Dundeel claims Atlantic scalp

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GLAMOUR mare Atlantic Jewel has been beaten for the first time, losing her perfect record in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.

Shooting for her 10th win from as many starts, Atlantic Jewel was edged out by the New Zealand four-year-old It's A Dundeel in the Group One weight-for-age race.

Atlantic Jewel took up the running as the field settled but she soon had company when It's A Dundeel parked at her girth.

When Michael Rodd called on Atlantic Jewel at the 500m, It's A Dundeel also responded for his jockey James McDonald.

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After a length-of-the-straight battle, the Kiwi gained the upperhand in the final few strides.

It's A Dundeel was backed throughout the week to end Atlantic Jewel's run but trainer Murray Baker said the win came as a surprise to the stable.

''We thought he would improve vastly on what he did three weeks ago but I didn't think he could beat Atlantic Jewel at 1800 metres,'' Baker said.

Sydney mare Dear Demi drove through on the inside as the field straightened to momentarily share the lead before winding up third with Happy Trails finishing fourth.

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Live: Fremantle v Sydney

Battle ... Fremantle and Sydney vie for a spot in the grand final. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited

FOLLOW the second preliminary final live as Fremantle hosts Sydney for the right to play off in the AFL grand final.

We'll take you through all the action from Patersons Stadium as the Dockers, hosting their first-ever preliminary final, attempt to reach their maiden grand final.

The winner of tonight's clash will meet Hawthorn at the MCG next Saturday after the Hawks downed Geelong in a five-point thriller on Friday night.

FREMANTLE v SYDNEY

CHANGES:
Fremantle - Nil
Sydney - Nil

SUBSTITUTES:
Fremantle - Lachie Neale
Sydney -Gary Rohan

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Streama claims overdue G1 success

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HER trainer's faith has never wavered and Streama has repaid Guy Walter with her third Group One win in Saturday's George Main Stakes at Randwick.

The race was a letdown for Jim Cassidy who had been striving for Group One win No. 100 on Hawkspur who finished fourth with Royal Descent and Veyron filling second and third.

The winner of the Flight Stakes and Australian Oaks as a three-year-old, Streama has run a string of placings since her victory in the Group Two Tristarc Stakes last spring.

''She is a fabulous mare,'' Walter said.

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''She is very fit after an autumn and winter campaign. I think her fitness was the key.''

That fitness was complemented by astute gear and program changes by Walter which helped Streama hold off her rivals under hard riding from Blake Shinn who steered her stablemate Toydini to victory in Wednesday's Cameron Handicap at Newcastle.

Walter decided not to run Streama in the Chelmsford Stakes after her hard run in last month's Warwick Stakes when she ran a close second to Veyron.

He also removed her blinkers for the George Main.

''I thought perhaps she hadn't seen the other horse in the Warwick Stakes and would be better without the blinkers,'' Walter said.

''I even thought she might lead today but she didn't have to.''

Veyron ($20) led the field with Streama ($8.50) sitting behind him.

This year's Oaks winner Royal Descent ($5) made a late move but Streama was up to the task and went to the line strongly for her first Group One win against open company.

Toydini ($6) and Streama ($8) are two of the market leaders for the Epsom Handicap but unfortunately for Shinn he won't be able to ride either at their weights.

Toydini has 53kg and Stream 53.5kg with Shinn unable to ride under 55kg.

''I won't be able to ride either but I'm just so pleased to win this race for Guy,'' he said.

''I was able to control the tempo and I knew when I asked her to go she would.''

Streama ran fourth in the Doncaster during the autumn and that race will be her aim again after the Epsom with Walter firm in his commitment to give her a spell after the big mile race.

''We want her to keep racing and the Doncaster is the race we have in mind,'' he said.

''After the Epsom she goes for a spell. She deserves it.''

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JT, Henry cleared over NRL attack

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JOHNATHAN Thurston and Neil Henry have been cleared over comments suggesting that the NRL favoured teams based in New South Wales.

Thurston has been outspoken in his belief that the Cowboys consistently have big decisions go against them, following their controversial loss to the Sharks in Saturday afternoon's elimination final.

After being asked about anti-Queensland bias from NRL officials, Thurston responded with this: "You can see it, I'm not the only one that can see it, it's there for everyone to see.

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"While Queensland dominate at State of Origin level, New South Wales is crying out for something and they seem to be getting it.

"State of Origin is killing the game, no doubt.

"It's what the media wants, and fans in New South Wales want - South Sydney and Roosters grand final.

"That's what the game needs, they're crying out for it.

"If you're playing for a team outside of Sydney you're fighting up against it, no doubt about it.

"The boys feel it, we all feel it, it's tough."

Henry also went on the front foot with a remarkable attack in his post-match press conference, indicating it was unhealthy to have key stakeholders in the game pushing for an all-Sydney grand final.

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Players and club officials can be hit with fines for comments that bring the game into disrepute, or call into question the integrity of NRL officials.

But in a statement released by NRL Head of Football Todd Greenberg on Tuesday afternoon, it was confirmed that no action would be taken against the Cowboys co-captain or coach.

"There is a distinct difference between the comments themselves and some of the interpretations placed on those comments," Greenberg said.

"At no stage was there a reference to the integrity of the officials.

"I have spoken with both Johnathan and Cowboys CEO Peter Jourdain, who have each given an assurance that the comments were not directed at the administration or the officials.

"We have also fully reviewed the comments by Neil Henry and do not believe that they contravened the policy.

"The policy allows for coaches to express their disappointment at decisions and we respect that right.

"What does cause an issue is when a coach or player questions the integrity of an official or engages in ridicule or excessive criticism."  

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Finals bolters from the vault

Shane Ellen savours his incredible performance in the 1997 Grand Final. Picture: Darren Tindale Source: HeraldSun

STEELE Sidebottom booted 10 goals in the 2008 TAC Cup Grand Final. Two years later and he was at it again at AFL level. See Jon Anderson's best finals bolters.

Steele Sidebottom (Collingwood)
2010 Grand Final: Having played just 11 games in his debut season of 2009, the boy from Congupna with the catchy name had shown a liking for the big stage at U18 level when kicking 10 goals for the Murray Bushrangers in the 2008 TAC GF. Two years later he was at it again, gathering 25 possessions and two goals as he staked his claim for the Norm Smith medal against St Kilda in the Grand Final replay.

Collingwood's 2013 report card

Steele Sidebottom leaves St Kilda in his wake in the 2010 Grand Final replay. Picture: Stephen Harman Source: HeraldSun

Shane Ellen (Adelaide)
1997 Grand Final: The poster boy for the eccentric ways of Malcolm Blight. Ellen, 24, was first recruited from Melton as a defender and had only kicked three goals in 37 games with Footscray and then Adelaide. But Blight found himself without a full forward when Tony Modra went down with a knee injury in the Preliminary Final, so he sent Ellen forward. The results were immediate, Ellen kicking two early goals before adding a further three when shifted back to defence.

Shane Ellen celebrates his remarkable performance in the 1997 Grand Final. Picture: Darren Tindale Source: HeraldSun

Lewis Roberts-Thomson (Sydney)
2005 Grand Final: A local product from Sydney's North Shore, LWT had been a project player leading into the 2005 season, one in which he received specialist coaching from Stephen Silvagni. He lined up at centre half back and by half-time was the unanimous choice as best afield. He faded slightly but was still rated by the club as its best player, even if the Norm Smith medal went to Chris Judd of West Coast.

Leo Barry takes the match winning mark in a congested pack. 2005 Grand Final. Sydney Swans v West Coast Eagles. MCG. Picture: Craig Borrow Source:

Aaron Lord (Geelong)
1994 semi-final: Geelong went into the cut-throat final against Carlton at Waverley without its legendary engine room of Mark Bairstow, Paul Couch and Garry Hocking.
So the Cats turned to a 183cm midfielder/forward from Doncaster Heights. He had played just one ineffective game during the season for seven disposals. But from the moment he hit the ground Lord was electric, picking up 24 disposals and kicking a vital goal in a win regarded by the club as one of its best in history.

Stuart Dew (Hawthorn)
2008 Grand Final: The burly left-footer was known for his powerful kicking and ability to turn games. He was a key member of Port Adelaide's 2004 Premiership side but surprised the club by retiring at the end of 1996 at age 27 with 180 games to his name. Hawthorn did their homework and picked him in the 2007 draft with pick 45. Their wisdom was highlighted in the third quarter of the 2008 GF when Dew set the team alight with two goals and direct involvement in two others.

2008 Grand Final. Geelong v Hawthorn. MCG. Stuart Dew. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source:

Paul Weston (Essendon)
1984 Grand Final: A centreman from Glenelg who had played in five losing SANFL Grand Finals, Weston thought he would try his luck in the VFL. But nothing changed with his first season of 1983 again ending in Grand Final defeat. He was transformed into a full back by Kevin Sheedy until the second half of the 1984 GF when he went forward with devastating effect, providing the spark the Bombers were looking for.

Glenn Freeborn (North Melbourne)
1996 Grand Final: The utility player from Woodville-West Torrens had been dropped twice during the season before returning for North's three finals. The Grand Final was just his 28th match but it is one the Kangaroos will never forget when he helped turn the game in the second quarter with three goals.

Glenn Freeborn tackles Derek Kickett. 1996 Grand Final. North Melbourne (Kangaroos) v Sydney Swans. MCG. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source:

Michael Cooke (Hawthorn)
1975 second semi-final: Long-haired complete with a beard, Cooke from Old Carey was plucked from obscurity for his first game to play full forward when coach John Kennedy moved Michael Moncrieff to defence. Cooke worked a treat, booting four as the Hawks moved into the GF with a 11-point win. Sadly for Cooke he couldn't repeat the dose and was taken goalless from the ground during the second quarter of the GF and never played again.

Bob Keddie (Hawthorn)
1971 Grand Final: Keddie was a talented half forward, good enough to win best and fairests with the Hawks in 1967 and 1969. By 1971 the Hawthorn forward line revolved around goal-kicking machine Peter Hudson with the Grand Final being no different. Problem was Hudson was concussed early and struggling for his best for, so Keddie, who had been very quiet, was moved to full forward in the last quarter and responded with four match-winning goals.

Ted Hopkins (Carlton)
1970 Grand Final: Of all the players to be remembered for a single September performance, none can match blond Carlton rover/forward pocket Ted Hopkins. During the 1970 season he had been a reserve 11 times in his 19 matches in the days before interchange. At half-time, with his side 44 points down, coach Ron Barassi told Hopkins to get ready. He took him seriously, booting two goals in the third quarter and four for the game as the Blues staged the greatest revival in front of a record 121,696.

1970 Grand Final. Carlton v Collingwood. MCG. Ted Hopkins is chaired off the ground. Source:

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Bellchambers commits to Dons

Tom Bellchambers signs a new deal with Essendon. Source: Michael Klein / HeraldSun

ESSENDON has won the race to Tom Bellchambers' signature with the goalkicking ruckman penning a two-year deal to remain at Windy Hill.

Bellchambers drew interest from rival clubs with GWS Giants reportedly keen to lure the 202cm target.

The 24-year-old played 18 games this season, taking his career tally to 61 as he edged closer to claiming the No. 1 ruck position at the Bombers.

A delighted Bellchambers took to Twitter to announce the signing on Tuesday evening:

"Wrapped to have signed with the dons for another 2 years today. #timetocelebrate."

His signature follows Dyson Heppell, Jake Melksham, Jake Carlisle and Jobe Watson all pledging their faith to the Dons, but the club could still lose Stewart Crameri.

The prized forward is weighing up a "monster" four-year offer from the Western Bulldogs but is expected to make his intentions known next week.

Fellow forward Scott Gumbleton is also out of contract and expected to draw interest at next month's trade table.

Bellchambers' commitment further shores up Essendon's big-man stocks, with the Tasmanian product expected to partner with father-son sensation Joe Daniher in years to come.

"I have so many great mates here and I wanted to repay the loyalty the club had shown me," Bellchambers told the club's website.

"With my contract out of the way, I'm just looking forward to next season, getting back into training and working really hard over summer because as a club we know we are heading in the right direction."

Assistant coach Simon Goodwin said Tom had emerged as one of the most dynamic ruckmen of the competition.

"Tom is highly regarded by the coaching staff and playing group and it's great to have him re-sign for another two years," Goodwin said.

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Live: Who will make the AA cut?

Likely ... Gary Ablett is looking to be back-to-back AA captain. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

THE four preliminary finalists delivered half of this year's 40-man All-Australian squad. But how many will make the final cut?

Hawthorn, Geelong, Fremantle and Sydney all boasted five nominees in the squad with the top four again set to dominate selection.

But could bottom-four outfit Western Bulldogs provide a pair of players? Will Minson and Ryan Griffen earned nominations and are tipped to feature.

FOX FOOTY WILL HAVE THE ALL-AUSTRALIAN ANNOUNCEMENT LIVE

Another cellar-dweller, Gold Coast, could provide the team's skipper in Gary Ablett.

There won't be any Tigers, with Richmond surprisingly snubbed by selectors despite its 15-win season and finals berth, while Carlton and Brisbane Lions also failed to win a nomination.

GWS Giants didn't. The baby club's goalkicking machine Jeremy Cameron was named in the squad of 40 and could breakthrough into the side in just his second season.

Port Adelaide sensation Chad Wingard could do likewise, while North Melbourne has five players in contention.

Follow our live coverage below and join in the conversation as the team is announced.

ADELAIDE: Patrick Dangerfield, Richard Douglas.

BRISBANE LIONS: Nil.

CARLTON: Nil.

COLLINGWOOD: Travis Cloke, Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan.

ESSENDON: Jobe Watson.

FREMANTLE: Nathan Fyfe, Michael Johnson, Chris Mayne, David Mundy, Michael Walters.

GEELONG: Corey Enright, Andrew Mackie, Steven Motlop, Joel Selwood, Harry Taylor.

GOLD COAST: Gary Ablett.

GWS: Jeremy Cameron.

HAWTHORN: Lance Franklin, Josh Gibson, Luke Hodge, Sam Mitchell, Jarryd Roughead.

MELBOURNE: Nil.

NORTH MELBOURNE: Todd Goldstein, Lindsay Thomas, Scott Thompson, Daniel Wells.

PORT ADELAIDE: Travis Boak, Chad Wingard

RICHMOND: Nil.

ST KILDA: Nick Riewoldt, Jack Steven.

SYDNEY: Dan Hannebery, Kieren Jack, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh, Nick Malceski.

WEST COAST: Josh Kennedy, Eric Mackenzie.

WESTERN BULLDOGS: Ryan Griffen, Will Minson.

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Fairytale over as Port axe seven

Gone ... Ken Hinkley talks with Matt Thomas and Darren Pfeiffer. Source: Dean Martin / News Limited

PORT Adelaide has cleared five spots on its AFL senior list by cutting Matt Thomas, Nathan Blee, Nick Salter and Daniel Stewart.

This follows the retirement of Magarey Medallist Brett Ebert.

The Power also has cut Danny Butcher, Justin Hoskin and Darren Pfeiffer from the rookie list.

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The decisions clear the path for Thomas - a Magarey Medal favourite - to join Richmond as a free agent and for Sandover Medallist Kane Mitchell to be promoted from the rookie list.

Veteran forward Brett Ebert will also leave the club after retiring earlier in the season.

Thomas played 87 games for Port Adelaide after being drafted in the 2006 pre-season draft at pick No.8.

Rookie elevations Stewart and Salter managed 36 and 21 games respectively, while Blee was taken with pick No.51 in the 2011 national draft and featured in 6 games.

Of the rookies, Pfeiffer was the only one to play an AFL game, managing 7 games after crossing from Carlton where he played 16.

"This time of the year is always challenging and it is a particularly difficult time for players who have been on the edge and are told that their services are no longer required," Hinkley said.

Axed ... Nathan Blee playing in the SANFL. Source: News Limited

"These decisions are only made after the utmost consideration but it still doesn't make it any easier.

"Although we don't see this group of players as part of our future it doesn't mean that each one of them, in their own different way, hasn't made a contribution to this football club."

Meanwhile, Brisbane Lions delisted three players.

As the club attempts to hold onto a raft of talented youngsters, Niall McKeever, Callum Bartlett, Richard Newell and Stephen Wrigley were cut.

Bartlett, McKeever and Newell all played in the Lions NEAFL Grand Final win over Aspley on the weekend while Wrigley is recovering from a knee reconstruction.

Lions' football operations manager Dean Warren thanks the players for their contributions.

"Everyone at the Brisbane Lions would like to sincerely thank these young men for their professionalism and commitment to the Club during their time here," Warren said.

"We wish them only the best for the future."

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Dusty denies walking out on Tigers

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DUSTIN Martin insists he hasn't walked out on Richmond and just needs time to make up his mind over a new contract.

Melbourne is leading the race for the 22-year-old's signature after Richmond released a statement on Monday saying Martin had told the club he wanted to pursue offers from rival clubs.

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But Martin later took to Twitter to deny he had quit the club.

"There have been a lot of conflicting stories going around about myself and the Richmond Footy Club," he said in the first of a series of tweets.

"At the weekend, I asked my manager Ralph Carr to request an extension of time from Richmond, to allow me to fully consider the options about my future.

"This decision was made purely by me, together with my family.

"As you can understand, this is a very important decision for myself and my family and one that I won't make lightly. I want to make it clear that I appreciate everyone's patience in allowing me the time to make this decision.

"The claims that I have walked out on the Richmond Football Club are totally incorrect. I can tell you that at this time, no decision has been made."

It is believed Demons coach Paul Roos has had several discussions with Martin's manager Ralph Carr in the past week.

The Demons, who could also use its priority pick if it was to receive one from the AFL, confirmed their interest late on Monday.

"Melbourne did make inquiries to his management about his intentions for next year," football manager Josh Mahoney said.

"We are waiting to hear back from them before we discuss any steps we might take as a club."

The Demons are not the only the club who have made inquiries about Martin, who told the Tigers today he wanted to pursue offers from other clubs.

Brisbane, which is without a coach, have also had discussions with Carr.

Greater Western Sydney is another club that will investigate a trade.

The Tigers and Martin were reportedly close to a deal on a new contract but Martin baulked at the club's latest offer.

The explosive midfielder/forward was on an estimated $450,000 this season and the club's offer was believed to be about $500,000 a season.

"Given the considerable effort we have put into Dustin's development both on and off the field, and our efforts to retain him all season, we are extremely disappointed with this decision," Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said.

"We are proud of the way Dustin has developed as a footballer, and as a person, in his time at Richmond, and we have been steadfast in our view that he is a required player who has an exciting football career ahead of him.

"However, we understand the business of football, and Dustin's right to pursue other opportunities.

"We have also stated previously that we are determined to adhere to our payment strategy for all of our players, many of whom have already committed to the Club and its future direction during the 2013 season."

Martin is not a free agent so Richmond will have to do a deal with another club to secure a move.

The Tigers also have the option of forcing Martin into the draft, where GWS has the No.1 pick.

Martin was taken with pick three in the 2009 national draft and has played 86 matches.

His move means two of the top three picks in that draft have left their original team, following No.1 selection Tom Scully's defection from Melbourne.
 
- with Al Paton

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Angry fans demand Cowboys rematch

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FURIOUS North Queensland Cowboys fans are taking to the web in a grass-roots campaign to get their team back into the NRL finals following a referee mistake that saw them lose last night's elimination final.

And they have the support of Queensland politician Scott Emerson, who this morning said the NRL should reverse the result after officials acknowledged a blunder.

NRL boss Dave Smith has apologised to the team and management and said he was embarrassed by the performance of match officials.

An online petition, registered at Change.org, entitled 'North Queensland Cowboys: Get the Cowboys back into the finals after an appalling referee decision' has attracted thousands of signatures.

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It had 11,000 signatures by 4pm.

The blunder came when Cronulla's Beau Ryan scored a try on the seventh tackle, a try that changed the result of the game.

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The petition was created by 19-year-old Jazza Vock, a passionate Cowboy's fan who believes that the game itself is being brought into disrepute by these decisions.

"I made the petition immediately after the game finished last night and posted it around a few Facebook places and it's rapidly picked up some support," she said.

"Right now there's about seven signatures a minute and around 400 an hour."

Ms Vock believes the NRL has to take action on the decision.

"I'm hoping for some sort of appeal for the decision what was made - either a rematch or for the Sharks to be stripped of those tackle points," she said.

"I think there's a lot of talk about referees having action put upon them, but that doesn't change the end result."

However other fans aren't taking such a lenient stand, leaving comments on the petition page demanding the referees are investigated for corruption.

Mr Emerson says the decision was disgraceful.

"Last night's game was a disgrace," he told reporters today.

"I've heard the NRL saying today they can't change that result.

"Well I can tell you every Queenslander out there is really demanding they change that result."

Mr Emerson said a refereeing blunder had knocked the Cowboys out of the semi-finals last year as well.

"Cowboys have been robbed for a second year in a row and last night's result, the refereeing decision, was a disgrace."

Tensions are at breaking point amongst northern footy fans, with this the second year in a row they were unceremoniously dumped from the competition by a refereeing mistake.

But Ms Vock believes the Cowboys will rise again.

"There's something about the team and their camaraderie," she said.

"Look at last night; they handled the decision admirably well.

"It's just a shame to see this happen in Matt Bowen's last gameit's a bad way to go out."

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Ronaldo extends Real Madrid contract

Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new Real Madrid deal. Source: JOSE JORDAN / AFP

REAL Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo has extended his contract with the club, which had been due to expire in 2015, the Spanish giants said on Sunday.

The Portuguese international will attend a ceremony on Sunday night (AEST) with Real president Florentino Perez at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium to mark the renewal of his contract, the club said on its website without giving further details.

Real Madrid did not give details of the new contract, but the online edition of sports daily Marca said the 28-year-old playmaker had renewed with the club until 2018.

Ronaldo will earn 17 million euros ($24.6 million) per season under his new contract, one million euros ($1.5 million) more each year than his main rival Lionel Messi makes at Barcelona, the newspaper said.

"This renewal is expected to make Ronaldo the highest-paid player in Spanish football," it said.

Ronaldo had been linked with a move to big-spending French clubs Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco in the off-season as Real pursued their interest in Gareth Bale.

The Welsh winger's transfer from Tottenham was finally sealed at the start of September for a reported world record fee of around STG80 million ($138 million) and he made his debut for the club playing alongside Ronaldo in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Villareal.

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Silver Ferns down Diamonds

Katrina Grant of New Zealand and Caitlin Bassett of Australia compete for the ball. Source: Rob Jefferies / Getty Images

AUSTRALIA'S record losing run has been extended to five games after New Zealand defeated the new-look Diamonds in the opening match of the five Test Constellation Cup in Invercargill tonight.

The 55-51  scoreline was a disappointing result for the Diamonds who had hoped to celebrate Kim Green and Bianca Chatfield's 50th internationals and Laura Geitz's maiden game as captain  with a victory.  

The Diamonds were punished by the umpires whistle, incurring more than double the amount of penalties than their rivals in the opening quarter of the game alone and staying out of  favour for the remainder of the match.

But they were mortally wounded by lapses in defence which allowed the Silver Ferns to go on a five-goal run midway through the first quarter and another scoring rampage in the third stanza of the game.

They were lapses which  sealed the fate of the Australian netball team on the 75th anniversary of their first meeting with New Zealand back in 1938.

That game had gone Australia's way but the early defensive errors coupled with an impressive  full court display by the Silver Ferns gave the host nation the honours tonight.

Caitlin Bassett was a standout for the Diamonds, shooting 100 per cent with her 20 goals in the first half of the match and ending the game with 31 from 31.

"We are pretty disappointed with that," Geitz said The next Test of the five-game Constellation Cup will be played in Auckland on September 19.

The Diamonds and Silver Ferns will then fly to Australia for the final three matches in Adelaide, Melbourne and Canberra.

The series is the last the two powers of netball will play with each other prior to next year 's Commonwealth Games. 

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