tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43464334660097295872024-02-20T00:58:00.236-08:00Raga SeniAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.comBlogger413125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-91495180373878502522015-04-07T09:57:00.008-07:002015-04-07T09:59:12.252-07:00Depleted Dogs still a big danger<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>REVVED-up Canterbury players have spoken about the siege mentality master coach Des Hasler is set to implement at Belmore in the ugly aftermath to their Good Friday clash.</strong></p> </div> <p>Hasler is renowned for rallying his playing group in a crisis and the five-time grand final coach is ready to bring his depleted side together tighter than ever before for Sunday's clash with in-form St George Illawarra.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>David Klemmer and James Graham confront the referee during the Souths game.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> Getty Images</span></p> </div> <p>In another day of drama on Tuesday following the Bulldogs' controversial loss to South Sydney:</p> <p>* All four Bulldogs players charged — James Graham, David Klemmer, Michael Lichaa (all contrary conduct, dissent) and Sam Kasiano (dangerous contact with the head/neck) took early pleas;</p> <p>* Hasler was forced to name five new players in his side to play St George Illawarra this Sunday at ANZ Stadium; and</p> <p>* Canterbury desperately wanted to contest Graham's contrary conduct charge but reluctantly backed-out on legal advice at the last minute.</p> <p>Hasler, the master at mind games dating back to his Manly days, will come out firing when cornered.</p> <p>"I guess we're down on troops now. It's always the tough times where the tough people come out and Dessy is certainly one of them and he wants his teams to be tough," star centre Josh Morris said.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>"It's about overcoming those challenges and we have one ahead of us for the next month with injuries and suspensions."</p> <p><strong>JUDICIARY: Graham, Klemmer accept charges</strong></p> <p><strong>NRL ROUND SIX EARLY MAIL: Mass changes for Bulldogs</strong></p> <p><strong>INJURY CARNAGE: Full NRL casualty ward after round five</strong></p> <p>Hasler mastered the siege mentality philosophy when coaching Manly, who won premierships in 2008 and 2011.</p> <p>"I can only ever speak for myself from how I know Dessy and it doesn't matter what kind of corner he's backed into or what difficult situation we're facing he's always a fighter. I like to see myself like that as well and I guess that's why all the boys like playing for him," said Sam Perrett, who will replace the injured Brett Morris at fullback.</p> <p>And prop Aiden Tolman added: "Going off what (Des) has done in the past, and previously at Manly as well, when backs were against the wall he always seems to get the most out of his players.</p> <p>"At the end of the day Des can only do so much and it's up to the players to go out there on the weekend and make sure they perform. I've got 100 per cent confidence in the team. Whatever team we name on the weekend is going to do a good job."</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>Brett Morris will miss the Dragons match with a hamstring injury.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> Getty Images</span></p> </div> <p>For his two charges — one of dissent and one for dangerous contact over the charge down-attempt that injured Rabbitohs half-back Adam Reynolds, Graham will be suspended for four matches.</p> <p>Klemmer will miss three games, forward partner Kasiano two games while Lichaa will be available for the Dragons game.</p> <p>With Brett Morris (hamstring) and centre Tim Lafai (knee) out long-term through injury, Tim Browne, Lloyd Perrett, Antonio Kaufusi, Chase Stanley and Corey Thompson come into the 17.</p> <p>Asked did he feel the club was "hard done by", forward Josh Jackson said: "It's hard to say. You look at things and people see them differently but at the end of the day rules are rules.</p> <p>"It'll be hard to play without guys like James and a strange feeling not to play alongside him but I'm sure we still have enough experience in our team with guys like Aiden Tolman and Frank Pritchard — who will step up for us off the bench — so we're not lacking there."</p> <p>Pressed to discuss the 'Bulldogs haters' on social media, Jackson said: "I try to stay away from all the media and social media so by distancing myself from it I think it's the best course of action."</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-67404340996895758252015-04-07T09:57:00.007-07:002015-04-07T09:58:59.996-07:00Big brother Izzy is watching<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="35"> <p><strong>AS LATE as Monday night, superstar code-hopper Israel Folau was texting his younger brother John, letting him know where he could tidy up some areas in his game.</strong></p> </div> <p>The NSW Waratahs fullback had just finished watching John play his third NRL match for Parramatta in their 22-6 defeat against Wests Tigers, and thought he'd flick his little bro some pointers.</p> <p>"He'll usually send me a 'good luck' text before each game, then he'll sum up how I played,'' John told The Daily Telegraph, making it clear he prefers "to be known as John, not Izzy's brother''.</p> <div readability="36"> <p><span>Daily Telegraph — Pictured: John Folau — Parramatta Eels media hour. Photographs taken of two players that journalists talked too. Old Saleyards Reserve, Gladstone Street, Parramatta NSW Australia</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>"He told me there were a few things I needed to work on, but he was proud of me and to keep working hard at training.</p> <p><strong>NEW RECRUIT: Norman doesn't fear Foran's arrival</strong></p> <p>"There were small things like 'effort on effort', just doing back-to-back stuff on the field.</p> <p>"I listen to him, he's been there, he's been through it all, it's just good to learn off him, and I try to make myself a better player.''</p> <p>John Folau has now featured on the wing the past three games for the Eels and last week re-signed with the club for a further two years.</p> <p>Given his famous surname, there was always going to be plenty of interest in the 20-year-old from the outside world.</p> <p>Softly spoken, tall and with similar facial features to his famous 26-year-old brother, John is a lot heavier than Israel, and revealed he was a rampaging backrower up until a few years ago.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>"We're two different people, we have two different playing styles, Izzy is more of a quicker, skilful person, while I like the body contact and the roughness,'' John said.</p> <p>"I actually grew up as a forward, and it was only when I came to Parramatta that I ended up in the outside backs.</p> <p>"I'm on the wing now, but I'd say I've played less than 10 games there.</p> <p>"Every game is a challenge. It's not like junior footy where you have your good teams and your bad teams — every game in the NRL is tough. That's what I've got to get used to.''</p> <p>The Eels wasted no time locking down Folau, 20, declaring on the weekend the youngster would be staying put until at least the end of 2017.</p> <p>Halfback Chris Sandow went to school with Israel, and recalled John sitting on the sidelines watching the pair run around for Marsden State High School in Brisbane.</p> <p>"I think Johnny was taller than me even back then,'' Sandow said.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Chris Sandow says John Folau has always had a good work ethic. Pic Brett Costello</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>"I remember Johnny really well. He was quiet back then but to see him work really hard and get this opportunity is really good. He's a big boy who is still learning the game.''</p> <p>After beating premiers Souths — and bagging two tries in the process — Folau and his teammates must somehow regroup against the Gold Coast.</p> <p>The Eels' two wins this season have come at home, and Folau is sure to have fans excited each time he touches the ball.</p> <p>Israel is also guaranteed to drop his brother a few encouraging text messages after the game.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-77825368105320038142015-04-07T09:57:00.006-07:002015-04-07T09:58:46.153-07:00Half chance for battle of GI-ants<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>THE Cowboys are preparing for Greg Inglis to make a shock switch to the halves in a move that would pit him directly against fellow superstar Johnathan Thurston.</strong></p> </div> <p>South Sydney named John Sutton to replace half Adam Reynolds but there are suggestions Inglis could yet be moved from fullback to five-eighth with Sutton remaining in the backrow.</p> <p>That would allow gun 20-year-old Alex Johnston to play in his preferred position of fullback.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Rabbit-oh's Greg Inglis during a training session at Redfern. Picture Gregg Porteous</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>Johnston is off contract and being hunted by several clubs including the Gold Coast Titans and he is considering leaving Redfern for the opportunity to play fullback.</p> <p><strong>READY: Cowboys ready for Souths, says Thurston</strong></p> <p><strong>RESURGENT: Thurston inspires Cows to victory</strong></p> <p>North Queensland beat South Sydney twice last year and have the forward pack size to combat the reigning premiers.</p> <p>However, they don't have the size in their halves, Thurston and Michael Morgan, to combat Inglis who at 195cm and 105kg would be the world's biggest five-eighth.</p> <p>While Thurston now wears the No. 7, he follows the ball and will consistently be marked by Inglis if he does play at five-eighth next Monday night.</p> <p>Inglis wore the No. 6 for Melbourne throughout their 2006, 2007 and 2008 seasons in which the Storm competed in three grand finals.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>The Rabbitohs are still missing Dylan Walker and while the game is at ANZ Stadium it presents a great opportunity for the Cowboys to extend their winning streak to three games following their defeat of the Panthers on Monday night.</p> <p>Cowboys coach Paul Green backed Inglis to shine if he was shifted to five-eighth.</p> <p>"There is talk of Inglis playing in the halves. He won a grand final playing five-eighth for Melbourne," Green said.</p> <p>"He's no stranger to that position. There is also talk about John Sutton.</p> <p>"Losing your key playmaker is a big loss. They have good replacements.</p> <p>"They are a tough team."</p> <p>The Cowboys are battling their own injuries with wingers Antonio Winterstein and Matthew Wright both limping today after a torrid affair in Penrith.</p> <p>"We will assess the boys over the next couple of days to see how they recover," he said.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-52646203521465886612015-04-07T09:57:00.005-07:002015-04-07T09:57:11.567-07:00Get rid of trouble makers, says Morris<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>BULLDOGS stars Josh Morris and Aiden Tolman want the NRL to "get rid" of the culprits who threw full bottles at match officials last week.</strong></p> </div> <p>The NRL continue to investigate the drama, with some people having already been identified. They face life bans if found guilty.</p> <p>"That definitely isn't a good look. We need to find who those people are and make sure they're dealt with accordingly," Morris said.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>A touch judge falls after being hit by a bottle.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> AAP</span></p> </div> <p>"Ever since I've come to the club in 2009, the club has been working hard to rid themselves of that image and they have done a lot of work in regards to that.</p> <p><strong>JUDICIARY: Graham, Klemmer accept charges</strong></p> <p><strong>NRL ROUND SIX EARLY MAIL: Mass changes for Bulldogs</strong></p> <p><strong>INJURY CARNAGE: Full NRL casualty ward after round five</strong></p> <p>"It only takes a minority to try and throw it back in the spotlight what was happening a decade ago and we certainly don't want to have a bad image at the club as players and we don't want the fans to be portrayed that way.</p> <p>"Bulldogs fans are very passionate as well but there is a minority — and they're at every club — who go out there to cause trouble. We need to go out there and find out who they are and get rid of them."</p> <p>There is a chance police could charge the culprits with assault. The Bulldogs, NRL and ANZ Stadium management have held meetings.</p> <p>Fellow patrons who attended the match have also been interviewed about the culprit's identities.</p> <p>"You don't want to see that in any sport, especially our game. I think those guys have been caught and hopefully they get punished from whatever they see fit," Tolman said.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>"There's 40-odd thousand fans on the weekend and two misbehaved. That's not the Bulldogs. That's not what we're about.</p> <p>"We're a great family club, we've got a great culture here and those sort of fans aren't welcome at our games and I'm sure they won't be in the future."</p> <p>Morris meanwhile denied kicking Souths hooker Issac Luke in the face during the Friday night match. It resulted in an eight-point try but Morris wasn't charged by the match review committee.</p> <p>"I didn't know why I'd been called over and if you look back at the footage I'm pretty dumbfounded about what happened. If I would have been charged, I certainly would have fought it because I thought I didn't make any contact with his head whatsoever," Morris said.</p> <p>"If I did do it, I would've pleaded guilty but it's one of those things where I'm frustrated that I'm not on report but we still copped an eight-point try for it so it's a catch-22 I suppose.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Bulldogs fans react towards the match officials at full time against the Rabbitohs.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> Getty Images</span></p> </div> <p>"I don't know how much my foot missed him by but I certainly know I didn't make contact and if I did I would've felt it at that stage. There were (camera) angles and freeze-frames which made it look like I did but I know within myself that I didn't and I would've apologised to Issac straight away."</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-35043252178358456932015-04-07T09:57:00.003-07:002015-04-07T09:57:11.231-07:00Rabbitohs to make early call on Sutton<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="34"> <p><strong>IT WILL be a case of Friday or bust for John Sutton with South Sydney to make an early call if their club favourite makes a miracle return from a broken jaw for the big clash against a red-hot Johnathan Thurston and his Cowboys.</strong></p> </div> <p>Rather than wait until just before Monday night's kick-off, coach Michael Maguire said he would know Friday if Sutton would be ready to start at five-eighth, despite breaking his jaw just three weeks ago.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Adam Reynolds receives attention from the trainers after being tackled by James Graham.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> Getty Images</span></p> </div> <p>Sutton will be a welcome addition for the Bunnies who have lost starting half-back Adam Reynolds to a knee injury.</p> <p><strong>READY: Cowboys ready for Souths, says Thurston</strong></p> <p><strong>TEAM-TALK: Round six line-ups</strong></p> <p>However, Maguire confirmed Friday was also when the club would meet with a surgeon to learn the full extent of Reynolds' injury, and just how long their gun No. 7 will be out of action.</p> <p>Should Sutton fail in his own bold bid to return, Maguire will have to weigh up what he does with his halves.</p> <p>Greg Inglis slotted into the role at times during the Dogs' clash — he also won a Clive Churchill Medal wearing the No. 6 _ but Maguire will wait until how Sutton responds.</p> <p>"Greg is doing as great job at fullback, he showed what he was capable of at five-eighth for a period of the game against the Bulldogs, but for us, John has been in the position before, and he's done a great job when he's had the opportunity,'' Maguire told The Daily Telegraph.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>"We've got to assess him at the end of the week, but we're looking forward to having him back given the circumstances. It's one of those ones where he'll need to pass a fitness test, and he'll also have to get it scanned, and we'll make a decision from there. That will be a telling factor as to which way we go.''</p> <p>Maguire said Sutton had not been rushed back, and would have been selected, even if Reynolds was fit.</p> <p>While Maguire focuses on Sutton — George Burgess will also fight his dangerous contact charge at the NRL judiciary tonight — Thurston is keen to help the Cowboys to a third straight Monday night win.</p> <p>Thurston said the loss of Reynolds was huge, but Souths had no shortage of back-up halves options, including Inglis.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>There is talk Greg Inglis could play in the halves against the Cowboys.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> DailyTelegraph</span></p> </div> <p>Seeing Inglis and Thurston, two of the greatest players in the game, potentially go head to head in the halves would be the highlight of the round.</p> <p>"It's an unfortunate injury for Adam, he's a massive link for their team, and he's a huge loss,'' Thurston told The Daily Telegraph.</p> <p>"But Madge (Maguire) has a great squad, and whoever he puts in will fill the role.</p> <p>''Greg has won a Clive Churchill Medal there, so I think he'd be pretty comfortable in that role.</p> <p>"He's been in outstanding form, and the captaincy is obviously agreeing with him.''</p> <p>As for his own form, Thurston said: "The last couple of weeks our middle third have done an outstanding job laying the platform for us. I've been able to step back and pick and choose the times I come into the game. I think that's been the key the last couple of weeks.''</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-49219089817861925832015-04-07T09:57:00.001-07:002015-04-07T09:57:10.601-07:00Eelsâ away record twice as bad as any team<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>PARRAMATTA may have to rethink switching games to ANZ Stadium — or any other away venue — with statistics showing they are now more than twice as bad on the road than any other NRL team.</strong></p> </div> <p>The Daily Telegraph can today reveal that, following Sunday's loss to Wests Tigers at Homebush, the Eels have slumped to an atrocious away success rate of only 14.6 per cent.</p> <p>Incredibly, the figure is less than half that of even nearest rivals the New Zealand Warriors, a club forced to deal with international flights, unfamiliar hotels, even currency changes every second week of the year.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Parramatta's Chris Sandow looks on as a try by Tigers James Tedesco is awarded. Pic Brett Costello</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>Worse, the Eels decision to switch its biggest games to ANZ Stadium for financial gain are also coming at a huge cost, with the club having now lost 17 of its past 18 matches at the Olympic venue.</p> <p><strong>NEW RECRUIT: Norman doesn't fear Foran's arrival</strong></p> <p>"And I know the hoodoo or whatever you want to call it, it's being spoken about,'' Eels enforcer Anthony Watmough said. "Not by the players as such.</p> <p>"But we know our record away from home, it's going to be talked about.</p> <p>"We just have to stay positive because in a couple of away games this year, against Canterbury and Wests Tigers especially, we were in them up to our eyeballs. We just couldn't finish it."</p> <p>Which, unfortunately, has become the ballad of Parramatta.</p> <p>According to Fox Sports Statistics, the Eels have won just seven of 48 games away from Pirtek Stadium since 2012.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>Even when you include the 'home' games played at ANZ Stadium, that figure rises only slightly to 15.8 per cent — which is still almost half that of the Warriors, who have an away success rate of 30.8 per cent.</p> <p>Then comes Wests Tigers (33.3 per cent), St George Illawarra (33.3 per cent) and Canberra (38 per cent).</p> <p>"We have to start turning up, no matter where we play,'' Eels half-back Chris Sandow said. "Against Canterbury away, we should have won that game.</p> <p>"But I got injured. Then Semi Radradra got injured.</p> <p>"We just have to turn up with the right attitude. Treat it like any other patch of grass — hold the ball and complete our sets.</p> <p>"We obviously have a good feeling at Pirtek Stadium ... but it has to be the same no matter where we play."</p> <p>Thankfully for Parramatta fans, they face the Gold Coast this Saturday at home. Since 2012, the Eels have won 18 of 29 matches at home for a success rate of 62 per cent.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Anthony Watmough talks with referee Jared Maxwell after a knock on decision went against his side Pic Brett Costello</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>But as for how they overturn their atrocious run on the road?</p> <p>"We actually don't need to change too much,'' Watmough insists. "I've reminded the boys this week that against Canterbury, we were in that up to our eyeballs.</p> <p>"We played that with the same intensity, the same toughness as against Manly the week before at home. Injuries just got us in the end.</p> <p>"We couldn't get any ball and ran out of puff. Then against the Warriors away, we gave up way to much possession. It took it's toll.</p> <p>"Then on Monday against Wests Tigers, we were in the grind for 70 minutes. This was despite the fact that, with the injuries we've had to start the year, we hardly had a backline.</p> <p>"We should have won that game too — and done it with backrowers playing in the centres — but the Tigers did some freakish things and it got away from us."</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-12705461747443827832015-03-31T09:57:00.009-07:002015-03-31T09:58:54.084-07:00Roar keen to upgrade Borello deal<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>BRISBANE Roar are in talks with teenage sensation Brandon Borrello about upgrading his full-time youth contract to an A-League deal.</strong></p> </div> <p>Borrello's emergence has been the best part of what has been a largely disappointing season for the Roar, whose hopes of playing finals football for a fifth successive year are all but over.</p> <p>Despite the Roar's woes, 19-year-old Borrello has had an impact in the A-League and AFC Champions League this season, having scored in both competitions.</p> <p>The attacking weapon's form has caught the eye of scouts overseas, however he's likely to re-commit to Brisbane on an improved deal.</p> <p>While discussions with Borrello continue, the Roar have signed fellow teenager Shannon Brady on a four-year A-League contract.</p> <p>The Roar, currently in seventh spot and eight points outside the top six, host eighth-placed Central Coast Mariners at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow (THURSDAY) night.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-50973971984319361582015-03-31T09:57:00.008-07:002015-03-31T09:58:26.736-07:00Gill hopes decision ends saga<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said last night he hoped ASADA would not appeal the historic tribunal decision that cleared the "Essendon 34" of doping charges.</strong></p> </div> <p>The anti-doping agency will hold an 11am media conference in Canberra today where its plans may be revealed.</p> <p>But McLachlan — who called on players to publicly release the 133-page judgment — said he hoped yesterday's unanimous decision was the full stop on a 26-month saga.</p> <p>"It is a decision for ASADA — my personal view is no (they should not appeal)," McLachlan said. "</p> <p>There has been a decision made after a long, protracted period. </p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>"ASADA and WADA will make the decision is the right decision from their perspective.</p> <p>"Sitting here as the chief executive of the league — knowing that the evidence has been properly heard by an independent tribunal and they have made that decision, and after a long period of time, it is my interest that the competition can go forward."</p> <p>McLachlan said the league was committed to being as transparent as it could in the final throes of the doping scandal, and said it would shortly release an internal review into its own handling of the affair.</p> <p>He said under the World Anti-Doping Code, the AFL could not provide more information on yesterday's judgment without players' consent.</p> <p>"We're committed to being as transparent as we can — and I think the publication of the decision to day would help with that … but under the code, that is a decision for the players," he said.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>Paul Little and James Hird speak to the media.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> Getty Images</span></p> </div> <p>"The players have got to make the decision in the context of what is right for them, and I respect that.</p> <p>"So transparency is something we're looking for — but there are questions that will never be answered about all this."</p> <p>McLachlan said the league wanted to help rebuild Essendon into being one of the competition's best clubs, and said they needed to "move forward together".</p> <p>He said he had recently spoken with Essendon coach James Hird.</p> <p>"I'm sure James and I will talk — I caught up with him the other day at the coaches' conference — it was fine, we had a good chat," he said.</p> <p>McLachlan yesterday's verdict had not changed the league's view of the supplements program at Essendon in 2012 and that although the tribunal could not be comfortably satisfied players were given the banned drug Thymosin Beta-4, "I don't think they have established what it was."</p> <p>He said the league "absolutely" stood by the harsh penalties handed to Essendon in 2013.</p> <p>"There was acceptance by the Essendon Football Club and individuals at that time there was governance failures which meant there was unacceptable risk to the integrity of our game and the health and wellbeing of their players," he said.</p> <p>"The judgment and the evidence should give no-one any joy about what happened in our competition in 2012."</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-58073568629157357582015-03-31T09:57:00.007-07:002015-03-31T09:57:11.671-07:00Day masters fear for fresh Augusta quest<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>FINDING peace with the heartbreak of losing a Masters has finally enabled Jason Day to see there is lustre to being the second Aussie to wear the green jacket.</strong></p> </div> <p>The world No.5 spoke eloquently on Tuesday about his fearless mindset for next week's fresh quest at Augusta for the very reason he doesn't fear failure.</p> <p>Privately, he's able to embrace the near-favourite tag heaped on him last week by Greg Norman because he believes the same thing in an ego-less way.</p> <p>It's not his go-for-it power with the driver or his classic putting stroke, on greens which turn others into head cases, that is the best club in his bag.</p> <p>"I want it more," Day said of why he can win it.</p> <p>That's been fed by the near-miss angst of 2013 when Adam Scott created history and his own lifelong feeling the Masters is <em>the</em> major above all others.</p> <p>"This tournament is really close to my heart. It always has been and it's just what I've experienced there since my first start at Augusta (in 2011)," Day said.</p> <p>"Like I said, I always wanted to be the first Australian (to win the Masters).</p> <p>"Adam got there. I'm OK with being the second Aussie to win (laughs).</p> <p>"I just want it more than I ever have in my whole career."</p> <p>In 2013, he stood on Augusta's par three 16th with a one-shot lead, overcooked his seven iron with a triple-shot of adrenaline, took bogey…and made another on the next.</p> <p>Day was delighted Scott broke Australia's Masters hoodoo in the dramatic drizzle that followed but the nearly-guy with a third and a second has to deal with his own torment.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Jason Day warms up on the putting green during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> AP</span></p> </div> <p>"Do I really want to push through it or do I want to kinda run away and hide?," Day said.</p> <p>Day is meeting the strategy-adjustments, pressure and expectations head on just like Norman's generous nod that he's primed to win.</p> <p>"Yeah, people did text me the Greg stuff," Day said down the phone from his Ohio home.</p> <p>"It's a very humbling compliment from a great champion like Greg but if you look at it the wrong way it may be a distraction as well.</p> <p>"It's like every tournament I go to in the US fans are always coming up to me 'Are you going to win the Masters this year'?"</p> <p>Day's great comfort is that he better knows how to stay calm, last year's back and thumb injuries are behind him and he is in top 2015 form with a tournament win in play-off pressure.</p> <p>"You can look at people backing you so much as more and more pressure building but I'm not scared to fail when I give my all," Day said.</p> <p>"I'm not scared to go in and lose because I already lost that tournament in 2013.</p> <p>"Standing on the 16th hole I had the lead and I lost the event. Unfortunately, that's just how it goes.</p> <p>"…it slowly occurred to me just this year that everyone is going to have failures in their lives that are going to shape what they do tomorrow, six months and 12 months from now."</p> <p>Day is not into hiding. His zeal for this special time of year is matched by his faith in his preparation.</p> <p>He feels his short game still needs sharpening and he's going to work on those nerve-fraying, downhill 2-3m putts that so often make the difference between 68 and 75 when he hits Augusta for Friday practice.</p> <p>Day put a huge smile on the faces of Australian Open organisers yesterday when asked his plans now this year's events is locked in to November 26-29 at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney.</p> <p>"I really want to come back unless some unknown reason pops up," Day said.</p> <p>"Right now I'm thinking about Augusta."</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-20074798287842850762015-03-31T09:57:00.005-07:002015-03-31T09:57:10.945-07:00Families turn their back on Origin<div> <div> <div readability="31.5"> <div readability="8"> <p>The NRL face the embarrassment of Origin not being sold out with a massive price hike meaning many fans will be unable to attend this year's series.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div readability="34"> <p><strong>JUST 10,000 general admission tickets have been sold for the NRL's showpiece event — State of Origin I in Sydney — as the fan backlash to hiked-up prices for the May 27 game deepens.</strong></p> </div> <p>The Daily Telegraph can reveal a soccer friendly between Sydney FC and English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, also at ANZ Stadium, in the same week is comfortably outselling rugby league's showpiece event.</p> <p>There are still eight weeks until Origin I on May 27 but exorbitant ticket prices are driving fans away from the fiercest war in Australian sport.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>NSW celebrate winning the 2014 series. Picture Gregg Porteous</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>With tickets set aside for corporates, club and junior allocations along with ANZ Stadium members, about 35,000 seats have already been filled for Origin I. That still leaves the NRL needing another 50,000 tickets to sell out the arena.</p> <p><strong>TOO EXPENSIVE: SOO may struggle to sell out</strong></p> <p><strong>CASH GRAB: NRL out of touch with fans</strong></p> <p>Will you try to get State of Origin tickets this year?</p> <p>With members and extra allocations, Sydney FC's game against Tottenham has currently sold 53,000 tickets with a crowd of more than 70,000 likely just three days after Origin.</p> <p>Unlike State of Origin, tickets for the Spurs game start at just $15.</p> <p>NRL fans expressed anger on Tuesday after The Daily Telegraph revealed a price hike has put Origin tickets out of range for average pay earners this year.</p> <p>A whopping 86 per cent of respondents in an online Daily Telegraph poll claimed they were "no chance" of attending any of the three games this year.</p> <p>NRL fan Scott Hart and his young footy family had a message for Paul Gallen and Laurie Daley on Tuesday: "We'd love to be there cheering you but, sorry, it's just too expensive."</p> <p>Hart, wife Alison, son Liam and daughter Julia spoke of their disappointment at being unable financially to buy tickets.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>"We are a rugby league family but cannot afford those prices. We wanted to watch NSW defend the title," said Hart, who coaches Liam in the under 12s Harbord Devils side, which competes in the Manly-Warringah junior rugby league competition.</p> <p>"It's a real shame. My family would love to go to Origin and cheers on Laurie and 'Gal'. I know a lot of parents in Liam's team can't afford to attend either.</p> <p>"Years ago everyone could afford to go. Now it seems only corporates can afford tickets. The game isn't what it used to be.</p> <p>"It is slowly but surely drifting away from its working class roots."</p> <p>Family passes can cost as much as $555.63 at ANZ Stadium. A single adult entry ticket can cost up to $280.</p> <p>Aware AFL-made fans won't outlay big bucks to watch rugby league, the NRL has kept prices for the MCG game at a reasonable rate.</p> <p>Kids prices start from $20 in Melbourne with AFL members offered tickets at around $26. It means NSW and Queensland are being gouged to subsidise prices for Melbourne.</p> <div readability="36"> <p><span>North Curl Curl family Scott & Alison Hart, with their children Liam 12, & Julia 9. The diehard Rugby League fans can't afford to buy State of Origin tickets this year due to the price rise. Picture: Troy Snook</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Limited</span></p> </div> <p>Social media went into meltdown on Tuesday.</p> <p>Mick wrote: "Well done NRL. Completely out of touch with fans. Ruining the game for everyone. No way in hell our family will be able to go this year. Thanks for ruining a 10-year tradition."</p> <p>Sandy-Lee posted: "So, our dream of one day taking our kids to a SOO game in Sydney has just been shattered."</p> <p>Barry said though: "Still not bad value when you consider the cost of seeing Kylie or Pink in concert."</p> <p>Johnny added: "No fans, no game."</p> <p>And Dan wrote: "What do expect when you put a banker (NRL CEO Dave Smith) in charge. This guy has no idea what RL is all about. Time to go Smith & take your cronies with you."</p> <p>An NRL spokesman said on Monday that most tickets for the Sydney match had risen by $5 to 10 on last year. He said family tickets would range from $200.</p> <p>In Queensland, there are more than 20,000 tickets priced at less than $200, including 3000 at the lowest price category of $80, the spokesman said.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-10707703624079113342015-03-31T09:57:00.003-07:002015-03-31T09:57:10.688-07:00Savage tipped for swim return<div readability="7"> <p><span>Bernard Savage (left) pictured with former Australian swimmer Michael Klim.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Limited</span></p> </div> <div readability="35"> <p><strong>ONE of Swimming Australia's most influential figures from the London Olympics is on the verge of being welcomed back into the sport, with Bernard Savage the frontrunner to become the team's new high performance boss.</strong></p> </div> <p><em>The Courier-Mail</em> can reveal that Savage is the leading contender for the $400,000 a year role set to be vacated by Michael Scott, with final interviews this week.</p> <p>If Savage is successful, it will be greeted by a mixed response on the pool deck, with some viewing his potential return as a retrograde step by a sport that had made giant leaps forward in and out of the pool since London.</p> <p>There is no doubting Savage's impressive resume as one of the finest experts in his field after more than two decades in sport.</p> <p>But he is tainted by the past failure of Australia's London Olympic campaign.</p> <p>Savage was former head coach Leigh Nugent's right-hand man in London that produced Australia's worst Olympic performance in two decades and resulted in scathing independent reviews that found the team culture to be "toxic".</p> <p>Athletes complained about too much focus being put on certain individuals at the expense of others, particularly after Nugent and Savage dedicated time and resources towards the failed comeback of Ian Thorpe.</p> <p>Interestingly, current swim team head coach Jacco Verhaeren was not part of the interview panel, although he has been kept up to date on developments and expects an appointment to be made in the coming weeks.</p> <p>"I think (it will be) a matter of weeks rather than months but it takes time to hire high quality people," he said last week.</p> <p>Former Olympic medallist Daniel Kowalski, current head of the Swimmers' Association, is among the final candidates who survived the first round of interviews with CEO Mark Anderson, board member Nicole Livingstone, AIS director Matt Favier and team coach Rohan Taylor. Savage, high performance science manager of the swim team from 2007-12, is favoured to claim the top job though after he was privately urged to apply for the position three months ago despite being contracted to Triathlon Australia.</p> <p>He was poached by Triathlon Australia to be their national performance director almost immediately after the London Olympics.</p> <p>While he is contracted through to the 2016 Rio Olympics, it is believed he has told his current employers of his application for swimming's top job.</p> <p>The world titles swimming trials, which start in Sydney on Friday, will again be broadcast on a two-hour delay on One HD with the only live coverage available through their mobile app programs.</p> <p>This is despite the return of Olympic great Grant Hackett and the threat of potential world records for the likes of James Magnussen, Cate Campbell and Emily Seebohm.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-18983367389177084292015-03-31T09:57:00.001-07:002015-03-31T09:57:09.800-07:00Kent: A game of high steaks<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="32"> <p><strong>AS the Gold Coast Five ply their trade the AFL begins a search for contaminated meat.</strong></p> </div> <p>As if to show the two codes are not as far apart as many believe, two Collingwood players have tested positive to an illegal drug just days before season kick-off.</p> <p>Killing off the season opener is usually an institution reserved for the NRL. It's an annual event around here.</p> <p>The Collingwood players, Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas, claim they have no idea how clenbuterol allegedly got in their bodies.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>Josh Thomas playing for the Magpies in the NAB Challenge.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> Getty Images</span></p> </div> <p>But after the players were told last Friday somebody remembered somewhere in the discussion that Australian cyclist Michael Rogers tested positive to clenbuterol last year and had his provisional suspension lifted after he was able to show he ate contaminated meat in China.</p> <p><strong>CLEARED: Bird free to play in the ANZAC Test</strong></p> <p>So already a search for contaminated beef has begun, despite the Australian beef industry saying clenbuterol is not a drug used on cattle.</p> <p>Contaminated meat is not a new excuse.</p> <p>Petr Korda won the Australian Open in 1998 and when he tested positive to nandrolone at Wimbledon soon after he blamed it on juiced up veal.</p> <p>Suspicions were raised, and after just a little investigation the ATP found that Korda would have to eat 40 calves a day for 20 years to reach such levels.</p> <p>He was suspended a year and never returned.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>Alberto Contador won the Tour de France in 2010 and, like Rogers, tested positive for clenbuterol.</p> <p>And, like Rogers, he claimed it came from contaminated meat.</p> <p>Unlike Rogers, his suspension was upheld and he was stripped of victory.</p> <p>Everybody at Collingwood insists the players are "confused" as to how any clenbuterol could have got in their system.</p> <p>They have no idea, they say.</p> <p>When Reni Maitua tested positive for clenbuterol in 2009 he also had no idea how it got into his system and was also confused. But it mattered little when his B sample came back and he served two years.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>Reni Maitua tested positive for clenbuterol in 2009.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>Maitua was only able to join the dots later, when he was out of the game and was able to admit to himself that he had a drinking problem and finally get healthy and clean.</p> <p>The answer might be a warning flare for NRL players.</p> <p>Maitua was not looking for performance enhancement, he was never a cheat, but he lived poorly and paid the price.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-89450218165041039412015-03-24T09:57:00.009-07:002015-03-24T09:59:11.413-07:00Dons stars blast back in doping saga<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="35"> <p><strong>A GROUP of senior Essendon players is considering launching a class action against the AFL, and possibly the club, if found guilty of doping offences.</strong></p> </div> <p>It comes as one former Bomber began his own Supreme Court action, seeking documents about the medical treatment he received while at the club.</p> <p>It is understood lawyers for the player, who on Tuesday applied for a suppression order and wants to be known as Mr X, initiated the legal action after requests for Essendon and the AFL to hand over documents related to his health and safety were not met.</p> <p>The Herald Sun understands at least three senior Bombers have told their managers they are keen to explore an action against the league, which would involve a legal firm covering the cost of the case and pocketing a percentage of any payout. </p> <div> <div readability="31"> <div readability="7"> <p>Alan Jones grills AFL chief executive Gill McLachlan on the Essendon ASADA investigation.</p> </div> </div> </div> <p>The players would also be suing for damages in the Supreme Court, for breach of duty of care and breach of contract in relation to the supplements scandal.</p> <p>SHEEDY: DRUGS WITCH-HUNT 'SICK'</p> <p>EDITORIAL: DON'T RUIN THE NATIONAL GAME</p> <p>HIRD BACK TO MEET AFL COMMISSION</p> <p>"They are wanting to explore a class action," a source close to the players said last night. The players would prefer to sue the AFL rather than their own club — but understand it may be necessary to sue both organisations.</p> <p>The players are facing suspensions of up to two years for use of the prohibited peptide Thymosin beta-4.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>Essendon players in a huddle. Picture: Alex Coppel</span> <span><em>Source:</em> HeraldSun</span></p> </div> <p>A ruling in the case against the 34 current and former Essendon players will be handed down by the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal on Tuesday.</p> <p>A WorkSafe Victoria probe into the AFL and Essendon is continuing, but it is believed no action will be taken by the authority until after anti-doping charges are determined.</p> <p>EX-BOMBER IN LEGAL ACTION AGAINST CLUB, AFL</p> <p>NEW WADA RULES WON'T HELP 'BOMBERS 34'</p> <p>Mr X, who named the AFL as first defendant and the club second defendant in papers lodged yesterday, is expected to make an application for pre-action discovery.</p> <p>He is seeking documents held by the AFL and Essendon so his lawyers can assess whether to pursue a damages claim. Such a claim could relate to possible negligence or a breach of occupational health and safety regulations.</p> <p>AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has publicly stated the league must accept some level of responsibility for the saga.</p> <p>michael.warner@news.com.au</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-39851676755107955482015-03-24T09:57:00.008-07:002015-03-24T09:59:10.835-07:00Kent: Time to end muddled thinking<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="32"> <p><strong>BRAVERY is a badge in the NRL.</strong></p> </div> <p>John Sutton was brave when he suffered a hairline fracture in his jaw, grimacing as he rose to his feet and rubbed away the pain. He played on against the Roosters.</p> <p>Dylan Walker was brave when he broke his hand and saw out the game against the Tigers. That was him reaching out with his one good hand to push the Rabbitohs further ahead.</p> <p>Bravery is a celebration in the NRL and it is everywhere.</p> <p>Was there bravery in Nathan Peats returning to the field on Sunday?</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Rabbitoh Adam Reynolds comes back to the sideline after a concussion test. Picture Gregg Porteous</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>Peats was knocked out and in no state of mind to make any sort of conscious decision. With his brain briefly incapacitated, his return was as much as instinct as it was bravery.</p> <p>If Peats' return to the field revealed anything it is that it is time we protect the players from themselves.</p> <p><strong>INDEPENDENT: Joey's plan to combat concussion controversy</strong></p> <p><strong>HEAD KNOCK: Eels face fines for three heavy hits</strong></p> <p>And from the clubs.</p> <p>It is time we accept that the culture of bravery we celebrate is made redundant when playing through what could be irreversible injury.</p> <p>While the NRL is pressing hard to be proactive clubs are being dragged, unwillingly as is their way.</p> <p>Few here in Australia have heard of Chris Borland, who might be about the bravest guy running around.</p> <p>Borland was on the American sports show, Outside The Lines, on Monday talking about his decision to quit playing football.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>"I just honestly want to do what's best for my health," he told the program. "From what I've researched and what I've experienced, I don't think it's worth the risk."</p> <p>What's brave is that Borland is a linebacker with the San Francisco 49ers and in the absolute prime of his career. He is 24 and in the middle of a four-year $3 million contract but walked after concerns with the prevalence of head knocks.</p> <p>Borland walked to protect his future. If you don't have your health, they say ...</p> <p>It is staggering to believe, then, that as one man is making about the bravest decision around, we are still arguing in the NRL over the level of concussion for a man that was asleep on the ground, and whether he should have been allowed to later return, as he was.</p> <p>The sideline concussion test is not designed for players who were asleep on the field _ the NRL considered that decision so obvious it did not need to stipulate it.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>David Mead is concussed against the Bulldogs. Pics Adam Head</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>As an NRL official said on Tuesday, "It appears that ultimately punishment is the best deterrent."</p> <p>Clubs are defying the game and until the game stands up to them they will continue to do so.</p> <p>It's that simple.</p> <p>Where the bravery of the player elevates the game, the interests of those caring for them destroy it.</p> <p>Clubs are committing to only the minimum standard required and some not even that.</p> <p>At what price? How much is two points worth?</p> <p>So far more than 70 dead NFL players have been diagnosed with long term brain injury, called chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which in some cases caused their death through suicide.</p> <p>Young men are filled with dreams of today. It should not come at the cost of their tomorrows.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-9015724868993913202015-03-24T09:57:00.007-07:002015-03-24T09:57:11.984-07:00Webckeâs challenge to big Sam<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="34"> <p><strong>BRONCOS legend Shane Webcke has challenged Sam Thaiday to fight for his Brisbane career as the Maroons forward faces a $100,000 pay cut to remain at Red Hill.</strong></p> </div> <p>Speaking for the first time since his demotion to the bench, Thaiday hit out at his critics, claiming speculation over his future is nothing more than a "beat-up".</p> <p>But Thaiday's tenuous hold on a Brisbane deal is real, with the Origin enforcer confronting the biggest salary downgrade of his career if he opts to become a Bronco for life.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>Broncos Sam Thaiday takes on the Cowboys defence. Pic Peter Wallis</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>The off-contract star earns about $400,000 annually, a salary the Broncos simply cannot continue amid the turbulent shake-up of their roster under coach Wayne Bennett's new regime.</p> <p><strong>NEGOTIATIONS: Thaiday not worried about contract talks</strong></p> <p><strong>HODGE-BALL: Don't hog it, Bennett tells Hodges</strong></p> <p>Complicating the Thaiday saga is Brisbane's battle to retain other off-contract players.</p> <p>Webcke won a premiership with Thaiday at the Broncos in 2006 and the Queensland front-row great urged his former teammate to prove he is worth retaining.</p> <p>"Every game you are playing for your future. Sam should see every game as a litmus test because there are no guarantees in the NRL," Webcke said.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>"If Sam has a real poor year he might be in danger, but I am confident he can produce his best form again."</p> <p>Thaiday, 29, has another five games, starting against the Warriors on Sunday, to convince Bennett to open talks on a new deal.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-15992929874204483092015-03-24T09:57:00.005-07:002015-03-24T09:57:11.216-07:00Mateship on hold for Manly connection<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>NEVER in his wildest dreams did Anthony Watmough imagine he'd have to face off against his good mate Glenn Stewart in the NRL.</strong></p> </div> <p>Watmough and Stewart are as close as players get, and made a pact to start and finish their careers at Manly together.</p> <p>Even when the Dragons tried to lure Stewart away from the northern beaches with a huge offer at the end of 2011, Watmough was the first person he called.</p> <p>"We made a decision to stay together at Manly years ago,'' Watmough said.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>Anthony Watmough during a Parramatta Eels training session. Pic Brett Costello</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Limited</span></p> </div> <p>"I was in Manchester (on a Kangaroos tour) and Glenn rang me and was on the cusp of leaving, and so was I when we were younger, and he said, 'I don't want to play with anyone else, and if you're going to stay, I'll stay'.</p> <p><strong>POOR START: Watmough admits he's not been up to standard</strong></p> <p>"I said to him, 'you know what? I'm staying', and he said, 'fine, I'll ring now and tell them I'm staying'. "That was a few years ago.</p> <p>"When I spoke to him the other week, I said, 'we made that pact years ago, and now we have to go up against each other'.</p> <p>"We'd been together for so long, we thought we played our best footy together. Now we have to try and rip each others heads off.''</p> <p>Friday night will be the first time Watmough and Stewart square off. They'll pack down for Parramatta and South Sydney respectively.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>Despite hoping to remain at the Sea Eagles forever, the pair were part of the well-documented clear out and forced to find new their homes on the other side of the Harbour Bridge.</p> <p>Hearing Watmough speak so fondly of Stewart makes it easy to understand why their teammates were so gutted when the pair were virtually squeezed out of Manly so they could do everything to keep Daly Cherry-Evans.</p> <p>For Watmough, going up against 'Gifty' will be more emotional than running out against his former Manly teammates in the opening round.</p> <p>"It will be tough. I told him this will be the toughest one for me personally,'' Watmough said.</p> <p>"It will be weird and exciting at the same time. I told him it was fun going up against your brother (Brett) in round one, and I love him, and he's a good mate. But the conversations I've had with Glenn, it will mean more.''</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough during a training session with the Sea Eagles.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Limited</span></p> </div> <p>Watmough and Stewart spend more time together now than they did when training and playing on the northern beaches.</p> <p>With a little luck, the pair will pack down in the backrow for NSW come Origin I, especially with a fit Stewart in great form for the premiers.</p> <p>Watmough said a trimmed-down Stewart was hard to stop, and was preparing for the same hits he enjoyed watching his mate deliver on so many rivals.</p> <p>"He's a little wombat,'' Watmough, 31, said.</p> <p>"Like when a car hits a wombat, and it's the car that comes off second-best. He can hit.''</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-21430757832433670382015-03-24T09:57:00.003-07:002015-03-24T09:57:07.373-07:00âWhy does a doctor tell me I canât go back on?â<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="34"> <p><strong>CANTERBURY enforcer James Graham has demanded NRL players be allowed decide whether they return to the field after suffering a head knock, stressing: "We know what the risks are".</strong></p> </div> <p>Less than 24 hours after League HQ promised yet another concussion crackdown, Graham sensationally insisted it be players — not doctors — who have the final say on returning to battle.</p> <p>While initially reluctant to speak — "I've got strong thoughts that could get me into trouble" — the Englishman eventually explained why he opposes a push to have independent doctors patrolling the sidelines at games.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Rabbitoh Adam Reynolds comes back to the sideline after a concussion test.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>"Why does a doctor tell me I can't go back on?'' Graham asked. "Why can't that be my choice?</p> <p>"For me, concussion is such a grey area. I know something has happened over in America, in the NFL, and that's had a ripple effect through to here.</p> <p>"But this is a contact sport and things are going to happen. We know the risks.</p> <p><strong>HEAD KNOCK: Eels face huge fine for three heavy hits</strong></p> <p><strong>INDEPENDENT: Joey's plan to combat concussion controversy</strong></p> <p>"No one wants to see players suffering serious damage, but I think (when a player has received a knock) you should really ask them and see if they want to play on.</p> <p>"I know I've had a knock to the head, a doctor has asked me to come off and he's probably right. But I've also had a slight knock before and been told I had to come off. And I've felt fine."</p> <p>Told his opinion would be hotly debated, Graham continued: "I'm happy for people to disagree, this is just my opinion.</p> <p>"People might think it's a stupid example, but if I smoke all the warnings are there on the packet, saying what the damage can be.</p> <p>"But does a doctor walk down the street, go into a cafe and stub out someone's cigarette because they're technically killing themselves? No they don't.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>"It's why I think, given players know the risk, they should have more say. Let them say 'no, I'm okay'. I want to play on."</p> <p>Graham even questioned the effectiveness of current NRL concussion testing.</p> <p>"For the tests, they get you to stand on one foot for 20 seconds with your eyes closed," he said.</p> <p>"Some players couldn't do that on a daily basis … let alone when they've got boots on and a thousand different things going through their head regarding the game."</p> <p>As reported in Tuesday's The Daily Telegraph, Parramatta are under investigation over three separate incidents involving their players — Nathan Peats, Will Hopoate and Isaac De Gois — who suffered head knocks against the Warriors.</p> <p>South Sydney, meanwhile, are still to be investigated over an incident involving half-back Adam Reynolds while Manly are also in the NRL cross hairs for a head knock involving centre Brayden Wiliame.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>Bulldogs' James Graham against the Panthers. Picture Gregg Porteous</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>An apparent flouting of the NRL concussion guidelines has some convinced coaches are putting excessive pressure on club doctors to clear players for a return.</p> <p>"But it's not a coaching thing,'' Graham says. "You look at last weekend, that was the player who (after being cleared) made the decision that they wanted to go back on.</p> <p>"Plus, why would coaches want someone out there with a concussion? Someone who doesn't know what they're doing anyway?"</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-35038766841887535692015-03-24T09:57:00.001-07:002015-03-24T09:57:06.849-07:00Two-year-old sets archery record<div readability="8"> <p><span>Two-year-old Indian archer Dolly Shivani Cherukuri takes aim during a world record target attempt. Picture AFP PHOTO/STR</span> <span><em>Source:</em> STRDEL / AFP</span></p> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>A TWO-year-old Indian girl groomed from birth to be an archery champion after the tragic death of her older siblings has set a new national record.</strong></p> </div> <p>Dolly Shivani Cherukuri was conceived through surrogacy after the death of her brother, an international archer and coach, in a road accident in 2010.</p> <p>The couple's eldest daughter had died in 2004.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Two-year-old Indian archer Dolly Shivani Cherukuri was groomed from birth to be an archery champion after the tragic death of her older siblings. Picture: AFP PHOTO/STR</span> <span><em>Source:</em> AFP</span></p> </div> <p>On Tuesday — nine days before her third birthday — she became the youngest Indian to score 200 points over five and seven-metre distances according to Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury of the India Book of Records.</p> <p>"She has become the youngest in the country to achieve the feat," Mr Chowdhury said from the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, where the successful record attempt was made.</p> <p>"It's a record which will be difficult to break."</p> <div readability="34"> <p><span>Two-year-old Indian archer Dolly Shivani Cherukuri (R) receives a trophy and certificate from The Editor Indian Book of Records Biswaroop Roy Choudary (L) after a world record target attempt. Picture: AFP PHOTO/STR</span> <span><em>Source:</em> AFP</span></p> </div> <p>Dolly's parents said they had arrows specially made for her out of carbon when she was first learning the sport to ensure she could carry them.</p> <p>"When we came to know that the baby was on her way we decided to mould her as an archer," said her father Cherukuri Satyanarayana, who runs an archery academy.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>Dolly retrieves her arrows from the bullseyes. Picture: AFP PHOTO/STR</span> <span><em>Source:</em> AFP</span></p> </div> <p>"The preparations started when she was in the womb itself."</p> <p>Pictures showed the toddler posing for photographers with her golden medal and certificate after she fired 72 arrows in all, in 24 attempts over the 5-metre and 7-metre distances.</p> <p>India boasts a strong record of success in archery.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-76796035141071197432015-03-17T09:57:00.007-07:002015-03-17T09:59:12.428-07:00Cheap shots wonât stop Hunt<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>BRONCOS halfback Ben Hunt says the threat of cheap shots from late tacklers will not stop him running at the line.</strong></p> </div> <p>He will play on Friday night against a North Queensland team still fuming at the treatment meted out to Johnathan Thurston by the Knights on Saturday night.</p> <p>Hunt says players launching late tackles at playmakers will be encouraged to "keep doing it'' by the inactivity of the NRL match review committee.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>Johnathan Thurston lays on the ground after being injured against the Knights.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> Getty Images</span></p> </div> <p>Storm fullback Billy Slater on Sunday rated premeditated late tackles of playmakers after they had passed as the No. 1 problem in rugby league.</p> <p><strong>EXPECT MORE OF THIS, BRONCOS WARN JT</strong></p> <p><strong>I DON'T NEED LOCKY'S HELP, SAYS MILFORD</strong></p> <p>A day later, the match review committee found Newcastle's Beau Scott had no cause to answer for a tackle that knocked Thurston to the ground in Townsville after he had passed the ball in Round 2.</p> <p>"Getting hit late is something that is illegal in the game and it's not being policed as it should,'' Hunt told The Courier-Mail.</p> <p>"It is definitely a concern for the game. They can be dangerous if players aren't looking and have passed the ball.</p> <p>"If some players get away with it they are going to keep doing it.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>Ben Hunt is tackled during a training session. Pic Annette Dew</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>''The referees could really crack down on it.</p> <p>"But we are taught to take the ball to the line and try to hold up your man as best you can.</p> <p>"If you do that, you aren't going to be hit late sometimes and be cleaned up. If you want to be a good half and take on the line, it's something you are going to have to accept.''</p> <p>Brad Fittler said on Channel 9 that Storm and Australian halfback Cooper Cronk was one of several playmakers he thought were passing before the line of advantage to limit the chances of being cleaned up in a late tackle.</p> <p>Hunt said there were some ways to minimise the opportunities for late tackles.</p> <p>"You can take some support players either side, guys running good angles and players in motion, and that can put the defence in two minds,'' he said.</p> <p>Hunt and five-eighth Anthony Milford will try to make more waves in attack against North Queensland after the first rounds in which Brisbane have scored a total of three tries, including one from a kick chase.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>"It's coming along really well, but we're not where we want to be,'' Hunt said.</p> <p>"Against Cronulla, we created some chances and some overlaps but we didn't finish off a few times. We need a lot of improvement and we'll keep working.''</p> <p>Brisbane named the same 17-man squad who edged out Cronulla 10-2 away on Friday night.</p> <p>Hunt can show Cowboys opposite Thurston what he learnt from his State of Origin camp visit last year.</p> <p>The Broncos No. 7 was called into the Queensland team to train with the side and learn the plays before the second Origin game when Daly Cherry-Evans was in doubt for the game because of injury.</p> <p>Hunt did not play alongside Thurston for Queensland that week, with Cherry-Evans cleared.</p> <p>"There were a few things I learnt from him but the main thing was to stick to my plan," Hunt said.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-84745504116782763532015-03-17T09:57:00.006-07:002015-03-17T09:58:27.558-07:00Red faces at Origin blue in Melbourne<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>THE State of Origin love in was going exactly to script in Melbourne until a senior member of the Victorian parliament called Queensland's State of Origin team the Reds ... twice.</strong></p> </div> <p>Parliamentary secretary for major events Danielle Green referred to the Maroons as the Reds while launching State of Origin's return to the MCG this year.</p> <p>The gaffe forced captain Cameron Smith to playfully shut down talk of a shock code switch.</p> <p>The unfortunate aspect of Green's comment is Melburnians are actually snapping up tickets for Origin's return to the MCG fast with close to 90,000 fans expected for the Game Two event.</p> <p>Green even talked up the prospect of a 100,000-strong crowd. Even 90,000 would be one of the highest attendances in the history of Origin, an annual event that is now the most watched sporting contest in Australia.</p> <p>Green was a late call up to the announcement at Eureka Tower in Melbourne and people felt for her as she called the code rugby while seemingly anticipating Quade Cooper will be playing on the June 17 match.</p> <p>Despite the presence of the Storm in Melbourne since 1998 Victorians have form in not knowing much about Origin.</p> <p>Green's foot in mouth moment comes three years after former Victorian sports minister Hugh Delahunty said the epic series was played between Queensland and New Zealand.</p> <p>"All rugby league supporters here today, it's fantastic as Minister of Sport to welcome you here to this very special game, the first game of the Queensland versus New Zealand ... New Zealand, that's a good start ... Queensland versus New South Wales in the State of the Origin match," Delahunty said in 2012.</p> <p>He also referred to the Blues captain as "Paul Callen".</p> <p>That comment prompted Matt Johns to declare Victoria didn't deserve Origin</p> <p>.</p> <p>"I've always fought for Melbourne saying they're entitled to State of Origin but I've swung the other way. Here we are, first State Of Origin game of the year, and compared to how big it is in QLD, we're basically sending it to Siberia. It is wrong," he said.</p> <p>The Victorian Government are major supporters of the Origin concept, paying a sizeable fee for one game every three years.</p> <p>They make their money back and then some via the amount of Queensland and New South Wales fans who travel to Melbourne for the event.</p> <p>The Campbell Newman Queensland Government did not want to pay anything for Origin, ensuring the NRL took the occasional game to Victoria rather than have a guaranteed two games in Brisbane every second year.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-85496840728144421182015-03-17T09:57:00.005-07:002015-03-17T09:57:08.999-07:00Gallen upset Keary wanted to play for Maroons<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>BLUES captain Paul Gallen was gushing about Luke Keary's State of Origin prospects until someone mentioned the Souths prodigy once tried to become a Queenslander.</strong></p> </div> <p>Suddenly, Keary may be as likely to play for New South Wales as Beau Scott is for Queensland.</p> <p>"I didn't know that — I am disappointed now," a downtrodden Gallen said about Keary.</p> <p>"I am surprised. I wish that didn't happen. To be honest, it disappoints me."</p> <p>Told the NRL officially ruled Keary a New South Welshman after the 23-year-old questioned his eligibility, Gallen fumed.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Luke Keary with Queenslander Chris McQueen at Souths training. Picture Gregg Porteous</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>"So they should," he said.</p> <p>"In NSW you are taught to hate Queensland. I'm not trying to have a go at Luke but Gorden Tallis was one of my favourite players but when he put that Maroon jumped on I never liked him.</p> <p>"We need to get over this whole thing. Obviously the Greg Inglis thing was disappointing too.</p> <p>"You need to love New South Wales."</p> <p>In the space of six months, Keary's Origin hopes have gone from remote to likely.</p> <p>Keary and his Rabbitohs halves partner Adam Reynolds, a genuine New South Welshman, are the in-form No. 7 and No. 6 in the NRL.</p> <p>Blues incumbent Josh Reynolds could miss Game One through injury and Laurie Daley prefers using two halves who work together at club level. Enter Keary, the Ipswich born and raised talent who still counts Wally Lewis as his favourite player.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>Keary was ruled a Blue because he represented the state during his high school years in Sydney.</p> <p>Keary fought the NRL's ruling that he was a New South Welshman and formally asked officials for an explanation and rethink.</p> <p>Speaking in Melbourne at the launch of the Origin's Game Two blockbuster at the MCG, Gallen initially said Keary was putting pressure on more senior players for a spot in the Blues.</p> <p>"He's such a great competitor. If he keeps performing then the guys who were there last year and may be in front of him at the moment need to perform because he does every week," he said.</p> <p>"He has that Origin attitude. He's a little terrier on the field. He doesn't care how big or small they are he just rips in."</p> <p>It is an Origin attitude forged with the Queensland spirit.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-8224303355910317342015-03-17T09:57:00.003-07:002015-03-17T09:57:08.823-07:00Gallop to Tinkler: Pay up or we take the club<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>AUSTRALIAN football chief David Gallop has warned embattled Newcastle Jets owner Nathan Tinkler that the governing body is ready to seize ownership of the club if he can't pay his debts.</strong></p> </div> <p>The A-League club's financial plight is reaching crisis point as the Jets failed to pay the players their monthly wage on Monday.</p> <p>Newcastle players only received their monthly wage late on Tuesday night.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>David Gallop says the FFA will take over the Newcastle Jets if the club's debts aren't paid. Picture: Morne de Klerk/Getty Images.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> Getty Images</span></p> </div> <p>Tinkler is due in court next week as he is being pursued for multi-million dollar debts, with Football Federation Australia monitoring the situations closely.</p> <p>The Jets only recently cleared its debts with FFA but speaking at the Money in Sport Conference in Melbourne, Gallop said FFA was ready to step in.</p> <p>MELBOURNE CITY RUN WILD AGAINST HAPLESS JETS</p> <p>FFA SERVE TINKLER A FORMAL WARNING OVER FINANCES</p> <p>"Paying the players in the next day is a critical one and we expect that to happen today,'' Gallop said.</p> <p>"The position remains pretty simple, if a current owner pays the bills he will be the owner of the club and if he doesn't he won't be.</p> <p>"There's no question that not paying the players is a clear indication that the owner can't meet his obligations and we would move quickly in that environment.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>The Jets sit bottom of the A-League after a 4-0 loss to Melbourne City. Picture: Michael Dodge/Getty Images.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> Getty Images</span></p> </div> <div readability="34"> <p><span>Nathan Tinkler, owner of the Newcastle Jets. Picture: Will Russell/Getty Images.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> Getty Images</span></p> </div> <p>"We haven't given the Jets a grant for the last couple of months because of the situation with our own debt, which has now been cleared, and the Garnishee Notice from the Tax Office.</p> <p>"He knows that that message has been put to him loud and clear and there's a big job ahead of the club to rebuild the connection with the community and grassroots of the game in that area.''</p> <p>The Jets have slumped to the bottom of the table having conceded 45 goals in 21 games and produced an insipid performance, losing 4-0 away to Melbourne City last Saturday.</p> <p>Gallop said having competitive teams was fundamental to the A-League's integrity.</p> <p>"It's critically important for us that we put on five quality games every week. Games where fans can turn up with a legitimate expectation that their team can is a chance of winning that day,'' Gallop said.</p> <p>"If we don't do that then our competition will suffer commercially and the local team will suffer significantly.''</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-29776816493638873692015-03-17T09:57:00.001-07:002015-03-17T09:57:08.431-07:00Coote finally saddles up for the Cowboys<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>LACHLAN Coote is set to make his North Queensland debut at fullback as Cowboys coach Paul Green made his first changes to arrest the winless start to the season.</strong></p> </div> <p>Coote was signed as a successor to Cowboys great Matt Bowen at the end of the 2013 season but missed last year with a knee injury.</p> <p>The 24-year-old's experience at fullback, where he played most of his 83 games for Penrith, saw him earn the No. 1 jersey while incumbent Michael Morgan's superior defence means he will partner Johnathan Thurston in the halves.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>Cowboys' Lachlan Coote during a trial match. Picture: Zak Simmonds</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>Robert Lui will suit up for the Townsville Blackhawks in the Intrust Super Cup.</p> <p>After staying loyal to the players who won eight of the Cowboys' last 10 games in 2014, Green said losses to the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle meant it was time to make changes.</p> <p><strong>EXPECT MORE OF THIS, BRONCOS WARN JT</strong></p> <p>Coote has not played an NRL match since the end of 2013 but his fitness was never an issue as he started the year in the Queensland Cup.</p> <p>As he looks for some consistency in attack, Green hoped Coote would add plenty to the Cowboys' firepower.</p> <p>"Hopefully he's got good pass selection when he comes into the backline."</p> <p>Morgan enjoyed a breakout year in his switch to the custodian role, earning a spot in the Queensland Origin camp and Prime Minister's XIII side, and Green hopes the Townsville junior will find as much space at five-eighth as he did at fullback.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>"I think we're probably better defensively with Morgo defending in the front line," Green said. "He's a bigger body, makes good decisions and has played most of his footy there (in the halves)."</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-27873113987245419232015-03-10T09:57:00.008-07:002015-03-10T09:59:00.119-07:00Losing KP was the beginning of the end<div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>KEVIN Pietersen's joy was so obvious it was a surprise his typing fingers didn't punch a hole in his phone.</strong></p> </div> <p>"I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS! I JUST CANNOT! But well done Bangladesh! You deserve it."</p> <p>That now famous tweet was not written by a man whose prime emotions were anger or disappointment.</p> <p>It was by a man bursting with the everlasting satisfaction of knowing that however modest England were with him they were simply atrocious without him.</p> <p>A cynic may suggest that it also shows why he was left out in the first place.</p> <p>That England's failure was his success. To Kev, it's always been about Kev.</p> <p>But he is not the first discarded star to feel this way and the deeper issue is England's failure to handle and harness him.</p> <p>Most star teams have a maverick player. Genius often comes in quirky packages.</p> <p><strong>WORLD REACTS TO ENGLAND'S CUP SHOCKER</strong></p> <p><strong>ENGLAND: 'CRICKET IS REALLY REALLY, HARD!'</strong></p> <p><strong>ENGLAND'S MOST DISASTROUS DEFEATS</strong></p> <p>Down through the generations there were times when players moaned it was all about Flintoff or Botham or Bradman or Warne and how they seemed to play by different rules, which of course they did.</p> <p>The trick is learning how to manage them and England never got there.</p> <p>But back to that later.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>England needed a character like 'KP' for his campaign. Picture: Darren England.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Limited</span></p> </div> <p>Trying to list the full reasons behind England's World Cup demise is like detailing the cause of the GFC. It's a long and complex story.</p> <p>The failure of their coach Peter Moores to inspire the side proves once and for all that there is a difference between a successful county coach whose job it is to rouse a group of pliable professionals and an England coach who has to be a big time thinker and tactician and motivator.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>The fact that Moores said he would have to look at the data to explain England's poor performance is like the captain of the Titanic saying he would have to check flow charts to see why his vessel sank — mate, you hit a frickin' iceberg!</p> <p>The choice of Eoin Morgan as a captain was a disaster. His batting form was terrible and even his permanently anguished demeanour, which resembled a man with a serious wind problem trying not to show it, radiated bad vibes for his team.</p> <div readability="32"> <p><span>England captain Eoin Morgan after his side were knocked out of the World Cup.</span> <span><em>Source:</em> Getty Images</span></p> </div> <p>His refusal to sing the anthem was a hollow one for a team craving zest and sparkle they could never find.</p> <p>In terms of charisma, Winston Churchill he ain't.</p> <p>When long time captain Alastair Cook was dropped just before the Cup many felt it was overdue.</p> <p>Cook may not be a sabre-rattling captain but he is a strong man and a reliable leader of men. They missed him.</p> <p>Good teams tend to be noisy trainers. They laugh. They joke. The pull pranks. England's training sessions were so quiet and spiritless it was as if they were taking place in the state library.</p> <p>But Pietersen's exit was the torpedo midships.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>Pietersen may be hard to handle but he did captain his country and play more than 250 games for England. It's not as if they were trying to handle a great train robber.</p> <p>Former England captain Michael Vaughan, a fine leader of men, handled Pietersen best by realising early on there were several essential elements in dealing with him.</p> <p>Pietersen's forensic thirst for information meant he had to be given as much as possible about any issue that concerned him.</p> <p>Also, he needs to be listened to and respected.</p> <p>That was about it really. Other superstars have been managed equally effectively.</p> <p>You might think Shane Warne would have been tough, but early on Mark Taylor solved everything by being brutally firm with him to the point where an umpire once asked whether there was any on-field sledging replied "just the normal between Tubby and Warnie.''</p> <p>But they somehow clicked.</p> <p>When Warne became a superstar and went on a team bonding camp he was initially banned from taking a carton of cigarettes before he told organisers "if they don't go neither do I.''</p> <p>Sometimes you have to be pliable. Firm sticks can just break in two — just like England this campaign.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4346433466009729587.post-32506870028665609082015-03-10T09:57:00.007-07:002015-03-10T09:58:36.234-07:00Titans text message: pool game or drug deal?<div> <div> <div readability="31.5"> <div readability="8"> <p>Titans NRL club stars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor have pleaded not guilty to drugs charges on the Gold Coast.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div readability="33"> <p><strong>A CASUAL invitation to a game of pool at a suburban pub is at the centre of allegations a Gold Coast Titans player was involved in supplying cocaine.</strong></p> </div> <p>With the five Titans involved in the cocaine scandal still yet to be returned to the club's active roster, <em>The Courier-Mail</em> can reveal a key plank in the Crime and Corruption Commission case against Kalifa Faifai Loa relates to a casual mention of a Gold Coast tavern.</p> <p><strong>TEAMS: Titans stall on naming charged players</strong></p> <p><strong>LAWYER'S PLEA: Get Titans off sideline</strong></p> <p><strong>DALEY: Bird's Origin future up in the air</strong></p> <p>Text messages with alleged code words and hidden meanings are central to allegations against several of the eight past and present Titans facing charges of supplying cocaine.</p> <p>Their lawyers labelled the allegations weak and want the charges thrown out and the players reinstated immediately.</p> <div readability="33"> <p><span>Titans NRL player Kalifa Faifai Loa appears in Southport Court on drugs charges. Pics Adam Head</span> <span><em>Source:</em> News Corp Australia</span></p> </div> <p>Faifai Loa, a former New Zealand and Samoan Test player, faces one count of supplying cocaine after the CCC allegedly intercepted text messages about Treetops Plaza at West Burleigh.</p> <div> <div> <div readability="31.5"> <div readability="8"> <p>Titans NRL club stars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor have pleaded not guilty to drugs charges on the Gold Coast.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p>He allegedly sent a message saying "Meet me at the Treetops Plaza in Burleigh".</p> <p>It will be alleged other messages related to meeting at the shopping centre's tavern to play pool – which the CCC will allege was code for a drug deal.</p> <p>As well as being a part of pool games, an "eight ball" is also street slang for a quantity of cocaine weighing about 3.5g and worth over $1000.</p> <p>Faifai Loa's lawyer Campbell Maccallum said the allegations were "wildly speculative".</p> <p>Allegations against reigning Titans player of the year Beau Falloon include references to a text message saying "Our season starts now", while other players allegedly sent messages to accused cartel kingpin John Touma featuring references to various varieties of wine.</p> <div><div readability="6.5"> <p>Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.</p> <img src="http://www.adobe.com/images/shared/download_buttons/get_flash_player.gif" alt="Get Adobe Flash Player" /></div> </div> <p>Touma, whose drug trafficking case returns to Southport Magistrates Court today, once ran a wine distribution business.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the Titans team announced on Tuesday for this weekend's NRL round featured none of the players facing charges.</p> <p>The Titans board has already been briefed of the case against the players and hopes to make a decision on their immediate playing future within days.</p><br /> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13489331173008476505noreply@blogger.com0