Johns tips Mullen for Blues role

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JARROD Mullen was hailed as "the next Joey" when arrived in first grade way back in 2004 as a teenager at Newcastle, but a decade on the real Joey has anointed the now 27-year-old as the answer to NSW's five-eighth problems in 2014.

With out-of-form Roosters five-eighth James Maloney under pressure to keep his place in the Blues team after a slow start to the year, Andrew Johns said on The Sunday Footy Show that it was time to reconsider Mullen at Origin level.

SNOWDEN SENDS CHILL THROUGH KNIGHTS

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Mullen's only Origin appearance was way back in 2007 when he was thrown into the Blues side at halfback as a 20-year-old — but after playing one game Mullen suffered an injury and he never got another crack.

While his consistency over the years has been questioned, Mullen came of age last year when he took over the Newcastle captaincy in Kurt Gidley's absence and guided the Knights to finish just one game short of the grand final.

And he looked set for another big year in 2014 before he went down with a hamstring injury at the Auckland Nines.

Jarrod Mullen has matured under Wayne Bennett at Newcastle. Source: News Corp Australia

But Mullen took no time to settle back in on Saturday when he returned for the Knights against Canberra and his ball playing and kicking game was instrumental in the Knights' 26-12 win.

Maloney's form this year has been a major worry for the Blues and it even forced NSW coach Laurie Daley to publicly declare last week that it was time for Maloney to lift his game.

Bulldogs five-eighth Josh Reynolds has also had a great start to the year and will surely come into consideration — but Mullen's great strength is his kicking game and ability to create opportunities for his outside men while he is also strong defensively.

FARAH INJURY GIVES DALEY THE BLUES

ORIGIN FARCE KEEPS SEMI FROM NSW

Johns also threw up Jarryd Hayne as a wildcard option for NSW five-eighth this year — but Johns said Mullen would be his pick to wear the number six jumper.

"I know I would be tempted to play Jarryd (Hayne) at five-eighth but (Mullen) is my five-eighth for Origin," Johns said on The Sunday Footy Show.

"He controls the game.

"When (the Knights) were leading the game his kicking game the last 15 minutes just totally controlled it."

Johns said he thinks Hayne would play fullback for the Blues this year but could also handle the five-eighth job.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Misfiring Cowboys dazed and confused

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THE misfiring Cowboys attack is in danger of derailing their season, with coach Paul Green's new structure leaving players dazed and confused.

Despite possessing the brilliance of Johnathan Thurston, the only team the Cowboys have scored more tries than this season is last placed Cronulla.

A one-try performance against a depleted Wests Tigers on Saturday night plunged North Queensland to their fourth loss this season and 12th place on the ladder.

TIGERS ROAR AS COWBOYS COLLAPSE

The Cowboys haven't been able to get the best out of Johnathan Thurston this season. Source: Getty Images

Frustrated North Queensland and Australian Test prop James Tamou said the Cowboys were playing as if they had never trained together before.

They now face last year's grand finalists Manly Sea Eagles at fortress Brookvale on Friday night, their third game in 12 days.

Tamou said their spluttering attack against the Tigers was devoid of cohesion.

"We worked all week at training on our sets to score tries but then when we were out there it looked like we had never played with each other," he said.

"No one knew what was going on when we got down to their end.

"It was very frustrating."

The Cowboys have only scored 18 tries in six games, rendering them second last for tries scored in the NRL.

They average one try fewer per game than their eighth-placed 2013 season, despite the competition's overall try-rate increasing this year through faster play-the-balls.

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To further highlight how often Cowboys players shoot themselves in the foot, they are among the NRL's top six teams in linebreaks made.

"We are struggling to score points at the moment," Tamou said.

"It is the littlest things. We can hold them off all right.

"We do all the hard work on our line defensively. We defended three sets, penalty after penalty.

"We are talking to each other (in defence) but when we get down their end we are tanked.

"Weary passes just aren't going to the target."

Green may be new to the NRL but he has been in worse positions before.

He steered Wynnum Manly to a premiership after they opened their season with six straight losses.

The Cowboys, who are stuck in Sydney due to Cyclone Ita, have legitimate excuses for their erratic play and they are the best defensive team in the competition.

North Queensland coach Paul Green has come under fire for making wholesale changes. Source: News Corp Australia

WOODS, TAMOU IN TEST SHOWDOWN

Green was adamant even before the season started players would take time to adjust to a new spine and remodelled structure.

He has changed practically everything since arriving in Townsville following the sacking of Neil Henry.

Green has introduced Sydney Roosters' structures to their attack.

They were clearly successful in Bondi and players are confident they will be in Townsville.

The Cowboys however only have two wins from their six games.

Only three teams in the 100-plus year history of first grade rugby league have won a premiership from that start.

The last team to do so was the Sydney Roosters in 2002, which featured Green albeit for one game before injury struck.

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Blues power figures push for change

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CARLTON could start its radical club rebuild in coming weeks with coach Mick Malthouse the only key pillar left untouched by the end of 2014.

Powerbrokers agitating for change at Carlton are predicting major turnover in the days after the Easter break following Round 5.

Some key figures are overseas in the week leading into Easter, but those calling for a major clean-out held key talks again after Sunday's humbling loss to Melbourne.

It means the mood for change will only intensify in coming weeks, with growing momentum for the new look from influential club figures, powerbrokers and board members.

The Blues have already forecast more radical list changes this year, planning to turn over another 10 or more players.

Carlton president Stephen Kernahan has some big decisions to make on the future of his club. Source: News Limited

But the off-field changes could be more significant, with the potential for a new president, chief executive, recruiting boss and rejigged board.

Carlton powerbroker Bruce Mathieson is adamant a new broom must be swept through Carlton, pointing directly at CEO Greg Swann and president Stephen Kernahan.

Highly-regarded chief executive Swann, close to being poached by St Kilda on a four-year deal this summer, is under pressure given the results and lack of membership growth.

St Kilda believed it was desperately close to winning his services on a four-year deal but after enjoying rolling three-year deals at Visy Park he is now on a season-by-season contract.

The poker machines donated by Mathieson contribute millions of dollars yearly, which means his call to review the tenures of Swann and president Stephen Kernahan carries huge weight.

Kernahan is prepared to hand over the reins early should a successor be identified, with director Mark LoGiudice likely to be elevated.

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The Blues have already revamped their recruiting department, changing some interstate staff and elevating Shane Rogers.

But the Herald Sun reported this weekend after attempting to poach Geelong's Stephen Wells they would try to pursue Sydney's Kinnear Beatson or Hawthorn's Graeme Wright.

Highly-rated recruiter Luke Williams was poached last year but lasted only six months and is said to have been taken aback by the old-school methods used at the Blues.

Malthouse's position is rock solid, with football boss Andrew McKay again stating yesterday if anyone could right the ship it was wily veteran Malthouse.

Kernahan believes Malthouse, 61, would be prepared to rebuild Carlton but Swann said on Saturday any contract extension would only come at the end of the season.

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Malthouse faces key decisions on some of his veterans given the Blues will quickly turn into rebuild mode with more early-season losses.

Heath Scotland (34 in July) will retire, with Chris Judd saying this month he was still enjoying his football but unsure if he would play on next year.

Brock McLean is out of contract, Andrew Carrazzo is 30 and injury-prone, and Bryce Gibbs is still considering free agency offers.

Carlton had indicated as recently as last week to 31-year-old Jarrad Waite it would re-sign him.

But amid confusion about exactly why he was dropped it is not clear where he fits into Malthouse's plans.

Kade Simpson (30 in May) and Andrew Walker (28 next month) have re-signed after consistently strong performances.

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Buzz: Hayne v Inglis is Origin heaven

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It could be one of the greatest one-on-one duels in State of Origin history.

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Right up there with Lewis and Kenny, Langer and Stuart, Lockyer and Fittler.

When Laurie Daley names his NSW Blues team for the opening Origin game, there's every chance Parramatta Eels superstar Jarryd Hayne will be opposite the great Greg Inglis.

Does Jarryd Hayne have what it takes to match Greg Inglis? Source: News Corp Australia

A mouth-watering proposition and a colossal confrontation between two genuine NRL champions.

Hayne will be named Australia's right side centre with Inglis on the left when Tim Sheens reveals his Kangaroos outfit to play New Zealand on May 2.

ORIGIN FARCE KEEPS SEMI FROM NSW

Both play their club football at fullback but are equally at home in the centres — the same positions they played in for last year's triumphant World Cup campaign.

While Hayne and Inglis have opposed each other at fullback before, never have they come one-on-one in the frontline in club or Origin football.

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Two absolute powerhouses and remarkably similar for their strength, skill, pace and potency.

While Inglis is regarded by many as the game's premier player, Daley has enormous confidence in Hayne's ability to more than hold his own.

He has stood out in a struggling side for years while Inglis has had the benefit of playing in one of the NRL competition's most competitive clubs.

Hayne's selection in the centres will be one of the few changes to the NSW side.

Jarryd Hayne looks back to his best just in time for Origin. Source: News Corp Australia

The biggest problem facing Daley and his adviser Bob Fulton is the poor recent form of Sydney Roosters halves, Mitch Pearce and James Maloney.

Understandably they are reluctant to make changes with the half-back and five-eighth who got us so close to victory last season. Plus Pearce was there the year before when the Blues were beaten only by a Cooper Cronk field goal.

The pair again struggled on Saturday night against the Parramatta Eels.

On one occasion, Maloney threw a pass almost into touch on the full when a try was on that would have won the game for the Roosters.

The overall form of the defending premiers Roosters is a major concern for the Blues selectors.

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Second-rower Boyd Cordner will be picked on reputation alone and Roosters' Michael Jennings looks certain to lose his spot to Jarryd Hayne.

If Maloney survives the undeniable challenge from Josh Reynolds, it will be for his goal-kicking alone.

FARAH INJURY GIVES DALEY THE BLUES

No one else, outside of part-timer Greg Bird, has kicked this year.

If he misses a position in the starting line-up, Reynolds has to be the first player chosen on the bench.

While the halves are causing huge concern, the Blues have also got an issue in the hooking role if Robbie Farah does not recover in time. The experienced Michael Ennis is doing a great job at the Bulldogs but Parramatta's Nathan Peats is the form No 9 in the competition. On a positive, there is more front-row depth than ever before with skipper Paul Gallen, James Tamou, Andrew Fifita and the premiership's form prop Aaron Woods.

Nathan Peats is the competition's form No. 9. Source: Getty Images

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THE Parramatta Eels have become the feel-good story the NRL desperately needed.

Saturday night's victory over the Roosters — a 50-point turnaround in a month — confirmed this side can play finals football this year.

They've beaten the Broncos, almost beaten Manly, knocked off the Panthers and now the Roosters.

And the little man who has provided the spark is comeback half-back Chris Sandow.

EELS SHOCK ROOSTERS IN MIRACLE WIN

It so refreshing and such a pleasure to watch him play after his career appeared to be over.

The chips over the top, the regathers, the second phase runs, the beautiful passing — he's got the lot.

Victories by the Eels and the Wests Tigers sets up an Easter Monday blockbuster between the two clubs at ANZ Stadium.

This could seriously be a showpiece of footy between two clubs that love to use the football.

Two exceptionally exciting sides who have over achieved in the early rounds and play such an exciting brand of rugby league.

With the Easter Show next door, a crowd of 40,000 plus is not out of the question.

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Nathan Merritt's form this season has been a highlight. Source: News Corp Australia

HIGHLIGHT

Nathan Merritt's 145th try for the South Sydney Rabbitohs to break the club's all-time record.

This guy is not just a fabulous winger but a wonderful Indigenous role model.

HIGHLIGHT II

Chris Sandow's mighty game against the Roosters, smacking Mitch Pearce's backside in the battle of the halfbacks.

HIGHLIGHT III

Jarryd Hayne's sensational match-saving tackle on the normally unstoppable Sonny Bill Williams in the dying moments.

HIGHLIGHT IIII

Parramatta and the Roosters was an epic game of football. Put down Brad Arthur as an early candidate for the Dally M coach-of-the-year award.

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LOWLIGHT

Ben Barba's continued poor form for the Brisbane Broncos and the blunder that cost his team victory against the Titans. He still hasn't made a line-break all season.

MISSING FANS

Where are all the NRL fans in Sydney's west? On Saturday night the Wests Tigers and Cowboys attracted a pathetic 6456 fans to Campbelltown.

Penrith, despite an improved team and performances, is averaging only 10,000 at home games. I'm starting to like ANZ Stadium again.

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Hawks show Suns who’s boss

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THE gaping chasm between where the Gold Coast are and where they want to be was ruthlessly exposed by reigning premier Hawthorn at Metricon Stadium.

The ambitious Suns took the fight up to the Hawks early but the genuine star power of the flag favourites proved to be far too good, far too often as the visitors romped home in the second half to record a thumping 99-point thrashing.

HAWKS V SUNS: FULL STATS, SUPERCOACH POINTS AND MORE

When the game was briefly in the balance, it was Hawthorn's rolled-gold rockstars such as Jarryd Roughead, Cyril Rioli, Sam Mitchell and Shaun Burgoyne who put the pedal down and put the Suns fairly and squarely in their place.

Jordan Lewis crunches Gary Ablett in the first quarter. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

The four premiership points were safely in the bag by midway through the third term as the champs reminded the contenders that they still owned the competition's ultimate knockout punch.

Hawthorn kicked the last 11 goals of the match to underline its vast superiority.

Ablett cops the full "unsociable Hawks" treatment. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

Jack Gunston kicked five goals while Roughead added four as 12 Hawks players got among the goals. Mitchell finished with 35 disposals while Luke Hodge (32), Josh Gibson (31), Matthew Suckling (29) and Grant Birchall (27) also saw plenty of the Sherrin.

Gary Ablett had 36 disposals while David Swallow, Dion Prestia and Jaeger O'Meara also battled hard for the outclassed Suns.

Lewis bumps Ablett off the ball. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

It will only be matter of time before the Suns are physically and mentally capable of matching superpowers like the Hawks for four quarters.

That time has not arrived yet.

But which team in the AFL is capable of matching Hawthorn's intoxicating blend of brilliance and brutality at the moment?

Steven May makes a flying spoil against Jarryd Roughead. Picture: Darren England. Source: News Corp Australia

Hawthorn emphatically stamped its authority on the contest with an imposing second term that set up a 33-point buffer at halftime.

The Suns did not trouble the scoreboard attendant until the 16th minute of the term when Ablett produced a trademark snap for goal such was Hawthorn's swarming pressure that forced the Gold Coast into costly turnovers.

The only other joy for the home side came through veteran midfielder Michael Rischitelli who goaled after a brilliant pick-up on the run.

Graphic by Champion Data Source: Supplied

Other than those two rays of light for the Suns, it was all Hawks who put the Gold Coast to the sword with scorching speed and skill.

Hawthorn punished every Suns error to the full extent with their big names to the fore.

Their ability to force a turnover, spread and ruthlessly hit the scoreboard was too much for the Suns who battled manfully but lacked the polish of the premiers.

Graphic by Champion Data Source: Supplied

It was a physically fierce opening term that also contained flashes of attacking flair from both sides.

Only a three-goal burst from the talented trio of Roughead, Rioli and Mitchell pit some space between the teams with the Hawks enjoying a two-goal advantage at the first change.

Cyril Rioli dumps Gold Coast star David Swallow. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

Earlier in the day, Karmichael Hunt was forced out of the NEAFL match after a sickening head knock in the second quarter of the curtain-raiser against the Northern Territory Thunder.

Hunt was visibly dazed by the knock and had blood gushing out of his head. He required stitches and was sent home.

He was not required to go to hospital but his chances of earning a recall to the senior side next Sunday have all but been wiped out.

REPLAY OUR LIVE SUPER SATURDAY COVERAGE BELOW:

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Barba prepares to feel the axe

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BESIEGED Broncos fullback Ben Barba says he is letting his teammates down and is facing the prospect of being dumped to the Queensland Cup.

In an honest critique following his side's heartbreaking 12-8 loss to the Titans, Barba says he is testing Brisbane's patience after his "terrible" showing in the Queensland derby.

The big-name import had a bitter-sweet Friday night at Cbus Super Stadium.

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Barba shaped as the hero when he produced a magnificent try-saving tackle on Mark Minichiello in the 65th minute, using his foot and hand to wedge the ball millimetres above the turf.

But nine minutes later, Barba was a shattered soul.

Allowing a high kick to bounce, Barba leapt in his in-goal to defuse it, only to be stripped of possession by Aidan Sezer, who duly scored the match-winner.

Given his outstanding effort on Minichiello, Barba deserved a better finale.

But the Broncos custodian wants no sympathy after taking responsibility for the Titans' great escape.

"It was terrible," a crestfallen Barba told The Sunday Mail. "I was happy with that (Minichiello tackle), but in saying that, I have one job in particular ... and that's to be safe under the high ball.

Ben Barba has had a difficult start to his career with the Broncos. Source: Getty Images

"To be honest, I have to find something soon or I could find myself playing Queensland Cup in the next few weeks."

Barba's opening six weeks have produced a mixed bag.

His first month was solid and featured some confident plays, laying on a four-pointer for Dale Copley against his former club the Bulldogs with a pinpoint grubber in round one.

He also produced a slick inside ball for a Matt Gillett try in Brisbane's crushing 36-20 round four win over the Dragons.

But in the past fortnight, Barba's confidence has taken a hit.

He was poor against Parramatta, and made three errors in the derby – the first in the 17th minute when he grassed a Titans bomb.

On the eve of the Titans clash, Barba approached coach Anthony Griffin seeking feedback on his game.

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Griffin has assured Barba he is happy with his contributions.

But without a try or line break in six games for his new club, the 2012 Dally M Medallist is not satisfied with his output.

"Personally, I feel I'm letting these boys down," he said.

"I've got to find something because I can't keep doing this every week.

"I'm disappointed, because these boys work so hard and I'm the one letting them down.

"I need to look at myself and turn it around."

Broncos prop Ben Hannant, who played alongside Barba at the Bulldogs, said the 24-year-old needed time to settle at Red Hill.

"He'll bounce back," Hannant said.

Ben Barba weighs up his options as he runs the ball against the Titans. Source: Getty Images

"He didn't have his best night (against the Titans), but he's a top-class player and we have every bit of confidence that he will find his form.

"It's a new club, new structures, it will take time for Benny. But look out when he does find his confidence and where he needs to be."

Brisbane enforcer Josh McGuire dismissed suggestions Barba's self-belief had been eroded.

"I don't think it's a confidence thing," he said.

"I think he lost sight of it (the high kick) and I wouldn't want to be back there trying to catch it.

"Barbs is having a tough time at the moment with all the criticism but the team is behind him 100 per cent.

"We're a tight-knit group here. If one guy is having a hard time, the whole team feels it and we have to get through it as a team.

"I have full faith in Ben. He is a freakish player. It was just a freak moment and hopefully he bounces back next week."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Origin farce keeps Semi from NSW

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RUGBY league's State of Origin eligibility rules have been shown up yet again to be a complete farce.

This time the victim is the game's most dynamic new personality player, Parramatta's barnstorming winger Semi Radradra.

The NRL has ruled that the Fijian flyer can play for Australia - but, inexplicably, not State of Origin.

This is despite the fact four high profile Fijians have already played Origin football – the great Petero Civoniceva, Jarryd Hayne, Lote Tuqiri and Akuila Uate.

Semi Radradra celebrates another try with teammates. Source: News Corp Australia

Under new guidelines for rep football, Radradra can nominate to play for Australia once he has lived in the country for three years.

Yet because he wasn't born in NSW or QLD and didn't live in either state before the age of 13, he can't play State of Origin.

The NRL's general manager of game development, Andrew Hill, insists there is no loophole that would allow the cult hero they call 'Semi Trailor' to play for NSW.

"Tightening up the eligibility rules was a move towards ensuring the state versus state, mate versus mate concept was protected," Hill said.

"The commission was very keen to ensure the concept of the State of Origin remained as a game between NSW and Queensland."

Yet this is the game that continually allows Macksville born, bred and raised Greg Inglis to play for QLD and any number of Kiwis and Pacific Islanders to play for the Blues or Maroons.

And the same game that sits back and allows superstars Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess to walk out on the code because they are not allowed to play in the game's showpiece event of the year.

Greg Inglis was born and raised in NSW. Source: News Limited

Radradra is the NRL's leading try-scorer in 2014, proving virtually unstoppable on Parramatta's left-side wing, turning the trampling of opponents into an art form.

He averages nearly 120 metres a game, has made 26 tackle busts in five games and brings back memories of legendry Eels winger Eric Grothe.

Radradra comes from the tiny Fijian village of Somosomo and has been in Australia for less than two years.

He was first spotted by the Eels' recruitment team in a televised rugby union sevens tournament in Dubai.

At the moment he has nominated Fiji as his country of choice but can change at any time because his country is considered a second-tier rugby league nation.

Jarryd Hayne has played for both Fiji and NSW. Source: News Limited

There is no question he is already explosive enough to handle the extra pace and intensity or Origin football, although his positional play understandably still needs some work.

The Origin snubbing has a two-fold effect on this excitement machine.

He loses the opportunity to earn an extra $90,000-a-year in match payments and also cash in on the marketing and sponsorship benefits that come from Origin exposure.

Radradra is under contract to Parramatta until the end of next season but it hasn't stopped Japanese rugby clubs and rival NRL talent scouts from making enquiries.

Should Semi Radradra be allowed to play Origin?

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Halftime report: How low can Blues go?

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MISS any of the highlights — or lowlights — of the round so far? Catch up on all the big talking points here.

HOW LOW CAN THEY GO?

CARLTON plunged further into despair on Saturday when the Blues became Melbourne's first victim of the season at the MCG.

It wasn't just the result, but the listless manner in which the Blues succumbed that would have infuriated Blues fans.

There was no spark, little fight and seemingly even less direction out on the field.

Remember the fallout last week following the 81-point belting to Essendon in Round 3?

The 23-point loss to Melbourne will have even greater impact across the footy world, with Mick Malthouse and skipper Marc Murphy — comprehensively beaten by Nathan Jones — certain to be in the firing line.

After the game Mick declared he won't be changing the game plan just because he's lost a few games, although he didn't mention this is the worst start to the season of his entire coaching career; in 29 seasons as senior coach he has never lost the first four matches.

Amid all the Blues bashing, let's stop for a moment to praise a great win for the Demons.

Nathan Jones led from the front, James Frawley has become a genuine threat up forward and Jack Watts even chimed in with a crucial goal. Handy timing when the bloke he is so often compared to finished the day in the sub vest (see below).

Carlton fans were irate after the loss to the Dees. Picture: Colleen Petch

BUT THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS

While things on-field might not be going so great for the Blues, there was some interesting — and potentially exciting news — for footy fans yesterday.

Carlton chief Greg Swann said he expected his club would play an AFL match for premiership points on Good Friday next year .

"Lock it in," Swann told Triple M radio on Saturday.

Swann said the two teams had been working with the AFL for several seasons to organise a 4.30pm Good Friday match, after which the two captains and coaches would hand over a cheque to the Royal Children's Hospital during the televised Good Friday Appeal.

"We nearly got (the match) up two, maybe three seasons ago before Andrew Demetriou put the kibosh on it," Swann said.

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CAFF PUTS THE CUFFS ON COTCHIN

How far can taggers go?

The subject is back on the AFL agenda after Brent Macaffer's superb — or disgraceful, depending on your point of view — stopping job on Richmond captain Trent Cotchin on Friday night.

The debate over Macaffer's negating tactics continued on Saturday with AFL umpires coach Hayden Kennedy saying he didn't like what he saw at the MCG, and Demon Nathan Jones taking the scalp of Marc Murphy with similar tactics.

Did you see anything wrong with the tactics Brent Macaffer employed against Trent Cotchin?

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I AM SAM ... AND SO IS HE

Two new boys stepped on to the AFL stage this weekend after battling their way to the top, and both had an instant impact.

Sam Lloyd provided some rare highlights for Tiger fans on Friday night with three goals on debut, and Sam Gray followed in his footsteps on Saturday.

Lloyd played with Deniliquin (in country NSW), Mt Eliza (on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula) and Frankston in the VFL before landing at the Tigers.

Gray trained with the Power before the 2012 rookie draft but didn't make the cut, so he went back to the SANFL and won the best-and-fairest for the Port Magpies then earned a second chance in last year's rookie draft.

Promoted to the senior list, he was named for his debut against Brisbane and, like Lloyd, he also booted three goals. But the result for his team was a lot more favourable, with the Power smashing the Lions by 113 points.

The pair have something else in common — they are both SuperCoach bargains. Gray is a $102,400 midfielder while Lloyd is a $117,300 forward.

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WEST COAST WANDERERS

Remember the heady days of two days ago when the Eagles topped the AFL ladder and were everyone's favourite top-four bolter?

At quarter-time at Simonds Stadium last night West Coast was taking it up to Geelong in what shaped as a genuine heavyweight bout.

After that the wheels fell off and might still be bouncing their way across the Nullarbor.

Geelong piled on 12 goals and the Eagles added ... none.

West Coast managed just seven behinds as the Cats recorded 113 more disposals, 30 more inside-50s and 79 more marks for the match.

Ten Geelong players scored 100 SuperCoach or more, West Coast's highest scorer was Elliot Yeo with 82.

With the injury list growing, are we seeing a repeat of 2013 or will the Eagles bounce back? Port Adelaide at home next Saturday will be big.

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COUNTDOWN TO EASTER MONDAY IS ON

As Geelong was flexing its muscles against West Coast, Hawthorn put another upstart in its place up north, smashing Gold Coast by 99 points.

It sets up a mouth-watering Easter Monday encounter next week with the two fierce rivals sitting first and second on the ladder.

After that clash only one side will remain unbeaten after five rounds.

The Hawks broke the Kennett curse in a dramatic preliminary final last year, a five-point win ending a streak of 11 straight losses to Geelong since the 2008 Grand Final.

We'll hear plenty about sides in trouble this week but it will be great to celebrate footy at its best. Keep next Monday free.

Nic Naitanui in the sub vest sums up West Coast's dismal night. Source: Getty Images

CANBERRA SAND TRAP

The Bulldogs and Giants looked like they were playing on a golf course when they squared off at Star Track Oval on Saturday.

The ground was covered with sand which was often kicked up as players dived, kicked and basically moved across the surface.

If the AFL is planning to look at the surface at ANZ Stadium (and we haven't seen any evidence they are), they can add Canberra to the inquiry.

The Dogs took the honours after a late rally with Liam Jones standing up when it mattered for the second week in a row. He's copped plenty of criticism in his 56-game career, has he finally made it?

Anyone for a game of beach cricket? Tom Scully bites the dust.

BURGER WITHOUT THE LOT

On top of a 113-point drubbing, Brisbane faces life without Matthew Leuenberger after the big man limped off Adelaide Oval with a leg injury.

The ruckman will have scans today and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

The Lions also lost playmaker Pearce Hanley to a hamstring injury, but the Lions hope it isn't serious.

Leuenberger played almost a half and finished with the forgettable stats sheet of two disposals, eight hitouts, five clangers and zero SuperCoach points.

It hasn't been a great weekend for ruckmen in SuperCoach, with Tom Hickey pulling out of the St Kilda squad on Friday and Shane Mumford a late withdrawal for GWS yesterday.

Let's hope Aaron Sandilands makes it through the Essendon game in one piece.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hardwick: “Biggest hole we’ve been in”

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RICHMOND coach Damien Hardwick has struggled to hide his frustration over the treatment of Trent Cotchin after a loss to Collingwood thrust the Tigers into the "biggest hole we've been in".

Cotchin was ruthlessly tagged by Collingwood's Brent Macaffer and kept to just 13 disposals — his lowest return in four years — in the Tigers' 38-point defeat.

Asked about the tactics used to muzzle the influence of the Richmond captain, Hardwick shook his head and offered a wry smile.

GREAT SCOTT INSPIRES BRUTAL WIN

"He (Cotchin) is a better man than I am, put it that way," Hardwick said.

"There are some people (umpires) out there that give the protection. I'll be showing my players that's how you tag — he (Macaffer) did an outstanding job."

Brent Macaffer barely left the side of Trent Cotchin. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

When it was suggested the umpires had gone too far in allowing contact, Hardwick said: "You're asking the wrong bloke.

"Take nothing away from Collingwood; they were outstanding, their pressure around the ball, their ability to win the scrimmages, they looked cleaner than us.

"I thought he tried his backside off, Trent ... but Macaffer did a very good job to keep him to 13 touches — that doesn't happen very often."

Debutant Sam Lloyd was a shining light for the Tigers. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Richmond now faces an uphill climb to play finals sitting 1-3, with matches against Brisbane Lions (away), Hawthorn and Geelong to come in the next three weeks.

"Yeah, I think it's the biggest hole we've been in. But that finds out a little bit about yourself. I think our character as a football side will be on show for the next month," Hardwick said.

"The season is still alive. It's going to be a very close competition this year. Our guys can play, make no mistake, we've just got to find our mojo and get our boys back up and going."

Dan Jackson is wrapped in a tackle by Dane Swan. Picture: Alex Coppel. Source: News Corp Australia

Hardwick said he expected he and the club to come under heavy criticism this week.

"That's the harsh reality of our world, it's all part and parcel of it. The blowtorch will come, good luck," he said.

"I don't worry about it, it is what it is. We know where we're at and that we've got to get better.

"We've got to get better. That's what is going to drive this club forward. We've got to keep persevering, keep demanding more of each other and keep putting more on the line to get where we want to go.

"We are well short of what we're capable of."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Buckley: What about Trav?

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COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley last night questioned the umpire's treatment of his key forward Travis Cloke who had another miserable night under the MCG lights.

Buckley said he believed there were a couple of sets of rules "out there at the moment" and Cloke was getting umpired to one set and everyone else to another.

"But he has to fight through that and I thought he stuck to his task," Buckley said.

Asked whether the rule changes were supposed to suit Cloke.

"It wasn't meant for him.

GREAT SCOTT INSPIRES BRUTAL WIN

"In the end the umpire is the umpire and it's a tough job and they make some blues and we make some blues, players make some blues. Cloke has just got to push through it."

Travis Cloke was held goalless in game 200. Picture: Alex Coppel. Source: News Corp Australia

Celebrating his 200th game, Cloke again failed to kick a goal for the third time this season.

He has kicked just two goals for the season _ in one game.

Despite the ball going into Collingwood's forward 50m zone 52 times, Cloke finished the game with just two behinds in his team's impressive victory over Richmond.

Buckley said it wasn't a night for big, mark forwards, but he rated Cloke's work rate as consistent.

The Magpie coach also singled out Brent Macaffer for special treatment as the forward turned star tagger claimed another big scalp. This time he restricted Richmond captain Trent Cotchin to just 13 disposals.

He said he is just getting better in his new role and said he hadn't used a tagger in the past because the team didn't have one.

"Now we do," Buckley said.

Brent Macaffer limited Trent Cotchin to 13 disposals Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

He said Macaffer was at the crossroads at the end of 2011 and he sat down with him and they had a heart-to-heart.

"I had coached him as a forward coach through 2010 and saw what he was capable of and I thought he'd just dropped off a little in his professionalism through 2011 and he wasn't favoured and didn't play as much footy.

"But he has made a real shift and a decision that he wants to take his profession as far as he possibly can."

Buckley said Macaffer wrote of the 2012 season after injuring his knee in the NAB Cup.

He said his concentration to stick to his task against the league's best ball winners had been huge.

"And he is getting better and better at it game by game," Buckley said.

"So it's a strength of his character which is getting it done and his commitment to his craft. He is a good footballer but he has now seen something he can own and something that he can contribute to team with and he is running with it."

Buckley was also happy with the improved performance of Dane Swan and said he'd spoken to him during the week about some KPIs he had to produced when the ball wasn't in his hands.

"And he met them tonight and that was the most impressive thing about his performance," he said.

Buckley said the win was another step forward.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More