Sharking Sandilands’ taps the Crows’ ambition

Adelaide Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs, left, is fit to take on Dockers giant Aaron Sandilands on Sunday. Source: News Limited

ADELAIDE is planning a "Sandi raid'' at the House of Pain on Sunday.

Despite expecting his sore lead ruckman Sam Jacobs to play against the Dockers, Crows coach Brenton Sanderson has spent the week formulating a plan to steal giant Aaron Sandilands' hit-outs, believing it will be crucial in his club's chances of pulling off an upset.

"He (Sandilands) is the No. 1 hit-out player this year, so we'll have to be at our best at ground level,'' Sanderson said.

"Sauce (Jacobs)_will still win his fair share of hit-outs, but we have to understand this will be a week where we'll be sharking Sandilands' hit-outs as well."

In what shapes as a mouth-watering clash, 211cm Docker Sandilands ranks No. 1 in the competition for hit-outs (409) and hit-outs to advantage (115).

Jacobs — 9cm shorter at 202cm — ranks fourth for hit-outs (308) and third for hit-outs to advantage (93).

Jacobs has had to fight off deep-seated hip bruising — courtesy of friendly fire from teammate Patrick Dangerfield's knee — to be named in the Adelaide line-up.

Fremantle are confident that Nathan Fyfe will be fit to play against the Crows despite being on crutches after their win over the Bulldogs.

Sanderson expects him to get through a light training session this morning, board the plane to Perth this afternoon and play tomorrow after he breezed through training on Friday.

"He looks good," Sanderson said.

"He got through the full session, so I can't see any reason why he won't play.

"We had a 40-minute session and he didn't look restricted. He did some ruckwork and some controlled contact, so it looks like he'll be fine.

"But we'll see how he pulls up (on Saturday) before we set off.''

Sanderson described Sandilands as a "unique'' ruckman because of his size and said it's impossible to stop him from winning his share of hit-outs.

"Obviously we're coming up against a really good ruckman in Sandilands, who's really important for them,'' Sanderson said, revealing much of his team's planning had revolved around watching vision of his ruck work.

"He is a unique ruckman in that he's nearly 10 centimetres taller than the next tallest ruckman he ever plays against, so it will be important to have him (Jacobs).

"The midfield is where I think this game will be won and lost.''

While Jacobs will have his hands full with Sandilands, ace on-baller Patrick Dangerfield is expected to have to deal with the hard tag of the Docker "glove'', Ryan Crowley.

In contrast, the Crows are expected to use Sam Kerridge to clamp down on Nathan Fyfe or Stephen Hill.

"They've got a great midfield with Fye, (David) Mundy, (Michael) Barlow and Hill, so there are plenty of options for them at ground level as well,'' Sanderson said.

"It's shaping up as a really mouth-watering contest with our midfield against their midfield.''

Sanderson said star forward Taylor Walker — back in form with five goals against the Suns last week — is not in doubt for tomorrow's clash, despite nursing a sore calf during the week.

"Tex is fine," Sanderson said.

"He had a corky in his calf, but that's nothing out of the ordinary for most players. He'll certainly play."

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Selwood, Cats break spirited Blues’ hearts

Joel Selwood's late goal and Tom Hawkins' four-goal haul inspired Geelong to a five-point win over Carlton at the Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

Joel Selwood celebrates his match-winning goal that against Carlton. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

GEELONG bounce back from losses as routinely as a morning shuffle to the toilet.

But there was nothing routine about Friday night's drama-charged five-point win over Carlton.

The Cats pulled off football's version of grand larceny, stealing the four points from the Blues when they were all but laid flat on the canvas.

BLUES: MICK LIVID OVER LATE, COSTLY UMPIRING CALLS

CATS: SCOTT LAUDS 'GUTSY' WIN, BUT NOT SCRATCHY FORM

COLOUR: DO CRACKS SIGNAL END OF CATS' DYNASTY?

In a contest that had just about everything, Geelong trailed by 16 points half way through the last quarter and by one point with 70 seconds left when the symbolic moment arrived.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse was left bemused by what he feels were two valid free kicks that didn't get paid late in the Blues' defeat to Geelong on Saturday, insisting they could have changed the tide of the game.

Joel Selwood, muzzled superbly and without influence by the exceptional Bryce Gibbs, gobbled up a loose ball and goaled superbly on the run from 40m to win the game.

Carlton won back some respect last night, but rarely would they have walked off as heartbroken. So good for so long, they became the latest in a long line of sides in recent times to have the rug pulled out from under them by this never-say-die outfit.

"We were probably lucky in the end," Selwood said later.

Geelong coach Chris Scott admitted his side were fortunate to scrape past Carlton on Friday night but believes their class ultimately made the difference.

"If you're not having a great night you don't need to have a really bad night. The way the boys rallied at the end was really important.

"We haven't been in a situation like that for a while. It will be good going forward for us. We were probably ready to play about three days ago, it was tough last week but we had to move on."

Steven Motlop celebrates after his special checkside goal on the run in the second term. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

The Blues were on from the start and lead by nine points at quarter time, but were put back on their heels in the second by a rampant Tom Hawkins who kicked four for the term to inspire his side to 19-point lead at the main break.

The Cats lead by 24 points 12 minutes into the third when Carlton exploded to life. The Blues rammed on six unanswered goals and will again curse a glut of missed opportunities that would have put Geelong away.

Dale Thomas inspired his side in the third quarter with two goals. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Gibbs was immense. He ran hard, used it well, ripped balls from stoppages and kicked goals. He finished with 29 touches and four goals, thrashing Selwood for first three quarters before being let loose in the last.

His fourth goal, an arcing snap from a stoppage with a handful of minutes left looked to have won the game for the Blues.

Hawkins kicked four, all of them in that red-hot second quarter, when brutalised Sam Rowe. Hawkins had 17 disposals and 10 marks and looked like a men among boys.

It's got nothing on Janet Jackson, but the Carlton players were left red-faced after last minute change of shorts to avoid a uniform clash with Geelong.

Jason Dunstall summed up the domination perfectly on Triple M: "He is just ignoring tackles, Tom Hawkins."

The sides were evenly matched for disposals, contested ball, tackles and inside 50s, but the Blues ticked so many boxes they won't have slept well last night.

Selwood was well held until his match-defining heroics and Steve Johnson was blanketed by Andrew Carrazzo.

Nothing could stop T om Hawkins in the third quarter. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

But when the Blues had the ascendancy early in the last term, crucial misses from Andrew Walker, Sam Docherty and Jeff Garlett came back to haunt them.

While the Blues ran and spread with venom, they lacked efficiency going forward, which was where the Cats thrived.

With the door ajar, George Horlin-Smith's front and centre snap with less than two minutes left cut the Blues' lead to one point.

Enter Selwood.

BEST

Geelong: Hawkins, Stokes, Kelly, Taylor, Guthrie, Horlin-Smith, Enright

Carlton: Gibbs, Walker, Murphy, Simpson, Yarran, Thomas, Carrazzo, Docherty

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Bombers can pay lawyers outside salary cap

Some Essendon players are expected to receive show-cause letters in relation to the club's supplements program. Source: News Limited

ESSENDON will not have to include legal fees for players in its salary cap, the AFL has ruled.

The Bombers have declared they will pay any costs for players associated with the investigation into the club's supplements program in 2012.

No Essendon player has been issued a show cause notice from ASADA, but the anti-doping body's chief Ben McDevitt told senate estimates on Tuesday night notices could come soon.

The club last week made a formal submission to the league that legal fees not be included in the cap.

The AFL's general counsel Andrew Dillon said: "It has been determined that the reimbursement of legal expenses incurred by players that relate directly to defending any potential breach of the AFL Anti-Doping Code shall be excluded from the club's Total Player Payments.

"This is in accordance with current practice whereby clubs organise and pay for player's legal expenses when they are contesting a charge at the AFL Tribunal or appearing before the Appeals Board."

Rival clubs led by Collingwood president Eddie McGuire have questioned why Essendon's players should be afforded special salary cap treatment if the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency issues show-cause notices.

Former St Kilda forward Ahmed Saad was required to cover all legal expenses relating to his 18-month suspension for using a banned energy drink last year.

MORE TO COME

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Jacobs fit for Fremantle

Adelaide Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs duels with Gold Coast's Zac Smtih. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Adelaide Crows forward Jared Petrenko has been ruled out for six weeks with a stress fracture in his leg, while the Crows received better news for Sam Jacobs and Taylor Walker.

CROWS coach Brenton Sanderson says lead ruckman Sam Jacobs will play against Fremantle in Perth on Sunday.

Sanderson said Jacobs — nursing a bruised hip — breezed through a 40-minute closed training session this morning and should be on the plane to WA tomorrow.

The only concern is if Jacobs pulls up sore tomorrow morning. But that is unlikely, Sanderson said.

Jacobs' availability is crucial for Adelaide, which comes up against the AFL's tallest and most in-form ruckman — 211cm giant Aaron Sandilands.

"He looks good," Sanderson said of Jacobs, who is enjoying a strong year.

"He got through the full session today, so I can't see any reason why he won't play.

"We'll probably see how he pulls up tomorrow before we set off but he looks fine."

CROWS' ROLLER-COASTER SEASON

Sanderson said Jacobs "did everything" at training today and "didn't look restricted".

"He looks like he'll be fine to play," he said, revealing Jacobs' "deep cork" was the result of friendly fire from teammate Patrick Dangerfield's knee in the 32-point win against Gold Coast last Sunday.

"It restricted him on matchday but he's a pro and has been doing lots of recovery work and, to his credit, it looks like he's going to get up.

"If will be important to have him against such a unique ruckman like Sandilands, who is 10cm taller than any ruckman he comes up against."

Sanderson said star forward Taylor Walker — back in form with five goals against the Suns — would also play on Sunday, despite nursing a sore calf during the week.

The Crows will trim their 25-man squad to 22 later today.

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Jonas ‘ready to go’ for Saints clash

Port Adelaide's Tom Jonas at Alberton Oval with Alberton Primary School students, from left, Owen, Thomas, Kaysee and Maddy. Picture Campbell Brodie. Source: News Corp Australia

PORT Adelaide defender Tom Jonas has declared himself ready to go for this Saturday's clash against St Kilda and hinted Travis Boak is also a chance to play.

Jonas revealed he has been battling the onset of osteitis pubis but a month of rehabilitation has him primed to return.

"It's going really well, I'm ready to go this week," Jonas said.

"I've just got to get through training (today) and then it's in the hands of the coaches whether I get a game this week.

"I was pretty keen to get back as quick as possible. Burgo, Kenny and the doctor made the decision to keep me out for a few weeks.

"That was probably the right thing to do. I've done as much rehab and as much work as I can and I'm feeling really good."

As for Boak, Jonas suggested the swollen ankle which forced the skipper from the field in the opening quarter against Melbourne last weekend is improving.

"He was really sore but he was able to play out the game and play really well," Jonas said.

"I saw Boaky today and he's moving pretty freely so I wouldn't write him off at this stage."

Port Adelaide Power skipper Travis Boak is recovering well from an ankle injury, but both he and defender Tom Jonas will have to get through training before they're risked against St Kilda.

The Saints were more than competitive in a nine point defeat against the Power at Alberton during the preseason.

Tom Clurey earnt a round one debut by performing well against Nick Riewoldt that day, but has since dropped out of the side.

Jonas earmarked Jack Hombsch for the job on the Saints champion this weekend and said it was important his team matched St Kilda's intensity around the ball.

"Jack Hombsch has got a great engine and is in really good form so he could get the job," Jonas said.

"St Kilda are really hard and tough inside. They actually beat us in the contested ball. They'll bring that this week."

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Fyfe misses training but eyes Crows

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon is confident he'll have Nat Fyfe available for Sunday's clash with Adelaide despite an injured ankle. Source: News Corp Australia

FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon is confident star midfielder Nat Fyfe will be fit to play in Sunday's clash with Adelaide at Patersons Stadium.

Fyfe was on crutches after last week's win over the Bulldogs after injuring his ankle during the game.

The 22-year-old didn't train today, but Lyon is optimistic Fyfe will be able to pass a fitness test on Friday.

"It's swollen. But he didn't suffer any severe damage," Lyon said of Fyfe's ankle.

"He should train Friday. And if he jumps all the hurdles, he should play. So we're really quite confident."

Midfielder Stephen Hill, Danyle Pearce and defender Luke McPharlin were restricted to jogging laps this morning.

But all three are expected to front up against the Crows, with backman Alex Silvagni set to miss selection after being a late withdrawal last week due to team balance.

Adelaide have won five of their past seven games to get themselves back into the finals mix, while seventh-placed Fremantle are just one win adrift of second spot and looking to charge into the top four.

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Kerridge cuts short McKenna grass swipe

Sam Kerridge comes to grips with Gary Ablett. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

Brenton Sanderson praises his entire side's performance despite an outstanding display from Taylor Walker

HAVING taken the scalp of AFL's premier midfielder Gary Ablett, Sam Kerridge has put the blanket over grumpy Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna.

McKenna pointed to an unruly Adelaide Oval surface in the aftermath of a 32-point defeat against Adelaide on Sunday.

"It's probably the longest I've seen grass in the AFL. I don't know whether that was by design or not or was there a public holiday on Friday?" said McKenna.

However, gun tagger Kerridge dismissed the need for a close shave at a venue that has already been bagged for a siren no one could hear during Adelaide's triumph over Collingwood last month.

MORE: CROWS FIND WINNING TEMPLATE

"I didn't really take much notice to be honest. I was just focused on one job," said Kerridge, 21, of the grass.

"I heard a few of the guys mention it but if the boys are worried about how long the grass is they are in the wrong head space."

Kerridge — with 22 appearances since 2012 — was "excited to the get job" on Ablett and restrict the dual Brownlow Medallist to 25 touches.

"It was really good. I enjoyed the challenge," said Kerridge, now focusing on Adelaide's trip to confront Fremantle on Sunday.

Ruckman Sam Jacobs must pass a test on the troublesome hip flexor he carried into battle against the Suns in order to face Fremantle giant Aaron Sandilands. The seventh-placed Dockers are just a win ahead of Adelaide in ninth spot.

Brad Crouch is a chance to make his much-anticipated return from a leg injury, while Tom Lynch and Ricky Henderson are a fortnight from resuming.

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Power outage for ladder leaders

Port Adelaide skipper Travis Boak leaves the ground after rolling his ankle in the opening minutes of the game against Melbourne at Traeger Park. Picture: Phil Williams Source: News Corp Australia

On paper Port Adelaide should've disposed of the Demons easily. It was 1 v 15, and if you're a betting man you would've thought Port were a sure thing. But it wasn't that straight forward in the first AFL match played at Traeger Park.

PORT Adelaide could be without a host of key players for Saturday's home twilight clash against St Kilda.

Captain Travis Boak, the speedy Matt White and classy goalsneak Chad Wingard are all in doubt after sustaining injuries in the hard-fought win against Melbourne in Alice Springs.

GRAY: POWER MUST SHARPEN UP

Boak and White are nursing sore ankles and Wingard must pass concussion tests to play after being stretchered off in the third quarter against the Demons — his head knock being the result of friendly fire from teammate Jay Schulz.

Injured Power captain Travis Boak at Adelaide Airport. Source: Supplied

Defender Tom Jonas (groin), small forward Angus Monfries (ankle) and veteran Dom Cassisi (knee) will also have to pass fitness tests to play against the Saints after missing the Melbourne clash through injury.

Port will regain key playmaking midfielder Hamish Hartlett from suspension.

Power fitness coach Darren Burgess said he was confident Wingard would be passed fit, noting "he was up and about after the game''.

But he wasn't so certain about Boak and White's fitness, with the pair limping back to Adelaide on crutches.

Of the pair, Boak's injury is considered more serious.

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Power to aim straight for defensive Demons

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says Melbourne's defensive pressure has been causing sides to be inaccurate in front of goal. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

IT'S the dirty little secret of Melbourne's much-hyped defensive improvement this season - just how inaccurate opposition sides have been against the Demons.

It started in round three, when Greater Western Sydney kicked 10.19 to keep what could have been a 10 goal loss for the Dees to a more respectable 32 point margin.

Carlton was even worse the following week, kicking 7.16 against Paul Roos' side, who would later benefit from the wayward shooting of Gold Coast, Sydney, Adelaide and Richmond.

So while there's no doubt Roos has tightened things up at the back, Melbourne's ninth-ranked average score against of 80 points per game might not be looking so impressive if opposition sides had made them pay more often.

It suggests Port Adelaide's ability to convert in front of goal could be a decisive factor in today's game in Alice Springs.

Power coach Ken Hinkley has made his players continually work on their goal kicking and they entered this weekend ranked second in the competition for scoring accuracy at 61.7 per cent.

But Hinkley believes Melbourne will also play its part, saying the Demons deserved credit for the pressure they were applying in the back half.

"It's certainly a lot about what they're doing ... pressure results in rushed decisions and rushed disposal, which can cause (the inaccuracy)," Hinkley said.

"I'm not sure if all the shots have been like that but I think they're putting great pressure on sides and making it a tough game.

Port Adelaide have strengthened their position on top of the AFL ladder, beating Hawthorn 100-86 at Adelaide Oval.

"It's typical of what Roosy has coached in the past and it's what he's coaching again."

Perhaps the most noticeable change in Melbourne's defence has been its midfield's commitment to pushing back to support the back six.

It's often resulted in congested opposition forward lines, which explains the low number of marks opposition teams have been taking inside their forward 50 against the Demons.

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Four-quarter Pies thump helpless Saints

Travis Cloke's five-goal haul inspired Collingwood to an 86-point thrashing of a helpless St Kilda on Friday night.

Alex Fasolo celebrates one of his four goals. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

SMASHED by Fremantle in Round 1, there was a worry that by the time Collingwood next played at Etihad Stadium — against St Kilda in Round 11 — its season would be over.

Dale Thomas, Heath Shaw, Darren Jolly and Alan Didak were gone and the new-look team looked fundamentally flawed against Ross Lyon's Docker machine.

BOTH GUYS WERE GOING FOR FOOTY: RICHO

INJURIES, REPORT STAINS CLINICAL PIES WIN

PHANTOM CLOKE EMERGES FROM SHADOWS

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley admits Steele Sidebottom faces a nervous wait after he was reported for a high hit on St Kidla's Maverick Weller which left the Saints defender concussed.

Sydney, Geelong, Richmond, North Melbourne, Essendon and Carlton — all from last year's top 10 — lay in wait between rounds two and seven and it was hard to see how Nathan Buckley's men would be favoured to win any of those games.

Then, having emerged from its first nine outings with a 6-3 record, a different worry: that Collingwood's comparatively easy run of St Kilda, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs from rounds 11 to 13 could lull its players in to a false sense of security.

Dayne Beams finished with 33 disposals. Source: News Corp Australia

The unavailability of Nathan Brown (shoulder) and Luke Ball (calf) and late withdrawals of Dane Swan (heel) and Brodie Grundy (back) did little to ease concerns that the Pies could be a little vulnerable last night.

The sight of Nick Maxwell trudging off with a right calf injury inside the first 15 minutes didn't help either, nor did Steele Sidebottom's nonsensical jump in to Maverick Weller which resulted in what could be the quickest-ever report in AFL history — seven seconds.

Despite close attention from Jack Frost, Nick Riewoldt kicked three goals. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

It was an unattractive start by any measure.

The Pies had seven clearances to two and 15 inside 50s to five, yet when Farren Ray snapped a goal in the 20th minute the plucky rather than classy Saints led by 11 points.

But then the unbackable favourites finally started to get some reward.

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley addresses the press following his side's dominant performance against St Kilda.

Jesse White marked on the lead from a Sidebottom pass and kicked truly from 55m.

Within seven minutes Collingwood had three more through small forwards Josh Thomas (twice), Jarryd Blair and Alex Fasolo (twice) and suddenly the scoreboard was starting to reflect its overall dominance.

Cloke took 12 marks. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

After scoring one goal from their first 15 inside 50s the Magpies kicked six straight from their next seven going in to quarter time.

Then, having added another two with the first two entries after the break — this time to keys Travis Cloke and White — the margin was 36 points and the game as good as over.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson addresses the press following his side's 54-140 loss to Collingwood.

As strange as it sounds, Collingwood is flying under the radar in the race for the premiership.

Port Adelaide and Gold Coast are the fairytale stories, Hawthorn has its injuries, Sydney has Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett, Fremantle is intent on redemption and Geelong can never be counted out.

Importantly for Buckley, it is his lesser lights — many of whom did not play in the 2013 finals loss to Port — who continue to shine.

Scott Pendlebury finished with a classy 29 disposals. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Fasolo — wasn't he meant to be a defender? — kicked four goals in another impressive forward role.

White, with two, played the perfect foil for a vastly-improved Cloke who kicked a season-high five majors.

Tom Langdon added another 22 possessions to his standout debut season, Paul Seedsman,

Paul Seedsman was a late inclusion for Dane Swan. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Marley Williams and Clinton Young provided real dash from half back, Jack Frost didn't shirk his duties when confronted with Saints champ Nick Riewoldt, Taylor Adams was busy with 18 midfield touches and Josh Thomas (29 possessions and three goals) showed he could do the biz both in the middle and forward.

Maxwell is facing weeks on the sidelines with his calf injury, likewise Sidebottom who, considering Weller was subbed out of the game with concussion, will probably fall foul of the Match Review Panel given his tucked in elbow collected the Saint on the jaw.

Those two worries aside, Buckley would have left Docklands in a far better frame of mind than he did last time.

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