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Karmichael set to hunt AFL's best

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 19 Januari 2013 | 14.57

Ready to shine: Gold Coast Suns defender Karmichael Hunt at pre-season training. Picture: Tim Marsden. Source: The Courier-Mail

KARMICHAEL Hunt will be unleashed on the competition's best clearance players as he enters his third season in the AFL with the challenge to kill or be killed.

Suns coach Guy McKenna has a two-year plan to transform Hunt from a bodyguard to an elite ball-winning AFL midfielder that will begin with the 26-year-old assuming the mantle of chief tagger a tactic the Suns have only occasionally employed over their two season in the AFL.

It is a make or break season for the code-hopper who must discover a way to continue to earn a game in a midfield that includes superstar Gary Ablett and three of the brightest young players in the game Harley Bennell, David Swallow and Jaeger O'Meara.

Hunt's transition from NRL superstar to bona fide AFL player has been a success to date but in 2013 the bar has been lifted.

He has impressed with his ability to win clearances and the bullocking work he does around stoppages but his possession average of a little over 14 a game is no longer enough.

Hunt's biggest possession count was 22 against Fremantle in Rd 6 while twice, against the Kangaroos and Lions, he gathered 21 touches.

Until he can regularly deliver those numbers, he must start delivering some big name scalps.

In a tough opening month Hunt could take on Saint veteran Lenny Hayes, Sydney ball magnet Josh Kennedy and Brisbane's evergreen Brownlow medallist Simon Black.

Hold his own against that esteemed trio and by the time Rd 4 arrives, Port Adelaide might tag him.

"Playing on them and squeezing the life out of them and then learning to work off them, the good taggers end up doing that," McKenna said.

"Eventually, the best way to stop them is to beat them to the ball but that tends to happen over years.

"'It is the evolution."

While McKenna's plan is ultimately all about increasing Hunt's possession count, he will not be judged on his touches during the early days of the new role when his primary focus will be in negating.

"We will look at what his opponent does," he said. "Lenny Hayes averages 27 or 28 possessions and gets seven or eight clearances.

"If we can reduce that by a chunk and make sure the touches he gets are under extreme physical pressure and `K' is responsible we'll be thrilled."


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Power borrows from US playbook

Port Adelaide Power recruit Jack Hombsch is a possible replacement for departed Troy Chaplin. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide will take an NFL-style approach to protecting its goal this season, with new defensive coach Matthew Nicks' portfolio expanded to include opposition ball movement.

In a move away from the traditional model of a defence coach purely focusing on the performance of the back six, Nicks has been charged with directing what the entire team does when the opposition players have possession.

To achieve this Nicks has been given greater access to the forward and midfield groups over summer to ensure all are aware of their roles when Port is trying to get the ball back.

"It's about team defence ... we've gone really big on that this year," Nicks said.

"It's heading more that way into the mould of the NFL. What do we do when we have the football? And what are we doing when we don't have the football?

"The change in our coaching structure has helped in allowing us to work with our forwards and mids.

"It's been a fantastic eye-opener for the group."

We've lost a fair bit of experience ... but I think the guys we've brought in have really stepped up

Port's backline is headed for a transition year after the departures of Troy Chaplin, Danyle Pearce and Jacob Surjan. The trio had a combined 415 games of AFL experience and most of the Power's replacement options are pretty green.

Injury-plagued youngster Jasper Pittard is being given every opportunity to take over Pearce's rebounding role, with recruits Lewis Stevenson and Campbell Heath the competition.

Jack Hombsch is the front-runner to replace Chaplin and join Alipate Carlile and Jackson Trengove in a trio of talls.

"It's quite a different looking backline," Nicks said.

"We've lost a fair bit of experience ... but I think the guys we've brought in have really stepped up."

And the coaching staff have not yet decided whether Domenic Cassisi will spend more time in the midfield or defence this season, while the shutdown role filled chiefly by Tom Logan late last season appears up for grabs.

Nicks, who has replaced Brad Gotch, said new coach Ken Hinkley had stressed the importance of defence since his arrival.

"Ken definitely comes from that mould, in terms of defending being very important, and we've put a real focus on it this off season," Nicks said.

"The opportunity to take the back six was definitely a priority for me and I feel a lot more comfortable working with guys in that area than what I probably would up forward.

"That's purely because of where I come from - the Sydney background. We really valued it up there.

"Back from 2000 to 2005 we didn't have the talent a lot of sides did and we knew if we were going to win games we had to be able to defend."

The six teams that conceded the fewest number of points during the minor round went furthest in the finals, including premier Sydney, which had the stingiest backline.

Port conceded 97 points per game last year, a marked improvement on the previous season (121 points per game) but still well above the league average (92 points per game).

POWER'S AVERAGE SCORE AGAINST

2007: 92 points (ranked 10th)

2008: 100 points (11th)

2009: 102 points (13th)

2010: 97 points (11th)

2011: 121 points (16th)

2012: 97 points (14th)


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KB wants trainers' on-field time cut

Former Richmond champion Kevin Bartlett wants to see AFL trainers spend less time on the field. Picture: Derrick Den Hollander. Source: Herald Sun

KEVIN Bartlett has backed plans to slash the time AFL trainers can spend on the ground during games.

The AFL laws of the game committee and players are at odds over a plan to allow trainers to run drinks on to the field only after goals.

It is understood the league also wants to reduce the number of trainers per team from five to four.

The recommendation was made to help ease congestion on the field and limit instances of interference from water-carriers.

Some players contacted by the Herald Sun have labelled the push "crazy" and "dangerous" because of the risk of dehydration in hot conditions.

Bartlett, a member of the laws committee, said players would have adequate access to water under the new proposal.

The AFL legend said any resistance to the plan was "ridiculous", considering there was an average 26.6 goals scored a game last year, plus continual interchange rotations.

"That's 26 times a game at least where they can access water," Bartlett told the Herald Sun.

"If we look at that over four quarters, that's six times a quarter.

"I don't know whether anyone's going to dehydrate in between quarters, are they? If there was to be (up to) 50 interchanges a quarter as well, any player suggesting he could get dehydrated or collapse is being ridiculous."

AFL game analysis manager Joel Bowden presented the plan to the AFL Players Association in December.

For the second consecutive year, it was rejected.

The AFLPA said there were three key reasons for voting against the proposal.

Among their concerns was the potential for long periods between goals and the hot conditions experienced early and late in the season, especially in Perth and Queensland.

West Coast hosted North Melbourne in 28C in last year's elimination final.

"We do not see how this will contribute significantly to reducing congestion," the AFLPA said.

"There are ramifications from a health and safety/performance perspective due to the importance of hydration in our game."

The AFL has introduced rules such as the substitute system to help ease on-field congestion.


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Battle of the codes heats up out west

Western Sydney Wanderers marquee signing Shinji Ono is a big drawcard for fans. Picture: Gregg Porteous. Source: The Daily Telegraph

THIS derby will never be settled on the field but it is arguably the most intriguing battle Australian football will ever see.

It is the tale of two football codes - one is global football while the other is Australian-made.

Western Sydney Wanderers v Greater Western Sydney Giants, Australian Football League v Football Federation Australia.

This sports turf war is played out west of Sydney nearly 50km from Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Introducing the Wanderers, the A-League's newest club, to the people of western Sydney was a walk in the park. But selling the AFL's Giants - the Australian game's newest club - to the area is as hard as selling ice to an Eskimo.

The Wanderers were born last May, the Giants were founded in 2009.

GWS Giants' Chad Cornes kicks a goal and celebrates a win over former club Port Adelaide, one of the fledgling club's few victories last year. Picture: Mark Evans.

Both clubs have targeted greater western Sydney as their sports hubs.

The western Sydney area is Australia's third largest economy behind Sydney and Melbourne.

The area houses 2.02 million people, a population larger than SA.

By 2036 about 2.96 million will live there.

About 30 per cent of the people have migrated to the area from other countries, more than 70 languages are spoken and about 30 per cent of the people are currently under the age of 24.

Western Sydney has been a breeding ground for the most famous Socceroos since coach Rale Rasic led Australia to the 1974 FIFA World Cup in West Germany.

Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Mark Schwarzer, Mark Bosnich, Paul Okon, Zeljko Kalac, Steve Corica and current Wanderers coach Tony Popovic all grew up and learnt their football in western Sydney before making their mark abroad.

The AFL on the other hand has a 20-year plan to make western Sydney a production line for the Australian game.

There's no doubt the universal language for the growth area is football.

But which one are punters flocking to? Which football will survive?

Wanderers' executive chairman Lyall Gorman was born out west of Sydney in Bankstown where he played football and attended high school.

He helped grow Central Coast Mariners from an embryo in 2004 to a well-established community club armed with massive projects on the central coast of New South Wales.

He was promoted to head the A-League competition in 2010 before FFA put him in charge of an ambitious football project west of Sydney.

After the FFA made the announcement that a new western Sydney team will join the 2012-13 competition on May 26 last year, Gorman and his tight-knit small team had just 134 days before the new club made its A-League debut on October 6 against, ironically, the Mariners.

It was a 0-0 draw where 10,458 fans turned up at Parramatta Stadium.

The first block had been laid after the club's football foundations had been put down 133 years ago.

"Well, August 14, 1880 was the first game of football in western Sydney. It was played between two teams, the old Kings school and the club called the Wanderers, and its been the traditional heartland of football ever since," Gorman said.

"You know in this area immediate football association partners roughly have about 100,000 players within their ranks, they have major sporting schools.

"It's had a richer history since the 1970s with the national soccer league with Marconi, Sydney United, Parramatta and I've sort of taken the view we've been handed the baton.

"We stand on the shoulders of many pioneers before us who have put in a tremendous amount of work to imbed the cultures and traditions of football in this region.

"Time was never our friend. These people working here are spending, from day one, seven days a week. Our staff are remarkable for their contribution and passion.

"Every single one of our staff all fit that same vision and culture.

"We've also been blessed with long-term sponsors and coach Tony Popovic has been locked in for a four-year term.

"We're all joined at the hip and four years will make or break this club.

"Our decision making is easy because we've got clarity of vision and culture.

"It either fits or it doesn't and the next opportunity is to consolidate where we are and take it to new levels."

Giants' chief executive David Matthews believes football, Aussie Rules and rugby league can live in harmony out west of Sydney and the fledgling AFL club would continue to reap rewards by capturing the region in a long-term plan.

The Giants played their first AFL season last year and had no inkling the FFA was set to invade the western turf with Wanderers after the death of Queensland club Gold Coast United.

FFA needed a 10th team not only to balance the A-League's fixtures but because a new TV rights deal was looming.

If FFA took nine teams to the negotiation table it's highly unlikely Fox Sports and SBS would have thrown about $160 million towards a four-year TV agreement.

Matthews has been in charge of the Giants for the past 14 months after he was part of the AFL executive for 14 years.

His Giants contract was extended for a further three-year term last October.

Matthews knows the club was positioned in an area that wasn't all that familiar with the Australian game.

"The point the AFL has made about the investment in greater western Sydney is that it's a generational investment," Matthews said.

"It's a long-term strategy.

"The Sydney Swans have been in Sydney for 30 years and the AFL has been investing in the development from an infrastructure and a community point from about 10 years.

"The oldest Auskick graduate is now about 18 here so there's this generation of families that we're connecting and coming through.

"The Wanderers introduction we understand the size of the market is one for all sports with rugby league here as well.

"We've got the problems that everyone has got in Australia, and that's getting kids off the couch and a lot of the kids that are playing are playing multiple sports.

"We need to collaborate with soccer, league and rugby union and what sport they choose and want to attend depends on the quality of the experience."

But Gorman believes Wanderers will continue to set new standards for the area because of football tradition and the amount of new Australians arriving in the area already familiar with the world game.

"If you read the AFL they have a 20-year plan because what they don't have is a natural fit," Gorman said.

"It's a bit of a square peg in a round hole.

"They don't have the junior pipeline and a rich history whereas the western Sydney region has been crying put for its own national representation for a long, long time.

"We've been blessed with that and with seven wonderful football associations with whom we dedicate all of our energy trying to be the panacea of all the Sydney metropolitan area.

"We've held seven fans forums before the club was born and listened to them and what they wanted us to represent and the values and culture would be."


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Dawes, Byrnes join Demon leaders

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 18 Januari 2013 | 14.57

Former Magpie Chris Dawes joins Melbourne pre-season training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE recruits Chris Dawes and Shannon Byrnes have walked straight into the Demons' leadership group for 2013.

The Dees announced today they would have a nine-player leadership group this season, with youngsters Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove to continue as co-captains.

The other addition to last year's leadership team is 22-year-old midfielder Jordie McKenzie.

The full group is: Grimes (co-captain), Trengove (co-captain), Nathan Jones (vice-captain), Shannon Byrnes, Mitch Clark, Chris Dawes, James Frawley, Colin Garland and McKenzie.

Clint Bartram (retired) and ruckman Mark Jamar are the two members of the 2012 leadership group that are not part of this year's group.

Summer Barometer: Click here for Demons' training latest

Coach Mark Neeld said the changes reflected strong competition among the playing group for leadership positions.

Players were chosen based on input from coaches, players and senior staff assessing players on 10 leadership categories including character and competitiveness.

"Jordie McKenzie continues his great story, coming from the rookie list to where he is now. Jordie's work ethic, competiveness and attention to detail have earned him this position," Neeld said.

"We are also pleased at the impact of Shannon Byrnes and Chris Dawes since their arrival. Their leadership and experience was one of the reasons we pursued them during the free agency and trade periods.

"Both Jack Grimes and Jack Trengove experienced a challenging year in 2012, but in their first year as captains, we were very happy with their development and have full confidence that this will continue in 2013."

Neeld said Jamar was disappointed to miss out on this year's leadership group but "handled it like a professional".


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Boomer won't sit out NAB Cup

Brent Harvey is suspended until Round 7 of the home-and-away season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

SUSPENDED North Melbourne champion Brent Harvey is looking forward to the NAB Cup before a six-week stint on the sidelines.

Harvey, 34, was rubbed out for separate off-the-ball incidents in the Kangaroos' heavy elimination final loss to West Coast last year.

But the wily midfielder entering his 18th season is keen to make amends, in the NAB Cup and in the coaches box, when the Kangaroos begin their 2013 campaign.

"We're pretty keen to get in there and have a good crack, because the way we finished off the season last year, we still got so much to improve on," the 346-game veteran said.

"I reckon this is a really good launching pad to start improving what we really need to work on and put the new stuff that we've been doing at training into games.

"I'm very keen to play in games one and two, definitely.


"I'm not too sure about the last NAB Cup game, knowing (coach) Brad's (Scott) going to want to get his team right for Round 1 and I understand that.

"It will be good going into it knowing that I need to play a lot of game time, normally being older they sit you on the bench for the second half.

"I reckon this year he'll say, 'Off you go, play as long as you want, as long as you can'."

Click here to see the Roos' Summer Barometer

Harvey is set to help out as the assistant coach during his suspension.

"Obviously, it's not a great thing to be out for the first six weeks but I've got to turn that negative into a positive.

"I really enjoyed (mentoring the younger guys when I injured my elbow) so I'm hoping there's a little role there for me on match days.

Boxer Brad Pitt spars with North Melbourne AFL footballer Majak Daw during a training session at Princes Park. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun


"I might be an extra set of eyes on the stoppages or watching the small half forwards like Lindsay Thomas and Kieran Harper... as long as it's something I'll be happy to turn that negative into a positive."

Harvey said the early season form of Harper, rebounding defender Shaun Atley and young ruckman Majak Daw gave him confidence the Roos could improve again in 2013.

"(Harper's) got a great tank now, look at him 12 months ago and he's just getting around, look at him now and he's beating most guys in the time trial," Harvey said.

"I'd like to see him playing half-forward because he'll kick you 30 goals a year.

"Majak's a beast. He's so big and strong.

"He just needs an opportunity."
 


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Yarran puts faith in Mick's plan

Carlton defender Chris Yarran is happy with life under new coach Mick Malthouse. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON speedster Chris Yarran has lifted the lid on the Blues' recipe for success under new coach Mick Malthouse.

Yarran hinted a return of Malthouse's boundary at all costs game plan which led Collingwood to premiership glory in 2010.

"Mick is all about everything on the boundary line," Yarran told SEN radio this morning.

"We'll take his game style and hopefully it can take us to the finals."

Click here for Carlton's Summer Barometer

Yarran, grounded by toe injuries last year, revealed his plans of moving further up the ground adding to the Blues' engine room.

"I feel totally fitter this year than what I was last year... hopefully I can try and crack into that midfield next year and help Juddy (Chris Judd) and Simmo (Kade Simpson) out," Yarran said.


The rebounding defender said the Blues had endured a tough, but controlled, pre-season with Malthouse at the helm.

Picture gallery: Blues train in the bay

"Last year Ratts (Brett Ratten) was all about, I think personally, just whacking each other (at training) and guys were getting into little (injury) niggles here and there but Mick's come in now and (brought) really good attitude to look after each other at training but train hard - not tentative - but to get the most out of ourselves."


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Smart takes senior Crows post

Nigel Smart at Variety SA with chairwoman Nicola Haack. Picture: Mark Brake Source: The Advertiser

Nigel Smart with the 1998 premiership cup. Picture: Mark Brake Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE has appointed deputy chairman and former All-Australian full-back Nigel Smart as the club's new chief operating officer.

Club chairman Rob Chapman today said Smart would fill the key off-field position -- made vacant by former Channel 9 boss Mark Colson's move to Tasmania.

"Nigel Smart is highly accomplished and brings to our club an irresistible blend of achievement as a manager, businessman and footballer,'' Chapman said.

"Nigel knows business and he knows football. He has a record of success both inside and outside the Adelaide Football Club as a leader of people and builder of businesses. We chose him in an exacting national selection process from a first-class field of candidates.''

Smart's appointment fills an existing vacancy and is not related to the shuffle at the top following the suspension of CEO Steven Trigg for his involvement in the Kurt Tippett saga.

Chapman said Smart, who has been deputy chairman since 2009, would immediately step down from the Crows board.

Smart joins the Crows from children's charity Variety, where he was chief executive.

"I look forward to continuing to do all that I can to contribute to the success of our great club,'' Smart said.

"The Crows and its people -- players, staff and supporters -- have been at the centre of my life for the greater part of it. I'm excited and grateful for the opportunity to return here as a leader of a terrific group of people, many of whom I have grown up with and admire tremendously.''

Summer Barometer: Click here for Crows' training latest

Smart played 278 games for the Crows from 1991-2004 and was vice-captain in the premiership years of 1997 and 98 and again in 1999. He was an All-Australian in his first year of AFL and again in 1993 and 1998.

He served on the AFL Players Association's executive board throughout his playing career.

Smart's previous business posts during the past 20 years include national sales and marketing manager with the Jobs Statewide Group, national business development manager of Disability Works Australia, network development manager SA/NT for the Toyota Motor Corporation and sales and sponsorship manager SA/NT for Lion Nathan Australia.

He holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Adelaide's Graduate School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts from the Flinders University.


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Staker's knee faces biggest test

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 17 Januari 2013 | 14.57

Brent Staker cools off during a hot training session in Brisbane. Picture: Jono Searle Source: The Courier-Mail

BRENT Staker stands in the goal square at the Brisbane Lions' Coorparoo training base looking a million dollars.

His knee is heavily bandaged, but he looks as fit as always. Ridiculously fit in fact.

Then he leads at the footy and you hold your breath.

Staker's athleticism is undoubted and his value to a team that has been undersized over the past two years is undisputed, but his dodgy knee's ability to withstand the rigorous of AFL is uncertain.

The 29-year-old's dedication to his rehabilitation has been faultless.

If they handed out games on professionalism, he would be in the side in Round 1.

He has been able to convince himself he is ready to go through hard work over summer, but only when he has played games will others breathe more easily.


"People say there are mental scars, but I don't think there is too much to worry about," Staker said.

"Pre-Christmas there were a couple of marking contests where I was thinking about it, I was a bit nervous and maybe I didn't go in that hard, but it just isn't entering my head now."

Staker underwent two reconstructions and a bone graft on his right knee over a horror two year period that followed an impressive debut season for Brisbane in 2010.

Round 1 in 2011 was a game famous for the horrific facial injury to skipper Jonathan Brown, but it also started the nightmare stretch for former West Coast star Staker when he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

Staker chose to undergo the radical LARS procedure, which uses a synthetic ligament, and it appeared to have paid dividends when he was back in the side by Round 17.

But it wasn't long before Staker damaged his ACL once again and this time he opted for a conventional reconstruction this time around.

Again there was a setback, although this time it was immediate.

The surgeon found a hole in Staker's knee that had to be filled before the reconstruction could be completed.

That procedure set Staker back six more months, and killed off his chances of playing last year.

Now he is fit, but he must still force his way back into a side that has been bolstered by key position players Stefan Martin (Melbourne), Jordan Lisle (Hawthorn) and Billy Longer (2011 draft).

"I've got to earn that game," he said.

"It would be unfair to come in and be a walk-up start. You have to fit into the team structure you have to be able to get a kick.

"I feel my skills are pretty good for a bigger guy and I can run. I consider that to be a bit vital."
 


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Pies plug leaky defence

Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan get a little rough at a Collingwood training session at Gosh's Paddock. Picture: Nicole Garmston. Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD wants to stop the bleeding in the back half which undermined its premiership ambitions last season.

After revolutionising the game with its famed "press" tactics in 2010-11, the Pies pressure weakened last season, prompting a thorough review of the team's defensive operations over summer.

According to Champion Data, Collingwood was ranked No.1 for time the ball spent inside forward-50m in 2010 and 2011, but slid to 11th last year, when they were beaten by premier Sydney in the preliminary final.

While the early-season return of key backman Lachlan Keeffe from a knee reconstruction will help defend the back-50m, the Pies have also zeroed in on how they protect the ball up the ground.

Coach Nathan Buckley said yesterday the Pies wanted to put the brakes on the opposition's scoring in 2013.


"We had heavy scores against, especially against good opponents, which we've clearly identified in our review," Buckley said.

"We allowed too many scores per percentage of inside 50s and we allowed too many inside 50s, so it's definitely a focus of ours.

"We need to be able to slow the opposition ball movement down a bit better than we did in 2012.

"Good defensive sides are generally good transition sides - sides that can be aggressive on both sides of the ball.

"We are practicing that and we'll get a chance to practice that in real time in the NAB Cup and early in the season."

Nick Maxwell, who is critical to the defensive setup with the aerial support he provides teammates, is again set to lead the Pies this year.

Summer Barometer: Pies' training and injury latest

Buckley said although the leadership process was still incomplete, Maxwell had his vote.

"Personally, I've got no reason why Maxy wouldn't be (captain)," Buckley said.

Dale Thomas has removed the moon boot from his recovering ankle, but won't train with the main squad for another three weeks.

First-choice ruckman Darren Jolly is continuing an impressive pre-season but Buckley lauded the impact new tall recruits Ben Hudson and Quinten Lynch had had some arriving at Lexus Centre.

"Ben Hudson has been fantastic, he brings a bit of mongrel into the way that our big fellas go about it," he said.

"I think already that's starting to rub off on our younger talls and we're looking forward to that continuing."

Lynch lost his place in the Eagles' side last season but is set to play a key role in attack for the Pies, as a ruck-forward replacement for new Demon Chris Dawes.

Buckley said Lynch's work ethic had been so strong he needed to be "held back" over summer.

"He's been great, he's a work horse and he's everything we thought we were recruiting," Buckley said.

"You need to put a leash on him.

"If you said we've got 20 x 400m and we're only going to give you 15 seconds break in between, he would put his foot on the line and put his head down and get ready to run. There's no questions."


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Surgery for Port forward

Port Adelaide forward Cameron Hitchcock has suffered another injury setback. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide hopes small forward Cameron Hitchcock will recover from foot surgery in time to play in the NAB Cup.

Hitchcock will not be able to run for two weeks after surgery to fix plantar fasciitis - inflammation of the tissue on the bottom of his foot.

"He has had plantar fascia soreness in the last week," Port football manager Peter Rohde told the club website.

"He managed training on Monday but is still sore and we've planned to have him undergo surgery.

"He won't run for two weeks and will resume full training after about four.

"We think it's likely he'll be available for the opening week of the NAB Cup."

Hitchcock has had a cursed run with injuries since making his AFL debut in 2010, with shoulder and hamstring problems restricting him to two matches last season.


The news comes as Port defender Alipate Carlile is in the shape of his life as he readies himself to lead Port Adelaide's reshaped backline this season.

The key defender endured a rocky 2012 season, getting axed from the Power line-up for failing a skinfolds test mid-season and battling to find consistency on his return from the SANFL.

But the arrival of new coach Ken Hinkley at Alberton appears to have shocked the at times laconic backman into action, with Carlile reaching peak fitness this summer.

Summer Barometer: Port injury and training latest

Even a holiday to Fiji for his mother's 50th birthday failed to halt the 25-year-old's momentum, who was yesterday spotted tearing up the track in Port's training session at Alberton.

"Bobby Carlile has really stepped up this year," Port defensive coach Matthew Nicks said. "He's in the best nick I've seen since I arrived at the club. It's fantastic to see him working hard and getting results for it as well."

Nicks said the clean slate created by Hinkley's arrival was spurring on the playing group. "I think that's probably the best part about our group this year, there are no givens," Nicks said. "Everyone has to earn their spot and Bobby knows that."

The departures of Troy Chaplin, Danyle Pearce and Jacob Surjan mean Carlile is now the sixth-most experienced player on Port's list with 111 career games.

He faces a defining year alongside fellow defensive mainstay Jackson Trengove as they look to make the transition from emerging players to full-blown on-field leaders.

"Trying to get that consistency back in my game (is) one of my main goals," Carlile told his club's website.

"(I'm) wanting to help the back six settle and get as much improvement as we can next year and try to get some wins on the board."

Carlile credited Hinkley for instilling new discipline at Alberton.

Exciting forward Cam Hitchcock had surgery yesterday to relieve plantar fascia in his foot. The club expects he will resume running "in a few weeks" and should be available for the Power's NAB Cup campaign.


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Sport's 10 biggest chokes

Watch how a series of missed chances by the Melbourne Stars handed the Perth Scorchers a thrilling win, and a place in the Big Bash final

Sam Stosur during her Australian Open meltdown. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

SAM Stosur and the Melbourne Stars have joined an elite club of sports stars to suffer a mental meltdown on the biggest stage.

The Aussie world No.9 conceded "it probably was a bit of a choke" after she surrendered a 5-2 lead in the deciding set to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory against China's Jie Zheng yesterday.

That may have been a slight understatement after a flood of unforced errors condemning Stosur to another early exit.

But she isn't the first star to forget how to win when the spotlight is turned on them.

Scientists say what happens when athletes choke is pretty simple - they start thinking too much about what they normally do on instinct.

That creates mistakes, which ramp up the pressure, increasing anxiety and creating a deadly spiral. Shots Stosur makes a thousand times at practice without thinking suddenly become a huge mental challenge.

"You make an error and you tighten up. Unfortunately, it kept happening point after point. Crazy things pop into your head," Stosur said.

"You start not wanting to miss instead of making the winner."

If it makes you feel any better Sam, choking can happen to all of us - think of the time you're stuck in busy traffic and suddenly forget how to parallel park. But luckily for the rest of us, the world isn't watching.

Here are 10 other athletes who are remembered for the wrong reasons:

10. Melbourne Stars (2012-13 Big Bash League)

A score of 183 should have been enough to get the Stars into the BBL final but a combination of rain, great Perth Scorchers batting and a calamitous final over condemned them to a heartbreaking defeat at the WACA Ground last night. Chasing a revised total of 139 in 13 overs, Perth needed 10 from the final over, bowled by James Faulkner - standing in as captain for Shane Warne for some reason (we think it was something to do with over rates). Mike Hussey was dropped on the first ball of the over but still needed three from the final delivery when the Stars inexplicably conceded a no-ball - Faulkner stepped over the line but the ball would have been illegal anyway because there were too few fielders inside the circle. Hussey smashed the extra ball to the fence. Game over.

Melbourne Stars players Shane Warne, Luke Wright and Peter Handscomb react after what should have been the final ball against the Perth Scorchers is called a no-ball. Source: Getty Images


9. Port Adelaide (2003 AFL finals)

Port was minor premier in 2002 but failed to make the Grand Final, and 2003 was supposed to be about redemption. The Power finished the home-and-away season three games clear on top of the ladder, then imploded against Sydney at home in the first qualifying final. Port rebounded to defeat Essendon the next week but fell short of Collingwood in the preliminary final. They would have to wait 12 months to banish the "choker" tag with coach Mark Williams making a not-so subtle choking gesture with his tie in the final quarter of Port's win against the Brisbane Lions.

Port Adelaide coach Mark Williams proves that Port is no choker at the end of the 2004 AFL Grand Final. Picture: Fiona Hamilton Source: Herald Sun


8. Richmond (v Gold Coast 2012)

The Tigers made an art form of losing from winning positions last AFL season, but the clear lowlight came against the Suns in Cairns. The Tigers led the Suns - which had a 0-14 season record - by 10 points with less than a minute remaining, then came what Paul Roos called "the worst 47 seconds in footy". A simple dropped chest mark led to a Gold Coast goal and somehow the ball ended up with NRL convert Karmichael Hunt as the siren sounded. His shot never looked like missing.

7. Lolo Jones (2008 Olympics)

The pin-up girl of the American track team and hot favourite for the 100m hurtleds was just metres from fulfilling her destiny when she clipped the final hurdle and stumbled across the line in seventh place. Jones collapsed in tears as little-known Australian Sally McLellan claimed a surprise silver medal. Jones returned in 2012 and finished fourth in the final.

Aussie Sally McLellan (Sally Pearson) races to a silver medal in the 2008 Olympics while favourite Lolo Jones (left) crashes on the final hurdle. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun


6. Adam Scott (2012 British Open)

The Australian led by four shots going into the final day and despite a wobbly start, when he bogeyed two of the first three holes, Scott still held a four-shot lead with four holes to play. He finished with four straight bogies, including finding a fairway bunker and brushing the cup with his putt for par on the 18th, to hand victory to South African Ernie Els. 

Adam Scott missing a putt on the 18th green at Royal Lytham & St Annes golf club during the final round of the 2012 British Open Golf Championship. Source: AP


5. Socceroos (1997 World Cup qualifier)

The Aussies can blame serial pest Peter Hore for crumbling against Iran at the MCG. The Socceroos were on the verge of a first World Cup appearance in 24 years, leading 2-0 when Hore jumped the fence and damaged the net. The interruption snapped Australia's concentration and the Socceroos conceded two goals in three minutes to fall short on the away goals rule.

4. Bill Buckner (1986 World Series)

Buckner's name is synonymous with choking in US sports.

Boston was leading the heavily favoured New York Mets three games to two when game six of the series went into extra innings. The Sox took a two-run lead and all seemed lost for the Mets - players were in the locker-room preparing for post-season celebrations when a series of Sox mistakes allowed them to tie the game. Then Mookie Wilson hit a slow ball along the ground to Buckner and took off for first base. Buckner bungled the fielding attempt so badly the ball rolled through his legs and into right field, allowing Ray Knight to score the winning run.

The agony was compounded when the Mets came from behind to win game seven and the World Series - extending the curse of the Bambino to 68 years.

3. Greg Norman (1996 US Masters)

The Great White Shark was world No.1 for all of 1996, but became known for losing the unloseable. In his biggest meltdown he entered the final day with a commanding lead over Nick Faldo only to see shots spin back off the green and tee shots disappear into the water. Norman finished with a 78 - after shooting a 63 on the first day - to turn a six-shot lead into a five-stroke defeat to Englishman Nick Faldo.

2. Jean Van de Velde (1999 British Open)

The French golfer arrived at the 18th tee needing only a double-bogey to score an upset major win. What happened next almost defies belief. First Van de Velde drove his first shot into the rough. He could have played safe and knocked the ball out of trouble, but chose to shoot for the green and the ball rebounded off a grandstand into knee-high grass. Shot No.3 lobbed into the Barry Burn, a water hazard beside the 18th green.

As the world watched in disbelief, Van de Vende took off his shoes and socks and waded into the water, weighing up trying to hit out before opting to take a penalty instead - then hitting his next shot into a bunker. From there he remarkably blasted to within 2m of the hole and made the putt, but the triple-bogey seven put him into a three-way tie. Van de Velde completed one of sport's greatest meltdowns by losing the playoff to Paul Lawrie. 

1. Jana Navotna (1993 Wimbledon final)

Who won the women's singles at Wimbledon in 1998? Points for you if you guessed Jana Navotna. But everyone knows what happened to the Czech five years earlier, when she led Steffi Graf 6-7 6-1 4-1 and 40-30 only to double-fault and lose her nerve - and the next five games in little more than 10 minutes. After the match she collapsed sobbing into the arms of the Duchess of Kent.

The Duchess of Kent consoles Jana Navotna after she broke down in tears upon receiving the loser's trophy following the 1993 Wimbledon women's singles final. Source: Herald Sun


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Morabito hopes for LARS

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 16 Januari 2013 | 14.57

It could be more heartbreak for Fremantle midfielder Anthony Morabito after suffering a knee injury at the Dockers' first training session of 2013.

Anthony Morabito is considering his future after suffering a third serious knee injury. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: HWT Image Library

FREMANTLE midfielder Anthony Morabito will have LARS surgery in a bid to save his career after a third serious knee injury.

Sources close to the young Docker said he was considering his future and could give the game away after his devastating run of knee injuries.

But the Dockers said today Morabito would try the controversial procedure, which has allowed players including David Rodan and Nick Malceski to return to action within half a season.

"Anthony really just needed some time and space to weigh up his surgery options," Fremantle football manager Chris Bond said.

"After discussions with people close to him, the football club and medical experts, Anthony has decided that this surgery will give him the best chance to resume his playing career."

Morabito will fly to Sydney early next week for the procedure.


Last night a source close to Morabito said he was in two minds about attempting another comeback.

"He's changing his mind on a daily basis.

"After two years of rehab, he doesn't know if he wants to do another year of it.''

Summer Barometer: Dockers' injury and training latest

The No.4 draft pick has not played since his excellent debut season in 2010.

Morabito missed the 2011 season with a left knee reconstruction after a pre-season mishap, then re-injured the knee when he was preparing for a return to the field in mid-2012.

Last week he tore the graft on his repaired left anterior cruciate ligament in a training drill.
 


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Morabito opts for LARS surgery

Anthony Morabito (left) will have LARS surgery in an attempt to save his AFL career. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: HWT Image Library

FIRST: How The Sunday Times flagged LARS treatment for Anthony Morabito last weekend. Source: PerthNow

THE father of Anthony Morabito says the young Docker almost gave football away before deciding to undergo LARS surgery.

Fremantle today announced the No.4 draft pick will have surgery next week after tearing his ACL for a third time last week.

Morabito's father Vince said it was a difficult call for his 21-year-old son.

"That was one of decisions he needed to make - whether to give it away or give it another shot," Morabito Sr said.

"Because one of the hardest things for him is that he hasn't fulfilled his dream, so that's the other thing that is driving him as well.

"He was pretty close (to retirement), but he made the decision to play on, we didn't push him into it.

"I just told him whatever he wants to do, the decision was his. He had to be happy with it and not make a decision to please anyone.

"We're pleased everything has fallen into place and we'll support him to the full."

The 21-year-old last week reinjured the left knee he had twice had reconstructed in the past two years, suffering a tear in the graft of the ligament during an attempted tackle.

Having previously had two traditional reconstructions, Morabito and the club elected to use the LARS procedure, with the youngster to fly over east for surgery next week.

The Sunday Times last week revealed Morabito had spoken with LARS pioneers Nick Malceski and Luke Webster about the merits of the procedure.

Summer Barometer: Dockers' injury and training latest

The controversial procedure has allowed players including David Rodan and Nick Malceski to return to action within half a season, but Fremantle football operations manager Chris Bond said it was too early to plot a return date for the midfielder.

"Anthony really just needed some time and space to weigh up his surgery options," he said.

"After discussions with people close to him and the football club, Anthony has decided that this surgery will give him the best chance to resume his playing career.

"Obviously with LARS there's a shorter time frame with coming back, but we think he just needs to get back from the surgery and make sure that everything is OK first.

"We'll see how he recovers from that and then we'll have a better idea."

Morabito missed the 2011 season with a left knee reconstruction after a pre-season mishap, then re-injured the knee when he was preparing for a return to the field in mid-2012.

Last week he tore the graft on his repaired left anterior cruciate ligament in a training drill.


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AFL Barometer: Summer edition

Hawthorn midfielder Alex Woodward is set to miss most of this season after hurting his knee at training. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

EVERY TEAM: GET the latest news from the pre-season training track and medical room in our summer special.

AFL teams are back from their Christmas breaks and the countdown is on to Round 1 - that's just 66 days away (but who's counting?).

The clubs tell us everyone is having their best pre-season ever, but if you want to really know what's going on at your team it's all here - updated every day of the pre-season.

Get the inside word on which players are setting the pace, and who's lagging behind. Find out who's on a modified program - and what exactly is a modified program, anyway?

SuperFooty's 18 club Barometer pages are live now, including pre-season gold such as:

THE Olympic star helping Carlton players improve their endurance.

THE Tiger recovering from five pre-season surgeries.

THE Cat who ran a personal-best time-trial at age 31.

THE young Giant training "like a man possessed".

Click on your team flag at the top of the page to get up to date on:

- who's flying on the training track

- who's hurt and when they'll be back

- latest SuperCoach whispers

- training and travel diary

- summer picture galleries

Plus all the latest news from your club from SuperFooty's team of expert reporters around the nation.


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Jurrah charged with drink-driving

Liam Jurrah, the former Melbourne Demons star, has been charged with drink-driving. Source: Herald Sun

TROUBLED football star Liam Jurrah has been charged with drink driving after the P-plater allegedly blew a staggering 0.27 - more than five times the legal limit - when he arrived at a house where police were in attendance on Monday.

The former Melbourne star, who faces aggravated assault charges to be heard in March, reportedly arrived at a Para Hills address, in Adelaide's north, where police were dealing with another matter.

It is understood police suspected Jurrah, 24, was under the influence of alcohol. He was breath-tested and subsequently charged with drink-driving.

His licence was automatically disqualified.


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Martin needs "life skills"

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 15 Januari 2013 | 14.57

Dustin Martin after a pre-season running session. Picture: Stuart Walmsley Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND wild child Dustin Martin is still learning how to balance the off-field life of an AFL star with its on-field demands, former skipper Chris Newman says.

Newman says former Port Adelaide premiership coach Mark Williams, who has joined the Tigers in a development role, is helping the 21-year-old learn the "life skills" required to be an AFL footballer.

He did not deny suggestions senior coach Damien Hardwick had to pull Martin into line for his off-field behaviour over the Christmas break.

Asked directly about the reports, Newman said: "I think that with Dustin it's an ongoing thing and he's still trying to develop himself not only as a footballer but as a person.

"Off-field we've got a standard that we we set that everyone has to adhere to.

"Dustin's still trying to get that good balance between having a healthy lifestyle outside of football and also delivering on the field.

"We're lucky enough to have a really good development program here and that's where 'Choco' Williams has come in and really taken these young blokes under his wing.

"He knows what it takes to succeed and win premierships and that's why a lot of young guys are continually in his office, (he's) trying to give them the life skills that's required of an AFL footballer."

Summer Barometer: Tigers' training and injury latest

Martin was a revelation in his debut season but he followed it up with an inconsistent 2013 season that was interrupted by a two-match club suspension for sleeping in and missing training in July. The incident resulted in the sacking of teammate Daniel Connors.

In November Connors revealed the Tigers had banned Martin from socialising with him.

Newman said yesterday there were no issues with Martin on the track this pre-season.

"Dustin has completed every session, he's pretty fit, he ran a pretty good time in the time-trial last week," Newman said.

"He certainly entered the comp with a bang but remember he's still only young and still learning the craft."

And Newman backed the club's decision not to suspend or fine recruit Ricky Petterd, who left the MCG on Boxing Day after clashing with other fans.

"You've got to have a life. He was at the cricket and having a few beers and I really don't think there was much in that story," he said.

The former captain, who handed the reins to Trent Cotchin after four years in the job, said Petterd and the Tigers' other mature-age recruits, including Chris Knights, Sam Lonergan, Aaron Edwards and Orren Stephenson, were not simply recruited as insurance.

"That's a good position we're in, those guys are going to be fighting for spots to wear the Richmond jumper in Round 1."


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Knee will be Goodes to go

Sydney Swans captain Adam Goodes is on the comeback trail from a knee injury and is confident of being fit for Round 1. Picture: Brett Costello Source: The Daily Telegraph

SWANS captain Adam Goodes admits he is underdone after a pre-season dominated by rehabilitation on an injured knee, but remains confident of being ready for the season opener in March.

Goodes said he would do whatever it takes to be ready for the Round 1 clash with GWS at ANZ Stadium.

The dual Brownlow medallist, who turned 33 last week, partially tore the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Sydney's epic grand final win.

Goodes was unable to do any serious training until eight weeks after their premiership celebrations. He will not return to full training with teammates for another five weeks as he continues to ramp up his rehabilitation.

"No pain. No swelling. Nothing to worry about. Just got to get back to the fitness that everyone else is at," Goodes said.

"Every year offers different challenges. Coming back with a premiership medallion makes you feel pretty good about having a sore knee.


"I've been around footy for 15 years. You have to deal with a lot of different things throughout pre-season and you know what you have to do to get yourself right for Round 1.

"I know what I have to do to be ready before we play GWS. There's no worries about am I going to be fit enough.

"It's feeling good. I'm very comfortable. I'm looking forward to getting back to training with the rest of the crew in a couple of weeks."

Summer Barometer: Swans' injury and training latest

Goodes has spent the pre-season in the rehab group alongside defender Martin Mattner (hip), speedster Gary Rohan (leg), midfielder Nick Smith (knee), promising talent Tom Mitchell (knee), grand final hard luck story Ben McGlynn (hamstring) and full-back Ted Richards (ankle).

While his straight-line running has been promising, Goodes has been reduced to limited agility work and direction changing.

His average session has involved running for half an hour, an hour on the cross-trainer in the gym followed by a 1.5km swim.

Goodes will be among 20 big names at the Cadbury Super Team Family Day at Skoda Stadium on Australia Day. He will run a clinic and scratch match with his fellow AFL stars on the day, which is being held in western Sydney for the second year in a row after a Quakers Hill resident won a promotion to have the event hosted in their home town.
 


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Ban won't change Brown

Gold Coast veteran Campbell Brown tangles with Bulldog Liam Picken. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

GOLD Coast hard man Campbell Brown says he won't curb his aggression despite sitting out the first six rounds of 2013 through suspension.

Brown says he would be "useless" to the Suns if he tried to play differently.

The 29-year-old former Hawk was suspended for six weeks for a high bump on Adelaide youngster Aiden Riley in the final home-and-away round of 2012.

The original penalty of five weeks was bumped up to six because of Brown's bad tribunal record, but the AFL website reports he won't be changing his ways.

"I don't think it's something I can temper too much because I think if I do, I'll be useless out there, because it's one of my main attributes," Brown said after Suns training.

Summer Barometer: Suns' training and injury latest


"The coaches certainly haven't told me I've got to temper it. I've got to get the balance right because obviously I'm no good sitting on the sidelines.

"I've got to make sure that when I do [go to bump], I get it right, because when I don't, the ramification are quite high."

Brown is still eligible to play in the NAB Cup and expects to make two or three appearances to gain match fitness before embarking on a specially tailored training program to get him right for Round 7.


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Bennell skips court date

Harley Bennell was arrested on New Year's Eve. Picture: Brendan Radke Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

GOLD Coast midfielder Harley Bennell did not appear in court today to face charges over a New Year's Eve scuffle, leaving his lawyer to represent him.

Bennell has been charged with disorderly behaviour and failing to obey an order given by a police officer during celebrations in Western Australia.

The 20-year-old was one of several people arrested when fighting broke out in his home town of Mandurah, south of Perth.

Bennell chose not to appear in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on today but was represented by his lawyer, who asked that the matter be adjourned until April 2.

The West Australian was drafted by the Suns in 2010 with the second pick in the national draft.

He played every game of the 2012 season and finished runner-up in the club's best-and-fairest last year, second only to champion Gary Ablett.


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Jack spreads wings

Written By Unknown on Senin, 14 Januari 2013 | 14.57

Hawthorn forward Jack Gunston is keen on working further up the ground after cutting his teeth inside the arc. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

JACK Gunston's past two off-seasons have been memorable for entirely different reasons.Last year's was stressful.

His move from Adelaide was up in the air and by the time a trade to Hawthorn had been organised he had to rearrange his life for the move back to Melbourne before impressing on the training track.

This year he had fun.

He turned 21 in early October, a milestone that coincided with his first trip to the US and Mexico.

"It was for 2 1/2 weeks and it was my first time in the States. It was good to get away from everything," Gunston said.

"We went to Cancun in Mexico, soaked up a bit of sun, then pretty much explored New York, did all the touristy things, did a bit of shopping and then Los Angeles was a bit more sightseeing.

"I didn't get a chance (to see sporting events). I left before all the basketball started and I missed out by a day in New York to see the Jets in the NFL, so I was a bit flat about that. A few of the boys got to go but I didn't rock up until a day later so I was stiff. There's always next year, I suppose."


When Gunston returned home, he was one of the lucky punters who backed Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon.

"I don't know why more people didn't get on it," Gunston said.

"He ran well two starts before so I thought I'd have a flutter on it. And paying 20s in the end, it was good. I think the TAB would have done very well that day, but it was a good win for me."

The Beaumaris local speaks like a true racing man.

"I don't mind it," he said. "It's a good little hobby, nothing serious, but I like a flutter here and there.

"My old man owns a few horses and had a Melbourne Cup runner last year, Glass Harmonium. He's got a little bit of that with a few mates.

"It's a nice little interest for him. I love it, too. I sort of feel like I own it without paying the money, really. It's good."

Now Gunston has taken up skateboarding.

"I'm starting to get into it, just with my housemate. I've never done it before.

"A few of the boys got longboards and we thought we'd just join in the party and learn to skate ourselves and then maybe hit the streets of Southbank or St Kilda on a nice sunny day."

One thing he didn't do was keep abreast of the goings-on at his former club, Adelaide, regarding Kurt Tippett.

 "Being over here it's a bit hard to understand it fully," he said.

As controversial an off-season as it was for the Crows, it was quiet for Gunston, particularly compared with 2011.

"Even after the trade period I was trying to settle in to Melbourne and find a place to stay. I was only able to get away to Noosa for about a week and other than that I was just training.

"I had a few extra weeks off because Adelaide didn't make the finals and the Hawks made the prelim, but mentally it was pretty tough.

"This time it was good to be nice and settled."


THE break came after a time that would have been the toughest period in his career.

More specifically, the toughest few hours.

The Hawks had squandered numerous opportunities in September's Grand Final and could only watch as Sydney players held aloft a premiership cup so many pundits had all but guaranteed would be finding its way to Waverley Park.

Gunston was one player guilty of failing to hit the mark when it mattered.

Usually a dead-eye in front of goal, the forward lined up 15 or so metres out for what should have been a routine shot, albeit from a tight angle, for a player who had kicked 39.21 to that point in the season.

With five minutes to play a goal would have brought the Hawks to within a point of the Swans. Instead, Gunston's shot clipped the inside of the right post.

"I always pride myself on my goal kicking, but this one just swung late and hit the inside of the post, unfortunately," he said.

"There was still five minutes to go so we still had a chance to come through. Hopefully next time I can put it through the big sticks.

"You need everything going well on the big day and if you don't perform then you'll end up falling short like we did."

Gunston said he had not spoken to anyone at Hawthorn about his miss.

"A lot of people that day missed a fair few set shots, we kicked a lot of points. We had a lot of missed opportunities that pretty much started right from the first minute of the game."


WHEREAS last year an air of gloom seemed to have descended over Waverley Park in the months after the agonising preliminary final loss to Collingwood, this time around Gunston said the Hawks - players and coaches - had dusted themselves off quickly and switched focus to next season.

"You don't want to dwell on the past too much," he said. "If you take it in to next season it's just going to play on your mind constantly.

"It's just best to move on and just look forward to the season coming up and hopefully a situation where we've put ourselves in that position again."

Gunston especially is looking forward to his second season in the brown and gold, after his first exceeded even his own expectations.

"I've absolutely loved it here. It couldn't have worked out any better.

"I probably had a slow start to the year, just trying to work out the Hawthorn game plan and how they play their footy. It was good to starting kicking a few and get back in to the side midway through the year and I gradually built up that chemistry with the other forwards up there."

He said he had fitted in well with Lance "Buddy" Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and David Hale in the Hawthorn forward line.

"It definitely makes you feel better as a player.

"I've been picking their brains and learning from how they go about it. I think the thing about those guys is they're very unselfish so they're more than happy to bring you in to the game and get you some touches. I think as a tall forward group we combine really well."

And he admitted at times it was a bonus to be regarded as the least damaging forward in the set-up.

"That's the positive of having so many dangerous forwards ... sometimes you can get the third or fourth defender and sometimes we might get a mismatch as well. On certain times it worked out well and then there were other times where I think teams were on to us."


THIS summer Gunston will complete only his third full pre-season campaign.

 "I'm trying to put on a few kilos, which has started well," he said. "I still need to put on a couple more and then really work on my fitness base to be able to become that real running third tall.

"I need to be able to play tall and small as well. One day I'd like to be able to get out on to the wings or the midfield as well. I'll just keep working on that.

"My marking is something I'm always working on as well as my all-around skills, so hopefully there's still a lot of development to go, even though I'm only 21."

Gunston hopes to stay injury free. He wishes the same for his horse, but unfortunately that's not what's been happening. Hopefully, that's not a bad omen for him.

"It's always injured. It's called Tower of Lonhro. We're just sort of waiting for it to get it's hammies right.

"I'll stick with that one and won't really expand for a few years."


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Cotch plays the man

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin is keen on building player relationships at Punt Road. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND skipper Trent Cotchin says he wants to focus on building player relationships under his captaincy at the Tigers.

In his first pre-season as captain since taking the reins from Chris Newman, 22-year-old Cotchin said strong off-field relationships would help deliver results.

"The most important thing in my eyes from a leader's perspective is the way that they train and play and get everything done," Cotchin said. "But I'm also massive on relationships.

"You don't have to be best mates with everyone ... but you have to have something to do with them so you can show a general interest in their life.

"If you can have that relationship going into games and so forth it makes it a lot easier to give someone some constructive feedback - whether it's positive or negative."


Cotchin said the support of the leadership group and Newman had helped him settle into the role.

"I'm quite lucky. You look back to when Newy took over, while there were some senior guys there, the core group really weren't a strong body and didn't have too much to say," he said.

"I've got the backing of not only our leadership group, but the core group are also having opinions on what we're doing in training, what our game plan is looking like.

"It just makes it easier and takes a bit of weight off my shoulders and lets me focus on what I can do and how I can help the team. Everyone else is picking up the slack around me."

Cotchin said the Tigers had shown encouraging training form so far this summer, but he expected a return to the redeveloped Punt Rd Oval to give the group a boost for the final leg of the pre-season.

The players will have their first session on the surface today after six months of work on the ground.

The Tigers had to train at venues around Melbourne including Victoria Park, Craigieburn and Monash University during the $1.9 million redevelopment, which the club's Fighting Tiger Fund helped finance.

The Punt Rd ground has been reconfigured into an Etihad Stadium-sized oval without cricket wickets.

"It will be great to be back at our home ground," Cotchin said. "It's probably come at the perfect time. It is something fresh for us to get us up and about for the last part of the pre-season and then games start in about a month's time.

"We are all just looking forward to firstly getting out here and making use of what our club and our fans have given us the opportunity to do and into the real stuff.

"To have that little bit more area and covering that much more ground is only going to make it that much more beneficial for us going into games."


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Sorry Lake needs to win respect

Former Bulldog Brian Lake says he needs to win the respect of the Hawks. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Lake with his wife, Shannon. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis, Source: Herald Sun

Hawthorn footballer Brian Lake (right) at training today after he was booked by police for being drunk in a public place over the weekend. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

UPDATE: BRIAN Lake says he wants to get the respect of the Hawthorn playing group back after a drunken night out led to a $563 fine and four hours in the police slammer.

Speaking today, the star recruit said he was embarrassed and apologetic for the incident following the Portsea Polo on Saturday night.

But the 30-year-old has escaped a fine or club-imposed suspension.

"I've worked my butt off to get my body right. To have too many drinks on the weekend, I've taken a step back," Lake said today.

"From here I want to move on and gain respect. It was a very embarrassing incident.

"I'm here to apologise to everyone involved at the football club, my family and the fans."

Head of coaching and development Chris Fagan said Lake had no more chances if he mucked up again.

"We are very disappointed about what happened. We expect this will be a once off."

When asked if Lake could afford the incident to only be a one off he replied: ``Absolutely, there is no doubt about that.''

The Hawthorn leadership today put the onus on Lake to come up with ways to help victims of the Tasmania bushfires as a sanction.

Lake and his wife Shannon were locked up by police after a drunken verbal stoush in Sorrento.

The two-time All Australian AFL player and wife Shannon were each slapped with a $563 penalty notice for being drunk in a public place.

The couple were placed in a police divvy van and spent four hours in the cells before being released.

Young Hawk fears second knee reco

The pair, who married in 2010, were at the official Portsea Polo after-party at Morgans in Sorrento when they started to argue outside the venue about 10pm on Saturday.

But witnesses said tensions boiled over when others attempted to intervene and then police stepped in.

The onlookers said the altercation was not physical but the couple's argument escalated when others became involved.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson announces Brian Lake has been traded to Hawthorn from the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun


In a statement last night, Hawthorn said: "The club considers Lake's conduct to be unprofessional and he will be required to address the leadership group."

The weekend incident caps off a turbulent off-season for the AFL.

A group of Melbourne players was involved in an ugly spat with fans during the Boxing Day Test.

A decision into the Melbourne tanking allegations is due this month and Adelaide was hit with massive fines over salary cap breaches and draft tampering that lead to its former star Kurt Tippett being banned from playing for his new club, Sydney, until Round 12.

Hawthorn's leadership team, which includes Lance "Buddy" Franklin, Jarryd Roughead, Josh Gibson and Luke Hodge, will determine whether sanctions will be placed on Lake, who is yet to play a game for the Hawks.

Lake, 30, crossed to Hawthorn from the Western Bulldogs in a surprise trade deal.

Lake and his wife were among many socialites at the Portsea Polo.

Lake played 197 matches with the Bulldogs.

His manager Marty Pask did not return calls yesterday. Victoria Police said the couple would not face any further action.


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Cats mourn Flanagan's death

Geelong great Fred Flanagan has died. Picture: Zoe Harrison Source: HWT Image Library

GEELONG is mourning the death of two-time premeirship captain Fred Flanagan.

The 88-year-old died this morning and was regarded as one of the Cats' greatest ever players.

Flanagan was a member of Geelong's team of the century and led the club to back-to-back flags in 1951-2.

He was runner-up in the 1950 Brownlow Medal and finished with 163 games and 21 matches for Victoria.

"Fred was a great man and a great Geelong man," Geelong chief executive Brian Cook said today.

"He loved the club and the people that made up the club. I never heard anyone say a bad word about Fred and he loved footy as much at the end as he did throughout his life.

"Fred's record as a player speaks for itself, but it is the man himself that was special. We will all miss Fred's friendship and we offer our deepest condolences to Pauline and to their family."

 

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Buoyant Blues

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 13 Januari 2013 | 14.57

Carlton forward Eddie Betts will get plenty of help in 2013 from Blues big-man brigade. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Carlton forward Andrew Walker puts his balance to the test during yesterday's conditioning session at St Kilda beach. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON is racing towards the season with a fully-fit big man division as it strives to the ease burden on its speedy small forwards this year.

Avoiding the bold top-four declarations which dogged the club though an injury hit 2012, a "super-positive'' approach from new coach Mick Malthouse has re-energised the Blues, after a dramatic end to last season.

The wide-ranging change has included moves to release Chris Judd and Bryce Gibbs from official leadership positions, to help them play with more freedom in midfield positions next season.

While a more defensive game plan is being integrated, it is the encouraging signs from Carlton's key forward targets - many who were sidelined for large periods last year - which has fuelled confidence at Visy Park.

Big men Jarrad Waite, Matthew Kreuzer, Levi Casboult, Luke Mitchell, Shaun Hampson and Sam Rowe are all expected to be available for early-season selection, providing Blues coaches with a welcome problem they rarely confronted last year.


Forwards coach John Barker said the club was intent on providing more aerial support in the forward-50m next season.

"We've ban far too reliant on Eddie (Betts) and Jeff (Garlett) and 'Walks' (Andrew Walker) to kick goals and reliant on 'Waitey' (Jarrad Waite) to stand up as a tall forward,'' Barker said.

" We could not get consistently healthy talls last year, so having these guys fit and available is going to be critical for us.

"The good thing is all of them who had some small and big issues last year, they are all ready to go.

"Mick philosophically is really keen to make sure we are fit and healthy at this stage of the year and we are.''

Waite, in particular, has been a stand-out over summer after a lingering back problem last year, but Barker said he should not have to be the main focal point.

"He's a pro in everything he does, Waitey, but he's another one we can't keep relying on to be our only tall target,'' he said.

"We need other guys to stand up and give themselves every opportunity with a healthy pre-season.

"It's great to have guys like Sammy Rowe up and about after his illness (cancer). Levi Casboult is training really well.''

Young backman Andrew McInnes is the only player ruled out for a large chunk of the year after undergoing a knee reconstruction.

Prime midfielder Marc Murphy had minor knee surgery pre-Christmas but is expected to be fit for Round 1.

He was on hand as the Blues completed a two-hour conditioning session at St Kilda beach yesterday, including cycling, stand-up paddle-boarding and some ball-work.

Barker lauded the impact Malthouse has had at the Blues, with 664 games coaching experience.

He is 49 short of Jock McHale's 713-game all-time record.

Malthouse's ability to continue coaching was questioned after his departure from Collingwood in 2011 but Barker said the 28-year coaching veteran's transition to Carlton had been seamless.

"To use one of Mick's lines, it's easy to be negative, but Mick is a super-positive coach,'' he said.

"He's obviously very keen to delegate, so Rob Wiley helps run training and training has been very sharp and really upbeat.

"Mick's slotted in very quickly, he's a very personable guy and the atmosphere is very encouraging and positive.

"The boys are working hard and Mick is working through his game plan week-by-week and the boys are slowly chipping away and getting their teeth into that.''

Malthouse, 59, used a boundary-line centric game style to guide the Pies to the 2010 flag, but Barker said the Blues aimed to be versatile with their ball-movement this year.

"The thing Mick continually talks to the boys about is playing the game in front of you,'' he said.

"Sometimes it will mean taking the boundary and sometimes that will mean changing angles and taking the corridor.

"He has by no means ruled out quick, direct play - that's fairly clear.''


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Bolter in line to lead Blues

Andrew Carrazzo is one of the leading candidates to captain the Blues if Chris Judd steps down. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON midfielder Andrew Carrazzo could cause a boilover in the Carlton captaincy race, with the hard-running midfielder firming as the Blues next on-field leader.

Superstar midfielder Marc Murphy was considered the early favourite to replace Chris Judd, but Carrazzo's standing among his peers has continued to soar this pre-season.

Carrazzo, 29, became a father to triplets late last season and if he can show he can juggle fatherhood with the official leadership duties in the NAB Cup next month the job could be his.

The Blues hope the leadership change will help ease some of the burden on Judd, 29, after five years in the top job.

Forwards coach John Barker said Judd would continue to play a lead role on-field and flagged more time in attack for the champion onballer.

"Juddy is the type of guy who will be a leader no matter whether he is a leader by name or not, because he is just a leader by nature," Barker said.


"What it will do is release some shackles for him and it will allow him to play with a bit more freedom than what he perhaps has over the past couple of years, which is great for him.

"I'd love to have him spend a bit more time in the forward line.

"I've been chipping away at it with him and he's been receiving my advances pretty positively."

The Blues are set to decide on their new captain after the NAB Cup, with Murphy and fellow midfielder Kade Simpson in the running.

Barker said the Blues had excellent options.

"Andrew Carrazzo, Kade Simpson and Marc Murphy are all outstanding candidates for the club," he said. "As we sit, that decision is still up in the air, but I tell you what, she's going to be a tough decision trying to decide who leads the club."

The Blues have put a tumultuous year behind them, with coach Mick Malthouse helping renew confidence after they missed finals in 2012.

Barker said the club did not want to predict where it should finish this season.

"This year is going to be one of the most hotly contested years in football," he said.

"You want to be there at the pointy end of the season, but I don't think there is any point putting out (expected) positions in the top eight.

"Hopefully, we can get there (finals) and we are looking forward to seeing how a fit and healthy list under Mick Malthouse operates this year."


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Dogs tip a new-year resurgence

Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney has enjoyed a strong pre-season. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: Herald Sun

WESTERN Bulldogs intend to rise up the ladder quicker than expected under second-year coach Brendan McCartney.

The Dogs suffered an horrendous injury run sidelining some of their biggest stars last year, resulting in only five wins - their least since 2004.

But the return of four key senior players, including inspirational broken leg victim Dale Morris, has fuelled hope of a resurgence beyond 2013.

Morris is targeting a Round 1 return after a full year out, along with key backman Tom Williams (shoulder), onballer Daniel Cross (shoulder) and reinvigorated midfielder Adam Cooney (knee).

Cooney, 27, is believed to be enjoying his most productive pre-season since his 2008 Brownlow Medal year, while powerhouse No.5 draft pick Jake Stringer is also on track for an early debut after an impressive summer campaign.


The Dogs are rated $13 outsiders with TAB to play finals this season, ahead of only Gold Coast ($26) and Greater Western Sydney ($51).

But Dogs chief executive Simon Garlick said the club had high hopes of a swift resurgence after investing heavily at the draft table.

"We've seen so many examples of these things where it can turn around quicker than what people might have anticipated otherwise," Garlick said.

"We have got some pretty exciting kids, but throw into that some potential recruits in the likes of Cooney, Morris - and we missed Cross for a period of time last year - and Williams as well.

"So considering all that, we think there is a fair bit to be excited about.

"We are not going to think that it will take 'x' amount of years (to regenerate)."

The Dogs will launch their season with four of their first five games at home ground Etihad Stadium, but have a tough draw overall, playing GWS and Gold Coast only once each, despite a bottom-four finish last year.

Morris has continued to improve over the pre-season after scrapping comeback plans last year when a stress fracture developed in his recovering leg.

 The 30-year-old is not expected to play a major role in the NAB Cup but could press for selection soon after.

"Everything's tracking as you would hope it to be and he's doing as much training as the (fitness) guys want him to do at this stage of the year," Garlick said.

"So it's all geared up for him playing in Round 1. There hasn't been a setback or anything like that."s

"He makes a pretty significant difference for us, having him back there. He's a beauty and he plays on talls and smalls."


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Hawk fined after drunken night out

Former Bulldog Brian Lake must face Hawthorn's leaders after a heavy night of drinking. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

HAWTHORN star Brian Lake's drunken antics have landed him in trouble with the police and his club.

The former Western Bulldog was fined $563 for being drunk in a public place outside a pub in Sorrento.

He was leaving the pub with his wife when the pair were arrested at 10.10pm and thrown in the slammer for four hours.

The pair had been at the Portsea Polo during the day.

In a statement the club said: "The club considers Lake's conduct to be unprofessional and he will be required to address the leadership group tomorrow."

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police arrested a 30-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman, both from Caroline Springs, on the Point Nepean Highway.

Lake, 30, was traded to the Hawks in a bold move to help Alastair Clarkson's side jag another premiership with their current squad.

The 197-game veteran joins an extraordinary list of players traded during the off-season who have found trouble with alcohol before playing a game with their new clubs.

New Tiger Aaron Edwards was locked up after a boozy day just 24 hours after North Melbourne traded him.

Former Demons Ricky Petterd (now at Richmond) and Jared Rivers (Geelong) were also scrutinised after they were pictured drinking heavily on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.


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