Stoner takes pole after crashing

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Remarkable ... Casey Stoner on his way to claimin pole position on Saturday after crashing. Source: Jake Nowakowski / News Limited

Casey Stoner proved he was human.

Then, perhaps that he's superhuman.

Stoner claimed pole position at the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix in extraordinary style on Saturday, clocking his best lap after being flipped off his bike at high speed.

Already carrying an ankle injury, the Australian dusted himself off, got on a new bike, then immediately clocked a flying sub-1min 30sec lap time to give himself the best possible shot at a sixth successive win at Phillip Island in Sunday's race.

He backed up that amazing effort with even quicker laps for the rest of the session.

His best of 1:29.623 put him on pole ahead of Yamaha's championship leader Jorge Lorenzo (1:30.140) and Stoner's Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa (1:30.525).

Another record attendance of more than 40,000 watched Stoner on Saturday in his home MotoGP farewell before he retires.

He started the day with more head-shakingly quick laps in morning practice, following on from dominating both practice sessions on Friday.

But after a fast early qualifying lap, all held their breath as Stoner was bucked off a bike which trailed desperately close to his injured leg as both slid off the circuit.

After limping away and visiting the pits to get some new wheels, Stoner then came out and did what no one else has yet been able to do at Phillip Island this weekend - break 1min 30sec.

He has now done it six times this weekend - auguring well for his shots at history and destiny on Sunday.

Stoner said he was thrilled to be on pole for his farewell Australian race, especially after his fall.

"I was on my 'out' lap on a hard tyre, and the thing just decided to flick me,'' Stoner said.

"I was very fortunate it didn't come down on my foot.

"I'm very happy to be on pole considering all that's happened for my home Grand Prix."

Lorenzo leads Pedrosa by 23 points in the championship going into the penultimate race of the season.

They are the only two riders who can win the MotoGP title.

Australian Kris McLaren, making his MotoGP debut as a late replacement rider for the Avintia team, failed to qualify inside the cutoff time for Sunday's race.

McLaren, from Leongatha in Victoria, had a fall just prior to Stoner's.

He improved markedly on his Friday practice times, but was still the slowest of the 20 riders.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ocean Park wins Cox Plate

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

By a whisker ... Glen Boss rode Ocean Park to victory at Moonee Valley. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

New Zealand star Ocean Park has produced a sweeping run from the back of the field to give glamour jockey Glen Boss a third Cox Plate triumph.

In a stirring finish, Ocean Park wore down the three-year-old All Too Hard to claim Australia's weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

"I feel like this is my finest moment .. this horse is just a winner," Boss said.

"To all those who doubted him, stick that up your shirt.

"He gave me a great ride and always felt like he was going to win throughout the run."

Settling in the second half of the pack, Ocean Park made a long, sustained run to put himself into the race at the 400m.

In search of a fourth successive Group One triumph, Ocean Park levelled up to All Too Hard at 100m before edging ahead.

"It's the epitome of every trainer's career," Ocean Park's trainer Gary Hennessy said.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Pierro finished third, just ahead of Ethiopia.

Modern-day great Makybe Diva gave Boss his breakthrough Cox Plate win and he partnered So You Think in the first of the horse's two victories in the race.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jeronimo fires Reds over Phoenix

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

At the double ... Jeronimo continued his impressive start in the A-League. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Adelaide United folk hero Cassio celebrated his 100th A-League game with a goal as the Reds downed Wellington Phoenix 3-1 on Saturday.

Argentine striker Jeronimo Neumann scored twice as Adelaide netted three goals in the final 40 minutes to deliver the Phoenix their first loss of the season.

The Phoenix finished with 10 men after Ben Sigmund was controversially sent off in the 77th minute.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Adelaide	4	3	0	1	4	9
2	Newcastle	4	3	0	1	1	9
3	Perth	3	2	0	1	2	6
4	Wellington	4	1	2	1	0	5
5	Brisbane	3	1	1	1	4	4
6	Central Coast	3	1	1	1	0	4
7	Heart	3	1	1	1	-1	4
8	Sydney	3	1	0	2	-2	3
9	Victory	4	1	0	3	-6	3
10	Western Sydney	3	0	1	2	-2	1

Wellington's Stein Huysegems scored the opening goal in the Hindmarsh Stadium fixture before the visitors were overwhelmed by Adelaide, who return to the top of the ladder with the win.

Jeronimo's brace was punctuated by fan favourite Cassio's 68th minute goal, which gave Adelaide a 2-1 lead.

Cassio, after a 20 metre run that sliced open Wellington's defence, flicked to Jeronimo, who fed the ball back to his teammate and the Brazilian promptly scored with a slick left-footer.

Replays suggested Jeronimo might have been offside when the ball was played to him, but the goal still stood.

Adelaide's comeback triumph came after Phoenix talisman Paul Ifill created Huysegems' strike with a crafty through ball in the 42nd minute.

As a flat-footed Adelaide defence stood hoping for an offside call, Ifill's insightful pass played the Belgian international into ample space.

---

Relive all the key moments from the game with our A-League Match Centre, featuring stats and video highlights.

---

Huysegems closed within 10 metres and powered a left-footer with such force it gave Reds goalkeeper Eugene Galevokic no chance.

Adelaide hit back just 10 minutes after halftime when Jeronimo scored.

After a scramble, Wellington's attempt to clear their defensive area rebounded into the path of the Argentine just 10m from goal.

While fortunate to find the ball at his feet, Jeronimo's finish was clinical - a left-footer which equalised against the flow of play.

Jeronimo repeated the dose in the 85th minute after being played into space by Adelaide's creative Dario Vidosic, his left-foot finish sealing the victory for the Reds.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Live shark found on golf course

Out of water ... The leopard shark is transported back to the sea after his day out on the golf course. Source: AP

Things don't always land where they're supposed to on a fairway, but the shark that mysteriously appeared near the 12th tee of a California golf club seems to have been the result of a birdie.

The 60cm leopard shark is thought to have been picked up by an osprey off the nearby Pacific coast and dropped as the bird flew over the San Juan Hills Golf Club south of Los Angeles.

"One of our on-duty marshals was making his rounds and noticed something wriggling in the grass on our number 12 tee,'' club employee Melissa McCormack said, recounting Monday's incident.

"After going over to investigate, he realised it was a small shark. He promptly placed it in the back of his golf cart and brought it to the clubhouse.''

They decided to rush it back to the ocean, 8km away.

"After placing it in the water, it was still for a moment before flipping around and swimming off.

"We believe it got to the golf course by way of osprey because there were puncture wounds with fresh blood under the dorsal fin,'' she added.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Burns backs Jamieson for Australia

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Change at the top? ... the regulars won't likely be back until the next World Cup qualifier in March. Source: WILLIAM WEST / News Limited

Debate has been raging for months over whether Holger Osieck has the right balance of youth and experience in his Socceroos squad.

The German has essentially stayed loyal to a veteran core of players during the current 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, with only a sprinkling of young talent getting a look in.

Who should be first choice young gun to get a Socceroos start?

Less than 12 months ago Osieck was scathing of the junior talent the country was producing, saying, "they have the talent but when you see them at times you don't really see the desire to be there."

Indeed, it was a sentiment echoed by former coach Pim Verbeek, who stoked the fires this week when he said the national team's future looked "grim" in the wake of a number of underwhelming performances at junior level.

But with a busy schedule coming up over the next few months, Osieck may have no choice but to see what Australia's young guns - and A-League talent, for that matter - has to offer.

Most, if not all, of Australia's regulars will not be required for a friendly against South Korea in November and the East Asia Games qualifiers against Hong Kong, Guam and North Korea and Chinese Taipei in December, so who will Osieck turn to?

Players like Mitch Langerak, Adam Sarota, Tommy Oar, Nikita Rukavytsya and Ryan McGowan have been ingrained into the Socceroos squad atmosphere, but for many others it will be a step into the unknown.

The A-League has been represented manfully by Archie Thompson and Mark Milligan in recent times, but players like Erik Paartalu, Aziz Behich and Tomas Rogic are sure to come under consideration.

One man who has been there before, Perth Glory captain Jacob Burns, fancied the chances of Rogic and Aaron Mooy.

"I've been very impressed with Aaron Mooy. For a young lad, he definitely shifts the ball well with both feet (and) seems to have that time on the ball and composure," Burns said on Kick Off.

"Tommy Rogic as well has been fantastic ... He's a big guy who can split the defence apart with his runs."

But it was the nomination of one of his club teammates that might cause a few raised eyebrows.

"I have to say, just throw him in there, Scott Jamieson. He's been in fine form," Burns said.

"Left back's always been one of them positions (under scrutiny) with the national team. He's still a young lad with 100 games under his belt.

Who do you think should be called up to the Socceroos squad? Join the debate and vote in our poll!

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

SA draw with Bulls in Shield

Collapse ... Queensland's Peter Forrest was one of several Bulls to fall in quick succession. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

South Australia's winless Sheffield Shield streak is extended to 19 matches with a draw against Queensland at Adelaide Oval on Friday.

The Bulls were set 222 runs to win from 47 overs but a mid-order slump caused them to abandon their chase.

Queensland finished 6-129, but collected first innings points.

SA's hopes soared for an unlikely victory when the Bulls lost 4-41 to slip to 5-101 in the 26th over.

Opener Alex Kemp (33), Usman Khawaja (26), Peter Forrest (16) and Ben Cutting (21) all fell in the quest for quick runs.

Joe Burns and Chris Hartley repelled the Redbacks, who haven't won a Shield game since November 2010.

Burns (16 not out) and Hartley (14) batted for 15 overs to ensure the draw.

Earlier, SA were bowled out for 225 in their second innings, Dan Christian top-scoring with 71.

But Christian was one of three needless run outs for the Redbacks.

Callum Ferguson, on 18, prodded to midwicket and foolishly set off for a single before being rightfully sent back by Christian.

Lyon (10) was run out in a mix up with Christian, who in turn was run out in a mishap with No.10 Daniel Worrall.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Tries not all important: Deans

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hung up ... Robbie Deans says exciting play is just as important as scoring tries. Source: Juan Mabromata / AFP

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says people are too hung up about his side's lack of tries, as Australia endures its leanest try-scoring season of the professional era.

Deans maintains last Saturday's tryless 18-18 Bledisloe Cup draw with the All Blacks in Brisbane was a good spectacle and contained plenty of passages of attractive rugby.

The Wallabies have scored just 12 tries in 11 Tests this year, an average of 1.09 a game, compared to the All Blacks' 33 tries in 10 Tests at an average of 3.3 a match.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Overall, Wallabies teams averaged 3.15 tries a Test since the game went professional in 1996 and the only other year they have scored less than two a match was also under Deans in 2009.

Deans was asked on Thursday if he'd like to see the Wallabies score more tries on the upcoming four-Test tour of Europe which begins against France in Paris on November 10.

"Obviously you like to score tries but ultimately you like to win,'' Deans said.

"I think people get hung up with tries being scored and not scored.

"What you want to see is expansive and ambitious play and there was ample of ... both of those elements last week.''

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen described the Brisbane Test as the ugliest game he'd been involved in but Deans disagrees the match was a shocker to watch.

"I don't think so. That was a great spectacle last week. If you look at it from a written word perspective there were six penalties a side, it was a great contest,'' Deans said.

"There was lots of movement, there was width in both teams' attacks.

"They deny you access to the tryline but the good thing was we were able to deny them access as well and that's the nature of international rugby now.

"The ante has gone up. Normally post World Cup it seems to abate a little bit but I think what you've seen this year is the intensity of games and the resistance in the defensive lines has been retained from the World Cup where you've got the ultimate incentive.

"It hasn't abated at all and teams are very loathe to let tries in ... it's getting harder (to score tries).''

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Webber backs Tendulkar for AM

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Well played, Mark ... Webber looks like a natural with a cricket bat. Source: Punit Paranjpe / AAP

Reeling in Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel will be a challenge.

But Mark Webber faced a much more daunting task on Thursday (AEDT) - appeasing India's press over the fallout from Sachin Tendulkar's Order of Australia nod.

Webber was at his aggressive best when asked about his prospects ahead of this weekend's Indian Grand Prix in New Delhi barely a fortnight after placing second in the last round in Korea, his first podium finish since July.

The Australian driver is fifth in the standings (152 points) behind two-time defending champion Vettel (215) with four rounds left.

But he quickly launched a charm offensive when Indian reporters demanded answers following the luke-warm reaction in Australia to Prime Minister Julia Gillard adding "AM" after Tendulkar's name.

"If we can give it to (West Indies' Brian) Lara then Tendulkar certainly deserves it," Webber said at a press conference attended by Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir.

"Sachin Tendulkar has just been an incredible cricketer and one of the most amazing sportspersons the world has seen.

"Australians have utmost respect for him.

"The government, the people, everyone respects him.

"He has set a very high benchmark for every other Indian cricketer and every young player looks up to him."

Webber won't be so charitable at the Buddh International Circuit this weekend.

Clutch problems all but ensured pole-sitter Webber was relegated to second at the recent Korean Grand Prix at Yeongam - but the Australian vowed to not die wondering at New Delhi.

Driver		Team	Pts
1	Sebastian Vettel (GER)	Red Bull	215
2	Fernando Alonso (ESP)	Ferrari	209
3	Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)	Lotus	167
4	Lewis Hamilton (GBR)	McLaren	153
5	Mark Webber (AUS)	Red Bull	152
6	Jenson Button (GBR)	McLaren	131
7	Nico Rosberg (GER)	Mercedes	93
8	Romain Grosjean (FRA)	Lotus	88
9	Felipe Massa (BRA)	Ferrari	81
10	Sergio Perez (MEX)	Sauber	66
11	Kamui Kobayashi (JPN)	Sauber	50
12	Nico Hulkenburg (GER)	Force India	45
13	Paul di Resta (GBR)	Force India	44
14	Michael Schumacher (GER)	Mercedes	43
15	Pastor Maldonado (VEN)	Williams	33
16	Bruno Senna (BRA)	Williams	25
17	Jean Eric Vergne (FRA)	Toro Rosso	12
18	Daniel Ricciardo (AUS)	Toro Rosso	9
19	Timo Glock (GER)	Marussia F1	0
20	Heikki Kovalainen (FIN)	Carterham	0
21	Vitaly Petrov (RUS)	Carterham	0
22	Jerome d'Ambrosio (BEL)	Lotus	0
23	Charles Pic (FRA)	Marussia F1	0
24	Narain Karthikeyan (IND)	HRT F1	0
25	Pedro de la Rosa (ESP)	HRT F1	0

Especially after Red Bull boss Christian Horner ruled out imposing team orders forcing Webber to support Vettel's championship bid.

"I would love to win races and improve my position on the championship table as much as possible," said Webber, who is only a mathematical chance of claiming a maiden championship.

"Our goal is to challenge for victories and we are capable of doing that.

"We are off the back of a very strong performance as a team but we don't rest at all.

"We are prepared to push ourselves to the limits starting from Friday to get the right result come Sunday."

Vettel is in the box seat to clinch championship No.3 after leapfrogging Ferrari's Fernando Alonso (209pts) to top the drivers' standings following wins in his last three races.

The championship looks like a two-vehicle race with Alonso after McLaren threats Lewis Hamilton (10th) and Jenson Button (DNF) had shockers at Yeongam.

Webber curiously talked up Alonso's title chances on Thursday.

"I think Alonso has a good chance of winning the title," he said.

"With four races to go both Sebastian and Alonso have many points left to bag - it is still very open.

"Anything can happen.

"We could have a wet race in (the season finale in) Brazil. It's not over 'til it is over."

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bulls snare first innings points

Damage ... Queensland paceman Ben Cutting did his damage with the bat against South Australia. Source: Tim Marsden / News Limited

South Australian opener Phil Hughes failed again after Queenslander Ben Cutting's brutal batting delivered the Bulls first innings points in the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide.

The Redbacks were 3-90 in their second innings at stumps on Thursday's third day, an 86-run lead over the Bulls.

SHEF - Adelaide Oval

23 October 2012 - Day 3, Session 3

South Australia 2nd Innings

C. Ferguson	9	17	1	0	52.94
T. Head	0	4	0	0	0

Test hopeful Hughes was out for eight - the same score he made in the first innings.

SA were earlier denied their first Shield points in more than a year by Cutting's assault with the bat.

Queensland had slipped to 8-339 in reply to the Redbacks' first innings of 9(dec)-402.

But Cutting then smacked four sixes and four boundaries in a whirlwind 62 from 48 balls which pulled the visitors past SA's first innings total, with Queensland declaring at 9-406.

"That is just my game - if it comes off, it comes off,'' said Cutting, who plundered 109 from only 78 balls against SA in the season-opening Shield game in Brisbane.

"I tend to get out if I play straight and try and be a batsman.''

Cutting's late flurry followed centuries by Bulls opener Wade Townsend (129) and Joe Burns (116).

Townsend and Burns put on 189 runs for the fourth wicket, a partnership broken by Redbacks allrounder Dan Christian, who finished with 4-81.

Test offspinner Nathan Lyon struggled in taking 2-131 from 24 overs while paceman Peter George also claimed two wickets.

SA's second innings began badly when Hughes fell to Bulls captain James Hopes.

Hughes was dismissed in a fashion similar to his problems last summer which led to his Test axing - shuffling back, the lefthander nicked a ball which left him off the seam to first slip.

Bulls spinner Nathan Hauritz (2-13) then claimed two late wickets, Sam Miller (33) and Michael Klinger (40) to give the Queenslander's momentum into Friday's final day.

Cutting said the batting performance gave the team a lot of confidence when they took the field.

"It will be very interesting to see how they set the game up for us, considering how they batted for the first hour or so - they took their time a little bit and weren't as proactive as we were with the bat,'' Cutting said.

"Whether that pays off for them is another thing.

"I think they are going to be pretty nervous going into tomorrow, particularly losing a couple of late wickets to spin.

"It's pretty good signs for us.''

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More

36 red cards in football brawl

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Send off ... An amazing 36 players were red carded in a game in Paraguay. Source: Graham Stuart / AFP

Referees in a junior Paraguayan game have been forced to red card every player on both teams after a all-in brawl broke out.

The referees fled the field after both benches emptied and became involved in the fight.

The incident began in the final five minutes of the game when players ignored the red carding of two initial players and kept fighting with flying kicks and punches being thrown.

It isn't the first time 36 red cards have been handed out.

Every player was sent out in a match in Argentina between rivals Claypole and Victoriano Arenas, while the previous world record was 20 from another Paraguayan match played in 1993.

16.41 | 0 komentar | Read More