Hawks punt on star's fitness

Underdone Hawthorn star Cyril Rioli will step out against Geelong tomorrow. Source: News Limited

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson admits Cyril Rioli and Brian Lake's preparation leading into tomorrow's blockbuster against Geelong at the MCG is not ideal.

He said both sides had taken a little bit of a punt on selections, pointing out that  Geelong had named Trent West.

"It's not always ideal going into round one and we'll just see how we go,'' Clarkson said before today's 30-minute training session at Waverley Park.

And he confirmed that 19 year-old Jed Anderson, whose wife is due to give birth in the next few days, will make his debut after being traded by Greater Western Sydney for Stephen Gilham.

"It's pretty exciting for Jed,'' Clarkson said.

"It's been a great effort for a lad to get drafted and then force his way into a side that played off in a grand final.''
Rioli (ankle) and Lake (calf) have not played since Hawthorn's opening NAB Cup game.

Lake, recruited from the Western Bulldogs, will be assigned key Cat Tom Hawkins as the Hawks attempt to break a nine-game losing sequence against Geelong.

Clarkson said the Bulldog veteran had been  recruited specifically to play on bigger players.

"Hopefully he will acquit himself well,'' he said.

"Hawkins has turned into an outstanding player in the competition and whoever plays on him, no matter what stage of the game it is or what stage of the season, it is a formidable task, so we'll see how we go.''

Clarkson said Rioli and Lake were "okay'' going into clash, despite their lack of game time

"It's not ideal going into round one without the same game time as some of the other players. They are quality players and both of them are All Australian players.

"Sometimes first up they can play really well too, and sometimes it's the second and third game that you're worried about.''

Clarkson said that after a long pre-season, Geelong and Hawthorn had to wait until the last game of the opening round.

"There is so much excitement and anticipation  around the first round of the season,'' he said.

"It's the latest game of the round and we can't wait to get out there and perform.''

Clarkson said he was again expecting a great contest from Geelong.

"We have always had great games against Geelong and we just haven't been able to get over the post in the pressure of last minutes of games so we need to get better at that,'' he said.

Clarkson was reluctant to make any comment about the controversial sliding rule.

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LIVE: Roos v Pies

Collingwood onballer Dayne Beams is out. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: The Advertiser

PRE-GAME: COLLINGWOOD'S short-term injury crisis has taken another turn for the worse with star Dayne Beams a late withdrawal from today's clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

LIVE HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats and more

The Pies replaced Beams with youngster Josh Thomas, will 26-year-old VFL recruit Sam Dwyer will have to wait a little longer for his AFL debut after being named the substitute.

The Roos enter unchanged with Liam Anthony set to start in the green vest.

North Melbourne touched up the Pies the last time they met late last year and enter the Round 1 clash full of confidence.

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Lights out for Dees as Power surges

Melbourne leaves the field lead by Jack Grimes Picture: Harman Stephen Source: HWT Image Library

IT FELL to Angus Monfries to put the polish on Port Adelaide's training drill on a rare run at the MCG.

That the former Bomber was able to mark uncontested on the edge of the goal square midway through the third quarter told only a part of Melbourne's sorry story.

The build up to Monfries' second goal for his new club was the ridiculous ease the Power players were able to ferry the ball around the southern wing in a wave of white jumpers.

Score review causes confusion at the MCG

Always one loose on the overlap to inevitably land the ball in the new forward's lap for another embarrassing goal.

Little wonder the patient Melbourne faithful broke into sustained hooting at the sound of the three-quarter time siren.

Generally, that reaction is aimed at the umpires - this time there's no doubt it was directed at their dysfunctional team.

The deplorable Demons had managed to scrounge a solitary behind from that third quarter after they were still in contest, facing a gettable 27 points deficit heading into the second half.

Simply, Melbourne never looked a winning chance.

Port Adelaide celebrate in the rooms after the game Picture: Harman Stephen Source: HWT Image Library

From the moment Port Adelaide pair Travis Boak and Hamish Hartlett took hold of the midfield duels in the opening minutes, the result was inevitable.

Only mystery was having to wait for the final siren for the full extent of the scoreboard carnage.

Nothing inspired the Melbourne players.

Not the ball hunger of new boy Jack Viney, not the gutsy comeback of key forward Mitch Clark, not even the spectacular "hanger'' mark and goal by recruit Cam Pedersen just before half time.

Live HQ: SuperCoach score, stats and more

Pedersen's goal left the Demons trailing by only 20 points, for goodness sake, with still half a game to play.What was Melbourne's response?

To allow Port Adelaide to dictate every aspect of play to literally stroll to their 79 points victory, only 10 short of the Power's greatest winning margin against the once proud team of the red and the blue.

Remember, the Power also had half a dozen new players in their line-up for what was a dream start for coach Ken Hinkley.

But the astute Hinkley knows his team won't be able to similarly run the ball unchecked and mark uncontested this season ... probably starting with a home assignment against the young Giants next Saturday night.Obviously, it's far too early to accurately assess Hinkley's effect on Port Adelaide.

The signs were healthy first up, like the midfield unit led by skipper Boak and Monfries class adding a new dimension to a forward set-up built around the dangerous Jay Shulz.

The Power players were disciplined, accountable to their opponents and worked together with a structure and purpose that was missing in their opponents haphazard ball use.

Mitch Clarke gets helped off the ground Picture: Harman Stephen Source: HWT Image Library

An interchange bench infringement when onballer Jordie McKenzie prematurely returned to the field early in the third term summed up the Demons dismay day.

But it was the complete lack of any system in Melbourne's play that most distressed its fans that made up all but a small pocket of the disappointing 22,924 crowd.

Viney's impressive debut was the only highlight of the Demons' bleak Easter Sunday.It started with teenager's breakaway burst, one bounce and pinpoint pass to Colin Sylvia midway through the opening quarter.

And he finished with 22 possessions, bettered only by captain Jack Grimes.In retrospect, the warning signs were flashing early for the Demons.

A free kick to Grimes was Melbourne's first effective kick ... and the contest had been running nearly six minutes.

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REPLAY: Dogs v Lions

Adam Cooney finds space against the Bombers. He's a certain starter today. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

4.38pm - Dogs 127 - 59 Lions

THE Western Bulldogs put Brisbane away by 68 points in a commanding display at Etihad Stadium.

Ryan Griffen was the star with 27 disposals in the rout which began with the Dogs kicking the first six goals of the match.

Bulldogs young gun Luke Dahlhaus (corky) was helped off the ground late in the final quarter after copping a knock to the back.

LIVE HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats, commentary and more

Meanwhile, mature-aged recruit Brett Goodes looked at ease in his AFL debut dominating across half-back.

Brisbane had no answers for the Dogs four-quarter onslaught with Pearce Hanley's report and an injury to Matt McGuire adding salt to the Lions' wounds.

4.03pm - Dogs 111 - 56 Lions

BULLDOGS Ryan Griffen and Shaun Higgins snapped a three-goal Brisbane run to hammer the Lions into submission at Etihad Stadium.

The Lions looked to add a bit of respectability on the scoreboard early in the final term but any inroads were quickly erased when Griffen and Higgins snapped back-to-back majors.

It's the Bulldogs first home-and-away win since Round 12 last year when the prevailed against Port Adelaide 95-57.

3.40pm - Dogs 105 - 42 Lions

IT'S a slaughter. The Western Bulldogs are charging towards the top of the AFL table with a commanding 11-goal lead nearing three-quarter time.

The Dogs outscored the hapless Lions six goals to one in a blitz under the roof at Etihad Stadium.

And it only got worse for the Lions when veteran defender Matt McGuire was subbed off with a lower leg injury.

McGuire, plagued by leg problems in recent years, hobbled off the ground during the third quarter.

LIVE HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats, commentary and more

He was substituted out of the hammering shortly after with Claye Beams taking his place on the field.

Tom Liberatore, Brett Goodes and stand-in captain Robert Murphy have been the pick of the Dogs.

Tom Rockliff has played a lone-hand for the Lions with 25 disposals.

The Lions were cruelled a goal late in the term when the third umpire deemed Jack Redden's dribbler in the goalsquare touched by a Bulldogs defender.

The goal umpire signalled a goal but it was overturned upstairs despite sketchy footage.

Bulldogs mature-aged recruit Brett Goodes clears from defence against Brisbane at the Etihad Stadium. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

3.22pm Dogs 85 - 36

THE Bulldogs have exploded in the third term kicking three goals to set up a 49-point lead over Brisbane.

Stand-in captain Robert Murphy sparked the surge threading a goal from deep in the forward pocket.

Daniel Giansiracusa made matters worse for the Lions converting a set shot from the goal square after being felled late in a marking contest by Pearce Hanley.

Hanley was reported for the late charge driving his knee into the back of the Dogs veteran.

Liam Jones capped off the dominant 10-minute burst kicking truly from 39m out on a slight angle to crush the Lions.

Lions recruit Stefan Martin cut the margin to 49 points with his first goal in maroon and yellow strips.

2.50pm Dogs 65 - 28 Lions

YOUNG Ayce Cordy has given the Dogs a 37-point buffer at half-time outmarking Lions defender Daniel Merrett in the shadows of the main break.

Cordy (two goals) clunked the strong contested mark at the top of the goal square to set up the buffer with the shell-shocked Lions reeling under the roof at Etihad Stadium.

LIVE HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats, commentary and more

Daniel Rich (four disposals, one goal) has been completely shut down by Dogs tagger Nick Lower while veterans Tory Dickson (two goals), Daniel Giansiracusa (two goals) and boom recruit Brett Goodes run amok forward of centre.

Goodes leads the Dogs with 13 disposals.

Tom Rockliff is the pick of the Lions with 19 disposals including four inside 50s.

2.32pm Dogs 47 - 21 Lions

HIGGINS, Murphy, Giansiracusa... goal! The veteran Dogs combine and moments latter Higgins adds the icing with one of his own.

LIVE HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats, commentary and more

They lead the Lions by a whopping 38 points nearing halftime at Etihad Stadium.

Tom Rockliff aside, the Lions are yet to fire a shot.

2.15pm Dogs 37 - 6 Lions

DANIEL Rich had to wait until the final minute for his first disposal - and it was a behind.

A quarter of total domination has the Western Bulldogs five goals up on NAB Cup premier Brisbane Lions.

SUPERCOACH STARS:

Luke Dahlhaus (42)
Tory Dickson (42)
Daniel Giansiracusa (39)
Ryan Griffen (38)
Adam Cooney (32)

FULL LIST AT LIVE HQ

It started inside the first minute, when Tory Dickson marked and goaled, and peaked when Adam Cooney wound back the clock to load up a magnificent set-shot from the pocket.

That was the Dogs sixth as they continued to smash a flat Lions outfit in the midfield. The Dogs manufactured just five more forward entries but were deadly efficient in attack.

2.08pm Dogs 37 - 5 Lions
THE Dogs kicked five goals from their first seven entries to fully punish the Lions with their midfield dominance. Have the Lions come to play?

LIVE HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats, commentary and more

The tackling pressure has been ferocious, and when Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney drilled the Dogs' sixth they led by 33 points.

Nick Lower has kept Daniel Rich to zero disposals late in the first quarter.

1.55pm Dogs 24 - 4 Lions

GOALS to Tory Dickson, Ayce Cordy, Luke Dahlhaus and Danial Giansiracusa have the Bulldogs firing early in their battle with the Lions.

Dickson ignited the Dogs when he took a clever mark before being awarded a 50m penalty, while the other three majors were all snagged on the run.

Daniel Rich has suffered a quiet start, with shutdown king Nick Lower tagging the high draft pick.

The efficient Dogs jagged four goals from their first six forward 50m entries.

PRE-GAME: BROWNLOW Medallist Adam Cooney will line up for the Western Bulldogs today with first-round draft pick Clay Smith set to start as the substitute at Etihad Stadium.

Cooney was hospitalised last week with a knee infection but trained strongly this week, with the Dogs and Brisbane Lions making no late changes.

LIVE HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats, commentary and more

Ball magnet Claye Beams will start in Brisbane's green vest, with the NAB Cup premiers the heavily-backed favourites.

Today marks All-Australian defender Dale Morris's first game in 595 days after snapping his leg in 2011.

Dogs coach Brendan McCartney said both clubs play a similar brand of football and his side had full respect for the Lions.

"It'll be who can do it the longest and the hardest," he said.

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Corey to miss Hawks clash

Geelong veteran Joel Corey will sit out Monday's clash against Hawthorn. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG veteran Joel Corey will sit out the Cats' Easter Monday blockbuster against Hawthorn after an interrupted pre-season.

As revealed in the Panic Room last Friday, Corey is expected to be eased back into the Cats' best 22 following minor setbacks in his preparation.

Meanwhile, Hawthorn is set to unleash young gun Jed Anderson in Monday's clash at the MCG.

The Northern Territory local has been named on the interchange bench alongside Shave Savage, Liam Shiels and defender Ryan Schoenmakers.

Former Olympics aspirant Mark Blicavs will lead the Cats' short-handed rucks division with Trent West starting on the pine.

HAWTHORN

B: J.Gibson, B.Lake, B.Guerra
HB: G.Birchall, B.Stratton, S.Burgoyne
C: I.Smith, S.Mitchell, B.Hill
HF: C.Rioli, L.Franklin, L.Breust
F: J.Gunston, J.Roughead, P.Puopolo
Foll: D.Hale, B.Sewell, J.Lewis
Int: J.Anderson, S.Savage, L.Shiels, R.Schoenmakers
Emerg: M.Bailey, K.Cheney, J.Simpkin

GEELONG

B: J.Rivers, T.Lonergan, C.Enright
HB: T.Hunt, H.Taylor, T.Varcoe
C: A.Mackie, P.Chapman, M.Stokes
HF: J.Murdoch, S.Motlop, B.Smedts
F: J.Podsiadly, T.Hawkins, M.Duncan
Foll: M.Blicavs, J.Selwood, J.Bartel
Int: T.West, J.Caddy, A.Christensen, G.Horlin-Smith
Emerg: J.Corey, J.Walker, J.Stringer

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LIVE: Giants v Swans

All eyes will be on Lachie Whitfield as the top draft pick makes his debut against Sydney. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

4.45pm: Swans 6 - Giants 0

RUCKMAN Mike Pyke has given the Swans the ideal start kicking a goal within 30 seconds of the opening bounce at ANZ Stadium.

The Canadian won soft a hands in the back free kick running with the flight of the ball and made no mistake from the set shot.

The Swans will be out to get their premiership defence off on the right foot after having their colours lowered by the Giants during the NAB Cup.

Giants top draft pick Lachie Whitfield started on the ground.

Adam Treloar has the job on Swans ball magnet Josh Kennedy.

Live HQ: Click for live SuperCoach scores and stats

Meanwhile, Taylor Adams (Giants) and Tony Armstrong (Swans) are the substitutes.

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10 things we learnt last night

Richmond buck poor opening round trend to beat Carlton.

Ty Vickery on a lead. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Trent Cotchin clears out of the middle. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

DON'T write off Chris Judd, Mick rethinks game plan, Cotchin takes charge and the MCG's magnetic goalposts. Here are 10 things we learnt from Richmond v Carlton.

1. JUDD STILL GOING STRONG

Anyone who thought the former Carlton skipper was a spent force should fast-forward the replay to the 20-minute mark of the third quarter. With the Blues looking for a spark, Judd put on a three-minute master class, kicking two goals and almost snagging a third with a snap that sailed wide. He finished the night with 27 disposals and 14 score involvements, the most on the ground.

2. MAGNETIC POSTS

The goalposts at the Punt Rd end couldn't stay out of the action all night. Three Tigers - Jack Riewoldt, Shane Tuck and Shane Edwards - slammed the footy into the woodwork in the first quarter, then Dennis Armfield did the same after the Blues switched ends. Chris Yarran also hit the post - at the same end - in the fourth quarter and some would argue his running goal in the second brushed the padding as it skidded through. A video review was inconclusive and the goal stood.

LiveHQ: Full match stats, SuperCoach points and more

3. MEET THE REAL BRYCE GIBBS

The 2006 No.1 draft pick has been tagged as an outside player with neat skills, but last night he showed what he could do when thrown into the guts. Gibbs was the top-ranked player on the ground with a huge 150 SuperCoach points from 34 disposals including 16 contested possessions - the equal most in the match with Trent Cotchin. What did Brett Ratten leave him down back for so long?

4. CAPTAIN COTCH

Cotchin showed why the Tigers handed him the captaincy before his 23rd birthday with a match-saving final quarter. Twice Cotchin came from nowhere to intercept what appeared certain Carlton goals and in the dying minutes, with the Tiger lead disappearing and most players out on their feet, he took the responsibility of the behind kick-ins. Richmond needed a bit of luck to get home but the leadership that was lacking in the closes losses last year was there for all to see.

Trent Cotchin clears out of the middle. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

5. MICK BINS GAME PLAN ... BUT FOR HOW LONG?

There has been plenty of discussion over the summer about how the Blues would adapt to Mick Malthouse's long kicking, stick to the boundary game plan. On the evidence last night, the answer was not well. Carlton appeared stagnant and without Travis Cloke to bomb the ball to in attack, the Tigers - notably Jake Batchelor, doing a good Joel Bowden impression in the No.11 jumper - cut off repeated forward forays with easy marks. After halftime Mick released the shackles and let the Blues play the run-and-gun style favoured under Ratten - and they almost pinched an unlikely win. Not that Mick was all that pleased. "By working one way you do rob yourself of some defensive play and we took that gamble so I'm not too sure where I actually sit with that. It got us back in the game, but I'm not 100 per cent sure you can keep having shootouts with sides," he said post-match.

Carlton coach Michael Malthouse talks to his players. Source: Getty Images

6. GREAT GAME, JACK

The reigning Coleman medallist finished with 0.4 for the night but don't be surprised if he earns votes in the Tigers' best-and-fairest award. Damien Hardwick was delighted with Riewoldt's team-first attitude, dragging opponent Michael Jamison - and often one or two other defenders - up the ground and creating space for unlikely heroes Ty Vickery and Luke McGuane. "I think it's one of the best games he's played for 12 months," Hardwick said of Riewoldt. Vickery showed his importance to the Tigers with nine marks and three goals, while McGuane chimed in with two and laid the game-saving tackle on Josh Bootsma in the final 30 seconds - just reward for a player who has been on the end of plenty of beltings in his 93 matches over eight seasons.

Blues say KO'd Robbo will play next week

7. KARATE KID

We're not sure what's in Vickery's DVD collection at home, but after last night we're betting Bruce Lee makes an appearance. Vickery channelled the martial arts legend when he protected himself while waiting for a looping handball on the wing in the first term. With Brock McLean closing rapidly, the Tiger big man extended his leg to basically fly-kick McLean in the face. But there was no free kick and Richmond swept the ball forward.

Picture gallery: All the action from the MCG

8. TEFLON JACKSON

Daniel Jackson has been run down more than once in his AFL career and Tiger fans had a sense of deja vu as Jackson waltzed into the goalsquare early in the third term only for Marc Murphy to latch onto him. But instead of pulling Jackson down, Murphy somehow slid right off allowing Jackson to drill the goal, seemingly oblivious to what had just happened. Won't be one for the "how to tackle" DVD.

Jack Riewoldt flies for a mark. Source: Getty Images

Daniel Jackson breaks a Marc Murphy tackle to kick a goal in the third quarter. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

9. 50-50 CALL

The Blues were mounting a charge in the third quarter before they shot themselves in the foot, giving away goals with consecutive 50m penalties. Michael Jamison was a bit stiff to be penalised for crossing into the protected area as he walked past Luke McGuane after the Tiger marked 45m out. The second 50m was more clear-cut after a filthy Nick Duigan noted his displeasure with a push in the back free kick to Jake King at the top of the goalsquare. Richmond kicked three goals from 50s, with Bachar Houli nailing a long shot in the second term after a late spoil by Shaun Hampson at centre half-back.

10. RIP HOODOO

Richmond's win snapped a nine-match losing streak against Carlton, the longest sequence since the Tigers lost their first 24 clashes to the Blues from 1908-1917. The two teams have played at the MCG in Round 1 every season since 2007 and before last night Richmond had won only one of those matches (2008), losing the other five by an average of 44 points. The next hoodoo on the Tigers' agenda is trying to play finals for the first time in 12 years. Their last September appearance was a preliminary final loss to Brisbane at the Gabba 4207 days ago.
 

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Robbo right for Round 2

Mitch Robinson comes off the MCG after getting knocked out. Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source: HWT Image Library

CARLTON hard nut Mitch Robinson is almost certain to play next week, despite being knocked out in the Round 1 loss to Richmond.

Robinson was smashed in a marking contest by Tigers forward Tyrone Vickery in the second quarter and lay motionless on the MCG turf for several seconds.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, video, stats and more

But Blues football manager Andrew McKay said the club was confident the midfielder would recover in time to face Collingwood next Sunday.

Richmond v Carlton, MCG, Mitch Robinson comes off the mcg, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source: HWT Image Library

McKay said that Robinson, despite being rendered unconscious, passed a concussion test on the interchange bench not long after.
"He's got to be able to pass the test during the week, but I don't see a problem because he actually pulled up really well even though he was knocked out,'' McKay said.

"He's alright, he's not too bad. The doctors were a bit concerned because he was knocked out. Just the fact he was out of it the doctors ruled him out.

"There was a period of time where he was unconscious and as soon as the docs were aware of that they weren't keen to put him back on.''

Jeremy Laidler will come under consideration next week after being surprisingly overlooked for the Blues' season-opener.

10 things we learnt from Tigers v Blues

McKay confirmed the defender wasn't injured, but may be suffering from a lack of match practice.

"He played the early NAB Cup games with a bit of indifferent form and he's one of the 25 vying for 22 positions next week,'' he said.

"We're in a fortunate position at the moment where most of the guys are fit and raring to go and 'Laids' is a quality player and I'm sure he'll be back in the team at some stage.''

But it's the philosophy rather than the personnel which is causing the club some early headaches.

Tigers say Tyrone time is coming

Malthouse admitted on Thursday night that he was wrestling with finding the right balance between his defensive principles and Carlton's attacking instincts.

"I learned a lot, they'll probably learn a lot. Just the methodology, the things you can do that work and things that don't work and you've got to start to get the balance right,'' Malthouse said.

"By working one way you do rob yourself of some defensive play and we took that gamble so I'm not too sure where I actually sit with that. It got us back in the game, but I'm not 100 per cent sure you can keep having shootouts with sides.''

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The Panic Room: Cooney cured

Matt Windley and Glenn McFarlane name the rookies and left-field picks to give you the SuperCoach edge.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Adam Cooney of the Bulldogs boxes during a Western Bulldogs AFL training session at Whitten Oval on March 26, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Source: HWT Image Library

DOGS fans don't fear, Adam Cooney has made a stunning comeback.

Word out of the Kennel is that Cooney absolutely brained them at Thursday's main training session, just days after coming out of hospital because of an infected knee.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, video, stats and more

He was zipping around like he hadn't missed a beat which had been the case throughout the pre-season until the mishap following the final practice match.

At today's open session at Etihad Stadium, Cooney did some cross-training and boxing but don't be alarmed as that's what he does the day before a game given the history with his troublesome knee.

And don't think he will be eased into proceedings tomorrow, watch for him to start either wing or in the middle and play 70-80 per cent game time.

Down Geelong way there are two premiership heroes very much under the microscope - Trent West and Joel Corey.

Cats ruckman Trent West has undergone knee surgery. Picture: Alison Wynd Source: Geelong Advertiser

West had minor knee surgery last month and hasn't played in the pre-season. While he's increased his training loads over the past couple of weeks it would be a very un-Geelong like risk to throw him straight into Round 1 despite the depletion of the club's ruck stocks.

Steeplechaser Mark Blicavs has already been named and expect fellow rookie Josh Walker to be his back-up.

Corey has had a number of minor setbacks over the summer and didn't play in the final practice match. Word has it he's not quite right and will be eased into the season.

SUPERCOACH ALERT:

There are dilemmas everywhere but Collingwood have thrown a couple of curve balls at us by naming upgraded rookies Jack Frost and Sam Dwyer on interchange. Both appeal given we're all desperately seeking cheap defenders (Frost) and forwards (Dwyer - also mid) at the luxury price of $96,200. Frost appeals as the one more likely to get over the three-game mark although don't expect big scores as he's an old-fashioned see-ball hit-ball defender.

Young Collingwood defender Jack Frost at training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Dwyer's problem is he's a half-forward flanker who is clearly only treading water until Dale Thomas, Andrew Krakouer and Alex Fasolo return from injury which could be as soon as next week.

MONEY MATTERS:

All week we agonised over whether to go for the big upset with the Gold Coast. If ever St Kilda are ripe for the picking it's tomorrow with a shot defence, no Leigh Montagna and playing in the humid conditions at Metricon Stadium.

In the end, one conversation changed my mind when I was reminded that the Saints have torched the Suns by 90-plus on both occasions and Nick Riewoldt loves playing against them. So the tip didn't go the Suns way but the line bet of +22.5 ($1.82) is gold.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt catches his breath. Source: Getty Images

Throw in GWS at +50.5 ($1.90) - because the Swans historically take a while to get up and running - and Geelong ($2.25) to win on Monday and we end up with odds of $7.78.

Hawk Jarryd Roughead joins the panel to provide inside SuperCoach info on the Hawks.

ON NOTICE:

North Melbourne.

The Roos keep saying they want to play with the big boys and be considered a legitimate top eight team. Well, Sunday is a perfect opportunity to do that given they are taking in a full-strength team - minus veteran Brent Harvey only - against an injury-hit Collingwood outfit who they beat by five goals at Etihad when they met in Round 21 last year.

North Melbourne skipper Andrew Swallow is a proven SuperCoach star. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

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Please Explain: Moneyball mayhem

Mark Neeld has overseen a massive turnover of the Demons list. But has it improved? Source: Getty Images

IN the first installment of a weekly series, Glenn McFarlane writes an open letter to a target who needs to be asked the hard questions in footy.

DEAR MELBOURNE,

We know you are only three days out from the start of your 2013 campaign, but we couldn't let the season start without issuing you with our first Please Explain for the year.

Leaving aside the teenagers you were able to pick up via the father-son rule (Jack Viney), the national draft (Jimmy Toumpas) and the trade period (Dom Barry and Jesse Hogan), we've got some serious concerns about your comings and goings since the end of 2012.

You've lost Brent Moloney (Brisbane) and Jared Rivers (Geelong) to free agency; let go Stefan Martin (Brisbane), Jordan Gysberts (North Melbourne) and Cale Morton (West Coast) in trades, and delisted Ricky Petterd, who was snapped up by Richmond.

In the trade/free agency window, you replaced them with Chris Dawes, Shannon Byrnes, David Rodan, Cam Pedersen and Tom Gillies, all of whom played second-tier football at stages of last season.

We shouldn't be too surprised by the strategy by which you attacked the off-season.

Has Glenn got it right or are the Dees on the right track? Leave a comment below

As far back as last July, coach Mark Neeld forecast that he was a big fan of the film Moneyball and intended to apply it to Demons' plans as he embarked on his second season as coach.

Moneyball was a good movie and an even better book, but we're not sure what happened at the Oakland Athletics baseball team applies to the Melbourne Football Club of 2013.

Brad Pitt in a scene from Columbia Pictures' drama film Moneyball. Source: Supplied

And what has happened over the pre-season has only increased our worries in terms of the shortfall between the Demons' in and out trays for 2013.

In fairness, Moloney and Rivers effectively walked out on the club. But both appear set for big seasons.

Moloney won a best-and-fairest two years ago and was one of the best contested ball winners in the AFL that season.

Last year he was a shadow of his former self, spending plenty of time at Casey Scorpions. We'd love to know why. Was it attitude as much as form?

Demons fans would have been watching with gnawed fingernails his form in the NAB Cup final when he constantly extracted the ball from contests. Eighteen-year-old Viney will be playing that role for the Demons this year.

Rivers is no Matthew Scarlett, but he looms as an important player for the Cats.

Why did he spend so much time forward in the second half of last year? He is an out-and-out backman.

Martin has the height and frame for AFL football, even if his output so far has not been where it should be. At Brisbane, he might achieve his potential.

We're not sure just what sort of output Gysberts, Morton and Petterd might give their respective clubs. But two were first-round draft picks, adding to the talent pool lost over summer.

Brent Moloney fires off a handball against Collingwood. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

What of the players the Demons got in return?

So much of the Moneyball philosophy is all about getting the right players for the right price.

Dawes might prove to be the right player - Neeld knows him well from his Collingwood days - but has he come at the right price?

On his 2010 premiership form, maybe. On what he has achieved over the past two seasons, not a chance.

There are two questions here. Can Dawes regain that form again? And will he justify the four-year, reported $2 million deal?

Dual premiership player Byrnes is about to turn 29. He might be worth the punt as an unrestricted free agent, but the fact remains he played only four games with Geelong last year.

Byrnes excited fans by kicking five goals in an intra-club game in February. But he has only done that once in an AFL match - back in 2009. And he has only six goals from nine games in the last two seasons.

Rodan is also 29. He will bring spirit, character and good teaching to the young Melbourne midfield, but has he got many kilometres left in his battle-scarred knees? He managed 10 matches for Port last year, averaging 14 disposals.

Can Pedersen and Gillies - effectively cast off by their former clubs - make their mark with their new clubs? The Dees hope so.

Neeld rightly wanted to change the culture of the playing list. Heaven knows it needed it. Good on him for having the courage of his convictions.

But on raw numbers the club is clearly further back in terms of talent than it was at the start of last season.

We'll surprise people: New Demons recruit David Rodan runs during a training drill at AAMI Park last month. Picture: Blair Hamish Source: Herald Sun

We will know more on Sunday when you take on Port Adelaide - a team that has heavily invested in the national draft recently.

Champion Data has rated the Demons' draw the easiest in the competition this year. Two games each against GWS and Gold Coast as well as 13 at the MCG.

We hope our concerns prove unfounded and that the Moneyball theory works.

Your fans have been waiting for far too long and deserve a break.

Good luck on Sunday.

Yours Sincerely,

Glenn McFarlane

PS...

1. DANYLE PEARCE
We loved the way you have slotted into Ross Lyon's exciting Dockers' outfit, but what's with the dance-stomp goal celebrations?

Fremantle's Danyle Pearce celebrates a great second quarter goal. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: The Sunday Times

2. BOB KATTER
Bob, you must be joking about your new policy of AFL players getting tax-breaks because of the joy they bring the fans. What about others who bring us joy? You left out little kids, cute puppies, Father Christmas, the Easter Bunny, and the Tattslotto reps who call you to say "You've won.''

3. THE MCC, AFL and CRICKET AUSTRALIA
C'mon guys, lock yourselves in a room and sort out your differences so we can have the first AFL match of 2014 before a massive MCG crowd.

4. ADELAIDE MIDFIELDERS
Maybe it is time you started lending Patrick Dangerfield a hand in the contests.

Follow Glenn McFarlane on Twitter @MaccaHeraldSun

Adelaide's Patrick Dangerfield under extreme pressure. Source: Getty Images

 

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