Whitfield to put right foot forward

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Giants No.1 draft pick in 2012 Lachie Whitfield says the foot injury that sidelined him for five weeks was a bit of a mystery but after a month of hard work and week in the NEAFL he's fit and firing for Sunday's clash with the Eagles in Perth.

"I hurt it against St Kilda and thought it was all right but it swelled up like crazy," Whitfield said.

"It's been a really long five weeks actually, I didn't think I would be out that long.

It's no fun doing rehab when you would rather be playing. But the foot is really good."

Whitfield hurt the same foot four years ago and says he needs to be careful

"I hurt the same foot when I was 15 and it has come back to haunt me," Whitfield said.

"I've put some time into it in the last five weeks and it feels good. I've done a lot of work on the ultra-gravity machine and have done a lot of strengthening work on my ankle and calves."

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Whitfield had a stunning debut season finishing seventh in the Kevin Sheedy Medal playing 19 games and earning a Rising Star nomination. Earlier this year he extended his contract with the Giants until the end of 2016.

"I want to be around to see how far we can get and be part of the journey," Whitfield said.

"It's good to know I'm going to be part of the Giants for at least another couple of years."

Whitfield and the Giants have kept a close eye on their fellow expansion club the Gold Coast Suns (7-2) and hope they can mount a push for the finals next year as well.

"We're trying to learn off them," Whitfield said.

"The Suns are doing great things and it all started last year when they won a handful of games. They are kind of a benchmark for us so we always keep an eye on what they are doing.

"We think we should have won a few more games this year than what we have.

The indicators are looking better, we're scoring more than we did for the first seven games last year and we've got less points being scored against us. We're heading in the right direction.

The last time the Giants travelled west they were smashed by 113 points a rampant Fremantle Dockers in round 20.

The Eagles won't present as big a task for GWS who were very competitive against one of the form teams of the competition Port Adelaide going down by 35 points.

"As long as we bring energy and effort we can compete with the best teams in the competition," Whitfield said.

"West Coast at home is a big ask but hopefully we can play some good football."

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Suns can handle the heat: Bluey

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GOLD Coast coach Guy McKenna says the red-hot Suns can handle the hype.

The fifth-placed Suns have been the talk of the AFL since emphatically disposing of North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium last Sunday to claim their fifth win from seven outings this year.

The love-fest for the Suns has included predictions of a maiden finals berth, first place on the ladder at the halfway point of the season and a premiership in the next few years, proving they have arrived as a winning force in the competition.

McKenna said there was no chance of the Gold Coast taking the foot off the pedal with memories of regular thrashings in their first few seasons serving as motivation.

"The boys have had their fair share of copping it in the neck so when it comes time to handing it out, they'll be happy to do so,'' McKenna said.

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"We've still got to learn how to step on an opposition's throat when we get the chance but that will come in time.

"There's a lot of hype around us now being 5-2 but apart from last weekend, we have beaten teams we probably should have beaten anyway.

"In our two losses, we got whacked when last year's grand finalists opened us up badly so we are aware of where we are at.

"It's a 22-game season so as far as we are all concerned, we've completed one lap and there's two very hard laps to go.

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"The win over the Kangaroos gives us valuable things like confidence and belief but we are under no illusions about the challenge ahead.''

The Suns have the bye this week with a vast majority of players dispersing to their home states before they have to report back to training this Sunday.

Gold Coast have three winnable games after the bye against St Kilda (away), Western Bulldogs (home) and Adelaide (away) before a season-defining five-week stretch against Sydney (home), West Coast (away), Geelong (home), Hawthorn (away) and Collingwood (home).

The Suns also play cellar-dwellers Brisbane, the Bulldogs and St Kilda again.

Meanwhile, the Gold Coast are still consulting specialists over the best course of action to treat the knee injury suffered by ruckman Tom Nicholls last Sunday.

Nicholls has a PCL injury which could keep him sidelined for up to 12 weeks and the Suns are deciding whether or not he should have surgery.

Ruckman Zac Smith came off the long-term injury list yesterday and will play for the Suns reserves next weekend in his first game back from a knee reconstruction.

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Hurrell fined $5,000 over sex tape

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KONRAD Hurrell made a "bad decision". And it cost him $5000.

The NRL on Wednesday endorsed the fine after Hurrell and New Zealand television personality Teuila Blakely were involved in a sex tape scandal.

Hurrell was driving while filming himself. The video found its way straight onto social media.

The Warriors centre apologised on Wednesday after the Warriors concluded an investigation.

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SEX TAPE & SLURS: WHAT A WEEK FOR THE NRL

In a club statement, Hurrell said: "I am so sorry this has happened and want to apologise for the trouble I have caused.

"I've embarrassed the club, my teammates, the members and most of all my family. I made a bad decision but I will learn from this."

The NRL integrity unit closely monitored the drama.

The NRL said Hurrell's punishment was an internal matter for the Warriors. Source: Getty Images

"Konrad is full of remorse over what has happened," said Warriors CEO Wayne Scurrah.

"While the incident involved two consenting adults, his action in sharing the content with others was unacceptable and inappropriate.

"Every year since he has been with us, Konrad has attended social media seminars and workshops conducted by the NRL.

"He knows the expectations but in this case he made a poor choice."

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Scurrah said the incident has damaged the NRL and Warriors' brand.

"The NRL's integrity unit has been fully briefed on our findings and the penalty we are imposing," he said.

The $5000 fine will be donated to charity. Hurrell will also undergo counselling on the perils of social media.

The Warriors play Canberra at Eden Park on Saturday. Hurrell has been chosen to start at centre.

Konrad Hurrell and Teuila Blakely are "very close". Source: DailyTelegraph

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Rookie Miles on the rise at Tigers

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RICHMOND is considering elevating former GWS midfielder Anthony Miles next week as the Tigers run out of chances to turn around their season.

Miles is in contention for elevation for Richmond's contest against Melbourne after the bye after another prolific VFL game.

He won 37 touches against Geelong's VFL side on Sunday at Punt Road, with 24 contested touches and a dozen clearances.

And while the Tigers overlooked him to elevate Matt Thomas and Orren Stephenson in the pre-season, Jake King's toe injury has put the small forward on the long-term injury list.

It frees the path to elevate Miles, who has clearly been the club's best VFL player of the year.

Miles impressed not only with his clearance ability in the NAB Cup but also with his tidy disposal, with VFL coach Tim Clarke resigned to losing him to the seniors soon.

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He played ten games for GWS after being recruited as a zone selection but was delisted at the end of 2013.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick told On The Couch on Monday he believed the season was still alive despite the club's 2-5 record.

But ruckman Ivan Maric is still as many as three weeks away after ankle surgery.

"If there was a game at VFL level he would play (this weekend) so he's probably about 2-3 weeks away. He's an important player. Guys play well around him. You could see with the addition of (Alex) Rance and (Brett) Deledio how we played. We will have a bit of a mini-review and the players are off Thursday and Friday. We look forward to recharging the batteries but the season is still alive."

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Viney guilty, handed two-match ban

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MELBOURNE midfielder Jack Viney has been found guilty of rough conduct against Adelaide's Tom Lynch and suspended for two weeks.

More to come...

Richmond's Brett Deledio will front the AFL tribunal next to challenge his striking ban.

Deledio was also offered a week for striking Cat Mathew Stokes — who has accepted a one-match ban for a separate incident — during Sunday's clash at the MCG.

After Taylor Hunt kicked a goal early in the second quarter, Deledio was pushed into Stokes and appeared to make contact with an elbow around the neck.

The blow was assessed as deliberate high contact and low impact, drawing a two-match ban that is cut to one by Deledio's six-year clean record.

Mathew Stokes and Steve Morris tangle. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Stokes was offered one week for his left hook on Richmond defender Steven Morris.

The Geelong midfielder will now miss his team's Round 8 clash with Fremantle.

Meanwhile, Brisbane Lions forward Luke McGuane escaped suspension with an early plea for striking Sydney Swans defender Jeremy Laidler.

Docker David Mundy also accepted a reprimand for rough conduct on Scott Selwood in Sunday's western Derby.

North Melbourne goalsneak Lindsay Thomas was cleared of striking Gold Coast's Danny Stanley after being reported during the game.

Brett Deledio makes contact with Mathew Stokes. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

The MRP deemed the force used was below that required for a report.

In other weekend cases, Richmond's Matt McDonough was cleared of rough contact on Steve Johnson.

The panel ruled that both players were attempting to take possession of the ball and the actions of McDonough were not a bumping action.

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Staying put is a capital idea for pair

Christian Lealiifano and Matt Toomua have told the Rebels they intend to stay in Canberra. Source: News Limited

IN a major boost for the Brumbies ahead of their showdown with Jake White's Sharks, Wallabies stars Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano have turned down offers from Melbourne and will stay in Canberra.

Among other suitors, the ACT playmakers were chased hard by the Rebels — Toomua, in particular — but swayed by the mentorship of Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham, the classy pair have informed Melbourne they are staying put.

It is understood contracts are being finalised and official announcements for Toomua and Lealiifano will be made by the Brumbies in coming days.

The news will be a huge boost for Brumbies fans — and Larkham — as the Australian conference leaders prepare to face White and his table-topping Sharks on Saturday.

It will be something of a master-versus-apprentices battle, with Larkham and Laurie Fisher having both served as assistants to White in their run to the 2013 Super Rugby final.

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White is noted practitioner of pre-match mind games and though he hasn't yet served up any this week, you could imagine a wry grin from the South African on Tuesday after pupil Larkham lobbed a few at a training press conference.

Though foreshadowing a battle of wills and tactical kicking, Larkham said knowing "Jake's way" was to his advantage and the Brumbies had tricks up their sleeve to counter the inside knowledge of his former boss.

"He certainly knows how we play, but by the same token we know how they play as well," Larkham said.

"There are a few things, a few tactics that we are going to introduce to hopefully catch them,

"Jake was here for two years and I learned a lot from him. I also learned a lot from Laurie … and (trainer) Dean Benton as well when he was here. But I guess I know Jake's way, which probably gives me an advantage."

Stephen Larkham and Laurie Fisher have forged a new leadership combination at the Brumbies. Source: News Limited

White complimented Larkham as a "future Wallabies coach" last week but asked why he thought the former Boks coach hadn't tried to stir up his old club, Larkham suggested White would be "cautious" about distracting his team with a media circus.

"It is a difficult tour for those guys, any Australia-New Zealand tour for South African sides is very difficult, so I guess he wants to make sure it is a successful tour," he said.

"There are not many South African sides who have a successful tour, so he'd be cautious coming into this match, knowing it's not about him and it's not about the off-field. It's about what is delivered on the field, and I am sure his focus is on that at the moment."

On-field, it appears the Brumbies will go head-to-head with the Sharks in a brutal battle of field position, despite suggestion of new tactics.

Bismarck Du Plessis said in a report on Tuesday the two teams didn't play the same way but Larkham dissented.

Jake White has instilled a similar style at the Sharks to that which he brought in at the Brumbies. Source: Getty Images

"The gameplans are fairly similar. A lot of stuff that we did over the last two years, the Sharks are now doing," Larkham said.

"The Sharks are similar in the way we play, I guess, in that they don't give you many opportunities in their own half. They kick a lot of ball away, they use their forwards to get over the gainline and they take their penalties when they're available.

"They are top of the competition at the moment and are the best team in Super Rugby, so they're a bit more advanced than we were two years ago. They are playing some good football. It is a typical South African style of football that they're playing."

Larkham said the Brumbies had changed their style this season, however; and statistics show the new ACT strategy is to push for tries more often. Points from tries are up from 45 per cent last year to 56 per cent in 2013, and penalty goal points are down from 42 per cent to 28 per cent.

Strong contributions from Pat McCabe off the bench in recent weeks have increased pressure on Lealiifano to hold his spot at inside centre, but Larkham appears set to stick with he and Toomua in the midfield.

Pat McCabe's form off the bench is putting Lealiifano under pressure to hold his inside centre spot. Source: AAP

"We are not sure exactly the combinations for this weekend but we have some options there. Christian is playing some good football. He started a bit slowly coming off the bench but since he has been starting he is playing very well," Larkham said.

"And Patty hasn't put a foot wrong all year, so whether he's starting or coming off the bench he's adding good impact to the team."

Lealiifano said the pressure from McCabe was positive.

"That's a healthy thing for the team, and obviously having someone of that calibre sitting behind me, is keeping me on my toes to try and perform well and play consistently. If I don't, obviously he is going to take that spot, so yeah, it's good competition there," the Brumbies No.12 said.

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Sainsbury, Good suffer setbacks

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DEFENDER Trent Sainsbury's World Cup fate rests in the hands of the Socceroos' medical staff as he continues to battle after a freak knee injury.

And Dundee United stopper Curtis Good has suffered a setback in his return from a hip flexor strain, which has sidelined him since his Socceroos debut against Ecuador in March.

Sainsbury, 22, could return to Australia by the end of this week after Dutch-club PEC Zwolle granted him an early release as he aims for a last-ditch attempt to be fit for the World Cup, starting June 12.

The former Central Coast Mariner's deadline day sale to Dutch side PEC Zwolle got off to a dream start as he debuted within days of arriving at his new club in February.

But it soured when he landed on a sprinkler with just 15 minutes left of the 2-1 win away to Tommy Oar and Adam Sarota's FC Utrecht, fracturing his kneecap.

Uncapped by the Socceroos, Sainsbury was a shoo-in to be called up for the Ecuador friendly in March as part of Ange Postecoglou's regeneration and he still held out hope with an initial 2-3 week diagnosis.

That's stretched to three months and lingering pain has Sainsbury in doubt to be named in the 23-man squad and he admits being torn with surgery a potential option.

"It's not often a player fractures their kneecap landing on a sprinkler. They've ever seen anything like it,'' Sainsbury said.

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"It's hard to diagnose, it's playing on my mind a lot. It's difficult, I always hear about injured players struggling to get back and think it will be easy, but when you're in the situation you realise it's hard.''

Sainsbury has been told he may be able to play on, albeit with pain, but if it doesn't respond he may need surgery which would sideline him for 3-6 months, thus ruling him out of brazil.

"One morning I think, nah forget about it (the World Cup), I'll wait until next season starts,'' he said.

"Another day I get out of bed and think I can do it, I'll keep going and see what happens

"At the moment my gut feeling is that I'll go for it.

"I've got to get the final blessing from the coach here, but he's said its best to go home, get treatment and get the opinion of the Aussie docs before making up my mind up.''

Good, 21, is hoping to resume training this week after a relapse last week, with Dundee United due to play its final home game against Celtic next week before facing St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup final on May 17.

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But with Good desperate to be fit for Brazil, the Scottish club is locked is talks with his parent club Newcastle United about whether he will continue his loan deal or stay in England before joining the Socceroos for their World Cup preparations.

"It's not as bad as the original injury, it's a small setback and I'm confident of being involved in full-scale training within a week or so," Good said.

"Obviously it's not ideal, but that's what you've got to deal with.

"The plan is to be at physical peak and ready if selected. The hope is in the next few days I'll get the all-clear to begin training and get ready for games if and when selected.

"I'm hopeful, but I won't take any risks if I'm not 100 per cent.

"Cup finals don't come around all the time but neither does a national team call up. I can't comment on that (whether the Socceroos will give him the all-clear to play in the Cup final on May 18) now.''

Luke Devere (Gyeongnam), Alex Wilkinson (Jeonbuk) and Ryan McGowan (Shandong Luneng) are the other defenders who've been called up by Postecoglou in his two camps.

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Buddy big doubt over marquee Swan

Sydney star Lance Franklin is in doubt for Friday night's match against Hawthorn. Picture: Getty Source: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

THE Swans' Friday night blockbuster against reigning premiers Hawthorn is in danger of losing its star attraction, with Lance Franklin in serious doubt.

"Buddy" Franklin lining up against his former club was one of the most highly anticipated matches of the season but on Monday's evidence that may well not happen.

Sydney's $10 million dollar man walked gingerly into the club offices at the SCG with a compression bandage on his damaged right knee.

The Swans have some serious injury concerns, with leading ruckman Mike Pyke ruled out following a hamstring strain.

Franklin's absence would not only be another big blow to the Swans but would also hurt dwindling AFL crowds at ANZ Stadium.

The star forward would make the difference between a crowd closer to 40,000 than 30,000, which is still well down on the numbers which attended big AFL games at the Olympic Stadium a decade ago.

Coach John Longmire claimed he would not know until after training on Wednesday whether Franklin would be fit to play.

"It's still a few days to go yet and we're a bit uncertain whether he'll be okay or not," Longmire said.

Franklin walks out onto the field at training. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

"It's been improving, whether he improves enough by Wednesday, we'll have that discussion.

"We'd expect him to do some training if he was going to play, so he'd have to do some training on Wednesday."

In some good news for the Swans their other big money forward, Kurt Tippett, looks set to play his first game of the year.

Hawthorn has also lost key players for the match, with Sam Mitchell sidelined for eight weeks after sustaining a serious hamstring tendon injury and full back Brian Lake out for three to four weeks with a calf strain.

The loss of Lake will stretch Hawthorn's defence, with the Swans expected to boast three tall forwards even if Franklin is ruled out.

Tippett is expected to join Adam Goodes and Sam Reid on the forward line after the pair also returned from injury over the past fortnight.

Longmire refused to put on percentage of Franklin's chances of playing.

"I don't know yet, mainly because with the tendinitis, day-by-day it does change a bit," he said.

Franklin first hurt his knee against Adelaide in round three and was subbed out against Melbourne in the game before last after landing on it heavily again.

Longmire insisted this was merely a precaution and initially said he expected Franklin to play against Brisbane last Saturday night before ruling him out later in the week.

The loss of Pyke is a big blow for the Swans, with Hawthorn boasting experienced in form big men Ben McEvoy and David Hale with Jarryd Roughead for support.

This leaves the Swans with the inexperienced Tom Derickx as first-choice ruckman and pinch-hitter Lewis Roberts-Thomson like to return as support.

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Weekend Heroes: No Gazza, no worries

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett celebrates one of his last quarter goals. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: Colleen Petch / News Corp Australia

5: Tom Langdon (Collingwood): Given his poise and ball use, hard to believe he was totally ignored in a draft.

4: Dom Tyson (Melbourne): Combined typically big numbers with decisive moments.

Dom Tyson finds himself in an awkward situation. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: News Corp Australia

3: Shaun Burgoyne (Hawthorn): Like many others is playing career best football in his 30s.

2: Jared Polec (Port Adelaide): Shaping as the pick-up of the year given he cost them pick 34.

1: Steve Johnson (Geelong): His first quarter was the best I've seen this year.

Geelong star Steve Johnson in action. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Dermott Brereton

5: Jared Polec (Port Adelaide): We knew he had great foot skills but didn't know he had such speed and endurance

DO YOU AGREE WITH ANDO AND DERM? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW

4: Luke Breust (Hawthorn): Blow the whistle right now and he's All-Australian.

3: Dom Tyson (Melbourne): Vindicates Melbourne's decision along with Christian Salem.

Western Bulldogs midfielder Luke Dahlhaus marks against Essendon. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

2: Luke Dalhaus (Western Bulldogs): Loved his work and so did Essendon given they moved Heath Hocking onto him.

1: Lachie Neale (Fremantle): They got the medal right.

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LIVE: Demons upset Crows in a thriller

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MELBOURNE forward Chris Dawes kicked three goals in the Demons' thrilling victory at Adelaide Oval.

The Demons withstood a late Crows' rally to defeat the home side by three points in front of about 45,000 people.

Dawes was brilliant up forward, while midfielders Dom Tyson and Bernie Vince starred around the stoppages.

There was injuries aplenty in the contest with Jack Watts (back), James Frawley (ankle), Tom Lynch (jaw), Alexis Georgiou (concussion) and Matthew Jaensch (back) receiving treatment during the first half.

Earlier, Hawthorn produced its biggest ever win over St Kilda, brutally thumping the hapless Saints by 145 points in a wet weather clinic at the MCG.

Jarryd Roughead, Ryan Schoenmakers and Luke Breust all kicked four goals in the massacre, while the Hawks' defensive line gave tremendous rebound, led by Grant Birchall, Shaun Burgoyne, Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson.

However the Hawks have suffered injury blows to key players, with star midfielder Sam Mitchell (hamstring) and Norm Smith medallist Brian Lake (calf) both finishing on the interchange bench.

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In Canberra, Port Adelaide has recovered from a slow start to lead GWS by 39 points at quarter time.

Brendon Goddard returns to Essendon's line-up for the Bombers' clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium, while Sydney travels north — without Lance Franklin — to tackle the Brisbane Lions, who could be without champion forward Jonathon Brown due to general soreness.

SUPERCOACH FORMGUIDE: BUDDY MAYHEM

Hawthorn 27.13 (175) def St Kilda 4.6 (30) at MCG

GWS Giants v Port Adelaide at Startrack Oval (2.10pm)

Adelaide v Melbourne at Adelaide Oval (4.10pm)

Brisbane Lions v Sydney Swans at Gabba (7.40pm)

Essendon v Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium (7.40pm)

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