Hamilton grabs pole for Spain GP

Lewis Hamilton celebrates after the qualifying session at the Circuit de Catalunya. Picture: AFP Source: Tom Gandolfini / AFP

A SUPREMELY-relaxed Lewis Hamilton delivered when it mattered on Saturday by producing a lap of searing speed to claim his fourth pole position of the season as Mercedes swept the front row for Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix.

Emerging Australian Daniel Ricciardo was once again the best of the rest in his Red Bull.

In the final seconds of a closely-fought qualifying session, the 2008 world champion clocked a majestic fastest lap in one minute and 25.232 seconds to outpace team-mate Nico Rosberg by 0.168 seconds.

Rosberg had been fastest in the morning's final free practice session and led the way through both Q1 and Q2 before Hamilton found the extra pace.

It was his first pole in Spain and the 35th of his career. Only Sebastian Vettel on 45 poles, Ayrton Senna on 65 and Michael Schumacher on 68 have claimed more.

"It's been a tough day," said Hamilton.

"Nico has been driving really well through P3 and qualifying, so I didn't know if I could get it. At the end, I had to eke out everything and more from the car.

"Coming here this weekend, I didn't know where everyone would be, but I see the development, and work that has gone on, to get the car ready and it inspires me. A big thank you to the team."

His friend and team-mate Rosberg did nothing to hide his feelings.

"Yes, for me, it's very disappointing," he said.

"I don't particularly enjoy coming second to Lewis. In the end, it was a good lap. Lewis just did a better job.

"All it takes is a good start tomorrow and I'm in the lead again and it's still all to play for."

On a track where eight of the past 10 races have been won from pole and 21 of the past 23 from the front row, Hamilton's success made him favourite to extend his winning streak to four in a row and take over as championship leader from Rosberg.

It was the second Mercedes one-two of the season and a reversal of the positions for last year's race.

Ricciardo took third on the grid for Red Bull after his team-mate and defending four-time world champion Vettel qualified only 10th due to drive failure early in the final session.

Ricciardo, however, was disappointed: "I think we did OK today, but it's not quite good enough. We're a second off - I expected a closer gap than that.

"We've made improvements this weekend, but so have Mercedes. We're a clear third today and that's not bad, but we want to be closer to the top two."

Vettel explained why he retired without recording a time in Q3: I left the garage and lost second gear.

"It was clear there was a problem, but I still had third gear and above so I thought I'd try without second gear. But by Turn One, I'd lost all the other gears.

"I was getting in a rhythm and I thought I could be shooting for P3. I think we have that in the car, but we never got that far."

Valtteri Bottas qualified fourth for a resurgent Williams team ahead of Romain Grosjean of Lotus and Kimi Raikkonen in the leading Ferrari.

Fernando Alonso was seventh in the second Ferrari, Jenson Button was eighth for McLaren and Felipe Massa ninth in the second Williams ahead of Vettel.

Toro Rosso's Jean-Eric Vergne will start from the back of the grid, having copped a 10-place penalty on Friday after being released from his pit stop on three wheels.

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Macca praises his brave Bulldogs

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WESTERN Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney lauded "brave soldier" Tom Williams for his three-goal performance but was careful to keep his side's gutsy win against Melbourne at the MCG in perspective.

Williams hobbled from the field in the second quarter and was rushed straight down the race with a calf injury, but with Tory Dickson (shoulder) already substituted the swingman bravely played out the match.

And the whipping boy's career-best return was capped with a running goal at the start of the last term to restore the Dogs the lead as they improved their record to 3-5 heading into the bye.

"We were pretty proud of Tom because he had a rough day a few weeks ago (against Carlton) and incurred a lot of criticism, a lot of Western Bulldogs people were really hard on him," McCarntey said.

"And he's bounced back and that's what this game can do for you."

It mirrored Jordan Roughead's heroic effort in Round 3, when the full-back played on after dislocating his shoulder to help the Dogs to a thrilling win against Richmond.

But McCartney would not comment on Liam Jones' likely suspension after the forward laid a brutal bump on Dean Terlich in the third quarter, immediately concussing the Demon who lay motionless on the ground.

Broadcaster Channel 7 was quick to screen a poll, with viewers decreeing the inconsistent spearhead, who was booed by Demons fans, was likely to cop at least three matches.

McCartney said the Dogs would have substituted Williams if not for Dickson's earlier blow but was unsure how long he would miss.

The efficient Dogs generated 15 goals from just 42 inside 50 entries, reversing their inability to convert statistical domination into four points the past two weeks.

"It was a solid effort. I don't know if I'd put that mantle on it (one of my bravest wins), there were some brave soldiers out there," McCartney said.

"It was an important win for where we're at, we could easily have another couple in the bank or another one in the bank … we're learning to turn up most weeks, and that's what we need to keep doing."

Williams, opposed to Colin Garland, kicked the best goal of his career in the second term, selling some candy before wheeling onto his right foot and converting from 45m.

The 27-year-old then nailed a set-shot in the third quarter after Daniel Cross was penalised under the sliding rule, while star recruit Stewart Crameri iced the win with two last-quarter majors.

"We got great contribution from our experienced players and young (Jason) Tutty bobbed up and finished the work off and Lachie Hunter and Jack Macrae, they didn't have great nights but they fought back, which was good," McCartney said.

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Roos: We need to be more composed

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COMPOSURE at critical times was the fine line that denied Melbourne back-to-back wins, according to coach Paul Roos.

Roos said his Demons continued to improve despite the disappointment of the 16 points loss to the Western Bulldogs at the MCG last night.

"We're still developing. The Bulldogs were probably in terms of where they are, they're two and a half years with Brendan (McCartney) and we're seven games in,'' Roos said.

"It probably showed tonight, at crucial times they just did the little things better than we did and in the end that was the difference.

"It's still frustrating for me, but clearly in a lot of areas, we've improved significantly. And for us it's continuing to improve, that's what we have to do week-in, week-out.

"That game proved tonight it's a long game of footy. It goes for 120 minutes and we were pretty good for long periods but not for long enough. The Bulldogs did it for longer periods and that's why they won.

"Certainly, we're doing a lot of things right, but you've got to do a lot more right to win games of footy and we understand that.

"It's coming together. It's a big gap, there's no question, we understand that. But we're making inroads in certain areas and getting better in other areas as well.''

The lead swapped nine times, five times in the third quarter. The last change came from a hotly debated free kick to Bulldog forward Stewart Crameri for a push in the back from Demon defender Lynden Dunn 23 minutes into the last term.

While Roos agreed the timing was "reasonably'' crucial, he was loathe to specifically criticism the decision.

"I'm not trying to be smart, I didn't know what the free kick was paid for. Whether it was for (interference) 5m off the ball or whatever it was, I just didn't know what the free kick was for,'' he said.

Roos was more puzzled why there was no free kick after defender Dean Terlich was felled by high contact from Bulldogs forward Liam Jones.

The incident will attract the AFL match review panel's assessment after Terlich was subbed out of the game with concussion in the third quarter.

"I just get a little surprised that there's no free kick. I'm pretty sure he got hit in the head because he came off with concussion and he couldn't go back on,'' the Demons' coach said.

"It doesn't really worry me one way or another where it goes or if it goes anywhere. I didn't really have that good a look at it other than knowing a player was taken high. So, surely it's got to be a free kick, I would have thought. To be fair to the umps, they may be standing behind a player.''

Former GWS Giants midfielder Dom Tyson thumbed his nose at critics who continually compare his trade with second round draft pick Josh Kelly. Tyson was an outstanding contributor with 27 possessions, 11 stoppage clearances and two goals.

Roos described Melbourne's trade for Tyson and the Giants selection of Kelly as a win for both clubs.

"I'm surprised the comparisons keep coming because I said a few times that we wouldn't have taken Josh Kelly with pick two. And that's nothing against Josh Kelly, we think pick two was going to be a really, really good player,'' he said.

"But we're more than happy with Dom. Dom had 29 (disposals) and kicked two goals.''

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Crameri, Dogs deny gritty Demons

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HUMILIATED last weekend, hero this time ... football's fluctuating fortunes were starkly illustrated by Stewart Crameri's contrasting experiences.

Crameri iced the win for the Western Bulldogs with two late goals to break open a tense struggle against Melbourne at the MCG last night.

Three times Essendon's leading goalkicker, he hardly had a sniff against his former teammates down the road at the Docklands seven days earlier.

It was the steadiness and awareness under extreme pressure from the likes of Crameri that ensured the Bulldogs wouldn't let slip a third close contest in a row.

The lead swapped nine times, five times in the desperate third quarter, as players threw themselves at the ball and ball carrier with ferocious endeavour during the constant momentum shifts of an engrossing struggle.

Nathan Jones is brought to ground by Bulldogs star Tom Liberatore and tagger Liam Picken. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

The Dogs, beaten by nine points by Adelaide and eight points by the Bombers in the previous two rounds, found plenty of bite and grit when this one looked like being snatched from them too by this emerging young Melbourne outfit.

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The Bulldogs were reduced to only two fit options on the interchange bench as early as late in the second quarter. It again emphasised the fighting spirit that delivered the 16 points victory.

No sooner was forward Tory Dickson subbed out with an injured left shoulder at 22 minutes, tall forward Tom Williams hobbled off with a right calf injury just two minutes later.

Tom Williams is helped from the ground after hurting his calf. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

Williams did return after half-time with the lower right leg heavily strapped below the knee. He played deep forward and was restricted in movement, despite goalling from a free kick that survived a review when Demon backmen Lynden Dunn and Tom McDonald claimed to have touched the low shot.

And he continued to play his part by adding another with a hurried left foot snapshot from a tight angle for a vital goal that regained the lead early in the last quarter.

Melbourne was brave in defeat, right in the hunt for back-to-back wins for the first time in nearly two seasons until Crameri's late double snuffed out the challenge.

The midfield duels were intriguing in themselves — the Dogs mix of youth and experience such as Tom Liberatore and captain Ryan Griffen against Demon hard nut Nathan Jones and skilled left footer Dom Tyson who answered his critics with a fine performance, particularly in the crucial clearances.

Bulldogs ruckman Will Minson jumps over Demon Mark Jamar. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

And Demon youngster Jack Viney was in the spotlight for all the right reasons, collecting 21 possessions in another developing role in the midfield group.

While Viney eased into the contest after such an emotionally draining week of AFL tribunal and Appeals Board hearings, he drew rousing cheers with a holding free kick against Dogs defender Shaun Higgins late in the first quarter.

Viney couldn't convert from the set shot 30m out, pulling the kick to the left. But he had plenty of energy left to go again and again with what teammate Jeremy Howe aptly described as his "pit bull'' style.

Demon Jay Kennedy-Harris celebrates one of his two goals. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Dogs key forward Liam Jones will come under match review panel scrutiny for a high bump on Demon defender Dean Terlich in the third quarter.

Terlich lay prone on the turf being treated by trainers after the heavy blow to the head and sub Christian Salem replaced him five minutes later.

Melbourne loaded its forward setup with tall targets Chris Dawes, James Frawley, Cam Pedersen, even Jack Watts, with the speedy Jay Kennedy-Harris and experienced Shannon Byrnes on crumbing duties.

The height inside the forward 50 was a gamble with the greasy ball, despite the rain stopping well before the opening bounce.

But the Demons quartet were moving targets and posed problems for the Bulldogs backline. Dawes, Frawley and Pedersen contributed goals in the first half and Watts set free teammates with his quick hands and clean disposal.

Frawley and a running Matt Jones missed critical shots late in the last quarter. But it was the Bulldogs coolness in the crisis in those frantic final few minutes that eased them over the line.

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Our Bash hits every code for six

Sydney Thunder's Dave Warner belts a six against the Thunder in the Big Bash League. Picture: Mark Evans Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

SYDNEY'S Big Bash franchises are selling themselves as the most popular sporting teams in town and have the numbers to prove it.

Despite being considered peripheral to the football codes the Big Bash's first year of free to air television on Channel Ten saw the Sixers and Thunder outstrip every other domestic team in Australia's biggest city.

The Sixers had an average audience of 967,774 and the Thunder 886,133 followed by the Rabbitohs (783,597) and Swans (766,077).

The most remarkable comparison is between new Western Sydney teams the Thunder and the Wanderers.

While they have similar average crowds of about 14,500 the Thunder have more than seven times the viewing audience.

Yet the hype and passion surrounding the Wanderers after successive A League Grand Finals is a far cry from the Thunder, who have undergone a major revamp after winning just two matches in three seasons.

Average Big Bash audiences of more than 930,000 across the eight teams have allowed some sides to double and even triple the value of their major sponsorship to more than $500,000 a season.

Independent valuations by the Sixers and the Thunder found their overall exposure is now worth $4 million in sponsorship dollars.

Brett Lee celebrates a wicket for the Sydney Sixers. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Limited

Sixers chief executive Dom Remond admits sponsors are incredulous when told of the Big Bash's audience domination.

"We have the biggest average audience across any team in Sydney, which is fantastic," Remond told The Daily Telegraph.

"The numbers we did on free to air last year were very significant.

"We need to get out into the market and not be shy with the achievements that we've made.

"One of the challenges we have is to get out there and tell everyone that cricket really is Australia's favourite sport from Test level down to the Big Bash.

"They (sponsors) find it hard to believe until you show them the facts and data. The rationale makes sense where you're telling them that all our games are pretty much prime time on free to air tv."

The Thunder are looking for a new major sponsor at a significantly increased amount.

"That's the story we're telling, we're getting an average audience of around 900,000 with national reach in a peak viewing time," Thunder chief executive Nick Cummins said.

"Anyone who experienced Big Bash last summer it became compulsory viewing. As you get home each night you turn the TV on so we got some really good traction."

The Sixers have just resigned their major sponsor iiNet for another three years on a much later figure.

"They see the phenomenal numbers on free to air. What's big for them is that being a Perth-based company they were gaining brand awareness in the Sydney market and their data shows a significant increase in brand awareness which is important to them," Remond said

"More importantly they saw an increase in plan sales and subscription sales to their internet service.

"They have upped their spend in line with increased ratings."

"We were selling into a market where we thought average ratings would be about 500,000 per game but over average ratings for the Sixers were almost double."

Sydney teams average TV audiences

Team Total

Sixers 967,774

Thunder 886,133

Rabbitohs 783,597

Swans 766,077

Roosters 692,695

GWS Giants 315,600

Sydney FC 127,906

Wanderers 125,103

Waratahs 108,854

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Browning braces for McCaw challenge

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GRAPPLING with breakdown lord Richie McCaw is the most intense classroom any young backrower can learn in, as Curtis Browning is about to discover.

Everyone comes out wiser for the experience, but only a handful come out winners against the most decorated of All Blacks. Five cameos off the bench over the past 12 months have primed Browning, 20, for Sunday's up-close lesson when the Reds fight for pride against the Crusaders.

Beau Robinson is the Reds' openside flanker, but it falls on all the home backrow to take the fight to McCaw at Suncorp Stadium.

Crusaders star Richie McCaw is the best in the business. Source: Getty Images

Far from being daunted by the occasion, 109kg Browning is relishing a backrow stoush.

"All forwards love the physicality and I'm no different there," the former Australian under-20 captain said.

"I love getting down and dirty and getting through the work. Testing yourself against one of the very best like Richie is what you play for.''

When Browning was just a child he would run around his grandfather's living room in the Wallabies honour cap that may one day loom on the horizon of his own career.

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The grandson of 1960s Wallabies' centre Dick Marks can show an early snapshot of what that future may be with some of the storming runs the Reds' attack has so lacked.

The Reds' attack has to be better organised for that to happen so that runners such as Browning are steaming off Quade Cooper passes in close to get an arrowhead of momentum.

World Cup-winning skipper McCaw may turn 34 in December, but it is the shrewdness of his decision-making that is his speed advantage.

"He picks and chooses his times brilliantly," Browning said.

Curtis Browning is ready to take on Crusaders star Richie McCaw. Picture: Jack Tran Source: News Corp Australia

Reds coach Richard Graham admitted he gave strong consideration to switching lock Rob Simmons to flanker to beef up the pack, but has backed Browning there instead.

The Reds have won on the last three occasions the Crusaders have visited Brisbane, but momentum has swung significantly lately.

The Crusaders have won four straight. The Reds have lost that many in a stretch to be seven-point underdogs.

Savour this appearance by McCaw. It could be his last visit to Suncorp Stadium as a Crusader, although the Bledisloe Cup Test on October 18 is still to come as an All Black.

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Salary cap must be used wisely: Lockyer

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THE NRL's amendments to the salary cap during the week was a positive move and a real statement that not only are the game's leaders prepared to be proactive, but also ambitious.

Now, with CEO Dave Smith armed with greater power to issue central contracts, it puts the code in a prime position to target some of Australian sport's biggest names.

The NRL should ramp-up plans to lure code-hoppers Karmichael Hunt and Israel Folau back to rugby league, the sport in which they made their names.

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It's exciting to think we could also look at stars such as Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor and Quade Cooper.

And while the central-contract system offers exciting recruiting scope for the NRL, it is just as vital a retention tool.

STAR WARS: NRL SALARY CAP STRIKES BACK

To that end, Smith should look at locking in Greg Inglis, who was once so close to being lost to the NRL he met with AFL rivals Essendon at the height of the Storm salary-cap scandal.

I applaud the NRL for introducing the central-contracting system because it shows the code's governors have foresight, shaped partly by the lessons of our past mistakes.

Israel Folau defection to rugby was a big loss for the NRL. Source: News Corp Australia

The NRL should never have lost Izzy to rugby.

With greater flexibility in the salary cap, Folau would be lighting up our sport.

And the departure of Sonny Bill Williams to New Zealand rugby at season's end is another blow for the NRL, which must never undersell the gravitas and pulling power of big-name stars.

I've heard many times the argument that rugby league can readily replenish the loss of a Folau or Sonny Bill. I challenge that.

Their special talents do not arrive off the street. They are rare commodities.

The money on offer is likely to tempt Karmichael Hunt back to the NRL. Source: Getty Images

Now the NRL, galvanised by a $1 billion broadcast deal and having banked $49 million in the past year, and looking to bank more this year, has the financial muscle to reward the select few.

For the central-contract system to work, the process must be fair and consistent.

But as long as the NRL makes a nominated player available to all its 16 clubs, who will have the option of bidding for his services within their salary-cap budgets, then I don't see an issue.

The pursuit of Karmichael and Folau is a no-brainer.

I played alongside both for the Broncos, Queensland and Australia and they would be a massive boost for rugby league with not only their talent but marketability.

Israel is genetically the right fit for rugby league.

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I saw Wallabies great Phil Waugh make the comment that the rugby World Cup is around the corner.

Granted, in rugby league, Izzy can't play at a packed Twickenham.

Rugby has different promotional layers to league, but the beauty is the NRL now has a key bargaining chip — money.

Ten years ago, I saw my good mates Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri lost to rugby.

Then, the cashed-up ARU held the aces financially. Now, the NRL are capable of delivering $1 million-plus contracts.

Wendell Sailor and Lote Tuqiri left rugby league for the bigger money on offer in union. Source: News Corp Australia

My primary concern is keeping our best players in-house, but having the capability to explore other markets would certainly be an attractive option for the NRL.

At least now the code has a contractual safety net. Inglis has a long-term deal at Souths, but when he comes off-contract in 2017, the NRL will have a mechanism in place to keep him in league for life.

The NRL needs to be judicious and remind themselves of past mistakes to prevent agents exploiting the system by creating interest to inflate a player's price tag, but overall the positives far outweigh the negatives.

The loyalty incentive scheme is also a good move, although it is not yet perfect.

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A concession after six years of service seems a little low, especially if you are counting lower grades.

I'd like to see a tiered system for veterans where there are greater cap concessions for a player registering eight and then 10 years of service at one club.

I'm all for incentivising loyalty but it must be balanced with maintaining a competitive NRL premiership.

Having one cashed-up club creating an endless dynasty thanks to cap concessions is a scenario we must be mindful of.

Are the NRL salary cap changes a good idea?

But there's no doubt a beefed-up veteran's allowance can help clubs when a player of Cameron Smith's calibre is up for grabs.

In the end, Cam stayed loyal to Melbourne. I'm glad he did.

As a code, we're asking fans to be loyal ... and we should be trying to create the same value among our players and clubs.

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Hamilton sets pace in Barcelona

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton sits in his car during practice. Source: Mark Thompson / Getty Images

LEWIS Hamilton was fastest in both practice sessions for the Spanish Grand Prix, underlining his blistering form as he seeks a fourth straight Formula One race victory.

The Mercedes driver was almost half a second quicker than teammate Nico Rosberg, with Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo the best of the rest.

It was a miserable day for Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel, with the four-time world champion unable to take part in the afternoon session after completing only four laps in the morning following an electrical problem.

Hamilton was 0.868 seconds faster than fellow Briton Jenson Button in a Mclaren in the morning session and clocked a fastest time of 1 minute 25.524 seconds in the second session, outpacing teammate Rosberg by 0.449 seconds.

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso was fourth in the second session, followed by teammate Kimi Raikkonen, Kevin Magnusson and McLaren teammate Button, Felipe Massa (Williams), Pastor Maldonado (Lotus) and Daniil Kvyat (Toro Rosso) in the top 10.

Vettel suffered another setback in his poor start to the season when he was forced to pull out after just four laps on the Circuit de Catalunya with an electrical problem.

Sebastian Vettel couldn't take part in the afternoon session after completing only four laps in the morning. Source: AP

"Due to an electrical problem that has damaged the wiring loom of Car No. 1, Sebastian will not be able to take part in FP2 ..." the team said via Twitter.

The team said it would use the time to fix the defect ahead of Saturday's third practice session and qualifying.

Overall championship leader Rosberg also experienced a technical problem, with the Mercedes hybrid system overheating, limiting the German to nine laps in the morning.

Rosberg, who won the season's opening race in Australia when Hamilton retired with a technical defect, has a four-point lead in the standings — 79 to 75 — going into the fifth race of the season and the first in Europe.

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DCE’s rise unlike anything else: Johns

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Greg Inglis and Daly Cherry-Evans are the two best players in rugby league at the moment.

Come State of Origin 1, thank God Mal Meninga won't pick them in their preferred positions.

Meninga stated to me last Sunday, "Billy Slater will definitely be fullback, with Inglis in the centres. Thurston and Cronk will be the halves and Daly will wear number 14".

It's clear that Meninga will not even consider change unless a series loss forces it. And why would he?

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On the other hand if Inglis and Cherry-Evans continue to put in performances like they have done in recent weeks, how can he not.

I've never seen a player improve like Cherry-Evans.

WHY THE HALFBACK IS STILL KING

After playing Queensland Cup in 2010, Manly coach Des Hasler gave Cherry-Evans his first taste of NRL in a 2011 trial game against Cronulla.

I was at that trial and Daly played an equal amount of time with two other young halfback hopefuls.

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Like any young rookie getting their first chance, he looked nervous and at times a little lost and indecisive. He didn't stand out by any means.

Hasler none-the-less picked him for their opening round game vs the Melbourne Storm, which they lost 18-6. Daly was again solid but not spectacular.

STORM AND MANLY HATE EACH OTHER

By October he was spectacular; in fact he was named Rookie of the Year, was close to the best on the ground as Manly beat the Warriors to win the NRL Grand Final and was named in the Kangaroos' squad for their Four Nations Tournament.

I can't remember a better rookie year, and since then he's gotten rapidly better.

Andrew Johns with Daly Cherry-Evans after winning the Clive Churchill Medal in the 2013 Grand Final. Source: News Limited

His performance against Canberra two weeks back was the best by any player this year, including seven try assists.

My brother Andrew works with Daly on a weekly basis and it makes sense because Daly's game is frighteningly similar.

That robust build, the ability to do the unorthodox, the step, the pass, the thoughtful kick and of course the confidence. It's more than confidence, it's a healthy arrogance.

HOW WILL YOUR CLUB COPE WITH ORIGIN?

You can't just keep getting better and better without that healthy dose of arrogance.

The niceness of Daly conceals the supreme confidence well.

Andrew Johns has worked with many playmakers since he retired but none understands Joey like Daly.

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Cherry-Evans can turn theory into practice immediately and understands the subtleties that Andrew teaches.

Cherry-Evans deserved better than the seven minutes he got in last Friday night's Test.

I've got no doubt Australian coach Tim Sheens felt the awkwardness of the situation just after half time with the Kangaroos behind and in need of a lift.

Cherry-Evans would've been the ideal injection, but for who?

You see, if Australia had been comfortably in front, not an eyebrow would be raised if Sheens had brought off Thurston or Cronk.

But replace one of these men with Cherry-Evans when the side's behind and struggling, and the earth shakes.

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Daly's seven minutes had nothing to do with concerns of him doing the job. It was all about the man he would replace and the reaction.

This player deserves more than just a few minutes here and there at hooker or back row.

Thurston and Cronk's strengths and attacking tendencies have been analysed and observed by opposition defences for a long time now and it's testimony to their talent and toughness that they can still dominate.

But Cherry-Evans' improvement and unpredictability is now causing a new level of problems for defences.

For our sake let's hope Meninga doesn't find the answer to the Thurston, Cronk and Cherry-Evans puzzle.

Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Cherry-Evans, Inglis ... How can Queensland fit them all in? Source: News Limited

Likewise, Queensland's decision to keep Greg Inglis at centre suits the Blues just fine. Last Friday night's Test match not only showed that the centre position doesn't get Greg anywhere near enough ball, but it allows the defence a better chance of shutting him down by rushing both he and his playmakers.

Mal's problem is this: Slater is still the world's best fullback when you get into the attacking quarter. His combination with Cronk, Thurston and Cam Smith is almost telepathic and the subtlety of his movement and pass, priceless.

Greg Inglis is in great shape for South Sydney and the Maroons. Source: Getty Images

Where as Inglis is the most devastating ball-returner of all time.

Both men must be in the team, so I suppose the question is, 'How does Mal manage the team structure to get more of Inglis on kick returns, while not losing Billy in attack?'

The ability of Queensland to get enough ball to Inglis is one of the biggest factors in deciding who wins this series.

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I caught up with Greg last Monday night at Fox Sports and not only is he rock-hard fit, but he is beaming. Not hard to work out why he's in career-best form. I've never seen Greg so happy or self-assured.

He is due to become a father in the next month, and while my strongest emotion is to be extremely happy for him, I'm also praying for the bub's arrival to be at about 8.30pm on the night of Origin I, and as we know being at the birth of your child is far more important than a mere football game.

New South Wales fans would hope he feels the same way.

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Benji club decision only days away

Benji Marshall in action for the Auckland Blues earlier this year. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

FAILED rugby convert Benji Marshall has revealed he is only days away from announcing which club he will sign with to make his NRL return.

It was thought the five-eighth would have had his future secured this week, however it now seems Marshall will finalise a deal over the weekend.

"Hopefully in the next few days I'll know what I'll be doing and what club I'll be playing at," Marshall told the Footy Show in a recorded message.

The 29-year-old left the NRL at the end of last year to join the Auckland Blues, however he failed to adapt to the new game and the former Wests Tiger has returned to Australia in search of a NRL club.

The Dragons are favourite to secure Marshall's signature, while the Sharks are also in the running.

Last week, the Cowboys withdrew their interest in the 2005 premiership winner.

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