Cruden conducts All Blacks masterclass

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Australian rugby has a new nemesis, capable of continuing the punishment for several more years after a masterful return to ANZ Stadium.

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Aaron Cruden played conductor to the All Blacks hauntingly ruthless orchestra, as familiar tunes of pain rang out in the Homebush air on Saturday night.

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Replacing an icon in Dan Carter  whose skills and boot have played a large part in Australia's miserable record against New Zealand in the past decade  Cruden distinguished any hope Australia may reap some advantage.

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The diminutive playmaker, now seriously making claims as rugby's premier five-eighth, erased memories of his horror Test debut at this very ground three years ago.

For all the positive spirit around Ewen McKenzie's first Test as Wallabies coach, a new era of attacking football and hopes of an end to the Bledisloe Cup drought, it was the All Blacks who displayed renewed zest and vigour.

Australia planned to dominate at the breakdown, and play "fast, up-tempo" rugby to run the All Blacks ragged.

As usual, the opposite occurred, as the Kiwis taught lessons about the game played in heaven, the game these black-uniformed goliaths play on Earth.

McKenzie's plans were always going to need time to bear fruit, but he will be sporting a sizeable headache on Sunday morning from bashing his head in the coaches' box.

Dumb kicks, soft tackling, awful turnovers, and what seemed like a dozen over-eager grounded passes with tries beckoning will facilitate much head-scratching and whiteboard marking in Wallabies camp this week.

Cruden started his man-of-the-match magic show two minutes in, sending Wallabies defenders to the left sideline, then the right sideline, with his accurate wide passing.

Then having drawn in too many in midfield, Cruden placed himself out wide, taking a pass from halves partner Aaron Smith before catching and hopping right in one movement, leaving Wallabies centre Adam Ashley-Cooper barely caressing his jersey.

Cruden held the ball just long enough to draw in last defender James O'Connor before throwing an audacious one-hand flick-pass to winger Ben Smith who opened the scoring. Cruden's sideline conversion was merely icing on the cake.

Australia took the lead in the 28th minute via Christian Leali'ifano's fourth penalty but 60 seconds later Cruden charged down a kick from Leali'ifano to put New Zealand ahead once more.

With the half-time siren sounding in the background, Cruden's immaculate wide run and inside ball opened space for centre Conrad Smith to stroll through, eventually leading to another penalty Cruden would convert to give his side a 25-19 lead at the break.

These scenes made his first match in the black jersey a distant memory.

That night, perhaps ominously on September 11, 2010, Cruden made a blundering start that had Australia poised for a famous victory before he was hooked from the field with a quarter remaining.

With Colin Slade coming on to assume the playmaking duties, the All Blacks scrambled with two late tries to win 23-22.

Before he took the field this week, Cruden explained: "It wasn't the way I wanted my starting career in the black jersey to pan out, but looking back at that game it's made me a better player.

"I've been able to bounce back from that and grow and mature as a player. I'm really comfortable in this environment now, I know exactly what I have to go and do."

Cruden has led the Chiefs to successive Super Rugby titles, last year was part of New Zealand's record Test scoreline against Ireland, and with his performance in this first Test will make it difficult for Carter to resume his place in the All Blacks side even when he fully recovers from his calf injury.

Australia's new key playmakers, Matt Toomua, Leali'ifano and Jesse Mogg have just seven Tests between them.

Toomua made a mixed debut on Saturday night, looking sharp with his passing but also dropping the ball and at times hesitating with his support. He was subbed off at the same time as Cruden was, with Quade Cooper taking the field for the final 19 minutes.

Toomua can take a cue from Cruden, who many thought couldn't wipe Carter's boots after Test one, but is now walking comfortably in them 23 internationals later.

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Rampant Lions tear Giants apart

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BRISBANE Lions put a turbulent week behind them with their biggest win of the season over Greater Western Sydney at the Gabba last night.

With former Fremantle mentor Mark Harvey taking over from the dumped Michael Voss as head coach, the Lions dominated the young Giants for a 18.15 (123) to 9.9 (63) victory.

5.5 (35)	Q1	1.1 (7)
12.7 (79)	Q2	3.2 (20)
16.12 (108)	Q3	4.4 (28)
18.15 (123)	Q4	9.9 (63)

Sam Mayes 4	Jeremy Cameron 2
Joshua Green 3	Stephen Coniglio 1
Brent Staker 3	Jonathan Giles 1
Daniel Merrett 2	Toby Greene 1
Daniel Rich 2	Tom Scully 1
Dayne Zorko 2	Mark Whiley 1
Pearce Hanley 1	Lachie Whitfield 1
Ashley McGrath 1	Zachary Williams 1

Voss's controversial mid-week axing was met with one of the lowest home crowds at the Gabba with only 13,855 fans turning out to watch the lop-sided affair.

Interim senior coach Mark Harvey said "it was different and a little strange" being at the helm of the Lions.

"It's been a difficult week in many ways," Harvey said.

"But we were happy with the way we pressured a young side.

"For most of the game, we controlled the tempo."

Playing his first game in seven weeks after overcoming a groin strain, 34-year-old veteran Simon Black again showed his class with 28 disposals against the outclassed GWS midfield.

At the other end of age scale, Brisbane teenager Sam Mayes who shone most in the drizzle with four first-half goals and 21 possessions from the wing.

The 60-point margin was almost double the 12th-placed Lions' previous biggest victory this season.

The Giants' heavy flooding tactics early backfired as they struggled for possession and opportunity and they ended up being eclipsed 67-41 for inside 50s and had 102 less disposals.

While there were few highlights for the Giants, they showed plenty of heart in the final term, kicking five goals to two after trailing by 80 at the last change.

Jeremy Cameron was restricted to two goals from limited chances but his double sees him move into a three-way tie with West Coast's Josh Kennedy and Hawthorn's Jarryd Roughhead for the Coleman Medal.

In an act of unselfishness, Cameron gave up a certain goal when he handballed to Lachie Whitfield in the goalsquare late in the game.

The Giants best first-year player last year Toby Greene showed an encouraging return to form with a game-high 31 disposals.

Fellow youngster Stephen Coniglio had 28 disposals and kicked long for the opening goal of the game, but it was the Giants' only major of the term as Brisbane quickly took control.

The Lions were forced to sub out star Irishman Pearce Hanley with a hip flexor injury which the club said will require scans in the coming days.

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Cox booked, Cats crush Eagles

Joel Selwood kicked four goals to colect 144 SuperCoach points.

CHAMPION West Coast ruckman Dean Cox is on report in another dark night for the Eagles and a horrible home ground mauling from Geelong at Patersons Stadium.

Cox, 32, was booked for an alleged off-the-ball striking incident with Cats midfield sensation and captain Joel Selwood.

2.1 (13)	Q1	6.1 (37)
2.3 (15)	Q2	11.5 (71)
4.5 (29)	Q3	15.9 (99)
6.5 (41)	Q4	16.11 (107)

Bradd Dalziell 1	Joel Selwood 4
Jack Darling 1	James Kelly 2
Josh Hill 1	Steven Motlop 2
Will Schofield 1	James Podsiadly 2
Scott Selwood 1	Mathew Stokes 2
Sharrod Wellingham 1	Allen Christensen 1
	Jordan Murdoch 1
	Nathan Vardy 1
	Joshua Walker 1

The six-times All-Australian, who announced on Friday he would play on next season with a new one-year contract, will have his hit investigated and assessed by the league's official match review panel on Monday.

Cox is in danger of missing West Coast's Friday night clash with Collingwood at the MCG and the end-of-season home clash with Adelaide in a fortnight.

It is only the second time in the big star's 271-game career that Cox has been booked.

Selwood turned in another outstanding display as the fearless follower racked up 29 possessions and rounded out his blitz with four goals as he continued a highly likely late season collection of Brownlow Medal votes that could run down Gold Coast hot favourite for the award Gary Ablett.

West Coast was blown apart inside the first half when the Cats slammed on another unanswered five goals approaching half-time and led by a whopping 56-points at the long break and ran away to a comfortable win 16.11 (107) to just 6.5 (41).

The Cats round out their qualifying appointments with successive games at their home ground fortress in Geelong against reigning premiers Sydney next Saturday and then Brisbane in Round 23.

The powerhouse Cats have won 47 of their last 49 games at home.

The Cats had winners all over the ground and while Selwood and his on-ball team dominated relentless defenders Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan held West Coast power forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling goalless.

Kennedy retained a share of the lead in the Coleman Medal with Hawthorn gun Jarryd Roughead and exciting newcomer Jeremy Cameron from Greater Western Sydney with 60 majors, ahead of Collingwood big man Travis Cloke on 58.

Kennedy and Darling managed only eight possessions each and four marks between them to the final change when the ruthless Cats led by 70 points.

Darling booted his only goal inside the last two minutes of the dismal night.

West Coast drove a dagger into the heart of arch rival Fremantle's top-two chances for next month's finals with the insipid loss.

The Cats all-but sealed a second-place finish for the opening week of premiership play-off series and closed the door on Fremantle climbing into the top-two as the Eagles already remote finals hopes are now dashed altogether.

Selwood ignited a possessions frenzy around the ball as the Cats burst to a five-goal lead inside the opening 13 minutes and were never threatened again.

Geelong's first 14 goals were all booted from running and field snaps in damp and slippery conditions generated from a complete dominance around congestion.

Selwood, 25, has now had four best-on-ground outings that could attract top Brownlow votes inside his last seven games.

Geelong playing great and 2011 premiership captain Cameron Ling revealed in his television commentary that a fast start had been strategic for the Cats to stifle the Eagles on their home turf.

West Coast has been an easy kill in Perth this season with seven losses in 11 engagements at home.

The slick Cats wasted no time asserting control with a wide open forward line and two quick goals on the run from dangerous pair Steven Motlop and Mathew Stokes inside four minutes.

Motlop turned in a stunning start with six possessions and a second goal in the opening 10 minutes and then athletic big men Nathan Vardy and Josh Walker ran into open goals for a fourth and fifth and an alarming 31-point lead and the home side defence ripped to shreds.

Motlop, 22, outgunned three separate Eagles opponents in his opening blitz and was withdrawn at half-time with hamstring tightness and the premiership points and Cats 16th win of the season sealed.

His fourth minder for the term was renowned defender Patrick McGinnity as West Coast instigated a tighter one-on-one all over the field in a bid to slow the Cats free-wheeling from midfield into the vital scoring zones.

An anticipated match-up made from the classics was tough Eagles tagger Scott Selwood with the assignment to try and curb the potential dominance from his older brother and hard-core Cats captain Joel.

It wasn't a full-on brotherly reunion as West Coast rotated some of their most experienced on-ballers through minding duties on the influential Cats skipper and play-maker.

Selwood, as so often he does and especially with another remarkably consistent season, led an onslaught around the ball along with big possession winning regulars Corey Enright, Andrew Mackie and Jimmy Bartel as well as veteran James Kelly streaming from backward of centre with precise delivery into the dashing small forward battery of Stokes and Motlop who were constant dangers around goal.

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Wallabies won't throw in the towel

Wallabies centre Adam Ashley-Cooper looks dejected after his side's loss to the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Brendon Thorne Source: Brendon Thorne / Getty Images

EWEN McKenzie says the Wallabies won't give up the Bledisloe Cup despite a thumping 47-29 loss to the All Blacks in his first Test.

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It may have been the start of a bright new era in Australian rugby but it was the same old dark result at ANZ Stadium, with the Kiwis pouncing on numerous mistakes to score a 18-point win.

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The New Zealanders boasted 300 more Test caps than the new-look McKenzie Wallabies and the gulf was clear as the visitors scored six tries to the home side's two.

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In-form Super Rugby players came up against a seasoned Test outfit and the difference was stark, with any small error or lapse in Australian concentration punished by the world no.1 side.

MATCH CENTRE: Full scores and statistics

The 47-points rattled up by the All Blacks was more than the Wallabies conceded under old coach Robbie Deans in the third Lions Test, and was the third highest tally given up by Australia in Bledisloe history. The Wallabies have now conceded 88 points in their two Tests.

Bold plans to win back the the Bledisloe Cup are in tatters, with the big urn appearing destined to stay in New Zealand's iron grip for an 11th straight year.

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The Wallabies, who meet the Kiwis again on Saturday, now need to end a losing streak in New Zealand dating back to 2001 to stay alive in the series. They then need to win a second-straight game across the ditch in October to lift the trophy.

Throw in the fact they're up against one of the great rugby teams of the modern era - led superbly by Richie McCaw again on Saturday night - and it all seems highly unlikely.

But in the face of the escalating odds, McKenzie was attempting to remain positive, saying the Wallabies were not heading to Wellington to be All Black fodder.

''I've been around the rugby scene for a long time. If you look at a lot of results, you'll see 70-point turnarounds in seven days,'' McKenzie said.

"We just have to focus on the right things. We will tidy up our errors, we will definitely focus on those things.

"But there are other ways. There are things we did where a little bit more precision will work quite well. We knew what we were trying to do.There were certainly some opportunities out there we didn't so with all that, we will move forward.

"I am not going to sit here and get bogged down and spin our wheels. We will concentrate on the positives and tidy up the things we contributed to the negatives."

There were lots of new names in the Wallaby line-up but the All Blacks only needed two to overwhelm Australia - McCaw and Smith.

After playing less than 80 minutes all year following a sabbatical, the Kiwi skipper was a freak of nature in a full-game performance of strength, scoring a try and stifling hopes of quick Wallaby attack by creating havoc at the breakdown.

Three Smiths in the All Black team did the rest - winger Ben, centre Conrad and halfback Aaron.

Playing on the right edge, Ben Smith scored a hat-trick of tries, Conrad Smith scored one as well and Aaron Smith was a constant thorn in the Wallabies side with dangerous bursts from the ruck.

Australia's attack, in comparison, broke down like a old jalopy.

With New Zealand effectively slowing down possession, the Wallabies looked panicked, and a lack of confidence led to numerous mistakes.

New boys in the starting side Matt Toomua and Jesse Mogg had mixed nights, with the five-eighth's inexperience showing in not attacking the line more often and Mogg hooked after 50 minutes after a rattled performance.

A late try from James O'Connor narrowed the gap in the scoreline, and gave the Wallabies a respectable 29 points, but it was all too late.

"Every time you lose a game it's disappointing," McKenzie said.

"We have to respect possession more. We didn't control the ball and they were able to play and do some of the things they're good at.

"We paid a price for that."

Horwill defended his side's recent history of conceding 88 points in two Tests, saying there was no problem with attitude.

"I don't think there is a problem with attitude in defence, we just need to tighten up turnovers," Horwill said.

"Most of their tries came from our turnovers. We just need to be better at holding the ball."

New Zealand led 25-19 at halftime after scoring three tries to the Wallabies' one - a sizzling 60-metre run from Will Genia.

Lealiifano's boot kept Australia in the game but sloppy play saw the Kiwis kick away in the second half, when mistakes in general play and at the scrum under new laws - which were a bit of a debacle - saw New Zealand pounce, and pick up another three in the second period.

NEW ZEALAND 47 (Ben Smith 3, Aaron Cruden, Richard McCaw, Conrad Smith tries Cruden 3, Beauden Barrett cons Cruden 3 pens) bt AUSTRALIA 29 (Will Genia, James O'Connor tries Christian Leali'ifano 2 cons 5 pens) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Craig Joubert. Crowd: 68,765.

Replay the Bledisloe Cup I discussion in our match blog below.

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Poms have always played dirty

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WHY were we all that surprised when South Sydney forward Sam Burgess put a squirrel grip on Melbourne Storm centre Will Chambers last Friday night?

After all, he is an English rugby league player.

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Remember last year's grand final when Bulldogs forward James Graham took a chunk out of Billy Slater's ear?

He was a Pom, too.

League's lowest acts

And before them, Adrian Morley.

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Remember him? He played six seasons for the Roosters between 2001 and 2006 for 11 foul-play offences and 26 weeks of suspensions.

The biggest was his last, a seven-week ban for a striking charge in 2006.

Colleague Dean Ritchie was on the sideline for 2GB that day at ANZ Stadium.

"He kneed Corey Hughes at the play-the ball - it was one of the most reckless and dirtiest acts I've seen on a football field," Ritchie recalled.

"That was the last we saw of him."

Headbutting, grabbing testicles, biting, kneeing, kicking and king hits - you name it, the Poms have been doing it for more than 50 years.

Former Manly forward Peter Peters tells a fabulous story about Malcolm Reilly's debut for the Sea Eagles in 1971 against Souths at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

He'd been in the country only two days.

When they arrive at the SCG, Reilly starts asking about their opponents and according to Peters, the conversation went like this:

Reilly: Who's their best player?

Peters: Where do you want me to start? Coote, McCarthy, Sait, Pittard, Simms, Branighan …

Reilly: Cmon, who's their best?

Peters: Probably McCarthy.

Reilly: What's his number?

Peters: 10

Reilly: Who kicks off for us?

Peters: Denis Ward.

Reilly: Make sure he kicks it into touch on the full.

And so he did. In those days it meant at scrum back at halfway and Peters takes up the story.

"The touch judges and the refs were watching the ball sail into touch," Peters said.

"As it was happening, Malcolm has elbowed Macca in the head.

"He's face down in the Bulli soil on the cricket pitch and got carted off.

"And that was Malcolm's Reilly's first 30 seconds in the Sydney premiership."

Reilly's fight with South Sydney's George Piggins on the same ground a few years later is often spoken about as the most brutal one-on-one exchange in rugby league history.

Even decades later the Poms were still getting up to their old tricks.

In a story that's never been told from a Test match in 1992 at the Sydney Football Stadium, Australia's champion lock Bradely Clyde copped a "John Hopoate finger" in the backside from Great Britain centre Garry Schofield.

"Yes, it happened," Clyde confirmed Thursday. "I don't know if he was trying to put me off my game or get me to react and draw a penalty.

"I didn't bother retaliating. I was one of those players that if my mind wandered off the actual footy, my game suffered.

"But I'll never forget Bozo (coach Bob Fulton) flagged the incident at a team video session before the next Test."

Cliff Watson was one of the original English hard heads to come to these shores.

He announced himself in the "Battle of Brisbane" Test in 1970, when he and Jim Morgan infamously engaged in a headbutting competition that left the Kangaroos prop with a nose so badly broken his son didn't recognise him in the dressing room after the game.

He is credited for bringing the "Liverpool kiss" to Australia.

The giant prop joined Cronulla and was a central figure in the most brutal grand final ever played in 1973, when the Sharks narrowly went down to Manly.

In a chat with current Sharks captain Paul Gallen this year, Watson gave a blunt assessment of his playing style in relation to the modern game.

"I wouldn't be on the field with my style of play," he said.

The NRL has revealed Burgess came within a just a centimetre of getting a six-week dangerous contact charge rather than two weeks for contrary conduct.

"It was minor contact," said Greg McCallum, the head of the match review panel.

"If he'd got a handful and squeezed, it would have been grade-three dangerous contact.

"We looked at extra angles from Channel Nine and it was more the image of what he did - it looked terrible."

Burgess has apologised to his South Sydney teammates over the incident.

But there's been no word of an apology to the player who really deserved one … Will Chambers.

Typical bloody Pommy.

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Riding the Inglis express

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ON Friday night, Greg Inglis will show why he is one of the greatest signings of the modern era, as Souths, with his influence re-emerge as a serious title favourite.

In 2013, with Greg Inglis brutalising defences, South Sydney have proved a monster of a football team. A team with great confidence, a decisive game plan, a relentless desire and a sense of destiny.

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But in the last month without their champion, they have looked vulnerable, indecisive, with a sliding self-belief.

Against the Melbourne Storm last Friday night the Rabbits competed hard, but it was the Storm's mistake-ridden performance rather than Souths themselves, which kept them in it.

The Bunnies' attack lacked penetration and was far too sideways with the Melbourne defence simply shuffling them towards the touchline.

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Only young Luke Keary really went directly into the defence of Melbourne and showed what a future he has.

But on Friday night Inglis returns and so will the real Souths Sydney.

Here's why he makes such a difference to every aspect of their game.

No player has ever returned the football from kicks with such size, speed and power.

From the moment Inglis returns that football Souths immediately find themselves tearing up field, picking up more and more momentum as the set goes along.

With Inglis' dynamic kick returns and lightning quick play-the-balls South Sydney simply play a momentum-based game, using Isaac Luke as the focal point of their attack, jumping out of dummy-half, torturing retreating defenders and putting his monster forwards into gaps.

Throw in Johnny Sutton and Adam Reynolds looking for a contribution and it's clear this is an attack that doesn't need to look to the edges of the field to generate a serious threat.

Over the past month, without Greg's punch on early tackles, Luke hasn't been able to quite get out of dummy-half as easily, opposition defences aren't reeling backwards and so as a consequence, in an attempt to create, the ball is pushed sideways and suddenly everything looks like hard work. Because it is.

Apart from his ability to create something out of nothing, this is the beauty of Greg Inglis: he generates guaranteed go-forward and allows his team to play simple football.

But Souths aren't the only ones with something to prove.

How far have Manly come in the past few months?

Yes, they have been in great touch, but let's not forget what happened in late April, the last time these two teams met.

At home at Brookvale Oval, Manly simply couldn't contain the size and power of the Rabbitohs, with the final scoreline of 20-12 to Souths not really a true indication of the red and green dominance.

These two title contenders have contrasting styles.

Manly's speed, skill and footwork through the middle has the propensity to cause Souths just as many problems, as the Bunnies' size will worry the Sea Eagles.

Manly are a beautifully balanced side. On the left, Kieran Foran's direct ball-playing looks to place Justin Horo into holes, while on the right, Daly Cherry-Evans and Glenn Stewart provide the creativity, Brett Stewart the speed, Jamie Lyon the class.

But Anthony Watmough is a huge loss. Watmough is exactly the type of player who causes the giant Souths forwards headaches.

Without Watmough's speed and footwork zipping through the middle, I'm not sure if Manly can generate enough momentum to blow apart the big Souths pack.

Friday night is a great test of both sides' true premiership credentials.

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Kahu from homeless to hero

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HE is the NRL young gun who once lived in a car. But Jordan Kahu's rugby league future has hit top gear with the boom utility signing an upgraded deal with the Broncos.

The courage of Kahu, who has fought back from two knee reconstructions, cannot be questioned.

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On Friday night, he returns to the Broncos line-up at Suncorp Stadium, where he will take on the Eels with a metal plate and five screws in the left hand he broke against Cronulla five weeks ago.

But the Broncos have rewarded Kahu for his persistence, delivering a two-year contract that will keep the 22-year-old at Red Hill until the end of 2015.

For Kahu, who was being pursued by the Sharks, the deal also represents security - a far cry from the days when his family slept in a car as he chased his NRL dream.

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In 2008, unable to break into New Zealand's rugby ranks, Kahu, his older brother Jared and father Dave bought a one-way ticket to Australia.

Without a home, Dave purchased a light-blue Mitsubishi Magna. For a week, it doubled as a roof over their heads, a period Kahu fondly recalls for instilling the toughness that has underpinned his rise at the Broncos.

"It didn't bother us sleeping in a car, as long as we were together we were happy," Kahu said.

"When we got here, we had nowhere to stay, so we would crash by the beach and wake up and go for a swim.

"It wasn't as bad as it sounds. It was quite fun. When we flew here, we didn't know anyone, so we didn't care where we stayed.

"What I've gone through the past few years, especially with my knees, has taught me a lot about patience, dedication and hard work.

"That hard work has paid off now. I guess what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

And calmer. For most of the season, Kahu has been in limbo as a free agent for 2014, but has managed to hold his nerve.

Last month, the talented fullback, winger or centre signed off on a two-year deal after making his NRL debut against the Storm in March.

"I have a lot to repay the Broncos for looking after me the last three or four years," said Kahu, who plays his ninth NRL game Friday night.

"They have done a lot for me and my family and I was keen to stay. I didn't want to go anywhere else.

"I did have a bit of interest, but I didn't talk much with any other clubs, I just waited until the Broncos offered me something.

"I didn't want to quit, I love it here and seeing as I'm playing at the moment I didn't have any excuse to leave.

"I'm happy to be a Bronco and happy to be one for the next few years."

With Justin Hodges sidelined for an extended period, Kahu believes he can be an important backline contributor on Brisbane's right side.

"It is a loss with 'Hodgie' out and the rest of the team will have to step up and make up for him being injured," he said.

"I don't mind the wing because you score more tries. Confidence-wise I am fine. The hand feels good again and I'm ready to go."

Broncos coach Anthony Griffin lauded Kahu's development amid adversity.

"He's a good kid," he said.

"He's done a great job for us, it's just great to see him back. Every time he has pulled on a jersey whether it would be wing or centre, he's done a really good job for us."

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Hawks backing a Roughy

Jarryd Roughead continues to grow in importance. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

LANCE Franklin may be the million-dollar man, but Jarryd Roughead is the most precious piece of Hawthorn's forward puzzle, according to former goalkicking coach Ben Dixon.

As Franklin continues to weigh up the biggest contract offer in Hawthorn's history, Roughead has produced the form of his life, kicking 59 goals while adding another big-bodied weapon to Alastair Clarkson's midfield.

Going in to tonight's blockbuster against Collingwood at the MCG, Roughead sits second in the Coleman Medal race behind West Coast's Josh Kennedy.

But it has been his stints in the midfield that have helped the No.2 draft pick show his full armoury and become one of the most versatile and complete players in the game.

He has averaged 3.1 goals and 16 possessions a match, up from three and 12 in his 2008 premiership campaign.

"It's definitely my most consistent year," Roughead told the Herald Sun.

"In 2008, I might only have eight or nine touches and kick a couple (of goals) a game."

He said he was enjoying his time in the midfield because "I can go get the nut rather than just having it delivered it to me all the time".

Dixon, the 203-game forward who helped mentor Roughead on the field and later as forwards coach, said the 26-year-old's year so far was a "9 1/2 out of 10".

Dixon said Roughead, who re-signed this year for two more seasons, was more important to the Hawks on-field than Franklin.

"I love 'Franko', but Roughead has been more consistent and the reward he is getting in front of goal now is enormous," he said.

"He doesn't miss his shots and the versatility he has shown playing inside the centre square and not as a ruckman - he just has an uncanny ability for a big man below his knees.

"He is so clean it's amazing and he has learnt how to use that big body as a weapon. He is a beast.

"And he has a lot of presence on and off the field."

Dixon said Roughead was a strong candidate to take over from Luke Hodge as Hawthorn's next captain, such was the respect teammates had for him.

"He is so level-headed and extremely well respected," Dixon said.

"Part of that is the way he holds himself on the field and away from the footy club.

"But you talk to (fitness coach) Andrew Russell and go through the figures over the last five years.

"Of the key-position players he rates in 90th percentile for workrate.

"He doesn't miss a session, he does everything to a tee and, aside from that achilles injury, his body never breaks down. That's because he ticks every box. His preparation is flawless."

Franklin, who is seventh in this year's Coleman Medal race with 47 goals, paid tribute to his teammate this week, saying Roughead's impact on games was still underrated.

"Roughy is in terrific form. He has had an unbelievable season," Franklin said on SEN. "I reckon Roughy would be winning the best-and-fairest by a long way.

"Every week he is kicking goals and getting a lot of touches, and the best thing about him is he is a team player."

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Players could sue Bombers, says lawyer

Players ... Essendon could be liable of the health of players was overlooked. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

ESSENDON and key officials could face legal action from the club's own players, according to the lawyer representing former Cronulla Sharks player Isaac Gordon.

James Chrara, of Shine Lawyers, said the health and well-being of players would become a focus as the supplements saga dragged on.

He said it was possible the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation, which was continuing, could turn up evidence that showed the club or club officials had failed in their duty of care to players.

It is understood there is effectively no time limit on when a player could bring action. It is possible that ill-effects from supplements could emerge at a much later date.

Some Essendon players are known to have expressed concern about the possibility of future health problems since the supplements program was brought to light in February.

Essendon coach James Hird on Tuesday maintained "none of our players have (been) shown to take performance-enhancing drugs, none of our players have shown that they've been harmed by anything that's been given".

The AFL on Tuesday night laid disrepute charges against the club, Hird, senior assistant Mark Thompson, club doctor Bruce Reid and football manager Danny Corcoran.

The charges will be heard at an AFL Commission hearing on August 26.

The league could also lay future charges under its rules against former Essendon high performance staff Dean Robinson and Stephen Dank, although any sanction would be moot as neither is now working in the AFL.

Dank has maintained that no Essendon player was given a performance-enhancing or harmful drug.

The AFL said that on the evidence it had, no doping charges would be brought against individual players.

Future infraction notices may be issued as ASADA continues to investigate.

It is understood that a lack of clarity around which players were given what could make charges unlikely - but would not mean they were not exposed to potentially harmful supplements.

Gordon was at the Sharks in 2011 - the period which is under ASADA investigation - and claims that as a result of the supplements program there, he suffered a blood-thinning disorder, severe bruising and was told by doctors that a blow to the head could have been fatal.

Chrara said each player's case had to be weighed on merit.

"We're focused on the outcomes for the players - our view is there may be multiple causes of action available to the Essendon players against their club, coaching staff and players," he said.

"It would depend on the players' individual circumstances in the program.

"I understand there was some tailoring of supplement programs for individual players, what they were exposed to, so you need to assess every case on its merits.

"It is pretty clear that Essendon's management and coaches and trainers have got a legal duty to the players - this is to do all they responsibly can to prevent the players being injured or exposed to harm."

Chrara would not say if Shine was representing any Essendon players.

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Legal army could cost Dons, AFL $4mil

Battle ... James Hird has his own legal team. Source: Scott Barbour / Getty Images

ESSENDON will be forced to increase its $5 million debt to pay for skyrocketing legal costs as it fights a charge of bringing the game into disrepute.

The real winners from the legal battle are the lawyers working for the AFL and the Bombers, with some estimates suggesting the eventual combined legal cost could reach $4 million.

The AFL has retained Minter Ellison, while Essendon and James Hird are using separate representatives.

The cost of the fight would escalate if Essendon takes its battle to the Supreme Court, where barristers and senior counsel who charge as much as $10,000 a day would be needed.

If the club is found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute, it could also face a multi-million-dollar fine from the AFL.

The Bombers are also protecting lucrative sponsorships with Kia Motors and True Value Solar, with large companies increasingly demanding get-out clauses for controversies.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou this year called Kia to give it what he called "code perspective" and assure it the Dons were complying with the AFL-ASADA investigation.

The Bombers had already warned their fans the club could take on some debt to bridge a funding shortfall for its high-performance centre at Melbourne Airport.

Essendon said in its annual report last year it had secured $19 million of $25.5 million funding for the centre.

But "as a result of the likely capital shortfall the club will take on a manageable amount of debt to complete construction by the middle of 2013".

The club reported a $401,429 profit last year and at that time forecast it would pay down its debt by 2015.

For the first time in many years Essendon finds itself owing a significant sum - about $5 million - due almost exclusively to the Melbourne Airport development.

Hird has hired Ashurst industrial law expert Steven Amendola, human rights lawyer and QC Julian Burnside, veteran spin doctor Ian Hanke and has been advised by barrister friend Nick Harrington.

Linked to Essendon are QC Jack Rush, leading criminal lawyer Tony Hargraves, and communications firm The Shannon Company.

Essendon and the AFL will be using their legal representatives to potentially broker a deal and run the case before the AFL Commission, but lawyers will hit pay dirt if the case goes to court.

Legal experts said a standard pay structure meant if a barrister or senior counsel charged $10,000 a day, their hourly rate would be $1000.

One of Essendon's coterie groups is the Law Dons, a legal group of Bomber supporters formed by judge Tony Howard in 1999, so it has no shortage of legal experts among supporter ranks.

The Bombers recently projected a profit in a series of figures provided to AFL chief executives at a two-day conference in Creswick - one of a minority of clubs to be able to do so - but acknowledged potential fines and legal costs were yet to be factored in.

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