Daisy in doubt for Round 1

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley reveals star midfielder Dale Thomas is no certainty to be fit for the start of the season following ankle surgery.

Collingwood stars Dale Thomas, Heath Shaw, Dane Swan and Ben Johnson talk shop at training yesterday. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Injured Collingwood star Dale Thomas remains in doubt for Round 1. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has cast doubt over Dale Thomas's availability for Round 1.

The midfielder has yet to resume full training as he recovers from ankle surgery.

The news comes as Buckley accused his onballers of being downhill skiers at times last year.

"He is still a couple of months away," he said of Thomas.

"He will need to get some solid training in and get up to speed before he is ready to play some games of footy, whether that is late in the NAB (Cup) or early in the home-and-away (season) will depend on the speed of his recovery.

"He has had a modified pre-season and has got a lot of fitness work in, but not on legs. So we will have to judge that as we go."

As the Magpies gear up for Round 1 against North Melbourne on March 31, Buckley said yesterday players who could not instil defensive pressure all over the ground would not be selected.

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Brownlow medallist Dane Swan has been criticised for his one-way running, but Buckley felt he was not alone.

"We were too offensive out of stoppages and with our transitional running at times," he said.

"And not clean enough to support that offence. If we were cleaner and more efficient inside 50, you can run forward all you like. The ball is never going to come back. But when you come up against other sides, the ball comes back at you more often and you need to be able to handle that.

"I believe in team defence. You need 22 players to be defending. We improved our transitional defence as the year went on and we were better for it. We have some real depth now in our squad.

"If you are not going to tip into the defensive aspects, you are going to struggle to get a game of footy for us."

Buckley said the club's review of 2012 also identified the need for a tagger and that the Pies kicked to Travis Cloke to often.

He said the club had scored on only 40 per cent of its inside-50s, despite going to Cloke 80 per cent of the time.

"We need to be more aggressive with our ball movement," he said.

The off-contract Thomas said last week he was in no rush to start negotiating a new deal until he recovered.

But he said he was wary of letting contract talks turn into the "circus" that engulfed Cloke last year.

Buckley said: "We have got about 40 per cent of our list coming out of contract this year and we will deal with those guys, appropriately, at the right times."

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Buddy suspends contract talks

HAWTHORN superstar Lance Franklin has told the club he will not discuss a new contract until the end of the season, sparking fears he may leave.

Franklin is a restricted free agent at the end of the year, meaning he can entertain offers from rival clubs.

The Hawks said yesterday they made a "very good offer" to Franklin -- understood to have been between $900,000 and $1 million a season for up to four years -- and were stunned when told this week all negotiations were off until the end of September.

The offer also included a healthy slice of the club's marketing allowance.

"Buddy has made it pretty clear he'd prefer to leave the discussions to the end of the 2013 season," Hawthorn's head of football Mark Evans said.

Franklin's manager Liam Pickering said last night: "Buddy has 12 months to go on his contract and he wants to concentrate on playing.

"He said he didn't want the distraction of a contract and he has advised me talks are off until the end of the season.

"He doesn't want to entertain discussions and, whilst Hawthorn aren't happy, that's how it is, unfortunately."

Will Buddy be the next Gary Ablett?

Hawthorn is unable to pay Franklin market value as skipper Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell are on massive contracts, and Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, Grant Birchall, Brian Lake, Jordan Lewis and Brad Sewell are on sizeable deals.

Fremantle has been linked to Franklin, though the Dockers have not spoken to Pickering. Last year the Dockers offered Collingwood's Travis Cloke about $1.1 million for five years, but failed to land him. 

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The expectation is Franklin, who is from Western Australia, would be offered more than Cloke.

The Hawks yesterday confirmed six months of discussions had hit a brick wall this week.

Evans admitted Franklin's decision had rocked the club and already there were fears the constant talk about Franklin's future would become a major distraction, as it did at Collingwood with Cloke.

"It is not an ideal situation because we'd prefer to close off the distraction for Buddy, for the club, for supporters, for Pickers, and have a free run at our 2013 campaign," Evans said.

"We've been having a number of discussions over the past 5 1/2 months, and we've put together what we think is a very good offer, and Pickers is on record as saying it is respectable.

"Obviously, we had a few things to sort out.

"We know our offer is a strong offer, but at the moment it's not that the offer hasn't been accepted or rejected, it's only the discussions have been put off until the end of the season."

Lance Franklin tells Hawthorn he will not discuss a new deal until the end of the year, sparking fears at the Hawks that he may walk.

The Hawks accept Franklin can explore free agency.

"He's a free agent at the end of 2013 and he's got every right to proceed with contract discussions as he wants to," Evans said.

Despite Franklin's decision to cease discussions, the Hawks said they would endeavour to keep contact.

"We need to make sure we have regular contact with Pickers and Buddy and, should the situation change, our door is open," Evans said.

Pickering also manages Gary Ablett, who left Geelong for Gold Coast after announcing at the start of 2010 that contract talks were on hold until the end of the year.

Greater Western Sydney's Tom Scully said the same, then left Melbourne.

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Does Buddy delay equal disaster?

Kurt Tippett put off contract talks with the Crows last season. It didn't end well - unless you're a Sydney fan. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN fans are fearing the worst after Lance Franklin put contract talks on hold. History says they have plenty to worry about.

Franklin says he doesn't want contract talks to distract him from his footy this season.

If history tells us one thing, it's that his decision to suspend negotations won't stop speculation about Buddy's future.

Does it mean he's already decided to walk? There are plenty of recent examples that indicate the answer might be yes. But there is some hope for Hawthorn supporters.

Here are some other players who have put off contract talks in recent years - in their own words.

TOM SCULLY

"I'd love to end my career and say I was a one club player, and anticipate that will be the case."

- Scully, March 2011

"To ensure there are no distractions and that Tom can direct all his energies to the 2011 season, we recommended to him last August that we put contract talks on hold until the end of this season and advised the club accordingly."
- statement from Velocity Sports

"I'm absolutely delighted to be in Sydney here today .... No doubt money was a factor, but I saw an opportunity to be part of a brand new football club."
- Scully, September 2011 after signing a six-year deal with GWS

Melbourne training at AAMI park. Tom Scully faces the media before training. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

GARY ABLETT

"I just spoke to (Geelong CEO) Brian Cook today and we're going to put negotiations on hold until the end of the season to try and take some heat out of the whole situation. It gives him a chance to concentrate on playing, it takes a bit of heat off the club as well ... so they can get on with the job of playing and winning football matches."
- Ablett's manager Liam Pickering, June 2010

"This is all about the challenge of joining a new team and a new and unique opportunity to be part of something special in football."
- Ablett in September 1010 after signing with Gold Coast

Gary Ablett with Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna after announcing his move to the Suns. Picture: David Caird Source: Herald Sun

BRENDON GODDARD

"As I've said all along, we've been in constant talks with the footy club and they are the discussions we're having at the minute and I think it's pretty clear what my intentions are. I've said all along I'm happy where I am."
- July 2012

"I know Brendan wants to stay at (the) St Kilda football club. He's very committed to wanting to be here, there's no doubt about that."
- St Kilda coach Scott Watters, August 2012 after the Saints tabled a "very strong" contract offer

"It (was) something that a lot of thought went into. I was actually on the golf course (at the time)You can do a lot of thinking and there was a process where we did our due diligence. That decision wasn't made until late in the piece, (it was) after the season when it was probably crunch time to make the decision."
- Goddard in November 2012, a month after joining Essendon as a free agent.

KURT TIPPETT

"He wants to focus solely on performing on-field to the best of his ability before considering his future later in the year, and to ensure that the matter does not became a distraction to him or anyone at the club in the lead-up to and during the finals."
- Adelaide football manager Phil Harper, August 2012

"Boys, this morning, I have told the club that I won't be renewing my contract for 2013 ... Have absolutely loved playing alongside you all. You are all friends for life! I'll be in touch. Love KT."
- Tippett's text message to teammates after walking out in October 2012

NATHAN BOCK

"I don't see any reason to leave, but I'll leave that to my managers to sort out."
- June 2010, after putting off talks until after the mid-season break

"There are different reasons, not all financial (but) it is a significant offer that was too hard to refuse. It sets me up for after footy."
- August 2010, after becoming the first out-of-contract player to sign with Gold Coast

Gold Coast signings Nathan Bock and Nathan Krakouer. Picture: Adam Head Source: The Courier-Mail

CAMPBELL BROWN

"My three or four other contracts that I have signed have been done towards the end of the year, and I would expect nothing to change."
- May, 2010

"It was a tough decision, but when I was making the decision I thought it would be best for my football."
- September, 2010 after joining Gold Coast

But the contract sagas don't always end badly ...

TRAVIS CLOKE

"We've had enough of all the talking, we're going to play football."
- Collingwood president Eddie McGuire in July 2012 after talks with Cloke's management broke down.

"We always wanted him to stay there, but there was going to be an issue if he did not get the fifth year. It did get close towards the end there."
- manager Ralph Carr after Cloke signed a five-year deal to stay with the Pies

Travis Cloke celebrates his goal in the third quarter. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

MATTHEW PAVLICH

"I'm really happy with where it (negotiations) is placed. We're happy with how it's progressing and so is the club. We'll get to a point some time later in the year."
- May 2010

"I'm really happy with the process and the outcome, I hope the Freo faithful are happy as well."
- Pavlich in September 2010 after signing a four-year deal with the Dockers

TRAVIS BOAK

"We have never put pressure on Travis for a decision. We've said we would like to know sooner rather than later and understood the difficulty of Travis' decision because of his family."
- Port Adelaide football manager Peter Rohde in July 2012 after contract talks stalled

"I'm so relieved to have got the deal done after what has at times been a challenging year for me personally and for the club."
- Boak after signing a two-year deal with Port in September 2012

Port Adelaide star Travis Boak meets young fan James Nussio after signing a new contract with the Power. Picture: Dean Martin Source: Herald Sun

... and some we won't know for about seven months.

LANCE FRANKLIN

"He said he didn't want the distraction of a contract and he has advised me talks are off until the end of the season. He doesn't want to entertain discussions and, whilst Hawthorn aren't happy, that's how it is, unfortunately."
- Franklin's manager Liam Pickering, February 2013

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SuperCoach X-factors

Essendon youngster Elliot Kavanagh will leave no stone unturned in his bid to become an AFL star. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Shane Crawford channels his inner Liam Neeson when he discovers Gary Ablett is 'taken' and tries to organise a swap with one of his mates

SUPERCOACH is back and so are the selection headaches that come with Australia's biggest and best fantasy sports game.

Those playing SuperCoach CLASSIC will be looking to pick a mix of elite, fringe and young players (cash cows) ready to make an impact on the big stage.

But it's a whole different ball game if you're playing SuperCoach DRAFT.

Ablett, Franklin, Cox and Swan will be gone after a handful of picks in your private league draft. Add Pendlebury, NicNat, Selwood and Watson to that list.

Tough decisions will need to be made, especially in the latter rounds of your SuperCoach DRAFT parties.

Enter the fringe dwellers of fantasy football.

A talented crop of bargain buys who, with little help from injury, from and a slice of luck, can boost their numbers and help turn your SuperCoach fortunes around.

None of these players are household names, and some might bomb. But it only takes one gem to make you a SuperCoach genius.

Do you agree with Gilbert's predictions? Leave a comment below and send him a note on Twitter at @gilbertgardiner.

ADELAIDE: Shaun McKernan $274,500 ruck/fwd
2012 SuperCoach average: 57

McKernan was restricted to just six games last year with injuries, form and Kurt Tippett cruelling his 2012 campaign. Tippett's departure leaves an opening for a tall forward/ruckman - McKernan just has to beat Josh Jenkins to the gig.

BRISBANE LIONS: Todd Banfield $234,100 fwd
2012 SuperCoach average: 43

Big wraps on the speedy goalsneak who had a less than inspiring 2012 marred by knee tendonitis and stress fractures. Banfield was one of the Lions' best small forwards in 2010 and 2011 and has the potential to play further up the ground. Expect Banfield to shoot up the rankings in his fourth AFL season.

CARLTON: Simon White $291,100 def
2012 SuperCoach average: 54

White is all the rage at Visy Park, training the house down in his first full pre-season since joining the club in 2010. The 190cm 88kg key back is doing everything right to make an impact in the Blues backline. Bargain buy.

COLLINGWOOD: Brent Macaffer $128,000 fwd
2012 SuperCoach average: N/A

A proven goalkicker who can drift into the midfield, Macaffer looms as one of the bargain buys of the season. The 2010 premiership player missed all of last season after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in the Magpies' NAB Cup opener. He played four games in 2011 battling through back and foot injuries. But back in 2010 he was one of the Pies' best small forwards, averaging 80 SuperCoach points a week.

Brent Macaffer makes a comeback to training after a long-term injury. Picture: Chris Scott Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON: Elliott Kavanagh $139,100 mid
2012 SuperCoach average: 26

Don't expect Kavanagh to get too much time in the Bomber midfield just yet, but he could prove handy in second half of the season. Kavanagh, 19, was pick 19 in the 2011 draft and boasts silky skills with both hand and foot.

FREMANTLE: Alex Silvagni $256,800 def
2012 SuperCoach average: 60

If Silvagni can break back into the Dockers' best 22 he could prove to be a handy SuperCoach acquisition. The key defender endured a torrid 2012 managing just five games as the third back behind Luke McPharlin and Zac Dawson. Silvagni possesses strong hands can mix it with the best forwards in the comp.

GEELONG: George Horlin-Smith $198,000 mid
2012 SuperCoach average: 37

The hyphen is in line for greater opportunities in 2013. The Sturt product has put together a strong pre-season adding bulk to an already impressive frame. Look for Horlin-Smith to make an impact in the NAB Cup.

George Horlin-Smith in action against Port Adelaide. Picture: Glenn Ferguson Source: Geelong Advertiser

GOLD COAST: Joel Wilkinson $171,200 def
2012 SuperCoach average: 32

Don't let Wilkinson's lowly average scare you off. A complete athlete, he looks ready to blossom rebounding out of the Suns' backline after starting his career as a tagger. The 20-year-old of Nigerian descent led the Suns' time-trial recently while last week breaking the bench press record for Queensland-based AFL players. Hasn't got a lot of the ball in the past but expect that to change.

SPORT - Gold Coast Suns player Joel Wilkinson set a new bench press record for the club. He lifted 160kgs. Pic by Luke Marsden. Picture: Luke Marsden Source: The Courier-Mail

GWS: Liam Sumner $217,200 mid
2012 SuperCoach average: 58

A a class act who will be in the thick of the action after overcoming foot problems last year. He made his debut against Carlton in Round 6, picking up 92 SuperCoach points. The No.10 pick in the 2011 draft attacks the contest hard and is a good user of the ball.

HAWTHORN: Xavier Ellis $284,100 mid
2012 SuperCoach average: 59

It's not a skill issue with Xavier but a body issue. The smart left-footer has struggled with injuries and will be looking to re-ignite his career after playing just 14 games in the past two seasons. Averaged 70-plus SuperCoach points per game between 2009-11. Don't discount Ellis racking up a heap of touches at both ends of the ground.

MELBOURNE: Shannon Byrnes $230,100
2012 SuperCoach average: 43

Byrnes was starved of opportunities at the Cattery but the proven goalkicker will slot into the Demons midfield taking the pressure off young stars Jack Viney and Jimmy Toumpas. The 28-year-old will be hoping to wind back the clock to his 2009 and 2010 seasons where he averaged 18 disposals per game and kicked 30-plus goals. If he does, get on.

Get the latest SuperCoach news and tips by following @superfooty on Twitter

NORTH MELBOURNE: Kieran Harper $275,500 fwd
2012 SuperCoach average: 51

Arden St is awash with praise for the young half-forward expected to take his game to the next level in 2013. Don't read too much into his numbers last year as Harper was often shared substitute duties with former Kangaroos speedster Matt Campbell. The exciting prospect boasts clean hands, explosive pace and silky footy skills.

PORT ADELAIDE: Oliver Wines $169,500 mid
2012 SuperCoach average: N/A

Wines is primed for SuperCoach selection given his ball-winning ability. The hard-nosed midfielder oozes class and looks ready to play senior football straight away. Watch for Wines burrowing in at stoppages during the NAB Cup.

RICHMOND: Chris Knights $248,300 fwd
2012 SuperCoach average: 46

Knights will be looking to re-launch his 96-game career at Punt Rd after moving during free agency. Knights booted 43 goals in 2009 but saw his time at half-forward reduced in the following three seasons due to injury and form. Knights has the talent to play AFL footy and will prove dangerous inside the arc alongside Jack Riewoldt, Robin Nahas and recruit Aaron Edwards.

Richmond recruit Chris Knights. Picture: Stuart Walmsley Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA: Tom Lee $115,900 fwd
2012 SuperCoach average: N/A

St Kilda has a good track record of recycling forwards (refer Ahmed Saad, Terry Milera). And there's little to suggest Lee, a mature-aged recruit from West Australia, won't be given similar opportunities at the start of the season. The 21-year-old kicked 60 goals in a premiership season with WAFL side Claremont last year.

SYDNEY: Tom Mitchell $115,900 mid
2012 SuperCoach average: N/A

The highly-rated father-son selection is a proven ball magnet on the cusp of senior selection. Mitchell was plagued by a niggling knee injury last year but collected 42 disposals in 70 minutes of a reserves game. He also clunked six marks and kicked a goal in the standout NEAFL performance. He's certainly one to keep on the radar.

Andrew Embley (WC) $283,600 mid
2012 SuperCoach average: 53
Disregard Embley at your peril. The veteran midfielder averaged 22 disposals a game between 2008-11 and despite missing most of last season after a shoulder reconstruction, he topped the 20-disposal mark in four of his five games after his return. Loves drifting forward to kick a goal.

Koby Stevens (WB) $176,600 mid
2012 SuperCoach average: 33

Stevens failed to fire a shot for the Eagles last year despite starring in the WAFL. An inside midfielder, Stevens will be given every chance at proving himself at the Doggies. Will rate highly in contested possessions and clearances at Whitten Oval.

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Roos youngsters set the pace

North Melbourne young gun Kieran Harper is one of the big improvers of the Kangaroos pre-season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

NORTH Melbourne is reaping the rewards of a solid preseason with recruits Jordan Gysberts and Ben Jacobs leading the way.

Gysberts moved to Arden St during the AFL trade period after three seasons at Melbourne where he played 19 games.

Kangaroos champion Brent Harvey endorsed the 2009 No.11 pick's arrival at the club.

"Jordy's just gone about his footy the way he should be, and that's training really, really hard and setting a great standard for our younger guys to follow," the 246-game veteran told SEN radio this morning.

Meanwhile, Jacobs, a No.16 pick in 2010, has slotted into the Kangaroos defence after walking out on Port Adelaide.

"Benny Jacobs is one of the most professional guys I've seen come through our footy club. He's really switched on and loves his footy."

Harvey, suspended for the first six rounds of the season, expects the Kangaroos' youngsters to improve in leaps and bounds.

"It's going to be really, really good. We've got a lot of depth now and we can look at those young guys to really start taking over our footy club," Harvey said.

"(Shaun) Atley and (Kieran) Harper, they're the ones that everyone talks about; (Ben) Cunnington and (Ryan) Bastinac, they've all played 50-60 games together now and I think what I've seen over my career is teams start gelling when that young group have all played 50-60 games together.

"You can't expect too much from them when it's 20-30 games and they are still learning each other's style, but it's pretty much right now when you'll see the improvement from that group."

North Melbourne rookie Eric Wallace joined in the club's competitive hit-out against Geelong at Simonds Stadium today.

Wallace was signed as an international rookie last year.

"Participating in full on 18v18 training with the boys! Catching on quickly! Improving daily!!" he tweeted yesterday.

"The more I learn & develop as a footy player, the more I start to see the similarities there are in basketball! still an entirely diff game!"

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Rich tax debate surprises Pies

Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert is surprised the equalisation debate is back on the table. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD chief executive Gary Pert says he's surprised the equalisation debate is on again after a deal to narrow the gap between the rich and poor clubs was struck less than 18 months ago.

Victoria's power clubs, including Collingwood, are set to rebel against plans for a luxury tax, which would impose a levy on big-spending clubs.

Pert said today the Magpies had supported an unequal distribution of the AFL's last media rights deal, signed in 2011, to avoid having their revenue streams "attacked''.

"I was a little bit surprised when this whole equalisation debate has surfaced recently,'' Pert said.

"I was involved when the new media rights deal came out and we underwent not only an equalisation calculation, but we allocated the dis-equal amounts to the less financial clubs.

"Part of that process was run by the AFL was to work with the clubs, establish what financial support they needed for the long term.

"All the clubs, including Collingwood, supported that process, which was designed specifically to set all the clubs up into a similar scenario so they had the financial support and resources.

"As a club, Collingwood signed off on that dis-equal contribution specifically so we wouldn't be going through this, so we wouldn't have are revenue streams re-attacked.

"I find it amazing that a year, 18 months later we're re-assessing that. I'm very surprised.''

Meanwhile, the Magpies today announced a new multi-million dollar three-year sponsorship deal with Holden.

Holden will become the official sponsor of Nathan Buckley and his coaching team.

Pert said the new deal was a "natural fit'' for the Magpies, who were previously sponsored by Lexus.

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Young Demon cleared of injury

Dean Terlich has been hospitalised after a training mishap. Picture: Regi Varghese Source: adelaidenow

MELBOURNE draftee Dean Terlich has been cleared of any injuries after an ugly collision at training today.

Terlich was training with teammates at Moorabbin Oval earlier today when he suffered a knock to the head and neck region.

An ambulance was called to take him to hospital, where he underwent precautionary tests.

A forward-turned-defender, Terlich was drafted by Melbourne with pick 68 in the 2012 National Draft.

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Lions need Brown's presence

Brisbane coach Michael Voss talked Jonathan Brown into staying on as captain. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE coach Michael Voss says it would have been "a bit wrong'' for Jonathan Brown to completely relinquish leadership duties at the Gabba.

Brown will step down as sole captain in 2013 but will remain as a co-captain after four seasons as the single figurehead.

Voss said the new co-captain will be announced in the near future but it was important that Brown still played a critical leadership role due to the AFL superstar's sheer "presence''.

"One of the first things that Brownie spoke about was stepping down and I thought it just sort of looked a bit wrong to have the big fella coming in behind somebody,'' Voss said.

"He'll always be a leader but to be able to have him out the front with someone beside him just made a bit more sense than stepping down.''

Voss said it was the right time to start "succession planning'' at the Lions.

"It's just a sign of where our group is at and the fact that Brownie has got a lot of confidence in the group that is coming through,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Brisbane today announced a three-year, seven-figure sponsorship deal with storage company, National Storage.

National Storage joins Vero insurance joins the club as a co-major sponsor.

The Lions posted a net operating loss of $2,513,262 for the financial year ending October 31, 2012. It was Brisbane's third-straight seven-figure loss. They lost $2.5 million in 2010 and another $1.8 million in 2011.

The Lions also recorded a $603,207 loss in 2009 and a $2.2 million loss in 2008.

Brisbane CEO Malcolm Holmes said the new deal would help the club turnaround its bottom line.

"It's a great outcome for the club...it's great news. It shows there is a lot of support for our brand,'' Holmes said.

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Goddard would have led Saints

Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard in his new colours. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

NICK Riewoldt would have handed the St Kilda captaincy to Brendon Goddard if he had not quit the club to join Essendon.

Nick Riewoldt was yesterday appointed St Kilda skipper for the eighth season.

However, he revealed today he had been happy to hand over the captaincy, but the prime candidate left to join the Bombers as a free agent.

"I thought if BJ (Goddard) was still at the club it would have been him this year, and I was more than happy for that to occur - and for anyone else to step into the role," Riewoldt said.

Riewoldt hinted at an issue facing the club in trying to find the next generation of leaders.

The Saints have a large group of veterans aged 29 and over and a crop of emerging youngsters, but few experienced players in between.

The issue was acknowledged with the inclusion of Ben McEvoy, James Gwilt, David Armitage, Sean Dempster and Jarryn Geary in the leadership group, with a group of elder statesmen nominated to mentor an "emerging leaders" group.

"The club went for a bit of a change in the leadership group with three younger guys stepping into the group and they just wanted some stability at the top," Riewoldt said.

"It's now our job as the senior guys - myself, Lenny, Milney, Blakey, all those guys - to make sure we promote some of the younger guys so sooner rather than later someone else can step into the role."

Summer Barometer: See how the Saints are shaping up

Asked on SEN if he had tried to talk Goddard out of leaving, Riewoldt said: "Absolutely, definitely.

"He's one of my great mates, was one of the groomsmen at my wedding, and nothing will change there as far as our friendship goes (but) I certainly wanted him to stay a St Kilda player.

"But at the end of the day it's his decision and I respect the decision he's made."

 

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Lions keen for February wins

Superstar Lion Jonathan Brown is in great shape. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: HWT Image Library

THE Brisbane Lions will refreshingly use the NAB Cup to drive a winning culture after three disappointing seasons without a finals appearance.

Football manager Dean Warren said the Lions were out to be competitive in the pre-season competition, which they kick off against Gold Coast and Hawthorn in three weeks.

The Lions have won just 21 matches in the past three years but took a giant step forward last year, recording three impressive victories to end the season and unveiling a rich list of young talent.

"We certainly want to be really competitive in the NAB Cup,'' Warren said.

Summer Barometer: See how the Lions are shaping up

"Yes, we want to make sure we give most players on our list an opportunity to play, but we'll certainly be there to try and win as many games as we can."

The Lions also face Greater Western Sydney in the four-match three-round series, where the top two sides advance to the grand final.

Sport 22.1.13 BCM Lions. Daniel Rich. The Brisbane Lions training Coorparoo. Pic Peter Wallis Picture: Peter Wallis Source: HWT Image Library

"With where we're at it's important to balance between being super competitive and putting your best out there to trying to give your young guys an opportunity to play as well," Warren said.

"So we'll try to balance that."

Brisbane Lions have never won a pre-season tournament, but finished runner-up in 2007 and 2001.

The Lions are rated a $34 chance to claim the silverware this year, while Warren said captain Jonathan Brown could be unleashed in the latter stages.

Green light for Black's return

"He's had a terrific break mentally and physically he's in terrific condition," Warren said.

"We'll ease through NAB Cup, we might not play him too much but our goal with him is to make sure he's right to go Round 1."

Sport 22.1.13 BCM Lions. Daniel Merritt. The Brisbane Lions training Coorparoo. Pic Peter Wallis Picture: Peter Wallis Source: HWT Image Library

Warren said knee victim Brent Staker had completed a full pre-season and was set to return to Michael Voss's side, while Melbourne recruits Brent Moloney and Stefan Martin had "slotted in extremely well".

"It feels like Moloney's been here for five years, so we're very happy with those two and how they're performing," he said.

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