Dyson to step up

Essendon defender Dyson Heppell is looking to make an impact further up the ground. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON young gun Dyson Heppell says the backline has been perfect for his development, but it is time to move up the ground.

Heppell stormed on to the AFL scene in 2011, playing every game as he went on to win the NAB Rising Star award from West Coast's Luke Shuey.

He backed up that performance with a 20-game season in 2012, averaging 21.5 possessions, mainly across half-back.

Now the next step, the 20-year-old said, was to have more of an influence further up the ground.

"I've been doing a lot of work with the midfield group," Heppell said.

"It's definitely a goal of mine to become more of a midfielder. I enjoy playing across half-back as well, but it'd be great to push into the midfield. It's been a big learning curve the last couple of years.

"Playing a bit more in the midfield last year was a bit of an eye-opener, I suppose, to how hard you have to work to be able to become a dominant player in the position."

Heppell said the club's dramatic slide in the second half of 2012 had been driving the players through summer.

But he said the arrival of Brendon Goddard from St Kilda had added extra impetus before what the club hopes will be a return to the finals this season.

"Last year most definitely still sits in the back of your mind. Obviously it's fantastic to get Brendon down to the club, but of course he's not going to do it all for us.

"The club has identified a few different things that we can change throughout the pre-season and I think it's working well so far.

"Everyone's looking forward to getting in to a few games already."

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Hawks worry for Tassie

A Tasmanian firefighters battles a blaze. Source: Herald Sun

Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox. Source: News Limited

HAWTHORN Football club has made a $10,000 Red Cross donation to help bushfire victims at its second home base in Tasmania.

Captain Luke Hodge was among several players who spoke with chief executive Stuart Fox yesterday to express their concerns.
 
The club will visit regions affected by the bushfires and help assist the recovery effort on its annual community camp in Tasmania next month.
 
The 2008 premiers have played home games in Launceston since 2001 and last year signed up 8700 Tasmanian members. 
 
Fox yesterday expressed his sympathy and support for those affected by the disaster.
 
"The Hawthorn Football Club family wishes to extend its deepest concerns for all those in Tasmania who have been affected by the devastating bushfires," Fox said. 

 
"Many families across the state now face an enormous challenge to rebuild their lives and livelihoods, and we offer our support and encouragement in what is an extremely difficult time for the community.
 
"Our small contribution is the least we can do for a state and a community that continues to support our football club. 
 
"Hawthorn Football Club would also like to acknowledge the brave efforts of the firefighters, emergency service officers and volunteers across the state."

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2013 club-by-club fixture preview

Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard must wait until Round 4 to come up against his old side. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

A mountain of hype is already surrounding Mick Malthouse's showdown with Collingwood in Round 2. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

THE Hawks twice or the Giants twice? Two trips to Perth or an array of Friday night blockbusters? Six-day breaks or a lengthy spell? These are the quirks that can define a club's season and the careers of coaches and players alike.

Over the next five days SuperFooty will bring you a comprehensive guide to the fixtures of all 18 clubs.

Today we add Collingwood, Essendon and Fremantle to the list already includes Adelaide, Carlton and Brisbane.

Tomorrow, we preview Geelong, Gold Coast and GWS.

COLLINGWOOD:

EASY GAMES:
A four-round midseason stretch against the Lions, Dees, Dogs and Power (with a bye tossed in the middle) should give some June relief for Magpie fans. The Pies travel just five times, and three of those are against bottom-eight sides. And their first road trip isn't until Round 7, when they head west to take on the Dockers.

CRUNCH GAMES:
Geelong, West Coast and Sydney all at the MCG will be huge. Throw in the four combined bouts against Carlton and Essendon and those are the games that will make or break Nathan Buckley's side.

TOUGH GAMES:
The Magpies must face the two sides who combined for a one-two knockout punch of the Pies last September twice – Hawthorn and Sydney. That hurts. Should we pencil in Sam Mitchell for six Brownlow votes now? Meanwhile the trip to Patersons to face Fremantle will also be a big test. Six six-day breaks aren't ideal, while the Pies will have just five days off before Anzac Day.
 
ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
Again, can't go past the showdown with Mick Malthouse. The Round 2 blockbuster will have the eyes of the football world watching on as the one-time Collingwood hero tries to plot its downfall from the cockpit of its greatest rival. This will be huge, and, for once, edges Anzac Day as the most eagerly-awaited Magpie match.

SUMMARY:
"Balanced" was the word chief executive Gary Pert used when the draw came out and it's hard to argue with. Seven Friday night matches is a typical commercial boom, while the Pies will own a lot of Sunday football this year as the AFL tries to ramp up interest after a swathe of uncompetitive and poorly attended matches to end rounds in 2012.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v North Melbourne (ES)
Round 2 v Carlton (MCG)
Round 3 v Hawthorn (MCG)
Round 4 v Richmond (MCG)

Collingwood players listen to instructions during their pre-season training session. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON:

EASY GAMES:
Only the Giants twice of last year's bottom four in a bit of a blow. But a trio of matches against Port Adelaide, GWS and the Dogs from Rounds 15-17 should provide some late-season wins, a rarity for the Dons in recent years.

CRUNCH GAMES:
It starts Round 1 with a stand-alone trip to face Adelaide. Geelong in Round 7 will also be a big test, while the Bombers' final three games could prove their most defining. They end with North Melbourne, Carlton and Richmond – three sides who punters think will be fighting for a lower-rung finish in the eight, much like Essendon.

TOUGH GAMES:
Take your pick. Two trips to Perth, Collingwood twice and a duel with premier Sydney at the SCG. The Dons also face West Coast twice, while six six-day breaks will put pressure on "The Weapon" to get the Bombers match-fit.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
Lock in Round 4 v St Kilda. The Brendon Goddard match. The Dons pinched the Saints' marquee man in the first major free agency coup and you can expect a bit of spite in this one, at least from over the fence. The Round 11 match against Carlton – marking Essendon's 140th anniversary – will also be one with a big build up.

SUMMARY:
Plenty of tough encounters but a good test for Bombers, who are ready to take the next step, at least according to the punters. Should find the 13 wins needed for finals action if they're good enough.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Adelaide (AAMI)
Round 2 v Melbourne (MCG)
Round 3 v Fremantle (PS)
Round 4 v St Kilda (ES)

Essendon legend James Hird can see change for the better on the horizon. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

FREMANTLE:

EASY GAMES:
The Dockers host the Dogs, Tigers, Dees, Lions, Roos, Saints, Giants and Power. Hard to see any of those sides heading west and collecting the points. Then when you factor in road trips against lowly sides such as Melbourne, the Suns, Dogs and Saints (who the Dockers beat last year) it makes for a cushy ride. Expect Fremantle to peak midseason. Following the Round 11 bye it plays five of its next six games at home.

CRUNCH GAMES:
Round 1 v West Coast. The stand-alone derby will be a ripper, while the Round 7 duel with Collingwood at home will also help shape the Dockers' year. Away ventures to meet middle-rung sides like Richmond (Round 17) and Carlton (Round 19) will also be big.

TOUGH GAMES:
The Perth clubs hate the long trip to Tasmania, and that's exactly what Fremantle has copped in Round 4 against Hawthorn. Must also travel to Geelong and to the SCG to face Sydney. Hard to see many wins there.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
The Round 1 derby – a home game for Fremantle – will be a monster clash. These sides hate each other and it'll be great for the entire football world to tune in and see it with no other matches that day. You can bet the coach has also earmarked the two matches against St Kilda as ones he desperately wants to win.

SUMMARY:
A big win off the field with a pair of home Friday night bashes early. The travel schedule isn't ideal but the first four home games, against the Eagles, Dons, Tigers and Magpies should generate a mountain of hype. If the Dockers can continue their momentum from the tail of 2012 they'll be exciting to track on the big stage.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v West Coast (PS)
Round 2 v Western Bulldogs (ES)
Round 3 v Essendon (PS)
Round 4 v Hawthorn (AS)

Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich kicked six goals in the elimination final win over Geelong. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE:

EASY GAMES:
Seven of Adelaide's away games are against non-finalists, giving the Crows a dream chance to push for another top-four finish. And expect Brenton Sanderson's mob to fire early. They don't meet a 2012 finalist until Round 6 (Hawthorn), and play just one 2012 contender in the first eight weeks. Adelaide also has no return matches against top-four sides.

CRUNCH GAMES:
The Crows host grand finalists Hawthorn and Sydney at AAMI Stadium. Pencil those in as eight-point games, while a trip to the Gabba to face the Lions in Round 2 – a fixture the Crows threw away last season with a sloppy loss – could also prove pivotal.

TOUGH GAMES:
Two trips to Perth is never easy, especially in the back half of the season. Rounds 18 and 23 the Crows head west, ending their home-and-away campaign against West Coat. Ouch. Trips to the MCG to face Carlton and Collingwood could shape as finals barometers.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
The Crows will avoid a home-and-away bout with Kurt Tippett, so you can't go past the two showdowns against Port Adelaide.

SUMMARY:
Two Friday night blockbusters, including the season-opener, is a big win commercially. And it seems on the field the Crows have again hit the jackpot. Three MCG games will help come September, while the platform is there early to again

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Essendon (AAMI)
Round 2 v Brisbane Lions (G)
Round 3 v Port Adelaide (AAMI)
Round 4 v Western Bulldogs (AAMI)

Follow Sam Landsberger on Twitter @SamLandsberger

Crows chairman Rob Chapman has vowed Adelaide will be a big player in the free agent market next year. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

BRISBANE LIONS

EASY GAMES:
The Lions will back themselves to take six wins from six games against the Dogs, Dees and Suns. A stretch of late-season games against the Suns, Roos, Dees, Port, Saints, Tigers, Giants and Dogs will define whether Brisbane is a legitimate finals contender. Only four six-day breaks is an added bonus and should keep Michael Voss's side fresh.

CRUNCH GAMES:
Home games against sides in the bracket one up from Brisbane will prove pivotal. The Lions host North Melbourne, Carlton and St Kilda and must start winning those encounters to take the next step.

TOUGH GAMES:
Plenty. Fremantle in Perth, Geelong in Geelong, Collingwood at the MCG and Sydney at the SCG. The Lions also travel to Tasmania to face Hawthorn and host West Coast at the Gabba. But, Brisbane did knock off the Eagles at home last year and will take confidence from that.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
Nothing stands out, but Stefan Martin and Brent Moloney will enjoy heading back to the MCG to face the Dees in Round 5. The Q-Clashes should step up a gear if Gold Coast can become competitive more often than not.

SUMMARY:
A blow to the old Fitzroy fans with just four games in Melbourne and one in Geelong. Particularly when the Lions requested six games in Melbourne. But a clutch of games against lowly sides and a soft run to the line will please Voss.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Western Bulldogs (ES)
Round 2 v Adelaide (G)
Round 3 v Gold Coast (MS)
Round 4 v North Melbourne (ES)

Sunday Mail - Lions v Suns AFL at the Gabba Photo - David Kapernick Picture: David Kapernick Source: HWT Image Library

CARLTON:

EASY GAMES:
The Blues cashed in seven of their first eight games in Melbourne, although there are some tough opponents in there. Collingwood is the sole 2012 finalist the Blues face twice, while they have doubled-up against Port Adelaide. Carlton also finishes with the Power, Dogs and Suns inside the final six rounds. Here's hoping the late-season trip to Metricon Stadium goes better than last year.

Bold 2013 predictions: Saints to slide, Tigers to rise and a surprise Blues skipper

CRUNCH GAMES:
Plenty, starting with Richmond in Round 1. In fact, the opening five weeks will set the tone for Carlton's debut year under Mick Malthouse. It reads; Tigers, Pies, Cats, Eagles (away), Crows. If the Blues can scramble to a 3-2 start you'd think they'd take it. Duels with Brisbane away and the Richmond-Essendon double late in the year should also help define Carlton's year.

TOUGH GAMES:
The Eagles away in the first month is the first real litmus test for Carlton. A three-game stretch of Hawthorn, Sydney away and Collingwood will also test just how far the new Blues have come.

ONE WITH ADDED SPICE:
Round 2. Mick Malthouse v Collingwood. Is there a game the football world is more eagerly anticipating than that? She'll be an absolute corker in front of a packed MCG on a Friday evening. Imagine Mick walking off a winner and screaming out "we're the old, dark navy Blues" against the side he steered to five Grand Finals and a breakthrough flag? Bring it on.

SUMMARY:
A challenging month early, but as the Blues said when the fixture came out, you may as well get them out of the road early. The Blues kept their 9-8 split of games between Etihad Stadium and the MCG, but will be disappointed the first Mick v Collingwood blockbuster is an away fixture. An even mix with the majority of games against sides in the middle tier.

OPENING MONTH:
Round 1 v Richmond (MCG)
Round 2 v Collingwood (MCG)
Round 3 v Geelong (ES)
Round 4 v West Coast (PS)

Carlton Training Mick Malthouse lays down the law Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: HWT Image Library

Tomorrow: We preview Collingwood, Essendon and Fremantle

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Burgess turns torch on Port players

Dom Cassisi and the rest of the Port Adelaide playing group were monitored over the Christmas break. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

ANY Port Adelaide player hoping for some sympathy from fitness boss Darren Burgess while Adelaide bakes in the heat should have a rethink.

After two years working with English Premier League club Liverpool, Burgess is enjoying the sun.

And his enthusiasm for extending the boundaries for players is fueled by the hot weather.

"I like training in the heat, it adds a great effect to the players," Burgess said.

"It makes everything a little bit harder.

"That makes them work harder so I am a fan of it. I did not see much of it over the last few years so I am welcoming it."

What impressed Burgess at Liverpool was the players' resilience. It is a mental toughness he wants to establish at Alberton and tireless work in the sun fits comfortably in his thought process.

"I want the Power to be a resilient team," he said.

"That is hard to get with a young team so we want to fast track that.

"With a young group you have to take them out of their comfort zone. There will be different drills and activities they have probably not done before to take them out of their comfort zone - that is the mental toughness."

The Power returned to work yesterday after a 13-day break but technology advances ensured there was no cheating the system while absent from Alberton.

The players had to meet targets for time trials, skinfolds and weight and they were constantly monitored.

"Every session was monitored for each player so we knew if anyone was not doing it or not doing it well enough," Burgess said.

"The players were really good and I could not compliment them any higher.

"The group as a whole, for being a young group, their enthusiasm and commitment is first class - it was a really nice surprise. There was no cheating, no hiding. Not only did we know what they did but we know exactly where they did it as well. So it is nice technology to have.

"Over the 13 days they had some time off - it was important to freshen them up. They had had a solid six weeks and no one lost fitness over the break. In fact, the 3km time trial was better than November when we last tested them. That was positive."

Burgess praised Kane Mitchell as a running machine and said fellow recruits Olilver Wines, Tom Clurey, Mason Shaw and Jake Neade were good runners with speed and endurance.

"The fitness side of things ... they are outstanding recruits," Burgess said.

"We will have to wait and see the skills side of things but certainly from a fitness point of view they are great."

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Tiger cleared over cricket scuffle

Richmond recruit Ricky Petterd is seen throwing a plastic beer cup at another cricket fan during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND forward Ricky Petterd has escaped club sanction for clashing with cricket patrons during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG last month.

Petterd was with four former Melbourne teammates who were evicted late in the day after some ugly exchanges with fans in the rowdy Bay 13 section of the ground.

After meeting with Petterd, the Tigers yesterday confirmed the goalkicker would not be punished.

The rest of the group, featuring Dees trio Jeremy Howe (pictured above left), Lynden Dunn and James Frawley (left) and Geelong recruit Jared Rivers are also expected to avoid heavy penalty.

Melbourne and Geelong are set to formalise their decisions later in the week.

The Melbourne players resumed training at Casey Fields yesterday.
 

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Rich sets standard for Lions

Daniel Rich at training today with the Brisbane Lions. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE Lions star Daniel Rich says players, not coaches or administrators, should be responsible for setting conduct standards on and off the football field.

Behaviour has again been in the spotlight during the Christmas break, with players from several AFL clubs involved in ugly incidents.

Gold Coast midfielder Harley Bennell has been arrested and charged for his role in a New Year's Eve brawl in Mandurah, Western Australia.

Collingwood midfielder Marley Williams was charged with assault in Albany in December while three Demons were in hot water over a boozy Boxing Day at the MCG.

Rich did not agree that the incidents were a sign of players, freed from the scrutiny and pressure of the premiership season, going overboard.

He did, however, insist that it should be left to club management to enforce conduct guidelines.

"It's a big focus here that you train hard and when you're away, enjoy yourself but don't do anything stupid," Rich said.

"We shouldn't rely on the coaches to be like schoolteachers.

"The boys have respect for the coaches and (behaviour) should be driven by players."

Lions coach Michael Voss is a big fan of Rich's attitude.

"I thought Daniel Rich had an outstanding pre-season last year and really stood head and shoulders above a lot of players," Voss said recently.

"He's still training at the same intensity but more are actually joining him at that standard."

Rich, 22, averaged almost 22 disposals last year and ran second in the club champion award, just two votes behind Joel Patfull. Barring any mishaps he is set to play his 100th AFL match this season.

There will be pressure on the midfielders to keep improving after the arrival of former Melbourne player Brent Moloney.

Incumbents Rich, Tom Rockliff, Jack Redden and Andrew Raines all had strong seasons last year but Moloney, Claye Beams, Jared Polec and Dayne Zorko will push for ball-gathering roles alongside former skipper Simon Black.

"It's been like that since I got here," Rich said.

"There's a lot of guys training well, running well, young midfielders pushing hard."

The Lions' quest for respect, rather than silverware, is an ongoing theme.

They finished four wins outside the eight last season, but signed off with wins against Adelaide, Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs.

"I don't know what other teams would think of us. But it is about earning that respect," Rich said.

"If you're not making finals and you don't have as much respect . . . that's what you're here to do.

"These (pre-season) weeks are a stepping stone to that. It's in the back of the mind that we finished well."
 

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Crows murdered in first session

Rory Sloane, Brodie Martin and Luke Brown suck in some air during their tough first session back after the break. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

LIKE the majority of Australians, the Adelaide Crows returned to work yesterday, but they had it a bit tougher than most.

The players weren't given an opportunity to ease back into things after the Christmas holidays, snapped back to reality with an arduous three-hour training session in sweltering conditions at Max Basheer Reserve.

Running - both sprints and endurance - played a large role, while the squad also ran through some match simulation and skill drills.

While all the players had programs to complete over their 17-day break, midfielder David Mackay was expecting to be tested, particularly with the extreme weather.

"We knew that coming back we were going to have a hard session and the boys did pretty well," Mackay said.

"We're working on a lot of our contested ball stuff, our tackling is something we're really trying to improve.

"We've ramped up the running probably a bit this pre-season. Having that two or three weeks less, we've had to squeeze a little bit more in.

"It's been a really tough pre-season but the boys are in really good shape."

Most of the squad was on the park, with only the first-year players missing while they attend their AFL induction camp in Melbourne.

Captain Nathan van Berlo and Patrick Dangerfield had light sessions as part of their workload management, while Bernie Vince (shoulder), Jared Petrenko (shoulder) and Luke Thompson (ankle) are recovering well from their injuries and completed most of the training.

Rookies Tim McIntyre and Rory Laird led the way in the running, while Josh Jenkins left the track early after copping a heavy knock.

Mackay said he "feels great" and that the Crows have improved through the pre-season.

"I feel like I've shaken off the injury trouble that I've had and managed to get a lot of training under my belt," he said.

"I think as you get a bit older and get a bit more mature, your body just adapts to it and you become a bit more hardened.

"I feel like I can really attack this year in the best shape I've been in and that's pretty exciting."

While the players tore up the track, coach Brenton Sanderson was given another week off to stay in Europe for a whirlwind honeymoon after getting married to Veronika Tammeova in the Czech Republic on January 4.

"I haven't heard from Sando, I think he's back next week, but I'm sure he's having the time of his life over there," Mackay said.

"It's a little bit different, but he warned us he wasn't going to be here, so we've got (Mark Bickley) and Scott Camporeale and Dean Bailey taking over, so there's no shortage of coaches around to run the show."

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O'Meara targets Round 1 debut

Gold Coast youngster Jaeger O'Meara is hoping to debut in Round 1. Picture: Tim Marsden Source: The Courier-Mail

HE'S like a Christmas present that has sat under a tree for a year before it could be opened.

Jaeger O'Meara has become part of the furniture at Metricon Stadium over the past year, but it wasn't until he joined his Suns teammates for the first training session of 2013 yesterday that he was pressing for selection.

O'Meara was pre-listed by the Gold Coast as a 17-year-old at the end of 2011 in the GWS mini-draft but was ineligible to play until this season.

Had the Suns not chosen to give up the fourth pick in that draft to the Giants to warehouse him for 12 months, the West Australian midfielder would have been forced to wait for the 2012 draft when he would have most likely been the first name called.

But unlike Lachie Whitfield, who GWS made the No.1 pick last year, O'Meara has already completed two pre-seasons and played NAB Cup after receiving a special allowance by the AFL for last year's pre-season tournament.

So even though he is the same age as this year's intake, he turns 19 on the day the Suns begin the NAB Cup against Hawthorn and Brisbane, the expectations are he will play seniors often.

O'Meara has shouldered expectations ever since he was called the next Chris Judd as a 16-year-old and booted four goals in an impressive WAFL debut.

"I think that is more external pressure," he said.

"But having said that I do like a bit of pressure, I like feeling like I have to perform."

He never considered trading the experience of joining the AFL a year early for another 12 months of anonymity.

He stacked on an extra 7kg of muscle to an already impressive physique and had surgery to correct a chronic groin injury.

"Coming a year early really helped me focus on my development as a footballer," he said.

"I've been able to just concentrate on getting my body ready and have definitely benefited from being exposed to an elite environment.

"I am very grateful for that."

Suns coach Guy McKenna has been spoilt by elite teenage talent in his first two season as an AFL coach, but admits he spent the past year wishing he could select O'Meara and says there is no doubt he is ready to go.

"He certainly doesn't look his age, he looks like a man ready to play football," he said.

"He has done everything he can to give himself every chance to play Round 1."
 

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Judd payment saga to drag on

Carlton and Chris Judd's are challenging the AFL ruling that the dual Brownlow medallist's third-party deal with Visy must now be paid under the salary cap. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE stoush over Chris Judd's third-party deal with Visy may not be decided until a grievance tribunal is held next month.

Carlton, in conjunction with the AFL Players' Association, has challenged the AFL's ruling that Judd's $200,000 annual payment must be included in the Blues' salary cap.

The Players' Association is confident Judd, 29, has strong grounds to appeal the league's ruling.

The former Blues captain has been paid the money outside the cap for the past four years, but the AFL changed its stance in November.

It is unlikely the tribunal hearing will be held this month, meaning the issue may not be resolved until the eve of the NAB Cup, which starts on Friday, February 15.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse has warned the AFL it has made a mistake.

"When you start changing the rules halfway through, I'm just astounded," Malthouse said.

"I don't think it's fair on either (Carlton or Judd) . . . and any other player. The league may have been painting themselves into a very, very dark corner."

The Blues will hit the training track tomorrow at Visy Park in their first major hit-out since Christmas.
 

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AFL recruits get reality check

The AFL Players' Association General Manager of Player Development Brett Johnson says young footballers must understand contractual dealings after the Kurt Tippett saga.

Young Richmond ruckman Liam McBean, centre, listens in during a seminar at today's AFL induction camp. Picture: Andy Drewitt Source: Herald Sun

Former Richmond forward Nathan Brown was one of the guest speakers at today's AFL induction camp for first-year players. Picture: Andy Drewitt Source: Herald Sun

THE newest crop of AFL footballers were told yesterday of the series of setbacks they can expect to encounter during their careers, which on average will last only six seasons.

Former Richmond and Western Bulldogs forward Nathan Brown told the 106 first-year players at the AFL players' induction camp at Etihad Stadium of the horrific broken leg he suffered with the Tigers in 2005.

The newcomers were shown the sickening replay of Brown's foot facing the wrong way after his leg snapped.

But it just wasn't the broken leg, mended with the help of a metal rod, that robbed him of probably 80 or 90 games of footy.

Brown said he suffered on-going problems with the leg after his hasty comeback and admitted he shouldn't have returned for at least 12 months, instead of trying to be a "big man" so he could line up against his former side in the opening round.

The players were also told they would have to deal with being dropped and could encounter many outside issues, including those stemming from relationships.

Other former and current players, plus AFL Players' Association staff, discussed and conducted workshops on a range of topics relevant to young players and what services and support are available to them.

The players will be taken through the AFL's various respect and responsibility policies today, including illicit drugs and gambling.

AFLPA general manager of player development Brett Johnson said it was important for the players to realise early in their careers that there is life after football.

"It's getting harder and harder for players so it's important that our services keep pace," Johnson said.

He said some mature-aged recruits had already worked full-time or had degrees and had a good understanding of the balance required compared to the majority of new players who had come straight from school.

With 13 per cent of players having multicultural backgrounds, and another 9 per cent being indigenous last year, Johnson said it was important to cater for everyone.
 

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