Diberdayakan oleh Blogger.

Popular Posts Today

Clarko’s simple message from hospital bed

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 31 Mei 2014 | 18.49

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

'JUST keep the ball rolling.' That was the simple message from ailing Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson to his replacement Brendon Bolton.

Clarkson delivered the blunt instruction when the caretaker senior coach visited him in hospital early in the week.

"I've touched in with Clarko and he's progressing really well. His focus and energy has all been on his recovery. So we haven't had a lot of footy discussion,'' Bolton said before training at Waverley Park yesterday.

CLARKO STILL CALLING SHOTS

BOLTON'S BIGGEST AUDITION

"I went up (to hospital) early in the week and spoke to him last night. What he's really excited about is showing that our club is really strong and united and really steely.

"All our coaches and players have got behind each other and we just want to show a really united front.

Bolton's voice is not an unknown to Hawthorn players. Source: News Corp Australia

"The thing we've got is great leadership density and we've got some real experience here. Chris Fagan (football operations manager) I always call him the Wise Owl, he's always helping. Brett Ratten has been in a senior (AFL coach) position, Luke Beveridge. And our leadership, Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, who's not playing, Shaun Burgoyne, there's just so many quality people at our club and we think it's going to be a collective.

"Now, if that's for one week, so be it. But, if it's for four or five or more, so be it as well. I know Clarko said 'just keep the ball rolling."

"Clarko's whole focus is around making sure he's relaxing and not stressed. Health is the priority, not football.''

The Hawks have tweaked the assistant coaches roles to accommodate Bolton moving from the forward line coach into the senior job for today's game against GWS Giants at the MCG.

"Naturally, you all pick up a little bit, but it's not significant. Adem Yze was a development coach and working closely with me with the forwards, so he has jumped into that role,'' Bolton said.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

On whether this caretaker role aids his aspirations to be an AFL senior coach one day, Bolton said: "I don't see this as an audition. This is making sure our club's united and showing a strong front. I'm just going to make sure that happens.

"Naturally, you're a little bit nervous and excited. But I'm like that going into all games.

"There have been a lot of things floating around our club this week that could be perceived as changes, but we've just narrowed the focus and the energy has to be at the contest.

"We've lost the last couple of games, so you're going to see a pretty good team at Hawthorn footy club.''


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lions cause upset over undisciplined Blues

Dayne Zorko and Josh Green celebrate Brisbane's upset win over Carlton. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: Mark Calleja / News Corp Australia

BRISBANE gave its fans the brightest moment of tough season with a stunning seven-point victory over Carlton at the Gabba on Saturday night.

The 14.14 (98) to 13.13 (91) win was Brisbane's first on Australian soil for the season and gave hope to the 24,625 fans at the ground the second half of the season may be a lot better than the first.

But the win was soured somewhat by the return of Brisbane's ruck curse with a knee injury to Trent West.

Lions ruckman Trent West suffered a serious knee injury. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

And Brisbane fans may have felt some pain seeing the stellar performance of former Lion Sam Docherty who produced his best game for the Blues — collecting 30 possessions.

Save for a poor second quarter, Brisbane were the better side for much of the night.

Tom Rockliff worked hard to break an Andrew Carrazzo tag, Jack Redden was a monster at the stoppages and their forwards looked dangerous.

Daniel Merrett sparked the Lions with two early goals. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

Further salt was rubbed into Carlton's wounds by an Achilles injury to forward David Ellard.

He was replaced in the second quarter by starting sub Jeff Garlett who immediately booted two goals from two kicks to put the Blues in front for the first time.

And Chris Yarran was reported in the dying moments for throwing a punch at Pearce Hanley.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

With No. 1 ruckman Matthew Leuenberger out for another six weeks at least, Brisbane are hoping scans tomorrow clear West of any serious damage.

Ruck forward Stefan Martin has played two games in the NEAFL on the comeback from a back injury and wold be the Lions' only ruck option unless they were to elevate rookie Archie Smith.

Carlton stayed in the game because of their control at the stoppages and that came on the back of complete dominance by Blues ruckman Matthew Warnock who won an incredible 57 hit-outs.

David Ellard suffered an Achilles injury in the second quarter. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

Warnock was well ahead in the hit-outs when West was on the ground but at least he was providing a contest and limiting the giant Blues' ability to spoon feed his midfielders.

When West was subbed-off for first gamer Zac O'Brien the Lions led by three points and the clearance contest was basically even.

Brisbane produced their best quarter of the year in the opening term. They were winning the contested footy and had little trouble holding onto it against some lacklustre Carlton pressure.

Lions midfielder Tom Rockliff was inspirational with 36 disposals. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

The result was they were able to give their forwards more opportunities than they have received for the majority of the season.

Jonathan Brown provided an imposing target and even thrilled the Gabba crowd by winding back the clock to take a towering mark on the wing while livewire small forward Josh Green was a handful for the Blues defence.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

At the other end the Blues were unable to enter their forward fifty with any real method and their only goal of the quarter came from a free kick to David Ellard.

They were completely outplayed by the Lions who went into the first beak with a 28 point lead.

But there were a few worrying signs for coach Justin Leppitsch. Blues captain Marc Murphy ran around the Gabba without an opponent and although he wasn't overly damaging with his seven opening quarter touches, leaving a player of his class unattended has consequences.

Zorko booted two important goals. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

It proved to be the case as Murphy accumulated a game high 39 touches. The quarter time break brought a reversal of fortunes for both sides. Carlton began to dominate the game, collecting a whopping 103 disposals for the second quarter, and outscoring the Lions by six goals to two.

Brisbane struggled to get their hands on the ball and when they did, the surety that characterised their ball movement in the opening term had disappeared.

But Brisbane fought back and won the final quarter, the one that mattered.


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lyons one of the Crows’ quiet achievers

Emerging Crows player Jarryd Lyons. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: Sarah Reed / News Corp Australia

JARRYD Lyons answers questions like a pro. A veteran. Which is something of a surprise given that, in his three-and-a-half years at West Lakes, he's been interviewed — wait for it — once.

Offered up for the cameras and tape recorders that single time, the Monday following his AFL debut in Showdown XXXII, two whole years ago.

And since then ... Nothing.

"Never really get asked — I suppose that's the thing," he shrugs.

"This is the first interview I've been asked to do."

Somehow, in a city where we know more about Patrick Dangerfield and Taylor Walker than our next-door neighbours, a fringe Adelaide midfielder has remained more anonymous than a police line-up.

So who the bloody hell is Jarryd Lyons? This 21-year-old kid from Bentleigh East, with just 14 games in his fourth year with the Crows and who, maybe, is just slightly more recognisable than the bloke under the Claude the Crow costume at home games.

"I'm a pretty reserved kinda guy, just go about my business and don't like to get in the spotlight too much," Lyons says.

Right, well, let's see about that.

Jarryd Lyons proving his speed at th AFL Draft Combine.

We could mention cricket, Lyons' first team-sport passion, how it soaked up his summers as a youngster and early teenager, eating into footy pre-seasons and contributing to his "late bloomer'' status.

Perhaps could've pushed on to state cricket if he put his mind to it, he says, but it came down to that old story about 700 AFL contracts, 11 Test spots.

Then his rise from junior suburban footy battler to underage and TAC Cup star, winning three grade best and fairests in the four seasons from under-15s to under-18s before Adelaide grabbed him with pick 61 in 2010.

Or golf, the game he's loved since before he can even remember, and how he's so good at chasing that little white pill around a park he's playing off a seven-handicap in his two or three rounds a week at The Grange.

So competitive at anything involving a scoreboard that even a game of backyard ping-pong with housemate Matt Crouch and the pair's host brother can quickly become Wimbledon with wooden bats, all John McEnroe versus Jimmy Connors.

And if those all-round talents and One Direction looks weren't enough to make you sick, Lyons was also cluey enough in Year 12 that his university score had him considering physiotherapy had the AFL draft not worked out.

Then, proving his handy family bloodlines, there's his younger brother, Corey, now in the under-16s Vic Metro system and some chance of hitting the big league a few years' down the track.

Not to mention Lyons senior, dad Marty, who played 27 games for Melbourne back in the mid-70s, under coach Bob Skilton and alongside the likes of Robbie Flower and Carl Ditterich.

Jarryd Lyons training on Adelaide Oval. Picture: Sarah Reed.

"Yeah, but Dad's a premiership player at Sandy (Sandringham), so I think he was almost more proud when I played two games there in under-18s as a top-up than when I played my first AFL game," Lyons says.

"He played 150 games there and was part of the team of the century, so he loved that.

"Dad's very down to earth and because he played as well, he's really easy to talk to about any problems.

"But he understands that footy is a lot bigger now that it was then — everyone worked when he played then got paid with a bit of change and an all-day bus pass.

"He was massive in terms of his sport growing up so I followed in his footsteps a bit there — actually, in his debut game for Melbourne he kicked four at the 'G, and then in my first game at the 'G I kicked four as well, so we have a bit of a laugh about that."

That haul for Lyons junior was against Collingwood in round nine last year, during a stretch of nine games straight that he played before falling victim at selection following the Crows' loss in AAMI Stadium's heart-stopping final Showdown.

It was a glimpse of the talent he showed for Glenelg — the type of tough, get-the-bloody-thing spirit that left Tigers fans and anyone who's seen a Crows reserves game this year wondering why he was stuck back in the SANFL for so long.

Lyons was pursued by Melbourne as a trade option at the end of last season but, with his contract running to the end of this year and no "go home" pull to Victoria, elected to stay at West Lakes.

He was rewarded with the faith of coach Brenton Sanderson in Adelaide's season-opener against Geelong but was chopped after the 38-point loss.

Lyons was finally back last Sunday, albeit in the green sub's vest for the first three quarters for the horror show against Carlton, and responded with seven touches and two clearances.

And while that contract that had a year to run last October hasn't yet been renewed, Lyons is hoping to string together enough games in the second half of this season to extend his stay at West Lakes.

"No, nothing at the moment," he says.

"I have to play a few games and prove my worth before they'll re-sign me.

"I've made home here and I've been loving it, really. I've got mates over here and I don't miss home much at all.

"Sando tells me my inside stuff is good, it's at AFL standard, I just need to keep working on outside run — that's the big step up from SANFL to AFL footy.

"It's that ability to run and carry and break the lines, break out of stoppages. That's what I've been working on most in the last six to eight weeks and that's what got me back in the side.

"It's a pretty tough midfield to crack into with the likes of Dangerfield, Thompson, Sloaney. This year I was disappointed after round one to miss out for so long but I've been improving each year, which is the key.

"Now I've just got to cement my spot in the side and try to hang on to it. I hope Sando will give me another crack and I'll hopefully get a full game in and try to prove myself."


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Don’t blame Waite for loss: Mick

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

MICK Malthouse refused to lay the blame on Jarrad Waite as Carlton's serial offender opened the door for a stunning Brisbane upset on Saturday night.

The last-placed Lions stormed over the top of Malthouse's Blues in an astonishing final quarter when they kicked the last four goals for a thrilling seven-point win.

LIONS CAUSE UPSET OVER UNDISCIPLINED BLUES

LEPPITSCH LAUDS LIONS LEADERS

But they were given a significant leg-up by Waite who compounded a forgettable display by giving away a mindless 50m free kick that allowed debutant Zac O'Brien to give the Lions the lead with six minutes left.

The power forward shoved influential Brisbane vice-captain Tom Rockliff next to where O'Brien was about to take a free kick in the middle of the ground.

Fined last year by his coach for a headbutt on Melbourne defender Tom McDonald and dropped this season after a poor display against Melbourne, Waite could have expected to be in the firing line again.

Jeff Garlett booted three goals for the Blues. Source: Getty Images

But Malthouse bit his tongue and denied the brain explosion cost his side in the 14.14 (98) to 13.13 (91) defeat.

"One ill-disciplined act generally doesn't lose you the game," he said. "There was that and there was others.

"There was wrong use of the football, the ease of which they moved the ball out of congested areas, etc, etc.

"Last quarter we led and just didn't have the legs in the end. (Brisbane) were harder, longer, simple as that."

A tight-lipped Malthouse showed more annoyance that Chris Yarran wasn't paid a late leaping chest-mark in the Lions goalsquare, or paid a free for having his legs pulled, before Josh Green pounced for a nine-point lead.

Yarran showed his frustration at the other end of the Gabba by lashing out at Pearce Hanley to give away a 50m penalty and get reported.

Sam Rowe conceded three Jonathan Brown goals. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: News Corp Australia

Thrashed by North Melbourne in their last start a fortnight ago, Brisbane were far more energetic and enthusiastic from the outset in the greasy conditions.

They shocked the visitors by unleashing their best quarter of the season to lead by 28 points at the first change.

But it turned pear-shaped in the second term when ruckman Trent West suffered a serious knee injury that allowed Robbie Warnock (57 hit-outs) to dominate the stoppages.

At the time, Brisbane coach Justin Leppitsch admitted he thought: "Can this year get any worse?".

With Matthew Leuenberger still two months away from returning, Leppitsch may be forced to elevate basketball convert Archie Smith from the rookie list.

Brisbane's second win of the year came despite only managing 16 inside 50s in the second and third terms, but for once they finished a game with more composure and run than their opponents.


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

LIVE: Pies on top, Sidebottom booked

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 30 Mei 2014 | 18.49

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

COLLINGWOOD's dominant first-half display against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium has been soured by a report on Steele Sidebottom.

At half-time, Collingwood leads St Kilda by 27 points, 10.5 (65) to St Kilda 6.2 (38).

Sidebottom made high contact with St Kilda youngster Mav Weller only seven seconds after the opening bounce in an incident that is certain to come under the scrutiny of the AFL Match Review Panel.

Weller was visibly dazed and, consequently, subbed out of the game before quarter-time after failing to pass concussion tests.

FOR FULL LIVE HQ COVERAGE WITH SUPERCOACH SCORES, CLICK ON THE SCORE CENTRE ABOVE OR HERE IF YOU ARE ON A MOBILE DEVICE

Sidebottom's hit was not the only negative for Collingwood during the first half, with veteran Nick Maxwell subbed out of the game with a calf injury.

Alex Fasolo has been outstanding for the Pies in the first half, booting four goals from five disposals.

Nick Riewoldt has led from the front for the Saints, booting three first-half goals.

Earlier, Pies duo Dane Swan (heel) and Brodie Grundy (back) were withdrawn late due to niggling injuries.

FOLLOW ALL THE LIVE ACTION WITH BEN WATERWORTH BELOW. GAME KICKS OFF AT 7.50PM (EST) …

RICHO ON THE DAY THAT CHANGED FOOTY

DAVID KING: THE COOLEST AND CALMEST IN A CRISIS

TRAV TO GET PHYSICAL TO SHAKE SLUMP

ST KILDA v COLLINGWOOD

Friday 30 May at Etihad Stadium, 7.50pm (EST)

St Kilda

B: S.Dempster, L.Delaney, B.Murdoch

HB: C.Shenton, J.Bruce, J.Newnes

C: L.Montagna, L.Hayes, J.Steven

HF: J.Billings, N.Riewoldt, T.Milera Forwards A.Siposs, R.Stanley, A.Schneider

Foll: B.Longer, L.Dunstan, S.Ross

IC: M.Weller, T.Curren, F.Ray, C.Jones

Emerg: T.Simpkin, S.Dunell, J.Saunders

IN: S.Ross, B.Murdoch

OUT: J.Webster (omitted), B.Acres (ankle)

Collingwood

B: N.Maxwell, J.Frost, A.Toovey

HB: M.Williams, L.Keeffe, T.Goldsack

C: D.Swan, B.Macaffer, H.Lumumba

HF: T.Adams, J.White, S.Sidebottom

F: J.Witts, T.Cloke, J.Elliott

Foll: B.Grundy, D.Beams, S.Pendlebury

IC: T.Langdon, C.Young, A.Fasolo, J.Blair

Emerg: J.Thomas, P.Seedsman, S.Dwyer

IN: L.Keeffe, T.Adams

OUT: L.Ball (calf), N.Brown (shoulder)


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Blues’ membership push flatlines

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

CARLTON'S membership total has flatlined well short of its 50,000 target, with president Stephen Kernahan imploring fans to get behind the club.

On pure membership figures, the Blues continue to trail well behind Collingwood, Hawthorn, Richmond and Essendon.

It saw Kernahan urge fans to lift the membership from 49,913 — a total that has grown by only 1000 memberships in the last six weeks.

The Blues used the 50,000 target as a lure for members to guarantee moving their home ground to the MCG, with departing CEO Greg Swann under heat given the lack of membership growth.

"We have won four of the last five games and we are not out of the woods, but we have our 150th year celebrations on June 14 and we would love the supporters to rally behind the club,'' Kernahan said.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

"We have still got a hell of a lot of home games coming up and we have had a hard fixture. We have four Sunday night games and we have played Thursday nights and Monday nights. It is a tough start to cop for our members, but the players have shown some grit and are getting back in form."

The Blues argue they net similar revenue to other clubs from membership — $17 million last year — despite the lower numbers.

But they acknowledge some potential members are put off by the perception of millionaires running the club.

Carlton president Stephen Kernahan talks to Blues fans. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

The challenging nature of the fixture was made known to the AFL last Tuesday, with Carlton wanting eight MCG home games next year — up from six.

"We did let them know about the early season fixture,''Kernahan said.

"We like the marquee slots but it has been tough to get the corporates and make our members happy. Having said that, you don't get a good fixture all the time, so we have to cop it sometimes."

Western Bulldogs chief executive Simon Garlick said the club was still confident of making a small profit despite being last on the membership tally with 29,333 members.

"We will probably end up at around 31,500 which is not where we thought we would be, but we will continue to push for memberships.

"In 2009 we ended up at just over 35,000 memberships, but we are doing everything we can to make it a break-even year and we are tracking towards that."

VICTORIAN MEMBERSHIP LADDER

COLLINGWOOD — 74,342

HAWTHORN — 67,179

RICHMOND — 64,867

ESSENDON — 58,611

CARLTON — 46,799

GEELONG — 41,839

NORTH MELBOURNE — 37,463

MELBOURNE — 35,005

ST KILDA — 29,992

WESTERN BULLDOGS — 29,333


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Live: Panthers running over sloppy Eels

James Segeyaro celebrates a try for the Panthers with Jamie Soward. Source: Mark Evans / News Corp Australia

FRIDAY night football sees Penrith hosting Parramatta with both teams missing some big name players.

The home side are without Jamal Idris after it was revealed on Thursday night Idris was "taking a break from rugby league, effective immediately".

FOLLOW THE GAME IN OUR MATCH CENTRE

The Eels are missing their star fullback Jarryd Hayne who has been rested following jos man of the match performance in Wednesday's State of Origin victory.

Justin Hunt is set to make his debut at fullback in Hayne's place.

Follow all the action from the game in our blog featuring polls and photos:


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Reds win thriller in Genia milestone

Genia was back to his best on Friday night. Source: Jonathon Searle / News Corp Australia

WILL Genia produced his finest performance of 2014 to mark his 100th Reds game but it was a try after the siren that sunk the Highlanders 38-31 in Brisbane on Friday night.

The incumbent Wallabies No.9 sent a timely reminder to national coach Ewen McKenzie as he led the Reds to a first victory in six matches in front of 24,490 fans.

Genia set up two of the Reds' first-half tries with kicks, although the first one was gifted to winger Rod Davies when Highlanders fly half Lima Sopoaga spilled a simple ball inside his own goal-line.

Despite their complete domination of the first half and the fact they held a 14-point lead late in the match, the hosts still needed a try after the siren to down the fast-finishing Highlanders.

Jake Schatz crossed next to the posts two minutes after the final hooter, the No.8 grabbing his second five-pointer of the match after an earlier pushover effort at the back of the Reds' scrum.

The Highlanders were their own worst emeny for much of the match and they now face a battle to reach the semi-finals in a tight New Zealand conference.

Relive the action from our Live Blog below and check out Match Centre for stats and video!


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Reynolds cleared to play Origin II

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 29 Mei 2014 | 18.49

Josh Reynolds faces the judiciary at NRL Headquarters. Source: Tim Hunter / News Corp Australia

NSW five-eighth Josh Reynolds is free to play State of Origin II.

In a verdict that will infuriate Queensland, Reynolds was successful at an NRL judiciary hearing in seeking a downgrade for a dangerous throw on Maroons winger Brent Tate during Wednesday night's Origin opener.

Reynolds won't miss a single game now and will play for Canterbury against Manly at Brookvale in round 13.

Josh Reynolds tackles Brent Tate and gets put on report. Source: News Corp Australia

Had Reynolds failed in his bid for a downgrade, he would have missed three games.

Last night was a huge gamble.

Reynolds pleaded guilty but sought to have a grade two dangerous throw charge downgraded to grade one.

The NSW five-eighth was placed on report in the 28th minute of a match NSW won 12-8.

He is now ready to play before 82,500 fans in Origin II on June 18 at ANZ Stadium.

The verdict was a wonderful boost to Laurie Daley and his team.

Brent Tate is picked up in the tackle by Josh Reynolds and Beau Scott. Source: Getty Images

"We are really pleased with the result," said Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle.

"It was a great decision to challenge the grading. It's great Josh is available for the Bulldogs and for State of Origin.

"Josh always plays with passion but it is never his intent to injure anyone."

The judiciary panel of Sean Garlick, Paul Whatuira and Micheal Vella took ten minutes to reach their verdict.

Nick Ghabar, representing Reynolds, was long winded in his defence, saying NSW team-mate Beau Scott played a key role in the tackle.

Josh Reynolds of the New South Wales Blues waits for the start of an NRL Origin judiciary. Source: Getty Images

Scott was charged with a grade one dangerous throw for the same tackle but escaped suspension with an early guilty plea.

"The lift got out of control, no doubt about that," Gharbar said.

On Scott's contribution, Ghabar said: "There was a shift in momentum."

Scott, according to Ghabar, "pulled Tate to the ground in a dragging motion".

NRL judiciary - Josh Reynolds faces the judiciary at NRL Headquarters. Source: News Corp Australia

"Player Scott takes over control of the tackle," Ghabar said.

"Player Reynolds loses control of the tackle. There was no driving into the ground."

Ghabar showed six similar tackles in his evidence. Reynolds did not give evidence, nor did he speak after the hearing.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

NRL counsel Peter Kite told the panel they had "assess the degree or risk in this tackle.

"He (Reynolds) lifted and achieves a dangerous position," Kite said.

"Reynolds is the player lifting and putting player Tate into a dangerous position."

Kite said Tate's head hit the ground "with some degree of force."

NRL judiciary - Josh Reynolds faces the judiciary at NRL Headquarters. Source: News Corp Australia

The NRL has already had to deal with 17 lifting tackles this season.

"That shows a very worrying trend," said Kite, who did concede Scott played a role in the tackle.

Tate told of his fears after the game.

"I have never been more frightened in all my life," Tate said. "My legs were shaking for the next 10 minutes after that.

"If we are serious about trying to stamp this out they will crack down on it. I was legitimately shaken up about it. I didn't know where I was."

Re-live all the action from the judiciary as it happens in our live blog below:


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Santa ready to embrace Grande challenge

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

IT'S the toughest Asian Champions League draw the Wanderers could have predicted, but Brendon Santalab says the players are excited about facing reigning champions Guangzhou Evergrande.

Western Sydney will host the first leg of the quarter-final clash against the Chinese giants on August 20, before travelling to Guangzhou a week later.

It pits Tony Popovic against Guangzhou's Italian World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi, who is reportedly using his influence to try and lure Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o to the club.

On their debut in the competition, the Wanderers topped their group and went on to beat J-League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima to book their place in the quarter-finals.

Western Sydney are only the second Australian club after Adelaide to reach the last 16 and Santalab says the team now has the confidence to create more history.

"We always believed in ourselves that we could make it all the way to the end of the competition and we are where we are now and we still believe that we can make it to the end," he said.

Wanderers striker Brendon Santalab in action. Source: News Corp Australia

"Drawing Guangzhou is a massive challenge for us, but we take a lot of belief from our previous games in the ACL into this game.

"Playing against the Korean champions (Ulsan Hyundai) and the Japanese champions within the last few months has given us a lot of confidence with the results we had against them. There's no reason why we can't achieve that against the Chinese champions."

But it will be a vastly different Wanderers side to the one that got them to this stage. The club has lost several key players in the off-­season, including Shinji Ono, Youssouf Hersi, Aaron Mooy and former skipper Michael Beauchamp, and have eight spots to fill before the tournament resumes.

"As a player I'm hoping to hear of some signings within the coming weeks so we can get together once we start pre-season and do the best we can to jell together before the ACL game," Santalab said.

"The core of the squad is there from last season and I'm sure the players who come in will fit in perfectly with us. It's another great challenge for us and we're all very excited to play against Guangzhou."


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Go again, Lenny: Saints coach

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson says he is open to Lenny Hayes playing on next year as a 35-year-old.

Hayes has been in exceptional form this season, averaging averaged 30.4 disposals, 6.5 tackles and 114 Champion Data points in the last five games.

SAINTS OUT TO ARREST FALSE STARTS

Like elder statesmen Brent Harvey, 36, and Dustin Fletcher, 39, he continues to defy his age to play quality football in his 16th season.

Richardson said yesterday that Hayes' off-field leadership and form gave him the chance to decide his future.

"He's going really well. His personal impact with his performances has been really positive, but the example he sets for others with the way he prepares and plans and mentors his teammates has been great,'' he told the Herald Sun.

Hayes will be 35 next season. Source: News Corp Australia

"He has been enormous and he's so positive in a wholistic way. We are incredibly open-minded. What I do know is the player first and foremost has got to want to play. You can't talk blokes into playing but we are letting him train and prepare and later in the year we will have that conversation."

St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt is already contracted for 2015, with the club's veterans crucial as they lead an extremely young bunch of kids.

Riewoldt will tonight take on Collingwood for the first time this season after considering and then rejecting an offer from Collingwood to cross to the Pies in 2015.

Richardson said he was aware it was early in the season for his veterans, but hopes they can continue with their rich vein of form.

Hayes is averaging over 30 disposals this season. Source: Getty Images

"At some stage towards the end of the year we will sit down and have a chat with Lenny. He will have played a bit more footy and have a bit more information on his body and how he's going. Does he still have the passion to play on? At the moment all those things are really positive."

Essendon's Fletcher could still reach 400 games this year if the Dons play finals, while Harvey shows no sign of slowing down.

He is on 371 games after turning 36 last week, and could reach 400 by the end of next season if he avoids injury as he has for much of his career.

Richmond 403-gamer Kevin Bartlett believes a raft of players could one day hit the 400-game milestone given modern training and rehabilitation methods.

Brett Deledio last weekend became the youngest Richmond player to hit 200 games at just 27.


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Trav to get physical to shake slump

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

Collingwood is urging key forward Travis Cloke to adopt a controlled physical approach to help him snap out of the current form slump.

Defender Nick Maxwell said Cloke is poised to use his height and strength to return to the goalkicking list against St Kilda tonight.

"I've seen him really start to work on a few different areas of his game which were challenging for him,'' Maxwell said.

NO SELECTION DAGGERS FOR CLOKE

FOOTBALLERS NEED LIFE BALANCE: BUCKS

"Obviously, goalkicking is something he has put a lot of work into over the last couple of years. Just seeing him get a bit more aggression back into his game and it has come from training, just seeing him be a bit more physical.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

"He's a huge body and hard to play on. I've played on him for eight or 10 years at training and when he's really aggressive and physical, he's hard to beat. So that's something he has got back to over the last couple of weeks and it's going to turn for him on game day. Hopefully, it's tomorrow night, but if not it's going to happen in the next few weeks, no doubt.

"You feel for him to see him with the weight of the world on his shoulders But we just keep telling him we just want him to keep playing his role and it's going to turn for him.''

He might not be captain anymore, but Nick Maxwell is still a man young Collingwood players look up to. Source: Getty Images

Maxwell said the high standards demanded right through the Magpie ranks was behind his blast for new defender Alex Fasolo against West Coast last round.

"I'll continue to be hard on him and other defenders and I expect them to be hard on me if I'm doing something that doesn't fit into our game plan. I also expect Scott Pendlebury to do that to our younger midfielders and I expect guys like Goldy (Tyson Goldsack) up forward to demand high standards of our forwards.''

On Fasolo's reaction, Maxwell said: "At first, he was like a little kid, he thought I was going to crack him over the head. Obviously, the first thing I did at half-time was go to him and have more of a detailed explanation of what was required.''

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

The Pies will alternate Lachy Keeffe, in for injured Nathan Brown, and Jack Frost on St Kilda gun forward Nick Riewoldt.

"St Kilda are dangerous, any team that has got (Lenny) Hayes, (Leigh) Montaga, (Jack) Steven going through the middle and Nick Riewoldt up forward are a dangerous team. So we have to make sure we bring our A-game,'' Maxwell said.


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Maroon blow as Cronk breaks arm

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 28 Mei 2014 | 18.49

Cooper Cronk reels in pain. Source: News Corp Australia

COOPER Cronk has suffered a suspected broken arm in the State of Origin opener, with his game and series appearing over.

The star halfback left the field in the 10th minute holding his left arm awkwardly.

He refused medical assessment on the sideline, saying "I'm gone", and instead demanded on being assessed in the sheds.

LIVE MATCH CENTRE: GAME DETAILS AND STATS

Cooper Cronk goes for assessment in the sheds. Source: News Corp Australia

The Queensland side lose very little, with arguably the NRL's form halfback Daly Cherry-Evans taking Cronk's spot.

NSW's Brett Morris appeared to suffer a serious shoulder injury in the process of scoring a try just moments afterwards, but returned to the field immediately following assessment by a doctor.

Brett Morris down injured. Source: Getty Images


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Judd could return via VFL

Chris Judd trains with Carlton teammates at Visy Park. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: Mark Dadswell / News Corp Australia

CARLTON says Chris Judd is almost certain to play next week - but it could be in the VFL.

Judd, a dual Brownlow Medallist and five-time best and fairest, has never played in Victoria's second-tier competition.

But Carlton is considering easing him back with the Northern Blues, given his slower-than-expected recovery from a torn hamstring and the fact another setback would leave him with little time to build momentum.

Judd was injured only minutes into his comeback from a long-term Achilles problem against the Western Bulldogs in Round 5, with coach Mick Malthouse vigorously defending the decision to re-introduce him at AFL level.

Carlton football manager Andrew McKay said where Judd would play over the Round 12 AFL weekend was up for debate. The Blues are due to play Geelong on the Friday night at Etihad Stadium.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

"We're still not sure at the moment. We're still umming and ahhing about that," McKay said.

"He's the type of quality player that could probably come straight back into the senior team, but that needs further discussion.

"He won't be playing this week, but he's recovery is going really well. He'll be training fully this week and fully next week with the aim of playing that week."

McKay, speaking on the Carlton website, said Ed Curnow was also likely to make his return next weekend. Curnow broke his leg in a collision with a behind post in the same win over the Bulldogs.

Promising first-year midfielder Patrick Cripps is a couple of weeks behind Curnow after suffering the exact same leg break as his more experienced teammate, but is on track.

The news isn't as good for Tom Bell, who has an infection in his fractured finger and will consult a specialist today for further advice.

McKay said ruckman Matthew Kreuzer (foot) was still on crutches and progressing slowly, but said blossoming defender Dylan Buckley (hip) would be fine to face the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night.


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clarko still calling the shots

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

HAWTHORN'S stand-in coach Brendon Bolton expects Alastair Clarkson to have some input into the team's operations while he recovers from Guillain-Barre syndrome.

But Bolton says that will come only if the dual premiership coach's doctors allow it — and if it is in the best interests of his recovery.

"No doubt there will be text messages going back and forth. Whether it is during the game, is another thing," he said on Fox Footy's AFL360.

Bolton and general manager of football operations Chris Fagan visited Clarkson in hospital on Tuesday night, while chief executive Stuart Fox went in to see him yesterday.

The Hawks intends to ensure their second longest serving coach is allowed sufficient time to heal from his rare viral condition.

EXPERTS: CLARKSON SIDELINED FOR MONTHS

"Our main thoughts are with making him be able to relax and not have to worry and stress so he can focus on his family, in Caryn (his wife) and his kids and himself, to get back as quickly as possible," Bolton said.

"Knowing Clarko, he'll want to know absolutely everything, but that's OK.

"I'll touch base with the doctors, the medicos, Clarko himself, Caryn (his wife), to get a feel for what's best for his recovery.

"If he wants lots (of input) and that's OK, well I'll give him what he wants but if it only needs to be minimal based on him being able to recover and relax, that'll be the case."

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

Fagan reiterated the club's position that Clarkson's health was the paramount concern.

"We are in the hands of the (medical) experts, and that's the way it should be with something like this," Fagan said.

"Our first priority and Alastair's first priority is his health, and he wants to do all the right things to ensure he is healthy again as soon as possible."

Bolton was the unanimous choice to take over as senior coach in Clarkson's indefinite absence.

"When asked if I wanted the job - really any of us three, myself, Luke Beveridge or Brett Ratten could do it - I just asked a couple of questions," Bolton, 35, said.

"Does Clarko want me to do it? Does Luke Hodge and the leadership group want me to do it? also does the board and Stuart Fox?

"I'd say it's probably an opportunity for "we" to step up — that's our leadership group to fill a little bit of the void and we've got a terrific coaching staff, which have always worked as a group and a team," Bolton, 35, said.

Macca believes Jeff Kennett might fancy himself a coach. Source: Supplied

"All it means is that there is one less person there and we've all got to take a little bit of what Clarko gives.

"Clarko has tried to create real sustainable processes — so while he's out, we can all just share the load.

"(The players) understand what's required and our coaches have been here and together for a number of years.

"What makes it easier is that everyone wants to share the load, both coaches and players, so I think it'll still work."

Bolton insisted he was not considering coaching the Hawks in September.

"I'd love to think that we're still competitive at that stage but at the moment, it's a week by week proposition," he said.

"Collectively - me as senior coach for the next few weeks, our coaching team and Luke Hodge and his team - will do a good job.

What I will bring is some passion. My journey has been around teaching and I like to mix it with my passion."

Newbold wrote to members, detailing the club's faith in Bolton in Clarkson's absence.

"Circumstances like this certainly put the game we play into perspective. There is nothing more important than our health, and the health of our families and friends, and that is why our club will give Clarko as long as he needs to fully recover," he wrote.


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Live blog: Blues extend lead

Jarryd Hayne scores late in the first half for NSW. Source: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

DARIUS Boyd has scored his second try of the night as the Maroons narrowed the gap after the Blues took an eight point lead.

The dangerous left-edge pairing of Inglis and Boyd struck again after the Blues had shot out to an eight point lead early in the second half after a Trent Hodkinson penalty.

But after Boyd's second four-pointer the scored had been reduced to 12-8 with Johnathan Thurston unable to convert.

Jarryd Hayne and Brett Morris crossed as the Blues went to the half-time break with a 10-4 lead over the Maroons.

Boyd scored the first try of the night as the Maroons dominated the opening exchanges.

But the Blues settled and from there played with composure.

Brett Morris levelled the scores and injured his shoulder in the process but resumed his place in the backline.

A Brett Hodkinson penatly goal gave the Blues the lead for the first time before Jarryd Hayne scored in the closing stages of the half although the Queensland crowd were not happy with the try believing Hayne had been tackled by Johnathan Thurston. Referee Shane Hayne said Thurston had not completed the tackle.

Queensland received a setback after halfback Cooper Cronk left the field with a broken arm with his place taken by Daly Cherry-Evans.

Boyd's second try was the 14th of his Origin careeer.

For team line-ups and live stats go to our Origin Score Centre.

You can also join the converstion in our game day live blog as we bring you all the action from Origin 100 plus the post-match debate.


18.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Super Timmy enjoying ‘exciting times’

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 27 Mei 2014 | 18.48

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

TIM Cahill is getting used to mixing it with the kids.

The Socceroos' oldest squad member on Tuesdaymet 10 members of the Tim Cahill Academy who have been picked to represent Australia in the Disney Cup International tournament.

"It makes me so proud, football is one thing but the other side of football is giving back," Cahill said.

"The kids are what inspire me to play and they're the next generation of football and sport so this for me is priceless."

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

Cahill scored in the Socceroos' 1-1 draw with South Africa on Monday night, the final hitout before the team heads to Brazil ahead of their first World Cup match on June 13.

"I thought it was great, I felt we should have won… The progression and intensity in the first 25 minutes was great and then we did tapper off a bit but it's exciting times and there are a lot of youngsters and the team is youthful.

"At the same time it's an experience and we're looking forward to going into the competition and really making an impact."

Cahill surprising a group of kids who, through his Academy, is sending to the Disney World Cup. Source: News Corp Australia

Cahill said the team is well aware of what they have to work on.

"Even if we had won (Monday night) 5-1 there would still be areas we have to improve, for us we know could have not conceded that goal, it's something tactical we have to fix up and we know we could have scored more goals.

"Overall across the park I could gotten more goals, you look at yourself first and then as a team collectively and you assess it but the great thing about the manager is he is very intense and pays attention to detail.''

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

As the team now turns its focus to Brazil, fear isn't something on their mind.

"There is no point in going if you have fear, this is my third World Cup campaign and what's there to fear?'' Cahill said.

"It's up to you individually and collectively to believe in what the set out is to do and our jobs and the ability to execute that.

"Parts of that were executed Monday night, parts weren't but you can't just go there thinking it will happen, you have to work at it.''


18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jedinak defends insipid Socceroos display

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

STIRRED by the criticism ebbing around his teammates, Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak has mounted an impassioned defence of the squad that departs Australia on Wednesday on the trail of World Cup glory.

Forced to sit out the lacklustre 1-1 draw with South Africa on Monday night, in the Socceroos' farewell game in front of more than 50,000 supporters at ANZ Stadium, the injured Jedinak insisted that his temporary watching brief had reconfirmed his faith in those around him.

The 27 left in contention for a place in the final squad fly out of Sydney at lunchtime on Wednesday bound for Santiago, where a charter flight will take them from the Chilean capital onto Curitiba and then Vitoria in Brazil, the latter their east-cost base for the tournament.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

They leave behind a fresh sense of realism on home soil, after a second-string South African side briefly took the lead against Australia before hanging on for a draw rather too comfortably.

Having consoled the three players cut from coach Ange Postecoglou's squad ahead of their departure, Jedinak said the game had to be seen in the context of a progressive programme, with the squad attempting to learn at speed the game plan Postecoglou is trying to instil.

DISTRAUGHT GOOD SPEAKS OF WORLD CUP ANGUISH

SAROTA: I RESPECT ANGE'S DECISION TO DROP ME

REPORT CARD: WE MIGHT GET CANED

SOCCEROOS WINNERS AND LOSERS

"They're my teammates, we're going over to Brazil together," he said when asked if he had confidence in the squad. "I rate them very highly - the one thing with this time on the sidelines, it's allowed me to take note of people on the field, and watch training.

"The boys are working very hard, and you can see it means a lot to everybody. Not only with what we're trying to do but to get themselves into great condition.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

"They want to do everything that's asked of them and you could see that [against South Africa] - it's heading in the right direction and very positive. You've seen over the last three games, that we've tried to implement a style that the boss has encouraged us to play.

"Even against South Africa, it was a progression of that. We're being challenged to do new things at training, and the reward is taking it out on the pitch in the games. Day by day it's improving, and we're demanding top, top quality."

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

The axing of Curtis Good, Adam Sarota and Josh Brillante was announced to the players late on Monday night, with Jedinak admitting the subsequent conversations had been difficult.

"We had a brief chance to speak to all the boys - I've said what I had to say to them, and wished them all the best," he said. "It's not the easiest time, to see your teammates miss out.

"But these guys have careers ahead of them and you can't praise them enough for how they've been in this camp."

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

Injured in Crystal Palace's last game of the season, Jedinak said his groin complaint was responding to treatment and he hoped to be ready for the friendly v Croatia on June 6 in Salvador.

"No doubt that's what we're aiming towards - you want game time before the first game in the tournament," he said. "That's what we're aiming towards and we're all confident it will happen.

"I've got a little bit of time, I'll make sure it's 100% before I do anything with the boys - then it'll be business as usual."


18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

ANZ no stadium for Australia

Sydney host Collingwood at ANZ Stadium every year. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: Philip Hillyard / News Corp Australia

ANZ Stadium is a soulless, concrete jungle with a cow paddock for a playing surface, and is clearly the worst sporting venue in Australia.

The Socceroos send-off at the former Olympic Stadium only confirmed the obvious — as a venue it lacks any atmosphere and as a sporting field it is unfit for sport.

How can it have come to this after such a scintillating start, boasting this country's best sporting moment as Cathy Freeman inspired a nation on September 25, 2000?

And John Aloisi's penalty to put Australia into the World Cup on November 16, 2005.

Yet nearly 14 years on from Cathy's moment, it is hard to think that the stadium has any real virtue to recommend it.

ANZ Stadium hosts all four football codes as well as cricket. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

No character, no proximity to a charismatic city to lift its appeal, no rabid fan base to ensure the stadium is more than the sum of its parts.

More than ever, it is hard to find a reason why the Swans should play there except for occasional finals against sides like Collingwood.

Only once in the past 23 encounters have the Swans drawn more than 48,000 fans — the current SCG capacity — with a crowd of 57,156 against the Pies in the 2012 preliminary final.

Sydney's contract for the venue is up in 2016, and only a determination to play both stadiums off against each other for lucrative deals will see them still playing multiple games there again.

Hawthorn was appalled by the surface again this year and despite a torrent of criticism every time a visiting side plays at ANZ Stadium, nothing changes.

The MCG is close to the city and has an amazing atmosphere. Picture: Mark Stewart Source: News Limited

It is put to shame by the 100,000-seaters, by the out-of-the-way boutique stadiums, and even by the ramshackle out-of-date stadiums.

The MCG's wi-fi requirements might have outraged Andrew Demetriou this weekend as he knocked back a red wine next to Pierce Brosnan in his corporate box, but it is a mighty stadium.

Etihad Stadium has fixed its turf issues and even as the host for a crowd of 20,000 there is real atmosphere.

The cauldron that is the new Adelaide Oval only heightens the contrast between ANZ Stadium, where what should be a wall of sound just disappears into the night sky.

Patersons Stadium is out of date, but the fans go mad there and to witness the roar when Ben Cousins made his celebrated comeback was a sight to behold.

The crowds at the redeveloped Adelaide Oval have been massive. Picture: SARAH REED. Source: News Corp Australia

Darwin's TIO Stadium is quaint and far from awe-inducing, but to watch the supporters erupt when a local streaker wore a Borat mankini is representative of the carnival atmosphere.

The first task for stadium management must be to invest millions into fixing the turf to provide a safe surface.

Etihad Stadium was once labelled Death Valley, and while it is hard to see ANZ Stadium making a similar comeback at least it has a place to start.

RALPHY'S TOP THREE

1. The MCG

It is always in form, but it puts on its best in preliminary finals like the 2002 Adelaide-Collingwood contest, when almost every supporter in the joint is a supporter and not a theatregoer.

2. Flemington Racecourse.

It might be about the party and the booze and the eye candy, but when the Melbourne Cup horses turn for home on the first Tuesday in November it is pure magic.

3. Adelaide Oval

The hill, the proximity to the CBD, the atmosphere, the crowd so loud no one can hear the siren. It has it all right now.


18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tommy happy with Oarsome wing display

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

YOUNG winger Tommy Oar hailed his best Socceroos performance to date and spoke glowingly of the freedom coach Ange Postecoglou has handed him in attack.

But Oar, 22, conceded there was plenty of work to do before the Chile opener on June 13, if Monday's 1-1 draw with South Africa was any indication.

Despite being the youngest outfield player, Oar was the third most experienced starter against Bafana Bafana, behind Tim Cahill and Mark Milligan.

And Oar, who spent half a season under Postecoglou at Brisbane Roar, said his 14th Socceroos cap was his best and flourished in his new role.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

"I was a bit disappointed I couldn't get an assist or a goal to cap it off but that was probably the biggest influence I had on a game so far.

"I've always enjoyed playing under him and I feel free and I feel I can try and take the game to the opposition which is the way I like to play.

WORLD CUP SCOUT: GROUP-BY-GROUP BRAZIL NEWS

INJURED GOOD SPEAKS OF WORLD CUP ANGUISH

SAROTA: I RESPECT ANGE'S DECISION TO DROP ME

REPORT CARD: WE MIGHT GET CANED

SOCCEROOS WINNERS AND LOSERS

"It worked for me a few times and with some better final ball or finish it could have been even better.

"I just tried to inject as much energy as I could and if you make yourself unpredictable with your movement that can be difficult to mark.

Oar was a constant threat down both wings for the Socceroos against South Africa. Source: Getty Images

"There was times I could have been smarter with my running and positioning but mine and Matthew Leckie's role was try and give as many headaches to the opposition.''

Dutch-based Oar lasted 72 minutes before he made way for Swiss-based attacker Dario Vidosic.

Citing the Socceroos' inconsistencies as similar to his own, Oar said they needed to improve though there were positives to draw from the farewell game.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

"I thought we started well, could've grabbed a few more goals and it would've been a very different game,'' he said.

"But we were very good in periods and very sloppy in periods, so plenty of positives and negatives to take out of the game.

"We shot ourselves in the foot a bit, we gave the ball away carelessly.

"There's always room for improvement and we're not very satisfied with the game but it's not all doom and gloom.''


18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rabbitohs overcome depleted Sharks

Written By Unknown on Senin, 26 Mei 2014 | 18.48

South Sydney beat the Sharks 18-0 at Remondis Stadium. Source: Brett Costello / News Corp Australia

SOUTH Sydney fans will be cheering after the Bunnies pushed their way into the NRL top eight — but make no mistake Michael Maguire's men still have some work to do before they can be rated a serious premiership force.

In a scrappy and lacklustre Monday night clash in Cronulla the Rabbitohs were never seriously under threat as they closed out a 18-0 shutout of the NRL's bottom placed team.

South Sydney's Sam Burgess on his way to scoring a try. Source: News Corp Australia

But given the Sharks were without seven of their best players and lost another two players before and during Monday night's encounter, the three tries to nil win over the Sharks won't go down as the Bunnies' most impressive performance of the season.

The Rabbitohs managed just one first half try to Sam Burgess to lead 8-0 at half-time before Kirisome Auva'a and Cameron McInnes added two more within six minutes midway through the second half to finally put the Sharks out of their misery — at least for another week.

South Sydney's Adam Reynolds opt for a grubber kick on the 5th tackle. Source: News Corp Australia

But coming off last round's disappointing loss to Melbourne, Souths' fans can at least be thankful that the win pushes them into seventh on the table ahead of next Monday night's game against the under siege St George Illawarra.

The Sharks were far from disgraced but for all their effort they just didn't have the quality to match their star-studded opposition.

Cronulla had won their previous three games at home against the Bunnies but Souths were always going to be a massive assignment in veteran John Morris' 300th NRL game.

A Sharks fan cheer for John Morris who played his 300th NRL game. Source: Getty Images

Already without Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis due to Origin commitments and with five big name stars including Todd Carney and Andrew Fifita also missing through injury, the last thing the Sharks needed before kick-off was another casualty.

But they lost David Fifita to injury during warm-up and then stand-in five-eighth Daniel Holdsworth's first two clearing kicks were charged down and the third travelled straight into touch.

Cronulla's David Fifita leaves the field with an injury during warm up. Source: News Corp Australia

Still they managed to hold off the Rabbitohs until midway through the first half when little Apisai Koroisau belted Sosaia Feki with a bone-crunching hit that forced a turnover just 10 metres out from Cronulla's line.

From the next set the Rabbitohs bounced.

A neat short ball from Adam Reynolds putting Sam Burgess one-on-one with Jeff Robson and the big Englishman crashed over for his side's first try.

But in the countdown to half-time Cronulla had a change of luck when Rabbitohs sensation Alex Johnston looked to have scored a length of the field try only to have it called back for a knock on.

Cronulla's Sosaia Feki is wrapped up in a tackle by Souths' Sam Burgess. Source: News Corp Australia

It came after Feki couldn't handle a Jeff Robson cross field kick but Johnston was also ruled to have knocked on when the ball accidentally rolled off his left arm.

But soon after Reynolds slotted a penalty goal to make it 8-0 at half-time.

To their credit Cronulla managed to stay in contention through sheer desperation but without their class players they just lacked the polish to penetrate Souths' tryline defence.

Jeff Robson is tackled by Sam Burgess. Source: Getty Images

But with only Greg Inglis, Chris McQueen and Ben Te's missing from the Rabbitohs side the performance was still a long way short of where Michael Maguire would want them right now.

While Souths' scrambling defence saved them on numerous occasions the fact the severely depleted Sharks were still in the contest midway through the second half told the story of how the Bunnies' attack is still missing the creativity that is going to worry the best teams.

South Sydney's Kirisome Auva'a celebrates after scoring a try. Source: News Corp Australia

Dylan Walker eventually set up his team's second try in the 56th minute when he sprinted into space before offloading to his centre partner Kirisome Auva'a raced away to make it 12-0 heading into the final quarter.

SOUTH SYDNEY 18 (K Auva'a S Burgess C McInnes tries A Reynolds 3 goals) bt CRONULLA 0 at Remondis Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Grant Atkins. Crowd: 8,137


18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Magpie Brown to undergo shoulder surgery

Magpie Brown crashes to the ground in a marking contest. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

COLLINGWOOD'S defensive depth will continue to be tested after luckless stopper Nathan Brown was ruled out for the season with another shoulder injury.

Brown was yesterday told he would need an operation on a dislocated shoulder suffered in his comeback game against West Coast, the same one he dislocated in Round 2.

His backline colleague Jack Frost is also in danger of missing the St Kilda clash on Friday night as he battles to convince the club he has shrugged off concussion.

Meantime forward-turned-defender Ben Sinclair did his hamstring in the VFL and could be out for as long as two months.

The news comes as the Pies declared Ben Reid possibly a month away from playing his first game of the year after a frustrating battle with a calf injury.

Collingwood director of football Rodney Eade said Brown, who also missed 2011 with serious knee injuries, would need 16 weeks to recover from shoulder surgery.

"It stayed out of the socket for quite a while and there was a bit of damage," Eade told the Collingwood website.

"After meeting the surgeon today it's been decided that he'll have an operation later in the week so that will be the rest of the year for him. He's got a couple of little ailments as well, he needs a knee scrape so we'll get that done over that period."

Magpie Nathan Brown cradles his injured shoulder. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Eade said Frost would be closely monitored this week before he was declared fit to face the Saints.

THE BAROMETER: Who's hot, who's hurt

"It didn't seem that big a knock, but he was pretty crook at half-time and after the game," he said.

"He's pulled up pretty well today so fingers crossed he'll be able to play on Friday, but he'll have an assessment and train on Wednesday."

Reid's highly-anticipated return has been delayed again, this time by fixturing.

"He was available for selection this week, but he'll need to come back through the reserves," Eade said.

"Unfortunately the reserves have got a bye this week so that delays his comeback by another week. In AFL Round 12 he'll be playing in the reserves and then he'll probably need a week or two at that level before being back in the seniors.

"From Ben's point of view he's been frustrated as well.

Scans revealed Sinclair had hamstring bleeding, with further tests to be performed next week.

"Best case it's three to four, but worst case could be eight to 10," Eade said.


18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kyrgios glimpses the court of kings

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

IT'S all about the hotels. Really it's about the computer rankings, but where a professional tennis player rests their weary bones during a tournament says a lot more about their position in the game than any number on a website.

Take the place I'm staying in during the French Open for instance. It's three, maybe three and a half stars, on its best day.

Clean, 20 minutes away from Roland Garros and with a view of the expressway that will take you to where you can get a view of the Tour Eiffel if you can find a cab.

Rafael Nadal is one of the few with an excellent view of the Eiffel Tower. Source: AFP

Its best feature is that it's what is termed an "aparthotel", meaning that if you pull the double bed apart to form two singles and unfold the settee it can, with a very tight squeeze, accommodate four.

Slide the wall partition across between the bedroom and lounge and with a fair bit of imagination it could be considered a two-room apartment.

DAY ONE: FRENCH OPEN AT A GLANCE

Which is why, on the first morning of the tournament, the corridors, lobby, breakfast room and vestibule were filled with athletic looking people in tracksuits carrying tennis racquets.

From 8.30am the front driveway resembled the taxi rank at Central Station as Peugeot 500 courtesy cars lined up to ferry players to the stadium.

By the second morning, the numbers had noticeably thinned.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

That's the thing about this game. Golf commentators refer to Saturday, when the players position themselves for a run to the finish line on Sunday, as "Moving Day". In tennis, every day is moving day. Lose a match and you move out of your hotel, out of town and very likely, out of the country.

FEDERER LAVISHES PRAISE ON KYRGIOS

So this hotel of mine is a place where tennis players come to dream. Of staying a second night, and a third and hopefully enough nights to ensure they never have to stay anywhere like this again.

The type of player who bunks down in a room at this hotel, along with a couple of like-minded battlers or their coach or parents, is not a household name outside their own household and maybe the one next door.

Kyrgios's French Open was a lot shorter than he would have hoped. Source: AP

Aussie up-and-comer Nick Kyrgios who on Sunday played the tournament's first match on Court Suzanne-Lenglen against Canadian Milos Raonic, is a guest here along with his mother, brother and coach.

The likes of Nadal, Federer, Williams or Sharapova wouldn't venture this far from centre court for a photo shoot.

FEDERER INTO SECOND ROUND

Their management companies have booked them either into luxury apartments overlooking the Seine or five star hotels where doormen wear double breasted coats and the courtesy cars rolling up the drive are very much top of the range.

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

Get Adobe Flash Player

There's nothing "aparthotel" about the George V, Four Seasons and Shangri-La (or, as the cab driver who pointed it out to me on my first night in the city described it, "Sangriller … tres expensive").

Living in a cocoon of luxury, being waited on hand and foot as if to the manor born and never having to ask for clean towels, is one of the perks of tennis success.

HEWITT HUNGRY FOR AN UPSET

In the 2004 movie Wimbledon as Peter Colt, a down-and-out English journeyman played by Paul Bettany, makes an unlikely ascent to the tournament final, he finds himself upgraded from a wardrobe-sized room at London's swanky Dorchester Hotel to a stunning suite. Although a work of fiction, it is close to the truth.

Roger Federer waves at the crowd as he leaves a training session. Source: AFP

Staying at my hotel this week are two types of players. Those, who like Colt are on their last legs and others, young and hungry like Kygrios, with their eyes on a suite at the "Sangriller".

His 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 loss to Roanic means it won't happen this tournament but at 19 years of age time in on his side. Still, one only has to see the way he plays the game — smashing each ball as if it has just insulted him and following a strict mantra of "you break my serve, I break my racquet" — to realise Kyrgios intends moving to fancier digs sooner rather than later.

Ask how he likes the aparthotel he shrugs, "I've got my own room. It's OK. It does the job".


18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More

LIVE: Socceroos v South Africa

Tim Cahill of Australia celebtrates scoring a goal during the International Friendly match between the Australian Socceroos and South Africa at ANZ Stadium. Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

WORLD CUP spots are up for grabs as the Socceroos take on South Africa, but the international friendly at ANZ Stadium in Sydney is also a chance for the Australian public to say farewell to our side ahead of its journey to Brazil.

Ange Postecoglou's squad leaves on Wednesday, so this is the squad's final hit-out on home soil before taking on the might of Chile, Netherlands and Spain in June.

Follow all the action as it unfolds in our live blog below, and join in and have your say throughout the evening.


18.48 | 0 komentar | Read More
techieblogger.com Techie Blogger Techie Blogger