Hawks fear worst for Suckling

Matthew Suckling injured his knee in this contest during today's NAB Cup match against Richmond. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Matthew Suckling injured his knee in this contest during today's NAB Cup match against Richmond. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

HAWTHORN has been dealt a blow with superboot Matthew Suckling suffering what appears to be a serious knee injury.

ALASTAIR Clarkson's dislike for the NAB Cup grew deeper yesterday when Hawthorn midfielder Matt Suckling left Aurora Stadium on crutches and seems destined for a season-ending knee reconstruction.

The Hawks' coach, who has labelled the AFL's preseason competition as a TV gimmick and nightmare for coaches, resigned himself to the fact that 25-year-old Suckling's year is over.

Statistically Hawthorn's best rebounding defender last season, Suckling spent the NAB Cup making his case for a spot further upfield with the departure of hard-running Hawk Clinton Young to Collingwood.

Suckling's knee gave way while he was evading a tackle from Richmond defender Troy Chaplin at the seven minute mark of the third quarter of their one-point NAB Cup loss to Richmond in Launceston yesterday.

Suckling will know his fate tomorrow after tests in Melbourne.

"It's more than likely going to be an ACL, and that's a great disappointment for us," Clarkson said.

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"We've had five knee reconstructions in the past 12 months and that's the brutal nature of the game."

The Hawks coach is already dirty on the AFL for announcing its plan the slash interchange rotations from a league average of 130 per game to a cap of 80 next year.

"Once again, it (Suckling's injury) focuses on how important it is for us all to give serious consideration to the demands of this game on our players," Clarkson said.

"It's a very demanding game, in my view the most difficult ball sport to play in the world.

"We need to be especially mindful of the loads on our players."

The preseason competition, Clarkson said, was the most dangerous time for players.

"Most knee reconstructions happen either in the NAB Cup series or the first five or six rounds of the season," he said.

"We'll get the occasional one after their bodies are hardened and are match-conditioned.

"But this is a real precarious time for the players and unfortunately you're going to lose someone along the way and unfortunately we lost Suckling today.

"That's disappointing, but we'll have to replace him with another bloke and forge on."

Matthew Suckling injured his knee in this contest during today's NAB Cup match against Richmond. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Hawthorn lost its fourth consecutive NAB Cup match yesterday, going down to the Tigers, who won 0.13..7 (85) to 0.13.6 (84).

Clarkson took solace from the loss,

"They (Richmond) looked to be in control of the contest but we hung in there and that was really pleasing," he said.

"We've played a lot of our young players over the series.

"Interestingly, us and Sydney sit on the bottom of the NAB Cup ladder.

"It's all because our preparations are a lot different to a lot of the sides.

"All four sides we played (Gold Coast, Brisbane, Bulldogs and Tigers) didn't play finals last year so they've had longer campaigns than us.

"We'll get our side a lot more stable over the next few weeks leading into the Geelong game in round one."

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Jacks leads Tiges to victory

Jack Riewoldt kicked three goals in Richmond's NAB Cup victory over Hawthorn. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

A GOAL after the final siren from Richmond star Jack Riewoldt has given the Tigers a heart-stopping one-point AFL pre-season cup win over Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium.

Riewoldt nailed the difficult six-pointer from wide to the left to hand Richmond a 0.13.7(85) to 0.13.6(84) victory after a seesawing final quarter in which the lead changed six times.

The victory gave Richmond a 3-1 record for the pre-season and left grand finalists the Hawks winless after four.

Hawthorn forward Jarryd Roughead booted three of his five goals in the final term, but it wasn't enough after his side had clawed back from a 19-point halftime deficit.

Riewoldt and Chris Newman finished with three each for the Tigers with Roughead supported by Shaun Burgoyne and Matt Spangher with doubles in front of 8601 in Launceston.

Hawthorn went into the game against the near full-strength Tigers without a number of big guns, including Lance Franklin, Cyril Rioli and captain Luke Hodge but Burgoyne and Grant Birchall made their first appearances of the year.

Richmond were all over them early and kicked four of the first five goals to race out to a 19-point lead.

But three goals in quick succession to Shane Savage, Jed Anderson and Burgoyne saw the Hawks finish the first term the stronger and at level pegging.

The Tigers came our growling in the second, booting four of the five goals to go to the long break up 0.8.4 to 0.5.3.

Riewoldt provided the comedy when he spectacularly somersaulted over the boundary fence and into one of the stands at Aurora, emerging unscathed moments later.

Hawthorn clawed their way back, kicking the first three goals of the third - two to Spangher - to narrow the margin to just three.

They hit the lead when Derick Wanganeen goaled but Richmond led by two points when Bachar Houli kicked a major on the stroke of three-quartertime.

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Saints overrun Demons

St Kilda goalsneak Terry Milera cops a high tackle from Melbourne enforcer Nathan Jones. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

THE stars returned to the St Kilda line-up and helped lead the Saints to a 25-point victory over Melbourne in their pre-season cup match at Casey Fields.

The Saints won the match 2.10.13.(91) to Melbourne's 2.7.6.(66).

Victory was set-up by a dominant second quarter performance, when veteran goalsneak Stephen Milne kicked three goals to help turn around his team's fortunes.

Both teams had chosen to rest players in the hot conditions, but captain Nick Riewoldt and star midfielder Lenny Hayes both played their first pre-season match this year for the Saints.

It was the Demons who started better in the tough conditions.

Ruckman Mark Jamar grabbed control of the ruck early and was able to give his midfield first use of the ball.

Recruits Shannon Byrnes and Cameron Pedersen were productive early and the Demons quickly shot out to a 22 point lead.

St Kilda by contrast looked rusty in the first quarter.

They turned the ball over in the backline and their kicking out of defence was poor early in the game. Melbourne had the benefit of a hot wind behind their backs in the first term, and Lynden Dunn used it to good effect to kick a supergoal after a strong mark.

Trailing by 15 points after the first quarter, some of the Saints more experienced players stood up in the second.

As well as Milne, the likes of Hayes and Leigh Montagna became influential in the game.

The Saints kicked two supergoals through Jack Newnes and former Swan Dennis Trent-Lane to give them a 31 point lead at the main break.

The predicted stifling conditions forced the AFL to relax the rules around the interchange bench with teams allowed unlimited interchange rotations and six players to come off the bench.

The game slowed down after half time and scoring became more difficult in the hot conditions.

Melbourne controlled much of the play in the second half but the Saints were able to counter any attack.

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Cats reign supreme over Roos

Geelong star Steve Johnson was pivotal in the Cats 12-point win over North Melbourne at Simonds Stadium. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

EVERGREEN Paul Chapman kicked three clever final-quarter goals as Geelong hung tough to beat North Melbourne by 12 points in their pre-season cup clash on a brutally hot day at Simonds Stadium.

The scores were tied at 10.8 (68) apiece at three quarter-time and it seemed North would have more to play for in the final term, as a victory would have earned them a spot in the pre-season cup final for the first time in 13 years.

But it was the Cats who had the best of the fourth quarter, kicking four goals to two to win 14.12 (96) to 12.12 (84).

The Kangaroos led by seven points early in the final term courtesy of a goal from key forward Lachie Hansen, only for Chapman to step into the breach.

His first goal came from the tightest of angles after Sam Wright had soccered the ball out of bounds on the full.

Chapman put the home team up by seven points with a skillful left-footed snap and then iced the win with his third goal with just 12 seconds on the clock.

Key forward Tom Hawkins also kicked three goals for Geelong - all of them coming in the second quarter.

Steve Johnson was busy in the midfield picking up 20 disposals including five clearances. The star Cat also laid nine tackles.

Lindsay Thomas was the Kangaroos' leading goalscorer with three.

The temperature was 37 degrees when the match kicked off and had only dropped by a couple of degrees at the final siren.

With the extreme heat policy invoked, their were no interchange restrictions imposed on either side.

The Cats rested several big names including Jimmy Bartel, Corey Enright, James Podsiadly and Harry Taylor while North Melbourne were without Brent Harvey, Nathan Grima and Todd Goldstein.

First-choice ruckman Goldstein played in the curtain-raiser for the Kangaroos VFL affiliate North Ballarat, allowing Currie to play a full game in the seniors.

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Tigers in Tassie to win

Trent Cotchin returns to the team to lead the Tigers in Launceston tomorrow. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

IT MAY not be the 10-goal mauling the Tigers handed Hawthorn when they met last season but Richmond is determined to humble the Hawks again tomorrow.

The Tigers hit the immaculate green carpet at Aurora Stadium today for a relaxed run ahead of their Round 3 NAB Cup showdown with Hawthorn tomorrow at 1.10pm.

Already packing a 2-1 win-loss ratio and sitting sixth on the pre-season table, compared to a winless Hawthorn sitting second-last, Richmond is not just preparing its systems for Round 1.

"We've come here to win," assistant coach Ross Smith said.

"We beat both Grand Final teams last year, but we need to win games and build our confidence going into the season proper."

The Tigers have been boosted by the return of new captain Trent Cotchin and vice-captain Brett Deledio, ruckman Ivan Maric, midfielder Reece Conca and defender Steven Morris.

Richmond's new key defender Troy Chaplin has been tipped to play half a game on his way into the team after injury, and new midfielder Sam Lonergan, picked up from Essendon, will play most of the match in his first game back from injury.

"To have Chappy to bolster our backline is fantastic, and we've got a pretty good midfield as it is but Sam Lonergan adds a little bit of grunt and experience and compliments that," Smith said.

Changed man: Sam Lonergan wants to repay the faith the Tigers have shown in him. Picture: David Smith Source: Herald Sun

 

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Oval funds should be repaid - AG

An artist's impression of the Adelaide Oval redevelopment. Source: The Advertiser

PRESSURE on the Stadium Management Authority to explain its spending at the new Adelaide Oval has increased with the Auditor-General raising questions about government funds at the project.

Auditor-General Simon O'Neill has found government funds designated for the construction of the $535 million Oval were used for the management operations of the SMA - and not construction of the oval as they were intended.

He recommends the State Government "recover the relevant costs" from the SMA, which is a partnership of the SA National Football League and the SA Cricket Association.

The State Government is now seeking advice from the Crown Solicitor on whether it can remodel the SMA which has no government representative on its eight-man board.

The concerns about the operating budgets of the SMA were flagged by the two SA-based AFL clubs - Adelaide and Port Adelaide - in The Advertiser today.

Mr O'Neill does not indicate exactly in his report how much money the SMA should tip back into the construction budget funded by the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure.

However, he found there were payments of $960,000 to the SANFL and $1 million to SACA which had to be retrospectively approved by the Treasurer.

These payments were not related to the redevelopment or construction, but legal, public relations and salary costs for the SMA.

"Following the completion of this report I intend to write to DPTI recommending it seek to allocate contract costs between the redevelopment project and the AOSMA component and seek to recover relevant costs from AOSMA," Mr O'Neill said in his report.

Mr O'Neill adds the Treasurer also would need to retrospectively approve another blow-out - by $135,000 blowout on a $300,000 allocation approved to the SMA last year.

The Auditor-General's report follows the AFL clubs noting the SMA's budgets have ballooned from an anticipated $2m to $9m.

This has worried the Power and Crows about their future earnings at the Oval where AFL football will be played next season in the new 50,000-seat stadium.

The SMA's need for more money is measured by its grab of the premium tickets at the Oval - the exclusive "Stadium Club" memberships.

The SMA originally was to take 600 of the 1455 "Stadium Club" memberships that sell at $4500 and offer the best seats, best dining options and car parking at Adelaide Oval.

The SMA has now has claimed 1000 of these elite memberships.

The difference of 400 seats adds $1.8m to the SMA's coffers - money the Crows and Power want to boost their returns from the Oval.

Both Port and the Crows are mystified as to why the SMA has grown into a $9m body.

Power chief executive Keith Thomas said yesterday: "The original Adelaide Oval model put to us in 2009 was for a lean SMA to maximise the returns to the sports playing on the new Oval, in particular footy. We're asking why has that changed?"

Crows chairman Rob Chapman added: "The original intent was for a lean SMA that managed the Oval and its precinct - and maximised the return to football and cricket. That was always the intention.

"There must be fairness and equity in how money is distributed at Adelaide Oval."

SMA chief executive Andrew Daniels was at meetings in Melbourne yesterday and unavailable for comment.

The authority told The Advertiser: "There is pressure on the SMA to deliver a lean stadium management model - and a great product at the Oval."

Chapman on Wednesday for the first time took suspended Crows chief executive Steven Trigg's seat at the joint SMA meetings and argues "common sense can prevail" on the carve up of Adelaide Oval's returns.

"We reached a compromise on one key issue on Wednesday because there is goodwill and good relationships between all the parties," he said.

"I'm still confident we can get the right outcomes. But there is a long way to go."

The major intent of football's return to the city - after setting up AAMI Stadium at West Lakes in 1974 - was to generate more money for both the Crows and Power so the AFL clubs would move from the bottom half of AFL stadia return to the top quarter.

Adelaide's non-negotiable stance on leaving AAMI Stadium was Adelaide Oval had to deliver a $3m uplift in returns - a figure met in the 2009 projections.

The 2009 figures were based on the new Oval delivering more fans, more members and more sponsors than at AAMI Stadium where there has been a recent downturn in all these categories.

But Thomas says the 2009 budgets sold to the Crows and Power no longer stack up in 2014 and need to be re-assessed before the clubs sign 20-year leases at the Oval.

The AFL clubs may need as much as an extra $3m from the Oval in 2014 to keep pace with their interstate rivals.

"Three years after those original numbers were put to us, they now look insufficient," he said.

"Adelaide Oval can produce money to meet everyone's needs. But we need an open mind on how that money is distributed."

The biggest problem for the two SA-based AFL clubs in this debate is having no direct representation on the SMA.

The authority has eight directors - four appointed by the SANFL and four by the SA Cricket Association, the original leaseholder of the Oval from the Adelaide City Council.

There is no AFL representative. There is no appointee from the State Government which is pumping more than $500m into the redevelopment of the Oval and its precinct.

Baulderstone in October, 2011, was awarded the construction contract to redevelop Adelaide Oval - a $535 million State Government project expected to be completed for the start of next year's AFL season.

The SMA, however, is answerable to the government on construction issues at the Oval.

The blind point for the Crows and Power is not having a seat on the SMA is being denied transparency on how the authority operates - and how it manages the overheads at Adelaide Oval.

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Goodes steps down as captain

Adam Goodes with the 2012 premiership cup. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ADAM Goodes has stepped aside as Sydney captain, handing the baton to rising star Kieren Jack.

Goodes made the call after four years in the job.

The 319-game veteran will remain in the Swans' leadership group.

The announcement continues Jack's remarkable story. The son of rugby league champion Garry, Jack was recruited with pick 58 in the 2006 rookie draft. He is now a Sydney best-and-fairest winner (2010), premiership player (2012) and co-captain.

"I'm really honoured and humbled to receive this opportunity to be co captain with Jarrad," Jack said.

"It's great for me personally coming from Sydney.

"(This is) a club that I followed since I was a kid a club that gave me an opportunity when a lot of other clubs said I wasn't good enough."

Kieren Jack celebrates his last-quarter goal during the Grand Final. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Goodes said he had spent a lot of time thinking about his future during his rehabilitation from a knee injury suffered in the Swans' Grand Final win.

He said he made up his mind during a pre-season camp at Coffs Harbour.

"It was nice to hear the voices of the leaders in the room really stepping up," Goodes said.

"I could tell it was the right time to step down and give someone the opportunity to which I had four years ago.

"I don't see it as a backward step, I see it as a great step moving forward for our footy club.

"We've had fantastic leaders and the succession in leaders is something we can hang our hat on."

Longmire paid tribute to outgoing co-captain.

"Adam has been a tremendous leader of our club for a long time and while he won't be a captain, he will still play an important role in our leadership group.

"The club fully supports Adam's decision to stand down after four years as co-captain and think it is a great show of faith from him in our younger leaders."

As revealed on SuperFooty this morning, the Swans also announced new contracts for Goodes and Jack.

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LIVE: Giants v Bombers

Brendon Goddard kicked a nice goal from deep in the pocket to extend the Bombers' lead. Picture: Getty Source: Herald Sun

GREATER Western Sydney will be looking to continue its solid pre-season form when the Giants take on Essendon tonight.

6.53pm - Bombers add to Giants pain
Giants 0.1.1 (7)
Bombers 1.7.6 (57)

ESSENDON continues to pile on the pressure against GWS Giants with Patrick Ryder and Heath Hocking extending the Bombers' lead to 50 points.

Hocking kicked the Dons' first goal of the second quarter snapping from the top of the square.

Enter Ryder who marked Michael Hurley's centering kick for the second in a hurry to put paid to the young Giants.

Giants skipper Phil Davis is under siege in the back half defending the Bombers onslaught. Davis has picked up eight disposals including three marks.

Meanwhile Callan Ward is off the ground after copping a heavy knock in the first quarter.

Ward, one of the Giants most important playmakers, had just one disposal to his name.

6.29pm - Bombers goal frenzy
Giants 0.1.1 (7)
Bombers 1.4.3 (36)

IT'S getting ugly at Manuka Stadium with Essendon skipping away late in the first quarter.

The Dons trailled the Giants by seven points early in the term before goals to Jackson Merrett, Jobe Watson, Brendon Goddard and Michael Hibberd silenced the home crowd.

Goddard's was the pick of the goals converting a difficult shot from deep in the pocket.

PRE-GAME: GREATER Western Sydney will be looking to continue its solid pre-season form when the Giants take on Essendon tonight.

The fledgling AFL club boasts a 1-2 NAB Cup record including a runaway victory against arch-rivals and reigning premiers Sydney.

Add to our LiveHQ coverage by tweeting your thoughts on tonight's games @superfooty or @gilbertgardiner

The Giants, set to unleash No.2 draft pick Jono O'Rourke against the Bombers, two losses have been by a combined five points at the hands of Carlton and Brisbane last week.

Essendon has named a largely unchanged line up for the tonight's match at Manuka Stadium with Tayte Pears and Nathan Lovett-Murray added to the squad.

See all the teams HERE

Veteran ruckman David Hille was left out.

Check back throughout the evening for breaking news and match updates

Meanwhile, Giants posterboy Tom Scully is back after missing last week's loss to the Lions with a minor knee injury.

CARLTON takes on Adelaide in game two of tonight's pre-season twin bill, with the winner moving into next week's NAB Cup grand final.

A win for the Blues at AAMI Stadium against the Crows would cap off a sterling start to master coach Mick Malthouse's tenure at Visy Park.

Schedule

GWS v Essendon at Manuka Stadium from 6.30pm
Adelaide v Carlton at AAMI Stadium from 8.30pm

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Buzz around 'new Port'

Jay Schulz and Tom Logan at Port Adelaide training. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

LEADING Port Adelaide forward Jay Schulz believes the off-field movements of the Power - which culminated in a $1.5million per year major sponsorship with Renault this week - will carry momentum on field.

After two gloomy seasons at Alberton, the former Tiger is daring to believe his dream of playing finals football for the first time in his decade-long career is getting closer as Port is getting its ship in order under a new board and a new coaching panel.

"We've got the same feeling that everyone on the outside is feeling tends to be felt on the inside as well,'' Schulz said. "There's a real buzz around the place.

"The boys are feeling good, feeling fit, as most clubs are this time of year.

"Just really excited about the season ahead.

"Renault coming on board has given us another lift as well and our corporate has worked fantastically to get that deal done.

"I think all the changes that have been made have all been positive and have taken the club in a new direction.

"The boys are feeling it and now we just look forward to putting it on display.''

Schulz said Alberton barely bore resemblance to the place he first joined when he left Richmond to come home to South Australia.

Under new coach Ken Hinkley and the off-field leadership of Keith Thomas and David Koch, the club is finally poised to give something back to its long-suffering fans.

"It's just been a different joint, in general,'' Schulz said. "A lot of things have been parked, there are a lot of new phases and you know the old saying - a change is as good as a holiday.

"I truly believe that.''
 

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Roo Currie to ruck solo

Daniel Currie of the Kangaroos rucks against God Coast's Zac Smith last weekend. Source: Herald Sun

SYDNEY reject Daniel Currie will have a chance to claim the Kangaroos' No.1 ruck role when he goes solo against Geelong on Saturday.

Currie, 24, spent five years on the Swans' list without playing a senior game.

He was delisted at the end of 2011 and played for North Adelaide in the SANFL last season, winning the most hitouts in the competition.

He was recruited by the Roos with pick 49 in the national draft as back-up to Todd Goldstein following the departure of Hamish McIntosh to Geelong.

But Currie's excellent NAB Cup form has prompted coach Brad Scott to consider whether he could be the club's No.1 big man.

"This is an opportunity for us to have a close look at Daniel and see what he can do," Scott told the club's website today.

"Obviously, we are well aware of what Todd (Goldstein) can do on the field already and the NAB Cup gives us the chance to have a really good look at Dan and expose him to some elite competition in Geelong, while also giving him sole-ruck responsibility."

Goldstein will play for North Ballarat in the VFL this weekend.

Scott said Goldstein was not being moved aside, but it's unlikely he and Currie would play in the same side during the home-and-away season, especially with the athletic Majak Daw providing another tall option.

Daw is expected to play against the Cats after missing last weekend's match due to knee swelling.

"This is about giving Dan the chance to show us what he can do, without Goldy there to lean on," Scott said.

"It's exciting for him to get this opportunity and we're really confident he'll do well and carry the load."

Currie is a $109,500 ruckman in SuperCoach. Click here to start picking your squad now

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