The Blues are likely to have midfielders Sam Walsh and Matt Kennedy return this week, along with Acres. McKay’s potential ban also means there is likely to be greater focus on fellow tall Tom De Koning to make an imprint.

The Blues admit they have work to do in securing De Koning, 23, on a fresh contract. Football department chief Brad Lloyd denied a new deal had been reached with De Koning’s manager Robbie D’Orazio, for the Blues are still determining what he is worth.

“It’s an interesting one, the young ruckman, and where Tom is at. It is hard to put a value on these guys and how they come on, and they are developing. He is a long-term player for us,” Lloyd said.

“He seems really happy at the footy club, and really important for us. We will work through that at the appropriate time, but we are having good communication with his management. It’s certainly not close”

AFL great Leigh Matthews said De Koning, the back-up ruck to Marc Pittonet and a third key tall up forward, is worth a three-year deal up to $600,000. De Koning had 11 touches, booted a goal and had six hit outs against the Kangaroos.

All-Australian defender Adam Saad is excited about the Blues’ possibilities this season. Saad is off to an excellent start individually, but is even more pleased the Blues negotiated the first four rounds without a defeat – including a round-one draw – while still having plenty to improve upon, including removing their inconsistency within matches.

It is the Blues’ best start to a season since 1995, when they won their most recent premiership. However, they now head to the Adelaide Oval, where they have lost all six of their matches.

“It’s good [to be] undefeated, but we’ve got a lot to work on,” Saad said.

“It’s a big challenge next week against Adelaide ... we’re looking forward to.

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“Even though we’re not playing our best footy we’re still getting the wins, and last year we missed out [on finals] by percentage, so to bank them early and hopefully build on that consistency is something we’re really striving to do.”

Reigning Coleman medallist Curnow now has a league-best 16 majors through the first month.

“We know even if they’re not kicking goals they’re getting the ball to ground and getting the smalls into the game,” Saad said. “So we know the contest is going to be there, and it was only a matter of time before they got some goals on the board, which is good.

“We obviously know that we’ve got Harry and Charlie, who are massive keys, [but] we want to get everyone into the game and not be so reliant on them two, so we’re trying to add dimensions to our game inside our 50.”

The Blues moved into top spot with their second-half overpowering of the Kangaroos, and Saad said the increased familiarity with coach Michael Voss’ game plan was paying dividends, more so than last year’s results heightening confidence.

“There’s always been belief, but it’s another year under ‘Vossy’, the system, and we’re building synergy out on the ground for players,” he said.

“It’s really exciting going forward what we can achieve, so we’re just going to keep working hard and trying to get better each day.”

Saad, who is averaging 24 disposals, nine intercept possessions and almost 500 metres gained, is in the middle of Ramadan, which runs from the evening of March 22 to April 21.

The 156-gamer fasts from dawn to sunset during this period each year – abstaining from all food and drinks – which means getting up early each day to ensure he can still fuel his body enough to fulfil his football obligations.

“It’s the holy month for Muslims around the world, and it’s such a spiritual month and that’s a lot [about] forgiveness. It’s a monthly reflection,” Saad said.

“It’s getting up early at 4.30 in the morning and eating the right foods and hydrating well and just having faith in God to give us the strength to get through. I like playing during this month, and I just want to keep being consistent.”

Captain Dawson stars as Adelaide down Dockers

AAP

Jordan Dawson’s inspired display has propelled Adelaide to a 39-point win over Fremantle as the Dockers’ lurch into early season strife continues.

Dawson collected 28 disposals and kicked a goal in the Crows’ 17.9 (111) to 10.12 (72) triumph at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

The victory squares Adelaide’s win-loss ledger after four rounds but Fremantle, finalists last season, are in the mire with one win and three losses.

Adelaide’s Taylor Walker kicked four goals and teammates Izak Rankine and Josh Rachele slotted three each.

Dawson was superb in a roaming role in midfield and defence, winning five clearances, laying six tackles and having five inside 50s and five rebound 50s.

Triple club champion Rory Laird also gathered 28 possessions and Brodie Smith (24 touches) offered great dash from half-back.

Adelaide’s Jake Soligo (21, two goals), Chayce Jones (21 touches) and Rory Sloane (23 possessions) also helped overwhelm a lacklustre Fremantle.

Dockers Caleb Serong (28 touches) and Angus Brayshaw (31) were outstanding while Lachie Schultz, Bailey Banfield and Matt Taberner kicked two goals apiece.

Adelaide, with ex-captain Walker kicking two early goals, set the tone by skipping to a 17-point lead at quarter time, 6.1 to 3.2.

The Crows converted half of their dozen entries into their attacking 50m into goals.

Adelaide’s dominance continued in the second quarter with skipper Dawson the architect - his match-high 17 disposals until half-time featured four clearances and three inside 50s.

The Crows kicked four goals to one in the second term to create a commanding six-goal half-time advantage, 10.4 to 4.4.

Fremantle lifted their collective work-rate in the third quarter but couldn’t make much of a dent in Adelaide’s lead.

Freo’s Schultz kicked the visitors’ two goals for the term, punctuated by an accurate 50m bomb from Adelaide’s influential Dawson.

The skipper’s strike was the home side’s sole major in the term as the Crows took a 32-point lead into three quarter-time, 11.8 to 6.6.

Adelaide then iced the victory with another six goals to four in the final term to bank consecutive wins.

Cats name premiership players for Easter Monday

Roy Ward

Geelong will bring back three premiership players for their Easter Monday clash with Hawthorn at the MCG, while the Hawks have declared Chad Wingard will be their substitute.

Mitch Duncan and Jake Kolodjashnij will make their first appearance of 2023 after missing the first three matches while Rhys Stanley returns after being managed last round.

Ruckman Jon Ceglar will be managed this week as Stanley returns to the first ruck role while Sam De Koning is out due to injury and young recruits Tanner Bruhn and Oliver Henry drop to the emergencies.

The Hawks have named an unchanged side and declared Wingard their substitute for Monday’s game due to the short turnaround to their Gather Round clash in Adelaide next weekend.

“We’re really pleased to have Chad back into the side on Monday after a couple of weeks out,” Hawks head of football Rob McCartney said.

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“Given we have a six-day break into Gather Round in Adelaide, we’ve opted to have Chad as our sub this week to ensure his availability for both games.

“His presence in our side adds experience, leadership as well as his obvious talent that can help to shift the course of a game, so his return gives us a big boost.”

Last week’s Hawthorn substitute Lachlan Bramble is listed among the emergencies with Wingard, Jacob Koschitzke and James Blanck.

Geelong’s emergencies are Brandan Parfitt, Henry, Bruhn, and Ceglar, with their substitute to be named closer to game time.