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Not so sweet 16 for Dunaden

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 03 November 2012 | 22.07

1. Dunaden (Barrier 16) Craig Williams 59kg

2. Americain (12) D Oliver 58kg

3. Jakkalberry (19) Colm O'Donoghue 55.5kg

4. Red Cadeaux (18) M Rodd 55.5kg

5. Winchester (22) J Mott 55.5kg

6. Voila Ici (13) V Duric 55kg

7. Cavalryman (6) L Dettori 54kg

8. Mount Athos (8) Ryan Moore 54kg

9. Sanagas (4) Nicholas Hall 54kg

10. Ethiopia (14) R McLeod 53.5kg

11. Fiorente (2) J B McDonald 53.5kg

12. Galileo's Choice (11) P J Smullen 53.5kg

13. Glencadam Gold (7) Tommy Berry 53.5kg

14. Green Moon (5) B Prebble 53.5kg

15. Maluckyday (9) J A Cassidy 53.5kg

16. Mourayan (3) J Bowman 53.5kg

17. My Quest For Peace (1) C W Brown 53.5kg

18. Niwot (15) D Dunn 53.5kg

19. Tac De Boistron (21) O Dolueze 53.5kg

20. Lights Of Heaven (17) L Nolen 53kg

21. Precedence (20) B Shinn 53kg

22. Unusual Suspect (23) G Schofield 53kg

23. Zabeelionaire (24) C Newitt 52kg

24. Kelinni (10) G Boss 51kg


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lame Watson adds to Aussie woes

Still smiling ... an injured Shane Watson sits in the dressing rooms. Source: Darren England / News Limited

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Australian cricket is holding its collective breath with Shane Watson undergoing scans on another calf injury six days out from the first Test.

In a worrying scare which could have major ramifications, a downcast Watson trudged off Allan Border Field on Saturday after bowling just six balls in his only first-class match for six months.

He twinged the same left calf which forced him home from Australia's one-day tour of England in July and immediately spoke at length with Test captain Michael Clarke at the end of his solitary over.

Watson also missed the entire 2011-12 domestic summer with hamstring and calf strains and only returned to the Test team for the April tour of West Indies.

The star all-rounder played down the injury as he raced off for scans midway through the afternoon but remains in doubt for Friday's first Test start at the Gabba considering his long injury history.

Watson is without doubt Australia's most valuable player as well as their most difficult to replace - highlighted by Cricket Australia (CA) cutting short his involvement in last month's Champions League Twenty20 as a precaution.

On top of being their best top-order batsman, the 31-year-old brings great balance to the Test XI with his medium-pace bowling which averages 29 runs per wicket.

There is no obvious replacement waiting in the wings and Test selectors must choose whether they want a specialist batsman or an all-rounder.

Considering his position at No.3 in an inconsistent batting order, the national panel would more likely want to shore up the top order.

Victorian Rob Quiney (85) and Tasmania's Alex Doolan (161 not out) have continued their good domestic form for Australia A against the Proteas at the SCG, while Phil Hughes remains on the radar after a positive switch to South Australia and another former Test left-hander, Usman Khawaja, gritted out 54 against NSW in tough conditions.

In-form South Australia star Dan Christian looms as a back-up if the Test selectors want to replace Watson with another all-rounder.

The latest drama comes after Ricky Ponting was withdrawn from Tasmania's clash against South Australia due to hamstring soreness and all members of the Australia top order suffered failures in this round of Shield matches.

CA chief executive James Sutherland strongly defended the plan to give Test players Shield exposure before the three-Test series with the world's leading nation.

"I think it's absolutely right for them to be getting four-day conditioning," Sutherland told ABC radio.

"(Watson) hasn't had any four-day cricket for a long time so it's very important that he had something coming into (the Gabba Test).

"We actually took the effort and sacrificed him out of the Champions League recently in order to come back and prepare for Test cricket."

But questions are being asked whether CA should be protecting players like Watson and young tearaway Pat Cummins, ruled out of the Test summer on Friday due to back stress fractures, by playing them less in Twenty20 tournaments.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vettell falls off the pace

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Fastest ... Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel tops the times table after practice in Abu Dhabi. Source: Karim Sahib / AFP

Briton Lewis Hamilton topped the times for McLaren in Saturday's third free practice session for this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

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The 27-year-old former world champion, who moves to Mercedes next year, clocked a best time of one minute and 42.130 seconds at the end of a one-hour session that he dominated ahead of his team-mate and compatriot Jenson Button.

Defending world champion and current series leader Sebastian Vettel produced the third fastest lap in the final seconds after being stranded in the Red Bull garage for most of the session for work on the rear brakes.

Driver Team Pts
1 Sebastian Vettel (GER) Red Bull 240
2 Fernando Alonso (ESP) Ferrari 227
3 Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Lotus 173
4 Mark Webber (AUS) Red Bull 167
5 Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren 165
6 Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren 141
7 Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 93
8 Romain Grosjean (FRA) Lotus 90
9 Felipe Massa (BRA) Ferrari 89
10 Sergio Perez (MEX) Sauber 66
11 Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) Sauber 50
12 Nico Hulkenburg (GER) Force India 49
13 Paul di Resta (GBR) Force India 44
14 Michael Schumacher (GER) Mercedes 43
15 Pastor Maldonado (VEN) Williams 33
16 Bruno Senna (BRA) Williams 26
17 Jean Eric Vergne (FRA) Toro Rosso 12
18 Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Toro Rosso 9
19 Timo Glock (GER) Marussia F1 0
20 Heikki Kovalainen (FIN) Carterham 0
21 Vitaly Petrov (RUS) Carterham 0
22 Jerome d'Ambrosio (BEL) Lotus 0
23 Charles Pic (FRA) Marussia F1 0
24 Narain Karthikeyan (IND) HRT F1 0
25 Pedro de la Rosa (ESP) HRT F1 0

He finally joined the fray with only three minutes remaining and without a timed flying lap on the board, but produced his familiar speed as he leapt from last to third.

Vettel's Australian teammate Mark Webber was fourth fastest.

Vettel's nearest championship rival, two-time champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Ferrari, was only eighth fastest and teammate Brazilian Felipe Massa 11th on the day after the Italian team had broken Formula One's curfew for the second successive night.

This rule defines the hours when the teams are not permitted to be in the paddock working and Ferrari have now used up two of their permitted four breaks in the space of as many days.

Alonso has been given a revised front wing, new under-chassis barge boards and rear wing to use at the Yas Marina circuit, but appeared to struggle to produce a fast lap time in third practice.

Vettel's brief cameo of speed was a crushing psychological blow to Alonso and Ferrari as he appeared to find the pace of car and circuit almost immediately in searing heat that produced an air temperature of 32 degrees Celsius and a track temperature of 44 degrees.

Only McLaren produced the speed and consistency to emerge as real challengers with a hope of ending Red Bull's rollercoaster run of dominance and wreck their hopes of a fourth straight front row lockout, a feat last achieved by McLaren themselves in 1998.

Nico Hulkenberg, who is moving to Sauber next year, was fifth fastest for Force India ahead of the leading Lotus of Romain Grosjean, Pastor Maldonado of Williams and eighth-placed Alonso.

Kimi Raikkonen was ninth in the second Lotus ahead of Paul Di Resta in the second Force India, Massa, and McLaren-bound Mexican Sergio Perez of Sauber.

The two Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and seven-time champion Michael Schumacher were 13th and 14th.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Heskey halted as Glory sink Jets

Just glorious ... Steven McGarry knocked home a cracker for Perth. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

Emile Heskey's goal-scoring run came to a halt as Perth Glory secured a pulsating 3-2 A-League victory over Newcastle Jets at nib Stadium on Saturday night.

Heskey entered the match in red-hot form after scoring four goals in his previous three matches, with the Jets winning each of those.

The former Liverpool star was barely sighted in the first half as goals to Steve McGarry and Nick Ward gave Perth a 2-1 lead at the break, the Jets' lone goal coming courtesy of Tiago Calvano.

A clever header from Heskey in the 73rd minute gifted a goal to Josh Mitchell, but Glory substitute Chris Harold ensured the home side would take all three points when he slammed home the winner from close range in the 85th minute.

Glory's defence was caught napping in the sixth minute when former Perth midfielder Mitchell headed a dangerous ball across goal and Calvano kneed the ball into the back of the net.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Central Coast 5 3 1 1 6 10
2 Adelaide 4 3 0 1 4 9
3 Perth 5 3 0 2 2 9
4 Newcastle 5 3 0 2 0 9
5 Western Sydney 5 2 1 2 0 7
6 Sydney 5 2 0 3 -6 6
7 Wellington 4 1 2 1 0 5
8 Brisbane 4 1 1 2 3 4
9 Heart 5 1 1 3 -3 4
10 Victory 4 1 0 3 -6 3

But the home side levelled in the 11th minute when McGarry nailed a perfectly-timed low drive from 26 metres out.


Re-live the game as it happened with our A-League Match Centre, featuring video highlights and all the key stats!


Ward was causing Newcastle's defence plenty of problems and the Glory midfielder was on hand to poke home a crucial goal in the 38th minute after Jets goalkeeper Mark Birighitti palmed away Dean Heffernan's goalward-bound header.

The home side should have entered the half-time break with a 3-1 lead, but Scott Jamieson's goal on the stroke of half-time was controversially ruled offside.

Heskey shot to life in the second half, with his hard-fought header to the feet of Mitchell helping the Jets get back on level terms.

But former Gold Coast midfielder Harold, who went on in the 76th minute, found himself in the right place at the right time when Newcastle failed to clear a corner.

Harold, stationed at the far post, made no mistake with the finish, with his right-foot strike finding its way through a number of bodies to send the 9293 crowd into raptures.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Whincup fastest in Abu Dhabi

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 02 November 2012 | 22.07

Whincup ... sizzles with the fastest lap time in Abu Dhabi. Source: Mark Horsburgh, Edge / News Limited

Holden's Jamie Whincup has clocked the fastest lap of the day during practice in Abu Dhabi, leaving little doubt as to why he leads this year's V8 Supercars championship.

Whincup clocked a time of two minutes and 13.655 seconds in the second practice session at Yas Marina Circuit on Friday, outpacing Ford driver Tony D'Alberto by 0.154s.

At one point he was two seconds ahead of the rest of the field.

Jonathon Webb, who was quickest in the opening practice session, finished third fastest ahead of Ford's Steve Owen and Holden's Michael Patrizi.

With the V8s out on the full 5.5km Formula One track for the first time, a number of drivers found themselves running wide into the generous run-off areas during both sessions.

The new hairpin at turn seven also proved a challenge for Holden's Michael Caruso, who nudged Fabian Coulthard into a spin during practice one.

The two 30-minute practice sessions are the only chance drivers get to prepare ahead of qualifying at 10pm (EDT) on Friday.

The best three lap times for each driver will determine their grid position for the trio of 12-lap sprint races on Saturday and Sunday.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Scott plays second fiddle

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Sitting pretty ... Adam Scott is the halfway point in China. Source:AAP

Adam Scott is well poised at the halfway point of the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in China, but red-hot South African Louis Oosthuizen stole the show with a 63 on Friday to lead by five shots.

The Australian carded an impressive four-under par 68 in the second round in an up-and-down round at the $US7 million ($A6.76 million) event at Mission Hills in the southern city of Dongguan.

But Oosthuizen was the star, smashing Tiger Woods' record for the lowest halfway score in World Golf Championships' history at the $US7 million ($A6.76 million) event.

Oosthuizen's nine-under-par 63, helped by a run of eagle, birdie, birdie, birdie, birdie, left him 16-under through 36 holes, beating Woods' 15-under score at the 2000 Bridgestone Invitational and 2006 Cadillac championship.

His second round, which followed Thursday's 65, put clear distance between the South African and nearest rivals Scott and Ernie Els, who shared second spot on 11-under-par 133.

Oosthuizen birdied the par-three eighth, escaped out of a bunker to within a foot on nine, drained a 20-footer on 10 and then chipped to an unmissable distance on 11.

Two more birdies on 15 and 16 completed a pleasing day's work for the South African, who was greeted at the clubhouse by his wife and two daughters, who are travelling with him.

Oosthuizen's spell-binding performance at southern China's par-72 Mission Hills also evoked memories of his five-stroke halfway lead at the 2010 British Open, when he successfully closed out over the weekend.

"Scoreboard-wise, it's probably the same," he said. "Looking at the leaderboard, there's so many great players up there. It's far from over. It was probably the same at the Open.

"With this tournament, I'm in a great position to win it, but it's not even crossed my mind at the moment. There's still a lot of golf to be played, and I need to put myself in a great position going down the back nine on Sunday."

Scott, who had shared the first-round lead with Oosthuizen, played a sumptuous front nine studded with four birdies but he stumbled on his return with three bogeys and another three birdies.

"I played OK today - I got off to a good start but on the back nine I missed a few greens and I had to scramble, and it's tough when it's fast around the greens," said Scott.

"I don't know about tomorrow but as long as I catch (Oosthuizen) by the end of Sunday, that's the most important thing," he added.

The Australian escaped from a bunker on the third hole for his first birdie of the day, and he picked up further shots on four and five to take a two-shot lead early in the round.

A cry of "Adam, we love you!" from the sidelines spurred him on, but it was Oosthuizen who then took charge with his eagle on the par-five seventh, cueing up a birdie blitz around the turn.

Four-time major-winner Els, who sprained his ankle playing tennis two weeks ago, turned at seven-under par and then added two more birdies for a 63, matching his fellow South African Oosthuizen.

"You know what they say - beware the injured golfer," said Els.

Phil Mickelson, the event's only double winner, was also set for a share of second place until he found greenside rocks on the 18th for double-bogey and dropped down to tied sixth with Dustin Johnson.

Jason Dufner, Mickelson and Johnson's Ryder Cup teammate, shot 66 to share fourth spot with Ireland's Shane Lowry, who had 68.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell played with his right hand strapped after shutting it in his hotel door, and will undergo tests on Saturday before he decides whether to continue.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wild Knights expect Sonny Bill back

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Returning? ... Sonny Bill Williams is expected back at Wild Knights. Source: John Grainger / News Limited

Sonny Bill Williams is recovering "smoothly" from surgery in Sydney and his Japanese rugby club expect the boxing code-hopper back for the last part of the Top League season.

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Former All Black Williams underwent an operation on Wednesday on a chest injury picked up attempting a tackle for his club Panasonic in their win over Kintetsu Liners last weekend.

The injury had the potential to jeopardise his return to the Wild Knights, with five games remaining in their season, but the club is confident the centre will return in time for the resumption of the competition on December 1.

"Williams is due to return here by the end of this month," Panasonic Wild Knights spokesman Satoru Awaya said.

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"We are making arrangements to have him start with a rehabilitation program based on what he has worked out over there.

"We have not been told of any particular problem arising following the surgery.

"We understand his recovery has been progressing smoothly."

With Japanese rugby on a five-week break, Williams initially flew to Sydney to prepare for a heavyweight boxing bout with South African veteran Francois Botha on November 24 in Brisbane.

But it was rumoured that the dual international was also poised to formally sign a contract to return to rugby league with the Sydney Roosters.

Instead, Williams went straight to the NRL club's headquarters at Moore Park to undergo scans on an injury that could threaten or at least delay his high-profile switch back to the code after walking out on the Bulldogs in 2008.

Reports during the week suggested Williams was set to be out of action for at least two months and his fight against 44-year-old Botha was delayed until next February.

Japan's Top League will complete its 13-round season with the final playoffs set for late January.

Williams quit the world champion All Blacks and Super Rugby club the Chiefs in August to play 12 matches for Panasonic worth a reported $US1.2 million ($A1.16 million).


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Davison secures pole in Abu Dhabi

On the limit ... Will Davison pushes hard to secure pole in Abu Dhabi. Source: John Pryke / AAP

Ford's Will Davison has secured pole position for all three sprint races at this weekend's V8 Supercars round in Abu Dhabi.

The Ford Performance Racing (FPR) pilot added to his last-start win on the Gold Coast with the three fastest lap times during Friday's qualifier at Yas Marina Circuit.

His quickest, at two minutes and 11.766 seconds, was 0.11s faster than Holden's Jamie Whincup's best lap.

Championship leader Whincup scored second place on the grid for the trio of 12-lap races on Saturday and Sunday.

Third fastest qualifier was Ford's New Zealand driver Shane Van Gisbergen.

Davison, who sat near the middle of the field during practice, hopes pole position will keep him clear of all the "dive-bombing" expected during the races.

"I think the circuit's going to promote some pretty wild racing and wild overtaking, so I'd love to think I'm clear (of) getting wiped out and we can have a great race up the front," he said.

Sitting in fourth place and 557 points behind Whincup on the championship ladder, Davison says he's still keen to finish the year in the top three.

"Winning races and pole positions are great, they're massively rewarding and satisfying," he said.

"When you've got a great car and great team you've got to make hay while the sun shines.

"Right now it's great to be challenging for wins and obviously the more the merrier."

Whincup admitted qualifying didn't go as well has hoped, mainly because of the changing track conditions during the 20-minute session.

"We just didn't adjust quick enough and got dubbed by Davo (Will Davison)," he said.

"Clearly he did a very good job, clearly he drove very well ... and definitely deserved pole."

Despite Ford's Mark Winterbottom qualifying in sixth spot, Whincup wasn't ready to write-off his main championship challenger for this weekend's races on the Formula One meet program.

"It's a long way around here so certainly anyone can come from 8th, 10th position, anything like that," Whincup said.

Van Gisbergen believes strategy will still play a big role in all three races, with tyre degradation on the 40-plus degree track a key challenge.

"With 12 laps there'd probably still be some people struggling at the end of that," he said.

"Some people might go hard, some people might conserve a little bit still even though it's only 12 laps."

The first of the three races begins at 5pm (EDT) on Saturday.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thorpe has Games in his sights

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 01 November 2012 | 22.07

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Revealing ... Ian Thorpe opens up to Fox Sports News on a wide range of issues. Source: Adam Knott / Supplied

Ian Thorpe has no immediate intention of retiring from swimming for a second time, instead targeting a place at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

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The five-time Olympic gold medallist sat down with Fox Sports News reporter Andrew McKinlay for an exclusive interview, following revelations of his battles with depression and alcoholism were detailed in the launch of his biography, This Is Me.

Despite failing to secure a place at the London Olympics, Thorpe said he has no regrets about his comeback to the pool.

"I wish my return went the other way and I qualified for London, but I found for myself the reason I love swimming. I had lost that," Thorpe said.

Thorpe confirmed he will target the 2013 World Championships and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow the following year, provided his form and fitness is good enough.

"Everything is on a two-year plan for me these days. What I didn't like about London was that I was rushing to make it.

"I'm not going to do that this time. I'll do what I want to do and what I feel I can do."

He also opened up about his well-publicised battle with depression and suicidal thoughts, a topic he originally only wrote about for his own personal benefit and didn't plan to publish.

"It's a difficult subject for me to discuss," Thorpe said. 

"I am someone who has everything people dream of, but there was always something missing.

"When you get to a point when you rationalise the process of suicide, you can't sleep at all at night and when you feel it's actually a viable option, that's when you know you need more help.

"I experienced that. I hit rock bottom, then found another layer below that.

"It's not a chapter I wanted to publish, but I'm glad I have been able to. It's been a bit cathartic."

The 30-year-old also discussed his relationship with the media, his thoughts on American rival Michael Phelps, his second coming to swimming, failure to make the London Olympics and the constant innuendo over his sexuality.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bogut back with a bang in NBA

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Back on court ... Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut. Source: Paul Connors / News Limited

He only played three quarters but as his first basketball steps in nearly a year Australian superstar Andrew Bogut's 2012 NBA debut was a good one.

Now with Golden State Warriors, Bogut missed all eight of his new club's pre-season games and was a surprise elevation to the starting line-up for the Warriors' season opener against Phoenix Suns in Arizona.

But he poured in his team's opening points and finished the night with eight and six rebounds in his first competitive hit-out since injuring his ankle in January.

Bogut played 18 minutes all up in the thrilling 87-85 win and said he felt "great".

"It's been a long time coming for me; it's been nine months since I've played basketball competitively. I felt great,
body felt great," he said.

"Early on in the game it was kind of tough. Once I pushed through that and got my second wind I felt great.

"Obviously they limited my minutes tonight so I wasn't too happy about it but as long as we get the win."

Warriors coach Mark Jackson said he wouldn't rush Bogut, his No.1 centre, back in to big minutes.

"It's going to take time, but he certainly gives us a presence on both sides of the ball and makes us that much better," Jackson said of Bogut.

"We'll wait until the real Andrew Bogut shows up, and we'll take this one for now."


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sharpe wins John Eales Medal

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Superb ... Sharpe is a deserved winner of the John Eales Medal. Source:News Limited

Australia's latest rugby captain Nathan Sharpe has continued his incredible swansong season by winning the John Eales Medal, the Wallabies Players' Player award, on Thursday evening.

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Sharpe, who twice during the year postponed his international retirement, polled 259 votes from his peers over the course of the Wallabies' last 19 Test matches stretching back to the 2011 World Cup.

Openside flanker David Pocock (235), led the field by a massive 93 points following Australia's Rugby World Cup campaign, but missed their last six matches of the 2012 campaign due to a knee injury.

Western Force lock Sharpe, who also won the medal in 2007, ensured a forward took out the prestigious prize for the ninth time in 11 years.

He assumed captaincy duties of the Wallabies after three leaders, James Horwill, halfback Will Genia and Pocock, all suffered injuries during the course of the campaign.

"It was very hard to lose the three previous captains in one hit," Sharpe said.

"I've just enjoyed it for what it is.

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"You know when it's coming to the end - roughly at least."

Sharpe, 34, also won the inaugural Spirit of Rugby award and the Australia's Choice title.

In the course of 2012, Sharpe also became the most-capped lock in Test history, surpassing South Africa's Victor Matfield and has amassed 112 Test appearances heading into his final four-match tour with the Wallabies in Europe.

He is only the second man behind openside flanker George Smith to win the medal twice and also eclipsed the former Brumbies backrower's previous record tally of the most Test appearances by an Australia forward.

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Outstanding Test rookie Michael Hooper, who finished third in the medal voting on 171, picked up the Rookie of the Year title.

New Zealand-born Steve Walsh was named Referee of the Year while former touch football star Emily Cherry took out the Women's Player of the Year.

Former Australian Rugby Union chairman Dick McGruther was the latest recipient of the Joe French Award, which acknowledges high-profile individuals who have made a significant contribution to Australian rugby.

Captain Ed Jenkins took out the Sevens Player of the Year.


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Kennett calls for tough tanking penalty

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Throw the book at them ... Jeff Kennett wants the Dees done for tanking. Source: Chris Scott / News Limited

Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett believes Melbourne Demons deserve a penalty severe enough to send them into the AFL wilderness for the next decade if tanking claims are proven.

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And he says the Demons board should resign even if they claim to have no knowledge of the club's alleged tanking in 2009.

While the AFL investigation is still ongoing, Kennett said he had seen and heard enough to believe the Demons were guilty.

And he took a starkly different view to others such as former Melbourne president Paul Gardner and former Carlton president Ian Collins, who have suggested that if tanking occurred individuals should be punished rather than the club.

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Kennett said that would not be satisfactory as if individuals were punished, a club could keep changing their office-holders and never suffer the consequences of their actions.

He said it would be sad to see a club with Melbourne's tradition sent further into the doldrums by heavy sanctions, but the AFL had no realistic alternative if the Demons were guilty of deliberately losing matches for draft picks.

He said severe penalties should also be applied to Adelaide Crows if they were found guilty of draft-tampering in their dealings with Kurt Tippett.

"The AFL, if both these clubs' cases are proved to be correct, are going to have to sanction the clubs severely," Kennett told Melbourne's 3AW radio on Thursday.

"For all those Melbourne supporters out there, it is probably going to condemn Melbourne to the back blocks of the AFL for perhaps another decade and that is a tragedy given the brand that Melbourne is.

"I think the board, if (the allegations) are proved to be correct, will have to resign, they should resign.

"They will argue they knew nothing about it but the buck stops with them."

The Demons returned to pre-season training this week and star forward Mitch Clark said the off-field dramas were not affecting the players.

"We're here for the pre-season and that stuff will take care of itself," Clark said.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Stoner on V8 Supercar move

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 31 Oktober 2012 | 22.07

Stoner ... talks to SPEED News Australia on his retirement plans. Source: William West / AFP

Stoner ... talks to SPEED News Australia on his V8 Supercar plans. Source: Mark Horsburgh / Supplied

Retiring MotoGP star Casey Stoner told us why he would like to race V8 Supercars in an exclusive interview on the season finale of SPEED News Australia.

Stoner talks to Jessica Yates. Source: SPEED

The two-time MotoGP champion chatted to host Jessica Yates ahead of his record sixth-straight win at Phillip Island last weekend.

Stoner spoke about his career, early retirement, and why the Dunlop V8 Supercar Series might just have a two-wheel world champion in the field in the near future.

Meantime, SPEED's two-wheel expert Kevin Magee reviewed all the action from Phillip Island that saw Aussies Ant West and Arthur Sissis score podiums in Moto2 and Moto3.

Fans also heard from leading V8 drivers ahead of this weekend's Abu Dhabi V8 Supercar Race in an exclusive SPEED News Australia event preview.

The final episode of the year also looked at the new Nissan Altima V8 Supercar unveiled in Melbourne on Tuesday.


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Day-night Tests don't interest India

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Not for everybody ... Sachin Tendulkar is unlikely to still be playing when night Tests debut. Source:News Limited

India are unlikely to embrace the concept of day-night Test matches because a previous experiment in first-class cricket fell flat.

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The International Cricket Council announced this week that Tests can now be played under lights, with rival teams deciding on the hours of play and the colour of the ball to be used.

Cricket Australia applauded the move, but the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was lukewarm towards the idea despite having tried the concept in a domestic final in 1997.

"We were the first to experiment with this and our experience was not so great," said the BCCI's chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty. "At this stage we have no such proposal."

The BCCI held the five-day Ranji Trophy final between Mumbai and Delhi under lights in Gwalior in April 1997.

Bowlers struggled due to the heavy evening dew and frequent changes of the white ball.

Just two innings were completed in five days. Mumbai, who made 630 after batting first, were declared winners after Delhi were dismissed for 559 on the last day.

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Four bowlers from each sides conceded more than 100 runs apiece, their plight worsened by fielders unable to spot the ball both in the air and on the ground, especially in the outfield.

Crowds are dwindling at Test matches in India even as one-day and Twenty20 cricket enjoys wide interest.

Cricket Australia said on Tuesday that day-night Tests could soon be a reality, but that an ideal ball had yet to be found.

Red balls used in Tests were not easily visible at night, while white balls used in limited-overs matches were found not durable enough for Tests.

Experiments have included playing with pink, orange and yellow balls.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Waugh's Untouchables nation's' best

The Untouchables ... voted as Australia's most dominant sporting side in our poll. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Steve Waugh's record-breaking Test cricket team has been voted as Australia's most dominant sporting team or player according to a foxsports.com.au poll.

We posed the question 'what is Australia's best period of sporting dominance?' following Casey Stoner's incredible sixth consecutive win at the Australian MotoGP at Phillip Island.

Waugh's Untouchables, who won 16 straight Test matches from 1999 to 2001, just shaded Mal Meninga's  dominant Maroons side at the top of the list by the slim margin of 10 votes.

Squash queen Heather McKay was a surprise selection in position three, her achievement of losing just two matches in a 19-year career clearly recognised by voters.

Stoner's efforts at Phillip Island were enough to earn him fourth spot on the list, while legendary mare Black Caviar and her 22 consecutive wins rounded out the top five.

Former New Zealand all-rounder, and now Fox Sports expert, Chris Cairns experienced first-hand the Aussies' dominance, beaten by the side three times in 2000 during their 16-Test streak.

Cairns was the Kiwis' standout performer in those games, plundering 341 runs, including a century, at an average of 56.8 while also taking 10 wickets.

The big-hitting all-rounder described facing Waugh's Untouchables as "daunting" and said failing to get a win against them was one of his biggest disappointments.

"It was pretty daunting to be honest in every facet of the game," Cairns told foxsports.com.au

"It was challenging in every session, because in every department they had a quality player. When you went through that line-up there wasn't too many chinks in the armour.

"We played them a few times across 1999 and 2000 and we were actually in the game a couple of times.

"We had them four or five down for 60 in Hamilton on quite a spicy deck. Then all of a sudden Gilly got 90 - just sort of pummelled it - and then they rolled you again second innings and ended up coming away with the victory."

Cairns said it was the relentlessness of Waugh's Australia side that made them so hard to beat. No matter how far in front you were at any point in the game, it never felt like you had the foot on the throat.

"They had so many areas that they could re-enter a match," Cairns said.

"You may get them three or four down and then Steve Waugh and Adam Gilchrist would have a partnership.

"Or they'd put on a huge opening partnership and create the platform for a big score. If you managed to get them five-odd down Warnie and Gilly would chip in. That's just on the batting front.

"Then they had a bowling attack - McGrath, Gillespie, Lee, Warne - that had all the bases covered.

"Warne would be a containing bowler in the first innings and McGrath would play that role in the second innings so Warne would do his thing. Generally at the start of the session you just didn't go anywhere, because you were up against Warne and McGrath and both were impossible to get away."

In fact not only does Cairns think the Untouchables were deserving of the gong for most dominant Aussie outfit, he believes they would start favourites in a theoretical match against any of the best sides in cricket history.

Comparing them to the great West Indies side of the 80s, Cairns said the Untouchables would have the edge, mainly through their X-factor players Warne and Gilchrist.

"I feel that the Warne factor and the Gilchrist factor would tip it in the favour of the Australians," Cairns said. "They were so dynamic and they were unique."

"If you compared elements - there's superb fast bowlers on both sides, wonderful batters on both sides, Gilchrist v Dujon - absolutely no contest, Gilchrist was far better, and then obviously the spin contest.

"If you throw those elements in, I think over the course of a Test you can deal with pace - that Aussie side was pretty adept at that and then if you throw in the Gilchrist factor - just that ability to tip the match and just ripping the game apart - he was a special, special player."

This poll was closed on Tue Oct 30 09:10:00 EST 2012

What is Australia's best period of sporting dominance?

  • St George Dragons The side, featuring Immortals Johnny Raper and Reg Gasnier, won an unprecedented 11 rugby league premierships between 1956 and 1966 and went through the 1959 season unbeaten. 7.9% (151 votes)
  • Greg Norman Golfer Greg Norman was ranked World No.1 for a total of 331 weeks during his illustrious career, a record until a certain Tiger Woods came along. 3.29% (63 votes)
  • Steve Waugh's Untouchables Steve Waugh's Australia Test cricket side created history by winning 16 consecutive Tests from 1999 until 2001. That golden period also included an ODI World Cup win in 1999. 19.4% (371 votes)
  • Brisbane Lions Three-peat Featuring the likes of Michael Voss, Jason Akermanis and Simon Black, Brisbane Lions performed a rare treble of AFL premierships, lifting the trophy in 2001,2002 and 2003. 6.59% (126 votes)
  • Black Caviar The great mare has raced 22 times for 22 wins, the majority unchallenged. Her victory at the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Ascot sealed her place among the sport's greats. 10.2% (195 votes)
  • Maroons' Origin Dominance In the fierce cauldron of State of Origin football, Queensland have blown NSW apart, winning seven straight series from 2006 to 2012. The bad news for Blues fans is that their rivals will gun for number eight and beyond in 2013. 18.88% (361 votes)
  • Heather McKay Squash player Heather McKay tasted defeat only twice in a career spanning 19 years. The Queanbeyan product took out the British Open, squash's most prestigious title, 16 times on the trot. 14.23% (272 votes)
  • Casey Stoner A two-time MotoGP champion, Casey Stoner will forever be remembered in his sport for total domination of the Australian grand prix. For six straight years no one could touch Stoner at the Phillip Island circuit. 12.24% (234 votes)
  • Matthew Cowdrey Swimmer Matthew Cowdrey is the most successful Australian Paralympian of all time, with 13 gold medals to his name across three games. 4.39% (84 votes)
  • Anonymous Have we left anyone out? Tell us by leaving a comment below. 2.88% (55 votes)

Total votes: 1912


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SBW delays bout after surgery

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The heavyweight fight between former All Black Sonny Bill Williams and South African veteran Francois Botha has been postponed until next year.

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The bout was scheduled to take place in Brisbane on November 24, but Williams's chest injury suffered playing Japanese club rugby last weekend has forced the delay.

The fight's promoters said in Johannesburg on Wednesday an exact date for the rescheduled bout would be worked out after they meet Australian TV broadcasters.

"We wish Williams a speedy recovery and hope that he is able to return to training soon," said Thinus Strydom of World Sport Promotions.

Earlier on Wednesday, Williams announced on Twitter he had undergone successful surgery on his pectoral injury in Sydney.

"Just spoke to the doctor operation went well, Thanks for the support I've truly been blessed," tweeted Williams.

The 27-year-old revealed the news a day after arriving from Japan, where he picked up the injury playing for the Panasonic Wild Knights.

Williams smashed his shoulder into the turf after making a tackle in Panasonic's 23-20 win over Kintetsu Liners.

With Japanese rugby on a five-week break, the New Zealand heavyweight champion initially flew to Sydney to prepare for his bout against 44-year-old Botha.

But it was rumoured that the dual rugby league and union international was also poised to formally sign a contract to return to rugby league with the Sydney Roosters.

Instead, Williams went straight to the NRL club's headquarters at Moore Park to undergo scans on an injury that could threaten or at least delay his high-profile switch back to the code after walking out on the Bulldogs in 2008.

Reports on Tuesday night suggested Williams was set to be out of action for at least two months.

The injury puts in jeopardy his return to the Wild Knights, where he is contracted until the end of January.

His Panasonic club told Reuters on Wednesday they were discussing a rehabilitation schedule for Williams but were not sure when he would return to Japan.

"It's not been decided where and what kind of rehab programme he will undergo," team manager Seigo Ikeda said.

"We want to work out those details quickly obviously."

While his mooted deal with the Roosters might still eventuate, the untimely injury has the potential to further complicate negotiations that have been bubbling away for months.

In July, Williams said he would quit the All Blacks to fulfil a handshake agreement made several years ago to return to rugby league in the NRL in 2013.


22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aussie rugby to change at the top

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 30 Oktober 2012 | 22.07

From the top ... ARU chairman Michael Hawker (L) admitted rugby needed to move with the times. Source: News Limited

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) is set for a shake-up to the way it's governed, with the traditional power base of the game to be dismantled as they look to keep pace with rival codes.

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The ARU on Tuesday announced the findings of a governance review by former Federal Sports Minister Mark Arbib.

Rugby's governing board in Australia will implement 15 recommendations made by Arbib.

Two of the key recommendations enacted from the review conducted are changes to the ARU voting structure and a requirement that all directors on the ARU board are to be independent.

The recommendations will be up for approval by the ARU's membership at an extraordinary general meeting in December.

Under the current system, votes are mostly controlled by New South Wales and Queensland who have eight of 14 votes between them for ARU constitutional matters.

But under the new system, there will be one vote for each member union, one for each Super Rugby franchise, one additional for a member union with more than 50,000 players and a vote for the Rugby Union Players' Association.

ARU chairman Michael Hawker admitted it was time for an overhaul and to have a governance that fairly represented the modern game.

"Our original constitution was in 1949 and we really (only) had NSW and Queenslanders," Hawker said.

"There was a heavy concentration of NSW and Queensland in the voting on the board and we felt that - as a game we're spreading more across Australia - that that wasn't truly representative of the growing game across the country."

Under the restructure, directors will no longer be nominated by states.

"Currently what happens is various power groups choose our directors ... it's (new system) a more-open process and democratic process and one that goes through a recommendation in the body which is a nominations committee," Hawker said.

Current board member and chairman of the governance committee Peter Cosgrove admitted changes had to be made to bring the game up to speed off the field.

"With what we are doing here, we recognised the reality that this is a professional game, a national and international game and it must be run in the most business-like way, so that the structure of the board is not only independent but highly professional," Cosgrove said.

"From our point of view, we have some tremendous advantages and we've got to seize them in a crowded sports market. Nobody is going to give us a free ride in Australia - we've got to compete strongly."

The ARU is searching for a replacement to outgoing chief executive John O'Neill, a situation Hawker hopes to have resolved by the end of the year.

Watch the John Eales Medal Live and in HD on Thursday November 1 from 8.30pm (EDT) on Fox Sports 1HD!


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Gram sacked by St Kilda

Jason Gram ... has been sacked by the St Kilda Football Club. Source: Michael Dodge / News Limited

St Kilda have terminated the contract of grand final player Jason Gram due to off-field issues.

The club on Tuesday night released a statement saying Gram's sacking had come as a result of behavioural issues.

St Kilda head of football Chris Pelchen said: "Obviously, we are disappointed to terminate Jason's playing contract with the Saints but unfortunately, he has failed to meet the values shared across the St Kilda Football Club."


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Redbacks thrash Tigers in Ryobi Cup

Impressive ... Hughes took another step towards a Test recall with a fine innings in Hobart. Source: News Limited

A breakthrough century from Phil Hughes has continued the Test discard's resurgence and led South Australia to a crushing 82-run one-day victory over Tasmania at Bellerive.

ODD - Blundstone Arena

30 October 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Tasmania 1st Innings

B. Laughlin 2 6 0 0 33.33
B. Hilfenhaus 0 6 0 0 0
J. Botha 10.4 0 29 4 2.72

Hughes crafted his first Australian domestic one-day ton, and his first hundred of the season, to anchor the Redbacks' 8-248 - and outshine rival Ed Cowan in the process.

South Australia's skipper Johan Botha then snared 4-29 with his off-spinners to help rout the home side for 166 to complete a fine all-round match after chipping in 55 off 52 balls with the bat.

Redbacks quick Jake Haberfield took 3-35 as SA coasted to the bonus-point win.

Hughes's 114 from 134 balls has the 23-year-old averaging 123 in the tournament and adds to two scores of 95 and one of 83 against Queensland in one-day and Sheffield Shield games earlier this month.

The former New South Welshman, whose previous best in Australia was an unbeaten 97, had a life on 20 before he hit nine fours and a six to ensure the Redbacks posted a competitive total.

He brought up his ton off 120 balls when he flailed a wide ball from Ben Hilfenhaus to the extra cover boundary in the 42nd over, and was out pulling to mid-wicket when the Redbacks were 6-218.

Hughes said he was focused on piling on the runs rather than returning to the national team.

"People can talk but I know what I've got to do is score as many runs as possible in all forms of the game and that's been my whole aim from the start of the season," he said.

"Everything else is out of my hands."

He will next pad up for Australia A against the touring South Africans in Sydney later this week.

"It's a great opportunity for everyone," he said.

"I'm really looking forward to the challenge against a world class attack."

Cowan, who replaced Hughes in the Test side last summer, was looking to mount a Tigers' rescue mission batting at No.5 after his side's chase had been in trouble at 4-91.

He also had a life on 20 when Redbacks captain Johan Botha spilled a sitter, but couldn't capitalise and was caught at point for 22 off 42 balls.

Tigers spinners Jason Krejza (4-58) and Xavier Doherty (0-42) bounced back from their mauling by Victoria on Sunday, while returning Test paceman Ben Hilfenhaus (1-74) got the initial breakthrough, removing Michael Klinger for 10.

Mark Cosgrove had launched a promising Tasmanian reply with a breezy innings 37 from 47 balls that included seven boundaries.

But the Tigers never recovered from losing big guns Tim Paine (36), George Bailey (0) and Ricky Ponting (14) in the space of three runs and were all out in the 44th over.

Tigers captain Bailey was left to bemoan a lacklustre effort in the field.

"That probably set the tone for us," he said.


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Marquees help set another record

Marquees ... Del Piero and Heskey help the A-League break records. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

The combined pulling power of Alessandro del Piero and Emile Heskey has set another record for the A-League in a season that has started like a house on fire.

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Figures released on Tuesday confirmed that Sydney FC's round two loss to Newcastle Jets was watched by the biggest TV audience for a regular season game in the short history of the A-League.

The 164,367 who tuned in to watch the competition's two biggest names lock horns just eclipsed the previous record of 162,471, set by the 2011/12 season opener between fierce interstate rivals Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC.

After four rounds, the average TV audience is 94,969 - an all-time season average record.

And it's not just TV audiences which are tracking upwards.

So far this season, average ground attendances are sitting at 15,460, a 20 per cent increase on the same point last season.


For more on the A-League's record start to the season tune in to Kick Off, featuring an interview with A-League boss Damien de Bohun, on Fox Sports 1HD from 6.30pm (EDT) Friday. Got a question for de Bohun? Send it in via Twitter #foxfootball.


It's a good way for Ben Buckley to bid adieu to Football Federation Australia after almost six years as its CEO.

Buckley said the A-League was in great shape and acknowledged the contribution of the foreign stars who have lifted the competition's profile.

"There's no doubt the marquee players Alessandro del Piero, Emile Heskey and Shinji Ono have ignited massive interest in the Hyundai A-League," said Buckley.

"I congratulate the clubs involved for making the investment in these star players.

"There's no such thing as overnight success in professional sport, just lots of hard work and strategic planning that sets up success."

The FFA has at times been criticised for its cutthroat approach to expansion but Buckley said the early signs from Western Sydney Wanderers gave him confidence that the A-League was getting it right.

"The arrival of the Western Sydney Wanderers in football's heartland has added so much to the competition," Buckley said.

"The Sydney derby, after just one edition, has become one of the most anticipated fixtures."


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Bid teams still keen despite snub

Written By Unknown on Senin, 29 Oktober 2012 | 22.07

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Central Coast Bears ... are still keen to eventually be part of the NRL. Source: Dan Himbrechts / News Limited

Bid teams are vowing not to give up the fight to get a team into the NRL despite the ARL Commission effectively ruling out any expansion until at least 2017.

The ARLC on Monday handed down its strategic plan for the next five years, which included a new logo, a commitment to a $200 million investment into grassroots development and a goal of doubling club membership to 400,000 by 2017.

But those targets will have to be achieved without any new clubs, expansion taken off the agenda for the next two years - which in reality means no new teams for at least five years.

It's a blow for the seven organisations - including groups from Brisbane, Ipswich, Perth and the NSW Central Coast - that have already invested substantial money in battling for a berth.

But news of the extended time frame did not deter some.

"We've done a lot of homework and we're ready to go now. But if we have to wait until 2017, so be it," said Craig Davison, head of the Brisbane Bombers bid.

"Having a team in the NRL is a 100-year exercise so what's another few years when it comes to getting it right."

Chief executive of the newly united Central Queensland NRL bid group and Central Queensland Capras, Dennis Keeffe, said the expansion announcement had been flagged.

"It was expected," Keeffe said.

"Some projects take a long time to come out of the ground, this one is a bit longer than we would have liked.

"I still think there may be a twist and turn or two yet but if that's the case, we're happy do to that."

Disappointed Central Coast Bears bid chief Greg Florimo said while he would not let his dream die, he wasn't sure whether the would-be club's investors would be as keen.

"We'll have to assess whether we can fund another two or three years in the wilderness, sitting around not operating," Florimo said.

"That's going to be the biggest issue for us, whether the stakeholders want to sit around that long.

"We have to have to sit down with the members and the board to decide where we go from here. I feel we've put in too much hard work to this point just to let it drift away."

Florimo admitted that when he first started the push in 2009 he envisaged it becoming reality in 2013 to the point they even had t-shirts made up with the branding 'Here come the Bears in 2013'.

That target was based on the the new broadcast rights taking effect in 2013, but in truth it was the negotiation of those rights - during which Nine Network boss David Gyngell stated there was not an appetite for more games - that the chances of expansion nosedived.

ARLC chairman John Grant said it was vital that the league not only ensure the existing 16 clubs were on a strong financial footing first, but also that the game expanded for the right reasons.

"That's the purpose of doing a full review, which has not been done," Grant said.

"We have not undertaken as an administration a review of what does expansion mean for us, where should we expand, on what basis should we expand, what are the criteria for our footy clubs?

"There's a whole bunch of questions that remain unanswered."

First the ARLC wants to get its own house in order, as they take on greater control over clubs with payment to each franchise to be performance-based from 2014 onwards.

Clubs will find out on Wednesday just how much they will have to spend in 2013, but beyond that they will need to prove their growth as an entity to ensure their funding.


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Jeronimo unpunished, Herbert fumes

Rage ... Ben Sigmund (L) reacts to Jeronimo's (2nd R) apparent dive which led to the Phoenix man's dismissal. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Wellington coach Ricki Herbert has launched a two-pronged attack on the competency of A-League refereeing and players ruining the game by diving.

The Phoenix mentor was responding to the A-League match review committee's decision on Monday to uphold the red card given to defender Ben Sigmund for bringing down Adelaide United's Argentine midfielder Jeronimo Neumann in the box on Saturday.

TV replays showed plenty of space between the players in the 77th-minute incident, prompting speculation Jereonimo might face disciplinary action himself for diving.

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Wellington skipper Andrew Durante clearly thought so, labelling the South American a cheat in an interview after the game.

"Unfortunately the referee in our game with Adelaide did not deal with the situation competently and we are paying the penalty rather than the player who was guilty of simulation," Herbert said of the match review committee's decision.

He then opened old wounds by recalling referee Jarred Gillett's controversial decision to award a penalty to Brisbane Roar in the 94th minute of the 2012 A-League grand final against Perth Glory.

The Roar converted the spot kick to snatch the title when the Glory's Liam Miller was adjudged to have brought down Besart Berisha in the box.

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"This referee has been in the same situation in a Grand Final and did not deal with it competently there either," said Herbert who will have to do without Sigmund who will serve a mandatory one-match suspension against Melbourne Victory this weekend.

"It is very disappointing for both Ben and the club that he will miss the game against Melbourne Victory, and also wrong that the game is being ruined by players who dive and do not get punished for it."

Under the competition's rules on simulation introduced two seasons ago, any player found guilty of diving faces a standard two-match ban.

Durante still faces the prospect of breaching the A-League player code of conduct but he wasn't mentioned in the FFA statement on Monday night.

An angry Durante didn't hold back in comments made to a television interviewer on the field immediately after the match saying: "He has dived, he's a cheat."

He then qualified his comment by saying: "In my book, if he's dived he's a cheat."

Perth's Steve Pantelidis was also handed a mandatory one-match suspension on Monday after a more clear-cut incident in his side's 2-1 loss to Sydney FC.

The Glory defender was shown a red card for a blatant foul on Brett Emerton when he dragged the midfielder to the ground in the box in the 57th minute.

Pantelidis will miss this weekend's match against the Newcastle Jets.


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Marsh axed for form not discipline

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Shaun Marsh ... is under fire for poor behaviour in South Africa. Source: Stewart Allen / News Limited

Western Australia's cricketing bad boy Shaun Marsh has been dropped for the Warriors' Sheffield Shield game against Victoria but for no other reason than poor form.

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That's the official line coming from the WACA after its chief executive Christina Matthews denied a boozy night out in South Africa for Mitch Marsh's 21st birthday had contributed to the axing.

The Marsh brothers were hauled over the coals along with several teammates from the Perth Scorchers after they were out late drinking in the lead-up to their crucial last pool game in the Champions League Twenty20.

Shaun Marsh was left out of the side for that game - a heavy loss - and was not picked to take on Victoria this weekend after arriving back in Australia.

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Speculation had been rife that Marsh's Shield axing was also discipline related but speaking at a press conference in Perth, Matthews said that was purely a match committee decision.

"Shaun's ommission from the team today has been a match committee decision and there's been no official sanctions put on him as a result of anything that happened in South Africa," Matthews said.

Meanwhile, The Australian cricket journalist Peter Lalor says there is a culture problem in Western Australian cricket, with behavioural issues existing throughout the set-up.

Speaking exclusively to Fox Sports News, Lalor said Shaun Marsh will never play for Australia again, due mainly to where he's playing his cricket.

"There were six guys out that night (at Mitch Marsh's 21st in South Africa) and they all put in a pretty big effort," Lalor said.

"Shaun Marsh was one who struggled to get home but those two (the Marsh brothers) have been isolated and that's caused problems behind the scenes.

"... It's not just (the Marsh brothers) but these two boys do have a lot of priors in this area, especially Shaun and, you know, I don't think we'll be seeing Shaun in the national team again.

"Mitch has a chance cause he's young but I think everyone's got sick of where Shaun's at."


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Fan frenzy greets Woods and McIlroy

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One-on-one ... World No.1 Rory McIlroy (R) and world No.2 Tiger Woods have a laugh in China. Source:AFP

Rory McIlroy beat Tiger Woods by a single shot in their 18-hole "Duel at Jinsha Lake'' in China Monday in a high quality showdown before a frenzied audience that came to greet the world's top two.

Having flown in late on Sunday night after coming second and fourth that day respectively in the BMW Masters in Shanghai and the CIMB Classic in Malaysia, McIlroy and Woods had any tiredness quickly extinguished by a lavish opening ceremony.

They were greeted by drum majorettes, fireworks and speeches from local dignitaries before clanging a ceremonial Chinese gong and having their handprints and autographs immortalised in clay, Hollywood-style appropriately for McIlroy, who was brought up in Holywood, Belfast.

World number one McIlroy carded a five under par 67 on the 7,039-yard, par-72 layout at Jinsha Lake Golf Club, with world number two and 14 times major winner Woods registering a 68.

It was remarkable scoring given the chaotic crowds constantly taking photos, letting their phones ring and refusing to stand still or be quiet even as the players were swinging.

McIlroy grabbed an immediate birdie at the first hole, after struggling to keep a straight face in posing for photos staring Woods down boxing-style, and was never headed, thus gaining a modicum of revenge for his seven-stroke defeat when the pair last met in Turkey.

"I got off to a good start,'' McIlroy said. "And just tried to keep my nose in front.''

"We had a great match,'' Woods told reporters afterwards. "It was a lot of fun and a great exhibition. I think everyone enjoyed it.''

China is seen as the next great market for golf to conquer in its global expansion, and the fans clearly love it though are mostly oblivious to the etiquette of the game, demonstrated amply when they broke through the ropes and invaded the driving range as McIlroy and Woods warmed up.

"I wouldn't say it was crazy out there. The word I would use is 'enthusiastic','' said McIlroy. "It's good to see so many people out there. So many people that follow golf and want to watch us play. I hope that continues.''

The international golf media present were astounded at the never-before-seen antics on a golf course: leisure helicopters parked alongside putting greens; models in revealing evening gowns standing on tees; and enthusiastic spectators being tackled to the ground as they attempted to out sprint security guards.

A luxury yacht even sailed serenely across a lake in front of Woods playing an approach shot.

The sheer decadence of the occasion, coinciding with the launch of the multi-million dollar "Golf Villas'' to be built around the golf course, was in vivid contrast to the stark industrial conurbation of Zhengzhou just a few kilometres down the road.

It is home to around 10 million people, capital of Henan province and one of the eight ancient capitals of China. But the line-up of luxury cars parked around the clubhouse - including Rolls-Royces, Bentleys, Ferraris, Aston Martins and Maseratis - were pure Monaco.

The world's top two, though clearly here to spread the gospel of golf to a new and lucrative audience, did pick up a handsome pay day rumoured to be $2 million between them for a day's work.

Woods's next stop is Singapore, while McIlroy is off to Bulgaria. At least it should be quieter in Sofia.


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'Sigmund obviously has a grab'

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 28 Oktober 2012 | 22.07

Backup ... Bruce Djite says teammate Jeronimo, who he is defending here, had the right to go down. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Fox Sports' Mark Bosnich is joined by former A-League coach Miron Bleiberg and Adelaide United's Bruce Djite in reviewing the weekend's A-League action, with Djite defending teammate Jeronimo's controversial 'dive'.

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Newcastle Jets 2 defeat Melbourne Victory 1 at Hunter Stadium

Miron says: I'm not impressed with Newcastle Jets' football and Gary van Egmond will be honest enough and probably agree with me. They've got the same symptom as (Sydney FC with) Alessandro Del Piero - Emile Heskey comes a week or two weeks after five months of preparation. But they adjusted better because it's easier to adjust to someone playing on the top. At the moment they are getting results, and if you ask in a professional environment - you are not playing in a church league - what is better: to get nine points and not be happy with the football, or to be happy with the football and be on the bottom of the ladder? So Gary should be happy and things will get better, and you can't take it away from them. Three wins, nine points out of 12, it's good. As for Melbourne Victory it's a bit of a mixed bag. I disagree with (Victory coach) Ange Postecoglou that he's happy with the improvement because no one is happy to be on the bottom of the ladder in a professional sport. I think they're playing better than they played at the beginning (of the season) but what the future holds for them, I'm not sure.


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Adelaide United 3 defeated Wellington Phoenix 1 at Hindmardh Stadium

Bruce says: They were calling Jeronimo a cheat on the pitch but he didn't understand so that's maybe a positive of being a foreigner sometimes! Obviously it was a contentious talking point and it's gotten a lot of media, and it will probably get a lot of media during the week. But the guy's obviously touched Jeronimo, he's felt the contact. You can see Ben Sigmund obviously has a grab at his shirt and he goes down. I think with the delayed reaction some people are a bit upset about that but the same thing happened to us in the Asian Champions League and it completely changed the game for us. You could say that was the reason we got knocked out. Jeronimo's a very honest guy, a very good guy, and in the heat of the moment it's a tricky one. I think the same with Andrew Durante calling him a cheat - if you want to hear people's opinions right after a game you're going to get the full brunt of it.


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Western Sydney Wanderers 1 defeated Brisbane Roar 0 at Suncorp Stadium

Miron says: I think it was unheard of an away team having an 8-0 corner ration after twenty minutes. It was just a matter of time before (a goal) would come and Wanderers totally deserved it. I think the problem with Brisbane is they came unprepared. They are still the greatest team in the competition but I think they came with the attitude that it's not if we're going to win but by how much we're going to win. They will learn from it and they will play better in the future, but it's got that they got this shock now at this stage of the season.


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Central Coast Mariners 1 defeated Melbourne Heart 0 at AAMI Park

Bozza says: (Heart goalkeeper) Clint Bolton first and foremost made an outstanding save to keep Heart in the game in the first half, but we spoke about this with the Alessandro Del Piero free kick against Ben Kennedy a couple weeks ago, about the starting position for goalkeepers when they're facing free kicks in and around the edge of the box. It's very, very important that goalkeepers start on their line. If they start forward of their line, like Clint did a little bit, you end up starting to dive backwards, and that's why it ends up in the back of the net. As you start to dive backwards you lose time on the ball. But in saying that it's an outstanding free kick by Pedj Bojic. He had one in a similar position in the first half and Miron actually said to me in the green room "he's going to score this one" and he didn't. But he did score the second one! A very good performance by Central Coast Mariners. Melbourne Heart did have their chances in the second half - Josip Tadic as well as Richard Garcia - but a resolute Central Coast Mariners performance, and they're going to be a team that's also going to be battling for the championship.


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Sydney FC 2 defeated Perth Glory 1 at ANZ Stadium

Miron says: Perth shouldn't feel ripped off because the game was very easy to explain and to understand. Up to the penalty decision Perth had full control and they felt at home, even though their home is far, far in the west. But once they were down to 10 men Sydney took advantage and the game changed, so Perth have only themselves to blame, and mainly Steve Pantelidis.

Bozza says: The game changed completely on that decision and the referee got that 100 per cent right. It was a silly challenge by Pantelidis, Del Piero put away the penalty and the whole complexion of the game changed. The only Sydney first-half performance which was as disjointed (as this one) was the Wellington game in the opening game of the season. They were really at sixes and sevens. It was a stroke of luck, but you have enough bad luck during the season that you've got to take the good luck when it comes.


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