Power crash Tippett's party

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Crash landing ... Port Adelaide spoil Kurt Tippett's Sydney debut. Source: BEN MACMAHON / AAP

Emerging star Chad Wingard inspired Port Adelaide to the upset of the AFL season, a slogging 18-point comeback victory against Sydney on Saturday.

The Power trailed at three-quarter time but Wingard triggered a late surge as Port won 10.12 (72) to 8.6 (54) at a sodden AAMI Stadium.

1.2 (8)	Q1	4.1 (25)
3.5 (23)	Q2	5.2 (32)
5.6 (36)	Q3	6.4 (40)
10.12 (72)	Q4	8.6 (54)

Chad Wingard 3	Adam Goodes 2
Angus Monfries 2	Kieren Jack 2
Matthew Broadbent 1	Kurt Tippett 2
Robert Gray 1	Tom Mitchell 1
Jake Neade 1	Mitch Morton 1
Jay Schulz 1
Justin Westhoff 1

Port ruined the comeback game of Sydney's prized recruit Kurt Tippett, who kicked a goal in the first minute and finished with two in an ominous debut for the Swans.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	12	11	0	1	143.00	44
2	Geelong	11	10	0	1	129.49	40
3	Essendon	12	9	0	3	131.57	36
4	Sydney	12	8	1	3	130.22	34
5	Fremantle	11	8	1	2	128.57	34
6	Collingwood	12	8	0	4	108.47	32
7	Port Adelaide	12	7	0	5	115.57	28
8	Richmond	11	7	0	4	114.27	28
9	Carlton	12	6	0	6	116.89	24
10	West Coast	12	6	0	6	111.53	24
11	Adelaide	12	5	0	7	103.55	20
12	Gold Coast	12	5	0	7	92.55	20
13	North Melbourne	11	4	0	7	111.13	16
14	St Kilda	12	3	0	9	89.80	12
15	Bulldogs	11	3	0	8	75.84	12
16	Brisbane	11	3	0	8	73.56	12
17	Melbourne	12	1	0	11	50.87	4
18	Greater Western Sydney	12	0	0	12	51.41	0

But in wet and windy conditions, Port kicked five goals to two in the last term to stun the Swans and climb into the top eight.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Wingard booted three goals, including two in the tense final stanza, while Port's acting captain Brad Ebert, Matthew Broadbent and veteran hard-nuts Dom Cassisi and Tom Logan revelled in the heavy going.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

After years of neglect, coach Ken Hinkley says Port Adelaide are relevant again

But Hinkley says the resurgent Power remain "miles away" from their ultimate ambition.

"We are becoming a little bit more relevant, there is no doubt about that,'' Hinkley said.

But the rookie coach said Port remained far from producing the consistent excellence of clubs like Sydney.

"We are miles away from there ... (but) we have taken some ground,'' he said.

"We have beaten a genuine top-four side today ... it's a great confidence builder. We know how to do it, now we have got to be able to do it week-in, week-out.''

The Swans were superbly served by midfielders Josh Kennedy and Jarrad McVeigh and backman Nick Malceski was prominent.

But the flag fancies lost ex-skipper Adam Goodes, who was substituted at three-quarter time with an injured right knee.

The dual Brownlow medallist watched a final term in which the lead changed five times before Wingard helped to seal Sydney's fate.

The 19-year-old was instrumental in delivering first-year coach Ken Hinkley his greatest win after the Power slipped behind early as Tippett took centre stage.

Tippett took a mark just 11 seconds into his playing career at Sydney, and then converted, in an impressive comeback after an 11-match suspension for his illegal 2009 contract with his former club, Adelaide.

Tippett potted another some 17 minutes later as Sydney crafted a 4.1 to 1.2 advantage by quarter-time.

But the Port, in two quarters of water-logged work, snuck within four points at the last break.

The home side, inspired by Wingard, then overwhelmed the reigning premiers to bank their seventh win from 12 games this season.

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

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wimbledon draw: the Aussies

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Wimbledon ... Lleyton Hewitt draws Swiss star Stan Wawrinka in the first round. Source: Jonathan Brady / AAP

Draw day at a Grand slam – when players find out their first round oppoenents and everyone else gets wwwaaayyyy ahead of themselves as to who is playing who in 10 days time, as if to wish away what happens between now and then.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

This Wimbledon has Serena playing someone else in the final.

And in the men's, 2 of the Big 4 (Djokovic, Murray, Federer, Nadal) would play in the Quarter Finals, thanks to the odd (at best) decision to put Rafael Nadal as the 5th seed behind David Ferrer at 4.

---

Wimbledon 2013 - Ultimate Guide

---

Yes, there was a procedure to follow – Wimbledon uses a special formula taking into account grass court performances and rankings – not just the latter, and the computer came up with the notion Ferrer is a better grass court player than Nadal right now. This does not compute.

Nadal has been punished for losing to Lukas Rosol in the 2nd round last year – he didn't admit injury at the time, but spending the next 7 months off was a fair indication – and also not playing a lead up event after the French Open.

Ferrer, an accomplished player who did well on the surface in 2012 (winning a title in Holland before a good run here), is lucky, and good on him.

But tennis failed to luck-out, because the vast majority wants to see the Big 4 in the last 4.

Anyway, short-term goals are what the Australians are about. Here's a look at their first-up tasks:

SAM STOSUR

Yes, drawing an 18 year-old Slovakian lucky-loser clay-court specialist looks a good draw for Sam, but seriously, who really knows. Her record at Wimbledon is the worst of the 4 majors – 6 wins, 10 losses, best result 3rd round, with just 1 win in the last 3 years. A horror show. But drawing Anna Schmiedlova first is surely a positive. Surely.

LLEYTON HEWITT

What do you do when you draw a talented Swiss one-handed backhand player? Practice with the best Swiss one-handed backhand player. Hewitt spent 2 hours on court with Roger Federer on Friday – and beat him too, to the point of frustration the defending champ at one stage flipped his racquet on the turf in disgust: the Halley's Comet of tennis. Hewitt-Wawrinka is the first round match neither man wants, but is the first round encounter most talked about after the draw. Hewitt is in good nick, as is Wawrinka who has made the final at the event in Holland (played Saturday night). A cracker awaits.

BERNARD TOMIC

Thanks in part to his father's situation and winning a few matches at the lead-up in Eastbourne, Tomic hasn't been sighted on the grounds yet, although he's expected to practice over the weekend. He played well at Eastbourne, losing a tight one to Gilles Simon, who played some brilliant shots on big points. Tomic gets Sam Querrey, the 21st seeded American who has a better win percentage on grass than any other surface. Not ideal, which is what happens when you don't have protection as a seed – which has occurred for Tomic because he's been unable to build on his impressive start to the season in Australia, winning just  1 of 7 matches in the lead up to Eastbourne.

MARINKO MATOSEVIC

9 Grand Slams played. 9 first round losses. It's not funny anymore. Big Marinko needs a break and gets one here with Frenchman Guillaume Rufin, ranked 89, aged 23 and winner of just 5 matches on tour this year. The Australian has the ability to think too harshly of himself when things go awry, but if he stays the distance mentally in this, ability should see him finally breakthrough for a win.

MATT EBDEN

Got a wildcard (good year to get it with every main draw player guaranteed at least 40 grand) before drawing Japanese star Kei Nishikori first. The South African born Ebden moved to Perth as a youngster, which turned out to be the perfect preparation for Wimbledon as the West Australian capital is a grass court haven and Ebden has spent a lot of time on them over the years, and he warmed up on Friday with a win over Tommy Haas in an exhibition match nearby. All of which will help - and he needs it against Nishikori who is playing career best tennis.

JAMES DUCKWORTH

The Duck has done it the hard way again – after qualifying at the French open, he did it again here at nearby Roehampton and will open his Wimbledon career against Denis Kudla – a Ukrainian-born American, ranked 105 in the world who made the quarter-finals at Queens a couple of weeks ago. Duckworth, who loves nothing more than a bit of hard work, will go in with confidence; this being his 3rd Grand Slam appearance of the year.

MATT REID

The real feel-good story of the past few days – ranked 213 in the world, Reid is 22 years old and ready for his career highlight. Like many of his age, he grew up watching Pat Rafter when he really should have been sleeping for school the next day. He got past Somdev Devvarman in the first round of qualifying 18-16 in the final set and then recovered to reach his first Grand Slam main draw at the 7th time of asking. A massive Wallabies fan, he's scheduled practice on Saturday around the first Lions test. Then on Monday he'll play Radek Stepanek – the former top tenner Aussie teenager Nick Kyrgios upstaged in the first round of the French Open. Earlier this year, Reid was playing challengers in places like West Lakes in Adelaide and Kunming in China. Now he gets play at the greatest place in tennis.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Saints celebrate milestones in style

Milestone ... Nick Dal Santo celebrates his 250th game in style. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

St Kilda emerge winners after a difficult week, continuing Melbourne's dire season with a 35-point victory at the MCG on Saturday.

Not even the sacking of coach Mark Neeld earlier this week and caretaker Neil Craig stepping in could provide any short-term revival for the Demons as they went down 16.8 (104) to 10.9 (69).

7.2 (44)	Q1	3.0 (18)
10.3 (63)	Q2	5.4 (34)
15.6 (96)	Q3	7.5 (47)
16.8 (104)	Q4	10.9 (69)

Nick Riewoldt 3	Jeremy Howe 2
Justin Koschitzke 2	Jack Watts 2
Farren Ray 2	Sam Blease 1
David Armitage 1	Shannon Byrnes 1
Sean Dempster 1	Chris Dawes 1
Trent Dennis-Lane 1	Jack Fitzpatrick 1
Jarryn Geary 1	Nathan Jones 1
Clinton Jones 1	Dean Kent 1
Terry Milera 1
Leigh Montagna 1
Seb Ross 1
Rhys Stanley 1

St Kilda, a club itself thrown into turmoil by rape charges against forward Stephen Milne, kicked three goals in the opening four minutes of the match and were never threatened from then on.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	12	11	0	1	143.00	44
2	Geelong	11	10	0	1	129.49	40
3	Essendon	12	9	0	3	131.57	36
4	Sydney	12	8	1	3	130.22	34
5	Fremantle	11	8	1	2	128.57	34
6	Collingwood	12	8	0	4	108.47	32
7	Port Adelaide	12	7	0	5	115.57	28
8	Richmond	11	7	0	4	114.27	28
9	Carlton	12	6	0	6	116.89	24
10	West Coast	12	6	0	6	111.53	24
11	Adelaide	12	5	0	7	103.55	20
12	Gold Coast	12	5	0	7	92.55	20
13	North Melbourne	11	4	0	7	111.13	16
14	St Kilda	12	3	0	9	89.80	12
15	Bulldogs	11	3	0	8	75.84	12
16	Brisbane	11	3	0	8	73.56	12
17	Melbourne	12	1	0	11	50.87	4
18	Greater Western Sydney	12	0	0	12	51.41	0

They slaughtered the Dees in midfield - Leigh Montagna dominant for the Saints with 35 possessions, and good support from Farren Ray and Jack Steven.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Saints skipper Nick Riewoldt, who along with Nick Dal Santo was playing his 250th AFL match, booted three goals.

Dal Santo finished with 28 touches.

The Saints led by 29 points at halftime, and had extended that margin to 49 by three-quarter-time.

While the Demons booted three goals to one in the final term, the game was well and truly over by that stage.

It is St Kilda's third win of the season, while Melbourne have won just once in 12 games this year.

Caretaker Melbourne coach Neil Craig, who stepped into the Demons' hot seat ahead Mark Neeld was sacked during the week, was blunt in his post-match assessment that Melbourne were currently playing "non-competitive football''.

"This club will continue to be ridiculed, continue to be made fun of, continue to be belittled until we improve our performances,'' Craig said.

"I personally don't like it, but that's what we've got.

"We'll accept the responsibility for our performances, and we'll accept the responsibility to try and get out of it.

"Some of it (the ridicule) disappoints me to be honest. But that's what we've got. We've created it. We need to get out of it.''

Souring Melbourne's day further was ruckman Jake Spencer being reported for crashing into the head of Saints counterpart Ben McEvoy - a collision which forced the St Kilda player to be substituted.

But Saints defender Tom Simpkin will also find himself in trouble.

His behind-play left hook to the jaw of Melbourne's Chris Dawes just prior to halftime sent Dawes sprawling to the ground.

While it was missed by the umpires, television replays picked it up clearly and the match review panel will certainly investigate on Monday.

St Kilda coach Scott Watters admitted he wasn't sure before the match whether his side's testing week - in which Milne was given indefinite leave from playing as he prepares to appear in court on July 5 - would show on field.

"You're never certain on that because it's very, very difficult to measure,'' Watters said.

"What I knew was they trained very well this week and certainly you could sense their commitment to making sure that our players playing a milestone game were respected ... so that was a really good focus for us pre-game.''

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

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gutsy Tigers claw away Raiders

David Nofoaluma ... scores for the Tigers during the NRL round 15 game between Wests Tigers and Canberra Raiders. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Wests Tigers turn around a two-point half-time deficit to upset Canberra Raiders 17-12 at Campbelltown Stadium on a wet Saturday night.

3 Tries 2
David Nofoaluma 13'	Sandor Earl 27'
Joel Reddy 65'	Anthony Milford 58'
Tim Simona 75'
1 Conversions 2
Benji Marshall 67'	Jarrod Croker 28'
	Jarrod Croker 59'
1 Penalties 0
Benji Marshall 48'
1 Field Goals 0
Benji Marshall 72'

Benji Marshall kicked a field goal to break the 12-12 deadlock before Tim Simona crossed off a Joel Reddy grubber kick for the match winner.

More to come...

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bartel to play after American trip

Thumbs up ... Jimmy Bartel is ready to take on Brisbane after returning from the USA. Source: JULIAN SMITH / AAP

Need all the late selection whispers and best FOX FOOTY SuperCoach and betting mail? Step into the Panic Room.

WHISPERS

Fear not FOX FOOTY SuperCoach fans, Jimmy Bartel is making the trip to Brisbane and will line-up against the Lions.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Since word got out that the Brownlow Medallist had his week off watching NBA in the US, it was presumed he would missing the following week at the Gabba.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

But Bartel has come back fresh and told the Cats hierarchy early in the week that he wanted to play.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The Cats are happy to go with him - 90/10 is the percentage being thrown around his likelihood of lining up - given they are mindful of an improved looking Brisbane team and the bad look of so blatantly resting Bartel.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

While on the Cats ex-Gold Coast Sun Josh Caddy is expected to get a reprieve while Billie Smedts could be the man having a rest.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Our big watch player for the round is Chris Dawes. The last time we saw the Melbourne forward he was on crutches because of a badly sprained ankle and looked like a man who wouldn't be playing for a month - not in 12 days time.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

SUPERCOACH ALERT

If you're the only person in Australia who didn't draft in Sydney's Tom Mitchell after his extraordinary debut a few weeks ago, then do it now. He is the biggest steal in FOX FOOTY SuperCoach history at $115,900 given after two games he averages over 100 points.

The other bubble boy who has shown lots is Nathan Hrovat from the Western Bulldogs and at $114,500 he is perfect for a downgrade option to raise some cash.

MONEY MATTERS

The biggest moral of the weekend is the fact Sydney will go out of their way to get Kurt Tippett a goal early in his return to football in Adelaide.

To mark the occasion the bookies are offering odds on which quarter big Kurt will kick a goal. If you shop around there is $2.25 available for the opening term which, as they say in the business, is printing money.

ON NOTICE

This is the man who was brought in to help guide Mark Neeld through the hardship of senior coaching. He clearly failed at that so now he's in charge it's going to be very interesting to see what moves the former Crows coach has been keeping up his sleeve.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Farr-Jones reveals Lions regrets

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Regret ... Nick Farr-Jones still has sleepless nights after a failed Lions series. Source: Adam Knott / News Limited

World Cup-winning captain Nick Farr-Jones has ranked the pain of never winning a series against the British and Irish Lions as probably the biggest regret of his celebrated career and urged the Wallabies to seize the moment in Saturday's first Test in Brisbane.

Farr-Jones says even almost a quarter of a century after leading Australia to a 2-1 series loss to the Lions he still has sleepless nights about missing his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conquer the best of the British and Irish.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"The further you get away from it, particularly when you've got a big tour going on at the moment and it becomes topical, yeah, it shits me,'' Farr-Jones said.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Farr-Jones AM achieved just about every major honour in rugby.

He helped the Wallabies complete the fabled grand slam tour in 1984 with victories over England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, also featured in triumphant Bledisloe Cup series against New Zealand and crowned his career by hoisting the Webb Ellis Cup next to the Queen at Twickenham in 1991.

But the champion halfback still tosses and turns about the 1989 series defeat against the Lions.

"At the time, yeah you regretted losing to the Lions. As I speak 20 years into retirement, since my last game, the cracks in the ceiling are getting wider at 2am in the morning,'' he said.

"You wake up and you really regret it because, as came to pass in World Cups, we got a second roll of the dice.

"I was a part of `87, the inaugural one and part of the disappointment of losing to the French (in the semi-finals).

"But at least I got another roll of the dice and we were lucky enough to win a World Cup.

"But when the Lions come down, you get one roll of the dice. And if I've got any damn regrets about the game looking back, it's that we didn't beat the bastards.''

Farr-Jones said the only other career disappointments that come close to losing to the Lions was not winning a first grade premiership in 14 seasons with Sydney University and seeing his great friend and teammate Tim Gavin miss the `91 World Cup through injury.

But it was the manner in which the Wallabies succumbed to the Lions in the pivotal and brutal second Test in Brisbane - known as the Battle of Ballymore - that gives Farr-Jones nightmares.

Farr-Jones was halfback and captain of Australia and the Lions hatched a plan for their forwards to monster him into submission.

"And it worked a treat,'' he admitted 24 years later.

With the Wallabies having crushed the tourists 30-12 in the first Test, Farr-Jones said cheekily winking and blowing a kiss at Lions hooker Brian Moore early on in Brisbane was a big mistake.

"He proceeded to rip me apart after that and all the other forwards ripped into me,'' he said.

Farr-Jones said as his game imploded at Ballymore, his teammates unravelled around him and he urged the Wallabies' 2013 pack not to let the Lions forwards do a similar job on Australia's influential No.9 Will Genia on Saturday.

"We should have knocked over the Lions,'' Farr-Jones said.

"I've got no problem with the tactics that they turned on, particularly in that second Test. My only problem is that we didn't match them toe-to-toe.

"So we've got to be combative up front and be very physical and we've got to try and give our backs that time and space. Genia is crucial.''

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

What might have been for Demons

Bizarro World ... potential Melbourne recruits if the draft had gone differently. Source: AAP

Saturday will be a day of delight for the Dees. One huge flag fancy picking at the carcass of a side that has fallen off the proverbial cliff in front of a healthy MCG crowd.

Yep, fans from every club are looking forward to this one– and a quick glance around the ground makes it no surprise.

Nic Naitanui leaping high in the ruck against Ben McEvoy to kick things off will be a glorious sight.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	11	10	0	1	145.71	40
2	Geelong	11	10	0	1	129.49	40
3	Essendon	12	9	0	3	131.57	36
4	Sydney	11	8	1	2	134.91	34
5	Fremantle	11	8	1	2	128.57	34
6	Collingwood	12	8	0	4	108.47	32
7	Richmond	11	7	0	4	114.27	28
8	Carlton	12	6	0	6	116.89	24
9	West Coast	11	6	0	5	114.99	24
10	Port Adelaide	11	6	0	5	114.55	24
11	Adelaide	12	5	0	7	103.55	20
12	Gold Coast	12	5	0	7	92.55	20
13	North Melbourne	11	4	0	7	111.13	16
14	Bulldogs	11	3	0	8	75.84	12
15	Brisbane	11	3	0	8	73.56	12
16	St Kilda	11	2	0	9	85.80	8
17	Melbourne	11	1	0	10	49.76	4
18	Greater Western Sydney	12	0	0	12	51.41	0

Should the superstar Demons ruckman let his athleticism get a hold of McEvoy it could get ugly for the Saints, with Patty Dangerfield, Scott Selwood and Nat Jones waiting at his feet.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

All one of the gun Melbourne midfielders has to do is grab the footy, look up and it'll be a smorgasbord of attacking power screaming for the chance to boot the opening goal.

Should the Dees go up the line and spot Chris Dawes? Or perhaps chip it to the side and back the run and carry of Dan Hannebery or Dustin Martin?

Maybe they can bomb long, where Sam Reid and Jack Darling will no doubt be lurking dangerously, with the devastating mix of speed, skill and poise that is Nat Fyfe and Lewis Jetta at their feet.

If there's a blunder in the square and the Saints boot the ball clear - don't fret. Surely the cool hands of Harry Taylor at centre half-back can quell any attack, before Dayne Beams can be unleashed to again drive the ball forward for the Dees.

Welcome to Bizarro World.

A planet where the Dees are a legitimate top-four contender and not an embattled club all too accustomed to 100-point demolitions.

Yes, Melbourne's problems run deep - right to the core of the club - but let's stop for a minute and skew their recruiting.

Without changing any trades or ladder placings, the side below is exactly the side that could run out against the Saints tomorrow should the club had drafted differently.

All we've done is substitute the players they took with players that were still available at each respective draft pick.

Yes, all clubs have their November horror stories - and a similar exercise could be conducted for every club. And the problem isn't as simple as recruiting lapses for the red and the blue.

To make it fair, every pick from 2007 onwards has been overhauled, even if Melbourne got a couple right in Jack Grimes and Jeremy Howe. That excludes last year's batch, which is too early to judge.

But, perhaps for a tease, imagine if this was Melbourne's side today.

Oh, how different things would be.

ST KILDA v MELBOURNE

Saturday, 4.40pm, MCG

MELBOURNE

B: Colin Garland, James Frawley, Alex Johnson

HB: Dayne Beams, Harry Taylor, Colin Sylvia

C Gary Rohan, Scott Selwood, Dan Hannebery

HF Dustin Martin, Chris Dawes, Nat Fyfe

F Lewis Jetta, Jack Darling, Sam Reid

R Nic Naitanui, Nat Jones, Pat Dangerfield

I/C: Jack Newnes, Luke Parker, Mitch Clark

Sub: Aaron Davey

HOW WE GOT THERE

(Players they overlooked in capital letters. Players the Dees took in brackets.)

2011

JACK NEWNES (Rory Taggert)

TORY DICKSON (Josh Tynan)

2010

JACK DARLING (Lucas Cook*)

LUKE PARKER (Jeremy Howe)

JORDAN SCHRODER (Troy Davis)

ALEX JOHNSON (Tom McDonald)

2009

DUSTIN MARTIN (Tom Scully*)

GARY ROHAN (Jack Trengove)

LEWIS JETTA (Jordan Gysberts*)

NAT FYFE (Luke Tapscott)

SAM REID (Max Gawn)

2008

NIC NAITANUI (Jack Watts)

LUKE SHUEY (Sam Blease)

Any two of: DAVID ZAHARAKIS, DAYNE BEAMS, DAN HANNEBERY, RORY SLOANE (James Strauss) (Jamie Bennell*)

2007

PATRICK DANGERFIELD (Cale Morton*)

HARRY TAYLOR (Jack Grimes)

SCOTT SELWOOD (Addam Maric*)

*no longer at the Dees

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hewitt, Tomic cop tough draws

Draw ... Lleyton Hewitt will take on Stanislas Wawrinka in the first round. Source: Sang Tan / AP

Lleyton Hewitt and Bernard Tomic have both drawn tough opening-round clashes with seeded players at Wimbledon.

Both Australian players, who head into the grasscourt grand slam on Monday in encouraging form, have avoided the tournament's big guns early but they will need upsets to progress past round one.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hewitt, who reached the semi-finals at Queen's last week, faces Swiss 11th seed Stanislas Wawrinka first up.

The Australian veteran has also been lumped in the same quarter of the draw as Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who have been lined up as potential quarter-final opponents.

• Men
• TOMIC v Querrey (21)
• HEWITT v Wawrinka (11)
• MATOSEVIC v Rufin
• EBDEN v Nishikori (12)
• DUCKWORTH v Kudla
• REID v Stepanek

• Women
• STOSUR (14) v Schmiedlova

Hewitt would likely meet Nadal in the fourth round if he made it that far.

Tomic, a 2011 quarter-finalist, meets big-serving American Sam Querrey, the 21st seed, in the opening round.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

His section of the draw looks more open than Hewitt's, though he would likely need to beat ninth seed Richard Gasquet and seventh seed Tomas Berdych to reach the quarter-finals, where top seed Novak Djokovic would almost certainly await.

Samantha Stosur, the sole Australian woman in the tournament's singles draw, opens against Slovakian teenager Anna Schmiedlova.

Australian wildcard Matt Ebden will face Japanese 12th seed Kei Nishikori in the first round while the draw was kinder to the other three Australian men in the draw.

Marinko Matosevic gets a good chance to win a grand slam match at his 10th attempt after being pitted against Frenchman Guillaume Rufin.

Qualifier James Duckworth faces American Denis Kudla while Matt Reid takes on Czech veteran Radek Stepanek on his grand slam debut.

The men's draw was good news for Djokovic, the 2011 champion, after second-seeded Andy Murray was also placed in the same half of the draw as Federer and Nadal.

That leaves Djokovic free of facing any of his major rivals until the final.

Third seed Federer and Nadal, who have met 30 times in their careers, were placed in the same quarter of the draw after the Spaniard was only seeded fifth having lost in the second round in 2012.

With an open draw in the early stages, 14th seed Stosur is hoping to progress past the third round for the first time on her least-favoured surface.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

But her reward for doing so would be a likely fourth-round clash with top seed Serena Williams.

Williams, who captured her 16th major at the French Open earlier this month, starts on Tuesday against Luxembourg's Mandy Minella.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska, beaten by Williams in the 2012 final, is also in the same half of the draw.

Second-seeded Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova, the third seed and 2004 champion, are scheduled to meet in the semi-finals in the bottom half of the draw.

Djokovic starts his campaign against Germany's Florian Mayer while Murray, the runner-up to Federer in 2012, starts against another German, Benjamin Becker, who he beat in the quarter-finals at Queen's last week.

Federer opens against Romania's Victor Hanescu.

Nadal, the champion in 2008 and 2010 but whose second-round loss to Lukas Rosol last year put him on the sidelines for seven months, is fresh from his record eighth French Open win.

He begins against Belgium's Steve Darcis.

Hewitt, along with Murray, Federer and Nadal, will play on Monday while Tomic and Stosur begin their campaigns on Tuesday.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Eagles boosted for big Hawks clash

In ... Mark LeCras is back for West Coast. Source: George Salpigtidis / Herald Sun

West Coast's hopes of upsetting top-placed Hawthorn have risen with the return of four of their biggest stars, including captain Darren Glass.

Fellow experienced backman Beau Waters also returns from injury for Friday night's Etihad Stadium clash, along with forwards Josh Kennedy and Mark LeCras.

The Eagles have made six changes in all, with Bradd Dalziell and Patrick McGinnity their other inclusions and injured pair Adam Selwood (back) and Josh Hill (hamstring) among their omissions.

Waters hasn't played since round eight because of a quad injury, while more minor complaints caused Glass, Kennedy and LeCras to miss the club's most recent match against St Kilda.

The Hawks will be without Isaac Smith (calf).

The indefinite suspension of Stephen Milne is one of four changes for St Kilda, who play Melbourne on Saturday and are are out to break a four-match losing streak.

Star defender Sam Fisher returns from a foot injury, while veteran forward Justin Koschitzke has earned a recall to replace the injured Beau Maister (hamstring).

Demons interim coach Neil Craig will have to manage without ruckman Mark Jamar (toe) and tagger Jordie McKenzie (elbow) for his first game in charge.

But key forward Chris Dawes has been named, despite injuring an ankle in the club's last match.

Melbourne have added debutant Mitch Clisby as one of four inclusions.

Geelong stars Harry Taylor and Mark Blicavs will return against Brisbane at the Gabba on Sunday, after being rested for the Cats' most recent match.

Brownlow Medallist Jimmy Bartel has also been named, despite speculation he would rest.

The Lions welcome back star forward Jonathan Brown and key defender Daniel Merrett from suspension, while midfielder Brent Moloney has been named on an expanded bench to return from injury.

It further strengthens a side that last week regained key trio Daniel Rich, Matthew Leuenberger and Tom Rockliff from injury.

Ex-Adelaide big man Kurt Tippett will make his much-anticipated debut for Sydney against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

The Swans have lost ruckman Shane Mumford to a cheekbone fracture and utility Andrejs Everitt (achilles).

The Power will be without captain Travis Boak (finger) and Cameron Hitchcock (ankle), but have regained former skipper Domenic Cassisi and Jasper Pittard from injury.

Lively Fremantle forward Michael Walters is set to return from injury for Sunday's clash with North Melbourne in Perth.

The Kangaroos have lost defender Scott McMahon (ankle).

Western Bulldogs father-son recruit Lachie Hunter, the son of 130-gamer Mark, will make his AFL debut against an unchanged Richmond at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

Koby Stevens is out with an injured shoulder.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Meninga cleared of wrong doing

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Cleared ... the NRL will take no action against Mal Meninga. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

Queensland coach Mal Meninga has been cleared by the NRL integrity unit of any wrong doing after he was asked to leave a Brisbane hotel on Tuesday night.

The newly formed unit reviewed a report from the Queensland Rugby League and conducted their own interviews into the incident and found Meninga had no case to answer.

"The inquiries found no suggestion of intoxicated or anti-social behaviour that would warrant further action," the NRL said in a statement on Thursday evening.

Earlier, despite admitting he broke team protocol by being asked to leave the hotel, Meninga blamed the media for creating yet another off-field rugby league controversy.

Hours after declaring he was fed up with rugby league's image being tarnished by alcohol-related off-field behaviour, Meninga earned the ire of staff at a Brisbane CBD hotel as the Maroons celebrated the 30th birthdays of skipper Cameron Smith and fullback Billy Slater.

Staff intervened and told Meninga to leave after he stepped behind a service area asking for a beer at around 1am AEST on Wednesday morning.

Meninga fronted a media conference at the Queensland team's Sunshine Coast camp on Thursday morning to acknowledge the incident - then took aim at the media, accusing them of blowing it out of proportion.

"When national TV uses it as a lead story this morning I find it quite ludicrous really," he said.

"I am a little bit disappointed with the way it has been managed by the media to be honest.

"I know I have said some things in recent times about behaviour, about acting responsibly, but I thought I did that.

"It was very, very minor. Now all of a sudden it is national news. I think it is a bit silly.

"It's a bit of a storm in a tea cup."

Meninga admitted he broke the team's "culture of trust" with his hotel gaffe but was gobsmacked that the incident had been added to the code's long list of off-field scandals by the media.

Those scandals include the indecent assault charge against NSW winger Blake Ferguson and high range drink driving charge against NSW prop James Tamou, both of whom have been suspended.

"That's the whole issue isn't it, about what happened to me and trying to lump it in with all the bad behaviour that is happening in the game," he said.

"It's disappointing because I haven't been charged with anything.

"There was no confrontation - I didn't do anything wrong really.

"I wasn't intoxicated. I wasn't assisted from the bar. I left on my own accord ... I did what I thought was the right thing to do."

Meninga scoffed at suggestions the team should not have been at a backpackers bar in the early hours of the morning after recent events.

"Please. Who in this audience hasn't been out at one o'clock in the morning celebrating a milestone?" he said.

"I know we've got responsibilities. But it's about being treated as an adult.

"As long as you are accountable for your own actions. That's why I'm standing here today.

"I'm being accountable, I'm being honest. I did the wrong thing, I stepped behind the bar, that's it." 

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Carlton fan banned for bottle throw

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Sanction ... a Carlton fan has been banned for two years for throwing a bottle in Friday's clash. Source:AAP

A Carlton fan is banned from Etihad Stadium for two years and will face a police fine for throwing a bottle at the umpires at the end of last week's AFL loss to Hawthorn.

The fan threw a half-empty bottle from the top deck of the stadium and it landed near the umpires as they left the field.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The Blues said the 36-year-old man contacted them and apologised while also giving up his Carlton membership.

Victoria Police also interviewed him and will fine him $282.

"While it was understood the offender, according to police, had acted out of character, his actions were potentially very dangerous," stadium manager Paul Sergeant said in a statement.

Blues fans were furious with the lopsided free kick count as the Hawks overcame a strong challenge from Carlton to win by 15 points.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse was also sharply critical of the umpires in his post-match media conference.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mug's Guide to NBA Game 7

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

This is it ... the Spurs and Heat will go head-to-head in the final game of the series. Source: Lynne Sladky / AP

It's the game the basketball world has been waiting for - and NBA bean-counters would have been praying for - Game 7 between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs.

WHEN AND WHERE?

The series-deciding Game 7 takes place at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, and starts at 11am on Friday AEST.

You can follow our live blog with basketball expert Boti Nagy below for instant updates throughout the game.

WHO'S PLAYING

The Miami Heat are the team everyone – apart from a fair amount of Floridians – love to hate. Why? Exhibit A: LeBron James.

Widely considered the best player since the great Michael Jordan, James left his home town side the Cleveland Cavaliers after a cringe-inducing live ESPN broadcast titled The Decision.

That he would flaunt said decision to flee the town to hook up with one of his biggest rivals – Dwayne Wade – in South Beach meant the sporting public didn't need persuading to make him enemy No 1.

James joined A-listers Chris Bosh and Wade at the Heat to create The Big Three, and what appeared to be an unstoppable basketball force.

To the delight of neutrals, they were taken down by a Dirk Nowitski-inspired Dallas Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals, giving plenty of ammo to those saying you couldn't buy a championship.

But last year the Heat claimed the crown - with LeBron claiming the NBA Finals MVP award - as the Heat steamrolled the Oklahoma City Thunder by four games to one.

This season, the Heat took their play to another level, at one stage rattling off 27 straight wins, and LeBron was a near unanimous winner of his fourth MVP trophy. However, the feeling is the Heat will have to win on Friday for the big man to enter the pantheon of all-time greats.

The San Antonio Spurs, meanwhile, are the quiet achievers of the NBA.

Coached by the wonderfully grumpy Gregg Popovich (more of him later), the Spurs have won four championships in the past 15 years, their last coming in 2007.

They have never failed to win an NBA finals once they've made it to the final round, a record bettered only by the Chicago Bulls (six without loss).

Of course that proud record could be lost on Friday, and many feel that the Spurs' inability to close out Game 6 means Friday's result is a foregone conclusion.

But with veteran Tony Parker in close-to-career-best form, the ageless Tim Duncan and role players such as Danny Green playing out of their skin, if any team can come up with one last bloody-minded push to glory, it's the Spurs.

WHO'S IN CHARGE?

The Heat's Erik Spoelstra, a 42-year-old who started at the Heat as a video co-ordinator in 1995, is often dismissed as an irrelevance to the Heat's recent success, considering the playing talent he has at his disposal.

But although he lacks the experience and gravitas of his opposite number, that 27-game win streak has bought him a new level of respect in the league.

San Antonio's Gregg Popovich, or Coach Pop, as he is commonly known, doesn't need to earn anyone's respect, and probably wouldn't give a damn whether he got it or not.

One of the most experienced coaches in the history of the sport, his 118 playoff wins as a coach rank him third in NBA history behind only Phil Jackson and Pat Riley, and he holds the record for wins with a single team.

He's also a hilariously spiky presence both during and after games, as the video below clearly demonstrates.

THE SERIES SO FAR

The finals series stands at three games each, after an unusual amount of one-sided contests.

The Spurs shaded a tight opening game in Miami before being humbled at the same venue by 19 points in Game 2.

The first game in San Antonio was an embarrassment for the champions, with the Spurs demolishing them by 36 points.

Famously though, this Heat team do not lose two on the trot (not since January at any rate) and stormed back to take out Game 4 by 16.

San Antonio won their last home game to sit just one game away from glory, which they came agonisingly close to achieving on Wednesday in Game 6 at Miami.

In a game for the ages, the Spurs looked most likely for most of the second half and were five points ahead entering the final minute of regulation time (leading many Miami "fans" to head to head for the exits).

NBA officials even had the yellow tape out for the post-game presentation ceremony (something the Heat players said afterwards they had noticed), but some jittery decision-making by the Spurs helped the home side creep back to within three.

The stage was set for the veteran Ray Allen - one of the greatest three-point shooters of all time - to drain a shot with five seconds on the clock, force the game into overtime and send the (remaining) crowd into raptures

The home side regrouped and eventually prevailed by three points, with Allen again the hero as he nailed some late clutch free throws.

WHO WILL WIN?

The prevailing wisdom is that the Spurs have missed their shot by not sealing the deal in Game 6 - TAB has priced a Heat win at $1.36, with the Spurs $3.20 to prevail.

If you like statistical trends though, the Spurs are due, with the Heat needing to break a trend of win-loss-win-loss-etc that they've managed to cultivate throughout the Conference Finals and this series, a sequence that now stretches to 13 games.

Follow all the action LIVE with basketball expert Boti Nagy below from 11am Friday AEST

On a mobile device? Click here for a better viewing experience

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

NRL spitting a one off: Greenberg

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Ben Barba ... during the Manly Sea Eagles v Canterbury Bulldogs at Brookvale Oval. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Canterbury-Bankstown chief executive Todd Greenberg is confident the ugly scenes at Brookvale Oval, where star fullback Ben Barba was spat on by Manly fans, is simply a one off for the NRL.

And Greenberg, who will join the NRL as second-in-command to CEO Dave Smith in August, said he is comfortable leaving the investigation in the hands of the NRL's integrity unit.

He has yet to speak to the wife of forward Frank Pritchard, Raima, over racist abuse she copped during the game - but said all findings would be funnelled through to the integrity unit.

And Greenberg doesn't have any concerns about the fan reaction when Sonny Bill Williams returns to face Canterbury at ANZ Stadium for the first time since walking out on the club in 2008.

Williams took the Bulldogs to task when the two teams met earlier this year, scoring twice as the Roosters triumphed 38-0 at Allianz Stadium.

A return to his former home ground will be a different prospect but Greenberg believes the disgusting antics which confronted his players on Friday will not be seen again at any ground this year.

"I just think last Friday night people's emotions spilled over at Brookvale," Greenberg said on Wednesday.

"It was very ordinary. I made that clear.

"But I don't think that's a sign of anything coming or going. It was just a one-off.

"We're really looking forward to Friday night."

Greenberg says whatever bad blood there was between Williams and the Bulldogs disappeared long ago, pointing to their post-match handshake as proof perfect that everything was settled.

"As much as everyone would like me to say something controversial about Sonny leading into Friday night, you won't hear it from me," he said.

"Sonny and I shook hands on that night. We've moved on, he's moved on, the Bulldogs have moved on." 

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tate set for rep retirement

Brent Tate ... is tackled by Michael Jennings during game 1 of State of Origin 2013. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Queensland's golden generation is set to lose another member, with Brent Tate revealing he is almost certain to join close friend Justin Hodges in retiring from rep footy after this year.

Coach Mal Meninga yesterday began dismantling the greatest - and oldest - line-up in Origin history by replacing Ashley Harrison, 32, with Josh Papalii, 21, and Dave Shillington, 30 next week, with 24-year-old Daly Cherry-Evans.

Tate, who will win his 20th Maroons start at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday, inked a new one-year deal with the Cowboys this month but admits representative retirement is just around the corner.

The 31-year-old is now the oldest Queensland player, narrowly edging former Broncos teammates Corey Parker and Hodges, who is almost certain to pull the pin after this year.

"I'm thinking the same way. I'm starting to definitely feel that way," Tate told mX.

"As you get older it gets a bit harder. I'm definitely thinking along the same lines as Hodgo.

"It's in the back of my mind - it's a young man's game now.

"There are a few of us that are getting on a bit. I know my time in this team is coming to an end.

"All good things must come to an end and that's why I savor every moment of being here."

After 15 matches for Queensland, Harrison became the first casualty of Meninga's concerted push to bring down the average age of his squad.

"I know it would have been really tough for Mal but we are an ageing squad," Tate said.

"It's really difficult not to have (Harrison) here because he's been a really big part of everything we've done. But it opens the door for others and it's up to them to do the jersey proud.'' 

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tahiti v Spain: this could get ugly

Minnows ... Tahiti face the might of Spain in the Confederations Cup. Source: NELSON ALMEIDA / AFP

As unfancied Tahiti came up against Nigeria on Monday at the Confederations Cup, minds were cast back to 2001 and another case of Mission Impossible at the tournament.

It was Socceroo Clayton Zane who provided the story of the Confederations Cup - the underdogs racing away to revel in the joy of an unlikely goal against opponents that appeared to be from a different planet.

That was in 2001 when a strike from Zane gave the unfancied Socceroos a historic win over the reigning World Champions France at the Confederations Cup. On Monday in Brazil the World watched on, hoping for an even more improbable moment. A win looked impossible; a goal was all everyone hoped for.

Most dismissed the prospect of them even getting into a goal scoring position. The former Chelsea star now turned BBC pundit Pat Nevin said they wouldn't get a corner. His fellow pundit John Hartson predicted they would be hard to break down and would sit deep and defend for their lives.

Both assumptions were proved wrong. They started brightly. They were brave. Then what most predicted would happen did - Tahiti conceded a goal after just five minutes.

They weren't torn apart by the African Champions Nigeria. A clearance hit the referee and bounced to a Nigerian attacker whose shot hit two Tahiti defenders and deflected past the keeper. The haplessness was what was expected from a team ranked 135th in the World by FIFA.

The bright start appeared certain to give way to a thrashing. "Of course we will probably lose, but we don't want to lose by too many goals," Henri Thierry Ariiotima, president of the Tahiti FA, said before the tournament.

When Nigeria made it 3-0 after 26 minutes the second part of Ariiotima's hopes looked in danger.

Perhaps even more worrying than the hour remaining in the match was what lay in wait three days later – Spain. But the tiny nation with just 11,000 registered football players and one solitary professional in their entire squad refused to fall apart.

They continued to try to get forward. They proved Nevin wrong in the first half, when the excellent Steevy Chong Hue outpaced Celtic defender Efe Ambrose and won his side a corner. Chong Hue even had a glorious chance to give Tahiti the goal everyone craved when he got on the end of a cross only to badly misdirect his header.

It seemed like their one moment had passed. But then on 54 minutes it arrived. Defender Jonathan Tehau got on the end of a corner and scored. It mattered little to score line. It was still 3-1 and Nigeria would eventually score three more before the ninety minutes was up but Tahiti had their moment.

Their coach, Eddy Etaeta, had feared they "would not give a very good image of Tahitian football". The goal ensured this would not be the case. In truth it was no more than they deserved. They tried bravely to play their way out from the back, even after it resulted in Nigeria scoring their second goal.

Their full-backs got forward and joined the attack when they had the chance. "Tahiti came out to fight like lions," Nigeria's Nnamdi Oduamadi said after the match.

It was refreshing. Fear was not cursing through their performance, when perhaps it had every right to. In a warm-up game just before the Confederations Cup, they got a glimpse of what they were up against when Chile's under 20s beat them 7-0.

"I really hope this defeat will act as a trigger for us and that we will react to this spanking," Etaeta said after the match. He got the reaction he hoped for.

On Friday morning (EST) the spanking they received from Chile is likely to seem a tame one. The team that comprises an auditor, a climber and a delivery man will face what is arguably the best international side the world has seen – Spain.

"It's unbelievable, completely incredible," Etaeta said of facing the European and World Champions.

The wonder is likely to be accompanied by pain, but on the evidence of their performance against Nigeria fears that the Socceroos' world record 31-0 win against American Samoa is under threat are unlikely to be realised.

Their sole professional Marama Vahirua said a goal in any of their group games would "be a victory in the competition." They have had their victory, if they manage to score against Spain it is likely to be Tahiti's and Oceania's sporting triumph of a lifetime.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Border's Ashes advice for Pup

Advice ... Allan Border believes criticism can be a great motivator. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

Former Australian cricket captain Allan Border says the national side's underdog status and bad press during their tour of England should be exploited to build team spirit.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Border said on Tuesday comparisons between the plight of today's team and the disunited team he took to England in 1989 were justified.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"We suffered the same thing in '89 and it was a great motivational tool for me and the senior guys to cut out these headlines that we were the worst team ever and post them around the dressing room," Border said while in Canberra to promote skin cancer awareness.

"It was a good spur for a team that was an underdog and written off, it was not hard to motivate people under those circumstances."

Border said while Australia had dominated world cricket and was the best team for years, it now lacked standout players.

He said teams could get by if they possessed great players but when they lacked individuals with matchwinning ability they needed team spirit.

"The challenge for Michael Clarke now is, firstly, to get himself fit and then, (to) get the team collectively hunting as a pack ... they could do well," he said.

The Australian team's poor performance continued this week when they missed out on a place in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy.

Border says the Test team that will contest the Ashes will be subtly different to the one-day team.

The trick for leader of the Australian team is to use the underdog status as a motivational spur.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Raiders will stand by Ferguson

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Blake Ferguson ... leaves the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Coogee under an assault charge cloud. Source: Robert Barker / News Limited

Canberra chairman John McIntyre says the club will stand by troubled NSW State of Origin winger Blake Ferguson and help with a rehabilitation plan.

Ferguson was dumped from the Blues team as the NRL suspended his registration on Monday night, citing repeated behavioural issues involving the abuse of alcohol.

The 23-year-old returned to Canberra from the NSW team hotel on Tuesday morning just as news was breaking that South Sydney prop George Burgess had been charged by police in Cairns with wilful damage.

Burgess was suspended for two matches by the NRL and slugged with a $10,000 fine after he threw a road sign through a car window in the Cairns suburb of Redlynch.

The incident took place some 15km away from the Souths team hotel, after an argument with resident of a unit complex in the early hours of Monday morning following the Rabbitohs' win over the Gold Coast in the North Queensland town.

Ferguson was charged by police with indecent assault over an alleged incident on Sunday at a bar in Sydney, where he was drinking with former Raiders teammate Josh Dugan.

The 23-year-old was on his final warning at the club after he was stood down for one game and fined $10,000 for skipping a recovery session to go drinking with Dugan, who was sacked over the incident in March.

Raiders chief executive Don Furner said on Tuesday the club backed the action taken by the NRL against Ferguson but a course of action is yet to be determined.

"We recognise this process is going to involve discussions with the NRL and also the need for the club to continue to send a strong message in this area," Furner said.

"We have been in constant consultation with the NRL integrity unit and will continue to work with them to determine the best course of action for Blake, the Raiders and the NRL."

However, long-standing chairman McIntyre then told the Canberra Times the board would definitely stand by and help Ferguson get through his problems.

"I sent my thoughts around to the board via email today and they've responded," he said.

"The key element that's got to come out of it in the end has got to be support for this young bloke."

Ferguson's replacement in the NSW side Nathan Merritt said he was disappointed to see him axed because of behavioural issues and hoped his indigenous all stars teammate would get the right help around him to get his career back on track.

"Hopefully Blake is being surrounded by the right people and they try to keep him calm," Merritt said.

"He needs to get his mind back on the job, get away for a while, freshen up and then see where he goes from there." 

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Origin tempers may flare: Meninga

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Coach Mal Meninga ... gestures during the Queensland State of Origin team training session. Source: DAVE HUNT / AAP

Queensland coach Mal Meninga says the NRL's hardline stance on punching came a game too late but is no guarantee that the days of State of Origin fights are over.

The Maroons have been quick to rule out retribution in next week's Origin II in Brisbane in the fallout over NSW skipper Paul Gallen's game one fisticuffs.

However, the stage is set for round two after Gallen's 2012 NRL finals nemesis - Canberra enforcer Josh Papalii - was injected into a new-look Queensland side to add more grunt for Origin II.

Meninga said he agreed with the NRL's reaction to Gallen's fight with Maroons forward Nate Myles that marred NSW's game one 14-6 win but did not rule out repeat scenes next Wednesday night.

"I don't think you can guarantee that (no fighting) in any game of rugby league or any combative sport - there will always be flare ups and tempers tested,'' he said.

"It's probably a game too late but I can understand the decision.

"But it's an aggressive game and at times tempers do flare.

"We need to be better at controlling our emotions a bit better but Origin is all about emotion - we will see what happens."

Meninga said 21-year-old Papalii's selection was due to outstanding NRL form - not blunting Gallen.

"He's very combative when he plays - you need that mentality," he said.

Papalii - Queensland's 19th man in game one - turned heads with a series of hits on Gallen in last season's NRL first round finals match.

An angry Gallen later called one of Papalii's hits a "dog shot".

Papalii - cousin of world-ranked heavyweight boxer Alex Leapai - said he would not be looking for trouble but would not stand and cop punches like Myles in game one.

"I am going to put the team first but I am not going to stand there and get my head punched in," he said.

"If something happens I have to look after myself.

"But if I want to be a boxer I would take up boxing."

The NSW camp feared the new stance on fighting may prompt Queensland to bait them in game two - and Meninga did not exactly play it down.

It's all niggle anyway. It's not what we do but it's an aggressive game," he smiled.

Maroons skipper Cameron Smith said the stance had to be taken but also questioned the timing.

"I think it is a good move but the strange thing is that it starts in game two and not at the start," he said.

"Gal did what he did and stayed on the field and now if something like that happens you are off.

"But I am surprised it (issue) has gone on for so long."

So, too, was the man on the receiving end of Gallen's now infamous combination.

"I can't see why it's been a big talking point," Myles said.

"To be honest I think it's a rule that's been coming for a long time.

"I don't think it was a good look for the code."

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fair or Unfair: pressure now on Voss

Pressure ... Michael Voss has had five years at the helm of Brisbane Lions. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

After the sacking of Melbourne coach Mark Neeld, the AFL pressure has turned to under-fire Brisbane Lions mentor Michael Voss.

Pressure is now on Brisbane Lions coach Michael Voss.

After winning 10 games last year and the NAB Cup earlier this season, the Lions were seen as finals contenders.
However, after 11 games they sit 15th with just three wins.

It prompted this week's AFL 360 ME Bank Fair or Unfair debate; all the pressure is now on Michael Voss.

Co-host Mark Robinson believed Voss was well and truly in the gun and was potentially hurting his reputation as a player.

"The pressure is on this mighty, mighty leader of men ... as a coach, he is average," he said.

"He is coaching like Tim Notting when he was a player like Michael Voss. He was a giant.

"This game is a brutal game, if you don't succeed it spits you out."

The Lions face Geelong this weekend and again in round 23 but Gerard Whateley believes there are eight winnable games in the run home.

Robinson said Voss would need a large majority to those wins to save his job.

"I hope he gets them, he needs to. Otherwise, he won't be coaching next year. It is as simple as that," he said.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hughes, Wade join Australia A

Australia's Phillip Hughes ... hits a ball while in bat. Source: Rui Vieira / AAP

Phil Hughes and Matt Wade will join up with Australia A on Tuesday to maximise preparation time for the Ashes.

Following a disappointing pool-round exit from the Champions Trophy, the two Ashes squad members will use the extra time before next week's opening tour match against Somerset, to get some extra time in the middle for the A team, who completed a 93-run first-class win over Ireland in Belfast on Monday.

Hughes and Wade will join the Australia A team for their match against Gloucestershire in Bristol starting on Friday.

Michael Clarke will remain in London, as he continues to take it slowly in his return to training from his latest back injury.

Shane Watson, Mitchell Starc and James Faulkner will also remain in London.

The rest of the ODI squad either fly home or join county teams on Tuesday, including West Australian fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile.

AAP incorrectly reported that Coulter-Nile would stay on as a net bowler in the lead up to the first Test, however he is on his way home.

Coulter-Nile and others like Mitchell Johnson would only be considered for a return to the UK if it was felt there were fitness concerns in the group.

Meanwhile, national selector John Inverarity says calling Fawad Ahmed into the Ashes squad will be a judgment call when the time comes.

Inverarity told the BBC that Ahmed's citizenship was likely to be processed in time for the first Test, but stressed nothing was locked in at this stage for the Pakistan-born asylum seeker to join Australia's 16-man squad.

Ahmed broke through for his debut wicket for Australia A on Monday as they wrapped up a big win over Ireland.

The 31-year-old went wicketless in the first innings, but claimed the second last scalp of the match to finish with 1-25 from a six over spell in the second innings.

Ahmed will play in Australia A's next match against Gloucestershire later this week and if laws have passed in the Senate to make him eligible by then, a decision will be made on whether he joins the squad.

"We'll consider him for selection. That's all it's at this stage," said Inverarity.

Already there's plenty of hype and interest in Ahmed and Inverarity admits he's concerned about the pressures the Victorian leg-spinner would face if selected for the Ashes.

However he's confident Ahmed has the temperament to succeed.

"He's handled himself well," Inverarity said.

"There's significant signs of great maturity but it's still going to be very difficult."

Australia A won the match by 93 runs despite significant rain delays, with a blistering 113 not out from 63 balls from Nic Maddinson opening the batting in the second innings really moving the game along.

Alex Doolan also made 53no for a superb unbeaten opening stand of 174.

Allrounder Moises Henriques was the star with the ball in the second innings, finishing with figures of 4-22 off 10 as Ireland were all out for 207. 

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More