Heart win continues Glory woes

Top six ... Melbourne Heart leave Perth Glory at the bottom of the A-League ladder. Source: Joe Castro / AAP

Melbourne Heart piled more pressure on battling Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson as a brilliant Nick Kalmar free-kick helped deliver a 2-0 A-League win at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

Kalmar's first-half strike was backed up by a second-half goal from returned striker Eli Babalj.

The Glory's loss kept them bottom of the table, with last season's grand finalists having lost four games straight, with no goals in that stretch, to extend their winless streak to eight. The Heart climbed into the top six.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	20	12	6	2	22	42
2	Victory	20	11	3	6	3	36
3	Western Sydney	19	11	2	6	10	35
4	Adelaide	20	11	2	7	3	35
5	Heart	20	7	3	10	-1	24
6	Newcastle	19	6	5	8	-8	23
7	Brisbane	19	6	3	10	-1	21
8	Sydney	19	6	3	10	-9	21
9	Wellington	20	5	5	10	-15	20
10	Perth	20	5	4	11	-4	19

Perth had plenty of chances.

Shane Smeltz had a great opportunity in the 19th minute after former Glory defender Jamie Coyne gave up the ball in the penalty area, but Smeltz couldn't get enough power on his left-footer to beat 'keeper Andrew Redmayne.

The Glory protested furiously two minutes later after Chris Harold's foot was clipped by Melbourne's Patrick Gerhardt as he was about to stream into an open penalty area, but no free-kick was awarded.

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Relive all the action in our live and interactive Match Centre, featuring video highlights of all the key moments.

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Perth's disappointment was soon magnified when Melbourne's Matt Thompson won a free kick, and Kalmar's wonderful shot, from close to 25m, curled over the wall and clipped the underside of the crossbar on the way past a helpless Danny Vukovic.

Vukovic managed to stop two bullet-like long-range shots from the Heart's David Williams later in the half.

In between, Perth's Travis Dodd miscued a close-range effort after nice set-up work from Harold.

Babalj, recently back from a stint in Serbia, scored 12 minutes into the second half, a straightforward finish after a Jonathan Germano shot rebounded off the right post.

Glory substitute Ryo Nagai tried to reply, but couldn't connect well enough with either of his back-to-back shots from inside the penalty area, both cleared away by defenders.

Perth's desperate calls for a handball by Gerhardt inside the penalty area midway through the second half went unanswered.

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Bunnies too good for Kumuls

Promising ... George Burgess gets a feel for it in the Rabbitohs' win over PNG. Source: Rohan Kelly / News Limited

South Sydney have opened their NRL pre-season campaign with a comfortable 38-12 win over Papua New Guinea in Saturday's trial encounter at Redfern Oval.

With owner Russell Crowe watching on from the stands, a largely second-string Souths side dominated possession for most of the game, but were thwarted on several occasions by some fine defending from the competitive tourists.

Coach Michael Maguire handed debuts to winger Bryson Goodwin, an off-season acquisition from Canterbury-Bankstown, and prop Thomas Burgess, the fourth member of his family to turn out for the club.

His twin brother George was also included in the starting line-up with older brother Sam joining the remainder of the Rabbitohs' first-grade squad on the sidelines.

Back-rower Ben Lowe opened the scoring for the hosts, crashing over from close range after nine minutes, but the Kumuls' response was immediate when halfback Israel Eliab got his fingertips to Dion Aiye's grubber-kick for a try.

Souths continued to press, but the tough-tackling PNG side kept them at bay before taking a shock lead on the stroke of quarter-time.

Eliab, who has been watched by a number of NRL clubs, picked off an erratic Souths' offload and raced 80 metres to put the ball under the posts, then added the extras.

The second period followed a similar pattern with the Rabbitohs seeing a lot of the ball and the Kumuls working hard to defend their goalline.

But that resistance was broken when Dave Tyrell darted over for his side's second score, with Goodwin kicking the conversion and, just before halftime, skipper Jason Clark restored Souths' lead from close range.

As the combative Kumuls tired, tries from Chris McQueen and Aaron Gray iced the game for Maguire's side, before Bennett Leslie and Clark added some extra gloss to the scoreline.

Goodwin finished with four goals for the game and Apisai Koroisau was also successful with a kick in front of the posts.

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Johnson aiming to go reverse

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Swing ... Mitchell Johnson is hopeful of starting in India. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

While acting head coach Steve Rixon is preaching the virtue of banging the ball in hard on pitches offering variable bounce, paceman Mitchell Johnson says reverse swing will also be crucial for Australia's success in India.

Johnson is set to join the squad in Chennai in the next few days and will skip the opening two-day tour match starting on Tuesday.

But the left-arm quick, who has taken 21 wickets in six Tests in India, says he's been going to school on how the Indian bowlers prepare the ball for reverse swing in their home conditions.

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"It does go early and, with a hard reverse-swinging ball, it makes it even harder to face,'' Johnson told reporters in Sydney.

''(I've) been watching Zaheer Khan bowl - he's an unbelievable left-arm bowler - just watching the way he bowled over there in their conditions and when the ball is reverse swinging, when it's hard and when it's bouncing through a bit more.

"It's very difficult and he's had a lot of success over there so hopefully a few other (Australian) guys like Peter Siddle have learnt from that and are going to take that into the tour.''

Johnson, who has taken 205 wickets in 50 Tests, has been bowling with the Indian ball during training sessions in Australia.

"In their conditions over there, what I've learnt is the ball really doesn't swing,'' Johnson said.

"I know the last couple of times I've been there, watching the Indians bowl, they bowl a lot of cross seam early on for 10-12 overs.

"Then they seem to really get into the rough side by getting a bit of sweat into it and then shining the good side and then getting reverse swing.

"The reverse swing is a very hard thing to face so that'll be something we'll be trying our best to do.

"I'm sure the other guys are already practising it over there.

"I actually went back to club training while we were in Perth and bowled with an SG Ball there and it started to do a few things early on.''

Johnson, who fractured teammate David Warner's thumb during a net session at the WACA late last month, predicts competition for spots will be intense ahead of the first Test on February 22.

"There will be some fiery net sessions, I'm sure,'' he said.

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Live blog: SBW v Botha

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Fight of his life ... Botha is Sonny Bill's toughest fight to date. Source:FOX SPORTS

Sonny Bill Williams says his boxing career will end if South African veteran Francois Botha beats him in Friday night's heavyweight title fight.

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Botha has fought some of the greatest heavyweights in recent history, including Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield and the "White Buffalo" has promised to pound Williams into the canvas.

Williams said he was concerned about Botha's power and experience in the ring. Will the Sydney Roosters signing be tested? All will be revealed from on Friday.

Williams and Botha headline a card that also features Wallabies and Reds playmaker Quade Cooper's boxing debut.

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Make sure you bookmark this page and return on Friday evening as we bring you all the build-up and social media updates from 7pm (EDT) before delivering a blow-by-blow account of the SBW and Quade fights.

Watch it on Main Event from 7pm (EDT) on Friday night.

For those of you on mobile devices here is the Storify link.

[View the story "Sonny Bill Williams v Francois Botha" on Storify]

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NSW snare first innings points

Nic Maddinson ... leads NSW to first-innings point against Tasmania. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Career-best scores from rising star Nic Maddinson and tailender Trent Copeland have steered NSW to first-innings points on day three of the Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at Bellerive.

Maddinson cracked a classy 154, his first century of the summer, to pass his previous best of 137 as well as 1000 runs in his burgeoning career along the way.

SHEF - Blundstone Arena

6 February 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

Tasmania 2nd Innings

M. Cosgrove	10	12	2	0	83.33
A. Doolan	20	11	5	0	181.82

Former Test medium-pacer Copeland notched his maiden first-class ton as the pair put on 188 to help the Blues to 500 in reply to Tasmania's 6(dec)-425.

At stumps, the Tigers were 1-30 in their second dig, trailing by 45.

Mark Cosgrove was unbeaten on 10 and Alex Doolan 20, off just 11 balls, after opener Ben Dunk made a first-ball duck.

But on a placid Bellerive pitch that has made the greentops of earlier in the season look like a distant memory, the match looks headed for a stalemate.

Maddinson notched his third first-class ton in what has otherwise been a lean season yielding just one 50 for the highly rated 21-year-old.

In 2010, he beat Arthur Morris's record in becoming the youngest NSW player to score a first-class century on debut as an 18-year-old, a mark broken a year later by Kurtis Patterson.

Maddinson hit 19 fours in a chanceless knock, anchoring NSW's response after double strikes from the Tigers early in the day and soon after lunch.

Resuming at 1-145, the Blues were 3-170 when Luke Butterworth (5-83) removed Tim Cruickshank (39) and David Dawson (75), both lbw.

Maddinson and skipper Ben Rohrer (47) put on 119 for the fourth wicket before Rohrer was trapped in front by returning Test paceman Ben Hilfenhaus (1-60) at 4-289.

Butterworth removed Peter Nevill for a duck a run later, bringing Copeland to the crease.

The 26-year-old had previously made just two 50s in his 34 first-class matches with a highest score of 55.

He notched his century when he turned Adam Maher (2-82) to fine leg and finished with 106 with 13 fours from just 139 balls.

It continued a good match for the tailenders after Jason Krejza had made his maiden first-class ton for Tasmania during the Tigers' first innings to support Ricky Ponting's unbeaten 200.

When Maddinson was bowled by Maher at 6-478, it sparked a lower-order collapse with NSW losing 5-22 to be all out for 500.

Butterworth's five-wicket haul was the seventh of his first-class career.

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Del Piero: It's a world problem

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Global problem ... Alessandro Del Piero says Australia is not alone its sporting problems. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Italian soccer superstar Alessandro Del Piero, playing his first season with the A-League's Sydney FC, says issues of doping and match-fixing are a global problem.

The Australian Crime Commission (ACC) report into drugs in sport has illustrated that despite the tyranny of distance the country is not immune to the shadowy networks seeking to influence and profit from modern sport at all levels.

As disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong faces the prospect of jail time, Europol raised allegations of match-fixing in hundreds of games worldwide and Spain's anti-doping agency is investigating allegations doping practices have spread from cycling into football.

It is a situation that has evolved over the past 24 hours in a shocking parallel to events in Australia.

During Del Piero's time at Juventus the esteemed Italian football club was involved in a match-fixing scandal in 2006, when their punishments included being relegated and stripped of two Serie A titles.

Asked for his reaction to revelations from the ACC regarding widespread doping and possible match-fixing Del Piero said on Friday: ''It is a serious problem''.

''It's not only an Australian problem it's all the world a problem, it's not a good thing.''

Asked if Australia could learn anything from Italy's experiences with corruption Del Piero said: ''I don't know if there is corruption here.

''I don't know what is the level of doping, it's just the start of the situation now.''

In Paris, tennis great Rafael Nadal has echoed the sentiments of the likes of senior rugby league figure Phil Gould here in Australia that all sportspeople are being tarred with the same brush of doping.

Nadal wants the names of those implicated in the ''Operation Puerto'' trial into blood doping to be provided to clear others of wrongdoing.

''I don't understand why we never get to the bottom of these things,'' Nadal said.

''We need to clean everything up. I believe this doctor has worked with foreign athletes but because he is Spanish it is Spanish sport that is being prejudiced.

''As an athlete that hurts me. Because of people like (US cyclist Lance) Armstrong, we all have a dubious image.''

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Ponting cracks Shield double ton

Still got it ... Ponting hit his third Sheffield Shield double century. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

NSW are fighting back after Ricky Ponting's double century had put Tasmania on top in the Sheffield Shield match at Bellerive on Thursday.

At stumps on day two, the Blues were 1-145 in reply to the home side's 6(dec)-425 after former Tasmanian David Dawson had led the way with an unbeaten 70.

SHEF - Blundstone Arena

6 February 2013 - Day 2, Session 3

New South Wales 1st Innings

D. Dawson	70	179	5	0	39.11
T. Cruickshan...	37	90	3	0	41.11

With him at the crease was Tim Cruickshank on 37 after the visitors had lost opener Scott Henry for 27.

Henry's wicket, caught behind off the bowling of Luke Butterworth (1-25), was the first to fall in 115.3 overs, with Ponting and Jason Krejza (118no) putting on a record 293 before the Tigers declared.

Ponting notched his third Shield double century when he pushed Blues quick Trent Copeland to the off-side for a single, celebrating by raising his bat and helmet to the sky and embracing Krejza.

The former Australian skipper had resumed on 138 and his chanceless knock of more than seven hours included 27 fours and a six.

The 38-year-old has now amassed 555 runs in his five Shield matches this season at an average of 185.

He and No.8 Krejza rescued the Tigers from a precarious 6-132, producing a Tasmanian record for the seventh wicket by bettering the 215 set by Michael Bevan and Damien Wright in 2004.

"At the end of every single over he just looked at me said, 'Come on, partnership'," Krejza said.

"It's a small word but that was basically what the whole thing was about."

Krejza notched his first Shield and second first-class ton with 13 fours and a six to help Ponting grind the Blues attack down.

The 30-year-old made 101no for Australia A against Pakistan A in Townsville in 2009.

"One of the Tassie things is that sting in the tail and trying to get as many runs as you can from number seven downwards,'' Krejza said.

"I've always taken (my batting) really seriously and I think it's just paid off today finally after 10 years of playing cricket.''

Psychology student Dawson, who played six seasons in Tasmania, reached his 50 with a sweet cover drive for four off returning Test paceman Ben Hilfenhaus (0-24).

He said there was enough in the flat track to produce a result in the crucial match.

"I think there's still enough going on there to create some opportunities and some chances so I would think hopefully there's a result," he said.

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Coulter-Nile bowls WA to victory

Coulter-Nile ... proves the destroyer for Western Australia. Source: Nikki Davis-jones / News Limited

Mike Hussey has hailed Nathan Coulter-Nile as a Test-quality paceman after bowling Western Australia to a remarkable comeback victory over Sheffield Shield leaders Queensland at the Gabba.

Coulter-Nile on Thursday inspired the last-placed Warriors to a 99-run outright win over the Bulls which has resuscitated their Shield season.

SHEF - Gabba

4 February 2013 - Day 4, Session 3

Queensland 2nd Innings

A. McDermott

14

44

1

0

31.82

The 25-year-old pace spearhead took a career-best 6-84 in a man-of-the-match performance to help dismiss the home side for 340 with 15 overs remaining on the final day.

Among the tall right-armer's wickets were five of the top six - including Bulls opener Greg Moller who produced an exceptional 120 in his return Shield match.

Rising WA left-arm spinner Ashton Agar also chipped in with 3-91 as Hussey stepped in for Adam Voges to captain the Warriors to their seventh outright win in an unbeaten past 10 seasons at the Gabba.

Shane Warne last week named Coulter-Nile among the country's best players in all three forms of the game and Hussey could not argue following nine-wicket match haul.

"He's our most influential player at the moment,'' the 79-Test batsman said. "I couldn't be more impressed with the way he's gone about it.

"He's definitely good enough to play for Australia.

"He's definitely got the skills and he's got the belief in himself and he's got the confidence to do well so I think if he was selected he wouldn't let anyone down.''

Moller threatened to outlast the Warriors during rearguard partnerships with Chris Hartley (38) and skipper James Hopes (61) but the Bulls were left to lament a poor start to day four when they slumped to 4-109.

"Greg Moller was exceptional today but no one went with him in the tough times and that was disappointing,'' Hopes said.

It was a remarkable turnaround from the Warriors after they were routed for 111 on the opening day and Queensland cruised to 0-83 before suffering a 5-17 top-order collapse.

"It was an amazing comeback from where we were - we were in a low place there,'' Hussey admitted.

There's now a mere eight-point gap between leaders Queensland (22) and WA (14) with three rounds to play before the March 22-26 final.

"We're still taking the approach that if we win two of our last three games we should be fine,'' Hopes said.

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New generation doping drugs hard to test

THE illegal "new generation drugs" used by athletes and administered by coaches are designed to stimulate growth hormones and are nearly impossible to detect by testing.

Peptides can have many benefits for sportspeople, including the reduction of body fat and assistance in the swift recovery from injuries.

Legal peptides help the body recover from physical activity and can be taken as supplements.

However, the illegal peptides uncovered by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and being investigated by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) are used to stimulate muscle growth and have less obvious side effects than steroids.

Many peptides aren't approved for human use.

These new-age drugs are very difficult to pick up through testing.

The use of coercive powers by investigators, such as calling on witnesses is usually the only way to prove illegal use.

The ACC report released on Thursday found athletes and officials were part of a "widespread" use of the growth hormone-releasing peptides.

The substances it found in use in Australia were GHRP-2, GHRP-6, CJC-1295, AOD-9604 and hexarelin, all of which promote the release of an increased level of growth hormone into the bloodstream.

All except one type are prohibited under WADA guidelines.

GHRP-2 and GHRP-6, administered through injections, are used to stimulate the release of growth hormone by the pituitary gland.

They stimulate hunger, aid metabolism and result in lean muscle mass and improved strength.

They help athletes rapidly recover from injuries such as bone fractures.

CJC-1295 is available as a cream, but is not approved for human use and is considered to be banned under WADA rules.

It results in reducing body fat, improving memory and endurance.

It also reduces pain and swelling and repairs injured tissue.

Hexarelin is available as a tablet and is prohibited by WADA.

It increases strength, growth of new muscle fibres and assists in healing and reducing body fat.

AOD-9604, while not approved for human use, is not currently banned by WADA.

The ACC did not disclose the full extent of the use of these substances, but said it found cases of elite-level players using peptides to rehabilitate soft tissue injuries.

Some officials and members of the high performance unit from one club had injected players with a "a variety of substances, possibly including peptides.

"The substances were administered at levels which were possibly in breach of WADA anti-doping rules," the report said.

Players and officials had easy access to new-generation performance and image-enhancing drugs (PIEDs) including peptides, the report said.

New types of PIEDS, which were once considered to be used only by elite athletes and sophisticated sports doping programs, were now "widely available".

Athletes have been able to directly acquire PIEDS like testosterone, steroids and peptides from anti-ageing clinics, sometimes without a prescription.

Some of those clinics were linked to organised criminal identities.

The ACC also said PIEDS were being distributed by doctors, sometimes without prescriptions, which is illegal, or through a pharmacy owned by these doctors.

RMIT lecturer and expert in analytical chemistry, Dr Oliver Jones, said because peptides occur naturally in the body, distinguishing between synthetic peptides and human produced peptides in testing can be difficult.

"The problem is, the ones they make in the lab often look very similar to the ones you might find in the body," he told AAP.

"So it's tough to distinguish the two.

"Although, there are ways to do this now and more and more tests are coming online all the time."

These advanced tests were used by the World Anti-Doping Agency during the recent London Olympics, he said.

But they can be expensive, requiring hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment and specially trained experts.

"Something like the Olympics obviously has a huge amount of funding put in place for drug testing, because they know people are going to try and cheat," he said.

"I think there's a certain assumption that Australian sports play by the rules and they weren't aware this was such a big wide spread problem.

"So there wasn't the money and the lab facilities in place for it."

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Horwill sidelined in training mishap

Luckless ... James Horwill's return is delayed by a training mishap. Source: David Kapernick / News Limited

Friendly fire at training has delayed Wallaby skipper James Horwill's long-awaited return and placed him in some doubt for the Queensland Reds' Super Rugby kick-off.

An extremely disappointed Horwill has been scratched from the Reds' final pre-season trial against the Chiefs on Friday night after badly twisting his ankle in a tackling drill at Ballymore.

Reds' director of coaching Ewen McKenzie still expects the 200cm lock to make his comeback in the February 16 season opener against the Brumbies in Canberra after being cleared of ligament damage by scans on Wednesday.

But there are no guarantees and it means Horwill will be underdone for his return to Canberra Stadium - the venue where he suffered his horrific torn hamstring which sidelined him nine months ago.

The ankle injury is not related and came from a training mishap when wrestled to the ground by six tacklers in a high-contact drill.

"Someone fell on his ankle - he can't take a trick at the moment," McKenzie said.

"There's no dramas but he's obviously very disappointed about it, as we are, because he's put a lot of work into getting back on the field and this delays it by a week.

"That's what it is but we want to make sure his comeback is 100 per cent successful."

Prop James Slipper will skipper Queensland against the Chiefs at Caloundra and has emerged as a co-favourite with centre Anthony Faingaa to be captain for the opening round if Horwill is unavailable.

"The injury puts some doubt on (him playing round one) but I won't rule anything in or out," McKenzie said.

Ed O'Donaghue will start in the second-row against the Chiefs with Rob Simmons who makes his return from suspension.

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McVeigh angrily defends Bombers

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Defender ... Mark McVeigh says allegations against Essendon are untrue. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

Retired Essendon star Mark McVeigh has savaged former teammate Kyle Reimers over the AFL club's anti-doping crisis.

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McVeigh has given the strongest defence yet of the club, a day after the Bombers announced they were under a joint Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) and AFL investigation because of supplements supplied to the players last year.

If it is found Essendon players took a banned substance under the world anti-doping code, it will become the biggest scandal in AFL history.

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Former ASADA chairman Richard Ings is not nearly as confident as McVeigh about the outcome of the investigation, saying he suspects it is far more serious than players taking a supplement.

There are also unconfirmed reports that underworld elements might somehow be involved in the controversy.

When the story broke on Tuesday, Reimers said in a television report that they were using supplements last season that were "right on the edge''.

McVeigh angrily denied there was anything untoward about last year's controversial fitness program at the club.

"Kyle Reimers has come out and said some things that are untrue,'' McVeigh told SEN radio.

"He's a disgruntled player who was delisted from the football club, who very rarely turned up to pre-season training in any sort of form that resembled a professional footballer.

"Every player knew what we were taking ... if you didn't know, you must have been asleep in the meeting, which Kyle probably was.

"Everything that I took, and I can only speak on my behalf obviously, I knew 100 per cent that it was within the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and AFL doping regulations.''

McVeigh retired from the AFL last year and Reimers was delisted from Essendon at the end of the season.

McVeigh admitted to having off-site injections, but said these were to ensure a sterile environment.

He added they were for vitamins B and C.

The former utility backed key club figures such as coach James Hird, long-time doctor Bruce Reid and chairman David Evans.

He also denied the club made players sign waivers before they took supplements, with McVeigh saying they were consent forms that the players wanted.

"We were going on a different program (where) we hadn't been before ... we'd never really gone into some of the supplements that were being taken,'' he said.

But Ings is concerned about what the investigation might reveal.

"If this substance does come back and it turned out to be a prohibited substance, (then) it's a house of cards,'' Ings told FoxSports.

"This could be very serious for the players involved and extremely serious for the club.''

Tim Watson, the former Essendon captain and father of current Bombers skipper Jobe, said he was angry when he learnt on Tuesday about the unfolding story.

He said regardless of what the investigation finds, his old club needed to look hard at its management.

"I was thinking about the gullibility of people who are in charge of a football club,'' Watson told SEN.

Sports scientist Stephen Dank left the club last year and it is understood the Bombers have suspended fitness coach Dean Robinson.

Essendon's new-look fitness regime spectacularly backfired last year, with the club plummeting out of the top eight as they suffered a string of soft-tissue injuries.

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Lions caught up in doping scandal

Link ... Brisbane Lions reveal Stephen Dank worked for them in 2009. Source: Alex Coppel / News Limited

AFL club Brisbane have revealed that former Essendon sports scientist Stephen Dank briefly worked with the Lions in 2009.

Brisbane released a statement as a joint Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and AFL investigation looks into the use of supplements at Essendon.

They said they were revealing the link to Dank "in the interests of transparency''.

"An individual associated with Essendon's fitness program during the period currently under investigation had a brief and limited consulting role to the Brisbane Lions' altitude training program at the start of 2009,'' the club said in a statement.

"The individual provided training advice to staff with regards to the club's altitude program and had limited contact with players.

"The individual had no involvement in providing the club with either nutritional, supplement or medical advice.

"Club management informed the AFL of its brief and limited involvement with the individual as soon as it became aware of it earlier today.''

Dank left Essendon late last year and is a central figure in the Bombers' supplement crisis.

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Loss will end my career: SBW

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Risk ... Sonny Bill Williams concedes a loss could end his boxing career. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Sonny Bill Williams says a loss to South African Francois Botha will end his boxing career.

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Speaking exclusively to Fox Sports, ahead of his fight for the vacant WBA heavyweight title, Williams conceded he was concerned about Botha's power and experience in the ring.

Botha has previously said the the newly-signed Sydney Roosters player was "stupid" for getting into the ring with him.

Williams said it was the biggest challenge of his career and it was win or go home.

"If I lose this fight, this will probably be the end of it (my career), he said.

"If I'm beaten I don't see a future in the sport."

The former All Blacks centre is undefeated in his five fights so far and didn't want to continue his career with a loss on his record.

Botha has fought some of the greatest heavyweights in recent history, including Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.

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Watch Sonny Bill Williams take on Francois Botha as well as Quade Cooper's boxing debut Live and Exclusive on Main Event, from 9am on Friday, February 8. Purchase the fight here.

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The "White Buffalo" promised to pound Williams into the canvas.

"He's got a lot of big balls, and I don't mean rugby balls," said Botha.

"Why is he taking this chance? He should stick to rugby because I will hit him so hard that when he tries to catch the ball, he'll just miss it."

Williams said he believed he had the upperhand in athleticism and could overcome Botha's experience.

"Apparently, he's lost a lot of weight and is looking pretty good," he said.

"Athletically, I think I've got the advantage but he's got a lot of experience.

"I've trained pretty hard, all through my sporting career I've taken risks and there's a pretty big risk and reward."

Williams and Botha headline a card that also features Wallabies and Reds playmaker Quade Cooper's boxing debut against Barry Dunnett at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Friday, February 8.

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Injury rules Buddy out of All-Stars

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Precaution ... Lance Franklin has pulled out of the All-Stars match against Richmond. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

AFL star Lance Franklin is out of Friday night's Indigenous All-Stars exhibition match against Richmond because of injury.

Franklin was made captain of the All-Stars and he was the top drawcard for the match.

Hawthorn announced on Tuesday that Franklin had pulled out of a game because of a leg injury they described as minor.

''Franklin underwent scans late on Monday that showed some fluid on the top of his calf after a Baker's cyst behind his knee burst on Monday,'' the club said in a statement.

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''Though this is a minor concern, given the level of tightness Lance has experienced he has decided not to take part in Friday's match and will allow the site to settle.''

Hawthorn are confident that the injury will not set back Franklin's pre-season training.

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It is understood that Franklin could even train while he is in Alice Springs for the game, but the Hawks did not want him to risk playing.

Hawthorn added Franklin would stay involved with the All-Stars in a coaching role.

It is proving an eventful summer for Franklin - last week, the two-time Coleman Medallist revealed he had put off contract talks with Hawthorn until the end of the season.

Franklin will become a restricted free agent once his current contract expires.

The decision guarantees Franklin's playing future will be one of the major ongoing stories through this AFL season.

He admits it looms as a distraction to the Hawks, but said he wants to concentrate on his football.

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His agent Liam Pickering also said on Monday it was more than likely that Franklin would sign a new deal with the Hawks.

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''Buddy Franklin is committed and contracted to Hawthorn and is going to do his very best for Hawthorn right up until October 31 while he's a Hawthorn player and more than likely beyond,'' Pickering said.

Hawthorn remain premiership favourites after Sydney upset them in last year's grand final.

Franklin's team-mate Cyril Rioli, another top-level indigenous player, was also ruled out of the All-Stars team.

Rioli is trying to overcome a corked quad muscle.

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Video: Goalie attacked during match

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Attacked ... a fan jumps on the back of Wycombe 'keeper Jordan Archer. Source:Supplied

Wycombe keeper Jordan Archer was attacked by a fan during the closing stages of his team's 1-0 win at Gillingham.

In injury time, the 19-year-old Archer - on loan from Tottenham - was placing the ball to take a goal kick when the supporter entered the field and leapt on his back.

The fan was quickly apprehended by a steward and led away at the Priestfield Stadium.

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth told Sky Sports: "Some people give the rest of the Gillingham fans a bad name.

"I don't want to comment too much, but everyone is okay in there."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11750/8471805/Wycombe-goalkeeper-Jordan-Archer-attacked-by-fan-during-1-0-win-at-Gillingham

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Watch video of the stunning incident in the video at the top of this page.

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I want to stay a Hawk: Buddy

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No rush ... Franklin won't sign until he's ready. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Hawthorn star Lance Franklin is unapologetic that his AFL future is now a massive issue that will hang over the club throughout the year.

The two-time Coleman Medallist acknowledges that his decision to postpone contract talks with until the end of the season had shocked the Hawks, but is confident it will not hurt their 2013 campaign.

Franklin, arguably the league's top player, becomes a restricted free agent at the end of the year.

He follows Chris Judd, Gary Ablett, Tom Scully and Travis Cloke as star players whose futures became the focus of media scrutiny through a season.
 

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"I obviously love Hawthorn and they've been an absolutely great footy club for myself," he said.

"But it was my decision and it was something I wanted to do.

"I know there will be a lot of speculation about what I'm going to be doing at the end of the season.''

Asked about his plans, Franklin replied: "at this stage, I want to stay at Hawthorn."

He later added: "I have no intentions of leaving the football club, but it is what it is," he said.

"I just want to play footy."

This is already a crucial year for the Hawks, who were upset by Sydney in last year's grand final.

Hawthorn remain premiership favourites, but are yet to fulfil the potential they showed by winning the 2008 flag.

"The footy club we have is very strong and we have some really good leaders," Franklin said.

"Our group is a whole is very tight.

"I have no real issues there - it's obviously going to be the media that's pumping it up more than ever."

Franklin also admits he caught the club off-guard with his decision.

"It's going to be a distraction and obviously the footy club is shocked that I didn't sign," he said.

"I don't get entangled in anyone else's contracts ... it's just something that's not talked about.

"We'll just look forward to playing footy and hopefully winning a premiership."

Franklin, who turned 26 last week, has played 161 games for the Hawks since his 2005 debut.

Franklin's manager Liam Pickering later said the key forward might change his mind on postponing the contract talks.

"He might turn around in a month and say 'mate let's just get this done,' but at the moment he's not saying that," Pickering told SEN.

"Hawthorn aren't sitting on their hands here, Hawthorn have put together a reasonable offer.

"They would prefer to do it now, and I get that."

Pickering also insisted he had not received any offers from rival clubs.

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CA backs rotation, welcomes Warne

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James Sutherland ... has welcomed Shane Warne's advice on the national team. Source:AAP

Cricket Australia's board has unsurprisingly backed its contentious selection and player management policies and welcomed its biggest critic Shane Warne back into the fold.

The CA board on Monday gave its "unequivocal support" for the team performance division's controversial methods and believe it's already proving a success.

Pat Howard, the general manager of team performance, and John Inverarity, chief selector, addressed the board of directors in Melbourne.

Chairman Wally Edwards said he was convinced of the merits of the policies formulated after the release of the Argus report 18 months ago, which aimed for a return to the No.1 ranking within four years.

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"To build a new cricket side is a long term thing ... I'm confident we're on the right track," Edwards said.

"They explained to us that they are seeking to build sustained success over the long term.

"They noted that since the appointment of the current team performance leadership group Australia has played 15 Tests of which we've won 10; we've lost two and had three very creditable draws.

"In that time Australia has moved from fifth to third on the world Test rankings.

"The CA board unequivocally supports the strategy and endorses the high performance team led by Pat Howard as they work to implement the Argus strategy.''

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Edwards said players couldn't perform at their best playing every day of the year in three forms of the game and a crowded calendar.

He rebutted a claim that the "rotation policy" cheapened national representation, saying that it gave more talented players opportunities to showcase their skills.

CA chief executive James Sutherland said the board recognised that it needed to improve its communication surrounding selection to the fans and media to make it more "transparent''.

He said other weaknesses identified were the top order of batting at times during the summer and the depth of spin bowling talent.

Former great Warne has described the policies as a joke and the people implementing them as "muppets".

On Monday he released the second installment of his manifesto for re-invigorating the game and the national team, calling again for selectors to do away with the controversial rotation policy and name the best available side for each match.

Sutherland said he had a "robust discussion" with the spin king when they met on the weekend and invited him to work with Australia's spinners.

"There's no doubt about his passion and enthusiasm for Australian cricket team to be successful," Sutherland said.

"Hopefully there are opportunities for him down the track to be closer to us and have an even greater involvement.

"I wouldn't want to preempt when those opportunities may be ...he has a very busy schedule."

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AB Medal: Brett Geeves blogs live

The best ... will Michael Clarke take home the Allan Border Medal again? Source: Fox Sports

Get the best seat in the house for cricket's night of nights with foxsports.com.au's coverage of the Allan Border Medal.

Join foxsports.com.au cricket editor Antony Pinshaw for LIVE and INTERACTIVE coverage of the Allan Border Medal, featuring all the best reaction from social media.

And, in a special treat for foxsports.com.au users, we'll have the funniest man in cricket (it's an unofficial title, but if it were awarded at the Allan Border Medal, we're pretty sure he'd win it), former Aussie ODI paceman Brett Geeves, on hand to provide his unique commentary throughout the night.

Send in your questions for Brett by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.

For all the best pics from the glitz and glamour of the red carpet, check out our red carpet gallery here.

And of course you can complete the perfect two-screen experience by watching the AB Medal LIVE on Fox Sports 2HD from 8.30pm (EDT).

[View the story "Allan Border Medal Live Blog" on Storify]

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Wanderers heap more misery on Reds

Youssouf Hersi ... celebrates with team-mates after scoring against Adelaide. Source: Ben MacMahon / AAP

Western Sydney livewire Youssouf Hersi scored twice and created another goal in a 4-2 thumping of free-falling Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium.

The third-placed Wanderers skipped three points clear of Adelaide, whose off-field pain returned no on-field gain at Hindmarsh Stadium.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	19	11	6	2	17	39
2	Victory	19	11	3	5	4	36
3	Western Sydney	19	11	2	6	10	35
4	Adelaide	19	10	2	7	2	32
5	Newcastle	19	6	5	8	-8	23
6	Brisbane	19	6	3	10	-1	21
7	Heart	19	6	3	10	-3	21
8	Sydney	19	6	3	10	-9	21
9	Wellington	19	5	5	9	-10	20
10	Perth	19	5	4	10	-2	19

After John Kosmina suddenly quit as coach last Monday, the Reds crashed to a third consecutive defeat in a listless display under interim coach Michael Valkanis.

Western Sydney's trumpcard in their fourth win in a row was Ethiopia-born, Netherlands national Hersi, who banked a brace and created a goal for Mark Bridge, while Mateo Poljak also scored.

Reds striker Bruce Djite and Iain Ramsay netted in the second half to briefly appease a restless 9,686-strong Adelaide crowd.

Hersi's attacking flair dominated the fixture and he opened scoring after a goal mouth scramble in the 43rd minute.

Hersi's teammate Aaron Mooy had two rapid-fire scoring attempts, the second going within centimetres of scoring only for Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic to flick the ball from the goal line.

But Galekovic's save dribbled into Hersi's path and he duly converted with a neat right-footer.

Just a minute later Hersi, approaching the by-line, hooked a pass to Bridge who was inexplicably left alone on the penalty spot and rifled in the Wanderers' second.

Bridge returned the favour in the 52nd minute when he pinpointed a cross to Hersi, who netted his second goal with a header from one metre out.

Djite temporarily raised the home side's spirits in the 61st minute when he scored from a sweet 15 metre launch.

But Poljak goaled from close-range some seven minutes later for the Wanderers, before Adelaide's Ramsay curled in a low left-footer for a consolation score in the 87th minute.

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Live Blog: Allan Border Medal

The best ... will Michael Clarke take home the Allan Border Medal again? Source: Fox Sports

Get the best seat in the house for cricket's night of nights with foxsports.com.au's coverage of the Allan Border Medal.

Michael Clarke will be gunning for back-to-back titles when he and his Australia teammates descend on Melbourne for the Allan Border Medal, awarded to the country's best cricketer of the past 12 months.

But that's not the only award up for grabs on the night, with Test player of the year, one-day international player of the year, T20 international player of the year, domestic player of the year, Bradman young cricketer of the year and the Belinda Clark Award for best female cricketer all on offer.

We'll kick off our coverage with a live Twitter chat at 3pm (EDT), where we'll debate who the favourite is to take home the big award, why Australian cricket is - or isn't - heading in the right direction, and maybe, just maybe, which WAG will wear the best dress on the red carpet.

Then at 8.30pm (EDT) we'll knuckle down for the main event, as we bring you a LIVE blog as the votes are counted and the winners are announced.

Our blog will feature all the reaction from social media, meaning you'll see all the best Tweets, images and videos on the night.

We'll also be running a red carpet gallery so you can keep an eye on who wore the best frocks.

And of course you can complete the perfect two-screen experience by watching the AB Medal LIVE on Fox Sports 2HD from 8.30pm (EDT).

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Aldo wins, Overeem KO'd at UFC 156

Champion ... Jose Aldo defends his Featherweight belt against Frankie Edgar. Source: Eric Jamison / AAP

The disappointment that was the match between Rashad Evans and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira is exactly what was needed prior to the fierce showdown that was Aldo vs. Edgar.

Don't confuse this. Ideally all of the fights at UFC 156 would have been outstanding. However, having a letdown (a unanimous decision won by "Little Nog") just before the UFC Featherweight Title bout made the ensuing 25 minutes of headlining action that much more sweet.

Frankie Edgar is the modern day "Rocky". The New Jersey native easily had all of the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Vegas in his corner, but Jose Aldo was just too strong, retaining his belt by unanimous decision.

For the opening three rounds, all went according to Aldo's plan. The Brazilian unleashed devastating leg kicks, bruising Edgar's thigh early and often. Edgar's speed, which was a bigger advantage to him in the 155-pound division, was matched by Aldo, who picked apart the defense of "The Answer" landing jabs at will. Edgar's toughness shined bright as he battled through the first 15 minutes despite being stuffed on the majority of his takedown attempts.

Then the tide shifted.

Edgar, whose gas tank knows no bounds, kept dancing around the ring despite the early damage. Aldo began to slow. Edgar gritted his teeth and began to land the combinations and takedowns that eluded him, finally pressuring the champion. Breathing heavily through his mouthpiece, the champ's demeanor changed. The smile that was on Aldo's face during the first three rounds morphed into something much more serious. In the final 10 minutes, Aldo threw flashy kicks and flying knees in an attempt to steal the later rounds, but frequently missed his mark.

In the end, Edgar's late onslaught was not enough and the judges ruled against him, 49-46, 49-46, 48-47. Yet no one will begrudge him the merits of a hard-fought battle. Especially when that battle was awarded the bonus for Fight of the Night.

In other action, the return of Alistair Overeem was met with mixed reviews. Some were excited to see such a presence return to the heavyweight division of the UFC. Others were thrilled to see Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva knock Overeem out. In a finish that no one saw coming, Silva was easily behind two rounds to none heading into the third. Seconds into round three, Silva caught Overeem off guard and absolutely unloaded. Overeem, the former Strikeforce champion, fell to the canvas like a mighty oak as the victim of the Knockout of the Night. Silva took a moment to hulk over him and demanded respect before being pulled away by referee Herb Dean. In less than 30 seconds, Antonio Silva turned the UFC heavyweight division into what might officially be the hardest algebra equation in MMA.

In what could be called the "Dave Herman" special, submission specialist Demian Maia (6 of 11 UFC wins via submission) faced the best jiu jitsu defense the UFC has to offer in Jon Fitch. Maia initiated the submission attack early, mounting a still-standing Fitch within the opening seconds. Maia continued to apply the submission pressure throughout the first round. And in fitting fashion for a fight on Groundhog Day, Maia did the same in rounds two and three. The fact that Fitch was not forced to tap is amazing, but not even close to being worthy of an Octagon win.

Note: Jiu Jitsu works. Still.

And in the pay-per-view opener, Joseph Benavidez helped prove why the flyweights are a division to watch in the UFC. Some may criticize the division for a lack of power and ferocity, but anyone who watched this fight would have to disagree. Benavidez brutalized McCall's thigh, face and anything else he could swing a fist or kick at, while McCall leveled dozens of hammer fists on Benavidez when the fight hit the ground. The activity level in the fight was high and after Benavidez's unanimous-decision victory, the Team Alpha Male phenom should be on everyone's radar for a title shot.

Read more: http://msn.foxsports.com/ufc/story/ufc-aldo-retains-title-overeem-knocked-out-020213

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