Bresciano’s ban appeal dismissed

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SOCCEROOS midfielder Mark Bresciano has had his appeal against a four-month ban dismissed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The 34-year-old has already served the ban imposed by FIFA over an illegal transfer between Dubai club Al Nasr and Qatari club Al Gharafa.

The appeal was jointly filed by Al Gharafa and Bresciano however the CAS panel in charge of the matter confirmed the FIFA decision in full.

As part of the punishment Al Gharafa was ordered to pay $2 million in compensation to Al Nasr and was banned from registering new players during the next two registration periods.

The ban did not affect Bresciano's eligibility for the upcoming World Cup.

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Tom Hafey loses cancer battle

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RICHMOND has lost its greatest coach after Tom Hafey died today, aged 82.

Hafey, who coached Richmond to four premierships and also coached Collingwood, Geelong and Sydney, passed away after a short battle with cancer.

"This is an extremely sad day in Richmond's history, to have lost a giant of the club in Tommy Hafey," Richmond CEO Brendon Gale said.

PICTURES: REMEMBERING TOM HAFEY

"Tommy means so much to the Richmond Football Club. He has had an enormous influence on so many people connected with the club.

"His coaching achievements at Tigerland are legendary, and he was a constant source of inspiration to the yellow and black.

"Tommy was a fine example of how to get the most out of life — his mantra of hard work, discipline, dedication, persistence, honesty, loyalty, integrity, good health and vitality, was not only the recipe for success on the football field, but success in his wonderful life.

"At this time, our thoughts are with Tommy's wife Maureen, their children Rhonda, Karen and Jo, and the extended family."

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE TRIBUTES TO HAFEY AND LEAVE YOUR MEMORIES

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou described Hafey as an inspiration.

"Australian Football is mourning Tom Hafey, who numbers among just 14 individuals recognised in our history for service to the game as one of our great coaches. Tom Hafey built teams and clubs to be successful, guided young men to be successful both on the ground and off their ground in their lives and, above all, simply loved our game," Demetriou said.

"Through each of his stints at four clubs, Tom championed fitness, teamwork, morale and dedication, and lived those ideals to the fullest with his personal creed of five Ds that 'Desire plus Dedication plus Discipline plus Determination equals your Destination'."

Tom Hafey played 67 matches for Richmond in the 1950s. Source: Supplied

Hafey was inducted as an Original Member of the Hall of Fame in 1996, as well as being an AFL Life Member.

"Tom's record of 522 games as a senior VFL-AFL coach is exceeded by just four men in history and he was a loyal and trusted friend to thousands across our game, who are feeling his loss deeply today."

Hafey was an average footballer, great coach and father figure to many of the players he mentored from 1966-88.

Hafey was happy to describe himself as a battler in his 67 games for Richmond in the back pocket between 1954 and 1958 (10 goals) after being recruited from Malvern.

And he was too modest to ever speak of his glittering coaching career, but the facts clearly point out he was born for the caper.

Lacking the necessary profile to secure a VFL coaching job on retirement, he coached Shepparton to four grand finals from 1962-65, winning the last three.

The fitness of his players and their desire to play for Hafey had caught the eye of Tiger secretary Graeme Richmond, who appointed him in 1966.

After just missing that year's finals Hafey took Richmond to premierships in 1967, 69, 73 and 74. He resigned after the 1976 season when he believed he had lost the support of powerbroker Graeme Richmond.

Collingwood, which had finished last for the first time in 1976, snapped up Hafey and he took the Magpies to within a point of going from first to last, drawing the 1977 Grand Final before losing the replay to North Melbourne.

Tom Hafey is chaired off the MCG after winning the 1969 Grand Final. Source: News Limited

Losing Grand Finals followed in 1979, 80 and 81 with what some considered a side lacking the quality of some opponents, before Hafey was sacked by Collingwood during the 1982 season.

He then spent three muddling years with Geelong before taking Sydney to the finals in 1986-87, then being sacked at the end of 1988.

He never coached again, finishing with a record of 336 wins from 521 games at a very healthy winning percentage of 64 per cent.

In terms of games coached, Hafey has the equal-best winning percentage of the top 10 with only Jock McHale, Mick Malthouse, Kevin Sheedy and Allan Jeans having sat in charge of more matches.

Hafey with Richmond champion Royce Hart. Source: News Limited

After coaching, he dedicated himself to motivation and fitness, travelling the country where he would put local teams through their paces or speak to schoolchildren about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

His approach to life was highlighted by a positive outlook, beginning with the way he answered his phone. After a caller inquired how he was, Hafey would reply "good and getting better".

He still cut a remarkable physical figure in his 80s, complete with trademark T-shirt and bulging biceps. For almost his entire adult life his day would begin with a run, swim and push-ups at St Kilda beach.

TOM HAFEY

Player:

67 games for Richmond, 1953-58, 10 goals.

Played Richmond Amateurs 1959.

Played Shepparton 1960-65.

Coach:

Richmond coach 1966-76. 248 games for 173 wins, 73 losses, two draws. 20 finals for 15 wins, four losses, one draw.

Collingwood coach 1977-82. 138 games for 89 wins, 47 losses, two draws. 18 finals for nine wins, eight losses, one draw.

Geelong coach 1983-85. 66 games for 31 wins, 35 losses.

Sydney Swans coach 1986-88. 70 games for 43 wins, 27 losses. Four finals for four losses.

Coached Shepparton 1960-65.

Overall Coaching Record:

522 games (fifth most ever) for 336 wins, 182 losses, four draws.

42 finals games (fourth most ever) for 24 wins, 16 losses, two draws.

Richmond premiership coach 1967, 1969, 1973, 1974.

Richmond Team of the Century Coach (1998).

Richmond Hall of Fame Inductee (2002).

Richmond Immortal (2003).

All Australian Coach 1980.

AFL Hall of Fame Inductee 1996 (coach).

Shepparton premiership coach 1963, 1964, 1965.

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Bitter-sweet match for Daley’s Blues

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HE must have laughed in between the tears on Monday night.

Jarryd Hayne's miracle try brought some rare joy to a terribly disrupted preparation for NSW coach Laurie Daley.

The smile though disappeared with Daley realising he may now be without giant Cronulla prop Andrew Fifita.

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne on his way to score a great try. Source: News Corp Australia

Fifita left the field in the 18th minute during Monday night's game at Pirtek Stadium with syndesmosis.

He was at Westmead Hospital having scans before the match had even ended.

Fifita could miss several weeks, all but ending his chances of playing State of Origin I on May 28.

He left Pirtek Stadium on crutches.

James Tamou, Paul Gallen, Trent Merrin and Aaron Woods would now be NSW's front-row row contenders.

Andrew Fifita leaves the field with an injured ankle. Source: News Corp Australia

In the end, Parramatta won the Johnny Mannah Cup with a dominating 42-24 win over a disappointing Sharks side. Victory was special for Eels skipper Tim Mannah.

Parramatta looked a dangerous team at times last night. Good times lie ahead.

The night was lit-up by Hayne's dazzling try, where he beat four defenders in a scorching run to the try-line.

He is a dead-set freak. After the try, Hayne blessed himself, looked skyward and then did the Hayne Plane.

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne celebrates try. Source: News Corp Australia

It was Hayne's eighth try in his last nine matches against Cronulla. Hayne scored a second run-away try last night nearing fulltime. He finished the game in the sin-bin.

NSW desperately need Hayne at his attacking finest to beat Queensland.

Rather than a minute's silence, fans before the game were asked to stand and applaud for a minute to honour Mannah, who passed away at the start of last season.

Moments later, the crowd was asked to remain silent for a minute in honour of Immortal Reg Gasnier, who passed away on Sunday night.

Cronulla's night couldn't have started worse after halfback Jeff Robson dropped the kick-off, resulting in a goal-line drop-out.

Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen after copping elbow to throat. Source: News Corp Australia

The Sharks couldn't get out of their own end after another fumble and minutes later the semi-trailer, winger Semi Radradra, stormed over out wide.

It was his 11th try in nine games this year. The big bloke is virtually unstoppable.

Cronulla did not have possession inside the Parramatta half for the opening eight minutes. And then, within seconds of that happening, Cronulla stunned Parramatta with a try.

It came after fullback Michael Gordon threw a beautiful long ball to unmarked winger Sosaia Feki, who did well to zip over in the corner. Gordon's sideline conversion gave Cronulla a 6-4 lead.

Jarryd Hayne makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia

Robson's unhappy start continued in the 15th minute when he failed to find touch from a penalty.

Midway through the first half, Robson made amends when he grubbered through for Wade Graham, who kicked again to score.

It was an amazing try. Gordon's simple conversion gave the visitors a 12-4 lead.

The bad news though was Fifita limped from the field the tackle before Graham's try.

Just as Cronulla looked to dominate, Hayne produced his moment of magic.

Hayne initiated a break down Parramatta's left side and then backed up to beat no less than four players to score a remarkable try.

Parramatta's Chris Sandow dives over for a try. Source: News Corp Australia

Halfback Chris Sandow converted to reduce Cronulla's lead to just two points.

Sandow then pushed his team ahead late in the first half when he chip-kicked ahead to score a fine solo try.

The little bloke loved it.

Sandow then converted to give Parramatta a 16-12 lead. That lead was extended minutes later when winger Ken Sio scored.

A second try to Hopoate just after the break gave the Eels a massive lead.

PARRAMATTA 42 (J Hayne 2 K Sio 2 W Hopoate S Radradra C Sandow W Tonga tries C Sandow 5 goals) bt CRONULLA 24 (I De Gois S Feki M Gordon W Graham tries M Gordon 4 goals) at Pirtek Stadium. Referee: Alan Shortall, Adam Devcich. Crowd: 12,541

Re-live the action in our blog below:

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World Cup squads as they’re named

(L-R) Nigeria's John Obi Mikel, Brazilian star Neymar, Germany's Mesut Ozil. Source: AFP

THE culmination of four years' hard work is about to arrive for about 700 of the world's best footballers.

With the FIFA World Cup kicking off on June 12, footballers from around the world are waiting anxiously by their phones as they wait for the call letting them know whether they're in or out of their country's squad.

Some coaches, including Brazil boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, have taken the plunge by naming their final 23-man squad already. Others, including Australia's Ange Postecoglou, will name a preliminary 30-man group before cutting that down to 23 before the final deadline on June 2.

We'll bring you every squad as it is announced — scroll down to see the players that have been named so far.

SOCCEROOS POWER RANKINGS

MILLIGAN SAYS TROISI A MUST FOR BRAZIL

OGNENOVSKI SLAMS 'DISRESPECTFUL' ANGE

WORLD CUP SCOUT: HODGSON'S HINT

UP FOR CUP: ANGE'S 0.1% NO-HOPERS

GROUP A

BRAZIL

Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Toronto FC), Jefferson (Botafogo), Victor (Atletico Mineiro)

Defenders: David Luiz (Chelsea), Dante (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Paris Saint-Germain), Henrique (Napoli), Maicon (Roma), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Maxwell (Paris Saint-Germain)

Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Paulinho (Tottenham), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Ramires (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea), Willian (Chelsea), Hernanes (Inter Milan)

Forwards: Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg), Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk), Neymar (Barcelona), Jo (Atletico Mineiro), Fred (Fluminense)

REACTION: NO RONALDINHO, KAKA IN BRAZIL 23

Neymar will lead the line for Brazil. Source: AFP

CAMEROON

TBC

CROATIA

TBC

MEXICO

TBC

GROUP B

AUSTRALIA

TBC

CHILE

TBC

NETHERLANDS

TBC

SPAIN

TBC

GROUP C

COLOMBIA

TBC

GREECE

TBC

IVORY COAST

TBC

JAPAN

Goalkeepers: Eiji Kawashima (Standard Liege), Shusaku Nishikawa (Urawa Red Diamonds), Shuichi Gonda (FC Tokyo)

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (Inter Milan), Maya Yoshida (Southampton), Yasuyuki Konno (Gamba Osaka), Masahiko Inoha (Jubilo Iwata), Masato Morishige (FC Tokyo), Atsuto Uchida (Schalke 04), Hiroki Sakai (Hannover 96), Gotoku Sakai (Stuttgart)

Midfielders:

Makoto Hasebe (Nuremberg), Hotaru Yamaguchi (Cerezo Osaka), Yasuhito Endo (Gamba Osaka), Toshihiro Aoyama (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Hiroshi Kiyotake (Nuremberg), Keisuke Honda (AC Milan)

Forwards: Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United), Shinji Okazaki (Mainz 05), Yuya Osako (1860 Munich), Yoichiro Kakitani (Cerezo Osaka), Yoshito Okubo (Kawasaki Frontale), Manabu Saito (Yokohama Marinos)

GROUP D

COSTA RICA

TBC

ENGLAND

TBC

ITALY

TBC

URUGUAY

TBC

GROUP E

ECUADOR

TBC

FRANCE

TBC

HONDURAS

Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares, Donis Escober (both Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real Espana).

Defenders: Brayan Beckeles (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic), Juan Carlos Garcia (Wigan), Maynor Figueroa (Hull), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Osman Chavez (Qingdao Janoon), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua).

Midfielders: Arnold Peralta (Rangers), Luis Garrido (Olimpia), Roger Espinoza (Wigan), Jorge Claros (Motagua), Wilson Palacios (Stoke), Oscar Garcia (Houston Dynamo), Andy Najar (Anderlecht), Mario Martinez (Real Espana), Marvin Chavez (Colorado Rapids).

Forwards: Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution), Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense), Carlo Costly (Real Espana), Rony Martinez (Real Sociedad).

SWITZERLAND

TBC

GROUP F

ARGENTINA

TBC

BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Goalkeepers: Asmir Begovic (Stoke City), Asmir Avdukic (Borac Banja Luka), Jasmin Fejzic (VFR Aalen).

Defenders: Emir Spahic (Bayer Leverkusen), Toni Sunjic (Zorya Lugansk), Sead Kolasinac (Schalke), Ognjen Vranjes (Elazigspor), Ervin Zukanovic (Gent), Ermin Bicakcic (Eintracht Braunschweig), Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros).

Midfielders: Miralem Pjanic (Roma), Izet Hajrovic (Galatasaray), Mensur Mujdza (Freiburg), Haris Medunjanin (Gaziantepspor), Senad Lulic (Lazio), Anel Hadzic (Sturm), Tino Susic (Hajduk), Sejad Salihovic (Hoffenheim), Zvjezdan Misimovic (Guizhour Renhe), Senijad Ibricic (Erciyesspor), Avdija Vrsaljevic (Hajduk).

Forwards: Vedad Ibisevic (VfB Stuttgart), Edin Dzeko (Manchester City), Edin Visca (Istanbul BB).

Bosnia & Herzegovina's Edin Dzeko has been on fire for Manchester City. Source: Getty Images

IRAN (preliminary squad)

Goalkeepers: Daniel Davari (Eintracht Braunschweig), Alireza Haghighi (Sporting Covilha, on loan from Rubin Kazan), Rahman Ahmadi (Sepahan), Sousha Makani (Foolad Khuzestan) Defenders: Khosro Heidari (Esteghlal), Hossein Mahini (Persepolis), Steven "Mehrdad" Beitashour (Vancouver Whitecaps), Pejman Montazeri (Umm Salal), Jalal Hosseini (Persepolis), Amir Sadeghi (Esteghlal), Mohammad Reza Khanzadeh (Zob Ahan), Ahmad Alenemeh (Naft), Hashem Beikzadeh (Esteghlal), Ehsan Hajsafi (Sepahan), Mehrdad Pooladi (Persepolis).

Midfielders: Javad Nekounam (Al Kuwait), Andranik Teymourian (Esteghlal), Reza Haghighi (Persepolis), Ghasem Hadadifar (Zob Ahan), Bakhtiyar Rahmani (Foolad), Alireza Jahanbakhsh (NEC Nijmegen), Ashkan Dejagah (Fulham).

Forwards: Masoud Shojaei (Las Palmas), Mohammad Reza Khalatbari (Persepolis), Mehdi Sharifi (Sepahan), Reza Ghoochannejhad (Charlton), Karim Ansarifard (Persepolis, on loan at Tractor Sazi), Sardar Azmoun (Rubin Kazan).

NIGERIA (preliminary squad)

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Israel), Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves), Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Efe Ambrose (Celtic, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough, England); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars).

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Joel Obi (Parma, Italy); Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese, Italy); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Sunday Mba (CA Bastia, France), Reuben Gabriel (Waasland-Beveren, Belgium), Michael Babatunde (Volyn Lutsk, Ukraine).

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Chievo Verona, Italy); Peter Odemwingie (Stoke City, England), Michael Uchebo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium); Victor Moses (Liverpool, England), Uche Nwofor (Heerenveen, Holland).

Chelsea's John Obi Mikel (R) is part of Nigeria's squad. Source: AFP

GROUP G

GERMANY (preliminary squad)

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hanover)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Marcell Jansen (Hamburg), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Shkodran Mustafi (Sampdoria), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund).

Midfielders: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Schalke), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Leon Goretzka (Schalke), Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich), Andre Hahn (Augsburg), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Max Meyer (Schalke), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schurrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Kevin Volland (Hoffenheim)

REACTION: VETERAN GOMEZ LEFT OUT OF GERMANY SQUAD

Mesut Ozil is hoping for a big tournament with Germany. Source: AP

GHANA

TBC

PORTUGAL

TBC

USA

TBC

GROUP H

ALGERIA

TBC

BELGIUM

TBC

RUSSIA

TBC

SOUTH KOREA

Goalkeepers: Jung Sung-ryong (Suwon Bluewings), Kim Seung-gyu (Ulsan Hyundai), Lee Bum-young (Busan IPark)

Defenders: Kim Jin-su (Albirex Niigata), Kim Young-gwon (Guangzhou Evergrande), Yoon Suk-young (QPR), Hwang Seok-ho (Hiroshima Sanfrecce), Hong Jeong-ho (Augsburg) Kwak Tae-hwi (Al Hilal), Lee Yong (Ulsan Hyundai), Kim Chang-su (Kashiwa Reysol)

Midfielders: Ki Sung-yueng (Sunderland), Ha Dae-sung (Beijing Guoan), Han Kook-young (Kashiwa Reysol), Park Jong-woo (Guangzhou R&F), Kim Bo-kyung (Cardiff City), Lee Chung-yong (Bolton Wanderers), Ji Dong-won (Augsburg), Son Heung-min (Bayer Leverkusen)

Forwards: Koo Ja-cheol (FSV Mainz 05), Lee Keun-ho (Sangju Sangmu), Park Chu-young (Watford), Kim Shin-wook (Ulsan Hyundai)

South Korea's Heung-Min Son has been a revelation for Bayer Leverkusen. Source: AFP

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Five miss message on bump safety

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A WEEK of intense debate about the dangers of bumping has failed to deter five players from risking their immediate footballing futures.

Eagle Mark LeCras was reported on Sunday after he poleaxed young Giant Will Hoskin-Elliott with a flying hit.

The match review panel will also consider the fates of stars Jarryd Roughead, Paul Chapman, Paul Duffield and Liam Jones for incidents across the weekend.

Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney yesterday took the unusual step of declaring forward Jones would be suspended for a brutal bump that knocked Demon Dean Terlich out of Saturday night's win over Melbourne.

Demons coach Paul Roos said he was "staggered" the Jones hit didn't result in a free kick for Terlich.

"I'm pretty sure he got hit in the head because he came off concussed and couldn't go back on," Roos said.

"I didn't have that good a look at it other than the fact that I know a player got taken high so surely it's got to be a free kick I would have thought. I'm absolutely staggered."

Coaches across the country have repeatedly warned players against bumping in wake of last week's dramatic Jack Viney case.

Viney was given a two-match ban for breaking Crow Tom Lynch's jaw, but the suspension was quashed after a challenge to the AFL appeals board on the basis Viney was bracing himself, rather than bumping.

Despite that the suspension backflip, the AFL stressed that bump laws remained in place and that players were responsible for injury caused to rivals heads when bumping, regardless of intent.

Collingwood premiership captain Tony Shaw yesterday backed former Cats skipper Tom Harley's assessment of the Roughead hit, saying the Hawks superstar "will get weeks".

Roughead, who has 93 carryover points, looks set to miss the Hawks' top-of-the-table clash against Port Adelaide in a fortnight, joining Brian Lake, Sam Mitchell and Cyril Rioli on the sidelines for the Adelaide Oval blockbuster.

McCartney said he was also preparing to be without Jones for the Dogs' next clash against Gold Coast after the bye.

"I don't think it will be a great result for us, that one," McCartney said on ABC radio.

"That's a pretty easy one. If you decide to bump someone and you hit the hit, well, I don't think there is any greyness in that. I don't think he will be playing next week."

McCartney said the Viney appeal win was the right decision and was adamant players should tackle rather than bump for a variety of reasons.

"The end result is if you are player now and you have a chance to tackle and you don't take it and you decide to bump, you run the risk of getting yourself rubbed out," he said.

"You should tackle.

"It's safer tribunal-wise for you. Safer for everyone out on the ground and you are more likely to get the ball back if you tackle anyway."

However, Richmond great Matthew Richardson said Roughead should be cleared for his high bump on Sydney Swans' midfielder Ben McGlynn.

"I don't agree with how it (the bump rule) is being interpreted," Richardson said on 3AW.

"I think Roughy did everything right. I would like to see (the match review panel) let it go, but it will be called up.

"The ball was there to be won. Roughy looked at the ball, didn't go for the ball, chose to bump and hit McGlynn in the head, so that means he is going to be looked at."

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Blues strive to revive season

Blues speedster Chris Yarran expects improved second half of the season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Corp Australia

CARLTON speedster Chris Yarran has blamed complacency for early-season failures as the Blues face a finals eliminator against bogy side St Kilda.

The Saints are gunning for third successive Monday night upset win over the Blues, who are staring at a 2-6 start if they lose tonight.

In a candid assessment of the team's poor starts, Yarran said the Blues' attitude had hurt them.

"We didn't turn up (with) the right attitude against Melbourne, we just assumed we would go out there and win and got our pants pulled down," Yarran told the Herald Sun.

"Same with Essendon and Collingwood. I just don't know how it happens. We just have to avoid bad starts.

"We have to win against St Kilda and give ourselves some momentum going into the break. Sometimes we play better when we are up against the ropes."

Carlton refused to give up on its September aspirations, hopeful the team's fortunes will improve as key players regain fitness following an injury-marred off-season.

Assistant coach Dean Laidley yesterday revealed he was "taken aback" by the 18 off-season surgeries to key players.

"That's really hurt us," Laidley said on 3AW.

"We didn't have a lot of players doing a lot of work preseason. They are starting to get match hardened now."

Despite conceding it was in a rebuilding mode last week, the Blues can still hit the midpoint of the season at an even keel at 5-5, if they can regain winning form against bottom-eight sides St Kilda, Adelaide and Brisbane over the next month.

Superstar veteran Chris Judd is expected back from a hamstring injury against the Crows in a fortnight.

Blues veteran Chris Judd injured his hamstring in his comeback match. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

However, a loss tonight will consign the club to its worst start since 2007 and further fulfil predictions from respected greats such as Hawthorn champion Jason Dunstall that the club is a bottom-six side.

Assistant coach Rob Wiley suggested tonight could make or break their campaign, saying the Blues could not afford to slip further down the ladder.

"Going into the bye, we need to be 3-5," Wiley said.

"We still have great belief good things can happen this year, but they can only happen if we start winning games."

Malthouse said the club needed to weed out "passengers" who were contributing to the club's inconsistent form.

Carlton has left out veteran midfielder Andrew Carrazzo with a back complaint for the third straight match and dropped Kane Lucas.

Yarran and David Ellard return.

Laidley said the players had to learn to balance the speed of their offence.

"Carlton look very, very good when they're up and play a ballistic style but you can't play that type of game all the time," Laidley said.

"That's been the coaching staff treading the fine line and teaching them to make those decisions out on the ground."

Wiley said the team had made the most of a 10-day break.

"Over the weeks it's been a bit up and down for us (in games), but on the training track it has been fantastic, the boys have been very positive," Wiley said.

"They've trained well again, they've rebounded well and they understand the importance (of tonight's game)."

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The Tackle: Blues’ billionaire board bust-up

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THE good news is Bryce Gibbs is set to re-sign with Carlton, ending months of speculation about his future.

The bad news is a civil war could erupt at board level, continuing months of speculation about the club's future.

CHAT LIVE WITH ROBBO FROM 11.30AM EST MONDAY

Gibbs' management and Blues football boss Andrew McKay are understood to be tidying up the final sticking points in a contract probably worth about $500,000 a season, with $50,000 depending on other variables.

An announcement could be made within a fortnight.

Bryce Gibbs flexes his muscle at Carlton training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

It's welcome news at a club which has had a topsy-turvy season.

The Blues play St Kilda on Monday night at Etihad Stadium and a loss would be — and it is said every other week at Carlton — devastating for this occasionally proud football club.

Things have gone haywire under coach Mick Malthouse.

Blues fans must be disillusioned — and confused.

One week, against West Coast, Malthouse rated the victory as one of the best of his career and the next, against Collingwood, he says the club has to take "heavy falls" and his team has "passengers".

Off the field, there is a whiff of blood in the air.

And the worst case imaginable is possible, and that is a Pratt v Mathieson board showdown.

The two billionaires — Jeanne Pratt and Bruce Mathieson — are not close and Pratt is not entirely satisfied with the club's direction.

She — and others — were not happy about Mathieson's outspoken comments made after Round 1 and after the loss to Melbourne.

That Mathieson is not a board member and pulls the strings from Queensland has also prompted questions for the board, namely: Who is running this club?

Outgoing Carlton President Stephen Kernahan chats with Dermott Brereton on the boundary line. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

It is a cluttered leadership at the Blues.

Stephen Kernahan was president, and he had three vice presidents — Mark LoGiudice, Pratt and businessman Ryan Trainor.

The club announced two weeks ago LoGiudice would replace Kernahan in June, which prompted Trainor to resign, while Pratt remains in her position.

A smooth transition from Kernahan to LoGiudice might suddenly not be so smooth.

LoGiudice has strong support from Mathieson — it is said he rang Mathieson seeking his blessing — and certainly Pratt and her gang on the board, which includes son-in-law Raphael Geminder and billionaire Zac Fried, initially supported LoGiudice's selection.

Pratt is understood to be wavering.

Carlton's next president Mark LoGiudice. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

It's understood she recently approached former vice-president Richard Newton and asked him to consider returning to the club.

It's too early to speculate if a ticket will be formed to challenge the leadership, but you'd suspect Pratt wouldn't be asking Newton to come back and cut up the crayfish at the monthly board meetings.

Remember, too, there has been murmurings for two months about a board challenge, and names such as Tom Elliott and former player Fraser Brown have been linked to a possible takeover, which both have softly denied.

Tom's father John Elliott and Mathieson are not friends, and in fact John Elliott savaged Mathieson after he recently called for Kernahan and chief executive Greg Swan to immediately resign. It's also known the Elliotts and Jeanne Pratt are close.

Mathieson might plough millions into the club, but there are some at the Blues who thinks he is destabilising and that if he disappeared, the club would be all the better for it.

But now, of course, Mathieson has his man as chairman-elect in LoGiudice.

An extraordinary general meeting might not be a terrible outcome, either. It could finally reduce the board from current number of 12 to a more manageable six or seven and in doing so rid the club of factions on the board.

As for Newton, who served under Kernahan as vice-president for several years and was once tipped to be Kernahan's replacement as president, he might suddenly have a massive decision to make.

He did not return calls last night.

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League legend Reg Gasnier passes away

St George and Australian rugby league legend Reg Gasnier with a bronze statue of himself unveiled at the SCG. Source: News Limited

RUGBY league legend Reg Gasnier has passed away just one day short of his 75th birthday.

The former St George Dragons centre and rugby league Immortal died in the Miranda nursing home where he has lived for several years.

He played 39 Test matches for Australia, scoring 28 tries, and 127 matches for the Dragons during their world record 11-straight premierships.

Gasnier was known as the Prince of Centres, a brilliant attacking player.

He was the uncle of recently retired Dragons star Mark Gasnier.

More to come.

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Brumbies outlast Sharks in wet Canberra

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 10: Nic White of the Brumbies is tackled during the round 13 Super Rugby match between the Brumbies and the Sharks at Canberra Stadium on May 10, 2014 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images) Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

THE Brumbies graduated from the school of Jake White by downing his tryless Sharks 16-9 on Saturday night at a slippery Canberra Stadium.

The Brumbies had plenty to prove after White walked out on them last year to join the Sharks halfway through his four-year contract.

And prove it they did, man of the match Sam Carter crossing for the only try and match winner in the 65th minute.

The niggly top-of-the-table clash went down exactly as expected, in wet conditions, by two sides recently tutored by the former World Cup-winning Springboks coach.

The defence was rigid, the hits big, the breakdown scrappy and the kicks plenty.

Three players went off in the first half for blood or concussion concerns - however only Wallabies winger Joe Tomane failed to return, a cheekbone injury putting him in doubt for the Brumbies' South African tour.

Both teams were desperate to play in the other side's half, the match featuring more than 90 open-play kicks.

Sharks flyhalf Francois Steyn's radar was off, missing three first-half penalty goal attempts, failing to find touch from a penalty and kicking out on the full twice from restarts.

Both sides struggled with their handling in the slippery conditions. Source: Getty Images

His open-play kicking was better, constantly finding the ground to the left of fullback Jesse Mogg, which cut off the angle of his big left boot.

However, the Brumbies dominated the kicking duel in the second half, Mogg finding his rhythm and winger Robbie Coleman chasing everything down.

Lealiifano opened the scoring with an early penalty goal, while Steyn pushed two early attempts out wide before nailing one in the 14th minute.

Lealiifano knocked over a second three-pointer and then missed a third attempt, giving the Brumbies a 6-3 lead at halftime.

Both sides traded a penalty goal apiece after the break, before the Brumbies began to press with their territory advantage.

The try-scoring drought finally broke in the 65th minute when halfback Nic White put Carter through a gap and under the posts to extend the lead to 16-6.

Steyn narrowed the gap to seven points with eight minutes to go to earn the Sharks a losing bonus point, but they fell short of finishing off the comeback.

The outcome wasn't enough to knock the Sharks off top spot, although the Brumbies closed the gap to two points in third place.

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

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First Oval match bills a shock: Chapman

Adelaide Crows Chairman Rob Chapman admits firs Adelaide Oval match bills aren't quite what he expected. Picture: Simon Cross Source: Simon Cross / News Limited

ADELAIDE will seek redress if the figures don't stack up after a review of the financial returns at the Adelaide Oval in July.

Chairman Rob Chapman said it was too early to tell if the figures were stacking up; the Crows had initially expected an uplift of $3.9 million from the shift but that figure is now being thought to land around $3 million.

TRIGG ON RADAR FOR BRISBANE LIONS' TOP JOB

Port's expectation — the Power came from a lower base — has been adjusted from $4.9 million to $3 million but the SANFL is confident the joint uplift for the two clubs will arrive at $12 million per season.

Chapman said there needed to be an in-depth analysis of the deal between the Crows, the SMA and the SANFL if returns weren't significantly better for the Crows at the rebuilt stadium compared to Football Park.

It had been a cornerstone in the Crows agreeing to the move after initially being hesitant to leave their headquarters at West Lakes.

Crows fans have enjoyed supporting their team at the Adelaide Oval. Source: Getty Images

"It's too early to tell now how we're tracking but we're just starting to get the first bills and it was a fair shock to the system but that's why you have to review these things,'' Chapman said.

"I think it was a really mature thing to decided on a review and look at the figures based on the presumptions.

"But we will seek redress if the projections are way off the mark, from the SMA and the SANFL.''

Both of the AFL clubs have noted significant increase in the cost of hosting a match at the Oval compared to Football Park.

One club source estimated the increase equalled and increase of 60 per cent for the Crows and 100 per cent increase for Port Adelaide, which had lower costs at Football Park by having fewer staff employed and not having all gates open.

The cost of hosting a game at West Lakes was roughly around $100,000.

One of the additional costs encountered by the clubs is having to pay for road closures, a fee understood to be around $15,000 they never encountered at Football Park.

Patrick Dangerfield and James Podsiadly celebrate during the Crows' most recent game at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Simon Cross Source: News Corp Australia

But Chapman said the move still appeared to be an outstanding success, even thought the financials are not yet in.

"The response from the South Australian public and the interstate public has been great,'' Chapman said.

"We just need to do more analysis around the assumptions. It's only been six or seven weeks but we need to make sure the original intention of providing a financial uplift is true.''

Chapman was firm in saying the Crows would not seek a greater return at the expense of the SANFL, which is the landlord of the Oval during the football months.

It was a matter of justly dividing the money to make sure the transition from Football Park would be worthwhile for all parties.

"All the Adelaide Football Club wants is fairness,'' Chapman said. "We don't want it to be winners and losers, as in the SANFL lose and we win or the other way around. And that's what we've said from day one, that we want a fair deal to move.''

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