Cloke fires Pies to victory

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Dominant ... Travis Cloke's seven goals were match-winning. Source: wayne ludbey / News Limited

On Friday, Travis Cloke put his dislocated finger back in its place. On Saturday, he put Richmond back in theirs with a stunning seven-goal haul to lift Collingwood past the Tigers by 34 points at the MCG.

The Magpies' 16.17 (113) to 11.13 (79) victory in front of more than 81,000 fans burst the Tigers' unbeaten bubble and showcased Collingwood's finals credentials on a day Richmond had desperately hoped to show their own.

3.3 (21)	Q1	1.4 (10)
6.5 (41)	Q2	5.8 (38)
8.6 (54)	Q3	13.12 (90)
11.13 (79)	Q4	16.17 (113)

Jack Riewoldt 3	Travis Cloke 7
Luke McGuane 2	Steele Sidebottom 4
Tyrone Vickery 2	Martin Clarke 1
Shane Edwards 1	Sam Dwyer 1
Bachar Houli 1	Jamie Elliott 1
Jake King 1	Harry O'Brien 1
Ivan Maric 1	Dane Swan 1

Cloke had suffered a finger injury at training on match eve.

But after two quarters of arm-wrestling, Cloke put Richmond in the tightest of half-nelsons in the third term.

He booted the opening three goals of the quarter, then soon after gave his side a 30-point buffer with a quality 50-metre goal from deep in the right forward pocket.

It was part of a run of eight unanswered goals to start the term - the Magpies upping their tackling pressure and forcing Richmond into error after error.

With Steele Sidebottom also prominent with two of his four goals in the term and midfielder Dane Swan brilliant, the Magpies battered Richmond to take a 36-point lead to the final change.

The Tigers didn't give in, battling back to give themselves a sniff with goals to Jack Riewoldt and Ivan Maric to open the final term.

But Collingwood gained breathing space with a Swan mark and goal soon afterwards, before Cloke iced the match with a set shot from the left boundary line.

In his 200th AFL game, Swan had 35 possessions - 13 coming in the final quarter.

Collingwood's effort was made all the more meritorious with five of their best 22 missing through injury.

Magpies defender Nathan Brown might add to that list, with a groin injury sustained in the final term and just a five-day turnaround until their next game - the Anzac Day clash with Essendon.

Riewoldt booted three goals for the Tigers, who also lost key defender Troy Chaplin when concussed by a teammate, and small forward Jake King to what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

The match represented a first in footy broadcasting with FOX FOOTY providing a Collingwood-only call by Eddie McGuire which was available by pressing the red button.

The match will be replayed at 10am Sunday with red button access to Eddie's commentary, or at midnight on Thursday (Wednesday night/Thursday morning) with Ed's stand-alone call for those who want to record it on Foxtel IQ.

Click here to view all of the stats and scores in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

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Sacred Falls spoils Pierro's party

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BMW Doncaster Day ... Pierro ridden by Nash Rawiller at Royal Randwick. Source: Adam Taylor / News Limited

Champion colt Pierro battled bravely under his crushing weight but was unable to hold off the Chris Waller-trained Sacred Falls when it mattered making for a thrilling end to this year's Doncaster.

Pierro met with tremendous support from punters in the lead-up to today's race and for a time it looked like he might reward his backers until Sacred Falls ridden by Tommy Berry forced his way through on the inside to nab the champion in the shadows of the post.

Today's triumph was a welcome change of luck for Sacred Falls, who was the victim of a checkered passage towards Doncaster glory as Waller explained.

"Nothing went right in his early preparation," he said.

"First-up he basically didn't handle the track. We scratched him second-up because of the track, so his second-up run was over a mile and he got shunted off the track which left up is no man land then third-up in a tough 2000m behind It's A Dundeel and I just then I had him where he needed to be so I just backed him off him and freshened him up."

Sacred Falls' win consolidates Waller's position as Sydney's No.1 trainer and delivered the quietly spoken Kiwi his third Doncaster in the past six years.

"It's racing at its finest you can't describe it, you can't prepare for it. It's an amazing feeling," a jubilant Waller said. 

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Dons stay top of the log with 37-point win

Old friends ... Brendon Goddard gets stuck into Nick Dal Santo. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

The embattled Bombers continue to triumph in the face of adversity, remaining perfect with a 37-point victory over St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.

From the moment Brendon Goddard soared to take a pack mark and goal in the opening minutes, you knew it was going to be Essendon's day.

3.2 (20)	Q1	6.2 (38)
5.6 (36)	Q2	10.7 (67)
9.9 (63)	Q3	15.8 (98)
13.13 (91)	Q4	19.14 (128)

Nick Riewoldt 3	Scott Gumbleton 4
Trent Dennis-Lane 2	Michael Hurley 3
Beau Maister 2	Tom Bellchambers 2
Ahmed Saad 2	Alwyn Davey 2
David Armitage 1	Brent Stanton 2
Sam Gilbert 1	Jobe Watson 2
Stephen Milne 1	Courtenay Dempsey 1
Jack Steven 1	Brendon Goddard 1
	Ben Howlett 1
	Jackson Merrett 1

Goddard finished with 23 disposals and a goal against his former side as the Bombers took care of business 19.12 (126) to 12.13 (85).

The former Saint was moved to tears in his post-match interview and said the lead-up to the clash had taken an emotional toll on him.

Jobe Watson was among the Bombers' best with 37 touches while Scott Gumbleton put his hand up for inclusion on Anzac Day with four goals.

Full report to come soon.

Click here to view all of the stats and scores in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

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Samoa, Tonga set for bruising Test

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Rivals ... Brent Kite and Roy Asotasi line up against each other on Saturday. Source:Supplied

The presence of several recent Australian and New Zealand internationals in the Samoan and Tongan teams is set to add even more firepower and spice to Saturday's rugby league Test between the two great island rivals.

The two teams meet at Penrith's Centrebet Stadium in a rare mid-year match that provides invaluable preparation for the World Cup in the United Kingdom and France in October and November.

Both the Samoan and Tongan teams for Saturday are made up almost entirely of NRL players, with a number having opted to play for the island nations after representing other countries.

After years of losing top players to Australia and New Zealand, they have finally turned the talent flow in their favour.

Tongan captain Brent Kite and Anthony Tupou have both represented Australia, while fellow forwards Sika Manu and Fuifui Moimoi previously wore New Zealand's colours.

"The game on the weekend is a good showpiece for the talents of the Tongan and Samoan players in the NRL and guys of Pacific heritage," Kite said.

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Watch the massive Test match between Tonga and Samoa LIVE on Fox Sports 1HD from 7.30pm (EST) Saturday!

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The Samoan team contains a cluster of ex-New Zealand representatives including forwards Roy Asotasi and Jeff Lima and backs Junior Sa'u, Kalifa Faifai Loa and Ben Roberts.

"This is very, very significant and it's very powerful the message the boys are sending out, just by making themselves eligible and putting their hand up to play for the team," said Nigel Vagana, himself a former Kiwi international and Samoan captain.

Samoa won their past two matches against Tonga, but Vagana rated the current Tongan outfit as one of the strongest assembled in a long time.

"I think somebody said to me they Googled it up the other day and it goes back a thousand years," Tongan coach Charles Tonga said of the rivalry.

"It's like State of Origin, Queensland-NSW, that sort of scale."

Vagana described the rivalry as fierce and respectful.

Kite, who last represented Tonga in 2000 and went on to play 14 Tests for Australia, was a popular choice among the players to lead the side against Samoa.

"I haven't had the chance to captain a lot, but I do see myself as a leader," Kite said.

"We've got a good squad there so I don't think they'll need too much directing."

The match will be broadcast live to Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and the Solomon Islands.

The main curtain-raiser will be the Under-20 State of Origin game between NSW and Queensland. 

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Knicks have no-one to fear

New York Knicks ... head coach Mike Woodson with power forward Kenyon Martin. Source: Wilfredo Lee / AAP

The experts say no team in the eastern conference has a chance of preventing Miami Heat returning to the NBA finals for a third straight time but that hasn't stopped the buzz around New York Knicks in the biggest city in North America.

There's plenty of belief among their coach and players too, after they nailed down the second seed in the East, thanks to a late-season 12-game winning streak.

Kenyon Martin, who only joined the team two months ago, says his fellow veteran teammates have what it takes to make a deep run in the post-season.

"I know what's in these guys' hearts," Martin said.  

"I think we know what we can be. We're not afraid of anybody, feel we can beat anybody. We know what we can go out and compete at a high level each and every time out, and that's what we're going to do."

At the start of the season the critics ridiculed the Knicks, suggesting they were wasting a season, forgoing a chance to re-sign Jeremy Lin, and bringing in players past their prime.

This list includes 38 year old Marcus Camby, 36 year old rookie Pablo Priggioni and Jason Kidd, who recently turned 40.

While the year hasn't all gone perfectly, they've managed to finish the season with 54 wins, the most the franchise have won since 1996-97.

Coach Mike Woodson – himself securing a questionable long-term contract before the season - told the media; "Having the veterans in I think put us in a position to win our division without a doubt, and secure the second seed, if I could do it again I do it the same way.

"They helped my coaching and brought a lot of excitement back to New York."

Martin, the fourth player in the over-35 brigade, says having savvy veterans is crucial in the playoffs.

"We got a guy like J-Kidd, having a guy like that around when things get tough, when the game's slow down, you need a guy that can think the game through. He does that for us," he said.

It wasn't just age that the Knicks were criticised for. 

Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith were often labelled selfish and immature, but this season they've become an incredible two-man scoring punch. 

Smith is the favourite to win the NBA's sixth man award and Anthony secured the league's scoring title.

"It's everybody else's opinion that he [Anthony] doesn't trust his teammates, of course if you can score like that you're going to believe in your ability," Martin said. 

"But he's making the right plays, making the right pass. It's just the media nitpicking with his game. Is it fair? No, but we understand it. That's what people have to do – or you guys wouldn't have jobs."

Woodson says Anthony's development has been fantastic: "He's learned to trust his teammates. 

"You go back to some of the great players – until they learned to trust those around them they didn't get very far in the play-offs, and win championships and stuff like that."

The Knicks come up against another veteran-laden team in the first round of the play-offs – in Boston Celtics – but as their seeding suggests they're expected to not only beat them, but advance to the eastern conference finals. 

That would likely pit them against their budding rivals – the Heat - who they've beaten three out of four times this season, so there's plenty of evidence to suggest the champions won't stroll their way to a second straight title.

"You don't get the second best record in the East if you're not taking it serious," Woodson said. 

The play-offs open with the Knicks v the Celtics on Sunday morning (EST).

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Demons doctor departs: report

Under Fire ... the Demons have been hit by yet another crisis. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Melbourne doctor Dan Bates is set to leave the club due to stunning revelations that the Demons have ties to controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank.

Eddie McGuire and the Herald Sun's Jon Ralph broke the story on Friday Night Footy after it emerged the controversial Dank was working with the Demons when the Essendon scandal broke.

The Melbourne Football Club is yet to confirm whether Bates has been sacked or whether he has resigned.

More to come...

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Sorry ladies, Adam Scott's not single

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Taken ... everything's looking up for Adam Scott. Source: Matt Slocum / AAP

Adam Scott is excited at the chance to win golf's grand slam, thinks Tiger Woods will break Jack Nicklaus's major record and is not single.

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Australia's new hero after capturing the green jacket at the Masters, Scott has talked on American morning television about his playoff win over Angel Cabrera and revealed he's in a relationship with Swede Marie Kozjar.

The pair dated on and off for years before Scott spent time with tennis star Ana Ivanovic and actress Kate Hudson. But he's told CBS This Morning the pair is very much back together.

When told that multiple women were commenting on his appearance, Scott said: "It's embarrassing but flattering. I'm not single at all. I am very much in a relationship and very happy for the moment."

Scott also talked about his victory and what it meant to him.

"I think I'm still trying to digest everything that happened, but it's incredibly satisfying for me as a golfer after really focusing my energies towards being a major champion," he said.

"Sunday morning I absolutely felt that I had the nerves going right from the time I woke up. But it was a great opportunity for me, especially after the Open Championship last year where I was so close but let it slip through my fingers.

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"This wasn't all on my shoulders but it was a great chance to go out and make up for that."

The 32-year-old admitted the support of an entire nation was hard not to think of, especially in the playoff.

"Maybe into the playoff. Yes I guess so because we have gone so long and I have answered the questions through my career on when is an Aussie going to win the Masters because it's never happened," Scott said.

"Ever since I saw Larry Mize chip in against Greg Norman in 1987, I was six, it broke my heart," he explained.

"There were four of us playing so well last week, the Australians. It could have been any one of us, I'm just so privileged that it was my time and it fell on my shoulders."

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When asked about being the only golfer with the chance to win the calendar grand slam, Scott's eyes widened and his smile grew large.

"That hasn't crossed my mind just yet, but what a great thought. I have to say that's an amazing thought," he said.

Scott also weighed in on Woods's chase of Nicklaus's record 18 majors.

Woods finished fourth at The Masters after some bad luck and an infamous penalty to continue to sit on 14 majors. But Scott thinks he'll get to the magic number.

"I absolutely believe he will," he said.

"He's just proven us all wrong so many times if we doubt him. He'll find a way to do it for sure."

As for Scott and his chase to history?

"My first, I'm on my way, I don't know if I can get 18 but I'd love to get another one some time."

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GF squads: Mooy, Polenz named

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Race against time ... Aaron Mooy is in the Wanderers' grand final squad. Source: Simon Chillingworth / News Limited

Aaron Mooy is still a hope of playing in the A-League grand final after being named in Western Sydney Wanderers' squad for the decider.

Mooy didn't play in last week's semi-final win over Brisbane Roar and is still in doubt for Sunday's clash with Central Coast Mariners as he continues to recover from a knee injury.

Fellow Wanderers star Jerome Polenz remains under an injury cloud, but has been named in the extended squad.

There are no such injury concerns for the Mariners, who have brought Anthony Cacerers back into the squad presumably as a potential replacement for the suspended Nick Montgomery.

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Our grand final countdown is on!

Here's what you'll see... 

1pm EST: Re-live one of Australian sport's greatest grand finals – the 2011 championship between Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners. 

2pm EST: Simon Hill and Mark Rudan take a look back at both team's journeys to the decider on the Road to the Grand Final.

3pm EST: A bumper one-hour LIVE Grand Final preview show live from Allianz Stadium when Rudan is joined by Adam Peacock, Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater.

The hosts will deliver all the breaking news and team movements plus cross to both coaches to hear their thoughts ahead of their greatest test.

4pm EST: Hill and Harper take over the reins to call all the action for Fox Sports' live and exclusive coverage of Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners.

BRING IT ON!

Hyundai A-League 2013 Grand Final
Western Sydney Wanderers v Central Coast Mariners, 4pm (EST) Sunday at Allianz Stadium

Western Sydney Wanderers squad: 1. Ante Covic (gk), 2. Shannon Cole, 4. Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 5. Michael Beauchamp, 6. Jerome Polenz, 7. Labinot Haliti, 8. Mateo Poljak, 9. Dino Kresinger, 10. Aaron Mooy, 11. Tarek Elrich, 13. Joey Gibbs, 14. Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, 15. Reece Caira, 16. Rocky Visconte, 19. Mark Bridge, 21. Shinji Ono, 23. Jason Trifiro, 24. Yianni Perkatis, 25. Josh Barresi, 30 Carlos Saliadarre (gk) *four to be omitted

Ins: 10. Aaron Mooy (returns from injury), 13. Joey Gibbs, 15. Reece Caira, 16. Rocky Visconte, 25. Josh Barresi (all promoted)

Outs: 17. Youssouf Hersi (suspended – 1 match)

Unavailable: 3. Adam D'Apuuzo (foot - season), 20. Jerrad Tyson (back - season), Tahj Minniecon (foot - season), 18. Iacopo La Rocca (suspended – 2 matches)

Central Coast Mariners squad: 1. Mathew Ryan (gk), 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Joshua Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Zachary Anderson, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 7. John Hutchinson (c), 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 9. Bernie Ibini, 11. Oliver Bozanic, 13. Brent Griffiths, 14. Michael McGlinchey, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 17. Anthony Caceres, 19. Mitchell Duke, 20. Justin Pasfield (gk), 21. Mile Sterjovski, 29. Nick Fitzgerald *three to be omitted

Ins: 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 13. Brent Griffiths, 15. Brad McDonald, 17. Anthony Caceres (all promoted)

Outs: 18. Nick Montgomery (suspended – 1 match)

Unavailable: 23. Adam Kwasnik (knee – season)

Referee: Peter Green

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Teams: All the ins and outs

Axed ... Bernie Vince has been dropped ahead of round four. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Check out all the ins and outs for round four of the AFL season.

Updated line-ups for Sunday's games will be announced on Friday afternoon, so check back in to get the latest teams before finalising your FOX FOOTY SuperCoach side.
 
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Sydney Swans v Geelong, SCG, Friday 7.50pm (EST)
 
Sydney Swans
In: Morton , Rampe
Out: Bird (omitted) , Everitt (omitted) 

Geelong
In: Rivers, Horlin-Smith
Out: Varcoe (Shoulder) , Murdoch (Omitted)  
 
Hawthorn v Fremantle, Aurora Stadium, Saturday 1.45pm (EST)
 
Hawthorn
In: Osborne
Out: Anderson (hamstring)
 
Fremantle
In: Neale
Out: Pavlich (Achilles)

Richmond v Collingwood, MCG, Saturday 2.10pm (EST)
 
Richmond
No changes 
 
Collingwood
In: Thomas, Seedsman
Out: Johnson (calf), Frost 

St Kilda v Essendon, Etihad Stadium, Saturday 4.40pm (EST)
 
St Kilda
In: Simpkin , Siposs
Out: Blake (omitted) , Newnes (jaw)
 
Essendon
In: Hille , Winderlich , Pears , Baguley , Merrett
Out: Ryder (Suspension) , Colyer (Omitted) , Kommer (Suspension) , Kavanagh (Omitted) , Fletcher (Groin) 

Gold Coast v Port Adelaide, Metricon Stadium, Saturday 7.40pm (EST)
 
Gold Coast
In: Murphy, Prestia
Out: Russell (omitted), Allen (omitted)

Port Adelaide
In: Cassisi , Gray
Out: Mitchell (Omitted) , Stewart (Knee)

West Coast v Carlton, Patersons Stadium, Saturday 5.40pm (AWST)
 
West Coast
In: E.Mackenzie , B.Dalziell
Out: M.Brown, A.Embley (foot)
 
Carlton
In: Warnock , Curnow , White
Out: Kreuzer (broken thumb) , Davies (hamstring) , Buckley (Omitted)

Melbourne v GWS Giants, MCG, Sunday 1.10pm (EST)
 
Melbourne
In: Spencer , Watts , Gawn
Out: Nil
 
GWS Giants
In: O'hAilpin, Palmer, Miles, Golds, Tomlinson, Townsend, Frost, Haynes
Out: Brogan (suspension), Hampton (Omitted), Hoskin-Elliott (Omitted), Smith (suspension), Patton (knee)

Adelaide v Western Bulldogs, AAMI Stadium, Sunday 2.50pm (ACST)
 
Adelaide
In: Lynch, McKernan, Kerridge, Laird, Lyons
Out: van Berlo (knee), Vince (Omitted)

Western Bulldogs
In: Boyd , Markovic , Cordy , Tutt , Howard , Stringer , Johannisen , Macrae
 Out: Murphy (calf), Higgins (foot), Wood (hamstring), Campbell, Dickson (ankle)

North Melbourne v Brisbane Lions, Etihad Stadium, Sunday 4.40pm (EST)
 
North Melbourne
In: LAnthony, LGreenwood , Sierakowski, MDaw, McKenzie
Out: Tarrant (Leg), Harper (Omitted)

Brisbane Lions
In: Harwood , Karnezis , Crisp , Paparone , Docherty
Out: Polec (foot) , Yeo (omitted)

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'I'm not turning my back on Wallabies'

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Flying to France ... Mitchell will link up with Matt Giteau at Toulon. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell says the time is right for him to move to French club Toulon and he hasn't yet thought about returning to Australia to make a late bid for 2015 Rugby World Cup selection.

Mitchell, 29, signed a two-year deal with Toulon where he will join former Force and Wallabies teammate Matt Giteau, one of several players he consulted before making the switch.

He wasn't sure when he would be released by the Australian Rugby Union, but thought it might be after the Rugby Championship in October, though his contract extends to December 31.

His contract with the star-studded French Top 14 leader and Heineken Cup semi-finalists will end around mid-2015, which could conceivably give him time to return to Australia and play some Super Rugby and mount a late bid for World Cup selection.

"As far as looking any further about World Cups, that hasn't even been a thought in my mind," Mitchell said.

He considered offers two years ago to join Toulon and also Stade Francais, who current NSW Waratahs coach Michael Cheika was leading at the time, but opted to stay with NSW.

"I felt the time wasn't right in that period of my life, whereas now I just feel it's the right time for me," Mitchell said.

"Its a great opportunity to experience a different culture, to challenge myself in a different environment."

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Tune into Rugby HQ from 8.30pm (EST) Thursday on Fox Sports 1HD for all your Super and Test rugby news!

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Mitchell made it clear his omission from this week's Wallabies logistics camp wasn't a factor in his decision and he harboured hopes of more Test appearances.

"This (moving to Toulon) has been in discussion for a little while now," Mitchell said.

"(Wallabies coach) Robbie (Deans) made it very clear to me the reasons as to why I was left out of the squad and by no means does that mean there's no way for me to work my way back into the squad in the next six weeks or so.

"I certainly don't want this to be seen as me turning my back on the Wallabies or the Waratahs because playing for Australia means everything to me and I've really enjoyed my time at the Waratahs.''

He said it had been a tough decision to leave, but his teammates had respected the reasons why when he addressed them on Wednesday.

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