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The opening salvo of Sundays AFL game between Geelong and Essendon will be a reminder of how potent a simple change of scenery can be.Cats ruckman Zac Smith will battle Bombers counterpart Matthew Leuenberger at Etihad Stadium.Smith and Leuenberger have both impressed at their respective clubs in 2016.Both relocated from Queensland to Victoria during last years off-season frenzy.Smith sought the counsel of Gold Coast skipper - and good friend - Gary Ablett before deciding to shift in search of greener pastures and greater opportunity.It was a sound decision.Smith has played all 17 games this year and is a key part of the premiership contenders, having totalled just 29 matches in his previous three seasons at the Suns.I had a rough run with injuries, Smith said.I really wanted a fresh start. Coming down here, its really rejuvenated me and the club has been fantastic.A new perspectives on the way I play and those sort of things.The Bombers may be at the foot of the ladder but the career of Leuenberger, a former No.4 draft pick, is no longer at the crossroads.Leuenberger left Brisbane as a free agent, hoping a reduced travel load and better facilities would halt a run of serious injuries.Sure enough the fit-again big man has carried the bulk of the ruck burden at the Bombers in a taxing 2016, missing just two games.The 28-year-old cant wait to clash with Smith.Hes a real athletic type. I know Zac pretty well, I saw him coming through on the Gold Coast as a kid, Leuenberger said.Were fairly similar ages - Im a couple of years older than him. I feel like Ive got a good feel on his game.The feeling is mutual.Hes a really quality ruckman, theres no doubt, Smith said.Ive just got to bring what Ive been bringing all season ... I can definitely beat him if I bring those things.Geelongs Rhys Stanley is another to have revitalised his career after switching clubs, having only showed glimpses of his potential prior to leaving St Kilda in 2014.He and I have been working really closely ever since I got to the club, Smith said.Our combination in the ruck and going forward has been working really well. . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. . After Mondays hard-fought loss, the wait seemed longer than usual. Getting set to go their separate ways for a short Christmas break, the Raptors coach credited his team for their effort on a seemingly impossible three-game road trip, urging them to build on that success when they get back to work at the end of the week. . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he w
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