Adelaide Crows 2013 preview

2013 preview: Fox Footy expert Brad Johnson says Adelaide will struggle to repeat the highs of last season

Adelaide Crows midfielder Patrick Dangerfield in his first hit-out for the year. Picture: Simon Cross. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

VIDEO: ADELAIDE faces a tough battle to back up last year's extraordinary rise up the ladder.

Brenton Sanderson transformed the Crows in his first year as coach.

The Crows became a hardball-winning, long kicking machine - and went from 14th on the ladder to almost pinching a spot in the Grand Final.

Champion Data's AFL Prospectus reveals the numbers behind the change - Adelaide went from ranking 11th in the competition for winning contested possessions to a clear No.1. It went from the third-lowest kick-to-handball ratio to the highest in the comp.

Check out our Adelaide SuperCoach best buys here

With young gun midfielders Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane on the rise, the Rising Star Award winner Daniel Talia down back and Taylor Walker and his flowing mullet patrolling the forward line, it seems the sky is the limit for this team.

Preparations for 2013 haven't gone entirely to plan, however. First, Kurt Tippett walked out - and as much as you might question his huge pay packet, that is 39 goals the Crows will have to find from somewhere else this year. And more pressure on Walker.

On Saturday Adelaide had close to a full-strength line-up against a Geelong team packed with kids - and trailed by 42 points at quarter-time.

Western Bulldogs champion and Fox Footy expert Brad Johnson expects the Crows to make the finals this year, but says they will slip out of the top four. Watch the exclusive video above to find out why.

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All-clear from match review panel

Ricky Petterd celebrates the super goal that gave Richmond a last-minute win over Essendon. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND matchwinner Ricky Petterd was among three players cleared of incidents from the weekend's AFL pre-season games.

There will be no tribunal after the match review panel also decided not to lay charges against Carlton's Aaron Joseph and Sydney premiership defender Alex Johnson.

Petterd, who kicked the winning goal, was cleared of his contact with Essendon newcomer Nick Kommer in the first term of Saturday's match at Wangaratta.

Joseph is the latest opponent to be assessed for an incident involving Fremantle small forward Hayden Ballantyne.

The panel looked at a medical report from the Dockers before deciding Joseph did not use enough force to warrant a charge.

Last month, Geelong star Steve Johnson received a one-match ban for striking Ballantyne.

That puts Johnson out for the round-one blockbuster against arch-rivals Hawthorn.

Sydney's Johnson was potentially in trouble after he had a clash of legs with St Kilda onballer Clint Jones in the third quarter of the Sunday's match at Etihad Stadium.

Jones wrong-footed Johnson before disposing of the ball and then the players made contact.

Again, the panel ruled there was not enough force to warrant a charge.

Contact between Hawthorn star Lance Franklin and Bulldog Koby Stevens on Friday night did not attract the panel's attention.

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Jetta 'a marked man'

Lewis Jetta in action during the Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs AFL game at the SCG in Sydney. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

SYDNEY speedster Lewis Jetta will have to get used to being a target of opposition taggers this year, warns club legend Michael O'Loughlin.

As is the Sydney way, the Swans didn't build their 2012 premiership platform on any one player.

But Jetta's blazing runs invariably provided much of the highlight-reel fodder - none more astonishing than his 80m burst for a preliminary-final goal against Collingwood.

The 23-year-old was often central to the "slingshot" move in which the Swans moved the ball from half-back with precision and pace.

O'Loughlin believes rivals will spend more time on ways to nullify the influence of Jetta, who topped the Swans' goalkicking tally last year with 45.

"All the teams will be gunning for him in particular, because he's a little bit of a barometer," said O'Loughlin, who played 303 games with the Swans.

"Lewis will have to cope with even more tags this season, and teams are going to really try and take his scalp.

"So he's got his work cut out for him. But he's a pretty resilient kid and it's going to be an amazing test for him, to see how he copes with all that.

"And that's footy. All the good players go through it.

"He's just become a star so he's got a long way to go until he gets to that elite level.

"There'll be some ups and downs for Lewis this year, but he's got that character, the work rate, and that desire to be successful."

Jetta's rise to prominence followed a rigorous pre-season training regime, in which he shadowed Kieren Jack.

O'Loughlin noted more hard yards would be required if Jetta was to continue his rise.

"He's just got to keep improving. The reason he had such a successful year is because his workload went up a couple of notches, and I'd be surprised if he doesn't improve again," he said.

"Your natural talent and your gift takes over ... but it's always been about work rate - and he's certainly got that now."

In promising signs for Sydney, Jetta improved his personal best in the pre-season 3km time-trial by 50 seconds.

He sat out the opening round of the pre-season competition, having taken part in the Indigenous All Stars match, but tallied 21 disposals against St Kilda on Sunday.

The Swans start their premiership defence with a derby match against Greater Western Sydney on March 30.

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Alarm bells for big Ben as Eagles hobble

Collingwood Magpies dominate West Coast Eagles in 20 point NAB Cup win on Sunday.

Magpie Ben Reid limps off with an injury. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

COLLINGWOOD big men Ben Reid and Travis Cloke suffered injury scares as an under strength Magpies outfit overcame West Coast in the NAB Cup clash at Patersons Stadium last night

Cloke shrugged off a leg problem to kick a nine-point supergoal in the final term to ensure Collingwood got up before the Pies raced to the airport to fly home immediately following the game.

The 20-point win showed off Collingwood's depth and ensured it joined Carlton, Brisbane and North Melbourne as the unbeaten teams in the pre-season competition ahead of a virtual semi-final against the Lions at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Harry O'Brien on the charge. Source: Getty Images

In a mouthwatering potential NAB Cup grand final scenario, Mick Malthouse could coach against his former players in a Carlton-Collingwood blockbuster that would delight the AFL.

Chapman unjury may only be short-term

The disappointing Eagles, who fielded the more experienced outfit, suffered an injury blow of their own with Andrew Embley subbed out with a torn hamstring.

Injury sours Saints' solid win

Defender Mitch Brown, who was denied a move to St Kilda in the off-season when West Coast refused to let him go, came off with a knee injury in the last quarter but returned to the field.

Quinten Lynch up against his former side West Coast. Source: Getty Images

Midfielder Matt Rosa was sporting ice on his left hamstring after being taken out of the match but it was believed to be precautionary.

Brian Lake's experience already appreciated

In better news for West Coast, comeback forward Mark LeCras starred with four goals after missing the entire 2012 season.

North anger at going south

Collingwood handed chances to six rookie-listed players but it was midfield general Scott Pendlebury who shone brightest, finishing with 27 touches and five clearances.

Eagle Scott Selwood leads the charge against the Pies.Picture: Justin Benson-cooper Source: PerthNow

Reid grabbed at his right knee immediately after a third-term contest and limped from the field.

He was assessed by medicos in the interchange area before being fitted with the red vest and going to the rooms.

Cloke, who was held goalless by Eagles defender Eric Mackenzie in Collingwood's 13-point victory in last year's semi-final, was again shut out of the contest as he suffered an injury scare in the first half.

Quinten Lynch returns against his old side. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

Cloke, who finished with two goals, came off to get strapping on his upper right leg in the second quarter but returned to the field.

Free agency pickup Quinten Lynch had a mixed game but offered typical heart and physical presence in his return to Subiaco.

Evergreen veteran Ben Hudson, 34, battled manfully in the ruck against West Coast star Dean Cox before being subbed out at half time to give youngster Jarrod Witts his chance.

Luke Shuey and Mark LeCras of the Eagles celebrate a goal against the Pies. Source: Getty Images

Hudson assumed his second role as a ruck coach during the second half and spoke to Witts and Lynch at three-quarter time.

Embley was substituted out of the match in the opening quarter after hurting his right hamstring and cast a distressed figure as he watched the rest of the game from the bench.

The 31-year-old, who missed a large chunk of last season with a shoulder injury, is set to miss the highly-anticipated Round 1 western derby against Fremantle on March 23.

Nick Maxwell leads Collingwood out against West Coast. Source: Getty Images

LeCras kicked the opening goal of the game and continued his strong return from a knee reconstruction in February last year by spending time in the midfield.

The Magpies were kick started by a nine-pointer from Dane Swan and went goal for goal with the home side throughout the first term.

Collingwood booted the first three goals of the second quarter, including a supergoal to the unheralded but influential Paul Seedsman, to open up a 16-point lead before LeCras helped haul his side back into the contest with his second and third majors before half-time.

Magpie Heath Shaw bursts clear at Patersons Stadium. Source: Getty Images

The Magpies lead by 14 points at the final change but did not take full advantage of their third-term control against a sloppy Eagles outfit.

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Steeplechaser set for Cats ruck gig

Mark Blicavs taps the ball over Adelaide ruckman Sam Jacobs. Picture:Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Geelong thrash a flat Adelaide outfit by 63 points in their NAB Cup clash at Simonds Stadium.

HE'S played just six games since under-14s but Mark Blicavs has emerged as a wildcard to be Geelong's starting ruckman in Round 1.

The former steeplechaser, who had dreams of representing Australia before giving up his running career last year, more than held his own against Adelaide's Sam Jacobs in yesterday's NAB Cup game to put his hand up for the season-opener.

All of Geelong's senior-listed ruckmen are on the injury list - Trent West (knee), Dawson Simpson (back), Hamish McIntosh (knee), Nathan Vardy (groin) - which means Blicavs and fellow rookie Josh Walker have had to carry the load in the pre-season.

Blicavs, 21, joined the Cats midway through last year and played four VFL games - the first time he'd pulled on the boots since representing Taylors Lakes in the under-14s.

When asked if he was ready to carry the ruck load against Hawthorn in Round 1, he said: "Hypothetically if that happened, I versed (Aaron) Sandilands two weeks ago and Jacobs who are two of the best ruckmen in the league in my eyes.

"It can't be anymore daunting than that so I'll just take it as it comes . . . . against the Hawks would be pretty exciting I guess."

Assistant coach Blake Caracella said Blicavs' improvement over the summer had surprised everyone.

"His rate of improvement has been remarkable," Caracella said. "He's obviously an outstanding athlete, his spring is pretty good, he's a fantastic runner but his game sense and knowledge of how to play the game, for someone who hasn't played footy since U/14s is amazing.

"He has somehow managed to learn at a rapid rate and come along heaps. He's certainly going to push for selection come Round 1 or certainly during the season.

"I think (he could handle it). I think his game two weeks ago he jumped over Sandilands at his first centre bounce he took and obviously against a quality ruckman today he rucked quite OK.

"He and Josh Walker add some midfield depth as well because they don't just ruck, they get after the footy as well, they get after the tackles and contested footy as well. It brings certainly a different element to the game.

Blicavs had 14 hit-outs and eight possessions yesterday including an impressive mark and goal in the third quarter.

The new ruck rule which has outlawed scragging at ball-ups certainly helps the rookie whose outstanding leap is his best weapon.

"I'm 198cm and for a ruckman that's not that tall and I'm 96kg so for a ruckman that's tiny so I don't want to be trying to body on Jacobs or anything," Blicavs said. "That one-metre rule does advantage the jumpers who don't want to wrestle.

"I've found moving into the ruck and doing a bit of work in the midfield has helped (over the past two weeks). I guess it has given me a bit more free rein to run a bit and play a bit on instinct.

"I'm just loving it at the moment. It's really good."

Geelong has already placed Simpson on the long-term injury list which means they can elevate a rookie onto the main list for Round 1.

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The cap rule explained

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson says his team are rusty while blasting the AFL's interchange cap.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson is no fan of the interchange cap rule. Source: Getty Images

COACHES may not agree with AFL's trial of capping interchanges at 20 per quarter, but they will be well advised to adhere to the rule.

Every time a team exceeds the cap it will effectively hand its opponent a goal.

The interchange steward will count each club's interchanges and when a club gets to 21 the field umpires will be alerted.

An umpire will then award a free kick from the "centre circle or where play has stopped, whichever is the greater penalty'' and then award a 50-metre penalty.

"You'll have a free kick paid against you in the way as if there's an interchange breach for a player entering the ground too early or from way outside the interchange gates,'' a league spokesman said.

It means that any breach will effectively result in the opposition team having a shot at goal.

The 80-interchange cap, which the AFL is trialling during for the rest of this season's NAB Cup matches and has agreed agreed ``in principle'' to introduce in 2014, is designed to drastically reduce the number of interchange rotations per game.

Clubs averaged 119 per match in 2011 but were up to an average of 131 last season.

At the end of last season the AFL's Laws of the Game committee had backed the introduction of a cap - totalling 90 when changes during the quarter and half-time breaks were included - and was critical of the AFL for rejecting its recommendation.

But the players' and coaches' associations, who were both in favour of retaining the three/one interchange mix without a cap, welcomed the AFL commission's decision to take a cautious approach on the issue.
 

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LIVE: NAB Cup Super Sunday

Swan Jude Bolton tackles Jack Newnes at Etihad Stadium today. Source: Getty Images

FOLLOW our live coverage of today's NAB Cup matches, with Port Adelaide taking on Melbourne and St Kilda locking horns with Sydney,

6:49pm AEDT - Melbourne 78 defeat Port Adelaide 75

THE Demons hold on to win by three points at Renmark. They lead by as much as 25 points in the final term, before the Power rallied.

They had their chances in the closing stages, but the Dees hold on.

Campbell Heath wins the ball over Luke Tapscott. Source: Getty Images

6:40pm AEDT - Port Adelaide 74 trail Melbourne 78, St Kilda 43 trails Sydney 52

Renmark: THE Power are coming home hard. The Demons looked home but the Power have gone bang. Six minutes remaining, can they do it? Hamish Hartlett has kicked two goals this term to get them back in it.

Etihad Stadium: THE Swans lead by 10 points at the Dome mid-way through the third term.

Lewis Jetta marks at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

6:20pm AEDT - Port Adelaide 52 trail Melbourne 60, St Kilda 42 trail Sydney 50

Renmark: THE Power trail the Demons by eight points at the final change. They are right in it but will need to contain James Sellar, who has kicked five.

Etihad Stadium: AT half-time, Sydney lead St Kilda by eight points. Jude Bolton with 17 disposals is leading the way.

Hamish Hartlett under pressure Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

6pm AEDT - Port Adelaide 52 trail Melbourne 53, St Kilda 42 trail Sydney 45

Renmark: THE Power have lifted in Renmark. Daniel Stewart has two goals this quarter to have the Power within a point. He has three for the game.

Etihad Stadium: SWANS veteran Jude Bolton is running riot at the Dome as the Swans lead by 22 points.

Jackson Trengove gets a kick away. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

5:40pm AEDT - Port Adelaide 33 trail Melbourne 53 at HALF-TIME. St Kilda 8 trail Sydney 20 at QUARTER-TIME

Renmark: THE Demons have a 20-point lead over the Power at the main break. Sellar with four goals has been best on ground.

Etihad Stadium: THE Swans have some big names out, but their depth is on show here. Great start at the Dome. Luke Parker with 11 touches leads the way for Sydney.

Ted Richards marks against St Kilda. Source: Getty Images

5:21pm AEDT - Port Adelaide 33 trail Melbourne 47, St Kilda 6 Sydney 6

Renmark: THE Demond are chugging along, but the Power aren't going away. James Sellar has kicked four goals and is making life very difficult for the Power.

Etihad Stadium: WE'RE underway at the Dome. The Saints lead by a point in the early going.

5:05pm AEDT - Port Adelaide 15 trail Melbourne 27

PORT Adelaide are trying, but the Demons are executing much better.

And at quarter-time, they lead by two goals.

James Sellar up forward is creating headaches for the Power.

Campbell Heath wins the ball over Luke Tapscott. Source: Getty Images

4:46pm AEDT- Port Adelaide 8 trail Melbourne 19

JAMES Sellar gets his second goal for the day.

Melbourne are punishing Port Adelaide's mistakes.

The Power are playing too cute and it is hurting them.

4:41pm AEDT - Port Adelaide 7 trail Melbourne 13

DEAN Kent goals for Melbourne to extend the lead to two goals.

But the Power are able to reply through Ben Newton.

Good lively opening by both sides.

Paul Stewart wins the ball against Melbourne. Source: Getty Images

4:34pm AEDT - Port Adelaide 0 trail Melbourne 6

MELBOURNE are on the board.

Big man James Sellar takes a big mark and puts it straight through the middle.

Good start by the Dees in what are very hot conditions.

Power players warm up before tackling Melbourne. Source: Getty Images

PRE-GAME

HELLO and welcome to our live coverage of today's NAB Cup matches, starting with Port Adelaide versus Melbourne at Renmark at 4:30pm AEDT.

Then at 5:10pm AEDT, St Kilda take on Sydney at Etihad Stadium

The action continues at Patersons Stadium with West Coast taking on Collingwood at 7:40pm AEDT.

Don't miss a second of the action right here!

PORT ADELAIDE: Brendon Ah Chee, Nathan Blee, Matthew Broadbent, Danny Butcher, Tom Clurey, Sam Colquhoun, Hamish Hartlett, Campbell Heath, Justin Hoskin, Thomas Jonas, Matthew Lobbe, Kane Mitchell, Andrew Moore, Jake Neade, Ben Newton, Cameron O'Shea, Darren Pfeiffer, Jarrad Redden, Mason Shaw, Lewis Stevenson, Daniel Stewart, Paul Stewart, Matt Thomas, Jackson Trengove, Oliver Wines, Chad Wingard, Aaron Young.

MELBOURNE: Jesse Hogan, Colin Sylvia, James Strauss, Colin Garland, Cameron Pedersen, James Magner, Josh Tynan, Daniel Nicholson, Tom Gillies, Joel Macdonald, James Sellar, Jack Grimes, Michael Evans, Dom Barry, Dean Kent, Luke Tapscott, Aaron Davey, Neville Jetta, Troy Davis, Jake Spencer, Rory Taggert, Matt Jones, Dean Terlich, Tom Couch, Jack Fitzpatrick, Nathan Stark, Mitch Clisby.

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Cox takes 'less is more' approach

Eagles veteran Dean Cox is managing his workload well. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: The Sunday Times

LESS IS MORE: Dean Cox will take part in his first pre-season hit-out today. Picture: Will Russell Source: PerthNow

WEST Coast ruck general Dean Cox has said the injury battles of teammates and Dockers counterpart Aaron Sandilands have kept him vigilant with his own fitness, as he holds faith in a "less is more" mantra.

Cox has proven remarkably resilient in his 12 seasons at West Coast, having missed just 30 games, many of which came in his 2009 campaign (nine games) as he struggled with groin issues.

The 203cm ruckman holds the current consecutive games tally at the Eagles at 71 - a feat made more impressive, given he began building the streak as a 29-year-old and looks set to continue into 2013, now at 31.

In further evidence of his fitness, Cox will resume his role at the heart of the Eagles' set-up in today's NAB Cup Round 2 clash with Collingwood at Patersons Stadium, having recovered from a finger injury that sidelined him for West Coast's three-way opener with Fremantle and Geelong.

It is a fortune not shared by Sandilands, who at 30 has missed 19 games over the past two seasons and was recently ruled out for eight weeks with a hamstring tear.

Asked if the recent run of injuries to a player in a similar role and career-stage brought about thoughts of his own sporting mortality, Cox said it was a constant issue he had to keep on top of and credited his longevity to a "less is more" approach as his career wore on.

"You look at, obviously, Aaron, but also (Anthony) Morabito and any one of our players, (such as) LeCras last season and you do feel for them, but it's part and parcel of the game, unfortunately," Cox said.

"I think in the back of every player's mind is that they want to do everything possible to play AFL and do everything to hopefully not get injured.

"As you get a bit older, you do become more aware and more pedantic in your preparation to make sure that these things (injuries) don't happen.

"The body doesn't recover as well as it used to and you just want to make sure you're following the correct procedures.

"We speak about this around the footy club; players that have an unlucky run with injuries.

"When I was younger, I was always trying to do as much as I possibly could, plus extra away from the program.

"As I've got older, I sat down with (assistant coach) Scott Burns and he suggested that less is more, now, because your body can't handle the work of a 22-year-old.

"It's also about being smarter: picking and choosing the sessions, the drills, and sitting down with the coach and fitness staff to go through a program that ensures you're as fresh as possible throughout the weeks."

Today's game will also mark the return of Quinten Lynch to Patersons Stadium after the former Eagles premiership player last year accepted a two-year deal to help spearhead the Magpies' attack.

Cox, who played 11 of his seasons alongside the forward, said he and many of the Eagles shared a bond with Lynch that would not be broken by the black and white bars of Collingwood.

"It'll be a little bit different, but he did so much for this footy club... but I understand the nature of the game," Cox said.

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'Hold your heads high': Hird

Essendon coach James Hird is urging his troubled team to play with pride. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON coach James Hird has urged his players to hold their heads high, declaring the club will fight to uncover the truth as investigations continue into its "irregular" medical practices.

While the club has conceded there are issues of concern in its sports science division, a bullish Hird said he welcomed the findings.

"I just want the truth. (Essendon chairman) David Evans wants the truth. That's what we are after," he said."

"I believe once that comes out we will be able to get on and play football. Our footy club is going to fight.

"It's going to fight to prove where it's at, and we are not going to walk around with heads bowed, we are walking around proud of our footy club."

Hird's optimistic approach signifies his belief that Essendon's players will be cleared and the club exonerated.

But given the review will examine the club's chain of command and the alarming practices of its sports science division, it will inevitably lead to tough questions for Essendon.

Hird says he is ready for whatever the review finds, aware that given the buck stops with the senior coach he will be central to the investigation.

"My focus is on coaching the football club," he said.

"If we have to be distracted during the week (by the review) we will be, and we will, through this review process,get the truth for our supporters.

"Our supporters deserve that. My job is to coach this team as best I can, and I will be involved in the review when I need to be, but my job is to get this team playing great footy."

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LIVE: Bombers vs Tigers

Jobe Watson has his first NAB Cup hitout against Richmond. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Geelong star Paul Chapman will be looking to impress against Adelaide today. Picture: Reg Ryan Source: Geelong Advertiser

LIVE NOW- Essendon and Richmond take to the field in Wangaratta as we continue a huge day of NAB Cup action. Follow it here!

6.38pm AEDT - Bombers 45, Tigers 43

Essendon finally nailed the first goal of the third quarter after eight wasteful minutes.

Alwyn Davey missed a shot on goal and Michael Hurley put a set shot out on the full before a clean run down the field landed the pill in Paddy Ryder's hands, and he finished it off to extend Essendon's lead to eight points.

6.12pm AEDT - HALF TIME - Bombers 43, Tigers 42

A rocking finish to the second quarter has handed Essendon a one-point half-time lead over Richmond.

The Tigers held sway - and their slender quarter-time advantage - for most of the second term, but two Bomber goals and a super goal in less than three minutes turned the tide.

Michael Hurley nailed his first to close the gap to 14 points.

Then Brent Stanton ignored better options but was rewarded when he slotted one from 40m out, and the Bombers rocketed into the lead for the first time when Leroy Jetta streaked through the middle and bombed a super goal.

Leroy Jetta watches his super goal sail through late in the second quarter. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

5.58pm AEDT - Bombers 21, Tigers 35

The Tigers are sticking fat and holding onto their first-quarter advantage against the Bombers.

Bombers forward Stewart Crameri opened the scoring in the second quarter when he roved his own ball and snapped truly from the right forward pocket.

But Richmond replied with a goal to Shane Tuck at the nine-minute mark to reestablish their lead.

5.38pm AEDT
Bombers 14, Richmond 25
Kangaroos 73, Suns 34

There's the quarter-time siren in Wangaratta and the traffic mostly went Richmond's way in the opening term.

The two teams traded goals but it was an early Matt White super goal and a flurry of late behinds that gave the Tigers the edge.

One of those misses cam from the boot of Orren Stephenson, who is a surprise possession leader for the yellow and black, with seven, while Brendon has been the Bombers' best, setting up a goal for Nick Kommer while racking up 10 touches.

In the other match currently under way, North Melbourne lead Gold Coast by 39 points at half-time, with Aaron Black, Daniel Currie and Lindsay Thomas all snaring two goals in the first half.

5.20pm AEDT - Bombers 12, Tigers 15

Richmond bounded out of the blocks with a super goal to Matt White and a curling banana kick from the boundary from Robin Nahas, but the Bombers have answered with goals of their own each time.

The match review panel might have a look at the incident that led to Essendon's first goal.

Ricky Pettard got a little testy in an exchange with Nick Kommer, taking a swing and catching the mature-aged Bombers recruit somewhere between his shoulder and chin.

Kommer accepted the freekick and duly slotted the goal, and Paddy Ryder nailed the Bombers' second after about 10 minutes, running into an open goal after Brendon Goddard brought the ball to ground.

5.10pm AEDT

Now we turn our attention to Wangaratta, where the Bombers will take on a slightly undermanned Tigers outfit.

5.05pm AEDT
FULL TIME
Geelong 2.16.12 (126)
Adelaide 1.8.6 (63)

And so ends an impressive outing for Geelong and an equally worrying display from Adelaide just a couple of weeks out from the season proper.

The Crows were woeful going forward in the absence of Kurt Tippett, and there's already been plenty of talk around the traps this afternoon that they'll be the big sliders of the 2013 season.

Geelong were far too good from the outset, kicking seven goals in the first quarter (including two super goals), but the best part may have been their continued ability to unearth and develop young players, despite having an elite list for the best part of a decade.

Jordan Murdoch was solid, Shane Kersten bagged three goals and most of the youngsters who took the field got their hands on the ball nearly 10 times to put themselves forward as Round 1 smokeys.

4.55pm AEDT
Geelong 119, Adelaide 57
North Melbourne 47, Gold Coast 8

Embarrassing stuff in this final term from the Crows.

An attempt to rebound from their defensive 50 ends in Shane Kersten smothering the ball, gathering it and running into an open goal to boot his third.

That followed two consecutive Taylor Walker shots that hit the post at the other end.

4.40pm AEDT - Geelong 113, Adelaide 46

Both sides snag an early one in the final quarter, with Shane Kersten the beneficiary of some Jimmy Bartel magic and Patrick Dangerfield bagging his third for the Crows a short time later.

Bartel dragged in a huge pack mark among about eight players just outside 50 and dished off a quick handball, with the resultant kick finding Kersten all alone and running into goal.

Meanwhile, it's all North Melbourne up in Townsville. They lead 26-6 against Gold Coast off the back of two first-quarter goals to Aaron Black.

Jimmy Bartel is in dominant form down at the Cattery. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THREE-QUARTER TIME
Geelong 2.13.11 (107)
Adelaide 0.6.4 (40)

IT'S been a dirty, dirty day for Adelaide, who have enough of their stars in the side to suggest they should be doing a lot better than this.

Patrick Dangerfield has played virtually a lone hand with his 25 disposals and two goals, while Jimmy Bartel (22 disposals, two goals) and Harry Taylor have been exemplary for the home side.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson probably said it best during an interview at three-quarter time: "We've really chopped it up going forward".

4.27pm AEDT - Geelong 107, Adelaide 40

GRAHAM Johncock finally got one back for the Crows after almost 15 minutes of play in the third term, when Taylor Walker found space over the back of Geelong's zone and spotted Johncock further downfield.

The veteran ran into an open goal, but that moment of respite was short-lived as the Crows answered with goals to Mark Blicavs, Jordan Murdoch and Jimmy Bartel.

Nine disposals for the quarter now for Bartel to go with his two goals.

4.05pm AEDT - Geelong 86, Adelaide 34

GEELONG have picked up in the third quarter where they left off at half-time.

Jimmy Bartel keeps the rout rolling with his first major of the match and the Cats' lead is pushed beyond 50 points.

3:30pm AEDT- Geelong 74 leading Adelaide 12

THE Cats have gone on with it in the second term.

James Kelly, Mitch Duncan and Shane Kersten have all added goals in the second term, while the Crows have added two through Patrick Dangerfield and Nathan Van Berlo.

Sam Jacobs in action against Geelong. Source: Getty Images

3:10pm AEDT - Geelong 54 leading Adelaide 12 at QUARTER-TIME

THAT's quarter-time at Simonds Stadium - and what a term it has been for the Cats.

Geelong are treating this seriously and it shows.

They lead by 42 points at the first change.

This could be a long day for the Crows if Geelong keep up this intensity.

Andrew Mackie is tackles against the Crows today. Source: Getty Images

3pm AEDT- Geelong 41 lead Adelaide 6

IT seems someone has forgot to tell Geelong it is the NAB Cup, because they are up and about.

They have come out blazing and have opened up a big lead over the Crows.

Paul Chapman, Jordan Murdoch and Andrew Mackie all with goals since the last update.

Patrick Dangerfield has kicked Adelaide's sole major.

2:47pm AEDT - Geelong 16 leads Adelaide 0

WELCOME back to football, Travis Varcoe.

The forward proved his injury issues are behind him with a supergoal from outside 50.

It was followed up by Mitch Duncan, who kicked truly from a set shot.

Great start by the Cats.

The Cats run onto the field for today's NAB Cup clash. Source: Getty Images

PRE-GAME

HELLO and welcome to our live coverage of today's NAB Cup action, which starts with Geelong taking on Adelaide at Simonds Stadium.

Then at 3:30pm AEDT, the Gold Coast Suns will take on North Melbourne up in hot and humid Townsville.

At 5:10pm AEDT, Essendon take on Richmond in Wangaratta.

Follow all the action right here!

GEELONG: Mitch Brown, Billie Smedts, Jimmy Bartel, Andrew Mackie, Travis Varcoe, Harry Taylor, James Kelly, Joel Corey, Taylor Hunt, Steven Johnson, Jordan Murdoch, Mitch Duncan, Josh Caddy, Jared Rivers, Cam Guthrie, James Podsiadly, Steven Motlop, George Horlin-Smith, Josh Walker, Paul Chapman, Cam Eardley, Shane Kersten, Jackson Thurlow, Jesse Stringer, Corey Enright, Joel Hamling, Mark Blicavs.

ADELAIDE CROWS: Brad Crouch, Brent Reilly, Josh Jenkins, Scott Thompson, Nathan Van Berlo, Lewis Johnson, Rory Sloane, Matthew Jaensch, Matthew Wright, Taylor Walker, David Mackay, Luke Brown, Bernie Vince, Graham Johncock, Andy Otten, Sam Jacobs, Ben Rutten, Richard Douglas, Tom Lynch, Sam Kerridge, Patrick Dangerfield, Shaun McKernan, Brodie Martin, Ian Callinan, Jason Porplyzia, Aidan Riley, Ricky Henderson.
 

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