LIVE: Springboks v Wallabies

JOIN our coverage as the Springboks host the Wallabies in The Rugby Championship clash at Newlands in Cape Town.

The Wallabies are looking to follow up their opening TRC win against Argentina with another victory, but face a tough ask against the Springboks.

Australia hasn't won in Cape Town since 1992, when current coach Ewen McKenzie was part of a side that triumphed 26-3.

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Chooks run riot over weary Knights

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MINOR premiers Sydney Roosters swept aside the week from hell to cut Newcastle open from long-range and qualify for their sixth Grand Final in 13 seasons.

7 Tries 2
Daniel Tupou 31'	Joseph Leilua 66'
Michael Jennings 34'	Joseph Leilua 68'
Aidan Guerra 48'
Michael Jennings 52'
Mitchell Aubusson 57'
Jake Friend 61'
Aidan Guerra 80'
5 Conversions 1
James Maloney 35'	Tyrone Roberts 69'
James Maloney 49'
James Maloney 54'
James Maloney 58'
James Maloney 80'
1 Penalties 2
James Maloney 8'	Tyrone Roberts 26'
	Tyrone Roberts 40'

Despite irregular human growth hormone and testosterone test results being leaked publicly during the week, the Roosters were all business to set-up a Grand Final against arch-rivals Manly.

The Tricolours' big game players all delivered, with Sonny Bill Williams soldiering on through illness, Michael Jennings superb and playmakers Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney and Jake Friend all producing the temperament and creativity required to win finals football.

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"It was a challenging week and it was the players that got us through. We had really good strong management from the club and the players responded really well," Roosters coach Trent Robinson said.

"They knew it was wrong to put those guys on the front page and they supported them quickly. There's a lot of pessimism in our sport when it comes to us older guys about what happens in our game.

"The guys knew what they did, they were happy with what they'd come to and the boys decided to get going on Thursday morning.

"They came in, talked about it and they were the ones that kept pushing it, they were ready to go. The way that those guys played today was impressive."

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For Newcastle, the club's brave run went out the window when Danny Buderus was knocked out and forced off on a medicab in the 18th minute.

Buderus was on the wrong end of a Jared Waerea-Hargreaves elbow that was entirely accidental.

Winger Daniel Tupou produced a massive play to open the second half, making a lightning 55m break from deep in his own territory to set up field position for Aidan Guerra's try.

Knights fullback Darius Boyd was flying through chasing a Tyrone Roberts kick when the ball bounced up and whoever swooped was going to have an opportunity.

If Boyd won it, the Knights probably would have scored. Instead, Tupou produced a brilliant run before Guerra put on a pirouette a couple of plays later for an 18-4 scoreline.

Five minutes later, Jennings cut the Knights open from a standing start 25m out off a Pearce inside ball, putting the Roosters on course for the Grand Final.

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The Roosters started all guns blazing, but through the blue-collar grit that defines the city of Newcastle, the Knights held solid.

Friend scooted out of dummy half and sent captain Anthony Minichiello into open space. He found Pearce, who threw a looping cut-out ball to Guerra before the Knights eventually shut the raid down.

Next up it was Pearce and Maloney combining, only for the five-eighth to be shut down centimetres from the line, with Robbie Rochow and Jeremy Smith denying him.

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Smith couldn't resist giving Maloney a facial, which the video referees deemed unnecessary pressure and the Roosters were awarded a penalty in front of the posts for a 2-0 lead.

The Knights opted for a simple style of one-out forward running, while the Roosters were throwing a combination of brute force mixed with flashes of finesse.

Then came the turning point when Buderus was hurt.

Waerea-Hargreaves ran at the brave Novocastrian, who threw his body into a position few other players would.

Buderus was knocked out for about three minutes and then taken to hospital for precautionary scans.

From that point on, it was going to take a special performance from the Knights to qualify for the Grand Final.

The next big moment came nine minutes before halftime, when the Roosters put back-to-back tries together, to Tupou and Michael Jennings, and power to a 12-2 lead.

Sadly, the Jennings try came off a forward pass, meaning the match officials are bound to come in for more criticism at the most important time of the year in September.

The Tupou try was like something out of a Harlem Globetrotters show reel, with the towering Rooster leaping high above Akuila Uate to pluck a James Maloney cross-field kick out of the air, then gracefully touching down for the first try of the night.

Unfortunately, as slick as the long-range Jennings try three minutes later looked, with the Tricolours cutting the Knights open from long range, there was a forward pass to start it from Sonny Bill Williams to Dylan Napa.

Napa found himself in space before giving it to Pearce, who found Jennings. The centre went on a powerful surge all the way to the line.

But the refereeing bungle will leave another sour taste, especially after the seventh-tackle fiasco of the opening week of the finals.

Roosters captain Anthony Minichiello could hardly wipe the smile off his face about the prospect of playing in a sixth grand final for the club, with the possibility of captaining the Tricolours to a premiership.

"Manly are just a tough team. They don't give in. It's going to be a huge match. We've had some tough games against them this year. Really low scoring games. Defensive games, very physical. So we expect no different," Minichiello said. 

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Sad end for a Knights legend

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NEWCASTLE lost its heart and soul 17 minutes in on Saturday night.

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And with it went the fairytale.

When favourite son Danny Buderus hit the deck unconscious after a sickening collision with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves in the first half and was stretchered off, the Knights' hopes of an upset went with him.

No matter how brave the Knights were defensively in the first half, the loss of their spiritual leader was always going to be a knockout blow.

That's how much he means to the team.

It may not have been their only motivation but Buderus' pending retirement was certainly a factor in the Knights' end of season surge.

Without him - without his slick dummy half service, without his courage in defence, his leadership qualities and never-say-die attitude - the Knights were always going to be up against it.

The injury stunned the Allianz Stadium crowd - who stood as one in a standing ovation as he left the field - as much as it did Buderus' teammates.

Knights coach Wayne Bennett said as much after the game.

"A lot of his mates are pretty upset,'' Bennett said.

"He's had quite an impact on the club and is so highly regarded by everyone he plays with.

"It's probably as most upset as I've seen blokes about someone that's got injured on the footy field."

Captain Jarrod Mullen described his loss as "devastating".

"He's been such a great player for not only Newcastle but the NRL,'' Mullen said.

"It's a bit unfair the way he went out - it's very sad."

Mullen said the impact of his injury was telling.

"A lot of our stuff comes off Bedsy so it did affect us," he said.

There was nothing sinister in the incident.

As he has done thousands of times throughout his career, Buderus threw himself at an opposition forward.

It was little man on big man as he attempted to take Waerea-Hargreaves up top, ball and all.

But his bravery cost him.

With his head in the wrong place, he caught the Roosters prop's forearm and was out to it before he hit the ground.

He was unconscious for up to three minutes before being carried from the field.

He was then taken to hospital for precautionary scans with Bennett later revealing he been cleared of any neck damage.

"He may stay in overnight because he was knocked out for so long,''he said.

Waerea- Hargreaves said there was no malice in the incident.

"There was no intention - it's a game of footy,'' he said.

"I was pretty shocked but I wish him all the best."

Roosters coach Trent Robinson said of Buderus: "There's no better competitor that's ever played the game.

He's the nicest bloke in the world but he's got a fire in his belly that's impressive.

"For the career he's had, you wanted to see him get up and make sure he's okay.

"As a fan of Danny, you sort of hoped he was going to run back down that tunnel at some stage."

It has to be said that even before his departure, it was only desperation and desire keeping the underdogs in the contest.

The power of the Roosters forwards was telling an ultimately, Newcastle had no answer.

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Mate's memory drives Toomua

Matt Toomua fires a pass for the Wallabies. Source: Anthony Au-Yeung / Getty Images

ABOUT forty minutes before every game, Matt Toomua reaches into his bag, pulls out a marker and writes a number on his left wrist.

For four years Toomua has scribbled the three digits and paused to remember the guy who owned them.

"In special games you think about it a bit more," Toomua says.

"I like to write it down to remember, and think about how much he'd love to be here right now."

The number is 118; the Brumbies player number of late friend and teammate Shawn Mackay.

Mackay earned it two weeks before he tragically passed away in 2009, following complications from a hit-and-run accident in Durban while on tour with the ACT side.

Then 19, Toomua was crushed. He and Mackay were flatmates and had fast developed a strong bond.

"We just got on really well. He kind of took a big brother role," Toomua said.

"To be fair, we knew each other less than a year but we just got on, and he really helped me out.

"I was barely out of school, so with just basic things like cooking. His girlfriend moved in and they took care of me, so I guess that's why he meant so much to me."

Much has changed for Toomua since Mackay's passing. Then a fringe Super Rugby player, the 23-year-old is now a Wallaby, and he was set to play against the Springboks in Cape Town early Sunday morning (AEST).

He's been back to Africa "five or six times" since 2009, so the pain attached to the flight over has faded now.

But the memories of Mackay haven't. Toomua still uses his mate as a benchmark for the merit of hard work, and as a reminder to savour every moment.

"The thing I remember about him is I came out of school and played Super Rugby the year after. Things happened quite quickly for me and the progression was a lot simpler," Toomua said.

"He was eight years older than me, so he would have been 27 or something like that, and he had just made his debut after a long time. It was such a nice thing to see a guy who's worked so hard finally get there.

"It's kind of like Scott Fardy, someone who has taken a different kind of journey and you know it means a lot to them.

"It makes you realise how lucky you are to be where you are, and I still think about that quite often."

Toomua likes to remember how happy Mackay was in the weeks before his accident. He'd come off the bench on debut against the Lions in Johannesburg, and again against the Sharks on the night of his accident.

"It was a huge high for him, so for him to only get two games was unfair," Toomua says.

After being informed of Mackay's death, the Brumbies rallied around the teenage Toomua. The full impact didn't come, he says, until several months later while playing in the under-20s world championship in Japan.

"It all came and hit me. That was quite rough actually," Toomua says.

Toomua needed the lessons of Mackay's perseverance for several years after, with his rapid rise stalling somewhat at the Brumbies.

With injury and falling out of favour, he was played lightly until 2012 under Jake White saw him begin to play regularly.

This year was the first season he played the entire year at five-eighth, and helping to steer the Brumbies to the Super Rugby final saw Toomua called up to start for the first two Tests of The Rugby Championship.

He has since been moved back to the bench behind Quade Cooper, but now older and wiser, Toomua shrugs about the demotion.

"I am more balanced about my views now than what I would have been when I was younger. You ride the roller-coaster a lot more when you are younger," Toomua says.

"You learn to be more neutral with your emotions when you get picked or you get dropped or whatever. That's just a case of me growing up and being part of this industry for a while.

"I am not that player who will always be constantly picked and be the superstar. I am comfortable with that, and it helps me strive to always be better. There will always be opportunities."

He and Cooper get on well, and help each other with preparation. Whether starting or coming off the bench, Toomua now feels like he belongs at Test level.

"In your first year or two, a lot of it is about not screwing up, I reckon. Now it is about making an impact on the field, and leaving a mark on it," he says.

The mark on Toomua's wrist tape serves as constant inspiration. Mackay played sevens for Australia and dreamed of playing for the Wallabies. Tragedy took his dream, leaving Toomua to carry him into Test rugby instead.

"It's obviously in memory of Shawn, but it also represents a lot more," he says.

"Just how lucky I am to have the opportunity, and how much someone I know would have given up just to do what I am doing, and be where I am now.

"I will never lose sight of that."

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Faint Heart rate spoils pre-season

Melbourne Heart right back Jason Hoffman and Adelaide United's Michael Zullo contest for the ball. Picture: Nic Wilson Source: Supplied

MELBOURNE Heart will go into the Round 1 derby against Melbourne Victory without a pre-season win after losing 2-1 to Adelaide United at Epping Stadium.

Classy Argentine Marcelo Carrusca scored both goals for United, with David Williams scoring a second-half consolation. Williams also had a golden chance to equalise but blasted wide with just Eugene Galekovic to beat.

Four players came off because of injury concerns, with Heart striker Golgol Mebrahtu and Adelaide's new Spanish winger Cirio coming off at halftime.

But of more concern ahead of Round 1 for both sides are Patrick Gerhardt (ankle) and Michael Zullo (knee).

Adelaide started with a full-strength side and dominated the first half against a Heart team which rested Harry Kewell and Michael Mifsud.

Carrusca opened the scoring from the penalty spot on 26 minutes after right back Jason Hoffman fouled Cirio.

Playing up front Mebrahtu found space minutes later but his shot didn't cause Galekovic too many issues.

Cirio then cleverly cut inside from the left and offloaded to Carrusca, who hit it first time and delightfully curled it into the top corner and out of reach of Andrew Redmayne.

Heart coach John Aloisi introduced Italian injury replacement Andrea Migliorini and Iain Ramsay for youth team player Paulo Retre and Mebrahtu at the break and they helped Heart gain control of the contest after Adelaide played some swashbuckling football in the first half.

Adelaide United's Michael Zullo appears to be hindered by Heart's Patrick Kisnorbo. Picture: Nic Wilson Source: Supplied

Heart's 64th minute goal came after mate Dugandzic cut inside from the right and released Aziz Behich, whose deflected shot was tipped away by Galekovic.

The Adelaide keeper recovered quickly to swat away Williams' header from the rebound but the Heart player was on hand to tap in the second rebound with Dugandzic also ready to pounce.

Four minutes later Williams - who moved from left wing to striker at the break - was released by youth-contracted attacking midfielder Marcus Schroen before bursting clear of Adelaide's defence but blasted wide with just Galekovic to beat.

The game slowed to a halt with Gerhardt and Zullo limping off late in the game.

Heart, which has drawn one and lost three of its pre-season friendlies against A-League opposition, plays a Peninsula Select XI on Sunday at Frankston Oval at 3pm with the likes of Jeremy Walker and David Vrankovic set to play.

Adelaide is contemplating offering striker Brent McGrath a short-term contract as an injury replacement for Bruce Djite.

McGrath, who also trialled with Heart, played an hour for Adelaide before making way for Osama Malik.

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Bunnies gone, Stewart sweats on hit

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TOUGH Manly backrower Glenn Stewart on Friday night declared he held no fear that his high shot on Sam Burgess will rub him out of the grand final.

3 Tries 5
John Sutton 7'	Brett Stewart 20'
Nathan Merritt 12'	Matt Ballin 45'
Dylan Walker 80'	Jamie Lyon 58'
	David Williams 62'
	Tom Symonds 72'
3 Conversions 5
Adam Reynolds 8'	Jamie Lyon 21'
Adam Reynolds 13'	Jamie Lyon 47'
Issac Luke 80'	Jamie Lyon 59'
	Jamie Lyon 63'
	Jamie Lyon 74'
1 Penalties 0
Adam Reynolds 5'

Stewart produced one of the bravest individual fightbacks in recent finals history to inspire the Sea Eagles' incredible come-from-behind victory.

After making three crucial blunders in the opening minutes that all led directly to points as the Rabbitohs charged to a 14-0 lead, Stewart was instrumental in the fightback.

The star backrower brushed the disappointment aside and combined brilliantly with his brother Brett for Manly's first try in the 20th minute.

That piece of brotherly brilliance swung the momentum of the match.

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In the end Manly ran out comprehensive 30-20 winners to book a place in next Sunday night's grand final - but on Friday night their memorable victory had a dark cloud hanging over it as Manly waits to see if Stewart gets charged.

The match review committee's meeting will be brought forward to Sunday instead of Monday to give Stewart every chance to put the incident behind him and prepare for the grand final.

Asked if he feared the tackle would end up costing him his place in the match, Stewart said: "I don't think so. It was probably a little bit lazy but I don't think I have any carryovers and that is not normally in my game so I don't think so."

The good news for Stewart is that he has not been charged this year and has no carry over points or loading.

That means if he is hit with a grade one charge he will escape suspension but a grade two charge could possibly rule him out.

Geoff Toovey was adamant Stewart shouldn't have a case to answer.

"I don't think there is anything in it to tell you the truth," Toovey said.

"It's not up to me but from what I saw there has been hundreds of them during the year and no one seemed to have copped anything so I'd be surprised."

What was worthy of Toovey's praise was the guts Stewart showed to put the early disappointment behind him.

"I think players of the quality of Glenn Stewart can do that," Toovey said.

"There is no use putting your head in the sand and turning it up.

"He bounced back there and was an integral part in the final result."

The high shot on Burgess gifted Adam Reynolds the opening points courtesy of a penalty goal and that followed with a missed tackle on John Sutton who barged over from dummy half.

Stewart then dropped an easy pass that led to Nathan Merritt's try and at 14-0 Manly looked gone.

But instead of surrendering, he then came up with a deft grubber for brother Brett as they combined brilliantly for Manly's first try in the 20th minute.

From there Manly just had too much experience and resilience for their opponents.

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"I was pretty down and I felt a lot of pressure but you need to get over these things pretty quick otherwise the game will just pass you by and luckily the kick came off up the other end so I felt a little bit better," Glenn said.

"If it had of went the other way I don't know what I would have done.

"I was certainly disappointed with my start and didn't make it easy for the side but all the boys showed up for me and helped me out and that is what we have been doing for a while.

"Everyone shows up for each other.

"Not many people gave us much of a shot tonight so it was good."

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Overdue flag weighs on Hawks

Expectations ... Alastair Clarkson is chasing a second premiership. Source: Salpigtidis George / News Limited

IF the first premiership came prematurely, the second is overdue.

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The wait creates an inescapable weight, an unwanted level of tension and anxiety as judgment rests so heavily on the result.

For what is this period of Hawthorn excellence if not franked by a second title?

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Victory will mark an incremental climb back to the top, as meticulous as it has been premeditated. It will be nothing less than what is deserved.

Defeat will be measured through the lament of unfulfillment or worse, the stain of under-achievement.

Alastair Clarkson's Hawks won the 2008 flag as a brilliant, brash, cocky and unsociable force. In victory they were assigned the deed of dynasty.

While they proved good enough to snatch the crown, they were ill-equipped to reign. Ambition was squandered.

But the nucleus was too good to flare and extinguish.

The second coming has proven sustainable and significant.

It has come via a different path. Where that first flag was won with homegrown stocks — only Stuart Dew and Brent Guerra had careers of any consequence elsewhere — the current model is refurbished with hand-picked parts.

Specific needs were identified and resolved. It was unashamed and brave; bucking the industry conservatism that still holds sway.

First the game-breaker Shaun Burgoyne and the key backman Josh Gibson were added. Then the ruck/forward in David Hale. The following year it was the young sharpshooter Jack Gunston. And finally the linchpin defender to complete the puzzle in the form of Brian Lake.

Rather than plan for future years beyond the horizon that might never dawn, Hawthorn seized what was before it and forged this premiership quest.

Through this three-year phase and accumulation of 18 wins, then 17 and the minor premiership, followed by a club record 19, it has exercised a permanent hold on favouritism.

While the gap has always been exaggerated, the Hawks have been accepted and exalted as the best. But such opinion is brittle without silverware to make the case.

The frailties and realities of last year's decider were lost on no one inside the camp.

Clarkson didn't stand still, mope, rue his luck and hope for better. He retooled his operation, prepared to blunt his most lethal weapon, Lance Franklin, to achieve a sharper collective edge.

His team has rehearsed the art of width for this very possibility when a charging force would need to be picked apart.

It is a coaching effort too readily overlooked in the season rankings.

But by their own words, all that has been achieved is something of a pre-season to return to the opportunity not taken 52 weeks ago.

Everything is invested in what happens next. It's the double shot of urgency.

Two months ago the challenge seemed formidable enough as it would require Hawthorn to beat the defending champs and an infernal nemesis in consecutive games.

Both missions have been achieved. Each requiring a stern examination of nerve.

The Hawks jangled through a half against the Swans before asserting their will and skill.

Last week they had to resist a conspiracy of the fates as misfortune and dreaded familiarity mounted against them. It was a crushing burden to crawl from under.

At the final siren liberation was grand. Still, it is not enough.

The fear is quite perceptible. A prospect that sits unnerving. A notion that has struck some of the greatest advocates dumb.

In the swarm at Subiaco arose the possibility that has coloured the build-up.

Has Fremantle snatched the mantle of standard-bearer just as Hawthorn was preparing to breast the tape, as the Lions did to Essendon at the climax of 2001?

Have the Hawks arrived at the coronation only to find a multi-headed beast has stolen the throne?

At the last comes the ultimate test for a team that has served its penance. The twelfth labour of Hawthorn is to slay the Purple Peril.

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Samaready wins Moir Stakes

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SAMAREADY put forward a compelling case to suggest she is Australia's best sprinter with a stunning performance to win the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) easily leaving a number of stars in her wake.

Her jockey Craig Newitt summed up the performance at Moonee Valley last night with a simple "wow" before expanding to say the win smacked of arrogance .

The ease of the win didn't surprise Newitt as he said he was blown away by her track work at Moonee Valley last Monday morning.

"To me that was the best she had worked since before she won the Blue Diamond and it was probably better than then," Newitt said.

Her trainer Mick Price also described the win as arrogant and said she would probably have her next start in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on October 26. 

Samaready, now a four-year-old mare, took her record to six wins from eight starts.

Her only defeats were a third in the 2012 Golden Slipper Stakes after having had a torrid run and a fourth in the Quezette Stakes on a heavy track at her only start as a three-year-old filly before being sidelined with a tear in her backside for a year.

Price said physically Samaready could not be in better shape. 

 Price thanked one of Samaready's owners Peter Orton for not letting her leave Vinery Stud until her injury had healed.

Samaready ($7) sat off the hectic speed and swooped around the field on the turn before bounding away to win by four lengths easing up over Buffering ($3.50) and stablemate Le Bonsir ($26).

Buffering's trainer Robert Heathcote said he was getting used to finishing second in Group 1 races after his gallant sprinter recorded his tenth Group 1 placing and his sixth second.

"He tried his heart out but he bumped into a better one," Heathcote said.

Damien Oliver, who rode Bel Sprinter who finished sixth, and Kerrin McEvoy, who rode Epaulette who finished seventh, both said their mounts didn't handle the wet.

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Fox Sports gets La Liga, Serie A

Fox Sports will show matches from Spain's La Liga and the Italian Serie A. Source: Josep Lago / AP

FOX Sports has solidified its position as the home of football, acquiring exclusive Australian rights to broadcast the Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A for the next two seasons.

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Australia's sports leader will broadcast two LIVE matches each week with an additional two matches on delay from both leagues, starting with the Madrid and Turin derbies this Sunday, 29 September.

Every week football fans will be able to watch some of the planet's best teams in High Definition glory, including: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Villareal, Inter Milan, Juventus, AC Milan, AS Roma and Napoli.

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Subscribers will be able to see the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, Mario Balotelli, Andrea Pirlo and David Villa in full flight.

Socceroos legend and current Melbourne Heart coach John Aloisi, who was the first Australian ever to play and score in La Liga, the English Premier League and Serie A, has praised the broadcast deal.

"It is fantastic for Australian football fans to be able to enjoy two of the top club competitions in world football," Aloisi said.

"Fans can not only look forward to watching big matches such as the Manchester Derby, but now they can catch the Milan and Madrid derbies, and see world-class players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo live every week.

Aloisi, who played 48 games in the Italian top flight with Cremonese between 1995-1997 and in Spain's La Liga between 2001-2007 for Osasuna (121 games) and Alaves (58 games), said there was growing appetite for European club football in Australia.

"Having played in Italy and Spain, I always keep a close eye on the competition and they are growing in popularity each year in Australia," Aloisi said.

"I think football fans across Australia will welcome this broadcast deal."

Fox Sports already shows all 380 Barclays Premier League matches as well as every match from the domestic Hyundai A-League.

The football feast doesn't end there, with AFC Asian Cup and AFC Champions League, and LIVE coverage of Socceroos matches and FIFA World Cup qualifiers also on the menu.

WATCH LIVE

LA LIGA

Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid, LIVE 6am (EST), Sunday 29 September, Fox Sports 3HD & 3
*Replays at 12.30pm and 7.30pm

SERIE A

Torino v Juventus, LIVE 8:30pm EST, Sunday 29 September, Fox Sports 1HD & 1

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Earl says he's no drug cheat

Sandor Earl during happier times as a Canberra player. Source: Kym Smith / DailyTelegraph

SUSPENDED NRL star Sandor Earl maintains he is not a drug cheat and has turned the heat up on sports scientist Stephen Dank and his role at the Manly Sea Eagles and Cronulla Sharks.

In an exclusive interview aired on Channel Nine's Footy Show on Thursday night, Earl claimed Dank told him the peptide CJC-1295 was WADA-approved.

The first player to be brought undone by the ongoing ASADA drugs-in-sport investigation, Earl also questioned why the Penrith Panthers failed to ask more questions about the medical bills for injections the club was invoiced $1160 for.

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"I met with Stephen Dank at the facility where we train (at Penrith) and I was introduced to him by a strength and conditioning coach," Earl said.

"My best recollection of him is as a sports scientist. He did tell me his credentials which included working at Manly, the Sharks, the Gold Coast Suns.

"So someone like that who I believe is an employee of the club is in my opinion a reputable sports scientist and someone that's worked at other clubs.

"To me, whatever he had to say in a time of need, I was listening and I was interested.

"He's been employed by other NRL clubs doing the same things, I had to assume why would this person be employed to hand out [prohibited] substances. It would make no sense."

With Today show co-host Karl Stefanovic ensuring Earl was grilled with all the most significant questions, the interview conveyed a picture of a naive 24-year-old focused on his football career.

Earl claimed Dank told him taking CJC-1295 and Thymosin could slash three months off his injury recovery time from a double shoulder reconstruction and supplied him with the peptides at Cambramatta's Injury Care Clinic in a `cooler bag'.

"Did I ask him it was illegal? No. I asked him `can I get in trouble for this?' and he said `No' and he went through his process with WADA and how he goes about things and he assured me on a number of occasions that nothing was banned.

Karl Sefanovic: "And from your perspective, at that point, you thought Penrith was fully aware of everything that he was doing?

Earl: "Well, yeah. There's no doubt in my mind."

Karl Stefanovic: "When the word peptide is mentioned a lot of people go well hang on, the alarm bells start ringing?

Earl: "The alarm bells start ringing in 2013. Back then, there's no way anyone knew what a peptide was in 2011. I certainly didn't. The conversation didn't start off with peptides. The talk was of amino acid proteins. I know what they are.

"In my mind I take them everyday. When he's drawing up on a whiteboard pictures of molecules and things like that, well, what am I supposed to think?

Karl Stefanovic: "You have to ask don't you. What are these things and are they illegal?

Earl: "And I did. There's no doubt in my mind. A number of times.

Karl Sefanovic: "Did the Panthers ever ask you what sort of treatment you were getting off campus?

Earl: "No. Again, in hindsight looking back now to then, I've asked the question, why not? I don't know."

Earl re-iterated the reason he was hit with the heavier charge of trafficking by ASADA was due to having transported a vial of CJC-1295 from an injury clinic Dank was working at in Mascot to Cabramatta, where Dr Ijaz Khan injected him.

In the bigger picture of staring down the barrel of a potential ban of between four years and life prior to his substantial assistance being factored in, Earl was a realist.

"Am I the idiot? I don't believe that. Perhaps it was a story that I was given by (Dank) and it was misleading," Earl said.

"I take full responsibility for what's happened and what's going to happen, there's no problem.

"But was I a victim of someone that abused his power and trust, yes I was. Was the credibility there? Yes it was.

"I don't want people to feel sorry for me at all. People are going to make their judgements and that's fine but I'd rather them make their judgements on the truth and the facts that I've said today."

Dank has repeatedly denied ever giving athletes banned substances.  

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Smother Shaw's finest moment

Heath Shaw's famous smother. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

A SPECTACULAR final quarter mark and an even more unbelievable smother will live in memory as the iconic images when the Grand Final doubled up in 2010.

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Collingwood and St Kilda slugged it out to a no-holds barred draw, then came back a week later when the Magpies ran away with the coveted cup.

But Saint Brendon Goddard's high-flying mark in the draw and Magpie Heath Shaw's spoil in the replay will endure as the defining moments of the two Grand Finals.

Goddard's mark came at a crucial juncture of the match.

The scores were locked at 61 points apiece at the 20-minute mark of the final term when the rangy midfielder leapt for the grab.

He brought the house down as he soared over Magpies Harry O'Brien and Luke Ball about 25m from goal.

With his knees perched on O'Brien's shoulders, he snared the ball overhead with a single grab.

And he followed up by kicking a goal which put the Saints in front for the first time in the game.

Sadly for Goddard, Travis Cloke kicked a goal to put the Pies in front then Lenny Hayes bounced through a memorable behind to tie the scores.

Shaw's smother a week later was simply inspiring.

It came at the 21st minute of the first quarter with St Kilda desperate for a goal to halt a rampant Collingwood.

Saint skipper Nick Riewoldt marked in the goalsquare for what seemed a certain goal when he played on from two metres out.

But Shaw came out of nowhere and dived across Riewoldt from behind to spoil the ball as he was dropping it on to his boot. The ball was rushed through for a behind.

Riewoldt scored with another behind on the siren but the Saints were kept goalless for the quarter.

Shaw's desperation set the example for the Magpies as they went on to demolish St Kilda by 56 points.

Brendon Goddard takes off. Picture: Michael Klein Source: HeraldSun

MATCH REPORT (1)

Draw of century grips footy world, in Sunday Herald Sun September 26, 2010

A GRAND Final rematch between St Kilda and Collingwood will go ahead on Saturday after the two powerhouse teams fought themselves to a heart-stopping draw.

The Magpies led yesterday's epic battle by 24 points at halftime, but their lead was eroded by the hard-tackling Saints and the result was locked at 68 points each.

A 100,016-strong crowd at the MCG stood in shocked disbelief as the final siren blew on only the third draw in AFL-VFL history.

The last one -- in 1977 between North Melbourne and Collingwood -- saw the Kangaroos get home by 27 points in the rematch -- a bad omen for the Magpies on Saturday.

The only other draw happened in 1948, when Melbourne and Essendon tied on 69 points. A week later Melbourne easily defeated Essendon by 39 points.

AFL rules state that in the event of a draw a rematch will be held the following week -- depriving diehard supporters of a medal presentation and cup celebrations.

Exhausted players slumped to the ground, while club officials began immediate preparations for the rematch. The only winner on the day was St Kilda's Lenny Hayes, awarded the Norm Smith Medal for being the best player on the ground.

Earlier at the traditional Grand Final breakfast, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who presides over a hung Parliament, begged the teams for a clear result.

"Please, please, we cannot have a draw. Our nation could not bear it. Australians deserve a result today. A week without a premiership football team, I'm not sure our nation can take that,'' she said.

Collingwood had started the game red-hot favourites and looked it early, with ruckman Darren Jolly kicking the Pies' first goal only 24 seconds into the game.

It took the Saints' Stephen Milne more than six minutes to get the Saints' first goal.

From there Collingwood steadily pulled away. By halftime the Pies were in control with a 24-point lead.

But the Saints held the Pies goalless for the next quarter -- the premiership quarter -- and at three-quarter time the lead was eight points.

Collingwood's Leon Davis broke through the pack for an exciting goal with 13 minutes to go and the crowd came alive, the "Cooollingwoood'' chant echoing across the ground.

Brendon Goddard comes back to earth. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: HeraldSun

But Hayes and Milne goaled for the Saints and, with less than 10 minutes to go, the score was 61-60 -- the Pies hanging on.

With seven minutes 35 seconds on the clock, St Kilda skipper Nick Riewoldt booted a point after a diving touch by Pies skipper Nick Maxwell on the goal line. The scores were tied 61-61.

But when Saints' hard man Brendon Goddard sat on Harry O'Brien's shoulders for a spectacular mark, then booted a goal, the Saints were six points up and daring to believe their first premiership since 1966 was within their grasp.

After another Collingwood point, Magpie Travis Cloke broke Saints supporters' hearts when he goaled with three minutes 25 seconds to go.

But Lenny Hayes fought back with a point for the Saints with 92 seconds to go, leaving the game in a deadlock.

The final scores were 9.14.68 to the Magpies, 10.8.68 to the Saints.

Exhausted Collingwood players slumped in the rooms after the match, still coming to terms with the fact they will have to do it all again on Saturday. But Collingwood star Dale Thomas was in a buoyant mood.

Brendon Goddard celebrates the goal that put St Kilda in front. Picture: Craig Borrow Source: HeraldSun

"We've just qualified for another Grand Final, so we've got to go back now, get everything right, load up and go again," Thomas said.

Teammate Harry O'Brien admitted the players had "missed a lot of opportunities'', but were determined to make amends. He said: "We know what we have to do.

"I'm just happy we're moving on forward. I'm just so focused on recovering now for next week.''

Nick Riewoldt marks in the goalsquare as Heath Shaw closes in. Picture: Chris Scott Source: HeraldSun

MATCH REPORT (2)

Smother one to remember, Sunday Herald Sun October 3, 2010

COLLINGWOOD defender Heath Shaw knew he needed to make a statement when he set out to chase Nick Riewoldt at the 21-minute mark of the opening term of yesterday's game.

His opponent, Adam Schneider, had kicked the ball to the Saints' skipper, who was loose in the forward zone, and Shaw felt he had let down his teammates.

What happened next will go down in Grand Final folklore.

Heath Shaw smothers a certain goal from Nick Riewoldt. Picture: Chris Scott Source: HeraldSun

Shaw desperately ran down an unsuspecting Riewoldt and smothered his kick. It saved a certain goal and gave his teammates an important psychological edge as Collingwood controlled the first quarter, keeping the Saints goalless.

"My man was Schneider and he had kicked the ball (to Riewoldt), so I had to do something,'' the jubilant defender said last night.

"I thought, 'You don't die wondering, I might as well have a crack at it'.

Heath Shaw makes a diving smother to save a goal in the Grand Final replay. Picture: Chris Scott Source: HeraldSun

"I ran there thinking I was going to watch it go over the line. But I saw him turn and it might have blindsided him.''

He said he was "very surprised'' he had caught Riewoldt unaware, and he hoped it lifted the team.

"I think the little things like that maybe spur the team on. I was just happy to contribute to it,'' Shaw said.

It certainly spurred on his teammates, with good friend Alan Didak saying the moment was critical to Collingwood gaining the early ascendancy.

The umpires signals a behind. Picture: Chris Scott Source: HeraldSun

"It just set the tone,'' Didak said. "It was fantastic."

Shaw's father, Ray, a member of the Collingwood Hall of Fame, said he had always told his kids and those players he had coached that they needed to concentrate on doing the little things in big games.

It won't be the only moment Shaw will be remembered for. He had 28 touches, 10 marks, five inside 50s and seven rebound 50s. But, most importantly, he got the premiership medal he and his family have long craved.

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2013 Demetriou's toughest year

Andrew Demetriou suffered through a tough AFL year. Source: DAVE HUNT / AAP

THERE is no question that Andrew Demetriou's 10th year in charge at AFL House has been his toughest.

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In an Open Mike interview with Mike Sheahan, to air on Fox Footy at 9pm tonight, ­Demetriou rattled off a list of strife and scandal.

"We came off Melbourne (tanking investigation), Adelaide (salary cap infringement and draft tampering), Essendon (supplements), we had an issue with St Kilda with Stephen Milne (being charged with rape) and we had Nathan Lovett-Murray stabbed earlier in the year," he said. "So there were lots of issues, some of them running concurrently."

But in some ways, Demetriou said, the AFL had brought some of that grief on itself.

"I'm not responsible for a club that decides to breach the salary cap; I'm not responsible for a club that decides to have a supplements program; I'm not responsible for a club if it ­decides to stop trying on its merits," he said.

"We invested back in 2008 in an integrity unit. We invested heavily — millions of dollars, resourcing it with people, surveillance, technology — now we're five years down the track and you are going to find out things.

"We make no apology for finding out things.

Saga ... Suspended Essendon coach James Hird and Bruce Reid. Source: News Limited

"The code is in infinitely better shape for finding out these things than have them happening under the radar."

Demetriou said it was for others to judge his performance after a decade in charge, and cited the redevelopment of Adelaide Oval — which replaces AAMI Stadium as the premier Adelaide stadium next year — as one of the great achievements of his team.

"That was coming from a long way back," he said. "I didn't realise the depth of angst between cricket and football — I didn't understand the history.

"To bring those two together and get support from the State Government and transform the whole precinct — I can't wait for next year."

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Demetriou said improved training and administration bases for all clubs also were big-ticket achievements.

It was put to him that as many as six of those clubs would record financial losses this year — with Brisbane's boardroom stoush now putting the spotlight on its on- and off-field problems.

Demetriou, who sat in on a mediation session with warring Brisbane Lions factions on Tuesday, — the talks will continue — butdenied the club was on life support.

He said financial support for the Lions was contingent on board stability, but that did not equate to the AFL dictating who would run the club.

Asked if he wanted Angus Johnson — being challenged by a group that includes triple premiership coach Leigh Matthews — to remain as chairman, Demetriou said: "No, our position is we want a united board to support a united club.

"We'd love Leigh Matthews to be involved (but) it is quite possible (that Matthews won't join the board while Johnson is chairman)."

Demetriou said he regularly faced questions about when he might move on from the AFL — but said he served at the pleasure of the Commission and had no finish date in mind.

Asked what that meant for heir apparent Gillon McLachlan, Demetriou said he had considered it part of his role to "groom the succession plan".

"He's been made deputy CEO . . . he's a fantastic operator, fantastic person, beyond reproach. I couldn't think of anyone finer, but it is not my decision," he said.

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England coach moulds Bulls paceman

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ENGLAND bowling coach David Saker has been credited with the rise and rise of the Poms' fast bowlers but Queensland is now thanking him for helping mould one of their latest bowling weapons.

Former Victorian Matthew Gale is Saker's nephew and the late-blooming 29-year-old swing bowler luxuriated on the international stage when he took 4-10 on debut for the Brisbane Heat against the South African Titans in India.

Gale was only called into the Heat team at the last minute, because of a shoulder injury to Calypso quick Kemar Roach, but he showed he could cut it on the big stage of the Champions League.

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Gale thought that a cricket career might have passed him by when he struggled with injury in Victoria and he started an alternative career as a financial planner.

But since moving to Queensland for a change of lifestyle he has not looked back and now he shapes as a key member of Queensland's attack in Sheffield Shield cricket this coming season.

And uncle David, himself a former Victorian swing bowler, has had a nice role to play in his development.

'He (Saker) did all his work with me early on ... he was my assistant coach at Victoria,'' Gale said.

''He's been a great help to me - he is an outswing bowler and I think that is probably where I got it from.

''The move up to Brisbane was really good for me, the ball really swings a lot more in Queensland.

''Early on in Victoria there was three or four seasons where at the end of each pre-season I had quite a bad injury which put me out until Christmas.

''I sort of thought cricket might have been behind me a little bit.''

Gale also gave his insight into what had made his Uncle tick in turning England's bowling attack from a group of imposters into a feared battery.

''He is a really good tactician, he has a knack of looking at a batsman and being able to figure out what his weaknesses are really quickly,'' Gale said.

''And then there is the plan that goes into that, he is very good at that.

''Add to that that he is a good fellow, the boys like having a beer with him, he is easy to get along with.''

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Daisy a Blue if ankle holds up

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ONLY a failed medical examination will stop Carlton from gaining Collingwood star Dale Thomas despite talks with the Magpies continuing.

Free agent Thomas is set to have scans on his injured ankle scrutinised by Carlton as the Blues prepare to make him an offer as early as next week.

But while few at Collingwood have any hope the 26-year-old will stay, the Pies will hand him a final contract offer in the coming days.

That will come before the three-week free agency period starts tomorrow week, when the Blues will offer Thomas a deal of up to five years and well over $3 million.

Collingwood then has three days to match the offer, which would keep him a Magpie.

But just as the Pies have agreed to trade Heath Shaw,there is a concession the Pies would be "irresponsible'' to match a massive offer for Thomas.

Carlton legend Anthony Koutoufides said yesterday Thomas was just what the Blues' midfield needed.

"I think he will make a massive impact to the club if he comes down,'' he said.

"It depends on his injury, but if you are talking Dale Thomas at 100 per cent, he would be an amazing inclusion to the team. You always look for finals players, and that's what he is. They are the ones you want as part of your team.

Relationship ... Dale Thomas could join former coach Mick Malthouse. Source: News Limited

"We are a quick side but we do need pace and you can't get enough quality midfielders.''

Thomas said recently he was extremely confident of passing any fitness test.

Carlton is one of eight ­Melbourne clubs chasing Greater Western Sydney midfielder Taylor Adams, whose price rises by the day given the strong interest.

Brisbane's former no. 12 draft Sam Docherty has Carlton and then Essendon at the top of his wish list, but will talk to new coach Justin Leppitsch in coming days about his future.

Carlton's Shaun Hampson will definitely be on the trade table after fellow ruckman Robert Warnock's strong finish to the season, with Jeremy Laidler also looking for a new home.

While there is continued speculation about Chris Yarran's future, the Blues are determined to hang on to him, saying ­under no circumstances will he be traded.

They seem destined to lose Eddie Betts to Adelaide.

Rat pack ... Nathan Buckley talks to Dane Swan. Source: News Limited

Under the net effect rule, any free agency compensation draft pick for him would be neutralised by the addition of Thomas.

Thomas's probable departure effectively spells the end of the "Rat Pack'' at Collingwood. Alan Didak has been ­delisted, Ben Johnson was nudged into retirement, and Heath Shaw will probably be elsewhere.

given the quality candidates who want him.Dane Swan, another member, has by all accounts been a model citizen this year while Dayne Beams is in the Pies'e four-man leadership group.

Melbourne yesterday expressed interest in Shaw, for whom Geelong and North Melbourne lead the chase.

Meanwhile, Carlton will need to have its medicos scrutinise Thomas, who continues to do rehabilitation work on his ankle at Westpac Centre.

There are still serious question marks over the ankle and one surgeon recommended an operation that would put him out for most of next season.

But just as Collingwood and Essendon passed up a trade for Steve Johnson over bad ankles, the Blues face a tough decision.

If the Blues are to commit more than $3 million to Thomas, they will want a sound ­investment.

The end of the Rat Pack?
Heath Shaw
Admits he has to change after lacking on and off-field restraint, but is almost certain to be traded. Was too public about his negative opinions to teammates and in team meetings this year.

Dale Thomas
No fan of Leading Teams or the meetings that it entails, Thomas is a free agent who should get to Carlton. Much closer to Mick Malthouse than current coach Nathan Buckley.

Ben Johnson
Johnson was an early lightning rod for controversial behaviour but calmed down in latter years. Very tight with Heath Shaw and Alan Didak.

Alan Didak
Didak admitted to a strained relationship with Nathan Buckley this week, and felt he was wrongly overlooked for many games this year. Could he get to Carlton?

Dane Swan
A turbulent off-season involving many headlines but took it upon himself to knuckle down after some tough love from president Eddie McGuire. No issues at all from Swan this year.

Dayne Beams
Pulled his head in despite being close friends with most of the Rat Packers. In the four-man leadership group and very much on the same page as coach Buckley.

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Wallaby brushing forced White's hand

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IT was a throwaway line that at the time seemed a well-timed joked by a man able to make light of a tough situation.

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Jake White, who has quit as Brumbies coach after taking them to the Super Rugby grand final this year and having another two years left on his contract, was in a buoyant mood on July 20, on a cold Canberra morning.

This was after he had been beaten to the Wallabies job by Ewen McKenzie, and a day before the Brumbies' preliminary final against the Cheetahs, and after his press conference White was putting on an Australian accent to the guffaws of three journalists.

It was called out to the South African White, as he walked to his training session with the reporters remaining behind, that he was already true-blue.

Without missing a beat or step, White called out: "If I was Australian I would be the Wallabies coach now".
We laughed.

White continued: "It's the truth, I speak the truth and I get in trouble for it".

Few, until now, realised how deeply White was cut by missing out on Australian rugby's top job.

There was some incredible miscommunication in White's discussions with the ARU, because the World Cup-winning master coach had started sounding out associates about being part of his staff at the Wallabies days before McKenzie was announced as the successor to Robbie Deans.

White was livid.

He had been led to believe that he was getting the job.

He felt betrayed and used, like the ARU had made their minds up on McKenzie being coach a long time ago and he was a pawn to make the application process look fair.

White had been approached about his interest in coaching the Wallabies in February.

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He held a secret meeting in Melbourne with an ARU panel in late June, when it was clear Deans would not be persisted with.

In the week that ensued White was super-confident of being given the job, and the vibe being given to the media was the same.

White had a key supporter at the highest level of the ARU, and made an impressive and compelling presentation.
But the rest is a mystery. Those close to White believe that at the 11th hour, a highly influential ARU figure threatened to quit if White, and not McKenzie, was appointed Wallabies coach, and they back-tracked.

Others say McKenzie was always going to get the job because he was more attack-minded, at a time the Wallabies needed an injection of excitement to lure back bored spectators.

ARU chief executive Bill Pulver gave rise to that theory when he said in the days after his organisation's decision that McKenzie's more exciting coaching style, and his Australian ethnicity, helped sway the decision.

White went on to pull off a miracle, becoming the first coach in Super Rugby history to win a semi-final in Pretoria, knocking off the Bulls before his Brumbies lost in Hamilton to the Chiefs.

But he was obviously still stewing on the missed opportunity at the Wallabies up to this week, when he asked the Brumbies board for a release and received one on Wednesday night.

White is in South Africa and it's understood he met with his club captain Ben Mowen – touring with the Wallabies – to explain his decision.

Brumbies players were shocked, some discovering the news on social media and news websites on Wednesday night.

But while White may have been angry at the ARU's rejection, it cannot fully explain his decision to leave.

The man who guided South Africa to the 2007 World Cup had gone through a similar situation in his first week in charge at Canberra when England showed interest in him.

White returned the interest, but the fury of the Brumbies players convinced him to stay, and make a dedication to see through the next four years.

When key players and staff came off contract, White convinced them to remain in Canberra to finish the job they had all started.

Mowen, Stephen Moore, David Pocock, Ben Alexander, Pat McCabe and more re-signed with the franchise in the belief they would be coached by White. Sam Carter, Fotu Auelua, Andrew Smith were re-signed after White was overlooked for the Wallabies role.

They will now be questioning their decisions.

Already White has been linked to the Stormers and Sharks coaching jobs in South Africa.

If he is homesick that is understandable, but White did sign for four years knowing that is a long time in Canberra, and he did apply for the Wallabies job with the intention of remaining in Australia for a long time.

Assistants Stephen Larkham and Laurie Fisher remain, and are capable of taking the Brumbies forward in White's absence.

In three weeks the Brumbies players will return to pre-season without the man largely credited for turning their dysfunctional franchise into title aspirants.

Classic timing.

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Wallabies opt for bulk, White sticks

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THE Wallabies have beefed up their side in readiness for another brutal clash with the Springboks in Cape Town, with hooker Stephen Moore conceding the unvarnished gameplan of their rivals will be "bashing us".

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Big lock James Horwill will return from a hamstring injury to lead a Wallabies side with six changes from the one-point win over Argentina two weeks ago, courtesy of injury and James O'Connor's suspension.

Mr Versatile Adam Ashley-Cooper has been given the job of covering O'Connor's right wing, with Brumbies outside centre Tevita Kuridrani selected to make his run-on Test debut.

Nic White retains the No.9 jersey ahead of Will Genia and Joe Tomane has been recalled on the left wing for the injured Nick Cummins, giving the Wallabies two extra 100kg-plus backs to help with the physical combat set to unfold at Newlands Stadium.

After the Springboks "physically dominated" the Wallabies in their record win in Brisbane, Moore said there was little doubt what basic words would be scribbled down on the Boks' whiteboard this week.

"If they're talking about playing us, they're talking about bashing us physically and not too much else outside of that," Moore said.

"They're talking about field position, getting penalties, building a score with [Morne] Steyn being a very accurate goal kicker. And then when they get into our half they're going to look to drive when they get opportunities.  The game plan will be pretty simple, they just do it quite well."

The Springboks fancied they could bully the Wallabies physically in Brisbane, and that's how it unfolded; with the men in green constantly belting the gold ball-runners behind the advantage line.

But knowing it is coming again and not only stopping it, but reversing it, is far, far easier said than done.
"I think a lot of it is mental," Moore said.

"You've got to go out there with that desire and drive to impose yourself physically against these guys.

"They play a very direct game plan, their forwards run straight and hard, they tackle hard, they have a presence on the ball, they maul.

"There's no secrets to the way they play, and in terms of how you prepare for that, we don't spend too long talking about the tactical side of it, it's all the mental and physical side of things and that's going to be key this week."

With Sitaleki Timani on the bench, and experienced prop Benn Robinson also suiting up, the Wallabies forwards have sizeable and experienced cavalry in the forwards. The potential for a bulky Timani-Horwill lock partnership could add plenty of starch at both set-piece and in the loose.

"I am not too sure on how Ewen plans to use that, but I thought Sita was outstanding against Argentina. It is great to have someone come off the bench and make that impact," Moore said.

Springbok hooker Adriaan Strauss said Horwill was an "exceptional player" and would ensure a grittier Wallaby effort.

"It will definitely make an impact. He is inspirational for them and will help them up their performance from last time," Strauss said.

"It is Test rugby. It doesn't matter if they are out of it, they will always be a passionate nation as well. They will be coming out firing."

With Fourie Du Preez back in the Boks squad, the experience of Ashley-Cooper in defusing high balls on the wing was seen as crucial, particularly given the alternatives were uncapped wings Chris Feauai-Sautia or Peter Betham.

There's been big personnel changes on and off the field but Moore takes confidence from the success the Wallabies have had in South Africa in recent years. They won a historic clash in Bloemfontein in 2010 and then beat the Springboks in Durban in 2011, as well.

"We know we need to play well to win. Any time we've come over here and won we've played well and that's what we've got to do," Moore said.

"You've got to get on top physically, your set piece has to function well, your kicking game has to go well, those things have to be spot on and then you give yourself a chance," Moore said.

Full squad: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, Joe Tomane, Quade Cooper, Nic White; Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, James Slipper. Res: Saia Faingaa, Benn Robinson, Sekope Kepu, Sitaleki Timani, Ben McCalman, Will Genia, Matt Toomua, Chris Faeuai-Sautia.

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England's foreign legion Ashes squad

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YOU'VE got the whole world in your team.

This parody of the modern English cricket side, made popular by The Fanatics during previous Ashes series, seems more appropriate than ever after the unveiling of England's Ashes squad this week.

England's selectors have opted to include Boyd Rankin, who represented his native Ireland at the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, as well as Gary Ballance, the nephew of Dave Houghton and a former Zimbabwean under-19 representative, in their touring squad. They join a foreign legion that includes the South Africa-born trio of Kevin Pietersen, Jonathon Trott and Matt Prior.

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England have made a habit of recruiting foreign players over the last decade including Darren Pattinson, the brother of current Australian fast bowler James Pattinson, for the Headingley Test against South Africa in 2008.

The younger Pattinson has previously stated that the abuse levelled at Darren from inside the England camp for "defecting" has provided ample motivation ahead of his previous duels with the old enemy. He was more diplomatic when assessing the current England squad, however.

"There's a few of them there, isn't there?" Pattinson said. "Obviously they're fantastic players, they've come through the development squad in England so they've done all the work with the English boys."

Family aside, Pattinson has ample experience of the free movement of labour within modern international cricket. Fawad Ahmed, born in Pakistan and Australia's newest limited overs spinner, is Pattinson's teammate with Victoria.

Pattinson's Australian teammate, Steve Smith, was similarly reluctant to criticise England's selection policies.

"They've obviously come through the system and have qualified to play for England now," Smith said. "So you've just got to put up with it.

"I've seen a few of them play. Gary Ballance, one of the new guys, got a hundred against us in the tour match at Northampton, so he obviously can play a fair bit. Boyd Rankin played in the one-day series, so I saw a bit of him. They've obviously got some good young players coming through, and people that we'll probably have to look to target if they get a game."

Matt Wade, meanwhile, supported coach Darren Lehmann's push for Australia to produce an entertaining style of play. Lehmann raised the ire of elements within English cricket this week by describing their approach to the game as "dour", but Wade was supportive of his coach's approach.

"Boof obviously encourages us to express ourselves on the cricket field, and play the way we want to play, (which is to) be exciting and entertaining," Wade said. "That's the brand of cricket he's after and that's what he's going for especially in our team.

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"I'm not sure about his comments about England being dour and boring – they're a good cricket team, that's for sure. They've just beaten us in the Ashes so we're going to have to play some good cricket to win the Ashes here."

Brett Lee, Lehmann's former teammate, described the coach's comments as pre-series gamesmanship.

"When you talk about the Ashes … there's going to be a bit of stick thrown around the media," Lee said. "We all know how it works.

"As long as no one crosses the line, which Darren certainly hasn't … he's just trying to get one up on the Poms, I think."

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Osieck's bemusing Socceroos squad

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IF the selection of David Carney in the Socceroos squad for the France and Canada clashes was one of the more surprising inclusions by Holger Osieck, the exclusion of Millwall's Shane Lowry at his expense has to be the most bemusing omission.

The national team has gone through almost as many left back's since Scott Chipperfield's retirement as the Australian cricket team has done spinners since Shane Warne called it quits.

So it beggars belief that 24 year old Lowry, who is coming off a 39 game season in the English Championship that saw him feature in an F.A Cup semi-final, has again been overlooked in favour of 29 year old Carney who has played eight club games in the past two seasons. Four of which were in Uzbekistan.

This is not a criticism of Carney's ability. 

Of all the left-backs Australia has used since Chipperfield's departure he has easily been the most capable and after a near, year-long search for a club he has found himself an excellent set-up at the New York Red Bulls in which to relaunch his career. But having played only four times in the MLS since signing, he should be required to prove his form over a longer period of time in order to win a national team recall, especially after such a long absence from regular club football.

This is, though, a criticism of Osieck's continual refusal to grant Lowry his first cap.

After graduating through Aston Villa's academy, the West Australian opted to leave the Midlands club for greater opportunities. Millwall chose to make his loan spell there permanent last season and Lowry flourished in London.

He was unmovable in Millwall's back four, winning over the fans and making the left-back spot his own as well as filling in at the centre of defence when required. And while his attack on the ball fits in perfectly with his club's aggressive culture, his elevation to set-piece taker for both corners and free-kicks proves that his left foot possesses just as much craft as it does tenacity.

The Socceroos would be well served by another option from dead ball situations.

Lowry's start to this season has been slower than the last, and while there's no guarantees that he's the long term solution at left-back, it's perpelexing as to why Osieck hasn't yet made him an option by surveying him in camp.

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The Championship may lack a touch of technical class but there are few leagues in the world that are as gruelling and demanding as the 46 game marathon of English Football's second tier. Socceroo legends Lucas Neill and Tim Cahill could both vouch for its credibility having launched their careers at Millwall too, while Mile Jedinak spent two seasons there before winning promotion to the Premiership with Crystal Palace.

Michael Zullo, Jason Davidson and Aziz Behich have all had their Socceroos chances hindered by the lack of regular club football while Matt McKay has done a serviceable job but as a midfielder he is a potential liability defensively against top class opposition, as Brazil so brutally proved in their 6-0 thrashing of Australia.

Lowry presents the most obvious combination at present of both defensive acumen with regular game time at a quality level in the left-back position, of any Australian player.

In a Fox Sports interview last season, Lowry said he was willing to bide his time but thought his chance might have come in the February friendly against Romania.

Right now, he must be wondering if it ever will.

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Crameri wants to join Dogs

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Stewart Crameri of the Bombers runs down the wing during the round 14 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Essendon Bombers at Patersons Stadium on June 27, 2013 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

ESSENDON forward Stewart Crameri has told the Bombers he wants to be traded to the Western Bulldogs on a four-year deal.

But the Dons are determined to hang onto Crameri and have told him they are not prepared to trade him under any circumstances.

It will set up weeks of intense haggling between the clubs, which could see Crameri forced into the pre-season draft to get to the Dogs.

The Dogs have an early pick and ample salary cap room, but might have to give up a late first-round or early second-round pick to get their man.

Crameri had met with Essendon on Monday to discuss his prospects, but told the Dons he would accept a Dogs offer believed to be $1,8 million over four seasons tonight.

He is in hospital after having ankle surgery, but is determined to move to a new club.

The 25-year-old is Essendon's leading forward when injury-free despite the inclusion of Joe Daniher this year and the lofty reputation of Michael Hurley.

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Grand Finals full of "What if" moments

Hawthorn Hawks ... Defeat in the grand final was a sad end to the Hawks' season as bad kicking for goal allowed Sydney to spring the upset. The club has vowed to bounce back in 2013. Source: News Limited

"HERE it is", roared Paul Roos as he held aloft the premiership cup.

"That's what I'm talking about", said Shane Crawford, on the same day his coach Alastair Clarkson admitted the 2008 premiership was won three years earlier than expected.

CHAT LIVE WITH JON RALPH FROM 11am

Grand Final week is for "What If" moments about the effect of a premiership for players, coach and club.

Yet this year's Grand Final also has some alternate what ifs that just must be considered too.

What if the Hawks again capitulate on the big stage as they did so heartbreakingly last September?

What if Ross Lyon fails for the fourth time at the big dance, saddling him with an unwanted and unfair legacy of coming up short at the Big Dance?

Fremantle is a premiership contender under coach Ross Lyon. Source: Getty Images

And what if the Hawks lose and then Buddy still leaves them, unprepared to saddle up again to consider unfinished business at Hawthorn?

All of them valid if blunt questions.

The prevailing wisdom is still that Franklin hasn't made up his mind, or at least has told only his closest confidantes if he has.

GWS aren't doing the smug Lets-Wait-And-See thing, confident they have their man.

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They genuinely don't know which way he will go.

But they are desperately hoping Buddy wins on Saturday to make his decision easier.

Much easier to depart having given your club two premierships and nine years of service.

Yet Gary Ablett left Geelong just weeks after a horror year — and a disastrous preliminary finals loss to Collingwood in which he was magnificent.

The what if no one wants to consider is what if Franklin struggles to have an impact in a loss to Fremantle, then is gone just six days later.

What would that do to the love the Hawthorn faithful have for Buddy?

And what if Hawthorn falls short as they have done with such regular monotony since 2008?

Dynasties aren't easy to come by — ask 2010 premiers Collingwood — but this was a side set for a decade of dominance.

Instead they have gone: missed finals, terrible finals loss to Fremantle, preliminary final heartbreak, grand final heartbreak.

So if they cannot conquer Fremantle, do they just keep banging their head against a wall or make significant changes to their list and tactics?

Does Clarkson accept Franklin is gone and use the cap space and picks to replenish the midfield with free agent Dale Thomas and Saint Leigh Montagna as well as Brisbane's Billy Longer.

Clarkson, contracted for next year, has spoken of unfinished business in rebuffing interested from Melbourne in recent seasons.

West Coast would likely throw him a five-year deal and tell him to name his own price, but surely he would saddle up for Hawthorn again in 2014.

And of Ross Lyon, who has been denied by a Matt Scarlett toe-poke, an errant bounce past Stephen Milne and then a hungry Collingwood outfit in a premiership replay?

He is too hellbent on success, and too accomplished and too young at just 46 not to achieve his premiership dream some day.

But he would know the planets have aligned.

How many more times will he have a fit and in-form trio of Matthew Pavlich, Aaron Sandilands and Luke McPharlin plus the frenetic attack on the ball and man which has proved elusive even for past masters like Collingwood?

Both of these coaching titans deserve premiership success, but one will go away searching for answers.

Grand Finals are about achieving greatness with success, but they are also about picking up the pieces if the afternoon goes pear-shaped.

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Dees expected to miss out on pick

Melbourne doesn't look likely to receive a priority pick. Source: DAVID CROSLING / AAP

THE AFL Commission is expected to hear an alarming picture of the financial health of AFL clubs as it decides on Melbourne's priority pick.

The rival 17 clubs are in violent opposition to the prospect of Melbourne receiving a priority pick before or after the draft's first round.

The 2014 debut of dominant 17-year-old Jesse Hogan will likely count against Melbourne, with the expectation an extra pick will not be forthcoming.

The Herald Sun revealed this month that Melbourne had put in an official submission for a priority pick, believing it would help them swiftly turn about their on-field fortunes.

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But while Melbourne's pick is the most controversial topic to be discussed, the financial future of both Melbourne and Brisbane will also be in focus.

The Demons will have their $2.7 million handout officially approved by the AFL Commission today, and the early indication is they will not have to pay that money back.

But Melbourne is also likely to declare a loss of $2 million or more this year — even after receiving the $2.7m AFL cash — and is far from the only club in difficulty.

The commission will consider Brisbane's request for a cash handout given a cash flow crisis that has rival clubs despairing at the Lions' fortunes.

Brisbane will likely have strict conditions placed on their cash hand-out, with the league summoning bickering board members for mediation at AFL House on Tuesday.

In recent days club officials have been informed of a situation approaching a financial crisis with eight or nine clubs to declare losses, many of them significant.

It means the AFL's equalisation discussions are critical to the well-being of the league.

It is expected that the issue of revenue sharing will be discussed by the AFL Commission, although it will be another year before binding rules are implemented.

Some club officials have been told in the past week of the financial black hole facing clubs, and therefore the league.

It means even the most powerful clubs are slowly coming around to the idea that radical measures might be needed to keep the competition in balance.

AFL club presidents and chief executives will meet with the league after this morning's AFL Commission meeting.

The AFL Commission will also consider Melbourne's ability to rebound quickly from this year's struggles.

The Demons have a new coach in Paul Roos and a raft of injured players who will be fit next year, with Hogan gained as a result of the loss of Tom Scully, himself a priority pick.

The Commission will take a recommendation from the AFL executive but can ignore that dossier if it sees fit.

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Why Pav deserves a flag

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PREMIERSHIPS are earned and not deserved.

But if Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich is able to hoist the premiership cup about 5.30pm on Saturday, there will be a collective nod of heads.

Pavlich doesn't deserve it any more than Luke Hodge does, or Max Bailey, of Brian Lake, yet his journey is one of resilience, respect and crazy loyalty.

He rejected million-dollar offers from afar, from both South Australian clubs and Carlton, and at times you wondered if he was making the right decision.

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Such was Fremantle's ineptness on the national stage, Pavlich arguably had earned the right to seek greener pastures, because a football career is short, and failure can menace the minds of even the most balanced sports person.

Since his debut in 2000, the Dockers have finished 12th, 16th, 13th, fifth, ninth, 10th, third, 11th, 14th, 14th, sixth, 11th, seventh and this year awaits.

That's eight double-figure positions on the ladder from 14 seasons.

Through 2007-2009, the Dockers were diabolic.

In Round 4, 2009 at Etihad Stadium against St Kilda, the Dockers kicked 4.4 (28) on the competition's easiest ground to score on.

In Round 15, of the same year, they kicked a humiliating 1.7 against Adelaide and lost by 117 points.

Basket-case teams were quietly chuffed, because no matter how bad they were performing, the Dockers were always worse.

Matthew Pavlich celebrates a goal against Geelong in the qualifying final. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: HeraldSun

Even in coach Mark Harvey's final season, 2011, where the Dockers showed vast improvement, their last seven games of the season produced scores of 64, 44, 72, 85, 45, 52 and 61.

The Dockers had some pluck, but they couldn't kick goals.

Harvey was sacked and Ross Lyon was hired in a clandestine hit and run assignment, which history would now record as the most critical decision in the club's 19-year history.

Pavlich has lived the turmoil and mostly thrived.

Saturday night was his 290th game.

He is the club's greatest player and a future of Hall of Famer.

But he, too, shouldered blame for being the champion that he is.

There was a period when Pavlich, in big moments in big games, seem to hit the post at every second attempt at goal.

It would beg the question: Has he the big-match temperament to lead his team in a September campaign?

In 2007, former St Kilda coach Grant Thomas famously asked whether Pavlich would rather play great in a Fremantle loss or play poorly in a Fremantle win. Thomas thought the former.

It was a slicing comment from Thomas, directed squarely at Pavlich's leadership priorities.

"There's never been any question about his football ability," Thomas said.

"In the areas where I think he has improved significantly and I firmly believe, and stand by comments I made in the past about him, I didn't see him as a great team leader.

"I saw him as a guy driven to be as a good a player as he could be himself, but I didn't believe he was selfless team leader.

"He's now the complete package and has been for a few years.''

Lyon has a wealth of terrific subjects to add to the pre-Grand Final commentary and didn't forget his skipper on Saturday night.

To be where they are, there had to be buy-in, Lyon said, and Pavlich and key backman Luke McPharlin were front and square.

Thomas reckons Lyon has able to squeeze from Pavlich the final fragments of greatness.

"Ross has been able to take him up another notch again, even it's only been a few per cent,'' Thomas said.

"Pav gets a lot of strength from having a strong leader like Ross. Ross won't let anyone get away from playing selfishly or playing for themselves and you know what I've noticed about Pav is when Freo when under Ross have been dominating sides, he's kept it together.

"Six or seven years ago, Pav would've been jumping on the bandwagon, trying to kick eight goals and do it himself.

"Now, he is the sort of player who gets as much enjoyment out of helping a teammate to succeed than him doing it himself.''

Again, premiership cups are not for good blokes alone, but in Pavlich, there's a sense not so much of destiny, but of reward.

Still, he will have to earn it.

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Buddy the only Hawk yet to sign

Franklin says he'll be fine for the Grand Final. But will he re-sign? Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

BARRING the obvious exception, Hawthorn has secured the services of virtually every one of its best 22 players for the next season at least.

That feat of list management has been achieved despite the difficulty created by Lance Franklin's decision at the start of this year to put on hold all contract discussions until the end of the season.

And while the club has done a remarkable job in not allowing the Franklin situation to become a damaging distraction from the business of winning, it could still have a sting in the tail.

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Of the Hawks' first-choice team, only Franklin and ruckman Max Bailey are not out of contract — and the manager of unrestricted free agent Bailey said last week that he would be going nowhere.

It was reported last week that the Hawks had taken their latest offer to Franklin off the table, at least temporarily.

The year-long Franklin stand-off means the club has either had to deal with its other players with more than a tenth of its salary cap set aside for Franklin, or — with a spate of signings in recent weeks — it has moved on without him.

The former scenario is much more likely, and means the Hawks could aggressively enter the trade and free agency markets if and when Franklin declares he is gone.

Lance Franklin, Adidas deal. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: Herald Sun

On the one hand, other stars at the club could be pleased at the possible influx of new talent — a late play for Dale Thomas and even Sydney ruckman Shane Mumford has been mooted.

On the other, several could be a little aggrieved that they have signed for less than their market worth because Franklin had decided to spend the year weighing his multi-million-dollar options.

Even premiership captain and perennial Brownlow fancy Sam Mitchell said this year that Franklin deserves to be the highest paid Hawk.

But how happy would he be if the Franklin money was spent on incoming trades?

It is possible that there are clauses in some Hawk contracts that allow for more money should Franklin walk.

In the period between Hawthorn's qualifying final win over Sydney and Friday night's win against the Cats, they club quietly stitched up its young brigade — Jed Anderson, Bradley Hill, Isaac Smith, Ryan Schoenmakers and Paul Puopolo.

Already this year, it had dealt with Luke Hodge, Jarryd Roughead, Matt Suckling, Sam Mitchell, Shaun Burgoyne and Cyril Rioli.

Unless you follow Hawthorn on twitter or are a regular visitor to the club's website, you could be forgiven for missing the more recent signings.

There was little fanfare and the club did not want to talk to the Herald Sun about it.

It hasn't said a lot about Franklin, either and neither has his manager Liam Pickering.

We could expect to hear from both parties as soon as next week.

Whether Franklin stays or goes, the Hawks are in excellent shape.

BUDDY'S DECISION

GWS: Up to $12m over six seasons, including marketing allowances and third party agreements

HAW: $4.5m over four seasons

HAWTHORN SIGNINGS

NEW DEALS IN 2013

Luke Hodge

Jarryd Roughead

Sam Mitchell

Shaun Burgoyne

Cyril Rioli

Matt Suckling

Jed Anderson

Bradley Hill

Isaac Smith

Ryan Schoenmakers

Paul Puopolo

ALREADY LOCKED UP

Jordan Lewis

Josh Gibson

Brad Sewell

Grant Birchall

Brian Lake

Jack Gunston

David Hale

Shane Savage

Luke Breust

Ben Stratton

Liam Shiels

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

Max Bailey

Xavier Ellis

Brent Guerra

Michael Osborne

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