Roosters keep Sharks scoreless

Sydney Roosters Mitchell Pearce makes a run. Source: Sam Ruttyn / News Limited

MITCHELL Pearce has rebounded from his State of Origin flop to pilot the Sydney Roosters to a crushing 40-0 NRL win over Cronulla at Allianz Stadium.

7 Tries 0
Boyd Cordner 3'
Jake Friend 8'
Daniel Tupou 16'
Shaun Kenny-Dowall 20'
Boyd Cordner 39'
Sam Moa 50'
Mitchell Aubusson 60'
6 Conversions 0
James Maloney 4'
James Maloney 9'
James Maloney 18'
James Maloney 40'
James Maloney 51'
James Maloney 61'

The maligned halfback set up three tries and had a hand in another as the Roosters made light of Sonny Bill Williams' absence to pile on seven unanswered four-pointers on Saturday night.

Running off Pearce, NSW back-rower Boyd Cordner bagged a double, while fellow Blues teammates James Maloney and Michael Jennings also stood up as the Roosters consolidated their position in the top two with a record-equalling fifth shut-out of the season.

The Roosters' class of 1977 also recorded five whitewash wins and Trent Robinson's 2013 outfit joins them as the only other team in premiership history to have kept opposition sides scoreless on as many occasions during a single season.

Sidelined with a hamstring injury, Williams missed his first match since returning to the NRL this season following his four-year stint in rugby union.

But with Pearce on a mission from the outset, the Roosters utterly dominated the Sharks, who sorely missed injured NSW captain Paul Gallen and Blues back-rower Luke Lewis among eight unavailable regular first graders.

Pearce put Cordner over for the first try of the night after just two minutes before hooker Jake Friend scored the softest of tries from dummy-half in the eighth minute.

It was 18-0 after 17 minutes when Jennings' delightful inside ball sent winger Daniel Tupou over.

Pearce's sweet pass for centre Shaun Kenny-Dowall made it 22-0 before he sent Cordner over again on the stroke of halftime to have the Roosters in total control at the break.

Second-half tries to interchange forwards Sam Moa and Mitchell Aubusson completed the rout, with Maloney slotting six conversions from seven attempts.

Jennings limped off with 20 minutes remaining and received treatment for an ankle problem, but the injury didn't appear serious.

But compounding the Sharks' woes, halfback Chad Townsend was placed on report for a dangerous throw on Roosters captain Anthony Minichiello, while Blues enforcer Andrew Fifita ended the match with a pinched hip. 

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Eels suffer eighth straight loss

David Shillington of the Raiders is tackled during the Canberra Raiders and the Parramatta Eels. Source: Stefan Postles / Getty Images

PARRAMATTA have equalled their worst losing streak in almost two decades with a tough 14-0 loss in Canberra.

2 Tries 0
Jarrod Croker 6'
Sami Sauiluma 29'
2 Conversions 0
Jarrod Croker 7'
Jarrod Croker 30'
1 Penalties 0
Jarrod Croker 75'

The two sides duked out a tryless second half in woeful conditions, with sleet lashing the surface throughout the 80 minutes.

But while the lowly Eels battled admirably in the frigid damp, they never looked like wrestling control after the Raiders posted converted tries in the sixth and 32nd minutes.

Parramatta also finished the game with 12 men after Joseph Paulo was sin-binned in the 74th minute, his indiscretion leading to the lone points of the second stanza - a Jarrod Croker penalty goal.

By the greatest indignity for the visitors was their eight straight loss, an wanted feat not matched by any Eels side since their coach Ricky Stuart was playing for the Raiders in 1995.

While their potency in attack was lacking, Parramatta were unlucky to leave the venue scoreless after having two suspected tries overturned by the video referees.

The second came with 12 minutes remaining, when Ryan Morgan appeared to have scraped across following a slick movement that featured a chip kick for fullback Jake Mullaney.

But despite the on-field referee signalling a try, the upstairs men ruled that Croker had carried Morgan into touch. 

Eels captain Tim Mannah admitted the chilly four degree celsius temperatures took its toll.

"It's a nice place to come to, but it's also a nice place to leave," Mannah said.

Despite the loss, Eels coach Ricky Stuart said he was proud of his side's performance, pointing out they had two video referee calls narrowly go against them.

"If they went our way we probably would have won the game,'' Stuart said.

"Everything I asked them to do they did tonight.

"You're not going to play in much tougher conditions."

Young Raiders fullback Anthony Milford was classy at the back, his handling skills tested by Eels halfback Kelly's kicking game on countless occasions.

"Is Kevin Rudd renting over at Yarralumla still? Because I'd be buying the Lodge and giving it to young Milford to keep him here," Stuart said.

"He's a real talent."

The win puts the Raiders one step closer to the club's home winning streak record of 17, which was posted between 1993 and 1995.

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England dig in on day three

Tim Bresnan was a thorn in Australia's side early on day three at Lord's. Source: Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP

THE early wickets Australia desperately needed to keep its remote chances alive in the second Test at Lords have not been forthcoming early on day three.

After a horror day two with the bat left them trailing by 233 runs on the first innings, Peter  Siddle briefly revived spirits with a stunning spell of 3-4 late yesterday afternoon.

But Australia's attack needed to make further inroads this morning but were unable to  strike under heavy cloud cover as both the Test and Ashes series slips further away.

England resumed at 3-31, and has moved to 3-70 at drinks, holding an already commanding 303 run lead.

Given Australia folded meekly for just 128 in 55 overs yesterday, the total already appears beyond achievable as the home side continues to grind its opponent into the hallowed MCC turf.

The highest successful run chase at Lords is 1-344 by the mighty West Indies back in 1984.

Joe Root is 36 not out, while nightwatchman Tim Bresnan (17) is proving a real nuisance.

Root set the tone on the first ball of the day, whipping Siddle through mid wicket for a boundary.

It was in stark contrast to yesterday, where Bresnan was caught behind off Ryan Harris on the opening delivery, the first of 16 wickets which fell in the day.

Root has looked untroubled by the Aussie attack, producing a couple of impressive cover drives and punches through point off the back foot.

It took Bresnan 30 balls to get off the mark - an unconvincing hook to fine leg got him away _ but from there the runs flowed more freely.

The only half chance of the morning came when Siddle found the edge of Bresnan's bat, but it dropped just short of Phil Hughes at third slip before racing to the fence.

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Carter-led crusade crushes Reds

Reds ... are bundled out of the Super Rugby finals by the Crusaders. Source: Joseph Johnson / Getty Images

DEVASTATED captain James Horwill bluntly admitted the Reds had badly let down departing coach Ewen McKenzie with a shabby play-offs exit in Christchurch that was not worthy of being his farewell game.

4 Tries 0
Ryan Crotty 10'
Daniel Carter 30'
Tom Marshall 52'
Ryan Crotty 67'
3 Conversions 0
Daniel Carter 11'
Daniel Carter 53'
Daniel Carter 68'
4 Penalties 3
Daniel Carter 4'	Quade Cooper 15'
Daniel Carter 26'	Quade Cooper 28'
Daniel Carter 40'	Quade Cooper 47'
Tom Taylor 73'

It wasn't just that the Reds were ruthlessly dismembered 38-9 by Dan Carter and a hot Crusaders outfit but the way the season unravelled.

A side which had backed its superb defence all season conceded four tries for the first time in 2013.

It started with the poor one-on-one tackle missed by centre Jono Lance with gave up an early 10-0 deficit and ceded any chance of the fast start plan that might have thrown a doubt in the minds of Kiwis.

McKenzie's go-to men Will Genia and Quade Cooper were blotted out of the qualifying final, as the Queenslanders were en masse, by an All Blacks-laden opposition which was too powerful up front, too skilled and too poised when the big scoring chances arose.

When the key one-percenters needed to be clinically dealt with, wingers Dom Shipperley and Luke Morahan both failed to dive on a dangerously bouncing ball in the lead-up to the final try.

The season was already gone at that stage but it was emblematic of being beaten by a far more clinical side.

"It's extremely disappointing not to play to the level we know we can, especially when we spoke that we didn't want this to be the last time some guys pulled on the Reds jersey," Horwill said with reference to departing trio Radike Samo, Lance and Morahan.

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

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"The coach has been a massive part of what this team has been about for the past four seasons and he deserved far better than that as a send-off."

It was a crushing end to four superb seasons at the helm for McKenzie. He departs for the Wallabies job with the 2011 Super Rugby title and a superb 68 per cent winning rate to show for it but that was no salve in a cold, desolate corner of New Zealand on Saturday night.

The Park Lane Retirement Home borders AMI Stadium. The ageless Samo, 37, showed no reason to check-in. He provided one of the few attacking sparks for the Reds with a 30m run in his second half farewell.

Young flanker Liam Gill was excellent and only the TMO denied him a second half try. While Crusaders big guns Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock and Carter fired on all turbos, the Reds big cannons were quiet.

Crusaders schemer Dan Carter was excellent but he had the storming forward platform ahead of him to dictate. He scored a fine try, threw the final pass for centre Ryan Crotty's second try and banged over six-from-eight with the boot.

Another Reds missed tackle between forwards Saia Faingaa and Jake Schatz let the rampaging Sam Whitelock ignite the superb crossing for Carter and the dire position.

The Crusaders only called on 116-Test warrior Richie McCaw for the final 15 minutes, a virtual victory lap because the sudden-death final had already been comprehensively decided.

Cooper was accomplished enough with the little he had to do in the opening 40 minutes. He rescued one tricky situation when he swooped on a kick in defence, he tackled, he kicked two-from-two and his general kicking was spot on. It was only when he had to run to chase the game from desperate situations that he got barrelled.

The crowd booed Cooper and did it with wicked relish when he was caught after the strongest Reds attacking period late in the game. The ball was hacked downfield and Carter and Crotty finished off.

The only real Cooper-Genia passing interchange in the 6C chill did not flicker until the 55th-minute and it was scuttled by a forward pass..

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Live: second Ashes Test, day two

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Ryan Harris finished with bowling figures of 5-72. Source:AFP

AUSTRALIA will look to take advantage of their good start to the second Test as day two gets underway at Lord's.

Follow the action and get all the best analysis and reaction from the ground and around the world with our live blog.

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Not bowling behind Smith's success

The remarkable secret to Smith's Ashes bowling success: not bowling. Source: Gareth Copley / Getty Images

THE secret to Steve Smith's success as a bowler appears to be a lack of bowling.

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The occasional leg-spinner revealed he had not bowled in the nets for a week and a half leading into the second Test at Lord's because of a quad muscle injury.

Yet Smith, 24, changed the game late on day one by claiming three wickets, dragging Australia back into a match that was rapidly getting away.

"I was nice and fresh and it came out naturally. It worked for me," Smith said before play on the second day.

"I was actually really keen to have a bowl yesterday. I was actually warming up an hour before hand but he (captain Michael Clarke) wasn't watching," Smith joked.

"I was happy to have a bowl. It was probably that sort of period where we had to try something different. I guess it paid off in the end."

Smith debuted as Australia's spinner at Lord's three year's ago in Australia's long-forgotten two-Test series against Pakistan, batting at number eight.

However he has always considered himself a batsman who bowls.

"I probably wasn't ever an actual spinner. I was lucky to get that role at that time," Smith said.

"I've always seen myself as more of a batter than a bowler so I'm obviously grateful to have played out here as a spinner and taking a few wickets at the same time."

Playing his ninth Test, Smith now had seven wickets at an average of 43 but six of them have come during his two Tests at Lord's at an average of just 11.5.

He has deliberately reduced the emphasis on his bowling recently to concentrate on his batting and it has paid dividends.

After two good Tests at the end of a generally disastrous tour of India earlier this year and a half-century in the first Test at Edgbaston, Smith is becoming an increasingly permanent member of a fluid Australian batting line-up.  

"I'm batting in the top six and I feel like I'm batting pretty well. Hopefully a big score is just around the corner," Smith said.

"I've changed a few things in my batting. I've tightened up my technique a bit, I feel as if I'm heading in the right direction."

New coach Darren Lehmann has been encouraging Smith to bowl more.

"Every time he walks past me he says keep bowling at the stumps. That's a pretty simple plan for a spinner. Just try and hit the stumps and let natural variation play its part," said Smith.

"You obviously have to keep working at it and if required like that hopefully I can come up with similar figures when it's needed."

The ball that Smith bowled to dismiss centurion Ian Bell was a beauty, spinning across the fight hander and taking the edge to finish with Clarke at slip.

"That's probably the best ball you can bowl as a leg-spinner, that little nick to slip," said Smith. "It would be nice to replicate that a few times."

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Aussies struggle on day two at Open

Adam Scott tees off during the second round of the the Open Championship at Muirfield. Source: ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP

AUSTRALIA'S British Open hopes took a hit as Adam Scott lost ground with an underwhelming start to his second round at Muirfield.

Scott, who led a 12-strong Australian contingent into day two after an even-par opening round, dropped two shots through the front nine of his second round.

In failing to make the most of favourable morning conditions, it put Scott seven shots behind overnight leader Zach Johnson, who was due to commence his round later on Friday.

Another Australian, Marcus Fraser, had stormed into contention earlier on Friday by getting to three-under par for the day and one under overall.

However the Victorian suffered a dramatic back nine collapse, losing six shots in the last six holes, to finish with a disappointing 74 and facing a nervous wait to make the cut at four over.

Scott and Fraser were among a host of players who had to contend with brutally quick conditions on a sun-baked Muirfield course on Thursday afternoon.

They had been hoping to make the most of calmer conditions and softer greens, which had been watered overnight.

Under sunny Scottish skies, Masters champion Scott looked strong early on Friday, getting up and down for par on the first hole with a sublime chip.

However bogeys at the fourth and sixth holes saw him drop back through the pack.

Scott is looking to make amends for his dramatic late collapse at the 2012 event, where he effectively handed victory to South African Ernie Els.

Having since captured his first major title at Augusta in April, Scott stepped on to the first tee on Thursday already feeling like a weight had lifted off his shoulders.

However he still remains hungry to lift the Claret Jug and atone for last year's disaster.

"It's a little easier to perform having won a major now but I still haven't won the Open and I'd dearly love to," Scott said after his opening round.

Fraser was gutted after his second round, feeling he had played some of his best golf but had been cruelled by several instances of bad luck.

"I felt like I played pretty well all day and then just got completely shafted a few times," Fraser said.

"Now we'll wait and see if it gets through to the weekend."

Australians Jason Day (two over), Peter Senior and John Wade (both three over) were to commence their second rounds on Friday afternoon.

Geoff Ogilvy and Marc Leishman were struggling early on Friday and looked likely to miss the cut.

With American leader Johnson teeing off in the afternoon, England's Lee Westwood was the big mover of the morning, with a four-under front nine moving him to within a shot of the lead.

Tiger Woods remained in the hunt at two-under midway through his round.

AAP lf/gc

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Magic Johnson mesmerizes Tigers

Johnson (C) had one of his best games of the season at Leichhardt Oval. Source: Getty Images

Shaun Johnson scored two tries in a classy performance as the Warriors came from behind to down Wests Tigers 24-14 at Leichardt Oval on Friday night.

3 Tries 4
David Nofoaluma 6'	Shaun Johnson 32'
Chris Lawrence 13'	Konrad Hurrell 42'
Tim Simona 40'	Shaun Johnson 55'
	Simon Mannering 67'
1 Conversions 4
Benji Marshall 40'	Shaun Johnson 33'
	Shaun Johnson 42'
	Shaun Johnson 57'
	Shaun Johnson 69'

The Tigers opened up an early 8-0 lead through David Nofoaluma and Chris Lawrence who scored in the fourth and 13th minutes, respectively.

Benji Marshall, playing what was his final game at the Tigers' spiritual home, was unable to convert either try and the Tigers were left to rue those four points when Johnson scored the first of his two tries in the 32nd minute.

The Tigers extended their lead just before the break with a four-pointer  to Tim Simona in the shadows of half-time, allowing the hosts to go in 14-6 up.

The visitors wasted little time closing the deficit upon the resumption with Konrad Hurrell finishing off some classic Warriors football two minutes into the second stanza.

Johnson then pounced on a loose ball following a Tigers cross-kick and sprinted 95 metres to put the visitors in front for the first time.

The classy halfback wasn't done there either and rounded out a brilliant showing by laying on a deft kick for Simon Mannering to grab the game's final four-pointer in the 67th minute.

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Victory not scared to attack Reds

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Midfielder ... Leigh Broxham trains ahead of the clash with Liverpool. Source: Hamish Blair / News Limited

MELBOURNE Victory will aim to please an expected crowd of 95,000 at the MCG for Wednesday's clash with Liverpool.

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Leigh Broxham said an undermanned Victory will not "park the bus'' in hope of limiting the damage against the European giants.

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Instead it will play it's normal passing game combined with a more compact style when in defence, as Broxham said it demonstrated throughout the 1-0 friendly win against Victorian Premier League side Port Melbourne on Tuesday night.

"It was a step in the right direction,'' midfielder Broxham said.

"We tweaked our game plan slightly for the game against Liverpool and we obviously need to do that with the personnel we've got with the boys being away with the national team.

"We changed a few things which seemed to work well.

"Our game plan will be similar in terms of attacking the way that we want to, it'll just be tweaked a little bit defensively, to be a bit more compact.

"We've just got to pick our times about when is best to press and things like that.''

Jason Geria scored the first half winner against Port Melbourne for a Victory side already missing Socceroos Archie Thompson, Mark Milligan, Mitch Nichols, Nathan Coe and Connor Pain.

The only major addition Victory will have for the Reds game will be Billy Celeski, who returns from A-League All Stars duty on Sunday.

Absentees notwithstanding, Broxham said Victory will attack the game in the right way.

"With such good coverage you want to give a good name to the Australian game and obviously Melbourne Victory as well,'' he said.

"So we do want to stick to what we want to do and not just park the bus to grind out a 0-0 result in front of 95,000 people, that's probably not an ideal result.''

Liverpool has named a full strength squad featuring the likes of Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Kolo Toure.

Broxham expressed confidence in his younger teammates' ability to perform on the big stage.

"Ange (Postecoglou), he does put pressure on the young boys to perform week in week out,'' he said.

"Whether you're 18 or 28 - he understand the inconsistency at times of younger players - he expects the same things from them.

"This pre-season we have been missing players so younger boys have had to step up and perform and that's part of growing up as well.

"You'd imagine in the first 10 minutes they're going to be nervous, anyone would be in front of a big crowd against good opposition, but everyone believes in the players that we've got.''

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Ashes frenzy as tickets go on sale

Ashes ... tickets to the Australian Tests went on sale on Wednesday. Source: Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images

VICTORIANS with Ashton Agar fever have rushed to snap up tickets to the return Ashes series in the hope of seeing Australia snatch back the urn on home soil.

Thousands of seats for Melbourne's Boxing Day Test in the first back-to-back Ashes in 38 years sold within minutes of going on sale on Wednesday.

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Almost half public tickets to the MCG opening day were sold within hours of general with more sold between noon and 2pm than in the first 24 hours of sales when England last toured four years ago.

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By the close of business yesterday a national ticket frenzy saw about 200,000 tickets sold to international cricket matches around Australia -more than 50,000 in the first hour.

It is believed the first three days of the Sydney and Adelaide Tests are already sold out.

More than 30,000 of about 60,000 public seats to day one of the Boxing Day Test had sold last night with the remainder to be shared between MCC members and corporates.

With more than five months until it is played, Cricket Australia spokesman Matthew Slade said Boxing Day loomed bigger than ever at the MCG.

``For Boxing Day to be half sold out already is a fantastic result,'' he said.

``We're tracking much stronger than we were for the same time in 2010-11 when the Ashes were last held in Australia,''

MCG events general manager Trevor Dohnt said some tickets were likely to still be available for Boxing Day but yesterday's outstanding ticket sent a message to fans to get in early.

"Boxing Day has always been significant but these are really strong sales,'' he said.

"Ashton Agar and the team's performance in England certainly haven't hurt.''

Fast bowler Mitchell Starc said Agar's arrival had also fired up the team.

"He's been awesome.

He's got such a mature head on his shoulders for a 19-year-old,'' he said.

"To play in his first Test match the way he did was outstanding to see and he did it with a smile on his face the whole time so it shows how cool he is under pressure.''

The second English Test starts at Lords on Thursday night (EST).

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Emmo: United will be after revenge

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Brett Emerton will skipper the A-League All Stars side against Manchester United. Source: Matt King / Getty Images

Facing Manchester United is always a scary prospect, but we'll have to really be on our guard on Saturday against a team looking to take out some frustration.

Teams like United are expected to win every match they play, and their loss to a Thai All Stars team on the weekend means they'll be fired up and ready to gain some redemption.

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Not that I'm not worried. There's a really good buzz around the camp. Everyone's gelling really well and we'll go out there on the weekend and do the A-League proud. As a footballer these are the games you look forward to, testing yourself against the very best in the world in front of massive crowds. It doesn't get much bigger than the champions of England.

For me personally, it's extra special being named captain for the first ever A-League All Stars game. I've played against the Red Devils plenty of times during my time at Blackburn and I know what to expect.

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It goes without saying that it's a tough ask. You go long periods of time without the ball so you need to be patient. They're a quality team and it's going to be a massive test for us.

I've actually scored a couple of goals against United but it would mean the world to me if I could get on the scoresheet against them in the town I grew up in.

I'm looking forward to grabbing a beer with my former teammate Robin van Persie after the game. He was only a young up-and-comer when we played together at Feyenoord, but you could always see his potential. I'm not surprised he's achieved what he has in football, especially in the last couple of seasons.

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Matching up against players of his calibre is difficult to say the least. We haven't really spoken too much about how we'll stop him yet, but I'm sure we will.

There's been plenty of talk in camp around whose jerseys the boys want to swap with after the game. I've never been one for jersey swapping, but if I had to choose someone's, it would be Ryan Giggs. Growing up supporting Manchester United, he was an idol of mine. I'm not alone in wanting Giggsy's shirt, but as skipper I've pulled rank and told the boys to get in line.

In all seriousness, I'd be happy to keep my own jersey. It's the inaugural A-League All Stars game and my jersey will be special to me. It's going to be a special night.

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Chelsea bid for Rooney rejected

Rooney flew home from United's pre-season tour with a hamstring injury. Source: AP

MANCHESTER United have rejected a bid from Barclays Premier League rivals Chelsea for Wayne Rooney, British media reported on Wednesday.

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The Daily Mail, the Press Association news agency and Sky Sports News television said that the league champions had turned down an offer from the west London club, without quoting sources.

Television pictures on Sky Sports News showed Rooney arriving at the club's training ground in northwest England. The channel added that United "immediately rejected'' Chelsea's offer.

Reports said the Blues offered STG10 million ($A16.51 million) plus either Juan Mata or David Luiz in exchange.

Rooney, 27, has been at the centre of speculation about a possible move away from Old Trafford ever since he made a transfer request just before the departure of former boss Alex Ferguson at the end of last season.

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Earlier this month, the Daily Mail claimed that Chelsea had made a STG60 million ($A99.04 million) offer for the striker.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho last week stopped short of stating that he hoped to sign the England international, saying only that he liked Rooney "very, very much".

But new United manager David Moyes hit back this week, repeating that Rooney was not for sale.

"It's hard to keep repeating myself but I will do - Wayne's a Manchester United player and will remain that," he said in Bangkok at the weekend.

Rooney, however, was on Tuesday reported to be "angry and confused" by later comments from Moyes that he would be used as back-up to striker Robin van Persie next season.

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Warner's absence makes no sense

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David Warner watches from the sidelines during the first Ashes Test. Source:Getty Images

IT defies belief David Warner is about to leave the Ashes tour for an Australia A tour of Africa.

I get the thinking, send him to South Africa and Zimbabwe to find form and bring him back later in the series, but I strongly disagree with it.

Unless Jimmy Anderson bobs up in the Zimbabwe side, Warner scoring runs won't count for anything. He would be far better served facing James Pattinson in the nets.The standard of bowling he will face in Africa and the conditions will be chalk and cheese to the challenges that await him in England.

Apart from the practice issue there is the question of Australia being caught short of batsmen if something happens on match morning.

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It's true Warner has not played for a month but he has been practising in the nets every day and, to me, the whole match practice thing is overrated. Sometimes you have to take the plunge

By practising in the nets Warner would be no lesser prepared than a batsman starting a new season, and plenty of batsmen have started summers with a century in their first match.

I would promote Usman Khawaja in place of Ed Cowan for the second Test.

I love Cowan's work ethic but he does not look comfortable at the crease.

The choice of Australia's bowling attack for Lord's is interesting with speculation suggesting tall seamer Jackson Bird is putting pressure on Mitchell Starc.

My go-to man for this tour was always going to be Ryan Harris, but maybe Bird has outbowled him.

I can understand the push for more control but no matter what attack Australia chooses the most obvious improvement must be in the collective run scoring of the top order.

There is no faulting Australia's effort or commitment. But we need more runs.

It really is that simple.

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Ed's head on the chopping block

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Ed Cowan walks from the pitch after losing his wicket to part-time bowler Joe Root. Source:AP

THE excitement and disappointment of a dramatic 14-run loss in the first Test have disguised the depth of Australia's batting woes.

That a 19-year-old batting at No.11 on debut can be Australia's highest scorer for the match is an indictment on many of those batting above him.

Likewise, wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was the second-innings hero with a bold 71 when he almost snatched victory at Trent Bridge.

Australia has little time to regroup, with the second Test starting at Lord's on Thursday.

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The spirit and intent Australia has shown to regroup after such a terrible year on and off the field is a credit to the players and support staff, led by new coach Darren Lehmann, but the figures are stark.

Of the six batsmen in the first Test, only Phil Hughes should be satisfied with his performance, scoring a mature and measured 81 not out in the first innings batting as a foil to the free spirit of Ashton Agar.

Just how much Australia has relied on its bowlers to do the batting recently is highlighted by some staggering statistics.

This is just the third time in Test history that a team has managed last-wicket partnerships of more than 50 in both innings. The other occasions were also by Australia, in 1895 and 1924.

The aggregate of 228 for the 10th wicket in the match is a Test record and in 17 Tests since the start of last year, Australia's 10th wicket has added 686 runs at an average of 40.35.

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Ed Cowan is under the most pressure. He played two poor shots in his new No.3 position to be out for a golden duck and 14.

"He had a tough game," Lehmann, who is also a selector, said yesterday.

"Like everyone's position, you've got to make runs and perform. We'll sit down as a selection panel over the next couple of days and work out what we think is the best XI to play the next Test match.

"Like everyone, you've got to make runs."

Lehmann said Cowan had been given clear instructions on his role.

"We've told Ed how we want him to play and how we want him to bat," he said. "That hasn't changed from when he first came into the side, I would think.

"Having not known what's happened or what's been said before, we picked him to do a role.

"He'll be disappointed with the shots. So are we.

"That's just part and parcel of what we're about, we're trying to learn and get better. I'm sure he'll get better at that as well."

Cowan's logical replacement is Usman Khawaja.

Lehmann admitted Cowan wasn't the only concern for Australia's batting.

"We've got a lot of work to do, full stop. The thing for us is getting our batting right, our top order right and making runs.

"Our tail has done really well over a long period of time now but it's time for the batters to make sure they're making the runs and giving the tail a bit more time."

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Chief denies soft serve

Talkback ... AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou hits out at critics suggesting he will go soft on the Bombers. Source: LUKAS COCH / AAP

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou says people should not assume he has set the scene for a soft landing for Essendon in the drugs scandal.

Demetriou said his comments about the "classification issue" of anti-obesity drug AOD-9604 should not be construed as a sign the league was pre-empting the outcome of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority inquiry into the club's supplements program.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	15	13	0	2	141.97	52
2	Geelong	15	13	0	2	132.74	52
3	Essendon	15	12	0	3	130.19	48
4	Sydney	15	11	1	3	142.20	46
5	Fremantle	15	11	1	3	126.27	46
6	Richmond	15	10	0	5	116.69	40
7	Collingwood	15	10	0	5	109.40	40
8	Port Adelaide	15	8	0	7	108.89	32
9	Carlton	15	7	0	8	111.45	28
10	West Coast	15	7	0	8	107.08	28
11	North Melbourne	15	6	0	9	116.05	24
12	Adelaide	15	6	0	9	102.46	24
13	Brisbane	15	6	0	9	80.33	24
14	Gold Coast	15	5	0	10	89.02	20
15	Bulldogs	15	4	0	11	76.71	16
16	St Kilda	15	3	0	12	83.14	12
17	Melbourne	15	2	0	13	53.98	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	15	0	0	15	49.95	0

He said he was answering a question about the drug that the World Anti-Doping Agency says is banned, but an Australian Crime Commission report said was not on the prohibited list.

"I wasn't pre-empting or softening ... it was one of the more nonsensical things I've heard," Demetriou said.

"I was asked, 'Does the AFL believe AOD-9604 was a banned substance?' I said I'm not giving a running commentary but I will say there is some uncertainty about the status of AOD-9604.

"Why don't people listen to the whole interview (with 3AW's Neil Mitchell).

"We have not got the final report ... and once we get the report, we'll know."

The AFL Commission briefly discussed the drugs saga on Monday night. Demetriou said possible penalties were not raised.

"Because it may or may not come before the commission, we don't discuss much because the report is not finished," he said.

The report is expected next month but will not have any input from the man at the centre of the scandal, sports scientist Stephen Dank.

Despite recently urging Dank to talk to ASADA, Demetriou said Dank had spoken to the ACC.

Meanwhile, Melbourne's financial rescue package, reputed to be $2.7 million, is yet to be finalised.

"We've got a bit more work to do on it ... but we have given them an approval in principle to support them," Demetriou said.

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Police raid Powell's hotel

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Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell, now embroiled in a doping scandal, here competing at last year's London Olympics. Source:AFP

ITALIAN police have raided the hotel where Jamaican sprinters Asafa Powell and Sherone Simpson are staying after each tested positive for banned stimulants.

Udine police captain Antonio Pisapia told AP that rooms of the athletes and physical trainer Christopher Xuereb of Canada were searched and that drugs were confiscated. 

Pisapia said it was unclear if the drugs were legal or illicit and that the substances were being analysed. 

Powell and Simpson tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrine at the Jamaican championships last month, their agent announced on Sunday. 

Pisapia said no arrests were made in the raid early on Monday morning at the Fra i Pini hotel in Lignano Sabbiadoro in northeastern Italy, and that nobody was under investigation. 

Jamaican athletes have trained in Lignano for years. 

In another development, Adidas has suspended its sponsorship of Tyson Gay after the American sprinter returned a positive doping test. 

After being told a banned substance was detected in an out-of-competition test in May, Gay pulled out of the upcoming world championships. 

In a statement, Adidas said ''we are shocked by these recent allegations and, even if we presume his innocence until proven otherwise, our contract with Tyson is currently suspended''. 

The sportswear giant had backed Gay since 2005, and said such sponsorships were terminated ''if the athlete is found guilty of the possession, or use of drugs, or any other prohibited substance by the relevant governing sports body having jurisdiction over the athlete''. 

Gay has said he will have his B sample tested soon, possibly as early as this week. 

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Dockers claim bragging rights

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Derby delight ... Tendai Mzungu celebrates Fremantle's triumph over the Eagles. Source: THERON KIRKMAN / AAP

FREMANTLE skipper Matthew Pavlich was placed on report as the Dockers unleashed an eight-goal final term to beat West Coast by 28 points in Sunday's AFL western derby.

The Eagles led by two points at the final change, but were blown off the park from that point on as Fremantle secured the 19.7 (121) to 14.9 (93) victory in front of 39,839 fans.

2.3 (15)	Q1	4.2 (26)
6.5 (41)	Q2	6.4 (40)
11.8 (74)	Q3	11.6 (72)
14.9 (93)	Q4	19.7 (121)

Jack Darling 5	Chris Mayne 3
Jamie Cripps 2	Matthew Pavlich 3
Josh J. Kennedy 2	Michael Walters 3
Mark LeCras 2	Michael Barlow 2
Will Schofield 2	Stephen Hill 2
Andrew Embley 1	Ryan Crowley 1
	Nathan Fyfe 1
	Tendai Mzungu 1
	Danyle Pearce 1
	Tom Sheridan 1
	Cameron Sutcliffe 1

In a match that featured six lead changes, Pavlich went into the book in the third term for his glancing, high bump on Eagles defender Mitch Brown, who was bent over attempting to pick up the ball.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	15	13	0	2	141.97	52
2	Geelong	15	13	0	2	132.74	52
3	Essendon	15	12	0	3	130.19	48
4	Sydney	15	11	1	3	142.20	46
5	Fremantle	15	11	1	3	126.27	46
6	Richmond	15	10	0	5	116.69	40
7	Collingwood	15	10	0	5	109.40	40
8	Port Adelaide	15	8	0	7	108.89	32
9	Carlton	15	7	0	8	111.45	28
10	West Coast	15	7	0	8	107.08	28
11	North Melbourne	15	6	0	9	116.05	24
12	Adelaide	15	6	0	9	102.46	24
13	Brisbane	15	6	0	9	80.33	24
14	Gold Coast	15	5	0	10	89.02	20
15	Bulldogs	15	4	0	11	76.71	16
16	St Kilda	15	3	0	12	83.14	12
17	Melbourne	15	2	0	13	53.98	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	15	0	0	15	49.95	0

Although Pavlich tried to pull out of the bump, it may not be enough to save him from suspension.

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West Coast veteran Andrew Embley will also come under scrutiny for his crunching bump on Clancee Pearce, who was heavily concussed by the hit and had to be subbed out of the game.

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Fremantle goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne was struck in the face by an accidental elbow in the final term, but was able to return to the field.

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The loss left West Coast (7-8) a game adrift of eighth spot, while Fremantle remain just percentage behind the fourth-placed Swans, who smashed GWS earlier in the day.

Fremantle midfielder Michael Barlow (26 disposals, two goals) won the Ross Glendinning medal as best afield, while Garrick Ibbotson, David Mundy, Stephen Hill, Michael Walters (three goals) and Chris Mayne (three goals) were also crucial cogs on the day.

West Coast forward Jack Darling booted five goals in the losing cause.

The Eagles entered the match missing a host of their best players, with midfield stars Daniel Kerr, Luke Shuey and Sharrod Wellingham amongst the absentees.

Fremantle suffered a late blow when Nick Suban was ruled out with a calf injury, but their main concern was the absence of All-Australian defender Luke McPharlin.

The Dockers led by 18 points at the seven-minute mark of the second quarter when Pavlich kicked truly from 50m out.

But West Coast's frenetic tackling and unrelenting pressure soon turned the tide, with fringe midfielder Mark Hutchings and Darling both starring as the Eagles took a one-point lead into the long break.

West Coast led the tackle count 60-37 at that point, and had 27 inside-50s to Fremantle's 19.

Dockers coach Ross Lyon gave his players a serve at the main break after a spirited challenge from the Eagles.

"It was about some specifics - just getting the match-ups we wanted,'' Lyon said of his stern half-time message.

"We went away from a few of the things we pre-planned and had done quite well.

"We just said `let's get back on the horse' ... when the game was up for grabs, winning the ball around the clearances and our ball use was really slick.

"It was a weight-of-numbers performance - that's how we operate here.''

The game looked set to go down to the wire after the third quarter turned into a see-sawing arm wrestle.

But Fremantle were too good when it mattered most, with Nat Fyfe tallying 10 possessions and booting a goal in a final quarter dominated by the Dockers.

Eagles coach John Worsfold praised the effort his charges displayed against Fremantle, especially in the first half.

But he conceded his injury-hit squad simply couldn't keep pace with the battle-hardened Dockers.

"We were running on empty a bit late in the game,'' Worsfold said.

"We had to play pretty hard early to give ourselves a chance.

"Fremantle are up and going and have a good team out there, so we just had to go as hard and as flat out as we could, and hold on for as long as we could.

"That took its toll on the group.''

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

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Reynolds vows to return to Blues

Bulldogs Josh Reynolds celebrates a try. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

JOSH Reynolds admits he was devastated at being dropped from the NSW side for the State of Origin decider and has vowed to return to the Blues side.

Josh Dugan, Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, Brett Morris, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, James Tamou, Robbie Farah, Paul Gallen (c), Ryan Hoffman, Luke Lewis, Greg Bird. Interchange: Anthony Watmough, Andrew Fifita, Trent Merrin, Josh Reynolds, James McManus, Boyd Cordner, Aaron Woods.

Reynolds was outstanding for Canterbury on Sunday in his NRL side's 39-0 thumping of a depleted Melbourne at ANZ Stadium.

Blues coach Laurie Daley told Reynolds on Friday he wouldn't feature against Queensland after Paul Gallen was forced out of Wednesday's massive encounter with a foot injury.

Reynolds was overlooked for Boyd Cordner for the final bench spot and although the 24-year-old said he understood the need for another forward to cover for Gallen, it didn't make it any easier to swallow the news.

"I'll be honest, it killed me, I wanted to be out there with the boys. But things that happen like that make your stronger," Reynolds said.

"But Loz wants me back in camp and I'll go back and hang out with the boys tomorrow and still feel part of the team."

Reynolds didn't make it off the bench in game one and had limited involvement in game two in Brisbane, but said he was grateful to Daley for telling him the bad news face to face.

"I didn't know I might be out until Laurie came up to me and Boyd on Friday after training and said he'd let us know the make-up of the team later in the arvo," he said.

"I had a feeling then and was bracing myself for the worst.

"Laurie then rang me said he wanted to have a word with me face to face so I drove back to the hotel in Coogee.

"I have a lot of respect for him for doing that as he could have done it over the phone.

"It was tough news to take and no coach wants to do it. But he explained to me he needed someone to play the minutes for Gal and obviously I am a utility and he's a front-rower so Boydie got the nod."

"But Laurie made it pretty clear that it was a tactical thing and that I did nothing wrong which helps."

Just like John Sutton did to him when he won the battle for the 17th man spot in game one, Reynolds texted Cordner to wish him luck and tipped the Sydney Roosters youngster to have a big game.

"I was real pleased for him and I really think he will have a blinder," he said.

"I texted Boyd ... and he texted me back saying 'sorry', but it's not his fault."

NSW skipper Robbie Farah said leading out the Blues would be a huge honour but admitted it was very hard to see Gallen miss out.

"It's very bittersweet and missing Gal for Wednesday night is a massive loss for us," Farah told Triple M.

"But anytime you get to captain your state is a great honour.

"I didn't know how to react when Loz told me. On the one hand I was really upset for my mate and on the other it was a piece of good news for myself.

"To be honest it didn't really sink in for a few hours and my phone was going nuts from friends and family and then it did sink in."

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Penthouse and Outhouse

FOX SPORTS AFL expert Julian de Stoop reviews round 16, including yet another brutal capitulation by North Melbourne.

The footy world just expects Scott Pendlebury to play well every week and that's why we probably don't give him the credit he deserves.

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Gary Ablett, Jobe Watson and Patrick Dangerfield have stolen the headlines as midfielders this year but Pendlebury has been just as good and has to be real chance come Brownlow Medal night.

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The Rolls Royce notched up a career-high 42 disposals against Adelaide on Friday night but it was his two goals in the final term which underlined how good a player he is.

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A left foot goal from outside 50 and right foot goal from 45 metres killed off a plucky Crows outfit once and for all.

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To go with his 42 disposals and 2 goals, the future Magpies skipper also had 14 score involvements, eight clearances and 16 contested possessions.

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Pearce Hanley

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We are unlikely to see a better Irish import than the late great Jim Stynes, but Pearce Hanley is on his way to be the next best.

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For a player that didn't grow up with the game his kicking skills are amazing and his run from defence reminds many of another one of his countrymen Tadgh Kennelly.

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Hanley inspired his side with three second half goals in the Lions come from behind win over North Melbourne and his third when he took on Andrew Swallow and Jack Ziebell is one of the contenders for goal of the year.

Jason Winderlich 

Due to a knee reconstruction and a series of hamstring injuries, Jason Winderlich managed just five games in the previous two seasons, but the lightning-quick Bomber is back with a vengeance.

Against the Bulldogs he put in one of his finest games in the red and black, finishing with four goals from 23 disposals and 13 marks. He also had seven tackles for good measure.

His last month has been exceptional and the now veteran is shaping as key part of the Bombers push for a top four spot.

Western Derby

The final margin may have been a comfortable 28 points to the Dockers, but this was another Western Derby with the lot.

It was fiery - with Andrew Embley and Matthew Pavlich both in the umpires books - and for three and half quarters, it was see-sawing contest between the premiership-contending Dockers and an Eagles team desperate to keep their finals hopes alive.

Chris Mayne again underlined his importance to the Dockers with three goals from 21 disposals and may have been a little stiff not to win the Ross Glendinning Medal which went to teammate Michael Barlow.

Dale Morris

The veteran Dog missed more than 18 months after suffering a horrific broken leg at the end of 2011 and many doubted he would ever return, let alone return to his best.

The close-checking defender has been solid all season but against the Bombers, it was the Morris of old as he beat Michael Hurley.

There is no more respected player in the competition than the likable Bulldog.

IN THE OUTHOUSE

North Melbourne

The figures say it all.

The Kangaroos have lost six games by 15 points or less this season and in four of those, they have squandered 30 plus point leads.

The latest to Brisbane, when they led by 33 points at the 24 minute mark of the third quarter has all but ended their finals hopes.

So why is it happening?

Some say it's a lack of on field leadership while other's point the finger at Brad Scott for his failure to find a way to stop an opposition run.

The free agency period shapes as a critical one for the Roos as they desperately need a couple more elite runners through the middle.

Nathan Hrovat's goal that wasn't

Talk about a momentum killer.

After Tom Liberatore won a free kick for his tackle on Brendon Goddard, everyone at Etihad Stadium assumed advantage was paid and Nathan Hrovat's goal cut the margin to just six points late in the final term, but for some reason, the ball was returned to Liberatore in the centre square.

No one stopped when the whistle blew and even the Essendon players looked surprised when the goal wasn't given.

The explanation from the umpiring department will be very interesting.

It was cruel on the Dogs who were a little unlucky not to cause a massive boilover.

Steve Johnson

Steve Johnson may not be cited for his little knee to Nathan Jones, but the Geelong star needs to stop putting himself in vulnerable situations.

Johnson has already been suspended twice this season and he missed last year's elimination final through suspension as well.

The 2007 Norm Smith Medallist likes to play on the edge but he can't afford to cross that fine line.

Tigers v Suns and Swan v Giants

Let's not mince words. Both of these games were stinkers.

Conditions in Cairns weren't conducive to good football and the Tigers will be glad their three-year stint up north is over. At least this time they came home with four points.

As for the Sydney derby it was one of the most one-sided games we have seen for quite some time.

The Swans won by 129 points but it could have been 200 given they had 51 scoring shots, the equal most of any side since 1995. The Hawks also had 51 scoring shots against Kevin Sheedy's men last year.

At the moment the Giants aren't  good for the game.

Stuart Broad

I know this a column dedicated to the AFL, but Stuart Broad has earned himself a lifetime membership to the 'Outhouse' for his failure to walk when he smacked the ball to first slip.

Aleem Dar made a horrible error, but two wrongs don't make a right.

Also earning lifetime membership to the 'Outhouse' is anyone who says those who believe Broad should have walked clearly haven't played cricket.

What a pathetic argument.

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Noddy's Weekend Wash Up: Rd 18

Luke Kelly offloads during the Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers game at Parramatta Stadium. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

IN his weekly column, Fox Sports expert and Canberra assistant coach Brett Kimmorley offers his thoughts on round 18 of the 2013 NRL Premiership season.

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Brisbane Broncos v Cronulla Sharks at Suncorp Stadium

What a way to keep off the round, with an extremely close game. We haven't seen too many games this year that have been nil all at half time but once the second half hit, Cronulla really impressed. Both teams were very good defensively throughout periods of the game but the difference was Cronulla had Todd Carney who has made some statements over the past few weeks in some great individual games. Leading 18-6 late in the second half, a Carney field goal sealed the game for the Sharks and they became comfortable with the gap of more than two converted tries. Through some pride Brisbane clawed back into the match with two late tries which made things exciting but I don't think the Broncos were ever really a genuine chance of winning. Sharks coach Shane Flanagan will be pleased that when his captain Wade Graham went down injured, his team lifted. Carney's maturity and class was the difference between the two sides which is a little surprising when you would expect the Broncos halves to have that. The saving grace for the Broncos is Anthony Griffin has been assured his position for this season. 

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Parramatta Eels v Penrith Panthers at Parramatta Stadium

I have to admit I expected Penrith to win comfortably but Parramatta put up a fight in what transpired into an entertaining game. The Panthers produced some great football for their first try while their second to Kevin Kingston was soft defence but the Eels fought back and when Luke Kelly crossed at half time it made for an exciting second half. The unfortunate thing for the Eels is that they made errors and gave away penalties at crucial times. The Panthers have bought into Ivan Cleary's plan and simplified their game. They are known the fifth best attacking team in the competition and sixth best defensively, sneaking under the radar while they are doing it. Luke Walsh's kicking game eased any pressure the Eels were unable to put on and whenever they needed a magical play they didn't have the calibre of player to pull it off. One player the Eels need to stick with is Luke Kelly in the halves. He is the future. He builds structure which the Eels can play a game plan off the back of what Kelly brings in composure and leadership. Willie Tonga returned to the side for the first time this year so Eels fans will hope he can return to some of the form he has shown in previous years. For the Panthers Dean Whare is exciting, James Roberts is a speedster and David Simmons is a try scoring machine and the leading try scorer in the competition. Penrith now host Newcastle this week in what is a massive game for both sides.

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Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Melbourne Storm

It was disappointing that a match as highly anticipated as the grand final replay is didn't have the recognition it deserves with a host of stars missing. For Canterbury-Bankstown this match may have been a kick start to their season. In the second half the Bulldogs they started to find their passes with players pushing up in support. Whether Sunday's game lifts the Bulldogs into that next echelon and starts their run to the semi-finals will show over the next few weeks. I though the Bulldogs were very classy and I know the opposition was a little down but you can only player whoever is in front of you.  To win 36-0 against a quality Storm side even without their key players it is nice to see the Bulldogs return to their defensive best which is what Des Hasler built last season. I'm not sure how much the Storm will take out of the loss due to the fact their stars will return from State of Origin duties after Wednesday night.  

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