Ref suing over testicle attack

A Kenyan referee is suing the national football federation, saying he was left impotent after a coach grabbed and squeezed his testicles in a pitch invasion.

Referee Martin Wekesa said he was seeking $US240,000 ($A235,000) in compensation from Football Kenya Federation (FKF) after the alleged assault in a game in September last year.

He claims he was kicked and hit by members of the Sparki Youth team before being "attacked in my private parts" by one of the coaching staff.

Wekesa said Daudi Kajembe came onto the field and assaulted him after a decision to send a Sparki player off.

"He pulled my testicles. He actually pressed them and I was hanging on him when he was pulling me. I was crying and could not get myself out from his hands," Wekesa said. "I remember Kajembe told me, raising his hand, 'I can kill you in a minute,' and came directly to my testicles."

Wekesa was rescued by a police officer, he said, but slumped to his knees in pain on the pitch before being taken to the hospital. He is now unable to have sex with his wife, he claims, saying it is "impossible."

"It is so painful, painful, painful in my areas," he said.

Kajembe is due to appear in court in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa on Thursday on a charge of assault and causing grievous bodily harm, while Wekesa is claiming the 20 million Kenyan shillings in compensation from the federation for his expensive medical bills and the problems the assault has caused him and his wife, Mary.

"We used to live as wife and husband. Nowadays we don't, so that's how the life has changed," Mary Wekesa said.

The referee said he had sent a letter to the Kenyan federation to demand the compensation, but had not yet heard back.

Kajembe pleaded not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Suarez bites, Liverpool say fine

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Future uncertain ... Liverpool fine striker Luis Suarez. Source: Peter Byrne / AAP

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has been fined and will donate the money to the Hillsborough Family Support Group following the Uruguayan's shocking bite on Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

February 2007

Makes international debut for Uruguay against Colombia but is sent off late in the game after receiving a second caution for dissent.

November 2007

Having joined Ajax from Uruguayan club Nacional, he is suspended after a half-time changing room row with team-mate Albert Luque.

July 2010

Sent off in Uruguay's World Cup quarter-final with Ghana for preventing Ghana from scoring a last-minute goal by handling the ball on the line. Enthusiastically celebrates Asamoah Gyan's subsequent penalty miss from the sidelines before Uruguay go through to the semi-finals on penalties.

November 2010

Given a seven-game suspension by the Dutch Football Association and fined by Ajax for biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal on the shoulder during a league match.

October 2011

Now at Liverpool, he causes controversy with a dive that results in a red card for Everton's Jack Rodwell in the Merseyside derby.

Accused of racially abusing Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra during a Premier League match, for which he later receives an eight-match ban and a fine.

December 2011

Handed a further one-match ban after making an offensive hand gesture towards Fulham supporters.

February 2012

Sparks controversy again after refusing to shake Evra's hand as United and Liverpool line-up prior to kick-off in a game at Old Trafford.

October 2012

Celebrates a goal against Everton with a comedy dive in front of Toffees manager David Moyes, who had claimed "divers'' like Suarez were turning people away from the game.

January 2013

Handles the ball prior to scoring the winning goal in Liverpool's 2-1 victory at non-league Mansfield Town in the FA Cup third round.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers warns Suarez could face punishment from the club after admitting he dived to try to win a penalty against Stoke.

March 2013: 

Suárez appears to punch the Chilean defender Gonzalo Jara after tussle in a World Cup qualifier for Uruguay. Still could face retrospective action.

 

Suarez sunk his teeth into Ivanovic's right arm during Sunday's 2-2 draw at Anfield.

The ugly incident has sparked widespread condemnation of Suarez and both the player and Liverpool were forced to apologise, while Reds manager Brendan Rodgers claimed his star forward's actions were unacceptable.

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Suarez is likely to face a lengthy ban from the Football Association for his actions, but Liverpool have already punished the 26-year-old with a fine, which he will give to the families of the 96 Liverpool fans who died in a terrace crush before an FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough in 1989.

Last Monday's 24th anniversary of the tragedy was marked by a memorial service at Anfield which Suarez and his teammates attended.

"For my unacceptable behaviour yesterday the club has fined me today,'' Suarez wrote on Twitter on Monday.

"I have asked the club to donate the money to the Hillsborough Family Support Group for the inconvenience I have created to the Liverpool fans and to Ivanovic.''

As referee Kevin Friend missed the incident, Suarez is likely to be punished with a retrospective Football Association suspension, but some pundits, including former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness, believe it could be time for the club to cut ties with Suarez as he is damaging their reputation.

Suarez's latest controversy has forced Liverpool's managing director Ian Ayre to cancel a trip to Australia and the Far East to deal with the fall-out.

But Ayre is adamant Liverpool will not bow to outside pressure to sell Suarez at the end of the season.

''It affects his future in the sense that we have to work with him on his discipline, but Luis is a very important player to the club,'' Ian Ayre said.

''He's a very popular player with his teammates. As we keep saying, he signed a new four-year contract last summer and we'd all love to see him here throughout that contract.

''He's a fantastic player, top scorer and everything we'd want in a striker, so there's no change there. This is more about getting him back on the right track.''

Suarez has a long list of previous misdemeanours even before joining Liverpool from Ajax in January 2011 and it is not the first time he has been in trouble for biting.

But, responding to calls for Suarez to be kicked out of English football, Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor revealed the players' union would offer anger management counselling to deal with his temper.

''There is no doubting his football ability, that's why it is so disappointing and embarrassing when he lets himself down,'' Taylor said.

''We have to work hard on anger management now. We have trained counselors in this field and we will be offering their services to Liverpool and the player to try to improve matters.''

In November 2010, Suarez was banned for seven matches and dubbed the 'Cannibal of Ajax' after biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal.

In December 2011, he was banned for eight matches and fined 40,000 euros ($A58,000) after being found guilty of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra.

Then just a few weeks later he received a one-match ban for making an offensive gesture to Fulham fans and in February 2012 he refused to shake hands with Evra when Liverpool faced United at Old Trafford.

[View the story "World unites in Suarez mockery, Luis fined by Reds" on Storify]

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cotchin laments Tigers' intensity

Lacking ... Trent Cotchin says training standards slipped before Pies' game. Source: Mark Dadswell / News Limited

Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin says the Tigers didn't have the required intensity at training in the lead-up to their disappointing loss to Collingwood.

The match was billed as a possible 'coming-of-age' moment for previously unbeaten Richmond had they won, but Cotchin told On The Couch on Monday night that their review revealed the team's preparation hadn't been up to scratch.

"It was a big build-up, we thought we were ready, (but) even looking back to our training we probably didn't have the standards that we'd had leading into other games during the season so far," Cotchin said.

"That was disappointing and that was something that we reviewed as a leadership group.

"During the game we just didn't feel like we controlled the game when we had opportunities to.

"You question whether we were exactly needed to be … that's just as a result of a loss – if we had have won we probably wouldn't have reviewed it in the same way.

"That's footy and we have learned our lessons.

"A lot of the key figures that we wanted to go into the game and dominate in we didn't, so it was a disappointing result for, not only us as a football club, but our fans as well."

Cotchin also said young Tiger Nick Vlastuin was doing everything right in the VFL and would get his opportunity at AFL level soon.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Blatter neutral in Asian election race

FIFA has dismissed claims that Sepp Blatter supports Yousuf al-Serkal's bid to be elected Asian Football Confederation president next week.

FIFA says its president is neutral and "has at no time provided his backing to any of the candidates."

Al-Serkal, the United Arab Emirates Football Association president, reportedly told regional media he "definitely" felt he had Blatter's blessing to replace Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar.

Al-Serkal faces Sheik Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Hafez Al Medlej of Saudi Arabia and Worawi Makudi, a FIFA executive committee member from Thailand, in a May 2 poll in Kuala Lumpur.

Before meeting Blatter in Zurich last month, Al-Serkal told The Associated Press "if he chooses to announce (support), I will appreciate it. If he chooses not to announce, I will understand."

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'Cloke, Selwood simply inspirational'

Inspirational ... Joel Selwood and Travis Cloke are match-winners. Source: FOX SPORTS

Fox Sports AFL expert Julian de Stoop reviews round three in the AFL and discusses his likes and dislikes.

It was another big weekend in the AFL with some gusty wins and unlucky injuries, we bring you the best and worst from the week that was.

Do you agree? Tell us what you liked to disliked from the weekend by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.

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Likes

Travis Cloke
There were some who suggested during Travis Cloke's protracted contract negotiations last year that he wouldn't be a huge loss for Collingwood if he decided to head west to Fremantle or link up with his former coach Mick Malthouse at Carlton. What a load of rubbish. Cloke is arguably the league's most valuable key forward and he showed exactly why against Richmond. In one of his finest ever performances Cloke finished with a career high seven goals and 14 marks. His third quarter was one for the ages – six disposals, six marks – four of those contested and four goals turned the tide the Pies way. His battle with rising Essendon defender Jake Carlisle will be fascinating on Anzac Day

Joel Selwood
Last week we sang the praises of Hawthorn skipper Luke Hodge - this week all the accolades are with a man who mirrors him in so many ways - Cats captain Joel Selwood. He was the key to the Cats' win over the Hawks in Round 1 but against the Swans on Friday night he was inspirational. The skipper had 30 disposals, nine tackles, seven clearances and a goal only tell part of the story. He was the man that orchestrated the Cats' match-winning third term where he had a hand in all seven of their goals. The triple premiership player is leading a team that deserves to be premiership favorites. Geelong has beaten both of last year's grand finalists in the opening month and remember they play seven of their last 11 matches at Simonds Stadium, a ground they have lost just three times at since the beginning of 2007.

Melbourne
Quite rightly, the Demons have copped it from all quarters after an insipid opening three rounds and when they trailed by 19 points at three quarter time against the Giants many thought time was nearly up for coach Mark Neeld. But instead of wilt his charges delivered the highest scoring quarter in the club's history. The Demons kicked 12.2 to 2.2 to charge to a 41-point victory and take the heat off - temporaily at least - their under siege coach. Big bodies Colin Sylvia, Nathan Jones and Nathan Jamar got it started in the middle with Michael Evans (three goals), Jeremy Howe (three), Aaron Davey (two) and Max Gawn (two) finishing the job up forward. Melbourne were well led by young captains Jack Trengove and Jack Grimes but it will all be in vain if they reproduce the same effort against Brisbane Lions next week.

Carlton
Despite Mick Malthouse stating during the week winning isn't everything at Carlton at the moment, the cold hard facts are the Blues needed to break their duck in Perth to have any chance of playing finals this year. There are too many good sides in the competition to start 0-4 and expect to still be around in September. Malthouse spent the week talking about 'processes' and his men got it just right against the Eagles. The old master doesn't like high scoring shootouts like his team produced in the first three weeks and against West Coast his team gave up just seven goals. Although the Eagles wayward kicking 7.23 certainly helped. The move of Chris Yarran (four goals) paid dividends and with matches in the next six weeks against Adelaide, Melbourne, St Kilda, Port Adelaide, Brisbane and GWS Giants, the Blues are capable of getting on a roll.

Brendon Goddard
He isn't everyone's cup of team but one thing you get from Brendon Goddard is honesty. Some have criticised his post-match tears after his new team Essendon dismantled his old side St Kilda but it showed how tough it was for the former No.1 draft pick to leave the Saints and how much he still loves his former club. Those who branded him a mercenary should think again. Goddard also spoke out against his club's decision for airing James Hird's post-match speech following the Bombers' emotional win over Fremantle on Fox Footy's The Hangar. While I disagree with Goddard's view once again it was honest. In an industry when cliché's are the norm, we should applaud those who speak their mind.

Dislikes

Score Reviews
The concept is sound but like 2012, the execution is off the mark. The problem is the video umpire is trying to be too precise. If the ball appears to have crossed the goal line from four different angles then it's most likely a goal. Like the tribunal let's work on the balance of probabilities. Richmond midfielder Shaun Grigg and Demons forward Shannon Byrnes were both robbed of clear goals on the weekend. Let's hope an error doesn't cost a team big time at the business end of the season.

Daniel Menzel's knees
In football terms, the plight of Daniel Menzel is a tragedy. A prodigious talent the young Cat has again been struck down by a knee injury in just his second game back in the VFL and it has the Cats fearing the worst. The 22-year-old has already had two knee reconstructions as well as LARS surgery late last year but Chris Scott said two weeks ago if Menzel is struck down again he has no doubts he will fightback. Let's hope the coach is right.

West Coast Eagles
One of the pre-season premiership favorites, the Eagles have had a terrible opening month. Injuries have been a factor with the loss of Nic Naitanui the most telling but three losses at Patersons Stadium (one of those to Fremantle) is a cause for alarm. Their only win came against lowly Melbourne. This week they travel to Adelaide to take on a rampant Port Adelaide and another loss will put their top four hopes in serious jeopardy.

Brisbane Lions
What is wrong with the pre-season premiers? Belted by the Bulldogs in Round 1, over-run by the Crows at home in Round 2 and very ordinary against the Kangaroos in Round 4. Their only win was a narrow one over the Suns in Round 3. No-one thought the Lions were going to be contenders after their NAB Cup triumph but given they won 10 matches last year they looked capable of knocking on the door of the top 8 but at the moment they appear a million miles away. A home game against Melbourne next week will provide some relief but Lions fans look away now, following the Demons you play; Sydney, West Coast, Essendon, Carlton, Collingwood, Fremantle, Geelong and Hawthorn. Brutal.

Lewis Jetta and Sam Reid
The duo are two of the Swans' best young players but so far in 2013 they have both failed to fire a shot. Jetta was always going to come in for more attention following his stellar 2012 season but as John Longmire said following the loss to the Cats, the speedster isn't using his greatest asset ... his speed ... to his advantage. Reid's greatest strength is his marking but he appears to have lost confidence in the air and with Kurt Tippett unavailable until mid-year and Lewis Roberts-Thomson injured he needs to rediscover it quickly. Last year Jetta and Reid combined for 76 goals. This year they have contributed just five.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

League plays part in Mariners win

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The witch is dead ... Arnold final lifts the A-League trophy. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Ding, dong, the witch is dead.

That was the late Jack Gibson's famous cry after Parramatta's drought-winning 1981 rugby league win and after Central Coast overcame the Eels' housemates from Parramatta Stadium, Graham Arnold revealed rugby league played a significant role in helping the Mariners to their maiden A-League Championship.

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The jubilant, relieved Mariners boss quoted the late Jack Gibson before revealing that master NRL mentor Wayne Bennett provided the key insight that helped differentiate this Mariners crop from others in the past.

"I've had a wonderful tutor in Guus Hiddink, and Pim Verbeek, but they're overseas," Arnold said post match.

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"I always try to learn, and learn from the best and the best in Australia is (Newcastle Knights coach) Wayne Bennett.

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Re-live our live blog of the game, featuring video of the key moments.

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"I went and had lunch with Wayne and he was a fantastic mentor for me with his experience.

"He basically said to me: 'I'll tell you how to win a grand final'.

"Good shoulder to lean on and to learn from a guy with a lot more experience than me.

"Even yesterday (Saturday) he said: 'don't play the game today, it's tomorrow, keep them relaxed'."

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Indeed, they looked relaxed, prevailing after so many questions were thrown at them: would they prevail after the AFC Champions League commitments? Could they handle the pressure? Could they finally get the monkey off their back – and would they get a better chance to do so?

Daniel McBreen smashed the penalty hoodoo. And the side closed out the game expertly. There would be no dramatic late twists this time. 

"It's actually very hurtful when people write we are chokers," Arnold said.

"We've played three grand finals in seven years before this.

"It's a totally different group of players, two different coaches.

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"That was the motivation.

"Thank you for that."

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Western Sydney Wanderers might have struck the decisive blow in the race for the Premiers' Plate, but Arnold revealed the defeat forced an ironic shift in goals for the Mariners.

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Arnold has long aired his preference for the first past the post system, but seeing the premiership slip away helped the club puts its energy into what the players and the fans so desperately yearned for.

"The motivation after we lost to Western Sydney at home, we changed our goals," Arnold explained. 

"We spoke about what we really wanted ... what the players wanted the most.

"We sort of had a vote, the premiership or the grand final.

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"The players went after what the club hadn't achieved and what the supporters wanted.

"That was four or five weeks ago. We re-focused and put a lot of effort into that.

"Mile, Patrick, Hutchinson, the senior players ... had to lead and the young boys will always follow. The young boys were very good again tonight.

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"I'm very proud."

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Read the match report of the Mariners grand final victory.

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Arnold admits the group had a "perfect week" and it showed on the pitch with a dominant performance, with the side rising to the occasion.

A lot was said about the two fairytales leading into this clash.

But there's no doubt the Mariners have excelled from adversity to hoist the trophy, after their financial hardship earlier this season.

"I leaned a lot on the senior players to keep the group together and we used it as motivation not do derail our season.

"Thankfully, it's all sorted out.

"I wanted to be there for every player and their families to to make sure everyone was okay.

"I had a lot of faith in the PFA and the chairman that something would get sorted out. And it did."

There won't be long for the champagne to flow, with the side back on a plane to face Suwon Bluewings in an ACL clash this week.

The taste and adrenalin of victory will make that trip easier, but once there's time to reflect, this group might look back on their last achievement together as a unit, making this achievement not only special, but timely.

"I never stand in anyone's way," Arnold added.

"We have three young boys I honestly think have reached their maximum development here in Australia.

"If they want to go on and be ... very good Socceroos ... they need to go to another level.

"Playing 27 games a season is not enough.

"They've probably reached their peak with us.

"Maty Ryan is always complaining to me he's never got a save to make; young Bernie Ibini wants to do more; Sainsbury has been excellent.

"I can't answer what the older guys want to do.

"The exciting thing if I stay it will be to re-generate the squad and bring some new kids in."

It might be the end of an era, but with this club's track record, you'd be brave to bet against them being there or there abouts again next year.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Raikkonen stirs Red Bull rumours

Close ... Lotus driver Kimi Raikkonen shares a joke with Ferrari's Fernando Alonso. Source: William West / AAP

Kimi Raikkonen says he is yet to give any thought about where he might drive next year amid renewed speculation the Finn may replace Mark Webber at Red Bull.

With the relationship between Webber and Sebastian Vettel, which was lukewarm at the best of times, hitting an irreparable low in the fall-out from Vettel's contentious victory at the Malaysian GP, Webber is expected to leave the world champions when his one-year deal expires in eight months.

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Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo and highly-rated young charger Felix da Costa have both been cited as candidates to replace Webber, but it is Raikkonen who appears to be in pole position to fill the seat alongside Vettel.

Nevertheless, Raikkonen is adamant he is in no rush to finalise a deal for next season despite his own deal with Lotus expiring at the end of this year.

"I have no contract for next year - that much is true. But further than that, I don't want to discuss the matter. I want to do well this season and everything else will fall into place," he told the official Formula 1 website.

"There are many things that are undecided and there is still a long way to go this season, so let's see how things unfold. We will see pretty significant changes when teams switch to their 2014 car development - and then it will be interesting to see what is going on."

Speculation that Raikkonen is poised to transfer to Red Bull has intensified in recent weeks, with Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft among those predicting the Finn will partner Vettel next year.

"From talking to people in the paddock and watching what is going on, I just have the feeling that a big-name signing, even though they have plenty of good up-and-coming drivers in the Red Bull development programme, is what they want," Croft said.

Unlike the plain-spoken Webber, who caused a stir in midweek by dining with Vettel's rival Fernando Alonso, Raikkonen is a close friend of the German and possesses the sort of laidback character which is likely to bring harmony to a team ripped apart by events at Sepang.

"Kimi is holding a lot of good cards," said Sky F1 pundit Anthony Davidson. "Raikkonen is good friends with Vettel and they play badminton together - and apparently Kimi always wins."

Whereas visualising Raikkonen in a Red Bull racing suit next year is easier to foresee than imagining the taciturn Finn decked out in a badminton kit, the picture is cloudier for Webber's future.

While the rumours of Webber signing a five-year deal with Porsche were given short shrift by the 36-year-old in the Bahrain paddock this week, the veteran dodged an invitation on Friday to confirm he will continue in F1 next year and a switch of motorsport series remains feasible.

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Read more at http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12473/8662572/Kimi-Raikkonen-backed-for-Red-Bull-move-as-he-insists-he-won-t-be-rushed-into-choice

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

McBreen wants new Mariners deal

Goal machine ... Daniel McBreen celebrates during Sunday's grand final. Source: By Paul Miller / AAP

He's the A-League's top goal-scorer and was named man-of-the-match in Central Coast's 2-0 grand final win over Western Sydney.

But he doesn't have a contract for next year.

As unlikely as it seems, 36-year-old golden boot winner Daniel McBreen had a break-out season but his future at the Mariners remains uncertain with the striker now off contact.

Mariners coach Graham Arnold said to McBreen at the start of the season if he scored 10 goals he would make sure his contract was extended.

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He went on to score double that, netting his 20th in Sunday's title decider with a perfectly taken spot-kick in the 68th minute and earning himself the Joe Marston Medal as best afield.

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McBreen, who had failed twice in the Mariners' recent string of five missed penalties, acknowledged the irony of netting the match-winner from a spot-kick.

"After all the the misses and all the press we've been getting about it, we got the one that counted,'' he said.

McBreen, who said he knew his late father Jim "would be smiling down on him'', said he wants nothing more but to stay on at the Mariners.

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"I'm not sure yet what's happening next season,'' he said.

"I love it here. I love the place, I love the people, I love the team, the coaching staff, living near the beach - everything.

"Hopefully we can work something out.''

The delay on his contract, however, is a result of the financial crisis the club recently suffered before new owner Mike Charlesworth stepped in and saved the day.

"We've spoken but Mike wanted to go through the books so all offers have been taken off the table while he sorted that out,'' McBreen said.

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"So it's up to them. They have to come to me now.''

Arnold was full of praise for the veteran striker.

"He's a pain in the arse, as always,'' he joked. "Leading goal scorer, Joe Marston Medal, won a championship and he's 36 years of age.

"What else can you say? He's had a fantastic season. It's a reward for all the hard work he does.''

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22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ultimate NBA Playoffs preview

Awesome April ... 16 teams enter but only one will triumph. Source: FOX SPORTS

March Madness is over and it's time for Awesome April as the attention of the basketball world moves to the NBA playoffs.

After 82 games just 16 teams are left and now begins what could be one of the hardest roads to a championship in world sport.

The first round is arguably the most unpredicatable with top teams taking on battle-hardened squads who had to fight just to make the post-season.

The likes of reigning champions Miami Heat and runners-up Oklahoma City Thunder booked their playoff ticket some time ago while the Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks squeezed in at the last minute.

The Heat and Thunder enter as favourites to return to the finals once again but the re-invention of New York Knicks and LA Clippers should make for fascinating watching.

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WEST

Oklahoma City Thunder (1) v Houston Rockets (8)

Regular season: Thunder 2 - Rockets 1
A series full of headlines with the return of James Harden to OKC - along with Lin-sanity - against the dynamic duo that is Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
The Rockets only just scrapped into the playoffs after finishing third in their division but can score heavily on their day.
They are two teams similar in style but expect the Thunder to have too much firepower for the Rockets.
Look for Thaba Sefalosha to shut down Harden and Kevin Martin to shoot lights out from behind the arc.

San Antonio Spurs (2) v LA Lakers (7)

Regular season: Spurs 2 - Lakers 1
The Lakers made the playoffs, which was a great effort considering where they came from after a horrible start to the season. However, this could be one of the most one-sided series we see during the playoffs.
Kobe Bryant's Achilles will see him miss the action and the Spurs' evergreen trio of Manu Ginobli, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are all fit.
Throw in Aussie pair Aron Baynes and Patty Mills and there's a reason for every neutral to take an interest in this series.
The Lakers have plenty of experience with Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard and Metta World Peace to step up in the absence of Bryant but lack the killer instinct of the Black Mamba.

Denver Nuggets (3) v Golden State Warriors (4)

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Regular season: Nuggets 3 - Warriors 1
The Nuggets have been travelling under the radar all season as even their 15-game win streak was overshadowed by the Heat's amazing run.
The Nuggets have been almost unbeatable at home this season and boast an incredible 38-3 record.
However, GSW playmaker Stephen Curry is argubably one of the best players in the NBA and in the final game of the season he broke Ray Allen's all-time record for most three-pointers in a season.
The Nuggets are one of the quickest teams in the NBA and if the Warriors are to have any chance they will have to stop the transition play of Andre Iguodala, Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried.
Look for another Aussie hoping to make a playoffs impact with Andrew Bogut forming one of the best one-two bigmen combinations with Warriors teammate David Lee.

LA Clippers (4) v Memphis Grizzlies (5)

Regular season: Clippers 3 - Grizzlies 1
A replay of last year's first round series and two teams who might count themselves a little unlucky to be facing elimiation in round one once again.
The Clippers triumphed last year and clinched their first Pacific Division title in many years this season while
Memphis finished just two games behind the Spurs.
In superstars Chris Paul and Blake Griffin the Clippers have genuine match winners but add in Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler and Eric Bledsoe and this team has weapons across the roster.
The Grizzlies should not be discounted after they disposed of No.1 seed San Antonio in 2010-11 but they will need big performances from Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley to reverse last year's exit.

EAST

Miami Heat (1) v Milwaukee Bucks (8)

Regular season: Heat 3 - Bucks 1
Can anyone stop the reigning champions? If it does happen, chances are it won't be the Bucks.
LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh have done as they pleased this season.
The star trio even sat out a late-season game against Cleveland Cavaliers and the Heat still won thanks to Norris Cole, Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen.
The Bucks have fought tooth and nail to grab the No.8 seed so expect them to put up a good fight.
Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis lead the team while the likes of Ersan Ilyasova and Luc Mbah a Moute provide strength down low.

New York Knicks (2) v Boston Celtics (7)

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Regular season: Knicks 3 - Celtics 1
We've asked who can beat the Heat; the Knicks are certainly capable of it and the Celtics almost pulled it off last season. However, only one team can progress from this series.
The Celtics will be full of emotion after the Boston Marathon tragedy but you have to doubt if that will get them through a seven-game series.
Fresh off winning the NBA scoring title, Carmelo Anthony will be key to the Knicks' hopes while JR Smith, Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton provide the secondary scoring.

Indiana Pacers (3) v Atlanta Hawks (6)

Regular season: Pacers 2 - Hawks 2
The Pacers are another team that have been excellent all season yet have been overshadowed despite making a strong playoff run in 2011-12.
In contrast, some didn't expect the Hawks to return to the post season after trading away Joe Johnson and they finished 22 games behind division rivals Miami.
Yet, as they say you've got to be in it to win it and the Hawks will give themselves every chance.
They hung onto Josh Smith at the trade deadline and the likes of Al Horford and Jeff Teague are genuine threats.
The Pacers are full of young talent and after gaining valuable experience last season Paul George, Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert and veteran David West are primed for a deep run.

Brooklyn Nets (4) v Chicago Bulls (5)

Regular season: Nets 1 - Bulls 3
Two of the more interesting stories in 2013.
The Nets have made some big moves recently picking up Deron Williams, Joe Johnson and Gerald Wallace while Brook Lopez continues to deliver in the paint.
The Bulls in comparison have had to achieve their success without superstar guard Derrick Rose.
Kirk Hinrich, Rip Hamilton and Nate Robinson have filled in admirably while Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah continue to deliver at an elite level.
The Bulls have the edge after the regular season and on experience could claim to be favourites.

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Undefeated Power dismantle Suns

Flying High ... Chad Wingard celebrates one of his three goals against the Suns. Source: DAVE HUNT / AAP

Port Adelaide are off to the best start in club history after easily accounting for the Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night.

The Power prevailed 16.8 (104) to 9.12 (66) to move to 4-0, besting their 3-0 starts in 1999 and premiership year of 2004.

4.3 (27)	Q1	3.2 (20)
5.4 (34)	Q2	12.5 (77)
6.8 (44)	Q3	15.8 (98)
9.12 (66)	Q4	16.8 (104)

Rory Thompson 2	Jay Schulz 4
Jared Brennan 1	Hamish Hartlett 3
Aaron Hall 1	Justin Westhoff 3
Jarrod Harbrow 1	Chad Wingard 3
Brandon Matera 1	Jake Neade 2
Steven May 1	Brent Renouf 1
Jaeger O'Meara 1
Zac Smith 1

Forward Jay Schulz lit up the second half with four goals for the visitors, including a second that came after a spectacular mark over the back of Sam Day.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Essendon	4	4	0	0	180.87	16
2	Port Adelaide	4	4	0	0	159.28	16
3	Geelong	4	4	0	0	112.00	16
4	Hawthorn	4	3	0	1	139.22	12
5	Sydney	4	3	0	1	124.38	12
6	Richmond	4	3	0	1	115.11	12
7	Collingwood	4	3	0	1	102.92	12
8	Fremantle	4	2	0	2	102.87	8
9	St Kilda	4	1	0	3	101.30	4
10	West Coast	4	1	0	3	98.13	4
11	Carlton	4	1	0	3	96.56	4
12	Adelaide	3	1	0	2	91.99	4
13	Bulldogs	3	1	0	2	91.00	4
14	Gold Coast	4	1	0	3	82.52	4
15	Brisbane	3	1	0	2	73.02	4
16	North Melbourne	3	0	0	3	82.95	0
17	Greater Western Sydney	3	0	0	3	58.42	0
18	Melbourne	3	0	0	3	35.02	0

In-form Justin Westhoff, youngster Hamish Hartlett and Chad Wingard all kicked three majors for the Power while Kane Cornes picked up an impressive 35 disposals and 16 marks.

Rory Thompson was the only multiple goalkicker on a tough night for the Suns.

Gold Coast, leading by seven points at quarter-time after captain Gary Ablett and Brendan Matera made strong starts, were unable to recover after continuing their trend of poor second-quarter efforts this season.

The Suns went into the halftime break trailing by 43 points after the Power booted nine goals to one.

It's the fourth time in as many games the Suns have struggled to make an impact in the second term, giving coach Guy McKenna an obvious area to focus on.

The Suns, who lost young midfielder Harley Bennell before the game to a hamstring injury, had to call on sub Luke Russell early in the second term when Joel Wilkinson was unable to continue due to an ankle injury.

They also have a concern for Matt Warnock after he left the field with a shoulder injury while Ablett appeared to be struggling with a hand or wrist problem in the final term.  

Click here to view all of the stats and scores in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

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