Crows confident they won't bomb out

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says the Crows are focused on the tough year ahead. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE is emerging from a ho-hum pre-season vowing its indifferent summer form is not a sign of a team still basking in last year's rise to an AFL pacesetter.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson says: "The hunger is still there.

"And we're ready ... we're hungry," added Sanderson who last season lifted Adelaide from 14th to second in the home-and-away series.

This promise will be put to the test in Friday night's AFL premiership season-opener at AAMI Stadium when the Crows are potentially walking into an ambush against an Essendon team determined to respond to its off-field, drug-based turmoil.

It will be the first warning to the Crows of how their now-prized scalp will be hunted this season.

But from captain Nathan van Berlo to Rising Star young defender Daniel Talia, the Crows players say they still have the hungry mentality of a team that wants to hunt glory in September.

"We've spoken about that in the pre-season - a lot of teams are going to come after us because we had a pretty good year with a top-four finish last year," said Talia.

"But we have to turn that back on ourselves - we have to say, we're still hungry; we achieved nothing last year, really. We did not make the grand final. We did not win the premiership as we wanted to.

"We want to go one better by making that grand final and winning it. And until we do we have done that, we should always be the team that is hungry.

"If people want to hunt us, we'll turn it back and hunt them."

Adelaide barely defended its pre-season NAB Cup title this summer while finishing the series with a 2-2 record filled with inconsistency. But Talia and van Berlo insist the scoreboard results fail to reflect Adelaide's planning for the premiership season.

"It has been a quiet pre-season ... but we have been focussed on what we are going to do (in the premiership season)," said Talia.

Van Berlo, who yesterday signed a three-year extension to his contract, adds the pre-season has delivered an
Adelaide team that is physically "stronger, fitter and faster" than last year.

Mentally the Crows are also primed to do better in Season 2013, van Berlo insists.

"We've trained harder this pre-season to have our bodies in better shape," said van Berlo. "But the attitude and hunger of the group is certainly there. We're burning to improve.

"While our performances (in the pre-season) have been criticised, we know we are very well prepared going into Round 1.

"We recognise the expectation (to be a top-four contender again) is there. That provides another challenge for the playing group. Last year we set out to try to re-establish the football club as a competitive unit, a team that other clubs would respect.

"We made some in-roads into that last year with the way we played our footy and the way we finished off our year.
But that is just one year. To be the club we want to become, we need to sustain that for years on end.

"The playing group is under no illusion that it is just going to happen for us - or that last year was a great year and we'll rest on hats on that. We need to knuckle down now and make sure this year and the years to come are consistent."

Adelaide on Thursday is expected to name just one debutant - teenage midfielder Brad Crouch who, by AFL rules, could not play last year despite being on the Crows list.

"He has shown in the pre-season that he is capable of handling the (AFL) level and intensity," said van Berlo.

"There has been a lot spoken about Brad; he is going to have some expectations to live up to, but he is a really hungry young guy who is going to keep working hard not just this year but years to come.

"We're nowhere near to having seen the best of Brad Crouch yet, but he has certainly has put his best foot forward in the pre-season. If he gets his chance on Friday night, he has deserved his spot."

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Draft luck risks splitting the game

For richer or poorer: For Jack Ziebell, the draft lottery has netted him just one finals appearance in four AFL seasons - a thumping loss to the West Coast Eagles last September. Source: Getty Images

IT'S footy's version of sliding doors.

North Melbourne's Jack Ziebell was drafted with pick No.9 in the 2008 national draft.

Two selections later, his TAC Cup teammate Steele Sidebottom became a Collingwood player.

And according to the AFL Players' Association, that's where their journey from the Murray Bushrangers veers in vastly different directions.

At 22, Sidebottom has played in 13 finals, three Grand Finals and a premiership.

Sidebottom's Magpies are rolling in money, spending a massive $21.2 million on their football department alone last season.

The Pies also raked in a $7.8 million profit and announced a $36 million upgrade of their Westpac Centre headquarters.

Goddard plays it tough with teammates

For Ziebell, the draft lottery has netted him just one finals appearance in four AFL seasons - a thumping loss to the West Coast Eagles last September.

What you missed on TV last night

North's football expenditure in 2012 was just $16.5 million - a difference of almost $5 million a year the Pies can spend on an army of coaches, recruiters, sports science staff, medical staff and player welfare.

AFL rich-poor gap divides ranks

During the course of a career, the cumulative advantage at a rich club compared to a smaller club could be $50 million.

It's a divide the AFLPA says is splitting the game's 850 players into haves and have-nots.

The league's equalisation paper reveals players drafted to the competition's four powerhouse clubs have won 31 per cent more matches than those at the four poorest clubs since 2005.

The clubs are not identified, but are not hard to guess.

Footy's big spenders include Collingwood, West Coast, Hawthorn, Carlton, Essendon, Adelaide and Fremantle.

The perennial strugglers are Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, Melbourne, Western Bulldogs and, until recently, Richmond.

"Over time, the larger four clubs have won overwhelmingly more games than the smaller four clubs, and the difference in games is growing," the AFL discussion paper says.

In the past four years the AFL-designated "big four" have reached the finals 10 times, compared to just three appearances for the small four.

The data reveals cashed-up clubs even score more heavily in matches.

AFLPA chief Matt Finnis said they are trends that have to be reversed.

And the elephant in the room is the restrictions of the salary cap and national draft agreed by players under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Finnis said AFL data shows these restrictions may have exhausted their usefulness.

"Players don't get to choose which club they are drafted to," Finnis said.

"If there are economic forces in the game which mean that not all players have an equal chance of optimising their careers, or winning a premiership, then you would expect the players would demand that those issues be addressed.

"Obviously fans will also lose interest pretty quickly if the competition becomes too uneven or predictable.

"Preserving the fairness of the competition is one of the main jobs of the AFL.

"That's why the clubs set up the AFL Commission in the first place - to make the long-term decisions, which will grow the game."

It's a dilemma for debate when clubs and league bosses meet tomorrow to discuss equalisation.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou yesterday acknowledged the imbalance needed to be addressed.

"I think everyone in the industry - not just the AFL, but lots of our clubs and even the richer clubs - are worried that the gap is getting greater," Demetriou said.

"That's why we are having the meeting (tomorrow). We'll be going into it with an open mind to hear some suggestions that might be put forward."

Demetriou said he did not have a personal view on a proposal to cap the amount richer clubs can spend on their football department, or a levy on seats at blockbuster home-and-away games.
 

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Butcher's playing hopes not fractured

Port Adelaide key forward John Butcher is still optimistic he can play for the Power in its season opening game against Sydney. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide is refusing to rule key forward John Butcher out of its premiership season opener against Melbourne.

While scans last night confirmed the injury-plagued Butcher has a greenstick fracture in the right wrist he hurt against premier Sydney on Saturday, the club insists he can play with the injury until it fully heals.

The Power has withdrawn Butcher from any SANFL trial match action this weekend.

But it claims the injury will not stop him from playing against the Demons if he is considered to have had enough match-hardening this pre-season.

Butcher broke a small bone in his wrist while attempting to spoil star Sydney onballer Josh Kennedy in a marking contest during the third quarter of Port's surprise five-goal win at AAMI Stadium.

The extent of the injury only surfaced after the game.

Power coaching director Alan Richardson said the talented but injury-prone Butcher, who has played only 12 games in three years because of a series of back, hip and soft tissue injuries, would wear a guard to protect his damaged wrist for at least the first month of the season.

"But it shouldn't stop him from playing," Richardson said. "The injury is unfortunate for 'Butch' but the break is on the minor scale and with a protective guard our doctors say it shouldn't affect his performance at all."

However playing Butcher in round one on such a restricted pre-season would be a massive risk - and one Port is unlikely to take.

Butcher only resumed full training a month ago after undergoing hip surgery after round 15 last year to repair a labral tear.

Saturday's match against the Swans was his first AFL hitout for the season and he was scratchy in his only SANFL trial for the Port Magpies the previous week.

He was injured in his first contest against Sydney and while he played out the third term he was in obvious discomfort.

The Power expects former captain Dom Cassisi (calf) and forward Brett Ebert (hamstring) to resume from injury in SANFL trial matches this week.

Exciting small forward Robbie Gray, who last weekend played a half with West Adelaide in his return from 11 months out with a knee reconstruction, is expected to up the ante on his recovery by playing three quarters in the SANFL this week.

Cassisi and Gray are likely to play in reserves trials with the Port Magpies because their SANFL club, the Bloods, do not have a game.

Port key defender Jackson Trengove has been buoyed by his side's 3-2 pre-season win-loss record and believes it has improved considerably since last year.

But he knows the proof will be in the home-and-away season pudding.

"We've got to be able to perform come round one ," Trengove said, noting the Power hasn't played in the finals since its record 119-point loss to Geelong in the 2007 decider.

"That's our main focus now, we've flicked off from the job we had to do in the NAB Cup, we've prepared really well and now we've got to take our (good) form into the (real) season.

"I think we've matured as a group and we're confident with what we've been able to achieve in the pre-season but now we've got to show we can win more games of footy."

Port - which opens its year against the Demons at the MCG on March 31 - will have a tough week on the track before its players are given the weekend off to freshen their bodies in preparation for round one.

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Roo names his top 50 AFL players

Gold Coast Suns skipper Gary Ablett is at the top of Mark Ricciuto's Top 50 list for 2013. Picture: Darren England. Source: News Limited

GOLD Coast superstar Gary Ablett will continue to dominate the competition.

He is the best player in the league and if his side improves this year he could push forward more and start kicking bags of goals.

Adelaide's Taylor Walker will be the best forward in the competition this season if he doesn't get injured or suspended.

Big, strong, super fit and an excellent kick, he wins games off his own boot and has plenty of improvement left in him.

Magpie Scott Pendlebury is all class.

He is deceptively tall at 191cm and moves better in close confines than anyone. And he is pretty to watch.

Lance "Buddy" Franklin is a freak and like Walker can change a game in a quarter.

The problem is his goalkicking and it will always be a concern as long as his kicking action remains the same.

Walker's Crows teammate Patrick Dangerfield is going from strength to strength.

He is tall, strong, super fast and kicks big goals. He can turn a game on its ear.

He will come under extra close attention this year, which always separates the men from the boys. Scott Thompson will benefit from this.

Jobe Watson had a career-best year in 2012, winning the Brownlow Medal and with a deeper midfield at Essendon this year that should continue.

He doesn't always have a tagger on him, which is a surprise, but is now starting to kick goals when he goes forward.

Magpie Dane Swan is a ball magnet and looks even fitter this year. He needs to push forward and hit the scoreboard more. But he could have a huge year.

Geelong's Joel Selwood is one of the hardest midfielders I have ever seen. He continues to play great footy and with some good kids around him that should continue this year.

Josh Kennedy is coming off a huge year at the Swans and there is no reason why he shouldn't continue to shine.
Adam Goodes rounds out my top 10 for his ability to lead and play well in big games. His size and strength are a nightmare for the opposition.

Trent Cotchin and Dayne Beams will improve, Chris Judd will feel lighter without the captaincy and Marc Murphy might feel more of the pressure at Carlton.

Docker Nat Fyfe will be a superstar who could win the Brownlow if his body can hold up, while Crow Sam Jacobs is the best genuine ruckmen in the competition.

Eddie Betts and Stephen Milne are the game's best goalkicking small forwards.

I can't find room for a Port Adelaide player again but Hamish Hartlett, Travis Boak and Robbie Gray have the potential if they have breakout years.

Gary Ablett
Taylor Walker
Scott Pendlebury
Lance Franklin
Patrick Dangerfield
Jobe Watson
Dane Swan
Joel Selwood
Josh Kennedy
Trent Cotchin
Dayne Beams
Nathan Fyfe
Scott Thompson
Tom Hawkins
Sam Mitchell
Sam Jacobs
Dean Cox
Matthew Pavlich
Brendon Goddard
Marc Murphy
Eddie Betts
Stephen Milne
Ted Richards
Corey Enright
Harry Taylor
Ryan O'Keefe
Jack Riewoldt
Josh Kennedy
Lewis Jetta
Cyril Rioli
Scott Selwood
Jimmy Bartel
Luke McPharlin
Kieren Jack
Dale Thomas
Andrew Swallow
Brad Sewell
Grant Birchall
Nick Riewoldt
Rory Sloane
Nic Naitanui
Steve Johnson
Brett Deledio
Bryce Gibbs
Beau Waters
Ryan Griffen
Sam Fisher
Sean Dempster
Lenny Hayes

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Goddard plays it tough with teammates

Gun recruit Brendon Goddard has high expectations of himself and his teammates since arriving at Bomberland. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON'S star recruit Brendon Goddard has wasted no time imparting brutally honest feedback to his teammates, and coach James Hird wouldn't have it any other way.

Hird revealed yesterday new leadership group member Goddard was quickly building a reputation for demanding more from teammates and himself.

Goddard's on-field sprays to teammates became a regular feature at St Kilda, but Hird said yesterday he had found the right balance in his five months at Essendon.

It came as Hird conceded Brownlow medallist Jobe Watson had struggled for motivation in his first month of the pre-season after his individual win.

But he says Watson is back on track, with Hird rating free agent acquisition Goddard the AFL's best player at times in recent years.

They will team up in the AFL's season opener against Adelaide on Friday night at AAMI Stadium.

Roos: Pies "getting sick" of Swan

"Brendon is an elite player. At times in his career he's been the best player in the competition, the impact he has on the game," Hird said.

AFL rich-poor gap divides ranks

"We expect him to play good football, but we don't expect him to be the best player every week. His leadership is outstanding. He is an outspoken person who speaks from the heart and he's got on well with his teammates.

Draft luck risks splitting the game

"He challenges his teammates and they have challenged him. When you mature as a group you trust each other to become more honest.

What you missed on TV last night

"You need to be totally honest, frank and care for people, but make sure we are all moving in the same direction with honest feedback, which this group has been good at this pre-season."

Brownlow Medallist Hird said he could give no advice to Watson about backing up from the medal, given he fractured the navicular bone in his foot and missed the following three years.

"Jobe is a professional. He has trained very hard. Coming out of a big year he lacked a bit of motivation in his first month but he soon regained that and is training at a high level. We have got no doubt he is ready for another big year."

The Bombers coach told Bomber TV the club needed to continue dramatically improving its defence if it was to challenge for higher honours.

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Dees bank on promising VFL form

Return: Captain Jack Trengove has not played in the pre-season because of a foot stress fracture. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE'S hopes of a Round 1 victory against Port Adelaide could rest on the VFL form of Mitch Clark and Jack Trengove after the pair applied to play for Casey on Saturday.

The injured pair are among as many as 10 Demons who hope to play for the Scorpions, with the AFL likely to give permission for Melbourne to give its players extra match practice.

They will be joined by father-son recruit Jack Viney, who has missed the past fortnight with a neck injury but is in line for a Round 1 debut.

Captain Trengove has not played in the pre-season because of a foot stress fracture, with Clark in a similar position after a foot lisfranc fracture.

Demons football manager Josh Mahoney said given the clash with Port was not until Sunday week, both were chances to prove their fitness. "They are progressing well," he said.

Rohan Bail's six-week absence from training with concussion ends this week, with the midfielder to meet specialists.

If scans and tests show his symptoms are gone, he will be allowed to return to training and build up for a return to football.

Mahoney said the Demons believed both Trengove and Clark could play Round 1.

"That has been their plan all along. They have built up their fitness in the last month and joined in full training and it's now time for them to play a game.

"They have both come back from significant injuries, but they are progressing well and they are ready to play games now, which is really positive. We are applying for Jack Viney to play also."

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Crows skipper whacks Tippett

Adelaide Crows skipper Nathan van Berlo, right, training with Richard Douglas. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE'S players are delivering their most-meaningful strike at turncoat forward Kurt Tippett by signing long-term deals at West Lakes.

Captain Nathan van Berlo has joined lead ruckman Sam Jacobs and key defender Daniel Talia in committing to the Crows until the end of 2016 to signal their belief in Adelaide's AFL premiership bid is worth more than money on offer elsewhere.

Significant in the unprecedented pre-season signings is West Australian van Berlo and, in particular, Melbourne-born Talia have ignored the go-home factor and the potential to auction themselves to big money clubs at home.

By contrast, Tippett last year not only passed over his critical part in Adelaide's premiership jigsaw, but overlooked his home base in Queensland to score a million-dollar deal with AFL premier Sydney.VAN Berlo yesterday did not miss the opportunity to point out the stark difference between Tippett and the loyal crew he commands at West Lakes.

"(Tippett's defection to Sydney) was a clear example to the playing group of the feelings that occur when you don't want to be part of the playing group," said van Berlo who has personally challenged Tippett on his exit from West Lakes last year.

"The Kurt Tippett case was not handled well from his point of view - and the players certainly acted accordingly. They felt they were let down in many ways.

"They've seen the way they should not do it if they choose to leave our system.

"But I don't think we will have that case to deal with again any time soon. The players we have all want to be here - and that is the important thing. We want players who want to play for the Adelaide Football Club.

"Sam Jacobs, Daniel Talia, (Victorian) Richard Douglas," added van Berlo of players who have recently re-committed to Adelaide, "are all saying they can see what exciting opportunities lie ahead for us as a football club. They want to be a part of it - it signals to me they believe in where we are going."

Van Berlo arrived at West Lakes as a second-round draftee in 2004. He will return to Perth as a one-club player and the first non-South Australian to lead the Crows.

"I love the club and I feel I owe them a lot for the opportunity they gave me as an 18-year-old," said van Berlo who signed his extension after a month of smooth negotiation.

"I feel indebted to the Adelaide Football Club and feel I owe it to them."

Despite the go-home factor and extra lure at Fremantle where his younger brother Jay is listed, van Berlo says he has never considered living in Adelaide a burden - as Tippett did.

"I certainly still miss home and when my football career is over I will head back to Perth to live with my family," said van Berlo, a 163-game player at Adelaide.

"But while growing up, if someone said to me to do my dream job I had to move interstate or overseas, I would jump at it. People sometimes forget to do your dream job you might have to re-locate and it might mean some tough times.

"Half our playing group is from interstate - and it helps if we all agree to hang around and make success count."

Transport Safety investigators arrive at the scene of the fatal Salisbury Spitfire crash, a suspected arson attack at Mitchell Park and van Berlo signs a three-year deal with the Crows

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Bulldogs to give Goodes a shot

Amazing transition: Brett Goodes was the Western Bulldogs' player welfare manager this time last year, playing with VFL affiliate Williamstown. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Brett Goodes shows promise in an early NAB Cup match. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE Cinderella story of Brett Goodes will take another step today when the brother of dual Brownlow medallist Adam is upgraded to the Western Bulldogs' senior list.

Five players are expected to be elevated from rookie to senior lists before today's 2.30pm deadline.

Collingwood has two spots available, while the Bulldogs, Brisbane Lions and Richmond can nominate one player to be upgraded for the season.

SuperCoaches awaiting the potential upgrade of Port Adelaide's Kane Mitchell or Geelong's Mark Blicavs need not fear - they are still in the running to be replacements for teammates on the long-term injury list, so they can be elevated at any time.

The 29-year-old Goodes was the Bulldogs' player welfare manager this time last year, playing with VFL affiliate Williamstown.

Club football manager James Fantasia said Goodes' addition to the senior list would be warmly received by his teammates.

"They'll all be thrilled if and when he gets his opportunity to play," Fantasia said.

"He's certainly done it the hard way in terms of career path. I think this a dream come true for him. I'm sure there would have been a time when he thought the AFL dream might have passed him by."

Fantasia said Goodes was no guarantee to play in Round 1 against the Lions on Saturday week.

"I wouldn't want to pre-empt that completely," he said. "But what it does do is it shows that the coaches have got a lot of confidence in what Brett's doing and what he has to offer."

Ricky Petterd and Sam Lonergan appear to be in a head-to-head battle for promotion to the Tigers' senior list, while Lions football manager Dean Warren said either Sam Michael or Justin Clarke would be upgraded.

Geelong talls Blicavs and Josh Walker, both in contention to play Hawthorn in Round 1, are likely to be promoted off the rookie list as long-term injury replacements for Dawson Simpson (back), Lincoln McCarthy (foot) and Josh Cowan (achilles).

At Port, mature-aged recruit Mitchell is in the box seat to win a short-term senior spot in place of the injured Nick Salter, but last year's revelation Darren Pfeiffer is also in the mix.

Veteran Ben Hudson will win his way on to a fourth senior list.

Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh confirmed the club would upgrade two players today.

"We've got some set thoughts on it, but we haven't told any of the players yet," Walsh said.

BELOW: The rookie situation at your club

SANFL football - Woodville-West Torrens Eagles vs West Adelaide match at Unleash Solar Oval. Rory Laird marks. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE
Rookies: Ben Dowdell, Kyle Hartigan, Tim Klaosen, Rory Laird (above), Timothy McIntyre, Dylan Orval, Jack Osborn

Adelaide has a fit and full list of 40 and won't elevate a rookie on Tuesday.

"At this stage, barring a serious injury we won't be elevating any of our current rookies until the mid-season rookie upgrade (Round 11). (Our rookies) have all had good pre-seasons and have shown positive signs, with running defender Rory Laird the standout. Kyle Hartigan, a key defender recruited from Werribee, has also impressed." - Crows List manager David Noble.

BRISBANE LIONS
Rookies: Callum Bartlett, Jordon Bourke, Justin Clarke, Nick Hayes, Sam Michael, Richard Newell, Stephen Wrigley

Brisbane has one spot available on its senior list and will upgrade a player today.

"Certainly a couple that are in the running are two guys who played the majority of our NAB Cup games and that's Justin Clarke and Sam Michael. Sam played a ruck/forward role and Justin played a key back role." - Lions football manager Dean Warren.

CARLTON
Rookies: Tom Bell, Jaryd Cachia, Andrew Collins, Ed Curnow, Frazer Dale, Rhys O'Keefe.

The Blues had two vacancies on their list, but they have now been filled.

"We have Ed Curnow as an upgraded rookie and Tom Bell has been elevated for Andrew McInnes, who has a long-term injury." - Blues football administration manager Shane O'Sullivan.

COLLINGWOOD
Rookies: Sam Dwyer, Jack Frost, Michael Hartley, Ben Hudson, Kyle Martin, Caolan Mooney, Adam Oxley, Ben Richmond, Peter Yagmoor

Collingwood has 38 players on its senior list and can elevate two players.

"All of our rookies are in the frame ... we will avail ourselves of that opportunity to nominate two players, we've got the space to do that and we've been given the all-clear by the AFL to do that from a salary cap point of view." - Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh.
ESSENDON
Rookies: Lauchlan Dalgleish, Cory Dell'Olio, Hal Hunter, Ariel Steinberg.

Essendon has a fit list of 40 players so won't be elevating a rookie today.

"Thankfully we don't have a long-term injured player at this point in time." - Bombers football operations manager Danny Corcoran.

FREMANTLE
Rookies: Alex Howson, Sam Menegola, Craig Moller, Haiden Schloithe, Matt Taberner.

The Dockers have a full list of 40 and no room to promote a rookie.

Geelong vs Adelaide at Skilled Stadium, Geelong. Mark Blicavs over Sam Jacobs Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG
Rookies: Ryan Bathie, Mark Blicavs (above), George Burbury, Cameron Eardley, Jackson Sheringham, Josh Walker

The Cats have 40 on their list, but have put midfielder Josh Cowan, forward Lincoln McCarthy and ruckman Dawson Simpson on their long-term injury list, meaning they can accommodate three rookie upgrades before Round 1.

"It's nice to have that option of having a few rookies who are in form and giving the coach some options. We've got guys putting their hands up to play." - Cats list manager Stephen Wells.

HAWTHORN
Rookies: Andrew Boseley, Jonathon Ceglar, Amos Frank, Will Langford, Derick Wanganeen

The club has a full list of 40 and won't be nominating a rookie today.

"The club has placed Brendan Whitecross onto the long-term injury list and with Matt Suckling and Alex Woodward rehabilitating from long-term knee injuries we haven't made any decisions about upgrading a rookie player, which we can do at any stage throughout the season." - Hawks recruiting and list manager Graham Wright.

GOLD COAST
Rookies: Andrew Boston, Josh Hall, Leigh Osborne

With 42 players on its list, and also with a need to trim that to 40 next year, Gold Coast is not in a position to elevate any rookies.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Rookies: Joseph Redfern, Zachary Williams

With only two rookies on its books and a full playing list, GWS has no wiggle room.
 

St Kilda v Melbourne. MCG. Beau Wilkes battles for the ball with James Magner Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE
Rookies: Mitch Clisby, Tom Couch, James Magner (above), Nathan Stark

"We haven't got a nominated rookie spot, so players are only elevated in the case of long-term injuries. We have Max Gawn on the long-term injury list but he's due to come off in the next few weeks. James Magner and Tom Couch, who have both played AFL, are both on our rookie list." - Demons football manager Josh Mahoney.

NORTH MELBOURNE
Rookies: Tim McGenniss, Cameron Richardson, Ben Speight, Eric Wallace, Max Warren

North Melbourne does not have an available spot to upgrade a rookie.

PORT ADELAIDE
Rookies: Danny Butcher, Justin Hoskin, Kane Mitchell, Darren Pfeiffer

Port Adelaide has a full list of 40, but has Nick Salter on the long-term injury list and so can elevate a replacement.

"Tomorrow's irrelevant for us ... we can name a replacement for Salter whenever we want. It won't be happening (today)." - Power football manager Peter Rohde.

RICHMOND
Rookies: Ricky Petterd, Sam Lonergan, Steven Verrier, Cadeyn Williams, Orren Stepheneson, Ben Darrou

Richmond hasn't decided which of its rookies to upgrade, given ex-Demon Petterd has been solid all pre-season and former Bomber Sam Lonergan was exceptional in the wet last weekend. Lonergan might have to bide his time but Petterd is more versatile.

- No comment provided by club.

ST KILDA
Rookies: Tom Curren, Jackson Ferguson, Darren Minchington, Cameron Shenton, Jordan Staley

No upgrade space available with a full list to choose from.
 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 03: Dane Rampe of the Sydney Swans runs with the ball during the round two AFL NAB Cup match between the St Kilda Saints and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on March 3, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Source: Herald Sun

SYDNEY
Rookies: Shane Biggs, Brandon Jack, Jake Lloyd, Sam Naismith, Dane Rampe (above), Xavier Richards, Daniel Robinson

The Swans have Alex Johnson and Gary Rohan on their long-term injury list. Rampe, a Sydney-raised defender who has trained previously with the Western Bulldogs, is likely to get promoted as a fill-in for Johnson, while midfielders Jack - the younger brother of Kieren - and Lloyd are expected to battle for the other spot.

- No comment provided by club.

WEST COAST
Rookies: Jamie Bennell, Jeremy McGovern, Callum Sinclair, Simon Tunbridge

Mark Nicoski (hamstring) has been put on the long-term injury list, creating space for a rookie promotion. Ruckman Callum Sinclair could be called upon to help cover injured big man Nic Naitanui.

"The coaching staff don't usually promote anyone unless they think they will be in the (squad of) 25." - Eagles spokesman.

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Rookies: Mark Austin, Brett Goodes, Alex Greenwood, Lin Jong, Jack Redpath

The club has 39 players on its senior list and will upgrade Brett Goodes today.

"It's a great result for him. He's worked really hard over the pre-season and I think it's starting to play dividends. I think even his pre-season form has been enough to suggest he'll be a worthy rookie nomination." - Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia.

COMPILED BY: Warwick Green, Jon Ralph, Jay Clark, Sam Edmund, Eliza Sewell, Matt Windley

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What you missed on TV last night

Fox Footy's On the Couch returned last night with Gerard Healy, Mike Sheehan and Paul Roos. Source: Supplied

DID you miss last night's AFL television shows? Rewind and catch up here on all of hot topics and big issues discussed.

AFL 360

* LAST weekend's NAB Cup final dominated the early part of the program and with good reason.

Host Gerald Whateley and Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson both agree there is nothing but upside for the Brisbane Lions after winning their first piece of silverware since the 2003 premiership.

Whateley said they would go into the season.

But Robbo believes the Lions need to reclaim the Gabba as a fortress.

However, Essendon senior assistant Mark Thompson later subtly questioned whether Whatetley and Robbo were overplaying Brisbane's win.

The Lions win the NAB Cup. Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source: Herald Sun

*As for Carlton, Robbo said the NAB Cup final just goo too hard for them.

"They were extremely disappointing and they need to toughen up, but they know that," Robinson said.

* And what of the Pies after being flogged by Geelong on Friday night?

Collingwood opposition analyst Rodney Eade was quick to heap praise on the Cats.

"They are a very, very, very good side," Eade said.

AFL rich-poor gap divides ranks

As for the Pies' performance, Eade played down the heavy loss - preferring to look at the club's pre-season as a whole.

While Thompson gave very little away in the lead up to the season-opener against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

* Gun Sydney midfielder Josh Kennedy was a guest on the show, declaring the reigning premiers could not wait for the "real stuff" to begin.

ON THE COUCH

* ON THE Couch started 2013 with a bang thanks to former Herald Sun chief football writer Mike Sheahan, who posed this provocative question to kick things off.

"Who is going worse at the moment: the Australian Labor Party, the Australian cricket team or the AFL?" he asked.

Sheahan came in with all guns blazing, labelling it the "worst and most bizarre start to a season since 1997."

Round 1 will be split over two weekends and we will see only two games this weekend - Adelaide hosting Essendon and Fremantle taking on West Coast.

There will be no games in Melbourne.

Draft luck risks splitting game

The footy journalism doyen said he couldn't understand the scheduling of Round 1 and Paul Roos agreed.

* The topic of rule changes was a big talking point following the NAB Cup.

Roos noted there have been so many rules changes in such a short amount of time and question why.

The amount of free kicks paid during the NAB Cup in situations where they would not have been last year and vice versa was noted.

"It is a vastly different game to what it was 30 years ago," Sheahan said.

Host Gerard Healy did not share the sentiment.

Rule changes were a hot topic last night. Source: Getty Images

* THE panel looked at the summer that has been, and there was a lot to discuss.

The Essendon drugs investigation was at the top of the list with Sheahan declaring the AFL brand had been dented in a way he had never seen before.

He is of the opinion heads will roll at Essendon and was staggered that off-site injections were happening and no one at the club, or involved with the club, blew the whistle on it.

* The Kurt Tippett saga was discussed with Roos believing the Queenslander was the one "hung from the rafters" while other got off lightly.

There was a lot of talk over the off-season about how Sydney were able to afford a big money recruit in Tippett just after winning a flag.

Goddard plays it tough with teammates

Healy piped up to declare Sydney had been "crucified" by others clubs in this regard.

Roos said the Tippett signing was a "good pick up" and dismissed any suggestion bringing in a player on big money would disrupt the club's famous culture.

"When I played, I never worried about what others were getting paid," Roos said.

Kurt Tippett at the Sydney Swans. Source: Getty Images

* Sheahan pulled no punches when it came to the Melbourne tanking saga.

He said it was "rubbish" to suggest Craig Connolly and former coach Dean Bailey acted alone.

The carrot was too big for Melbourne, he said, and they went for the prize.

* Roos believed the antics of Dane Swan and Dale Thomas threaten to derail Collingwood's premiership campaign, saying teammates would be "getting sick" of the Brownlow medallist.

 Roos: Pies "getting sick" of Swan

Swan's rocky relationship with Collingwood was further strained recently when he gave a paid interview to Channel Nine without the club's permission.

While Thomas, who is well known to be Swan's closest friend at the Magpies, then came out yesterday to declare he'll "never say never" about signing at another club, adding he has got to get "money in the pocket."

Roos said it was an issue for Collingwood and could hurt them in the way the Travis Cloke contract issue disrupted the club last year.

"I think Collingwood are extremely well placed to win a premiership this year," Roos said.

"But if you have players that don't want to conform to your team ethos...I would suggest there would be some players at the Collingwood Football Club that would be getting sick of Dane Swan."

Roos, who was pivotal in establishing in Sydney's famous culture, said Swan was the main aggravator at Collingwood.

But he also targeted Thomas, who he said should know better.

"They know they are playing for a big football club- everything they do and say is going to be analysed," Roos said.

"We saw it last year with Cloke.

"I was concerned with Thomas the comments he made."

To read the full story and see all of Roos' comments on Swan, click here.

Collingwood star Dane Swan. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

OPEN MIKE

* COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire was the first guest of the year on Open Mike with Mike Sheahan, where he talked about his journey from Broadmeadows to the the top of his field.

* McGuire spoke in depth about his fall out with former Magpie coach MicK Malthouse, describing the situation as "sad."

* Said he will drive Malthouse's formal recognition as a Magpie great "when the time is right" despite their relationship break down. Read the full story here.

* McGuire defended Dane Swan, despite his recent antics.

Said he "gets" Swan and knows where is coming from.

Although he admits to handing out tough love at times. Believes Swan has a "good heart" and wants him to become a poster boy for kids from Broadmeadows.

Mick Malthouse and Eddie McGuire after the 2011 grand final loss. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

FOOTY CLASSIFIED

* Garry Lyon said Carlton need Lance Franklin and should throw the cheque book at him at the season's end. Is of the opinion that the Blues will this year identify the lack of a A-grade key forward as the "chink in the armor."

* Caroline Wilson reiterated her belief Mick Malthouse is the coach under the most pressure this year. Craig Hutchison disagreed, saying he believed it was the opposite.

* Wilson declared any suggestion Essendon is out of the woods is completely wrong. Matthew Lloyd said it was hard to see how the Bombers will be able to maintain consistent for this year.

* North Melbourne coach Brad Scott was the guest and said he accepts club chairman James Brayshaw for who he is and what he brings to the board. Stressed, however, he is not Eddie McGuire.

* Scott said he had never heard of any player even contemplating taking performance-enhancing drugs in his playing career and would be "bitterley disappointed" if he heard of anything like that going on at the Kangaroos.

* Scott said he had no issue with anyone on the AFL Laws of the Game committee. Said it should be remembered that Kevin Bartlett is also a radio entertainer and therefore wears two hats.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

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