Gutsy Samoa secures Four Nations spot

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

SAMOA has secured their place in the Four Nations tournament in October after beating Fiji 32-16 on Saturday night.

Halfback Penani Manumaleali'i scored a hat-trick in the win at Sportingbet Stadium, while Krisnan Inu kicked six goals in a breakout performance.

Sam tagataese was sent off with only two minutes left on the clock after he headbutted Kane Evans during a scuffle.

More to come ...

Log into the blog below for exclusive photos and polls:

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Waratahs edge Hurricanes in thriller

Waratahs centre Adam Ashley-Cooper takes on the Hurricanes defence at Allianz Stadium. Source: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

THE Waratahs have run in five tries to three to beat the Hurricanes 39-30 in a thrilling Super Rugby encounter at Allianz Stadium.

MATCH CENTRE: Live scores, stats, video highlights

NSW WARATAHS 39 (Matthew Carraro, Dave Dennis, Bernard Foley, Stephen Hoiles, Rob Horne tries Foley 4 cons 2 pens) bt HURRICANES 30 (Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen tries Barrett 3 cons 3 pens) at Allianz Stadium. Referee: Steve R. Walsh. Crowd: 17,221.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

SuperCoach: Studs and Duds

Magpie Tom Langdon gives Blues recruit Dale Thomas a hard time. Picture: Getty Source: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD 104 d CARLTON 70

Magpies studs: You would have been stoked if you had Tom Langdon (128) on the field. The young defender had 23 disposals and took eight marks in his best game for the club yet. The usual suspects in Dayne Beams (125) and Scott Pendlebury (102), while small men Jamie Elliott (122) and Jarryd Blair (115) were excellent.

Magpies duds: Brent Macaffer (22) didn't have his best game on Marc Murphy, while Jessie White failed to kick a goal (38).

Blues studs: Kade Simpson (109) recovered froma slow start to crack the ton and Andrew Walker (109) didn't stop running all night. Robbie Warnock (99) can hold his head high after a gutsy performance in the ruck.

Blues duds: Where do you start? Jeff Garlett (28) had very little impact on the game, while Kane Lucas (32) was subbed out of the game. Lachie Henderson (41) barely had any opportunities.

Hawk Josh Gibson reaches for the football. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

HAWTHORN 175 d ST KILDA 30

Hawks studs: Hot Supercoach form all over the ground. Josh Gibson (142), Shaun Burgoyne (128) Luke Hodge (113), Matt Suckling (108) and Grant Birchall (106) starred down back. Up forward, Luke Breust (139), Jarryd Roughead (137), Cyril Rioli (117) and the unlikely Ryan Schoenmakers (104) had a day out up forward.

Hawks duds: Sam Mitchell (nine) sent a scare through almost the entire SuperCoach community when he was subbed out at quarter time. Brian Lake (44) left the ground during the third term with a calf injury.

Saints studs: Leigh Montagna (144) was brave with 39 disposals, while Farren Ray (105) was the only other Saint to reach triple figures.

Saints duds: Lots. For the second straight week, Nick Riewoldt (31) let many SuperCoach coaches down, while Adam Schneider (18) and Shane Savage (31) had no impact.

PORT ADELAIDE 132 d GWS GIANTS 97

Power studs: Popular pick Jared Polec (141) had his best game in a Port jumper, while Robbie Gray (121) had the ball on a string. Jay Schulz (108) starred with six goals, while Paul Stewart (107) starred in his return match.

Power duds: If you had Jarman Impey (12) on your field, bad luck! Dom Cassisi (28) only gathered nine disposals and Justin Westhoff (40) was held goal-less.

Giants studs: Callan Ward (145) was superb, leading from the front a whopping 40 touches and 11 marks. Devon Smith (101) was the only other Giant to crack the ton.

Giants duds: Jeremy Cameron (49) was forced back at one stage to get himself into the game. Jed Lamb (28) and Jono O'Rourke (30) were the Giants' subs.

Jay Kennedy-Harris in full flight against Adelaide. Picture: Simon Cross Source: News Corp Australia

MELBOURNE 70 d ADELAIDE 67

Demons studs: Mark Jamar (135) took one mark for the match and it was a beauty in the goal square to sink Adelaide. Chris Dawes (123) played with venom kicking three goals while Jay Kennedy-Harris and Dom Tyson starred for 112 points apiece.

Demons duds: Alexis Georgiou (23) was crunched early and never recovered before being subbed out. James Frawley (24) was hardly sighted while Christian Salem (25) provided a spark in the first quarter — replacing Georgiou under the concussion rule.

Crows studs: Brodie Smith (138) racked up 30 disposals including six rebound 50s. Sam Jacobs (132) found his best form, while Patrick Dangerfield's (120) last quarter goal gave his score a boost.

Crows duds: Eddie Betts (28) had a stinker kicking just two behinds in the three-point loss to Melbourne. Matthew Jaensch (38) was sidelined early with a rib complaint, while Matthew Wright (49) was no where near the football.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gil calls for more “attacking footy”

Gillon McLachlan fronts the media. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Corp Australia

NEW AFL boss Gillon McLachlan says he will speak to coaches about encouraging more exciting footy.

As debate rages over the health of the game, McLachlan yesterday made the extraordinary statement that he would urge some coaches to change their style.

With scoring at its lowest levels since 1968 and more games blighted by mauls and scrums, the new chief executive said introducing or changing rules wasn't the answer.

"I think people love flowing, attacking footy. They (coaches) love winning, quite rightly, but how we win and how we motivate a style of play to win is something I'm going to have a chat with the coaches (about)," McLachlan said.

"You can't legislate anything. I don't necessarily think it's the rules, it's the encouragement and the discussion about where we want to go because you can have whatever rules you like, there's a culture that has an influence."

McLachlan's comments come nearly a decade after his predecessor Andrew Demetriou criticised Sydney for its "ugly" style, saying the Swans wouldn't win many games unless they changed their methods. Five months later Sydney won the premiership.

St Kilda coach Alan Richardson confessed earlier this year: 'I'll be honest, I'm not really into what's great for the game. In season ... it's all about getting results."

McLachlan, speaking on Triple M, acknowledged coaches only cared about one thing — winning.

"I'm not naive about that. Do we want great contests and great games? Absolutely. Are there are some poor games at the moment? Yeah, I'm not in denial about that, but I'm not sure that it's the rules," he said.

"It's culturally about how coaches might coach ... a lot of it is just a response to one team being better than the other, so when they're chipping it around in the backline it's because they've got a young team playing without confidence and trying to avoid a massive loss."

McLachlan, who did the radio rounds at the MCG yesterday, also said:

LOWERING food prices at the footy was "not easy, but not impossible" ahead of a meeting with Melbourne Cricket Club CEO Stephen Gough next week.

A Good Friday game should be contested between two smaller clubs, but that those sides must be "competing in the top half of the eight" to generate interest.

THE AFL had plans in place in the unlikely scenario Essendon players are hit with ASADA infraction notices and unable to field a side.

"You have to cater for every scenario. Do I think that is realistic? No, but you have to look at the full spectrum of possibilities," he told 3AW.

McLachlan was adamant the AFL made the right decision in deciding Essendon's penalties, but admitted the league hurt itself by not being open enough.

"I have 100 per cent conviction of where we got to and the decisions that were made. We had such a clear view of what we had to do for the industry to protect the integrity of our finals and obviously look after the players," McLachlan said.

"Now, whether we actually prioritised getting those outcomes at the expense of a level of transparency and communication ... potentially.

"Does it mean going forward that even if we think it's the right outcome, if we have to go through the process and maybe not get as good an outcome but respect the process, maybe that's what we've got to look at."

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Berisha targets fitting finale

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

THOMAS Broich grabbed the headlines this week, but it's the departing Besart Berisha who wants to give Brisbane Roar the ultimate farewell gift of a third A-League championship in four seasons on Sunday.

"He's our X-Factor," Roar teammate Jade North said of Berisha ahead of the Roar's grand final date with Western Sydney Wanderers at Suncorp Stadium.

"When things are tight he's the man that's going to pop up and score a goal. He will have a big game."

Broich, unofficially the best player in the A-League's nine-year history, has deservedly been the talk of the town this week after winning a second Johnny Warren Medal.

Thomas Broich of the Brisbane Roar poses with the Johnny Warren Medal. Source: Getty Images

However, Berisha looms as Sunday's silent assassin.

Having barely spoken a public word since The Courier-Mail revealed he would be earning more than $1.5 million in the two-year deal taking him to Melbourne Victory from next season, Berisha is ready to explode in his last game in an orange jersey.

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

"I know he'll do everything in his power to have that trophy in his hands," North said.

"He said he wanted to go out on winning terms and he's man of his word. He'll give his heart right until that final whistle."

Besart Berisha at training this week. Source: News Corp Australia

Berisha is the man for the big occasion, having scored both goals in the Roar's 2-1 grand final win over Perth Glory in 2012.

The Albanian international also likes playing against the Wanderers, scoring twice in the two games he has confronted the Western Sydney defence this season.

Roar coach Mike Mulvey felt Berisha showed his true professionalism in the Roar's 1-0 semi-final win over the Victory last Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.

Not himself in the build-up to the match knowing that it was his job to end the season of his future employers, Berisha still managed to score the game's only goal.

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

"The game where everyone thought he was going to have his mental hurdles, he scored the winner," Mulvey said.

"He's going to be stronger against the Wanderers and the team's going to be stronger.

"He's won a grand final for Brisbane before and there's no reason he can't do it again."

North doesn't want to think about what life is going to be like without Berisha or the prospect of marking him next season.

"Every team would love to have him. We''re also sad he's leaving because he's a really good bloke off the field and a family man," the star defender said.

"He'll be dearly missed by all of us."

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Season needs some flair at the end

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

GRAHAM Arnold's future has been much in discussion this week, but he could have been forgiven for reflecting on a moment in his past this week.

Three years ago it was his less-than-fancied Mariners side that ventured into Suncorp Stadium, and came within moments of besting the overwhelming favourites. It was an incredible finale, the sort to leave all those in attendance tingling as they walked out down the stadium concourses afterwards.

Done it before> Roar captain Matt McKay and team mates celebrate victory after the A-League Grand Final match between the Brisbane Roar and the Central Coast Mariners three years ago. Source: Getty Images

It was also — as Paul Keating might have said, if he'd loved football — the grand final we had to have. The season 2010-11 was not one to go down in history, the game still depressed by the outcome of the World Cup bid.

What that rip-roaring finish did was create a glow around the game that lingered through the off-season. A few months later, Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton were suddenly transported into the A-League, and the progress of the past couple of years was kick started.

At the end of a season of contradictory memories, it would be the perfect moment for Suncorp Stadium to be rocking to its foundations again on Sunday. If this campaign always faced a challenge in living up to its immediate predecessor — the advent of the Wanderers, ADP's gang of marquees etc was a powerful narrative after all — then there have been times when a reality check has been required.

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

Maybe the football hasn't kept pace with the year before — no great surprise when the two most tactical coaches in the league were ripped out in Ange Postecoglou and Arnold. Maybe the shock factor wasn't there, when the three major marquees were all in their second year in the competition. Nor did any of them have anything like the playing impact of last year.

Maybe too there was a residual wash of negativity from the Socceroos, whose pummelling in Paris on the opening weekend of the A-League season prompted the extraordinary removal of a coach who had overseen qualification for the World Cup.

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

Yet there were also themes of positivity. The football of Brisbane and Adelaide for a start, a commitment to the game in its purest form — to see Roar back to the heights of recent seasons was a triumph for the home coach tomorrow, Mike Mulvey.

If the Wanderers' football has been more prosaic — and their fans occasionally more problematic — their story has been remarkable in sustaining their success into year two. There are significant changes ahead of Tony Popovic in overhauling his squad, but the club are doing some powerfully impressive things off the pitch that speak of a club ready to assume a potent place in the Australian sporting landscape.

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

But with another Suncorp sellout ready to bring the curtain down on Sunday, those plotting the game's development could do with a finale to leave a similarly powerful impression as three years ago. If football truly has slipped comfortably into the mainstream, it's vital the casual fan tuning in tomorrow is left wanting more.

To that end, the best thing that could happen would be an early goal for Brisbane, forcing Western Sydney to be proactive in search of an equaliser. But then three years ago the grand final was a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes, and looked how that finished.

It's a long off season in Australian football, but the fireworks of an ending to remember last for a long time. The fuses are ready to be lit.

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Blues run riot over hapless Reds

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

DUCK hunting season only officially begins in New Zealand today yet Quade Cooper and the Reds were plucked, stuffed and mounted as a May trophy by half-time when they crashed in Auckland on Saturday night.

The Reds' 2014 season dissolved in the calamitous minutes either side of half-time when top prop James Slipper was in the sinbin for a lifting tackle on Blues forward Peter Saili which may yet have more dire consequences if he is cited.

The Reds were buried 44-14 with their own first strike not coming until the 53rd minute when the Blues were reduced to 14 men by All Blacks prop Tony Woodcock being yellow carded for a scrap on the ground with Ed Quirk.

The Kiwis already had a 13-0 wind in their sails when Slipper was whistled off but playing against 14 men became blue murder as they clinically motored to 20-0 at half-time and 27-0 before the Reds forward returned.

"The Blues were very physical and very good but that sinbinning was significant in that they scored two converted tries and put us pressure," Reds coach Richard Graham said.

That halfback Will Genia pulled off a brilliant trysaving tackle on Blues winger Lolagi Visinia, try-scoring lock James Horwill toiled non-stop and flanker Liam Gill made a strong 52-minute comeback will be lost in the fallout of the team's season-killing fourth straight loss.

And that Gill's team-mates were certain he had dashed away for a 7-6 lead until penalised for playing on when his two knees hit the turf in a "tackle" as he slipped free.

The Blues backs were far to good for their Reds counterparts. Source: Getty Images

There was little joy for Quade Cooper and little he could orchestrate in his 100th game for the Reds. Twice he was pinged for forward passes, he missed his opening two kicks at penalty goal and the Blues rushing defence put him and those outside him on the back foot.

His best moments were defensively with a turnover-jolting tackle on opposite number Simon Hickey and stripping the ball from prop Charlie Faumuina.

The way replacement winger Jamie-Jerry Taulagi and Mike Harris coughed up the ball in the space of 60 seconds in the second half has become too typical of the team's back-to-back errors.

The Blues are twice the team with a jolt of confidence through them. They played bigger, were stronger through the tackle and more ruthless when they broke out with their big ball-runners.

What the Reds could do with a centre like dreadlocked Ma'a Nonu. The World Cup-winner engineered the opening three tries with three different top class skills-a flat, wide pass, a pinpoint grubber kick and then a superb in-and-away and off-load as a dynamic ball-runner.

"In a perverse way our second half commitment and effort for periods was fantastic. James Horwill was immense," Graham said of the Reds' barging try-scorer.

Winger Chris Feauai-Sautia made two strong early tackles on Visinia but he will be out for a number of weeks after hurting his shoulder just before half-time. Horwill's stinger to the shoulder settled after his exit in the final minutes.

Friday night's 30-point defeat with so much on the line was numbing as the heaviest loss by the Reds on Kiwi soil since the 59-24 tumble to the Crusaders in Nelson in 2005.

The Reds have a lame 3-7 record, firm footing in the bottom four and must play just for their significant pride for the final six games of the season so this season doesn't collapse completely.

Blues 44 (Jackson Willison, Lolagi Visinia, Bryn Hall, Tom Donnelly, Ihaia West tries; Simon Hickey 4 conversions, 3 penalties; West conversion), Queensland Reds 14 (Ben Daley, James Horwill tries; Quade Cooper 2 conversions).

Relive all the action from our live blog below and check out Match Centre for stats and video!

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sharks end RSA’s touring drought

Lwazi Mvovo (C) had a good game at fullback for the Sharks. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

THE Sharks have become the first South African side to win in Australasia in 2014 following a tough 22-16 victory over the Rebels at AAMI Park.

There were just two tries in a dour match in Melbourne with JP Pietersen scoring for the visitors and Pat Leafa crossing for the Rebels.

The difference was the boot of Francois Steyn, who kicked five penalties and a conversion.

The Rebels other points went to Jason Woodward.

Both sides made plenty of errors on a greasy night in Melbourne but the Sharks deserved their victory in the end and remain top of the overall Super Rugby ladder.

Relive all the action from our live blog below and check out Match Centre for stats and video!

18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Balancing act for 17-round season

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

GILLON McLachlan's biggest hurdle in introducing the greatest equalisation measure of them all — a 17-round season — is money.

But as the league enjoys a fresh start under a new man, it is a hurdle worth sizing up before new deals with broadcasters and the players are struck for 2017 and beyond.

McLachlan was asked if he was wedded to a 22-match season on Fox Footy's AFL 360 on Wednesday night.

GIL TO STAND UP FOR FOOTY FANS

NO DROP ON MCG FOOD, DRINK PRICES

He said he wasn't, but neatly summed up the difficulties of change.

"The reality is we have an economy set up around 22 games and it is hard to go back from that to 17 games to play everyone once," he said.

"We could do it, but there is a financial cost that is incredibly difficult for the industry to bear — players don't want to get paid less; clubs don't want to receive less.

"Yes, we could make that decision but the consequence is extraordinary for the industry, and very difficult to execute."

The financial hit for an organisation that pulled in $445 million in revenue last year would mainly be a lesser broadcast deal and a smaller return on ticket sales.

Gillon McLachlan and AFL Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

It's hard to quantify what the losses might add up to, and TV deal-makers weren't buying in yesterday.

The other sticking point is that the AFL has pushed in recent times to "own" more of the calendar, particularly in expansion areas, and give other codes as little oxygen as possible.

In his remarks on Wednesday, McLachlan said he would serve four masters as the league's new boss: the fans, the community, the clubs and the players.

The question for those four groups is: are we willing to bear that hit to the bottom line if in return we get a truly fair season?

The pros to a 17-round season are many, and clearly a competition where every team plays each opponent once is the biggest draw.

It puts a higher premium on each game — an argument surely easily understood by TV bosses.

It creates a bigger incentive for fans to turn up to games, with each one a unique event.

It means less dead rubbers and meaningless encounters.

It could even be a higher value proposition for club members, who — the AFL's data shows — now don't turn up to anywhere near all of the games they have paid for.

It would allow space in a packed calendar for meaningful representative footy, which the players say they want.

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

And perhaps we could mercifully put to bed arguments about who should have the MCG for the first weekend in March.

Broadcasters, who paid $1.258 billion for the 2012-16 rights, could be mollified by an extended finals series and a representative carnival.

By 2017, the average wage for an AFL player will be more than $300,000. They won't fall, no matter the length of season.

As to controlling less of the calendar, that doesn't seem to be a bother for the NFL — an organisation widely recognised as the pre-eminent sports administration in the world, and from which there have been many "learnings" in the whole equalisation process.

It makes do with 16 regular season games.

McLachlan said much of his work would be consolidating after a period of "extraordinary growth" in the Demetriou era.

Clearly he would know best whether the numbers could be made to work for a 17-game season.

But after all that growth, maybe he shouldn't be judged on whether the next TV rights deal brings in more, but whether it is better.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

D-Mac learning to run his own race

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

CROWS development coach Alan Stewart is famous for throwing curly questions at young footballers in pre-draft meetings.

In late 2006 he wanted to test the mettle of an Oakleigh Chargers midfielder Adelaide was considering for its third round pick.

David Mackay was coming off a 28-disposal game in the Chargers' TAC Cup Grand Final win but Stewart turned the tables and drilled the then 18 year old on an earlier final where his impact hadn't been as great.

Mackay responded by saying he was a confidence player and it had been down that day. Stewart pounced.

"Alan Stewart would say if you have ability and you work as hard as you can there shouldn't be any need to have confidence all the time." Mackay said.

"When things aren't going the way you want them to (you have to move) past that and not let it affect your performance."

It was an important lesson for Mackay and one that he drew on last year after being dropped from Adelaide's line up for the first time.

Crows wingman David Mackay gets a kick away against St Kilda. Picture: Quinn Rooney.

Once considered one of the Crows' brightest prospects, a lack of form and confidence saw the 25 year old sent back to the SANFL. It hit Mackay hard.

"For all of us who play it's the biggest thing in your life at the time. You have to stay positive but it's not easy," he said.

"I wasn't getting my hands on the ball enough and I wasn't running as well as I could and having the impact on games I needed to be having."

Mackay watched vision of his games at the end of the season and realised he wasn't covering the ground as well as he had in the past.

He ramped up his workrate at training - reaching "a better level than I ever have before" - and focused on playing to his strengths.

Then in late November, senior Crows assistant Dean Bailey was diagnosed with cancer, a tragedy which had a profound effect on Mackay.

David Mackay celebrates a goal against St Kilda. Picture: George Salpigtidis.

"I worked really closely with Bails. In a way it highlighted what was important in life and even though it's a big business and such an important thing what we do, it's still just footy," Mackay said.

"I guess it put things in perspective for me. Made me think I need to enjoy what I'm doing and make the most of it.

"We're very lucky to be able to do what we do. You don't want to get to the end of your footy career and say the whole thing was a battle."

Mackay has honoured Bailey's passing with an electric start to the 2014 season.

He's averaging career bests in disposals (20.3), inside 50s (3.8) and score assists (1.5) and has re-assumed his position as one of the best ball users in the AFL.

Of the competition's top 100 ballwinners, only Jobe Watson has a better retention rate than Mackay.

"One of things I pride myself on is being able to use it well when I do get it," Mackay said.

"As a team it's probably something we haven't done that well this year and it cost us early on.

"It's really hard to play against teams that can control the ball and make you defend for long periods."

Mackay is also embarking on the dashing runs from half back that are a feature of his game when he's playing well.

His average running bounces have jumped from 0.9 to 3 per game and his teammates up field are reaping the benefit.

"That was my biggest focus going into the preseason this year was to get back running again," he said.

"So far it's been a marked improvement from last year. It needs to be a strength of my game and I'm trying to make it that again.

"We're only early in the season but I certainly feel like I'm playing much better footy than I was last year."

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wallabies in Waiting: front row

Who will you vote for in the Wallabies' front row? Source: Cameron Spencer / Getty Images

THE Wallabies' Test series against France is just over a month away, meaning the next five rounds of Super Rugby are crucial for those looking to win a Test jersey.

A number of players across Australia's five franchises have made irresistible claims for selection with both the incumbents and the less-heralded sending some timely reminders to coach Ewen McKenzie.

McKenzie will name a 30-man squad later this month and he's already been busy taking in as much Super Rugby action as possible.

But who deserves to make the cut?

Over the next few weeks the team from Rugby HQ will break down the likely squad position by position, before giving you – the fans – the chance to make the final calls on selection.

Each week our team of rugby experts will nominate the players they think deserve to be in the running for a certain position before turning the vote over to you at foxsports.com.au

This week we kick things off with the front row, and we're giving you the chance to vote for a loosehead prop, tighthead prop and hooker.

Get voting now and watch Rugby HQ next week to see the final results!

Who should play loosehead prop for the Wallabies in 2014?

Who should play hooker for the Wallabies in 2014?

Who should play tighthead prop for the Wallabies in 2014?

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Franjic: I was ready to quit

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

WORLD Cup fullback-in-waiting Ivan Franjic has revealed he was ready to hang up his boots five years ago, fearing he would never fulfil his dream of playing professional football.

Franjic, 26, is aiming for a third A-League championship in four seasons on Sunday with Brisbane Roar, who will host Western Sydney Wanderers in the grand final at Suncorp Stadium.

He is also set to be selected in Australia's squad for the June-July FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where he's likely to patrol the right side of the Socceroos defence.

ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE GRAND FINAL

GRAND FINAL SQUADS

"It's been a great rise for me," Franjic told The Courier-Mail.

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

But it all could have been so different had Franjic followed through with his idea of quitting the game in 2009.

While it's well known that the Melbourne product was juggling his carpentry apprenticeship with life as a semi-professional player in the Victorian Premier League, Franjic has admitted he was on the verge of choosing his trade over football.

"It just wasn't working. I was working seven to five as a carpenter, and I had started playing at Oakleigh which was on the other side of the city, so I was leaving home at 5.30 in the morning and coming home at 10 at night," he said

"It was just becoming too much. My back started hurting, I had little niggles, I had some injuries … I was ready to quit."

Ivan Franjic started in the Socceroos last match on home soil, against Costa Rica. Picture: Gregg Porteous. Source: News Limited

But after further talks with Oakleigh officials, Franjic decided to give it one more season.

"They said they'd look after me, and I was happy there. They treated me very well and I'm very grateful they did because it kept me playing for longer," he said.

It was the best decision Franjic ever made.

Later that year, the Roar came knocking, and what was initially a six-week injury-replacement deal has turned into a lasting and fruitful relationship.

"When I came to Brisbane, I made sure I was fit and ready. It was an interesting six weeks because I was thrown into the starting 11," he said.

"But it's all about self-belief. If you don't believe in yourself, no-one will."

Franjic is contracted to Brisbane for another two years, but admits it would be hard to knock back a chance to head overseas if a good offer came his way.

Via his family heritage, he recently acquired a Croatian passport, which will make it easier for him to play in Europe.

Persistence has paid off for Ivan Franjic. Picture: Jono Searle. Source: News Corp Australia

"If something comes up that I can't say no to, I'd have to consider it. Playing in a top league has always been a dream of mine," he said.

"I've been here five years now. I've learnt a lot, obviously playing for the Socceroos has helped me a lot as well.

"If a big opportunity comes, I'll be very happy to take it, but I'm very happy here as well."

Franjic won't take his World Cup spot for granted, but Brisbane's great season and grand final berth has him and Roar teammate Matt McKay well placed to be part of national coach Ange Postecoglou's plans for Brazil.

"I don't know anything yet. Ange keeps his cards close to his chest," he said.

"The main thing was getting to the final first because the longer you can play games, the more chance you have of going to the World Cup.

"Now we're here, I'm going to put out my best performance on Sunday, and hopefully if I do well enough, he'll pick me."

The band is back together for a grand final edition of the Fox Football Podcast — with a few special guests dropping in as well. Adam Peacock, Simon Hill and Brenton Speed are in the studio, where they are joined by Wanderers fanatic Ian 'Dicko' Dickson, who dropped by for a chat too, and on the line by Brisbane Roar defender Jade North. Daniel Garb is on deck again to talk Mourinho, Liverpool, City and all things EPL & Socceroos.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

The Buzz: Gil must listen to fans

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

ANDREW Demetriou took a decade as AFL boss to find out what Joe Punter is shocked to find the minute he enters the MCG.

Demetriou recently took his kids into the MCG outer away the fine dining of the official AFL lunch and was stunned to cough up $32 for three buckets of chips, a sports drink and two waters.

The Pascoe Vale-raised, former AFLPA boss has shown himself to be a man of the people, but he sounded like a suit-wearing toff venturing into the cheap seats for the first time.

Like a politician out of touch with the concerns of the voting public.

WHAT ISSUES SHOULD GILLON MCLACHLAN MAKE TOP PRIORITY? CHAT LIVE WITH RALPHY AT 1PM ON WEDNESDAY ...

Especially given he continues to say the AFL is not responsible for food prices, when of course the AFL deigns to play at the stadiums that put catering rights up for tender.

That kind of comment makes it clear why Gillon McLachlan — set to be announced as the new AFL CEO in the imminent future — must conduct a listening tour of the AFL this year as he takes over from Demetriou.

Spending the rest of the year in the outer listening to Joe Punter wouldn't be the worst start.

So what are the key issues for McLachlan and how best should he go about tackling them as the AFL attempts to reinvent its public profile?

— Ticketing. Don't tinkle down the public's back and tell them it's raining.

If the AFL needs to ramp up ticket prices to support the game, don't disguise it as "variable" or "dynamic" pricing, just fess up.

If that money goes to the clubs or the AFL or the expansion clubs or equalisation, then tell us exactly what the breakdown is too.

And don't drop big-ticket items like variable in a sneaky press release on a Friday arvo then apologise for lack of communication because it insults the intelligence of the fan.

North Melbourne and Western Bulldogs have signalled their intentions to play on Good Friday. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

— Good Friday. Build it and they will come.

Ignore power clubs like Essendon and give it to Dogs and North Melbourne and give them five years to build something special.

If they can't sell it out and make extra millions for the Good Friday Appeal, strip them and give someone else a crack.

— Make 2015 the Year of the Fan.

Every club holds one open training session a week, the fans get into NAB Challenge games free if they buy a club membership.

Urge clubs to open up their clubs to allow inner sanctum experiences, and make them speak regularly through the media to their stakeholders — the fans.

They are the game's heroes and we rarely hear them speak but for paid TV show appearances.

Make 2015 the Year of the Fan, says Jon Ralph. Source: News Limited

— Congestion and mauling.

Tug the coat of those on the AFL Commission and footy boss Mark Evans and convince them rotations are hurting the game. Not killing it, but hurting it. And then hasten slowly.

Reduce interchange to 90 or 100 next year, and then take another look. Don't waste another year with the meaningless 120 cap.

— Improve the AFL's brand through plain speaking and transparency.

Less spin, more consistency and less trickery.

The AFL should be there to serve the fans, not take them for granted. The fans still flocked through the turnstiles through the global financial crisis and the Essendon saga yet the AFL put up ticket prices again both in general admission and blockbuster games.

— Don't kill the golden goose. People love footy, but for 29 weeks of the year including finals, plus 18 pre-season games in 18 days?

Demetriou said this weekend that every year we debated the game's aesthetics before crowds and the game itself bounced back, and he may prove right.

But McLachlan would do well to tap into what on face value seems a more long-lasting discontent and ask the fans themselves about the issues at the heart of this great game.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Limit set on rich clubs tax

Eddie McGuire and Collingwood could save up to $3 million under the AFL's proposed revenue sharing model, but there will be less money to split between poorer clubs. Source: Mike Keating / News Limited

THE amount of money to be collected in the AFL's first equalisation push has been severely limited because of concessions won by the league's most powerful clubs.

Based on latest figures, eight or nine clubs would be required to pay tax under the proposed revenue sharing model, while about six clubs would benefit.

A revenue tax limit of $500,000 will mean savings of up to $3 million for big clubs such as Collingwood and West Coast next year, but there will be less money to split between poorer clubs.

HERALD SUN'S REBOOTED TEAM OF THE CENTURY

Six AFL clubs made losses greater than $1 million in 2013, while the same number of clubs made seven-figure profits.

The revenue tax will see a percentage of club net revenue funnelled into the league's equalisation fund for redistribution.

While the tax limit means huge discounts for rich clubs, a middling side due to pay, say, $400,000 in revenue tax will receive no such reduction.

Even if nine teams paid the full $500,000, that would only raise $4.5 million via the revenue tax.

To put that figure in context, Collingwood made a profit of $5.23 million in 2013, and West Coast $4.1 million.

The AFL's equalisation measures — expected to be finalised at a meeting between the AFL and club bosses in early June — will be reviewed after 2016.

LISTEN TO THE ROUND 6 EDITION OF THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST ...

There has been little criticism of the revenue tax limit because its introduction — even in a reduced form — is considered a big win by many industry insiders, who hope it will have a greater impact in the future.

The separate luxury tax, applied to money spent over a "soft" cap on football spending, is also limited to $1 million a club for 2015-16. Clubs are expected to be willing to cut their football-related expenditure to avoid this tax.

The latest version of the AFL's equalisation policies were discussed at a busy AFL Commission meeting on Monday, where a related review of player pay, a laws of the game charter and Gillon McLachlan's near certain ascension to footy's top job were also on the agenda.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Team of the Century: the fans’ say

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

ABOUT 70,000 SuperFooty readers voted on the Herald Sun's rebooted Team of the Century on Tuesday with startling results.

Gary Ablett Sr was the most popular forward ahead of Tony Lockett and Wayne Carey.

AFL Legend Leigh Matthews was next best from John Coleman and Jason Dunstall.

VOTE HERE: TEAM OF THE CENTURY REBOOTED

SUPERCOACH POWER RANKINGS

In all, the rockstar forward line, devoid of any crumbing types, combined for 5823 career goals.

The results follow the Herald Sun Field Marshal's revelation yesterday that scoring was at its lowest ebb — 85.6 points a game — since 1968.

Of the official AFL Team of the Century 21-man squad, only 12 held their spot.

The legendary ruck division of Graham 'Polly' Farmer, Bob Skilton and Ron Barrasi was unchanged.

The Fan's AFL Team of the Century. Source: News Corp Australia

Farmer was clearly the most popular ruckman ahead of Simon Madden and West Coast Eagle Dean Cox, both rewarded with spots on the interchange bench.

But SuperFooty readers weren't so kind in the backline, overlooking Bernie Smith, John Nicholls and Kevin Murray for speedsters Gavin Wanganeen and Andrew McLeod.

Murray was relegated to the bench alongside St Kilda's three-time Brownlow medallist Ian Stewart.

Matthew Scarlett was voted in to the AFL Fans' Team of the Century. Picture: Mike Dugdale Source: News Limited

Triple Geelong premiership star Matthew Scarlett was also brought in to combat the opposition's third tall.

High-flying forward Alex Jesaulenko was the most notable omission, while Great Depression-era Fitzroy champion Haydn Bunton, left out of the Herald Sun's rebooted Team of the Century, was loveless in polling.

Modern era favourite sons James Hird, Michael Voss and Nathan Buckley failed to qualify for selection.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Flexible Franjic could cover Petratos

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

BRISBANE Roar coach Mike Mulvey will consider shifting Socceroos fullback Ivan Franjic into an attacking role if winger Dimitri Petratos is ruled out of Sunday's A-League grand final at Suncorp Stadium.

Petratos remains in doubt for the Roar's clash against Western Sydney Wanderers after being kicked in the ankle in Brisbane's 1-0 weekend semi-final win over Melbourne Victory.

Mulvey, who was on Monday night crowned A-League coach of the year, backed Petratos to recover, but the former Sydney FC prodigy isn't expected to train fully until Friday.

If the 21-year-old forward doesn't recover, Mulvey has a number of options up his sleeve.

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

The most obvious is recalling Brazilian attacking livewire Henrique to the starting side.

But there's a feeling that the man they call the "Slippery Fish" is most valuable to the Roar in a supersub role.

Perhaps the better option is shifting Franjic forward to the right wing, where he starred for the Roar early in the season in Brisbane's surging start that propelled them to their premiership success.

During Franjic's time upfront, Jack Hingert more than held his own at right back, but it's more likely that Mulvey would opt for James Donachie to slot into the back four if he does decide to push Franjic forward.

(L-R) Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey with Ivan Franjic, Matt Smith and Matt McKay. Picture: Brett Costello. Source: News Corp Australia

"There's that option, there's lots of options," Mulvey said. "I could bring Ricky (Henrique) straight in.

"Ricky's looking very sharp. He's proven himself starting and coming off the bench this season." The Wanderers also have an injury doubt, with forward Mark Bridge in a moon boot after also injuring his ankle in Western Sydney's 2-0 weekend semi-final win over Central Coast Mariners.

Labinot Haliti looms as Bridge's likely replacement, but Mulvey said he was expecting some selection "smokescreens" this week.

"I'm not going to tell you what we're going to do, they're not going to tell people what they're going to do," the Roar coach said.

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

"We'll probably have to have some behind-closed-doors stuff if Dimitri's doubtful, which I don't particularly want to do, but we need to have some advantage."

Mulvey praised Wanderers coach Tony Popovic for the way he had used his whole squad in successfully juggling A-League and AFC Champions League commitments.

"Their results speak for themselves. They finished second in the A-League and they're into the last 16 of the Champions League," the Roar boss said.

"What better credentials? They were only one place off the top — that's pretty impressive."

As was Mulvey's effort to be named the competition's best coach in his first full year in charge of the Roar.

"It's nice to get recognition, especially from your peers but the bottom line is you don't start working in team sport for individual accolades," he said.

"My main focus is being part of a team success. We've had some of that this year but we want some more on Sunday."

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

ADP’s Sydney playing days over

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

ALESSANDRO Del Piero's sudden departure from Sydney FC came after the club declined to re-sign him on the $4 million annual terms he earned since signing for the club in a blaze of publicity 18 months ago.

Del Piero announced his exit on Monday night, declaring: "Australia, the moment has arrived to say arrivederci" in a statement on his personal website.

Sydney said that the club would seek to "continue Del Piero's relationship" with the Sky Blues, thought it's understood that does not refer to any imminent plans for the 39-year-old to begin his coaching career here.

READ THE REACTION TO ADP'S DECISION BELOW

Instead he is likely to be offered some ambassadorial role, or involvement with the club's putative academy it intends to begin building later in the year.

It brings to a close an audacious signing that made Sydney FC genuinely global news, after Del Piero chose a move to the A-League ahead of offers from clubs including Liverpool when he left Juventus after almost two decades.

Though it's believed Del Piero had been lobbying for a third year in Sydney's colours, the club had indicated from the turn of the year that it was looking for a new marquee.

Potential targets have been discussed, though at a much reduced salary, after Del Piero's increasingly fitful contributions to his second season in the A-League.

What comes next for Del Piero remained unclear from his statement last night, in which he noted that "now I just need some time to think over all the prospective opportunities for my future".

However he and his family will leave Australia, though he will play here at least one more time as the captain of the A-League All-Stars against Juventus in August.

Del Piero generated huge interest in the A-League when he arrived. Source: News Corp Australia

On Monday night it was made clear that he has yet to decide on whether to continue playing beyond that, with an offer believed to have come from a club in Malaysia.

Sydney paid tribute to a player whose cache helped them achieve record crowds and memberships, with the merchandise shop at Allianz Stadium setting a one-day record for sales when his home debut came against Newcastle in Round Two last season.

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

"Two years ago Sydney FC signed one of the greatest players to have ever worn a football shirt, Alessandro Del Piero," Sydney chairman Barlow said.

"At the time, if you had said Del Piero would be playing in Australia, few people would have believed it possible. His signing was the biggest in Australian football history and it lifted Sydney FC and the A-League onto the world stage.

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

"Together we have achieved a lot and Sydney FC has grown in every way, with record crowds and memberships and huge interest in our club both domestically and internationally."

Del Piero added that his "greatest satisfaction is the rapid growth of the Australian football movement, with interest increasing incredibly for the public, television and sponsors, in this country."

"My adventure with Sydney FC is about to be concluded, and, even if it makes me rather sad, because I have had wonderful time here, I have communicated my decision to the club," Del Piero said.

Del Piero poses with the Golden Boot Award during the Sydney FC Sky Blue Ball. Source: Getty Images

"I'm really grateful for the last two years and for the club's request for me to remain and with whom, I am happy to explore new opportunities to continue our relationship.

"It hasn't been an easy choice, also because my life on and off the pitch has been fantastic, my family and I have really enjoyed these two wonderful years: Australia will remain in our hearts forever.

He would, he said, "remain a bit "Australian", and will continue to be close to the football movement in this country."

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Don’t rush Tex back: Ricciuto

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

TO play or not to play — that's the question on everyone's lips this week as Taylor Walker inches closer to his AFL return.

But for me, it's very simple — don't do it big fella.

The Crows and Tex need to think long term and make sure that his comeback from a knee reconstruction is a successful one and not short-lived.

SHOULD WALKER PLAY AGAINST THE DEES?

Let's be realistic — the bloke has only played three quarters of footy against a winless team in the SANFL after more than 12 months on the sidelines.

How can anyone expect him to be match fit or conditioned?

Walker impressed in the SANFL on the weekend. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

Think about what AFL teams do in preparation for Round 1. They play between three and four practice games on the back of a full pre-season so they are ready to go.

And these are players who played most if not all of the season before, and didn't do their knee.

So when Chris McDermott in his Sunday Mail column says Walker must return to the Crows team to play Melbourne this weekend, we must stop and take a deep breath.

Let's have a look at a few statistics on knee injuries that may help you come to your own conclusion.

From a study conducted by leading Adelaide knee surgeon and former Crow Matthew Liptak between 1990 and 2000, of 116 AFL listed players who suffered anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, 27 per cent never played at the elite level again.

However 73 per cent did, but the concerning stat is that of those 73 per cent, 28 per cent did an ACL again — whether it was the same knee or on the other leg. That's worse than one in every four players which is a frightening statistic.

LISTEN TO THE ROUND 6 EDITION OF THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST ...

The other issue is that the average players who did an ACL again were taller and heavier than those who didn't. Ruckman and key position players definitely fall into that category.

Another key stat is that 58 per cent of guys who suffered the injury again attempted to return prior to one full year out of the game.

Tex might have returned safely on the weekend but he was still two days shy of the full 12 months so there's even more reason to proceed with caution.

In Tex's favour is that since 2000, the quality of rehabilitation and knowledge surrounding the injury would have improved and I'm certain the Crows medical staff would have provided him with more resources than any of the 116 players mentioned above.

Walker marks in front of Warrick McGuinty in the SANFL Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

I'm not putting these stats forward to scare anyone but just to highlight how important it is not to rush the comeback given one in four players have learnt the hard way.

An ACL injury is very serious and is devastating to the player, the team, the club and supporters. Less than one in two AFL players return to the form they had prior to the injury, in the three years after their surgery.

Tex's injury wasn't a standard injury either. In his words, the damage was more like that inflicted from a car crash.

The good news for Walker is he got through his first big test in the SANFL on Friday night and pulled up terrifically.

His next test should be to play a full game this Sunday in Clare against Port Adelaide in the first state league showdown.

I hope it's wrong on this occasion, but generally footballers are like racehorses in that they can struggle second up after a spell. So don't be surprised if Walker doesn't improve on his three-goal first-up performance.

Walker receives instructions from the coach on the bench. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

From then on, personally I think form dictates his selection at the Crows. Whether it takes a week or a month, Tex needs to dominate an SANFL game and put his knee through all the unpredictable situations that you can't replicate at training without the pressure of performing on the AFL stage.

The unpredictable landings on the injured knee are the hardest thing for players to mentally overcome and once that has been tested then they are good to go.

So when his form is good and his mind is at ease, that's when Tex should make his AFL comeback.

Until then, Josh Jenkins, James Podsiadly and Tom Lynch are doing a good job of holding the fort.

After all, that's what we recruited Podsiadly for. Insurance for Walker so there's no need to rush.

Let's be realistic in our expectations of Taylor Walker in 2014 and not put any added pressure on the big Tex's shoulders. We all want to see him back to his best whether it takes a week, a month or in 2015.

As long as it happens!

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gil pick would hurry Demetriou exit

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

ANDREW Demetriou could make way for Gillon McLachlan before the end of the season if the deputy CEO wins the race for footy's top job.

McLachlan remains a hot favourite to replace Demetriou, who announced his exit from the game on the eve of this season.

The AFL Commission received an update on the search for a new CEO at yesterday's meeting and an announcement is expected within a fortnight.

LISTEN TO THE ROUND 6 EDITION OF THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST ...

Demetriou had said he would stay on until the end of the year, but it is understood he is open to an early exit in the event of a handover to McLachlan.

If it is not an internal appointment, Demetriou would almost certainly stay until the end of the season.

Ultimately the timing of Demetriou's departure would be a commission decision.

Recruitment firm Egon Zehnder is continuing the interview process, but that is expected to finish as soon as this week.

Club chiefs including Brendon Gale (Richmond) and Brian Cook (Geelong) have been sounded out about the AFL CEO job, and outgoing Coles chief Ian McLeod continues to be mentioned in connection with the role.

Richmond CEO Brendon has been sounded out about the AFL CEO job. Source: News Corp Australia

Gale was asked about his head office ambitions yesterday.

"I wake up every day trying to make our club better," Gale said. "Today is no different and that's where my focus is."

The commission was brought up to date on the latest version of the league's new equalisation policies yesterday — which will likely be finalised when the league and club bosses meet early in June.

Football operations boss Mark Evans presented to the commission yesterday about the laws of the game, but said more data needed to be gathered before presenting the board with any recommendations about potential rule changes.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lions could play games at Springfield

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

BRISBANE chairman Bob Sharpless has revealed a bold ambition that the Lions will one day play their premiership games in a state of the art stadium at Springfield.

The Lions' previous board's relocation bid presented Springfield as a training and administration base that could host pre-season games.

Sharpless' revelation that it could also become a match day venue is likely to spark a new wave of emotion from the large anti-Springfield element among the membership.

LISTEN TO THE ROUND 6 EDITION OF THE SUPERFOOTY PODCAST ...

A railway station has been built right next to the site with a pedestrian walkway to the venue and the master-planning for the club's new headquarters includes the capacity for extra grand stands to increase capacity.

"All I know is that the location has the basic structure to be a state of the art sporting facility," he said.

"The time frames of that project, it will go for years and years and years.

"You have got public transport, all the other associated infrastructure, I believe one day it will become a major sporting destination."

Sharpless, who is the deputy chairman of the Springfield Landcorp, has watched the gradual evolution of Carrara Stadium and stressed that although he expects any proposal to transfer games to Springfield would be a generation away — the planning was being undertaken now.

The Brisbane Lions' new elite training and administration facility (ETAF). Source: Supplied

"I think if you are master planning a major city on the edge of Brisbane, you have to build a capability for this sort of stuff," he said.

"I watched the Brisbane Bears play at Carrara in 1986 and that was a council oval with no infrastructure whatsoever, and what has it become, Metricon Stadium and in 2018 it will be a Commonwealth Games venue for 50,000 people."

Brisbane's lease agreement with the Gabba expires in 2015 and Sharpless said negotiations on the extension would have to include contingencies around the proposed shift to Springfield.

"We are looking to extend the agreement that we have to play games at the Gabba," he said.

"But obviously if the Springfield opportunity goes ahead what we want to try and do is vary that agreement."

The facility will be developed as part of a wider regional sport and community recreation precinct at Springfield Central. Source: Supplied

The heads of agreement between the Lions, Ipswich City Council, the AFL and Springfield Land Corp expires on June 30.

Brisbane's failure to date to secure $15m in Federal Government funding means that deadline is certain to pass without any definitive progress made on the new headquarters.

Brisbane would then be free to pursue other alternatives but Sharpless said the board remained unified in its commitment to the Springfield option.

The Ipswich council has made an approach to the Lions for a 12 month extension to extend the agreement but the club has made certain demands on commercial opportunities that remain confidential.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Goss on next AFL boss

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

THE AFL Commission will be briefed today on the search for a new chief executive.

The league's deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan remains a strong favourite to replace ­Andrew Demetriou, who ­announced his resignation on the eve of the season.

But it is believed several club bosses including Brendon Gale (Richmond), Brian Cook (Geelong) and Stuart Fox (Hawthorn) have been sounded out.

SELF-REPORTING A MISTAKE: PAUL LITTLE

Egon Zehnder, the recruitment agency charged with finding Demetriou's successor, is expected to produce candidates from the business world.

McLachlan turned down the NRL chief executive's job in 2012 to ­remain with the AFL.

The league is also expected to present the commission with the latest version of its equalisation policy, before a meeting with club chairmen and chief executives in June.

That meeting could see the new competitive balance measures, which were agreed in principle in Adelaide in ­February, finalised.

A new pay deal for players will also be reviewed by the commission today.

The AFL Players Association — which has been working closely with clubs and the league — expected a mid-agreement review of its collective bargaining agreement to be completed this month.

A 2015 pay rise of three per cent was built into that agreement, which also takes in 2016, but that figure is expected to be raised to about five per cent.

Demetriou said players should be "beneficiaries on top" of any money found in the equalisation measures.

The commission will hear a health check on expansion clubs Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney.

GWS chairman Tony Shepherd told the Herald Sun this month the club was exploring investing in poker machines to increase non-football sources of revenue.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

“Schoolboy errors” hurt: Hardwick

Damien Hardwick at three-quarter time Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Corp Australia

RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick was last night left to lament another week of "schoolboy errors" after his side was ripped apart by Hawthorn.

Hardwick sat his players down after yesterday's 66-point thrashing to address the ongoing mistakes that have dragged them to a precarious 2-4 ahead of Sunday's season-defining clash with Geelong.

Daniel Jackson and Trent Cotchin after the loss. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

He also said the absence of Brett Deledio, Alex Rance and Ivan Maric was a big reason the Tigers were struggling.

"At various stages tonight you would have seen that we actually use the ball really well, but then at other stages we just made some really poor blues and it's been characteristic of our season thus far," Hardwick said.

"When we get ourselves into the game we just manage to shoot ourselves in the foot."

Hardwick admitted the rebounding dash and dare so evident in Richmond's rise last year had vanished, but said injuries to Rance, Deledio and Maric had been a key factor.

"Oh, listen, you take three of our best six players out, we're going to struggle," he said. "With Deledio, Rance and Maric, you get those guys back in it makes us better, but the fact is I think they've played two games between them all year so it's going to take some time.

Damien Hardwick addresses his troops at three-quarter time. Photo by Quinn Rooney Source: Getty Images

"At the moment we hold on to the ball a bit longer than what we'd like, we just don't move it as well as what we'd like and we're working to address those things.

"We're not playing anywhere near as fluent as what we did last year; there's no doubt about that, we know that and we're trying to rectify that."

Hardwick said Rance and Deledio would almost certainly return against the Cats.

"They were both very close this week, it just would have been pushing the envelope a bit to play them," he said.

"Obviously they're both very important — our best defender and our best run and carry player so they'll make a difference, but we've also got to realise they haven't played for five weeks."

Bradley Hill slips a tackle. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Hardwick said Richmond was "jumped" at the start and simply couldn't score when they improved.

"I thought we battled in quarter two to get back on even par, (but we) just couldn't quite get the inside 50m reward," he said. "Then unfortunately in the third quarter we just gave the ball back with some errors that were poor. They're a good side, premiership obviously last year and they look well on the way again this year.

"It hurt us, the guys like (Isaac) Smith and (Bradley) Hill just ran incredibly hard from one side of the ground to the other, which we thought we'd prepared for but not well enough."

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Grand final loss has Wanderers primed

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

TONY Popovic believes the Wanderers are mentally tougher heading into this weekend's grand final than they were at the same stage last season.

A clinical 2-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday earned Western Sydney a place in their second grand final match in two years.

The fact that they triumphed over the team that beat them to the A-League title last season makes the achievement that much sweeter.

But coach Popovic believes his club's inaugural participation in the Asian Champions League has given them the strength to go a step further.

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

Not only are the Wanderers challenging for the A-League title, but they are also Australia's last remaining team still involved in the continental competition.

"The Asian Champions League has maybe made us mentally tougher," Popovic said.

"We've always been mentally tough this group, but I think there's a real resilience about them.

"I'm happy for them, that they get another chance straight away — it's not easy to do that. Players can miss out on a grand final and youngsters can think they'll do it again, then their career is over and they haven't had another chance. These players get an opportunity one year later to play in a grand final again and this time we've got to perform better.

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

"If we perform better I'm very confident that we give ourselves a good chance this time of holding up that trophy."

When Popovic saw Mark Bridge limp off the field with an ankle injury in the second half against the Mariners, he admits he began planning straight away for the grand final.

And while Bridge seems unlikely to recover in time for this weekend's match, Popovic believes his team is still in a healthier position than they were heading into last year's grand final.

"When you see Bridgey like that you've got to start thinking straight away," he said.

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

"Maybe we've picked up one injury, but apart from one player we've got everyone ready.

"No suspensions — last year we had several players suspended, a couple of long-term injuries and a few didn't train for a couple of weeks leading into the grand final. This year everyone is available."

With the Wanderers one win away from becoming the A-League's biggest success story, Popovic is proud to see how far his players have progressed.

"These boys can handle big games and big pressure and it shows how far they've come," he said.

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kearney’s Kiwis’ ‘incredible odds’

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

NEW Zealand coach Stephen Kearney called upon his team of misfits and rookies to embrace the "Anzac spirit" as they enter a trans-Tasman Test match against world champions Australia facing "incredible odds".

Such is the dire nature of Friday's contest and the injury toll for the Kiwis that Kearney's biggest win happened at the Australian selection table when Brisbane's Matt Gillett was overlooked for a Test debut and instead named only as 18th man.

HAYNE INJURY GIVES MORRIS ROOS NOD

"Let me put it this way, I'm glad he is 18th man and not in the 17 the way he has been playing," Kearney said.

"He has had a wonderful month of footy.

The Warriors' Siliva Havili is a shock call-up to the Kiwis' squad. Source: Getty Images

"It still looks a pretty good side for me." Kearney refused to name how many players he had to overlook due to injury, adding that it would take him half an hour to compile a list that includes superstars such as Kieran Foran, Sonny Bill Williams, Issac Luke, Josh Hoffman, Elijah Taylor, Kevin Locke and Manu Vatuvei.

Just six players from the side that lost the World Cup final were named in the 18-man squad, with prop Jared Waerean-Hargreaves the shock sacking and six rookies named including some of the biggest Test bolters seen in years.

A shoulder complaint denied North Queensland wrecking ball Jason Taumalolo a chance for his Test debut while an injury crisis through his halves has forced Kearney to pluck Penrith's Isaac John from the NSW Cup to play five-eighth.

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

"We're

John has played just three NRL games this year and been stuck in reserve grade for the past month, but it says a lot about this Kiwi team that he is still not the biggest bolter in the 18-man squad.

HINDS: ARE YOU EXCITED BY ANZAC TEST?

That honour goes to 21-year-old Warriors hooker Siliva Havili who has played just three NRL games in his entire career and yet to tally a full 80 minutes of combined game time in first grade.

So exposed is this Kiwi outfit that Kearney tipped Warriors utility Ben Henry to play hooker in his debut and mooted Roosters winger Roger Tuivasa Scheck as a possible five-eighth solution.

Essentially the Kiwis will do what they can with the personnel they've got to be competitive at Allianz Stadium.

Sydney Roosters' Roger Tuivasa-Sheck dhas retained his place in the New Zealand squad. Source: News Corp Australia

"I know we will find someone who is really willing and will give the team a lot of spirit whoever wears that No.6 jersey," Kearney said.

"For us it's an opportunity through injury to give these young guys we've had in our Junior Kiwis program some opportunity to play.

"I guess it's a bit of an Anzac story, a group of young men come together with an opportunity to represent their country on Friday night.

"For me this epitomises what the Anzac spirit is about. We are facing the incredible odds.

"I'm confident the lads will attack it with that energy and spirit. "If we do that collectively I'm sure we will certainly challenge and that is what we aim to do.

"I'm sure they will do us proud."

TRUE ACID TEST FOR FOOTY FANS

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

Kiwis squad: Gerard Beale, (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Adam Blair (Wests Tigers), Jesse Bromwich (Melbourne Storm), Kenny Bronwich (Melbourne Storm), Greg Eastwood (Canterbury Bulldogs), Tohu Harris (Melbourne Storm), Siliva Havili (NZ Warriors), Ben Henry (NZ Warriors), Peta Hiku (Manly Sea Eagles), Isaac John (Penrith Panthers), Shaun Johnson (NZ Warriors), Simon Mannering (NZ Warriors), Sam Moa (Sydney Roosters), Jason Nightingale (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Kevin Proctor (Melbourne Storm), Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Sydney Roosters), Dean Whare (Penrith Panthers)

18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More