Hawks show Suns who’s boss

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THE gaping chasm between where the Gold Coast are and where they want to be was ruthlessly exposed by reigning premier Hawthorn at Metricon Stadium.

The ambitious Suns took the fight up to the Hawks early but the genuine star power of the flag favourites proved to be far too good, far too often as the visitors romped home in the second half to record a thumping 99-point thrashing.

HAWKS V SUNS: FULL STATS, SUPERCOACH POINTS AND MORE

When the game was briefly in the balance, it was Hawthorn's rolled-gold rockstars such as Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli, Sam Mitchell and Shaun Burgoyne who put the pedal down and put the Suns fairly and squarely in their place.

Jordan Lewis crunches Gary Ablett in the first quarter. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

The four premiership points were safely in the bag by midway through the third term as the champs reminded the contenders that they still owned the competition's ultimate knockout punch.

Hawthorn kicked the last 11 goals of the match to underline its vast superiority.

Ablett cops the full "unsociable Hawks" treatment. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

Jack Gunston kicked five goals while Roughead added four as 12 Hawks players got among the goals. Mitchell finished with 35 disposals while Luke Hodge (32), Josh Gibson (31), Matthew Suckling (29) and Grant Birchall (27) also saw plenty of the Sherrin.

Gary Ablett had 36 disposals while David Swallow, Dion Prestia and Jaeger O'Meara also battled hard for the outclassed Suns.

Lewis bumps Ablett off the ball. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

It will only be matter of time before the Suns are physically and mentally capable of matching superpowers like the Hawks for four quarters.

That time has not arrived yet.

But which team in the AFL is capable of matching Hawthorn's intoxicating blend of brilliance and brutality at the moment?

Steven May makes a flying spoil against Jarryd Roughead. Picture: Darren England. Source: News Corp Australia

Hawthorn emphatically stamped its authority on the contest with an imposing second term that set up a 33-point buffer at halftime.

The Suns did not trouble the scoreboard attendant until the 16th minute of the term when Ablett produced a trademark snap for goal such was Hawthorn's swarming pressure that forced the Gold Coast into costly turnovers.

The only other joy for the home side came through veteran midfielder Michael Rischitelli who goaled after a brilliant pick-up on the run.

Graphic by Champion Data Source: Supplied

Other than those two rays of light for the Suns, it was all Hawks who put the Gold Coast to the sword with scorching speed and skill.

Hawthorn punished every Suns error to the full extent with their big names to the fore.

Their ability to force a turnover, spread and ruthlessly hit the scoreboard was too much for the Suns who battled manfully but lacked the polish of the premiers.

Graphic by Champion Data Source: Supplied

It was a physically fierce opening term that also contained flashes of attacking flair from both sides.

Only a three-goal burst from the talented trio of Roughead, Rioli and Mitchell pit some space between the teams with the Hawks enjoying a two-goal advantage at the first change.

Cyril Rioli dumps Gold Coast star David Swallow. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

Earlier in the day, Karmichael Hunt was forced out of the NEAFL match after a sickening head knock in the second quarter of the curtain-raiser against the Northern Territory Thunder.

Hunt was visibly dazed by the knock and had blood gushing out of his head. He required stitches and was sent home.

He was not required to go to hospital but his chances of earning a recall to the senior side next Sunday have all but been wiped out.

REPLAY OUR LIVE SUPER SATURDAY COVERAGE BELOW:

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Barba prepares to feel the axe

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BESIEGED Broncos fullback Ben Barba says he is letting his teammates down and is facing the prospect of being dumped to the Queensland Cup.

In an honest critique following his side's heartbreaking 12-8 loss to the Titans, Barba says he is testing Brisbane's patience after his "terrible" showing in the Queensland derby.

The big-name import had a bitter-sweet Friday night at Cbus Super Stadium.

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Barba shaped as the hero when he produced a magnificent try-saving tackle on Mark Minichiello in the 65th minute, using his foot and hand to wedge the ball millimetres above the turf.

But nine minutes later, Barba was a shattered soul.

Allowing a high kick to bounce, Barba leapt in his in-goal to defuse it, only to be stripped of possession by Aidan Sezer, who duly scored the match-winner.

Given his outstanding effort on Minichiello, Barba deserved a better finale.

But the Broncos custodian wants no sympathy after taking responsibility for the Titans' great escape.

"It was terrible," a crestfallen Barba told The Sunday Mail. "I was happy with that (Minichiello tackle), but in saying that, I have one job in particular ... and that's to be safe under the high ball.

Ben Barba has had a difficult start to his career with the Broncos. Source: Getty Images

"To be honest, I have to find something soon or I could find myself playing Queensland Cup in the next few weeks."

Barba's opening six weeks have produced a mixed bag.

His first month was solid and featured some confident plays, laying on a four-pointer for Dale Copley against his former club the Bulldogs with a pinpoint grubber in round one.

He also produced a slick inside ball for a Matt Gillett try in Brisbane's crushing 36-20 round four win over the Dragons.

But in the past fortnight, Barba's confidence has taken a hit.

He was poor against Parramatta, and made three errors in the derby – the first in the 17th minute when he grassed a Titans bomb.

On the eve of the Titans clash, Barba approached coach Anthony Griffin seeking feedback on his game.

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Griffin has assured Barba he is happy with his contributions.

But without a try or line break in six games for his new club, the 2012 Dally M Medallist is not satisfied with his output.

"Personally, I feel I'm letting these boys down," he said.

"I've got to find something because I can't keep doing this every week.

"I'm disappointed, because these boys work so hard and I'm the one letting them down.

"I need to look at myself and turn it around."

Broncos prop Ben Hannant, who played alongside Barba at the Bulldogs, said the 24-year-old needed time to settle at Red Hill.

"He'll bounce back," Hannant said.

Ben Barba weighs up his options as he runs the ball against the Titans. Source: Getty Images

"He didn't have his best night (against the Titans), but he's a top-class player and we have every bit of confidence that he will find his form.

"It's a new club, new structures, it will take time for Benny. But look out when he does find his confidence and where he needs to be."

Brisbane enforcer Josh McGuire dismissed suggestions Barba's self-belief had been eroded.

"I don't think it's a confidence thing," he said.

"I think he lost sight of it (the high kick) and I wouldn't want to be back there trying to catch it.

"Barbs is having a tough time at the moment with all the criticism but the team is behind him 100 per cent.

"We're a tight-knit group here. If one guy is having a hard time, the whole team feels it and we have to get through it as a team.

"I have full faith in Ben. He is a freakish player. It was just a freak moment and hopefully he bounces back next week."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Origin farce keeps Semi from NSW

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RUGBY league's State of Origin eligibility rules have been shown up yet again to be a complete farce.

This time the victim is the game's most dynamic new personality player, Parramatta's barnstorming winger Semi Radradra.

The NRL has ruled that the Fijian flyer can play for Australia - but, inexplicably, not State of Origin.

This is despite the fact four high profile Fijians have already played Origin football – the great Petero Civoniceva, Jarryd Hayne, Lote Tuqiri and Akuila Uate.

Semi Radradra celebrates another try with teammates. Source: News Corp Australia

Under new guidelines for rep football, Radradra can nominate to play for Australia once he has lived in the country for three years.

Yet because he wasn't born in NSW or QLD and didn't live in either state before the age of 13, he can't play State of Origin.

The NRL's general manager of game development, Andrew Hill, insists there is no loophole that would allow the cult hero they call 'Semi Trailor' to play for NSW.

"Tightening up the eligibility rules was a move towards ensuring the state versus state, mate versus mate concept was protected," Hill said.

"The commission was very keen to ensure the concept of the State of Origin remained as a game between NSW and Queensland."

Yet this is the game that continually allows Macksville born, bred and raised Greg Inglis to play for QLD and any number of Kiwis and Pacific Islanders to play for the Blues or Maroons.

And the same game that sits back and allows superstars Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess to walk out on the code because they are not allowed to play in the game's showpiece event of the year.

Greg Inglis was born and raised in NSW. Source: News Limited

Radradra is the NRL's leading try-scorer in 2014, proving virtually unstoppable on Parramatta's left-side wing, turning the trampling of opponents into an art form.

He averages nearly 120 metres a game, has made 26 tackle busts in five games and brings back memories of legendry Eels winger Eric Grothe.

Radradra comes from the tiny Fijian village of Somosomo and has been in Australia for less than two years.

He was first spotted by the Eels' recruitment team in a televised rugby union sevens tournament in Dubai.

At the moment he has nominated Fiji as his country of choice but can change at any time because his country is considered a second-tier rugby league nation.

Jarryd Hayne has played for both Fiji and NSW. Source: News Limited

There is no question he is already explosive enough to handle the extra pace and intensity or Origin football, although his positional play understandably still needs some work.

The Origin snubbing has a two-fold effect on this excitement machine.

He loses the opportunity to earn an extra $90,000-a-year in match payments and also cash in on the marketing and sponsorship benefits that come from Origin exposure.

Radradra is under contract to Parramatta until the end of next season but it hasn't stopped Japanese rugby clubs and rival NRL talent scouts from making enquiries.

Should Semi Radradra be allowed to play Origin?

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Halftime report: How low can Blues go?

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MISS any of the highlights — or lowlights — of the round so far? Catch up on all the big talking points here.

HOW LOW CAN THEY GO?

CARLTON plunged further into despair on Saturday when the Blues became Melbourne's first victim of the season at the MCG.

It wasn't just the result, but the listless manner in which the Blues succumbed that would have infuriated Blues fans.

There was no spark, little fight and seemingly even less direction out on the field.

Remember the fallout last week following the 81-point belting to Essendon in Round 3?

The 23-point loss to Melbourne will have even greater impact across the footy world, with Mick Malthouse and skipper Marc Murphy — comprehensively beaten by Nathan Jones — certain to be in the firing line.

After the game Mick declared he won't be changing the game plan just because he's lost a few games, although he didn't mention this is the worst start to the season of his entire coaching career; in 29 seasons as senior coach he has never lost the first four matches.

Amid all the Blues bashing, let's stop for a moment to praise a great win for the Demons.

Nathan Jones led from the front, James Frawley has become a genuine threat up forward and Jack Watts even chimed in with a crucial goal. Handy timing when the bloke he is so often compared to finished the day in the sub vest (see below).

Carlton fans were irate after the loss to the Dees. Picture: Colleen Petch

BUT THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS

While things on-field might not be going so great for the Blues, there was some interesting — and potentially exciting news — for footy fans yesterday.

Carlton chief Greg Swann said he expected his club would play an AFL match for premiership points on Good Friday next year .

"Lock it in," Swann told Triple M radio on Saturday.

Swann said the two teams had been working with the AFL for several seasons to organise a 4.30pm Good Friday match, after which the two captains and coaches would hand over a cheque to the Royal Children's Hospital during the televised Good Friday Appeal.

"We nearly got (the match) up two, maybe three seasons ago before Andrew Demetriou put the kibosh on it," Swann said.

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CAFF PUTS THE CUFFS ON COTCHIN

How far can taggers go?

The subject is back on the AFL agenda after Brent Macaffer's superb — or disgraceful, depending on your point of view — stopping job on Richmond captain Trent Cotchin on Friday night.

The debate over Macaffer's negating tactics continued on Saturday with AFL umpires coach Hayden Kennedy saying he didn't like what he saw at the MCG, and Demon Nathan Jones taking the scalp of Marc Murphy with similar tactics.

Did you see anything wrong with the tactics Brent Macaffer employed against Trent Cotchin?

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I AM SAM ... AND SO IS HE

Two new boys stepped on to the AFL stage this weekend after battling their way to the top, and both had an instant impact.

Sam Lloyd provided some rare highlights for Tiger fans on Friday night with three goals on debut, and Sam Gray followed in his footsteps on Saturday.

Lloyd played with Deniliquin (in country NSW), Mt Eliza (on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula) and Frankston in the VFL before landing at the Tigers.

Gray trained with the Power before the 2012 rookie draft but didn't make the cut, so he went back to the SANFL and won the best-and-fairest for the Port Magpies then earned a second chance in last year's rookie draft.

Promoted to the senior list, he was named for his debut against Brisbane and, like Lloyd, he also booted three goals. But the result for his team was a lot more favourable, with the Power smashing the Lions by 113 points.

The pair have something else in common — they are both SuperCoach bargains. Gray is a $102,400 midfielder while Lloyd is a $117,300 forward.

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WEST COAST WANDERERS

Remember the heady days of two days ago when the Eagles topped the AFL ladder and were everyone's favourite top-four bolter?

At quarter-time at Simonds Stadium last night West Coast was taking it up to Geelong in what shaped as a genuine heavyweight bout.

After that the wheels fell off and might still be bouncing their way across the Nullarbor.

Geelong piled on 12 goals and the Eagles added ... none.

West Coast managed just seven behinds as the Cats recorded 113 more disposals, 30 more inside-50s and 79 more marks for the match.

Ten Geelong players scored 100 SuperCoach or more, West Coast's highest scorer was Elliot Yeo with 82.

With the injury list growing, are we seeing a repeat of 2013 or will the Eagles bounce back? Port Adelaide at home next Saturday will be big.

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COUNTDOWN TO EASTER MONDAY IS ON

As Geelong was flexing its muscles against West Coast, Hawthorn put another upstart in its place up north, smashing Gold Coast by 99 points.

It sets up a mouth-watering Easter Monday encounter next week with the two fierce rivals sitting first and second on the ladder.

After that clash only one side will remain unbeaten after five rounds.

The Hawks broke the Kennett curse in a dramatic preliminary final last year, a five-point win ending a streak of 11 straight losses to Geelong since the 2008 Grand Final.

We'll hear plenty about sides in trouble this week but it will be great to celebrate footy at its best. Keep next Monday free.

Nic Naitanui in the sub vest sums up West Coast's dismal night. Source: Getty Images

CANBERRA SAND TRAP

The Bulldogs and Giants looked like they were playing on a golf course when they squared off at Star Track Oval on Saturday.

The ground was covered with sand which was often kicked up as players dived, kicked and basically moved across the surface.

If the AFL is planning to look at the surface at ANZ Stadium (and we haven't seen any evidence they are), they can add Canberra to the inquiry.

The Dogs took the honours after a late rally with Liam Jones standing up when it mattered for the second week in a row. He's copped plenty of criticism in his 56-game career, has he finally made it?

Anyone for a game of beach cricket? Tom Scully bites the dust.

BURGER WITHOUT THE LOT

On top of a 113-point drubbing, Brisbane faces life without Matthew Leuenberger after the big man limped off Adelaide Oval with a leg injury.

The ruckman will have scans today and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

The Lions also lost playmaker Pearce Hanley to a hamstring injury, but the Lions hope it isn't serious.

Leuenberger played almost a half and finished with the forgettable stats sheet of two disposals, eight hitouts, five clangers and zero SuperCoach points.

It hasn't been a great weekend for ruckmen in SuperCoach, with Tom Hickey pulling out of the St Kilda squad on Friday and Shane Mumford a late withdrawal for GWS yesterday.

Let's hope Aaron Sandilands makes it through the Essendon game in one piece.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hardwick: “Biggest hole we’ve been in”

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RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has struggled to hide his frustration over the treatment of Trent Cotchin after a loss to Collingwood thrust the Tigers into the "biggest hole we've been in".

Cotchin was ruthlessly tagged by Collingwood's Brent Macaffer and kept to just 13 disposals — his lowest return in four years — in the Tigers' 38-point defeat.

Asked about the tactics used to muzzle the influence of the Richmond captain, Hardwick shook his head and offered a wry smile.

GREAT SCOTT INSPIRES BRUTAL WIN

"He (Cotchin) is a better man than I am, put it that way," Hardwick said.

"There are some people (umpires) out there that give the protection. I'll be showing my players that's how you tag — he (Macaffer) did an outstanding job."

Brent Macaffer barely left the side of Trent Cotchin. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

When it was suggested the umpires had gone too far in allowing contact, Hardwick said: "You're asking the wrong bloke.

"Take nothing away from Collingwood; they were outstanding, their pressure around the ball, their ability to win the scrimmages, they looked cleaner than us.

"I thought he tried his backside off, Trent ... but Macaffer did a very good job to keep him to 13 touches — that doesn't happen very often."

Debutant Sam Lloyd was a shining light for the Tigers. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Richmond now faces an uphill climb to play finals sitting 1-3, with matches against Brisbane Lions (away), Hawthorn and Geelong to come in the next three weeks.

"Yeah, I think it's the biggest hole we've been in. But that finds out a little bit about yourself. I think our character as a football side will be on show for the next month," Hardwick said.

"The season is still alive. It's going to be a very close competition this year. Our guys can play, make no mistake, we've just got to find our mojo and get our boys back up and going."

Dan Jackson is wrapped in a tackle by Dane Swan. Picture: Alex Coppel. Source: News Corp Australia

Hardwick said he expected he and the club to come under heavy criticism this week.

"That's the harsh reality of our world, it's all part and parcel of it. The blowtorch will come, good luck," he said.

"I don't worry about it, it is what it is. We know where we're at and that we've got to get better.

"We've got to get better. That's what is going to drive this club forward. We've got to keep persevering, keep demanding more of each other and keep putting more on the line to get where we want to go.

"We are well short of what we're capable of."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Buckley: What about Trav?

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COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley last night questioned the umpire's treatment of his key forward Travis Cloke who had another miserable night under the MCG lights.

Buckley said he believed there were a couple of sets of rules "out there at the moment" and Cloke was getting umpired to one set and everyone else to another.

"But he has to fight through that and I thought he stuck to his task," Buckley said.

Asked whether the rule changes were supposed to suit Cloke.

"It wasn't meant for him.

GREAT SCOTT INSPIRES BRUTAL WIN

"In the end the umpire is the umpire and it's a tough job and they make some blues and we make some blues, players make some blues. Cloke has just got to push through it."

Travis Cloke was held goalless in game 200. Picture: Alex Coppel. Source: News Corp Australia

Celebrating his 200th game, Cloke again failed to kick a goal for the third time this season.

He has kicked just two goals for the season _ in one game.

Despite the ball going into Collingwood's forward 50m zone 52 times, Cloke finished the game with just two behinds in his team's impressive victory over Richmond.

Buckley said it wasn't a night for big, mark forwards, but he rated Cloke's work rate as consistent.

The Magpie coach also singled out Brent Macaffer for special treatment as the forward turned star tagger claimed another big scalp. This time he restricted Richmond captain Trent Cotchin to just 13 disposals.

He said he is just getting better in his new role and said he hadn't used a tagger in the past because the team didn't have one.

"Now we do," Buckley said.

Brent Macaffer limited Trent Cotchin to 13 disposals Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

He said Macaffer was at the crossroads at the end of 2011 and he sat down with him and they had a heart-to-heart.

"I had coached him as a forward coach through 2010 and saw what he was capable of and I thought he'd just dropped off a little in his professionalism through 2011 and he wasn't favoured and didn't play as much footy.

"But he has made a real shift and a decision that he wants to take his profession as far as he possibly can."

Buckley said Macaffer wrote of the 2012 season after injuring his knee in the NAB Cup.

He said his concentration to stick to his task against the league's best ball winners had been huge.

"And he is getting better and better at it game by game," Buckley said.

"So it's a strength of his character which is getting it done and his commitment to his craft. He is a good footballer but he has now seen something he can own and something that he can contribute to team with and he is running with it."

Buckley was also happy with the improved performance of Dane Swan and said he'd spoken to him during the week about some KPIs he had to produced when the ball wasn't in his hands.

"And he met them tonight and that was the most impressive thing about his performance," he said.

Buckley said the win was another step forward.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ruthless Macaffer blankets Cotchin

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WE'RE told Brent Macaffer is a footy connoisseur. He watches it, listens to it and reads about it.

So we can only assume he will enjoy his diet of football coverage over the coming days because his performance last night was an enormous factor in Collingwood's win over Richmond.

GREAT SCOTT INSPIRES BRUTAL WIN

In a ruthlessly hard tag, Macaffer restricted Trent Cotchin to a paltry 13 disposals at 46 per cent efficiency. It was a complete a negating job as you're likely to see this year.

Brent Macaffer brings Trent Cotchin to the ground. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Macaffer pushed, shoved, bumped and had an arm thrust across Cotchin for every painstaking minute the Richmond captain was on the field.

People can question the ethics of Macaffer's role — not looking at the ball and showing total negativity — but he rarely strayed into illegal territory. When he did he was penalised, and Cotchin received four free kicks.

No, this was an incredible display of concentration and discipline against a player who had racked up 38, 25 and 28 possessions in Richmond's opening three rounds.

Cotchin trudged off the MCG last night with his lowest disposal tally since Round 16, 2010.

Macaffer is not new to the so-called dark arts. He was a forward in Collingwood's 2010 premiership side, but his transformation from injured attacker to shutdown specialist was completed last year.

Dane Swan, Brent Macaffer and Harry Lumumba sing the song. Photo by Quinn Rooney Source: Getty Images

The man from seaside town of Kilcunda made waves when he muzzled Nick Dal Santo in Round 6. He then went on to silence some of the game's greats in a season that saw him recognised with a sixth-place finish in Collingwood's Copeland Trophy.

Nearly 12 months on he would arguably be the second-best tagger in the caper behind Ryan Crowley. But unlike the Fremantle antagonist, there appeared to be no verbal and little, if any, behind-the-play niggle.

Cotchin is one of the game's great workers, but by half-time he appeared to have almost lost the will to run. You didn't have to be a body language expert to see he was in a dark place.

Dustin Martin briefly tried to block for his mate, Dan Jackson had a brief crack at Macaffer and Shaun Grigg offered a snippet of resistance. Cotchin went to a rampant Scott Pendlebury in an attempt to escape Macaffer's suffocation and he had a spell at full-forward, too.

None of it worked.

Then, late in the third term Macaffer took Cotchin to full-back to further salt the wound. No Richmond player went to relieve their skipper of the burden, but that's a whole other story.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Impassable Souths set defence record

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For 63 minutes South Sydney were perfect.

Ignore the flood of fumbles that are inevitable on foul nights like these. Defence wins out in a deluge and for over an hour the Rabbitohs could not be faulted, nor breached.

In an incredible statistic that's unlikely to be repeated this season, Souths did not miss a tackle until their count stood at 262 midway through the second half. By full-time they'd missed just five tackles and made 316.

Click on the live scores panel at the top of this page for game details and key stats.

While the count will be rechecked, the provisional results are an NRL record according to Fox Sports. The previous best is eight missed tackles, by Cronulla last season and North Queensland in their Round Four loss to Gold Coast.

While Nathan Merritt broke the club record for most tries, this was a team record that should live equally long in the foundation club's memory.

It came just days after the team met to discuss their resolve, following last weekend's much-needed win over St George Illawarra.

"We just spoke about ripping in and not leaving any energy in the tank," skipper John Sutton said.

Record breaker Nathan Merritt. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

"We just wanted to concentrate on making one tackle at a time. It was a great effort."

Watching history unfold in the dry comfort of the visiting coach's box, Michael Maguire was aware his team had completed 184 tackles — 60 more than their opponents — without a blemish in the first half.

"The boys spoke about it during the week and wanted to stand tight together," he said.

"We went through that hard period (losing three games in a row), that we probably didn't want. The first half defensive performance was excellent."

To earn a 2-all deadlock at the break, it needed to be. The heavens might have opened with a vengeance five minutes before kick-off, but there were simply no leaks in South Sydney's defence as Penrith enjoyed a glut of goal line possession in the first 40 minutes.

Heavy rain hits Sportingbet Stadium. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

By half-time South Sydney's entire starting pack — with the exception of David Tyrell — had each made 20 tackles. By full-time Ben Te'o topped the count with 41, followed Burgess brothers Sam (37) and George (35) to complete a memorable team effort.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary felt his team were "unlucky" to dominate while the conditions were most hostile, but was nevertheless compelled to acknowledge the opposition.

"Hat's off to them," Cleary said. "It doesn't matter who you are playing against, to do that against any opposition is impressive."

The only time Souths line was genuinely threatened arrived with the result just about sealed in the 67th minute, when rookie winger Dallin Watene-Zelenziak dropped the ball with the stripe at his mercy.

Dylan Walker on the attack. Source: Getty Images

By that stage Souths were 12-2 leaders, following tries to debutante centre Kirisome Avua'a and Merritt's history-maker within 15 minutes of the resumption. Another try of note — rookie forward Kyle Turner's first in the NRL — capped a marvellous night for the visitors with nine minutes remaining.

With his new recruits still forming combinations, Cleary was still encouraged. His only regret was a decision to level the scores with a penalty goal shortly before half-time — an effective concession of South Sydney's defensive dominance.

Kyle Turner scores for the Rabbitohs. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

"I didn't think we deserved to lose by that much," Cleary said. "For big chunks of the game, we gave ourselves a chance to win.

"The conditions played a part in the first half. The second half we were behind, and it was probably our lack of time together that played a part."

SOUTH SYDNEY 18 (K Auva'a N Merritt K Turner tries A Reynolds 3 goals) bt PENRITH 2 (J Soward goal) at Sportingbet Stadium. Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee. Crowd: 11,674.

Re-live our live coverage of Friday night footy here.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Anderson: no room for Choc in top 10

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AS his career fades and hopefully his voice, it's time to reflect on where Anthony "The Man" Mundine sits in the pantheon of Australian boxers.

We will rate him over the past 50 years, which excludes pugilists such as Jimmy Carruthers, Les Darcy, Young Griffo, Vic Patrick and Dave Sands.

Anthony Mundine and Joshua Clottey both land snapping jabs during their bout. Source: News Corp Australia

Hopefully Mundine will now call it quits, 14 years after he knocked out Gerrard Zohs in his 2000 debut in front of an assortment of celebrities and spivs at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

He deserves huge credit for becoming an elite performer in two sports, rugby league and boxing. He wasn't the best in either, his mouth always overshadowing his skills.

One of the five times Mundine was put on the canvas by Clottey. Source: News Corp Australia

But the facts are he fought some good fighters and was only knocked out twice. His finest performance to my mind was a points loss to brutal Dane Mikkel Kessler in 2005, proving he belonged on the world stage.

After that loss he should have campaigned in the US instead of continually putting up patsies while attempting to convince everyone through his brash countenance that he would become a world champion.

Mundine lands a jab on Antwun Echols to win the vacant WBA super middleweight title in 2007. Source: News Limited

Sadly he never did win a fair dinkum world title, his belts coming from fights described as Interim World Titles, a confusing tactic used by boxing bodies to ensure more dollars.

Barry Michael, who was ringside for most of Mundine's career, believes he firmly belongs in the top 10 from 1964-2004.

I disagree, rating him in a group along with his father Tony, Danny Green and Daniel Geale just outside.

Is Anthony Mundine among our top 10 fighters of the past 50 years?

Kostya Tszyu delivers an overhand right that finds its target as he fights on the front foot. Source: News Limited

AUSTRALIA'S BEST BOXERS OF THE LAST 50 YEARS

I: Kostya Tszyu. His amateur career before turning professional, the quality of his opponents and the titles he held suggest Tszyu is our greatest boxer in that time period after he left Russia 23 years ago.

2: Jeff Fenech. I'm not convinced Fenech would have beaten any or all of Rose, Famechon, Michael and Ellis, but his overall record demands he sit second to Tszyu on this list.

3: Lionel Rose. Has there ever been a more natural boxer than Lionel? He was born to fight and at his peak in 1968-69 was among the finest pound for pound boxers in the world.

Johnny Famechon after successfully defending his world featherweight title in London. Source: News Corp Australia

4: Johnny Famechon. The artful dodger who personified the golden rule in boxing of to hit and not be hit. "Fammo" won his featherweight title when there weren't all the alphabet bodies.

5: Hector Thompson. To my mind the most underrated of any Australian boxer. Beat the best before losing to the best in Roberto Duran and Antonio Cervantes for world titles.

6: Barry Michael. If every world title was held in a phone booth, Michael would have been champion for a decade. Devastating body puncher who ate big punches for breakfast.

Vic Darchinyan strikes Shinsuke Yamanaka with a left hook during their title fight in Tokyo in 2012. Source: AFP

7: Vic Darchinyan. Never captured the Australian public and has campaigned largely in the US, but for quality of opponents and titles he has to rank highly.

8: Rocky Mattioli. A massive banger who knocked out the best to win his world light middleweight title. Not as scientific as some but had a hammer in both hands.

9: Lester Ellis. For sheer talent the Sunshine Comet ranks up with Rose and Tszyu. It probably all came too early him yet when he put it all together, Lester was a jet.

Jeff Harding returns home to Australia with his light heavyweight world title belt. Source: News Limited

10: Jeff Harding. Copped more punishment than any other Australian world champion, but for sheer toughness nobody betters him.

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How to watch the Tahs for 33 cents

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WHAT costs $5 million to put on the field but less than a postage stamp to watch?

The Waratahs, apparently, based on a new a ticketing deal being advertised on their website.

Under a new membership package tied to the Wallabies, a Combo 4-game deal gets you a ticket to the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney and seats at any three Tahs home games for $90.

Eagle-eyed snouts point out, however, the Test ticket at ANZ Stadium — a bronze general admission — is priced at $89 on its own.

Doing the maths, this would break down to 33-cent tickets to see Izzy, Kurtley and the NSW team; representing either the best value in town or perhaps worries in Tahland about modest crowd figures.

To be fair, it must be said package deals are always the sum of discounted products, and in the wider sporting world, anything tends to go when it comes to boosting the total number of "members".

One rugby province was recently suspected of selling one-game memberships late in the season, although most draw the line at two games at the base-standard deal.

What can then follow is season memberships being counted several times as multiples of two; so an eight-game deal is counted as four members.

Some Australian clubs suspect this is the tactic of one rival currently boasting huge membership numbers.

And which high-profile Sydney NRL club that counts up to 1000 "Pet Memberships" (at $50-a-pop) in their annual tally? The pets would be furry, named Maximus and eat carrots, if that helps.

***

Usually Waratahs players can't wait to get their shirts off and go for a dip after a long training session of curls and bench-presses, but few were overly enthusiastic at a Perth beach on Thursday.

Just as the NSW squad were walking to the beach, they were told that lifeguards had spotted the biggest ever shark off the West Australian coast on Wednesday, estimated to be five metres. We reckon the shark steered clear as soon as it saw Will Skelton wading into the surf.

***

In a big loss for Australian rugby, former Wallabies prop Dan Palmer is set to retire at the age of 25 and pursue full-time studies.

Ex-Brumbies teammate Clyde Rathbone revealed the news in his column last weekend and inquiries of Palmer's management confirmed the 25-year-old plans to hang them up at the end of the current French season, where he plays for Grenoble.

A cerebral front rower (yes, they exist), Palmer is looking to study in the US or possibly at Oxford.

Former Brumbies prop Dan Palmer is set to retire. Source: News Limited

Ewen McKenzie is a big fan and will be disappointed to lose Palmer, after he first blooded him as a teenager for the Waratahs in 2008.

Palmer played one Test for the Wallabies against Scotland in 2012 and injury prevented more Tests that season. He was a rock of the Brumbies scrum last season.

It had been hoped Palmer would return to Australia and be a fixture in the Wallabies squad for years to come.

***

Don't be surprised to see Henry Speight training with the Wallabies well before the IRB officially allows him to play his first Test in September.

Under eligibility rules, Speight can't play a Test for Australia until September 11 because he had a short stint in New Zealand rugby at the end of 2011.

But there are no rules saying a player can't train with a national side before he is eligible to play, and Ewen McKenzie is not the type of coach who plans haphazardly.

If Speight continues to perform at his usual level when he returns from a broken jaw, McKenzie will have him in his squad learning plays and calls well before September.

***

The battleground that is TV rights negotiation tends to be a bloody arena, but the various combatants were holding fire this week after Bill Pulver's early "we want soccer's deal" salvo was fired last weekend.

Pulver wants the ARU to get their current $25m-a-year deal bumped up in 2016 to match the FFA's $40m-a-year deal from Fox Sports and SBS.

Rugby hopes to attract free-to-air interest and create "competitive tension" for their Wallabies and Super Rugby rights. It's understood Channel 10 are undecided if they'll beef up their current deal to screen Tests only, which they buy off Fox Sports.

The ARU are intent on a big result, and we hear Pulver has approached an insider to help them in the next negotiations. John Marquard, a former chief operating officer of both Fox Sports and Channel Ten, has been asked to consult for the ARU.

***

THE Brumbies success in recent years is starting to take a toll on the club's abilities to keep all its star players, and the vultures are circling.

A squad full of offcuts just a few years ago, the ACT squad is now chock full of Wallabies and up to 10 big-name players, including Christian Lealiifano, Scott Fardy, Jesse Mogg and Matt Toomua, are off-contract this year.

Jesse Mogg is one of several Brumbies players off-contract this year. Source: Getty Images

The word is out that with all the expanding salaries they will struggle to fit everyone under the salary cap next year, and clubs like the Rebels and the Force are keeping a very keen eye on proceedings. Melbourne desperately need a Test-quality playmaker and you'd assume they'd pay good money for either Lealiifano or Toomua. The Force need to build depth in a number of positions.

Stay tuned.

***

Congratulations to Western Australia and Victoria, who are the under 17 and under 15 Junior Gold Cup champions respectively after winning their finals last weekend.

The inaugural competition was a huge success, and showed the immense talent coming through in non-traditional rugby states.

Just so you can throw their name into a sideline conversation first, good judges say to keep an eye out for outstanding Victorian centre Sione Tuipulotu, WA's kicking five-eighth Nick Jooste and the Victorian backrowers Robert Loeta-Lu and Robert Valentini.

The Rebels and Force have their men in respective junior programs and tell us they don't intend on letting their next-gen talent go. League's financial lure — though mostly tiny — is a danger at this age but WA and Victoria being non-league states will help hold onto the promising teens, we're told.

***

The drums are beating from Europe that Digby Ioane is heading back to Australia next season. The question remains where?

The obvious destinations appear Melbourne or Queensland, but the mail from Mexico is the Rebels aren't interested.

Digby Ioane could be heading home to Australia. Source: News Limited

Ioane seemed to burn bridges at the Reds on his way out last year over a money dispute, although we're told relations have been mended and the door isn't closed.

With the Waratahs and Brumbies well-stocked for wingers, could Ioane even return to Perth, where he debuted for the Force in 2006?

***

Former Wallabies winger Damian Smith is lending his profile to a "Time to Move" campaign aimed at reducing the debilitating effects of arthritis that affects large numbers of Australia's huge sporting population.

Smith, who was diagnosed with osteo-arthritis after retiring from rugby, is encouraging the implementation of "neuro muscular" training for young kids as they begin to play sport. The techniques help youngsters develop muscular structures that help them avoid serious problems such as knee injuries later in their sporting pursuits.

Neuro-muscular training is used successfully overseas, and the rates of people developing knee injuries after major knee reconstructions (which numbers in the tens of thousands in Australia) were slashed by up to 60% in Norway.

''Time to Move'' is a national collaborative policy white paper spearheaded by Arthritis Australia.

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I’d be a Titan if not for Hodgo: Barba

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BEN Barba held negotiations with the Titans before the influence of Brisbane veteran Justin Hodges helped the Broncos trump their derby rivals for his prized signature.

Barba's revelation comes as NRL head of football Todd Greenberg — the former Bulldogs boss who supported the fullback in his darkest days — claimed the fallen star had again found happiness.

Barba will wear Broncos colours in tonight's Queensland derby, but the 2012 Dally M Medallist admits he seriously contemplated pledging his future to the Titans.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Titans hierarchy sounded out Barba's management last year as he weighed-up his future in Sydney. A key bargaining chip for the Titans was Barba's younger brother Marmin, who lived on the Gold Coast as a member of Intrust Super Cup feeder-club Tweed Heads.

Broncos training — Ben Barba and Justin Hodges. Source: News Corp Australia

The parties held preliminary talks, but two major factors ultimately delivered Barba to the Broncos. One was partner Ainslie Currie's decision to settle in Brisbane with their two daughters. The other was Hodges, who offered to help Barba in a mentoring role if he could broker a release from the Bulldogs.

"It was definitely in the back of my mind to join the Titans," Barba said ahead of tonight's clash at Cbus Super Stadium.

"It was either the Titans or Broncos, and a lot depended on where Ainslie was going with the girls.

"I left it mainly to my management, they did the talking with the Titans and Broncos while I got my life in order.

"It's nice to know a team like the Titans were interested, but a lot was influenced by where Ainslie would end up.

"I have some good mates at the Gold Coast and my brother lives there.

"It was a close call, but in the end I went for Brisbane. I am pretty close with Hodgo and he was a real factor in getting me to the Broncos."

Ben Barba of Brisbane makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia

Greenberg was Canterbury's chief executive when Barba dropped a bombshell last year, seeking time out on the eve of the 2013 season to address personal problems.

Both Greenberg and Barba have since severed ties with the Belmore club, but the NRL's head of football yesterday revealed he remains interested in the fullback's welfare.

"I've kept in touch with Ben," Greenberg said.

"We've spoken a few times, mainly not talking about his football, mainly talking about his family life. I know he is really happy and he and Ainslie seem really settled in Brisbane so I was happy to see that.

Ben Barba at Broncos training. Source: News Corp Australia

"I think he's still finding his way in Brisbane on the field, but it's clear he's a wonderful footballer and he's in a great environment. He looks to me to be happy on and off the field."

Broncos coach Anthony Griffin dismissed suggestions Barba, who has yet to score a try this season, is not delivering value for money.

"Ben was like a lot of us last week, he wasn't at his best," he said. "I don't care if he doesn't score a try for another five weeks, as long as he does the job for the team.

"The good thing about Ben is he's harder on himself than anyone. I have no worries at all."

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Injured Ronaldo a doubt for final

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo. Source: Paul White / AP

CRISTIANO Ronaldo has sustained a muscle injury in his left thigh, Real Madrid has announced, making the Portuguese striker a doubt for next week's King's Cup final against Barcelona.

"Tests which Cristiano Ronaldo underwent have shown up a muscular injury to his left biceps femoris," Real said, adding that his return to action was dependent on his reaction to rehabilitation.

According to the As newspaper website, Ronaldo could be out for two weeks, which would mean him missing the King's Cup final in Valencia on Wednesday as well as the Champions League semi-final, first leg match on April 22-23.

Ronaldo, scorer of 28 league goals this season, didn't play in Real's 4-0 La Liga victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday or Tuesday's 2-0 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League quarter-final, second leg, officially because of a left knee injury.

Real, third in La Liga behind city rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, host Almeria on Saturday in league action.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti was handed welcome news, however, after Brazilian left-back Marcelo resumed training yesterday.

His return comes 10 days after a hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Borussia Dortmund matches.

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Schenscher leads Adelaide’s chorus

Adelaide 36ers players go through their yoga routines at Adelaide Arena ahead of Game 2 of the final. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

THERE's no incense burning, chanting or tiny symbols being struck together but the Adelaide 36ers have found their inner calm through the work of team sensei Luke Schenscher.

The Sixers' 214cm centre was introduced to tai chi, then yoga when he was in the US, first steering Georgia Tech into the NCAA Championship game before his NBA stints.

"I've been doing a few different yoga classes for a while," Schenscher said.

"I got into Bikram yoga here in Adelaide, which is real good."

Schenscher, 31, said with his age and body type, the exercise and flexibility were extremely important.

His own routine evolved and he was doing it before practices to prepare his body and to calm the mind.

Adelaide 36ers will use any advantage it can get to take the NBL final to a third game. Source: News Limited

Sixers coach Joey Wright saw the benefits in sharing it with the team and Schenscher now has been leading the 36ers squad through it for much of the season.

"We do it before every game and for recovery as well," he said.

"Before a game, you want to get the blood pumping but to have an inner calm.

"There's breathing exercises and techniques, and stuff with the team for flexibility and stretching."

While most of the players immediately embraced Schenscher's yoga and meditative practices, a few of the younger players initially struggled.

"I guess they thought it was a bit silly and a bit of a laugh," he said.

"But when we started doing it regularly, everyone bought into it.

"It brings you into your body."

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Ricki Lee’s rant: Origin upsets teams

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PLAYERS say it is too early to talk about "it". Coaches are not ready to consider who they might lose to "it".

But the fact remains "it" — the game's greatest spectacle — is only 48 days away, and while that may feel like a lifetime for some, when it comes to our SuperCoach teams, it really isn't.

State of Origin is already on the mind.

SUPERCOACH DEBATE: REPLACING TEDDY

RD6 SUPERCOACH ANALYSIS

Will Josh Mansour be rewarded with a Blues jersey?

Will Corey Parker and Matt Gillett be able to both fit in the Queensland side?

These questions are ones that SuperCoaches ponder more than the average person.

Because if Mansour does make his NSW debut this year, how will your team possibly go on?

Josh Mansour could make his Origin debut this year. Source: Getty Images

These dilemmas may seem minor but they can make or break a SuperCoach's season.

If you ignore the byes and have a team stacked with Origin players, you are only welcoming failure into your side.

As tedious as it can be, a bit of careful planning and selection comes into play here and it is never too early to start.

I have begun to cast my eye over my side to see where I will be losing numbers, and it is not looking good so far.

It's time to start straying towards those New Zealanders and Englishmen and finding suitable backups for the Origin certainties — the Cameron Smiths and Robbie Farahs.

Don't forget the byes either. They are annoying, but probably more lethal than losing Origin players.

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CAUSE FOR CONCERN

The average cheapies. You know the ones I am talking about. They haven't been the best cheapies this year but are the ones who have been getting enough points to boost your salary cap a couple of thousand dollars at a time. Most of them have reached their peak or are about to.

Guys like Matthew Allwood, James Gavet, Josh Starling, Dale Copley and Dylan Napa are the ones to keep a careful eye on. You have to pick the right time to upgrade them. If it is not this week, it will definitely be within the next fortnight.

Rooster James Maloney — out of form or just over-hyped? Source: News Corp Australia

TO PICK OR NOT TO PICK

James Maloney. The Roosters five-eighth has not lived up to his hype from last year and is therefore close to reaching his lowest possible price. In a couple of weeks' time, he could come good again and be a must-have half, causing his price to return to the original number. It is all about choosing the right moment to snap him up and I am not convinced this is the week.

The time could be right to select Raiders' Josh Papalii. Source: News Corp Australia

TIP OF THE WEEK

Greg Inglis or Josh Papalii. Even though these two come under the category of "Origin concerns'', they are both ripe for the picking. Papalii will return from injury with a pretty good pay rise waiting for him at the end of Round 6.

Inglis, meanwhile, has come full circle. He's suffered his salary cuts but is averaging 72.80 and is looking the goods to make back most of the money lost. With James Tedesco gone, Inglis is a must-have.

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TV footage casts doubt on Dogs appeal

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UNSEEN television footage has cast doubt on Canterbury's appeal of the Josh Jackson concussion breach, which has the club facing a $20,000 NRL fine.

On Wednesday night Fox Sports broadcast a series of wide frame angles disputing Canterbury's explanation of the circumstances that saw Jackson play-on while concussed against Cronulla.

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Reports on Wednesday claimed Bulldogs physio Steve McCullagh was treating prop forward Aiden Tolman for a head cut when Jackson sustained his injury in the dying stages of the Round two fixture at ANZ Stadium.

The NRL 360 program showed video of the final minute's play, when Jackson was dazed while making a heavy tackle from a line drop-out. At the time McCullagh was located behind the goal posts, with Tolman a long distance away on the bench.

Video from when Jackson was dazed while making a heavy tackle from a line drop-out. Source: FoxSports

After stumbling away from the initial knock, Jackson makes another tackle before McCullagh arrives to check him. After a brief consultation the trainer waves to the bench to indicate Jackson is fine to continue for the final 20 seconds.

When handing down its fine — $10,000 of which has been suspended — the NRL emphasised the Bulldogs had been punished for McCullagh's failure to remove Jackson from the field.

Bulldogs CEO Raelene castle has defended McCullagh's actions, indicating an appeal will be forthcoming.

Video from when Jackson was dazed while making a heavy tackle from a line drop-out. Source: FoxSports

The NRL has also issued the Bulldogs with a "please explain" over why prop James Graham was allowed to resume after undergoing an off-field concussion check in the Round Four clash against Melbourne. Should another breach be generated, the entire Jackson fine will take force, plus another $20,000, putting the club at risk of a $40,000 hit.

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Mundine suffers unanimous points loss

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ANTHONY Mundine's career is almost certainly over after he took the biggest beating of his life in Newcastle on Wednesday night.

The Man was floored five times by a dominant Joshua Clottey during a one-sided fight but showed enormous courage to get back on his feet and go the distance.

Mundine refused to speculate on his future immediately after the fight.

"I don't want to think about that now," he said.

"I want to take some time off and relax. Who knows?"

Anthony Mundine and Joshua Clottey lock horns. Source: News Corp Australia

Mundine's first knockdown came in the third round when he was caught with a straight right.

He went down twice in round six and again in round eight and round 10 but got back up on each occasion to see out the fight.

"I got caught early and didn't recover the way I wanted to," Mundine said.

"My defence wasn't tight enough but I finished the fight on my feet."

Anthony Mundine takes an upper cut and lands on the mat. Source: News Corp Australia

Clottey stepped into the ring having suffered just four defeats in his 37 bout career.

All four were to world champions — Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Maragarilo and Carlos Baldomir.

And while he had fought only twice since he went the distance with Pacquiao in 2010, there was no sign of any rustiness.

Anthony Mundine gets the count from the referee. Source: News Corp Australia

Right from the opening bell, Clottey was the aggressor and Mundine had no answer to the Ghanaian's rock solid defence.

Mundine's usual crisp jab rarely found its mark and he was scurrying for cover as Clottey came at him with big lefts to the body and overhead rights that found their mark.

Mundine, on the other hand, rarely pierced his opponents defence.

It wasn't until the later rounds that Mundine, in an all or nothing bid for a knockout, even troubled Clottey.

Joshua Clottey victorious. Source: News Corp Australia

It's was no surprise Clottey goes by the nickname "The Hitter".

Right from the outset, his punches had far more venom.

Not surprising, Clottey was a unanimous point's winner with the three judges calling the fight 116-108, 115-109 and 117-108.

Should Anthony Mundine retire?

In the main supporting bout last night, former Australian Commonwealth Games gold medallist Brad "Hollywood" Pitt suffered his first professional defeat — a brutal fourth round knockout at the hands of Team Mundine prodigy Dave Aloua.

Aloua floored Pitt with a sickening blow to the head but the referee surprisingly allowed the fight to continue after Pitt struggled to his feet.

Seconds later, it was all over.

Re-live all the action from the Newcastle Entertainment centre by following our blog below:

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The women behind the Wests Tigers

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THEY say behind every good man is a good woman. At Wests Tigers, you can make that 16 good women.

Meet the team who all but run Wests Tigers.

The club, running fifth after five rounds, employ no less than 16 females in their front office at Concord Oval, the most of any club in the NRL.

And their positions range from chief financial officer to business operations manager, customer service co-ordinator to merchandise co-ordinator.

The team behind the team - The women of the Wests Tigers. Source: News Corp Australia

"It's tremendous – the diversity of roles that females have in our club range right across the board," said Robyn Danzey, the club's match day, venue and event operations senior manager.

"Whether it be our facilities, we look after locker rooms, we assist with our football department, as I said, very diverse.

"The opportunities we are afforded at Wests Tigers are second-to-none, it's a great place to work."

Danzey can only applaud the increased presence of women at NRL clubs.

"I also think those traditional roles of females in the code have expanded," she said.

"We, as staff and professionals here at Wests Tigers, know there are no limits to the roles that we aspire to hold within the game.

"In terms of support roles within the club and leadership roles as well, there are no boundaries at a club level and within the code of rugby league."

Tigers Robbie Farah celebrates a try by Tigers prop Aaron Woods. Source: News Corp Australia

And their jobs aren't always lady-like.

Often many will roll up their sleeves and help pack the club's truck chock-full of merchandise, food and beverages for game day, match-day equipment, media backdrops, dressing room signage and corporate hospitality decorations.

"No-one is dainty," said Hannah Lidster, Wests Tigers business operations manager. "I love it, it's the best part.

"The women are throughout different levels of management as well.

"Even our senior management team is predominantly female. Our CFO (Victoria Momsen) is also female.

"As Grant (Mayer, club CEO) always says, the ladies are the workers. That's why he employs us."

Spectators fill the Eastern hill at Leichhardt Oval. Source: Getty Images

And there is no doubt the women are playing a pivotal role in Wests Tiger's resurgence this year.

The club has won three of five games – including a memorable 34-18 win over Manly at Leichhardt on Sunday - and face North Queensland this Saturday night at Campbelltown Stadium.

"We as staff also ride that roller-coaster of highs and lows of professional sport," Danzey said.

"Certainly, the on-field results directly impact our lives on a day-to-day basis. Any support we can provide to ensure we remain competitive at the highest level can only be a win-win for everyone involved in the club."

Mayer said on Monday he employs staff based on ability and experience – not gender.

"I'm heavily involved with the interview process and ensure we have the right people for the right role," Mayer said.

"Each of our staff here at Wests Tigers are exceptionally capable and I'm sure we will enjoy the journey the club takes over the next two to three years."

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Injured stars left financially exposed

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NEITHER Alex McKinnon nor his family will be left out-of-pocket. Not if the early noises from NRL boss Dave Smith come to fruition.

Smith is personally determined to ensure the family do not want for anything, despite the NRL's ongoing failure to secure an insurance policy to cover career-ending injuries.

"The NRL and the rugby league family is there for Alex and will remain there for Alex," Smith said.

"It is, however, important to reflect on current circumstances and we will be reviewing insurance arrangements should a player experience significant injury.

Alex McKinnon of the Knights is carried off an a stretcher. Source: Getty Images

"But irrespective of the outcome of this review I have made it very clear that we will be there to support Alex in these circumstances."

While Smith's plan is to be universally applauded, his task of finding the money that will fund McKinnon's lifelong care is a much less straightforward issue.

In the absence of any financial safeguard, the ARLC's future fund — currently standing at $49.6 million — shapes as the most obvious well, apart from external parties who will be motivated to offer their support.

But should the game have been better placed to withstand a catastrophe such as this?

There's been no shortage of warning. Since 2011 three players — Simon Dwyer, Michael Greenfield and Daniel Conn — have been forced to retire because of spinal/neck problems.

Michael Greenfield comes off injured. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

The trio all bowed out before the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) was finalised a year ago, leaving them exposed to frightening medical costs because their contracts weren't guaranteed.

Of the three, former Wests Tigers forward Dwyer is the highest profile case.

The NRL could offer just $80,000 in compensation, and when the injury was sustained there was still $400,000 owing on his contract.

It was only goodwill from the Tigers that's kept Dwyer from financial ruin, or, worse still, having to engage a lawyer.

Injured Wests Tigers NRL player Simon Dwyer. Source: News Limited

The club drew-up a new contract that ensured Dwyer was paid out while working as a coaching assistant for the past three years.

Dwyer's ordeal highlighted the need for a wholesale insurance scheme, at least to cover players for two years after the onset of a career-ending injury.

When the CBA negotiations heated-up in late 2012, Dwyer's name was often raised as the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) pushed for clubs to guarantee contracts in all circumstances.

The RLPA was successful, but the question of insurance remained unresolved when the CBA was ratified in February 2013.

Its lone mention was for both the RLPA and NRL to make "best endeavours" to obtain a policy to indemnify against career-ending injury.

Former Titan Daniel Conn gets injured late in the game. Source: News Limited

More than 12 months down the track there's still nothing, with players now forced to secure personal insurance for peace of mind.

The game's longest serving player agent, Wayne Beavis, has been left exasperated after campaigning for an insurance scheme well before the CBA was signed off.

McKinnon's fate has not helped Beavis's blood pressure, even though he doesn't represent the stricken player.

Sadly, the complex issue of finding the right insurance policy took a back seat to wrangling over the salary cap, representative bonuses and minimum wage when the CBA was thrashed out.

The change of leadership at League Central hasn't assisted either, with Smith shuffling staff.

New Financial Controller Mark Wilson was only appointed in mid-October, and has been forced to confront a maze of premiums, excesses, and payout restrictions from the get-go.

Senior counsel Nick Weeks has been leading the hunt throughout, but still cannot find a suitable policy.

Alex McKinnon of the Knights lays on the ground after being tackled. Source: Getty Images

There's also the unenviable task of getting the NRL, RLPA and 16 clubs to agree.

The three groups have been discussing with greater urgency for the past six weeks.

The most recent teleconference — held two days after McKinnon's injury — contemplated a $1.6 million policy. The cost was to be split three ways, with the clubs liable for $50,000 per annum.

Most are refusing to pay that type of money unless the product is going to provide satisfactory cover, rather than be littered with restrictions that prevent injured players from claiming in most realistic circumstances.

"Everyone is concerned about player welfare, but three groups have different individual interests and it's difficult to get everyone to agree," one club CEO said.

"The NRL is worried about all levels of the game, the RLPA is worried about post-career and the clubs want some security, because we are exposed to the most risk at the moment.

"It's such a complex issue and really, something that should have been sorted out 18 months ago, rather than in the past six weeks."

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Demon Clark quits over mental illness

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MITCH Clark's sudden retirement has freed up Melbourne's salary cap in 2015, leaving room to accommodate free agent James Frawley.

Clark, 26, retired with the club revealing he had been diagnosed with clinical depression.

The talented but erratic key forward signed with the Demons in 2012 on a four-year deal worth an estimated $750,000 a season. It is understood he will forgo payments in his final year, 2015.

Clark and the club settled a negotiated payout yesterday — he was owed about $1.5 million for this season and next — which means Clark will be delisted at the end of the season.

The former Lion tweeted: "Hard to put a retirement speech into a tweet. I just want to thank everyone for your support throughout my career.

He revealed earlier he had been confronted with "very challenging times".

"I just want to say thank you to the Melbourne Football Club, firstly for giving me the chance to play for them and secondly for taking care of me during my time there," he said.

DEMON CLARK TAKES PERSONAL LEAVE

DEMON CLARK'S BROKEN DREAMS

"Everyone at the club has been so supportive of me during some very challenging times, which I will always be appreciative of.

"Finally, I want to say thank you to the players and members for being there for me. I'm sorry I wasn't out on the field more, but with my injuries, it just wasn't to be."

Clark's manager Colin Young met Melbourne officials on Monday.

Clark had recovered from a 12-month foot injury suffered in Round 13, 2012, but persistent hamstring and calf muscles during the off-season, combined with battling his mental issues, meant he lost the desire to compete at AFL level.

His retirement yesterday did not surprise Melbourne staff nor his manager.

It's believed Clark battled with several aspects of football, not least the fact that he was Melbourne's highest-paid player and that he believed he was letting down the club by not playing.

The Demons will now be able to try to satisfy Frawley's demands next year.

Frawley's management has told clubs that if they want to extract Frawley from Melbourne it will cost about $800,000.

Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney would not discuss Clark's financial settlement yesterday.

PICTURE GALLERY: MITCH CLARK'S CAREER

"At this stage it's inappropriate to talk about financial ramifications," Mahoney said.

Mahoney said several options were looked at with Clark and it was "decided the best option was to give up his career".

"It was a brave decision. It's a decision we support,'' Mahoney said.

Mitch Clark kicks a big goal. Source: News Limited

"The No. 1 focus through this period is his health and at the moment that's the best thing for his health going forward.

"This is a disappointing outcome. When he first signed, we thought he was going to be a key player, but it hasn't worked out for a number of circumstances."

Clark played 15 games his first two years.

Not everyone believed Clark was worth the money.

Clark's former coach at Brisbane Leigh Matthews said Clark an ``average key position player'' and Melbourne paid too much for him.

Clark's footballing contemporaries supported his decision including Tyrone Vickery who tweeted: "Football is so far off the most important thing in life. Best wishes to @MitchClark11 for a return to health. good luck for the next chapter."

Clark was originally recruited from East Fremantle with pick No. 9 in the 2005 National Draft.

He played 97 AFL games and kicked 97 goals.

People with personal problems can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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NRL won’t rush banning lifting tackles

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BANNING the dangerous lifting tackle remains on the NRL's agenda, but any change is unlikely to occur this season.

A series of shocking tackles where players have been up-ended have been magnified over the first five rounds following the career-ending injury to Newcastle forward Alex McKinnon.

The spinal damage caused to McKinnon has triggered passionate debate across the game on why the NRL should stamp lifting tackles out of the game forever.

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There is also uncertainty and confusion from players, coaches and fans on what is illegal and what isn't after the Gold Coast's Beau Falloon escaped any reprimand despite lifting Melbourne's Will Chambers into a precarious position last Sunday.

The Melbourne Storm have demanded answers from the NRL about the tackle.

As NRL head of football Todd Greenberg stood by the match review committee's decision not to charge Fallon yesterday, he also added he game would not shy away from banning lifting tackles, provided there was reason.

"We won't make any rash decisions without facts and data in front of us,'' Greenberg said.

"It's very important people understand that we'll assess the risks in the game, we will assess information but we will simply won't make decisions to fundamentally change rules without all that information available to us.

Will Chambers of the Storm is tackled by Nate Myles and Beau Falloon of the Titans. Source: Getty Images

"We will work on that diligently like we have done on a range of other issues.

"It took us six months to pressure test a range of scenarios for the rule changes we've made this year and we will apply the equal amount of critique on that before we make statements.

"I don't think anybody can tell you categorically if there's more or less lifting tackles from last year to this year.

"And the reason no one can tell us is because we haven't analysed the data yet. We're doing that as we speak.

"We're not going to take innuendo or comments from players on the run.

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"We will only react with the facts in front of us. And we do that, we've actually shown you across time that we will make changes where changes need to be made.''

Greenberg added that he had no issue with the Storm's formal complaint.

"Every club is entitled to ask questions, so we've got no problem with that,'' Greenberg said.

"Let's face it the game has been around for 100 years and there are always questions asked for various issues in the game.

"The match review panel and charges and grading's will continue to be debated.

"The important part people need to understand is the match review committee are independent, they're made up of very experienced former players who are there to discharge duties according to the rules.''

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Henry in mix for Warriors job

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TITANS assistant Neil Henry and former Dragons mentor Nathan Brown are on the Warriors' coaching radar after the club yesterday parted ways with Matthew Elliott.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail, Elliott's 18-month tenure at the Warriors is officially over, with the club appointing former Raiders halfback Andrew McFadden for the rest of the 2014 season.

But McFadden's installation in a caretaker role suggests the Auckland-based outfit is buying time to identify the coach who can deliver the Warriors' maiden premiership.

That opens the door for Henry and Brown, the latter of whom was sounded out three weeks ago as Warriors powerbrokers began plotting Elliott's demise.

NZ WARRIORS SACK ELLIOTT WITH MCFADDEN IN CARETAKER ROLE

KANGAROOS COACH TIM SHEENS CHASING NZ WARRIORS JOB

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St Helens coach Brown is off-contract at the end of 2015 but has get-out clauses in his contract and is the front-runner for Elliott's position.

However, he will not be the only coach interviewed. It is understood Henry is another on the Warriors' hit list, with the club first expressing interest in the former Queensland Origin assistant two years ago following Brian McClennan's sacking.

At the time, Henry was entrenched at the Cowboys and could not foresee the political ructions that saw him axed last August, prompting his shift to the Titans.

The 53-year-old remains unsigned for next season, but Titans boss Graham Annesley hopes Henry is not lost to the club.

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"We would love him to stay here, but ultimately the decision will be Neil's," Annesley said.

"We haven't commenced any formal discussions for next year and while Neil is happy at the moment, I understand he is an experienced first-grade coach.

"He has been a wonderful assistant already to John (Cartwright) but he is a head coach of high standing.

"From my discussions with him, he is enjoying being in an assistant role.

"We haven't discussed anything beyond this year at this stage. We have got no plans whatsoever to bid him farewell, but we have to be realistic as well."

Henry declined to comment last night but said in January: "I want to keep my options open for that head-coaching position if there's one available, but I've settled in quickly here."

While Warriors' management yesterday tried to peddle the line that Elliott resigned, the coach was pushed out of his Auckland office.

Who should be the Warriors' next coach?

Senior Warriors players will have a major role in deciding the appointment as they were key architects in Elliott's shock demise.

It is understood the playing group was divided on Elliott, with some star players major supporters of the veteran coach.

However, there were a handful of dominant personalties who did not believe in Elliott.

Warriors football manager Dean Bell admitted the players had to take responsibility for last week's dismal 37-6 loss to Cronulla.

"For Matt to take the blame for that performance would be ridiculous," he said. "The team has got to take responsibility for that kind of performance."

Caretaker McFadden is held in high regard by the playing group but the wealth of Warriors owners Owen Glenn and Eric Watson allows them to be aggressive in the market.

The club is also in danger of losing captain Simon Mannering, who is being chased by overseas rugby clubs and admits crossing codes is appealing.

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How the NRL table has turned

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REMEMBER round one? How confident you were submitting your footy tips?

You had some hard and fast guidelines. The 'givens'' that would ensure that, finally, you finished ahead of that cocky bloke in the warehouse.

The Eels? A board so dysfunctional it made a crèche finger-painting class look as efficient as a German automotive plant. Can't win.

Wests Tigers? No Benji, no money, no hope. Can't win.

Gold Coast? A place where you go to get a sun tan and two points. Can't win.

SUPERCOACH WRAP: BURGESS BOOM

VOTE: THE PEOPLE V PAUL KENT

RD5 HIGHS, LOWS AND BIG BLOWS

The Roosters, Souths, Melbourne and Manly. Just let them play rock, paper scissors for the trophy and we can go to the pub. Certainties.

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Now? Of the 14 tipsters on the Daily Telegraph panel the best result from the first seven games of round five was three winners. Three tipsters got one out of seven. You can do better throwing a dart at a copy of League Central.

So unpredictable are results the NRL ladder only makes sense standing on your head. None of the first six teams is rated better than a $15 chance to win the competition. Stop the music now and the three favourites would miss the play-offs altogether.

Yes, we are only five weeks into the season. Yes, just two points separate second and 14th (something that escaped the Warriors when they sacked coach Matthew Elliott).

But after five rounds last year Melbourne (5-0), Souths (5-0), Manly (4-1) and the Roosters (3-2) were first, second, third and fifth. Suggesting Melbourne, Souths and the Roosters would be ninth, 10th and 11th at the same time this year wasn't a prediction. It was grounds for committal.

So why this sudden footballing egalitarianism?

Melbourne Storm results are yet to match up to expectation. Source: Getty Images

Veteran coach Brian Smith points to the refereeing. With the pocket ref stationed closer to the action and what he calls the "garbage'' removed from the play the ball — the niggles and leg pulls — we are going into warping speed. This creates the potential for chaos.

"The speed is counting against the more powerful and the more structured teams like the Roosters and Souths,'' says Smith.

"I reckon Manly are more adept at playing more expansive, more reactionary footy. But even they've had their problems.''

Smith wonders if, like previous refereeing edicts, the current emphasis on fast play will be a distant memory by the end of the season. Either way he expects the Roosters, Souths and Manly to adapt.

But, for now, the unpredictability is giving tipsters ulcers and bookmakers sports cars. Particularly the rise of last year's easybeats.

James Tedesco has been crucial to the Tigers' excellent start. Source: News Corp Australia

Turns out the Eels and Tigers were wearing socks when they finished last and second last, they were just buried deep in their boots. Credit to their respective coaches for pulling them up.

At the same time the favourites have made sluggish starts. The Roosters had 17 players return from representative football in the off-season and put a heavy emphasises on winning the World Club Challenge. Now, as the titleholders, they are mumbling about how every team plays them at grand final intensity.

Souths rebounded well against the Dragons on Saturday and Sam Burgess broke his silence. Maybe that will prove a circuit breaker for a team seemingly labouring under the weight of enormous expectation and distracted by Burgess's impending defection.

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No doubt the terrible injury to Alex McKinnon, and Jordan McLean's subsequent penalty, has had an impact at Melbourne. The Storm have since suffered an unusually heavy loss to the Bulldogs in Perth and Sunday's heartbreaker against the Titans.

A dubious penalty got Gold Coast over the line. But how are even the improving Titans 26-26 with minutes to play against Melbourne at their AAMI Park fortress unless there is something not quite right with the Storm?

The depth across the competition has increased. While the Bulldogs flourish the cheque book the players currently on the payroll are again standing up, Penrith's five year plan seems to include winning football games and even last placed Cronulla has stirred despite multiple distractions.

Are we in for a season of such unpredictability even the bloke in the warehouse is left scratching his head doing his tips? If you know the answer you probably tipped the card.

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Frawley names his price

Melbourne defender James Frawley puts price on his head to switch clubs. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Corp Australia

MELBOURNE defender James Frawley has put a $800,000 bounty on his head to switch clubs.

The out-of-contact Demon has delayed contract talks with his club and his manager has spoken to several clubs under the free agency rules.

It's understood two clubs, believed to be Carlton and Hawthorn, have been told that $800,000 is the ballpark figure which would extract the All Australian from the Demons.

It's also believed Fremantle, an active player in the free-agency market last year, would be another interested party.

St Kilda, where his uncle Danny Frawley captained, and Greater Western Sydney would also be suitors.

Frawley's manager Alex McDonald did not return calls last night.

If Frawley does leave, and Melbourne finishes last on the ladder, it would get pick No.1, and then pick No.2 as compensation for Frawley.

If a club was prepared to pay Frawley in the vicinity of $800,000, it would make Frawley the highest paid key defender in the competition, and among the highest-paid 25 players in the competition.

Frawley remains undecided about his future, but the Demons privately are concerned that, at the moment, they are not playing the kind of football which would encourage Frawley to commit long-term.

The 25-year-old has played 121 games over eight years, but is his eligible for unrestricted free agency because his front-ended contract meant this year he was not among the highest paid players at the club,

It means Frawley could walk without a trade.

It was revealed in January, Frawley put contract talks on hold because he wanted to ''see the direction of the club'' in 2014.

McDonald said at the time: ''James is keen to let the season take shape before we start focusing on contract discussions.''

In February, Frawley joked that if coach Paul Roos agreed to sign on for a third year, he would re-sign with the club.

After a promising NAB Challenge, the Demons have struggled in the season proper and are on the bottom of the ladder with a percentage of 47.4

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What you missed on TV last night

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AS the fallout from Round 3 continued, Carlton was the main focus.

The Blues' horror loss to Essendon on Sunday night overshadowed almost everything that came before it.

Respected journalist Gerard Whateley summed up the situation surrounding Visy Park in his introduction.

"It's the type of loss that exposes all levels of the club," he said.

Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson said there needed to be some big decisions made around the club regarding the Blues' future.

"It makes you assess the decisions of the past and start to question the future," he said.

"Just 30 games ago, Carlton beat Essendon by 96 points and one week later Brett Ratten was sacked, after the Gold Coast game.

"They lose to Melbourne ... God, almighty."

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The conversation then shifted to the Brisbane Lions, who lost the QClash to rivals the Gold Coast Suns for the first time in six matches.

Robinson said the game was over almost as soon as it started.

"I thought the game was over two minutes into the game, the way Brisbane were playing," he said.

"I actually turned the game off in the last quarter, I was so disappointed.

"When (Daniel Rich) went down on the weekend - they haven't got a power forward beside Jonathan Brown and he can't touch the ball - I just thought ..."

"This is really hard to say, but Jonathan Brown is finished.

"He can't get away on the lead. He's just playing on heart ... and the delivery is so poor."

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■GERARD questioned whether the match review panel had once again delivered the wrong verdict after Lion Daniel Merrett was handed a two-week ban for a swinging arm to David Swallow's head.

After Nat Fyfe received two weeks for an accidental high bump and Shaun McKernan got the same penalty for a deliberate elbow to the head of Brad Sheppard last year, Whateley called on the AFL to appeal to the tribunal.

"It's manifestly inadequate," he said.

"The AFL should send this to the tribunal tomorrow and ask 'is this manifestly inadequate'.

"The AFL didn't like the McKernan result last year and they gave themselves extra powers and they must simply use them.

"I've got this in the 3-4 (weeks) region."

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■NORTH Melbourne defender Nathan Grima was Monday's special guest and reflected on the Kangaroos' gutsy win over Port Adelaide on Sunday.

"We needed it, didn't we, after last year," he said.

"We knew Port finish well and we've had a big pre-season. At the end of the game, I think we were still running across the ground better than Port.

"You look at the Essendon game and we were smashed off the park, after that, we went back to basics.

"The Bulldogs game wasn't a great spectacle but we scrapped it out. Then we got the balance right against Port.

■ESSENDON coach Mark Thompson and Melbourne mentor Paul Roos then came in to discuss their respective results.

Roos addressed the Demons' loss to Greater Western Sydney and the team's final quarter fade out.

"We're at the stage where we're teaching the non-negotiables of footy," he said.

"You're trying to get to where Geelong started, to where Hawthorn started.

"That's where we are, the starting point. We're at a completely different stage.

Robinson asked Roos if skill errors or lack of effort was more difficult to deal with, pointing out the exchange with defender Dean Terlich after he made a glaring error.

"You can cop the skill errors. What you need to bring is effort for 120 minutes, knowing you're going to make mistakes," he said.

"For 91 minutes we were good but we have to concentrate on the 21 minutes we weren't.

"There's frustrating, players don't not try, so we've got to figure out why they are dropping off.

"(On Dean Terlich) Sometimes it's premeditated, I knew walking off the bench what I was going to do.

"He's been terrific but in that moment he did the wrong thing and I needed to reinforce that.

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■ROBBO said be believed Richmond hadn't regressed from last season despite the loss to the Western Bulldogs

"No ( they haven't regressed), they've got some mental issues.

"It's not the sign of a good team. They need to iron that out and get some consistency - not between games - but between quarters."

ON THE COUCH

CARLTON was once again at the top of the agenda with Jason Dunstall saying the club lacked depth across the board.

"I think the toughest and most confusion is where you're at as a club and I don't think Carlton have that right," he said.

"I think they've got some serious issues. They're lacking midfield depth and key position depth. I think they need to rebuild.

"I'm not seeing enough from their senior players.

"The greatest indictment for me was when Brendon Goddard was getting into Dylan Buckley ... there should have been 3 or 4 blokes straight in the face of BG, telling him you can't do that to one of ours.

Respected journalist Mike Sheahan concurred saying Mick Malthouse was brought in to deliver a premiership but didn't have the cattle.

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"They appointed Mick Malthouse to win a premiership. The Malthouse polish was going to take this group to a premiership," he said.

Injured Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer gave an exclusive interview to Sheahan, saying he didn't feel hard done by despite a horror run with injuries.

"Hopefully (the foot) is all fixed now," he said.

" I went in last year and had the surgery on my fifth metatarsal ... I got through the pre-season but it flared up when I started playing games.

"We ended up biting the bullet and going in to get it fixed.

■BROWNLOW Medallist Gerard Healy then moved to Fremantle's heavy defeat to Hawthorn in the Grand Final rematch on Friday night.

"I don't think the Dockers brought their effort at all. They weren't working," he said.

"I don't think this group has mentally committed to this season yet.

"For me, it wreaks of runners-up hangover. They've reached the summit without drinking from the Cup and haven't committed yet."

The Adelaide Crows were also disappointing in a loss to Sydney.

Dunstall said the team looked unfit.

"Their starts have been poor, their finishes have been poor. They're getting absolutely smashed by the opposition," he said.

"They're going backwards, backwards, backwards ... and they just end up kicking to a contest and it comes back.

■WESTERN Bulldogs coach Brendon McCartney was the special guest after a fantastic win over Richmond.

McCartney said he was pleased his players stood up when challenged in the fourth quarter.

"(Richmond) are a very good team and to their credit that were able to come back and their high-end talent took over," he said.

"To our credit, we were able to work back into it.

"It was a great day for our club. It's only Round 3 but we had our VFL team have a win and we ground out the win."

"I did challenge some players after the North Melbourne game. We did ask for more - not magical things - but just help each other out.

"(We'll approach the GWS game) the same as every week. They're much improved and have added the maturity.

"Our young boys are on the right path and will get a great opportunity to build a career together.

"We're building something we think is going to be good too."

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■THE boys finished by having a look at the Tigers, with Sheahan sharing some very strong views on their immediate future and current struggles.

"Jack Riewoldt. He had three touches in the first half and the Tigers were out of the game. He had a brilliant second half and they almost pinched it," he said.

"Dustin Martin doesn't work hard enough. You see what he can do maybe four or five times a game instead of 15.

"Trent Cotchin - for mine - doesn't kick enough goals. He kicked the first one but missed important goals at key times.

"Brett Deledio is a nice player but he's not a match-winner. When the game is there to be won, he doesn't get it done."

"Ty Vickery is the key domino in all this. They want to make him a player, even at the expense of Jack Riewoldt, which I just don't understand.

FOOTY CLASSIFIED - CHANNEL 9

GARRY Lyon called it a horror night for the Carlton Football Club.

Caroline Wilson said the decision to sack Brett Ratten in favour of Mick Malthouse would come back to haunt the club.

"The decision to sack Brett Ratten and hire Mick Malthouse to win a premiership will come back to haunt them," she said.

"You've got to ask the question - a man who turns 61 later this season - is he the man to rebuild this football club.

"It's one thing to rebuild at Collingwood 10 years ago, it's quite another thing at Carlton."

Blues president Stephen Kernahan said he expected a better performance from the players against Melbourne.

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"We were ordinary and to tell you the truth it could have been more," he said

"The last think I'm worrying about is if we're being coached well.

"I am (angry). I was angry last week and the week before. We just didn't represent the club well last night.

"I fully expect Mick to shape the side and I fully expect us to be better than last night.

"I expect our blokes to come out on Sunday night firing and snarling. I expect it and want it."

Former Essendon spearhead Matthew Lloyd said he had concerns about the Blues leadership.

"I've got grave concerns for their leadership. I want to know what Marc Murphy has to offer," he said.

"James Ashby - a first game player - walked up and chested Murphy.

"He wouldn't do that to Joel Selwood because Selwood would have come at him so hard. Murphy can't let some guy just try and walk over him."

TALKING FOOTY - CHANNEL 7

FRESH from his Sunday night heroics, Essendon's Paul Chapman was the special guest.

The former Geelong premiership player said he wasn't expecting to play every game as he looks to stay injury free this season.

"I'd like to play every week but I don't think it would be good for me to do that," Chapman said.

"It might be this week, hopefully not, it might be the St Kilda game, not too sure.

"I just need to keep backing up and getting ready and it will be the coach's call."

While Collingwood spearhead Travis Cloke is under pressure after a slow start to the season, he got some support from AFL great Wayne Carey.

Carey said the Magpies were being too predictable kicking to Cloke in one-on-one situations.

"He is a bit of a victim of his own strength," Carey said.

"He's been down, hasn't been all his fault, they haven't used him well and they've gone to him at times when they shouldn't have gone to him."

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