Titans win thrilling nail biter

Ryan James ... stars in Gold Coast Titans V Many Sea Eagles on Saturday. Source: News Limited

Gold Coast dug extra deep to deliver injured teammate Ashley Harrison a special 16-14 win over Manly at Skilled Park in his 250th NRL game.

2 Tries 3
Ryan James 45'	Jorge Taufua 57'
David Mead 51'	Tom Symonds 60'
	Jorge Taufua 71'
2 Conversions 1
Aidan Sezer 47'	Jamie Lyon 72'
Aidan Sezer 53'
2 Penalties 0
Aidan Sezer 36'
Aidan Sezer 76'

The match was locked at 14-14 on Saturday night after Manly scored three second-half tries before halfback Daly Cherry-Evans conceded a match-winning penalty late in the clash.

Cherry-Evans booted a goal line drop-out over the sideline with four minutes left on the clock.

Aidan Sezer calmly kicked the penalty goal from right in front.

In a heart-stopping final few minutes, Manly attacked the Titans' left-hand side before a Jamie Lyon pass was spilled over the sideline by winger David Williams.

Manly interchange forward Richie Fa'aoso's 36th-minute shoulder charge which wiped Harrison out of the game proved a huge turning point following an epic first-half defensive battle.

A distressed Harrison was ferried from the field with his neck in a brace on the back of a medicab with the crowd chanting "send him off, send him off".

Fa'aoso was placed on report and could be the first player suspended under the game's new shoulder charge rules outlawing the dangerous tackle.

Sezer thumped over the penalty for a 2-0 halftime lead.

The home side started the second half positively and led 14-0 after converted tries to big Ryan James (46th minute) and winger David Mead five minutes later.

However, the Titans let Manly cross twice in the space of three minutes.

Winger Jorge Taufua dived over in the left corner in the 57th minute before replacement Tom Symonds muscled his way over in the 60th after Matt Ballin, Kieran Foran and Cherry-Evans swept the ball to the right side.

Skipper Jamie Lyon missed both difficult conversions as Manly pulled back to 14-8 with 20 minutes remaining.

When Taufua, who scored a hat-trick against Newcastle last weekend, crossed for his second and Lyon converted from touch, the match was deadlocked at 14-14.

Sezer had two shots at a field goal before kicking his game-winning penalty.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Red-hot Crusaders massacre Kings

Scoring spree ... Willie Heinz dives for the line under pressure. Source: David Alexander / AFP

Zac Guildford made a winning return as the Crusaders overwhelmed the Southern Kings 55-20 in a lop-sided Super Rugby match at Christchurch on Saturday.

7 Tries 2
George Whitelock 4'	Petrus van der Walt 40'
Wyatt Crockett 13'	George Whitehead 79'
George Whitelock 24'
Willi Heinz 31'
Matt Todd 47'
Luke Whitelock 57'
George Whitelock 76'
7 Conversions 2
Daniel Carter 6'	Demetri Catrakilis 40'
Daniel Carter 14'	George Whitehead 80'
Daniel Carter 25'
Daniel Carter 32'
Daniel Carter 49'
Tyler Bleyendaal 57'
Tyler Bleyendaal 76'
2 Penalties 2
Daniel Carter 10'	Demetri Catrakilis 2'
Daniel Carter 43'	Demetri Catrakilis 21'

The Crusaders hammered South African opponents for the second straight game, running in seven tries to two, with six of them going to forwards.

It reflected the dominance of the home pack against a Kings side who spent most of the night defending in suffering a third successive defeat.

Australia Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Brumbies	4	0	0	83	3	23
2	Reds	3	2	0	-1	1	13
3	Western Force	1	3	0	-22	1	9
4	Melbourne Rebels	1	3	0	-25	1	9
5	Waratahs	1	3	0	-33	1	9
New Zealand Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Chiefs	4	1	0	77	5	21
2	Crusaders	2	2	0	37	4	16
3	Blues	2	1	0	26	3	15
4	Hurricanes	2	2	0	-15	1	13
5	Highlanders	0	4	0	-47	1	5
South Africa Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Bulls	3	1	0	3	1	13
2	Sharks	3	1	0	3	0	12
3	Cheetahs	2	2	0	-31	1	9
4	Stormers	1	2	0	-12	1	9
5	Southern Kings	1	3	0	-43	0	8

It was the first away match in the Kings' inaugural season and came at the end of a tumultuous week.

The South African Rugby Union announced it would investigate the team for using more than two overseas players - a SARU stipulation - during their loss to the Chiefs last week.

There was no such pressure on the Crusaders, coming off a 41-19 humbling of the Bulls.peThey dominated from the outset, marching over the advantage line at will and snuffing out the Kings' infrequent attacking opportunities.

All Blacks winger Guildford produced a solid 80 minutes for the seven-time champions in his first appearance since leaving the franchise in January to address alcoholism issues.

He was named on the reserve bench but started the game after fullback Israel Dagg was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Guildford threw the final pass to put flanker George Whitelock over for the opening try after four minutes, the first of a hat-trick for the tough flanker.

Whitelock's second bisected tries to prop Wyatt Crockett and halfback Willie Heinz as the Crusaders bagged a bonus point.

Flanker Wimpie van der Walt drove over from a lineout for the Kings' only try on the stroke of halftime, leaving them trailing 31-13.

They also scored the last try in the second half, to fullback George Whitehead, but not before Whitelock bagged his third, alongside tries to younger brother Luke Whitelock and fellow-loose forward Matt Todd.

Five-eighth Demetri Catrakilis kicked eight points for the Kings while his opposite, Dan Carter, landed seven from seven shots for a 16-point haul.

It was Carter's last game for at least two weeks after the All Blacks playmaker chose to skip the next two matches in South Africa, remaining in New Zealand for the arrival of his first child.

The Crusaders will travel there with a two win-two loss record while the Kings have slumped to 1-3 ahead of next week's match against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Glory win last-gasp thriller

Winners ... Perth Glory's Steve Pantelidis and Matias Cordoba celebrate. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Perth Glory strengthened their A-League finals pulse with an injury-time Josh Risdon winner sealing a spectacular 3-2 win over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

{ "type" : "nmdata", "id" : "1226604119725", "name": "FS football NMdata MVC v PER", "title": "", "classname": " ", "total": "0", "content" : { "match": [ ] } }

Risdon bent home a superb goal four minutes into stoppage time after the Victory had pinched a disputed late equaliser through substitute Cris Cristaldo in the 89th minute.

The stunning win lifts last season's grand finalists into the top six.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Western Sydney	25	17	2	6	17	53
2	Central Coast	25	14	6	5	23	48
3	Victory	26	12	5	9	2	41
4	Adelaide	25	12	4	9	3	40
5	Perth	26	9	4	13	-2	31
6	Sydney	25	9	4	12	-8	31
7	Newcastle	26	8	7	11	-12	31
8	Brisbane	25	8	5	12	0	29
9	Heart	25	8	3	14	-6	27
10	Wellington	26	7	6	13	-17	27

The Glory still need other results to go their way this weekend and perhaps in the last round of fixtures to make the finals.

But they have a great opportunity to become a finals wrecking ball after delightfully crafted first-half goals to Chris Harold and Travis Dodd, and the brilliance of midfielder Liam Miller and goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, were capped by Risdon's late moment of magic.

With both teams undermanned, the Victory took an early lead through skipper Adrian Leijer's 13th-minute header.

But driven by perhaps the most underrated of the A-League's high-end imports in Irishman Miller, the Glory took control for the rest of the first half.

Both goals were created by Miller's superb vision - his pinpoint cross on 21 minutes met by a spectacular Harold volley to smash in off the left-hand post.

Miller and the equally busy Ryo Nagai created the second, seven minutes before halftime, with some delightful front-third interplay with Dodd.

The former Socceroo met Nagai's cross from the left in traffic with purpose to put his side deservedly in front.

Desperately missing their internationals, Mark Milligan, Archie Thompson and Marco Rojas, the Victory suffered another blow when Marcos Flores limped off injured less than an hour into the match.

The Argentine midfielder was playing his first match in five weeks after quadriceps and back problems.

Victory curtailed Miller's influence late in the second half and had their best period of the match as they chased an equaliser - two Vukovic saves denying them.

First, Victory youngster Connor Pain's goal-bound shot was saved by a high-diving Vukovic, before he produced an even better stop from the resulting corner.

Somehow, he managed to get a hand to Leijer's downward close-range header to deny the Victory.

But then, Cristaldo netted in the 89th minute after a superb run from Pain spoon-fed him the chance to slot home.

However, replays showed the ball had been run over the sideline earlier in the movement - and the Glory were livid the goal was allowed to stand.

It mattered little just minutes later as Risdon's winner gave the Glory a deserved win - just days after interim coach Alistair Edwards' appointment was made permanent.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tassie grab day one honours in final

Tasmanian crawl ... Mark Cosgrove and Jordan Silk. Source: Richard Jupe / News Limited

Tasmania crawled along at snail's pace on day one of the Sheffield Shield final against Queensland at Bellerive before reaching a strong 2-176 at stumps.

The Tigers' run-rate languished below two an over for most of a day characterised by a lack of runs and wickets after the home side had won the toss on the driest-looking Bellerive track of the season.

Opener Jordan Silk will resume on 82 with Ricky Ponting 20 and Tasmania mindful they need only to draw the game to win their third title, and first with the former Test skipper.

The Bulls are fighting to defend their title and win the Shield for the eight time.

Silk and Mark Cosgrove (58) put on a disciplined 133 for the first wicket, but they were certainly in no hurry.

Cosgrove's innings took 217 balls, while Silk had faced a marathon 291 deliveries.

---

Follow the Sheffield Shield final live on Saturday, 10.30am (EDT), FS2HD or follow our live stream at foxsports.com.au.

---

It took 37 overs for the Tigers' 50 to come up and 393 balls for the side's 100 on a day that included 33 maidens.

Cosgrove was out late in the day when he dragged a Michael Neser (1-40) delivery onto his stumps.
Ryan Harris (1-46) then struck with the second new ball to have Alex Doolan (6) caught by Peter Forrest at first slip for 2-147.

Ponting's 20 from 31 balls came as a breath of fresh air late in the day.

Silk, coming off a century against Victoria, fought hard but was lucky to still be there after offering up three chances.

The 20-year-old, in just his third match, was dropped by Harris at slip on four off the bowling of spinner Nathan Hauritz.

He then nearly ran himself out on 34, stranded mid-pitch as Cameron Gannon's throw at the stumps from point just missed.

Late in the day, he was dropped by wicketkeeper Chris Hartley after he'd inside-edged James Hopes.

Queensland's accurate bowlers notched some impressive economy rates, with skipper Hopes sending down 21 overs with just 28 runs conceded, while Hauritz's 21 cost just 27.

Showers forecast for Hobart stayed away but more are predicted over the weekend.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Helmet hit leads to Hughes wicket

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

Duck ... Hughes never really recovered from being hit on the grill. Source: Alexander Joe / AAP

Australia batsman Phillip Hughes has been brought unstuck by an unlikely foe in India - a bouncer.

Calling it a bouncer is perhaps a bit generous to India paceman Ishant Sharma, who in all likelihood was looking to bowl a regulation-length ball against the diminuitive Aussie.

But the pitch at the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground was doing funny things on Friday, and unfortunately for Hughes it sprung the ultimate surprise for this particular delivery as it shot off the pitch and made a bee-line straight for his face.

Luckily for the left-hander, the ball struck him flush on the grill, but it had the desired effect of shaking Hughes up.

Up until that point, the Australia No.3 had looked very comfortable at the crease and had crunched a number of balls to the cover boundary with majestic ease.

But he looked a different batsman after being hit, and unfortunately for the tourists he lasted just three more balls before being brought unstuck by a relatively tame delivery in Sharma.

Hughes's score of 45 was made to look even better by the carnage that followed his dismissal, as Australia's batsman again struggled against India's spinners to be reduced to 7-149 shortly before tea.

---

Follow the fourth Test LIVE with our Match Centre, and watch it LIVE, EXCLUSIVE and in HIGH DEFINITION on Fox Sports 2.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Chiefs do double over Highlanders

Impressive ... the Chiefs continue their winning ways against the Highlanders. Source: AAP

Super Rugby defending champions the Chiefs condemned the winless Highlanders to a fourth defeat with a straightforward 19-7 win on Friday in Hamilton.

1 Tries 1
Tim Nanai-Williams 8'	Aaron Smith 20'
1 Conversions 1
Gareth Anscombe 9'	Colin Slade 21'
4 Penalties 0
Gareth Anscombe 3'
Gareth Anscombe 25'
Gareth Anscombe 62'
Gareth Anscombe 70'

Both teams scored one try but fullback Gareth Anscombe kicked 14 points to reflect the Chiefs' control of the match and lifted them to a fourth win from five matches.

		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Brumbies	4	0	0	83	3	23
2	Reds	3	2	0	-1	1	13
3	Western Force	1	3	0	-22	1	9
4	Melbourne Rebels	1	3	0	-25	1	9
5	Waratahs	1	3	0	-33	1	9
1	Chiefs	4	1	0	77	5	21
2	Blues	2	1	0	26	3	15
3	Hurricanes	2	2	0	-15	1	13
4	Crusaders	1	2	0	2	3	11
5	Highlanders	0	4	0	-47	1	5
1	Bulls	3	1	0	3	1	13
2	Sharks	3	1	0	3	0	12
3	Cheetahs	2	2	0	-31	1	9
4	Stormers	1	2	0	-12	1	9
5	Southern Kings	1	2	0	-8	0	8

They have cemented second place in the standings behind the Brumbies while the Highlanders remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

The result comes exactly one month after the competition-opener between the teams in Dunedin, which the Chiefs won 41-27.

They were just as convincing at Waikato Stadium, opening up a 10-0 lead inside 10 minutes after centre Tim Nanai-Williams pounced on turnover possession and raced 60m to score untouched.

However, the hosts failed to cross again, having scored a competition-leading 18 tries in their first four games.

Instead, Anscombe slotted four from seven shots at goal, punishing the ill-discipline of a Highlanders side who were outplayed at the breakdown and lacked the same fluency in attack.

The visitors scored their try in the 20th minute when All Blacks halfback Aaron Smith finished off a neat scrum blindside move.

The try was converted by five-eighth Colin Slade but he had a night to forget with the boot, landing just one from four shots.

Up 13-7 at halftime, two more Anscombe penalties stretched the scoreline before a scoreless final quarter.

---

Re-live the action with our Super Rugby Match Centre.

---

Chiefs inside centre Andrew Horrell went closest to scoring another try but replays showed he grounded the ball centimetres short of the line.

Chiefs flanker Sam Cane and Nanai-Williams continued excellent seasons to date while Highlanders veteran lock Brad Thorn - captaining in place of the injured Andrew Hore - was tireless around the park.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Time to turn the corner: Kimmorley

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

No excuses ... Canberra Raiders sit at the bottom of the premiership table. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

Canberra assistant coach Brett Kimmorley says it's time for Canberra to turn the corner with a win over St George Illawarra on Sunday.

Both teams are struggling early in the season sitting at the bottom of the premiership ladder after two rounds. 

Having sacked Josh Dugan for behavioural issues last week and stood down Blake Ferguson for breaching team protocol, Kimmorley told NRL360 guest Gorden Tallis, the Raiders have no excuse not to perform. 

---

See the exclusive behind-the-scenes video of Brett Kimmorley and Gorden Tallis, as they get ready for NRL 360 in the Fox Sports' make-up room, by clicking on the video at the top of the page!

---

"We can't blame any more distractions, Dugan's gone and it's time to turn the corner," Kimmorley told Tallis. 

16.42 | 0 komentar | Read More

AFL teams to kick-start the season

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

Hurley ... a full-strength Essendon welcome Michael Hurley into their round one side to face Adelaide. Source: BEN MACMAHON / AAP

Here are the listed teams for the four clubs that will get the 2013 AFL season underway this weekend.

	3:15 PM Melbourne Cricket Ground
All times are listed in EDT

Adelaide v Essendon, AAMI Stadium, Friday 8.40pm (AEDT)

Adelaide
B: Luke Brown, Ben Rutten, Rickey Henderson
HB: Nathan van Berlo, Daniel Talia, Brent Reilly
C: Bernie Vince, Patrick Dangerfield, David Mackay
HF: Richard Douglas, Josh Jenkins, Jared Petrenko
F: Jason Porplyzia, Taylor Walker, Matthew Wright
Foll: Sam Jacobs, Scott Thompson, Rory Sloana
I/C: Matthew Jaensch, Graham Johncock, Brodie Martin, Andy Otten
Emg: Brad Couch, Shaun McKernan, Aidan Riley

Essendon
B: Mark Baguley, Cale Hooker, Michael Hibberd
HB: Brendon Goddard, Dustin Fletcher, Jake Carlisle
C: Courtenay Dempsey, Jobe Watson, Dyson Heppell
HF: David Zaharakis, Patrick Ryder, Stewart Crameri
F: Alwyn Davey, Michael Hurley, Nick Kommer
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Brent Stanton, Ben Howlett
I/C: Heath Hocking, David Myers, Jake Melksham, Jackson Merrett
Emg: Leroy Jetta, Kyle Hardingham, Elliott Kavanagh

Fremantle v West Coast, Patersons Stadium, Saturday 7.40pm (AEDT)

Fremantle
B: Kepler Bradley, Zac Dawson, Michael Johnson
HB: Paul Duffield, Luke McPharlin, Nick Suban
C: Danyle Pearce, Michael Barlow, Clancee Pearce
HF: Ryan Crowley, Matthew Pavlich, Nathan Fyfe
F: Hayden Ballantyne, Chris Mayne, Michael Walters
Foll: Jonathon Griffin, David Mundy, Stephen Hill
I/C: Matthew de Boer, Tendai Mzungu, Lee Spurr, Camerno Sutcliffe
Emg: Jesse Crichton, Jack Hannath, Lachie Neale

West Coast
B: Will Schofield, Darren Glass, Ashley Smith
HB: Shannon Hurn, Eric Mackenzie, Beau Waters
C: Andrew Gaff, Scott Selwood, Andrew Embley
HF: Josh Hill, Jack Darling, Chris Masten
F: Scott Lycett, Josh Kennedy, Mark LeCras
Foll: Dean Cox, Matt Priddis, Luke Shuey
I/C: Adam Selwood, Ashton Hams, Jamie Cripps, Brad Sheppard
Emg: Jacob Brennan, Mitch Brown, Bradd Dalziell

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hurley and Zaharakis fit, Crouch misses

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

High Five ... David Zaharakis (right) is fit and ready to roll in Essendon's opener. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Much-vaunted Adelaide recruit Brad Crouch has missed selection for what would have been his AFL debut in the season opener against Essendon at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

Crouch, recruited at the end of 2011 as a 17-year-old via the mini-draft and forced to wait until this year before he could play AFL, had been regarded as a round one certainty.

	3:15 PM Melbourne Cricket Ground
All times are listed in EDT

Instead, the midfielder has been named as an emergency for the match.

Versatile Crows tall Josh Jenkins has been named at centre-half-forward, getting first opportunity to replace the departed Kurt Tippett.

Essendon will give mature-aged recruit Nick Kommer an AFL debut, while David Zaharakis and Michael Hurley have been named despite pre-season injury problems.

Both West Coast and Fremantle have dipped into their stocks of big men to cover injury losses for their season opener on Saturday night.

---

Does Adelaide's decision not to select Brad Crouch have you needing to shuffle your FOX FOOTY SuperCoach team? Don't forget to alter your line-up ahead of Friday night's season-opening clash!

---

The Eagles have promoted Scott Lycett to step in for the injured Nic Naitanui, while Fremantle will play Jon Griffin and experienced Kepler Bradley after pre-season injuries to Aaron Sandilands and Zac Clarke.

Click here to see the round one AFL teams in full.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Burgess backs shoulder charge hits

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

Sam Burgess ... will continue using the banned shoulder charge. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

The NRL's shoulder charge ban appears to have missed the mark, with South Sydney powerhouse Sam Burgess claiming there was little deterrent in using the tactic.

The NRL's crackdown on the spectacular tackling method reached a crossroad on Monday night, when Rabbitohs winger Nathan Merritt hammered Cronulla's Matthew Wright close to tryline.

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

Merritt prevented a try as a result of a shoulder charge, and Burgess - who described Merritt's try-saver as "a good tackle'' - said he would do the same in similar circumstances.

Because he didn't make contact with Wright's head, Merritt was not charged as a result of the hit, with his only punishment being a penalty.

"You'd rather give a penalty away than a try being scored against you,'' Burgess said.

"I think it's a very fine line, especially when there's two players diving for the corner.

"I think it's a tough position to be in as a player and the officials as well.''

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

Teammate John Sutton was less forthcoming as to whether he would use the shoulder charge.

But asked if he would give away a penalty to save a try, Sutton said: "Definitely.

"You don't want them to score, but all within the rules.''

The NRL clamped down on the tactic after a series of head injuries to players as a result of mis-timed shoulder charges last season.

On report ... Sam Burgess Source: News Limited

A majority of players, including Burgess, claimed the NRL went too far with the ban, claiming stiffer penalties when a shoulder charge made contact with the head would have been a better approach.

The Rabbitohs welcome back Burgess for Sunday's match against Penrith at Centrebet Stadium after the Englishman served a one-game ban for a high tackle on Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce.

Pearce was treated by Roosters medical officials as a result of the hit in the NRL season opener, after which Burgess was put on report.

Burgess admitted to still being miffed by the ban, and called on the NRL to ensure players were not rewarded for staying down.

"I don't think there was too much in it,'' Burgess said.

"You could pick five of them from each game each week, I think. Just because a player gets injured, we seem to take more notice of it.

"I just hope we don't get in a situation where a player starts staying down.''

Either way, Burgess said he wouldn't be tempering his aggressive approach, which included a bone-rattling hit on returning Roosters star Sonny Bill Williams.

"I don't want to miss football so you've got to be aware of contact with the head but, certainly, I don't feel I need to change my game,'' Burgess said.

"I'm not going to change my technique or anything. I don't think it's anything to worry about.''

16.42 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sandilands suffers setback

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

Setback ... Fremantle ruckman Aaron Sandilands will seek hamstring advice from a Melbourne specialist. Source: TONY MCDONOUGH / AAP

The immediate playing future of Fremantle AFL ruckman Aaron Sandilands is up in the air after the 30-year-old aggravated his injured left hamstring.

Sandilands, who tore his left hamstring while playing in the pre-season competition last month, was expected to return in round two.

But the three-times All-Australian has struggled to overcome the injury in recent weeks, and will visit a specialist in Melbourne to determine the best course of action.

The specialist, Julian Feller, was responsible for the surgery on St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt and Fremantle's Josh Mellington in recent years.

It's unclear whether Sandilands will also require surgery or just more rest.

But either way, the 211cm giant faces additional time on the sidelines, meaning the Dockers will have to again turn to Jon Griffin to lead the club's ruck division.

A series of toe injuries has hampered Sandilands over the past two seasons, and his recent hamstring troubles cast further doubts on whether his body will be able to handle the rigours of elite football in future years.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon admitted the loss of Sandilands was a big blow, but said he had full faith in Griffin to perform strongly.

"We're really confident of his capabilities to compete at AFL level and carry the mantle of being the No.1 ruckman," Lyon said on Wednesday.

"He grabbed his opportunity last year to the point where he kept Aaron out of the team because he was playing good football.

"He's had a really strong summer and is conditioned really well."

In better news for Fremantle, back-up ruckman Zac Clarke has been cleared of any serious damage to his right leg and is a slight chance to play in Saturday's western derby against West Coast.

Lyon initially feared Clarke had damaged his Achilles tendon and would miss the season after the 22-year-old limped out of training on Tuesday.

But scans revealed Clarke had only damaged a superficial muscle in his leg.

"It's just the plantaris (muscle) that you don't really need," Lyon said.

"We're really relieved. We thought we'd lost the player for the year."

West Coast will be without Daniel Kerr (knee), Nic Naitanui (groin), Sharrod Wellingham (ankle), Matt Rosa (quad) and Mark Nicoski (hamstring) for the season opener.

Kerr and Naitanui are set to miss a further three to four weeks as they recover from surgery, but Worsfold said their delayed return was more a precaution.

"We don't rush them back in and then they pull up sore and can't play for another two or three weeks," Worsfold said.

"That's always a risk with players who miss a lot of the pre-season.

"We did it with Josh Kennedy last year. We got away with it for five weeks and then he got a bad ankle injury.

"You always wonder whether that's related to the extra fatigue they build up more quickly."

The Dockers open their season with a western derby against the Eagles at Patisons Stadium on Saturday night.

Catch the action live on FOX FOOTY from 7:30pm AEDT and 4:30pm WST.

---

Tune in to Fox Sports News on Wednesday for a comprehensive preview of the 2013 AFL season.
David King joins Sarah Jones and Julian de Stoop to forecast the fortunes of every team, offer punting advice and recap of the best moments from 2012.
You can see it at 5:30pm and 10:30pm as well as 7:30am on Thursday (all times EDT).

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cowan backs Watto to lead Aussies

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

Backing ... Ed Cowan says Shane Watson is a different type of leader to Michael Clarke. Source: Arnulfo Franco / AAP

Opener Ed Cowan has backed Shane Watson to lead Australia in the fourth Test against India starting on Friday if Michael Clarke is unfit, describing him as a very different type of leader to the incumbent.

Watson, who lacks leadership experience at Sheffield Shield level, has been at the centre of a series of controversies in the past week.

He has battled poor form, was one of four players banned from the third Test for missing a homework assignment and only just arrived back in the country after his wife gave birth to the couple's first baby in Sydney.

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

But Cowan said Watson was a lead-by-example type of captain who would do the job if Clarke succumbed to a back injury.

"He (Watson) has probably decided to come back with a full focus and we will accept him because he is such a great player and a good leader," Cowan told reporters on Wednesday.

"He is a senior player around the group and it is important those kinds of players are on board because we need those guys for this team to be the best team in the world.

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

"He is a very different leader to Michael but we're hoping Michael is fine for this Test.

"He (Clarke) is such a great batsman and we need his runs and his leadership."

Clarke failed to train with the team on Wednesday but he wasn't about to be ruled out just yet.

"It is a day-to-day proposition," Cowan said after training. "He's confident. Michael's expecting to play."

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

Cowan said the homeworkgate affair had strengthened the resolve within the team as they sought to again become the No.1 Test team in the world.

The lack of leadership experience within the side was evident in Mohali where back-up wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, 35, led the team during short periods when Clarke was off the field having treatment.

"We feel quite buoyed by the concept of moving forward together," Cowan said as the tourists aim to avoid a four-nil whitewash against India.

Cowan said he had approached Clarke, coach/selector Mickey Arthur and team manager Gavin Dovey regarding recent disciplinary lapses within the squad.

"There had been a build-up and there always comes a time where there is a breaking point and that happened in Mohali," Cowan said.

Arthur's hopes for extra leadership to return to the side fell flat on Wednesday as recently retired batsmen Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey ruled out Test comebacks.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Smith lashes 'inconsistent' refs

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

Not happy ... Cameron Smith lashes NRL refs regarding Billy Slaters hit on Antonio Winterstein. Source: Colin Whelan / AAP

Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith has called for greater consistency from NRL referees in officiating on the newly outlawed shoulder charge.

While teammate Billy Slater only escaped suspension through an early guilty plea after a hit on North Queensland winger Antonio Winterstein during Saturday night's game, Smith says he's already seen a number of other shoulder charges let go this season.

"For me, and I actually spoke to the referees during the game on Saturday night, we were told at the start of the year if there's any tackle made where there's no wrapping motion of the arms and it's just using your shoulder to bump someone, it's going to be penalised," Smith said.

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

"I've seen every game that's been played this year and it's just been let go, until someone's hit high or it looks spectacular where someone's knocked off his feet."

Smith said he remained confused by the referees and judiciary interpretation of the shoulder charge rule brought in this year after similar incidents went unpunished throughout round two.

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

On Monday night, South Sydney winger Nathan Merritt was overlooked after a questionable tackle on Cronulla's Matthew Wright.

"I'm not sure if the rules have changed within the referees where they interpret it differently now but, again, it's inconsistent," Smith said.

"Bill's (Slater) made a similar attempt to tackle as Nathan Merritt and there are two different outcomes.

		W	L	D	B	PD	Pts
1	Storm	2	0	0	0	42	4
2	Sea Eagles	2	0	0	0	40	4
3	Rabbitohs	2	0	0	0	20	4
4	Titans	1	1	0	0	34	2
5	Eels	1	1	0	0	26	2
6	Panthers	1	1	0	0	12	2
7	Broncos	1	1	0	0	8	2
8	Sharks	1	1	0	0	0	2
9	Knights	1	1	0	0	0	2
10	Bulldogs	1	1	0	0	-8	2
11	Cowboys	1	1	0	0	-10	2
12	Roosters	1	1	0	0	-16	2
13	Tigers	1	1	0	0	-22	2
14	Warriors	0	2	0	0	-32	0
15	Dragons	0	2	0	0	-36	0
16	Raiders	0	2	0	0	-58	0

"That's the frustrating thing for players and coaches - that inconsistency with rulings.

"If we could have the same things every week for every game there would be no dramas but at the moment it just seems to change every week."

Smith said he was certain the Storm hierarchy would take up the issue of the disparity in the Slater and Merritt cases with the referees' boss Daniel Anderson.

Meanwhile, Smith said the Storm were keenly anticipating the return of Canterbury's Ben Barba, who has been sidelined due to off-field issues.

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler says Barba will not be rushed into the side for Thursday's NRL grand final rematch at AAMI Park but Smith says the sooner the star fullback returns the better for the game.

"We're going to prepare as if he's going to be playing," Smith said.

"It will be good for our game if he's there, it will be good for the crowd if he's there because he's one of the guys in our competition who people pay money to come and watch.

"But if he's not then hopefully he's back on the paddock soon and everything is sorted out with him," Smith said.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aussie coach Mickey Arthur quits Twitter

Australia's head cricket coach Mickey Arthur has deleted his Twitter account. Source: AAP

AUSTRALIA cricket team coach Mickey Arthur grew tired of the vitriol he was receiving on Twitter and closed his account on Tuesday.

His action led to more criticism, jibes and abuse from some frustrated followers of the injury-hit and inexperienced Australian team who lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Monday when they slumped to the third straight Test loss of their India tour - where Australia has won only one Test series since 1970.

Last week's bombshell - when Arthur announced four players including vice-captain Shane Watson had been suspended from the third Test for failing to submit required assessments on how the team could improve - was clearly a sore point for some Twitter followers.

First the controversies during the summer of the resting of key players during a busy playing schedule, and now this.

And for Arthur, it was also the last straw.

With his third-ranked side trailing three-nil in the four-match series against India and the final Test starting in Delhi on Friday, Arthur will be bothered no longer by abusive Twitter followers.

"Thanks twitter,has been fun but deleting my account now!Thanks to all the genuine supporters out there," Arthur said on Twitter on Tuesday.

He later told reporters: "I just used it (Twitter) as a medium to get news really.

"For me, it just wasn't really worth it now.

"I used it to stay in contact with a lot of mates.

"If you're on it you just open yourself up to that (abuse).

"There has been some very positive stuff as well, but it's not worth it. I've got bigger things to worry about than Twitter to be honest."

A sample of the latest advice dished out to Arthur by one frequent tweeter @jimmyob13 may indicate why Arthur stopped using social media.

"Hey Mickey Mouse @MickeyArthur do you have enough quicks for 3rd test? Now it's going to be a seamer so I suggest you play 4 spinners...," the user posted on March 12.

The following day he wrote: "@MickeyArthur How's the team spirit this morn? Did they all wear the correct uniform? Did Hughes and Warner scrub skippers whites for him?"

Arthur's decision to close his account was greeted with more scorn on Twitter.

One tweeter, @adam_pearce13 said "It's about time you focus on the cricket anyway "

Another, @willderen tweeted to Arthur "You're an idiot.", @MarkCooper said "you suck", while @KevinWilde described Arthur's move to delete his account as "weak".

Arthur last week described the decision to suspend Watson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson as a line-in-the-sand moment to create a better culture within the team after a series of disciplinary lapses by the team in general including lateness, backchat and attitude issues.

The homeworkgate affair was widely ridiculed in Australia, especially by ex-players.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Live: NRL round three teams

Dropped ... Blake Ferguson will remain in NSW Cup this weekend. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Canberra coach David Furner has resisted the urge to rush back stood down winger Blake Ferguson for Sunday's NRL clash with struggling St George Illawarra.

Ferguson was dumped to the NSW Cup as a result of his role in the alcohol-fuelled bender which resulted in Josh Dugan being sacked by the club.

But despite the 36-point hammering by Gold Coast last Sunday, Furner has shown faith in the same backline, his only changes being the reinstatement of hooker Glen Buttriss to hooker and former Test prop Brett White to the engine room.

Ferguson is expected to continue doing his penance with Mounties in the NSW Cup.

Under-siege Dragons coach Steve Price has also opted not to ring in the changes in the face of an uninspiring 0-2 start to the season.

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

There was speculation Price would offer a call-up for former Manly under-20s halfback Josh Drinkwater in a bid to add some spark to a side which has managed only three tries in 160 minutes of football.

Penrith have opted to throw former Parramatta and Wests Tigers utility Tom Humble the No.6 jumper for Sunday's meeting with South Sydney, after first-choice pivot Lachlan Coote was ruled out for the year following surgery on his pectoral muscle.

Sam Burgess has been reinstated to the Rabbitohs pack following his one-game ban, with Jeff Lima dropping back to the bench.

Timana Tahu will play his first game of the year in place of injured centre Dane Gagai when Newcastle host North Queensland Cowboys on Monday night.

Gagai faces six weeks on the sidelines after injuring his ankle in the 32-0 loss to Manly on Sunday.

With Ray Thompson sidelined for a month with torn ankle ligaments, Michael Morgan will play halfback for the Cowboys, who have dropped Tariq Sims to the Queensland Cup in a bid to get the blockbusting forward more game time.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Injured Coote to miss NRL season

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

Lachlan Coote ... will miss the rest of the NRL season. Source: Robb Cox / AAP

Penrith star Lachlan Coote will miss the rest of the NRL season after being scheduled for surgery on a pectoral injury suffered in Sunday's loss to Wests Tigers.

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

Coote left the field clutching his right shoulder after an attempted tackle on Tigers fullback Tim Moltzen after just 11 minutes.

Panthers general manager Phil Gould confirmed on Monday the Panthers five-eighth will not play again this year.

"Terrible luck for PenrithPanthers. 5/8 Lachlan Coote will undergo immediate surgery & miss rest of season. Jeremy Latimore out 12 weeks,'' Gould wrote on his Twitter account.

Latimore missed the clash with the Tigers due to an ankle syndesmosis injury.

Panthers junior Blake Austin is a likely replacement for Coote in the Panthers halves alongside halfback Luke Walsh.

Penrith host South Sydney in round three of the NRL this Sunday.

16.42 | 0 komentar | Read More

Galloway faces four months out

Keith Galloway ... will miss up to four months with a pectoral injury. Source: Robb Cox / AAP

Wests Tigers prop Keith Galloway will be sidelined for up to four months with a pectoral injury, the NRL club has confirmed.

Galloway will undergo surgery on Wednesday after scans showed he suffered a pectoralis tear in the Tigers' win over Penrith at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The club said Galloway would miss between three to four months of football, with more to be known following surgery.

In other injury news, half-back Jacob Miller suffered a sprained ankle against the Panthers but is expected to play against Parramatta Eels at Leichhardt Oval on Friday night.

16.42 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brad Johnson previews your club

FOX FOOTY expert Brad Johnson takes a look at the chances of your AFL club ahead of the 2013 season.

We will be rolling each team's preview out in the build up to Friday night's season-opener between Adelaide Crows and Essendon.

Here's the first four and return daily to read more.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lotus knew F1 tyres would last

Flying Finn ... Raikkonen holds on for dramatic Australian F1 win. Source: Rob Griffith / AP

Kimi Raikkonen went to the starting line for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix 'pretty confident' that his Lotus team's strategy would win him the race.

Despite fears from most teams that bad graining and wear issues would hit Pirelli's new F1 rubber, Lotus planned stopping the Finn just twice during the race.

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

Raikkonen pitted first on lap nine, getting off the fast-wearing supersoft compound in favour of Pirelli's medium Cinturatos.

But as his rivals all made a second stop around the 20 lap mark, the Finn crucially stayed out until lap 34 to make his second and final stop of the race.

The performance of Raikkonen's Lotus while maintaining superior tyre life raised eyebrows, but the man himself was reasonably sure their strategy would work.

"That was our plan before the race and I was pretty confident that the tyres would be okay," Raikkonen said on the podium.

"I had doubts becuase it was the first race, you don't know how the tyres will be. I didn't do any long runs through the winter.

"I thought it should be easy to do it, then I got a good start and it all went well.

"It was a pretty nice race, not so difficult."

Further emphasising his Lotus E21's superiority, Raikkonen posted the fastest lap of the race on lap 56 of 58, underlining that while he was conserving his tyres, the Finn had pace to burn.

"Fernando was catching at some point, I just wanted to make sure if the rain came, or something happened, that there was a bit more gap."

The victory could be a good omen in several ways for Raikkonen.

It is the charismatic Finn's second win in Australia, his last coming in 2007 - the year he won the championship.

The Lotus team hasn't won the first race of the season since 2006 - then known as Renault, they won the championship.

A car bearing the Lotus name hasn't won the first race of the season since 1978 - and wouldn't you know it, they won the championship.

We will soon know if Raikkonen and Lotus are favourites or flukes in one week's time, when Formula 1 heads to Sepang for the Malaysian Grand Prix.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tough Manly pound quiet Knights

Manly Warringah ... Sea Eagles Anthony Watmough and Jamie Lyon all smiles against Newcastle. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Manly Sea Eagles have produced a 32-0 master class over Newcastle at Brookvale Oval on Sunday night.

6 Tries 0
Jorge Taufua 6'
Jamie Lyon 15'
Anthony Watmough 44'
Jorge Taufua 60'
Brett Stewart 71'
Jorge Taufua 79'
4 Conversions 0
Jamie Lyon 16'
Jamie Lyon 62'
Jamie Lyon 72'
Jamie Lyon 80'

The Sea Eagles started the match in fine form with a try to winger Jorge Taufua.

The Knights copped a blow losing Dane Gagai to a leg injury while the home side lost star centre Steve Matai to a neck injury.

Willie Mason also suffered an ankle injury.

Jamie Lyon crosses for his first of the season, leaping over the defence to catch a Kieran Foran kick.

Lyon converted his try to extend their lead to 10.

Anthony Watmough was devastating in the opening half and continued to do so after the break.

The hard hitting back rower scored a solo try however Lyon's missed conversion kept the score to 14-0.

Taufua crashed over for his second and Lyon nailed the conversion to extend the lead to 20.

Brett Stewart slid over, grounding a sneaky kick from Lyon while Taufua secured his third to put the game beyond doubt with less than a minute remaining.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bad day ends early for Ricciardo

Bad day ... a poor start and a broken exhaust left Ricciardo with little to smile about. Source: William West / AFP

It's an understatement to say Sunday's Australian Grand Prix wasn't the home race Daniel Ricciardo was looking for.

Following hopes of a top-10 starting spot and a high finish, the Perth-born racer endured several problems from the start of the race, ending his day in the garage instead of on the podium.

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

"In the end I had to retire with a problem linked to the exhaust," Ricciardo said. "I reported back to the pit wall that I could hear strange noises and I tried to fix it by changing a few functions, but it was not to be."

But, like fellow Red Bull-backed Australian Mark Webber, the 23-year-old's problems had began before the race had even started.

On the formation lap prior to gridding up for the start, Ricciardo struggled to get any temperature into his tyres or brakes, leaving him floundering in last by the end of the first lap.

"At the start of the race, I struggled to find grip and it felt like I was driving on ice, as it took a very long time to warm up the tyres.

"But afterwards, after about ten laps, I got up to speed and my lap times were not too bad, but by then I had lost too much time in the early stages."

It marked a disappointing race for the Toro Rosso squad, who were looking to put a disappointing 2012 season behind them with a solid result in Australia.

Unfortunately, Ricciardo believes the poor result has left them with more work to do before the championship heads to Malaysia next weekend.

"I think we have more homework to do when it comes to the tyres. Not the ending I wanted for the first Grand Prix of the season, especially here in my home race."

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More