Hinkley declares Gray ready to go

Ken Hinkley says he is tempted to play small forward Robbie Gray because of his class but is mindful of not rushing him back. Picture: Michael Klein Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has declared Robbie Gray ready for an AFL return.

Gray, out since April 21 last year after undergoing a knee reconstruction, dominated a SANFL reserves trial with the Port Magpies on Thursday night to give Hinkley food for thought as he finalises his 22 for the round one Easter clash with Melbourne.

"Robbie's ready, there's no doubt that Robbie's absolutely ready to go at AFL level,'' Hinkley said.

"He had 24 or 25 possessions (against Glenelg) and kicked three goals but the main thing is that Robbie looks really confident.''

Gray, who suffered an horrific knee injury in the round four clash with Collingwood last year, played three quarters against the Bays after managing a half in his comeback match the previous week with West Adelaide.

Hinkley says he is tempted to play small forward Gray because of his class but is mindful of not rushing him back.

"For us it's about the timing for Robbie,'' he said.

"It (his return) will be very, very soon. Will it be possible for round one? That's something we will consider but we will be a little bit measured in our approach.''

Port is likely to err on the side of caution with Gray, particularly as most of its squad is up and running this pre-season and performed well in the NAB Cup and its final trial match against premier Sydney.

Several other Power players made successful returns from injury in SANFL trials.

Former captain Dom Cassisi (calf), forwards Brett Ebert (hamstring) and Cameron Hitchcock (foot), ruckman Brent Renouf (knee) and defender Tom Logan (patella tendonitis) came through unscathed after returning from off-season injuries.

However, none of them are likely to have done enough work to prompt Hinkley to pick them against the Dees.

"They all got through well and have pulled up fine but we'll play a really fit side,'' senior Port assistant coach Alan Richardson said

"Their names will certainly come into the conversation at match committee but we do have to consider just whether they have done enough work.''

Port refuses to rule key forward John Butcher out of contention for round one, despite a greenstick fracture in his right wrist sidelining him on the weekend.

But a lack of pre-season action is also likely to see him resume through the SANFL.

Hinkley described his playing list as being in great shape after a pre-season of being "pushed mentally and physically to new limits'' by fitness coach Darren Burgess.

"We've got a young squad which can mean some ups and downs but it doesn't mean you can't be successful,'' Hinkley said of the club's hopes for 2013.

"This club has been knocked around a bit and rightly so but for us to have a really positive NAB Cup was important purely for the confidence within the group.''

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Points have Bombers on edge

David Zaharakis (above), Paddy Ryder, Heath Hocking and Jake Carlisle will be automatically suspended if they get reported in the first half of the season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

IF Essendon didn't have enough troubles, a bunch of key players must tread carefully every time they cross the white line.

David Zaharakis, Paddy Ryder, Heath Hocking and Jake Carlisle will be automatically suspended if they get reported in the first half of the season.

The Bombers headed to Adelaide last week with demerit points hovering over eight players.

The club inherited 43 points with gun midfielder Brendon Goddard. The former Saint served a two-game suspension for striking North Melbourne's Sam Wright in Round 14 last year.

Hocking (97 points), Zaharakis (93), Carlisle (93) and Ryder (66) are most at risk.

Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich is also vulnerable with 93 points and he has a nervous wait today as the AFL match review panel considers a charging count for an incident with Eagle Will Schofield.

Five important Geelong players are under threat until well into the second half of the season.

New captain Joel Selwood carries 84 points, followed by James Kelly with 64, Paul Chapman on 60 and Steve Johnson with 54. Jimmy Bartel, with 43, is the first to get rid of his pesky points - after Round 15.

Midfield aces Chris Judd (50) and Dane Swan (60) can't afford another undisciplined slip-up or frustrated retaliation.

Premier Sydney is in good shape, with midfielder Adam Goodes and defender Ted Richards shedding their 80 and 70 millstones if they don't transgress in the opening four rounds.

The Brisbane Lions' promised resurgence could hinge on how well Simon Black, Daniel Rich and Daniel Merrett avoid attention for the wrong reasons.

Brian Lake (Hawthorn), Quinten Lynch (Collingwood) and Sharrod Wellingham (West Coast) brought only small points tallies to their new clubs. But Wellingham risks harsher treatment next time from the percentage loading for a poor record.

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sliding rule poses a new challenge

Chris Mayne says the new rule went against the "natural instinct" of footballers. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

UMPIRES and players face ongoing challenges with the new sliding rule.

That's the view of Fremantle forward Chris Mayne, who admitted the new rule went against the "natural instinct" of footballers.

"It is still very instinctive to lunge at the ball and dive at it," Mayne said.

"I think it will be like that all year."

On Friday night Adelaide captain Brent Reilly became the first victim of the new rule, and conceded a goal because of the change.

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

It's over to you, Tiges

Mark Robinson's hard-hitting column The Tackle is back. Picture: Michael Klein Source: HWT Image Library

ESSENDON coach James Hird said it as nicely as he could, that his team had lacked resilience in times of troubles.

In less flattering words, that his team had collapsed under pressure and expectation, that they were softish.

It's why Friday night's win over Adelaide was important on many fronts, all of it with a backdrop of syringes and drugs and inappropriate activities.

The fact was Essendon, after being three goals down and perhaps consumed by self-doubt, won on the back of intent.

Intent drove their defensive mindset and actions, and together with superb coaching, and individual standout games from Howlett, Watson, Hocking, Carlisle and Dempsey, the Bombers announced themselves as a team to consider worthy of serious consideration.

It's why Friday night will be a reference point for the Bombers as the season progresses and why Richmond should draw reference from Essendon's performance.

These two teams, with North Melbourne, St Kilda, Brisbane and Carlton, are peas in a pod. They sat mid-table last year and all need to improve if they are to play finals in 2013.

Intent is not the single most defining factor in either winning or losing, but without it, the odds of winning plummet.

After the ramshackle start against the Crows, the Bombers won the tackle count (73-47) and squared the contested ball after the 12th minute of the first quarter.

Patrick Dangerfield was set upon, the ruckmen kept jumping into Sam Jacobs, missed tackles were rare, numbers were at the contest, mids pushed back, forwards pushed up, the back half attacked wide and through the corridor - so much so that the Crows were dismantled at their own so-called fortress.

Like it or not, the Tigers have been soft in their Round 1 encounters against Carlton.

Since 2007, they have played six times, and Richmond has been smashed four times in contested footy and four times in the tackle count.

The year they won the contested ball and squared the tackle count was in 2008, when the Tigers won by 30 points, their only victory in the six outings.

Winning both these categories gives you a margin of success. In 2012, if you won in both areas you won 74 per cent of games.

It's not rocket science, but it is, and always is in football, a science of the mind.

The Tigers have plenty of positives.

Their ball movement is frighteningly quick - remember the Swans and Hawks wins in 2012? - they have midfield talent and depth, more options in the front half other than Jack Riewoldt and a defence now headed by Troy Chaplin.

But when you beat the grand finalists and then lose close games to Geelong, North Melbourne, Port Adelaide and, heavens above, Gold Coast in the same year, the obvious question is: are they mentally fragile?

The answer is yes.

Against Carlton in Round 1s, it is clearly yes.

The intent to show intent is evident, however.

They won close games in the pre-season, which also is a reference point, and even coach Damien Hardwick has announced it's time.

And just yesterday, new captain Trent Cotchin featured in an advert about the season ahead.

In a moving realisation of where his team is and where it wants to get to, Cotchin spoke of Sydney's summer of celebration, while 17 other teams had a summer of reflection.

"We have been waiting," he said, "for redemption to prove things to ourselves, each other, our families, fans and to our opposition."

They are wonderful words. But still only words.

Because, really, we're sick and tired of hearing how the Tigers are going to do it.

Thursday night can't come quick enough.

Every week Robbo will list his biggest likes and dislikes.

And you can have your say on what's making you angry and happy in the footy world - connect via Twitter by following @Robbo_heraldsun and using #thetackle hashtag.

Join Robbo from 11.30am today - and every Monday - for a live chat.

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Back pain torments Saints

Sam Fisher will need to train well to play the away game against the Suns on Saturday night. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA faces a defensive crisis that has turned its Round 1 clash with Gold Coast into a danger game, with Sam Fisher no guarantee to play.

The key defender pulled up sore after the club's last NAB Cup match and, while cleared of a stress fracture, doubts remain.

Fisher, who wore a moon boot as a precaution last week and withdrew from an AFL golf day on Thursday, has battled stress fractures in his career.

He will need to train well to play the away game against the Suns on Saturday night.

St Kilda football manager Greg Hutchison said Fisher had been cleared of serious foot concerns.

"He will train this week and be up for selection during the course of the week, so whatever happens happens," Hutchison said.

"He will train this week and be available for selection."

St Kilda has five of its seven key backs facing injury concerns, troubling for a club that tried and failed to recruit West Coast's Mitch Brown and then attempted to lure Collingwood's Chris Tarrant out of retirement.

All-Australian defender Sean Dempster is out with a hamstring injury, Rhys Stanley is lineball for Round 1 after hyper-extending his knee three weeks ago, and Tom Simpkin is returning after an interrupted pre-season.

Even rookie defensive tall Jackson Ferguson is on the injury list with a knee problem.

The club has few other injuries and will hope to paper over the cracks against the Gold Coast with James Gwilt and Jason Blake before reinforcements return.

Simpkin played in the VFL at the weekend and could be rushed into the side, while Stanley trained on Friday and will have to prove his fitness this week.

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dee-Day for Clark and Dawes

Chris Dawes has played 32 minutes in the shortened NAB Cup game before being substituted because of calf soreness. Picture: Derrick Den Hollander Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE faces tough decisions on million-dollar forwards Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes this week after they combined for just 100 minutes of football in the pre-season.

Coach Mark Neeld will have to decide whether to risk both against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Sunday.

Dawes, who signed a $500,000-a-year contract to move from Collingwood, played 32 minutes in the shortened NAB Cup game against North Melbourne before being substituted because of calf soreness.

He missed the rest of the NAB Cup with a hamstring problem.

While he trained strongly last week, Dawes will not have played for five weeks.

Clark has been steadily building after a foot fracture and played 3 1/2 quarters for Casey in the VFL on Saturday.

Co-captain Jack Trengove (foot) also returned in the VFL on Saturday.

Football manager Josh Mahoney said Neeld would weigh up all the information on the trio this week.

"It'd be hard to put a percentage (on it). Both of (Trengove and Clark) would be a chance," he said. "(Dawes) will train fully (this) week, and again we'll consider him if he's ready to go."

Highly rated midfield draftees Jack Viney and Jimmy Toumpas should make their debuts.

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Elevator, now going up

The development of the 198cm Mark Blicavs has stunned everyone at Simonds Stadium given he's played only a handful of games since under-14s Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE fairytale story of the summer will be confirmed tomorrow with Geelong set to upgrade former steeplechaser Mark Blicavs to its senior list.

Blicavs and fellow rookie Josh Walker will be thrown straight into the deep end to share the ruck duties against Hawthorn in the Easter Monday blockbuster.

With the Cats' four senior-listed ruckmen all injured, the inexperienced pair have been forced to carry the load throughout the pre-season.

The development of the 198cm Blicavs, who joined the Cats midway through last year after giving up his running career, has stunned everyone at Simonds Stadium given he's played only a handful of games since under-14s.

Geelong football manager Neil Balme said both youngsters had done enough to warrant playing in the Cats' season opener.

"We have got three spaces on the long-term injury list so it's easy to do and probably he (Blicavs) and Walker, we would more than likely elevate," Balme said. "The two boys have both gone through the NAB Cup and been quite competitive.

"We haven't made the decision, but it would be very unlikely that we wouldn't upgrade the two of them ... probably by Tuesday I would think."

The Cats had hoped premiership ruckman Trent West, who had minor knee surgery last month, could get up for the opening game after he trained with the main group last week.

But they're unlikely to take a punt on his fitness, instead opting for the X-factor that Blicavs brings with his running ability and vertical leap.

Hawthorn's biggest concern remains key defender Brian Lake.

Lake is back in training after suffering a calf injury during the NAB Cup but, with the Hawks having had a 16-day break between their final pre-season match and Round 1, there's a strong likelihood the key recruit will be forced to find match fitness outside the AFL.

Skipper Luke Hodge (knee) is in the same boat, but is training well after surgery and is likely to return to competitive footy next weekend regardless of the competition.

Josh Gibson, who copped two heavy knocks to his ribs during the club's final practice match against the Kangaroos, is expected to be fit to face the Cats' big forwards.
 

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

Blues, Tigers near full strength

CARLTON and Richmond meet on Thursday with both teams almost at full strength, as the Tigers try to snap a nine-match losing streak against the Blues.

David Astbury (foot), Dylan Grimes (hamstring) and Nathan Foley (achilles) are the only Tigers unavailable for selection.

Foley is expected to return in Round 5-7 and Grimes is already playing in the VFL, while Astbury is still several weeks away from recovering from a foot stress fracture.

The Tigers said yesterday that Dustin Martin, who pulled up sore last week, would play against the Blues.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse will have just Jarrad Waite (calf) out of his best line-up.

Richmond's nine-match losing streak includes four Round 1 contests and is the longest against Carlton since the Tigers lost their first 24 clashes to their arch rival from 1908 to 1917.

FREMANTLE captain Matthew Pavlich says he will be fit to take on the Western Bulldogs in Round 2 despite spending the night in hospital after splitting the webbing on his left hand.

Pavlich tweeted a photo of his bandaged hand yesterday, saying "No breaks and looks good for Round 2".

He must first survive a report for charging West Coast's Will Schofield.

The Dockers fear Aaron Sandilands will need surgery on his torn hamstring tendon and will miss much of the season.

WEST Coast has confirmed Mark LeCras will miss up to six weeks after breaking his arm in a collision with Docker Tendai Mzungu.

Eagles coach John Worsfold confirmed defender Will McKenzie had suffered a "low-grade hamstring" strain.

ADELAIDE defender Luke Brown has bone bruising but no fracture in his foot after being carried off on Friday. He is in doubt for the trip to Brisbane in a fortnight.

23.03 | 0 komentar | Read More

So just what is the Crows' Plan B?

Brenton Sanderson delivers instructions to the Crows during their clash with Essendon. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE'S match committee met on Thursday morning for a "what if" meeting to prepare for every possibility in the AFL season-opener against Essendon.

Coach Brenton Sanderson and his staff could not have forecast any of the disastrous script that did unfold at AAMI Stadium, regardless of inevitable reaction expected of a drugs-tainted Bombers crew itching to react to a summer of torrid anguish at Windy Hill.

But no-one could have possibly foreseen an Adelaide team in which the attack was one-dimensional and starved by a dysfunctional midfield that failed to protect a wobbly defence.

Sanderson and his men today have to deal with finding the "what next" answers.

The initial curse of the AFL draw that had Adelaide start on Friday night and then wait 15 days to play Brisbane at the Gabba is now a blessing.

The Crows will need all that time to deal with the questions posed not just by the Bombers but their own staggering failings.

Zone by zone there are concerns.

None is more pressing that sorting out the Adelaide midfield that has been rated by Geelong premiership captain Cameron Ling as the league's best - and the group to drive the Crows to this year's flag.

Adelaide's midfield was soundly beaten on Friday night.

It lost the critical centre clearances 9-18, all stoppages 33-44 and set up just 48 inside-50 entries.

"The numbers are ugly," says Sanderson.

"They just killed us in centre-bounce clearances.

"We had our A-grade boys in there and, unfortunately, they were beaten. Most of our midfielders will look at the review this week and say they got beaten head-to-head."

What next? At selection Sanderson can hope the impressive Brodie Smith is cleared by the medicos after suffering a broken collarbone in the NAB Cup openers six weeks ago.

But the real answers have to be found in how his A-grade midfielders do their work, particularly when all but Richard Douglas were either poor in their productivity or disposal efficiency.

Patrick Dangerfield, who was reduced to just 17 touches, has to overcome every great midfielder's pain - the tagger.

"Those boys are proud and are a really good midfield," said Sanderson.

"I'm sure they'll get an interesting review from their midfield coach (Scott Camporeale) this week and they'll bounce back really hard against Brisbane."

Adelaide's new-look attack was set up with small and mid-size players around key forward Taylor Walker, specifically to exploit the Essendon defence which has been the game's biggest leakers in the past decade.

It failed.

Although to have just 48 inside-50s to work from meant it would always be a tough night for the Adelaide forwards.

"They held us up pretty well," said Sanderson of how Essendon cracked Adelaide's habit of burning teams on counter-attacks.

"We couldn't get any run going. We normally attack through the middle of the ground, but they forced us wide and we kicked the ball out of bounds on the full too often."

What next? Adelaide could set up its attack with Josh Jenkins starting in a key forward tandem with Walker.

It could recall specialist small forward Ian Callinan, who missed Friday night as he recuperated from a knee ligament strain.

Adelaide's defence again conceded more than 100 points - as Essendon found 13 goalkickers - and looked static on the rebound. Crows defenders also made inexcusable errors, particularly on kick-ins that now have to be executed within six seconds.

"We play our best footy when we're dynamic and take the game on - it wasn't there," said Sanderson.

"Maybe we have to be a bit more daring at times; risk versus reward."

What next? Adelaide will have Richard Tambling clear of his back complaints and primed by three games with SANFL club Sturt. His run from half-back would be critical, provided his disposal behind centre is clean.

It seems there will be many meetings - and much demanding work - at West Lakes in the next fortnight.

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ablett once lost interest, quit footy

Gold Coast Suns skipper Gary Ablett once quit football. Now he wants to win a flag up north. Picture: Darren England. Source: News Limited

GARY Ablett lost interest in football as a teenager and hoped to launch a professional surfing or skating career.

The Gold Coast captain has revealed he quit footy for two years, partly because of the pressures of his name, and chose to follow the sporting interests of his mates before returning to join TAC Cup club Geelong Falcons.

"I stopped playing from the age of about 14 to 16,'' Ablett said in an interview to air on Fox Footy's Open Mike tonight (Monday).

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, video, stats and more

"Football was something I wasn't that interested in. There was a year there where I didn't play at all and the following year I played every second or third week.''

Ablett, 28, also confirmed reports that after the 2006 season senior Geelong players, led by Cameron Ling, sat the Brownlow medallist down and had a frank discussion about his lack of training intensity.

He admitted "it was hard to take'', but reflected on the moment as a turning point.

"When I first got to the club I just used to go through the motions a bit,'' he said.

"I didn't realise how hard you had to train to make it. I thought I was going to make it off the talent I had and I kind of went along like that for three or four years.''

The Cats' leaders told Ablett: "look mate, you're not training hard enough, you're not working hard enough, it's just not acceptable''.

One year later Ablett led the Cats to a drought-breaking flag, won his first of four Leigh Matthews Trophys and the first of four club best-and-fairests.

Ablett also:
 - ADMITTED he was homesick for his first year at the Gold Coast, but adamant he made the right decision to walk away from Geelong.
 -TRIED to talk brother Nathan Ablett out of quitting Geelong.
 -RATED his father as the best to ever play the game.
 -REVEALED he had enjoyed a laugh with Mark Thompson since their feud in 2010.

Ablett downplayed speculation he would seek a return to Geelong when his Suns contract expires at the end of 2015.

"It's hard to say because I don't know where I'll be,'' he said.

"I'm loving it at the Gold Coast at the moment and I really want to win a premiership up there.''
 

23.02 | 0 komentar | Read More