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Slater's mid-season Report Card

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 21 Desember 2013 | 18.48

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MISSING marquees has been the story of the A-League season so far - and it's one of the reasons the championship and premiers plate remain wide open.

Alessandro Del Piero, Emile Heskey, Shinji Ono, Youssouf Hersi and Harry Kewell seemingly have spent as much time in physio rooms as they have on the park this season.

Sydney FC and the Wanderers are both brilliantly positioned to make a dash at Brisbane Roar in the back half of the season.

The two clubs reflect the part of Sydney they call home. FC have the flair of Del Piero and goalscoring potential to be in any game. If you score goals, you win more than you lose. The Wanderers play with work boots. They are so hard to crack that it just takes one flash of inspiration to win a game.

With CentralCoast and Melbourne Victory also lurking, the season is set up for an epic finish.

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SYDNEY FC

TO be brutally honest, they haven't played to their potential yet they are winning. That's what having goalscorers, or game-breakers, will do for you. Second best for most of the game against Melbourne Heart, a moment of magic from Alessandro Del Piero and another goal from Rank Despotovic changed everything.

Winning becomes a habit and the Sky Blues should be enjoying the ride after a tough couple of seasons.

Enjoy it while it lasts, Sydney FC. Source: Getty Images

At some point, they will have to address the elephant in the room - the probable departure of ADP at the end of the season.

The Cove should enjoy it while it lasts.

Grade: 7 out of 10

WESTERN SYDNEY

TO highlight how far the Wanderers have come, they went three games without a win and suddenly there were whispers of a slump.

Not much can go wrong, because this is a professional football club built on solid ground. Tony Popovic's team can grind out wins better than anybody and they have battled on without Youssouf Hersi for much of the season and only fleeting appearances from Shinji Ono.

Once their X-factor players return, combined with their hard-nosed approach to winning, and the Wanderers will be there when it counts.

Grade: 8

ADELAIDE

There has been more action off the park than on it as the first half of the season has devolved into Spanish soap opera. It's always a concern when the biggest story at a club becomes the coach, with Josep Gambau a target for fans and having confrontations with the local media.

Adelaide's main problem is a coach forcing his tika-taka style on a team without playing to the Reds' strengths, which is very much the front third.

To make a significant impact in the second half of the season, they must get the ball up to the likes of Marcelo Carrusca, Jeronimo Neumann, Bruce Djite and the likes rather than fiddling around at the back.

Grade: 5

There's been a lot of focus on Josep Gombau. Source: Getty Images

BRISBANE

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TOP of the class. The Roar are a clear standout and easily the team to beat for the title. They have the best striker in the league with Besart Berisha - he's combative, irritating and has a great nose for goal. Mike Mulvey has done a great job, but this is an ageing team coming towards their end of their cycle, so they need to cash in.

They play slightly more direct than they did during the glory years under Ange Postecoglou, yet the basic principles remain the same. They control position and tempo of games before unleashing the likes of Thomas Broich and Berisha. It's been a deadly one-two punch for years.

Grade: 9

CENTRALCOAST

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SUFFERING from a pre-Christmas hangover with Graham Arnold's move to Japan. It's been like losing a family member. Still, Phil Moss is a quality football man and he will turn things around. The retirement of Patrick Zwaanswijk has also bitten hard because he was the on-field leader. This is one team I expect to rally. Firstly, Daniel McBreen is still finding his feet after starting the season late. Marcos Flores is another with more to contribute as he eases himself into the Mariners' style.

Can do better - and they will.
Grade: 6

MELBOURNE HEART

FOOTBALL can be a cruel game and it's hard not to feel for John Aloisi. Coaching, though, is results driven business and the Heart have struggled to make a dent on the A-League this season. They need Harry Kewell on the park and firing because he can offer an avenue to goal. Forget the horror penalty against Sydney, and Kewell changed the game when he came on against Sydney last week. The Heart should have won that game.

Kewell has been impressive coming off the bench, but you need more than cameos from your marquee men. Getting him fit to play 90 minutes after an injury-hit start might save Aloisi yet.

Grade: 3

John Aloisi will be hopeful of more from this main man. Source: Getty Images

MELBOURNE VICTORY

ANGE Postecoglou wasn't as entrenched at Victory in the same way Arnold was at the Mariners, still his departure has been felt and it will take time for Kevin Muscat to put his stamp on the club.

This a team full of quality with Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan and the excitement of Kostas Barbarouses and Adam Traore.

The Victory will be better in the second half of the season and will be dangerous in the finals.

Never write them off.

Grade: 7

NEWCASTLE

BEFORE the start of the season, the two coaches under most pressure were Gary van Egmond and Sydney's Frank Farina. Both have done a fantastic job.

Van Egmond will always give youth a go and he has had his reward with Adam Taggart their leading goalscorer.

Obviously, the pre-season knee injury to Emile Heskey hurt them at the start and only now are they building into their season.

The Jets are always tough to beat.

Grade: 6

There are some positive signs at Newcastle. Source: Getty Images

PERTH GLORY

THIS is a sad story - a club divided on family lines. The player revolt that led to the demise of coach Alistair Edwards was ugly, with his two sons, Ryan and Cameron, caught in the middle. Even though Alistair is gone, his boys are still there which could cause a volatile environment.

I think, in the cool light of day, Alistair might realise he made a mistake signing his two boys because sometimes players need to be free from the shadow of the coach and that can be difficult when his sons are in the dressing room.

Hopefully, it will turn out all right for Ryan and Cameron.

Grade: 4

WELLINGTON

STRUGGLING for wins, horror travel schedule for the club's Kiwi internationals, talk of Carlos Hernandez being unsettled - it's been quite an introduction for Ernie Merrick.

I feel for Merrick, who is trying to open up the Phoenix game after the Ricki Herbert era. They have goals in them with Hernandez and Paul Ifill, but nothing has flowed for them yet.

Phoenix probably need to go through some pain before rising again and it's important they keep faith in Merrick, who has the goals on the board from his time at Victory.

Grade: 3

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Victory punishes 10-man Heart

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AFTER threatening for several weeks Melbourne Victory finally showed a ruthless streak, inflicting a merciless 3-1 defeat on 10-man Melbourne Heart to leave them rooted to the bottom of the A-League ladder for Christmas.

Victory rose to third after a sublime performance from Mitch Nichols, who scored two and set up a James Troisi goal in a heated AAMI Park derby in front of 26,491.

Kevin Muscat's side was aided by the red card to Heart defender Patrick Kisnorbo after just 20 minutes for a studs up tackle on Connor Pain when the game was scoreless.

Re-live all the action in our live A-League Match Centre by clicking here, for video highlights, stats, line-ups and play by play commentary .

Who'd be a coach. Source: Getty Images

Though fighting to the death, Heart's winless streak now stretches to 16 games and sets up a must-win clash at home to struggling Wellington Phoenix on Friday, or else coach John Aloisi will be fighting to save his job.

The win also gives Victory the derby edge now (four wins, three losses, four draws) but opens up an alarming 14 point gap between the pair.

The controversy started before kick-off when Archie Thompson twinged his hamstring, with Pain brought into the XI and Andrew Nabbout onto the bench.

There was no love lost during the derby. Source: Getty Images

Heart started well and buzzing about after opening his scoring account last week, Michael Mifsud forced a save from Nathan Coe before finding the side netting - from a Harry Kewell pass _ in the space of three minutes.

But that would be his last contribution as he was sacrificed in the reshuffle that ensued after Kisnorbo's red card.

Defender Patrick Gerhardt came on to partner Rob Wielaert in defence as Heart reverted to a 4-4-1 with Kewell playing up front alone with Mate Dugandzic and David Williams asked to drop deeper.

Heart even created the next chance as Kewell curled in a lovely cross for Williams, but his tame header was easily saved by Coe.

But Victory then started gaining the ascendancy as Kosta Barbarouses forced a good save from Redmayne in the 34th minute before opening their account four minutes later.

Redmayne fluffed his clearance sending it straight to Mark Milligan who with an exquisite first touch not only set up Nichols but ensured he remained onside and the former Brisbane player did the rest, controlling it and slotting it past the keeper.

Heart then appealed for a penalty when Leigh Broxham brought down Williams but his namesake with the whistle correctly adjudicated it to be outside the area, by centimetres.

Victory had three chances to kill of the game by half time through Milligan and Pain (twice) with the latter striking the upright after cutting in from the right.

Mitch Nichols punishes Andrew Redmayne. Source: Getty Images

Importantly Heart went into the rooms just one goal in arrears and Kewell was again influential after the restart.

Three minutes after the restart he got goalside of Pablo Contreras after a long Wielart pass but failed to connect when trying to lob Coe before the Chilean recovered.

He spun and shot in a tight space in the 53rd minute with his shot flying inches wide of the post and Heart was made to pay for not converting.

Troisi made a clever run and released Nichols out wide on the right who played it straight back for him to cleverly curl it inside the post with his right boot.

And Victory weren't going to relent, bringing on Gui Finkler for Troisi and the Brazilian was involved in the fourth, cleverly dinking the ball over a Heart defender's foot with Nichols then slotting it past Redmayne.

Heart pulled one back through Nick Kalmar, who knew little about it as Coe's clearance whacked him in the head and rebounded into the net.

Dugandzic then had a golden chance to make it a tense finish in the 85th minute but tried to control Aziz Behich's cross when he should've volleyed from point-blank range.

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Thunder losing streak continues

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THE miserable losing streak of Thunder has reached 14 after they failed to capitalise on a hot start against the Sixers.

Despite an explosive hundred run opening stand from David Warner and Usman Khawaja, the Thunder failed to capitalise, losing a steady stream of wickets late in their innings to set a modest target of 6-166.

It was the sniff the Sixers needed, Nic Maddinson's 61 providing an excellent platform for the chasing team, before Moises Henriques and Ravi Bopara brought the Sixers home.

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Warner continued his scintillating form and showed intent from the get-go. He hit three fours in the first over he faced and raced to his 50 off just 30 balls.

But he was matched by Khawaja at the other end, who kept up with Warner's scoring

But if the Thunder started with a bang, they ended with a whimper.

Warner's wicket brought former Test star Mike Hussey to the crease, but his stay was brief after he top-edged one and was caught by Dan Smith for 2.

Regular wickets stemmed the flow of runs, with Moises Henriques taking the big one of Khawaja.

There were no significant contributions after that and the Thunder will be bitterly disappointed after failing to capitalize on such a strong start.

More to come...

Re-live all the action right here, with our live blog, featuring social media updates and commentary on all the big moments!

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Moments of madness cost Heart

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TWO weeks ago Patrick Kisnorbo said Melbourne Heart players had not done right by coach John Aloisi throughout the club's winless start to the season.

His comments followed Heart's consecutive draws against Adelaide and Western Sydney and he went on to say that the team needed to "kick on from here for him".

Unfortunately the defender lived by his words literally and in the process let down his former Socceroos teammate when he needed him more than ever before.

The same could be said for Andrew Redmayne, whose botched clearance in the 38th minute gifted Melbourne Victory the opening goal of the night, although in defence of the goalkeeper he was put under the pump by a dodgy back pass by Patrick Gerhardt.

But it was Kisnorbo who most hurt his team's chances in the 20th minute with an awful lunging tackle on Connor Pain that gave referee Ben Williams no choice but to brandish a straight red card.

Patrick Kisnorbo's tackle was a disaster for the Heart. Source: Getty Images

The defender can have no complaints about his sending off.

Pain was in the midst of a threatening run towards the box and Kisnorbo lunged at him with his studs up and hit Pain flush on his right shin.

It was one of those tackles where if Pain's knee were not bent or his heel had been dug in the turf upon Kisnorbo's impact it could have broken the kid's leg.

Tempers flared and a push and shove ensued but the flashpoint had been coming as this match had an edge to it from the start.

Heart's three highest foul counts of last season each came in derbies and so it was no surprise that Aloisi's men played on the edge as they harassed and harried their Victory opponents from the outset.

The red and whites conceded nine fouls to three inside the first 20 minutes and had Victory under the pump.

Kevin Muscat's men had little time and space to execute any attacking forays of note and Heart players appeared to be playing above themselves as they so often do against their cross-town rivals.

The red card was the undoubted turning point in the derby. Source: Getty Images

That is until Kisnorbo's brain explosion when Heart's best laid plans went out the window.

You've got to feel sorry for Aloisi after a night like last night.

Victory's second goal had an element of fortune about it in the sense that the scorer, James Troisi, was set to be substituted in the next break of play.

Williams missed a handball in the penalty box by Pablo Contreras with about 25 minutes remaining, much to Aloisi's disgust, but by then the result was academic anyway.

Heart's winless streak is now 16 and a certain portion of the blame for that statistic has to be lumped on the coach's shoulders.

But if it were not for a couple of moments of madness from his players who knows how last night's game would have unfolded.

Instead the team must back up on Friday night for a clash with fellow cellar dweller Wellington Phoenix in which failure to win for the 17th-straight time could be the final straw.

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Live BBL: Stars v Renegades

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 20 Desember 2013 | 18.48

Aaron Finch (Renegades) and Cameron White (Stars) face-off in the ring. Photo: Robert Prezioso Source: Robert Prezioso / Getty Images

THE Stars are in the box seat in the Melbourne derby after an incredible innings from Luke Wright helped them to 208.

Opening the innings with Cameron White, the English allrounder showed his Ashes compatriots how to swing the willow, sending the ball flying in all directions for a quickfire 70 off just 32 balls.

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White also showed some good signs, playing the anchor role superbly until he was brought undone by the spin of Aaron O'Brien for 53 off 38 balls.

Spin was the Renegades' main weapon, and they could have faced a much bigger target if not for the guile of Sri Lankan genius Muttiah Muralitharan, who completed his spell of four overs with the excellent figures of 1-23, including the crucial wicket of Wright.

And you can follow all the action right here, with our live blog, featuring social media updates and commentary on all the big moments!

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Popovic's blueprint for success

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SITTING high in the stand at a deserted Parramatta Stadium, his eyes taking in the entire vista, rather sums up where Tony Popovic's mind is at right now.

In the foreground is the greatly improved pitch, one of the factors on his mind in the immediate term, but up beyond the grandstand opposite is the middle distance - filled with thoughts of his three and five-year plans for the club.

With one game left on Monday before the end of the calendar year, it's an opportune moment to consider where the Wanderers are at - little more than 18 months from its harried birth - and where it will be.

The answers almost make you feel foolish for having wondered where the motivation might come from after the club's remarkable debut year, as Popovic unapologetically sets out his blueprint.

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"We identified areas we thought we could improve in, and there's a target we have of how we want to be playing in three and five years' time. You've got to take small steps but I believe you have to have a long-term goal as to how you want your team and your whole club to be playing," he said.

"We're starting to introduce the youth team playing the same way. Last year was very difficult in that regard, this year we've gone with a much younger youth squad so there's time to evolve.

"We felt part of that was that we need to play better in our back half. We feel we're showing signs in each game of that but it doesn't happen overnight.

"We want our game to be at a certain level and next year challenge ourselves to raise the level again. We don't want to take out the things we've done well, but if you stand still you get overtaken. That way you're looking up [the table] and we want to be looking down, challenging for honours every year."

The Wanderers squad are put through their paces. Source: News Limited

Of course that pursuit of improvement has consequences for the players. It's impossible not to raise the situation in that context of Michael Beauchamp, whose captains armband hasn't protected him from selection in only half the games this season.

"My goal is that the team and squad improves," Popovic said. "Matty [Spiranovic] coming in, Brendan [Santalab] and Tomi [Juric] coming in, all improve our squad and we have to make sure that the players who are here keep improving.

"We challenge them in different ways - and part of that is having competition in every place. We had the best defence in the league last year but I believe Nikolai [Topor-Stanley] and Meggsy [Beauchamp] need to be challenged.

"You can't go through the year thinking that regardless of how we do, I'm in the team. We've got competition everywhere now and that's how you get better.

"There's no complacency anywhere, and that goes for the staff too. We challenge them every day to get better, and I want them to challenge me.

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"I don't want them to just say 'yes', I want them to challenge me with certain drills, or why something is better. If we keep doing that, I believe we can challenge for honours for years to come."

The players by this stage are leaving for the day, but the coach still has plenty to do - not least offer his input to the ongoing talks with several players, stars like Youssouf Hersi and Shinji Ono among them, who are out of contract - and are in some cases happy to talk about their situation to the outside world.

"I'd rather those things be kept in-house, definitely, but you can't control those things," Popovic said. "If agents are speaking to other clubs about our players, it will get out - you just have accept that as part of football and part of our game evolving.

"Getting the game scrutinised and everyone having an opinion is great. Being back here a year, I can sense that we've gone up another level in terms of the interest of the public and the media.

"It's a constant talk about football, whether the A-League or the Socceroos. Growing up I used to envy rugby league and the amount of coverage it got; now our players are being scrutinised in every way, on and off the field."

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Organised Jets upset Brisbane

Andrew Hoole celebrates scoring Newcastle's opening goal against Brisbane. Source: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

NEWCASTLE has continued its recent dominance over Brisbane with an upset 2-0 win over the A-League leaders at Suncorp Stadium.

The Jets are now unbeaten in their past four matches against the Roar, a run of matches that has included three victories.

Despite Brisbane dominating possession, the Jets hung tough and were rewarded for their diligence in recording their fifth win of the season.

Having grabbed a first-half lead via an own goal from Roar defender James Donachie, the Jets sealed their win in the dying stages with a goal from substitute Joey Gibbs after some excellent work from the impressive Josh Brillante.

While an ordinary playing surface due to two recent concerts didn't help the Roar's renowned passing game, the hosts lacked composure in front of goal as they lost for the third time this season and for the first time at home in 11 months.

Brisbane had the first chance of the contest in the eighth minute after a brilliant build-up involving more than half of the Roar team.

Working their way from one side of the field to the other, the Roar eventually managed to get behind Brisbane's defence via a Besart Berisha cross which found Ivan Franjic beyond the far post.

Franjic then laid the ball back into the path of midfielder Liam Miller, who seemed certain to score.

But with only Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti to beat, Miller failed to hit the target with his shot.

The Roar continued to dominate and had another great chance to open the scoring in the 18th minute after pouncing on a sloppy pass from Jets midfielder Josh Brillante.

Grateful recipient Berisha was quick to release the ball to McKay, who in turn found Franjic in dangerous position.

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However the Socceroo's first touch let him down and he failed to get a decent shot away.

Realising his side's problems, Jets coach Gary van Egmond changed formation, abandoning his narrow diamond midfield shape and opting for what was in essence a five-man midfield when Brisbane were in possession.

It worked immediately, with the Roar no longer having space on the flanks to create havoc.

The Jets were able to work their way back into the contest and made the Roar pay for their earlier misses when they took the lead after 34 minutes.

Jacob Pepper found Andrew Hoole, who got the better of Brisbane skipper Matt Smith before firing a dangerous low cross across the face of Brisbane's goal.

While the ball didn't reach intended target Adam Taggart, it forced Roar defender Donachie into an outstretched clearance that ended up in his own net.

It continued Donachie's run of outs against the Jets, with the youngster having gifted Newcastle their winning goal when the two sides met at Hunter Stadium last month.

Re-live all the action from Suncorp in the Fox Sports match centre.

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Moonee Valley plan endorsed

n45mv102 Moonee Valley Racecourse chief executive Michael Browell Source: News Limited

MOONEE Valley CEO Michael Browell said the reconfiguration of the Moonee Valley racetrack took a significant step forward yesterday when the essentials of its masterplan met State Government approval.

"The main elements of our plan, the new racetrack and the new grandstand and new horse areas have been approved," Browell said.

Browell received the 188-page Moonee Valley Racecourse Redevelopment Advisory Committee report from the State Planning Minister Matthew Guy yesterday afternoon and was thrilled with the result.

"It's a great outcome for the club. The master plan has been endorsed and as a result so has the long-term future of the club. At one stage we thought we might have to compromise," Browell said.

"It's close to what we wanted."

Browell said if things went according to plan the 2020 Cox Plate would be held on the new track.

The new racetrack and grandstand will be on Wilson St which is known as the school side on the northern boundary of the track.

Browell said there were modifications to the master plan in the report but he understood that and the club was always flexible with its plans.

"There are lots of heritage issues which will lead to a redesign of the development but the key principals of the redevelopment have been approved with the grandstand on Wilson St," he said.

The report stated that there would be a 20 per cent reduction in terms of density and population compared to the original Moonee Valley Racecourse Master Plan.

Browell said the changes would mean a reduction from 2500 dwellings on-course to 2000 with a population of around 4500.

The report stated the former club secretary's house, the main tote, the stables, the main gate and the entrance would have to be retained in the new development.

The new track will have a finishing straight of 315m compared to its current length of 173m and also a minimum width of 30m compared to 23m now.

The next step is for the recommendations to be sent to the Moonee Valley City Council who will meet on January 28.

"The council will consider the report and send its response to the Minister For Planning," Browell said.

Browell said if all went smoothly planning permits would be ready for development of the north-western boundary in the first quarter of next year and building of townhouses could commence later that year.

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Fred says a Hymn for trip

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 19 Desember 2013 | 18.48

Three-year-old Ihtsahymn takes out the Kingston Town Classic this month. Picture: Sean Middleton Source: Sean Middleton / News Limited

A VICTORIAN autumn trip is on the line for Fred Kersley's Ihtsahymn when the three-year-old contests the Group 2 Cox Stakes at Ascot tomorrow.

Ihtsahymn won the Group 1 1800m Kingston Town Classic at Ascot on December 7, defeating established older star Luckygray, to take his record to five wins from nine starts.

Tomorrow the pair clash again in the 2100m Cox Stakes.

Kersley said Ihtsahymn had all the breaks last start.

"We got a terrific trip in the Kingston Town with a great ride from Steve Parnham and Luckygray had to do it a bit harder," Kersley said.

Kersley said both horses were tackling 2100m for the first time.

Luckygray is TAB's $3.20 favourite with Ihtsahymn at $3.60 and Mr Moet $6.

If Ihtsahymn wins or runs well tomorrow, Kersley said a trip east could be on the cards.

"I haven't had a discussion with his connections, but if he was going to come to Victoria it would be the autumn in front of the spring," he said.

Dual Railway Stakes winner Luckygray clashes again with Ihtsahymn at Ascot tomorrow. Picture Graeme Collopy Source: News Limited

Kersley said Ihtsahymn's rating had risen from 72 to 104 in his past two starts which limited the gelding's options in Perth.

Kersley said he was taking advantage of the weight-for-age scale with Ihtsahymn, pointing out he carried 7kg less than Luckygray two weeks ago and 8kg less tomorrow.

"I'm very conscious of this. He has a long way to go to be an open-age weight-for-age horse," Kersley said.

The West Australian shot to national prominence as a thoroughbred trainer when he trained Northerly to win the 2001-02 Cox Plates and 2001 and 2003 Australian Cups.

Kersley said Ihtsahymn could not be compared with Northerly.

"Northerly didn't race as a two-year-old and only had a couple of starts as a late three-year-old, while this bloke showed a lot as a two-year-old and now as a three-year-old has won five from nine starts," he said.

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Belle sounds for Caviar sister debut

Belle Couture's big day has finally arrived when she makes her debut at Bendigo on Sunday. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

THERE is some deliberate and also lucky timing in the launch of Belle Couture's racing career at Bendigo on Sunday.

Trainer Danny O'Brien said he was keen to find pristine ground for Black Caviar's already part-famous half sister.

"Damien (Oliver) was really keen for her to start off on one of our better tracks and Bendigo is perfect,'' O'Brien said yesterday.

Given the sensational revelations of the past fortnight, O'Brien said it was probably a good thing Belle Couture was making her debut on Sunday.

Belle Couture was bought for $2.6 million by Bill Vlahos's now destitute BC3 at the 2012 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale.

Receivers ordered the sale of BC3's remaining 16 per cent of Belle Couture and the share was snapped up on Wednesday by existing shareholder Donna Love.

"If she'd raced a month ago, she'd have been caught up in this entire saga, but she is now BC3-free and we can just look forward to her racing,'' O'Brien said.

The trainer admitted to pre-race jitters, saying a "feel good'' element amid the wider story of the BC3 crisis sat on the shoulders of Belle Couture and her ailing brother, "Jimmy".

Jimmy remains at the Melbourne University equine clinic at Werribee, where an international expert in the hoof condition laminitis has been flown in to inspect the colt.

Inglis chief executive Mark Webster said there was a remote chance Jimmy might make a full recovery and race but it was far more likely he would be syndicated for stud duties - if he pulls through.

O'Brien said he hoped Belle Couture proved worthy of her bloodlines.

Belle Couture, the half sister of Black Caviar, heads back to her Flemington stable. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"Gee, I hope she can win,'' O'Brien said of Belle Couture. "The real racing story here is this amazing family, of Black Caviar and All Too Hard.

"I just hope this filly can play a part in that story, even if a minor one.''

Belle Couture has drawn barrier seven in a field of 11 for an 1100m fillies' maiden at Bendigo.

Sportsbet posted Belle Couture a $1.80 favourite yesterday.

O'Brien said Belle Couture was open to vast improvement after two "soft'' jumpouts.

"Look, we're hoping her natural ability might be enough for her to come out and win her maiden, but she's not screwed right down to win,'' he said.

"She's never been off the bridle. She's a very nice filly but I'm in the dark as much as punters as to what she'll do when she lets down.''

O'Brien said he had cast an eye over Belle Couture's legendary half sister at Kitchwin Hills stud in the Hunter Valley last week.

"I was up there inspecting yearlings and there she was in a paddock with another mare,'' he said, referring to Black Caviar.

"This filly is not as powerful as Black Caviar, probably a more rangy type.''

O'Brien said he would use Black Caviar's career as a guide to his handling of Belle Couture.

"When she turned four, Black Caviar had raced just four times and she was racing at the top level at six,'' he said.

"Belle Couture had immaturity issues early on and we were never going to rush her, and we won't be rushing her.''

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Criticism drives horse sales probe

Peter Moody and David Moodie attend an Inglis function at Circular Quay to launch the Easter Yearling Sale. Source: News Limited

AS leading auction houses yesterday defended the horse sale industry amid accusations of rorts, Racing Victoria announced it would investigate whether the industry was in need of reform.

While insisting Inglis and Magic Millions acted with integrity, the Australian Racing Board has revealed it and other industry bodies had received numerous complaints about alleged dummy bidding and "rogue'' bloodstock agents.

Inglis chief executive Mark Webster insisted talk of widespread dummy bidding was "speculation'' and said his company was unaware of pre-sale deals and condemned such activity.

ARB chief executive Peter McGauran said breeders had fought hard against a new ARB rule that outlawed the use of anabolic steroids on all horses, from yearlings to racehorses.

McGauran said a "new era'' of transparency and integrity had put aspects of thoroughbred breeding and auctions on notice.

Leading breeder and Racing Victoria board member David Moodie said on Sunday occasional dodgy practices were a blight on the industry, mainly at yearling sales. He insisted most acted properly.

Moodie said pre-sale deals and dummy bidders were not widespread but were common enough to affect overall confidence.

Moodie also criticised sales companies for offering buyers extended periods of credit. Inglis was left with more than $5 million in debt after the collapse of BC3.

Racing Victoria chief executive Bernard Saundry said RVL would contact the Australian Securities and Investments Commission regarding codes of conduct in the horse sale industry.

"We don't know what the answers are, but we are keen to look into it over the next few months, to see if customers were properly protected and, if not, what can be done,'' Saundry said.

Black Caviar's half-brother "Jimmy" fetched $5 million at the Easter Yearling Sale. Picture: Bruno Cannatelli Source: Supplied

The heads of Australia's two major sales companies, Inglis and Magic Millions, said rorts were not widespread.

Vin Cox, head of Magic Millions, said market forces usually ensured the integrity of any sale.

Cox and Webster said providing extended periods of credit to buyers was crucial to the buying and subsequent syndication of horses.

"If we stopped giving credit, the whole system grinds to a halt,'' Webster said.

"We'd love for everyone to pay on the day, but it just doesn't work that way. Trainers will buy a horse like that and go back to their clients and syndicate it out.

"If anyone can come up with a better system, please let me know. There isn't one.''

Webster said beleaguered BC3 had been given strict 30-days terms to settle the $5 million account for Black Caviar's half brother, "Jimmy".

"But they couldn't meet their obligation, simple as that,'' Webster said.

Webster conceded "there could be a need for reform in some areas'' but said 99.9 per cent of buyers and sellers "meet their obligations''.

Webster said Inglis provided free and accurate advice to consumers about the "true'' value of horses to be sold at auction.

Henty Plumptre, head of Darley's Australian operation, said rorts were "absolutely rife'' at horse sales in Britain and the US in the 1970s and 1980s but modern sales could be trusted.

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Mariners scrape past Phoenix

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ALL three points and a clean sheet - now that's how you bounce back from a 4-0 drubbing.

The Central Coast Mariners may not have played at their fortress Bluetongue Stadium, but goalkeeper Liam Reddy couldn't have felt more at home at North Sydney Oval in front of a 6000 strong crowd.

Reddy pulled off some memorable saves throughout the game to ensure Wellington went home empty handed - again.

Mariners coach Phil Moss said his team did well to grind out a result in unfamiliar surroundings and paid tribute to Reddy's mature performance.

"He copped a bit from the weekend with the mistake down in Adelaide and I thought he showed some real mental toughness tonight to come back and put on a performance like that," Moss said.

"It's fair to say that it wasn't one of our prettiest performances. I thought we ground out the three points, but I think coming off the back of a bad result on the weekend against Adelaide it showed a lot of mental strength to find a way to win the game."

Storm Roux's first-half goal was enough to settle the encounter for Phil Moss' men and put last weekend's heavy defeat to Adelaide behind them.

Mile Sterjovski's cross from the right found Roux, who slotted home in the 27th minute. It was the South Africa-born, Kiwi international's first ever A-League goal.

The Mariners had looked lively up to then, particularly Nick Fitzgerald down the left, but it was far from a dominant first-half performance. The Phoenix had the better chances and it took some fine goalkeeping from Reddy, on top of Nick Montgomery's clearance off the line, to stop the visitors from taking the lead.

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The Mariners were let off the hook numerous times throughout the game and Moss knows there's still plenty of work to do.

"We were the masters of our own undoing with regards to the amount of possession they had," Moss said.

"We just gave away too much cheap ball and we need to take a lot more pride in what we do with the ball."

Wellington, without their injured and disgruntled star player Carlos Hernandez, blew their best chance to go level when Stein Huysegems missed a penalty minutes after the break. Emmanuel Muscat was tripped in the box by Roux and the referee didn't didn't hesitate to point to the spot. Huysegems hit his shot well enough, but it was at the perfect height for Reddy to make a diving save to his left.

Wellington coach Ernie Merrick felt his team would have gone on to win the game if the penalty had been scored.

Buoyed by Huysegems miss, the Mariners produced two great chances minutes later to double their lead. First, Josh Rose found playmaker Marcos Flores, who should have done better with his close-range shot. Then Wellington's keeper Glenn Moss pulled off one of the saves of the season to tip Fitzgerald's attempt over the bar.

It was a familiar story for Wellington, who played well but just couldn't convert their chances. And they had many of them, right up until the dying minutes of the game.

To his credit, Merrick was upbeat after the game, but did admit his players are struggling to find confidence.

The result moves the Mariners up to fourth on the A-League ladder, eight points behind leaders Brisbane, while the Phoenix remain winless this season.

Get all the stats and facts our match centre.

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Why I gave dream gig a head Sheikh

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 18 Desember 2013 | 18.48

Chris Waller has confirmed he was approached back in September about the Darley job, but kept the negotiations so quiet that he didn't even inform his own parents. Picture: Mark Evans. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

PREMIER trainer Chris Waller last night opened up about his decision to turn down Sheikh Mohammed and pass on the dream Darley job.

John O'Shea was this week appointed as Peter Snowden's successor at Darley, and confirmed the powerhouse operation had made an earlier play for Waller.

The Daily Telegraph revealed on November 21 that Darley had made Waller their No. 1 target after Snowden informed them he would finish up at the end of next autumn.

Waller yesterday confirmed he had been approached back in September, but kept the negotiations so quiet that he didn't even inform his own parents.

He also revealed he not so long ago had aspirations to open a satellite stable in Dubai, simply because he wanted to be recognised on the world stage and impress people like Sheikh Mohammed.

Darley were so determined to get their man, John Ferguson flew to Sydney to sit in on one of the interviews.

"I was very close to going,'' Waller told The Daily Telegraph.

"I'm reluctant to talk about this, and I'm still reluctant to talk about it because I've got so much respect for the people who offered me the job.

"But 'yes', I was approached, I was asked to come in for a talk on a Monday, and when I left that meeting, I remember driving home thinking, 'I'm going to be Darley's next trainer'.

Trainer Chris Waller says wife Stephanie was the first to know about the offer. Picture: Jay Town Source: News Limited

"My wife Stephanie was the first person I told. I also spoke to some people close to me, including (stable foreman) Peter Muscutt, (racing manager) Liam Prior, and a select of powerful and influential owners who could run the country if they chose to. ‎

"I slept that night, but it was in the middle of the Melbourne spring carnival, so it was the first thought on my mind every morning.

"In the end I realised I couldn't walk away from everyone. It wasn't just me, I'd be walking away from my staff, owners, friends, service providers.

"Why am I training? I don't want to me a multi-millionaire, I do this because I enjoy being around all these people, and I'm talking about a lot of people who supported me when I was starting out and had nothing.

"I currently have 130 horses at Rosehill and Flemington. I'd love to think I could grow that number to 150 if we get extra boxes at Flemington.

"Who is to say we can't be the next Darley? We can have everything in place ourselves where everyone says, 'wow, it's a foolproof system', which Darley has.''

Waller was last season's champion Group 1 trainer and tearaway Sydney premiership leader, so securing good horses will never be an issue. But the guarantee of an endless supply of horses, and an expensive annual retainer, would have made Darley attractive.

Waller said O'Shea was the right man for the gig, and ``I'll be the first to congratulate him when he wins a Group 1 for Darley and I finish second''.

Darley wanted an Australian with Group 1 success and experience running a big team. They wouldn't have gone wrong with Waller _ and won't go wrong with O'Shea.

Waller said he was filthy on himself when he fell short of his own lofty expectations, and didn't want to live each day wondering if Sheikh Mohammed was satisfied.

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Djokers turns to German great

Serbian Novak Djokovic (right) has enlisted German great Boris Becker (left) as his new head trainer. Picture: AFP Source: HECTOR MATA / AFP

BORIS Becker has taken over as Novak Djokovic's head coach in preparation for next month's Australian Open.

The six-time grand slam singles champion joins Marian Vajda, Miljan Amanovic and Gebhard Phil-Gritsch on Djokovic's coaching team as the German great is joined on the coaching circuit by nemesis Stefan Edberg, who is working with Roger Federer.

Becker will travel with Djokovic to Melbourne, Miami, Monte Carlo, Rome, the French Open, Wimbledon Cincinnati, the US Open, Shanghai, Paris and London.

Djokovic will begin working with Becker as he prepares for the Australian Open, which starts 13 January.

Vajda will continue working in Novak's team, and the Slovak will accompany him to Indian Wells, Madrid, Toronto and Beijing.

Djokovic said, "I am really excited to have the opportunity to work with Boris. He is a true legend, someone who has great tennis knowledge and his experience will help me win new trophies from the Grand Slams and other tournaments.

"Boris is a great person, too, and I am sure he will fit in our team in the best possible way. Boris brings a new fresh approach, and together with Vajda he will make a winning combination.

"My goal for 2014 is to play my best tennis and to get in shape for the Grand Slams and [ATP World Tour] Masters 1000s.

"These tournaments have the most weight in our sport, and I want to prove my worth there. The team is now strengthened and we hope for maximum results."

Novak Djokovic will begin working with Boris Becker as he prepares for the Australian Open, which starts January 13. Source: AP

Now 46, Becker is rated as one of the world's greatest players, having won 64 tour-level titles in his career.

He is a former World No. 1, who captured six Grand Slam singles titles and became the youngest Wimbledon champion ever, at 17 years of age.

The German also led his country to victories in Davis Cup in 1988 and 1989. Among his success, there is an Olympic gold medal in doubles and many other trophies.

"I am proud Novak invited me to become his Head Coach. I will do my best to help him reach his goals, and I am sure we can achieve great things together," Becker said.

Vajda has been together with Novak since 2006, and as he says, they both decided to invite Becker to join the team.

"In a few weeks Novak and I will start the eighth year of our cooperation. During that period we have achieved almost all the goals we had," Vajda said.

"I realised that Novak needed a new head coach in order for him to continue improving certain parts of his game. At the same time I will have more time for my family.

"Becker's assignment will not affect much my position in the team, since I will do all I can for Novak, just like I did before. On the other hand, choosing Boris as the head coach is a good solution, I am sure we will get along very well, and that Novak will continue to progress."

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How we won the Ashes

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7-1. That's Australia's lead in individual centuries scored in the first three Tests. England scored five centuries to Australia's four in England earlier this year.

Belt 'em. Australia has smashed an astonishing 36 sixes in just six innings and looks a certainty to surpass the record for the most sixes in a Test series - 37 by Pakistan against India in 2005-06. England has hit 12 sixes. Brad Haddin and George Bailey lead with the way for the home team with eight sixes apiece.

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Belt 'em some more. Australia's run rate has been superior to England's in all six innings. Australia's slowest scoring rate was its first innings in Brisbane (3.03 runs per over). England has only twice managed to score at three runs per over on average for an entire innings.

Australia has the four highest run-scorers of the series so far. David Warner (457 runs), Michael Clarke (331), Brad Haddin (325) and Shane Watson (200). England's best, Ian Bell, comes in at No.5 with 190.

Declaration of intent. Australia has not conceded 20 wickets in any Test this summer, declaring its second innings closed in all three games.

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BOWLING

Game of attrition. England has spent 578.4 overs in the field to Australia's 495.1. It's equivalent to an extra day in the field for the tourists.

Under pressure. Australia's bowlers have delivered 146 maidens (about one in every three) while England has sent down just 93 maidens (about one in every six).

No frontline Australian bowler has conceded more than three runs per over on average. That's something no England bowler has been able to achieve. Graeme Swann, not long ago recognised as the premier finger spinner in the world, has conceded 3.94 runs per over, the most expensive rate on either side among established bowlers.

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Australia has four of the five leading wicket-takers for the series. Mitchell Johnson (23 wickets), Ryan Harris (12), Peter Siddle (11) and Nathan Lyon (10). England's Stuart Broad (14) splits that quartet and ended the Perth Test injured.

AND ANOTHER THING

Australia has won the toss in all three Tests. But that alone does not account for such comprehensive winning margins.

Fielding. While the likes of Brad Haddin, David Warner, Mitchell Johnson and Chris Rogers earn their place on the Ashes highlight reel through spectacular diving catches, England wicketkeeper Matt Prior gets a gig with his series of gaffes behind the stumps this summer.

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An inspiring Lyon's tale

Canberra duo Jono Dean (left) and Ben Oakley are looking to lift the Strikers in the Big Bash League. Source: Mike Burton / News Limited

STRIKERS recruit Jono Dean says Nathan Lyon's rags-to-riches tale has lit a flamepath for other international hopefuls in Canberra's grade cricket scene.

Dean, 29, caught coach the cricket world's attention after smashing 51 off 40 balls when opening the batting for a Prime Minister's XI side against the West Indies in January.

The unknown club cricketer clubbed Tino Best to all corners of Manuka Oval, despite the Windies paceman nudging 150km/h on the speed gun.

His 35-ball half-century prompted captain Ricky Ponting to predict "there will probably be a few people on the phone to him over the next few days".

West Indies opener Kieron Powell later dubbed Dean "a right-handed David Warner". "He seems a Big Bash player, I don't understand why he hasn't got a run yet. If he keeps doing that I'm sure he'll get one soon,'' Powell said.

After spending last summer's Big Bash League on the Melbourne Renegades' supplementary list, Dean was signed as a full squad member of Berry's 2013/14 unit.

He said off-spinner Lyon's rise from Canberra club cricketer and Strikers no-name under Berry to Australian Ashes winner this week was a lesson in seizing chances.

"Mate it's inspiring, seeing what Lyonsy did, coming from Canberra, down here (Adelaide) and now playing a vital role for Australia," Dean said.

"It's definitely inspiring for kids and guys like me out there.

"I managed to score some runs in the right place a the right time. In the West Indies PM's XI I managed to score a few and managed to speak to Chuck (Berry) shortly after that, and that's how the opportunity came about.

"I'm just happy to get the opportunity. If that comes about then I'll do my best. If it comes or if it doesn't, I'll be supporting the Adelaide Strikers and hopefully the boys can do well."

Dean was signed shortly before another Canberra grade cricket product, pace bowler Ben Oakley - who roomed with Lyon before he became an international player.

"I lived with Nate for a couple of years, we played a lot of T20 cricket back in the day," Oakley said.

"He congratulated me when I first got signed and said 'shame I've left now', but that's the way it goes and hopefully I get a chance to have a go against him."

Adelaide opens its Big Bash season against Hobart at Blundstone Arena on Sunday. It's first home game is against Perth on New Year's Eve.

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Is NRL penalty an SOS to Sharks?

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 17 Desember 2013 | 18.48

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IT TAKES a big heart to be a Cronulla fan - it is why the world is full of Manchester United and New York Yankees fans.

So we should feel for them today, as their club builds towards another bid for a maiden premiership with a new coach following the NRL's ban of Shane Flanagan.

But it does not sit right that the provisional fine for the Sharks of $1 million, minus a $400,000 suspended sum, for their handling in 2011 of the club's supplements program has been tailored by the NRL to suit the financial resources of one of their poorest clubs.

Quite how this is a good idea as a precedent for the next club with staffers inclined to cut corners or become adventurous in their use of supplements, I don't know.

"The $400,000 is there to help the club implement better governance and better thing going forward,'' NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle said.

"It's to help them as a football club, rather than hit them with a $1 million fine.''

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NRL CEO Dave Smith offered as a virtue the thoroughness and time taken by the NRL's investigation into the behaviour by Cronulla in 2011, which was held separately to inquiries by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority.

While we cannot work on the basis that the conduct at Cronulla in 2011 and Essendon in 2012 were similar, both the NRL and AFL had the starter's gun for supplements go off for them on pretty much the same day. That was 10 months ago, when the Australian Crime Commission made headline-grabbing claims about Australian sport.

The AFL ruled in late August that the governance and supplement use by Essendon in 2012 was such that the Bombers and their coach James Hird should not be contesting the 2013 finals.

The NRL's finals series was run and done, with Cronulla involved and mercifully eliminated, for more than two months before the NRL provisionally suspended coach Flanagan.

Can you imagine where we would be now had the Sharks won last year's premiership?

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But one thing Smith had on his side in that choice was that he was dealing with Cronulla. In 47 previous seasons, they had always found a way to not win the competition.

Flanagan's ban covers the same 12-month ban period to which Hird agreed, while Cronulla's fine is effectively $1.4 million less than the AFL gained from Essendon.

"It's a very complex set of conditions for both codes,'' Smith said.

"Any comparison with the AFL is inevitable. My absolute commitment has been to this code following a true process that is fair and doesn't overreact and takes everything into consideration.''

Governance at the Sharks has been left by the NRL with the club directors, some of whom went behind interim Cronulla CEO Bruno Cullen's back in July to reinstate suspended staffers.

One of those staffers, Flanagan, has now been provisionally suspended again.

"Their performance on the field through some trying circumstances showed courage and determination,'' Smith said yesterday.

"The new leadership … are doing all the right things.''

Sharks CEO Damien Keogh arrives at Cronulla Sharks Leagues Club. Source: News Limited

For the sake of the Cronulla fans he urged to get behind the board, I hope Smith's confidence in the Sharks directors and management is well placed.

When he remarked that he wanted to see the Sharks "move towards a stronger position'', Smith wasn't necessarily thinking about Queensland.

The Central Queensland bid team made it clear this week if they would need, oh, about 15 minutes, if the NRL chose to relocate the Sharks at Rockhampton in the fallout from the club's governance issues and general financial future.

Hopefully the scope of the NRL's broadcast deal allows the Sharks to putter along in their beloved "Shire'' for however long it takes rugby league to decide that 10 teams in NSW is too many.

We've been having that conversation for more than 20 years already, so, hey, no real rush.

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Stosur trusts in foreign policy

Sam Stosur is working with Briton Miles Maclagan, a former coach of Wimbledon champ Andy Murray. Source: News Limited

SAM Stosur says she hopes her former coach of six years, David Taylor, will be able to work with another Australian tennis player in future after it emerged that he has been hired by a young Croatian.

Stosur is almost three weeks into her association with Briton Miles Maclagan, a former coach of Andy Murray among others, as she searches for ways to end her run of outs at Australian tournaments.

Taylor is working on a trial basis in Florida with Ajla Tomljanovic, a 20-year-old ranked No.77, and will join her in Australia later this month.

The former Australian Fed Cup captain had coached Stosur for six years, during which she won the 2011 US Open and broke into the world's top five.

"He definitely has a lot of great assets and if he could stay in Australia, it would be great, but there has to be that right matchup between player and coach,''' Stosur said.

"I don't know if Dave had options in staying with an Australian player this time.''

The employment of Taylor and Roger Rasheed, who will guide Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov at the Brisbane International, by foreign players harks back to the days when Darren Cahill, Taylor and Bob Brett among others guided the careers of non-Australians and raised fears in Australian tennis of a "brain drain''.

"I'm working with a foreigner for the first time now in terms of a long-term one,'' Stosur said.

"It's nice to work with someone from your own country or with a similar culture.''

David Taylor in his former guise as Australia's Fed Cup captain, with Sam Stosur in the background Source: AP

Stosur, Australia's top-ranked player at No.18 in the world, said she is getting more comfortable with each day of practice with Maclagan and he had expressed trust in her knowledge of what works for her.

An early test of their partnership will be her results in Australia, where she won one match last summer in three tournaments, continuing a trend in which the Gold Coaster is yet to make an Australian Open quarter-final.

"He wants a lot of input from me, what I need to do. He recognises I'm older than a lot of the players on tour and can work out what's best for me,'' Stosur said.

"He is quite laid back, which works with me, as I'm a bit similar. But he works very hard and doesn't shy away from time on the court - we have barely done one session less than two hours.''

Stosur is having Christmas with her family at the Gold Coast in a two-day visit before she flies out for the Hopman Cup, which starts on Saturday week.

She has confessed to past struggles with expectations at Australian tournaments and her choice of Perth and the Hobart International instead of Brisbane and Sydney will mean there is not the same media focus on her form.

"It may end up working out that way. The idea of going to Perth was to get those three matches, win or lose,'' she said.

"Why I haven't necessarily played well in Melbourne was I hadn't won matches and had no momentum. In Hobart, you are not going to play a top-20 player first up. I haven't left the Sydney tournament feeling too terrific the past few years, feeling a bit negative.''

Speculation has been fanned that Roger Federer will work with Stefan Edberg as a coach after Edberg completed a training week with the Brisbane International top seed and his team in Dubai.

"It was great spending time with one of my childhood heroes,'' Federer wrote on Twitter.

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Tomic needs stability: Cash

Pat Cash is impressed by Bernard Tomic's ability but fears consistency may elude him. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

AUSTRALIAN tennis great Pat Cash has warned top-ranked Australian Bernard Tomic won't become a majors contender until he hires a stable support team.

Cash, the 1987 Wimbledon champion, was one of the first players to spend big on an entourage of experts travelling with him and said that has now become the norm for the elite of the game.

He feared Tomic would continue to have sporadic success but not shine on a regular level until he had sorted out his off-court crew.

Tomic's father, John, is suspended indefinitely after being charged with assaulting one of Tomic's hitting partners.

It has led to Tomic hiring Croatian Velimir Zovko as his interim coach for 2014 as he seeks to improve on his world ranking of No. 51.

Tomic is in a cluster of Australians in a similar position in the ATP rankings: Lleyton Hewitt is placed at No. 69, Marinko Matosevic No. 61 and Matthew Ebden No. 69.

But Cash warned the talented Tomic was unlikely to reach his peak unless he changed his set-up.

Bernard Tomic snapped in those photos receiving lap dances while partying on the Gold Coast. Source: Supplied

Tomic has appeared to have a distinctly different lifestyle to top players Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic by either feuding with police over speeding fines - claiming harassment - or being photographed partying shirtless in a Gold Coast nightclub.

For all of that, Cash has been impressed by Tomic's best tennis.

"He's a bit of a giant killer and he's a threat to everybody," Cash said. "He likes the Australian and Wimbledon, where he gets a little bit of extra pace off the grass.

"But consistency's never going to be his strong point unless he turns it around.

"What we do know is that players who produce consistency are very level headed and have a strong, stable team around them.

"It doesn't matter where you look: You take Federer ... there were times when he didn't have a coach, but he certainly had a solid team around him. Nadal, Djokovic, too, Muray's got it. I had my team Pat Rafter had his team.

"Sometimes you make a change, but you've got a solid base of a team there with exceptional people.

"When he does get it, there might be a change coming."

Cash, who commentates and plays exhibition events around the world, will be in Adelaide for the World Tennis Challenge in January, an event which counts him as a regular.

He said Tomic's situation was similar to the Australian cricket team, which has become a force again after finding a sense of stability.

"It's the same with the cricket team: they've had the same team for a while now and they've got good people around it," Cash said.

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Reds back under-pressure Gombau

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ADELAIDE United stopper Jon McKain has revealed the Reds are prepared to go down with the ship if it means sticking to manager Josep Gombau's tiki-taka vision.

McKain said under pressure Gombau had the full backing of players 'to a T' despite a poor start to the season with two wins in 10 rounds.

"The way we are going to play this year is exciting, entertaining," said McKain ahead of Sunday's away clash with seventh-ranked Perth Glory.

"It is an attacking brand of football. When we have got the ball we are stretched and wide and when we do make mistakes, we can be caught out a little bit.

"There has been a lot of talk about pressures. We have played ok in patches but just not getting results."

Gombau has cracked under media scrutiny twice this season but McKain explained the Spaniard was safeguarding a squad still grappling with his possession focused style.

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"He is a great person first and foremost and a fantastic coach. When you have someone around you that really protects you and you feel like you want play for them it is the ultimate combination," said McKain with Adelaide recording a crucial 4-0 win against Central Coast last round.

"You can see from the first goal how we went to him on the weekend how much he means to us, how important he is to the club, the fans respect him."

However the fans on the terraces will become restless without proof of consistency and structural surety. Former Reds coach John Kosmina notes winning is everything in the A-League but McKain is torn between two aims.

"It is a difficult one,' said McKain when asked whether style or results took precedence at Coopers Stadium.

"You want to play a certain way but it's human nature, you want to win as well. They are linked to a degree."

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McKain had planned on the eighth-placed Reds capitalising on the infighting between skipper Jacob Burns and coach Alistair Edwards until the latter's departure on Tuesday.

The selection of Edwards' sons Ryan and Cameron ahead of senior players, including Burns, in Friday's 2-0 loss to Melbourne Victory ultimately led to the departure of the coach.

Former Barnsley skipper Burns remains a fierce foe on-field but McKain respects the fellow international.

"Burnsy is a tough guy to play against, I have had run ins with him but he is a player you want on your team," he said.

Adelaide hasn't won in five trips to Perth and their task will be complicated with winger Fabio Ferreira facing two weeks on the sidelines with an adductor strain.

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Suarez, Fergie for Golden Vettel

Written By Unknown on Senin, 16 Desember 2013 | 18.49

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Welcome to the second preliminary final in our search for the Golden Vettel winner of 2013. This end of year award goes to the person who stitched up their teammates, or generally acted like a goose during the season.

Back in March Red Bull F1 superstar Sebastian Vettel ignored team orders and shafted his Australian teammate Mark Webber at the Malaysian Grand Prix. This, in our eyes, was a moment of treachery we could not let pass and so the Vettels were born, living weekly on the Fox Sports Facebook page.

First up we tackled cricket and today it's the football world in the spotlight.

Check out the nominees and leave your vote. The football winner will join luminaries from other sports in the Golden Vettel grand final next week.

1. Luis Suarez. Is he brilliant? Undeniably. So good is the Uruguayan playing right now it seems churlish to talk of the downside. But has there ever been a sportsman which such disparity between his most magical moments and his depths of depravity? Exhibit one: his 10 match ban for the April chomp on Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic (not the first time he has sunk his teeth into an opponent). Then, while serving the ban with the full support of his manager Brendan Rodgers, he agitated for a move away from the Reds, in the process shafting Arsenal by misleading them over his transfer release clause.

Saurez has kept his head down and his scoring boots firmly on since his return - but how long before his next indiscretion - the January transfer window?

Fergie's autobiography launch was not to be missed. Source: Getty Images

2. Sir Alex Ferguson. Football pundits are divided over this, but has Fergie given his anointed David Moyes one of the great all-time hospital passes? Fergie left Moyes a squad that - RVP and Wayne Rooney aside - is ageing or substandard. Fergie can't be blamed for Moyes's chronic failures in his first transfer window in charge but did nothing to help his cause by coming out with an unsettling autobiography when Moyes's reign was in its infancy. That book adds to Fergie's Vettel credentials - he bagged out men who made him such as David Beckham and Roy Keane, and had a substantial swipe at Mark Bosnich.

Manchester United's English midfielder Ashley Young has got some bad habits. Source: AFP

3. Ashley Young. So blatant was his dive against Crystal Palace earlier this season he was publicly ticked off by his Manchester United coach David Moyes. Who knows how it went down behind doors though, as Young was at it again last month, winning a penalty against Real Sociedad with a comical tumble after a slight tug on the sleeve. Moyes refused to condemn him that time, although plenty including Roy Keane did.

Young is unrepentant - so expect more. He says: "I think it's one to ask the referees. They're the ones who are giving free-kicks and penalties.

"It's been talked about obviously by the previous manager and the current manager but that's in house."

Sepp Blatter's nomination should come as no surprise. Source: Getty Images

4. Sepp Blatter. Are words necessary? Well, maybe one word: Qatar. Oh, and Qatar.

Sportsmanship went out the window. Source: Getty Images

5. Leroy Fer. The Norwich player hit the headlines when he rolled the ball into an empty Cardiff City net after it had been kicked out because of an injury. Fer ignored the conventions of fair play that hold that a team will give the ball back to their opposition. Referee Mike Jones disallowed the "goal" - wrongly in the eyes of many, including Fer.

"I just looked at the referee and he did "play on" with his hands so I think the goal had to count," said Fer. "I'm a little bit confused on that one. I meant to put it in because I wanted to win the game."

Which football identity should be in the grand final for the 2013 Golden Vettel?

Who should football's nominee be for the Vettel of The Year award?

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Adelaide thumps Mariners 4-0

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ADELAIDE United defeated Central Coast Mariners 4-0 by mixing its usual tiki-taka game plan which saw the club win just one match this season before Saturday night.

Adelaide steam rolled the reigning champion at Coopers Stadium despite emphatically losing the possession statistic for the first time.

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Melbourne Victory was the only other club which won the possession stakes just - 51 per cent to 49 per cent - during the round two 2-2 draw in front of a record A-League crowd at Hindmarsh (16,504) this season.

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Mariners had 55 per cent of possession on Saturday but the key to the change of style was Adelaide's use of effective long balls forward to split the Mariners defence.

Adelaide captain Eugene Galekovic was the best long ball example when he claimed an assist for a route one clearance which allowed Sergio Cirio to score Adelaide's third goal when he rounded Mariners keeper Liam Reddy before walking the ball into an empty net.

Out of Adelaide's 457 passes compared to Mariners 554 Adelaide used the long ball 17 per cent of the time while Mariners only tried the long ball six per cent of the time.

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But when Mariners' Mitch Duke got behind the Reds defence's high line after just 45 seconds before his opportunity was lost with a heavy touch Adelaide seemingly defended smarter.

And with the Reds defence seemingly dropping deeper than coach Josep Gombau's previous high line Adelaide took command of the clash.

With Reds forwards also dropping off rather than pressing the Mariners four man defence when the away side had the ball deep, the Reds midfield appeared to be much more compact than its previous nine encounters.

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In essence Mariners had fewer holes to exploit which was symptomatic of Adelaide's previous results barring the opening round 3-1 win over Perth Glory.

"The style we played over the last weeks also we played very well but we didn't get theses results,'' Gombau said.

"We have the style we are playing (Saturday) we don't make mistakes but this is football.

"We know the way that we play and we know what we are doing and we are believing in what we are doing and this is important.

"We have this style and we are playing.

"We are playing the way we want to play and we are creating chances every week more and more."

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Live: Clarke puts hapless Poms in

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AUSTRALIA is just five wickets away from regaining the Ashes but England finally put up a bit of resistance on day four of the third Test in Perth.

The Aussies looked to be charging to victory when they reduced England to 4-121 as Kevin Pietersen holed out off Nathan Lyon.

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But a fighting partnership between Ian Bell (60) and Ben Stokes (72 n.o.) left England 253 runs shot of a miracle victory.

Each of Australia's bowlers, including all-rounder Shane Watson, picked up a wicket each but the bowling group looked noticably tired late on Monday.

Earlier, the hosts provided some of the best entertainment of the series as they piled on the runs before declaring with a lead of more than 500.

Shane Watson belted a century off just 106 balls and George Bailey hit 28 runs off one James Anderson over to completely demoralise England's bowling attack.

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