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.

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"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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