I think there's plenty of energy out there and we did a bit today," Simpson said.

"We had a good blowout and those two (Lewis and Young) will be available this week.

"The way the guys have trained, it seems to be they're pretty mature about the week and have embraced the week off.

"The focus is pretty strong."

Defender Tom Murphy looms as one of the omissions as Lewis and Young return.

While the Crows have growing injury concerns, Hawthorn have minimal personnel problems and will start the clash as strong favourites.

Defender Brent Guerra (hamstring) is desperately trying to prove his fitness should the Hawks make the grand final.

Forward Brendan Whitecross needed a knee reconstruction after he was injured early in the qualifying final.

AAP

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

First posted September 18, 2012 18:13:27

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Shuey ready to atone in finals

Updated September 05, 2012 18:07:20

West Coast midfielder Luke Shuey says he and his team-mates are now better equipped to deal with the increased intensity that finals football brings.

Shuey did not sleep well after last year's qualifying final loss to Collingwood, having entered the match brimming with confidence following a break-out home-and-away campaign.

He openly admits he got "found out" in the 20-point defeat to the Magpies.

The 22-year-old was run down three times from behind as he struggled to adapt to the increased intensity and was also slightly down in output in subsequent finals against Carlton and Geelong.

But ahead of Sunday's elimination final against North Melbourne at Subiaco Oval, Shuey feels both he and his Eagles team-mates are far better prepared to handle the finals this time around.

"I certainly got found out a couple of times and I think as a young group we didn't quite stand up as well as we could have," Shuey said.

"I think as a young group we really got shown up by opposition midfields.

"I didn't sleep well that night (after the Magpies match).

"But that was 12 months ago now. I've been able to put it behind me.

"I think we're certainly better prepared this time."

Shuey says it is imperative for the club's emerging young guns to stand tall in the heat of finals football and not just rely on the veterans to get the job done.

"We know what we're going to get from (Matt) Priddis and (Daniel) Kerr and (Dean) Cox," Shuey said.

"Most of the time they're going to have an impact. We've just got to provide that depth and have an impact ourselves."

Shuey has taken his game to a higher level in 2012, with the noted ball-winner averaging 23 disposals a match to go with his 18 goals.

The number 18 pick from the 2008 national draft says he has modelled his game on match-winning midfielder Kerr.

"I love the way he takes on big games head first," Shuey said.

"His ability to step up when the team needs him is something I've had a focus on this year.

"I'm looking forward to this week and hopefully I can do the same."

Shuey nominated Daniel Wells and Brent Harvey as the Kangaroos' two most dangerous midfielders, but says the likes of Andrew Swallow and Ben Cunnington also represented a significant challenge.

And although Kangaroos forward Drew Petrie looms as a major threat for the Eagles, Shuey says team-mate Jack Darling is a good chance to inflict similar damage up the other end.

"You think back to the Carlton game [in the semi-finals last year] when he kicked a couple of goals in the last quarter and helped us get over the line," he said.

"I've got no doubt he'll do the same this week."

AAP

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

First posted September 05, 2012 18:07:20

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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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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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Judd ready for preseason

Updated January 13, 2012 17:15:12

Carlton skipper Chris Judd is ahead of schedule following last month's shoulder surgery and is set to lead the Blues during the preseason AFL competition.

As part of the main training group, Judd took part in all but contact training on Friday, allaying concerns his 2012 season could have been affected by the injury.

The dual Brownlow Medallist looked leaner than ever, perhaps due to his forced focus on running rather than weights.

Team-mate Michael Jamison said the club was pleased with the progress of its star midfielder.

"I think he's well ahead of schedule, even though the surgery was quite minor in the end anyway," Jamison said.

"He'll probably have another couple of weeks with no contact and then be ready to go."

Jamison said Judd would definitely play in the latter stages of the preseason cup.

"To what extent I'm not sure but I would have thought he'll play the last couple of NAB Cup games before round one."

Backline competition

Jamison missed seven weeks towards the end of 2011 with a knee injury before returning for Carlton's final three games, but the defender said he was back to 100 per cent.

"I was limited before Christmas but now we're back, I'm back into full training and full contact so I'm feeling really good."

In his absence forward Lachlan Henderson shifted to defence, where he has remained training over preseason.

Jamison was looking forward to spending more time with him at that end of the ground and said Henderson's flexibility was crucial for the team.

"He did really well last year and he fit in really well so I'd like to play alongside him," he said.

"I think we've got probably 10 guys who can go through those six spots this year so it's going to be a fair bit of competition in the backline."

The 25-year-old said the Blues did not feel they had to change much heading into 2012 and had a good base to to work from.

"We think we identified the areas last year and improved on them in terms of our tackling and contested ball so I don't think we've got any gaping holes this year."

The squad also took a moment during training to raise a cheer for midfielder Andrew Carrazzo who with wife Yvette on Thursday welcomed triplets Grace, Charlotte and Sophia.

AAP

Tags: australian-football-league, sport, carlton-3053, melbourne-3000, vic

First posted January 13, 2012 12:16:18

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Rich ready to fire for Lions

Updated December 19, 2011 20:24:56

A step backwards may yet help gun Brisbane Lions midfielder Daniel Rich take his game forward in 2012.

Rich, 21, claimed he not only had second year but also third year syndrome after bursting onto the AFL scene two years ago, claiming the Rising Star award.

The low point came when his run of 59 consecutive games since his 2009 AFL debut was snapped by a foot injury last season, sidelining him for six weeks.

But Rich saw a silver lining in the injury cloud.

"You want to contribute as much as you can to the team ... but it was good in a way to take a backward step, watch a bit of footy and come back fresh going into a new season," he said.

"The second and third year personally weren't up to where I needed to be.

"There were a few bits and pieces I needed to improve on, little things ... like endurance and strength.

"So it's been a big focus this preseason to get fitter and stronger and have a good year.

"It's only Christmas time and I've made inroads ... (and there's still) a couple of months to go before the season starts."

It must be music to the ears of coach Michael Voss, who sees Rich as a key plank to rebuilding the Lions.

After they finished third-last with just four wins, it could be argued the only way is up for the Lions.

But Rich believed there were already encouraging signs.

"There's a lot more guys training than at this time last year and the percentage of our training is up by about 20 per cent, so it can only be a good sign," said Rich at the Lions' final pre-Christmas training session.

"I don't know about the doldrums but we are a young side and the club is on the way up - we believe there are exciting times ahead."

AAP

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

First posted December 19, 2011 20:24:56

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Ling expects to be ready for Blues

Posted May 15, 2011 13:43:00

Geelong captain Cameron Ling says the decision to substitute him out of Friday night's AFL win over Collingwood should save him from missing any football.

Ling was subbed out after dislocating his shoulder midway through the third term, a decision Cats' coach Chris Scott later said was a mistake, as the injury was not as bad as first thought.

But Ling said while he probably could have returned, the move could help him take his place against Carlton at Docklands this Friday night.

"I think I could have played on, structurally it's fine," the Cats' skipper said.

"Usually they dislocate forward. This one tried to go back, which is a good result.

"So I probably could have played out the rest of the game.

"But in hindsight, it was probably a great result. I didn't have to risk hurting it more and hopefully it means I'll be fine for Friday night."

Cats' key forward Cameron Mooney is also expected to be available, after missing the Magpies clash with a knee injury.

Collingwood defender Alan Toovey is likely to be out of Sunday's Docklands match against Adelaide with lung bruising.

Toovey was crashed into by the knee of high-leaping Geelong forward Tom Hawkins, while running with the flight of the ball into a marking contest, but escaped any bone injuries.

Essendon has injury concerns ahead of its clash with Richmond at the MCG on Saturday night.

Captain Jobe Watson will have scans on Monday, after being subbed off with hamstring soreness during Saturday night's win over Brisbane at the Gabba.

Key forward Michael Hurley was a late withdrawal from that match with calf soreness and is in serious doubt for the match against the Tigers.

The Bombers could also lose midfielder Heath Hocking to suspension, after he appeared to elbow Brisbane's James Polkinghorne to the head in an off-the-ball incident.

Melbourne has been hard hit by injury ahead of Saturday's clash with St Kilda at Docklands.

The Demons are expected to lose defender Colin Garland for several weeks with an ankle injury, suffered during Saturday's loss to North Melbourne, while midfielder Rohan Bail is likely to miss a month or more after injuring his posterior cruciate ligament.

Melbourne was already missing ruckman Mark Jamar (knee), defenders Jack Grimes (foot) and Jared Rivers (ankle) and midfielder Tom Scully (knee) to injury and Jack Trengove to suspension.

It could also lose utility Lynden Dunn to suspension, after he was reported for rough conduct, for sliding into the head of North's Daniel Pratt.

Struggling Port Adelaide is set to lose key forward Jay Schulz, after he injured his hamstring in Saturday night's big loss to Sydney.

- AAP

Tags: sport, australian-football-league, australia, vic, carlton-3053, geelong-3220

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Jolly ready for Anzac Day: Shaw

Updated April 24, 2011 12:41:00

Collingwood received a boost to its plans to counter Essendon's trio of ruckmen with its number one Darren Jolly set to play in the Anzac Day AFL clash.

Jolly has overcome a knee injury which sidelined him for last week's win over Richmond, and has been named in the Magpies side.

His role will be vital, with the Bombers selecting David Hille, Paddy Ryder and Tom Bellchambers in a three-pronged ruck attack for the MCG clash.

Collingwood defender Heath Shaw said Jolly was ready to go and was up to the challenge of battling the Bombers' talls.

"He had last week off because his knee was a little bit sore but he's ready to go," Shaw said on Sunday.

"It's going to be a big challenge for him. He's going to have three guys to come up against, all different types of ruckmen.

"I think Jolls is up to the challenge."

Collingwood has also included livewire small forward Brad Dick at the expense of Andrew Krakouer.

A crowd of more than 90,000 is expected for the match.

- AAP

First posted April 24, 2011 12:09:00

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