Aussie backs accused EPL referee

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Under pressure ... Mark Clattenburg and John Obi Mikel. Source: ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP

Veteran Socceroos goalkeeper and Barclays Premier League stalwart Mark Schwarzer has come to the defence of the referee accused of using "inappropriate language" towards Chelsea star John Obi Mikel.

Chelsea allege that referee Mark Clattenburg abused Nigerian midfielder Mikel during the European champions' stormy 3-2 loss to Manchester United in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge last weekend.

Reports in the British media have suggested that Chelsea believe the language used by Clattenburg towards Mikel was of a racial nature.

Clattenburg, 37, reportedly denies the allegations and has vowed to co-operate fully with any investigations.

Fulham star Schwarzer told Fox Sports that he had never had trouble with Clattenburg and could understand why the referee may have bitten back under extreme pressure.

"I think he's a very good referee," Schwarzer said.

"All the experiences I have had with him have been very positive.

"He's a referee that has a very difficult job on his hands all the time like all the rest of them.

"It's a very high-pressured game and it's very difficult for referees to see everything, to make the right call at all times, let alone deal with players' frustrations.

"I tell you now, referees deal with a lot. They cop a lot of abuse. Not just from players but supporters.

"On occasions I have heard referees give it back. It sometimes doesn't surprise me because most of the time the player deserves getting it back."

Schwarzer's Fulham face high-flying Everton on Sunday at 2am (EDT).

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Ponting injury 'very minor'

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Waiting, watching ... Ricky Ponting racing the clock. Source: Hamish Blair / News Limited

Ricky Ponting will rest and ice his sore hamstring over the next two days after he suffered the minor injury while batting in Tasmania's Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia.

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Tigers coach Tim Coyle says the former Test skipper felt a twinge when he turned for a run and slipped in his innings of five runs on Thursday evening.

Cricket Australia (CA) has withdrawn the 37-year-old from the remainder of the Bellerive match to ensure he is ready for the first Test against South Africa beginning next Friday in Brisbane.

Coyle said Ponting had undergone scans and the injury would not stop him playing for Australia.

"It's very minor," Coyle said.

"It's very much a precautionary thing, it's nothing too serious.

"As he said in his own words this morning, 'I could bat with this'.

"So it's that sort of niggle.

"It's something that could probably get worse if it was reinjured so it's better to put him on ice and get him ready for the Test match."

Ponting will remain in Hobart until the end of the Shield match, scheduled to finish on Sunday.

"Ricky's got 48 hours of just rest and icing and just keeping things under control so no great dramas I don't think," Coyle said.

"We just nipped it in the bud."

Cricket Australia said it has pulled Ponting from the game as a precaution.

Ponting has been replaced in the Tasmanian line-up by Steve Cazzulino.

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Wanderers send Heart packing

Wanderers ... claimed their first home win over Melbourne Heart. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Western Sydney posted back-to-back victories by defeating Melbourne Heart 2-1 for their first home win in a heated A-League clash at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night.

Mark Bridge, who grabbed the club's first-ever goal to secure victory over Brisbane last week, remains the only Wanderers' player to have scored after Heart defender Patrick Gerhardt gifted the hosts their second of the match with an own goal.

Croatian striker Josip Tadic got one back for the visitors in the 57th minute but it wasn't in front of a crowd of 8075.

Both teams, who had posted only one win so far this season, came out firing in a physical encounter.

Less than 10 minutes into the match, Heart midfielder Jason Hoffman tackled Wanderers fullback Jerome Polenz.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Adelaide	4	3	0	1	4	9
2	Newcastle	4	3	0	1	1	9
3	Central Coast	4	2	1	1	1	7
4	Western Sydney	5	2	1	2	0	7
5	Perth	4	2	0	2	1	6
6	Sydney	4	2	0	2	-1	6
7	Wellington	4	1	2	1	0	5
8	Brisbane	4	1	1	2	3	4
9	Heart	5	1	1	3	-3	4
10	Victory	4	1	0	3	-6	3

Japanese star Shinji Ono then took matters into his own hands, bringing Hoffman down a moment later to earn a yellow card with the incident sparking a heated exchange between several players.

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Re-live the game as it happened with our A-League Match Centre, featuring video highlights and key stats!

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Western Sydney's first chance of the match was the result of another foul - this time on Wanderers defender Adam D'Apuzo just outside the box - with Aaron Mooy stepping up to take the free kick but misfiring.

But it was former Sydney FC striker Bridge who found the back of the net in the 29th minute as a result of a great ball by Mooy into the box.

The Wanderers came out looking to create chances in the second stanza with impressive Dutch import Youssouf Hersi playing a precision cross to Ono, who forced a save from gloveman Clint Bolton with a spectacular bicycle kick 10 minutes into the half.

Hersi played another cross into the box moments later but it was Gerhardt who got on the end of it, the Liberian sending it into the back of the net in a clearance gone horribly wrong.

It didn't take long for the Heart to get one back with Aziz Behich crossing the ball to Tadic who beat Wanderers 'keeper Ante Covic with a sensational strike.

Mooy looked like widening the gap with a powerful shot less than half an hour from time but Bolton saved the effort.

The Heart fired shots thick and fast in the last 20 minutes with Gerhardt trying to make amends and Richard Garcia also prominent.

Polenz got in on the action with a shot of his own just shaving the woodwork.

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Whincup fastest in Abu Dhabi

Whincup ... sizzles with the fastest lap time in Abu Dhabi. Source: Mark Horsburgh, Edge / News Limited

Holden's Jamie Whincup has clocked the fastest lap of the day during practice in Abu Dhabi, leaving little doubt as to why he leads this year's V8 Supercars championship.

Whincup clocked a time of two minutes and 13.655 seconds in the second practice session at Yas Marina Circuit on Friday, outpacing Ford driver Tony D'Alberto by 0.154s.

At one point he was two seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

Jonathon Webb, who was quickest in the opening practice session, finished third fastest ahead of Ford's Steve Owen and Holden's Michael Patrizi.

With the V8s out on the full 5.5km Formula One track for the first time, a number of drivers found themselves running wide into the generous run-off areas during both sessions.

The new hairpin at turn seven also proved a challenge for Holden's Michael Caruso, who nudged Fabian Coulthard into a spin during practice one.

The two 30-minute practice sessions are the only chance drivers get to prepare ahead of qualifying at 10pm (EDT) on Friday.

The best three lap times for each driver will determine their grid position for the trio of 12-lap sprint races on Saturday and Sunday.

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Mick can't save the Blues: Judd

Skipper for now ... Chris Judd looks at life under Mick. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Carlton captain Chris Judd has warned teammates against expecting decorated coach Mick Malthouse to turn the AFL club around on his own.

Judd said he had long been a Malthouse admirer and expected the three-time premiership coach to have a quick impact.

But he cautioned that rebounding from a disappointing season would take club-wide improvement.

"It's really important that we don't view (Malthouse) as a panacea that's going to fix all our problems," Judd told reporters on Thursday.

"At the end of the day, there's 44 players on that list, there's a staff of 70 or 80 people and it's not up to Mick to come in and solve all the problems at our football club.

"It's up to everyone who's there to work out how they're going to improve on what they've done before, to be accountable and be a part of the solution."

Malthouse guided West Coast to premierships in 1992 and 1994 and Collingwood to the 2010 flag.

But Judd took more from Malthouse's transformation of the Magpies from a wooden-spoon side when he took over ahead of the 2000 season to grand finalists in 2002-03.

"As much as they didn't win a premiership, I think to get to two grand finals in a row with the list he had there, that's almost the most impressive feature of his coaching career," the Blues skipper said.

Judd is yet to meet Malthouse face-to-face since his appointment so his view of the veteran coach is based mainly on reputation.

He said that was of a coach who ruled from the top and expected players to toe the line.

"He probably doesn't go down the player empowerment model, which a lot of modern-day coaches do," Judd said.

The 29-year-old dual Brownlow Medallist is yet to announce whether he will stay as skipper and plans to consult with Malthouse at the Blues' pre-season camp in Arizona, which starts on November 9.

While coy on his plans, he understood the speculation.

"There comes a time in every player's career where it makes sense for him to move on, whether that's move on from the game or move on from a leadership role to open up opportunities for young people," Judd said.

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Bogut back with a bang in NBA

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Back on court ... Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut. Source: Paul Connors / News Limited

He only played three quarters but as his first basketball steps in nearly a year Australian superstar Andrew Bogut's 2012 NBA debut was a good one.

Now with Golden State Warriors, Bogut missed all eight of his new club's pre-season games and was a surprise elevation to the starting line-up for the Warriors' season opener against Phoenix Suns in Arizona.

But he poured in his team's opening points and finished the night with eight and six rebounds in his first competitive hit-out since injuring his ankle in January.

Bogut played 18 minutes all up in the thrilling 87-85 win and said he felt "great".

"It's been a long time coming for me; it's been nine months since I've played basketball competitively. I felt great,
body felt great," he said.

"Early on in the game it was kind of tough. Once I pushed through that and got my second wind I felt great.

"Obviously they limited my minutes tonight so I wasn't too happy about it but as long as we get the win."

Warriors coach Mark Jackson said he wouldn't rush Bogut, his No.1 centre, back in to big minutes.

"It's going to take time, but he certainly gives us a presence on both sides of the ball and makes us that much better," Jackson said of Bogut.

"We'll wait until the real Andrew Bogut shows up, and we'll take this one for now."

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Sharpe wins John Eales Medal

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Superb ... Sharpe is a deserved winner of the John Eales Medal. Source:News Limited

Australia's latest rugby captain Nathan Sharpe has continued his incredible swansong season by winning the John Eales Medal, the Wallabies Players' Player award, on Thursday evening.

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Sharpe, who twice during the year postponed his international retirement, polled 259 votes from his peers over the course of the Wallabies' last 19 Test matches stretching back to the 2011 World Cup.

Openside flanker David Pocock (235), led the field by a massive 93 points following Australia's Rugby World Cup campaign, but missed their last six matches of the 2012 campaign due to a knee injury.

Western Force lock Sharpe, who also won the medal in 2007, ensured a forward took out the prestigious prize for the ninth time in 11 years.

He assumed captaincy duties of the Wallabies after three leaders, James Horwill, halfback Will Genia and Pocock, all suffered injuries during the course of the campaign.

"It was very hard to lose the three previous captains in one hit," Sharpe said.

"I've just enjoyed it for what it is.

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"You know when it's coming to the end - roughly at least."

Sharpe, 34, also won the inaugural Spirit of Rugby award and the Australia's Choice title.

In the course of 2012, Sharpe also became the most-capped lock in Test history, surpassing South Africa's Victor Matfield and has amassed 112 Test appearances heading into his final four-match tour with the Wallabies in Europe.

He is only the second man behind openside flanker George Smith to win the medal twice and also eclipsed the former Brumbies backrower's previous record tally of the most Test appearances by an Australia forward.

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Outstanding Test rookie Michael Hooper, who finished third in the medal voting on 171, picked up the Rookie of the Year title.

New Zealand-born Steve Walsh was named Referee of the Year while former touch football star Emily Cherry took out the Women's Player of the Year.

Former Australian Rugby Union chairman Dick McGruther was the latest recipient of the Joe French Award, which acknowledges high-profile individuals who have made a significant contribution to Australian rugby.

Captain Ed Jenkins took out the Sevens Player of the Year.

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Thorpe committed to swimming on

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Revealing ... Ian Thorpe opens up to Fox Sports News on a wide range of issues. Source: Adam Knott / Supplied

Ian Thorpe has no immediate intention of retiring from swimming for a second time, instead targeting a place at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

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The five-time Olympic gold medallist sat down with Fox Sports News reporter Andrew McKinlay for an exclusive interview, following revelations of his battles with depression and alcoholism were detailed in the launch of his biography, This Is Me.

Despite failing to secure a place at the London Olympics, Thorpe says he has no regrets about his comeback to the pool.

"I wish my return went the other way and I qualified for London, but I found for myself the reason I love swimming. I had lost that," Thorpe said.

Thorpe confirms he will target the 2013 World Championships and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow the following year, provided his form and fitness is good enough.

"Everything is on a two-year plan for me these days. What I didn't like about London was that I was rushing to make it.

"I'm not going to do that this time. I'll do what I want to do and what I feel I can do."

He also opened up about his well-publicised battle with depression and suicidal thoughts, a topic he originally only wrote about for his own personal benefit and didn't plan to publish.

"It's a difficult subject for me to discuss," Thorpe said. 

"I am someone who has everything people dream of, but there was always something missing.

"When you get to a point when you rationalise the process of suicide, you can't sleep at all at night and when you feel it's actually a viable option, that's when you know you need more help.

"I experienced that. I hit rock bottom, then found another layer below that.

"It's not a chapter I wanted to publish, but I'm glad I have been able to. It's been a bit cathartic."

The 30-year-old also discussed his relationship with the media, his thoughts on American rival Michael Phelps, his second coming to swimming, failure to make the London Olympics and the constant innuendo over his sexuality.

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Heart ready to fire in A-League: Williams

MELBOURNE Heart will soon click into a run of good form to get the A-League talking.

So says striker David Williams, who believes the Heart can soon mirror their training track efforts and snap back to the form of their opening game and a half of the season.

That produced a dominant week-one win over Melbourne Victory and a delightful first half of touch and invention without capitalising against Wellington Phoenix, eventually drawing 1-1.

But two subsequent defeats to Perth Glory and Central Coast Mariners pitch the Heart as a team with more question marks than clear answers about their ability to challenge this season.

"I guarantee we will go through a run of form quite soon that will get a lot of people talking about Melbourne Heart," Williams said on Wednesday.

"I feel as a team collectively we've been doing very well on the training park, but it's hard to talk about training because no one really sees training - they only see the games."

While it is early to be talking about season-defining matches, the Heart's Parramatta Stadium clash with Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday night would appear critical for the visitors to relaunch.

The Wanderers are on a high, after the club's first win in their brief history over champions Brisbane Roar last weekend, and have impressed with their organisation and competitiveness.

Williams admits to being impressed with the Wanderers, who have former Heart assistant Ante Milicic on staff.

But he believes the Heart will succeed for the rest of the season if they back themselves more, especially when on goal.

"We have the backing of the coaches but, when we go out there, we have to 100 per cent know it's a game for us and be confident of winning.

"For the strikers, it's backing yourself to score. Defenders - it might be to win their 50-50 battles.

"It's the confidence you give yourself. If you don't back yourself to actually know you can do the job, you probably won't do it."

Few have benefited more from Heart's change of coach from John van 't Schip to John Aloisi than Williams.

Reduced to a peripheral figure under the Dutchman, the 24-year-old has been emphatically backed in by his new coach.

An invigorated performance echoing his North Queensland Fury form a couple of seasons ago - which took him to the brink of Socceroo selection - came in week one, with a goal in the win over the Victory.

"For a variety of reasons, I feel a lot better this year, and happy with how we are as a club," Williams said.

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Stoner on V8 Supercar move

Stoner ... talks to SPEED News Australia on his retirement plans. Source: William West / AFP

Stoner ... talks to SPEED News Australia on his V8 Supercar plans. Source: Mark Horsburgh / Supplied

Retiring MotoGP star Casey Stoner told us why he would like to race V8 Supercars in an exclusive interview on the season finale of SPEED News Australia.

Stoner talks to Jessica Yates. Source: SPEED

The two-time MotoGP champion chatted to host Jessica Yates ahead of his record sixth-straight win at Phillip Island last weekend.

Stoner spoke about his career, early retirement, and why the Dunlop V8 Supercar Series might just have a two-wheel world champion in the field in the near future.

Meantime, SPEED's two-wheel expert Kevin Magee reviewed all the action from Phillip Island that saw Aussies Ant West and Arthur Sissis score podiums in Moto2 and Moto3.

Fans also heard from leading V8 drivers ahead of this weekend's Abu Dhabi V8 Supercar Race in an exclusive SPEED News Australia event preview.

The final episode of the year also looked at the new Nissan Altima V8 Supercar unveiled in Melbourne on Tuesday.

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