Cotchin, 18, is yet to resume full training because of achilles tendon and calf problems and has already been ruled out of early NAB Cup participation, which begins for the Tigers on February 15 against Fremantle in Perth.
Two "new" faces ready to resurrect their careers are Mark Coughlan and Andrew Raines, who are both likely to play against the Dockers next month.
NORTH Melbourne forward Aaron Edwards will not play an AFL game before round five of the home and away season after being caught speeding and then refusing an alcohol test.
Edwards played four games for West Coast in 2005 and 26 for North in 2007-08, but was sidelined for most of last season when he broke his leg in a game in round six.
Second-year utility Tom Collier has added 7kg of muscle to his athletic frame.
Even tagger Troy Selwood has bulked up considerably.
Premiership players Daniel Kerr, Adam Hunter, Beau Waters, Sam Butler, Ashley Hansen and Andrew Embley are likely to be rested, as are youngsters Chris Masten, Mitch Brown and Brad Ebert.
Regardless, rookie-listed ruckman Will Sullivan is likely to be given an opportunity to share the ruck duties with Mark Seaby.
In the second half of 2006, a then 21-year-old Murphy illustrated why Fremantle parted with their first selection, No. 12 overall, in the 2003 national draft to acquire the lanky talent from Gippsland.
With the Dockers sweeping all before them, Murphy stepped up and became an important factor in their finals surge, kicking bags of five and four goals in a seven-game stretch in which he booted 16 majors.
The highly rated 22-year-old was doing tackling drills on Friday when he injured his right shoulder — the same shoulder that required surgery a year ago, forcing him to miss 15 games.
Carlton football operations manager Steven Icke said Walker had scans on Friday afternoon and would visit his surgeon on Tuesday for a full assessment.
While Lewis Roberts-Thomson filled in at key times in the ruck last season, international rookie Mike Pyke, Jesse White and Currie all have claims on the role this year.
Currie showed he can be a dangerous forward option as well, with 10 goals in three reserves finals last September including three against Belconnen in a thrilling one-point grand final triumph.
"This pre-season I've dropped a bit of weight which has helped me train harder. Last year I was playing at 77 or 78 kg I think, but I'm at 74 kg now.”
Having broken through for 18 games in his first season, Wonaeamirri proved to be one of the steals of the rookie draft with his exciting play one of the bright spots in an otherwise dreary year for the Dees.
"Young Taylor Walker has been exceptional on the track and he's ready to have a go, whereas last year I didn't feel he was quite ready. Nick Gill's been able to stay on the track at the moment and we know what (Jason) Porplyzia can do up there.
"James Sellar, I couldn't have asked him to do any more than he's doing at the moment and Kurt Tippett, we've got big hopes for him as well."
Triple Ross Glendinning medallist Paul Hasleby is set to be unleashed against Richmond in Fremantle’s NAB Cup opener at Subiaco Oval on February 15.
Hasleby, who is training without limitation, is on track to play against the Tigers in his first game of football since rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament in the 2008 pre-season competition.
Older heads at the club rate McCarthy highly and despite finishing the season looking very much at home at senior, he is the last person to be getting ahead of himself.
"Everyone is fresh and there are not too many injured boys, so I definitely don't think I'm any certainty to play Round 1. But it would be fantastic if I could," he said.
The Queenslander's attacking role has been fast-tracked by Hamish McIntosh as chief ruckman, the development of understudy Todd Goldstein and the versatility of vice-captain Drew Petrie.
The forward line's wealth of options extend to VFL grand final hero Josh Smith, key position prospect Lachlan Hansen and elevated rookie Michael Wundke – "a beautiful kick" – all part of the shuffle created by Shannon Grant and Nathan Thompson's retirement.
With Hansen coming off knee surgery, his appearance in the NAB Cup clash with the Magpies on February 7 is doubtful.
With a hint at a role further up the ground for Hansen, the 25 year-old said despite the Eagles lowly 15th placed finish last year, finals football was the goal in 2009.
Good news for Saints fans is tagger Steven Baker, who played only two senior games last year because of a knee injury, has rejoined the main training group.
Defender Matt Maguire, restricted to only four appearances in 2008 because of a series of foot and leg injuries, is on his way to full fitness and the chance to finally play his 100th game.
“Michael Hurley is probably in line for selection, and David Zaharakas – who’s had a bit of a groin complaint – is a good chance (as is) Tyson Slattery, who we took later in the draft.
“At this stage I would have thought only Prismall (will miss). We’re planning for Alwyn to play the last one or two practice matches and I have said if he can complete two games, I’m happy to go with him in round one if his knees feel fine and the medical staff are fine.
The versatile tall debuted in the round 16 Showdown against Port Adelaide and shot to prominence with four goals in just his third game, leading Adelaide to an eight-point win over Carlton in round 18.
"We've got Griffo and Ivan Maric as good, solid ruckman, plus Kurt Tippett up front as well. In an ideal world it would be me playing defence but it's not always going to be that way."
Rhys Palmer, Steven Dodd, Ryan Crowley and Daniel Gilmore are training the house down ahead of the opening NAB Cup game against Richmond at Subiaco Oval in less than a month but Fremantle does have some injury concerns.
Hayden Ballantyne, who kicked 75 goals in the WAFL and won the 2008 Sandover Medal, is facing a race against time to be ready for the start of the season after wrist surgery.
Swallow featured in 12 games in a solid 2006 debut season before playing every match in 2007, including the preliminary final loss to Port Adelaide.
"I played the first three and Dean (coach Dean Laidley) just said, 'Go back and get a bit more form' and they wanted me to play a bit more as an outside midfielder and work on my running," Swallow said.
ADELAIDE onballer Brad Symes will be out of action for up to eight weeks after breaking bones in both hands in a post-training mishap.
Symes, 23, accepted a ride on the back of a vehicle last Friday instead of walking the distance from Max Basheer Reserve to the club’s temporary change rooms on the Western side of AAMI Stadium.
Cooney is still two weeks away from proper running after knee surgery in October.
He says he copped plenty of attention last year from close-checking taggers so he knows what lies ahead.
"He's coming along in leaps and bounds," says Darren Jolly, who is working with Pyke on his rucking skills. "He does his homework, asks lots of questions, he's fit, strong and is picking the game up quickly."
"Absolutely," Jolly says. "I'd put him in first round if I had the chance. He still needs to work on marking and kicking but everything else is coming along really well."
Kennelly will return to Ireland at the end of the season - after 10 years away from his family and Gaelic football - to follow in the footsteps of his late father, Tim, in that code. After two of the most frustrating AFL seasons of his career, years punctuated by injuries, Kennelly hopes he can be fit enough to enjoy his final season in the game.
After missing just six matches of the 121 the Swans played between 2002 and 2006, a knee injury in 2007, then shoulder and groin problems last year, limited the 27-year-old to just 12 of the 47 games the club played in the past two seasons.
O'Keefe was adamant the Swans would remain a legitimate finals and premiership contender.
With premiership winning forward Nick Davis delisted and key forwards Barry Hall and Michael O'Loughlin over 30, O'Keefe was looking for youngsters Patrick Veszpremi, Ed Barlow and Heath Grundy to step up this year.
"(Assistant coach) David Noble has taken over the forwards [group] this year. Nobes has added some more flexibility to the forward line and I think you’ll see a bit more flair this year too, especially with guys like Tex (Walker), Kurt Tippett and also James Sellar, who has been training really well," Jacky said.
"Richie Douglas played that small forward role well last year, but with a few boys from last year leaving he’ll get a go in the midfield along with Porpa (Porplyzia), so there’s definitely a spot there.
Mark Coughlan, the club's 2003 best-and-fairest, is on track for a comeback in the Tigers' opening NAB Cup match against Fremantle on February 15 at Subiaco.
Since his best-and-fairest win, Coughlan has played just 44 of a possible 88 games after back-to-back knee reconstructions.
“To be named captain of the oldest club in the land is a prestigious honour. To be able to follow on from names such as Smith, Barassi, Flower, Lyon and more recently Neitz will be a great challenge, which I am really looking forward to.”
McDonald was appointed captain following a vote where each player awarded a 5-4-3-2-1 vote for the players who displayed the greatest leadership qualities.
Meanwhile, boom West Coast teenager Nick Natainui had successful surgery on his troublesome left knee yesterday.
Bock is not on his own with his last wish, with as many as 22 Bombers having been on modified training programs.
Mark McVeigh is close to rejoining the main group after breaking his toe, back victims Darcy Daniher and Jason Winderlich won't feature in the NAB Cup, while Alwyn Davey is also unlikely.
"I want to train well and play round one of the NAB Cup, which will come from working hard. I want to play one senior game, and if I get a spot, I want to play well and not give it up," McKenna said.
McKenna played 19 matches in the Cats' VFL side in 2008, booting 10 goals in the opening half of the season before switching to defence.
Duffield will be sidelined for up to a month, making him an unlikely starter for the February 15 game against the Tigers at Subiaco Oval.
Weighing 12 kilograms more than when he was drafted, he said he was enjoying tackling his first injury-free pre-season since arriving at Kardinia Park three years ago.
Hogan, who was named an emergency several times last year, said he was determined to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Brent Prismall.
SEASON one: dislocated elbow. Season two: shoulder surgery. Season three: ankle reconstruction.
While he has played predominantly as a half-forward to date, Higgins is hoping more midfield opportunities open up this season.
The coaches had Prestigiacomo positioned at the start of the drill on John Anthony in the forward line. The veteran’s closing speed hindered Anthony’s ability to get to the ball and was thus held goalless for the first half.
Prestigiacomo continued his defensive play on the wing taking opponent’s Dane Swan and Alan Toovey at various stages. A new-look Prestigacomo was calling for the ball for the entire drill and looked comfortable with taking an outstretched mark on the lead from teammate Dale Thomas.
Two seasons without missing a game had been followed by a great pre-season where he completed every session and was as fit as he’d ever been.
In round two last year, the Tigers fell to North Melbourne by 41 points and were dealt an extra blow when Raines dislocated his kneecap.
"We've just got to deal with that (Croad's injury) as best as we can and guys will get an opportunity to step up and go to the next level, hopefully," Gilham said.
"Guys like Ryan Schoenmakers and Jordan Lisle, particularly in the backline … I definitely think they will get their opportunity in the NAB Cup."
BRISBANE Lions coach Michael Voss has shown disciplinary breaches will not be tolerated by fining wayward forward Rhan Hooper $40,000. Hooper, who faced the sack after multiple contract breaches, had no choice but to accept the reduced contract to salvage his career.
Voss, who trained with the 21-year-old Hooper during the Christmas holidays, has shown he will be as uncompromising a coach as he was a player when it comes to disciplinary issues.
Firrito’s pre-season achievements have encouraged him to consider a part-time return to the midfield, where he spent the early portion of his 105 games, but feels he has too much “unfinished business” to vacate the backline completely.
“I’ll play wherever the coach wants me though I’d love to get back up there (in the midfield),” he said. “I still want to play down back because I feel like I play pretty good footy down there.
He was the first Cat across the line in yesterday's Pier to Pub swim at Lorne and hopes to start running this week with the view to playing in Round 1.
"I missed pretty much half the year and battled through the second half of the year with that injury and that was a big part of the reason I missed the Grand Final," he said.
WEST Coast prize recruit Nick Naitanui will miss the start of the 2009 season with a knee injury.
Naitanui, snared by the Eagles with pick No.2 in last year's national draft, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his knee early next week after experiencing soreness as his pre-season training load increased.
Fosdike was drafted by the Swans at overall selection No.3 in the 1998 national draft, and the South Australian went on to play 164 senior games with the Swans. As the club continues to blend youth such as Craig Bird, Jarred Moore and Pat Veszpremi into their senior line-up, Fosdike's expected departure will mean that seven members of the 2005 grand final winning team have now left, with Ben Mathews and Nick Davis departing at the end of last season.
One premiership player who isn't going anywhere just yet though is Irishman Tadhg Kennelly, with the club scoffing at a report in an Irish newspaper that the defender had held talks with the Swans earlier this week and was heading home and "return to [County] Kerry full-time within the next two weeks".
CARLTON recruit Robbie Warnock has been sidelined for up to eight weeks with a stress fracture in his foot.
Warnock's setback is further bad news for the Blues, who have Heath Scotland (foot), Brad Fisher (elbow), Adam Bentick (hip) and Adam Hartlett (knee) still recovering.
Brisbane are a tall side and are starting to look as if they can match it physically with any side in the competition.
Matthew Leuenberger (102kg) and Mitch Clark (99kg) have each added 4kg of muscle to their developing frames, while second-year players Lachlan Henderson (95kg) and Tom Collier (86kg) have also benefited from another summer in the gym.
The 20-year-old played the first 10 games last year before form and then his foot problem kept him out of the senior side for the rest of the season.
Geelong assistant coach Brendan McCartney said Hawkins should play against Adelaide at Telstra Dome on February 21, but the club was wary of not pushing him too hard.
"The ones burning up the track are guys like Steven Dodd, (Garrick) Ibbotson, (Ryan) Crowley and (Daniel) Gilmore.
"Stephen Hill is also holding his own, and guys like Ryan Murphy, (Paul) Duffield and (David) Mundy have undergone a great transition in their bodies, so I would expect a lot of improvement in them."
The second-year coach plans to play Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas, Jay Neagle and the returning Scott Gumbleton up forward, and to assign other tall timber to the attacking half.
Gumbleton, a 197cm centre half-forward from WA who was pick No.2 in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft, has played only five games in two seasons due to injury, but the Bombers says he is sizzling in the pre-season, recently recording a remarkable 15.4 beep test.
"Mick is still taking some time, and we're not rushing him," assistant coach John Longmire said. "He had a big operation, and fortunately he's a pretty good touch player. He had a good pre-season last year so he's got a bit of training under his belt. We expect him to just ease into it. We're not going to rush him. He's still a number of weeks away. He's just getting moving now with his running."
Asked who might miss round one, Longmire said: "Mick is probably the only one with a question mark. However, we're still confident."
"Hurls is a pretty good size for a young kid. Then we've got Tayte Pears, and he's looking pretty good training-wise.
"Darcy Daniher is the other one, too, that's back into training, so, there are three or four guys there that can step into fullback.
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