Roar vanquish Reds for vital win

Brisbane Roar ... beat Adelaide United 1-0 to keep their finals hopes alive. Source: BEN MACMAHON / AAP

Substitute Ben Halloran clinched a vital away win for Brisbane Roar with the match-winner in a 1-0 A-League triumph against Adelaide United on Saturday.

The Roar, last year's champions, could find themselves inside the top six at the end of the round courtesy of Halloran's strike at Hindmarsh Stadium.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	22	13	6	3	25	45
2	Western Sydney	22	14	2	6	13	44
3	Adelaide	23	11	3	9	1	36
4	Victory	22	11	3	8	-2	36
5	Newcastle	23	8	6	9	-6	30
6	Brisbane	23	8	4	11	1	28
7	Heart	22	8	3	11	-1	27
8	Sydney	22	8	3	11	-9	27
9	Perth	22	6	4	12	-4	22
10	Wellington	23	5	6	12	-18	21

The midfielder slotted an 82nd minute goal to give the Roar deserved reward for dominating the struggling Reds.

Adelaide, clinging to their top four spot, have won just once in their past seven outings.

Halloran's clinical finish from 10 metres out was created by a shrewd pass from striker Besart Berisha, who earlier missed a penalty.

The goal came after Brisbane were repeatedly denied in a scoreless, and bizarre, opening half.

To a background soundtrack from a nearby rock music festival, four balls went flat and Roar midfielder Ivan Franjic was left gobsmacked when his header hit both side posts.

After Luke Brattan sent in a cross, Franjic's diving header from a metre out smacked into his near post, wafted high along the goal line, struck the far post, and went back into the field of play.

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Franjic later forced Reds goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic, in his 150th A-League game, to produce a top-shelf diving save from a long-range drive.

And Roar danger man Thomas Broich had the 'keeper beat but watched another strike drift just wide as Brisbane notched six shots to one in the first half.

The Roar continued their control in the second half when Berisha was awarded a contentious penalty after collapsing from slight contact with Reds defender Osama Malik in the 48th minute.

But the striker fluffed the penalty shot, his weak low strike hitting the left post as Galekovic dived in the opposite direction.

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Re-live all the highlights in our A-League Match Centre, featuring video updates.

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Dons go down to Tigers in Wangaratta

Showdown ... Essendon's Leroy Jetta tries to stop Richmond dangerman Dustin Martin. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Ricky Petterd's late super goal has given Richmond an eight-point win in their AFL pre-season match against Essendon.

The former Melbourne forward kicked his nine-point goal with less than three minutes left and the Tigers won 2.8.20 (86) to 1.10.9 (78) at Wangaratta.

Richmond attacked repeatedly in the final term, but had kicked a wayward 1.8 before Petterd put them in front for the first time in the second half of the round-two pre-season Cup game.

0.2.2 (14)	Q1	1.2.4 (25)
1.5.4 (43)	Q2	1.4.9 (42)
1.8.7 (64)	Q3	1.7.11 (62)
1.10.9 (78)	Q4	2.8.20 (86)

Patrick Ryder 3	Luke McGuane 2
Michael Hurley 2	Shane Tuck 2
Brent Stanton 2	Matthew Arnot 1
Stewart Crameri 1	Robin Nahas 1
David Hille 1	Ricky Petterd 1
Leroy Jetta 1	Jack Riewoldt 1
Nick Kommer 1	Matt White 1

The game attracted a sold-out crowd of about 11,000, a year after Essendon had to forfeit a pre-season game at the same venue against St Kilda.

Richmond recruited Petterd through the rookie draft and he had been solid in defence before going forward for his decisive long-range bomb.

Midfielder Shaun Grigg was best for the Tigers, while Essendon defender Jake Carlisle was outstanding on Richmond key forward Jack Riewoldt.

Paddy Ryder kicked three goals for the Bombers, who led by 14 points in the last term before Richmond stormed home.

Richmond's Matt White opened the scoring with a nine-point goal less than a minute after the first bounce.

Essendon hit back with a goal to newcomer Nick Kommer, but the Tigers capitalised on some strong tackling pressure to take an 11-point lead at the first break.

After a goal to Bombers forward Stewart Crameri early in the second, Shane Tuck and Jack Riewoldt kicked accurately to give the Tigers a 20-point lead late in the first half.

But Essendon suddenly started winning the ball out of the middle.

They dramatically hit back with goals to Michael Hurley and Brent Stanton and a nine-pointer to Leroy Jetta, all within three minutes, for an improbable one-point lead at the main break.

Ryder and Richmond key forward Luke McGuane kicked two goals apiece in the third term.

The Bombers led by 13 points midway through the term, but McGuane and Shane Tuck goalled late in the term to reduce the margin to two points at the last change.

Essendon were nearly at full strength, while the Tigers were missing several big names including captain Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio, Ivan Maric and Port Adelaide recruit Troy Chaplin.

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Ferlax wins Australian Guineas

Ferlax ... wins the Australian Guineas after All Too Hard is scratched. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Jockey Stephen Baster celebrated his enforced return home after being exiled from Singapore with a classic ride to win the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington.

The smiling jockey, still bewildered by his abrupt marching orders, was stoked when he steered Ferlax to victory in the $500,000 race, while in places unknown regular rider Daniel Stackhouse was cursing a huge disappointment.

Stackhouse has ridden the Jim Conlan-trained Pentire colt in his other three career starts, winning them all at Echuca in November before Benalla and Sale en route to yesterday's stunning win.

Stackhouse, who only three weeks ago won his first Group 3 race, missed the ride because he was suspended during the week in Launceston.

Baster jumped aboard the Jonathan Munz colt with the huge potential, and put his name in headlights after only several weeks back in town.

In the absence of the dominant pre-race favourite All Too Hard, who was scratched because of an elevated temperature, Ferlax started at $17 and, courtesy of a super rails run from the home turn by Baster, held on to defeat the fast-finishing You're So Good ($9.50) by a half length with on-pacer Sheer Talent ($9) sticking on stoutly three quarters of a length away.

Conlan was overawed with the success in such a high-profile race, but not by the huge effort from his charge.

"I galloped him on Tuesday and put the blinkers on and he gave me a great feel," Conlan said.

Baster admitted he wasn't sure about the addition of blinkers, but happily conceded: "That's why he's the trainer and I'm the jockey."

Conlan said that Ferlax is "a very exciting horse" who may now look to Sydney for the All-Aged Stakes or to Brisbane for the Stradbroke Handicap.

"We must be careful where we place him. He has a nice pedigree and he has now won a stallion-making race."

Conlan said he was disappointed for Stackhouse.

"It is unfortunate for him because he has been with the horse all along, but when he was suspended I had no hesitation engaging Stephen," he said.

They have combined for many winners together over the years, before Baster went to Singapore to finish second in the premiership last year before given his marching orders only weeks into this season.

"I couldn't be happier," Baster said. "So many people have welcomed me back and to win a Group 1 so soon is great."

The runner-up, You're So Good, made a sustained run from the turn but Baster's rails run which saved so much ground was telling.

Sheer Talent, who was beautifully guided from barrier 15 to be second by Michael Rodd when the field settled, was tenacious.

Hvasstan ($15) ran home from the rear to finish fourth in an excellent exhibition, with Philippin by his side all the way.

The $6.50 favourite, Albrecht, suffered interference and never threatened.

All Too Hard was a raging favourite to win his third consecutive Group 1 race before his shock scratching.

However, Wayne Hawkes reported the colt had an elevated temperature this morning and no chances would be taken with the invaluable prospective sire.

"He ate up and looked terrific. But we took his temperature and it was a bit high, so we weren't prepared to risk running him. Basically he has a cold," Wayne Hawkes said.

"We have a lot in front of him and it is not worth the risk. I'm sure tomorrow he will be absolutely fine."

Hawkes said there were "a stack of options" for All Too Hard during the Sydney autumn carnival.

Those options are likely to include the Ryder Stakes and Doncaster Mile.

All Too Hard was the $1.33 pre-post favourite for the Guineas off the back of two impressive wins at weight-for-age.

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Stoner crashes out on debut

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Drama ... Casey Stoner crashes out of his V8 Supercars debut. Source: Campbell Brodie / News Limited

Not much could stop Casey Stoner on two wheels, but Adelaide's notoriously tough street circuit proved more than a handful for Stoner on four.

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Not much could stop Casey Stoner on two wheels, but Adelaide's notoriously tough street circuit proved more than a handful for Stoner on four.

The two-time MotoGP world champion's much anticipated V8 Supercars second-tier race debut became a major anti-climax after Stoner crashed out on the 12th of 20 laps on Friday.

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Stoner's biggest injury was hurt pride after he hit the concrete wall before sitting idle in his Triple Eight Holden Commodore for the rest of the race.

Still he could manage a smile after his V8 "learning experience''.

"I had inside locking on the front tyre by lap four,'' Stoner explained.

"I dropped back (to mid-field) to try and save the tyres and finish the race but I kept locking up.

"Unfortunately it popped on me on turn three. Once the tyre burst it was game over.''

Stoner, 27, was the biggest thing to hit the second tier touring car category in its 13-year history when he ended "will he, won't he'' social media speculation by signing on for Triple Eight's Red Bull Racing team.

He created extra buzz with his impressive efforts in Adelaide leading up to the Dunlop Series season-opener.

Almost 68,000 people packed the street circuit daring to dream for Stoner after he backed up Thursday's top 10 practice effort by clocking a fastest lap of 1min 22.89sec in qualifying early on Friday, barely a second behind pole-sitter Chaz Mostert (1:21.85).

Stoner qualified 12th fastest in the 30-strong field and crashed out while in 14th spot.

The race was won by Ford's Ash Walsh, ahead of Mostert and Dale Wood.

"It was definitely a learning experience,'' Stoner said.

"In general I had a ball on those first laps.

"I am not an emotional dude but I would say before first practice I was a little bit nervous.

"But once I got practice out of the way I have been good.''

The Dunlop Series' opening round concludes with race two on Saturday.

"This crash won't put me in a good position for race two but, oh well. We can tune the car up and see what we can do tomorrow,'' Stoner said.

He is driving the Commodore used last year by three-time V8 champion Craig Lowndes.

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Catch all the action from the Clipsal 500 in true high definition, March 2-3 at 8pm on SPEED (Ch512).

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Glory to blood 15-year-old

Debut ... Young gun Danny de Silva with Glory coach Alistair Edwards. Source: Perth Glory / PerthNow

Perth Glory is set to blood 15-year-old midfielder Danny De Silva against a Sydney FC team boasting some of the A-League's biggest names on Saturday night.

Glory coach Alistair Edwards this morning confirmed the teenager would start on the bench for the crucial clash, which features two sides desperate for points to keep their finals ambitions on track.

De Silva, who turns 16 next week, will have the chance to become the youngest player to take to the field for Glory.

The Stirling Lions product joined the A-League club on a youth contract last month, having previously played under Edwards with the Australian Joeys.

Edwards described the attacking midfielder as one of the most talented young players to come through the WA pathway.

"I've been coaching Danny for the last couple of years with the Joeys, and he's an exciting talent coming through," Edwards said.
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"It's a wonderful opportunity not only for him, but for the club.

"It just sends a clear message to people within the state that if you're good enough, and you're talented enough, you're going to be given an opportunity."

If given an opportunity, De Silva will be sharing the nib Stadium turf with superstar Alessandro Del Piero and Australian greats Lucas Neill and Brett Emerton.

But Edwards said his young charge would not be overawed by the situation.

"He'll fit seamlessly, and he's trained really well during the week," Edwards said.

"But in saying that, he knows he's got a lot to do in terms of where he wants to be as a football player.

"He's turned back opportunities to go overseas to a number of big clubs, and that's another massive sign for the club moving forward - a player of that ability has decided to stay and continue his football education in Western Australia."

De Silva said he was "buzzing" ahead of his senior debut.

"I'll definitely give it my best shot - that's all I can do. Hopefully I can help the team out," he said.

"(Sydney FC) have quality players, and it's going to be amazing to play against a World Cup winner in Del Piero and the captain of the Socceroos.

"Perth Glory have given me an amazing opportunity and I definitely think it's going to help me in my football career."

De Silva was presented with his No.28 playing shirt by club great Bobby Despotovski after training this morning.

Edwards said the gesture was part of a push to build the culture of club and embrace its 17-year history.

"I know the tradition of the club has been lost over the years," he said.

"I'm not going to mask that.

"The simple fact is there are some fantastic people who have played for the club, and while Gareth Naven and myself are here, they're going to be fully embraced by the club moving forward."

In another boost for the club, Edwards said defender Michael Thwaite had rejected some "very big money offers" from a number of Asian clubs to remain in Perth.

Glory skipper Jacob Burns featured at training this morning but is still at least a week away from returning.

Perth sits in ninth spot on the A-League table but remains just five points shy of sixth place, while the Sky Blues sit outside the top six on goal difference.

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ARU risks Super wrath with Lions camp

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Tough call ... The ARU has risked the wrath of the Super franchises with its decision. Source:News Limited

Wallabies players will be quarantined for three weeks leading into the British and Irish Lions series in a protective move which has defied Australia's Super Rugby franchises and could open another can of worms.

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Queensland Reds, New South Wales Waratahs and the Brumbies have been forced to fall into line behind Wallabies coach Robbie Deans after the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) on Thursday ruled 25 Test players would participate in an extended camp.

The controversial move was expected despite all five Australian franchises opposing Deans's wishes at a high-performance meeting late last year.

The Reds, Brumbies and Waratahs - set to have the highest representation of Wallabies - were most outspoken as the three-week camp will rob them of their star players for matches on June 7, 8 and 9.

While Queensland play the Lions in a potential blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium, the Brumbies take on Melbourne Rebels and NSW play Western Force in penultimate-round local derbies which could be crucial to their Super Rugby play-off hopes.

But new ARU chief executive Bill Pulver has attempted to appease the Waratahs and Brumbies by saying Wallabies could be released if their finals hopes are on the line.

"If those Super Rugby matches have significant bearing on the competition standings, and finals spots are at stake, the ARU will take that under serious consideration," Pulver said in a statement.

If that did occur, and the Rebels and Force were not boosted by the release of their top Wallabies, then rival teams across the competition would be rightly aggrieved by what would be seen as a significant leg-up.

Brumbies coach Jake White would also want all his best players for the entire week, after stressing the late return of Wallabies one or two days pre-game was not good enough.

Waratahs counterpart Michael Cheika has also warned an extended camp would leave Wallabies players short of match fitness for the June 22 first Test against a finely-tuned top Lions outfit who would play three games in the same time.

The All Blacks (2005) and Springboks (2009) also rested their Test players leading into tour matches but they did not take them out of Super Rugby fixtures.

When the Wallabies beat the Lions 2-1 in 2001, players were barred from representing the Waratahs and Brumbies but were released to play for the Reds a fortnight before the first Test.

"There is no doubt, from an Australian Rugby perspective, that when the Lions come to Australia ... the primary objective is for the Wallabies to win the three-Test series and preparation is crucial," Pulver said.

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Aussie prodigy could choose Scots

Big decision ... Bradden Inman wrestles with the decision on his international eligibility. Source: Nigel French / AFP

Newcastle United's Adelaide-born prodigy Bradden Inman is still refusing to commit his national team future to Australia, despite speaking of his excitement at the prospect of pulling on the green and gold.

The 21-year-old is a potential Socceroos bolter as he flourishes on loan at English League One side Crewe, where he's scored six times in 17 appearances in his role as an attacking midfielder with a license to cut in from the left.

But his ties to Scotland, who he is eligible to play for through his mother, remain strong, having represented them regularly at under 19 and 21 levels. Inman is clearly in two minds over his international allegiance but did admit to feeling a sense of national pride when called into an under-age camp by Holger Osieck in March 2011.

"Being born in Australia and playing my juniors there, that's what you want to do, you want to play for Australia. I got to play for them once when we had an Under-23 camp in Germany and that was a great experience, I buzzed off that, representing my country," Inman said.

But when asked what his answer would be if called up by Osieck for either the March 26 FIFA World Cup qualifier with Oman or another camp soon after, he stopped short of a definite yes.

"It would be good to play for Australia and hopefully one day I get the chance but I'd still still have to talk it through with people and my family," he said.

"It's a big decision that I'll have to make very soon, when the time comes hopefully I'll make the right decision," he continued.

His call to go to Crewe after eight years in the Newcastle youth and reserve system has definitely been the correct one though. Signed in a deadline day one-month loan deal that has now been extended until the end of the season, he says there aren't many clubs at that level that could have suited him more.

"I was pleased when I was told I was coming to Crewe, they're one of the few teams that like to play football in League One and that helped me as opposed to a long ball game," he said.

"They call it the Crewe way, they aim to get the ball from the back and play as much as possible. Sometimes it's hard on some of the pitches you come across but we get the ball down and play and the gaffer encourages that."

This stint away from Newcastle - the club he joined as a 14-year-old - will have a big say in whether Inman wins a new contract at St.James Park, with his current deal expiring at the end of the season.

He says manager Alan Pardew wanted him to go out on loan to prove what he can do in a more competitive environment.

"He wanted me to get the first-team experience and you see when you come here there's just such a massive difference between this and reserves and under 18 football at Newcastle," Inman said.

"You're fighting for proper points and league positions, so that's really helped me.

"He (Pardew) told me I would become more of a man from the experience and that it takes courage to go to a new team and try and fit in."

The South Australian has sat on the bench twice for the Newcastle first team and now needs to build on an impressive first three months at Crewe in order to win a new contract and make that long awaited debut.

"I've seen some of the other reserves lads have broken through so that encourages you to push even harder," he said.

"I've just got to continue to do well this season and hopefully go back in the summer and try and do well in the friendlies and prove what I'm able to do."

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Hindy empathises with Barba's issues

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Support ... Nathan Hindmarsh has commended Barba for seeking help. Source:News Limited

Confessed problem gambler Nathan Hindmarsh says Ben Barba has made the first step to overcoming his gambling problem by admitting he has an issue he needs to address.

The former Parramatta great revealed in his autobiography last year he'd lost thousands of dollars gambling on poker machines, before managing to address his addiction with the help of his wife Bonnie.

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The 33-year-old was surprised to hear that Canterbury stood down their star player after he informed club officials he was struggling to deal with issues in his private life.

However, he said the 23-year-old is doing the right thing getting away from spotlight while he sorts his life out.

"It's nice to see Benny realises he has an issue and he's getting it sorted," Hindmarsh said.

"He obviously realises he needs help. It's not social anymore and it's become a bit of an addiction for him."

Hindmarsh said he found it easier to overcome his addiction when he was finally forced to make the people closest to him aware of the situation.

"You get into a bit of a rut. I spent a long time telling myself I didn't have an issue," he said.

"But once I started telling people it made it a lot easier.

"There is not too much advice I can give Benny really. You just have to be willing to change. And this is the first step to doing that.

"He has spoken to the people he needs to speak to and he's making a change."

Hindmarsh said he wasn't aware of a huge gambling problem among NRL players and it was unfair to single them out.

"It's not just footy players it's society," he said.

"There's a lot of players who have a punt socially and then walk away.

"Most people do. Some can stick a 20 or a 50 in a machine and then walk away.

"And there are some that can't."

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Barba entering private clinic

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Ben Barba ... set to enter private clinic. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

At a time when he was to have been presented to the rugby league world as the face of the NRL at Wednesday night's season launch, Ben Barba was instead preparing to enter a private clinic to have his gambling and drinking issues assessed.

Before he was stood down indefinitely by Canterbury on Monday Barba was to officially launch the new season at Sydney's Star Casino - a role handed on to Johnathan Thurston - and to feature as the star of this season's NRL advertising campaign.

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Instead the Canterbury fullback's career is at the crossroads as medical experts plot a course of action that will get his life back on track and allow him to return to the rugby league field.

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Barba is set to visit a private clinic this week to address the behavioural issues that have dogged him during the off season.

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"The club has surrounded him with a team of medical professionals and he will be assessed at a clinic that deals with these sort of issues to work out the best way to help him overcome them," a source close to Barba told AAP.

"The club is doing what is best for Ben Barba, not just what is best for Canterbury.

"They want to make sure he is healed. They want to make sure he can put these problems well and truly behind him. They don't want them to haunt him. They are worried about the impact this has on the club but more importantly they are worried about the impact this is having on Ben Barba the person.

"Ben's family have really closed ranks around him now and along with the club they are working out what is best for him. He has asked people just to leave him and his family alone as he attempts to deal with what has gone wrong."

Canterbury have said the Dally M medallist will not play football again until his problems have been sorted out.

Barba's sublime skills still feature in the NRL's advertising campaign but he did not attend the season launch and will not play in the Bulldogs round one clash with North Queensland in Gosford on March 9.

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Jets shoot down Phoenix to go fifth

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Successful trip ... Newcastle Jets grab a crucial three points against the Phoenix. Source: Ross Setford / AAP

Life without Ricki Herbert began on a dispiriting note for the Wellington Phoenix, whose A-League playoff hopes have virtually disappeared with a 2-1 loss to the Newcastle Jets.

The last-placed Phoenix produced a listless home display for interim coach Chris Greenacre, who had a day to prepare his team following the sudden resignation of six-year mentor Herbert.

His team failed to rise to the occasion in front of a small crowd of 4025 on Wednesday, their lack of cohesion allowing a slick Jets side to dominate and cement their place inside the top six.

The Phoenix remain rooted on 21 points, still six points outside the top six and with little hope of infiltrating the playoffs with just four games remaining.

The visitors broke a long drought in Wellington to climb to fifth on 30 points, although they've played one more game than fringe rivals Melbourne Heart and Sydney FC on 27.

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Re-live all the video highlights and key statistics from the Jets' win over Wellington at our A-League Match Centre.

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The sudden departure of striker Ryan Griffiths to Chinese Super League club Beijing Baxi FC rocked the Jets this week but their front division showed few ill-effects.

They found space easily, particularly in the first half when strikers Adam Taggart and Michael Bridges put them 2-0 ahead.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	22	13	6	3	25	45
2	Western Sydney	22	14	2	6	13	44
3	Adelaide	22	11	3	8	2	36
4	Victory	22	11	3	8	-2	36
5	Newcastle	23	8	6	9	-6	30
6	Heart	22	8	3	11	-1	27
7	Sydney	22	8	3	11	-9	27
8	Brisbane	22	7	4	11	0	25
9	Perth	22	6	4	12	-4	22
10	Wellington	23	5	6	12	-18	21

Taggart, 19, was unmarked 8m out from goal in the 19th minute to side-foot home a Joshua Brillante cross while more poor defending allowed the excellent Bridges to score with a low header off a free kick a minute before halftime.

The second half was a more even affair and former Jet Jeremy Brockie pulled a goal back in the 60th minute after

Louis Fenton struck a point-blank shot straight at the face of goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.

Brockie rocketed the rebound in for his 13th goal of the season.

The Jets still created the clearer chances from them, the best falling to Craig Goodwin, who cracked a shot straight at goalkeeper Glen Moss, playing his 100th A-League match.

Fenton was at the heart of the Phoenix's best moments but the visitors defended efficiently, led by Regan Taylor.

The result tipped history on its head for Newcastle, who hadn't won in Wellington since their first visit here in 2007, which was followed by eight Phoenix wins and a draw. The Jets also hadn't won any away match since round six this season.

Their concern ahead of Sunday's visit to the Melbourne Victory will be injuries which forced Zenon Caravella and Sam Gallaway from the field.

The Phoenix face an "away" game against the Melbourne Heart in Dunedin on Sunday, seeking to add to their one win in 10 matches in 2013.

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Balotelli orders statue of himself

Pose ... Mario Balotelli wants a life-size statue of himself for his Italian home. Source: Vadim Ghirda / AFP

He's the gift that keeps on giving, and Mario Balotelli's latest exploit is sure to set tongues wagging.

The AC Milan striker has commissioned a local Italian artist to produce a life-size statue of him to put in his Brescia home.

The artist, Livio Scarpella, hasn't met Super Mario, but is confident he will be able to fulfill Balotelli's aim of "immortalising" himself, England's The Guardian reports.

"I presented several drawings but Mario wanted to be immortalised in a pose that shows him having scored a goal, highlighting his muscles and with an expression of defiance," Scarpella said.

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The crazy exploits of Super Mario Balotelli.

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"I have imagined him as an athlete from ancient times and the statue will be a mix of classical and pop style in platinum and coloured bronze with the eyes made of stones.

Italian media are reporting that Balotelli wants the statue based on his infamous goal celebration against Germany in the semi-finals of Euro 2012

Balotelli started his Rossoneri career with four goals in his first three matches, before failing to find the net in last weekend's heated drawn Milan derby

Balotelli was racially abused by fans in the 1-1 draw and was fined 10,000 euros for a rude gesture towards Inter supporters after the match.

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Beale overcomes knock to face Tahs

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Improving ... Beale will play against the Waratahs if he pulls up well on Wednesday. Source:AAP

Rebels five-eighth Kurtley Beale will tackle his old side after recovering from a shoulder injury but Melbourne have lost captain Gareth Delve for the clash with NSW.

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The Wallabies No.10 ran strongly at Rebels training on Tuesday and has been given the green light for Friday night's Super Rugby game at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.

In a huge blow for their inexperienced forward pack, a decision was made following the session to rest No.8 Delve, who has been battling an inflamed shoulder.

With no formal vice-captain anointed in the side, star fullback James O'Connor is the new Melbourne captain while hooker Ged Robinson will deputise.

"James has really matured over the past six months as a footballer, and was humbled by the opportunity when I presented the captaincy role to him," coach Damien Hill said of the 22-year-old.

The withdrawal of the hard-working Delve means Wallaby backrower Scott Higginbotham will move from blindside flanker to No.8 with Luke Jones shifting from the second row to six.

Wallaby-in-waiting lock Cadeyrn Neville, who came off the bench in their opening two games, will start and Jordy Reid will come onto the bench for his first Super Rugby match.

"Nothing is structurally wrong with Gareth's shoulder. He's simply has not recovered in time for this week's match," said Hill.

The pressure will be on Beale, who has plenty to play for as the Rebels look to rebound from their loss to the Brumbies.

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He stunned the Waratahs when he defected to the Rebels for the 2012 season, although they are believed to be chasing hard to get him back home with his Melbourne contract up at the end of this year.

Hill believed NSW should continue with code-hopper Israel Folau at fullback despite his disappointing debut in their loss to Queensland.

That wasn't because he felt the Rebels could exploit the newcomer but that he deserved another chance.

The Rebels had a taste of Folau's ability when he scored two tries in his first game for NSW in a trial in Hobart.

"Everyone is focusing on what Izzy didn't do well and they should be focusing on what he did do well," Hill said.

"The Waratahs made seven line breaks and he was a part of five of them.

"He's a very good player and I think you should give credit to the Reds for how they managed him.

"If he is playing, he's going to be danger."

Rebels: James O'Connor (capt), Lachlan Mitchell, Mitch Inman, Rory Sidey, Richard Kingi, Kurtley Beale, Nick Phipps, Scott Higginbotham, Scott Fuglistaller, Luke Jones, Cadeyrn Neville, Hugh Pyle, Laurie Weeks, Ged Robinson, Nic Henderson.

Res: Shota Horie, Paul Alo-Emile, Jordy Reid, Jarrod Saffy, Nic Stirzaker, Angus Roberts, Tom English.

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Julian: bring in Johnson, Doherty

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Waiting in the wings ... should Mitchell Johnson be called up for the second Test? Source: William West / AAP

Australia made a serious error by playing four seam bowlers on a Chennai pitch that was always going to suit spinners, according to Fox Sports cricket commentator Brendon Julian.

The Aussies suffered an eight wicket loss in the first Test, with James Pattinson the standout bowler in an otherwise miserable outing for the tourists' pace-heavy attack.

Nathan Lyon came in for some brutal treatment on his way to first-innings figures of 3-215 from his 47 overs, while Mitchell Starc went wicketless and Peter Siddle picked up just one scalp.

While Julian believes Lyon still deserves his spot in the side as the country's no.1 spinner, he thinks Siddle and Starc should not play the second Test in Hyderabad.

"I don't think Starc should play in the second Test," Julian said.

"He's a wonderful bowler, no doubt about that, and I think he'll play the first Test in England, but you've got to play Mitch Johnson in the next Test.

"Johnson's a better bowler in those conditions. He bowls so well on flat pitches.

"He's also very good with the bat, so they've got a stronger tail if he comes in at no.8."

Australia's selectors sprung a surprise by picking three frontline quicks plus pace-bowling all-rounder Moises Henriques in Chennai, and Julian doesn't think they'll make the same mistake in Hyderabad.

"It was definitely a mistake to take so many pacemen onto that pitch," Julian said.

"I'm not just saying that now, I said it right from the start, even before the Test match.

"As soon as they decided to pick Henriques, they didn't need another quick bowler. They should have gone with two spinners.

"If Hyderabad is like that, you've got to play Doherty and Lyon."

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Despite the doom and gloom surrounding the heavy defeat, former Test bowler Julian believes there were actually plenty of positives for Australia to take out of the match.

"The first innings score was exceptional given the situation of the match, with the turning wicket.

"Clarke was phenomenal again, and Henriques was very, very impressive in both his first and second innings' - he played the spinners well and looked very comfortable on the big stage.

"It's great for the Aussies as they now won't need to worry about that all-rounder spot - it's more to do with the bowling line-up.

"From a batting point of view, I thought there were very encouraging signs in difficult conditions."

The conditions themselves were the source of much controversy throughout the match, with the pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium described as being "like the surface on Mars" by Aussie leg-spin legend Shane Warne, who was commentating on the match.

But Julian had no issues with the pitch, saying it should be expected that home nations will prepare surfaces to suit their players.

"Having that pitch is no different from going to the Gabba when it's swinging around a bit, or Perth when it's quick and bouncy.

"When you go to India, you expect the ball to turn.

"We've got to not worry about the pitch and just get on with it."

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50-year deal to keep Aussie F1?

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Half-century ... Ecclestone says he would be happy for the Australian GP to stay in Melbourne for 50 years. Source: Joe Castro / AAP

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone wants to keep the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne for another 50 years.

In an unprecedented pledge, the British billionaire has offered to sign a contract 10 times longer than usual to keep the race at Albert Park.

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"We hope we're going to be in Melbourne forever, although we do get a bit of criticism and I don't know why," he said.

"We're happy with Melbourne and I'd be happy to sign a 50-year contract."

The Grand Prix Corporation said Mr Ecclestone's wish to have the race at Albert Park for another 50 years was a "wonderful sentiment" but it didn't mean Melbourne could take it for granted.

"There is always a risk from the other states and this is why Melbourne can never be complacent when it comes to major events and doing things that is going to keep Melbourne in the tourist branding and business eye of the world," the corporation's CEO Andrew Westacott told 3AW this morning.

With the Australian Grand Prix contract to expire in 2015, Mr Ecclestone said he intended to travel to Melbourne for the first time in eight years to kick-start negotiations before next month's race.

But, in an apparent snub of the State Government, he said he would talk only to Grand Prix chairman Ron Walker.

"The only person I deal with is Ron Walker," he said.

In an exclusive interview, Mr Ecclestone also revealed other states had contacted him trying to snatch the race from Victoria when the current contract expired.

But he said he was determined to keep the event in Melbourne.

"We get proposals from other parts, but we're happy in Melbourne," he said.

"Everybody loves Australia and loves Australian people, and it's good to be there ... and Melbourne, in itself, is a nice place."

The terms and conditions that would be attached to such an extraordinary long-term deal are not known and Mr Ecclestone did not say whether he would be willing to take a pay cut to make it happen.

Last year's Melbourne Grand Prix cost $56.7 million, the highest since former premier Jeff Kennett brought it to Victoria in 1996.

The Herald Sun last month revealed a secret licence fee that Victoria paid to host the race cost taxpayers more than $30 million a year.

Mr Ecclestone said the fee was "purely what the race cost", including six jumbo jets full of freight transportation, and was "the same as anywhere else in the world".

He said he was willing to sign a long-term deal for Melbourne rather than the standard five-year contract because of its broad appeal worldwide.

"Melbourne probably doesn't need being put on the map, but that's what Formula 1 does for a city, for sure," he said.

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Heart spoil Neill's A-League debut

Melbourne Heart ... spoil Lucas Neill's A-League debut. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

A great week off-field for Sydney FC has fallen flat on the pitch as Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill's A-League debut resulted in a feeble 3-1 loss to Melbourne Heart.

The defeat sent Sydney tumbling out of the top six on goal difference while the Heart replaced them in fifth spot.

Neill had said pre-game he was happy to play the part of a "pantomime villain'' and it turned out that way, as he was repeatedly booed by Heart fans for backtracking on an indication he would join their club to instead sign with the Sky Blues.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	22	13	6	3	25	45
2	Western Sydney	22	14	2	6	13	44
3	Adelaide	22	11	3	8	2	36
4	Victory	22	11	3	8	-2	36
5	Heart	22	8	3	11	-1	27
6	Newcastle	22	7	6	9	-7	27
7	Sydney	22	8	3	11	-9	27
8	Brisbane	22	7	4	11	0	25
9	Perth	22	6	4	12	-4	22
10	Wellington	22	5	6	11	-17	21

One fan held up a sign labelling him a rat.

But the AAMI Park crowd quickly found plenty to cheer about as the 34-year-old debutant and his fellow defenders proved unable to stop the Heart's attack running rampant.

Nick Kalmar capitalised after the Sydney defence failed to clear a Richard Garcia cross in the 31st minute.

Jonathan Germano gave 'keeper Vedran Janjetovic no chance five minutes later after a slick one-touch pass by Eli Babalj put him clear one-on-one.

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The game was effectively over 10 minutes into the second half when David Williams converted a penalty to create a three-goal lead after Sydney's Seb Ryall was sent off for dragging him down in the box.

Joel Griffiths gave the visitors a faint flicker of hope when he received the ball in congestion, turned cleverly and fired truly from the top of the box three minutes later.

But a bad day turned worse for Sydney when Griffiths was subbed off with a hamstring injury soon after.

While Neill had a quiet first half, he showed some of his class with a fine lunging challenge to strip the ball from Matt Thompson in the penalty area in the second.

The match drew 13,752 fans, the Heart's biggest non-derby crowd ever, attracted no doubt by the presence of Neill and Alessandro Del Piero, who announced during the week he would continue with Sydney next season.

It was the Heart's fifth straight home win.

They'll now have to focus on fixing a dreadful record elsewhere - having lost their past six away - when they play in Wellington next Sunday.

Sydney play in Perth on Saturday night.

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Blues win two, GWS stun Swans

Life under Mick ... Carlton score back-to-back wins under their new coach. Source: News Limited

Carlton started life under Mick Malthouse with a comfortable 22-point AFL pre-season victory over reigning premiers Sydney Swans, but the veteran coach says the Blues are yet to march to the beat of his drum.

Malthouse, holding the Blues' reins for the first time under match conditions after his one-year sabbatical from the game, oversaw contrasting triumphs over the Swans and Greater Western Sydney in Blacktown on Sunday.

0.4.1 (25)	Q1	0.1.6 (12)
0.5.2 (32)	Q2	0.4.10 (34)
	Q3
	Q4

Jonathon Patton 2	Sam Rowe 2
Jeremy Cameron 1	Levi Casboult 1
Stephen Gilham 1	Shaun Hampson 1
Liam Sumner 1

His side struggled with the yips against GWS and only sealed a two-point come-from-behind win in the final minute, with Levi Casboult's goal the difference in the 0.4.10 (34) to 0.5.2 (32) margin.

Andrew Carrazzo and Eddie Betts, both rested from the opening contest, then led the way in driving rain as the Blues outclassed the Swans 1.5.7 (46) to 0.3.6 (24) in front of 4,078 fans.

The Giants completed the triple-header with a 0.7.10 (52) to 1.3.1 (28) upset win over Sydney, whose absent premiership players included Adam Goodes, Shane Mumford and Josh Kennedy.

0.0.2 (2)	Q1	1.4.5 (38)
0.3.6 (24)	Q2	1.5.7 (46)
	Q3
	Q4

Alex Johnson 1	Tom Bell 1
Sam Reid 1	Eddie Betts 1
Tommy Walsh 1	Levi Casboult 1
	David Ellard 1
	Bryce Gibbs 1
	Shaun Hampson 1

Malthouse saw things he liked in both wins, but noted his charges were yet to master their new gameplan.

"The intent was there, but we're getting a bit confused between the two game structures from last year and this year," said Malthouse, the second most experienced coach in VFL/AFL history.

"We'll certainly need the three NAB Cup games in front of us to iron out a few areas of concern."

Malthouse was blunt when asked what areas need to change before his men open their premiership season with a match against Richmond on March 28.

0.4.7 (31)	Q1	1.1.0 (15)
0.7.10 (52)	Q2	1.3.1 (28)
	Q3
	Q4

Toby Greene 2	Jed Lamb 1
Jonathon Patton 2	Ryan O'Keefe 1
Jeremy Cameron 1	Dean Towers 1
Gerald Ugle 1	Jesse White 1
Mark Whiley 1

"There's a whole host of them. Your interview is not going to last that long," he said.

"There's just a lot of things that are different. I'm not saying one is right and one is wrong.

"But this is the way I want to do it, and this is the way it's got to be. We can't have mixed game structures or plans or anything else.

"There's enough there from today to be shown (in a video review session), and it's crystal clear.

"It's not going to be cured overnight but at least it's there."

The three-time premiership coach admitted to a few gaffes in his first AFL coaches' box appearance since Collingwood's loss to Geelong in the 2011 grand final.

"I forgot to put the headphones on. I was thinking 'gee. I haven't had any messages yet'," he said.

"I kept on asking how long we've got to go - and the clock was right there (in front of me).

"You get back on the bike, but you've still got to know the rules."

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Dhoni, Kohli outshine Tendulkar

Good knocks ... Dhoni and Kohli stole the show from Tendulkar. Source: Manjunath Kiran / AAP

It's not easy to outshine Sachin Tendulkar in India, but that's just what Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni did on day three of the first Test against Australia in Chennai.

1st Test - MA Chidambaram Stadium

22 February 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

India 1st Innings

M. Dhoni	120	144	14	2	83.33
H. Singh	11	26	0	1	42.31
M. Clarke	5.2	1	22	0	4.12

All the talk was about the Little Master heading into the day's play, as he was well placed - on 71 not out - to notch his first hundred in Tests in almost two years.

But the century talk was scuppered early on Sunday, as Nathan Lyon produced a gem of a delivery to bowl Tendulkar for 81.

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That shifted the attention onto Kohli, who had quietly made his way past 50 just before stumps on day two and picked up where he left off the following day.

He combined with captain Dhoni to actually accelerate India's run-rate after Tendulkar was dismissed, being very aggressive against the spin of Lyon.

The 24-year-old Kohli brought up triple figures off his 199th ball with a nice flick off his pads to the square leg boundary.

Unfortunately for India fans, Kohli didn't go on with the job and gave his wicket away just a few minutes later, holing out on 107 to Mitchell Starc off the bowling of Lyon.

That didn't slow Dhoni down though, with the India skipper racing to 80 at better than a run a ball.

He slowed down as he approached three figures, but eventually got there off 119 balls, reaching the milestone by waltzing down the pitch to Peter Siddle and smashing the ball to the boundary.

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