Pom pom war as more cheergirls axed

Canberra Raiders Cheerleaders - The Raiderettes. Source: Supplied

A DAY after Canterbury demoted their cheerleaders, the Canberra Raiders are poised to sack their cheer squad altogether.

In an historic move, Raiders chief executive Don Furner told The Daily Telegraph that his club was "reviewing the club's game-day entertainment.''

"We have always had them but research among our fans indicates it might be time for a change,'' Furner said. "It's not definite but we are reviewing our game day entertainment.''

Furner denied the move was based around any female exploitation.

"There are a couple of reasons,'' he said. "One, it is quite cold and a big ask for the woman, particularly during night games. And, two, cost. This decision has nothing to do with the Bulldogs.''

Canberra's stance comes as Canterbury's cheerleaders had a simple message for Bulldogs management: Just let us dance.

Support for The Belles was growing yesterday after the club abandoned their pre-game and half-time routines to focus on off-field work as Bulldogs ambassadors.

Bulldogs cheerleaders at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

An online petition calling for the cheerleaders' reinstatement to the sidelines has attracted nearly 550 signatures over the past three days.

The cheerleaders were reluctant to talk with The Daily Telegraph yesterday for fears of being chastised by Canterbury management.

One did say though: "We are happy to do what the club wants and even change our uniforms. "But all we want to do is dance on the sidelines before the match and at half-time.''

Petition founder Rachel Lawson, who was in contact with the women throughout yesterday, had a message for Canterbury CEO Raelene Castle.

Canterbury cheerleader Caterina. Source: Supplied

"They are professional dancers who practice six days a week - they just want to dance on the sidelines,'' Lawson said.

"They have been part of the club since day one. On game day they arrive at the ground a couple of hours early to practice. They are there before the players.

"This is a family club and lot of them have been here for six, seven, eight years. It just wouldn't be a home game without them.

"They're not just cheerleaders. They are great with kids, have photos taken, sign autographs and do charity work with Camp Quality and the Children's Hospital.''

Canterbury's cheerleaders will now be managed internally in an "ambassadorial role.'' They will have new contemporary outfits, which are yet to be made.

The online Twitter petition, called Save The Belles, stated: "We ask that you reconsider your decision and welcome our Belles back to the sidelines in 2014.

"Please restore our pride. Embrace our excellence. Save our tradition. All Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs players, staff, cheerleaders and fans are one family.''

A Bulldogs cheerleader at ANZ Stadium. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

Castle and Lawson are due to meet today to discuss the drama. Reaction online was mixed.

One blogger wrote: "Put a woman in charge (Castle) and there is almost always change for the better.''

Another disagreed, saying: "Great to see Castle hitting the big issues.''

Other clubs contacted by The Daily Telegraph had no plans to end cheerleading.

"We had auditions on the weekend,'' said Sharks CEO Steve Noyce.

Wests Tigers CEO Grant Mayer added: "We believe our cheer squad should have a greater role on game day including on-field entertainment, corporate engagement and fan engagement.''

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England ruined by giants' failure

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ENGLAND'S plans to take down Australia with giant fast bowlers lie in ruins.

Chris Tremlett, Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin were all included to attack Australia, and particularly captain Michael Clarke, with short bowling on hard Australian pitches.

However, at most only one of the trio is likely to play in Perth on one of the most fast bowler friendly pitches in the world, where Australia has an outstanding record and is strongly favoured to regain the Ashes.

England felt that the best way to unsettle Clarke was with short bowling and that worked on the opening day of the series in Brisbane when he fended a Stuart Broad bouncer to short leg for just one.

But Clarke has since smashed two centuries as Australia has crushed England in both Tests with Mitchell Johnson the thunderbolt who has destroyed the tourists.

Chris Tremlett prepares to bowl at the Gabba. Source: Getty Images

Tremlett played in the first Test at the Gabba and claimed four wickets for the match but his bowling was generally modest and lacked venom.

He looked a very different bowler to the one who was included for the Perth Test three years ago and claimed eight wickets.

There were times in Brisbane when Tremlett's pace dropped below 130kph, a worrying marker that England's backroom strategists know only too well.

Their detailed research has found that a fast bowler's ability take wickets at Test level reduces once their pace falls below 135kph and plunges below 130kph.

Contrast that with Australia, where Johnson is bowling around 150kph and Ryan Harris 140kph.

Tremlett is now 32 and has played just 12 Tests in a career marred by injury. Brisbane was his first Test in almost two years.

England's struggling paceman Steven Finn. Source: AFP

Most worrying for England is the continuing struggles of Finn, their fastest bowler.

Aged just 24 he has already taken 90 wickets at 29 with a strike rate of just 48 balls per wicket, which is better than any of the modern day greats.

However, he concedes almost four runs an over and currently his rhythm and run-up are a mess.

His bowling in tour matches since England arrived in late October has been dreadful, with his length too consistently short.

Rankin, 29, is raw at international level given he has spent most of his career playing for Ireland and has also bowled too short in tour matches.

While Australia has named an unchanged squad for a third successive Test England have a multitude of concerns.

Playing two spinners in Adelaide was a bold move which may have paid dividends if England had not dropped vital catches on the opening day.

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But there is every chance that neither Graeme Swann nor Monty Panesar will play in Perth given the poor record spinners have at the ground.

Tim Bresnan, who has recovered from a back injury, appears a logical inclusion to bowl into the prevailing Fremantle Doctor.

Then comes the hard decisions. All-rounder Ben Stokes, 22, appears to have the makings of a solid cricketer and bowled with good pace but does not look a number six batsman.

Does he in stay in the side as one of four fast bowlers alongside Jimmy Anderson, Broad and Tremlett while Gary Ballance comes in at six to make his debut?

England have more questions than answers.

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Mini's perfect Christmas present

Anthony Minichiello celebrates grand final victory. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

VETERAN fullback Anthony Minichiello's new one-year deal with the Sydney Roosters should be completed within days.

It will be a welcome Christmas gift for the Roosters legend.

Salary cap debate and Minichiello's World Cup campaign with Italy delayed the process longer than both parties had wanted.

Minichiello will likely retire after the 2014 season, where his Roosters will attempt to win successive NRL premierships.

There will be times during next season when winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck plays fullback, with Minichiello onto the wing.

Minichiello will still retain the captaincy. He could become the first winger to captain an NRL side since Warren Boland with Western Suburbs back in 1980.

Anthony Minichiello celebrates grand final victory. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited

Tuivasa-Sheck is recovering from a broken leg sustained in the World Cup when representing New Zealand.

Minichiello, 33, has played 275 games over 14 seasons at Bondi. An injury-free season could see him pass the 300-game milestone.

Asked recently if he was concerned about the delay in contract negotiations, Minichiello said: "I'm cool with it. I have a great relationship with the Roosters and I know it's being worked out, but it has to go through the right avenues and processes.''

The Roosters will start to shift through captaincy candidates for 2015. The early contenders are Mitchell Pearce, Boyd Cordner and Jake Friend.

Friend has impressed senior Roosters officials in the past two years.

Minichiello's wife, Terry Biviano, gave birth to their first baby, a healthy baby girl, earlier this month.

Mitchell Pearce and Anthony Minichiello celebrate grand final victory. Source: News Limited

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Eugene's 'Roos hopes rest on Reds

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ADELAIDE United gloveman Eugene Galekovic believes his Reds defence may have a huge say in whether he'll be at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

The Reds skipper was in e- boss Pim Verbeek's 2010 Socceroos World Cup 23-man squad in South Africa and won accolades from former Australia coach Holger Osieck before the German was fired in October.

MORE: VERBAL SPRAYS AT HEATED ADELAIDE UNITED TRAINING

But Galekovic sitting behind the A-League's leakiest defence (17 goals in nine matches) has caused the two-time goalkeeper of the year concern.

Galekovic's World Cup chances may also take another potential hit if Adelaide bows out of the finals race to make its home-and-away season end on April 11, 64 days before the Socceroos face Chile in its first Group B clash in Cuiaba on June 13.

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"It's going to help (my Socceroos chances) if we make the finals and do well in the finals, " Galekovic said.

Eugene Galekovic's Socceroos hopes will be affected by Adelaide United's defence.

"But we're not going so well so we're going to have to change those results."

"I think the longer you play (the A-League season) those extra games are important."

But his immediate Socceroos World Cup squad competition - Matt Ryan, 21, (Club Brugge, Belgium) and Mitch Langerak, 25, (Borussia Dortmund, Germany) have had an easier life guarding goal for their clubs.

Ryan has copped 14 goals in 18 league matches for his second-placed Belgian club but Langerak has only started one Bundesliga match for the 2013 UEFA Champions League runner up.

The pair were named in new boss Ange Postecoglou's debut squad in a 1-0 win over Costa Rica last month where Ryan featured for the entire clash in Sydney.

Galekovic, 32, said he hasn't yet spoken to Postecoglou since the former Melbourne Victory coach won the Socceroos gig.

But Galekovic was hoping to be part of Postecoglou's plans in a Socceroos friendly in March where the Australians are expected to face South American opposition in Europe.

"I'm not sure (where I stand) I haven't really talked to the coach about that,'' Galekovic said.

"Obviously the next game is in March it's a long time away so the boys are going to have to wait to see who gets picked for that.

"But I think most boys will be doing the same thing play football and trying to play good football and give themselves a chance to play the friendly in March."

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Racing Victoria to investigate BC3

RACING Victoria will investigate BC3 Thoroughbreds, as well as an alleged assault at the property of its chairman Bill Vlahos.

However, it does not have the regulatory powers to control punters clubs or wagering schemes and will leave the investigation into a reported $194 million missing account involving Vlahos to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Consumer Affairs and police.

RVL chief executive Bernard Saundry said yesterday: "In the interests of thoroughbred racing, Racing Victoria's integrity department is investigating BC3 Thoroughbreds, for which Vlahos is company chairman.

"As the lead regulator for syndication in this state, Racing Victoria stewards are investigating BC3 Thoroughbreds and the conduct of its racehorse ownership business."

In addition, Victoria Police are investigating an assault at BC3 Thoroughbreds' Connewarre spelling property on Sunday night.

"In light of this incident, we have been liaising with BC3 Thoroughbreds today regarding the welfare of their horses and staff, which remains of importance to Racing Victoria," Saundry said.

As for the Vlahos-run Victorian-based punters' club, Saundry said: "Racing Victoria has regulatory control over the conduct of thoroughbred racing in this state, however it does not have regulatory control over punters clubs or wagering schemes.

"While such clubs or schemes may be wagering on Victorian thoroughbred racing, we do not have the powers to investigate their operations nor take any action on behalf of aggrieved investors.

"Such clubs or schemes fall within the jurisdiction of the ACCC, Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Victoria Police and I strongly encourage any investors with grievances to contact these parties."

The upheaval at BC3 Thoroughbreds syndication has confused many.

Trainer Mick Price said he had expected Nordic Empire to return to his stables yesterday but the exciting two-year-old had been "locked down".

He had planned to prepare the BC3-owned horse to run at Wyong on December 19 in the Magic Millions Wyong Two-Year-Old Classic on his way to the Gold Coast for the January 11 Magic Millions.

Price told Racing Network: "He's heading nowhere.

"He's locked down. I had him booked in yesterday and it was cancelled.

"I'm unsure of what we can and can't do."

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'UFC not problem, maybe we are'

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SOMETIMES, there is just too much fight in the fight for some people.

They like their fight sanitised. Easy on the eye, even if there is a wild mismatch taking place right before them.

No blood, see, no foul.

Antonio 'Big Foot' Silva of Brazil connects with a punch during the UFC Brisbane bout. Source: Getty Images

George Foreman famously said "Boxing is the sport all others aspire to", and he was once right about that.

What he meant was the qualities we look for in any great sporting contest - the courage to keep giving, to desire to go beyond normal limits - were found in greater quantities in boxing than in any other sport.

But boxing is dying nowadays, suffering a prolonged death by greedy promoters and selfish fighters, too many of whom are more concerned about protecting their records by fighting outclassed opponents than they are putting on a true show for paying fans.

Sugar Ray Robinson lost 19 fights during his career and is considered the greatest of all time. Nowadays, fighters won't risk their zero in the loss column unless it's against the payday at the end, a Mayweather or a Pacquiao.

Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva and Mark Hunt grapple in their heavyweight fight. Source: Getty Images

So we have been slowly conditioned to passive, one-way fights where we essentially go along to watch one fighter pad his record until his payday comes along.

The fighting heart had left the fight game.

Until the UFC came along.

The UFC claims it's the fastest growing sport in the world. It is the biggest pay-per-view provider in the world.

It sold out the 12,000-seat Brisbane Entertainment Centre in days when most boxing cards around Australia can't sell a few hundred tickets.

And yet apparently they have it all wrong.

Or are we the problem?

Antonio 'Big Foot' Silva of Brazil and Mark Hunt grapple during the UFC Brisbane bout. Source: Getty Images

Those who get the UFC know that they have put the fight back into the fight game.

The UFC doesn't stand for the posers, for guys protecting records or guys that prefer to be known as a fighter than be a fighter.

Mark Hunt and Antonio Silva showed all that in Saturday's main event in Brisbane when both men, exhausted and covered in blood, gave until they had nothing left.

There was greatness in Saturday's main event.

Both men suffered head cuts and bled a little.

Antonio 'Big Foot' Silva of Brazil connects with a knee to the face of Mark Hunt. Source: Getty Images

Some found that sickening. Forget that it was superficial, so doesn't matter a lick.

I've split my head split more times than I care to remember and everybody that has knows all you feel is a spreading warmth, followed by wetness.

It's never life threatening, rarely even painful.

This year the UFC celebrated 20 years, a milestone that passed without a single death in the cage.

The figures are rubbery in boxing, but averages out to slightly less than 10 deaths a year.

The argument that fighters are allowed to do things in a cage that's illegal on streets is tired.

You can't tackle anybody on a footpath either, not without an assault charge being laid, yet there are hundreds in every NRL game.

The UFC is a sport and, more than that, flourishes because it contains the essence of sport.

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Cummings feud comes to an end

Bart Cummings has something to smile about again. Source: News Limited

RACING'S living legend Bart Cummings and his grandson James have resolved their differences and will continue as training partners.

It is understood the pair have reached an agreement to maintain their training business out of Royal Randwick after reports they were set to dissolve their union at the end of this month.

When contacted by The Daily Telegraph on Monday night, 26-year-old James Cummings was reluctant to make comment but did make this telling remark: "I will say this - it is business as usual," James said.

Legal representative Jack Fisher, representing the family, spoke exclusively to The Daily Telegraph on Monday night and confirmed the training partnership between Bart and James remains in place.

"I've been Bart's power attorney, advisor and friend for many years and I can tell you, in Bart's words the Cummings dynasty is a united family and I'm happy to say all is well now," Fisher said.

Bart Cummings with grandson and business partner James. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

"Quite frankly, this did get a little out of hand and that happens when some people not authorised to speak, do say things to the media.

"There had to be a few amendments, a restructuring of the business, but the issues have been overcome and the training partnership continues."

Fisher said James is the director of the business while Bart has the "right to, wants to, and is relied upon to be the advisor of all thing with the horses."

"Bart is as happy as larry now, he knows what is going on," Fisher continued.

"He is 86 and obviously can't train with the intensity of a young man but he is on the phone to James all the time talking about the horses.

"James will travel out to Princes Farm at least once a week to discuss with Bart what is happening with their horses and the training programs."

It is understood the resignation of long-time Randwick stable employee Bill Charles has been accepted.

Three generations of the Cummings clan, Bart, Anthony and James, will train from the one stable block at Flemington with Melbourne stable foreman Reg Fleming continuing in that role.

James Cummings with race horse Eurozone at Leilani Lodge stables in Randwick. Source: News Limited

Amid much publicity and promise, Bart and James formed a training partnership on August 1 and their union has had immediate success.

Team Cummings had prepared 14 winners of more than $1.2 million prizemoney in just over four months, including stakes wins with Precedence (Moonee Valley Gold Cup, Queen Elizabeth Stakes) and Eurozone (The Rosebud, Stan Fox Stakes).

Reports of a split between the pair shocked the racing world last week.

Bart Cummings even outlined plans to train at the Hawkesbury, which is close to his Princes Farm property at Castlereagh in Sydney's far western suburbs.

The "Cups King" even made application to Racing NSW late last week to dissolve the training partnership in preparation for a move to Hawkesbury.

As of close of business Monday night, Racing NSW had not received any notification from Bart Cummings that he had a change of heart.

"Until we receive something official from the Cummings stable, I cannot make any comment on this matter," Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys said on Monday night.

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McLean banned for six months

Jarrod McLean with his Melbourne Cup racehorse 'Kibbutz'. Source: News Limited

LEADING Warrnambool trainer Jarrod McLean has been disqualified for six months after pleading guilty to a bicarb offence at the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board in Melbourne on Monday.

He was charged by stewards after five year-old gelding Prymslea returned an elevated total carbon dioxide (TCO2) level at Mildura on August 30.

Prymslea, which ran fourth in the five horse field after starting at $2.90, has been disqualified and lost the $700 prizemoney.

McLean was also fined $2000 for not keeping records of treatment administered to the horse.

Horses trained by McLean won nearly $1 million in prizemoney last season, and so far this season they'd made $361,255.

Although he also trains flat horses, including Blackie which finished third in the Toorak Handicap during the Spring Carnival, McLean is also a prominent trainer of jumpers.

He trained Cats Fun, ridden by his brother Brad, which won the Brierly Steeplechase during the three day carnival at Warrnambool this year.

McLean combined with his brother Brad when Maythehorsebemagic to win the JJ Houlahan Hurdle and Australian Steeplechase at Sandown this year.

He starts his ban today.

And stewards yesterday charged Bendigo trainer Shaun Dwyer after eight year-old gelding Anudjawun returned a positive swab detected in a pre-race urine sample at Caulfield on October 16.

The gelding ran ninth in the BMW Handicap.

Stewards said the prohibited substance - Ibuprofen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) - was detected.

The charge against Dwyer will be heard by the RAD Board on Tuesday.

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Sydney racing on wrong track

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IT is a shocker that in a period of fine sunny weather a Randwick meeting featuring one of Australia's great mile races, the Villiers, has to be transferred to an inside track, but it is better the decision was made on Saturday night and not at the last minute next Friday.

I think Rosehill would have been a far better alternative than the Kensington track, with its limited field sizes, but Rosehill has been let out for Christmas functions next weekend and we cannot quibble about that, with the money made from these functions on non race days going straight back into racing.

I hope people in racing don't think the Kensington track because it is racing so well is the answer to all our prayers. It might look OK on television, but the Kensington track is an inside track, the horses are too far from the paying public and it is an alternative circuit or lesser meeting track and nothing more.

We are stuck with next Saturday so let us get on with it, but let us also make sure a major meeting does not have to be transferred off the course proper in such circumstances again.

***

MAJOR thoroughbed auction house, Inglis, won't be expecting BC3 Thoroughbreds who have paid $2.6 million for a filly and $5 for a colt out of Black Caviar's dam Helsinge in the last couple of years, to bid on this year's full sister to the champ, by Bel Esprit.

It seems the $5 million account for last year's colt has not been settled.

The spokesmen for BC3 have been Melbourne identity Bill Vlahos and former jockey Simon Marshall. Vlahos has been in the news in the NSW Supreme Court this week in a case centring around a punters club of which he is the principal.

Vlahos claimed $194 million was in an account in the Westpac bank, but the bank has no knowledge of such an account. Vlahos said in court on Friday that a former business partner, who is now in Dubai, was responsible for the banking.

***

I THINK stewards have been too hard on Serg Lisnyy in standing him down for a month. I know Lisnyy's old mount Calming Influence won easily on Saturday with Hugh Bowman up, but what Lisnyy needed was some expert guidance not a confidence sapping suspension.

The kid rides well and is one of our best apprentices. A couple of hours with Ron Quinton or Malcolm Johnston was all that he needed.

Compare Lisnyy's penalty with the lenience handed out to Hugh Bowman at Gosford on Thursday when the leading rider was told by stewards "in future he would be expected to ride more competitively".

I would assume Bowman and all jockeys should know they should ride competitively. At Gosford Bowman was leading on an odds on favourite in a field of four and he allowed a rival up on his inside and to the howls of punters that horse went on to beat him.

Bowman gets let off, Lisnyy gets rubbed out. Come on.

Bart Cummings: Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

***

I UNDERSTAND Bart and James Cummings were having lunch together yesterday and I hope some things were resolved. One thing I am certain of is young James will make his mark on racing. He is a fine young man, a credit to his parents, and he has talent to burn.

***

AFTER his fourth winner at Randwick on Saturday Peter Snowden told me he expected to hear his alarm go off and he would wake up.

Pete is certainly having a great run and Darley will miss him when he hands over the reins to John O'Shea after the Autumn carnival. All four winners on Saturday went great and I particularly liked the performance of Viscount's young brother Sinjoren, who is getting better every time he strips for action.

As good as the stable is going, the No 1 jockey Kerrin McEvoy is also on fire riding with a new found aggression.

RIDE OF THE DAY

Kerrin McEvoy on Solemn. Made use of him to get a good position and then rode with plenty of poise and patience.

RUN OF THE DAY

Messene. Toyed with his rivals. Has now won six from nine and knows where the post is.

FORGET IT RAN

Occitan lost all momentum when held in a pocket in the juvenile race and the effort can be forgiven.

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Siddle's got a bunny in KP

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PETER Siddle has become Kevin Pietersen's great tormentor.

The banana-munching fast bowler on Sunday completed a match sweep against England's key batsman, removing Pietersen for the ninth time in his career.

A day after Siddle and the Aussies suckered Pietersen into flicking a straight ball into a waiting leg-side trap, the big-hearted Victorian removed the dangerous No. 4 and reignited Australia's inevitable march to a 2-0 series lead.

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The right-armer found just enough rare movement on a dry Adelaide Oval wicket, nipping the ball back off the seam, catching a faint inside edge and an even fainter nick on Pietersen's off bail.

It was a crucial breakthrough midway through the second session, after Pietersen and Joe Root had defied a pair of early Australian breakthroughs to combine for a 111-run stand.

Of the 167 times Pietersen has fallen in Test cricket, no man has pulled the trigger more times than Siddle's nine.

Next best on Pietersen's nemesis list is Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan and retired Australian quick Brett Lee, who each claimed the 101-Test enigma six times.

"I don't know, I guess I just love the challenge of bowling against a player of his experience and talent I guess," Siddle said of his hold over Pietersen.

Peter Siddle is congratulated by teammates after dismissing Kevin Pietersen. AP Photo/James Elsby Source: AP

"He's been a star player of Test cricket and I just enjoy it. I try to keep it patient, bowl in the right areas and I've just been lucky - a few chop-ons always helps, so there's a bit of luck there as well.

"But it was nice to get him early today."

The Siddle-Pietersen pairing is still well short of the record 19 dismissals former England captain Mike Atherton suffered against Glenn McGrath.

Atherton holds three of the top four spots in cricket's "bunny" list, having also fallen to West Indies pair Curtley Ambrose and Courtney Walsh 17 times each.

Siddle dislodged Pietersen three times during the winter Ashes in England, but failed to add to the pile in the opening Test of the summer in Brisbane.

In a twist, the only bigger bunny in the current Ashes battle is Siddle himself - the paceman has given Jimmy Anderson a personal-best 11 scalps in his 334-wicket career.

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England No. 5 Ian Bell has been a lone hand withstanding Mitchell Johnson's searing heat this summer after once being a soft touch for Adelaide's day-three destroyer. But emerging as a bogey in Johnson's place is unlikely game-changer Steve Smith.

Part-time leg-spinner Smith, with just nine Test wickets to his name, claimed Bell for the third time in his career on Sunday.

It was a soft dismissal, Bell mis-timing a full toss to a diving Johnson at mid-on. Two of Smith's three personal victories against Bell have come thanks to full tosses.

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