Greenberg’s Tandy claim under cloud

Former Bulldogs boss Todd Greenberg. Source: News Corp Australia

THE contents of a sworn police statement have emerged which contradict NRL football boss Todd Greenberg's claims that he was not informed about Ryan Tandy's gambling on rugby league matches at a meeting with the late prop's betting agent in August 2010.

The NRL Integrity Unit has approached the two witnesses — Bulldogs football manager Alan Thompson and former racing reporter John Schell — who hold the key to Greenberg's survival, which hangs on an internal investigation into whether he lied about having knowledge of Tandy's bets on 2010 NRL games.

The latest probe into Greenberg's former role as Canterbury CEO focuses on an August 17, 2010 meeting with Thompson and Schell, who was placing bets on Tandy's behalf at the time.

Police witness statements and other documents relating to the Ryan Tandy match fixing investigation Source: Supplied

In both a sworn police statement and evidence before the NSW Local Court, Schell has testified that during that meeting he showed Greenberg and Thompson a betting ledger that recorded four separate wagers on NRL fixtures played in June 2010.

Over the next two months, Schell pursued Tandy for $30,370 worth of gambling debts, and met the Bulldogs pair at an Olympic Park cafe to personally express his grievance.

Tendered into evidence as part of the DPP case against Tandy, who was charged with four counts of lying to the NSW Crime Commission, Schell's hand-written ledger reveals $21,000 worth of rugby league bets.

Police witness statements and other documents relating to the Ryan Tandy match fixing investigation Source: Supplied

The issue was revisited in the wake of Tandy's recent death, with the ABC's 7:30 program last week approaching Greenberg and Thompson for response over why Canterbury never escalated Schell's allegations.

While Thompson declined to comment, Greenberg issued the program a categorical denial of being told about Tandy's NRL bets at the meeting.

''Mr Greenberg says at no stage during the meeting was there any suggestion or allegation of betting on rugby league matches,'' the spokesperson said.

''Mr Greenberg categorically dismisses any suggestion otherwise.''

Ex football player Ryan Tandy leaves the Sydney Police Centre. Source: News Limited

In Schell's police statement, sworn to detective senior constable Matthew Gibson on December 10, 2010, Schell contradicts Greenberg.

In Schell's police statement, sworn to detective senior constable Matthew Gibson on December 10, 2010, Schell recounts the meeting he had with the-then Bulldogs boss and Thompson at Raw café, adjacent to the team's former Sydney Olympic Park training base.

"I expressed my concerns over the debt that Tandy had to me and showed Greenberg and Thompson the betting ledger that I had kept and also my phone records which showed calls etc," Schell's police statement read.

Thompson's police statement, sworn to Gibson on 17 January 2011, also recalls the meeting, but is silent about the production of Schell's ledger.

"At this meeting Schell detailed the amount of money that Tandy owed him and also a number of bets that Tandy had been placing," Thompson's statement read.

Police witness statements and other documents relating to the Ryan Tandy match fixing investigation Source: Supplied

The two police statements concur that Schell did not wish to make a formal complaint at the time.

Instead it was agreed that he contact Tandy's agent, Sam Ayoub.

Concerned that he might jeopardise his chances of recouping the debt, Schell did not do so.

Schell's first contact with the Bulldogs came via Thompson, whom he had known socially for a year beforehand. The pair is still close and catch up frequently.

On Saturday the NRL announced it would pose questions in relation to the ABC report, which challenged Canterbury over its failure to properly escalate Schell's claims at the meeting.

It's understood the NRL administration at the time did not become aware of Tandy's bets on rugby league matches until some weeks later, when it hired veteran NSW Racing steward Ray Murrihy to investigate suspicious betting around the infamous Cowboys-Bulldogs match.

Former Bulldogs boss Todd Greenberg. Source: News Corp Australia

The Daily Telegraph can reveal both Thompson and Schell have received calls from the head of the NRL's Integrity Unit, commercial lawyer Nick Weeks.

Thompson refused to comment on Monday, while Schell said his ongoing co-operation would be determined by his initial meeting with Weeks.

Greenberg did not comment, while an NRL spokesperson said "the NRL takes such issues seriously and is making inquiries into the matter''.

Greenberg has already survived one internal probe since his appointment to League Central last August, with the Integrity Unit approving his handling of the Ben Barba drama over 12 months ago.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Daniel Garb’s EPL team of the season

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WITH the EPL season run and won, it's time to look at the best performing stars of 2013-2014.

Fox Sports' Daniel Garb has picked his star performers from the year that was, and despite winning the title, just one Manchester City player makes his starting team.

Team of the year

Lloris

Coleman Terry Lovren Azipilicueta

Gerrard Toure

Lallana

Suarez Hazard

Sturridge

Bench: De Gea, Cahill, Jedinak, Henderson, Ramsey, Silva, Aguero

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Defence

Lloris is the best keeper in the league, pure and simple. And he performed in that fashion this season with little assistance from a very poor team. It's hard to oust the brilliant Pablo Zabaleta from the side but Coleman has become the best attacking full-back in the league, as his six goals have proven. John Terry was the best centre-back this season by the length of his rap sheet but picking his partner was the hardest task of all in this side. I've gone for Dejan Lovren over Gary Cahill as he didn't have the assistance of a great defender next to him.

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Southampton plays a risky, high defensive line and Lovren marshalled that superbly, especially early in the season. There may be some raised eyebrows at Leighton Baines's omission but having watched Chelsea on numerous occasions this season Cesar 'Dave' Azipilicueta did not get beaten. Ever. He has an incredible engine, amazing anticipation and he utilised those attributes on his less favoured left side. You have to be of the very highest class to keep Ashley Cole on the bench and he's now firming for a starting spot with Spain. A pure defender.

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Midfield

Let's be honest, it's a pretty easy central midfield pair to pick. Stevie G ran the show for the Reds, adapting to his new position, a super important role in Brendan Rodgers system. Add 13 goals to that including some high-pressure penalties and it's been a masterful season from the maestro in a role he is likely to excel in for a couple more years. Yaya Toure - 20 goals - only the second midfielder to hit that mark after Frank Lampard. The boss of all bosses bossed them to the title. Enough said, really. We all love Lallana, he's developed into England's best technical midfielder. My only concern is putting him in a central, free role, which means it puts to bed the superb Saints chant "He plays on the left, he plays on the riggghhhttt…Adam Lallana, makes Ronaldo look shite." But I'll live with it. Nine goals and ran the stylish Saints show.

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Attack

Eden Hazard faded a touch late, but when Chelsea launched their title challenge mid-season he was the catalyst. Fourteen goals is an excellent return for any winger and in a team bereft of dynamism in the final third on too many occasions, he carried them. If he worked a little harder he'd join the absolute elite of the game in pretty quick time. Suarez doesn't need any explaining, 31 goals for the season, only the seventh player to do so in EPL history. PFA and FWA player of the year. Sturridge makes my team off the back of his 21 goals but also because of his work with Suarez that elevated the Reds to title challengers. Premier League defences haven't seen a combination like it, and that's a fact. They are the first duo to finish first and second on the goalscoring charts from the same club in Premier League history.

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Bench

David De Gea's selection is similar to Lloris, he was flawless without much assistance from his teammates. Well deserved winner of United's player of the season. Cahill was super consistent this season and unlucky not to make the team. Ahh, it feels good to put an Aussie in there, but we all know Mile Jedinak deserves it. Led the league in interceptions and was the best pure defensive midfielder in the premiership.I always thought Jordan Henderson would come good, but not this good this quickly. Second only to Yaya Toure for chances created from central midfield, while his energy was the driving force for the Reds excellent season.

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It's a long season so it's easy to forget at times what happened in the first few months, but Aaron Ramsey was the best player in the league in that period and he gets in off the back of that. And finally the slick little City duo - David Silva is the ultimate linkman between midfield and attack, and while we expect so much from him now, he delivered again, perhaps more consistently than ever before. Seventeen goals from Sergio Aguero is a superb return in an injury-interrupted season. He'd have nudged the 30 mark without his troubles and much like Ramsey, lit the league up early to get City going under Manuel Pellegrini.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sterling finally sorry for ‘mistake’

One mistake ... Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling says he was baited to make racist comments. Source: Mark J. Terrill / AP

LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling, desperate to cling to his team, has finally apologised for racist comments he made to his girlfriend, saying he made "a terrible mistake."

"If I said anything wrong, I'm sorry,'' Sterling told CNN's Anderson Coope. "I'm a good [NBA] member who made a mistake, and I'm apologising and I'm asking for forgiveness.

"Am I entitled to one mistake, am I, after 35 years?'' Sterling, 80, asked said during the interview at his Beverly Hills home — his first since the scandal broke.

"I mean, I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It's a terrible mistake, and I'll never do it again.

"When I listen to that tape, I don't even know how I can say words like that ... I don't know why the girl had me say those things," insisted the billionaire real-estate investor, who was caught on tape telling his then-gal pal, V. Stiviano, not to bring black people — including hoops great Magic Johnson — to Clippers games.

Hasn't done enough ... Donald Sterling says Earvin "Magic" Johnson, pictured with wife, Cookie, says the NBA legend hasn't done enough to help minorities. Source: Getty Images

Cooper then pressed Sterling: "You're saying you were set up?"

"Well, yes, I was baited," Sterling said. "I mean, that's not the way I talk ... I don't talk about people."

He said he didn't know who leaked the tape.

"I thought she liked me and really cared for me. I guess being 51 years older than her, I was deluding myself," he said.

"I just wish I could ask her why — and if she was just setting me up.

"I'm not a racist. I made a terrible, terrible mistake. And I'm here with you today to apologise and to ask for forgiveness for all the people that I've hurt."

Despite his alleged contrition, Sterling still blasted Johnson as a bad role model for kids.

"He's a good person. I mean, what am I going to say?'' Stirling told Cooper, before adding, "Has he done everything he can do to help minorities? I don't think so. But I'll say it, he's great.

But I don't think he's a good example for the children of Los Angeles."

In a separate interview, Sterling's estranged wife, Shelly, told ABC's Barbara Walters that she believes her husband suffers from the "onset of dementia."

Dementia ... Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling, right, sits with his wife Rochelle, who says her husband has early onset dementia. Source: AP

She said he told her after the tape surfaced, "I don't remember saying that. I don't remember ever saying those things.

"I said, 'Well, this is the tape,' " Shelly Sterling said.

"And he says, 'Hmm. I don't remember it.' That's when I thought he had dementia.

"I don't love him. I pity him and I feel sorry for him," she said.

Shelly Sterling said she backs NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's push to force her husband to sell the team — but insists that she should have the right to buy it.

"I don't know why I should be punished for what his actions were," she said.

Last week, a new tape surfaced in which Sterling told a pal that he made the racist comments because he was trying to get Stiviano into bed.

"I'm talking to a girl. I'm trying to have sex with her," Sterling said in the recent conversation, a tape of which was obtained by Radar Online.

"I'm trying to play with her. If you were trying to have sex with a girl and you're talking to her privately and you don't think anybody's there, you may say anything in the world!"

The NBA disagreed. It said in a statement that her interest in the team would be "terminated'' under the league's constitution if it forces her husband to sell.

Her lawyer, Pierce O'Donell, replied, "We do not agree with the league's self-serving interpretation of its constitution.''

And in any case, he added, "California law and the United States Constitution trump any such interpretation.''

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Eels win but Daley’s Blues lose Fifita

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HE must have laughed in between the tears on Monday night.

Jarryd Hayne's miracle try for Parramatta on Monday brought some rare joy to a terribly disrupted preparation for NSW coach Laurie Daley.

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne on his way to scoring a great try. Source: News Corp Australia

The smile though disappeared when Daley realised he would be without giant Cronulla and Blues prop Andrew Fifita for six to eight weeks.

Fifita left the field in the 18th minute during last night's game at Pirtek Stadium with grade two syndesmosis.

He was at Westmead Hospital having an MRI scan before the match had even ended.

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Fifita will now miss the entire State of Origin series.

James Tamou, Paul Gallen, Trent Merrin and Aaron Woods would now be NSW's front-row contenders.

"I thought he (Fifita) rolled his ankle and hoped it wasn't too bad. I remember seeing him at halftime and he was on crutches. It wasn't a good sight," Hayne said.

Andrew Fifita leaves the field with an injured ankle. Source: News Corp Australia

In the end, Parramatta won the Johnny Mannah Cup 42-24 win over a disappointing Sharks side. Victory was special for Eels skipper Tim Mannah.

Parramatta looked a dangerous team at times. Good times lie ahead.

Andrew Fifita in the dressing sheds. Source: FoxSports

The night was lit-up by Hayne's dazzling first half try, where he beat four defenders in a scortching run to the tryline.

"The first one (try) was awesome. I have been doing a bit on my own to top up my speed," Hayne said.

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne celebrates his try. Source: News Corp Australia

Hayne is a dead-set freak. After the try, Hayne, returning on Monday night from a shoulder injury, blessed himself, looked skyward and then did the Hayne Plane.

"It was a great try," said Eels coach Brad Arthur. "I was happy with his attack and his leadership qualities.

"He got the football and ran. Tonight's effort was the best I have seen from him in a long time because he played through an injury and played tough.

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"If we can complete our sets then we can put him in a position to do that more often."

Mannah added: "He (Hayne) is really putting his body on the line and doing the dirty stuff which his team-mates appreciate.

"He has really taken his game to another level this year. He is playing with a lot more urgency and energy."

Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen after copping an elbow to his throat. Source: News Corp Australia

It was Hayne's eighth try in his last nine matches against Cronulla. He scored a second run-away try last night nearing fulltime.

NSW desperately need Hayne at his attacking finest to beat Queensland. He did though finish the game in the sin-bin for a professional foul and missed a few one-on-one tackles.

Jarryd Hayne tries to make a break. Source: News Corp Australia

Hayne was bold, as was halfback Chris Sandow and centre Will Hopoate.

Rather than a minute's silence, fans before the game were asked to stand and applaud for a minute to honour Mannah, who passed away at the start of last season.

Parramatta's Chris Sandow dives over for a try. Source: News Corp Australia

The Sharks actually led 12-4 before Parramatta scored the next 24 points. Arthur was pleased with the win - but not with his team's defence.

"It wasn't good enough," he said. "Moving forward, if we want to be taken seriously then we have to improve our defence.

"We did some good things with the ball but we have to play for the 80 minutes."

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Sharks coach Peter Sharp lamented another loss, saying: "We made way too many errors to compete at this level."

Gallen added: "Individually we were poor tonight. There were some missed one-on-one tackles that werent good enough for first grade."

PARRAMATTA 42 (J Hayne 2 K Sio 2 W Hopoate S Radradra C Sandow W Tonga tries C Sandow 5 goals) bt CRONULLA 24 (I De Gois S Feki M Gordon W Graham tries M Gordon 4 goals) at Pirtek Stadium. Referee: Alan Shortall, Adam Devcich. Crowd: 12,541

Re-live the action in our blog below:

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Raiders unhappy at Ferguson quick return

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CANBERRA Raiders are adamant Blake Ferguson will be playing with the Sydney Roosters next season — but Ferguson's former club would also be stunned and disappointed if the NRL welcomed the troubled centre back in 2014.

And the Raiders received support from Channel 9 commentator Peter Sterling who spoke of his concerns in granting Ferguson an early return.

Blake Ferguson is currently recovering from a broken ankle. Source: News Corp Australia

The Sunday Telegraph revealed that the Roosters had approached the NRL in a bid to get Ferguson on their books before the June 30 deadline.

Ferguson was deregistered after the Raiders sacked him last September following a series of off-field indiscretions.

ROOSTERS READY TO REBUILD FERGUSON

Ferguson was also charged and found guilty of indecent assault in Cronulla last year for which he was handed a two-year good behaviour bond in February.

Ferguson is currently recovering from a broken ankle and a split bone in his left leg.

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But the Roosters want to register a contract so they can begin his rehabilitation through the club's medical staff ahead of a likely return later this year.

"I have mixed feelings about this," Sterling told The Sunday Footy Show.

"I would like to see Blake Ferguson back in the game but I do think some penance has to be served and I don't think that has been achieved as yet."

The Daily Telegraph can also reveal the Raiders are adamant Ferguson has told friends in Canberra that he will be playing for the Roosters next year.

But while Canberra were never given any assurances from the NRL as to how long Ferguson would be stood down, the Raiders would be filthy if Ferguson was allowed back so soon given the trouble he caused them last year.

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It is understood the Roosters have met with the NRL and the Bondi club believes that in the right environment and with strong discipline they can help rehabilitate Ferguson.

The Raiders are yet to be contacted by the NRL about the Roosters' latest advances.

Canberra could not be accused of not giving Ferguson every chance to change his attitude.

But they were eventually forced to sake him after he went AWOL last year and embarrassed the club by turning his absence into a social media circus.

The Raiders are privately sick and tired of seeing their club take a hardline approach to poor player behaviour only to see other clubs take advantage of the situation.

They believe it would be the ultimate insult to Canberra fans and sponsors in Ferguson was allowed to sign with another club this year.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ricciardo claims first podium finish

Red Bull driver Daniel Ricciardo finished third at the Spanish GP behind winner Lewis Hamilton. Source: Mark Thompson / Getty Images

AUSTRALIAN driver Daniel Ricciardo claimed his first podium finish in Formula One as the Mercedes team dominated the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday.

Lewis Hamilton took over the championship lead by winning his fourth straight race ahead of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

Ricciardo was third in his Red Bull, followed by his four-time world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel.

Ricciardo finished the season-opening Australian GP in third place but had the result taken away by a technical infringement by his Red Bull team.

Hamilton's 26th career win gave him 100 points after five races, three more than Rosberg, who closed to within one second of his teammate late but again couldn't find his way past his main rival.

Hamilton hasn't led the championship since June 2012 after winning the Canadian GP with McLaren.

Ricciardo leads Lotus' French driver Romain Grosjean at the Circuit de Catalunya. Source: AFP

The race began in balmy, but slightly more humid conditions after overnight rain. The track temperature was 37 degrees Celsius and the air 24 shortly before the lights went out.

At the start, the two Mercedes made a clean joint departure while behind them Finn Valtteri Bottas moved forward to claim third ahead of Ricciardo on the run to the first corner, the longest start straight of the season.

Hamilton opened up a 1.1 sec lead on the first lap as the two Mercedes pulled clear of the field by around a second a lap. By the end of lap two, his lead over Rosberg was 1.9 sec, a gap that he struggled to increase.

Rosberg remained determinedly on Hamilton's tail through the early laps as Vettel, from 15th at the start, worked his way to 13th before making an early pit-stop on lap 13, emerging at the back of the field to start a renewed charge.

As this unfolded, Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado added to the Lotus team's repair bill and frustrations by colliding with Swedish rookie Marcus Ericsson's Caterham. He damaged the car and collected a five-second penalty.

Nice Rosberg sprays champagne all over winner and Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton. Source: AP

Ricciardo, in the second Red Bull, pitted after 15 laps and had to wait until Bottas came in six laps later to take third place, by which time Hamilton, on lap 19, and most of the rest, had also been in.

That gave Rosberg the lead from lap 19 to 22 when the original order was restored, but with the Briton, on the harder tyres offered by Pirelli, and the German continuing on the softer option.

Rosberg's first pit stop, in 2.9 sec, was a full second faster than Hamilton's, but once the chase resumed, he found it difficult to prevent the Englishman from opening up a lead that reached 4.5 sec by lap 30.

Hamilton had complained of oversteer. "My rear end is everywhere," he radioed to the team on lap 29 — but it appeared to have little effect.

By lap 32, when Rosberg produced a fastest lap to cut the gap to 4.1 sec, the front pair were nearly 25 sec clear of third-placed Ricciardo and Hamilton's lead seemed stabilised at more than four seconds.

Hamilton leads from the start of the race with the burning tyres causing a smoky beginning. Source: AFP

In the 'others' race for third place and beyond, Vettel reached the top 10 by half-distance and maintained a consistent and aggressive pace as he worked his way into the top six.

After their respective second stops after laps 43 and 45, in which Rosberg again 1.3 sec in the pits, Hamilton emerged with a lead of 4.6 sec. Rosberg cut into it rapidly and as the laps counted down, with just a handful to go, it was cut to less than two seconds.

A dramatic conclusion was inevitable when, with six laps remaining, the gap was only 1.2 sec and Vettel was closing, from fifth, on Bottas while Alonso was attacking Ferrari teammate Raikkonen for sixth.

"Think about your overtaking strategy," his race engineer told Rosberg as Hamilton remained ahead by 1.2 sec. Almost immediately, Alonso schemed a passage past Raikkonen in a thrilling multi-move overtake.

As they began the final lap, Hamilton led by just four-tenths. Rosberg cut that to just four car lengths and threatened a thrilling victory over the line, but the Briton hung on to triumph by just half a second.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Mannah heads for altar without best man

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TIM Mannah is a fortnight out from his wedding and still short a best man.

Or more precisely, the best man.

Missing that mate whose clothes still hang in the home they shared. Whose countless gadgets — a toy helicopter here, steel robot there — are also strewn about, many in the last place they were dropped.

And photographs? Mannah's mobile is full of them.

Tim Mannah (L) with his brother and former Cronulla Sharks player Jon. Source: News Limited

Countless pictures of the inseparable brothers, hulking arms slung over one another, as they smile their way through Texas, Las Vegas, Trinidad, New Zealand, even that time as teenagers when they found each other in France, on separate schoolboy footy tours.

"Have kept his last text messages, too,'' the Parramatta captain says. "Don't think I'll ever have the guts to delete them."

This is why the Jon Mannah Cup matters.

Why in age where footballers are almost weekly contesting another piece of silverware dreamed up by the marketing department, you could touch this new gong and not only feel warmth, but a heartbeat.

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It has now been 16 months since Jonny Mannah, 23, lost his battle with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Life so cruelly taken from the missionary who toured Vanuatu twice. A Youth Leader who went abseiling within hours of chemotherapy because, well, he'd promised the kids.

A best man who, a fortnight from now, should be handing brother Tim that ring picked for his beautiful South African bride.

"But, yeah ... he won't be there,'' the Eels prop deadpans. "And that's what I miss most, his presence.

"Wether it was school, footy, church, our lives were intertwined. I could go for a coffee and it never mattered if no one else was there but Jonny, just the pair of us joking.

Tim Mannah with the Johnny Mannah Cup, named after his brother/ Source: News Corp Australia

"Even now, I'll see something on TV, maybe hear someone make a remark — a little thing that means absolutely nothing to anyone else, but would've kept us laughing for hours.

"And Jonny, he just had that laugh, that personality which touched people. I'm so glad we now have something to keep it alive."

And by something, he means The Mannah Foundation.

Launched only last week, the new charity will use fundraisers like Monday night's Cup match between Parramatta and Cronulla — the two clubs Jon played for — to support the youth groups for which the late forward gave so much of his time.

Raising money for children like Tim Jelacic, the tiny Eels fan who, still only eight, has already endured more than 60 radiation treatments.

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Who only recently learned, despite his fight, there will be no cure. Surgeons softly explaining how, little Timmy, you will keep getting brain tumours until that one which finally takes you to heaven.

"But he wants to keep fighting,'' Mannah explains. "And we want to get him and his family to Disneyland."

So now you know where every gold coin donated at Pirtek Stadium will go. And why this Mannah Cup, it matters.

"Jonny had a real heart for helping others,'' his older brother continues. "Even his sickness, he saw it as an opportunity, a chance to free up his time from football and shine more light on those in darkness.

"I guess, as footballers, so many of us feel like we do our bit for community through the club. But for Jon, it was 24/7.

"You didn't clock on, clock off ... it was a lifestyle."

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And still, there isn't a day he wishes his brother back.

"No, because that would be selfish,'' Mannah insists. "I haven't told many people this, but during one of our hospital chats early on, we were going through all the different scenarios he faced.

"And I'll never forget Jonny saying, 'give me a choice to go slow or quick — I choose quick every time'.

"Which is how it happened, too. God was real gentle with him.

"So, no, he won't be here for my wedding. But because of the way he lived, because of his legacy ... it means Jonny will be helping others for a long time yet."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Struggling Saints need Benji - urgently

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CAN Benji Marshall save the disgraceful Dragons?

Marshall is almost certain to be rushed directly into St George Illawarra's side for Saturday's match against Parramatta after the Dragons were walloped 38-6 by Canterbury.

"It was a soft performance," lamented Saints coach Steve Price.

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Under pressure yet again, Price will find it difficult to resist pushing Marshall straight into his starting side in the halves.

Before Sunday, Price had reservations about exactly when to play Marshall, who hasn't played rugby league for nearly nine months.

Can Benji Marshall save the Dragons' season?

But Sunday's result will no doubt prompt Price to give the former Wests Tigers star a crack at the Eels. And it may just save Saints' stumbling season.

Asked whether he would name Marshall this week, Price said: "That's irrelevant. I will worry about that on Tuesday."

Is it too soon for Benji Marshall to play in the NRL? Source: News Corp Australia

Marshall might be able to attack — but he won't help St George Illawarra's flimsy defence.

"No excuses — it was a soft," Price said. "We are about being brutally honest. I'm not a bloke who minces his words.

"This is a proud football club and we know we are better than what we dished up.

"I'd like to think today was a one-off. We had a lot to play for, they are a quality football team.

'We will have to keep working hard, stick by your mates and pull through tough times."

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St George Illawarra were horrible on Sunday. They had nothing.

The Dragons have now lost five of their past six games as their season of promise quickly evaporates. It was an insipid effort.

They just couldn't match or overcome the giant Bulldogs pack. It was a mismatch.

Missed tackles, kicking dead from a kick-off, dropped ball, forward passes — Saints did everything wrong.

"There is no point sugar coating things," said Saints skipper Ben Creagh. "We dug a hole in the first half and kept digging."

Ben Creagh sits dejected after another try by Tim Lafai. Source: News Corp Australia

Canterbury has won six straight games and look headed directly for a top four finish. It will take one hell of a forward pack to dominate the Dogs.

The Bulldogs scored four first half tries to lead 22-0 at half-time.

Centre Tim Lafai, who wrote 'MUM' on the wrist strapping, celebrated Mother's Day with three tries.

The Dragons' chances were all but over after 40 minutes, some of their disappointed fans left ANZ Stadium with still 20 minutes remaining.

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Saints' kicking game in the first half was particularly poor, while Sunday's winning margin was a new record between the two clubs.

"I was very pleased with the first 40 minutes," said Canterbury coach Des Hasler. "It was pretty solid but we lost our way a little toward the back-end.

"They are a good footy side and we knew we had to come here with plenty of energy."

Hasler though is refusing to talk-up his side's performances.

Tim Lafai — with 'Mum' on his wristband — bagged three tries as the Bulldogs went top. Source: Getty Images

"We can't get ahead of ourselves," Hasler said. "We aren't through the rep period yet.

"Souths are coming good, so are the Roosters and Melbourne. There is still a long way to go."

With Manly and Gold Coast losing, Canterbury are now outright competition leaders. They look strong, big and organised.

"We have been fortunate to have the majority of the side on the field for the opening two months," said Bulldogs skipper Michael Ennis.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

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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