Hamilton grabs pole for Spain GP

Lewis Hamilton celebrates after the qualifying session at the Circuit de Catalunya. Picture: AFP Source: Tom Gandolfini / AFP

A SUPREMELY-relaxed Lewis Hamilton delivered when it mattered on Saturday by producing a lap of searing speed to claim his fourth pole position of the season as Mercedes swept the front row for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

Emerging Australian Daniel Ricciardo was once again the best of the rest in his Red Bull.

In the final seconds of a closely-fought qualifying session, the 2008 world champion clocked a majestic fastest lap in one minute and 25.232 seconds to outpace team-mate Nico Rosberg by 0.168 seconds.

Rosberg had been fastest in the morning's final free practice session and led the way through both Q1 and Q2 before Hamilton found the extra pace.

It was his first pole in Spain and the 35th of his career. Only Sebastian Vettel on 45 poles, Ayrton Senna on 65 and Michael Schumacher on 68 have claimed more.

"It's been a tough day," said Hamilton.

"Nico has been driving really well through P3 and qualifying, so I didn't know if I could get it. At the end, I had to eke out everything and more from the car.

"Coming here this weekend, I didn't know where everyone would be, but I see the development, and work that has gone on, to get the car ready and it inspires me. A big thank you to the team."

His friend and team-mate Rosberg did nothing to hide his feelings.

"Yes, for me, it's very disappointing," he said.

"I don't particularly enjoy coming second to Lewis. In the end, it was a good lap. Lewis just did a better job.

"All it takes is a good start tomorrow and I'm in the lead again and it's still all to play for."

On a track where eight of the past 10 races have been won from pole and 21 of the past 23 from the front row, Hamilton's success made him favourite to extend his winning streak to four in a row and take over as championship leader from Rosberg.

It was the second Mercedes one-two of the season and a reversal of the positions for last year's race.

Ricciardo took third on the grid for Red Bull after his team-mate and defending four-time world champion Vettel qualified only 10th due to drive failure early in the final session.

Ricciardo, however, was disappointed: "I think we did OK today, but it's not quite good enough. We're a second off - I expected a closer gap than that.

"We've made improvements this weekend, but so have Mercedes. We're a clear third today and that's not bad, but we want to be closer to the top two."

Vettel explained why he retired without recording a time in Q3: I left the garage and lost second gear.

"It was clear there was a problem, but I still had third gear and above so I thought I'd try without second gear. But by Turn One, I'd lost all the other gears.

"I was getting in a rhythm and I thought I could be shooting for P3. I think we have that in the car, but we never got that far."

Valtteri Bottas qualified fourth for a resurgent Williams team ahead of Romain Grosjean of Lotus and Kimi Raikkonen in the leading Ferrari.

Fernando Alonso was seventh in the second Ferrari, Jenson Button was eighth for McLaren and Felipe Massa ninth in the second Williams ahead of Vettel.

Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne will start from the back of the grid, having copped a 10-place penalty on Friday after being released from his pit stop on three wheels.

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Macca praises his brave Bulldogs

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WESTERN Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney lauded "brave soldier" Tom Williams for his three-goal performance but was careful to keep his side's gutsy win against Melbourne at the MCG in perspective.

Williams hobbled from the field in the second quarter and was rushed straight down the race with a calf injury, but with Tory Dickson (shoulder) already substituted the swingman bravely played out the match.

And the whipping boy's career-best return was capped with a running goal at the start of the last term to restore the Dogs the lead as they improved their record to 3-5 heading into the bye.

"We were pretty proud of Tom because he had a rough day a few weeks ago (against Carlton) and incurred a lot of criticism, a lot of Western Bulldogs people were really hard on him," McCarntey said.

"And he's bounced back and that's what this game can do for you."

It mirrored Jordan Roughead's heroic effort in Round 3, when the full-back played on after dislocating his shoulder to help the Dogs to a thrilling win against Richmond.

But McCartney would not comment on Liam Jones' likely suspension after the forward laid a brutal bump on Dean Terlich in the third quarter, immediately concussing the Demon who lay motionless on the ground.

Broadcaster Channel 7 was quick to screen a poll, with viewers decreeing the inconsistent spearhead, who was booed by Demons fans, was likely to cop at least three matches.

McCartney said the Dogs would have substituted Williams if not for Dickson's earlier blow but was unsure how long he would miss.

The efficient Dogs generated 15 goals from just 42 inside 50 entries, reversing their inability to convert statistical domination into four points the past two weeks.

"It was a solid effort. I don't know if I'd put that mantle on it (one of my bravest wins), there were some brave soldiers out there," McCartney said.

"It was an important win for where we're at, we could easily have another couple in the bank or another one in the bank … we're learning to turn up most weeks, and that's what we need to keep doing."

Williams, opposed to Colin Garland, kicked the best goal of his career in the second term, selling some candy before wheeling onto his right foot and converting from 45m.

The 27-year-old then nailed a set-shot in the third quarter after Daniel Cross was penalised under the sliding rule, while star recruit Stewart Crameri iced the win with two last-quarter majors.

"We got great contribution from our experienced players and young (Jason) Tutty bobbed up and finished the work off and Lachie Hunter and Jack Macrae, they didn't have great nights but they fought back, which was good," McCartney said.

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Roos: We need to be more composed

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COMPOSURE at critical times was the fine line that denied Melbourne back-to-back wins, according to coach Paul Roos.

Roos said his Demons continued to improve despite the disappointment of the 16 points loss to the Western Bulldogs at the MCG last night.

"We're still developing. The Bulldogs were probably in terms of where they are, they're two and a half years with Brendan (McCartney) and we're seven games in,'' Roos said.

"It probably showed tonight, at crucial times they just did the little things better than we did and in the end that was the difference.

"It's still frustrating for me, but clearly in a lot of areas, we've improved significantly. And for us it's continuing to improve, that's what we have to do week-in, week-out.

"That game proved tonight it's a long game of footy. It goes for 120 minutes and we were pretty good for long periods but not for long enough. The Bulldogs did it for longer periods and that's why they won.

"Certainly, we're doing a lot of things right, but you've got to do a lot more right to win games of footy and we understand that.

"It's coming together. It's a big gap, there's no question, we understand that. But we're making inroads in certain areas and getting better in other areas as well.''

The lead swapped nine times, five times in the third quarter. The last change came from a hotly debated free kick to Bulldog forward Stewart Crameri for a push in the back from Demon defender Lynden Dunn 23 minutes into the last term.

While Roos agreed the timing was "reasonably'' crucial, he was loathe to specifically criticism the decision.

"I'm not trying to be smart, I didn't know what the free kick was paid for. Whether it was for (interference) 5m off the ball or whatever it was, I just didn't know what the free kick was for,'' he said.

Roos was more puzzled why there was no free kick after defender Dean Terlich was felled by high contact from Bulldogs forward Liam Jones.

The incident will attract the AFL match review panel's assessment after Terlich was subbed out of the game with concussion in the third quarter.

"I just get a little surprised that there's no free kick. I'm pretty sure he got hit in the head because he came off with concussion and he couldn't go back on,'' the Demons' coach said.

"It doesn't really worry me one way or another where it goes or if it goes anywhere. I didn't really have that good a look at it other than knowing a player was taken high. So, surely it's got to be a free kick, I would have thought. To be fair to the umps, they may be standing behind a player.''

Former GWS Giants midfielder Dom Tyson thumbed his nose at critics who continually compare his trade with second round draft pick Josh Kelly. Tyson was an outstanding contributor with 27 possessions, 11 stoppage clearances and two goals.

Roos described Melbourne's trade for Tyson and the Giants selection of Kelly as a win for both clubs.

"I'm surprised the comparisons keep coming because I said a few times that we wouldn't have taken Josh Kelly with pick two. And that's nothing against Josh Kelly, we think pick two was going to be a really, really good player,'' he said.

"But we're more than happy with Dom. Dom had 29 (disposals) and kicked two goals.''

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Crameri, Dogs deny gritty Demons

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HUMILIATED last weekend, hero this time ... football's fluctuating fortunes were starkly illustrated by Stewart Crameri's contrasting experiences.

Crameri iced the win for the Western Bulldogs with two late goals to break open a tense struggle against Melbourne at the MCG last night.

Three times Essendon's leading goalkicker, he hardly had a sniff against his former teammates down the road at the Docklands seven days earlier.

It was the steadiness and awareness under extreme pressure from the likes of Crameri that ensured the Bulldogs wouldn't let slip a third close contest in a row.

The lead swapped nine times, five times in the desperate third quarter, as players threw themselves at the ball and ball carrier with ferocious endeavour during the constant momentum shifts of an engrossing struggle.

Nathan Jones is brought to ground by Bulldogs star Tom Liberatore and tagger Liam Picken. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

The Dogs, beaten by nine points by Adelaide and eight points by the Bombers in the previous two rounds, found plenty of bite and grit when this one looked like being snatched from them too by this emerging young Melbourne outfit.

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The Bulldogs were reduced to only two fit options on the interchange bench as early as late in the second quarter. It again emphasised the fighting spirit that delivered the 16 points victory.

No sooner was forward Tory Dickson subbed out with an injured left shoulder at 22 minutes, tall forward Tom Williams hobbled off with a right calf injury just two minutes later.

Tom Williams is helped from the ground after hurting his calf. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Williams did return after half-time with the lower right leg heavily strapped below the knee. He played deep forward and was restricted in movement, despite goalling from a free kick that survived a review when Demon backmen Lynden Dunn and Tom McDonald claimed to have touched the low shot.

And he continued to play his part by adding another with a hurried left foot snapshot from a tight angle for a vital goal that regained the lead early in the last quarter.

Melbourne was brave in defeat, right in the hunt for back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly two seasons until Crameri's late double snuffed out the challenge.

The midfield duels were intriguing in themselves — the Dogs mix of youth and experience such as Tom Liberatore and captain Ryan Griffen against Demon hard nut Nathan Jones and skilled left footer Dom Tyson who answered his critics with a fine performance, particularly in the crucial clearances.

Bulldogs ruckman Will Minson jumps over Demon Mark Jamar. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

And Demon youngster Jack Viney was in the spotlight for all the right reasons, collecting 21 possessions in another developing role in the midfield group.

While Viney eased into the contest after such an emotionally draining week of AFL tribunal and Appeals Board hearings, he drew rousing cheers with a holding free kick against Dogs defender Shaun Higgins late in the first quarter.

Viney couldn't convert from the set shot 30m out, pulling the kick to the left. But he had plenty of energy left to go again and again with what teammate Jeremy Howe aptly described as his "pit bull'' style.

Demon Jay Kennedy-Harris celebrates one of his two goals. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Dogs key forward Liam Jones will come under match review panel scrutiny for a high bump on Demon defender Dean Terlich in the third quarter.

Terlich lay prone on the turf being treated by trainers after the heavy blow to the head and sub Christian Salem replaced him five minutes later.

Melbourne loaded its forward setup with tall targets Chris Dawes, James Frawley, Cam Pedersen, even Jack Watts, with the speedy Jay Kennedy-Harris and experienced Shannon Byrnes on crumbing duties.

The height inside the forward 50 was a gamble with the greasy ball, despite the rain stopping well before the opening bounce.

But the Demons quartet were moving targets and posed problems for the Bulldogs backline. Dawes, Frawley and Pedersen contributed goals in the first half and Watts set free teammates with his quick hands and clean disposal.

Frawley and a running Matt Jones missed critical shots late in the last quarter. But it was the Bulldogs coolness in the crisis in those frantic final few minutes that eased them over the line.

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Our Bash hits every code for six

Sydney Thunder's Dave Warner belts a six against the Thunder in the Big Bash League. Picture: Mark Evans Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

SYDNEY'S Big Bash franchises are selling themselves as the most popular sporting teams in town and have the numbers to prove it.

Despite being considered peripheral to the football codes the Big Bash's first year of free to air television on Channel Ten saw the Sixers and Thunder outstrip every other domestic team in Australia's biggest city.

The Sixers had an average audience of 967,774 and the Thunder 886,133 followed by the Rabbitohs (783,597) and Swans (766,077).

The most remarkable comparison is between new Western Sydney teams the Thunder and the Wanderers.

While they have similar average crowds of about 14,500 the Thunder have more than seven times the viewing audience.

Yet the hype and passion surrounding the Wanderers after successive A League Grand Finals is a far cry from the Thunder, who have undergone a major revamp after winning just two matches in three seasons.

Average Big Bash audiences of more than 930,000 across the eight teams have allowed some sides to double and even triple the value of their major sponsorship to more than $500,000 a season.

Independent valuations by the Sixers and the Thunder found their overall exposure is now worth $4 million in sponsorship dollars.

Brett Lee celebrates a wicket for the Sydney Sixers. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Limited

Sixers chief executive Dom Remond admits sponsors are incredulous when told of the Big Bash's audience domination.

"We have the biggest average audience across any team in Sydney, which is fantastic," Remond told The Daily Telegraph.

"The numbers we did on free to air last year were very significant.

"We need to get out into the market and not be shy with the achievements that we've made.

"One of the challenges we have is to get out there and tell everyone that cricket really is Australia's favourite sport from Test level down to the Big Bash.

"They (sponsors) find it hard to believe until you show them the facts and data. The rationale makes sense where you're telling them that all our games are pretty much prime time on free to air tv."

The Thunder are looking for a new major sponsor at a significantly increased amount.

"That's the story we're telling, we're getting an average audience of around 900,000 with national reach in a peak viewing time," Thunder chief executive Nick Cummins said.

"Anyone who experienced Big Bash last summer it became compulsory viewing. As you get home each night you turn the TV on so we got some really good traction."

The Sixers have just resigned their major sponsor iiNet for another three years on a much later figure.

"They see the phenomenal numbers on free to air. What's big for them is that being a Perth-based company they were gaining brand awareness in the Sydney market and their data shows a significant increase in brand awareness which is important to them," Remond said

"More importantly they saw an increase in plan sales and subscription sales to their internet service.

"They have upped their spend in line with increased ratings."

"We were selling into a market where we thought average ratings would be about 500,000 per game but over average ratings for the Sixers were almost double."

Sydney teams average TV audiences

Team Total

Sixers 967,774

Thunder 886,133

Rabbitohs 783,597

Swans 766,077

Roosters 692,695

GWS Giants 315,600

Sydney FC 127,906

Wanderers 125,103

Waratahs 108,854

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Browning braces for McCaw challenge

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GRAPPLING with breakdown lord Richie McCaw is the most intense classroom any young backrower can learn in, as Curtis Browning is about to discover.

Everyone comes out wiser for the experience, but only a handful come out winners against the most decorated of All Blacks. Five cameos off the bench over the past 12 months have primed Browning, 20, for Sunday's up-close lesson when the Reds fight for pride against the Crusaders.

Beau Robinson is the Reds' openside flanker, but it falls on all the home backrow to take the fight to McCaw at Suncorp Stadium.

Crusaders star Richie McCaw is the best in the business. Source: Getty Images

Far from being daunted by the occasion, 109kg Browning is relishing a backrow stoush.

"All forwards love the physicality and I'm no different there," the former Australian under-20 captain said.

"I love getting down and dirty and getting through the work. Testing yourself against one of the very best like Richie is what you play for.''

When Browning was just a child he would run around his grandfather's living room in the Wallabies honour cap that may one day loom on the horizon of his own career.

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The grandson of 1960s Wallabies' centre Dick Marks can show an early snapshot of what that future may be with some of the storming runs the Reds' attack has so lacked.

The Reds' attack has to be better organised for that to happen so that runners such as Browning are steaming off Quade Cooper passes in close to get an arrowhead of momentum.

World Cup-winning skipper McCaw may turn 34 in December, but it is the shrewdness of his decision-making that is his speed advantage.

"He picks and chooses his times brilliantly," Browning said.

Curtis Browning is ready to take on Crusaders star Richie McCaw. Picture: Jack Tran Source: News Corp Australia

Reds coach Richard Graham admitted he gave strong consideration to switching lock Rob Simmons to flanker to beef up the pack, but has backed Browning there instead.

The Reds have won on the last three occasions the Crusaders have visited Brisbane, but momentum has swung significantly lately.

The Crusaders have won four straight. The Reds have lost that many in a stretch to be seven-point underdogs.

Savour this appearance by McCaw. It could be his last visit to Suncorp Stadium as a Crusader, although the Bledisloe Cup Test on October 18 is still to come as an All Black.

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Salary cap must be used wisely: Lockyer

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THE NRL's amendments to the salary cap during the week was a positive move and a real statement that not only are the game's leaders prepared to be proactive, but also ambitious.

Now, with CEO Dave Smith armed with greater power to issue central contracts, it puts the code in a prime position to target some of Australian sport's biggest names.

The NRL should ramp-up plans to lure code-hoppers Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau back to rugby league, the sport in which they made their names.

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It's exciting to think we could also look at stars such as Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor and Quade Cooper.

And while the central-contract system offers exciting recruiting scope for the NRL, it is just as vital a retention tool.

STAR WARS: NRL SALARY CAP STRIKES BACK

To that end, Smith should look at locking in Greg Inglis, who was once so close to being lost to the NRL he met with AFL rivals Essendon at the height of the Storm salary-cap scandal.

I applaud the NRL for introducing the central-contracting system because it shows the code's governors have foresight, shaped partly by the lessons of our past mistakes.

Israel Folau defection to rugby was a big loss for the NRL. Source: News Corp Australia

The NRL should never have lost Izzy to rugby.

With greater flexibility in the salary cap, Folau would be lighting up our sport.

And the departure of Sonny Bill Williams to New Zealand rugby at season's end is another blow for the NRL, which must never undersell the gravitas and pulling power of big-name stars.

I've heard many times the argument that rugby league can readily replenish the loss of a Folau or Sonny Bill. I challenge that.

Their special talents do not arrive off the street. They are rare commodities.

The money on offer is likely to tempt Karmichael Hunt back to the NRL. Source: Getty Images

Now the NRL, galvanised by a $1 billion broadcast deal and having banked $49 million in the past year, and looking to bank more this year, has the financial muscle to reward the select few.

For the central-contract system to work, the process must be fair and consistent.

But as long as the NRL makes a nominated player available to all its 16 clubs, who will have the option of bidding for his services within their salary-cap budgets, then I don't see an issue.

The pursuit of Karmichael and Folau is a no-brainer.

I played alongside both for the Broncos, Queensland and Australia and they would be a massive boost for rugby league with not only their talent but marketability.

Israel is genetically the right fit for rugby league.

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I saw Wallabies great Phil Waugh make the comment that the rugby World Cup is around the corner.

Granted, in rugby league, Izzy can't play at a packed Twickenham.

Rugby has different promotional layers to league, but the beauty is the NRL now has a key bargaining chip — money.

Ten years ago, I saw my good mates Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri lost to rugby.

Then, the cashed-up ARU held the aces financially. Now, the NRL are capable of delivering $1 million-plus contracts.

Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri left rugby league for the bigger money on offer in union. Source: News Corp Australia

My primary concern is keeping our best players in-house, but having the capability to explore other markets would certainly be an attractive option for the NRL.

At least now the code has a contractual safety net. Inglis has a long-term deal at Souths, but when he comes off-contract in 2017, the NRL will have a mechanism in place to keep him in league for life.

The NRL needs to be judicious and remind themselves of past mistakes to prevent agents exploiting the system by creating interest to inflate a player's price tag, but overall the positives far outweigh the negatives.

The loyalty incentive scheme is also a good move, although it is not yet perfect.

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A concession after six years of service seems a little low, especially if you are counting lower grades.

I'd like to see a tiered system for veterans where there are greater cap concessions for a player registering eight and then 10 years of service at one club.

I'm all for incentivising loyalty but it must be balanced with maintaining a competitive NRL premiership.

Having one cashed-up club creating an endless dynasty thanks to cap concessions is a scenario we must be mindful of.

Are the NRL salary cap changes a good idea?

But there's no doubt a beefed-up veteran's allowance can help clubs when a player of Cameron Smith's calibre is up for grabs.

In the end, Cam stayed loyal to Melbourne. I'm glad he did.

As a code, we're asking fans to be loyal ... and we should be trying to create the same value among our players and clubs.

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Hamilton sets pace in Barcelona

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton sits in his car during practice. Source: Mark Thompson / Getty Images

LEWIS Hamilton was fastest in both practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix, underlining his blistering form as he seeks a fourth straight Formula One race victory.

The Mercedes driver was almost half a second quicker than teammate Nico Rosberg, with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo the best of the rest.

It was a miserable day for Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel, with the four-time world champion unable to take part in the afternoon session after completing only four laps in the morning following an electrical problem.

Hamilton was 0.868 seconds faster than fellow Briton Jenson Button in a Mclaren in the morning session and clocked a fastest time of 1 minute 25.524 seconds in the second session, outpacing teammate Rosberg by 0.449 seconds.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was fourth in the second session, followed by teammate Kimi Raikkonen, Kevin Magnusson and McLaren teammate Button, Felipe Massa (Williams), Pastor Maldonado (Lotus) and Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) in the top 10.

Vettel suffered another setback in his poor start to the season when he was forced to pull out after just four laps on the Circuit de Catalunya with an electrical problem.

Sebastian Vettel couldn't take part in the afternoon session after completing only four laps in the morning. Source: AP

"Due to an electrical problem that has damaged the wiring loom of Car No. 1, Sebastian will not be able to take part in FP2 ..." the team said via Twitter.

The team said it would use the time to fix the defect ahead of Saturday's third practice session and qualifying.

Overall championship leader Rosberg also experienced a technical problem, with the Mercedes hybrid system overheating, limiting the German to nine laps in the morning.

Rosberg, who won the season's opening race in Australia when Hamilton retired with a technical defect, has a four-point lead in the standings — 79 to 75 — going into the fifth race of the season and the first in Europe.

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DCE’s rise unlike anything else: Johns

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Greg Inglis and Daly Cherry-Evans are the two best players in rugby league at the moment.

Come State of Origin 1, thank God Mal Meninga won't pick them in their preferred positions.

Meninga stated to me last Sunday, "Billy Slater will definitely be fullback, with Inglis in the centres. Thurston and Cronk will be the halves and Daly will wear number 14".

It's clear that Meninga will not even consider change unless a series loss forces it. And why would he?

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On the other hand if Inglis and Cherry-Evans continue to put in performances like they have done in recent weeks, how can he not.

I've never seen a player improve like Cherry-Evans.

WHY THE HALFBACK IS STILL KING

After playing Queensland Cup in 2010, Manly coach Des Hasler gave Cherry-Evans his first taste of NRL in a 2011 trial game against Cronulla.

I was at that trial and Daly played an equal amount of time with two other young halfback hopefuls.

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Like any young rookie getting their first chance, he looked nervous and at times a little lost and indecisive. He didn't stand out by any means.

Hasler none-the-less picked him for their opening round game vs the Melbourne Storm, which they lost 18-6. Daly was again solid but not spectacular.

STORM AND MANLY HATE EACH OTHER

By October he was spectacular; in fact he was named Rookie of the Year, was close to the best on the ground as Manly beat the Warriors to win the NRL Grand Final and was named in the Kangaroos' squad for their Four Nations Tournament.

I can't remember a better rookie year, and since then he's gotten rapidly better.

Andrew Johns with Daly Cherry-Evans after winning the Clive Churchill Medal in the 2013 Grand Final. Source: News Limited

His performance against Canberra two weeks back was the best by any player this year, including seven try assists.

My brother Andrew works with Daly on a weekly basis and it makes sense because Daly's game is frighteningly similar.

That robust build, the ability to do the unorthodox, the step, the pass, the thoughtful kick and of course the confidence. It's more than confidence, it's a healthy arrogance.

HOW WILL YOUR CLUB COPE WITH ORIGIN?

You can't just keep getting better and better without that healthy dose of arrogance.

The niceness of Daly conceals the supreme confidence well.

Andrew Johns has worked with many playmakers since he retired but none understands Joey like Daly.

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Cherry-Evans can turn theory into practice immediately and understands the subtleties that Andrew teaches.

Cherry-Evans deserved better than the seven minutes he got in last Friday night's Test.

I've got no doubt Australian coach Tim Sheens felt the awkwardness of the situation just after half time with the Kangaroos behind and in need of a lift.

Cherry-Evans would've been the ideal injection, but for who?

You see, if Australia had been comfortably in front, not an eyebrow would be raised if Sheens had brought off Thurston or Cronk.

But replace one of these men with Cherry-Evans when the side's behind and struggling, and the earth shakes.

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Daly's seven minutes had nothing to do with concerns of him doing the job. It was all about the man he would replace and the reaction.

This player deserves more than just a few minutes here and there at hooker or back row.

Thurston and Cronk's strengths and attacking tendencies have been analysed and observed by opposition defences for a long time now and it's testimony to their talent and toughness that they can still dominate.

But Cherry-Evans' improvement and unpredictability is now causing a new level of problems for defences.

For our sake let's hope Meninga doesn't find the answer to the Thurston, Cronk and Cherry-Evans puzzle.

Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Cherry-Evans, Inglis ... How can Queensland fit them all in? Source: News Limited

Likewise, Queensland's decision to keep Greg Inglis at centre suits the Blues just fine. Last Friday night's Test match not only showed that the centre position doesn't get Greg anywhere near enough ball, but it allows the defence a better chance of shutting him down by rushing both he and his playmakers.

Mal's problem is this: Slater is still the world's best fullback when you get into the attacking quarter. His combination with Cronk, Thurston and Cam Smith is almost telepathic and the subtlety of his movement and pass, priceless.

Greg Inglis is in great shape for South Sydney and the Maroons. Source: Getty Images

Where as Inglis is the most devastating ball-returner of all time.

Both men must be in the team, so I suppose the question is, 'How does Mal manage the team structure to get more of Inglis on kick returns, while not losing Billy in attack?'

The ability of Queensland to get enough ball to Inglis is one of the biggest factors in deciding who wins this series.

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I caught up with Greg last Monday night at Fox Sports and not only is he rock-hard fit, but he is beaming. Not hard to work out why he's in career-best form. I've never seen Greg so happy or self-assured.

He is due to become a father in the next month, and while my strongest emotion is to be extremely happy for him, I'm also praying for the bub's arrival to be at about 8.30pm on the night of Origin I, and as we know being at the birth of your child is far more important than a mere football game.

New South Wales fans would hope he feels the same way.

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Benji club decision only days away

Benji Marshall in action for the Auckland Blues earlier this year. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

FAILED rugby convert Benji Marshall has revealed he is only days away from announcing which club he will sign with to make his NRL return.

It was thought the five-eighth would have had his future secured this week, however it now seems Marshall will finalise a deal over the weekend.

"Hopefully in the next few days I'll know what I'll be doing and what club I'll be playing at," Marshall told the Footy Show in a recorded message.

The 29-year-old left the NRL at the end of last year to join the Auckland Blues, however he failed to adapt to the new game and the former Wests Tiger has returned to Australia in search of a NRL club.

The Dragons are favourite to secure Marshall's signature, while the Sharks are also in the running.

Last week, the Cowboys withdrew their interest in the 2005 premiership winner.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

The Right Track: SA apprentices reign

Kate Brooks has won the National Apprentice Series title. Source: Roy Van Der Vegt / News Limited

SA APPRENTICES REIGN SUPREME

KATE Brooks secured South Australia it's fourth National Apprentice Series Title in just six years when she won aboard Walkingaroundmoney at Alice Springs on Monday.

The Gawler-based apprentice scored an effortless win with the short-priced favourite to give SA an unbeatable lead in the series with one more heat to go at Hawkesbury in July where Krystal Bishop will represent SA.

South Australia holds an eight-point lead (seven awarded for a win) from Victoria with Western Australia and Queensland in equal third.

---

TASSIE APPRENTICE JOINS FORM STABLE

TASMANIAN apprentice Rasit Yetimova will join the local riding ranks this week.

The Turkish-born rider has already ridden 83 winners in Tasmanian where he was apprentice to Leon Wells, Yetimova joining the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas stable at Morphettville.

MEANWHILE, Eran Boyd makes her return to race riding after recovering from a broken leg at Port Augusta on Sunday.

Boyd has three rides including two for new boss John MacMillan.

In other apprentice news, Omer Ay is also on the move departing the Ken Sweeney stable and is on loan Stuart Gower.

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PRETTY BLONDE QUEEN OF RED CENTRE

Pretty Blonde after winning the Port Lincoln Cup. Picture: Ivon Perrin Source: Supplied

THE Darwin Cup is now on the agenda for in-form mare Pretty Blonde after her win in the Alice Springs Cup on Monday.

Senior jockey Justin Potter followed the favourite Chieftan Jack into the race before proving too strong in the run to the line, denying Dom Tourneur a seventh title in nine years.

Trained at Strathalbyn by Kym Healy, Pretty Blonde has now won four races in a row, including the Port Lincoln and Kimba Cups, collecting just over $200,000 in prize money.

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LINDOP JOINS SKY FOR GOODWOOD

CLARE Lindop will give punters her insight with special comments from the mounting yard for Sky Channel at Morphettville tomorrow.

Lindop, who won the Group 1 Goodwood aboard Lone Rock in 2011, remains sidelined following her nasty fall on Adelaide Cup Day and is now expecting to return to race riding in July.

The leading rider was hoping to gain clearance from her doctor Matthew Liptak to return to trackwork this week, but said she won't be back at the track for between four and six weeks.

Lindop will also be a guest at tomorrow's SAJC board luncheon.

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HOLDER OUT TO A BIG LEAD

JASON Holder's stunning month in the saddle saw the in-form jockey shoot well clear in the 2013/14 John Letts Medal at the end of April.

With just three months left in the season, Holder opened up a 15 point margin from Matthew Neilson and Dom Tourneur.

LEADERBOARD

Jason Holder 52

Matthew Neilson 37

Dominic Tourneur 37

Simon Price 32

Clare Lindop 31

Libby Hopwood 25

Jamie Kah 24

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STEWARDS STRIKE AT BALAKLAVA

THOROUGHBRED Racing SA stewards were on the warpath at Balaklava on Wednesday.

They dished out four fines, three severe reprimands, four reprimands and suspended two others in an eventful day at the track.

Ronnie Bell and apprentice Dylan Dunn were both outed for careless riding and given four meetings, commencing after Sunday's meeting at Port Augusta and expiring at midnight on Saturday, May 17.

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GALLAGHER GETS SUSPENSION REDUCED

SA jumps jockey Paul Gallagher, who was suspended for failing a breath test at the Warrnambool races last week, has had four days shaved off his ban following an appeal.

Gallagher was suspended for 28 days by stewards after he recorded a blood-alcohol level above the 0.02 limit when tested ahead of last Wednesday's Galleywood Hurdle meeting.

All jockeys competing at the Warrnambool meeting were tested on the day.

Gallagher initially blew 0.042 before showing a 0.030 reading 20 minutes later.

He was stood down from his ride in the Galleywood Hurdle.

Gallagher appealed against the severity of the suspension on Thursday and the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board reduced his penalty to 24 days.

He is free to resume riding on May 25 when three jumps races are scheduled at Casterton.

---

ZOUSTAR ARRIVES SAFELY IN EUROPE

Zoustar, Australia's only chance for Royal Ascot glory next month, has taken no harm from his marathon flight to Europe.

Trainer Chris Waller said the three-year-old had coped with the 27-hour trip to Germany like a seasoned traveller.

"He travelled exceptionally well but it was a very long trip,'' Waller said.

"He landed in Germany, spent a day in Frankfurt and then went by truck to England.''

Zoustar will be stabled at Lambourn, close to the Ascot racecourse.

"The vet who inspected him in Frankfurt couldn't believe how well the horse travelled and how bright in the eye he looked,'' Waller said.

Zoustar represents Waller's first foray into international racing and he is looking forward to the challenge after dominating Sydney racing for the past three seasons.

The colt, sold for $14 million on the eve of his Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes win at Flemington during the spring carnival, will contest the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on the final day of the Royal Ascot festival.

SAINTS:

KUSHADASI

(Delivered first G1 win for Richard Jolly)

MIRACLES OF LIFE

(Back to her best in an emotion-charged victory)

SINNERS:

FAVOURITES

(Went 0-8 at Morphettville on Saturday)

SMALL CROWDS

(Disappointing numbers for quality G1 racedays)

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Speedster Jared Polec turns potential into reality

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SOMEWHERE between packing his bags to leave Brisbane, being shopped around in Adelaide then struggling to keep up in his first time trial with the Power, the penny dropped for Jared Polec.

It had to, because somewhere between making his SANFL debut at 16, being drafted by the Lions with Pick No.5 then struggling for just 16 AFL games in the next three years, something went wrong.

RUCCI: A CHANGE OF COLOURS CAN TRANSFORM A PLAYER

Struggling with injury and motivation and playing just one game in a struggling side last year, this was not the direction the career of one of the most exciting young players in the country was supposed to be going.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE TOP 10 RECRUITS OF 2014

While Polec played 16 games in his first three years, almost every other top-10 draft pick from 2010 had gone flying past him including David Swallow (51), Harley Bennel (51), Sam Day (42), Andrew Gaff (63), Reece Conca (52), Josh Caddy (42), Dyson Heppell (62), Dion Prestia (51) and Daniel Gorringe (17).

Blessed with natural talent - Polec is a classy left-foot kick, has pace and that magical trait that seems as though everyone else stands still when he gets the footy - he showed it all as a teenager.

Port Adelaide's Jared Polec takes on the Giants' Curtly Hampton. Picture: Mark Nolan.

But in 16 games with Brisbane from 2011-2013, Polec never had more than 20 disposals.

The run and carry and ability to break the lines and take the game on wasn't entirely gone, but he couldn't show it on a consistent basis.

Injuries didn't help but Polec admits there was more to it than that and the blame rested with him.

"Injuries did get to me but I don't think I was professional enough to get through them and was a bit immature ... just taking shortcuts," he said.

Polec hurt his knee twice, ankle and groin while at Brisbane and at times he questioned himself.

"I started doubting myself with football, it wasn't like I didn't enjoy football but I wasn't enjoying it as much as I used to and I kind of lost interest a bit over there.

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"Coming to Port Adelaide, the first day I felt like I wanted to be part of this side, and saying 'yeah I want to give footy a crack', and with the help of Burgo (Darren Burgess) and Ken Hinkley it's coming together."

Having requested a trade at the end of 2013, Polec was given a clip on the way out the door by former teammate Pearce Hanley who labelled Brisbane's wantaway youngsters as "mummies' boys" on Twitter.

But one man who didn't hold a grudge was his old coach Michael Voss - who had already been sacked by the Lions - and helped Polec begin the long road back.

"He (Voss) was messaging me saying 'how's your training going?' and he guided me through the trade," Polec said.

"I still thank him to this day. Especially the last six-to-eight months at Brisbane trying to get me settled and turn me into a professional footballer he always showed faith in me.

"But in the end he said 'you've got to do what makes you happy, it's at home isn't it?'"

Polec eventually got to Port Adelaide via a three-way trade deal involving GWS.

But then came the first running session of the summer - a 3km time trial around the North Adelaide parklands where he struggled to finish middle of the road.

For someone hailed as a 'speedster' and so-called gun recruit, it raised a few eyebrows among Port fans.

Granted Polec was coming off a bout of tonsillitis and was no certainty to even start the time trial, he deserved some credit for fronting up at all.

But in the cauldron of AFL football, the expectation of the fans and scrutiny of the media has little time for excuses.

"We (Hinkley) both knew I was sick but I'm so glad I did run it because I would never have gotten spoken to like that otherwise, and that there when he (Hinkley) pulled me aside was a massive wake-up call that I had to lift and put effort into this pre-season," Polec said.

"And I reckon Dubai (training camp) really saved me this year and (without it) I wouldn't have been performing the way I was this early in the season. I think I dropped a minute over a 3km time trial after Dubai."

Given a fresh start and armed with a fresh attitude, in the six months since that time trial the 21-year-old has gone from struggling to get a game to dominating them.

In the first seven games this season, Polec is averaging 24 disposals and twice he has been named best-on in Port's wins over West Coast and last week over GWS when he kicked three goals.

"I watched that game the other day and saw him steam out from a stoppage, show explosive speed then swing onto his left foot and I thought 'yeah I remember seeing that'," Polec's old SANFL coach Michael Godden said.

"I remember sitting back in pre-season when the Crows and Power were courting him and thinking 'wow, this is a lot of attention for a young guy who really hasn't done anything at AFL level yet'.

"But talent never goes away, you've just got to find the trigger for it and obviously those two clubs knew that."

It's as if Polec has rediscovered his old self again.

"I guess I'm just happy to be playing football again and not being injured," he said.

"Coming home and seeing how hard those boys trained and everyone of them was up to scratch, it makes you want to train better."

Port Adelaide's Matt White has "top-end speed", says assistant coach Shaun Hart. Picture: Mark Nolan. Source: Getty Images

POWER FEELS THE NEED FOR SPEED

PORT Adelaide wanted to address its need for speed over summer and in doing so landed two of the AFL's recruits of the season so far.

Jared Polec and Matt White didn't have anywhere near the reputation of free agents Buddy Franklin and Dale Thomas when they switched clubs last year, but their output has already been more significant on their team's fortunes.

Certainly dollar-for-dollar, the value of their contribution would be off the charts compared to Franklin and Thomas, even though Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said the Tigers weren't prepared to match the "very lucrative" offer Port made White to lure him across the border.

"They've certainly shown great signs," Port Adelaide director of coaching Shaun Hart said of Polec and White.

"White's got that top-end speed and Polec can run okay, he might not have the top-end speed but he can get it and he can bounce it."

Hart said he was aware of Polec's ability before they both got to Alberton this season from coaching against him in the NEAFL.

Hart was in charge of the Gold Coast reserves who played against Polec in the Lions reserves.

"I knew he had plenty of talent and knew he was capable of getting the footy and running yards," Hart said.

"But he hadn't been able to get the work into him during pre-season."

Polec appears to playing with the freedom of a licence to roam anywhere from the midfield to in front of goal but Hart says his defensive work has been just as impressive and there had been games this season when he was in their top five for defensive acts such as tackles.

"We want him to play his natural offensive game but he has also bought into our defensive-first philosophy and has led the way in his ability to defend, tackle and do the harder parts of the game to get the footy back," Hart said.

TOP 10 RECRUITS OF THE SEASON

(Must have been on an AFL list in 2013)

1. JARED POLEC (Port Adelaide)

From: Brisbane

Games: 7

Disposals Ave: 24.1

Goals: 5

Has starred for the Power with run and carry and importantly hits the scoreboard as well. Getting to a stage where he may attract an opposition tag which frees up Port's other midfielders.

2. PAUL CHAPMAN (Essendon)

From: Geelong
Games: 6

Disposals Ave: 21.7

Goals: 10

Chappy has added spark and reliability to the Essendon fowardline with two four-goal hauls and continues to look as dangerous as ever. One of the Bombers' best players this season.

3. MATT WHITE (Port Adelaide)

From: Richmond

Games: 7

Disposals Ave: 16.3

Goals: 11

Has already equalled his best ever season on the scoreboard with 11 goals. Has shown scorching pace, poise with the footy and exceptional finishing skills.

4. BERNIE VINCE (Melbourne)

From: Adelaide

Games: 7

Disposals Ave: 23.7

Goals: 1

Brilliant start to the season, has added both grunt to the midfield and outside run for the Demons and showed a cool head during its biggest win over the year against the Crows - his old side.

5. NICK DAL SANTO (North Melbourne)

From: St Kilda

Games: 7

Disposals Ave: 26.6

Goals: 3

Had a quiet start which triggered calls for him to be dropped but he responded with two 30-plus possession games in the next three weeks including a starring role in the win over Port Adelaide.

6. SHANE MUMFORD (GWS)

From: Sydney

Games: 3

Disposals Ave: 13.7

Goals: 2

Might have only played three games before hurting his knee but averaged 50 hit-outs and GWS won two of their first three games. The Giants have lost every game since he's been out of the side.

7. DOM TYSON (Melbourne)

From: GWS

Games: 7

Disposals Ave: 23.1

Goals: 3

Is slowly but surely starting to justify why Melbourne was happy to give up Pick No.2 in last year's draft to get him. Is a strong body around the contest and knows how to find the footy.

8. STEWART CRAMERI (Western Bulldogs)

From: Essendon

Games: 7

Disposals Ave: 14

Goals: 14

Has taken steps towards providing the Bulldogs with the missing link in their forwardline with 14 goals, including bags of four against GWS and Carlton. Has gone goalless only once from seven games.

9. LANCE FRANKLIN (Sydney)

From: Hawthorn

Games: 6

Disposals Ave: 13.3

Goals: 12

The thing with Franklin is everyone expects miracles and rightly so because of the million-dollar price tag that came with him. But two four-goal games and match-winning performances against Adelaide and Fremantle is a good enough start.

10. HEATH SHAW (GWS)

From: Collingwood

Games: 6

Disposals Ave: 21.5

Goals: 0

Has provided good rebound off half back for the Giants but without quite capturing the top-end form he showed in 173 games at Collingwood.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Crows to recalibrate for Collingwood clash

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ADELAIDE defender Daniel Talia concedes the Crows are "shell shocked" and must toughen mentally to stem the poor starts derailing its season.

In a forthright appraisal of the club's shortcomings, Crows coach Brenton Sanderson has primarily blamed a Crows unit in "preservation mode" for Saturday's devastating, three-point home loss to Melbourne and consequential 3-4 win-loss record.

TREDREA: LAZY CROWS ARE CURRENTLY A THREE-MAN TEAM

Talia notes some are losing their nerve in the heat of battle - losing the will chance their arm after mistakes such as dual across goal turnovers that delivered two second-term goals against Melbourne.

"I think after Melbourne kicked the first two or three we went a bit shell shocked and I think a couple of our younger guys turned the ball over and that hurt us a bit," said Talia, the Crows' best defender against the Demons.

"That is probably why we conceded seven in a row."

Asked if Adelaide winning two of seven first quarters this season was a mental issue, Talia said: "I think it might have been, a few guys went into their shells and that might have hurt us a bit early in the game.

Key defender Daniel Talia says the Crows we "shell shocked" after Melbourne's fast start. Picture: Sarah Reed.

"I think it is just the mindset that when you go out there you have to be ready to play against anyone.

"On the weekend we were mentally not ready and then we conceded a few and a few boys went into their shell."

Sanderson has pin-pointed how the Crows are now playing it safe, sticking to on an opponent when they could create options or put out fires.

Mark Jamar booted Melbourne's 10th goal after being isolated in attack with twin tower Chris Dawes against Crows ruckman Sam Jacobs and Talia - sending Sanderson irate. Support was missing in a "lazy" look for a side that once prided itself on defence.

Having endured a "heavy match review", Talia believes the Crows and recalibrate by playing brave and eliminating 'catch up footy.

The Crows back six will have no choice but to be bold against man mountain centre-half forward Travis Cloke and Magpies leading goalkicker Jamie Elliott (17).

"We have to put that game behind us and focus on the next nine days preparing really well for Collingwood who are really up and about. It will be a massive challenge for a young group," said Talia.

"Momentum in footy is a massive and that swing at any point. If we can play well against Collingwood and win you are 4-4 anything can happen.

"We are really excited about what we can do. Just because we are 3-4 we are not giving up on the season."

Daniel Talia tackles Collingwood key forward Travis Cloke. Source: News Limited

TALIA PREPARES FOR CRUCIAL ROLE ON CLOKE

DANIEL Talia knows the score - confronting the game's elite power forward Travis Cloke

will require a little help from his friends.

Jamie Elliott currently leads Collingwood's goal list but Cloke is hitting form.

"I probably will get Trav. I have played on him the last few times we have played. I have been watching a few of his games and he is starting to find really good form," said Talia, the linchpin of the Crows defence.

"He is a great competitor and I think those first few weeks he wasn't clunking those marks so it will me massive job for Benny Rutten or Kyle Hartigan or myself.

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson has demanded an improved defensive effort all over the ground and Talia says everyone must stand up against the Pies after the poor three point loss to Melbourne last Saturday.

"He is obviously one of the great forwards of the last 10 years of the game. He is so big, 100kg has that size but is really fit and can move well," said Talia of Cloke.

"He is really hard to match up on and for any defender so we will work out a way to try and stop his influence.

"They have Jesse White as well down there so stopping those two guys will be a critical factor in the outcome of that game.

"It is not a confidence thing with him, you know you will have to play a good four quarters to stop him from having an influence.

"You don't want to go 3-5 so we have to focus on starting well."

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NRL moves to lock down superstars

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KARMICHAEL Hunt looms as an early test case for a salary cap rule change that gives NRL chief executive Dave Smith the power to selectively offer central contracts to star players.

South east Queensland's NRL clubs are content with a seismic change to player retention in rugby league that gives Smith discretion to recruit and retain players for what he sees as the good of the game.

Out-of-contract Suns AFL player Hunt, the former Broncos and Australian league international, will come immediately under the spotlight.

The NRL want to avoid losing talent such as Karmichael Hunt to rival codes. Source: News Corp Australia

Smith will be able to step in to prevent elite players such as Hunt, Israel Folau and Sonny Bill Williams from playing other codes as happened under salary cap rules before payments increased with the NRL's $1.025 billion television tight deal.

Once a player is centrally contracted by the NRL, the 16 clubs would be free to negotiate further with the player to recruit him for their team by offering additional payments.

HOFFMANN SIGNS $1.6M WARRIORS DEAL

Hunt, who would be 28 next season, is yet to play a game in his third season with the Suns, having been set for a call-up in Round 5 before suffering a staph infection.

Gold Coast indicated their interest to interview Hunt about an NRL return earlier this year.

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Gold Coast Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said "any NRL club'' would want Hunt in their team, but felt even with Smith's contrbution an NRL would struggle to offer Hunt what he can command in the AFL.

When asked if a central contract for Hunt would see the Broncos want to negotiate with him, chief executive Paul White said last night: "I am not going to speak on specific players, Karmichael or anyone else.

"But for those challenging recruitment targets you may want to have in your game, I do see the game now being nimble enough to able to fight for what we have and win back what we had.

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"If the discretionary rules were set up (in previous years), perhaps when Karimichael, Israel Folau, Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri were up for grabs, the game would have been able to stand with the Broncos.''

Smith has little knowledge of rugby league, but will be able to be advised from within NRL staffers on talent matters and the discretion is likely to be applied sparingly.

Clubs will have an allowance for long-serving players, avoiding a repeat of Glenn Stewart quitting Manly. Source: News Corp Australia

In other developments from the NRL's salary cap review:

Clubs can put long serving players into careers with those clubs as they approach the end of their playing days;

The veteran player allowance will be increased by up to 50 per cent. The allowance will now apply to players serving six years with one club and was previously eight years. The allowance will be on a sliding scale with a maximum $250,000 per club in 2015 and $300,000 in 2016.

CLUBS DIGEST NEW SALARY CAP RULES

The allowances can be claimed for many or few players who qualify, according to the club's salary cap needs.

"Some will consider it's not enough, but the veteran allowance is an extra $4 million a year in player payments across all clubs, so it's a fair amount of money,'' Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said.

The Indigenous All Stars game will return to the NRL calendar next year. Source: News Limited

The NRL will make clubs more responsible for identifying and assessing players who may have suffered a concussion injury.

Players must to be taken from the field as soon as they exhibit any of the signs of concussion, NRL head of sport Todd Greenberg said.

The 2015 pre-season will start with the Auckland Nines, but a February 14 date at Suncorp Stadium has been set for the revival of Indigenous All Stars game, which was omitted from this year's schedule.

The NRL is negotiating with Tourism and Events Queensland for the game to be staged for a second time in Brisbane.

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Tigers can trouble Roosters: Sterlo

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EVEN at the end of just eight rounds last season the writing was already on the wall for both the Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers.

The tricolours had shown they were right up with the premiership's top hopes, despite going down to South Sydney in the opening encounter.

During the first two months the Roosters lost two matches, scoring 208 points and conceding just 82. In the process setting a defensive excellence by keeping Brisbane, Parramatta and Canterbury scoreless.

They went on to take the title.

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Conversely, the Tigers produced very little with just two wins in their first eight games to sit at the bottom of the ladder.

Things didn't get much better as the season progressed, with only five further victories to follow and ultimately a 15th-placed finish.

CORDNER: MORE MOA

On Friday night these two clubs meet and the writing is much less clear than 12 months ago.

The Roosters' early title defence hasn't been overly convincing with their four-win/four-loss record a decent barometer as to what they have shown.

The Roosters have been unable to maintain their winning consistency from last season. Source: News Corp Australia

Ironically, their best performance was against Souths in round one, which had plenty of people convinced they were to be the first side in a full competition to go back-to-back in 20 years.

Since then there have been glimpses of their best and they are still the team to beat, but there are reservations.

ORIGIN ROULETTE: YOUR CLUB'S FATE

On the other hand, the Tigers have got away to a flyer and deservedly sit in the top four.

Their football has been a wonderful mix of exuberance and aggression, which has seen them take the high-profile scalps of the Rabbits, Sea Eagles and Cowboys.

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There has also been a degree of inconsistency and the general feeling is that if they can maintain their early momentum they are finals bound, but there are reservations.

Round nine begins the middle third of the season, which, to my mind, is like the third day of a golf tournament — moving day.

By round 19 clubs will be hoping that they have put themselves in a strong position and then it is a case of consolidating through to finals time. They do not want to be facing too much pressure in playing catch-up and certainly want to avoid at all costs having to rely on other teams' results.

Rep football could affect big players like James Maloney. Source: Getty Images

Representative football will have an effect with the workload and degree of expectation rising for the likes of Mitchell Pearce, Boyd Cordner, James Maloney, Robbie Farah, James Maloney and possibly Michael Jennings.

Before Origin, Friday night may give us some kind of insight as to where these two clubs are at.

The Roosters come off a particularly strong showing against the Dragons after tight matches against Cronulla and Parramatta.

They face a Tigers team that will be physical in their approach but combine that with an ability to play expansive football. It is not dissimilar to the Eels this year and the Roosters have struggled with such opponents.

Sterlo expects Sonny Bill Williams to target Tigers' Luke Brooks. Source: News Limited

The Tigers come off a rather ordinary effort against the Titans after stringing together three straight wins — something they haven't achieved since the middle of 2012.

They face a Roosters team that have strike right across the park, which is something you can never lose concentration or relax against.

I suspect Sonny Bill Williams will target Luke Brooks on the Tigers' left edge, knowing that he will require assistance in dealing with SBW's size and strength and that will bring the Kiwi's great off-load into play.

The fact that both coaches have named all forwards on their interchange benches is an indication that fire is about to be met with fire.

That will give us a further insight as to what these teams really have to offer.

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Hurrell fined $5,000 over sex tape

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KONRAD Hurrell made a "bad decision". And it cost him $5000.

The NRL on Wednesday endorsed the fine after Hurrell and New Zealand television personality Teuila Blakely were involved in a sex tape scandal.

Hurrell was driving while filming himself. The video found its way straight onto social media.

The Warriors centre apologised on Wednesday after the Warriors concluded an investigation.

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SEX TAPE & SLURS: WHAT A WEEK FOR THE NRL

In a club statement, Hurrell said: "I am so sorry this has happened and want to apologise for the trouble I have caused.

"I've embarrassed the club, my teammates, the members and most of all my family. I made a bad decision but I will learn from this."

The NRL integrity unit closely monitored the drama.

The NRL said Hurrell's punishment was an internal matter for the Warriors. Source: Getty Images

"Konrad is full of remorse over what has happened," said Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah.

"While the incident involved two consenting adults, his action in sharing the content with others was unacceptable and inappropriate.

"Every year since he has been with us, Konrad has attended social media seminars and workshops conducted by the NRL.

"He knows the expectations but in this case he made a poor choice."

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Scurrah said the incident has damaged the NRL and Warriors' brand.

"The NRL's integrity unit has been fully briefed on our findings and the penalty we are imposing," he said.

The $5000 fine will be donated to charity. Hurrell will also undergo counselling on the perils of social media.

The Warriors play Canberra at Eden Park on Saturday. Hurrell has been chosen to start at centre.

Konrad Hurrell and Teuila Blakely are "very close". Source: DailyTelegraph

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Tallis: Maroons big men to fight it out

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IT is time for Queensland's forwards to stand up and show who really wants to play Origin this year.

I expect Mal Meninga will show a lot of faith with the team that delivered an eighth straight series win last year, but there are some positions that are safer than others.

Mal doesn't mince his words.

When I asked him on Triple M if the battle between Greg Inglis and Billy Slater was a great headache to have he replied: "What headache? 'GI' will be centre, Billy will be fullback, Cooper (Cronk) will be halfback and (Daly) Cherry-Evans will be 14."

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Mal knows who he wants and how he uses them is all that is to be decided.

The same applies to his forward pack, although I think there is a genuine battle going on for selection.

Cameron Smith, Matt Scott, Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday and Corey Parker are certain starters.

They will take five of the six positions in the forward pack and have done the job for Queensland many times before.

Greg Inglis and Billy Slater's Maroons positions are certain. Source: News Limited

The real battle is for the last spot in the starting back row and on the bench.

The way I see it, Matt Gillett, Ben Te'o, Chris McQueen, Josh Papalii and Dave Taylor are the ones fighting it out for those positions.

It's a pretty exciting time for Queensland when we have those quality players battling for a starting spot and bench spots and there is a chance that one or two of them could be missing out.

CHOPPY SAYS DRESS TAYLOR IN MAROON

We are probably one great front rower short too. There might still be a chance for someone like Ben Hannant or Dave Shillington to force their way back into the team this series.

Queensland is lacking a genuine big front rower who is playing quality minutes at the moment.

Dave Shillington has work to do to warrant a Maroons recall. Source: News Limited

Shillington and Martin Kennedy are probably the two biggest front rowers we've got, but neither of them has stood up this year.

I'm impressed by Kennedy's size, but at the moment he hasn't played like he is big. Everybody talks about how big and strong he is. At the Broncos they're super impressed by what an athlete he is, well it's not about what sort of athlete you are at training — it's about what you do on the football field.

Of Queensland's genuine big men, only Brenton Lawrence at Manly and Dylan Napa at the Roosters have put their hand up.

Josh McGuire is having a dig at the Broncos and while I would still like to see another front rower in the team, I don't think Mal will change the formula which worked well last year.

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Which means it's a battle between Gillett, Te'o, McQueen, Papalii and Taylor.

We have five guys with two weeks to show Mal how much they want to play for Queensland.

I think Gillett, Te'o and McQueen are slightly ahead — they might have their shorts and socks on but I don't think they have a mortgage on any jersey yet.

Taylor is the one with the best opportunity in the next two weeks.

Will Josh Papalii get another shot at Origin football? Source: News Limited

The Titans play South Sydney and then the Broncos.

He can show what he's got against the guys he is battling with for selection.

If he puts in 80 quality minutes in both games over the next two weeks, he will probably earn himself a spot on the Queensland bench.

I know people say players lift and form doesn't always matter, but the series is so tight now that you have to be going in playing good football.

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I want to see hard players over the next two weeks. No nonsense. Just tough and gritty performances from everyone.

It's not about what you're doing in the 60th minute. I'm watching right at the beginning. I want to see your intensity from the start and then I want to see those same efforts all the way through.

When it comes to Origin football, your intensity cannot drop for a second.

That is what you need to be showing us right now in the NRL.

Show Mal and show Queensland just how much you want that starting spot for Origin.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kent: Does the NRL care about rep footy?

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SOMEBODY at NRL headquarters needs to dive into one of Jack Gibson's old quote books, take a strong whiff of the dusty wisdom inside, and reintroduce themselves to the story therein of ham and eggs.

Nobody ever said more with less than Jack, and the ham and eggs came up when he questioned a player's dedication to the team. Was he ham or eggs?

The player was puzzled, until Jack pointed the player to a breakfast of ham and eggs to highlight the difference.

The chicken is involved. The pig is committed.

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"You have to be committed to rep football," NRL head of football Todd Greenberg said on Monday, "if you are going to be genuine about it. And the (ARL) Commission is very genuine about rep football.

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Catch Paul Kent and Ben Ikin as they look at all the big issues having an impact on the game. Watch NRL360 on Wednesday, 7.30pm on Fox Sports 1HD

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"We want to make sure when people come into rugby league they aspire to play for their city, their state, their country — and to do that you need to be genuine about rep footy.

"You can't be any more genuine about it than taking a whole weekend out of our NRL competition to showcase games like City-Country."

And the A-League thanks them for it.

The evidence contradicts Greenberg's interpretation and suggests the NRL is not committed, but involved.

There were 11 players pull out of the City-Country game. All cited injuries.

Could they have played?

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Certainly some could.

Some have carried injury for weeks, in some cases needling themselves to get through their club games, but when faced with a rep jersey that wasn't Origin or Test level they rubbed themselves gingerly and asked, 'Do I have to'?

GALLEN: DALEY WAS GOING TO QUIT NSW

They didn't play.

Compare that to Paul ­Gallen, the Cronulla warhorse who returned early from injury to prove his fitness for Friday's Test. He wanted to play so much he put his body at risk to prove it.

Luke Brooks was withdrawn from U20's Origin — but what did he miss out on? Source: News Corp Australia

Robbie Farah is now attempting a similar show of fitness before Origin selection in less than three weeks, already back training just a fortnight after dislocating his elbow.

That same desire was not there for City-Country, no matter how "genuine" the NRL is.

On Monday Mick Potter justified withdrawing Luke Brooks out of another weekend rep game, under-20s ­Origin game, by claiming that Brooks was an NRL player and had moved beyond age group football.

GREENBERG: REP WEEKEND HERE TO STAY

It was a logical argument, soundly delivered, and it was hard not to agree with him on the first run.

Yet it highlights the great difference in philosophy of the NSW and Queensland camps — and underlines why the Blues keep getting it wrong. And maybe keep losing.

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While Brooks was withdrawing from NSW Anthony Milford was withdrawing from Samoa, which sparks another argument, to play in the same game for Queensland.

Potter saw no benefit for Brooks, and the NRL so genuinely committed to rep football allowed the Tigers to withdraw him without punishment, as they did when South Sydney withdrew Alex Johnston from the same game.

Should clubs place more importance on rep football?

NSW coach Laurie Daley was powerless. Yet Gorden Tallis pointed out there were unseen benefits for NSW.

Getting Brooks and Johnston in a camp environment, getting them used to a quick preparation, to new playing structures around unfamiliar players ... they are all preparation for what will hopefully be Origin careers down the line.

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On the flip side Queensland, whose attitude to the Maroon jumper puts them in the pig pen, made their desire naked. The Maroons' wish for Milford to play was basic: they wanted to begin indoctrinating him in the Queensland way as early as possible.

They would have started this week if they could.

Players were allowed to pick and choose all weekend about where or if they played, and the NRL blithely watched on and tried to convince us that by suspending the competition they are paid $200 million a year to host, they are "committed" to rep football.

Maybe they are. Or maybe they laid another egg.

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REWRITING THE FORM BOOK

BIAS dies hard in the NRL.

Eight rounds in and while most of us are dying slow deaths in our tipping competitions, a disrupted off-season coinciding with a rejuvenation at some clubs has contributed to produce an opening of bizarro results

And while very little has gone to historic form this season that is not always unusual as teams in the process of getting match fit tend to play a little inconsistently.

Always, though, form tends to level out after six rounds or so and we can start tipping according to historic bias.

Not this year.

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Heading in to round nine the fifth-placed Roosters are strong favourites against the fourth-placed Tigers. The seventh-placed Rabbitohs are favourites against the third-placed Titans.

Melbourne, in 10th place, is favourite against the second-placed Sea Eagles.

The 15th-placed Knights are favourites against the eighth-placed Panthers. The 12th-placed Cowboys are favourites against the sixth-placed Broncos.

Will we ever learn?

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Parra at war as tycoon blasts Eels

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PARRAMATTA'S civil war was likened to a contrived boxing bout on Tuesday, with former Macquarie Bank executive Bill Moss doubting the club's capacity to attract corporate support and win another premiership after Monday night's calamitous AGM.

A motion to appoint Moss as independent director was one of several defeated proposals from chairman Steve Sharp, who also endured the humiliation of being dealt a "no confidence" barb from former Eels CEO and political ally Denis Fitzgerald.

Sharp had earlier been verbally abused by ex-teammate and premiership prop Terry Leabeater, who was ejected prior to the meeting. As he left the room in company of two security guards, Leabeater berated Sharp and threw a voting paddle in his direction.

Former Eel Terry Leabeater's relationship with the club has deteriorated. Source: News Limited

Leabater later told The Daily Telegraph he'd mailed his 1986 grand final jersey back to the club in disgust, and claimed he was asked to leave for emailing Sharp a strongly worded message months ago.

On a night that raised the farcical bar for the strife-riddled institution, Sharp also failed in his bid to receive a $60,000 annual stipend and have sitting terms extended from two to three years.

But the biggest talking point was the failure of his motion to appoint Moss, recognised as one of Australia's most successful corporate bankers.

Moss last night told The Daily Telegraph: "It was a bit like going to a World Championship boxing match and getting beaten-up before you got there."

Bill Moss has admitted the situation at Parramatta is toxic. Source: News Limited

Although thankful for the support from Eels fans, Moss was taken aback by the number of "uneducated" comments from the floor. He also revealed that Leabeater had advised him to withdraw his nomination in the lead-up to the meeting, warning of a "s--- fight" at the AGM.

"It struck me as a set-up from day one," he said.

"There were people getting up and twisting the facts, talking rubbish. There were a lot of uneducated comments, a lot of emotive comments.

"Steve Sharp walked into an ambush and I felt sorry for him."

Eels CEO Scott Seward faces a tough task to promote a unified front for the club. Source: Supplied

Moss also expressed sympathy for CEO Scott Seward, who answers to a political maelstrom in the boardroom above.

"The losers (on Monday night) were the fans and the team," Moss wrote.

"Coming from a corporate background, when you look at sponsoring a team, you first look at their board and whether it ticks all the boxes. Companies need to have confidence in the board.

"Any potential sponsors sitting there (on Monday night) would not have been happy with what they saw.

"Having less sponsorship makes it harder to attract good players, which makes it harder to win premierships."

The Eels have a board meeting scheduled for later this month and directors could move to challenge Sharp's position after Monday night's drama.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Griffin dumps Hannant for Cowboys

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BEN Hannant's future at the Broncos is untenable after Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin last night dumped the former Test and Origin prop for Friday night's derby against North Queensland.

In a selection shock, Griffin wielded the axe with Hannant _ just 11 days after the prop amassed 159 metres and 34 tackles in 47 minutes in a tireless display against Souths.

In the same game, underfire prop Martin Kennedy _ a Griffin off-season purchase _ made 50 metres from six runs, but was retained in the starting side for the Queensland blockbuster.

Ben Hannant's relationship with Broncos coach Anthony Griffin is at breaking point. Source: News Limited

As revealed by The Courier-Mail, Hannant has fallen out of favour at Red Hill. And the latest ruction has pushed Hannant's relationship with Griffin to breaking point in a move that ostensibly sounds the death-knell for the prop's career at the Broncos.

Griffin did not return calls on Tuesday night. But it can be revealed Hannant was summoned to a meeting before training on Tuesday, where Griffin advised the prop he would be dropped for form reasons.

Hannant, off-contract at season's end, was said to be gutted. Brisbane's No. 1 bookend just a year ago, he will face the ignominy of playing for Ipswich against Central Capras in the Intrust Super Cup this Saturday night.

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Griffin's decision is even more perplexing considering the Broncos will face the Cowboys' representative pack without Origin back-rower Sam Thaiday, who is battling a calf injury.

The omission of Hannant and Thaiday leaves Brisbane with an inexperienced bench comprising David Hala, Jarrod Wallace, Jake Granville, Corey Oates and Todd Lowrie.

Broncos front-row great Greg Dowling said the axing of Hannant suggested there is bad blood between the prop and Griffin.

The absence of Sam Thaiday leaves the Broncos with an inexperienced bench. Source: News Corp Australia

"I read there was talk of a falling out and clearly there is something more to this," he said.

"The coach will live or die by his decisions but this is a strange one, I don't think he's been going bad at all.

"Ben Hannant didn't deserve to be dropped.

"I guess only Anthony Griffin knows the real reason. But with Sam Thaiday out, Ben's experience would have been invaluable."

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Well-placed sources say Hannant is resigned to being pushed out of Red Hill. It could happen before June 30, with Hannant's manager George Mimis currently in talks with an NRL rival.

Statistics suggest Hannant is by no means out of form. In the past three games, he has made 351 metres, 39 hit-ups and 93 tackles off the bench.

HANNAT ON THE OUTER AT BRISBANE

Over the same period, Kennedy has made 228 metres, 24 hit-ups and 71 tackles _ making him Brisbane's least productive prop.

Hannant's front-row cohort Josh McGuire said Brisbane's pack faced a daunting task in Townsville.

"They have the Australian front-rowers (Matt Scott and James Tamou)," he said.

"We have a tough job for sure, but our forward pack is excited about the challenge on Friday night."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

What you missed on TV last night

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MELBOURNE coach Paul Roos revealed the Demons would "vigorously" defend Jack Viney at the AFL Tribunal on Tuesday night.

Viney will front the league judiciary for rough conduct against Adelaide forward Tom Lynch.

"All I can say is we believe Jack is bracing himself for contact," Roos said during his regular segment on AFL 360.

"We'll defend it vigorously, no doubt about that."

AFL 360 co-hosts Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson said Viney should escape penalty for the incident which resulted in Lynch having his jaw broken.

"If Viney goes out for this...it doesn't sit comfortably for me," Robinson said.

Whateley said Viney had no option but to brace for contact and as a result should get off.

"Lets hold faith that this will pan out," he said.

"I think he's turned to mitigate the contact... I think he'll be found not guilty."

Earlier, Whateley and Robinson spoke frankly about Round 7 losers Richmond, Carlton, Adelaide and North Melbourne.

Robinson was very critical of Carlton's loss to Collingwood.

"I think there's a lot of blame game going on at Carlton," he said.

"I think Carlton are in denial. They've got issues.

"Good teams don't have such mediocre mental periods in football games.

"You look at Carlton and you say what do they stand for? Right now they are a pretty meek and mild football team."

Robbo felt Dale Thomas tried too hard against his old side. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

While careful not to make excuses for North Melbourne, Whateley linked the Kangaroos' inconcistency to the final stage of their development.

"They're not mature enough to achieve their level week in and week out," he said.

"They can play the special effort game - break hoodoos (Sydney and Fremantle).

"I'd have them next year and the year after but we're impatient."

Robinson said Richmond showed "glimpses" of its best in the narrow loss to Geelong, while Whateley felt Adelaide's loss to Melbourne could come back to haunt the Crows late in the season.

Robinson and Whateley opened the show talking about the injuries to key figures at Hawthorn and Sydney.

Robinson said Hawthorn couldn't afford too many more mishaps after losing Sam Mitchell (hamstring) and Brian Lake (calf) on the weekend for extended periods.

With Lance Franklin (knee) under an injury cloud of his own, Whateley said it would devastating in terms of build up if the $10m dollar man missed Friday night's blockbuster against Hawthorn.

WEEKEND HEROES: ANDO AND DERM'S BEST PLAYERS

Gold Coast received plenty of kudos for its landmark win over North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Whateley said he felt the Suns were ahead of schedule in their development and could win enough games this season - given their draw - to play finals.

Roos was equally as enamoured with Gold Coast and the development of key forwards Sam Day, Tom Lynch and Charlie Dixon.

"They are a much more mature team (now) their bigs look like bigs, they look like men as opposed to boys."

West Coast, Fremantle and Hawthorn's almost "perfect game" was also on the agenda.

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ON THE COUCH - Fox Footy

AFL Hall of Fame journalist Mike Sheahan suggested Carlton free agent Bryce Gibbs has already made up his mind about returning to his native South Australia.

The Herald Sun reported in March that Gibbs will not sign an extension until he is confident in the Blues' list management and future direction.

"I think he's decided to go," Sheahan said.

"His body language says to me he's going back to Adelaide... and I wouldn't be doing much to keep him."

Former Hawthorn champion Jason Dunstall said Carlton's workrate allowed Collingwood to run rings around the Blues.

"They've (Carlton) got passengers, he's (coach Mick Malthouse) got to start dropping the passengers and say if you're going to play like that you're not going to play."

On The Couch host Gerard Healy said Carlton had to start rebuilding and regenerating the list because "there's no premiership upside with this group".

Special guest Damien Hardwick refused to rule Richmond (2-5) out of finals calculations.

"We've been really disappointed with our form through the first seven rounds," he said.

"We feel we're over the worst of it, we feel we're on an upward trend."

Hardwick said playing a more aggressive style was key to Richmond's success.

"One thing we've encouraged our guys is we'd rather you make a positive mistake rather than go into their shells."

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick. Picture:Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

When quizzed about losing speedster Matt White during the off-season, Hardwick said Richmond simply wasn't prepared to match Port Adelaide's lucrative long-term offer.

The program opened with Healy, Dunstall and Sheahan lauding Gold Coast's rise to fifth on the AFL table.

"They've been threatening but the Suns arrived on Sunday night at Etihad Stadium," Healy said.

Sheahan slammed North Melbourne for being "flakey to the point of brittle".

He branded the Kangaroos "pathetic" in front of goal.

The conversation shifted to Jack Viney's case at the AFL Tribunal and the panel was united in the belief the midfielder should escape penalty.

"I'm not sure he's got too many other options (other than bump)," Healy said.

"Unless you're going to say he should have tackled... I think he's got a very strong case (to get off)."

Sliding was again on the agenda with several incidents from Geelong-Richmond and Essendon-Western Bulldogs games under the microscope.

Healy said it was a "disaster" a couple of the players including Brett Deledio and Adam Cooney weren't pinged for sliding into opponent's legs.

TALKING FOOTY - 7MATE

HAWTHORN coach Alastair Clarkson said the Hawks would treat Lance Franklin - if he plays - like any other opposition player on Friday night.

"He's been a significant part of us winning two premierships... we would have loved him to stay at Hawthorn but he received an offer which was just too good to refuse."

"We wish him well but he's an opponent now and we've got to do everything we can to try win this game of footy."

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon joined the program via video link.

He said umpires had tightened rules in marking contests and around stoppages.

"I think we've seen a few more free kicks," he said.

Lyon came under fire last month saying umpires had contributed to unsightly congestion by not paying free kicks.

"I think they acknowledged that themselves and there's been slight adjustments."

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott talks tactics with his team. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Corp Australia

FOOTY CLASSIFIED - Nine Network

NORTH Melbourne coach Brad Scott was in the hot seat and made no excuses for the Kangaroos patchy start to the season.

Scott said it was an indictment on the club to go from a really talented side one week to a side that gets beaten due to a lack of effort the next.

He also took full responsibility for the Kangaroos' slow starts to games - outscored seven goals to one against Gold Coast on Sunday.

"Potentially I over-corrected during the off-season," he said.

"We want to be an attacking team... I genuinely think that and that is my responsibility."

Scott said he would persist Majak Daw in the forward line, while Drew Petrie's defensive pressure - for a man his size - was second to none.

Carlton dominated the early segments with Dale Thomas and Bryce Gibbs coming under fire.

Host Garry Lyon said Thomas looks "frail" as a footballer, while Matthew Lloyd urged the Blues to let Gibbs go at the end of the season

22.08 | 0 komentar | Read More