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Change needed to revive series

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 26 Oktober 2013 | 18.48

The International Rules series is in danger. Source: Patrick Hamilton / AAP

THE AFL will consider re-introducing the All-Australian side to represent the country in future International Rules Series games against Ireland.

Australia's disappointing performance in the first game of the series in Cavan, Ireland, last week, has forced AFL football operations manager Mark Evans to consider further modifications of rules and the timing of the hybrid game.

Sending over an all indigenous side has received plenty of criticism in Ireland as the Gaelic Athletic Association says the concept of the series is to provide the most talented players.

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Speaking on the eve of this morning's second and final game of the series at Croke Park in Dublin, Evans said the AFL would consider re-introducing the All Australian side for future games.

In the past, All Australian players were given first option of representing their country, but the selection policy changed in 2005 to hand-pick players best suited to the pace of the game but a change of rules could be implemented to suit bigger players.

And Evans said consideration would also be given to changing the timing of the series to a November or even January/February date.

Ireland is due to travel to Australia next year, followed by a gap year in 2015.

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The GAA and AFL are still negotiating whether the series will go beyond next year, with the Irish independent suggesting it's not 100 per cent guaranteed that the Ireland team will play here in 2014.

The newspaper suggests the series' future is precariously balanced.

One of the modifications being considered is some more physicality which has almost disappeared since a crackdown on the on-field violence which threatened to end the game after the 2005-06 series.

"There is some physicality in the game, but I think the opinion is that we have been very protective of that, given the recent history from some years ago," Evans told the Irish Independent.

"Maybe a small amount of more physicality would be a good thing for the game. It's just about getting the right balance between the two codes.

"If we feel that there could be a slight amendment to the rules that would allow some of the bigger AFL players to participate then we might be able to go back to the All-Australian side representing us," Evans said.

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"The best era for this game seems to have been when all those players were playing."

Former Port Adelaide's Matthew Primus was vice-captain of Australia in Ireland in 2002, yet didn't play because he was deemed unsuitable for the game with a much greater emphasis on speed and nimble footwork.

It was a similarly embarrassing fate to that suffered by ruckmen Shaun Rehn and Steven King on previous trips.

One motivating force to hand-picking players was the farce of 2004 when only five members of the All-Australian team made themselves available to tour Ireland.


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Big week ends in derby for Poppa

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IT has been an eventful few weeks for Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic.

He was in the running for the Socceroos job before Ange Postecoglou landed it, but rumours linking him to the vacant Crystal Palace job came as news to him on the eve of the Sydney derby.

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Popovic has been mentioned as a possible candidate to take over from Ian Holloway, who was sacked as coach of the English Premier League club on Wednesday.

Popovic played for Palace from 2001 to 2006 and was the club's assistant manager for the 2011/12 season before he returned to Australia to coach the Wanderers.

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"That's news," Popovic replied when told his name had been thrown into the hat.

"I don't know about (being in) the market, but they're a great club and they're a club that's close to me. I want them to do well in the Premier League and I'm sure they'll make the right appointment to try and keep them in that position.

"I don't know about being linked to a Premier League club because I haven't heard anything, but again rumours are big in football and I'm sure they've got a huge list of candidates that would love that job."

But Popovic remains focused on Saturday's Sydney derby and admits the match will be a special occasion.

"I think they're different on match day," he said.

Tony Popovic puts Crystal Palace players through their paces at training. Source: Getty Images

"I haven't really noticed a difference at training, the training has been great. I think the game on a whole, from last years experience, they are a bit different. Form goes out the window and they're special games. It will be a special night with a great atmosphere and great intensity."

Popovic is expecting Alessandro Del Piero to be involved in the game at some stage, but says they will be prepared for any scenario.

The Wanderers have drawn their first two matches of the season and Popovic believes a result isn't far away.

"Results are one thing, but we've been pleased that we've played some good football in both games and we're really concentrating on trying to extend the time in those games that we play well. If our performance keeps improving then the wins will come."

Aaron Mooy hasn't recovered in time from last weekend's head knock and, despite feeling good, won't be available for the Wanderers.


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I can handle Test cricket: Cummins

Pat Cummins is confident he can handle rigours of Test cricket. Source: ALEXANDER JOE / AFP

PAT Cummins has sought the counsel of pace legend Dennis Lillee as the luckless quick fights to prove his growing frame can withstand the rigours of Test cricket.

It has been almost two years since Cummins hit world cricket like a tsunami, ripping through South Africa with match figures of 7/117 to clinch a famous two-wicket win in his Test debut.

He has since been sighted about as often as the Loch Ness monster.

There has been three consecutive injury breakdowns, no second baggy green cap and incessant questions as to whether Cummins will ever bounce back as a regular Test fixture.

But, at the tender age of 20, Cummins has one important commodity – time.

The NSW tearaway was on course to play in the upcoming Ashes series, only to have his dream shattered by stress fractures in his lower back during Australia A's tour of South Africa in August.

Former Australian express bowler Shaun Tait reluctantly walked away from the baggy green when he realised that his high-octane, slinging style could not consistently carry his sizeable frame through five days of Test cricket.

Cummins, however, remains resolute.

Pat Cummins during the ICC Twenty20 Cricket World Cup. Source: AFP

The Ashes may be a write-off but working with Lillee, who himself fought back from lower-back problems, has assured Cummins he will not be a one-Test wonder.

"The baggy green is the most special and enjoyable thing. I'm not giving that up," said Cummins, who has managed just six first-class games since his debut for the Blues in March 2011.

"I love short-form cricket but Test cricket is still the ultimate for me and I believe my body can handle that," Cummins said.

"The camaraderie around a five-day Test is special and that's my aim.

"I don't think I'm any more injury-prone than any other young bowler.

"Having the help of Dennis and the confidence is of Cricket Australia is good, it keeps me motivated.

"I know there will setbacks at my age but hopefully I am setting a good foundation for the future.

"I still want to aspire to a long Test career."

The upside is that Cummins is ahead of his latest schedule.

Initial CA medical reports indicated that the 192cm speedster would miss most of the 2013-14 summer, but Cummins is on track to play in the Big Bash tournament starting December 20.

By February, Cummins could be in contention for Australia's three-Test tour of South Africa, the country that has already witnessed his highs and lows.

"The plan is to start bowling around the 16-week mark, which is early December," he Cummins said.

"Once I'm 100 per cent, hopefully I can jump straight into the Big Bash.

"I don't think I will play Shield cricket.

"With everything I have been through, playing a first-class game could be high-risk."

Cummins said he had felt in a "really good place" during his ill-fated Australia A tour.

"I felt like I was bowling well but at towards the back end of the tour I started to feel a pain that I haven't felt before," Cummins said.

"I felt frustration in that I was looking forward to a big summer against England.

"I only played a couple of first-class games in South Africa, but it reaffirmed how much I love playing the longer form and really getting into the contest."


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Whincup-Winterbottom feud heats up

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FORGET Anthony Mundine and Danny Green — the greatest feud in Australian sport now belongs to V8 Supercars.

After 19 years of sly sledges, racetrack nudges and classic Bathurst battles, the bad blood between Ford's Mark Winterbottom and Holden arch rival Jamie Whincup has finally exploded to new levels up here at the Gold Coast 600.

Born during their teenage go-karting days, the bitumen bout is now such that Winterbottom said his nemesis — who branded him "a clown" after Thursday practice — was a hypocrite, a sore loser and starting to be mentally affected by the stoush.

Asked about the clown insult, Winterbottom said: "I've never said anything about Jamie, Craig Lowndes or any Holden driver, so his reaction, it shows this whole thing is starting to affect him . . . I think that's why he's come out saying stuff.

"But does it make me angry? No, I had a good laugh. We're certainly not mates, don't hang out. But we're different people with different values in life.

Jamie Whincup watches on after his race is ended by an accident. Source: News Limited

"I'm a family man, love my kids and love my fans. That's who I am. He's not married and, yeah . . . he's at a different point in his life."

On Saturday, it was Winterbottom who scored bragging rights, finishing the first Gold Coast 600 race third while Whincup watched on from the garage, his Red Bull car having crashed out on lap 21 with co-driver Paul Dumbrell behind the wheel.

It was an important result for the 2013 Bathurst 1000 winner, who, during those celebrations, had described his Red Bull rivals as arrogant.

Will Davison throws his car over a bump on the Gold Coast. Source: News Limited

That one line prompted Whincup to return serve after practice here on Friday, suggesting his rival was dragging far too much mileage from his maiden victory at Mount Panorama after 10 years of trying to tame Bathurst.

"Which is a bit surprising because they've been the most vocal team of anyone,'' Winterbottom said.

"I remember when (Red Bull boss) Roland (Dane) described me as being 'as popular as turds in a swimming pool' and that was fine.

"But then the moment there is something even slightly negative about them there's this huge uproar.

"Motorsport is full of memories . . . it seems some are smaller than others."


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Longer thought he'd be a Hawk

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 25 Oktober 2013 | 18.48

Billy Longer thought he'd become a Hawk. Source: DAVID CROSLING / AAP

ST KILDA recruit Billy Longer admits he thought he was headed for Hawthorn.

Longer, 20, became a Saint after the Brisbane Lions agreed to swap him and pick 48 for selections 25 and 41.

It was not the outcome the emerging ruckman - originally taken by Brisbane at pick 8 in the 2011 national draft - expected two weeks ago.

"To be very blunt I thought it (a move to the Hawks) was going to get done," Longer said.

"But the way it has sort of panned out I couldn't be happier with where I am."

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Asked about the harsh nature of the trade period, Longer said: "It's very brutal ... (but) there's a bit of give and take."

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Longer said he considered St Kilda a good fit because of the departure of the club's No.1 ruckman Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn.

"It's a big thing with McEvoy leaving but there's still, me included, three developing ruckman, so I think it's a good position to be in because there's three of us fighting to make positions," Longer said.

"It's worked out pretty well for us."

St Kilda, who also secured Greater Western Sydney defender Josh Bruce in exchange for pick 48, boasts selections 3, 18 and 19, in next month's national draft.

"It's been an exciting period for the club the last week now that everything has come to fruition," Saints list manager Ameet Bains said.

"We've obviously had to be a bit aggressive and bold with a couple of our moves. But things have paid off.

"We're very excited about Billy and have three first-round draft picks."

The Saints remain interested in dumped Collingwood ruckman Darren Jolly who could still join the club as a delisted free agent.

"We've got dialogue going," Jolly's manager Paul Connors said. "How it turns out we'll wait and see."

Jolly, 32 next month, has already passed a medical with the Saints.

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Longer joined Sam Docherty (Carlton), Elliot Yeo (West Coast), Jared Polec (Port Adelaide) and Patrick Karnezis, who moved to Collingwood yesterday in a straight swap for Jackson Paine, as young Lion runaways.

Brisbane talent manager Rob Kerr said the club would be reviewing how it develops and looks after its young players after the exodus.

"We just move on now and think we have got a reasonably positive outcome of what might have been a fairly ugly situation," Kerr said.

"It's clearly not the ideal outcome ... we learn from it and obviously as a club we will look back and see what things we need to do better.

"I've said all along it's something the club as a whole has to own."

Brisbane midfielder Pearce Hanley yesterday hit out at his departing teammates, labelling them "mummy's boys" on Twitter.


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Boss: Cox Plate a race in five

Suspended jockey Glen Boss says his regular ride, Puissance De Lune, is the Cox Plate horse to beat. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: Nicole Garmston / HeraldSun

TRIPLE Cox Plate winner Glen Boss is adamant only five horses are capable of taking out the $3 million race at Moonee Valley today - and predicted the horse he should have been riding, Puissance De Lune is the likely winner.

Boss maintains most of the Cox Plate runners can't win the nation's weight-for-age championship and he has narrowed the chances down to a select few: Puissance De Lune, Fiorente, It's A Dundeel, Happy Trails and the best bolter, Super Cool.

The champion jockey has ridden Puissance De Lune right through the horse's spring campaign but a careless riding suspension has robbed him of the chance of Cox Plate glory today.

Ben Melham, who once substituted for a suspended Luke Nolen to win a Group 1 on the mighty Black Caviar, replaces Boss today.

"I'll be cheering for the big grey horse and for Ben,'' Boss said last night. "If Puissance De Lune wins, I'll be so happy for 'Weiry' (Darren Weir) and the owners.

Super Cool beats It's a Dundeel in last year's Michelton Wines Vase. The pair clash at Moonee Valley again in the Cox Plate. Source: News Limited

"I wish I was riding him today but listen, I haven't lost a leg or anything.

"The suspension is not a big deal, it's the swings and roundabouts in racing.

"If this is the worst thing that happens to me, then I've got nothing to complain about.''

Boss, who has ridden Makybe Diva (2005), So You Think (2009) and Ocean Park (2012) to Cox Plate victories, says Puissance De Lune is "ready to explode" in today's big race.

"I rode the horse in his gallop at Moonee Valley last Thursday (nine days ago) and for the first time this preparation, when I looked at him he was 100 per cent fit,'' Boss said,.

"His next two runs - the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup - will be his best.''

Boss said Puissance De Lune's form this spring has been outstanding, much better than it reads in the form guides.

(From left) Fiorente, Fawkner, Happy Trails and Puissance De Lune fight out the Turnbull Stakes finish. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"He was very good first-up winning the Lawrence Stakes, then in the Makybe Diva (Stakes) a bit of pilot error got him beaten,'' Boss admitted. "I probably exposed him a little early, he should have won.

"In the Underwood Stakes, forget it. He had a bad draw, got back in a slowly run race and ran seventh but it was a super run.

"The Turnbull Stakes was different again. He presented to win but the track was hurting him. He went to win by two lengths but just didn't stretch out over the final 100m or so.

"So, for mine, he has had a really good 'prep', he goes to Moonee Valley where the track is going to suit him, and he should be a short-priced favourite.

"I'm pretty confident he can win, the horse is ready to explode today.''

Boss then went through the field looking for dangers and could only find four.

"Happy Trails can win because his is so good and he is going better now than last year,'' Boss said.

Puissance De Lune goes for a stroll along Lady Bay beach at Warnambool. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"Fiorente can certainly win, he's a very good horse, and obviously the favourite It's A Dundeel, and the 'big sleeper' in the race is Super Cool.

"I rode him last start in the Caulfield Stakes and he was going to run two lengths second to Atlantic Jewel but he felt the firm track.

"The softer ground at the Valley will really help - Super Cool is way over the odds for mine.''

Boss was dismissive of the chances of the remaining nine runners in the Cox Plate.

"Green Moon, Seville and Masked Marvel are on the Melbourne Cup trail, I can't have Foreteller or Rekindled Interest, and the internationals, Side Glance and Mull Of Killough will struggle,'' he added.

"I can't see the three-year-olds winning, not when two superstars like All Too Hard and Pierro couldn't win the race last year.

"Maybe I've got it wrong but I think the only winning chances are Puissance De Lune, Fiorente, It's A Dundeel, Happy Trails and Super Cool.''

Puissance De Lune is ridden back to the stables after a track gallop at Ballarat. Picture: Nicole Garmston Source: HeraldSun


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Lowndes out to defy history

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THE Gold Coast 600 is an amazing event — the setting is fantastic, right on the beach, the sun almost always shines, out the back of the pits there's those beautiful waterways with wandering birdlife and best of all, everyone is in a party mood.

You'd have to be trying really hard not to have a good time.

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Incredibly, this is the 23rd straight year of the Gold Coast event which, in its original form, was headlined by the American Indycars.

Also incredible is that this weekend racks up my 220th start in the Championship, it honestly feels nowhere near that.

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Bathurst already seems like a distant memory to me and while third there was OK, I know we have to step it up this weekend if we're going to have a serious shot at the Championship.

Gold Coast will see us racing over two 300km races, each leg requiring two drivers, so the number 888 Red Bull Commodore will again see me paired with Warren Luff.

In previous years the rules have required an 'international' co-driver but that's been relaxed for 2013, so not surprisingly virtually the whole field has gone with their regular co-drivers, who have done the Sandown and Bathurst races already this year.

'Soft' tyres make their return this weekend too, after we've run exclusively on the 'hard' tyres for the past few rounds, and it'll be the first time 'Luffy' has raced on them this year, so that throws an additional factor into the mix, plus I hear one of the corner exits on the Surfers Paradise street circuit has been tightened up.

That'll be something to remember in the races, when passing is at a premium.

Warren Luff will co-drive with Craig Lowndes in the Gold Coast 600. Source: Getty Images

Luffy and I, and our engineer JJ, have put some time into getting the strategy right for this weekend and, as always, qualifying will be vital — so the pressure's on me to get the job done.

If I'm honest I've not had a great run at the Gold Coast event over the years, however I need to change that this time if I'm going to feature in the Championship chase as there's only three race weekends to go, including this one.

Basically it's a four-horse race for the Championship again this year, between the same two teams and four drivers it was in 2012.

Craig Lowndes makes his way around Mt Panorama at Bathurst. Source: News Limited

My Red Bull teammate Jamie Whincup leads the points chase from yours truly, and then FPR's Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison, and it's close — all of us need to score big on the Gold Coast to stay in the hunt.

We've got the car, and we know what we've got to do, so I am hopeful this is our year.

A win on the Gold Coast would sure make the Championship interesting.


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Spring sweep the Wallabies' tour order

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WALLABIES coach Ewen McKenzie has some pretty simple goals heading into his first spring tour.

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"We're out there to win - five wins would be good," McKenzie told reporters on checking in at Sydney International Airport on Friday.

"We're not out there to come second so we're out there to win every game and obviously get some consistency.

"Winning one game is not enough. We've got to win consistently."

Five wins would give the Wallabies their first Grand Slam in nearly three decades, a fair target for a squad determined to restore pride after a difficult 2013 in which they managed just three Test wins from 10 attempts.

It is the squad's second tour of the Home Nations since their one and only sweep in 1984, when coach Alan Jones and skipper Andrew Slack led them to a startling triumph - legendary five-eighth Mark Ella scoring a try in all four Test wins.

Their last attempt in 2009 failed in just the second match when they drew 20-20 with Ireland.

A five-from-five result would represent some measure of revenge after this year's devastating series loss to the British and Irish Lions.

It would also provide McKenzie with a massive springboard towards the 2015 World Cup in England.

Their first and toughest stop on the road to redemption will be London's Twickenham Stadium next Saturday, when they'll face England before travelling to Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

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McKenzie said he could feel momentum building in the squad on the back of an "encouraging" performance against the All Blacks in Dunedin last weekend, coupled with their 54-17 thumping of Argentina earlier this month.
"All the players can feel that," he said.

"There's a lot of things going on behind the scenes within the group, all positive things, so this tour will be a great opportunity for us as a group to work hard and get some good results."

Despite that 41-33 loss to a typically clinical New Zealand, Australia's 33 points broke the record for their highest score against the All Blacks on home turf.

Costly handling errors and sloppy breakdown work were offset by moments of free-flowing play in which five-eighth Quade Cooper played his best game of the season, with 18 points and a 100 per cent kicking return.

"There's been encouragement in all of their games but, ultimately, you can only talk about the scoreboards," McKenzie said.

"The scoreboards haven't been kind to us, but there's been a lot of positives from the coach and player perspective.

"In the end, we've just got to pull that together, we've just got to tidy up things that keep repeating and there's been a few of those things that we'll target on this tour."

Flanker Michael Hooper, who collected the John Eales Medal on Thursday night, pointed to defence as the key against a strong England side.

"We're starting to put things together, our backs are starting to fire and I think we've still got a long way to improve so we've come out with some good results on the back of not our best performances.

"Playing a different style of rugby is a good challenge for us."


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Dropping Katich wrong: CA

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 24 Oktober 2013 | 18.48

Simon Katich was controversially dropped in 2011. Source: News Limited

CRICKET Australia has finally admitted that opener Simon Katich should not have been dropped from the Test side.

CA chairman Wally Edwards made the candid admission after Thursday's annual general meeting in Melbourne.

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Edwards said selectors erred in dropping Katich two years ago, a controversial decision that continues to cause great angst in Australian cricket.

"There were a lot of decisions made that you probably wish in hindsight, they weren't made," Edwards said.

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"But they were made in an attempt to move from a very strong side to a new side.

"I would put the dropping of Simon Katich in that corner... they (selectors) didn't get it right."

Former Test captain Ricky Ponting launched a scathing attack on CA, labelling Katich's axing as "dumb" in a move that left Test stars on tenterhooks as they batted for their futures.

Australia's most successful Test captain used the launch of his new book, At the Close of Play, to highlight management failures that ultimately led to the sweeping Argus Review.

But Ponting also blasted the selection methodology that saw Katich sensationally dumped from CA's contract list in 2011, leaving the former Test skipper facing his own cricketing mortality.

Former selection boss Andrew Hilditch presided over Katich's sacking despite the opener, aged 35 at the time, having amassed 2928 runs at 50.48 since his Test recall in 2008.

Ponting said Katich's treatment left Australian colleagues dismayed and represented one of the worst selection decisions in his 17-year tenure as an international cricketer.

Katich's age was understood to be a primary factor in his dismissal, but current Test opener Chris Rogers will be 36 when he faces England in the first Test at the Gabba next month.

"Before the old selectors departed, they made one of their strangest decisions when, a few weeks before the Argus Review was published, they didn't offer Simon Katich a new contract," Ponting recalls in his book.

"This effectively ended Kato's international career, because they were hardly going to pick him for our tour of Sri Lanka in August-September so soon after essentially giving him the sack.

"In my view, this was as dumb a non-selection as any during my time with the Australian team.

"Kato had averaged more than 50 in Test cricket during the previous three years. He had scored six fifties and two hundreds in his most recent 10 Tests.

"More than any statistics, he was one of the grittiest and most sensible cricketers in my experience, a tough character in the Justin Langer mould — my sort of cricketer.

"I knew we couldn't afford to cast such a player aside so easily. If the selectors were now rating potential ahead of performance, this was the first we knew of it."

The Katich decision left psychological scars for some Test contemporaries. For Ponting, who is eight months older than Katich, it was chilling evidence selectors could wield the axe, without rhyme or reason, at any given moment.

"Kato's poor treatment put us all on notice," Australia's greatest Test runscorer said.

"For me, from here until the finish, it was all about my batting.

"I could only assume they were trying to avoid a situation where a few of us senior batsmen of about the same age — Kato, 'Huss' (Michael Hussey) and me were all born within nine months of each other — all retired at once.

"But to avoid that by dropping Kato prematurely, when the guys in line to replace him didn't have the runs on the board to do so, was a weird remedy."


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Pocock challenge next up for Hooper

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NEXT year's battle royale with David Pocock for the Test No.7 jersey was magnified even more on Thursday night when the Wallabies voted Michael Hooper their John Eales Medallist.

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It was the purest recognition of how much Hooper is valued as a core figure for the Wallabies because the votes all came from the players he spilt blood with or copped a body battering beside.

The honour was a marvellous high considering he arrived on the Test scene just 16 months ago as a fill-in for the injured yet seemingly irreplaceable Pocock at flanker.

Hooper, 21, has since written his own specifications for the position. He is a breakdown pest, a little tank on two pistons who refuses to ever be tackled easily and a fearless figure under his head tape for his commitment to contest everything against much bigger bodies.

Hooper (297 votes) was a clear winner of the Wallabies' highest individual honour over No.8 Wycliff Palu (185) and matchwinner Israel Folau (177), who won the Rookie of the Year gong.

Symbolically, just hours before Hooper's award was announced at a gala Sydney function, Pocock was making a significant announcement of his own in low key surroundings in Canberra.

"I'm good to go. I've been into plenty of contact training already and I'm just keen to get out there now and play come February," Pocock said of the all-clear after his injury-ruined year.

The 45-Test powerhouse has devoted nearly eight months to repairing his left knee after reconstruction surgery and will have his first full pre-season build-up since 2007 with the Brumbies.

"I talked about the Wallabies tour to Europe (leaving today) with my surgeon but he wants me to have that full pre-season build-up and he knows better than me," Pocock added.

"Absolutely you want to play every game you can but you also have to take the long-term view."

Brisbane's Dr Peter Myers, knee doctor to the stars from Tim Horan in the 1990s to Pocock this year, was a worthy choice for the Joe French Award acknowledging service to rugby.

Joining George Smith (2002 and 2008), Phil Waugh (2003) and Pocock (2010) as flankers to win the John Eales Medal capped a wonderful season for Hooper.

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The influential NSW Waratahs forward was named Australia's Super Rugby Player of the Year so the motor inside his compact 97kg frame never fades.

Folau deserves great kudos. In his first four months of Test rugby so well did teammates rate his conversion from rugby league and AFL that only two earned more votes.

The fullback can make a flying start to 2014 John Eales Medal voting against England at Twickenham on November 2 because if the Wallabies are to make a mark on the tour leaving Friday, Folau will have to be a five-star performer.

Halfback Will Genia's wonderful dash and kick to set up Folau's classic try against the British and Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium meant a worthy Try of the Year gong for the instigator.

Queensland Reds backrower Curtis Browning won the Australian Under-20s Player of the Year award for an unprecedented second year and Con Foley was named Sevens Player of the Year.

2013 John Eales Medal – Top ten: 297 votes: M Hooper, 185: W Palu, 177: I Folau, 131: A Ashley-Cooper, 102: C Lealiifano, 84: S Fardy, 80: W Genia, 77: S Moore, T Kuridrani, 73: J Slipper, 70: Q Cooper

2013 John Eales Medal – full list of award winners:

• 2013 John Eales Medal: Michael Hooper, NSW
• Australia's Choice – Wallaby of the Year: Michael Hooper, NSW
• Try of the Year: Will Genia, QLD
• Rookie of the Year: Israel Folau, NSW
• Shawn Mackay Award – Sevens Player of the Year: Con Foley, QLD
• Men's Sevens Player of the Year: Con Foley, QLD
• Women's Player of the Year: Sharni Williams, ACT
• Joe French Award: Dr Peter Myers, QLD
• Under 20s Player of the Year: Curtis Browning, QLD
• Nick-Farr Jones Spirit of Rugby Award: Kerry Brady, NSW
• Roger Vanderfield Award – Referee of the Year: Steve Walsh, ARU
• Volunteer of the Year: Micky Wilson, SA
• Wallabies Ultimate Fan: Trevor Hancock, ACT


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Can Victory send Ange off a winner?

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THE Sydney derby headlines round three but massive mid-week news in the world of Australian football means all eyes will be on the "Ange Postecoglou testimonial" on Friday night, fittingly between the two A-League clubs he has coached.

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With the two-time A-League grand final winner taking up the challenge of re-building the Socceroos, round three will be his final match in charge of Melbourne Victory.  

The Victory showed the might of their potential with a swashbuckling second-half at Coopers Stadium last week. 12 of their 17 shots came in the second term, as did five of their six corners and it will be interesting to see if Kosta Barbarouses and Gui Finkler - two of their second-half catalysts – make it into the starting XI. 

It will be an emotional evening at Etihad Stadium. 

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"I think it's important for Ange to leave the club with three points. I think personally it will be nice for him and nice for the players to send him off as a winner," Fox Sports football expert Mark Rudan said in his weekly preview. 

"Ange is a winner ... and three points are at stake and that is much more important, especially for Victory yet to register first win."  

The fact that Victory have not won this year wasn't lost on Roar boss Mike Mulvey. 

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"I will tell you why it is big for them (Victory) because they haven't got a win on the board yet," he said. 

"They have played two games and there were scenes of delirium last week when they got one point.

"We are going down there very, very confident.''

And so they should be. They destroyed Sydney FC and are showing the energy, tempo and fluency that were hallmarks of the Postecoglou era.

They've won five of their past six matches (dating back to last season), outscoring opposition 13-5 during that stretch. According to Fox Sports Stats, they've launched the most shots (32) and shots on target (18) in the league over the first two rounds, as well as the most goals, with six.  All facets of play are bubbling nicely to start the season, with the Roar conceding the least goals, and fouls as well. 

Plenty of pundits liked the look of their first XI, and there's no doubt that the return of former skipper Matt McKay into the heart of midfield is a big asset. 

"(He) was fantastic against Sydney FC last week; industrious. Not only did he start play, he stopped play. He played 80 minutes and could have lasted the distance. Expect a big performance from Matty McKay,"  Rudan added. 

Friday: Melbourne Victory v Brisbane, Fox Sports 1 HD, 7.30pm(EDT)

Saturday: Central Coast v Adelaide, 5.30pm; Sydney v Western Sydney, 7.30pm, FS1HD

Sunday: Wellington v Newcastle, 3pm, Perth v Melbourne Heart, 5pm, FS1HD

Kick Off on Friday night, 6.30, with special guest Michael Cockerill. 

Shootout on Sunday night, 7pm, with Craig Moore and Tony Popovic.

 

Sunday: El Clasico, Barcelona v Real Madrid, 2.55am, FS2HD

Monday: Atletico Madrid v Real Betis, 6.55am, FS3HD 

Saturday night: Crystal Palace v Arsenal, 10.30pm, FS1HD

Manchester United v Stoke, 12.50am, FS1 HD

Viewers' Choice: Norwich v Cardiff; Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion, Aston Villa v Everton. 

Southampton v Fulham, 3.30am, FS1HD

Sunday night/Monday morning: Sunderland v Newcastle, 12.30am, FS1HD 

Chelsea v Manchester City, 2.50am, FS1HD

Tottenham v Hull, 2.50am, FS2HD

Swansea v West Ham United, 2.50am, FS3HD

Attention then turns to Saturday night's headline act, and Frank Farina has kept Sydney FC's fans hopes alive that Alessandro Del Piero will play some part in the derby, naming him in his squad for the round three blockbuster against Western Sydney Wanderers. 

But the veteran Italian is struggling with a calf complaint, and the Sydney FC boss has already said he is putting his faith in Nicky Carle to provide the Sky Blues' creative spark. 

"I think with Nicky, Richie and Joel, we've got the ammunition there," he said on Thursday. 

"Nicky is a natural playmaker so we'll push him a little bit more forward into that natural No.10 for him.

"So hopefully a lot of that spark will come from him."

There's a lot for Sydney FC to prove and the box office stage of the derby provides the perfect platform for them to do it. 

Not only do they need to rebound from a dire display against Brisbane Roar, where the side's structure and defensive stability looked all at sea, but they need to prove they can do it without their star man. 

It doesn't look promising. 

Not only was the marquee man involved in both of their goals in round one, but they've only won once without him. When the No.10 isn't there, the record isn't pretty – the four goals conceded when he came off last weekend isn't a one-off. Last term, there was a 7-2 loss to Central Coast in his absence, and a similar capitulation when he came off after 66 minutes against Melbourne Victory with the side 2-0 up. They lost 3-2.

Although the star attraction could be absent, the cauldron-like atmosphere at Allianz as two city rivals slug it out will be worth watching. Despite the criticism coming Sydney FC's way, they actually sit ahead of their city rivals on the table. They might have featured in two intense, entertaining draws to open the season, but the fact remains that Tony Popovic's side are yet to notch three points and sit behind their city rivals. 

If they're looking for a spark, Brenton Santalab was impressive in his cameo last weekend against Wellington. Whether or not Popovic is tempted to throw him into the fray from the start against his former side will depend on a number of factors, Rudan says. 

"I think Poppa's changed (his team) depending on the conditions, depending on whether they're home or away, whether the players are up to the task at hand, and depending on who the opposition is," Rudan said. 

"He's been very good at that, he's not coach of the year for no reason last year." 

For a preview of every A-League contest this round, check out our day by day video previews of the weekend, with Tara Rushton and Mark Rudan. 


HAVE you checked out the Fox Football Podcast yet?

Episode one was a raging success and the latest addition to Fox Sports' football stable is back for its second edition.

Host Adam Peacock is joined this week by Simon Hill and Brenton Speed in the studio, and on the phone by Daniel Garb from London.

There's no shortage of fodder for the gang to discuss - from the incoming Socceroos' coach, to all things A-League, EPL and El Clasico - and none of our pundits are short of an opinion.

For your mid-week fix of football talk and fun - where else will you hear Simon Hill's Dutch accent - the Fox Football podcast is your place to go.

You can check it out here at the iTunes store, subscribe, and share your rating!

And if you're an Android user, you can find the pod on the iPP Podcast Player app.



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Ponting cash claims 'rubbish'

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CRICKET Australia boss James Sutherland has described as "rubbish" claims by Ricky Ponting that Australia's slump is at least partly due to a lack of investment in the national team.

As CA circled the wagons at its annual meeting yesterday chairman Wally Edwards claimed the board had full confidence in Sutherland despite mounting pressure over the team's poor performance.

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"We all want to win the Ashes but we don't think sacking James will help us," Edwards said.

A defiant Sutherland insisted that a fourth successive Ashes series loss would not prompt the sacking of controversial high performance manager Pat Howard.

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Sutherland took aim at Ponting's statement on Wednesday that if the CA board had listened to Australia's most successful captain and coach more often the side would not be in its current malaise.

"I see there's speculation around that we didn't invest in the team, well I've never heard so much rubbish in all my life," Sutherland said.

"The fact of the matter is that we grew from $39 million to $75 million expenditure in the time that Ricky was captain of the team in that high performance elite cricket area.

"That is not the sign of an organisation that is sitting on its hands and not focused on investing in high performance to get improvement.

"You also have to acknowledge the fact that throwing money at something is not necessarily the silver bullet solution either.

"I would be very strong in discounting any suggestion that Cricket Australia was not investing in the Australian team during that period. It's absolute rubbish.

"Ricky wouldn't have had any clear view on what the budget was and what we were spending and what we were doing.

Ricky Ponting and James Sutherland in 2008. Source: News Limited

"It that same period of time, the number of people around the team in team support and team management more than doubled.

"Again that is an indicator that we were not sitting on our hands and not investing into the team.

"Sometimes with players in that area my experience tells me that more is never enough."

Australia has lost three successive Ashes series and failed to win any of its last nine Tests but has never been in better shape off the field.

CA has more money to invest in grass roots cricket following the $500 million television deals earlier this year and more people than ever are watching the game thanks to the Big Bash.

Sutherland claimed he did not recall a conversation with Ponting which the former skipper quoted the chief executive in his book, At the Close of Play, saying "no one spends money when they're going well."

"I can't imagine I would be saying that in the knowledge that at the same time our expenditure around the team was growing," Sutherland said.

He was also annoyed by claims from Ponting that the Centre of Excellence lacked quality coaches saying CA changed the coaches following the sweeping Argus report two years ago.

"We are getting former great players involved all of the programs," Sutherland said.

"All of those things happened, are happening and they're getting better and better all the time.

"I think somewhere along the way there's some crossed wires because that is one of the really significant changes that's happened within the centre of excellence over the past two years and it's getting better and better."

Edwards pointed out that CA had brought Dennis Lillee back into the centre of excellence "after a self-imposed exile."

"There has been a lot of effort put on getting our icons in there," Edwards said.


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Ibicenco pockets another cup

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 23 Oktober 2013 | 18.48

Brad Rawiller loses the persuader as Ibicenco moves up alongside Verdant (rails) to claim him in the Geelong Cup. Picture: Jay Town Source: Jay Town / HeraldSun

PETER Moody removed something from his back in the Geelong Cup but Ibicenco will require something added to his if he is to squeeze into the Melbourne Cup.

Ibicenco ground out a slogging win over Verdant in testing conditions, an effort that Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter was left to ponder last night.

Carpenter will reveal today if Ibicenco receives a weight penalty for the Cup.

Ibicenco is 42nd on the Cup order of entry with 52kg.

Connections believe a 1kg penalty, consistent with recent Geelong Cup winners, would almost assure the horse a start.

Trainer Moody said a likely high attrition rate would put Ibicenco almost in the field if he received 1kg.

Moody expressed his relief that he had temporarily at least removed the monkey from his back.

He is in the middle of a slump, having not trained a city winner since Lidari scored at Caulfield on August 31.

His jockey Luke Nolen is also experiencing a rare drought — Ibicenco was ridden by Brad Rawiller yesterday.

Moody joked as he entered the mounting yard that "a few of the girls up there didn't know me".

Moody said he had warned people in August he would not be a spring force.

"That was the depth of our stable," he said, but quickly added the stable was still in the top four for winners around the nation. "Nothing changes. I'll still have a XXXX Gold and a "durry" (cigarette) tonight. The good thing in this game is there's always tomorrow."
 
Ibicenco is raced by Simon O'Donnell and Terry Henderson's OTI syndicate and yesterday's win continued the outfit's impressive record in the 2400m race.

Bauer won it for OTI in 2008 before being nosed out by Viewed in the Melbourne Cup. Last year's winner, Gatewood, who received a 1kg penalty for his win,was also OTI-owned.

Ibicenco's winning team (from left) Peter Moody, Simon O'Donnell, Brad Rawiller and Terry Henderson. Picture: Jay Town Source: HeraldSun

 Moody has three possible Melbourne Cup runners in "a throw at the stumps".

Sneak A Peek runs in Saturday's Moonee Valley Cup and My Quest For Peace is entered in the Lexus Stakes on Derby Day.

Moody said Ibicenco had no luck when unplaced in The Metropolitan in Sydney and was scratched from the Caulfield Cup after being kicked by a stablemate the Tuesday ­before the race.

He said Ibicenco would be a guaranteed top-10 finisher in a Melbourne Cup.

"He'll run two miles and ­beyond in a Melbourne Cup — 14 usually don't," he said.

Moody said Ibicenco deserved his place. Now it was up to Carpenter to determine if the win "in unsuitable conditions" merited a penalty.


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FFA unveils Ange as Roos' new man

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AFTER 10 days of intense speculation, Football Federation Australia has got its man - on Wednesday afternoon unveiling Ange Postecoglou as the Socceroos new coach on a five-year deal.

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After several days of negotiations with Melbourne Victory, the terms of Postecoglou's release from the A-League's biggest club were agreed on Wednesday morning, despite some lingering feelings of angst from the Victory board.

That cleared the way for the FFA to unveil the popular figure at an afternoon media conference, giving Postecoglou time to plan for next month's friendly against Costa Rica, as he attempts to revitalise an ageing side on the back of demoralising defeats to Brazil and France.

And flanked by FFA chairman Frank Lowy and chief executive David Gallop, Postecoglou made clear that it would be his mission "for the next five years and hopefully more" to "restore pride in the Socceroos jersey".

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"Obviously it's a tremendous honour for me to be sitting here. I love a good challenge and this is certainly one of those," Postecoglou said.

"My hope is that we can restore pride in this country and in the Socceroos. I still think they are the flag bearers of football in this country. There's plenty of work to be done and day one will start for me on Monday. I'm enormously grateful to be extended this opportunity.

"I plan for the next five years and hopefully longer to put my heart and soul into it."

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And a clearly chuffed Lowy said he had "no doubt" Postecoglou was the right man for that challenge, with a five-year deal proof that plenty of faith has been placed in the A-League success story.

"We have the faith in him. We know that he's a good guy, he's the right person for us at this time in our development," Lowy said.

"I think in the last 10 years or so we've had international coaches. It was the time for them then. Now is the time for an Australian." 

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Gallop thanked the board for acting "so quickly" once a decision had been made to appoint an Australian coach.

But the CEO made clear that he believed nationality was irrelevant when it came to who the best man for the Socceroos job was.

"We have today a coach starting a journey who we believe can unite our players to play at the highest level. And unite our nation behind the Socceroos," Gallop said.

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"Our technical experts have said that he's the right man, and it's certainly a bonus that he's an Australian.

"We've seen that we've got a true leader and I want to extend my excitement at the appointment."

Postecoglou's first game at the helm has been scheduled for November 19 at Sydney Football Stadium, with his inaugural Socceroos squad expected to be named early next week. 

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But he will lead Victory into battle against his former club Brisbane Roar on Friday night at Etihad Stadium before turning his attention to the mission of leading Australia to the 2014 World Cup.

After tense and often heated negotiations between the A-League club and the game's governing body the breakthrough came late on Tuesday when Victory backtracked on its hardline stance and agreed to accept just $50,000 in "transition costs" after initially demanding $1 million.

Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro confirmed on Wednesday morning that the club would not stand between Postecoglou and Australia's top job.

"The circumstances that Ange and the Club have been confronted with are complex and compelling no matter what perspective you take. That said, we have made it clear to Ange that we will not stand in the way of him accepting the biggest coaching role in this country," Mr Di Pietro said.

"However, we are disappointed with the process undertaken by the FFA, given the outcomes we tried to secure could never have been achieved within the timeframes offered, which ultimately forced us to accelerate our decision not to stand in Ange's way.

"Ange Postecoglou has had a profound impact on Melbourne Victory Football Club over the past 18 months and the club is extremely appreciative of everything he has implemented during his tenure.

"Ange's appointment as Socceroos coach is a fantastic endorsement for our club, its culture and the standards we strive to set. We thank Ange and he will certainly always be part of the Melbourne Victory family.

"This week's game becomes our focus and we can confirm that Ange will be the head coach on Friday, so we're looking forward to our members and fans coming out in force."

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Postecoglou, 48, flew to Sydney after Victory training Tuesday - which was the first time he broached the subject with his players - to meet Lowy and sign a deal that will take in the World Cup, the 2015 Asian Cup and beyond.

The Costa Rica friendly will launch Australia's countdown to the World Cup, although FFA has scrapped plans to play a second November friendly despite the temptation of playing a game in Melbourne. They had initially penciled in a double header with Ireland.


HAVE you checked out the Fox Football Podcast yet?

Episode one was a raging success and the latest addition to Fox Sports' football stable is back for its second edition.

Host Adam Peacock is joined this week by Simon Hill and Brenton Speed in the studio, and on the phone by Daniel Garb from London.

There's no shortage of fodder for the gang to discuss - from the incoming Socceroos' coach, to all things A-League, EPL and El Clasico - and none of our pundits are short of an opinion.

For your mid-week fix of football talk and fun - where else will you hear Simon Hill's Dutch accent - the Fox Football podcast is your place to go.

You can check it out here at the iTunes store, subscribe, and share your rating!

And if you're an Android user, you can find the pod on the iPP Podcast Player app.


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Caviar's sister set for Sales

Black Caviar captured the Australian public's imagination on her remarkable run.

BLACK Caviar's breeder Rick Jamieson is considering selling the superstar's little sister at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sales next year.

Jamieson said he would enter the Bel Esprit and Helsinge yearling filly for the sale and make up his mind in March in the weeks before the sale on April 8, 9 and 10 at Sydney next year.

"She's a terrific filly in the same mould as her sister. I'll make up my mind a few weeks before the sale," the Nagambie-based breeder said yesterday.

Earlier this year Jamieson sold a Redoute's Choice colt out of Helsinge for $5 million, which was an Australian record.

A full sister to Black Caviar would be expected to sell for a similar or even greater price.

Black Caviar, was retired earlier this year after 25 wins from 25 starts and almost $8 million in prizemoney.

After Jamieson sold the Redoute's Choice colt he said he would retain the rest of Helsinge's foals but he is now prepared to consider selling Black Caviar's little sister.

Although Jamieson sold Helsinge's first foal Black Caviar for $210,000 she has since proven to be a goldmine for him.

In 2012 Jamieson sold a Redoute's Choice filly out of Helsinge for $2.6 million and the previous year he sold All Too Hard as a yearling for $1,025,000.

Jamieson retained 10 per cent in the $5 million yearling, which is now an unnamed two-year-old colt with the John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes stable.

BC3 Thoroughbreds have purchased the last two Helsinge foals.

Their three-year-old filly Belle Couture is in work with Danny O'Brien stable and the two-year-old colt is in pre-training before joining the Hawkes stable.

Late last week Helsinge had her seventh foal and her fifth in a row when she delivered a brother a Casino Prince colt, which is a brother to All Too Hard.

Jamieson will rest the 12-year-old Helsinge this year from breeding duties.

"Giving them a rest after five years is something I always do," he said.


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Seventh heaven: Lloyd's Cup assault

Sea Moon, ridden by Hugh Bowman, salutes in the Herbert Power Stakes. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Wayne Ludbey. / HeraldSun

OWNER Lloyd Williams could have an unprecedented seven starters in the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup next month.

Williams confirmed yesterday Green Moon, Seville and Masked Marvel, will go straight to the Melbourne Cup after they contest the $3 million Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Tanby was scratched from yesterday's Geelong Cup because of the heavy track but is likely to contest the Moonee Valley Gold Cup on Saturday or the Bendigo Cup next Wednesday.

Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner will have his final Melbourne Cup lead-in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day while Herbert Power Stakes winner Sea Moon runs in the Lexus Stakes the same day.

Sydney Cup winner Mourayan will go straight into the Melbourne Cup without another run, Williams confirmed.

Williams, who has already won four Melbourne Cups with Just A Dash (1982), What A Nuisance (1985), Efficient (2007) and Green Moon (2012), said if all his stayers are fit and well they will line up in the race that stops a nation on the first Tuesday in November.

The latest Melbourne Cup order of entry shows that Fawkner (first), Green Moon (third), Sea Moon (sixth), Mourayan (20th) and Seville (22nd) are already assured of starts while Masked Marvel (27th) and Tanby (31st) are almost certain to make the cut for the 24-horse field.

Nick Hall and Fawkner take out the Caulfield Cup. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: HeraldSun

"Lloyd Williams achieved a career highlight when Fawkner won his first Caulfield Cup last Saturday and it is now a matter of whether or not he can add to his tally in the big three of the spring," the TAB's Glen Munsie said.

"He will start three runners in Saturday's Cox Plate (Green Moon, Masked Marvel and Seville) and still has at least six horses that could line up in the Melbourne Cup.

"TAB customers have the opportunity to bet on how many of the big three Team Williams will win as well as a Melbourne Cup Team Williams v The Field option."

How many majors will Team Williams win?

$1.50 One exactly

$2.70 Two exactly

$21 Three

*Races includes: Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, and Melbourne Cup

Melbourne Cup - Team Williams v Field

$4 Team Williams

$1.25 Field

*Team Williams includes: Sea Moon $14, Fawkner $15, Masked Marvel $21, Seville $21, and Green Moon $26

Melbourne Cup - US v THEM

$1.45 Australian-trained horses

$2.60 International-trained horses


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'Sir Alex couldn't save Socceroos'

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 22 Oktober 2013 | 18.48

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MARK Bosnich has praised Ange Postecoglou's appointment to the national team, but says not even Sir Alex could save the Socceroos at the World Cup.

Postecoglou is set to be unveiled as the new Socceroos coach on Wednesday, but Bosnich, speaking on Back Page Live, says he won't save the Socceroos from World Cup pain in 2014.

"My opinion is it wouldn't matter if they got Jose Mourinho or Alex Ferguson for Brazil," he said.

"They would not go past the first round.

"I think Ange is a tremendous coach, and he'll do great for the Socceroos, but prove me wrong."

Postecoglou was chosen ahead of local rivals Mariners boss Graham Arnold and Wanderers mentor Tony Popovic, and Bosnich believes Football Federation has made the right call.

"He's (Ange) the right man for the job, from a football perspective," Bosnich said.

"He's just ahead of both of them (Arnold and Popovic).

"He transformed football in this country with the way he coached Brisbane. He revolutionised Australian football."

Watch the full chat with Bosnich on the Ange's impending appointment in the video at the top of this page.



HAVE you checked out the Fox Football Podcast yet?

Episode one was a raging success and the latest addition to Fox Sports' football stable is back for its second edition.

Host Adam Peacock is joined this week by Simon Hill and Brenton Speed in the studio, and on the phone by Daniel Garb from London.

There's no shortage of fodder for the gang to discuss - from the incoming Socceroos' coach, to all things A-League, EPL and El Clasico - and none of our pundits are short of an opinion.

For your mid-week fix of football talk and fun - where else will you hear Simon Hill's Dutch accent - the Fox Football podcast is your place to go.

You can check it out here at the iTunes store, subscribe, and share your rating!

And if you're an Android user, you can find the pod on the iPP Podcast Player app.


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'Should have spoken to Arnie, Popa'

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ROAR players had every right to feel disappointed when Ange Postecoglou left Brisbane so soon after selling his squad the vision of long-term success and an A-League dynasty.

But Postecoglou's latest premature exit from an A-League franchise can be excused.

This time it's a matter of national importance, with the Socceroos being much more significant for the future of Australian football than Melbourne Victory.

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With just eight months to go until the World Cup, Football Federation Australia had to act swiftly and decisively after making the decision to sack Holger Osieck.

Whether you agreed or not with that decision, Osieck's dismissal is now a moot point.

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Perhaps FFA could have handled the so-called interview process better and actually heard what Graham Arnold and Tony Popovic had to say rather than just have discussions with Postecoglou.

Obviously David Gallop had made up his mind some time ago, and once he convinced his boss Frank Lowy, there was no stopping him in his pursuit of Postecoglou.

It's a perfect example of why Gallop is superior as FFA chief executive to the man he succeeded, Ben Buckley, who needed to be stronger in his dealings with Lowy.

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Roar fans' favourite slogan during the Postecoglou era was "In Ange We Trust".

Now that's the motto Socceroos supporters, and that's almost everybody in Australia, must adopt as we enter arguably the most crucial period in our game since ending 32 years of agony by qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.

Postecoglou showed he was not afraid to make tough calls in Brisbane. While there was some short-term pain, it led to the longer term success of back-to-back championships.

Our new national coach is going to have to make similarly brutal decisions in terms of moving on players almost immediately as he picks a Socceroos squad for one, if not two, friendlies next month.

That's why he has been hired, and ultimately that's why Osieck, who couldn't bring himself to say enough's enough, was fired.


HAVE you checked out the Fox Football Podcast yet?

Episode one was a raging success and the latest addition to Fox Sports' football stable is back for its second edition.

Host Adam Peacock is joined this week by Simon Hill and Brenton Speed in the studio, and on the phone by Daniel Garb from London.

There's no shortage of fodder for the gang to discuss - from the incoming Socceroos' coach, to all things A-League, EPL and El Clasico - and none of our pundits are short of an opinion.

For your mid-week fix of football talk and fun - where else will you hear Simon Hill's Dutch accent - the Fox Football podcast is your place to go.

You can check it out here at the iTunes store, subscribe, and share your rating!

And if you're an Android user, you can find the pod on the iPP Podcast Player app.


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It's A Dundeel fighting fit for Plate

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IT'S A Dundeel proved his fitness for the $3 million Cox Plate with a searching track gallop at Moonee Valley yesterday morning - just a couple of hours before her main rival Atlantic Jewel was ruled out with injury.

Trainer Murray Baker has won his race against time to get It's A Dundeel ready for Saturday's big race, declaring his four-year-old won't be beaten on the score of fitness.

It's A Dundeel, the only horse to beat Atlantic Jewel, had been under an injury cloud since a hoof abscess ruled him out of the Caulfield Stakes two weeks ago.

But after the five-time Group 1 winner galloped impressively alongside Let's Make Adeal over 1600m in 1min 48.14sec (last 600m sectional in 24.89sec), Baker declared his horse "fit and ready to go".

"We are pretty happy with him,'' Baker said. "He had a hit-out at Caulfield last Wednesday where he ran 'time', and had another strong gallop at Flemington on Saturday.

"Today's gallop has just topped him off for the Cox Plate. He won't get beaten on the score of fitness, I'm confident of that.''

Atlantic Jewel's scratching from the Cox Plate robs the race of its biggest drawcard, throwing betting in chaos and opening the race right up. The major news included:

#IT'S A Dundeel was installed the new favourite by TAB Fixed Odds at $4;

#PUISSANCE De Lune continues to firm and is now into $4.40 now he will after come out of the seven barrier - the most successful barrier with 11 winners in Cox Plate history;

#IT'S A Dundeel has barrier 12 and Fiorente the extreme outside of gate 14 - two starting positions that have never produced a Cox Plater;

#CHRIS Waller changed his mind at the last minute and accepted with dual Group 1 winner Foreteller rather than Sacred Falls; and

#FIRST emergency Shamus Award, still a maiden after seven starts, vaults into the Cox Plate field.

$3M GROUP 1 COX PLATE (2040m), MOONEE VALLEY, SATURDAY, 5.40PM

1 Green Moon (12) Robert Hickmott Brett Prebble 59 $15

2 Happy Trails (2) Byron Cozamanis Dwayne Dunn 59 $13

3 Fiorente Gai (15) Waterhouse Blake Shinn 59 $4.60

4 Forteller Chris (9)Waller Undecided 59 $26

5 Side Glance (1) Andrew Balding Craig Williams 59 $51

6 Seville (10) Robert Hickmott Hugh Bowman 59 $41

7 Rekindled Interest (6) Jim Conlan Mark Zahra 59 $31

8 Puissance De Lune (8) Darren Weir Glen Boss* 59 $4.40

9 Masked Marvel (5) Robert Hickmott Nick Hall* 59 $31

10 Mull Of Killough (4) Jane Chapple-Hyam Steve Arnold 59 $51

11 It's A Dundeel (13) Murray Baker James McDonald 57.5 $4fav

12 Super Cool (14) Mark Kavanagh Corey Brown 57.5 $21

13 Atlantic Jewel (7) SCRATCHED

14 Long John (11) Peter Snowden Kerrin McEvoy 49.5 $8.50

15 Shamus Award (3) Danny O'Brien Undecided 49.5 $26


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Victory release Ange for Socceroos

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ANGE Postecoglou will coach his 32nd and final Melbourne Victory game on Friday night before taking on the mission of leading Australia to the World Cup, after a deal was finally struck for him to succeed Holger Osieck on Tuesday night.

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Days of often heated talks between Football Federation Australia and Victory ended with Frank Lowy agreeing to pay Victory just $50k for "transition costs", despite the club initially demanding close to $1 million in compensation for losing their coach.

It's believed that Postecoglou met Lowy in Sydney on Tuesday afternoon and signed a deal that will take in the World Cup and the 2015 Asian Cup and will most likely have the option of extending until Russia 2018.

There remain some details to be agreed, but once they are Postecoglou will formally resign from his position at Victory and be unveiled as Osieck's successor, possibly as early as Wednesday. 

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Postecoglou will name his first Socceroos squad within days for a friendly against Costa Rica at Sydney Football Stadium on November 19 that launches the countdown to the World Cup.

But FFA has scrapped plans to play a second friendly despite the temptation of playing a game in Melbourne.

FFA officials on Tuesday night refused to comment but Victory chief executive Ian Robson said that Postecoglou would coach against his former club Brisbane Roar at Etihad Stadium on Friday.

"It's Tuesday night and we're well advanced in our cycle of preparation for Friday night's game so there's nothing that stands in the way of Ange leading the side against Brisbane in what is a very big game for the club," Robson said.

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"Given what's in play by virtue of the conversations we're having, that I'm less certain about (Postecoglou coaching against Wellington Phoenix in Round 4).

"David (Gallop) and I have had a fair number of conversations in the last few days and they are continuing in good faith and we're mindful and respectful of the fact that Ange is under contract.

"This is the FFA's process. I know that Ange is a candidate and we're still in discussions with them."

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Assistant Kevin Muscat, 40, will almost certainly take charge as interim coach for the rest of the A-League season.

Victory are understood to be privately seething about FFA's insistence on paying a nominal compensation fee to Victory for Postecoglou, who was earning over $600,000-a-year.

The complication arose because Postecoglou did not insert a 'career-advancement clause' in his contract catering for a Socceroos approach when he signed with Victory last year.

Ironically Victory was allowed to poach Postecoglou for nothing off the back of successive A-League titles because he had not signed a contract despite verbally agreeing to a deal until 2014 with FFA who owned Roar at the time of the agreement.


HAVE you checked out the Fox Football Podcast yet?

Episode one was a raging success and the latest addition to Fox Sports' football stable is back for its second edition.

Host Adam Peacock is joined this week by Simon Hill and Brenton Speed in the studio, and on the phone by Daniel Garb from London.

There's no shortage of fodder for the gang to discuss - from the incoming Socceroos' coach, to all things A-League, EPL and El Clasico - and none of our pundits are short of an opinion.

For your mid-week fix of football talk and fun - where else will you hear Simon Hill's Dutch accent - the Fox Football podcast is your place to go.

You can check it out here at the iTunes store, subscribe, and share your rating!

And if you're an Android user, you can find the pod on the iPP Podcast Player app.


The governing body's desperation to make the appointment this week was compounded by the fact that, after the upcoming friendlies, the Socceroos won't play again until the next FIFA international window in March.

Postecoglou's appointment caps a remarkable transformation for the man who was unemployable, following a seven-year spell coaching the Australian Joeys (Under 17s) and Young Socceroos (Under 20s) that drew criticism for poor results.

Postecoglou, capped four times by Australia, won two national titles with South Melbourne and most recently two more with Brisbane Roar.


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Clashes to define the group games

Written By Unknown on Senin, 21 Oktober 2013 | 18.48

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AHEAD of the Rugby League World Cup, we take a look at the key matches which will determine who progresses to the knock-out stages.

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Sun Oct 27, 12.30am AEDT (11.30pm Sat AEST): Australia v England 

Australia's first assignment to kick-off the competition is a tough one. Boasting the likes of Sam Tomkins, James Graham, Sam and George Burgess, the Kangaroos face England. The host nation will be desperate to get their campaign off to a flying start after suffering a shock loss to Italy in a trial match. With Australia opting to not play a trial ahead of the competition, the Englishmen are hoping to catch the Kangaroos cold.

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Sun Nov 3, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): Australia v Fiji 

The Kangaroos' second game of the competition comes in the form of Fiji. Before you look too closely at the match-ups, seeing Petero Civenocieva lining up against his former Australian teammates should be enough to spike your interest. Aside from the legendary forward, dumped Aussie winger Akuila Uate will also be on show, and looking to prove a point. The Naiqama brothers (Wes and Kevin) and the Sims brothers (Korbin, Tariq and Ashton) will also line-up alongside each other for the first time.

Mon Oct 28, 5am AEDT (4am AEST): New Zealand v Samoa

The defending champions begin their title defence against Samoa. The Samoans boast the likes of Anthony Milford, Antonio Winterstein and Reni Maitua in their side and will be hungry to prove they are not just there to make up the numbers. Kiwis coach Kearney is also on the verge of World Cup greatness. If New Zealand can defend their title, he'll join Australians Bob Fulton and Harry Bath as the only coaches to oversee two World Cup wins.

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Sat Nov 9, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): New Zealand v Papua New Guinea 

Built like bricks, PNG have never been one to shy away from a fight. With some handy players in their side like Titans speedster David Mead, Cowboys utility Ray Thompson, Knights backrower Neville Costigan and former Sharks hooker Paul Aiton, the Kiwis will have their hands full. Look out for the battle of the hookers with James Segeyaro going head-to-head with Issac Luke.

Mon Nov 11, 3am AEDT (2am AEST): Tonga v Italy

Italy knocked off a full strength England squad in a recent trial, making the Italians the dark horse of the competition. Led by premiership winning captain Anthony Minichiello, Italy face the likes of Brent Kite, Sika Manu and Jorge Taufua in what should be an action packed game, which is likely to decide the winner of Group C.

Fri Nov 8, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): Scotland v USA

The United States of America may be known for baseball, basketball and NFL but the Tomahawks had a surprise 22-18 trial win over fourth-ranked France. The Clint Newton-led side also features Joseph Paulo, Eddy Pettybourne and Ryan McGoldrick. Peter Wallace is looking to guide Scotland in the halves while Luke Douglas provides the muscle up front. 

Rugby League World Cup draw:

GROUP A

Sun Oct 27, 12.30am AEDT (11.30pm Sat AEST): Australia v England 

Tue Oct 29, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): Fiji v Ireland 

Sun Nov 3, 1.30am AEDT (2.30am AEST): England v Ireland 

Sun Nov 3, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): Australia v Fiji 

Sun Nov 10, 1.30am AEDT (12.30am AEST): England v Fiji 

Sun Nov 10, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): Australia v Ireland

GROUP B

Mon Oct 28, 3am AEDT (2am AEST): Papua New Guinea v France 

Mon Oct 28, 5am AEDT (4am AEST): New Zealand v Samoa

Sat Nov 2, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): New Zealand v France 

Tue Nov 5, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): Papua New Guinea v Samoa 

Sat Nov 9, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): New Zealand v Papua New Guinea 

Tue Nov 12, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): France v Samoa

GROUP C

Wed Oct 30, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): Tonga v Scotland 

Mon Nov 4, 3am AEDT (2am AEST): Scotland v Italy

Mon Nov 11, 3am AEDT (2am AEST): Tonga v Italy

GROUP D

Thu Oct 31, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): USA v Cook Islands 

Mon Nov 4, 1am AEDT (12am AEST): Wales v USA 

Mon Nov 11, 1am AEDT (12am AEST): Wales v Cook Islands

GROUP C/D

Sat Oct 26, 3.30am AEDT (2.30am AEST): Wales v Italy

Wed Nov 6, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): Tonga v Cook Islands 

Fri Nov 8, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): Scotland v USA

QUARTER FINALS

Sat Nov 16, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): Winner B v Winner C 

Sun Nov 17, 12am AEDT (11pm Sat AEST): Winner A v Winner D 

Sun Nov 17, 7am AEDT (6am AEST): Runner-up A v 3rd Place B 

Mon Nov 18, 2am AEDT (1am AEST): Runner-up B v 3rd Place A

SEMI FINALS

Sun Nov 25, 12am AEDT (11pm Sat AEST): Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 3 

Sun Nov 24, 2.30am AEDT (1.30am AEST): Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 4

FINAL

Sun Dec 1, 1.30am AEDT (12.30am AEST): Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2


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Bailey in line for Test debut

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FORMER Australian coach Mickey Arthur believes George Bailey could next month land the Test debut that has been a decade in the making.

Bailey, Australia's stand-in one-day captain, has become a statistical enigma who averaged just 18.28 in the Sheffield Shield competition last year, but has become a 50-over powerhouse for his country.

Bailey's record for Australia in the one-day game is exceptional - 1281 runs at an average of 51.24 at a strike rate of 88.52.

Arthur believes this confidence can flow into the first-class arena to improve a first-class career record (5936 runs at 38.29) which is solid but not spectacular.

There are many precedents for batsman getting a Test call-up on the back of one-day form and Bailey has scored 85, 92 not out and 43 in the current one-day series against India.

Australia has one vacancy in its top order for next month's Gabba Test, at No 6, and Bailey is jostling with a large group of players including Shaun Marsh, Usman Khawaja and Phillip Hughes.

Arthur revealed Bailey was watched closely by the national selectors last season with a view to taking him on the Ashes tour but his numbers did not warrant selection.

"I would like to see some experience at six,'' Arthur said.

"I would not mind seeing George get a go there. But you want to see guys scoring runs in Shield cricket. I just know the comfort we had when Mike Hussey was going well at No 6.

"We looked at George for the Ashes tour but he averaged 19 in Shield cricket last season, albeit batting in Hobart.

"We want to take an experienced batsman to England and we really looked at David Hussey, Bailey and Adam Voges. Chris Rogers got the nod because he scored three Shield hundreds.

"Voges averaged 25 and Hussey 23 ... had one of them averaged even 35 they could have made it.

"But it would have looked terrible if we had picked a guy for the Ashes who averaged 19 for the domestic season.

"But I am really enjoying watching George bat in the one-day game in India because he has worked very hard and deserves his success.''

Marsh is also in strong early-season form in the Ryobi Cup for Western Australia and received favourable reports from an off-season Australia A tour of South Africa.

Australia's selectors have never lost interest in him despite his torturous run of hamstring injuries and occasional off-field indiscretions and a Test average of 27 from seven matches.

He has long been regarded as among the sweetest timers of the ball in Australia but a first-class average of 35 in a career spanning 13 years is well beneath a pass for a player of such promise.

Australia's bowling line-up for the first Test is likely to see Mitchell Johnson back in the Test XI supporting Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle with Nathan Lyon handling the spinning duties.


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Winterbottom's bid for lead

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BATHURST champion Mark Winterbottom has lit the fuse for an explosive Gold Coast 600, labelling V8 Supercars heavweights Triple Eight Racing "arrogant" and declaring he's ready to take the championship lead from arch rival Jamie Whincup.

This weekend's Surfers Paradise endurance round could have major championship implications with Holden gun Whincup leading the standings 114 points ahead of Triple Eight teammate Craig Lowndes with Winterbottom (142 behind) further back.

Riding high on confidence after his breakthrough Mount Panorama win, Winterbottom said his Ford Performance Racing team now had the belief to knock off their dominant Holden rivals who he expected to come out firing after being trumped at Bathurst.

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"From a team point of view, the Triple Eight guys are quite arrogant in how they approach their racing," he said.

"To get beaten by our team, and purely beaten in a straight out battle, that does more for our team than it does for them.

"The (FPR) team's pumped, I'm pumped. Everyone's walking around with a strut and swagger. We've got that confidence that you can't buy.

"We've got an incredible group of people and we've had some really good results but until we won Bathurst it was always people saying 'they've got good results but not the big one. They don't go well under pressure'.

"Now they can say what they want but we've won Bathurst. It credits all our other wins.

"It'll serve us well for the championship. We needed that good result.

"Whether it wins it or not, who knows, but it'll do a lot for our team."

Four-time series champion Whincup was gracious in defeat at Bathurst but said he wasn't worried about Winterbottom closing in on his championship lead.

"Yes (Winterbottom will think he can catch me) but whether it's possible or not is another thing," he said.

"I'm sure he'll come out on cloud nine feeling like he's invincible for the rest of the year.

"Without doubt you feel fairly invincible after Bathurst but good on him. He deserved it. Him and his crew did a good job."

Surfers Paradise has been a happy hunting ground for Winterbottom.

He won races on the Glitter Strip in 2009 and 2011 and will team up with the experienced Steve Richards again after their Bathurst triumph.

"When you look at the year, Gold Coast is one of the best rounds for us. We've always done well there," Winterbottom said.

"If you could pick any round throughout the year where you thought you'd go well at it was always Gold Coast. History shows how strong we've been here.

"A good round there will get us within 100 points of them (Whincup). It's going to be pretty tight towards the end of the year.

"It's massively important for the championship. A lot can go wrong but if you get it right it's going to reward you massively. It's a game-changer."

Practice is Friday with the 300km races to be contested on Saturday and Sunday.


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