Poms feeling the heat from home

A 1-0 Ashes lead is within sight after Australia declared at 7-401 on day three at the Gabba.

IF Friday was English cricket's darkest day then Saturday only served to rub salt into the wound and the UK press didn't take the Gabba pummeling lightly.

Read the View from the UK below.

Bowler battering

England's bowlers took a hammering at the Gabba on Saturday and then followed it up with another hammering in the press back home.

Graeme Swann and Chris Tremlett came in for special attention

Aside from Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson, the English bowling attack hasn't looked overly dangerous and that doesn't bode well for the remaining Tests, says The Daily Mail's Peter Hayter.

"Graeme Swann, on a pitch his opposite number Lyon had already demonstrated could help the off-spinner, and third seamer Chris Tremlett (3-69) were especially ineffective - a worrying development for England, not just here but for the four Tests stretching in front of them," he said.

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"Swann, who was mockingly congratulated by his teammates when he reached his 'century' (100 runs conceded without a wicket) did eventually bowl the Australia captain and then beat Bailey's defences to become the quickest bowler, in terms of days taken, to 250 Test wickets.

The Telegraph's Nick Hoult forecast changes for the second Test in Adelaide.

"Tremlett is unlikely to be so lucky. He has bowled way below the pace who terrorised Australia in 2010-11 and confirmed the view of county watchers last season that his form had gone," he said.

While Scyld Berry praised the Aussie bowlers while back-handing his own (except for Broad).

"England's bowlers, except for Stuart Broad, have been outperformed by their Australian counterparts," he said.

Top order troubles.

After a second straight dismissal to a Mitchell Johnson bodyline attack, most of the attention was directed at Jonathan Trott.

The struggling No.3 has made just 10 and 9 in Brisbane and came in for some strong criticism.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted that Trott's effort was the worst performance he'd seen from an England No.3.

While Berry believed there was a deeper problem.

"His twin dismissals here have been more serious, because his decision-making has been one-track-minded. It was all too symbolic that the gloom was gathering over the Gabba when he clipped Johnson to deepish backward square-leg," he said.

However, it wasn't just Trott in the eyes of UK journalists with captain Alastair Cook coming under fire for his lack of runs.

"England have yet to satisfactorily replace Andrew Strauss at the top of the order. Michael Carberry was one of the plusses of that first innings debacle. He is not the problem. Alastair Cook is and his lack of runs is costing England, who have not posted one 400 in the last dozen innings," said the Telegraph's Kevin Garside.

Cook will have his chance to silence the doubters when play begins on day four.

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One fine Day for master class

Jason Day high-fives the Fanatics after yesterday's emotion-fuelled round. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Michael Klein / News Corp Australia

JASON Day has used an emotional meeting with his mother - and a "heart attack in a box" - to spur himself and Australia to the brink of World Cup glory.

Day met his mother, Dening, for breakfast - the first time they've been face to face since eight of their family perished in last week's killer Philippines typhoon - before firing a near flawless five-under-par 66 to take a one-shot lead into the final round.

His heroics also propelled he and fellow Queenslander Adam Scott into a one-shot lead in the teams event lead at Royal Melbourne.

Day, 26, desperate for his maiden win on home soil as a professional, said it had been an "incredibly moving" moment to see Dening, whose own mother was among those lost in Typhoon Haiyan.

"It was only brief, but special … so good to see her," he said.

"She makes a special chicken. It's salty. We call it salty chicken. It's pretty much a heart attack in a box.

"If I don't show up for the round, you know where I am," he joked.

Day hasn't been a prolific winner and it frustrates him no end.

But what he has done repeatedly throughout his young career is perform well on tough courses and the big stage.

Jason Day plays his second shot at the 15th hole. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

And it won't get much bigger for Day in Australia than on Royal Melbourne today.

The world No. 16 has a happy knack of playing well in tough conditions and famous courses set up to test the world's best.

"I just like playing difficult golf courses," he said.

"Easier (ones) I feel like it's more of a `putt-athon' and anyone can get around an easy golf course.

"That's why I find I play better at difficult golf courses because you really have to grind it out."

And that's exactly what has taken Day to the top this week, on the verge of what would be just his third professional win despite an incredible six top-10 finishes in the past 13 major championships.

Jason Day knows it won't get much bigger in Australia for him than on Royal Melbourne today. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"I feel like I should be winning every week and when you hold that expectation up, you sometimes try a little bit too hard," said Day, who has just four bogeys despite incredibly trying conditions that have left just 16 players under par.

"That just plays you out of golf tournaments … so I have learnt to come in neutral - not really think about winning, or who is coming from behind … just gather all the information that I can possibly gather on every single shot and commit to it.

"But to win my first (tournament in Australia) would be amazing.

"To be at Royal Melbourne with the calibre of player here this week, how tough the course has been and in such a big, big tournament … I would definitely welcome it with open arms."

Jason Day and Ricardo Santos line up their putts on the fifth yesterday. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Day cashed in early in his third round with two opening birdies, then tamed the back nine with the wind up to come home in 33 and sail past overnight leader Thomas Bjorn, who could only muster an even-par 71.

The Queenslander's only blemish came on the short par-three fifth when he blocked his tee shot right and scrambled a bogey.

"Other than that I hit the ball wonderful today and stayed very patient with the greens."

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LIVE: RLWC semi finals blog

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JOIN our live chat as we blog the rugby league World Cup semi finals between New Zealand v England and Australia v Fiji.

Coverage kicks off with Cup holders, the Kiwi's facing the tournament hosts followed by the Kangaroos facing the Fijian's.

Log into the blog below to comment on the game, follow the action and share your thoughts on all the semi finals action.

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Aussies target joker in the pack

A 1-0 Ashes lead is within sight after Australia declared at 7-401 on day three at the Gabba.

IT's always a significant victory for a sporting team if they can take down the joker in the rival pack.

Graeme Swann is not simply regarded as England's premier spinner but a quirky extrovert whose humour and banter provides the dressing room fizz.

Every successful team tends to have one of them - the zany mood-lighteners - and it is always a blow for the dressing room if their smile turns upside down.

Swann, who took 2-135 in the second innings yesterday to go with his wicketless first innings display, faces a major challenge to keep his mojo in tact this summer.

His work at the Gabba lacked snap and crackle.

Part-timer Joe Root looked at least as likely to take a wicket yesterday and Nathan Lyon has put more energy on the ball than both of them. Australia promised to attack Swann and so they did.

Swann, who turns 35 in March, will not want for work when his cricket days are done.

Already there is talk that a television broadcaster has approached him with a view to him becoming a commentator, a role for which he looks perfectly suited.

Ryan Harris celebrates the wicket of Michael Carberry. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard) Source: AP

FLASH HARRY

JUST because Australia is set for a landslide first Test win does not mean the national selectors won't earn their keep at their next meeting.

The big question is whether Ryan Harris, who has been predictably good at the Gabba, will be rested for the second Test in Adelaide.

You would love to play Harris in back-to-back Tests in Adelaide and Perth but the selectors would never forgive themselves if the workload pushed Harris to breaking point.

Perth must be the priority for it is where Harris steamrolled England three years ago.

But Adelaide is where Harris was raised and it seems unfair to deny him the chance to play in what would be his final Ashes Test at that venue.

It is the toughest of calls.

Alastair Cook picks himself up after avoiding a run out. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

KEV'S CURSE

They call it the Red Bull run.

Kevin Pietersen is renowned for drinking a can or two of Red Bull before he bats and there is a long time theory that the caffeine hit makes his liable to take a reckless early single known as the Red Bull run.

Pietersen dropped one to the off-side to get off the mark yesterday and almost ran out his captain Alastair Cook who may have been saved by the fact that George Bailey dislodged the bail before the ball arrived and had to whip out the stumps.

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STRAIGHT TALK

THERE is a popular theory in modern sport that you don't have to play at the highest level to coach there.

And of course it's true. But there are times when the voice of a big time career can be just what a team needs.

One of the reasons Australia recalled Craig McDermott as its bowling coach is that his 291-wicket Test career enables him to talk to his bowlers in a firm, no-nonsense way that might not come naturally to coaches who have not played at the highest level. His second day lunch time serve to the bowlers, which put them on course a second session rampage, was an example of a timely piece of pulpit-pounding never goes astray.

BY GEORGE ...

George Bailey the Test player remains the riddle that is yet to be answered.

Bailey's dismissal, bowled by a seemingly innocuous Swann ball which beat his outside edge, may not have been pretty viewing yet there were other parts of his innings 34 yesterday that showed he may have an X Factor worth persisting with.

Given that he scored just three on debut in the first innings, you would have thought he might have been cautious yesterday but he became one of that rare breed of Test players to hit a career six before he hit a four when he dispatched a rank Joe Root full toss over the deep mid-wicket.

Then he followed up with another next over off Swann to have two sixes in his first 17 runs.

Bailey has come into the team at a good time. A likely first Test win should guarantee minimal short term pressure and allow him to settle down.

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'Green Day' doesn't rock organisers

Jason Day reacts after missing a birdie putt on the 12th hole. Picture: Getty Images Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

AUSTRALIAN Jason Day's suggestion that Royal Melbourne's greens were bordering on unfair drew stout defence yesterday.

World Cup official Andrew Langford-Jones reassured that the putting surfaces would not be any quicker for the weekend's rounds.

"What's fair and what's unfair? Downwind it is a real good test of golf. You need to perhaps bounce it in (to the greens),'' Langford-Jones, the Australasian PGA tour tournaments director, said.

"We're not playing American-style target golf. We're playing what Royal Melbourne is traditionally known for.

"I can assure you they will get no harder and no faster. We'll look at the forecast, see the direction of the wind and hole locations are normally planned around the direction of the wind.

"We don't intend to have a repeat of history that has happened in previous Australian Opens.''

Officials here keep a close watch, particularly after the 2002 Australian Open first round at neighbouring Victoria golf club had to be abandoned when the greens became unplayable.

Day was concerned when playing partner Graeme McDowell couldn't stop the ball on the ninth green with the approach shot.

Jason Day misses another birdie putt on the 13th hole. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"G-Mac landed his just on the green and it bounced and rolled 30 paces. He was coming in with a short iron, so that is a little unfair, to have the ball bounce just where you would land it perfect just on the front of the green and it bounces 30 paces over the back,'' Day said.

"But other than that, I know they watered the greens last night and some were just a little inconsistent, but the course is in great shape. You kind of have to guess on holes how far it is really going to bounce.''

Melbourne-based Langford-Jones said no player had complained to him over any aspect of the Composite course.

"I'm surprised by comments that the course is on the brink. I haven't had that from any other players,'' he said.

"It's hard, it's fast, the old lady is exactly where we would want it to be. It's a great test of golf and I think the scores are proving that.

"We look forward to an exciting weekend. We don't tend to soften it up or do anything else. It's a test of golf and I think most of the players are enjoying that challenge. There's always the option of turning the sprinklers on, but we don't want to do that.

"We want Royal Melbourne to play exactly how everyone expects it to play and that's hard and fast and bouncy. Good shots are stopping and good putts are going in.

"They are quick. We don't like to compare, but they're certainly no quicker than Augusta (National), maybe about the same. I think it's probably exactly how Royal Melbourne should be played.''

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Dane Bjorn to maintain composure

Thomas Bjorn watches the flight of his ball as he posted a three-under 68 on the second day. Picture: AFP Source: WILLIAM WEST / AFP

PATIENCE is the virtue that wily Dane Thomas Bjorn will continue to summon to chase World Cup glory over the weekend.

Bjorn maintained composure despite dropping shots on Royal Melbourne opening and closing holes for a three-under 68.

He's at eight-under, one shot ahead of American Kevin Streelman (69), with Australian Jason Day (70) and Portugal's Ricardo Santos (69) three shots further back.

"If you stay patient, you don't need to do a lot to stay up near the lead. I never got ahead of myself,'' the 42-year-old Dane said.

"I wasn't thinking what score I was shooting. I just wanted to stay focused because on this golf course a lot of people are going to find it difficult.

"If you get aggressive, it becomes really, really difficult. That's why it's important to get a good start. If you're behind and chasing flags, it can be tough.''

A winner of 20 tournaments around the world, Bjorn is revelling in the links-style demands of bump and run shots into the quickening putting surfaces.

"Open golf suits my eye, it's on feel. I just love a good challenge. I patiently worked my way into the round and the back nine I played awesome,'' he said.

"When you step on these courses, you've got to be in awe of them. The set up out there was fantastic.''

Thomas Bjorn shields his eyes from the sun as he focuses on the distance to the pin. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

Streelman threatened to blow away the rest of the field when the joint overnight leader grabbed birdies at each of the first four holes in a sensational start.

But, like most of the 60 competitors, he struck trouble, dropping shots at the eighth and ninth.

"I did what you're supposed to on the first four holes,'' Streelman said.

On the mid-round mishaps, the American said: "I just hit it to the wrong part of the golf course on eight and nine and Royal Melbourne will bite you if you do that.

"I wind kind of died halfway through the round. The greens are really moving and I don't see them getting any slower this weekend, so it's going to be a good battle.''

Santos is the mysterious contender to Australian fans who's loving the weather that's similar to his home in Portugal.

And he's relying on his deft touch around the greens to set himself up to challenge over the weekend.

" I think definitely the short game. Around the winds it's really important in this course,'' he said.

"You want to keep the ball in play and not be aggressive to the pins. You've just got to be careful with it and, if you're in position, then you can enjoy it.''

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She loves me, she loves me not

Graeme McDowell: "I love Melbourne and I love the golf course, but I'm not myself because I'm very frustrated and angry because of what the set-up does to you." Picture: Getty Images Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

HE spoke with a surreal combination of someone in complete love, but who'd just been beaten around the head mercilessly for five hours.

Graeme McDowell loves Royal Melbourne, in fact the entire Sandbelt. It's not going too far to say it's becoming a fascination.

So much so that after an extraordinary 36 holes including 11 birdies, eight bogeys, three double-bogeys and an eagle, the world No. 12 said he had considered moving here to practise before next year's British Open.

The Northern Irishman said after his anything but even round of even-par 71 left him at one over and still in the mix that he's as "frustrated as hell".

"(Playing partner) Jonas Blixt just told me there's a punch bag back at the hotel - we're going to meet there this evening and beat the s--- out of it," he joked.

"Don't mistake my negativity for whining and moaning about the conditions ... I genuinely love this course.

"The firmness of this course … is a great challenge and one that I think is a lost art among tour players.

Graeme McDowell throws his club back to his caddy on the 10th fairway as he comes to terms with the Royal Melbourne layout. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

"You get one shot a year at the British Open. At one point I was thinking I need to come and spend two months down here and learn how to play this type of golf again because to win the Open, this is what you've got to master.

"This is what Muirfield was like (in July)."

Just as in his roller-coaster opening round, fan favourite McDowell looked set to tear the course apart several times with a string of early birdies yesterday.

But when he hit a bad shot and slammed his club into the deck or muttered to his caddie, you could see the normally unflappable US Open champ wasn't at ease with the world.

"It's driving me insane, quietly," he said with a wry grin.

"I love Melbourne and I love the golf course, but I'm not myself because I'm very frustrated and angry because of what the set-up does to you.

"It's major-esque because you need to control your emotions to have a chance to score around here.

"I'm not completely in control of my golf ball and I'm not scoring well around the greens which is doubly annoying so these last two days are a case of what could have been.

"I've thrown three doubles at it … and I'm making uncharacteristic errors driven largely because I'm not controlling my emotions well enough out there because you feel like you should do better.

Graeme McDowell hits out of the rough on the eighth hole. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

"But then you look at the scoreboard and it's beating everyone up - it's tough, a great challenge."

The most perplexing of the challenges to baffle McDowell yesterday was his 155m approach to the 10th hole that he simply couldn't believe trickled into the back bunker from where he couldn't salvage par despite a great trap shot.

"I'm going in there with a little cut 8-iron and allowing for 20 yards release and it goes over the back - it drives you insane - they're real British Open style greens.

"It's such a great course from the point of view that it begs you to take it on, then the second you do, it completely embarrasses you.

"I'm just making too many bogeys for this level of golf.

"But at +1, I just need to post two good rounds and … I could get back into top five or 10.

"Because I've made so many birdies and so many great strides forward, it's driving me insane to throw as many (shots) back to the course as I have.

"It's a lost art to score around these greens, even on someone like myself who grew up on links courses.

"I don't get a chance to experience this firmness and speed and brutality around the greens. It's brilliant. I just need to embrace the challenge a bit more this weekend."

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Slick Roar power past Wanderers

Ivan Franjic celebrates his goal against Wanderers with Roar teammates. Photo by Matt Roberts Source: Matt Roberts / Getty Images

BRISBANE Roar have condemned Western Sydney to their first loss of the season and in the process knocked the Wanderers off the top of the A-League ladder.

Having not tasted defeat since last season's grand final, the Wanderers were beaten 3-1 by the Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Shocked by an early onslaught that had the hosts 2-0 up after just 19 minutes, the Wanderers failed in their bid to get something from the contest despite dominating for most of the second half.

It was first time the Western Sydney had failed to beat the Roar since joining the competition last year, with the Wanderers having won the previous four matches between the teams.

But Brisbane, inspired by the fit-again Besart Berisha and returning Socceroo Ivan Franjic, weren't to be denied, with substitute Kwame Yeboah sealing the win for the new competition leaders with a powerful stoppage-time strike.

Earlier, the hosts had taken the lead after just five minutes through star striker Berisha, who was playing in his first game since injuring his hamstring in Brisbane's 4-0 thrashing of Sydney FC on October 19.

The Albanian international charged past Wanderers midfielder Mateo Poljak before nut-megging visiting Western Sydney skipper Nikolai Topor-Stanley.

Berisha then let fly with a shot that rebounded off Matthew Spiranovic, who was again preferred to Michael Beauchamp as Topor-Stanley's central defensive partner.

But not to be denied, the A-League's most prolific striker was first to the loose ball and smashed it home past Wanderers goalkeeper Ante Covic.

It was Berisha's 37th goal in just 59 A-League appearances. It was also the first time the Wanderers had conceded a goal in the opening 20 minutes of a match since joining the competition last year.

MATCH CENTRE: ROAR v WANDERERS

The Roar weren't finished and they doubled their lead in the 19th minute through Franjic.

Playing in his 100th A-League match, an unmarked Franjic pounced on the ball before unleashing with a 20-metre strike that was too good for Covic.

It was the continuation of a huge week for Franjic, who edged closer to a spot in Australia's 2014 World Cup squad with an excellent performance in the Socceroos' 1-0 win over Costa Rica on Tuesday night.

Perhaps thinking their job was done, the Roar noticeably took their foot off the pedal and were made to pay in the 28th minute.

Trying to play out from the back, Brisbane defender Jade North passed the ball straight to Wanderers striker Mark Bridge.

One pass later, the ball was at the feet of Brendon Santalab, who dinked the ball over advancing Roar goalkeeper Michael Theo to score his first goal for the Wanderers.

Suddenly it was game on and despite losing star import Shinji Ono to injury in the 42nd minute, the Wanderers finished the half much stronger.

The Roar needed Theo to keep them in the lead on the stroke of half-time after Shannon Cole got the better of young Brisbane fullback Corey Brown.

The Wanderers continued to dominate after the break and were unlucky not to take equalise in the 67th minute when substitute Labinot Haliti hit the woodwork with a header from an Aaron Mooy cross.

Cole was first to the rebound for the Wanderers, but his attempted bicycle kick went wide of the post.

BRISBANE ROAR 3 (Besart Berisha 5m, Ivan Franjic 19m, Kwame Yeboah 90+1m) bt WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS 1 (Brendon Santalab 28m) at Suncorp Stadium. Crowd: 19,066. Referee: Strebre Delovski.

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From Socceroo to Buffering zone

Former Socceroos captain Craig Moore celebrates with Tim Cahill after scoring against Croatia in the 2006 World Cup. Source: AP

FORMER Socceroo Craig Moore was playing with former Scottish Premier League giants Rangers when he bought his first horse.

Moore became good mates with teammate and striker Billy Dodds, and together they invested in a French jumper named Lampion Du Bost.

CHECK OUT OUR GALLERY OF SPORTING STAR OWNERS

Lampion Du Bost went on to win a feature race at Aintree, paying the juicy odds of 66/1.

Now Moore has struck it lucky again, this time as a part-owner of super sprinter Buffering who shoots for three successive Group 1s in Saturday's Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.

Former Socceroos captain Craig Moore with his Group 1-winning gelding Buffering. Picture: Nathan Richter Source: News Corp Australia

Moore just happens to be one part of a long list of sportsmen who have invested in racehorses.

For starters, Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah and teammate Chris Lawrence watched Koroibete get the cash in the last at Rosehill last weekend. Although Farah was over in England for the rugby league World Cup at the time.

St George Illawarra coach Steve Price watched Salon Soldier triumph at Flemington straight after the Melbourne Cup.

Test batsman Steve Smith is racing Bold Leo with Les Bridge, and recently took a share in a half-brother colt to Cauthen, to be trained by Chris Waller.

No Bad Blood's part owner and Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin takes on England in the first Ashes Test at Brisbanee. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Mark Waugh convinced former teammate and Test skipper Ricky Ponting to invest in Forget. He also coaxed Test keeper Brad Haddin and left-arm quick Doug Bollinger to get on board with different horses.

And Carlton recruit Dale Thomas and former Collingwood teammate Dane Swan have started their own syndication company, Blue Moon Syndications. Thomas races Onya Keithy and Beau Dazzle, his uncle owned Adelaide Cup winner Demerger, while his aspiration is to win the his hometown "Druin Cup''.

So what is it with blokes who play elite sport getting involved with thoroughbreds?

For Moore, it was the chance to socialise with teammates once they stopped playing.

AFL stars Dale Thomas and Dane Swan meet trainer Mick Price and Samaready. Photo: Jake Nowakowski Source: News Corp Australia

"My first horse in Australia was a horse called Humma, who I was in with Zeljko Kalac and Scott Chipperfield,'' Moore said.

"We thought it was a good way as soccer players, when your career finishes, you lose contact with players you spent so many years with, but this way we could remain in touch and maintain friendships,'' Moore said.

"Humma moved from Sydney to Rob Heathcote in Brisbane, and the change of weather and environment helped and he won some decent races. He won a Toowooba Cup, and he won a Chairman's Handicap, and that allowed us to get involved with Buffering.''

Moore was never a fan of the nags when growing up.

Wests Tigers captain and Koroibete part owner Robbie Farah. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

"I remember Wild World Of Sports on the weekend, and the moment horse racing came on TV, I'd change the channel,'' Moore said.

"But when I was at Rangers I met Billy Dodds and we bought the French jumper Lampion Du Bost. "Then when I was at (English Premier League powerhouse) Newcastle, I got involved with a couple of horses who didn't do anything with Michael Owen, Nicky Butt and Scotty Parker.

"It's just about getting a group of people together and enjoying the journey. If you've got a nice horse, then all the better.''

Moore has a pre-booked family holiday to Port Douglas and been forced to ditch any last-minute trip to Perth to watch 'The Buff'. He's already inquired about the nearest Sky Channel.

His daughter Chloe, 11, learned a few new words when listening to Moore urge Buffering home in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes two starts back.

"I was encouraging 'Browny' (jockey Damian Browne) in the nicest possible way to kick him home,'' Moore said.

Former Socceroos Craig Moore (right) and Zeljko Kalac with Buffering. Picture: Peter Bull Source: News Corp Australia

SPORTS STARS AND TURF HEROES

Former Socceroo Craig Moore: Buffering

Wests Tigers duo Robbie Farah and Chris Lawrence: Koroibete

Former Test batsman Mark Waugh and skipper Ricky Ponting: Forget

Test keeper Brad Haddin: No Bad Blood

Test all-rounder Steve Smith: Bold Leo

AFL legend Greg 'Diesel' Williams and former Carlton hero Fraser Brown: Hvasstan

AFL legend Leigh Matthews: Sizzling

League greats Laurie Daley, Ricky Stuart and Darryl Brohman: Emmalene

Carlton recruit Dale Thomas: Beau Dazzle, Onya Keithy

NRL Dragons coach Steve Price: Salon Soldier

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'It was neck and neck': Dogs

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney with new recruit Marcus Bontempelli. Picture: Getty Images Source: Matt Roberts / Getty Images

THE WESTERN Bulldogs believe they will be vindicated in overlooking dual SANFL premiership midfielder James Aish to instead select this year's draft bolter.

After rejuvenating their midfield with tough ball-winners, they last night secured the silk in the no.4 pick Marcus Bontempelli.

He only roared into top-five calculations in the last six weeks of the year, with SANFL star Aish a top-three prospect for the last three years.

But the Dogs say the graceful 193cm Northern Knights midfielder Bontempelli is also a star at winning his own inside ball.

EVERY PLAYER PICKED - DRAFT TRACKER

One Melbourne recruiter rated Bontompelli the best player in the draft, with Dogs head recruiter Simon Dalrymple confident Bontempelli is worth the risk.

"James will be a terrific player. The decision was very much neck and neck, but we just felt in the end Marcus was going to be a bit more difficult to play against in the midfield. Part of that is winning your own ball and it's not that James won't do that, but Marcus is bigger and has some unique capabilities," Dalrymple said.

"Gold Coast and GWS have some really good midfielders, but we think we are getting a very good base. They are all very good at winning their own ball and we know the coach (Brendan McCartney) really values that. It is important to winning finals."

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While the Dogs believe Bontempelli can play Round 1 if he puts on weight over the pre-season, they have secured a ready-made defender in Norwood defender Matthew Fuller (pick 42).

The 23-year-old left-footer kicked a 55-metre bomb in the SANFL Grand Final that set recruiters hearts' racing, and at 180cm and 84kg can play on the half-back line alongside Michael Talia and Easton Wood.

They rounded out a trio of picks with Mitch Honeychurch (no. 60), the lightweight Eastern Ranges midfielder weighing just 67kg.

The Western Bulldogs enjoyed a productive night at the draft. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

But while he is a slip of a kid, the 177cm on-baller averaged two goals a game in the TAC Cup and was an All-Australian.

Bontempelli has drawn comparisons with Scott Pendlebury given his long reach and unique style, but was more intent last night on paying tribute to coach McCartney than considering his Round 1 aspirations.

"I am just really happy to be at the Dogs. The team is really up-and-coming and the coach is a really great person and a great leader and a great teacher. He has been unbelievable with the way he has communicated with me. That is something he does really well, connects with his boys and I have heard that from coaches and recruiters and now to be playing under him is such a boost for me.

HAWKS GIVE GARLETT CLEAN SLATE

"It's so exciting. I have worked so hard to get to this level this year, and I am so happy to be at the Dogs. The focus is earning the respect of your teammates and trying to show at training you deserve the opportunity. That's what I will be doing in the next five weeks and then if games come I will be pretty happy."

Bontempelli averaged 14 disposals and 67 SuperCoach points for Vic Metro this year before storming into top-five calculations with a brilliant finish to the season.

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