No gift farewell game for Johncock

Setback: Brenton Sanderson has revealed Graham Johncock has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

CROWS veteran Graham Johncock will not be handed a farewell game - and the fan favourite does not want his last game at Adelaide to be a gift.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson last night declared he will not recall 227-game Johncock simply to allow the converted defender to take a bow before the Adelaide supporters.

"I don't like farewell games - and I'm not going to give players a (free) game," said Sanderson in his a mid-term report with FIVEaa last night.

"And Graham said to me today `don't give me a game'. He wants to earn his spot."

But Johncock - who has not played in the AFL since the round three Showdown against Port Adelaide - still appears far from an AFL recall for his third game of the season.

Sanderson last night revealed Johncock, 30, has suffered a recurrence of his long-standing back injury.

"Physically," Sanderson said of Johncock, "he can't meet the demands of the AFL game.

"We need him at his best to contribute.

"Graham still has a big role to play. It's up to me to keep him motivated and engaged in the group because he is an important player for us."

Sanderson last night finally conceded his club's new fitness program - after losing long-standing fitness coach Stephen Schwerdt to Gold Coast - had failed to maintain standards.

"Externally, the Crows always have been seen as super fit but this year we had an emphasis on being stronger, for finals," said Sanderson, whose 11th-ranked team may not qualify for September.

"It is an area we need to get better at ... we need to run out games better."

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Moored in misery

Fremantle Dockers coach Ross Lyon issues instructions. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

THE man who preaches defence more than any other in football had to employ it when he was announced as the new coach of Fremantle.

It was September, 2011, and the Perth media was fuming at the injustice of the sudden sacking of Mark Harvey.

Ross Lyon walked into a press conference fire pit.

The first question was: "Ross, do you feel you've stabbed Mark Harvey in the back?" They kept coming.

"Has your reputation been tarnished?"

"How hard is it to arrive at a club where the members and fans don't really like you?"

"How can you honestly say you've been loyal and held integrity with St Kilda ... ?"

Lyon remained ice-cold. Unfazed, his poker-face was never close to cracking.

The resolve he displayed in the face of a baying media pack some 21 months ago has rubbed off on his players with admirable success.

Like their coach, the Dockers' defence has been close to impregnable.

In clashes with Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and North Melbourne, Fremantle has conceded only 43.5 points per game. The Bombers of 1989 are the only side since 1966 with such a points-against profile in a four-week block.

After a shaky start to Lyon's debut season, the Dockers' suffocation techniques are now sending shockwaves through the competition.

Thirteen rounds into the season, they are conceding 66.5 points a game - 10.1 fewer than any rival. They allow opponents to go inside 50m only 43.4 times a game - 2.8 fewer than any other side.

What former Melbourne coach Mark Neeld declared in his first press conference is a reality out west - Fremantle is the hardest team to play against.

Sides who win the ball behind centre in games against the Dockers face a monumental task just to advance up the ground.

From Rounds 9-13, the Dockers have allowed rival teams to execute a chain of possession from defensive 50m to forward 50m only 11.9 per cent of time, ranked No.1 in the competition.

From defensive midfield to inside 50m, it's a paltry 21.1 per cent - ranked No.1 - and from a centre clearance to inside 50m, it's 44.1 per cent, again ranked first. To put the latter stat into perspective, Geelong is the next best at 60 per cent.

It's a road trip to face the Cats - winners of 43 of their last 45 games at home - that presents the greatest challenge to Lyon's pressure pack. But after this weekend the Dockers face a dream run home; the second easiest according to Champion Data. A top-two berth is probable rather than possible and that means two home finals.

The fact All-Australian pair Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands are still to return only adds to the ominous look about the purple haze.

Among the loaded questions and accusations at that first press conference, Lyon remarked: "It's about possibility. You can be what you want to be."

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Final Demon pillar topples

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	12	11	0	1	143.00	44
2	Geelong	12	10	0	2	126.27	40
3	Fremantle	12	9	1	2	132.29	38
4	Essendon	12	9	0	3	131.57	36
5	Sydney	12	8	1	3	130.22	34
6	Richmond	12	8	0	4	119.36	32
7	Collingwood	12	8	0	4	108.47	32
8	Port Adelaide	12	7	0	5	115.57	28
9	Carlton	12	6	0	6	116.89	24
10	West Coast	12	6	0	6	111.53	24
11	Adelaide	12	5	0	7	103.55	20
12	Gold Coast	12	5	0	7	92.55	20
13	North Melbourne	12	4	0	8	107.00	16
14	Brisbane	12	4	0	8	76.08	16
15	St Kilda	12	3	0	9	89.80	12
16	Bulldogs	12	3	0	9	73.38	12
17	Melbourne	12	1	0	11	50.87	4
18	Greater Western Sydney	12	0	0	12	51.41	0

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Le Cras off free agent table

Eagle Mark LeCras takes a break in his first game back from a knee reconstruction. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

WEST Coast sharpshooter Mark Le Cras looks set to be a one-club player, committing to the Eagles for a further four seasons.

Le Cras, eligible to be a free agent at the end of 2013 and certain to have attracted the attention of rival clubs, will be 31 at the end of the 2017 season.

After making his debut in 2005, he has played 110 matches and booted 253 goals for the Eagles.

He missed all of 2012 after requiring a knee reconstruction but has showed signs of his crafty best this season, and said he was determined to see the Eagles return to the top of the table.

"We are all committed to finishing the season as strongly as possible and pushing towards the top eight," LeCras said.

"There is a really good feeling within the playing group and while we have not won as many games as we would have liked in the first half of the season, there is still plenty of football left this year."

The Eagles are thrilled to have re-signed the 2010 best and fairest winner.

"Obviously having a player of Mark's ability recommit to the club for the next four years is a key element of our list management strategy," West Coast list manager Craig Vozzo said.

"He is seen as important part of our playing group, both now and into the future.

"As a 26-year-old, despite everything he has already achieved, we believe his best is yet to come."

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Gibson, Birchall in doubt

A disappointed Josh Gibson leaves the field after Hawthorn's victory against West Coast. Source: News Limited

HAWTHORN hopes a long break between games will give defenders Josh Gibson and Grant Birchall time to recover from injuries in time for Sunday's clash against a buoyant Brisbane.

Gibson injured an ankle late in last Friday night's win over West Coast, while Birchall was subbed out in the third term after copping what was believed to be a knock to the knee in the first term.

Small forward Paul Puopolo is also racing to be fit to face the Lions in Launceston after pulling out pre-game with a quad injury.

In-form forward Jarryd Roughead said Puopolo was likely to have scans while Birchall and Gibson would be assessed later in the week.

"We'll give them as much time as they need, knowing it's a longer week and no doubt recovery will be the main focus for those two boys this week,'' Roughead said today.

Wingman Isaac Smith should be ready to return from a calf injury.

But star small forward Cyril Rioli, who has missed the Hawks' past seven games with a hamstring injury, is expected to make his comeback through VFL side Box Hill.

If you don't mind umpire: Buddy cops it again

"I don't think he's ever pulled on a Box Hill jumper,'' Roughead said.

"Hodgey's had to do it, we've all had to do it, so it might be Cyril's turn.''

Roughead said the Hawks' multi-pronged attack would be even more dangerous once Rioli and Puopolo return.

But he said the defence probably saved the Hawks on Friday night, given the amount of possession the Eagles won through the midfield, powered by the performance of star ruck duo Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox.

Roughead said that showed the top-placed Hawks they still have areas that need work.

"It was probably lucky that we had (Brian Lake) and Gibbo in defence, that probably stopped a fair bit on Friday night,'' he said.

There will be no complacency as the Hawks seek to equal their club record winning streak on Sunday, given the incredible comeback win the Lions produced against Geelong on Sunday.

"It's going to be pretty full-on, they've come off a great win and we're going to have to be on our game,'' Roughead said.

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Double injury blow for Eagles

Shannon Hurn on crutches after the Eagles' loss to Hawthorn. Source: Getty Images

WEST Coast has suffered a serious setback ahead of its crucial clash against Essendon, ruling out star playmakers Scott Selwood and Shannon Hurn with injury.

Selwood and Hurn will both miss large chunks of the remainder of the season as West Coast fights to stay in finals contention.

Selwood, 23, has as suspected broken thumb, while Hurn has a serious ankle injury.

A decision on whether they required surgery is expected from West Coast medical staff and advisers later today.

Gibson, Birchall in doubt for Hawks

Hurn, 25, could miss as much as eight weeks and only be back into action approaching the September finals, if West Coast is still in contention.

Eagles coach John Worsfold confirmed his latest injury woes on today.

He said Selwood could miss up to a month if the injury requires surgery.

"There's every possibility it will require some surgery," Worsfold said.

"That looks like he will miss a number of weeks."

Worsfold described Hurn's damaged right ankle as "pretty bad".

"Bracing for the worst scenario is he will need some surgery and be out for a couple of months and that certainly could be the case.

"At best he'll miss a couple of weeks.

"It's a some sort of tendon he has torn in his ankle and not a ligament. Most sprained ankles are ligament sprains."

Brad Sheppard, Jacob Brennan and Will Schofield are in the mix for recalls against the Bombers then a potentially defining block of clashes that follows: Adelaide in Adelaide, Fremantle and then reigning premier Sydney as West Coast fights to stay in touch with the top eight.

Both players were hurt during West Coast's 20-point loss to premiership favourite Hawthorn in Melbourne on Friday night.

Selwood is the Eagles' reigning fairest-and-best winner and would have been an ideal run-with candidate to play on Bombers captain Jobe Watson.

Hurn is the Eagles' most important link-up player in defence and vital to West Coast kick-in strategies.

He was subbed out of Friday's clash with the Hawks at quarter-time after suffering nasty ligament damage during a frenetic opening term.

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SuperCoach studs and duds

HURTING: An injured Shannon Hurn arrives at Perth Airport this morning. He scored just eight SuperCoach points. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij Source: PerthNow

SEE who starred and who stunk it up in SuperCoach this weekend.

WESTERN BULLDOGS 61 defeated by RICHMOND 121

Bulldogs studs: Ryan Griffen (143) had 38 disposals including eight inside 50s while Matthew Boyd (137) helped himself to 34 in a head-to-head duel with Trent Cotchin. Clay Smith provided a spark around the stoppages.

Bulldogs duds: Daniel Giansiracusa (14) didn't get much of a run as the substitute while Nathan Hrovat (30) could only manage six disposals. Luke Dahlhaus (42) butchered his 10 disposals.

Tigers studs: Jack Riewoldt (108) finished with three goals and three score assists, Tyrone Vickery (108) rose to the occasion booting two goals while Bachar Houli (103) rebounded at will out of defence.

Tigers duds: Nick Vlastuin (31) slammed into the rookie wall finishing with five disposals while Steve Morris (56) worked hard in defence.

ST KILDA 104 d MELBOURNE 69

Saints studs: Farren Ray starred with 29 disposals and seven marks for 152 points. Leigh Montagna racked up 35 disposals for his 143 while Jack Steven, Nick Riewoldt and Sean Dempster were locked on 99 points apiece.

Saints duds: Ben McEvoy (53) was subbed out with concussion thereby limiting his output. Dylan Roberton (61) has dropped off after making a flying start in Saints strips.

Demons studs: Colin Garland (144) broke new ground cracking the tonne for a third consecutive week, the first Demon to do so in 2013. Nathan Jones was as consistent as every scoring 118 points off 23 disposals.

Demons duds: Chris Dawes (30) carried an injury into the match and it showed, struggling to leave his mark close to goal. Dean Kent (49) struggled while Jimmy Toumpas (52) was schooled by one-time No.4 draft pick Farren Ray on the wing.

PORT ADELAIDE 72 def SYDNEY 54

Power stud: ROBBIE Gray was instrumental in the last quarter and duly rewarded with a game-high 124. Wingard scored 103, while the "Hoff" was one of eight Port players to crack the ton.

Get every SuperCoach score from Round 13

Power dud: PITTARD returned but was forced to start at the sub. He was on -4 at the last change and finished with 18. Just 79 for Hamish Hartlett.

Swans stud: WHEN Jack and Kennedy top the scoring you'd think surely the Swans have had a win. Another impressive 84 for gun father-son pick Tom Mitchell.

Swans dud: GOODES was subbed out injured at the last change, finishing with 63. Just 60 for Dan Hannebery.

HAWTHORN 123 def WEST COAST 103

Hawks stud: ONLY three Hawks hit triple figures in a surprise. One was Jarryd Roughead who's bag of five earned him 145 points, while Hodge and Lewis also raised the bat.

Hawks dud: GRANT Birchall. He was subbed after a knock to the knee and finished with 40. Oh dear! Sam Mitchell's 74 also let plenty down.

Eagles stud: JOSH Kennedy was the man for the Eagles. His five goals equated to 125 points ensuring another price rise is imminent. Dean Cox (115) and Nic Nat (114) again showed their value as the best ruck tandem in the league.

Eagles dud: UNLUCKY if you had Shannon Hurn. He was subbed out in the second quarter with an ankle injury, finishing with just eight points. That hurts! Another so-so score of 77 for the Frenchman Mark LeCras.

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LIVE: Sunday arvo football

Fremantle midfielder David Mundy has been ruled out with a calf injury. Picture: Michael Klein Source: HWT Image Library

LATE CHANGES
Fremantle - David Mundy (calf) replaced by Hayden Crozier
North Melbourne - Ben Cunnington (family reasons) replaced by Brad McKenzie
Brisbane Lions - Nil
Geelong - Nil

SUBSTITUTES
Dockers: Hayden Crozier
Kangaroos: Brad McKenzie
Lions: Ryan Harwood
Cats: Jesse Stringer

SuperCoach scores, stats

FREMANTLE midfielder David Mundy was withdrawn from the Dockers clash with North Melbourne in Perth as a precautionary measure with hopes he will resume against Geelong at Simonds Stadium next Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Kangaroos will be without hard-nosed midfielder Ben Cunnington.

The former No.5 draft pick has withdrawn due to family reasons, replaced by Brad McKenzie.

Mundy was a late withdrawal with a calf strain the All-Australian contender suffered at training late last week.

The trump ball-winner around heavy midfield congestion had been restricted to light skills and running duties as early as Wednesday but then failed to recover fully to take his place against the dangerous Roos on-ball division at home.

He is now headed for a return in Saturday's night's possible blockbuster against the in-form Cats who have won 42 or their last 44 games on their cherished home turf in Geelong.

The Dockers have only ever beaten the Cats in Geelong once in 12 visits since joining the AFL in 1995.

Mundy, 27, averages 23 disposals a game from his 11 outings so far this season with more than half of his possessions earned in contests.

The 175-game veteran was replaced in the Dockers starting line-up by second year small forward Hayden Crozier.

- Kim Hagdorn

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Chaplin avoids knee scare

Richmond defender Troy Chaplin in the hands of the trainers after hurting his knee. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has rated Troy Chaplin a "wait and see" option for Sunday's match against St Kilda.

Chaplin injured his knee late in last night's win over the Western Bulldogs, while David Astbury tweaked his hamstring.

Hardwick said the Tigers would assess the key defenders injury during the week after scans had cleared him of any structural damage.

The injuries, while minor, did put a dampener on an otherwise impressive night for the club.

Chaplin was carried from the ground late in the game after twisting his knee, but Hardwick said the defender believed his knee – which has previously caused him trouble – was still structurally sound.

Astbury suffered hamstring tightness during the third term and was subbed out of the game.

Both players will be assessed to detail the extent of their injuries, but Hardwick remained hopeful neither would prove to be serious.

After a wasteful first term, Richmond cranked into gear when it mattered most to record their third successive win of the season ahead of another winnable game against St Kilda next Sunday.

It was the Tigers' eighth win of the season and Hardwick insisted there was significant improvement left in the team for the rest of the season.

"We're probably only going at about seven out of ten (at the moment)," Hardwick said last night.

"We've had one really bad game – the Essendon game was as bad as we had played in two years.

"Otherwise we have been very competitive."

Hardwick admitted that he had not been happy with his team's first half, but was pleased with the overall result.

"I thought the second half was a lot better than the first," he said. "By the end of the game, it was a good result.

"If you had said that we would come out of the game with a 10-goal win, you would have taken that."

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Eagles count cost after Hawks loss

HURTING: An injured Shannon Hurn arrives at Perth Airport this morning. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij Source: PerthNow

AN EMBATTLED West Coast Eagles swung into crisis management mode this morning after injury and possible suspension hit home in the wake of a loss to premiership favourites Hawthorn.

With finals prospects for this season teetering on disaster from the 20-point loss and a horror run ahead, the Eagles look certain to be without top defender Shannon Hurn through injury, as well as veteran utility Andrew Embley with possible suspension.

Eagles management sent instructions to WAFL club East Fremantle for potential replacements Brad Sheppard and Jacob Brennan to play only 70 per cent of their local games against East Perth.

Sheppard and Brennan were both emergencies in West Coast's initial 25-man squad for Friday's trip to Melbourne and confrontation with the classy Hawks.

Dashing defender Will Schofield (East Perth) is also on limited game-time as a potential cover in West Coast's backline for the imposing bunch of tall Bombers forwards in full flight on Thursday.

Embley, who turns 32 next week, looks certain to be hit with a ban from the league's match review team for an ugly incident with Hawks defender Ben Stratton at the 10-minute mark of the second term, just after Hurn had been officially subbed out of the clash.

Embley could be cited with rough conduct for a reckless knee into Stratton as the Hawk was underneath the Eagles star on the wing.

The 2006 Norm Smith medallist could be hit with around a medium to high impact charge for his knee drop into Stratton, and depending on the severity finding from match incident analysts, Embley could cop in the region of 220 points and a two-game penalty.

Any early plea could reduce any ban to just one week in what could yet be the popular Embley's final AFL season.

Hurn, 25, is in grave doubt to recover inside five days to play against in-form Essendon in Perth on Thursday.

The 134-game creative defender badly sprained his right ankle and was forced out of conflict with the Hawks before quarter-time on Friday.

Tough on-ballers Luke Shuey and Daniel Kerr are both nursing nagging shoulder injuries that will need assessment early into recovery days ahead of a crucial home showdown with in-form Essendon.

Midfielder Scott Selwood will also need to overcome shoulder soreness ahead of a potential shootout with Bombers champion Jobe Watson.
 

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Live: Saturday arvo footy

Kurt Tippett fans display their banner - standing with Alipate Carlile Picture: Reed Sarah

LATE CHANGES:
Port Adelaide: John Butcher out, replaced by Andrew Moore. Paul Stewart out, replaced by Campbell Heath.
Sydney: Nil
St Kilda: Sam Fisher out, replaced by Brodie Murdoch
Melbourne: Nil

SUBSTITUTES:
Port Adelaide: Jasper Pittard
Sydney: Jed Lamb
St Kilda: Jimmy Webster
Melbourne: Dan Nicholson

Live SuperCoach scores, stats and more

KURT Tippett's on-field career as a Sydney Swan couldn't have started any better. The former Crow marked the first clearance of the match and with his maiden kick booted a goal from 45m.

When the ball returned to the centre just 45 seconds had been wiped off the clock.

The Swans won the toss and enjoyed kicking with a strong wind in the first quarter against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

AFL - Port Adelaide v Sydney Swans, AAMI Stadium. Players wait as the banner collapses Picture: Reed Sarah Source:

PRE-GAME: WET conditions in Adelaide have prompted Port Adelaide to drop John Butcher from its line-up to play Sydney today.

The tall forward has been replaced in the 22 by Andrew Moore.

"The conditions probably favour us playing a little smaller so we've brought Moorey in and taken a tall (Butcher) out," Port football manager Peter Rohde said.

Port's starting bench has been named as Dom Cassisi, Oliver Wines and Paul Stewart with Jasper Pittard acting as the team's substitute.

Live SuperCoach scores, stats and more

But all the pre-game hype surrounds Kurt Tippett, who returns to the field for the first time since last year's preliminary final.

- Jai Bednall

PORT ADELAIDE v SYDNEY
Saturday, 1.10pm, AAMI Stadium

Port Adelaide
B: Matthew Broadbent, Alipate Carlile, Jack Hombsch
HB: Cameron O'Shea, Thomas Jonas, Tom Logan
C: Matt Thomas, Brad Ebert, Kane Cornes
HF: Robbie Gray, Justin Westhoff, Paul Stewart
F: Jake Neade, Jay Schulz, Angus Monfries
Foll: Matthew Lobbe, Chad Wingard, Hamish Hartlett
Int: Oliver Wines, Jasper Pittard (SUB), Andrew Moore, Domenic Cassisi

In: D.Cassisi, J.Pittard, A Moore
Out: T.Boak (finger), C.Hitchcock (ankle), J Butcher

Sydney
B: Tony Armstrong, Ted Richards, Dane Rampe
HB: Nick Smith, Heath Grundy, Nick Malceski
C: Daniel Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh
HF: Luke Parker, Kurt Tippett, Craig Bird
F: Jude Bolton, Adam Goodes, Ben McGlynn
Foll: Mike Pyke, Ryan O'Keefe, Kieren Jack
Int: Tom Mitchell, Jed Lamb (SUB), Jesse White, Mitch Morton

In: T.Armstrong, K.Tippett, J.Lamb
Out: A.Everitt (Achilles), S.Mumford (cheekbone), B.Jack

SUPERCOACH NOTES:
Justin Westhoff has averaged 105 points a match at AAMI Stadium this season – ranked third at the club. Adam Goodes struggled in his last outing at the venue in Round 11, managing a season-low 36 points.
 

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SuperCoach studs and duds

HURTING: An injured Shannon Hurn arrives at Perth Airport this morning. He scored just eight SuperCoach points. Picture: Bohdan Warchomij Source: PerthNow

SEE who starred and who stunk it up in SuperCoach this weekend.

HAWTHORN 123 def WEST COAST 103

Hawks stud: ONLY three Hawks hit triple figures in a surprise. One was Jarryd Roughead who's bag of five earned him 145 points, while Hodge and Lewis also raised the bat.

Get every SuperCoach score from Round 13

Hawks dud: GRANT Birchall. He was subbed after a knock to the knee and finished with 40. Oh dear! Sam Mitchell's 74 also let plenty down.

Eagles stud: JOSH Kennedy was the man for the Eagles. His five goals equated to 125 points ensuring another price rise is imminent. Dean Cox (115) and Nic Nat (114) again showed their value as the best ruck tandem in the league.

Eagles dud: UNLUCKY if you had Shannon Hurn. He was subbed out in the second quarter with an ankle injury, finishing with just eight points. That hurts! Another so-so score of 77 for the Frenchman Mark LeCras.

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Watters: Milne will be back

Stephen Milne trains with the Saints at Seaford today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

David Armitage shows his support for Stephen Milne at St Kilda training. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Stephen Milne celebrates a goal. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA coach Scott Watters has reaffirmed the career of goalsneak Stephen Milne is not over, declaring he could return to the AFL field in three weeks.

Speaking at Seaford today, Watters said he supported the decision to give Milne indefinite leave.

"We certainly haven't stood him down. From our perspective it's pretty clear there's a duty of care to Steve to make sure he has some time to prioritise his family in what is a really sensitive situation," he said.

Milne completed light training with his teammates today.

"Stephen will return to play. We will be very hopeful that within 3-4 weeks he's available to come back out and do what he loves doing.

"At the same time there is a duty of care and responsibility to Milney, so we just need to see how this unfolds as well.''

Watters said the board, football department and leadership group had taken a "unified" stance since Milne was charged with four counts of rape on Tuesday.

"There is always two priorities in this situation. One is the duty of care to the player and two is the broader responsibitlity at club level. We think the outcome has been the best outcome for both."

Watters said he initiated a meeting of the club's leadership group, senior players and club bosses yesterday to provide clarification.

"There was a phone call from me to the leadership group to certainly say we would love you to come in….to further discuss what's been a really tough week for the club,'' he said.

"They had the opportunity to sit with two or three directors, which I instigated, because open communication in this sort of time is absolutely critical.

"On top of that I contacted six or seven senior players and asked them to come in to make sure that there was a really good opportunity for everyone to be really clear on what the intent around the whole decision was.

"So out of that I think everyone was as comfortable as you could be in pretty tough times.''

Coach Scott Watters talks with Stephen Milne. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Herald Sun

Watters added the call would be made in consultation with the club's psychologist and his own discussions with Milne.

"He is eligible to play. There is always a presumption of innocence and the club is standing behind that,'' he said.
"Again, in three to four weeks we are really hopeful Steve is ready to play.''

Watters said a decision had not yet been made on whether Milne would attend tomorrow's match against Melbourne at the MCG when teammates Nick Riewoldt and Nick Dal Santo will celebrate their 250-game milestones.

"That's something we will consider over the next day,'' he said.

Milne left a meeting with club bosses yesterday believing he would be picked to play against Fremantle in Round 15 or Carlton the following week.

It means he would be sidelined for just two or three weeks despite the rape charges against him.

Milne has been charged with four counts of rape stemming from an alleged incident in 2004.

Milne's St Kilda teammates have played a key role in attempting to save his career.

A delegation led by captain Nick Riewoldt and player union representative Jason Blake met with Saints chiefs yesterday to seek clarification on how long the 268-game veteran would be absent.

Ultimate Round 13 SuperCoach formguide

Coach Scott Watters has also pushed hard for Milne.

St Kilda on Wednesday ordered Milne to take "indefinite leave".

The AFL Players' Association criticised the move, saying other interests had held sway over Milne's rights to play.

League, club walk tightrope

If St Kilda prevents an early return, it could face a player revolt and possible legal action. As recently as last week, Milne had indicated to the club that he was keen to play in 2014. He is out of contract at the end of the season.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou today backed the club's decision.

"It's a very complex issue, and a very serious one, and on balance we think St Kilda board acted appropropriately. On balance they got it right and in the coolness of day I think Stephen Milne acknwoledges now they got it right," he said on 3AW.

Demetriou said in the "hypothetical" situation Milne was convicted and sentenced, it wouldn't necessarily end his AFL career.

"He wouldn't be playing until such time until he was out of jail, but ...we have Andrew Krakouer playing who's been in jail, he's entitled to resume his career. In this case Stephen Milne is 33 years of age so I don't think that's a scenario that we've contemplated."

Milne is continuing to train with the club at Seaford, where Watters will front the media today.

Riewoldt and teammate Nick Dal Santo have twice this week been pulled from scheduled press conferences to celebrate their 250th matches, against Melbourne at the MCG tomorrow.

Milne's manager Tom Petroro said last night: "Stephen is taking the legal matter very seriously and has engaged lawyers to represent him to contest the charges.

"Like every citizen, he is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

"It is requested that the privacy of Stephen, his wife and his family be respected during this time."

David Grace QC is leading Milne's defence.

Saints chief executive Michael Nettlefold is holidaying in Italy but is returning early to take charge of the crisis.

The AFL said on Wednesday it reserved the right to "take action under its rules".

Saints captain Nick Riewoldt backs under siege team mate Stephen Milne in the wake of fresh charges against the star forward.

Milne should be allowed to play footy

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Koch: Magpies won't be lost

Port Adelaide chairman David Koch with chief executive Keith Thomas. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Herald Sun

PORT Adelaide president David Koch has continued his impassioned defence of the Magpies saying the future of the brand must not be lost amid the battle for its own reserves team next year.

Speaking at the SA Press Club luncheon today, Koch said the Power and Crows must field their own reserves teams in the SANFL competition in 2014 but not at the loss of the 143-year-old Magpies.

''Our preferred model is to retain the Magpies brand and the traditional black and white guernsey,'' he said.

''We want to continue our commitment to grass roots footy.

''This model will ensure Port Adelaide continues its 140-year association with the community.''

It followed his Tweet this morning that "PAFC Magpies are going nowhere. Trust me.''

But the high-profile television presenter and businessman acknowledged his club might be powerless to save the Magpies given a decision rests with SANFL directors and Port Adelaide gave up its SANFL vote with the One Club merger three years ago.

''We don't have a vote at the board table ... so anything can be done,'' he said.

''We'll be doing everything we can, as far as we're concerned the Magpies are critical part of the Port Adelaide Football Club forever.

''But if they want to cut out a club that's been going since 1870, it's on their head.

''It's in the hands of SANFL commissioners, I will say we will walk over hot coals to keep the Magpies' heritage.''

Asked why an AFL club would care about the future of a state-league club and its rand, Koch replied:

''To us it does matter because that's who we are,'' he said.

''We see it as our obligation to SA footy, we are commited to this state.

''It's good for footy and it's good for the state.

''Why should we dilute our commitment to South Australian footy?''

Koch said the reserves debate, transfer of the Power and Crows' licences from SANFL to AFL and move to Adelaide Oval were three critical issues for the club's future.

During his lunchtime address in at the Grance Chancellor Hotel in Adelaide, Outlined the key pillars which have helped re-build Port Adelaide this year which has led to a record 41,000 membership, increased television audiences and improved on-field performance.

The Power takes on the Swans at AAMI Stadium tomorrow and Koch urged Crows fans to turn out to ''Tip it on Tippett'' as Kurt Tippett makes his long-awaited return to SA since walking out on Adelaide last year.

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Panic Room: American dream

Jimmy Bartel has been named in Geelong's team to face Brisbane. Source: Herald Sun

NEED the best late selection whispers and SuperCoach and betting mail? Step into the Panic Room.

WHISPERS

FEAR not SuperCoach fans, Jimmy Bartel is making the trip to Brisbane and will line-up against the Lions.

Since word got out that the Brownlow Medallist had his week off watching NBA in the US, it was presumed he would missing the following week at the Gabba.

But Bartel has come back fresh and told the Cats hierarchy early in the week that he wanted to play.

The Cats are happy to go with him - 90/10 is the percentage being thrown around his likelihood of lining up - given they are mindful of an improved looking Brisbane team and the bad look of so blatantly resting Bartel.

See all the Round 13 teams here

While on the Cats ex-Gold Coast Sun Josh Caddy is expected to get a reprieve while Billie Smedts could be the man having a rest.

Our big watch player for the round is Chris Dawes. The last time we saw the Melbourne forward he was on crutches because of a badly sprained ankle and looked like a man who wouldn't be playing for a month - not in 12 days time.

Melbourne v Collingwood, MCG, Chris Dawes, Picture: Ludbey Wayne Source:

SUPERCOACH ALERT

If you're the only person in Australia who didn't draft in Sydney's Tom Mitchell after his extraordinary debut a few weeks ago, then do it now. He is the biggest steal in SuperCoach history at $115,900 given after two games he averages over 100 points.

Ultimate Round 13 SuperCoach formguide

The other bubble boy who has shown lots is Nathan Hrovat from the Western Bulldogs and at $114,500 he is perfect for a downgrade option to raise some cash.

Scott Gullan and Sam Landsberger explain how to make the most of the captain loophole and name the stars too cheap to ignore in SuperCoach

MONEY MATTERS

The biggest moral of the weekend is the fact Sydney will go out of their way to get Kurt Tippett a goal early in his return to football in Adelaide.

To mark the occasion the bookies are offering odds on which quarter big Kurt will kick a goal. If you shop around there is $2.25 available for the opening term which, as they say in the business, is printing money.

Daily Telegraph. The Sydney Swans practice match in Moore Park today. Pictured is Kurt Tippett. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: HWT Image Library

ON NOTICE

This is the man who was brought in to help guide Mark Neeld through the hardship of senior coaching. He clearly failed at that so now he's in charge it's going to be very interesting to see what moves the former Crows coach has been keeping up his sleeve.

Interim coach Neil Craig during Melbourne training at Gosch's Paddock. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

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SuperCoach skipper selector

Brett Deledio on the burst against the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Tim Carrafa Source: Herald Sun

IT HAS finally arrived - the dreaded Round 13 bye.

Our SuperCoach midfields are a sea of blue dots - decimated by the absence of all our Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton, Adelaide and Gold Coast stars.

And the 2000 players who have GWS co-captain Callan Ward will feel a bit of extra pain.

The cruel scheduling also means we can't just stick the big "C" on Gary Ablett and watch another 300 points bump our totals.

And the obvious backups to Gazza - Scott Pendlebury, Jobe Watson, Dane Swan, Patrick Dangerfield - are all in the stands as well.

In fact, eight of the top 10 scoring players in SuperCoach this season won't be playing this weekend.

So what do we do? We scour the stats and find the hidden gold that can give you a vital edge on a weekend that will separate the SuperCoach stars from the rest. 

Shane Crawford trades out Jaeger O'Meara and puts the "c" on Ryan Griffen before heading off on his epic bike ride across Australia.

GET TO KNOW THE LOOPHOLE

If you haven't tried the captain's loophole yet, this is the weekend to give it a crack. The tactic gives us all a double chance at getting our captain right - and we might need it in Round 13.

The idea is to name a player in an early game as your vice-captain and the "C" on someone who plays later in the weekend.

If your VC scores poorly, leave your "C" on a star and take double his score.

However, if your VC pumps out a huge score, simply shift your "C" to a non-scoring player (eg Ablett) and you'll get double your vice-captain's score when final scores are tallied on Sunday night.

The rolling lockout and bye trading rules - that mean we can shift players missing through the bye all weekend - make it a no-brainer.

But the choices are still not easy. Here's our pick of the options for the captain's armband this weekend - in game order.

Who will you take the punt on this week? Leave a comment below or have your say on Twitter and Facebook.

HAWTHORN v WEST COAST (7.50pm Friday)

Sam Mitchell
Owned by: 13% of teams
Pros: Averages 126 in his past three games against the Eagles including a 134 at Patersons Stadium in Round 2 this year.
Cons: Hasn't scored more than 120 for a month.

Others: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis and Nic Naitanui all have solid records against the Hawks, and Lance Franklin kicked five goals on the way to a 116 in Round 2.

PORT ADELAIDE v SYDNEY (1.40pm Saturday)

Josh Kennedy
Owned by: 23% of teams
Pros: Averages 113 for the season and has scores of 113 and 140 in his past two against Port.
Cons: Has averaged 89 in his past three matches.

Others: Dan Hannebery scored 126 last week and 121 against Port in Round 3. Kane Cornes is averaging 116 for the season but only 100 in his past five.

ST KILDA v MELBOURNE (4.40pm Saturday)

Nick Riewoldt
Owned by: 6.4% of teams
Pros: Averages 108 this season. Playing Melbourne.
Cons: Has averaged only 84 in his past three games and scored 87 and 40 in his two clashes against Melbourne last year - although he hurt his knee early in the second clash.

Leigh Montagna
Owned by: 1% of teams
Pros: Averages 108 this season and has two scores over 130 in the past month. Averages 122 in his past three against the Demons.
Cons: Had a 67 two weeks ago. How will he handle the off-field distractions?

Jack Steven
Owned by: 1.6% of teams
Pros: Averages 116 in his past five games, scored 111 and 100 in his two games against Demons last year.
Cons: Scored 89 last week. Can we rely on him to go big?

WESTERN BULLDOGS v RICHMOND (7.40pm Saturday)

Trent Cotchin
Owned by: 25% of teams
Pros: Loves the Dogs. Scored 139 against them in Round 3 and a PB of 175 in Round 20 last year.
Cons: Has averaged 96 in his past five games.

Brett Deledio
Owned by: 11% of teams
Pros: Averages 125 in his past five games. Scored 140 against the Dogs in Round 3 and averages 119 in his past three against them.
Cons: Not many. Will he cop the Nick Lower tag?

Ryan Griffen
Owned by: 3.3% of teams
Pros: The red hot player in the comp right now. Averages 143 in his past five games, with a lowest score in that time of 101. Scored 119 against Richmond in Round 3.
Cons: Not many of us have him.

FREMANTLE v NORTH MELBOURNE (3.20pm Sunday)

Nathan Fyfe
Owned by: 17% of teams
Pros: Averages 126 in his past three against North Melbourne including a 164 in 2011.
Cons: Had his worst score of the year (77) v Brisbane last week

David Mundy
Owned by: 4.3% of teams
Pros: Averages 117 in his past three games including two scores of 130+. Scored 129 and 121 in his past two against the Roos.
Cons: Those 130 scores were split by an 81. Is he reliable enough?

Andrew Swallow
Owned by: 7.8% of teams
Pros: Averages 124 in his past three against Freo.
Cons: Had a 76 last week and has only averaged 98 in his past five games. Is Ryan Crowley heading his way?

Others: Todd Goldstein has averaged 114 this season and faces a depleted Freo ruck division. His last score against Freo? 27. Yuck.

BRISBANE v GEELONG (4.40pm Sunday)

Steve Johnson
Owned by: 17.5% of teams
Pros: Averages 116 this season and 118 in his past five games.
Cons: In his past two clashes against Brisbane he scored 65 and 69. Yikes.

Joel Selwood
Owned by: 16% of teams
Pros: Scored 137 against GWS two weeks ago and 114 in his last game against Brisbane.
Cons: That 137 ended a three-game run of sub-100 scores.

Follow Al Paton on Twitter: @al_superfooty

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Swans find Colless replacement

Sydney Swans AFL team chairman Richard Colless at his home in Mosman, Sydney. Source: News Limited

SYDNEY will not have to look outside its current board to find outgoing chairman Richard Colless's replacement with a 12-year veteran to officially take the reins next year.

Andrew Pridham, a businessman who was on the Swans board during their drought-breaking 2005 premiership, will assume the top job after next February's annual general meeting.

Pridham, 46, is chief executive of Moelis & Company, a New York headquartered investment bank and has held a range of high management positions in the banking industry.

Andrew McMaster will continue as deputy chairman of the club.

Colless, the AFL's longest-serving chairman, has headed up the Swans since 1993.

Colless nearly walked in 2010 after a battle with depression, while this month he said Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin could ignite the Sydney market much like Tony Lockett did in the 1990s.

"I'm sure the handover will occur as smoothly as the Paul Roos-John Longmire (coaching) transition did," Colless said.

"Having said that, it is important that our supporters and stakeholders fully understand that there is no complacency within the board and the club as a whole.

"We remain totally committed to continual improvement in all facets of our activities. To do otherwise is a guarantee for mediocrity," Colless said.

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Milne on leave 'indefinitely'

Stephen Milne trains with the Saints at Seaford today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Stephen Milne joins St Kilda training with teammates including Leigh Montagna (right). Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

Stephen Milne celebrates a goal. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

STEPHEN Milne's playing future is in doubt after being told to take leave for an 'indefinite' period.

St Kilda president Greg Westaway said while Milne would remain a listed AFL player, the decision was made in the "best interests of all parties" and out of a duty of care to the goalsneak.

"The board has resolved that in the best interests of all parties concerned, and the duty of care the club has to Stephen and his family, Stephen will remain a listed player but will take a leave of absence from playing for an indefinite period," Westaway said in a prepared statement.

"The St Kilda Football Club respects that this matter is now before the courts. As a consequence we won't be making any further comment at this time."

Milne joined teammates at Seaford today and met with coach Scott Watters afterwards to discuss his mental state.

It's understood Watters has doubts Milne will be able to perform because of the stress surrounding the announcement yesterday Milne will face four counts of rape.

Milne told confidantes he wants to play. 

Saints captain Nick Riewoldt backs under siege team mate Stephen Milne in the wake of fresh charges against the star forward.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt this morning threw his support behind the embattled forward.

Milne was charged on four counts of rape yesterday stemming from an alleged incident in 2004, prompting calls for him to be stood down pending the police investigation.

But Riewoldt backed the veteran and close friend to play in Saturday's match against Melbourne.

Nick Riewoldt and Stephen Milne at St Kilda training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"I think he should (play) ... if he feels he can contribute," Riewoldt told SEN this morning.

Milne should be allowed to play footy

"This is a difficult time for everyone... as a close mate of Milney's, obviously we see what he goes through and there are other parties involved that it's going to be equally difficult for.

Stephen Milne at St Kilda training today. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

"He's incredibly resilient, clearly it's rocked him, he's a very resilient guy - it's been hanging over his head in one way, shape or form for nine years and I think to do what he's done over that period of time on the field is a credit to him.

"Milney is the absolute heart and soul of the football club and everyone knows how passionate he is and what football and the football club means to him.

"I think personally it's up to him (if he wants to play)."

New chapter in season of shame

Milne made a late appearance to join St Kilda teammates at training this morning.

Milne jogged onto the oval as the playing group completed stretching exercises at the club's headquarters at Seaford.

The veteran goalsneak was nowhere to be seen when the players congregated before the start of the regular training session to prepare for Saturday's game against Melbourne at the MCG.

He remained indoors while others engaged in what he loves best - taking pot shots at goal from odd angles - before fitness staff brought the group together for the official warm-up exercises.

When Milne did appear in a No.37 guernsey, he was buried inside the pack until players started light ball drills in the centre of the oval, well away from the battery of TV cameras.

A large media contingent was allowed to shoot only the first 15 minutes of the warm-up before officials asked them to leave. The club had a security guard outside the oval, but there were no incidents.

Julian de Stoop reports on the latest from St Kilda following Steven Milne's rape charge.

Victoria Police has re-opened its investigation of an incident allegedly involving Milne and a then 19-year-old woman in 2004.

The victim claimed to police she was raped in a darkened bedroom at teammate Leigh Montagna's Highett home, after celebrations for St Kilda's family day.

The St Kilda forward trained yesterday and has told the club he wants to play beside great mates Riewoldt and Nick Dal Santo, who will play their 250th games for the Saints on Saturday.

A source close to Milne said the Saints forward was shocked and raw when he was alerted to the charges on Monday.

Leigh Montagna takes a break at St Kilda training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

The source said Milne was in a better head space yesterday and was determined to play against Melbourne at the MCG.

A decision on Milne's immediate future rested with a crisis teleconference last night, which involved the entire Saints board, chief executive Michael Nettlefold, who is In Italy, acting CEO Terry Dillon and head of football Chris Pelchen.

Milne's career on the brink

An earlier meeting at the AFL was attended by Milne's management and the AFL Players' Association, and senior AFL staffers including deputy CEO Gil McLachlan and cultural strategy and education manager Sue Clark.

There was no discussion about immediate retirement for Milne.

It was acknowledged that Milne had copped years of spectator abuse and that if he did play this weekend, he could expect the same.

The AFLPA last night said: "The right to the presumption of innocence is essential to our system of justice and that is important for everyone that Stephen is afforded that basic right.

"The AFLPA will support Stephen in continuing his football commitments as these charges are being dealt with.''

Jason Gram backs a 'St Kilda great'

His manager Tom Petroro refused to comment.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou yesterday described the charges as "serious'', and said that the league had sought more information from the Saints board, which will be relayed today.

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt leaves training at Seaford. Picture: Andrew Tauber Source: Herald Sun

Milne, 33, has played 268 games and kicked 564 goals since making his debut in 2001.

He is out of contract at the end of this season.

Milne is the second St Kilda player to face rape charges in four years.

In 2010, the Saints sacked Andrew Lovett on February 16, a day after he was charged with one count of rape stemming from incident on December 24th, 2009.

The Saints claimed Lovett's sacking came not because of the charge, but because he "engaged in actions that were failures to comply with our standards of expected behavioural conduct''.

The failures related to training commitments and communications with club officials, and the club admitted they could not ignore the "damage being done to St Kilda's reputation".

At the time, the AFL supported the club's decision to sack Lovett. In July 2011, Lovett was found not guilty of rape.

- with staff writers

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Dees steady as she goes: Craig

Caretaker coach Neil Craig will lead Melbourne until the end of the season. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

CARETAKER coach Neil Craig has promised Melbourne will not be radically restructured for the second half of the season.

Craig, speaking a day after the Dees axed Mark Neeld from the top job, said he expected the beleaguered team to "improve its consistency of effort".

And he has not ruled himself out of applying for the job full-time for next season, despite admitting his "headaches" returned almost instantly yesterday.

"It's a tough job being a senior coach, it doesn't matter what club," Craig said.

"There'll be 11 weeks to gauge that (from my perspective) but the key thing is the club needs to be really clear about the type of coach its looking for.

"It's a really important decision for the club to do that properly... but I'm sure Melbourne will take the time to find the coach it needs and that might be poles apart to myself."

The former Crows coach hosed down criticism that he said he'd never take the reins at Melbourne.

"When I finished in Adelaide I was pretty clear on that (but) these are exceptional circumstances.

"You certainly have a sense of responsibility to the playing group and the football club in general to be part of helping the club through it."

Craig paid tribute to the legacy left by Mark Neeld saying the club had a bright future.

Melbourne is already in the market for a new coach.

Meanwhile, Melbourne great Garry Lyon urged fellow one-time Demon Gerard Healy to head the club's search for a new coach.

Healy, the former Brownlow medallist, is the brother of Melbourne's football director, Greg Healy.

Lyon said he too had felt the strain throughout the Demons' struggles and took responsibility for Neeld's failed appointment.

"Well, it's my responsibility," Lyon said on Footy Classified last night.

"I was one of the people that put Mark in the job ... (but) once you get into the chair, who knows what's going to happen?

"So if anyone says 'you don't responsibility for these decisions', I do.

"I wish it had turned out better, I've been hurting like everyone else for the last 18 months."

Lyon then went on to say few were better qualified to conduct a search for a senior coach than Healy.

"Gerard is well versed in footy, I think he's got an outstanding footy brain," Lyon said.

"He is close to Melbourne board members, he speaks to them regularly, he speaks to the players regularly.

"He's been heard to say that he thinks he knows what the problem is and how it can be fixed.

"So I think Gerard should head it up, for sure."

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Big guns set to return for Eagles

WELCOME BACK: Eagles skipper Darren Glass and fellow defender Beau Waters are in line to return against Hawthorn. Picture: Paul Kane Source: Getty Images

WEST Coast Eagles coach John Worsfold is set to welcome back a host of crucial stars for Friday night's big clash with premiership favourites Hawthorn in Melbourne.

And the decorated Eagles coach and dual club premiership captain brushed off any connection with prospects of continuing his career beyond this season with embattled Melbourne, after Demons coach Mark Neeld was sacked on Monday.

The Eagles 2006 premiership coach was immediately installed as a Demons candidate behind priority choice Paul Roos and reigning Hawks boss Alastair Clarkson.

"I haven't thought about it at all. I have no say in markets around the world," Worsfold said on Channel Seven last night.

Worsfold revealed that he expects defensive trumps Darren Glass, Beau Waters and Will Schofield to resume from injury lay-offs, with vital scoring sources Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras also in races against time to be fit to play.

They all missed the Eagles' last-gasp win over St Kilda in Melbourne before taking last weekend's bye to prepare for a defining sequence of games to potentially decide West Coast's finals prospects for this season.

"We hope that they're all available," Worsfold confessed.

"If they're available they will certainly all be pushing into the side."

Worsfold declared he would have no hesitation to ring up to five recalls to a side that won at their last outing.

"I never really thought about it," he said.

"They're pretty good players. So I reckon we could squeeze them in if they're all fit."

Worsfold, who continues to declare he will decide his coaching future at the end of this season when he will be out of contract, has anticipated a return from a host of his key components to approach the Eagles best strength of the season ahead of the defining bracket of engagements.

West Coast has appointments with power units Hawthorn and then rising premiership threats Essendon, Adelaide at AAMI Stadium before hitting Fremantle and then Sydney over the next month.

"I think the players are saying that they feel that they're in a position now to play their best footy," Worsfold said.

"I approach our season from Round 1. We want to try and do our best all the way through."

Worsfold did not concede which of his experienced troop of stars possibly returning were most likely to ultimately take on the classy Hawks.

Glass, Waters and Schofield are all crucial defensive commodities in any West Coast hopes to curb the potency of Hawks scoring guns Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Luke Breust.

Consistent West Coast big defender Eric Mackenzie is most likely to start Friday night's big stage outing on the dangerous Franklin, who has booted 31 goals from his 11 engagements this season.

LeCras, 26, is considered only a 50-50 chance to take on the Hawks as the 2010 All-Australian sharp-shooter continues to recover from a broken right arm that he copped in the season-opening clash with Fremantle and carried the injury for two months as his form and goal-scoring powers fluctuated.

Kennedy, 25, tweaked his calf during a short training session in Melbourne a day before the Eagles' clash with the Saints and was a late withdrawal.

He will have to prove his fitness at Wednesday's training before the Eagles travelling party heads to Melbourne for Friday night's showdown.

Kennedy shares second spot on this season's Coleman Medal goal-kicking list with Richmond spearhead Jack Riewoldt and Colingwood powerhouse Travis Cloke with 34 goals each, behind North Melbourne small forward Lindsay Thomas on 35.
 

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Rape charge followed OPI review prompt

Stephen Milne. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: Herald Sun

POLICE today charged St Kilda star Stephen Milne with four counts of rape following an alleged attack on a woman in 2004.

The charges follow a review of the case ordered by Victoria Police deputy commissioner Graham Ashton.

That review was prompted by an Office of Police Integrity recommendation last year that the brief of evidence be reviewed to ensure all relevant evidence had been properly recorded and retained.

The alleged victim, then a student, 19, claimed to police she was raped in a darkened bedroom of Milne's teammate Leigh Montagna's Highett home after celebrations for St Kilda's family day in 2004.

Milne and Montagna have consistently protested their innocence.

The OPI probe into the case began in 2010 after the detectives who prepared the brief went public with their disappointment that their superior officers, acting on the DPP advice, decided not to charge Milne over the rape allegation.

Stephen Milne kicks at goal during the second quarter of the St Kilda vs West Coast at Etihad Stadium. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

They claimed other police tried to derail the Milne investigation and tried to influence them not to prosecute him.

But the latest OPI report has found the original rape probe by police was not deliberately hampered or inappropriately influenced.

The OPI pointed out in its report that its investigation was limited to the conduct of police and it was "beyond the scope of the OPI investigation to assess the weight of the evidence against the footballers''.

OPI investigators discovered relevant material was missing from the Milne brief of evidence and recommended that

Victoria Police review the brief before archiving it to ensure all relevant evidence and exhibits were accounted for.

Victoria Police today confirmed it has charged a 33 year-old man from Cheltenham with four counts of rape following an alleged incident in 2004.

The Herald Sun has confirmed that man is Milne.

"The decision to charge follows an extensive review of the initial investigation by specialist detectives within our Sexual Crimes Squad,'' A Victoria Police spokesman said.

"That review was prompted by an OPI recommendation last year that the brief of evidence be reviewed to ensure all relevant evidence had been properly recorded and retained.

"As we have previously made clear, it is a matter of regret that this review found the initial investigation to have been substantially inadequate.

"As a result, further inquiries have been conducted by the Sexual Crimes Squad and after consulting with the Office of Public Prosecutions, the decision has been made to lay charges.

"In recent years Victoria Police have implemented substantial reforms and improvements to our sex crimes investigative processes which has enabled a number of older investigations to be reviewed, offenders identified and charges laid.

"It is unfortunate for all parties concerned that this matter has taken so many years to progress, but having discussed with the alleged victim in this matter, we can confirm that our decision to lay charges accords with her wishes.

"It is now important that the defendant in this matter be afforded the same procedural fairness any other member of the community would expect in these circumstances.

"Victoria Police will be providing no further comment at this time and until the matter has run its course through the normal legal process''

keith.moor@news.com.au
 

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