ST KILDA Ross Lyon would like Michael Gardiner  to have "two or three games" in the VFL before restarting his AFL career but the St Kilda coach suggested yesterday that the former West Coast ruckman could come into contention after only one good reserves game. Gardiner has been working hard to overcome a groin strain and a foot injury sustained during the pre-season and is likely to play his first match for the Casey Scorpions against Sandringham on Sunday. "He's a super athlete and he doesn't take long to come to hand," Lyon said. "Losing defenders (Max) Hudghton, (Matt) Maguire, Sam Fisher — it puts you under pressure."

Three earn a slapped wrist

TRIBUNAL The AFL Tribunal will not sit tonight after Carlton duo Brendan Fevola and Lance Whitnall and Western Bulldogs midfielder Nathan Eagleton all made early guilty pleas and received reprimands. Because of his previous poor record, Fevola risked a one-match ban if he unsuccessfully challenged a striking charge against West Coast's Tyson Stenglein. By pleading guilty, Fevola had 90 points added to his future record. Whitnall (tripping) and Eagleton (attempting to trip) had 70.31 and 45 points respectively added to their future records. Richmond first-gamer Jake King and Bulldogs star Scott West were fined $900 apiece for wrestling in last Friday's clash at the MCG.

Skipper has broken hand

RICHMOND Tigers captain Kane Johnson has been playing with a broken hand, his coach Terry Wallace revealed yesterday. Wallace said Johnson broke a bone in his hand while shepherding against Collingwood in round three, but decided to play on against the Western Bulldogs last week, given the number of injuries to key players at the club. Johnson will continue to play with the injury on Saturday when the Tigers host ladder leader West Coast at the MCG. Wallace said Johnson would be one of several players charged with the task of minding dominant midfield duo Chris Judd and Daniel Kerr. The coach said forward Nathan Brown was still some weeks away from returning after experiencing soreness in the leg he broke two years ago. Brown had resumed running.

Probe into test leak

DRUGS The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority is investigating claims of a leak concerning an AFL drugs test. ASADA has confirmed it was verifying its testing procedures and was interviewing the staff members involved in a visit to Port Adelaide on Monday. It is believed ASADA conducted standard random tests on five Power players for performance-enhancing substances. An anonymous caller to Adelaide radio station 5AA last Saturday correctly gave notice of the testing. The man spoke off-air to Port legend Russell Ebert, who is the AFL club's community youth program manager. "No one from the AFL or the 16 clubs is notified as to when testing will occur under the ASADA testing process," the AFL said in a statement. AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said the league was concerned about the apparent leak. "… Randomness and confidentiality of when testing may occur are important elements of the ASADA policy …" Anderson said.
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