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:...

Read More..

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...

Read More..

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...

Read More..

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...

Read More..

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...

Read More..

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...

Read More..

How to customise SuperCoach Draft

Any self-respecting recruiting boss, such as Scott Clayton, loves a good draft smokey. Who will yours be? Source: Herald Sun SUPERCOACH Draft, our new fantasy game to run alongside traditional SuperCoach, allows users to customise a huge array of game features. When you register for SuperCoach 2013, players will also be able to sign up for free to the new SuperCoach Draft game using...

Read More..

Boak to lead Power

Travis Boak, here tackling Luke Ball, is the new captain. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun TRAVIS Boak's loyalty to Port Adelaide has led to the star midfielder winning the club's captaincy ahead of the 2013 season. The Power today revealed Boak, who was heavily targeted by Geelong last year, would replace Dominic Cassisi in the top job.The 24-year-old will lead Port into a...

Read More..

Choco an instant hit at Tigerland

Mark Williams has become an instant hit at Punt Rd. Picture: Anthony Reginato Source: HWT Image Library THE next generation of Tigers is already reaping the rewards of Mark Williams' arrival as Richmond begins to ignite its focus on development. Williams joined as a development coach last September after turning his back on Greater Western Sydney and has taken charge of the first, second...

Read More..

Carlton a 'drug-free zone'

Jarrad Waite is confident no Carlton players are taking illegal drugs. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun CARLTON forward Jarrad Waite is adamant the club is drug-free and says he would welcome daily testing to prove it. Waite backed the AFL's three-strike drug policy but expected the league and AFLPA to closely scrutinise the self-reporting loophole at tomorrow's drugs summit....

Read More..

Mick in control of NAB Cup

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse will steer his side in the NAB Cup. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun MICK Malthouse will look to make an immediate impression on Carlton players by taking charge of all of the Blues' NAB Cup matches. In the second half of his time as coach of Collingwood, Malthouse allowed his assistant coaches to take charge on match day during the pre-season series.But...

Read More..

Kennett urges strike action

Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett says the AFL must change its drugs policy. Picture: David Caird. Source: Herald Sun FORMER Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett says the AFL must change its illicit drugs policy to avoid a tragedy. Labelling the system "grossly unfair", the beyondblue chairman said the three-strikes policy was flawed and clubs should be informed earlier."I don't believe...

Read More..

No Nic, no calamity for Eagles

READY: Ruckman Dean Cox says the Eagles are well-equipped to deal with the likely absence of Nic Naitanui at the start of the season. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper. Source: PerthNow CHAMPION West Coast big man Dean Cox has assured fans the Eagles are well placed to cope without Nic Naitanui if his All-Australian ruck partner misses the start of the season because of injury. Bookmakers...

Read More..

Tex can be as good as Buddy: Danger

Crows forward Taylor Walker wraps his hands around the ball at a Crows training session at Max Basheer Reserve. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: adelaidenow Star Adelaide midfielder Patrick Dangerfield says man mountain Taylor Walker is a ``force to be reckoned with'' who is ready to challenge Hawthorn's Buddy Franklin as the AFL's premier key forward. Dangerfield says the club quickly moved...

Read More..