Lions' finals dream alive

Lions ... Daniel Rich in pursuit of the ball at TIO Staduim in Darwin. Source: SHANE EECEN / AAP

IT was gritty, not pretty, but Brisbane kept its slim finals hopes alive with a hard-fought 19-point victory over a brave Melbourne in Darwin last night.

With Jonathan Brown, Simon Black and Brent Moloney all missing form the Lions' side, Brisbane was always going to struggle to put the improving Demons to the sword in the heat and humidity of the Northern Territory.

5.1 (31)	Q1	3.4 (22)
6.5 (41)	Q2	8.5 (53)
10.7 (67)	Q3	11.12 (78)
11.9 (75)	Q4	13.16 (94)

Jack Fitzpatrick 4	Joshua Green 3
Sam Blease 2	Brent Staker 3
Aaron Davey 2	Daniel Merrett 2
Shannon Byrnes 1	Jack Redden 2
Chris Dawes 1	Jordan Lisle 1
Nathan Jones 1	Sam Mayes 1
	Dayne Zorko 1

How they got the four premiership points was largely irrelevant.The fact they will leave the Top End with a precious victory is all that matters for Michael Voss and his men.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	16	14	0	2	141.00	56
2	Geelong	15	13	0	2	132.74	52
3	Essendon	16	13	0	3	131.40	52
4	Sydney	15	11	1	3	142.20	46
5	Fremantle	15	11	1	3	126.27	46
6	Richmond	15	10	0	5	116.69	40
7	Collingwood	16	10	0	6	108.32	40
8	Port Adelaide	16	9	0	7	108.66	36
9	Carlton	16	8	0	8	110.64	32
10	West Coast	15	7	0	8	107.08	28
11	Brisbane	16	7	0	9	82.40	28
12	North Melbourne	16	6	0	10	114.76	24
13	Adelaide	15	6	0	9	102.46	24
14	Gold Coast	16	6	0	10	90.08	24
15	Bulldogs	16	4	0	12	76.90	16
16	St Kilda	16	3	0	13	83.87	12
17	Melbourne	16	2	0	14	55.21	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	16	0	0	16	50.82	0

It was Brisbane's seventh win of 2013, their third in a row and their fourth victory in their last five outings to be two wins out of the top eight.

Melbourne's hopes of springing an upset nosedived midway through the third term when key defender Colin Garland suffered a game-ending ankle injury just minutes after Jimmy Toumpas was subbed out of the match, leaving the Dees with just two players on the bench.

Melbourne was already showing signs of running out of gas and Brisbane pounced, jumping out to a 20-point lead midway through the final quarter.

The Demons refused to give up and closed to within 13 points of the Lions but Brent Staker's third goal of the night drove a dagger through the hearts of Melbourne.

Irishman Pearce Hanley (27 disposals, five clearances, seven inside 50s and two scoring assists) was Brisbane's best with and was well supported by Tom Rockliff (34 disposals, six clearances), Jack Redden

(26 disposals, two goals), Josh Green (three goals), Matthew Leuenberger (38 hit-outs and 19 disposals) and Andrew Raines who contained Dees dangerman Nathan Jones.

Rookie Jack Viney was ultra-impressive with 21 touches while Colin Sylvia (27 disposals) and Aaron Davey (two goals, 16 touches) also served the Demons well.

The Demons out-scored Brisbane in the third term to trail by just 11 points heading into the last quarter but Brisbane were left to lament inaccurate kicking in front of goal with a 3.7 return.

The Lions roared out to an 18-point advantage after Green kicked his third goal of the night but the Demons struck back with majors to Chris Dawes and Davey.

Every time Brisbane appeared to be pulling away from the Demons, Melbourne dragged themselves back into the contest to set-up a nail-biting final term.

After four lead changes in a  topsy-turvy second quarter, Brisbane eventually edged past the Demons to grab a 12-point buffer at the main break.

Melbourne picked up where they left off in the first quarter and enjoyed most of the polay at the start of the term but errant kicking in front of goal ensured they did not turn pressure into points.

Green sparked Brisbane's fightback with two quickfire majors to put Brisbane in front.

High-flyer Jeremy Howe spilled what could have been mark of the year midway through the term but Davey crumbed brilliantly to kick a goal and hand the lead back to the Demons.

However, Brisbane rediscovered their run and surged over the top of Melbourne just before halftime with two goals to Jack Redden and a major to Sam Mayes.

Melbourne took a well-deserved nine-point lead into quarter-time after dominating the latter stages of the scrappy opening term.

Jack Fitzpatrick booted three goals for the hard-running Demons who took advantage of a lopsided free kick count (9-4) and sloppy disposal from the Lions.

Brisbane led by eight points midway through the quarter after goals to Jordan Lisle, Daniel Merrett and Staker but were guilty of poor discipline and shabby skills in the humid conditions.

The Lions had the ball 23 more times than the Demons in the first quarter but failed to hit targets on a consistent basis. Brisbane over-possessed the ball and were not direct when they pushed forward.

The Lions have the chance to narrow the gap to eighth spot next Sunday when they meet Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium.

"It's a massive game,'' Rockliff told FOX FOOTY.

"They're going really well, so it's a great challenge to go down to Adelaide and give it our best shot.''

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

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Aussie bats owe bowlers big-time

Phil Hughes inconsistency is typical of Australia's batting woes in the first two Ashes Tests. Source: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

BOWLERS have always been cricket's downtrodden and on this Ashes tour they have been shown a fundamental lack of respect by Australia's slipshod batsmen.

The hard-working pacemen who make up a quality attack should never have to buy another meal on tour.
Peter Siddle should have paid-for pints delivered on silver trays.
 
Having busted a gut to dismiss England for below par scores in the first innings at Trent Bridge and now Lord's, the bowlers also have to do an unreasonable share of the batting.
 
They papered over the cracks in the first Test thanks to Ashton Agar's brilliant 98 on debut but could not do it again in this match.
 
It may be a small sample but one and a half Tests into this series the averages highlight Australia's batting embarrassment.
 
Phil Hughes may be leading the averages with 41 after the first three innings of this series but a closer inspection highlights the problem.
 
He scored a fine 81 not out in the first innings at Trent Bridge, batting in a record 163-run last wicket stand with Ashton Agar as the teenager made a breezy 98 on debut. In his two innings since, Hughes has managed just one run.
 
Besides Hughes, the only other players with averages above 30 are Agar (38) and James Pattinson (37).
On that evidence there is every justification to turn the batting order on its head.
 
There are many bad aspects of Australia's dreadful collapse in this match, including the fact that it gave the bowlers so little rest.
 
Australia's first innings lasted less than four hours. Ian Bell batted more than five hours for his hundred at Lord's and six and a half hours for his hundred at Trent Bridge.
 
On both occasions Bell played to the conditions and circumstances.
 
It was tough at Trent Bridge on a slow and uneven pitch later in the game so he tailored his innings accordingly.
 
What an embarrassment that already twice in this series an Englishman has batted longer than the entire Australian team could manage on Friday.
 
The debacle has completely overshadowed more fine bowling from the Australians.
 
To lunch yesterday Peter Siddle had 11 wickets at a bowling average of under 22 and a strike rate of under 45 - world class figures by any measure.
 
And Ryan Harris, 33, made a brilliant return to Test cricket after more than a year out of the game with more injury problems.
 
His 5-72 gave him five wickets in an innings for the third time in just 13 Tests and took his wickets to 52 at an average of 23 - again world class.
 
Harris and James Pattinson also both made double figures in a last wicket partnership of 24, second only to the 42 Shane Watson and Chris Rogers made opening the innings in what proved to be the calm before the hurricane.
 
Australia has a high quality group of fast bowlers, which is clearly the squad's greatest strength.
 
It will make no difference how Siddle, Pattinson, Harris, Mitchell Starc and Jackson Bird are rotated throughout this series if the batsmen don't make runs.

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Port survives St Kilda charge

Power triumphant ... Robbie Gray plays in front of St Kilda's Jack Steven. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

PORT Adelaide have withstood a blistering St Kilda comeback to salvage a narrow win and keep their AFL finals hopes in their own hands.

The Saints turned around a 39-point half time deficit, and a Port lead which stretched to 46 points at one stage in the second term, to come within five points of victory at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night.

2.2 (14)	Q1	7.4 (46)
4.5 (29)	Q2	10.8 (68)
9.9 (63)	Q3	11.10 (76)
13.14 (92)	Q4	14.13 (97)

Ben McEvoy 3	John Butcher 3
Jack Steven 3	Jasper Pittard 2
Thomas Lee 2	Justin Westhoff 2
Nick Riewoldt 2	Chad Wingard 2
Thomas Curren 1	Robert Gray 1
Lenny Hayes 1	Matthew Lobbe 1
Stephen Milne 1	Kane Mitchell 1
	Angus Monfries 1
	Jay Schulz 1

The Power ran out 14.13 (97) to 13.14 (92) winners to climb back into the top eight.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	16	14	0	2	141.00	56
2	Geelong	15	13	0	2	132.74	52
3	Essendon	16	13	0	3	131.40	52
4	Sydney	15	11	1	3	142.20	46
5	Fremantle	15	11	1	3	126.27	46
6	Richmond	15	10	0	5	116.69	40
7	Collingwood	16	10	0	6	108.32	40
8	Port Adelaide	16	9	0	7	108.66	36
9	Carlton	16	8	0	8	110.64	32
10	West Coast	15	7	0	8	107.08	28
11	Brisbane	16	7	0	9	82.40	28
12	North Melbourne	16	6	0	10	114.76	24
13	Adelaide	15	6	0	9	102.46	24
14	Gold Coast	16	6	0	10	90.08	24
15	Bulldogs	16	4	0	12	76.90	16
16	St Kilda	16	3	0	13	83.87	12
17	Melbourne	16	2	0	14	55.21	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	16	0	0	16	50.82	0

Port completely dominated the first half, but the momentum was shifted forcibly by St Kilda's star players and their sheer will to win in the second.

Midfield trio Leigh Montagna, Jack Steven and Nick Dal Santo were dominant, while skipper Nick Riewoldt was also inspirational as the Saints kicked nine goals to four in the second half.

Steven's two final quarter goals were critical in helping St Kilda reel in Port's 16-point lead early in the final term. The Saints finally grabbed the lead with just over 10 minutes remaining when first-gamer Tom Curren goaled - though there were a few nervous moments as he had to await a video review before it was confirmed.

Port then regained the lead with a contentious free-kick for a trip, then a 50-metre penalty, which gifted Jasper Pittard a chance to put his side back in front.

From then, Port hung on - with Justin Westhoff pulling off two huge marks in defence late in the match to help his side seal victory.

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley believed his men deserved the victory and that the way they were able to withstand the Saints will form an important part of their learning curve.

"We've been in those games this year when we've come from behind and run over sides - it's sometimes almost impossible to stop that sort of run-on,'' Hinkley said.

"But to our boys' credit, we were able to do that, get a hold of the ball and convert a couple of times when we needed to.''

Forward John Butcher booted three goals, while Westhoff also kicked two goals to go with his defensive heroics.

Steven and Ben McEvoy kicked three goals each for the Saints, while Montagna finished with 35 disposals.

St Kilda coach Scott Watters admitted his players were disappointed, but he believed there were plenty of positives to be taken despite the manner of the defeat and praised both his youngsters and the team's leaders for their efforts.

"We'll take some really good lessons out of that and move on to next week,'' Watters said.

"Overwhelmingly there were a lot of positives to take out of it. We sit here very disappointed as a club we didn't win that game ... watching some of those young guys win some pivotal battles after being under some pressure early says a lot about them.''

Port now have an 9-7 win-loss record, and have climbed back above Carlton - one-point Friday night winners over North Melbourne - into eighth on the ladder.

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

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England dig in on day three

Tim Bresnan was a thorn in Australia's side early on day three at Lord's. Source: Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP

A BABY-FACED assassin and a gritty night watchman have combined to grind Australia into the Lord's turf on day three.

Joe Root and Tim Bresnan denied the tourists for the entire morning session, snuffing out any hopes Australia had of pulling off an Ashes miracle.

At lunch England is 3-114, already holding a commanding 347-run lead which looks like growing further as the afternoon wears on.

Root notched his maiden Ashes half-century to move to 63, while Bresnan is unbeaten on 32, producing the stonewalling mission he was sent in for last night after Peter Siddle had rocked the home side by taking 3-4 in a brilliant burst.

The pair have added 84 for the fourth wicket, steading the ship from 3-30. It is the second time in the match the hosts have recovered from losing three early wickets.

And first innings centurymaker Ian Bell is still in the sheds.

Both Root and Bresnan were untroubled this morning with the drama of yesterday, where 16 wickets fell, looking like a distant memory.

Australia's attack looks deflated, failing to snare the early wickets it desperately needed to keep its remote chances alive.

The quicks have been tight without being threatening, while spinner Ashton Agar has not caused too many concerns.

Root has looked in sparkling touch, mixing a couple of majestic straight drives with powerful punches off the back foot through the off side.

He set the tone on the first ball of the day, whipping Siddle through midwicket for a boundary before bringing up his 50 off 122 balls.

The 22-year-old will hone in on his second century this afternoon in just his eighth Test.

Australia will be ruing the missed opportunity from Root last night, where the opener edged  Shane Watson between keeper and Brad Haddin and Michael Clarke at first slip, who looked at each other as the ball sailed to the fence.

The only chance Australia had of giving itself any chance of staying in the contest was to run through the home side this morning, with the the highest successful run chase at Lords 1-344 by the mighty West Indies back in 1984.

It took Bresnan 30 balls to get off the mark - with an unconvincing hook to fine leg - but from there the runs flowed more freely.

The only half chance of the morning came when Siddle found the edge of Bresnan's bat, but it dropped just short of Phil Hughes at third slip before racing to the fence.

He then pounced on a half-volley next ball as the hosts slowly started to sap the life out of tiring Australia.

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Blues hold on in thriller

Swingman ... Lachlan Henderson of Carlton kicks a goal ahead of Todd Goldstein. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

CARLTON have kept themselves firmly in the AFL finals hunt as a fast-finishing North Melbourne found a new way to suffer a cruel loss in a thriller at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

The Kangaroos, so often victims of opposition clubs' comebacks this season, almost pulled off one of their own, storming home from 35 points down to lose 16.13 (109) to 16.12 (108).

5.5 (35)	Q1	6.0 (36)
7.8 (50)	Q2	9.2 (56)
10.11 (71)	Q3	14.8 (92)
16.12 (108)	Q4	16.13 (109)

Lindsay Thomas 6	Jefferey Garlett 4
Drew Petrie 4	Lachie Henderson 3
Ryan Bastinac 1	Eddie Betts 2
Brent Harvey 1	Edward Curnow 2
Jamie MacMillan 1	Zach Tuohy 2
Bradley McKenzie 1	Chris Yarran 2
Daniel Wells 1	Marc Murphy 1
Jack Ziebell 1

They had their chances, with veteran Brent Harvey, who fought hard to almost pull his side over the line, just failing to grasp a bouncing ball under extreme pressure about 20m out from goal inside the last minute.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	15	13	0	2	141.97	52
2	Geelong	15	13	0	2	132.74	52
3	Essendon	15	12	0	3	130.19	48
4	Sydney	15	11	1	3	142.20	46
5	Fremantle	15	11	1	3	126.27	46
6	Richmond	15	10	0	5	116.69	40
7	Collingwood	15	10	0	5	109.40	40
8	Carlton	16	8	0	8	110.64	32
9	Port Adelaide	15	8	0	7	108.89	32
10	West Coast	15	7	0	8	107.08	28
11	North Melbourne	16	6	0	10	114.76	24
12	Adelaide	15	6	0	9	102.46	24
13	Brisbane	15	6	0	9	80.33	24
14	Gold Coast	15	5	0	10	89.02	20
15	Bulldogs	15	4	0	11	76.71	16
16	St Kilda	15	3	0	12	83.14	12
17	Melbourne	15	2	0	13	53.98	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	15	0	0	15	49.95	0

It was North's second one-point defeat this season and fifth by less than a goal, although in all of the others they had been in control at some point before being over-run.

It was Carlton's first win by a single-figure margin this season, having had three such close defeats.

The Blues moved to an 8-8 record, equal to Port Adelaide - who started the round in eighth spot and face St Kilda on Saturday night - while the Kangaroos fell to 6-10 and are all but out of the finals race.

Jeff Garlett kicked four goal for Carlton, while Lindsay Thomas booted six for North and Drew Petrie kicked four, including three in a huge last term.

The Kangaroos looked the better side early, but suffered for some early inaccuracy, with Carlton kicking 6.0 to 5.5 in the first quarter, then pushing their lead to six points by halftime.

The Blues looked to have broken the game open when indigenous small forward trio Garlett, Eddie Betts (two goals) and Jeff Garlett (two) combined for four goals in a six-minute third quarter burst to help stretch the lead to 35.

But North, whose mental strength and leadership had been heavily questioned after their latest fade-out loss against Brisbane last round, showed enormous heart.

They kicked the last two goals of the third quarter and six goals to two in the last, with Petrie putting them within a point at almost the 28-minute mark but the Roos never quite drew level.

Midfielder Kade Simpson had a strong game for Carlton, particularly his last term, while Matthew Kreuzer also had a big last quarter, taking some telling marks, including one at halfback with 15 seconds left.

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

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Gold medal lure for Marshall

Kirwan thinks Marshall is good enough to play both Test rugby and sevens. Source:AAP

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THE man trying to lure Benji Marshall to New Zealand rugby believes the Tigers star and Sonny Bill Williams will be playing together for the All Blacks in the 2015 World Cup and Sevens at the 2016 Olympics.

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Sir John Kirwan, coach of the Blues, will fly to Sydney on Saturday to sit down with Marshall for the first time and has predicted a rapid rise for the rugby-bound playmaker.

"I can totally see Benji and Sonny Bill playing together for the All Blacks, I reckon they will play in the World Cup and then play in the Sevens at the Olympics," Kirwan told The Daily Telegraph on Friday.

"I would not be pursuing Benji if I felt he couldn't, part of our philosophy at the Blues is to create great All Blacks."
Marshall missed out on playing in the pinnacle of rugby league, the State of Origin, but that pales in comparison with a chance to win an Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro.

Even the potential to be involved in New Zealand's defence of the World Cup in England would be an incredible feat for a 28-year-old player who has not played the game since he was 16.

But the spectacular combination of Marshall and Williams, both once-in-a-generation NRL players, in a Sevens team is a wildly exciting prospect for Brazil, where Sevens makes its debut as an Olympic sport.

Williams, playing with the Roosters, is expected to return to New Zealand rugby for the World Cup, and an Olympic medal is sure to be used as a lure entice him him to stay, before potentially taking up a full-time boxing career.

Marshall is being pursued by the Blues and Australian franchises NSW Waratahs and Melbourne Rebels.
While his move has been panned by some given his age and lack of experience in top level rugby, Kirwan countered: "There are players I call X-factor players, they are a little bit different.

"They have incredible vision for the game, and back that up with skill and excitement, and also performance under intense pressure, with the responsibility of carrying a team on their shoulders.

"They are traits you can't actually coach.

"Sometimes a change really re-motivates you and gives you a new lease of life.

"Benji needs a change, he needs a re-spark."

If Marshall signs with the Blues, Kirwan wants him to take time out immediately after the Tigers' season, before potentially playing for the Barbarians (November 12 vs Combined Services in Plymouth and November 28 vs Fiji at Twickenham), then joining his team for pre-season training.

"But if he decides to sign with the Waratahs, I will give him my full blessing," Kirwan said. "This is not about us getting his services, this is about getting the right decision for Benji."

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'Half-truths' hurting Hird, Bombers

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James Hird makes an emotional plea. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

A SHAKEN James Hird says five months of "half-truths and rhetoric'' over Essendon's supplements saga has been "very hurtful and damaging''.

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A passionate Bombers coach yesterday pleaded with media, fans and his peers to ``reserve their judgement'' until the final report is delivered, saying the heightened focus in the past week had taken its toll.

AFL boss Andrew Demetriou confirmed the league hoped to have the verdict in early August.

"They (ASADA) have conducted all their interviews; they're now in the process of finalising the report,'' Demetriou said.

Asked if accusations caused him personal offence, Hird deferred to a strongly worded club press release issued earlier in the week.

But with pain etched across his face _ and a shout of support from his resolute team as they took the field for training as he spoke _ Hird made a passionate plea to the footy world for respite.

"What I will say (is) that in the past five months, there's been some truth put out there,'' he said while trying to curb his raw emotion.

"But the constant innuendo, rhetoric, half-truths and lies that have been spun about the club, the players, the great people who work here and the half-truths, rhetoric and lies spun about myself are very hurtful and very damaging.

"It's very hard when you keep looking at the hurtful and damaging nature of those comments. It's hard when you can't respond, when you want to talk about the facts, you want to explain to people what is happening here and try to find out the truth.

"But the club is committed to a process, we've gone down this line and we'll follow the process through.

"But I would say to people ... if you are sitting in judgment, you've made your judgment, please wait until the facts are on the table.

"To peers, my peers, the players at other clubs, the people at other clubs, if you can reserve your judgment until the facts are on the table and we can get a chance to see the report and put our version of events across, that would be much appreciated.

"There's no person out there more than myself that wants the truth, that is trying to find the truth, that wants it out on the table.

"If you're an Essendon supporter, an Essendon member, the players and myself thank you so much for everything and the way you've supported us so far, because you've given us a lot of strength through a time that's been very, very difficult.''

Hird said neither his nor the club's reaction represented a ``breaking point'' in the saga.

"It's just the club defending itself,'' he said.

"The club has made some very strong comments and what's been said is across the whole five months.''

Demetriou said the league had ``been involved in all the interviews'' conducted by ASADA.

"We can't see any reason why we wouldn't get the report in (early August),'' he told ABC radio.

"Just about everybody is expecting some answers, they are entitled to the answers and we want to be as transparent as possible. The sooner we can get the report out there, the better.''

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Hawks sweat on Buddy knee injury

Lance Franklin is out indefinitely with swelling behind a knee. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

HAWTHORN has been warned to closely manage Lance Franklin's workload for the rest of the year or his knee problems could derail his season.

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The Hawks superstar will miss his second straight match this week because of the injury and coach Alastair Clarkson admitted the club was unsure how long he would be sidelined.

Sports medico Dr Rohan White said there was a risk Franklin would continue to suffer fluid build-up if he didn't rest his knee.

Clarkson explained Frankin had swelling and some bleeding behind the knee, which had leeched into his calf after a bursa - or fluid-filled sac in the joint - had burst.

"There is a concern because there has got to be a reason he is developing the fluid which means there is something going on behind the knee,'' Dr White said.

"You just don't develop fluid in there for no good reason.

"It's one of those sort of injuries that you have to watch closely and monitor his training and rehab program to keep him under control.

"It's shown if he does too much, it flares up and he has to rest.

"What the training staff and football department have to do is monitor his training to look after him so that these flare-ups don't occur.

"You have got to wait for the bleeding to settle down and the tissues to repair because there is the risk that the fluid will continue to build up unless you rest it appropriately and give it time to settle down.''

Dr White said Franklin's knee problems could be traced back to when he hyper-extended his knee in the Hawks' qualifying final loss to Geelong in 2011.

Franklin was cleared of structural damage and played in the following week's semi-final against Sydney after suffering bruising and swelling on his knee.

"When you look at it he actually hyper-extended his knee quite badly and I reckon that that's when this cyst developed because it affected all the tissues and the ligaments at the back of the knee,'' Dr White said.

"I think this has become a bit of an issue for him since that time where if he does too much work on it, the fluid builds up and if that gets to a point where it starts interfering with his running the only way to treat that is to rest it.''

Dr White suggested Franklin's lay-off last year with a hamstring injury last year could have prevented similar knee problems.

"People say that he didn't have any problems last year but he didn't have to because he took six weeks off with a crook hammy,'' he said.

"I reckon it's possible if he didn't have that hamstring injury, and the rest, he may have developed this sort of issue later in last season as well.''

Clarkson said Franklin had suffered ruptured bursas twice previously and had been able to recover quickly.

He hoped the champion goalkicker would be fit to train fully next week, but admitted the club was uncertain when he would return to play.

"He had a bursa that burst early last week. He has had two before and they have settled really quickly and he has been able play that week,'' Clarkson said.

"We thought that was going to be the case last week but he wasn't able to get up. It still hasn't fixed itself up this week either.

"We're hopeful it's going to be pretty quick, but we just don't know.

"He has just got a little bit of swelling and bleeding that has just gone down into his calf. Hopefully that settles over the weekend and he is right to train fully next week.''

Similarly, Clarkson was hopeful the Hawks could soon finalise their contract talks with Franklin, who wanted to put off negotiations until the end of the year.

Hawks president Andrew Newbold said last weekend the club had presented an increased five-year offer it hoped would be enough for Franklin to reject free agency and riches elsewhere.

"They will work that out hopefully sooner rather than later,'' Clarkson said.

"Buddy has indicated all along that he wanted to leave it to the end of the year and we would love to get it settled earlier than that.

"Whether or not he considered that in the next couple of weeks we will have to wait and see.''

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Teams: Buddy to miss again

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Lance Franklin is in about 150,000 SuperCoach sides. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

BUDDY Franklin's declaration he was a certain starter for the Hawks this week has proven false with the superstar forward deemed unfit to return against the Western Bulldogs.

The Hawks didn't name the key forward for Sunday's clash with the Western Bulldogs in Launceston and also left out veteran midfielder Brad Sewell who was dumped to the VFL last week.

Will Langford, the son of former Hawthorn champion defender Chris, has been named to make his debut.

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Prized Dog Jackson Macrae was Brendan McCartney's sole inclusion. He replaced ACL victim Clay Smith.

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Veteran defender Michael Firrito has paid the price for North Melbourne's horror fade-out against Brisbane.

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Firrito and tagger Levi Greenwood were dumped by coach Brad Scott after a week of soul-searching at Arden St.

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Goalsneak Lindsay Thomas returns from suspension alongwith defender Scott McMahon for Friday night's clash with Carlton.

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The Blues made no changes but there is doubt over the fitness of captain Marc Murphy after he failed to train with the main group on Thursday morning.

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Murphy came off with a sore upper hamstring against St Kilda last weekend, but Blues coach Mick Malthouse said he was "hopeful he will play".

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"Six-day breaks are always notoriously hard to get a gauge on," Malthouse said.

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Essendon has rested Tayte Pears, dropped Ben Howlett and lost Jason Winderlich (soreness) and David Zaharakis (back) for tomorrow's clash with the GWS.

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Nathan Lovett-Murry, Leroy Jetta, Stewart Crameri and rookie Cory Dell'Olio have been recalled.

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Geelong has got back big guns Joel Corey, Corey Enright and Mathew Stokes for its trip to Adelaide to play the Crows who will be without captain Patrick Dangerfield (collarbone) for up to a month.

Collingwood swingman Tyson Goldsack is finally back after a couple of months on the sidelines for tomorrow's clash with the Gold Coast.

Irishman Caolan Mooney has also been included for injured pair Clinton Young (hamstring) and Jarryd Blair (calf).

North Melbourne v Carlton

NORTH MELBOURNE
B: L.Hansen, S.Thompson, A.Mullett
HB: J.Macmillan, N.Grima, S.McMahon,
C: S.Gibson, D.Wells, S.Atley
HF: B.Cunnington, D.Petrie, B.Harvey
F: A.Black, R.Tarrant, L.Thomas
R: T.Goldstein, A.Swallow, J.Ziebell
I/C: B.McKenzie, R.Bastinac, L.Adams, T.Hine 
EMG: L.Delaney, L.Greenwood, W.Sierakowski
In: S.McMahon , L.Thomas 
Out: M.Firrito (Omitted) , L.Greenwood (Omitted)

CARLTON
B: M.Watson, M.Jamison, L.Henderson,
HB: Z.Tuohy, A.McInnes, B.Gibbs
C: C.Yarran, C.Judd, K.Simpson
HF E.Curnow, A.Walker, J.Garlett
F B.McLean, S.Rowe, H.Scotland
Foll M.Kreuzer, E.Betts, M.Murphy
I/C: A.Carrazzo, J.Cachia, K.Lucas, D.Armfield
EMG: L.Casboult, M.Robinson, S.White

Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs

HAWTHORN
B: B.Stratton B.Lake B.Guerra
HB: L.Hodge J.Gibson K.Cheney
C: I.Smith S.Mitchell B.Hill
HF: J.Gunston J.Roughead L.Breust
F: S.Savage D.Hale C.Rioli
R: M.Bailey J.Lewis P.Puopolo
I/C: B.Whitecross T.Duryea J.Simpkin W.Langford
EMG: J.Ceglar B.Sewell A.Litherland
In: W.Langford 
Out: S.Burgoyne (Suspension)

WESTERN BULLDOGS
B: D.Addison J.Roughead D.Morris
HB: B.Goodes M.Talia A.Cooney
C: R.Murphy T.Liberatore L.Hunter
HF: D.Giansiracusa L.Jones N.Hrovat
F: L.Dahlhaus J.Grant K.Stevens
R: W.Minson R.Griffen M.Wallis
I/C: L.Picken J.Tutt J.Macrae T.Dickson
EMG: D.Cross T.Young T.Campbell
In: J.Macrae 
Out: C.Smith (Knee)

GWS Giants v Essendon

GWS GIANTS
B: S.Gilham P.Davis S.Darley
HB: C.Hampton T.Mohr N.Haynes
C: L.Whitfield A.Treloar T.Scully
HF: J.Cameron A.Tomlinson M.Whiley
R: D.Smith J.Giles G.Ugle
Foll: D.Brogan C.Ward D.Shiel
I/C: T.Adams T.Bugg T.Greene Z.Williams
EMG: J.Bruce W.Hoskin-Elliott A.Kennedy
In: D.Brogan , T.Adams , A.Tomlinson , G.Ugle , M.Whiley , Z.Williams , T.Greene
Out: S.O'hAilpin (Omitted) , R.Palmer (Foot) , W.Hoskin-Elliott (Omitted) , D.Tyson (Omitted) , S.Edwards (Omitted) , A.Corr (Omitted) , J.O'Rourke (Omitted)

ESSENDON
B: M.Baguley J.Carlisle C.Dempsey
HB: M.Hibberd C.Hooker D.Fletcher
C:N.Kommer N.O'Brien D.Heppell
HF: D.MyersP.Ryder C.Dell'Olio
F: M.Hurley S.Crameri L.Jetta
R: T.Bellchambers B.Stanton B.Goddard
I/C: N.Lovett-Murray J.Melksham J.Merrett T.Colyer
EMG: B.Howlett K.Hardingham A.Davey
In: N.Lovett-Murray , L.Jetta , C.Dell'Olio , S.Crameri 
Out: J.Winderlich (Soreness) , B.Howlett (Omitted) , D.Zaharakis (Back) , T.Pears (RESTED )

Gold Coast v Collingwood

GOLD COAST
B: T.McKenzie S.Day S.Tape
HB: G.Broughton R.Thompson J.Harbrow
C: M.Shaw G.Ablett L.Russell
HF: A.Boston S.May A.Hall
F: C.Brown J.Hall J.Brennan
R: T.Nicholls D.Stanley J.O'Meara
I/C: D.Prestia M.Weller H.Bennell A.Sexton
EMG: J.Gillbee T.Murphy J.Wilkinson
In: M.Weller , A.Sexton 
Out: T.Murphy (Omitted) , D.Swallow (Knee)

COLLINGWOOD
B: N.Brown N.Maxwell B.Reid
HB: T.Goldsack H.Shaw M.Williams
C: S.Sidebottom B.Macaffer L.Ball
HF: J.Elliott J.WittsD.Swan
F: D.Beams T.Cloke J.Thomas 
R: B.Hudson S.Pendlebury A.Krakouer
I/C: B.Sinclair P.Seedsman S.Dwyer C.Mooney
EMG: L.Keeffe B.Kennedy A.Oxley
In: T.Goldsack , C.Mooney 
Out: C.Young (Hamstring) , J.Blair (Calf)

Melbourne v Brisbane Lions

MELBOURNE
B: L.Dunn C.Garland D.Terlich
HB: T.McDonald J.Frawley M.Clisby
C: J.Toumpas J.Trengove J.Grimes
HF: C.Sylvia J.Watts S.Byrnes
R: A.Davey C.Dawes J.Howe
R: M.Gawn J.Viney N.Jones
I/C: M.Jones D.Kent S.Blease J.Fitzpatrick
EMG: J.McKenzie C.Pedersen J.Spencer
In: J.Viney 
Out: D.Nicholson (Omitted)

BRISBANE LIONS
B: J.Adcock M.Maguire J.Patfull
HB: R.Harwood J.Clarke B.Staker
C: P.Hanley T.Rockliff S.Mayes
HF: D.Zorko J.Brown R.Bewick
F: J.Green D.Merrett A.McGrath
R: M.Leuenberger J.Redden D.Rich
I/C: A.Raines E.Yeo R.Lester M.Golby
EMG: S.Docherty J.Lisle J.Polkinghorne
In: E.Yeo 
Out: J.Polkinghorne (Omitted)

St Kilda v Port Adelaide

ST KILDA
B: T.Simpkin J.Gwilt S.Dempster
HB: F.Ray D.Roberton J.Newnes
C: D.Armitage L.Hayes J.Webster
HF: C.Jones N.Riewoldt L.Montagna
F: S.Milne T.Lee T.Dennis-Lane
R: B.McEvoy N.Dal Santo J.Steven
I/C: T.Hickey J.Saunders R.Stanley T.Curren
EMG: S.Ross B.Murdoch S.Dunell
In: T.Simpkin , J.Webster , T.Curren 
Out: J.Geary (Leg) , T.Milera (Omitted) , B.Murdoch (Omitted)

PORT ADELAIDE
B: C.O'SheaA.Carlile T.Jonas
HB: M.Broadbent J.Trengove S.Colquhoun
C: C.Wingard T.Boak J.Pittard
HF: R.Gray J.Butcher A.Monfries
F: J.Westhoff J.Schulz J.Neade 
R: M.Lobbe Bra.Ebert H.Hartlett
I/C: O.WinesA.Moore P.Stewart K.Mitchell 
EMG: J.Hombsch T.Logan M.Thomas
In: J.Westhoff , K.Mitchell , S.Colquhoun 
Out: K.Cornes (Suspension) , T.Logan (Omitted) , M.Thomas (Omitted)

Richmond v Fremantle

RICHMOND
B: S.Morris, A.Rance, R.Petterd
HB: C.Newman, T.Chaplin, N.Vlastuin
C: S.Grigg, T.Cotchin, D.Jackson
HF M.White, S.Edwards, J.King
F T.Vickery, J.Riewoldt, D.Martin
I/C: I.Maric, B.Deledio, N.Foley
I/C (from): A.Edwards, R.Conca, M.Arnot, B.Ellis, S.Tuck, B.Houli, S.Lonergan 
In: S.Tuck , S.Lonergan , B.Houli

FREMANTLE
B: A.Silvagni, Z.Dawson, G.Ibbotson
HB: L.Spurr, M.Johnson, P.Duffield
C: T.Mzungu, R.Crowley, S.Hill,
HF: D.Mundy, C.Mayne, C.Pearce
F: M.Walters, A.Sandilands, M.de Boer
R: Z.Clarke, M.Barlow, N.Fyfe
I/C (from): D.Pearce, T.Sheridan, C.Sutcliffe, M.Taberner, L.Neale, J.Hannath, J.Crichton 
In: P.Duffield , J.Hannath , J.Crichton , L.Neale , M.Taberner 
Out: M.Pavlich (suspension) , H.Ballantyne (hamstring)

Adelaide v Geelong

ADELAIDE
B: L.Brown, B.Rutten, A.Otten
HB: R.Laird, D.Talia, B.Smith
C: D.Mackay, S.Thompson, R.Sloane
HF: B.Crouch, J.Jenkins, B.Vince
F: M.Wright, T.Lynch, J.Porplyzia
R: S.Jacobs, N.van Berlo, R.Douglas
I/C (from) R.Tambling, L.Thompson, S.Kerridge, J.Lyons, M.Grigg, I.Callinan, R.Henderson 
In: R.Tambling , I.Callinan , L.Thompson , M.Grigg , S.Kerridge 
Out: M.Jaensch (Omitted) , P.Dangerfield (Shoulder)

GEELONG
B: C.Guthrie, T.Lonergan, J.Hunt
HB: T.Hunt, H.Taylor, C.Enright
C: M.Duncan, J.Selwood, J.Corey
HF: M.Stokes, J.Podsiadly, B.Smedts
F: S.Motlop, T.Hawkins, T.Varcoe
R: D.Simpson, J.Kelly, J.Bartel
I/C (from): M.Blicavs, J.Caddy, G.Horlin-Smith, A.Mackie, J.Murdoch, J.Stringer, N.Vardy 
In: J.Corey , C.Enright , M.Stokes , N.Vardy 
Out: S.Johnson (Suspension)

West Coast v Sydney

WEST COAST
B: W.Schofield, D.Glass, M.Brown
HB: J.Brennan, E.Mackenzie, As.Smith
C: A.Gaff, M.Priddis, M.Rosa
HF: M.Hutchings, JJ.Kennedy, J.Hill
F: M.LeCras, D.Cox, J.Darling
Foll: N.Naitanui, C.Masten, L.Shuey
I/C (from) J.Cripps, A.Carter, C.Morton, S.Wellingham, B.Wilson, A.Selwood, B.Dalziell 
In: A.Selwood , S.Wellingham , L.Shuey , B.Wilson 
Out: A.Embley (suspension)

SYDNEY
B: D.Rampe, H.Grundy, N.Smith,
HB: N.Malceski, T.Richards, J.McVeigh
C: B.Jack, J.Kennedy, K.Jack
HF: C.Bird, J.White, L.Parker
F: J.Bolton, K.Tippett, M.Pyke
R: S.Mumford, R.O'Keefe, D.Hannebery
I/C (from) H.Cunningham, A.Everitt, J.Lamb, T.Mitchell, M.Morton, X.Richards, D.Towers 
In: M.Morton , H.Cunningham , X.Richards , D.Towers 
Out: B.McGlynn (suspension)

CHAMPION DATA SUPERCOACH NOTES:

North Melbourne vs Carlton

Despite scoring 101 points last week against Brisbane, Andrew Swallow suffered his eighth consecutive price fall, dropping by $16,500. Marc Murphy could only manage 75 points against St Kilda, falling by $48,500 to his lowest price for the year.

Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs

Sam Mitchell has dominated against the Bulldogs since 2010, averaging 119 points a game – ranked second at the club. Tom Liberatore hasn't fared well in these games, averaging only 57 points a game.

GWS Giants vs Essendon

Jeremy Cameron had a blinder when these sides last met in Round 6, booting six goals on his way to 101 points. Michael Hibberd was Essendon's top ranked player, finishing with 29 disposals and 124 points.

Gold Coast Suns vs Collingwood

Gary Ablett racked up 53 disposals and 154 against Collingwood when these sides last met in Round 10 last season. Scott Pendlebury recorded 17 disposals and 95 points in the first half before he was subbed out injured.

Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions

Dean Terlich suffered his first drop of the year last week after he could only manage 27 points against Geelong – his lowest score for the year. Pearce Hanley enjoyed his biggest price increase since Round 4 after his 105 point haul against North Melbourne.

St Kilda vs Port Adelaide

Jack Steven is St Kilda's leasing scorer at Etihad Stadium this season, averaging 112 points a game. Kane Cornes has scored 135 more points than any other Port Adelaide player interstate this season, averaging 123 points a match.

Richmond vs Fremantle

Brett Deledio has averaged 18 disposals and 97 points a game against the Dockers since 2011. Nathan Fyfe has averaged 22 disposals and 80 points a game in this period, ranked 12th at the club.

Adelaide Crows vs Geelong Cats

Scott Thompson has amassed at least 21 disposals in every game this season, averaging 98 points a game – 10 fewer than in 2012. Bartel's 16 disposals last week against Melbourne was a season-low, averaging 107 points a game – nine points up on last year's return.

West Coast Eagles vs Sydney Swans

Nic Naitanui's poor run of form continued last week against Fremantle, finishing with only 69 points, dropping by $45,500 as a result. Shane Mumford finished with 95 points against the Giants, falling by $7,400 – his seventh price drop for the year. 

RE-THE LIVE CHAT BELOW

Here's what to look for in every round 17 match:

KANGAROOS v BLUES

- Will Brad Scott again stick fat with his side despite yet another agonising defeat?
- Is Marc Murphy fit to play after only joining in light training duties today? And will playmaker Troy Menzel – Mick Malthouse's prized draft pick – bolster the attack?

HAWKS v DOGS

- Will Buddy return and can Cyril overcome an ankle scare? And does Al Clarkson bring back Brad Sewell with Shaun Burgoyne copping a two-match ban?
- There will be no Matthew Boyd for the Dogs despite the skipper training today, so who replaced ACL victim Clay Smith? Will it be champ Daniel Cross, who had 35 possies in the VFL last week?

GIANTS v DONS

- Is this the easy kill match Essendon can bring back Joe Daniher for?
- Will Hirdy give any players a rest, given the Dons face Hawthorn in a Friday night blockbuster next week?

SUNS v PIES

- Again there will be no Harry O – but who replaces Clinton Young for the Pies?
- Will Rory Thompson recover from his big hit last week? The Suns need him to curtail Travis Cloke.

SAINTS v POWER

- Will Seb Ross – the cousin of Jobe Watson – win his place back at the Saints?
- Who replaces the suspended Kane Cornes at Port? And who makes way for Justin Westhoff?

DEES v LIONS

- Will Jack Viney return for the Darwin clash?
- Is this the week for Simon Black to return?

TIGERS v DOCKERS

- Bachar Houli looks set to bolster the Tiges' midfield. Can Shane Tuck force his way into the side as well?
- Who gets the nod to replace forwards Hayden Ballantyne and Matthew Pavlich?

CROWS v CATS

- Patty Dangerfield has already been ruled out. Is untried youngster Mitch Grigg the man to replace him?
- Stevie J is out for the Cats, but options galore to come in. Will Chris Scott throw back experienced stars Joel Corey and Corey Enright?

EAGLES v SWANS

- Nic Nat watch is hitting overdrive. The freakish ruckman has sore groins – again – and is in doubt. But while Scott Selwood is another week away, the Eagles could be boosted by Luke Shuey, Sharrod Wellingham and Daniel Kerr
- The Swans will lose the suspended Ben McGlynn, so how does John Longmire rejig his midfield?

CHAMPION DATA SUPERCOACH NOTES:

North Melbourne vs Carlton
Despite scoring 101 points last week against Brisbane, Andrew Swallow suffered his eighth consecutive price fall, dropping by $16,500. Marc Murphy could only manage 75 points against St Kilda, falling by $48,500 to his lowest price for the year.

Hawthorn vs Western Bulldogs
Sam Mitchell has dominated against the Bulldogs since 2010, averaging 119 points a game – ranked second at the club. Tom Liberatore hasn't fared well in these games, averaging only 57 points a game.

GWS Giants vs Essendon
Jeremy Cameron had a blinder when these sides last met in Round 6, booting six goals on his way to 101 points. Michael Hibberd was Essendon's top ranked player, finishing with 29 disposals and 124 points.

Gold Coast Suns vs Collingwood
Gary Ablett racked up 53 disposals and 154 against Collingwood when these sides last met in Round 10 last season. Scott Pendlebury recorded 17 disposals and 95 points in the first half before he was subbed out injured.

Melbourne vs Brisbane Lions
Dean Terlich suffered his first drop of the year last week after he could only manage 27 points against Geelong – his lowest score for the year. Pearce Hanley enjoyed his biggest price increase since Round 4 after his 105 point haul against North Melbourne.

St Kilda vs Port Adelaide
Jack Steven is St Kilda's leasing scorer at Etihad Stadium this season, averaging 112 points a game. Kane Cornes has scored 135 more points than any other Port Adelaide player interstate this season, averaging 123 points a match.

Richmond vs Fremantle
Brett Deledio has averaged 18 disposals and 97 points a game against the Dockers since 2011. Nathan Fyfe has averaged 22 disposals and 80 points a game in this period, ranked 12th at the club.

Adelaide Crows vs Geelong Cats
Scott Thompson has amassed at least 21 disposals in every game this season, averaging 98 points a game – 10 fewer than in 2012. Bartel's 16 disposals last week against Melbourne was a season-low, averaging 107 points a game – nine points up on last year's return.

West Coast Eagles vs Sydney Swans
Nic Naitanui's poor run of form continued last week against Fremantle, finishing with only 69 points, dropping by $45,500 as a result. Shane Mumford finished with 95 points against the Giants, falling by $7,400 – his seventh price drop for the year.

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In my corner: the boxing wrap

Boxer Lucas Browne during a break from training at Grange Old School gymnasium near Camden. Source: News Limited

THIS is what Australia's top rated heavyweight Alex Leapai has to say about Lucas Browne's big heavyweight fight with English giant Richard Towers, to be broadcast on Fox Sports on Thursday July 25.

"I hope Lucas Browne bombs Towers out," said Leapai, the No.8 contender for Wladimir Klitschko's WBO heavyweight crown.

"I want Lucas to win and be very impressive. David Price holds the Commonwealth title but he's been knocked out twice by the same bloke, Tony Thompson. Price will not want to be knocked out again.

"Price should vacate the title and let me and Lucas fight for the vacant Commonwealth title. It will be a great fight.

"Lucas is a big, strong man and he's shown how tough he is fighting in the MMA.

"But he's never met anyone who can hit like me."

XXXXXXXX

TWO of Australia's rising stars were in action  recently, scoring impressive wins.

Brisbane-based London Olympian Cameron Hammond returned to his hometown of Moree to score a sixth-round stoppage over Kane Buckley. It was Hammond's third straight win since turning pro.

Hammond's local newspaper, The Moree Champion, said the roof of the local Memorial Hall was almost lifted by cheers for the young hero.

On the Gold Coast, super-middleweight Rohan Murdock scored the best win of his career when he stopped Les Piper in round 10 at the Southport Sharks Club.

Piper had recently taken WBA No.3 Jarrod Fletcher the 10-round distance.

XXXXXXXX

AUSTRALIA'S former world featherweight champion Johnny Famechon was on hand to induct five fighting greats into the Queensland Boxing Hall of Fame on the weekend.

Olympian Shane Knox, former world-class professionals Paul Moore and Ernie Artango, long-time amateur coach Boyd Scully and promoter/trainer Ron Ward were all honoured at the ceremony at the Showmen's Club at Yatala.

Knox fought at the 1984 Olympics and compiled an unblemished pro record of 16 wins in 16 fights before becoming a highly regarded trainer at the Fortitude Valley PCYC.

I was in his corner from 1984 to 1987.

Among the guests at the function were Athol McQueen, who decked Joe Frazier at the 1964 Olympics, heavyweight great Steve Aczel, Noel Kunde, who fought Johnny Famechon,  Lionel Rose, and Jeff White, who beat Rose.

Former world title challenger Darren Obah and the great Hector Thompson, who gave Roberto Duran one of his toughest fights, were also special guests.

XXXXXXXX

BRISBANE-BASED Irishman Paddy Murphy (yep, it's his real name) was held to a draw by welterweight Peter McDonagh in his return to Ireland.

Murphy's trainer Gareth Williams says his boxer was ripped off on the scorecards at the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk.

XXXXXXXX

I WILL be in Melbourne on August 2 as a guest speaker at the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Crown Casino where Jeff Fenech will be inducted as a Legend of the sport.

Proud to say that Jeff never lost a fight with me in his corner, compiling a record of 28-0, 10 of them world title bouts.

XXXXXXXX

RISING English star Kell Brook, who was given a tough fight by Sydney's Lovemore Ndou in 2011, scored an impressive stoppage of American Carson Jones in Hull last week.

Brook, the No.1 contender for the IBF welterweight title, was held to a close decision by Jones last year but turned on a power surge to stop him in Round 8 of the rematch.    

XXXXXXXX

RUSSIAN-BORN WBO super-middleweight champion Robert Stieglitz scored a one-sided 10th round technical decision over No.10 rated Yuzo Kiyota in Dresden, Germany. 

Stieglitz holds a points win over Sydney's Nader Hamdan.

XXXXXXXX

BIG-MOUTH WBA welterweight champ Adrien Broner has shown he is a grub in every sense.

The cashed-up big noter posted a video of himself recently, allegedly sitting on a restaurant toilet flushing money and other things.

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Swan to shelve retirement plans

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Playing on ... Dane Swan could still continue to play beyond 2014. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

COLLINGWOOD superstar Dane Swan will postpone early retirement plans and play on beyond next season under coach Nathan Buckley.

Swan controversially flagged intentions to bow out of AFL when his contract expires at the end of next season aged 30, boldly declaring "that will be the end of me".

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But Swan's manager, Liam Pickering, said last night the three-time Copeland Trophy winner's form was too good to contemplate leaving the game.

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"I wouldn't have thought, with the form that he is in, that he would actually be retiring at 30," Pickering said on Fox Footy's SuperCoach Show. "He will play on, I have got no doubt."

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The Pies were forced to defend criticism about the Brownlow edallist's lifestyle earlier in the year amid reports the club should consider trading him.

But the 29-year-old, who tops the league's possession count, has delivered for Buckley since switching back into a more permanent midfield role in Round 10.

Over the past six weeks, Swan has returned to his scintillating best, averaging 35 possessions a game.

Even with Greater Western Sydney dangling the No.1 draft pick as trade bait, Pickering said Swan was going nowhere.

"I wouldn't think so," Pickering said.

"The form that he is in, he is so important to his team.

"He is having a terrific year. I wouldn't think that (a trade) would be an option at all."

Swan sent shock waves through the Collingwood camp last year when he said his current deal would be his last.

"I will play out my contract and, at the moment, I think that will be the end of me," Swan told the Herald Sun.

"I am not going to be one of those people who plays until they get sacked."

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Reds not considering Link swansong

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Horwill is desperate to send McKenzie out with a Super Rugby title. Source:News Limited

HARD-EDGED skipper James Horwill has shelved any sentimental salute to the Ewen McKenzie era for the simple reason he wants the Reds' biggest success to still lie ahead.

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Knocking off the hotly-favoured Crusaders on their home patch in chilly Christchurch on Saturday night is all that matters to Horwill, who has his play-offs face on.

It will take a special performance to do the job because the Crusaders have built a peerless 14-0 record in finals matches played in their home city since Super 12 began in 1996.

"Certainly, 'Link' deserves to go out on the right note but there's a few more games to get through before I talk about that," said Horwill with a semi-final and final still on his radar after this weekend.

Going full-time to the Wallabies can wait for McKenzie.

The Reds haven't yet put together their best 80 minutes of rugby this season. They were masterful for chunks of the fine wins over the Chiefs and Highlanders in New Zealand but they gave up five tries too.

Horwill is a big fan of the NFL and NBA in the US and knows exactly what playoff time means.

"The season starts again and we understand what it takes to get past these big games," the captain of Queensland's 2011 title team said.

"Nearly everyone in the side has played in one or two finals series. You can't replicate that, coach it or teach it.

"It is something you have to experience which is something positive as a real benefit for us.

"We're not a team that makes finals and is just happy with that."

Most tangibly, it means the Reds won't go into their shells with stage fright in Christchurch where the conditions are tipped to be clear but six degrees. They will have a crack.

Enjoying the big occasion rather than being cowed by it has certainly been the mood in the camp. Pointedly, it is the way the Crusaders are approaching it to and why not with 116-Test backrow great Richie McCaw freshly promoted to the bench to continue his comeback.

At Rugby World Cup 2011, the catchcry of the All Blacks was "walk towards the pressure", a shrewd mindset to embrace the moment not be neutered by expectation.

"We can take some learnings out of the World Cup,'' Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis said in New Zealand.

"You have to treat this as an honour, not a burden, because as soon as you think 'we have been here so many times, we should win it' it just creates anxiety."

The Reds made some big backline calls on Thursday with Jono Lance installed in his preferred inside centre role because of the hamstring injuries to Anthony Faingaa and Mike Harris.

Lance will tackle all day but he also has to crash the ball ahead and keep his handling tidy. Demoting Luke Morahan, the try-scoring hero of the tour match against the Lions last month, is tough.

It shows the regard for tyro Chris Feauai-Sautia, 19, and the need for a tackle-shredding, gain-line runner in the Digby Ioane mould who can get the side going forward from nothing.

"The Crusaders bring out the best in us. Big finals are as close to Test rugby as you get with no second chances," Horwill said.

Horwill's calf niggle has settled but the bigger issue was building up his emotional energy again after it was squeezed dry by the tense series against the British and Irish Lions.

The Crusaders have been boasted by the return of big ball-carting lock Luke Romano (ankle).

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Re-live Queensland's historic win

QUEENSLAND have kept their amazing State of Origin dynasty going with a hard-fought win in Wednesday night's decider.

Re-live all the action of an amazing Origin decider, including all the momentum swings, the streaker and the post-match reaction from both camps. 

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NSW player ratings for Origin III

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Blues Robbie Farah is concoled by Paul Gallen after losing Origin Game 3. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited

NEW South Wales player ratings for State of Origin III at ANZ Stadium.

Who starred and who stank in the 2013 series decider.

Queensland held on for a 12-10 victory to extend their streak to eight consecutive series victories.

Do you agree with the ratings? Leave your comments below.

Josh Dugan

Belongs at this level. Was outstanding at the back with great involvement all game - 8

Brett Morris

Tried hard to spark the Blues in the second half but just couldn't find the space - 7

Michael Jennings

Never saw his blistering pace but his defence was outstanding on the left edge - 7.5

Josh Morris

Did a great job on Inglis and was heavily involved in McManus try - 7

James McManus

Apart from a second half mistake, he was near flawless with a try and great under the high ball - 7.5

James Maloney

Threatened a couple of times but is he the answer at 6? The jury is still out -  6

Mitchell Pearce

Promising first half but composure under pressure for the crucial plays was poor. Kicked average - 6

Aaron Woods

First series but he still has plenty to prove that he is up to this level. Used sparingly -  2.5

Robbie Farah

Worked his butt off and schemed around the rucks. Couple of wrong options but did all he could - 7.5

James Tamou

Not even close to the form he showed in last year's series. Second half stint better than first - 6

Ryan Hoffman

His best game of the series. Worked hard and did his best to hurt the Maroons on the edge - 7

Luke Lewis

A far cry from his opening Origin performance and injured in the second half - 5.5

Greg Bird

Played tough as usual and did his best to inspire the Blues with big hits and aggression - 7.5

Interchange:

Andrew Fifita

The future of the Blues upfront. Was outstanding in quality and quantity - 8

Trent Merrin

Scored the try to give the Blues a sniff at the end and made good impact - 6.5

Anthony Watmough

Turned the game when he came on in the first half and was a serious threat all night - 8.5

Boyd Cordner

Tough initiation but will be far better next season for the experience at this level - 5

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Streaker madness in Origin III

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A streaker causes mayhem in the closing stages of State of Origin III. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / The Daily Telegraph

A STREAKER turned State of Origin III into an embarrassing farce as Queensland secured an historic eighth successive series.

With three minutes remaining and the Maroons ahead 12-10, a streaker ran 140 metres from the western end of the arena to interrupt play, where Queensland was attacking the NSW tryline at the northern end.

He was tackled to the ground by security as play went around them.

It was farcical for the game and for ANZ Stadium security.

Watch the video above

There was $20 million worth of talent standing around while a streaker was laying on the grass.

The Maroons actually crossed through prop Matt Scott but the try was disallowed because of the impact the streaker had on play.

Play was suspended while up to six security guards held the streaker down.

He was eventually escorted from the field.

No team scored in the remaining few minutes, Queensland hanging on for a 12-10 win.

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Reds' Schatz out to rattle Read

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Schatz is well aware of the challenge that awaits him in Christchurch. Source:News Limited

UNSUNG Jake Schatz will head confidently into his playoff duel against Crusaders captain Kieran Read because even the best player in the world can be rattled out of his rhythm by the harassment the Reds are packing for Christchurch.

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No game plan will beat the seven-time champions in Saturday night's sudden-death qualifying final unless rattling, disruptive defence is at the core of it like it has been for the Reds in the tightest jams this season.

Schatz, 22, personifies that zeal as one of the best defenders for a side that has conceded just 23 tries in 16 matches, a starch that only South Africa's Stormers (18) bettered during the regular season.

"Read is the best No.8 in the world and good in every area of his game from the lineout to his runs out wide," Schatz warned as he contemplated his 50-game milestone arriving on the biggest stage of the year for the Reds.

"You can't keep an eye on all their stars but you can get them on the back foot by challenging their skills by never letting them have it easy.

"You don't give Dan Carter an easy kick. You hustle up in his face to make it a tough kick and the same goes with getting tacklers on Read when he catches the ball or contesting lineouts so they don't get into the rhythm they want."

The Reds became one of the few teams in 19 seasons of Super Rugby to keep the Crusaders tryless in Christchurch last year so stifling one of rugby's most renowned attacking outfits is possible.

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No.8 Schatz has enormous respect for Read, the All Blacks captain in their recent series against France and regarded by many shrewd judges as having taken the mantle as best player in the world from Crusaders teammates Carter and Richie McCaw.

You feel the bony hardness of certain players when you tackle them or get skewered by their forceful running. Read is one of them.

"He is like Radike Samo. They are sort of hard all the way through and you know it when you tackle them," Schatz said.

The successful Ewen McKenzie era has pushed 13 Reds through to the Test ranks but uncapped role players like Schatz, utility back Ben Lucas, red-haired flanker Ed Quirk and lock Ed O'Donoghue have been just as important to reaching this year's playoffs

The backrow partnership he forms with close mates Quirk and Liam Gill is one that Schatz cherishes.

"Knowing each other so well off the field just adds to the trust on the field that your mate has the inside (runner) no matter what," Schatz said.

The trust doesn't quite extend to Schatz yet sharing a dive with Quirk, who recently became a novice spear fisherman.

That the Reds are more than just a footy team was reinforced to Schatz in 2011 when he played against the Crusaders beside teammates wearing black armbands to honour his late mother Alison after her death from cancer.

"It was a very emotional time in my life. I can't thank the boys enough for their support going into that game and after it because, no matter what, there are guys at the Reds who'll help you through anything," Schatz said.

Centre Anthony Faingaa (hamstring) is doing his utmost to prove his fitness for a playoff that his harassing style and breakdown work out wide are perfectly suited to.

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LIVE: Tour de France, Stage 16

Britain's Christopher Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, climbs Mont Ventoux at the end of the longest stage of the 100th Tour de France edition. Source: Christophe Ena / AP

JOIN cycling expert Reece Homfray for a medium 168km mountain stage in the Tour De France tonight before tomorrow's 32km individual time-trial.

Enter the live chat for Stage 16 from Vaison-La-Romaine to Gap in the window below.

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Beauchamp after happier memories

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Michael Beauchamp wants a better result against EPL giants Manchester United. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Michael Beauchamp has come up against Manchester United before, but he doesn't have happy memories of the occasion.

Wayne Rooney opened the scoring 20 minutes into the game and Beauchamp was forced off the field soon afterwards.

"I put my leg up to stop a cross and basically tore my hamstring," Beauchamp told The Daily Telegraph.

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"So that was pretty much the end of me for the Champions League and most of the rest of the season after that.

"Obviously not the best memory of that game, but the boys played well and then they went to Old Trafford and got a draw over there, so they did well overall.

"It would've been nice to go up against them for the full 90 minutes, but sometimes that happens in football."

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Aalborg went on to lose the match 3-0 after a second-half brace from Dimitar Berbatov. It capped off a forgettable few weeks for Beauchamp, who was the victim of mistaken-identity when he was incorrectly sent off during a Champions League game against Celtic just days before.

He'll certainly be hoping for a different outcome on Saturday, when he plays for the A-League All Stars against the Red Devils.

"Every player that steps onto the field wants to be up against the best," Beauchamp said.

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"Basically for everyone in the team it's an opportunity to go up against a quality side and you get to test yourself against these players."

Beauchamp will get the opportunity to test himself against the best when he's tasked with marking United's star striker Robin van Persie on Saturday.

"He's quality, everyone knows the type of player he is," Beauchamp said.

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"You can't really focus too much on his game because you don't know what he's going to do on the day, but it's a great challenge.

"I think overall the game itself is an opportunity for fans to come out and experience one of the best teams in the world. I'm just going to go out and enjoy it.

"I won't be going about my business any differently if I was playing a state side."

All Stars coach Ange Postecoglou is pleased with how the A-League players have come together in such a short space of time and is looking forward to seeing how United approach the game under new manager David Moyes.

"It will create a bit of education for me to see how they set up and how they play," Postecoglou said.

"From my perspective I'm trying to concentrate more on our team and make sure we give a good account of ourselves.

"Our job is to make sure it's a good contest and we play our part in hopefully making it an exciting game."

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Video: Bombers could be in the clear

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Essendon players could avoid suspensions amid confusion surrounding banned substance AOD-9604. Picture: Getty Source: Paul Kane / Getty Images

ESSENDON's players will not face ASADA sanction from its use of AOD-9604, it was claimed on Tuesday night.

The club's confidence the players will escape penalty stem from their knowledge that the anti-obesity drug was not banned in 2012.

It was claimed on Tuesday night, and later confirmed by Essendon sources, the club inquired to anti-doping body ASADA about its players taking the drug in early 2012 and was told it was not a prohibited substance.

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Former sports scientist Stephen Dank has also confirmed he spoke to ASADA about the drug.

Dank has also confirmed he administered the drug to Essendon players on the belief that it was safe for use.

Essendon has previously refused to comment on reports that a leading ASADA investigator told them on May 6 this year: ''I don't believe it (AOD-9604) should ever have been on the prohibited list.''

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The Dons were allegedly told by ASADA the prospects of a prosecution for the use of AOD-9604 was ''very, very, very low''.

Essendon sources on Tuesday night told the Herald Sun the statement by the lead investigator was made in front of a large collection of Essendon players and coaches.

The Herald Sun has previously put that allegation to ASADA, which declined to comment.

If true, the statements aired on AFL 360 would clear Essendon's players of use of AOD-9604.

But ASADA is also investigating the possible use of other drugs which could be illegal or performance-enhancing.

But while it could be the smoking gun if proven by Essendon, ASADA was still maintaining last night it had never told a sporting body AOD-9604 was permitted.

Australian Crime Commission boss John Lawler confirmed last night that the policing body had been given advice by ASADA that the drug was not illegal under the S.2 anti-doping provision.

But ASADA said the drug was still illegal under the S.0 catch-all provision for banned substances not fit for human use.

That S.0 catch-all is the basis of WADA's concrete ruling that the drug is illegal for sport and will result in bans for those who use it.

ASADA's statement to Fox Footy stated: ''ASADA has not advised any party that AOD-9604 is permitted in sport. ASADA correctly advised ACC that AOD-9604 was not prohibited under S.2 of the WADA prohibited list, however made no reference to its status under S.0. There is no difference between the substances WADA and ASADA consider prohibited.''

WADA has consistently stated AOD-9604 was illegal from January 2011, with Essendon captain Jobe Watson admitting he believed he took the substance.

Even if ASADA exonerates or fails to prosecute Essendon players, WADA could come over the top with an appeal.

But if Essendon was explicitly told by ASADA that it could take AOD-9604 before it started injecting players, the chances of suspensions are remote.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou told the program last night he could not comment on the claims.

''All I will say is that there is some uncertainty around the status of AOD-9604 and what I don't want to do is pre-empt the outcome of the investigation. The public, the media, and the football world are demanding answers. They want to know, they should know and we are all very keen to get to the outcome of the ASADA investigation and that's when those questions will be answered, and I am not going to provide any more commentary than that.'

AFL 360 host Gerard Whateley was adamant Essendon players would escape penalty.

''Essendon players in my opinion will not receive infraction notices. If you are getting advice from the body you are told to report to that it is not prohibited, then I don't believe - as the chief investigator stated - that such a charge could be sustained.

''It's not a technicality. It runs right to the core of what this is all about. It wasn't a banned substance under definition in Australia in 2012 under the best advice you could get.''

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Video: Bombers could be in the clear

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The Bombers supplements saga takes a turn in the opposite direction. Source: Paul Kane / Getty Images

ESSENDON's players will not face ASADA sanction from its use of AOD-9604, it was claimed on Tuesday night.

The club's confidence the players will escape penalty stem from their knowledge that the anti-obesity drug was not banned in 2012.

It was claimed on Tuesday night, and later confirmed by Essendon sources, the club inquired to anti-doping body ASADA about its players taking the drug in early 2012 and was told it was not a prohibited substance.

Former sports scientist Stephen Dank has also confirmed he spoke to ASADA about the drug.

Dank has also confirmed he administered the drug to Essendon players on the belief that it was safe for use.

Essendon has previously refused to comment on reports that a leading ASADA investigator told them on May 6 this year: ''I don't believe it (AOD-9604) should ever have been on the prohibited list.''

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

The Dons were allegedly told by ASADA the prospects of a prosecution for the use of AOD-9604 was ''very, very, very low''.

Essendon sources on Tuesday night told the Herald Sun the statement by the lead investigator was made in front of a large collection of Essendon players and coaches.

The Herald Sun has previously put that allegation to ASADA, which declined to comment.

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

If true, the statements aired on AFL 360 would clear Essendon's players of use of AOD-9604.

But ASADA is also investigating the possible use of other drugs which could be illegal or performance-enhancing.

But while it could be the smoking gun if proven by Essendon, ASADA was still maintaining last night it had never told a sporting body AOD-9604 was permitted.

Australian Crime Commission boss John Lawler confirmed last night that the policing body had been given advice by ASADA that the drug was not illegal under the S.2 anti-doping provision.

But ASADA said the drug was still illegal under the S.0 catch-all provision for banned substances not fit for human use.

That S.0 catch-all is the basis of WADA's concrete ruling that the drug is illegal for sport and will result in bans for those who use it.

ASADA's statement to Fox Footy stated: ''ASADA has not advised any party that AOD-9604 is permitted in sport. ASADA correctly advised ACC that AOD-9604 was not prohibited under S.2 of the WADA prohibited list, however made no reference to its status under S.0. There is no difference between the substances WADA and ASADA consider prohibited.''

WADA has consistently stated AOD-9604 was illegal from January 2011, with Essendon captain Jobe Watson admitting he believed he took the substance.

Even if ASADA exonerates or fails to prosecute Essendon players, WADA could come over the top with an appeal.

But if Essendon was explicitly told by ASADA that it could take AOD-9604 before it started injecting players, the chances of suspensions are remote.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou told the program last night he could not comment on the claims.

''All I will say is that there is some uncertainty around the status of AOD-9604 and what I don't want to do is pre-empt the outcome of the investigation. The public, the media, and the football world are demanding answers. They want to know, they should know and we are all very keen to get to the outcome of the ASADA investigation and that's when those questions will be answered, and I am not going to provide any more commentary than that.'

AFL 360 host Gerard Whateley was adamant Essendon players would escape penalty.

''Essendon players in my opinion will not receive infraction notices. If you are getting advice from the body you are told to report to that it is not prohibited, then I don't believe - as the chief investigator stated - that such a charge could be sustained.

''It's not a technicality. It runs right to the core of what this is all about. It wasn't a banned substance under definition in Australia in 2012 under the best advice you could get.''

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Murphy comes out of retirement

Greg Murphy, with his Holden back in 2011, has come out of retirement. Source: Supplied

GREG Murphy will have a shot at becoming a five-time Bathurst champion this year with the V8 legend coming out of retirement to partner James Courtney at Mount Panorama in a Holden super-team.

Forced to end his illustrious V8 Supercar career at the end of last season when he could not find a team, Murphy was the hottest property on the endurance market before being snared by the Holden Racing Team (HRT).

The Daily Telegraph can exclusively reveal Murphy will partner former champion James Courtney at the Sandown 500, the Bathurst 1000 and the Gold Coast 600 in a formidable combination that could see the man that snared the "Lap of the Gods'' win another Bathurst trophy.

Murphy last night said he was looking forward to buckling down with Courtney and the powerful HRT, who broke a long drought last round in Townsville to win and announce themselves as an endurance force.

"Winning Bathurst is the epitome of what we're all here for,'' Murphy said.

"Things have changed in the championship but Bathurst has retained its place as the absolute pinnacle of V8 Supercars and racing in Australia.

"The 'Lap of the Gods' was an incredible moment in my career, and fantastic that so many people have enjoyed and relived it.

"In 2003 the confidence was enormous and everything just played out. To do it again would be special but we'll wait until that moment to fight over who's going to drive.

Courtney was equally enthusiastic at winning the right to partner a Bathurst legend at Mount Panorama. 

"I'm the only driver out of our team that hasn't won Bathurst,'' Courtney said. 

"I've been close a few times but haven't stood on the top step yet.

"It would be great to do it with Murph; he really lifts to another level at Bathurst.

"I said I would get the car into the Top 10 Shootout and then hand it over to Murph to do another 'Lap of the Gods.'"

Fellow HRT driver Garth Tander will team up with Nick Percat. The duo won Bathurst in 2011.  

"It's fantastic to have Nick back in the car again,'' Tander said. 

"We've shared the car for the last two years, obviously with success in 2011.

"Nick did a lot of the pre-testing for Car of the Future and knows the car really well.

"You always enjoy the highs – and we did that straight-up in 2011 – but it's what you learn from the lows that moulds you and Nick won't make the same mistake twice."

HRT Managing Director Steve Hallam said his team at two shots at winning Bathurst this year.

"Garth and Nick have won Bathurst together before, while James has scored three podium finishes in the biggest race of the year and Greg's record at Mount Panorama is undisputable." Hallam said.

"We head to the enduros with two cars genuinely capable of outright victory.

"We thank Tony D'Alberto Racing for their co-operation and understanding which has enabled us to present two very strong driver combinations for the endurance races."

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