JOC stood down by Wallabies

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WALLABIES star James O'Connor has been suspended indefinitely over his bad behaviour.

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie announced the decision that he has stood down the winger for ''failing to demonstrate and uphold the behavioural and cultural standards expected within the team".

O'Connor will not join his teammates when they assemble in Sydney on Saturday ahead of their two-game tour of South Africa and Argentina.

McKenzie said no time frame was being placed on O'Connor's selection availability.

"We won't be forced into making any decisions around his return until I'm satisfied that he can once again contribute positively to what we are trying to achieve as a group," McKenzie said.

"The reality is that representing your country is the ultimate honour but also a week-to-week proposition.  To be selected, players must consistently do the right things on and off the field.

"We'll continue to assess James on that basis before any team decisions are made about a return."

The Australian Rugby Union is continuing its investigation into an alleged incident involving O'Connor at Perth International Airport in the early hours of last Sunday.

Once completed, a decision on the next course of action will be taken.

"My views and expectations around team culture and behaviours, along with those of his teammates, are extremely clear and it's important for the Wallabies and rugby in general to be spoken about positively for the right reasons," McKenzie said.

"James and I had a long conversation around those expectations before the tournament commenced.

"As a result, and separate to the outcomes of the current investigation, James will not be joining us in Sydney tomorrow.

"We must put the team first without any distractions hindering them during a really tough two-game tour."

NSW Waratahs winger Peter Betham will replace O'Connor in the Qantas Wallabies 28-man playing squad.

See how Wallaby coach Ewen McKenzie's announcement on James O'Connor unfolded in our Live Blog below.

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Link left with one choice for JOC

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WHEN Ewen McKenzie took over the Wallabies, he told James O'Connor he had a clean slate.

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He'd heard the "innuendo" about O'Connor's behaviour in the past but McKenzie offered a chance to start afresh, and for a few weeks, the winger responded well.

After O'Connor was escorted from Perth airport by police at the weekend while drunk, however, McKenzie went to the ARU offices and pulled his disciplinary file for the first time.

The bulging contents left him with one conclusion. Drastic change was overdue.

"He's got to do something different because the frequency of this is not acceptable," McKenzie said.

"I have had a chance to look at the circumstances of the other day and chance to look at incidents over time, and from that, we are not getting the right type of behaviour from him.

"He's a good footballer and he's demonstrated change already, but he's tripped himself up. There's a track record there of similar type events in similar circumstances so a significant change in behaviour is required."

On top of a chequered past, the Perth airport incident saw McKenzie stand O'Connor down from the Wallabies indefinitely on Friday night, with NSW winger Peter Betham replacing the 23-year-old in the tour party to Africa/Argentina next week.

The official ARU investigation into O'Connor has not been finalised, but based on admissions about his behaviour, the 43-Test wing was suspended for the second time in his Wallabies career for "failing to demonstrate and uphold the behavioural and cultural standards expected within the team".

"He understood when we got to the detail of the behaviour, he said it wasn't acceptable," McKenzie said.

"The way he conducted himself in public. I don't want to go into the tin tacks of it, but we were disputing the fact the way he behaved in front of other people wasn't acceptable.

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"In the end it wasn't a fight of that from perspective, I am concerned about the issues over time. I am here to protect the interests of the Wallabies and the team."

"I think we've been pretty clear about what it means to be a Wallaby, you can look at it the other way, obviously we've got this incident but you look at the other players – what are they doing?

"Well they're not putting us into the newspapers for the wrong reasons."

O'Connor has denied to the ARU he was drunk and McKenzie said there'd been no determination about whether he was intoxicated, despite Air Asia confirming it was the reason they barred him from flying. The ARU investigation has been delayed due to "privacy" reasons with the AFP and the airline.

Witnesses have told the Daily Telegraph a dispute with his partner – and later airline staff – prompted them to deny him access to the Bali flight based on his state.

Ex-Test captain Nathan Sharpe said disappointed Wallabies teammates should be involved in discipline issues with O'Connor but McKenzie said he had made the call alone and would do likewise on any potential return.

Players have long taken issue with the failure of Robbie Deans to haul O'Connor into line, however, and McKenzie appeared to join them.

"I am not here to say everything is bad (with O'Connor), but these periodic events are bringing him down and the team … and you have to eliminate those," he said.

"How it has been done in the past isn't working long enough so we need to go and investigate that. We, and he in particular, need to make an investment in that space and find a different way because we just can't tolerate these periodic events that takes rugby into the newspapers and general public in the wrong way.

"I will be working with him but he has to make some substantial changes to how he goes about things."

McKenzie said he wasn't certain if the suspension would imperil O'Connor's ongoing contract negotiations with the ARU, or Western Force.

A Force spokesman said Friday night their position had not changed, and they would wait for the outcome of the ARU investigation.

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German court delays Ecclestone F1 ruling

A GERMAN court decision on whether to try Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone on bribery charges has been delayed until next year.

The Munich state court said in a statement on Friday that it is waiting for additional responses that Ecclestone's lawyers have promised to charges of bribery and incitement to breach of trust.

It also said that the composition of the panel of judges considering the case will shortly change and so a decision "can no longer be expected this year."

The charges, which were filed by Munich prosecutors in July, relate to a $US44 million ($A46.9 million) payment to a German banker. The court said at the time that it wouldn't decide before mid-September on whether and when the case would go to trial.

Ecclestone, the longtime commercial head of F1, has been under investigation since the banker Gerhard Gribkowsky was convicted of accepting the payment in connection with the sale of a stake in F1.

Ecclestone, who will be 83 in October, says he did nothing illegal.

He acknowledged during Gribkowsky's trial in 2011 that he made the payment five years earlier but said he was pressured to do so.

Gribkowsky was in charge of selling German bank BayernLB's 47 per cent stake in F1 to investment group CVC Capital Partners in 2006.

The banker was sentenced to more than eight years in prison in 2012 after being found guilty of corruption, tax evasion and breach of trust.

In addition to taking the money from Ecclestone, Gribkowsky used BayernLB's funds to pay the F1 chief a commission of $US41.4 million ($A44.1 million) and agreed to pay a further $US25 million ($A26.6 million) to Bambino Trust, a company with which Ecclestone was affiliated, prosecutors said during the trial in 2011.

Sentences in Germany for bribery range from three months to 10 years in prison.

"They wanted money. I was shaken down by the guys. It's happened in life before," Ecclestone told AP in July.

Ecclestone was savvy in building his power base in F1 from the 1970s and helped to create the Formula One Constructors' Association that controlled the business side of the sport, including selling the TV rights.

The British-based company later became known as Formula One Management and has retained control of the global motor racing series, despite regular tussles with the teams over finances.

CVC amassed a 63 per cent stake of F1 but reduced its holding as other investors came on board. Ecclestone's holding has been diluted to about five per cent. A planned flotation has stalled.

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Ex-ACCC boss Samuel to join ARL Commission

Former ACCC boss Graeme Samuel has been appointed to the Australian Rugby League Commission. Source: AAP

FORMER ACCC boss Graeme Samuel has been appointed to the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC).

Samuel will start his new role in November in place of Gary Pemberton, who is stepping down.

The 67-year-old Samuel was head of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for eight years from 2003 but has strong experience in sports administration either side of that tenure.

He is the longest-serving AFL commissioner, spending 19 years from 1985-2002 during a period of rapid growth for the game that included the addition of four teams to the competition in Adelaide and Perth and the merger of Fitzroy with Brisbane.

That experience might be called on soon as NRL chief executive Dave Smith has publicly stated expansion will be back on the table at the end of next year.

In 2011, Samuel became managing director of boutique investment bank Greenhill Australia, where he was last year involved in negotiating the NRL's lucrative media rights deal.

ARLC Chairman John Grant was delighted to add Samuel to the commission.

"Graeme Samuel is one of the most respected figures in the Australian business landscape," Grant said in a statement.

"Through his previous role at Greenhill ... we got to know each other well and feel very comfortable that this, together with his time as an AFL Commissioner, give him a strong understanding of some of the game's key strategic issues and opportunities."

In August last year, Grant announced a new television rights deal with the Nine Network and Fox Sports worth more than $1 billion over five years and Samuel believes the game is poised for further growth.

"The exposure I have had to the game and to the Commission over the last year has demonstrated the extent to which the game is striving towards an even more significant place on the national sporting landscape," said Samuel.

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42-year-old stuns Kirilenko

At nearly 43 years old Japan's Kimiko Date-Krumm shocked No.2 seed Maria Kirilenko. Source: AP

APPROACHING her 43rd birthday, Japanese tennis veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm stunned Russian second seed Maria Kirilenko on Thursday to reach the WTA Korea Open quarter-finals.

Date-Krumm, who will turn 43 later this month, continued to roll back the years with a 6-3 6-1 triumph over Kirilenko, the world No.19.

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It was just the latest age-defying feat by Date-Krumm, who reached the third round at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year. 

Next up for the Japanese star is Russian third seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who dispatched South Korean wildcard Lee Ye-Ra to reach the last eight on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Polish top seed Agnieszka Radwanska also made it into the quarters when she beat Spain's Estrella Cabeza Candela 6-2 6-1.

And Jang Su-Jeong kept home hopes alive when she beat Tunisia's Ons Jabeur 1-6 6-4 6-1.

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27 years since Deano's India heroics

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IT'S 27 years on Thursday since Dean Jones made his epic, vomit laced 210 in the famous tied Test against India.

His former captain Allan Border has recalled how he got Jones to carry on through devastating illness using the words, "We'll get a Queenslander out here."

That, says Border, inspired Jones to stay on the field and play his career-defining innings in the oppressive Indian heat during the famous tied Test of 1986.

Speaking exclusively to foxsports.com.au, ahead of the India tour earlier this year, Border, talked of how he used interstate rivalry to inspire Jones to continue batting in Madras, despite the fact the Victorian batsman was suffering intense dehydration that had seen him vomit on the field several times.

In conditions that Border - who many forget also made a hundred in that match - compares to "playing cricket in a sauna bath", Jones was ready to leave the pitch until his skipper intervened.

"I was wanting him to stay out there because he was batting so well, and of course I didn't know just how distressed he was," Border says.

"I knew Greg Ritchie was in next, and I knew there would be some easy quip I could make to fire him up, so I said, 'Yeah well that's okay mate, if you want to go off now we'll get someone out here tough, we'll get a Queenslander out here'."

"I can't repeat the words he said back to me, but he did stay on, he made another 30 or 40 … and the legend was born."

Jones tweeted about the comments on Thursday night.

After finally making his way from the ground, Jones collapsed and was sent to hospital soon after.

But that was far from the only drama in that Test match, as it went on to become just the second in history to end in a tie.

Border admits that, amidst the euphoria of Greg Matthews taking a wicket with the penultimate ball of the match, there was a moment when he thought Australia had actually won.

"Just for a moment there, because I was diving for the ball fielding at bat pad, just for a moment I thought, 'we've won!' ... and then all of a sudden it started to sink in. This had been a tied Test match.

"It was quite an incredible feeling to be a part of."

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Players must decide if JOC's time is up

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FORMER Test skipper Nathan Sharpe says Wallabies players have been disappointed by the behaviour of the wayward teammate James O'Connor for "a long time" and a line in the sand must now be drawn with team-driven punishment.

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Sharpe delivered a stinging insider's appraisal of O'Connor's ongoing discipline issues as the ARU launched a full investigation into the incident at Perth airport on Sunday, where the 23-year-old was denied access to a flight for being drunk and was escorted out by police.

O'Connor will be interviewed by ARU Integrity Unit boss Phil Thomson on Friday, after he spent Thursday compiling facts from the Australian Federal Police and Air Asia. The ARU were first made aware of the incident on Sunday, but team manager Bob Egerton conducted an initial inquiry.

The ARU could give no sense of when the investigation might be complete, but there are potential time constraints given the Wallabies fly out for Africa and Argentina on Monday.

Sharpe said while he was not aware of the specifics of the Perth airport matter, it fitted a pattern of misbehaviour that had emerged long ago.

"I don't know what went on in this incident, and whether there was alcohol involved or there wasn't, but there has just been too many," Sharpe said.

"The messages aren't getting through. It's very disappointing, because those sort of issues had been flagged previously."

Sharpe was O'Connor's first captain at Western Force when the teenager first arrived in Perth, and played alongside him at Wallabies level for several years.

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The respected veteran was also on the Wallabies coaching staff during the recent Lions series, when O'Connor's infamous burger bar episode – and other misdemeanours – infuriated teammates.

"I am all for accepting a person makes a mistake here or there, but it's just been too consistent, and that's probably something James has to look at," Sharpe said.

"At the end of the day, it's not all about what he does on the field. It is about how he respects his teammates."

Asked if teammates were upset with O'Connor, Sharpe said: "Yeah, they are. They all are. I don't know if it will be said publicly but I know having been alongside most of those guys, they were disappointed a long time ago."

"And at the end of the day, he's in a pretty precarious position," Sharpe said.

"I don't think fining him or whatever will work, I think the playing group need to stand up and decide what is best for the team, and make a decision with the coaching staff, and then follow through with it,

"They have to act for the best interests of the team, and let it be known what will be tolerated and what won't be tolerated. They need to come up with the course of action."

Sharpe said O'Connor had boundless capacity to be a strong contributor to the Wallabies but had to ensure his behaviour didn't take him past a point of no return.

"His capabilities in terms of his ability on the field, but also his intelligence, they run deep in his make-up," Sharpe said.

"The worst thing he could do is lose the group. If he loses the group, he'll never come back."

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Write us off at your peril: O'Keefe

Write us off at your peril says O'Keefe. Source: AAP

SYDNEY dual premiership veteran Ryan O'Keefe says the Swans don't mind being written off again as they chase back-to-back flags.

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The Swans have been installed as the outsiders for the flag by bookmakers, behind Hawthorn, Fremantle and Geelong ahead of preliminary final weekend.

"It's everyone's prerogative really. They have to form their own opinions," O'Keefe said.

"Internally we know what we're about and we know what we stand for and we have confidence in each other.

"That's all that really matters - within the group how we feel and our attitude towards everything."

The Swans flew into Perth in business class in three separate flights yesterday and trained at Patersons Stadium this afternoon ahead of Saturday night's second preliminary final against the Dockers.

"There were three different options that guys could take. The older blokes that like to get to bed early came over a bit earlier," O'Keefe said.

Sydney Swans players train at Patersons Stadium ahead of Saturday's clash. Picture: Stewart Allen Source: PerthNow

"I think it was just all about recovery from last week's game and preparation for this one.

"We've done everything possible to freshen up this week. It's another big game and everyone's up and looking forward to it."

O'Keefe said the Swans were 'pumped' and ready for the contest despite a growing injury toll.

"I don't think that any player that's playing at this time of year hasn't got some sort of soreness," he said.

"But it's the best time of the year to be playing. Everyone's pumped and looking forward to it.

"It's exciting. We're playing in a prelim final. It's one game away from the big show really."

O'Keefe said he was fine after rolling his ankle in the final seconds of last Saturday's semi-final win over Carlton.
 

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JOC escorted from Perth airport

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JAMES O'Connor's future in Australian rugby has been thrown into jeopardy after the allegedly intoxicated winger was escorted out of Perth airport by federal police.

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The AFP confirmed a 23-year-old man was removed from the airport after being denied entry to a flight in the early hours of Sunday morning.

O'Connor was travelling to Bali with his girlfriend on a 5am flight and has admitted to the ARU he was involved in a heated dispute with airline staff over seating arrangements.

"The AFP can confirm it spoke to a 23-year-old man at Perth International Airport in the early hours of the 15th of September (Sunday)," an AFP spokesman said.

"It is alleged the man was intoxicated. The airline the man was booked to travel with made a decision not to allow him to board the aircraft. The AFP subsequently escorted the man from the terminal."

Witnesses have told Rugby Gold they saw O'Connor being escorted from the Perth terminal, affected by alcohol, in the wee hours after the Wallabies beat Argentina at Patersons Stadium.

The ARU launched an investigation on Sunday but were satisfied with O'Connor's version of events relayed from Bali, which stated a dispute over seating arrangements at the gate led to O'Connor and his girlfriend being taken back through customs to re-book seats on a later flight. He denied being drunk and there was no mention of the AFP.

The Wallabies have had the week off before leaving on of a tour South Africa and South America next Monday.

O'Connor's presence on the two-week trip to South Africa and Argentina will now come under scrutiny in major doubt following a string of off-field incidents, and the airport matter could also threaten an impending deal with the Western Force, which was due to be finalised this week.

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O'Connor was let go by the Melbourne Rebels in July – with attitude cited as one of the reasons – and a return to his first club the Force is understood to be conditional on the 23-year-old agreeing to strict behavioural standards.

If the deal with the Force collapses, O'Connor is likely to be left without an Australian Super Rugby club for next season, with all others not interested. He may have to take up an offer overseas or in rugby league.

O'Connor's airport incident comes just weeks after he pledged to clean up his act following a series of off-field disciplinary issues.

In 2011, O'Connor was suspended for a Test after sleeping through the World Cup squad announcement and a few months later was involved in a fight in Paris with Wallaby teammates Kurtley Beale and Quade Cooper.

Recently, O'Connor was again in hot water during the British and Irish Lions tour in June when he and Beale were photographed at Hungry Jacks at 4am, just a few days out from the second Test in Melbourne.

Along with missing a bus to training and a final Wallaby team meeting, O'Connor's behaviour infuriated senior Wallabies, some of whom spoke out against him.

After new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie laid down the law about team standards, O'Connor said just over a month ago he was working to make changes.

"There's definitely things that I already have changed and am in the process of doing, personal things," O'Connor said.

"I don't play rugby to be talked about off the field.

"I'm playing rugby because I love it and that's what I want to be doing, playing for my country.

"At the moment I'm doing the hard yards and I'm trying to get involved and earn myself into the team."

"It's not hard to do, (team standards) is just putting the team first. I can't express everything, but it's something I'm pretty excited about.

"It's something I know I can be part of."

Wallabies captain James Horwill, who missed the Perth Test with injury, last month foreshadowed problems for O'Connor should he misbehave again.

"I think they (O'Connor and Beale) understand that's not what's acceptable being a part of the Australian team and we've got to make sure that that's clear and as long as we make that clear everyone understands where they stand, not just for those individuals but for everyone," Horwill said in August.

"Once you know where you stand and if you go away from that then that brings you into a place that you probably don't want to be, so that's something that we will make pretty clear – and have made pretty clear."

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O'Connor to face McKenzie's wrath

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WALLABIES coach Ewen McKenzie faces the first test of his firm stance on team discipline following James O'Connor's latest slip-up in Perth.

O'Connor was escorted from Perth airport by the Australian Federal Police on Sunday after a disagreement over seating for a flight to Bali. He was allegedly intoxicated.

McKenzie made it clear when taking over from former coach Robbie Deans that he would not tolerate poor off-field behaviour, something O'Connor had made a habit of under the Kiwi's regime.

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McKenzie must now make good on his word, both for the state of his side and Australian rugby in general.

"That (discipline) won't be a problem, I'll be making that very clear (what's acceptable)," McKenzie said last month.

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"There's been a lot of talk around this and in the end there's been some instances, I don't want anyone to think there's a big problem here, I think 95 per cent of the players are doing the right thing, every minute of every day, so let's not get bogged down in it.

"We'll make it quite clear what's acceptable and what isn't and I'll manage that process with the team manager but in the end I expect that's not going to be an issue and we'll get on with the business of playing rugby, representing the code and inspiring the next generation of players. We'll make it clear and then we'll just manage it."

Skipper James Horwill backed his coach's hard-line stance, saying the players would know where they stood under McKenzie.

"I think they understand that's not what is acceptable being part of the Australian team and we've got to make sure that's clear," Horwill said.

"Once you know where you stand, if you go away from that then that brings you into a place that you don't want to be."

O'Connor is without a Super Rugby franchise for next year with this latest incident is sure to hurt his hopes of re-joining Western Force. 

The Force were the only Australian franchise prepared to talk with O'Connor, even though he departed the same club in inglorious circumstances back in 2011.

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James O'Connor: the shame files

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JAMES O'Connor was given the nickname "Rabbit" when he was young due to his ability to jink and step his way out of trouble on the field.

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It was a talent that saw him win a Wallaby call-up as a teenager, but his ability to dodge the full effects off-field drama was almost as prolific.

That appears now at an end, with the latest incident at Perth airport set to test not only the paper-thin patience of the ARU, but throw into question his short-term future in Australian rugby as well.

For most Wallabies, being denied entry on a plane for being drunk and argumentative would earn a stinging rebuke but it would not spell the end.

For O'Connor, however, the airport matter comes after a long string of official rebukes by the ARU for misbehaviour, some of which never made into the public domain.

November 2010

O'Connor allegedly involved in altercation with teammates Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale in Paris. Reports of the alleged scuffle emerge nine months after the event. All three players attempted to play down its significance, although Beale hinted that tempers had flared between the trio. "We're good mates and you are always going to come eye to eye at one stage," Beale said. "We have obviously got over it and we had a good win over France later on the weekend."

June 2011

"I want what's best for myself and building my rugby brand," said O'Connor as he was widely ridiculed for his reasoning over his switch from the Western Force to the Melbourne Rebels. A fake Twitter account - @BrandJOConnor – was born along with countless jokes at O'Connor's expense.

August 2011

O'Connor was reportedly too hungover to attend Australia's official World Cup squad announcement. He was spotted at a popular nightspot in the Eastern Suburbs the evening prior and informed Wallabies officials that he slept through his alarm. O'Connor was suspended for one match and handed a suspended fine over the incident.

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June 2013

Together with Kurtley Beale, O'Connor was photographed at a fast food outlet in Melbourne at 4am in the week of the Wallabies' second Test against the British and Irish Lions. O'Connor apologised and described the incident as a "lack of judgement". Coach Robbie Deans was reportedly furious at the actions of the two players but no punishment was issued by the Australian Rugby Union.

July 2013

Following a lamentable performance at No. 10, O'Connor failed to attend a scheduled Wallabies team meeting after a late night in Kings Cross in the aftermath of the Wallabies loss to the Lions at ANZ Stadium. A week later, he and Kurtley Beale missed a team bus to training and were forced to take a taxi. The ARU announce the sacking of coach Robbie Deans, reportedly due to a decline in team standards.

July 2013

Despite holding down a place in the Wallabies squad, O'Connor was released by his Super Rugby side, the Melbourne Rebels. Franchise CEO Rob Clarke announced the move in a press release, stating the Rebels were "entering the next phase of development." O'Connor is still without a Super Rugby franchise, although he has been strongly linked with move back to the Western Force.

September 2013

O'Connor is removed from Perth Airport after the Wallabies ugly victory over Argentina in the Rugby Championship. He was prevented from boarding his flight and led out of the terminal by representative of the Australian Federal Police. O'Connor is understood to have been intoxicated at the time.

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NSW extend Daley's Origin deal

NSW Blues State of Origin coach Laurie Daley. Source: Dan Himbrechts / AAP

NEW South Wales State of Origin coach Laurie Daley has extended his tenure as coach of the Blues for another two seasons.

"I was incredibly honoured to be originally appointed as coach of the NSW VB Blues, however to already have confirmation that I have a further two years in the role is very exciting", said Daley.

"The support and assistance I am getting from the new executive team in regards to attempting to bring my plans to life is extremely motivating and I am confident that our program will evolve to another level over the next two years."

NSWRL CEO, David Trodden stated that, "the concept of high performance figures prominently in the strategic plan that we have recently completed. It is important that all facets of the business adopt a high performance outlook so that it becomes engrained in our culture".

"Laurie's understanding of best practice HP and desire to enhance our professionalism across a number of critical HP systems has already seen him commence a number of exciting initiatives", said Mr Trodden.

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Mumford's grand Sandi plan

Shane Mumford will have his hands full against Freo. Source: Ryan Pierse / HeraldSun

It won't be just high kicking Shane Mumford needs when he takes on the biggest man in the AFL Aaron Sandilands in Saturday night's preliminary final against Fremantle in Perth.

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At 211cm and 120kg Sandilands towers over the Swans big man.

But Mumford has a plan to curb the Fremantle ruckman's physical advantages.

"I'll be trying to get him around the ground and try to make him work," Mumford said.

"He's got me by about 12cm and 15kg, (so) for me to move him is a pretty tough thing to do but I'm really looking forward to the challenge.

"I think I've got a little bit better tank than him and hopefully me and Pykey (Mike Pyke) can run him into the ground and wear him out by half-time."

Mumford's combination with former Canadian rugby player Mike Pyke has developed into one of the best in the competition.

Mumford is back to his best form since he finished runner up to Kieren Jack in the 2010 Bob Skilton Medal.

Pyke has followed up his outstanding Grand Final performance with his best season yet, finishing second in the AFL for contested marks (52) and kicking 27 goals.

"It's pretty safe to say he's more of an AFL player than he ever was a rugby player - I don't think he was that good anyway," Mumford said.

"He almost unlucky not to make All Australian ... his year was sensational.

"I think the partnership we've formed now is probably one of the tougher ones in the league.

"Credit to him the way he goes about his footy and he's always looking for ways to improve. It's not a shock that he's taken the leaps and bounds he has."

Pyke and Mumford will need to combine well if the Swans are to have any chance of upsetting the Dockers, who will have the benefit of a week's rest and being on their home ground.

"Anything can happen in a prelim. It's a pretty big game whether you've had the weekend off or a hard game of footy you're going to be doing everything you can to get yourself right," Sandilands said.

"I'm feeling really good about this week and the body is feeling fresh."

Pyke and Mumford's responsibilities won't stop with ruck duties.

With star full-forward Kurt Tippett out with a knee injury, the big men will also be spending plenty of time up forward.

"The way we played on the weekend once Kurt went down I think I only came off the ground for a minute of the game," Mumford said.

"I definitely think I'll be spending a bit of time forward as well as in the ruck because it's a pretty tough gig and I doubt I'd be able to go for the whole game running around in the ruck."

Mumford is out of contract and remains noncommittal about his future at the Swans beyond this season.

His good form is attracting plenty of interest from other clubs including cross-town rivals the GWS Giants.

"It's not in my mind at all - that will be sorted out at the end of the season so I'm just focusing on footy and playing well each week," Mumford said.

The preliminary final in Perth will be Mumford's 100th game in the AFL after playing 21 for Geelong and 88 for Sydney.

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Finals bolters from the vault

Shane Ellen savours his incredible performance in the 1997 Grand Final. Picture: Darren Tindale Source: HeraldSun

STEELE Sidebottom booted 10 goals in the 2008 TAC Cup Grand Final. Two years later and he was at it again at AFL level. See Jon Anderson's best finals bolters.

Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
2010 Grand Final: Having played just 11 games in his debut season of 2009, the boy from Congupna with the catchy name had shown a liking for the big stage at U18 level when kicking 10 goals for the Murray Bushrangers in the 2008 TAC GF. Two years later he was at it again, gathering 25 possessions and two goals as he staked his claim for the Norm Smith medal against St Kilda in the Grand Final replay.

Collingwood's 2013 report card

Steele Sidebottom leaves St Kilda in his wake in the 2010 Grand Final replay. Picture: Stephen Harman Source: HeraldSun

Shane Ellen (Adelaide)
1997 Grand Final: The poster boy for the eccentric ways of Malcolm Blight. Ellen, 24, was first recruited from Melton as a defender and had only kicked three goals in 37 games with Footscray and then Adelaide. But Blight found himself without a full forward when Tony Modra went down with a knee injury in the Preliminary Final, so he sent Ellen forward. The results were immediate, Ellen kicking two early goals before adding a further three when shifted back to defence.

Shane Ellen celebrates his remarkable performance in the 1997 Grand Final. Picture: Darren Tindale Source: HeraldSun

Lewis Roberts-Thomson (Sydney)
2005 Grand Final: A local product from Sydney's North Shore, LWT had been a project player leading into the 2005 season, one in which he received specialist coaching from Stephen Silvagni. He lined up at centre half back and by half-time was the unanimous choice as best afield. He faded slightly but was still rated by the club as its best player, even if the Norm Smith medal went to Chris Judd of West Coast.

Leo Barry takes the match winning mark in a congested pack. 2005 Grand Final. Sydney Swans v West Coast Eagles. MCG. Picture: Craig Borrow Source:

Aaron Lord (Geelong)
1994 semi-final: Geelong went into the cut-throat final against Carlton at Waverley without its legendary engine room of Mark Bairstow, Paul Couch and Garry Hocking.
So the Cats turned to a 183cm midfielder/forward from Doncaster Heights. He had played just one ineffective game during the season for seven disposals. But from the moment he hit the ground Lord was electric, picking up 24 disposals and kicking a vital goal in a win regarded by the club as one of its best in history.

Stuart Dew (Hawthorn)
2008 Grand Final: The burly left-footer was known for his powerful kicking and ability to turn games. He was a key member of Port Adelaide's 2004 Premiership side but surprised the club by retiring at the end of 1996 at age 27 with 180 games to his name. Hawthorn did their homework and picked him in the 2007 draft with pick 45. Their wisdom was highlighted in the third quarter of the 2008 GF when Dew set the team alight with two goals and direct involvement in two others.

2008 Grand Final. Geelong v Hawthorn. MCG. Stuart Dew. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source:

Paul Weston (Essendon)
1984 Grand Final: A centreman from Glenelg who had played in five losing SANFL Grand Finals, Weston thought he would try his luck in the VFL. But nothing changed with his first season of 1983 again ending in Grand Final defeat. He was transformed into a full back by Kevin Sheedy until the second half of the 1984 GF when he went forward with devastating effect, providing the spark the Bombers were looking for.

Glenn Freeborn (North Melbourne)
1996 Grand Final: The utility player from Woodville-West Torrens had been dropped twice during the season before returning for North's three finals. The Grand Final was just his 28th match but it is one the Kangaroos will never forget when he helped turn the game in the second quarter with three goals.

Glenn Freeborn tackles Derek Kickett. 1996 Grand Final. North Melbourne (Kangaroos) v Sydney Swans. MCG. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source:

Michael Cooke (Hawthorn)
1975 second semi-final: Long-haired complete with a beard, Cooke from Old Carey was plucked from obscurity for his first game to play full forward when coach John Kennedy moved Michael Moncrieff to defence. Cooke worked a treat, booting four as the Hawks moved into the GF with a 11-point win. Sadly for Cooke he couldn't repeat the dose and was taken goalless from the ground during the second quarter of the GF and never played again.

Bob Keddie (Hawthorn)
1971 Grand Final: Keddie was a talented half forward, good enough to win best and fairests with the Hawks in 1967 and 1969. By 1971 the Hawthorn forward line revolved around goal-kicking machine Peter Hudson with the Grand Final being no different. Problem was Hudson was concussed early and struggling for his best for, so Keddie, who had been very quiet, was moved to full forward in the last quarter and responded with four match-winning goals.

Ted Hopkins (Carlton)
1970 Grand Final: Of all the players to be remembered for a single September performance, none can match blond Carlton rover/forward pocket Ted Hopkins. During the 1970 season he had been a reserve 11 times in his 19 matches in the days before interchange. At half-time, with his side 44 points down, coach Ron Barassi told Hopkins to get ready. He took him seriously, booting two goals in the third quarter and four for the game as the Blues staged the greatest revival in front of a record 121,696.

1970 Grand Final. Carlton v Collingwood. MCG. Ted Hopkins is chaired off the ground. Source:

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Bellchambers commits to Dons

Tom Bellchambers signs a new deal with Essendon. Source: Michael Klein / HeraldSun

ESSENDON has won the race to Tom Bellchambers' signature with the goalkicking ruckman penning a two-year deal to remain at Windy Hill.

Bellchambers drew interest from rival clubs with GWS Giants reportedly keen to lure the 202cm target.

The 24-year-old played 18 games this season, taking his career tally to 61 as he edged closer to claiming the No. 1 ruck position at the Bombers.

A delighted Bellchambers took to Twitter to announce the signing on Tuesday evening:

"Wrapped to have signed with the dons for another 2 years today. #timetocelebrate."

His signature follows Dyson Heppell, Jake Melksham, Jake Carlisle and Jobe Watson all pledging their faith to the Dons, but the club could still lose Stewart Crameri.

The prized forward is weighing up a "monster" four-year offer from the Western Bulldogs but is expected to make his intentions known next week.

Fellow forward Scott Gumbleton is also out of contract and expected to draw interest at next month's trade table.

Bellchambers' commitment further shores up Essendon's big-man stocks, with the Tasmanian product expected to partner with father-son sensation Joe Daniher in years to come.

"I have so many great mates here and I wanted to repay the loyalty the club had shown me," Bellchambers told the club's website.

"With my contract out of the way, I'm just looking forward to next season, getting back into training and working really hard over summer because as a club we know we are heading in the right direction."

Assistant coach Simon Goodwin said Tom had emerged as one of the most dynamic ruckmen of the competition.

"Tom is highly regarded by the coaching staff and playing group and it's great to have him re-sign for another two years," Goodwin said.

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Teams: double blow for Sharks

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ONE was named and the other left out but NRL stars Brett Stewart and Todd Carney both face a race against time to overcome hamstring injuries ahead of Friday night's NRL sudden death final at Allianz Stadium.

Cronulla playmaker Carney will be monitored during the week despite not being included in the Sharks' line-up for the showdown with Manly's "50-50" prospect Stewart.

However, a Sharks official admitted they were not holding their breath on the NSW Origin pivot receiving the green light in what would be a huge blow to their title hopes.

"Sharks medical staff will continue to work on the injury (but) he is not expected to be fit in time for the match on Friday night," the official said.

Utility Luke Lewis has been named as Sharks five-eighth.

Manly pivot Kieran Foran expected Carney to play but could not say the same about teammate Stewart, despite the livewire being named as the Sea Eagles' starting fullback.

Stewart completed sprint work at training on Tuesday before the media was ushered away but Foran only rated him a "50-50" chance.

"He's been getting treatment on it and he's improving day by day so we'll just have to wait and see," Foran said.

On standby for Stewart is Sea Eagles rookie of the year Peta Hiku.

Manly coach Geoff Toovey also named Richie Fa'aoso on a seven man bench just days after the prop was taken from the field with a heavy head knock against the Roosters.

Meanwhile, Melbourne have confirmed Sisa Waqa will run out in Saturday night's home finals clash with Newcastle - but not before expressing disappointment over the TV coverage of his horror aerial collision against South Sydney.

While Storm physio Tony Ayoub was thankful Waqa did not even suffer a concussion in the accidental contact, he was not happy with Channel Nine upsetting the winger's family by showing the footage over and over on Friday night.

"It was very confronting especially for his family," he told the Storm website.

"Especially with the TV replaying it and replaying it which was a bit disappointing given that his wife and kids were watching.

"She (Waqa's wife) was pretty distraught when I spoke to her even an hour later."

English international Gareth Widdop was named as Melbourne starting pivot after returning from a dislocated hip against the Rabbitohs last round.

"There was a bit of controversy about him (returning last round) but he was never going to miss more than 12 weeks - we expect him to go ahead in leaps and bounds from here," Ayoub said.

Veteran playmaker Brett Finch (sternum) is on the Storm bench after being a last minute scratching last round.

Meanwhile, Knights coach Wayne Bennett named an unchanged 17 without Craig Gower (neck).

Sea Eagles v Sharks, Friday, 20/09, 7:45PM, Allianz Stadium
       
Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Brenton Lawrence, Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Anthony Watmough, Justin Horo, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Richie Fa'aoso, Jamie Buhrer, Tom Symonds, George Rose, Peta Hiku, James Hasson, David Gower.
       
Sharks: Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Ben Pomeroy, Jonathan Wright, Beau Ryan, Luke Lewis, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, John Morris, Sam Tagataese, Jayson Bukuya, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: Isaac De Gois, Chris Heighington, Bryce Gibbs, Anthony Tupou, Ben Ross.

Storm v Knights, Saturday, 21/09, 7:45PM, AAMI Park
       
Storm: Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Maurice Blair, Justin O'Neill, Gareth Widdop, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith, Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Jason Ryles, Tohu Harris, Jordan McLean, Kenneath Bromwich, Brett Finch.

Knights: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Joey Leilua, Dane Gagai, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, David Fa'alogo, Danny Buderus, Willie Mason, Robbie Rochow, Beau Scott, Jeremy Smith. Interchange: Matt Hilder, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, Alex McKinnon.

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Dusty denies walking out on Tigers

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DUSTIN Martin insists he hasn't walked out on Richmond and just needs time to make up his mind over a new contract.

Melbourne is leading the race for the 22-year-old's signature after Richmond released a statement on Monday saying Martin had told the club he wanted to pursue offers from rival clubs.

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But Martin later took to Twitter to deny he had quit the club.

"There have been a lot of conflicting stories going around about myself and the Richmond Footy Club," he said in the first of a series of tweets.

"At the weekend, I asked my manager Ralph Carr to request an extension of time from Richmond, to allow me to fully consider the options about my future.

"This decision was made purely by me, together with my family.

"As you can understand, this is a very important decision for myself and my family and one that I won't make lightly. I want to make it clear that I appreciate everyone's patience in allowing me the time to make this decision.

"The claims that I have walked out on the Richmond Football Club are totally incorrect. I can tell you that at this time, no decision has been made."

It is believed Demons coach Paul Roos has had several discussions with Martin's manager Ralph Carr in the past week.

The Demons, who could also use its priority pick if it was to receive one from the AFL, confirmed their interest late on Monday.

"Melbourne did make inquiries to his management about his intentions for next year," football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"We are waiting to hear back from them before we discuss any steps we might take as a club."

The Demons are not the only the club who have made inquiries about Martin, who told the Tigers today he wanted to pursue offers from other clubs.

Brisbane, which is without a coach, have also had discussions with Carr.

Greater Western Sydney is another club that will investigate a trade.

The Tigers and Martin were reportedly close to a deal on a new contract but Martin baulked at the club's latest offer.

The explosive midfielder/forward was on an estimated $450,000 this season and the club's offer was believed to be about $500,000 a season.

"Given the considerable effort we have put into Dustin's development both on and off the field, and our efforts to retain him all season, we are extremely disappointed with this decision," Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said.

"We are proud of the way Dustin has developed as a footballer, and as a person, in his time at Richmond, and we have been steadfast in our view that he is a required player who has an exciting football career ahead of him.

"However, we understand the business of football, and Dustin's right to pursue other opportunities.

"We have also stated previously that we are determined to adhere to our payment strategy for all of our players, many of whom have already committed to the Club and its future direction during the 2013 season."

Martin is not a free agent so Richmond will have to do a deal with another club to secure a move.

The Tigers also have the option of forcing Martin into the draft, where GWS has the No.1 pick.

Martin was taken with pick three in the 2009 national draft and has played 86 matches.

His move means two of the top three picks in that draft have left their original team, following No.1 selection Tom Scully's defection from Melbourne.
 
- with Al Paton

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All six officials axed for gaffe

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THE bloodshed started on Monday night with all six match officials behind rugby league's seven-tackle try drama unceremoniously dumped.

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Blundering referees Matt Cecchin and Henry Perenara were the first to go before video referees Jason Robinson and Matt Rodwell were then axed, as were touch judges Jeff Younis and Michael Wise. 

None will officiate another NRL game this season.

The decision is little consolation for North Queensland, who conceded a try on the seventh tackle to lose last Saturday's sudden-death semi-final against Cronulla. 

NRL officials last night announced the refereeing appointments for this week's games and all six were missing.

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"What's it matter to us now?" asked Cowboys football manager Peter Parr.

"It's not going to turn back the clock for us. You'd expect this would happen.

"Someone had to be held accountable and they decided all were six were."

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The NRL has been left embarrassed and battered by this controversy.

It appeared they simply had to dump all six match officials to salvage some dignity from this entire mess.

"Unfortunately, it is the right decision," said former NRL Referee's Coach Bill Harrigan.

"It had to be done. All six have to own responsibility for that decision."

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On Monday the NRL began taking steps to prevent a repeat scandal through a match review conducted by referees elite performance manager Daniel Anderson and NRL head of football, Todd Greenberg. 

As of today, on-field referees will be expected to vocalise each tackle to ensure players and other match officials are aware of how many tackles have been made in each set. 

Each match official has been told to share the responsibility of counting tackles.

"The referees accept that there are consequences for actions and that is likely to cost them significantly in the finals series ahead when Daniel confirms his appointments," Greenberg said. 

"We do need to keep a sense of perspective. At our end we need to ensure that everything can be done to prevent human error. 

"We also need to accept that in a game as intense and as fast paced as rugby league that you will never eradicate all mistakes either on the part of the players or the officials. 

"We will be doing everything we can to ensure this does not happen again."

The NRL also reviewed security which allowed fans to abuse Cowboys players and why a technical breakdown for the match clock occurred in the final minute of the game.

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Bismarck has red card wiped

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THE International Rugby Board has found fault with referee Romain Poite's decision to award the first of two yellow cards against South Africa's Bismarck du Plessis in a Test against New Zealand on Saturday, and Rugby Championship organisers have deleted a subsequent red card from the Springbok hooker's career record.

In a statement on Monday, the IRB said the yellow card awarded against du Plessis for a tackle on New Zealand flyhalf Dan Carter in the 17th minute of the match was "incorrect."

Du Plessis received a second yellow card for foul play in the 42nd minute of the match, meaning he was automatically sent off.

New Zealand went on to win 29-15 as South Africa played most of the second half with 14 men. The IRB said the yellow card decision "was an unfortunate case of human error by the match officials."

Terry Willis, an Australian judicial officer for the SANZAR group which sanctions international rugby in the southern hemisphere, later removed the red card from du Plessis' disciplinary record.

The SANZAR judicial hearing was held Monday via teleconference, with submissions made on behalf of the player and the video footage reviewed.

SANZAR said in a statement that Willis found Poite's decision "was wrong," as the tackle on Carter "was within the laws of the game."

The other yellow card issued against du Plessis, for raising his elbow as he went into a tackle against an All Blacks backrower, remains on his record. 

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Mundine steps up Moseley prep

Training ... Anthony Mundine spars with Shannon King. Source: Glenn Barnes / News Limited

ANTHONY Mundine hits Brisbane this week to start intense preparations for his fight with faded American great Shane Mosley next month.

Brisbane has been a happy hunting ground for the former world champion who scored two of his biggest wins – over Daniel Geale and Garth Wood – at the Entertainment Centre at Boondall.

Mundine is likely to spend four weeks in the Sunshine State sparring with Brisbane's 2012 Olympian Cameron Hammond, whose loose-limbed, sharp shooter style closely mimics that of Mosley, the 42-year-old former world welterweight and light-middleweight champion.

Mosley is not as fast as he was when twice beating Oscar De La Hoya more than a decade ago and on October 23 at Sydney's Entertainment Centre, Mundine hopes to make him the biggest name on a resume that currently reads 44 wins in 49 fights.

Mundine and his mate, Olympic athletics silver medallist John Steffensen, will be in Brisbane on Saturday for the launch of the Brisbane Sports Performance Centre at Kangaroo Point.

Steffensen was a star amateur boxer in his youth and he and Mundine will run a boxing workshop at the facility from 10am.

Mundine will also be in the crowd when the venue hosts its first boxing event on Saturday night with Australian middleweight champ Nathan Carroll expected to manhandle Thailand's Decapon Sunwannalird on a card that also includes Queensland cruiserweight champion Balazs Varga and rising welterweight Ozan Craddock.

Carroll is using the fight as a warm-up for his November 7 middleweight title defence against Irishman Dennis Hogan at Eatons Hill on a card to be televised by Fox Sports.

While in Queensland, Mundine is expected to train at the gym of his former victim, Seoul Olympian Darren Obah, at Kunda Park on the Sunshine Coast.

His deal to spar with Cameron Hammond was negotiated by Hammond's manager Matt Clark.

"I told Anthony that there is no one in Australia who so closely resembles Shane Mosley's style as Cameron,'' Clark said.

"He has fast hands, fast feet and is very elusive. Having boxed at the London Olympics and the Delhi Commonwealth Games Cameron has experience against the fastest and most skilled amateur fighters in the world.

"It will be great experience for Cameron to go in against a fighter of Mundine's experience and skill and it should be a great experience for Anthony to box a really quick guy with that Mosley style.''

Mundine was in Hammond's hometown, Moree, a week ago to cheer on the local rugby league team, the Boomerangs, to victory in their Group 19 grand final.

Mundine's arrival caps a big week for Queensland boxing.

On Friday night at Brisbane's Irish Club, Dennis Hogan faces fellow Irishman Gavin Prunty and Frenchman Faris Chevalier faces local super-middleweight Shane Parry.

On the same night at Southport Sharks AFL Club, world-rated middleweight Les Sherrington should hit too hard for Japan's Shigetaka Yonezawa.

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Silver Ferns down Diamonds

Katrina Grant of New Zealand and Caitlin Bassett of Australia compete for the ball. Source: Rob Jefferies / Getty Images

AUSTRALIA'S record losing run has been extended to five games after New Zealand defeated the new-look Diamonds in the opening match of the five Test Constellation Cup in Invercargill tonight.

The 55-51  scoreline was a disappointing result for the Diamonds who had hoped to celebrate Kim Green and Bianca Chatfield's 50th internationals and Laura Geitz's maiden game as captain  with a victory.  

The Diamonds were punished by the umpires whistle, incurring more than double the amount of penalties than their rivals in the opening quarter of the game alone and staying out of  favour for the remainder of the match.

But they were mortally wounded by lapses in defence which allowed the Silver Ferns to go on a five-goal run midway through the first quarter and another scoring rampage in the third stanza of the game.

They were lapses which  sealed the fate of the Australian netball team on the 75th anniversary of their first meeting with New Zealand back in 1938.

That game had gone Australia's way but the early defensive errors coupled with an impressive  full court display by the Silver Ferns gave the host nation the honours tonight.

Caitlin Bassett was a standout for the Diamonds, shooting 100 per cent with her 20 goals in the first half of the match and ending the game with 31 from 31.

"We are pretty disappointed with that," Geitz said The next Test of the five-game Constellation Cup will be played in Auckland on September 19.

The Diamonds and Silver Ferns will then fly to Australia for the final three matches in Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra.

The series is the last the two powers of netball will play with each other prior to next year 's Commonwealth Games. 

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Penthouse & Outhouse: Swans soar

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FOX FOOTY expert Julian de Stoop casts his eye over the second week of the AFL finals.

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IN THE PENTHOUSE

Jarrad McVeigh

McVeigh battled all week to overcome knee and calf injuries but in true Bloods style he gritted his teeth and produced the most outstanding game of his career.

McVeigh finished with 42 disposals and in the second quarter alone he had a record breaking 20 disposals as he burnt off a series of opponents including Chris Judd and Marc Murphy.

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A true captain's game in every sense of the word.

Paul Chapman

Last week the decision to start Chapman as a sub was in 'The Outhouse' and not surprisingly when given a chance in the starting side, the veteran forward showed what a great big game player he is.

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The 31 year old finished with 20 disposals and 4 goals to not only help his side into another preliminary final but also stake his claim for a new contract at season's end.

The only downside was a report for rough conduct which will have everyone at Geelong sweating on the outcome of the match review panel.

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Chapman has been a key figure in the Cats winning streak over the Hawks and his absence would be a cruel blow.

Luke Parker

The Swans don't have to look too far to find an instant replacement for the injured Jude Bolton.

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Parker not only looks like Bolton but plays like him too.

The 20 year-old started as the sub in last year's Grand Final but 12 months on he's playing a much bigger role in this team.

Parker kicked three goals against the Hawks in Round 23 and he repeated the dose against the Blues as well as gathering 22 disposals.

Cats Mosquito Fleet

Matthew Stokes, Allen Christensen and Travis Varcoe were all quiet against Fremantle last week and once again the trio were well held in the opening half against Port Adelaide.

Down by 23 points at half time, the Cats needed a lift and the speedy trio answered the call.

Stokes gathered 14 disposals in the third term, Varcoe added 9 of his own and Christensen chipped in with 7 as the Cats turned the game on its head.

Justin Westhoff's goal

'The Hoff' has had a wonderful year and his last quarter checkside goal from 45 metres was one of the best you will ever see.

Sadly for Westhoff  the 'Goal Of The Year' is restricted to the home and away season only.

IN THE OUTHOUSE

ANZ Stadium surface

The surface at ANZ Stadium has never been up to AFL standard and that again proved to be the case on Saturday night.

It was hardly surprising given there were two rugby league matches on the night before and the grandstands were moved back off the surface less than 24 hours before the Swans hosted the Blues.

Both coaches played down the issue but the shifting surface simply wasn't up to scratch.

The Swans have 3 years left on a contract to play some matches at the venue but let's hope when that expires they can play all their games at the SCG

Swans Injuries

You never write off the Swans but it would take a herculean performance for the battled scarred reigning premiers to upset the Dockers in Perth.

Already missing Adam Goodes, Ben McGlynn, Gary Rohan, Rhyce Shaw, Sam Reid, Lewis Roberts-Thomson and Alex Johnson the last thing the Swans needed were more injuries but that's exactly what they got.

Kurt Tippett and Tom Mitchell went down with leg injuries in the first term and both look unlikely to play next week.

The stage is set for the Dockers to advance to their first Grand Final.

Carlton

When Tippett and Mitchell went down early the Blues looked a real chance to cause another upset but in the end they went down without a whimper.

Their third quarter when they didn't score was a major disappointment.

But given the 9th placed Blues finished 4 games behind the 4th placed Swans we really shouldn't be surprised.

It's set to be a big summer at Carlton with Mick Malthouse set to make sweeping changes to the playing list.

Essendon Threatening to Sue Greg Swann

It's not finals related but the Bombers need to focus on 2014 and stop trying to fight every battle.

Yes, Carlton Chief Executive Greg Swann erred by labelling Essendon 'cheats' on radio last week but the Bombers don't need to waste more time and more money in the courts.

The Essendon hierarchy need to focus on securing a coach and a good, strong leader for the football department.

It's time to move on from 2013.

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Red Bull 1-2 at Sandown 500

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Even a botched pit-stop and a drive-through penalty couldn't stop Jamie Whincup and Paul Dumbrell flexing their V8 Supercar championship muscle for victory in the Sandown 500 on Sunday.

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Whincup passed Red Bull Racing teammate Craig Lowndes with 10 laps remaining in the 500km event to build his championship lead and win the lead-up to next month's Bathurst 1000 running away.

Lowndes and co-driver Warren Luff finished second, with Ford duo Will Davison and Steve Owen third.

Whincup fought back from running as low as 25th in the 28-car field after a drive-through penalty.

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Scroll down to re-live the race with our live blog!

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A botched driver change led to Dumbrell illegally spinning the wheels while the car was up on jacks in the pits, earning the ire of officials.

Dumbrell had been mistakenly told he was staying in the car on the radio as he approached, before being hastily ordered out of it once stopped.

Amid the mayhem as Dumbrell tried to unbuckle himself from the car, the accelerator was hit in error and a drive-through penalty ordered.

Yet four-time V8 champion Whincup in recovery mode is usually a sight to behold, and the 30-year-old didn't disappoint with one of his finest rearguard actions.

He picked off car after car, and then stalked Lowndes for 20 laps before catching up and powering past.

The Red Bull pit-stop problem was one of several uncharacteristic errors by drivers and pit crews on the day.

Ash Walsh walked away from this crash. Source: Getty Images

Most spectacular was a huge crash involving Ford driver Ash Walsh, who ploughed his car head-on into the fence at more than 200km/h as he locked up a rear tyre on lap 34.

His Dick Johnson Racing Falcon was badly damaged, but Walsh walked away unhurt.

Worst of the pit stop bungles affected polesitter Davison and Owen, whose team's pit strategy failed them.

Despite sitting third at the time, Ford Performance Racing had them double-stacked in pit lane behind teammates Steve Richards and Mark Winterbottom in a mass pit-stop following the safety car for Walsh's crash.

The delay sent Davison and Owen sliding from third to 22nd and playing catch-up for the rest of the day before making the podium.

V8 newcomers Mercedes also managed their best finish since joining the series at the start of the season, with Lee Holdsworth and Craig Baird fourth for Erebus Motorsport.

Whincup now leads Lowndes by 96 points in the overall V8 championship, with Davison slipping to third a point behind Lowndes.

RESULTS - V8 Supercars Wilson Security Sandown 500 (161 laps)

Pos	Driver	Car	Laps
1	Whincup/Dumbrell	Holden	3h22m54.6204s
2	Lowndes/Luff	Holden	3h23m02.8082s
3	W. Davison/Owen	Ford	3h23m12.5627s
4	Holdsworth/Baird	Erebus	3h23m13.5331s
5	Courtney/Murphy	Holden	3h23m20.7710s
6	Winterbottom/Richards	Ford	3h23m21.1369s
7	Coulthard/Youlden	Holden	3h23m25.8664s
8	McLaughlin/Perkins	Holden	3h23m27.9286s
9	Ingall/Briscoe	Holden	3h23m33.1460s
10	Premat/Ritter	Holden	3h23m44.5010s
11	T. Kelly/Russell	Nissan	3h23m46.4287s
12	Van Gisbergen/Bleekemolen	Holden	3h23m54.2584s
13	Webb/Lieb	Holden	3h23m55.1770s
14	Mostert/Wood	Ford	3h24m04.3019s
15	A. Davison/McIntyre	Ford	160 laps
16	R. Kelly/Reindler	Nissan	160 laps
17	Reynolds/Canto	Ford	160 laps
18	Fiore/Halliday	Holden	160 laps
19	Wall/Pither	Holden	160 laps
20	Caruso/Gaunt	Nissan	160 laps
21	Slade/Thompson	Erebus	159 laps
22	Tander/Percat	Holden	152 laps
23	D'Alberto/Reid	Holden	152 laps
24	Bright/Jones	Holden	147 laps
25	Engel/Johnson	Erebus	143 laps
26	Moffat/Douglas	Nissan	123 laps
DNF	Pye/Morris	Holden	135 laps
DNF	Blanchard/Walsh	Ford	33 laps

Re-live all the action with SPEED's Live Blog of the Wilson Security Sandown 500:

Re-live all the Wilson Security Sandown 500 action in stunning HD, Sunday at 11:30pm EST on SPEED (Foxtel Channel 512).

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Noddy: Barba may not see 2014

Bulldog's Ben Barba injures his foot. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

IN his weekly column, Fox Sports expert and Canberra assistant coach Brett Kimmorley offers his thoughts on round 25 of the 2013 NRL Premiership season.

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Rabbitohs v Storm at ANZ Stadium

South Sydney had to respond in this game following the minor premiership lost to the Roosters the week before. I still think South Sydney are favourites to win the competition. They used the physicality of their side to their strength. The whole side played extremely well with Issac Luke claiming man of the match. Adam Reynolds looked like he lost some of his stability and ability to build pressure over the last couple of weeks but against the Storm it all returned for the halfback. Greg Inglis looked a lot fitter then he has in previous weeks and having the week off will only do his body the world of good. 

Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith was quite honest in the press conference after this game. He said the Storm have been slow in their starts for the last half of the season have been extremely poor and Friday night was no different. The Storm were brilliant in the second half but unfortunately they had too many points to chase. Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Smith played extremely well but the other players didn't perform to a standard that would allow the big three to win the game. There was a horrible incident involving Sisa Waqa where he landed on his head, while it was an accident, I hope he is alright. The Storm now faces the Newcastle Knights on Saturday and after watching their win over Canterbury on Sunday, I am confident they will certainly challenge the Storm. 

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Sharks v Cowboys at Allianz Stadium

North Queensland will return home from the finals gutted for the second year. Last season it was a forward pass call and this year it was an incident involving a seventh tackle. The touch judge, referee or video ref should have intervened and they corrected the count on the run. They lost the tackle count and the Sharks call on tackle seven. The Cowboys have every right to feel enormously gutted. Cowboys coach Neil Henry should be very proud of what he achieved after being told he was not wanted. The Cowboys almost stole the victory on full time with Kane Linnett's foot finding the touch line before he could plant the ball on the line. Matt Bowen deserves congratulations on an amazing career. He has been a pleasure to watch him and I certainly get reminded about him regularly thanks to one moment we shared in our State of Origin careers. For a bloke of his size and stature to be so successful for such a long period of time goes to show you don't have to be six foot and 100 kilos to be a football player.

For Cronulla, Todd Carney's fitness is their major issue. Their forwards were very good and will challenge Manly next week however they need Carney to be a chance of winning the match. While we will have to wait and see how he recovers, one thing I do know is that Friday night is sure to be a physical bash-a-thon.

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Roosters v Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium

I wrote the Roosters off a few weeks ago saying their halves wont win the big games for them. The key to winning big games is your key players and in State of Origin Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney did nothing to prove that they are big game players. I thought they would struggle through the finals but last week Sonny Bill Williams carried them and this week it was the team's defensive traits which got them through. If you don't have to score many points, it is easier to win the game and they have been the best defensive side all year. The Roosters defended the house down and now after a rest they will welcome back Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and possibly Boyd Cordner which will make them an even stronger side. This club has so much athleticism and the best player in the world at the moment in Sonny Bill Williams, which has given them the makings of a team who can claim the title. 

I will admit, I have my doubts over whether the Roosetrs can win the premiership but I am starting to think the Roosters may prove me wrong.

Manly were very good but without Brett Stewart they lacked that killer blow. Kieran Foran was brilliant, while Anthony Watmough was a little bit rusty after having a couple of weeks on the sideline. He will return to his brilliant best next week when they face Cronulla. 

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Bulldogs v Knights at ANZ Stadium

Newcastle played like a classic Wayne Bennett coached side on Sunday. They were defensively tough and frustrated the Bulldogs when they tried to go forward. The Bulldogs then tried to go around them and that has been their issue over the last few weeks. They played too lateral and forgot about going forward. The Bulldogs haven't reached the heights people would have thought. Ben Barba suffered a syndesmosis injury and sometimes that means they have to pin the ligament to the bone. If that's the case he could arrive to Brisbane as the prize signing and not even see the football field next year. Jarrod Mullen's kicking game deserves some praise while the starts of the show were Beau Scott and Jeremy Smith. The Knights were scrutinised for buying old footballers but they are tough players who know how to win big games. I think Newcastle can challenge Melbourne and can possibly beat them. Don't write Newcastle off as a dark horse in this competition. 

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