Lake out to prove critics wrong

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson with star recruit Brian Lake. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

TWO-time All Australian defender Brian Lake says he walked out on Western Bulldogs and joined Hawthorn in a bid to prove his critics wrong.

The 30-year-old - an All Australian in 2009 and 2010 - couldn't see himself playing a big role in the future of the Bulldogs.

After enduring a horrible 2011 season which was dogged by hip, knee and shoulder problems that many thought would end his Bulldogs career, Lake managed 20 games in 2012.

He finished 10th in the club's best-and-fairest but, with youth the cornerstone of Brendan McCartney's rebuild, Lake took a risk and made the move to the Grand Finalists.

"For me, it (leaving the Bulldogs) is to prove a lot of people wrong, they had written me off saying my body was shot and my knee was horrendous," Lake told his new club's website.

"After that terrible year (in 2011), I guess your value to other sides decreases but also to get back to the football I played previous to the injury was a major factor (in leaving) as well.

"(McCartney) was keen for me to stay (after 2011) and he saw a future for me at the club," Lake said.

Western Bulldogs training. Brian Lake leaves training. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

"(But) things have changed now with the way that club is heading, with the youth and the restructure of the backline.

"I saw Hawthorn as a perfect fit, at my age now, I don't know how much time I would have had at the Bulldogs to move on and hunt down that elusive flag that everyone dreams of having."

Lake watched the thrilling 2012 Grand Final between his new club and Sydney Swans knowing that it was possible that he'd been playing for the Hawks in 2013.

"It was a little bit weird, I did focus a little bit more on Hawthorn than on Sydney and the game," he said.
 

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My 2013 SuperCoach side (take 1)

ABLETT is a lock, Viney is a steal and here's hoping for a bit of Majak. Resident SuperCoach tragic Al Paton picks his line-up for 2013.

I held out as long as I could, but after SuperCoach Gold subscribers gained access to the advance team picker a couple of weeks ago, it was only a matter of time.

So while other family members were enjoying their Christmas bounty, I clicked on the SuperCoach website and compiled the first of what will be many incarnations of the line-up for the 2013 edition of my team Don't Argue.

See the full line-up below and leave your comments

Proving that I'm a sucker for punishment (I am a Richmond fan, after all), the team is built around the three players who gave me the most pain in 2012 - and who at various stages I vowed to never select again.

Greg Broughton was supposed to be a premium defender who could run in the midfield, but for some reason Freo coach Ross Lyon chose to play him in the forward pocket. Early in the season he was out of my team and on the "never again" list. But now he's at a new club (Gold Coast), where he should play a much-more SuperCoach-friendly role, he's cheaper and he now has dual-position status. Welcome back, Greg - no hard feelings.

I picked Bryce Gibbs last year in the expectation he would lift his game to a new level playing as a midfielder. Instead, he floated across half-back for most of the year, only showing signs of life after I finally bit the bullet and traded him out of my team (averaging 118 over the last five rounds). He also has a new coach for 2013 and Mick Malthouse has a habit of getting the best out of players. The fact he can be picked as a defender again is also a big plus.

The third change of heart is potentially the bargain of 2013, but he's also a very big risk - and I'm still not committed to picking him. When he plays in the midfield, Brisbane's Tom Rockliff is a rolled-gold SuperCoach star, which he proved by averaging 123 over the first five rounds of 2012. That was when (a) I traded him into my team and (b) Michael Voss decided he could be better used deep in the forward line. He went on to average about 75 for the rest of the season.

The positive from that personal disaster is that Rockliff can be picked as a forward in 2013 - and he's priced well below his potential output. If he plays in the middle. But that's still a big "if". I'll be watching his pre-season very closely.

The first-picked player in my squad was Gary Ablett, despite his huge $740,500 price tag. Anyone who hopes to have any success in SuperCoach will have to have Gaz in their side and while some will wait for his price to drop, I can't see it coming down much and don't want to use up a trade when I can have him from Round 1 - and get the extra points he brings every week.

New Richmond captain Trent Cotchin shows every sign of being the next Ablett so he's a lock in my side as well, along with Blue Marc Murphy who is pretty reasonably priced for a guy who can pump out regular 120-plus scores.

The fourth midfield spot goes to a guy entering his third or fourth season who is ready to explode - think Patrick Dangerfield in 2012. My pick (right now) is young Eagle Andrew Gaff.

The new team layout includes two extra midfield spots and opens the door for some mid-priced bargains. Luke Ball missed most of 2012 and could be the Lenny Hayes of next season. Andrew Embley is another player hugely under-priced after an injury-ravaged season. While his age (31) is a worry I have a feeling the Eagles will win plenty of games next season.

Another player returning from injury is Lions ruckman Matthew Leuenberger, who scored 100 and 103 in the first two rounds of 2012 then broke down in Round 3. He will be a very popular pick, along with All-Australian ruckman Nic Naitanui who can switch between the ruck and forward line.

I've picked Majak Daw as my back-up ruckman in the hope he'll get some game time after being elevated to the senior list, while the fourth ruck spot is a player who should never be called on - so I picked a guy who is cheap and can swing forward to provide added flexibility. And I like his name. Liam McBean, welcome aboard.

The other huge bargains are Gold Coast defender Nathan Bock (providing his knee recovers in time for Round 1, the signs are positive so far) and forgotten Magpie Brent Macaffer, who is cheaper than many first-year draftees.

Cat Travis Varcoe should be excellent value if he gets his body right, while young midfielders Jack Viney, Jaeger O'Meara and Brad Crouch should be on everyone's pre-season watch list.

And I'm giving Dustin Martin another shot. He disappointed plenty of SuperCoaches (myself included) in 2012, but pumped out plenty of big first halves only to fade after the break. Hopefully he's working on his stamina.

Or maybe that's just be the Tiger bias creeping out.

Here's my full 30-man squad - with the huge proviso that nothing is set in stone until Friday March 22.

Share your thoughts below or send me a Tweet at @al_superfooty.

DON'T ARGUE 2013 LINE-UP (version 1)

DEFENDERS
Brendon Goddard (Ess, def/mid) $541, 500
Bryce Gibbs (Carl, def/mid) $509,800
Jack Grimes (Melb) $472,400
Greg Broughton (GC) $441,900
Nathan Bock (GC) $297,400
Brett Goodes (WB, def/mid) $128,200
Dylan Van Unen (Ess) $109,500
Dean Terlich (Melb) $109,500

MIDFIELDERS
Gary Ablett (GC) $740,500
Trent Cotchin (Rich) $622,100
Marc Murphy (Carl) $602,900
Andrew Gaff (WC) $483,500
Luke Ball (Coll) $301,800
Andrew Embley (WC) $283,600
Brad Crouch (Adel) $115,900
Jauger O'Meara (GC) $115,900
Jack VIney (Melb) $109,500
Sam Dwyer (Coll, mid/fwd) $96,200

RUCKS
Nic Naitanui (WC, ruck/fwd) $611,100
Matthew Leuenberger (BL) $301,100
Majak Daw (NM) $115,900
Liam McBean (Rich, ruck/fwd) $109,500

FORWARDS
Lance Franklin (Haw) $618,000
Tom Rockliff (BL) $520,500
Dale Thomas (Coll) $515,800
Dustin Martin (Rich) $473,500
Travis Varcoe (Geel) $268,900
Brent Macaffer (Coll) $128,000
Tim Membrey (Syd) $109,500
Sam Rowe (Carl, fwd/ruck) $115,900

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Rocca the mask avenger

Former Collingwood player turned NFL punter Saverio Rocca has played his part in helping the Washington Redskins make the playoffs.

Washington Redskins punter Sav Rocca stops Dallas Cowboys' punt returner Dwayne Harris in his tracks. Source: AP

SAV Rocca would have the AFL's match review panel working overtime if he tried this touchdown-saving tackle in his former career.

Rocca today helped his Washington Redskins claim the final NFC playoff spot with a 28-18 win against the Dallas Cowboys.

With minutes to go victory was in the bag, but that didn't dim the competitive instincts of one of Aussie rules' most successful exports.

After sending a punt 43 yards late in the fourth quarter, Rocca watched as Cowboys punt returner Dwayne Harris stepped past his Redskins teammates and headed for the end zone.

Rocca brushed his opponent aside and launched himself at the charging Harris - employing a tactic he never got to try in 257 AFL games with Collingwood and North Melbourne.

Not content with simply pushing Harris out of bounds, Rocca grabbed the facemask of the Cowboy's helmet and slung him to the turf.

WATCH ROCCA'S TACKLE IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

The tackle cost the Redskins a 15-yard penalty - and Rocca might face a fine on top of that - but his coaches wouldn't have been complaining.

The Aussie finished the match with four punts at an average of 25.8 yards.

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Hudson key to Pies' plan

Recruit Ben Hudson at Collingwood training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Collingwood skipper Nick Maxwell says the Pies are close to a premiership. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Nick Maxwell runs laps during Collingwood pre-season training at Gosch's Paddock. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD captain Nick Maxwell says Ben Hudson's recruitment emphasises the importance of fellow ruckman Darren Jolly to the club's premiership chances.

Maxwell said the off-season influx of senior players - Hudson, Quinten Lynch, Clinton Young and Jordan Russell - indicated the Pies thought they were close to a flag.

He said Hudson could be the most important recruit of the lot as support for 31-year-old Jolly.

"Obviously, Jols has been outstanding for us since he came to the club, but we've got to be careful about how we manage his loads and how much we ask him to do because he's done a lot of ruckwork, the majority of it by himself, since he's come to the club," Maxwell said.

"We've got to make sure we manage him and so Huddo is a good back-up for us and also a good guy to have teach our younger players.

"Quinten Lynch will do some ruckwork, but then guys like Jarrod Witts, who we expect big things from this year, is going to hopefully step up and keep developing.

"With him and young Brodie Grundy, we think that those guys are going to work well with Huddo in the VFL and he'll really help them to develop."

When clubs top up with experience, public opinion often suggests the club thinks it is close to fielding a premiership team. Maxwell said that was a fair assessment of the Pies.

"Absolutely, we definitely think we're close," he said.

"We finished fourth last year and we didn't play very well all year.

"We lost ... guys to long-term injuries during the year and those guys can't be replaced. Luke Ball, Brent Macaffer, Andrew Krakouer, Ben Johnson and Lachie Keeffe, all those guys are going to come in and basically be like new recruits for us."

Maxwell said he was confident Lynch, Young and Russell could make an impact.

"We wanted to bring in guys who could fulfil a need for us as a club," he said.

"Quinten can play forward and do a bit of ruckwork, but we also know he's a different player to what Trav (Cloke) is, so he's a different fellow to have down there. Clinton Young we rated very highly."

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Nowhere to hide for Woods

Dale Thomas and Tyson Goldsack box at Gosch's Paddock. Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

IF THE handful of Collingwood players who did not make the training trip to Utah thought they could escape a fortnight of hard work, they were mistaken.

Nick Maxwell and Alan Didak stayed home for the birth of their children; Alan Toovey was recovering from a wrist injury; and Dale Thomas and Tyson Goldsack were on the way back from ankle surgery.

The quintet were joined by four players selected in the rookie draft.

"There's almost one coach to every player so there's nowhere to hide for anyone ... it's been a pretty good training block," Maxwell said.

He said it hadn't been tough to stay disciplined at training.

"If you're working amongst 40 guys it's easier to hide," the 29-year-old said.

"But the way we've been working has been good and from all the reports coming back they've been really happy with how the boys were training in Utah as well." 

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Sun shines bright for Bock

Gold Coast Suns defender Nathan Bock participates in a light pool session with his teammates. Picture: Brendan Radke Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

GOLD Coast vice-captain Nathan Bock has opened up about his year from hell, after waving 2012 away with a sense of relief.

Plenty of people welcomed in the new year with a sense of excitement last night but none more than Bock, who declared 2012 the toughest year he's had in footy.

It started with a two-week suspension stemming from a betting scandal the year before but the worst was yet to come as a broken leg and the jailing of his mother, Michelle Joy Bock, for drug trafficking, wrecked his season on and off the field.

The 29-year-old was candid about his year from hell, conceding the off-field issues with his mother took their toll.

"I'm happy to put this year in the back of the mind and concentrate on 2013,'' Bock said. "It was obviously pretty draining and it was frustrating at the start of the season to miss those two games because of the suspension.

"Then I felt like it took me a few weeks to get into form and the game I really felt the best was the one against Fremantle when I ended up breaking my leg.

"Then obviously the stuff with mum had been dragging on for a little while as well and the year was mentally quite challenging and physically very challenging.

"It was probably the toughest year I've had in footy.''

The former Crows defender is looking on the bright side though and believes his leg injury may even help extend his AFL career.

"That's one thought Bluey (Guy McKenna) has and it would be nice to play for as long as I possibly could,'' Bock said.

"I suppose you've got to look at all the positives and (the time I spent out) most of last season potentially could be put on the end of my career.

"I'll be 30 (this) year and most guys say if you can play until you are 32 or 33 then that is a great result.''

And the early signs in Bock's comeback are positive.

The veteran is a month ahead of schedule in his rehab and even began running last month.

"Initially I hadn't planned to start running until about Christmas but I've been running for about four or five weeks now,'' Bock said.

"Initially it just started with a five-minute jog on the AlterG treadmill, which takes a percentage of your body weight away when you run.

"I was building up on that for a few weeks and then just recently I had a couple of runs outside.

"But it's only been a few strides and it's still only a very slow jog.''

With his progress in mind, Bock is hopeful of joining the Suns' main training group by mid-February.

And the versatile tall still holds hope of striding out on to  Metricon Stadium in the Suns' season opener against St Kilda on March 30.

"I saw the surgeon just before Christmas and he was happy with the progress we're making,'' Bock added.

"I would like to think Round 1 is a realistic possibility but we will just have to play it by ear.

"You have a bit of a time frame to when you are back training at full intensity with injuries like an ACL.

"But this injury is a lot different and it just depends on how it feels and how it is progressing.''

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Suns gun awaits his fate

Harley Bennell during a Gold Coast Suns recovery session at Kurrawa beach, Broadbeach. Picture: Brendan Radke Source: Gold Coast Bulletin

GOLD Coast youngster Harley Bennell has saved himself from a severe club penalty after a night out with friends in Western Australia turned ugly.

Bennell was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and failure to obey an order given by a police officer after a large New Year's melee in his hometown of Mandurah, south of Perth.

He will front court on January 15.

The Suns will convene a meeting of the senior administrators and leadership group to determine if Bennell will get a club sanction once he has faced court.

However, the blow for officials has been softened by a phone call Bennell made to Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft, who is holidaying in Hawaii.

Bennell immediately alerted Ashcroft to the incident and issued an apology for his actions.

Twelve months ago, the former No.2 draft pick would have switched his phone off and gone to ground.

The last time he found himself in a minor spot of trouble back in Perth, when he was present at the scene of a misdemeanour, he did not contact the club and when they tracked him down he only released details that had already been made public.

But this time he has been in regular contact with Ashcroft and other administrators and the Suns are confident he provided full disclosure of events.

The 20-year-old was with friends when a series of fights broke out when nightclubs shut, sending hundreds of revellers into the nearby Smart St mall, where police were called at around 2.15am.

Bennell was arrested and taken to Mandurah police station, where he was charged and released on bail.
The Suns released a brief statement confirming the incident.

"As this is a police matter the club is not in a position to make further comment," the statement said.

Friends of the footballer said he had been trying to break up the fight.

Bennell has played 36 matches for the Suns since being recruited from Perth club Peel Thunder in the 2010 national draft.

He is the second WA-bred player to get into trouble at home during the off-season break.

Young Collingwood midfielder Marley Williams was charged with assault after an incident in Albany last week that left a man with a broken jaw.

- with Stivan Pucar

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Dees wait to face music

Melbourne forward Jeremy Howe drinks a beer at the MCG on Boxing Day before being asked to leave by security staff. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Former Melbourne player Jared Rivers (white t-shirt and sunglasses), who is now with Geelong, has to be restrained after being told to leave by security and the police. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

Richmond player Ricky Petterd is photographed throwing an empty plastic cup while at the MCG for the Boxing Day Test. Source: Herald Sun

Dom Barry leads James Magner and Tom Couch. Picture: Ian Currie Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE players asked to leave the Boxing Day test last week will face the Demons' coaching staff next week.

The Dees' first and second-year players returned to training this morning after some time off for Christmas.

But the trio who spent a boozy day in the rowdy Bay 13 section of the MCG - James Frawley, Lynden Dunn and rising star Jeremy Howe - will return to training on Monday.

The three Dees drew the attention of security and were asked to leave the ground after clashing with fellow spectators.

They attended the first day of the second test against Sri Lanka with former teammates Geelong's Jared Rivers and new Tiger Ricky Petterd.

Rivers and Petterd were also photographed in ugly exchanges with fans.

Frawley, one of Melbourne's best players, is a part of the club's leadership group.

It is unknown if the Dees football chiefs will penalise the players.

The Demons are in the process of responding to the AFL's tanking investigation.

Pic gallery: Holiday over for Demons
 

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One Dawes closes, another opens

New drive: Demons recruit Chris Dawes hammers a drive down the fairway at the Portsea pro-am yesterday. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: Herald Sun

CHRIS Dawes is embracing his new life at Melbourne, but admits he'll miss plenty of his Collingwood teammates.

"Especially given that 18 of them are premiership teammates," Dawes said.

"But I suppose the nice thing is at least I did achieve that (a flag ) there so I don't have that sense of unfinished business quite so much. With those blokes I played in a flag with, there's a handful I will remain close friends with."

Dawes said he was enjoying the youthful Demons.

"I've just been riding that wave of excitement really," Dawes said.

Gallery: Portsea pro-am

"When you get to a new club, you need to earn the respect of your teammates as quickly as possible and I've been trying to do that as best I can."

Dawes played famous golf course Pebble Beach in California during his holidays, a gift from his partner, Paige, and yesterday teed off in Portsea.

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2013 AFL predictions

If Andrew Carrazzo can combine father duties of his triplets with leadership, he could be the next Carlton captain. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE NAB Cup is just 43 days away and we're into the New Year. Time to shelve the countdowns and look to the future as we make 12 bold predictions about the 2013 AFL season.

We've broken them down into three categories - those likely to happen, those which could happen and a few longer shots. And yes, there's even some SuperCoach advice at the end.

Did Sam Landsberger get it right? Have your say below

FOUR LIKELY PREDICTIONS

House of Pain to return

WILL we see a visiting side sing the song at Patersons Stadium this year? Doubt it. Rewind just three years and 11 out of 21 times clubs boarded planes out of Perth with the four points in the bag. Not anymore. West Coast effectively boasts Jamie Cripps, Sharrod Wellingham, Mark LeCras, Mark Nicoski and Josh Kennedy as new recruits, while the Dockers finished 2012 full of steam with Ross Lyon's defensive mechanisms coming to the fore. Barring catastrophe, most experts say you can just about pencil the Eagles in as a top-four outfit and the Dockers aren't far behind. If that's the case we may as well cross out PS and scribble HoP on our 2013 fixtures.

Sides to cop two trips to Perth: Essendon, Richmond, North Melbourne, Adelaide

North Melbourne failed to live up to its big expectations against an undermanned West Coast at Patersons Stadium. Source: Getty Images

Match review panel to frustrate

MARK Twain got it wrong; the three certainties in life are death, taxes and inconsistency by the match review panel. One issue you can bank on surfacing this year again is the frustration fans, players and clubs will share at some decisions handed down.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 13: Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos shoulder charges Aaron Joseph of the Blues during the AFL Rd 16 game between North Melbourne and Carlton at Etihad Stadium on July 13, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Source: Herald Sun

Buddy Franklin's contract circus

BUDDY Franklin could become the Travis Cloke of 2013. The megastar Hawthorn forward is out of contract and certain to field a mountain of interest. There is little doubt Franklin will stay at the Hawks, but until he puts pen to paper, expect every meeting manager Liam Pickering holds to spark public interest. Pickering has already gone on record as saying Franklin won't leave Hawthorn, but the onus is now on both parties to get the deal done before it creates a circus. Hopefully for Hawthorn's sake that comes before Round 1, when it will be desperate to break the Kennett curse.

Lance Franklin kicks a goal for Hawthorn. Source: Herald Sun

Mick's baptism of fire

MICK Malthouse was quick to question Nathan Buckley's game plan after Collingwood's 1-2 start last year, and it looks like he could have some similar criticism fired his way early this year. The Blues' opening month reads Richmond, Collingwood, Geelong and West Coast in Perth. Yuck. Should Carlton go down to the bullish Tiger army in Round 1 it will be a hellish start for Mick. And it took half the season last year for Fremantle to click under Ross Lyon. How quickly can the Blues adapt to Mick's style?

Mick Malthouse,Carlton coach, Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FOUR PROBABLE PREDICTIONS

Carrazzo to captain Carlton

IF the bookies framed a market you'd suspect Marc Murphy would be favourite to take over from Chris Judd. But the way it's shaping, the man known as "Carrots" will lead the old, dark navy Blues this season. And while that would shock most, internally Carrazzo is held in high regard for his natural leadership despite his low profile. The Blues won't make a call until after the NAB Cup, where Carrazzo, Murphy and Kade Simpson will be given chances to excel in the role, but the mail as it stands is the 29-year-old is in pole, assuming he can couple the role with father duties to his triplets. And Mick Malthouse has never been one to simply appoint a superstar player as skipper, electing Nick Maxwell at the Pies and John Worsfold in his West Coast days.

Andrew Carrazzo at Carlton training. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Rotation policy to creep into footy

CRICKET Australia copped heat for its controversial rotation policy, but is this the year it really takes off in the AFL? High performance managers and conditioning coaches are booming right now, with several poached from rival clubs at the end of last season. Couple that with the substitute rule, more irrelevant matches than ever before and the likelihood of an interchange cap in 2014 and the rotation policy is seemingly on an upward trend. A glance at the average age of rookie draftees shows clubs now have replacements on their mind – expect Ben Hudson to pull on the black and white stripes when Darren Jolly gets sore and perhaps the same for Orren Stephenson at Richmond should big Ivan Maric need a spell. Chris Scott kept his Cats fresh in shrewd fashion in 2011 on their way to another flag, while expect an array of superstars to give the trip to Skoda Stadium a miss this year with "general soreness".

The Sydney Swans bench looks on during an AFL match against Melbourne. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Advertiser

Kurt Tippett will fire from the get-go

MOVING the hysteria of the salary-cap rorting and draft-tampering scandals to one side for a moment and focus on Kurt Tippett's preliminary final. Big stage. Big crowd. Big four-goal performance. The man did everything but drag the Crows into an unlikely Grand Final and will straighten up Sydney's forward line with aplomb. Tippett cost the Swans zilch, turns 26 in May and is ready to come into his prime. Slot him next to a developing Sam Reid, Adam Goodes and let draftee Tim Membrey lead up the ground and it could be a devastating forward mix for the premiers. It won't take long for us to remember just why Adelaide tried so hard to keep him. Hard to believe names such as Mitchell Thorp, James Sellar, Daniel O'Keefe, Tom Hislop, Brad Howard and Nathan Djerrkura were plucked before Tippett in the 2006 draft.

Former Adelaide Crow Kurt Tippett in a Sydney Swans jumper for the first time after his first training session with his new club. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

Tiger Time

FINALLY, the wait is over. Richmond's long-suffering army of fans will see September action this year. The signatures of Troy Chaplin and Chris Knights, the natural progression of their throng of talented youth and the return of Ty Vickery and a fair fixture means there are no excuses this year. Richmond threw away its top-eight hopes with a trio of consecutive last-gasp defeats last year and botched several chances early to topple finals-bound sides. Maturity should eradicate such brain fades and there will be enough chances to post the 13 wins needed to play in September.

Richmond's Brett Deledio, right, celebrates a goal with Dustin Martin in the Tigers' demolition job on Hawthorn at the MCG. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: AdelaideNow

FOUR BOLD PREDICTIONS

Saints to have their worst season since 2002

ST KILDA is the slider of 2013. The Saints won 12 games under Scott Watters last year but it's hard to see them replicating that feat, and they could have their worst season since the Malcolm Blight debacle a decade ago. Brendon Goddard is gone and the likes of Lenny Hayes, Nick Riewoldt, Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, and co aren't getting any younger. The gulf in the Saints list is similar to the Dogs, who were exposed in 2012 for that reason. The fixture looks OK, so that should help secure a handful of wins, but it could be a while until the core group of talented teenagers the Saints are starting to assemble clicks. Tom Lee and Tom Hickey are raw but come with high hopes, and while the Saints are on the right track long term, you just get the feeling there could be a stack of pain to bear first.

A dejected looking Saints side leaves the ground after losing the round seven AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the Carlton Blues at Etihad Stadium on May 9, 2011 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

James Hird's honeymoon will expire

IT'S time for James Hird to deliver. He's entering his third year with a 50-50 win-loss ratio and one embarrassing finals appearance. The Dons fell off the map last season as injuries mounted to monumental levels. But the Round 10 loss to Melbourne and the showings against Richmond, a depleted North Melbourne and Carlton late in the season were sub-standard. With Brendon Goddard onboard, a fit list and the Brownlow medallist (Jobe Watson) leading the way, the Dons must march into the top eight. If not expect Hird to feel some heat for the first time in the coaching chair. Essendon can't afford to peter out like it has in the second half of the past two seasons.

Essendon coach James Hird talks with Mark McVeigh. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Dylan Shiel the next big thing

NAT Fyfe is too obvious, Joe Daniher isn't ready and Lachie Whitfield is too young and raw. So let's go Dylan Shiel. Some at the Giants are tipping the strongly-built midfielder to win the club's first Brownlow medal. And while that won't happen this year, Shiel is a special talent and expect that to shine through quickly. He crept onto GWS's list in subtle fashion – secured as one of the 17-year-old priority selections sans the fanfare that accompanies a prized draft ranking. Shiel's TAC Cup coach, Graeme Yeats, said at the time Shiel could have gone No. 1 if he wasn't seized a year early. This is a powerful midfielder with pace and excellent skills. Some scouts say he is the next Chris Judd in the making. If he stays fit in 2013, keep an eye on him. You won't be disappointed.

Carlton vs GWS at Etihad Stadium. Dylan Shiel clears from defence Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Giants to leapfrog the Suns

THIS is a long-shot, but with a friendly draw and a slice of luck (and no second-year blues), it's a red-hot chance. It's early, but it looks the Giants have the Suns beat in their handpicked array of 17-year-olds. Names like Jeremy Cameron, Adam Treloar and Dylan Shiel have serious potential. Shiel's been mentioned already, Treloar is one of the finest teenage playmakers in the land, while Wayne Carey reckons Cameron could wind up the best forward in the game. Compare that to Gold Coast's dozen, including Taylor Hine, Josh Toy and Alex Keath (who have all departed), and it smacks of a nice, early boost. It's a free hit for the Giants this year… they're expected to claim a second wooden spoon before Leon Cameron steps in. Pinch a win against the Suns, Dogs, Dees and Port and avoid the bottom rung and it's a big win. And if they do, Guy McKenna must be under the pump. After all, the prez wants a flag by 2015…

GWS stars Tom Scully and Adam Treloar celebrate the Giants emphatic victory over Gold Coast. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

And finally… SuperCoach steals

I CAN'T sign off without some SuperCoach chat and when the competition opens on February 1 (mark that down in your diary) sign up, log in and select Jack Viney. He's cheap ($109,500) and good enough to command a place in your starting side. Viney has been monstering pre-season training and showed in the VFL last year he's ready to mix it with men. Jaeger O'Meara is the other midfield lock, while Ben Jacobs as a defender looks a shrewd selection. I'm loving Pies rookie Sam Dwyer and Swans bargain Tim Membrey as bench options up forward, while he's been hyped before, but it does finally appear as if this is Shaun Higgins' year. The Dogs say he is flying and, not to put the mozz on him, but if his body holds up he'll be in my Round 1 side. Good luck!

Western Bulldogs vs Nth Melbourne an Etihad Stadium. Shaun Higgins fires as a handball as he is tackled by Michael Firrito Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

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