By Sam Gleeson

PLAYER manager Liam Pickering has spoken out about his client Travis Tuck, following a difficult week for the Hawthorn player.

Tuck was suspended for twelve weeks, after failing the AFL's three-strike illicit drugs policy.

"It was a tough week for Travis and his family, it all happened last weekend, I was with Travis first thing Sunday morning, and we went through where he was at," Pickering said on AFL Live.

Pickering confessed he did not know about Tuck's problems, because "they (players) are advised not to tell anyone about the strikes and the depression."

"The support he has had from the club, the player’s association and the police has been fantastic. The police could not have been any better in the way they treated Travis and the whole issue."

"He was treated (by the police) exactly the same as everyone else...and he’s going really well and hopefully he’s on the improve."

By Sam Gleeson

FREMANTLE assistant coach Simon Lloyd believes home ground advantage will be a huge impact on today's results, as the Dockers prepare to host Hawthorn at Subiaco this afternoon.

Lloyd highlighted the Hawks poor form on the road, in particular at Subiaco as a distinct advantage to the Dockers, who will go into the game fresh off an eight day break.

"It has been pretty light (training week), the load is chopping and changing depending on travel. Hawthorn have won most games this year at the MCG and Tasmania and lost a number of games on the road, hopefully that where we can get them," Lloyd told AFL Live.

Lloyd is confident in the playing group, which features eleven first or second year players, an AFL record for a finals game.

"It’s really what we set ourselves for this year; we have performed above people’s expectations...there’s been a lot of hard work put in and this is what we play for."

By Sam Gleeson

HAWTHORN have made one late change for this afternoon's elimination final against Fremantle at Subiaco, with Carl Peterson replaced by Rick Ladson.

Fremantle have named an unchanged line-up, as they look to book a place in the semi-final against Geelong.

By Sam Gleeson

INJURED Western Bulldogs midfielder Adam Cooney believes the Bulldogs have the confidence to overcome the Magpies in tonight's qualifying final at the MCG.

After an inconsistent season, Cooney says the players have built momentum and the belief to challenge for the flag.

 “We finished top 4 for a reason, obviously Collingwood have been the team to beat this season, but we go into the game with a huge belief that we can win,” Cooney said on Triple M.

Cooney also admitted the club did everything in it's power to escape opposition spies by scheduling training sessions in different locations at late notice.

“I think this time of year you try and get every edge you can, so we went to a different spot to try some different things out without anyone knowing.”

By Sam Gleeson

FORMER Sydney forward Michael O'Loughlin believes the decision to hold the elimination final against Carlton at ANZ Stadium will not favour the Blues.

"I would say yes (the SCG would be the prefered ground), either way they play pretty well at both grounds," O'Loughlin told AFL Live.

The premiership player labelled the Swans the form side of the competition and is confident can move into the next stage of the finals.

"I think it’s going to be a great game, Swans are the form team, the last four weeks have been fantastic and Carlton will have their work cut out for them."

O'Loughlin also paid tribute to coach Paul Roos, as he prepares for his last game as coach of the Swans in Sydney.

"You can look at all the players who have come through the club, who have gone onto become All Australians premiership players. He gets the best out of all the guys that come through the system. He’s been an unbelievable player and do to what he has done as a coach is a credit to himself."

By Sam Gleeson

COLLINGWOD assistant coach Nathan Buckley says the player's consistent performances all year must continue in the finals series, starting with this evening's qualifying final against the Bulldogs.

Having finished on top of the table and beaten the Bulldogs twice this season, the Magpies go into the MCG clash as firm favourites.

"We understand that during the course of the year we have been able to perform consistently, we have to be involved in the game, subdue your opponent then to get the game won. The players have had to reach that level themselves and it starts from scratch every week. That’s the task to match and surpass their intensity if we want to get the result," Buckley told Triple M.

"I think there are some things in footy that don’t change; win contested footy and get the ball in the forward line more than your opposition."

Buckley also debated Collingwood's poor converting in front of goal, explaining many of the shots come from wide positions.

"It has been well focused on; we missed a few set shots, we kick a lot of points, we go inside 50 a lot and we are not afraid to play contested footy in there. We convert pretty well in front of the goal, but we do go a little wide at times and when you take shots out there you won’t convert as well."

By Sam Gleeson

MAL Brown, father of Hawthorn defender Campbell Brown admits he has not spoken to his son about his future.

The 27-year-old has been linked to the Gold Coast Suns all season and this afternoon's elimination final against Fremantle at Subiaco could mark his final game for the Hawks

"You never know in footy; you can’t say yes, you can’t say know, because I don’t know," Brown confessed on AFL Live.

"I don’t think it's money, he’s never been about money, He is 27 years old, he’s got a lovely girlfriend and he has to look at himself."

By Sam Gleeson

ESSENDON great Scott Lucas has not ruled out James Hird as the next coach of the Essendon Football Club.

Lucas was yesterday named on a three man panel, along with chief executive Ian Robson and football operations manager Paul Hamilton, who will decide the man to replace Matthew Knights, with Hird being linked.

“I don’t know that he’s out of the race. If you take it from face value, then it’s most unlikely. I haven’t spoken to him recently, almost deliberately its not something that i want," Lucas said on AFL Live.

Lucas is a former teammate and good friend of Hird, but admits he must respect the process and put friendships to the side.

"Now that I am involved in the process, their can’t be a lot of mate speak about this; this sits above that and I need to respect the process and take a step back.”