Waratah Horne out for six weeks

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Sidelined ... Rob Horne will miss a month of rugby through injury. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

NSW centre Rob Horne will be sidelined for at least one month with a hamstring tear as new coach Michael Cheika deals with a spate of backline injuries just over a week out from the Waratahs' Super Rugby season opener.

Cheika confirmed on Tuesday the injury-prone No.13 Horne has a grade two hamstring tear and will miss four to six weeks.

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Also on the injured list is winger Drew Mitchell (calf strain), who is expected to miss Thursday's trial against the Crusaders in Sydney.

Five-eighth options Berrick Barnes (knee) and Bernard Foley (ankle) are rated 50-50 chances of starting in the Waratahs' opener against Queensland in Brisbane on February 23.

Also in doubt for the start of the season is exciting winger Peter Betham who is battling an ankle injury.

The setbacks to playmakers Barnes and Foley has given 22-year-old Super Rugby rookie Ben Volavola a huge chance to stake a claim for the No.10 spot when he goes up against Crusaders and All Blacks superstar Dan Carter on Thursday.

"They're (injuries) a bit troubling because they are all around that same position that 10, 12, 13,'' said Cheika.

"But sometimes the circumstances push something to the surface and Ben Volavola is going to get a good chance to take the lead in the race for that 10 jersey.

"There's a few options at 12 obviously. Tom Carter, Michael Hodge are options.

"It just depends on the mix. At this stage I'm not too worried about next week (Reds). We'll just see who plays well in Thursday's game and try and pick a team from there.''

Former Randwick No.8 Cheika has backed Volavola to rise to the challenge of facing Carter after a couple of impressive showings in trials.

"He'll probably be so excited about going out to match up against a guy like Dan Carter,'' he said.

"And it's up to the rest of the of the team to make sure he can challenge one of the best players in the world in his own position.''

Cheika will also throw a rugby lifeline to 30-year-old former Western Force and Melbourne Rebels pivot James Hilgendorf who has returned to Sydney and is working as a teacher.

"If he's feeling comfortable with everything he can have a run on Thursday,'' he said.

"It would be a big ask for him because he hasn't done a lot of training but that's alright.

"Obviously we've got Sam Lane's contract that we can refill. If James puts his hand up then he's a chance of taking that contract in a few weeks.''

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Will Bale join Ronaldo at Madrid?

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Gareth Bale ... compared to Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. Source: Jonathan Brady / AAP

Is there a better player in the Premier League than Gareth Bale?

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Man United	26	21	2	3	31	65
2	Man City	26	15	8	3	24	53
3	Chelsea	26	14	7	5	27	49
4	Tottenham	26	14	6	6	14	48
5	Arsenal	26	12	8	6	21	44
6	Everton	26	10	12	4	8	42
7	Swansea	26	9	10	7	9	37
8	West Brom	26	11	4	11	1	37
9	Liverpool	26	9	9	8	10	36
10	Stoke	26	7	12	7	-5	33
11	West Ham	26	8	6	12	-9	30
12	Fulham	26	7	8	11	-6	29
13	Sunderland	26	7	8	11	-6	29
14	Norwich	26	6	11	9	-15	29
15	Southampton	26	6	9	11	-9	27
16	Newcastle	26	7	6	13	-12	27
17	Aston Villa	26	5	9	12	-25	24
18	Reading	26	5	8	13	-15	23
19	Wigan	26	5	6	15	-21	21
20	QPR	26	2	11	13	-22	17

Robin van Persie might have something to say about that question, but praise continues to pour in for Tottenham's star after another match-winning display for Tottenham against Newcastle United on the weekend.

Comparing him to Cristiano Ronaldo has become the fashionable analysis at the moment, and it's hard to deny the similarities after he proved the decisive factor for the third game on the trot for his side.

Focus is growing on Bale's exploits – and speculation mounting about an imminent move to Spain. Can you imagine him teaming up with Ronaldo?

But as Andre Villas-Boas tries to create a Spurs side that can challenge consistently for the top-four and beyond, the retention – or sale – of the Welsh winger will give a great indication of chairman Daniel Levy's vision for the club. Can they use Bale as bait to tempt other world class players, rather than a tasty bit of business?

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"People also move when they find other players are able to promote their own potential," Villas-Boas said after the weekend's win. "Gareth has that effect."

His figures this season are outstanding: 13 goals in 22 appearances, 45 shots on target, with a further 50 chances created via shots or assists.

"We are fortunate to have a player of such a dimension who is helping us to win games," Villas-Boas said.

"Gareth is enjoying his football through the middle and he seems to enjoy it more than playing on the left flank, but we know he can play anywhere. There are always going to be questions about whether Tottenham can keep hold of him, but I have answered this many times. He is happy here, he is enjoying his football and we have no need to sell him.

"What I don't want is for this just to be just about Gareth because we win as a team. It was an important victory for us because it puts other teams under pressure and when you consider Newcastle's form, it shows what a great, great win this is for us."

Newcastle United's Steven Taylor had this to say about his adversary after the weekend: "For me, Gareth Bale is a world beater. He is the complete player. It is like playing Ronaldo. He is one of a kind – he is like Cristiano Ronaldo.

"He's one of those who can produce that bit of magic. You have to be on your toes all the time and just pray to God that he doesn't score. "

The swashbuckling nature of his second goal had all the hallmarks of Ronaldo – but we might be going off a little too soon comparing Bale with a player who has netted 24 times in 22 games this term, including yet another hat-trick on the weekend (his 20th for Real Madrid).

With Tottenham clinging onto fourth spot, Bale's got the stage to live up to the current hype.

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Burns ready to fire in T20

Standby ... Joe Burns prepares for Australia's T20 against West Indies. Source: Glenn Barnes / News Limited

By his own admission, the reaction from most Australians when his name was added to the national Twenty20 squad was universal - Joe Who?

And Queensland batsman Joe Burns reckons the public may still be none the wiser when Australia take on the West Indies in their one-off T20 international at the Gabba on Wednesday night.

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Australian cricket's rising star is no guarantee of playing after Adam Voges (hamstring) was given until the last minute to prove his fitness.

Burns is technically on standby for Voges - but he looked more like a man on tenterhooks on Tuesday after the carrot of an international debut had been dangled in front of him.

Not even being asked to front the pre-match press conference alongside national captain George Bailey helped convince him he was close to an international debut.

Burns admitted he had not even asked fellow Queenslander Ben Cutting for advice while in the national squad because he did not want to set himself up for disappointment.

"I haven't spoken too much to Cutsy because at this stage Vogesy is still playing,'' Burns said.

"It is a bit hard to look too far.''

However, Burns' stats show he is no average Joe.

Burns, 23, claimed the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award at last week's Allan Border Medal ceremony after amassing 1,038 runs at 35.09 in all forms throughout the voting period.

And he is considered an outside chance of an Ashes call-up after earning selection for Australia A's upcoming five-match series against the English Lions.

But asked on Tuesday whether he thought punters would have said 'Joe Who?' when named by national selectors for Brisbane's T20 game, Burns said: "Yeah. But I am very excited if I do get the chance to play in front of friends and family.

"It is one of the best places to make your debut.''

He may not taste international cricket on Wednesday night.

But Burns was confident that he could handle it after pulling off a form reversal for Brisbane Heat following the disappointment of being named 12th man in a January 12 Big Bash League clash.

Burns fought his way back into the Heat T20 side and helped them win a maiden title with a 27-ball 43 in the final against Perth Scorchers.

"Unfortunately I was 12th man (for the Heat) but in the back end of the season we had some big games and I was happy with how I performed, considering they were essentially knockout fixtures for us,'' Burns said.

"That sort of pressure will be similar to maybe what it is like tomorrow night.

"I guess the fact I was able to perform in those games will give me confidence going in.''

Meanwhile, Bailey (hamstring) also gave himself until game day to prove his fitness but was expecting to play.

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T20 withdrawal frustrate Bailey

Withdrawals ... George Bailey believes the Aussie team can still entertain. Source: Theron Kirkman / News Limited

Frustrated Australia Twenty20 captain George Bailey understands why he will lead a depleted side against West Indies in Brisbane on Wednesday but fears it may compromise their World Cup countdown.

Bailey would have been forgiven for feeling like the last man standing in the T20 side as the 17-strong Australian squad assembled in India for their four-Test tour.

And his team for the one-off T20 international may be depleted further after Queensland batsman Joe Burns was called in on Monday as cover for Adam Voges (hamstring).

As a result, the finale for Australia's international summer of cricket resembles a fizzer.

"It's frustrating. No doubt Cricket Australia have prioritised the Test series - I don't blame them for that,'' Bailey said.

"But we've got seven or eight games until the T20 World Cup (in Bangladesh in 2014).

"It (preparation) does feel a little compromised.''

And Bailey said if rumours of a change to the 2014 World Cup format were true, world No.7 Australia needed the best preparation available to get out of the "danger zone''.

The number of teams have been expanded from 12 to 16 at the 2014 T20 World Cup but Bailey appeared anxious over how many automatically qualified.

"I have heard they are going to change the format...there will be a certain amount who automatically qualify,'' he said.

"I have heard six and I have heard eight, and we are in that danger zone.

"So every game as a group is important...in terms of trying to maintain some structure and continuity.''

Ticket prices for Wednesday's T20 international ranged from $45 to $105 but Bailey baulked when asked if fans would be short changed.

"It is frustrating. I am sure they (fans) would like to see the best 11 available,'' he said.

"I don't think they will be short changed...but will the best players be there? Not necessarily.''

Burns is in line to make his international debut along with the likes of WA quick Nathan Coulter-Nile and NSW batsman Ben Rohrer on Wednesday after being placed on standby for Voges.

Voges twinged a hamstring during his match-winning 112 not out in Australia's 17-run ODI win over the Windies on Sunday night, completing a five-game sweep.

Bailey - who missed the ODI finale at the MCG - was confident he would overcome his own hamstring complaint.

Meanwhile, quick Ben Cutting denied he had been given a ``cheap cap'' before running out on home ground the Gabba in national colours for the first time.

"I have worked as hard as the other boys,'' he said.

"It's part and parcel of being a fast bowler. It gives you opportunities but it can also take them away with injury and what not.''

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Harbhajan starts taunting Australia

Big talk ... Harbhajan Singh says he can't wait to get stuck in to Australia. Source: AAP

Talkative spinner Harbhajan Singh says he's itching to get another crack at Australia in the upcoming four-Test series.

Comeback kid Harbhajan could hardly wish for a better way to mark his 100th Test than to win a recall to India's side just in time for a home series against Australia.

And the 32-year-old provocateur has regained his status as a national hero as local newspapers celebrate the return of the ''Turbanator''.

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Harbhajan has been named in a 15-man squad for the first two Tests of the series which starts in Chennai on February 22 and he's likely to form a three-pronged spin combination with Pragyan Ojha and Ravi Ashwin.

The man with a fabulous record against Australia of 90 wickets in 16 Tests says Australia's possible line-up of four left-handers in their top six, plus their lack of experience in five-day cricket in India, will boost the home side.

''I cannot wait to bowl against my favourite team,'' Harbhajan said on Monday.

''I am very happy and feeling very relieved after getting selected,'' added Harbhajan who was overlooked for December's fourth Test against England in Nagpur.

Harbhajan said his five-wicket haul for Rest of India in last week's five-day game against Mumbai showed he was still a Test-class bowler.

''This game was very important for me. I bowled very well,'' he said in the Times of India newspaper.

''Apart from Michael Clarke and Shane Watson, most of them are travelling to India for the first time.

''It won't be easy for them at all.

''They haven't played much Test cricket and they haven't played in India.

''This will be a challenging series for them.

''Hopefully we'll put them under pressure from the first day of the Test and show how we play cricket here.''

Australia's likely top-order trio of David Warner, Ed Cowan and Phil Hughes and wicketkeeper/batsman Matthew Wade have yet to play a Test in India and all are left-handers as Harbhajan prepares to spin his offbreaks away from the outside edge.

Harbjhajan's latest crack at Australia adds to his reputation as a tormentor. 

The fiery spinner sparked the ''Monkeygate'' scandal during the Sydney Test of 2008.

Harbhajan was suspended for three matches for racial abuse after his clash with Andrew Symonds, but the ban was reduced to a fine for abuse on appeal.

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Dopers won't take bait: psychologist

Doping ... Psychologist Patsy Tremayne doubts guilty players will come forward. Source: Supplied

Former AFL Players Association psychologist Patsy Tremayne has termed the Australian Crime Commission's report release a "fishing expedition'' and doubts whether many dopers will take the bait.

Justice Minister Jason Clare said on Sunday some players had already come forward with pertinent information following the ACC's shocking revelations about widespread doping, links to crime and even an apparent case of match-fixing in Australian sport last week.

Clare had been forthright at Thursday's ACC announcement, warning professional sportsmen to not ''underestimate how much we know, and if you are involved in this come forward before you get a knock at the door''.

But Tremayne, an associate professor at University of Western Sydney, believed the stick being waved by Clare and his counterparts would be ineffective in most cases.

''I think they (players involved with doping or match-fixing) would be very torn right now, thinking 'should I come clean or not?' and 'will it get better for me?'.'' Tremayne said of the ACC's Project Aperio findings.

''I'm sure that they'll be weighing up whether they've done much to get caught or not.

''I believe a very small number of people would have come forward so far.

''I dont think there's going to be an avalanche by any means.

''I'm not sure, but I think with a lot of them the feeling would be 'well we can't trust the government' to a large extent.

''Unless they've been fairly blatant and they know that other people know ... or if they have a few enemies who might dob them in.''

Tremayne warned on Monday of the psychological challenges that dopers face.

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''These athletes are essentially living a lie by keeping their doping to themselves and hiding it from their friends and families, and the constant subterfuge would eventually take a toll,'' Tremayne said.

''I just think they're going to be left with a legacy of shame for what they have done.

''When their careers are over and they have children, they will feel deep regret and shame.''

However she was doubtful of just how widespread the issues were.

''In some ways that crime report is really just a fishing expedition it seems. That's my opinion, unless they bring out hard data.''

Tremayne said there was no simple answer to ensuring sports stars resist the temptations of doping, but that bringing them outside the club's bubble was crucial.

''A lot of footballers get into a situation where they don't mix with anyone outside the club.

''I think sports clubs could make a concerted effort to try and encourage them to have external people in their life more and do more external things, instead of having them in the bubble.''

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Watto's not taking my spot: Cowan

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Opener ... Ed Cowan is under pressure at the top of the order. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Australian opener Ed Cowan says he welcomes the return of vice-captain Shane Watson to the Test side, but it won't come at his expense.

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Cowan on Sunday defended his record as opener with David Warner.

Watson has voiced his continued interest in returning to the opening slot after scoring 83 at No.4 in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Melbourne in December, then missing the Sydney Test with a calf injury.

The star allrounder's decision to shelve his interest in bowling at the moment due to injury concerns has removed the issue of how his position in the batting order affects his bowling workload.

Watson says opening is where he feels most comfortable.

"I've had my most success there in Test cricket especially,'' Watson said.

Watson's blazing form as an opener in the one-day series against the West Indies in Australia, with scores of 122 and 76 on Wednesday and Friday respectively, has fuelled the speculation.

"I'm not here to put extra pressure on Ed at all,'' added Watson, who's due to join Cowan in Chennai in the next few days.

"All I've said is the reasons why I got moved down the order were mainly to do with my bowling, to get the balance right.''

Cowan says Watson has shown he can bat anywhere in Australia's top six.

"I'm quite comfortable with myself and Davey (Warner) opening the batting,'' Cowan said.

"We've been the most successful opening partnership over the last 14 months both in terms of volume of runs and average per innings.

"So I can't see why anyone would suggest they'd want to break that partnership up.

"But it will be great to have Shane in good form, batting somewhere in the top six.''

Cowan will play in Australia's opening tour match against an Indian Board President's XI at Chennai's Guru Nanak College Ground on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Cowan said the question of Watson possibly returning to opening was no issue at all within the team's ranks.

"The public want to have their say and we understand that. There's nothing I can do but score runs and enjoy trying to win Test matches for Australia,'' the 13-Test player said.

"The trial-by-public takes care of itself if you're scoring runs.

"Shane Watson has had a great one-day series but so has George Bailey. I don't think we can read into one-day form particularly much.

"I'm sure Shane will contribute wherever he's told to bat.

"If I'm doing all that I can and scoring runs, then Shane Watson opening the batting doesn't become an issue.''

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Botha tests positive: report

Test ... Francois Botha reportedly tests positive to a banned substance. Source: Jono Searle / News Limited

Francois Botha, the former heavyweight world champion beaten by Sonny Bill Williams on Friday night, has allegedly tested positive to a banned substance.

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Fairfax Media reports Botha failed a drugs test on the eve of the fight.

The report suggests results of a urine sample submitted by the 44-year-old South African in Brisbane last Tuesday under WBA regulations show he had Phentermine - a banned stimulant - in his system.

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The drugs test, which has now been forwarded to the WBA's global headquarters in Panama, also detected Benzodiazepine, which suggested Botha was also using a valium-type product.

Leading sports doctor Peter Larkin told Fairfax the two substances had an opposite effect.

"One puts you to sleep, one keeps you awake," Larkin told Fairfax Media.

"Phentermine is part of the go-fast group, as I call them, which is similar category to all of the adrenalin amphetamines...anything that is a stimulant that keeps you awake and improves your reflexes."

According to witnesses who saw Botha in his dressing room before the fight, he was extremely relaxed in the lead up to the fight.

However, once the fight got under way, he was alert and continually taunted Williams.

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Sydney revival continues with win

Young and old ... Del Piero celebrates with Triantis. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Experience and youth combined to fire Sydney FC back into the A-League's top six with a 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero became Sydney's most prolific scorer with his early goal while Besart Berisha levelled with a first-half penalty.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	20	12	6	2	22	42
2	Western Sydney	20	12	2	6	11	38
3	Victory	20	11	3	6	3	36
4	Adelaide	20	11	2	7	3	35
5	Heart	20	7	3	10	-1	24
6	Sydney	20	7	3	10	-8	24
7	Newcastle	20	6	5	9	-9	23
8	Brisbane	20	6	3	11	-2	21
9	Wellington	20	5	5	10	-15	20
10	Perth	20	5	4	11	-4	19

But it was young midfielder Peter Triantis who sealed the win, opening his Sky Blues account with his 69th-minute strike.

The victory lifts the Sky Blues into sixth spot - the first time they've been inside the top six since round four - while Brisbane dip to eighth.

Del Piero broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when he was able to get on the end of a clever flick from Blake Powell and masterfully moved past Roar defender Ivan Franjic to score his 11th A-League goal - a record haul for a Sydney FC player in one season.

The Roar's new Dutch recruit Stefan Nijland tried to level moments later, forcing a save from Sydney gloveman Vedran Janjetovic in his first start for Brisbane.

Mitch Nichols also kept Janjetovic busy with a shot from outside the box midway through the opening stanza.

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Relive all the action in our live and interactive Match Centre, featuring video highlights of all the key moments.

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But it was superboot Berisha who equalised after the Roar were awarded a penalty when Sydney defender Fabio brought down Nijland in the box.

The Albanian stepped up to the mark and made no mistake, also scoring his 11th goal of the season to level at 1-1 a minute before the break.

Berisha threatened again early in the second half with a long-range effort but sent it just wide.

Sky Blues coach Frank Farina made a double substitution in the 60th minute bringing youngsters Joel Chianese and Terry Antonis on for Powell and Ali Abbas in an effort to create more pace up front.

But Brisbane continued their assault with Nijland just shaving the post.

A defensive error by late Roar substitute James Donachie gifted Sydney their second goal when his attempted clearance landed at the feet of waiting 21-year-old Triantis whose powerful strike put the hosts 2-1 up in the 69th minute sending the 14,589-strong crowd into a frenzy.

Del Piero almost widened the gap in the dying minutes shattering the woodwork with his spectacular free-kick.

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Heart win continues Glory woes

Top six ... Melbourne Heart leave Perth Glory at the bottom of the A-League ladder. Source: Joe Castro / AAP

Melbourne Heart piled more pressure on battling Perth Glory coach Ian Ferguson as a brilliant Nick Kalmar free-kick helped deliver a 2-0 A-League win at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

Kalmar's first-half strike was backed up by a second-half goal from returned striker Eli Babalj.

The Glory's loss kept them bottom of the table, with last season's grand finalists having lost four games straight, with no goals in that stretch, to extend their winless streak to eight. The Heart climbed into the top six.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	20	12	6	2	22	42
2	Victory	20	11	3	6	3	36
3	Western Sydney	19	11	2	6	10	35
4	Adelaide	20	11	2	7	3	35
5	Heart	20	7	3	10	-1	24
6	Newcastle	19	6	5	8	-8	23
7	Brisbane	19	6	3	10	-1	21
8	Sydney	19	6	3	10	-9	21
9	Wellington	20	5	5	10	-15	20
10	Perth	20	5	4	11	-4	19

Perth had plenty of chances.

Shane Smeltz had a great opportunity in the 19th minute after former Glory defender Jamie Coyne gave up the ball in the penalty area, but Smeltz couldn't get enough power on his left-footer to beat 'keeper Andrew Redmayne.

The Glory protested furiously two minutes later after Chris Harold's foot was clipped by Melbourne's Patrick Gerhardt as he was about to stream into an open penalty area, but no free-kick was awarded.

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Relive all the action in our live and interactive Match Centre, featuring video highlights of all the key moments.

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Perth's disappointment was soon magnified when Melbourne's Matt Thompson won a free kick, and Kalmar's wonderful shot, from close to 25m, curled over the wall and clipped the underside of the crossbar on the way past a helpless Danny Vukovic.

Vukovic managed to stop two bullet-like long-range shots from the Heart's David Williams later in the half.

In between, Perth's Travis Dodd miscued a close-range effort after nice set-up work from Harold.

Babalj, recently back from a stint in Serbia, scored 12 minutes into the second half, a straightforward finish after a Jonathan Germano shot rebounded off the right post.

Glory substitute Ryo Nagai tried to reply, but couldn't connect well enough with either of his back-to-back shots from inside the penalty area, both cleared away by defenders.

Perth's desperate calls for a handball by Gerhardt inside the penalty area midway through the second half went unanswered.

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