LIVE: Demons upset Crows in a thriller

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MELBOURNE forward Chris Dawes kicked three goals in the Demons' thrilling victory at Adelaide Oval.

The Demons withstood a late Crows' rally to defeat the home side by three points in front of about 45,000 people.

Dawes was brilliant up forward, while midfielders Dom Tyson and Bernie Vince starred around the stoppages.

There was injuries aplenty in the contest with Jack Watts (back), James Frawley (ankle), Tom Lynch (jaw), Alexis Georgiou (concussion) and Matthew Jaensch (back) receiving treatment during the first half.

Earlier, Hawthorn produced its biggest ever win over St Kilda, brutally thumping the hapless Saints by 145 points in a wet weather clinic at the MCG.

Jarryd Roughead, Ryan Schoenmakers and Luke Breust all kicked four goals in the massacre, while the Hawks' defensive line gave tremendous rebound, led by Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne, Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson.

However the Hawks have suffered injury blows to key players, with star midfielder Sam Mitchell (hamstring) and Norm Smith medallist Brian Lake (calf) both finishing on the interchange bench.

FOR FULL LIVE HQ COVERAGE WITH SUPERCOACH SCORES CLICK ON THE GAME IN THE SCORE CENTRE ABOVE OR CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE ON A MOBILE DEVICE

In Canberra, Port Adelaide has recovered from a slow start to lead GWS by 39 points at quarter time.

Brendon Goddard returns to Essendon's line-up for the Bombers' clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, while Sydney travels north — without Lance Franklin — to tackle the Brisbane Lions, who could be without champion forward Jonathon Brown due to general soreness.

SUPERCOACH FORMGUIDE: BUDDY MAYHEM

Hawthorn 27.13 (175) def St Kilda 4.6 (30) at MCG

GWS Giants v Port Adelaide at Startrack Oval (2.10pm)

Adelaide v Melbourne at Adelaide Oval (4.10pm)

Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans at Gabba (7.40pm)

Essendon v Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium (7.40pm)

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Double injury blow for Hawks

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ALASTAIR Clarkson last night ruled star onballer Sam Mitchell out of Friday night's blockbuster against Lance Franklin's Sydney and said full-back Brian Lake would almost certainly join him on the sidelines.

The double injury blow was the only sour note in the Hawks' 145-point demolition, their greatest ever victory against St Kilda.

HOT HAWKS BURY SORRY SAINTS

Mitchell (hamstring) was substituted off at quarter-time while Lake was stung with another calf niggle in the third term, but Clarkson said the extent of the damage was not yet known.

"If they're injured then they won't play," Clarkson said, with both players already missing matches with soft-tissue complaints this year.

"As soon as you sub someone out by quarter-time with a muscle injury they're usually in a bit of strife. Just how severe (Mitchell) is, we'll have to wait and see.

"I'm not really certain with Lakey. It looked like he'd been shot and then he recovered really well when he got to the bench.

"He's got a niggle in a calf. You'd reckon he'd be in doubt too, he was unable to come back on the ground."

Brian Lake leaves the field injured. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Clarkson typically downplayed the impending first battle against Franklin since he walked out on the Hawks to join Sydney on a $10m nine-year deal shortly after last year's premiership.

"We're not even sure if Buddy will play, if he does he's just another guy we've got to come up against," he said, pointing to the knee injury which kept Franklin out of last night's match against Brisbane.

"We know him pretty well, but they've got 21 others we've got to worry about and he'll just be wearing a red and white jumper."

The Hawks scooped 26 percentage points yesterday, easily eclipsing their previous best win against St Kilda of 129 points in 1983.

The Saints also endured a scoreless quarter against Hawthorn for the first time since 1986 and twice went for periods of longer than 20 minutes without a forward 50 entry as the Hawks enjoyed their fifth-biggest win in history.

It adds to their merciless record after obliterating the Lions (131 points) and Melbourne (110) in the NAB Challenge and Brisbane (48), Fremantle (58), Gold Coast (99) and Richmond (66) this year.

Clarkson was pleased with the four-quarter performance but immediately turned the focus to the Swans clash.

"We were strong in all facets of the game today so we were pleased with that. But we know full well that it's not going to be that easy next Friday night," he said.

"It's not often that you turn up and get a day like today, but we know we've got Sydney next Friday night up at ANZ and that's going to be a tough assignment for us."

He praised the spread of goalkickers as 200-gamer Jordan Lewis became Hawk No. 11 to hit the scoreboard in the dying minutes as Hawthorn showed it is in a football galaxy far, far away from the rebuilding Saints.

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WSW not distracted by Roar’s killer B’s

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WESTERN Sydney are braced for a Besart Berisha onslaught when the Albanian international makes his last appearance in a Brisbane Roar jersey in the A-League grand final at Suncorp Stadium.

Berisha is headed to Melbourne Victory on a two-year deal worth more than $1.5 million, an offer the Roar could not match, and is desperate to repeat his heroics from Brisbane's 2-1 grand final win over Perth two years ago, when he broke Glory hearts by scoring twice.

BRISBANE ROAR v WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS

Sunday 4pm (EST), Suncorp Stadium, Fox Sports 2HD

MORE A-LEAGUE GRAND FINAL BUILD-UP

Broich and Berisha are the Roar's Killer B's. Source: Getty Images

He also scored against his future team last Sunday to secure the Roar a third grand final appearance in four seasons.

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"You'd have to say he's among the best strikers in the league,'' said Wanderers defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley, who will captain Western Sydney today after coach Tony Popovic opted to omit club skipper Michael Beauchamp.

"He's dangerous and he can create things out of nothing, like he did in the semi-final (against the Victory).''

However, Topor-Stanley said the Wanderers would not fall into the trap of focusing only on Berisha and his fellow "Killer B'', Johnny Warren Medallist Thomas Broich.

"They're quality players, but it's not about shackling two players. It's about what we do on the field as well,'' he said.

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"You can't give one or two players more thought than any of the rest.''

Roar skipper Matt Smith predicted Berisha to fire in his last game for the Roar. His record speaks for itself,'' Smith said of the striker who has scored 44 goals in 75 A-League appearances for the Roar.

"That's why he's the best striker in the league. That's why everybody else wanted him (and) that's why we have him at the moment.''

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Roar coach Mike Mulvey said Irish playmaker Liam Miller would overcome a groin problem to start, but midfielder Steve Lustica remains on standby.

Wanderers coach Tony Popovic yesterday was not ready to rule out Mark Bridge (ankle) despite not having named him on Thursday in an extended 18-man squad.

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Motlop back bigger than before

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REHAB sessions haven't been all boring and repetitive for Geelong forward Steven Motlop.

He put the recovery from knee surgery to good use — to work on the upper body in the gym.

Motlop will tackle the contests with an extra 5kg of bulk around the shoulders when he makes his AFL comeback against Richmond at the MCG tomorrow.

"What it has done is given me time to put a bit of weight on. I had shoulder problems when I was younger and it has given me time to strengthen that,'' he said.

"And to strengthen up my quads (thigh muscles) which I haven't been able to do because of my (knee) tendon issues. I mightn't be as fit because I've missed a pre-season (training), but I do feel stronger.''

Motlop is a critical component of Geelong's forward structure — his 44 goals last season was only five behind leading goalkicker Tom Hawkins.

Steven Motlop at training. Photos Mike Dugdale. Source: News Corp Australia

And he's raring to get stuck into this season after being sidelined for 14 weeks following knee surgery in London.

"It has been a hard couple of months. We didn't want to rush it, obviously, it's a long season,'' the lively Cat said.

"I've played every game the last two seasons and the body's feeling fresh and I've got the run in the legs. And coming off a loss, it's a good time to come into the side.''

Motlop played with discomfort in the right knee in 2013 and the Cats sent him to a surgeon in the UK through a connection with one of their physiotherapists who previously worked with the English cricket team.

There was certainly no time for sightseeing during the four days in London, although he had the luxury of stretching out the repaired knee in a business class airline seat for the 21-hours flight home.

Motlop eased back with two games with the VFL team and he's ready for the senior recall after clocking 12km last weekend against North Ballarat, getting closer to his normal workrate.

"As every player does when they're injured, you're not as confident coming back and I was just a bit worried how it would go,'' he said.

"But I got through the first game and I've got some good teammates to get me into the game. I had a lot of trust in our fitness staff and, thankfully, now it's all fixed.'''

Motlop said the Cats are fired up to bounce back against the Tigers following the first loss for the season to Port Adelaide.

"They're a bit like Port (Adelaide), they've got some really good ball users and if you let them get on top early they can hurt you. So, we'll be looking to nullify a few of their players,'' he said.

And the Cats will soon be able to inject even more pace into the line-up as Allen Christensen continues to step up his training workload for a first game of the season within a couple of weeks.

"He has been running on the sidelines at training. He joined me in one of the kicking drills today, so he's not far away. He's really positive, but he's taking it slow because it has been a problem and something he wanted to get right,'' Motlop said.

ENDS

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Signing of the times

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THE Gold Coast and Gary Ablett have started informal negotiations to make the star a Sun for the rest of his career.

Ablett's current contract does not expire until the end of next year but his manager Liam Pickering and Gold Coast officials have agreed to get the ball rolling on talks soon.

I'M READY TO PLAY: DIXON

Gold Coast CEO Travis Auld said the length of the contract, money and other terms were yet to be discussed but there was a willingness from both sides to get a deal done.

"We've had a number of informal discussions with Liam,'' Auld said. "It's pretty clear from those discussions that both Gary and the club would be keen to have a chat about post-2015.

"We haven't formalised those discussions yet but it's likely we'll do that soon.

"There's no obvious urgency because Gary doesn't come off contract until the end of next season and we are only a third of the way through this season.''

Suns Coach Guy McKenna and Gary Ablett talk during a Gold Coast Suns AFL training session at Metricon Stadium. Photo by Chris Hyde Source: Getty Images

Ablett signed a rich five-year deal to join the Suns for their inaugural season in 2011 and has been worth every cent in his club-high 67 senior games.

He has won three club champion awards, the 2013 Brownlow Medal and been the face of the start-up club that is sixth this season with a 4-2 record before tomorrow's clash with North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Speculation has surrounded a possible return to Geelong at the end of his deal with the Suns but Ablett's faith in the rise of the Gold Coast is set to keep him on the tourist strip until it is time to retire.

"It is a great endorsement for the club and where we are at,'' Auld said.

"We are such a young club and it's great that the best player in the competition is keen to have a chat about extending his contract.''

Ablett turns 30 on May 14 but given his fanatical and ultra-professional approach to training, pre-game preparation and post-match recovery, the dual Brownlow medallist is capable of playing well into his mid-30s.

Suns coach Guy McKenna anticipates Ablett will spend up to 60 per cent of his time in the forward line in the coming years which will also extend his stellar playing days.

With the likes of Jaeger O'Meara, David Swallow, Harley Bennell, Dion Prestia and rookie Jack Martin likely to emerge as genuine midfield stars in the future, Ablett can dine out as a damaging small forward.

Ablett has been in sizzling form this season and could have as many as 12 Brownlow Medal votes after only six rounds, including his best-on-ground performance against GWS last Saturday.

It was the 94th time in his career he had more than 30 disposals in a game.

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Blues run riot over hapless Reds

The Blues were simply too slick for the Reds at Eden Park. Source: Phil Walter / Getty Images

THE Blues produced their best performance of the season to date to inflict more pain on Queensland Reds in a 44-14 victory at Eden Park.

The 30-point hammering is set to increase the pressure on embattled Reds coach Richard Graham with his side now well and truly out of contention for the semi-finals.

Ma'a Nonu was the star for the Blues, having a hand in each of their first three tries before he was given a deserved early shower.

In further bad news for the Reds prop James Slipper could find himself in front of a SANZAR judiciary after he was given a yellow card for a dangerous throw.

More to follow ...

Relive all the action from our live blog below and check out Match Centre for stats and video!

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Franklin out, stars return

Lance Franklin will miss Round 7 due to a knee injury. Source: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

THERE have been some big moves at the selection table ahead of Round 7.

Big names Michael Barlow, Steven Motlop, Darren Glass, Brett Deledio and Brett Deledio have returned.

The likes of Lance Franklin, Chris Yarran, Tom Hickey and Pearce Hanley are all out.

CARLTON will regain leader Andrew Carrazzo for the Friday night blockbuster against Collingwood.

CHECK OUT THE FULL TEAMS BELOW

COLLINGWOOD have lost Alex Fasolo to a foot injury as well as key defender Alan Toovey while Sam Dwyer and controversial figure Marley Williams return.

ST KILDA have been forced to make a slew of changes with Adam Schneider, Tom Simpkin, former Sun Maverick Weller, Billy Longer and debutant Blake Acres all in.

Defender Josh Bruce, Seb Ross, Tom Hickey and young guns Luke Dunstan and Eli Templeton out.

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HAWTHORN have regained defender Ryan Schoenmakers from his knee reconstruction while top draft pick Billy Hartung is also in for Jonathan Simpkin and Will Langford.

ESSENDON get a major boost as they look to break their losing streak as Brendon Goddard and Heath Hocking return at the expense of Kyle Hardingham and Martin Gleeson.

ROUND 7: CHECK OUT OUR EXPERT'S TIPS

BLOCKBUSTER: I'M THE ENEMY SAYS DAISY

The WESTERN BULLDOGS are also desperate for a win and have axed Daniel Giansiracusa, Tom Campbell, Tom Young and Lin Jong.

Tom Williams, Dale Morris, Jason Johannisen and top draft pick Marcus Bontempelli come into the team.

Michael Barlow returns for the western Derby. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

SYDNEY have decided to rest Lance Franklin but regain Sam Reid while Tom Mitchell is an emergency for the clash against Brisbane Lions.

Swans coach John Longmire said Franklin simply wasn't able to get up this week.

"His knee unfortunately didn't quite come up," Longmire said.

"As we saw last week, he was sore enough to get subbed out of the game.

"Structurally his knee is okay, but the soreness was enough that he wasn't able to train today.

"He wasn't able to do much, which means he's out this week."

GOLD COAST have regained some important names with Tom Murphy, Charlie Dixon, Tom Nicholls, Harley Bennell and Jeremy Taylor in the squad to face North Melbourne.

The KANGAROOS have regained All Australian defender Scott Thompson from suspension.

In the west, FREMANTLE are bolstered ahead of the Derby by Hayden Ballantyne and Michael Barlow's return

WEST COAST regain captain Darren Glass, key defender Shannon Hurn, Sam Butler and Simon Tunbridge but lose rookie Dom Sheed.

ROUND 7 TEAMS

CARLTON v COLLINGWOOD

Friday 2 May at MCG, 7.50pm (EST)

BLUES

B: S.White, M.Jamison, S.Rowe

HB: Z.Tuohy, A.Walker, K.Simpson

C: H.Scotland, A.Carrazzo, M.Robinson

HF: B.McLean, J.Waite, D.Thomas

F: T.Menzel, L.Henderson, L.Casboult

Foll: R.Warnock, M.Murphy, B.Gibbs

I/C: D.Buckley, A.Everitt, K.Lucas, J.Garlett

Emer: M.Watson, S.Docherty, T.Bell

INS: A.Carazzo

OUTS: C.Yarran

MAGPIES

B: N.Maxwell, J.Frost, M.Williams

HB: C.Young, L.Keeffe, H.Lumumba

C: S.Sidebottom, B.Macaffer, D.Swan

HF: S.Dwyer, J.White, L.Ball

F: J.Elliott, T.Cloke, T.Goldsack

Foll: .Grundy, D.Beams, S.Pendlebury

I/C: J.Thomas, J.Blair, J.Witts, T.Langdon

Emer: T.Adams, N.Brown, B.Kennedy

INS: S.Dwyer, M.Williams

OUTS: A.Toovey, A. Fasolo

Chris Yarran runs off half back against West Coast. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

HAWTHORN v ST KILDA

Saturday 3 May at MCG, 1.45pm (EST)

HAWKS

B: B.Lake, J.Gibson, T.Duryea

HB: L.Hodge, B.Stratton, G.Birchall

C: I.Smith, S.Mitchell, B.Hill

HF: L.Breust, R.Schoenmakers, J.Gunston

F: D.Hale, J.Roughead, S.Burgoyne

Foll: B.McEvoy, J.Lewis, C.Rioli

I/C: M.Hallahan, P.Puopolo, M.Suckling, B.Hartung

Emer: J.Ceglar, A.Woodward, A.Litherland

INS: R. Schoenmakers, W. Hartung

OUTS: J. Simpkin, W. Langford.

SAINTS

B: T.Simpkin, J.Gwilt, J.Geary

HB: S.Dempster, L.Delaney, J.Webster

C: B.Acres, J.Steven, F.Ray

HF: L.Montagna, N.Riewoldt, M.Weller

F: J.Billings, R.Stanley, C.Jones

Foll: B.Longer, J.Newnes, T.Curren

I/C: S.Savage, J.Saunders, A.Schneider, L.Hayes

Emer: T.Dennis-Lane, J.Bruce, S.Ross

INS: A.Schneider, T.Simpkin, M.Weller, B.Longer, B.Acres

OUTS: J.Bruce, S.Ross, T.Hickey, L.Dunstan, E.Templeton

GWS GIANTS v PORT ADELAIDE

Saturday 3 May at StarTrack Oval, 2.10pm (EST)

GIANTS

B: H.Shaw, S.Frost, M.Buntine

HB: A.Kennedy, N.Haynes, C.Hampton

C: W.Hoskin-Elliott, T.Greene, A.Tomlinson

HF: D.Smith, J.Patton, J.Kelly

F: R.Palmer, J.Cameron, A.Treloar

Foll: J.Giles, S.Coniglio, C.Ward

I/C: T.Scully, J.O'Rourke, J.Lamb, D.Shiel

Emer: M.Whiley, T.Boyd, K.Jaksch

INS: R.Palmer, D.Shiel, M.Buntine, T.Greene, J.Kelly

OUTS: J.Hunt, T.Bugg, L.Plowman, Z.Williams, T.Boyd

POWER

B: J.Hombsch, A.Carlile, J.Impey

HB: T.Jonas, J.Trengove, J.Pittard

C: J.Polec, T.Boak, K.Cornes

HF: D.Cassisi, J.Westhoff, H.Hartlett

F: R.Gray, J.Schulz, C.Wingard

Foll: M.Lobbe, O.Wines, B.Ebert

I/C: A.Monfries, M.Broadbent, A.Young, M.White

Emer: S.Gray, P.Stewart, B.Newton

INS: A.Monfries

OUTS: S.Gray

Brendon Goddard returns from injury for Essendon. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

ADELAIDE v MELBOURNE

Saturday 3 May at Adelaide Oval, 4.40pm (EST)

CROWS

B: S.Shaw, D.Talia, M.Jaensch

HB: B.Smith, K.Hartigan, L.Brown

C: S.Kerridge, P.Dangerfield, D.Mackay

HF: E.Betts, J.Podsiadly, J.Petrenko

F: T.Lynch, J.Jenkins, M.Wright

Foll: S.Jacobs, S.Thompson, R.Sloane

I/C: M.Grigg, R.Laird, M.Crouch, B.Reilly

Emer: B.Martin, B.Rutten, A.Otten

NO CHANGE

DEMONS

B: T.McDonald, L.Dunn, A.Georgiou

HB: J.Grimes, J.Frawley, D.Terlich

C: D.Tyson, B.Vince, J.Watts

HF: R.Bail, C.Pedersen, M.Jones

F: J.Viney, C.Dawes, J.Howe

Foll: M.Jamar, D.Cross, N.Jones

I/C: C.Salem, N.Jetta, J.Kennedy-Harris, S.Byrnes

Emer: M.Clisby, A.Riley, M.Gawn

NO CHANGE

BRISBANE LIONS v SYDNEY SWANS

Saturday 3 May at Gabba, 7.40pm (EST)

LIONS

B: D.Gardiner, J.Patfull, J.Clarke

HB: S.Mayes, J.Adcock, T.Cutler

C: A.Raines, R.Lester, J.Aish

HF: D.Zorko, J.Green, M.Paparone

F: D.Merrett, J.Brown, L.McGuane

Foll: T.West, J.Redden, T.Rockliff

R.Bewick, L.Taylor, J.Polkinghorne, N.Robertson

Emer: M.Golby, R.Harwood, J.Lisle

INS: R.Bewick

OUTS: P.Hanley

SWANS

B: N.Smith, T.Richards, D.Rampe

HB: N.Malceski, H.Grundy, R.Shaw

C: D.Hannebery, C.Bird, K.Jack

HF: L.Jetta, S.Reid, B.McGlynn

F: H.Cunningham, A.Goodes, L.Parker

Foll: M.Pyke, JP.Kennedy, J.McVeigh

I/C: T.Derickx, J.Laidler, J.Lloyd, B.Jack

Emer: L.Roberts-Thomson, T.Mitchell, D.Towers

INS: S.Reid, B.Jack

OUTS: L.Roberts-Thomson, L.Franklin

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ESSENDON v WESTERN BULLDOGS

Saturday 3 May at Etihad Stadium, 7.40pm (EST)

BOMBERS

B: D.Fletcher, C.Hooker, M.Hibberd

HB: M.Baguley, M.Hurley, D.Heppell

C: B.Stanton, J.Watson, C.Dempsey

HF: B.Goddard, J.Carlisle, J.Merrett

F: J.Winderlich, J.Daniher, P.Chapman

Foll: P.Ryder, J.Melksham, H.Hocking

I/C: Z.Merrett, D.Zaharakis, J.Ashby, B.Howlett

Emer: P.Ambrose, T.Bellchambers, K.Hardingham

INS: B.Goddard, H.Hocking

OUTS: K.Hardingham, M.Gleeson

BULLDOGS

B: L.Picken, M.Talia, E.Wood

HB: S.Higgins, D.Morris, R.Murphy

C: M.Bontempelli, R.Griffen, J.Macrae

HF: A.Cooney, S.Crameri, T.Dickson

F: L.Dahlhaus, L.Jones, T.Williams

Foll: W.Minson, M.Boyd, T.Liberatore

I/C: J.Stringer, L.Hunter, K.Stevens, J.Johannisen

Emer: L.Jong, F.Roberts, J.Tutt

INS: T.Williams, D.Morris, J.Johannisen, M.Bontempelli

OUTS: D.Giansiracusa, T.Campbell, T.Young, L.Jong

NORTH MELBOURNE v GOLD COAST SUNS

Sunday 4 May at Etihad Stadium, 1.10pm (EST)

KANGAROOS

B: M.Firrito, N.Grima, A.Mullett

HB: S.Gibson, J.Tippett, S.Atley

C: N.Dal Santo, L.Adams, R.Nahas

HF: L.Thomas, A.Black, B.Cunnington

F: M.Daw, D.Petrie, L.Hansen

Foll: T.Goldstein, J.Ziebell, B.Harvey

I/C (from): L.Greenwood, B.McKenzie, L.McDonald, R.Bastinac, S.Thompson, S.Wright, B.Jacobs

INS: S.Wright, S.Thompson, B.Jacobs

OUTS: -

SUNS

B: K.Kolodjashnij, S.May, G.Broughton

HB: S.Lemmens, R.Thompson, T.McKenzie

C: M.Shaw, G.Ablett, J.Harbrow

HF: A.Hall, TJ.Lynch, D.Stanley

F: C.Dixon, S.Day, B.Matera

Foll: T.Nicholls, J.O'Meara, D.Swallow

I/C (from): L.Russell, T.Sumner, D.Prestia, H.Bennell, J.Taylor, T.Murphy, M.Rischitelli

INS: T.Murphy, C.Dixon, T.Nicholls, H.Bennell, J.Taylor

OUTS: M.Warnock, J.Hutchins

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GEELONG v RICHMOND

Sunday 4 May at MCG, 3.20pm (EST)

CATS

B: J.Rivers, T.Lonergan, C.Guthrie

HB: C.Enright, H.Taylor, J.Kelly

C: G.Horlin-Smith, J.Selwood, S.Johnson

HF: T.Varcoe, H.McIntosh, J.Murdoch

F: M.Duncan, T.Hawkins, G.Burbury

Foll: D.Simpson, J.Bartel, M.Stokes

I/C (from): S.Motlop, J.Bews, M.Blicavs, T.Hunt, J.Sheringham, J.Walker, J.Thurlow

INS: D.Simpson, S.Motlop, J.Bews

OUTS: -

TIGERS

B: C.Newman, D.Astbury, A.Rance

HB: B.Houli, T.Chaplin, S.Morris

C: S.Grigg, D.Jackson, R.Conca

HF: D.Martin, R.Petterd, B.Deledio

F: S.Edwards, J.Riewoldt, A.Edwards

Foll: S.Hampson, B.Ellis, T.Cotchin

I/C: (from) M.McDonough, S.Lloyd, N.Vlastuin, M.Thomas, T.Vickery, N.Gordon, O.Stephenson

INS: A Edwards, B.Deledio, M.Thomas, O.Stephenson, A.Rance, T.Vickery

OUTS: B.Griffiths, D.Grimes, M.Arnot

WEST COAST EAGLES v FREMANTLE

Sunday 4 May at Subiaco Oval, 4.40pm (EST)

EAGLES

B: J.Bennell, D.Glass, E.Mackenzie

HB: W.Schofield, M.Brown, E.Yeo

C: J.Cripps, M.Priddis, M.Rosa

HF: M.Hutchings, JJ.Kennedy, B.Sheppard

F: L.Shuey, N.Naitanui, J.Darling

Foll: D.Cox, S.Selwood, C.Masten

I/C (from): S.Hurn, S.Butler, S.Lycett, A.Gaff, J.McGovern, S.Wellingham, S.Tunbridge

INS: D.Glass, S.Butler, S.Hurn, S.Tunbridge

OUTS: D.Sheed

DOCKERS

B: Z.Dawson, L.McPharlin, L.Spurr

HB: D.Pearce, M.Johnson, C.Pearce

C: P.Duffield, R.Crowley, D.Mundy

HF: N.Fyfe, M.Pavlich, H.Ballantyne

F: C.Mayne, Z.Clarke, L.Neale

Foll: A.Sandilands, T.Mzungu, S.Hill

I/C (from): C.Sutcliffe, T.Sheridan, N.Suban, H.Crozier, A.Silvagni, J.Hannath, M.Barlow

INS: H.Ballantyne, A.Silvagni, J.Hannath, M.Barlow

OUTS: M.de Boer

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Heavy losses haven’t dinted Tigers

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HEAVY losses to Hawthorn and Collingwood hasn't dented Richmond coach Damien Hardwick's faith that his side can match it with the best teams in the AFL.

And despite having won just once in 17 attempts against Geelong since 2001, Hardwick is as confident as ever that the Tigers can defeat the Cats at the MCG on Sunday.

Richmond will be boosted by the much-anticipated returns of Brett Deledio and Alex Rance from injury.

TIGERS: OUR SEASON IS STILL ALIVE

Deledio has been missing since Round 3 because of an Achilles injury, Rance played Round 1 before falling off his bike and fracturing his foot.

Both trained strongly at Punt Rd yesterday and Hardwick said the pair would help the team's run and carry out of defence.

Brett Deledio (left) and Chris Knights in high spirits at Richmond training. Source: Getty Images

"You want to compete to the best of your ability against every side — sometimes you're going to win, sometimes you're going to lose," Hardwick said.

"But as long as you put your best game forward you can probably tolerate losses. Unfortunately for us I think our best this year has probably been three quarters, or two and a half, against Carlton. We just haven't put those four-quarter performances together.

"And the reality is that you're not going to win games of footy playing two and a half quarters. So we have to make sure we consistently do things well all of the time."

The Tigers haven't beaten the Cats since 2006 and are winless against this weekend's opponents at the MCG this millennium — 1999 was the last time they beat them there.

But Hardwick said he is as confident now as he would have been at the start of the season that his team can defeat Geelong on Sunday.

"I back our players in every day of the week," he said.

Alex Rance returns for the Tigers. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

It's an often-used cliche in professional sport that teams focus on what they can do rather than on what the opposition will dish up, but Hardwick said that was genuinely the case this week.

After the disappointing 66-point loss to Hawthorn in which the side conceded five goals from centre bounce clearances and four from kick ins Hardwick said the players had taken it upon themselves to lead the team review process this week.

"We probably have scaled a little bit down with the opposition stuff and gone back to what we know," he said.

"We showed them vision of last year and the year previous where we were moving the ball a little bit better. The thing is, we know what to do, we just have to transfer that knowledge from the classroom out on to the ground."

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Trip west won’t affect us: Scott

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NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott insists there will be no excuses for the Kangaroos coming off last week's trip west, saying his side is ready to play.

While Perth-lag has proved an issue for some teams this season, Scott backed his conditioning staff to manage his players for Sunday's clash against Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium.

The fifth-placed Kangaroos have a nine-day turnaround to recover from their 13-point win over Fremantle on Anzac Day.

"When you win you come back a lot better, let me tell you, and we haven't experienced that too often,'' Scott said yesterday.

SWALLOW FLIES IN VFL COMEBACK

GLENN'S 10: THE BEST CAPTAINS OF 2014 — SO FAR

"But we have got a nine-day break now, so the trip back from Perth we have managed the guys really well.

"We back our conditioning, we back our staff. We have had short breaks the last two weeks and they have never been an excuse.

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"We came back from Sydney on a short break, we had a short break going over to Perth and didn't use them as excuses then and we certainly won't be after a nine-day break now.

"We're ready to play. We'd play (today) if the game was on.''

Scott said his players were determined to back up last week's win over the Dockers with another strong result this weekend.

"The playing group and leaders are really determined to get the job done this week,'' he said.

"They said themselves that we feel if we don't get the job done this week, last week will count for nothing.''

The Kangaroos suffered a 15-point loss in their only match against Gold Coast last season at Metricon Stadium, but Scott said he was more concerned about the Suns' recent form.

"Last year's game is really irrelevant,'' he said.

"(It was) played in really wet conditions, we were very, very poor, they were very, very good.

"It's so long ago that we will focus more on their last four weeks rather than something that happened 12 months ago.''

Daniel Wells will not face Gold Coast this weekend due to a foot injury. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Scott said the Kangaroos would err on the side of caution with captain Andrew Swallow and give him more game time in the VFL before he makes his AFL return.

Swallow made his comeback from a serious Achilles injury in the VFL last weekend, collecting 23 disposals and laying five tackles in three quarters for North Ballarat.

"The prudent thing to do would be to give him another game in the VFL and get him back somewhere close to his best,'' Scott said.

It's a similar story for midfield star Daniel Wells (foot), who Scott said would not be risked if there were any doubts over his fitness.

"We will give him right up until the last minute to prove his availability,'' Scott said.

While Scott said he was confident Swallow could perform if he was selected to play against the Gold Coast on Sunday, he said the club didn't want to take any risks with its skipper.

North Melbourne has the bye after this round.

"He is a chance and it's really tempting. He will train today,'' Scott said today.

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Warner, Hussey, Finch in IPL action

Dave Warner will be looking to add to his recent half-century for the Sunrisers Hyderabad this season. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Mike Hussey's Mumbai Indians will be out to put their first points on the board against fellow strugglers Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final match of the United Arab Emirates phase of IPL 2014.

Watch the game LIVE here from 10:30pm AEST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ4DhjwMRXI

AUSSIES IN ACTION

Mike Hussey was the IPL's leading run scorer in 2013 but with just 30 runs from his first four innings this year at a paltry strike rate of 56.6, Mumbai may look to explore other options at the top of the order. One potential replacement is Ben Dunk, whose 348 runs at 49.71 in the 2013/14 Big Bash League earned him a bargain $35,700 contract with Mumbai.

Sunrisers Hyderabad will be hoping for more consistency from hot and cold Australian duo Aaron Finch and David Warner, despite both scoring recent half-centuries against the Delhi Daredevils. The Sunrisers have also struggled to contain their opposition with the ball, creating a potential opening for all-rounder Moises Henriques to come in to the side.

MATCH PREVIEW

Winless after four matches, something has to give in order for Mumbai to turn its season around. Boom Kiwi all-rounder Corey Anderson's head appears to be on the chopping block after scoring just 72 runs and conceding more than 10 per over with the ball in his four appearances. Captain Rohit Sharma led Mumbai to their maiden title in 2013, but his side won't come close if he doesn't increase his contribution, after a mediocre output of 83 runs at 20.75 so far.

The Sunrisers haven't fared much better, with little bowling support for star new-ball pair Dale Steyn and Bhuvneshwar Kumar landing them a solitary win in 2014. Former India leg-spinner Amit Mishra has disappeared to all parts of the UAE desert, with an economy rate of 9.48 unlikely to endear him to coach Tom Moody for much longer. An improved showing from power hitter Darren Sammy could give Hyderabad the extra spark they need to return to India on a high.

WHAT THEY SAID

"Momentum is absolutely key in T20 cricket. If you can get a couple of wins like Kings XI Punjab — they have run away with that positive momentum on the back of a couple of stunning knocks by Maxwell upfront. Though Maxwell has gone quiet now, the others have stood up, so tomorrow's match is a critical one for us as we can take that positive momentum into the Indian leg." – Tom Moody, Sunrisers Hyderabad coach

"We need a spark. We need that one performance, that one win to kickstart the tournament and then, hopefully, get some momentum in our favour. Plenty of teams have got that momentum in these six years and carried through with it. " – Zaheer Khan, Mumbai Indians fast bowler

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