Preseason Update Club by Club

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Courtesy of the Herald Sun


SAINT KILDA SAINTS


Track Watch
TRACK STARS: You won’t be surprised, but Lenny Hayes is setting the standard in game simulation. Of note is the size of the youngsters, such as Jack Newnes, who has put on 9kg since being drafted in 2011. Forward Beau Wilkes has dropped about 5kg and Ben McEvoy is flying.

COTTON WOOL: The big guns will give the start of the NAB Cup a miss. No major injuries to worry about, but Hayes, for example, who had heart surgery at the end of last season, won’t be wasted in the early games.

NEW ROLE: Don't be surprised to see Rhys Stanley play as a defender, helping out Sam Fisher.

BRAIN GAME: Much of St Kilda’s improvement will come mentally. A decisive meeting in Colorado, and the trip itself, once and for all buried the 2009 and 2010 Grand Final losses. It wasn’t an elaborate ceremony but more goal-setting from a senior group which is nearing its end and is hungry again.

SUPERCOACH TIP: Exciting forward Tom Lee will be given plenty of chances to show what he can do beside Riewoldt and Justin Koschitzke. Key-position players inconsistent, but he’s too cheap to ignore.

Medical Room
Lenny Hayes = Heart: Ready to go in NAB Cup after surgery in September to correct a leaky valve that he remarkably played with all last season.
Adam Schneider = Foot: Recovery is on track after season-ending surgery in August.
Daniel Markworth = Knee: His rehabilitation has started positively after season-ending knee surgery before Christmas. Markworth was hurt in a training drill in Colorado.
Spencer White = Wrist: The exciting forward, the Saints' second pick at last year's draft, is yet to take part in skills work after arriving at the club with a broken wrist.

[Ricochet]

Courtesy of the Herald Sun


SYDNEY SWANS


Track Watch
TRACK STAR: Look out for Lewis Jetta. He has been the standout at the Swans over the summer with Jarrad McVeigh a close second. Dan Hannebery won the 3km time-trail.

COTTON WOOL: Co-captain Adam Goodes has been nursed through the pre-season as a result of his injured left knee. He partially tore the posterior cruciate ligament in last year’s Grand Final win and is still 2-3 weeks away from resuming full training.

REMEMBER THIS KID: Defender Jordan Lockyer,19, missed the majority of last season with ongoing hamstring issues. That now appears to be behind him. He’s shown massive improvement over the pre-season.

SUPERCOACH TIP: Josh Kennedy let no one down last year. Expect no different this season.

WHAT’S CHANGED: Well, there is a new shiny trophy in the cabinet. There is also a big forward called Kurt Tippett now (finally) on the list. The big man is said to be training superbly, too.

WHAT HASN’T: The Swans’ culture. They have just won a flag, but you wouldn’t know it from the way they are training. Those in the know say they are far from content and hungry for more success.

Medical Room
Gary Rohan = Broken leg: Ran outside for the first time on January 7 and pulled up OK. It was the first time away from an anti-gravity treadmill, but the Swans will not set a timeframe on a return.
Adam Goodes = Knee: The superstar did serious damage to the PCL in his knee in the Grand Final and is still a few weeks away from joining in skills work. Started running again in the new year.
Nick Smith = Knee: The youngster had an arthroscopy on his knee but is progressing nicely and could play NAB Cup.
Martin Mattner = Hips: Hit the treadmill again in the new year. Took three months off after some hip joint issues late last year.

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Courtesy of the Herald Sun


WEST COAST EAGLES


Track Watch
TRACK STAR: Scott Selwood. The word out of the west is Selwood has taken his training to a new level over the summer. Veteran defender Darren Glass has also enjoyed a solid pre-season.

COTTON WOOL: Big man Nic Naitanui had groin surgery in November, which has killed his pre-season. He will sit out the NAB Cup and unlikely to be available for the start of the season. Daniel Kerr’s knee continues to be a concern. He’s no certainty for Round 1.

CAN’T WAIT TO SEE: Mark LeCras. The medium forward is slowly but surely coming back from his knee reconstruction and will play a big role in 2013.

SUPERCOACH TIP: Former Saint Jamie Cripps is set for a strong year and is good value.

WHAT’S CHANGED: There’s no Quinten Lynch, who is now a Magpie. But the sight of Sharrod Wellingham running around Patersons Stadium is new. Expect a big year from the midfielder, who has stepped it up over the summer.

WHAT HASN’T: Dean Cox. How does he do it year after year? The big man, who apparently drinks from the fountain of youth, has been burning up the track over summer. Some things never change.

Medical Room
Nic Naitanui = Groin: Wants to play in Round 1 but that would be a miracle. Barely running after groin surgery in late November and Eagles won't take any risks.
Daniel Kerr = Knee: The veteran onballer had a minor operation on his right knee in December and could miss the NAB Cup, but should be right for Round 1.
Mark LeCras = Knee: The star forward continues to increase his load on the training track and is primed for a Round 1 comeback.
Beau Waters = Hamstring: Training with rehab group after post-season foot surgery and a hip operation before Christmas. Hoping to play in the NAB Cup.
Jamie Bennell = Knee: The rookie-listed ex-Demon is eyeing a mid-season return through the WAFL after a knee reconstruction.

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Courtesy of the Herald Sun


WESTERN BULLDOGS


Track Watch
TRACK STARS: Daniel Cross not only bounced back from surgery on his AC joint, he has dominated the Whitten Oval track with his professionalism. Shaun Higgins has fi nally avoided pre-season hiccups and is poised for his best season, while a fully fit Adam Cooney is running pain-free in a boost to the club.

COTTON WOOL: Tom Williams (foot) will join full training this week, handing the Dogs a clean bill of health after Daniel Giansiracusa’s (knee) January return.

THE QUOTE: “Most blokes have broken PBs over the last few months, whether that’s in the gym or out on the track running,” assistant coach Shannon Grant said.

ROLE CHANGE: After being tried in the backline late last year, Jordan Roughead has spent the summer in defence and is a candidate to hold down full-back. Bob Murphy will be thrown in and out of attack.

REMEMBER THIS KID: Nathan Hrovat could bob up earlier than expected. He’s physically mature and ready to crack in to the midfield.

SUPERCOACH TIP: First-round draft pick Jake Stringer, 18, is ready to play senior footy.

Medical Room
Tom Williams = Foot: Has rejoined the main group after post-season surgery, giving the Dogs a clean bill of health.

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Thought I better bump this  :D

[newfreofan]

This is glorious, awesome work  8)

[theta]

AFL Website Club Injury Update
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-02-09/afl-club-injury-update

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AFL Website Club Injury Update
http://www.afl.com.au/news/2013-02-09/afl-club-injury-update

some good news in there

. Injured trio Matthew Leuenberger (Achilles), Brent Staker (knee) and Mitch Golby (foot) have been training strongly since the New Year and will all be available for selection.