Young gun Martin close to return

Jack Martin after being injured in the opening game of the season. Picture: Darren England. Source: Darren England / News Corp Australia

THE excitement factor at the Gold Coast Suns could soon go up a notch with the impending return of young gun Jack Martin.

Cruelly injured less than 10 minutes into his AFL debut against Richmond in the opening round at Metricon Stadium, Martin is primed for a comeback.

The highly rated on-baller is hoping to return via the Suns' reserves side against Redland in the last weekend of June.

"I started contact work this week, there'll be some more next week and hopefully I'll start playing after that," said the 19-year-old, who dislocated his shoulder after landing heavily attempting to take a low mark.

Martin said he had taken similar marks countless times on much harder grounds in his home state Western Australia.

Jack Martin works as a runner for the Suns' NEAFL side. Picture: Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

"Obviously at the time it was devastating but that's just the way footy goes," he said.

"I didn't want to get too down about it so I tried to keep positive and now I feel the time has passed quickly. It's 10 weeks now post-surgery."

Martin further built his fitness via a stint out as Suns NEAFL runner last weekend.

"That was the first time I've been a runner," he said. ""It was just good to be running around out on the ground again."

Suns football manager Marcus Ashcroft won't rule out Martin returning straight to the AFL.

"His rehab has been seamless, very thorough,," Ashcroft said.

"We will also be mindful of the fact that Zac Smith came straight back in after a year out."

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‘Umps trying to shape playing style’

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COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley has implored umpires to blow the whistle and stop trying to shape playing style.

Buckley said umpires had put the whistle away this season in a direct attempt to reduce stoppage numbers and curb stop-start football.

The Collingwood coach said the best way to clear the ugly packs that are frustrating fans was to call a ball-up.

"At the moment (there is) the willingness to try and let the play unfold in a scrimmage rather than blow the whistle and ball it up," Buckley said.

"It seems like we are wanting to reduce the stoppage numbers and let that sort of evolve.

ROOS BLASTS UMPIRES OVER FREE KICKS

"When I'm watching that grates with me.

"If it's locked in there just blow it (whistle) and then throw it up and that will actually invariably (result in) a clearance and you can get your hands on it at the next opportunity and a clearance will spread us out."

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Buckley's comments came a day after his Melbourne counterpart Paul Roos scolded the umpiring department on similar grounds.

Roos said umpires were overlooking free kicks as part of what he described as a philosophical drive to create a more aesthetically-pleasing free-flowing game.

THE BAROMETER: WHO'S HOT, WHO'S HURT?

Roos was angry only five free kicks were paid in Collingwood's dull Queens Birthday win over Melbourne.

But AFL umpires boss Wayne Campbell supported his men and declared they "performed well" in the game. He said five free kicks were missed, but another two were awarded incorrectly.

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Campbell did however concede a pre-round emphasis on holding the ball, which had been conveyed to clubs, had missed the mark.

In May new AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said he would speak to coaches to encourage more exciting footy. But Buckley said that meeting had not yet taken place.

The aesthetics of the game are under increased fire with North Melbourne great Sam Kekovich declaring fans were turning their backs on the ugly state of modern footy.

"You watch and that (Queen's Birthday) and wonder how long our product can stand up? How long spectators will continue to go to games," Kekovich said.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse also took aim at umpiring standards after several contentious calls in the Blues' loss to Geelong on Friday night.

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Malthouse said he and coaching director Rob Wiley were set to meet AFL umpires coach Hayden Kennedy today to discuss concerns over decisions made in the Blues' past two losses to the Brisbane Lions and the Cats.

"I think it would be fair to say we all praise the difference between (paying) 'tiggy touchwood' (free kicks) to letting the game go, but we're now increasingly frustrated with the consistency on a week-to-week basis and umpire-to-umpire interpretation," Malthouse said.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott said he would rather umpires "miss a couple" rather than "guess and get one wrong".

"I get really frustrated when the umpires guess," Scott said.

"Paying the obvious free kicks makes a lot of sense to me.

"I don't have a concern with the umpires. They make some mistakes for your and they make some mistakes against you. It all evens out in the end, you hope."

He admitted that he joked to AFL football operations manager Mark Evans recently that he would like to throw the ball to the umpires and have Drew Petrie tackle them to show how difficult it can be to make a legitimate attempt.

"When you have three big guys on top of you, with your arms pinned, other than trying to headbutt the ball, I am not sure how you can make a genuine attempt."

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Socceroos chase fame in Brazil’s wild west

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THE first question those in Brazil's more cosmopolitan cities ask when you tell them you are going to Cuiaba is "Why?''

The infamously hot, dusty regional capital is in the far west of the country 1600 kilometres from Rio and in the exact centre of South America. It is, like Bourke or Canberra, the kind of place you only visit with good reason.

A view of Cuiaba. Source: News Corp Australia

Once that was to try your luck in the Brazilian gold rush. More recently it was to profit from the region's prosperous agricultural industry. For the Socceroos, Cuiaba is also the unlikely place where fortunes could be made.

Having spent most of their time in the beachside splendour of upper middle-class Victoria, the Socceroos will arrive on Friday (EST) in what the adventurous traveller might call "real Brazil''.

The team bus will travel on a pot-holed road from the airport through mostly dilapidated suburbs into a city where even the pavements around the relatively quaint town square are cracked and broken and the roads rutted.

The Arena Pantanal is in what you might consider, somewhere else, a rundown neighbourhood.

Across the road smoke billows from the Sutil Restaurant e Gourmet, which smells anything but.

Once you are through the stadium gates, however, and past the surprisingly lax security, you find a far more elaborate stage has been set for the Socceroos' than is usually the case for visitors to Cuiaba.

Despite grim reports of poor construction, the new stadium is in mint condition.

The site that will greet the Socceroos in Cuiaba on Saturday morning (EST). Source: News Corp Australia

Indeed, poorly serviced Sydney, in particular, would be envious of the eye-catching, functional and intimate arena in which the Socceroos will kick-off their campaign.

When there was a fire on the construction site in November and several deadlines for completion came and went with the jack hammers still pounding, it was feared the game might be played amid rubble. But the Arena Pantanal is a demonstration of the Brazilian habit of leaving things until the last minute.

Four days before the game only the finishing touches were required. A FIFA official supervised with a measuring tape while the groundsman marked out the pitch on a pristine surface.

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While the stadium has been completed despite the gloomiest forecasts, one forecast cannot be defied. Hot humid conditions are expected for the 6pm (local time) kick-off.

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has put a premium on fitness over performance in the lead-up games. A disappointing last 60 minutes against South Africa in Sydney, he said, was partly the consequence of a heavy workload.

Even with the players enjoying light sessions in the last few days, their stamina will be severely tested. Especially against a wonderfully skilful Chilean team playing in familiar conditions – or conditions that stars such as Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona) and Arturo Vidal (Juventus) were used to before they joined some of the world's great clubs.

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The home continent advantage means Chile will have a band of fans at least as large and, judging by their chants and singing at the airport, even more raucous than the 16,000 Australians expected at the game. The Socceroos can only hope the Chilean team's under-rate them as badly as their fans.

One Chilean fan was asked if he thought Chile might win, say, 2-0. "No, no,'' he replied with a broad grin, holding up both hands with fingers outstretched to indicate Chile would win 10-0.

The Socceroos would delight in wiping the smile off that confident face. That is one very good reason to come to Cuiaba.

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Swift axing over explicit images

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CARLTON defender Josh Bootsma was sacked yesterday for sending explicit images to a teenage girl as his heavily pregnant partner prepares to give birth.

Bootsma, 21, and girlfriend Kyla Maree Addis are expecting the child as early as today.

Carlton dumped the former top draft pick after the mother of the teenage girl provided the club with photos that Bootsma had sent.

TITUS O'REILLY: MICK MALTHOUSE'S MOCK SOCIAL MEDIA SPEECH

NICK RIEWOLDT CALLS FOR TOUGHER SOCIAL MEDIA PENALTIES

Josh Bootsma with girlfriend Kyla Maree Addis, who is expecting a child any day. Source: HeraldSun

The Blues terminated Bootsma's contract after discussions with his manager and the AFL Players' Association.

The images were sent via social media app Snapchat.

The club was contacted about the pictures on Monday.

Bootsma's social media indiscretions stretch to last year and an away game on the Gold Coast.

The young defender was a late withdrawal from the Carlton team to play the Suns in Round 18 last year, citing gastro.

He told officials he was too sick to even travel to the game and stayed behind at the team hotel where he was joined by his girlfriend.

While the Blues were having a convincing 43-point victory, Bootsma managed to rise from his death bed and find his way down to the beach.

This escape would have gone undetected if not for his fascination with social media. It seems he was so taken by the surrounds that he put a picture on Instagram.

READ MORE AT THE SCORE

Carlton football operations manager Andrew McKay said Bootsma had lost the players' trust after a series of indiscretions in the past year.

Carlton football manager Andrew McKay explains Carlton's decision to the media. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: News Corp Australia

Bootsma was contracted for next year and the Blues will meet his management today, but the gangly defender is not expected to be paid out.

"He continues to not uphold the standards we require," McKay said.

"If (captain) Marc Murphy had behaved in the same way, then he would be facing the same situation.

"Management made the ­decision. We acted quite ­swiftly. We needed to. I think it was above a decision of the leadership group.

"He was endeavouring to gain (trust) back over the last few months, but this final act has obviously not enabled him to do that."

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McKay said Bootsma previously failed to arrive to training and appointments on time.

He said the seriousness of Bootsma's contract breach meant the Blues did not consult Murphy or the leadership group.

The Blues are counselling and offering support to the player.

The immediate sacking of the struggling backman was supported by the AFLPA. McKay said Bootsma was "devastated" but denied the club had a social media problem.

The players were called to Visy Park yesterday and rules surrounding social media were reiterated after they had been told of Bootsma's sacking.

Bootsma was not given a chance to speak to the group.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse defended the summary dismissal.

"The easiest thing to do is not to do anything," he said.

"The hardest thing to do is do what we've done. We've taken the hardest course of action and it has not been easy."

AFLPA players relations manager Brett Murphy said last night: "The club has kept the PA informed throughout the course of the matter and was involved in discussions.

"We are comfortable with the process the club has gone through.

"The association will continue to make our wellbeing services available to Josh."

Bootsma played the most recent of his 14 AFL games in Round 21 last year and has struggled in the VFL this year.

The South Fremantle export was selected with Carlton's first pick, No.22, in the 2011 draft and was often ­maligned by supporters.

The axing leaves Carlton with three list vacancies before the halfway mark of the season after the retirements of defenders Heath Scotland and Nick Duigan.

Two years ago, Carlton midfielder Brock McLean was fined $5000 for comments he posted on Twitter.

McKay confirmed last night he had applied for the position of chief executive at Carlton, soon to be vacated by Greg Swann.

Do you know more? Email us at news@heraldsun.com.au

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We need experienced stars: Schwarzer

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NEVER mind Spain and Holland, Mark Schwarzer says Australia's biggest challenge will be against Chile, who he has backed to make it through the group.

The former Socceroos great, who will front Tabcorp's World Cup campaign from back home in Australia, admits he is anxious for Ange Postecoglou's youthful squad in Brazil.

Facing Spain and the Netherlands, the finalists from 2010, was always going to be a daunting prospect, but Chile first up on June 13 could provide a real baptism of fire.

"What people don't mention too often is Chile and I think Chile will be one of the most difficult games," Schwarzer said.

"I actually see Chile as a team that's going to go through the group and I think it's going to be one of the other three that's going to miss out, so I think Chile is going to be a very tough game for Australia."

To add to the considerable challenge is Schwarzer's belief that the Socceroos do not have their best possible team in Brazil.

The veteran of over 100 international caps insists Brett Holman, former skipper Lucas Neill and Luke Wilkshire, who was cut from Postecoglou's final 23-man squad, should still be part of the World Cup.

Without their experience, Schwarzer has real concerns for the Socceroos.

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"I think there are certain players who should be there because they are our best players, but they're not going to be at the World Cup and that's disappointing," he said.

"The World Cup for me is the pinnacle and you need to go over there with your strongest team. Unfortunately we're not taking the strongest possible team right now, it's a team for the future, and my concern is going to a World Cup and not taking your strongest possible team, if that works against you it can be quite bad.

"Brett Holman, at 30-years-old, is someone who could still give so much. I still believe Lucas Neill is our best defender and whether you started him from the beginning or had him as a squad player, I think he's valuable to the squad. Luke Wilkshire as well - his experience would be invaluable."

But Schwarzer has backed his successor, Maty Ryan, to give a good account of himself on the world's biggest stage.

Ryan, 22, enjoyed a successful first season at Club Brugge and went on to be named goalkeeper of the year in Belgium.

"He's had a tremendous first season in Europe," Schwarzer said.

"It's been a huge step up for him and I think he's done extremely well, but this is another huge step up for him. Playing international football is very different to playing club football and he's had a steep learning curve over the last 12 months and it's going to be another steep learning curve in the next couple of weeks. He's shown so far that he's been able to handle the pressure very well and I'm confident he will do well for Australia."

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Tedesco backflips on Raiders deal

Wests Tiger's fullback James Tedesco during training at Concord Oval. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Corp Australia

WESTS Tigers fullback James Tedesco has offered Canberra an apology after backflipping on his decision to join the club on a three-year-deal to instead stay in Concord.

"I firstly need to apologise to the Canberra Raiders for my change of heart," Tedesco said.

Tiger's James Tedesco during Wests Tigers training. Source: News Corp Australia

"They have been great throughout the whole process. That said, I never felt totally comfortable with my decision and after thinking it through I realised it would be too hard to leave my best mates.

"I understand that the Raiders and their fans will be disappointed and I apologise to all of them for making this decision and I only hope they will understand."

James Tedesco during Wests Tigers training. Source: News Corp Australia

Tedesco approached the club on Wednesday evening and advised CEO Grant Mayer that his preference is to stay at the Wests Tigers beyond this season.

"There is no doubt that this has been a difficult period for James and his family but we are clearly thrilled that he has decided to stay with the club," Tigers CEO Grant Mayer said in a statement.

James Tedesco arriving from Canberra at Sydney Airport. Source: News Corp Australia

"This is a brave decision by James that will undoubtedly show many that his belief in his mates and belief in the club far outweighs all other influences.

"All at the club are delighted with his decision and we will work towards concluding the terms that were last available to him from the Wests Tigers."

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Spot check fine with Magpie Fasolo

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ALEX Fasolo doesn't know whether he'll play forward or back against Melbourne on Queen's Birthday, but that suits him just fine.

The 21-year-old appeared to have found a niche as a rebounding defender after spending the summer months training with the defence, but played forward against St Kilda on Friday night and kicked four goals.

Fasolo joked that he told coach Nathan Buckley he'd "had enough of defence" and that "it was time to pull the pin", but then suggested his new-found versatility had helped to cement his spot in the senior side.

"It's good to be playing forward again," Fasolo said.

"I went forward at half time against West Coast (in Round 10) and again that's just the way the modern game is, if things need to be changed up or if a couple of players go down, it's handy for me that I do have the capability of going forward.

"These days you can't keep your spot if you only play one role.

"The call was made pre-season ... Bucks said it would be good for my development to play down back, teach me to defend, because that's the part of my game I'm trying to get better at."

Fasolo kicked 44 goals in 37 games in 2011-12, his first two seasons.

Asked where he would line up against the Demons next week, Fasolo said: "I don't know."

"Maxy (Nick Maxwell) went down with a calf, so that might contribute to the decision. It really depends on who gets up and then what the coaching staff wants to do," he said.

"As long as I'm playing I don't really care, I'm happy either way.

"I'd never played defence, not even as a junior, so defending doesn't really come naturally to me. I feel I'm getting better, I've got good people around me, good coaches, so I'm slowly getting there."

Fasolo played just three games in a 2013 season that was ruined by navicular fracture in his right foot.

But the West Australian said he was feeling no ill-effects of that injury anymore.

"I had a bit of a scare on Anzac Day, but it turned out to be something completely different, it was just a little bit of joint soreness.

"Anyone who's had a navicular gets a little bit scared when they feel a bit of pain, but it's really good, I did my rehab right and it's come good."

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Saints sign first female AFL coach

Peta Searle will join the St Kilda as development coach. Picture: Jason Sammon Source: News Limited

PETA Searle has become the AFL's first full-time female assistant coach after accepting a position at St Kilda.

Searle is expected to begin work immediately as a development coach at Seaford after her last game as assistant coach under Daniel Harford at St Kevin's Boys on Saturday.

Searle, who became the first female assistant coach in the VFL with Port Melbourne under former AFL coach Gary Ayres, said she gave up her dream of coaching within the AFL just last month due to financial restraints.

The mother of two, who has built an impressive coaching resume over almost a decade, was unable to justify renewing her contract of $5,000.

But the Herald Sun can reveal the Saints have made the mid-season appointment, helping fulfil Searle's lifelong coaching dream.

Searle has been breaking ground as a coach since 2006.

A five-time premiership player with the Darebin Falcons, Searle returned to the club to coach the Falcons to five consecutive premierships in the VWFL between 2006-2010, another feat that had never previously been achieved in Australia's most prodigious women's competition.

In 2011, Searle took up a development role the TAC Cup with the Western Jets, another football-first that had also never been achieved by a female.

Searle was also appointed as the first head coach of the AFL Victoria VWFL Academy in 2010, and was named as the All Australian coach of the 2011 Women's National Championships, holds a current level three coaching accreditation.

The current assistant principal and physical education teacher at a Melbourne based secondary college was also appointed the inaugural head coach of the Western Bulldogs Women's team which will play on the MCG on Sunday 29th June as the curtain raiser to the Melbourne and Western Bulldogs clash at the MCG in Round 15.

Boasting seven state guernseys and three All Australian honours, Searle has earned high praise from former players and coaches including Gary Ayres, Stan Alves, Harford, Neil Craig and David Parkin.

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Video: horror as WC stars break legs

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THE World Cup build-ups of both Italy and Mexico suffered major blows when key midfielders Riccardo Montolivo and Luis Montes suffered serious leg fractures.

AC Milan captain Montolivo was injured in the early stages of the friendly at Fulham's Craven Cottage against Ireland following a crunching tackle from Alex Pearce.

Skippering Italy on the night, he needed several minutes of treatment and was seen mouthing "it's broken" before eventually being carried off.

Italy's Riccardo Montolivo competes for the ball with Republic of Ireland's Stephen Ward. Source: AP

Italy's team doctor Enrico Castellacci later confirmed Montolivo will miss the World Cup.

"It's what we feared, a fractured tibia," Castellacci said.

"It will probably need some months, Riccardo is out of the World Cup. He didn't deserve this."

There were emotional scenes in the dressing room after the final whistle as they came to terms with the extent of Montolivo's injury and manager Cesare Prandelli knows it is essential to try to heal the psychological wounds as soon as possible.

"First all our thoughts are with Riccardo. We have to be rational. After what happened everyone got distracted. It is too emotional now," he said.

"We saw the players inside. Everyone is broken and really sad about what happened.

"Montolivo is a key player for this squad. He is a point of reference not only on the pitch but off it for his behaviour.

"He has such a good attitude. I think all the lads were really shocked by what happened."

Meanwhile, Mexico Montes was carted off in obvious pain on a stretcher in front of the pro-Mexican crowd of almost 85,000 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium just two minutes after scoring in the friendly against Ecuador. Mexico ended up winning the match 3-1.

Israel Marquez, a spokesman for the Mexican Football Federation, said on his Twitter account that "it seems a fractured tibia and fibula."

As far as the friendly results are concerned, Holland — in the same group as Australia — continued their build-up to the finals with a 1-0 win over fellow Brazil-bound Ghana, Manchester United striker Robin van Persie's fifth minute goal proving decisive.

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The Dutch, who open their World Cup campaign against titleholders Spain in a rematch of the 2010 final, have only one further prep lined up, against Wales in Amsterdam.

Van Persie's goal came after a neat build-up between Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben.

The 2010 quarter-finalists Ghana were unable to produce any real chances against a stout Dutch defence but looked in good physical shape ahead of their opening World Cup game against the United States on June 14.

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal, who takes over at Manchester United after the World Cup, said: "We created quite a few chances even if the game wasn't of great quality.

"I'm very happy with the way my new (5-3-2) system worked. For sure it's not attractive as the old system of 4-3-3, you shouldn't wait for a great show with 5-3-2.

"But up against Ghana, which is a great side, this system worked really well.

"There will be critics but I assume and I truly believe in this system and in my players chosen to carry it out."

Portugal's forward Hugo Almeida vies with Greece's defender Loukas Vyntra. Source: AFP

In Lisbon, Portugal, without injured star striker Cristiano Ronaldo (thigh), Pepe and Raul Meireles, played out a goalless draw with Greece.

The fixture was a rematch of the Euro 2004 final in the Portuguese capital which the hosts under then coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, now boss of Brazil, lost 1-0.

Portugal coach Paulo Bento said: "Tonight we couldn't call on many players, not only Cristano, and I reckon we put up a good display."

Portugal open in Brazil against Germany, before the USA and then Ghana in Group G.

Croatia tuned up for their clash with hosts Brazil in the World Cup curtain-raiser with a 2-1 win over Mali, while in Oslo Fabio Capello's Russua were held 1-1 by Norway.

Elsewhere, Algeria saw off Armenia 3-1 and Bosnia Herzegovina beat Ivory Coast 2-1 with Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko responsible for both of Bosnia's goals.

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Swans leading from the back

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LANCE Franklin and Kurt Tippett have been grabbing the attention with their goal kicking feats but the Swans resurgence has been underpinned by a defensive effort which is equally impressive.

As Franklin and Tippett get the glory Ted Richards and his group of unheralded back men have quietly become the best defence in the AFL.

DEADLY SWANS THRASH CATS BY 110 POINTS

Going into Thursday night's match Sydney were already the top ranked defensive team conceding just 73.2 points per game, holding Geelong to just 38 points on Thursday night has lowered the mark to a measly 69.7 points per game.

Since turning their season around with their win over Fremantle the average opposition score is even lower at 57.8 points. Three of those six games have been against the top four teams of last year, Hawthorn, Fremantle and Geelong.

Geelong's Tom Hawkins and Sydney Swans Ted Richards battle during AFL match Sydney Swans v Geelong Cats at the SCG. pic. Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia

One of the key ingredients to the Swans success down back has the defender's ability to make tactical decisions on the field.

"Only having one runner means the communication between the coaches isn't as quick as it used to be," Richards told the Daily Telegraph.

"We need to sort out the match ups on the ground and we can't wait for the coaches communication it would be just too slow. We try to sort things out as quickly as we can just among ourselves.

"It doesn't come down to just the one person making the decision we all work together to get the match ups we think are right. We also try to work out what they are doing to us and try not to be dictated to as a defensive unit."

That tight defensive unit thrives on working for each other on the ground and in the air. It may be surprising but the most difficult task in the AFL right now it's taking a mark inside the Swans defensive 50.

Sydney lead the AFL in restricting marks in their forward line averaging just 7.4 opposition marks per game. Fremantle are second with 8.4 per game.

On Thursday night they restricted Geelong to just four marks for the whole match.

Ted Richards spoils David Myers. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

This was with Cats a forward line which boasts one of the most damaging full forwards in the game in Tom Hawkins.

"If the opportunity is there to help out a team mate especially with the high ball that's what we do," Richards said.

"It's a sign of when we are playing at our best when we work for each other. There have been plenty of my team mates who have stood in the space in front of the full forward and copped the hits in the back. Nick Malceski does it a lot and doesn't get the recognition for it he deserves."

Stability is another factor which is helping the Swans defence enormously. Richards, Heath Grundy, Nick Malceski, Rhyce Shaw, Nick Smith and Dane Rampe have all played in each of the Swans 10 games this season. Newcomer Jeremy Laidler has missed just one game this season.

While the stars in the forward line and midfield snare the headlines Richards and his team mates down back are happy to fly under the radar.

"One of the good things about the team is outside recognition isn't important," Richards said.

"Internally we really value each individual playing their role for the team. That's is one of the key parts of the culture we've got."

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