SuperCoach is back!

Shane Crawford channels his inner Liam Neeson when he discovers Gary Ablett is 'taken' and tries to organise a swap with one of his mates

Shane Crawford can't wait to get stuck into the new SuperCoach season. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

YOU can pick on my height.

You can pot the Hawks, make jokes about my teeth and bag my mother in law. Even my wife is fair game.

But if you beat me in SuperCoach, that's personal.

There's nothing like coming to work on Monday ready to brag about a SuperCoach win, or sending a text message when a mate's captain withdraws the night before our big match-up.

Goodbye tennis, goodbye cricket. SuperCoach is back and I'm so excited to be short-listing my squad for 2013.

Who will be this year's Dayne Zorko? Maybe Jack Viney from Melbourne, son of former champion Todd Viney and tough as nails.

Scroll down to see all the exciting new features of SuperCoach 2013 and Join the live chat with SuperCoach expert Al Paton from noon

Picking the next big thing is one of the keys to the game, and there will be plenty of time to change my mind before the season starts on March 22.

What I'm most excited about is the new option of being part of a SuperCoach draft.

You only have to register once and can play both games for free. How good is that?

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SQUAD NOW

I already have my eyes on chief football writer Mark Robinson's every move and can't wait until the Herald Sun experts sit down for an internal draft (I'm picking first because I'm organising the session. Gary Ablett, you're mine.)

In either game, research is the key to picking a successful team. Watch all the NAB Cup games and follow SuperFooty every day for all the latest. Jump on Twitter and Facebook for breaking news and tips and to pick the brains of all the other SuperCoaches out there (I'm at @SCrawf9).

What will Brendon Goddard's role be at the Bombers? Will Brian Lake make an instant impact at the Hawks?

Does Mick Malthouse have the key to unlocking the potential of the Blues, and Jarrad Waite?

COMING UP: To get your SuperCoach team right for 2013 stick with SuperFooty next week and all the way to Round 1 for club-by-club SuperCoach previews, SuperCoach DRAFT player guides, SuperCoach analysis of every NAB Cup and practice match, exclusive videos plus lots more!

Will a slow pre-season for Adam Goodes interrupt his year or will his brother Brett Goodes be a must for all sides as a cheap and classy defender at the Western Bulldogs?

Will Giants forward Jonathon Patton take the competition by storm after his first full AFL pre-season?

All I can say is get involved. It's the best fun you'll have off the footy field.

And make sure you prepare like all the AFL players do to start the year. Because I can assure you I've had the best SuperCoach pre-season ever. So if you have me in your sights this year, you better be ready. In 2013, it's personal.

Join the live chat with SuperCoach expert Al Paton from noon:

Using a mobile device? Click here for a better viewing experience

WHAT'S NEW

New rules - 30 trades, rolling lockout means you won't be caught out by late team changes, smaller squads for bye rounds and a new team structure to better reflect the way the game is played

Relaunch leagues - Send league invites to your opponents from last year with the click of a button. You can even choose who to include and who to leave out.

Take on more mates - In addition to your five private leagues, you can challenge friends on Facebook and Twitter and create or join up to three unlimited size private groups

Intelligent auto-pick - Selecting a competitive squad is even easier. Choose your favourite players and let us fill in the rest.

Plus a refreshed look and feel and lots more - register or login now to explore the 2013 competition!

Join the debate on Facebook at facebook.com/supercoach

SUPERCOACH DRAFT

Take SuperCoach to a new level with a unique private league draft in which each player can only be selected once - if you pick Gary Ablett, none of your mates can have him.

Bargain with friends to complete trade deals between league opponents and make unlimited trades from the free agent pool.

Completely customisable - choose how your league works to suit you

Play alongside your SuperCoach CLASSIC team on the same login

Both games are completely FREE

Herald Sun super coach , Shane Crawford Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

FOUR EASY STEPS

1. Go to www.heraldsun.com.au/supercoach. The login page has more info on how to play and the exciting new 2013 features

2. Click register and fill in your details. Pick a team name and design your own unique guernsey

3. Join or create a private league to play against your friends and family

4. Start picking your squad of 30 AFL players who will score points for you every week

SUPERCOACH GOLD

SuperCoach GOLD helps you to better select and manage your team and make educated coaching decisions through the season. The collection of powerful tools and content provides projections for player scores and value, break-evens, analysis of player stats, player performance indicators, past stats and much more. Sign up now for a free trial.

WIN BIG

$50,000 to top-ranked coach at the end of the season plus $5000 for your local footy club

$1000 for the highest scoring team each round

$10,000 and a two-hour coaching clinic for Australia's top SuperCoach school

Sign up early to win $5000 F1 Adrenaline package including tickets for the winner and three mates to the 2013 Australian Grand Prix, VIP entertainment seats, V8 hot lap and helicopter fly-over

STAY IN THE GAME

Check superfooty.com.au every day for latest news and expert advice

Like SuperCoach on Facebook to join the debate. Go to facebook.com/supercoach
Follow @superfooty on twitter for breaking developments and inside tips. Go to twitter.com/superfooty

CLICK HERE TO START PICKING YOUR SUPERCOACH SQUAD NOW

Herald Sun SuperCoach 2013 Minimal Terms and Conditions
Open to all Australian residents. Enter from 12:01AM AEDST on 01/02/13, ends at 11:59PM AEST on 01/09/13. Limit 1 entry per person. Entrants must access their home page at least every 30 days or may be disqualified. Overall and weekly winners determined by Vapormedia at Suite 107, 425 Docklands Drive, Docklands VIC 3008 at 10am (local time) on day after completion of each round (weekly winners) and on 02/09/13 (overall and other winners). Weekly Prizes: $1,000 cash. Overall prizes: Competition Major Prize $50,000 cash + $5,000 for local footy club, Website Prizes: up to $5,000 Website Prize for entrants entering via specific websites as set out in full conditions. School Group Prize (other than NSW and ACT schools): $10,000 cash & footy clinic. Weekly winners e-mailed and published online day after completion of each round and in The Australian on dates set out in full conditions, overall winners and other winners e-mailed and published online on 02/09/13 and in The Australian on 04/09/13. Promoter: The Herald and Weekly Times Pty Limited, 40 City Rd, Southbank VIC 3006. Entry and full conditions: www.heraldsun.com.au/supercoach. NSW Permit No. LTPS/13/00586 and ACT Permit No.TP 13/00230

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Thomas 'a couple of months away'

Collingwood stars Dale Thomas, Heath Shaw, Dane Swan and Ben Johnson talk shop at training yesterday. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Injured Collingwood star Dale Thomas remains in doubt for Round 1. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley says he remains unsure if Dale Thomas will be fit for the start of the home-and-away season.

Thomas is still on a modified training load as he continues his recovery from ankle surgery.

The Magpies face North Melbourne in their season opener on March 31.

"He is still a couple of months away,'' Buckley said.

"He will need to get some solid training in and get up to speed before he is ready to play some games of footy, whether that is late in the NAB (Cup) or early in the home-and-away (season) will depend on the speed of his recovery.

"He has had a modified pre-season and has got a lot of fitness work in, but not on legs. So we will have to judge that as we go.

"But clearly he is an important player for us.''

The off-contract Thomas said last week he had no desire to start talking about a new deal with the Magpies until he recovered from ankle surgery

But Thomas admitted he was wary of letting talks turn into the "circus'' that engulfed teammate Travis Cloke's season last year.

Buckley said the club would deal with Thomas' contract when the time was right.

"We have got about 40 per cent of our list coming out of contract this year and we will deal with those guys appropriately at the right times,'' Buckley said.

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Young Demon cleared of injury

Dean Terlich has been hospitalised after a training mishap. Picture: Regi Varghese Source: adelaidenow

MELBOURNE draftee Dean Terlich has been cleared of any injuries after an ugly collision at training today.

Terlich was training with teammates at Moorabbin Oval earlier today when he suffered a knock to the head and neck region.

An ambulance was called to take him to hospital, where he underwent precautionary tests.

A forward-turned-defender, Terlich was drafted by Melbourne with pick 68 in the 2012 National Draft.

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Lions need Brown's presence

Brisbane coach Michael Voss talked Jonathan Brown into staying on as captain. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

BRISBANE coach Michael Voss says it would have been "a bit wrong'' for Jonathan Brown to completely relinquish leadership duties at the Gabba.

Brown will step down as sole captain in 2013 but will remain as a co-captain after four seasons as the single figurehead.

Voss said the new co-captain will be announced in the near future but it was important that Brown still played a critical leadership role due to the AFL superstar's sheer "presence''.

"One of the first things that Brownie spoke about was stepping down and I thought it just sort of looked a bit wrong to have the big fella coming in behind somebody,'' Voss said.

"He'll always be a leader but to be able to have him out the front with someone beside him just made a bit more sense than stepping down.''

Voss said it was the right time to start "succession planning'' at the Lions.

"It's just a sign of where our group is at and the fact that Brownie has got a lot of confidence in the group that is coming through,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Brisbane today announced a three-year, seven-figure sponsorship deal with storage company, National Storage.

National Storage joins Vero insurance joins the club as a co-major sponsor.

The Lions posted a net operating loss of $2,513,262 for the financial year ending October 31, 2012. It was Brisbane's third-straight seven-figure loss. They lost $2.5 million in 2010 and another $1.8 million in 2011.

The Lions also recorded a $603,207 loss in 2009 and a $2.2 million loss in 2008.

Brisbane CEO Malcolm Holmes said the new deal would help the club turnaround its bottom line.

"It's a great outcome for the club...it's great news. It shows there is a lot of support for our brand,'' Holmes said.

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Goddard would have led Saints

Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard in his new colours. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

NICK Riewoldt would have handed the St Kilda captaincy to Brendon Goddard if he had not quit the club to join Essendon.

Nick Riewoldt was yesterday appointed St Kilda skipper for the eighth season.

However, he revealed today he had been happy to hand over the captaincy, but the prime candidate left to join the Bombers as a free agent.

"I thought if BJ (Goddard) was still at the club it would have been him this year, and I was more than happy for that to occur - and for anyone else to step into the role," Riewoldt said.

Riewoldt hinted at an issue facing the club in trying to find the next generation of leaders.

The Saints have a large group of veterans aged 29 and over and a crop of emerging youngsters, but few experienced players in between.

The issue was acknowledged with the inclusion of Ben McEvoy, James Gwilt, David Armitage, Sean Dempster and Jarryn Geary in the leadership group, with a group of elder statesmen nominated to mentor an "emerging leaders" group.

"The club went for a bit of a change in the leadership group with three younger guys stepping into the group and they just wanted some stability at the top," Riewoldt said.

"It's now our job as the senior guys - myself, Lenny, Milney, Blakey, all those guys - to make sure we promote some of the younger guys so sooner rather than later someone else can step into the role."

Summer Barometer: See how the Saints are shaping up

Asked on SEN if he had tried to talk Goddard out of leaving, Riewoldt said: "Absolutely, definitely.

"He's one of my great mates, was one of the groomsmen at my wedding, and nothing will change there as far as our friendship goes (but) I certainly wanted him to stay a St Kilda player.

"But at the end of the day it's his decision and I respect the decision he's made."

 

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Drug tests on demand

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert speak after today's AFL drugs summit. Picture: Mike Keating Source: Herald Sun

THE AFL could approve a bold plan to allow clubs to fund the target-testing of players they believe are abusing drugs.

The league united to tackle illicit drugs at yesterday's summit with that proposal one of several to be considered by a new working party.

Among certain changes to the AFL Illicit Drugs Policy will be the closure of a loophole that allows players to self-report and escape a strike at will, and an increase in off-season hair testing - both recently flagged by the Herald Sun.

The proposal to allow clubs to target-test players they suspect of using drugs will create most debate.

Depressed, on drugs... dumped

AFL clubs are banned from conducting their own testing after then Carlton present Ian Collins controversially drug-tested players Karl Norman and Laurie Angwin in 2004.

Yesterday AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou confirmed clubs might be able to pay the league's drug testers to do that exact task.

Club sources said the AFL might also provide clubs with details of their players' drug use each year.

No names would be revealed, but a club may find out the number of players who had positive strikes, how many strikes they were on, which drugs they had used, and how many had self-reported.

Drink the link to worse behaviours

The historic summit was hailed a success by clubs, the AFL, medical experts and players, but a battle will be fought over the information flow to clubs when players test positive a second time.

Hawthorn led the charge of clubs keen to be alerted after a second strike, but that issue will be thrashed out by the working party with AFL chief executives Stuart Fox (Hawthorn), Gary Pert (Collingwood), Travis Auld (Gold Coast) and Ian Robson (Essendon).

Either the chief executive or welfare officer of a club may eventually find out about a second strike, but clubs would have to commit to extensive privacy provisions. 

Collingwood's Luke Ball and Bulldog Robert Murphy leave today's AFL drugs summit. Picture: Mike Keating Source: Herald Sun

Fox said it was imperative clubs knew earlier than under the current policy.

"Hawthorn has lived through the three-strikes system with Travis Tuck and we are quite passionate about someone at the club knowing after the second strike," he told the Herald Sun.

"Clubs are much better placed and more sophisticated, so they can deal with that knowledge."

The self-reporting loophole will almost certainly see players allowed to confess to drug use - sparing a positive strike - only once a season.

Some chief executives pushed for the practice to be banned if a player was on two strikes, or even have the self-reporting seen as a third strike.

Draft drug probes

The loophole will be changed after it goes to the AFL Commission and is approved by AFL Players' Association delegates.

AFL clubs were not given specific details on the flagged rise in illicit positives - likely to be released late next month - but were told of a 21 per cent rise in drugs across the community.

Pies boss Pert said of the playing age group: "Taking drugs is a part of their lives. We are very concerned. Every CEO is concerned about what happens now, and what happens in the future."

Collingwood takes hard line on drugs

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SBS hands Marngrook a lifeline

Former North Melbourne great Wayne Carey signs on with The Marngrook Footy Show. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis, Source: Herald Sun

WAYNE Carey will join The Marngrook Footy Show as a regular panellist when it returns to television on SBS after being axed by the ABC last year.

The indigenous football show with a cult following will air on Thursdays during the home-and-away season.

Former Brisbane Lions premiership player Chris Johnson, Robbie Burns and Gilbert McAdam return to the program alongside reporters Leila Gurruwiwi and Shelley Ware.

The Marngrook Footy Show started as a radio program in 1997 before moving to National Indigenous Television (NITV) in 2007.

Marngrook's dumping last year sparked a social media frenzy with fans of the show calling for rival networks to revive the program.

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AFL 2013 win predictions

Nathan Buckley is hoping to improve on Collingwood's 16 wins last season. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

AFL writers Jay Clark, Sam Edmund and Sam Landsberger predict how many matches your team will win in 2013.

Eskander's Betstar has released a market that allows punters to bet on whether each club will finish over or under the number of wins predicted by the bookmaker's forecasters.

See the line for each club below plus our expert assessments - and have your say by leaving a comment below or sending a message on Twitter to:

Jay Clark: @clarkyheraldsun
Sam Edmund: @sammyheraldsun
Sam Landsberger: @samlandsberger

Note: Tipsters were limited to selecting nine teams "over" and nine "under".

BEST BETS

CLARK: Gold Coast under 5 wins ($1.90)
EDMUND: Collingwood over 15.5 wins ($1.90)
LANDSBERGER: Brisbane over 9.5 wins ($1.90)

EVERY CLUB RATED

ADELAIDE
Betstar line: 14 wins

Clark: Over ($1.80)
Fairly soft draw will ensure the Crows are bashing down the door of the top-four again. Love the kids such as Rory Sloane and Rising Star winner Daniel Talia. Hard-nut Brad Crouch is a ready-made beauty. Forget Tippett, this is the No.1 contested ball team from last year.

Edmund: Over ($1.80)
The second-year blues will hit and the loss of Tippett will hurt, but they'll get to 14.

Landsberger: Over ($1.80)
They say Tex is the new Buddy. With 12 games at AAMI Stadium and another soft draw they will cruise to 15 wins.

BRISBANE LIONS
Betstar line: 9.5 wins

Clark: Over ($1.90)
Tipping they're one of the big improvers this year. Play GWS, Melbourne and Western Bulldogs twice. Key forward presence the biggest query as Jon Brown nears the end.

Edmund: Under ($1.90)
Let's be honest, they fluked a few wins last year. Adelaide? West Coast? Please. Can't and won't happen again. Forward line looks thin to say the least. There's an over-reliance on Brown, who is another year older. If he goes down - again - they will struggle.

Landsberger: Over ($1.90)
The Lions are a huge finals roughie with an underrated young list. Should easily replicate last year's tally of 10 wins.

New Carlton draftee Troy Menzel with coach Mick Malthouse. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON
Betstar line: 14 wins

Clark: Over ($1.90)
Mick has stumbled upon a pot of gold, as the Blues are ready to go. Expect a version of "the press" to be employed inside 50m and Robert Warnock and Matthew Kreuzer to improve markedly in 2013.

Edmund: Over ($1.90)
Maybe because they didn't have a high-performance coach nicknamed "The Weapon" the Blues' 2012 injury nightmare was often overlooked. When they were all on the park early the results were highly encouraging, which is why a mainly injury-free pre-season is cause for optimism. Oh, and that bloke Mick knows a thing or two about the game as well.

Landsberger: Over ($1.90)
Mick doesn't muck around. Will finish the year like a steam train to give the top four a shake.

COLLINGWOOD
Betstar line: 15.5 wins

Clark: Over ($1.90)
Pies are raving about Quinten Lynch's summer form and Luke Ball and Lachy Keeffe return from knee recos. Got to be better in second season under Bucks.

Edmund: Over ($1.90)
This is quite simple. Despite a knee injury epidemic that claimed just about everyone bar the water boys, this mob still clawed its way to 16 wins last year. Throw in the Cloke contract saga and Buckley's first year as coach and that winning tally looks even more impressive. Young, Lynch and Russell all joined in a fruitful off-season ... I'll stop now, 15.5 wins is a monty.

Landsberger: Over ($1.90)
The gloves are off, literally, and the all-star engine room will ensure a fifth-straight top-four finish.

Mover and shaker: Essendon recruit Brendon Goddard has be chosen to join the eight-man leadership group at Windy Hill. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON
Betstar line: 13 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
They've got the biggest name of the trade period in Brendon Goddard, but not convinced Hirdy's boys are top-eight material just yet.

Edmund: Under ($1.90)
Harder to read than a Chinese dictionary. Will this be the year their exhilarating early-season starts are maintained through the season, or will they again fade like your grandmother's carpet? Still think they're a bit light-on to get to 13 wins, despite the addition of Goddard and the undoubted talent of first-year forward Joe Daniher.

Landsberger: Under ($1.90)
BJ's onboard but finding another three wins looks a stretch. Can still go under and make finals.

FREMANTLE
Betstar line: 14 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
One of the toughest to pick, because the signs in the elimination final win over Geelong were ultra-impressive. But, even with Ross the boss in charge, Dockers will need full seasons from Pavlich, Sandilands and McPharlin to hit the 14-win mark.

Edmund: Over ($1.90)
It's very difficult to believe the Dockers, exposed to another summer of Ross Lyon's tactical genius, can't eclipse the 14-win mark. They got their last year despite slumping to 6-7 after Round 14 - about the same time everyone in purple was calling for the coach's head. That's when Lyon's message started sinking in.

Landsberger: Under ($1.90)
A tough one. Pav's back is a worry, Morabito is out, the defence lost a chunk of depth and it might take one more season to hit full throttle under Ross Lyon.

Tom Hawkins celebrates with his teammates after kicking the winning goal after the siren to continue Hawthorn's run of outs against the Cats. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

GEELONG
Betstar line: 13.5 wins

Clark: Over ($1.85)
Lots to like about their trade period, once again. Josh Caddy is starring over summer and Hamish McIntosh is an upgrade ruck/forward. Can't see them being beaten at home when they finally get on Simonds Stadium from mid-season.

Edmund: Over ($1.85)
The aura may have softened, but this is a side still devastating on its day. The recruitment of Rivers and McIntosh were masterstrokes. If history is any guide they won't drop off the cliff.

Landsberger: Under ($1.95)
Could hit panic stations early and it'll be hard to recover despite the spate of Simonds Stadium matches in the run home.

GOLD COAST
Betstar line: 5 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
Expecting the Paul Roos to Gold Coast talk to fire up midway through the year. Can't dispute the level of talent but haven't seen enough on-field signs to suggest they will flourish in year three. Jaeger O'Meara will provide some joy, though.

Edmund: Under ($1.90)
Missed out on the power forward they so desperately need. Ablett, Bennell and Co can dominate all they like, but when the ball flies straight back over their heads ad nauseam, you don't win too many games. No doubt the kids will improve - they have to - but five wins? Can't see it.

Landsberger: Under ($1.90)
Is there such a thing as third-year blues? Can't see the Suns doubling their wins tally.

GWS
Betstar line: 5 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
We know they will be a powerhouse but another year at the bottom beckons in 2013.

EDMUND: Unders ($1.90)
No Izzy, no GWS.

Landsberger: Under ($1.90)
Leon Cameron will take over a two-time wooden-spoon side. But that'll just make the Giants even scarier in the long term.

Hawthorn footballer Brian Lake at training today after he was booked by police for being drunk in a public place over the weekend. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN
Betstar line: 16.5 wins

Clark: Over ($1.85)
Seventeen wins is achievable if they can navigate an exceptionally tough first month. Won 17 last year and added Brian Lake.

Edmund: Over ($1.85)
Will be slapped in the face early by the draw from hell, but we're talking about a side that notched 17 wins last year. Add Brian Lake and surely, surely, they can get going and rack up at least 16.5 victories.

Landsberger: Over ($1.85)
It's a tough draw on paper, but so are the Hawks. Not going to drop six matches when just four are at hostile venues.

MELBOURNE
Betstar line: 6.5 wins

Clark: Over ($1.90)
The Dees play GWS, Gold Coast and the Bulldogs twice each. Jack Viney and Jimmy Toumpas will make an immediate impression onball and Mitch Clark and Chris Dawes make a potent double act up forward. Surely, Dees.

Edmund: Over ($1.90)
Did their bit for the AFL environment over the trade and free agency period, recycling like mad men. Rodan, Byrnes, Dawes and Pederson aren't matchwinners, but they add much-needed depth and experience. Will be fitter, stronger and surely more accomplished at executing Mark Neeld's game plan.

Landsberger: Over ($1.90)
Viney out of the middle, hands it to Byrnes who goes long, Clark can't mark but Dawes gathers, snaps… goal. It's a new-look Dees this year, with developing a winning culture the No.1 priority.

Melbourne's father-son selection Jack Viney with his dad Todd at the MCG. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

NORTH MELBOURNE
Betstar line: 12 wins

Clark: Over ($1.85)
Won't be a walk in the park as the Roos confront a much tougher draw this year and will miss Boomer for the first six matches. Still, a side on track to contend for top four in 2014 should have 12 wins by Round 20.

Edmund: Under ($1.95)
Any mental demons from that embarrassing elimination final exit at the hands of West Coast will be flushed out by a tough opening to the season in which they face Collingwood, Geelong and Sydney. There's no Boomer for the first six rounds and McIntosh and Edwards were allowed to leave over summer. Not much came back the other way.

Landsberger: Under ($1.95)
How much mental scarring will that embarrassing elimination final showing leave?

PORT ADELAIDE
Betstar line: 5 wins

Clark: Over ($1.85)
Hard to erase memories of being knocked off by GWS and Gold Coast in past two years but surely they will finally take some steps forward this year, under Ken Hinkley. Improvement from a fit Hamish Hartlett and John Butcher is the key.

Edmund: Under ($1.95)
No, no no. Just no.

Landsberger: Over ($1.85)
The regenerated Power will surprise plenty this year. Should scratch and crawl their way to six wins.

RICHMOND
Betstar line: 12 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
The Tigers' fortunes will be one of the stories of the year and it's all going to happen at the back end of the season when the Tigers confront some lower-placed sides. Despite the hype, they will fall just short.

Edmund: Over ($1.90)
Put it this way, if the Tigers don't make the eight this year don't worry about a trailer of manure on the doorstep, the ME Bank Centre might be buried under the stuff. Despite their loyalty, patience has just about expired among Tiger fans and fair enough. The recruiting blunders are a thing of the past. Chaplin, Edwards, Knights, Petterd and Lonergan are great additions and Cotchin will thrive on captaincy duties. In the words of Sam Kekovich, you know it makes sense.

Landsberger: Over ($1.90)
It's Tiger Time. Nuff said.

ST KILDA
Betstar line: 9 wins

Clark: Under ($1.95)
Down year coming up for the Saints, despite the exciting batch of first-to-third year youngsters coming through. Time to regenerate.

Edmund: Under ($1.95)
When you look at the St Kilda list you see a gap between their mature stars and their kids about as wide as the Grand Canyon. And this why the slide will be on in 2013. Goddard is gone and that core group of stars - Riewoldt, Montagna, Dal Santo and Co - won't get any better. Expect a quiet year or two.

Landsberger: Under ($1.95)
They've got 18 leaders but are looking at half that number in wins. Still, on the right track.

St Kilda coach Scott Watters, left, and captain Nick Riewoldt watch a Denver Broncos training session in Englewood, Colorado. Picture: Dustin Bradford. Source: Getty Images

SYDNEY
Betstar line: 15.5 wins

Clark: Under ($1.85)
The Swans played out of their skins last year and credit to them. Even with Kurt Tippett in the fold I can't see them replicating last year's heroics.

Edmund: Under (1.85)
We underestimate them every year, so why stop now? Rivals will have done their homework, Goodes will be a slow starter and Tippett won't play until mid-year and probably cause all manner of distraction along the way. Even the Swans could suffer the good ol' fashioned premiership hangover.

Landsberger: Over ($1.95)
Won 16 last year and then picked up a bloke called Kurt Tippett. Won't lose at home.

2012 Grand Final. Hawthorn v Sydney Swans. MCG. Sydney players on the podium as Bob Skilton looks on. Source: Herald Sun

WEST COAST
Betstar line: 16 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
Two things worry me: Nic Nat's groin and Fremantle's knack of topping them at Subi. Still a threat in finals.

Edmund: Over ($1.90)
There's a buzz team every summer and this time it's the Eagles. Why? Aside from the fact they were hard to beat last year, they've added Wellingham, goalkickers LeCras and Nicoski return, while Kennedy can't be that unlucky again.

Landsberger: Under ($1.90)
Could hinge on the two derbies. The line here is spot on – tough to call.

Welcome to the major league, lads: Jake Stringer and Jackson Macrae after being selected at No.5 and No.6 by the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

WESTERN BULLDOGS
Betstar line: 4 wins

Clark: Under ($1.90)
Only play Gold Coast, Port Adelaide and GWS once each. Adam Cooney is up and about but games against Melbourne will determine whether the Dogs cover the line this year.

Edmund: Under ($1.90)
You can surround your club with football royalty, but come Round 12, they'll be asking Scarlett and Mooney to pull the boots on. Lake leaves a hole they can't yet fill and for all the promise shown by the likes of Wallis and Libba, the list looks thin on the ground.

Landsberger: Under ($1.90)
A horror draw makes life tough, but wins-losses aside, the future is bright at the kennel.

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Daniher bashes down door

Joe Daniher leads the way at Essendon pre-season training. Source: Getty Images

ESSENDON coach James Hird says father-son gun Joe Daniher is dominating at training and could play much sooner than originally planned.

Daniher, who turns 19 on the eve of the season, starred at under-18 level last season and could have rivalled Lachie Whitfield as the No.1 draft pick had the Bombers not been able to nab him under the father-son rule.

Hird said today he didn't want to rush the 201cm prodigy, but his form on the training track was quickly forcing a change of plans.

Pick Me: Exclusive highlights and analysis of Daniher's TAC Cup season

"It's very hard with a player that age and a big tall player, they often take a long time to get ready for football," Hird said.

"In my mind when we drafted him I was thinking maybe he would play 4-5 games if he's lucky this year, but he keeps making me think he's going to play more.

"You can't see why he won't play a lot of football

"The way he moves on the track and dominates marking contests is quite remarkable for a boy his age - and he is only a boy.

"Certainly we don't want to ruin him but he's making us think about playing him a lot more than we were."

Summer Barometer: See how the Bombers are tracking this pre-season

Hird told SEN Daniher would start his career as a key forward who could pinch-hit in the ruck.

"He might develop into a dominant ruckman where that's his No.1 position but at the moment he's a very good forward, he takes a lot of marks and he's just a competitor - you rarely see that age someone who wants to compete so hard against more experienced players."

The Bombers coach played down a quad injury to forward David Zaharakis, who sent a scare through the camp when he suffered the injury at training.

"Last year he had a very bad tear of the central tendon in his quad which kept him out 12-14 weeks, which is a bad injury and takes a long time to recover. We did some scans yesterday on his leg and it was nowhere near that," Hird said.

"He's got a very slight strain a long way from that in his muscle and he'll be back running by Friday and should play the last two or three games in the NAB Cup."

Hird said the "hiccup" was one of the few injuries in a smooth pre-season - a big change from the past two summers at Windy Hill.

"Last year we had 18 operations which meant players came back very late in the pre-season, the year before was very similar

"This year 90 per cent of the squad has done 90 per cent of the training, which is an outstanding record so far."

James Hird keeps an eye on his players as they begin pre-season training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

And the Bombers coach backed the AFL to do the right thing by players, clubs and the game at today's drugs summit.

"There's a lot of hysteria around what's happening with players at the moment but AFL has always been at the forefront of drugs or racial issues and those people will sort it out," Hird said.

"There's an obligation on the players though to do the right thing and the clubs to look after their players.

"There's no excuse for players to take drugs, but we put them under very stressful situations."

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Saint Nick will lead again

St Kilda players Nick Riewoldt and Sam Dunell joke with Denver Broncos linebacker Wesley Woodyard during their United States trip. Riewoldt will again captain the Saints. Source: Getty Images

NICK Riewoldt will lead St Kilda for an eighth season this year and will be supported by a mega leadership group under second-year coach Scott Watters.

Riewoldt, 30, said it was an "honour" to again win the top job.

The star forward will be supported by Leigh Montagna, Nick Dal Santo, Ben McEvoy, James Gwilt, David Armitage, Sean Dempster and Jarryn Geary in the leadership group, while the Saints have also unveiled an "emerging leaders" program.

That will see wise heads Lenny Hayes, Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke, Sam Fisher, Adam Schneider and Jason Blake supporting the primary leadership group and mentoring the younger crop of Saints.

With youngsters including Jack Newnes, Tom Curren, Jack Steven and Seb Ross in an "emerging leadership group", up to 18 St Kilda players hold some sort of leadership role.

Summer Barometer: See how the Saints are shaping up

But Fisher, 30, has relinquished his leadership position.

The veteran has been subjected to reports of poor behaviour this off-season, but the Saints have remained stern in their defence of the rebounding defender.

The Saints said Fisher and Schneider elected to leave the main leadership group.

Fisher said he wanted to focus on his on-field form in a bid to return to his best after an injury-plagued 2012.

"I have enjoyed being part of the leadership group for the last seven years but I missed eight games through injury last season," he said.

"Over the summer, my commitment to the club was questioned in some quarters outside the club. While I don't agree with it, I think the best thing for me is to concentrate on ensuring I deliver my best form," Fisher said.

"It's an exciting period for the club and with the support of our strong leadership group, I'm looking forward to leading the team, into a successful season," Riewoldt said.

The Saints will play an intra-club match at Seaford next Saturday before their NAB Cup campaign kicks off in Adelaide on February 17.

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