NSW hone skills against country battlers

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

IF NSW can pull off rugby league's greatest upset on Wednesday night, Laurie Daley owes Hastings Hotel publican Robbie Trembath a phone call.

"They can thank us later, we'll be claiming it for sure if they win,'' Trembath said.

"All that pressure I put on Josh Reynolds out there, it's sharpened him up for the match.''

Trent Merrin attacks during the opposed session. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

It was difficult to gauge who got more out of Sunday morning's opposed training session in Coffs Harbour; Daley's Blues or the best of the Group 3 Country Rugby League ­competition.

PICK YOUR GREATEST EVER ORIGIN SQUAD

A collection of plumbers, electricians, cement renderers and part-time footballers, some of who drove three hours even after "playing yesterday and a few beers last night'', to act as sparring partners for Daley's heavyweights.

James Tamou against the Group 3 repesentive team. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

The 65-minute hit-out before the Blues left Coffs for Brisbane was never about the scoreline. It was about NSW finding their rhythm against 17 moving targets.

FULL ORIGIN SQUADS AND MATCH INFO

NSW had spent the previous five days in Camp Coffs perfecting their attacking plays, their line speed and goal-line defence.

With the players earning a day off on Monday before a final field session at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday, Sunday was a crucial opportunity for Daley and his coaching stuff to analyse every player under fatigue.

Aaron Woods takes a hit-up. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

The "soft contact" was nothing new for Daley's Blues, having used the same Sunday session last year to run through their Origin I tactics against the best under-20 players available.

And while the standard wasn't of NRL quality, it would be naive to think that despite the drop in class of their opposition that the intensity or motivation wasn't there.

"Smith, Smith, Smith,'' NSW's Trent Merrin barked as Country's hooker took off from dummy-half.

"Let's make this count, maintain the pressure,'' Trent Hodkinson screamed after pouncing on a loose ball.

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

NSW tyro Anthony Watmough has been around rugby league long enough to know what works and what doesn't when it comes to preparing for big matches.

And he was in no doubt that the session was invaluable practice just three days out from the all-important State of Origin opener.

"We can run through our plays as much as we want with no defenders, but until you actually run through them with defenders and see what you need to work on, you're just going through the motions,'' Watmough said. "We got a lot out of today."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Vandyke shooting for Gold at Oaks

Trainer David Vandyke Source: Mitch Cameron Photography.com.au / Supplied

TRAINER David Vandyke rattled off the reasons why Arabian Gold would again stretch out to 2400m in a bid to win Saturday's Queensland Oaks over the distance.

"It's a Group 1,'' Vandyke said. "She's reaching the end of her three-year-old career and as a four-year-old she'll be up against a different level of horse.

"She'll be up against Europeans, so the difference between Saturday's 2400m and any other 2400m she runs in the rest of her career will be fairly significant.

"Her run in the VRC Oaks last spring was fair. She was beaten just over four lengths, and that performance would make her hard to beat in the Queensland Oaks.

"I think on form she'll be hard to beat (on Saturday), despite the fact she can't get a strong 2400m in my opinion.''

Arabian Gold is the even-money Oaks favourite with TAB Fixed Odds, and goes into the $400,000 feature at Eagle Farm on the back of wins in the Adrian Knox Stakes, Frank Packer Plate and a powerhouse effort in the Doomben Roses.

Vandyke said the Doomben Roses was his grey's main winter target, but she had not put a foot wrong since.

"The Roses was the race we set her for, and the Oaks was only a consideration if she won the Roses,'' said Vandyke, who will add the Queensland Derby to the filly's Brisbane hit-list if she wins on Saturday.

Arabian Gold has rumbled with some of the best fillies in the country, something most of her rivals on Saturday haven't done. That fact wasn't lost on Vandyke.

"She has raced against some of the best like Guelph, she beat Solicit in Melbourne, she raced against May's Dream, who came out and won an Australasian Oaks,'' he said.

"She's raced against some fair horses in the Adrian Knox and more so in the Frank Packer Plate. She hasn't sidestepped any of the better three-year-olds. (What beats her) will be luck in running.''

Vandyke has saddled up several horses at skinny odds in big majors, but is yet to win one. There was Constant Flight in the 1994 AJC Oaks, Lamasery in the 2012 The Metropolitan, and Prince Cheri a year later in the same race.

"I can tell you I'm sick of getting beaten in them,'' Vandyke said before he hopped in the car for the Nowra races yesterday. "I don't know what it would mean because I've never won one, but I'm certainly keen to find out.''

Arabian Gold will be a feel-good story should she win a first major for Vandyke because it will also continue the wonderful success of big-time owner Nick Moraitis — whose pink and white colours were made famous by Might And Power — and jockey Blake Shinn, who farewelled good mate Guy Walter on Thursday.

Arabian Gold will work on the Doomben course proper tomorrow morning, with Vandyke pointing out that Eagle Farm was made off-limits.

Meanwhile, Randwick trainer John Sargent said Elusive Runner, a tragedy beaten at Randwick on Saturday, will push on to Saturday week's Queensland Derby. A decision on whether jockey Jason Collett is retained will be made today.

Collett dropped the reins and admitted he feared he had cost himself the Derby ride. Sargent said he would have a better idea once he spoke with connections in Hong Kong.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wally’s king hit on battling Blues

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

MAROONS icon Wally Lewis has blasted Paul Gallen as disrespectful and questioned the selection strategy of a NSW team he claims will never understand the meaning of Origin.

Gallen's "two-heads" jibe carried more promotional than malicious intent but it has incensed Maroons pioneers like Lewis, who believes it denigrates Queensland's record dynasty.

The Blues arrived in Brisbane on Sunday night from their Coffs Harbour base and Gallen is set to face a hostile reception from 50,000 Maroons fans in Origin I on Wednesday night.

Wally Lewis has blasted Laurie Daley's (L) choice of halves Josh Reynolds (C) and Trent Hodkinson. Source: Getty Images

The NSW skipper has never won an Origin series since his 2006 debut and Lewis says Gallen's record illustrates why the Blues cannot grasp Queensland's passion.

"I don't think NSW ever did get Origin. If this (run of losses) continues for NSW, they might eventually get it," said The King, a veteran of 31 Origin matches.

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

"That (Gallen's comment) was an indication of a long-held disrespect for Queensland.

"For NSW, it was a waste of f***ing time playing Queensland for decades and then I hear Gallen joking about the two-headed people up north.

PICK YOUR GREATEST EVER ORIGIN SIDE

"Paul Gallen was obviously trying to make a painful memory amusing, but show me a current Queenslander who has been insulting to NSW and their players.

"Mal Meninga (Queensland coach) is big on respect. When has a Queensland player in this team put s*** on the Blues and ridiculed them?

FULL ORIGIN SQUADS AND MATCH INFO

"Public humiliation is not a part of this Queensland squad and that's why they have class. Mal's men don't have to resort to ridiculing NSW to enjoy their victories.

"You can quote me on this ... I'd rather be in our position than to be in Gallen's shoes and have to suffer the embarrassment of eight straight Origin losses."

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

Lewis is equally dismayed by the Blues' selection methodology.

NSW mentor Laurie Daley has taken the biggest gamble of his embryonic Origin coaching career, pitchforking debutant halves Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson into the Suncorp furnace.

Daley is banking on their successful club combination to orchestrate an Origin I boilover, but Lewis is puzzled by the Blues' boom-or-bust strategy.

Paul Gallen arrives in Brisbane on Sunday. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

"When did we start choosing blokes in rep sides only because they play alongside their teammate. That seems like a mercy dash to me," he said.

"There seems to be a belief you have to pick club players who understand each other's games well enough and that's why they picked the two Canterbury guys.

"But when you are playing Origin football, you should just pick your best players.

"If the players are good enough, they will perform whether they have played beside each other in the NRL or not."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rosberg takes Monaco GP, Ricciardo third

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

NICO Rosberg won the Monaco Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday to take the overall championship lead from his teammate Lewis Hamilton, who finished second to give Mercedes a fifth straight 1-2 finish.

The German driver clinched his second victory of the season and fifth of his career, making a strong start and holding off Hamilton to repeat his maiden GP win from pole here in Monaco last year.

Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Infiniti Red Bull Racing finished third. Source: Getty Images

"The pressure was on all the way but I kept it cool and was able to win," said Rosberg, who celebrated by hugging his team engineers.

Rosberg finished 9.2 seconds ahead of Hamilton, who was just 0.4 faster than Daniel Ricciardo. The Red Bull driver was unable to get past Hamilton on a track that is the most difficult to overtake on in Formula One.

Four-time defending champion Sebastian Vettel's frustrating season with Red Bull continued as he abandoned early with a power unit failure.

Mercedes has also taken every pole position so far this season: four for Hamilton and two for Rosberg, who won the season's opening race in Australia.

"I felt I was very strong today," said Hamilton, who complained that his visibility was impaired by some dirt in his left eye.

But Hamilton snapped back at his team when told that Ricciardo was closing the gap on him.

"I don't care about Ricciardo, what's the gap to Nico?" said Hamilton, who earlier complained about the timing of a pit stop to underline what has been a tense weekend within Mercedes.

Hamilton was made to care about Ricciardo by the end and spent the final four laps blocking the Australian. It was a second straight third-place finish for the impressive Ricciardo, who is now ahead of Vettel, his more illustrious teammate.

"It is thrilling to be on the podium here in Monaco," Ricciardo said.

Mercedes' German driver Nico Rosberg celebrates with team members after winning the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix in Monte Carlo. Source: AFP

Hamilton did pressure Rosberg at times, even trimming his lead back to 0.8 seconds and would certainly have attacked more on another track. But Monaco's 78-lap circuit - which has the slowest average speed on the F1 calendar -meant Rosberg's position was relatively safe throughout, unless Hamilton tried a risky move that could have made him crash.

Overtaking is so tough that 10 of the past 11 winners have done so from pole, the exception being Hamilton in 2008, the year he won the title.

Qualifying first for the race came amid controversial circumstances for Rosberg, who was cleared by stewards of any wrongdoing after making a late error that led to a yellow flag and curtailed Hamilton's chances of beating his time with less than one minute remaining in Saturday's session.

It was an incident that fueled the growing rivalry between the two runaway leaders in the overall standings, with Hamilton insinuating afterward that he would get revenge and evoking memories of the bitter rivalry between the late Ayrton Senna of Brazil and Frenchman Alain Prost when they raced for McLaren in the late 1980s.

Hamilton, who three days ago had taken the astonishing step of questioning his own teammate's hunger with somewhat disparaging comments, even intimated that he would "take a page out of his book" when referring to how Senna dealt with his conflict with Prost.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Gutsy Magpies notch famous win

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

THERE have been plenty of brave ones over the years, but this Collingwood win was right up there.

Down two men in the second half, lacking cohesion in the first half, and without significant contributions from their key forwards, the Pies somehow cobbled together a courageous eight-point win over West Coast at the MCG.

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

Last week the Pies fumbled and bumbled their way to a 21-point loss in Adelaide. Their ball use had been atrocious against the Crows, but the jury was out on whether the Crows were that good or the Pies just had a horribly off day.

Travis Cloke and Dane Swan celebrate the winning goal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

In the opening half against West Coast, it seemed that there were legitimate questions about the Pies' ability to cope with the ferocity the Eagles brought to the contest.

West Coast's midfield was on top of its more vaunted opposition, initially at the centre bounces, but also in general play. The exemplar was Matt Priddis, who won his normal mountain of contested possession and chipped in with two goals.

Nathan Brown injured his shoulder in the first term and was subbed from the ground. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Scott Selwood was equally impressive, countering Pies skipper Scott Pendlebury and winning mounds of possessions in his own right.

In the rooms before the match, West Coast coach Adam Simpson had sought to spur on his charges by asking for a show of hands from all of those involved in the Eagles' previous win over Collingwood at the MCG. Reportedly only one hand went up: that of assistant coach Don Pyke, who played in that four-point win in Round 2, 1995.

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

The ploy seemed to work early. The first quarter began with both teams producing free-flowing football reminiscent of the mid-'90s: the lead changed five times and ten goals were kicked as the ball pinged from end to end.

The key difference between the teams early in the match was that West Coast's disposal efficiency was at 68 per cent, while the Pies were hitting targets about half of the time.

Jamie Elliott couldn't complete this Mark of the Year nomination. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

West Coast was prepared to switch play to stretch Collingwood and counter its attempts to apply pressure through the midfield.

The match remained in the balance through the second and third quarters, and it looked as though the Eagles might run away with it.

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

But Collingwood dug deep, and it was the team leaders who had their hands on the shovels.

Pendlebury, who had flashed in and out of the contest in the opening half with touches of class, was enormous in the last quarter, creating scoring opportunities and producing a crucial running goal. He had 11 disposals, while midfield mates Dayne Beams (9) and Dan Swan (8) also lifted.

Elliot Yeo had two teeth knocked out on the halftime siren. Photo by Michael Dodge Source: Getty Images

But the greatest Pies contributor throughout was Jamie Elliott, who only had 17 possessions but set the example by scrapping, chasing, tackling, handballing and doing all of the team aspects of the match throughout. He chipped in with two vitals goals in the final term and came close to taking mark of the year I the opening term.

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

Collingwood's backmen were also incredibly brave throughout. The Pies had to patch together a backline after it lost key defenders Nathan Brown (shoulder) and Jack Frost (concussion).

Alan Toovey was superb on Jack Darling, while Tyson Goldsack — having scrapped manfully in the forward line in the first half — was sent to back to counter Josh Kennedy.

Nic Naitanui flies high and falls hard. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Nick Maxwell played the third-man-up to a tee, and Heritier Lumumba dropped back from his wing to constantly help run the ball out of defence.

At the other end of the ground the Pies had headaches. Travis Cloke continued his wretched run of form, managing just two disposals in the first half. Admittedly Collingwood's delivery into the forward 50 was often haphazard, but it did not excuse the fact that he looked woefully out of touch and horribly slow.

Dayne Swan salutes a last quarter goal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey AFLR1014 Source: News Corp Australia

Cloke has spoken about how his first touch impacts on his overall mindset: his first possession came seven minutes into the match, after he gathered a loose ball on his defensive 50, and was a tentative short kick to a nest of three Eagles that led to a West Coast shot on goal.

He had a game to forget --- until the 28th minute mark of the final quarter, when a scrubby Elliott snap hit him on the chest. Cloke's first touch may have been a shocker, but his last sealed the match for Collingwood.

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

WARWICK GREEN'S BEST

COLLINGWOOD: Elliott, Pendlebury, Lumumba, Blair, Goldsack, Sidebottom, Macaffer, Toovey.

WEST COAST: Priddis, Selwood, Glass, Yeo, Gaff, Rosa, Naitanui.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brave Magpies need fine tuning

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

TRAVIS Cloke's dad David was right about one thing this week—- Collingwood's use of the ball and its forward 50m entries still needs some work.

Yes, the Magpies were brave in running down the Eagles, despite losing key defenders Nathan Brown and Jack Frost during the game, but that shouldn't disguise the fact that Nathan Buckley's team still has a bit of work to do.

GUTSY MAGPIES NOTCH FAMOUS WIN

Part of that comes back to Collingwood's big forwards, who couldn't get warm for so much of yesterday's match.

Jamie Elliott couldn't hang onto this big marking attempt. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

It was left to a batch of small forwards—- Jarryd Blair kicked three goals and Jamie Elliott scored two in the last term—- and a brave yet patched up back-line to somehow drag the Magpies across the line when the game looked in doubt.

Buckley forecast during the week that Cloke was just about ready to tear a game apart. This wasn't the game, and that will have to at least wait until next week against St Kilda.

But Cloke did managed to secure a solitary—– and important—– goal in yesterday's eight-point victory, the club's sixth of the season.

It's just that it took him the best part of two hours to nail it. That goal came at the 27-minute-mark of the final term, which gave the Magpies the breathing space it needed to hold on.

For much of yesterday, the man who almost won a Coleman Medal last year—- only inaccuracy and Jarryd Roughead beat him in 2013—- struggled to get his hands on the Sherrin, let alone look like scoring a goal.

Scott Pendlebury had 11 final-term possessions. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

For 56 minutes—- yes, that's almost a half of footy—- Cloke went without a possession.

His first touch came at the eight-minute-mark of the opening term, almost at half back, and then his second came from a mark taken at the 19-minute-mark of the same term.

Blanketed by Eagles defender Eric Mackenzie, Cloke had to wait until almost the 19-minute-mark of the third term before he again disposed of the ball.

In between that time, 3AW special comments man and former Essendon forward Matthew Lloyd mused: "Travis Cloke is running away from the footy at the moment."

Cloke's teammate Jesse White was one of Collingwood's 13 individual goalkickers yesterday.

Dayne Beams salutes a final-term goal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey AFLR1014 Source: News Corp Australia

That major came after he took in a grab 18 seconds after the first bounce.

White casually slotted it through the goal with such ease that it must have had Eagles coach Adam Simpson thinking the former Swan might be in line to cause him some grief.

He didn't. His next touch wouldn't come until the early minutes of the final term—– 72 minutes to be exact—- the best part of three quarters without an impact.

The Pies battled through most of the match, yet when it mattered their midfielders managed to step up and their defenders did a superb job in the absence of Frost and Reid.

It wasn't always pretty, but it was four points that was so desperately required when it could so easily have gone the other way.

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Magpies count injury toll from big win

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

COLLINGWOOD will be without Nathan Brown and potentially Jack Frost for Friday night's clash with St Kilda after both defenders were injured in the Magpies' brave eight-point win over West Coast at the MCG yesterday.

Coach Nathan Buckley conceded Brown could require surgery which would derail his season, while Frost will be monitored this week after not coming back on after half-time due to concussion.

GUTSY MAGPIES NOTCH FAMOUS WIN

Brown was rushed to hospital for assessment during the game after suffering his second shoulder dislocation of the season.

"Any time you dislocate your shoulder, you are potentially looking at that (surgery)," Buckley said last night.

"It's really disappointing for him because he got through three VFL games, a power of training on the track and (he) just wasn't able to stand up — an innocuous contest and it comes out.

"We need to give him time to let it heal and then work out what we are going to do from here."

Nathan Brown injured his right shoulder in this marking contest. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Frost will need to prove his fitness ahead of a six-day turnaround against the Saints after suffering nausea and the effects of a knock to the back of his head.

Buckley praised the rest of the undermanned defence that restricted West Coast's dangerous attack in the second half, labelling Nick Maxwell's performance as outstanding.

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

"If 'Maxy' says that's in his top five wins, I would nearly say it is in his top five games for the club," Buckley said. "I thought he was huge.

"Sometimes all you need is guys prepared to have a dip and stay in the game."

Buckley conceded Travis Cloke needed to keep working hard to overcome his form slump after the key forward managed only one goal yesterday.

Round 10: Collingwood v West Coast Travis Cloke in the last quarter with Dane Swan Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Admittedly, that goal gave the Magpies the breathing space it needed to hold on.

"His form is not at the level that he would expect and we would expect," he said. "But we had 13 goalkickers to kick 17 goals. That spread is what we are looking for."

The coach admitted his team struggled early in the game, but a growing resilience from the group helped to get them over the line.

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

"We'd hope to take a fair bit of belief," he said. "That and the Essendon game, we've been able to salvage from some pretty poor football early in the match.

"This one went a little bit longer than the Essendon game.

"(But) there's a growing belief and solidarity in the group. There's a resilience that's building.

"At the same time you don't want to get in the habit of having to dig yourself out of big holes."

Scott Pendlebury celebrates a final-term goal. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Eagle Mitch Brown tweeted a message of support for his twin Nathan after the game: "Thinking of U bro ... U r one courageous tough bugger."

West Coast's Elliot Yeo lost part of his two front teeth after a collision with Jarrod Witts, which will require some dental work. Yeo wasn't wearing his mouth guard at the time.

Eagles coach Adam Simpson said: "We didn't deserve to win in the end, they stayed in the game just as much as we did.

"We missed an opportunity, I wouldn't say it's the one that got away. I thought the Carlton game maybe was."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tex returns to the scene of the crime

Crows co-captain Patrick Dangerfield, right, talks to Taylor Walker during his comeback match against Collingwood at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Morne de Klerk. Source: Morne de Klerk / Getty Images

IT was a moment that made every Crows fan sick to their stomachs.

With just under nine minutes remaining in the first term of Adelaide's clash against Carlton at the MCG in round five last year, Blues defender Andrew Walker kicks a low pass along the boundary line to teammate Brock McLean, showing just enough of the ball to Crows forward Taylor Walker to make him go hard at the spoil.

MORE: MEMORIES OF TEX'S INJURY 'NOT AN ISSUE', SAYS SANDO

Walker is a split second too late and knowing he's missed the ball, looks back over his right shoulder to see if McLean has marked it.

In doing so the Coleman Medal favourite forgets about preparing to land, and as his right boot hits the ground, it catches and shoots him back into the air, hyperextending his knee in the process.

As Walker recalled later: "I was expecting to get body (contact) and I didn't. As funny as it sounds, you can lose awareness of where you're feet are. I hit the ground and catapulted a bit, it was like I was on a trampoline."

The Fox Footy commentary team doesn't immediately notice what's happened, but is quickly alerted by special comments man David King.

Taylor Walker being helped from the ground during the match against Carlton last year at the MCG.

"Walker's hurt," he says.

For the next 48 hours the Crows refuse to confirm what a supporter group - which has seen other fan favourites like Shaun Rehn, Tony Modra and Trent Hentschel suffer the same injury - already knows.

Walker has suffered a dreaded tear of his anterior cruciate ligament and is gone for the year.

"There was excruciating pain at first, but then I got up and thought I'd be fine," Walker said.

"I was assessed by the surgeon and, unfortunately, got the worst news possible."

So begins a 383-day recovery process which includes countless hours of work with club physio Duncan Kellaway, a trip to the US to see a renowned knee specialist and a well-managed return to the top level against Collingwood last Thursday.

Today Walker's journey comes full circle when a quirk in the schedule sees him return to the ground where his injury occurred to play the same opponent.

Hentschel was in a similar situation in round two of the 2009 season - his second game back in the AFL after a horrific knee injury late in the 2006 season.

Hentschel had successfully negotiated his return - coincidentally also a win against Collingwood - before playing on the ground he injured his knee, AAMI Stadium, in the second week back.

Hentschel says his situation was different to Walker's because he had trained numerous times at Adelaide's home ground before playing against St Kilda that season.

Walker is visiting the MCG for the first time, but Hentschel is confident today will be a success.

"The first one for me, to get that under your belt is the most important because it's a pretty draining week," Hentschel said.

"I think Tex will be all the better for that. I don't think he'll have any scars going back to the MCG. The big stage will suit him."

The Crows have the same view, believing any mental demons Walker may have had were vanquished in a season-sparking win against the Magpies last week.

"I haven't really thought about it to be honest. It's not an issue for us," coach Brenton Sanderson said.

"Tex is back bigger and stronger than he was before the injury last year. He's fitter and lighter. I don't think it will be an issue at all for Tex and it's certainly not an issue for us."

Walker will have gained some confidence from his 17 disposal, seven mark effort last week but there's still a few more steps to take before he'll feel like he's truly back.

He was unable to kick a goal last week, robbing the 50,000-strong crowd of what would have been an unforgettable moment, and fumbled more than he would have liked.

But Sanderson believes you'll see a different player today.

"He's looking really sharp. Unfortunately with all the training you do and even playing state league - nothing can replicate AFL speed. We saw a couple of times, he misjudged a couple," Sanderson said.

"(But) that was a high pressure game and for someone who has been out of the game for 12 months I still thought he played a fantastic game for us.

"I think that will help him. Those four quarters last week, adjusting back to AFL tempo, I think we'll see a much improved Tex again this week. He needed to have that game, get that one out the way. He kicked four points - hopefully he'll kick straighter this week."

Taylor Walker runs onto the Adelaide Oval for his comeback match. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

FULL CIRCLE

Taylor Walker's long journey back to the top

April 27, 2013

Walker tears his ACL against Carlton at the MCG

May 6

Walker has surgery to repair his knee at an Adelaide clinic

July 4

Walker shaves off his famous mullet to raise money for charity

August 30

Walker begins light running at the 4 month mark of his recovery

October 9

Walker travels to the US to meet knee rehabilitation specialist Bill Knowles

April 25

Walker celebrates his 24th birthday by playing his first game back in the SANFL. More than 9000 fans watch on at Glenelg on ANZAC Day as Walker kicks three goals.

May 15

After another strong outing in the SANFL, Walker makes his AFL return against Collingwood at Adelaide Oval, tallying 17 disposals in a 21-point win.

May 25

Wakler returns to the MCG to play Carlton in his second game back in the AFL

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Walter death leaves industry in shock

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

THE consummate horseman, champion trainer and a true gentleman.

These were the recurring themes from shocked trainers and jockeys trying to come to terms with the ­passing of Guy Walter on Thursday.

Walter, 59, died of a massive heart attack just after trackwork, plunging the Australian racing industry into mourning. His death was all the more difficult to comprehend as Walter was training at the peak of his powers, claiming his 36th Group 1 win with Streama in last week's Doomben Cup.

Walter's training record is extraordinary. He trained nearly 2000 winners, including 132 stakes wins, and prepared a string of outstanding racehorses, most notably champion and 13-time Group 1 winner Tie The Knot, as well as Defier, Spinning Hill, Patezza, Court's In Session, Danni Martine, Republic Lass, Wild Iris, Skyerush, Appearance and Streama.

In 2005 he prepared a famous Doncaster Handicap trifecta when Patezza defeated Court's In Session and Danni Martine.

But even these incredible statistics are not the true measure of the man.

"It is not fair, mate,'' said Clarry Conners, who has trained alongside Walter at Warwick Farm for three decades.

"Guy was a wonderful bloke, he got on with everyone and was a great mate to all of us out here at Warwick Farm.''

Fellow trainer Peter Snowden was shattered after learning of Walter's passing. "I've known him for what seems like a lifetime and he was an absolute gentleman, an ornament to the game,'' Snowden said.

"He loved what he did, he had a very good work ethic and he was a great trainer. This is such a shock, I can't believe it.''

Hall of Fame trainers John ­Hawkes and Gai Waterhouse also spoke in reverential tones.

Trainer Guy Walter with Streama. Source: News Corp Australia

"Guy was a very laid-back sort of bloke, he never got overawed,'' said Hawkes. "As a trainer they don't come any better. This is a tragedy, as simple as that.''

Waterhouse described Walter as a "lovely man, polite and humble''.

"My thoughts go out to his wife Wendy — this is so terribly sad,'' she said.

Rod Craig trained alongside ­Walter for three decades at Warwick Farm and was also having ­difficulty coming to terms with the tragedy.

"Guy is an easy person to talk about because he was one of the best blokes at Warwick Farm and in ­racing,'' Craig said.

"He was just a beautiful man. He is not a person that can be replaced. How come this only happens to good people?

"We are still trying to get over Nathan (Berry) and this is just as big a hit. But we have been blessed to have them both.''

Trainer Gary Portelli spoke to Walter during Warwick Farm trackwork yesterday and said there was no sign of ­anything untoward.

"It is a tremendous shock to everyone,'' Portelli said.

"As a trainer he was one of the best I have ever seen. He was very methodical and a freak at getting ­ordinary horses to win races.

"He was a very passionate racing person and this is a terrible day.''

Blake Shinn, who did the bulk of stable riding for Walter and won the Doomben Cup on Streama last Saturday, described the trainer as "nature's kindest gentleman''.

"To be called his stable jockey was an honour. He was like a father to me and I'll miss him dearly," he posted on social media.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys described Walter as a ­wonderful trainer and human being.

"It's absolutely tragic," Mr ­V'landys said. "He was just a kind, human soul. Guy was a man of the highest ­integrity and professionalism and a wonderful role model for the racing industry."

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More

Trackwork with Famous Seamus trainer

Noel Mayfield-smith with Group 1 winner 'Famous Seamus', at the Steve O'Dea stables at Eagle Farm, Brisbane. Picture: Anthony Weate Source: Anthony Weate / News Corp Australia

THE sun is only just coming up, there is a crispness in the air and the still early-morning quiet is punctuated by the cacophony of thundering hoofs and heaving lungs.

Trackwork might seem like organised chaos to the casual observer but this is an exact science where quality is measured by the stopwatch and a learned eye.

For most racehorse trainers, this is their favourite time of the day. Just ask Noel Mayfield-Smith.

"Everyone gets a buzz out of being around horses,'' Mayfield-Smith said.

"Mine is getting up early in the morning and being out there when they are working.

"A lot of trainers will tell you there is no money in this game but they are in it for the horses.''

It is early-morning trackwork where the turf stars of tomorrow are first discovered and developed.

It is here where trainers like Mayfield-Smith try to nurture the talent they recognise in their racehorses.

It is here where Mayfield-Smith first noticed that Famous Seamus was a cut above the ordinary.

The trainer said Famous Seamus shared the one necessary attribute found in all topliners — acceleration.

"Quite simply a turn of foot — that's what all the top horses have,'' Mayfield-Smith said.

"A lot of them have a little bit of intelligence, too, but they must have a turn of foot.

"These good horses, when you first test them on the track, they usually do it on their ear, they don't really need anyone to teach them.

"The track rider who rode Famous Seamus in his first (fast) gallop came back in and said this is a Group horse.''

Mayfield-Smith spoke to The Daily Telegraph from Brisbane trackwork earlier this week, just moments after his stable star Famous Seamus produced a typically brilliant gallop in preparation for the Group 1 $650,000 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) tomorrow.

Race jockey Ryan Wiggins rode Famous Seamus in the workout and said the sprinter had improved since his impressive BTC Cup win over Spirit Of Boom and Buffering two weeks ago.

"The horse hasn't gone backwards and if anything he has improved, certainly Ryan feels that is the case,'' Mayfield-Smith continued. "I couldn't want for anything better with this horse going into the race (tomorrow).''

Wiggins scored his first Group 1 win on Famous Seamus last start — a reward for hard work and loyalty.

The association between jockey and trainer began 12 months ago when Wiggins made himself available to ride Famous Seamus in trackwork.

The BTC cup day at Doomben racecourse. Winner race 7, number 6 Famous Seamus, Jockey Ryan Wiggins. Trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith. Pic Jono Searle. Source: News Corp Australia

"Ryan was riding Famous Seamus trackwork for us last year even though he didn't expect anything,'' the trainer said.

"Then when Glen Colless could not ride Famous Seamus in the Stradbroke, I booked Ryan.

"Tim Clark was going to ride the horse this year but we went to Brisbane early and Tim was committed to Sydney.

"Ryan got on him with the understanding it would be only for the one ride (fifth behind Temple Of Boom in the Victory Stakes).

"Tim then got suspended and Ryan rode the horse again in the BTC Cup. We had to make a decision what we were going to do after that race.

"It was a pretty hard decision, we couldn't really win either way. It didn't seem fair to even have a flick of the coin so we pulled it apart and decided to do what was best for the horse.

"Ryan could ride him trackwork and give good feedback so we went that way.''

The Mayfield-Smith name is synonymous with success in Australian racing. Noel's older brothers Brian and Lawrie are both successful trainers with all three renowned for their horsemanship and understanding of the thoroughbred.

When you consider the thousands of young men and women who try to make the grade as racehorse trainers, it's an exceptional feat for three boys from one family out of Cairns in far north Queensland to all make their mark in major racing centres.

Noel, the youngest of the brothers, began his working life in the ANZ Bank, spent three years as a public servant in the transport department in Brisbane, before moving to Sydney where he was the stable foreman for Brian at Rosehill in the late 1980s.

He then took out a trainer's licence in 1991, set up a stable base at Newcastle before eventually moving to Hawkesbury in 1996.

For a trainer who doesn't have the numbers or profile of some of his peers, Mayfield-Smith always seems to have a good horse in his stable.

From outstanding filly Angst, who made a clean sweep of the Princess Series, to the dual Group 1 winners Landsighting and In Top Swing, and now Famous Seamus, Mayfield-Smith has a knack of finding big-race winners.

"We do struggle at Hawkesbury with numbers — whether it is the provincial stigma, I don't know,'' Mayfield-Smith said.

"With some owners, I tell them what I charge and they say it is too dear. Then they go to town and pay an extra $20 (daily) on top of that to a trainer who may never have trained a black-type winner. It's all very strange.

"But we enjoy Hawkesbury, it is a very progressive club.''

Mayfield-Smith's wife Emma is also a licensed trainer — she saddles up Happy One at Bathurst today — and is an integral part of the stable's success.

She has been holding the fort at Hawkesbury while Mayfield-Smith prepares Famous Seamus for the Brisbane winter carnival.

"Emma is a huge asset for the stable because she knows exactly what is going on with our horses,'' Mayfield-Smith said.

Famous Seamus — who is poised to join Apache Cat (2008) and Sea Siren (2012) as the only winners of the BTC Cup-Doomben 10,000 Group 1 double — also ended up in Mayfield-Smith's stables through circumstance.

Long-time stable client Jim Simpson wanted to buy a horse for a Ready to Run Sale before onselling to Hong Kong and purchased Famous Seamus, a half-brother to Dooley Jones, a three-time winner prepared by Mayfield-Smith.

However, Famous Seamus was a handful as a young horse, leaving no option but to have him gelded, and Simpson decided to leave the horse with Mayfield-Smith.

"He has settled down a lot,'' Mayfield-Smith said. "The horse is comfortable in his own surrounds and with people he knows. He's very good like that, he likes routine.

"We knew early on he was going to be a good horse and he won his first three starts.''

22.07 | 0 komentar | Read More