Tackle count alarms Sando

Essendon put woes behind them by winning season opener.

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson looks for answers. Source: Getty Images

ADELAIDE coach Brenton Sanderson says the numbers are as ugly as the result.

The Crows took a beating from Essendon in key areas in their 35-point loss last night.

None concerned Sanderson more than tackling.

After spending a summer with improving Adelaide's tackling as his main priority, Sanderson's players laid just 47 tackles to Essendon's 73.

"The glaring stat for us is the tackles," Sanderson said.

"We couldn't stick tackles, they brushed us away and then they got some easy goals."

Sanderson's next concern was centre clearances, where his much-vaunted midfield was hammered by the Bombers who racked up 18 centre clearances to Adelaide's nine.

"We'll have to work out what exactly went wrong but it probably started in the centre bounce, the numbers there are ugly. They just killed us in centre bounce clearances," Sanderson said.

"We had our A-grade boys in there and unfortunately they got beat."

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Then there were uncontested possessions, with Essendon recording a whopping 49 more than the Crows. And also skill errors, with Adelaide recording 49 clangers for the game.

"If it was a tennis game, you would call them unforced errors," Sanderson said.

"There was times we could only blame ourselves ... we shot ourselves in the foot a lot with unforced errors."

Picture gallery: Dons drop bomb on Crows

Sanderson was also worried that Adelaide lacked dash and daring.

"It looked like we were quite stagnant at times, we didn't want to take risks, we didn't want to take the game on," he said.

"We play our best footy when we're dynamic and we take the game on and we accelerate out of contests. That wasn't there."

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10 things we learnt last night

Essendon put woes behind them by winning season opener.

Brendon Goddard celebrates after kicking a goal for Essendon. Source: Getty Images

A NEW Bomber cult hero, SuperCoach clangers and Channel 7 goes back to the future. Oh, and has anyone seen the coin for the toss?

1. JOBE WELL DONE

WE already knew it, but Jobe Watson is a freak. The Bombers captain almost single-handedly stopped his side's first-quarter rut and sparked Essendon with a grinding, inspirational midfield onslaught which the Crows were powerless to stop. And Kevin Sheedy wanted to trade this bloke?

2. KURT LEFT A CHASM

HE wore No. 4 and spent the entire night in attack, but Josh Jenkins just doesn't have the prowess of Kurt Tippett. It left the Crows weak in attack and with Taylor Walker shutdown, void of scoring power for about a 40 minute stretch bookending the second quarter.

3. DIVING DONE FOR GOOD

LIKE it or lump it, the contact below the knees rule is here. Brent Reilly found out the hard way last night when he slid into Alwyn Davey, taking out the small forward's legs. The result? An instant free kick and goal for the Dons. The crowd didn't like it - and Crows coach Brenton Sanderson says it goes against the basic instincts of players - but that's the rule.

Adelaide's Brent Reilly crashes into the legs of Alwyn Davey, giving away a free kick. Picture: Simon Cross Source: Herald Sun

4. JAKE OUT OF THE BOX

JAKE Carlisle is one to watch. The key defender won't feature on many highlights reels, but his work on Tex Walker last night was sublime. He had help, but Carlisle's ability to negate space and keep the Crows star out of the action was superb. Walker jagged two last-quarter goals but the honours well and truly went the young Bombers' way.

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5. USE THE FLIPPIN' COIN

WHAT was going on at the coin toss last night? Instead of tossing it, the umpire directed the flipper to hold it in a hand behind her back and let the captains choose which one it was in. Made no sense. If it was an issue with the coin, pick up a can and get your 5c refund and go again. Bizarre way to start the season.

Picture gallery: Dons drop bomb on Crows

6. BJ QUIET BUT DEADLY

BRENDON Goddard might have had just 14 disposals in a quiet debut, but he showed just how devastating he could be for the Bombers. The marquee recruit only needs a handful of kicks to damage the opposition, as he showed with his magnificent booming set-shot goal in the second term. When this bloke racks up 25-touches plus, the Bombers are going to be hard to beat.

Brendon Goddard celebrates after kicking a goal for Essendon. Source: Getty Images

7. SPLIT SCREEN NOSTALGIA

CHANNEL 7 brought back the picture-in-picture action to its broadcast last night, and it was far from a hit with the public. The network was slammed on social media for bringing back a fad that had the sword sliced through it in the 1990s. Let's see if it remains.

8. KOMMER PUTS EXCLAMATION MARK ON WIN

IT SEEMS the Dons have unearthed another state-league gem in Nick Kommer. The long-haired 22-year-old plays with serious tenacity and just makes things happen. He showed steady nerves to kick the sealer, applied great pressure and delivered the ball impressively all night. He joins Michael Hibberd, Mark Baguley and Dylan van Unen as Bomber recruits from second-tier footy. That's a nice haul.

Essendon's Nick Kommer runs through the middle of AAMI Stadium. Source: Getty Images

9. SUPERCOACH SUPER FRUSTRATING

LEAGUE games are still three weeks away and we're four quarters into the season, and I want to tear my hear out. Hands up if you had Ben Howlett or Courtenay Dempsey? Didn't think so. Didn't even have Jobe. Instead loaded up on "premiums" Patrick Dangerfield and Goddard for an underwhelming 63 and 86 SuperCoach points respectively. Both face big price drops. Also had Luke Brown, who got injured. Oh boy. Saving grace was throwing Kommer in at the last-minute. Come on Fyfe and Coxy tonight. PS: keep an eye on David Zaharakis in about a month – his price will plummet after donning the green vest.

Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield under extreme pressure. Source: Getty Images

10. MICHAEL HURLED FORWARD

A LOT of pre-season chatter about which end Michael Hurley would suit up at. He spent the entire match in attack last night and presented well without finding the big sticks. Daniel Talia did a tremendous job on him, but it looks like James Hird's Plan A this year will be to stick Hurley and Stewie Crameri up forward as a one-two punch.
 

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Hinkley promises tougher Port

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Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

Jay Clark and Sam Edmund argue over Brad Crouch and pick apart each other's SuperCoach sides.

NEW Power coach Ken Hinkley is promising none of his Port Adelaide team will ever be accused of giving up.

Tainted by the image of hoisting white flags last season, Port players have been charged by Hinkley to regain respect in the AFL this season - a campaign that starts for Port on Easter Sunday against Melbourne at the MCG.

"This group will never, ever give up - they will play to the end,'' Hinkley said.

Port has won just 34 of 110 premiership-season games since its disastrous 2007 Grand Final appearance against Geelong.

"This group is sick to death of being average,'' Hinkley said in a stirring speech at the Power's season launch at Adelaide Oval last night.

"It is driven to make sure this club climbs up the ladder again. And it is prepared to do whatever it takes to make sure where actually get somewhere.''

Hinkley also delivered an encouraging vision on Port's game style, promising a playbook long demanded by the fans.

"We will play tough, hard Port Adelaide football,'' he said. "We have to be that team that wins contested ball and is a good defensive team.

"But surely you want to see the team use the ball well. So you will see them play with some direction. They will challenge other sides when we have the ball. They will be brave in the way we use the ball; they will not be frightened about where we are to go. We will make sure we play forwards not backwards - and we will make sure we take the game on and the opposition on.''
 

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Retirements, injuries won't stop us

2013 preview: The Cats can cling to a finals berth with a mix of old heads and young talent, says Fox Footy expert Brad Johnson.

Geelong skipper Joel Selwood says Cat fans shouldn't be scared of what lies ahead. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG captain Joel Selwood admits Matthew Scarlett is irreplaceable, he's not sure how a makeshift ruck set-up will fare and suspended stars Steve Johnson and James Kelly will be missed.

It all points to the Cats, coming off their poorest season in six years, being unusually vulnerable when Hawthorn tries to break an extraordinary nine-match losing streak against Geelong on Easter Monday.

But Selwood doesn't see it that way.

Nor does he accept last year's emphatic elimination final dumping by Fremantle signals the end of the glory era which delivered the Cats three flags in five years.

"I'm not so scared like some other people might be and if you're a supporter I hope you're not either," Selwood said.

"We've gone out and we've got players that we think are going to help us and make us better."

Midfielder Josh Caddy (from Gold Coast), ruckman Hamish McIntosh (North Melbourne) and backman Jared Rivers (Melbourne) are the experienced recruits.

But McIntosh (knee) won't face the Hawks because of injury.

Nor will fellow ruck options Dawson Simpson (back) or Nathan Vardy (groin), while Trent West (knee) is only a slim chance.

Ex-steeplechaser Mark Blicavs, on the Cats' rookie list, has shown great pre-season promise in the ruck.

But Selwood says while the Cats are confident that can translate to a successful premiership season debut, they're not certain.

"We don't know," he said.

"Everything that he's done so far he's surprised us and I think it will continue that way."

Selwood says Rivers can't hope to emulate retired champion Scarlett in defence.

But having coped with losing other key planks of their golden era in recent seasons - such as Gary Ablett, Brad Ottens, Cameron Mooney, Tom Harley, Cameron Ling and Darren Milburn - the Cats expect to adapt again.

"We bring guys in that will give us something different," Selwood said.

"That's what Jared will do.

"We don't expect him to be Matthew Scarlett."

Selwood is confident Geelong can extend its streak against Hawthorn since the 2008 Grand Final loss to 10.

"It's one that you always highlight, the Hawthorn game," he said.

"We're going to miss James Kelly and Steve Johnson in that game and probably go in with under-sized ruckmen.

"Hopefully Westy will be thereabouts, but if not we'll take them on with whoever we've got.

"We've done it in the past and we look forward to doing that."

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Crows expect fired-up Dons

 Rory Sloane is wary of Essendon. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE expects Essendon to jet into South Australia with a point to prove after having its name dragged through the mud on the back of the drugs probe engulfing the club.

The Crows, who endured their own pain over the Kurt Tippett affair over summer, predicted a furious Essendon to arrive for tomorrow's season opener at West Lakes.

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But midfielder Rory Sloane predicted Adelaide would ignore the temptation to fire cheap shots at the Bombers because they had too much on their own plate to consider.

"I think they'll be very aggressive at the ball and I think they're going to want their footy do the talking,'' Sloane said.

"I just think that's what they'll do ... it's going to be all guns blazing but not much talk.

"We haven't spoken about it all (sledging Essendon). I just don't think it's on the players' mind at all.

"You've got too much to think about out there as it is -- structures and stuff that always tick over in your mind.

"We'll be focussed on just playing footy, wanting to play some hard, contested footy.''

Sloane predicted there would be additional heat on Patrick Dangerfield, who has had a sparkling pre-season, and Taylor Walker, who is now the obvious target with Tippett having left for Sydney.

But he said the players had embraced the additional expectation that has come the Crows way after making the finals in their first season under Brenton Sanderson.

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Bombers want a win, not emotion

2013 preview: The arrival of Brendon Goddard won't be enough to push the Bombers into the top eight, says Fox Footy expert Brad Johnson.

James Hird keeps a close eye on his players at Windy Hill. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

IT'S been galvanising and character-building, but Essendon coach James Hird doesn't expect six weeks of emotion to be poured into Friday night's AFL season-opener against Adelaide.

Hird expects the resolute way his players are holding up under the pressure of their anti-doping investigation to benefit them this season.

But it's not something he plans to harness to deliver an emotion-charged win at AAMI Stadium.

"Certainly we're after a win. That's what we're hopeful the outcome is," Hird said today.

"But we want to play a certain style and I think for our boys it's about football and how they play."

Similarly, he said it would make no difference what sort of reception the Adelaide crowd or players delivered.

"What happens on the field in terms of what they say is irrelevant to us. We want to get out there and play football," Hird said.

Round 1 teams: Kommer set for Bombers debut

The Bombers coach believes the resilience his players have displayed to train strongly over the past six weeks since the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation was announced will help them stand up in pressure games.

He's hoping his players can also stand up physically this year, after a wave of soft-tissue injuries last year contributed to a late-season nose-dive.

So far, the signs are good. Jason Winderlich (groin) is the Bombers' only unavailable player.

Hird confirmed Michael Hurley (ankle) and David Zaharakis (quad) will play, Zaharakis possibly as the substitute, while mature-aged draftee Nick Kommer will make his debut, after his chasing and tackling impressed over the pre-season.

Crows expect fired-up Dons

Hird said the Bombers had never been so well-placed fitness-wise in his time in charge.

"That's the situation we'd love to be in for a large part of the year," Hird said.

"If we can keep a fit list and a motivated list, then we'll have a good season."

Prize ex-St Kilda recruit Brendon Goddard will make his Bombers' debut.

"Playing for Essendon for the first time in a big game, everyone will be watching how he performs," Hird said.

"I think as a professional but a professional who loves pressure - he'll enjoy that."

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Sandi suffers another setback

SIDELINED: Aaron Sandilands has suffered a fresh injury setback on the eve of the season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FREMANTLE has received mixed ruck news this morning, with Aaron Sandilands suffering an injury setback but Zac Clarke still in the frame for Round 1.

The Dockers this morning confirmed Sandilands had aggravated the left hamstring injury he sustained in the first week of the NAB Cup.

The 30-year-old is set to travel to Melbourne to consult a specialist. It is unclear how the setback will affect the original timeframe of four weeks for the ruckman's return.

"Once Aaron has been assessed by the specialist and we have his medical report, we will be in a position to comment further on the preferred course of action," football operations manager Chris Bond said.

Sandilands has played just 27 of a possible 46 games in the past two seasons.

In better news for the Dockers, fellow ruckman Zac Clarke has not yet been ruled out of Saturday's derby clash with West Coast.

Clarke limped off the track at Fremantle Oval yesterday after appearing to suffer an injury to his lower right leg.

Bond said the ruck giant had been cleared of serious injury and would be monitored throughout the week.

"Zac will be assessed throughout the week to determine if he is available to play in round one," he said.

Follow Chris Robinson on Twitter: @CJKRobinson

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Port can make finals: Westhoff

Port Adelaide forward Justin Westhoff expects sharp improvement at Alberton. Picture: Morne de Klerk. Source: Getty Images

PORT Adelaide utility Justin Westhoff believes he can find another gear under new coach Ken Hinkley and is optimistic the Power can make the finals in 2013.

Westhoff, who was a rising star nominee in his maiden year in 2007, felt Port was finally looking like they could play with the consistency they had talked about in years -- but has not been able to produce.

He was also confident he could continue to improve his own game, which has blended highlights with the forgettable for much of his career.

"Obviously there have been times in my game when I've reached that level, when I've been able to dictate games, but that hasn't been for enough games in a row,'' Westhoff said.

"And that's something I'll try to work on and hopefully I can bring that this year.

"And hopefully we can make finals, for sure.

"I think the last month it's really picked up another notch. We've had a really tough pre-season with Darren (fitness coach Darren Burgess) coming back, which has been a key for the club. It's put everybody in good stead to have a really good season.

"And with Ken, just with his professionalism and passion ... he just wants to get the best out of everybody and just wants to win and I think that's pervaded over everyone at the club.

"He's got the right guys on board and I think that's turned the club in the right direction. I think all the players and all the support staff are feeling that at the moment.''

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Video: Ricky Nixon's comedy stylings

Raw vision: Take a sneak peek at the former AFL player manager's stand-up routine

No joke: Former footballer and sports agent Ricky Nixon is to perform his stand-up routine "Chicken Train" at the Comic's Lounge in North Melbourne. Picture: Josie Hayden Source: Leader

WATCH NOW: FOOTAGE has emerged of Ricky Nixon rehearsing his attempt at making people laugh for all the right reasons.

The former AFL player agent is working on a stand-up comedy routine, and is scheduled to perform his show – called "Chicken Train" - in public for the first time this weekend.

Footage obtained by News Limited shows Nixon rehearsing a bit from his show at the Comic's Lounge in North Melbourne.

In front of a handful of people, 49-year-old Nixon tells an anecdote about his youthful playing days at Carlton. 

Sharing a townhouse with a fellow player, young Ricky hears tell that a nearby female resident enjoys skinny dipping in the shared pool.

Hilarity may or may not have ensued. You can watch the video above to find out for yourself.

There's also a crowd-pleasing mention of Nixon's highlight of the season that year, involving a St Kilda player and a pizza.

Those keen to see more of Nixon's comedy stylings will be sorry to hear that he did not end up getting a slot at this year's Melbourne Comedy Festival, with organisers quick to dismiss the possibility earlier this year.

Herald Sun comedy expert and Barry Award judge Mikey Cahill said if Nixon had managed to get a festival spot, it likely would have been the must-see show of the festival, if not for the reasons Nixon would like. 

"Everyone enjoys a bit of schadenfreude every now and then," Cahill said.

"(The rehearsal footage) is excruciating, none-trick pony stuff. No curls, no jokes. The whole thing is both creepy and crawly.

"Nixon's routine comes off like a Sportsman Night from 1987. You can bet Doug Barwick and Greg Williams would have blown him off stage too.

"Once you hear Nixon utter 'The chick from number 20..OH OH….OH OH' you can't un-hear it.

"It gets worse though: 'I looked up at him [the landlord] … it wasn't the only thing looking up at him.' Facepalm o'clock!"

If you disagree with Mikey, the good news is that Nixon is due to perform at the Comic's Lounge on Sunday afternoon.

Nixon was a well-known AFL player-agent before rising to national infamy in 2011 when he denied allegations of a drug-fuelled affair with the 17-year-old "St Kilda Schoolgirl".

He was filmed leaving her hotel room and admitted "mistakes" and "inappropriate dealings" with the teenager before entering rehab.

Speaking to the Herald Sun last month, Nixon said he would discuss his personal crises in the show, and how his life spiralled out of control in recent years.

"This exercise is not about me trying to make a career as a comedian. I'm trying to be me and give an insight of what I've been through and hopefully at the same time people can come along and have a laugh," he said.

"It's two years since I made the mistake of going to a hotel room when I shouldn't have, and people still want me to pay the price. Well I'm getting down from the cross because somebody else needs the wood.

"Nobody's been kicked in the head over the past two years more than I have, but I'm trying to move on with my life and do it by having a laugh at myself."

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Sando asks Crows to respect Dons

Adelaide Crows coach Brenton Sanderson has asked his charges to respect Essendon amid the supplements scandal. Picture: Tait Schmaal. Source: The Advertiser

CROWS coach Brenton Sanderson has ordered his Adelaide players - and their fans - to respect their Essendon rivals and the AFL game by avoiding "cheap shots" on the drug-tainted Bombers on Friday night.

"I'd be disappointed if our players tried to unsettle (the Bombers) with any cheap shots," said Sanderson ahead of the AFL premiership season-opener against Essendon at AAMI Stadium.

As the Bombers prepare for a fiery entry to Adelaide, Sanderson has called on all AFL fans to wait on the investigations to end on the Essendon fitness regime from last season before throwing bards at the club's players.

"That's not what footy is about," said Sanderson of the temptation to work gamesmanship against the Bombers.

"We (the Crows) want to be known for playing the ball hard, not cheap shots.

"We'll play the game with the respect it deserves.

"And I'd be disappointed if our fans - and all AFL fans - said those things over the fence. You have to bite your tongue and wait for the AFL investigations to end."

Adelaide will tonight choose its 22 for Friday night's clash at West Lakes.

Teenage midfielder Brad Crouch is expected to be the only debutant for the Crows. On the injury front, Adelaide is still testing the fitness of small forward Ian Callinan (knee).

Sanderson on Thursday will attend the AFL coaches' meeting with a clear statement of disapproval with the AFL Commission's plan to cap rotations next season.

Sanderson revealed today he had considered an on-field protest during the last term of the NAB Cup clash with Carlton a fortnight ago by sending all his players into a super flood of the Blues attack..

"Very seriously," said Sanderson of how much he thought through the protest tactic. "In the end I thought it would be a little bit arrogant of me to do it."

Sanderson ruled out journeyman Richard Tambling for the Round 1 clash.

"There's healthy competition for the (Michael) Doughty (retired) role. Tambling trained the house down today. He won't play this week but he will this year."

"The strength of this group has been the guys knocking on the selection door bashing down the door."

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Hine, Hale off the hook

North Melbourne defender Taylor Hine has been cleared by the match review panel. Picture: Scott Chris Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN ruckman David Hale is free to take on Geelong in the Easter Monday blockbuster after having his match-day report thrown out by the AFL.

Hale was booked for making front-on contact with Roo Leigh Adams, but the match review panel declared he had no other way to contest the ball.

He joined Kangaroo Taylor Hine in getting a reprieve, with the new Roos defender cleared for a high bump on Hawk Jack Gunston.

Hine was reported during the third quarter of Saturday's practice match against Hawthorn at Craigieburn.

The former Gold Coast player was charged with making forceful front-on contact with Gunston in the Kangaroos 81-point thrashing cut short due to inclement weather.

It comes as welcome relief for Brad Scott and his selection panel with the Kangaroos already down one key defender in Scott McMahon (one week) and veteran playmaker Brent Harvey (six weeks).

Lion Mitch Golby is also in the clear for contact against Carlton skipper Marc Murphy.

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Demetriou cashes in on bonuses

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou Source: Herald Sun

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou received $440,000 worth of bonuses last year, the league's annual report reveals.

The game's most powerful man earned $1.88m in 2012, a package which included superannuation, bonuses and an $88,000 pay rise.

He pocketed $2.2 million in 2010.

The annual report also revealed a record revenue for the 2012 season of $425m and a $6.7m profit.

About $290m was distributed among the 18 AFL clubs.

The turnaround in fortunes comes after the league leaked $24m in 2011 – most of it spent on setting up expansion clubs Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast.

The AFL Grand Final was the most-watched sporting event in Australia last year with an average audience of 4.08 million people.

While total attendances fell from 7.48m people in 2011 to 7.37m last year, memberships soared for the 12th consecutive year with 707,621 people (up from 650,373) signing up with clubs.

AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick attributed a fall in attendances to the league's expansion in western Sydney and Gold Coast.

The league's executive arm, made up of eight members, earned $4.5m in salaries and bonuses.

Demetriou told the Australian Financial Review club finances were improving while the league would buy Etihad Stadium if the price was right.

He said the outlook remained bright despite recent scandals including salary cap breaches in Adelaide and the Essendon supplements investigation.

"It's fair enough for the public to be questioning some of the things going on, including the ethics and integrity of the clubs and the league," he said.

"There is no doubt the clubs have to understand there should be no cutting corners and no win-at-all-costs mentality and no doing anything that jeopardises the pureness of the sport."

League bosses will meet with club chiefs on Wednesday to nut out ways of bridging the gap between the rich and poorer clubs.

"There's no doubt procuring the ­stadium earlier would provide a financial boost to all of our clubs," Demetriou said.

"We have looked at it but are not in any serious dialogue at the moment. We are not in a position to meet the expectations of the [vendors] at the moment."

Demetriou said two Melbourne clubs inquired about exiting from their pokies contracts.

North Melbourne remains the only AFL club without poker machines bolstering its bottom line.

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Gray happy to be back

Robbie Gray at Port Adelaide training. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide specialist forward Robbie Gray will step up his workloads after a successful return from serious knee surgery to competitive football on Saturday night.

Power assistant coach Garry Hocking today described Gray as a "kid in a lolly shop'' in his chase for the ball during half a game with SANFL club West Adelaide in a night trial at Richmond Oval.

He added the recuperation program would now have Gray play three quarters in SANFL trials with roles in the midfield.
 
Independent observers noted Gray has lost none of his pace despite his legs having naturally lost their tone.
 
Gray yesterday Tweeted: "Got through and pulled up well. Good to be back playing again!''

Gray was injured in April in Port's away clash with Collingwood. At best, he could resume in the AFL on April 6 at home against Greater Western Sydney.

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Thomas in no hurry to sign

Collingwood midfielder Dale Thomas says he is in no hurry to re-sign. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD midfielder Dale Thomas says there is no point rushing to sign a new contract after ankle surgery and a modest 2012.

Thomas said he wanted the chance to build on his form before he started contract talks.

"There is no point in me signing currently coming off the year that I had last year and just coming back with an injury,'' Thomas said on Channel 7's Game Day.

"I would like to think I would give myself a bit of time to get some form up, play some good footy and then start talking contracts.

"But at the minute I am sure the club would like to get my signature at the minute because it would be worth next to nothing.''

Thomas said he had not set a time-frame for his contract negotiations, but was mindful of protracted talks turning into a "circus''.

"I think I will just let it unfold. I don't want to a put a time on it and say I will wait until the end of the year,'' Thomas said.

"But the last thing I want is for it to become a circus as these things over the past few years for other players have kind of happened.

"The last I want is for that to happen. My signature will go on a piece of paper at some point, as it has to happen.''

Thomas, who had surgery in November, said he remained hopeful of being ready to play in the Round 1 clash against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

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