The Herald Sun
Gary Ablett's debut in Sydney
Jon Ralph
GARY Ablett's first outing for the Gold Coast is likely to take place against the new Greater Western Sydney side and the Sydney Swans in the AFL's Twenty20-style NAB Cup competition.
According to the preliminary draft of the NAB Cup fixture, the three sides will play a round-robin in Blacktown in February.
Under the new formula, the teams will be broken into six groups of three, with teams playing each other in two 20-minute halves.
The six pool-winners and two best losers will progress to the second round, which reverts to full-length games.
Neil Balme says Mark Thompson may have lied to Geelong over his reasons for leaving the club
Adrian Ballantyne
GEELONG football manager Neil Balme says former coach Mark Thompson may have hoodwinked the Cats in orchestrating a move to Essendon.
Balme said with rumours still swirling about Thompson taking up a role alongside James Hird at the Bombers, the two-time premiership coach may have been "pulling the wool over our eyes".
Thompson left the Cats earlier this month, citing burnout from 11 years at the helm of the club, but was immediately linked to Essendon, where he spent his 202-game playing career.
Sources at Essendon last week told the Herald Sun key club figures, including president David Evans, had been in regular contact with Thompson since Round 17.
Lion fall hits roar nerve as Brisbane skipper Jonathan Brown
Mark Stevens
BRISBANE skipper Jonathan Brown is in no mood to contemplate a significant rebuild despite the gloom created by the Lions' departures on and off the field.
Brown is adamant the Lions can challenge next season, praising the balance of what is now a widely ridiculed list.
"I'm not worried about this rebuilding stuff - certainly not at my age," Brown said.
"I'm very confident in the talent on the list and I'm very confident that if we stay healthy we can be a successful side."
afl.com.au
Australians still hopeful on Wojcinski, Varcoe
Jennifer Witham
AUSTRALIA remains hopeful it will field its full squad in the International Rules Series opener against Ireland on Saturday night despite David Wojcinski and Travis Varcoe suffering injuries in a practice match on Wednesday evening.
Wojcinski rolled his ankle in the third term and was unable to return to the field while Varcoe injured a shoulder.
The Geelong pair has moved gingerly since the game against the Cork representative side, which Australia won 105-12 at Pairc Ui Rinn.
Wojcinski spent most of Thursday icing his ankle and has been excused from official squad duties, which includes an evening reception and welcome to Limerick from the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA).
Hocking upgrades to assistant role with Power
Katrina Gill
PORT Adelaide development coach Garry Hocking has been promoted to the role of a senior assistant coach, but the club is still looking for a third assistant to work alongside Hocking and Jason Cripps in Matthew Primus' new-look coaching panel.
Hocking, who played 274 games for Geelong between 1987-2001, was recruited to the club by former coach Mark Williams last season.
It's believed the Cats' great will take over the midfield responsibilities vacated by Primus' elevation to the senior coaching position.
Primus said Hocking, who spent four years in charge of the Geelong Falcons in the TAC Cup prior to joining the Power, deserved an opportunity to coach at AFL level.
