Flores breaks Melbourne's Heart

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MELBOURNE Heart surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 against A-League champions Central Coast Mariners.

A David Williams brace was cancelled out by two goals from former Melbourne Victory marquee Marcos Flores, both penalties in front of 8734 at AAMI Park.

It wasn't the first time Heart threw away a lead but they could certainly count themselves unlucky with referee Ben Williams awarding a soft spot kick that allowed the Mariners back into the contest.

An uneventful final first half preceded a chaotic second where four goals, two penalties and several yellow cards were dished out as tensions grew.

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Re-live the four-goal thriller with our A-League Match Centre, featuring video highlights and key statistics.

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Heart's pace up front allowed them to start conservatively and pick their moments to attack, hitting the Mariners in a six-minute second half blitz.

Mariners keeper Justin Pasfield fumbled Mebrahtu's long-range strike and Williams pounced first before rounding the Mariners keeper and tapping it into the empty net in the 54th minute.

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

Six minutes later he was the beneficiary of sharp passage when Mebrahtu released Iain Ramsay who drew Pasfield before centering for Williams, who was playing in Harry Kewell's No.10 position, to again tap in.

Mebrahtu had a chance to wrap the game up in the 69th when his pace and strength held off Trent Sainsbury after Aziz Behich looped a ball over the top but Pasfield redeemed himself for his earlier gaffe.

Two minutes later the momentum swung the Mariners' away as Williams pointed a spot after Patrick Kisnorbo had his hand on sub Matt Simon's shoulder. Redmayne picked the right way but couldn't stop Flores' spot kick.

And moments later Williams awarded the Mariners another penalty after the ball struck the hand of Patrick Gerhardt, who had come on two minutes earlier, with Flores again stepping up and this time sending Redmayne the wrong way.

The Mariners were well below par and it appears it will take time to adjust having lost Bernie Ibini, Mat Ryan, Oliver Bozanic and Patrick Zwaanswijk while Daniel McBreen's loan deal with Chinese side Shanghai SPIG ends on October 30.

There were positives for Heart, who didn't concede many chances from open play with Dutchman Rob Wielaert again marshaling the defence well and will no doubt be a greater threat once Kewell and Michael Mifsud return.
Heart raced out of the blocks and created the opening few chances of the game. Williams had a goal-bound shot blocked by Trent Sainsbury after six minutes as did Mate Dugandzic moments later.

Mariners striker Mitchell Duke's 20m strike caused Redmayne issues and Sainsbury's header from the resulting corner struck the bar.

Heart dropped all 11 players back for defensive set pieces but the Mariners' well-rehearsed moves still caused them issues, with Sainsbury usually on the end of Mile Sterjovski or Flores supplies.

Heart's best chances came down the flanks and Iain Ramsay, who replaced injured Kewell, got goalside of Mariners right-back Storm Roux but twice found the side-netting.

Otherwise it was a steady albeit conservative performance from Heart, with even Aziz Behich not venturing as far forward as he usually does.

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Tyres may force MotoGP race cut

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RACE officials will consider shortening Sunday's Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix due to safety concerns relating to the new re-layed surface.

Tyre issues have been a headache for officials at Phillip Island this weekend with the Grand Prix Commission considering its options.

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Alternatives  are being considered, which include shortening the race to 14 laps.

They still may run the race at the full 27-lap distance but with the provision of a compulsory pitstop.

The other alternative is to run two separate races.

A decision has already been made to halve the Moto2 Grand Prix.

World championship leader Marc Marquez knows what format he would like.

"I would prefer one race with 14 laps," he said. "I think that is best option.

"But if not I would like flag to flag because there is no need to make two races."

Tyre blistering has been an issue for many of the riders, including Marquez who has come off twice already this weekend.

"It has been quite strange," Marquez said.

Opinion was divided over what the best format would be for the race.

Valentino Rossi summed it up when he said the riders would adjust to whatever decision is made.

"It's not our decision so we just have to see what the outcome is," he said. "This track is very particular with the surface.

"The tyres just become too hot."

Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo sets the fastest lap time during Friday practice. Source: News Limited

Meanwhile, Casey Stoner was back at Phillip Island yesterday after being made an MotoGP Legend at just 28.

His retirement gave Marquez an opportunity at Honda and he said he was impressed with the rising star's debut year.

But he also urged the young gun keep his ego in check.

"I think Marc has done a fantastic job this year without a doubt," he said.

"We've seen him come up through the ranks get quicker and quicker, and grow a lot of maturity in a lot of ways.

"But I still think he could do things maybe off track a little bit nicer and be slightly more respectful with some of the things that have happened on track.

"Okay, they are racing incidents, but in his own words I think he could be slighly more respecful of what's happened and what's caused them."

Aussies Bryan Staring (21st) and Damian Cudlin (23rd) will start way back on the grid.

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Get out of Brisbane: Lethal

Leigh Matthews has a message for Simon Black. Source: DAN PELED / AAP

LEIGH Matthews says if Simon Black is serious about pursuing an AFL coaching career, he must one day leave the Gabba.

Black is expected to accept Brisbane's offer of an assistant coaching role after announcing his retirement on Friday in an emotionally-charged press conference.

However, his mentor and four-time premiership coach Matthews says Black will need to spread his wings eventually if he is determined to make his mark as a coach after a glittering 16-year playing career.

HIS GREATNESS WAS BLACK AND WHITE

Gold Coast, Sydney and West Coast lead a host of clubs that are also chasing Black.

"From a Lions point of view, it would be wonderful to have him stay because you cannot get enough character into your operations. If you can't have Blacky on the field, the next best thing is to have him helping as part of your coaching set-up," Matthews told News Limited.

"I think he is leaning that way but there is an element that you eventually grow up and leave home.

"Some people spend their whole lives at one footy club but you don't live with your mum and dad forever. Every kid grows up and leaves home.

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"The senior coach (Justin Leppitsch) is a fair example of that. Leppa had a few years at the Lions on the coaching staff after he retired then decided to go out to another club (Richmond) and now he's come back to the Lions.

"It's up to Simon to make that decision about the next phase of his life."

The AFL icon said Black made the right call to pull the pin on his playing days. Black spoke to Matthews last week as he wrestled with his future and canvassed the opinions of those closest to him.

"Absolutely he did the right thing. His last couple of years, his body has told him it's time," Matthews said.

"He's 34, not 24. It's pretty clear that his body has been breaking down on him.

Brisbane Lions premiership heroes (from left) Jonathan Brown, Michael Voss, Ash McGrath, Simon Black, Leigh Matthews and Jamie Charman. Picture: Peter Wallis Source: CourierMail

"It's hard to accept but that was the reality."

Matthews said it was only a matter of time before Black was elevated into the AFL's Hall of Fame.

He said Black's Norm Smith medal-winning performance in the 2003 grand final — when he tallied a record 39 disposals — spoke volumes about the midfield marvel.

"He's going to be a Hall of Famer. The Hall of Fame means you've got to be elite," Matthews said.

"One would have to think Simon is going to get in there in due course as only the very best of the best become Hall of Fame players.

"I've never seen him play a better game than that 2003 grand final. To be able to perform like that under the incredible pressure that comes with a grand final was amazing. He was at his absolute peak on the biggest stage, that's a fair credit.

"He was just a wonderful footballer and he remains a wonderful human being."
 

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Johnson's Kokoda fundraiser

Steve Johnson will raise money for charity. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

GEELONG champion Steve will set out on Saturday on an eight-day trek on the Kokoda Track to raise money for charity.

Fresh from a holiday in Indonesia, Johnson is part of a tour group that will complete the trek to raise money for Kids Plus, a charity that provides early intervention therapy for children born with cerebral palsy and other similar physical disabilities.

Johnson Tweeted that he would be out of contact until the end of the month: "No phone, no social media, no newspapers & unfortunately no races!''

He undertook the trek in 2010 with premiership teammate James Kelly, with Johnson later suggesting it was one of the reasons for his excellent form in 2011.

"Kel and I both say it's one of the best things we've ever done,'' Johnson told the Herald Sun in 2011. "The story to it is obviously one aspect of it and you learn a lot going on that trip, but physically if you wanted to lose three or four kilos of fat and put on two or three kilos of muscle, that's the place to go.''

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Pies, Giants refuse to budge

Heath Shaw's trade is causing problems. Source: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

COLLINGWOOD and Greater Western Sydney are at a stand-off over the trade value of premiership half-back flanker Heath Shaw.

The Pies are pushing for a straight swap of Shaw with young GWS midfielder Taylor Adams but the Giants are demanding an exchange of picks also be involved.

Hawks anger at Buddy pick PLUS see the revised draft order

Shaw, who is still contracted to the Pies for two years, declared on Monday that he had chosen GWS and a five-year $3.5 million deal over Geelong as his preferred destination.

But after in-depth discussions, the two clubs are still a long way off a deal.

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The Giants are saying that Collingwood have pushed Shaw out the door so they don't have the high ground in the deal.

Plus there are plenty of other clubs keen for Adams' services with the Giants happy to explore better trade options.

They include Geelong, Carlton and Essendon.

Given Shaw's contracted status the only way he can become a Giant is through an agreed trade between the two clubs.

The Pies are in a bind as they have plans for their other picks later in the draft as they look to acquire Sydney's Jessie White and Tony Armstrong plus Brisbane's Patrick Karnezis.

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Adams, 20, who was the No.13 selection in the 2011 National Draft, has played 31 games in two years at the Giants.

The Giants want to switch their pick 19 for Collingwood's 11 to sweeten the deal but the Pies are looking at a number of different scenarios before next Friday's trade deadline, including snaring the No.6 draft pick.

Amid a range of complex scenarios, the Pies have discussed exchanging their picks 11 and 27 for West Coast's sixth selection. The Eagles would then on-trade 27 to the Brisbane Lions for Elliott Yeo.

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Dal Santo a Roo, Vince a Dee

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ST KILDA says it has no plans to trade any more of its champions after letting Nick Dal Santo go to North Melbourne as a free agent today.

Melbourne was the biggest player in a hectic day, adding Adelaide midfielder Bernie Vince in a late move.

Immediately after compensation picks were announced for clubs that lost players to free agency, Melbourne sent its Colin Sylvia compo selection to the Crows.

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Vince, 28, has signed a three-year deal with the Demons.

The Demons earlier gave away their second pick in the draft for young GWS midfileder Dom Tyson as part of a deal that involved a complicated exchange of draft picks.

The moves leave the Demons with Vince, Tyson and picks 9, 40 and 57.

RELIVE OUR TRADE CHAT BELOW

The Crows, kicked out of the first two rounds of the draft over last summer's Kurt Tippett affair, now have selection 23 as well as free agents Eddie Betts and James Podsiadly.

Paperwork for Dal Santo's move was lodged with the AFL this morning and the move was confirmed when St Kilda declined the option of matching North Melbourne's three-year offer.

It is the latest move on a big day of trading, with Paul Chapman becoming an Essendon player and Podsiadly joining the Crows.

The move of Swans ruckman Shane Mumford to GWS has also been confirmed, with the Giants sending their third-round draft pick (currently 35) to Sydney.

CHAPMAN CHOOSES BOMBERS

PODSIADLY TO PLAY FOR CROWS

DEES TRADE PICK TWO FOR TYSON

DEPARTMENT OF TRADES

St Kilda knows the decision to let the 260-game veteran leave will upset supporters, but insists it is making the hard decisions necessary for long-term success.

And the club says no more Saints are on the table in what has been a difficult post-season for the club.

After farewelling veterans Justin Koschitzke, Jason Blake and Stephen Milne in the final home-and-away game, St Kilda opened the trade period by sending Ben McEvoy to Hawthorn and has fielded speculation about the future of Dal Santo, skipper Nick Riewoldt and star midfielder Leigh Montagna.

Last year St Kilda lost Brendon Goddard to Essendon as a free agent, three years after former captain Luke Ball left the club in bitter circumstances.

Saints list manager Ameet Bains said today Riewoldt and Montagna were not going anywhere - and nor were any more senior St Kilda players.

"As it stands there are no approaches to any other player," he said on Trade Week radio.

Bains said the club's focus would turn to getting defenders Luke Delaney (North Melbourne) and Josh Bruce (GWS) to Seaford - apparently ruling out a role for Sam Fisher in the Bruce deal.

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Hoffman 'not right' for fullback

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HE may be World Cup defending champion New Zealand's first choice fullback, but Josh Hoffman "is not the right guy" to wear the Broncos No.1 jersey, Brisbane teammate Justin Hodges says.

Hoffman has been named fullback for the Kiwis' warm-up clash with the Cook Islands in England this weekend and is considered a key to their title defence.

However, a question mark looms over Hoffman's place in the Broncos backline next year after the signings of Dally M Medallist Ben Barba, Canberra's Daniel Vidot and Cronulla's Stewart Mills.

Hoffman was a shining light at fullback in the final seven NRL rounds in an otherwise dismal season for Brisbane.

But Hodges said the Kiwi speedster must work on his passing game if he is to become a world class No.1.

"Hoffy is a great player, but at the moment I don't think he is the right guy for fullback," he said.

"He's one of the best runners I have seen with the football, but he just has to work on his passing game. That's where I think he falls down.

"You look at guys like Greggy (Inglis) and Billy (Slater), all the great fullbacks we have in our game, they have those real fast hands.

"And Hoffy just hasn't learned that yet."

Hoffman was reportedly upset when told of Barba's three-year deal in August and contemplated a release from his contract, which expires at the end of 2015, before backing down.

However, Hodges - battling back from an Achilles injury - believed being kept honest by Barba would only benefit Hoffman's game.

"I think Barba's arrival will be good for him,'' he said.

"It will be good competition.

"It (picking fullback) will be a real tough choice for Hook (Broncos coach Anthony Griffin).

"But it will be good for the Broncos having those two guys firing.''

However, Hodges said Griffin may already possess the blueprint to best utilise Hoffman after Barba's arrival.

Hodges and Hoffman successfully rotated between right centre and fullback this season before serious injury again struck down the Broncos veteran.

The recovering Hodges believed swapping first choice fullback Barba with Hoffman on either the wing or centres would prove a masterstroke for Brisbane.

"Maybe that same role Hoffy and I played towards the end of the year, swapping over, I think they can still do that,'' Hodges said.

"There's no word that Hoff has to stay on the wing forever.

"Him and Benny swapping all the time will put the defence in two minds.''

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Warner stars, but Blues fall to Bulls

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Test opener David Warner kept the wolves from the door with a timely century, but it couldn't stop Queensland Bulls from cruising to a five-wicket victory in the domestic one-day clash at North Sydney Oval on Thursday.

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Warner blasted a dynamic 139 from 126 balls, but NSW suffered an embarrassing collapse around him.
They lost their last seven wickets for 39 runs and 6-30 after Warner spooned one to long on, to be all out for a below par 253.

The capitulation gifted Queensland a comfortable run chase, which they achieved with six overs remaining.

Usman Khawaja (63 from 52) continued to do everything in his power to fight his way back into the mix for a Test return, scoring his third consecutive half century for the Bulls.

Warner declined to talk at the customary media conference after the match, angered at reports suggesting he needed runs to guarantee his place for the first Test.

It's largely been a year to forget for the 26-year-old.

He's been involved in a list of off-field controversies including his infamous punch in Birmingham, and most recently a slap on the wrist from NSW cricket for missing a grade game and a directive from chief executive Andrew Jones to cut out external "distractions''.

He's been dropped from the Australian one-day side for poor form and started the domestic Cup competition with scores of 4, 0 and 17.

But with the pressure building, Warner responded in style, belting 13 fours and six massive sixes.

Warner is always one to back his ability, and he has scored five half centuries from his past 10 Tests - more than any other player.

ODD - Drummoyne Oval

17 October 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

South Australia 1st Innings

A. Ross	24	19	2	0	126.32
J. Botha	24	14	4	0	171.43

But his jubilant reaction upon bringing up three figures from 96 balls suggested the innings meant a lot.

It was a timely reminder to selectors about his capabilities at the top of the order, but it was captain Steve Smith, run out for 4, who had to deliver the verbal message.

"He played pretty well. A bit slow early on but he struck the ball nicely today," Smith said.

"He was pretty happy with the way he hit them. Hopefully he can go off in the next couple of games as well."

Warner will certainly need to.

The loss means the Blues will most likely need to win their last two matches to make the one-day Cup preliminary final.

Queensland openers Khawaja and James Peirson (52) put on 118 to set the platform, before middle-order batsmen Chris Lynn (78 not out) and Jason Floros (38) saw the Bulls home for their third win of the tournament and up into second place on the table with a bonus point in their favour.

The Bulls' were up against the ropes with Warner taking advantage of every corner of the tiny North Sydney Oval to hit boundaries.

But led by captain and man-of-the-match James Hopes (4-38), Queensland stuck to their guns and eventually NSW went to water, despite some tidy bowling from Nathan Lyon (2-38).

"At one stage we thought they could go close to 400 the way they were going. Davey was on fire," said Khawaja.

"But it was a massive wicket when we got Davey out. Hopesy bowled beautifully at the end there."

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Big partnership gives Redbacks win

Cooper cracked 101 in a superb partnership with Klinger. Source: News Limited

A season-high partnership between Tom Cooper and Michael Klinger has lifted South Australia to a six-wicket win over Western Australia in their one-day Cup match at Drummoyne Oval.

ODD - Drummoyne Oval

17 October 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

South Australia 1st Innings

A. Ross	24	19	2	0	126.32
J. Botha	24	14	4	0	171.43

Cooper scored 101 and along with the in-form Klinger (91) the pair added 185 for the second-wicket.

The partnership - the highest for any team in this season's tournament - gave South Australia the perfect base to chase down Western Australia's competitive tally of 5-285.

Klinger further pressed his claims for Australian selection and he is now the competition's top run-scorer, having accumulated 338 runs at an average of 112 with two 50s and a century.

Late quick runs from Alex Ross and Johan Botha, who both remained 24 not out, saw the Redbacks home with nine balls to spare as Western Australia's attack struggled with the unrelenting high winds.

Earlier, former Australian Test opener Simon Katich again proved his quality with a sparkling rapid-fire innings of 66 for WA.

Having top-scored for the Western Warriors with 67 in Tuesday's defeat against Victoria, Katich again led the way for his side.

The West Australians had three batsman reach 50, with Cameron Bancroft (63) and Shaun Marsh (54) putting on a century opening partnership, while Marcus North added 44 late in the innings.

But it was Katich that again was the pick of the batsmen with his 66 coming off just 39 deliveries, in a chanceless innings that included five towering sixes.peThe 38-year-old veteran of 56 Test matches, discarded by Australian selectors in 2011, recently completed a stellar season in English country cricket scoring over 1,000 runs at an average of 73.

Peter George claimed the wicket of Katich, and was the pick of the South Australian bowlers with 2-41 off his ten overs.

The win keeps the Redbacks' slim finals hopes alive but ends Western Australia's one-day Cup ambitions.

Cooper said the conditions presented a massive challenge for his side.

"This wind was probably something that none of us had ever played in before,'' he said.

"It was quite tough, especially for bowlers running into it.''

"It was good to be able to help the team get in a position where we could get over the line for our first win for the season.''

WA captain Michael Beer was dissatisfied with his team's bowling effort.

"It was not good enough,'' he said.

"We did enough with the bat, even though we could have got a bit more. If we had have bowled well enough we would have won the game, but that didn't happen.

"Bowling at the death is a big one for us (to improve on). Leaking runs in that phase is what is hurting us.''

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Wallabies set for pay cuts to help code

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THE Wallabies are poised to accept pay cuts to help stop the cash-strapped code going broke.

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A new Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to end the days of Australian players earning a guaranteed $14,000 per Test - win, lose or draw.

The Australian Rugby Union's survival is at stake as it sits in a perilous financial position after recording a $19 million deficit in the past two years and a worrying slump in support for the 15-man game.

In eight months since replacing John O'Neill as ARU chief executive, Bill Pulver, in his own words, has "brutally attacked the cost base" by making cuts across the board.

Even a welcome windfall from the British and Irish Lions tour in winter won't get the ARU out of the hole dug by years of over-expenditure, largely with executive salaries.

Pulver has already slashed employee numbers at the ARU and also made significant cutbacks to the high-performance unit and shelved the national academies in Brisbane and Sydney.

"My first six months at the ARU a lot of my time has been spent ripping costs out of the place basically," Pulver told AAP. "It's not been a lot of fun but it's been a very important cleansing experience.

"From a financial perspective we're going to be skating on thin ice for the next couple of years.

"Can we get through? Yes, we can. Is it going to be bloody hard? Yes, it is."

Warnings of cuts to club rugby have made Pulver, looking to develop a new third-tier national competition, unpopular in club circles but he's making no apologies for taking drastic measures for the good of the game.

A reduction of player salaries has firmly been on the agenda and should be revealed in the next two months when a new CBA, the first since 2005, is expected to be finalised.

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The ARU board meets on Monday to discuss ongoing negotiations with the Rugby Union Players Association.

Both Pulver and RUPA boss Greg Harris confirmed Test match payments - which would currently see a Wallaby earn $196,000 if he played all 15 Tests this year on top of his salary - were among issues being addressed.

Former World Cup-winning skipper Nick Farr-Jones has led calls for incentive-based pay, claiming Wallabies should be paid far less for defeats.

Harris said the players union were taking a conciliatory approach to ensure the game didn't go under.

"Player directors (RUPA) have been united in their commitment in trying to assist the game in trying to confront the financial issues," Harris told AAP.

The last time a new CBA was drafted, in 2005, the code was in rude health with $35 million in the ARU war chest and crowd numbers which had it challenging rugby league as the nation's No.2 code.

Harris hinted top players benefited from a generous deal in the prosperous times.

"My predecessor (Tony Dempsey) did a very good job of negotiating for the players when the dams were full and there was plenty of water around but we have a drought at the moment so we all have to drink a little bit less," he said.

"The players are being very responsible."

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