Jolt for Cats as Lions fall short

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TIME will tell whether this was the right finals preparation for Geelong.

It wasn't ideal and it certainly wasn't pretty, but what a wake-up call for the second-placed Cats.

5.5 (35)	Q1	3.3 (21)
7.11 (53)	Q2	9.5 (59)
12.20 (92)	Q3	11.6 (72)
15.22 (112)	Q4	17.9 (111)

Josh Caddy 2	Ashley McGrath 6
Paul Chapman 2	Jordan Lisle 3
Travis Varcoe 2	Joshua Green 2
Jimmy Bartel 1	Ryan Lester 2
Allen Christensen 1	Dayne Zorko 2
Mitchell Duncan 1	Rohan Bewick 1
Tom Hawkins 1	Mitchell Golby 1
Steve Johnson 1
James Kelly 1
James Podsiadly 1
Joel Selwood 1
Harry Taylor 1

A brave and committed Brisbane made Geelong fight to the very last second to preserve that guarded home winning record.

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This could so easily have been another Lions steal like at the Gabba earlier in the season when Ryan Lester's hurried kick from 20m just couldn't clear hands and was bundled over the goalline.

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From the kickout, the siren sound was also the collective sign of 27,467 Cats fans who witnessed this shock challenge at Simonds Stadium.

Maybe, it's just what these Cats need to realise that nothing is a given in football, even at their seemingly invincible fortress.

For Geelong players to fight and scrap for every kick for most of the contest was a better preparation for even tougher tests ahead than the expected stroll in the sunshine.

But there are immediate worries. Ruckman Mark Blicavs was helped off by three trainers after crashing heavily in a marking contest late in the frantic final quarter.

And big forward Tom Hawkins struggled again, this time scrounging just seven possessions and one goal against attentive Lion Matt Maguire.

Geelong discovered the required desperation and ramped up the pressure on the contest and the ball-carrier after half-time.

The Cats threw Harry Taylor forward for the second time and even Jimmy Bartel was among the action inside the forward 50.

Momentum had swung the home team's way and Joel Corey was subbed into the contest midway through the third quarter in a bid to maintain the edge.

Steven Motlop was tossed the red vest - after just four possessions and a failed mark-of-the-year attempt in the first quarter.

While a revived Geelong dominated the third quarter, the Lions didn't succumb as the dangerous Ash McGrath regained the lead with his fifth goal.

The Cats continued to butcher the ball, as indicated by the 5.9 for that quarter of almost complete control. But red time goals from Travis Varcoe, Allen Christensen and Mitch Duncan pushed them out to a 20 points lead at the last change.

Varcoe's amazing snapshot from deep in the forward pocket rewarded him as Geelong's first multiple goalkicker 24 minutes into the third quarter.

From the start, you sensed Brisbane players didn't fear the hostile environment. Their attack on the ball hammered out a message we're here to play.

The opening goal reflected the first half - McGrath with a quick kick from close range after Bartel butchered a chipped pass that allowed Stokes to be spoiled in dangerous territory.

Geelong's first use of the crosswind favouring the Barwon River end was wasteful and the quarter-time lead of 14 points proved that inability to capitalise on scoring opportunities.

The fired up Lions had 16 more possessions in the first term and, clearly, were not daunted by the enormity of their task or the reputations of the opposition.

When Kelly goaled in the opening minute of the second quarter, the Cats had stretched the lead to 21 points and still seemed in comfortable if not dominant control.

But Brisbane's run and dare to take on Geelong down the centre corridor started to pay handsomely.

Lester goaled from a Kelly turnover and then he broke a Johnson tackle to add another one as the murmurs ripped through the home fans.

Geelong even threw Taylor forward for a short time in a bid to provide a viable target. He did grab a contested mark, but was offline as the wind slewed the shot wide.

The increasingly confident Lions booted five straight goals in the second term to grab the lead before a rare Hawkins mark in the goalsquare halted the visitors' march.

The stats sheet at half-time told a sorry tale for several of Geelong's prime playmakers - Motlop with just three touches, Varcoe with five, Enright with six, Christensen with eight and even skipper Joel Selwood's 10 had little impact in the strange and damning first half for a premiership contender.

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T-Rex flicks the switch into form

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BIG, bad Tony Williams found the switch for his 118kg frame in the countdown to half time on Saturday night, in the process producing the turning point that has ended Penrith's season.

6 Tries 2
James Graham 4'	Isaac John 8'
Tim Lafai 40'	Josh Mansour 12'
Tim Lafai 51'
Mitch Brown 57'
Krisnan Inu 71'
Trent Hodkinson 78'
5 Conversions 2
Trent Hodkinson 5'	Luke Walsh 9'
Trent Hodkinson 40'	Luke Walsh 14'
Trent Hodkinson 52'
Trent Hodkinson 73'
Trent Hodkinson 79'
0 Penalties 1
	Luke Walsh 31'

With the Panthers leading 14-6 and threatening an upset, T-Rex took hold of the ball near halfway and sent the opposition skittling like nine pins at a bowling alley.

By the time Canterbury-Bankstown's highest-profile star recruit was finished, he had bumped, fended and brushed aside five Panthers on a bulldozing run to set up one of the tries of the season.

After inflicting the trail of destruction, Williams popped an overhead pass to send Mitch Brown into space before the Bulldogs left winger put a kick ahead for centre Tim Lafai to swoop and score, finishing a 50m movement.

It was the turning point of the game and the type of play Canterbury-Bankstown's legion of supporters have been craving from Williams all season.

"It's been a long time coming. I guess I wasn't involved much before that so I had to do something," Williams said.

"I was lucky to get through there and throw that pass.

"It's been a bit of a roller coaster but as a team we're finally starting to find our straps leading into the finals which I guess is a good confidence boost."

With big Sam Kasiano possibly fit for Thursday night's final game of the regular season against Brisbane and the suspended Frank Pritchard due back for the first week of the finals, Williams reasoned the Bulldogs can still make some noise in September.

The other x-factor is the possible return of Dally M Medallist Ben Barba, who coach Des Hasler said would have a fitness test this week.

"Without a doubt, with the forward pack we've got, I personally reckon it's the best in the comp," Williams said.

"But it's just a matter of getting everyone back fit ready to go I guess. I've got confidence in the ability we've got, it's just a matter of getting together I guess."

Without taking anything away from Penrith, the Bulldogs looked awfully out of sorts in the opening 40 minutes, with coach Des Hasler highlighting how they completed only 10 of 17 sets.

Second half, different story. The zip was back, the passes were sticking and the result was tries to centre Lafai, winger Brown, centre Krisnan Inu and halfback Hodkinson.

In total, it finished six tries to two.

"A bit ugly, wasn't it. Particularly the first half. Probably both sides were sub-standard with the completion rate," Hasler said.

"For us it's always a danger coming off such a big effort in a match last week. They're a good side Penrith but we contributed to our own down fall. We completed 10 from 17 in the first half and it's just not enough.

"In the second half we got back into a bit of momentum, completed a bit and got back into a bit of continuity with the ball.

"And we put on four tries. To hold that side to two tries for the game, they've been pretty good over the last month."

The only concern for coach Hasler was backrower Josh Jackson being placed on report for a swinging forearm which left Panther Clint Newton concussed in the opening half.

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Victorious Blues lock in finals spot

Carlton forward Jarrad Waite celebrates a late goal in the last quarter. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: Sarah Reed / The Advertiser

CARLTON secured the last AFL finals spot with a dramatic comeback one-point win against Port Adelaide on Saturday.

The Blues came from 39 points down in the third term to win  15.14 (104) to 15.13 (103) in a thrilling farewell to AAMI Stadium.

4.3 (27)	Q1	1.5 (11)
8.9 (57)	Q2	3.7 (25)
12.11 (83)	Q3	7.12 (54)
15.13 (103)	Q4	15.14 (104)

Brad Ebert 4	Marc Murphy 3
Jay Schulz 4	Eddie Betts 2
Justin Westhoff 2	Jefferey Garlett 2
Travis Boak 1	Chris Yarran 2
Tom Logan 1	Tom Bell 1
Angus Monfries 1	Edward Curnow 1
Chad Wingard 1	Bryce Gibbs 1
Aaron Young 1	Matthew Kreuzer 1
	Kade Simpson 1
	Jarrad Waite 1

Carlton booted eight goals to three in the the final term to stun Port, though the Power will also play finals next week.

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Both clubs will feature in elimination against finals - against Richmond or Collingwood respectively, depending on other weekend results.

A Carlton win was a long shot when Port's Brad Ebert booted his fourth goal early in the third quarter, giving his side a 39-point lead.

Some 15 minutes later, the Blues still trailed by that margin and appeared doomed when 29 points behind at three-quarter time.

But they turned the tide against Port by booting four goals in eight minutes of the last quarter to revive their season.

And the visitors took the lead for the first time in the game when unheralded 14-gamer Tom Bell slotted a 45-metre shot on the run with five minutes remaining.

In a pulsating finale before 45,127 fans in the final game at AAMI Stadium, Port's Matthew Broadbent had the chance to deliver his side a win with a 50m attempt with just 27 seconds to go.

But his shot hit the post, leaving Port one point adrift.

Blues captain Marc Murphy kicked three goals and, along with the likes of Bryce Gibbs (26 touches) and Andrew Walker (25 possessions) triggered the finals-saving fightback.

Carlton's mosquito fleet - Eddie Betts, Chris Yarren and Jeff Gartlett - all kicked two goals.

Carlton utility Bryce Gibbs kicked the sealer for the Blues. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: The Advertiser

Port's Ebert was a standout but faded late while his teammates Jay Schulz (three goals) and Kane Cornes (34 disposals) were prominent.

Former Power captain Dom Cassisi faces an anxious wait, with his second-term sling tackle on Murphy certain to attract match review panel attention.

Cassisi, holding both hands of the Blues captain, threw Murphy to the ground in a late tackle penalised by an umpire.

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Manly give Storm reality check

Manly's David Williams celebrates a try. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited

WHAT is it about the Manly Sea Eagles and September?

6 Tries 2
David Williams 2'	Sisa Waqa 39'
Brett Stewart 9'	Justin O'Neill 67'
David Williams 25'
David Williams 28'
Brett Stewart 64'
Daly Cherry-Evans 74'
1 Conversions 0
Jamie Lyon 10'
1 Penalties 0
Jamie Lyon 13'

Up until Saturday night, the Northern Beaches outfit had failed to claim a top four scalp this year. The Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and even Melbourne had managed to hold their nerve this season against the Sea Eagles. 

It led to some critics questioning this mighty club's capabilities and just what impact, if any, they would have on this year's finals series. 

Not anymore. 

In scenes reminiscent of their 40-0 nil 2008 grand final win over arch-rivals Melbourne, the Sea Eagles produced their greatest first half performance this season to blow the Storm off the park and shatter Craig Bellamy's side's belief in their own title hopes.

On a night to remember in front of 17,179 fans at fortress Brookvale Oval, Manly winger David Williams bagged a hat-trick of tries while fullback Brett Stewart notched up a double.

With Craig Bellamy questioning his player's resolve at halftme, Melbourne showed some early intentions to stop the bleeding just after the break.  

But it didn't last long as Manly maintained their domination, which was even more prevalent in their defence, with some ferocious hits bustling Melbourne into error.

Try as they may, Melbourne simply didn't have the answers.

The Sea Eagles began the match without their inspirational forward Anthony Watmough, who was left on the sideline with a knee injury.  

And just two minutes into the battle, Manly suffered a further and potentially huge blow when former NSW Origin back rower Jamie Buhrer left the field, with a suspected rib injury, following an innocuous tackle. With Buhrer sent to hospital for scans, Manly were left to play out almost the entire match with 16 players.

The injury setback, however, did little to subdue the home side who just two tackles later opened the scoring through winger David Williams. 

Enjoying a glut of early possession and field position, the Sea Eagles extended their lead to 10-0 nil after nine minutes when Bret Stewart crossed for his seventh try of the year. 

Stewart benefited from a lovely interchange of passing with brother Glenn Stewart providing the final ball for the Sea Eagles fullback to dive over close to the posts.

Melbourne were shellshocked. 

Unable to sustain the maroon and white onslaught, frustration led to ill-discipline by the Storm and a penalty conversion from Jamie Lyon extended his side's advantage to 12-0 nil.

It wasn't only in attack that Manly dominated their rivals, but also in defence. 

They held their line in-tact inside the opening 20 minutes, tackling in threes and fours while their desperation was never more evident when Brett Stewart produced a classic try-saving tackle on winger Justin O'Neill, who looked certain to score. 

Sensing Melbourne's poor discipline could boil over during the first half, referee Jared Maxwell warned veteran Storm five-eighth Brett Finch to cease his constant badgering of the officials.

Manly weren't bothered by ref's calls, they were too busy entertaining. 

Williams' second try was better than his first as he displayed phenomenal skill from an attacking kick to catch the football and in one motion he contorted his body, while keeping his feet inside the touchline to score.

At 16-0 nil, Manly were carving Melbourne's left side defence to pieces and by the 28th minute, Williams had bagged a hat-trick. 

Scoring his third try off an almost identical cross-field kick play as his previous try, Williams sent a packed Brookvale Oval wild when his 17th try of the season pushed the Sea Eagles lead out to a remarkable 20-0 nil lead.

The visitors required some magic and typically it was the big three of Smith, Cronk and Slater that inspired the only Storm try of the first half. Classic interplay from Smith and Cronk allowed Slater enough space to produce a brilliant left foot kick for his winger Sisa Waqa,, who also showed some class to scoop the football up and score in one motion.

But the standing ovation from the home fans at halftime told the story with Manly leading 20-4.

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Roos 50-50 on Dees

Paul Roos has flagged interest in Melbourne's coaching job. Source: News Limited

PAUL Roos has sensationally roared into favouritism for Melbourne's vacant coaching position after declaring he was ''50-50'' to coach the Demons.

The Sydney premiership coach said over the past 12 weeks he had started to consider Melbourne as an option, and was now in dialogue with Demons chief executive Peter Jackson.

He said that while he could not relocate his family to Brisbane to replace Michael Voss, his family would be happy to move to Melbourne.

The Demons are again going through a horrific on-field season and yesterday were delivered another blow when Rodney Eade withdrew from their race to stay at the Pies.

The Herald Sun reported this week the Demons hadn't ruled out luring Roos, and on Fox Footy he made it clear why.

''In terms of the Melbourne job there is some more interest there than there was 12 weeks ago. I have had some discussion with Peter and said you have got to work to your timeline, not mine. (But) if he calls me, I am happy to take his call,'' he said.

''He has continued to talk to me. When I started the process 12 weeks ago you go from zero per cent interest in coaching to 100 per cent, you can't do it in such a short space of time. There is more interest now. I am certainly not at the point where I can say, ''Yes I will do it', but you start thinking about it, you start picturing yourself doing it, what does it look like, and all those things. Where am I at? Is it 50-50 I have moved from zero to around that 50-50 mark, but at some point you have to say are you going to dip your toe in the water. You have got to be fair dinkum about it.''

Roos had previously said he was not afraid of the huge challenge of coaching Melbourne, but could not see him coaching again.

But his decision to effectively declare himself in the race is a massive fillip for a Melbourne side that could still win the wooden spoon this weekend.

It would also have massive sponsorship and membership benefits.

And while the AFL will not fund a salary that would be well in excess of $1 million a season, the Demons would be a significantly higher chance to receive a priority pick with a proven name like Roos as coach.

Roos had told Brisbane chairman Angus Johnson last week he would not relocate, but said last night he was open to moving his family to Melbourne.

'To clarify we discussed the move to Brisbane and it wasn't going to work from a family point of view. Melbourne, the state, is an option.

''Does it mean I am going to coach Melbourne? No, but going through the process you work out what is achievable. My family is the most important thing for me . So absolutely, is Melbourne more of an option? Brisbane is not an option from a family point of view.''

The Demons coaching selection committee is believed to have had several interviews with candidates including Eade and premiership coach Mark Williams.

But he could claim the Melbourne job with one phone call to Peter Jackson.

Melbourne would not comment last night, but it is known they will continue their coaching selection process in case Roos pulls out.

Neil Craig is yet to officially commit to throwing his hat in the ring at Melbourne, but it is known he would be an extremely strong chance to coach on if Roos did not coach them.

It would see a huge shakeup of the Demons under the AFL's stewardship almost complete, with a new president in Glenn Bartlett, a new chief executive in Glen Bartlett and the dream coach in Roos.

Former Fitzroy and Sydney defender Roos, 50, coached 202 games at the Swans for a 115-84 win-loss record with two draws, and is considered the perfect option for Melbourne.

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Potgieter the beast Tahs looking for

Potgieter is renowned for his fearless approach to the game. Source: AP

DOWN the years, many people have held fears for Jacques Potgieter as he ran onto a football field. Someone had to.

"If you are going to get scared on the rugby field, play another sport," Potgieter says of fear.

"I grew up with the philosophy rugby is a tough sport. It's a contact sport. You have to be tough and if you don't like the physical stuff, you can play tennis."

Introducing Ulrich Jacques Potgieter, the Waratahs' new marquee import.

The former Bulls and Springboks loose forward will pull on a different sky blue jersey in 2014 after recently signing a two-year deal to play in Sydney, and there's little confusion about what his role will be.

Enter the hardman.

"I like to throw my body around," Potgieter told the Daily Telegraph this week from Japan, where he is playing over summer.

"When I was younger a lot of people would say: "you are going to die on the rugby field Jacques, you're just crazy".

"Players like that because if you see a guy like that on the field, you get energy from that. I like to create that by leading from the front. I see that as a strength of my game. Hopefully I can bring that to Sydney."

Talk with Potgieter for a few minutes and it becomes obvious why Cheika jumped at a gift-wrapped opportunity to sign the abrasive three-Test Springbok forward.

While he'd always been an admirer of Jacques Potgieter - wondering if he was Dewald Potgieter's brother (they're not related) – Cheika hadn't contemplated signing him until the rugby grapevine delivered the 115kg forward to his door.

Hearing word the Waratahs were hunting an abrasive forward, and impressed with their 2013 season, Potgieter told his agent to ring Cheika.

"I had an offer from Saracens, but I really like the style of rugby the Waratahs brought in, the new attacking style they're playing especially from last year, with Michael Cheika there," Potgieter explained.

"I knew they'd had Sarel Pretorius there before, so maybe they'd be keen on another foreigner. I told my agent to talk to Michael and see if he was interested, and Michael was interested."

Though a backrower by trade, Cheika says 194cm Potgieter will fill the role of lock for NSW, and hopefully set a physical example to his teammates as well.

"It would have been good to have options here but I think we need to breed a bit more of that type of player," Cheika said.

"Maybe we can use him to not only just to help us win games but to show a bit of that to someone who might want to adopt that profile, because that's where is opportunity."

Potgieter will be the third South African recruited by the Waratahs since 2010, but would be the first success.

Hendrik Roodt was badly out of his depth, and Pretorius's contract ended prematurely and on a sour note after the electric halfback was barely used by Michael Foley.

Amazingly, however, Pretorius told Potgieter he should jump at the chance to follow in his footsteps.

"I phoned Sarel and asked him about the Waratahs, to do my check-ups," Potgieter said.

"He is a very honest man and he told me he loved it there. It's an awesome place, awesome city and he just wished he'd played more. That's the only thing that he said he wasn't happy about, but otherwise he loved it there."

Potgieter, 27, is something of a late bloomer. After coming through the Sharks development system, he only decided to take rugby seriously four years ago and began his climb up in 2009 when he played Currie Cup first division for Eastern Province. He played Currie Cup proper for the Blue Bulls in 2011.

With a shock of black hair, Potigieter throwing his body around was easy to spot, as was the trail of bodies strewn behind. A Super Rugby debut followed in 2012, and a Test debut came against England as well.

In South Africa, where backrowers grow on hardwood trees, the rapid rise indicates the Tahs have bought well.

Jake White says the ingrained physicality of African rugby comes down to a production line of hungry players in the wings, busting to prove they're tougher than the next man.

"That's very true," Potgieter says.

"There's so much competition in South Africa, especially in the loose forwards, you have to be more focussed and work harder than the next guy. Otherwise you are not going to get anywhere."

Potgieter says he hasn't sacrificed his dream to play for the Springboks again by moving to NSW.  With Boks coach Heyneke Meyer now happy to pick Test teams stuffed with overseas-based players, it was part of the reason he elected to choose Sydney over London, Paris or Tokyo.

"If I play Super Rugby, I am going to play against the South African sides so you're going to get seen. If you play in France, you might not get seen so much," he says. "If you have a good season, it doesn't matter where you play, the coach can see you."

Potgieter spoke with Meyer before he left for Japan, and ultimately Sydney next February. His message sounded familiar.

"He said: "Please look after yourself"."

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Turner edging closer to Reds deal

Turner has endured a horror run with injury over the past two years. Source: AP

FORMER Wallabies finisher Lachie Turner is on the brink of signing a deal to play with the Reds in 2014 in a shrewd move that will bolster the club's depleted wing stocks.

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A broken leg in April ruined this season for Turner, 26, who is eager to continue his 71-game Super Rugby career which has stalled with NSW Waratahs.

His experience as a winger of 15 Tests would be a valuable salve for the loss of Digby Ioane (Stade Francais) and Luke Morahan (Western Force).

Turner has his own injury to fully overcome but he does offer insurance with Dom Shipperley (shoulder) and Rod Davies (knee) at the start of long recoveries from surgery.

The Reds have announced 28 of the 30 names who will be on their 2014 playing roster but it is the hunt for a missing link like Turner which is the head-turner.

University's sharp-stepping Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, 20 and still qualified to play for Samoa, has been signed as a foreign development player. His exciting attacking ways will be measured against GPS in Saturday's Premier Rugby preliminary final at Ballymore.

Backrower Jarrad Butler, who played 11 times for the Reds this season, has switched to the Brumbies.

New coach Richard Graham has locked up the core group who have taken the Reds to the Super Rugby finals for the past three seasons.

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He has also shown huge faith in inking new deals for lock Dave McDuling, who didn't play a game for the Reds in 2012-13 because of two knee surgeries, and injury-prone back Aidan Toua.

Toua has played just five times for the Reds over the past three seasons. He could easily have been let go but, at 23, Toua's best can still be ahead.

Forwards Albert Anae, James Hanson and Beau Robinson are locked in to the end of 2015, prop Ben Daley will be a Red until the end of 2016 and boom youngster Chris Feauai-Sautia has re-signed for 2014.

While exciting young backrower Curtis Browning will have a bigger role in 2014, the Reds forward ranks look short on dynamism and line-busting power overall.

"We have retained the core group of players who have delivered Queensland rugby success over the past three seasons. We have worked hard on establishing a culture that the players want to be a part of," Graham said.

Reds 2014 squad: Backs: W Genia, N Frisby, Q Cooper, B Lucas, A Faingaa, M Harris, B Tapuai, C Feauai-Sautia, R Davies, D Shipperley, J-J Taulagi, A Toua. Forwards: S Faingaa, J Hanson, A Anae, B Daley, G Holmes, J Slipper, J Owen, J Horwill, R Simmons, E O'Donoghue, E Quirk, D McDuling, L Gill, B Robinson, J Schatz, C Browning, 2 to be named. 

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Knights win comes at a cost

Kurt Gidley of the Knights is injured. Source: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

NEWCASTLE have secured alll but secure their place in the top eight as they ended Brisbane's finals hopes but it may have come at the expense of losing skipper Kurt Gidley for the season.

3 Tries 5
Corey Parker 10'	Joseph Leilua 40'
Andrew McCullough 14'	Kurt Gidley 48'
Corey Oates 72'	Darius Boyd 60'
	Joseph Leilua 67'
	Darius Boyd 78'
2 Conversions 3
Scott Prince 12'	Kurt Gidley 40'
Scott Prince 16'	Tyrone Roberts 49'
	Tyrone Roberts 69'
1 Penalties 0
Scott Prince 19'

Broncos captain Sam Thaiday was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul in the 46th minute and Kurt Gidley went over for a try a minute later, injuring his ankle in the process.

The skipper was then taken from the field on a stretcher with a lower leg injury. 

Thaiday returned but did little to inspire the home side with Darius Boyd crashing over to give the Knights a two-point lead for the first time in the match.

Josepth Leilua ran 60 metres to get the Knights ahead by eight points.

Broncos winger Corey Oates broke through the defence to narrow the gap to 22-18 but Scott Prince was unable to convert from touch. 

At the death, Boyd crossed for his second to secure the win for the visitors. 

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Wanderers to tour Japan and China

The Wanderers will tour Japan and China. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

THE Western Sydney Wanderers will embark on its first ever tour of Asia next month when they play two matches in Japan and one in China.

The 'WanderTour' will take in three cities during a 13-day preseason tour that includes visits to Tokyo and Shizuoka in Japan, followed by Guangzhou, the capital of the Guangdong province in China.

Their first game will be in Shizuoka against Shimizu S-Pulse, the former club of star player Shinji Ono. The team will then travel to China for a six day training camp in Guangzhou and a match against
Sven-Goran Eriksson's Guangzhou R&F, the home of Australian players Eddie Bosnar and Rostyn Griffiths.

They will return to Tokyo for a match against J-2 side Tokyo Verdy.

It is understood the club had been trying to arrange a game against another former club of Ono's, Urawa Red Diamonds, but the scheduling wouldn't allow for it.

The Wanderers' first venture into Asia will provide valuable experience ahead of their 2014 debut in the Asian Champions League.

Meanwhile former Socceroo Luke Casserly has been appointed to a newly-introduced role as Football Federation Australia's head of national performance.

Chief executive David Gallop said 39-year-old Casserly, who played eight games for Australia in the late 1990s and early 2000s, would oversee management of FFA's national teams unit and elite player development.

He is the effective replacement for John Boultbee, the administrator who ran the national teams unit but quit to pursue rowing interests earlier this year.

Casserly has spent the past nine years working as an executive in the fresh produce industry.

He previously played 10 seasons in the now-defunct National Soccer League — including winning a championship with Marconi — and three years as a professional player in Europe.

The former defender also represented Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and was head coach at NSW Premier League side Marconi Stallions.

Gallop said Casserly brought the right mix of football experience and management skills to the new position.

"The fact that Luke has in recent times coached in the semi-professional ranks in NSW and now is a volunteer youth coach shows he will bring to the role first-hand knowledge of the game from grassroots to the professional tier, " he said in a statement on Thursday.

The appointment is part of Gallop's ongoing restructure of the FFA following his arrival in August last year.

Meanwhile, the FFA's national technical director Han Berger has announced he will not seek to renew his contract when it expires in July next year.

 

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Only ever one choice for Izzy

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LEAGUE never stood a chance. While Israel Folau had fleeting thoughts about the offer presented to him by NRL clubs, his immediate affinity with union meant he wasn't going back even for the most enticing offer.

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"I feel like it would be a waste if I left the game after one year," Folau said.

"I feel like there is a lot more to tick off, so that's the reason I decided to go another two years."

Folau will remain in Australian rugby and at NSW Waratahs until the end of 2015, taking in the World Cup in England and Wales.

Asked if he had seriously considered a return to the NRL, Folau replied: "Not really, I had thoughts about it at times and spoke to my family about it but from the day I came to the Tahs and started playing rugby, I've really enjoyed it.

"It is really hard to leave after a year.

"At times I thought about it, but otherwise I enjoy the game of rugby."

Under the guidance of NSW coach Michael Cheika, Folau has flourished into one of the most damaging ball-runners in the game.

It was after the Super Rugby season was finished, a period that took in the historic British & Irish Lions series, Folau had made his mind up to stay, but had to wait for his management and the ARU to work out the finer details of top-up and third-party payments for his contract.

"Once the season was done, I kind of knew this is the game I feel I can take things to another level," Folau said.

"I'm obviously close with my parents and they were just happy for me.

"After that Lions series I really thought that 'This is it'."

All the stars aligned with Folau's defection to the 15-man game, given the Lions tour Australia just once every 12 years.

"That had a big part to play, I guess I came into rugby in the right year, with the Lions series on," he said.

"I'm just lucky to be a part of it.

"The hype around the series was huge, during that time it's something I hadn't experienced before, and something very exciting."

Now attention turns to Folau's future at the Wallabies, where he was largely restricted in the opening two Bledisloe Cup clashes compared to his usual lofty standards.

While he has played all five of his Tests on the wing for Australia it's no secret that he wants the fullback role.

"I enjoy playing fullback the most really," he said.

"Playing on the wing is good but my favourite position is playing fullback, there's just a lot more space and the range to come into line when you can.

"That's what I enjoy and how I feel I can play my best footy.

"With the Wallabies I'm happy to be on the wing, it's entirely up to the coaching staff to see if they want to make changes."

Folau added: "The All Blacks did a great job ... part of their tactics was to kick it to the opposite winger.

"But that's going to happen sometimes, I'm going to have to find ways to get myself into the game, and that's just getting partnerships and combinations with players inside me, mainly the No.9, 10 and 12.

"I'm going to have to start doing that at training and it will become second nature in games."

With Folau and Kurtley Beale now signed to NSW, halfback Nick Phipps coming from Melbourne and utility Jono Lance from Queensland, the Waratahs will field one of the best backlines in their history in 2014, and Folau believes they can finally win the Super Rugby title.

"That's the thing as a playing group we've got to try to engrave in ourselves, from day one of pre-season, we just need that self-belief," Folau said.

"If everyone gets that, and we work hard, I think we can go a long way.

"It's up to use as a group to determine that, but for myself I think we're a really good side and we can do a lot of good things."

As for his own progress, Folau was unequivocal.

"I really want to nail the game, I feel like I'm just getting started," Folau said.

"I don't know how many games I've played, maybe 16 or so, so there is a long way to go.

"I'm very excited about that."

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