Jack spreads wings

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

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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Stars align for the Cats

Jimmy Bartel is set to resume full training as he continues to make excellent progress from off-season surgery.l Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

James Kelly has impressed the Geelong camp since surgery. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

KEY Geelong stars Jimmy Bartel, James Kelly and Josh Caddy are set to resume full training after making encouraging progress from off-season surgery.

Assistant coach James Rahilly said yesterday the trio had recovered strongly after injury-enforced layoffs.

The injury news came as a near-full Geelong list battled it out with North Melbourne in a scratch match behind closed doors at Simonds Stadium yesterday.

Former Roo Hamish McIntosh was one of few to miss the interclub match arranged by the clubs' coaches, brothers Chris and Brad Scott.

McIntosh is recovering from knee surgery.

Bartel (foot), Kelly (hip) and Caddy (shoulder) were restricted to laps and light drills in a half-hour warm-up at the nearby St Mary's Oval, but all played in a short, sharp match at Simonds Stadium against a North Melbourne side that featured star forward Drew Petrie.

Rahilly said he was pleased with the trio's progress.

"Jimmy's travelling pretty well. He's starting to train and do a few sessions," Rahilly said.

"I'm not sure when he'll be doing a full session, but it won't be too far away.

"James Kelly is pretty much up to full training as well, so they're going along very well."

Gold Coast recruit Caddy has handled full-contact sessions and is close to joining the main group, while McIntosh remains on a restricted training program.

"I can't see him being too far away," Rahilly said. "He's a little bit slower than the others, but he'll be back in full training soon as well.

"He's still doing a lot, but when he joins the match-simulation drills will be up to the docs and physio. He's on the track completing drills and doing some one-on-one stuff, so I wouldn't think he'd be too far away at all."

Rahilly said the scratch match with the Roos was low-key.

"We only did a couple of drills with them. It only went for 15-20 minutes max and then we completed our training," Rahilly said.

"The main reason (for the scratch match) is they don't have a ground and wanted to come down to use our ground.

"It's something we've done to help out other sides and have a bit of combative training. It was nothing too silly.

"There was no real tackling to ground or ridiculous spoiling. We had a match-simulation drill, but it wasn't very long.

"We worked the ball down one end, our defenders had a go, their defenders had a go, and then the forwards.

"It was a test for where we're at and where they're at, but the bulk of our session was done on our own."

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Part II: 2013 fixture preview

Bulldogs star Adam Cooney will play against good mate Brian Lake in Round 17. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: Herald Sun

North Melbourne will be looking to limit Lance Franklin's influence when the two sides meet in 2013. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

THE Hawks twice or the Giants twice? Two trips to Perth or an array of Friday night blockbusters? Six-day breaks or a lengthy spell? These are the quirks that can define a club's season and the careers of coaches and players alike.

Over the next few days SuperFooty will bring you a comprehensive guide to the fixtures of all 18 clubs.

Today we look at Sydney, West Coast and Western Bulldogs.

Over the past few days we've looked at Adelaide, Brisbane, Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, Fremantle, Geelong, Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

HAWTHORN:

EASY GAMES:
The Hawks face GWS, Gold Coast and Melbourne – the bottom three sides from 2012 – leading into their bye. That shapes as a soft month they can use to build percentage. They also travel to hostile interstate venues on just four occasions.

CRUNCH GAMES:
The two clashes with Geelong will be pivotal. Shane Crawford wrote on the verge of last year's Easter Monday clash that if the Hawks couldn't topple the Cats then they wouldn't for the year. He was dead right, and they need to leap this rising mental hurdle in Round 1. The Round 7 Grand Final rematch against Sydney at the MCG could also be a testing match crucial to the Hawks' mental belief.

TOUGH GAMES:
An absolute horror start to the season. The Hawks face all 2012 finalists in the first seven rounds, which includes trips to face Adelaide at AAMI Stadium, West Coast in Perth and concludes with the Grand Final rematch. A nightmare start – but if they can escape with a positive win-loss ratio they'll be well on the way to the top four again.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
Hawthorn's opening two months is littered with blockbusters, but you can't go past the Grand Final rematch. The Hawks must be looking for another crack at the Swans and while it might not be September, it shapes as a pivotal game given Alastair Clarkson's draw early. The match against Collingwood in Round 3 will be huge, too, and gives the Hawks the chance to square-off with Clinton Young after he defected to the Westpac Centre.

SUMMARY:
Hawthorn was disappointed the AFL did not fulfil its request to host seven matches at the MCG, while the opening two months loom as a major danger. But, that means the middle chunk of the season is extremely friendly. A SuperFooty poll recently revealed readers think Hawthorn has the toughest fixture – and by some margin.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Geelong (MCG)
Round 2 v West Coast (PS)
Round 3 v Collingwood (MCG)
Round 4 v Fremantle (AS)

Follow Sam Landsberger on Twitter @SamLandsberger

MELBOURNE:

EASY GAMES:
The Dees have a mortgage on the MCG for most the season. In the first 15 rounds, they play just two games away from the home of footy – both interstate trips. Home bouts against Port Adelaide, GWS and Gold Coast in the first seven weeks presents an opportunity for the new-look Dees to create the winning culture Mark Neeld is desperate to implement.

CRUNCH GAMES:
The Round 2 match against Essendon should be interesting. The Dees have the wood over the Bombers and would love that streak to continue. The two games against the Dogs in the back half of the season will also be telling with both clubs in a similar bracket.

TOUGH GAMES:
The three-week stretch of Fremantle away, Hawthorn and Collingwood will test the Demons' improvement. Games against Adelaide away and Geelong in Geelong will also be tough to compete in.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
As if Queen's Birthday wasn't a big enough duel for the Dees, they now to go show off star recruit Chris Dawes against his old Magpie premiership teammates. Added to that Mark Neeld's former stint at the Pies and it shapes as a juicy contest.

SUMMARY:
Only three six-day breaks is a win, as is playing fellow bottom-four sides GWS, Suns and Dogs twice each. But the Dees missed out on Friday night action and must play a home game at Etihad Stadium, against their request.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Port Adelaide (MCG)
Round 2 v Essendon (MCG)
Round 3 v West Coast (MCG)
Round 4 v GWS (MCG)

NORTH MELBOURNE:

EASY GAMES:
Not many. The Roos don't play any of the bottom-four sides twice, but a run of five-straight games again non-finalists from Rounds 14-18 should give a platform to launch a run at September.

CRUNCH GAMES:
The opening five weeks could set up North Melbourne's year. The Roos face Collingwood, Geelong, Sydney in Tasmania, Brisbane and Hawthorn and will be desperate to walk out with a few of wins. They will also be without Brent Harvey for the first six weeks, adding to the early challenges.

TOUGH GAMES:
Plenty. Two trips to Perth and return bouts against Hawthorn, Adelaide Collingwood and Geelong. Eight six-day breaks to boot makes it a hard draw on paper.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
You suspect a few North boys wouldn't mind a crack at Carlton in Round 17, and another look at Chris Judd after last year's chicken-wing gate. The clash with West Coast in Round 8 will also be eagerly-anticipated after North Melbourne's finals capitulation last year. And the Roos' backline will hopefully be devising some new plans for the Round 5 clash with Hawthorn – and 13-goal terroriser Buddy Franklin.

SUMMARY:
A difficult draw on paper, and a mixed bag commercially. Two home Friday night games (three in total) should help boost the bottom line, but the club wasn't overly thrilled with receiving three home Sunday twilight games this season.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Collingwood (ES)
Round 2 v Geelong (ES)
Round 3 v Sydney (BA)
Round 4 v Brisbane Lions (ES)

PORT ADELAIDE

EASY GAMES:
New coach Ken Hinkley will be gifted the chance to ignite his coaching career with winnable games against Melbourne, GWS and Gold Coast inside the first month. The Power travels to Darwin to meet the Dogs and doubled-up against the two expansion sides – but, being the sole club to have suffered defeat against both new franchises, will be wary of those matches.

CRUNCH GAMES:
It has to be the home matches. Port Adelaide hosts Richmond, Brisbane Lions and Carlton at home this year and to leap forward the Power has to restores some fear in a trip to AAMI Stadium.

TOUGH GAMES:
Road trips to face Fremantle, Carlton and Geelong come with warning bells. Hinkley will be hell-bent to compete with Collingwood, Hawthorn and Sydney at home, too.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
Hinkley would love to get one over his mates at Geelong in Round 9, while the next week a few Power players might be eager to atone against Will Minson and his Western Bulldogs, even if Danyle Pearce has departed. The Round 14 Port Adelaide-Collingwood duel – the two clubs John McCarthy played for – promises to include some touching moments and tributes.

SUMMARY:
A commercially strong fixture with home matches big-drawing sides Richmond, Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn and Carlton. The Power is also looking forward to farewelling AAMI Stadium in Round 23, where the club won 23 SANFL flags.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Melbourne (MCG)
Round 2 v GWS (AAMI)
Round 3 v Adelaide (AAMI)
Round 4 v Gold Coast (MS)

Port Adelaide Power footballers training at Montefiore Hill and then finishing at McKinnon Parade, North Adelaide. Picture: Dean Martin Source: HWT Image Library

RICHMOND

EASY GAMES:
The Tigers' trademark "easy games" are scattered throughout the season, which isn't a bad result. They open with three matches against non-finalists, giving the chance to sing the song early – something they struggled to do last season. Four of the final five games are at the MCG, with the exception a trip to Skoda Stadium to face GWS.

CRUNCH GAMES:
It starts with Round 1 against Carlton. Can the Tiges finally get some success to start the season? The month leading into Richmond's bye will also be telling – it faces Port Adelaide away, Melbourne, Essendon and the Eagles in Perth. Dare we mention the trip to Cairns to host the Gold Coast?

TOUGH GAMES:
Two trips to Perth and a clash with Sydney at the SCG hurt, but other than that it looks a friendly year for the Tigers. They also meet top-four outfits Collingwood and Hawthorn just once each. The Tigers smashed grand finalists Hawthorn and Sydney last year, can they repeat those performances in 2013?

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
The Blues – courtesy of a Brock McLean shank – nailed Richmond's coffin shut last season, so expect some fireworks in Round 1 for Mick Malthouse's Carlton coaching debut. The Blues have won the past nine against Richmond, while surely, SURELY it can snap the curse of Cairns and topple Gold Coast this year.

SUMMARY:
After some uncertainty owing to the MCG availability, the Tigers kept their Round 1 blockbuster against Carlton, while 13 games at the MCG will please the club and fans alike. A balanced draw with a spread out travel load presents the ideal chance for a red-hot crack at the finals.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Carlton (MCG)
Round 2 v S Kilda (MCG)
Round 3 v Western Bulldogs (ES)
Round 4 v Collingwood (MCG)

AFL. Richmond Training at Cazaly's in Cairns. Alex Rance and his team mates show the strain in the heat during sprint work. Picture: Stewart Mclean Source: HWT Image Library

ST KILDA

EASY GAMES:
The Saints should dodge a few bullets early, avoiding a 2012 finalist until Round 5. That's a nice stepping stone into the year, while a six-week midseason stretch of games against the Dogs, Roos, Eagles (home), Dees and Tigers – with a bye tossed in the middle – gives another chance to spear up the ladder.

CRUNCH GAMES:
The stakes will be high for the Anzac Day clash with Sydney in Wellington, adding to the excitement. Another two duels with former mentor Ross Lyon's Fremantle are on the cards, while the Saints face Richmond, Essendon, Carlton and the Roos a combined six times. Those matches will be pivotal with those sides clunked in the same ladder bracket as the Saints in 2012.

TOUGH GAMES:
Road trips to face Adelaide, Fremantle and Sydney will be mighty tricky, but the Saints will tackle Collingwood and Hawthorn just once each – both at their Etihad fortress.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
The Brendon Goddard showdown in Round 4 will be big. It has already been hailed as a "grudge match" externally, while there will again be intrigue when the Saints meet Lyon's Dockers. You can bank on some hype when Stephen Milne and Harry O'Brien come toe-to-toe in Round 6 as well, after the goal sneak allegedly made a homophobic sledge to the Magpies defender last year.

SUMMARY:
Three Friday night games as well as the Anzac Day clash is a ripping result commercially, but not a great result for the fans. Eight times the Saints play outside of Melbourne (including Geelong), a number comparable to non-Victorian clubs. On the field it's a fairly balanced draw.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Gold Coast (MS)
Round 2 v Richmond (MCG)
Round 3 v GWS (MO)
Round 4 v Essendon (ES)

St Kilda training at Seaford. Stephen Milne enjoying being back on the ground Picture: Chris Eastman Source: HWT Image Library

SYDNEY

EASY GAMES:
No excuses for a premiership hangover early, with Sydney set to open its premiership defence against GWS and Gold Coast. The Swans don't face a top-four side until Round 7, while three of their final four games are at home ahead of September.

CRUNCH GAMES:
Duels with Adelaide away, Collingwood, Fremantle and Hawthorn in the first half of the season – without Kurt Tippett – will be telling. The Anzac Day trip to face St Kilda in Wellington will come off a five-day break, and the Saints don't mind playing the bloods.

TOUGH GAMES:
In addition to the short lead-in to Anzac Day, the Swans have six six-day breaks which could prove tricky. Geelong at Geelong late in the season looms as a challenging fixture, as does West Coast in Perth – although the Swans did triumph in the corresponding game last season. At least Tippett will be onboard for those encounters.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
The Swans narrowly miss their chance to parade Kurt Tippett in front of the Adelaide backline, but his debut should still come at AAMI Stadium when Sydney meets Port Adelaide in Round 13. The eyes of the football world will be on the No. 8 Swan that day, while the Grand Final rematch with the Hawks in Round 7 will also be a huge battle. And the Hawks could enter in desperate need of a victory given their hellish start to 2013.

SUMMARY:
The Swans' bookkeepers will be pleased. The two ANZ Stadium clashes are against preliminary and Grand Final opponents in Collingwood and Hawthorn, while the premier also hosts powerhouses Geelong, Essendon, Carlton and Richmond at the SCG – including two Friday night blockbusters. Swans fans can lock in the Round 1 date against GWS as a must-see match, with Sydney set to unveil the premiership flag before the match.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v GWS (ANZ)
Round 2 v Gold Coast (SCG)
Round 3 v North Melbourne (BA)
Round 4 v Geelong (SCG)

Source: HWT Image Library

WEST COAST

EASY GAMES:
The first 10 rounds presents a great opportunity for West Coast to put a mortgage on a top-four place. It plays six games at Patersons Stadiums and travels to meet stragglers Melbourne, Port Adelaide, Brisbane Lions and GWS. The Eagles also avoid the dreaded long trip to Tasmania.

CRUNCH GAMES:
It starts Round 1, when the Eagles face Fremantle in a stand-alone derby. That will be massive, while the following week West Coast hosts Hawthorn. They could be 2-0 and flying or 0-2 and in early trouble. The final three games, against Geelong, Collingwood (MCG) and Adelaide could also decide just how high the Eagles finish on the ladder.

TOUGH GAMES:
Must face the Hawks and Crows twice, while West Coast has drawn eight six-day breaks in addition to its hefty travel load. The five-game stretch after the bye – against Hawthorn (away), Essendon, Adelaide (away), Fremantle and Sydney will also examine West Coast's double-chance credentials.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
The Round 1 derby – a home game for Fremantle – will be a monster clash. These sides hate each other and it'll be great for the entire football world to tune in and see it with no other matches that day.

SUMMARY:
Logistically, West Coast's fixture presents challenges. In addition to the eight six-day breaks and hefty travel load, it plays four away games at night – which makes return and recovery a tough ask. A home match the week before finals is a bonus.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Fremantle (PS)
Round 2 v Hawthorn (PS)
Round 3 v Melbourne (MCG)
Round 4 v Carlton (PS)

The West Coast Eagles are back into pre season training. pictured - Mark Nicoski Picture: Justin Benson-cooper Source: HWT Image Library

WESTERN BULLDOGS

EASY GAMES:

Not a whole lot to choose from. The Dogs face GWS, Port Adelaide and Gold Coast once each – all interstate – but have drawn the Dees twice. Brendan McCartney's side does have the chance to spark some serious optimism early with winnable duels with the Lions, Dockers and Tigers to start the season – all at Etihad.

CRUNCH GAMES:
The two showdowns with Melbourne will be big. The clubs haven't met since Round 4 last season, but both remain in the same bracket. The Dogs host five interstate clubs at Etihad Stadium and would give themselves a chance in all of those as they look to take a step forward in 2013.

TOUGH GAMES:
Road trips to face Adelaide and West Coast, as well as duels with Collingwood, Hawthorn and Geelong will prove tricky. Seven interstate trips is a lot of travel, but that does include a home game in Darwin.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
Nothing which blatantly stands out, but the two battles against Melbourne in the final nine rounds will be hotly contested. The Dogs might also enjoy a crack at former star defender Brian Lake when they meet Hawthorn in Round 17.

SUMMARY:
No Friday night games and the lack of battles with fellow bottom-four clubs makes for a demanding season. Strange that Port Adelaide, which finished outside the bottom four, meets the two expansion sides twice each, but the Dogs cash in just once. But, as the Dogs said when their draw was released, it creates a sound opportunity to test their improvement against the best sides.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Brisbane Lions (ES)
Round 2 v Fremantle (ES)
Round 3 v Richmond (ES)
Round 4 v Adelaide (AAMI)

Footscray (Western Bulldogs??) training/video launch...Western Oval. Picture: Mike Keating Source: HWT Image Library

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