Saints farewell stars in style

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WHEN St Kilda full forward Tom Lee slotted the first goal of this match, there was the whiff of an upset in the air.

When the Saints did as they pleased for the next 45 minutes, opening up an eight-goal-to-nil lead, there was the dodgy odour of a Fremantle team not giving its all.

4.4 (28)	Q1	0.0 (0)
9.6 (60)	Q2	4.3 (27)
12.9 (81)	Q3	5.5 (35)
16.16 (112)	Q4	6.5 (41)

Thomas Lee 3	Matthew De Boer 1
Stephen Milne 2	Hayden Crozier 1
Leigh Montagna 2	Jack Hannath 1
Nick Riewoldt 2	Matthew Pavlich 1
Jason Blake 1	Joshua Simpson 1
Thomas Curren 1	Matthew Taberner 1
Lenny Hayes 1
Tom Ledger 1
Ben McEvoy 1
Seb Ross 1
Jack Steven 1

But make no mistake, as the game wore on it became clear that what we were smelling was a party

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It is rare that circumstances conspire and allow you to witness an on-field celebration unfolding during a game of AFL football. But after half time, as it became clear that the result was not in doubt, this match became all about a send off for retiring champions Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke and Jason Blake.

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St Kilda coach Scott Watters spoke of how the trio ''have been incredible servants of the club'' and that this match signified a figurative ''passing of the baton'' from the old guard to the new brigade.

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The coach revealed there was considerable emotion in the rooms before the game, but added: ''You can't sweep it under the carpet, you've got to acknowledge that it's there. We know it's going to make some impact, we've just to ensure it's a positive one.''

And so it proved.

All three -- as well as 200-gamer Adam Schneider -- made useful contributions.

Milne was the most influential early. His first touch, within seconds of the opening bounce, was roundly cheered despite coming in the unfamiliar territory of a back flank.

When his direct opponent, Clancee Pearce, was subbed off with a calf injury just four minutes into the match, it seemed this might be his day. He did get numerous chances to goal, but was strangely wasteful.

The best effort came midway through the third term when he crumbed the ball from and Adam Schneider leap and slotted the snap, raising both arms in celebration before being swamped by teammates.

Blake, as had been his lot for the past 218 games, was the most understated but dependable of the three players.

For one of the few times in his career he lined up on a man with less career Brownlow votes than him, fourth-gamer Matt Taberner.

As the match wore on he became more and more of a presence marking balls across half back. With about five minutes remaining in the match, teammate Sam Gilbert ran down the backline and signalled for his to move forward.

He promptly demanded the ball on the lead, and moments later kicked a goal that gave him a rare chance to be the centre of attention. He even managed a fist pump for the crowd.

Koschitzke, the sentimental favourite, started on the bench with the green subs vest on. At one point late in the third term he removed the vest expecting to come on for Tom Hickey, and was roundly cheered for completing a run through along the boundary.

Alas he had to put it back on because Dylan Roberton went down injured and needed to be assessed.
When he did come on it was lucky that the match was played with the Etihad Stadium roof open, because it was have been blown off by the ovation.

The last quarter became largely an exercise in kick it to Kosi, even at times when he was outnumbered. The fairy-tale ending seemed complete when he took a powerful grab from a Leigh Montagna pass and went back and slotted the shot from 45 metres.

Every teammate surrounded him and the crowd cheered for close to a minute, however as the ball was about to be bounced the umpires called for a goal review, which showed the ball had clipped the post.

This was the romance, but the driving force for the win was provided in the midfield. Jack Steven capped off what may well be a best-and-fairest season with a club record 47 possessions, a mark equalled in this match by Montagna.

Early in the match Nick Dal Santo did as he pleased across half back, gathering 14 damaging disposals in the first quarter alone, until Alex Forster applied a tag late in the match.

Fremantle, on the other hand, would have struggled to find a player who had the better of his man. The Dockers did not have their first realistic chance to score until the 22-minute mark, but first-gamer Josh Simpson sprayed the shot out of bounds on the full.

Their first point came midway through the second quarter, their first goal not until Jack Hannath plucked a contested mark 45 metres out just before half time.

At times Fremanlte produced about as much pressure as a two-week old party balloon.

Regardless of what Fremantle coach Ross Lyon was attempting to achieve by making 12 changes at the selection table, the insipid performance that the Dockers produced here may yet backfire.

The farcical Fremantle effort may have actually played the Dockers team and several individuals out of form going into the finals.

The great wonder is that Lyon didn't hand over the white board to assistant coach Peter Sumich and stay back in Perth to freshen up for the finals.

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Jolt for Cats as Lions fall short

Brisbane's Jordan Lisle feels the pain after the siren. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Salpigtidis George / HeraldSun

TIME will tell whether this was the right finals preparation for Geelong.

It wasn't ideal and it certainly wasn't pretty, but what a wake-up call for the second-placed Cats.

5.5 (35)	Q1	3.3 (21)
7.11 (53)	Q2	9.5 (59)
12.20 (92)	Q3	11.6 (72)
15.22 (112)	Q4	17.9 (111)

Josh Caddy 2	Ashley McGrath 6
Paul Chapman 2	Jordan Lisle 3
Travis Varcoe 2	Joshua Green 2
Jimmy Bartel 1	Ryan Lester 2
Allen Christensen 1	Dayne Zorko 2
Mitchell Duncan 1	Rohan Bewick 1
Tom Hawkins 1	Mitchell Golby 1
Steve Johnson 1
James Kelly 1
James Podsiadly 1
Joel Selwood 1
Harry Taylor 1

A brave and committed Brisbane made Geelong fight to the very last second to preserve that guarded home winning record.

This could so easily have been another Lions steal like at the Gabba earlier in the season when Ryan Lester's hurried kick from 20m just couldn't clear hands and was bundled over the goalline.

From the kickout, the siren sound was also the collective sign of 27,467 Cats fans who witnessed this shock challenge at Simonds Stadium.

Maybe, it's just what these Cats need to realise that nothing is a given in football, even at their seemingly invincible fortress.

For Geelong players to fight and scrap for every kick for most of the contest was a better preparation for even tougher tests ahead than the expected stroll in the sunshine.

But there are immediate worries. Ruckman Mark Blicavs was helped off by three trainers after crashing heavily in a marking contest late in the frantic final quarter.

And big forward Tom Hawkins struggled again, this time scrounging just seven possessions and one goal against attentive Lion Matt Maguire.

Geelong discovered the required desperation and ramped up the pressure on the contest and the ball-carrier after half-time.

The Cats threw Harry Taylor forward for the second time and even Jimmy Bartel was among the action inside the forward 50.

Momentum had swung the home team's way and Joel Corey was subbed into the contest midway through the third quarter in a bid to maintain the edge.

Steven Motlop was tossed the red vest - after just four possessions and a failed mark-of-the-year attempt in the first quarter.

While a revived Geelong dominated the third quarter, the Lions didn't succumb as the dangerous Ash McGrath regained the lead with his fifth goal.

The Cats continued to butcher the ball, as indicated by the 5.9 for that quarter of almost complete control. But red time goals from Travis Varcoe, Allen Christensen and Mitch Duncan pushed them out to a 20 points lead at the last change.

Varcoe's amazing snapshot from deep in the forward pocket rewarded him as Geelong's first multiple goalkicker 24 minutes into the third quarter.

From the start, you sensed Brisbane players didn't fear the hostile environment. Their attack on the ball hammered out a message we're here to play.

The opening goal reflected the first half - McGrath with a quick kick from close range after Bartel butchered a chipped pass that allowed Stokes to be spoiled in dangerous territory.

Geelong's first use of the crosswind favouring the Barwon River end was wasteful and the quarter-time lead of 14 points proved that inability to capitalise on scoring opportunities.

The fired up Lions had 16 more possessions in the first term and, clearly, were not daunted by the enormity of their task or the reputations of the opposition.

When Kelly goaled in the opening minute of the second quarter, the Cats had stretched the lead to 21 points and still seemed in comfortable if not dominant control.

But Brisbane's run and dare to take on Geelong down the centre corridor started to pay handsomely.

Lester goaled from a Kelly turnover and then he broke a Johnson tackle to add another one as the murmurs ripped through the home fans.

Geelong even threw Taylor forward for a short time in a bid to provide a viable target. He did grab a contested mark, but was offline as the wind slewed the shot wide.

The increasingly confident Lions booted five straight goals in the second term to grab the lead before a rare Hawkins mark in the goalsquare halted the visitors' march.

The stats sheet at half-time told a sorry tale for several of Geelong's prime playmakers - Motlop with just three touches, Varcoe with five, Enright with six, Christensen with eight and even skipper Joel Selwood's 10 had little impact in the strange and damning first half for a premiership contender.

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Dogs end Penrith's finals hopes

Michael Ennis takes on the Panthers defence. Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

THE Bulldogs issued the last rites to the Panthers faint playoffs hopes on Saturday night.

6 Tries 2
James Graham 4'	Isaac John 8'
Tim Lafai 40'	Josh Mansour 12'
Tim Lafai 51'
Mitch Brown 57'
Krisnan Inu 71'
Trent Hodkinson 78'
5 Conversions 2
Trent Hodkinson 5'	Luke Walsh 9'
Trent Hodkinson 40'	Luke Walsh 14'
Trent Hodkinson 52'
Trent Hodkinson 73'
Trent Hodkinson 79'
0 Penalties 1
	Luke Walsh 31'

With their season on the line, an inspired Penrith outfit shot to a 14-6 lead in the opening half and threatened an upset before Canterbury-Bankstwon regained control.

Missing the imposing figures of Frank Pritchard, Sam Kasiano and Greg Eastwood, along with the finesse of Ben Barba, the Bulldogs looked awfully out-of-sorts in the opening 40 minutes.

But under instructions from coach Des Hasler to focus on simply completing sets in the second half, the home side emerged with a regained sense of composure and control.

Trailing 14-12 at halftime, the Bulldogs scored two-tries in a seven minute window through centre Tim Lafai and winger Mitch Brown to over-power the Panthers.

Last year's grand finalists then put the result beyond doubt with a late try to centre Krisnan Inu with nine minutes remaining before halfback Trent Hodkinson also crossed in the closing stages.

The Hodkinson try capped a clinical second half performance, with the Bulldogs ultimately running in six tries to two for the match.

The Bulldogs surged to a 6-0 lead early when English international James Graham put on some foot work and then powered over the line from close range.

But the Panthers, on a winning roll having notched consecutive victories leading into last night, were swift to retaliate, with five-eighth Isaac John making it 6-all with the match 12 minutes old.

With their season on the line, Penrith then continued to out-enthuse the Bulldogs, with a John cut out pass to flying winger Josh Mansour allowing the Panthers to push to a 12-6 lead.

The Bulldogs found trouble at the 30 minute mark when backrower Josh Jackson was placed on report for a swinging forearm, which collected Panther Clint Newton in the head and concussed him.

From the ensuing penalty, Panthers halfback Luke Walsh nudged the visitors to a 14-6 with an easy penalty goal from 15m out to the left of the uprights.

On the stroke of halftime, Bulldogs impact forward Tony Williams finally provided Canterbury-Bankstown's legion of supporters with a reason to salute the high-priced recruit.

With the clock winding down and nothing on, Williams went surging down the blind side, bumping off three Panthers on a bustling 15m run before popping a pass to put winger Mitch Brown into space.

The Bulldogs flyer then threw an over-the-head basketball-style pass to put Tim Lafai away in-field, with the Bulldogs centre having just enough gas to cross right on halftime.

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary would have been fuming at the 14-12 halftime score-line.

When play resumed, a far more clinical Bulldogs outfit powered away with the result, with Lafai bagging a second try and winger Brown also crossing from a floating Reynolds cut out pass.

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Deal done: Izzy staying in rugby

Folau looks set to stay with rugby. Source: AFP

RUGBY has successfully held onto its newest prize jewel with Israel Folau to confirm on Thursday he's staying in the 15-man code.

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After months of speculation about his future, Folau will be the centrepiece of a press conference held by the Australian Rugby Union to announce major player news.

It is understood the 24-year-old star has committed to a two-year deal that will see him play union with Australia and the Waratahs through to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The Wallaby winger has long been considered a target for NRL side the Bulldogs, and with the club's fullback Ben Barba on Wednesday released to Brisbane, speculation linking Folau with a return to league intensified.

But Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle told reporters on Wednesday afternoon Folau was not being considered as a replacement for Barba. She said: "My understanding is that Israel Folau is going to sign for rugby and that's where it's at," Castle said. "There should be an announcement any day."

While's Folau 11th-hour switch to rugby from AFL last year gave pause, the news of his decision to stay is not a huge shock after the triple-code convert has repeatedly hinted he would remain in rugby in recent months.

He said last month he'd already made up his mind about which code he wanted to play, and spoke freely about enjoying rugby more than he thought he would.

The news will still provide a huge boost for Australan rugby, however, after morale-sapping defeats to the British and Irish Lions and New Zealand in recent months.

Folau's decision has also been hugely influenced by the tight rapport he's struck with Waratahs coach Michael Cheika.

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Ben Barba signs for the Broncos

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BEN Barba is officially a Bronco after being granted a release by the Bulldogs.

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Canterbury's hierarchy, including coach Des Hasler, have agreed to rescind Barba's contract, clearing the path for the reigning Dally M Medallist to join the Broncos next season.

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The 24-year-old agreed to terms with the Broncos on Wednesday and said it was a relief to have his future sorted out.

"It's been a tough 12 months for myself, coming off a stellar year and struggling at the start of the year with all the stuff," Barba said, referring to his standing down at the beginning of the season for off-field issues.

"It's good to finally have a decision made. A lot of stuff's off my back.

"It's stressful when you doing and you don't know what's going on. For a decision to be made, it's so much relief."

Barba also had huge praise for Bulldogs coach Des Hasler and former CEO Todd Greenberg, saying the pair "not only saved my footy career, but my life".

"When I was struggling there at the start of the year these two guys stuck beside and kept me at the club and got my feet back on the ground. I can't thank them enough."

Broncos players are aware of Barba's impending arrival after being notified Brisbane hierarchy had successfully brokered a release.

The Titans and Cowboys had reportedly expressed interest in Barba but the Broncos have won the race for his signature.

The Mackay product had another two years to run on his Canterbury deal but has been granted a compassionate release to follow ex-partner Ainslie Currie, who is moving to Brisbane with their two young daughters.

Barba's acquisition is a significant coup for Queensland's flagship NRL club, who will now set their sights on securing the signature of Canberra's boom backline whiz Anthony Milford.

Brisbane initially discussed a four-year term but Barba will instead sign a three-year deal, securing him to the Broncos until the end of 2016.

The Queensland Origin hopeful is slated to play fullback next season, with current custodian Josh Hoffman likely to play wing or temporarily fill in at right centre for Justin Hodges, who is due to return from an achilles injury midway through 2014.

Barba is the club's second major signing for next year, with the Broncos last month securing Roosters prop Martin Kennedy to a three-year deal.

Reports last week indicated Barba's management were seeking a $1 million package, including $500,000 in marquee and third-party agreements, to deliver the fullback dynamo to Brisbane.

But it is understood Barba will not get a pay rise, with the Broncos effectively taking over the $350,000-a-season deal he had with the Bulldogs.

As part of the severance deal, the Broncos are likely to pay an undisclosed amount in compensation to the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs boss Raelene Castle claims the fact Barba will be paid the same amount by Brisbane as he would have by the Bulldogs proves the superstar's release was not financially motivated.

"No, it's genuinely family reasons," Castle said.

"They've taken the two-year contract as is across, so it's not about financial with him.

"It's been a tough decision for the club to release him, it's been a difficult decision for Ben to make the decision to go.

"Ultimately when you've got a player that comes to you and says to you `this is a family situation and I think I'm going to be a better player and a better person when I'm closer to my family', that's a really hard thing to say no to."

The third-year of Barba's deal with the Broncos has been negotiated separately, with Castle adding that no restrictions had been placed on Barba playing against the Bulldogs.

Neither club would speculate on the compensation being paid to the Bulldogs.

Broncos chief executive Paul White said the deal had been thrashed out over the past four weeks and involved a ``reasonable but certainly not excessive'' compensation.

"These negotiations have not been based on financial considerations," White said.

"What has played a heavy role is Ben's commitment to his family and a desire to return to Queensland.

"We have struck a compensation deal with the Bulldogs and the terms and conditions are ... reasonable but certainly not excessive.

"We understand the investments the Bulldogs have made in Ben both on and off the field part in the last 12 months and we have taken that into consideration."

White said Barba did not have any behavioural clauses added to his contract despite his off-field troubles at the Bulldogs.

Barba was stood down by the club for the opening three rounds of the season as he sought professional help to deal with a series of personal issues.

"Ben Barba is ill and he needs help," then chief executive Todd Greenberg said in February.

Barba is attempting to reconcile his relationship with Currie, but has struggled to reach the heights which saw him named the best player in the game last year.

White said Barba would need to fit in with the culture at the Broncos.

"Ben will understand from the get-go what those expectations are," he said.

"I am looking forward to what he can offer not just the team but also the community up here.

"He is a proud indigenous man and I think he can become a great role model for his people."
 

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Stosur's problem is technical one

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IT has become fashionable to question the mental side of Sam Stosur's game whenever she crashes out in the early rounds of a tournament.

But I don't buy this. Having watched her many triumphs and failures over the past decade, I'm convinced the key to Stosur's fragility is more technical than psychological.

This was again on show during her 5-7 6-4 6-4 defeat to 17-year-old American Victoria Duval in the opening round of the US Open. Once an unknown quantity, Stosur's game has been the subject of much analysis from her rivals since her victory at Flushing Meadows in 2011. That homework is paying off.

Sam has a very structured game. She tries to create patterns that fall into her lap. She uses her serve to control the point and she likes to control the court with a forehand as she moves into the backhand corner. She also tries to keep decent depth with the two-hander backhand and she has some nice variety with the slice to change the shape of the rally. 

SAM STOSUR OUT OF US OPEN AFTER FIRST-ROUND LOSS TO AMERICAN TEENAGER VICTORIA DUVAL

Her opponents have become aware of this and have structured their games to negate her strengths. Many of them are making her hit the forehand on the run very early in the rally. That's changing the dynamic of the point and exposing her backhand.

Sam also likes time. The women's game is becoming more powerful all the time – the ball is hit a lot flatter, harder and deeper these days – and when Sam is denied time the fact she is an angular hitter and not a linear hitter is problematic. It's hard for her to be a really clean hitter in the current climate of power players.

Stosur needs to look at the areas of her game that are being targeted and train accordingly. Your practice session should always reflect your game on court. And Sam really needs to get the little things right.

A lot of commentators watched Sam's matches over the Australian summer and remarked that she played tight; that anxiety got the better of her. I've got news for those pundits: every player on the tour suffers from this condition. It's  the nature of the game. It's confrontational. It's one-on-one. You're alone out there on the court. It's difficult.

When even the best players in the world are getting beaten from a tactical or technical standpoint, they lose confidence. Ultimately, confidence comes from great technique because you believe in those shots under pressure.

It's never your best shot that falls away under pressure when you're tight. It's your weaker ones.

That's why I believe Sam's issues are more technical than psychological.

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Hird fronts AFL Commission

ESSENDON coach James Hird has arrived at AFL House to front the AFL Commission on charges that could see him banned from the game for 12 months.

Hird and his legal team, including human rights campaigner Julian Burnside SC, are expected to tell the commission that his Supreme Court action challenging the Commission's right to hear charges against the Bombers star has not been withdrawn.

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All four individuals charged - Hird, Mark Thompson, Danny Corcoran and club doctor Bruce Reid - are now at AFL House, along with Hird's lawyer, Essendon chairman Paul Little and acting CEO Ray Gunston.

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Hird and his legal team, including human rights campaigner Julian Burnside SC, are expected to tell the commission that his Supreme Court action challenging the Commission's right to hear charges against the Bombers star has not been withdrawn.

The Commission is expected to detail proposed penalties against Hird, most likely a 12-month suspension from any AFL activity, and precise details of the formal charges.

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It would be open to Hird then to back away from his court action and to accept the sanction, as part of a wider Essendon penalties package, or to declare he will fight on in court.

Hird has claimed he has been denied natural justice by the AFL and said the AFL Commission, including CEO Andrew Demetriou, should be barred from considering charges against him. 

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Veteran club doctor Bruce Reid is understood to be preparing to stand down as early as Monday. He was adamant he would not be part of a compromise deal.

Essendon will be forced to accept a fine of up to $2 million. The fourth individual charged, football manager Danny Corcoran, will be stood down for three months.

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Essendon is though clinging to the hope it could retain prized draft picks as part of a deal.

Hird went to Windy Hill on Monday for a few hours before returning home, but did not offer any comment to the waiting media pack.

It is expected senior assistant coach Mark Thompson will escape with a fine of $20,000.

Essendon chairman Paul Little spoke on Saturday night of a middle ground, which meant that the AFL was prepared to drop the focus on drug cheating and instead hit the Dons with governance charges.

While the sanctions are unprecedented, attention will quickly turn to who fills the coaching void.

Thompson would be available given he will only be fined but has made it known he is not interested in a senior coaching position.

Former Bombers stars Mark Harvey and Neale Daniher have been linked to the club but a one-year secondment would not appeal if Hird was definitely returning.

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Fletcher's record hamstrung

Dustin Fletcher suffers a hamstring injury. Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

DUSTIN Fletcher will have to play on for a 22nd season to break Essendon's games record should the Bombers be tossed out of this year's finals series.

The veteran defender was set to pass Simon Madden's record of 378 games against Richmond on Saturday night but has now been ruled out with a hamstring strain.

Fletcher has missed the past two weeks with suspension, while the club's September campaign remains in the hands of the AFL Commission.

But the 38-year-old flagged this month he wanted to play on in 2014, which would put him in sight of the 400-game barrier.

"I would love to be a part of the team next year but we will just have to see how the next few games go," Fletcher said.

"You look at a team and you look at a spine of the team the way footy is played with our midfield, we have a midfield that can compete with the best teams in the competition.

"If I am still doing my bit well then I would like to go on and see how I go next year but time will tell and we will wait and see how this year unfolds."

In a further blow, WAFL sensation Nick Kommer has also been ruled out of the Tigers clash with a broken hand.

Dyson Heppell remains in doubt with a foot injury, but Jason Winderlich is expected to return.

"Jason trained strongly last week and the expectation is if he can get through training this week he will be available for senior selection," Dons footy manager Steve Alessio said.

Heath Hocking has been handed a one-match suspension.

If the Bombers are wiped from this year's finals series Fletcher would have to line up 22 times next season to join champions Michael Tuck (426 games) and Kevin Bartlett (403) in the 400-club.

Fletcher, who debuted in 1993, will turn 39 next season.

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Faulkner's Ashes spot in jeopardy

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DESPITE a strong debut, James Faulkner is unlikely to play the first Test of the return Ashes series, beginning at the Gabba in November.

Coach Darren Lehmann insisted Australia would play six batsmen at home and as an all-rounder Faulkner would be squeezed out even though he claimed six wickets during the last Test at The Oval, which ended in a controversial draw yesterday.

For this Test Australia played just five specialist batsmen, with wicket-keeper Brad Haddin batting at six and Faulkner at seven.

"It will depend on conditions to be perfectly honest," Lehmann said of the team make-up.

"You wouldn't do it in Australia. You might do it in Adelaide or Sydney but you'll very rarely do it in other places. We'll have six batters.
 
"He (Faulkner) is in the all-rounder spot at the moment and Shane Watson's been doing that for us.
 
"I was really impressed with his debut. He got in their face and had a crack so I was really pleased with that.
 
"He got four wickets in the first innings, scored 20-odd, played the game we wanted him to play at the back end of our innings, so he's got to go back (to state cricket), make hundreds, take wickets, and improve both skills as best he can."
 
Lehmann believes what has been a particularly fluid batting line-up is "pretty close" to being settled now that Chris Rogers has established himself as an opener and Shane Watson and Steve Smith made hundreds batting at three and five.
 
With Ed Cowan, Usman Khawaja and Phil Hughes all ignored for the last Test, the selectors are looking elsewhere for a new number six batsman.
 
One of the players being considered is West Australian veteran Adam Voges, who will be 34 before the next Ashes series.

He has played 20 one-day matches for Australia, the last five this year, and has made some good scores including an unbeaten century.
 
However he had a poor Sheffield Shield campaign last summer after three consistent seasons.
 
"It will be on form. Early season Shield form will count," said Lehmann, who refused to name any potential candidates.
 
"There are matches against England's A tour and how certain players play maybe on the one-day tour (will be taken into consideration)."
 
Lehmann insisted that Cowan, Khawaja and Hughes had to dominate state cricket before they would be considered for Australia again.
 
"They know the areas they have to work on. They've had opportunities," Lehmann said. "They've got to make sure they take those opportunities.
 
"Phil is on the one-day tour so hopefully he gets some opportunities there to play and perform against the England team.
 
"Then the Shield cricket and the A games, that's going to be the key for those guys to make big runs. We're not happy with fifties any more. I think we've shown that with selection. You've got to make big runs."

Despite his impressive debut at the Ashes, James Faulkner's postion is in jeopardy.

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