Roar keen to upgrade Borello deal

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BRISBANE Roar are in talks with teenage sensation Brandon Borrello about upgrading his full-time youth contract to an A-League deal.

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.

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.

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.

While discussions with Borrello continue, the Roar have signed fellow teenager Shannon Brady on a four-year A-League contract.

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.

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Gill hopes decision ends saga

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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.

The anti-doping agency will hold an 11am media conference in Canberra today where its plans may be revealed.

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.

"It is a decision for ASADA — my personal view is no (they should not appeal)," McLachlan said. "

There has been a decision made after a long, protracted period.

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"ASADA and WADA will make the decision is the right decision from their perspective.

"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."

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.

He said under the World Anti-Doping Code, the AFL could not provide more information on yesterday's judgment without players' consent.

"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.

Paul Little and James Hird speak to the media. Source: Getty Images

"The players have got to make the decision in the context of what is right for them, and I respect that.

"So transparency is something we're looking for — but there are questions that will never be answered about all this."

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".

He said he had recently spoken with Essendon coach James Hird.

"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.

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."

He said the league "absolutely" stood by the harsh penalties handed to Essendon in 2013.

"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.

"The judgment and the evidence should give no-one any joy about what happened in our competition in 2012."

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Day masters fear for fresh Augusta quest

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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.

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.

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.

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.

"I want it more," Day said of why he can win it.

That's been fed by the near-miss angst of 2013 when Adam Scott created history and his own lifelong feeling the Masters is the major above all others.

"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.

"Like I said, I always wanted to be the first Australian (to win the Masters).

"Adam got there. I'm OK with being the second Aussie to win (laughs).

"I just want it more than I ever have in my whole career."

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.

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.

Jason Day warms up on the putting green during the third round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Source: AP

"Do I really want to push through it or do I want to kinda run away and hide?," Day said.

Day is meeting the strategy-adjustments, pressure and expectations head on just like Norman's generous nod that he's primed to win.

"Yeah, people did text me the Greg stuff," Day said down the phone from his Ohio home.

"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.

"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'?"

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.

"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.

"I'm not scared to go in and lose because I already lost that tournament in 2013.

"Standing on the 16th hole I had the lead and I lost the event. Unfortunately, that's just how it goes.

"…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."

Day is not into hiding. His zeal for this special time of year is matched by his faith in his preparation.

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.

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.

"I really want to come back unless some unknown reason pops up," Day said.

"Right now I'm thinking about Augusta."

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Families turn their back on Origin

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.

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.

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.

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.

NSW celebrate winning the 2014 series. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

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.

TOO EXPENSIVE: SOO may struggle to sell out

CASH GRAB: NRL out of touch with fans

Will you try to get State of Origin tickets this year?

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.

Unlike State of Origin, tickets for the Spurs game start at just $15.

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.

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.

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."

Hart, wife Alison, son Liam and daughter Julia spoke of their disappointment at being unable financially to buy tickets.

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"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.

"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.

"Years ago everyone could afford to go. Now it seems only corporates can afford tickets. The game isn't what it used to be.

"It is slowly but surely drifting away from its working class roots."

Family passes can cost as much as $555.63 at ANZ Stadium. A single adult entry ticket can cost up to $280.

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.

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.

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 Source: News Limited

Social media went into meltdown on Tuesday.

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."

Sandy-Lee posted: "So, our dream of one day taking our kids to a SOO game in Sydney has just been shattered."

Barry said though: "Still not bad value when you consider the cost of seeing Kylie or Pink in concert."

Johnny added: "No fans, no game."

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."

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.

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.

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Savage tipped for swim return

Bernard Savage (left) pictured with former Australian swimmer Michael Klim. Source: News Limited

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.

The Courier-Mail 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.

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.

There is no doubting Savage's impressive resume as one of the finest experts in his field after more than two decades in sport.

But he is tainted by the past failure of Australia's London Olympic campaign.

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".

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.

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.

"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.

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.

He was poached by Triathlon Australia to be their national performance director almost immediately after the London Olympics.

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.

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.

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.

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Kent: A game of high steaks

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AS the Gold Coast Five ply their trade the AFL begins a search for contaminated meat.

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.

Killing off the season opener is usually an institution reserved for the NRL. It's an annual event around here.

The Collingwood players, Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas, claim they have no idea how clenbuterol allegedly got in their bodies.

Josh Thomas playing for the Magpies in the NAB Challenge. Source: Getty Images

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.

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So already a search for contaminated beef has begun, despite the Australian beef industry saying clenbuterol is not a drug used on cattle.

Contaminated meat is not a new excuse.

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.

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.

He was suspended a year and never returned.

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Alberto Contador won the Tour de France in 2010 and, like Rogers, tested positive for clenbuterol.

And, like Rogers, he claimed it came from contaminated meat.

Unlike Rogers, his suspension was upheld and he was stripped of victory.

Everybody at Collingwood insists the players are "confused" as to how any clenbuterol could have got in their system.

They have no idea, they say.

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.

Reni Maitua tested positive for clenbuterol in 2009. Source: News Corp Australia

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.

The answer might be a warning flare for NRL players.

Maitua was not looking for performance enhancement, he was never a cheat, but he lived poorly and paid the price.

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Dons stars blast back in doping saga

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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.

It comes as one former Bomber began his own Supreme Court action, seeking documents about the medical treatment he received while at the club.

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.

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.

Alan Jones grills AFL chief executive Gill McLachlan on the Essendon ASADA investigation.

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.

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"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.

The players are facing suspensions of up to two years for use of the prohibited peptide Thymosin beta-4.

Essendon players in a huddle. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: HeraldSun

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.

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.

EX-BOMBER IN LEGAL ACTION AGAINST CLUB, AFL

NEW WADA RULES WON'T HELP 'BOMBERS 34'

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.

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.

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan has publicly stated the league must accept some level of responsibility for the saga.

michael.warner@news.com.au

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Kent: Time to end muddled thinking

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BRAVERY is a badge in the NRL.

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.

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.

Bravery is a celebration in the NRL and it is everywhere.

Was there bravery in Nathan Peats returning to the field on Sunday?

Rabbitoh Adam Reynolds comes back to the sideline after a concussion test. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

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.

If Peats' return to the field revealed anything it is that it is time we protect the players from themselves.

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And from the clubs.

It is time we accept that the culture of bravery we celebrate is made redundant when playing through what could be irreversible injury.

While the NRL is pressing hard to be proactive clubs are being dragged, unwillingly as is their way.

Few here in Australia have heard of Chris Borland, who might be about the bravest guy running around.

Borland was on the American sports show, Outside The Lines, on Monday talking about his decision to quit playing football.

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"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."

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.

Borland walked to protect his future. If you don't have your health, they say ...

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.

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.

David Mead is concussed against the Bulldogs. Pics Adam Head Source: News Corp Australia

As an NRL official said on Tuesday, "It appears that ultimately punishment is the best deterrent."

Clubs are defying the game and until the game stands up to them they will continue to do so.

It's that simple.

Where the bravery of the player elevates the game, the interests of those caring for them destroy it.

Clubs are committing to only the minimum standard required and some not even that.

At what price? How much is two points worth?

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.

Young men are filled with dreams of today. It should not come at the cost of their tomorrows.

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Webcke’s challenge to big Sam

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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.

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".

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.

Broncos Sam Thaiday takes on the Cowboys defence. Pic Peter Wallis Source: News Corp Australia

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.

NEGOTIATIONS: Thaiday not worried about contract talks

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Complicating the Thaiday saga is Brisbane's battle to retain other off-contract players.

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.

"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.

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"If Sam has a real poor year he might be in danger, but I am confident he can produce his best form again."

Thaiday, 29, has another five games, starting against the Warriors on Sunday, to convince Bennett to open talks on a new deal.

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Mateship on hold for Manly connection

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NEVER in his wildest dreams did Anthony Watmough imagine he'd have to face off against his good mate Glenn Stewart in the NRL.

Watmough and Stewart are as close as players get, and made a pact to start and finish their careers at Manly together.

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.

"We made a decision to stay together at Manly years ago,'' ­Watmough said.

Anthony Watmough during a Parramatta Eels training session. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Limited

"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'.

POOR START: Watmough admits he's not been up to standard

"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.

"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'.

"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.''

Friday night will be the first time Watmough and Stewart square off. They'll pack down for Parramatta and South Sydney respectively.

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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.

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.

For Watmough, going up against 'Gifty' will be more emotional than running out against his former Manly teammates in the opening round.

"It will be tough. I told him this will be the toughest one for me personally,'' Watmough said.

"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.''

Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough during a training session with the Sea Eagles. Source: News Limited

Watmough and Stewart spend more time together now than they did when training and playing on the northern beaches.

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.

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.

"He's a little wombat,'' Watmough, 31, said.

"Like when a car hits a wombat, and it's the car that comes off second-best. He can hit.''

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