Pom pom war as more cheergirls axed

Canberra Raiders Cheerleaders - The Raiderettes. Source: Supplied

A DAY after Canterbury demoted their cheerleaders, the Canberra Raiders are poised to sack their cheer squad altogether.

In an historic move, Raiders chief executive Don Furner told The Daily Telegraph that his club was "reviewing the club's game-day entertainment.''

"We have always had them but research among our fans indicates it might be time for a change,'' Furner said. "It's not definite but we are reviewing our game day entertainment.''

Furner denied the move was based around any female exploitation.

"There are a couple of reasons,'' he said. "One, it is quite cold and a big ask for the woman, particularly during night games. And, two, cost. This decision has nothing to do with the Bulldogs.''

Canberra's stance comes as Canterbury's cheerleaders had a simple message for Bulldogs management: Just let us dance.

Support for The Belles was growing yesterday after the club abandoned their pre-game and half-time routines to focus on off-field work as Bulldogs ambassadors.

Bulldogs cheerleaders at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

An online petition calling for the cheerleaders' reinstatement to the sidelines has attracted nearly 550 signatures over the past three days.

The cheerleaders were reluctant to talk with The Daily Telegraph yesterday for fears of being chastised by Canterbury management.

One did say though: "We are happy to do what the club wants and even change our uniforms. "But all we want to do is dance on the sidelines before the match and at half-time.''

Petition founder Rachel Lawson, who was in contact with the women throughout yesterday, had a message for Canterbury CEO Raelene Castle.

Canterbury cheerleader Caterina. Source: Supplied

"They are professional dancers who practice six days a week - they just want to dance on the sidelines,'' Lawson said.

"They have been part of the club since day one. On game day they arrive at the ground a couple of hours early to practice. They are there before the players.

"This is a family club and lot of them have been here for six, seven, eight years. It just wouldn't be a home game without them.

"They're not just cheerleaders. They are great with kids, have photos taken, sign autographs and do charity work with Camp Quality and the Children's Hospital.''

Canterbury's cheerleaders will now be managed internally in an "ambassadorial role.'' They will have new contemporary outfits, which are yet to be made.

The online Twitter petition, called Save The Belles, stated: "We ask that you reconsider your decision and welcome our Belles back to the sidelines in 2014.

"Please restore our pride. Embrace our excellence. Save our tradition. All Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players, staff, cheerleaders and fans are one family.''

A Bulldogs cheerleader at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

Castle and Lawson are due to meet today to discuss the drama. Reaction online was mixed.

One blogger wrote: "Put a woman in charge (Castle) and there is almost always change for the better.''

Another disagreed, saying: "Great to see Castle hitting the big issues.''

Other clubs contacted by The Daily Telegraph had no plans to end cheerleading.

"We had auditions on the weekend,'' said Sharks CEO Steve Noyce.

Wests Tigers CEO Grant Mayer added: "We believe our cheer squad should have a greater role on game day including on-field entertainment, corporate engagement and fan engagement.''

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England ruined by giants' failure

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ENGLAND'S plans to take down Australia with giant fast bowlers lie in ruins.

Chris Tremlett, Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin were all included to attack Australia, and particularly captain Michael Clarke, with short bowling on hard Australian pitches.

However, at most only one of the trio is likely to play in Perth on one of the most fast bowler friendly pitches in the world, where Australia has an outstanding record and is strongly favoured to regain the Ashes.

England felt that the best way to unsettle Clarke was with short bowling and that worked on the opening day of the series in Brisbane when he fended a Stuart Broad bouncer to short leg for just one.

But Clarke has since smashed two centuries as Australia has crushed England in both Tests with Mitchell Johnson the thunderbolt who has destroyed the tourists.

Chris Tremlett prepares to bowl at the Gabba. Source: Getty Images

Tremlett played in the first Test at the Gabba and claimed four wickets for the match but his bowling was generally modest and lacked venom.

He looked a very different bowler to the one who was included for the Perth Test three years ago and claimed eight wickets.

There were times in Brisbane when Tremlett's pace dropped below 130kph, a worrying marker that England's backroom strategists know only too well.

Their detailed research has found that a fast bowler's ability take wickets at Test level reduces once their pace falls below 135kph and plunges below 130kph.

Contrast that with Australia, where Johnson is bowling around 150kph and Ryan Harris 140kph.

Tremlett is now 32 and has played just 12 Tests in a career marred by injury. Brisbane was his first Test in almost two years.

England's struggling paceman Steven Finn. Source: AFP

Most worrying for England is the continuing struggles of Finn, their fastest bowler.

Aged just 24 he has already taken 90 wickets at 29 with a strike rate of just 48 balls per wicket, which is better than any of the modern day greats.

However, he concedes almost four runs an over and currently his rhythm and run-up are a mess.

His bowling in tour matches since England arrived in late October has been dreadful, with his length too consistently short.

Rankin, 29, is raw at international level given he has spent most of his career playing for Ireland and has also bowled too short in tour matches.

While Australia has named an unchanged squad for a third successive Test England have a multitude of concerns.

Playing two spinners in Adelaide was a bold move which may have paid dividends if England had not dropped vital catches on the opening day.

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But there is every chance that neither Graeme Swann nor Monty Panesar will play in Perth given the poor record spinners have at the ground.

Tim Bresnan, who has recovered from a back injury, appears a logical inclusion to bowl into the prevailing Fremantle Doctor.

Then comes the hard decisions. All-rounder Ben Stokes, 22, appears to have the makings of a solid cricketer and bowled with good pace but does not look a number six batsman.

Does he in stay in the side as one of four fast bowlers alongside Jimmy Anderson, Broad and Tremlett while Gary Ballance comes in at six to make his debut?

England have more questions than answers.

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Mini's perfect Christmas present

Anthony Minichiello celebrates grand final victory. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

VETERAN fullback Anthony Minichiello's new one-year deal with the Sydney Roosters should be completed within days.

It will be a welcome Christmas gift for the Roosters legend.

Salary cap debate and Minichiello's World Cup campaign with Italy delayed the process longer than both parties had wanted.

Minichiello will likely retire after the 2014 season, where his Roosters will attempt to win successive NRL premierships.

There will be times during next season when winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck plays fullback, with Minichiello onto the wing.

Minichiello will still retain the captaincy. He could become the first winger to captain an NRL side since Warren Boland with Western Suburbs back in 1980.

Anthony Minichiello celebrates grand final victory. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited

Tuivasa-Sheck is recovering from a broken leg sustained in the World Cup when representing New Zealand.

Minichiello, 33, has played 275 games over 14 seasons at Bondi. An injury-free season could see him pass the 300-game milestone.

Asked recently if he was concerned about the delay in contract negotiations, Minichiello said: "I'm cool with it. I have a great relationship with the Roosters and I know it's being worked out, but it has to go through the right avenues and processes.''

The Roosters will start to shift through captaincy candidates for 2015. The early contenders are Mitchell Pearce, Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend.

Friend has impressed senior Roosters officials in the past two years.

Minichiello's wife, Terry Biviano, gave birth to their first baby, a healthy baby girl, earlier this month.

Mitchell Pearce and Anthony Minichiello celebrate grand final victory. Source: News Limited

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Broncos perfect for Fergo: Mundine

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THE Broncos would make a great home for wayward star Blake Ferguson because a professional club like Brisbane could turn him into the world's best rugby league player, according to his close friend Anthony Mundine.

Ferguson is set to spend a week in Brisbane next month as he prepares for his second professional boxing fight, on the undercard of Anthony Mundine's next bout set for January 29 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Ferguson will be in a Sydney court today to defend a charge of indecent assault, but Mundine said the New South Wales State of Origin winger had turned the corner and now needed a strong club culture like the Broncos to ensure he realised his potential.

Mundine, who alongside Khoder Nasser acts as Ferguson's manager, would not comment on whether the Broncos had sounded out the game-breaking back.

Anthony Mundine promotes his next fight, to take place at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: News Limited

Strike centre Justin Hodges will miss the opening third of the season and Ferguson would be an outstanding replacement who could shift to the wing when Hodges regained fitness.

The Broncos did not want to discuss Ferguson but it is unlikely they would be willing to meet his asking price.

It is understood several NRL clubs are waiting for the results of today's court hearing and the findings from an independent NRL investigation.

If Ferguson is found guilty, the NRL could stand him down for the opening weeks of next year's season.

Mundine, who won the Super League premiership with the Broncos in 1997, said Red Hill would ensure Ferguson kept on the straight and narrow.

Blake Ferguson hit hard on his boxing debut. Source: Getty Images

"We have touched base with a few clubs. I can't discuss the Broncos (showing interest) but that club would be great for him," Mundine said.

"They are a strong club with a strong culture. They treated me well.

"Sydney is where his family is but we won't rule out other options.

"He has his court case this week so we will see how things pan out.

"The world is his oyster. With his talent, he could be the best player in the world.

"His life is on track now. He's not hanging out at pubs and making the wrong choices."

Blake Ferguson, left, on his boxing debut. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Limited

Ferguson's breaches of the Canberra Raiders' code of conduct, including failing to attend training sessions, led to his sacking from the club last September.

However, it is understood Ferguson, like Josh Dugan before him, felt the Raiders' club culture was poor and wanted out.

Ferguson then turned to boxing and lost his debut bout against fellow first-timer Luke Turner in Sydney late last month.

The loss did not deter Ferguson and it is understood a rematch with Turner is being negotiated for the Brisbane Entertainment Centre card next month.

"He hates losing. You beat him in a game of marbles and he we will want to play you again all night," Mundine said.

"He wants to get back in there so we will see what happens."

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Why England can (and can't) win Ashes

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ARE the Ashes about to change hands? Chief cricket writer Malcolm Conn previews the Perth Test with his counterpart from The Sun, John Etheridge.

John Etheridge: I guess I should be wearing my bulletproof vest today. I haven't got a lot of ammunition to call upon after defeats of 381- and 218-runs in Brisbane and Adelaide. Still, England believe they are a chance of bouncing back in the series. And I agree with them.

Malcolm Conn: It must be difficult watching the Poms getting flogged across the country. But at least there's plenty for you to write about. It seems like there's a question mark hanging over nearly every player in the England squad at the moment. Whether it's Kevin Pietersen's desire, Alastair Cook's captaincy or the roles of inexperienced batsmen, there's plenty of talking points around the top- and middle-orders. And the attack's not much better. What does England do now? Call in Chris Tremlett, who bowled like a teddy bear at the Gabba? If England had caught properly, they might have made more of a game of it in Adelaide.

JE: That's a good point. Those three dropped catches cost England 286 runs in Adelaide. It's reasonable to think that if they'd held those they might have dismissed Australia for under 300 in the first innings and put themselves right in the game. There's no doubt the fielding has to improve. Another thing to note is that despite all this talk about Mitchell Johnson, the vast majority of his wickets have been in the middle order and the tail. With the exception of Alastair Cook, that's where his wickets came from. That would suggest that Johnson's impact on the series could be waning and the tide finally turning.

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MC: England's tail seems to start at No. 6. Ben Stokes looks a decent cricketer, but I don't think he's a genuine No. 6. Matt Prior has been horribly out of form. Sure, he slogged a few in the second innings at Adelaide but he hasn't made any runs when it's mattered. There's no doubt that Johnson's short-pitched deliveries have troubled England's batsmen. As Corporal Jones said in Dad's Army, 'They don't like it up 'em!' England have played the hook shot poorly. If they want to try that at the WACA with two men on the fence, good luck to them.

JE: There are a few nuggets of positivity around for England. Joe Root's 87 in the second innings showed plenty of character in difficult circumstances. Ian Bell is in good touch, and Kevin Pietersen, Michael Carberry and Alastair Cook have all scored half centuries at various points of the last two Tests. What England need now is for two of those guys to go on and make big hundred in Perth. If they can do that, and England can put together 450-to-500 in the first innings, the series is still alive.

MC: The biggest immediate concern for England - apart from the fact their players aren't very good - is their record in Perth. They have won only once at the WACA Ground and that was against an Australian second XI during the World Series Cricket era. Michael Clarke wasn't even born. Given England's record in Perth, and the form the Australians are in at the moment, I think it's reasonable to assume the Ashes will be changing hands inside a week.

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JE: I don't know if 35-year-old history is relevant to this Test. Perth isn't the fortress that it used to be for the Aussies. Australia have lost three of their last six Tests at Perth. The South Africans have twice turned them over, including a 309-run shellacking last year. Whatever the argument, we know that Perth won't be a draw. England have got to try and win to remain in the series. It's a shoot-out. And to do that, they'll presumably call upon one or more of their giants in Chris Tremlett, Boyd Rankin or Steve Finn.

MC: There was a lot discussed about the giants heading into the series, but they haven't exactly delivered. Some of Tremlett's deliveries were clocked in the 120kph range at the Gabba. And Finn looks like he's spent the tour games perfecting the art of the long-hop. He might have taken 90 Test wickets, but he's conceded runs at four-an-over in two tour games against modest opposition. And Rankin hasn't had much impact on tour either. For Australia's sake, I hope England pick them.

JE: Finn is definitely a work in progress. He's been sorting through some issues with his action. I think we'll see Tim Bresnan come in for Perth along with either Rankin or Tremlett. Bresnan is a very solid performer and Tremlett took eight wickets when he was brought in for the Perth Test three years ago. Whichever way it goes, might I remind you that this is a 10-match series and England is still leading 3-2!

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Eugene's 'Roos hopes rest on Reds

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ADELAIDE United gloveman Eugene Galekovic believes his Reds defence may have a huge say in whether he'll be at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The Reds skipper was in e- boss Pim Verbeek's 2010 Socceroos World Cup 23-man squad in South Africa and won accolades from former Australia coach Holger Osieck before the German was fired in October.

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But Galekovic sitting behind the A-League's leakiest defence (17 goals in nine matches) has caused the two-time goalkeeper of the year concern.

Galekovic's World Cup chances may also take another potential hit if Adelaide bows out of the finals race to make its home-and-away season end on April 11, 64 days before the Socceroos face Chile in its first Group B clash in Cuiaba on June 13.

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"It's going to help (my Socceroos chances) if we make the finals and do well in the finals, " Galekovic said.

Eugene Galekovic's Socceroos hopes will be affected by Adelaide United's defence.

"But we're not going so well so we're going to have to change those results."

"I think the longer you play (the A-League season) those extra games are important."

But his immediate Socceroos World Cup squad competition - Matt Ryan, 21, (Club Brugge, Belgium) and Mitch Langerak, 25, (Borussia Dortmund, Germany) have had an easier life guarding goal for their clubs.

Ryan has copped 14 goals in 18 league matches for his second-placed Belgian club but Langerak has only started one Bundesliga match for the 2013 UEFA Champions League runner up.

The pair were named in new boss Ange Postecoglou's debut squad in a 1-0 win over Costa Rica last month where Ryan featured for the entire clash in Sydney.

Galekovic, 32, said he hasn't yet spoken to Postecoglou since the former Melbourne Victory coach won the Socceroos gig.

But Galekovic was hoping to be part of Postecoglou's plans in a Socceroos friendly in March where the Australians are expected to face South American opposition in Europe.

"I'm not sure (where I stand) I haven't really talked to the coach about that,'' Galekovic said.

"Obviously the next game is in March it's a long time away so the boys are going to have to wait to see who gets picked for that.

"But I think most boys will be doing the same thing play football and trying to play good football and give themselves a chance to play the friendly in March."

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