Sharrod denies Buddy pact

Lance Franklin tells Hawthorn he will not discuss a new deal until the end of the year, sparking fears at the Hawks that he may walk.

West Coast recruit Sharrod Wellingham. Picture: Will Russell Source: The Sunday Times

LANCE Franklin's good mate Sharrod Wellingham believes the Hawthorn champion will remain a one-club player, despite stunning the Hawks by putting off contract negotiations to the end of the season.

Hawthorn had been confident of securing Franklin's signature before Round 1 in an effort to avoid a drawn-out Travis Cloke-style saga providing a distraction.

Fremantle and West Coast management refused to comment yesterday, and the WA clubs are set to publicly pour cold water on Franklin talk throughout the season.

The Dockers and Eagles will be buoyed by the twist and are likely to ask privately what it would take to bring the competition's biggest name back home.

Wellingham, Franklin's former housemate, denied the pair had planned to play for the Eagles together from 2014 and said he did not know why Franklin, 26, had walked away from contract talks with Hawthorn.

"I've sensed that he would like to finish his career at Hawthorn," Wellingham said.

"We'll find out at the end of the year.

"He'll make the decision in due time.

"I'm not sure why he's done that.

Summer Barometer: See how the Eagles are tracking this pre-season

"It's probably similar to all the stuff we went through last year over at Collingwood with Travis - put it at the back of his mind and worry about footy through the year.

"It's just going to be one of those merry-go-rounds throughout the year, I suppose.

"I haven't been in his ear yet (about coming to West Coast). I'll have a whisper in his ear, but I'm not sure how far it'll go."

Wellingham and Franklin will play together for the first time when they run out for the Indigenous All-Stars in Alice Springs on Friday.

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Star midfielders to rest forward

Patrick Dangerfield could cause headaches for opposition defenders this season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ADELAIDE has devised a range of strategies to protect the Crows from a predicted rise in gut running in the AFL this season - and fireproof them as AFL House is looking at ways to rein in interchange rotations.

As much as the laws of the game committee seek to slow down the game to prevent congestion around the ball, coaches will continue to seek an edge in running circles around the opposition.

And in the cyclical world of football, it is an old favourite who is part of the solution: the midfielder who is resting in the forward pocket.

Assistant coach Mark Bickley said the clubs are likely to rely more heavily on on-field rotations this year, both to weatherproof them for the looming rule changes surrounding the interchange and to find more efficient ways to use the interchange.

It is one of many potential tweaks to the game Adelaide is looking out for -- what other clubs will do to their games and what the Crows can do to find another edge.

"As every team does, we've been looking at where the game finished up last year and start looking a bit of where it might be going," Bickley said.

"You try to stay ahead of the curve instead of reacting to what everybody else is doing.

"Generally, what can tend to happen, is that somebody has great success with one game style and so people try to copy that game style.

"But the teams at the top, just when the others have that game style down pat, they move on to the next phase.

"So the teams that are copying are always behind.

"But most clubs are pretty good at this, sitting down at the end of the year, sitting down at the end of the year and looking at how they played, where they see the game going and then backing themselves to try to predict what will happen and develop a game style that suits that."

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Buddy suspends contract talks

HAWTHORN superstar Lance Franklin has told the club he will not discuss a new contract until the end of the season, sparking fears he may leave.

Franklin is a restricted free agent at the end of the year, meaning he can entertain offers from rival clubs.

The Hawks said yesterday they made a "very good offer" to Franklin -- understood to have been between $900,000 and $1 million a season for up to four years -- and were stunned when told this week all negotiations were off until the end of September.

The offer also included a healthy slice of the club's marketing allowance.

"Buddy has made it pretty clear he'd prefer to leave the discussions to the end of the 2013 season," Hawthorn's head of football Mark Evans said.

Franklin's manager Liam Pickering said last night: "Buddy has 12 months to go on his contract and he wants to concentrate on playing.

"He said he didn't want the distraction of a contract and he has advised me talks are off until the end of the season.

"He doesn't want to entertain discussions and, whilst Hawthorn aren't happy, that's how it is, unfortunately."

Will Buddy be the next Gary Ablett?

Hawthorn is unable to pay Franklin market value as skipper Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell are on massive contracts, and Cyril Rioli, Jarryd Roughead, Grant Birchall, Brian Lake, Jordan Lewis and Brad Sewell are on sizeable deals.

Fremantle has been linked to Franklin, though the Dockers have not spoken to Pickering. Last year the Dockers offered Collingwood's Travis Cloke about $1.1 million for five years, but failed to land him. 

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The expectation is Franklin, who is from Western Australia, would be offered more than Cloke.

The Hawks yesterday confirmed six months of discussions had hit a brick wall this week.

Evans admitted Franklin's decision had rocked the club and already there were fears the constant talk about Franklin's future would become a major distraction, as it did at Collingwood with Cloke.

"It is not an ideal situation because we'd prefer to close off the distraction for Buddy, for the club, for supporters, for Pickers, and have a free run at our 2013 campaign," Evans said.

"We've been having a number of discussions over the past 5 1/2 months, and we've put together what we think is a very good offer, and Pickers is on record as saying it is respectable.

"Obviously, we had a few things to sort out.

"We know our offer is a strong offer, but at the moment it's not that the offer hasn't been accepted or rejected, it's only the discussions have been put off until the end of the season."

Lance Franklin tells Hawthorn he will not discuss a new deal until the end of the year, sparking fears at the Hawks that he may walk.

The Hawks accept Franklin can explore free agency.

"He's a free agent at the end of 2013 and he's got every right to proceed with contract discussions as he wants to," Evans said.

Despite Franklin's decision to cease discussions, the Hawks said they would endeavour to keep contact.

"We need to make sure we have regular contact with Pickers and Buddy and, should the situation change, our door is open," Evans said.

Pickering also manages Gary Ablett, who left Geelong for Gold Coast after announcing at the start of 2010 that contract talks were on hold until the end of the year.

Greater Western Sydney's Tom Scully said the same, then left Melbourne.

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Does Buddy delay equal disaster?

Kurt Tippett put off contract talks with the Crows last season. It didn't end well - unless you're a Sydney fan. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN fans are fearing the worst after Lance Franklin put contract talks on hold. History says they have plenty to worry about.

Franklin says he doesn't want contract talks to distract him from his footy this season.

If history tells us one thing, it's that his decision to suspend negotations won't stop speculation about Buddy's future.

Does it mean he's already decided to walk? There are plenty of recent examples that indicate the answer might be yes. But there is some hope for Hawthorn supporters.

Here are some other players who have put off contract talks in recent years - in their own words.

TOM SCULLY

"I'd love to end my career and say I was a one club player, and anticipate that will be the case."

- Scully, March 2011

"To ensure there are no distractions and that Tom can direct all his energies to the 2011 season, we recommended to him last August that we put contract talks on hold until the end of this season and advised the club accordingly."
- statement from Velocity Sports

"I'm absolutely delighted to be in Sydney here today .... No doubt money was a factor, but I saw an opportunity to be part of a brand new football club."
- Scully, September 2011 after signing a six-year deal with GWS

Melbourne training at AAMI park. Tom Scully faces the media before training. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

GARY ABLETT

"I just spoke to (Geelong CEO) Brian Cook today and we're going to put negotiations on hold until the end of the season to try and take some heat out of the whole situation. It gives him a chance to concentrate on playing, it takes a bit of heat off the club as well ... so they can get on with the job of playing and winning football matches."
- Ablett's manager Liam Pickering, June 2010

"This is all about the challenge of joining a new team and a new and unique opportunity to be part of something special in football."
- Ablett in September 1010 after signing with Gold Coast

Gary Ablett with Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna after announcing his move to the Suns. Picture: David Caird Source: Herald Sun

BRENDON GODDARD

"As I've said all along, we've been in constant talks with the footy club and they are the discussions we're having at the minute and I think it's pretty clear what my intentions are. I've said all along I'm happy where I am."
- July 2012

"I know Brendan wants to stay at (the) St Kilda football club. He's very committed to wanting to be here, there's no doubt about that."
- St Kilda coach Scott Watters, August 2012 after the Saints tabled a "very strong" contract offer

"It (was) something that a lot of thought went into. I was actually on the golf course (at the time)You can do a lot of thinking and there was a process where we did our due diligence. That decision wasn't made until late in the piece, (it was) after the season when it was probably crunch time to make the decision."
- Goddard in November 2012, a month after joining Essendon as a free agent.

KURT TIPPETT

"He wants to focus solely on performing on-field to the best of his ability before considering his future later in the year, and to ensure that the matter does not became a distraction to him or anyone at the club in the lead-up to and during the finals."
- Adelaide football manager Phil Harper, August 2012

"Boys, this morning, I have told the club that I won't be renewing my contract for 2013 ... Have absolutely loved playing alongside you all. You are all friends for life! I'll be in touch. Love KT."
- Tippett's text message to teammates after walking out in October 2012

NATHAN BOCK

"I don't see any reason to leave, but I'll leave that to my managers to sort out."
- June 2010, after putting off talks until after the mid-season break

"There are different reasons, not all financial (but) it is a significant offer that was too hard to refuse. It sets me up for after footy."
- August 2010, after becoming the first out-of-contract player to sign with Gold Coast

Gold Coast signings Nathan Bock and Nathan Krakouer. Picture: Adam Head Source: The Courier-Mail

CAMPBELL BROWN

"My three or four other contracts that I have signed have been done towards the end of the year, and I would expect nothing to change."
- May, 2010

"It was a tough decision, but when I was making the decision I thought it would be best for my football."
- September, 2010 after joining Gold Coast

But the contract sagas don't always end badly ...

TRAVIS CLOKE

"We've had enough of all the talking, we're going to play football."
- Collingwood president Eddie McGuire in July 2012 after talks with Cloke's management broke down.

"We always wanted him to stay there, but there was going to be an issue if he did not get the fifth year. It did get close towards the end there."
- manager Ralph Carr after Cloke signed a five-year deal to stay with the Pies

Travis Cloke celebrates his goal in the third quarter. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

MATTHEW PAVLICH

"I'm really happy with where it (negotiations) is placed. We're happy with how it's progressing and so is the club. We'll get to a point some time later in the year."
- May 2010

"I'm really happy with the process and the outcome, I hope the Freo faithful are happy as well."
- Pavlich in September 2010 after signing a four-year deal with the Dockers

TRAVIS BOAK

"We have never put pressure on Travis for a decision. We've said we would like to know sooner rather than later and understood the difficulty of Travis' decision because of his family."
- Port Adelaide football manager Peter Rohde in July 2012 after contract talks stalled

"I'm so relieved to have got the deal done after what has at times been a challenging year for me personally and for the club."
- Boak after signing a two-year deal with Port in September 2012

Port Adelaide star Travis Boak meets young fan James Nussio after signing a new contract with the Power. Picture: Dean Martin Source: Herald Sun

... and some we won't know for about seven months.

LANCE FRANKLIN

"He said he didn't want the distraction of a contract and he has advised me talks are off until the end of the season. He doesn't want to entertain discussions and, whilst Hawthorn aren't happy, that's how it is, unfortunately."
- Franklin's manager Liam Pickering, February 2013

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Tippett's still got friends in Adelaide

Sydney recruit Kurt Tippett at pre-season training in Coffs Harbour. Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: The Daily Telegraph

CONTROVERSIAL Sydney recruit Kurt Tippett talks to Neil Cordy about the Swans, being a villain and his salary-cap ban.

How are you settling into the Swans?

I couldn't be happier. Coming into the team a little bit later than I expected was a little bit daunting. I thought it might be hard to get to know the boys, but they've been incredible in welcoming me.

Did you ever think you wouldn't make it here?

Nothing was certain during the (contract drama) so it was hard to feel confident about my chances of getting to Sydney. It's great that it worked out.

You are the first player since Greg Williams in 1992 to be penalised for a salary-cap breach, do you feel hard done by?

That's a tough question to answer. I feel very fortunate to be in Sydney, where I always wanted to be. In regards to the sanction, it's very disappointing that I can't play and I will find it very hard to sit out the first 11 rounds of this season.

I'm trying to move forward the best I can with the cards I've been dealt. I'll spend all my time and energy trying to play the best I can when I get back.

Your first game back will be in Adelaide against the Power, what are you expecting?

I'll probably be a bit nervous having sat out for so long. I'll be anxious to get out there and put my best foot forward and hit the ground running. It will be a bit of an odd one going back to Adelaide for the first one I play for my new side, but that's the way it is. There will be a lot of things going through my head.

Kurt Tippett leaves the AFL Commission with his legal counsel David Gallbally. Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: adelaidenow

Do you think there will be Crows supporters turning up to give you some stick?

Quite possibly. Hopefully there are some people there to support me.

An unnamed Adelaide player said your name was mud and that it would be hard for you to have any relationship with the your former teammates. How do you feel about that?

There was a lot of emotion floating around at that time. It wasn't a perfect situation or a perfect exit from a football
club. It's not the way you would like to leave.

In saying there was a set of circumstances and things evolved in a certain way. It wasn't ideal, I understand
that. But, in moving forward, I don't see why things should change. Friends are friends, teammates are teammates and I think everyone respects and understands why people do certain things, looking after their future and making themselves as happy as they can.

You said when you departed Adelaide that you wanted to maintain contact with your teammates. Have you?

Yes. I played there for six years and have a lot of good friends in Adelaide whether they be teammates or people outside the football club.

How did you feel being cast as the villain?

I didn't enjoy it at all. In challenging times, you learn a lot about yourself.

You're joining the premier, does that make it an even bigger challenge?

I know I'm coming into a very good side and a very well respected side. That's exciting for me because I know I'll get the best out of myself as a footballer. I hope to make this team even better if I can.

Kurt Tippett wrestles with Swans big man Mike Pyke. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph

You are going to sit out the first half of the season, how are you going to handle that?

I've had brief discussions about it. I guess the first thing is to prepare like I'm going to play in Round 1.

The intra-club matches will be your only game practice before you play. Does that give them extra importance?

I'm going to concentrate on every session from now until the guys ease back from training into their preparation to play because it's also important for me to learn the way my teammates play and the game plan and the structures.

Each session, I'm really going to treasure because having the whole squad out there training at 100 per cent is not going to happen for very long.
 

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Hunt set for tagging job

A trim Karmichael Hunt runs during Gold Coast pre-season training. Picture: Tim Marsden Source: The Courier-Mail

GOLD Coast code-hopper Karmichael Hunt says he is relishing the prospect of locking horns with the game's best midfielders.

Nearly three years after he started his AFL education, Hunt is again on a learning curve, this time to become the Suns' chief tagger.

"They just think with my strength and ability to probably lock on as a defender early, that I could nullify a few of those threats to our team," Hunt said.

"Obviously, it's still a work in progress and a very new role. With the scrimmages we've been doing ... I'm starting to lock on to a few of the younger boys."

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna and assistant Matthew Primus believe Hunt's strength and defensive instincts could transform him into a natural stopper.

"I guess I was a little surprised, but in a good way," Hunt said.

"Obviously, I haven't played that role before, but it's a job the coaches entrust in you and if you can help the team in any way, shape or form it's hopefully going to be beneficial to the result."

Hunt is noticeably slimmer than last year as he continues to shave weight from his one-time bulky rugby league frame.

"I am slimmer. I would have dropped another 3kg or so, which has been nice," he said.

"Our training has picked up another notch and like everyone else on the team, I'm fitter than last year so I feel great for it.

"There's premier midfielders right across the competition ... it's going to be a pretty big year and hopefully I'm fit for the challenge."

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Dane Swan in career-best shape

Dane Swan takes part in match simulation during Collingwood's family day at Victoria Park. Picture: Scott Chris Source: Herald Sun

COLLINGWOOD midfielder Dane Swan says his fitness levels and motivation to perform this season are at career-high levels.

And engine room partner Dale Thomas is confident he will be fit to play in Round 1, despite Nathan Buckley's prediction that ankle surgery will keep the star out of the side for "months".

Thomas said yesterday he intends to begin running next week, while Swan continued his impressive pre-season campaign in the club's hour-long match simulation session at Victoria Park yesterday.

The Brownlow Medalist has been unfazed by criticism of his off-field lifestyle and proved he was in top shape, posting a series of personal best time-trial results over summer.

"It's certainly been one of the best (pre-seasons) for a long time,'' Swan said at the club's family day.

"I came back (from the Christmas break) in reasonably good condition, so that always helps.

"I've just done everything that's been asked of me so far and ran personal bests in all my time-trails, (so there's) not much more I can ask for.''

The Pies served the 28-year-old with a two-game suspension for an alcohol-related indiscretion last year, prompting speculation about his future at the club.

Summer Barometer: Track the Pies' pre-season

But the three-time best-and-fairest winner said he was committed to helping lead the Pies to on-field success this season.

"I actually feel pretty good and feel pretty keen to get back out there, which is probably changed compared to a couple of other pre-seasons,'' he said.

"I just can't wait to get back out there and get amongst it.

"While I've got 'Johnno' (Ben Johnson) and 'Dids' (Alan Didak) here, they make me feel pretty young, because they're getting pretty old, so while I'm here I feel pretty youthful.''

Picture gallery: Collingwood family day

Buckley cast doubt on Thomas's ability to be ready for Round 1 this week but the line-breaker said he wanted to play in the season-opener against North Melbourne.

"It depends who you ask, Nathan said I was a couple of months away, so hopefully I am a bit quicker than that,'' Thomas said.

"(I'm) Aiming for Round 1, so hopefully (I'll) get back running next week, get some decent training in.

"If all goes to plan, (I'll play) Round 1, or hopefully a week or two earlier.''

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Dermie backs Franklin delay

Lance Franklin tells Hawthorn he will not discuss a new deal until the end of the year, sparking fears at the Hawks that he may walk.

Lance Franklin celebrates a goal during the 2012 Grand Final. Picture: David Caird Source: Herald Sun

HAWTHORN legend Dermott Brereton says Lance Franklin has made the right move in delaying contract talks to get the best financial deal from the club.

The Herald Sun yesterday revealed Franklin's management had put off talks on a new contract until the end of the season, stunning Hawks officials who were hopeful of finalising the matter before Round 1.

Fremantle, in Franklin's home state of Western Australia, is seen to be in the best position to poach one of the game's biggest stars, with space in the Dockers' salary cap to pay the forward more than $1 million a year.

Brereton conceded the contract saga would likely create an ongoing distraction for Franklin and the Hawks, and said the move would cost the club in the vicinity of an extra $100,000 in its salary cap.

But Brereton, a five-time Hawthorn premiership forward, tipped Franklin to stay and was adamant the 25-year-old was entitled to hold off to get more money.

"If I was Buddy's manager, and this is 'Pickers' (Liam Pickering) we are talking about, I would advise him not to sign also," Brereton told the Sunday Herald Sun.

"It's like the Travis Cloke situation. You want to stay at the club, you love the club and 95 per cent you are going to stay at the club, but you want to maximise your earnings."

Pickering said Franklin, a three-time All-Australian who will become a restricted free agent at the end of the year, wanted to halt contract negotiations to concentrate on his football.

But Brereton said media scrutiny could disrupt the player and his club.

"It's not going to benefit him by saying, 'I just want to concentrate on my football'," he said.

"They (media) will keep asking him about it and every time you pull open the paper, it will distract him.

"So it is not to allow him to play better footy, it (the management tactic) is (intended) to maximise his earnings, but you know what, he's got that right."

Summer Barometer: Track the Hawks' pre-season here

Hawthorn's premiership odds eased from $4 to $4.50 with Betstar in the wake of the Franklin revelation.

Brereton tipped the athletic goalkicker to remain at Waverley Park beyond 2013, but said the Hawks would have to pay more than they initially expected.

"I would guarantee you this time next year, Buddy will be in pre-season with Hawthorn, but it is going to cost them probably 5-10 per cent more than they envisaged," he said.

"There is always a threat (of Franklin leaving) and always a possibility but I think they will get over the line."

Will Buddy be the next Gary Ablett?

The Hawks are understood to be paying near 100 per cent of their salary cap, making it difficult to accommodate the 196cm powerhouse's beefed-up contract and keep their up-and-coming youngsters.

"They do have a list at the top end which is ageing," Brereton said.

"They have got some 28-year-olds and over so there will be a little bit of wiggle room, so to speak."

Brereton said the Hawks would be in prime spot to contend for a premiership for one or two more seasons.

"They probably should have won the Grand Final but Sydney played better on the day, played at their maximum but Hawthorn didn't," he said.

"Next year will be the same. Hawthorn will be a top-three team but it's whether they can grab one then. I would say they need one next year.

"With the inclusion of Brian Lake, who can play on big forwards, they now would be the best-balanced team."

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Karnezis on road to redemption

Patrick Karnezis evades Magpie Steele Sidebottom. Picture: Darren England Source: The Courier-Mail

PATRICK Karnezis was Brisbane's boom rookie in 2011.

But the promising forward went bust in 2012 after falling victim to the "second-year syndrome" that has struck so many rising stars in professional sport.

After kicking 17 goals in 11 games in 2011 - including two goals with his first two kicks in senior football in his Round 13 debut - Karnezis returned just six majors from seven senior games in 2012.

Speculation mounted about the Hawthorn Citizens junior suffering from homesickness as he plied his trade in the Lions reserves as a midfielder.

Brisbane officials said Karnezis never requested a trade nor was the product of a tight-knit Melbourne family ever offered up as trade bait.

He polled the most Grogan Medal votes for a Lions player and produced a 33-disposal effort in the NEAFL Northern Conference grand final win against the NT Thunder.

As he looks to rebuild his AFL career in 2013, Karnezis, 20, clearly wants his football to do the talking after declining an interview request from the Sunday Herald Sun.

But Lions senior coach Michael Voss is happy to speak about the steps Karnezis has taken on the road to redemption.

"You sometimes forget that second-year players are 19 turning 20. They are still so young but we try to emphasise the things that are important to give them the foundations for their footy career," he said.

"It's important they understand what are the acceptable standards. Patty probably went through a period early on when it was difficult for him to understand those.

"But as soon as he grasped them, he put his head down and played some terrific footy in the reserves which is a credit to him.

"I kept saying to him, 'This is going to help you' but I'm sure he didn't feel like that at the time because all of the boys are here to play senior footy.

"Quite often, young guys don't really hit their straps until their fourth season in the system so we have high hopes that Patty will make some serious inroads this year."

Karnezis is continuing to train as a midfielder after Brisbane recruited a number of tall-marking forwards at the end of last year.

Voss said having two strings to his bow will help Karnezis claw his way back into the senior side.

"In the modern game, you've got to be able to have a couple of spots to go to, you've got to flexible," he said.

"If we can play him in the midfield and push him forward or vice-versa, that will help him in the game as well as at match committee.

"He's played in that forward role for a couple of years and he's quiet familiar with it, so last year we wanted to increase his workrate and make that a focus.

"Patty has been doing that and training really, really well so he's improved a hell of a lot."

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Cloke is Lynch's No.1 fan

Collingwood recruit Quinten Lynch works up a sweat in pre-season training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

TRAVIS Cloke has lots to be excited about.

With last year's contract circus behind him, the Collingwood spearhead will enter 2013 with a clear mind and niggle-free.

But there's something else that is giving the Magpies' chief goalkicker plenty to smile about as the club stepped up its pre-season with a solid one-hour match simulation session yesterday.

The man who replaced Chris Dawes as Cloke's new key forward partner, Quinten Lynch, has been one of the standouts of Collingwood's summer.

While the 30-year-old may not have attracted as much pre-season hype as some of the other club's big-name recruits, the West Coast premiership forward's physical game style is set to bring an imposing and versatile edge to the Pies' forward setup.

Cloke, who ranked No.1 in the AFL for contested marks last season, yesterday warmly welcomed the aerial support Lynch is poised to provide.

"He's going to help us out and and obviously 'Jolls' (Darren Jolly) and 'Huddo' (Ben Hudson) in the ruck, so he's a massive plus for the team and also myself," Cloke said.

"I'm looking forward to working with him. He's an amazing (physical) specimen and he's a very big man and he can run all day, so it's great.

"I got to know him quite well the last couple of months, he's a fantastic man and a lovely family man."

Adding to their Magpies' delight, fellow free agent Clinton Young, from Hawthorn, joined in on the match simulation after spending much of the summer carefully managing his recovery from foot surgery.

Jordan Russell and Ben Hudson also impressed in the full-ground workout at Victoria Park, adding vital playing depth to the club's premiership tilt.

Picture gallery: Collingwood family day

After booting 33 goals mainly playing deep forward for West Coast last year, Lynch yesterday said he was relishing the move to the Westpac Centre.

" I just feel there's a hunger in this group at the moment to succeed and it's really exciting for me," Lynch said.

"I've obviously come in as a tall forward to help Clokey out up there and that's exciting and no doubt I'll have a little bit of a run through the ruck if needed, so there are two good roles there," he said.

"These boys made the prelim final last year and hopefully I've come over here and we can go one better."

Cloke, who kicked 59 goals last year, downplayed the distraction caused by his contract saga, which looms for Hawthorn and its superstar Lance Franklin this season.

"I spoke to Bucks and said earlier in the year: 'Mate, this is what I want to do and he knew the whole way along what was happening'," Cloke said yesterday.

"And I had faith in him and he had faith in me, so we knew what was happening, it was just a matter of getting pen to paper."

These boys made the prelim final last year and hopefully I've come over here and we can go one better.

Midfield dynamos Scott Pendlebury and Dane Swan continued their impressive build-up to the season yesterday as Dale Thomas and Dayne Beams watched the match practice from the sidelines.

Beams, whose enjoyed a career-best year last season winning his first Copeland Trophy, said he had overcome a few niggles in the pre-season.

"(I've had) a couple of little hiccups along the way, but it has probably been one of my better pre-seasons," Beams said.

Luke Ball and Lachy Keeffe continue to make solid progress in their comeback from knee reconstructions, training away from the main group yesterday.

Andrew Krakouer, who had a quick-fix type of knee surgery to repair his ruptured ACL, also looked in excellent touch with a bag of goals deep forward.

Summer Barometer: Magpies injury, training latest

Hoping for a better run of injury luck in 2013, coach Nathan Buckley is expecting more welcome headaches picking the Pies' best 22 this season.

"The great thing we have got is we have competition for spots, so we'll spend the next two or thee weeks in practice matches and through the early part of the NAB Cup working out who is going to be putting their hand up to play senior footy early in the first couple of rounds," Buckley said.

"We've probably got 30-35 blokes that we're trying to squeeze into 22.

"You will be rewarded in selection for your efforts."

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