to captain the footy club ... growing up, (I was) barracking for the club, Heppell told AFL360..ddddddddddddIts a childhood dream, I guess.Ive developed a lot as a leader over the last few years and really thats under Jobes guidance.There are a lot of fantastic leaders at that footy club and weve seen

BASTAD, Sweden -- Top seeds Tomas Berdych and Nicolas Almagro began the Swedish Open by reaching the quarterfinals on Thursday. Berdych and Almagro received first-round byes, and had contrasting wins. Almagro, a three-time finalist in Bastad, got off to a rough start against fellow Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez but rallied to win 3-6, 6-1, 6-1. His next opponent, Fernando Verdasco, also of Spain, beat Jan-Lennard Struff in straight sets. Berdych, the No. 1 seed in the clay-court tournament, easily defeated Argentine Martin Alund 6-3, 6-0. It was the Czechs first match since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. Next up for Berdych is Thiemo De Bakker, the Dutchman who survived two match points before eliminating Viktor Troicki of Serbia 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (6). Wholesale Custom Athletics Shirts . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. Authentic Custom Athletics Jersey . The 17-year-old native of Marystown, N.L., pulled out of Skate Canada International last month in Saint John, N.B., with the same problem. http://www.customathleticsjersey.com/ . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. Custom Tony Phillips Jersey . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. Tony Phillips Jersey Large . The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling "puts an end to my dreams of being a top player," the 27-year-old Troicki said in a statement. "I worked my entire life for it, and it has been taken away from me in one afternoon by a doctor I didnt know," said Troicki, whose ranking peaked at No. Dyson Heppell has declared himself ready to take over as Essendon captain, saying it would be the realisation of a childhood AFL dream.But the star onballer added there are plenty of strong candidates.There is speculation that even if Jobe Watson returns to the club, Heppell might become the new captain.Watson was skipper until this year, when he and Heppell were among 12 Essendon players suspended for offences relating to the clubs supplements debacle.Heppell was vice-captain last year, while Brendon Goddard was captain this season.He returned from his ban on Wednesday along with all the banned players except Watson, who must wait another week.Watson is yet to announce his AFL future and is meeting this week with the club.Heppell has made no secret of his captaincy ambition.Id love to captain the footy club ... growing up, (I was) barracking for the club, Heppell told AFL360..ddddddddddddIts a childhood dream, I guess.Ive developed a lot as a leader over the last few years and really thats under Jobes guidance.There are a lot of fantastic leaders at that footy club and weve seen the emergence of a couple of others this year in Zach Merrett and Joey Daniher.Heppell said fellow returning players Cale Hooker and David Myers would also be strong captaincy candidates.You have a core group of fantastic leaders, he said.He added Essendon would not make a decision on next seasons captain in the near future.When asked about Watsons future, Heppell said his teammate was keeping the cards close to his chest.But he admitted that Watson had returned from overseas last week looking like the star onballer was ready for an AFL return. ' ' '