Debut ... Chris Dawes is ready to take flight for the Dees.Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images
Star Melbourne recruit Chris Dawes says the maligned Demons' recent form has convinced him he made the right move in leaving Collingwood.
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Dawes has been forced to sit out the first six rounds of the AFL season due to a hamstring strain but will make his debut against Gold Coast at the MCG on Sunday.
"It's been frustrating not being able to actually be out there on the field playing my part, particularly those first few rounds when we had patches through games when we were uncompetitive,'' Dawes said on Thursday.
"But I look at the turnaround in effort consistently across the board just in the last three or four weeks of footy.
"That if anything re-affirms my confidence that I have made the right decision coming to a team that's improving and that wants to improve.''
And he is convinced Melbourne is on an upward, if slow, trajectory.
"I think you're going to see - even if there's the odd hiccup every now and then - constant improvement,'' Dawes said.
He said he was intent on making a difference to the side, both on the scoreboard and in terms of leadership.
"I won't just be planning on getting through, I'll be bringing a lot of effort and leadership to that forward line.
"I'll tie up one of their big-bodied defenders and hopefully have a bit of a physical presence myself,'' Dawes said.
"Against Carlton (last week) I thought we were really competitive and made life difficult for them, trying to rebound from their 50 (metres).
"Part of the leadership I'll bring to that forward line will be driving that real defensive pressure and making it as difficult as we can.''
Dawes was finally let off the leash two weeks ago when he played the first of two games for Melbourne's VFL affiliate Casey and his four goals in the second hit-out sealed his AFL selection.
Promise ... Royce Hart says Damien Hardwick has the Tigers on the right track.Source: Tim Carrafa / News Limited
Richmond legend Royce Hart has given Damien Hardwick?s current Tigers side his stamp of approval.
Speaking to veteran journalist Mike Sheahan on Open Mike on Monday night, the four-time premiership player was bullish about the 2013 Tigers after several false starts in recent times.
“I think they’re on the right path this time,” Hart said.
“They probably need another key forward to help Jack (Riewoldt) out, but apart from that they’re a lot better side now than they have been for the last 20 years.
Hart was succinct when asked if he had some advice for Riewoldt.
“Kick more goals,” he replied.
“He could probably move around a bit more, but he possibly hasn’t got the pace of a Matthew Richardson – that’s the problem.
“He could play further afield, but he’d need to alter his game a bit.”
In a wide-ranging interview, Hart labels the drought-breaking 1967 flag as his favourite football memory, counts Jonathan Brown and Lance Franklin as two of his favourite players, tells of the serious medical issues that mean he can no longer fly and says Carlton great Bruce Doull was the best defender he ever played against.
Right decision ... Peter Sterling endorses Johnathan Thurston decision to stay put.Source:News Limited
Whatever he's getting, he's worth every cent. The protracted contract negotiations of (in my opinion) the game's best player, Johnathan Thurston, were finalised this week and I was delighted to learn that he was staying put in north Queensland.
While the former larrikin began his NRL career at Canterbury in 2002, after eight seasons with the Cowboys he feels like a one-club player.
W
L
D
B
PD
Pts
1
Knights
1
0
0
0
32
2
2
Eels
1
0
0
0
30
2
3
Panthers
1
0
0
0
22
2
4
Storm
1
0
0
0
20
2
5
Rabbitohs
1
0
0
0
18
2
6
Cowboys
1
0
0
0
12
2
7
Sea Eagles
1
0
0
0
8
2
8
Sharks
1
0
0
0
2
2
9
Titans
0
1
0
0
-2
0
10
Broncos
0
1
0
0
-8
0
11
Bulldogs
0
1
0
0
-12
0
12
Roosters
0
1
0
0
-18
0
13
Dragons
0
1
0
0
-20
0
14
Raiders
0
1
0
0
-22
0
15
Warriors
0
1
0
0
-30
0
16
Tigers
0
1
0
0
-32
0
I remember watching him running around in the lower grades with the 'Dogs and while he was obviously talented, there was no lightning bolt that he was set to take over the mantle as the game's premier number seven following the retirement of Andrew Johns.
He did play a bit part in Canterbury's premiership triumph in 2004 coming off the bench in their victory over the Sydney Roosters.
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However his contribution is remembered more for the magnanimous decision to give his premiership ring to club captain Steve Price after the game, the injured player whose spot in the 17 he had been called up to replace.
It was a remarkable gesture by any standards and gave an early insight into what a decent, caring young man the game had on its books.
From that moment on I wanted him to do well, but he has exceeded all expectations.
It was no surprise then that he has handled the recent, difficult and distracting rounds of negotiations with some style, culminating with a genuine thank you and an appreciation of the professional way the interested parties had conducted their business.
In the end it didn't come down purely to money and I'm confident it will be one of the best footballing decisions he has ever made.
While there were a number of decisive reasons mentioned, the one that caught my attention was the declaration of "unfinished business".
I think the appeal of possibly being a part of North Queensland's first ever premiership winning team proved to be too big an attraction to turn down.
I know that I value nothing higher than being a member of Parramatta's triumphant 1981 team. The Eels have won titles since, and will win them in the future, but never again for the first time.
Being remembered in that fashion is something that every player covets and with the squad that North Queensland have now assembled Johnathan has made it clear that he believes this is their window of opportunity.
They began their campaign in impressive fashion on Saturday night against last season's beaten grand finalists and while Canterbury-Bankstown were under strength the Cowboys did overcome a tough opponent and an early deficit to get the job done.
His man-of-the-match performance and a relaxed appearance on the Sunday Footy Show the next morning suggested that a decision on his future had been made and he was in a good head space.
That spells further trouble for the NSW Origin team as they look to end the seven-year winning run of the enemy from north of the border in the coming months.
Johnathan has been a constant thorn in the Blue's side over that period of time and holds the distinction of being the only starting member of the Queensland side in all 21 consecutive games.
It would be a sign of just how far his life has matured if that was to be broken by the birth of his first child which is due on the day of Origin I.
NSW coach Laurie Daley will be hoping that the doctor has his timing spot on, although it is a sobering thought to realise that his replacement would be the rather handy Cooper Cronk.
The fact that Cooper has had to play second fiddle to Johnathan when it has come to state and national representation is a clear indication of the level to which Thurston has elevated his game.
In a mouthwatering confrontation these two outstanding halves will match wits on Saturday night when the Storm travel to 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville.
It will be a stern road trip for the reigning premiers to not only take on quality opposition but one buoyed by the re-signing of their talismanic halfback.
With an up-coming marriage, the imminent birth of his child and the comfort of financial security, life is pretty good at the moment for Johnathan Thurston.
And with a four-year deal now officially secured, life also just became a whole lot better for the North Queensland Cowboys.
Gordon Tallis ... backing NRL CEO Dave Smith as the right man for the job.Source:AAP
If getting a few names wrong is the biggest mistake NRL chief executive Dave Smith makes in our game, then we are in pretty good hands.
Knowing the players' names is not the be all and end all.
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I know previous bosses like Ken Arthurson, John Quayle and David Gallop knew everybody, but I don't need this guy to know names.
He just needs to know business.
I played under Wayne Bennett for many years and we'd sit in team meetings and every month this legend of the game would get a name wrong.
A bloke like Paul Harragon, "The Chief", Wayne used to call him Paul Harrington. He'd call Andrew Johns, Chris Johns.
The most famous coach our game ever had, Jack Gibson, called Brad Fittler "Freddie" because he had forgotten his name and it stuck.
Another guy I hold in really high regard and played with over my career didn't know the names of four guys walking towards us as we checked in to the Australian team hotel.
This wasn't his first Test match, he had played several times for the Kangaroos and didn't know them.
He was about to play Test footy with guys who he had played against for several years, but because he didn't watch much footy he didn't know who they were.
So Dave Smith slipping up with Benji and Benny is not a problem.
I've met Dave Smith and my first impression of him is that he is the right guy to lead rugby league.
I was sitting with Craig Bellamy, Laurie Daley and Tim Sheens after the Indigenous All Stars game and all of us gave him the thumbs-up.
Dave walked into the toughest time in Australian sport, and yet he is the first guy to get things moving to protect the game with plans such as introducing blood passports.
He has worked really hard and made quick decisions.
For years rugby league has slowly been getting better, but we were taking baby steps with no direction. Now there is a bit of light and we know we have a clear path.
Straight away expansion is back on the table, and it raises a point I've been talking about for years: There are too many teams in Sydney.
This game will be incredibly strong in five years' time, and we need to expand to become a truly national competition.
Yes, we need to be strong in Sydney, but we have two or three too many teams.
I know people don't like hearing me say it, and I wouldn't like it to happen to my team, but we need to relocate some clubs.
Ask a North Sydney fan or a Newtown fan if they'd rather their clubs be relocated and still get to watch them in the NRL every second week.
My vision and message to Dave Smith is to let the strongest survive.
Set the challenge over the next three years to the Sydney clubs and put the teams in competition with each other: whoever doesn't get the biggest crowds, or highest membership or strongest corporate support must relocate.
Only three clubs should be safe: Manly, Parramatta and Penrith. You need Manly on the north shore otherwise there is no team between the city and Newcastle, and we'd be handing that territory over to the AFL. You only need one team in the city and to the east, so South Sydney and Sydney Roosters go head-to-head.
If the Roosters keep going badly and struggle with crowds below 10,000 then I'm sorry, but they've got to move.
You only need one team in the south, so St George Illawarra and Cronulla go against each other.
We need three strong clubs in the west, because it is the biggest growth region in the country.
But the Wests Tigers and Canterbury, who both represent sections of the inner west as well, must battle it out for survival.
Adelaide, Perth, Gosford and a second Brisbane team are the locations I think need a side.
They all have rectangular stadiums ready to go and Perth, in particular, is crying out for a rugby league team.
Dave Smith is the man armed with rugby league's new navigation system, and I think we should follow him and his business sense to wherever he wants the game to go.
Right at home ... Danny Vukovic is relishing a return to Western Sydney.Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited
Danny Vukovic knows better than most how ripe an area the west of Sydney is for footballing success - but it won't stop him aiming to put a block in the road of the Wanderers' juggernaut on Saturday.
A 'westie' himself, Vukovic has been delighted to see the success of the Wanderers in putting an A-League club into the area in which he grew up.
But facing a team with six wins on the run - and the almost unbackable favourites - at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow night, the former Olyroo goalkeeper has an upset in his sights.
At least the stadium will be familiar, nine years after a stint at Parramatta Power.
"It's a huge market to tap into, and largely been untouched until now," he said.
P
W
D
L
GD
Pts
1
Central Coast
21
12
6
3
21
42
2
Western Sydney
21
13
2
6
12
41
3
Victory
21
11
3
7
2
36
4
Adelaide
21
11
2
8
2
35
5
Sydney
21
8
3
10
-7
27
6
Newcastle
21
7
5
9
-7
26
7
Brisbane
21
7
3
11
0
24
8
Heart
21
7
3
11
-3
24
9
Perth
21
6
4
11
-3
22
10
Wellington
21
5
5
11
-17
20
"AFL have tried and obviously you have the NRL but nothing in summer terms.
"So the way they've been established on and off the field has been amazing. I watched a replay of their game with the Victory last week, and to see the away bay sold out for a regular game must be a first for the A-League.
"We'll enjoy the atmosphere on Saturday night - it's not every game you get to play in front of so much noise and colour. Even if most of them are against you, it's still a huge thrill and the boys are pumped for the game.
"Yes, it's a huge challenge, they're the form team, but it's one we embrace. For me, I haven't been back since I left the Power, so not only do I get to play in front of family and friends but it's also good to go to see the good things that are happening that way."
The arrival 10 days ago of Alistair Edwards as head coach for the season has at least given Glory the chance to regroup after sinking to the bottom of the table.
Having beaten the top team last week, in Edwards's first game, the challenge is just as great this weekend.
"We know ourselves that this season has just not been good enough, but the last performance in beating the Central Coast has given us something to build on," he said.
"Ali has brought some new ideas and the most pleasing part of the win over the Mariners was that we stuck to our game plan.
"Ali has been working on our structure, our positioning and being patient when we've got the ball - giving us the belief to stick to the plan.
The more the game went on last week, the more the evidence it was working.
"No doubt, though, that a certain amount of Saturday's battle will be fought verbally, with Vukovic up against the Wanderers' leading scorer Mark Bridge - his closest friend at any other point.
"My best mate's on fire, it's been great to see him doing so well," Vukovic said.
"He does like to crack a joke or two during the game so I'll try to ignore him. He'll hate that most of all."
Watch Danny Vukovic and Perth Glory attempt to halt the Wanderers' incredible march at Fox Sports 1 HD at 5.30pm (EDT) on Saturday February 22.
Right at home ... Danny Vukovic is relishing a return to Western Sydney.Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited
Danny Vukovic knows better than most how ripe an area the west of Sydney is for footballing success - but it won't stop him aiming to put a block in the road of the Wanderers' juggernaut on Saturday.
A 'westie' himself, Vukovic has been delighted to see the success of the Wanderers in putting an A-League club into the area in which he grew up.
But facing a team with six wins on the run - and the almost unbackable favourites - at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow night, the former Olyroo goalkeeper has an upset in his sights.
At least the stadium will be familiar, nine years after a stint at Parramatta Power.
"It's a huge market to tap into, and largely been untouched until now," he said.
P
W
D
L
GD
Pts
1
Central Coast
21
12
6
3
21
42
2
Western Sydney
21
13
2
6
12
41
3
Victory
21
11
3
7
2
36
4
Adelaide
21
11
2
8
2
35
5
Sydney
21
8
3
10
-7
27
6
Newcastle
21
7
5
9
-7
26
7
Brisbane
21
7
3
11
0
24
8
Heart
21
7
3
11
-3
24
9
Perth
21
6
4
11
-3
22
10
Wellington
21
5
5
11
-17
20
"AFL have tried and obviously you have the NRL but nothing in summer terms.
"So the way they've been established on and off the field has been amazing. I watched a replay of their game with the Victory last week, and to see the away bay sold out for a regular game must be a first for the A-League.
"We'll enjoy the atmosphere on Saturday night - it's not every game you get to play in front of so much noise and colour. Even if most of them are against you, it's still a huge thrill and the boys are pumped for the game.
"Yes, it's a huge challenge, they're the form team, but it's one we embrace. For me, I haven't been back since I left the Power, so not only do I get to play in front of family and friends but it's also good to go to see the good things that are happening that way."
The arrival 10 days ago of Alistair Edwards as head coach for the season has at least given Glory the chance to regroup after sinking to the bottom of the table.
Having beaten the top team last week, in Edwards's first game, the challenge is just as great this weekend.
"We know ourselves that this season has just not been good enough, but the last performance in beating the Central Coast has given us something to build on," he said.
"Ali has brought some new ideas and the most pleasing part of the win over the Mariners was that we stuck to our game plan.
"Ali has been working on our structure, our positioning and being patient when we've got the ball - giving us the belief to stick to the plan.
The more the game went on last week, the more the evidence it was working.
"No doubt, though, that a certain amount of Saturday's battle will be fought verbally, with Vukovic up against the Wanderers' leading scorer Mark Bridge - his closest friend at any other point.
"My best mate's on fire, it's been great to see him doing so well," Vukovic said.
"He does like to crack a joke or two during the game so I'll try to ignore him. He'll hate that most of all."
Watch Danny Vukovic and Perth Glory attempt to halt the Wanderers' incredible march at Fox Sports 1 HD at 5.30pm (EDT) on Saturday February 22.
