Bartel, Cats deny Roos

A controversial free kick and 50m penalty has gifted Geelong another remarkable comeback victory at Etihad Stadium today.

Geelong v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Docklands. Jimmy Bartel kicks the winning goal Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

Geelong star Jimmy Bartel works his way through traffic against North Melbourne. Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

SELF-BELIEF was Geelong's trademark in three premiership triumphs and continues to deliver the Cats stunning results.

That never-quit work ethic allowed Geelong to steal a four-point win against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium yesterday.

In a remarkable turnaround, the Cats whittled away a deficit that ballooned to 41 points late in the second quarter to hit the front for the second time with only 20 seconds left in the game.

"We weren't really testing them. We just had to try to play our way and see how they handled that," experienced defender Andrew Mackie said.

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"To the boys' credit, we got on top in the middle and that makes a difference, a bit like last week (against Hawthorn)."

In a gripping final term, the Kangaroos lost the lead and then regained it with a goal from Daniel Wells after Mitch Duncan conceded a 50m penalty.

Ironically, it was another 50m penalty that allowed Cat Jimmy Bartel to kick the sealing goal inside the last minute after Nathan Grima fell into his back and then Michael Firrito roosted the ball away.

What would have been a pressure shot for Bartel from 40m became a gift from the goalline. The Cats created two stoppages after the restart to run down the clock.

Geelong v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Docklands. Harry Taylor , Trent West and Josh Caddy celebrate on the final siren Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

Another second-half revival left Geelong coach Chris Scott with mixed emotions - while he marvelled at the resilience of his players he was determined to dissect a lacklustre first half.

"I'm exhausted without having to run a metre. It was difficult to watch in the first half and that's what we're going to focus on," he said.

"The things that we went in planning to do weren't implemented and they were a different team than the one that played Round 1. Due credit to their skills and decision-making, but those options shouldn't have been available.

"A lot of the questioning today will be around the competitiveness of our players, their discipline to get back to what we wanted to do pre-game and really fight their way back.

"But we don't accept that, it's not good enough to rely on efforts like that to get back into games of footy because our first half was poor."

North monopolised the ball in the first half, working harder and hitting their targets to rack up nearly double the Cats' possessions.

Geelong v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Docklands. Nathan Grima after the loss Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

That control and accuracy inside the forward 50 wasn't reflected on the scoreboard with only a 19-point lead at quarter-time to show for the Roos toil. But it had stretched to 35 at halftime.

Geelong will reflect on two telling moves that fuelled the momentum switch in the second half.

 Almost as telling as Mathew Stokes super-sub performance was defender Harry Taylor's shutdown of dangerous Kangaroo tall target Drew Petrie.

Taylor went back on to Petrie after the big Roo had booted his fourth goal on Tom Lonergan early in the second term and he didn't add to the tally.

It was another example that the game doesn't allow anyone to bathe in glory for long ... Lonergan, who contained Lance Franklin only six days earlier, had his second opponent and four goals against him after just over a quarter.

Like the opening round against Hawthorn, the Cats' daring and run created overlaps and the willingness to risk another handball applied enormous pressure to the Roos defence after halftime.

"We have confidence that we can score quickly, but in my time at Geelong it appears no player ever gives up and that's a really admirable trait," Scott said.

"We're really proud of our guys, but I guess we can't just rely on that experience to get us back into the game when it's slipping away from us. I guess it's slightly intimidating for opposition teams when they know they're playing a team that never gives up. But we have to focus on not putting ourselves in that position in the first place."

Geelong v North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium, Docklands. Brad Scott talking with the AFL's ( Graham Finn ? ) ground manger after the loss about the roof policy after the loss. Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: Herald Sun

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Magpies down Mick's Blues

Collingwood forward Jamie Elliott booted five goals to steer the Magpies to victory. Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source: Herald Sun

A SPIRITED Collingwood have overcome injury for the second straight round to notch a thrilling comeback AFL win over Carlton and keep former Magpies coach Mick Malthouse winless at his new club.

Small forward Jamie Elliott kicked five goals, including two in the last term, as the Magpies stormed back from 10 points down at the last change to win 17.15 (117) to 15.10 (100) in front of a crowd of 84,247.

As well as his own contribution on the scoreboard, Elliott dished a handball to Steele Sidebottom that set up the sealer with less than a minute to play, with Scott Pendlebury ramming home another major in the final seconds.

The Magpies had seemed in big trouble early, when Carlton's Andrew Walker kicked the first three goals of the match and Collingwood ruckman Darren Jolly went down with a rib injury in the opening minutes.

Live HQ: SuperCoach scores, stats

Jolly returned briefly to the field at the start of the second quarter but was soon subbed out, meaning key forward recruit Quinten Lynch had to spend most of the day in the ruck.

He was thrashed in the hit-outs by Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer but worked valiantly at ground level, picking up 24 disposals and six clearances.

It also meant Travis Cloke, who was kept goal-less by Michael Jamison, had to play largely a lone hand as a marking target in attack.

But with Cloke failing to fire, Elliott stepped into the breach beautifully while small midfielder Jarryd Blair also chipped in with two goals.

As in last year's two clashes between these two sides, Carlton's small forwards were very dangerous and looked set to prove match-winners, with Chris Yarran and Jeff Garlett kicking three goals each.

Together with Walker's early haul and strong midfield showings by Marc Murphy and Chris Judd, it was enough to help Carlton lead for most of the day.

But goals to Magpies Ben Sinclair, Elliott and Blair in the first eight minutes of the last term gave Collingwood a 10-point lead.

And despite Garlett responding with a sensational snap from outside 50m to narrow the gap to less than a kick, they never gave up the lead.

Heath Shaw, Dane Swan, Sidebottom, Pendlebury and recruit Sam Dwyer were all important midfield contributors for the Magpies.

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Stokes is best vest yet

A controversial free kick and 50m penalty has gifted Geelong another remarkable comeback victory at Etihad Stadium today.

Geelong coach Chris Scott pulled a masterstroke naming Mathew Stokes as his substitute. Picture: Getty Source: Herald Sun

MATHEW Stokes doesn't ever want to be the sub, and he sure doesn't want to be Geelong's super sub.

But after an eye-catching quarter and a bit, where Stokes had nine touches in his first 15 minutes, he's a pretty handy vest-wearer.

Stokes had 29 touches against Hawthorn in Round 1. But Geelong coach Chris Scott refused to reveal why the premiership player had been given the vest.

"No player likes to be the sub," said Stokes, who was subbed in 17 minutes into the third term.

"You don't want to go too well because then you're going to become the (regular) sub. There were a couple of reasons why I was the sub today. You're going to have to ask Scotty about that.

"Being around for eight years, it's a hard pill to swallow. You can either stay positive and come on and try and impact, or you can get negative and be angry."

Scott said Stokes as the sub was "as good as we've seen".

"Stokesy's clearing in our best 21 right at the moment," Scott said.

Stokes said he was disappointed with his 2012 form and hoped to play more in the midfield.

"I had a really good pre-season, but I had a couple of injuries early on. It really put me back a little bit," he said.

 "I had a mindset that it's a privilege to play AFL footy and maybe last year I let a year go.

"It feels at the moment it's all going well. You don't want to pump yourself up too much because footy has a knack of playing well and the next week you struggle."

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Hawks bounce back with big win

Hawk Grant Birchall celebrates a goal. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: HWT Image Library

HAWTHORN shrugged off the Kennett Curse and the controversy over the future of coach Alastair Clarkson to kick-start its season with a gutsy 50-point belting of West Coast.

With the mercury hitting 32C, the Hawks withstood two determined fightbacks rom the Eagles to triumph.

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Hawthorn outlasted the home side in stifling conditions at Patersons Stadium, powering home with eight goals in the last quarter despite coming off a six-day break compared with the home side's 15 days.

The Hawks also kicked eight of the first nine goals to open up a 39-point advantage early in the second quarter.

AFL Round 2- West Coast Eagles v Hawthorn Hawks at Patersons Stadium, Perth. PICTURED- Hawk Luke Breust marks. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: HWT Image Library

Sam Mitchell starred with 31 touches moving between the midfield and defence, while Lance Franklin booted five goals and Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust four apiece.

Skipper Luke Hodge impressed with a full game in his return from injury, gathering 25 touches in defence.

The Eagles, rated in the top bracket of premiership fancies before the season, are now 0-2 and grateful the fixture has presented them with a trip to face Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.

West Coast's early-season injury crisis has bitten hard, with the team sorely missing first-choice players Nic Naitanui, Daniel Kerr, Mark LeCras, Matt Rosa, Sharrod Wellingham and Eric Mackenzie.

AFL Round 2- West Coast Eagles v Hawthorn Hawks at Patersons Stadium, Perth. PICTURED- Hawk Luke Breust marks. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: HWT Image Library

Franklin and Rioli both had two goals by the first change as Hawthorn stunned the Eagles with a six-goal-to-one opening term.

As expected, Mitch Brown was handed the job on Franklin in his first game for West Coast since being denied his request to move to St Kilda in last year's trade period.

The Hawks led by more than six goals early in the second term when Isaac Smith booted their seventh unanswered goal.

Mitchell, Brad Sewell and Shaun Burgoyne were all influential in the midfield as Matt Priddis shouldered the grunt work for the Eagles.

Jamie Cripps finally broke the drought for the home side when he nailed a running goal from the 50m arc, which inspired a revival before halftime.

AFL Round 2- West Coast Eagles v Hawthorn Hawks at Patersons Stadium, Perth. PICTURED- Hawk Luke Breust marks. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: HWT Image Library

Josh Kennedy, virtually unsighted to that point, kicked two goals in two minutes as the Eagles added four majors in six minutes to spark the crowd and close to within 14 points.

Breust and Jarryd Roughead each got their second to ensure the Hawks restored a healthy buffer at the main break.

Rioli and Franklin continued their fine double act in attack early in the third, but for the second time the Eagles mounted a challenge just as the game reached a dangerous tipping point.

West Coast wrested control in the packs and Josh Hill was the spark, kicking three goals for the third term as the Eagles positioned themselves for a last-quarter challenge.

Breust missed a huge chance to almost put the tiring Hawks in a safe position when he missed his set shot from directly in front after the three-quarter time siren.

But Grant Birchall kicked his second and David Hale bobbed up for two majors as Hawthorn put the game beyond doubt in the final quarter.

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Goal umpire stretchered off

Goal umpire Courtenay Lai was stretchered off the field after Bulldogs hardnut Liam Picken accidently fell across his leg.

Goal umpire Courtney Lai lies on the ground after injuring his knee after he was struck by Liam Picken. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images Source: HWT Image Library

A GOAL umpire has been stretchered off the field in the Western Bulldogs-Fremantle clash at Etihad Stadium today with a horrific knee injury.

Officials from both clubs carried goal umpire Courtney Lai from the field after Dogs hardnut Liam Picken fell across his leg, causing it to buckle awkwardly.

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And in a bizarre twist, it has been reported Lai is a qualified doctor and diagnosed his own injury as a possible ACL tear.

Adam Cooney during the 3rd qtr of the Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers match at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. April 6, 2013. Picture: Klein Michael Source: HWT Image Library

Picken laid a heavy bump on Michael Walters as the Docker booted a major from the goalsquare early in the third quarter.

VIDEO: See the injury happen in the video player above

After colliding with Walters, Picken fell across the goal line and collected the umpire.

Lai immediately grimaced in pain and called for assistance.

Field umpire "Razor" Ray Chamberlain patted Lai on the head before he was carried from the field, while the crowd clapped as Lai was lifted onto the stretcher.

Fox Footy reported Lai was taken to Epworth Hospital in an ambulance for treatment by renowned orthopedic surgeon David Young, who also works for the Dogs.
 

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Dogs rue sloppy start

Goal umpire Courtenay Lai was stretchered off the field after Bulldogs hardnut Liam Picken accidently fell across his leg.

Ryan Griffen was tagged by Ryan Crowley. Picture: Klein Michael Source: HWT Image Library

THE first 25 minutes at Etihad Stadium were always going to tell the story.

Ultimately it was 1500 seconds which summed up the whole game.

Last week the Western Bulldogs were able to do as they pleased against the Brisbane Lions. Brendan McCartney's men were ranked No.1 in the comp for effective kicks, marks and uncontested marks.

Goal umpire stretchered off

It took all of a minute for the Dogs to establish that they would not have things so easy against Fremantle.

The Dockers cleared from the middle and although they didn't score from their first foray forward, it took the Bulldogs an eternity to find an avenue out of defensive 50m.

Adam Cooney during the 3rd qtr of the Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers match at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. April 6, 2013. Picture: Klein Michael Source: HWT Image Library

They were not afforded the time and space they got against the Brisbane Lions last week, as Robert Murphy learnt in the early stages.

He got free 30m from goal but was forced in to a quick snap for the big sticks and as such missed a wide open Daniel Giansiracusa.

Live HQ: Western Bulldogs v Fremantle

His shot was marked on the goal line.

A short time later the Dockers sent a nothing ball inside 50m, but the harrying pressure of Matthew Pavlich and Michael Walters forced a couple of fumbles from Jordan Roughead and Adam Cooney, leading to a shot on goal from the Freo skipper.

Adam Cooney during the 3rd qtr of the Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers match at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. April 6, 2013. Picture: Klein Michael Source: HWT Image Library

The Bulldogs won nine of the first 12 clearances, but the effectiveness was just not there. The Dockers relentless pressure on the ball carrier was too much.

Last week the Dogs chalked up a kicking efficiency tally of 71 per cent.

By the 20-minute mark yesterday they were going at 48 per cent efficiency by foot, the Dockers were at 75 per cent.

Last week the Bulldogs kicked the first six goals. Yesterday they conceded the first five.

Game over.

But this, as the rest of the game would suggest, was not so much a reality check for the Bulldogs as it was a demonstration in just how good Fremantle are and will be for the rest of the season.

Coach McCartney should have walked from Docklands last night happy in the effort his side put in.

From quarter time the Dogs matched the Dockers on the scoreboard and probably shaded their opponents in endeavour.

Tom Liberatore (28 possessions) will be a gun and is already a clearance king.

Cooney might not be able to run out a full game in the midfield, but his dash off half back is going to be a lethal weapon for the Dogs this year.

Adam Cooney during the 3rd qtr of the Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle Dockers match at Etihad Stadium, Melbourne. April 6, 2013. Picture: Klein Michael Source: HWT Image Library

Will Minson battled manfully against Fremantle ruckman Jonathon Griffin and Nick Lower took yet another scalp in the form of David Mundy.

Fremantle is going to be a force this year.

Ross Lyon has stamped his authority all over this team _ it is intense around the contest, suffocates its opponents in to submission and is nigh on impossible to score against.

Griffin is a more than able substitute for the injured Aaron Sandilands, the outside speed of Danyle Pearce and Stephen Hill is hard to combat while Michael Walters adds another exciting dynamic to a forward line already possessing lethal finishers in Pavlich and Chris Mayne.

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LIVE: Saturday night footy

Mark Jamar and Tom Bellchambers in the ruck. Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: HWT Image Library

8.30pm: Dons 51 - 19 Dees and Port 30 - 29 GWS

OH dear. Melbourne looks bereft of confidence with Essendon doing as it pleases at the MCG.

And to rub salt into the Dees' wounds star kid Jack Viney is off with an ankle injury.

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Mark Neeld has sent Jack Watts to David Zaharakis to try and curb his influence, while Dyson Heppell (18 disposals) and Jobe Watson (16) are igniting the midfield.

Essendon V Melbourne at the MCG, Colin Sylvia tackled by Dustin Fletcher Picture: Salpigtidis George Source: HWT Image Library

Bellchambers and Crameri have two goals apiece.

At AAMI Stadium, Port Adelaide has hit back after the Giants' confidence-fuelled start.

Lachie Whitfield and Cal Ward led GWS's early charge, with the No. 1 draft pick turning in a blinding first quarter with eight disposals.

Goals to Travis Boak, Matthew Broadbent and Kane Cornes restored control. Hamish Hartlett has been quiet, kept to 14 SuperCoach pts.

8:05pm: Dons 37 - 13 Dees and Port 10 - GWS 28
THE Dons kicked six goals for the entire match when they lost to Melbourne last year. Tonight James Hird's side has that many inside the first quarter.

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Dyson Heppell has been prolific at the stoppages, Tom Bellchambers has two goals and Melbourne, again, looks flat.

Jobe Watson and David Zaharakis have shared 22 possessions, while Jack Watts is off to another sloppy start.

At AAMI Stadium, the Giants are off to a stunning start against Port Adelaide. Their clearance work has been exceptional, while Cal Ward has led the way with 10 disposals.

No. 1 draft pick Lachie Whitfield is off to a marked improvement in his second match.

PRE-GAME:NICK Kommer's brilliant AFL debut two weeks ago might have kept in the Bombers' side, but couldn't save him from the substitute vest ahead of tonight's clash with Melbourne at the MCG.

Kommer was lively in the Round 1 win against Adelaide, kicking the sealer late in the fourth quarter.

Aaron Davey, surprisingly left out of Melbourne's side last week, will no longer have to start his season in the green vest.

The Dees lost tagger Jordie McKenzie at the last minute, due to a calf injury sustained in the warm-up.

He's been replaced by David Rodan, who will now don the green vest instead of Davey.

Follow the match with live SuperCoach points, live stats and more at Live HQ.

Meanwhile, Port Adelaide's Kane Mitchell will start as the substitute for the second-straight week ahead of the Power's clash with Greater Western Sydney at AAMI Stadium.

Will Hoskin-Elliott will wear the Giants' green vest.

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McCartney: Defence let us down

Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney lamented his side's lack of defensive pressure. Photo: Scott Barbour/Getty Images Source: HWT Image Library

BRENDAN McCartney lamented a lack of defensive pressure from his players as the Western Bulldogs were brought back to earth with a 28-point loss to Fremantle at Etihad Stadium.

McCartney said in many respects the Dogs had taken "another really good step in the right direction'' after last week's convincing win over the Brisbane Lions, but said ultimately his side was undone by a team who defended a lot better.

"They (Fremantle) value the part of the game when you haven't got the ball,'' McCartney said.

Goal umpire stretchered off

"It's a part of the game that stacks up well when it really matters because you can't always have the game on your terms at AFL level.

"Sometimes you get beaten around the ball, sometimes you miss goals instead of kicking them and when you're going through those patches you've got to keep defending and that's what they do really well.''

The Dockers flexed their muscle with a six goal to one first term that left the majority of the 19,210 crowd deflated.

Live HQ: Western Bulldogs v Fremantle

McCartney said Fremantle's bigger bodies around the contest told, particularly early, and said there were plenty of elements of the Dockers' pressure game that he would like to see from his own team.

"We're building our own way of doing things, but there are certain things in the game that do stand up well,'' he said.

"We believe we're a fair way further down the path in those areas than people gave us credit for, but today was another reminder that we've got to keep progressing really quickly.

"Not as a whole group, in some instances it's one or two players and often they may be just not experienced in the game. They get a strong reminder that when they don't do that it has an effect on the team.''

The Dockers did not allow the Dogs the time and space that the Lions did last week and as such the home team's kicking efficiency suffered.

"We made a few errors that stood out during the course of the game,'' McCartney said.

"It was a day that it seemed whenever we made one of those it hurt us back the other way. We weren't as efficient with the ball, because of a combination of factors.''

The Bulldogs play Richmond next Sunday.

McCartney said captain Matthew Boyd would be "close'' to returning after two weeks out with a calf injury.
 

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Dee-fiant Neeld ignores backlash

AFL 360 panelists David King and Mark Maclure slam Melbourne Demons' recruitment for 2013, saying the club will not improve until Mark Neeld is gone.

Demons coach Mark Neeld says vicious critics can boo all they want. Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE coach Mark Neeld says he will ignore widespread criticism and supporter backlash as he continues to rebuild his ailing football club.

Shell-shocked after Sunday's shameful performance against Port Adelaide, Neeld has ignored the media this week and concentrated on replicating the high intensity of training on match day.

Emphasising he had a job to do, he admitted he heard the booing at three-quarter time on Sunday, but it did not faze him.

"I heard it," Neeld said.

"But the coach's main concern during the game is the players.

"It's not great to hear it ... and that's how they dealt with an unacceptable performance.

"My way of dealing with it is to sit down with the players and have heart-to-hearts, review the game, explain how we want to play, go back through training ... that's how I've got to deal with it.

Read Mark Robinson's full interview with Mark Neeld here

"If people chose to boo, that's their choice. That will never get in the road of what we are trying to achieve."

"I will simply state that what we've seen over summer and at training is not what we saw on Sunday," Neeld said.

Neeld was understanding of fans who might turn their backs on Melbourne.

"Unfortunately, if you're not going to turn up and watch us play through this period, that is your decision, no problem, but you will always be welcomed back."

Neeld refused to give guarantees about the performance this week, but did make promises about preparation and professionalism.

He said the game against Essendon on Saturday night was about effort and work ethic, and not the about winning.

"It's about how we go about it," Neeld said.

"We might get beaten by Essendon on the weekend, but it will be the way in which we approach the game which will be important.

"Clubs in rebuilding phase cannot use the number of victories (to judge), it's about the manner in which we go about it and that's what was disappointing about Sunday. We didn't go about it in the right manner.

"We're doing what we can to instil in very young players the correct manner in which to play.

"We can promise that the attitude of our players to train and to prepare is becoming a highly competitive AFL standard.

"And I can inform supporters today's training session was of AFL standard and quick and there was energy there.

And, yes, there were a few terrible kicks, but I saw players make mistakes and have a crack at the next one."

Neeld did not make excuses, but pointed out last Sunday's game was "game one, year two of a rebuild of a rebuild which never got off the ground".

He said training loads had increased, as had the players' appetite to compete at the highest level.

"Last year they were driving to training to survive the day ... now they are driving to training to attack training."

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Cold breakfast for Mick, Bucks

Nathan Buckley and Mick Malthouse shake hands at today's Peter McCallum Cancer Centre breakfast. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

MICK MALTHOUSE and Nathan Buckley were civil but did not talk to each other at a charity breakfast at the MCG this morning.

The Carlton and Collingwood coaches joined their respective captains, Marc Murphy and Nick Maxwell, on an on-stage panel in the MCG Dining Room as part of a fund-raiser for the Peter McCallum Cancer Centre.

They briefly shook hands before the panel discussion got under way, but did not have a conversation before or after the breakfast.

After the panel, Malthouse turned on his heel and walked off the stage as Buckley approached him. The two coaches left immediately -- Buckley via the lift, Malthouse down the escalator -- to attend their club's respective training sessions.

During the panel, hosted by former Collingwood full-forward Brian Taylor, Malthouse said the tension between himself and Collingwood was "more media and supporter-driven''.

Buckley 'has empathy' for Malthouse

Malthouse coached the Pies to the 2010 flag then lost the 2011 decider to Geelong, then sat out of coaching for a year before taking over the reigns at Carlton this season.

"I do know some of the players who will be playing for Collingwood,'' Malthouse said, "but it's amazing that 12 months out what's happened is that there's a massive change in personnel t the football club -- and that goes for every football club. So it's not the same football club that I was at.

"But if I focus on that, it's the very thing that I coach against, which is individuality. It's all about and must be about the team. So I've got to make sure that any emotions I have are all directed towards our team playing as well as they can.''

TAB's Adam Hamilton previews the upcoming round 2Collingwood vs Carlton game.

Buckley, who captained the Pies for eight years under Malthouse's coaching before working under him as an assistant coach, downplayed the significance of the Pies coming up against their former mentor.

"The rivalry exists longer than any of us sitting here have been around, and that's a great thing to be a part of,'' Buckley said.

Picture gallery: Pies make a splash at training

"We don't have a lot to go on, Carlton under Mick. But obviously having played under him and coached with him, I've got a fair understanding of the way he sees the game of footy.

"We all know what Mick Malthouse-coached sides look like. Carlton, as Mick has detailed, are a work in progress, and how much of the residual is still there and how much of the new stuff is still to come through, we'll see as the year progresses.

"My recent experience with Carlton last year, and this group of Carlton players, is that they knocked us over twice. So Brett Ratten had a fair understanding of us and had a way to get around our strengths, so we need to get get around Carlton's.''

Maxwell said the players were more interested in the match than personal rivalries.

"We've got expectations on ourselves, where we want to finish this year ...,'' Maxwell said.

"I know everyone wants to build it up and make it sound like it's all about Mick and it's all about Bucks and about our coaches, but it's about who gets the four points.''

Buckley refused to buy into speculation about players returning from injury, other than to say Dayne Beams was "zero'' chance of returning from a quad injury this Sunday.

Dave Hughes and Peter Helliar tell us why they love to hate each other's footy teams.

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