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.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

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.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Terry wants England return: reports

Return ... former skipper John Terry is eyeing a return to the English national team. Source: Matt Dunham / AFP

John Terry hopes Chelsea will offer him a contract extension but has vowed never to play for another English club, while he is reportedly considering a return to the national team.

Terry has just a year remaining on his current deal and his future is looking increasingly uncertain after a season when he has had to accept being part of Rafa Benitez's squad rotation.

He recognises he is not in the strongest position to go in search of a new contract and that, like Frank Lampard, who could leave this summer, time is catching up with him.

But whatever the future holds, Terry cannot envisage himself playing against Chelsea.

He said: "I'd love to stay at Chelsea. If that's not the case, I have got another year left which I will honour and respect, regardless if it's a yes or a no.

"Naturally it would be disappointing (to leave), but at the same time you understand that you can't be around forever.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Man United	34	27	3	4	43	84
2	Man City	34	21	8	5	30	71
3	Arsenal	34	18	9	7	30	63
4	Chelsea	33	18	8	7	31	62
5	Tottenham	33	18	7	8	17	61
6	Everton	34	14	14	6	13	56
7	Liverpool	34	13	12	9	19	51
8	West Brom	33	13	6	14	-1	45
9	Swansea	33	10	12	11	1	42
10	West Ham	35	11	9	15	-8	42
11	Fulham	34	10	10	14	-8	40
12	Southampton	34	9	12	13	-7	39
13	Norwich	34	8	14	12	-20	38
14	Sunderland	34	9	10	15	-7	37
15	Stoke	34	8	13	13	-11	37
16	Newcastle	34	10	7	17	-17	37
17	Aston Villa	34	8	10	16	-27	34
18	Wigan	33	8	7	18	-23	31
19	QPR	34	4	12	18	-27	24
20	Reading	34	5	9	20	-28	24

"Where I would go after that it certainly wouldn't be in England. I couldn't do that to Chelsea or the fans. That's just not me."

"I'll wait for the club. I'm happy to leave things until they come to me. We've always had that mutual respect between ourselves."

While Terry waits to discover what his future holds at club level, reports on Saturday suggest he could still return to the England fold despite his acrimonious departure from international football.

According to widespread reports, Terry is prepared to make himself available to Roy Hodgson despite having stepped down from the team in the wake of being stripped of the captaincy.

The 32-year-old had the armband taken away from him when he was charged with racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand, and he announced his retirement from international football on the eve of the FA hearing into that case.

Terry had already been cleared by Westminster Magistrates' Court, but an independent FA commission found him guilty, handing him a four-match ban and fining him £220,000.

His last game for England, cap No 78, was as a substitute in the 5-0 victory over Moldova in a World Cup qualifier in September.

Terry's relationship with Football Association chairman David Bernstein was brought back into the public eye last week when he refused to shake his hand at the Champions League trophy handover.

But Bernstein is due to step down from his role in July and that could be a contributory factor in Terry's apparent U-turn, which could even see him involved in the squad to take on the Republic of Ireland and Brazil in friendlies at the end of May and early in June respectively.

Terry will have to convince Hodgson that his club form is good enough for a return to the international fold and although he maintains he is playing as well as ever, he has been in and out of the Chelsea team this season.

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/12016/8674758/John-Terry-waiting-on-Chelsea-future-as-reports-hint-at-England-return

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

City cruise home against Hammers

Argentine attack ... Sergio Aguero prods City into the lead against West Ham United. Source: Mike Egerton / AFP

Manchester City have responded to losing their Barclays Premier League title with a 2-1 victory over West Ham United at the Etihad Stadium.

Sergio Aguero broke the deadlock for City in the first half after some great build-up play, but the Hammers battled hard to stay in the game and had their chances to equalise.

However, Yaya Toure's tremendous strike seven minutes from time put the result beyond doubt and cemented City's standing in second place, with Joe Hart's fumble from Andy Carroll coming too late to give West Ham a chance.

Having seen Manchester United clinch the title with a win over Aston Villa on Monday, Roberto Mancini's men were determined to respond in style and welcomed David Silva back from injury after he missed the 3-1 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

Silva fired a shot narrowly wide in the early stages as City immediately settled into a fluent rhythm, while Aguero scuffed an effort against the post after the ball had deflected fortunately into his path.

As supporters of both clubs applauded after 23 minutes for Mark-Vivien Foe, who died ten years ago, City goalkeeper Hart was tested for the first time by a powerful Mohamed Diame volley through a crowded penalty area.

But it was City who opened the scoring on 28 minutes following a sumptuous passing move, with Samir Nasri playing an intricate one-two with David Silva before cutting the ball back for Aguero to sweep in a finish from close range.

It was nearly 2-0 moments later as Jussi Jaaskelainen pulled off a superb double save, first parrying a long-range Nasri drive and then getting up quickly to deny Pablo Zabaleta on the rebound.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Man United	34	27	3	4	43	84
2	Man City	34	21	8	5	30	71
3	Arsenal	34	18	9	7	30	63
4	Chelsea	33	18	8	7	31	62
5	Tottenham	33	18	7	8	17	61
6	Everton	34	14	14	6	13	56
7	Liverpool	34	13	12	9	19	51
8	West Brom	33	13	6	14	-1	45
9	Swansea	33	10	12	11	1	42
10	West Ham	35	11	9	15	-8	42
11	Fulham	34	10	10	14	-8	40
12	Southampton	34	9	12	13	-7	39
13	Norwich	34	8	14	12	-20	38
14	Sunderland	34	9	10	15	-7	37
15	Stoke	34	8	13	13	-11	37
16	Newcastle	34	10	7	17	-17	37
17	Aston Villa	34	8	10	16	-27	34
18	Wigan	33	8	7	18	-23	31
19	QPR	34	4	12	18	-27	24
20	Reading	34	5	9	20	-28	24

City stayed in control for the remainder of the first half but West Ham came out strongly after the interval and Zabaleta did well to clear a threatening cross from Matt Jarvis towards the back post.

The Hammers also had appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Howard Webb as a Jarvis cross struck Zabaleta on the arm, before City regained the initiative.

Tevez had an effort brilliantly blocked by Joey O'Brien before Nasri squandered a glorious opportunity to double City's lead when he failed to get a proper connection on his shot from close range at the back post.

Nerves started to creep in at the back for City as the clock ticked down and James Collins fired narrowly wide, before the tension was released by a ferocious strike by Toure from the edge of the area on the 83rd minute that flew into the top corner.

City had chances to further extend their advantage and Hart also had to make a save from Carroll's header in a frantic finale, before the England goalkeeper embarrassingly failed to keep out a strike from the same player and allowed the ball to squirm through his legs just before the final whistle.

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/261905

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cooper kicks Reds to victory

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Thriller ... Quade Cooper kicks the Reds to victory against the Blues. Source: Darren England / News Limited

A heavily fatigued Reds outfit hung on for a gutsy 12-11 Super Rugby win over the Blues on Friday night to complete a first Kiwi sweep by an Australian side.

0 Tries 1
	Jackson Willison 31'
4 Penalties 2
Quade Cooper 11'	Chris Noakes 13'
Quade Cooper 16'	Albert Nikoro 26'
Quade Cooper 29'
Quade Cooper 75'

In-form five-eighth Quade Cooper kicked four penalty goals, including a high-pressure wide attempt in the 75th minute, to steal the four points from the impressive Aucklanders at Suncorp Stadium.

Australia Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Reds	7	2	1	14	3	37
2	Brumbies	6	1	2	84	3	35
3	Waratahs	4	4	0	-33	1	25
4	Melbourne Rebels	2	6	0	-96	3	19
5	Western Force	2	7	0	-46	4	16
New Zealand Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Blues	4	4	0	48	8	32
2	Chiefs	5	3	0	71	6	30
3	Hurricanes	5	4	0	-5	4	28
4	Crusaders	4	4	0	52	6	26
5	Highlanders	0	8	0	-86	2	10
South Africa Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Bulls	5	3	0	35	4	28
2	Stormers	4	4	0	3	4	28
3	Cheetahs	6	3	0	-2	3	27
4	Sharks	5	3	0	51	3	27
5	Southern Kings	2	5	1	-90	1	15

McKenzie praised his tired side's character in soaking up 142 tackles, as well as the Blues' attacking nous.

"After 30 minutes, I thought they were playing our game plan and they did a really good job of it,'' he said.

"It was really hard work and we never touched the ball. So we did well to hang in there ... and not let the score blow out.

"It was difficult circumstances and we've played the three top teams in the last three weeks and come away with two wins and a draw so we're happy with that.''

The Blues scored the only try of the match and expertly ran the tired Reds around the park. Queensland were feeling the affects of last week's energy-sapping 19-19 draw with the Brumbies after a short six-day turnaround.

But Sir John Kirwan's side failed to deliver the killer blow in the frenetic and highly physical encounter in front of an appreciative crowd of 31,050.

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Kirwan's pride in his young Blues' effort had him speaking like a winning coach post-match, despite lamenting their inability to take a drop-goal attempt to snatch the win.

"We talked about a Test match all week and this is one of the hardest places to come and win so I'm really incredibly proud of how the guys played,'' he said.

"We really matured tonight and I think it showed we can compete against anyone and that's really important for this young side to understand.''

Queensland continued to come up with last-ditch tackles and saves, none more important than Will Genia's in-goal effort ahead of Francis Saili with 15 minutes left and the visitors leading 11-9.

Cooper grabbed the chance to kick his side home when Blues skipper Ali Williams was penalised for swinging around the side of the Reds' driving maul and he duly delivered.

It was in stark contrast to an easy miss - his only from five attempts - just 20 minutes earlier which would have also given the home side a one-point lead.

Then errors by Williams and fellow All Blacks veteran Keven Mealamu in the Queensland quarter allowed the Reds off the hook in a tense finish to a heavyweight battle.

The win gives them the provisional competition lead and a 4-0 clean sweep of the Kiwi teams they play this home-and-away campaign, becoming only the second team behind the 2010 Stormers to pull off the achievement.

After being the first Reds side not to take a penalty attempt in a Super Rugby clash against the Brumbies, they turned a new leaf by taking all shots on offer - including three in the first half for a 9-6 lead.

It was after Cooper slotted his third three-pointer for a 9-6 lead when the Blues struck from the restart, stealing the ball and then probing patiently before impressive five-eighth Chris Noakes helped put centre Jackson Willison over out wide.

The Blues' intentions were apparent from the kick-off with the visitors going 22 phases before attempting an attacking grubber kick in the Reds quarter.

Queensland were content to hold their line and defend in the hope of counter-attacking off errors.

They had their try-scoring chances with three-quarters Rod Davies, Digby Ioane and Anthony Faingaa all making first-half breaks but again lacked precision to finishing their opportunities.

Cooper was again sharp and creative in attack but it was his strong body-check on dangerous centre Rene Ranger, and other scrambling defence, which would have most pleased Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.

Winger Ioane put a dramatic week with his contract dispute behind him to play strongly but it was the Blues' backs who saw far more of the ball.

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Dank took expert advice on peptides

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Sports scientist ... Stephen Dank admits to offering Jon Mannah peptides. Source: James Croucher / News Limited

Controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank has stated that an oncologist advised him it was safe to administer Cronulla forward Jon Mannah with peptides.

Mr Dank said he was outraged by revelations about Cronulla's independent report suggesting the club's 2011 supplement program may have accelerated Mannah's condition of Hodgkin's lymphoma.

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In a statement to the Nine Network, Dank said: "I feel terribly sorry for what the Mannah family is going through right now. I can't imagine their pain.

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"I'm outraged at the suggestion that I accelerated or contributed to his death.

"I was aware of what Jon's condition was. I definitely did not put him in a position where he could be harmed.

"I checked with oncologists about what effects peptides would have on his condition. I was assured they were safe for him to use.

"Like all players, Jon was given full information about what he was doing and it was his decision whether or not to take part.

"What has been reported and implied today is horrifying and untrue. My lawyers will follow this up in the strongest possible way."

Earlier on Friday, Parramatta co-captain Tim Mannah expressed his family's disappointment at reports linking his brother's cancer battle with alleged peptide use at the Sharks.

Serious doubts also emerged on Friday about the link between peptide use and the increased likelihood of a relapse or onset of lymphoma.

Leading cancer expert Professor Robert Baxter described the link as "tenuous at best".

According to Baxter, children undergoing treatment for leukemia are occasionally treated with growth hormones to help give them normal growth.

Professor Baxter described that process as "highly controversial" but stressed there was no evidence that there was any risk - and pointed out peptide injections would promote even less potential risk.

"That's when the link is getting totally tenuous," Professor Baxter, from the Kolling Institute, at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital, said.

"You could then say that theoretically this growth hormone could then make the body produce insulin-like growth factors and they could stimulate the cancer growth.

"It's a very long bow to draw, a really a tenuous link and a theoretical argument you could construct.

"But I'm saying there is no evidence that it's a genuine risk."

Mannah was initially diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2009, suffered a relapse in 2011 and died in January.

Jon Mannah's brother Tim also released a statement on behalf of his family yesterday which read in part: "On behalf of my family I would like to say how disappointed we all are by the reports that have been published today.

"My brother Johnny was a wonderful man and never would have knowingly consented to taking a banned substance. He was very careful about everything he did that may affect his health.

"Johnny's integrity speaks for itself. My family and I would also like to use this opportunity to offer our full support to Trent Elkin. Trent has had a long and trusted relationship with me, my brother and our family and what has transpired over the last day has not changed that.

"We know Trent does not condone the use of illegal substances and would have never knowingly done anything that would cause one of his players or Jon harm.

"In celebrating my brother Johnny's life we have made every attempt to be open with everyone. We would ask the media to respect our privacy."

The Sharks' independent review was prepared by former ASADA deputy chair Tricia Kavanagh and then reviewed by the Cronulla club's lawyer Darren Kane.

Mr Kane reported back to the club with legal issues relating to Ms Kavanagh's report, which is when the Sharks were first made aware of concerns surrounding Mannah.

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Dockers break Tiger hearts

Thriller... the Dockers pip the Tigers by a solitary point at Patersons Stadium.   Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

Fremantle overcomes the loss of yet another key position player to post a thrilling one-point victory over Richmond in Friday night's AFL clash at Patersons Stadium.

The Dockers, already without injured forward Matthew Pavlich, ruckman Aaron Sandilands and fellow big man Zac Clarke, lost Kepler Bradley early in the second term to a knee injury.

2.0 (12)	Q1	5.2 (32)
7.5 (47)	Q2	7.3 (45)
10.8 (68)	Q3	9.5 (59)
12.9 (81)	Q4	12.8 (80)

Hayden Ballantyne 4	Chris Knights 3
Chris Mayne 3	Tyrone Vickery 3
Michael Walters 2	Luke McGuane 2
Ryan Crowley 1	Shaun Grigg 1
Stephen Hill 1	Dustin Martin 1
Nick Suban 1	Jack Riewoldt 1
	Matt White 1

In a pulsating final term, Richmond came from 14 points behind to snatch the lead with two minutes to go when Matt White kicked a beautiful goal from the boundary.

But with 84 seconds left, Fremantle goalsneak Hayden Ballantyne snapped the winner, securing the 12.9 (81) to 12.8 (80) victory.

Richmond launched one final push for victory in the dying seconds, but Freo's defenders managed to spoil the ball as it finished just metres from the goal line when the siren sounded.

The result left both sides with a 3-2 record, with Fremantle to take on Gold Coast next week and Richmond facing a tough clash with Geelong at the MCG.

With Pavlich still a month away from resuming and Sandilands needing another 6-10 weeks on the sidelines, Fremantle can ill afford to lose Bradley for any substantial period.

Bradley hyper-extended his right knee when he snapped the ball forward and his leg made contact with Tigers defender Dylan Grimes in his follow-through.

The Dockers will also be sweating on the availability of Nat Fyfe, who was lying on his back when he kicked out at opponent Daniel Jackson.

Richmond skipper Trent Cotchin was in awesome touch during the opening term as the Tigers opened up a 20-point lead.

But the star midfielder's influence waned after he rolled his ankle just before half-time.

Both sides suffered a blow before the match, with Fremantle losing Paul Duffield (calf) and the Tigers withdrawing Jake King (cork).

Former Crow Chris Knights booted three goals from 20 possessions in his best game to date for Richmond, while Shane Edwards, Cotchin, Dustin Martin and Tyrone Vickery (three goals) were also strong contributors.

Fremantle defender Luke McPharlin restricted Jack Riewoldt to just one goal, while Dockers forwards Ballantyne (four goals) and Chris Mayne (three goals) were important.

There was controversy in the dying minutes when White's shot on goal hit the goal umpire.

The ball would have either just sneaked through for a goal or hit the post, but instead it was called play on, with Fremantle running it over for a rushed behind.

White ended up kicking a goal shortly after, but Ballantyne's quick snap out of the pack proved the difference.

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

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

First spot for world swim titles

David McKeon ... first person to book a spot on Australia's 2013 world swimming titles team bound for Barcelona. Source: BEN MACMAHON / AAP

Luck had nothing to do with David McKeon becoming the first person to book a spot on Australia's 2013 world swimming titles team bound for Barcelona.

Still, McKeon must have thought he dodged a bullet after medal threat Thomas Fraser-Holmes bombed out spectacularly in the 400m freestyle heats on Friday.

And two-time defending champion Kylie Palmer would have also wondered what hit her after fellow Queenslander Bronte Barratt earned a flight to Spain by claiming the women's 400m freestyle crown on Friday night.

Like Ian Thorpe at the 2004 Athens Games trials, gold medal fancy Fraser-Holmes earned an immediate DQ when he overbalanced on the blocks ahead of his heat and fell into the water.

But unlike Thorpe nine years ago, Fraser-Holmes won't earn a reprieve after defending champion McKeon finished on top of an impressive 400m final field.

NSW's McKeon, 20, clocked the second-fastest time of the year in a personal best three minutes, 43:71 seconds - three seconds faster than when he won the national title in 2012.

Any hope Fraser-Holmes had of grabbing a last-minute 400m world titles berth was dashed by his Gold Coast training partner, 17-year-old Jordan Harrison, who claimed silver in a PB 3:45.85 on Friday night.

Fraser-Holmes could have grabbed a 400m nod if there was still a vacancy after the national titles and he had earned national team selection in another event - namely his pet 200m freestyle.

But Harrison easily eclipsed the 3:46.88 qualifying time to also earn a 2013 world titles spot.

McKeon - part of the fifth-placed 4x200m freestyle relay team and 14th in the 400m at London - was full of confidence after nabbing back-to-back national titles.

"My Olympic campaign wasn't the best. In between trials and the Olympics, I suffered a bit of fatigue and I couldn't back up after sessions," McKeon said.

"I had a bit of a break after the Olympics to really focus. I feel 100 times stronger."

Meanwhile, Barratt, 24, clocked the fastest women's 400m freestyle time of the year in a PB 4:03.52 to win her first national crown in the eight-lap event since 2010 and deny silver medallist Palmer (4:06.00).

Meanwhile, Olympic silver medallist Christian Sprenger clocked 59.05 - the year's fastest time - to top qualifying for the 100m breaststroke final.

Emily Seebohm (2:11.66) threw down the gauntlet to Olympic silver medallist Alicia Coutts (2:13.37) by qualifying fastest for the 200m individual medley decider.

Five-time London Games medallist Coutts was fastest ahead of the 100m butterfly final (57.93), while the Olympic teammate accused of bullying her at a Perth meet in January - Matt Targett - is the man to beat in the men's 50m butterfly.

Finals will be held on Saturday night. 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lion Tamers: front row

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Selections ... Cast your vote for the Wallabies line-up below. Source:FOX SPORTS

The British and Irish Lions series is edging ever closer which means it's time to start thinking about the make-up of the Wallabies squad for the first Test.

Who do you think should play loosehead prop for the Wallabies?

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans named a 30-man squad for a logistics camp two weeks ago but with there still being nearly two months until the first Test in Brisbane, there's still plenty of time for those not included to impress in Super Rugby.

That means there's also plenty of time for you to debate the 15 run-on spots up for grabs and we're here to help you do it.

Who do you think should player hooker for the Wallabies?

Each week we'll focus on a particular positional section and after listing the selections of our Fox Sports rugby experts, we want you to vote for the players who you think should fill those spots.

This week we're kicking things off with the front row, which means you need to vote for the loosehead prop, hooker and a tighthead prop you think should battle the Lions.

Who do you think should play tighthead prop for the Wallabies?

The results of the polls will then be revealed next week on Rugby HQ, from 8.30pm (EST) Thursday.

Welcome to Lion Tamers. Get voting now.

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Daley Mail: Titanic return on Sunday

Gold Coast Titan ... Aidan Sezer returns from injury. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

As part of our efforts to bring even more rugby league to fans, Fox Sports will provide unique video previews of every game of every round of the NRL season.

This week, Ben Ikin is in the hot seat for another exciting round of footy.

Round seven sees Souths test their premiership credentials against Manly, the Roosters and Dragons will meet on a special day for Australia and two desperate sides will face-off in the western Sydney derby.

Sydney Roosters v St George Illawarra Dragons, Allianz Stadium, Thursday 4pm (EST)

The Roosters have been playing outstanding footy lately. I'm looking forward to the battle of the halves in Maloney and Pearce v Soward and Fien. But this one will be decided in the forwards. It will be an emotion-charged game on a special day. It should be a ripper.

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Melbourne Storm v Warriors, AAMI Park, Thursday 7pm (EST), Fox Sports 1

The Warriors have as good a chance as anyone of beating Melbourne because their unpredictability can unsettle the Storm. They're a different side though this year. They look a bit low on confidence, but they have picked up a couple of wins down in Melbourne, which not many sides have managed to do in recent years.

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Manly Sea Eagles v Rabbitohs, Brookvale Oval, Friday 7.45pm (EST)

When I think of Manly, I think of a battle-hardened team that seems to attract winners from the coach all the way through to the players. Souths have some brilliant players but there are still questions over their ability to slog out an 80-minute effort. It's so hard to win at Brookie, and Manly are playing quality football, so I'm tipping a win to the home side.

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Cowboys v Canberra Raiders, 1300SMILES Stadium, Saturday 5.30pm (EST), Fox Sports 1

The Cowboys started the season with everyone tipping them to make the top four, but they haven't found their rhythm yet. The Raiders have got that belief back and are playing exciting footy. I can't wait to see Terry Campese play. He returned from his long-term knee problems last week and should get better again. Saying that, it's hard to beat the Cowboys in North Queensland.

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Wests Tigers v Broncos, Campbelltown Stadium. Saturday 7.30pm (EST), Fox Sports 1

A lot of the Tigers are used to playing with Benji Marshall, but they'll have to adjust to Tim Moltzen and Curtis Sironen in the halves for the next few weeks. Against the Broncos, who have found some rhythm of late, the Tigers might just struggle. The Broncos are playing fast-tempo footy and they've got their season back on track after a slow start. They are playing good quality football with the whole team contributing.

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Gold Coast Titans v Newcastle Knights, Skilled Park, Sunday 2pm (EST), Fox Sports 1

The Titans lack composure without Aidan Sezer, who returns from injury for this one. He plays beyond his years and Albert Kelly will lift playing next to him. This might be too big an ask for the Knights with big-name off-season recruits Beau Scott Jeremy Smith not playing.

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Cronulla Sharks v Bulldogs, Bluetongue Stadium, Sunday 3pm (EST)

Both sides are desperate for a win, and that will define this match. I can't get a read on the Dogs, who look disconnected. Injuries and the Ben Barba situation have affected them. The Sharks have this great big ASADA stress hanging over them, but at least they get Todd Carney back for this one. I'm leaning towards the Sharks.

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Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels, Centrebet Stadium, Monday 7pm (EST), Fox Sports 1

Neither side is setting the world on fire, but there'll be a lot of pride in this match with it being a western Sydney derby. Both sides need to win but I'm leaning the way towards the Eels. They've got more firepower in the shape of Jarryd Hayne and Chris Sandow. Penrith are very much in a rebuilding phase and that's been showing in their performances. In saying that, it should be a very tight game.

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