'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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Young Cats smash Crows

Jimmy Bartel was in superb touch against Adelaide. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

OLD hands Harry Taylor and Jimmy Bartel piloted an experimental Geelong line-up to a commanding 63-point victory over disappointing Adelaide in their NAB Cup clash at Simonds Stadium.

Taylor was impassable in defence for the Cats, completely blanketing Crows spearhead Taylor Walker while amassing a game-high  31 possessions.

Bartel, standing in as captain for the rested Joel Selwood, was also impressive as the Cats won 2.16.12 (126) to 1.8.6 (63).

But just as pleasing for coach Chris Scott was the performance of some of Geelong's lesser lights, who took their chance with the likes of Selwood, Steve Johnson, Tom Hawkins, Joel Corey and Tom Lonergan on the sidelines.

Billie Smedts and George Horlin-Smith showed good signs, while rookie-listed former steeplechaser Mark Blicavs was competitive in the ruck and kicked a goal.

Also pleasing for the Cats was the performance of Travis Varcoe, who was dominant early in the game running off half-back.

Varcoe was limited to just one game in 2012 because of a serious foot injury.

In contrast there was little to get enthused about for Crows coach Brenton Sanderson, less than three weeks out from the Crows' season opener against Essendon.

Adelaide went with a near full-strength lineup on Saturday, with midfielder Rory Sloane and last year's Rising Star winner Daniel Talia among their few notable absentees.

Powerhouse Patrick Dangerfield was a rare shining light with three goals.

The home side had the match well in hand when they led by by 42 points at quarter-time having begun the match kicking with the aid of a strong breeze.

Geelong took no risks with star utility Paul Chapman, substituting him out of the game at quarter-time after he landed heavily in a marking contest.

The Cats return to Simonds Stadium next Saturday for a pre season Cup clash against North Melbourne while the Crows host Carlton at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

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Alarm bells ringing for Crows

Geelong's Harry Taylor took Crows full-forward out of the match at Simonds Stadium. Picture: Scott Barbour. Source: Getty Images

FOR the Crows, thank heavens this was a practice match; the effort at Simonds Stadium was a screeching signal that it is time for them to ramp matters up in few weeks leading up to the home-and-away season.

Smashings such as this 10-goal loss prompt an obvious question: was Geelong awesome or Adelaide aweful? The answer likes somewhere in between, but Adelaide looked flat yet hesitant, sloppy when under pressure and too reliant on too few.

As much as Geelong looked like millionaires despite playing a young side, they were helped along by the Crows, who arrived as favoutites with the bookmakers but were never even close to the Cats.

Adelaide's movement out of the backline is a major concern: full of one-step kicks, overuse of the ball and players getting in the way of one another.

Geelong added to the woes with by pressing forward, but this is one area that needs attention and fast.

Of the young ones, Brad Crouch and Sam Kerridge showed positives to take home - Crouch for body strength and composure in congested situations, Kerridge for looking more and more like he belongs at this level.

There was a fresh southerly gushing towards Corio Bay as the match began in crisp autumn sun, but it wasn't just the wind that made the Crows look pedestrian.

You could see that it assisted the Cats when Travis Varcoe, a former Central District player, elegantly glided past a contest, received, a nonchalantly kicked it from outside 50.

But the conditions could not account for the Crows being second to the ball as Geelong cranked up their well-known drill of sharing it around and running in numbers.

It didn't help the Crows that Taylor Walker was stood by Harry Taylor, one of the best-marking defenders in the competiton, and was given a bath. Best on ground versus best to forget.

But it gave a clearer picture of what the Crows can expect as it embarks on the post-Tippett era: Walker not only receiving the standout defender, but also having other backmen drop off to help out.

The Cats ran circles around them, and late in the first quarter Geelong had 20 inside-50s to Adelaide's two.

As Crows coach Brenton Sanderson had predicted, the Cats shape as a contender again. Varcoe, who only managed one game last year because of injuries, Steven Motlop and Billie Smedt added zip to go with the sturdy contributions of Paul Chapman, James Kelly and Jimmy Bartel.

Predictably, it befell Patrick Dangerfield to take matters in his own hands. When Geelong had 31 points on the scoreboard, Adelaide none, he wrested the ball out of a contest, avoided one tackle and broke another, took off on a sprint and kicked the Crows' first. Close to 15 minutes had been played.

Gradually, the Crows worked themselves back into the match, much through the steady hands of Dangerfield, captain Nathan van Berlo, Scott Thompson, Sam Jacobs taking control in the ruck and Ben Rutten asserting himself down back.

But clearly, it was not all about the wind; the lead had grown from 42 points at half time to 46 at the long break. It only got worse from there. By three quarter time, some of the audience was already making their way out into the surrounding parklands to find something else to fill their day.

BEST: Geelong: Taylor, Kelly, Varcoe, Mackie, Bartel, Horlin-Smith, Enright. Adelaide: Dangerfield, van Berlo, Thompson, Rutten, Vince

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GWS SuperCoach preview

Jonathon Patton is worth keeping an eye on in his second season. Source: Getty Images

WHICH GWS players should you pick in SuperCoach this year and who should you avoid?

Last year GWS was all the rage in SuperCoach land, and with good reason.

Possessing 11 of the first 14 picks of the 2011 national draft, there were plenty of ultra-talented, cheap Giants to pick up and watch grow in to fat and juicy cash cows.

This year, however, we must look at much of Greater Western Sydney's list for what it actually is - full of talented yet highly over-priced (in SuperCoach terms, at least) second-year players.

The key to selecting Giants this year is your willingness to sift through the recycle bin for players in the second chance saloon and the nursery for the yet-to-debuts.

BYE: Round 13 (with Adelaide, Carlton, Collingwood, Essendon and Gold Coast)

SUPERCOACH STAR

Callan Ward (midfield) $570,100
This tough-as-nails midfielder didn't take a backwards step despite having little support in the engine room throughout 2012. He was the only Giant to average above 100 points per game (he was at 106.55) and at 22 can only improve further with age. He led the club for contested possessions, clearances and tackles last season and that is SuperCoach gold.

BANK EM

Jonathan Giles (ruck) $498,900
Definitely not as appealing as he was last year in terms of price, but in a shallow pool of ruck stocks you have to view Giles as a quality option. Started last season like a house on fire, slowed slightly, but still ended the year averaging 93 points a game. At 25, Giles should be near the peak of his powers and with few challengers for the mantle of the Giants' No.1 ruckman, there's no reason why the 200cm big man can't push the 100 points per game mark this year.

BUY EM

Setanta O'hAilpin (forward/ruck) $252,500
Can't believe the Irishman is rated a $252k player after playing just the one game last season, but alas he remains one to consider for several reasons. GWS coach Kevin Sheedy is a massive O'hAilpin fan, even suggesting his side could have won a couple more games last year had the former Blue not injured his knee.
He's versatile - he can fill holes down back, up forward and in the ruck. And he's fit, kicking three goals in the Giants intra-club match recently.

GWS forward Setanta O'hAilpin is pushed out of a marking contest. Source: Getty Images

Lachie Whitfield (midfield) $199,500

Not much explanation needed for this one - the Dandenong Stingrays product is going to be a jet. No.1 draft picks are so often an automatic selection in any serious SuperCoach player's team and, while injuries conspired against teammate Jon Patton last year, Whitfield is one you can't afford to pass up.

Liam Sumner (midfield) $217,200

Of the Giants' bevy of picks in the first round of the 2011 national draft Sumner played the least games, as a foot stress fracture ended his season during only his second match. With a second pre-season under his belt, there is no reason why Sumner won't add to his games tally significantly and, given his starting price, the 19-year-old could be a left-of-centre cash cow.

BURY EM

Phil Davis (defender) $387,400

Wasn't a bad Giant to pick up last year because we knew he'd play every game and his lowly price could only increase because he'd be relied upon so heavily. But $387k is about as high as the former Crow is going to get and the fact remains that his points per game average in his three seasons has only been 60, 52 and 72.

Jeremy Cameron (forward) $333,700

There's no reason why last year's forward line revelation can't continue to come along in leaps and bounds this season. But in SuperCoach terms, Cameron's price makes him a difficult proposition to select considering he is still a key-position player coming in to just his second year. Watch his development with interest and awe, but don't do it while hoping he can score you crucial SuperCoach points.

SUPERCOACH DRAFT WATCHLIST

Toby Greene (midfield)

This guy is going to be a star - if he isn't already. You always fear the second year blues for someone who has burst on to the scene as Greene did last year, so in traditional SuperCoach terms his price tag of $506,300 is a little tough to swallow. But in the draft, where money is no issue, the 19-year-old could be a crucial lower round pick for your side.

Toby Greene on the move. Picture: Mark Evans Source: Herald Sun

Bret Thornton (defender/forward)

Every year always supplies one or two recycled players who go on to thrive in a new environment. Thornton played only seven games last year, the lowest amount in his career, which followed on from a 2011 season in which the former Blue could not work out if he was a forward or defender such was the Carlton coaching staff's propensity to throw him all around the field. Wherever he ends up playing this season, know that games are going to come to Thornton in a big way. And the fact that he is a dual-position player makes the 29-year-old a valuable draft proposition.

Tom Scully (midfield)

Can't doubt the 2009 No.1 draft pick's skill and coming in to his fourth season the time might be right for Scully to well and truly announce his arrival as a gun of the competition.

SPORTSBET ODDS

GWS highest-scoring player

$2.65 Callan Ward
$3.25 Jonathan Giles
$3.50 Toby Greene
$8 Adam Treloar
$8 Tom Scully
$8 Stephen Coniglio
$12 Dylan Shiel

* not including finals

Source: sportsbet.com.au

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Safety first with Stevie J

Steve Johnson kicks the first goal. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG has taken a cautious approach by withdrawing premiership pair Steve Johnson and Joel Corey from tomorrow's NAB Cup clash against Adelaide at Simonds Stadium.

Cats football manager Neil Balme said the duo had pulled up sore from training today.

"They both tried to train today and they were a bit sore, so we decided not to play them,'' Balme said.

"I think it's only about tomorrow ... it's certainly nothing serious.''

Johnson will miss Round 1 of the home-and-away season after being suspended for striking Hayden Ballantyne in the first round of the NAB Cup.

Johnson and Corey have been replaced in the Cats' squad by Brad Hartman and former basketballer Ryan Bathie, but Balme said they would be the likely emergencies.

Premiership players Paul Chapman, Andrew Mackie and James Kelly will have their first pre-season hitouts against the Crows.

Meanwhile, Balme said earlier ruckman Nathan Vardy was expected to make a return before Round 1.

"As we know he had quite a serious hip issue which is pretty good, he's got a very slight groin issue that we are being very conservative with.'' Balme said on SEN.

"He'll play almost certainly within the next week or two.

"He's in pretty good shape and he'll be fine.''
 

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Lions excited by Leuey return

Matthew Leuenberger works on his tapwork at Lions training at Coorparoo. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: The Courier-Mail

WHEN Brisbane vice-captain Tom Rockliff thinks about the difference having Matthew Leuenberger on the field, his face lights up.

In fact, he smiled his way through an interview after AFL training today from the time Leuenberger's name was mentioned until he stopped raving about him two minutes later.

The 204cm ruckman, who is at the end of a long road back from an achilles injury he sustained three games into the 2012 season, didn't take part in the slippery training session at Coorparoo.

But to the delight of Rockliff and coach Michael Voss, he will be on the club's private charter flight to play a pre-season match against Greater Western Sydney in Wagga tomorrow night.

The Lions will be missing several guns, who will be available for next weekend's clash with Collingwood, but all eyes will be on Leuenberger's eagerly-anticipated comeback.

Rockliff said having the club's No.1 ruckman back would be a "massive benefit".

"It is great to see the big fella back out there, he's been through a fair bit," he said.

"Luey's our best ruckman and has been for a couple of years.

"I think we saw at the end of 2011, those last 10 games he was one of, if not the, best ruckman in the competition.

Leuenberger is a $301,100 bargain in SuperCoach. Click here to add him to your squad now

"The ability for him to get up and give us first use in the midfield, I think that's something we lacked last year - taking nothing away from Huddo (Ben Hudson), he was fantastic for us."

Leuenberger's speed across the ground for such a big man, combined with his ability to give teammates like Rockliff first use of the ball, will make Brisbane even more dangerous this year.

"He's pretty much a fourth midfielder for us but also gives us the ability to get our hands on the ball first," Rockliff said. 

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LIVE: Hawks v Bulldogs

Lance Franklin, sporting his new moustache, will take on the Western Bulldogs tonight. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

LIVE AT 7:40pm AEDT- Follow our live coverage of tonight's NAB Cup clash between Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

PRE-GAME

HELLO and welcome to tonight's live coverage of the NAB Cup clash between Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

Hawthorn midfield guns Sam Mitchell, Brad Sewell and Jordan Lewis will play their first game of year.

Still missing for the Hawks will be captain Luke Hodge, Shaun Burgoyne, Grant Birchall, Liam Shiels, Michael Osborne, Xavier Ellis and new recruit Brian Lake.

While the Bulldogs will have former Eagle Koby Stevens play his first match for the red, white and blue.

Follow all the action right here!

Full squads are below.

Hawthorn

2 Jarryd Roughead
3 Jordan Lewis
4 Matt Suckling

5 Sam Mitchell
6 Josh Gibson
10 Bradley Hill
12 Brad Sewell
13 Kyle Cheney
16 Isaac Smith
18 Brent Guerra
19 Jack Gunston
20 David Hale
21 Shane Savage
22 Luke Breust
23 Lance Franklin
24 Ben Stratton
25 Ryan Schoenmakers
27 Matt Spangher
29 William Langford (R) - Emergency
32 Jonathan Simpkin
35 Sam Grimley
37 Jed Anderson
38 Mitchell Hallahan - Emergency
41 Taylor Duryea
43 Amos Frank (R)
46 Derick Wanganeen (R)
47 Jonathon Ceglar (R) - Emergency

Western Bulldogs

2 Robert Murphy
3 Mitch Wallis
4 Daniel Cross
5 Matthew Boyd
6 Luke Dahlhaus
9 Jake Stringer
10 Easton Wood
11 Jackson Macrae
13 Daniel Giansiracusa
14 Clay Smith
15 Jason Tutt
16 Ryan Griffen
19 Liam Jones
21 Tom Liberatore
23 Jordan Roughead
25 Koby Stevens
27 Will Minson
29 Tory Dickson
31 Tom Young
33 Nick Lower
37 Lukas Markovic
38 Dale Morris
39 Jason Johannisen
42 Liam Picken
44 Brett Goodes
45 Tom Campbell
49 Ayce Cordy

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Eagles, Dockers name strong line-ups

BIG INCLUSION: Ruckman Dean Cox will make his first pre-season appearance for the Eagles this weekend. Source: The Mercury

WEST Coast has named a strong squad for Sunday's NAB Cup clash with Collingwood, with as many as 18 first-choice players set to take to the field.

As flagged by coach John Worsfold yesterday, the Eagles will welcome ruckman Dean Cox and spearhead Josh Kennedy back into the fold, with wingman Matt Rosa also set to play his first pre-season game.

Though Daniel Kerr, Nic Naitanui, Beau Waters, Sharrod Wellingham and Mark Nicoski remain on the sidelines, the Eagles are set to start favourites against the side that knocked them out of last year's finals.

Magpies big guns Dane Swan, Scott Pendlebury, Dale Thomas and Steele Sidebottom will all make the trip west for the Patersons Stadium clash, while Quinten Lynch will line up for his first game against his former side.

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SUPERCOACH SQUAD NOW

Meanwhile, Fremantle will bolster its midfield for Saturday's NAB Cup game against Cartlton at Etihad Stadium, with a trio of key players set to return.

Last year's club champion Ryan Crowley will take to the field for his first pre-season hit-out, with David Mundy and Nat Fyfe also included after missing the NAB Cup opening games a fortnight ago.

Skipper Matthew Pavlich will miss the trip due to the expected birth of his first child, while Stephen Hill (arm) Michael Barlow (rested) are also absentees.

SEE ALL THIS WEEKEND'S NAB CUP SQUADS HERE

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said he was eager to "get minutes" into the club's up-and-coming players like Hayden Crozier and Lachie Neale as the NAB Cup wears on.

Both the Dockers and Eagles will need victories to keep their hopes of making the pre-season final alive after each club notched one win and one loss on the opening weekend of the tournament.

Follow Chris Robinson on Twitter: @CJKRobinson

TEAMS:

CARLTON v FREMANTLE at Etihad Stadium - Saturday 4.30pm WA time.
CARLTON: Andrew Walker, Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs, Kade Simpson, Matthew Kreuzer, Kane Lucas, Rob Warnock, Mitch Robinson, Chris Yarran, Brock McLean, Jeremy Laidler, Sam Rowe, Eddie Betts, Lachie Henderson, Dennis Armfield, Tom Bell, Marcus Davies, Nick Duigan, Jeffrey Garlett, Frazer Dale, Michael Jamison, Levi Casboult, Zach Tuohy, Simon White, Andrew Carrazzo, Aaron Joseph, David Ellard.
FREMANTLE: Hayden Ballantyne, Zac Dawson, Jayden Pitt, Garrick Ibbotson, Danyle Pearce, Nathan Fyfe, Nick Suban, Matt De Boer, Michael Walters, Tom Sheridan, Jon Griffin, Tendai Mzungu, Ryan Crowley, David Mundy, Hayden Crozier, Luke McPharlin, Tanner Smith, Kepler Bradley, Lachie Neale, Zachary Clarke, Cam Sutcliffe, Lee Spurr, Michael Johnson, Jack Hannath, Paul Duffield, Jesse Crichton, Clancee Pearce.

WEST COAST v COLLINGWOOD at Patersons Stadium - Sunday 4.30pm WA time.
WEST COAST: Mitch Brown, Mark Lecras, Andrew Gaff, Brad Sheppard, Chris Masten, Scott Selwood, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey, Jamie Cripps, Eric MacKenzie, Josh Kennedy, Dean Cox, Darren Glass, Matt Rosa, Shannon Hurn, Sam Butler, Jack Darling, Ashley Smith, Scott Lycett, Will Schofield, Andrew Embley, Josh Hill, Pat McGinnity, Adam Selwood, Jeremy McGovern, Ashton Hams, Simon Tunbridge.
COLLINGWOOD: Jordan Russell, Nick Maxwell, Harry O'Brien, Martin Clarke, Scott Pendlebury, Jarryd Blair, Jarrod Witts, Jamie Elliott, Ben Reid, Quinten Lynch, Steele Sidebottom, Josh Thomas, Ben Hudson, Ben Kennedy, Ben Sinclair, Travis Cloke, Alan Toovey, Dane Swan, Kyle Martin, Peter Yagmoor, Heath Shaw, Paul Seedsman, Sam Dwyer, Adam Oxley, Jack Frost, Marley Williams, Caolan Mooney.
 

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Get SuperCoach anytime, anywhere

Shane Crawford tries out the new SuperCoach phone app. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

NOW you can access your SuperCoach team 24 hours a day with the new apps for iPhones and Android.

Make trades on the run, follow your team's progress over the weekend and - most importantly - make changes to your team before every match.

WHAT'S NEW IN 2013:

- New look - We've rebuilt the interface from the ground up with an all-new look and feel for easier and quicker use.

- Easy management - All-new "field view" makes it even easier to make trades, substitutions, captain and emergency selections.

- Rolling Lockout - Full support for the all-new rolling lockout system - you can make squad changes right through the round of footy wherever you are, up until each of your players' actual AFL game begins.

- Easy Stats - SuperCoach GOLD gets you access to projected scores, breakevens and projected prices for players.

Each app costs just $2.99 for the whole season.

Click HERE to get the SuperCoach iPhone app

Click HERE to get the SuperCoach Android app

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