Nicks the backbone of Port's backline

Matthew Nicks gets ready to run Port Adelaide through some drills. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

IT'S another transformation for Matthew Nicks, who was part of Sydney when they morphed into "The Bloods'' and became one of the most respected clubs in the land.

Nicks, a dashing defender who played 175 games for the Swans, is now central to the revival that has been plotted behind closed doors at Alberton, where a new beginning is being ushered in under new coach Ken Hinkley.

He's the backline coach, having previously worked in development, and he is a one of several central figures in the club's rebuild.

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From the day he came in, Ken Hinkley has talked about building from defence. Much of it is about team defence, what all players need to do when the other mob has the ball, but the pivotal part is how the ball is moved from defence into attack.

A rough guide: Port will not seek to copy Mick Malthouse's strategy of hugging the boundary before switching inboard.

Nor will they blindly seek to go down the centre of the ground, because there will be times when the opposition clogs up that area.

It leaves them having to work with the options that are open rather than being predictable, but it doesn't mean there's not an overriding theme.

Hinkley calls it playing "brave'' football, taking it on  and it starts with the players, who spend considerable time with Nicks.

"The main thing Ken's brought in is that when we don't have the ball and we're defending, it's all 18 of us  not just the back six,'' Nicks said.

"And vice versa, when we have the ball, we've got to take on the game. Take on the opposition.

"I guess at the moment, our No.1 priority is defending.

"Whenever we don't have it, we do everything we can to get it back.

"And then be brave when we do get it.

"You never see any of the coaches get upset if we miss target or turn the ball over while trying to handball it through.

"It's more about the defensive side. If we haven't got that right, there will be some questions asked.

"It's important to know what you're up against but the last thing we want to be known as is a side that's slow to move the ball.

"We want our players to be brave with the footy and take it on.''

Nicks has a chuckle when it's brought up how Hinkley played his football  he was a defender who was keener on attacking than anything else  but it also suggests both Hinkley and Nicks were part of the change in attitudes to backmen.

The image of a dour, accountable, fairly unadventurous type who might leave a bit to wish for in the foot-skills department is slowly being erased when defenders are discussed.

Teams load up backlines with their best kicks  players such as Simon Goodwin and Stuart Dew were deadly from half back  and also want players with enough pace and enterprise to move it along.

"It's very much the way it's been going,'' Nicks said.

"You've got to have guys who can move the ball out of the backline with speed.

"And you need guys who can break lines, and that takes speed, skill and good decision making. We're trying to find players for that position who have all those assets.

"Ken's fantastic in that he's really honest with the player about what he expects.

"It's going to take us a bit of time to jell.

"Bobby and Jacko have played for a number of years together now  and you can see that they really under-stand what the other player is going to do. That takes time.

"But we're quite healthy as far as numbers go.

"We have a lot of guys who can play a role down there.

"We lost some experience from last year, but we've also had guys come in from good cultures,'' he said.

"They might not have big game numbers next to their names but they've played alongside really experienced players and learned from there.''

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Viney on track for Dees debut

Jack Viney gets the footy moving forward during the Casey Scorpions vs Port Melbourne practise match at Casey Fields, Cranbourne. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

Mitch Clark kicks at goal at Casey Fields. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

JACK Viney is almost certain to debut for Melbourne against Port Adelaide next Sunday after a strong performance for Casey Scorpions today.

And the Demons have not given up hope that Mitch Clark and Jack Trengove could also play after both players got through three quarters unscathed of the game against Port Melbourne at Casey Fields.

Viney was one of the Scorpions' best players while Clark and Trengove were a little rusty after long layoffs.

Demons football manager Josh Mahoney confirmed Viney would likely make his debut next weekend, while Clark, Trengove and Chris Dawes (who did not play yesterday) would be assessed over the coming days.

"We were keen for him (Viney) to get one more (game) in and he played really well," Mahoney said.

"We would be expecting him to be very close to playing (in Round 1)."

Mahoney said Clark, Trengove and Dawes remain a chance to play, but the Demons would have to wary they do not take underdone players into the clash with Port Adelaide.

"They are a chance to play," he said. "It will be an interesting week - we will have some decisions to make."

Clark kicked one goal in his first game since a foot reconstruction after Round 13 last year.

He attacked the ball - and at times his opponents - with intent, but was sometimes frustrated by the opportunities that were presented to him.

Trengove looked a little underdone after overcoming stress fractures and struggled to have an impact.
Both he and Clark left the field midway through the last term.

Dean Kent, who had impressed the Demons during the pre-season, was reported after an incident just before quarter-time.

Meanwhile at Frankston, Adam Schneider put his hand up for selection in St Kilda's Round 1 side with a second strong performance for Sandringham in two weeks.

Read about how the St Kilda-listed players performed

HERE

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Schneider steps up workload

Adam Schneider celebrates a goal for the Saints. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

ST KILDA pair Adam Schneider and Tom Simpkin pushed their claims for Round 1 selection against Gold Coast when they got through today's practice match with VFL affiliate club Sandringham unscathed.

Schneider stood-out in Sandy's big victory - 11.22 (88) to 11.4 (70) - over Frankston.

He suffered an injury setback during the pre-season but got some valuable match practice under his belt with 60 minutes game time for Sandringham last week.

Saints football operations manager Greg Hutchison said Schneider go through his planned 80 minutes today without any concerns.

"He played the minutes that he was scheduled to do and did what he had to do in terms of conditioning,'' Hutchison said.

"And Simpkin did what he had to do. Because he has missed a bit of footy, we were able to get permission for him to play and from a conditioning aspect he also got what he needed from the game.''

Although the Saints had permission to play Rhys Stanley, it was decided to keep him on the sidelines.

Stanley hurt his knee against Sydney earlier this month with an injury that was diagnosed as likely to keep him out for 2-4 weeks.

Scans cleared him of any structural damage when he hyper-extended his knee when he landed after a marking contest.

Hutchison said Stanley trained fully on Friday but the conditioning and coaching staff decided the session was more beneficial than playing yesterday.

The club will assess all three players during the week.

Meanwhile four of Sydney's 2012 premiership players - Shane Mumford (ankle), Martin Mattner (hip), Nick Smith (knee) and Mitch Morton (back) - received valuable game time in a practice match between the Swans reserves and Sydney University on Friday night.

The four hope to play in the opening game against Greater Western Sydney.
 

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Siposs goes from fan to the man

St Kilda player Arryn Siposs in Mentone. Picture: Reddy Martin Source: Herald Sun

WHEN Brendon Goddard embarked on his AFL journey with St Kilda a decade ago, one of the knocks on him was the absence of a clearly defined role.

By the end of 2000, that ability to slot into a diversity of positions had become such a strength that Goddard was regarded as one of the AFL's most valuable players.

The old-fashioned "utility player" was back in vogue. Now, under the coaching of Scott Watters, the Saints prize multi-positioning more than ever.

"The ability to play in a variety of positions is vital, and now with the various rule changes and the way the interchange is going, having players with that versatility, that flexibility to go into a number of roles, is only going to become more and more important," Watters told the Herald Sun recently.

Such has been the shift in thinking, that when Goddard left St Kilda over the off-season, the unresolved question among fans became: "Who will take on BJ's role?"

Several names have been thrown around in the pre-season - Sam Gilbert, Jack Newnes, Dylan Roberton - and with some justification, because they, along with players such as Rhys Stanley and Terry Milera, will be expected to play in a broader range of positions than they have in the past. But the man earmarked for Goddard's slot is Arryn Siposs.

He has trained with St Kilda's defensive group over summer and ticks all the boxes. He is a strong mark for his size, is a skilful distributor of the ball and has a penetrating kick that can clear the next line. He can take his turn in the midfield, or be deployed as a forward capable of pinching a couple of goals.

The Saints certainly gave him plenty of time to grow into the new role with Siposs playing more minutes (346) than any of his teammates in the NAB Cup.

Siposs grew up a fanatical Saints fan and recalls watching TV and marvelling at Goddard's contribution during the 2010 drawn Grand Final.

He therefore feels a little uneasy about the Goddard comparisons, but acknowledges the vacancy sign over that job position.

"That's obviously one of the options, and if I can be half the player that Brendon Goddard is, I'll be happy," Siposs says.

"I guess where I'm going to play is not really set in stone. You look at guys like Michael Hurley and Brendon Goddard and they play forward and in defence.

"At the moment I'm more just trying to stitch up a spot in the team, and whether it's in the backline or forward or on the wing, I don't really mind, as long as I'm in the 22 and getting a chance to play some good footy and go from there. He (Watters) has thrown up all those sorts of positions and I'm happy to play in any role, as long as Scott's got the faith in me that I can do it."

I was a massive St Kilda fan, but at the time you just want to get on to any list ... When they called out my name it was the best moment of my life.

Fellow defender James Gwilt said this week that Siposs was "the one who has stepped up over the pre-season with his running and his training" and could be that backline go-to man.

"His skills are vital for us," Gwilt said. "Especially with him being that defensive player that he is, and also on the wing coming through the midfield. We want to get the ball in his hands, because he's such a super-long kick too, so he's got really good skills."

Siposs said he had not played in defence since "probably under-10s or under-13s", but Gwilt and the other senior backmen had taken him under their wing over the pre-season.

"Sean Dempster's an All-Australian defender last year and he's been fantastic for me. Sam Fisher is always there to help out, he's been great," Siposs said.

"Also, this is my third year at the club and it's the first pre-season I've got through injury-free. So I've felt the difference already in the NAB Cup matches."

Arryn Siposs goals from outside 50. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

Apart from being at polar opposite stages of their careers, the other glaring contrast between Siposs and Goddard is their journey to the AFL.

While Goddard was a much-publicised No.1 national draft pick in 2002, Siposs was a speculative fourth-round selection eight years later.

He spoke to about half of the clubs at the 2010 draft camp, with Collingwood and Sydney then showing considerable interest in the days that followed. Most indicated they might look at him as a mid-to-late draft pick.

"I was a massive St Kilda fan, but at the time you just want to get on to any list," Siposs recalled. "The Saints just had a quiet chat and I didn't think they were too interested."

On the day of the national draft he went over to the house of his close mate Alex Benbow, a talented Beaconsfield and Dandenong Stingrays teammate, now on the books of VFL club Northern Blues. They watched as the recruiters sat around tables on the Gold Coast, calling out the names of contemporaries.

"It got to the picks between 40 and 60 and I thought, I better start paying attention," Siposs said. "Then it got to 70 and I was starting to get nervous, thinking maybe I won't get picked up.

"Pick 75 was St Kilda's and they asked for extra time, so I was sitting there for a couple of minutes thinking, 'Geez it'd be nice', and I think so were Mum and Dad. When they called out my name it was the best moment of my life. I was ecstatic."

Over the next 24 hours it began to dawn on Siposs - who was working part-time selling doughnuts at Krispy Kreme in Fountain Gate - that he now had the chance to play alongside footballers who previously looked upon him from posters on his bedroom wall. That night he took a phone call from another former Dandenong Stingrays under-18s player, Stephen Milne.

"A few days later and Nicky Dal's coming up and shaking your hand, Rooey (Nick Riewoldt) is coming up and saying 'Hi, I'm Nick' and you're thinking, 'Don't worry, I already know who you are', but all you can do is say, 'Hi, I'm Arryn'. It was just a special week," Siposs said. "And then to go from them being your heroes, who you're watching and cheering, to training and then playing alongside them, it was pretty good."

I think we're good enough to challenge again. We genuinely believe we've got what it takes.

He was handed the No.2 jumper vacated by ruckman Steven King and marvelled at the knowledge it had been worn by Saints stars such as Danny Frawley and Aaron Hamill.

Just over two years later and Siposs has gone from wide-eyed fan to a young man St Kilda regards as potentially pivotal to the team's future.

In recent months he has signed a three-year contract extension that ties him to the club until the end of 2015, and has been elevated to the Saints' emerging leaders group alongside Newnes, Tom Curran, Sam Dunell and Seb Ross.

"We have a session every two weeks and it's working well," Siposs said.

"(The emerging leaders) tend to be there to help the younger guys. They might not want to approach the older players but feel comfortable raising things with us, maybe just in a friendly chat. You only have to look at the first-year guys, coming into a new environment, trying to get their heads around it. We can help them adapt, give them a bit of advice."

He realises that St Kilda's youngsters perhaps need to step up sooner than many of their peers at other AFL clubs.

"There aren't all that many players on our list who are in the 24-28 age group," Siposs said.

"There are the guys who have been playing 10 years and more, but I think it's something like half of the list are 22 or under. So that gives us more of a chance to drive it a bit more, to build the club up from there, because guys like Rooey and Lenny (Hayes) and Joey (Leigh Montagna) have done a fantastic job building the club to what it is now, but now it's our opportunity to at least maintain it, if not take it further.

"We've got that chance to do it early in our careers so that once (the experienced players) are gone, the young guys should be more comfortable with that responsibility."

Arryn Siposs looks for an option. Picture: Martin Reddy Source: Herald Sun

Siposs does not, however, buy into the theory that this might mean the Saints need to bottom out before they will be genuine contenders again.

"We're pretty determined to focus on the expectations within the group, not the outside perception," he said.

"The boys have spoken about it a lot. We just want to get our fundamentals right, our game plan right and have the trust in each other to be able to execute that.

"I think we're good enough to challenge again. We genuinely believe we've got what it takes.

"The older guys are still playing great footy and the younger guys are coming up and feel we're ready for the challenge."

Whether it's Riewoldt, Hayes or - yes - Goddard, the younger Saints need to step up and fill those senior players' roles.

Some sooner than others.

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Jobe a real leader, says Hird

Essendon put woes behind them by winning season opener.

Jobe Watson celebrates after nailing a goal against the Crows. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: The Advertiser

ESSENDON coach James Hird has paid credit to the leadership qualities of captain Jobe Watson who he said had his "game face" on from last Thursday until the end of Friday night's victory over Adelaide.

"It was a game face that no-one was going to take this away from us no matter how bad the start goes or no matter how bad the game goes, this game and this team is going to stay on track," Hird said yesterday.

"And that takes great leadership when sometimes it's hard to just play the game and you just want to get out and play the game and there are other things going on in your head. He removed it from his head and made sure the team was heading in the right direction.

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Hird, in interviews with 3AW and SEN, said Watson had provided enormous leadership to his teammates and the club in general during the past six weeks.

He admitted that while Watson had won the Brownlow Medal last year, the mid-fielder was disappointed with the way the team finished the season and at one stage wasn't motivated with the thought of another long pre-season campaign.

"He obliviously won the Brownlow and then had two or three weeks of intense media interviews, then went away for a month and then I think he saw another five months of pre-season in front of him and he wasn't that motivated by that," Hird said.

"So the guys went to Colorado for three weeks and I think he he got his motivation back, which was early December, and he has been on top of his training."

Hird said Watson hasn't missed a beat since suffering a slight mishap in January when he hurt his medial ligament.

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Dockers rout winged Eagles

Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich and coach Ross Lyon reign supreme in Derby No.37. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

THE kill was swift, effective and without mercy.

You would expect nothing less in a Western Derby and for the purple-clad crowd, Fremantle's 28-point win over West Coast at Patersons Stadium last night was a Round 1 win worth waiting six months for.

The Dockers began the third quarter nine points down and ended it with the game virtually in their keeping after a six-goals to one term.

With the Eagles in a daze as their injury woes mounted during a horror quarter, Fremantle delighted in pulling the trigger.

While the Dockers' rout of their local rivals in Round 19 last season came with Matthew Pavlich and Hayden Ballantyne playing starring roles, last night's triumph came with minimal input from the headline pair.

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Midfielders Michael Barlow and David Mundy shone in the middle, having 27 touches each, while the run and penetration of Stephen Hill and Danyle Pearce was significant.

Judges couldn't separate Barlow and Mundy for the Ross Glendinning medal, with the pair sharing the award in a derby first.

The only real positive for the Eagles is that they have 15 days to try to regroup before they host Hawthorn.

AFL- Fremantle Dockers v West Coast Eagles, Patersons Stadium, Perth. PICTURED- Fremantle's Danyle Pearce and Michael Johnson are sprayed with Powerade after the win, during the team song. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: Herald Sun

With a host of first choice players already on the sidelines, Mark LeCras and Eric Mackenzie were added to the injured list.

It was a heartbreaking comeback match for LeCras, who missed all of last season with a knee injury.

Only the most hard-hearted of Freo fans would not have felt sorry for LeCras as he came from the ground using his guernsey as a sling for his right arm.

The Dockers have a worry of their own, with Pavlich on report for charging Eagle Will Schofield in the second quarter.

Several other incidents will be scrutinised by the match review panel after a fiery first-half.

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Early on the Eagles silenced the purple arm, having 18 possessions to three in the opening four minutes as St Kilda recruit Jamie Cripps kicked the game's first goal after a minute.

Ashton Hams was another unlikely hero for the Eagles in the opening stanza, booting consecutive goals.

The crowd was livid with his second, which came after the 174cm Hams attracted a high tackle from David Mundy that slid from his chest to his neck.

West Coast led by 21 points by the time Nick Suban got Fremantle on the board 18 minutes in.

Eagles club champion Scott Selwood was left dazed on the turf in a behind the play incident in the final The second quarter had nearly everything.

While the Pavlich-Schofield wasn't overly malicious, Schofield received a 50m penalty after Pavlich was fractionally late and the Freo skipper will have a nervous wait.

Eagle Mark LeCras comes off the ground with a serious arm injury. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

The Pavlich incident came after another flashpoint between Adam Selwood and Ryan Crowley earlier in the second term.

Crowley appeared to instigate contact as he came from behind Selwood and contact was what he got as the Eagle threw his right elbow back and collected Crowley high.

It came after Crowley had kicked the Dockers' fourth unanswered major as Freo hit the front for the first time at the eight-minute mark of the second quarter.

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Pavlich report sours victory

Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich was reported for charging Eagle Will Schofield in Derby No.37. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper Source: PerthNow

FREMANTLE'S crushing victory over West Coast last night was soured only by the report of captain Matthew Pavlich.

Pavlich, who was held goalless after kicking eight goals the last time the teams met, had his number taken in the second quarter for charging Eagles defender Will Schofield.

Pavlich faces a nervous wait after he crashed into the back of Schofield after he had taken a mark on the wing.

The Dockers are well placed for a flying start to the new season, following the 16.12 (108) to 11.14 (80) win in front of a parochial crowd of 39,629.

They now have a 14-day break before taking on the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium in Round 2.

Key midfielders David Mundy and Michael Barlow tied for the Glendinning Medal after starring with 27 possessions and six clearances each.

Nick Suban and Michael Walters kicked three goals each, while free agency addition Danyle Pearce was terrific in his first appearance for his new side.

Forward Hayden Ballantyne was subbed out with a lower leg injury but coach Ross Lyon expected him to be fit for the Bulldogs clash.

"He sort of knocked his shin and got a cork in the calf, so we subbed him out,'' he said.

"There's no red alert here.''

Lyon took some pity on Fremantle's cross-town rivals, saying an undermanned West Coast had put in a brave performance against the odds.

"I think you've got to admire the Eagles,'' Lyon said.

"I know paper teams mean nothing, but the reality is that they were depleted in some areas, particularly in the midfield.

"I thought they came out and took the game right up to us. But in the end I thought our preparation and our total teamsmanship in the end was quite dominant.''

Fremantle trailed by nine points at half-time but completely controlled the third term to lead by 24 points at the final change.

It came after the Eagles led by 21 points mid-way through the first quarter when the Dockers were yet to score.

"Probably there were signs well before half-time, but we just couldn't hurt them on the scoreboard and they scored pretty easy,'' Lyon said.

"So once we tidied a few of those things up, I thought our third quarter was dominant, and then it was a real arm wrestle in the last and it opened up a bit.''

Fremantle dominated the overall inside 50 count 61-38 and won the centre clearances 17-9 despite the Eagles edging them in overall stoppage wins 42-37.

The victory put the Dockers on display around the country, with the derby the only AFL match played yesterday.

Lyon said he was unsure what message it sent the rest of the competition.

"I'm not too sure to be honest, its hard to know what other people think,'' he said.

"I think they would say we are a competitive AFL team, and that when they play us we'll be competing strongly."

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Voss is making a point his way

Lions coach Michael Voss could be out of a job before the end of the year if Brisbane can't deliver 10 or more wins on the field. Picture Jono Searle Source: The Courier-Mail

FOUR-time premiership player Martin Pike says Michael Voss is starting to blossom as Brisbane boss.

And Geelong premiership coach and former Lions star Chris Scott says the Lions have developed into a "formidable" outfit under the club's favourite son.

The 37-year-old will start his fifth season as Brisbane senior coach this Saturday when the Lions face the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium.

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Out of contract at the end of 2013, Voss must deliver more than 10 wins in the home-and-away season to keep his job.

Former teammates of the triple premiership captain think Voss and the Lions are on track.

Pike's five-season tenure at the Gabba is probably best remembered for headbutting then CEO Michael Bowers in the days after the 2004 grand final loss to Port Adelaide.

But he was an integral part of Brisbane's hat-trick of flags with his big stage experience, physical presence on the field and larrikin nature off the paddock.

Pike is a regular at Lions matches in Victoria and says both Brisbane and Voss are on the rise.

"You have got to cut your teeth in anything you do and I think Vossy looks more comfortable within himself as a coach these days," Pike said.

"When he first took over, it wasn't his side, but he has put his stamp on it now.

"It's important that you play for your coach but more importantly, I like how the boys are starting to play for each other. Vossy has got them playing for each other which is what brings you team success.

"I think the Lions are a big chance for the top eight. I reckon between fourth and 13th is wide open and it all depends on how they go with injuries and those sorts of things.

"Everyone down in Melbourne was talking up Carlton but when the game was really on in the second half, the Lions were just too good."

Scott, a dual premiership defender, said the Lions' undefeated run through the NAB Cup deserved respect.

"As an external observer, I like the way they played. They played a good brand of football," Scott said.

"I really admire a lot of the things that Brisbane are trying to do ... as long as they don't beat us, I wish them well."

Brisbane's quick, precise and decisive ball movement through the centre corridor was a highlight of the NAB Cup campaign while acts of courage were commonplace.

Young defender Elliot Yeo copped a bad knock in the final against Carlton but got to his feet and backed into a contest with no regard for his safety.

Triple premiership player and GWS assistant coach Luke Power said Brisbane were taking on similar traits to their coach.

"A lot of Vossy's qualities as a player are coming through into his team which is good to see," Power said.

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Murphy keen to stay at Carlton for life

Carlton midfielder Marc Murphy wants to stay a Blue for the rest of his AFL career. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

CARLTON star Marc Murphy has revealed he wants to start negotiations with the club on a new long-term deal.

The Blues captain is contracted until the end of 2014, by which stage he would be eligible for free agency.

Murphy recently spoke to his manager Paul Connors about his desire to start contract talks.

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"I haven't spoken to the club about it yet, but I've had a word to the manager about it," Murphy said.

"I would love to (work on a new deal). I've got another year after this season. But if the club is happy to sign me on again, I'm happy to stay there for as long as they want me to."

The 25-year-old was installed as Chris Judd's replacement as skipper earlier this month, but denied the new role had anything to do with him wanting to reaffirm his commitment to the club.

"I love it here. I'd be happy to stay until I'm 35," Murphy said. "There are no issues of me wanting to go anywhere."

Murphy said he could hardly wait for Carlton's season opener against Richmond in four days, which will come 40 years after his father, John, took over as Fitzroy captain.

The Blues midfielder will go head-to-head with Richmond's new captain Trent Cotchin in what looks like the start of a great rivalry between the leaders.

"I said to Trent that it would be great to get more than 80,000 people at the MCG," Murphy said. "One of us is going to start well; the other is going to have to wait another week for a win."

Murphy insisted that the Blues would not underestimate the Tigers, despite the fact they had won the past nine encounters against their long-time rivals.

"There's been a great rivalry around this game over the past five or six years," Murphy said.

"They (Richmond) have some new players and a new leader, so I don't think anything that has happened before will mean anything."

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No risk, no wins for Crows

Essendon put woes behind them by winning season opener.

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson will have a serious review of the Crows' tactics after their shocker against the Bombers at AAMI Stadium. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

ADELAIDE will have a long and searching review of its 35-point loss to Essendon on Friday night and there are several key areas that need attention.

Coach Brenton Sanderson was pragmatic as he assessed the match, but he also gave off signs that a stern assessment awaited most of his playing list.

The bottom line was this: after a cracking start, when the Crows kicked the first three goals and looked like millionaires, Essendon was dominant in most corners of the ground.

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Time and again Adelaide challenged, but where the Crows had to work hard for their goals, Essendon poured in easy and quick ones through turnovers, pace and the brilliance of Jobe Watson, who was the man of the match and kicked the sealer. Sanderson identified four areas of concern:

THE backline and the midfield were closed down.

It was difficult to pick out an outstanding midfielder from the regular topliners. Patrick Dangerfield and Scott Thompson, both of whom placed in the top 10 in the Brownlow Medal count last season, struggled to have an impact.

"They held us up really well,'' Sanderson said.

"We couldn't get any run going. They (the Bombers)  really slowed us up. We normally attack through the middle of the ground and they forced us wide.''

TACKLES not sticking. The Essendon players looked stronger than the Crows, who were praised widely for their physicality last year.

The Bombers nailed their own tackles and fended off the Crows, which had an enormous bearing on the match.

The Crows also gave away free kicks with sloppy tackling.

"The glaring stat for us, I guess, is the tackles,'' Sanderson said. ``I think we ended up being minus 26 or minus 27.

"We couldn't stick tackles  they brushed us away  and then they got some easy goals.''

CENTRE clearances, which is generally a strength for Adelaide, was its biggest achilles heel against Essendon.

After each Bombers goal, the odds were they would take it away from the centre square.

"It probably started at the centre bounce,'' Sanderson said. ``They just killed us in centre-bounce clearances.

"We had our A-grade boys in there and unfortunately they got beat in there. We'll have a look at that this week.''

NOT taking the game on. Essendon had planned well for Adelaide's strategies to move the ball out of defence, and kept cutting off the obvious avenues.

But the Crows also had a hesitant look, not the usual enterprise and self-assurance to set up plays from the backline.

"Maybe it's about a bit more daring at times,'' Sanderson said. ``Risk versus reward. We'll certainly have a look at it during the review.

"I mentioned to the players at each break that it look like we were quite stagnant at times. Held the ball, didn't want to take risks, we didn't want to take the game on.

"When things got really desperate, after half time, we did look much better when we took the game on but we couldn't get back within less than three goals.

"A 35-point loss is not what you want in round 1 and it's very disappointing for the footy club because we've been waiting for six months to make amends.''

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