FOX FOOTY expert Brad Johnson takes a look at the chances of your AFL club ahead of the 2013 season.
We will be rolling each team's preview out in the build up to Friday night's season-opener between Adelaide Crows and Essendon.
Here's the first four and return daily to read more.
Flying Finn ... Raikkonen holds on for dramatic Australian F1 win. Source: Rob Griffith / AP
Kimi Raikkonen went to the starting line for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix 'pretty confident' that his Lotus team's strategy would win him the race.
Despite fears from most teams that bad graining and wear issues would hit Pirelli's new F1 rubber, Lotus planned stopping the Finn just twice during the race.
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Raikkonen pitted first on lap nine, getting off the fast-wearing supersoft compound in favour of Pirelli's medium Cinturatos.
But as his rivals all made a second stop around the 20 lap mark, the Finn crucially stayed out until lap 34 to make his second and final stop of the race.
The performance of Raikkonen's Lotus while maintaining superior tyre life raised eyebrows, but the man himself was reasonably sure their strategy would work.
"That was our plan before the race and I was pretty confident that the tyres would be okay," Raikkonen said on the podium.
"I had doubts becuase it was the first race, you don't know how the tyres will be. I didn't do any long runs through the winter.
"I thought it should be easy to do it, then I got a good start and it all went well.
"It was a pretty nice race, not so difficult."
Further emphasising his Lotus E21's superiority, Raikkonen posted the fastest lap of the race on lap 56 of 58, underlining that while he was conserving his tyres, the Finn had pace to burn.
"Fernando was catching at some point, I just wanted to make sure if the rain came, or something happened, that there was a bit more gap."
The victory could be a good omen in several ways for Raikkonen.
It is the charismatic Finn's second win in Australia, his last coming in 2007 - the year he won the championship.
The Lotus team hasn't won the first race of the season since 2006 - then known as Renault, they won the championship.
A car bearing the Lotus name hasn't won the first race of the season since 1978 - and wouldn't you know it, they won the championship.
We will soon know if Raikkonen and Lotus are favourites or flukes in one week's time, when Formula 1 heads to Sepang for the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Manly Warringah ... Sea Eagles Anthony Watmough and Jamie Lyon all smiles against Newcastle. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited
Manly Sea Eagles have produced a 32-0 master class over Newcastle at Brookvale Oval on Sunday night.
| 6 Tries 0 | |
|---|---|
| Jorge Taufua 6' | |
| Jamie Lyon 15' | |
| Anthony Watmough 44' | |
| Jorge Taufua 60' | |
| Brett Stewart 71' | |
| Jorge Taufua 79' | |
| 4 Conversions0 | |
| Jamie Lyon 16' | |
| Jamie Lyon 62' | |
| Jamie Lyon 72' | |
| Jamie Lyon 80' | |
The Sea Eagles started the match in fine form with a try to winger Jorge Taufua.
The Knights copped a blow losing Dane Gagai to a leg injury while the home side lost star centre Steve Matai to a neck injury.
Willie Mason also suffered an ankle injury.
Jamie Lyon crosses for his first of the season, leaping over the defence to catch a Kieran Foran kick.
Lyon converted his try to extend their lead to 10.
Anthony Watmough was devastating in the opening half and continued to do so after the break.
The hard hitting back rower scored a solo try however Lyon's missed conversion kept the score to 14-0.
Taufua crashed over for his second and Lyon nailed the conversion to extend the lead to 20.
Brett Stewart slid over, grounding a sneaky kick from Lyon while Taufua secured his third to put the game beyond doubt with less than a minute remaining.
Bad day ... a poor start and a broken exhaust left Ricciardo with little to smile about. Source: William West / AFP
It's an understatement to say Sunday's Australian Grand Prix wasn't the home race Daniel Ricciardo was looking for.
Following hopes of a top-10 starting spot and a high finish, the Perth-born racer endured several problems from the start of the race, ending his day in the garage instead of on the podium.
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"In the end I had to retire with a problem linked to the exhaust," Ricciardo said. "I reported back to the pit wall that I could hear strange noises and I tried to fix it by changing a few functions, but it was not to be."
But, like fellow Red Bull-backed Australian Mark Webber, the 23-year-old's problems had began before the race had even started.
On the formation lap prior to gridding up for the start, Ricciardo struggled to get any temperature into his tyres or brakes, leaving him floundering in last by the end of the first lap.
"At the start of the race, I struggled to find grip and it felt like I was driving on ice, as it took a very long time to warm up the tyres.
"But afterwards, after about ten laps, I got up to speed and my lap times were not too bad, but by then I had lost too much time in the early stages."
It marked a disappointing race for the Toro Rosso squad, who were looking to put a disappointing 2012 season behind them with a solid result in Australia.
Unfortunately, Ricciardo believes the poor result has left them with more work to do before the championship heads to Malaysia next weekend.
"I think we have more homework to do when it comes to the tyres. Not the ending I wanted for the first Grand Prix of the season, especially here in my home race."
Wanderers ... thrash the hapless Melbourne Heart. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited
Western Sydney have moved a step closer to wrapping up the minor premiership in their debut A-League season with a typically hard-working 3-1 win over Melbourne Heart.
Labinot Haliti scored once in each half and Iacopo La Rocca notched a late sealer as the league newcomers stretched their record winning streak to 10 and all but extinguished the Heart's finals hopes at AAMI Park on Saturday.
| P | W | D | L | GD | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Western Sydney | 25 | 17 | 2 | 6 | 17 | 53 |
| 2 | Central Coast | 24 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 22 | 45 |
| 3 | Victory | 24 | 12 | 4 | 8 | 3 | 40 |
| 4 | Adelaide | 25 | 12 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 40 |
| 5 | Newcastle | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | -12 | 31 |
| 6 | Sydney | 24 | 9 | 3 | 12 | -8 | 30 |
| 7 | Brisbane | 24 | 8 | 5 | 11 | 1 | 29 |
| 8 | Perth | 24 | 8 | 4 | 12 | -2 | 28 |
| 9 | Heart | 25 | 8 | 3 | 14 | -6 | 27 |
| 10 | Wellington | 25 | 6 | 6 | 13 | -18 | 24 |
The Wanderers climbed eight points clear of second-placed Central Coast.
That means if the Mariners don't secure maximum points against Brisbane Roar on Sunday, Western Sydney will have wrapped up the premiers' plate with two rounds to spare.
The Heart remain second last, with Saturday's loss their second home defeat in the space of five days.
They also lost veteran defender Simon Colosimo, who was sent off for picking up two yellow cards in the space of four minutes in the second half.
Re-live all the action in our interactive A-League Match Centre, featuring video highlights
The match was tight until Haliti completed an expertly worked team goal in the 28th minute.
It started with Mark Bridge dribbling past a defender into the box and crossing to Aaron Mooy, whose neat pass set up Haliti for his accurate finish.
The Heart's Sudanese-born refugee Golgol Mebrahtu, given a rare start as one of five changes to Melbourne's starting side, levelled the game in the 39th minute with a wonder strike.
Receiving 20m out, he spun and shot between two fast-closing defenders, with the ball still rising as it scorched past keeper Ante Covic.
Mebrahtu almost set up another goal from a free kick approaching halftime, but Josip Tadic was ruled off-side as he possibly touched home a goal-bound Richard Garcia header.
Instead, it was the visitors who took the lead 15 minutes into the second half, Haliti smashing the ball home from the middle of the box, after La Rocca threaded a pass through a sea of defenders.
La Rocca needed no help for the 88th-minute sealer, a crisp strike from long range.
Committed ... Scrum-half Andy Ellis executes a diving clearance in his side's win over the Bulls. Source: AAP
Seven-times Super Rugby champions the Crusaders have recorded their first win from three games this season with a 41-19 victory over the previously unbeaten Bulls in Christchurch.
The Crusaders have scored six tries in the comprehensive win.
| 6 Tries 1 | |
|---|---|
| Robbie Fruean 25' | Deon Stegmann 67' |
| Kieran Read 30' | |
| Johnny McNicholl 40' | |
| Tom Marshall 45' | |
| Wyatt Crockett 61' | |
| Willi Heinz 79' | |
| 4 Conversions1 | |
| Daniel Carter 27' | Morne Steyn 68' |
| Daniel Carter 40' | |
| Daniel Carter 46' | |
| Daniel Carter 80' | |
| 1 Penalties4 | |
| Daniel Carter 7' | Morne Steyn 21' |
| Morne Steyn 35' | |
| Morne Steyn 38' | |
| Morne Steyn 43' | |
Backing up after last weekend's 28-21 win over the Blues in Auckland, the Bulls never really threatened as the Crusaders overcame a shaky start to run in three tries in each half for the comprehensive win.
| Australia Conference | W | L | D | PD | BP | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brumbies | 3 | 0 | 0 | 64 | 2 | 18 |
| 2 | Reds | 3 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
| 3 | Melbourne Rebels | 1 | 3 | 0 | -25 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | Waratahs | 1 | 3 | 0 | -33 | 1 | 9 |
| 5 | Western Force | 0 | 3 | 0 | -29 | 1 | 5 |
| New Zealand Conference | W | L | D | PD | BP | Pts | |
| 1 | Chiefs | 3 | 1 | 0 | 65 | 5 | 17 |
| 2 | Blues | 2 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 3 | 15 |
| 3 | Crusaders | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 11 |
| 4 | Hurricanes | 2 | 2 | 0 | -15 | 1 | 9 |
| 5 | Highlanders | 0 | 3 | 0 | -35 | 1 | 5 |
| South Africa Conference | W | L | D | PD | BP | Pts | |
| 1 | Bulls | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 13 |
| 2 | Sharks | 3 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 12 |
| 3 | Cheetahs | 2 | 2 | 0 | -31 | 1 | 9 |
| 4 | Stormers | 1 | 2 | 0 | -12 | 1 | 9 |
| 5 | Southern Kings | 1 | 2 | 0 | -8 | 0 | 8 |
Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean had a nightmare opening 20 minutes, featuring in a succession of handling errors and sloppy passes.
But with frustration mounting, and only an early Dan Carter penalty on the board, the Crusaders finally started to hang onto the ball and build phases.
Inevitably, it was Fruean who sliced through the Bulls' backline to dot down, Carter's conversion giving the Crusaders a 10-3 lead after 24 minutes.
Six minutes later, skipper Kieran Read was driven over after the Crusaders again showed patience, recycling possession efficiently and stretching the well-organised Bulls defence to the limit.
The boot of Springboks No.10 Morne Steyn kept the Bulls in touch at 15-9, but winger Johnny McNicholl finished clinically right on the stroke of halftime after the Crusaders were unrelenting over 17 phases.
Ahead 22-9 at the break, and despite another Steyn penalty soon after the restart, winger Tom Marshall notched up the bonus-point try on 45 minutes as the Crusaders mounted another telling counterattack from a turnover on halfway.
The home team dictated terms from then on, dominating possession and territory, and keeping the Bulls pinned down on defence.
Loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett added the Crusaders' fifth try with 20 minutes remaining, finishing off another searing run from Marshall.
The Bulls replied through blindside flanker Deon Stegmann after a trademark drive from an attacking lineout but replacement halfback Willi Heinz danced over for the Crusaders' sixth just two minutes before the final whistle.
Key man ... Alex Doolan remained not out at stumps on day three. Source: Nikki Davis-jones / News Limited
Tasmania and Victoria will be in a fight to the death when the last day of the Sheffield Shield's regular season gets underway on Sunday.
SHEF - Blundstone Arena
14 March 2013 - Day 3, Session 3
Tasmania 2nd Innings
| J. Silk | 61 | 116 | 4 | 0 | 52.59 |
| A. Doolan | 23 | 35 | 3 | 0 | 65.71 |
Only outright victory at Bellerive can guarantee the Tigers or Bushrangers a place in next week's final, although the Vics may sneak in if Western Australia and Queensland play out a draw.
After New South Wales thrashed South Australia, five sides remain in the running to host the decider.
Tasmania were 1-137 at stumps on a rain-interrupted day three, a lead of 148, and they will chase quick runs on Sunday morning before attempting to bowl the Bushrangers out.
Victoria expect to be chasing a target of around 300 in 70 overs, but Tigers coach Tim Coyle was giving little away.
"(We'll) see what the weather forecast is and just have a look and see what the conditions are like and (go) into the day with a few scenarios in our minds and be pretty flexible with that,'' he said.
Adding to the tension is the X-factor of rain in Hobart, with 48 overs lost on Saturday and showers forecast for day four.
Century-making Victoria batsman David Hussey said his side, which came into the final round of matches in top spot, would have no choice but to chase the victory after letting the two crucial first-innings points slip.
"It's going to be difficult," said Hussey, who made 112 in Victoria's first dig of 358 in reply to Tasmania's 6(dec)-369.
"It's probably not a new-ball wicket. It's probably more of an old ball wicket with it reversing a little bit.
"We need to really bat well tomorrow and whatever target they set we'll be definitely going for it."
The Tigers began their second innings well with openers Mark Cosgrove (50) and Jordan Silk (61no) putting on 98 before Cosgrove was bowled by Fawad Ahmed (1-30).
Silk will resume with Alex Doolan, who is unbeaten on 23.
The Tigers' destiny is entirely in their own hands, Coyle said.
"We're really worrying about what's going to happen here," he said.
"We know what's gone on up (in Sydney) and we'll keep an eye on what happens over in the west as well.
"All those things impact but at the end of the day this is a six-point game for both teams."
Hero ... Mark Cosgrove picked up two key wickets for Tasmania. Source: Kim Eiszele / News Limited
Tasmania grabbed the upper hand by reducing Victoria to a first innings 7-264 as bad light caused stumps to be called early on day two of the Sheffield Shield match at Bellerive.
The Bushrangers lost 7-127 after they were 0-137 to still be 105 behind the home side's 6(dec)-369.
The Tigers might be closing in on first-innings points, but they will be of little use without an outright victory and other results going their way as they attempt to sneak into next week's final.
SHEF - Blundstone Arena
14 March 2013 - Day 2, Session 3
Victoria 1st Innings
| D. Hussey | 46 | 83 | 4 | 1 | 55.42 |
| J. Herrick | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
Both sides desperately need the full six points on offer but showers forecast for Hobart over the weekend are likely to come into play.
Victoria assistant coach said no matter what the weather, the Bushrangers wanted all six points.
"We've come into this game knowing full well that there's 21 different scenarios,'' Wright said.
"We need six points and that's the way we want to play our cricket.''
Burly part-timer Mark Cosgrove (2-34) proved an unlikely bowling hero for Tasmania, his medium pacers occasionally keeping low as he grabbed the breakthrough wickets of Marcus Stoinis (36) and Victorian skipper Cameron White (36).
James Faulkner (2-55) and Evan Gulbis (2-77) chipped in with two scalps each.
Victorian openers Chris Rogers (73) and Rob Quiney (60) put on a seemingly effortless century partnership to have the Vics flying before both were out with the score on 137.
It was 3-157 when Michael Hill (4) was trapped in front by Faulkner and 4-189 when Stoinis was also out lbw to one that kept low from Cosgrove.
White and David Hussey (46no) steadied the innings with a partnership of 51 before the skipper was caught at mid-on and it was 5-240.
Peter Handscomb managed just three and John Hastings made a duck, both bowled by the unheralded Gulbis.
Bellerive's lights were turned on late on Friday afternoon but the players left the ground around 5.40pm with 14 overs remaining for the day.
Tigers captain George Bailey wasn't impressed by the bad light call.
"I'm pretty sure both teams wanted to be out there,'' he said.
"There's a lot on the line in this game and we were certainly still keen to play.
"It sets a bit of a precedent for the next couple of days and with a bit of weather about it's not ideal.''
Pushing for an outright win, Tasmania declared on their overnight score before play on day two after Ricky Ponting had top-scored with 104.
Big win ... Jimmy Bartel looks to launch the Cats into attack. Source: Stephen Harman / News Limited
Youngsters Josh Caddy and Mark Blicavs impressed for Geelong as they beat Collingwood by 51 points in their AFL practice match.
The Cats kicked clear in the second term on Friday at Simonds Stadium and easily took care of the Magpies 20.21 (141) to 13.12 (90).
Caddy, recruited late last year in a trade with Gold Coast, had 20 disposals through the midfield and kicked two goals.
Blicavs is yet to make his senior debut, but the former Olympic athletics hopeful in the steeplechase will probably lead the Cats' rucks in the round-one blockbuster against Hawthorn.
He had 16 hitouts and held his own against Magpies' star Darren Jolly.
The Cats had 14 goalkickers and broke the game open with eight goals to two in the second term.
Cats coach Chris Scott was excited by his list ahead of round one.
"Somewhere between 15 to 30 on our list is pretty close, we've got a big group of players that are capable of playing really good, solid, AFL footy in the early rounds of the season,'' Scott said.
"I'm pretty confident our side (in) round one won't be our side round four, we've got a pretty even spread among those guys on the fringes.''
There were no restrictions on interchanges and the two sides made full use - 173 for Geelong and 163 for Collingwood.
The two sides were missing several senior players ahead of round one.
Steve Johnson and James Kelly, who will miss the Hawthorn game through suspension, did not play for the Cats and Joel Corey was rested.
Ruckmen Trent West and Nathan Vardy were also out of the side and Paul Chapman was a late withdrawal with a thigh injury.
For the 'Pies, Andrew Krakouer and Alex Fasolo will resume over the weekend in the VFL.
Luke Ball, Dale Thomas and Alan Didak will probably miss round one against North Melbourne, while Clinton Young was a late withdrawal for Friday's game.
Coach Nathan Buckley was pleased with his team's preparations despite the heavy loss.
"I'm not disappointed with our pre-season - I believe we're in good shape,'' he said ahead of their round-one game against North Melbourne.
"The performance in isolation today was poor. Our last six quarters of footy, we don't want to hang our hat on that, but the pre-season in entirety we feel we're in decent shape to begin well.''
Buckley singled out rookie-listed player Sam Dwyer for praise, saying he showed great effort as he tries to earn an elevation to their senior list.
"It was indicative of a player who there was no tomorrow for - he was playing for everything,'' Buckley said.
"That was a fair contrast to the majority of the rest of our players.''
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Unsuccessful ... Clarke's stint at No.3 lasted one ball. Source: Rob Griffith / AAP
Michael Clarke's decision to promote himself from No.5 to No.3 in the batting order has started in disastrous fashion, with the skipper making a first-ball duck against India on Friday.
After the first day's play of the third Test had been washed out in Mohali, Clarke won the toss and his side reached 0-109 at lunch on Friday.
However following the dismissal of David Warner, caught by wicketkeeper MS Dhoni off the bowling of left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja for 71 at 1-139, Clarke charged down the pitch to his first delivery and was stumped.
Clarke had been Australia's leading scorer in the first two Tests of the four-match series with 268 runs.
The 31-year-old Clarke was also the leading run-scorer in Test cricket in 2012.
But an inexperienced side - plus the poor form of Phil Hughes at No.3 and the one-match suspension for No.4 and vice-captain Shane Watson over the "homeworkgate" affair - convinced Clarke he needed to inject himself into the vital No.3 spot in Mohali.
Australia's troubles continued 12 runs after Clarke's dismissal when Hughes was out for two to spinner Pragyan Ojha.
