NRL lacks depth, needs reserve comp

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Holden Cup ... a learning curve according to Fox Sports expert Brett Kimmorley. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Former Australian halfback Brett Kimmorley has called for the introduction of a national reserve grade competition along with the Under 20's to help bolster the quality of future NRL players.

Following an influx of English imports with more to arrive next season, many are concerned the Australian game is suffering from a lack of depth and the Canberra assistant coach says he has the solution.

"The Holden Cup is a great learning curve for clubs," Kimmorley said on NRL360. 

"You get a two or three years apprenticeship scheme before you have to invest big money into some of these kids. On record two or three of your players make it through to NRL anyway.

"Elite players get fast tracked anyway… the elite player is always going to make it.

"I think there should be a national reserve grade competition but you should still have your under 20's." 

Kimmorley suggested that the 'National reserve grade' competition would mirror the NRL while the NSW Cup and Intrust Super Cup in Queensland continue to satisfy the needs of top-tier country rugby league. 

"We're putting all these CEO's and administration in place in the NRL to make sure the game gets better in five years we need to make sure the talent is better in five years for the product to get more money as well," he said. 

"I think there is a massive drop from when they come out of the Under 20's and go into the NSW Cup/reserve grade format and they go back to park football, there's not a stepping stone to go through to the NRL." 

The discussion was sparked by the announcement that a group of English players were poised to join the competition while NRL clubs target more as potential recruits for next season and beyond. 

In the past only a few English players have succeeded in Australia but more and more players are deciding to test themselves in the NRL. While Kimmorley does not detest the English players' arrival he has questioned the Australian stock.

"The game is getting better over here," Kimmorley said. 

"The dollar over there isn't as great as it used to be… if you're talking $1 million, that would be a carrot a decent pommy would be willing to come to Australia (for) and test yourself for a small period of time. 

"I think the depth and the structure need to be changed in the whole NRL."

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Dragons to throw Dugan lifeline

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Josh Dugan ... set to return to the NRL with St George Illawarra. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Controversial fullback Josh Dugan has been pulled from the NRL wilderness and thrown a one-year life line by St George Illawarra.

Dugan's manager, Paul Sutton, held talks with Dragons chief executive Peter Doust and recruitment manager Craig Young on Wednesday afternoon to finalise the details of the deal. 

NRL 360 host Paul Kent revealed the former Origin star is likely to announce the deal on Friday which will include a clause that he stays off social media.

Behavioural issues cost the 22-year-old his $700,000 a year contract at Canberra where he was in his third season of first grade in the nation's capital.

A social media outburst on instagram where Dugan sensationally told a Canberra fan to 'end themselves' saw Brisbane back out of a 2 million dollar deal but having apologised for the brain snap, attending counselling sessions and meetings with the NRL, he looks to have saved his career.

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Robbo horrified over fallout

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Allan Robinson ... is the former hoop at the forefront of the More Joyous scandal. Source: Carlos Furtado / News Limited

Retired jockey Allan Robinson says he is horrified by the public falling out of John Singleton and trainer Gai Waterhouse that followed a phone call he made to the millionaire businessman over the condition of his horse More Joyous.

Singleton has accused Waterhouse's son, the bookmaker Tom Waterhouse, of telling people the champion mare could not win the All Aged Stakes at Randwick last Saturday.

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He has since withdrawn his stable of horses from Gai Waterhouse.

"I'm horrified," Robinson told Today Tonight on the Seven Network, referring to the fallout following the race when More Joyous finished seventh in a field of eight.

He defended Gai Waterhouse saying she would not let a horse run if it was not 100 per cent, but then pointed out that something must have been wrong, because More Joyous finished seventh.

When asked if he would do the same thing again, Robinson made a lengthy pause, before saying: "Should you let it lie? Don't know."

At a trackside inquiry on Saturday, Singleton refused to divulge the names of "trusted friends" who had told him Tom Waterhouse was saying there was a problem with More Joyous.

On Tuesday Singleton's friend and rugby league legend Andrew Johns released a statement dismissing claims Tom Waterhouse had tipped him off about the condition of More Joyous.

But on Wednesday night, Singleton broke his silence.

"Names have already been named so my reluctance to name names has been taken away by the names naming themselves," he told the Nine Network.

When asked if Johns and Robinson were those people, Singleton replied: "Yeah, they're both the people who rang me, yes."

Tom Waterhouse has denied the accusations and will front the reconvened inquiry next Monday.

It was revealed during Saturday's preliminary inquiry that More Joyous had been treated with antibiotics leading up to the All Aged but she had been cleared to run by two vets, including the one employed by Singleton.

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Essendon deny doping admission

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Statement ... Essendon denies the club conceded their players took banned substances.

Essendon deny they have made any concessions that their players took banned substances under the AFL club's controversial supplements program.

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As the game awaits the release of the first report on the club's ongoing scandal, club chairman David Evans hit back at the latest claim to rock the Bombers.

The Herald Sun on Wednesday said Essendon had conceded players took banned substances last year through the supplements program.

That regime is now the subject of a Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and AFL investigation.

"Contrary to media reports, Essendon have never conceded that our players have been given banned substances in 2012,'' Evans said in a club statement.

"We asked for the ASADA and AFL investigation and out of respect to the players, those investigations must be completed without prejudice.

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"I want to repeat, our club has not conceded that our players have been given banned substances in 2012.''

Stephen Dank was reported as saying he has an email from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that stated substances in question were approved for use.

Channel Seven said the sports scientist, who is no longer at the club, would produce the email from January last year in court.

WADA emphatically deny giving Dank that approval.

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Essendon are on the verge of releasing the independent report by Ziggy Switkowski into the club's governance.

That was commissioned in the wake of the ASADA and AFL investigations, with Evans at the time citing "irregular practices''.

But the Bombers are now unlikely to release the report until next week because of a legal matter.

It is unclear what details will emerge from the Switkowski report or whether it will recommend the dismissal of Essendon officials.

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Earlier on Wednesday, AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the ASADA and AFL investigations could take another three months to complete.

Demetriou also refused to be drawn on the Herald Sun report that some Essendon players were prescribed weekly injections of the banned anti-obesity drug AOD-9604 for all of last season.

"My reaction is the same as it has been all along: we will continue to get a running commentary obviously in the media ... but there is currently a joint investigation by ASADA and the AFL and we really need to let that investigation proceed,'' Demetriou told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday.

Demetriou questioned how a newspaper report said Essendon players had admitted the weekly injections when they had yet to be interviewed by ASADA.

It is understood ASADA officials will start interviewing Essendon players next week.

"It's only a report in the newspaper that there is an admission,'' he said.

"And I'm not going to comment on the investigation.

"We need to await the outcome of the ASADA report. I know that is frustrating to people.

"People should be very careful about some of the commentary, particularly in light of the fact that we haven't even had one player interviewed as yet.''

Demetriou added that the AFL received a copy of the Switkowski report on Monday.

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'Stuart would have given Eels spray'

Poor ... Hindy says the Eels' performance would have earned them a spray from Ricky Stuart. Source: AAP

In his weekly column, Fox Sports expert and Canberra assistant coach Brett Kimmorley offers his thoughts on round seven of the 2013 NRL Premiership season.

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Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels, Centrebet Stadium

Nathan Hindmarsh: The Eels boys would be disappointed. Some simple missed tackles weren't ideal and they'll have to go again next week. I'm sure Ricky Stuart would have given them a blast after the match. It's our local derby so it's a really disappointing result. But hats off to the Panthers on a superb victory over their rivals. Young fullback Matt Moylan on debut, I thought he was spectacular.

Gorden Tallis: Penrith copped criticism a couple of weeks ago about what Gus was doing, but this win shows that all the young kids coming through could produce big for them. Penrith have got a big future if they can hold on to their kids, who looked full of energy and enthusiasm against the Eels.

Sydney Roosters v St George Illawarra Dragons, Allianz Stadium

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St George Illawarra came prepared to play and they made that clear by scoring the first try of the game. Anzac Day always brings the best out of these teams with the match fast paced and of a high intensity. But within a 10 minute period the Roosters sent out a timely message as to why they are a force to be reckoned with this year. They scored some fast tries off the back of their mobile and athletic forwards. I don't think Michael Jennings has received much praise this season but he was outstanding and looks like he has his pace back. He is certainly living up to his expectations as a try scoring machine who seeks out the ball at any opportunity. Despite the score line, the Dragons certainly put in the effort for their coach who re-signed with the club on the same day.

Melbourne Storm v Warriors, AAMI Park

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This little derby wound up becoming a crackerjack game with an atmosphere to match its intensity. The Warriors have a habit of lifting against Melbourne and Anzac Day was no different. The game was marred in controversy with a 40/20 call going against the Warriors in strange circumstances. It was a gutsy decision for the touch judge to rule the ball had hit one side of the line and then after being questioned by Billy Slater he changed his mind. The next set of six it led to a try and Matt Elliott and his players would have been heartbroken about that call. The Warriors genuinely threatened the massive winning streak the Storm are on and should be very proud of their performance. Cameron Smith took control of his side and led them around, ultimately the Storms' class came to the fore and they handled the pressure better than their opposition. 

Manly Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brookvale Oval

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I feel like this win is an enormous one for South Sydney. Prior to the bye weekend, they had lost in Melbourne and wouldn't have wanted to lose to another top four side. It is never an easy task to play Manly at home and the Sea Eagles threw a lot at them physically in what was a faced paced match. Richie Fa'aoso is likely to be dealt a lengthy suspension for his two dumping tackles on Greg Inglis. A two nil score line at halftime resembled the class of both sides' defence but Adam Reynolds showed maturity in the second half and Inglis came up with some big plays, in particular a try straight after half-time. Sam Burgess dominated the middle of the field and Bryson Goodwin deserves a massive wrap for his defensive efforts on a very physical Steve Matai. Despite what the score might have you believe, the Sea Eagles were never really allowed in the game. The Rabbitohs were certainly the stronger side.

North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders, 1300SMILES Stadium

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The difference in these two sides came down to the class of Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen. I didn't think the Cowboys were overly impressive. There were a lot of errors from both teams at a slower tempo game to the others over the weekend. Both sides were simply hoping to find a victory. The Cowboys were down in confident while the Raiders had been on a roll in recent weeks. Positive for the home side was Tariq Sims' return to form and Bowen showed that age is just a number. There has been some doubt surrounding his playing future but he showed that not only does he still have his pace but the finesse to put the finishing touch onto everything he does.  Matt Scott and James Tamou did an effective job in leading a team under pressure. Canberra will be disappointed with their effort when the game was there to be won, poor defence and handling errors cost them dearly.

Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos, Campbelltown Stadium

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There's an overused cliché that 'it was a game of two halves' but this match typified that statement as truth. The Broncos first half was outstanding and without being able to predict the injuries that eventually happened to the Wests Tigers, the Broncos made their intentions clear in the opening half. Justin Hodges and Matt Gillett have been in form for a number of weeks now and continue to cause headaches for their opposition. The halves combination of Scott Prince and Peter Wallace is also gelling nicely. Brisbane are playing a lot straighter and when they do that it opens space out wide for Corey Norman to chime into the backline. I can see that combination becoming very damaging with the club tightening their defence more and more as the weeks go by. It was disappointing for the Tigers and especially Tim Moltzen with an ACL injury. With a host of players sidelined, I feel for coach Mick Potter who will struggle to put a football side together.

Gold Coast Titans v Newcastle Knights, Skilled Park

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I believe you need to ignore the score line in this match because the Titans were very dominant for a side with just one player on their bench. You couldn't help but feel for them, losing Luke O'Dwyer, Matt Srama and Ashley Harrison all in the opening 20 minutes. John Cartwright will be extremely proud of his side despite the score. Newcastle produced a typical Wayne Bennett coached performance, very professional with a high completion rate. Defensively they were strong and have won five games of football with a completion about 70 percent and on Sunday above 80. James McManus was very good, bagging two tries while Akuila Uate is the equal fourth highest try scorer in the Knights history alongside Robbie O'Davis.

Cronulla Sharks v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Blue Tongue Stadium

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This was a match where two sides were desperate and while Des Hasler won't be thrilled with how they won; the two points will ease some pressure while they wait for some of their stars to return. The Bulldogs had two weeks to prepare for this match and the star attraction was the State of Origin audition of Todd Carney going head-to-head with Josh Reynolds. NSW coach Laurie Daley has made no secret that the Blues five-eighth role is up for grabs. Reynolds' greatest strength is his competiveness and winning man of the match was a nice reward. These two men are very different players. Carney is a freaky adlib footballer where Reynolds is an Origin style, gritty, competitive player who can break the game open. The Bulldogs outside backs were very solid and their efforts were rewarded with tries. Cronulla fans should hold their heads high with their performing under adversity with ASADA interviews starting this week they put the effort in but at 12-8 lacked the class to score points. 

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Schwarz would return to club

Under Pressure ... Demons great David Schwarz casts doubt on the future of coach Mark Neeld. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Former Melbourne star David Schwarz has cast doubt on Mark Neeld's future as the coach of the Demons.

Appearing on Monday night's episode of Open Mike, Schwarz told Mike Sheahan he didn't think Neeld would be at the helm in 2014. 

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"I don't know him as a coach. I can only see what I can see on the field and if you can tell me in the first three rounds that the players were playing for the coach, you'd be lying.

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"I don't know him as a coach. I can only see what I can see on the field and if you can tell me in the first three rounds that the players were playing for the coach, you'd be lying.

"Is it (Neeld) a band-aid? I'm not sure. The footy club is in serious trouble.

"Our footy department has been a debacle. There hasn't been anything down in the football department that's worked.

"Cameron Schwab is probably the first step of many before this club is actually up and going. It's a proud club. I don't want to see my club go down."

When asked if he would like to return to the Demons as an administrator or coach, Schwarz left the door ajar.

"I actually want to go back and help," he enthused.

(I will do) "whatever needs to be done.

"If that means going on the board or if that means I gave up everything to become a coach, well I would do whatever needs to be done so my footy club does survive.

"Because without that footy club, I'm not sitting here." 

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Dons' receive independent review

Review ... David Evans on the day he revealed the Bombers would investigate its practices. Source: Tim Carrafa / News Limited

Essendon have received the findings of an independent review they instituted into irregular practices at the AFL club last year.

The review, headed by former Telstra chief executive Ziggy Switkowski, is separate from the ongoing Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) investigation into the club.

Bombers chairman David Evans met with AFL senior officials on Monday to brief them on the findings, The Age website reported.

The recommendations stemming from the review are expected to be released publicly later this week, when the Bombers are also expected to announce their response.

The review was launched in February soon after the announcement of the ASADA investigation into last year's supplement program at Essendon.

At the time, Evans said it was being carried out to examine the club's governance and processes that allowed 'irregular practices' to occur.

"I want to make sure that we are able to give answers to our members about what happened and why, and to put in place any changes needed to ensure that this doesn't happen again,'' Evans said at the time.

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In-demand Kruse better than Messi?

Big move ... Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen are eyeing Socceroo Robbie Kruse. Source: Damian Shaw / News Limited

Socceroos star Robbie Kruse is reportedly set for a switch to Champions League-bound German heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen.

Kruse ... a prime target. Source: Supplied

The 24-year-old has caught the eye of several clubs after an impressive season with Fortuna Dusseldorf, who are battling to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga.

German newspaper the Rheinische Post reports third-placed Leverkusen are set to announce the signing of Kruse on a 1.5 million euros ($A1.92 million) transfer.

The 24-year-old former Melbourne Victory player is apparently being signed on a three-year deal as a replacement for Chelsea target Andre Schurrle.

Kruse has been hugely impressive since joining the German club from the Victory in 2011.

He has four goals and nine assists in 30 appearances this season, with Dusseldorf sitting above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

You can see why the German club are after Kruse, if figures by leading statistician Opta are anything to go by.

According to Opta, Kruse is the third most fouled player in Europe, having been impeded 99 times this season.

That puts him ahead of the likes of ballon d'Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Video: Driver kicks rival in groin

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Friday's ... ToyotaCare 250 Nationwide Series race ended in a bizarre fight between drivers where one was kicked below the belt. Source:AAP

Friday night's ToyotaCare 250 Nationwide Series race ended in a bizarre fight between Nelson Piquet Jr. and Brian Scott with Scott accusing Piquet of kicking him "below the belt."

Late-race contact between Piquet and Scott resulted in a shoving match on pit road after the race as the drivers confronted each other. 

Each blamed the other for a crash on the last lap, and both indicated problems between them are not over. 

Scott said Piquet kicked him "below the belt."

Brad Keselowski pulled away from challengers Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch in the closing laps to win the race at Richmond International Raceway.

Keselowski, winning in the series for the first time this year, took the lead from Busch with 10 laps to go after a restart and held it the rest of the way.

Busch had the lead at the final restart with 12 to go but couldn't hold the track's low line.

"I got a small opportunity when Kyle bobbled in three and four, and I used it to get a run to take the lead going into turn one, and that was all she wrote," Keselowski said.

"It's very gratifying. We've had a lot of seconds this year but hadn't been able to get that win. We've struggled here at Richmond in both (Nationwide and Sprint Cup) cars. It's great to get that turned around."

Harvick was second, Busch third, Brian Vickers fourth and Regan Smith fifth.

Sam Hornish Jr. finished seventh and kept the series point lead. Travis Pastrana took ninth, the best finish of his career.

Keselowski's win ended a three-race winning streak by Busch, who had a strong car late in the race but lost the handle in the final miles.

The final portion of the race featured some great competition between Keselowski, Busch and Harvick as they wrestled for the front.

"I thought it was pretty darn good," Keselowski said. "I was grinning the whole time. Kyle and Kevin raced me really well. There were little touches but not big ones.

"You know you're racing the best and that if you make a mistake they're going to beat you. And they both almost did. You try to run a mistake-free race and look for opportunity. When it comes, you've got to strike."

The race went under caution for the sixth time on lap 212 as Austin Dillon and Justin Allgaier tangled in turn three, collecting Scott in the mess. They were racing for position in the top 10. They entered the race third (Dillon), fourth (Allgaier) and fifth (Scott) in points.

Hornish led 83 laps in the first half of the race. Harvick and Elliott Sadler were the only other strong frontrunners in that portion of the race.

Busch won four of the season's first six races, but he led only two of the first 125 laps Friday night before rallying to challenge for the win late.

The race had an unusual start as Dexter Stacey's car soaked the track with fluids on lap 25, causing a long cleanup and a 5:14 red flag.

The second caution appeared on lap 102 because of rookie Alex Bowman's accident in the second turn.

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Power surge to comeback win

Stalwart ... 250-game hero Kane Cornes is chaired off by his victorious teammates. Source: REGI VARGHESE / AAP

Port Adelaide unleashed a stunning late charge to overwhelm West Coast by five points on Saturday night to remain unbeaten in the AFL.

The Power were 41 points down midway through the third quarter but won 12.12 (84) to 10.19 (79) at AAMI Stadium.

1.0 (6)	Q1	4.4 (28)
2.5 (17)	Q2	7.13 (55)
7.7 (49)	Q3	9.16 (70)
12.12 (84)	Q4	10.19 (79)

Travis Boak 2	Josh J. Kennedy 4
Hamish Hartlett 2	Jamie Cripps 1
Angus Monfries 2	Bradd Dalziell 1
Chad Wingard 2	Jack Darling 1
Matthew Broadbent 1	Ashton Hams 1
Kane Cornes 1	Josh Hill 1
Jake Neade 1	Chris Masten 1
Paul Stewart 1

West Coast's prime mover Matt Priddis was knocked out in the fourth minute and didn't return, and their skipper Darren Glass was reported.

But the Eagles, with Josh Kennedy booting four goals, were cruising when almost seven goals ahead some 13 minutes into the third term.

Port's emerging star Chad Wingard then sparked a comeback as the Power kicked eight of the last nine goals of the game for a fifth consecutive win.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley said the comeback win was proof of the never-say-die spirit of his players.

"They won't give up, that is what I have learnt, and that is what I am most proud of,'' he said.

West Coast coach John Worsfold lamented his side's poor goal kicking, a week after they scored 7.23 in a loss to Carlton.

"We played some really good footy for a half and then played poorly after that,'' he said.

Power defender Jackson Trengove is in doubt for next Saturday's away match against North Melbourne, while the severity of the concussion of the Eagles' Priddis will be known in coming days.

Wingard, Angus Monfries, captain Travis Boak and Hamish Hartlett each kicked two goals.

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Boak's brace came within 90 seconds and gave Port the lead - for the first time in the game - 11 minutes into the last term.

Eagle Brad Dalziell replied to restore a two-point break for the visitors.

But Port recruit Monfries capped a spirited comeback, running into an open goal in the 19th minute and his side held on until the siren.

West Coast lost Priddis in the fourth minute, the key on-baller having his arms pinned in a Monfries tackle and crashing, face first, into the turf.

He didn't return, and skipper Glass was booked in the second term for a late shirtfront which stunned Port's Paul Stewart.

Stewart disposed of the ball and was struck by a late front-on hit from Glass, though the Power player wasn't forced from the field.

The incidents came as the Eagles streeted to a 38-point halftime lead on Kennedy's back.

The elusive forward threaded four set shots, though teammates missed others as only inaccurate goal shooting - 7.13 - kept Port in it.

The Power mustered only 2.5 in their dismal opening half, despite Kane Cornes gathering 15 touches to halftime in his 250th game.

Port's losing fate appeared sealed when Chris Masten goalled in the third to give West Coast a 41-point advantage.

But Power livewire Wingard sparked the tremendous comeback as the Eagles slumped to their fourth loss in five starts this season.

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

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