Sonny Bill's $1M challenge

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

EXCLUSIVE: SONNY Bill Williams has been offered a $1 million carrot to become New Zealand's undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in a deal that could hasten his exit from rugby league.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The move comes as former Bulldogs scout Mark Hughes, the man who signed SBW as a teenager, urged him to quit the Roosters after Sunday night's NRL Grand Final to play for the Warriors.

As Williams prepares for what could be his final appearance in the NRL, The Sunday Mail has obtained the document offering him a seven-figure sum to end any doubts about his boxing ability.

The extraordinary purse is being financed by Duco Events, the company that recently brokered a deal with the NRL to stage the inaugural Nines tournament in Auckland this February.

Former Kiwi league Test forward Dean Lonergan personally emailed the offer to Williams' manager Khoder Nasser Saturday morning.

The Roosters have sought NRL assistance to keep Williams in the sport, primarily requesting that any potential earnings from his boxing pursuits not be included in the club's salary cap.

But the $1 million offer is an insight into what Williams stands to earn in the fight game, and why the NRL may be reluctant to provide salary-cap dispensation for money earned in rival sports.

Lonergan labelled Williams a "joke" in boxing terms. He says the dual international can prove himself beyond doubt by agreeing to face the winner of the Afa Tatupu-Joseph Parker bout for the New Zealand national boxing federation title this Thursday night.

The 21-year-old Parker is a 103kg thrashing machine rated New Zealand's best fighter in 25 years. He knocked out Francois Botha in two rounds in June, four months after Williams' controversial points win over the South African in a shortened 10-round bout.

"Our proposal is this: the winner of the Parker-Tatupu bout, we are prepared to back them with a $1 million, winner-take-all fight against Sonny Bill Williams," Lonergan said Saturday.

"We've decided to offer Sonny Bill a million dollars, does he want it or not? It is the biggest pay day Sonny will ever get in boxing.

"If he wants to dominate the world of boxing, he has to take on the best.

"At the moment, he has zero cred in the boxing community and until he takes on a legitimate person who can actually fight, he is a joke in boxing circles.

"Khoder says Sonny Bill will be the heavyweight champion of the world. I can guarantee Sonny would ordinarily run a million miles from a guy like Joseph Parker, who would destroy him in three rounds.

"But when you put up a million dollars, that is a huge carrot ... let's see if Sonny Bill has the confidence to take it."

Parker is undefeated in six professional fights, winning five by knockout, while Williams is also unbeaten in six bouts and claimed the WBA International title with his defeat of Botha in February.

But right now, another battle looms for Williams. Rugby or NRL? The Chiefs or the Roosters? Should he claim his second premiership ring Sunday night, even Roosters insiders fear it would be the perfect way for Williams to sign off before returning to rugby for a shot at World Cup glory with the All Blacks in 2015.

Hughes, the former Canterbury premiership player-turned-scout, has a third suggestion. He believes Williams should defect to the Warriors next year, paying homage to the grassroots league system in New Zealand that spawned his rare talent.

Hughes still remembers vividly the 14-year-old he spotted at Hopu Hopu Sports Ground, north of Wellington, on a wet and wild morning in May 1999.

Playing for Auckland, Sonny Bill was a free agent. Hughes, his Bulldogs blazer shielding him from trademark Wellington winds, secured him for $100 a week and a Canterbury tracksuit.

And even then the kid had goals. Forget about playing first-grade, or winning premierships. Well before he turned up at the Roosters this year armed with a notepad and six-pack, Sonny Bill was dreaming big.

"I remember him saying to me he wanted to be New Zealand's greatest player," Hughes recalls.

"Sonny had goals from the start and he has achieved a few more lofty ones.

"He's lost the chance to be their greatest ever player because of his feats in other sports, but I'd like to see him go back and play for the Warriors.

"He would put bums on seats at Warriors games. That's where he came from ... that's who he should have played for in the first place."

Hughes now chuckles at the transformation of Williams. When he arrived at Belmore, he was a 16-year-old living in the Bulldogs house.

To legitimise his club apprenticeship, Williams would walk around Belmore Sports Ground, cleaning bird droppings from seats and polishing the gym equipment that would build and buff his rippling 108kg physique.

"He is the youngest boy I have taken a punt on and everyone now understands why," Hughes says.

"I gave him a scholarship, a tracksuit and $100 a week. Most kids then just came for the chance. I said to his dad as soon as he comes to the club, you have to trust us to look after him.

"It was a chance for Sonny to create his own destiny.

"When we first spoke, he was like Bambi. He didn't carve up at that carnival because he was younger than the 16-year-old robust kids, but I just remember he was everywhere.

"I said to him later, 'Doesn't your coach tell you where to stand in defence?' and he said, 'No, Mr Hughes, he tells me to follow the football.'

"He just loved being near the ball."

Williams has refused to speak to media in the build-up to the Grand Final. But three weeks ago, following their brutal 4-0 defeat of Manly, SBW spent nine minutes talking to assembled scribes.

He spoke softly of one per cent plays, not letting anyone down and his dream of returning to the big dance.

Now he is here.

"You just don't want to be the guy that lets the team down," he said. "The biggest thing I can say is I know I don't want to be the guy that misses a tackle or lets in a soft try. I'm always busting my ass, doing the little one per centers.

"This is where it really counts. Sometimes you win and sometimes you don't ... but I know in myself I will be leaving no stone unturned."

With that, Sonny Bill leaves the building. After Sunday night, we may never see him in the NRL again.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

We're ready for derby battle: Ange

Victory Coach Ange Postecoglou is in fighting spirits ahead of opener. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

MELBOURNE Victory coach Ange Postecoglou has declared his young side ready for battle in Saturday's derby against Melbourne Heart.

Postecoglou said his players had taken enormous confidence from the historic Liverpool match at the MCG in July and are better prepared than they were for the corresponding clash last season. 

Saturday's Etihad Stadium fixture is the most anticipated Melbourne derby since Heart joined the A-League in 2010, with the match expected to go close to a sell-out. 

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Victory rounded out its preparations yesterday with a brief intra-club match in front of 5000 at AAMI Park as the 2013-14 squad were introduced to fans. 

Mark Milligan was the only player who didn't partake and with him and Kosta Barbarouses away on international duty, Victory will be the younger of the derby sides with Connor Pain, Jason Geria and Jimmy Jeggo set to start and Andrew Nabbout and Nick Ansell likely to be in the squad. 

Victory held its own in July despite losing 2-0 against a Liverpool side boasting Steven Gerrard, Luis Suarez and Glen Johnson, and Postecoglou was proud of his players. 

"When Connor Pain knows he can take on Glen Johnson he's not going to fear anything that's going to be thrown ahead of him from now on,'' he said. 

"The same with Nabbout, Geria, (Scott) Galloway, Ansell, (Jesse) Makarounas, all these guys that played and played very well I think feel a little bit more self-assured about themselves and the way we play our game. 

"It (the Liverpool game) was good because it gave us a bit of a focus halfway through, if we didn't it would've been a bit of a grind to go for that long. 

"The biggest challenge was getting them up again afterwards because it was a massive game and massive night.

"We had to put out a young team, which wasn't ideal and could've been disastrous, but you've backed the young guys all of last season and never let us down and they didn't let us down that night and it just builds belief. 

"After that game I think everyone emotionally and physically needed a break and we gave them a bit of time off, myself included, because we obviously had a big build-up. 

"But since then it's been good, things have settled down. There's times when it was challenging with numbers but the last five or six weeks have been really good.'' 

Postecoglou's debut season was a rollercoaster for Victory, whose defensive frailties were on show in round 1 last season when Heart won 2-1. 

Missing Milligan and Archie Thompson, Victory was then humbled 5-0 away to Brisbane Roar the next week.

It forced Postecoglou to adopt a more pragmatic ¬approach from round 3 as Victory's fortunes slowly turned before finishing just one game short of a grand final berth. 

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

But with the addition of James Troisi, Mitch Nichols, Barbarousas and Pablo Contreras — who have 102 international caps between them — hopes are high in the blue half of Melbourne. 

"We're further advanced than last year but then you don't know if the competition's further advanced as well,'' Postecoglou said. 

"I'm really happy with our recruiting and the young ones have certainly gone up another level and holding on to Millsy (Milligan) has been a massive bonus for us. 

"We were pretty well prepared last year as well, obviously it's a little different now because we're 12 months down the track in terms of understanding how we want to play the game — we'll be ready to go, there's no doubt about that. 

"Where last year we started off slowly with getting to grips with things; certainly I expect us to start, in terms of the game we want to play, a lot better. 

"We gave debuts to a lot of guys last season that hadn't done a pre-season with us and came halfway through their first year of professional football and all those guys now are looking like professional A-League footballers. 

"Last year, with the young guys, at times our training was inconsistent in terms of quality because they were getting to grips with how hard we train, the type and load of training.''

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

The most brutal decider in years

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

HOW do you break the Great Wall of Bondi?

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The strongest defence built by Eastern Suburbs since 1908.

Do you take a sledge hammer and attempt to smash through the middle?

Do you grab a blade and try and slice at the edges?

Or do you stop chipping away and kick over the top?

They are the three burning questions the Sea Eagles will face on Sunday when they attempt to upset the Roosters and win the NRL premiership.

THE GODFATHER'S $2.5M ROOSTER REBELLION

The Sea Eagles failed to score a single point against the Roosters last start.

Despite having 57 per cent of the possession in the 4-0 semi-final loss at Alliance Stadium - and making four linebreaks to the Roosters' none - they could not cross the white line.

How they approach Sunday's match following the shut-out is what will decide the game.

The Roosters kept six teams to nil this year, the greatest defensive achievement in the club's history.

BATTLE FOR GREEN AND GOLD SPOTS

So how did they do it?

The Roosters have inventive a new style of "D".

The best term to describe it is "reactive", and it is a mixture of "slide" and "wedge".

With Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend the defensive glue, the Roosters attempt to work as one and keep their line.

But when they are faced with a attacking play, like an inside ball to Brett Stewart, the Roosters "wedge".

SONNY BILL'S $1M CHALLENGE

Think anyone of Sonny Bill Williams' shots on the edge.

The most important aspect of their defence is each individual player's decision making.

They need to know when to break the line and sprint to shut down a play. That is what they have worked on all year, and what they have done so well all year.

The Sea Eagles know this all too well. They threw everything at the Roosters last match - except Brett Stewart, who was injured - and came up with naught.

Manly don't have to go away from what has worked so well for them.

But it is up to their key attacking players - Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry Evans, Jamie Lyon, Glenn and Brett Stewart - to force the Roosters into making bad defensive decisions.

Cherry-Evans (16 line break assists), Foran (15), and Lyon (12) will use Inside balls, footwork, chip kicks and they will go short and go long in a bid to catch a defender out.

Brett Stewart, David Williams and Taufua will be the men that finish what the playmakers start. The war will be fought in the middle, brutally bruising, but the game will be one by individuals.

One will make an error, another will force it.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Godfather's $2.5m Chooks rebellion

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

WITH an iron fist wrapped inside a velvet glove, Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis has ranked among the most powerful, influential and ruthless figures in rugby league for almost 40 years.

Like the great Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United or the late George Steinbrenner at the New York Yankees, Politis has hired and fired some of the biggest names in the history of the game.

From landing the signatures of Sonny Bill Williams, Brad Fittler, Phil Gould and Michael Jennings to being betrayed by supercoach Wayne Bennett in 2006, the Sydney Roosters kingpin affectionately known as 'The Godfather' or 'Uncle Nick' has a fierce reputation as one of the shrewdest negotiators in the business.

Two years ago, Politis and the Roosters blue-chip Bondi Junction board room began secretly plotting a high-risk, hostile takeover aimed at re-building their beloved club from rock bottom to glory as quickly as possible.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

It was a cut-throat cultural revolution which involved sacking coach Brian Smith, captain Braith Anasta, chief executive Steve Noyce and putting a broom through an estimated $2.5 million of playing talent over the course of the last 18 months.

The all-star line-up included captain Anasta, Dally M Medallist Todd Carney, Nate Myles, Jason Ryles, Sam Perrett, Tom Symonds, BJ Leilua, Brad Takarangi, Kane Linnet, Mose Masoe, Lama Tasi, Anthony Cherrington, Cheyse Blair, Justin Carney, Phil Graham and Daniel Conn.

Offsetting the mass exodus was a sprinkling of superstars, headed by Sonny Bill Williams, and a rookie coach about to quickly establish one hell of a reputation.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The key new players in the Roosters transformation have been Williams, James Maloney, Michael Jennings and Dally M coach of the year Trent Robinson.

The end result, with a little bit of luck and a lot of brilliant management, is the Roosters sixth grand final appearance in 13 seasons at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night.

"Nick's a serious player and he's also one of the most humble, low-key blokes you'd come across. The club would be nothing without Nick," Channel Nine supremo David Gyngell said.

"He owns the Roosters without acting like he owns the Roosters. For the good of the club, he's got the ability to get almost anything done from a business perspective yet he's not arrogant about his position and he doesn't stomp around like a Prima Donna.

"A couple of seasons ago, he went through and made a decision to change the culture of the club. He didn't just talk about it, he made it happen."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

You don't amass a personal fortune in excess of $200 million and control a business empire which turns over $4 billion annually without being a ruthless negotiator.

Like in any successful business, you also need an element of luck. By chance, Politis' decision to sign Robinson may go down as one of his greatest coups in charge of the Roosters.

Ever since Wayne Bennett reneged on an agreement to join the Tricolours in 2006, the Roosters have been chasing a coach who can take them to the promised land.

In Robinson, the Roosters not only found their answer but did so for an absolute steal.

Whereas Bennett, Des Hasler and Craig Bellamy all command in excess of $1 million-a-season, the first-year Roosters coach was only too happy to sign on for $250,000 and an opportunity to show what he was made of in the NRL.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

What Politis and the Roosters board room, including Mark Bouris, Mark McInnes, Mark Fennessy, Brien Samphier, Peter Newton and Luke Ricketson recognised two years ago was the need for hardline change.

Despite the success associated with making the 2010 grand final, it was actually a curse, coming too soon in ex-coach Brian Smith's tenure at the club.

By the time they were six months into 2011, players were unhappy, the coaching staff was uptight and the culture of the club had gone awry.

The players weren't fit. They were training soft and playing soft. As hard as it was to admit, the board room knew they needed to wield the axe.

"Football is big business these days, it's a multi-million dollar industry with a lot of people's lives at stake and there are times when you have to make tough decisions," Roosters board member Mark Bouris said.

"That's not always easy. To be successful, you have to be prepared to make steely-resolve calls. In that respect, there's no one better than Nick Politis."

As much as Robinson has turned the club's roster around and the players have made it happen on the field, Politis is the heartbeat of the Bondi Junction club.

The kingpin who makes it all work, with a 2002 premiership tattoo to prove it. If all goes according to the Roosters script on Sunday, the chairman could be lining up to get some new ink.  

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Moment that changed Scott's life

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

SOMETIMES, the moment shines so brightly everything around it fades.

The Panthers' premiership? If it is remembered for anything else than Scott Sattler's tackle, then it is remembered by friends and family only.

Who else can remember anything other than Sattler coming across in cover, and Roosters winger Todd Byrne running out of time and hope?

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

It was six-all at the time, and with it came one of those momentum shifts that helped the Panthers go on to shock the Grand Final favourites and take the premiership 18-6.

The tackle changed Sattler's life.

"Absolutely, I'm not afraid to say it, either," Sattler said, in between drinks at the Panthers' Grand Final reunion on Thursday.

"I'll put my hand up. It changes your life in a lot of ways."

In a moment, Sattler went from another good player, good enough to play State of Origin, to a player that owned a piece of the game.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Wherever he went, whoever he spoke to, they immediately had a conversation. Instead of distancing it, annoyed that it overshadowed a 13-year, 203 game career, Sattler embraced it.

And the game has given back.

He now works for Gold FM radio on the Gold Coast, part of the Austereo network, and calls the Queensland league for Channel 9.

In many ways, he was perfectly trained for what happened.

He was brought up being questioned about his dad John, and not just a general chat but specifically the legend of Sattler playing in the 1970 Grand Final with the broken jaw.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Who knew it was training ground for what would come?

"My dad is best remembered for the broken jaw," Sattler said.

"He's a far better player than people give him credit for but people only remember the broken jaw.

"For me, it was about finishing my career at Penrith right, and we did that, but it puts me in the framework of discussion when people talk about Grand Final moments.

"I wouldn't give it up for anything."

When the Panthers met on Thursday they slipped quickly into old routines. Rhys Wesser found his groove, the normally reserved Craig Gower sat back and said he couldn't believe 10 years had gone by.

They finished the night at the same pub they celebrated in all those years back. While Sattler went on to play another season for Wests Tigers, and has worked steadily in the media since, the Penrith days have never left: "That whole year. It helps you in life as well, with the decisions you make, the way you live your life."  

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

A Grand Final rich in possibilities

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

YOU start the week curling your lip at this devil or deep blue sea Grand Final. You end it licking your lips having remembered why you love Grand Final day so much.

Especially at the end of a season when drugs scandals and issues of integrity and mismanagement have cast long shadows.

Off-field scandals that have removed, for some, the lustre from a sport which deserves to be celebrated for its incredible athleticism and unrivalled brutality.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Yes, in prospect, Manly v the Roosters seems like Saddam Hussein v Yasser Arafat. Delta Goodrem v Geri Halliwell. Queensland v Queensland.

But as the players talked the talk on various stages during a new and much improved Grand Final week, you didn't have to love the teams to love the dogs in this fascinating fight. The passion, the stories, the breathtaking skill and - Grand Finals being what they are - the sense of menace they will bring down the tunnel.

Manly coach Geoff Toovey is part pit-bull, part poodle. With his admirable slow talkin', pig shootin' skipper Jamie Lyon, he has been part of an unexpected image makeover for the reviled Sea Eagles.

From Toovey's heart-on-the-sleeve passion to the brave manner in which prop Richie Fa'aoso dealt with the pain and disappointment caused by the broken neck that ended his Grand Final dream, Manly has been - dare we say it - heartwarming. The Silvertails are creating fairytales.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Although the disturbing image of Manly cult figure and unreal-sized model "Gorgeous George" Rose wearing his "leopard skin cougar bait budgie smugglers" is best banished from the mind at meal times.

The Roosters? The chaos usually created by the Bondi Burglars' premiership raids has been replaced by a calm professionalism.

In the image of their young and assured coach Trent Robinson and polished captain Anthony Minichiello, the Roosters have been friendly but focused. Happy to play their part, but refusing to accept they will have achieved anything until the final hooter sounds.

Even Roosters' chairman and long-time benefactor Nick Politis talks as if he will be ploughing into the Manly pack, not watching from the expensive seats. "Not this week," he says, when asked to talk about his influential role. "We've got a game to win."

The Roosters' most intriguing story belongs to Sonny Bill Williams, who has been seen but not heard. An extension of the ultra-professionalism that has had a strong influence on his teammates? A snub to those who ridiculed "Money Bill" when he fled the Bulldogs? A sign he is, as most expect, about to pack his bags again?

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

With 28 degrees forecast, it will be unusually warm evening that should enhance the thirst at Grand Final barbecues and test the fitness and resolve of the players.

During three arduous finals, Manly seemed to be driving across the Nullarbor with the fuel gauge flashing. But either Narrabeen has the healing powers of Lourdes, or the Sea Eagles are fitter than we thought. Given a nine day break, they should be running on fresh legs.

Is Manly strong enough to crack the Great Wall of Bondi? Incredibly, the Roosters have held their opposition scoreless in 19 halves and six full games. Manly did not score in the first half of their three defeats to the Roosters this season, the most recent a tortuous 4-0 semi-final loss.

But the pressure and unpredictability of Grand Finals can radically alter any script, and Manly boasts a lethal attacking artillery marshalled by brilliant halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran. The Roosters will need to show considerable enterprise, not just stoic resistance, to beat them again.

It is a game delicately poised, one rich with possibilities. Which means you don't have to love these teams to love this Grand Final.  

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

McGuire, Buckley's line in the sand

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

COLLINGWOOD president Eddie McGuire and coach Nathan Buckley have drawn a very public line in the sand on player behaviour, insisting that selfishness will never again be tolerated at the club.

McGuire and Buckley both set out the rules for season 2014 and beyond after a frustrating season that culminated in the post-season departure of several high profile players, including the likely trading of Heath Shaw and Dale Thomas' decision to exercise his free agency options at Carlton.

Thomas and Shaw did not attend last night's Copeland Trophy night. Neither did Alan Didak and Darren Jolly, who were not offered new contracts for next season.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

But Dane Swan, who has a close relationship with some of those departing Magpies, said last night it was not a time for recriminations, and that he intended to remain a "Pie for life."

McGuire told the packed crowd at Crown's Palladium Room that the club would no longer tolerate personal agendas, saying it was a privilege, not a right, to wear the black and white colours.

"It's sad to see since 2010, and despite being one quarter of football away from our most successful year ever in 2011, a pervasiveness of selfishness has crept in to our club," McGuire said.

"We won in 2010 by being 'Side by Side', by doing everything that is required to win. 'Side by Side' means being that always.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"It's not about being 'Side by Side' when you're being supported and then turning your back when suddenly it doesn't suit.

"We know that football is lucrative these days, so we pay money for a totally professional performance for players and staff.

"This club demands the highest standards, attitudes and applications. Any form of selfishness will not be tolerated."

Buckley said the Magpies' shock elimination final loss to Port Adelaide was not acceptable, but proof that a young, hungry side could achieve things in a short time if they worked together on the same page.

"We've got the necessary talent to contend, but this year we beat ourselves," Buckley said.

"It won't happen again and we're putting everything in place to make sure it doesn't.

"The brutal reality is that the club will always be bigger than the individual.

"'Side by Side' is more than just a line in our club song. It's an expectation. It's demanded.

"The club comes before the man, not the man before the club."

Swan drew one of the biggest responses when he told the crowd that he had no intention of ever leaving Collingwood.

"It's a pity Heater and Dids couldn't continue their careers here, but I still love them as should all of you," Swan said. "They're premiership players ..."

"(But) I love the footy club. I certainly don't plan on playing for anyone else. I'll be a Pie for life.

"You won't see me walking out of this club."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Boss: Time to expose pretenders

Nowhere to hide: Glen Boss drives Puissance De Lune to the finish in the Makybe Diva at Flemington. Source: Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images

GLEN Boss says today's Turnbull Stakes is the race that sorts out the legitimate spring chances from the pretenders.

"There's no place to hide. There's no excuses," Boss said yesterday.

"If you don't front up tomorrow, then you won't be a factor for the rest of the spring.

"To me it's the defining race of the spring. If you don't perform, you won't be catching up in the main races."

Eleven Group 1 winners face off in a race that includes the top three favourites for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Punters rallied to Fiorente yesterday, backing him into $4.20 with TAB, from an opening quote on Wednesday of $5.50.

But Boss expected his mount Puissance De Lune to stand up and be counted and justify his position as Melbourne Cup favourite.

Although Puissance De Lune has been beaten at his past two starts — second in the Makybe Diva Stakes and seventh in the Underwood Stakes — Boss has not lost any faith.

"His last run was a bit of a non-event, but the way he ­finished, my confidence has only grown in him,'' he said.

"He was the only one to make up ground outside and he ran the fastest last 400m.

"You've got to remember it was the best edition of the Underwood Stakes I've ever seen and in the finish he's the horse you'd want to follow out of it."

Boss said he hadn't made any plans on where Puissance De Lune would settle today.

Can he do it again: Australian Cup winner Super Cool and Michael Rodd return to scale. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: HeraldSun

"My horse gets out to 2000m at Flemington on a good track, so he should be ready to perform," he said.

Boss said the Gai Waterhouse-trained Fiorente, who won the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes last start, was the horse to beat.

"He might come out of the race as the horse we all have to beat for the spring," he said.

"I was impressed by the way he won at Moonee Valley on an unsuitable circuit. We're meeting him on equal terms and we have the better draw, so it's in our favour."

TAB's Adam Hamilton said Fiorente accounted for almost 40 per cent of fixed-odds betting on the race.

"Punters have rallied to the Dato form, having backed ­Fiorente into favouritism and Super Cool from $10 into $7," Hamilton said.

David Hayes, who will saddle up Jet Away, said Fiorente was the horse to beat but pointed out Spacecraft was beaten only a long head in the Dato.

"Spacecraft is nowhere near as good as Jet Away,'' he said. "Also Jet Away has beaten ­Fiorente by three lengths in England."

Hayes said Jet Away would benefit from today's first-up run before he tackles the Caulfield Cup.
 

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

PM throws support behind Manly

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott has publicly backed Manly, telling the Sea Eagles: "Leave nothing in the tank!"

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Abbott has risked alienating Sydney Roosters fans by sending a public letter of encouragement to the Manly club ahead of Sunday's NRL Grand Final.

The new PM, though, is Member for Warringah, his electorate smack-bang in the middle of Manly territory.

Abbott wrote: "You haven't made it to the Grand Final by accident. You have fought every step of the way.

"The critics said you peaked too early and ran out of puff, well, you answered that last Friday.

"I know Sunday will be in many ways bitter-sweet for (injured forward) Richie Fa'aoso.

"Richie, all footy fans are glad you are OK and I hope that over the months ahead you make a complete recovery.

"While I have the cauliflower ears of a footballer, I only have the football prowess of a politician, so I will keep my advice concise: Leave nothing in the tank!"

Manly co-owner Rick Penn is a close friend of the Prime Minister.

"Tony is such a decent man," Penn said.

"He has always taken a keen interest in Manly. He comes to our grand finals.

"He is a real sportsman who loves the NRL and is passionate about the Sea Eagles.

"Tony is a great supporter of our club. It is a fantastic honour to have the Prime Minister in our local area."

Abbott has pledged $10 million toward an upgrade of Brookvale Oval, a ground in desperate need of restoration.

He is often seen in the Brookvale Oval private suites.

Abbott was never a rugby league player though, preferring to play rugby union during his footy career.

He concluded his letter by writing: "I wish I could be in the stands cheering you on, however I will be representing Australia at a summit overseas.

"Rest assured, I will find some way to watch the game.

"Go Manly!"

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

When I watch Daly, I see Joey

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

THEY are vastly different in style and personality but the two number sevens, Daly Cherry-Evans and Mitchell Pearce, hold the key to victory on Sunday night.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Halfbacks win grand finals. Think Alfie at Brisbane, Ricky Stuart at Canberra, Sterlo at Parramatta, Joey at Newcastle or Gower at Penrith.

And while both Cherry-Evans and Pearce play alongside terrific number sixes, they know when the dust settles at fulltime, the post-match autopsy will begin with the performance of the number seven.

Check out the video above comparing Daly Cherry-Evans and Andrew Johns

Cherry-Evans has been the best player throughout the finals. He's gone to another level, he's simply outstanding.

While last Saturday Pearce used the big occasion to put in his finest performance as a first grade footballer.

Their personalities match their styles. When you talk to Daly Cherry-Evans he looks you straight in the eye and engages 100 percent. His focus could burn a hole in you.

I've seen that focus come into his game, he controls his team, he takes ownership of sets of six, he has become Manly's dominant player.

Have a conversation with Mitchell Pearce and you get his attention in fits and starts.

His eyes dart around, taking in everything that's going on in the vicinity. He talks in explosive bursts, his toes tap away, he fidgets, he's bloody hard to nail down.

His football can be similar.

Mitchell isn't the type of halfback who you expect to control long periods of play. He picks his moments and throws himself into the situation at full tilt.

Some players involve themselves in attack with a mind for being patient. When Mitchell calls the ball it's all systems go.

Geoff Toovey and Trent Robinson deserve huge credit for how their number sevens have developed but so do the men who have handled them individually, with specialised coaching, Andrew Johns and Jason Taylor.

When I watch Cherry-Evans play, I see Andrew.

Andrew has worked with quite a few playmakers over the past few years, but in Cherry-Evans he's found the halfback who understands the complexities of what he is teaching him.

Daly is no longer just a quick set of hands, shuffling the ball onto Glenn Stewart. He is now the dominant player.

Manly have had the tendency to play a little too sideways on that right-hand side but Daly's run first, pass second mentality has them far more direct and lethal.

Daly is a rare halfback because he has the capability to organise a team, while still being a lethal running threat.

Manly need to break the bank to keep he and Kieran Foran together. As long as these boys are in the six and seven, Manly are at least a top-four side.

Meanwhile at the Roosters, Jason Taylor deserves huge credit for the job he's done with Mitchell. I'm not surprised Pearce has improved under JT's tutelage - he was one of the most organised halfbacks to play. What Taylor lacked in physicality he made up for in smarts.

Taylor has encouraged Pearce to play to his strengths and designed the Roosters attack to those strengths.

You don't see the Roosters setting up for long-winded set pieces - Pearce isn't that type of halfback.

Instead they power through the middle and allow Pearce to pick and choose his moments off the back of the momentum his forwards have created.

And when Mitchell decides it's time to take the line on, his teammates are programmed beautifully into knowing where the holes will be.

Last Saturday night Pearce was electric, his direct running early in the contest set up his ball playing later on.

He picked and chose his moments perfectly.

The Roosters have been very close to the best team right throughout the year but Manly are super tough, experienced and learn from defeats better than any other side.

I saw that in past years as they battled the Storm and I saw it again last week as they bounced back from two previous defeats to the Rabbits to get them when it counted, and it wouldn't surprise me one bit to see it again Sunday.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More