Swan's hunger dipped: Bucks

Collingwood star Dane Swan's hunger dipped last year, says coach Nathan Buckley.l Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley admits Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan's hunger dipped a bit last season.

But he says it's understandable given his remarkable previous four years.

And the Magpies boss says the premiership star has given every indication he is back to his most driven.

"Even the most professional disciplined players ebb and flow," Buckley told AAP.

"It was probably about time, given the three years prior he won three Copeland Trophies (as Collingwood's best and fairest from 2008-10) and a Brownlow (in 2011).

"In the last four years, he's one of the most consistent players to ever play the game.

Magpies coach Nathan Buckley talks with Dane Swan. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

"When I say that I reckon there's an extra couple of per cent in him, it's not saying that he hasn't been a great performer and a very consistent performer.

"That's just a coach asking for a little bit more and I ask that from all of the players."

Swan was suspended by the club late last season for an alcohol-related disciplinary breach.

But Buckley said while Swan made a very poor decision, he wasn't the only player who needed to fractionally lift their commitment from last year.

He said Swan's lapses attracted more public attention than others.

Buckley said while the midfielder was a "different character" who wasn't solely focused on football, he took enormous pride in his performance.

"If he can't have the influence on games that he wants to, he identifies that pretty quickly," he said.

"He came back with a real hunger to have a great pre-season.

"He's been able to do that.

"I think you'll see, as the season progresses, I think you'll see a really hungry footballer who'll find that extra couple of per cent this year compared to last and who has the drive to want to play and influence it as much as he can."
 

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NAB Cup Barometer

Collingwood star Dale Thomas is racing the clock to recover from ankle surgery in time for Round 1. Source: Getty Images

WHO'S flying and who's hurt at your club plus a report card on every team's top draft picks.

ADELAIDE

FORM: Erratic, but Adelaide has worked the bottom end of its list and found its young players do have an appetite for the contest..

DRAFT WATCH: Midfielder Rory Atkins showed great promise in his half against Fremantle on Saturday - and brought the question why he was still in the draft at No.81?

MEDICAL ROOM: Brodie Smith (collarbone) and Jared Petrenko (shoulder) are still on the sidelines. The Crows will bring back the big guns this week - Sam Jacobs, Scott Thompson, Ben Rutten and Brent Reilly.

WHAT'S NEXT: Geelong at Geelong on Saturday

- Michelangelo Rucci

SUMMER BAROMETER: Click on your team flag at the top of the top of the page for a complete pre-season run-down

BRISBANE LIONS

FORM: Appears to be fitter than ever and easily handled the oppressive conditions at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night. Former Demon Brent Moloney has added some much needed starch to Michael Voss' midfield.

DRAFT WATCH: Sam Mayes has impressed everyone at Brisbane over the summer and Voss intends to roll his top draft pick out at the tail end of the pre-season tournament with a potential Round 1 debut on the cards.

MEDICAL ROOM: Co-captain Jed Adcock and Irishman Pearce Hanley are expected to return this week. Captain Jonathan Brown is being kept for the Collingwood clash in week three while veterans Simon Black and Brent Staker will not play in the Nab Cup.

WHAT'S NEXT: GWS Giants in Wagga on Saturday night

- Andrew Hamilton

Former Demon Brent Moloney in action for the Lions during the NAB Cup. Source: Getty Images

CARLTON

FORM: The midfield was strong without Chris Judd, as Bryce Gibbs and Marc Murphy warmed to the task. Michael Jamison looked injury-free, and the forward line has power with Sam Rowe and Levi Casboult. Plenty of great signs in two wins, which put them second on the NAB Cup table.

DRAFT WATCH: Troy Menzel is yet to play given his knee issues, but Nick Graham (pick 54) was excellent in the intra-club match last week.

MEDICAL ROOM: Chris Judd will play NAB Cup but probably not next week, Matthew Kreuzer will play this week, and Jarrad Waite will play this week or next.

WHAT"S NEXT: Carlton v Fremantle, Etihad Stadium, Saturday, 7.40pm

- Jon Ralph

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COLLINGWOOD

FORM: Plenty to like about the new faces representing the Magpies in the opening NAB Cup games including Clinton Young, Quinten Lynch and Jordan Russell. Mix that with what the Magpies currently have and it looks to make a potent force.

DRAFT WATCH: Collingwood's trio of VFL rookie draftees - Kyle Martin, Jack Frost and Sam Dwyer - showed they could be more than just making up the numbers. Tim Broomhead has glandular fever while Brodie Grundy has a back injury.

MEDICAL ROOM: Dale Thomas (ankle) is still touch and go for Round 1, while Alan Didak (hamstring) will have a delayed start to the season. Luke Ball might play in Round 3 of the NAB Cup.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Magpies meet the Eagles at Subiaco on Sunday.

- Glenn McFarlane

Pictures: NAB Cup week two action

ESSENDON

FORM: Dyson Heppell's transition into a midfielder looks on track while Brendon Goddard looked particularly impressive in his new jumper. Mature-aged recruit Nick Kommer showed he was up to the standard and looks like one to watch.

DRAFT WATCH: The lid is off Joe Daniher. The 201cm forward tore apart the club's intra-club match last Friday, kicking five goals and pulling down 12 marks. Looks to be as good as the hype suggests and likely to make his debut this Saturday.

MEDICAL ROOM: Key midfielder David Zaharakis is still another week away after a setback with his quad injury while Jake Melksham (hand) will miss at least one more. Captain Jobe Watson and defender Ben Howlett will play their first games of the pre-season this weekend.

WHAT'S NEXT: Richmond in Wangaratta, Saturday 5.10pm.

- Scott Gullan

NAB Cup ladder and fixture

FREMANTLE

FORM: The Dockers were impressive in dispatching Geelong in their NAB Cup opener, but a lot less so against the Eagles. Freo was overrun in the final minutes in a practice match against the Crows last weekend, but there were big positives in the return of Nat Fyfe, who dominated after coming on at quarter-time, and David Mundy. Michael Barlow picked up another truckload of possessions.

DRAFT WATCH: No sign of No.17 pick Josh Simpson yet but he is a chance to play against the Blues on Saturday after impressing in a Peel Thunder trial. Young tall Tanner Smith (pick 36) lined up against the Crows but had minimal impact.

MEDICAL ROOM: The pre-season from hell. Anthony Morabito did his knee again, Aaron Sandilands (hamstring) is out for two months and Ryan Crowley is recovering from a torn pectoral muscle. Chris Mayne looked in all sorts of trouble after rolling his ankle against the Cats but the club says the injury isn't serious. Matthew Pavlich(back) has rejoined full training but is unlikely to be risked before Round 1.

WHAT'S NEXT: Carlton v Fremantle, Saturday (Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm)

- Al Paton

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GEELONG

FORM: Travis Varcoe is the one. Super exciting on his return and at a SuperCoach price of $268,900 as a mid/forward he is a steal. Youngster George Horlin-Smith showed he's ready to step up while one from left field was former runner athlete Mark Blicavs in the ruck.

DRAFT WATCH: Jackson Thurlow, the club's pick 16 in last year's national draft, showed enough in his first game to suggest he will be handy in the back half this year. He's been super impressive over the pre-season and will play at some stage this year.

MEDICAL ROOM: Plenty of big blokes in there with Dawson Simpson, Hamish McIntosh and Nathan Vardy out of action. Add Trent West after knee surgery yesterday. Daniel Menzel has resumed running with the main group this week while Mathew Stokes will miss a couple after injuring his ankle in the NAB Cup. Premiership stars Paul Chapman, James Kelly and Andrew Mackie will return this Saturday. Josh Hunt (glandular fever) won't be rushed.

- Scott Gullan

Geelong forward Mathew Stokes is helped off after hurting his ankle. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times

GOLD COAST

FORM: It was a mixed opening for the Suns. They were very impressive in a win over Hawthorn but were completely outplayed by the Lions. The exciting thing was the presence of Jaeger O'Meara who will be a regular fixture in his first AFL season.

DRAFT WATCH: Jesse Lonergan made his debut on the weekend and did not look out of place. His size and strength make him a strong candidate to be in the side when the premiership begins.

MEDICAL ROOM: Dion Prestia and Brandon Matera will return this week. But the Suns are resigned to not seeing Trent Mackenzie, Seb Tape or Nathan Bock for the entire tournament and maybe the first month of the premiership season.

WHAT'S NEXT: Kangaroos in Townsville on Saturday.

- Andrew Hamilton

Jaeger O'Meara at Gold Coast Suns training at Metricon Stadium. Picture: Tim Marsden Source: The Courier-Mail

GWS

FORM: The Giants could easily be undefeated. They easily accounted for an admittedly less than full-strength Sydney, and only let a lead slip against the Blues in the death. The kids of 2012 look bigger, with Toby Greene showing no signs of second-year blues in the midfield. The most obvious difference was in front of goal where 2011 No.1 draft pick Jon Patton was a dominant presence after limited exposure last year due to knee problems.

DRAFT WATCH: Nearly the whole team are first-round picks, so where do you start? Last year's No.1 selection Lachie Whitfield lined up on a wing and showed plenty of dash and skill while No.3 pick Lachie Plowman was given exposure down back against the Swans.

MEDICAL ROOM: A good news weekend was soured by a serious injury to young defender Matt Buntine, who suffered a broken rib and punctured lung when Levi Casboult crashed into his back. He's set to miss two months of footy. Chad Cornes will be missing for around the same time after surgery to remove a cyst on his knee, Dom Tyson is out for five months after rupturing his PCL at training and Josh Growden is recovering from hip surgery.

WHAT'S NEXT: GWS v Brisbane Lions, Saturday (Wagga, 7pm)

- Al Paton

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HAWTHORN

FORM: Don't read too much into the losses on the Gold Coast. Focus more on impressive work of first-gamers Sam Grimley and Jonathan Simpkin and Brad Hill's development

DRAFT WATCH: First pick Tim O'Brien went north with the squad as an emergency and didn't get a run.

MEDICAL ROOM: Forward Paul Puopolo has bone bruising in the injured knee and must be doubtful for the season start. Cyril Rioli will be in a moonboot for two weeks after spraining an ankle. Key defender Brian Lake has calf soreness and won't be risked this week.

WHAT'S NEXT: Sam Mitchell and Brad Sewell will be back for Friday night's game against the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium.

- Bruce Matthews

Hawthorn forward Paul Puopolo writhes in pain after landing awkwardly on his left knee. Picture: David Clark Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE

FORM: Fans were left gushing at the prospects of brute key forward Jesse Hogan after matches against North Melbourne and Richmond on the weekend. So good was he that Demons great Gerard Healy has even called on the AFL to allow the 18-year-old to play this season, rather than wait for next year as per the rules of the GWS mini-draft in which Hogan was selected. Mitch Clark wasn't there, but you add him in place of Hogan for the season proper and even still the forward line looks nice with Chris Dawes there and Cam Pedersen chipping in. Not a bad start.

DRAFT WATCH: Could have easily spoken about father-son pick Jack Viney and the club's first pick in last year's draft Jimmy Toumpas in the category above, but why not devote a whole section to them? Viney is tough as nails and is just so ready to compete with the big boys of the AFL it's not funny, while Toumpas clearly has class beyond his years. The Dees have a couple of gems on their hands, let's hope they are not left to do too much this year and that they can still develop properly given their young age.

MEDICAL ROOM: Sam Blease hurt his left ankle on Friday night and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. Clark remains in rehab for his injured foot and is in serious doubt for Round 1. Dawes' troublesome calf was a little tight after the run-around against North Melbourne and he won't play this week, but will return for NAB Cup games three and four. The same goes for defender James Frawley who had to have a minor round of plastic surgery to repair a cut he sustained in a head clash with Richmond forward Jack Riewoldt.

WHAT'S NEXT: The Dees travel to Renmark (it's about 250km north-east of Adelaide FYI) to take on Port Adelaide on Sunday. Having lost to both the Tigers and Roos, Melbourne is out of contention for this year's NAB Cup, but the weekend's game is an important one nonetheless given these two teams will also lock horns in Round 1 of the home-and-away season.

- Matt Windley

Melbourne players mob Jesse Hogan after he kicked his first goal, a corker from deep in the pocket. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

NORTH MELBOURNE

FORM: Ben Jacobs, recruited from Port Adelaide, slotted into the line-up and patterns. And the early touch from the likes of Scott McMahon, Andrew Swallow and Sam Wright was eye-catching stuff. Majak Daw added to his highlights reel but former Swan Daniel Currie was arguably more impressive in the ruck.

DRAFT WATCH: Top pick Taylor Garner has almost recovered from an off-season shoulder operation and he's a week away from competitive work.

MEDICAL ROOM: Nathan Grima and Leigh Adams are the only two regulars to sit out opening NAB Cup rounds. And Daw's swelling in both knees is a concern

WHAT'S NEXT: Will take 24 players and a winning attitude to play Gold Coast Suns in Townsville on Saturday afternoon.

- Bruce Matthews

PORT ADELAIDE

FORM: Encouraging. The Power smashed St Kilda on the back of a super-impressive midfield and then fell to the Crows after resting key players and playing consecutive matches in scorching temperatures. Some of Port's kids looked the goods.

DRAFT WATCH: Ollie Wines adds strength, toughness and leadership to Port's midfield and is on track to play in Round 1.

MEDICAL ROOM: Important forwards Robbie Gray (knee) and John Butcher (hip) will start the year on the sidelines while Hawthorn premiership ruckman Brent Renouf is struggling to shake off knee tendonitis. Key recruit Angus Monfries will miss three weeks with a grade one hamstring strain but former skipper Dom Cassisi is close to resuming from a calf niggle.

WHAT'S NEXT: Melbourne at Renmark on Sunday.

- Andrew Capel

Ollie Wines attacks the ball. Picture: Simon Cross Source: The Advertiser

RICHMOND

FORM: More of the same from Richmond after last year's encouraging display, but it was apparent the elite kids now have 30-plus games in them and the side is clear of passengers. The stars were rested late in the second game, so Richmond was far from discouraged about the game two loss.

DRAFT WATCH: Nick Vlastuin looked hard and tough and ran in straight lines. His clean pick up and blind turn on the wing was a highlight. Great signs.

MEDICAL ROOM: Dylan Grimes and Troy Chaplin hope to play NAB Cup games, while Nathan Foley won't be back for Round 1.

WHAT'S NEXT: Richmond v Essendon, Wangaratta, 5.10pm Saturday

- Jon Ralph

PICTURES: NAB Cup week one action

ST KILDA

FORM: Hard to gauge given the Saints played in a furnace in Adelaide, defeating the Crows then getting thumped by Port. Trent Dennis-Lane was lively in front of goal while booming kick Arryn Siposs is being groomed as the new Brendon Goddard across half-back. Recruits Tom Lee and Tom Hickey were among the Saints' best against the Power.

DRAFT WATCH: Top pick Nathan Wright didn't do a lot but will be given more chances during the NAB Cup. Next selection Spencer Wright is recovering from a wrist injury.

MEDICAL ROOM: Apart from Wright the only other serious concern is youngster Daniel Markworth, who is set to miss most of the season after hurting his knee on the Saints' trip to Colorado.

WHAT'S NEXT: St Kilda v Sydney, Sunday (Etihad Stadium, 5.10pm)

- Al Paton

SYDNEY

FORM: Woeful. Second-last on the NAB Cup ladder with no wins, two losses (to Carlton and GWS) and a percentage of 53.1. Coach John Longmire lamented post-match "probably the only real positive to come out of it was that we got some game time into some players," but those results won't matter much when the real stuff starts. For what it's worth, Jarrad McVeigh led the way in the middle and Tony Armstrong got a bit of the footy across half-back.

DRAFT WATCH: Dean Towers was a rare shining light in the Blacktown gloom, getting better as the afternoon went. The 22-year-old former VFL star – the Swans' top pick at last year's draft at No.22 – is a strong chance to feature in Round 1.

MEDICAL ROOM: Adam Goodes, still recovering from the knee injury he suffered in the Grand Final, is cranking up his training load and hopes to have a hitout before Round 1. Gary Rohan is slowly working his way back from a broken leg while Shane Mumford was rested from the first round of the NAB Cup to help get over an ankle problem.

WHAT'S NEXT: St Kilda v Sydney, Sunday (Etihad Stadium, 5.10pm)

- Al Paton

Adam Goodes runs laps at pre-season training. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: Herald Sun

WEST COAST

FORM: The Eagles split their NAB Cup round-robin matches, pipped at the death by Geelong then easily dispatching the Dockers in Perth. With Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox injured, West Coast found another tall option in Scott Lycett while Jack Darling could wreak havoc after the successful return of forward partner Mark LeCras.

DRAFT WATCH: Adam Carter (pick 59) got a run in the opening NAB Cup outings while mature-age recruit Mark Hutchings showed plenty in the midfield. Top pick Brandt Colledge is working his way back from a hip injury.

MEDICAL ROOM: Sharrod Wellingham hurt ligaments in his knee bouncing on a trampoline and will miss the rest of the NAB Cup. Naitanui ran up the 300 steps known as Jacobs Ladder in Kings Park on the weekend as he ramps up his bid to return from groin surgery in Round 1. Cox, Beau Waters, Matt Rosa and Josh Kennedy will push for selection against the Magpies on Sunday.

WHAT'S NEXT: West Coast v Collingwood, Sunday (Patersons Stadium, 7.40pm)

- Al Paton

Eagle Mark LeCras comes off for a break during the NAB Cup. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times

WESTERN BULLDOGS:

FORM: Some encouraging signs in week one of the NAB Cup. Mature recruits Nick Lower, Brett Goodes and Tom Young should all contend for senior berths. Jason Johannisen looks a promising option dashing off half-back, freeing Robert Murphy to pose a threat up forward. Michael Talia may well step up as a hard-running tall defender.

DRAFT WATCH: Jake Stringer (4) has impressed with his power and enthusiasm while training with the main group and may get his first taste of senior footy in NAB 3 or 4. The Dogs were pleased with the clearance work and disposal efficiency of Jackson Macrae (5) in the opening round.

MEDICAL ROOM: Jordan Roughead will take his place at full-back after pulling out of the opening NAB Cup round with a virus. Tom Williams (heel) should also get at least on practice match in before Round 1. Dale Morris pulled up well after his first game back from 18 months out with a broken leg.

WHAT'S NEXT: Tough assignment against the Hawks on Friday night, followed by a trip west to take on Fremantle eight days later.

- Warwick Green

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Crows' integrity put to the test

The outcome of last year's Kurt Tippett salary cap scandal has prompted the Adelaide Crows to hire an internal watchdog. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

THE Kurt Tippett affair will result in Adelaide hiring an internal watchdog to protect the club against further breaches of AFL rules.

Adelaide is set to follow the lead taken by West Coast - which hired Peter Staples as its integrity officer after its well-documented drug problems three years ago - to strengthen its internal controls of all staff.

It comes as all AFL clubs have been urged to consider hiring an integrity officer and having a full-time doctor.

Adelaide is understood to be one of only two clubs with a full-time doctor.

There has been widespread concern about the cost of the extra staff if it is mandated, but the Crows have already begun exploring the requirements of the role.

West Coast hired Staples after its drug problems but other clubs have voiced doubts about the need for an internal watchdog, believing they already have adequate systems in place.

Acting football operations manager David Noble said the Crows expected to have the position filled before season's end but needed to tailor the role to the specifics of the Crows' demands.

Their concerns relate to the fishbowl nature of AFL football in South Australia and the amount of travel the club does, which puts the players in more volatile situations.

"The role would have to be slightly different for each club," Noble said. "Here and in Western Australia, a lot of our issues are media-driven. That wouldn't happen as much in Sydney, Brisbane or the Gold Coast.

"And we're on the road all the time, which is different to a lot of clubs."

Adelaide has listed several key issues that would fall under the integrity officer's control, among them:

ENFORCEMENT of bans on players gambling on football or leaking information about team selection;

COMPLIANCE with salary cap and all AFL player rules;

TRAVEL issues, with security high on the list;

DRUG use, both illicit and performance-enhancing.

The club has interviewed police officers, female advocates, psychologists, social media experts and doctors in a wide-ranging analysis of threats to the club.

A Port Adelaide spokesman said the club was keen to consider the AFL's recommendations and look at the best options to make its processes as strong as possible. But further information was required before it committed to a specific approach.

Clubs are already heavily involved with the AFL and top watchdog Brett Clothier.

Adelaide's move comes as football is reeling from the Tippett scandal, the Essendon drugs inquiry and the Melbourne tanking affair, and with Andrew Demetriou saying clubs had been provided a "road map" of warning signs that included "ex-players, anti-ageing clinics, gyms and tattoo parlours".

Noble said the club had been shaken by the extent of work that needed to be done after its own internal investigations and the drugs summit conducted by the AFL.

"The bottom line is that sometimes, even the most innocent influences or environments can be the most dangerous," Noble said.

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Judd aims to stay Blue

Carlton star Chris Judd says he has no plans to hang up his boots at the end of the season.

Superstar Chris Judd wants to stay a Blue. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON superstar Chris Judd says he will sign a new contract to stay with the Blues.

Judd, whose deal expires at the end of the season, said yesterday he would put pen to paper on a new arrangement during the year.

"I'm not going anywhere," Judd said.

"I'm keen to play on next year. The club is keen to have me so at some stage throughout the year, we'll sit down and nut out the finer details."

There had been speculation the dual Brownlow medallist, who gave up the captaincy over summer, may be tempted to pursue other interests. But Judd told Channel 10 he had been re-invigorated.

"I've been excited at what Mick (Malthouse) and his team are doing and I want to hang around for a little while longer yet," he said.

The 29-year-old has overcome a hamstring niggle, but won't play against Fremantle at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, delaying his 2013 debut for at least another week.

 

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Don't toy with our game: Scott

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott fears rule changes will hurt the game. Source: Getty Images

NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott fears the game will become "unrecognisable" if the AFL continues to tinker with rules.

Scott is opposed to the 80 interchange rotations cap to be trialled for the first time in this weekend's NAB Cup second round.

"I'm concerned a little bit that the premise is incorrect in the first place. I'm not sure that we should be trying to tire players out to try and reduce congestion," Scott said yesterday.

"You go back and look at the evolution of the game.

"In the early 2000's you had flooding; 2010 you had the opposite with players pushing to the other end of the ground.

"The coaches evolve and alter their tactics based on what's presented to them.

"If we cap rotations and fatigue players and make it difficult for them to get around the ground, we'll just adapt, we'll just change the game again.

"If our players are really tired and we're getting scored against and we're opening up, we're likely to just put 16 players behind the ball to stop us being scored against.

"If we make rule changes every time there's an evolution in the game, we'll just end up chasing our tail.

"My great fear is that the game becomes unrecognisable in the not too distant future. I would prefer to just let things go as they are and let the game evolve naturally.

"I feel for the AFL because they do the best they can to trial things in the NAB Cup.

'But the reality is we're playing shortened games and, when you cap interchanges at 20 (each quarter), the quarters go for seven or eight minutes less than the regular season and you find most interchanges happen late in the quarter. So are we going to get an accurate set of data? I doubt it, but I don't know what the alternative is."

Scott said the Kangaroos want to continue its winning habit against the Gold Coast Suns in Townsville in the NAB Cup second round on Saturday afternoon.

One player unlikely to make the trip is cult hero Majak Daw, who developed swelling in the knees after North's wins against Melbourne and Richmond on Friday night.

Scott said the ruckman-forward would need to improve rapidly today to be guaranteed a place in the 24-player squad.

"That (swelling) was disappointing given that we managed his loads through the pre-season and thought he would get through. And we managed his load in the games, so at this stage at best he's 50-50," Scott said.

"He will be selected in the side, but if that swelling doesn't reduce significantly over the next 24 hours, then he probably won't play."

Scott said Daw's running goal against the Tigers instead of handballing to teammate Brad McKenzie indicated how much work was still required on his "fundamentals" to complement his eye-catching athleticism.

"We're trying to simplify the game for him at the moment," Scott said.

"It's very easy in hindsight to say he should've passed it off, he simply didn't see him. And they're the fundamentals that I'm talking about.

"It takes players a long time to develop the awareness around them. He'll evolve and develop that awareness as time goes on."

Nathan Grima (back) and Leigh Adams (shoulder) won't be risked for the trip north, but both are on track to be ready for North's Round 1 clash against Collingwood.

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Call to change head hit test

Geelong star Joel Selwood in action. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL's screening for concussion must become more rigorous, according to a medical expert.

The associate director of rehabilitation at Epworth Hospital, Professor John Olver, says evidence of potential brain damage is becoming more widespread as screenings improve.

"When I talk about more rigorous testing I'm talking about a full neuro-psychological evaluation, which provides more definitive answers than the current boundary line test,'' he said.

"What does `being checked out thoroughly' actually mean? If someone has had a number of concussions and you are worried about on-going thinking problems then you would do a full test.`

"Yes, it takes time, two to three hours from a trained psychologist, but there is mounting evidence to suggest we should be screening more vigorously.

"Certainly there is evidence, mainly from the US, that some of these guys suffering what they call multiple concussions suddenly find they they have long-term problems in slowness of thinking, irritability, and problem solving.

That would indicate more permanent damage than concussion would usually indicate.'

'Prof Olver believes the sports medicine and club doctors are not in agreement about the effectiveness of screening.

"We don't know a lot, though. For instance, should you wear a helmet after a concussive injury?

"One line of thinking suggests the helmet will help defuse the next shockwave to the brain and absorb the shock.

"The other train of thought suggests if you wear a helmet then the whole momentum of the head is greater, making it worse when you strike it on the ground.

"The important part is what happens after 24 hours because whether the symptoms persist defines the severity.

"The `manly' thing used to be you would just shrug it off.

"But putting a player back on ... after a first concussion is fraught with danger as it would seem the brain is more vulnerable if you go back on."

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No more rule changes: Jacobs

Whose free kick will this be? Big Crow Sam Jacobs and Docker Aaron Sandilands contest a boundary throw-in. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

CROWS lead ruckman Sam Jacobs is calling for an end to the seemingly endless changes to AFL rules, in particular those focussed on ruckmen.

Two years after the AFL sounded the deathknell of the second ruckman by converting one seat on the interchange bench to the substitute, the league this season is forbidding ruckmen to make contact before a field contest.

They must stand a metre apart before the umpire throws up the ball - another rule change, replacing the bounce that used to offer ruckmen more time to prepare for a contest.

"I'd be happy if the game left the rules alone for a few years now," said Jacobs yesterday when he spoke of his three-year extension to his contract at Adelaide.

"Let's just have things settle down.

"Ruckmen have had to deal with the interchange rule as well - we are the position most affected by that rule change," added Jacobs who had team-mate Ivan Maric last year leave the Crows for Richmond after the substitute rule forced him out of the Adelaide 22.

"It would be great if the game just settled down and we watched how it played out over a few years."

Jacobs is not overly concerned for how his ruck style will be affected by the no-contact rule this season.

"I've kept a keen eye on that in the NAB Cup - and I don't think it will affect me too much," said Jacobs.

"I know the way I ruck, I generally start off the (opposition ruckman) most of the time.

"There are a lot of ruckmen like Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton), Nic Naitanui (West Coast), Paddy Ryder (Essendon) who do that already.

"It is a good rule because it will tidy the game up.

"It will be good long-term because it won't be messy with ruckmen locking in.

"It should not affect the game too much."

Jacobs yesterday dimissed the public jibes of his team-mates - in particular midfielder Patrick Dangerfield on Twitter - who have valued his contract extension at $3 million across the three years.

"I wish," he said.

"I'm a local, so...," added Jacobs in a hit back at the non-South Australian Crows who command more at contract negotiations to avert the go-home factor.

Jacobs' contract is the first renewal sent by Adelaide to AFL House since the Tippett saga closed with the Crows being hit with heavy sanctions.

Jacobs yesterday was understanding of his deal drawing extra scrutiny by the AFL salary cap police.

"That is something, with what happened with the Tippo saga, that we're going to have deal with," said Jacobs.

"I have; everyone at the club has full confidence in us being on top of everything now.

"The club has put a few (integrity checks) in place nothing like (the Tippett saga) happens again. I think we will be double-checking and cross-checking everything now."

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New face in AFL probe

A CURRENT AFL player has received dietary and fitness advice from one of the key figures in the Essendon drugs probe.

The player's camp yesterday confirmed the footballer, who is not a Bomber, met Shane Charter - the self-styled fitness guru who calls himself "Dr Ageless" - several times last year.

The player, whom the Herald Sun has chosen not to name, worked with a Charter "underling" on a diet and weights program.

The Herald Sun has been told he is not the player referred to as the "rogue doper".

The player's camp said he had worked on improving his condition and didn't believe he had taken any banned performance-enhancing substances.

Charter was a personal trainer and pharmaceutical company salesman with links to former Essendon sports scientist Steve Dank.

He has been accused of supplying Dank with the supplements at the centre of the Bombers probe.

Former AFL stars James Hird, Luke Darcy, Shane Woewodin, Scott West and Simon Garlick used Charter as a consultant during their playing days.

But the player is the only current AFL footballer known to have sought the help of the Charter camp.

Essendon continues to be investigated for the possible use of performance-enhancing drugs.

But the identity of a player from an unnamed second club named in an Australian Crime Commission investigation into sports doping remains a mystery.

Charter has been a central figure in the drugs allegations furore sparked by the release this month of the ACC report.

He was arrested and found to be in possession of 100,000 pseudoephedrine-based tablets in 2004.

He pleaded guilty and received a reduced prison sentence.

Charter worked with Hird in 2003 giving the Brownlow medallist what, Essendon said, was dietary advice.

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Parkin's school of hard knocks

David Parkin's lessons at the school of hard knocks. Picture: Susan Windmiller Source: Herald Sun

DAVID Parkin describes himself as probably the most concussed man in football.

He was concussed 10 times during his 211 games with Hawthorn from 1961 to 1974.After being KO'd for the 11th time when he transferred from the Hawks to captain-coach Subiaco in 1975, his time was up.

"I played almost every week after being concussed,'' Parkin said.

"I got knocked out in Perth in my last game of football at the first bounce at five-past two on Saturday and woke up at 20-past-four on the Sunday in the Charlie Gairdner Hospital. I retired on the back of that.''

Parkin has since studied his match-day performances when he played the week after being concussed.

"I looked at my performances when this became a reality and I have got statistical stuff that talks about your kicks, marks and handpasses and what you did,'' Parkin said.

"In my case there is no doubt that in my first week, after not taking any time off after being concussed, that I was s---house, the second week back I was fairly ordinary, the third week back half reasonable and about three to four weeks later I started to play like I was expected to play.''

Parkin, who coached Hawthorn, Carlton and Fitzroy, said research on concussion had to be done, validated and then smart decisions made.

Despite suffering so many concussions, Parkin said the game had been good to him, and although he has some sore spots, he's not aware of suffering from any ongoing problems.

Parkin, who captained Hawthorn's 1971 premiership side and later coached the Hawks and Carlton to premierships, says he is worried about head knocks and heavy concussions in grassroots football.

He said AFL clubs now had the medical expertise to test and treat players for concussion.

"But it's amateur, junior and senior football that doesn't have access to that kind of support system so we have got a problem,'' he said.

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Lions not tempted by NAB Cup cash

The Lions and coach Michael Voss will use the NAB Cup to prepare for Round 1. Picture: Steve Pohlner Source: The Courier-Mail

THE Brisbane Lions will not be seduced by the potential $200,000 windfall a NAB Cup premiership would provide and will continue to use the pre-season tournament to prepare for round one.

Brisbane have endured a five year run of major losses totaling close to $10m and have the undoubted potential to win the NAB Cup, but have made the bold decision not to put a pre-season payday ahead of the real prize.

The Lions are undefeated after the opening round but their fans will miss the next step in the march towards a NAB Cup grand final because Saturday's clash against GWS will not be shown on television.

The Gold Coast Suns match with North Melbourne in Townsville has also been overlooked by Foxtel - who has committed to showing only six games this weekend.

The Queensland black-out coincides with the one weekend of the football season when there is no NRL games and is an opportunity lost for the code.

The AFL last night made no apologies saying Foxtel had only signed up to broadcast 18 of 25 NAB Cup games.

But Suns CEO Travis Auld said the game could not afford too many instances where there was no mainstream media coverage here in the Sunshine State.

"There is no doubt it is disappointing,'' he said.

"But we take some responsibility because we pushed for some regional games to spread our brand.

"To point the finger directly at the AFL would be unfair.''

"But you wouldn't want too many occasions where neither Queensland games are covered.''

Lions CEO Malcolm Holmes said he had no concerns with the scheduling or the broadcast.

Throughout the NAB Cup sides receive $15,000 for each victory with a grand final win worth an additional $142,000 and runner-up placing $44,000.

If Brisbane went through the tournament undefeated they would pocket $202,000.

Holmes said there was no denying the financial incentive but stressed Michael Voss' focus would be on building towards round one.

"Our coaching staff are committed to getting the season off to a good start,'' he said.

"Prize money would be a nice reward, but it is not the motivation.''
 

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