Dismal Dees booed off

The AFL's contentious score review system has again come under fire with two incidents in today's Melbourne-Port Adelaide clash at the MCG

Nathan Jones after the match Picture: Harman Stephen Source: HWT Image Library

SHELL-SHOCKED coach Mark Neeld was flummoxed; Wayne Carey said he'd "never been as disappointed in a team".

And before the tactical dissection of Melbourne's 79-point capitulation to Port Adelaide began, shattered Demons players admitted they'd been rocked by - but understood - the savage hail of booing to which they were subjected as they trudged from the MCG.

Neeld, flanked by equally stunned captain Jack Grimes at his press conference, was at a loss to explain his team's inability to bring training track form and rudimentary footy basics to a Round 1 clash with an opponent, on average, actually younger than his Demons.

Live HQ: Melbourne v Port Adelaide

"There are angry players, angry coaches, angry supporters, (an) angry club," Neeld said.

"It's particularly disappointing that you can train one way for four or five months, then come out and be unrecognisable on a footy field.

"We didn't deal with Port Adelaide's speed and aggression ... We didn't see that coming."

Former Kangaroos champ Carey was far less diplomatic.

"Rather than play stupid games and see who can grow the longest beard, how about train? They are a shambles," he said on Triple M.

"If I was Mark Neeld I'd say to the conditioning guy, 'I don't give a crap (about recovery)'.

"I'd get 'em up at 4.30am (on Monday morning) and give them a 10km time-trial and then a swim afterwards.

"Actually, a 10km time-trial, then make them watch this game (as punishment).

"They dress like AFL footballers, look like AFL footballers, but don't play anything like one.
I've never been as disappointed in a team."

After the game, Neeld spoke to his player for half an hour trying to find out "who's a competitor and who's not".

"And the general feeling in the room was that everyone's a competitor - at times.

"There weren't too many who were able to get up in front of everybody and say, 'I thought you competed all day'," he said.

Dees lay egg in Easter shock

Neeld said the players had correctly recalled all aspects of his game plan in the review, but couldn't explain the variation from the reality.

There was one piece of good news for Melbourne: Forward Mitch Clark's leg injury is a rolled ankle, a pleasant surprise after he appeared to suffer a serious knee or ankle injury midway through the third term.

The match was peppered with stunning grabs; with Port's Jay Schulz taking an early contender for mark of the year.

But his towering speccy will be tinged with controversy after he clearly grabbed it over the goal line.

The umpires agreed the mark had been in the field of play, but went upstairs for a review that returned an "inconclusive" verdict, meaning the the mark stood.

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Watts at a loss to explain defeat

Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney spoke to his side after the loss. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

The AFL's contentious score review system has again come under fire with two incidents in today's Melbourne-Port Adelaide clash at the MCG

IT wasn't enough that first-gamer Jack Viney was probably Melbourne's best in its 79-point shelling at the hands of Port Adelaide.

He then endured another gruelling challenge: addressing his older teammates, as a lifelong Demons fan, to tell them what it meant to have pride in wearing the red and blue.

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Viney, already seemingly a father-son recruiting steal at pick No.26, had 22 touches to be one of three Demon standouts alongside captain Jack Grimes and fellow debutant Matt Jones, earning praise from coach Mark Neeld.

"He's got a mature head on his shoulders, he acquitted himself well in his AFL debut," Neeld said of Viney.

"If it's possible when you play your first game, he's probably been a Melbourne person longer than anyone in that room.

"He spoke about that, from his heart."

That sense of empathy for the fans wasn't lost on Grimes or defender Jack Watts, who spoke honestly of their pain at being booed as they left the MCG.

But both said they understood the attack.

Watts, who's seen his share of pain since his 2009 debut, said it was "right up there" among his most miserable days.

"The work we put in pre-season and the way we're training can't be faulted," Watts said.

"Then to come out and play a game like that, it's right up there with the most disappointing couple of hours I've had since I've been at the club.

"You look at our training and we feel like there are no excuses.

"There's no way we're not as fit as Port Adelaide, there's no way we're not as strong, no way we haven't put in as much work as them over summer.

"Jack Viney and Matty Jones, playing their first game of AFL footy and they're two of our best three players.

"How can that happen in a Round 1 clash against Port Adelaide when everything is on the line?

"We've trained for six months, working our bloody a---- off and it's ... I can't explain it."

Watts said to feel the Demon fans' pain was "shocking".

"But they've got every right the way we played today," he said.

"You'd hope your supporters would really stick by you and support you through no matter what, but jeez ... with what they've been through, I certainly don't blame them.

"It is just Round 1, one game of 22, so we've got a lot of chances to turn it around and change the perception of a lot of people - because right now I don't think it's too flash, to be honest.

"It's not a fitness or skills thing, it's a mindset thing and we've got to try to get everyone on board."
Grimes said everyone at the club was frustrated.

"We feel like we let the supporters down most of all," Grimes said.

"There's a lot of guys who need to have a good, hard look at themselves.

"When you hear some of the stuff (the fans are) saying, you think, 'Fair enough'.

"It wasn't good enough what we dished up.

"I'd be frustrated, too, if I was sitting there as a Melbourne supporter."
 

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Pies, Blues promote their grudge

Carlton coach Michael Malthouse will coach against Collingwood next week. Source: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD and Carlton have joined forces to promote their dislike of each other less than a week out from one of the most eagerly awaited grudge matches of the season.

With new Blues coach Mick Malthouse set to take on the Magpies for the first time since an acrimonious split at the end of the 2011 season, the clubs have worked on a strategy for the Round 2 game that celebrates the rivals' famous enmity.

The two clubs have billed their clashes as "the ultimate rivalry" and had to win special AFL approval so they could run with the #lovetohateCarlton and #lovetohateCollingwood hashtags on Twitter.

Collingwood director of commercial operations Justin Reeves said the push to a national competition over the past 25 years had diluted some of the inner-suburban clashes, but insisted the Magpies-Blues rivalry was as strong as ever after more than 120 years.

"This is the biggest blockbuster in the AFL and it has been for well over 100 years," Reeves said this week. "We love to hate them and they love to hate us, and that's never going to change.

"We're happy to celebrate that fact because if you barrack for Collingwood, you don't like Carlton; and if you barrack for Carlton, you don't like Collingwood."

Collingwood met Carlton in its first game - in the VFA - in 1892 and the two sides have played in 245 matches since the start of the VFL-AFL competition in 1897.

The Blues lead the ledger with 125 wins; the Magpies have won 116 and there have been four draws.

The two clubs have started an "Ultimate Rivalry" campaign on their websites featuring comedians Peter Helliar and Dave Hughes, and Magpie and Blues fans will be able to purchase merchandise with the "lovetohate" slogans.

The plan is to also have #lovetohateCarlton and #lovetohateCollingwood signs hanging in the respective suburbs.

Magpie chief executive Gary Pert said neither club shied away from the fact that the rivalry had been heated at times.

"When we ask players and supporters why they hate Carlton, sometimes they don't know, but they just know that they have to."

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Scott tells Bucks to butt out

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Live HQ: North Melbourne v Collingwood

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scott was left seething by Buckley's remarks.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Reidy will play next week.''
 

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Debtant Frost comes in cold

Jack Frost had little time to prepare for his debut. Picture: Scott Chris Source: HWT Image Library

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley admitted he had his doubts about his team's capacity to overcome the loss of several key players before last night's impressive 16-point win against North Melbourne.

Already without the likes of Dale Thomas, Luke Ball, Alex Fasolo, Alan Didak and Clinton Young, Collingwood lost Dayne Beams to a quad injury before the game and Heath Shaw to a bout of food poisoning 30 minutes prior to the bounce.

The two late withdrawals handed Jack Frost and Josh Thomas unexpected AFL debuts.

In the case of Frost, he had no idea he was only minutes away from playing his first game when he arrived at the ground.

"I just had my polo on outside and then all of a sudden they said 'yeah, you're in','' Frost said.

"I had two minutes to get taped, get everything on, do a tiny little warm up that went for about 10 seconds and then I ran out. That was it. I wasn't ready for that one.''

It's a debut the 21-year-old rookie elevation had been waiting for for years, but it came in an instant.

The key defender didn't even know whether his parents had been at the ground to see him play.

"Daisy (Dale Thomas) actually came up to me in the rooms and said 'do your parents know?'

"I had no idea, so I told him where my phone was but I'm not sure if he even got on to them. I hope they were there.''

Josh Thomas (18 possessions, seven clearances) at least had a little extra time to prepare after being told on Saturday that Beams wasn't right.

"Beamsy hurt himself at training yesterday arvo, so I didn't really have too much time to think about it thankfully.'' Thomas, 21, said.

"I was pretty nervous though because I've been dreaming about this day for a while.''

A third debutant, Sam Dwyer, was the Pies substitute and came on at half time after Ben Johnson copped a cork to his thigh.

Buckley was full of praise for his undermanned team after the game.

"Coming in to it we had concerns about personnel I suppose and were wondering whether we had lost too much quality to be able to play the way that we did tonight,

"But the fact is it's not just the talent level of a team that gets you wins it's the actual effort and perseverance (of the players) and the application to their roles.

"I thought it was a great win.''

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REPLAY: Giants v Swans

Swans co-captain Kieren Jack celebrates a goal in the second quarter. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

Swans defender Ted Richards looks to dish off the ball upfield against GWS Giants. Picture: Getty Source: Herald Sun

All eyes will be on Lachie Whitfield as the top draft pick makes his debut against Sydney. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

7.20pm: Swans 106 - 76

SYDNEY survived a second quarter scare to overcome GWS Giants by 30 points at ANZ Stadium.

The plucky Giants kicked five goals in a hurry to take a one-point lead before the Swans hit back, almost instantly with five goals of their own to kick clear by half time.

The Swans played bursts throughout the match outlasting the young Giants who fought hard to stay within striking distance.

Josh Kennedy, Kieren Jack (three goals) and Ryan O'Keefe were the pick of the Swans with Jon Patton leading the Giants with three majors of his own.

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Adam Treloar collected 27 disposals in the match.

Tom Scully was solid throughout but was reported during the first quarter for tripping Swan defender Rhyce Shaw.

7.02pm: Swans 87 - Giants 63

THE sting has gone out of the Battle of the Bridge with Sydney leading cross-town rivals GWS Giants by 24 points late in the final quarter.

Giants coach Kevin Sheedy activated Taylor Adams in the term replacing Will Hoskin-Elliott.

The Hyphen is stiff to be handed the red vest after collecting 19 disposals while clunking seven marks in a handy start to his 2013 campaign.

Sydney too used its substitute with local hope Dane Rampe making way for small forward Tony Armstrong.

AFL - Sydney Swans v GWS Giants at ANZ Stadium. The Giants Jeremy Cameron handballs ahead of Ted Richards and Lewis Roberts-Thompson. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

6.50pm: Swans 81 - Giants 51

SYDNEY looks to have the GWS Giants' measure heading into the final quarter at Etihad Stadium.

The Swans edged 31 points clear of their cross-town rivals in a tight term where the likes of Josh Kennedy, Jude Bolton and Kieren Jack stood tall.

Giants young gun Lachie Whitfield left the field of play late in the term with tightness in his leg.

6.22pm: Swans 61 - Giants 42

LIAM Sumner has given the Giants a sniff with his first goal early in the third quarter against Sydney at ANZ Stadium.

But the Josh Kennedy-led Swans hold a 19 point buffer despite the plucky Giants best efforts.

Kennedy has 19 disposals including 17 contested and a goal.

5.55pm: Swans 61 - Giants 34

SYDNEY is starting to assert its authority over a plucky GWS Giants outfit at ANZ Stadium.

The reigning premiers jumped to a 27-point lead after being headed midway through the term.

Kieren Jack and Mike Pyke have done most of the damage with two goals apiece while Josh Kennedy leads allcomers with 17 disposals.

The Giants controlled the first 10-15 minutes of the second quarter but faded as the Swans drove home five unanswered goals to close out the first half.

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Swans co-captain Jarrad McVeigh (13 disposals) got busy in the second quarter kicking a goal after being well held.

Giants captain Phil Davis left the field late in the second quarter with what appeared to be a hip/back injury.

Meanwhile, Tom Scully was reported in the first quarter for tripping Swans defender Rhyce Shaw.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Phil Davis of the Giants lies on the ground after injuring his hip during the round one AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium on March 30, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

5.38pm: Swans 35 - Giants 34

JUDE Bolton has steadied the ship for Sydney after GWS Giants surged to the lead with a five-goal burst in the second quarter.

The Giants burst out of the blocks after the break with Jonathon Patton (two goals) and Jeremy Cameron (one goal) doing most of the damage.

But Sydney responded through Bolton who marked strongly 40m out on a slight angle.

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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Dylan Shiel of the Giants breaks the tackle of Mike Pyke of the Swans during the round one AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium on March 30, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

5.27pm: Swans 29 - Giants 16

The Giants are mounting a fight back with goals to Toby Greene and Jeremy Cameron cutting the margin to 13 points.

The Swans dominated the first quarter but the Giants exploded after the break at ANZ Stadium with back-to-back majors within a couple of minutes of play.

Greene's goal was the best of the game so far, threading a drop punt between the big sticks from deep in the right forward pocket.

Swans magnet Josh Kennedy has nine disposals and a goal to his name while Giants young gun Adam Treloar leads allcomers with 12 possessions.

Sydney star Adam Goodes leads to the ball. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

5.07pm: Swans 23 - Giants 1

UNLIKE Brisbane, Sydney is experiencing no premiership hangover putting paid to GWS Giants in the first quarter at ANZ Stadium.

Mike Pyke opened the scoring with a goal before back-to-back majors made it 22-1 scoreline nearing quarter time.

Josh Kennedy kicked the Swans second swooping on the pack and snapping his first goal for 2013.

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Shane Mumford added to the Giants woes converting a set shot from about 40m on a slight angle.

The ruckman has been solid up forward taking four marks.

Earlier today, NAB Cup champions Brisbane was hammered by 68 points by the Western Bulldogs.

Adam Treloar has been the pick of the Giants early with Callan Ward and Stephen Coniglio busy in the clinches.

Top draft pick Lachie Whitfield is yet to touch the ball.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Dylan Shiel of the Giants breaks the tackle of Mike Pyke of the Swans during the round one AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium on March 30, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

4.45pm: Swans 6 - Giants 0

RUCKMAN Mike Pyke has given the Swans the ideal start kicking a goal within 30 seconds of the opening bounce at ANZ Stadium.

The Canadian won soft a hands in the back free kick running with the flight of the ball and made no mistake from the set shot.

The Swans will be out to get their premiership defence off on the right foot after having their colours lowered by the Giants during the NAB Cup.

Giants top draft pick Lachie Whitfield started on the ground.

Adam Treloar has the job on Swans ball magnet Josh Kennedy.

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Meanwhile, Taylor Adams (Giants) and Tony Armstrong (Swans) are the substitutes.

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Dogs maul Lions by 68 points

Western Bulldogs recruits Nick Lower, Koby Stevens, Brett Goodes and Tom Young sing the song with gusto. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Lions defender Matt Maguire leaves the field with ice wrapped around his leg. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

SOMETIMES a long wait can be well rewarded.

If scriptwriters were searching for a theme for the Western Bulldogs' 68-point mauling of NAB Cup champions the Brisbane Lions in an extraordinarily one-sided Round 1 clash at Etihad Stadium, it wouldn't have been hard to locate it.

Just ask the Bulldogs' players - and their long-suffering fans - who have waited and waited to finally win a match for premiership points again.

Before today, the last time it had happened was way back in Round 12 last season and what followed was a miserable streak of 11 losses that had doomsayers fearing what 2013 might hold in store for Brendan McCartney's team.

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Yet what the Bulldogs served up at their first offering for this year offered hope for the present, as much as the future, and it showed some vindication of the path on which McCartney is offering up for his young side.

Given the wait the Western Bulldogs had experienced, you could understand why they looked so elated at the final siren, given they were missing their captain Matthew Boyd, and were coming up against the form side of the pre-season competition.

But the simple equation was that the Bulldogs wanted it more. And the Lions were desperately disappointing.

There were stories of reward for effort and redemption for reward everywhere you looked for the Bulldogs, and you could understand why some of the players in the winning side celebrated long and hard on the final siren.
 
Just ask Brett Goodes who finally made his AFL debut at the ripe age of 29, and performed so well that it's almost an indictment on the competition that he was forced to wait so long.

He might do something that his brother Adam couldn't do - win a Brownlow Medal vote in his first game. Adam had to wait until his third season to poll votes off the umpires.

Goodes was outstanding off the half-back line - something which allowed acting captain Robert Murphy the chance to play forward - and he used the ball like a wily veteran that he is in age terms, but not in terms of AFL games played.

Just ask Dale Morris, who played his first game in Bulldogs colours in a home-and-away match in 595 days after a career-threatening broken leg, and who importantly got through the match with confidence in his game and in his leg.

He attacked the ball hard when he went anywhere near it, and led the backline, offering up confidence and support to key defender Jordan Roughead, who outpointed Jonathan Brown.

Just ask Nick Lower, who this time last year was struggling to adapt to life under Ross Lyon at Fremantle.

Lower completely shut-out Michael Tuck medallist Daniel Rich, restricting him to an almost inexplicable eight possessions.

He was a worthy inclusion to the Bulldogs' midfield that overwhelmed a much-hyped Lions engine room that looked as flat as the look on coach Michael Voss' face.

Lower worked well with ruckman Will Minson, who played one of his best games for the club, and the likes of Ryan Griffen, Tom Liberatore and Mitch Wallis.

Just ask Koby Stevens and Tom Young, who were bit players for their respective clubs West Coast and
Collingwood last season, but who slotted nicely into McCartney's team to suggest they might play nice roles this season.

And maybe ask Adam Cooney, who started the week in hospital due to an infection to his troublesome right knee, but finished it singing the Bulldogs' theme song for the first time since Round 12 last year.

Brisbane was nothing like the team that won the NAB Cup only a few weeks ago.

They were denied the ball early by the ferocious Bulldogs and nothing seemed to go right for them.

The Dogs now face Fremantle next Saturday, while Brisbane finally returns to the Gabba to meet Adelaide on the same day.

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LIVE: Suns v Saints

Suns skipper Gary Ablett looks downfield for an option. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Gold Coast star Harley Bennell celebrates after kicking the first goal of the match. Picture: Getty

10.22pm: Suns 90 - Saints 77

GOLD Coast star Gary Ablett has delivered the Suns a stunning come-from-behind victory over St Kilda at Metricon Stadium.

Ablett kicked four goals in the match-winning display to set up the 13-point win.

St Kilda led at the final change but Ablett went bang with back-to-back goals to erase the deficit.

Ablett finished with 34 disposals.

10.09pm: Suns 84 - Saints 70

How do you stop Gary Ablett? You can't. It's just that simple when the Little Master decides it's go time no one can stop him.

Ablett single-handedly orchestrated the Suns fight back from a nine-point deficit with two goals in as many minutes to silence the St Kilda faithful.

And it didn't stop there with the Suns piling on six goals in a hurry to set up a 14 point lead in the shadows of the final siren.

Ablett has four goals and 30 disposals to his name.

9.38pm: Suns 47 - Saints 56

GOLD Coast is within striking distance of St Kilda after outscoring the visitors three goals to one in the third quarter.

Matthew Shaw sparked the fight back streaming into an open goal early in the term.

But it was Gary Ablett's goal from deep in the pocket which gave the Suns a glimmer of hope.

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St Kilda responded with a goal but it was short-lived when Jaeger O'Meara got the ball out of congestion and slotted his first AFL goal.

9.10pm: Suns 26 - Saints 45

A FIVE goal second quarter has helped St Kilda to a 19-point lead over Gold Coast at the main break.

Nick Riewoldt sparked the Saints with two goals in the second term while Jarryn Geary and David Armitage have picked up plenty of the football.

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett is going about his business as usual but up until now has been unable to claw his Suns back into contention.

The Suns failed to kick a goal in the second quarter after slotting three in the opening term.

Meanwhile, a decision to ping St Kilda champion Lenny Hayes for sliding will be looked at during the week after the Saints gun merely brushed his rival across the legs.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt celebrates kicking a goal against Gold Coast. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

8.31pm: Suns 26 - Saints 31

ST KILDA has kicked back-to-back goals to snatch the lead off Gold Coast early in the first quarter.

Beau Maister started the fight back slotting the Saints first goal of the term before skipper Nick Riewoldt chimed in with one of his own to turn an 11-point deficit into a one-point lead.

Terry Milera made it five points after the Suns hit back with a couple of behinds to reclaim the lead in the see-sawing affair.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Jaeger O'Meara of the Suns looks to kick in his first AFL game during the round one AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the St Kilda Saints at Metricon Stadium on March 30, 2013 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

8.17pm: Suns 24 - Saints 13

GOLD Coast leads St Kilda by 11 points at quarter-time at Metricon Stadium.

Charlie Dixon was the star of the term without punishing the Suns in front of the big sticks.

Dixon provided a strong marking target inside the arc collecting clunking three for a 1.1 return.

Gary Ablett was quiet at the start but worked into the term collecting 11 disposals.

Harley Bennell opened the scoring with a goal early in the first quarter. Dixon and Luke Russell chimed in with majors of their own to extend the lead.

Jack Steven, matched up against Ablett, kicked the Saints' only goal of the quarter.

David Armitage collected nine disposals as did Nick Dal Santo who spent time off the ground with medicos assessing tightness in the star midfielder's groin.

8.10pm: Suns 23 - Saints 10

JAEGER O'Meara missed a golden opportunity to join the club of players to kick a goal with their first kick in league footy.

O'Meara won himself a free kick about 40m out directly in front.

But the man child, 19, never looked comfortable going back looking to dish off to a teammate.

O'Meara sprayed his set shot for goal and hasn't touched the ball since.

Gold Coast has made all the early running but only leads the Saints by 13 points.

Meanwhile, Suns skipper Gary Ablett is working off rival Jack Steven collecting seven possessions.

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 30: Luke Russell of the Suns celebrates a goal during the round one AFL match between the Gold Coast Suns and the St Kilda Saints at Metricon Stadium on March 30, 2013 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

7.58pm: Suns 13 - Saints 9

GOLD Coast has started the better at Metricon Stadium with Harley Bennell and Aaron Hall dominating the play.

Bennell opened the scoring with the first goal of the match after taking a strong mark about 20m from goal.

Meanwhile, Hall has helped himself to five early possessions providing a spark around the contest.

Not to be outdone, St Kilda responded through Jack Steven waltzing in for the Saints first goal midway through the term.

Steven also has the job on Suns skipper and ball magnet Gary Ablett. Tough times ahead.

Boom youngster Jaeger O'Meara is yet to touch the football in his AFL debut.

Pre-game: Late changes

St Kilda has replaced Tom Simpkin with Trent Dennis-Lane for tonight's match against Gold Coast.

The Saints have wheeled a late change with Simpkin coming out of the side to face Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium tonight from 7.45pm (AEDT).

Former Swan Dennis-Lane comes into the side and will start as the substitute.

The Gary Ablett-led Suns must fancy themselves against a St Kilda outfit missing key playmakers Sam Fisher and Leigh Montagna.

Livewire Brandon Matera has been named as the Suns' substitute.

Meanwhile, big-bodied midfielder Jaeger O'Meara is set to make his debut after an impressive NAB Cup campaign.

The 19-year-old priority draft pick spent last year dominating in the Suns' reserves.

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Swans hold out plucky Giants

Sydney co-captain Kieren Jack won the Brett Kirk Medal for his best on ground effort of three goals and 25 disposals. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

WHEN it was time for a Sydney Swans leader to step up last night, co-captain Kieren Jack was the man.

It was also fitting that a Sydney boy born and bred took out the Brett Kirk medal as the best player in the "Battle of the Bridge", showing how far the code has come in this city.

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"It was good to lead the boys out for the first time, that was something that meant a lot," Jack said.

"There are some really good people in there, some really good players I respect. To lead them out was something I'll always remember."

To claim the award named in honour of his former teammate and one of the Swans' most celebrated players was

an added bonus.

"I respect the bloke enormously and he's a player I tried to model my game on," Jack said.

It wasn't pretty, but the premiers did what they needed to as they got the better of a much-improved GWS Giants in the season-opener.

"The first game of the season you want to get off to a good start and we did," Swans coach John Longmire said.

"If we knew we would take a 30-point win before coming here tonight, I would have taken it."

Norm Smith medallist from last year's grand final, Ryan O'Keefe, gave Jack a run for his money as best on ground, shutting down Giants youngster Toby Greene.

O'Keefe kept Greene to 11 possessions while chalking up 27 touches himself.

The Swans led at every change, with a four-goals-to-nil opening quarter setting up the victory.

Grand final hero Mike Pyke celebrated the birth of his first child just eight days ago with the opening goal.

Fellow ruckman Shane Mumford was unstoppable as he took three contested marks in front of goal but could only convert one of them.

The Giants' Jonathon Patton and Jeremy Cameron didn't bother the stats sheet in the first quarter but made up for it in the second when they helped their side wrestle the lead back at one point.

Patton's two goals were eye-catching, the first coming from a 55m bomb and the second with a strong mark on the lead.

When Devon Smith slotted a banana kick from the boundary line, GWS had their noses in front by five points.

The Giants' run only served to spark the premiers into action. Jack swooped on some costly mistakes to snap two goals and Pyke marked and goaled to establish a 26-point lead at the long break.

Jack was lucky to get away with an ankle tap his rugby league champion father Garry would have been proud of
as Stephen Coniglio ran into an open goal.

The frustration began to show on Giants young gun Jeremy Cameron who punched the fence in anger and cut his knuckles.

GWS were still well in the match when Liam Sumner goaled and could have been closer when he missed on the run from close range.

A running goal to Adam Treloar closed the gap to 19 points but the Swans steadied again through Sam Reid and Jude Bolton.

The Giants were gallant but didn't have quite enough experience to really threaten the reigning champion.

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Fury over Hayes sliding free kick

Lenny Hayes, pictured here at training, was pinged for sliding despite not taking out the legs of his opponent. Picture: Chris Eastman Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA champion Lenny Hayes has been the latest player pinged under the AFL's controversial new sliding rule.

Hayes was nabbed pouncing on the loose ball, his head and shoulders brushing but not moving the legs of Gold Coast defender Matthew Shaw, during the second quarter.

But Shaw was unable to punish St Kilda for the gift spraying his set shot for goal.

The sliding decision prompted calls of "what more could he do" by the Fox Footy commentary team including Cameron Ling, Brian Taylor and Matthew Richardson.

Social media was abuzz following the Hayes free kick with many condemning the ruling.

Former Geelong running machine David Wojcinski urged his Twitter followers to switch off the football.

The AFL banned sliding -- contact below the knees -- in a bid to improve player safety following a sickening collision between North Melbourne goalsneak Lindsay Thomas and Sydney forward Gary Rohan last year.

Rohan had his leg snapped when Thomas slid over a sodden SCG turf.

Others to vent their frustrations on Twitter said:

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Charged Jurrah locked up for Easter

Liam Jurrah pictured during a break in his court proceedings in Alice Springs earlier this month. Picture: Justin Brierty Source: adelaidenow

TROUBLED footballer Liam Jurrah will spend the Easter weekend in custody after being charged with four counts of assault in Alice Springs.

The charges come after the footballer's arrest in Alice Springs when three women were allegedly assaulted at a 24-hour store in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Jurrah, 24, and another man, 32, were arrested.

Without naming Jurrah, Senior Sergeant Darrell Kerr from Alice Springs confirmed that two men arrested over the incident at the store had been charged on Thursday night.

He said a bail application was heard before a magistrate in an over-the-phone hearing today and was refused.

"Police opposed bail due to the seriousness of the charges," said Snr Sgt Kerr.

The news means Jurrah will be locked up over Easter until the court resumes sitting on Tuesday.

Last week he walked free from the Alice Springs Supreme Court after being acquitted of attacking his cousin with a machete.

Twice this week he has failed to appear in court in South Australia, where he faces separate charges of aggravated assault and drink driving.

Jurrah made his AFL debut in 2009 and played 36 games for Melbourne.

The club delisted him at the end of last season but he has since signed on to play for the Alice Springs South Kangaroos Football Club.

His grandmother, Cecily Granites, said she did not understand why Jurrah had ended up in custody.

"He went over to the 24-hour shop on Gap Road and bought something to eat, like a sandwich," she said.

"There was a group of (people that) saw Liam going in and when he came out there was a couple of people standing there and they started talking to him in a really angry way."

Ms Granites said she received a phone call about 4am saying Jurrah was in trouble and that he was in police custody.

Superintendent Brent Warren said police attended the incident after 3am and identified three women who allegedly had been assaulted.

"Police subsequently arrested two men, aged 24 and 32, in relation to the alleged incident," he said.

In Adelaide yesterday, Magistrate David McLeod said a warrant for Jurrah's arrest would lie on the file after he failed to appear in Elizabeth Magistrates Court to answer a charge of aggravated assault.

Jurrah's lawyer told the court her client had stayed in Alice Springs for his grandfather's funeral, but Mr McLeod said he wanted corroboration the funeral was taking place.

The hearing proceeded without Jurrah, but prosecutors said the charge against him was likely to be withdrawn because the alleged victim had signed a form saying she did not wish to proceed.

Defence lawyer Joanna Caracoussis told the court Jurrah's grandfather died late last year and the funeral was scheduled for last week but had been postponed.

The funeral had been planned for last Thursday - the day a jury returned its not guilty verdict in Jurrah's case of alleged assault against cousin Basil Jurrah.

The matter was adjourned to May.

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Teams: Demons leave out Davey

Matt Windley and Glenn McFarlane name the rookies and left-field picks to give you the SuperCoach edge.

SuperFooty delivers the best live match news to your phone

Aaron Davey shows the strain of pre-season training. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

Jack Viney tries to evade James Frawley at Melbourne training. Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE has left veteran Aaron Davey out of the team to face Port Adelaide on Sunday.

Melbourne cut its bench this afternoon, with Davey named as an emergency alongside mature-age South Australian recruit Dean Terlich.

Davey, 29, has played 158 games.

The Melbourne bench for its clash against Port Adelaide on Sunday is Sam Blease, Luke Tapscott, former Kangaroo Cam Pederson and 25-year-old Matt Jones, who will play his first AFL match after being recruited from VFL side Box Hill.

Port Adelaide named top draft pick Oliver Wines on the bench, setting up a head-to-head match-up with his best mate, Demon Jack Viney.

Last year's Sandover medallist Kane Mitchell is also on the bench.

It was a good day at the selection table for mature-age recruits, with Collingwood selecting 26-year-old Sam Dwyer on its bench for Sunday's clash against North Melbourne.

Dwyer was recruited from VFL side Port Melbourne in last year's rookie draft and was promoted to the senior list yesterday.

Former Carlton defender Jordan Russell is also on the bench, alongside Marty Clark and Ben Johnson.

Paul Seedsman, Josh Thomas and elevated rookie Jack Frost are emergencies.

The Kangaroos decided not to play Majak Daw, leaving Todd Goldstein as the Roos' only ruckman.

The final benches for Monday's Geelong v Hawthorn game will be named tomorrow.

Scroll down for Round 1 teams

SuperCoach Round 1 formguide: Captain picks, lockout info and more!

Western Bulldogs v Brisbane Lions, Etihad Stadium, Saturday 1.40pm

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: Dale Morris, Jordan Roughead, Liam Picken
HB: Jason Johannisen, Tom Young, Brett Goodes
C: Adam Cooney, Nick Lower, Koby Stevens
HF: Tory Dickson, Liam Jones, Daniel Giansiracusa
F: Rob Murphy, Ayce Cordy, Luke Dahlhaus
Foll: Will Minson, Ryan Griffen, Tom Liberatore
I/C: Mitch Wallis, Daniel Cross, Shaun Higgins, Clay Smith
Emg: Jason Tutt, Lukas Markovic, Tom Campbell

NEW: Tom Young (Collingwood), Brett Goodes, Nick Lower (Fremantle), Koby Stevens (West Coast)

BRISBANE LIONS
B: Elliot Yeo, Daniel Merrett, Joel Patfull
HB: Jed Adcock, Matt Maguire, Pearce Hanley
C: Patrick Karnezis, Tom Rockliff, Mitch Golby
HF Dayne Zorko, Stefan Martin, Josh Green
F: Rohan Bewick, Jonathan Brown, Ashley McGrath
Foll: Billy Longer, Daniel Rich, Brent Moloney
I/C: Claye Beams, Jack Redden, James Polkinghorne, Aaron Cornelius
Emg: Sam Docherty, Andrew Raines, Ryan Lester

NEW: Brent moloney (Melbourne)

GWS v SYDNEY, ANZ Stadium Saturday 4.40pm

Panic Room: Cooney good to go, Cats in trouble

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
B: Adam Kennedy, Tim Mohr, Stephen Gilham
HB: Tomas Bugg, Phil Davis, Curtly Hampton
C: Will Hoskin-Elliott, Callan Ward, Lachie Whitfield
HF: Stephen Coniglio, Jeremy Cameron, Tom Scully
F: Liam Sumner, Jonathon Patton, Devon Smith
Foll: Jonathan Giles, Adam Treloar, Toby Greene
I/C: Taylor Adams, Dean Brogan, Lachie Plowman, Dylan Shiel
Emg: Sam Frost, Rhys Palmer, Nathan Wilson

NEW: Lachie Whitfield, Lachie Plowman

SYDNEY SWANS
B: Rhyce Shaw, Heath Grundy, Nick Smith
HB: Martin Mattner, Ted Richards, Nick Malceski
C: Ben McGlynn, Daniel Hannebery, Lewis Jetta
HF: Kieren Jack, Sam Reid, Ryan O'Keefe
F: Mike Pyke, Adam Goodes, Jude Bolton
Foll: Shane Mumford, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh
I/C: Tony Armstrong, Luke Parker, Dane Rampe, Lewis Roberts-Thomson
Emg: Andrejs Everitt, Jed Lamb, Jesse White

NEW: Dane Rampe

Hawk Jarryd Roughead joins the panel to provide inside SuperCoach info on the Hawks.

GOLD COAST v ST KILDA, Metricon Stadium, Saturday 6.45pm

GOLD COAST
B: Joel Wilkinson, Matthew Warnock, Tom Murphy
HB: Dion Prestia, Rory Thompson, Greg Broughton
C: Matt Shaw, Gary Ablett, Jarrod Harbrow
HF: Harley Bennell, Charlie Dixon, Brandon Matera
F: Luke Russell, Sam Day, Steven May
Foll: Zac Smith, Karmichael Hunt, David Swallow
I/C: Aaron Hall, Jaeger O'Meara, Jared Brennan, Michael Rischitelli
Emg: Maverick Weller, Jack Hutchins, Kyal Horsley

NEW: Jaeger O'Meara, Greg Broughton (Fremantle)

ST KILDA
B: Jason Blake, James Gwilt, Dylan Roberton
HB: Jarryn Geary, Tom Simpkin, Sam Gilbert
C: Jack Newnes, Lenny Hayes, Nick Dal Santo
HF: Aaron Siposs, Nick Riewoldt, Terry Milera
F: Stephen Milne, Beau Maister, Rhys Stanley
Foll: Ben McEvoy, David Armitage, Jack Steven
I/C: Ahmed Saad, Tom Hickey, Clinton Jones, Farren Ray
Emg: Nathan Wright, Trent Dennis-Lane, Tom Lee

NEW: Dylan Roberton (Fremantle), Tom Hickey (Gold Coast)

Melbourne v Port Adelaide, MCG Sunday 1.10pm

MELBOURNE
B: Lynden Dunn, Tom Gillies, Daniel Nicholson
HB: Jack Watts, James Frawley, Colin Garland
C: Jack Viney, Jack Grimes, Jimmy Toumpas
HF: Jeremy Howe, James Sellar, Colin Sylvia
F: Shannon Byrnes, Mitch Clark, David Rodan
Foll: Mark Jamar, Jordie McKenzie, Nathan Jones
I/C: Sam Blease, Cam Pederson, Luke Tapscott, Matt Jones
Emerg: Aaron Davey, Dean Terlich, Jake Spencer

NEW: Tom Gillies (Geelong), Jack Viney, Jimmy Toumpas, Shannon Byrnes (Geelong), David Rodan (Port Adelaide), Cam Pederson (North Melbourne)

PORT ADELAIDE
B: Tom Jonas, Jackson Trengove, Campbell Heath
HB: Jasper Pittard, Cameron O'Shea, Lewis Stevenson
C: Matthew Broadbent, Brad Ebert, Kane Cornes
HF: Justin Westhoff, Paul Stewart, Angus Monfries
F: Chad Wingard, Jay Schulz, Jake Neade
F: Jarrad Redden, Hamish Hartlett, Travis Boak
I/C: Matthew Lobbe, Oliver Wines, Andrew Moore, Kane Mitchell
Emerg: Aaron Young, Daniel Stewart, Jack Hombsch

NEW: Campbell Heath (Sydney), Lewis Stevenson (West Coast), Angus Monfries (Essendon), Jake Neade, Oliver Wines, Kane Mitchell, Jack Hombsh (GWS)

North Melbourne v Collingwood, Etihad Stadium Sunday 4.40pm

COLLINGWOOD
B: Nathan Brown, Nick Maxwell, Ben Reid
HB: Alan Toovey, Heath Shaw, Harry O'Brien
C: Steele Sidebottom, Dane Swan, Jarryd Blair
HF: Jamie Elliott, Travis Cloke, Quinten Lynch
F: Ben Sinclair, Tyson Goldsack, Brent Macaffer
Foll: Darren Jolly, Scott Pendlebury, Dayne Beams
I/C: Martin Clarke, Sam Dwyer, Ben Johnson, Jordan Russell
Emerg: Jack Frost, Paul Seedsman, Josh Thomas

NEW: Quinten Lynch (West Coast), Sam Dwyer (Port Melbourne), Jordan Russell (Carlton)

NORTH MELBOURNE
B: Shaun Atley, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Jamie Macmillan, Nathan Grima, Ben Jacobs
C: Aaron Mullett, Ryan Bastinac, Kieran Harper
HF: Ben Cunnington, Robbie Tarrant, Daniel Wells
F: Lindsay Thomas, Drew Petrie, Lachlan Hansen
Foll: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
I/C: Liam Anthony, Leigh Adams, Sam Wright, Sam Gibson
Emerg: Taylor Hine, Will Sierakowski, Majak Daw

NEW: Ben Jacobs (Port Adelaide)

Hawthorn v Geelong, MCG Monday 3.20pm

HAWTHORN
B: Josh Gibson, Brian Lake, Brent Guerra
HB: Grant Birchall, Ben Stratton, Shaun Burgoyne
C: Isaac Smith, Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill
HF: Cyril Rioli, Lance Franklin, Luke Breust
F: Jack Gunston, Jarryd Roughead, Paul Puopolo
Foll: David Hale, Brad Sewell, Jordan Lewis
I/C (from): Jed Anderson, Shane Savage, Luke Shiels, Max Bailey, Ryan Schoenmakers, Kyle Cheney, Jonathan Simpkin

NEW: Brian Lake (Western Bulldogs), Jed Anderson, Jonathan Simpkin (Geelong)

GEELONG
B: Jared Rivers, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright
HB: Taylor Hunt, Harry Taylor, Travis Varcoe
C: Andrew Mackie, Paul Chapman, Joel Corey
HF: Jordan Murdoch, Shannon Motlop, Billie Smedts
F: James Podsiadly, Tom Hawkins, Mitch Duncan
Foll: Mark Blicavs, Joel Selwood, Jimmy Bartel
I/C (from): Trent West, Josh Caddy, Mathew Stokes, Allen Christensen, George Horlin-Smith, Josh Walker, Jake Stringer

NEW: Jared Rivers (Melbourne), Mark Blicavs, Josh Caddy (Gold Coast) 

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Clayton knew O'Meara was special

Jaeger O'Meara will play his first game tonight against St Kilda. Picture: Richard Gosling Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

SUNS list manager Scott Clayton can vividly remember the moment he knew Jaeger O'Meara was going to be a star.

It was a Saturday morning in late March 2011, when Clayton arrived at Lathlain Park in Perth to watch Perth Colts take on East Fremantle in the opening round of the season.

Clayton walked into the ground knowing O'Meara had talent, but left three hours later convinced he was the next big thing.

"It was the most unbelievable audition," Clayton said.

"He was the bottom age in the colts but he did everything you want to see.

"He took a couple of hangers, his hands at the centre bounce were fantastic, he had a lot of tackles and clearances from contested footy and he went forward and kicked three or four goals.

"I remember that day I was walking out of the ground and (Jaeger's) manager Colin Young was walking in.

"I said to him 'we've got to get your boy' and that we would do anything to get Jaeger."

For the most talked about youngster in the AFL, the wait to see if junior promise can transcend to senior stardom is over, with O'Meara to debut for the Suns against St Kilda at Metricon Stadium tonight.

Coach Guy McKenna is trying to keep the bar low for the boom rookie.

"He's like every other first-year player. He's going to have some really good games, he's going to have some good games, he's going to have some average games and then he's going to have some games where he probably doesn't want to send the DVD home to his folks, but that's a first-year player," McKenna said.

"He gets his opportunity, and I'm sure he's not going to let himself down, his family down or the footy club down."

It has been a long 209 days since Gold Coast last played for premiership points, and McKenna is delighted the time for talking is finally over.

During the off-season, Suns chairman John Witheriff promised a flag inside the next three years.

If the Suns are going to get close to delivering on such lofty goals, they must produce a more competitive effort against the Saints.

St Kilda thrashed the Suns by 92 points in round 2 last year at Etihad Stadium.
 

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Lions, Suns both have point to prove

Gary Ablett in training for the Suns. Picture: David Clark Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

APPARENTLY round 1 is the most important game of the home-and-away season - if you have watched any of the footy programs over the past week you would know that.

A win sets you up, a loss can kill you.

Fox Footy even ran a promo with greats of the game such as John Kennedy, Robert Walls, Ron Barassi and Tom Hafey hammering the importance of a first-up win.

I suspect, after months of off-field scandals, everyone just wants to talk footy, and because there are no performances to pick apart the previews have been overhyped.

Thursday night's clash needed no help; it was huge, although more so for Richmond.

Now the focus is on Collingwood v North and the Hawks v Cats - even Port v Melbourne is said to be played for huge stakes.

But what about the Queensland sides?

The Lions got a bit of airplay throughout the NAB Cup, but that has died down. No one is really talking about Brisbane v Bulldogs as a big game. But it is vitally important for the Lions.

They are in that uncomfortable period for a developing side. Their only games without much pressure are against the top four.

Last year they upset Adelaide and West Coast, but couldn't get past Richmond, Essendon, Carlton, St Kilda or the Kangaroos - the sides sitting between them and a finals berth.

Last year they got the job done against the sides below them. They were 50-50 games at the time, we thought they could win most of them, but losses would have been tolerated.

Not this year.

There are real expectations on the Lions now, which they should embrace.

It means they are relevant.

The Suns haven't earned that pressure yet.

But theirs is far from a nothing game.

St Kilda are one of the sides they need to square-up with.

The Saints belted them twice last year - smacked them.

Gold Coast are capable of knocking them over.

And as Kennedy said, round 1 can set you up for the whole season.
 

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There's nothin' like a Dane

DANE Swan was a nobody when he and a couple of mates touched up a security guard at Federation Square in 2003.

It was act of delinquency that caused pain and hurt.

Now Swan is a somebody, a Brownlow medallist, three-time Copeland Trophy winner and a premiership player.

The road from nobody to somebody has been one of the more impressive journeys for a player in the AFL, although it's safe to say the laid-back and likeable Swan would still like to be a nobody in a somebody's world.

He is a rare bird, Dane Swan.

A knockabout who loves a drink, the nightlife and whatever else that may tickle his fancy, Swan still plays footy at unbelievable levels of speed and endurance and leather-poisoning.

If you believe rumours, and there are hundreds of them, Swan is Ben Cousins Mark II, a player whose behaviour is of major concern who, finally this off-season, realised he had to pull his head in.

If you believe those who know him, Swan is nothing of the sort.

"Dane Swan has not changed one bit from when he was a 17-year-old lad," his manager, Liam Pickering, says.

"He loves footy and he plays great footy and he cares about his footy. People don't think he does care, but they're kidding themselves. You can't be that good if you don't care about it."

Swan is a fascination for all in football and his exploits are front-page news.

He says he doesn't care what is said and written about him, but others wonder whether he tries too hard to project a feeling that he doesn't care about what is said and written about him. Whatever the thinking, there's been plenty to write about.

His parents, Billy and Dee, and his grandparents are hurt by the articles - and that hurts Swan.

"He finds that more frustrating than anything," Pickering said. "All the stuff that goes on about him he takes in his stride, but it homes in a little bit when his grandma or his mum get upset. I understand that. No one wants to pick up a paper and read negative things about their boy, and a lot of factually incorrect stuff as well."

Pickering didn't say it, but clearly he was a talking about a report written by Caroline Wilson in The Age last November.

Some at Collingwood - but not all - think Wilson has a vendetta against Swan.

In the report, Wilson called for Swan to be sacked by the club, arguing his bad behaviour had a terrible influence on younger teammates.

One small sentence said Swan had got into a "nasty fight", which supposedly took place in the Nursery car park on Emirates Day, the last day of the Spring Carnival.

The fact is Swan didn't get involved - it was one of Swan's mates and another man. A former AFL player who was a casual passserby can verify that.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says Swan gets a heavy media treatment because he's different.

"There's some in the media who haven't met anyone who doesn't live off Page 59 of the Melways," he said, referring to the page that incorporates the well-to-do inner-eastern suburbs.

"He's got that element of danger about him.

"He's from Broady, he's got tatts, he's got a sense of humor, he's his own man, he makes blues and he's sublime on the field.

"They probably think he's white trash from Broady. I'll tell you something, Swanny's a ripper. He's an old-timer, he's a Glasgow boy out of Broadmeadows in a lot of ways."

Dane Swan is a SuperCoach must. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

It must be said, McGuire is a dufflecoat wearer. If any of his boys murdered someone, he'd probably argue it was a misunderstanding. But there's a warmth from McGuire to Swan, borne perhaps from their upbringing.

Both grew up in hardened Broadmeadows, both have climbed the pinnacle of their professions and both are at Collingwood.

The Swan name in Broady is legendary.

Swan is the son of VFA legend Billy Swan, and Billy's cousin is Roy Ramsay, who played for 126 games for North Melbourne from 1976-86.

"In Broady, Roy and Billy were superheroes," McGuire says. "Roy Ramsay's old man basically came out on the same boat as my dad, they were mates from 1958, and we lived two blocks from each other in Olsen Place, which is the Bronx of Broadmeadows.

"The Ramsays lived around the corner and Swanny's old man used to live near Upfield High, and Swanny's aunty taught me, she was my student teacher at school.

"You could say it's been a similar journey for us."

Consequently, McGuire throws a protective rug around Swan, although the rug was ripped off him at a robust meeting between McGuire, Swan and Pickering late last year.

Described recently by McGuire as "tough love", it centred on Swan's behaviour before the meeting descended into a slanging match between McGuire and Pickering.

"People think that if we're blueing or we pull him in (that we're fighting), but it's because we want to get him to the end of his journey in footy and we want him to be a Collingwood bloke forever," McGuire said.

The robustness between McGuire and Pickering continued when Swan appeared in an apparently unauthorised interview on Channel 9 in March, where, among other issues, Swan denied he had a drug problem.

The club was furious Swan did the interview and fined him $5000, fuelling the fire that Swan and the Magpies were the best of enemies.

Meanwhile, the public's fascination in Swan saw the The Footy Show secure close to one million viewers on the night.

That's the thing about Swan, he's watchable.

And he's normal.

The truth is, there are Dane Swans everywhere. Go for a walk down Sydney Rd, or visit Northland, or got a local footy game on a Saturday, or a bar on a Sunday afternoon, and there you'll find your Dane Swans. In some ways, his normalcy makes him a stand-out in the rigid and robotic world of the AFL.

The further truth is, most people don't give a brass razoo what Swan does in his own time, as long he plays good footy at the weekends.

Still, the appetite for everything Dane Swan is evident.

If Swan appears on superfooty.com.au in a story or in photo form, the reader interest is clearly definable.

Pickering agrees the normal bloke relates to Swan.

"There are no airs and graces, what you see and what you get," Pickering said. "He's not trying be someone he's not and that's the beauty of Dane Swan. He's only always been Dane Swan and you either like him, like most people do, or you don't. It's no skin off his nose if they don't like the fact he's got tattoos."

I asked a female friend for an opinion.

She said: "He's a bad boy with a wicked sparkle in his eyes. It's endearing. And he's not caught up with prettiness off the field. From his clothes to his words. He is who he is."

You only have to see his mates to know what sort of bloke he is. When people are that loyal to you, it's because you've got something special in you.

People who know Swan acknowledge he loves a good time, but point out that he's also fiercely loyal, reliable, funny, caring and giving.

True, he can run with the wolves, but he also can graze with the sheep.

He is part of - if not the leader of - the Collingwood brat pack, who think nothing of pulling an all-nighter at Eve nightclub or Tramp or a favorite haunt, the Barkly in St Kilda.

But he's also great mates with skipper Nick Maxwell, who likes to be in bed before 10.30pm.

Just recently Swan and his partner, Taylor Wilson, joined Maxwell and his wife Erin, and a couple of younger players and their partners, for a weekend at Rye, and they say Swan hanging with Maxwell's daughter two-year-old Milla was magical to watch.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley talks with Dane Swan. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

So much for thinking Swan spends every weekend watching the sun come up. That said, it's not foreign to him.

In August last year, when Swan's behavior drove Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert to despair, as well as his teammates, Swan was suspended for two weeks by the club for arriving at training clearly affected by alcohol.

He had been at the Barkly the night before and kicked on at a private residence. Those at the Barkly claimed Swan was drinking water. Someone apparently in the know said the water bottle was sometimes filled with vodka.

The upshot was suspension, a loss of confidence and respect from teammates, who rightfully wanted to know why the bender was in the month before finals.

Swan was at fault, but perhaps the leadership at Collingwood was at fault, too, for Swan had been getting away with benders for some time.

Under Mick Malthouse, the "bad boys" were tolerated, and certainly weren't suspended. But where Malthouse was lenient, believing the knockabouts played an important role in team culture, new coach Nathan Buckley wasn't as flexible.

The club had suspended Sharrod Wellingham for two weeks earlier in the season for drinking, so when Swan mucked up, the same penalty applied.

Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan is Collingwood's SuperCoach superstar. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Fast-forward to this pre-season and not a word of criticism can be heard from Swan.

His teammates have noticed a real change. Just little things, such as taking ice baths after training to help the body recover, and answering questions with depth in player meetings, and completing early morning swim sessions at the beach without the complaining. It's called buy-in.

"He is going really well," Maxwell said on SEN radio this week. "He is always casual and calm but this pre-season I have seen him really push himself to levels I haven't seen in the 11 years I have been here."

The belief is Swan has finally grasped the fact that all actions have consequences.

The relationship between Pert and Swan, however, remains strictly professional.

"I think Swanny gets me," McGuire said, "but he's got Perty from a different point of view and he would probably see Perty as petty hard at it. Perty is the boss. We all hate the headmaster until we realise the headmaster was the bloke who was keeping us from falling into the abyss.

"At footy clubs, we all play different. You can't have everybody being the easy touch. You know what, they'll sit down together in 10 years at a reunion and they all laugh at how much pain and suffering was caused and Swanny will say, 'Gee, I wish I knew at the time, I would've pulled my head in'."

Despite the problems last year, at no stage did the club consider trading Swan.

McGuire would never have ticked it off.

"You know my philosophy: how many chances do you get - as many as it takes. If Swanny wasn't a good bloke and a great contributor to the club, you would probably pull the pin. But he is a great contributor, he's got a lot to give and he's a giving bloke.

"You only have to see his mates to know what sort of bloke he is. When people are that loyal to you, it's because you've got something special in you.

"You know, what we've got to make sure is this is a game for working class boys and blokes from all parts of the community.

"To do that, you've got to take into account people that have different backgrounds, different philosophies ... it's a melting pot.

"I've seen Swanny develop and develop and develop, and yes things happen, there's a few spotfires here and there, but there's a lot more of Dane Swan to come, providing he makes sure it happens."

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Thomas emerges unscathed

Collingwood star Dale Thomas collected 25 disposals in the Magpies reserves match against AIS-AFL Academy squad. Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source: Herald Sun

DALE Thomas emerged from his first match hitout of the season unscathed.

Thomas, as planned, played just three quarters of the Collingwood reserves team's practice match against the AIS-AFL Academy team at the MCG tonight, piling up about 25 disposals.

He had ice packs on his right calf and upper left thigh after the match as a precaution, but showed no signs of the ankle injury that has delayed his start to the season.

Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh said Thomas, who played mostly on the wing and booted one goal, had been "pretty lively".

"Things went to plan under the program we have for him and he got a bit of the ball, so we're happy with that," Walsh said of Thomas.

"It's his first real hitout for the year, so I'm sure he's in need of the run, but we don't expect any problems (in the wash-up)."

The Pies also got two goals in an impressive effort from the returning Andrew Krakouer and won the match 15.15 (105) to the AIS's 9.9 (63).

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Robinson knocked out

Mitch Robinson collides head-on with Ty Vickery in the second quarter. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON has been dealt a blow with enforcer Mitch Robinson substituted out of the match after a heavy knock to the head.

Robinson's head smashed into the MCG turf in attempted marking contest midway through the second quarter.

The hard-nosed midfielder launched himself into the contest colliding with Richmond forward Tyrone Vickery head-on.

Robinson landed heavily on his head and face prompting medicos to run from all angles.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse wasted no time substituting Robinson out of the match with Aaron Jospeh taking his place.

The Blues have 20 minutes under the AFL's new concussion rule to endorse Jospeh as it's substitute should Robinson be passed fit to play.

Carlton star Bryce Gibbs has been cleared after hobbling off the ground with a leg injury.

Sports medical expert Peter Larkins ruled Robinson out for the remainder of the match.

"I'm not expecting Mitch Robinson to come back," he told Channel 7 at half-time.

"I think he was knocked out... I'm not expecting him to clear the (concussion) test, it didn't look good to me."

But Larkins said Gibbs was fine after jarring his right knee in a contest possibly hyper-extending his posterior cruciate ligament.

"He seemed to move pretty freely in the last five to six minutes."

Richmond leads Carlton by 38 points 9.14 (68) to 4.6 (30).

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Jurrah arrested again

Liam Jurrah pictured during a break in his court proceedings in Alice Springs earlier this month. Picture: Justin Brierty Source: adelaidenow

TROUBLED footballer Liam Jurrah was simply buying a snack from a 24-hour convenience store in the early hours of the morning when he was confronted by a rival group, his grandmother says.

One week after the ex-AFL footballer was acquitted of assaulting his cousin with a machete and just hours after he failed to appear in an Adelaide court on another aggravated assault charge, Cecily Granites battled to explain why the former Melbourne star was again in custody.

"He went over to the 24-hour shop on Gap Road and bought something to eat, like a sandwich," his grandmother explained.

"There was a group of (people that) saw Liam going in and when he came out there was a couple of people standing there and they started talking to him in a really angry way."

Ms Granites said she received a phone call about 4am saying Jurrah, 24, was in trouble and that he was in police custody.

Superintendent Brent Warren said police attended the incident after 3am and identified three women who had been assaulted.

"Police subsequently arrested two men, aged 24 and 32, in relation to the alleged incident," he said. "Both men are currently in police custody. Investigations are continuing."

Also today, Magistrate David McLeod said a warrant for Jurrah's arrest would lie on the file after he failed to appear in Elizabeth Magistrates Court to answer a charge of aggravated assault.

Jurrah's lawyer told the court her client had stayed in Alice Springs for his grandfather's funeral, but Mr McLeod said he wanted corroboration the funeral was taking place.

The hearing proceeded without Jurrah, but prosecutors said the charge against him was likely to be withdrawn because the alleged victim had signed a form saying she did not wish to proceed.

Defence lawyer Joanna Caracoussis told the court Jurrah's grandfather died late last year and the funeral was scheduled for last week but had been postponed.

The funeral had been planned for last Thursday - the day a jury returned its not guilty verdict in Jurrah's case of alleged assault against cousin Basil Jurrah.

The matter was adjourned to May.

Ms Granites says after a funeral in Central Australia next week she planned to return to Adelaide with Jurrah.

Last Thursday an Alice Springs jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty to a charge of causing serious harm to Basil Jurrah, 37, at an Alice Springs camp last March.

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Saints re-sign Saad

Saint Ahmed Saad kicks a goal against Sydney. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA goalsneak Ahmed Saad has inked a two-year contract extension.

The small forward, named on the bench for Saturday's match against Gold Coast, played 16 games in his debut season last year kicking 28 goals.

Saints coach Scott Watters said the signing was good news for supporters

"We look forward to Ahmed's continued improvement this season."
Saad joins Saints midfielders David Armitage and Jack Steven to ink new deals in recent weeks.

"David's signing last week and Ahmed signing today is great news for the club... both are emerging leaders and are professional in their preparation."

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Malthouse admits health problem

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse patrols the boundary line. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

NEW Carlton coach Mick Malthouse has admitted that he has a health issue.

Malthouse wouldn't say what it was but was adamant he was on top of it during an interview aired on Channel 7 last night.

"It was an issue that young people can get, and still play football with it,'' Malthouse said.

"I know how to - as does my dear doctor friend.''

Malthouse said that his doctor knew what he needed to do to participate at the top level of sport and deal with the stress.

"As he said, it won't kill you, but the knife in the back might,'' Malthouse said.

The veteran coach, who appeared with his wife Nanette in the interview, was philosophical about the perils of the coaching game.

"For any coach to think that he got through without being sacked or whatever, you're kidding yourself,'' he said.

"You've just got to get on with it, and that's what we've tried to do.''

Nanette Malthouse admitted that the family wasn't too keen on him returning to coaching.

"We've got a few scars, a few battle scars,'' she said.

But she sensed there was something missing in his life - "there was unfinished business.''

"You know he's totally football now. Nothing else comes into his mind,'' she said.

She said that away from football, her husband was a very different man.

"What appealed to me in the first place was his sense of humor and his sense of fun. He's basically a shy person,'' she said.
 

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O'Meara can't wait for AFL debut

Jaeger O'Meara at Nobby's Beach. Picture: Gosling Richard Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

HYPED Gold Coast teenager Jaeger O'Meara will make his senior debut against St Kilda at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

The young midfielder, who many believe would have been last year's No.1 draft pick if eligible, has waited a year to make his senior debut because of his age.

He has been given the nod for Round 1 and It is also believed former Docker Greg Broughton and ex-Hawk defender Tom Murphy are locked in to make their club debut against the Saints.

"I am definitely excited – I have been here for a year now and got to know the boys and got to develop my game," O'Meara told SuperFooty today.

"I'm really excited to get the opportunity."

Expectations for the Suns will be low again this season, but O'Meara said there was a quiet internal confidence among the group heading into the club's third season.

"The boys had a really good block of footy at the end of last year and we have had a pretty good NAB Cup campaign," he said.

"We had a great win against Melbourne a couple of weekends ago – I'm not sure how much you can take out of that, but we've definitely taken a bit of confidence.

"It should hold us in good stead come the weekend and the rest of the season."

O'Meara said this year would be about earning respect and being harder at the ball in previous years.

"We need to gain more respect in terms of contested footy," he said.

"We went away from that last year at times, so that will be a focus.

"We've improved strength wise and running wise over the pre-season.

"But we still have to play football, be aggressive at the ball and gain more respect in the AFL."
 

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Buddy's not on our radar: Lyon

RULED OUT: Ross Lyon says Lance Franklin is not on Fremantle's radar. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon has fired back at claims the Dockers are chasing Lance Franklin, labelling claims as"a beat-up" and saying he had personally approached Hawthorn to quell the speculation.

Lyon said he approached Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson at a recent meeting to insist there was no truth to rumours the Dockers would approach Franklin, who has put off contract talks until the end of the season.

"This will clear it up and probably puts a really fine point on it; I went to a coaches association sub-committee meeting and Alastair Clarkson was there and we have a professional relationship," Lyon said.

"I sought him out, because this was bubbling around - unlike (Travis) Cloke last year, we were clearly in that - and this is totally different.

"I sought out Alastair and said, 'This is not us. Just to be really clear, just to let you know so you don't have to worry, it is not us'.

"That's on the public record.

"I think that really puts that article (into perspective); lack of rigor, lack of substance and just sensationalism in its true context.

"It should clarify for the whole industry and I can't be more clear than that."

Lyon said Fremantle had two priorities in its list management - retaining its burgeoning talent base and servicing its veterans - and those would be the areas it would focus on.

"That's a clear message to our player group, that they're the priority for us, and a clear message to anyone that wants to write stories that have no basis," he said.

"It eradicates that.

"It's an opinion business and, I mean, when Taylor Walker came through, did anyone know he was going to be a power forward? And (Kurt) Tippett and young (Sam) Reid from the Swans?

"Sometimes, people occur and grab opportunities and you think, 'Gee, where did he come from'.

"I think that just suited the red herring, or the kite being flown or, I'm not sure what it's called in this profession."

Lyon's comments come the morning after the club's 20-year-old Jayden Pitt was announced to have a heart condition that could result in the premature end of his career.

An irregular heartbeat discovered by medical screenings resulted in Pitt's career being immediately suspended for health reasons.

"We're really supportive of Jayden and he's been working behind the scenes with our medical staff (along with) his parents Greg and Jenny," Lyon said.

"It's been the result of a strong welfare program for our players, it's not mandatory screening, although it probably should be.

"A number of clubs do it and it's thrown up this, which is a big risk for Jayden and his career.

"He's had to put his AFL career on hold and, personally, as a senior coach with 45 players on our list, (I have) genuine care for all of them and this is a unique situation that I haven't come across before."

Follow Glen Foreman on Twitter: @glen_foreman
 

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Lee a safe SuperCoach pick: Watters

Shane Crawford reveals his bargain ruck strategy and why Brett Deledio is a better SuperCoach pick than Trent Cotchin

Tom Lee (right) joins fellow recruits Tom Hickey (left) and Trent Dennis-Lane at Seaford. Picture: Chris Eastman Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA coach Scott Watters may have solved the problems of many a SuperCoach by pointing us in the direction of a cheap forward.

Tom Lee.

The bane of almost every SuperCoach's existence this pre-season has been the forward line.

More specifically, trying to find a dirt cheap forward that will play.

Brent Macaffer is a lock, while Joe Daniher and Sam Rowe are on the fringes of their respective teams.

Otherwise you're looking at players well over $200,000 to fill your side.

Of the players listed in the Herald Sun last week as the game's most popular selections, Lee appeared at the bottom of the list as the 10th most chosen forward.

He is currently in about one of every five SuperCoach teams, and at the price of $115,900 he might be a nice selection for your bench - even if he doesn't play straight away.

"We think we've got a really good prospect,'' Watters told the Herald Sun.

"He's rounding out his game. We have high expectations of Tom Lee, Tom Hickey and Arryn Siposs - they're not yet complete players but they're working extremely hard.

"Tom's got some great attributes and he's shown us some really good signs. We think this is going to be a really important development year for him, but he's certainly good enough to force his way in to the side.

"So if that gives a little bit of a heads up to our SuperCoach supporters, he'll force his way in, there's no doubt.''
 

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We can respond: Bickley

Former captain and current Crows assistant coach Mark Bickley says the club will respond. Picture: Simon Cross Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE believes its ability to respond will be its greatest ally as the Crows seek to revive its season against Brisbane next weekend.

The Crows have underlined the importance of not losing two games in succession under coach Brenton Sanderson, and the players and coaches at West Lakes will draw confidence from their ability to regroup and rectify its methods after temporary failure.

Areas of concern from the club's first-round match included a losing tackle count, slow ball movement and losing centre clearances.

The positive that remains is that the current group have so far refused to fall into a form slump.

"It's about getting back to winning,'' assistant coach Mark Bickley said.

"We hate losing, full stop.

"The (not having) two losses in a row is really about getting back on the horse.

"We know it's going to be a really even competition and every opportunity to get four points -- whether it be against a top side or a bottom side -- you need to take it.

"The actual measure about not losing two in a row is a test of resilience. You challenge one week and it didn't go to plan ... how are you able to respond next week?''

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Chappy to make Tigers debut

Shane Crawford reveals his bargain ruck strategy and why Brett Deledio is a better SuperCoach pick than Trent Cotchin

Troy Chaplin at Richmond training. Source: Getty Images

FORMER Port Adelaide defender Troy Chaplin will be the only new face when Richmond and Carlton face off at the MCG tomorrow night.

Chaplin was picked up by the Tigers as a free agent at the end of last season. The 27-year-old played 140 matches for Port.

"He's a very good player, but he's also got outstanding leadership qualities and will further help guys such as Alex Rance, Ben Griffiths, Jake Batchelor, all these types of players around him," Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said.

Another free agent Chris Knights was named as an emergency, while former Demon Ricky Petterd was ruled out by groin soreness.

The Tigers' first round draft pick Nick Vlastuin is also an emergency.

Carlton couldn't find a spot for forward Sam Rowe, who was pushing for selection after recovering from testicular cancer.

The Blues also left out experienced defender Jeremy Laidler.

Both have been named as emergencies.

TEAMS

Carlton
B: Chris Yarran, Michael Jamison, Lachie Henderson
HB: Zach Tuohy, Nick Duigan, Bryce Gibbs
C: Kade Simpson, Andrew Carrazzo, Mitch Robinson
HF: Chris Judd, Andrew Walker, Jeff Garlett
F: Eddie Betts, Levi Casboult, Shaun Hampson
R: Matthew Kreuzer, Marc Murphy, Brock McLean
Inter: Dennis Armfield, Josh Bootsma, Aaron Joseph, Kane Lucas
Emerg: Tom Bell, Jeremy Laidler, Sam Rowe

Richmond
B: Steve Morris, Alex Rance, Troy Chaplin
HB: Jake Batchelor, Chris Newman, Bachar Houli
C: Shaun Grigg, Trent Cotchin, Reece Conca
HF: Brett Deledio, Shane Edwards, Daniel Jackson
F: Luke McGuane, Jack Riewoldt, Robin Nahas
R: Ivan Maric, Dustin Martin, Shane Tuck
Inter: Ben Griffiths, Jake King, Tyrone Vickery, Brendon Ellis
Emerg: Matt White, Nick Vlastuin, Chris Knights

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Stevie J out indefinitely

Geelong star Steve Johnson will miss the start of the season. Source: Getty Images

GEELONG has not put a timeframe on Steve Johnson's return after minor knee surgery today.

The Cats said they made the call to have a knee arthroscopy now in the long-term interests of Johnson, who was already set to miss Monday's Round 1 clash against Hawthorn due to suspension.

Football manager Neil Balme said Johnson's knee had "caused him aggravation" over the past week.

"There was a possibility that Steve could manage the issue through the season, but we all felt it was a better course of action to have the procedure now so that Steve will be at 100 per cent when he returns," Balme said.

"We think that by having the knee cleaned up he will be fully fit when he starts to play rather than the possibility that the knee will slowly deteriorate over time forcing the surgery later in the year."

The Cats enter Round 1 with several big names on the injury list, most of them ruckmen.

The club announced today it had promoted young talls Mark Blicavs and Josh Walker from the rookie list.

Meanwhile, Geelong's Round 1 opponent Hawthorn today placed knee victims Matt Suckling and Alex Woodward on the long-term injury list. No replacements have been named at this stage.

The Barometer: Updated injury list for every club

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The Buzz: Every Dog has his day

Brett Goodes will make his AFL debut for the Western Bulldogs on Saturday. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

WHEN Brett Goodes makes his debut on Saturday night, the football world will wonder at this most unlikely feel-good story.

A 29-year-old brother of an AFL superstar plucked from his job as a Bulldogs welfare manager to lock down a spot in defence for the club.

They would make movies about in America: in fact, they have - think Blindside, or Mark Wahlberg as Philadelphia Eagle Vince Papale in Invincible.

Little-known details of his belated elevation to the big time reveal the Goodes story loses little in the comparison.

Goodes survived battles against established players Matthew Bate and Brent Prismall, the club's hesitancy in taking a 29-year-old while in a rebuilding phase, and a nerve-racking AFL draft in which he watched on knowing precisely who was ahead of him in the Dogs' estimation.

He sat at home knowing if Josh Prudden was not taken by the Dogs at pick No.50 they would snare the Murray Bushrangers midfielder at pick 71. There would be no room for a rookie pick for Goodes.

Even if things turned out, Goodes would be taking a pay cut from his club role and VFL wages, down to the minimum rookie wage of $49,200, plus match payments.

He would become a listed AFL player only at December's rookie draft, with the seed of a dream sown just weeks earlier, not in Footscray, but London.

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney knocked Goodes off his metaphorical feet after the club's exhibition game against Port Adelaide.

"Have you maybe thought about having a run around with us?'' he asked.

Back in Melbourne, the coach pulled list manager Jason McCartney aside and let him in on the secret.

Ex-Kangaroo star McCartney takes up the tale.

"Pretty much on the first day back Macca grabbed me and had a quiet word about what he had said to Goodesy over there,'' McCartney says.

"He was so well respected by the players, and we know he could also play the game. Macca said, 'I will get you to train', and he just blossomed.

"We didn't know how he would hold up, but from day dot he started running with the midfield group, and we found out he had really good endurance.

"He is tough and competitive and a great kick of the footy. I had watched him a lot during the year watching our young guys play at Willy, but to be honest I thought he was just good for that level.

"But he has dropped 5kg (others say 8kg) and what played into our hands was our list profile.''

The Bulldogs have confirmed Brett Goodes is locked in a race with Brent Prismall for a fairytale shot at the AFL. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Eight of the 10 players brought in during the 2011 draft period were kids, and another five selections from the 2012 national draft were babies.

There were still the established challengers, including Melbourne's Bate and Essendon's Prismall.

One by one Bate and Prismall tested themselves at Whitten Oval, both seasoned players, and younger.

"Matty Bate trained with us, and then Pris came, having knocked back a deal with Port Adelaide, so they were quality characters and great footballers,'' McCartney says.

"But the longer Brett trained, the stronger he got. He beat all comers. The other guys trained well, but he just shone out.''

Goodes might have felt he had done enough, but then another roadblock - aggressive midfielder Ed Lower decided against taking Fremantle's one-year deal.

Lower joined the Dogs as a free agent, and there was one fewer spot available for Goodes.

The Bulldogs had 50 players on their draft wishlist. If any one of them was still available at pick No.71, Goodes was back to the VFL.

"I remember ringing him from the Gold Coast on the night of the draft and talking him through the possible scenarios,'' says McCartney.

"He had a couple of names he wrote down and he knew if he heard them early and not late, he was still in the frame.''

CHAT LIVE WITH JON RALPH FROM 12.30PM WEDNESDAY AEDT

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Prudden was there at pick 50 and the Bulldogs pounced, Goodes breathed a sigh of relief back home on the couch in Melbourne, and weeks later - after the Herald Sun broke news of the impending coup - he was officially a Western Bulldog.

"We threw absolutely everything at him,'' McCartney says.

"Sometimes you feel like a hard bastard, because it's like coaching your son. Maybe you go harder on them, because you don't want to give them favours, but he has come through with flying colours.

"All the way through we kept him across the scenarios, including the financial situation, but he had followed this dream for so long.

"He wasn't going to give up.''

IS JACK WORTH MORE THAN COTCH?

THIS is how much former Richmond forward Nathan Brown rates new Richmond captain Trent Cotchin:

"When his career is finished, people will talk about him being one of the greats of all time,'' he tells the Buzz.

"That's how highly I regard him. Having been a player in the last 30 years, there is no better player than Cotchin. He is a freak. I have never seen him lose a one-on-one contest. He never goes to ground, he picks the ball up in contested situation and still puts distance on his opponent, and he is a great person.''

Former Carlton onballer Nick Stevens, who worked at Richmond in 2011, believes Cotchin can win multiple Brownlow Medals given his level of consistency.

That makes for maximum leverage when it comes to negotiating Cotchin's contract, as ESP founder and boss Craig Kelly is about to do.

Yet incoming footy boss Dan Richardson must also secure Jack Riewoldt, with talks on his new long-term deal imminent.

All of raises interesting questions that the Tigers must confront in coming months.

Who is the better player? Cotchin. Without question, as his second placing in the Brownlow Medal proves.

But which player would Richmond miss more if they went down in Round 1?

And how does that relate to the size of the contracts Richmond will reward them with?

It is easy to argue that Richmond would still be a finals contender even if Cotchin was sidelined this year.

Yes, it would leave a gaping hole in the midfield which all of Brett Deledio, Shane Tuck, Nathan Foley, Shaun Grigg, Shane Edwards, Chris Knights, Reece Conca, Brandon Ellis, Chris Newman and Co would try to fill.

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin has moved up Tredrea's list to the number three spot. Picture: Darrian Traynor. Source: Getty Images

But Riewoldt? He goes down, the Tigers are in freefall.

No forward line of Aaron Edwards, Tyrone Vickery and Luke McGuane (with Ben Griffiths thrown forward too) gets it done at AFL level, as hard as that quartet would try.

And that is why it is such a significant challenge for Richmond to recontract that pair, plus out-of-contract midfielder Dustin Martin.

Martin needs to show he can behave before he gets his deal, but you can guarantee he will fire this season given he is off contract and has the world watching his every off-field move.

Yet you get the feeling Riewoldt might explode too.

He has 215 goals, an All-Australian spot, an All-Australian nomination, and two Coleman Medals in the past three years despite playing the last two seasons with considerable injuries.

If all of Cotchin, Riewoldt and Martin play to expectations, Richmond makes the finals.

But the big forwards make the big bucks.

Richmond finally has the star-studded talent to push for finals, but it is also likely to have the wage bill to go with it.

Wouldn't that 9.8 per cent cost of living allowance some rival sides are handed come in handy now?

Jack Riewoldt makes a point at Richmond training. Source: Getty Images

WHY GAZ WON'T COME HOME

GARY Ablett has twice in recent months refused to discount the possibility of returning to Geelong at some stage.

It is a romantic notion which just won't die.

But those who know Ablett well just don't believe it will happen.

Ablett turns 29 in May, so would be 32 in his first year back at Geelong.

But there are two real reasons why he is at massive odds to return.

Firstly, the Gold Coast should by then be playing regular finals, and hopefully pushing into the premiership window.

But, just as importantly, almost all of the friends who now represent a lure for Ablett to play with again will be retired by 2016.

The likes of Steve Johnson, Corey Enright, James Kelly, Jimmy Bartel and more will have either moved on or be on their last legs as players.

That isn't to say that Geelong won't still be vying for a flag, but the pull of home won't be anywhere near as strong.

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett is a lock for your SuperCoach team. Picture: Getty Source: Herald Sun

Just on Ablett, get ready for another scintillating season for the reigning AFL MVP.

Gold Coast officials were in awe of his performance late last year as he navigated a complicated breakup with partner Lauren Phillips.

The details will remain private, but suffice to say they believe Ablett was clearly distracted and battling to come to grips with the end of that relationship.

Yet he went out and blew away the competition on a weekly basis.

Now both Ablett and Phillips have moved on. With a clear head and an improving side around him, a fifth MVP award is a real possibility.

PUT BOUTIQUE STADIUM IN BIN

The AFL says it wants a third boutique stadium for Melbourne, even if it costs $150 million to revamp Punt Road or Visy Park.

Yet on the same day it refuses to cover some of the costs of cricket's move to the Junction Oval, even though that figure could be as little as $3 million.

Take it as read - a third stadium in Melbourne just won't happen.

Even the AFL privately admits that despite the posturing that comes with negotiations over the sale of Etihad Stadium, a boutique stadium makes no economic sense.

Why would you spend $150 million on a rival stadium when you inherit Etihad Stadium for a dollar in 2015?

All it does is lose you money as the ground manager from 2025 on.

And it doesn't make sense when you can play some of those spare games at Simonds Stadium, with the team that relocates a game or two making $700K plus.

The clubs are toeing the party line, agreeing that it might be nice to inject huge amounts of money into Visy Park or Punt Rd.

Yet a key figure close to negotiations said described the likelihood of it happening as "1000 to one''.

The AFL wants Etihad Stadium now, and at the right price.

But this issue only rears its ugly head when the AFL is in full negotiation mode, then seems to evaporate when the league gets what it wants.

Geelong vs Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium. Adam Cooney clears out of the middle Picture: Michael Klein Source: HWT Image Library

COONEY IS BACK

Everyone wins if Adam Cooney returns to his form of old - the Bulldogs, the fans, and the player himself given he becomes a restricted free agent this year.

Cooney and the club have agreed to put off contract talks at least until the halfway mark of the season given his injury troubles.

At times it seemed he wouldn't even get to the end of his latest contract given his battles with a patella injury.

But Cooney's new off-season will hopefully give the 27-year-old longevity in the game, and the options that flow from that.

Does that mean he devotes himself as a one-club player? Hopefully.

Or maybe the club and player realise that given he might have just two more years in the game, they come to an agreement to trade him or take the compensation pick that would flow from moving as a free agent?

Don't totally discount that possibility.

It worked for Brian Lake because of his own determination to move on, and the Dogs have already shown themselves to be canny list managers not afraid of bold decisions.
 

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