Courts may settle Milford saga

Canberra Raiders star Anthony Milford alone on the field. Source: Ray Strange / News Limited

THE Anthony Milford contract saga took a dramatic twist on Saturday with the teenage star's agent revealing he will take legal action against the Raiders if they refuse to release him the final year of his contract.

The Sunday Telegraph can lift the lid on the mysterious release clause penned into the live wire fullback's contract with Milford's agent Sam Ayoub opening up on the fight to reunite his client with his sick father.

Milford, 19, has formally requested a release to return to Brisbane to be closer to his father who underwent a triple by-pass last year.

The Raiders have denied the release, claiming Milford is bound to serve out the final year of his deal.

"The clause says the Raiders will look favourably on any request for a release should his father's health deteriorate," Ayoub said.

"And so far they haven't looked on it favourably at all simply because he has turned into a better player than they expected. The clause is there and they should not have put it in if they had no intention of honouring it."

Ayoub said his client was desperate to return to Brisbane and accused the Raiders of "bullying" his client.

Ayoub said he would consider taking on the Raiders in court should they not grant Milford a release and allow him to strike a deal with Broncos.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

A twist in Broncos stand-off

Peter Wallace of the Broncos runs with the ball. Source: Tony Feder / Getty Images

PETER Wallace is seeking compensation from the Broncos to resurrect his NRL career as the fallout between the halfback and the club's hierarchy intensifies.

Ahead of Brisbane's clash against the Dragons on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal Wallace's manager wants financial aid to help the shunned playmaker secure a future in the NRL.

Relations between the two parties have soured in the past three weeks after the former NSW Origin halfback was advised he would not be an integral part of Brisbane's plans for 2014.

Wallace is privately fuming, believing he was denied a release by the Broncos in May after his manager Allan Gainey fielded a $1.5 million offer from his former club the Panthers.

But the Broncos have hit back at the Wallace camp, claiming the halfback was asked if he wanted out of Red Hill - an offer the 27-year-old is alleged to have rejected.

Amid the claims and counterclaims, the certainty is Wallace will not be Brisbane's halfback next year, leaving Gainey scrambling to find his client a new home.

Wallace is prepared to honour his Broncos deal, which expires at the end of next year, but Gainey believes Brisbane should provide a subsidy to enable him to play regular first grade elsewhere in 2014.

"No one has any money left for next year, so what do you do?" Gainey said.

"I just want to know if another opportunity comes up, what are the Broncos prepared to contribute? It would be nice to know what the Broncos are prepared to pay because it might make it easier for Pete to find a new club. 

"At no stage have the Broncos said this is what we are prepared to put in if you can find something for him."

Broncos coach Anthony Griffin and operations chief Andrew Gee declined to comment yesterday.

But it is understood Brisbane hierarchy are satisfied with their handling of the Wallace affair after revelations of Penrith's big-money offer first surfaced in May.

On May 20, Wallace was summoned to a meeting with Griffin at his Red Hill office.

The coach reportedly asked Wallace if he wanted a release to join the Panthers. The halfback is understood to have pledged his faith to the club, claiming he was settled in Brisbane, with his partner having just given birth to their first child.

Asked about the meeting, Gainey said: "I don't know what Pete said. I'm not privy to conversations he had directly with the coach. I wasn't there."

The Panthers subsequently withdrew their offer. That was in round 11. Eight weeks later, after a loss to Cronulla on July 12, Wallace was relegated to the bench, with Ben Hunt handed his No. 7 jumper for the clash with the Cowboys.

It was at that time Griffin informed Wallace and halves partner Scott Prince they were unlikely to play at NRL level for the club next season.

Gainey finds it hard to comprehend how Brisbane's appraisal of Wallace, who has played 134 games for the club, could have shifted so dramatically in eight weeks.

He claims the club's interest in excitement machines Ben Barba and Anthony Milford, who are both tipped to join the Broncos in 2014, was the catalyst for Wallace's demise.

"What upset Pete was that he was told to his face by Anthony Griffin, 'If you stay here, you will only be playing Queensland Cup'," Gainey says. 

"No-one deserves that sort of treatment ... surely you can handle men better than that." 

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Dally M bombshell: Carney fave

Todd Carney holds up his medal after being named Dally M Medal winner as Player of the Year. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

A MONTH ago, Todd Carney was ruing his omission from the NSW State of Origin team.

Now the Cronulla Sharks playmaker has surged into shock favouritism to snare his second Dally M player of the year award.

The combination of injuries to early favourites, Souths pair Greg Inglis and John Sutton, and a renewed enthusiasm following his Origin disappointment, has catapulted Carney to the top of the betting board for the prestigious medal.

Carney has been installed as the $2.75 favourite to win the award by Tabcorp's corporate betting arm, Luxbet, while surprisingly the odds on Inglis, the player many expected would break the Rabbitohs' 33-year Dally M drought this year, have blown out to $34.

Sutton is rated a $29 chance while North Queensland skipper Johnathan Thurston is second favourite at $4.

Carney was on 12 points, four points behind leader, Melbourne's Cooper Cronk, when voting went behind closed doors after Round 16.

Inglis was equal-second on 15, with Newcastle's Jarrod Mullen and Sutton.

But three, possibly four, man of the match performances from Carney in his past six matches has many believing the Sharks five-eighth has recaptured the form that saw him claim the gong in 2010 when he inspired the Roosters to the grand final.

They include former premiership winning halfback Brett Kimmorley.

"Given his form, you'd have to think Carney would be leading comfortably," Kimmorley said."He's been outstanding. The biggest strength of his game when he won the Dally M previously was his running game.

"He's running a lot straighter and on the back of the momentum that the Sharkies create, you find him posing a lot of questions.

"He looks fresh and happy, too, which at this time last year, he was probably the worst he ever felt in his career. He's not coming out of Origin deflated.

"He would've sat back and watched the series without any pressure and then he goes out and picks up points while the guys that did play Origin have come back a little flat.

"Cooper Cronk and Cam Smith weren't great in the month after Origin and now Inglis is injured."

Repaying the faith shown by Sharks coach Shane Flanagan, Carney has also stepped up in the absence of club captain Paul Gallen, who missed six weeks through injury.

"He's taken a leadership role with Gal missing and he's realised that he's a senior member there," State of Origin coach Laurie Daley said. "Like all the good players in the competition, he knows that if he can play well he can have a say in the result of the match. He's certainly done that, which has left the race wide open."

Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans and Canterbury pivot Josh Reynolds also have the potential to make a late charge for the Dally M Medal, which will be awarded in grand final week for the first time this year.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Live: fourth Ashes Test, day two

Chris Rogers was lucky to survive this chance, which was put down by Graeme Swann. Source: AP

AFTER a brilliant day in the field, can Australia's batsmen keep the momentum going as the fourth Ashes Test heads into day two?

Find out, and get all the best reaction, analysis and social media chat in our live and interactive blog.

Join the conversation by leaving a comment in the blog below, or let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, @FoxCricketLive.

If using the comment box in the blog, you can just enter a name where it says 'Display Name', or you can log in using one of your social media accounts. Get involved now!

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Gower out as Gidley returns

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Newcastle Knights skipper Kurt Gidley makes a run against Cronulla. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

VETERAN Newcastle playmaker Craig Gower is set to find himself the odd man out on Saturday night with captain Kurt Gidley ready to make his first appearance for the Knights in three months in the club's must-win game.

Gidley trained strongly with the squad yesterday after finally overcoming a serious foot injury. He will come off the bench against the Sharks provided there is no soreness and he pulls up fine this morning.

That leaves either Gower or halfback Tyrone Roberts facing the axe. 

There has been speculation Roberts would be the one to make way with coach Wayne Bennett thought to be on the verge of switching Gower into the halfback role on the back of his final 15 minutes in the position against Brisbane last weekend.

But Roberts' superior goal-kicking may work in his favour.

While there was no confirmation from the club about just who would play, Roberts spent more time at first receiver at training with Bennett thought to be concerned about starting such an important game without a recognised goal kicker on the field.

For his part, Gidley was not throwing much light on it.

"You are probably best off asking the coach about that one," Gidley said when quizzed on who he will be replacing.

But he did let slip with: "If I don't play, I'd imagine Gowie will be playing."

Gidley was cautious about his own return.

"If it pulls up good tomorrow, then I'm a good chance," he said.

"I'd say I'll be coming off the bench which I'm happy with. I've been out for 12 weeks all up and missed 10 games so I think that's the right role for me."

Gidley didn't try to sugar-coat the importance of the game with his side clinging to eighth spot.

"It's definitely a game we need to win," he said. 

Not normally one to talk about milestone games because of the possible distraction it can cause, after training Bennett made a point of reminding players it was Danny Buderus' 250th NRL game. 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hayne eyes Fiji World Cup spot

Parramatta Eels Jarryd Hayne makes a run. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

JARRYD Hayne has placed himself on standby to represent Fiji at the end-of-year World Cup, raising the prospect of switching allegiance during talks with Australian coach Tim Sheens.

Hayne has been in touch with Fiji coach Rick Stone about representing the Bati for the first time since his life-altering 2008 World Cup campaign.

At this stage, Hayne would only look to make the change if he's overlooked for the 24-man Kangaroos squad that will tour the UK and France in October.

Sheens spoke with Hayne earlier this week, ahead of the Parramatta superstar's return from a hamstring injury last night.

"Fiji did come up in our conversation, but my impression is that his preference is still to represent Australia," Sheens said.

"I was riding to see how his injury was and what his thoughts were about playing (in the World Cup).

"He told me he was making a comeback this week and wanted to be involved.

"He did mention the fact that he might like to play for Fiji, if he was wasn't selected for Australia."

Sheens would give no guarantee of Hayne's selection, but it's difficult to imagine the 17-game NSW Origin flyer missing-out if fit.

Nevertheless, insiders at Parramatta are adamant that Hayne is torn about possibly playing against Fiji.

It was during World Cup camp in Woy Woy with the Bati that Hayne found his religious calling after a turbulent year that saw him shot at in Kings Cross.

Stone revealed he'd also had several conversations with Hayne about the possibility of a second outing for Fiji.

"I've chatted with Jarryd a little bit and he is a bit torn," Stone said.

"I think he's smart enough to realise Australia has to be his first preference, but he could look to make an election change later-on if he's not picked for the Kangaroos."

Stone already has a host of talented backs to choose from, with Akuila Uate, Lote Tuqiri, Marika Koroibete and Wes Naqaima all in the selection frame.

The Knights NSW Cup coach also hopes to convince Rabbitohs star John Sutton to join the team.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

The 25 biggest V8 blues

What have been the 25 biggest blow-ups, blues and break-ups in V8 history? Source: Supplied

V8 Supercars has just endured it's highest-profile split in a while, with Roland Dane marching Adrian Burgess out of Red Bull Racing headquarters after revealing he'd signed a deal with the Holden Racing Team.

But in a sport that's had more than it's fair share of acrimonious partings-of-the-way, where does it rate?

Let's have a look at the 25 biggest break-ups, blues and feuds in the history of V8 Supercars.

1. PETER BROCK and HOLDEN
Think Holden and you think Brock. He was the ultimate Red warrior and the man responsible for selling more Commodores than anyone. But back in 1987, "Peter perfect" was a General Motors' outcast. In one of the most dramatic splits in V8 history, the V8 legend was dumped by the famous Australian company for refusing to dump a snake oil device known as the "energy polariser". Brock thought he was bigger than the company and ended up, in first, a BMW and then... gasp, a Ford. Plenty of blood was spilt and Brock spent two years in a Sierra before getting back into a Holden.

Brock and the Energy Polariser that drove a wedge between he and Holden. Source: News Limited

2. DICK JOHNSON and CHARLIE SCHWERKOLT
Ford legend Johnson thought forklift entrepreneur Charlie Schwerkolt was his latest finacial saviour. Long time friends, they became partners and the future looked bright. Then Charlie wanted to sack Dick's driving son Steve, along with other members of his family. The gloves came off and the pair won a championship while not talking. They went through a nasty split and still don't talk to this day. The drama cost Johnson champion driver James Courtney, along with half his staff.

Johnson and Schwerkolt in happier times, celebrating a Will Davison win in 2008. Source: Supplied

3. MARK SKAIFE and the HOLDEN RACING TEAM
HRT blame former owner Mark Skaife for almost ruining their team and Skaife blames them for almost ruining him. They are two sides to the story but what can be taken for fact is that this was an ugly chapter in V8 history. Skaife, the Holden legend, bought the team for $1 when owner Tom Walkinshaw hit bad times. The story goes Tom wanted it back and ran Skaife into the ground. Skaife and HRT are still far from friends.

Skaife near the end of HRT's reign, Clipsal 500 in 2003. Picture: Campbell Brodie. Source: News Limited

4. MARK SKAIFE and RUSSELL INGALL
This high-profile duo were probably never best of friends and whatever they had was certainly killed off on a fiery day at Eastern Creek. Skaife was never one to take a shunt lightly and he walked from his wrecked car, towards the track, and shook his hands at Ingall. Another hot-head, Ingall swerved to hit him. Enough said.

5. CRAIG LOWNDES and HOLDEN
He was the next Peter Brock and the wunderkid Holden fans were pinning their hopes on. And then he broke their hearts in 2000 when he dumped them and HRT for Ford. Lowndes became public enemy No.1 one, but with a smile and a switch back to Holden in 2010, all was forgiven.

Skaife and Lowndes may have been all smiles, but Holden fans were less happy. Picture: Brett Hartwig Source: News Limited

6. MARCOS AMBROSE and GREG MURPHY
More a blue than a bust up, this two top-guns began a bitter rivalry with first a war of words in a press conference in 2004 and than a famous Bathurst blue in 2005. The pair still don't exchange Christmas cards.

7. DICK JOHNSON and JOHN BOWE
Best of mates, life-long friends, well ... until Bowe did a secret deal to leave Dick in 1998. The pair now speak but will never have the close bond of yesteryear.

Johnson and Bowe celebrating their second Bathurst win together in 1994. Source: Supplied

8. JAMES COURTNEY and DICK JOHNSON RACING
Courtney famously walked out on DJR after winning a championship in 2010. He had $1 million reasons (that's what HRT paid him a year) to leave, but that certainly did not make it right.

Johnson celebrates Courtney's win at Winton in 2010. Things would soon sour... Source: Supplied

9. TONY COCHRANE and V8 SUPERCARS
The founder of V8 Supercars shocked the sport by quitting his post last year. There is more to the story with the investment company that bought V8s sharing a frosty relationship with TC before he "quit".

V8 Supercar Chairman Tony Cochrane during the 2008 V8 Supercar launch in Melbourne. Source: Supplied

10. SHANE VAN GISBERGEN and STONE BROTHERS
Don't expect to see Shane Van Gisbergen in the Erebus garage anytime soon. His former team spent the first half of the year trying to sue him for leaving mid-contract in another highly controversial move.

van Gisbergen left Ford and the sport in December, returned in a Holden in January. Source: Supplied

11. ADRIAN BURGESS and ROLAND DANE
It was the divorce no-one saw coming, least of all Dane. But a throwaway line from Holden Racing Team owner Ryan Walkinshaw at an Austin bar somehow caught Burgess hook, line and sinker. When he told Dane his plans, the Red Bull boss marched him out of the building.

12. DAVID REYNOLDS and KELLY BROTHERS RACING
Reynolds had a breakout year in 2011 and plotted a move to Ford Performance Racing. Kelly Racing, who took a chance by putting him in their car, thought they had a water-tight deal with him. Cue the lawyers. It got ugly, with rumours Reynolds would either skip or be benched after Bathurst.

Reynolds had a protracted battle to leave Kelly Racing in 2011. Source: Supplied

13. JAMIE WHINCUP and GARRY ROGERS
Ten years ago, if you had said Jamie Whincup would become the greatest V8 racer of his era you'd have been laughed out of the room. His horror debut year with Garry Rogers in 2003 saw him dumped into the V8 wilderness. He's never forgotten; some say it's what made him the driver he is today.

Whincup struggled in his rookie year with Garry Rogers. Source: Supplied

14. BOB JANE and EVERYONE
A feisty and fiercely determined self-made man, it's no surprise that Jane clashed with many on his way to the top, as well as once he was there. CAMS, ANDRA, other competitors, family; you name it. It was that same determination that drove him to great heights in business and on-track.

Jane had many clashes both on and off the track. Source: News Limited

15. MARK SKAIFE and ALAN JONES
A fired up Jones punted race-leader Skaife off the track at Symmons Plains in 1993. Jones went on to win, while Skaife confronted the Ford driver after the race. Apologies to any sensitive viewers who are lip-readers ...

16. JASON BRIGHT and FORD
The Holden star was lured to Ford in 2005 with a big dollar deal, his own team, and promises he would be looked after. Then, when the economy went sour, Ford left him out in the cold. He had no option but to sack 30 staff and shut down his nest-egg team.

Britek was Bright's retirement plan. Ford pulled the plug, forcing the team to close. Source: Supplied

17. WAYNE GARDNER and the HOLDEN RACING TEAM
Much was expected of the two-wheel star's tin-top switch in 1993. But bent panels outweighed results, and when the team found out he was trying to set up his own squad they benched him for the Sandown 500.

Gardner was dubbed 'Captain Chaos' in his incident-filled V8 debut year. Source: News Limited

18. MICHAEL PATRIZI and the SPONSOR WHO HEADBUTTED HIM
If you thought the driver you were sponsoring wasn't pulling his weight, would you a) have a quiet word with him, b) pull your sponsorship, or c) question his skills then headbutt him. One of Patrizi's sponsors thought the latter was the best option after Bathurst 2008.

A sponsor took it upon himself to physically tell Patrizi what he thought of his driving. Source: Supplied

19. LARRY PERKINS and PETER BROCK
The combination of Peter Perfect and the Cowangie Kid had lifted Holden's ersatz factory team to its greatest heights. Then, all of a sudden, Perkins split mid-1985. A later 'marriage of convenience' saw the pair combine in 1991, but the old wounds doomed it to divorce.

Brock and Perkins split suddenly in 1985. A later dalliance would prove fruitless. Source: News Limited

20. TONY LONGHURST and PAUL MORRIS
It's an old story - two teammates, one piece of road, crash! This story, though, was punctuated by punches. Three, to be exact. Longhurst saw red when he thought Morris deliberately took him out of a race they were dominating.

21. ALLAN GRICE and FRANK GARDNER
Gardner the master racer/team manager did things his way, paired with Gricey, a driver who was very much his own man. It couldn't last. They split acrimoniously at the end of 1981, Gardner walking away with Grice's team, sponsor and BMW deal. A paddock scuffle several years later showed neither had forgiven or forgotten.

The true reasons for Gardner and Grice's split stayed out of the press. Source: News Limited

22. COLIN BOND and the HOLDEN DEALER TEAM
Bondy was the Holden Dealer Team's main man for many years. Then Allan Moffat came calling. For 1977, Bond crossed the floor from the factory Holden to the factory Ford team, the first high-profile driver scalp in the war between the red and blue camps.

Bond signed a deal with Moffat for 1977, crossing from Holden to Ford. Source: News Limited

23. ALAN JONES and GLENN SETON
The former F1 world champ had his greatest domestic success with Seton's crack squad but after three years he split to form his own team, pinching both Seton's sponsor and the engineering brains from rivals Dick Johnson Racing.

Seton and Jones finished one-two in the 1993 title, but it was all over by 1996. Source: News Limited

24. TRIPLE EIGHT and FORD
Possibly the most needless 'blue' on this list and, ironically, it was over the colour blue. Ford needed to cut its V8 funding and, despite Triple Eight being their strongest team, pulled the plug on their funding. All because their cars wore Vodafone red... They were soon snapped up by Holden.

Note the absence of a Ford badge on TeamVodafone's 2009 Falcon. Picture: Jim Trifyllis Source: News Limited

25. ROBBIE FRANCEVIC and the VOLVO DEALER TEAM
In the space of two months, Francevic went from winning the 1986 championship to the unemployment queue. When Volvo got serious about the team mid-year, they installed former Holden Dealer Team boss John Sheppard to run the show. He and Francevic never really saw eye to eye, and when the Kiwi said his car was unfit to race at the Sandown 500 he was shown the door.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Live: fourth Ashes Test, day one

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Nathan Lyon successfully appeals for the wicket of Jonathan Trott. Source:Getty Images

CAN Australia, buoyed by their performance in Manchester, finally pull off a victory when the Ashes series travels to Durham for the fourth Test?

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The Aussies have shown their hand, by selecting Tasmania paceman Jackson Bird to play his first match of the series in place of the unlucky Mitchell Starc.

Stick with us throughout the night as we bring you live and interactive coverage in our Ashes blog.

Join the conversation by leaving a comment in the blog below, or let us know what you think by getting in touch on Twitter, @FoxCricketLive.

If using the comment box in the blog, you can just enter a name where it says 'Display Name', or you can log in using one of your social media accounts. Get involved now!

GET THE ULTIMATE MATCH COMPANION, FEATURING VIDEO OF EVERY WICKET AND BOUNDARY, BALL-BY-BALL COMMENTARY AND HAWKEYE, IN OUR ASHES MATCH CENTRE!

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Video: Ambrose relives epic win

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Three men started the lap chasing the win, but Ambrose crossed the line first. Source:Supplied

IT was a last-lap for the ages. The kind you just can't quite believe is happening, even as you're watching it unfold.

The final lap of last year's NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Watkins Glen provided the kind of grandstand finish that motorsport fans wish for but rarely receive.

Three men - Marcos Ambrose, Kyle Busch and eventual series champion Brad Keselowski - took the white flag fighting each other for the win.

After 4.06 kays of bumping, grinding, and door-to-door pushing and shoving, the Australian took the chequered flag first.

With this year's Watkins Glen race LIVE on SPEED this Monday morning, we got Ambrose to talk us through that remarkable last lap.

Watch the video above to hear his thoughts on that wild last lap.

We can only hope that we'll be watching more of the same come Monday morning as Ambrose chases a third-straight win at 'The Glen'.

And hopefully fellow Aussie and Sprint Cup debutante Owen Kelly will be in the thick of it with him.

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Watch NASCAR's stars tackle the Watkins Glen road course LIVE in HD, Monday 12 August at 2am EST on SPEED.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Why you'll love the Southern Stars

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Back row: Coyte, Blackwell, Haynes, Osborne. Front row: Perry, Healy. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

DON'T be dismayed by the state of Australian cricket after our men failed in England.

We're still No.1 - in all formats - and we hold the Ashes.

It's the women's cricket team that has it going on.

The Southern Stars will battle England to retain the Ashes with the sole Test match starting on Sunday at the picturesque Wormsley ground in Buckinghamshire.

The match is worth six points, two points each for a draw, and will go a long way to deciding who keeps the Ashes (which are the remnants of a miniature bat signed and burned by both teams in 1998).

For the first time the series will also feature three one-day and three Twenty20 matches, each worth two points for a win and one point for a draw.

The final T20 match will be played on August 31.

There's been 18 women's Ashes series - Australia has won seven, England four and seven have ended in a draw.

Now, those reasons ...

1. The Southern Stars are good.

Sorry, they're bloody good. They're the No.1 ranked nation in all forms and currently hold the one day World Cup, T20 World Cup as well as the Ashes.

2. The Batter.

Meg Lanning. She's aggressive and bless her, it's hard to see the opening bat reining that in even during a Test match. Lanning made history late last year when she smashed the fastest 50 (23 balls) and century (45 balls) by an Australian female. She's never played a Test match but warmed up nicely for her debut with 104 off 124 balls in the Aussies' tour match on Monday.

3. The Bowler.
Ellyse Perry. She was the youngest cricketer, male or female, to represent her country. That was when she was 16. Now 22, Perry is a veteran of the side. She took 3-19 in the one-day World Cup final to help deliver Australia the trophy, but it's her batting that sets her apart. She's a genuine all-rounder.

4. OK, what about character?
Everyone loves a sportsperson who's tough. This team is tough. Captain Jodie Fields has torn her hamstring off the bone twice, but recovered to win the T20 and one-day World Cups. Perry played through a World Cup final with an ankle injury, top-order bat Sarah Elliott is still breastfeeding her nine-month-old son and doesn't complain about lack of sleep.

5. They're not into the pub fight scene and they win tight games.

That and they get the job done with little fanfare. Their past two matches against England have been tight, but the Aussies have come out on top - by just two runs during a round match at the one-day World Cup and by four runs in the T20 World Cup final. In the last Ashes Test in 2011, Australia won by seven wickets.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

HRT have no more excuses

With some of V8's heaviest hitters on board, HRT must win regularly in 2014. Source: inetpics.com / Supplied

IN cupboards around Australia lie shirts, caps, singlets and flags belonging to an army of fans who haven't had a lot to cheer about lately.

But the Red Army that lined Australia's racetracks not too long ago, cheering on a dominant Holden Racing Team (HRT), is starting to stir.

And with good reason. For 2014, they have assembled a formidable warchest as they plan to snatch back the title of top dog in V8 Supercars.

They've re-signed 2010 series champion James Courtney, reportedly lured former engineer Matt Nilsson home from rivals Ford Performance Racing, and brought famed sportscar and F1 engineer Tony Dowe away from the Kelly brothers and Nissan.

The big shock came earlier this week when they announced they had poached Adrian Burgess, the now-former Triple Eight mastermind that took the already dominant team to new heights.

However, their buying spree of some of the sport's most talented people also brings an unavoidable fact.

The Holden Racing Team has no more excuses.

No more can their cars qualify outside the top half of the field. No longer can a weekend pass without the team taking home some silverware.

There can be no waiting for upgrades that 'may' move them up the grid.

There can also me no more questions about the intent of team owner Ryan Walkinshaw, who took over the reins after the passing of his late, great father Tom.

There can only be the resurgence of a once dominant team.

From the opening round of 1996 through to the end of 2002, HRT painted Australia's racetracks red, accumulating a vast array of winner's garlands and championship trophies.

Those glory days of Lowndes, Skaife and co. have long since faded.

In their place came a losing streak that measured years not races, while a HRT Commodore languishing in the bottom half of the field became an all-to-common sight.

With Burgess, Dowe, and Nilsson on board, plus two championship-winning pilots behind the wheel, the equation must equal success.

The hopes of a legion of fans are riding on it.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bannister ban for avoiding drug tests

Jarrod Bannister has been banned for 20 months for avoiding drug tests. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

COMMONWEALTH javelin champion Jarrod Bannister has been banned for 20 months for avoiding drug tests.

The Queenslander missed three tests within 18 months - which is treated the same as a positive test - with the Court of Sports Arbitration bringing down its penalty last month.

Bannister won the Commonwealth Games title in Delhi in 2010 and also finished sixth in the 2008 Olympic final in Beijing.

The 28-year-old released a statement via Facebook last night revealing that he had been banned until February 18, 2015.

Bannister blamed poor communication and procedures by Athletics Australia as a factor behind the circumstances which saw him breach the ASADA Athlete Whereabouts program, which requires the drug agencies to be made aware of the movements of athletes at all times.

"Within the court reasons, it was found that there was no deliberate action by myself to avoid being tested," Bannister said.

"To safeguard other athletes, especially Australian athletes I would encourage them to be vigiliant when dealing with Athletics Australia and ASADA."

Bannister suggested he took "lightly" the anti-drug code and had relied on verbal rather than written correspondence with AA.

The finding handed down by arbitrator Alan Sullivan, SC, called on AA, ASADA and WADA to review their operations and procedures.

"There are deficiencies in the way these organisations go about their business," Bannister said. "I hope that what has happened to me does not happen to any other athlete.

"From now until February 18 2015 I will train harder then ever to ensure my return to competition is successful."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bombers set for fight as charges loom

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Fight ... Bombers players will try to keep their minds on the football. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

ESSENDON expects to be charged by the AFL within days but the Bombers will take on the league if it tries to ban them from the finals.

The Bombers expect they will be heavily punished for bringing the game into disrepute over their controversial 2012 supplements program.

This is despite the fact the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) investigation into the club is yet to be completed and there are no infraction notices issued against any players.

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The AFL has the power to strip the club of its premiership points and draft selections.

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Club staff, including coach James Hird, could also be charged and face suspension.

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Adelaide legend Mark Ricciuto this week was adamant that James Hird would be forced to stand down by Thursday, but late last night Essendon was adamant there was no move against the coach.

The Hird camp said the Bombers legend had no intention to stand down.

Essendon will strongly argue that they should not lose their right to play in September because the players have not been found guilty in the interim report.

Bombers chairman Paul Little said the club would be "working as hard as we can to ensure that our natural justice and rights are being protected".

Another club figure said: "The punishment must fit the crime".

But it is open to the AFL to penalise Essendon over the club's lack of control and lax oversight of its drugs program.

The club could also be punished by the league for putting the health of the players at risk.

The club's own internal review of its 2012 practices compiled by Ziggy Switkowski found the Bombers failed their duty of management and governance and lost control of the football department.

"This combined to create a picture of a pharmacologically experimental environment never adequately controlled or challenged or documented," Switkowski said.

AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon has the task of deciding whether to charge Essendon and/or its officials but the league would not forecast any move against the Bombers.

The AFL Commission is due to meet on Monday, and again on August 26 - days before the start of the finals.

Any attempts to suspend Hird and other club figures, including doctors, will also be vigorously fought by the Bombers and the individuals' legal teams.

It was alleged in April that Hird was injected with the banned drug Hexarelin by the club's former sports scientist Stephen Dank, which Hird denied.

Sources said the 400-page interim ASADA report did not substantiate the allegation.

Little said the club would be seeking confirmation from the AFL that its players had been cleared of using banned drugs in the ASADA report.

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"Part of the frustration that is now brought to the table by the interim nature of the report is that we don't know what are the workings required, how long that may take and the pain goes on for the club," he said.

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"We remain confident that our players haven't done anything wrong ."

AFL chief Andrew Demetriou returned from the US and angrily denied claims by Bombers great Tim Watson that the AFL had already decided to strip Essendon of premiership points.

"It's just offensive and it's completely wrong," Demetriou said.

Hird's legal team was given a copy of the interim report on Tuesday night.

IN THE GUN AT ESSENDON

James Hird (coach): Declared on February 5 that he would take "full responsibility'' for the club's supplements program. Accused of being injected by Stephen Dank with substances banned for players. Has steadfastly protested his innocence.

Dr Bruce Reid (club doctor): Sent a letter in January 2012 detailing his concerns about the supplements program. The letter never got to the club's board. Yet to see the ASADA report.

Danny Corcoran (football general manager): Absent for three months in late 2011 and early 2012 after the death of his wife. Took a hands-on role in the football department midway through last season.

LAWYERS AT 10 PACES

With the Essendon supplements scandal reaching its climax the Bombers, and under-fi re coach James Hird, are preparing themselves for a bitter legal and public relations battle, engaging the best minds in the country.

TEAM HIRD
Steven Amendola - Ashurst industrial law expert leading Hird's defence.
Julian Burnside, QC - renowned human rights lawyer engaged in recent weeks.
Nick Harrington - a barrister friend of Hird who recommended Ashurst.
Ian Hanke - veteran political spin doctor who worked with Amendola on the 1998 waterfront dispute.

TEAM ESSENDON
Jack Rush, QC - St Kilda board member who was counsel assisting the Black Saturday Royal Commission. Hired in recent weeks.
Tony Hargreaves - leading criminal lawyer engaged by the Bombers at the start of the scandal.
The Shannon Company - communications firm with strong Victorian Labor links hired to replace crisis manager Elizabeth Lukin last week.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
* AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon decides whether to lay charges against Essendon, its officials or players under AFL Player Rules. Rule 1.6.1 reads: "A person must not engage in conduct which is unbecoming or likely to prejudice the interests or reputation of the AFL or to bring the game of football into disrepute.''

Rule 1.5A reads: "Either or both the Commission and the General Manager Football Operations shall ... have the power in their discretion ... to impose any sanction on any person contravening the AFL rules and regulations on any terms or conditions seen fit or to otherwise deal with such matter in any manner they in their absolute discretion think fit.''

* If charges are laid, Essendon would be given time to prepare a response, which may include written submissions.

* AFL Commission would hear the charges and Essendon's defence and would then decide guilt and penalty.

* Penalties could include loss of premiership points, stripping of draft picks and fines.

* Club officials also face sanctions if deemed appropriate by the commission.

Compiled by: MICHAEL WARNER and GRANT BAKER

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

All Stars cancelled as Nines is born

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Indigenous All Star Rugby league players Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis. Source:News Limited

THE NRL is refusing to concede the annual NRL Indigenous All Stars clash is dead - despite the concept being sacrificed next season, just four years after its inception.

All Stars coach Wayne Bennett has been asked to join the NRL at a press conference on Thursday to announce a major overhaul of next year's pre-season.

It will see the inclusion of an inaugural NRL Nines event in Auckland which, despite its $2.2 million prizemoney, has been criticised by Penrith general manager Phil Gould.

Rugby league's end-of-year World Cup, which concludes with the final on November 30, has led to the All Stars, which is usually held in the second week of February, being squeezed from next year's pre-season.

More than 100 NRL players from Australia, New Zealand, England, Papua New Guinea, Italy, Tonga and the Cook Islands will play at the World Cup. 

An email obtained by The Daily Telegraph detailing the 2014 pre-season calendar and a subsequent phone hook-up of all 16 clubs yesterday confirmed the overhaul.

The fear of forcing the game's elite, including World Cup certainties Greg Inglis, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Sam Burgess, Kieran Foran and Shaun Johnson, into making themselves available for the All Stars just eight weeks after the World Cup was the main reason behind the NRL's decision to scrap the annual exhibition match.

The NRL considered persisting with the All Stars concept next year without using the best players, but felt the integrity of the match would be damaged and have suspended it until 2015.

The inclusion of the lucrative Nines, which is set for the weekend of February 15 at Eden Park in Auckland, was the final nail in the All Stars' coffin.

Instead, the NRL is planning to continue the All Stars theme by working within the indigenous community through a series of camps and a one-off match in Newcastle between the best under-20 indigenous players.

Those closest to the All Stars concept, including the brainchild behind the tournament, former NRL star Preston Campbell, and Indigenous All Stars coach Laurie Daley, said they could appreciate the stance taken by the NRL.

"With the World Cup, I assumed the boys would back up but when I went away and looked at it, it is a big ask for them and we don't want them to burn out. They need their rest," Campbell said. "It is a big ask."

Daley, who has coached the Indigenous side for the past three years, said there was no point playing the All Stars if the game's best weren't available.

"If that's the decision that is going to be made, it's obviously disappointing," Daley said.

"But having said that, you can't play the All Stars and have your best players not there. It's a fair decision and they'll still go ahead with the week's activities and cultural aspects and camps, and that will be good."

The Nines will see all 16 clubs represented, with every team picking up a minimum $90,000 in prizemoney. The winner will pocket $450,000.

The Nines concept will be funded by promoter Dean Lonergan, but it has already run into criticism from Gould.

"The Sevens, or Nines, or whatever it is they want to propose, holds no interest for me whatsoever," Gould said.

"I think it's a cheap gimmick. I think it's an over-use of our players. I think it is an abuse of the players' profiles."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Potter to be punted by Tigers

Wests Tigers coach Mick Potter. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Feuding? ... Benji Marshall and coach Mick Potter are reportedly not getting along. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

New man ... Mick Potter has plenty to fix at the Tigers. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

WESTS Tigers coach Mick Potter is poised to be tapped on the shoulder at the end of the season after losing the support of key personnel in the dressing room.

Despite being only 19 games into a two-year contract believed to be worth $250,000-a-season, The Daily Telegraph understands Potter will have the final year of his contract terminated at the end of round 26.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal newly appointed Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer held a meeting with club chairman Mike Bailey and deputy chairman Nick DiGirolamo on Wednesday where the club's coaching structure was top of the agenda.

In a bizarre scenario, the Tigers will now effectively be paying three head coaches next season after ending Tim Sheens' contract last September.

By the time they hire a new coach, the joint venture club will be bank-rolling payments to Sheens, who is on $8650 per week, Potter and whoever they go with as a replacement.

Feuding? ... Benji Marshall and coach Mick Potter are reportedly not getting along.

"We had a meeting yesterday morning about a whole range of issues including my contract, our venue hiring deals and a range of other club issues," Mayer said.

"In regards to any speculation in relation to our coaching structure that is not for me to answer. We have a game against Parramatta on Friday night and our sole focus is to win that game."

The Daily Telegraph reported last month how the Tigers entire football department was undergoing a full review, which has included Mayer conducting interviews with the club's playing roster.

Mayer was instructed to conduct the review at the behest of the joint venture board, who are yet to vote on Potter's future at the club.

New man ... Mick Potter has plenty to fix at the Tigers.

The Daily Telegraph understands a number of key boardroom figures have been aware of discontent with Potter's tenure for a number of months.

Significantly, one of the key findings of the Tigers football department review has been the lack of support for Potter in terms of his coaching style and communication skills among the playing group.

The Sunday Telegraph initially reported some elements of the Tigers board were sharpening the knives on Potter after the club's 22-4 victory over premiers Melbourne in round 16, when his widening rift with star player Benji Marshall was inching closer to breaking point.

The fact Marshall is exiting the club for rugby union has had little influence on Potter's job security.

The victory over the premiers bought Potter a short window of breathing room, which has since been slammed shut by four straight losses to Cronulla, the Warriors, Manly and Gold Coast.

Compounding Potter's record of six wins and 13 losses this season is the club's record seven losses in a row endured from round four to round 10, which was the same week the rookie coach made the brave call to bench star playmaker Marshall.

For Potter to be shown the door at the end of the season, the Tigers 10-member board, which is notoriously split five-five along Wests and Balmain voting lines, need to vote unanimously to cut his tenure short.

The Daily Telegraph understands Potter's contract had a trigger clause for a third season if the Tigers had made the top eight, but with the club poised to finish second last, it is no hope of being activated.

Potter has made some of the tough calls necessary at the Tigers but has been unable to replicate success of fellow rookie coaches Trent Robinson at the Roosters and Michael Maguire at South Sydney.

The Daily Telegraph understands Tigers under-20s coach Todd Payten will be promoted to the role of NRL assistant coach next season to work with whoever the club's board decides to hand the top job.

Penrith assistant coach Trent Barrett has been linked to the job.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sterlo: Kiwis formidable foes

New Zealand Kiwis Test team perform the Haka. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

IN 2008 Benji Marshall provided the magic in guiding New Zealand to an upset World Cup victory over Australia.

At the peak of his powers he was the catalyst to the Kiwis pulling off one of the game's great upsets.

Since then the one burning frustration felt by national coach Tim Sheens and his Kangaroos is that despite their domination of international rugby league they do not carry the "official" title of world champions.

Although they have won just one of 11 Tests against the Aussies since that World Cup, New Zealand maintain the title based on that victory in 2008.

It has been a long wait for redemption for the green and golds but in a few months they will finally get their chance to rectify the situation.

However, while they have proven almost unbeatable in recent years, it seems to me that if they are to capture the World Cup crown at the end of the year in England, they will need to produce their very best.

New Zealand are poised to mount a fierce defence and while it will not be Benji leading the fight, the likes of Sonny, Shaun, Kieran and co. will relish taking on the might of the Australians.

In fact if current form is maintained they will go in with a squad that includes some of the standout players of this year's premiership.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been the competition's most intimidating forward and while he walks a fine line, he is generally controlled aggression. As the spearhead of an outstanding Roosters front six, the front-rower takes great delight in making the early exchanges a personal contest.

He has the best body language of any of the game's forwards and makes it crystal clear that if you run his way, you will be accommodated.

Waerea-Hargreaves' game is up-tempo and that gives his team every opportunity to grab early momentum on the back of his charges.

Kieran Foran has been the competition's most consistent and effective ball-player and despite his relative youth, plays with a remarkable degree of maturity.

He is a pure footballer who plays aggressively without self-preservation, yet has the silky skills to put a teammate away with the deftest of touches.

It was no surprise that in the April Test he was handed the captaincy following the withdrawal of Simon Mannering because he has always played like a leader.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has been the competition's most elusive ball-runner with a swag of defenders still wondering which way he went.

We have seen many players with great footwork over the years but this young man possesses moves that are unique. Will-o'-the-wisp doesn't do him justice. 

He was given a taste of being in the Kiwis squad in Canberra and with another half season under his belt, he will be even more ready for the step up.

Finally there is Sonny Bill Williams who has been the competition's most complete package this year. There was never any doubt that his return to the game would be successful, it was just a matter of to what degree.

Sonny plays with an aura of complete confidence and backs this up with a game that includes power, pace, vision, skill and execution.

However what I find really appealing is the lack of selfishness in his performance, it is all about making it easier for those around him.

Even his quieter games are full of quality. 

These players will be surrounded by the strongest group of New Zealand talent that I have seen and the following side would be formidable opposition.

At the back, two speedy youngsters in Josh Hoffman and Kevin Locke will battle for the No.1 jersey.

With Sheck on one wing, Manu Vatuvei monsters his way on to the other.

Selectors could go with the safer option of Jason Nightingale or Sam Perrett but to beat Australia you can't go safe. Steve Matai at left centre will be at home running off Manly teammate Foran while the Roosters' partnership of Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Sheck would occupy the right.

Foran and Shaun Johnson pick themselves in the halves and while the latter was off his game on the weekend against the Sharks, he has shown this season his sheer speed and footwork will worry any team.

A back-row of Williams, Mannering and Alex Glenn is mobile with a great work ethic.

While a starting front-row of Waerea-Hargreaves, Issac Luke and Ben Matulino is equally impressive and most definitely tough enough.

The real strength of any team is demonstrated by their bench and the Kiwis will have a choice including Frank Pritchard, Kevin Proctor, Elijah Taylor, Tohu Harris, Greg Eastwood, Jessie Bromwich, Sika Manu, Konrad Hurrell, Thomas Leuluai, Sam Kasiano and others I'm sure to have overlooked.

Fourteen teams will contest this year's World Cup but it will be Australia and New Zealand who will contest the final at Old Trafford on November 30.

The winner will be deserved champions and if the Aussies are to reign supreme, coach Sheens will have certainly earned his money.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

NRL 360: A tale of two halfbacks

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Up and Down ... Adam Reynolds and Mitch Pearce have a change of fortunes. Source:FoxSports

TWO halfbacks walked on the field last weekend, two very different halfbacks walked off it. Two halfbacks with it all at stake.

One plays for a future already written, the other to rewrite his past.

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Only one will prevail.

Adam Reynolds ran on the field Saturday night with South Sydney - the competition leader - a position the Rabbitohs have held most of the year.

The Dally M Rookie of the Year, his second season was holding up whatever scrutiny the award brought him, and it always brings some.

Yet 80 minutes later Reynolds limped off, slightly injured, with the work ahead of him. John Sutton was in the dressing room with ice on an ankle that looked like it had a water balloon attached to the side.

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Two to four weeks, they said about Sutton.

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Join Paul Kent and Ben Ikin live on Wednesday at 7.30pm for NRL 360 on Fox Sports

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Reynolds got the all clear, but Greg Inglis was still injured and not due back until just before the playoffs.

The Rabbitohs' spine, as they call it, was cut in half.

The night before, after the Sydney Roosters killed off Penrith, Pearce stood next to Brad Fittler to get his man of the match award.

Second question, Fittler asked what was learned from the Origin loss.

"For me, personally, I've learned just to try to come up with better last plays," Pearce said.

"Me and Jimmy [Maloney], it probably wasn't the best in the first half but that's a big focus for me.

"Just to pull myself out of play sometimes and just think my way around the field a bit more.

"Know when the team needs a restart or a good kick down field, just to build a bit of pressure.

"It's a work in progress but I have been working hard at it since I got back."

Reynolds and Pearce have battled all year, since NSW coach Laurie Daley declared in his newspaper column that Pearce was his NSW halfback come hail, as it eventually did, or shine.

Some believed his time was up.

They believed Reynolds was ready.

Some believed Pearce was on his last chance.

They want Reynolds to replace him.

They put blame for NSW's loss at Pearce's feet, and it was nothing of the sort.

When Pearce returned to the Roosters he resumed a conversation he started with coach Trent Robinson the first time they sat together after Robinson took the job.

The irony of Pearce's career is that, for all the boy-most-likely tags attached early on, he has never been properly taught how to play halfback.

While the tools are all there, the running and passing, the subtlety, the key to the good halfbacks is game management, last play kicking, playing to the team's structures.

The chief criticism of Pearce through Origin was an inability to close a set, which happens to be Reynolds' great strength.

Polish, they say.

Robinson listened to the criticism and realised, while not right, it wasn't completely invalid.

"You don't get those opportunities to really have a look at the essence of a guy's decision making until they get to the top end," he said yesterday.

So his education with Pearce continues

Two halfbacks, two directions.

Pearce walked off man of the match match with the Roosters now sharing equal first spot, ahead on percentages.

The following night they held it when Sutton limped off and the Rabbitohs went down to North Queensland.

The loss was significant for more than the change in competition ladder.

It brings us back to the debate Daley started before round one, and might cause some to reassess their .

Sutton has been Reynolds great foil throughout the season, the creative playmaker in the Rabbitohs line-up. It allowed Reynolds to take himself out of sets until he needed to bring the polish others talk about.

For years Pearce has tried to do both roles, now Reynolds will now to accept a greater role in the Rabbitohs playmaking.

There is no reason he can't do it, but it will certainly be tougher.

The finals are also nearing and, while Sutton and Inglis will be back in the side, finals football brings a pressure some might call Origin-like.

It's different.

Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire knows the change ahead, and is gearing Reynolds for it.

"We talk about things all the time," he said.

"Situations in games, when to put plays on, we're always talking about scenarios, what happens.

"But he likes his footy so he tends to come to me about a umber of things, too."

Rightly or wrongly, Pearce, 24, and Reynolds, 23, have become attached this season and could remain that way the rest of their careers.

They are in charge of the best two teams in the competition, and it starts now.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hird set to lay eyes on ASADA report

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Saga ... James Hird's coaching career could ride on the ASADA interim report. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

JAMES Hird will today lay eyes on the drugs report that could derail his coaching career as new details emerge of the pressure on him in April to stand down.

It is understood Essendon's crisis manager Elizabeth Lukin spoke to Hird in Perth by phone on the eve of the club's Round 3 match against Fremantle.

The pair discussed the growing crisis amid intense speculation on his future.

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It was the second time in two days Hird felt pressure from figures connected to the club to step aside.

Lukin would not comment on the phone call on Tuesday night.

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Hird's lawyers were on Tuesday given access to the 400-page Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) interim report into Essendon's 2012 supplements program.

Hird was due to read the report on Wednesday.

AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon has the task of deciding whether to charge Essendon and/or club officials over the supplements scandal.

Essendon and individuals would be given up to two weeks to respond, with the AFL Commission the final authority.

The Commission is due to meet this month on Monday, and again on August 26.

Hird has maintained he has done nothing wrong but if the Commission finds otherwise, he could be suspended from the AFL.

It was revealed yesterday Hird's lawyer, Tony Nolan SC, was contacted by another lawyer, Tony Hargreaves, on Wednesday, April 10. Hird was advised to consider his position.

Hargreaves is working for Essendon but insisted this week he did not pass on a message under instructions from Essendon or the club's board.

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Lukin and Hird spoke on the telephone the next day.

The following day, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said on 3AW that stepping down was something the Bombers coach should consider.

"As he goes through his thought process ... that is an option he has to consider," Demetriou said.

Hird was still a week away from facing ASADA investigators.

Lukin, a public relations expert, was hired by the Bombers in February to help steer the club through the drugs crisis.

She was present in the AFL boardroom on the morning of February 5 when club chiefs met with the AFL to discuss plans to hold a press conference to explain why the club had "self-reported" to the league and ASADA.

Lukin had previously advised Essendon.

Her other clients have included West Coast during the Ben Cousins drugs saga and senior AFL figures, including Demetriou.

"My five years experience providing issues management advice for AFL leaders Wayne Jackson and Andrew Demetriou has underlined to me how important it is to protect their reputations while managing their campaigns," Lukin says in one online profile.

After Essendon chairman David Evans resigned 12 days ago, Lukin parted ways with the club.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Watmough phone held by Customs

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Consficated ... Watmough is the second NRL star to have his phone seized by Customs. Source: Sam Ruttyn / News Limited

ANTHONY Watmough has emerged as the second NRL player to have his phone temporarily seized by Customs, following revelations Sharks skipper Paul Gallen was also stopped at Sydney airport on Sunday.

Border protection agents detained Gallen long enough for him to miss the team bus back to Cronulla and confiscated his phone for a period of time.

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Gallen was returning from Auckland, where his team had defeated the New Zealand Warriors a day earlier.

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal Watmough's phone was examined in similar circumstances when Manly returned across the Tasman after their round 13 clash against New Zealand.

Both players have received interview notices in relation to ASADA's drugs-in-sport probe, but government officials would not confirm nor deny whether the phone seizures were connected to the current investigation.

A Customs spokeswoman said the agency could not comment about individual passengers, while ASADA simply refused to comment at all.

It's believed Customs was acting at the behest of another federal agency.

The Australian Crime Commission compiled the explosive report that ASADA has used as a road map for its entire investigation.

Manly boss David Perry did not return calls last night, while a Sea Eagles spokesman denied knowing Watmough's phone had been taken.

Watmough's management also said it was unaware of the temporary seizure. Gallen did not return calls.

Several other media outlets reported that Gallen had denied his phone had been seized, but the NSW Origin star is yet to speak about the incident first hand.

A Sharks spokesman could only confirm Gallen was subjected to a "more vigorous" search, which delayed the team bus. ASADA is already in possession of hundreds of text messages from a phone belonging to Steve Dank, the sports scientist at the centre of its investigation.

Some of those texts involve conversations with Gallen. Both Dank and Gallen have denied any wrongdoingwith the Sharks skipper expressing his frustration over being the highest-profile player implicated in the ASADA investigation. 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Don't end our season: Sharks

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Sharks ... faced disqualification from the NRL competition. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

CRONULLA officials were in frantic negotiations with the NRL to avoid the prospect of disqualification just a month after the ASADA investigation was launched.

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The Daily Telegraph has sighted correspondence between Sharks officials and NRL boss Dave Smith, which revealed the club's desire to stand down all affected coaching staff and players prior to round one.

Cronulla were of a belief that if any of the affected persons were later found guilty of an anti-doping violation, the club could be exposed to retrospective loss of competition points or wholesale disqualification.

The Sharks even went as far as to seek assurances from Smith against any such penalties.

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"On the basis this is achieved and the ASADA affected players are removed from or playing ranks, then it is in the best interests of rehabilitation of the club that we obtain an assurance from the NRL that season 2013 will not be subject of future penalties or sanctions arising from this matter," the Sharks wrote in early March.

"We seek this assurance from the NRL in advance of (round one) so it can be communicated to our supporters and season seat holders."

The secret negotiations have emerged as the AFL considers whether to disqualify Essendon prior to the finals.

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The NRL last night confirmed all options were being entertained, but that no decision would be made until ASADA finalises its report into the Sharks.

Interviews with 11 Cronulla players over the club's 2011 supplement program only re-commenced yesterday and won't be completed until August 28.

The NRL finals start a fortnight later, meaning there's virtually zero chance that any findings into Cronulla will be made before the season's biggest games.

Currently sixth, the Sharks need just two wins from their remaining five matches to be assure a top eight finish.

But a disturbing can of worms could be opened should ASADA find any coaching staff or players guilty of anti-doping violations that support a case of systemic drug use at the club in 2011.

Under that scenario, the NRL would be under enormous pressure to not issue infraction notices against individuals but only penalise the club as a whole.

And because the penalty would be applied retrospectively, it would come as no consolation to the ninth-placed team that missed-out or any sides that Cronulla might eliminate during the finals series itself.

Over the past week, Cronulla has done little to endear itself to the NRL.

The club's new board re-instated sacked trainer Mark Noakes against Smith's wishes, while skipper Paul Gallen this week bemoaned the level of support from the NRL.

NRL insiders found Gallen's comments curious, given he recently engaged an independent lawyer. The NRL claims it has been helping Cronulla fund the players' legal representative, Richard Redman.

But the NRL has otherwise kept a much greater distance from the ASADA probe than their AFL counterparts in Melbourne.

First, the AFL and ASADA reached a written understanding that contemplated Essendon players escaping ban under the "No Fault or Negligence" defence.

Smith was furious when he learned of the unilateral negotiations, which were immediately ceased in favour of a set of equal conditions for both codes.

Next, the AFL has attended all ASADA interviews while the NRL was not present when Sharks back rower Wade Graham was questioned in April. That absence has now been addressed for the second round of interviews.

But the most striking difference is the timing.

The deliverance of the interim findings into Essendon has given AFL boss Andrew Demetriou an entire month to decide Essendon's fate, while keeping in mind the sanctity of his code's finals series.

Because their clubs and players failed to co-operate the first time around, Smith and the NRL don't enjoy the same luxury.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tigers prepare to dump Benji

Benji Marshall's Tigers career might come to a premature end. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

BENJI Marshall's career at the Wests Tigers could come to a premature end on Tuesday as the club moves to make way for boom teenage halfback Luke Brooks to make his debut against Parramatta on Friday night.

In what is shaping as a watershed week for the struggling club, the Tigers will officially ask the NRL for a second-tier salary cap exemption so they can name Brooks on Tuesday.

The club will also seek permission to name Jarred Farlow to replace Robbie Farah after the inspirational skipper was on Monday ruled out for two weeks with a hand injury.

But debate over Marshall's future will overshadow everything else after another disastrous showing in Sunday's heavy loss to the Gold Coast.

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Marshall had two runs for a total of 11m - and his effort had plenty questioning if his heart was still at the Tigers given his imminent switch to Super Rugby.

Over the past month, Marshall's form has got progressively worse.

He was also criticised for making a rushed trip to New Zealand last week to talk to the Auckland Blues just days before the game on the Gold Coast.

Marshall is expected to make his signing with the Blues official in the coming days.

Potter caused a furore when he benched Marshall for the round 10 clash against South Sydney but most critics of that decision would now agree Marshall's form no longer justifies his place in the team.

The only thing saving Marshall from an inglorious end to his NRL career is his reputation.

It would be a massive decision for Potter to dump the superstar with only five weeks left in the regular season and Marshall four games short of 200 matches for the Tigers.

Marshall has given great service to the club but his form this year, and especially in the past month, justifies the club's decision to let him walk out on the final two years of his contract.

A key reason the Tigers couldn't afford to keep Marshall on the $1 million-a-year handshake agreement he had with former chief executive Stephen Humphreys until the end of 2017 was the emergence of Brooks and Mitchell Moses, who both recently agreed to extended deals.

The Tigers have now lost their past four games and Friday night's clash against the last-placed Eels is shaping up as a wooden-spoon shootout.

Potter said Brooks's time had arrived. Asked if the 18-year-old was ready for the NRL, Potter said: "I think so. He has proven himself in State Cup and he is doing a great job for the under-20s.

"I don't think that there is any doubt that he needs to be challenged at this level.

"It is the next stage in his development, so we will go through the process and see what happens."

Potter could still name Marshall at five-eighth or start Curtis Sironen alongside Brooks, given they are the most likely pairing for next year.

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The Tigers are on the limit of their second-tier salary cap as a result of the club's shocking run of injuries.

While the second-tier salary cap is designed to stop the richer clubs stockpiling the best talent, Brooks is a local junior who played for the Leichhardt Wanderers and went to school at Holy Cross Ryde.

"They put these rules in place to try and protect the game and I understand that, but he is a local junior and it makes sense to let him play," Potter said.

"We have to have one eye on next year and both eyes on trying to win the next game. We have to name a team that is capable of doing that.

"There is no doubt it would be great for the surrounding district that (Brooks) comes through and gets his shot at first grade and that will help him for the future.

"I just want him to get a couple of games before the end of the year and get a sniff of what it is like." 

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Sutton out for up to a month

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John Sutton of the Rabbitohs runs the ball. Source: Ian Hitchcock / Getty Images

SOUTH Sydney Rabbitohs five-eighth John Sutton will miss two to four weeks of football after spraining his left ankle in last Saturday night's loss to the North Queensland Cowboys.

Scans on Monday confirmed that Sutton will join Greg Inglis on the sidelines as the club slipped to second on the ladder following Saturday's 30-12 loss.

The injury occurred in the 36th minute of the match but according to Rabbitohs Head Coach Michael Maguire, the club will be able to cover for the playmaker while he heals.

"John will be missed but we know he will manage his injury professionally and our medical team will work with him to have him return to the field as soon as possible in the best shape possible," Maguire said. 

"We'll announce our team tomorrow, but Luke Keary has done a good job coming on as a replacement at five-eighth in recent weeks and we're confident in his ability to get the job done while John is on the sidelines."

Souths have lost two of their past three games and face rampaging Melbourne on Friday night at AAMI Park.

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Video: Is hot spot a waste of time?

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Kevin Pietersen expressed his displeasure after being given out following his referral. Source:AFP

Hot spot is a waste of time.

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This sophisticated and expensive infrared technology clearly doesn't work as it is intended.

Either that or the video umpire now has so little faith in it he simply ignores it.

Kevin Pietersen's dismissal has become the latest confusing reason why hot spot doesn't matter any more.

There was a jubilant appeal by the Australians 15 minutes before lunch on the final day of the third Test at Old Trafford as England was desperately attempting to hold on for a draw.

Pietersen was just eight when he pushed at a ball from Siddle which was taken by wicket-keeper Brad Haddin.

The gloveman and slips went up as one, celebrating wildly that they had claimed England's biggest wicket.

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Watch the video at the top of the page and decide for yourself!

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Umpire Tony Hill took a customary age before giving Pietersen out, much to his great shock.

He walked down the pitch to batting partner Joe Root shaking his head and called for a review.

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Numerous replays showed there was no white mark on the edge of his grey bat with the grainy, charcoal pictures offered by hot spot.

Yet video umpire Kumar Dharmasena found no evidence to overturn Hill's decision.

It was certainly not as bad as the shocking decision Dharmasena upheld against Khawaja in the first innings, when a ball from Graeme Swann had clearly turned well past Khawaja's bat.

Pietersen may well have tickled a thin edge. Certainly the "snicko" white line went off as though there had been a mild earthquake, although snicko does pick up all sounds at that moment.

It could have been a noise from anywhere, which is why video umpires are not allowed to use it. However they do have direct stump mike audio which can sometimes replay the sound of a nick.

Whatever the case, hot spot now only adds to the confusion and lack of confidence surrounding the umpiring and decision review system (DRS) in this series.

A day earlier England wicket-keeper Matt Prior believed that David Warner had nicked a hook shot in Australia's second innings but was given not out.

"There was disbelief because he hit it and that's why we referred it and when you are that sure and it is still given not out it is quite frustrating, so that's why there was a bit of chat around," Prior said after stumps on day four.

"It is cricket at the moment. There wasn't any evidence and that is frustrating. All you can go on from a referral point of view was how you see it."

Prior remains a fan of the DRS despite the blunders in this series which have too often overshadowed the cricket.

"It works and it is the way forward but once you use a review you have to then get a decision right.

"Once it goes up to the third umpire the decision that comes out has to be the correct decision.

"Whether the technology needs to be looked at or how they use it, I don't know. But for the players at the moment that is the biggest frustration."

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Perry set for crucial Ashes role

Ellyse Perry is set to play a crucial role in the Southern Stars' Ashes campaign. Source: AAP

STRIKE bowler Ellyse Perry is on track to play a crucial role in the Australian women's team's defence of the Ashes.

The Southern Stars were playing England A in Hertfordshire overnight Monday.

With Australia batting first, Perry was set to be unleashed on Tuesday night in preparation for the Ashes Test, which starts at Wormsley Cricket Ground on Sunday.

Perry battled an ankle injury during Australia's successful one-day World Cup campaign in February and had surgery on her return from India. The 22-year-old required further surgery in April.

"She's bowling off her long run," Australian coach Cathryn Fitzpatrick said.

"She bowled six overs in a row (on Sunday), not a problem.''

"She's due to bowl 10 on Tuesday and I can't see her having any issues getting through that."

Swing bowler Julie Hunter is under an injury cloud and missed the tour match.

Western Australian swing bowler Gemma Triscari was added to the squad last week.

"(The bowlers) will be monitored with their loads, " Fitzpatrick said.

Australia holds the Ashes and will play England in one Test, three one-day games and three Twenty20 matches.

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Verdict on Dons may be delayed

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Gillon McLachlan is back from the US, but Andrew Demetriou doesn't return until Wednesday. Source: Jay Town / Herald Sun

THE AFL could not guarantee it would make a decision before the finals on whether to punish Essendon over the supplements saga.

The league took possession on Friday of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's 400-page interim report into the Bombers' controversial sports science program and has forwarded a copy to the club.

It's understood the AFL, which has stated its determination to protect the "integrity" of the finals series, pushed for the interim report to give it time to take action against the club, if deemed necessary, before September.

But, after returning from an equalisation fact-finding mission to the US, league deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan said he was unsure if that was possible.

"We'll see where the report takes us," McLachlan told Channel 9 on Sunday.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou won't be back in Melbourne until Wednesday after deciding to stay in the US for a sports conference.

McLachlan's comment came as Adelaide chief operating officer Nigel Smart predicted Essendon would be stripped of its points this season.

AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon will make the decision on whether the league pushes to charge the Bombers with bringing the game into disrepute.

Coach James Hird could also be pursued for conduct unbecoming.

It's believed the league will make its position known before next Monday when the AFL Commission is next due to meet.

That would give Essendon two weeks to respond before the commission meets again on August 26. The league has made it clear those dates are fluid.

Any decision on whether Essendon players will face individual sanctions doesn't appear possible until ASADA completes the full report.

Bombers sources were confident the players would not be penalised.

They were also of the belief that no decision should be made on whether the club should be punished until the report was finished.

That report may not include input from sacked sports scientist Stephen Dank, who has again told the Herald Sun he will fight any push to be interviewed by ASADA investigators, despite the agency gaining powers to force people to be interviewed, with daily fines of $5100 if they refuse.

Smart said Essendon was about to take a big penalty.

"The report will detail what it will detail, but I think Essendon will get hit by the AFL in terms of bringing the game into disrepute and I wouldn't be surprised if they lose their points for the year," Smart told ABC radio.

"It's not good for footy, the Essendon situation. It will come out in the report, which is only a few days away."

It also emerged yesterday that Essendon interim chief executive Ray Gunston had moved to clear the air with Collingwood, which had been linked to the drugs saga in an interview given last week by the Bombers' former high performance manager, Dean Robinson.

Magpies president Eddie McGuire asked Gunston to stand up at a pre-match function at the MCG yesterday.

"Ray was good enough to ring up and apologise on behalf of the Bombers, which was gratefully accepted, knowing full well you had nothing to do with it (drug allegation)," McGuire said.

"We didn't take offence."

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Milford asks for Raiders release

Anthony Milford of the Raiders catches the ball. Source: Stefan Postles / Getty Images

EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Milford is on a collision course with the Raiders after formally asking for a release from the club Sunday, with the Queensland sensation's manager saying Canberra should stop whingeing and let him go.

On a day when Canberra were flogged 68-4 by Melbourne, the Raiders confronted their worst nightmare with Milford - the NRL's next rising star - officially wanting out.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Milford's manager Sam Ayoub has written to Raiders boss Don Furner wishing to activate a get-out clause at season's end relating to family illness.

The move is definitive evidence Milford wants to return to his sick father in Brisbane. It appears he will be in Broncos colours in 2014, despite Canberra's desperate fight to keep him.

Milford, who scored Canberra's only try in Sunday's drubbing, told The Courier-Mail he would put "family first" when deciding his NRL future.

The Raiders have taken legal advice and indicated they will play hardball to ensure Milford honours the final year of his Canberra deal next season.

But Ayoub hit back Sunday night, confirming Milford wants out of Canberra after a week of speculation about his future.

The leading player agent said he would take the issue "further" - possibly to the NRL or Rugby League Players Association - if the Raiders refused to honour the get-out clause in his Canberra contract.

"I have written to Canberra asking them to favourably consider a release, in accordance with the clause in the contract that they agreed to at the time," Ayoub said.

"When they agreed to the clause, they acknowledged it would be a possibility Anthony would one day have to return home. Now that time has come.

"The Raiders can't whinge about this. We had the clause put in there, it was there to serve a purpose, Canberra agreed to it. Unfortunately for them the timing of that purpose has arrived."

Ayoub made it clear Milford's request for a release was motivated by family, with doctors last month preventing father Halo, 49, from moving to Canberra after a heart attack last year.

He said there had been no dialogue with any NRL rival, although the Broncos are favoured to sign Milford, who plans to return to family at season's end.

"This has nothing to do with more money, or the Broncos, the Cowboys or the Titans," Ayoub said.

"Will the Raiders take responsibility if something happens to his father while Anthony is away?

"There is no good Canberra trying to blame everybody else for the fact his old man is crook.

"They knew he was ill, that's why we asked for the illness clause, and all of a sudden because the kid is going great they don't want to show the same consideration they said they would.

"It can be activated at any time during the course of the contract, and that time has arrived.

"The Raiders have done everything possible to help Milford settle. The boom utility has lived with the family of Canberra teammate Josh Papalii, who also hails from Brisbane and understands the close-knit culture of Polynesian clans.

If the issue was purely about football, chances are Milford would happily stay in Canberra. But the Queensland under-20s skipper admits he was profoundly affected by Halo's heart attack last year.

"I want what is best for my family at the moment," Milford told The Courier-Mail.

"I guess I have to (look at returning home) at this time. I am blessed with what the Raiders have done for me. But my family is real special to me, football comes and goes, but your family is always in your life.

"So I will look after them first and do what is best for them."

Asked if he would be at the Raiders next year, Milford said: "I am contracted for next year, but I'm not sure what the Raiders will do. I will just focus on my football for now and see what happens.

"My dad was in that situation last year. I am a family person and I look after my parents first.

"Family is the No.1 thing for us Polynesian people. Especially moving away from home, I am not used to it because we are used to staying together, being close and looking after each other.

"Dad is better than he was last year but he is still ill. He has check-ups every week and that is ongoing. The doctors said the family won't be able to move down because of Dad, he can't travel down."

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Bring on ASADA says Toovs

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Manly Sea Eagles Coach Geoff Toovey. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

MANLY coach Geoff Toovey has come forward to claim his club has never breached any ASADA "protocols or procedures".

Toovey on Sunday gave The Daily Telegraph an exclusive sit-down interview where he predicted his looming interview with ASADA would be "very short".

Bulldog: What do you make of the overall ASADA investigation?

Toovey: It has dragged on for long enough. I think we should get into the meat of it. ASADA is interviewing people over the next month or so. Hopefully something will come of that, either a positive or a negative which we will deal with and move on.

Bulldog: Two of those to be interviewed are your players, Brett Stewart and Anthony Watmough. 

Toovey: I know there are players at our club that need to be interviewed. The club has stayed out of that, it is meant to be a confidential issue. I would imagine everyone would respect their privacy and confidentiality until the process is over.

Bulldog: Has Manly got anything to worry about? 

Toovey: As far as I am concerned, I have never been aware of Manly breaching any protocols or procedures in regards to the ASADA drug policies.

Bulldog: So you have never seen anything untoward? 

Toovey: Never.

Bulldog: Do you know Steve Dank? 

Toovey: I probably said four words to him over all the time he was at the club.

Bulldog: You also have to be interviewed, Geoff. 

Toovey: Yes, that's true.

Bulldog: What are you expecting to be asked? 

Toovey: I am expecting it to be a very short interview.

Bulldog: What will they ask you? 

Toovey: I have no idea. As Sergeant Schultz says (in TV show Hogan's Heroes), "I know nothing.' They said, "Follow the procedures," so I am going along with that.

Bulldog: Will you co-operate? 

Toovey: Of course I will co-operate. I've got nothing to tell them.

Bulldog: NRL CEO Dave Smith wants everyone to tell the truth. 

Toovey: I can only speak on my own behalf. I will be telling the truth because there is nothing really to tell.

Bulldog: Recapping. Manly, in your opinion, will be cleared? 

Toovey: Our staff are professional. We will go through the process and deal with any outcomes and move on.

Bulldog: How do Manly keep winning despite the angst at board level? 

Toovey: Those matters are probably blown out of proportion, which happens from time to time. The sporting business is a competitive environment and, at the end of the day, the players and football group need to get on with their business. The other stuff, we don't need to read things in the paper because some of it is a bit over-the-top. We are sure those issues will be sorted out.

Bulldog: Do you protect your players from the squabbling in the boardroom? 

Toovey: I don't think it is a major issue.

Bulldog: Manly, are you where you want to be on the field? 

Toovey: I have said over the past month that we have been fortunate to have a very stable roster in regards to injuries and suspensions. The more we can get a quality group of players on the field, the better you are. But, again, that won't matter if you don't have those players available come semi-final time. The next goal is to make sure everyone is fit and firing in another month's time.

Bulldog: Did that big loss to Melbourne in the grand final qualifier last year change you as a coach? 

Toovey: It didn't change me but it's funny though how you realise that you can't control everything. The players were at a loss too. If you're one per cent off in a game, against a quality team, you are going to get beaten convincingly, which is what happened.

Bulldog: That was a theory going around that, after that heavy loss, you decided to take more control. 

Toovey: No, not really. I think the players realised the season had finished and they hadn't performed at their best that one time and it was all over. That's the hard thing about semi-final football ... if you're not "on" that day then you are wasting your time.

Bulldog: Is there one thing you would like changed in rugby league? 

Toovey: I would like to see more resources put into the grassroots of the game. It is a tough, competitive environment out there, particularly around this area, like other areas, competing for exposure and membership.

***

GEOFF Toovey says the stress of coaching an NRL team is enormous.

Bulldog: Manly has now made the finals in nine successive seasons. Love or hate Manly, you have to respect them.

Toovey: It is a real credit to the players and coaching staff over those years. Manly has a good culture. That culture hasn't just been there for the past nine years - it has been there for several decades. It is a positive place to play football and a great environment to live.

Bulldog: I have always admired Manly's mental toughness.

Toovey: This club has a lot of history and a lot of successful history. It is a culture that has been formed over many years and many decades.

Bulldog: Some suggested - and I was one of them - that you had an ageing roster and were on the slide.

Toovey: You can't underestimate experience although you do need to develop your youth, which is what we have done. We have been fortunate in our development with players in key positions that will hopefully be there for many years to come.

Bulldog: When Des Hasler left Brookvale, many were suggesting doom and gloom. Were you ready for the top job?

Toovey: Like any successful team or club, when there is dramatic change, people tend to talk about the negatives. But there is a lot more to a club than an individual player or coach. It's important that the culture and environment remains stable, no matter what happens.

Bulldog: Is coaching at NRL level 24-7?

Toovey: It's not but it does put a lot of stress on your life. Any coach would admit that. It does become all-consuming at times but it's not something I think of - apart from a couple of coaches - that you could do all your life. It is very much a moving landscape and whilst there you have to envelope yourself in the role and do your best.

Bulldog: Do you have a social life?

Toovey: It is difficult, particularly if you have a family. It is tough on many people in your life that aren't involved in football.

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