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Will your club get off to a flyer?

Despite Melbourne's heatwave there is no respite for several AFL clubs with the NAB Challenge a month away.

Is Travis Cloke thinking about Collingwood's horror early draw during pre-season training? Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Limited

YOU can set your whole season up in the first five rounds. Just ask Ken Hinkley.

Port Adelaide got off to a flyer last season, winning its first five matches under a new coach.

Despite losing their next five, the Power had the runs on the board and didn't give up their spot in the top eight after Round 13.

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In hindsight, perhaps it shouldn't have been such a shock. Port had the benefit of a good early draw, facing Melbourne and GWS in Rounds 1 and 2, with an encounter with Gold Coast also in the opening five rounds.

Unfortunately for Hinkley, the Gods haven't been as kind this year. Port opens its season against Carlton in Melbourne and also faces North Melbourne (Etihad) and West Coast (Patersons Stadium) early.

So who has the dream start to 2014?

Hawthorn and Sydney are set to bolt out of the blocks, and SuperFooty reckons the cards have fallen the right way for North, Richmond and the Eagles.

On the other side of the coin, Collingwood plays four 2013 finalists in the first five rounds, with the only exception the Kangaroos, who most pundits expect to leap into the eight this season.

And Justin Leppitsch is set for a horror initiation to the coaching caper - he could take his team to New Zealand for an Anzac Day encounter against the Saints in Round 6 with a zero in the wins column.

Here's how we think your club's opening month and a bit will play out.

The Eagles could bounce back into top-four contention with a great start to the year. Source: News Limited

ADELAIDE

Geelong (SS), Port Adelaide (AO), Sydney (AO), St Kilda (ES), GWS (AO)

Prediction: 2-3

Starting the year at Simonds Stadium is tough and the Showdown is a toss of the coin. The Crows might be 0-3 but things get a lot easier after that with games against last year's bottom four sides in Rounds 4-7.

BRISBANE LIONS

Hawthorn (AS), Geelong (G), Gold Coast (MS), Port Adelaide (AO), Richmond (G)

Prediction: 0-5

Justin Leppitsch drew the short straw with the premier in Tasmania in week one. The Lions somehow defeated the Cats at home last year so they will go into Round 2 with some hope, but realistically the Q-Clash shapes as their best chance to notch a win before a Round 6 clash against St Kilda in Wellington.

CARLTON

Port Adelaide (ES), Richmond (MCG), Essendon (MCG), Melbourne (MCG), W Bulldogs (ES)

Prediction: 3-2

The Blues could bounce out of the blocks or sit mid-table - their fate rests with toss-of-the-coin games against Richmond and Essendon. They also lost to the Dogs last year so that isn't a gimme.

COLLINGWOOD

Fremantle (ES), Sydney (ANZ), Geelong (MCG), Richmond (MCG), North Melbourne (MCG)

Prediction: 1-4

Very tough early test for Nathan Buckley's revamped side. The Pies usually win at ANZ Stadium and have a good recent record against Geelong, but they will have to be at their best to keep the streaks alive. Collingwood hasn't lost to Richmond since 2007 so we'll give the Pies that one.

ESSENDON

North Melbourne (ES), Hawthorn (ES), Carlton (MCG), Fremantle (PS), St Kilda (ES)

Prediction: 2-3

Another hard early draw for Bomber Thompson. Essendon-Carlton games can throw up anything, the Bombers wouldn't want to lose this time or they could be searching for their first win in Round 5. Amazingly, the loser at the MCG on Anzac Day could just about be out of the finals race.

FREMANTLE

Collingwood (ES), Gold Coast (PS), Hawthorn (MCG), Essendon (PS), Sydney (SCG)

Prediction: 3-2

The 2013 runner-up doesn't get it easy but the Dockers should take care of Gold Coast and Essendon at home (barring a repeat of last year's last-minute miracle). An away win in the season-opener against Collingwood would set the foundations for another flag challenge.

Sam Mitchell is likely to run into nemesis Ryan Crowley again in Round 3. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: News Limited

GEELONG

Adelaide (SS), Brisbane Lions (G), Collingwood (MCG), West Coast (SS), Hawthorn (MCG)

Prediction: 4-1

Unlike last year, the Cats get some early home games which will help kick-start their season. Should be flying approaching Easter Monday - is the curse really dead?

GOLD COAST

Richmond (MS), Fremantle (PS), Brisbane Lions (MS), Hawthorn (MS), Melbourne (MCG)

Prediction: 2-3

The Suns are expected to be one of this year's big improvers and should make a solid start despite early match-ups against both of last year's Grand Finalists. Gold Coast won its last clash against the Demons at the MCG by 10 goals so that trip won't hold any fears.

GWS

Sydney (GS), St Kilda (ES), Melbourne (GS), W Bulldogs (SO), Adelaide (AO)

Prediction: 1-4

The Giants will start winning some games this year, with Shane Mumford and Heath Shaw adding some premiership steel to a line-up bursting with young talent. The question is how long will it take them to warm up? We reckon maybe a couple of weeks but Melbourne could be the first side to lose twice to the AFL's newest side.

HAWTHORN

Brisbane Lions (AO), Essendon (ES), Fremantle (MCG), Gold Coast (MS), Geelong (MCG)

Prediction: 5-0

Can't see many problems early and you'd back them to win the GF rematch at home. Fans might need to book early for Easter Monday.

MELBOURNE

St Kilda (ES), West Coast (MCG), GWS (GS), Carlton (MCG), Gold Coast (MCG)

Prediction: 0-5

Hard to know what the immediate impact of Paul Roos will be - surely the Dees will at least be more competitive than in recent Round 1 games (losing to Port Adelaide by 79 points at the MCG last year, and to Brisbane by 41 at the same venue in 2012). But Roos has acknowledged a turnaround won't happen overnight.

Paul Roos says he wants to win as many games as possible in 2014. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Limited

NORTH MELBOURNE

Essendon (ES), W Bulldogs (ES), Port Adelaide (ES), Sydney (SCG), Collingwood (MCG)

Prediction: 4-1

The Roos are the pre-season buzz team and that is likely to be a lot louder after three winnable games to open the season. The Roos have broken their Collingwood hoodoo but the Swans at the SCG might be a bridge too far.

PORT ADELAIDE

Carlton (ES), Adelaide (AO), North Melbourne (ES), Brisbane Lions (AO), West Coast (PS)

Prediction: 2-3

No repeat of last year's cushy start but the Lions at home should be an easy kill. Who will win the first Adelaide Oval Showdown? We're giving it to Port for no other reason really than it won both Adelaide derbys in 2013.

RICHMOND

Gold Coast (MS), Carlton (MCG), W Bulldogs (ES), Collingwood (MCG), Brisbane Lions (G)

Prediction: 4-1

The opening rounds will tell us as much about how far the Tigers have come in their heads as on the field. Last year Richmond finally broke its duck against the Suns but Round 1 is still a danger game at Metricon (where the Tigers have never played), then comes a rematch against finals conqueror Carlton. In three encounters against the Blues last year the Tigers opened up a big lead only to be mowed down each time (holding on in Round 1 thanks to Chris Yarran's wayward boot). If they can erase those mental demons, it will be standing room only on the bandwagon.

ST KILDA

Melbourne (ES), GWS (ES), West Coast (PS), Adelaide (ES), Essendon (ES)

Prediction: 2-3

It's likely to be a tough year for Saints fans but they should get some early joy with home games against the Demons and Giants. Drop one or both of those and it will be a long winter.

St Kilda has the chance to start the year on a high with games against Melbourne and the Giants. Source: News Limited

SYDNEY

GWS (GS), Collingwood (ANZ), Adelaide (AO), North Melbourne (SCG), Fremantle (SCG)

Prediction: 5-0

The Swans get another free pass in Round 1 with the annual "Battle of the Bridge" then face their Collingwood-ANZ Stadium hoodoo. Things could be different this time - Buddy loves playing the Magpies.

WEST COAST

W Bulldogs (PS), Melbourne (MCG), St Kilda (PS), Geelong (SS), Port Adelaide (PS)

Prediction: 4-1

Which Eagles will show up in 2014? Surely we can write off last year, although reports of Nic Naitanui's continuing injury struggles are sounding alarm bells. But three very winnable games to kick off the year, and another home fixture against Port in Round 5, will surely re-establish Patersons Stadium as a venue to be feared - and set the Eagles on track for a finals berth.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

West Coast (PS), North Melbourne (ES), Richmond (ES), GWS (SO), Carlton (ES)

Prediction: 1-4

A bit harsh on the Doggies who showed plenty of positive signs late in 2013. It will be tough to keep that momentum going early this year although the Dogs will like their chances of repeating last season's Round 20 win against the Blues. May and June should provide more cheer.

Richmond has the chance to exact revenge for last year's finals defeat against Carlton in Round 2 — if the Tigers don't get the jitters again. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: News Limited

PREDICTED LADDER AFTER ROUND 5

5-0 Hawthorn

5-0 Sydney

4-1 West Coast

4-1 North Melbourne

4-1 Richmond

4-1 Geelong

3-2 Fremantle

3-2 Carlton

2-3 Adelaide

2-3 Essendon

2-3 Port Adelaide

2-3 Gold Coast

2-3 St Kilda

1-4 Collingwood

1-4 W Bulldogs

1-4 GWS

0-5 Melbourne

0-5 Brisbane Lions

Mystery jumper lead for Wangas

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Port Adelaide champion Gavin Wanganeen with son Tex after the 2004 AFL grand final win over Brisbane. Picture: Cameron Tandy. Source: News Limited

GAVIN Wanganeen is clinging to hope an anonymous caller with information about the whereabouts of his 2004 Port Adelaide premiership guernsey will get back in touch with the club.

A mystery caller contacted the Power's Alberton headquarters last week and passed on details of a person he believes took the guernsey in the aftermath of the Power's maiden AFL premiership.

It came as fellow Power 2004 premiership star Peter Burgoyne revealed his guernsey was also stolen in the 24 hours after the grand final.

Darryl Wakelin's bloodstained shorts from his infamous clash with Alistair Lynch also went missing.

Wanganeen said he and Burgoyne did not become aware the guernseys had been taken until the day after Port's win over Brisbane, meaning it was hard to pinpoint when they were stolen.

But the AFL's website has reported the anonymous caller last week told Power staff the items were taken from Port's rooms at the MCG.

Wanganeen yesterday said the changerooms were virtually empty by the time he showered post-match possibly providing a window for a thief.

The Brownlow medallist and inaugural Power skipper had spent an extended time on the field with media and well wishers, meaning most of his teammates had already left for the team bus by the time he got to the rooms and left his bag unattended.

Wanganeen said the anonymous call had given him a glimmer of hope, but he doubted he'd see the guernsey again.

"It was so long ago now that I fell like it is gone forever but I guess all you can do is hope for a miracle,'' he said.

"It was our first premiership and there were only 22 of those guernseys, so it would mean a lot to me to get it back.

"I'd love to be able to give it to my kids one day just so they know that dad did actually play a bit of football."

Wanganeen, who starred in Port's win, said he would not ask questions if the guernseys reappeared.

"I don't want to know who took it,'' he said.

"They can drop it off somewhere anonymously if they want and that will be the end of it."

Burgoyne said the guernseys could not mean as much to whoever stole them as they did to he and Wanganeen.

"It was the club's first (AFL) premiership and a special guernsey for us to have,'' he said.

"It's not like someone can put it on the wall without people knowing they're Peter Burgoyne or Gavin Wanganeen's guernsey - they can't go around showing it off …

"I wore two guernseys on the day and it would mean a lot to get this one back. I'd like to donate it to a charity."

Port's general manager of member services Matthew Richardson urged the anonymous caller to recontact the club.

"We really want that caller to make contact again as, at this stage, they're the best chance of us finding the missing guernseys," he said.

"Clearly the thief has taken items from several bags and with the players getting together over coming months to mark 10 years since the historic win we'd love to get their guernseys back to them."

DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE MISSING GUERNSEYS? CONTACT KYM.MORGAN@NEWS.COM.AU

No talk of replacing skipper yet

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Could Patrick Dangerfield, right, take over at the Crows stand-in captain while Nathan van Berlo is missing? Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Limited

ADELAIDE will not discuss a replacement acting-captain for injured skipper Nathan van Berlo until later in the month when senior staff return from leave.

But list and strategy manager David Noble said van Berlo's freak achilles tendon injury would not have an affect on whether he held the captaincy long-term.

MORE: VB'S ACHILLES INJURY A FREAK ACCIDENT

"That (the injury) won't have any impact as far as we sit on where the captaincy goes,'' Noble said.

"We will discuss (the acting captaincy) in the next few weeks but I don't see that it would have any impact at all on the (permanent captaincy) side of things.

"It's not as though he won't be playing or training for the whole year.

"We know that he can't weight bare for three months but if anyone can get himself back in the condition they need to get themselves playing quickly, it's Nathan."

Adelaide Crows are confident captain Nathan van Berlo will return to the field in 2014 after suffering an Achilles injury at training on Monday.

Patrick Dangerfield, long touted as a future skipper at West Lakes, is among the front runners for the acting captaincy.

But, given the club says it is unlikely to change the captain permanently, it could chose to give veterans Scott Thompson or Ben Rutten the role this year.

Club doctor Andrew Potter said on Tuesday van Berlo would aim to resume full training by July and could return to playing by August.

But Dr Potter stressed time frames were "fluid".

North Melbourne's Andrew Swallow has only recently resumed running after suffering soreness when he first attempted to run in November, following his achilles rupture last July.

Noble said the Crows would also hold off discussions about whether to place van Berlo on the long-term injury list until closer to the season.

There is no obvious player warranting elevation to the senior list among the Crows' rookies - James Battersby, Alex Spina, Jack Osborne, Jake Kelly and Charlie Cameron.

Noble said the Crows would also discuss mentoring and coaching options for van Berlo while he was fully sidelined over the next two to three months.

"We'll have a discussion about the roles that we can get him to play while he's in recovery,'' Noble said.

He said van Berlo was in good spirits given the circumstances of the injury.

VB's Achilles cut a freak accident

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Adelaide Crows have suffered a major setback with captain Nathan van Berlo rupturing his Achilles Tendon at training on Monday which will likely see him out of action for up to three months.

Adelaide captain Nathan van Berlo won Adelaide's first time-trial of the new year but will now miss three months with an Achilles injury. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

ADELAIDE will this week review its fitness equipment and safety practices but the club believes skipper Nathan van Berlo's season threatening achilles tendon injury was the result of a freak accident.

Van Berlo will be out of football until at least August after rupturing his achilles on Monday when he was struck by a weighted training sled which cut through his heel and tendon, at Max Basheer Reserve.

MORE: NO TALK OF CHOOSING AN ACTING CAPTAIN UNTIL LATER

A spokesperson for the club said, with no vision, it was difficult to determine how the incident occurred and the club's football department would conduct an internal review.

The review, to include high performance manager Nick Poulos and coach Brenton Sanderson, will centre around the training sleds, but the club is confident there is no safety issue.

Widely used across the AFL and part of the Crow's program for years, the sleds are loaded with weights and strapped to the athlete.

The athlete then pulls the sled while sprinting as a form of sprint training.

The Crows could not confirm whether van Berlo was struck by a sled he was pulling, or a sled pulled by another player.

Club doctor Andrew Potter said it was initially suspected 182-game veteran van Berlo had suffered a cut to the heel.

Former Crow Phil Davis dragging a sled with weights, similar to the one that injured captain Nathan van Berlo. Source: News Limited

The club took him to hospital as a precaution where scans revealed the injury was far worse.

"We're not entirely sure exactly what happened and the club is still looking into that, but suffice to say it was during a warm up,'' Dr Potter said.

"They were doing some speed work and some strength work.

"One of the things that is used in many sports and widely across the AFL is they use those sleds that they pull, which are weighted.

"For some reason, Nathan was struck on the back of the heel by one of those sleds.

"Now the circumstance of that we're not sure of. We're still looking into that but that's how it happened."

Leading SA athletics coach Steve Butler said he regularly used sleds in training with his athletes and rated the risk of being struck as low. But he said precaution was required.

Butler successfully used sleds when training Olympic medallist Mark Ormorod for the 2004 Games in Athens and currently uses them with Paralympian Gabriel Cole.

"For elite level training they are a necessary part and the benefits outweigh the risk,'' said Butler, also West Adelaide Football Club fitness coach.

"I'm not sure what happened (with van Berlo) but there is a slight risk and you have to be careful.

"If the athlete does not pull up properly from a sprint, for example, the sled could slide into the back of him if (the sled) is not heavily weighted."

Crows, Power will cop heat on chin

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Port Adelaide train at Alberton Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Limited

ADELAIDE'S two AFL clubs are unlikely to move training times or modify sessions despite the city's extreme heatwave this week.

But both Port Adelaide and the Adelaide Crows say player safety will be top priority and precautions such as extra hydration will be taken.

Crows football operations manager Phil Harper said Adelaide would do its main sessions as scheduled in the mornings this week, with the exception of tomorrow when their key session is scheduled for the afternoon.

MORE: VAN BERLO OUT FOR THREE MONTHS

"We'll keep an eye on it and keep an eye on the players,'' he said.

"We'll have plenty of hydration and plenty of sunscreen as well, and if we have to cut trainings short we will, but at this stage we expect to be able to cope."

The Crows are coming off a heavy running week and have another heavy week scheduled before programming a lighter week later in the month.

Harper believed training in the heat could be beneficial this week, although he stressed all players would be closely monitored.

"There's team flying all over the world to train in heat, so as along as we are sensible about it, it can be a good thing,'' he said.

Jared Petrenko dishes off a pass under the sun. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Limited

"It is dangerous so you just have to be really diligent on watching how the players are coping."

Harper said the club was generally tracking well this pre-season with most of the squad healthy.

Taylor Walker, Andy Otten, Tom Lynch and Jared Petrenko on modified programs as they resume from injury or surgery. Nathan van Berlo ruptured his achilles tendon yesterday.

Port Adelaide high performance manager Darren Burgess said the Power would not move its main sessions, all of which are scheduled to run from mid-morning until about Midday this week.

"We will avoid the worst part of the day because it does get a bit ridiculous but we generally enjoy training in the heat,'' Burgess said.

"We will take some precautions like extra drinks and have some ice towels and cooling methods, but generally training will stay the same … We certainly wouldn't take in liberties with player health."

Burgess said player data showed Port was on track with this time last season, when the club became one of the fittest in the AFL.

January would be the club's hardest training month of the pre-season.

"We're in a as good a position as we can be given our circumstances,'' he said.

"January, the volume of total training will increase, both the football component and the running component."

Running sled caused VB's Achilles cut

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Adelaide Crows have suffered a major setback with captain Nathan van Berlo rupturing his Achilles Tendon at training on Monday which will likely see him out of action for up to three months.

Adelaide captain Nathan van Berlo won Adelaide's first time-trial of the new year but will now miss three months with an Achilles injury. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Limited

NATHAN van Berlo's potentially season-ending Achilles tendon injury was caused by a training sled hitting the Adelaide Crows captain in the leg while he was running yesterday.

Adelaide will investigate the exact circumstances of the incident but club doctor Andrew Potter told media this morning the sled struck van Berlo on the Achilles during a running drill causing it to rupture.

It was initially thought the midfielder had sustained a cut heel but scans yesterday revealed it was much worse.

The 27-year-old underwent surgery yesterday afternoon and will not return to play until at least August.

"We're not entirely sure exactly what happened and the club is still looking into that," Dr Potter said. "But suffice to say it was during a warm up.

"They were doing some speed work and some strength work.

"One of the things that is used in many sports and widely across the AFL is they use those sleds that they pull which are weighted.

"For some reason Nathan was struck on the back of the heel by one of those sleds.

"Now the circumstance of that we're not sure of. We're still looking into that but that's how it happened."

Former Crow Phil Davis dragging a sled with weights, similar to the one that injured captain Nathan van Berlo. Source: News Limited

Dr Potter said van Berlo remained upbeat despite the freak accident.

He said the skipper would wear a cast for 8-12 weeks.

It would be at least six months until the 182 game veteran started full training.

"We expect him to be able to get back to full football training around about six months," he said.

"All of those time frames are very fluid.

"As you'll be aware from other cases, there will be a potential complication rate, things like DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and clots in the leg."

Van Berlo has captained Adelaide since 2011.

Attention will now turn to who will take charge of the Crows this year, with Patrick Dangerfield an obvious favourite.

Veteran Scott Thompson was Van Berlo's vice-captain last season with star midfielder Dangerfield deputy vice-captain.

H-Mac finally off the leash

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Geelong Cat's Hamish McIntosh set to debut after injuries cause constant set back for the recruit over the past 12 months.

Geelong ruckman Hamish McIntosh relaxes with his dog Boston near his home in Maribyrnong. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: News Limited

HAMISH McIntosh admits he felt embarrassed just walking into the changerooms.

"I went into my shell a little bit in the second half of the year," he said. "I had come to a new club and I was angry that I wasn't playing footy.

"I also felt ... how do I explain it? I didn't feel comfortable being a part of it in a way. I felt a bit embarrassed at times because I came here to play a role and I haven't even been out on the field.

"You look around the club at some of the greats there and I would have loved to have played my part and played my role in the side, which I was here to do.

"I wasn't able to do that so I found it tough."

McINTOSH CLOSES IN ON AFL RETURN

McIntosh arrived with much fanfare after Geelong traded selection No. 38 in the 2012 national draft to North Melbourne in exchange for the talented but injury-prone ruckman.

He was regarded by Cats fans as the perfect replacement for three-time premiership hero Brad Ottens and came on a lucrative three-year deal.

But there was a risk involved given McIntosh had only played eight games in two years when he arrived at Simonds Stadium.

The Cats were willing to roll the dice.

They lost.

Their prized recruit failed to play a game in 2013 and didn't even make it on to the training track with a combination of knee, ankle and Achilles problems resulting in McIntosh becoming a frustrated bystander and a target of supporters' backlash.

"I found it the most mentally challenging year of my career," he says.

"I was just flat. I was angry. I was frustrated. All those feelings you feel because one, I wasn't playing; two, I was at a new club where I thought there was a really big role for me and I wasn't even able to get out on the field.

"And three, we missed out on a Grand Final by a kick. It would have been great to have been playing in that side. I could have played in a preliminary final and could have nearly played in a Grand Final.

"I'm 29 years old, those opportunities don't come around too often. That would have been a dream."

Hamish McIntosh battles with Dawson Simpson during pre-season training. Picture: Mitch Bear Source: News Limited

The tale of woe for McIntosh started back in 2008 when he missed eight games after having the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee removed.

He recovered to play every game in 2009 and backed that up with 20 the following year before he was struck down with Achilles problems in 2011 which resulted in operations on both tendons.

The 203cm ruckman bounced back to play the opening seven games of 2012 before a seemingly innocuous knock to his knee against the Western Bulldogs triggered the downward spiral of his career.

"I came back after the knock and was about to play two weeks later when at training my knee buckled and I popped a bit of cartilage off my knee," McIntosh explains.

"We went in to get the cartilage cleaned out but ended up having to go and see a number of specialists because the knock against the Bulldogs had made my knee to the point where it became really unstable, it wasn't even functional."

It was decided McIntosh would have LARS surgery - a synthetic fibre placed inside the knee instead of the traditional muscle graft - and he was still recovering from that operation when he was picked up by the Cats.

His rehabilitation was on track until his ankle went just as he was within sight of a return early last year.

"I was nearly back playing when my ankle broke down because my body was so out of whack. I had been running with a limp and was favouring my left side, overloading one side of my body when I was recovering from the knee.

"Then everything broke down, I had some Achilles pain and ankle pain because my body wasn't moving as one so eventually we called time on the year and just went back to zero."

McIntosh gets to know a dolphin on the Cats' pre-season camp in Coffs Harbour. Picture: Mitch Bear Source: News Limited

Adding to his frustration - and that of his coach Chris Scott - was that around the time McIntosh was put on ice the Cats lost Dawson Simpson to a season-ending knee injury, leaving them vulnerable in the big man department.

"I must admit I got really flat towards the middle of the year and the end of the year," he admits. "There were times when you just think, 'Is footy worth it sometimes?'.

"I've had such a rough three years footy-wise, I haven't played a lot of footy but I think all players who are injured think about those sorts of things.

"Eventually you come out of it and think of positives and I did get through it but I found it really tough."

The main problem for McIntosh was he didn't feel like a Geelong player and, while they constantly told him otherwise, he knew he didn't have his teammates' respect.

"Any player that gets traded or any new player that goes into a new club, everyone thinks the same thing.

"You want to go in there, put your head down and arse up, work hard and earn your respect on the field.

"You are always going to make mates off the field, everyone does that at a footy club, but to get that respect of everyone, you show that on the training track and on the footy field by doing things the right way out there.

"I couldn't do it. I was just in the rehab group and no-one sees you in the rehab group.

"It's been a year I'm pretty keen to forget. I'm pretty keen to look at, however long I have got left in the game, I want to make sure I finish my career in the right way and make sure I do everything I can do to play some great footy."

Geelong stallwart Steve Johnson has continued his career with the Cats, signing a 1 year contract extension.

McIntosh has a thick skin which has helped him deal with the angst from fans, who have vented their frustration at him via Twitter or even when he's just walking down the street.

"I've copped my fair share but you don't play this game and expect everything to be rosy," he says.

"Mentally it has been challenging and you're going to have those few idiots out there that feel the need to spray me. I will be walking down the street and they have a go at me, yell at me or get on Twitter and abuse me.

"That's just water off a duck's back to be honest, I've been playing for 12 years so I've copped my fair share so you just laugh at them and get on with it. If they have got nothing better to do then good luck to them.

"In the end I can understand why (they are upset). There are some really passionate supporters out there and that's what you love about the game and they're going to say what they think.

"If I was a supporter and someone came down and hadn't played for 12 months, you'd probably be angry as well.

"I will be keen to make sure I get back in the good books with those blokes and make sure I play some good footy.

"I realise how important this pre-season is to me and I'm very keen to prove to people that I can still play the game and reward, maybe not reward, but say thanks for what the club has done for me.

"The loyalty they have shown me and the contract they have given me, three years down here so I really want to repay the faith of how good they have been to me."

HJamish McIntosh takes out teammate Steve Johnson during a game of beach volleyball. Picture: Mitch Bear Source: News Limited

McIntosh, who played 107 games in 10 seasons at Arden St, has now trained continuously for five months with his coach declaring on Thursday that the forgotten man of Simonds Stadium would play in the Cats' first pre-season game next month.

"I'm starting to get a lot of confidence in my body, just that continuity of training," McIntosh says. "I'm getting a lot of confidence out there and not so much thinking about my body any more, I'm thinking about the footy and getting a kick, the game plan and my role.

"I understand there is going to be a lot of doubters out there, I understand that is only normal, people can say what they want and have their beliefs but in the end I'm the one who knows what is going on.

"I'm confident when I get my body right I can still play. I understand it is going to be a challenge as the game has changed a lot in the last 18 months.

"I'm under no illusions that it's going to be tough but I'm still confident I can play at the level."

Suns can still party with Brown

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Former Gold Coast Suns footballer Campbell Brown is in trouble with the law again, arrested while celebrating his big win at yesterday's Magic Millions.

Part owner Campbell Brown (right) celebrates Sweet Idea's win in the Magic Millions. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Limited

GOLD Coast boss Travis Auld insists Campbell Brown's arrest will not jeopardise the large payout he received from the club after being sacked last year.

Brown once again landed in hot water when he was arrested and charged with obstructing police and attempting to enter outside Broadbeach nightclub East in the early hours of Sunday.

Brown, who is due to appear in court on February 4, was celebrating the win of his part-owned horse Sweet Idea in the $1 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas at the Gold Coast.

Brown won $45,000 gambling on the race and was seen drinking pre-mix UDL alcopops from the winning owners' trophy at the Magic Millions sales complex hours after the win.

It's the latest fall from grace for Brown after the hard nut was sacked by the Suns in November when a drunken punch he threw outside a Los Angeles nightclub left teammate Steven May with a broken jaw.

Brown is set to relocate to Melbourne this month to ramp up his media career and was reported saying "I've come up for one last week of debauchery" to a friend at a Magic Millions function last week.

He also hinted he was starting fresh when he said "it's a new year" to the media on Saturday in reference to his differing fortunes over the past few months.

CAMPBELL BROWN'S CAREER RAP SHEET

Despite the axing, it was reported Brown was expected to receive 75 per cent of his wage for the 2014 season.

Auld said the latest incident would not affect his payout but he refused to reveal how much it was.

Auld also said he would not ban the club's players from socialising with Brown despite Trent McKenzie and Brandon Matera being seen celebrating with the former Suns player at the Magic Millions sales complex on Saturday night.

Before his arrest, Brown likened Sweet Idea's victory to winning the Grand Final with Hawthorn in 2008.

"It was like winning a Grand Final and obviously not as much hard work and effort goes into it from my part but just that pure elation for the minute after the race was exactly like it," he said.

"I was hugging people I've never met and it just means so much."