Oliver: the worst period of my life

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Sentenced ... Jockey Damien Oliver outside Racing Victoria Headquarters. Source: David Crosling / AAP

An emotional Damien Oliver has vowed to return to the saddle after he serves a 10-month ban for making a "spur-of-the-moment decision", when he backed a rival horse at Moonee Valley.

Oliver made an emotional plea to stewards saying the bet was made during "the worst period of my life''.

However, stewards disqualified Oliver for eight months and added another two month suspension on the betting charge after the champion hoop made a $10,000 bet on rival horse Miss Octopussy at Moonee Valley in 2010.

They also suspended him for one month for using a mobile phone from inside the Moonee Valley jockeys' room to place the bet with that penalty to be served concurrently.

Oliver revealed during a hearing his life was in turmoil and his marriage on the rocks when he made the bet.

He said he had developed a drinking problem and was battling a variety of psychological issues at the time.

"It was a spur-of-the-moment decision that I will regret for the rest of my life and beyond,'' Oliver said in a statement released after the hearing.

"There are no excuses for the fact that I breached the trust of many people in the industry and I broke a fundamental rule in racing.

Oliver has support in VJA Executive Officer Des O'Keeffe who said the jockey will pay a heavy price for his actions but the VJA will continue to support him.

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"For his mistake Damien Oliver will pay a heavy price, both personally and professionally," Mr. O'Keeffe said.

"There's no doubt Damien Oliver will be his own harshest critic in the days and months ahead and we will continue to offer him support."

O'Keeffe also called on ruling bodies to revamp the information and education provided to all jockeys so that riders absolutely understand and adhere to their obligations under the Rules.

Former jockey and Sky Racing expert Alf Matthews echoes O'Keefe's sentiments but believes Oliver should face the consequences.

"Do the crime, do the time, and people will forgive. And so they should," Matthews said.

"He didn't murder anybody, remember that, he broke a rule. He broke a long-standing rule that has been broken many times before but gone unnoticed."

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Ferrari: title still possible

Possible ... Ferrari believe Alonso can still beat Vettel to the drivers' title. Source: Luca Bruno / AP

Ferrari continue to believe that "everything is still possible" in the title race having achieved their target of taking their fight with Sebastian Vettel down to the wire at Interlagos.

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The US Grand Prix had presented Vettel with his first opportunity to clinch his third successive Drivers' title and the qualifying results on Saturday appeared to increase the Red Bull driver's chances after he claimed pole while Fernando Alonso only managed eighth.

However, aided by Ferrari's tactical decision to invoke a penalty with the sister car to move him over to the clean side of the grid, a typically feisty race drive from Alonso saw him finish only one place behind Vettel in third place after the German was overhauled for the win late on by McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, meaning the Spaniard left Austin only three further points worse off in the championship.

And while Vettel's advantage now stands at 13 points and means he only needs to finish fourth in Brazil this weekend to wrap up the crown, both Ferrari's management and star driver continue to stress that the battle is far from over yet.

Team Principal Stefano Domenicali said: "Sure, Fernando has lost a few points to the championship leader, but the important thing was to limit the damage so as to arrive at the last race with everything to play for and that is now the case.

"Now we go to Brazil, knowing that everything is still possible. We get there in a completely opposite situation to the one we were in on arrival in Abu Dhabi two years ago...! When you end up fighting for the title at the last race, you have already achieved something important: it has happened to Ferrari many times before - with only three exceptions - since 1997 and no other team can boast of a similar regularity at the top of Formula 1.

"Today, we congratulate Red Bull on winning the Constructors' title. Now we will try and stop them doing the double in a week's time in Interlagos!"

Alonso himself, who will be taking part in the fourth last-race title showdown of his career and the third in Brazil, agreed that while Vettel will undoubtedly again be driving the faster car in normal conditions, unknowns over the weather and concerns over Red Bull's reliability will only aid his own chances.

"Maybe on paper that chance [of the title] is not so big, maybe 25%, but deep down, I feel it's much more than that," the two-time champion said.

"Anything can happen at Interlagos and we saw again how important reliability can be, didn't we?

"Then, there's the chance of rain and a race in the wet can be very risky and we definitely have nothing to lose. Clearly, if it's dry and we have a normal race, one can expect Red Bull to be in front of everyone and us on the third or fourth row, so the more unknown factors there are, the better it is for us."

Although Ferrari have consistently failed to challenge for pole in dry conditions in qualifying all season, their struggles over a single lap at the Circuit of the Americas were particularly pronounced due to problems getting Pirelli's tyres up to operating temperature, something that also affected them after both their drivers' pit stops in the race.

Technical Director Pat Fry concedes the fact the same two compounds will be used at Interlagos means Ferrari have work to do over the coming days, even if temperatures are likely to be warmer and the track not so slippery.

"The main problem this weekend was definitely managing the tyre temperatures: once again today we suffered in the early laps after the pit stop much more than our competitors," he explained.

"We must study the data carefully to understand exactly what are the reasons for this, also because in Brazil, in less than a week, we will once again be running these compounds.

"It's true the Interlagos circuit is very different and that so too will be the ambient temperatures, but we must arrive in Sao Paolo as well prepared as possible. The Drivers' title and second place in the Constructors' classification will be fought out to the very last corner that's for sure."

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/news/12474/8259756/Stefano-Domenicali-and-Fernando-Alonso-still-confident-Ferrari-have-chance-in-Brazil

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Shoulder charge ban shocks Gallen

Dangerous ... The ARLC is set to ban the shoulder charge from the 2013 season. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Cronulla Sharks skipper Paul Gallen says the ARLC is "taking something out of the game" after the Commission accepted a recommendation to outlaw the shoulder charge from all competitions from 2013.

The ARLC announcement was made through a press release on Tuesday evening.

"The Commission has reviewed a detailed report into the shoulder charge and accepted a management recommendation that the increased size of athletes was creating a situation where the shoulder charge could, if maintained, lead to an unacceptable injury risk," the statement read.

Should the shoulder charge be outlawed in the NRL?

Gallen, speaking on Triple M on Tuesday evening, said he was shocked at the news and that, if approved, it would deprive fans of one of their favourite parts of the game.

"I was shocked it has really surprised me they've banned it," the uncompromising forward said.

"We don't want players getting hurt, but it's taking some of the toughness of the game.

"Like it or not, the fans do appreciate it when it comes off."

Gallen, a bruising lock, suggested that limiting the number of the interchanges could help reduce the amount of injuries from shoulder charges.

"I'd like to see them take a look at interchange before they take away the shoulder charge but I don't think it will be too hard for players to adjust," Gallen said.

In the ARLC's statement, NRL Interim Chief Executive, Shane Mattiske said player welfare was at the centre of the decision.

"This is about reducing a potential risk of serious injury to our players," Mattiske said.

"The Commission has gone through a thorough review process and been public in warning players about the risks of illegal play.

"The report shows that the shoulder charge is not a significant part of the game and its removal is not likely to impact on the way the game is played.

"With the increase in size and strength of the players, we believe this is the time to eliminate a potential risk."

Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah on Tuesday joined the chorus of NRL players to express their disappointment at the decision.

"When executed correctly I think it's a great part of our game," Farah said.

"It's been there for years and it's unfortunate that it won't be any more.

"Your own teammates get a lift from a shoulder charge, from a big hit."

Several players were controversially banned over shoulder charges in 2012, including Greg Inglis, Frank Pritchard and Ben Te'o.

NRL general manager of football operations Nathan McGuirk will consult with the game's Competition Committee to finalise proposed rule amendments in relation to the shoulder charge.

The proposed rule amendments will be put before the commission at December's meeting.

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India wrap up emphatic victory

Standout performer ... Cheteshwar Pujara scored a superb double hundred in the first innings. Source: AAP

India have drawn first blood in the Test series with England after wrapping up an emphatic nine-wicket victory on day five in Ahmedabad.

1st Test - Sardar Patel Stadium

15 November 2012 - Day 5, Session 2

India 2nd Innings

C. Pujara	41	51	8	0	80.39
V. Kohli	14	21	3	0	66.67
G. Swann	7.3	1	46	1	6.13

England had gone into the final day on 5-340 in their second innings, full of confidence after captain Alastair Cook and wicketkeeper Matt Prior had steered them into a 10-run lead after batting together throughout the second half of day four.

However Prior and Cook both departed to India's destroyer-in-chief Pragyan Ojha (4-120) in the opening hour of the final day, prompting a speedy collapse from the tourists - who had been asked to follow-on late in day two after being bowled out for 191 first time around - to 406 all out.

Prior had made 91 before he tamely offered up a return catch to the left-arm spinner, who also got a delivery to keep low and crash into Cook's middle stump.

Cook had faced 374 balls for his heroic 176, however his dismissal signalled the end of England's hopes of saving the match as Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan all folded to leave India needing just 77 to win.

First-innings double-centurion Cheteshwar Pujara then picked up where he left off with an unbeaten knock of 41 to help India, who lost Virender Sehwag to Swann for 25, chase down their meagre target in just 15.3 overs.

The dogged resistance of Prior and Cook was finally brought to an end after a stand of 157, with the England wicketkeeper spooning a return catch to Ojha nine short of his century.

Cook followed just nine runs later when Ojha got a ball to stay low and sneak through his defences. And the end appeared nigh for England as Umesh Yadav held on to a return catch from Broad (3).

Swann attempted to turn the tide with a 28-run stand for the ninth wicket with Bresnan. However Swann's knock of 17 was brought to an end when he was bowled attempting to reverse sweep Ravichandran Ashwin.

The England innings came to an end when Bresnan was caught by sub fielder Ajinkya Rahane off Zaheer Khan (2-59) for 20.

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Tippett hearing rescheduled

Delayed ... The AFL Commission hearing is pushed back to November 30. Source: Darren England / News Limited

The AFL Commission will now meet on November 30 to hear 11 charges relating to Kurt Tippett's expired contract with Adelaide.

The hearing was due to start on Monday afternoon, but was adjourned after the Crows and their football manager Phil Harper sought more time to prepare their submissions.

The Crows, Tippett, Harper, club chief executive Steven Trigg and their former football manager John Reid will all front the commission hearing.

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Adelaide also started pre-season training on Monday and coach Brenton Sanderson said all other AFL clubs will be nervous in the wake of the Tippett controversy.

The Crows and Tippett have been charged by the AFL with salary cap cheating and draft tampering in relation to the key forward's expired contract with the club.

"I probably shouldn't comment on other clubs but I'm sure this is going to make a lot of other clubs nervous, too," Sanderson told reporters on Monday.

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"There is a lot of greyness surrounding ASAs (additional services agreements) and how players are paid so probably the other 17 clubs are just double-checking and ensuring that everything is above board.

"But as far as I know ... Adelaide has been squeaky clean for 22 years and this has been something that they are going to have to work through and we will certainly get through it."

If found guilty, Tippett could be deregistered as a player and the Crows banned from up to four national drafts, as well as fined any amount the AFL determines.

"It's a bit out of my hands, to be honest," Sanderson said of likely future draft penalties.

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"As we stand today, really happy to be involved in this year's draft and we'll bring some good young talent in and, until the investigation is completed, I guess we have just got to wait and see."

Tippett became the Crows' highest-paid player on signing a multi-million dollar, three-year contract extension in 2009.

But Adelaide admitted last month they had a once-secret deal, outside the contract, with the ruckman-forward who walked out on the club at the end of last season.

The investigation prevented Adelaide trading Tippett, who remains on the club's list until he likely nominates for December's pre-season draft.

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I won't change style: Warner

Determined ... Warner walks off after losing his wicket cheaply in the first Test. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

Australia opener David Warner has no intention of changing his boom-or-bust approach to Test cricket.

Warner says he will continue his aggressive method in the second Test against South Africa starting in Adelaide on Thursday despite a failure in the drawn series-opener.

Warner made just four in the first Test in Brisbane and has passed 30 runs just five times in 17 Test innings.

"The way I play, I'm going to be hit and miss here and there,'' Warner told reporters on Monday.

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"But I have got to try and learn to be a bit more consistent too. If I get myself in, I have to try and be there and get those big hundreds.

"But my job is to try and get us off to a good start.

"If I show intent and try and build pressure on them by getting a couple away, then I am winning the battle.''

The powerful left-hander said he was "raring to go'' on an Adelaide pitch expected to offer true batting conditions.

"Play hard, hit the ball into the gaps - that is my game and that is what I'm going to try and do,'' he said.

"My game is trying to hit the ball ... if the ball is there, I'm still going to hit it because that is my game - that is how I score my runs for the team.''

Warner expected South Africa's vaunted bowling attack to respond to their disappointing Brisbane Test where only five Australia batsman were dismissed - with one, Ed Cowan, run out.

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Bushrangers pull off record chase

Smashing ... Hussey treated the Blues bowlers with little respect at North Sydney Oval. Source: News Limited

Aaron Finch and David Hussey hit blistering hundreds as Victoria pulled off the greatest run chase in domestic limited overs history, overhauling 350 for victory against NSW at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.

ODD - North Sydney Oval

18 November 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

Victoria 1st Innings

D. Hussey	140	84	11	8	166.67
P. Handscomb	22	23	2	1	95.65
S. Abbott	8.4	0	67	0	7.73

In reply to the Blues' 350 all out, Victoria cruised to 4-352 with 20 balls remaining at the picturesque but small ground on a wicket tailor-made for batting, with both Finch and Hussey scoring 140.

Finch, faced 124 balls, smashing the hapless NSW attack all over the ground in a knock that included 10 sixes and eight fours.

He was joined by Hussey, who faced just 82 balls and smashed the winning runs off Sean Abbott over the mid-wicket boundary after an undefeated innings including eight sixes and 10 fours.

Despite the magnitude of the target, Victoria always looked a chance of bettering the record run chase of 318 achieved by NSW against them at the same venue last season.

And the 156-run third wicket stand between Finch and Hussey ensured they did.

Any chance NSW might have had after Finch was dismissed by Moises Henriques (2-66 off 11) in the 38th over was blasted away by Hussey.

"I was lucky enough to hit a few in the middle," Hussey told Fox Sports.

"I was very happy but probably more happy with what Aaron Finch did up top.

"It's a small ground and if you can get a bit of a roll on you can build a big score and the start we had with Chris Rogers (26 off 29) and Aaron Finch was sensational."

NSW's innings was anchored by Steve Smith (92 off 68) after pinch hitter Sean Abbott got the Blues kick-started, hitting 40 off 16 balls.

But just when a target of 400 looked likely NSW lost 6-68 as they struggled in the final overs.

Scott Boland was the pick of Victoria's bowlers with 4-85 off 13 overs.

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Neill nominated for top AFC gong

Recognition ... Neill could become the second Australian to win the AFC award. Source: News Limited

Socceroos captain Lucas Neill has made the final shortlist for the Asian Football Confederation's player of the year award.

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Neill was one of five nominees named on Sunday for the award, last won by an Australian when Sasa Ognenovski took it out in 2010.

Neill, 34, is currently plying his trade with United Arab Emirates Pro League side Al Wasl, and spent last season with Al Jazira in the same competition.

The former Blackburn and West Ham United player joins Ali Karimi (Iran), Lee Keun-ho (Korea Republic), Mohsen Bengar (Iran) and Zheng Zhi (China) on the nominee list for the top individual gong.

Fellow Socceroos veteran Mark Schwarzer has also earned a nomination, for the newly-created international player of the year award.

The Fulham shopstopper is up against Manchester United star Shinji Kagawa and Inter Milan's Yuto Nagatomo for the award.

The winners will be announced at the AFC Annual Awards gala to be held in Kuala Lumpur on November 29.

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Piggins's fears realised in Crowe exit

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Told you so ... Piggins (R) has been an opponent of private ownership from the beginning. Source:News Limited

George Piggins says his worst fears about private ownership of South Sydney could be realised with Russell Crowe reportedly keen to sell his share of the NRL club.

The Nine Network reported on Sunday that Crowe wanted out of the club at the end of the 2013 season after a difficult year both professionally and personally.

Piggins was a fierce opponent of Crowe's and businessman Peter Holmes a Court's successful takeover bid in 2006 and has been an outspoken critic ever since.

The former club patriarch said he was not surprised at the uncertain predicament Souths now found themselves in.

"Before the vote I went and visited Russell and he said if he won the vote it was his club to do whatever he wanted to do with and that has proven to be the case," Piggins told AAP on Sunday.

"I think the fans must be very concerned about where the club goes now, and those who voted for the takeover must be very concerned too.

"This is exactly what worried me most about the whole thing ... the fans will be feeling cheated."

Amid much fanfare Crowe and Holmes a Court gained ownership of the struggling club after 75 per cent of Leagues Club members voted in favour of their $3 million takeover bid.

South Sydney have called a press conference for Monday morning when club officials are expected to address the issue.

But where exactly Souths go from here if Crowe wants out is the big question.

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Crowe and Holmes a Court have publicly fallen out since buying into the club and Holmes a Court, who once enjoyed a very hands-on role, is far removed from the day-to-day goings on at Redfern.

It is unknown if Holmes a Court would continue as an owner or follow Crowe out, with the club forced to begin a search for a new owner.

Given the struggles of the Rabbitohs' leagues club and the unwillingness of the cash-rich South Juniors to give money to the senior football club, the continuity of a private ownership model seems the most likely possibility.

But just who would be interested in the club, which has drained millions from Crowe and Holmes a Court, is a big question despite the club's resurgent on-field success.

Piggins resisted the opportunity to claim 'I told you so', instead wondering what was the next step for the famous club.

"There's no fun in being right," he said.

"You have to ask where do Souths go from here?

"Where will the money come from considering the struggles leagues clubs are having these days? Will the club still be based in Sydney or might they have to move it somewhere like Perth?

"This brings so much uncertainty, and it was always what troubled me about it.

"But I can't see anyway they can go back to the old model. They will have to find another billionaire who wants to take over and I'm not sure there are too many of them out there."

A member of Souths' last premiership-winning side in 1971, Piggins hasn't attended a Rabbitohs game since the takeover.

He wouldn't be drawn on whether any possible exit of Crowe and Holmes a Court would open the door for his return to Redfern, insisting that at 70-years-old he would leave the running of the club to others and would continue to watch matches on television.

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Poulter, Scott move clear at Masters

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Showman ... Poulter fired a blistering third round to move into the outright lead at Kingston Heath. Source:News Limited

Australian Masters defending champion Ian Poulter will take a one-shot lead over Australia's Adam Scott into what looms as a tantalising Sunday shoot-out at Melbourne's Kingston Heath.

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Poulter came from five shots off the lead at the start of Saturday's third round, shooting an eight-under-par 64, the round of the tournament so far, to seize the outright lead on 13-under.

Scott, who started the day three shots behind fellow Queenslander Matthew Guyatt - the leader for the first two days - shot 67 to climb to 12-under-par.

Guyatt, who started the day at 10-under, could manage only a 75 to be six shots from the lead, alone in third spot on seven-under.

His playing partner, New Zealand's Michael Hendry, who was outright second on Friday night, faltered badly with a 79 to fall 12 shots from the lead.

Scott, Australia's top-ranked player, is seeking his first Masters title and first win for the year, while Englishman Poulter is coming off a victory at his last start, when he charged home to win the HSBC Champions tournament in China.

While Scott can expect to have the crowd on his side on Sunday, that is unlikely to bother Poulter.

The Englishman amply demonstrated both his ability to perform on enemy territory and his love of head-to-head battles in spearheading Europe's remarkable Ryder Cup win in Chicago in September.

He also produced some stunning golf on Saturday.

Poulter notched eight birdies in his first 15 holes, helped by outstanding work with the putter, most notably sinking a monster birdie putt from off the front of the green on the seventh.

Scott's ball-striking was the key to his climb.

By the time the pair completed the eighth hole, they had joined Guyatt in the lead and overtook him soon after, with Poulter and Scott then exchanging the lead several times on the back nine.

They both reached 13-under after they birdied the par-three 15th, at which stage Poulter was threatening to match the course record of 63.

But both he and Scott dropped a shot on the par-four 16th and Scott let another go on the 17th to leave Poulter alone at the top.

Poulter then fired in a near-perfect second shot to set up a tap-in birdie at the last with Scott holing a good-sized putt to stay within a shot.

Scott predicted he would need a low final round to claim his first Masters title and first win of the year.

"I'm going to have to shoot something in the 60s to even think of having a chance,'' he said.

"Ian's playing beautiful so he's not going to fade away.''

While he dropped a shot at the 16th, he produced possibly the shot of the day on the tough par-four 18th, nearly holing a nine-iron to set up a tap-in birdie.

Scott had to sink a six-metre birdie putt to stay within a shot.

"I needed to make it,'' Scott said.

"I don't need to let Ian get any more comfortable up there than he probably is.

"He's high on confidence ... I need to stick right with him and keep the pressure on, even overnight.''

However Poulter dismissed talk that Sunday would be a one-on-one contest.

"It's strokeplay, it's all about not making mistakes, taking your chances and I'm fully aware that (other) guys can go out there tomorrow and shoot a low score,'' Poulter said.

Watch the thrilling conclusion to the Australian Masters Live and in HD from 12.30pm (EDT) Sunday on Fox Sports 3HD!

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