Every AFL club previewed

Lance Franklin is set for a bumper year at Hawthorn - his last on his current contract. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

EVERY CLUB PREVIEWED: HAWTHORN'S season doesn't start until preliminary final weekend, while get set for some Carlton and Collingwood domination this year.

Our Herald Sun footy experts have gone through every club, scouring players to watch, SuperCoach bargains and analysing their years ahead.

SuperCoach is back! Free to play & you could win $50,000

And it's more good news for Mick Malthouse's Blues, with the prediction they could well be heading for a top-four finish.

>> SCROLL DOWN FOR LINKS TO EVERY CLUB'S PREVIEW

It's even better for Magpie fans. A top-two berth could be on the cards, with Travis Cloke set to form a crucial part of their flag hopes.

See Brad Johnson's take on every club with his exclusive SuperFooty videos

The drugs scandal could prove too much of a distraction for Essendon, while Brad Johnson predicts Geelong will be hanging on for dear life in 2013.

There's more pain ahead for the Dees, with former Cat Tom Gillies' career about to enter the crossroads, while the time is now for Robbie Tarrant.

He's tipped to stand up and make a name for himself in North Melbourne's forward line this year.

The finals beckon for Richmond finally, with great expectations to be placed on that colourful kid called Dustin Martin.

Ultimate SuperCoach form guide

Justin Koschitzke is about to have a heap of pressure dumped on him, with his place in St Kilda's side no longer guaranteed, while the Saints are also set for a tumble.

Meanwhile, it could be another long year for the Dogs, with their lack of scoring power again likely to resonate.

Click here for CARLTON'S season preview

Click here for COLLINGWOOD'S season preview
 
Click here for ESSENDON'S season preview

Click here for GEELONG'S season preview

Click here for HAWTHORN'S season preview

Click here for MELBOURNE'S season preview

Click here for NORTH MELBOURNE'S season preview

Click here for RICHMOND'S season preview

Click here for ST KILDA'S season preview

Click here for the WESTERN BULLDOGS' season preview

Click here for ADELAIDE'S season preview

Click here for BRISBANE LIONS' season preview

Click here for FREMANTLE'S season preview

Click here for GOLD COAST'S season preview

Click here for the GIANTS' season preview

Click here for PORT ADELAIDE'S season preview

Click here for SYDNEY'S season preview

Click here for WEST COAST'S season preview

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AFL rich-poor gap divides ranks

AFL Players' Association chief Matt Finnis has confirmed he is becoming increasingly concerned about the fate of players drafted to struggling clubs. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

AFL players say a widening chasm between the game's richest and poorest clubs is splitting their ranks.

Players believe the AFL system condemns some teams to extended spells in the lower reaches of the ladder - career-long in some cases.

The powerful player union yesterday said it could not rule out withdrawing support for key pillars such as the salary cap and national draft if the league failed to bridge the gap.

Footy's equalisation debate reaches flashpoint tomorrow when club and league chiefs meet to discuss ways to share the spoils of the game better.

In a submission to the AFL Commission, Geelong warned the fabric of the competition was threatened if the gap continued to grow.

The Cats forecast that players "would have reasonable cause to challenge the salary cap".

AFL Players' Association chief Matt Finnis yesterday confirmed he was becoming increasingly concerned about the fate of players drafted to struggling clubs.

Draft luck risks splitting game

League data reveals players at wealthy clubs are far more likely to experience finals and success.

What you missed on TV last night

"Basically, Geelong put in black and white what other clubs and the AFL know full well - that the game has been very reliant on player-based restraints to promote an even competition over the past 20 years," Finnis said.

Goddard plays it tough with teammates

"But if these measures are no longer achieving their desired outcome then it is incumbent on the AFL Commission to consider other mechanisms to balance the game.

"Unfortunately, we are seeing a growing divide in the competition between clubs.

"The gap in resources is growing and clubs spending more in football are getting better results on-field.

"This trend has increased in the past five years and is going to continue unless we do something about it."

Proposed equalisation measures include a "fan tax" on seats at blockbusters matches and a "pokies tax" on excessive gaming machines profits.

A "luxury tax" on the amounts clubs can pay on their football departments has also been floated.

Collingwood spent $21.2 million on its football operation last year, compared with North Melbourne's $16.5 million. The Western Bulldogs spent a league-low $15.7 million.

No team in the bottom four of football department spending has won a premiership since North Melbourne in 1999.

Bulldogs president Peter Gordon said yesterday: "I think there is general agreement that the more money you've got - the better you are likely to go on the field.

"If we also agree with the logical premise that the more even the competition and unpredictable the results, the better it is for the competition as a whole - then bridging the financial divide is in the absolute best interest of the game."

Wealthy clubs, including Carlton, Collingwood, Hawthorn and Richmond, met privately last month to discuss the push.
 

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Boss still on top dollar

Vote now on whether Andrew Demetriou deserves his mega pay packet. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

ANDREW Demetriou remains footy's highest-paid man.

The AFL chief executive earned $1.88 million last year, including performance bonuses of $440,000.

It was about $80,000 more than he earned in 2011, but short of the $2.2 million that Demetriou took home in 2010.

The league's executive arm, made up of eight members, earned $4.5 million in salaries and bonuses.

Figures released yesterday show the AFL turned a profit of $6.7 million in 2012 and enjoyed record revenues of $425 million. It was a return to the black for the league after recording a lost of $23.6 million in 2011.

About $290 million was distributed among the 18 clubs.

AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick said club memberships were up nine per cent - to 707,621 - while TV audiences also jumped.

Fitzpatrick attributed a two per cent fall in attendances to the fact the AFL was playing more matches at smaller, boutique stadiums.

"That outcome was consistent with our expectations linked to the fact that expansion clubs Gold Coast Suns and the GWS Giants were participating in 20 per cent of the total number of games," Fitzpatrick said.

"That principle is why we were pleased to support an initiative of the St Kilda Football Club to play an historic first premiership season game outside Australia when the club takes on the Sydney Swans in Wellington, New Zealand, on Anzac Day."

Demetriou said that under a proposal for a "blockbuster tax" on big home-and-away games, where fans would pay more for a seat, the price for some tickets at low-demand games could be cut.

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Pies 'getting sick' of Swan: Roos

Collingwood's Dane Swan and Dale Thomas. Are their antics hurting Collingwood? Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

SYDNEY premiership coach Paul Roos believes the antics of Dane Swan and Dale Thomas threaten to derail Collingwood's premiership campaign, declaring teammates would be "getting sick" of the Brownlow medallist.

Swan's rocky relationship with Collingwood was strained further recently when he gave a paid television interview without the club's permission.

While Thomas, who is known to be Swan's closest friend at the Magpies, then came out yesterday to declare he'll "never say never" about signing at another club, adding he has got to get "money in the pocket."

Roos said it was a growing issue for Collingwood and could hurt them in the way the Travis Cloke contract issue disrupted the club last year.

"I think Collingwood are extremely well placed to win a premiership this year," Roos said on Fox Footy's On the Couch last night.

"But if you have players that don't want to conform to your team ethos...I would suggest there would be some players at the Collingwood Football Club that would be getting sick of Dane Swan."

Roos, who was pivotal in establishing in Sydney's famous culture, said Swan was the main aggravator at Collingwood.

But he also targeted Thomas, who he said should know better.

"They know they are playing for a big football club- everything they do and say is going to be analysed," Roos said.

"We saw it last year with Cloke.

"I was concerned with Thomas the comments he made."

It is no secret Thomas is very close to Carlton coach Mick Malthouse.

He has also has strong ties to Carlton chief executive and former Magpie Greg Swann, whose family he lived with a short time in his early days with the club.

Roos said all these comments added up when trying to win a premiership.

"You have to understand what you're saying - you're playing for the biggest football team in Australia," he said.

"You know, even if they're tongue and cheek, someone is going to take them and put them in some sort of context.

"You have to be careful," he said.

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Goddard plays it tough with teammates

Gun recruit Brendon Goddard has high expectations of himself and his teammates since arriving at Bomberland. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON'S star recruit Brendon Goddard has wasted no time imparting brutally honest feedback to his teammates, and coach James Hird wouldn't have it any other way.

Hird revealed yesterday new leadership group member Goddard was quickly building a reputation for demanding more from teammates and himself.

Goddard's on-field sprays to teammates became a regular feature at St Kilda, but Hird said yesterday he had found the right balance in his five months at Essendon.

It came as Hird conceded Brownlow medallist Jobe Watson had struggled for motivation in his first month of the pre-season after his individual win.

But he says Watson is back on track, with Hird rating free agent acquisition Goddard the AFL's best player at times in recent years.

They will team up in the AFL's season opener against Adelaide on Friday night at AAMI Stadium.

Roos: Pies "getting sick" of Swan

"Brendon is an elite player. At times in his career he's been the best player in the competition, the impact he has on the game," Hird said.

AFL rich-poor gap divides ranks

"We expect him to play good football, but we don't expect him to be the best player every week. His leadership is outstanding. He is an outspoken person who speaks from the heart and he's got on well with his teammates.

Draft luck risks splitting the game

"He challenges his teammates and they have challenged him. When you mature as a group you trust each other to become more honest.

What you missed on TV last night

"You need to be totally honest, frank and care for people, but make sure we are all moving in the same direction with honest feedback, which this group has been good at this pre-season."

Brownlow Medallist Hird said he could give no advice to Watson about backing up from the medal, given he fractured the navicular bone in his foot and missed the following three years.

"Jobe is a professional. He has trained very hard. Coming out of a big year he lacked a bit of motivation in his first month but he soon regained that and is training at a high level. We have got no doubt he is ready for another big year."

The Bombers coach told Bomber TV the club needed to continue dramatically improving its defence if it was to challenge for higher honours.

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Bulldogs to give Goodes a shot

Amazing transition: Brett Goodes was the Western Bulldogs' player welfare manager this time last year, playing with VFL affiliate Williamstown. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Brett Goodes shows promise in an early NAB Cup match. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

THE Cinderella story of Brett Goodes will take another step today when the brother of dual Brownlow medallist Adam is upgraded to the Western Bulldogs' senior list.

Five players are expected to be elevated from rookie to senior lists before today's 2.30pm deadline.

Collingwood has two spots available, while the Bulldogs, Brisbane Lions and Richmond can nominate one player to be upgraded for the season.

SuperCoaches awaiting the potential upgrade of Port Adelaide's Kane Mitchell or Geelong's Mark Blicavs need not fear - they are still in the running to be replacements for teammates on the long-term injury list, so they can be elevated at any time.

The 29-year-old Goodes was the Bulldogs' player welfare manager this time last year, playing with VFL affiliate Williamstown.

Club football manager James Fantasia said Goodes' addition to the senior list would be warmly received by his teammates.

"They'll all be thrilled if and when he gets his opportunity to play," Fantasia said.

"He's certainly done it the hard way in terms of career path. I think this a dream come true for him. I'm sure there would have been a time when he thought the AFL dream might have passed him by."

Fantasia said Goodes was no guarantee to play in Round 1 against the Lions on Saturday week.

"I wouldn't want to pre-empt that completely," he said. "But what it does do is it shows that the coaches have got a lot of confidence in what Brett's doing and what he has to offer."

Ricky Petterd and Sam Lonergan appear to be in a head-to-head battle for promotion to the Tigers' senior list, while Lions football manager Dean Warren said either Sam Michael or Justin Clarke would be upgraded.

Geelong talls Blicavs and Josh Walker, both in contention to play Hawthorn in Round 1, are likely to be promoted off the rookie list as long-term injury replacements for Dawson Simpson (back), Lincoln McCarthy (foot) and Josh Cowan (achilles).

At Port, mature-aged recruit Mitchell is in the box seat to win a short-term senior spot in place of the injured Nick Salter, but last year's revelation Darren Pfeiffer is also in the mix.

Veteran Ben Hudson will win his way on to a fourth senior list.

Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh confirmed the club would upgrade two players today.

"We've got some set thoughts on it, but we haven't told any of the players yet," Walsh said.

BELOW: The rookie situation at your club

SANFL football - Woodville-West Torrens Eagles vs West Adelaide match at Unleash Solar Oval. Rory Laird marks. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE
Rookies: Ben Dowdell, Kyle Hartigan, Tim Klaosen, Rory Laird (above), Timothy McIntyre, Dylan Orval, Jack Osborn

Adelaide has a fit and full list of 40 and won't elevate a rookie on Tuesday.

"At this stage, barring a serious injury we won't be elevating any of our current rookies until the mid-season rookie upgrade (Round 11). (Our rookies) have all had good pre-seasons and have shown positive signs, with running defender Rory Laird the standout. Kyle Hartigan, a key defender recruited from Werribee, has also impressed." - Crows List manager David Noble.

BRISBANE LIONS
Rookies: Callum Bartlett, Jordon Bourke, Justin Clarke, Nick Hayes, Sam Michael, Richard Newell, Stephen Wrigley

Brisbane has one spot available on its senior list and will upgrade a player today.

"Certainly a couple that are in the running are two guys who played the majority of our NAB Cup games and that's Justin Clarke and Sam Michael. Sam played a ruck/forward role and Justin played a key back role." - Lions football manager Dean Warren.

CARLTON
Rookies: Tom Bell, Jaryd Cachia, Andrew Collins, Ed Curnow, Frazer Dale, Rhys O'Keefe.

The Blues had two vacancies on their list, but they have now been filled.

"We have Ed Curnow as an upgraded rookie and Tom Bell has been elevated for Andrew McInnes, who has a long-term injury." - Blues football administration manager Shane O'Sullivan.

COLLINGWOOD
Rookies: Sam Dwyer, Jack Frost, Michael Hartley, Ben Hudson, Kyle Martin, Caolan Mooney, Adam Oxley, Ben Richmond, Peter Yagmoor

Collingwood has 38 players on its senior list and can elevate two players.

"All of our rookies are in the frame ... we will avail ourselves of that opportunity to nominate two players, we've got the space to do that and we've been given the all-clear by the AFL to do that from a salary cap point of view." - Magpies football manager Geoff Walsh.
ESSENDON
Rookies: Lauchlan Dalgleish, Cory Dell'Olio, Hal Hunter, Ariel Steinberg.

Essendon has a fit list of 40 players so won't be elevating a rookie today.

"Thankfully we don't have a long-term injured player at this point in time." - Bombers football operations manager Danny Corcoran.

FREMANTLE
Rookies: Alex Howson, Sam Menegola, Craig Moller, Haiden Schloithe, Matt Taberner.

The Dockers have a full list of 40 and no room to promote a rookie.

Geelong vs Adelaide at Skilled Stadium, Geelong. Mark Blicavs over Sam Jacobs Picture: Klein Michael Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG
Rookies: Ryan Bathie, Mark Blicavs (above), George Burbury, Cameron Eardley, Jackson Sheringham, Josh Walker

The Cats have 40 on their list, but have put midfielder Josh Cowan, forward Lincoln McCarthy and ruckman Dawson Simpson on their long-term injury list, meaning they can accommodate three rookie upgrades before Round 1.

"It's nice to have that option of having a few rookies who are in form and giving the coach some options. We've got guys putting their hands up to play." - Cats list manager Stephen Wells.

HAWTHORN
Rookies: Andrew Boseley, Jonathon Ceglar, Amos Frank, Will Langford, Derick Wanganeen

The club has a full list of 40 and won't be nominating a rookie today.

"The club has placed Brendan Whitecross onto the long-term injury list and with Matt Suckling and Alex Woodward rehabilitating from long-term knee injuries we haven't made any decisions about upgrading a rookie player, which we can do at any stage throughout the season." - Hawks recruiting and list manager Graham Wright.

GOLD COAST
Rookies: Andrew Boston, Josh Hall, Leigh Osborne

With 42 players on its list, and also with a need to trim that to 40 next year, Gold Coast is not in a position to elevate any rookies.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Rookies: Joseph Redfern, Zachary Williams

With only two rookies on its books and a full playing list, GWS has no wiggle room.
 

St Kilda v Melbourne. MCG. Beau Wilkes battles for the ball with James Magner Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE
Rookies: Mitch Clisby, Tom Couch, James Magner (above), Nathan Stark

"We haven't got a nominated rookie spot, so players are only elevated in the case of long-term injuries. We have Max Gawn on the long-term injury list but he's due to come off in the next few weeks. James Magner and Tom Couch, who have both played AFL, are both on our rookie list." - Demons football manager Josh Mahoney.

NORTH MELBOURNE
Rookies: Tim McGenniss, Cameron Richardson, Ben Speight, Eric Wallace, Max Warren

North Melbourne does not have an available spot to upgrade a rookie.

PORT ADELAIDE
Rookies: Danny Butcher, Justin Hoskin, Kane Mitchell, Darren Pfeiffer

Port Adelaide has a full list of 40, but has Nick Salter on the long-term injury list and so can elevate a replacement.

"Tomorrow's irrelevant for us ... we can name a replacement for Salter whenever we want. It won't be happening (today)." - Power football manager Peter Rohde.

RICHMOND
Rookies: Ricky Petterd, Sam Lonergan, Steven Verrier, Cadeyn Williams, Orren Stepheneson, Ben Darrou

Richmond hasn't decided which of its rookies to upgrade, given ex-Demon Petterd has been solid all pre-season and former Bomber Sam Lonergan was exceptional in the wet last weekend. Lonergan might have to bide his time but Petterd is more versatile.

- No comment provided by club.

ST KILDA
Rookies: Tom Curren, Jackson Ferguson, Darren Minchington, Cameron Shenton, Jordan Staley

No upgrade space available with a full list to choose from.
 

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 03: Dane Rampe of the Sydney Swans runs with the ball during the round two AFL NAB Cup match between the St Kilda Saints and the Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium on March 3, 2013 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images) Source: Herald Sun

SYDNEY
Rookies: Shane Biggs, Brandon Jack, Jake Lloyd, Sam Naismith, Dane Rampe (above), Xavier Richards, Daniel Robinson

The Swans have Alex Johnson and Gary Rohan on their long-term injury list. Rampe, a Sydney-raised defender who has trained previously with the Western Bulldogs, is likely to get promoted as a fill-in for Johnson, while midfielders Jack - the younger brother of Kieren - and Lloyd are expected to battle for the other spot.

- No comment provided by club.

WEST COAST
Rookies: Jamie Bennell, Jeremy McGovern, Callum Sinclair, Simon Tunbridge

Mark Nicoski (hamstring) has been put on the long-term injury list, creating space for a rookie promotion. Ruckman Callum Sinclair could be called upon to help cover injured big man Nic Naitanui.

"The coaching staff don't usually promote anyone unless they think they will be in the (squad of) 25." - Eagles spokesman.

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Rookies: Mark Austin, Brett Goodes, Alex Greenwood, Lin Jong, Jack Redpath

The club has 39 players on its senior list and will upgrade Brett Goodes today.

"It's a great result for him. He's worked really hard over the pre-season and I think it's starting to play dividends. I think even his pre-season form has been enough to suggest he'll be a worthy rookie nomination." - Bulldogs football manager James Fantasia.

COMPILED BY: Warwick Green, Jon Ralph, Jay Clark, Sam Edmund, Eliza Sewell, Matt Windley

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Draft luck risks splitting the game

For richer or poorer: For Jack Ziebell, the draft lottery has netted him just one finals appearance in four AFL seasons - a thumping loss to the West Coast Eagles last September. Source: Getty Images

IT'S footy's version of sliding doors.

North Melbourne's Jack Ziebell was drafted with pick No.9 in the 2008 national draft.

Two selections later, his TAC Cup teammate Steele Sidebottom became a Collingwood player.

And according to the AFL Players' Association, that's where their journey from the Murray Bushrangers veers in vastly different directions.

At 22, Sidebottom has played in 13 finals, three Grand Finals and a premiership.

Sidebottom's Magpies are rolling in money, spending a massive $21.2 million on their football department alone last season.

The Pies also raked in a $7.8 million profit and announced a $36 million upgrade of their Westpac Centre headquarters.

Goddard plays it tough with teammates

For Ziebell, the draft lottery has netted him just one finals appearance in four AFL seasons - a thumping loss to the West Coast Eagles last September.

What you missed on TV last night

North's football expenditure in 2012 was just $16.5 million - a difference of almost $5 million a year the Pies can spend on an army of coaches, recruiters, sports science staff, medical staff and player welfare.

AFL rich-poor gap divides ranks

During the course of a career, the cumulative advantage at a rich club compared to a smaller club could be $50 million.

It's a divide the AFLPA says is splitting the game's 850 players into haves and have-nots.

The league's equalisation paper reveals players drafted to the competition's four powerhouse clubs have won 31 per cent more matches than those at the four poorest clubs since 2005.

The clubs are not identified, but are not hard to guess.

Footy's big spenders include Collingwood, West Coast, Hawthorn, Carlton, Essendon, Adelaide and Fremantle.

The perennial strugglers are Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, Melbourne, Western Bulldogs and, until recently, Richmond.

"Over time, the larger four clubs have won overwhelmingly more games than the smaller four clubs, and the difference in games is growing," the AFL discussion paper says.

In the past four years the AFL-designated "big four" have reached the finals 10 times, compared to just three appearances for the small four.

The data reveals cashed-up clubs even score more heavily in matches.

AFLPA chief Matt Finnis said they are trends that have to be reversed.

And the elephant in the room is the restrictions of the salary cap and national draft agreed by players under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

Finnis said AFL data shows these restrictions may have exhausted their usefulness.

"Players don't get to choose which club they are drafted to," Finnis said.

"If there are economic forces in the game which mean that not all players have an equal chance of optimising their careers, or winning a premiership, then you would expect the players would demand that those issues be addressed.

"Obviously fans will also lose interest pretty quickly if the competition becomes too uneven or predictable.

"Preserving the fairness of the competition is one of the main jobs of the AFL.

"That's why the clubs set up the AFL Commission in the first place - to make the long-term decisions, which will grow the game."

It's a dilemma for debate when clubs and league bosses meet tomorrow to discuss equalisation.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou yesterday acknowledged the imbalance needed to be addressed.

"I think everyone in the industry - not just the AFL, but lots of our clubs and even the richer clubs - are worried that the gap is getting greater," Demetriou said.

"That's why we are having the meeting (tomorrow). We'll be going into it with an open mind to hear some suggestions that might be put forward."

Demetriou said he did not have a personal view on a proposal to cap the amount richer clubs can spend on their football department, or a levy on seats at blockbuster home-and-away games.
 

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Crows skipper whacks Tippett

Adelaide Crows skipper Nathan van Berlo, right, training with Richard Douglas. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE'S players are delivering their most-meaningful strike at turncoat forward Kurt Tippett by signing long-term deals at West Lakes.

Captain Nathan van Berlo has joined lead ruckman Sam Jacobs and key defender Daniel Talia in committing to the Crows until the end of 2016 to signal their belief in Adelaide's AFL premiership bid is worth more than money on offer elsewhere.

Significant in the unprecedented pre-season signings is West Australian van Berlo and, in particular, Melbourne-born Talia have ignored the go-home factor and the potential to auction themselves to big money clubs at home.

By contrast, Tippett last year not only passed over his critical part in Adelaide's premiership jigsaw, but overlooked his home base in Queensland to score a million-dollar deal with AFL premier Sydney.VAN Berlo yesterday did not miss the opportunity to point out the stark difference between Tippett and the loyal crew he commands at West Lakes.

"(Tippett's defection to Sydney) was a clear example to the playing group of the feelings that occur when you don't want to be part of the playing group," said van Berlo who has personally challenged Tippett on his exit from West Lakes last year.

"The Kurt Tippett case was not handled well from his point of view - and the players certainly acted accordingly. They felt they were let down in many ways.

"They've seen the way they should not do it if they choose to leave our system.

"But I don't think we will have that case to deal with again any time soon. The players we have all want to be here - and that is the important thing. We want players who want to play for the Adelaide Football Club.

"Sam Jacobs, Daniel Talia, (Victorian) Richard Douglas," added van Berlo of players who have recently re-committed to Adelaide, "are all saying they can see what exciting opportunities lie ahead for us as a football club. They want to be a part of it - it signals to me they believe in where we are going."

Van Berlo arrived at West Lakes as a second-round draftee in 2004. He will return to Perth as a one-club player and the first non-South Australian to lead the Crows.

"I love the club and I feel I owe them a lot for the opportunity they gave me as an 18-year-old," said van Berlo who signed his extension after a month of smooth negotiation.

"I feel indebted to the Adelaide Football Club and feel I owe it to them."

Despite the go-home factor and extra lure at Fremantle where his younger brother Jay is listed, van Berlo says he has never considered living in Adelaide a burden - as Tippett did.

"I certainly still miss home and when my football career is over I will head back to Perth to live with my family," said van Berlo, a 163-game player at Adelaide.

"But while growing up, if someone said to me to do my dream job I had to move interstate or overseas, I would jump at it. People sometimes forget to do your dream job you might have to re-locate and it might mean some tough times.

"Half our playing group is from interstate - and it helps if we all agree to hang around and make success count."

Transport Safety investigators arrive at the scene of the fatal Salisbury Spitfire crash, a suspected arson attack at Mitchell Park and van Berlo signs a three-year deal with the Crows

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Crows confident they won't bomb out

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson says the Crows are focused on the tough year ahead. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

ADELAIDE is emerging from a ho-hum pre-season vowing its indifferent summer form is not a sign of a team still basking in last year's rise to an AFL pacesetter.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson says: "The hunger is still there.

"And we're ready ... we're hungry," added Sanderson who last season lifted Adelaide from 14th to second in the home-and-away series.

This promise will be put to the test in Friday night's AFL premiership season-opener at AAMI Stadium when the Crows are potentially walking into an ambush against an Essendon team determined to respond to its off-field, drug-based turmoil.

It will be the first warning to the Crows of how their now-prized scalp will be hunted this season.

But from captain Nathan van Berlo to Rising Star young defender Daniel Talia, the Crows players say they still have the hungry mentality of a team that wants to hunt glory in September.

"We've spoken about that in the pre-season - a lot of teams are going to come after us because we had a pretty good year with a top-four finish last year," said Talia.

"But we have to turn that back on ourselves - we have to say, we're still hungry; we achieved nothing last year, really. We did not make the grand final. We did not win the premiership as we wanted to.

"We want to go one better by making that grand final and winning it. And until we do we have done that, we should always be the team that is hungry.

"If people want to hunt us, we'll turn it back and hunt them."

Adelaide barely defended its pre-season NAB Cup title this summer while finishing the series with a 2-2 record filled with inconsistency. But Talia and van Berlo insist the scoreboard results fail to reflect Adelaide's planning for the premiership season.

"It has been a quiet pre-season ... but we have been focussed on what we are going to do (in the premiership season)," said Talia.

Van Berlo, who yesterday signed a three-year extension to his contract, adds the pre-season has delivered an
Adelaide team that is physically "stronger, fitter and faster" than last year.

Mentally the Crows are also primed to do better in Season 2013, van Berlo insists.

"We've trained harder this pre-season to have our bodies in better shape," said van Berlo. "But the attitude and hunger of the group is certainly there. We're burning to improve.

"While our performances (in the pre-season) have been criticised, we know we are very well prepared going into Round 1.

"We recognise the expectation (to be a top-four contender again) is there. That provides another challenge for the playing group. Last year we set out to try to re-establish the football club as a competitive unit, a team that other clubs would respect.

"We made some in-roads into that last year with the way we played our footy and the way we finished off our year.
But that is just one year. To be the club we want to become, we need to sustain that for years on end.

"The playing group is under no illusion that it is just going to happen for us - or that last year was a great year and we'll rest on hats on that. We need to knuckle down now and make sure this year and the years to come are consistent."

Adelaide on Thursday is expected to name just one debutant - teenage midfielder Brad Crouch who, by AFL rules, could not play last year despite being on the Crows list.

"He has shown in the pre-season that he is capable of handling the (AFL) level and intensity," said van Berlo.

"There has been a lot spoken about Brad; he is going to have some expectations to live up to, but he is a really hungry young guy who is going to keep working hard not just this year but years to come.

"We're nowhere near to having seen the best of Brad Crouch yet, but he has certainly has put his best foot forward in the pre-season. If he gets his chance on Friday night, he has deserved his spot."

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What you missed on TV last night

Fox Footy's On the Couch returned last night with Gerard Healy, Mike Sheehan and Paul Roos. Source: Supplied

DID you miss last night's AFL television shows? Rewind and catch up here on all of hot topics and big issues discussed.

AFL 360

* LAST weekend's NAB Cup final dominated the early part of the program and with good reason.

Host Gerald Whateley and Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson both agree there is nothing but upside for the Brisbane Lions after winning their first piece of silverware since the 2003 premiership.

Whateley said they would go into the season.

But Robbo believes the Lions need to reclaim the Gabba as a fortress.

However, Essendon senior assistant Mark Thompson later subtly questioned whether Whatetley and Robbo were overplaying Brisbane's win.

The Lions win the NAB Cup. Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source: Herald Sun

*As for Carlton, Robbo said the NAB Cup final just goo too hard for them.

"They were extremely disappointing and they need to toughen up, but they know that," Robinson said.

* And what of the Pies after being flogged by Geelong on Friday night?

Collingwood opposition analyst Rodney Eade was quick to heap praise on the Cats.

"They are a very, very, very good side," Eade said.

AFL rich-poor gap divides ranks

As for the Pies' performance, Eade played down the heavy loss - preferring to look at the club's pre-season as a whole.

While Thompson gave very little away in the lead up to the season-opener against Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

* Gun Sydney midfielder Josh Kennedy was a guest on the show, declaring the reigning premiers could not wait for the "real stuff" to begin.

ON THE COUCH

* ON THE Couch started 2013 with a bang thanks to former Herald Sun chief football writer Mike Sheahan, who posed this provocative question to kick things off.

"Who is going worse at the moment: the Australian Labor Party, the Australian cricket team or the AFL?" he asked.

Sheahan came in with all guns blazing, labelling it the "worst and most bizarre start to a season since 1997."

Round 1 will be split over two weekends and we will see only two games this weekend - Adelaide hosting Essendon and Fremantle taking on West Coast.

There will be no games in Melbourne.

Draft luck risks splitting game

The footy journalism doyen said he couldn't understand the scheduling of Round 1 and Paul Roos agreed.

* The topic of rule changes was a big talking point following the NAB Cup.

Roos noted there have been so many rules changes in such a short amount of time and question why.

The amount of free kicks paid during the NAB Cup in situations where they would not have been last year and vice versa was noted.

"It is a vastly different game to what it was 30 years ago," Sheahan said.

Host Gerard Healy did not share the sentiment.

Rule changes were a hot topic last night. Source: Getty Images

* THE panel looked at the summer that has been, and there was a lot to discuss.

The Essendon drugs investigation was at the top of the list with Sheahan declaring the AFL brand had been dented in a way he had never seen before.

He is of the opinion heads will roll at Essendon and was staggered that off-site injections were happening and no one at the club, or involved with the club, blew the whistle on it.

* The Kurt Tippett saga was discussed with Roos believing the Queenslander was the one "hung from the rafters" while other got off lightly.

There was a lot of talk over the off-season about how Sydney were able to afford a big money recruit in Tippett just after winning a flag.

Goddard plays it tough with teammates

Healy piped up to declare Sydney had been "crucified" by others clubs in this regard.

Roos said the Tippett signing was a "good pick up" and dismissed any suggestion bringing in a player on big money would disrupt the club's famous culture.

"When I played, I never worried about what others were getting paid," Roos said.

Kurt Tippett at the Sydney Swans. Source: Getty Images

* Sheahan pulled no punches when it came to the Melbourne tanking saga.

He said it was "rubbish" to suggest Craig Connolly and former coach Dean Bailey acted alone.

The carrot was too big for Melbourne, he said, and they went for the prize.

* Roos believed the antics of Dane Swan and Dale Thomas threaten to derail Collingwood's premiership campaign, saying teammates would be "getting sick" of the Brownlow medallist.

 Roos: Pies "getting sick" of Swan

Swan's rocky relationship with Collingwood was further strained recently when he gave a paid interview to Channel Nine without the club's permission.

While Thomas, who is well known to be Swan's closest friend at the Magpies, then came out yesterday to declare he'll "never say never" about signing at another club, adding he has got to get "money in the pocket."

Roos said it was an issue for Collingwood and could hurt them in the way the Travis Cloke contract issue disrupted the club last year.

"I think Collingwood are extremely well placed to win a premiership this year," Roos said.

"But if you have players that don't want to conform to your team ethos...I would suggest there would be some players at the Collingwood Football Club that would be getting sick of Dane Swan."

Roos, who was pivotal in establishing in Sydney's famous culture, said Swan was the main aggravator at Collingwood.

But he also targeted Thomas, who he said should know better.

"They know they are playing for a big football club- everything they do and say is going to be analysed," Roos said.

"We saw it last year with Cloke.

"I was concerned with Thomas the comments he made."

To read the full story and see all of Roos' comments on Swan, click here.

Collingwood star Dane Swan. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

OPEN MIKE

* COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire was the first guest of the year on Open Mike with Mike Sheahan, where he talked about his journey from Broadmeadows to the the top of his field.

* McGuire spoke in depth about his fall out with former Magpie coach MicK Malthouse, describing the situation as "sad."

* Said he will drive Malthouse's formal recognition as a Magpie great "when the time is right" despite their relationship break down. Read the full story here.

* McGuire defended Dane Swan, despite his recent antics.

Said he "gets" Swan and knows where is coming from.

Although he admits to handing out tough love at times. Believes Swan has a "good heart" and wants him to become a poster boy for kids from Broadmeadows.

Mick Malthouse and Eddie McGuire after the 2011 grand final loss. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

FOOTY CLASSIFIED

* Garry Lyon said Carlton need Lance Franklin and should throw the cheque book at him at the season's end. Is of the opinion that the Blues will this year identify the lack of a A-grade key forward as the "chink in the armor."

* Caroline Wilson reiterated her belief Mick Malthouse is the coach under the most pressure this year. Craig Hutchison disagreed, saying he believed it was the opposite.

* Wilson declared any suggestion Essendon is out of the woods is completely wrong. Matthew Lloyd said it was hard to see how the Bombers will be able to maintain consistent for this year.

* North Melbourne coach Brad Scott was the guest and said he accepts club chairman James Brayshaw for who he is and what he brings to the board. Stressed, however, he is not Eddie McGuire.

* Scott said he had never heard of any player even contemplating taking performance-enhancing drugs in his playing career and would be "bitterley disappointed" if he heard of anything like that going on at the Kangaroos.

* Scott said he had no issue with anyone on the AFL Laws of the Game committee. Said it should be remembered that Kevin Bartlett is also a radio entertainer and therefore wears two hats.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

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