Mariners hope football gods smile

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Mariners captain ... John Hutchinson and coach Grahame Arnold hoping for first A-League grand final win. Source: Sam Ruttyn / News Limited

Central Coast skipper John Hutchinson has experienced all three of the Mariners' devastating A-League grand final losses and hopes the football gods will finally be smiling on his side when they face Western Sydney in Sunday's championship decider.

The minor premiership-winning Wanderers will battle the second-placed Mariners in front of more than 40,000 fans at a sold-out Allianz Stadium - a match FFA chief executive David Gallop described as "the most anticipated grand final in A-League history".

It will be a fairytale finish regardless of the result.

The Wanderers will be hoping to cap their already history-making debut season with another astonishing achievement.

"We've won the Premiers' Plate but we want more silverware," coach Tony Popovic said.

The Mariners, meanwhile - playing in their fourth decider in eight seasons after having survived the club's recent financial crisis - will want nothing more than to finally lift the trophy.

"Our fairytale is that we're still here," Mariners coach Graham Arnold told AAP on Saturday.

"We've had a fantastic year considering the struggles.

"Getting here four times, yeah I do think we are the most deserving team, but you don't get anything on a platter.

"You've got to earn it and we'll certainly have to earn it tomorrow."

Hutchinson knows more than most the heartbreak of defeat.

The Mariners lost the final to Sydney FC in 2006 and then again to Newcastle two years later.

They travelled to Brisbane in 2011 hoping it would be third time lucky only to end up conceding a 2-0 lead to go on to lose the match in a penalty shootout.

"We're not shying away from the fact that we lost three,'' Hutchinson said.

"I called the Brisbane one the 'unloseable' one. It hurt a lot of players and a lot of people.

"Arnie picked us up off the canvas and took us on the next season to win the league (Premiers' Plate) and we've got a chance tomorrow to do something that no Mariners team has done.

"Hopefully the football gods are smiling on us."

Not much separates the two sides.

They're both supremely fit, incredibly organised and built around their impenetrable defensive structures.

So should it come to a penalty shootout, Arnold joked: "We never practise penalties, haven't you been watching us? We've only missed five," he said eluding to his side's penalty-taking struggles in which they missed five in a row in the later stages of the season.

The Wanderers were sweating on the availability of a few injured players in key midfielder Aaron Mooy (knee) and defenders Adam D'Apuzzo (foot) and Jerome Polenz (quad).

Popovic said he had made the call on which of them he had included in Sunday's squad and that he'd also decided on who would replace suspended midfielder Youssouf Hersi.

He wasn't giving anything way however, saying simply: "Yes, I have decided. You'll find out tomorrow."

Hersi's absence is likely to open the door for talented youngster Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, while teen Yianni Perkatis could also be in line to play in the showpiece should Mooy not recover.

If defenders D'Apuzzo and Polenz are ruled out, Tarek Elrich would come in at right-back with Shannon Cole replacing D'Apuzzo at left-back. 

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Crusaders keep Highlanders winless

Muscle ... The Crusaders keep the Highlanders winless after eight games. Source: David Alexander / AAP

The Crusaders inflicted more misery on the winless Highlanders with a 24-8 win at AMI Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday.

2 Tries 1
Robbie Fruean 40'	Jason Emery 45'
Tom Taylor 76'
1 Conversions 0
Tyler Bleyendaal 40'
4 Penalties 1
Tyler Bleyendaal 15'	Colin Slade 64'
Tyler Bleyendaal 29'
Tyler Bleyendaal 31'
Tyler Bleyendaal 53'

Coming off last week's upset 16-14 loss to the Western Force in Perth, the Crusaders rediscovered winning form to outmuscle a Highlanders outfit which has lost all eight games this season.

Australia Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Brumbies	6	1	2	84	3	35
2	Reds	6	2	1	13	3	33
3	Waratahs	4	4	0	-33	1	25
4	Melbourne Rebels	2	6	0	-96	3	19
5	Western Force	2	7	0	-46	4	16
New Zealand Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Blues	4	3	0	49	7	31
2	Chiefs	5	3	0	71	6	30
3	Hurricanes	5	3	0	-3	3	27
4	Crusaders	4	4	0	52	6	26
5	Highlanders	0	8	0	-86	2	6
South Africa Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Sharks	5	2	0	57	2	26
2	Stormers	3	4	0	1	4	24
3	Cheetahs	5	3	0	-8	3	23
4	Bulls	4	3	0	1	3	23
5	Southern Kings	2	4	1	-56	1	15

With a blustery wind at their backs, the Crusaders dominated the opening exchanges but just couldn't convert a huge advantage in terms of territory and possession into points on the board.

The chances were there, but a combination of handling errors and some resolute Highlanders defence meant three Tyler Bleyendaal penalties were the only points on the board as halftime approached.

Zac Guildford came up short twice in the space of 10 minutes, bundled into touch by Ma'a Nonu as he dived over in the corner after 27 minutes before spilling a tricky pass from Israel Dagg with the tryline open.

However, centre Robbie Fruean finally broke through barely two minutes before the break, crashing over as the Crusaders shifted the ball wide from close range.

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Re-live the action in our Match Centre, featuring video highlights!

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Bleyendaal added the extras and the home team took a 16-0 lead into halftime.

The Highlanders took just five minutes from the restart to open their account, halfback Aaron Smith setting up Manawatu teammate Jason Emery with a superb cut-out pass leaving him clear to dive over untouched in the corner.

The Highlanders continued to defend stoutly, fullback Ben Smith pulling off two try-saving tackles in rapid succession at the 56-minute mark when he hauled down halfback Andy Ellis then rampaging hooker Corey Flynn.

While the Highlanders' defence was outstanding, they struggled at the set piece, with their malfunctioning lineout and patchy scrum continuing to keep them under pressure.

Tom Taylor underlined the win with a try in the 75th minute, finishing off 10 minutes of sustained Crusaders pressure when he touched down in the corner.

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Ed TV: cop that you Tiger mongrel

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Commentary ... Eddie Maguire enjoyed his one-sided call. Source: Alex Coppel / News Limited

The Magpies' attack on Richmond was ferocious. They bullied, they were loud and they didn't let up for four quarters.

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And that was only in the commentary box.

Not even the umpires were safe as Eddie McGuire got his way and didn't disappoint down with his unashamedly biased call of Collingwood's 34-point win against the Tigers.

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Never had a regulation Steele Sidebottom mark received a torrent of adulation like this.

You'd think "Sidey'' had just equalled Leo Barry's feat when he marked unopposed and goaled from 10m in the first quarter, such were the screams of excitement from Fox Footy's all-Magpies commentary team.

And Tiger highlights were met with silence or uninspired descriptions from McGuire and Magpie offsiders Michael Christian, Tony Shaw and Peter Daicos.

"In the back SURELY, umpire!'' Ed bellowed as the passion began to escalate late in the first quarter.

"Five points down, we'll take that at (quarter-time). We don't want to give up a goal now,'' Ed followed up with, before on cue Jake King nailed a major.

Not even the Magpies were safe, with the trio grilling Ben Hudson in the second term when he failed to rush a behind, gifting Luke McGuane a "soft'' goal.

"That's shocking,'' Ed said.

"Hudson's got to smack that through,'' Christian added.

The call, dubbed Channel Ed's Black and White TV, became the Travis Cloke Show after half-time as the spearhead tore the Tigers apart.

"CLLOOOKKEEE!!!'' the callers screamed in unison each time he clunked a big grab.

"Clokey boy! Kicks his fourth for the quarter and the 'Pies are on fire at the MCG. Come on 'Pies!'' Ed said later that term.

When the star forward lined up from the Punt Rd pocket in the last, McGuire let loose at fans jeering him over the fence.

"That's as close as you'll get to greatness, ya peanut. Shut up! That's No. 7. Cop that, you Tiger mongrel!"

And the Magpie president had Steve Morris in his sights after the Tiger cleaned up Dane Swan off the ball.

It followed Morris flooring Jamie Elliott off the ball in the first half, and drew this reaction: "He's gone and done that twice now, Morris.''

As the Pies poured on eight consecutive goals in the third, Eddie cheekily remarked: "Welcome to the big time, Tigers!''

Sam Dwyer became Sammy, Cloke became Clokey boy and Scott Pendlebury was officially 'Pendles' on Channel Ed.

Every Dane Swan accolade was noted, we learnt Paul Seedsman's great-grandfather once chaired the 'Pies and there was little love from McGuire for Richmond's favourite sons.

"(Jack) Riewoldt's going berserk, we want to see more of that,'' he said.

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NSW smash Qld in under-20s Origin

The NSW U20's ... team pose for a photograph following the U20's State of Origin win. Source: ROBB COX / AAP

NSW produced a second-half blitz to beat Queensland 36-12 in the under-20 rugby league State of Origin clash at Penrith's Centrebet Stadium on Saturday.

Centre Charly Runciman, winger George Jennings and halfback Mitch Cornish all crossed twice and hooker Michael Lichaa once as the Blues scored seven tries to two.

The Blues piled on 28 unanswered second-half points after trailing 12-8 at halftime.

They retained the Darren Lockyer Shield after winning the inaugural match last year.

"Words can't describe it - to put the Blues jersey on and winning against the Queenslanders is something special," NSW captain and Canterbury prop David Klemmer told AAP.

"They win everything, so it was good to get the win."

Most of the tries came down Queensland's right-hand side.

NSW led 8-0 through tries to Jennings, the younger brother of Roosters star and representative back Michael, and Runciman.

The Maroons hit back with two tries in three minutes through forward Brandon Tago and halfback Anthony Milford, with the latter converting both.

The second half was all one-way traffic after Lichaa smashed his way over from dummy half to trigger the landslide.

Runciman scored his second try and was held up over the line as he went for a hat-trick.

Cornish bagged his brace and Jennings went over for a second four-pointer, with centre Dylan Walker converting four of the seven tries.

"We had a few chances - we didn't execute as well as we would like," said Queensland coach Andrew Dunemann.

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Samoa, Tonga set for bruising Test

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Rivals ... Brent Kite and Roy Asotasi line up against each other on Saturday. Source:Supplied

The presence of several recent Australian and New Zealand internationals in the Samoan and Tongan teams is set to add even more firepower and spice to Saturday's rugby league Test between the two great island rivals.

The two teams meet at Penrith's Centrebet Stadium in a rare mid-year match that provides invaluable preparation for the World Cup in the United Kingdom and France in October and November.

Both the Samoan and Tongan teams for Saturday are made up almost entirely of NRL players, with a number having opted to play for the island nations after representing other countries.

After years of losing top players to Australia and New Zealand, they have finally turned the talent flow in their favour.

Tongan captain Brent Kite and Anthony Tupou have both represented Australia, while fellow forwards Sika Manu and Fuifui Moimoi previously wore New Zealand's colours.

"The game on the weekend is a good showpiece for the talents of the Tongan and Samoan players in the NRL and guys of Pacific heritage," Kite said.

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Watch the massive Test match between Tonga and Samoa LIVE on Fox Sports 1HD from 7.30pm (EST) Saturday!

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The Samoan team contains a cluster of ex-New Zealand representatives including forwards Roy Asotasi and Jeff Lima and backs Junior Sa'u, Kalifa Faifai Loa and Ben Roberts.

"This is very, very significant and it's very powerful the message the boys are sending out, just by making themselves eligible and putting their hand up to play for the team," said Nigel Vagana, himself a former Kiwi international and Samoan captain.

Samoa won their past two matches against Tonga, but Vagana rated the current Tongan outfit as one of the strongest assembled in a long time.

"I think somebody said to me they Googled it up the other day and it goes back a thousand years," Tongan coach Charles Tonga said of the rivalry.

"It's like State of Origin, Queensland-NSW, that sort of scale."

Vagana described the rivalry as fierce and respectful.

Kite, who last represented Tonga in 2000 and went on to play 14 Tests for Australia, was a popular choice among the players to lead the side against Samoa.

"I haven't had the chance to captain a lot, but I do see myself as a leader," Kite said.

"We've got a good squad there so I don't think they'll need too much directing."

The match will be broadcast live to Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and the Solomon Islands.

The main curtain-raiser will be the Under-20 State of Origin game between NSW and Queensland. 

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Knicks have no-one to fear

New York Knicks ... head coach Mike Woodson with power forward Kenyon Martin. Source: Wilfredo Lee / AAP

The experts say no team in the eastern conference has a chance of preventing Miami Heat returning to the NBA finals for a third straight time but that hasn't stopped the buzz around New York Knicks in the biggest city in North America.

There's plenty of belief among their coach and players too, after they nailed down the second seed in the East, thanks to a late-season 12-game winning streak.

Kenyon Martin, who only joined the team two months ago, says his fellow veteran teammates have what it takes to make a deep run in the post-season.

"I know what's in these guys' hearts," Martin said.  

"I think we know what we can be. We're not afraid of anybody, feel we can beat anybody. We know what we can go out and compete at a high level each and every time out, and that's what we're going to do."

At the start of the season the critics ridiculed the Knicks, suggesting they were wasting a season, forgoing a chance to re-sign Jeremy Lin, and bringing in players past their prime.

This list includes 38 year old Marcus Camby, 36 year old rookie Pablo Priggioni and Jason Kidd, who recently turned 40.

While the year hasn't all gone perfectly, they've managed to finish the season with 54 wins, the most the franchise have won since 1996-97.

Coach Mike Woodson – himself securing a questionable long-term contract before the season - told the media; "Having the veterans in I think put us in a position to win our division without a doubt, and secure the second seed, if I could do it again I do it the same way.

"They helped my coaching and brought a lot of excitement back to New York."

Martin, the fourth player in the over-35 brigade, says having savvy veterans is crucial in the playoffs.

"We got a guy like J-Kidd, having a guy like that around when things get tough, when the game's slow down, you need a guy that can think the game through. He does that for us," he said.

It wasn't just age that the Knicks were criticised for. 

Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith were often labelled selfish and immature, but this season they've become an incredible two-man scoring punch. 

Smith is the favourite to win the NBA's sixth man award and Anthony secured the league's scoring title.

"It's everybody else's opinion that he [Anthony] doesn't trust his teammates, of course if you can score like that you're going to believe in your ability," Martin said. 

"But he's making the right plays, making the right pass. It's just the media nitpicking with his game. Is it fair? No, but we understand it. That's what people have to do – or you guys wouldn't have jobs."

Woodson says Anthony's development has been fantastic: "He's learned to trust his teammates. 

"You go back to some of the great players – until they learned to trust those around them they didn't get very far in the play-offs, and win championships and stuff like that."

The Knicks come up against another veteran-laden team in the first round of the play-offs – in Boston Celtics – but as their seeding suggests they're expected to not only beat them, but advance to the eastern conference finals. 

That would likely pit them against their budding rivals – the Heat - who they've beaten three out of four times this season, so there's plenty of evidence to suggest the champions won't stroll their way to a second straight title.

"You don't get the second best record in the East if you're not taking it serious," Woodson said. 

The play-offs open with the Knicks v the Celtics on Sunday morning (EST).

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Demons doctor stands aside

Under Fire ... the Demons have been hit by yet another crisis. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Melbourne doctor Dan Bates tenders his resignation in the wake of stunning revelations the Demons have ties to controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank.

FOX FOOTY's Eddie McGuire and the Herald Sun's Jon Ralph broke the story on Friday Night Footy after it emerged the controversial Dank was working with the Demons when the Essendon scandal broke.

The Demons later confirmed Bates has stepped aside, pending the outcome of an investigation by ASADA and the AFL into a pre-season supplements program at the club.

President Don McLardy said that the club felt it was appropriate that Dr Bates stand aside while the details of the program and the circumstances under which it was administered are independently reviewed.

"We have sufficient concerns about an identified breakdown in reporting protocols that we believe it is appropriate that Dr Bates stands aside until these matters are further investigated," McLardy said in a statement that was released by the club on Friday night.

The Demons maintain they found no evidence of substance use that contravenes ASADA or WADA guidelines in a review that was conducted when the Essendon story broke in February.

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Hurricanes deny gallant Force

Tusi Pisi ... breaks clear as the Hurricanes take the points in Wellington. Source: Ross Setford / AAP

Western Force unleashed a brave second-half fightback but it wasn't enough as the Hurricanes secured a 22-16 Super Rugby victory in Wellington on Friday night.

The Force looked headed for defeat after Tusi Pisi's 49th-minute try gave the Hurricanes a 22-6 lead.

3 Tries 1
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen 20'	Alby Mathewson 58'
Brad Shields 29'
Tusi Pisi 49'
2 Conversions 1
Beauden Barrett 21'	Jayden Hayward 59'
Beauden Barrett 50'
1 Penalties 3
Beauden Barrett 11'	Jayden Hayward 27'
	Jayden Hayward 48'
	Jayden Hayward 73'

A dazzling solo try from Force halfback Alby Mathewson sparked the visitors into action shortly after, and the Hurricanes looked vulnerable when substitute James Broadhurst was sin-binned in the 72nd minute due to his team's repeated infringements.

		W	L	D	B	PD	Pts
1	Storm	6	0	0	0	73	12
2	Sea Eagles	5	1	0	0	85	10
3	Rabbitohs	5	1	0	0	32	10
4	Roosters	4	2	0	0	78	8
5	Knights	4	2	0	0	43	8
6	Titans	4	2	0	0	40	8
7	Broncos	3	3	0	0	16	6
8	Dragons	3	3	0	0	-32	6
9	Raiders	3	3	0	0	-55	6
10	Sharks	2	4	0	0	-3	4
11	Cowboys	2	4	0	0	-12	4
12	Eels	2	4	0	0	-36	4
13	Tigers	2	4	0	0	-50	4
14	Panthers	1	5	0	0	-50	2
15	Warriors	1	5	0	0	-60	2
16	Bulldogs	1	5	0	0	-69	2

But with the deficit cut to just six points, the Force couldn't find a way through to score the winning try, with the Hurricanes holding on to secure their fifth win of the season.

Force coach Michael Foley made some notable changes to his side after last week's 16-14 win over the Crusaders.

In-form winger Alfie Mafi started on the bench, while inside centre Kyle Godwin was rested after his heavy workload this season.

The bruising defensive effort against the Crusaders - combined with a six-day turnaround and a long trip to New Zealand - appeared to have a big effect on the Force early as the Hurricanes took a 15-3 lead into halftime.

Prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen barged through three defenders to score the opening try, while a slicing 50m run from winger Alapati Leiua set up flanker Brad Shields for the second in the 30th minute.

And when Hurricanes five-eighth Pisi crossed in the corner shortly after the break, the situation was looking glum for the Force.

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Re-live the action and check out the key stats with Match Centre.

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But they refused to give in, unleashing some strong work at the breakdown to turn momentum their way.

Mathewson couldn't believe his luck in the 58th minute when he was able to slice through the Hurricanes' defence in an inspired 25m run to score the Force's first try.

Jayden Hayward's 73rd-minute penalty reduced the deficit to six points, but the Force couldn't make the most of their numerical advantage in the dying minutes.

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Teams: All the ins and outs

Axed ... Bernie Vince has been dropped ahead of round four. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Check out all the ins and outs for round four of the AFL season.

Updated line-ups for Sunday's games will be announced on Friday afternoon, so check back in to get the latest teams before finalising your FOX FOOTY SuperCoach side.
 
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Sydney Swans v Geelong, SCG, Friday 7.50pm (EST)
 
Sydney Swans
B: Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Heath Grundy, Nick Smith
HB: Martin Mattner, Ted Richards, Nick Malceski
C: Ryan O'Keefe, Kieran Jack, Lewis Jetta
HF: Jude Bolton, Sam Reid, Dan Hannebery
F: Mike Pyke, Adam Goodes, Ben McGlynn
Foll: Shane Mumford, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh
I/C: Tony Armstrong, Mitch Morton, Luke Parker, Dane Rampe
Emerg: Craig Bird, Andrejs Everitt, Jesse White

In: Morton , Rampe
Out: Bird (Omitted) , Everitt (Omitted) 

Geelong
B: Taylor Hunt, Tom Lonergan, Corey Enright
HB: Joel Corey, Harry Taylor, Andrew Mackie
C: Mitch Duncan, Jimmy Bartel, Billie Smedts
HF: Paul Chapman, James Podsiadly, Steven Motlop
F: Trent West, Tom Hawkins, Steve Johnson
Foll: Mark Blicavs, J.Selwood, Mathew Stokes
I/C : Jared Rivers, Josh Caddy, George Horlin-Smith, Allen Christensen
Emerg: Jordan Murdoch, Mitch Brown, Jackson Thurlow

In: Rivers, Horlin-Smith
Out: Varcoe (Shoulder), Murdoch (Omitted)  
 
Hawthorn v Fremantle, Aurora Stadium, Saturday 1.45pm (EST)
 
Hawthorn
B: Josh Gibson, Ryan Schoenmakers, Luke Hodge
HB: Shaun Burgoyne, Ben Stratton, G.Birchall
C: Luke Shiels, Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill
HF: Paul Puopolo, Lance Franklin, Isaac Smith
F: Jack Gunston, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust
Foll: David Hale, Cyril Rioli, Jordan Lewis
I/C: Taylor Duryea, Max Bailey, Michael Osborne, Brent Guerra
Emerg: Shane Savage, Brian Lake, Angus Litherland

In: Osborne
Out: Anderson (Hamstring)
 
Fremantle
B: Lee Spurr, Zac Dawson, Michael Johnson
HB: Nick Suban, Luke McPharlin, Paul Duffield
C: Tendai Mzungu, Ryan Crowley, Clancee Pearce
HF: Matt De Boer, Kepler Bradley, Nat Fyfe
F: Hayden Ballantyne, Chris Mayne, Michael Walters
Foll: Jonathon Griffin, David Mundy, Stephen Hill
I/C: Micheal Barlow, Danyle Pearce, Cameron Sutcliffe, Lachie Neale
Emerg: Jack Hannath, Hayden Crozier, Tanner Smith

In: Neale
Out: Pavlich (Achilles)

Richmond v Collingwood, MCG, Saturday 2.10pm (EST)
 
Richmond
B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Troy Chaplin
HB: Dylan Grimes, Ricky Petterd, Bachar Houli
C: Chris Newman, Trent Cotchin, Reece Conca
HF: Brett Deledio, Shane Edwards, Daniel Jackson
F: Luke McGuane, Jack Riewoldt, Tyrone Vickery
Foll: Ivan Maric, Dustin Martin, Shane Tuck
I/C: Brandon Ellis, Jake King, Shaun Grigg, Chris Knights
Emerg: Jake Batchelor, Robin Nahas, Nick Vlastuin

Unchanged
 
Collingwood
B: Nathan Brown, Alan Toovey, Ben Reid
HB: Marty Clarke, Heath Shaw, Harry O'Brien
C: Steele Sidebottom, Dane Swan, Dale Thomas
HF: Jamie Elliott, Travis Cloke, Quinten Lynch
F: Ben Sinclair, Tyson Goldsack, Sam Dwyer
Foll: Ben Hudson, Scott Pendlebury, Jarryd Blair
I/C: Alex Fasolo, Jordan Russell, Josh Thomas, Paul Seedsman
Emerg: Brett Macaffer, Ben Kennedy, Jack Frost
 
In: J.Thomas, P.Seedsman
Out: B.Johnson (calf), J.Frost

St Kilda v Essendon, Etihad Stadium, Saturday 4.40pm (EST)
 
St Kilda
B: Nathan Wright, Tom Simpkin, Dylan Roberton
HB: Jarryn Geary, Rhys Stanley, Sam Gilbert
C: Nick Dal Santo, Lenny Hayes, Sam Fisher
HF: Leigh Montagna, Nick Riewoldt, Terry Milera
F: Stephen Milne, Beau Maister, Ahmed Saad
Foll: Ben McEvoy, David Armitage, Jack Steven
I/C: Arryn Siposs, Clinton Jones, Tom Lee, Farren Ray
Emerg: Tom Hickey, Seb Ross, Trent Dennis-Lane
 
In: Simpkin, Siposs
Out: Blake (Omitted), Newnes (Jaw)

Essendon
B: Courtenay Dempsey, Jake Carlisle, Mark Baguley
HB: Cale Hooker, Tayte Pears, Brent Stanton
C: Jason Winderlich, Jobe Watson, David Zaharakis
HF: Ben Howlett, David Hille, Stewart Crameri
F: Alwyn Davey, Michael Hurley, Brendon Goddard
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Dyson Heppell, Heath Hocking
I/C: Jake Melksham, Jackson Merrett, Michael Hibberd, David Myers,
Emerg: Travis Colyer, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Scott Gumbleton
 
In: Hille, Winderlich , Pears , Baguley , Merrett
Out: Ryder (Suspension), Colyer (Omitted), Kommer (Suspension) , Kavanagh (Omitted) , Fletcher (Groin)

Gold Coast v Port Adelaide, Metricon Stadium, Saturday 7.40pm (EST)
 
Gold Coast
B: Joel Wilkinson, Matthew Warnock, Jack Hutchins
HB: Tom Murphy, Rory Thompson, Greg Broughton
C: Michael Rischitelli, Gary Ablett, Jarrod Harbrow
HF: Dion Prestia, Steven May, Aaron Hall
F: Jared Brennan, Sam Day, Brandon Matera
Foll: Charlie Dixon, Karmichael Hunt, David Swallow
I/C: Zac Smith, Jaeger O'Meara, Harley Bennell, Mason Shaw
Emerg: Luke Russell, Trent McKenzie, Danny Stanley

In: Murphy, Prestia
Out: Russell (Omitted), Allen (Omitted)
 
Port Adelaide
B: Tom Jonas, Alipate Carlile, Cameron O'Shea
HB: Jasper Pittard, Jackson Trengove, Lewis Stevenson
C: Kane Cornes, Brad Ebert, Travis Boak
HF: Matthew Broadbent, Justin Westhoff, Angus Monfries
F: Robbie Gray, Jay Schulz, Chad Wingard
Foll: Matthew Lobbe, Ollie Wines, Hamish Hartlett
I/C: Dom Cassisi, Campbell Heath, Jake Neade, Brent Renouf 
Emerg: Tom Logan, Sam Colquhoun, Andrew Moore
 
IN: Cassisi, Gray
OUT: Mitchell (Omitted), Stewart (Knee)

West Coast v Carlton, Patersons Stadium, Saturday 5.40pm (AWST)
 
West Coast
B: Will Schofield, Darren Glass, Jacob Brennan
HB: Shannon Hurn, Eric Mackenzie, Sam Butler
C: Daniel Kerr, Matt Priddis, Chris Masten
HF: Jamie Cripps, Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras
F: Ashton Hams, Jack Darling, Josh Hill
Foll: Dean Cox, Scott Selwood, Luke Shuey
I/C: Andrew Gaff, Adam Selwood, Bradd Dalziell, Callum Sinclair
Emerg: Mitch Brown, Mark Hutchings, Ashley Smith
 
IN: Mackenzie, Dalziell
OUT: Brown (Omitted), Embley (Foot)

Carlton
B: Chris Yarran, Michael Jamison, Lachie Henderson
HB: Zach Tuohy, Dennis Armfield, Bryce Gibbs
C: Kade Simpson, Andrew Carrazzo, Mitch Robinson
HF: Chris Judd, Andrew Walker, Jeff Garlett
F: Ed Curnow, Shaun Hampson, Sam Rowe
Foll: Robbie Warnock, Marc Murphy, Brock McLean
I/C: Aaron Joseph, Kane Lucas, Heath Scotland, Simon White
Emerg: Dylan Buckley, David Ellard, Nick Duigan
 
IN: Warnock, Curnow, White
OUT: Kreuzer (Broken thumb), Davies (Hamstring), Buckley (Omitted)

Melbourne v GWS Giants, MCG, Sunday 1.10pm (EST)
 
Melbourne
B: Jack Watts, James Frawley, Dean Terlich
HB: Neville Jetta, Tom McDonald, Colin Garland
C: Jack Trengove, Jack Grimes, Jack Viney
HF: Aaron Davey, Mitch Clark, Jeremy Howe
F: Luke Tapscott, Max Gawn, Shannon Byrnes
Foll: Mark Jamar, Colin Sylvia, Nathan Jones
I/C (from): Jimmy Toumpas, Cam Pedersen, Jams Sellar, Michael Evans, Jake Spencer, Rohan Bail, Matt Jones
 
IN: Spencer, Watts, Gawn
OUT: -

GWS Giants
B: Adam Kennedy, Tim Mohr, Phil Davis
HB: Tomas Bugg, Stephen Gilham, Nick Haynes
C: Tom Scully, Callan Ward, Rhys Palmer
HF: Jacob Townsend, Jeremy Cameron, Sam Reid
F: Liam Sumner, Setanta O'hAilpin, Sam Frost
Foll: Jonathan Giles, Adam Treloar, Dylan Shiel
I/C (from): Stephen Coniglio, Tim Golds, Toby Greene, Anthony Miles, Lachie Plowman, Adam Tomlinson, Lachie Whitfield
 
IN: O'hAilpin, Palmer, Miles, Golds, Tomlinson, Townsend, Frost, Haynes
OUT: Brogan (Suspension), Hampton (Omitted), Hoskin-Elliott (Omitted), Smith (Suspension), Patton (Knee)

Adelaide v Western Bulldogs, AAMI Stadium, Sunday 2.50pm (ACST)
 
Adelaide
B: Luke Brown, Ben Rutten, Andy Otten
HB: David Mackay, Daniel Talia, Brent Reilly
C: Rory Sloane, Scott Thompson, Sam Kerridge
HF: Matthew Wright, Josh Jenkins, Richard Douglas
F: Jared Petrenko, Taylor Walker, Ricky Henderson
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Patrick Dangerfield, Brad Crouch
I/C (from): Matthew Jaensch, Graham Johncock, Tom Lynch, Jarryd Lyons, Shaun McKernan, Jason Porplyzia, Rory Laird
 
IN: Lynch, McKernan, Kerridge, Laird, Lyons
OUT: van Berlo (Knee), Vince (Omitted)

Western Bulldogs
B: Tom Young, Jordan Roughead, Liam Picken
HB: Jason Johannisen, Dale Morris, Brett Goodes
C: Jackson Macrae, Matthew Boyd, Koby Stevens
HF: Ryan Griffen, Liam Jones, Daniel Giansiracusa
F: Jason Tutt, Ayce Cordy, Luke Dahlhaus
Foll: Will Minson, Nick Lower, Adam Cooney
I/C (from): Mitch Wallis, Daniel Cross, Jake Stringer, Clay Smith, Tom Liberatore, Christian Howard, Lukas Markovic
 
IN: Boyd, Markovic, Cordy, Tutt, Howard, Stringer, Johannisen, Macrae
Out: Murphy (Calf), Higgins (Foot), Wood (Hamstring), Campbell (Omitted), Dickson (Ankle)

North Melbourne v Brisbane Lions, Etihad Stadium, Sunday 4.40pm (EST)
 
North Melbourne
B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Michael Firitto
HB: Aaron Mullett, Nathan Grima, Jamie MacMillan
C: Daniel Wells, Shaun Atley, Ryan Bastinac
HF: Ben Cunnington, Drew Petrie, Taylor Hine
F: Lindsay Thomas, Todd Goldstein, Leigh Adams
Foll: Majak Daw, Andrew Swallow, Jack Ziebell
I/C: Sam Gibson, Lachie Hansen, Sam Wright, Liam Anthony, Levi Greenwood, Will Sierakowski, Brad McKenzie
 
IN: Anthony, Greenwood, Sierakowski, Daw, McKenzie
OUT: Tarrant (Leg), Harper (Omitted)

Brisbane Lions
B: Jed Adcock, Daniel Merrett, Ash McGrath
HB: Sam Docherty, Joel Patfull, Andrew Raines
C: Sam Mayes, Tom Rockliff, Pearce Hanley
HF: Dayne Zorko, Jonathan Brown, Josh Green
F: Jack Redden, Stefan Martin, Niall McKeever
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Daniel Rich, Brent Moloney
I/C from: Ryan Harwood, Rohan Bewick, Marco Paparone, Patrick Karnezis, James Polkinghorne, Mitchell Golby, Jack Crisp
 
IN: Harwood, Karnezis, Crisp, Paparone, Docherty
OUT: Polec (Foot), Yeo (Omitted)

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Barba: Des helped me through rehab

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Intervention ... Des Hasler helped Ben Barba through his rehab process. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler's emotional intervention was the key to getting Ben Barba out of rehab and back onto the footy field.

Speaking on Fox Sports' Sterlo show, Barba paid tribute to Hasler for the key role he played in helping him resurrect his career after struggles with drinking and gambling led to him being stood down by his club on the eve of round one.

Barba, however, acknowledged  many of his teammates were let down by his behaviour and he faced a battle to win back their trust.

"Des was pretty good, he knew when he first put me in there he told me to trust him and to knuckle down and work hard because the ultimatum was put the effort in here or there's no coming back to football," said Barba.

"For times there I struggled a bit and I wanted to pack up and leave and go into hiding somewhere but he came around, they allowed him to come in and see me, and just the emotion he showed towards me on trusting him and knowing there'd be a better outcome if I stayed in there and worked through it, he's been such a big help to me this last year, and especially through this tough time."

Hasler has been lauded for his man-management skills at both Manly and the Bulldogs, and he proved them again by piloting an inexperienced side to the grand final in his first season with the club in 2012.

Key to that fairytale run was the incredible form of the enigmatic Barba, perhaps the most frightening fullback in the competition at his best, who became the main project player of Hasler, determined to transform him from a defensive liability into an all-round weapon.

So when Barba was jettisoned by the club on the eve of round one, the question lingered, how would Hasler and his players react?

That was answered by their lacklustre 1-2 start to the season, so when Barba made an unexpected Good Friday return against South Sydney in round four the expectation was that things would quickly turn around.

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Catch Sterlo LIVE at 7.30pm (EST) Thursday on Fox Sports 1HD for the best weekly analysis of the NRL.

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Instead, the grand finalists have slipped further into the mire, and Barba admitted he was feeling the pressure to rediscover top form and get back to winning games for his side.

Not only does he feel the weight of expectation now, Barba also feels it contributed to his wayward off-season.

"I feel it a lot," Barba said. "And I still feel it now.

"It's something I'm probably struggling with after being in that place and letting down my teammates, obviously being the Dally M Player and then having to come back, and then not going so well as people expect me to, and I guess be a saviour: I still feel the pressure now."

"Expectations of everything has been tough. It's something I'm still trying to work with and still trying to deal with.

"I'm not happy with the way I've been playing the first few weeks. Obviously you can make the excuse of me being in the clinic and all that sort of stuff, but being in there I didn't forget how to run, I didn't forget how to pass, I didn't forget how to tackle. I think it's all about me gaining my confidence again that I'm able to perform at this level and then go from there.

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"But I guess (my form) hasn't been too good and hopefully I find some soon."

Not only has Barba been slow to rediscover top gear, rumours have started to surface of dissent in the ranks at Belmore and this week there has been speculation that Barba was seeking a release from his contract so he could join Brisbane.

Barba poured cold water on that report but admitted he still had work to do to regain the trust of his teammates.

"I'd like to know where all these rumours start from," Barba said.

"At the moment I'm happy playing at the Dogs and we might not be going too well, but I'm still happy at the club and all that kind of stuff.

"Everyone's starting to doubt us but we haven't lost faith. There's still 20 games to go and we've got some good players to come back in the next few weeks. As soon as we win that one game I'm sure they'll continue."

And on the relationships that need repairing after they were damaged by Barba's behaviour in the pre-season, he said: "I'm sure a lot of them were let down.

"As I said, I've had a bit of trouble over past years at the club, being suspended and all that kind of stuff due to alcohol related issues but there were a lot there that were pretty disappointed, especially after the year I had last year and the way I went about things.

"I guess to put that on them so close to the start of the season, I'm sure a lot of them still feel a bit disappointed. And my first day out I told them that I know personally that it won't happen overnight that they're going to forgive me, and I know after a few weeks, months maybe, they'll finally forgive me for what I did to the team at the start of the season.

"I'm working really hard every day to mend those relationships that I had with those teammates and hopefully one day they can forgive and forget."

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'EBC not to blame for my troubles'

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Ben Barba ... opens up in an exclusive interview on Sterlo. Source:AAP

Ben Barba says his drinking buddies in the notorious "Epic Bender Crew" aren't to blame for his dramatic fall from grace, despite admitting to spending his darkest days with them, drinking and gambling as a way of "escaping from the world".

Speaking in a one-on-one interview for the first time since he was removed from his club side, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, to attend a rehab clinic on the eve of round one, Barba revealed on Fox Sports' Sterlo show his partying had become a problem soon after the break-up of his relationship with long-term partner and mother of his children, Ainslie Currie.

In the days after the explosive press conference when Bulldogs CEO Todd Greenberg alluded to some of the issues being faced by Barba, reports started to emerge of the "crew" known as the EBC, who Barba would spend long nights with. While reports referred to the EBC as the Epic Bender Crew, the player referred to the group as the Elite Bender Crew during the Sterlo interview.

Barba went as far as having EBC tattooed on his torso - an image that was infamously circulated on social media soon afterwards.

But while Barba admitted alcohol and gambling were at the core of the issues that landed him in the South Pacific rehab clinic, he wasn't interested in transferring the blame.

"When I was feeling down, or feeling blue, my only way of escaping was drinking alcohol or gambling an excess amount," Barba said.

"After being in that clinic (it became clear) it is a problem.

"That was my way of escaping the life of football and all that kind of stuff. As I said, I joined a crew, a drinking crew, which they sort of spotlighted in the media.

"It wasn't so much me joining a crew, it was just a group of mates of mine who I enjoyed having a beer with and, I guess, it wasn't them to be blamed, it was me: the person doing all the drinking and trying to escape from all the problems in football that I was having.

"It was my decision to hang out with these people. I'd known some of them for quite a while and like I said, it was just a group of my mates I enjoyed having a beer with and we thought, why not get a tattoo about it.

"As I said, it was my way of escaping from the world, and what was going on around me. And I guess hiding from the truth."

Barba accepts that he would have been better off surrounding himself by better influences.

---

Catch Sterlo LIVE at 7.30pm Thursday on Fox Sports 1HD for the best weekly analysis of the NRL.

---

"I think (I would change) a lot of my decision-making over the last six months, going back to the alcohol and all that kind of stuff," Barba said.

"And how much I was drinking of a week, especially over the pre-season.

"Not blaming those people, but choosing the right people to hang out with sometimes. As I said those blokes are my mates, the Elite Bender Crew, so just making the right choices and I probably wouldn't have been in this position if I made the right choices then."

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The alcohol and the gambling were the tipping point but Barba revealed thoughts about his family and his childhood formed the darkness that clouded the choices he made.

After years spent with his childhood sweetheart from Mackay, Currie, Barba's life crashed down around his ears when the relationship ended towards the end of last year.

When he first realised he wasn't in a state-of-mind to be playing football, it was his two kids he shares with Currie who he was thinking about.

"It was very difficult. I've known my partner, my ex-partner now, for a long time and we'd been together for a long time," Barba said.

"And I guess coming to the decision I guess to split with her and leave my two kids behind played a big role in what was going on inside my head.

"I guess there were signs there at training. And I guess before a game, in the only trial I played this year, my mind wasn't on what I was supposed to be doing.

"It was a long, long way away from that field down in Goulburn.

"We'd come off at half-time and the only thing in my mind wasn't the game or what just happened on the field, it was what was happening with my partner and my kids and what were they doing and that kind of stuff.

"Not one bit was I thinking about the game and I knew there and then that I was letting my teammates down if I didn't get help."

And when he was facing his demons in rehab, it was the thought of being reunited with his kids, along with a desire to honour the trust placed in him by Des Hasler, that got him through.

"It's quite weird because you're not allowed any contact with the outside world while you're in there," Barba revealed.

"You get a visit on Sunday and one phone call a week unless you've got kids, which I was lucky enough I had.

"Des was pretty good, he knew when he first put me in there he told me to trust him and to knuckle down and work hard because the ultimatum was put the effort in here or there's no coming back to football.

"For times there I struggled a bit and I wanted to pack up and leave and go into hiding somewhere but he came around, they allowed him to come in and see me, and just the emotion he showed towards me on trusting him and knowing there'd be a better outcome if I stayed in there and worked through it, he's been such a big help to me this last year, and especially through this tough time."

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'Winning culture' Smith's biggest asset

Winner ... Smith has a history of playing in successful sides. Source: News Limited

Brumbies coach Jake White says veteran flanker George Smith's value is largely to do with the "winning culture" he brings to the side, one Wallabies coach Robbie Deans would be wise to use against the Lions.

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The Super Rugby pace-setters were granted an extension on Smith's contract from Japanese club Suntory Sungoliath on Thursday, with the star flanker now set to remain in Canberra until the end of the Super Rugby season.

Speaking to Fox Sports' Rugby HQ ahead of his side's huge clash with Queensland Reds, White said the aura that went with Smith's imposing record had been invaluable to his relatively inexperienced outfit.

"Firstly, let me say that's it's fantastic to have a guy like George on board, winners just create winners," White told Rugby HQ.

"He's gone through 33 games at Suntory now without losing a game, so it just shows that there's definitely a winning culture when George is around.

"I'm hoping that stat of being 12 from 12 on Saturday is obviously something that we're aspiring to and I'm sure George will do his bit to make sure we get that result."

White also paid tribute to Suntory for their professional approach to the negotiations, revealing the Japanese club were "honoured" to assist the Brumbies.

"I've slowly, slowly been dealing behind the scenes with Suntory – they've been magnificent in loaning him to us," White said.

"They've now come out and said it would be an honour for them to allow him to be playing.

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Watch the Brumbies' clash with the Reds from 7.30pm Saturday Live and in HD on Fox Sports 2HD!

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"Everyone knows the more George plays the better becomes and he doesn't need a break; he says he's loving his rugby and loving being a part of this Brumbies team.

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"So as I said, it's fantastic that Japanese rugby and Suntory have come on board and given us his services to our campaign's over."

Suntory's decision to allow Smith to stay on in Canberra now puts the ball back into Deans's and the Australian Rugby Union's court as to whether he is selected for the Lions series.

Yet even in the absence of the injured David Pocock the Wallabies backrow stocks remain strong, youngsters Michael Hooper and Liam Gill both performing in Super Rugby.

While he stopped short of calling for Smith's Wallabies inclusion, it wasn't hard to work out who the Rugby World Cup-winning coach thought should be lining up at No.7 in the first Test at Suncorp Stadium.

"It's not for me to decide who should be playing above who," White said.

"I think at the end of the day every coach knows that you want to win Test matches, you want to make sure that this Lions series is successful for Australia.

"So the answer's quite simple, Robbie's got to do what he thinks is best to make sure he gets victory in those three Tests.

"George Smith is one of the greatest players to ever play for Australia and who's ever played world rugby, and if it means he's going to be on the field to win a series then you pick him.

"It doesn't matter whether or not some guys lose out - the nature of professional sport is some players make it and some don't make it."

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Chiefs make six changes for Tahs game

Coming back ... Brendon Leonard comes into the Chiefs XV. Source: Wayne Drought / AAP

Former All Blacks halfback Brendon Leonard will wear the No.9 jersey for the first time this Super Rugby season in one of six changes to the Chiefs' starting line-up to face the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney.

Leonard has come off the bench since returning from a cheek injury that sidelined him in the early weeks of the campaign.

The 13-Test veteran takes over from Augustine Pulu, who goes to the bench for Friday's match.

In other backline changes, Andrew Horrell will be at fullback, Lelia Masaga on the right wing and Charlie Ngatai at outside centre, with Richard Kahui moving in one spot in to inside centre.

Horrell replaces the impressive Gareth Anscombe, who was recruited from the Blues as back-up five-eighth but has started at fullback for all seven matches so far.

In the pack, Fritz Lee comes back in at No.8 in a rejigged back three, while Pauliasi Manu is selected at loosehead prop.

Both sides are looking to bounce back from defeat, with the Chiefs falling to a 31-23 loss at the hands of the Reds in Hamilton last Saturday.

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The defending champions remain the New Zealand conference leaders, but have dropped four points behind competition front-runners the Brumbies.

The Waratahs went down to the Hurricanes 41-29 in Wellington before their bye last weekend.

They have won three of their four matches in Sydney this season and Chiefs coach Dave Rennie is expecting them to lift at Allianz Stadium.

"They've been building well and will be a hell of a lot tougher at home," he said.

"It's a big game for both teams coming off losses."

Chiefs: Andrew Horrell, Lelia Masaga, Charlie Ngatai, Richard Kahui, Asaeli Tikoirotuma, Aaron Cruden, Brendon Leonard, Fritz Lee, Sam Cane, Liam Messam (capt), Brodie Retallick, Michael Fitzgerald, Ben Tameifuna, Hika Elliot, Pauliasi Manu. Reserves: Rhys Marshall, Michael Kainga, Nick Crosswell, Tanerau Latimer, August Pulu, Gareth Anscombe, Tim Nanai-Williams.

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Malthouse: it's not about win-loss

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Not panicking ... Malthouse says it's not all about wins and losses. Source: David Crosling / AAP

Mick Malthouse - the man lured to Carlton to land the club's 17th flag on a deal worth millions - says it's not about wins and losses.

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The Blues have lost their opening three matches and face West Coast on Saturday night in Perth.

A loss to the Eagles would mean Carlton would have to defy history to play finals - no side under the eight-team finals format has played in September after starting 0-4.

"It's not about win-loss, it's about process," Malthouse said.

"It's the process, it'll always be the process. And when you look after the process, the results will look after themselves.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Essendon	3	3	0	0	200.54	12
2	Port Adelaide	3	3	0	0	159.75	12
3	Sydney	3	3	0	0	145.64	12
4	Richmond	3	3	0	0	135.46	12
5	Geelong	3	3	0	0	109.09	12
6	Hawthorn	3	2	0	1	134.88	8
7	Fremantle	3	2	0	1	122.61	8
8	Collingwood	3	2	0	1	93.37	8
9	St Kilda	3	1	0	2	116.34	4
10	West Coast	3	1	0	2	104.72	4
11	Adelaide	3	1	0	2	91.99	4
12	Bulldogs	3	1	0	2	91.00	4
13	Gold Coast	3	1	0	2	89.47	4
14	Brisbane	3	1	0	2	73.02	4
15	Carlton	3	0	0	3	88.89	0
16	North Melbourne	3	0	0	3	82.95	0
17	Greater Western Sydney	3	0	0	3	58.42	0
18	Melbourne	3	0	0	3	35.02	0

"People will love to go, 'Look at your scoreline'.

"Let's look at it. We're two games out of the eight, or one game, I don't even know what the ladder is. So what's the big deal?

"It's are we playing good football? Yes we are, in patches.

"Are we playing good enough to beat our opponents? No, because we're not doing that for a full game."

When it was suggested that Carlton supporters would be wanting a win soon, Malthouse said he would not be panicked.

"Win game one to game 22, that's the supporters," Malthouse said.

"I can't help the supporters. All I can do is help the side.

"The supporters are there, we love the supporters, we want to get 50,000 members. We're zip and three, what do you want me to do, turn it around?

"It's got to be process driven."

In VFL-AFL history only four teams have started 0-4 and made the finals; North Melbourne in 1975 in a 12-team competition was the only side to go on to win the flag.

The Blues were considering recalling Levi Casboult and Rob Warnock to cover for injured ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (thumb) against the tall Eagles.

Warnock's 2012 season was ruined by a shoulder injury. He hasn't played since Round 14.

Jarrad Waite and Eddie Betts are not expected to play this weekend.

Malthouse defended captain Marc Murphy, who has been criticised for his defensive efforts, which Geelong exposed last week when Taylor Hunt kicked three goals on him.

"Marc, incidentally, got one of our votes," he said.

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Knights' Smith to serve six-week ban

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Long break ... Jeremy Smith has received a six-match ban. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Newcastle Knights lock Jeremy Smith has been suspended for six matches after failing to downgrade his head slam charge.

Smith's ban will include Friday night's Anzac Test, where he was picked in the Kiwi back-row.

More to come...

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Sharks days away from Carney deal

Cronulla ... confident of re-signing Todd Carney. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Cronulla coach shane Flangan is confident of re-signing star play maker Todd Carney within days despite attracting interest from St George Illawarra.

With Jamie Soward announcing the signing of a four-year deal with Penrith, it opens the door for the joint-venture to make a big play for  Carney, who ousted Soward from his NSW No.6 shirt last year.

Carney is the most high-profile name off contract at the end of this year but the Sharks remain confident of re-signing Carney, after throwing him a lifeline following his sacking by the Roosters in 2011.

However, the investigation by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) halted negotiations after general football manager Darren Mooney, who was working with Carney's representatives, was sacked along with three other members of the backroom staff.

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan insists Carney will re-sign, with talks restarting after Steve Noyce joined the club as football manager and said the news of Soward departure from the Dragons will make no difference to their discussions.

"The Dragons made an approach to Todd and Todd wants to stay (at Cronulla)," Flanagan said.

"And we want him to stay here and we're getting the deal done.

"The Dragons never made Jamie Soward an offer so they knew he was going.

"The Soward thing isn't an issue for us."

When asked whether the club was a couple of weeks or months away from making an announcement regarding Carney, Flanagan was forthright: "Days," he said.

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Pakistan spinner appeals life ban

Pakistan's Danish Kaneria ... hopes to revive his international career. Source: ANDREW YATES / News Limited

Former Pakistan legspinner Danish Kaneria hopes to revive his international career following an appeal of his life ban before a disciplinary committee of the England and Wales Cricket Board next week.

Kaneria was banned by the ECB last year for pressuring former Essex teammate Mervyn Westfield into spot-fixing in an English county one-day game in 2009.

Kaneria left on Tuesday for London, where the hearing will be held next Monday.

"I have high hopes the panel will be independent and neutral in this hearing," Kaneria told The Associated Press by telephone from the southern port city of Karachi. 

"My livelihood is stuck due to the ECB's ban."

The hearing was deferred last December when the ECB was unable to gain Westfield's cooperation to appear before the committee.

Westfield, who pleaded guilty to receiving payment which could bring him or the game into disrepute, was banned for five years, but allowed to participate in minor club cricket after three years.

Westfield's admission of guilt and his evidence against Kaneria led the ECB to reduce a possible suspension of nine years to five, and allow him to be involved only in club cricket after three years of his ban.

Kaneria expects Westfield to testify in his favour.

"I hope things will be seen more clearly by the disciplinary committee in the presence of Westfield," he said.

He played for Pakistan from 2000 to 2010, when he was suspended by the Pakistan Cricket Board until the spot-fixing case was resolved. An integral part of Pakistan's test team, he took 261 wickets in 61 matches.

Kaneria's determination to clear his name included an appeal to the Sindh High Court in Karachi to try to overturn his PCB suspension. But the court dismissed his appeal in 2011, saying it was not within its jurisdiction.

Pakistan cricket has been hit badly by spot-fixing and match-fixing over the last three years.

Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir are serving long bans for their involvement in spot-fixing during a Test against England in 2010, while last week the PCB banned umpire Nadeem Ghauri for four years for corruption.

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I answered truthfully: Hird

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Relief ... James Hird celebrates Essendon's win over Fremantle. Source: Alex Coppel / News Limited

Essendon coach James Hird has released a statement after meeting with ASADA officials on Tuesday, saying he fully co-operated and truthfully answered every question.

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In a statement released on Tuesday night, Hird said:

"Today I attended an interview with the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and the AFL Integrity Officers.

"At the interview I fully co-operated and truthfully answered every question that was put to me by the investigators.

"I will not do anything to impede the ASADA and AFL investigation and will continue to co-operate fully.

"This includes maintaining the confidentiality of the interview. This is incumbent upon all parties present at the ASADA and AFL investigation so as to not pollute the process.

"I welcomed the opportunity to tell the truth today."

Earlier, Hird left his Toorak home on Tuesday morning, dressed in a suit and Bombers tie, saying he was looking forward to meeting ASADA officers.

"I'm just looking forward to having my say," he said.

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Asked if he was confident he could clear his name, Hird said: "Yes mate."

Hird will not be under oath when he faces drugs investigators for the first time.

But he nevertheless would face tough penalties if found not to have told the truth.

ASADA officers are probing claims that players received banned intravenous injections - one of several concerns raised about the club's sports science regimen last year.

Sports scientist Stephen Dank has said that during his time at Essendon he injected Hird with the performance-enhancing drug Hexarelin, which is banned for players.

The AFL Anti-Doping Code demands players and coaches must:

FULLY co-operate with any investigation.

FULLY and truthfully answer all questions.

PROVIDE documents if requested.

Players and coaches who fail to do this face a minimum $10,000 fine. If a breach of this section is referred to the AFL Tribunal by the league, there is no limit on the sanction that can be applied.

The code prohibits coaches from supplying and administering performance-enhancing drugs, but not from taking them.

The AFL can sanction anyone it believes has brought the game into disrepute.

Evidence gathered by ASADA would ultimately come before the AFL Tribunal if the agency found players or officials had a case to answer.

Former ASADA chief Richard Ings said: "In the infraction notice (from the AFL), it will say ASADA has told the AFL that you have a case to answer for breaching these provisions of the anti-doping rules; the penalty for this breach is a ban, or whatever -- two years, say; you have an opportunity now to either accept the ban, or to request a hearing before the AFL anti-doping panel.

"The hearing, the tribunal, is held by the AFL.

"ASADA would be the counsel prosecuting the case, because they've got the evidence, and the player and his attorney would be the defence."

Hird was expected to be accompanied by a lawyer, or lawyers,  on Tuesday.

Under common ASADA practices:

THE interview would be conducted by two ASADA officials.

AN investigator from the AFL's integrity office could attend and ask questions.

THE interview would be recorded.

Hird is not bound by privacy laws and can share anything from the interview.

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'His footwork should be applauded'

Kevin Proctor ... an unsung hero for Melbourne against South Sydney. Source: FOX SPORTS

Former St George Illawarra superstar Mark Gasnier looks back on the sixth round of NRL action in 2013 and singles out his player of the week to be awarded The Gaz Man.

And the award, for his starring role in the Storm's big win over South Sydney, goes to...

KEVIN PROCTOR

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This guy's another of those unsung heroes for the Storm who really helps to make the whole machine operate as well as it does. 

Against the Rabbitohs Proctor stepped up to start in place of Tohu Harris and they had a gameplan to target John Sutton in defence. 

Sutton's a great tackler but his decision making can be questionable at times. 

I don't think they could have executed that gameplan without Kevin Proctor. 

His ability to use footwork to get inside Sutton's inside shoulder should be applauded.

A lot of teams try to run inside John Sutton with the fullback sweeping out the back to create that three on two but the whole idea of running that decoy play is to open up the edges.

I think Kevin Proctor has the ability.

He is such an athletic backrower that he was able to make Sutton really think about what he was going to do. 

He broke the line once and Sutton only just held onto him to save a try before breaking them again where he palmed off Greg Inglis for a try. 

There was also another time where he half went through and offloaded it for a half line-break. 

It's hard to argue that the Storm-Rabbitohs match was the highest quality match of the round, if not the season, and without Kevin Proctor's influence the Storm may not have run away with it. 

He really stood out against a great pack of forwards. 

I wouldn't say Melbourne's forward pack dominated Souths but I thought their edge backrowers really outshone their Rabbitohs opposites. 

That was the difference to how each team rolled up the field and questioned the decision making of the outside backs. 

Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk deserve every accolade that they get but if they don't have guys like Proctor with the ability to hold the opposition up so Slater can get out the back and take advantage of three on twos, he wouldn't be scoring near as many tries as he does. 

If there was no Proctor, Sutton wouldn't be as worried about what the inside man's going to do and the overlaps wouldn't be created. 

I also thought he did a lot of hard graft. 

Yes, he did the glamorous stuff out on the edges but he also did a lot of hard work - hit-ups coming off his own try-line second and third play, and worked hard defensively. 

What an option to start Kevin Proctor instead of Tohu Harris! 

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NRL fan stuck in mud for 30 hours

Albert Kelly ... celebtrates scoring the match winning try. Source: CHARLES KNIGHT / AAP

A Titans fan was rescued on Tuesday morning after spending more than 30 hours stuck in a swamp at Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast.

Police were called to swampland at the southern end of Railway Street at 2.45am today after local residents heard a man calling for help, the Gold Coast Bulletin reports.

The 41-year-old man said he got stuck after he tried to take a shortcut on Sunday night after leaving the Titans game against Parramatta at Skilled Park, Robina.

"When police arrived they searched the area using a spotlight and located a 41-year -old man in the middle of a swamp area, some distance away from the road,'' police said.

"He had sunk into the watercourse and was unable to free himself."

It is believed no one noticed he was missing yesterday or saw him waving his hands for help.

Rescuers this morning waded into the swampland and used ropes to help pull the man to safety before carrying him to dry land.

He was taken to Robina Hospital and treated for climate exposure and cuts.

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Refs tirade costs Stuart $10k

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Blow up ... Ricky Stuart will have to pay for his tirade against referees. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Ricky Stuart's expletive-laden tirade in which he questioned the impartiality of referees has cost the Parramatta coach a $10,000 fine from the NRL.

An irate Stuart unleashed his frustrations after watching his Eels give up a 22-8 second half lead in going down to Gold Coast on Sunday night.

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The men with the whistle were his main target after Parramatta were hammered 8-1 in the penalty count during the second half.

"We're just a very easy team to penalise,'' Stuart said following the game.

"We haven't got the high-profile players where you can get the penalty or milk the penalty.

"It's bullshit.''

The NRL came down hard as it issued the Eels with a $10,000 breach notice, which the club has five days to respond to.

According to a statement from the NRL, Stuart's comments breached guidelines which prevent a coach questioning the integrity of the referee, from engaging in criticism that is excessive or unjustified or from ridiculing officials.

"Coaches are allowed to question or criticise decisions but there are some clear boundaries that every club should be aware of,'' NRL general manager of football operations Nathan McGuirk said.

"We believe that on this occasion those boundaries were breached.''

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Video: Scott's Masters dream at 21

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Prodigy ... Adam Scott was always tipped for big things. Source:AAP

For a then 21-year-old Adam Scott, the thought of becoming the first Australian to win the Masters seemed almost inconceivable.

When Scott sat down for a chat with Fox Sports prior to his first Masters appearance 11 years ago, the level-headed youngster knew that conquering the perilous greens of Augusta could take time.

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"It would be great to happen, but I don't mind if it's this year or next year or in ten years - I'd just love to win it," Scott said.

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Asked what it would mean to become the first Aussie to win the coveted green jacket, Scott replied: "I can't even imagine what it would be like right now and I probably couldn't even for weeks after I won it."

The now 32-year-old Queenslander will have plenty of time to evaluate exactly what it means to him after snapping Australia's Masters hoodoo on Monday.

One of the defining moments in Scott's final round was a seven-metre birdie putt on the 18th to eventually send the tournament to a playoff with 2009 champion Angel Cabrera.

It was a clutch right-to-left breaking putt Scott had seen made many times before, even back then at 21.

"You see it all the time so you can see some breaks. [Mark] O'Meara's putt I can see clearly in my mind when he won (in 1998), even Tiger's putt last year (2001) when he rolled that in, even though he didn't need to but he did.

"I don't know if I'm going to get out there and just remember the break off TV. It's probably a bit different when you've got the green jacket riding on the line."

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Watch the full interview with Adam Scott ahead of his Masters debut in 2002.

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Fittler defends City-Country concept

Hitting back ... City coach Brad Fittler defends City-Country concept. Source: Lukas Coch / AAP

City coach Brad Fittler has defended the City-Country concept despite his squad being forced into a dramatic makeover following the withdrawal of a host of players.

On top of the pre-selection unavailability of halfback Mitchell Pearce due to a calf strain, City on Monday lost five players to injury including NSW State of Origin contender Josh Reynolds and three Wests Tigers representatives.

The spate of withdrawals again raised questions about the legitimacy of the match, and how much of a role it plays as a genuine trial for NSW Origin selection.

Michael Gordon, Akuila Uate, Jamal Idris, Jack Wighton, James McManus, James Maloney, Josh McCrone, Trent Merrin, Boyd Cordner, Josh Jackson, Aiden Tolman, Michael Ennis, Willie Mason. Interchange: Sam Williams, Tariq Sims, Ryan James, Alex McKinnon.

So slim were the pickings available that Fittler was forced to hand a start to tyros duo James Tedesco (20) and Curtis Sironen (19), both of whom weren't in first grade a matter of weeks ago.

Tedesco, with just four NRL games under his belt, will become the most inexperienced player to ever play in the City-Country clash, Sironen not much better off with just seven top grade appearances.

But recalling his own elevation to the City side as an 18-year-old in 1990, Fittler said opportunity was exactly what the City-Country game was about.

"I don't care,'' Fittler said in regards to claims from critics that the game had passed its used-by date.

"A lot of blokes (who withdrew), there's legitimacy about what they're doing.

"They've played six games, there's a fair chance most of them are going to be sore somewhere.

"It's a case of if they really wanted to be here and it suits them to be here, they'd be here.''

Sironen came into the squad for Reynolds, who Fittler said was desperate to play before being overruled by Canterbury medical officials.

His withdrawal robbed NSW coach Laurie Daley of the opportunity of pitting two of his contenders for the Blues No.6 jumper head-to-head, with in-form Country playmaker James Maloney now in the driver's seat to play Origin I on June 6.

Tedesco can't even command the No.1 jumper at the Tigers but was rushed in to replace Jarryd Hayne at fullback, while Robbie Farah, Aaron Woods and Chris Lawrence were replaced by Nathan Peats, Adam Cuthbertson and Joel Reddy respectively.

Country prop Willie Mason, back in a representative jumper for the first time since playing for Country in 2010, said he hoped the injury withdrawals were genuine.

He said he had never considered just pulling out of a Country side, and admitted he had his eyes focussed once again on a NSW jumper he last wore in 2008.

"There's a couple of bench spots, especially in the front row,'' Mason said of possible NSW selection.

"It's a shame with all the (City) players pulling out of it. You don't know when your last rep jersey is going to be.

"They obviously have genuine reasons - at least you'd hope so anyway - or injuries, because you'd think they wouldn't really want to pull out.''

Mason, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Monday, claimed he was feeling fitter now than he had in years.

"You know you can play at that level and Origin hasn't changed, it's still the same ingredients,'' Mason said.

REVISED CITY TEAM: James Tedesco, Nathan Merritt, Michael Jennings, Joel Reddy, Jorge Taufua, Curtis Sironen, Adam Reynolds, Adam Cuthbertson, Nathan Peats, Tim Mannah, Tony Williams, Ryan Hoffman, Feleti Mateo. Interchange: Wade Graham, Andrew Fifita, Tom Symonds, Tim Grant.

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Brogan to front AFL tribunal

Trouble ... Dean Brogan will face the AFL tribunal for an off the ball incident. Source: Kym Smith / AAP

Greater Western Sydney ruckman Dean Brogan is going straight to the AFL tribunal because of a rough conduct charge involving St Kilda utility Jack Newnes.

The match review panel charged Brogan on Monday night after investigating an incident during Saturday's match at Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Only serious cases are sent to the tribunal without the player being offered an early plea.

Brogan was booked for an incident in the centre of the ground during the first term.

It is understood there is behind-the-goals footage, but no broadcast vision.

Newnes was subbed out of the game with concussion.

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Gutsy Power remain undefeated

Showdown ... Travis Boak celebrates a huge win for Port Adelaide. Source: Simon Cross / News Limited

A heroic four-goal haul by Justin Westhoff inspired Port Adelaide to a remarkable nine-point comeback victory against arch rivals Adelaide on Sunday.

The Power came from 31 points down in the third term to post a stunning 17.16 (118) to 16.13 (109) triumph at AAMI Stadium.

Westhoff kicked all his goals in the second half as Port booted nine of the last 12 goals of the game to bank their third consecutive win.

While Westhoff was best afield, the unbeaten Power were also sparked by captain Travis Boak (three goals) and Chad Wingard, who kicked three goals.

Adelaide spearhead Taylor Walker booted three majors while on-ballers Rory Sloane and Scott Thompson were solid performers.

When Walker kicked his third in the 11th minute of the third quarter, the Crows skipped 31 points ahead and appeared home.

But Westhoff triggered a comeback which was defined by a game-turning incident late in the quarter. 

Adelaide midfielder Matthew Wright had a set shot at goal from 45 metres to give his side a two-goal buffer, but inexplicably handballed to his teammate Matthew Jaensch, charging from behind.

But Crows players didn't factor in Port veteran Jay Schulz, who was hot on Jaensch's heels and tackled the Adelaide player, who was forced into a wild handball.

The ball sailed straight to Port, who swept the ball down field and captain Boak goaled to level the scores at three-quarter time.

The Power then rode their momentum before a 40,707-strong crowd with a commanding last quarter.

Wingard kicked all three of his goals in the final stanza, his last coming after being collected high by Adelaide's Bernie Vince, who was reported for charging.

The Crows, now with one win and two losses, host Western Bulldogs next Sunday while Port travel to play Gold Coast on Saturday night.

Click here to view all of the stats and scores in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

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'Best two teams into grand final'

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Glory awaits ... The Wanderers need just one more victory to cap an amazing season. Source:AAP

Fox Sports football commentators Robbie Slater and Mark Bosnich review the A-League preliminary finals, which saw Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners advance to the decider.

Western Sydney Wanderers 2 def Brisbane Roar 0

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Bozza: I think we've seen Brisbane transcend the game of football in Australia over the last two years and I think Western Sydney Wanderers have done the same thing in one season. They play at such high intensity and it's so important to have a player like Shinji Ono, who when they get the ball is capable of doing things like this; to be always in support of their attacking players and to be able to hit pin-point balls like this to keep possession.

Robbie: He's (Youssouf Hersi) unbelievable. His engine as well is unbelievable. When you watch him play it's what every player does but he does it with such energy - it is quite incredible. And you can't get beyond the stat, every time this guy has started they've won. So look, he is going to be missed. There's no doubt that his position on that right-hand side, when he plays he's something exceptional. Defensively he does so well for them, it's not only about him attacking it's about him defending as well.

Central Coast Mariners 1 def Melbourne Victory 0

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Bozza: I think he (Nathan Coe) was just moving a little bit just before he (Daniel McBreen) struck his goal. You'll see eventually when he dives he's actually diving from a position which takes him away originally from the strike and makes it that much more difficult. He (McBreen) actually missed two easier chances earlier on … but he's had a fabulous season.

Robbie: The Victory were better than they were against Perth. They just lacked it in the final third but you can put that down to their defensive structure that Graham Arnold spoke about – how they cut the supply to particularly (Marco) Rojas and Archie Thompson. He (Ange Postecoglou) has turned that club around. There's no doubt that the club now has a culture, they've found their identity again. Melbourne Victory are only going to get better.

Bozza: I thought they (Victory) were a little bit disappointing. We saw them last week against Perth pretty much get out of jail, even though they kept on daring. I thought they started off very well this evening, then were nullified by what was a superb performance from Central Coast defensively. But if you're a Melbourne Victory supporter you would have expected a little bit more from the likes of Rojas and the likes of (Marcos) Flores and Archie Thompson. The Mariners defended brilliantly but you would have expected a little bit more from the Victory – it just didn't seem like they were going to score at all.

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Titans clinch thrilling victory

Gold Coast Titans ... Anthony Don scores on debut. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

Written off by critics as not up to NRL standard, a physical Parramatta gave Gold Coast a mighty scare at Skilled Park on Sunday evening.

4 Tries 3
Anthony Don 13'	Jarryd Hayne 22'
Ashley Harrison 57'	Ryan Morgan 29'
Mark Minichiello 68'	Jarryd Hayne 49'
Albert Kelly 71'
4 Conversions 3
Beau Henry 15'	Chris Sandow 23'
Beau Henry 58'	Chris Sandow 30'
Beau Henry 69'	Chris Sandow 51'
Beau Henry 72'
2 Penalties 2
Beau Henry 20'	Chris Sandow 8'
Beau Henry 62'	Chris Sandow 26'

The Titans escaped 28-22 after trailing 22-8 but they had their fair share of luck, especially with halfback Albert Kelly's match-winning try in the 72nd minute.

Kelly scored after his own bomb took a deflection off teammate Luke Douglas as the Parramatta defence, including fullback Jarryd Hayne, let the ball bounce.

Hayne had pulled off a spectacular AFL-like leap to score a try in the 49th minute that put the Eels out to a 14-point lead.

Hayne also saved the day when he took debutant winger Anthony Don into touch with Parramatta clinging to a 22-16 lead.

An average spectacle for the first 40 minutes, the contest came alive after Titans forward Ashley Harrison crashed over to make it 22-14 before five-eighth Beau Henry kicked one of his six goals to reduce the deficit to six points.

Titans interchange forward Mark Minichiello levelled the scores after Kelly put him through a narrow gap 10 metres out.

Parramatta were hammered in the second half penalties 8-1 which helped the Titans' recovery mission.

But for a team beaten 50-0 three weeks ago they took the Titans to the wire.

The visitors, coming off a confidence-boosting upset over Cronulla last weekend, muscled up on their rivals.

They led 16-8 at halftime and could have had a bigger lead just after the break had Kelepi Tanginoa not been called back for a forward pass after he raced across the Titans tryline.

The Titans, who had co-captains Nate Myles and Greg Bird named in Australia's Test side to play New Zealand on Friday, were ordinary at times while committing a comedy of errors.

They dropped passes, dropped kicks and threw wild passes over the sideline.

Parramatta were clearly the more enthusiastic side, starting the second half well before Bird and Harrison stepped up and provided some energy to start the hosts' comeback.

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'Never write off a champion like Hodge'

Champion ... Luke Hodge looks to drive Hawthorn into attack. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Fox Sports AFL expert Julian de Stoop reviews round three in the AFL and discusses his likes and dislikes.

It was another big weekend in the AFL with some gusty wins and unlucky injuries, we bring you the best and worst from the week that was.

Do you agree? Tell us what you liked to disliked from the weekend by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.

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Likes

Luke Hodge
A knee injury restricted Luke Hodge to just 10 matches in 2012 and when word filtered out that Hawthorn had wrapped its skipper in cotton wool at times over summer some began to question whether we had seen the best of the 2008 Norm Smith Medallist. The answer appears to be an emphatic no! In his first game of the season last week Hodge was amongst the Hawks' best but against Collingwood he was the standout player on the ground. With his team down by 22 points in the second term it was Hodge and his fierce attack on the ball and the man that dragged his team back into the contest. The skipper finished with 31 disposals and two booming goals, both from good old fashioned torpedos.

Port Adelaide
When the Power suffered the indignity of losing to the Giants in Round 19 last season they hit rock bottom. Matthew Primus was sacked and given the club's financial problems their very existence in the competition was questioned. But under new leadership in president David Koch, coach Ken Hinkley and captain Travis Boak the Power are rejuvenated. Wins over Melbourne and the Giants were encouraging but the showdown was their first real test for the year. When they trailed the Crows by five goals all seemed lost but led brilliantly by best on ground Boak and a born again Justin Westhoff the Power ignited for one of the best wins in recent times. The form of young players Chad Wingard, Hamish Hartlett and rookie Ollie Wines would bring a huge smile to Hinkley's face.

Jake Carlisle
Naturally all the focus was on James Hird before, during and after the Bombers' amazing come-from-behind win over Fremantle but the real star at Patterson Stadium was Jake Carlisle. The young defender kept Dockers skipper Matthew Pavlich  scoreless and his composure under pressure late in the game led to Paddy Ryder's match-winning goal. Carlisle has played on and beat Taylor Walker, Mitch Clark and Pavlich in the opening three rounds and with just 31 games under his belt he looks to be a star of the future. His improvement gives Hird the luxury to leave Michael Hurley forward where his strength and presence is so important.

The Tigers big three
Richmond and star power haven't been commonplace in the past 30 years but in Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio and Dustin Martin the Tigers have three genuine stars through the middle. The trio combined for 98 disposals and five goals as Richmond continued their unbeaten start to the season with a thumping win over the Dogs. Memo to opposition coaches… don't bother tagging Cotchin, like Gary Ablett, he is basically untaggable. Instead focus on negating the finisher in Deledio. Martin will be frighteningly good when he is a fit enough to play four quarters but the trio will have to be at their best when the Tigers play Collingwood in a blockbuster at the MCG on Saturday.

Sydney's midfield
Not only are the Swans midfielders big and strong, they kick goals. With Sam Reid struggling for form and Kurt Tippett unavailable until the second half of the season, the reigning premiers have to find goals from other sources and so far so good. Jarrad McVeigh, Kieran Jack, Josh Kennedy and Daniel Hannebery all regularly hit the scoreboard as does Ben McGlynn who cruelly missed last year's grand final with a hamstring injury. As usual no one is talking about the Swans but it's business as usual for the reigning premiers

Dislikes

The Slide Rule
I must admit initially I thought the slide rule was a good one but on the evidence of the weekend it is going to frustrate coaches, players, fans and even umpires for the entire season. The incident in which Harry O'Brien was reported for rough conduct on Luke Hodge - when O'Brien really should of got a free kick because Hodge slid in - highlights how tough the rule is to interpret for the umpires. If a player slides in feet first or slides in and takes a players legs out from under them when they have the ball then pay a free kick but when the ball is in a disputed situation let it go. It's an overreaction to what was a terribly unfortunate injury to Swan Gary Rohan last year.

Injuries
In the opening two rounds the club medico's weren't kept too busy but that all changed in Round 3. The season ending knee injury to Giants youngster Jonathan Patton is sad for all football followers while two luckless players in Carlton's Matthew Kreuzer and Geelong's Travis Varcoe are set for significant spells on the sidelines due thumb and shoulder injuries respectively.

Sleepy Demons and North Melbourne
On the evidence of the opening three rounds Brad Scott and Mark Neeld need to work on their half-time pep talks. Both teams conceded 11 goals in what is commonly referred to as the premiership quarter after promising first halves. North Melbourne have led in all three of their matches at half-time only to be outscored 144 to 38 in third quarters. Hard to believe the Demons have actually been worse. They have kicked a paltry 2.2 compared to their opposition who have scored 24.14. And one more on Melbourne… why would Jack Watts not play in the VFL after being dumped from the seniors? The way he's been handled continues to bemuse.

Leaky Blues
Mick Malthouse has built a coaching career on defence but he's got some work to do at Visy Park. The winless Blues have conceded over 100 points in all three matches this year and if they don't tighten up their finals dreams will be over before they know it. Marc Murphy was criticised for his defensive work against Collingwood in round two and against the Cats his opponent Taylor Hunt kicked three goals in the opening half. I'm sure some stern words will be heading the skipper's way this week.

Matthew Pavlich
As we have learnt with Luke Hodge you never write off a champion but it's been a slow start to the year for Matthew Pavlich. The Dockers skipper didn't have a great pre-season due to Achilles surgery and a hand injury which required surgery after Round 1 hasn't helped his cause. If Ross Lyon's men are to jump into the top four they need more from the skipper. The good news is 'The Pav' started slowly last year before producing a stellar final three months to finish the season with 69 goals.

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