Suns set to back 'Bluey'

Gary Ablett's Suns are eager to taste finals action for the first time in 2014. Picture: Jerad Williams Source: News Limited

SUNS coach Guy McKenna could be handed a contract extension within months as the club gets set to back him in regardless of how the team performs in 2014.

Suns chief executive Travis Auld hinted McKenna would receive an extension on his current contract, which expires at the end of this season.

The backing comes as the Suns get set to face their first year in the AFL spotlight.

Until now the club have escaped scrutiny in their three-year existence in the big league but this year is different.

The Suns are expected to challenge for the top eight in 2014 and anything less will have supporters calling for McKenna's head.

Auld knows how the game works but insists it won't be all McKenna's fault if things don't go to plan this year.

JOSH FRASER TO COACH SUNS' SECONDS

"We are realistic about what our goals are and where we are at as a club and it's not as if one person is responsible for our on-field performance," he said.

"It is at times quite a fickle industry and you go back to year one and we got our midfield wrong and our coaches weren't up to the challenge, according to some commentators in the AFL.

"It was a different view last year and we just need to hold our line on what we believe and not respond to commentary outside the footy club.

"Either way if we have a strong start to the season we need to keep our feet on the ground and if things don't start how we like we need to remain focused on what our longer term goal is."

Discussion about McKenna's long-term future comes after the Suns re-signed him to a new two-year deal in May, 2012 despite the club recording a 0-8 win-loss record at the time.

Auld said showing faith in McKenna was part of the club's key values.

"From day one we talked about stability being one of key planks to building our club," he said.

"That's not just the senior coach and that's the playing group, assistant coaches and even in the administration side of the business and the board.

"We would love to see all our key people stay around for some time."

MCKENNA DENIES FORWARD REST FOR GAZZA

But while he doesn't have any performance-based measures to reach this year, Auld said McKenna will have his own expectations in 2014.

"He will have expectations on how he wants to coach and the team to play and you don't last long in this game unless you've got really high expectations on field," Auld said.

"(But) I don't think there is anything in particular we are asking him to do this year that would determine whether he gets another contract."

As for his three seasons at the helm of the club, Auld has been impressed by McKenna's growth.

"He came to us in 2009 with a lot of experience as an assistant coach but to coach your own team at AFL level, we've been really pleased with his development," he said.

"It was no surprise to see us improve a lot last year and I think it's a combination of not just the players but the overall coaching group improving."

Auld said a contract extension for McKenna would need to be ratified by the Suns board.

Suns chairman John Witheriff did not return calls yesterday.

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No guarantees in Bombers case

ESSENDON looks almost certain to embark upon a new season without any action from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority over doping charges - but still without an iron-clad guarantee that infraction notices won't come.

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Saints' woes are set to go

James Gwilt is recovering from a knee injury. Source: News Limited

NEW St Kilda coach Alan Richardson is hopeful of a full list for the NAB Challenge despite a dozen players battling injury complaints in recent months.

Richardson is confident the Saints' injury list is rapidly shrinking, as the likes of James Gwilt (knee), Rhys Stanley (hip/shoulder), Dylan Roberton (ankle) and top draft pick Jack Billings (quad) return to training.

The Saints faced a defensive crisis early last season, and many key defenders are still easing back to training, including Tom Simpkin (shin) and Luke Delaney (hip).

Nathan Wright (shin) and Tom Lee (shoulder) are both not yet in full training, while Jack Newnes (shoulder) and Aaron Siposs (shoulder) have overcome their issues.

SAINTS' STARS REUNITE

But Richardson says the Saints have a key group of about 35 players having completed much of the pre-season, with many of those officially on the injury list also having got through a solid chunk.

No. 3 draft pick Billings tweaked his quad in early December on the club's Colorado training camp and will finally return to full training this week.

Young forward Daniel Markworth, who needed an arthroscope in December after a setback for the ACL rupture he had suffered late in 2012, is not far behind him.

The Saints take on the Western Bulldogs on February 19 in their first NAB Challenge game, then Greater Western Sydney on March 1.

Their Round 1 opener under Richardson is against Melbourne on March 22.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson is optimistic his list is taking shape. Picture by Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"We are in pretty good shape, we would be mid-30s (training well), and those guys would have been able to get significant load into them in terms of preparation for a game in a few weeks time,'' Richardson said last week.

"There would be others who aren't in the 35 who are in pretty good shape who would add to that group by the time we get to matches. We will certainly be healthy enough. You can tell when you put them in a game simulation, they are cracking in, they are getting ready to play."

ST KILDA'S BEST 22

Captain Nick Riewoldt has completed a strong pre-season despite being held back from some drills and training.

The 31-year-old is a strong favourite to again be skipper in his 14th season, with fellow veteran Leigh Montagna the only other option for the Saints.

Both players last year signed contract extensions, with new father Lenny Hayes also in great shape for his 16th season.

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Chappy has Bomber excited

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Leaving Lions a tough ask for Hart

New Port Adelaide director of coaching Shaun Hart, right, with coach Ken Hinkley at Alberton Oval after the announcement. Picture: Simon Cross. Source: News Limited

NEW Port Adelaide director of coaching Shaun Hart said leaving the Gold Coast was one of the toughest decisions he has ever made.

But the former Suns' reserves and development coach said the opportunity at Alberton, and the lure of working under Ken Hinkley, were too good to refuse.

"Ken Hinkley is a brilliant operator and to work with him, and have that opportunity presented to me after I'd inquired about the role in mid-December, I couldn't believe the opportunity was (there)," Hart said.

Hart, a three-time premiership player and Norm Smith Medallist at the Brisbane Lions between 1990 and 2004, had lived on the Gold Coast for 24 years.

He said it was a desire to chase his dream that led him to relocate his family to Adelaide for the role.

"At times you can sit in a comfort zone,'' he said.

"My line to my wife around Christmas time was …'sometimes you've got to take a risk to find your way to the dream in your heart and realise your full potential in this life'.

"I went down that line with my wife and she has just been an incredible support."

Hart said he would draw on his time playing under four time premiership coach Leigh Matthews at Brisbane.

He said he would encourage Port Adelaide to think big in 2014.

"I'm really big on people and vision and working towards (goals) that we set together as a group," he said

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TEN years ago Shaun Hart unknowingly helped set Port Adelaide on the path to a premiership, now he's here to help them win another.

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AFL drops the ball on ageism

OF all the discriminations that the AFL has campaigned against in recent years, be they social, ethical or moral, there is one that it continues to ignore. It is ageism.

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Crows' close shave for Bailey

Crows coaches show their support for Dean Baily. From left, Alan Hincks, Heath Younie, Graham Dunstan, Mark Bickley, Peter Jonas, Tate Kaesler, Rob Harding, Matthew Clarke, Scott Camporeale, Darren Milburn and Brenton Sanderson. Source: Supplied

ADELAIDE Crows coaches have shaved their heads in a show of support for colleague and friend Dean Bailey.

Bailey is currently undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with cancer in November.

Despite being on indefinite leave, Adelaide's strategy and innovation coach has continued to play a role at the club, inspiring the players with visits between treatments.

At the club on Friday afternoon, coaches and support staff took turns with the clippers; some opting for a No. 2 shave and others, including coach Brenton Sanderson, assistant coach Scott Camporeale and high performance manager Paddy Steinfort, going down to a streamline No. 1.

Experienced cue-balls Scott Thompson and James Podsiadly were among the players on hand to offer hairdressing advice.

Crows CEO Steven Trigg said it was a show of support.

"It was a message to our mate that we're thinking of him," Trigg said.

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Pendlebury keen to step up

Scott Pendlebury picks up the pace at pre-season training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Limited

COLLINGWOOD star Scott Pendlebury says he's not letting captaincy thoughts cloud his pre-season as he focuses on helping get the Magpies "back on track'' for 2014.

While he is widely regarded as the successor to premiership skipper Nick Maxwell, Pendlebury says his attention is focused on preparing for next year's campaign.

COLLINGWOOD'S BEST 22

The Magpies are expected to make a call on the captaincy in February.

"We do our leadership as a playing group, so come February when we sit down and we do that we will go from there,'' Pendlebury, 25, said.

"Maxy has been fantastic for the footy club and it's been great to learn off him and guys like Bally (Luke Ball) as well.

"I haven't been in the leadership group for a while for no reason, it's something that I want to do, but at the same time it's up to the players to decide.

"That's something that all the players respect.''

SHOULD SCOTT PENDLEBURY BE NAMED COLLINGWOOD'S NEXT CAPTAIN? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW

It has already been an off-season of change for the Magpies, who said goodbye to Darren Jolly, Alan Didak, Heath Shaw, Dale Thomas and Andrew Krakouer.

Despite the loss of considerable experience, Pendlebury said the Magpies' blooding of young players in 2013 had them well placed.

"We have lost a fair bit of experience and we have replaced that with some youth,'' the midfield ace said.

"We have also got a lot of games into young guys at our footy club so it should hold us in good stead.''

After a disappointing finish to last season, which ended in an elimination final loss to Port Adelaide, Pendlebury said talk of the need for cultural change at the club had been "a bit misleading".

"Guys were frustrated we weren't winning," Pendlebury explained.

"In 2009, '10, '11 we won a lot of games and footy clubs are great places to be around when you win.

"(We were) just dealing with up and downs. It was a bit of a bumpy ride last year and we just want to get back on track next season and hopefully win lots of games of footy next season and everyone will be happy."

Pendlebury said the Pies had made a positive start to pre-season under the club's new high-performance manager Bill Davoren, who has crossed from St Kilda.

"It's been a bit different this year not going away (on an overseas camp),'' Pendlebury said.

"It's been a good change for us just to stay here and (with) new head of sport science Bill Davoren taking over, it was good to get him on top of the program.

"He has been really good and pre-season's going well.''

The Magpies resume pre-season training on January 6.

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