Dockers close in on Gumby

Scottt Gumbleton could be on his way to Fremantle. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

FREMANTLE is a step closer bringing home injury prone key forward Scott Gumbleton after medical tests.

Dockers management is expected to make further assessments of Gumbleton's fitness this week before any negotiations with Essendon on a potential trade deal.

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A decision on whether attempts to lure the gifted forward back to his home state will intensify by the end of this week ahead of the final trading deadline on Friday, October 25.

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Gumbleton, 25, could become a greater priority in Fremantle's determined search for a power forward with growing doubts that Geelong veteran and 2011 premiership sharpshooter James Podsiadly will join the Dockers.

Podsiadly, 32, has all but ruled out a shift interstate and his only hopes of continuing his AFL days could be at Carlton after also considering offers of a switch to Adelaide.

Gumbleton has endured a nightmare injury run since he was a star national draft pick at number two in 2006 and has managed just 35 games since and is now a victim of a crowded Essendon forward line make-up. He made seven appearances on the Bombers forward line this season and booted 12 goals, including an equal career-best four goals from 18 possessions against St Kilda on his return back in Round 4.

Fremantle is also in a race with West Coast to sign nippy Hawthorn winger Xavier Ellis.

Dockers and Eagles medical staff have conducted fitness and health checks on the Hawks 2008 premiership star over the past week.

Ellis, 25, has indicated to Hawks management that he wants to be traded this month in search of more regular senior team outings and is weighing up options at West Coast and Fremantle.

He appears more likely to head to West Coast if a satisfactory trade can be negotiated with Hawks officials.

He was among the best few players afield up to half-time in Hawthorn's stunning flag win over Geelong in '08 before he was struck down with leg troubles.

Daniel Kerr looks set to hang up the boots. Source: News Limited

His career stalled this season with just two appearances in the strong Hawks side as Ellis battled a nagging calf injury after a similar problem and knee troubles restricted his senior outings to just six appearances, including the losing Grand Final to Sydney.

Ellis would be a more than handy back-up with accomplished star on-baller Daniel Kerr about to confirm his retirement.

Kerr, 30, is contracted for next season on a highly lucrative deal that was redrawn last year to take the two-time Brownlow Medal runner-up to the end of 2014 but negotiated a payout with West Coast late last month.

Kerr originally told Eagles teammates he would retire before the shock decision from coach John Worsfold to retire.

Kerr's retirement confirmation stalled as West Coast officials decided on a new coach and the 220-game veteran waited for any outcome on an extension to his injury-savaged playing days.

He managed only 10 senior appearances this year and has not played since the Eagles Round 14 home loss to Essendon when Kerr collected 19 possessions and booted a goal.

His retirement announcement has been anticipated for well over a week now since Eagles management completed selections and offered the new coaching position to former North Melbourne ace Adam Simpson.

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We've talked to Hiddink: Gallop

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FOOTBALL Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop has confirmed that discussions have been held with Guus Hiddink to return as Socceroos coach.

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Gallop told Fox Sports News in France that "feelers" have been put out to gauge overseas interest, and that Australian candidates will be strongly considered. 

When asked whether preliminary talks had been held with Hiddink, Australia's coach at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, Gallop said: "There's often conversations and it's fare to say some feelers have been put out.

"Nothing more than that at this stage." 

Hiddink was at Seoul's World Cup stadium on Saturday night to watch the friendly between Korea and Brazil. He did not confirm whether he was interested in a Socceroos return.

Gallop admitted that FFA wants to have a new coach appointed for Australia's home friendlies lined up for November.

Ange Postecoglou, Graham Arnold and Tony Popovic have all been mooted as the leading Australian candidates, and Gallop admitted that having a local coach made sense - but questioned whether now was the right time. 

"They're all great candidates, all with different situations where they're coaching at the moment," Gallop told Fox Sports News' European correspondent Daniel Garb. 

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"It makes sense to have an Australian coach; whether it does now is another question."

Gallop admitted that the health of the A-League, where the three local candidates are leading coaches, was a consideration as well. 

"That's obviously a consideration, but this is a big job, and something that Australian coaches would aspire to and we need to consider that," Gallop said. 

Aurelio Vidmar will take the reigns in a caretaker capacity for Australia's friendly with Canada in London on Wednesday (EDT). 

Beyond that, Gallop said that the focus is on someone who can guide Australia not just to a successful World Cup, but to the 2015 Asian Cup and then qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.   

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Indeed, Gallop said that's how he explained the decision to Osieck after the 6-0 shellacking in Paris.

"(I told him) It was time to finish up, that we were looking to the future, to be competitive in Brazil, the Asian Cup, and we want to be at 2018 in Russia. 

"We're looking into the future and that was an important part of this decision." 

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Gallop said the news is "raw" for the players, but they also know they need to take some responsibility for the successive 6-0 losses. 

"They always accept (they need to take responsibility).

"The Socceroos are a team renowned for their fighting spirit, for fighting above their weight and that's where we want them to be and that's where they want to be."   

Watch the interview in full at the top of the page

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Victory, Heart in dour derby draw

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A RECORD-BREAKING Melbourne derby crowd turned up but the teams appeared to suffer from stage-fright.

In probably the most uneventful of the 10 derbies Melbourne Heart came and conquered in their quest to pinch a point from Melbourne Victory.

It was almost as if soccer had fulfilled its quota of controversy for the day after Holger Osieck's sacking as the usually drama-filled affair fizzled out finishing 0-0 in front of 45,202 at Etihad Stadium.

The scene was set for some Harry Kewell drama as he took on his old club and he was involved in most of Heart's best attacking forays.

Re-live all the action in our Match Centre, featuring video highlights and game stats!

But with his head bandaged after a stray albeit accidental elbow from Adrian Leijer, he was withdrawn on 68 minutes perhaps as a precaution and after that Victory was the only team that looked likely to score.

No doubt the six-month off-season had an effect as three players succumbed to cramp, Archie Thompson and James Troisi for Victory and finally Mate Dugandzic for Heart.

Starting on the right wing with Connor Pain on the left, Thompson was unusually quiet in his 76 minute spell and missed a header he'd usually score two minutes before coming off from Troisi's perfectly weighted cross.

Heart ensured they were compact and hard to break down with Dutchman Rob Wielaert marshaling the team defensively and Italian watchdog Andrea Migliorini and former Roar midfielder Massimo Murdocca sitting deep.

Whether by instruction or lack of opportunity, Aziz Behich's usual energy and overlap was absent.

Heart naming five debutants to Victory's four, but it was a couple of familiar faces who produced the first chance for Heart when Dugandzic's shot from a David Williams cross curled wide of the upright.

Victory's first chance came after Hart failed to clear a corner but luckily keeper Andrew Redmayne's reflexes blocked Adrian Leijer's shot.

Moments later stand-in Victory skipper Leigh Broxham, who was setting the aggressive tone for the night, struck nicely after a hashed Patrick Kisnorbo clearance but Redmayne was again up to the task.

Heart got into more dangerous areas but in the end keeper Nathan Coe didn't have a meaningful save to make in the Victory goal.

First Kewell had a snatch shot after some shoddy Victory defending in the 41st minute then Kewell almost turned provider when he headed in to Golgol Mebrahtu, who spun and shot narrowly wide from 10 metres.

Victory should've had a penalty two minutes after the restart when Adama Traore's shot struck the hand of Kisnorbo.

The game then threatened to spark into life when Chilean defender Pablo Contreras, who was solid on debut, upended Aziz Behich with a stray forearm - referee Peter Green missed it but after both sets of players remonstrating the game seemed to lift a notch.

But neither team could gather any momentum in a stop-start affair as a surprisingly timid Victory struggled to penetrate the rock-solid Heart defence.

- With AAP

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Great V8 war set to continue

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THE GREAT V8 war is set to continue with Ford announcing it will continue one of the great Australian sporting rivalries by taking the fight to Holden for at least another year.

On another day of mountain madness at the Bathurst 1000, both Holden and Ford fans slapped skin, raised beers, and flew flags on the heaving hill after Ford Australia president Bob Graziano announced the famous car manufacturer had signed a new deal to keep the age old war raging.

Even Holden fans clapped and cheered as Ford ended months of speculation they would quit the sport by announcing a new sponsorship deal with Ford Performance Racing.

"You need someone to hate,'' said one of the thousands draped in red.

Knowing that the war fought between Bathurst legends like Peter Brock and Dick Johnson would continue sparked a V8 party with another bumper Bathurst crowd ending the brief moment of unity when Holden's Scott McLaughlin roared out of pit lane to begin the top-ten shootout.

The grid girls, garages and pluto pups were ignored for 45 minutes as the V8 Supercars blasted down Conrod Straight at nearly 300k/ph attempting to set the quickest time and score pole position for today's Bathurst 1000.

Earlier in the day Casey Stoner was claimed by the mountain with the two time Moto-GP world champion smashing into a concrete wall in a crash that ended his dream of winning a Dunlop Series race at Bathurst.

The two wheeled legend was coming fourth and was on his way to his first V8 podium.

And it wasn't just V8 rookies that were bending metal. Bathurst veteran Glenn Seton had hearts fluttering when he scrapped his way down the mountain in a Touring Car Masters race.

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ADP stars in Sydney FC win

Star power ... Alessandro Del Piero celebrates his goal against the Jets. Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

ITALIAN superstar Alessandro Del Piero capitalised on a couple of howlers from Newcastle's Zenon Caravella to lead Sydney FC to a 2-0 home win over the Jets in the opening A-League game of the season.

Del Piero, who notched 14 goals in his maiden A-League campaign last season, scored one and made one for Joel Chianese at Allianz Stadium, but Caravella played a part in both.

After 36 minutes, Del Piero worked his way into the penalty area, but appeared to have lost possession to Connor Chapman only to be gifted it back when midfielder Caravella ran into Chapman.

Re-live the clash with our A-League Match Centre, featuring play-by-play updates and video highlights of all the big moments right here.

The veteran striker picked his way through what little defence was left and expertly slid the ball across goalkeeper Mark Birighitti into the far corner of the net.

Caravella, who signed a one-year contract extension earlier this week and is the nephew of Sydney coach Frank Farina, was also culpable for the second goal on the hour.

He was dispossessed by Del Piero, who fed the ball to Chianese who lashed a powerful shot into the net.

Sydney created far more chances against a Newcastle side lacking penetration up front, with strikers Emile Heskey, Michael Bridges and Joey Gibbs all on the injury list.

The Jets had a couple of decent chances after Chianese's goal, but rarely exposed Sydney's new-look rearguard, which included three newcomers to the club.

Adam Taggart flashed a strong header just over the bar and Craig Goodwin's free-kick was saved by Sydney goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic.

Del Piero helped enliven the game after a dull first quarter.

Chianese had a shot blocked by Birighitti in a one-on-one situation created by a Del Piero pass.

Former Newcastle player Matt Thompson almost marked his Sydney debut with a goal when his 20 metre shot crashed off the crossbar and then bounced off Birighitti's back.

Becoming progressively more involved, Del Piero sent a wicked 20 metre drive just over the bar a few seconds before halftime.

The Jets showed some nice touches early on through Nathan Burns, James Virgili and Craig Goodwin, but didn't create any good first half chances.

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Sachin, the man we all want to be

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IT takes a powerful force to entice an Australian cricketer to flirt with a vampire.

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But it happened on the 1998 tour of India where Sachin Tendulkar was in such rampaging form that, to the men he was crushing, he became not so much a batsman with a blade but a magician with a wand.

Fear turned to fascination and the Australians wanted one of those wands. At least half of the members of the Test team against whom Tendulkar averaged 111 that tour bought versions of Tendulkar's famous Vampire bats, the ultra-heavy blades (only Lance Klusener used heavier) that seemed like fence palings in the hands of some but which Tendulkar wielded like a band conductor's baton.

The Australians brought the bats home and several were sent to local bat companies who copied them. But they soon found out what was good for Sachin was good for almost him alone. Many batsmen could not lift them.

Stories like that enhanced the legend of the Indian great, who will retire after his 200th Test next month as a man of many parts including ...

Sachin Tendulkar shows off his silky skills against Australia. Source: Getty Images

THE ENIGMA
Millions adored him. Thousands chased him at airports. Barely anyone really knew him. In an internet age which stripped back the layers of most of sport's greatest personalities, Tendulkar remained cricket's greatest international man of mystery.

On his last tour of Australia he stayed over two months without giving one press conference. He famously once put on a false beard in Mumbai to attend a local picture theatre and his luxury apartment has a "Batcave" exit which he often used when he took his red Ferrari out for a spin after midnight. As a madhouse world swirled around him, Tendulkar remained a beacon. He once said to Indian coach Greg Chappell "you would have more close friends in India that I have"

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THE POLITICIAN
Like many of life's most influential men, Tendulkar was rarely heard in public – but his soft voice moved mountains.

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India rejected the Decision Review System specifically because Tendulkar did not want it.

When off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was facing a ban for his role in the Monkeygate affair against Australia, Tendulkar sent a blunt text to home officials saying "Harbhajan is innocent. In this hour of crisis, the board should stand by him. I suggest we should play in Perth only if the ban is lifted."

No other cricketer in the world talks to his boss like that. Those three simple sentences said so much about the combative, political inner man we never saw in front of a microphone and who announced his retirement by letter.

The Australian team involved in Monkeygate never quite forgave Tendulkar for changing his story and defending Harbhajan.

The Australians also noted how when India lost he occasionally would not emerge for a handshake.

Tendulkar never made rash public statements or gave us any hint of the man behind the mask; his pleasures and his fears were all kept away from public view. His career-ending autobiography will be fascinating – will he drop his guard?

One of life's quirks is that people are often attracted to opposites which may explain why his lifelong hero was John McEnroe, the anti-Sachin, the villain bold enough to let his kettle lid pop off in front of the world in a way Tendulkar could never contemplate. As a boy Sachin even grew his hair and donned a hairband to honour his hero.

THE RECORD MAKER
No batsman will better Tendulkar's mark of 200 Tests.

Not with Twenty20 cricket squeezing schedules. Even with a clear run it would be Mt Everest with the world's tallest building on top.

Tendulkar started Test cricket at 16 and will finished at 40. How do you beat that?

Incredibly, India's selectors felt he was ready for Test cricket at age 14 but thought to pick him would have been an act of sheer brazenness.

When they chose him at 16 and he excelled, it confirmed to them he could have taken the plunge at 14. Extraordinary.

The aura he cast was so all-pervading that former Indian coach John Wright once said newcomers to the Indian dressingroom would spend their first three weeks just watching Sachin.

Andrew Symonds and Sachin Tendulkar exchange words. Source: Getty Images

THE MORAL
If Tendulkar's batting gifts were God-given, the oven in which they were baked was man-made.

Sometimes he would play three games of cricket a day in India, racing across Mumbai on the back of his coach's scooter and finishing with a net session in which his coach would put a one rupee coin on the stumps and give it to any bowler who knocked it off.

Tendulkar still has 13 coins at home which were rewards for net sessions in which he remained undefeated.

THE PLAYERS' PLAYER
Tendulkar owns a restaurant in Mumbai which has many pieces of sporting memorabilia on the walls.

But one always catches the eye.

It's an Australian one-day shirt which Andrew Symonds gave to Tendulkar before tension between them rose with the Monkeygate affair.

It is signed by Symonds who left the simple message: "To Sachin, the man we all want to be."

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Mostert ordered back to FPR

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RISING V8 star Chaz Mostert has been ordered to leave Dick Johnson Racing (DJR) and go back to Ford Performance Racing (FPR) in a move that will surely see former Bathurst champion Will Davison dump Ford for Mercedes.

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In a Bathurst eve bombshell that will rob DJR of the future champion they wanted to rebuild their team around, it can be revealed Mostert has told DJR that he will be driving a factory backed Ford next year in a move that surely spells the end for Davison at FPR.

Mostert, a race winner in his rookie year, was loaned to DJR earlier this season with FPR pulling the Ford contracted driver from the development series to give him his main game shot with Dick Johnson's team.

Mostert was expected to be released from his contract so he could strike a permanent deal with DJR with big names Davison, Mark Winterbottom and David Reynolds keeping the young gun out in the cold.

But in a dramatic development, DJR has been told Mostert will be returning to FPR next year with Davison expected to gamble his career by signing a rich deal with rookie team Erebus V8.

Off contract driver Davison has officially put all contract negotiations on hold until Monday when the Bathurst 1000 is over, but the Daily Telegraph has been told his fate is already decided.

Both marketable and talented, the former championship runner up has been negotiating his next deal for months with uncertainty over Ford's future funding for the team stalling a decision.

Chaz Mostert has been a shining light for DJR in 2013. Source: News Limited

Davison wants to cash in on his standing as one of the sport's best and it appears FPR are not in a position to give him want he wants thanks to a tough sponsorship market and non-existent dividends from the sport's governing body.

It appeared Davison was destined to cop a pay cut and stay at the team that has established him as a genuine V8 star until Mercedes team Erebus emerged as a series contender for his signature as revealed by the Daily Telegraph last week.

Erebus is owned by Westfield's heiress Betty Saunders Klimenko; powerful lady who rarely misses when it comes to locking down a deal.

Erebus has already suffered two blows this year with Shane Van Gisbergen walking out on his deal with the team and Tim Slade quitting at the end of the year to replace Russell Ingall at Walkinshaw Racing.

Landing Davison would be a huge coup for the emerging team with the their generation giving the team a world class driver with star appeal.

But the move would be a major gamble for Davison, who could end up quitting a potentially championship winning drive to join an unknown that might never rise from the V8 floor.

FPR denied a deal had been struck between Davison and Erebus V8, claiming they would continue talks with the driver next week.

Mostert gave both DJR and FPR a scare yesterday with the young gun slamming into a concrete wall at high speed during a practice session.

The shunt left DJR racing the clock to fix the wrecked Falcon before the first qualifying session.

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Free agency will boost AFL's rich

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FREE agency is going to rip the heart out of Australian football.

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The privilege that the players have fought for will benefit only the wealthy clubs, and the star players.

Sure we will see fringe players move to the weaker, poorer clubs, and there will be success stories, but it is an instrument of privilege to be exploited by the rich. Rich clubs will become richer, as will rich players.

There can be no greater example of this than the Buddy Franklin trade.

It is unfathomable how a player turning 27 before the next season starts can be offered a nine-year contract, regardless of how many zeroes are in it.

It is equally unfathomable that the system allows a top team like Sydney to afford to have two million dollars players on its list.

It should be obvious by now that the AFL has blundered by allowing both a restricted and a non-restricted free agency component of the agreement.

It should have learned from the previous foray into free agency, when the then VFL introduced the ten year rule in the mid-seventies.

Then, a player who had given ten years service to his club could move to the club of his choice without a clearance fee.

North Melbourne acted quickly. It hadn't been a successful club but it had smart, influential people at the helm.

They offered the stars of the day, Doug Wade, Barry Davis, John Rantell, Stan Alves, and others, the same paper bag stuffed with cash - a lot more money than they had been playing for at their original clubs - to wear the Kangaroo colours.

Under the leadership of the highest profile coach in the land, Ron Barassi, premierships soon followed, but the VFL realised too late that a star player after ten years was still likely to be a champion, and the poorer clubs could never afford to attract them, nor could they afford to lose their own stars.

The 10-year rule was quickly dismantled. So to does this new free agency agreement need to be dismantled - despite the protests that will stream from the AFL Players Association.

Football is now the most professional sport in Australia but that doesn't mean that the old-fashioned ideals of loyalty and longevity of service have to be dispensed with.

It can not become like the other codes, particularly soccer, where you never know from one year to the next who will be playing for your team.

The English Premier League is the worst case example where the top teams are mostly nothing but foreign mercenaries.

That's why you have to love a player like Steve Gerrard, who has stayed fiercely loyal to his beloved Liverpool, but he'll never really know from one year to the next who his team-mates will be.

The Crows have moved into this free agency maelstrom as well by signing Carlton ace, Eddie Betts.

They have had to, given the draconian, unjust restrictions that the AFL placed on them after the Kurt Tippett wrangle.

Interestingly, Carlton, who had the chance to match Adelaide's offer to Betts, decided not to. So let's put our hands on our hearts here.

Does Eddie Betts really deserve to be one of the highest paid players at the Crows?

Admittedly, because of the AFL's folly, the Crows need to do what they have to to improve their list, but the question answers itself.

Perhaps it is a snapshot of what society has now become. We care only about success, regardless of the victims or those who are trampled on.

Hawthorn fans have probably been too intoxicated by their deserved grand final triumph to count up the number of players they had attracted from other clubs. Wonder why those players didn't go to Melbourne?

Prepare for the worst. If Sydney win another flag in the next two years, it will be further indictment on a short-sighted policy.

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Wallabies all about here and now

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THEY'VE slipped into world rugby's middle ground - well behind the mighty All Blacks and rejuvenated Springboks - but the Wallabies aren't about to settle for being cruiserweights.

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Nor bide their time and focus on building to the next Rugby World Cup in two years.

The intent among Ewen McKenzie's men remains to be world-beaters, starting with a drought-breaking upset in New Zealand against the red-hot hosts on Saturday week.

"Ewen has never mentioned the words 'two-year plan' or 'planning for the World Cup'," skipper James Horwill told AAP.

"We're planning to win the Bledisloe Cup match on Saturday week and then the next challenge is (world No.3) England at Twickenham next month and we'll go from there.

"You can't afford to look too far ahead because you lose sight of what's directly in front of you."

What's directly in front of the Wallabies is an enormously difficult chance to save face against the All Blacks with their first Bledisloe Test win across the Tasman since 2001.

Australia are coming off a much-needed 54-17 rout of Argentina in Rosario on the weekend when they produced the attacking rugby frustrated fans have long been crying out for.

The seven tries in 80 sparkling minutes against the Pumas was just one less than they had scored in the previous eight Tests this year.

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But Horwill knows his world No.4-ranked team must play significantly better to beat Richie McCaw's men in Dunedin - especially after witnessing the world champions' epic 38-27 triumph over the Boks in Johannesburg.

"One hundred per cent," he said. "Argentina are a good side but the All Blacks are another level again.

"By no means did we play the so-called perfect game. There's still plenty of room for improvement in the game and we're going to need that against New Zealand.

"Last week was a stepping stone for us.

"Any time you play the All Blacks it's a big game and there's extra motivation of not winning over there for a while and we're obviously playing for pride as well."

Australia's last Bledisloe victory on NZ soil was also in Dunedin, 23-15 at Carisbrook, but 14 losses have followed since.

It's also a dead-rubber following 47-29 and 27-16 losses in August however Horwill feels Australia are better positioned now after six Tests under new coach McKenzie.

"We didn't have a lot of time together to get things right (in the first two Tests)," the Queensland lock said.

"Guys have an understanding of where they're at now but we definitely don't think we're at the peak of where we can be."

Horwill stressed the Wallabies needed to be far more clinical at taking their chances. Basically, emulating the ruthless All Blacks when opportunities present.

"That's the ability they have ... they turn a half a chance into a full-blown chance."

The Wallabies reassemble in Sydney on Sunday but will take a left-field approach to preparations by spending two days in Queenstown before travelling to Dunedin on Friday.

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Hird won't return in 2014

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STAND-in Essendon coach Mark Thompson has declared James Hird will have no input into how the team is coached next season.

Thompson will replace Hird for the duration of 2014 and says the Bombers will comply with the AFL's strict suspension rules.

"I'm the coach for a year," Thompson said.

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"We're not going to break any rules here, we're going to play by the rules, and James is OK with that.

"We're allowed to be friends but he won't have any active involvement in how the team is going."

Under the terms of Hird's 12-month suspension from the AFL he is not permitted to be involved in any coaching activity, including player preparation, tactics, planning or sports science.

He is allowed to attend games and speak to Essendon players and coaches.

Essendon chairman Paul Little yesterday revealed Hird would not be reinstalled as senior coach next season even if the Bombers made the finals.

His suspension runs out on August 25.

DEPARTMENT OF TRADES

Little said Hird had indicated early in the coaching selection process that it would be "unwise" for him to come back so late in the season.

He said Hird was not involved in the process that saw Thompson appointed.

"While James is now taking his holiday he will not be in a formal role for the club during the season of 2014 — I want to make that clear," Little said.

"Bomber (Thompson) is clearly the best person for the job and he's been through a very competitive process ... that's why he's been appointed."

Former Adelaide and Melbourne coach Neil Craig will support Thompson in the new role of head of coaching development and strategy.

Simon Goodwin, who missed out on the top job, will be senior assistant.

Thompson, 49, was fined $30,000 for his role in the supplements saga and has been angry and frustrated by the aspects of the AFL investigation.

He admitted yesterday that he struggled with deciding if he was motivated enough to take the job, but resolved to do it in recent weeks.

"I was flat after the year, like any season, but a bit more so this time," Thompson said.

"In freshening up it's a natural part of the process ... but you get asked a million times and I wasn't in the frame of mind to make the decision, and a couple of weeks later, well, I thought about the football club and how I was looking and I'm happy to be part of it."

But he said he wasn't taking the job as a selfless gesture.

"I wouldn't do it if it was just for the club," he said.

Asked about the prospect of Hird missing out on coaching in the finals next year, Thompson said: "Well, I am going to be coaching. I am really excited.

"And if we make the finals and win the grand final, well we have spoken to James and if I do make the finals I will be there, and James will be there too, but I will be senior coach."

Little said 2014 would not be "a gap year" for Essendon, despite the upheaval over the club's 2012 supplements program.

The Bombers will shift permanently to the club's new headquarters at Melbourne Airport next month.

Hird anointed Thompson as the man to replace him the day after his 12-month suspension was handed down by the AFL in August.

"We'd all like to see Mark Thompson do it," Hird said.

"He's the obvious choice but that will be a decision for the club and for Mark."

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Dogs pay for altitude camp

Will Minson could travel to Colarado for the camp. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

A GROUP of Western Bulldogs' big men have dipped into their own pockets to help pay for a gruelling altitude camp next month.

Twelve mostly key position players will complete two weeks of altitude training in Denver, Colorado to help close the fitness gap on rivals from November 6.

Joining the likes of Collingwood and Carlton in the altitude race, the Dogs will climb and hike up mountains in freezing conditions amid regular skills and weight lifting sessions at up to 3000m above sea level.

The club confirmed it had AFL approval for more experienced players to sacrifice some prescribed holiday time to join the tour, provided they make up the leave later in the summer.

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Development coach Ashley Hansen said the club's younger players drove the concept, mainly aimed at developing the aerobic capacity of its key forwards and defenders.

"To put a sports scientist hat on, there's no other game in the world where you are asking 100kg athletes to cover 14kms in a game," Hansen said.

"To develop that (running endurance) part of your physiology is really tough, especially when you are putting on size and strength like we are with the guys too, and then also make them quick and agile.

"That (fitness) is only one aspect of your performance, but by taking them away and living at altitude for 14 nights, we think they can really benefit from that."

It is planned the players will regularly utilise the altitude facilities at Victoria University over the course of the year to help maximise their gains.

Hansen said the club would derive other non-physical benefits from training in the extreme conditions, such as enhancing players' leadership qualities throughout one of the AFL's youngest playing squads.

"It's going to put them in a challenging environment," he said.

"It's going to be cold, we'll be up the side of a mountain, it's going to be tough, so it's also developing the mental toughness as well.

"They'll build a relationship together that will hopefully be pretty strong for the coming years when we start to have success."

The Dogs enjoyed a strong finish to the season, winning four of their last six games.

But Hansen said coach Brendan McCartney had continually reminded the group they still had to bridge a gap on the finals sides, having finished 15th on the ladder.

"We can't be under any illusions we have got a lot of work to do," Hansen said.

"We want the guys to have the belief they are good enough to perform at the level, but that's not good enough.

"They've still got to buy into program, push each other, get better.

"We've got to jump up a few rungs on the ladder to play finals.''

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Tendulkar announces retirement date

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India's record-breaking batsman Sachin Tendulkar announced on Thursday that he would retire after playing his 200th cricket Test match next month.

"It's been a huge honour to have represented my country and played all over the world," Tendulkar, the highest run-scorer in the history of Test cricket, said in a statement.

"I look forward to playing my 200th Test Match on home soil, as I call it a day."

India is to play a two-Test series against the West Indies next month which would enable Tendulkar, who has already made 198 appearances, to become the first player to reach the 200 landmark.

Tendulkar, who made his Test debut in 1989, said that he found it hard to imagine life without cricket.

"All my life, I have had a dream of playing cricket for India. I have been living this dream every day for the last 24 years," said the 40-year-old.

"It's hard for me to imagine a life without playing cricket because it's all I have ever done since I was 11 years old."

The right-handed batsman is the only player to have scored 100 centuries in international cricket, including 51 Test tons.

Follow the reaction to Tendulkar's announcement in our Live Blog below!

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Stars will get traded early: Roos

Paul Roos says stars will be traded early. Source: JULIAN SMITH / AAP

MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos says clubs may start trading stars a year before free agency if the player is reluctant to extend his contract.

The AFL is just two years into free agency, with the league admitting many aspects of the new system are far from perfect.

SAVAGE SETS SIGHTS ON BLUES
DEPARTMENT OF TRADES

The league has committed to compensation picks this year but under a review they could be abolished as early as next year.

AFLPA executive Ian Prendergast, leading player agents Craig Kelly and Marty Pask and Geelong footy boss Neil Balme all believe they should go.

Former Hawks footy manager Mark Evans - now the AFL footy boss - said of the Hawks compensation (pick 66) for Clinton Young last year: "It is like we've been pick-pocketed and somebody has put an old $2 scratchy ticket back in our pocket."

Hawthorn will receive just pick 18 as compensation for Lance Franklin, a handout even his manager Liam Pickering suggests is grossly under the odds.

Roos said he believed the American experience could eventually be reflected here.

That would see clubs either extending the contracts of players entering free agency or deciding to trade them before they lost them for nothing.

"What will happen longer term as we move through this process is that less and less clubs will allow players to come out of contract,'' Roos said.

"Particularly with star players, you won't let them get out of contract or you trade them. That's what happens in the NBA, you trade them with a year to go. So with Buddy (Franklin), you would trade him a year early for two first-round picks. If you have a player out of contract in 12 months time, do we move him now? That will happen particularly if they abolish the compensation pick altogether.''

That trend is already established, with the Dogs aware Brian Lake had one more season to free agency when they traded him to Hawthorn last year.

Had Franklin been up for trade GWS would easily have handed over pick 1, and with it the rights to burgeoning star Tom Boyd.

Instead GWS and Melbourne are both offering up their early picks, with Roos adamant Melbourne will part with selection two for a young midfielder.

The Demons have inquired about Brisbane's Tom Rockliff who has declined their offer, with West Coast's Luke Shuey also not available despite overtures.

The Demons are also interested in Hawthorn's Shane Savage, but he seems intent on finding his way to Carlton.

"All I can say is it is genuinely on the table. Clubs are sceptical, but if you are going to give up pick two it's going to be a quality mid (in the draft), or (defender) Matthew Scharenberg so we want something in return. In terms of Rockcliff we would have been interested, but with a new coach (Justin Leppitsch) at Brisbane he would want to stay there. It's that type of player, but he's out.''

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Pay your Dews

Stuart Dew wants to go to Melbourne. Source: News Limited

MELBOURNE has declared Stuart Dew the heir apparent to Paul Roos, but Sydney was refusing to let him go.

The Demons want Dew to be the club's senior assistant coach, with the promise of succeeding Swans premiership coach Roos in two or three years.

DEPARTMENT OF TRADES

Melbourne has contacted the Swans for a second time in recent days requesting Dew be let go from the final year of his coaching contract.

But Sydney, which unveiled Hawthorn free agent Lance Franklin after sealing a contentious $10 million deal, believes Dew should honour his final season.

The AFL Coaches' Association is backing Sydney's hard line stance.

It is a meteoric rise for 2008 Hawthorn premiership hero Dew, who has only been an assistant coach since 2010.

Swans chief executive Andrew Ireland told the Herald Sun Dew was yet to agree to commit to the Demons.

Dew, 34, will meet with Swans coach John Longmire and football boss Dean Moore in coming days to consider a new beefed-up midfield coaching role at Sydney.

"Stuart has received an offer from (Melbourne) but hasn't accepted it and is still keen to consider the role John and Dean offered him some time ago," Ireland said.

"Until he decides whether he wants to go, there is not much for us to consider. If Stu in the end determines he wants to take on that role ... we will consider that or it might mean him finishing his contract here next year and then going to Melbourne."

The Swans were instrumental in setting up a new AFL Coaches' Association code surrounding contracted coaches.

Roos and Sydney figures have fallen out since his departure from the Sydney academy, with Sydney chairman Richard Colless accusing him of attempting to poach players.

Roos has denied that, and it is known Sydney's resistance to releasing Dew is based on principle rather than any residual bad blood.

AFLCA boss Danny Frawley said the new code made it clear coaches could not break contracts unless there was an immediate promotion.

"Stuart is a contracted coach at Sydney and if Melbourne want him as an assistant coach they will have to wait until the end of next year," Frawley said.

"At the moment Stuart is a contracted coach at Sydney.''

The Swans argue Dew can honour his Sydney contract and still serve two years under Roos before taking the top job.

The decision would also see Roos more likely to serve three seasons at Melbourne rather than the initial two he has agreed upon.

Dew is earmarked to fill the midfield coaching role at Sydney vacated by highly-rated assistant Leigh Tudor, who is returning to Victoria.

Dew played in premierships with Hawthorn and Port Adelaide over a 206-game AFL career and has been an assistant coach at Sydney since 2010.

Sydney rates his football mind but also believes he needs several more seasons of experience before he is ready for a senior job.

He will leapfrog the likes of Scott Burns, Peter Sumich and Leigh Tudor, who are considered the next cabs off the assistant coaching ranks.

Former Geelong premiership skipper Cameron Ling agreed to join North Melbourne as a leadership consultant.

Ling rule himself out as Roos' senior assistant last month saying he wanted to coach at some stage but was "keen for another year in media".

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Foreign raders on the rise

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LATE next week, a dozen finely-tuned thoroughbreds will be loaded in the dead of night on to a long-haul carrier in England, bound for Melbourne.

Ahead of them is a gruelling 28-hour flight with stopovers in Amsterdam, Sharjah and Singapore.

Their owners, chasing massive pots of Australian prizemoney, have outlaid $80,000 a head to fly their horses to the other side of the world and back - with no guarantees of ever recouping the investment.

By the time the first of those feted gallopers sets hoof on Australian race tracks, they will have spent a month in quarantine on either side of the equator, travelled from autumn to spring and through 10 time zones.

And then they will tackle some of the world's most famous races, hoping to emulate the pioneering paths of Vintage Crop, Media Puzzle, Americain, Delta Blues, Taufan's Melody, All The Good and Dunaden.

It is a staggering challenge, an assignment of endlessly complex dimension. Logistically, it is nightmarish bordering on impossible.

Yet the northern raiders come in increasing numbers and, as shown by recent history, the Spring Carnival's richest baubles are not beyond them.

With more than 20 Europeans laying siege to the Melbourne Cup, Cauflield Cup and Cox Plate over the next month, chances are some of the visitors will square the ledger for their owners.

Simenon (Herbert Power Stakes) and Trevieres (Toorak Handicap) throw down the gauntlet at Caulfield on Saturday in the first public measure of international strength this season.

According to Racing Victoria's international recruiter Leigh Jordon, the penny has dropped abroad as European stables target a broader range of races.

"I think what's happening is that owners and trainers are sitting up and taking notice of the prizemoney in Australia," Jordon said.

"It's not just the Cups and the Cox Plate, it's the undercard as well.

"That's why we're getting the numbers and the quality we have this year."

Included in the class of 2013 are Group I winners in Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland and the US. There are also multiple Group 2 and Listed winners.

Heading the list is 2011 Melbourne Cup and 2012 Caulfield Cup winner Dunaden, gun Hong Kong sprinter Lucky Nine, Dandino, Red Cadeaux and Voleuse de Coeurs.

And there is a string of others primed to make quantum performance leaps.

"This would have to be the best cross-section of internationals that I've ever seen come out to Australia," Jordon said.

"We've got virtually the top-rated sprinter in the world in Lucky Nine.

"We've got two Cox Plate horses - Side Glance and Mull Of Killough - which we've probably never had before.

"We've got horses for the Caulfield Cup, the Melbourne Cup and, on top of that, we're going to have runners in the Herbert Power and the Toorak Handicap this weekend.

"We've got runners for the Emirates Stakes. We've even got a horse (Caravan Rolls On) coming for the Lavazzo Long Black."

Collectively, Werribee has never hosted more horses in quarantine, and of such quality - testament to Jordon's capacity to promote the carnival to once sceptical, now willing, partners.

"Everyone in the world knows about the Melbourne Cup but it's selling the other races," Jordon said.

"It's not just the prizemoney, it's the logistics. Logistics is a big thing.

"Australia's quarantine is the strictest in the world. You've got to do two weeks quarantine in the country of origin and in Newmarket, they've got to train in the afternoon.

"Then they've got the flight over here. It's something like 28 hours and they've got three stops along the way.

"Then they've got over that trip and do quarantine here, so that's a big ask."

And there's the inherent risk.

Airfares aside, there's the not inconsiderable expense of race fees, travel and accommodation costs of trainers, jockeys and grooms.

Nomination and acceptance fees run to more than $50,000 for the Melbourne Cup alone.

But Cup victory carries immortality and a $3.6 million cheque (plus $175,000 in trophies). The largesse extends to 10th place ($125,000), a fact lost on none.

For those who finish further back, however, the gamble is costly.

"If you run out of a (prizemoney) place, it's a pretty expensive trip," Jordon said.

"But, against that, they realise the prizemoney here is too good to knock back."

There's also the experience.

Eton-educated Ed Dunlop once needed convincing he should campaign in Melbourne but the Englishman, much like Luca Cumani, Dermot Weld and Mikel Delzangles, is smitten.

Red Cadeaux's ability to consistently pick up prizemoney cheques doubtlessly adds to Dunlop's satisfaction levels.

With little more than a week to the Caulfield Cup, Jordon has been impressed by Marco Botti's striking Dandino and expects Side Glance and Mull Of Killough to do well in the Cox Plate.

The Melbourne Cup is, always, a conundrum.

"The important thing with these horses is that you've got to see them arrive and see how they settle in," Jordon said.

"Some don't handle it. Some of them settle in perfectly, like Simenon this year.

"Dunaden and Red Cadeaux have been here and done it. You never know what's going to happen with the first-time visitors."

And that, in part, is what makes the international contingent so fascinating.

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Sonny sorry over Tohu situation

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SONNY Bill Williams has apologised over his World Cup backflip that forced promising Melbourne Storm forward Tohu Harris out of the squad to make way for the Roosters star.

Harris became the unfortunate victim after Williams declared his intention to play in the World Cup after the 24-man squad had been named.

On Wednesday night, Williams apologised for the "Tohu situation" saying it was "never my intention".

In a statement released by the New Zealand Rugby League on Wednesday afternoon it said Williams' inclusion in the squad had been approved by World Cup organisers.

Coach Steve Kearney, who on Tuesday fronted a press conference and announced Williams would not be playing in the World Cup said it had been a difficult 24 hours.

"It's been a tough situation, but Sonny brings things to the group that we couldn't ignore," Kearney said.

"He has had time since his NRL grand final win to clear his head and he wants to represent the Kiwis on the world stage.

"He missed our 2008 World Cup win and his inclusion will be a great asset in trying to repeat that success this year.

"It's not only his footballing ability, but also what he brings off the field which will benefit the team."

Earlier on Tuesday New Zealand selector Richie Barnett accused Williams of "disrespecting" the Kiwi team by nominating late for the squad.

In a statement issued by the Melbourne Storm Harris said he was bitterly disappointed to miss out on being part of the eight week tournament.

"As you would expect, I'm very disappointed not to be heading to the World Cup to represent my country, New Zealand,' Harris said.

"I was very much looking forward to going, however I understand the decision that has been made and hope I get another opportunity to play for the Kiwis in the future."

"My focus will now be on returning to training with Storm in November for pre-season and looking forward to an exciting 2014," Harris said.

New Zealand tried to soften the blow to Harris by taking him on the tour in a development role and play him in pre-tournament matches.

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But Harris and the Storm have decided it would be better for him to remain in Melbourne for minor surgery.

Young gun Harris produced a brilliant debut season at the Storm this year, nominated for the Dally M Rookie of the Year award alongside George Burgess, Anthony Milford and David Nofouluma, with Burgess eventually taking the title. 

In April, Harris was promoted to the New Zealand side after just six NRL games, debuting in the Anzac Test against Australia following injuries to Simon Mannering and Jeremy Smith.

Harris played all but one NRL game in his rookie year, crossing for two tries.

"Tohu handled the situation as well as anyone could," Kearney said.

"It was a conversation no coach would like to have, but he's a terrific young man and I'm sure he'll have many more opportunities to pull on the black jersey.

"It's been a unique set of circumstances for all involved, but for now our focus is getting set to defend the World Cup with the team we have."

New Zealand Rugby League chief executive Phil Holden told a media conference said the senior leadership group gave unanimous support to Williams' inclusion.

"We want to win the World Cup, we want to take the best team," he said.

"He (Williams) is clearly an undeniable talent, but we recognise it's a polarising decision."

Only time will tell if Williams can be the difference in retaining the trophy - "But I think our chances have increase significantly - you can't deny that," Holden said.

He believed the NZRL had acted with integrity and respect in the way they conveyed the news to Harris.

He also said whatever decision was made would have its supporters and detractors.

Holden said Williams was "hugely excited" about his inclusion in the squad.

"I think he felt that, in 2008, when he missed the last World Cup, that he missed an opportunity,'' he said.

"He didn't want to miss this one and he had had time to reflect on that."

Holden added that Williams was aware of the difficulty he had created for the NZRL and for Kearney, and the personal impact on Harris.

Below are Williams' reasons for changing his mind which he sent to his followers on Twitter on Wednesday.

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Coaches slam international start

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A-LEAGUE coaches, led by Melbourne Heart boss John Aloisi and Victory counterpart Ange Postecoglou, have slammed the decision to start the new season during an international window.

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In an exclusive survey at Tuesday's season launch, eight of 10 club bosses said A-League matches should not played in competition with international fixtures.

Duty ... Mark Milligan will miss the Melbourne derby. Source: News Limited

Saturday's Melbourne derby at Etihad Stadium has been robbed of considerable star power with both Victory (Mark Milligan and Kosta Barbarouses) and Heart (Michael Mifsud) losing players.

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Victory's Archie Thompson and Heart's Harry Kewell could be among others to miss A-League games if Socceroos matches are scheduled for international windows in November and March leading in preparation for next year's World Cup in Brazil.

Aloisi said the mass withdrawals were a bad look for the game.

"It's unfair for some players that they miss out on games for their club," Aloisi said.

"Everywhere around the world they have a week off so we should be the same. You look at this weekend, Melbourne Victory are missing two, we're missing one _ who we just signed _ for the first two games and I'm sure every other club is in the same boat.

"Of course it hurts your team, but pretty much everyone is the same. It hurts the league because you want to see the best players play."

The FIFA window problem beset Victory on several occasions last season, most notably in Round 2 when it was belted 5-0 by Brisbane Roar on a night when Milligan, Thompson and Kiwi Marco Rojas were all absent.

Postecoglou said "in an ideal world" the A-League would break in line with other leagues around the world.

"We're missing two key players this weekend _ really they'll probably miss the first two rounds _ and that's not ideal," Postecoglou said.

"But that's the reality of our competition at the moment and I'm sure over time as the competition grows and we lengthen our season _ which I still think is our No. 1 priority _ it'll be easier to fit in those kinds of things.

Only Adelaide boss Josep Gombau and Brisbane counterpart Mike Mulvey said the status quo should remain with Gombau saying it is "just another rule ... we need to understand and accept".

Wellington Phoenix has been hardest hit this weekend with five of its players unavailable for the clash with the Roar on Sunday.

"We should respect the international window for sure and not play games on that weekend," Phoenix coach Ernie Merrick said.

"It's a huge handicap for the Phoenix, no doubt about it. But it's for all the clubs, even with the under 20s."

THE COACHES SPEAK
Survey of the 10 A-League bosses

Should the A-League pause during international breaks: Yes 8, No 2
Should goal line technology be introduced in to the A-League: Yes 6, No 3, Undecided 1
Main title challenger: 5 x Victory
Golden Boot: 7 x Besart Berisha (Bris)
Johnny Warren Medal: 3 x Thomas Broich (Bris)

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Forrest axed, Rhino rested by Bulls

Rest ... Ryan Harris will miss the Bull's first two Ryobi Cup games. Source: ANDREW YATES / News Limited

FORMER Australian batsman Peter Forrest has been dropped from the Queensland squad for their Ryobi Cup campaign in Sydney.

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Forrest, who played 15 one-day games for Australia last year and scored a century against Sri Lanka, has lost the momentum which propelled him to national honours after he moved to Brisbane following limited opportunities in Sydney.

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Forrest last season averaged just 23 from eight 50-over games for the Bulls and failed twice for the Brisbane Heat in the recent Champions Trophy in India.

He is one of a string of high-profile omissions from the squad including Test fast bowling ace Ryan Harris, emerging quicks Alister McDermott and Cameron Gannon and batsman Luke Pomersbach who has returned to training in Brisbane after battling private problems.

The selectors have chosen a 13-man squad and may make changes at any time.

Harris, who is being nursed towards this summer's Ashes after being injured on the recent Ashes tour, will play later in the tournament, which will feature six games in the new carnival-style format played exclusively in Sydney.

Harris bowled for the first time since the last Ashes Test in England in August last weekend for club side Toombul, taking 1-42 off 12 overs.

"Rhino will not play the first two games but he is slated to play the third, the fifth and sixth at this stage," Bulls captain James Hopes said.

"I watched him play club cricket on Saturday and he was going 75 per cent and looked fine.''

Bat ... Peter Forrest is struggling for form so far this season. Source: News Limited

The Bulls play six matches in 12 days in the Ryobi Cup.

Hopes admits he has mixed feelings about the new format, which is being played mainly on district grounds around Sydney with a next-to-invisible profile.

"It takes out home ground advantage and the opportunities for guys to play one-day cricket at the big stadiums around Australia. We are playing at Bankstown, Hurstville, and North Sydney. We are not even playing at the SCG.

"What I don't want to see is the first game guys play at the big stadiums is for Australia. That is one down side of it but I am happy guys can only bowl 10 overs and we have gone back to normal rules for the first time in five years."

Initial Bulls squad: Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Luke Feldman, Jason Floros, Matthew Gale, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, James Hopes (captain), Chris Lynn, Greg Moller, Michael Neser, Nathan Reardon, Usman Khawaja.

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Wide-open Guineas up for grabs

Prince Harada is at the top of the betting. Source: Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images

THE general consensus among the major players in Saturday's Caulfield Guineas is the $1 million classic is up for grabs as there is no dominant three-year-old in the big race.

"I don't see a Pierro or All Too Hard among them, that's for sure,'' said Tony Vasil, trainer of boom Melbourne colt Prince Harada.

Peter Snowden, who prepares Guineas favourite, Long John, agreed. "They seem a very even group but we will find out soon enough which three-year-olds go to that next level.''

Long John and Prince Harada remain at the top of betting for the $1 million Caulfield Guineas despite drawing wide apart for the Group 1 classic.

Long John has the coveted rails barrier while Prince Harada has been drawn to start from gate 12.

"I'd sooner draw an inside gate than an outside gate,'' Snowden said.

Vasil was not concerned by Prince Harada's awkward gate.

"The inside barrier didn't help Prince Harada in the Golden Rose,'' Vasil said. "He's a big colt with a very long stride and I'd prefer him not to be cluttered up.''

NSW TAB Fixed Odds kept Long John solid at the top of Caulfield Guineas at $3.80 with Prince Harada pressing at $4.20. The main news from yesterday's barrier draw included:

#Long John's inside barrier has been the most successful starting position in the last 20 runnings of the Caulfield Guineas, producing five winners - Mahogany (1993), Kenwood Melody (1998), Redoute's Choice (1999), Starspangledbanner (2009), Anacheeva (2010);

#In the same period, 13 of the 20 Guineas winners have started from no wider than barrier four;

#God's Own did start from Prince Harada's barrier of 12 when he won in 2005;

#Despite the race's history of producing upset results, eight favourites have been successful in the last two decades, most recently Helmet ($2.20) in 2011; and

#Gai Waterhouse did not accept with Aussies Love Sport as the colt has a minor leg injury but she is still represented by Divine Calling.

Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman rides Cluster during trackwork at Caulfield on Tuesday. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Snowden said Long John had a solid workout very early at Flemington yesterday morning and declared the three-year-old was peaking for the Caulfield Guineas.

"I was really happy with the way he worked, he's on song and ready to go,'' Snowden said.

"The 1600m should not worry him at all - we just need a bit of luck in running.''

Vasil rode Prince Harada trackwork himself at Caulfield yesterday morning and said his colt is "as good as I can get him'' for Saturday's big race.

"I haven't started him since the Golden Rose because I didn't think he needed another run,'' Vasil explained.

"He's very fit and I'd be disappointed if he didn't race very well.''

Sydney's champion jockey Hugh Bowman, rider of Cluster, has a similar view to Vasil and Snowden - there is no standout three-year-old in the Caulfield Guineas.

"I don't think Cluster needs to make a lot of improvement,'' Bowman said. "Luck in running will play a huge part in this race.''

Bowman made the trip to Caulfield to partner promising Cluster in the colt's final Guineas hit-out yesterday.

Cluster worked on his own wide out on the course proper and although he wasn't out to break any track records, Bowman did ask the colt to sprint up his final 400m.

"They had the markers right out and he was bit `new' out there on his own,'' Bowman said.

"He did do a lot of looking around - I would have preferred him to have a mate to help him concentrate - he still ran good sectionals for his final 400m.''

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Hayden recalls 'perfect innings'

Record ... Matthew Hayden pulls against Zimbabwe in 2003. Source: News Limited

MATTHEW Hayden recalls it as the most perfect innings he has ever played — yet it was almost the world record that never was.

It's 10 years since a sweat-stained Hayden completed a 10 hour, 22 minute batting extravaganza against Zimbabwe at the WACA that netted what was then the highest score in Test history, 380.

Celebrate ... Matthew Hayden enjoys a glass of champagne. Source: News Limited

He started it at 10am on the first morning and by the time he was dismissed at 3.04pm the following day Hayden ensured he would be a fresh entry in that year's Guinness Book of Records with a quirky bunch of Australians including a man who donated more blood (480 litres) than anyone else in the world and a group of lawn bowlers in Ballina who, in whites and then pyjamas, played the world's longest game (56 hours).

But Hayden's epic performance, nourished by a week of nightly pumpkin soup room service meals which just kept hitting the spot, almost didn't happen.

"It was line-ball whether I was going to play due to a back injury. It was amazing," said Hayden, who still treasures a photo of himself sitting in the dressing room after the innings, cradling a glass of champagne in baggy green and thongs, looking down at his gear.

"I had an extended period of time on Stradbroke Island before that innings and I felt like Guy Leech rather than Matthew Hayden when I landed in Perth. I was doing iron man training every day.

"When I went to Perth I was playing catch up with my cricket skills and I suffered a back injury because I was hitting so many balls.

"It was one of those innings that I felt almost perfect execution of any type of stroke play. There was nothing in particular that went wrong for almost 11 hours which was rare. I just felt I was mastering every second of my time."

The innings was so long WACA scorer Charlie Bull used all of Hayden's space in the time-honoured green cricket score books and then had to use the 12th man column to record the last third of his innings.

Zimbabwe may have been one of Test cricket's weakest attacks but the anniversary of Hayden's milestone is a poignant moment for Australian cricket because it spotlights the type of marathon batting performance that, Michael Clarke apart, seems beyond the modern generation.

Long innings came naturally to Hayden because long before he was a dasher his game was built on patience and defiance. These days players are bashers before they are blockers.

"I was always a guy who used to bat a long time and take a long time to score my runs. I can remember my uncle Pat saying, 'mate, any danger of you playing a shot ... you are a massive bloke, just go out and smash it.'

"The guys today have natural instincts which focus on hitting the ball. I struggled with that as well at the back end of my career after playing lots of T20 and one-day cricket. I wanted that adrenalin rush and to be entertaining people. I found it much harder to bat for long periods.

"The hardest skill to have in cricket — but one you just have to master — is to leave the ball. It is tough because it does no damage to the bowler and the game is not moving forward. It's not easy but the greatest opening batsmen are great leavers of a cricket ball. Mark Taylor was a classic example. He could leave a cricket ball better than anyone."

Hayden took the world record off Brian Lara (375) and gave it back six months later when Lara made 400 against England. Each milestone was celebrated with a phone call between the two and Hayden relished the exchange because he found Lara the most captivating opponent he ever faced..

"There was a real love-hate thing with Brian. I loved him because he was such an incredible talent and hated him because he was such an incredible rival."

Hayden was unaware of many of the milestones he whizzed past but as he approached the big one became touched not by triumph but a sense of embarrassment.

"It just felt funny that it was all about me and I was almost relieved to get out, thinking 'let's just go and win this game,'" he said.

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Diamonds claim Constellation Cup

Battle ... Biana Chatfield takes a pass over the top of Catherine Latu. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

AUSTRALIA has held off a strong final-quarter comeback from New Zealand to re-claim the Constellation Cup with 52-47 win over the Silver Ferns at Rod Laver Arena last night.

Holding a 2-1 series lead coming into this Test, the Diamonds only need to win one of their remaining two Tests to clinch trans-Tasman bragging rights _ but they almost coughed it up in front of a big home crowd.

The Diamonds had held a 10-goal lead going into the final quarter, but they were thrust into survival mode after the Silver Ferns came out firing to cut the margin to three goals late in the quarter.

But the steady head of Diamonds leaders Laura Geitz and Bianca Chatfield coupled with the finishing work of goal shooter Caitlin Bassett under the ring was able to give the Diamonds an unbeatable 3-1 lead going into the final Test in Canberra on Sunday.

The Diamonds won the Constellation Cup in 2010 and 2011, but lost the series last year to the Silver Ferns. This series is the last time netball's superpowers will meet before next year's Commonwealth Games.

As she continues to mature in the role, Bassett (40 from 44 goals) was a strong target for the Diamonds all night in partnership with goal attack Natalie Medhurst (12 from 14), who was named MVP for the match.

Contest ... Laura Geitz intercepts the ball against Catherine Latu. Source: Getty Images

Goal attack Maria Tutaia (26/32) top-scored for the Silver Ferns, teaming with Cathrine Latu (21/25) as veteran goal shooter Irene van Dyk watched from the bench for the match.

Subbed out for the final quarter in the Ferns' third Test loss in Adelaide last Friday van Dyk was overlooked for the starting position at goal shooter in favour of Latu.

The Diamonds, who opened with the same starting seven as they did in the second and third Tests, overcame a slightly nervous start in the opening quarter and tight zone defence from the Silver Ferns to take a 12-10 lead into the first break.

On the back of some supurb feeding from Medhurst and young centre Kim Ravaillion, Bassett was strong under the ring early with 10 goals in the opening quarter.

Tough ... Bancia Chatfield and Laura Geitz contest for the ball against Catherine Latu. Source: Getty Images

But it was a different story in the second quarter for Bassett's New Zealand counterpart - Latu - who appeared frustrated by the Diamonds defensive duo Geitz and Chatfield.

In an eventful quarter, Latu had two penalties advanced after showing dissent and hit the court after a collision with Chatfield.

She called a time-out to re-group, but the Diamonds were able to stretch their lead to 26-21 at half-time.

Latu was held to just three goals for the second quarter as her shooting partner Tutaia dominated the scoring for the Silver Ferns, while Bassett continued to pile on the goals for the Diamonds.

Despite Latu's troubles, the Silver Ferns retained the same line-up for the start of the second half and began with more spark to cut the Diamonds lead to three goals early in the third quarter. But the Diamonds lifted another gear to take a 41-31 lead into the final quarter.

It was a similar story for the start of the final quarter, with the Silver Ferns coming out strongly to give the Diamonds a late scare, but their surge came too late for the match and the series.

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Traore bad luck, Behich's blessing

Blessing ... Aziz Behich is in the running as the Socceroos' left-back. Source: News Limited

He left Melbourne Heart four days before the last Melbourne derby so it's only apt that Aziz Behich's first game since returning from Turkey is against Melbourne Victory.

Behich's last derby contribution was a desperate goal line clearance from Archie Thompson's cheeky last-minute lob which was correctly ruled a goal to secure Victory a 2-1 win at AAMI Park last December.

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And Behich, who's been loaned back to Heart for the 2013-14 season by Turkish side Bursaspor, is hoping the returning home will help him win another chance at making the Socceroos squad after making his debut last year.

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And the misfortune of his opposite number in Saturday's night's derby at Etihad Stadium Adama Traore, could be a blessing for Behich as he has one less player to compete with for the Socceroos' problematic left-back position.

Football Federation Australia last week confirmed that Traore was ineligible to represent Australia due to a FIFA regulation as he didn't have an Australian passport when representing Ivory Coast at youth level.

But Behich, 22, said he was confident in his own ability and was looking forward to returning to his stunning 2012-13 form, starting Saturday.

"I did crack the squad before I left and I'd like to get back in and individually I'm hoping to carry on from the way I played last season,'' Behich said.

Socceroos ... Aziz Behich in action against the UAE. Source: AFP

"Competition's always good but I do back myself against anyone so hopefully as a team we have a great season, if the team's doing well everyone looks better.

"It's been a long off-season so to kick it off with the derby you can't ask for much more.

"The last time I played Victory wasn't a good game because we lost. I'm pretty hungry to get going with the season.

"I missed the last derby of last season, I left that week so I'm hungry to play them.

"I really don't mind playing games like this but every game I go in with the same mindset. I don't like coming off second best, I'm pretty competitive."

Behich could lock horns with Thompson after the Victory attacker played on the right wing in their most recent friendly against Adelaide United as regular Kosta Barbarouses is away with New Zealand.

Heart's form declined after Behich's departure, with his pace and constant overlap from left back missing.

He made just two appearances for Bursaspor last season both on the left wing, a full match in a Turkish Cup game before coming on as a substitute in an away loss to Fenerbahce.

Despite his lack of gametime Behich said he wouldn't change anything and hopes a solid season will him return to Turkey and nail down a first 11 spot next season.

"Playing in Europe is something that I wanted to do and Turkey is somewhere I wanted to play because it's my background, and Bursa's a big club so no regrets,'' he said.

"I enjoyed my time there, I'm only back on loan so hopefully I can do well here and go back over there and break into the squad.

"Match fitness was something I lost a bit of, but I was still in good shape when I got back. I learnt a lot overseas as well, trained and played with a lot of good players.''

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McLaughlin dubbed new Lowndes

Young gun ... Scott McLaughlin is quickly making a name for himself. Source: Mark Horsburgh / News Limited

THEY are calling him the new Craig Lowndes.

You might not have heard of Scott McLaughlin, but many good judges are predicting his name will be unforgettable after Sunday with the young gun a chance of upsetting the V8 big guns to win the Bathurst 1000.

Victory ... McLaughlin after his win in Ipswich. Source: News Limited

Just 19 years of age, the Garry Rogers Motorsport driver is already well known in V8 Supercars circles after the smiling Kiwi rewrote the record books by becoming the sport's youngest ever race winner with a giant killing blast in New Zealand.

The win confirmed his talent but it is his style and attitude that has people predicting he will go on to become as great as Bathurst king Lowndes.

Holden legend Mark Skaife pointed out that he did not win a race until he was 24 before claiming McLaughlin could power his way into V8 folklore this weekend by winning at Mount Panorama with Jack Perkins by his side.

"He is just outstanding," Skaife said.

"And he is already being compared to Craig Lowndes which shows you how good people think he is. For his age and stage it is spot on because he has a very good racing brain and his attitude his spot on.

"I am close mates with Garry Rogers and his engineer and they are very complimentary about him which is a serious endorsement."

Skaife said McLaughlin had already proved himself and serious contender with his stellar performances this year in a team regarded as a midfield outfit.

"I was 24 in 1991 when I won my first race," Skaife said.

"It is not an easy thing to win one of these things and he has gotten it out of the way very early. I can say that it certainly won't be his last win either. I won Bathurst in the same year I won my first race and maybe he will too.

"Scott has gone about his business in a very tradesman like way and the race he won in New Zealand, well it doesn't get any better than winning on home soil. But it wasn't just a fluke, he has been good all year."

Skaife said McLaughlin would find it hard to beat the likes of Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes.

Hard but not impossible.

With Perkins, the son of V8 legend Larry by his side, McLaughlin is the standout darkhorse according to the six time Bathurst winner.

"There are six red-hot combinations for me this weekend," Skaife said.

"But certainly Scott is in the mix. Jack Perkins has been there before and will do a great job. And I think Scott will be in contention and will be a real darkhorse."

Skaife said McLaughlin would not be intimidated by the fearsome racetrack.

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Jewel, Dundeel showdown back on

Showdown ... It's A Dundeel must pass a fitness test. Source: Adam Taylor / News Limited

THE next showdown between champion mare Atlantic Jewel and star stallion It's A Dundeel is back on the cards in the Caulfield Stakes on Saturday.

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Racing Victoria chairman of stewards Terry Bailey believes that It's A Dundeel can convince Kiwi trainer Murray Baker of his fitness in a gallop at Flemington on Wednesday morning.

"The foot abscess burst at nine o'clock this morning (Monday) which is a good sign," Bailey said. "The stable will make a calling in the next 24 hours if they will press ahead to the Caulfield Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

"The horse has not worked since last Thursday except for one lap of the Flemington grass track on Saturday morning when it pulled up sore. But he may well run if the trainer thinks the horse has done enough.

"He is a fit horse now (after runs in the Group 1 Memsie and Underwood Stakes) and if he gallops on Wednesday morning he will still not be far away from what he would have done anyway," Bailey said.

It's A Dundeel inflicted the first defeat in 10 career starts on Atlantic Jewel with a gutsy win in the 1600m Underwood Stakes at Caulfield three weeks ago and the re-match promised to be one of the highlight's of Saturday's meeting over 2000m.

Unless It's A Dundeel runs on Saturday he will not have an opportunity to compete in an appropriate race again before the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 26.

He has drifted to $4.20 for the Plate while Atlantic Jewel has firmed to $2.90 favourite.

Meanwhile top jockey Craig Williams will miss Group 1 rides on Shamus Award in the Caulfield Guineas and Speediness in the Toorak Handicap after losing an appeal against a 10 meeting suspension.

He was outed for causing interference aboard Anatina, winner of the Cap D'Antibes Stakes at Flemington.

The Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board did not accept his version that Glen Boss, aboard Chloe In Paris, contributed to the interference.

Williams returns to the saddle for the Thousand Guineas meeting at Caulfield on Wednesday week.

Fellow jockey Noel Callow will be out of action until Caulfield Cup day. Stewards suspended him for careless riding near the 1400 metres of the Turnbull Stakes when he allowed Sangster to shift in and cause dramas to Royal Descent and Fawkner.

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Long way to go for Langerak

Future ... Mitch Langerak is set to make his Socceroos debut. Source: BERND THISSEN / News Limited

BORUSSIA Dortmund goalkeeper Mitch Langerak's great start to the season will continue when he makes his Socceroos debut against France on Saturday, but he says said he has a long way to go before dislodging Mark Schwarzer.

The incumbent was surprisingly overlooked by coach Holger Osieck for the friendlies against France and Canada, breaking a trend of him Schwarzer playing when available.

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Adelaide United's Eugene Galekovic was outstanding in the East Asian Games in July, while former Central Coast keeper Mathew Ryan has ­already played 10 games in his debut season with Club Brugge in Belgium.

Langerak kept a clean sheet in his first Champions League start on Wednesday in place of suspended Roman Weiden­feller as Dortmund defeated beat Marseille 2-0.

The former Melbourne Victory keeper said he hadn't spoken to Osieck yet, although the under-fire Socceroos coach told reporters Langerak would start for the first time, 31 months after his initial first call-up.

"Obviously it goes without saying that he (Schwarzer) has built up credit. He's won over 100 caps and done so done well for a while," Langerak said.

"It's not about me coming in and playing my first game and taking his spot. I'm just hoping to put in a good performance and get myself in the Socceroos squad for Brazil.

In net ... Mitch Langerak and Mark Schwarzer at Socceroos training. Source: News Limited

"If I do well, I want to push as hard as I can and put pressure on — that's my job — but he's No.1 and he will lead us to the World Cup.''

"He still gets his games and he's still a quality keeper."

"I have to speak to the boss (Osieck), nothing is certain going into camp but if I get the chance it would be a great experience if I could make my debut."

Schwarzer's absence for the France clash on Saturday is an intriguing sub-plot as pressure mounts on Osieck to keep his job.

It is understood FFA had sounded out potential replacements for Osieck in the wake of the 6-0 mauling in Brazil and he will be closely scrutinised against Didier Deschamps' France.

Langerak, who many suspected would play at least a half in Brasilia, said the players were keen to atone for the performance.

"It was disappointing but it was a tough situation for us," he said.

"We'll pick ourselves up and hopefully we get a good result and get some momentum going into the World Cup."

FRANCE v AUSTRALIA
Saturday, 6am
Fox Sports telecast starts at 5.30am

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Del Potro claims Japan Open

Victory ... Juan Martin del Potro claims the Japan Open. Source: Shizuo Kambayashi / AP

Top-seeded Juan Martin del Potro beat Milos Raonic 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 on Sunday to win the Japan Open and claim his third title of the season.

Del Potro grabbed the only break to go up 6-5 in the second set and held serve to win in one hour and 46 minutes.

Trophy ... Del Potro with his prize. Source: AP

The Argentine, runner-up to Tomas Berdych in Tokyo in 2008, converted his second match point, hitting a forehand past Raonic at the net.

"I played really well in the last two games of the match,'' del Potro said. ``I broke his serve and closed out in a fantastic way and hopefully I can keep it going for the rest of the season.''

Third-seeded Raonic, coming off a win at the Thailand Open last week, hit 17 aces but came up short in his second straight appearance in the Japan final. He lost to local favourite Kei Nishikori last year.

The 22-year-old Canadian put pressure on del Potro's serve in the first set, but could not capitalise on three break point opportunities. Del Potro bounced back from 0-2 in the tiebreaker and secured a mini-break when Raonic double-faulted to give del Potro a 6-4 lead.

Raonic fended off del Petro once, but the Argentine aced the next point to win the set.

"There is nothing really to be down about,'' Raonic said. ``Maybe the double fault in the tiebreak and then later in the match to break me he gets four winners so there is not much I could have done there to play better.''

Raonic's eight-match winning streak came to an end. He has moved steadily up the rankings but said he was more concerned about his overall progress in competing against the world's top players.

"The improvement in the rankings is icing on the cake,'' Raonic said.

"The important thing to me is getting better as a player. As long as I can do that, I will give myself more opportunities like this.''

Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, was a late addition to the tournament after Andy Murray withdrew due to a back injury.

"I decided to come here because I lost early in the US Open and had several weeks off,'' said del Potro. "I'm glad I decided to come here.''

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Boos for DCE over Churchill medal

Daly Cherry-Evans became only the third player from a losing team to win the Clive Churchill medal. Source: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

QUEENSLAND golden boy Daly Cherry-Evans was subjected to a chorus of boos after the Manly playmaker was the controversial recipient of the Clive Churchill Medal.

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Cherry-Evans, who made his Origin debut in June, capped a fine individual season when he was awarded the best-on-ground gong despite the Roosters' 26-18 triumph at ANZ Stadium.

But the Manly halfback's selection went down like a lead balloon with the Homebush crowd, with many believing Roosters five-eighth James Maloney deserved the honour after three try assists.

The award is decided by Test selectors Des Morris, Bob McCarthy, Allan Smith and Bob Fulton and the quartet were roundly pilloried by the crowd when Cherry-Evans' name was announced.

The Clive Churchill Medal is traditionally awarded to a player from the winning side, but Cherry-Evans handled the moment with characteristic class as he rose to accept the honour.

He was just the third player since the award's inception in 1986 to win the Medal from the losing side, joining Canberra's Bradley Clyde (1991) and St George's Brad Mackay (1993).

When asked if he was surprised to receive the award, the Maroons star was unequivocal.

"Yeah definitely," he said. "It has been stereotyped to a winning side so it was a surprising moment.

"I'd like to thank my teammates and coaching staff at Manly. It's been a fantastic year despite the result.

"It's a bitter-sweet moment ... I'd definitely swap that for a premiership."

The Manly halfback was by no means poor last night. He controlled play superbly in the opening 20 minutes and produced the bust and grubber kick that led to Jamie Lyon's 43rd-minute penalty try.

After 80 minutes of frenetic action, Cherry-Evans made two line-breaks, five tackle breaks and 15 kicks for 437 metres.

But few would argue Maloney was suprerior to his Manly rival. The NSW Origin pivot was outstanding, having a hand in three tries, the first for Anthony Tupou in the 25th minute before making the break that led to Shaun Kenny-Dowall's try on the hour.

And when Maloney slotted the 73rd minute grubber for Michael Jennings to clinch the title, it seemed he had one hand on the Churchill Medal.

But the selectors opted for Cherry-Evans, who will today be named in Australia's 24-man squad for the World Cup.

The Manly schemer is the fifth Sea Eagle to win the award, joining Cliff Lyons (1987), Geoff Toovey (1996), Brent Kite (2008) and Glenn Stewart (2011).

He is the second halfback to win the gong in consecutive years, with Melbourne's Cooper Cronk claiming the Churchill Medal last year.

Despite the controversial decision, Roosters coach Trent Robinson refused to be critical of Cherry-Evans.

"I thought Daly was awesome," he said.

"I thought he had a good game. He was a courageous player and he deserved to win it."

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