AFL pre-season news: Who’s looking good, who’s re-signed and who’s injured at your club?
Ben Higgins and Ben Broad News Corp Australia January 09, 2015 12:00PM SHARE
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Jack Riewoldt is tackled during pre-season training. Picture: Zak Simmonds Source: Zak Simmonds / News Corp Australia
WITH all 18 clubs now back into training after enjoying a short break for Christmas and New Year, it’s time to check in and see what’s making news.
Who’s burning up the track and what’s been making headlines at your club during the off-season?
Matt Crouch’s ankle injury has interrupted his pre-season. Picture: Sarah ReedSource: News Corp Australia
ADELAIDE
ON FIELD: Lots of PBs for the Crows as they returned to training with the usual time trial following their Christmas pud. But in a big surprise, their was a new time trial king as Sam Kerridge upstaged usual winner Nathan van Berlo to cross the line first.
One man forced to watch on from the sidelines was young midfielder Matt Crouch. He underwent surgery late last year to fix an ankle problem suffered just before the Crows adjourned for their holiday.
Defensive dynamo Brodie Smith says he’d welcome a move to the midfield in 2015 (don’t all players?) but surely new coach Phil Walsh - who is warning players their summer is only going to get tougher - will find it tough to move him after such a stellar season.
OFF FIELD: The good news for Crows fans is that lovable larrikin ‘Tex’ Walker has signed on with Adelaide until the end of 2018.
The bad news is Patrick Dangerfield and Rory Sloane are yet to re-sign. The Crows have appointed former prominent player manager Justin Reid as their new list
BRISBANE LIONS
ON FIELD: No need to travel abroad for the Lions who are making the most of the usual hot and steamy conditions up north. They enjoyed a pre-season camp to Noosa, with several youngsters impressing so far this summer and adding size to their young frames.
The new recruits are settling in, but it remains unclear whether Allen Christensen will be ready for Round 1 despite him making steady progress from his back problems.
The additions of the former Cat, along with Dayne Beams, Mitch Robinson and the return of Daniel Rich means competition for midfield spots will be fierce.
OFF FIELD: New CEO Greg Swann is getting down to business with his massive task of trying to reduce the club’s enormous debt. That task of course will be made easier if the team performs on field. Coach Justin Leppitsch impressed in his debut season at the helm, but he acknowledges he needs to ‘let go’ more in 2015 and trust his players and assistants more.
CARLTON
ON FIELD: Things seem to be going along nicely at Visy Park, and without much fuss. The Blues have stated their list is in far better shape than at the same time a year earlier.
The coach likes what he’s seen so far from former Bulldog Liam Jones, while a number of Blues returned from their Christmas break in tip-top shape. Chris Judd is “looking like a million dollars” and at the other end of the spectrum for Carlton fans young midfielder Patrick Cripps has shed weight and is impressing with his fitness. Elder statesmen Marc Murphy, Bryce Gibbs and, importantly, Dale Thomas is also moving well as he tries to put his troublesome ankle in the rear-view mirror.
OFF FIELD:The return of favourite son Stephen Silvagni last month - as list manager - had all Blues fans singing from the rooftops. The Blues also slashed their leadership group for 2015, with veterans Andrew Carrazzo, Kade Simpson and Andrew Walker all stepping down. However improving defender Sam Rowe joins the new-look five-man group.
Scott Pendlebury is over his shoulder problem and is set to re-join the Pies’ main group. Picture: Wayne LudbeySource: News Corp Australia
COLLINGWOOD
ON FIELD: The big news has come in recent days with the Pies revealing that they had sent Ben Reid, who injured his “good” calf at training in December, to Germany to undergo treatment. The injury curse struck again when boom father-son recruit Darcy Moore injured his big toe and will be forced to wear a moon boot for three weeks. Alan Toovey has also injured his calf and will be on a modified program for two weeks.
Dane Swan had hip surgery following last season and will resume full training in February. He hopes to return to his best after giving himself a less-than-complimentary appraisal of his own form in 2014. Nathan Brown is training strongly while Jesse White is another who hopes 2015 can be his year. He thinks a drop in weight will help him fire.
Knee victims Brent Macaffer and Matt Scharenberg are on long-term schedules with
Macaffer aiming for a return in April or May.
OFF FIELD: There was no trip to Arizona this summer, with the Pies instead briefly hitting the slopes of Falls Creek. In the front offices, Rodney Eade departed to coach the Suns and that left a chief footy role gig vacant. Enter Neil Balme. The Pies were pumped to welcome him back.
ESSENDON
ON FIELD: The Bombers resumed training on Wednesday, with the club continuing to increase match simulation work in the lead up to pre-season matches. A small selection of players - including skipper Jobe Watson and Michael Hibberd - headed to Colorado late last year, but the majority stayed at Tullamarine to do their fitness work.
Elliott Kavanagh has taken great strides in the early part of the summer, while veteran Paul Chapman says he’ll be able to better manage his body this year after being concerned about activating a trigger in his contract throughout 2014. Another golden oldie - Dustin Fletcher - is undertaking his ... we’ve lost track what number pre-season. But with 393 AFL matches to his name, a huge milestone is just around the corner in 2015.
The Bombers don’t have too many injury concerns although Heath Hocking is sidelined with a groin after having surgery.
OFF FIELD: Hmmm, we’ll try to avoid too much of that story and simply say the big case v ASADA resumes on Monday January 12. Let’s hope for everyone’s sake it’s wrapped up quickly.
Fremantle draftees, from left, Lachie Weller, Connor Blakely, Ed Langdon, Sean Hurley, Josh Deluca and Ethan Hughes. Picture: Daniel WilkinsSource: News Corp Australia
FREMANTLE
ON FIELD: There were concerns for Nat Fyfe when he injured a shoulder at International Rules training. He did require surgery, but will be back into full contact work in coming weeks after completing his recovery. And last year’s AFLPA MVP is aiming to work on his game closer to goal.
Matthew Pavlich has been training well - citing an emphasis on more quality work from his teammates when doing their work this summer - but the question remains: will 2015 be Pav’s last?
Fremantle players returned to training with a 3km time trial, and it was Tendai Mzungu and Matt de Boer who led in the pack.
OFF FIELD: All quiet from Ross Lyon, Steve Rosich and the team. But excitement surrounding the new stadium continues to build. WA footy chief Gary Walton recently said a Derby seemed the logical first match for the new stadium. WA - and all AFL fans - can’t wait for that one.
Jordan Murdoch and Jackson Thurlow (right) sweat it out pre-Christmas, but Thurlow’s summer has been interrupted after an innocuous bump lacerate a kidney. Picture: Mark DadswellSource: News Corp Australia
GEELONG
ON FIELD: There’s mixed news for the Cats. They’re taking a softly, softly approach with their big blokes, knowing just how important they are - especially at the business end of the year.
A couple of promising youngsters have been laid low over the break. Jackson Thurlow suffered a lacerate kidney and is still some time off resuming training as he recovers at home in Tasmania. Meanwhile, small forward Lincoln McCarthy has developed a stress reaction in his left foot and needs to rest.
But the likes of Cam Guthrie and Josh Caddy look like taking another step in 2015, Mitch Clark seems to be moving and settling in well since joining the Cats and there’s high hopes for first-round pick Nakia Cockatoo.
OFF FIELD:Former champion defender Matthew Scarlett has returned to the Cats. Chris Scott slightly reshuffled his coaching panel, with Scarlett returning to the club in a role where he will work with the club’s key position players.
Footy manager Neil Balme was made an offer too good to refuse by Collingwood and left the Cats, with Steve Hocking taking over from the popular footy boss.
The death of former premiership player and president Ron Hovey touched all at the Cats, the club icon a much-loved figure and a huge part in getting Geelong back to a genuine force in the late 80s.
Dion Prestia has re-joined the Gold Coast Suns’ squad and looked in good touch this week.Source: News Corp Australia
GOLD COAST
ON FIELD: New coach Rodney Eade has demanded better training standards after arriving at the Suns. Midfielder David Swallow said Eade had already had a big impact at the club. After an injury-interrupted debut season, Jack Martin has added more than 5kg of muscle to his thin frame and still managed to run a PB in the 2km time trial. However, there are concerns for rookie-listed veteran Andrew Raines who damaged the PCL in his right knee at training.
OFF FIELD: The biggest move of the off-season was made off the field after Guy McKenna was sacked. Collingwood assistant coach Rodney Eade will take the reins in a move the Suns hope will take the team to a new level. Marcus Ashcroft also won a promotion after being appointed football manager under new CEO Travis Auld. However, the Suns weren’t able to secure the one signature they wanted most - that of Gary Ablett. Young gun Jaeger O’Meara had surgery on both knees in Europe, a procedure the club hopes will extend his career significantly. Ablett is back in training after shoulder surgery ended his 2014.
Toby Greene has been making news this off-season. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
GWS
ON FIELD: Lachie Plowman is facing 12 weeks on the sidelines after dislocating his elbow at training. The defender at surgery on Thursday night after falling awkwardly at training. After adding experienced pair Ryan Griffen and Joel Patfull, the Giants are eyeing off a maiden finals berth. In an astonishing performance, Jonathan Patton continues his impressive recovery from a knee reconstruction, almost breaking his PB in the 3km time trial. There were also impressive performances by Tom Scully and Adam Tomlinson.
OFF FIELD: Away from the training track, the Giants’ main aim is to lock up its young guns with Adam Treloar and Jeremy Cameron their the top priorities. Despite rival clubs circling, the Giants have been able to re-sign the likes Adam Tomlinson and Toby Greene. It wasn’t all good news for Greene after he was fined over a mid-season pub brawl in Melbourne. List manager Stephen Silvagni left the club to return to his former club,
HAWTHORN
ON FIELD: Eyeing a third straight premiership, the Hawks returned to pre-season training with an eight-day pre-season camp in Queensland. Matthew Suckling had post-season surgery to clean up his knee after making his return from a knee reconstruction in 2014. Second-year midfielder Billy Hartung has reportedly been excellent at training as he pushes for more midfield time.
OFF FIELD: A massive $3.4 million profit was an early Christmas present for the back-to-back premiers. There was more good news when key forward Jarryd Roughead re-signed until the end of 2018. Roughead and his fellow key position players will be mentored in 2015 by Melbourne legend David Neitz as the Coleman Medallist enters the coaching ranks. After losing Luke Beveridge, the Hawks promoted Adem Yze to backline assistant coach.
MELBOURNE
ON FIELD: Training standards has been the catch cry for the Demons over the pre-season. Lynden Dunn said the arrival of Heritier Lumumba, Jeff Garlett and Ben Newton had had a big impact on the playing group. However, the news isn’t good for Jack Trengove who had another setback with his troublesome foot, which scuppered a reported trade to Richmond. The excitement continues to grow around key forward Jesse Hogan as he continues to excel in pre-season training. Dom Tyson, Bernie Vince, Max Gawn and Dean Terlich have been limited after post-season surgeries.
OFF FIELD: Nathan Jones wants to be a Demon for life after signing a four-year contract extension in December. The Bluey Truscott Medallist is also now the Demons’ stand alone captain after Jack Grimes stepped down from the co-captaincy role. Importantly Paul Roos’s successor has been found with former Bombers assistant coach Simon Goodwin lured to take the reins in 2017.
NORTH MELBOURNE
ON FIELD: The Kangaroos headed to Utah for a pre-season camp, where they were treated to a Dante Exum trick show. Fullback Joel Tippett has added plenty of muscle as he looks to take on the AFL’s power forwards in 2015. Tall forwards Drew Petrie, Ben Brown and Aaron Black are all working back into training after recovering from injuries. Brown is expected to return to full training shortly after post-season knee surgery while Jack Ziebell and Black had shoulder clean-ups.
OFF FIELD: After making a free agency splash - picking up Jarrad Waite and Shaun Higgins - it has been all quiet at Arden Street as the club looks to build on its promising fourth place finish in 2014. Defender Jamie McMillan has signed a two-year contract extension.
PORT ADELAIDE
ON FIELD: The Power returned to Dubai for a pre-season camp before Christmas looking to build on their already impressive running ability. Former Essendon ruckman Paddy Ryder impressed in the Middle East while young midfielder Karl Amon was also one to impress. Ollie Wines is looking to build on his elite contested ball winning by improving his endurance while Angus Monfries, Brad Ebert and Jay Schulz are being monitored closely after post-season surgeries.
OFF FIELD: Port Adelaide were big winners after securing triple premiership-winning captain Michael Voss as a midfield mentor. There was more good news when star midfielder Robbie Gray signed a contract extension that will keep him at Alberton until 2018. Ruckman Matthew Lobbe has been locked away until the end of 2019.
ON FIELD: The Tigers pre-season got off to a bad start when top draft pick Corey Ellis underwent foot surgery. The Tigers said they knew about the issue when they drafted him and expected the midfielder to return to training shortly. Brett Deledio and Ivan Maric are looking to enjoy injury-free pre-seasons and hit 2015 at full pace after Achilles and ankle injuries respectively impacted on them in 2014. The club headed to Townsville before Christmas for a pre-season camp.
OFF FIELD: Tigers fans may already think the club is a winner after securing captain Trent Cotchin on a five-year deal. However, there was sad news after assistant coach Mark Williams was diagnosed with cancer. It is expected he will continue in his role while undergoing treatment. Tough defender Steven Morris has been elevated to the leadership group after the retirement of Dan Jackson.
ST KILDA
ON FIELD: On the Saints’ return to pre-season training Jack Newnes romped home in the 2km time trial. Ahmed Saad is eyeing off a Round 1 return after a year out of the game due to a doping ban thanks to a specialised training regime. A trip to New Zealand before Christmas was hailed a big success with several players impressing but Arryn Siposs was sent home after injuring his shoulder.
OFF FIELD: The Saints pulled off a big coup after appointing former Australian cricket selector Jamie Cox as the new head of football. Former club captain Danny Frawley has also come on board, assisting the defenders while Danny Sexton has been promoted to director of coaching and strategy.
Saints fans will be looking forward to the year 2031 after the captain and his wife, Catherine, welcomed James Lawrence Riewoldt to the world in 2014.
SYDNEY SWANS
ON FIELD: The Swans are back in training after the Grand Final loss and John Longmire says the 63-point defeat is driving the players. Dan Hannebery has made fitness his No.1 priority with a new regime seeing him post impressive time trial results. Senior players Adam Goodes, Mike Pyke, Sam Reid and Craig Bird are all on target for a full pre-season after interrupted programs before the Christmas break. New recruits Isaac Heeney, James Rose and Jack Hiscox are settling in well.
OFF FIELD: The Swans will play exclusively at the SCG from 2017 after securing a 30-year with the stadium. There were some changes in the coaching ranks with Josh Francou joining Port Adelaide premiership teammate as a midfield coach. Marty Mattner moves into a role within the development department and Jared Crouch becomes the head of development.
WEST COAST
ON FIELD: Reigning best and fairest Eric Mackenzie is back in training after hip surgery limited his training before Christmas while Jack Darling has been walking laps at training after a foot injury left him on crutches and in a moon boot for three months. New recruit Damien Cavka has impressed with his endurance, breaking Chris Masten’s 2km time trial record. Scott Lycett hopes a big pre-season campaign can put him in the box seat to take over from the retired Dean Cox.
OFF FIELD: Shannon Hurn takes over the captaincy after the retirement of Darren Glass. Josh Kennedy and Scott Selwood will be Hurn’s vice captains. Another retired great, Dean Cox, will move into the coach’s box after being appointed the Eagles’ ruck coach.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
ON FIELD: Boom recruit Tom Boyd has barely seen the training track this pre-season after having his appendix removed shortly after his arrival at Whitten Oval and then dislocating a finger after the Christmas break. Marcus Bontempelli looks certain to build on his sensational debut season, adding 7kg to his 193cm frame while finishing third in the 2km time trial. Mitch Wallis and Lachie Hunter have stepped up their training performances with the lure of more midfield opportunities. Clay Smith is recovering well from a knee reconstruction while Jordan Roughead is on track for Round 1 after shoulder surgery.
OFF FIELD: Upheaval was an untimely theme over the Western Bulldogs’ off-season. Captain Ryan Griffen announced he wanted out and coach Brendan McCartney was subsequently sacked. Luke Beveridge takes the reins in the coach’s box while popular veteran Bob Murphy has been elevated to the captaincy. VFL premiership winning coach Chris Maple has been promoted to head of development and former West Coast premiership player Ashley Hansen will take the reins at Footscray. Daniel Giansiracusa was appointed forwards coach while Joel Corey will assist Steven King as a midfield coach.
