Hodge expects Buddy big pay cut

Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge, pictured here alongside the other 17 AFL skippers, expects a pay cut as the Hawks move to keep Lance Franklin. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN captain Luke Hodge expects a pay cut as the AFL club tries to keep Lance Franklin.

While Franklin's decision to defer contract talks until post-season is the big-ticket item, Hodge and former skipper Sam Mitchell are among other premiership stars the Hawks must re-sign.

Hodge, 28, who played just 10 games last year because of injury, said he and 30-year-old Mitchell were at the stage of their careers where ``we don't have quite as much pull as Franky does''.

"As you get older it's proven in the past that you're going to have to go lower so that the younger blokes coming through can get paid probably a little bit more than what they deserve,'' Hodge said.

But the Hawks won't break the bank on Franklin either.

"The club have thrown Buddy the best offer we can give with the blokes that we've got on our list,'' he said.

"It's up for Bud to take his time this year, have a good think about it and see where his future wants to be.''

Hodge was in no hurry to re-sign and said his deal didn't need to be a priority as there was no doubt he'd stay a Hawk.

He was confident he could recapture career-best form this season despite coming off knee surgery and last year's illness and injury troubles.

"If your expectations drop then you probably shouldn't be playing,'' Hodge said.

He said the knee was fully healed but doubt remained over whether he'll face Geelong on Easter Monday.

The Hawks are out to break a nine-match losing streak against the Cats since their 2008 grand final win.

While Hodge would love to be out there, he has learnt the hard way that rushing back is not smart.

"I made the mistake last year of coming back probably a little bit early with my calf and hurt that just before round one,'' he said.

"We deliberately haven't set a date that I'm going to be back.

"We'll just take it as it comes.''

The Hawks also hope Cyril Rioli (ankle) and recruit Brian Lake (calf) can face the Cats.

Lake's return would be particularly useful.

The club recruited him to combat power forwards such as Geelong's Tom Hawkins, who kicked six goals including the winner after the siren in their most recent meeting.

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Riewoldt relies on blood jabs

2013 preview: Fox Footy expert Brad Johnson says the Saints need to find the next group of stars to take the baton from Nick Riewoldt and Co.

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

ST KILDA captain Nick Riewoldt continues to be injected with his own blood to help prolong his career.

Riewoldt will rely on a German medical technique to nurse a degenerative left knee injury through the AFL season.

"Yeah, it's something I've got to manage and I think ultimately it will be the thing that probably forces me to retire. But certainly I've got a few years left yet,'' he said today.

"It has been ongoing for a while now. I managed it pretty well last year. I was able to put in a pretty solid year until I got injured (missed the last three rounds) with a totally unrelated injury.''

Riewoldt has the Orthokine therapy at the Olympic Park Sports Medicine Centre. The treatment remove proteins from the blood that inhibit inflammation and are injected to the affected joint.

"They take your blood and - am I allowed to say inject? - and I've had some pretty good success from that,'' Riewoldt said.

"If I start to get sore and swollen, it's something I can go to. So, we have that up our sleeve.

"It's a concentrated burst. You have six weeks go of it and that lasts for six months.

"They spin the blood and take out the concentrated anti-inflammatory part of your blood and then inject it back.''

American basketballer Kobe Bryant and baseball slugger Alex Rodriguez are among other sportsmen to use the technique.

Riewoldt said the treatment allows him to continue to train during the season and play a match at full capacity.

On the long-term prognosis for the knee, the Saints skipper said: "If I want to go and run marathons, it's probably going to be an issue. But if I want to walk 18 holes at golf, I should be fine.''

The skipper also shed light on the Saints selection dilemma bolstering their short-handed backline.

Sean Dempster (hamstring) looks set to miss Round 1 with former Docker Dylan Roberton the likely replacement.

Rhys Stanley would also be considered in a more defensive role but he too is sidelined with a knee injury.

Riewoldt said he was happy with the club's attacking options with Beau Maister, Terry Milera, Ahmed Saad and Trent Dennis-Lane enjoying solid pre-season campaigns.

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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.

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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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Crows skipper whacks Tippett

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

ADELAIDE captain Nathan van Berlo has re-signed with the club and delivered a swipe at former teammate Kurt Tippett.

The WA-born midfielder joins lead ruckman Sam Jacobs and key defender Daniel Talia in committing themselves to the Crows until the end of the 2016 season.

Van Berlo said Tippett did not handle last year's contract saga well and left his Crows teammates feeling let down.

After months of speculation, Tippett eventually left the Crows and joined premier Sydney. But he will not play for the Swans until Round 12 because of an AFL suspension for draft and salary cap offences.

"I guess that was a clear example to the playing group of feelings that occur when you don't want to be a part of the playing group,'' van Berlo said.

"In the Kurt Tippett case, it wasn't handled well from his point of view and the players certainly reacted accordingly to that and felt like they were let down.

"They've seen ways they shouldn't do it if they choose to leave our system. But I don't think we'll have that case to deal with any time soon.''

Van Berlo spoke today after the club effectively announced its skipper would see out his playing career as a one-club player.

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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"It was a no-brainer for me to make the decision to stay. With the direction the club is heading in at the moment, I certainly want to be a part of it and I'm really excited to be here for another three years," van Berlo said.

"To be able to spend my whole career here means the world to me. I think I owe it to the club for giving me the opportunity in the first place. I dreamed about playing AFL footy growing up and the club gave me the chance to live that dream."

Van Berlo, who made his debut in 2005, has played 163 games.

Adelaide list manager David Noble said van Berlo's signature was another boost for the club on the eve of the 2013 season.

"Nathan is the ultimate professional and a role model for our entire squad with his strong durability and leadership qualities." Noble said.

"Nathan has been here eight years already and his decision to re-sign for another three is a great vote of confidence in our club's direction."

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Demetriou cashes in on bonuses

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

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou received $440,000 worth of bonuses last year, the league's annual report reveals.

The game's most powerful man earned $1.88m in 2012, a package which included superannuation, bonuses and an $88,000 pay rise.

He pocketed $2.2 million in 2010.

The annual report also revealed a record revenue for the 2012 season of $425m and a $6.7m profit.

About $290m was distributed among the 18 AFL clubs.

The turnaround in fortunes comes after the league leaked $24m in 2011 – most of it spent on setting up expansion clubs Greater Western Sydney and Gold Coast.

The AFL Grand Final was the most-watched sporting event in Australia last year with an average audience of 4.08 million people.

While total attendances fell from 7.48m people in 2011 to 7.37m last year, memberships soared for the 12th consecutive year with 707,621 people (up from 650,373) signing up with clubs.

AFL Commission chairman Mike Fitzpatrick attributed a fall in attendances to the league's expansion in western Sydney and Gold Coast.

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

Fitzpatrick said attendances had dropped due to the AFL palying more matches at smaller, boutique stadiums.

"Although attendances at AFL matches were down in 2012 when compared to the record levels of 2011, 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," he said.

"That principle is why we were pleased to support an initiative of the St Kilda FC to play an historic first premiership season game outside Australia in 2013 when the Club takes on reigning premiers the Sydney Swans in Wellington, New Zealand on Anzac Day."

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Traditional surgery for Johnson

Sydney defender Alex Johnson will have traditional surgery. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

SYDNEY premiership player Alex Johnson is set to miss the entire season after opting for traditional surgery - and not revolutionary LARS - to repair his torn ACL.

Johnson tragically ruptured the ACL in his left knee during Sydney's NAB Cup clash against Gold Coast last week.

The young defender ventured back to Melbourne last week to think the decision over with his family, before decided for the traditional rehabilitation.

LARS surgery could have had Johnson back playing within two months, but clubs are fearful as to whether the artificial fix can stand the test of time.

Johnson, 21, will go under the knife next week.

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Hawks win carries worries

Sam Mitchell spins out of trouble. Picture: Scott Chris Source: HWT Image Library

HAWTHORN finally got its first win of the pre-season, but will now sweat on the fitness of Josh Gibson and the Match Review Panel's verdict of David Hale's hit on Leigh Adams as it prepares for Round 1.

The Hawks defeated North Melbourne by 81 points in Craigieburn this afternoon in a match that was cut short midway through the final term as both teams opted for a safety first approach at a rain-swept Highgate Reserve.

Gibson was smashed in a marking contest in the dying seconds of the first half and appeared to be short of breath and holding the left side of his rib cage.

Get a wrap of all the matches here

He moved gingerly towards the bench, but then was assisted from the field by two trainers once the half time siren sounded.

He did not return to the field, but coach Alastair Clarkson said afterwards it was always planned to rest Gibson - as well as Jordan Lewis and Jarryd Roughead - in the second half.

nm#38 Majak Daw gets away from h#25 Picture: Scott Chris Source: HWT Image Library

Hale was reported for making forceful front on contact to Adams in the first quarter.

Both attacked a ground ball in the Hawks' forward 50m, but Adams was sent crashing to the turf after being collected high.

He played on, but was sporting a black eye after the match.

Injuries and reports aside, it was a fairly routine win for Hawthorn against an extremely undermanned Kangaroos outfit missing up to 12 of its first choice players.

After a competitive first quarter, the Hawks ran out 19.8 (122) to 5.11 (41) winners.

Hale kicked four goals while Gunston, Lance Franklin and Sam Grimley chipped in with three goals each.

Clarkson said he was confident Gibson would be fit to face Geelong at the MCG in 15 days time.

"I think he's going to be OK, Gibbo ... he just got a bit of a knock in a marking contest,'' Clarkson said.

nm#38 Majak Daw gets away from h#25 Picture: Scott Chris Source: HWT Image Library

"We were going to take him out at half time anyway. He'll be OK, he's a pretty tough competitor.''

Many Hawks fans would have headed to the northern suburbs hoping to glean information on how their side would go about replacing the injured Matthew Suckling.

Matthew Spangher was good in defence and can play both tall and small, while Kyle Cheney was also serviceable.

Interestingly, Gunston also won a fair few possessions in the back half and also had two rebound 50s to his name.

Clarkson said the art of re-working his side's backline was still a work in progress.

"We'll work it out, we've got good depth at our footy club,'' he said.

"Suckers is obviously a loss for us, but you've just got to forge ahead _ when one goes down you replace him with another guy.

"We think we've got enough depth, is it the same quality? We'll wait and see. We'll keep putting blokes in there and hopefully we'll get the same rebound as last year.''

The coach said Gunston's clean foot skills could be utilised in defence at times.

"But just his polish in the front half is really valuable for our side, so we'll continue to explore things across half back but we probably don't want to rob the influence he can have for us in the front half of the ground.''

Clarkson said the match had been approached as a full Round 1 dress rehearsal and, as such, he was happy enough with the outcome.

"You can only control what you can do ... by and large it was a good hitout for both sides.''
 

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Tigers primed for Round 1

Richmond star Brett Deledio in full flight against the Western Bulldogs at Visy Park. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick came away from yesterday's nine-point win over the Western Bulldogs confident his team was in great shape for its Round 1 showdown against Carlton.

The Tigers have dropped only one game in the pre-season and have almost a full list to chose from for the season opener on Thursday week.

Against the Dogs they came from 18 points down in the third quarter to kick seven of the last nine goals in scrappy conditions at Visy Park, and did so with subdued performances from key players Trent Cotchin (18 disposals), Jack Riewoldt (one goal and six disposals), Dustin Martin and Chris Newman (10 possessions each).

''It was a tough old game really, and the conditions weren't really great, but to walk away at the end of the NAB Cup campaign with four wins and one loss was a reasonable result for us,'' Hardwick said.

Jake King and Daniel Jackson, who were rested yesterday, are both expected to be available for the Round 1 match against the Blues.

Chris Knights and Dylan Grimes, who have had injury-interrupted pre-seasons, are expected to get at least a half in Coburg's VFL match against Weribee on Sunday.

Nathan Foley remains at least a month away from playing.

The Tigers had six multiple goalkickers, led by ruckman Ivan Maric, with Luke McGuane (two goals) presenting as a third marking forward.

''He was good, kicked a couple of goals,'' Hardwick said. ''He does compete, Luke, that's the one thing we love about him.''

The Bulldogs were disappointed they could not finish off the march, but would be encouraged by knowing about a half a dozen new faces could come into the team that finished the 2012 season, with Brett Goodes, Jason Johannisen, Nick Lower and Tom Young among those with strong cases for inclusion.

Lower did exceptionally well nullifying Cotchin, restricting him to just six disposals in the first half and frustrating the Tigers skipper throughout.

Assistant coach Brett Montgomery was buoyed that experienced core played well, but several recruits had played well.

''At the selection table ... we've got plenty to choose from and there were at least 12 or 13 weeks last year where that wasn't the case and we were just putting whatever we had out there,'' Montgomery said.

Adam Cooney (24 touches) showed glimpses of the explosive best that was a feature of his glory days, Robert Murphy was damaging alternating between half forward and half back and Daniel Giansiracusa (two goals) was a constant threat.

Ryan Griffen collected 30 possessions and Dale Morris totally outplayed Riewoldt.

Montgomery said the club was hopeful Shaun Higgins, Easton Wood and possibly Tom Williams would be available for the Round 1 match against Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium, although the Dogs were conscious of not including several underdone players in the 22.

Higgins and Wood are likely to play at VFL level next weekend.

Hardwick also backed the AFL's new sliding rules after the match.

''Overall I think the rule is great, I really like it. 54 free kicks today is a lot of free kicks. It's really hard for the umpires to administer. Is it forceful contact or is it (just) contact .... wet conditions is tough. I think the overriding concept is good.

''There's a couple though on a wet day where a guy slides to get the ball and a player falls over the top. They're probably the ones where we have to wait and see (how the rule is interpreted).''

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Gray happy to be back

Robbie Gray at Port Adelaide training. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

PORT Adelaide specialist forward Robbie Gray will step up his workloads after a successful return from serious knee surgery to competitive football on Saturday night.

Power assistant coach Garry Hocking today described Gray as a "kid in a lolly shop'' in his chase for the ball during half a game with SANFL club West Adelaide in a night trial at Richmond Oval.

He added the recuperation program would now have Gray play three quarters in SANFL trials with roles in the midfield.
 
Independent observers noted Gray has lost none of his pace despite his legs having naturally lost their tone.
 
Gray yesterday Tweeted: "Got through and pulled up well. Good to be back playing again!''

Gray was injured in April in Port's away clash with Collingwood. At best, he could resume in the AFL on April 6 at home against Greater Western Sydney.

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Thomas in no hurry to sign

Collingwood midfielder Dale Thomas says he is in no hurry to re-sign. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD midfielder Dale Thomas says there is no point rushing to sign a new contract after ankle surgery and a modest 2012.

Thomas said he wanted the chance to build on his form before he started contract talks.

"There is no point in me signing currently coming off the year that I had last year and just coming back with an injury,'' Thomas said on Channel 7's Game Day.

"I would like to think I would give myself a bit of time to get some form up, play some good footy and then start talking contracts.

"But at the minute I am sure the club would like to get my signature at the minute because it would be worth next to nothing.''

Thomas said he had not set a time-frame for his contract negotiations, but was mindful of protracted talks turning into a "circus''.

"I think I will just let it unfold. I don't want to a put a time on it and say I will wait until the end of the year,'' Thomas said.

"But the last thing I want is for it to become a circus as these things over the past few years for other players have kind of happened.

"The last I want is for that to happen. My signature will go on a piece of paper at some point, as it has to happen.''

Thomas, who had surgery in November, said he remained hopeful of being ready to play in the Round 1 clash against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

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