Franklin having his best pre-season: Longmire Sydney coach John Longmire says Lance Franklin has had his best pre-season since arriving at the club, as the key forward continues to manage mental health problems. "He's done all the training, a lot more than he's done the last couple of pre-seasons. He's doing all the competitive work and looks in great nick at the moment. He's really enjoying it," Longmire has told Breakfast with Frank and Ox. The coach has also also revealed co-captain Jarrad McVeigh is in doubt for round one after having knee surgery at the end of last year. "He's taking a bit of time to get over that operation. He's running now and we don't know whether he'll be right for round one but most importantly we still expect he'll have a strong season." The Swans are also managing knee problems to Young gun Isaac Heeney ahead of the round one, and Longmire isn't sure whether he'll be used in the mid-field or a permanent forward. "He still managing some patella tendon issues in his knees, and we're still managing his load. He's training now and doing all the competitive work. It will be a combination of both depending on how much work we can get into him in the next few weeks." The Swans have lost over 1000 games worth of experience with the retirements of Adam Goodes, Mike Pyke, Rhyce Shaw and the loss of Lewis Jetta and Craig Bird. Longmire has left the door open for Goodes to have a role at the club in 2016. "He's offered to help when ever we need him .. I wouldn't be surprised if the phone calls start coming in the few weeks." http://www.sen.com.au/news/afl/02-1...-best-pre-season-longmire#l8uVM2gbvvC4Vh81.97
Bulked up Bailey set for big things A noticeably heavier Bailey Dale is primed to add to his total of 10 senior games in his second season at the Club, as the third week of preseason 2016 comes to a close at the kennel. Dale’s slight frame was no obstacle to the 19 year old finding his place at the top level last season, and he is keen to continue to add extra dimensions to his game, and a few kilograms too. “I’ve put on eight kilos since last year, so for me hitting the gym pretty hard (has been important), and to work on my aerobic capacity so I can cover a bit more ground on the outside. “I’ve (also) tried to work on my inside craft a little bit as well, just trying to get a little bit more experience in there.” Dale’s first senior game came against Fremantle in round seven and he managed to join the ‘first game, first goal’ club when he slotted the first of his six goals for the season. It’s a feeling that he said he could get used to. “When I kicked that first goal (it) was as loud as I’ve heard any crowd, so that was really good,” he said. “It’d be nice to kick a few more this year. It’s really exciting to kick a goal, and I like a little bit of a celebration so it was good of the boys to feed me a few last year.” There were a lot of firsts for Dale in 2015, but he said it was hard to top being selected for that first AFL game back in May. “On Thursday (before the game), Bevo came up to me and said ‘you’re in’. “I rang my Mum and Dad just to tell them what’s going on, and they were really excited, especially Dad, and then I rang my uncle Craig after that and he was probably more excited than them. “The wait until Sunday was pretty long but once you get out there and hear the crowd…” 2015 was a special season for both player and Club and Dale can’t wait to get back out there to see what 2016 brings. “The boys played really well all year and to get 10 games under my belt was really good for me, and hoping to improve on that this year.” http://www.westernbulldogs.com.au/news/2016-01-20/bulked-up-bailey-set-for-big-things#sthash.VIagxQCS.dpuf
Returning Crouch is 'training the house down' ADELAIDE defender Ricky Henderson says injury-plagued midfielder Brad Crouch has been "training the house down". However Henderson cautioned Crows fans to rein in early-season expectations for the ball magnet, whose 2015 campaign was ruined by a stress fracture in his foot. That followed a broken leg, Achilles and hamstring issues that severely hampered Crouch's 2014 and 2013 seasons. As a result, the 22-year-old has managed just 25 games since his debut in 2013. While dampening expectations, Henderson tipped that Crouch would eventually play a big role for the team. "He hasn't played a game for about a year, so I wouldn't have too many expectations on him early in the year," Henderson said. "He's been training the house down. He's as fit as he's ever been, so he'll be really good for us this year – pretty much a new recruit." Having had a bulging disc removed from his back just before Christmas, Henderson is hopeful he can return to his damaging best this season. He is a structurally important player to the Crows when fully fit, but the tail end of Henderson's 2015 campaign was affected by back pain and he's spent the bulk of the pre-season in rehabilitation. He's nearing a return to full training and while he wasn't able to confirm whether he'd feature in the club's upcoming NAB Challenge campaign, Henderson said on Tuesday his sights were focused on round one against North Melbourne. "I had a little disk bulge that I had removed – day to day it's so much easier … it was giving me a fair bit of pain," he said. "Playing last year I was in a little bit of pain throughout the season. "Moving on from here it's just about getting my conditioning back and getting back on track from there. "We don't want to rush it too much because it is a back and it's obviously pretty important. Hopefully I can be back round one." http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-02/returning-crow-crouch-training-the-house-down-says-henderson
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-02/big-cat-rhys-stanley-confident-hell-play-in-nab-challenge Not ideal for the Blicavs perhaps?
'He's a freak of nature': Swans youngster a serious round one chance SYDNEY Swans teenager Callum Mills has the qualities needed to back up the hype surrounding his fledgling career, according to his more experienced teammates. Mills made history in November when he attracted the AFL's first bid under its new academy system, when the Swans blocked Melbourne's attempt to take him at pick No.3 in the NAB AFL Draft. The 18 year-old was so highly rated by the Swans hierarchy that he was handed the No.14 jumper to start his career, the same guernsey worn by club legends and Brownlow Medal winners Bob Skilton and Paul Kelly. From North Shore in Sydney, Mills arrived at the Swans with plenty of fanfare, and co-captain Kieren Jack said the new recruit had impressed everyone at the club while defender Jeremy Laidler called him a 'freak of nature' who could play anywhere. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-...re-swans-youngster-a-serious-round-one-chance
McGovern won't walk into ruck role, says Simpson WEST Coast coach Adam Simpson says he will decide where Jeremy McGovern plays, despite the Eagles youngster wanting an opportunity to move into the ruck and on-ball this season. McGovern had an outstanding 2015 playing as a key defender in the absence of injured duo Eric Mackenzie and Mitch Brown. The 23-year-old was selected in the All Australian 40-man squad in 2015 on the back of his intercept marking and rebound from defence. But with Mackenzie and Brown ready to return from knee injuries there is an opportunity for McGovern to play a different role. The Eagles' second ruck spot is up for grabs after Callum Sinclair was traded to the Sydney Swans during the off-season for Lewis Jetta. McGovern, who is only 195cm, has stated publicly that he would love to play in the ruck at AFL level, after playing most of his junior football and some of his football in the WAFL as a ruckman. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2016-02-08/mcgovern-wont-walk-into-ruck-role-says-simpson
GOLD Coast Suns coach Rodney Eade says the club may have already unearthed their next Touk Miller. When Miller sensationally broke the mould to thrive in all 22 games for the Gold Coast Suns last year, Eade was consigned to the fact he may have to wait years for another player of his calibre to arrive. However, rookie Darcy Macpherson has lit up preseason training with the blond-haired midfielder quickly garnering the attention of coaches and players for his high workrate and flair with ball in hand. Macpherson’s key strengths have Eade comparing the 18-year-old with 2015 standout Miller. “His training form since Christmas has been terrific so he certainly gives himself every chance to play in the NAB series,” Eade said. “He works hard and the really competitive nature that he has got really stands out. “He is really like a blond-haired version of Touk Miller where he just catches your eye because he is constantly competing hard for the ball. “If he can be in that mould like Touk it will be real pleasing.” Macpherson was overlooked in the national draft in November before being taken at No.20 of the rookie draft by the Gold Coast. His rookie status means Macpherson will have to rely on a senior-listed player to be placed on the long-term injury list in order to be placed on the primary list. But he is content with learning his craft from the senior side. “It would be a dream come true (to play AFL),” he said. “Just getting a gig playing in front of a big crowd would just be awesome.”