A review was needed, say AFL

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has blasted the umpires for not calling for a goal review in a decision that could have cost the Tigers victory against Fremantle.

Fremantle post a thrilling one-point victory over Richmond in their AFL clash at Patersons Stadium.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon addresses the media after his side's thrilling one-point win over Richmond.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick shows his anger after losing the match by one point to the Dockers. Picture: Paul Kane. Source: Getty Images

THE AFL has conceded a score review should have been called in the dying minutes of last night's Fremantle and Richmond clash at Patersons Stadium.

Tiger Matt White snapped a shot at goal with about four minutes remaining that would have put his side four points in front.

The ball bounced in to the leg of the goal umpire standing against the post as it appeared set to cross the goal line.

Play on was called, before the Dockers took the ball over the line for a rushed behind.

A furious Damien Hardwick labelled the call a "joke" after the game and insisted a score review should have been called for because, from his vantage point, he felt the ball had crossed the line for a call.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane admitted today the goal umpire made an error.

"(The) AFL view is that a review should have been called by goal umpire last night,'' Keane said.

The AFL will also ask the umpiring department to review line positioning of goal umpires.

Both Hardwick and Fremantle coach Ross Lyon believed the ball had gone through for a goal before bouncing off the umpire's leg and back into play

Freo break Richmond hearts

White ended up kicking a goal a minute later to give Richmond the lead, but Dockers goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne snapped the winner with 84 seconds left to secure the 12.9 (81) to 12.8 (80) triumph.

"We've got this fantastic thing called a review system haven't we? Fair dinkum,'' Hardwick said. "Use it, or don't bother.

"At the end of the day there's a field umpire, a goal umpire, and four or five blokes sitting up in a box upstairs. Someone make a decision.

"Seriously, in a tight game - joke.''

Lyon said he understood Hardwick's frustrations all too well.

In the 2009 grand final when Lyon was coach of St Kilda, Geelong forward Tom Hawkins was awarded a goal despite his shot shaving the post.

The Cats ended up winning the match by 12 points.

"I've seen the other side of the coin,'' Lyon said. "At the end of the day, we're all humans. We all make mistakes.

"Damien is entitled to voice an opinion but I'll leave it to the papers and the AFL to sort it out.''

Hardwick was confident captain Trent Cotchin would be fit for Saturday night's clash with Geelong at the MCG.
Cotchin hyper-extended his knee late in the second quarter, but managed to play out the match and finished with 26 possessions and seven clearances.

Tigers debutant Nick Vlastuin put in a gutsy effort in defence, while former Crow Chris Knights played his best game for Richmond with three goals from 20 possessions.

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Bradley blow for depleted Dockers

DOWN AND OUT: Fremantle's Kepler Bradley grimaces in pain after suffering a knee injury. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE will have to enact plan 'C' in their AFL forward line after Kepler Bradley suffered a suspected season-ending knee injury.

Fremantle started the season light-on for tall targets in attack, but are now scraping the bottom of the barrel after Bradley damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Friday night's one-point win over Richmond.

Bradley was set to play a crucial role for the Dockers over the next two months weeks while skipper Matthew Pavlich recovers from surgery to his plantaris tendon.

But with no Pavlich, Bradley or ruckman Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) to throw up forward, the Dockers will rely heavily on one-game players Tanner Smith and Jack Hannath over the coming weeks.

Ruckman/forward Zac Clarke, who has been plagued by leg injuries this season, is also a chance to bolster the forward line for Saturday night's away clash with Gold Coast.

While Fremantle's spearheads keep getting struck down by injury, their small forwards continue to thrive, with Hayden Ballantyne the hero against Richmond.

Ballantyne booted four goals - including the match-winner with just 84 seconds remaining - to lift the Dockers to their third win of the year, while fellow goalsneak Michael Walters and medium-sized forward Chris Mayne also played crucial roles in the 12.9 (81) to 12.8 (80) triumph.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon said he felt for 27-year-old Bradley, who is a cult hero among Fremantle fans and booted three goals in a lion-hearted effort against Hawthorn last week.

"It's really sad for any player, but when it's one of your own it makes it worse," Lyon said.

"We'll support Kepler and rehabilitate him.

"But, you know, one door shuts another one opens.

"Tanner Smith and Jack Hannath will continue. So we'll find a way. That's what we're paid to do."

Hannath was quiet in his AFL debut, tallying just four possessions and 11 hit-outs.

But the 21-year-old took a solid pack mark with just 30 seconds remaining to help keep Richmond at bay.

Fremantle midfielder Nat Fyfe is facing a nervous wait after kicking out at Richmond midfielder Daniel Jackson.

Fyfe was lying on his back and trying to get Jackson off him when he kicked out his leg, but the star Docker may escape suspension given the contact was merely a minor glancing blow.
 

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Dogs told: Be bold

Shane Crawford is in Hawaii but he's still thinking about SuperCoach - and Travis Cloke.

Brendan McCartney addresses his players. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

TAKE the game on. That's the bold message to the young Western Bulldogs team against the powerhouse Geelong outfit tomorrow night.

But Bulldogs' coach Brendan McCartney warned that any ultra-positive approach must be tempered by the need to defend against the unbeaten Cats at Etihad Stadium.

"We may have to look at subtly doing things a little bit different and still have the courage to be prepared to move the ball and use the ball,'' McCartney said before training today.

"Part of that is not to always go crazy-fast with the ball, but at the same time, it's worse to go slow and safe with the ball. There's got to be a combination.

"The best teams with the ball generally handle what's in front of them. When teams defend you really well, the obvious option is to kick it to a contest. If they give you a little time and space, then you should take that too.

"We are encouraging them every week, and we do drills every week, to encourage people to have the confidence to shift the ball into space and move it a bit quicker.

"Some times young people, under high pressure and fatigue and the game's going really fast, in their head forget that.

"At the moment, as with times last year, we've got a lot of those players. There will be contests where you think 'Gee, they've actually done better than they probably should've with the opponent they're against'. And probably the ones, when the game gets hot, they respond to it.

"There's no doubt some of our younger players will have patches in the game where it's getting away. It's how well they get themselves back.

"That's almost the definition of maturity. In any job, if you have a bad minute, you don't let it become a bad day or week. You can correct it and they've got to learn to do that. And, just as important, they've got to learn to help each other do it.''

The Dogs have been ravaged by injuries, with Ryan Griffen (shoulder) and Daniel Giansiracusa (shoulder) this week joining the casualty list.

See the full Round 5 teams here

McCartney, a former assistant coach at Geelong, has used Cats premiership performers and Dogs' specialist coaches Matthew Scarlett and Cameron Mooney to help prepare his injury-depleted team for the massive task.

"We understand how they play, no different to any other club, and the two boys who were champions down there have gone about the work with our young forwards and defenders this week just to help prepare them for people they may know a little more about. That's the only difference,'' he said.

"What we're really clear is not burdening our players with too much information before a game. They need enough preparation to know wherever there's a stoppage, to have a very clear idea of what their role is and understand we defend better when we do these things and also move the ball better when we do certain things.''

McCartney said he was trying to incorporate components of Geelong's sustained success into his long-term plans, while preserving the Western Bulldogs' identity.

"We're not Geelong. We're the Western Bulldogs, but you can't ignore patience and clear stability and developing a brand of footy where the harder the game is, the more it stands up and doesn't dissolve.

"And to drive that style, you need certain types of people and players. But we're our own entity and we'll develop long-term great players,'' he said.

"It's funny, people who have worked in that club are going to have great respect for that club because what was built down there wasn't just one or two people. It was a group of fantastic people who worked together for a long time. And it did take a long time.

"We've got to remember it took that club six or seven years of patient building and clear philosophy to get to where they wanted to be. And they've been remarkably good at sustaining it and that's probably a bigger accolade. They have pioneered and led the way how to do it over a long period of time.''
 

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Long wait over for Blues

Jay Clark and Matt Windley argue over the captain's loophole and what to do with Jack Viney, Brad Crouch and Lewis Stevenson.

Eddie Betts wills home a shot at goal at Visy Park today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

A smiling Mick Malthouse at Carlton training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON forward Jarrad Waite will make his long-awaited return in the VFL on Sunday.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse said today Waite, who has not played yet this season because of a calf injury, would play as much game time "as he can''.

"It's been a long haul, a long wait so we will see how he pulls up and go from there,'' Malthouse said.

"But he has trained very well over the past couple of weeks. The old saying, when they are ready, give them another week.

"He is like any player, he doesn't want to have `patience' listed next to his name. He just wants to get out there.

"He's had to be reasonably patient over that period because the leg just didn't respond early on and it has in the last, probably, month.

"He has had to do a mini-pre-season.''

See all the Round 5 teams here

Malthouse said how long Waite spent in the VFL depended on how his body responded.

"It's not a matter of how many goals he kicks or how many footballs he touches, it's a matter of getting through, understanding his body, which he does, us understanding that he can get through a game of football,'' Malthouse said.

Ultimate Round 5 SuperCoach formguide

"I think the system is 'Get it right'. Let's not be rushed into anything regardless of the result this week or whoever we play the following weekend.''

The Blues have made just one change for tomorrow's clash against Adelaide at the MCG, bringing in Eddie Betts for Aaron Joseph.

"He (Betts) is a very valued player, has an enormous impact with the playing group, they all love him, so it is good, very good (to have him back),'' Malthouse said.
 

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Chat live with Josh Jenkins

Josh Jenkins joins a handball drill at Adelaide Crows training. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

THE Crows are back in the eight but face a must-win clash against Carlton at the MCG on Saturday.

Josh Jenkins was one of Adelaide's best players in its thumping win against the Western Bulldogs, defying the slippery conditions to grab 15 disposals, lay six tackles and kick a goal as the Crows got their season back on track.

But they will face a much tougher test on Saturday night against the resurgent Blues at the MCG.

Throw your questions at Josh from 2pm (ACST) Thursday in the live blog below.

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

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Unity key to Pies' game

James Hird says he's wary of Dane Swan's form against Essendon.

Essendon skipper Jobe Watson in full flight. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley declared Essendon skipper Jobe Watson "basically untaggable" as he plotted a positive strategy for the Anzac Day clash.

Buckley said it would be pointless to individually target Watson, Brent Stanton, Brendon Goddard and Dyson Heppell.

"It's pretty hard if you're going to trailer and caravan them around," Buckley said.

"We believe we can defend well as a unit, reinforce our strengths and blunt the opposition's at the same time. We back the way we play, we back the way we defend."

GALLERY: See the Pies prepare for Anzac Day

The Pies made one change to the team that defeated Richmond last Saturday, bringing back versatile Tyson Goldsack at the expense of Josh Thomas.

Essendon resisted the temptation to hand father-son recruit Joe Daniher, 19, an Anzac Day debut.

Stewart Crameri comes back from a knee injury, as well as Kyle Hardingham and Travis Colyer. Tayte Pears and Jake Melksham are on the sidelines with the injured Michael Hurley.

David King pulls apart today's key tactical moves

Coach James Hird said this year's Bombers were better placed to take on the Pies than last year's, despite a 4-0 record going into Anzac Day yet again.

"We've certainly got a better injury list, we've got more players available and we're playing better football than this time last year," Hird said.

"We may have been 4-0 last year, but if you look back on the games that we were playing, we were just beating sides and probably lucky to win a couple of those games.

The Barometer: Injury latest from every club

"Collingwood is an outstanding team and it's going to be a very tough game."

Essendon yesterday signed key defender Jake Carlisle for two more years.

"It means a lot to recommit to the club that gave me the opportunity and drafted me," Carlisle said.

Fox Sports pick their top five moments from Anzac Day matches between Collingwood and Essendon.

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Cornes: Sky the limit for Power

Kane Cornes says the sky is the limit for the Power. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

KANE Cornes has declared the sky is the limit for unbeaten Port Adelaide this year.

As the Power prepares to tackle one of this year's premiership fancies, West Coast, at AAMI Stadium on Saturday night, Cornes said the club which seemed on its knees a year ago is in as good a shape as any time in his stellar 13-year career.

"It's probably as an exciting group as we've ever had,'' said Cornes, who on Saturday will become just the second man to play 250 games for the Power.

"It's hard to know how far we can go this year but if we can continue to develop and everyone strives to do that then who knows how far we can go?

"It's pretty hard to get there (to a grand final), we all know that, but we'll just try to do our best and see where that takes us.

"We're certainly in good shape at the moment.''

Cornes - who is six games shy of breaking Warren Tredrea's all-time Power games record of 255 - said the club was benefitting from some ``really good off-field decisions'', particularly with its recruiting.

"Our draft picks over the past two or three years have been spot on and their excitement and ability to win contested ball and tackle has been great,'' the 30-year-old said.

"The club's never been in a better spot and right now we've probably got six, seven or eight guys playing well in the SANFL, which hasn't happened for a while at this club.

"Certainly our injury list is as good as it's ever been, so the boys know they've got to perform or they won't play.

"That's all leading to good results on the field.''

Forward Paul Stewart, who missed Port's 38-point win against Gold Coast with a knee injury, is pushing for selection against the Eagles.
 

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Magpies won't risk Jolly

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

COLLINGWOOD'S first choice ruckman Darren Jolly will miss tomorrow's Anzac Day match to be eased back through the VFL after a rib injury.

Jolly will join comeback midfielder Luke Ball in the VFL team in Bendigo on Friday night.

"If you look at his last seven weeks he has missed a lot of footy and training. He had his kidney issue about six weeks ago and he has missed a large chunk of training. So we're just giving him the opportunity to get up to speed and trust the incumbents at the moment,'' coach Nathan Buckley said after training today.

"If you take a step away and look at the reality of the situation, it's clear that Darren needs the solid training and the football. It won't take long for him to get back to speed, but it's pretty important for him to get that.''

While Buckley said experienced ruckman Ben Hudson has recovered well, the Magpies do have the option of bringing in young big man Jarrod Witts for what would be a dream debut on one of football's biggest days at the MCG.

"We'll have a discussion to decide whether we go with Ben or Jarrod. I'm pretty confident they both bring something to the table,'' Buckley said.

"Obviously, Jarrod hasn't played a (senior AFL) game yet and that comes into consideration. It's all about balancing up whether Huddo has recovered well enough, we feel that he's thereabouts, or whether we go with youth.

"We pick players to play their roles within the side regardless of what round it is. We're pretty confident we prepare our young players with that ability, so we wouldn't be considering the occasion.''

On the prospect of playing both Hudson and Witts to combat Essendon's talls, Buckley said: "It's probably unlikely. It's not the policy we've continued through the NAB Cup and into the early home-and-away (rounds).

"We believe Quinten Lynch is giving us really good cover in that regard. His minutes in the ruck have been damaging, he has been able to contest really strongly in the ruck contests.

"And around the ground, he has been able to get into dangerous positions and defended particularly well. So, we're pretty confident he provides a bit of structure for us in that regard.''

The Buzz: How Pies hit the jackpot with Quinten Lynch

Defender Nathan Brown (groin) and versatile Ben Johnson (calf) are ready to play as the Magpies staff eased the players through an ultra-short preparation.

"Players have recovered really well and we're all set to go. It's just another opportunity for us to play our type of footy for four quarters and test ourselves against pretty good opposition,'' Buckley said.

"It's something I've been fortunate enough to be a part of for a number of years. But you can't forget why we're playing on this day and that's the thing you try to get across to new people in your club.

The Barometer: Injury latest from every club

"We're blessed to represent Collingwood, the AFL and the wider community and we educate our new players and staff around the reality of Anzac Day and why it exists. And that's an important part of bringing people into our culture.''

On Essendon's unbeaten start to the season, Buckley said: "They're four and zip, they're playing irresistible footy both in offense and defence. Their contested ball is up very high and we expect a team full of confidence and with a bit of an us-against-the-world mentality at the moment and playing accordingly.''

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Eddie slams Swan trade rumour

Dane Swan has a laugh with president Eddie McGuire at Collingwood training. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

EDDIE McGuire talked with the GWS football manager about the value of Collingwood players but says claims he offered Dane Swan are "a joke".

McGuire used his breakfast show on Triple M to blast the rumours, labelling them "puerile, muck-raking, red-herring, bomb-throwing rubbish" after they were aired on TV last night.

However, the Collingwood president admitted he had casually discussed the potential value of several Magpie stars with long-time friend and former Collingwood administrator Graeme Allen - who is now in charge of the Giants' list.

McGuire believes GWS will offer some of its young midfield talent on the trade table to entice established stars from other clubs.

"We're mates and we talk about different things and over last year we would have talked about (which players GWS might chase) ... 'Gee we need key defenders, what about (Ben) Reid and (Nathan) Brown?', 'Yeah, good luck'.

"They have to star trading players out at some stage, we all know that.

"And I was saying what sort of players (would you be chasing), Pendlebury or Swan or Daisy Thomas - what sort of currency is in these guys. I think I might have even thrown in Cotchin, throwing in names of players around the place.

"Gubby might well have gone back and said, 'There's a chance to shake one of them out at Collingwood because we've got so many good players'. Every club in the league is looking at GWS and saying how do we get in there.

"At not stage did I say, 'Hey mate, why don't you walk down to the Westpac Centre and grab Dane Swan?'

"Give it a break, has everyone heard what I've said about this bloke in recent times? People are not that stupid.

"That's cloud cuckoo land stuff."

McGuire said the rumours were coming out of GWS in an attempt to "undermine my credibility".

He also revealed Swan would be appearing on Triple M for free this season rather than worry about getting the deal approved by the AFL's salary cap watchdog.

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Tiger tackles an 'attitude problem'

Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin says the Tigers didn't have the required intensity at training in the lead-up to their disappointing loss to Collingwood.

Damien Hardwick talks to his Richmond players. Source: Getty Images

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick says the Tigers' low tackle numbers are a result of a problem with attitude, not technique.

As revealed on SuperFooty today, Richmond has laid the fewest tackles of any side in the competition this season - and managed just four during Collingwood's third-quarter rampage on Saturday.

"Is it (tackling) a technique thing? No. Is it an attitude thing? No doubt," Hardwick said today.

"It's just an attitude. You come with a mindset you want to tackle and you want to defend, and you get the job done. We've just got to get a lot better at that."

The Tigers are set to make at least two forced changes for Friday night's clash against Fremantle, with Steve Morris suspended and key defender Troy Chaplin unlikely to come up from concussion.

Chaplin was knocked out in a friendly fire collision with teammate Chris Knights.

Hardwick admits there was some soul-searching following the Collingwood defeat, but is confident his side can snap back into the form they showed prior to the match.

"The pleasing thing you'd say is we only got beaten 34 points considering we played our worst game for the year," Hardwick said.

"We're 3-1. We didn't play to the level we required. We address those things. We move on."

See your club's latest injury list in The Barometer

Fremantle goes into the match without two injured players who usually torch the Tigers - key forward Matthew Pavlich and ruckman Aaron Sandilands.

Considering the Tigers' inability to control Collingwood giant Travis Cloke last weekend, Pavlich's absence particularly should be a blessing - though Hardwick had a warning.

"We're not overly disappointed (Pavlich) is not playing, let's put it that way.

"But the thing is when sides change up their forward structure, they become more unpredictable."

Hardwick is confident Jake King, who limped from the field against Collingwood after being kneed in the lower back, will be fit to travel to Perth.

But hard-working midfielder Nathan Foley, who returned from his long injury absence successfully in the reserves last weekend, won't be rushed back.

Hardwick says Foley faces at least a fortnight more gaining match fitness before he is considered for the seniors.

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Herald Sun Player of the Year

Jobe Watson is leading from the front in 2013.

ESSENDON skipper Jobe Watson and Port Adelaide bolter Hamish Hartlett are joint leaders of the Herald Sun Player of the Year Award after Round 4.

Watson polled three votes against St Kilda on Saturday, his second best-on-ground effort of the season, to jump to eight votes.

He was joined on Saturday night by Hartlett who received the maximum three votes in Port's win against Gold Coast. Hartlett has polled in three of Port's four wins, including two best-on-ground displays.

Reflecting Port's amazing start, teammate Travis Boak is outright third in the award with seven votes.

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

LEADERBOARD
8 J. Watson (Ess)
8 H. Hartlett (Port)
7 T.Boak (Port)
6 J.McVeigh (Syd)
6 T.Cotchin (Rich)

6 D.Heppell (Ess)
6 J.Selwood (Geel)
6 P.Dangerfield (Adel)

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)

ROUND 3

FREMANTLE v ESSENDON
Braden Quartermaine's votes
3 Jake Carlisle (Ess), 2 Michael Hibberd (Ess), 1 Nathan Fyfe (Frem)

NORTH MELB v SYDNEY
Brett Stubbs' votes
3 Jarrad McVeigh (Syd), 2 Daniel Hannebery (Syd), 1 Nick Malceski (Syd)

MELBOURNE v WEST COAST
Jay Clark's votes
3 Dean Cox (WC), 2 Josh Kennedy (WC), 1 Matt Priddis (WC)

GWS v ST KILDA
Tyson Otto's votes
3 David Armitage (StK), 2 Jack Steven (StK), 1 Callan Ward (GWS)

GEELONG v CARLTON
Glenn McFarlane's votes
3 Mathew Stokes (Geel), 2 Chris Judd (Car), 1 Allen Christensen (Geel)

GOLD COAST v BRISBANE
Greg Davis's votes
3 Jonathan Brown (BL), 2 Jared Brennan (GC), 1 Pearce Hanley (BL)

RICHMOND v W.BULLDOGS
Jon Ralph's votes
3 Dustin Martin (Rich), 2 Trent Cotchin (Rich), 1 Brett Deledio (Rich)

COLLINGWOOD v HAWTHORN
Bruce Matthews' votes
3 Luke Hodge (Haw), 2 Grant Birchall (Haw), 1 Josh Gibson (Haw)

PORT ADELAIDE v ADELAIDE
Michelangelo Rucci's votes
3 Travis Boak (PA), 2 Hamish Hartlett (PA), 1 Rory Sloane (A)

ROUND 4

SYDNEY v GEELONG
Michael Auciello's votes:
3 Joel Selwood (Geel), 2 Dan Hannebery (Syd), 1 Steven Motlop (Geel)

HAWTHORN v FREMANTLE
Sam Edmund's votes:
3 Grant Birchall (Haw), 2 Shaun Burgoyne (Haw), 1 Nathan Fyfe (Frem)

RICHMOND v COLL'WOOD
Glenn McFarlane's votes:
3 Travis Cloke (Coll), 2 Steele Sidebottom (Coll), 1 Dane Swan (Coll)

ST KILDA v ESSENDON
Bruce Matthews' votes:
3 Jobe Watson (Ess), 2 Dyson Heppell (Ess), 1 Brent Stanton (Ess)

GOLD COAST v PORT ADELAIDE
Reece Homfray's votes:
3 Hamish Hartlett (Port), 2 Travis Boak (Port), 1 Dom Cassisi (Port)

WEST COAST v CARLTON
B.Quartermaine's votes:
3 Chris Yarran (Carl), 2 Brock McLean (Carl), 1 Scott Selwood (WC)

MELBOURNE v GWS
Bruce Matthews' votes:
3 Nathan Jones (Melb), 2 Jack Grimes (Melb), 1 Colin Sylvia (Melb)

ADELAIDE v W.BULLDOGS
Andrew Capel's votes:
3 Patrick Dangerfield (Adel), 2 Richard Douglas (Adel), 1 Adam Cooney (WB)

NORTH MELB v BRISBANE
Scott Gullan's votes:
3 Scott Thompson (North), 2 Jack Ziebell (North), 1 Daniel Wells (North)

 

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Menzel expects worst on knee

Daniel Menzel arrives at Lake Imaging, St Johns of God. Picture: Leanne Churchill Source: Geelong Advertiser

DANIEL Menzel has arrived for scans on his knee, resigned to his fate.

A shattered Menzel admitted he expected confirmation of bad news after injuring his LARS-reconstructed knee in the VFL on Saturday.

Results will be known this afternoon. It would be his fourth reconstruction.

Menzel said he could not believe his luck.

He will find the results of his scans about 1pm.

"Just 'Not again', I guess," he said this morning of his initial reactions.

"Shattered that I've possibly done the same thing again.

"And when you put in so much work and so much effort, it's hard to believe it could happen again.

"We'll have the scans to see how we go, but there's not a lot of hope there, so we'll wait and see."

Menzel snapped his right anterior cruciate ligament in the 2011 qualifying final. He did the same thing to his left leg in his VFL comeback match last year.

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Schoenmakers to undergo surgery

Ryan Schoenmakers writhes in pain after twisting his knee at Aurora Stadium. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

Hawk Ryan Schoenmakers walks the boundary on crutches after the injury. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN has confirmed Ryan Schoenmakers will require a knee reconstruction and miss the rest of the season.

The defender went down early in yesterday's win over Fremantle at Aurora Stadium in Launceston.

Scans this morning revealed Schoenmakers had snapped his anterior cruciate ligament and strained the medial ligament in his right knee.

Hawthorn football operations manager James Fantasia said Schoenmakers remained upbeat despite the devastating news.

"While Ryan is naturally disappointed by the injury, we're certain he will approach his rehabilitation with the same professionalism, positivity and dedication he has displayed as a young player," Fantasia said.

Schoenmakers will consult with a specialist in coming days.

It's the Hawk's third serious knee injury behind Brendan Whitecross and Matthew Suckling, who went down at the same venue during the NAB Cup.

Schoenmaker's injury paves the way for Hawthorn recruit Brian Lake to make his debut after joining the club as a free agent last year.

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AFL must guarantee integrity

Melbourne president Don McLardy says the league must guarantee the integrity of people involved in the game. Source: Getty Images

MELBOURNE president Don McLardy has urged the AFL to guarantee that only people with integrity and the highest of values are attracted to positions of power in football clubs.

The Demons, which were investigated for tanking earlier this year, are now the centre of another probe after claims that some of their players took supplements under the direction of club doctor Dan Bates and controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank.

Speaking at today's president's lunch before the Greater Western Sydney game at the MCG, McLardy told guests that drugs in sport is a blight on the great game of Aussie Rules.

He said the club was committed to supporting the AFL in anything it had to do to ensure the integrity of the competition.

McLardy said that while the game was tough and uncompromising, it must be based on the highest integrity and people must be in key positions who have the right values.

"The AFL is currently assessing ways to reduce the pressure on players," he said.

"The AFL should add to that how do we ensure we continue to attract those with the highest values to leadership positions in our game, many of which are voluntary.

"Too much unwanted attention from those in the so called cheap seats, or worse still some of the journalists and commentators in the boxes behind the cheap seats, and we will end up with the wrong type of people in positions of influence.'

He said it could lead to another major problem.

McLardy, told guests that included AFL commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick and deputy Victorian premier Peter Ryan, that the Demons had already made comments about an investigation into supplements given to some players.

"We have already made pretty clear statements about our position," McLardy said

McLardy spoke about the importance of sport in the life of Australian families family.

He said a family friend, former Richmond and Collingwood footballer Craig Stewart, had to trust the integrity of the people Greater Western Sydney and hope they would a positive influence on his son James who was drafted last year.

He said working with a legend like Kevin Sheedy would be a good start.

McLardy said he was concerned with the treatment handed out in recent weeks to another legend, Essendon coach James Hird.

And he spoke about Melbourne coach Mark Neeld who he said apparently had his job on the line today.

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