Johnson weighs up LARS surgery

Sydney defender Alex Johnson will consider LARS surgery on his injured right knee. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

SYDNEY Swans premiership star Alex Johnson's season is not over with the key defender strongly considering the radical LARS surgery on his injured knee.

The 21-year-old tall spoke publicly for the first time last night, saying will head home to Melbourne today to discuss his surgery options with family.

If Johnson chooses the traditional anterior cruciate ligament replacement surgery he will not play again this season.

However, if  he takes the LARS option -- a procedure in which synthetic fibres are used rather than a muscle graft to reconstruct his torn ACL -- then Johnson could be back playing in 12 weeks.

Johnson went down in the first quarter of the Swans' NAB Cup pre-season win over the Gold Coast at Blacktown Sportspark on Saturday, rolling over his left knee when trying to push off it and change direction.

He said he was flattened when told by Swans chief medico doctor Nathan Gibbs he had completely torn the ACL in his left knee.

"It's obviously pretty flattening. I've had a pretty good pre-season and to come to two weeks out from round one and then do my ACL is really disappointing for me and I think the coaches are a bit disappointed as well,'' Johnson said.

"Disappointing allround I guess.

"It was just a real simple change of directions. I planted my left foot and my knee sort of splayed out a little bit. At the time I heard a snap so I knew I'd done something serious.

"I'd never had any problems with my knee so I wasn't sure what it was or how long it would hurt for. It hurt initially, but 30 seconds later it felt fine.

"A bit later in the rooms I thought I feel good. I'm a chance to play the second half here. The doctor took one look at it and said you've done your ACL.''

The 45-gamer has already sought out LARS poster boy Nick Malceski and former teammate Campbell Heath  now at Port Adelaide to hear about their own experiences with LARS.

With the Swans a strong chance of defending their 2012 premiership this season, the radical surgery option would allow him to get back on the field in as little as 12 weeks.

A traditional knee reconstruction in which the ruptured ACL would be replaced by a hamstring graft would kill-off Johnson's chances of playing again this season.

Malceski, who kicked the fairytale decisive goal in the Swans grand final triumph over Hawthorn, has had the operation twice on his right knee, first in 2008 and again in 2011.

Johnson will make a decision in the next seven days.

"Now I'm just weighing up the options,'' Johnson said. "It's been a pretty hectic few days since it happened, and I've given it a bit of thought, but I think just getting down to Melbourne, getting out of Sydney, getting out of the footy club, spending time with Mum and Dad and the family and friends will get my mind off it.

"It will give me a good chance to make the right decision for myself and the footy club.''

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Every AFL free agent

Jobe Watson will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

IT WAS only last October that Hawthorn played the compensation selection jackpot and came up empty.

In the space of days Clinton Young and Tom Murphy walked out under free agency and all Hawthorn had to show was a useless third-round draft pick (No.66).

"It is like we've been pick-pocketed and somebody has put an old $2 scratchy ticket back in our pocket," said football manager Mark Evans.

"I don't know if anyone could look you in the eye and say this is a just system."

Five months on and the picture isn't looking any rosier for 2012's beaten Grand Finalists.

Not only do the Hawks have their six best players out of contract in the next two seasons - five under free agency - there is no guarantee even a scratchy ticket would be available if those players left.

As the Herald Sun revealed last month, the rules for the second season of free agency are not yet set for this October's meat market.

Scroll down to see every free agent at your club this year

Some list managers want compensation watered down so the best pick in return would be the last selection of the first round - selection 27 in last year's national draft.

Free agency compo in the gun

Some want compensation abolished altogether, including the AFLPA which reasons that it is too messy.

Currie in a hurry for Round 1

The AFL's official list of free agents will come out later this month, but the Herald Sun today assembles its own unofficial list of restricted and unrestricted free agents.

Love your work, but where's Jack

It is worth noting that of the 10 free agents who departed last year, four were restricted (eight or nine years of service) and six unrestricted (10 or more years at one club).

Face facts, Ablett just too good

Yet no club matched a bid for a restricted free agent, with Hawthorn also conceding it would be almost no chance to match an outlandish offer for Lance Franklin this year.

If Hawthorn can secure the big four this year, next season Jarryd Roughead becomes a free agent with Cyril Rioli also out of contract.

Of Hawthorn's free agents this year, captain Luke Hodge and former captain Sam Mitchell are clearly staying put.

But neither of them will come cheap, which puts even more pressure on the negotiations with Lance Franklin and Jordan Lewis.

Hawthorn can offer Franklin a deal up above $900,000 a season, but will a contender emerge to try to prize Lewis away?

He offers the entire package: leadership, big-game performance, the ability to play inside and outside, and only turns 27 in April.

If Hawthorn can secure the big four this year, next season Jarryd Roughead becomes a free agent with Cyril Rioli also out of contract.

Rioli isn't a free agent by then, but consider the clamour to secure him.

Welcome to the brave new world of free agency.

No wonder president Andrew Newbold has hit out at the list allowances of Sydney and GWS in recent weeks: he has done the sums and will be aware of the magnitude of the challenge ahead.

Free agency - the year one experience

St Kilda
LOST: Brendon Goddard (restricted) to Essendon
COMPO: Pick 13

Adelaide
LOST: Chris Knights (unrestricted) to Richmond
COMPO: Nothing

West Coast
LOST: Quinten Lynch (unrestricted) to Collingwood
COMPO: Pick 62

Port Adelaide
LOST: Danyle Pearce (restricted) to Fremantle and Troy Chaplin (restricted) to Richmond
COMPO: Picks 30 and 31

Geelong
LOST: Shannon Byrnes (unrestricted) to Melbourne
COMPO: Nothing

Melbourne
LOST: Jared Rivers (unrestricted) to Geelong and Brent Moloney (restricted) to Brisbane Lions
COMPO: Pick 49

Hawthorn
LOST: Tom Murphy (unrestricted) to Gold Coast and Clinton Young (unrestricted) to Collingwood
COMPO: Pick 66

RISKY BUSINESS
Jon Ralph and Michael Warner assess the free-agency landscape at your club this year

ADELAIDE
Jason Porplyzia, 28, unrestricted
Brent Reilly, 29, unrestricted
Ben Rutten, 29, unrestricted
Nathan van Berlo, 26, unrestricted
Graham Johncock, 30, unrestricted

EXPOSURE: Keeps losing players - Phil Davis, Kurt Tippett and Nathan Bock - and can't afford to have another one depart. Skipper Van Berlo won't be leaving, but Victorian clubs close to a flag would love a wildcard like Johncock, Porplyzia or defender Reilly.

BRISBANE LIONS
Simon Black, 33, unrestricted
Jonathan Brown, 31, unrestricted
Joel Patfull, 28, unrestricted

EXPOSURE: Brisbane's exposure to free agency is limited given a young list with several loyal superstars _ Black and Brown aren't going anywhere. Daniel Merrett is locked away until 2016.

CARLTON
Eddie Betts, 26, restricted
Andrew Carrazzo, 29, restricted
Heath Scotland, 32, unrestricted

EXPOSURE: Betts is a star but seems happy. So is likely captain Carrazzo, with Scotland on one-year deals. The big challenge comes next year with Marc Murphy out. Last year the Blues tucked away Jarrad Waite and Andrew Walker. In a good spot.

Collingwood v Carlton. MCG. eddie betts and ben reid, Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD
Alan Didak, 30, unrestricted
Ben Johnson, 31, unrestricted
Nick Maxwell, 29, unrestricted
Dale Thomas, 25, restricted

EXPOSURE: Dids says he will retire after this year, while Dale Thomas is content to wait until mid-year. Like Travis Cloke before him, you figure he will play hard ball but has the intention of staying. Harry O'Brien is out next year.

ESSENDON
Dustin Fletcher, 38, unrestricted
David Hille, 31, unrestricted
Nathan Lovett-Murray, 30, unrestricted
Jobe Watson, 28, unrestricted
Jason Winderlich, 28, unrestricted

EXPOSURE: Not too many difficulties for Essendon apart from satisfying captain Watson. Potential free agents Brent Stanton and Paddy Ryder signed last year.

FREMANTLE
Michael Johnson, 28, restricted

EXPOSURE: Fremantle's issues will come next year, with a clutch of players out of contract including Aaron Sandilands, Matthew Pavlich, Paul Duffield, David Mundy and Luke McPharlin.

GEELONG
Paul Chapman, 31, unrestricted
Joel Corey, 31, unrestricted
Corey Enright, 31, unrestricted
Mathew Stokes, 28, unrestricted
Josh Hunt, 30, unrestricted

EXPOSURE: The Cats are masters at keeping their stars. Tom Hawkins signed for three years in 2010, with Andrew Mackie and Tom Lonergan also committing long-term last year. Jimmy Bartel is locked away until 2015, James Kelly until next year, and Steve Johnson also signed on again last year. Stokes is the only free agent who would attract rival interest and would likely be unrestricted given he wouldn't be in the top ten highest-paid players.

Paul Chapman says he is in a wonderful place injury-wise for the first time in four seasons. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN
Max Bailey, 26, unrestricted
Xavier Ellis, 25, unrestricted
Lance Franklin, 26, restricted
Luke Hodge, 28, unrestricted
Sam Mitchell, 30, unrestricted
Michael Osborne, 30, unrestricted
Jordan Lewis, 26, restricted

EXPOSURE: Danger signs for Hawthorn, which not only has its best player out of contract, but arguably four of its best six players as free agents. Hodge and Mitchell will stay, but Jordan Lewis is out too. Someone would offer him $700K plus to move given his leadership and grunt. Roughead is out next year, as is Cyril Rioli. Birchall and Sewell are out in 2015.

Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis is looking forward to Brian Lake bolstering the Hawk's backline. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE
Aaron Davey, 29, restricted
Colin Sylvia, 27, unrestricted

EXPOSURE: The Demons lost Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers last year, and while it was probably the right decision to let them go given the club's age profile, they just can't afford to let Sylvia go too. Nate Jones is signed until 2015, with Mark Jamar also committing last year.

NORTH MELBOURNE
Michael Firrito, 29, unrestricted
Brent Harvey, 34, unrestricted
Scott McMahon, 26, unrestricted
Drew Petrie, 30, unrestricted

EXPOSURE: Daniel Wells has recently committed to a new deal and Drew Petrie has spoken of his determination to sign again. Daniel Swallow has re-signed, with Leigh Adams out next year.

PORT ADELAIDE
Alipate Carlile, 30, restricted
Kane Cornes, 30, unrestricted

EXPOSURE: Not too many issues for the Power, who lost both Danyle Pearce and Troy Chaplin to free agency last year but traded in Angus Monfries. Dom Cassisi has signed until next year.

RICHMOND
Daniel Jackson, 26, unrestricted
Luke McGuane, 26, unrestricted
Chris Newman, unrestricted
Shane Tuck, 31, unrestricted
Matt White, 25, restricted

EXPOSURE: Richmond has contract concerns this year with Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt and Trent Cotchin all out, but the free agency picture is brighter. Newman is a one-club player and the rest wouldn't attract rival interest. Deledio signed for five years in 2012, with Nathan Foley signing for three seasons.

Richmond midfielder Dustin Martin had a difficult year on and off the field. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA
Jason Blake, 31, unrestricted
Lenny Hayes, 33, unrestricted
Justin Koschitzke, 30, unrestricted
Stephen Milne, 33, unrestricted
Nick Dal Santo, 29, unrestricted

EXPOSURE: The Saints cleared salary cap room when Goddard departed, so should have enough folding stuff to secure Dal Santo, who comes up after signing for three years in mid-2010. Skipper Nick Riewoldt last year signed a one-year extension, so comes out next year.

SYDNEY SWANS
Jude Bolton, 32, unrestricted

EXPOSURE: Not a care in world. Adam Goodes, Ryan O'Keefe and Josh Kennedy have just extended their deals, Jarrad McVeigh signed a three-year deal last year, and Ted Richards and Lewis Roberts Thomson signed for an extra season in December.

WEST COAST
Dean Cox, 31, unrestricted
Andrew Embley, 31, unrestricted
Darren Glass, 30, unrestricted
Mark LeCras, 26, restricted
Mark Nicoski, 29, unrestricted
Adam Selwood, 28, unrestricted
Beau Waters, 26, unrestricted

EXPOSURE: Plenty of big names out. Rivals would pay the world for LeCras but Cox, Embley and Glass are going nowhere. Sam Butler, Shannon Hurn and Daniel Kerr have another year.

Eagle Mark LeCras comes off for a break during the NAB Cup. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Adam Cooney, 27, restricted
Daniel Cross, 29, unrestricted
Daniel Giansiracusa, 31, unrestricted
Dale Morris, 30, restricted

EXPOSURE: No issues for the Dogs, who were smart in trading off Brian Lake a year short of free agency last year when well aware they would have got little compensation for him had he left. Cooney has 10 years service but given he signed a three-year deal after seven seasons, he is still a restricted free agent. Ryan Griffen signed a three-year deal at the start of last year.

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Hawks' loss is a game changer

Hawthorn defender Matthew Suckling will sit out the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Picture: Getty Source: Herald Sun

IF the Hawthorn team was made up of chess pieces, Matthew Suckling was the rook, the man who could go long or lateral with such penetration that defence was suddenly turned into attack.

His knee injury at the weekend was devastating for him, and equally devastating for the Hawks.

In the split second when Suckling moved fractionally left then right and then collapsed, Hawthorn's premiership chances took an almighty hit.

Already they are without Brendan Whitecross, a prolific midfielder who last year ranked second in scoring chains from the Hawks midfield.

In Suckling's case, when he started a scoring chain from defence, the Hawks scored from one in every four forays, the most of any regular defender in the competition. When Suckling intercepted the ball, the Hawks scored in every third foray, which was the most of any player from intercepts.

Remember, too, the 24-year-old shared kick-in duties with Brent Guerra.

Their horrendous luck started in the qualifying final against Collingwood when Whitecross tore his anterior cruciate ligament, then Clinton Young departed via free agency, and now Suckling.

Already the Hawks midfield is described in the AFL prospectus as their "weakest area", and that was before Suckling fell.

It is noted in the prospectus, Suckling ranked:

SECOND at the club for inside 50s/rebound 50s combined.

FIRST in rebound 50s.

TWENTY-THIRD in the AFL for metres gained.

THIRD for ball retention of the top 50 players in metres gained.

SECOND most goals at the Hawks outside 50m.

Commentator David King described the Suckling injury as "massive".

"They are going to lack genuine line-breakers and run through the middle of the ground and Suckling is exactly that," King said.

"He changes the angles of the game. We talked a lot about his kicking last year ... he's got mystery about what he's going to do with the ball."

King highlighted score involvements - the damage players, he called them.

"He was fifth behind Mitchell, Franklin, Breust, Roughead," he said. "He didn't have a great finals series from memory, but if you take out the finals series, he was ranked second on their score involvements in the home and away season behind Sam Mitchell. He will be a massive loss."

The challenge for coach Alastair Clarkson is to find replacements. Brad Hill has shown he can play the game, but not at the responsibility levels of Suckling.

Jed Anderson is also young, Xavier Ellis has stagnated, Shane Savage is a forward/mid who needs to improve, and the others are untried.

With seven players either 30-plus or turning 30 this year - Mitchell, Sewell, Burgoyne, Gibson, Guerra, Lake, Osborne - the Hawks enter the season with the third most experienced list.

And now they have lost Suckling.

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Martin happy to learn off Brown

Lions forward Stefan Martin is happy to have champion Jonathan Brown by his side. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

STEFAN Martin can still remember his first AFL game clearly the burning legs and bursting lungs.

It was round 14, 2008, when he was plucked from Sandringham in the VFL by Melbourne to play on Jonathan Brown at the MCG.

The Demons won a thriller by a point that day  but all Martin remembers is the shock, quickly followed by the pain of having to try to keep up with the Lions captain.

"I was on Browny for a bit. I was a defender at that point, and he just went on this long run, I was blown up in about 30 seconds and I was thinking, I really hope I can get a change here,'' he said.

"It was a pretty intimidating welcome to AFL footy, to be on Browny.''

These days the 198cm, 103kg key position player is thrilled to be standing alongside Brown in Brisbane's forward line.

He wil be a key figure for the Lions this season, and in Friday's NAB Cup Grand Final against Carlton, as he provides coach Michael Voss with the long-sought-after answer to the dilemma of who plays as the back-up ruckman and second forward.

Martin is a latecomer to footy, having spent his teenage years as a basketballer, and his first game of football did not come until he was 19 years old in the Melbourne Amateurs.

He demonstrated his physical attributes over five seasons and 57 games with the Demons, but he expects to take his game to a new level under the watchful eye of Brown.

"I'm so happy that he's such a great teacher as well,'' he said. "He can express the finer details of playing as a forward. Not only can he do it, he can tell us how to do it. That's going to be really valuable.''

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Love your work, but where's Jack

Richmond star Jack Riewoldt missed the cut in Mike Sheahan's Top 50 list. Source: Getty Images

Like many in our football-obsessed city I have long been an avid reader of your Top 50 AFL players, in fact dating back to 1990 when Stephen Kernahan pipped Jason Dunstall and Greg Williams for your inaugural No.1.

Sitting alongside you during your arduous compilation of the list has allowed me to realise just how diligent you are when rating the young men who make our weekends more enjoyable.

Naturally, given it is such a subjective exercise, there can never be a definitive list and the general consensus would suggest you do better than most could hope (otherwise, it wouldn't still be running).

SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE: CLICK HERE TO SEE MIKE'S FULL LIST PLUS EXCLUSIVE FOX FOOTY VIDEO AND RATE EVERY PLAYER

But as is always the case with a complimentary build-up there must come the obligatory whack, and mine is what in the heck did Jack Riewoldt do for you exclude him from your Top 50?

We are talking about the 2012 Coleman medallist, someone who was proficient enough at his craft to boot more goals than Travis Cloke, Buddy Franklin, Tom Hawkins, Matthew Pavlich and Taylor Walker.

Free agency compo in the gun

Yet that crew all rated not in your top 50 but in your top 20 players in the following order: Franklin (4th) Walker (9th) Cloke (12th) Hawkins (17th) and Pavlich (19th).

Every 2013 free agent listed

Maybe you based it on the fact the Riewoldt could only finish ninth in his club's best-and-fairest, yet that argument becomes void given Cloke had the same finish at Collingwood.

Currie in a hurry for Round 1

Or maybe you just don't rate the cousin of Nick that highly. And given your Top 50 is based on who you think will be the best 50 players in 2013, as distinct who were the best in 2012, then you clearly don't think Riewoldt is in for much of a season.

I beg to differ given his 2012 season, while far from his maximum output, was achieved on the back of a severely restricted pre-season because of injury.

This pre-season has seen him moving freely, even if he has developed a strange penchant for wanting to give the ball off when he is in position to score.

Or maybe, and I think this must be the real reason, you haven't been too impressed with "Jumping Jack's'' desire to become involved in ridiculous arguments with umpires in games that mean nothing.

No doubt the Richmond hierarchy has been in his ear to stop wasting his breath on no-win situations and to save it for repeat efforts.

But isn't everyone allowed a weakness? And wasn't it Matthew Richardson who was once criticised for the same before becoming the competition's most loved player?

Best wishes, Ando

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Free agency compo in the gun

Hawthorn midfielder Jordan Lewis was one of seven Hawthorn free agents up for grabs this year, but has just signed a long-term contract. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN would not be compensated for the loss of Lance "Buddy" Franklin under proposed changes to the AFL's free agency rules.

But the Hawks yesterday struck a blow against would-be raiders, signing star midfielder Jordan Lewis to a long-term deal.

Lewis was one of seven Hawthorn free agents up for grabs this year, but the Herald Sun can reveal he is now off limits.

The AFL last night confirmed it had asked clubs for submissions to a review of free agency, including the compensation model.

Some key figures believe compensation should be scrapped to simplify the system.

The AFL Players' Association said yesterday that compensating clubs with draft picks was not in the "spirit of free agency".

The players' union said clubs that lose a free agent were able to clear salary cap room, allowing them to pursue other free agents.

Leading player manager Marty Pask, who oversaw Brian Lake's move from the Western Bulldogs to Hawthorn last year, supports a compensation-free system.

Every 2013 free agent listed

Pask has argued clubs such as St Kilda, which received pick No.13 for Brendon Goddard last year, were reluctant to chase their own free agents because it would have diluted their compensation selection.

Love your work, but where's Jack

He said he believed the system stopped as many as 12 free agents from finding a new club last year.

The biggest free agents this year include Franklin, Jobe Watson, Dale Thomas, Colin Sylvia and Mark LeCras.

Currie in a hurry for Round 1

AFLPA general manager of player relations, Ian Prendergast, said yesterday: "Overall, the feedback we've received on how free agency operated in its first year has been very positive."

"But we did see some confusion around how the compensation model works," Prendergast said.

"This led to a number of clubs getting frustrated about not knowing their compensation position during the free-agency period or disgruntled about the pick they received for losing a free agent.

"In our view, it would be easier to scrap compensation all together. We also think this is more in line with the spirit of free agency.

"These players have provided great service to their clubs for over eight years.

"If they are within the top 10 paid players, the club has the opportunity to retain the player by matching the offer."

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said: "We have sent out provisional dates (for free agency) but if there is an overwhelming mood (from clubs) that can change.

"We have asked clubs for feedback across the whole process."
 

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Petrenko, Shaw eye of SANFL trials

Adelaide Crows forward Jared Petrenko will look to the SANFL to regain match fitness. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow

ADELAIDE defenders Jared Petrenko and Sam Shaw are expected to push their claims for round one selection by playing SANFL trial games this weekend.

The pair played their first game of the year in Friday night's NAB Cup win over Carlton and the Crows are set to seek AFL permission to have them play locally this weekend.

Fellow defender Andy Otten was the pick of the Crows who played SANFL last weekend and his performance for South Adelaide will keep pressure on Adelaide selectors.

"The bulk of guys who played did reasonably well and everyone got through okay,'' list manager David Noble said.

"The main thing will be what we do this week with the guys who need more game time.

"Those like (Jared) Petrenko and (Sam) Shaw, Friday night was their first game so they'll probably be two of them (who play SANFL).''

If Petrenko is sent to the SANFL he will play for the Eagles against the Panthers at Noarlunga on Saturday night while Shaw would have to find another club with Glenelg given the week off.

Noble said Adelaide's team for round one against Essendon was far from a "closed shop'' and those in the SANFL were still in the mix for selection.

The two casualties from Friday night's win over the Blues, Ian Callinan and Jason Porplyzia will have a low-key week at training.

Porplyzia was at training yesterday but did light duties only as he recovers from a stomach ulcer, while Callinan will have scans on his injured knee today but assistant coach Scott Camporeale said his mobility was fine.

Camporeale said the Crows' efforts on Friday was a glimpse of their best last season.

"Reviewing the game over the weekend, that was back to the level we were playing towards the end of last year no doubt about it so we were really pleased with the weekend,'' he said.

"They (players) will train hard this week, most of the guys who played SANFL on the weekend will play again and then we'll select a couple who will probably play, who haven't done a lot over the NAB Cup series.''

Camporeale said the development of young gun Brad Crouch added another element to Adelaide's midfield which could go with the best in the competition.

"With his speed and the way he kicks the footy, he's going to be important for us.

"If you saw last year, there weren't too many teams that got hold of us.

"We've got some real depth and still with (Rory) Sloane, (David) Mackay and Porplyzia to get through there I think it's a really good mix.''

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Currie in a hurry for Round 1

North Melbourne 'back-up' ruckman Daniel Currie is pushing for selection in Round 1. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

HE was drafted by North Melbourne as a backup for the backup.

But after peeling off yet another extraordinary set of statistics against Geelong on Saturday, North Melbourne's 201cm ruckman Daniel Currie has surely become a Round 1 lock.

Champion Data statistics show the former Sydney ruckman is being shaded only by West Coast's Dean Cox as the ruckman of the NAB Cup.

Ultimate SuperCoach Formguide

Currie boasted just five NAB Cup games as a Swan before a year at SANFL club North Adelaide, yet when Hamish McIntosh was traded to Geelong the Roos swept in.

They took him at pick 56 in the draft, ruining Adelaide's plans to use him as their own back-up after the departure of Kurt Tippett.

Free agency comp in the gun

Now after three consecutive eye-catching performances he has the statistics to match, pushing himself ahead of Todd Goldstein and Majak Daw.

Every 2013 free agent listed

Currie's 19 hitouts to advantage ranks second in the competition behind only six-time All-Australian Cox.

Of the players to average more than 20 ruck contests per game in the NAB Cup, Currie wins the hitout more often than any other ruckman at 67 per cent.

Love your work, but where's Jack

In AFL football, hitouts to advantage are the cream, allowing your midfielders to stream away from the contest or release another teammate into space.

He also has 21 disposals, 13 contested possessions and five clearances in his 175 minutes of football, clear vindication of Brad Scott's decision to play no. 1 ruckman Goldstein to the VFL last weekend.

Daw filled the highlights reel again against Geelong given his overhead marking, but Currie got the job done around the ground, albeit against former Olympic aspirant Mark Blicavs.

Scott is now having to placate three ruckman given the media interest the battle has created, but to have three legitimate contenders is a massive plus for the re-signed coach.

North Adelaide coach Josh Francou said yesterday Currie had a massive upside and was more than a beanpole who excelled in the centre square.

"He has been outstanding. He can go forward and kick goals and his strength is his ability to direct the ball off hands to his midfielders. I would love to be a midfielder roving to him,'' the former Port Adelaide star said.

"I don't know how close Adelaide was to picking him but I hear Collingwood were talking about him too. He is a 201cm athletic bloke who can run, can catch it and has a big leap, and that's hard to come  by.

"He came off Sydney list with a foot and achillles injury, and what he brought us was outstanding. He brought another level of professionalism to our group and on-field he was outstanding too. He has had to put on a bit of beef and he's put on five or six kilograms, and I am not surprised how well he's gone.''

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Sharks irrelevant, claims Bomber

Mark Thompson says the Cronulla situation has nothing to do with Essendon. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON assistant coach Mark Thompson has dismissed the drug scandal involving NRL club Cronulla as irrelevant to the situation involving the Bombers.

Both clubs are part of ongoing Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigations, and both have employed sport scientist Stephen Dank as a consultant during the past two seasons.

"We're not too worried really, it has nothing to do with us," Thompson said on Fox Sports.

"We have our own set of circumstances and an investigation going on. We don't know the facts that are going on at our club, so how the hell are we supposed to know what's going on up there?"

Cronulla last week stood down its coach and sacked four key staff members ahead of its round one win over Gold Coast on Sunday.

There is also doubt over the playing futures of up to 14 Sharks players who are yet to decide whether to accept six-month bans for allegedly taking banned stimulants - knowingly or not.

Thompson dismissed the suggestion Essendon would be distressed by the Sharks scenario.

"It's too easy to say (is Essendon concerned about it?)," Thompson said.

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