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.
 

Read More..

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.

Read More..

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."

Read More..

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)
 

Read More..

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.

Read More..

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.

Read More..

LIVE: Swans v Suns

Can Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett inspire the Suns to another victory? Picture: Darren England. Source: News Limited

2.22pm: Swans 13 - Suns 14

GOLD Coast has its nose in front of reigning premiers Sydney in a scrappy affair at the SCG.

The Suns kicked back-to-back goals to set up the lead before Swans bolter Lewis Jetta slotted his first to cut the margin to one point late in the term.

Kieren Jack and Ryan O'Keefe are the pick of the Swans while Jarrod Harbrow leads the Suns with nine disposals.

Suns defender Rory Thompson spent some time off the ground with checking out his right shoulder.

2.05pm: Swans 12 - Suns 13

DEFENDER Jack Hutchins found himself in uncharted territory up forward but made the most of his opportunity slotting the Suns first goal.

Hutchins found space about 40m out directly in front and converted to give the Suns a slight break.

The visitors pushed further ahead when Charlie Dixon booted his first goal. Jarrod Harbow has picked up five disposals roaming across half back while Gary Ablett, head-to-head with Ryan O'Keefe, has three possessions.

But the Swans responded through Lewis Jetta stepping to kick his first goal and cut the margin to one point.

1.57pm: Swans 6 - Suns 1

SYDNEY co-captain Jarad McVeigh broke the shackles kicking the first goal of the match after about seven minutes of play.

The Suns are hanging tough on difficult day for clean footy with Joel Wilkinson, David Swallow, Gary Ablett and Jarrod Harbrow keeping plenty of the ball.

Kieren Jack, fresh off his best on ground performance last week, has three early possessions.

PRE-GAME

The reigning premiers go into the match against Gold Coast unchanged with Craig Bird starting off as the substitute.

In a surprise move, the Suns have opted for mercurial utility Jared Brennan as their substitute.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats

Meanwhile, the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle go toe-to-toe from 2.10pm at Etihad Stadium.

The Bulldogs remain unchanged after their big win over Brisbane last week.

Hard-nosed midfielder Koby Stevens is the Dogs substitute while for the Dockers, Cam Sutcliffe has the vest duties.

Read More..

Martin's tank will grow: Hardwick

Dustin Martin snaps a goal against St Kilda on Friday night. Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has likened to Dustin Martin to Brownlow Medallist Mark Ricciuto and warns the young Tiger will not fade out of games for much longer.

Martin has epitomised the Tigers over the first two weeks of the season - terrific until half-time, but not being able to maintain the rage in the second half.

The midfielder had 15 disposals to half-time, but could manage only eight in the second half in Friday night's win over St Kilda.

Hardwick said he expected Martin to soon be able to run out matches.

"I think in both games (to start the year) he was nearly best on ground at half-time," he said on SEN radio today.

"He'll get better - he's not an aerobic beast as such.

"But he'll actually get better probably in about Round 4 or 5 when the game slows down a bit - that's when he will start to come."

Hardwick admits Martin - who is now in his fourth AFL season - will need to become more an impact player.

"He still needs to improve his overall tank," he said.

"I very much liken him to Mark Riccuito - a guy who is going to play in fits and starts, a bit like Patrick Dangerfield at stages.

"He will get better as he gets older, but there's no doubt it's an area he has to improve."

There is growing optimism at Punt Rd following the undefeated start to the season.

The steely win on Friday night, in which they held off a late charge by the Saints, displayed the growing maturity at Tigerland.

Their two wins to start the year have been on the big stage and Hardwick said that could not be underestimated.

"We made mention of it (the blockbusters to start the year) in our season build up...we generally go away and have a chat," he said.

"The best place to be, and when you get your best results, is when expectations are high.

"Playing on Thursday night or Friday night footy when you're thrust upon the big stage, you certainly find out a bit about yourself and you're club in general.

"We've been reasonably pleased with the effort and intensity of our players.

"We have to clean up a few things and have work to do, but I feel we are on the right path."

While happy with the start to the season, Hardwick is determined to keep his players on an even keel.

The Tigers coach was adamant his players would not be getting ahead of themselves as they prepare for next Sunday's clash with the Western Bulldogs.

"The tendency with some coaches is too go over the top when you lose and over the top when you win," Hardwick said.

"But we try and remain relatively stable in both.

"It's something I've always been pretty strong on myself."
 

Read More..

Bomber's son on Bomber radar

Daniel Thompson (second from left) pictured last year with Calder Cannons teammates (from left): Joel Madden (son of Justin), Charly Williams (son of Greg), Darcy Bailey (son of Dean) and Joe Daniher (son of Anthony). Picture: Hamilton Fiona Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON will trial premiership captain Mark Thompson's son in the VFL tonight in the hope he can develop into a father-son pick.

The Bombers today confirmed 19-year-old defender Daniel Thompson would line up against Bendigo Gold as Essendon launches its new stand-alone reserves club.

Dons VFL general manager Matt Little said he met the 189cm Thompson at training last night and was impressed by his size.

"He's really solid. Most you see that come through the TAC Cup are pretty skinny. But he's got some size about him, I think he's 91 or 92kg, he's very much in the mould of Jacob, his cousin, who plays for us as well," Little told SuperFooty.

"We're expecting him to make an impact, like he has at Calder (Cannons) so far this year, he's got some nice skills and a really solid body.

"So one-on-one we expect him to hold his own."

Asked if the Dons would seriously consider Thompson, Little said: "You'd be silly not to have a look at someone who's come from a good pedigree.

"He's playing some good footy at Calder and now to see how he handles it at VFL level is the next step.

"Tonight he'll be up against a lot of players his age, too, so he gets to match it with those blokes in a better competition."

Thompson has played eight games at TAC Cup level, with Cannons region manager Ian Kyte praising his ability to read the ball.

He is expected to play as a third defender tonight, and Kyte said Thompson was a chance to earn a father-son rookie place at Essendon at the end of the year.

The VFL Bombers will field a formidable side boasting about 20 AFL-listed players courtesy of their blank injury list.

Little said Martin Gleeson had stood out at training with some tricks and praised the courage of pre-season draft pick Will Hams, who was named an emergency for the clash against Melbourne tomorrow night.

"Will's been really good over the last three or four weeks," he said.

"He's really hard at it even though he's undersized, he uses the ball well and he's not afraid to put his head in the hole, so he's definitely got some potential."

The Round 1 match kicks off at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo at 6.30pm.

Read More..

Biggest footy grudge matches

Glenn Archer clashes with former teammate Wayne Carey. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THINK Malthouse v Buckley is big? Check out our top 10 footy grudge matches.

The build-up all week has been huge, and it's no secret why. Master v apprentice. Coach v assistant. Coach grumpy at being forced to step down from one club who now works for that club's arch enemy coaching against the guy who replaced him.

Nathan Buckley will coach against his former coach and mentor Mick Malthouse for the first time on Sunday, and the pair haven't exactly been best mates since Eddie McGuire somehow got Mick to agree to hand the job to Bucks at the end of 2011.

Where does this weekend rank in the great footy rivalries? Check out our selection below and you be the judge.

WAYNE CAREY v NORTH MELBOURNE, 2003

A premiership captain playing for a new team against his flag teammates would be big at any time. Throw in the fact he had to quit the club after he was busted having an affair with his vice-captain's wife and you have a powder keg waiting to go off. Kangaroos hard man Glenn Archer won a tete-a-tete with his former skipper in the second quarter, feigning a punch that made Carey flinch. But the Duck had the last laugh, kicking four goals in a rare Crows away win.

ROSS LYON v ST KILDA, 2012

St Kilda was stunned when the man who almost took the club to an elusive second premiership walked out to join the Dockers at the end of 2011, defending himself against claims of treason by declaring he had never used the word "loyalty" to his St Kilda charges. Saints fans got the chance to let Lyon know how they felt when Freo played the Saints at Etihad Stadium in Round 4 last season. The night didn't end well for them when the Dockers stormed home for a 13-point win. "It was an emotionally tough night in some ways. I take no joy beating the St Kilda football club other than getting the four (premiership) points,'' Lyon said. "I'd moved on. I think I said it was a sideshow.''

Ross Lyon walks past angry St Kilda fans. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

PETER MOORE v COLLINGWOOD, 1983

Moore says some Collingwood fans - including Eddie McGuire - still haven't forgiven him for taking an offer worth a reported $300,000 for five years to quit the Pies and join Melbourne in December 1982 - a deal that made him the highest-paid player in the VFL. By chance, his first game for the Demons was against Collingwood at the MCG in Round 1, 1983. The Magpies' banner read "No Moore trouble at Collingwood"; other fans were less subtle - a sign in the stands screamed "Moore filth". "As a player, I never really understood how passionate the fans were and how strongly they felt about the club and the players," he said later. "It was something I only fully understood later." Moore played below his best that day and the Magpies won, but he went on to win a second Brownlow in 1984.

KEVIN SHEEDY v NORTH MELBOURNE MARSHMALLOW WAR, 1998

Kevin Sheedy, then Bombers coach, responded to criticism from the Roos about Essendon's game plan by labelling North executives Greg Miller and Mark Dawson as marshmallows. Miller was the white one and Dawson the pink one, apparently. When the teams faced each other at what was then Colonial Stadium, the Kangaroos came from behind to win by 22 points and fans pelted Sheedy with marshmallows after the match.

TONY LIBERATORE v RICHMOND, 2001

Danny Frawley set the stage by saying after a bitter loss in 2001: "Richmond Football Club are a really proud club and it will be payback time at some stage." Spud was filthy at the Dogs and Tony Liberatore, who had forced Tigers skipper Matthew Knights from the field with blood streaming from his forehead. Frawley was fined $1000 for the comment and Libba was rubbed out for five weeks after Richmond players broke the players' "code of silence" at the tribunal to dob him in. When the teams met again there was some pushing and shoving before the bounce before Richmond exacted revenge by snatching a close win after Nathan Brown - soon to join the Tigers - was denied a free kick for a high tackle in the dying minutes.

Tony Liberatore, Wayne Campbell and Matthew Knights do battle early in the first quarter. Picture: Kelly Barnes Source: Herald Sun

CAMPBELL BROWN v ESSENDON, 2010

There was already plenty of heat in this rivalry from the 1980s and the infamous "line in the sand" game in 2004. It sparked again in the final round of 2009 when Matthew Lloyd knocked out Brad Sewell. A fuming Alastair Clarkson had to be restrained on the boundary line and in a post-match interview Hawks hard man Campbell Brown described Lloyd as "one of the biggest snipers in the game" and said "his time is coming". The AFL chastised Channel 10 for using footage of those incidents to promote the next meeting of the two clubs, on a Friday night in May and Brown never got a chance to face Lloyd on the field - the Bombers full-forward had retired at the end of the season. The match itself was a fizzer, with the Bombers winning by 43 points.

CARLTON v BRUISE-FREE MELBOURNE, 2011

Brett Ratten claimed Mitch Robinson was talking about areas the Blues needed to improve on when he said after an easy win in May, 2011: "They didn't want a bruise game." That didn't fool anyone, least of all the Demons who said it was a sign of disrespect, coach Dean Bailey adding the club had "long memories", setting the stage for a rematch later in the season. The build-up for that game was slightly overshadowed by events of the previous weekend - when the Dees lost to Geelong by 186 points and Bailey got the chop. Stand-in coach Todd Viney did slightly better against the Blues - Carlton won by 76.

CHRIS JUDD v WEST COAST, 2008

The Eagles banner before the match read "we could rub it in, but we're better than that". The crowd then proceeded to boo the new Carlton captain every time he went near the ball in his first match in Perth after switching from the Eagles. Judd admitted he had to stop himself from grabbing water bottles from West Coast trainers but he managed OK, picking up 24 touches and helping his new club to a big win.

MARK YEATES v DERMOTT BRERETON, 1989

Yeates' hit on the Hawthorn hard man remains one of the most enduring memories of the brutal 1989 Grand Final, but the origins of the incident are less well known. Yeates revealed recently to the Geelong Advertiser that Brereton had "fixed me up nicely" when the two clubs met in Round 6 that season. "What goes around, comes around," he said. Brereton went into more detail: "Did he have the motivation? Yes. I grabbed him savagely in the nurries earlier in the year and (as) I was being chaired off and carted off by the trainers I told him he wouldn't need them anymore, and he had a very beautiful-looking wife." Shame Channel 7 didn't know about that for its pre-game promos.

Dermott Brereton after being crunched Mark Yeates at the opening bounce. Source: Herald Sun

GARY ABLETT v GEELONG, 2011

Cats fans were devastated when Ablett left to join the Suns and couldn't wait to play against him the next year. In the lead-up to the first Geelong v Gold game, Ablett wrote in his newspaper column: "Don't know if I will be targeted, but I predict they will play a few tricks." As it turned out, there were no fireworks - not even a misfiring cracker. The Cats didn't bother to tag Ablett and cruised to an easy win. After the game they joked with their former teammate. He even got a hug from James Kelly. Where was the hate? Disgusting, really.

Gary Ablett with former Geelong teammates after the game. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

Read More..