Battling Lions earn bragging rights

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Not even Joel Wilkinson could turn the tide for the Suns. Source: Matt Roberts / News Limited

IT took all night but Brisbane Lions eventually put the Gold Coast Suns in their place with a 33-point win in QClash6 to claim the mantle as Queensland's top dog.

The Lions led for all but the opening minutes but it was anything but a cakewalk for the home side as the Suns refused to throw in the towel in a hard-fought and scrappy contest where state bragging rights were on the line.

Every time the Lions appeared to be running away with the match, the Suns would claw their way back into the contest.

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But the Lions stamped their authority on the Queensland derby once and for all in the final quarter with goals to co-captain Jonathan Brown, Brent Staker, Daniel Merrett and Dayne Zorko finally putting the brave Suns to the sword.

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The Suns looked dead and buried when Lions utility Brent Staker kicked two quick-fire goals at the start of the third term to open up a 29-point lead.

However, the Gold Coast roared back into the contest with the next four goals of the match through Matt Shaw, Jarrod Harbrow, Steve May and Jaeger O'Meara to close the margin to just one goal.

Brisbane stopped the rot through Dayne Zorko as the teams traded goals for the rest of the third quarter to set-up a thrilling finish with the Lions in front by just 14 points.

The Lions took a 17-point advantage into half-time after with Brown putting his stamp on the match with two goals in the second quarter for Brisbane.

Goals to Rohan Bewick and Sam Mayes helped Brisbane established a 20-point lead early in the second term before Brennan bobbed up for his second major of the night with a chorus of booing from the Gabba faithful ringing in his ears.

Then it became the Brown show with Jonathan getting on the scoreboard followed by a response from Suns hardman Campbell Brown before the Lions superstar produced a showstopper from the boundary line.

Brisbane had been on top for most of the first half but the margin at the main break gave the Suns more than a sniff.

Brisbane led by eight points at quarter-time after a see-sawing opening term.

The Lions dominated the early stages with goals to Pearce Hanley and Merrett on the back of relentless tackling pressure from the home side and poor disposal from the Suns.

Gold Coast gradually worked their way into the match by winning a majority of the contested possessions but the Suns failed to make the most of their opportunities, kicking five behinds in a row.

Brennan broke the drought with a long-range goal and Harley Bennell's opportunistic major soon after levelled the scores.

A raking Dayne Zorko goal in the dying minutes of the term handed Brisbane their quarter-time buffer but the match was delicately poised with both teams terribly wasteful in front of goal.

Brown could come under the microscope of the AFL's Match Review Panel for possible high contact on Suns midfielder David Swallow midway through through the first term.

The Lions co-captain appeared to make heavy contact with Swallow as the ball ran over the boundary line on the centre wing. Swallow took some time to regain his feet.

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Maloney stars for Roosters

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James Maloney of the Roosters is tackled at WIN Jubilee Stadium. Source: Matt Blyth / Getty Images

NSW State of Origin five-eighth James Maloney made a profitable return from a fractured eye socket to help the Sydney Roosters to a crushing 36-0 NRL win on Saturday over St George Illawarra at Kogarah.

0 Tries 6
	James Maloney 3'
	Boyd Cordner 12'
	Michael Jennings 33'
	Shaun Kenny-Dowall 48'
	Aidan Guerra 54'
	Daniel Tupou 59'
0 Conversions 6
	James Maloney 5'
	James Maloney 13'
	James Maloney 35'
	James Maloney 50'
	James Maloney 55'
	James Maloney 61'

Maloney, who suffered his injury in the second Origin game, scored the first of six Roosters tries and landed all six of his kicks. Converted tries in the third minute to Maloney and lock Boyd Cordner in the 12th set up a convincing win, as the Roosters posted their fourth shutout of the season.

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The win lifted them above Melbourne into second spot on the NRL ladder.

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The Dragons had more ball, and a penalty count advantage, but their poor kicking game and impatience with ball in hand cost them dearly.

NSW centre Michael Jennings raced more than 70 metres for the Roosters third try in the 33rd minute after busy hooker Jake Friend scooped up a blocked kick from Nathan Fien.

While the Roosters also made some errors, they were much more clinical when they made their way into Dragons territory.

Even the loss at halftime of Sonny Bill Williams to a hamstring niggle didn't disrupt the visitors.

They piled on three more converted tries in the third quarter through Shaun Kenny-Dowall, forward Aiden Guerra and winger Daniel Tupou.

"It was a pretty pleasing scoreboard, but there's still plenty we can work on," Maloney said.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson was more happy with the zero part of the scoreline than the 36 points his side piled up.

"We want to be able to score tries when we get the opportunities, but I think we've talked about the way that we want to base our team and it's really pleasing to have the zero," Robinson said.

"The longer the (second) half went, the more we focused on it."

Dragons coach Steve Price's injury-hit and inexperienced team had seven more sets of possession and six more penalties, but squandered several chances through poor kicking and impatient play.

"We need to have a good look at ourselves," Price said.

"I think the bye has come at a good time.

"The boys get away and clear their heads and get back to training and strip it back and get back to basics and simplify it.

"I told the boys we are going through a bit of a difficult time.

"It's all about hanging tough now and supporting each other."

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I want to stay at Real - Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo looks likely to continue career at Real Madrid. Source: Lionel Cironneau / AFP

REAL Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has reiterated his desire to continue playing in La Liga.

Ronaldo's future at the Bernabeu has been the subject of constant speculation this summer with the 28-year-old recently admitting he missed English football.

Manchester United have been linked with making a sensational move to bring the Portuguese ace back to Old Trafford after selling him to Real in 2009.

However, Ronaldo insists he has no plans to leave Real and is happy to continue playing in Spain.

"I enjoy of course to play there (Real Madrid), I play there for four years so I want to continue there," Ronaldo said.

"It is not the best day to speak about my future. I am going to have time to speak about that at the beginning of pre-season."

Real have previously attempted to curb the rumours about Ronaldo's future by announcing on several occasions that they intend to agree a new contract - with the player having two years left to run on his current contract.

And new coach Carlo Ancelotti recently made it clear that Ronaldo is central to his plans at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"My opinion is easy. Ronaldo's a fantastic, marvellous player," he said.

"It's an honour to coach a player like Ronaldo like it was to coach Zidane.

"Ronaldo was not on the list of players like Brazilian Ronaldo, Zidane and Ronaldinho that I coached.

"He will be on the list of players I coached now and I am so happy for that."

Real president Florentino Perez outlined his confidence last month that Ronaldo will sign a new contract.

"He's our most important asset, and we will build the future of Madrid around him," he said.

"Soon we will clarify this issue. I have no doubt that Cristiano is going to retire at Real Madrid. I'm convinced that he'll renew. The renewals are done before the season starts."

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Gazza in trouble again after arrest

Problems keep growing for Paul Gascoigne. Source: SCOTT HEPPELL / AFP

Former England football star Paul Gascoigne has been arrested on suspicion of a drunken assault at a railway station but was later released without charge.

The 46-year-old, who was taken to hospital earlier this year after being treated at a US rehabilitation clinic, was arrested in Stevenage, north of London.

"Police were called to a report of a man allegedly being drunk and disorderly at Stevenage railway station at 10:30pm on Thursday July 4,'' said a spokeswoman for Hertfordshire police.

"Officers attended the location and arrested a 46-year-old male on suspicion of common assault and being drunk and disorderly.''

The former former Newcastle, Tottenham and Lazio midfielder was taken into custody but was not charged, police added.

The Daily Mirror newspaper reported that during the incident he had held a security guard by the throat and turned on his ex-wife Sheryl when she tried to step in. Police did not confirm the details.

Gascoigne has struggled with alcoholism for years and was sectioned under Britain's mental health laws in 2008.

He was treated at a clinic in Arizona at a cost of around $30,000 for a two-month stay earlier this year after his agent said he needed help following a charity appearance in which Gascoigne appeared to be visibly unwell and shaking.

Gascoigne said in March that his relapse was because he was "bored.''

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Ablett ruled out of QClash

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Withdrawal ... Gary Ablett to miss Saturday's QClash against the Lions. Source: DAVE HUNT / AAP

THE Gold Coast preparations for Saturday's QClash6 with Brisbane at the Gabba were rocked to the core on Friday night when Suns skipper Gary Ablett was ruled out of the grudge match with a calf injury.

Ablett lost his race against the clock to be fit for the Sunshine Stoush after failing to train all week and will be replaced by ex-Lion Jared Brennan in the Gold Coast side.

The 2009 Brownlow Medallist had been suffering from general soreness since the loss to Adelaide last Saturday and was sent for scans which revealed no major strains, tears or breaks.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	13	12	0	1	144.98	48
2	Geelong	13	11	0	2	128.85	44
3	Essendon	13	10	0	3	129.51	40
4	Sydney	13	9	1	3	131.15	38
5	Fremantle	13	9	1	3	124.55	38
6	Richmond	13	9	0	4	124.39	36
7	Port Adelaide	13	8	0	5	118.17	32
8	Collingwood	13	8	0	5	104.79	32
9	Carlton	13	6	0	7	113.90	24
10	West Coast	13	6	0	7	110.02	24
11	Adelaide	13	6	0	7	105.72	24
12	North Melbourne	13	5	0	8	114.25	20
13	Gold Coast	13	5	0	8	90.94	20
14	Brisbane	13	4	0	9	74.34	16
15	St Kilda	13	3	0	10	85.61	12
16	Bulldogs	13	3	0	10	75.19	12
17	Melbourne	13	2	0	11	54.01	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	13	0	0	13	50.16	0

Gold Coast coach Guy McKenna said ''read into it what you like'' when asked about Ablett's absence from the final training session on Friday as mystery swirled around Abelett's availability.

The AFL superstar spent most of the day in ice baths in a desperate bid to be fit with Suns insiders more hopeful than confident that he would play given his fanatical approach to recovery and injury management.

But the Gold Coast's worst fears were realised in the evening when they had no other option but to inform the AFL that Ablett was ruled out.

His late withdrawal sparked a frenzy on Twitter where Ablett said the injury was only minor.

"Hopefully just this week,'' he wrote in response to questions from SuperCoach fantasy football players about his stay on the sidelines.

Brennan's 11th hour reprieve throws a real X-factor into the Queensland derby.

He produced a spectacular individual performance to win the Marcus Ashcroft Medal in QClash1 but he was originally overlooked for Saturday's match due to ordinary form in the NEAFL in his comeback from a knee injury.

At his best, he is a genuine match-winner. At worst, the mercurial utility can produce costly errors. His very presence will cause the Lions coaching staff some anxious moments in the build-up to the first bounce.

The loss of Ablett cancels out any advantage the Gold Coast would gain from Lions great Simon Black being ruled out through a groin injury.

Meanwhile, Brisbane enforcer Daniel Merrett is set to play in the forward line and relieve Matthew Leuenberger in the ruck in his comeback from a groin injury.

The key defender was expected to miss the Sunshine Stoush after being a late withdrawal from the loss to Hawthorn in Launceston last Sunday but was a shock selection on Thursday night after being described as "unlikely'' to play by senior coach Michael Voss earlier in the week.

He trained at the Gabba on Friday and completed most of the session with the main group before splintering off to do a fitness test under the watchful eye of Lions conditioning staff.

Merrett went through a series of drills with ruck coach Jamie Charman at the end of training as part of his fitness test.

It is understood he pulled up well after training and is expected to play, The last time Merrett played forward in a QClash, it backfired on Brisbane spectacularly with the Suns forward line getting off the chain and claiming the inaugural Queensland derby in 2011.

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Big Three out of All Stars clash

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Shinji Ono, Alessandro Del Piero and Emile Heskey won't be part of the A-League All Stars side. Source: William West / AFP

The A-League's All Stars outfit due to take on Manchester United threatens to be that in name only after crowd favourites Alessandro Del Piero, Shinji Ono and Emile Heskey all pulled out of the team on Friday.

The news is a blow to fans, some of whom have paid up to $189 a ticket, hoping to see a star-studded A-League line-up take on the English champions at a sold-out ANZ Stadium on July 20.

Instead, the All Stars concept will be sorely lacking stellar quality.

"Alessandro, Shinji and Emile have turned on great performances and brought a huge global and national profile to the A-League, so naturally the fans wanted to see them face Manchester United," Football Federation Australia boss David Gallop said in a statement.

"But we respect the fact that their personal circumstances at this time mean the All Stars game arrives at a difficult period for them to manage a one-off appearance."

The news is a further hit to the All Stars concept with several other players such as Melbourne Victory youngster Marcos Rojas and Central Coast Mariners veteran Patrick Zwaanswijk also unavailable.

Rojas has transferred to German club VfB Stuttgart since the end of the A-League season while Zwaanswijk retired after the Mariners' grand final win, leaving coach Ange Postecoglou with a limited number of options.

"These things happen in football, but I know Ange is confident of having a very competitive team that will proudly represent the A-League against the Red Devils," Gallop said.

Seven players, including Brisbane's Thomas Broich, Sydney FC's Brett Emerton and five players from Western Sydney Wanderers, have already been confirmed in the All Stars team.

A full squad will be announced on July 13.

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Hamilton tops German practice

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP drives during practice for the German Grand Prix. Source: Lars Baron / AP

Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg dominated the first practice for the German Grand Prix on Friday, and the new tyres supplied by Pirelli held.

Leading drivers have threatened to withdraw from Sunday's Formula One race if tyre problems persist, while teams were asked to stick to operating requirements.

Hamilton set the pace in the early session, completing the fastest lap in one minute, 31.754 seconds. Hamilton is still seeking his first win since joining Mercedes at the start of the season.

Rosberg, winner of two of the past three races, was .219 seconds behind. Australian Red Bull driver Marc Webber was third and Force India's Adrian Sutil was fourth.

Championship leader Sebastian Vettel, still looking for his first win on home soil, was eighth fastest. His closet challenger, Fernando Alonso, failed to complete a lap in his Ferrari, apparently due to electrical problems.

The tyre problems became an issue at last week's British GP, when five cars sustained blowouts, leading drivers to express concern for the safety of themselves, stewards and fans.

Tyre supplier Pirelli wants all teams to remain within the prescribed pressure limits and to stop switching tyres from left to right and vice versa.

The International Automobile Federation said on Friday it was the responsibility of each team to comply with the requirements.

Late Thursday, the Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GDPA) said the drivers would pull out if tyre problems persisted in Germany.

"We are ready to drive our cars to the limit, as we always do, and as it is expected by our teams, sponsors and fans," the GPDA said.

"However, the drivers have decided if similar problems should manifest themselves during the German GP, we shall immediately withdraw from the event, as this avoidable problem with the tyres endangers again the lives of drivers, marshalls and fans."

This weekend, the belt on the rear tyres will be made of Kevlar instead of steel in an effort to reduce the chance of punctures.

From the Hungarian GP at the end of this month, the tyres will change again, using the 2012 construction with 2013 compounds.

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Carney steers Sharks to victory

Todd Carney offloads as Benji Marshall closes in during the NRL round 17 game between Sharks and Tigers. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

HE might be too late for a NSW Origin recall, but Todd Carney rescued Cronulla from a fast-finishing Wests Tigers outfit on Friday night.

6 Tries 4
Wade Graham 9'	James Tedesco 43'
Nathan Stapleton 19'	Bodene Thompson 47'
Luke Lewis 24'	Tim Simona 54'
Andrew Fifita 35'	Tim Simona 64'
Jayson Bukuya 61'
Andrew Fifita 76'
6 Conversions 3
Todd Carney 11'	Benji Marshall 44'
Todd Carney 21'	Benji Marshall 55'
Todd Carney 25'	Benji Marshall 66'
Todd Carney 36'
Todd Carney 63'
Todd Carney 78'

The Sharks edged into the top four thanks to their 36-22 victory, with Carney laying on four of the home side's six tries in a leather perfect display.

The remaining brace belonged to prop Andrew Fifita, who celebrated against his former team mates with a 60 metre solo special in the first half before sealing the result with a second try four minutes from the siren.

Their team mates, however, only managed to stay on the job for half the match.

After leading 24-0 at halftime, the Sharks flat-lined to allow Wests within eight points on two separate occasions. 

And the Tigers might have snatched an incredible victory had Chris Lawrence not been denied a 70th minute try for obstruction.

Their comeback was in complete contrast to the first 40 minutes, which saw star trio Robbie Farah, Benji Marshall and Aaron Woods all submit below-par performances.

The first half was easily Cronulla's best of 2013 and it was coming from the opening set of six.

Several tremendous charges from Prop Sam Tagataese's typified the home side's hunger, whereas the Tigers looked disinterested six days after toppling premiers Melbourne.

Turn-overs from young Tigers wingers Tim Simona and David Nofoaluma gifted Cronulla ideal field position and they exploited the charity in somewhat fortunate fashion on nine minutes.

Graham benefitted from a Carney grubber, which deflected off Farah's boot and into his arms.

Two errors from replacement Sharks fullback Stewart Mills gave the Tigers a chance to respond, but that was wasted when Marshall threw a pass into touch.

From there Cronulla kicked up a gear, doubling their lead in the 19th minute after Carney again got the better of Farah.

This time the Sharks ace scooped up a poor kick from the Tigers skipper, before racing 50 metres downfield.

The movement appeared over when carney was rounded-up, but he managed to find Nathan Stapleton with a speculative pass under pressure.

The winger did the rest, sprinting over to complete a length-of-the-field classic.

Carney's boot then stepped up, launching a 40-20 on the next set that gave Cronulla an ideal opportunity to go back-to-back.

They did just that, thanks to Carney, who potted a perfect cross field kick into the arms of makeshift centre Luke Lewis to make the scoreline 18-0 after 24 minutes.

But just when it seemed the nightmare couldn't get worse for Wests, Fifita breezed past his former team mates to score a rare front rower's try from beyond halfway.

The NSW Origin star rolled through an enormous gap one off the ruck, rampaging past Blues team mates Woods and Farah en route to a memorable four-pointer.

Down 24-0 at the break, the Tigers emerged from the sheds on a hiding to nothing before the hostile crowd.

But the only blood in the water at the start of the second half belonged to Cronulla.

With the castigations of coach Mick Potter ringing in their ears, the Tigers responded with three unanswered tries in 14 minutes to close the margin to just eight points.

The fight back started in the 43rd minute, when Robbie Farah busted the line and sent James Tedesco over for a soft try.

Four minutes later Marshall atoned for some earlier mistakes, putting Bodene Thompson across with a well-timed ball.

And the Shark alarm was well and truly ringing when Tim Simona collected a kick uncontested - after Stewart Mills slipped over - to send shivers of panic through the Shire.

But they were relieved of any immediate tremors when Marshall failed to find touch from a penalty.

Once again Carney stood tall, throwing a perfect face ball for Jayson Bukuya to crash over and restore some breathing space for his side.

It didn't last long. 

Wests regained the kick-off and four tackles later the margin was back to eight after Simona grabbed his second from a slick backline move. 

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Not A-League, Wanderers All Stars

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Western Sydney-dominated ... the Wanderers feature four players in the All Stars. Source: Marianna Massey / Getty Images

So much for showcasing the best of the A-League. The All Stars team to take on Manchester United is all about showcasing the best of Western Sydney Wanderers.

Ante Covic, Michael Beauchamp, Mark Bridge and Youssouf Hersi were the Wanderers foursome named in the All Stars team on Wednesday. They join Brett Emerton, Thomas Broich and Nikolai Topor-Stanley in the inaugural blue-and-yellow strip for the July 20 match.

Only Emerton (Sydney FC) and Broich (Brisbane) ply their trade outside of western Sydney.

The Wanderers were the unlikely stars of the A-League last season, so it's little wonder the club's players feature so prominently in the team.

"The Wanderers players built up a great partnership last year and we're continually growing as teammates," Wanderers captain Beauchamp said.

"We're looking forward to stepping out on the field together, especially against a team like Manchester United.

"It's a credit to the Wanderers squad and the season we had how many players we've had picked in the All Stars side and we probably could have had a couple more.

"It's a great achievement, not only by Wanderers players, but all the players that are in the squad having been selected by the fans and coaches and we're all looking forward to the challenge."

Beauchamp's teammate Shinji Ono was voted into the team by fans, but the Japanese star won't be available for the match as revealed exclusively by the Daily Telegraph.

And neither will the A-League's highest profile player, Alessandro Del Piero. The Italian legend's pre-season scheduled trip to Japan clashes with the All Stars match.

Their absence is disappointing for fans and does leave the team lacking a bit of star quality, but it's nothing the Barclays Premier League champions can't make up for.

The Red Devils are expected to bring their strongest side to Sydney, which includes the likes of Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie and Ryan Giggs.

The game will also be David Moyes's second match in charge of Manchester United and all eyes will be on him to see how he prepares his team for life after Sir Alex Ferguson.

All Stars coach Ange Postecoglou will name the rest of his team over the next week, but he's already set to be without Mark Milligan, Archie Thompson and Trent Sainsbury, who are likely to be on Socceroos duty in the East Asian Cup.

Manchester United are expected to arrive in Sydney on July 13, where they will hold a week-long camp leading up to the sold-out match at ANZ Stadium.

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Horwill: I was overcome by emotion

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Too much to bear ... Horwill was reduced to tears after the win in Melbourne. Source:News Limited

Wallabies captain James Horwill says he is trying to keep his emotions under check ahead of Saturday's Lions Tour decider, following his flood of tears and rollercoaster journey after the triumph in Melbourne.

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Tension ebbed out of Horwill after Leigh Halfpenny's missed penalty handed Australia a 16-15 win last Saturday.

What was to follow shredded Horwill's nerves further as he was tried, and cleared, a second time for stamp during the first Test in Brisbane.

"It was one of those things - a lot was pent up inside me that I'd kept it to myself," Horwill told Fox Sports.

"The way it all happened at the end was more nerve wracking than we probably would have liked.

"I guess everything put together led to me putting out some emotion and a big scream there at the end.

"I'm very passionate and you can tell by the way the crowd has been what it means – it's the best support I've experienced in my time with the Wallabies."

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Horwill said he expected the final game to be another close encounter which could come down to which team copes best with the occasion.

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Catch the deciding Test between the Wallabies and Lions LIVE and in HD from 7pm (EST) Saturday on Fox Sports 2HD!

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"We've tried to keep things as normal as possible and in check," said Horwill. "You don't want to put new things in and do things different – one of the most important things in these (deciding) games is the mental preparation. The important thing is to not play the game too early in your head."

Horwill was surprised that the Lions coach Warren Gatland dumped veteran Ireland centre Brian O'Driscoll.

"That would have been a tough decision for anyone. He's one hell of a player. Look at his track record – he's an amazing player who's done a lot for rugby worldwide.

"Obviously that's their decision and they feel it's put the best foot forward for them to win the game."

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Aussie fighter tries to stay focused

Focus ... Billy Dib tries to stay grounded despite 50 Cent's legal battles Source: WARREN CLARKE / AAP

Former IBF featherweight world champion Billy Dib remains focused on his fight against American Mike Oliver this weekend despite charges being laid against his promoter, prominent rapper 50 Cent.

BOX:Dib bout on despite 50 Cent problems Box Dib 

The promotion in Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday (AEDT) will proceed after 50 Cent was charged with domestic violence and vandalism.

The rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, was charged with allegedly attacking his ex-girlfriend and trashing her Los Angeles condominium in June.

Dib's brother Emaid said his sibling hadn't been distracted by what had happened to 50 Cent and was in a good frame of mind heading into his fight against Hartford native Oliver.

A win would keep Dib on course for a rematch with Russian Evgeny Gradovich, who took his title away earlier this year.

Dib plans to invoke a rematch clause from the contract for that fight, though Gradovich must win his first title defence against Mauricio Munoz in late July.

Dib has spent a week longer preparing in the United States than for his fight against Gradovich.

Assisting him is Sydney Kings NBL co-captain James Harvey, who is Dib's new strength and conditioning coach.

Harvey has had Dib doing more swimming and outdoor activities.

Oliver (25-3, 8 KOs) is a well credentialled 33-year-old southpaw who won the vacant IBO super bantamweight world title in 2007.

He had a strong amateur career and his pro record includes a disqualification win over former IBF junior flyweight world champion Mauricio Pastrami.

The fight will be shown live in Australia through ESPN.

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Boof feels for predecessor Arthur

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Perspective ... Aussie coach Darren Lehmann says some things are more important than cricket. Source: Michael Steele / Getty Images

Darren Lehmann feels for Mickey Arthur.

Australia's new cricket coach hardly knows the man he replaced, yet he empathises with Arthur for his shock sacking and, far more importantly, the death of his mother two days later.

This, said Lehmann, reinforces the point that cricket is just a game. There are much more important things in life.

The perspective that Lehmann believes is so important came to him when his great mate and mentor David Hookes was killed after being struck outside a Melbourne hotel.

And Lehmann can relate to Arthur's pain through the death of his own mother.

"It comes from my experiences in life and cricket," Lehmann said of his philosophy.

"We want to play an attacking brand of cricket, but more importantly from a life perspective it's a game of cricket.

"That came to me when Hookesy died and my mum died. Things changed. You get a perspective back in life.

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"For us that's really important. A perfect example is Mickey Arthur. We spoke about the fact he had a tough couple of days and then his mum died.

"We wanted to wear black arm bands in Taunton to respect anyone who has had any involvement as a player or support staff. That puts things in perspective.

"For me it's more about keeping it really well grounded. Don't get too high on your good days and when you get down it's not the end of the world. It's about learning from it and away we go again."

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Above all Lehmann, 43, wants the team to embrace "a bit of calmness and enjoyment."

"They're been really good. I've been really impressed with the way they've brought into the way we want to play," Lehmann said of the players.

"The learning styles are different obviously and I haven't worked with too many before but we're pleased we're really open in talking about a whole range of issues that will come up on this tour.

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"Pitch conditions and how we want to play when we get to Notts (for the first Test). That's going to be different to how we want to play at Lord's and how we want to play at Old Trafford so we get to that place it's not a surprise.

"We have some guys who have played county cricket and I played at those places as well.

"We're just trying to get better at the game of cricket and better at life I suppose.

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"I think you'll see the side having a laugh and enjoying themselves. That's really important because it's going to be a pressurised tour, we know that.

"The crowd is going to be quite vocal and we have to come up with strategies on how we're going to play and enjoy every moment.

"As I said to the lads I never got to play in an Ashes series and that's one of my big regrets as a cricketer so they've got to be enjoying these next few months as the highlight of their cricketing career. Hopefully we'll make it a successful one."

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When Arthur was sacked late last month and Lehmann took over it appeared as though he was walking into a team in disarray.

There had been the homework saga earlier this year when four players were suspended from the third Test in India.

David Warner was in trouble twice in the space of three weeks for bringing the game into disrepute and suspended for a month after throwing a punch at England's Joe Root at a Birmingham bar.

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It appears to be the catalyst for the sacking of Arthur.

"It might have looked like a shambles on the outside but walking into it I don't think it was as bad as a lot of people made it out to be," said Lehmann, who emphasised that the challenge was not off-field but on the field.

"We're just got to get better at making bigger runs," he said. "Hundreds are a really big issue for us. We know that as a batting group.

"I've been very pleased with the way we've played in the last two county games, confidence and winning, the way you want to play, flows from there.

"It's been really impressive. We know the jump (to Test cricket) is going to be there and we have to make that pretty quickly."

Australia's last three coaches, John Buchanan, Tim Nielsen and Mickey Arthur had not played Test cricket. Nielsen and Arthur were forced out of the job.

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Lehmann believes that his experience in cricket's trenches can help the wayward Warner.

"I've been in a few tight spots myself," Lehmann said. "It's about dealing with disappointment and success and keeping it really grounded.

"One of the things we're really big on is everyone's on the same level whether you haven't played a Test or you've played a hundred. Everyone will be treated the same.  

"He's obviously apologised many times now. It's a case of him getting ready to play the first Test.

"That's all he can do.

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"The selectors will decide what happens from there."

Lehmann claimed that as a coach and selector he did not face a moral dilemma if Warner was selected to play next week's first Test once his suspension had expired.

This is despite the fact Warner may not miss a Test for throwing a punch at an opponent in a bar, while four players missed a Test in India for failing to do their homework.

"I can see why people would think that but we started with a clean slate when I came on board," Lehmann said.

"It's not for me to judge what other people think. My role is to get the best players out there playing.

"If we think Davey Warner is in the best six when the first Test comes around then he will play.

"If we don't think that then he won't play. There are a lot of things we have to weigh up along the way with someone like Davey and we'll do that over the next few days."

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Pearson leaps injury obstacle

Improvement expected: Australian Sally Pearson is hoping to improve on her fourth behind American Dawn Harper in Birmingham over the weekend but is confident she is on the right track. Source: SAMUEL KUBANI / AFP

Olympic champion Sally Pearson admits to being surprised at how relaxed she is about her injury-interrupted world championships campaign.

The 100m hurdles gold medallist will have just her third race for the year in Lausanne, Switzerland, tomorrow as she builds towards next month's world championships in Moscow.

Pearson, who won the world title in Daegu, South Korea in 2011, finished fourth behind American Dawn Harper in Birmingham over the weekend but is confident she is on the right track.

"I'm quite surprised how I am dealing with it this season," she said. "I thought I would be more anxious than what I am.

"I'm quite surprised how relaxed and happy I am. I think it's probably down to the fact I have won a world championships and I've won an Olympic Games.

"I'm pretty relaxed about that. If I was going for my first world title this year then I would probably be worried.

"I've done everything that a sport can ask for in an Olympic sport. All I want now is the world record but I think that might be asking a bit too much this year.

"I'm just being patient and I'm surprised by that because I'm not a very patient person when it comes to competition so I'm really proud with how I've been handling it.

"It would be nice to go out in these races and win them but at the same time I've had two injuries coming into this season so I think I'm doing quite well

"In Birmingham I was less than a 10th of a second behind Dawn Harper who won the race, so I think that was pretty good."

Pearson has added competitions in Europe to her program in an attempt to nail down her race rhythm in time for the defence of her title.

"I've got the speed, I've got the fitness but I've just got to get the racing fitness," she said. "I have to get used to the adrenalin, get used to the emotions that you have to have under control for racing.

"That's all part of it. It's definitely mental and about getting back to being in control. I think I've got all the attributes there but I've just got to put them back into a race."

Pearson is scheduled to clash with exciting American college champion Brianna Rollins, who clocked the third fastest time in history, 12.26sec, at last month's US trials, in Monaco in a fortnight.

"It's going to be interesting to see what shape she is in after racing the collegiate season as well as the US open trials," she said.

"It's going to get everyone on their toes again because we all know she has run 12.26 and is the fastest in the field. It's going to be really interesting to see how everyone handles it."

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Libby hangs up bathing suit again

Powerhouse: Libby Trickett's career tally includes four Olympic gold medals over three Games Athens, Beijing and London. Picture: Brett Costello Source: The Daily Telegraph

Four-time Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett has retired for the second but final time.

The triple Olympian announced her departure from the pool on national television tonight, succumbing to a painful wrist injury that has simply refused to heal.

Trickett had wanted to swim through to the 2016 Rio Olympics, but at 28 she has ended her stellar career knowing her body is unable to match the desire of her mind.

"There will always be a tinge of sadness to leave the sport that I love, but I have wonderful memories and experiences to draw upon in the future," Trickett said.

"I feel at peace with my decision and most importantly I feel that I am finally ready to take on the next adventure in my life."

One of the most decorated female swimmers of the modern era, Trickett was a member of the women's gold medal winning 4x100m freestyle relay team at the London Olympics last year.

Her career tally includes four Olympic gold medals over three Games – Athens, Beijing and London - and a total of 17 gold overall, across four World Championships and one Commonwealth Games.

The Queenslander broke multiple world records in her career and after a brief retirement in 2009, she returned to the pool a year later and finally swam her way onto a third Olympic team in 2012.

"I'm so grateful to swimming for all that it has given me in my life. Not only have I been able to travel the world, training and competing, making some wonderful friends, but I've also had the opportunity to work with some of the best people in their field which I feel very lucky to have done so," she said.

Swimming Australia Director of High Performance Michael Scott said Trickett's contribution to the Australian Swim team over the years has been outstanding.

"Libby's legacy and success at both a national and international level, as well as her dedication to the sport is something the next generation of swimmers can aspire to," Scott said.

Trickett will now switch focus on the next chapter of her life with her family and to pursue a career in the media with Network Ten as a mentor on new program Australia's Greatest Athlete which begins production in September.

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Smith call-up a 'masterstroke'

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He's back ... George Smith will line-up for Australia again 12 years after playing in the last decisive Lions Test. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

The bold recall of veteran flanker George Smith to the gold no.7 has been hailed by leading Wallaby figures as a "masterstroke" with the potential to lift Australia to a series triumph against the British and Irish Lions on Saturday.

The contrasting fortunes of the only active survivors of the 2001 Lions series couldn't have been starker yesterday, when news of Brian O'Driscoll's shock dumping for the decider was followed by Fox Sports' revelations Smith had won a stunning call-up to the Wallabies side.

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Despite only returning last week from a six-week knee injury, Smith will today be named as the Australian no.7, almost four years after his last game in gold in 2009.

The veteran flanker, who turns 33 next week, will play his 111th and final Test at ANZ Stadium, and become the first Australian to play in successive Lions series under the current 12-year cycle.

Smith's return will see Michael Hooper return to the bench, and Liam Gill be unluckily squeezed out of the squad, but Deans' side appears one of the strongest he's ever fielded in six years.

The bold Smith selection was last night hailed by some of the flanker's self-confessed mentors and ex-teammates.

Former Wallaby halfback George Gregan, who played in the 2001 series with a 20-year-old Smith, said his old friend would shine.

"It's fantastic for George, and obviously the team as well," Gregan said.

"I don't know any more influential players in rugby, he's a magical talent, and his presence will be a massive shot in the arm for the Wallabies.

"He and Richie McCaw are guys who never play below 8/10, and every so often transcend everyone else on a field."

Former Wallabies and Brumbies coach Eddie Jones said Smith's presence could tip the Test match.

"He's a once-in-a-lifetime player," Jones said.

"George will contest the breakdown fiercely, and after Australia left tries on the field in the first two Tests, I think his link work in attack will be important for the Wallabies.

"The best thing is he'll lift all players around him. I wouldn't be surprised if Cliffy Palu is the best player on the field, with George next to him."

Former Wallaby hooker Brendan Cannon said: "It's an absolute masterstroke by Robbie Deans. He's hands-down one of the greatest players I ever had the pleasure to play with or against, and indeed, watch."

Smith's almost accidental return to the Wallabies only came after returning to Australian rugby this year from Japan on an 12-week injury cover contract for the Brumbies. His form was still so strong he was due to be picked by Deans in the Lions squad, but a serious medial ligament injury was suffered on tour eve and supposed to require a 3-month recovery. He was back training with Australia after 6 weeks.

After an inglorious exit in 2009, Jones said he was pleased Smith had the chance to finish his career on Saturday with a fitting hero's farewell with a second Lions series win.

That same chance - albeit for his first win - was taken from O'Driscoll yesterday, when the 34-year-old was dropped by Warren Gatland for the first time in 133 Tests and four Lions tours.

Jones said the decision was the right one, given the Irish veteran had been "struggling".

"Defensively he's been good but age just takes away that attacking spark. He's looked out of sorts," Jones said.

But Gregan admitted the O'Driscoll axing came as a shock.

"That's a big call. He knows big Test rugby inside out and knows how to win," Gregan said.

"I know he'd be absolutely desperate to win this game, so yes, that's a bit of a surprise to me."

Cannon said the O'Driscoll dumping and the installation of ten Wales players in the Lions side could potentially prove disruptive in the tourists' camp.

"To bring in ten Wales players - who haven't beaten the Wallabies in years - and leave out such an iconic player, who is revered by his teammates, is a massive call by Gatland," Cannon said.

"I am sure behind closed doors it could have the potential to create disquiet among the Lions squad. He is a big an icon in the game as they come."

WALLABIES TEAM TO PLAY THE LIONS

1. Benn Robinson.
2. Stephen Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. James Horwill ©
5. Kane Douglas
6. Ben Mowen
7. George Smith
8. Wycliff Palu
9. Will Genia
10. James O'Connor
11. Joe Tomane
12. Christian Lealiifano
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
14. Israel Folau
15. Kurtley Beale

Reserves
16. Saia Faingaa
17. James Slippper
18. Sekope Kepu
19. Rob Simmons
20. Ben McCalman
21. Michael Hooper
22. Nick Phipps
23. Jesse Mogg

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Rooney, Moyes in Mexican stand-off

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Future's shaky ... Wayne Rooney begins talks with David Moyes about his future. Source: Mike Egerton / AAP

Wayne Rooney has arrived at Manchester United's Carrington training ground with talks expected over his future at the club.

Rooney, 27, didn't look overly pleased as he drove into United's training base in his Range Rover on Wednesday night (AEST) for the first day of pre-season training.

He will meet with new manager David Moyes amidst speculation that he's seeking a move away.

His United teammate Rio Ferdinand tweeted his excitement at being back in pre-season training. He said: '1st day back for pre season today....1st day on the road to success this season.... #believe'.

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Rooney is due to fly to Asia and Australia with the rest of the Manchester United team later this week for a pre-season tour.

The England international, who also disputes Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that he has formally asked to leave the club, is due to have his fitness assessment at Carrington this afternoon when the rest of the first-team players also report back after the summer break.

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Meanwhile, Chelsea keeper Petr Cech would welcome Rooney to Stamford Bridge if the Manchester United ace decided to switch.

Rooney is being linked with the Blues, Arsenal and Paris St Germain.

Cech believes Rooney is a "fantastic player" and would be a quality addition to the squad if new Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho wanted him in his plans.

He told Sky Sports News: "I could see him in a Chelsea shirt. Players can change shirts and obviously he had a fantastic career with Manchester United and sometimes players need new challenges.

"Sometimes the consequences are the way that you are looking for the new challenge and change of the shirt.

"So if that happened, obviously he is a fantastic player and he will be welcome to our squad but now we are only in the moment of speculations about it so we will see what this week will bring."

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Bombers in Dogs sights

The Dogs are targeting Stewie Crameri.

The Western Bulldogs have made a double-barrelled assault on two Essendon forwards - Scott Gumbleton and Stewart Crameri.

They hope to squirrel one of the out-of-contract key forwards out of Windy Hill at the end of the season, although they are expected to have competition for Gumbleton from Carlton.

Crameri is expected to re-sign with the Bombers.

The Bulldogs and Blues gave 24-year-old Gumbleton a medical assessment last year, which he failed. He signed a one-year contract at the Bombers and has proved this year he is over his hamstring/back complaints and has played every game, be it in the AFL or VFL.

The emergence of Joe Daniher makes it increasingly likely Gumbleton would remain a back-up forward if he chose to stay at Windy Hill.

The Bulldogs are desperate to bulk up their forward line to assist the emerging Liam Jones, while the Blues need key forwards which would mean (1) they didn't play their ruckmen out of the goalsquare and (2) they could entertain a trade for either Robert Warnock or Shaun Hampson.

Gumbleton could earn as much as $300,000 - which would be heavily incentive-based - if he switched clubs.

With Gumbleton a No.2 draft pick, the Bombers would hope for an early second-round selection in a trade.

Crameri, also 24, is the No.1 target for the Dogs and their offer is about $450,000 a season for three years.

The Bombers have countered with an offer of about $350,000-$380,000 a season.

Although Crameri struck up a close relationship with Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney during McCartney's one year at Essendon, his relationship with Bombers coach James Hird is almost certain to result in him knocking back rival offers.

The Bombers are extremely confident Crameri will sign a new contract.

The worry is exactly when.

Manager Paul Connors is in charge of Gumbleton and Crameri, and Connors is currently overseas.

There is a belief he wants to wait until the drugs investigation is over before completing any deals.

Bulldogs chief executive Simon Garlick last night would not discuss specific names, but said the club would be aggressive in the market place, notwithstanding GWS auctioning off of the No.1 pick in the national draft.

"We will be similar to most clubs and we will going as hard as we can within reason," Garlick said. "We will be targeting specific players in assisting us."

The Blues will meet during the coming weeks to discuss their list management, including Gumbleton.

Another out-of-contract Bomber, Tom Bellchambers, is understood to be of interest to GWS and Collingwood.

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Hope inspired Krak jail gesture

Nathan Buckley puts his arm around Andrew Krakouer. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Andrew Krakouer has revealed the depth of feeling behind his infamous "jailhouse salute" on his return to the AFL.

The Magpie livewire split the public with his handcuff gesture (right) after a goal against Carlton in April 2011. He was widely criticised for insulting victims of crime after he had served 16 months in jail for assault.

Krakouer, on the cusp of a return for the Pies against Carlton on Friday, says it was intended purely to give "hope and faith" to his former fellow inmates.

"A lot of people criticised me about that, saying I'm glorifying criminality or glorifying going to jail," Krakouer says on Fox Footy's The Club, which will air tonight.

"Jail's a terrible thing ... I wish my father, my brothers, my cousin, my family wouldn't go to jail because it's a terrible thing to be in.

"It certainly wasn't the case of me glorifying it - I was disgusted I went to jail.

"But on the other hand I've got people, family and cousins, in jail.

"All the boys inside that I spent time with were just so happy I gave them hope, I gave them faith.

"Maybe one day (they'll say), 'Look where Andy is now, he's out on the 'G running around kicking a goal - and he's giving a sign to the boys, the brothers, that maybe one day, if you keep the faith, you do the right things, you never know what could happen'."

Krakouer also reveals his family's anguish at watching his father, North Melbourne champion Jim, spend time in jail.

But he said he didn't realise the pain he'd caused his victims - or his family - until his own sentence was handed down in 2008.

"The biggest thing that hurt me was that I looked over to my family and they were teary-eyed and I really didn't care for myself, but the effect my actions had on not only the victim's family, but my family as well ... they were upset and so distraught," he says.

"Seeing them in that kind of state made me think of the consequences my actions had. I just didn't realise those actions in that small amount of time could have an effect like this on so many people.

"It probably didn't really hit me until I went in there (prison) that night.

"My brother was in there with me ... we hadn't been in jail before. It was the unknown - to think what might happen in the morning, who are we going to run into?

"It was a scary night ... not the best environment to be in.

"Just sitting back, laying back and looking at the ceiling and thinking: 'Far out, this really happened, this is where we're at, we're locked up'."

Krakouer's interview will air on The Club on Fox Footy today at 8.30pm.

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'SBW's ability to adapt is freakish'

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Gaz Man ... Sonny Bill Williams's evolution as a playmaker is freakish. Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

Former St George Illawarra Dragons superstar Mark Gasnier looks back on NRL round 16 and singles out his player of the week to be awarded the Gaz Man.

And the award for best adaptation goes to Sonny Bill Williams for his new-found playmaking ability. 

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I think Sonny's been outstanding in the back-row but the last few weeks, in particular when the Roosters were missing Origin players, and again on Monday night, he's developed an ability to change positions and do it superbly well.

A lot of players change positions and think they've got to completely change their games.

In reality, he has combined his previous role in the back-row and his new role as a playmaker really well.

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The way he orchestrated the Roosters' first try was straight out of a five-eight's playbook. Firstly, he pushed into a hole - like a back-rower does - yet on the second play he went down the short side and combined with Boyd Cordner before going out to the right to fill in at halfback. He then fed it out to Mitchell Pearce, who threw the pass to Minichiello and they went through the hands for Tuivasa-Sheck to score in the corner.

The thing I liked most about his game was his timing - whether it was chiming into the line or the timing of his passes.

A perfect example of his play as a devastating ball runner came in the 50th or 60th minute - he made a tough carry, running straight at Anthony Watmough and Glenn Stewart, putting the representative forwards on the back-foot, this carry had a huge impact on the game.

But it was his ability to adapt to five-eight that impressed me the most. The highlight of his ball-playing skills happened when he got the ball out the back from a decoy play, ran to the line as he threw a dummy in the same motion, went through a tiny gap and passed it to Jennings who scored in the corner.

We all know what skill level he's got - we know he can pass around the corner; he's got skill and courage.

To have so long out of the game and be able to come back and pick your timing is incredible, and you can narrow it down to two things: the Roosters' coaching staff to be able to get him in that mindset so early in the season and Sonny himself because it shows just how switched on and driven he is.

I think he's already back to where he was at when he was at the Bulldogs.

He's definitely got a better football brain, which he may have developed in union, orrugby league may have never left him and he stayed in touch with the development of the game.

I'm sure if you asked Sonny, he'd say he was a different person then. He's a lot more mature, he's in a lot better frame of mind and he's grown.

I think he'd be in the top five players in the game. If you think of the guys who have the most influence on a match - immediately you think Cam Smith, Thurston, Slater, Cronk, Inglis - but I think if you went across the board, he's the most dominant in the mobile back-rower role by far. He's got it all - timing, ball-playing ability, strength and balance.

He's an outstanding player.

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Hayne plane to soar in Origin bid

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Return ... Jarryd Hayne looks to prove his fitness ahead of State of Origin III. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne has been named to return for Monday's game against Manly as he looks to prove his fitness ahead of State of Origin III.

While Hayne's replacement for Origin II, St George Illawarra fullback Josh Dugan, will miss the Roosters clash through suspension, with rookie Adam Quinlan filling the void.

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The Dragons get back Trent Merrin following his one-game ban for fighting in Origin II.

Gold Coast coach John Cartwright is banking on the infectious enthusiasm of his batch of NRL debutants helping the Titans get their finals push back on track against surprise packets Penrith on Saturday night.

		W	L	D	B	PD	Pts
1	Rabbitohs	13	2	0	1	177	28
2	Roosters	11	4	0	1	145	24
3	Storm	10	4	1	1	95	23
4	Sea Eagles	7	6	1	2	67	19
5	Titans	8	7	0	1	17	18
6	Sharks	7	7	0	2	-16	18
7	Bulldogs	8	7	0	1	-23	18
8	Knights	7	8	0	1	71	16
9	Panthers	6	8	0	2	36	16
10	Warriors	7	8	0	1	-64	16
11	Raiders	7	8	0	1	-66	16
12	Broncos	6	9	0	1	-5	14
13	Cowboys	6	9	0	1	-17	14
14	Tigers	6	9	0	1	-157	14
15	Dragons	5	10	0	1	-79	12
16	Eels	3	11	0	2	-181	10

The Titans were woeful when hammered 46-16 by Newcastle on Sunday - the heavy loss compounded by the season-ending injury to Jamal Idris (broken leg, dislocated ankle) and one-week unavailability of William Zillman (groin).

With winger Anthony Don also relegated to an extended bench after his opposite James McManus scored four tries for the Knights, Cartwright will blood under 20s stars Jahrome Hughes and Hymel Hunt against the Panthers in Darwin - Hughes at fullback for Zillman and Hunt in the centres for Idris.

"Particularly the last six weeks, they've been doing great things for our 20s,'' Cartwright said of Hughes and Hunt.

"What they're going to bring is plenty of enthusiasm out of everyone else.

"Just the excitement that you could feel as soon as the boys knew they were flying up here - after a really disappointing performance against Newcastle - it gave us a bit of a boost to see those guys up here.''

The Titans missed a chance to move into the top four with the loss to the Knights, but could drop to the bottom of the top eight with another defeat to the Panthers.

South Sydney coach Michael Maguire has named Burgess twins George and Tom on an extended bench for Sunday's highly anticipated game against the Warriors in Perth for what could be their first NRL match together, with George returning from a club-imposed ban.

Veteran Cronulla centre Ben Pomeroy has been dropped for Friday night's crunch game against Wests Tigers, with NSW back-rower Luke Lewis to turn back the clock by lining up in the centres.

The Sea Eagles regaining the services of Kieran Foran after he missed Monday night's loss to the Sydney Roosters due to illness.

Canberra's three-quarter woes have resulted in Joel Thompson being named in the centres, with Jack Wighton - who remains in doubt to face North Queensland on Sunday with a groin injury - pushing out to the wing to replace Sandor Earl.

Earl is out for six weeks after dislocating his elbow against Souths on Friday night.

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Vote: who has worst new EPL kit?

Vote now ... which EPL team has the worst jersey for the 2013-2014 season? Source: Supplied

Why meddle with a tried and tested formula?

That's inevitable message from fans this time of year when football teams reveal their new kits for the upcoming season.

Unsightly stripes, colour clashes and awkward collars are some of the common criticisms.

Liverpool's away kit for 2013-2014, which was modelled on a 1981 strip, drew the ire of many on social media and has been described as "a screenshot from a smashed-up Nokia 3210".

Chelsea's away kit is bold, Manchester United have reverted to a polo collar, while Tottenham's not-yet confirmed home strip seems a lazy effort.

What do you think? Let us know which is the worst by voting in our poll below.

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AFL proposes an end to compensation

Changes ... AFL operations boss Mark Evans has asked clubs for feedback. Source: JULIAN SMITH / AAP

The AFL has asked clubs to comment on a suggestion they should not receive draft picks as compensation for the loss of unrestricted free agents.

AFL general manager of football operations Mark Evans said on Monday the concept was worth a look.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	13	12	0	1	144.98	48
2	Geelong	13	11	0	2	128.85	44
3	Essendon	13	10	0	3	129.51	40
4	Sydney	13	9	1	3	131.15	38
5	Fremantle	13	9	1	3	124.55	38
6	Richmond	13	9	0	4	124.39	36
7	Port Adelaide	13	8	0	5	118.17	32
8	Collingwood	13	8	0	5	104.79	32
9	Carlton	13	6	0	7	113.90	24
10	West Coast	13	6	0	7	110.02	24
11	Adelaide	13	6	0	7	105.72	24
12	North Melbourne	13	5	0	8	114.25	20
13	Gold Coast	13	5	0	8	90.94	20
14	Brisbane	13	4	0	9	74.34	16
15	St Kilda	13	3	0	10	85.61	12
16	Bulldogs	13	3	0	10	75.19	12
17	Melbourne	13	2	0	11	54.01	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	13	0	0	13	50.16	0

"We've put it on the table to clubs to tell us what they think,'' Evans told the AFL website.

"I don't think we'll change anything for this year.

"But there has been a strong suggestion that you don't need to provide free-agency compensation for players who are unrestricted free agents.

"That either means they have been on the list for eight years and they sit outside the top quartile of player payments, or they've been at that club for 10 years and they've given their service.

"So I think that's worthwhile looking at.''

An unrestricted free agent can automatically move to the club of his choice.

Hawthorn's star forward Lance Franklin, who is reportedly the subject of a massive offer from Greater Western Sydney, is a restricted free agent.

The Hawks would have the option to match any offer made by a rival club.

Under this system introduced in 2012, compensation in the form of allocated draft picks will apply to clubs with a net loss of free agents based on a formula determined by the AFL.

Former Hawthorn football manager Evans, who was appointed to his new role in March 2013, denied his early-season move to league headquarters had played a role in the average number of free kicks being lowered.

The AFL's umpiring department has been praised in recent weeks for putting the whistle away.

"No instruction. Nothing from me at all,'' he said.

However, Evans is determined to take a hands-on role in trying to clear up some of what he calls the confusion over the match review panel.

"I'm prepared to look at some things at the end of the year in our normal review of the tribunal and match review panel,'' he said.

"But for me, it might be about creating more clarity for people so they understand the impact of prior record or good record or carry-over points or trying to make those things simpler.

"I'm sure there'll be some other tweaks along the way.

"I accept that there can be confusion within that. You really have to study the impact of those points to try to work it out.

"The person listening to the outcome really looks at weeks. Is it a reprimand?

"Did it get off? Did it end up with one week, two weeks, three weeks?

"We need to try to find a way to communicate that better.''

Evans praised last summer's changes where prior records were only counted within the past two years, and only any sanctions of two matches or more were included in assessments of carry-over points.

"That has helped but it still creates confusion in the public,'' he said.

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Farina gets tough at Sydney FC

Frank Farina ... gets tough at Sydney FC. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Sydney FC coach Frank Farina will be cracking down on his side this pre-season to wipe out the bad traits that ruined their 2012-2013 campaign.

Farina inherited a side that made a disastrous start to the season and then had to contend with a spate of send-offs and struggles on the road – something he won't tolerate next term.

"It's all about habits; you can't just say 'we'll fine you," Farina told foxsports.com.au.

"We're introducing things at training - no swearing, no slide tackling - where they start to get into the habit.

"If they're doing it every day, you hope that relates on the field as well. Swearing is a fine, a slide tackle is a free kick …

"It's like a kid at school – you don't do your timetables once and get it, it's about repetition. It's the same in football. You can't just say generic statements; you have to come up with ways to improve it. Hopefully it'll work."

Farina has identified four key areas where the Sky Blues need to change if they want to become serious contenders next season.

"Our focus is the start of the season, which was pretty poor.

"We conceded 51 goals last season – that determined who won the league. (If we don't concede those goals), we would've won (the league). So we've got work on our defensive structure.

"We had disciplinary issues too; we finished seven games with 10 players or less. I don't think we won any of those games. That's 21 points.

"And our away form. They're four key areas we'll be focusing on preparing for and hopefully doing better.

"It all starts at training."

Farina has the luxury of being involved from the get-go this season, after walking into a 'game by game' survival scenario last season.

There's a trip to Japan "probably earlier than would like" pencilled in, while Farina hopes to play 12 to 14 games in the pre-season to be fully prepared for the 11 October kick-off.

He'll have some extra artillery at his disposal, with Corey Gameiro signing to play up front and Nicky Carle returning to the club.

The club had to sit back and watch as Western Sydney Wanderers enjoyed a watershed season in their A-League debut. Sydney FC's crowds were still up, thanks to Alessandro del Piero, and Farina knows there is an opportunity to create something special if the side can start to perform.

"There's two teams in the city now; there's always an expectation and demand here, more than anywhere else, from supporters and press, that we do well.

"The bottom line is it's all about results; atmosphere and crowds comes down to results. We don't feel it as a pressure, it's a challenge. We can only do our best to achieve that."

Does the Wanderers' success provide any extra motivation at Moore Park?

"It's all about us," Farina said.

"At the end of the day, in the Wanderers' next season they will become the hunted.

"There were no expectations on them last year; from themselves or anyone outside. Next year, expectations will be high from within their own club, supporters and the media

"They're no longer flying under the radar.

"Sydney from day one has always had the expectation and demands, but now Western Sydney have that (too).

They're no longer the new guy on the block. Now they've got to back it up."

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SBW orchestrates win over Manly

Sonny Bill ... produces another masterful performance ... playing at five-eighth! Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

The Sydney Roosters are making a habit of winning with their backs against the wall after taking care of Manly 18-12 to rise into second spot on the NRL ladder.

4 Tries 2
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6'	Jamie Lyon 48'
Jake Friend 26'	George Rose 77'
Michael Jennings 53'
Michael Jennings 70'
0 Conversions 2
	Jamie Lyon 49'
	Jamie Lyon 77'
1 Penalties 0
Boyd Cordner 60'

Having taken care of Canterbury last week without their NSW State of Origin stars, the Roosters on Monday night produced another stellar defensive effort to down the Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium - despite playing almost the entire second half with just two fit reserves.

		W	L	D	B	PD	Pts
1	Rabbitohs	13	2	0	1	177	28
2	Roosters	11	4	0	1	145	24
3	Storm	10	4	1	1	95	23
4	Sea Eagles	7	6	1	2	67	19
5	Titans	8	7	0	1	17	18
6	Sharks	7	7	0	2	-16	18
7	Bulldogs	8	7	0	1	-23	18
8	Knights	7	8	0	1	71	16
9	Panthers	6	8	0	2	36	16
10	Warriors	7	8	0	1	-64	16
11	Raiders	7	8	0	1	-66	16
12	Broncos	6	9	0	1	-5	14
13	Cowboys	6	9	0	1	-17	14
14	Tigers	6	9	0	1	-157	14
15	Dragons	5	10	0	1	-79	12
16	Eels	3	11	0	2	-181	10

Daniel Mortimer and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck left the field with concussion either side of the halftime break after ugly head knocks - Tuivasa-Sheck's collision also resulting in Manly forward James Hasson being taken to hospital with bleeding on the eye.

While the Roosters were short-handed, they did still have Sonny Bill Williams on their side, the game's biggest five-eighth once again showcasing his playmaking skills to engineer three of his side's four tries.

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NSW centre Michael Jennings scored a second-half double - including the clincher 10 minutes from time when he ran onto a delightful Williams pass to kill off Manly's slender hopes.

Williams came up with the key play for Tuivasa-Sheck's opening try after just seven minutes, but it was the defensive effort in the ensuing 15 minutes which showed just why the Roosters are a genuine premiership force.

Manly enjoyed eight straight sets on the Roosters line but never really threatened the scoreboard, the defensive effort in contrast to that which the Sea Eagles showed when Jake Friend waltzed over from 20 metres.

Sea Eagles utility Jamie Buhrer dropped the ball over the line after the halftime siren under great defensive pressure from Aidan Guerra but, when Jamie Lyon scored eight minutes after the restart, the visitors found life.

Jennings took some air out of their sails when he scored five minutes later as the Roosters ran it on the last, the home side going out by more than a converted try when fill-in goalkicker Boyd Cordner landed his only goal of the night on the back of a controversial penalty.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, playing for the first time since being sent off in the last meeting between the two sides, claimed he had been taken high by Justin Horo, the Roosters delaying a scrum long enough to allow the video referee to intervene and award the penalty.

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Kangaroos stroll to victory

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Comprehensive ... Drew Petrie leads Tim Mohr to the contest. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Greater Western Sydney have taken a step closer to an unwanted piece of AFL history with their 86-point hammering by North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Giants have now lost all 13 matches this season, and are closing in on being the first team in AFL/VFL history since Fitzroy in 1964 to go through a season winless.

Critical to the Giants breaking their duck this season appears next Saturday's clash with fellow strugglers Western Bulldogs in Canberra.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	13	12	0	1	144.98	48
2	Geelong	13	11	0	2	128.85	44
3	Essendon	13	10	0	3	129.51	40
4	Sydney	13	9	1	3	131.15	38
5	Fremantle	13	9	1	3	124.55	38
6	Richmond	13	9	0	4	124.39	36
7	Port Adelaide	13	8	0	5	118.17	32
8	Collingwood	13	8	0	5	104.79	32
9	Carlton	13	6	0	7	113.90	24
10	West Coast	13	6	0	7	110.02	24
11	Adelaide	13	6	0	7	105.72	24
12	North Melbourne	13	5	0	8	114.25	20
13	Gold Coast	13	5	0	8	90.94	20
14	Brisbane	13	4	0	9	74.34	16
15	St Kilda	13	3	0	10	85.61	12
16	Bulldogs	13	3	0	10	75.19	12
17	Melbourne	13	2	0	11	54.01	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	13	0	0	13	50.16	0

The Bulldogs lost to another battling side in Melbourne this weekend, and have won just three of their 13 matches this campaign.

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Sheedy admitted he had not considered the prospect of the team going through their sophomore season without a win.

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But he admitted the importance of the Bulldogs game had been a topic of post-match conversation after the Giants' 19.16 (130) to 6.8 (44) defeat by a dominant North in an otherwise forgettable game.

"It's an opportunity for us to try and search for our first win, and I've been speaking about that to the players,'' Sheedy said.

"I haven't thought about that (the prospect of a winless season) to be honest.

"The task you take on when you try to build this club from the real, deep foundation ... is you suffer some losses early like the Brisbane Bears did and the Swans did.''

The Giants' hopes of an upset were extinguished by the end of the first quarter - the Kangaroos piling on an eight goals to one term to set up the victory.

Drew Petrie booted five goals and Lindsay Thomas four for the Kangaroos.

GWS moved into damage limitation mode in the second term by putting players behind the ball - a tactic which worked to a degree as the sides booted four goals apiece in the quarter.

But the Kangaroos had the better of a dire second half, restricting the Giants to just one goal as the visitors continued to play extra men behind the ball for the rest of the match.

North now have a 5-8 win-loss record, keeping alive their faint chances of making this season's finals.

Coach Brad Scott admitted he was pleased with how his team had coped with the Giants' unusual defensive tactics.

"The main thing we take away from that is the opposition threw something pretty strange at us, and we were able to respond really quickly,'' Scott said.

"I called for an organised effort from our boys, and after halftime we really got that.''

North's only concern to come out of the match centres on Thomas, who faces match review panel scrutiny after what appeared a possible headbutt on Giants youngster Jacob Townsend.

North now have a 5-8 win-loss record, and will need seven wins from their remaining nine matches to have any realistic hope of reaching the finals.

Form sides Richmond, Geelong, Essendon and Hawthorn dot the Kangaroos' run home, and they remain three wins out of the top eight in 12th place.

But their percentage is best of any of the teams currently outside the eight and better than one of those inside - eighth-placed Collingwood - whom the Kangaroos will play in the final home-and-away match of the season.

"We play really good sides on the way home,'' Scott said.

"We just look at playing footy that's capable of beating them (opposing teams). And then if we get the numbers we need, then we'll get there.

"If we don't play good footy along the way, the good sides just get you.''

North take on Richmond next weekend, with the Tigers having now won four successive matches after their 64-point win over St Kilda.

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

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Tigers trample listless Saints

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September dreaming ... Alex Rance marks in front of Justin Koschitzke. Source: DAVID CROSLING / AAP

Richmond midfielder Nathan Foley played his best game since returning to the AFL as the Tigers demolished St Kilda by 64 points on Sunday night.

Foley was one of Richmond's best with 23 possessions and two goals as the Tigers consolidated their top-eight berth with the 17.17 (119) to 8.7 (55) win at the MCG.

4.4 (28)	Q1	3.2 (20)
10.9 (69)	Q2	4.4 (28)
15.13 (103)	Q3	7.5 (47)
17.17 (119)	Q4	8.7 (55)

Daniel Jackson 3	Trent Dennis-Lane 2
Jack Riewoldt 3	Clinton Jones 1
Brett Deledio 2	Leigh Montagna 1
Nathan Foley 2	Brodie Murdoch 1
Shaun Grigg 2	Nick Riewoldt 1
Reece Conca 1	Nick Dal Santo 1
Aaron Edwards 1	Jack Steven 1
Brandon Ellis 1
Jake King 1
Tyrone Vickery 1

It was Foley's seventh game back after the luckless midfielder returned in round seven from a long-term achilles injury.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	13	12	0	1	144.98	48
2	Geelong	13	11	0	2	128.85	44
3	Essendon	13	10	0	3	129.51	40
4	Sydney	13	9	1	3	131.15	38
5	Fremantle	13	9	1	3	124.55	38
6	Richmond	13	9	0	4	124.39	36
7	Port Adelaide	13	8	0	5	118.17	32
8	Collingwood	13	8	0	5	104.79	32
9	Carlton	13	6	0	7	113.90	24
10	West Coast	13	6	0	7	110.02	24
11	Adelaide	13	6	0	7	105.72	24
12	North Melbourne	13	5	0	8	114.25	20
13	Gold Coast	13	5	0	8	90.94	20
14	Brisbane	13	4	0	9	74.34	16
15	St Kilda	13	3	0	10	85.61	12
16	Bulldogs	13	3	0	10	75.19	12
17	Melbourne	13	2	0	11	54.01	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	13	0	0	13	50.16	0

While Tigers ruck-forward Tyrone Vickery was best afield with 11 marks, Foley's steadily-improving form represents another piece of the jigsaw falling into place for Richmond.

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They are sixth with nine wins after 14 rounds and are closing on their first finals appearance since 2001.

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Richmond killed off the match with 20 minutes of outstanding play through the second term.

The Saints kicked the first goal of the quarter to reduce the margin to two points and were pressuring Richmond with hard running and pressure.

But the Tigers then kicked six goals to two points for a 41-point lead at the main break.

The ball rarely left Richmond's half of the ground through the second quarter.

As the Tigers pressed, the Saints dropped away dramatically and lost the system that had made the first term a tight contest.

Tigers key forwards Jack Riewoldt, Vickery and Aaron Edwards all shone in the second quarter.

Riewoldt had plenty of chances to take the AFL goalkicking lead from West Coast's Josh Kennedy, but he was wasteful with 3.4 and two out of bounds.

The Tigers star now has 40 goals, one behind the Eagles spearhead.

Midfielder David Armitage was best for the disappointing Saints with 25 possessions.

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

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