Verde gatecrashes match race

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

IT WAS meant to be a match race between Snitzerland and Buffering - but too bad somebody forgot to send the memo to trainer Anthony Cummngs and his speedy stable addition Villa Verde.

The ghostly grey was well backed before the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) and ran accordingly, unleashing an impressive turn of foot to beat Snitzerland ($3.10fav) by a half length with the fast-finishing Famous Seamus ($61) third.

Brisbane bulldog Buffering ($3.30) led the field up the straight before he finished seventh, which left trainer Rob Heathcote wondering if "the horse got away from me a bit, and was still big in condition".

Money Train: Autumn betting tracker

Ranvet now on Junoob's radar

Gai, Kolivos know the Drille

Watt unwanted at Inglis open day

Villa Verde was transferred to Cummings' Randwick stables, and had a history of respiratory problems.

Cummings had several long conversations with former trainer Shaun Dwyer, and was confident he could get the three-year-old back to her best in time for the expensive Sydney autumn.

"I said to the boys, 'they just don't work like that and not win','' Cummings said.

James McDonald after winning aboard Ville Verde. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: Supplied

"She was working like a Group 1 horse and she was in a Group 2 race.

"Your Song was a very good horse of mine who beat Buffering by five lengths, and she was going just as well as him this time.

"Buffering turned up in great shape and looked fantastic, but at the end of the day I thought we'd be able to handle him.''

Villa Verde will now push on to The Galaxy (1100m) where there's every chance she could bump into Snitzerland. From there it will be the $2.5 million Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes.

Snitzerland's trainer Gerald Ryan said he had one eye on the grey in running after jockey Brenton Avdulla rapt her after a recent trial.

"The bloke who rode her in her trial the other day said she went really good, and that bloke was 'B Avdulla','' Ryan said.

''I was looking for her in the run. I was happy with my (mare). We were beaten by a better filly on the day. We were three wide out in the breeze, but had we drawn two closer, we probably get the 'one-one' and win the race.

"I'd like to go The Galaxy, but she was badly weighted last year, and it will depend on what weight she gets this year.''

Buffering led early from Whittington, but looked gone at the top of the straight, with Snitzerland hitting the front and looming as the winner.

But Villa Verde and jockey James McDonald were on her back and pulled past last-start Oakleigh Plate winner Snitzerland inside the final 50m.

Buffering will ditch The Galaxy and press on to the T.J. Smith Stakes.

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Foul on Fabio robs Reds of momentum

Western Sydney Wanderers' Adam D'Apuzzo clashes with Adelaide United's Fabio Ferreira during the match at Pirtek Stadium. Picture: Joosep Martinson. Source: Joosep Martinson / Getty Images

ADELAIDE United and Western Sydney Wanderers' 0-0 draw was marred when Fabio Ferreira was forced off the park with concussion but the aggressor was allowed to stay.

The game swung Wanderers way when star Reds winger Ferreira was smacked off the ball by Wanderers Adam D'Apuzzo at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: REDS EXTEND WANDERERS' WINLESS RUN

Before the incident Adelaide was in control.

D'Apuzzo shoulder charged Ferreira in the 20th minute with the ball 10m away when the left back was already on a yellow card for a crude foul on the Portuguese winger just 10 minutes earlier.

Delovski allowed the second cynical foul to pass without another caution leaving D'Apuzzo with a lucky pass to stay on the park before Ferreira looked dazed and lasted until the 31st minute before he left for treatment.

When Jeronimo Neumann was unloaded off the bench to replace Ferreira Wanderers took control of the clash until the half-time break.

Adelaide for all of its possession and movement off the ball troubled Wanderers gloveman Ante Covic into making just one routine save from Bruce Djite's 20m effort before the break as Marcelo Carrusca and Ferreira missed the target despite sublime Reds attacking build ups.

With Wanderers only fielding three starting players that made the midweek AFC Champions League trek to face China's Guizhou Renhe (1-0), the reigning A-League premier struggled to find any consistent rhythm but still managed to trouble the Reds with direct football.

But Carrusca created the game's best chance in the second half.

His brilliant pass inside the box allowed Neumann to open the score but the Argentine sliced his shot wide from 7m with only Covic to beat five minutes after the break.

Right back Jerome Polenz then gave the home side much needed width in the second half as the German made space to pump crosses inside the box but Adelaide dealt with the danger comfortably.

Shannon Cole was then cautioned in the 55th minute for up-ending Carrusca who was on a goalbound run on the flank but Adelaide drew a blank from the angled set piece.

Carrusca had a another opportunity on the hour to force at least a save from Covic but his volley from 7m after Neumann sped past D'Apuzzo to cross the ball inside the box was wide.

With tiring legs changing the pattern of the game Aaron Mooy then forced captain Eugene Galekovic into an easy save with a 25 effort with the Reds stretched in the 65th minute.

But with the game heading for a draw fringe FIFA World Cup Socceroo Michael Zullo was unloaded off the bench to replace Djite as coach Josep Gombau reshuffled his XI to find a winner.

Neumann was shifted to central striker as Zullo became the Reds third right winger in 70 minutes.

But it was Wanderers threatening to score when Mooy had Galekovic scrambling to make a save after 77 minutes after former Red Tomi Juric was thrown into the fray to search for a winner four minutes earlier.

Juric forced Galekovic with a spectacular save in the 90th minute in the last shot on target in the clash.

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Quick-fire Mariners outgun battling Jets

Eddy Bosnar celebrates his early long-distance goal for the Mariners against Newcastle. Source: Ashley Feder / Getty Images

NEWCASTLE Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti had a horror night as Central Coast kept their place in the A-League's top six with a 3-1 win over Newcastle in a fiery F3 derby in Gosford.

The opener and clincher for the hosts came from embarrassing mistakes from Birighitti, who made headlines for clashing with teammate Taylor Regan at training on Monday.

GET ALL THE GOALS AND STATS IN OUR MATCH CENTRE.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

After a 15-minute delay because of storms in Sydney pushing back the A-League TV schedule, Birighitti and the Jets looked as though they still weren't ready in a horror opening six minutes.

A first-minute howler from Birighitti handed the Mariners the lead after just 48 seconds.

Birighitti, who has attracted interest from German giants Bayer Leverkusen, slipped over trying to stop an innocuous free kick taken near halfway from Eddy Bosnar which had been allowed through to the keeper.

The goalie then tried to stop the ball with his legs while falling but it deflected into the goals.

The Mariners made it 2-0 in the sixth minute when Bernie Ibini finished clever work by Mile Sterjovski off a corner from Kim Seung-yong.

Sterjovski brought the ball down at the far post before beating his opposite number and crossing to Ibini, who struck it home from close range.

The visitors recovered and dominated possession before Joel Griffiths made it count in the 23rd minute with the first goal since his return to the Jets.

The Mariners go a little mad for Eddy Bosnar's early opening goal. Source: Getty Images

The 2007-08 A-League golden boot made no mistake from in front after Zenon Caravella put Josh Brillante away down the right and his low cross found Griffiths.

Newcastle controlled the midfield battle for the rest of the half and early in the second without finding the equaliser.

But it was Central Coast who finished the stronger, threatening through Matt Simon before another second-half substitute Glen Trifiro pounced on a Birighitti mistake in the 88th minute.

The keeper failed to grab a shot from Simon cleanly and Trifiro was on the spot to knock it home.

Tempers flared in the final minutes as Jets striker Adam Taggart clashed with Bosnar and Josh Mitchell was given a yellow card.

The result leaves Newcastle in seventh place on 29 points and the Mariners in the top six on 33 with four rounds remaining.

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tigers can’t stop Ablett, Suns

Gary Ablett breaks clear in the middle against Richmond. Source: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

A 41-DISPOSAL Gary Ablett masterclass has inflicted more Round 1 misery on Richmond at Metricon Stadium.

Ablett kicked the final goal of the game with his 40th disposal - and picked up another late touch after that - to create a historic double with both expansion clubs winning on the same day for the first time.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE SUPERCOACH POINTS IN LIVEHQ

But while Ablett was unstoppable, it was his young midfield partners that will strike fear into the the rest of the competition.

Dion Prestia had 32 disposals, David Swallow 26 high-quality disposals and Jaeger O'Meara picked up 22 - and crucially all kicked goals on a difficult night for scoring.

The Suns' tall forward set-up of Sam Day and Tom Lynch (two goals each) handled the slippery conditions far better than their Richmond counterparts. Jack Riewoldt had just five kicks and finished with 1.2.

Richmond hit the front via a Dustin Martin snap early in the final term but from then it was all Suns, with Swallow, Ablett and Prestia dominating as the Suns kicked four goals in a 10-minute burst.

The Tigers kicked two goals to edge within 12 points with 4min left, but fittingly it was Ablett who iced the result after winning a free kick at the top of the goalsquare.

More to come

SCROLL DOWN TO REPLAY OUR LIVE COVERAGE

The Suns were forced to sub out Jack Martin after just 17min of his AFL debut. Martin landed heavily on his shoulder diving for a mark.

And Gold Coast also lost big man Charlie Dixon who failed a concussion test at halftime.

Tigers Matt Thomas and Brett Deledio put Gary Ablett under the pump. Picture: Darren England

Earlier, GWS stormed home to upset Sydney in a drama-packed Sydney derby with a six goal to nil last quarter.

Play was delayed for almost half an hour by a lightning storm in the first half before the young Giants ruined Lance Franklin's first game as a Swan.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

CLICK ON THE SCORE CENTRE TO ACCESS LIVE SUPERCOACH POINTS

STAR SWAN INJURED IN COMEBACK MATCH

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brave Broncos win derby thriller

Matt Gillett of the Broncos celebrates with team mates. Source: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

A TRY to Brisbane hooker Andrew McCullough sealed a 16-12 win over North Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Trailing by two points, the crafty number nine crossed the line courtesy of a Dale Copley break and Corey Parker's conversion took the Broncos out to a four point lead.

More to come...

RE-LIVE THE GAME IN THE SCORE CENTRE ABOVE

Re-live all the action in our blog below:

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Power faces test to back-up 2013

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley says he's just as nervous this year as in 2013. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

PORT Adelaide now has to prove it is not a one-season wonder - and that challenge has made second-year coach Ken Hinkley feel pressure.

Hinkley moved out of his long apprenticeship as an AFL assistant coach 12 months ago to take charge of the "basket case" Power team.

MORE: TRENGOVE IS GOOD TO GO, SAYS HINKLEY

A year later, Hinkley and his players have to back up the dramatic rise they made to become an AFL semi-finalist.

"Round one last year was my most nervous day (in football)," Hinkley said.

"And now it is not that much different.

"I still feel the pressure. This time it is about continuing what we did last year - wanting to see us play consistent football."

That pressure is measured in ensuring Port beats Carlton - a team that defied the Power surge twice last year - on Sunday night at the Etihad Stadium in Melbourne that has troubled the Power for the past eight years.

Hinkley last night named four new faces in the Port line-up - and stayed true to his formula of working just one specialist ruckman.

Hinkley chose Matthew Lobbe to lead the ruck battery ahead of Brent Renouf, despite elevating the Hawthorn premiership ruckman from the rookie list on Thursday.

He gave defenders Tom Clurey and Jarman Impey their first AFL games - and Brisbane recruit Jared Polec and Richmond free agent Matt White for their first premiership games as Power players.

"We have rewarded players who have been picked for their form in the pre-season," Hinkley said.

"We've stayed true to our word that we would reward form. You can't go too far wrong that way."

Clurey, a second-round draftee in 2012, certainly proved himself in last Saturday's trial game by holding St Kilda captain and key forward Nick Riewoldt to just one goal at Alberton Oval.

Impey, a second-round draftee in November, has shown extraordinary composure for an 18-year-old in the pre-season.

Hinkley reaffirmed key forward John Butcher will play despite not completing training at Adelaide Oval on Thursday when he took a knock to the inside of a leg.

"I guarantee he is right to go," Hinkley said.

Butcher's place in the power attack made it easier for Hinkley to resist playing two specialist ruckmen.

SUPERCOACH: SIGN UP NOW AND PICK YOUR TEAM

Fellow key forward Justin Westhoff and key defender Jackson Trengove will support Lobbe in ruck.

"That is the way we worked the ruck in the second half of last year - and I'm comfortable with that option again," Hinkley said.

"It was a line-ball call between Lobbe and Renouf, but Lobbe gets the call because of his form in the last half of last year."

Port's troublesome note from the pre-season games against Adelaide, Essendon and St Kilda was poor starts - a trap it cannot repeat against Carlton now that the Blues have adopted coach Michael Malthouse's new defensive strategies.

"We've had a good chat about that," Hinkley said.

"And it all comes down to our mindset - that is what will dictate our behaviour."

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rebels run down by clinical Crusaders

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

WASTEFUL Melbourne Rebels fell victim to the clinical Crusaders as a priceless Super Rugby opportunity slipped away with a 25-19 defeat.

Despite having more possession (58-42) than the seven-time champions, Melbourne imploded with sloppy set piece lapses in a dour affair.

Crusaders sharpshooter Tom Taylor anchored the visitor's triumph, landing six penalties and a conversion from seven attempts.

MATCH CENTRE: Melbourne Rebels v Crusaders

Crusaders' prop Ben Funnell and Melbourne flanker Scott Fuglistaller produced the only tries.

Desperate to rebound from the awful 32-7 loss to Western Force, the Rebels cost themselves with anxious handling and a willingness to kick away possession instead running the ball.

It was not until the final five minutes, when trailing by 13 points, that Melbourne's adventurous running game surfaced, leading to Fuglistaller's try.

Lachlan Mitchell is stopped in his tracks by the Crusaders defence. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

In a contest of persistent niggle between the forwards, referee James Leckie intervened on a regular basis as the first half was mired in a battle of penalties

Leckie showed no leniency from scrum infractions and was particularly severe on Melbourne props Toby Smith and Laurie Weeks.

Taylor converted all of four first-half penalty opportunities, while Melbourne's Jason Woodward converted three from four to leave the Rebels trailing 12-9 at half-time.

The Crusaders kicked away to a 13-point lead deep into the second half before the Rebels lifted to claim a bonus point.

Melbourne's situation was not helped by injuries to Weeks (head) and Jason Woodward (knee).

Rebels flyhalf Bryce Hegarty steps past Tom Taylor. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Earlier, Woodward had been hugely influential, slotting his first penalty from 40m after only three minutes when prop Wyatt Crockett failed to release the ball carrier.

An offside decision against Scott Fuglistaller allowed Taylor to square the ledger before Woodward nailed his second when Luke Romano infringed in the ruck.

The lead was quickly erased when Mitch Inman was caught offside, gifting Taylor a simple three-pointer.

Woodward missed a penalty attempt soon after before Tom English foiled a certain Crusaders' try as the intensity lifted.

The visitors edged ahead midway through the first half when Taylor nailed another penalty after Weeks was caught ahead of the kicker.

The Rebels were warned by Leckie after Sean McMahon was deemed to be offside deep in Melbourne's territory before Taylor drilled his fourth.

Mitch Inman gets in the clear for the Rebels. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Brilliant anticipation by Fuglistaller saw the flanker charge down a Crusaders' drop-out to earn a 5m scrum, only to see Rebels lose possession when on the opposition try-line.

Melbourne's problems deepened when a dazed Weeks was assisted from the pitch after a clash of heads.

Woodward's third penalty cut the Crusaders' half-time lead to three.

The tiresome trend continued immediately on resumption when Higginbotham was pinged for offside.

Worse followed when Woodward was crunched in a tackle and was replaced by Angus Roberts before Bryce Hegarty's penalty dragged Melbourne back to within three.

Ben Funnell delivered an overdue try when the hooker linked on to a sweet attacking move. Taylor slotted the conversion and suddenly the Crusaders had a 10-point buffer,

A sixth Taylor penalty put the game out of reach before a fine Melbourne rolling maul saw Fuglistaller cross the chalk.

CRUSADERS 25 (Ben Funnell try Tom Taylor con 6 pens) bt MELBOURNE REBELS 19 (Scott Fuglistaller try Bryce Hegarty con Jason Woodward 3, Hegarty pens) at AAMI Park. Referee: James Leckie. Crowd: 13,942.

RELIVE ALL THE ACTION IN OUR MATCH BLOG BELOW

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pies have Docker shocker

Paul Duffield slips a Scott Pendlebury tackle. Picture by Hamish Blair Source: CAS Hamish Blair / News Corp Australia

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley casually mentioned that it might be an ideal time to take a shot at Fremantle.

Well, if the Dockers are indeed a trifle underdone, pity help those who have to confront them, particularly in Perth, in coming weeks.

Fremantle simply absorbed the Magpies' opening quarter physical blitz, boldly queried "is that the best you've got?'', then cruelly and almost comically ran away with what could only loosely be described as a contest at Etihad Stadium last night.

From time-on in the first quarter until a similar stage of the third term, the dominant Dockers embarked on a 12-goals streak to impress the unbiased observers and embarrass the 37,571 fans, predominantly the black and white army, into eerie silence.

Aside from the spirited first quarter, Collingwood was outclassed in every key area. How these demoralised Magpies rebound will be more important than the eventual 70 points humbling.

At least Buckley and his assistants have a fortnight to try to sift through the mess before another critical test against Sydney on a Saturday night at the Olympic Stadium.

Even prolific possession-winners, like Dayne Beams and Luke Ball, butchered the ball, former skipper Nick Maxwell had the fumbles down back and the disjointed forward structure collapsed against the disciplined Dockers back half, led by the ice-cool Michael Johnson, to scrounge five goals. Yes, just five under the closed roof in perfect conditions.

Any hope of a Collingwood second half revival was immediately snuffed out. From a kick out, the Dockers whisked the ball straight down the centre for Hayden Ballantyne to casually goal on the run. And then Tendai Mzungu slipped not one, but two Magpie tackles to further add to the early third quarter statement.

Aaron Sandilands got the better of Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts Picture Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Collingwood's intensity in the opening quarter had initially caught Fremantle by surprise. A Jarrod Witts tackle, for instance, to dispossess Lee Spurr near the centre circle set free Scott Pendlebury to slither through the first goal after just two minutes.

While Collingwood's workrate was admirable, it was always going to be an issue of whether the players could sustain it.

All the key indicators pointed to a Pies domination in that first quarter. The tackle count was a staggering 18-4 in the forward half and they also led the clearances 12-3.

But they paid a heavy price for not hitting the Dockers where it would have hurt them most — on the scoreboard.

Ball missed two set shots from inside 50, Steele Sidebottom sprayed another and they just couldn't get the ball within reach of Travis Cloke who was being double-teamed anyway.

Collingwood's one point lead at the first change always looked shaky. And Fremantle didn't take long to make them pay.

When that manic Magpie pressure dropped off just a notch early in the second term, the Dockers applied their own more subtle squeeze that started with Aaron Sandilands at the centre bounces.

Dockers tall target Matthew Pavlich found the space that Cloke was denied at the other end to mark and goal and ground level exponents like Nathan Fyfe, Stephen Hill, Ballantyne and Clancee Peace sliced and diced through the Pies defence to stretch the scoreboard buffer.

Seven unanswered goals from 21 minutes in the opening quarter right to half-time illustrated Fremantle's remarkable turnaround and complete domination.

As a final insult, that barren second term was only the second time Collingwood has been held goal-less for a quarter against the Dockers.

BRUCE MATTHEWS BEST

Fremantle: Johnson, Barlow, Mzungu, Mundy, Sandilands, Hill, Pearce.

Collingwood: Beams, Pendlebury, Swan, Langdon

Nathan Fyfe flies high in the second term. Picture Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

MATCH IN A MINUTE

NEW DAWN OF THE SWARM (Q1)

Collingwood turned the clock back to 2010 and 2011 in forward pressure in the opening term. A desperate Jarrod Witts tackle in the middle of the ground resulted in the first goal to Scott Pendlebury.

ORDER RESTORED (Q2)

Wow. That's all you can say about Fremantle's second term. Six goals came for the Dockers as the Pies' field kicking disintegrated and Nat Fyfe showed why he might be a Brownlow winner by September.

SCORING STREAK (Q3)

If Magpie fans thought it couldn't get worse, they were sadly mistaken. Six more goals meant 12 in a row for the Dockers before the Pies finally ended 61 minutes without a goal late in the term.

THANK GOD THAT'S OVER (Q4)

Not the intense season-opener the AFL would have wanted, but we learnt two things. The Pies have a long, long way to go, and the Dockers look the real deal.

Glenn McFarlane

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gallen’s ankle ‘cracks’ hopes of Cronulla fans

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

CRONULLA skipper Paul Gallen will have urgent scans today to determine whether his season lays in ruins.

Gallen said he heard a ''crack'' on Monday night when cut down with a serious ankle injury during his side's 18-12 loss to Gold Coast at Remondis Stadium.

He sustained syndesmosis and will have an MRI to determine when he returns and whether he will miss State of Origin I on May 28 in Brisbane.

Cronulla's Paul Gallen sits on the bench with an injured ankle. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Limited

Gallen sustained the injury when tackled by Titans players Matt White and Luke Bailey in the 31st minute.

He immediately waved his arms in pain before being assisted by two trainers up the stadium's tunnel.

He left Remondis Stadium late on Monday night on crutches and in a moon boot.

The injury could keep Gallen out from a fortnight to four months, depending on its severity.

Sydney Roosters centre Michael Jennings sustained a similar injury to Gallen in 2011 and missed seven weeks. Team-mate Anthony Minichiello had to have surgery with the same injury in 2009 and missed four months.

Cronulla's Paul Gallen sits on the bench with an injured ankle. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Limited

And Ben Baraba suffered syndesmosis last year and was out for five matches.

"Something cracked - I knew I did something straight away," Gallen said. "I did the same thing in a trial match in either 2006 or 2007.

"I'd like to be back in three to four weeks. That is what I am thinking anyway.

"I could feel it (the ankle) get stuck. It is one of those things.

"It's a terrible way to start the season."

Titans Nate Myles and Cronulla's Bryce Gibbs face off. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Limited

Asked did he fear missing Origin I, Gallen said: "That's too far away. That's not an issue."

Gallen missed six weeks when he initially injuring his ankle in the 2006 trial match.

"But I don't think it's as bad as that," he said.

Anything over seven weeks would just about rule Gallen out of Origin I. He would also miss the Australia-New Zealand Test in early May.

NSW coach Laurie Daley is also montioring weekend injuries to NSW candidates Brett Stewart and Kurt Gidley.

Cronulla's Andrew Fifita during the Cronulla Sharks and Gold Coast Titans game. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Limited

Generally, a grade one is two to four weeks, grade two is six to eight weeks, a grade three is three to four months after surgery.

There was nothing sinister in the tackle, Gallen's leg simply buckling under the pressure.

"It's syndesmosis - how bad it is we don't know,'' said Sharks coach Peter Sharp.

"We will get a scan. He is a tough man but was in discomfort - that is a bit of a worry.

"We are wounded. That makes it tough but no excuses."

Titans Paul Carter and Titans William Zillman collide. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Limited

Cronulla's Wade Graham was equally concerned.

"We all know how tough he is - fingers crossed," Graham said.

The result was disappointing for Sharp, taking over again this year from the suspended Shane Flanagan. For Gold Coast, it was a solid first-up victory.

Re-live all the action in our MATCH CENTRE by clicking on the score above in score centre!

Or re-live the conversation in our blog below:

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Barba family’s fury over racist slur

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

BEN Barba's father has called on the NRL to stamp out racism after it emerged his superstar son was the victim of a racist attack on Instagram by a junior rugby league player.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal an 18-year-old from Dapto was the Canterbury fan who sparked an Instagram row with Barba last Friday night when he called the Broncos superstar a "filthy Abo" on the social media network.

Instagram page of Ben Barba with racial slur blacked out. Source: Supplied

Ken Barba wants the NRL to take the same harsh stance on the issue as the AFL did last year when Australian of the Year Adam Goodes was racially vilified during a game by a teenage female supporter.

"The game needs to take a stand on this," Ken Barba said.

"I'm very disappointed, I know last year during games he was spat on and he's sick and tired of the abuse.

"He's constantly being degraded and I hope the NRL can find this person and do something about it because enough is enough.

Ben Barba who was racially attacked on instagram. Source: News Corp Australia

"He can take a fair bit but when it comes to racism it needs to be stamped out pretty quick.

"He's been called a filthy Abo, if they catch this person the NRL should put them up like they did to the young girl in the AFL when Adam Goodes was racially abused."

The NRL Integrity Unit was made aware of the player's link to grassroots rugby league yesterday and immediately ordered the NSW Country Rugby League to investigate the issue with both the player and his club.

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

36ers’ point to prove against Cats

The 36ers' Gary Ervin lays up in the game against the New Zealand Breakers at Adelaide Arena. Source: Daniel Kalisz / Getty Images

ADELAIDE's 24-point road loss last month to NBL leader Perth was an "aberration" the 36ers want to expunge on Friday at Adelaide Arena, according to Sixers captain Adam Gibson.

That match at Perth Arena, which led to both teams being fined suspended sentences of $5000 after being found guilty of breaching the code of conduct for their post-game melee, is still fresh in the 36ers' minds.

Adelaide coach Joey Wright and Perth second-assistant Adam Tatalovich both were reported for their post-match altercation, though later exonerated.

Perth import James Ennis also was found not guilty of attempting to strike Mitch Creek.

Ervin entertains the crowd by slam dunking in a game against the Townsville Crocodiles. Source: News Corp Australia

Asked what he thought of Perth, Gibson said: "It's a lovely city."

He was less enthusiastic about Adelaide's last performance there.

"We didn't play the way we normally play," he said.

"We were hesitant, we were passing up shots we'd normally take, then we'd take bad ones.

"Obviously, if things go the way we'd want, we'll both be in the finals so yes, we want a little revenge for the loss in Perth."

Gibson said practice on Monday, after Saturday's 102-70 rout of a depleted and tired Townsville, was light with no particular emphasis yet on the incoming Wildcats.

"Townsville was undermanned and it was tough on them to have to play Perth and Adelaide back-to-back," Gibson said.

Ervin ducks low when dribbling past a Crocodiles defender. Source: News Corp Australia

"But we had a chance to put them away and we did it.

"We feel we're playing well the past few games and we want to keep building on them."

Saturday's win saw Gary Ervin throw down his first dunk as a 36er — off a nice lob pass from Mitch Creek — and Luke Schenscher throw down three slams as Adelaide rampaged.

Gibson was his usual efficient self, hammering in Townsville's coffin nails in the last two plays before half-time, putting the 36ers 65-37 clear.

They led 90-47 during the third after a Rhys Carter triple and looked slick and focused.

Perth beat Townsville 81-69 on Friday and hits Adelaide Arena with a 2-1 season-series lead over the Sixers after wins at home and their first loss of the season here on November 22.

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Force thrashing to fire Rebels

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

ROCKED by an embarrassing thrashing from Western Force, Melbourne next faces the might of the Crusaders — the seven-time Super Rugby champions — in a pivotal clash at AAMI Park on Friday night.

The Rebels returned from Perth late on Saturday night, leaving coach Tony McGahan to dissect the club's most disappointing effort since its 64-7 whipping by the Sharks in Durban last year.

While McGahan is likely to welcome back Tom English from the virus which sidelined the dynamic winger against the Force, he is also certain to make changes elsewhere.

Melbourne, which justifiably took pride in its excellent defensive display in a record win over the Cheetahs the previous week, conceded five tries in the first half against the Force.

And the Crusaders, who fielded 11 All Blacks and three Samoan internationals in a 14-13 thriller over the Cape Town Stormers in Christchurch, are viewing their clash with Melbourne as a "must-win."

Ominously, Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has urged his squad to be more adventurous after generating scant opportunities against the miserly Stormers' defence.

A 76th-minute penalty from Tom Taylor lifted the Crusaders to victory after the Christchurch powerhouse had trailed for the entire second half.

The Crusaders are likely to travel to Melbourne without prop Corey Flynn and halfback Willie Heinz.

Flynn has a suspected fractured eye socket while Heinz has injured a calf.

Blackadder told New Zealand media Flynn might have to undergo surgery and Heinz would probably be replaced in the touring party by Mitchell Drummond.

The Crusaders are already without Richie McCaw (broken thumb), George Whitelock (strained adductor) and Adam Whitelock (hamstring).

Champion back Dan Carter is having a sabbatical from rugby.

Melbourne did not suffer any serious injuries against the Force.

The Rebels and Crusaders have played only twice in Super Rugby battle.

Melbourne upset the 'Saders 28-19 at AAMI Park in 2012 before narrowly failing to post its first overseas victory in Christchurch last season, losing 30-26.

Rebels officials expect strong ticket demand given the standing of the Crusaders and Melbourne's fine pre-season and opening-round form.

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boom years ahead: Hughes

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

PHIL Hughes believes irresistible Australia can sweep to the No.1 world ranking with explosive left-hander David Warner and Mitchell Johnson entering boom years.

Warner bullied South Africa with the bat, pounding 543 runs at an average of 90 and an astounding strikerate of 87, while Mitchell Johnson harassed with the ball in taking 22 wickets at 17.

England was savaged 5-0 in this Ashes summer, while South Africa is cricket's premier Test nation in name only after being vanquished 2-1 by Australia at home.

"To do what Dave has done against England and then South Africa taking on the best attack in the world has been unbelievable to be honest," said Hughes, who inspirationally dismantled Proteas strike pair Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Warner's fast runs have given Australia time to take 20 wickets and wrong-footed England skipper Alastair Cook and Proteas counterpart Graeme Smith.

"What he can do is change a game in a session. It will be interesting to see what he is like in two or three years," said Hughes, who toured the Rainbow Nation as reserve batsman.

Hughes grew up playing with Warner in New South Wales and says his fellow southpaw is unleashing a batting brutality not seen since West Indian great Sir Viv Richards retired in 1991.

"I am not shocked at all as I know what a player he is," said Hughes.

Left-armer Johnson claimed Smith four times as the opener's 117-Test journey ended with a whimper, just 45 runs at 8.5.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Johnson has 264 wickets at 27 after 59 Tests but has a sound body and mind – a "young" 32. Hughes expects Johnson and new-ball partner Ryan Harris, set for knee surgery this week, regroup and forge ahead against Pakistan in October.

"You would love those guys to go as long as they can," said Hughes of Harris and Johnson who have shared 91 wickets and England and South Africa.

"The boys really stood up over there and to win the series over there against the No.1 ranked team in the world was outstanding."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Australia is just 12 rankings points behind South Africa in Test rankings but Hughes noted it would take "all guys stepping up to the plate" to reclaim the champion tag.

"All the boys showed in the summer against England it is just about progressing and going forward," said 26-Test batsman Hughes who will lead South Australia tomorrow in Tasmania due to suspended Johan Botha's absence.

"Boof and Pup have been leading by example and the team is responding to the leadership that is there," he said.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Santalab denies racism allegations

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THE angry fallout from the Sydney derby will go on for weeks, with Western Sydney striker Brendan Santalab vehemently denying allegations that he racially abused Sydney FC midfielder Ali Abbas during the Sky Blues' 3-1 victory on Saturday night.

Sydney FC on Sunday set in train what is likely to be a lengthy and high-profile disciplinary case for the A-League by making a formal complaint to Football Federation Australia over the comments Abbas claims infuriated him late in the game.

Though it is unclear whether any witnesses on the field will step forward, the allegations will attract a substantial penalty if found to be proved. It's understood that Western Sydney's new owners will consider the future of any player found guilty of such an offence.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Though Western Sydney made no comment on the matter before flying to China on Sunday night for an Asian Champions League game, Santalab is understood to have strongly denied making the slur when asked about it after the game by a club official, and to have reiterated those denials again on Sunday.

Sydney lodge complaint over abuse

Abbas's journey from Iraq to Sydney

Ali Abbas 'culturally abused' during derby

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Sky Blues claim bragging rights

Farina: "Throw as much crap at us as you like"

Abbas had to be restrained by teammates late in the second half and said after the match his outburst was a result of slurs made about his ethnic background and religion.

He told teammates that Santalab called him a highly derogatory term, coupled with specific references to his ethnicity and Muslim religion.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

A visibly irate Abbas told Fox Sports straight after Saturday's game that he had felt no alternative but to respond to what he heard.

"We are not here to attack religion or culture, we are here to play football," he said. "I come from a different country, I respect everyone here. I should get it back. If I don't get it back, I'm going to attack. That's what happened. If people attack religion, if people attack culture — I'm against that. We need to stop that."

On Sunday, with Abbas described as still furious, Sydney FC CEO Tony Pignata confirmed the club had made the complaint official.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"We will be undergoing due process with FFA," Pignata said in a statement. "We ask that the privacy of Ali Abbas is respected at this time and no further comment will be made while the complaint procedure takes it course."

There is no clear timeline for the dispute process, with FFA guidelines noting that it may include attempts at mediation or referral straight to a tribunal.

If it goes to a full hearing then witnesses can be called — that may include Sydney FC striker Corey Gameriro who tweeted after the game that he was "disgusted to what I heard tonight!!! #SAYNOTORACISM."

Ali Abbas (R) of Sydney FC is held back by acting captain Sasa Ognenovski during the derby. Source: Getty Images

The players' union is likely to become involved on Monday though it faces a difficult balancing act in supporting both players. Adelaide striker Bruce Djite, a prominent PFA member, called on Saturday night for FFA to take action if Abbas's claims were true.

In terms of precedents, Sydney striker Joel Griffiths received a three-match ban two years ago for a racial term shouted at a linesman, while in the UK Liverpool striker Luis Suarez earned an eight-match ban for calling Patrice Evra of Manchester United a "negro".

To add to the Wanderers' woes, they could lose Iacopo La Rocca if the match review panel decides to have a closer look at the Italian's challenge on Abbas, where his elbow appeared come into contact with the Sydney FC player's head.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Widdop ignites Saints’ faltering attack

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

IT was not a game for the scrapbooks unless you were an embattled coach coming off torrid trial form with questions already being asked about an uncertain future.

Which Steve Price just happened to be.

Price, the Dragons coach, will sleep easily.

Oh yes.

Match centre: Game details and stats

St George Illawarra struggled to score points for most of last season but had just put on 44 against Wests Tigers, taking the opening round and showing that, with Gareth Widdop now driving them around the park, the Dragons have the potential to detonate.

Ben Creagh dragged down. Source: Getty Images

Price remained true to character after the game. Typically understated, quietly confident in his systems he has in place.

"You're always looking to score a few points," he said.

"As I said, it's going to take a bit of time with new combinations and new players. It always takes time and confidence."

It might have looked like false modesty if the Dragons hadn't started slowly and let the Tigers skip away to 18-6 after just 20 minutes.

Jason Nightingale of the Dragons. Source: Getty Images

The Tigers were sharp, Pat Richards scoring first after a nice play down the left edge and then James Tedesco splitting a disorganised defence on a turnover to shock the Dragons.

And while Tyson Frizell brought them back to within a try, the Tigers looked like they were going to go on with it when Robbie Farah dived over from dummy-half shortly after.

But that was as good as it got for the Tigers.

Marika Koroibete tackled by the Dragons' defence. Source: News Corp Australia

"We lost control of the game," Farah said.

And, as usual, the result went the way of possession, and the Tigers were their own worst enemy.

Potter grabbed halves Braith Anasta and Luke Brooks after the game.

"I spoke to the halves about our last play options," he said.

"They just weren't good enough."

The Dragons went to the break leading 20-18 but, through Widdop's steady example, kept their nerve the better in the second half.

They kicked better and they tested the referee less.

So while both sides scored early in the second half, the Dragons were slowly emerging the better.

The evidence was in their body language.

Gerard Beale makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia

The Dragons were still driving. The Tigers slowly began to lose all shape, their sets lethargic.

Slowly, poor kicks and a failure to put the Dragons under pressure, as well as a steep penalty count, were compounding on a team without six regular first graders for the season opener.

It was a matter of time until it finally went bust.

"We got ourselves back in in the second half," Farah said.

"I was pretty filthy on myself for a poor kick I put in and they went down the other end and scored."

Tyson Frizell of the Dragons. Source: Getty Images

In that, the Tigers need to take the lesson from the Dragons.

They won through persistence and the steady presence and calm focus of Widdop.

"He brings a lot of experience in attack," skipper Ben Creagh said.

"He's so patient and so calm. There's no rushing out there. No, I suppose, trying to do things 100 miles an hour."

Halfback Michael Witt left the field with a dislocated shoulder, Jack de Bellin appeared to suffer a cork, while the Tigers lost Liam Fulton early with concussion.

In better news, Keith Galloway, David Nofoaluma and Tim Simona are all expected to be back this week for the Tigers.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 44 (T Frizell 2 G Beale B Creagh A Quinlan M Rein M Witt tries G Widdop 8 goals) bt WESTS TIGERS 24 (R Farah P Richards M Taupau J Tedesco tries P Richards 4 goals) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee. Crowd: 19,860.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hat-trick heroes lead Eels to victory

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

BEFORE the game even kicked off last night, Parramatta's ground announcer asked the home crowd to make welcome their new "supercoach" Brad Arthur.

By fulltime the Eels' long-suffering faithful were standing as one as they celebrated a thumping 36-16 victory over the Warriors that gives this blue and gold army reason to hope 2014 will be the start of a bright new beginning.

This time last year the Eels started with a similar flogging of the Warriors before their season turned to disaster - but you just get the feeling this is going to be different.

RE-LIVE THE GAME WITH MATCH CENTRE OR BY SCROLLING THROUGH OUR LIVE BLOG AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE!

MATCH CENTRE: EELS v WARRIORS

All up the Eels crossed for seven tries to three in a comprehensive victory that ended in hat-tricks to exciting young wingers Semi Radradra and Vai Toutai.

Nathan Peats was terrific at hooker - and that young backrower who came to the Eels via a New Zealand jailhouse is going to give their left edge some menace.

As a teenager Manu Ma'u was part of a Polynesian gang that ran amok on the Auckland streets, but after a few years in the clink he's now found a new direction at the age of 25.

And judging by the look of him, he's the sort of bloke you'd rather be with than against.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Ma'u was man of the match in his debut and after running 190 metres and creating havoc, Jarryd Hayne spoke about the hulking backrower's impact.

"Manu Ma'u was probably the one who stood out the most for me," Hayne said.

"I think Corey Norman and Peatsie have sort of been established. You knew what they were going to bring and they brought that quality.

"But I thought Manu Ma'u was great for us.

"His aggression in defence and the way he ran the ball and targeted their halves was great.

"It definitely got a lot of momentum for us."

Hayne was unlucky not to take home the man of the match award himself but he probably wouldn't have cared given the attitude the new look Eels unearthed.

With Will Hopoate back in the big time, Hayne now has someone with the same type of talent to take the heat off him - and watching them in action last night, you could just see the possibilities ahead.

TAKE PART IN OUR SUPERCOACH CHALLENGE!

They worked perfectly in the lead up to Toutai's first try, with Hayne's quick hands and Hopoate's timing the key, and when they walked in together at the post match media conference it was like a statement in this club's future.

And in between the two stars sat an unassuming football coach who has just been handed his big chance in life.

By all reports, Arthur is more than decent bloke with a young family and a wonderful knowledge of football.

He took over as the interim coach at the Eels back in 2012 after Steve Kearney got the bullet but after working last year under Geoff Toovey at Manly the Eels brought him back to try and resuscitate the club's fortunes.

"I didn't really have expectations on the actual performance. I just wanted to make sure that they had a real desire and a want," Arthur said post match.

"We talked about just finding a way to do things.

"It is not always going to be pretty and the scoreline doesn't reflect to me anything we talk about during the week.

"It is just finding a way to get the two points and we managed to do that."

Vai Toutai dives in athletically for one of his three tries. Source: News Limited

The Eels lost Tim Mannah from the kick off when the co-captain charged into a wall of Warriors but came off second best.

But while Mannah was off in the concussion bin his teammates seized control of the match.

Radradra scored one try and set up another for Hayne after beating three defenders - while the work Hayne and Hopoate did for Toutai's first was all class.

The Warriors stormed back to within two points at halftime on the back of an eight-point try to Carlos Tuimavave that ended with Peni Terepo on report.

But when Radradra scored twice in the opening six minutes of the second half the Eels were back in control and the home crowd rode them all the way to the hooter.

And on a weekend of poor NRL crowds the 14,397 who turned up at Parramatta Stadium had a ball.

They cheered and they cheered and they went home with a good reason to come back.

Asked if that "desire" he spoke about was the essence of his pre-season message after the torment of last year, Arthur reasoned: "We haven't talked about what has happened in the past.

"We want the boys to enjoy coming to training, to their workplace, and have a bit of passion about what they are doing.

"And today capped off I think it is the first time in three or more years that all five grades have actually won. So that's a good feeling but we have still got a long way to go."

And next up is the reigning premiers next Saturday night at the Roosters' home before they travel to Brookvale to face Manly the following week.

PARRAMATTA 36 (S Radradra 3 V Toutai 3 J Hayne tries C Norman 2 J Paulo 2 goals) bt WARRIORS 16 (G Fisiiahi C Tuimavave M Vatuvei tries S Johnson 2 goals) at Pirtek Stadium. Referee: Adam Devcich, Henry Perenara. Crowd: 14,397.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More