Teams: all the round 13 ins and outs

In ... Justin Koschitzke returns for St Kilda against Melbourne. Source: wayne ludbey / Herald Sun

Hot off the press, here are the ins and outs for round 13 of the 2013 AFL premiership season.

Hawthorn v West Coast, Etihad Stadium, Friday 7.50pm (EST)

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	11	10	0	1	145.71	40
2	Geelong	11	10	0	1	129.49	40
3	Essendon	12	9	0	3	131.57	36
4	Sydney	11	8	1	2	134.91	34
5	Fremantle	11	8	1	2	128.57	34
6	Collingwood	12	8	0	4	108.47	32
7	Richmond	11	7	0	4	114.27	28
8	Carlton	12	6	0	6	116.89	24
9	West Coast	11	6	0	5	114.99	24
10	Port Adelaide	11	6	0	5	114.55	24
11	Adelaide	12	5	0	7	103.55	20
12	Gold Coast	12	5	0	7	92.55	20
13	North Melbourne	11	4	0	7	111.13	16
14	Bulldogs	11	3	0	8	75.84	12
15	Brisbane	11	3	0	8	73.56	12
16	St Kilda	11	2	0	9	85.80	8
17	Melbourne	11	1	0	10	49.76	4
18	Greater Western Sydney	12	0	0	12	51.41	0

Hawthorn
B: Ben Stratton, Brian Lake, Brent Guerra
HB: Grant Birchall, Josh Gibson, Luke Hodge
C: Shane Savage, Sam Mitchell, Bradley Hill
HF: Paul Puopolo, Lance Franklin, Jordan Lewis
F: David Hale, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust
Foll: Max Bailey, Brad Sewell, Shaun Burgoyne
Int: Liam Shiels, Taylor Duryea, Jack Gunston, Jonathan Simpkin
Emerg: Kyle Cheney, Xavier Ellis, Matt Spangher

In: Shane Savage
Out: Isaac Smith (corked calf)

West Coast
B: Sam Butler, Darren Glass, Mitchell Brown
HB: Shannon Hurn, Eric Mackenzie, Beau Waters
C: Andrew Gaff, Scott Selwood, Andrew Embley
HF: Luke Shuey, Josh Kennedy, Chris Masten
F: Mark LeCras, Dean Cox, Jack Darling
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Matt Priddis, Daniel Kerr
Int: Blayne Wilson, Patrick McGinnity, Bradd Dalziell, Matt Rosa
Emerg: Brad Sheppard, Ashley Smith, Jacob Brennan

In: Patrick McGinnity, Mark LeCras, Darren Glass, Beau Waters, Bradd Dalziell, Josh Kennedy
Out: Ashton Hams (Omitted), Brad Sheppard (Omitted), Jamie Cripps (Omitted), Josh Hill (Hamstring), Adam Selwood (Back), Jacob Brennan (Omitted)

Port Adelaide v Sydney Swans, AAMI Stadium, Saturday 1.10pm (CST)

Port Adelaide
B: Matthew Broadbent, Alipate Carlile, Jack Hombsch
HB: Cameron O'Shea, Thomas Jonas, Tom Logan
C: Matt Thomas, Brad Ebert, Kane Cornes
HF: Robbie Gray, Justin Westhoff, Paul Stewart
F: Jake Neade, Jay Schulz, Angus Monfries
Foll: Matthew Lobbe, Chad Wingard, Hamish Hartlett
Int: Oliver Wines, Jasper Pittard, John Butcher, Domenic Cassisi
Emerg: Nathan Blee, Andrew Moore, Campbell Heath

In: Jasper Pittard, Domenic Cassisi
Out: Travis Boak (Finger), Cameron Hitchcock (Ankle)

Sydney Swans
B: Tony Armstrong, Ted Richards, Dane Rampe
HB: Nick Smith, Heath Grundy, Nick Malceski
C: Daniel Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh
HF: Luke Parker, Kurt Tippett, Craig Bird
F: Jude Bolton, Adam Goodes, Ben McGlynn
Foll: Mike Pyke, Ryan O'Keefe, Kieren Jack
Int: Tom Mitchell, Jed Lamb, Jesse White, Mitch Morton
Emerg: Tim Membrey, Brandon Jack, Xavier Richards

In: Jed Lamb, Kurt Tippett, Tony Armstrong
Out: Andrejs Everitt (Achilles), Brandon Jack (Omitted), Shane Mumford (Cheekbone) 

St Kilda v Melbourne, MCG, Saturday 4.40pm (EST)

St Kilda
B: Rhys Stanley, James Gwilt, Dylan Roberton
HB: Jarryn Geary, Sam Fisher, Jack Newnes
C: David Armitage, Sean Dempster, Terry Milera
HF: Nick Dal Santo, Justin Koschitzke, Clinton Jones
F: Trent Dennis-Lane, Nick Riewoldt, Jack Steven
Foll: Ben McEvoy, Farren Ray, Leigh Montagna
Int: Jimmy Webster, Tom Simpkin, Sam Dunell, Sebastian Ross
Emerg: Arryn Siposs, Brodie Murdoch, Ahmed Saad

In: Tom Simpkin, Terry Milera, Justin Koschitzke, Sam Fisher
Out: Josh Saunders (Omitted), Beau Maister (Hamstring), Ahmed Saad (Omitted), Stephen Milne (Omitted)

Melbourne
B: Lynden Dunn, Colin Garland, Dean Terlich
HB: Tom McDonald, Cam Pedersen, Mitchell Clisby
C: Jeremy Howe, Jack Trengove, Matt Jones
HF: Aaron Davey, Chris Dawes, Sam Blease
F: Shannon Byrnes, Colin Sylvia, David Rodan
Foll: Jake Spencer, Jack Watts, Nathan Jones
Int: Dean Kent, Jack Fitzpatrick, Daniel Nicholson, Jimmy Toumpas
Emerg: James Sellar, Max Gawn, James Magner

In: Mitchell Clisby, Daniel Nicholson, Jake Spencer, Shannon Byrnes
Out: Michael Evans (Foot), Luke Tapscott (Omitted), Mark Jamar (Toe), Jordie McKenzie (Elbow)

Western Bulldogs v Richmond, Etihad Stadium, Saturday 7.40pm (EST)

Western Bulldogs
B: Brett Goodes, Jordan Roughead, Jason Johannisen
HB: Dale Morris, Michael Talia, Robert Murphy
C: Jack Macrae, Nick Lower, Adam Cooney
HF: Daniel Giansiracusa, Liam Jones, Matthew Boyd
F: Luke Dahlhaus, Lukas Markovic, Clay Smith
Foll: Will Minson, Ryan Griffen, Tom Liberatore
Int: Liam Picken, Jake Stringer, Nathan Hrovat, Lachie Hunter
Emerg: Dylan Addison, Mitch Wallis, Jarrad Grant

In: Nathan Hrovat, Lachie Hunter
Out: Dylan Addison (Omitted), Koby Stevens (Shoulder)

Richmond
B: Steven Morris, Alex Rance, Bachar Houli
HB: Chris Newman, Troy Chaplin, Nick Vlastuin
C: Shaun Grigg, Trent Cotchin, Daniel Jackson
HF: Aaron Edwards, Shane Edwards, Jake King
F: Ty Vickery, Jack Riewoldt, Dustin Martin
Foll: Ivan Maric, Brett Deledio, Nathan Foley
Int: Matt White, Brandon Ellis, Reece Conca, David Astbury
Emerg: Jake Batchelor, Matt Dea, Sam Lonergan

No change

Fremantle v North Melbourne, Patersons Stadium, Sunday 1.20pm (WST)

Fremantle
B: Zac Dawson, Luke McPharlin, Lee Spurr
HB: Clancee Pearce, Michael Johnson, Garrick Ibbotson
C: Paul Duffield, Ryan Crowley, Tendai Mzungu
HF: Nathan Fyfe, Chris Mayne, Stephen Hill
F: Hayden Ballantyne, Hayden Crozier, Michael Walters
Foll: Zac Clarke, David Mundy, Michael Barlow
Int (from): Alex Silvagni, Nick Suban, Matthew Taberner, Matt de Boer, Danyle Pearce, Tom Sheridan, Jack Hannath

In: Michael Walters, Matthew Taberner, Tom Sheridan
Out: -

North Melbourne
B: Lachlan Hansen, Scott D. Thompson, Aaron Mullett
HB: Taylor Hine, Nathan Grima, Michael Firrito
C: Sam Gibson, Shaun Atley, Ben Cunnington
HF: Daniel Wells, Drew Petrie, Brent Harvey
F: Lindsay Thomas, Aaron Black, Leigh Adams
Foll: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Ryan Bastinac
Int (from): Levi Greenwood, Liam Anthony, Sam Wright, Brad McKenzie, Jamie Macmillan, Ben Jacobs, Luke Delaney

In: Levi Greenwood, Liam Anthony, Brad McKenzie, Ben Jacobs, Luke Delaney
Out: Will Sierakowski (Omitted), Scott McMahon (Ankle)

Brisbane Lions v Geelong, The Gabba, Sunday 4.40pm (EST)

Brisbane Lions
B: Jed Adcock, Daniel Merrett, Justin Clarke
HB: Daniel Rich, Joel Patfull, Brent Staker
C: Sam Mayes, Jack Redden, Mitch Golby
HF: Tom Rockliff, Jordan Lisle, Dayne Zorko
F: Ashley McGrath, Jonathan Brown, Ryan Lester
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Simon Black, Pearce Hanley
Int (from): James Polkinghorne, Andrew Raines, Rohan Bewick, Brent Moloney, Ryan Harwood, Sam Docherty, Elliot Yeo

In: James Polkinghorne, Daniel Merrett, Brent Moloney, Jonathan Brown
Out: Niall McKeever (Omitted)

Geelong
B: Corey Enright, Tom Lonergan, Cameron Guthrie
HB: Joel Corey, Harry Taylor, Josh Hunt
C: Andrew Mackie, Joel Selwood, James Kelly
HF: Mark Blicavs, James Podsiadly, Allen Christensen
F: Mitch Duncan, Tom Hawkins, Steven Motlop
Foll: Nathan Vardy, Steve Johnson, Jimmy Bartel
Int (from): Jackson Thurlow, Taylor Hunt, Billie Smedts, Jordan Murdoch, Josh Caddy, Jesse Stringer, Mathew Stokes

In: Harry Taylor, Taylor Hunt, Mark Blicavs, Josh Caddy, Steven Motlop
Out: Trent West (Back), Mitch Brown (Omitted)

Byes: Adelaide, Carlton, Gold Coast, GWS Giants, Collingwood, Essendon.

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Senate gives green light to Ahmed

Eyes on the prize ... Fawad Ahmed is a step closer to playing for Australia. Source: Mal Fairclough / AAP

Cricket Australia's politicking has succeeded, now it's simply a question of form as to whether Pakistan-born legspinner Fawad Ahmed makes his Test debut in the Ashes series.

Legislation that fast-tracks citizenship in special circumstances, including elite athletes such as Ahmed, cleared the Senate on Thursday.

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The new measure gives the immigration minister power to apply shorter residential requirements on some citizenship applicants.

Ahmed played first-class cricket in Pakistan before fleeing to Australia in 2010 when, after an initial rejection, he was granted asylum.

The 31-year-old was picked in an Australia A squad to tour South Africa and Zimbabwe starting in July, a visit that clashes with much of the Ashes tour in England.

However head of selectors John Inverarity says Ahmed could be called into the national squad ahead of the first Test against England starting on July 10.

"Those two (Ahmed and fellow tweaker Ashton Agar) are, in a sense, in contention if we decide to expand the Ashes squad and expand it with a spinner," Inverarity said on Wednesday.

Ahmed had match figures of 1-65 in Australia A's recent first-class clash with Ireland in Belfast.

Ahmed's final pre-Ashes chance to impress Inverarity starts on Friday, when Australia A take on Gloucestershire at Bristol in a three-day match.

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Loz: Suncorp doesn't intimidate us

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Revered ... Queenslanders love their Maroons at Suncorp Stadium. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

The Maroons have always been adept at stirring their state into a frenzy just in time to make Suncorp Stadium the most frightening cauldron a rugby league player could enter.

This time they've had Paul Gallen to do it for them after he turned Nate Myles into a punching bag as New South Wales upset the seven-times champions in more ways than one in State of Origin I.

The surge in media reports speculating about a square up from Queensland: to be or not to be, has done nothing to douse the expectation that the stands of Suncorp will be baying for blood like nothing seen since Rome's Colosseum was home to the gladiators.

Put all that in the background - not to mention the scandals that have gripped NSW since their courageous win on June 5 - and you might expect to hear from a rather twitchy Laurie Daley as he prepares the Blues in camp just days before boarding a plane bound for enemy territory.

But coaching his state still hasn't had that effect on perhaps the most laid-back man in rugby league, who even dares to suggest that stealing a series inside Suncorp's raucous atmosphere is something to be excited, not scared, about.

"That's the enjoyment that we need to get out of it," Daley told Fox Sports rugby league commentator Matt Russell on Thursday.

"It's going to be a place that everyone wants to be at, and let's soak it up, let's enjoy it, let's get out there and really feed off the energy of the crowd.

"Let's use it as a positive for us. As a footballer, you want to be in these situations.

"Our boys will look forward to the challenge but we know that we've got to play well. If we don't play well, and better than we did in game one, then we don't get the result that we're after."

Daley played 23 games in sky blue and more than his share of high stakes encounters at the venue his team will walk into next Wednesday afternoon.

Describing what it's like to play in Queensland's home fortress, Daley's eyes almost pops out of his head with excitement.

"It's a real vibrant place but it's a real buzz - it's humming," he says.

"The whole night seems to hum from when you first get onto the bus, you first go out to check the surface, there's this feeling of huge anticipation.

"You just soak it up and absorb it and you just can't wait to be a part of it.

"And for our guys they'll get there, they'll know they've got a game on and we've just got to make sure that we're ready to go." 

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We pick the team not Nine: CA

Rights ... Channel Nine says is might have a say in team selection. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Cricket Australia stood its ground on Wednesday against claims by Channel Nine that it would influence team selection and scheduling as part of its new TV rights deal.

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Nine's managing director Jeff Browne told a business lunch in Sydney that as part of the network's record $400million winning bid for international cricket rights, he expected to have a say in both matters.

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But CA chief executive James Sutherland hosed down the deal's impact, especially on national selection issues.

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"Cricket has a long-standing and successful relationship with the Nine Network, but team selections and scheduling are matters for Cricket Australia,'' Sutherland said.

"The national selection panel selects the Australian teams (and) with the volume of international cricket being played, it will continue to be necessary for us to manage player workloads appropriately.''

Nine was angry last summer that the Australian selectors had diminished the TV product by resting so many top-line players under the guise of its controversial "rotation policy''.

Browne said that trend was a "real worry'' for Nine, which has owned Australian cricket's television rights since Kerry Packer's World Series revolution in the mid 1970s.

Browne said Nine understood CA had to rest some players "to give them longevity in their careers, but they also understand we've got to have the best players on the paddock to rate''.

"I understand why sports want to do that, but people at home want to see the best players playing and we urge Cricket Australia to pick the best players every time.

"I think we've got a better understanding on that,'' he said. "Last year that balance was skewed too much in favour of resting some players so from now on there will be a lot more discussion between CA and the broadcaster about that.''

It's understood there is no formal agreement in the record contract, signed in early June.

"I am not pushing a black letter print solution because I believe the discussions we've had with them so far will give us a solution,'' Browne said.

It's also understood that Nine has pushed for the Perth Test match to be the summer's first given that it's prime-time broadcast in the eastern states still falls in the ratings period.

Sutherland reiterated his recent stand that all stakeholders' requests on match timing would be taken into account.

"We'll continue to consult with our broadcasters on scheduling issues. It's something we have always done,'' he said. "We have a common goal with our broadcast partners to maximise the number of fans watching and enjoying cricket (so) we'll consider all ideas and then make the appropriate decisions.''

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2013-2014 EPL fixtures announced

Manchester derby ... the first will take place in early March. Source: Paul Ellis / AAP

Manchester United begin the defence of their Barclays Premier League title with a tough looking trip to Swansea City, in a game that will mark David Moyes' bow as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor.

It's all change for neighbours Manchester City too, where Manuel Pellegrini can expect a warm welcome from the home faithful as the Etihad Stadium hosts Newcastle United on the opening day.

The Chilean tactician will do well to match the reception Jose Mourinho will receive on his second coming as Chelsea boss, with Hull City charged with the unenviable task of spoiling the Special One's special day in west London.

Cardiff City's first ever Premier League campaign kick-offs with a trip to West Ham United, while Crystal Palace welcome Tottenham to Selhurst Park in an intriguing looking all-capital affair.

The Emirates will stage Arsenal's season opener as Paul Lambert's Aston Villa side travel to north London for a tough-looking start.

Mark Hughes has been handed a tough beginning to life as Stoke City boss as he takes his new side to Anfield to face Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool

West Brom will look to build on a successful last campaign by opening up against Southampton, while Roberto Martinez begins his Everton tenure with a trip to Norwich City

Paolo Di Canio has intimated major changes are in the offing at Sunderland so it will likely be a new look Black Cats side that begin their campaign with a home game against Fulham

All opening fixtures will played on the weekend of August 17-19

Hull's fans will relish their festive programme, with Manchester United heading to the KC Stadium on Boxing Day, while Manchester City against Liverpool is another tasty-looking December 26 encounter

The season wraps up on May 11, with three of the expected title chasers finishing on the road. Chelsea head to Cardiff, Manchester United go to Southampton and Arsenal are at Norwich, with Manchester City at home to West Ham.

---

See the full fixture list below. All times and dates are local.

17 August 2013
Arsenal v Aston Villa
Chelsea v Hull City
Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur
Liverpool v Stoke City
Manchester City v Newcastle United
Norwich City v Everton
Sunderland v Fulham
Swansea City v Manchester United
West Bromwich Albion v Southampton
West Ham United v Cardiff City

24 August 2013
Aston Villa v Liverpool
Cardiff City v Manchester City
Everton v West Bromwich Albion
Fulham v Arsenal
Hull City v Norwich City
Manchester United v Chelsea
Newcastle United v West Ham United
Southampton v Sunderland
Stoke City v Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur v Swansea City

31 August 2013
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Cardiff City v Everton
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Crystal Palace v Sunderland
Liverpool v Manchester United
Manchester City v Hull City
Newcastle United v Fulham
Norwich City v Southampton
West Bromwich Albion v Swansea City
West Ham United v Stoke City

14 September 2013
Aston Villa v Newcastle United
Everton v Chelsea
Fulham v West Bromwich Albion
Hull City v Cardiff City
Manchester United v Crystal Palace
Southampton v West Ham United
Stoke City v Manchester City
Sunderland v Arsenal
Swansea City v Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City

21 September 2013
Arsenal v Stoke City
Cardiff City v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea v Fulham
Crystal Palace v Swansea City
Liverpool v Southampton
Manchester City v Manchester United
Newcastle United v Hull City
Norwich City v Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion v Sunderland
West Ham United v Everton

28 September 2013
Aston Villa v Manchester City
Everton v Newcastle United
Fulham v Cardiff City
Hull City v West Ham United
Manchester United v West Bromwich Albion
Southampton v Crystal Palace
Stoke City v Norwich City
Sunderland v Liverpool
Swansea City v Arsenal
Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea

5 October 2013
Cardiff City v Newcastle United
Fulham v Stoke City
Hull City v Aston Villa
Liverpool v Crystal Palace
Manchester City v Everton
Norwich City v Chelsea
Southampton v Swansea City
Sunderland v Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal

19 October 2013
Arsenal v Norwich City
Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur
Chelsea v Cardiff City
Crystal Palace v Fulham
Everton v Hull City
Manchester United v Southampton
Newcastle United v Liverpool
Stoke City v West Bromwich Albion
Swansea City v Sunderland
West Ham United v Manchester City

26 October 2013
Aston Villa v Everton
Chelsea v Manchester City
Crystal Palace v Arsenal
Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion
Manchester United v Stoke City
Norwich City v Cardiff City
Southampton v Fulham
Sunderland v Newcastle United
Swansea City v West Ham United
Tottenham Hotspur v Hull City

2 November 2013
Arsenal v Liverpool
Cardiff City v Swansea City
Everton v Tottenham Hotspur
Fulham v Manchester United
Hull City v Sunderland
Manchester City v Norwich City
Newcastle United v Chelsea
Stoke City v Southampton
West Bromwich Albion v Crystal Palace
West Ham United v Aston Villa

9 November 2013
Aston Villa v Cardiff City
Chelsea v West Bromwich Albion
Crystal Palace v Everton
Liverpool v Fulham
Manchester United v Arsenal
Norwich City v West Ham United
Southampton v Hull City
Sunderland v Manchester City
Swansea City v Stoke City
Tottenham Hotspur v Newcastle United

23 November 2013
Arsenal v Southampton
Cardiff City v Manchester United
Everton v Liverpool
Fulham v Swansea City
Hull City v Crystal Palace
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United v Norwich City
Stoke City v Sunderland
West Bromwich Albion v Aston Villa
West Ham United v Chelsea

30 November 2013
Aston Villa v Sunderland
Cardiff City v Arsenal
Chelsea v Southampton
Everton v Stoke City
Hull City v Liverpool
Manchester City v Swansea City
Newcastle United v West Bromwich Albion
Norwich City v Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United
West Ham United v Fulham

3 December 2013
Arsenal v Hull City, 7.45pm
Crystal Palace v West Ham United, 8pm
Liverpool v Norwich City, 8pm
Manchester United v Everton, 7.45pm
Southampton v Aston Villa, 7.45pm
Stoke City v Cardiff City, 7.45pm
Sunderland v Chelsea, 7.45pm
Swansea City v Newcastle United, 7.45pm
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester City, 8pm

4 December 2013
Fulham v Tottenham Hotspur, 8pm

7 December 2013
Arsenal v Everton
Crystal Palace v Cardiff City
Fulham v Aston Villa
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester United v Newcastle United
Southampton v Manchester City
Stoke City v Chelsea
Sunderland v Tottenham Hotspur
Swansea City v Hull City
West Bromwich Albion v Norwich City

14 December 2013
Aston Villa v Manchester United
Cardiff City v West Bromwich Albion
Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Everton v Fulham
Hull City v Stoke City
Manchester City v Arsenal
Newcastle United v Southampton
Norwich City v Swansea City
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool
West Ham United v Sunderland

21 December 2013
Arsenal v Chelsea
Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
Fulham v Manchester City
Liverpool v Cardiff City
Manchester United v West Ham United
Southampton v Tottenham Hotspur
Stoke City v Aston Villa
Sunderland v Norwich City
Swansea City v Everton
West Bromwich Albion v Hull City

26 December 2013
Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
Cardiff City v Southampton
Chelsea v Swansea City
Everton v Sunderland
Hull City v Manchester United
Manchester City v Liverpool
Newcastle United v Stoke City
Norwich City v Fulham
Tottenham Hotspur v West Bromwich Albion
West Ham United v Arsenal

28 December 2013
Aston Villa v Swansea City
Cardiff City v Sunderland
Chelsea v Liverpool
Everton v Southampton
Hull City v Fulham
Manchester City v Crystal Palace
Newcastle United v Arsenal
Norwich City v Manchester United
Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City
West Ham United v West Bromwich Albion

1 January 2014
Arsenal v Cardiff City
Crystal Palace v Norwich City
Fulham v West Ham United
Liverpool v Hull City
Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton v Chelsea
Stoke City v Everton
Sunderland v Aston Villa
Swansea City v Manchester City
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United

11 January 2014
Aston Villa v Arsenal
Cardiff City v West Ham United
Everton v Norwich City
Fulham v Sunderland
Hull City v Chelsea
Manchester United v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Manchester City
Southampton v West Bromwich Albion
Stoke City v Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace

18 January 2014
Arsenal v Fulham
Chelsea v Manchester United
Crystal Palace v Stoke City
Liverpool v Aston Villa
Manchester City v Cardiff City
Norwich City v Hull City
Sunderland v Southampton
Swansea City v Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion v Everton
West Ham United v Newcastle United

28 January 2014
Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion, 7.45pm
Crystal Palace v Hull City, 8pm
Liverpool v Everton, 8pm
Manchester United v Cardiff City, 7.45pm
Norwich City v Newcastle United, 7.45pm
Southampton v Arsenal, 7.45pm
Sunderland v Stoke City, 7.45pm
Swansea City v Fulham, 7.45pm

29 January 2014
Chelsea v West Ham United, 7.45pm
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, 7.45pm

1 February 2014
Arsenal v Crystal Palace
Cardiff City v Norwich City
Everton v Aston Villa
Fulham v Southampton
Hull City v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester City v Chelsea
Newcastle United v Sunderland
Stoke City v Manchester United
West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool
West Ham United v Swansea City

8 February 2014
Aston Villa v West Ham United
Chelsea v Newcastle United
Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion
Liverpool v Arsenal
Manchester United v Fulham
Norwich City v Manchester City
Southampton v Stoke City
Sunderland v Hull City
Swansea City v Cardiff City
Tottenham Hotspur v Everton

11 February 2014
Arsenal v Manchester United, 7.45pm
Cardiff City v Aston Villa, 7.45pm
Hull City v Southampton, 7.45pm
Stoke City v Swansea City, 7.45pm
West Bromwich Albion v Chelsea, 8pm
West Ham United v Norwich City, 7.45pm

12 February 2014
Everton v Crystal Palace, 7.45pm
Fulham v Liverpool, 8pm
Manchester City v Sunderland, 7.45pm
Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur, 7.45pm

22 February 2014
Arsenal v Sunderland
Cardiff City v Hull City
Chelsea v Everton
Crystal Palace v Manchester United
Liverpool v Swansea City
Manchester City v Stoke City
Newcastle United v Aston Villa
Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur
West Bromwich Albion v Fulham
West Ham United v Southampton

1 March 2014
Aston Villa v Norwich City
Everton v West Ham United
Fulham v Chelsea
Hull City v Newcastle United
Manchester United v Manchester City
Southampton v Liverpool
Stoke City v Arsenal
Sunderland v West Bromwich Albion
Swansea City v Crystal Palace
Tottenham Hotspur v Cardiff City

8 March 2014
Arsenal v Swansea City
Cardiff City v Fulham
Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Liverpool v Sunderland
Manchester City v Aston Villa
Newcastle United v Everton
Norwich City v Stoke City
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United
West Ham United v Hull City

15 March 2014
Aston Villa v Chelsea
Everton v Cardiff City
Fulham v Newcastle United
Hull City v Manchester City
Manchester United v Liverpool
Southampton v Norwich City
Stoke City v West Ham United
Sunderland v Crystal Palace
Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

22 March 2014
Aston Villa v Stoke City
Cardiff City v Liverpool
Chelsea v Arsenal
Everton v Swansea City
Hull City v West Bromwich Albion
Manchester City v Fulham
Newcastle United v Crystal Palace
Norwich City v Sunderland
Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton
West Ham United v Manchester United

29 March 2014
Arsenal v Manchester City
Crystal Palace v Chelsea
Fulham v Everton
Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester United v Aston Villa
Southampton v Newcastle United
Stoke City v Hull City
Sunderland v West Ham United
Swansea City v Norwich City
West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City

5 April 2014
Aston Villa v Fulham
Cardiff City v Crystal Palace
Chelsea v Stoke City
Everton v Arsenal
Hull City v Swansea City
Manchester City v Southampton
Newcastle United v Manchester United
Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland
West Ham United v Liverpool

12 April 2014
Arsenal v West Ham United
Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
Fulham v Norwich City
Liverpool v Manchester City
Manchester United v Hull City
Southampton v Cardiff City
Stoke City v Newcastle United
Sunderland v Everton
Swansea City v Chelsea
West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur

19 April 2014
Aston Villa v Southampton
Cardiff City v Stoke City
Chelsea v Sunderland
Everton v Manchester United
Hull City v Arsenal
Manchester City v West Bromwich Albion
Newcastle United v Swansea City
Norwich City v Liverpool
Tottenham Hotspur v Fulham
West Ham United v Crystal Palace

26 April 2014
Arsenal v Newcastle United
Crystal Palace v Manchester City
Fulham v Hull City
Liverpool v Chelsea
Manchester United v Norwich City
Southampton v Everton
Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur
Sunderland v Cardiff City
Swansea City v Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion v West Ham United

3 May 2014
Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
Aston Villa v Hull City
Chelsea v Norwich City
Crystal Palace v Liverpool
Everton v Manchester City
Manchester United v Sunderland
Newcastle United v Cardiff City
Stoke City v Fulham
Swansea City v Southampton
West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur

11 May 2014
Cardiff City v Chelsea
Fulham v Crystal Palace
Hull City v Everton
Liverpool v Newcastle United
Manchester City v West Ham United
Norwich City v Arsenal
Southampton v Manchester United
Sunderland v Swansea City
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
West Bromwich Albion v Stoke City

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/8782728/Premier-League-Football-League-and-Scottish-fixtures-released-for-2013-14

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Meninga booted from Brisbane bar

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Drama ... Mal Meninga at Queensland training. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

Maroons coach Mal Meninga was asked to leave a Brisbane bar by security in the early hours of Wednesday morning as the Queensland camp celebrated Billy Slater and Cameron Smith's 30th birthdays.

But Meninga insisted he was not intoxicated, saying he left with Maroons assistant coach Allan Langer and star pivot Johnathan Thurston after complying with a request from hotel management.

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Meninga was given a bottle of water on his way out.

The incident occurred around 1.10am on Wednesday morning at the Down Under Bar and Grill in Brisbane's CBD.

It is understood Meninga had consumed one beer at the pub when he stepped behind a service area asking to be served a drink.

Security intervened and ordered Meninga to leave the establishment for entering an area that was off-limits to patrons.

Thurston and Langer approached security asking if Meninga could remain, but their pleas fell on deaf ears and they departed the pub with the Maroons mentor.

The incident comes 24 hours after Meninga said he was "fed-up" with the litany of off-field scandals tarnishing the code's image, headlined by NSW winger Blake Ferguson's indecent-assault charge.

Meninga tried to explain the events that led to his departure from the pub.

"I stepped into the service area which is a breach of the rules," he said.

"They asked me to leave and 'Alf' (Langer) and 'JT' (Thurston) wanted to talk to the security people about what had happened.

"Rather than cause a scene, I said, 'It's OK boys, I'm happy to leave,' and they came with me.

"I want to make it clear I left the premises without incident."

The Queensland team entered camp on Tuesday afternoon for Origin II.

After completing team commitments, Maroons players and staff arrived at the Regatta Hotel in Toowong around 9.30pm to celebrate the birthdays of Slater and Smith.

A small contingent then kicked on at the Down Under Bar but no member of the Maroons was reported to have misbehaved.

Down Under Bar and Grill management were unavailable for comment.

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Williams can feel Lions 'arrogance'

Confident ... British and Irish Lions remain undefeated on tour ... so far. Source: Greg Wood / AFP

Veteran Welsh winger Shane Williams says British and Irish Lions players are so confident of beating the Wallabies in the Test series they're buzzing with "arrogance".

Williams, who was a shock call-up from Japan to play against the Brumbies tonight, needed only an hour of training yesterday to pick up on the bold attitude of his new teammates and coaches and their belief they can snap the Lions' 17-year Test series drought.

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"You can sense the hunger in the likes of Warren (Gatland), Rob (Howley) and certainly in the players this time around," Williams said.

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"They seem a lot more focussed, a bit more confident in each other's ability. Just running alongside them then, there's almost like an arrogance running off them of where they believe they can win this series.

"That's great to have, sometimes these tours are won mentally rather than physically and they're in a strong mental place at the moment, which is great to see."

Williams arrived in Sydney yesterday morning for his third Lions tour, after getting a call "completely out of the blue" from Howley around midnight on Saturday to see if he could fly in as an emergency re-inforcement due to injuries out wide.

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The 36-year-old thought he'd played his 13th and last game in a Lions jersey in the third Test of the 2009 series, but Williams jumped at the chance to play another game. If for no other reason than to help the Lions avenge their series loss to the Boks.

"2009 was the one that got away. We believed as a squad, we had a great tour ... and we believed we should have won that series," Williams said.

News_Rich_Media: The Lions and England cricketers fire up against Aussies

After playing a game for his Japanese club Mitusubishi, Williams said he was asleep in Narita - getting ready to fly to Australia as a radio pundit - when Howley's call came.

"I remember thinking it was surreal. I lay on my back most of the night thinking "did that really happen?"," he said.

"It took a good 10 hours for it to sink in really. I suppose it's still sinking in."

Though he retired from Test rugby in 2011 - scoring in the final seconds against Australia - Williams said he was still fit enough to wear the Lions jersey with distinction.

"If I wasn't ... I would have told Rob to stick it," he said.

Williams is scheduled for a very short third Lions tour, with the pint-sized winger set to part ways with the squad tomorrow as they head to Brisbane.

Asked if he felt there was a chance to play on during the tour, Williams said: "I doubt it. Really."

When it was pointed out Gatland hadn't ruled it out, Williams added: "Oh, hasn't he? Ok. Maybe."

"To be honest, I don't know what I'm thinking. It's been a crazy 24 hours," Williams continued.

"The flight has just come and gone and I am out here training with the Lions."

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Hodge cleared of Henderson bump

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Luke Hodge ... risking one-match ban by taking penalty to tribunal. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

Hawthorn captain Luke Hodge is free to play West Coast Eagles after being cleared by the AFL Tribunal over his hit on Carlton defender Lachie Henderson.

Hodge's gamble to contest the charge at the tribunal paid off with the three-man panel clearing the tough midfielder.

He was facing a one-match penalty if he had of been found guilty of rough conduct.

The minor grading of the offence, which was ruled negligent conduct of low impact, meant Hodge could have avoided suspension by pleading guilty and accepting a reprimand

Hodge was offered 93.75 penalty points with a guilty plea by the match review panel on Monday but Hawthorn decided to roll the dice, knowing the points could result in a bigger suspension come the finals.

It is further good news for Hodge and the Hawks after the captain was cleared of a high bump on Carlton counterpart Marc Murphy.

The hit left Murphy with a broken cheekbone and he had surgery to repair the injury on Monday.

Jarryd Roughead also escaped suspension at the MRP, cleared of an incident with Kade Simpson.

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Raiders will stand by Ferguson

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Blake Ferguson ... leaves the Crowne Plaza Hotel at Coogee under an assault charge cloud. Source: Robert Barker / News Limited

Canberra chairman John McIntyre says the club will stand by troubled NSW State of Origin winger Blake Ferguson and help with a rehabilitation plan.

Ferguson was dumped from the Blues team as the NRL suspended his registration on Monday night, citing repeated behavioural issues involving the abuse of alcohol.

The 23-year-old returned to Canberra from the NSW team hotel on Tuesday morning just as news was breaking that South Sydney prop George Burgess had been charged by police in Cairns with wilful damage.

Burgess was suspended for two matches by the NRL and slugged with a $10,000 fine after he threw a road sign through a car window in the Cairns suburb of Redlynch.

The incident took place some 15km away from the Souths team hotel, after an argument with resident of a unit complex in the early hours of Monday morning following the Rabbitohs' win over the Gold Coast in the North Queensland town.

Ferguson was charged by police with indecent assault over an alleged incident on Sunday at a bar in Sydney, where he was drinking with former Raiders teammate Josh Dugan.

The 23-year-old was on his final warning at the club after he was stood down for one game and fined $10,000 for skipping a recovery session to go drinking with Dugan, who was sacked over the incident in March.

Raiders chief executive Don Furner said on Tuesday the club backed the action taken by the NRL against Ferguson but a course of action is yet to be determined.

"We recognise this process is going to involve discussions with the NRL and also the need for the club to continue to send a strong message in this area," Furner said.

"We have been in constant consultation with the NRL integrity unit and will continue to work with them to determine the best course of action for Blake, the Raiders and the NRL."

However, long-standing chairman McIntyre then told the Canberra Times the board would definitely stand by and help Ferguson get through his problems.

"I sent my thoughts around to the board via email today and they've responded," he said.

"The key element that's got to come out of it in the end has got to be support for this young bloke."

Ferguson's replacement in the NSW side Nathan Merritt said he was disappointed to see him axed because of behavioural issues and hoped his indigenous all stars teammate would get the right help around him to get his career back on track.

"Hopefully Blake is being surrounded by the right people and they try to keep him calm," Merritt said.

"He needs to get his mind back on the job, get away for a while, freshen up and then see where he goes from there." 

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Storm can be beaten by size: Manu

Big talker ... Sika Manu thinks the Storm can be intimidated. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited

Penrith back-rower Sika Manu says former club Melbourne are most vulnerable against physically big teams, and urged his Panthers pack to make their size count in Sunday's NRL clash with the Storm.

In Manu, the Panthers have a man who spent six years in the Storm inner-sanctum and got very used to sitting in a winning dressing shed.

But when victory becomes a habit, the losses and the reasons for losing tend to become more obvious.

The Storm have struggled most against the Warriors and Canberra in recent seasons - including last week's streak-breaking loss to the Raiders - and it's no surprise those two teams boast among the biggest engine rooms in the competition.

Manu says he and fellow mountain-men monsters Tim Grant, Nigel Plum and Mose Masoe will take it to the hardened Storm pack.

"I reckon we can. I think we've got the bigger forward pack," Manu said.

"We can really challenge Melbourne in the middle this week.

"We have to use it to our advantage."

Manu doesn't want emotions getting in the way this week, but admits it's difficult to treat his first match against the Storm as just another game.

"It's weird. But the good thing is I know a bit more about them than some of the boys here so I'll be giving a few tips," he said.

The Panthers have won just two matches this season, but Manu has no regrets about making the move.

In fact the proud Tongan international believes his game has flourished as a result of moving out of his comfort zone and the Storm's regimented style.

"I feel I've got a bit more freedom here to be able to play football and show my skills instead of just taking up runs and tackling," Manu said.

"Ivan's (coach, Ivan Cleary) encouraging me to do that at the Panthers, and if that helps the team out I'm happy to do it."

The other factor in Penrith's favour is coach Cleary, who from his tenure at the Warriors, has a winning percentage as good as anyone against Craig Bellamy's heavyweights.

Cleary agrees with Manu that success against the Storm starts in the middle.

"Anyone who has had success against the Storm have been able to challenge them in the forwards, so that's absolutely necessary this week," he said.

"You've got to be at your best, that's the most important thing. They've been the benchmark for five or six years.

"You've got to get in a position where you can compete with them. If you can do that, then who knows."

The Panthers must regroup after missing out on another marquee signing, with Todd Carney agreeing to stay on with the Sharks for a further five years.

Penrith were also unsuccessful in luring Johnathan Thurston. 

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