Secret fines guiding Souths to title

A typical Rabbitohs celebration. Source: Matt King / DailyTelegraph

DEPENDING on who you speak too at Souths, it all started with the threat of a fine.

A whopping $10.

All year, we've watched and wondered why, after every South Sydney try, players — one through to 13 — stream from all corners of the field to celebrate.

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They pile on top of each other like they've won lotto.

On 102 occasions this season, the Bunnies have celebrated tries like it's the 1971 grand final.

High-fives, back slaps and bear hugs. It's like they've already booked a spot in this year's big dance, and it's all because every player is wary of being pinged 10 bucks, if they fail to display a bit of man love.

It's difficult to recall any previous Souths side — or any other club, for that matter — display such public affection as Michael Maguire's squad have done this season.

The secret to Maguire's success, on this occasion, isn't overly scientific, or a trick-shot you'll find in a coaching manual.

While South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson says he's unaware of the $10 infringement notice for failing to celebrate a try, the penalty has created unrivalled team harmony, camaraderie and mateship at the club. The money collected from the fines is used to pay for team dinners and family functions.

According to Souths hooker Issac Luke, big prop Jeff Lima and Ben Te'o lead the infringement list.

"Ben Te'o, he power walks. He's stuck on a treadmill when he runs," Luke laughed.

"I've only been done once when Manly's Jorge Taufua put a shot on me and I was winded and couldn't get up to join the boys.

"Jeff Lima, he always whinges after that he couldn't get there for one reason or another.

"But it's all good fun. It's just the brotherhood that we've created and able to enjoy the try.

"I put it all down to Madge (Maguire), who has been unbelievable in making this a family club."

South Sydney legend Mario Fenech said $10 fine or not, the entire Rabbitohs squad were united by success and their march towards the grand final.

"I wasn't aware of a certain agreement, but I know from a team's perspective it builds a great bond. It brings a team together to celebrate getting over the white stripe," Fenech said.

"When I look at teams I tend to judge them on what happens after they score a try.

"You can tell who's getting on well or not.

"These are signs of a team that is really tight and believes in the same thing. He's done a great job, Michael Maguire."

But within the Redfern bunker, the hope is that the greatest celebration of all is still to come. October 6 to be exact.

"So long as we're scoring tries, the coach will be happy,'' Luke said.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Raiders up the ante to keep Milford

Anthony Milford is facing an uncertain NRL future. Source: Kym Smith / DailyTelegraph

CANBERRA are set to table a contract upgrade in excess of $100,000 in a last-ditch bid to stop Anthony Milford joining the Broncos.

The development comes as Brian Edwards, the Canberra scout poached by the Broncos last week, broke his silence to declare he will not brainwash Milford into defecting to Brisbane.

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The Sunday Mail understands the Broncos remain privately confident of securing Milford, who is said to be considering staying in Canberra after requesting a release six weeks ago.

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The Broncos plan to begin talks with Milford from November 1, but the tug of war is intensifying with new Canberra coach Ricky Stuart spotted in Brisbane on Friday.

Stuart is understandably eager to retain Milford, who is currently visiting his sick father Halo and mother Marietta in the Brisbane suburb of Inala.

The 19-year-old is already contracted to the Raiders next season, but the axing of Blake Ferguson gives Canberra the salary-cap latitude to reward Milford with a six-figure pay rise.

Edwards, the man who spotted Milford in Brisbane as a 12-year-old, shapes as the Broncos' wildcard.

The Brisbane-based scout steered Milford to Canberra via his links with long-time feeder club Souths Logan. And while Edwards is not pressuring Milford, the young gun regards the veteran official among his footballing mentors.

"I don't want to say too much about Anthony but I won't be pressuring him. It's his call," Edwards said.

"Ultimately, it's up to Anthony ... my only advice is keep your head on.

"There is no limit to what the kid can achieve. The football world is an oyster to him at the moment.

"From the moment I saw him playing at Acacia Ridge, there was an X-factor to him. He did things other kids couldn't do.

"I would see him on the left side of the field and he would quickly get to the right because he was ahead of the play. You can't coach the things that Anthony can do.

"For some reason he was missed by the Broncos at the time, I don't know how, but as I've learned in recruitment you can't get everybody."

Canberra are taking heart from suggestions Milford will now stay. But there is a counter-view that Milford's "sitting on the fence" stance is a smokescreen designed to downplay growing speculation his Broncos deal is a fait accompli.

Departing Raiders chairman John McIntyre confirmed Canberra are ready to up the ante by offering the Queensland under-20s playmaker an upgrade for 2014.

"As far as I'm concerned Anthony won't be in a Broncos jumper next year, I'm hopeful Ricky will keep him here," McIntyre said.

"An advantage we have over every else is that we can upgrade Anthony next year because he's already contracted. That is very high on our priority list.

"No-one else can offer Anthony an upgrade. The health issue with his father ... well that's something for his manager to work out with the club.

"We haven't lost a hell of a lot of players we've wanted to keep."

McIntyre said the Raiders had come to terms with Edwards' departure to head-up the Broncos' Logan-based academy after initially considering legal action.

"We are sorry to see 'Pinky' (Edwards) go," he said.

"The running of that Logan academy was something that appealed to him ... we would never ever stand in the way of anyone." 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Barba won't run until Christmas

Ben Barba has been at the centre of the good and bad of the Bulldogs season. Source: Brett Costello / DailyTelegraph

BEN Barba's career at the Broncos has suffered a blow before he even arrives with the troubled big-name recruit facing almost three months on the sidelines.

Brisbane warhorse Corey Parker has warned Barba is not the one-man solution to curing the club's ills as the Canterbury import comes to terms with his own well-being.

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Barba, who injured his ankle in Canterbury's season-ending finals loss to Newcastle, underwent surgery on Thursday. He will miss the start of Broncos pre-season, but is hopeful of training at full capacity before Christmas.

The Broncos are banking on Barba's instinctive brilliance to be their X-factor next year after a dismal 2013 campaign in which they struggled to unearth a regular game-breaker.

Former Test centre Tony Currie has hailed Barba's signing as one of the greatest coups in the club's history, but Parker insists the 24-year-old cannot rebuild the Broncos on his own.

"Ben Barba is a very classy player, he proved that to everyone last year but let's get one thing straight, Ben Barba's inclusion all of a sudden won't turn the Broncos around," Parker said.

"It's certainly exciting to have him on board. I'm looking forward to him playing for the Broncos as much as any Brisbane fan, but there are a number of things we have to work on as a group.

"Ben Barba won't solve all our issues."

Barba will arrive at Red Hill in November in a fragile state. Aside from assault allegations hanging over him, the Queensland Origin hopeful is facing a lengthy rehabilitation from his ankle injury.

Barba's quest for redemption will be mirrored by Broncos stars, with Parker admitting Brisbane's finals wipeout in 2013 cut deep for a squad accustomed to success.

The 31-year-old is struggling as a finals spectator - he won a premiership ring in 2006 and has missed the finals just twice in 13 seasons at the Broncos.

"It hurts enormously," Parker said of Brisbane's 12th-placing.

"I've played 13 years at the Broncos and barely missed the finals. It is something that I'm not quite used to but you learn a lot about yourself and you learn a lot about each other in terms of character building.

"One thing I can't question is the effort that was put into games. If you were questioning our passion, you would be scratching your head quite a bit.

"But there were quite a few games where we just fell short and a lot of that came down to execution.

"The reality is we didn't make the finals and I think we need to concentrate on executing for the full 80 minutes.

"There were a number of games where we were in a position to win and we just didn't execute right." 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lima will pay for Choc leg twist

Jeff Lima is placed on report for a leg twist. Source: FoxSports

DOG act. Cheap shot and not in the spirit of the game. That was how South Sydney prop Jeff Lima's controversial leg twist on Manly's Anthony Watmough five weeks ago was described.

Clearly the adage that time heals all wounds doesn't exist on the Peninsula. Because ahead of Friday night's grand final qualifier against the Rabbitohs, the Sea Eagles players haven't forgotten.

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"I was in the dressing room after the Souths game and it was the talk of the room," former premiership-winner and current board member Peter Peters said.

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"They don't forget and they know what's coming up. By no means has it been forgotten.

"They won't do anything outside the rules, but I can promise you he'll think he's been hit by the 190 bus to Palm Beach."

Lima was given a week for his leg twist on Watmough which came after Manly coach Geoff Toovey was fined $10,000 for his stunning attack on the standard of refereeing. Some, like former Test prop Mark Carroll, believe Lima should have got six weeks.

"It was a joke, any wonder the boys are fired up about it still," Carroll said. Watmough's knee hasn't been the same since. The injury flared up in his side's 24-18 elimination final win over Cronulla last Friday night and he is likely to train with his teammates just once prior to kick-off at ANZ Stadium in five days' time.

Manly's preparation will be boosted by the anticipated return of fullback Brett Stewart from a hamstring injury. Stewart continued his rehabilitation on Saturday and is expected to rejoin the starting squad next week.

The grand final qualifier is the match Stewart has been targeting as his return date. Captain Jamie Lyon (shin) and Brent Kite (hand) are also certain starters despite finishing the win over the Sharks with injuries.

Manly coach Geoff Toovey was in awe of his team's ability to back-up from two bruising encounters against the Sharks and Sydney Roosters, but claimed his players weren't about to burn out ahead of a possible grand final.

The Rabbitohs have the wood on the Sea Eagles, beating them twice this season. Souths won 20-12 in round six and 22-10 in Round 23 in Gosford.

Michael Maguire's men have been installed $1.50 favourites with the Sea Eagles outsiders at $2.60.

Toovey said he would prepare his side for another titanic struggle.

"It doesn't get any easier," Toovey said.

"Souths will have an extra week recovery. There's a few bumps and bruises today.

"I think Souths will play a similar style, with a big aggressive forward pack and they've got that young bloke (Greg Inglis) at fullback that goes all right, too."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

NRL's ticket sham exposed

Sharks fans celebrate a try. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

AS if the crowds attending the NRL finals matches aren't embarrassing enough for the game's administrators, now a cut-price ticket sham has been exposed that is ripping off loyal fans.

Ahead of Friday night's clash between Manly and Cronulla at Allianz Stadium, top rating broadcaster Ray Hadley revealed how the NRL were sanctioning the sale of tickets on a rival website for less than a third of the cost of what they were charging fans on their official website. 

Hadley said tickets that were being sold for $70 on NRL.com.au were being flogged for just $22 on lasttix.com.au a saving of $43. 

Hadley told his listeners how his program called the NRL to try and get an explanation how lasttix could be selling the tickets so cheap and were stunned to discover that the game's administrators were actually aware of the "marketing ploy". 

He said it was all designed to bump up the crowd for Friday night's game but, as Hadley explained, fans that paid full price had every right to feel cheated. 

"I will tell you what it is another way of doing, getting offside with your fans," Hadley said.

"You are wanting fans to go to your website and pay the full whack but you are giving tickets at a reduced rate to lasttix.

"It's a strange old way to do it.

"Bizarre in the extreme."

Hadley then offered this advice to NRL boss Dave Smith.

"Here's a tip," Hadley said.

"Coowee.

"You listening Dave (Smith), here's a tip for you.

"You know all the tickets you've got on your website now, NRL.com.au, make them $10 each, and maybe you will fill the joint. 

"Or here's a better tip.

"Based on the sort of figures you've been getting over the past three weeks, get John Brady, get your marketing people out the front of Driver Ave with a prawn net and drag people in as they are walking past. 

"That might be just as effective."

The NRL were under fire all week for the dreadful crowds that attended last week's finals games — and Friday night's game was this weekend's only game in Sydney. 

The match today between the Storm and Knights is in Melbourne.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Roosters dragged into drugs scandal

Two Roosters players will be interviewed by ASADA. Source: News Limited

SYDNEY Roosters are about to be dragged into the NRL's doping investigations, with two players poised to be interviewed by anti-doping authorities.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the pair are about to receive letters requesting they attend interviews in the coming weeks.

It's believed the Roosters players' names came up following the charging of Canberra star, Sandor Earl. Already, the exhaustive investigation has included interviews with more than 40 officials and players from Newcastle, Manly and the Cronulla Sharks.

ASADA has appointed three full-time investigators to the NRL's investigation since August and has more wide ranging powers which allows it to use phone records, emails and other communications as evidence to summons players or officials for interviews. 

The NRL is expected to hand down findings from its own integrity unit investigation and the ASADA report at the same time in about four weeks.  

Senior officials and football staff from at least two of the clubs are in the firing line for failing to exercise their duty of care to players when Stephen Dank oversaw their supplements program.

These include Sharks coach, Shane Flanagan, former strength and conditioning coach, Trent Elkin (now at Parramatta) and several other staff members who were sacked from the Sharks several months ago.

They have all continually denied they were involved in any peptide injection program at the club.  Dank has repeatedly refused to be interviewed by ASADA, the AFL or the NRL and also denies any wrongdoing.

The NRL refused to comment on the new developments on Friday and would not confirm the names of either Roosters player.  We understand, however, that trafficking allegations are part of the investigation.

The latest revelations that players from yet another club may be involved in the peptide scandal underlines the seriousness of the allegations made in February this year.

In the AFL, the Essendon investigation findings will also be handed down in coming weeks, with at least three senior football officials, including suspended coach, James Hird, also facing serious charges of breaching their duty of care to players.

While AFL boss, Andrew Demetriou has denied newspaper reports that life bans may be slapped on several Essendon officials, The Daily Telegraph understands ASADA's report outlines their alleged involvement in the administration of peptides to the entire team over a 12-month period.

Both the NRL and the AFL are signatories to the WADA and ASADA codes, and must therefore place themselves at the mercy of the drug agencies if violations are uncovered. The NRL says it will only deal with the facts as they come to light and these will be released in mid-October.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wily Roos angers Swans

Follow me, kid.... New Melbourne coach Paul Roos has been accused of trying to lure Sydney Swans prospects to the Demons. Picture: Philip Hillyard Source: Philip Hillyard / DailyTelegraph

PAUL Roos is accused of trampling on his legacy at the Swans by trying to recruit young Sydney stars to join him at the Demons.

The new Melbourne coach, who guided Sydney to their 2005 premiership and established the famed Bloods culture, has set his sights on highly rated Swans academy players.

Chairman Richard Colless is furious at the actions new Melbourne coach who is attempting to lure the academy's best prospect 18 year old Lloyd Perris to the Demons.

"Paul's actions massively devalue his standing at the club," Colless told the Daily Telegraph.

"He led the club to it's first premiership in 72 years. He helped establish the Bloods culture, he is on a pedestal at the Swans and I'm unbelievably disappointed in his actions.

"I consider taking players from the academy he has helped build is an absolute breach of protocol and a gentleman's agreement.

The young midfielder from St George has been compared with Swans co-captain Kieren Jack and has leadership qualities to match his skills.

He earned All Australian selection and has won the prestigious Cameron Ling and Ben Mitchell medals.

Because Perris is a scholarship holder the Swans can take him with their last pick in the draft.

Roos has told the teenager Melbourne would take him earlier in the draft increasing his pay packet.

"I just couldn't believe Paul would do such a thing," Colless said.

"No one has been a bigger champion of the academy than Paul. I would be devastated as much because of how it would reflect on Paul as I would at losing any players.

"It would shatter a lot of people who have such a high opinion of Paul."

Roos was paid over $300,000 a year to coach the Swans academy making him the highest paid coach outside the AFL.

Roos recently told "On the couch' his salary as head coach of the academy was about to be cut by 55 per cent which helped persuade him to look at returning to coaching.

The Swans chairman also warned Roos and Melbourne off poaching any other Sydney personnel.

Swans development coach George Stone is in the sights of Roos as he assembles his football department at the Demons.

"I would be bitterly disappointed if Paul is trying to induce contracted Swans people to go to Melbourne. If they're out of contract that's life if they are on contract that is a very serious legal offence.

"Melbourne need to be very careful, we will have no hesitation in pursuing our legal rights."

Swans Premiership player and AIS coach Tadhg Kennelly has also been linked with a move to the Demons.

One member of Melbourne's football staff expected to stay on is high performance manager David Misson who was a key part of Roos staff for the 2005 premiership.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

JOC's path had to be corrected

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THE penny has not yet dropped with James O'Connor so being dropped is the right medicine to turn around his poor habits.

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New coach Ewen McKenzie has forcefully taken the opportunity to make him realise that he must change otherwise he will not play for the Wallabies.

Reward his discipline, punish his lack of it.

Sometimes hitting rock bottom allows players to rebound. The Perth airport incident is rock bottom for O'Connor and he's feeling that sting by being dumped from the tour to South Africa and Argentina.

On top of this has been the lack of growth in his play. He makes an odd contribution in Test matches but when was the last time we were talking about James O'Connor like we do about All Blacks ace Israel Dagg.

The reason O'Connor has hit this point is that his anti-performance behaviour kept being rewarded. It's as simple as that.

Players are mostly creatures of habit. They do the things on and off the field that are being rewarded by winning, on a team basis, and individually by accolades, contracts and selection.

O'Connor came onto the Wallabies scene in 2008 as the new, young star in town…brash, talented and good looking.

More importantly, he was a very good player who could help make the Wallabies beat the Kiwis again. However, he lacked personal discipline.

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His misdemeanours were not punished. It culminated at Perth airport where his lack of personal discipline was evident.

His coaches have all said he will learn in time. "He's only a kid" has been the refrain but the kid is now 23 and has not learnt.

I remember picking a young Matt Giteau out of club rugby for the 2002 Wallabies tour of Argentina and Europe.
When we arrived in Buenos Aires, he was off to get his eyebrows groomed with stripes.

The team culture of the Wallabies at that time was strong. Knowing that I would disapprove, the team manager and a senior player grabbed Gits and reformed his brows.

He was at the start of a long international career of 92 caps and is now one of the best club players in Europe.

Teams in Australian rugby today tend not to have strong senior leadership groups and are also loathe to pull fellow players into line. As a result, many gifted players are lacking personal and team discipline.

It is hard to see O'Connor, at 33, being one of the best players in the world like Giteau when, at 23, only one of the five franchises in Australia wants him.

O'Connor's behaviour has been punished. New behaviours must be learnt and an environment created that allows his talent to flourish into performance.

Matt Henjak was another wayward spirit. For him the penny did not drop until the late 2000s playing in France for Toulon. It started in 2005 when he was sent home from a Wallabies tour of South Africa for rowdy non-winning behaviour on a Wednesday night before a Test.

Missing Tests is a punishment O'Connor will understand. 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Clubs need no dead beats policy

Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson greet each other warmly. Source: Gregg Porteous / DailyTelegraph

AUSTRALIAN Test prop David Shillington has spoken of the dangers of allowing ego driven youngsters to "think they are bigger than the club" - a malaise that he believes destroyed Canberra's 2013 campaign.

In a candid insight into his thoughts about the difficult generational change that now confronts NRL clubs, the former Raiders skipper said increased media and public exposure had created a new breed of superstars who need to be "handled properly".

"I think that empowers them to feel like they are bigger than the team sometimes - that's a bad thing," he said.

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"It depends on how the coach handles you, how the club handles you

"Sometimes you create the devil in players."

Shillington resigned from Canberra's leadership group mid-season because he felt former coach Dave Furner was too light on errant young stars such as Blake Ferguson.

Ferguson has since been sacked after going AWOL during the competition's final month, which also saw Furner axed and the team plummet from finals reckoning on the back of six straight losses.

Breaking his silence on the numerous woes that brought Canberra unstuck, Shillington admitted the team finished the season a divided unit both on and off the field.

But his biggest concern - across the code - was the trend of weaker clubs being seduced into compromising their culture to appease young superstars.

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"I think more and more players are thinking they are bigger than the club, bigger than the team," Shillington continued.

"If a player mucks up and you don't drop him from the team, or have serious ramifications and consequences because you are worried that they might leave the club, or you are worried that they might not win the game next week, or you've got a contract negotiation and they might flick it and walk away, that's when you create the devil in players and make them think they are bigger than the club.

"I think we saw that (at Canberra) this year with a few of the younger players coming through.

"The increased exposure in the media ... they are full-on superstars, they are bigger than they used to be."

While Shillington is presumably referring to Ferguson and another sacked Raider, Josh Dugan, he exempted Josh Papalii and Anthony Milford, both of whom were disciplined for breaching the team's drinking policy prior to their round 25 clash against New Zealand Warriors.

"When the care factor is down, you are not respecting your team mates or you club," the 30-year-old prop said.

"You do the wrong thing on the field or not turn up for each other on the field. It happens.

"The season like we had wears you out and drags you down. We saw something like that happen when Josh Papalii and Anthony Milford ended up drinking.

"They are not bad young fellas. It's an effect of how it dragged everyone down."

Shillington pointed to strong clubs such as Melbourne, Souths and the Roosters as standard-bearers for culture.

"No one is bigger than the team in those clubs. If someone stuffs up on the field or off the field, no matter who you are, you get dropped to the bench or you're out of the side.

"We saw Souths stand down George Burgess through ill-discipline, through to Mick Crocker, the captain of the club, because he was down on form.

"I think that's the way of the future — a strong stance on things. When it comes to keeping a team in line, when it comes to keeping a team in line you have to be like that." 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

NRL Late Mail - finals week two

Andrew Fifita is battling calf and knee injuries, but will play. Source: Brett Costello / DailyTelegraph

ALL the late NRL teams gossip including big news on Todd Carney, Andrew Fifita, Brett Stewart and Sisa Waqa.

MANLY V CRONULLA

Sharks five-eighth Todd Carney has aborted his mission to overcome a hamstring strain and is out of Friday's must-win final. It's a bitter blow for Cronulla, who will now start the match with Luke Lewis at five-eighth. Rookie half Chad Townsend is expected to force his way onto the bench. Lewis last played in the six jumper in 2011 for Penrith. He has won eight matches in 19 games while playing at pivot. Andrew Fifita (calf and knee) is a certain starter after training strongly during the Sharks closed session at Allianz Stadium on Thursday. Manly have issues of their own with fullback Brett Stewart failing to train on Thursday. He remains in serious doubt after missing the past two weeks with a hamstring injury. Manly have an able replacement in Peter Hiku. Back-rower Richie Fa'aoso has been given a light week after suffering heavy concussion. Coach Geoff Toovey is confident Fa'aoso will be given the green light to take retain his bench spot. Winger David Williams has a back complaint, but he's expected to push through the pain to take his place in the side.

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MELBOURNE V NEWCASTLE

Knights coach Wayne Bennett is expected to start with the same 17 that took care of the Bulldogs last Sunday with veteran Craig Gower unable to overcome a neck problem. It means utility Matt Hilder will retain his spot on the bench to play his 200th NRL match. Melbourne officials will assess winger Sisa Waqa on Friday morning after his horrific head-first fall last weekend. Teammate Mahe Fonua pulled out of the Queensland Cup last Sunday and is on standby should Waqa fail a final fitness test. Fullback Billy Slater, backrower Kevin Proctor and veteran Jason Ryles were all rested from training early in the week, but are in no doubt to play. Melbourne have won 14 of 19 semi-finals since 2006 and have won nine of 13 finals in Melbourne.

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22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Finally, it's Kewell v ADP

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THERE are five rounds for them both to get through unscathed first, but Harry Kewell has marked down November 15 as the date he finally gets to go head to head with Alessandro Del Piero.

Melbourne Heart host Sydney FC that day in round six of the new season, with Heart's elder statesman keen for a battle of the marquees.

Twice before injuries have kept Kewell out of such a contest — first when Juventus played Liverpool over two legs in the quarterfinals of the 2005 Champions League, and again a year later when Italy knocked Australia out of the World Cup in Germany.

"So, yeah, it would be nice to see it at last — we are two different styles of attacking player," Kewell said after meeting Del Piero for the first time this week at a shoot for Fox Sports' new-season promotion.

"I'm more of a get on the ball and dribble, and he's more of a passer and set-piece taker. It would be an interesting comparison. Sydney are going through a transitional phase, and there's no better player they could have at the club to help them on their way.

"From what I hear, he had a fantastic season last year — scored goals and brought people to the games. I'm sure all the kids are learning just watching him — players like him, the A-League can do with."
After his year out of the game, Kewell says there is a difference to the standard since he left Melbourne Victory — particularly among the ranks of those breaking through.

"There's definitely a lot more talent flying about, especially around the 19-22 year old level," he said. "They're a lot more capable now — they maybe need to find their confidence, and then you'll see that quality.

"The league is still fast, it's still furious, it's still tough. And that's great. We've got some young kids at Heart, and the talent is surprisingly very good. I've pulled John [Aloisi, Heart coach] aside a couple of times and said, wow I didn't expect this.

"The young players we've got just need to realise what potential they've got. Once they do that I think they will shine a lot more. I will try to help them unlock that, and push them in every way.

"I'm here to help - even the players fighting for my position, I'll be pushing them to push me. That way I'm helping myself."

And that of course could lead to the greatest prize of all. Some 18 months since he last appeared for the Socceroos, Kewell still believes he can have a role to play for the national team with an eye to the World Cup - but not until he has mounted a case for his club that earns him a place on form, not reputation.

"Of course, it's on my radar," he said of next year's showpiece tournament in Brazil. "I think it's on everyone's radar. A World Cup only comes around every four years and you want to be part of it.

"But you've got to play well for your club first before you can even let the national coach think about including you in a squad. First and foremost is your club form.

"My passion's never left - I went through a downtime at Liverpool, but Galatasaray brought it back. I enjoyed my time at Victory, but I'm enjoying it here now."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Townsend to replace Carney

Chad Townsend trains with ther Sharks. Source: Brett Costello / DailyTelegraph

THE Cronulla Sharks originally had no local juniors in the side to play arch-rivals Manly in Friday's knockout NRL semi-final at Allianz Stadium.

Not until coach Shane Flanagan called junior grand final specialist Chad Townsend into the squad to replace injured Todd Carney.

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He was originally named in NSW Cup and was supposed to be playing against the Newtown Jets and an unknown halfback, Ryley Jacks, at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.

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Instead, he'll be marking New Zealand's Test captain Kieran Foran at Allianz Stadium in the Battle of the Beaches.

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Townsend is a premiership winning specialist who has won as many grand finals as super coach Wayne Bennett.

He won an incredible seven straight for the Yarrawarrah Tigers in Sharks juniors on his journey to first grade football.

From Under 8's to Under 16's, it was an unbelievable ride for the rookie halfback who made Australia's Junior Kangaroos team two years ago.

Although Flanagan was giving little away after training at Allianz Stadium, The Daily Telegraph understands Townsend will be part of the final 17 when the team is revealed an hour before kick-off.

The far more experienced Luke Lewis was expected to start at five-eighth but Townsend will be there in jersey number 19.

The 22-year-old is no Todd Carney, but Flanagan and the senior players have spoken highly of him since he emerged from the old Toyota Cup.

He is so highly rated that the New Zealand Warriors have snapped him up on a big money deal for next year, even while they've got the brilliant Shaun Johnson.

Flanagan had indicated all week that Origin star Lewis would play outside Jeff Robson in the halves.

It was only to keep the Sea Eagles guessing.

Townsend, a young battler who drives a '96 Commodore and lives at home with mum and dad, has matured into a far more confident player this year at the Sharks.

When he debuted as a rookie halfback in 2011 he was reluctant to call the shots or stamp his authority around more senior players.

His strengths are his kicking game and ability to read the play.

The Sharks, despised outsiders, finalised their preparation with a sharp hit-out at Allianz Stadium before going into camp at a Darling Harbour hotel.

"It was a great session – we didn't drop a ball," Flanagan said.

"Andrew (Fifita) ran great and he's 100 percent. We're ready."

Carney turned up, but was under the care of the team's physio staff and is no hope of playing.

Behind closed doors, Townsend ran at five-eighth. He played there two weeks ago in the commanding win over the Raiders in Canberra.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

The day Bennett lit Mullen's fire

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THE penny finally dropped for Jarrod Mullen the day Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett publicly declared his captain's skill-set was the equal of any player he has ever coached including Broncos legend Darren Lockyer.

If Bennett was looking to flick a switch inside the head of his most influential player to help Mullen overcome the mental demons that have held back his career, it was a masterstroke. 

Up until then, all those years of mentoring from the great Andrew Johns, all those years of repetition on the training paddock, all those hours upon hours of hard work had only ensured the Knights playmaker reached a level a rung or two below where he aspired to be. 

A level, which his critics would argue with some justification, would find him wanting mentally if the pressure was on and the chips were down. 

A level which threw up the odd brilliant performance in and around some average and mediocre ones. 

Never the consistency that sets champions apart.

Until this season.

If Mullen doesn't win this year's Dally M Award (he's been invited for the very first time by the way), most in the game believe he will be thereabouts. 

And if Newcastle is to sweep past Melbourne on Saturday night to book an unlikely preliminary final showdown with the Sydney Roosters, those same people will tell you Mullen will have to be one of the most influential players on the field. 

Mullen says the form of the team and the influence of "some great old heads" around him has made his job easier this season.

But he says the biggest impact has come from Bennett.

"He's just put the belief in me and my own performance," Mullen says simply. 

"Told me to go out there and not doubt myself. Probably in the past, I've second-guessed my ability or second-guessed things out on the field. That's probably why I haven't been consistent. 

"He sees enough in me to go out and do what I do and back my own instincts." 

"The players he has coached in the past in Lockyer and that - for him to say skills-wise I am up there, it puts a lot of confidence in me."

The irony in all of this is Mullen's not the first playmaker to have grown an extra leg under Bennett's coaching.

The last player to emerge from the pack and put his stamp on the competition after being mentored by the game's premier coach was Jamie Soward at the St George Illawarra. 

That partnership produced a premiership at the Dragons in 2010.

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No Milford could be disaster

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THE Anthony Milford saga must end in favour of the Broncos or they will be left with only one playmaker with NRL experience in their top squad next season.

Without Milford, the Broncos would have to play 174cm fullback Ben Barba in the halves alongside Ben Hunt or trust that 18-year-old five-eighth Ashley Taylor was ready for first grade.

Taylor was re-signed for three years in a contract worth $300,000 this season and then had surgery on a shoulder problem earlier than required to ensure he was fit for day one of pre-season.

He is a rangy half who played touch football for his state and has brilliant acceleration.

However he will need to bulk up from his 81kg frame, which is 9kg slimmer than relative lightweight Barba, if he hopes to be a front-line defender in the NRL next season.

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The Broncos had five NRL-experienced halves this season but have lost Scott Prince to retirement, Corey Norman to the Parramatta Eels and Peter Wallace and Luke Capewell to Penrith.

They only have Hunt left with Taylor to join the top-25.

When Prince announced his retirement, Broncos coach Anthony Griffin said they would back their own young talent to replace him.

Redcliffe Dolphins standouts Zack Strasser and Cameron Cullen are likely to join the top squad while impressive under-20s halves Duncan Paia'aua and Kodi Nikorima are also in the frame.

The club's lack of playmaking depth means Milford is a must-get when he is able to speak to rival NRL clubs on November 1.

Milford is genuinely confused about where he wants to play football next year, with the Canberra Raiders bending over backwards to accommodate the needs of the teen prodigy and his ill father Halo.

On Tuesday night he took to social media to explain his situation.

"I know as much as you know. Will know more later on during the week and keep u all posted. #futureonhold," Milford wrote on Twitter.

What he is waiting for is a meeting with new Raiders coach Ricky Stuart who is flying to Brisbane to meet the Inala-raised 19-year-old.

Milford last week was awarded the Raiders' Mal Meninga Medal, given to the club's player of the year.

He won the award despite playing only 18 games, half of which were off the bench.

A month ago he was a near certainty to quit the Raiders and seek a deal with the Broncos but is now undecided.

He had been linked to making a code switch to the Queensland Reds but it is understood that will not happen regardless of whether he exercises a get-out clause and leaves Canberra.

The Raiders had previously played hardball and refused to even acknowledge Milford had a get-out clause.

However it would be hypocritical for Stuart to deny leave to a player on compassionate grounds after he broke his Parramatta contract for the same reasons.  

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crawf backs Buddy to stay put

Hawthorn champion Shane Crawford is confident Lance Franklin will remain a Hawk, turning his back on lucrative offers from rival clubs. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Michael Klein / HeraldSun

FORMER Hawthorn captain Shane Crawford remains confident Lance Franklin will reject a massive offer to join Greater Western Sydney at the end of the season.

Crawford said the Giants had the wrong man if they believe Franklin would be happy being the face of the club.

And he doesn't believe Hawthorn's offer is far away from what the Giants are prepared to pay.

"I think Hawthorn aren't far off the money," Crawford said.

"They can give him their very best offer without breaking up the club and they will come up with ways to make sure they satisfy his needs the best way they possibly can."

Crawford said the Hawks had taken a chance with Franklin when he was first drafted because of some criticism that he could have been a bit wayward, but he was now a Hawk "through and through."

"He is much loved by supporters and also his teammates and I'm sure he will be like Travis Cloke last year and will sign at the end of the season," he said.

"I have got no doubt that he just wants to get through the final series and play really well and then I think he will put pen to paper and stay."

Crawford, who revealed he has a reasonable relationship with Franklin, said there was no way the star forward wanted to go the Giants and be the face of the club and presented at every media conference.

He said it was not in his personality to publicly promote the club or be a spokesman.

"If they keep offering that up, there's no way he will go," Crawford said.

"If they keep offering that up as a carrot, well that's not going to want to make him go to Sydney.

"I just think he loves Melbourne and his teammates who he has grown up with."

Crawford, whose last game was the 2008 Grand Final victory over Geelong, knows what it's like to pursued by another club.

He was offered massive money and business deals to play for Port Adelaide when they joined the AFL in 1997 and was also chased by Collingwood.

He said the closest he came to leaving Hawthorn was in 2005 when he was set to join Sydney the following year.

"You think about things and then you realise where your heart lies and every player goes through it where there are opportunities and it's no different to anyone in the workplace," Crawford said.

"Then you have to work out where you are happiest and it was always tempting to think what may be but at the end of the day my love was always for Hawthorn."

Crawford said the Swans victory in the 2005 Grand Final was a factor in him rejecting the offer because the club had achieved what it had been trying to do since 1933.

Franklin announced at the start of the season that he did want to negotiate with Hawthorn until the end of the season, but the Hawks have put offers to him.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Meet the real Happy Gilmore

Mark Bylsma has belted a golf ball 420m. Picture: Brett Costello. Source: Brett Costello / DailyTelegraph

EVEN the sweet crunch of a loosener from Mark Bylsma turns every head at Thornleigh driving range. The ball hits the net at the far end with speed.

"Mate, that was only 40 per cent," Bylsma says, putting down his driver. "With this wind, I could hit the fence with my 5-iron."

The fence is 244 metres away. The heads turn again. It's no contest.

"There you go," he says. "One bounce."

With two golf shots, Mark Bylsma has summed up why he is banned from every driving range in Sydney.

There's not a range long enough to allow Bylsma to rip-and-grip a full-blooded driver, let alone unleash one of the custom-made Thor hammers that helped him become a six-time Australian long driving champion.

Health and safety concerns are different when someone who hit a golf ball 420 metres walks in.

"Yeah, I have been asked to leave a few driving ranges," Bylsma grins.

"I am more than welcome here at Thornleigh, as long as I hit five iron. If I started hitting drivers over the fence onto Pennant Hills Rd, there might be some dramas."

Bylsma has to wait until after dark to use Moore Park range, so he doesn't hit golfers past their fence. He put a few balls over the hill and onto the Eastern Distributor once, so these days many of the 500 balls he hits a week are iron shots to practise rhythm.

When Bylsma gets down to business in Las Vegas next week, however, there'll be no holding back.

The 39-year-old big man will be one of four Australian representatives at the $250,000 World Long Driving Championships, where 192 of the globe's biggest hitters will gather to do measure their manhood.

It's golf, but only just. Long driving is to golf what bazookas are to archery. Power, aggression and club-speeds of up to 250km/h rule, and after psyching up with music, contestants often roar after they hit a boomer.

"The Swedes are mad, they even scream at the ball before they hit it," Bylsma says.

Australian long driving boss Wayne Stewart adds: "It's like rock-and-roll wrestling. It's the opposite of golf as far as etiquette goes."

Professional golfers avoid the long-drivers as much as possible, but only because they're embarrassed off the tee by them.

Mark Bylsma shows his style at Thornleigh driving range. Picture: Brett Costello Source: DailyTelegraph

The driving distance average of the PGA Tour in 2013 is 262 metres. The longest, Luke List, averages 274 metres, and Tiger Woods six metres less. In 1985, Greg Norman averaged 253 metres off the tee.

To put that context, go back to the Bylsma five-iron. Long drivers have to hit 340 metres just to get a start. The world record on grass, downwind, is 430 metres – more than four football fields. Bylsma holds the official Australian record of 401m (the 420m wasn't registered) and believes he can go longer.

The old saying of "drive for show, putt for dough" is laughed at by long-drivers, says Bylsma: "We prefer 'if in doubt, smash it'."

Bylsma, a Kings Langley resident who works at the Mean Fiddler, is no a fan of subtlety. He uses every ounce of his mammoth size, bolstered by a heavy weights program, to grievously assault the ball.

"I would rather use a sledgehammer to hit something than a tack-hammer. So hard and fast is the way I go at a golf ball," he says.

"Ability will take you so far, swing will take you so far. But at the end of the day, grunt will take the furthest. I am six-six, there are guys over there who are six-ten."

A few little men do get by, with the help of genetics and backgrounds in baseball, or like two-time world champ Jamie Sadlowski, ice hockey.

Though he only 76kg, the slim Canadian's double-jointed wrists help him generate similar club-head speed to Bylsma – 240 km/h. Professionals get up to 200km/h.

With $250,000 prizemoney up for grabs next week, long drivers laugh at the old saying: "Drive for show, putt for dough." In any case, says Bylsma, there is a different saying in the fraternity of driving range pariahs.

"If it doubt, smash it," he says, addressing another ball. It topples off the tee in the wind and rolls away.

"See? That ball just s**t itself."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Incompetent refs miss eye-gouge

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THE incompetent NRL referees who robbed North Queensland of a finals victory also missed a shocking eye-gouge on rookie Cowboy Wayne Ulugia.

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The gouge left another black eye on the NRL's bruised finals series which has been dogged by a seventh-tackle try, allegations of conspiracy and poor crowds on the opening weekend. 

The rake of Ulugia's eyes was the worst in a series of grubby tactics from the Cronulla Sharks during their two-point victory over the luckless Cowboys on Saturday afternoon. 

The perpetrator of the ugly act was veteran Sharks forward Chris Heighington.

Heighington accurately plunged four fingers into the left eye of 21-year-old Ulugia who was in the process of attempting to score a try in the 30th minute. 

Ulugia knocked-on in the tackle, which allowed a break in play and replays to be viewed, but still no action was taken despite the eye-gouge being identifiable on multiple angles. 

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Ulugia suffered minimal damage in the incident and because he got up immediately the act was not even placed on report.

The Sharks were at it again in the second half with centre Ben Pomeroy delivering an uppercut with his left forearm to the groin of Cowboys opposite Kane Linnett. 

Linnett immediately complained to a touch judge about the rabbit punch but was ignored.

NRL match review committee chairman Greg McCallum confirmed Heighington's eye-gouge would be scrutinised.

"We will investigate it," McCallum told The Courier Mail. 

"I will look at the incident when I go through the tape of the game.

"If there is something in it then it will come out in the charge sheet on Monday."

Just last week the match review committee opted against charging South Sydney forward Sam Burgess for an eye-gouge, albeit minor, on James Maloney. 

Burgess only received a warning but Heighington's gouge was more vigorous.

Experienced referee Matt Cecchin had a clear view of the eye-gouge and was also responsible for the botched tackle count that led to the Sharks' opening try. 

NRL head of football Todd Greenberg yesterday said referees may have to front press conferences to explain controversial decisions in the future. 

"I am not against that on certain occasions. There were six match officials there after the game and I can tell you they were completely shattered," Greenberg said. 

"Sometimes, not saying regularly, when a referee wants to portray his points of view then we may look at it.

"We would be silly not to keep our eyes open and make sure across the game we are held accountable."

Greenberg also said Cowboys coach Neil Henry, who alluded to a conspiracy to keep Sydney teams in the finals in his post-match press conference, would not be fined for his outburst. 

"I sat and listened to his press conference. He spoke from the heart," he said.

"He showed raw emotion."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

The Tackle: Cats' tall order

Paul Chapman reacts to hitting Port Adelaide utility Robbie Gray. Source: Salpigtidis George / HeraldSun

PAUL Chapman might get lucky with a negligent and low-impact match review panel ruling, but if not, he's gone.

No one will like it if he is suspended.

No one liked that Lance Franklin was suspended for a week for bumping Sydney's Nick Malceski.

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And absolutely no one likes the thought of Ted Richards being suspended for his bump on Carlton's Levi Casboult.

I have never sang the chorus that the bump is dead, but effectively it is. Why would you do it? Why run the risk?

The best intentions to play the sport at a vigorous level have been sucked out of the competition because of a rule introduced to avoid concussion, a word which scares the rule makers because of potential litigation in years to come, a la American football.

The AFL would say it is a rule to protect the players, but there's always a multitude of agendas.

What's a week now, when it can help us save millions in compo in the long run?.

Franklin's hit wasn't malicious, Chapman's even less so. And Richards' hit was perfection.

It's a debate for another time, but we've come a long way from Byron Pickett's front-on missile bumps to players bent over the ball. Perhaps too far.

Franklin and Chapman were late, even cheap, but they weren't vicious.

Something's gone amiss with the bump and not for the first time this year, it has to be said the world's gone mad.

So, Chappy might miss. He bumped and hit Robbie Gray in the head. Herald Sun photographer George Salpigtidis caught the moment in a series of pictures. Gray holding his jaw as he lay on the ground will be exhibit A for the prosecution.

But it didn't hurt Gray. He got up and took his kick. It should've been 50m and on your bike.

The match review panel ruled Franklin negligent and medium impact. Surely Chapman gets the same negligent category and surely he gets low impact. There were no scans for Gray after all.

If so, it means Chapman will play in the preliminary final.

It's crucial he does, because without him, the Kennett Curse looks decidedly shaky.

The Hawks haven't had a better opportunity to wipe out the jinx imposed by former Hawks president Jeffrey K.

Of course, a jinx or curse is what you make it to be. To the rest of us it is very real. To the Hawks it is a media beat-up. Or is it?

Indeed, the Cats are vulnerable.

Potentially no Chapman. No Corey Enright. Tom Hawkins has a 60-year-old man's back. James Podsiadly is out of form. Nathan Vardy didn't touch it until the final quarter on Friday night. Travis Varcoe is hit and miss. Where to play Bartel - back, forward or mid, bearing in mind is he the team's No.1 kick-in from a behind? And Rivers has a bung ankle.

And the Cats have to be weary.

They had a tough game against Brisbane, a cage match versus Fremantle, and then chased Port Adelaide's for two quarters.

They'd want to stop choking in front of goal, too. They have kicked 13.18, 9.18, 15.22 in their past three matches.

The positives are experience, self-belief and a defensive press which is often overlooked as experts swoon over their transition from defence and corridor ball movement.

They have the hard bodies in Selwood, Kelly and Corey, the speed of Motlop, Varcoe and Christensen, the brilliant Stevie J, the nous of Stokes, the greatness of Bartel, and a backline group headed by Taylor, Lonergan and Mackie.

The Hawks, meanwhile, are prolific in all those areas as well, and have had a week off to rid bodies of aches and pains.

The Cats will need everything going for them to make it 12 in a row, starting with the MRP's results about 3pm today.

LIVE CHAT WITH MARK ROBINSON FROM 11.30AM BELOW 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Changing of the AA guard

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett is a lock for All Australian selection. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: George Salpigtidis / HeraldSun

THIS time 12 months ago Essendon was a pillar of virtue, Andrew Walker was an injury-prone forward, and Dane Swan was laughing off calls for his head.

Sam Mitchell was a centre square master technician and Chad Wingard ... well, no one bar Port Adelaide fanatics had even heard of him.

Football changes in the time it takes to click your fingers -- ask Essendon -- but nowhere has this been more evident than the All-Australian team.

Once it was the domain of the superstars, and only them.

Ask eight-time All-Australians Robert Harvey and Mark Ricciuto, or seven-timers Craig Bradley, Nathan Buckley, Paul Roos or Wayne Carey.

Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: PerthNow

The selectors didn't care which position they selected Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich in, as long as he got in -- six times.

Choose your own All-Australian side before tonight's announcement, if only as an exercise in how difficult it is to choose between recent form and reputation.

But by any measure, only two of last year's starting All-Australians will find spots in this year's team.

Gary Ablett, my All-Australian captain, and Paddy Dangerfield, one of last year's half forwards, will join 2012 interchange members Dane Swan and Scott Pendlebury somewhere in tonight's 2013 version.

Lance Franklin handballs during Hawthorn's media session at Waverley Park yesterday. He will return to action on Friday week after suspension. Source: Getty Images

Lance Franklin (58 goals but just a good solid year) might just squeeze in, while Sydney midfielder Josh Kennedy is a longer shot to reclaim his 2012 bench position.

But among that classy quartet there are stories of dramatic form slumps, Father Time finally knocking, and above all else, injury ravaging 2013 stars.

Ask St Kilda duo Sean Dempster and Stephen Milne, or West Coast ruck duo Nic Naitanui and Dean Cox, or last year's All-Australian forward Tom Hawkins.

None of them are even in the 40-man squad, let alone contenders for this side.

And the best part?

As much as we will welcome back last year's alumni Dayne Beams, Grant Birchall, Trent Cotchin and Cyril Rioli in coming years, the 2013 side hasn't missed a beat.

Joel Selwood celebrates his last-quarter goal. Picture: Michael Klein Source: HeraldSun

There are locks: Scott Thompson at full back, the centre line of Dangerfield, Joel Selwood and Ryan Griffen, and Jarryd Roughead as the forward/ruck swingman.

But there are also conundrums like the half-back line which says everything about the changing face of the game, as elite defenders vie for All-Australian nods with midfielders in revamped roles.

Will trusty half-backs like Geelong pair Joel Corey and Andrew Mackie survive the assault from Hawthorn's Sam Mitchell, or even reprogrammed Carlton defender Walker.

Then there are second-year kids like Wingard and Jeremy Cameron who you just want to select to reward them for their extraordinary composure at such an early age.

Surely Cameron should get in given what he achieved, kicking 62 goals in a team which won a solitary game.

GWS Giants' Jeremy Cameron has been appointed an AFL Junior Football Ambassador for NSW and the ACT. Source: News Limited

When the likes of Michael Voss, Buckley, James Hird, Harvey, Andrew McLeod and Anthony Koutoufides retired in quick succession we wondered if the talent was there to replace them.

You sometimes hear the refrain that there isn't enough talent to sustain 18 teams; that the stars of the game don't shine as bright as they did in yesteryear.

The side chosen tonight, radically different to the 2012 version and yet still just as exciting, will surely smack those assertions out of the ballpark.

All-Australian Team 2012

B: Sean Dempster (StK), Luke McPharlin (Frem), Darren Glass (WCE)(captain)
HB: Beau Waters (WCE), Ted Richards (Syd), Grant Birchall (Haw)
C: Trent Cotchin (Rich), Jobe Watson (Ess), Dayne Beams (Coll)
HF: Patrick Dangerfield (Adel), Lance Franklin (Haw), Cyril Rioli (Haw)
F: Stephen Milne (StK), Tom Hawkins (Geel), Dean Cox (WCE)
Foll: Nic Naitanui (WCE), Scott Thompson (Adel), Gary Ablett (GC)(vice-captain)
I/C: Brett Deledio (Rich), Josh Kennedy (Syd), Scott Pendlebury (Coll), Dane Swan (Coll)

Jon Ralph's 2013 All-Australian team

B: Andrew Walker (Carl), Scott Thompson (North), Michael Johnson (Freo)
HB: Jarrad McVeigh (Syd), Harry Taylor (Geel), Sam Mitchell (Haw)
C: Patrick Dangerfield (Adel), Joel Selwood (Geel, vice-captain), Ryan Griffen (WB)
HF: Dane Swan (Coll), Jarryd Roughead (Hawth), Steven Motlop (Geel)
F: Chad Wingard (Port), Jeremy Cameron (GWS), Lindsay Thomas (North)
Foll: Will Minson (WB), Gary Ablett (GC, captain), Scott Pendlebury (Coll)
Inter: Kieren Jack (Syd), Nathan Fyfe (Freo), Luke Hodge (Haw), Travis Cloke (Coll)

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Players touched, abused by fans

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NORTH Queensland have blasted NRL hierarchy as "incompetent" after a security bungle that saw Cowboys players touched and abused by Sharks fans on Saturday night.

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The NRL has launched a probe into a security breakdown that failed to provide protection for Cowboys stars as they returned to the SCG sheds following their season-ending 20-18 loss to Cronulla. 

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Already gutted by the seventh-tackle fiasco, Cowboys players were then left exposed to vitriolic abuse from Cronulla supporters who came so close they made face-to-face contact. 

The NRL had given assurances high-level security would be provided after the finals double-header at Allianz Stadium forced North Queensland to prepare next door at the SCG. 

But when Cowboys players embarked on the 100m walk after full-time, club officials say the public were not cordoned off, claiming just one security guard was present. 

North Queensland football manager Peter Parr last night fired a broadside at the NRL, saying a Cowboys player could have been attacked in the emotional aftermath. 

"There could have been an assault or an incident, the NRL went back on their word and let us down badly," Parr fired.

"It's embarrassing that fans were able to touch our players and abuse them, they were Cronulla supporters in their Sharks gear. 

"The abuse our players copped was nothing short of disgusting. They were calling us c**** and c***suckers.

"They got so close they were touching our players, it was ridiculous and just another example of NRL incompetence.

"When we agreed to prepare at the SCG, we were given assurances by the NRL that there would be no public-access or interference to our path from the SCG to (Allianz). 

"There should have been protection for the players but there wasn't. We tried to work hard with the NRL, we tried to be as low-maintenance as possible. 

"We've made a complaint and they said they would look into it, just like they are looking into the refereeing issue.

"Everything is a review with the NRL. It was another case of the NRL not being able to control something ... it's amateur hour." 

Cowboys centre Brent Tate said yesterday he was left stunned to see animated Sharks fans, some holding children, firing expletives at the squad. 

"It was quite sad, some had kids," he said.

"I couldn't believe what was coming out of their mouths. I couldn't believe the way we were treated."

An NRL spokesman said the governing body had requested a report from the SCG Trust.

"We took it up with the stadium last night," he said.

"There was a pre-match plan in place to avoid this scenario and we are getting a report from the stadium on how that was able to take place. 

"As soon as we were aware of it, we made sure there was some additional security put in place for the post-match press conference.

"It was something that was covered and it was made clear to the Cowboys on the night that it shouldn't have happened."

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