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."

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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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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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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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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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 the same login as traditional SuperCoach.

You can have teams in both competitions, or continue to play traditional SuperCoach only. Here's what you can customise:

- League Type (private or public):
* Private league - This type of league has a League Commissioner who will need to invite people to play in the league
* Public league - Will be advertised on the site and open for anyone to join. You may also invite others, until the league is filled up

- League size (choose 6, 8, 10 or 12): Select the number of users.

SuperCoach Draft Strategy

- Head-to-head (yes/no): A fixture is generated for teams to play against each other every round. Otherwise the teams are ranked based on total points only.

- League finals series (yes/no): If activated, the final four rounds in your league will consist of a top eight finals series, as used by the actual AFL (available for leagues of 8 teams or more only).

- Fixture repeat (choose 1,2,3 or 4): In head-to-head leagues, select the number of times that your fixture repeats (i.e. how many times each team will play every other).

- League start round: Select the round when you'd like to start your league competition.

- Draft type (Live, Auto or Live One Computer)
* Live Draft - takes place with all members of the league selecting a player turn-by-turn
* Auto Draft - teams are automatically selected based on each users' pre-draft selections, as they stand at the set draft time. No manual player selection or draft takes place.
* Live One Computer - The live draft takes place on one computer (on the creator/commissioner login) with each user taking turns to select a player on the same computer. A draft may also be completed offline, with selections made by a single person at the set Draft Time. (available to private leagues only)

How to pick a winning SuperCoach team

- Draft order (Snake, Linear, Banzai):
* Snake Draft - the order of selections is reversed each round
* Linear Draft - the order of selections stays the same each round
* Banzai Draft - the order of selections reverses in round 2, stays the same in round 3, and then continues as per the Snake Draft.

- Draft turn time: Select the maximum amount of time that each user will have to make a selection during the live draft. Each user will be able to make their pick when the previous user has completed their selection. If the draft is not completed by the league's starting round, it will auto-complete based on each user's pre-draft priority list.
* 60 seconds
* 90 seconds
* 2 minutes
* 5 minutes
* 10 minutes
* 30 minutes
* 1 hour
* 1 day
* No limit

- Draft date and time: Set the date for your draft to take place
* Private leagues - Commissioners may change this after the league is created.
* Public leagues - The date and time is locked in, unless the league fails to fill by the required time. If the league is not completed, the league creator may reset and update the draft time.

TEAMS, TRADING & GAMEPLAY SETTINGS

- Captains (double points):
Yes/No

- Auto Emergency:
Yes/No - (With auto emergency enabled the player with the lowest score on the bench replaces a player with 0 points on the field).

- Rolling Lockout:
Yes/No - (With a rolling lockout players lockout at the start of each game. Otherwise all players lockout at the start of the first game.)

- Field Layout/Squad size:
How many players in squad, designated as DEF-MID-RUC-FWD / BENCH

2-2-1-2/5 =12 players

2-3-1-2/4 = 12

2-2-1-2/8 = 15

2-3-1-2/7 = 15

3-3-1-3/5 = 15

3-4-1-3/4 = 15

5-6-2-5/4 = 22

- Trade waivers (yes/no): With trade waivers enabled (highly recommended), dropped players from squads are entered into a waiver system (instead of becoming free agents), with a priority list as to which teams will have first choice to pick them up.

Waiver time period:
* 1 day
* 2 days
* 3 days
* 4 days

- Waiver order policy (Reverse Ladder, Last Pick to Bottom):
* Reverse Ladder (recommended) - the waiver order is reset at the end of the round, with the lowest ranked team having the first priority of selecting from the waiver pool.
* Last Pick to Bottom - The order is never reset - users go to the bottom of the priority order after each successful pick.

How to play classic SuperCoach

- Inter-team trading options (League approved, Commissioner approved, free-for-all trades):
* League approved - Other coaches in your league have an option to 'veto' trades proposed between teams. A proposed trade will not be completed if 40% of your league's coaches vote to veto the trade.
* Commissioner approved - The league commissioner is the only person who must approve or reject any proposed trade
* Free-for-all trades - all proposed trades between teams (when accepted by the relevant coach) are completed immediately.

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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 new era under untried coach Ken Hinkley, while impressive West Coast recruit Brad Ebert will serve as vice-captain.

The switch means Boak will adopt the No. 1 guernsey, while Cassisi - who spent four years in the job - will revert to No. 25 under Port Adelaide tradition.

"To take over from Dom who has done such a fantastic job for the club and our group of players is a real privilege for both Brad and me," Boak said today.

Boak, who has played 108 games for the Power after being snaffled with pick No. 5in the 2006 draft, endured one of the most publicised and drawn-out contract negotations last year.

But he eventually turned his back on the Cats and North Melbourne, signing a bumper two-year deal in September.

Hinkley said the 2011 club champion was a natural leader and obvious appointment.

"Travis's actions in the three months that I've been at Port Adelaide have only told me that he is absolutely capable of doing this job," he said.

"He has been vice-captain, so his leadership skills have been recognised already and all we've done now is put them right on show and say 'here's your chance to actually lead'."

Boak's appointment signals a rebuilding overdrive at Alberton, with Power officials elated at the potential shown by their first-year crop of players.

Prized draftee Ollie Wines is set to make an immediate impact, with the inside midfielder monstering his first pre-season, while mature-age rookie Kane Mitchell has also sizzled.

Sam Colquhoun, the youngest player on an AFL list, is also ready for a fast-tracked debut after impressing at senior level in the SANFL last year.
 

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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 and third-year baby Tigers.

The signing came shortly after Richmond's decision to cut ties with VFL partner Coburg, with the AFL Tigers set to field a stand-alone reserves side from 2014 in a huge boost to player development.

Richmond defender Steve Morris said Williams immediately proved himself to be "a great teacher of young people.''

Summer Barometer: See how the Tigers are shaping up this pre-season

"It's not just about on the field with Choco (Williams), he gets you to tick as many possible boxes off the field and in your knowledge as well,'' he said of the premiership coach.

Defender Steven Morris at Richmond pre-season training. Picture: Richard Serong. Source: Herald Sun

"The more boxes you tick the more likely you are to be a successful player, and he's not after players who are going to play a couple of seasons, he's after the development of 100 and 200 game players for the footy club.''

While Tim Clarke will coach Coburg this season, Williams has taken a more lateral approach, even showing the interstate draftees how to perfect hook turns in the city.

He has taken rising star Dustin Martin under his wing, along with Matt Arnot, Reece Conca, Brett O'Hanlon and the rapidly improving Brandon Ellis this summer.

Richmond's Dustin Martin at pre-season training. Picture: Stuart Walmsley. Source: Herald Sun

Morris said the influx of older heads had the Tigers in good shape ahead of what fans are hoping will be the breakthrough season they have been searching for since their last finals appearance in 2001.

Tigers rehearsing for tight finishes

"We've got some experience in (Troy) Chaplin and (Chris) Knights and Sammy Lonergan and (Ricky) Petterd, and Choco's been a really good influence on our younger players and their development.

"The future of our footy club is looking extremely bright and we're preparing as best we can throughout this pre-season to take that success into the early part of the season.

"If that leads to finals success, well that's the ultimate goal and what we're after.''

And in a huge boost Morris said injury-plagued defender Dylan Grimes was recovering well from pre-Christmas hamstring surgery, with the club confident he can still feature in Round 1.

"The funny thing is his hamstring strength is the best at the footy club,'' Morris said.

"With Dylan you can never question his attitude and I'm sure he'll come back bigger and stronger than ever this year.''

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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.

The Herald Sun today revealed four Collingwood players allegedly dodged strikes by volunteering drug-use to club doctors.

Waite insisted Visy Park was a drug-free zone and said any player "stupid" enough to take drugs was jeopardising their football career.

"I don't see any of it. I wouldn't mind if I got tested every day of the week, because I don't do it," Waite said on a day out with Lygon St locals.

"If they want to do more tests, that's good because I've got full confidence, especially at Carlton, that we don't have a drug culture here.

"I would be very surprised if professional athletes were putting their careers at risk by doing drugs and doing stupid things like that.

"Personally, if I got tested every day, it would annoy me, but it wouldn't bother me because I don't do drugs."

There is a strong push to reduce the AFL's strikes policy from three to two but Waite said the AFL's current illicit drugs policy was a world-leader.

"I think our system is very good. The players chose to have this system in place, and it's the best drugs system in the world," he said.

"There is a lot of sports out there that don't get drug tested in the off-season.

"As a playing group we decided as a whole to be tested in the off-season to prove to the people that we are not a drug cultured sport.

"But at the end of the day we are happy with the way it's been. If it changes we are fully supporting the AFL and the PA (players' association)."

Players accept more off-season drug tests

Waite said the self-reporting loophole would likely undergo close review.

"If there is any little loopholes, I'm sure having the summit tomorrow, if they think it is a big enough issue it will be changed," he said.

"It is up to the AFLPA and the AFL to see if they want to make any changes to the system and I'm sure tomorrow there will be an outcome about that."

Waite said any player using drugs was taking a big risk.

Summer Barometer: Get the Blues' training and injury latest

"If you want to risk your AFL career go ahead do it every weekend, but it's not something I would ever do and I would be very upset if our players were out there every weekend getting on the drugs because alcohol is bad enough.

"But mixing drugs your senses are a bit all over the joint. You wouldn't risk it."

Carlton players and coaching staff mixed with locals and local businesses on a walk down Lygon St today.
 

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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 Carlton football operations manager Andrew McKay confirmed that Malthouse wanted to ensure his message was clear from the start.

"This is a different situation (as to when he was at Collingwood)," McKay said.

Summer Barometer: See how the Blues are shaping up

"I think his assistants are going to do the internal trial games (this year), and Mick will be doing the NAB Cup.

"He wants to make sure the messages are the way he wants them to be delivered and wants to make sure the players understand that.

Coach Mick Malthouse lays down the law at Carlton training yesterday. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: Herald Sun

"The internal games are different. He needs to be looking at both teams in those games, so it makes sense for the assistant coaches to coach in them."

McKay said Malthouse's approach had made an impact on the players ahead of NAB Cup games against Sydney and Greater Western Sydney at Blacktown on February 24. "Mick is a positive person and that has rubbed off on the players," he said.

McKay said the Blues were better placed in terms of fitness compared to last year.
 

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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 the three-strike rule is appropriate, nor do I think it is fair to the players, or to their families or to their clubs," Kennett said yesterday.

"I hope that if (AFL boss) Andrew (Demetriou) is serious, just as initially they wouldn't move on concussion, they will recognise that if they are serious about drugs, then they have got to involve the clubs earlier than currently occurs.

"Three strikes and you're out - that is grossly unfair and it could lead to a situation where maybe you end up with a death."

Earlier notice wanted on drugs

AFL leaders meet for a historic drugs summit at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Club chiefs are expected to push for earlier notification of a player's positive drugs strike, with some support from clubs for the three-strikes policy to be stripped back to two.

Former Hawthorn midfielder Travis Tuck is the only player to record three strikes under the AFL illicit drugs policy - in 2010.

Kennett said clubs must be alerted earlier so they could support the player back to a "condition of good behaviour".

 "At the moment, a player gets suspended after three strikes without there necessarily being any outside assistance given to him," Kennett said.

"Often it's assistance given by club doctors, but not with the club's knowledge. But often a player needs more than that.

Summit to scrutinise Mad Monday

"You have got to look at who else in the club might be their friends, might be influenced by that player's behaviour, might be supplying that player with drugs. That can't be done by a doctor."

Kennett said a move to two strikes should be the first step.

"There are many who say it should be one strike and you are gone, but I don't think we're going to move to that position overnight," he said.

Demetriou said tackling mental illness would also be considered at the summit, with 50 per cent of players on a second strike dealing with mental health issues.

Kennett welcomed the move.

"It is something that should be tackled head-on," he said. "The biggest mind alterer in our society is alcohol and then there are drugs and then there is depression and often you don't know where people enter the cycle."

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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 have West Coast on the second line of betting for this year's flag, behind Hawthorn and ahead of reigning premier Sydney, but there is a view the Eagles' chances hinge on Naitanui's recovery.

While Naitanui has done little more than walk laps and complete handball drills after groin surgery, Cox has quietly powered through one of his strongest summers on the track.

Entering his 13th season in the AFL, Cox said he was capable of rucking for 100 minutes a game if Naitanui was not available early in the season.

But the 251-game veteran said he was so impressed with understudy Scott Lycett's improvement this summer that the team could continue with the unique 50-50 ruck sharing strategy that has been so effective with Naitanui in recent seasons.

Cox also said he would like to continue spending plenty of time forward after kicking a career best 28.14 last year.

"Even if it was me and Scotty, I think we'd continue to do the same thing," he said.

"The biggest thing I took out of my season last year was probably my work when I went up forward, and Nic as well, and we each had a lot of shots on goal."

Cox said the players were confident 20-year-old Lycett, who has played just three times in his first two seasons, was ready to step up.

"He's come on in leaps and bounds," he said.

"Just his soft hands, his control with the footy and his body positioning in ruck contests.

"I think he's getting a little bit more mature and starting to really understand how to position himself to try and control the stoppage.

"It's been really good to push each other all the way through the pre-season and try and learn from each other as well.

"I'd certainly love Nic to be fully fit and playing all the time. The player that he is and what he brings to the club is so important.

"But what you find out when players step up and fill the void is they really blossom and certainly if Nic isn't ready, Scotty will do that."

Rookie-listed ruckman/forward Callum Sinclair is also likely to receive opportunities during the NAB Cup, though Lycett is the frontrunner to partner Cox given his two years in the club's system.

Cox predicted the loss of Quinten Lynch, who was able to do some part-time ruck work, would mean the Eagles would have to select two genuine ruck options in every game.

None of West Coast's key position players have had experience as a relief ruckman, following Lynch's move to Collingwood as a free agent.

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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 on from the defection of Kurt Tippett, who controversially joined premiers Sydney in the off-season, and were ready to centre their attack on a bulked-up, mullet-sporting Walker.

And while Tippett kicked 39 goals for the Crows last season, Walker booted 63 and trailed just Franklin, Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich and Richmond's Jack Riewoldt for the Coleman Medal.

And Dangerfield says he's ready to rival the AFL's best in 2013 and doesn't deserve to have his rise compared to filling the breach left by Tippett.

"I don't know about fill the boots of Tippett - Tex (Walker) is his own man,'' Dangerfield told AAP.

"He kicks a goal just about better than anyone in the competition.

"I think he'll be a force to be reckoned with up forward for us.

"On his day, Buddy Franklin's very good, but I think Taylor Walker has the potential to be just as good a forward as him.

"He's an exciting prospect for us.''
 
Without Tippett drawing key defenders in 2013, Dangerfield knows Walker will have a tougher time fighting for possession - but says his imposing 192cm, 105kg frame will be ready for the challenge.

"He was already pretty big. It was hard to increase his size,'' Dangerfield said.

"He's a power forward. He's 105 kilos.

"I think the challenge for him and the challenge for many young players like myself is to continue to build the consistency, and that's what he'll be setting himself for this year.

"We're hoping that he takes the next step. He knows he'll have the number one key defender every week this year.

"He's looking forward to that challenge along with our other key forwards. I think we've got a pretty potent forward line.''

Tippett's extraordinary departure from Adelaide left a bad taste in the mouths of Crows players at the time, with
Dangerfield insisting the club wanted to build around players 'who want to be part of our footy club'.

"He made the decision to leave and that's fine. We understand that,'' he said.

"Once Kurt decided to leave, we have to move on with players who want to be around the footy club.

"And that's the players that are on our list.

"We've got a really exciting group of players at the moment and I think we can play some really impressive football this year.''

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