Bulldogs confident against Tigers

Western Bulldogs Nick Lower, Koby Stevens, Brett Goodes and Tom Young celebrate their first victory. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

THE Western Bulldogs are taking heart from a tight pre-season clash with Richmond as they seek to dent the Tigers' strong season start.

Richmond is heavy favouritess to beat the Dogs at Etihad Stadium and make it three wins in succession to open their season.

That would be the Tigers' best start since 1995.

But the Bulldogs, who thrashed Brisbane in the opening round, have been buoyed by their own early-season form.

While they fell 28 points short of Fremantle last round, Dogs assistant coach Shannon Grant said given the respect in which they held the Dockers it was a decent performance.

"For a young team to be able to come up against such a strong side and put in a pretty strong effort I thought it was a good result, it gives us some confidence," Grant said.

That they had pushed a strong Tigers side hard on the last weekend of the pre-season has also built belief.

On that occasion, the Bulldogs led by as much as 18 points midway through the third quarter, before Richmond finished fast to win by nine points.

"That game gave the boys a lot of confidence," Grant said.

"We played pretty well that day. They ran away from us in the last quarter but the boys were pretty solid for most of the day.

"We can learn from lessons from that and take some things out of what worked well for us."

One factor that helped the Bulldogs was the blanketing job performed by ex-Fremantle recruit Nick Lower on Tigers star Trent Cotchin.

Lower has since opened the season with similarly successful stopping roles on Brisbane's Daniel Rich and Fremantle's David Mundy.

Grant said Lower would spend time on Cotchin again on Sunday, although given the Tigers' midfield depth - with the likes of Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin also danger men - they couldn't focus too heavily on one player.

But Grant said the Bulldogs were also building strong midfield depth, with clearance specialist Tom Liberatore one of a group of young, emerging players making good progress.

Jordan Roughead, who has performed well on Lions co-captain Jonathan Brown and Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich in the opening two rounds, is likely to get the job on in-form Richmond Coleman Medallist Jack Riewoldt.

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LIVE: Saturday arvo footy

Jack Watts could miss out on playing all together this weekend. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

TODAY'S SUBSTITUTES:
Sam Wright (North Melbourne)
Craig Bird (Sydney)
Jimmy Toumpas (Melbourne)
Jamie Cripps (WEST COAST)

LATE CHANGES:
Liam Anthony (Roos) out, replaced by Kieran Harper

PRE-GAME:

NORTH Melbourne has lost Liam Anthony for today's crunch clash against Sydney, replaced by Kieran Harper.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats and more

The Roos handed their substitute vest to Sam Wright, while Sydney made no late changes ahead of the Round 3 match in Hobart.

Craig Bird will start in the green vest for the Swans.

Demons coach Mark Neeld today confirmed he had called all three emergencies to the MCG, despite making no late changes.

Follow today's matches at Live HQ with live SuperCoach scores, stats and more

It means Watts, David Rodan and Jake Spencer will all go without a match this weekend.

Neeld defended the decision, saying those players were all match fit due to their uninterrupted pre-seasons.

The Dees handed Jimmy Toumpas the substitute vest ahead of the clash agaisnt West Coast at the MCG today.

The Eagles made no late changes, confirming stars Mark LeCras and Daniel Kerr will return.

Saints recruit Jamie Cripps will wear the green vest for the Eagles.

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Malthouse stands by Murphy

Carlton captain Marc Murphy. Source: Getty Images

Dylan Buckley, named for his senior debut, in action during Carlton training at Visy Park today. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON coach Mick Malthouse today dismissed criticism of captain Marc Murphy's defensive work.

Malthouse said Murphy's workload has increased by 8 per cent since he took over as skipper from Chris Judd.

"His work ethic from last year has increased dramatically. He was one of our better players last week," the Blues coach said today.

North Melbourne premiership defender and Fox Footy expert David King this week criticised Murphy's lack of effort when the Blues were on the defensive against Collingwood last weekend. King said Murphy's actions directly cost the Blues goals in the narrow defeat.

"The relevance to me is what we see and how they go about it," Malthouse said.

"I don't wish to challenge what people say in the media, that's their job. We value things a little bit differently, there's a lot of judgments within the game that dictate whether a player is playing well or not. Whether he's work hard, whether he's not working hard, what his man's doing and what value he is to the team."

Malthouse addressed the players before a closed training session about best-and-fairest winner Heath Scotland's return following a club-imposed two-match suspension.

Ironically, Scotland left Collingwood when Malthouse was coach in a quest to play a midfield role, like the one against Geelong tomorrow night.

"He just keeps reinventing himself. Make no mistake about it, you can reinvent yourself every week, but if you haven't got a grim determination to be better and have a massive amount of pride in your performance, which he has, then reinventing yourself bares no fruit," the coach said.

"Contrary to popular belief, I didn't get rid of Heath. Heath wanted to go because he wanted to play in the midfield and I didn't think he was going to be replacing the midfield we had. So I gave him an opportunity, like I've given many young blokes, to change clubs because I've changed clubs.

"We've always stayed in contact because he had a very good friendship with several Collingwood players. We always had respect for one another and that singularly is one of the most important things in life."

Malthouse said it was fanciful to suggest he wasn't involved in the decision to delay Scotland's start to the AFL season.

"I came into the football club and we made that decision. Even before I coached my first game, I suspended a player," he said.

"Any time you leave a player out, it's tough. Dropping players this week is tough. But that comes with the responsibility of the job."

Heath Scotland warms up for his first senior match of the season. Picture: Hamish Blair Source: Herald Sun

Malthouse defended his decision to axe four players for tomorrow night's game at Etihad Stadium, emphasising it as part of his plan to test players and structures.

"We'll chase that every week if need be. It may well be horses for courses until we come across the right combination," he said.

"A few of them have been forced with players out injured and players who haven't performed on the day to expectations or don't really match up against the opponent.

"I guess, we're in a fortunate position in many respects that we can chop and change the side to accommodate the opposition.

"There will come a time when the team is good enough to handle every opposition and therefore we don't have to go into our VFL side to accommodate them. Right now, we need to do that to find the right combination. This is, I believe, giving everyone a chance to display their wares.

"I didn't come in here totally blind, but I also didn't come in with a fixed mind that some players can and can't play. You have to give every player the opportunity to show that I can play this role for you."

The Blues coach said Dylan Buckley, son of triple premiership centreman Jim Buckley, deserved his AFL debut.

"There's no handouts here. You don't hand out games. So he has earned the right," he said.

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Hird 'should consider standing down'

Andrew Demetriou says Essendon coach James Hird should consider standing down over drug allegations.

Essendon coach James Hird is set to reveal he received two injections from sports scientist Stephen Dank for health reasons.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou says there is much more to be revealed in the Essendon drugs saga. Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Limited

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou thinks Essendon coach James Hird should consider stepping down while investigations into the Bombers' drugs program are completed.

The Herald Sun today revealed Bombers coach James Hird will tell anti-doping investigators he received two injections from sports scientest Stephen Dank, but will deny they contained illegal drugs.

Demetriou said Hird must at least weigh up standing aside from his role while the matters are being investigated, then returning to the role if cleared.

"As he goes through his thought process ... that is an option he has to consider," Demetriou told 3AW when asked if Hird should temporarily stand aside from coaching the Bombers.

"He has got an outstanding position in this game. He's been a wonderful servant to the Essendon Football Club, an ornament to AFL football.

"He's entitled to be able to put his position forward, which he will get the opportunity (to do) next week with ASADA.

"In the interim, those are the things that will have to cross his mind when he's contemplating what he's going to say to ASADA."

No jabs at Magpies, says Daisy

Demetriou stopped short of saying he'd like Hird to step aside.

"What is fair to say is that Essendon, who came forward ... instituted their own investigation about the governance and the processes. That will be released in the not too distant future," he said.

"Any person, regardless of their role at the club, who puts the duty of the care of their players at risk, will be held accountable."

James Hird goes for a walk in Perth this morning. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

Asked this morning if he thought Essendon hierarchy had widespread knowledge of the substance injecting program and a clear chain of command in implementing it, Demetriou said there were many details yet to be revealed.

"I'm privy to information that goes beyond what's been reported," Demetriou said on ABC radio.

But Demetriou wouldn't elaborate on what he knew, with ASADA yet to complete its investigation and Essendon's own report still to be released, but he said he was disappointed with the allegations which have engulfed both Hird and Essendon.

"You can't help but be disappointed, particularly as you find out more and understand more about what was going on," Demetriou said on 3AW.

"You'd appreciate I've got briefings that are more advanced than what's in the public domain. I think it's terribly important that we now get the investigations finalised quickly.

"Then we can get to the truth."

Demetriou confirmed it was not against AFL rules for coaches to use performance-enhancing drugs, provided they didn't encourage or direct players to use them.

Mark Robinson: Hird won't quit but must explain

"Under the current system, a coach who partakes in the use of performance-enhancing drugs is not covered by the WADA code," he said.

"A coach, however, who is instructive in allowing and has knowledge of the use of performance-enhancing drugs, through means of directing individuals, is covered by the WADA code."

The media pack follows Essendon defender Dustin Fletcher in Perth. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

Demetriou's latest comments came after email exchanges emerged that show Hird put rules in place for the use of supplements within the Essendon program.

They included strict stipulations that the supplements must not harm the players, must not be illegal under WADA and ASADA guidelines and that the club must get player permission before using them.

- with AAP

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Fantasia quits Dogs for Hawks

James Fantasia has quit the Western Bulldogs to join Hawthorn. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN has poached Western Bulldogs football department boss James Fantasia to head up its football operations team.

The Bulldogs this morning confirmed Fantasia had resigned from his position as general manager of football, while Hawthorn announced it had signed him to fill the void left by new AFL general manager of football operations Mark Evans.

Bulldogs chief executive Simon Garlick said Fantasia exited the club on good terms and wished him well at the Hawks.

"James has played a significant role in the evolution of the Western Bulldogs Football Club, both in his role as General Manager of Football and as a valued part of the club's Executive Management Team," Garlick said in a statement.

"Perhaps the greatest contribution James has made to the Club is best reflected by the strength of the football department he has been integral in building and the calibre of people that have been brought into footy on his watch."

Hawthorn will be Fantasia's third AFL club, with the South Australian having also been employed as Adelaide's recruiting manager from 1995-2007 before joining the Dogs at the end of the 2007 season.

Hawks CEO Stuart Fox said he was confident Fantasia would drive the club's high performance culture.

"James is a quality operator, an outstanding character and is highly respected within the football industry, and we look forward to having him join our team," Fox said.

"We're extremely pleased to appoint James as our general manager football operations and we're certain his wealth of experience and industry knowledge will be of great benefit to our club," Fox said.

The announcement scuppers rumours another South Australian - Adelaide list manager David Noble - was in line for Evans' former position.

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Jolly to miss, Daisy to play

Collingwood ruckman Darren Jolly leaves the ground in pain during the Magpies' clash against Carlton. Source: Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD ruckman Darren Jolly will miss Sunday's clash with Hawthorn, but Dale Thomas is a certain starter.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley confirmed today that Jolly's rib injury will cost him at least a week on the sidelines.

Buckley said he would have to choose between the experience of Ben Hudson and the youth of Jarrod Witts to take on the Hawks.

"He (Jolly) won't come up," Buckley said. "He wasn't able to train today and he is still mitigating pain.

"The rib condition affected his ability to get back on the field on the weekend and it won't be right for Sunday."

Hudson had 20 disposals and 26 hitouts in the VFL last week while youngster Witts kicked three goals.

Buckley said Thomas, who has played two VFL games after off-season ankle surgery, would return to the side.

He is yet to make a decision on whether Thomas will start or will be the sub.

This morning Magpie players finally got a taste of their new Olympic Park oval, with president Eddie McGuire delighted that his long-term vision of expanding the Westpac Centre, including a new $11.3 million ground, had finally come to fruition.

"This is wonderful ... now we have got a magnificent facility in the shadows of the MCG," McGuire said.

"We are rapt that this beautiful facility is something that Collingwood can call home."

A large crowd of Collingwood faithful turned out this morning to mark the club's first training session on the ground, including some former Pies greats such as Peter McKenna.

The Magpies will no longer have to train at Gosch's Paddock, meaning they can just step outside the door of the Westpac Centre to train.

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Hawk Hale a SuperCoach gun

Hawk David Hale dishes off a handball in front of West Coast ruckman Dean Cox. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

HAWTHORN ruckman David Hale had a lot on his mind lining up against West Coast last Sunday.

Beating his man, Eagles powerhouse Dean Cox, was first on the agenda.

Albeit bitter sweet, in a fantasy sense.

Hale is believed to be the Nissan SuperCoach behind Halestorm: a team made up of elite midfield stock, rock-solid defenders and a superstar forward he knows quite well.

Halestorm shot up the overall rankings last week to fourth overall with a score of 2455 points.

He started the season in 372nd spot after scoring 2458 in Round 1.

Catch Hale on Fox Footy's The SuperCoach Show tomorrow at 6pm (AEST).

Jobe Watson was Hale's top scoring player with 166 points against a hapless Melbourne outfit.

Brisbane defender Pearce Hanley was next best with 160 points ahead of Geelong star Jimmy Bartel's 157 points on the back of his last-gasp match-winning goal.

Halestorm's forward line boasts talls and smalls including Cox, in-form Eagle Josh Kennedy, Tom Rockliff and mature-aged Magpie recruit Sam Dwyer.

SuperCoach trade guide

In somewhat of a surprise, Lance Franklin is the only Hawk in Halestorm's squad.

Apologies to Sam Mitchell, Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli and Grant Birchall.

Boom Gold Coast midfielder Jaeger O'Meara headlines the list of Halestorm's cash cows that includes Jack Viney, Dean Terlich, Nick Kommer and Brad Crouch.

Got a SuperCoach question for David Hale or the Herald Sun experts? Send it to supercoachtips@heraldsun.com.au and watch The SuperCoach Show on Fox Footy at 6pm Thursday and read SuperFooty's SuperCoach formguide on Friday for the best tips.

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Rockliff vows to hunt Suns

Brisbane star Tom Rockliff says the Lions will be out to make amends for their slow start to the season against Gold Coast. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: Herald Sun

BRISBANE vice-captain Tom Rockliff says the Gold Coast will be the hunted side in QClash 5 this Saturday night.

The Suns will take a better win-loss record than Brisbane into a Sunshine State stoush for the first time with the Lions languishing near the bottom of the ladder with two losses from two games in 2013.

The Gold Coast has won its last three games at Metricon Stadium including the stirring Round 1 victory over St Kilda.

Rockliff said the Lions were desperate to record their first premiership points of the year and re-assert their authority in the battle for bragging rights.

"They are in some really good form at the moment. We are the ones that have got to go out there and hunt them this week and make sure they know we are there for a contest,'' Rockliff said.

"Obviously they are not our favourite team, probably one of our less favourite teams.

"It's our state, we see it that way and we want to make sure we can hold that up this weekend.

"They've definitely won respect for the way they've gone about it.

"They beat us the first time we played them, we've always seen them as a threat.

"We want to make sure that we stamp our foot down this weekend.''

Rockliff said Brisbane needed to improve its ball movement, defensive pressure and accuracy in front of goal if it was to claim its fourth-straight QClash success.

"To be honest it's more about us. We've let ourselves down (in the first two rounds),'' he said.

"We've still got a long way to go to earn the competition's respect.''

Rockliff said there was no hard feelings between himself and Adelaide captain Nathan Van Berlo after the Crows skipper was reprimanded by the Match Review Panel for striking Rockliff last Saturday night.

Van Berlo accepted demerit points and is free to play this weekend.

"It was just in the contest....that's the way it goes. You get accidental punches all the time. It's one that just landed and it hit me flush,'' Rockliff said.

"He did ask me at the end of the game how the jaw was.''

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Eagles forwards crave more action

West Coast forward Josh Kennedy kicked five goals in the loss to Hawthorn. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

WEST Coast power forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling are frustrated, and it's easy to understand why.

Kennedy has been in formidable form this season, with his ability to regularly bring down pack marks giving West Coast a major focal point up forward.

Darling has also looked dangerous at times, but he and Kennedy have been starved of opportunities in AFL losses to Fremantle and Hawthorn.

The combined inside-50m count in those games was 123-75 against West Coast, with the Eagles' forward line simply not having enough opportunities to kick a winning score.

Kennedy, who booted five goals from 11 possessions against the Hawks, conceded the absence of ruckman Nic Naitanui and Daniel Kerr in the midfield had hurt the team's ability to get the ball forward.

But the 25-year-old was confident the team could turn that trend around, starting with Saturday's clash with struggling Melbourne at the MCG.

"We're winning clearances but we're not getting it directly inside 50," Kennedy said.

"We're just not getting enough purchase on our kicks.

"We're going a bit too wide. It's something we'll focus on."

Darling, who kicked three goals from eight disposals against Hawthorn, echoed those sentiments.

"It's a bit frustrating," he said. "We just haven't had much clean ball movement inside 50.

"So once we get that happening we can work for each other with our blocking and leading patterns, and have the opportunity."

West Coast defender Eric Mackenzie will miss his second straight match due to a hamstring injury, but forward Mark LeCras is in line to make a shock return against the Demons just three weeks after breaking his arm.

LeCras, who underwent surgery to have a plate inserted into his right arm, will resume either this week or next after making a speedy recovery.

Kerr is also a chance to play after getting through a WAFL game unscathed, but the Eagles may opt to give him one more hit-out with East Fremantle to ensure his match fitness is up to scratch.

Melbourne enter the match on the back of horror showings against Port Adelaide and Essendon, with their 148-point loss to the Bombers heaping massive pressure on coach Mark Neeld.

But Kennedy said he hadn't bought into talk that this weekend would be a guaranteed win for the Eagles.

"No game's a guarantee, unless they don't rock up. We haven't won a game this year either, so we're both in the same boat," he said.
 

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Chat live with Josh Jenkins

Josh Jenkins in the Adelaide gym. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

CHAT live with Adelaide ruckman Josh Jenkins about Sunday's Showdown and awkwardly placed TV cameras from midday.

The Crows registered their first win for the season against Brisbane on Saturday and face an unbeaten Port Adelaide in a huge Round 3 clash.

Big man Josh Jenkins, who had 16 disposals and kicked two goals against the Lions, will be at SuperFooty headquarters tomorrow to answer your questions about the big game.

You can also quiz him on controversial changeroom footage of teammate Ricky Henderson that was shown on the weekend, angering Crows players and officials.

Join Josh Jenkins from midday SA time on Tuesday below.

On a mobile? Click HERE for a better chat experience.

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Crows furious over TV player flash

Adelaide star Patrick Dangerfield says broadcasters must respect players' privacy. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

Forward Ricky Henderson returns to Adelaide following the Crows win in Brisbane. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

Forward Ricky Henderson returns to Adelaide after being exposed by a changeroom camera. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

UPDATE: STAR Crows midfielder Patrick Dangerfield has declared his disappointment at the AFL's official telecasters for embarrassing team-mate Ricky Henderson at the weekend.

Of Foxtel's decision to show Henderson as he opened his shorts in the changerooms at the Gabba on Saturday, Dangerfield said: "The broadcasters have a responsibility to respect the players' privacy. It's disappointing."

The Crows players will gather today to consider their response to Fox Footy not editing the Henderson moment from its coverage and Channel Seven's decision to lampoon Henderson during its Saturday night football telecasts.

The Adelaide Football Club at the same time will be seeking apologies from the telecasters and assurances the moment will not be repeated.

The broadcasting of the footage resulted in thousands of messages bombarding Henderson's Twitter account, increasing his embarrassment.

"Ricky was really stressed (on Saturday night)," said Adelaide football chief Phil Harper.

"He should have been joining his teammates celebrating a good win against the Lions; instead he was locked away in his room.

"We are quite angry that people chose to put the original footage in other forums, particularly social media.''

Rucci's Rip: A Showdown worth savouring

Henderson was captured on camera walking into the Adelaide rooms at half-time and opening his shorts out of concern for a groin injury.

It is unlikely Henderson will follow rugby league player Andrew Ettingshausen in legal action.

Ettingshausen was awarded $350,000 in damages - reduced to $100,000 on appeal - from a magazine that published a photograph of "ET" in the showers during the 1990 Kangaroos tour of Great Britain.

The REAL Showdown - Sanderson v Hinkley

Ettingshausen had the expectation of privacy in the team showers. But Henderson should have been aware of the cameras that have been placed in AFL team changerooms for more than 10 seasons.

"We thought everything filmed in the changerooms was shown on delay and the telecaster had the opportunity to drop images such as those of Henderson," Harper said.

"Ricky's quite distressed by it all. He plays footy - he is not worrying about cameras when he comes into the changerooms."

Beyond Fox Sport's error, Adelaide has taken exception to how Henderson was lampooned on Seven's Saturday night football coverage hosted by former VFL player Brian Taylor.

Match report - Crows beat the Lions

AFL Players' Association executive Ian Prendergast says his group will be questioning the telecasters.

"We'll follow up to find out why (the images were put to air)," said Prendergast.

"Cameras are in place in the changerooms on the basis player privacy will be respected."

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Herald Sun Player of the Year

Jobe Watson has made a flying start to 2013. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON skipper Jobe Watson and Sydney's Kieren Jack are joint leaders of the Herald Sun Player of the Year Award after Round 2.

It seems captaincy has a positive impact on form, with the top three players on the leaderboard all club leaders, including new skippers Jack and Richmond's Trent Cotchin.

Watson was just edged out by teammate Dyson Heppell on Saturday night against Melbourne, while Jack claimed two votes on ground against Gold Coast after a best-on-ground performance in Round 1.

This week added some unlikely names to the list of vote-getters for the season, including former Collingwood rookie Sam Dwyer and Geelong's Mathew Stokes, who earned a vote at Etihad Stadium yesterday after starting as the substitute.

Votes this year will be awarded on a 3-2-1 basis for the best three players on the field.

LEADERBOARD
5 Kieren Jack (Syd)
5 Jobe Watson (Ess)
4 Trent Cotchin (Rich)
4 Dyson Heppell (Ess)
4 Sam Mitchell (Haw)
 
ROUND 1

ESSENDON v ADELAIDE
Reece Homfray's votes
3 Jobe Watson (Ess), 2 Ben Howlett (Ess), 1 Dyson Heppell (Ess)

FREMANTLE v WEST COAST
Braden Quartermaine's votes
3 Michael Barlow (Frem), 2 David Mundy (Frem), 1 Danyle Pearce (Frem)

RICHMOND v CARLTON
Warwick Green's votes
3 Trent Cotchin (Rich), 2 Brett Deledio (Rich), 1 Chris Judd (Carl)

W BULLDOGS V BRISBANE LIONS
Glenn McFarlane's votes
3 Will Minson (WB), 2 Nick Lower (WB), 1 Brett Goodes (WB)

GWS V SYDNEY
Neil Cordy's votes
3 Kieren Jack (Syd), 2 Ryan O'Keefe (Syd), 1 Adam Treloar (GWS)

GOLD COAST V ST KILDA
Greg Davis's votes
3 Gary Ablett (GC), 2 David Armitage (StK), 1 Jarrod Harbrow (GC)

MELBOURNE V PORT ADELAIDE
Bruce Matthew's votes
3 Hamish Hartlett (PA), 2 Travis Boak (PA), 1 Brad Ebert (PA)

NORTH MELBOURNE V COLLINGWOOD
Jon Ralph's votes
3 Scott Pendlebury (Coll), 2 Andrew Swallow (NM), 1 Dane Swan (Coll)

GEELONG v HAWTHORN
Bruce Matthews' votes
3. Joel Selwood (Geel), 2. Sam Mitchell (Haw), 1. Mathew Stokes (Geel)

ROUND 2

ST KILDA v RICHMOND
Mark Robinson's votes:
3 Jack Riewoldt (Rich), 2 Ben McEvoy (StK), 1 Trent Cotchin (Rich)

W BULLDOGS v FREMANTLE
Matt Windley's votes:
3 Nathan Fyfe (Frem), 2 Luke McPharlin (Frem), 1 Ryan Crowley (Frem)

SYDNEY v GOLD COAST
Neil Cordy's votes:
3 Jarrad McVeigh (Syd), 2 Kieren Jack (Syd), 1 Charlie Dixon (GC)

BRISBANE v ADELAIDE
Greg Davis's votes:
3 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel), 2 Pierce Hanley (BL), 1 Scott Thompson (Adel)

PORT ADELAIDE v GWS
Andrew Capel's votes:
3 Justin Westhoff (PA), 2 Chad Wingard (PA), 1 Jasper Pittard (PA)

ESSENDON v MELBOURNE
Warwick Green's votes:
3 Dyson Heppell (Ess), 2 Jobe Watson (Ess), 1 Tom Bellchambers (Ess)

NORTH MELB v GEELONG
Bruce Matthews' votes:
3 Allen Christensen (Geel), 2 Lindsay Thomas (NM), 1 Mathew Stokes (Geel)

COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON
Scott Gullan's votes:
3 Jamie Elliott (Coll), 2 Sam Dwyer (Coll), 1 Jeff Garlett (Carl)

WEST COAST v HAWTHORN
Braden Quartermaine's votes:
3 Cyril Rioli (Haw), 2 Sam Mitchell (Haw), 1 Matt Priddis (WC)
 

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LIVE: Cats v Roos

Matthew Stokes will start as the substitute for Geelong today. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

1.27pm: Cats 12 - Kangaroos 13

GEELONG young gun Josh Caddy has inspired his teammates with screamer at half forward sparking the Cats second goal.

North Melbourne drew first blood with Drew Petrie making the most of his opportunity in front of the big sticks early in the quarter.

But the Cats responded through Steven Motlop and then Joel Selwood, the beneficiary of a free kick deep in the pocket.

After kicking the classy goal, Selwood disappeared down the players' race with two Cats medicos.

He looked to be moving freely.

Pre-game

Both teams go into the match unchanged with North Melbourne opting for rebounding defender Ben Jacobs as its substitute.

The Cats on the other hand have taken a different approach with small forward Matthew Stokes being given the substitute duties for the match under the roof at Etihad Stadium.

It will be the second time these two sides have met since taking part in ground breaking pre-season match day simulation training together at Simonds Stadium.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats

Geelong defeated North Melbourne in a tight contest during the third round of the NAB Cup with veteran Cat Paul Chapman the difference, kicking three goals in the final quarter.

Kangaroos assistant coach Brett Allison said both teams kept their "cards close to their chests" during the pre-season work outs.

"Pre-season sessions with Geelong worked really well. (They were) good for both sides," Allison told Geelong's K Rock radio station this morning.

Allison said the Kangaroos would be looking to improve their attack on the contest after last week's disappointing loss to Collingwood.

"Tackling and ball use (are the) most important areas of improvement against the Cats."

Meanwhile, Allison said hyped Kangaroo Majak Daw is being rated as a forward and must go past marking targets Lachie Hansen, Robbie Tarrant and Drew Petrie to earn a spot in the best 22.

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Dees lacking desire to compete

Neil Craig and Mark Neeld at Melbourne training. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE assistant Neil Craig has thrown his support behind Demons coach Neil Craig, ruling out a return to senior coaching ranks.

Craig, Adelaide's longest serving coach, quit in 2011 after seven years at the club following the Crows 103-point loss to St Kilda.

"I'll be doing everything absolutely possible to support Mark Neeld," Craig, the Demons director of sports performance, told SEN radio.

"My days (as senior coach) are done.

"I think I was pretty clear at Adelaide about that. I'm enjoying my team at Melbourne... those days are done."

Craig said the Demons had what it takes to bounce back after last night's embarrassing 148-point hammering by Essendon at the MCG.

"We need to get this combative effort, this desire to compete, both offensively and defensively back... the intensity we see in our preparation we haven't seen in our games.

"We saw glimpses of it in the NAB Cup.

"The bottom line is we can't move with game plan structures unless there's competitive element in your game and nothing else happens until that's in place."

Craig stood by the Demons recruiting of tried veterans David Rodan, Shannon Byrnes and Cameron Pedersen.
Byrnes collected 11 disposals at 55 per cent efficiency last night.

Rodan was initially dropped, along with Pedersen, but came in as a late inclusion for Jordie McKenzie (calf) who
broke down in the warm up.

The former Port Adelaide and Richmond goalsneak picked up six disposals as the substitute.

"Those guys had an opportunity during the NAB Cup to push their case," he said.

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