Hamstrung Sandilands out until June

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Hamstring ... Fremantle will miss Aaron Sandilands for at least two months. Source: TONY MCDONOUGH / AAP

Fremantle have received mixed news on star ruckman Aaron Sandilands - he will need hamstring surgery, but should return midway through this AFL season.

The three-time All-Australian consulted with surgeon Julian Feller in Melbourne on Monday after aggravating the injury to his left hamstring.

The Dockers announced on Monday night that Sandilands will be out of action for eight to 12 weeks.

"It's very disappointing for Aaron and the club but with the appropriate period of recovery and a structured rehabilitation program, it is possible he will be available for selection mid-way through the season," Fremantle football manager Chris Bond said.

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"But at this stage we will have to wait until after his surgery and the recovery phase before we can be more specific about when Aaron will be available for selection."

Sandilands originally tore the muscle during the pre-season and was expected to return in round two.
But he aggravated the injury last week and that forced the Melbourne visit.

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Sheedy urges Giants to buy Buddy

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Go get him ... Sheedy wants Franklin to turn orange. Source: Chris Scott / News Limited

Greater Western Sydney coach Kevin Sheedy has urged the Giants to up the ante in their pursuit of Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin in a bid to boost the fledgling club and AFL in the region.

Franklin has put off contract negotiations until the end of the year, leaving the door ajar for the cashed-up Giants to make a huge play for the brilliant forward.

Hawthorn have publicly stated that they expect to retain Franklin, but there is an expectation that either the 26-year-old or a couple of key teammates will be squeezed out.

Sheedy, speaking on AFL 360, has told the Giants to be ready to pounce if Franklin looks to continue his career elsewhere.

"I would think it would be a great opportunity if Franklin is thinking of leaving Hawthorn," Sheedy said.

"It would be enormous, absolutely enormous."

Asked by AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson if Franklin commanded $1.2-$1.3 million per season, Sheedy said: "If that's what it takes to get him to Sydney I believe this team would blossom with another great player in it."

Sheedy was excited by the prospect of possibly adding Franklin to a forward line containing young guns Jonathon Patton and Jeremy Cameron.

The salary cap space cleared by Israel Folau's defection to Super Rugby will be spent, Sheedy declared, and Franklin would be the top ticket item.

"If it was my advice and it was on the table, I would say go after him.

"He's kicked over 500 (529) goals in about a 150-160-game (161) career.

"Kurt Tippett has played just over 100 (104) games and kicked maybe 180 (188) goals.

"I think Franklin is a better player than Tippett.

"Therefore, if you've got a package of money there left after (Israel) Folau then you get it right and you might have a (Tony) Lockett.

"And that injection into Sydney would be fantastic."

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Ablett pours cold water on Cats return

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Open and honest ... Gary Ablett chats with Mike Sheahan. Source:FOX SPORTS

Gold Coast skipper Gary Ablett has downplayed speculation that he will seek a return to Geelong when his lucrative Suns contract expires at the end of 2015.

Cats fans - and some former teammates - hold out hope that the brilliant midfielder will pull on the blue and white hoops again before his stellar AFL career ends.

"It's hard to say because I don't know where I'll be," Ablett told Open Mike on FOX FOOTY.

"I'm loving it at the Gold Coast at the moment and I really want to win a premiership up there."

Ablett, 28, was relaxed and refreshing in his 30-minute chat with Mike Sheahan.

He went into detail about his father's career - and battle with depression - and said he gave up footy as a teenager due to the pressure of carrying the famous Ablett name.

Ablett confirmed reports that after the 2006 season senior Geelong players, led by Cameron Ling, sat the Brownlow medallist down and had a frank discussion about his lack of training intensity.

He admitted "it was hard to take", but reflected on the moment as a turning point.

"When I first got to the club I just used to go through the motions a bit," he said.

"I didn't realise how hard you had to train to make it. I thought I was going to make it off the talent I had and I kind of went along like that for three or four years."

The Cats' leaders told Ablett: "Look mate, you're not training hard enough, you're not working hard enough, it's just not acceptable."

One year later Ablett led the Cats to a drought-breaking flag, won his first of four AFLPA MVP awards, and the first of four club best-and-fairests.

In the interview, Ablett also:

-Admitted he was homesick for his first year at the Gold Coast, but adamant he made the right decision to walk away from Geelong.

-Tried to talk brother Nathan Ablett out of quitting Geelong.

-Rated his father as the best to ever play the game.

-Revealed he had enjoyed a laugh with Mark Thompson since their feud in 2010.

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Boss admits regret on 'phys-edders'

Dropped the ball ... Demetriou says AFL should have acted earlier. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou admits the league should have acted much earlier on concerns about the growing influence of sports scientists at some clubs.

Demetriou said that was one issue he was referring to at last week's season launch when he confessed to "some recent errors of judgment".

"One specific example, definitely ... (was) talking about the influence sports scientists were having at football clubs," he told FOX FOOTY's On The Couch.

"We should have intervened a lot earlier.

"When I came out and talked about that, there was outrage from some quarters about sports scientists (having) a place.

"They may well have a place and there are some very fine ones.

"But there were certain things going on, certain practices, particularly with marginalising our club doctors, which was unacceptable."

A year ago, Demetriou said the league would issue heavy fines if it could prove club medical staff were being overruled on player health.

"Phys-edders don't overrule doctors," was Demetriou's blunt warning at the time.

Sports science is now a massive issue not only in the AFL, but Australian sport in general.

Essendon are now under a joint Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and AFL investigation for supplement use last season.

The Bombers have also commissioned an independent investigation to look into "irregular practices" at the club.

The Australian Crime Commission has released a report expressing concerns about performance enhancing drugs and organised crime in sport.

Meanwhile, Demetriou also said on Monday night that he could understand why the league's findings against Melbourne Demons had confused fans.

The league suspended Dean Bailey and Chris Connolly, as well as hitting the Demons with a $500,000 fine, but cleared the club of tanking.

"I can give you lots and lots of cases where there's insufficient evidence and insufficient proof, people do get frustrated by the outcome," Demetriou said.

"All I will say to you is based on the evidence that could be sustained ... that was all that could be supported.

"I tell you what, if you don't have evidence, then you don't go down that track and pinging guilt on people.

"You know where you'll end up? You'll end up in the High Court or somewhere else."

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'Flanno's return sparks Sharks'

Sparkling form ... Gordie says Tyrone Roberts could keep Kurt Gidley out of the Knights team. Source: News Limited

In his weekly column, Fox Sports expert and Canberra assistant coach Brett Kimmorley offers his thoughts and predictions on round three of the 2013 NRL Premiership season.

Storm vs Bulldogs, AAMI Park

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The grand final replay certainly didn't disappoint. I expected Melbourne to win comfortably but Canterbury were gritty and brought a game plan that caused Melbourne plenty of defensive issues. The battle of the halves was an entertaining one. Josh Reynolds continues to be the Bulldogs back bone. He is creating plays and steering the side around while Cooper Cronk was brilliant once again. His kicking game was pin-point and the way he targeted Tony Williams with set plays were executed with precision. 

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It was a terrible opening 25 minutes by Parramatta. With the competition as tight as it is this year, you cannot afford to make as many errors as they did early. The Tigers looked like a more controlled side. They had a game plan which saw Chris Lawrence work toward Chris Sandow as often as they could, with the ploy working a treat. The Eels did their best to make a game of it in the second half but it was their mistakes and poor defensive reads which ultimately hurt them. 

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The Gold Coast beat Manly at their own game. It was a physical battle filled with tight defence. This Titans side is a massive unit and if they can get even possession of the ball they will challenge any side. Their halves combination is coming along nicely, not only in attack but in defence, Albert Kelly made some strong defensive plays. It was a gutsy win to back up an easy win over the Raiders last week.

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What an effort to keep Brisbane scoreless. Roosters coach Trent Robinson should take a bow. The Broncos had ample opportunity to trouble the Roosters but they were not able to trouble them. Mitchell Pearce's kicking game was strong while Sonny Bill Williams continues to improve each week as he builds match fitness. Their attack will only get better as their combinations grow. The Broncos will need to turn things around very quickly. They face Melbourne this week and will need to find a way to score points.

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It was another emotional match for the Sharks in Shane Flanagan's return. The Sharks were on a mission which was led by Andrew Fifita and backed up by his skipper Paul Gallen. Todd Carney was at his brilliant best. He was able to pick and choose his plays and did so with precision. They only leaked four points which is a credit to their mental strength to not switch off with the game all but wrapped up at half time. Michael Gordon has been a revelation for the Sharks at fullback. Hopefully things begin to right themselves at the Shire club. The Warriors need to address their defensive issues before they can move forward. 

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Sometimes when teams face the Rabbitohs they are content with competing with them but this was not the case from Ivan Cleary's men who dug deep in a back and forth style match. It was an end to end game but the extra class that South Sydney has ultimately won them the game. Sam Burgess returned from suspension, Greg Inglis had some brilliant touches and Nathan Merritt bagged a hat trick of tries. I think Maguire will be pleased with the win and their ability to score points but will be disappointed by how many points his team did leak.

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The hoodoo continued in a low scoring first half. It was a great defensive effort from both sides in the opening 40 minutes. Both sides were asked to defend some great attacking plays. This win eases some pressure on the Raiders. As an assistant coach it was great to get our first win and while there wasn't a massive crowd in attendance they were very vocal and I think that helped get us home. Reece Robinson was brilliant in attack while Brett White lead by example as did Glenn Buttriss in terms of leadership. There is now plenty of pressure on the Dragons to get a result against Cronulla in Saturday night's local derby.

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It was the best Newcastle Knights we've seen in a couple of seasons, says Gordon Tallis. Man of the Match Jarrod Mullen was outstanding for the Knights. His short and long passing game precise and his kicking was pin-point. The halves have been problematic for Knights recently, but these two could keep Kurt Gidley on bench. I think Gidley is the best 14 in the competition. The Cowboys looked frustrated. Everything they did lacked direction.
Their forwards looked pedestrian and the hooker and halves aren't combining well at all.

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