Ebert’s outside route ends lean road run

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BRAD Ebert entered Saturday's game against Sydney at the SCG aware his form away from home could have been better this season.

In six games at Adelaide Oval Ebert had averaged more than 25 disposals but that dropped to 18 in five road games and the only match he was at his best was against former side West Coast.

His determination to show he can play anywhere was on display against the Swans as he racked up a career high 40 disposals.

Ebert was in the thick of the action all day, playing a huge part in Port's ability to arrest momentum in the first term and then helping his team dominate in the final quarter.

"My role was being aware of Kennedy around stoppages and from that starting point I was able to find some space and get some outside run," Ebert said.

"It was good because I've been quiet for a few away games."

All the numbers suggested Port's midfield stood up in its biggest test of the season.

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The Power had more inside 50s, more disposals and significant advantages in clearances and marks inside 50s.

"I thought it was OK. You're coming up against some quality players," Ebert said.

"I thought we handled it relatively well. We probably just needed to get on the outside a little bit more and get a bit more run from the stoppages."

Kane Cornes was at his restrictive best, keeping Daniel Hannebery — who was hampered by an ankle injury — to 13 disposals.

"Kane is demanding of everyone to help him out and support but when push comes to shove he's right there and not letting them have any space at all," Ebert said.

In the end it was a few sloppy errors which proved the difference in the four point defeat.

"Look at the turnovers ... What was it 8.10 from turnovers? That's the big one," Ebert said.

"Against these top sides you see as soon as you make an error — even if it's just a ball in front of a player on the ground — they've got the ability to react quick enough to chop it off and make you hurt the other way."

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Crows on pathway to September

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FREMANTLE captain Matthew Pavlich has signalled the prospect of Adelaide making a late charge on the AFL premiership by noting the Crows have enough stars to "drag" the club to September.

But as Adelaide prepares to replace Gold Coast in eighth spot, Crows coach Brenton Sanderson does not want to rely solely on his high-profile players — and warns Adelaide cannot afford such a theme to develop at West Lakes.

Adelaide once again squared its win-loss count (now 6-6) with a promising 36-point win against North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night when Sanderson demanded his players keep challenging each other.

And the third-year coach revealed how much he craves the player-driven team spirit Adelaide needs to be a finals contender rather than a side that, as Pavlich suggested yesterday, can thrive off star talent.

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"My favourite game in my coaching career was the preliminary final loss to Hawthorn," Sanderson said reflecting on his first season in 2012. "In that game we had 22 players who played out of their skins — they could not execute any better.

"Our boys gave everything they possibly had. That is what our fans want to see — win, lose or draw, they want to see the effort they saw (against North Melbourne) consistently.

"Some games we will lose. But if there is the energy, excitement we had against North Melbourne; if there is the passion, the aggression, almost the anger at times, if that is there consistently our fans will be happy."

Adelaide will face a scarred Essendon group — tormented by the ASADA supplement saga — at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night with its own demons to slay. The inconsistent Crows have not won consecutive games since April 27 when they first square their win-loss ledger (3-3).

"We cannot accept this up-and-down, good week, bad week," Sanderson said. "It has to stop. It has to end."

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Adelaide reported no injury on Saturday night when Sanderson delighted in the prospect of adding depth and flexibility to his selection list with the return of utility Ricky Henderson (ankle), forward Tom Lynch (jaw) and young midfielder Brad Crouch (leg) to full training or SANFL action.

Crouch will need to beat a striking report at the SANFL tribunal this week to keep up his claims for AFL selection.

Lynch, whose pre-season was wrecked by a shoulder injury, has played just three games this season.

His year has been on hold since May 3 when Adelaide's controversial loss to Melbourne was marked for Demons midfielder Jack Viney being reported and then cleared for the bump that cracked Lynch's jaw.

He is to end his six-week stint on the sidelines on Sunday when Adelaide's SANFL team plays North Adelaide at Prospect Oval.

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Le Mans: Webber heads to the pits

Mark Webber in his Porsche 919 Hybrid competes during the Le Mans 24 hours race. Picture: AFP Source: JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP

THE cruelty of Le Mans has just been rammed home to Mark Webber.

With less than two hours to the finish of the French endurance classic he is limping to the pits with what could be a terminal problem with his Porsche 919 hybrid.

Webber was engaged in a thrilling battle with the Audi R18 of Andre Lotterer, with the balance swinging backwards and forwards over the past three hours, until his drama.

He could only shake his head as he dribbled back to the Porsche pits.

The balance of power at Le Mans this year has shifted several times, with Toyota leading for most of the first 14 hours before an electrical failure.

Then the number 1 Audi of Tom Kristensen took over and, with more than a lap in hand, seemed destined for a clear run to the flag. But that was before an engine problem restricted it to only 200km/h on the track and meant two visits to the pits for mechanical work.

Webber prepares for the warm-up session in Le Mans, France. Source: Getty Images

For Webber, win or lose, Le Mans has been a success after his two failed attempts with Mercedes-Benz in the 1990s.

"We always said we wanted to get to Sunday morning," Webber said.

"If we could see the sun, it would be an achievement. we've done that, and we're really pleased.

The running order with two-and-a-half hours to race is Bernhard in a Porsche, followed on the same lap by Lotterer in the Audi, then Lucas di Grassi in the second surviving Audi but four laps off the pace, followed by the surviving Toyota TS 040 with Anthony Davidson, a further three laps back.

Watch the entire Le Mans 24 Hours LIVE on SPEED this weekend!

Paul Gover is on Twitter: @paulwardgover

Drivers take the start at the 82nd Le Mans endurance race. Source: AFP

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Thompson blasts selfish Bombers

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ESSENDON coach Mark Thompson last night said the week's ASADA controversy was no excuse for his side's dramatic fade out, accusing his side of playing for themselves.

A furious Thompson gave his players a fearful spray for 45 minutes after their loss to Melbourne made them the first side in history to lose despite 33 more inside-50s.

The Dons lost by a point after at one stage being 33 points up, but he suggested his players were selfish in failing to adhere to his rigid game plan.

It came as Essendon forward David said the players "hate" that outsiders use the ongoing supplements scandal as an excuse for when the team performs poorly.

MATCH: Demons inflict more hurt on Dons

THE TACKLE: Stars prove their worth

SUPERCOACH: Studs and Duds — Round 13

Thompson's mantra has been about predictability, but said the Demons taught his side a lesson in playing to a basic plan.

"I don't think we stuck to the game plan for long enough tonight. If you don't stick to it you have got no chance, because you have got a whole group doing what they want. That's what happened tonight.

"Talk is cheap if you don't get out there on the weekend and just do it. I am not upset we lost, I am upset by the inconsistency, the way we go about games.

"I just said, "Stop doing this', because if you are serious in what we do, just do it properly. Something has to change."

Asked what was said during the meeting Zaharakis said: "Just that we've got to become a stronger club, (get) a stronger culture at the club and have more leaders out on the field."

Zaharakis said a dramatic week at the club should not be used as a reason as to why the team faded out of the match.

"Us as a footy club, when we go out to train and stuff, we don't think about it at all, it's not in our heads," he said.

"We actually hate that people use this as an excuse because us, as footy players, do not use it as an excuse and we want people to know that."

A dramatic prelude to the contest saw 34 of Thompson's players hit with show-cause notices from ASADA, but the senior coach said it was a cop-out to say his players were affected.

"I haven't talked about it. I don't think it should be a factor. We have lived with it for two years, it is just another week at the office, really.

"If you talk about it, people could use it as an excuse, but it's not an excuse in my eyes.

We have lived with this and it was a bit worse than other weeks, but we have been smashed for two years so it's not as if they came out today and couldn't play because of the week they have had. We can't accept that."

Zaharakis is not one of the 34 players issued with show-cause notices last week, but said the players had a no-excuse philosophy.

"That's not just coming from me, it's all the boys," he said. "We spoke about it during the week that we hate that people talk about it. We don't use it as an excuse and we don't want to use it as an excuse.

"We're here to play footy and when we lose it's because we're not playing good footy."

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LIVE: Crows cruising, Giants lead

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WEST Coast has held off a determined Gold Coast in a thriller at Patersons Stadium.

The Eagles held a 35-point lead at three-quarter time but the Suns came storming home with six straight goals to grab the lead.

However, the Eagles wouldn't be denied as Jeremy McGovern popped up with the winning goal.

The Suns peppered the goals but could only manage two behinds as the strived to snatch the win and West Coast were able to hang on.

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

Earlier, Sydney held off a fast-finishing Port Adelaide by four points thanks to a three-goal blitz from boom recruit Lance Franklin.

Port Adelaide trailed by 15 points at three-quarter time but when Chad Wingared kicked the opening game of the final term the Power looked like they might run over the top of Sydney.

Enter Franklin, who dropped three long bombs to give the Swans a sufficient buffer to keep the best final-term side in the competition at bay.

FOLLOW ALL THE LIVE ACTION WITH THE SUPERFOOTY TEAM BELOW …

Port Adelaide had a chance to win the game with 20 seconds on the clock when Jay Schulz narrowed the margin to five points, but Travis Boak's inside 50 from the resulting centre clearance was punched through for a rushed behind.

AFL - West Coast Eagles vs Gold Coast Suns, Patersons Stadium, Perth. Photo by Daniel Wilkins. PICTURED- Retired skipper Darren Glass leads the side out onto the field. Source: News Corp Australia

At the MCG, Fremantle dominated for most of the game and withstood late charge from the Tigers to notch the win.

Tonight, the Adelaide Crows hope to celebrate Brent Reilly's 200th game with a win over North Melbourne.

The Kangaroos however are hoping to cement their place in the top eight with a victory that could all but end Adelaide's finals hopes.

While in Brisbane, the Lions are looking for three wins in a row when they host GWS Giants.

The Lions and Giants have been stuck at the bottom of the ladder all season and both teams are determined to snatch the four points.

Saturday AFL matches:

Richmond v Fremantle at MCG (1.45pm EST)

Sydney v Port Adelaide at SCG (2.10pm EST)

West Coast Eagles v Gold Coast Suns at Subiaco Oval (4.40pm EST)

Brisbane Lions v GWS Giants at Gabba (7.40pm EST)

Adelaide v North Melbourne at Adelaide Oval (7.40pm EST)

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SuperCoach: Weekend winners and losers

Benji Marshall had another unhappy night and hardly bothered the SuperCoach scorers. Source: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

IN an NRL SuperCoach first, we reveal the winners, losers, injuries and key talking points from the weekend NRL round.

Stay glued to this page for the latest NRL SuperCoach developments, plus have your say as the round progresses in the comment section below.

PANTHERS 18 def RABBITOHS 14

PANTHERS WINNERS

Josh Mansour continues to be the SuperCoach points machine he has earned a reputation for notching up an impressive 85 points. His 19 runs produced 213 metres, an offload, a linebreak, seven tackle busts and a try. He was outdone by Dean Whare who crossed for two tries and also had three offloads and four tackle busts as part of his 95 points.

PANTHERS LOSERS

There were contributors all over the park for the Panthers with Matt Moylan scoring only 17 points despite an impressive game generally while Bryce Cartwright had 31 points off the bench.

DRAGONS WINNERS

Jason Nightingale showed his class yet again in a losing team crossing twice and making two linebreaks in earning 88 points. Adam Quinlan tried hard all night and threw the pass of the game for Charly Runciman's try, one of two try assists as he helped himself to 62 points while Runciman chalked up 73.

DRAGONS LOSERS

The Sharks encounter when Benji found his form seemed so long ago in another poor game from the halfback. He finished with just 12 points in an individual performance littered with errors. A Tyson Frizzell injury meant he limped off in the first-half but he still managed one more point than Marshall.

Injuries

Tyson Frizzell: ankle

George Burgess finished the match with 46 SuperCoach points. Source: Getty Images

RABBITOHS 32 d TIGERS 10

RABBITOHS WINNERS: Rising star Alex Johnston racked up a game high 90 points from the wing crossing for two tries. His 10 runs for 124 metres, five tackle busts, one linebreak, one linebreak assist and one try assist contributing to his tally. Sam Burgess was his usual big-hearted self collecting 175 metres from his 22 runs and five tackle breaks. Kyle Tuner also enjoyed his shift to the centres with 85 points including two tries, three tackle busts and two line breaks.

RABBITOHS LOSERS

For those that had him in their team which is not many of you, Joe Picker finished with eight points while Kirisome Auv'a also had little SuperCoach impact from the centres with 23 points all he had to show from his nine runs.

TIGERS WINNERS

Yet again James Tedesco was the star for a low-scoring Tigers outfit, finishing with 65 SuperCoach points and will have many wondering why they didn't trade him in for Greg Inglis. Only one other player cracked 50 and that was Blake Austin (56) from the interchange bench.

TIGERS LOSERS

Braith Anasta's measly four runs for 31 metres and eight tackles was his only contribution and he finished with 13 points. Luke Brooks fared only slightly better with 13 points and only had three runs for 10 metres. Poor old Dene Halatau's return lasted only two tackles before he was stretchered off the ground.

Injuries:

George Burgess – right lower ankle sprain

Joe Picker – concussion

Krisome Auva'a – ankle

Dene Halatau - concussion

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Knights capitulate as Chooks charge home

Kurt Gidley tackled by James Maloney. Picture: Mark Evans Source: Mark Evans / News Corp Australia

THE embattled Newcastle Knights capitulated in the second half as the Roosters charged home to a 29-12 victory at Allianz Stadium.

The Knights took a shock half time lead following tries to veteran Jeremy Smith and young gun Jake Mamo.

But the Roosters clicked into gear after the break, scoring four tries in the final 30 minutes as the Knights lost their way in a maze of errors.

ROOSTERS V KNIGHTS MATCH CENTRE

See how we covered the game live below.

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Panthers make it five on the trot

THE revolution at the foot of the mountains is still a work in progress but there can be no question the NRL's sleeping giant, the Penrith Panthers, are fast developing into genuine premiership contenders.

The Panthers made it five wins in a row against an understrength St George Illawarra outfit, with last season's Red V outcast Jamie Soward once-again contributing strongly to this ever-evolving Penrith side.

Despite the Dragons having a mountain of possession, field position and a far superior completion rate, the Panthers simply found a way to win, like all the good teams do.

The halves combination of Peter Wallace and Soward is developing into one of the most well-balanced and complimentary pairings in the competition.

Brent Kite on the charge for the Panthers. Source: Supplied

In typical poker player fashion, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary was holding his cards tight after the victory, particularly when asked about the Panthers sitting on top of the NRL ladder.

"We've got a lot to do yet. We've got some very hard games coming up. We've got 11 games consecutively after our bye next week, so that's a big tough run. There's much to do," Cleary said.

"But we also feel like we're making progress as well and tonight was another bit of progress. It wasn't all perfect by any stretch, we had some pressure on us and we managed to hold them off."

Despite the closeness of the scoreline and the Dragons pressing for an upset in the final five minutes, the Panthers looked relatively in control for the majority of the match.

Anytime St George Illawarra started to ask harder questions, the Panthers repeatedly found the answers.

The only time the Dragons really had them under any genuine pressure was trailing 12-10 early in the second half, when Penrith's brilliant scrambling defence then turned into long-range attack and winger Josh Mansour completed a 55m movement with a try.

Local junior rookies Matt Moylan and Bryce Cartwright also showed flashes of brilliance in attack and defence, while 298-NRL game prop Brent Kite is like all good red wine, improving with age.

Josh Mansour crossed for the Panthers. Source: Supplied

Dragons captain Ben Creagh was in no doubt Penrith can be the real deal when it comes to September.

"Definitely. They're a quality side. They play disciplined footy, that's what you've got to do if you want to win premierships," Creagh said.

"They don't give away too many penalties and they don't make too many errors either. And they punish teams for giving them away. They're a quality team, they're playing as a team and they're playing for one another. They're a tough footy side."

St George Illawarra coach Paul McGreggor labelled it the Dragons best performance of the season, a big call considering the club has notched five victories.

Benji Marshall had an unhappy game. Source: Supplied

"Sometime you lose but you win. Half our salary cap's at home sitting on the lounge with rep duties and injuries," McGreggor said.

"That's the best game we've played this year and we had a couple of wins earlier in the year."

McGreggor was right. The Dragons were missing Josh Dugan, Trent Merrin, Brett Morris, Dan Hunt, Dylan Farrell and lost Tyson Frizzel for the match inside the opening 20 minutes.

Yet the Red V had a massive dig.

The Panthers showcased it all, too. Short, long, set-piece, off-the-cuff, this team is so well balanced and composed.

A basket case three years ago prior to Phil Gould and then coach Cleary's arrival, the transformation is still a long way from being complete but the uprising to the top of the NRL ladder can no longer be ignored.

PENRITH 18 (D Whare 2 J Mansour tries J Soward 3 goals) bt ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 14 (J Nightingale 2 C Runciman tries G Widdop goal) at Sportingbet Stadium. Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee. Crowd: 13,768.

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LIVE: Hawks on top, Rioli reported

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CYRIL Rioli has been reported for rough conduct after collecting Carlton defender Zach Tuohy with a high bump at the start of the third term.

Rioli collected Tuohy with a glancing blow as the Carlton defender was being tackled by Paul Puopolo and the Carlton players reacted aggressively after the incident.

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

Tuohy bounces up from the clash and continued to play, but Rioli could be in trouble given he left the ground to bump and had the option to tackle.

Hawthorn led by 18 points at halftime, despite 17 touches in the first half from dual Brownlow medallist Chris Judd.

Hawthorn kicked the final three goals of the first term to open a 25-point lead at the first change, but three goals from Levi Casboult ignited the Blues in the second quarter.

Despite his report, Rioli has been the leading man for Hawthorn and has two goals at halftime, while Luke Hodge and Brad Sewell have 14 touches each.

Chris Judd cast aside any doubts over his match fitness in the opening play of the game when he laid a crunching tackle before delivering the ball inside 50 to Mitch Robinson who kicked the opening goal of the game.

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It's been a free-flowing affair and Hawthorn has threatened to blow the game apart at times, but the Blues are looking determined and Casboult has given his midfielders a strong forward option.

Carlton midfielder Dennis Armfield is likely to come under scrutiny from the Match Review Panel for a strike on Grant Birchall midway through the second quarter.

Ben Ross and Nick Graham remain in the green substitute vests.

Carlton

B: S. White, S. Rowe, M. Jamison

HB: A. Walker, C. Yarran, K. Simpson

C: D. Thomas, B. McLean, D. Armfield

HF: S. Docherty, L. Casboult, T. Menzel

F: C. Judd, L. Henderson, B. Gibbs

Foll: R. Warnock, M. Murphy, A. Carrazzo

Inter: Z. Tuohy, J. Waite, M. Robinson, A. Everitt

IN: C. Judd, M. Watson, N. Graham

OUT: J. Garlett, L. Henderson, M. Jamison

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Hawthorn

B: S. Burgoyne, R. Schoenmakers, L. Hodge

HB: M. Suckling, K. Cheney, G. Birchall

C: I. Smith, B. Sewell, B. Hill

HF: P. Puopolo, J. Gunston, C. Rioli

F: L. Breust, J. Roughead, M. Spangher

Foll: J. Ceglar, J. Lewis, L. Shiels

Inter: T. Duryea, A. Litherland, D. Hale, B. Ross

IN: D. Hale, B. Ross, T. O'Brien

OUT: L. Lowden, B. Hartung, J. Gunston

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Ricciardo and Vettel get CGI treatment

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DANIEL Ricciardo and teammate Sebastian Vettel have co-starred in an eye-catching CGI video ahead of the first Austrian Grand Prix in eleven years.

The pair provide viewers with a guided tour of the Red Bull Ring — formerly known as the A1 Ring — which has not hosted a GP since Michael Schumacher's victory in 2003.

The Austrian GP on June 22 will be Ricciardo's first since posting his maiden Formula 1 victory in Montreal.

So impressive was Ricciardo's drive — his third straight podium finish — that former F1 champion Gerhard Berger has tipped the young Australian to win a drivers' championship.

"He hasn't made any mistakes this season," Berger told Planet F1. "This is a new star.

"If the car were to fit right, he could become world champion.

"We know how fast and good Vettel is but Ricciardo is the benchmark at the moment — and that in a very likable manner."

Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo takes the checkered flag as he wins the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix. Source: AFP

Though ecstatic with Ricciardo's victory in Canada, Red Bull officials are acutely aware that much work needs to done to I prove he performance of their cars this season.

"Let's not beat about the bush — Mercedes were the quickest car," Red Bull boss Christian Horner told Autosprt website.

"They ran into their issues, whatever they were, and we have had issues at other points of the season. They were very, very strong.

"We still have a lot to do. We were 12-15 km/h slower compared to a Force India or Williams on the straight, and that is where we need to improve.

"What we have managed to do is keep chipping away.

"We have managed to improve the car, managed to improve the engine and we were there to capitalise on some misfortune for Mercedes.

"But we have to keep pushing and keep closing that gap down because it is still significant."

Red Bull Racing's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo celebrates on the podium. Source: AFP

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