Tomlinson 'Golden' in US market

Boxing Hall of Fame dinner. Will Tomlinson and Sakio Bika. Source: Julie Kiriacoudis / News Limited

MELBOURNE boxer Will Tomlinson has broken into the lucrative American market by securing a five-fight guarantee from one of the world's biggest promoters.

"Wild Will," who holds the International Boxing Organisation's version of the super-featherweight world title, clinched the deal last week with Golden Boy Promotions, which is owned by one of boxing's biggest names, six-division world champion Oscar de la Hoya.

While no opponents have been arranged yet, Tomlinson is confident he will soon be fighting for one of the more highly-regarded titles.

"I am very excited. For me, this is like an actor breaking into Hollywood," he said.

Armed with an unbeaten record after 21 fights, Tomlinson moved to Los Angeles soon after his most recent title defence against South African Malcolm Klassen in Melbourne in May in search of opportunities.

Another Melbourne star, Sam Soliman, will return to the ring next month after a lengthy lay-off while he battled accusations of a positive drug test.

Soliman, who turns 40 this week, will take on world-ranked Queensland middleweight Les Sherrington at The Pavilion in Flemington on December 11.

Soliman, who has not lost for five years, last fought in February when he scored a surprise points win over former world champion Felix Sturm in Germany.

German boxing officials claimed Soliman had tested positive to a stimulant, but his B sample was tested in the US and found to be clear, with the International Boxing Federation then ratifying him as its No 1 title contender.

He and Sherrington will contest the WBA Pan Asian Boxing Association's interim middleweight title, with Soliman expecting a shot at the IBF title if he wins.

American Shane Mosley, who walked out on Anthony Mundine the day before they were due to fight in Sydney last month, has agreed to return, with the fight now scheduled for November 27.

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Arthur's Eels battling long odds

Brad Arthur the new Parramatta coach at the Parramatta offices , Parramatta.Picture Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

BRAD Arthur's mission to re-build Parramatta officially starts on Monday.

The rookie Eels coach will take charge in his first day of pre-season training with the added motivation of being written off by the biggest betting agency in Australia.

Released to the public today, The Sunday Telegraph has obtained the TAB's 2014 NRL betting markets, which indicates who the punters believe will fail or fly next season.

The Eels have been installed as firm favourites to claim their third straight wooden spoon and $81 rank outsiders to finish next season as minor premiers.

$2.50 favourites to record the most losses in 2014, Parramatta are just ahead of Mick Potter's Wests Tigers ($5) and then St George Illawarra ($7).

Not that Arthur is fazed by the bookies back-hander.

The rookie coach has hardly wiped the smile off his face since being announced as the replacement to Canberra's Ricky Stuart, last month.

And no bookmaker is going to alter the optimism he has for the Eels next season.

"At the end of the day they've got to put a market up someone has to be at that end of the scale,'' Arthur said.

"I suppose it doesn't put any pressure on us.

"All we're going to do is make sure we give our best every week, we're going to be positive with our approach and we'll see where that takes us.

"When you have six new players come into this squad that come from six different organisations and structures, they all offer different skill sets, different training mentalities and then you've got all those young kids that were given a go in first grade over the last year or two mixed in with the older and experienced boys, I think it's a really good balance and one I'm excited about.''

For the first time in 10 years, the Tigers will start a season without Benji Marshall.

Marshall's exit to rugby union has allowed Potter to get busy in the player market, signing the likes of Dene Halatau, Cory Paterson, Martin Tapau, Blake Austin, Pat Richards and Keith Lulia.

Rising star Luke Brooks will also be entrusted to fill Marshall's void, which is why the bookies believe the Tigers are in for another tough season.

"Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, Martin Tapau and Keith Galloway, a lot of clubs would be happy to have that forward pack,'' Balmain legend Steve Roach said.

"Throw in Jesse Sue, whose a potential gun and Curtis Sironen as well and the Tigers are on the improve.

"But the trick for the Tigers will be playing the full 80 minutes, they are competitive for sixty minutes but need to maintain that pressure for the entire match, which is hard to do when you've got so many young guys still learning to play in the NRL.''

TAB's Matt Jenkins said the money teams, like the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney, Manly and Brisbane will all lure punters into breaking out their wallets ahead of a new season.

"Winning back-to-back premierships has always proved so difficult, but interest for the Sydney Roosters to win again definitely peaked after SBW re-signed,'' Jenkins said.

"Daly Cherry Evans remains the key to Manly's success, he has only missed the one game in three years and can't afford to be without him.

"We expect the Brisbane Broncos to be the big improvers and team to watch in 2014. Ben Barba should shine in his new surroundings.''

The TAB have also released markets on the top 8, top 4 and minor premiership with 2013 finalists Newcastle, North Queensland and Cronulla all under $2 to make the top 8.

The Sydney Roosters are firm premiership favourites to go back-to-back ($5) followed by the Rabbitohs ($7), Sea Eagles ($8) and Storm ($8).

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Guru playing for love, not money

Eric Grothe Jnr pictured training for his return to the NRL after 3 years in retirement. Pictured boxing at Rockdale PCYC. Source: Sam Ruttyn / News Limited

FOR love, not money sounds like an album cover title for Eric Grothe Jr's rock band, Shinobi.

However, it could also easily become the soundtrack to the 33 year-old's surprising NRL comeback quest, given the former Parramatta and State of Origin winger is set to pocket less than the weekly wage of a brickies labourer.

Offered nothing but a handshake and the opportunity to prove he's serious about returning to rugby league for the first time in three years by Cronulla coach Shane Flangan, Grothe Jr has only the next three months to prove his worth.

If come February either Grothe Jr or Cronulla officials believe the challenge is insurmountable, the powerfully built winger's lofty ambition to once again play for NSW will be buried once and for all.

Eric Grothe Jnr pictured training for his return to the NRL after 3 years in retirement. Pictured boxing at Rockdale PCYC. Source: News Limited

In the meantime, Grothe Jr will be paid the minimum wage, which under the terms of the NRL's collective bargaining agreement will see him earn just $940 a week.

It's a risk Grothe Jr is willing to take as he strives to fulfil what he sees as unfinished business.

"It's not about money,'' Grothe Jr said.

"If it was, I definitely wouldn't be doing it let me tell you.

"All I heard in the meeting with Flanno (Flanagan) and Noycey (Sharks chief executive Steve Noyce) was the word 'opportunity' and I jumped at it.

"We spoke about getting to the point that if both parties are happy when it comes to trials (in February) then we can lock into a contract for the season and I'm absolutely fine with that.''

It was a phone call from Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett, who Grothe Jr was weighing up playing under next season, which convinced him to link with the Sharks.

"Wayne was terrific in considering giving me a chance, but he was also really honest on why he thought the Sharks would be a perfect fit for me, given I live around the corner,'' Grothe Jr.

"I was preparing to move up to Newcastle, but Wayne spoke really highly of Flanno and the players at the club and after a week here I can see why.''

The Sunday Telegraph watched Grothe Jr train in the unfamiliar blue, black and white colours for the first time last Thursday during a boxing session under trainer Mark Gambin at Kostya Tzsyu's gym in Rockdale alongside new teammates Blake Ayshford, Daniel Holdsworth and Matt Prior.

Eric Grothe Jnr pictured training for his return to the NRL after 3 years in retirement. Pictured boxing at Rockdale PCYC. Source: News Limited

And perhaps it's when witnessing Grothe Jr getting punched in the head that you know he's deadly serious about proving he still has something to offer.

"Every day I've got to be on song at training,'' Grothe Jr said.

"I'm 33 and been out of the game for three seasons, so its not a likely scenario.

"But I'm confident because I know what my body feels like and how hard I've been training.

"I haven't felt this good in a long time. I wouldn't kid myself if I was training and felt slow and fat - as if I'd do it. It's the hardest team sport on the planet.''

At his peak, Grothe Jr was a brutally-tough winger.

An explosive ball runner, just like his father Parramatta legend Eric Grothe, he had the ability to deliver the perfect start and finish to every set of six for his side.

The knock on Grothe Jr was his attitude and approach towards training day-in, day-out, but it appears age has forged a new-found respect for the game. He currently weighs 105kgs and is focused on reaching 101kgs in time for next year's trials.

Daniel Holdsworth pictured training for his return to the NRL with the Cronulla Sharks. Pictured boxing at Rockdale PCYC. Source: News Limited

"About five or six years ago it started to go towards a young man's game, but as the years have gone on its changed because of smarter recovery and training.'' Grothe Jr.

"I don't even know myself now, I go home and stretch, I have ice baths. I grab DJ (Daniel Holdsworth) and we go and stretch. It's weird for me, but I'm loving it.''

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Pay rise denied for Wallaby captain

Ben Mowen ahead of Australia's clash with Italy at Olimpico Stadium in Italy. Source: Valerio Pennicino / Getty Images

WALLABIES coach Ewen McKenzie has rejected the idea of giving his new captain Ben Mowen a guaranteed top-up contract, but has revealed that he and other players stand to receive bonus points for every five Tests they play.

As part of the ARU's cost-cutting measures, Wallabies players are now only entitled to a top-up

contract once they've played in the side consistently over two years.

It has created an unusual situation for Mowen, who made his Test debut this year at age 28, but

has now been installed as preferred skipper of the side.

Other Wallabies players who signed contracts before the ARU announced its new top-up edict are earning up to three times the salary of Mowen, who is considering his options and could be open to a move overseas next year.

Asked if it was fair that the national captain was not being given a guaranteed top-up payment

from the ARU, McKenzie said: "The top-ups is performance over time, it just so happens that Benny Mowen has just started out in his Test career and someone has given him that (captaincy)

responsibility.

"He's still got to be a performer over time, that's how the top-up process works.

"But that's not to say people aren't incentivised. Top-up payments are a guaranteed situation, but

everyone gets paid for the participation of a Test match, and there might be incentives after

that, you play five Tests and you get a bonus.

"It's an important point. Top-ups are saying 'I am a consistent performer over time, I'm not a

risk because I'm going to be in and around the team for a while in someone's view'.

"It doesn't mean you aren't incentivised, so someone plays five Tests and you get a bonus and a

kick-up, on top of your match payments.

"So no one is missing out.

"There's a couple of layers in that."

McKenzie chose Mowen to replace James Horwill as skipper 10 days ago in a shock move before the Test against England, and has stuck with him for the overnight match against Italy, but says the captaincy is a "week to week proposition".

Mowen captained Australia against England at Twickenham. Source: AFP

"I pick the team based on the circumstances, and that's been varying as we go along," McKenzie

said.

"The contract process is defined by rules and policies, that sits separate.

"Ultimately we're making decisions on the pool of players we've got available at the moment. In

six months' time we might have a completely different pool of players.

"The top-ups don't work like that, you actually earn a top-up through consistent involvement over a long period of time.

"Otherwise who would you give a top up to? We've just capped 12 guys, are they all entitled to

top-ups? You've actually got to do something to earn it.

"I recognise the leadership is a contribution, but to be honest while we put a 'C' or 'V-C' next

to someone's name, there's a bunch of guys here who are leading day-in, day-out, minute by minute.

"They're constantly involved in genuine leadership."

Mowen does not want his contractual situation to distract the team so has decided not to comment about it. But he did speak passionately about his ambitions, suggesting he sees a long future in the Wallabies' gold jersey after being unwanted by the Waratahs just two years ago.

"If you look at it in just the last two years, it's considerably quick, but when you look at my

whole path, it's been a long trudge," Mowen said of his journey.

"I'm proud of myself, this is what I set my sights on doing, and I've had a lot of hiccups and

setbacks along the way, indifferences in form, indifferences in injury, changing provinces and

states, moving families around.

"I did all that because I believed I could get here.

"And to get here is rewarding, but you don't dream of just getting the jersey or getting to this

position and that's it. You do it because you really want to see success."

Mowen has noticed a big difference in captaining the Wallabies as opposed to captaining his

franchise, the Brumbies.

"The biggest difference from provincial to this level is the emotional pressure, because you are

as invested as the supporters are in the result, and it's really disheartening when you don't get

it," Mowen said.

"It's a lost football game, yes, but it is a game Australia has lost. That's the emotional side

that doesn't sit well with you, it takes its toll.

"It is especially heightened as captain, because the coaches hand you the reigns and say 'This is

what we're after, make sure you get it out of the boys'. And when you don't help contribute to

that result it's extremely disappointing."

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Mitch can be the man: Clarke

Mitchell Johnson celebrates with Michael Clarke. Source: News Limited

AUSTRALIAN captain Michael Clarke has backed enigmatic paceman Mitchell Johnson to have a major impact in the forthcoming Ashes series.

''If he gets his opportunity I wouldn't be surprised to see Mitch get the man of the series,'' Clarke said.

Match figures of 0-170 in Brisbane and 9-82 in Perth during the last home Ashes series showcased Johnson's expensive worst and his destructive best. His 35 wickets in nine Ashes Test have cost 34.42 runs, a lavish economy rate that has made him a regular target for the Barmy Army's taunts.

But Clarke sees no reason why the left-hander can't consistently reproduce his best form on the game's biggest stage.

''I think Mitch has come back really well,'' said Clarke. ''If you look at Mitch's record in both one day cricket and Test cricket, it's exceptional. I think he is a big player for us.

''He's bowling 145-150ks consistently. He's swinging the ball. I think he is as dangerous as I've ever seen him, so if he gets an opportunity in this Test series I'm sure he will grab it with both hands.''

Johnson has come into contention for this series due to a large attrition rate among Australian fast bowlers with James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Jackson Bird and Pat Cummins all ruled out.

Johnson impressed with his pace in India. It remains only to be seen if he can find the consistency that has eluded him in previous Ashes series.

''At the end of the day if you are a bowler, batters are going to score runs from you,'' said Clarke. ''You are a batter and bowlers are going to get you out. If he bowls enough overs, he is going to go for runs.

''But Mitchell is now an experienced player. He's on top of the world at the moment, he's feeling great about his game and he's bowling really well. I know he loves playing front of his home fans in Australia.''

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Buchanan claims top cycling gong

Caroline Buchanan earlier this year. Source: Darren England / News Limited

CAROLINE Buchanan has been recognised as Australia's best and most popular cyclist, male or female.

The versatile 24-year-old from Canberra, who won world titles this year in mountain biking and BMX, was rewarded with the Sir Hubert Opperman Medal at the Cycling Australia awards in Melbourne last night.

She also won the people's choice award and the gongs for the best female rider in each of her disciplines.

Among those applauding loudly was the Sports Commission chairman John Wylie, who recently pointed out that female performers were leading the way in Australian sport and deserved more recognition and support.

Also yesterday, the International Rowing Federation named Melbourne's Kim Crow as its female athlete of the year for her single sculls world championship in Korea in August.

Buchanan is only the third woman, behind track star Anna Meares in 2008 and last year and road racer Anna Wilson in 1999, to win the Oppy and the first Australian to win world titles in different disciplines in the same season.

"It's been the most successful year in my career and I put it down to setting my goals higher than I believed I could actually reach," she said.

"I guess if you aim for the stars you will land on the moon."

Among those Buchanan upstaged were male road racers Simon Gerrans, who won two stages and spent two days in the Maillot Jaune at the Tour de France, and Richie Porte, who won the award for male road cyclist of the year.

Shara Gillow won the women's road award, Annette Edmondson and Michael Hepburn won the track awards and Daniel McConnell and Sam Willoughby won the male mountain bike and BMX awards.

end

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Ryan will have to fight for No.1

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MAT Ryan is the clear frontrunner in the battle to succeed Mark Schwarzer as our No.1 keeper for the World Cup in Brazil - but plenty can happen between now and next June.

The surprise retirement of Schwarzer has left a lot of questions as to who will get the job. As I have said many times before a day is a long time in football, so by that reckoning Brazil is an eternity away.

But right now Ryan is playing regularly and playing very well at Club Brugge in Belgium.

Players need to be playing every week and showing good form, and Ryan definitely has that requirement covered.

Super with his feet and an all-round excellent goalkeeper, he will relish the opportunity. Ryan will likely to get a chance to showcase his skills in the friendly against Costa Rica in Sydney on November 19.

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Mitchell Langerak is the other goalkeeper in the squad. It must be said that Langerak is at a far bigger club in Borrusia Dortmund than Ryan's Club Brugge. And although Langerak is not currently No.1, every time he has been called upon, even in the pressure cooker of Champions League games, he has not only done well, but been an addition to last year's Champions League runners-up.

That means big game experience and pressure will not be a problem for him at all.

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Of the goalkeepers playing in the A-League, Eugene Galekovic for Adelaide is as good as anyone, as is the Wanderers' Ante Covic, who was in the 2006 World Cup squad. Michael Theo is the most successful in terms of what he has won with Melbourne Victory and his current club, the Brisbane Roar. He worked with Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou during their successful time in Brisbane and knows Ange's requirements as much as anyone.

So one thing is for certain, there will be a hell of a fight for the No.1 position of the Socceroos.

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Whoever prevails and wins that fight will have his work cut out at the World Cup, because they will be very busy.

As the late, great Brian Clough used to say, ''you win nothing without a good goalkeeper''. Well all of these goalkeepers are not only good, but very good.

Who eventually will get the nod will come down to two factors: who is playing regularly at the time, and who is performing the best.

Let the battle commence.

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Heart broken as Wanderers cling on

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MELBOURNE Heart is bottom of the A-League and remains winless after five games after throwing everything at Western Sydney only to walk away with a 1-0 defeat at AAMI Park.

Shannon Cole''s first half strike was the difference as Heart started and ended the game on top but in the end the resilient Wanderers proved why they are the toughest team to break down, climbing to the top of the table after recording their third win of the season.

Subs Nick Kalmar, Mate Dugandzic and Stefan Mauk helped deliver a 15-minute onslaught at the end in desperate search of an equaliser but the Wanderers held on in front of 8070 fans to remain undefeated.

MATCH CENTRE: HEART v WANDERERS

Despite Heart's barren start to the season fans couldn't complain with the team's desire as they were again unlucky not to find the back of the net, twice striking the woodwork and with two decent penalty appeals.

But that could change, with Heart facing a critical three-week stretch that includes winnable games against Sydney FC (home), Newcastle Jets (away) and Adelaide United (home).

Coach John Aloisi was off his chair urging his troops to find an equaliser in the dying stages and the best chance came from Dugandzic's clever looping header from Behich's cross that struck the underside of the bar.

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There were a series of half chances as Heart threw numbers into the box and surged forward.

But the Wanderers remained a threat at all times and Labinot Haliti and Tomi Juric both had chances to seal the match in the dying minutes, Juric forcing a brilliant save from Andrew Redmayne.

The first half was predictable, summing up both teams in a 45 minute nutshell.

Heart raced out of the blocks and dominated possession and territory for the opening 25 minutes and they had two half-chances to show for it.

The first came on 17 minutes when David Williams almost pounced on an errant Matthew Spiranovic backpass, the second eight minutes later when Michael Mifsud found the side netting from an Iain Ramsay through ball.

A minute later it was Redmayne who touched the ball with his hands for the first time of the night, and he was picking the ball out of the net.

Wanderers left back Adam D'Apuzzo ventured forward and delivered a beautiful cross that Rob Wielaert failed to adequately clear. It fell to Cole _ who replaced Mark Bridge and started in the unfamiliar right wing position _ to smash it home from close range on the second attempt after Aziz Behich blocked the first.

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Brendon Santalab missed a sitter in the 32nd minute to double the Wanderers lead but in his defence he had a split second to react after Spiranovic's header crashed back off the bar. Again it came from a well-worked Wanderers move with Shinji Ono supplying the cross.

Heart's best chance came from Williams' 20 metre strike that skimmed the crossbar five minutes before the break.

Heart again started strong in the second half with Williams sending in a dangerous cross in the 52nd minute that Spiranovic almost turned into his own net.

Rain started pelting down on the hour and Heart continued piling on the pressure as Mifsud's cross forced a goalline clearance from Jerome Polenz before Behich's long-range strike forced a good save from Covic.

Aloisi's attacking subs helped produce more chances but the elusive equaliser just wouldn't come.

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Fowler leads but Super Scott looms

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IN the most modest way, Adam Scott was in awe of himself yesterday. He boomed four fairway-splitting drives of such length mid-round that you imagined he was flexing Superman's biceps.

The king of Augusta was a mild-mannered golfer making five straight pars yesterday before he must have slipped into his green Masters cloak behind a gum tree at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.

In a blur, three straight birdies ignited the chase for runaway American leader Rickie Fowler (63) and guaranteed the Australian PGA would get the dream duel at the top of the leaderboard that the tournament had counted on.

More than that, those blasts with the driver on the 6th to 9th holes all bounded over 300m and put a jaw-dropping vibe through a mesmerised gallery that swelled to over 1500 fans at times.

On the 10th, his with-the-wind curling strike over the water carried 320m while leftie Richard Green was 100m back down the fairway having played more conservatively off the tee.

When the world No.2 stroked in his sixth birdie of the day from 2m on the last under perfect blue skies it elevated him to a six-under-par 65, in second spot with Gold Coaster Matthew Ballard and Victorian David McKenzie.

There was a hint of Greg Norman in his pomp when Scott analysed a round he called "just plugging away" but for the moments he ripped his one wood.

"It was a bit of a driving display. The driving was basically flawless and the best I've driven the ball since the (British) Open in July," Scott said.

"I was solid elsewhere, not the most exciting round ... just plugging away and playing fairly safe to greens that firm. It all added up (on the scorecard) pretty well."

To fans watching, he did it so effortlessly with barely a hiccup except for his too cute chip slip-up on the 10th when a birdie beckoned after another prodigious drive.

He chastised himself so the steely edge was definitely there beneath the surface of a round he had to play amidst constant adulation.

"It's not hard to enjoy people applauding you," Scott said with a grin.

But that's the conundrum Scott has had to sort through since the Masters - how to stay in that controlled aggressive state on course when everyone is cuddling you with goodwill from the gallery.

It was as if a backslapping convention had booked out the RACV Royal Pines resort on the Gold Coast for the warmest of receptions to a returning golfer to Queensland since the Norman days.

One kid offered a high five off the green. Scott obliged of course. "Well done Adam" rang out warmly again and again to acknowledge Augusta glory seven months ago.

"I've played a lot of weeks in America where it was very similar with people congratulating me the whole way around the course for what happened at the Masters," Scott said.

"I've had to get used to that a little bit. I want the people to enjoy it but I've still got to remain focussed and I think I've done a pretty good job. I enjoy giving a kid a high five. That's just all good fun.

"I'm enjoying every minute of playing at home."

It steps again today. It's Green Day with every fan urged to wear green to honour Scott's drought-breaker at the Masters. Hats, shirts ... deck yourself out.

You see so many bland American pros, it's a delight to watch Fowler interract with his young fan base, sign any piece of clothing thrust his way and really "get" what growing the game is all about.

He's no private school product. He's a dirt-biking kid who grew up to play even better golf as his eight birdie blitz showed in his controlled 63.

He gets it too because when news broke last year of Aussie golfing mate Jarrod Lyle's second leukaemia battle, he inked "JL" on his caps, sent cards of support and thought deeply about an issue bigger than golf.

Scott and Fowler going birdie for birdie on the weekend deserves to stir a 15,000-strong throng of fans marching the fairways. You don't sense the Scott aura as fully when you just watch on TV. This is live sport worth watching up close.

Pre-tournament, Scott said the pressure of never having won a big Australian tournament was a monkey off his shoulders since his 2009 Australian Open and 2012 Talisker Masters victories.

This was a different yet significant pressure. Forget the other 154 players in the field. Everyone had come to see a glimpse of Australia's champion. He knew it too which might have explained his nerves on the first tee in his homecoming event.

"I was pretty nervous on that first tee. I haven't been that nervous for a long while," Scott said.

"No matter how little pressure you put on yourself you want to play well, you want to perform in front of family and friends. You're a competitor."

Royal Pines is not Royal Melbourne or Royal Sydney. It is a resort course of wide avenues between the trees.

Fowler, the world No.43, surged home with a six-under 29 on the back nine climaxed by a chip-in birdie on his final hole, the tough 460m par four ninth where Ballard and McKenzie, the evergreen 46-year-old, bogeyed.

Fowler's round is the new course record in the par 71 layout for the course.

McKenzie is on a roll he hopes can continue. He won a VW Golf car for a hole in one at the recent Perth International and lucked into a Melbourne Cup quinella on Tuesday that paid wife Mai Roberge a tidy $600 for a $3 outlay.

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I'd play again for $1: Menzies

Steve Menzies retired Manly great at Manly Beach,Manly.Picture Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

LOOK who is back in Manly - and ready to wear the famous maroon and white again.

After five years playing in England and France, the great Steve 'Beaver' Menzies - who left Manly in such glorious style after the 2008 grand final - has resettled back on Sydney's northern beaches.

But has he actually retired?

Menzies, who turns 40 next month, revealed he would play again for Manly next season on a $1 contract if asked.

"A dollar's a dollar, so you've got to take the cash,'' he said. ''I think I would, just to do it.

"I'm getting a bit old and slow but if something happens and Manly asked me, how could I refuse?

"I'd have to sign it and see what happens. That would be good but also scary at the same time.

"If something happened and they said: 'look, you're the last resort - we need you' then for Manly I would do that for sure.

"If the scenario was right and it was needed by the club then I'd help them out.''

The Daily Telegraph caught up with Menzies this week to discuss the past, the future and who are the greatest players he confronted and played alongside.

Grand Final 2008, Manly Sea Eagles skipper Steve Menzies. Source: News Limited

THE LEGACY

Menzies played a staggering 529 games for Manly, Australia in tour matches, Kangaroo Tests, City Origin, NSW, Northern Eagles, Bradford, Catalans and the Exiles.

''I can't complain - I've had a good run,'' he said.

''To grow up a Manly supporter and play for them for years and years, to make rugby league your career, to go overseas and experience the things I have with my family … I have been so lucky.

''To be able to play a game that is such a passionate sport around here … some of the great players I have got to play with. The combination with Cliffy Lyons kickstarted my career.

''There have been sacrifices but I just ran out there and played footy.

''But when the footy starts again and everyone is training and playing and I am sitting there with my shovel, digging trenches and things like that, then it will sink in that I have retired.''

Steve Menzies with wife Suyin after the 2008 NRL Grand Final. Source: News Limited

TH E FUTURE

He will start his life once again in the Manly area and be employed as a Sea Eagles ambassador.

''It will be great to be back down with the boys and be involved in different aspects of the business. I will be doing things game day and drumming up support for the Silvertails,'' he said.

''I also have a few other business interests that will be happening soon.

''I have got plenty of things to do - I was hoping to just come back and play golf but work is getting in the way!''

Asked would he one-day coach, Menzies said: "Just because you played for a long time doesn't mean you would be a good coach.

''I think I have a few things to offer but maybe not as a head coach. A lot more goes into coaching than just turning up and giving the boys a game plan.''

Steve Menzies salutes the loyal crowd. Source: News Limited

THE MEMORY

He achieved everything after debuting for Manly as a 19-year-old on June 26, 1993.

But one memory stands above the rest - his final game for Manly, a famous 40-0 grand final win over Melbourne.

''Definitely my last memory at Manly is my greatest,'' he said.

''Winning the 2008 grand final by 40-0. The way I came on and scored a late try, farewelling the club I have loved since I was five-years old when I used to go down to Brookvale Oval.

''I couldn't ask for much more. To leave the club that way, it was as good as it gets.

''We also won a grand final in 1996 with a great bunch of guys. It was a quality team. We played three grand finals in a row.''

Manly legend Cliff Lyons at Cromer Park. Source: News Limited

GREATEST TEAM-MATE

''Cliff Lyons. He was just so naturally talented. He never once sold me a dump,'' he said.

''We never organised things. I have run off some great players but Cliffy would always find me. But if an opponent read it and it wasn't on, Cliffy wouldn't pass it to me. He was as good as it gets.''

Andrew Johns gets pass away. Source: News Limited

GREATEST OPPONENT

''Andrew Johns. Just such a competitor. He was so good,'' he said.

''He could do everything in rugby league - he could run, kick, step, pass, tackle, pop a pass, control the game. I have seen some things in Origin camps - you know why he is so good. He was unbelievable.''

Former Manly captain Geoff Toovey (L) and coach Bob Fulton. Source: News Limited

TOUGHEST OPPONENT

''Geoff Toovey, pound for pound, was the toughest player I have ever seen,'' he said. ''Every week the big blokes would pick him out and he would pick them up and dump them.

''He would get bashed and knocked around. He was so tough.''

Steve Menzies beats the grasping tackle of Karmichael Hunt to score. Source: News Limited

THE CULTURE

Since he left Manly has made two grand finals, won one, saw coach Des Hasler quit, have several CEOs come and go and a board that is constantly split.

''It's been a rocky road,'' Menzies said. ''It's been tough but it really has been a golden era for Manly. The grand finals they have played, the grand finals they have won.

''The past five, six, seven years has been such a good period. It's been unbelievable for the club.

'''Tooves' as a player was the toughest guy I played with or against so his coaching success doesn't surprise me. He is so passionate. He know how to convey his messages through that passion.''

St Helens James Roby is tackled by Steve Menzies. Source: AAP

THE FRENCH

Menzies played 71 games in France between 2011 and 2013.

''You want my answer in French or English?'' Menzies said. ''I don't have that much French actually. It was just a great experience. England was also great, two years at Bradford.

''Then I got a call from (now Roosters coach) Trent Robinson and he asked whether I would like to go Catalans.

''Two weeks later the deal was done and off we went. It is such a great part of the world. My daughter is five and she is pretty much fluent in French.

''It was great to be immersed in that culture and the people we met. Everything closes from 12 til 2pm - they have their siesta. None of the shops are open. They work just to live. They don't work to conquer the world. Some of the things you see - you scratch your head, only in France.''

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Titanic concern over player trade

Graham Annesley, the new chief executive of the Titans. Source: Adam Head / News Limited

TITANS boss Graham Annesley has expressed concerns about a transfer window as momentum gathers for the ARL Commission to introduce a mid-season trading period.

NRL operations chief Jim Doyle is presiding over a sweeping salary cap probe, with some NRL stakeholders throwing their support behind a transfer window next season.

Under the proposal, clubs would be able to trade players for a nominated period after round six. It is a concept used in the English Premier League, which has two trading windows, including mid-season from December 31 to January 31.

The Rugby League Players Association sees merit in a transfer window, but Annesley is wary of a system that could be open to exploitation.

Graham Annesley, the new chief executive of the Titans. Source: News Limited

Annesley was the NRL's chief operating officer in 2006 when the code scrapped the June 30 anti-tampering rule amid claims clubs were secretly breaching the system.

"I would have to be convinced,'' Annesley said. "Based on what used to happen around the June 30 rule and the claims of tampering, the biggest problem with that mid-season stuff is it distracts from what we are doing on a week-to-week basis on the field.

"You want the focus to be on the games each week, not what is happening off the field.

"The suggestion is around trying to make it more transparent and crunching it down to a limited period of time. I'd have to see exactly what is proposed and what the implications of it might be.''

Luke Bailey and Dave Taylor hug after the match.. Source: News Limited

Broncos legend Darren Lockyer believes a two-week transfer window before the State of Origin season could work, but Annesley says the system may be unpalatable to fans.

"It is hard to police and that's why it was changed last time,'' he said. "There is no easy solution. Fans don't like to see players changing clubs mid-season but the players also have a right to have some certainty over their future.

"It is a delicate balance and the players association will have a view on it as well.

"Players have a limited time in the game to maximise their earning potential and I think everyone likes to know with some certainty what they will be doing each year.

"While it would work for the clubs I think it would create some problems for players.''

Titans coach John Cartwright not happy. Source: News Limited

Broncos chief executive Paul White is open-minded about possible finetuning of the salary cap.

"The NRL have reviewed other sports locally and internationally and all options are on the table,'' he said.

"It is important that the clubs as stakeholders of the game have the opportunity to provide input but we work with the NRL to make sure all views are canvassed and we take a thorough measured approach to implementation.''

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Nissan season a $5 million waste

Rick and Todd Kelly with the Jack Daniels Racing Nissan Altima that will compete in the V8 Supercars competition. Source: Supplied

NISSAN have written off their debut V8 Supercars season as a $5 million waste with a botched aerodynamics test ruining their history making year.

The powerful Japanese manufacturer has demanded a new test on their aerodynamics package with drivers claiming the cars feel as if they are being held back by a parachute.

Privately they call their Nissan V8 a flying fridge.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Nissan global motorsport boss Darren Cox fronted V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton and was given the go-ahead to redesign the car in a move that will see Kelly Brothers Racing hit the grid with four new look Nissan Altimas next year.

New V8 Supercars commissioner Steve Horne admitted to Cox the aerodynamics test run on the Nissans before their landmark re-entry to the sport was not up to scratch and agreed to retest the cars with state of the art computer software as well as include them in all the testing that the new Volvo will undertake ahead of its entry into the sport.

Nissan have been on the warpath since learning the aero package on their car was to blame for their poor performance - not the engine as previously thought.

The team suspected their aero package - which determines how much drag the car is held back by and which influences speed - was inferior to the mainstay Holdens and Fords. It was confirmed beyond doubt at Bathurst when the car dramatically bogged down at speeds above 220km/h.

"We were down on engine speed and straight line speed at the beginning of the year,'' said Kelly Brothers racing co-owner and driver Rick Kelly.

"We suspected the engine was to blame for both. As we improved the engine the straight line speed was still down. At Bathurst we were 10km/h off the rest of the field.

"We knew it was an aero problem then and while frustrating, it is great that we know what is wrong and have been given permission to do something about it.''

The data gathered by the team has convinced V8 Supercars to conduct new tests which will see the manufacturer enter next year's series with a superior model car.

Kelly Brothers Racing were forced to add drag to their car before the beginning of the season with the Altima described as a "slippery'' car with a formidable aero package.

Todd Kelly wanted the sport to conduct their aero testing at a two car wind tunnel in the US.

The sport declined and instead tested the cars on a drag-strip, pushing the cars to top speed before turning them off and looking at how far they rolled.

Many have been critical of the low-tech test, which was also conducted on a windy day.

Nissan are pleased with the response from the sport's governing body and will fly in an aerodynamics guru of Le Mans fame to help them redesign their aerodynamic package.

Ben Bowlby, who designed the famous Delta wing, will fly into Australia to oversee the testing and design.

Nissan representatives have privately declared the season a $5 million waste because of the bungle.

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Young cubs excite veteran Richards

WHEN Pat Richards left Australia for England in 2005 Benji Marshall was the young superstar at the Wests Tigers and Luke Brooks was still in primary school.

Eight years on and Richards says he can't wait to rejoin his old club in 2014 because the talent they had coming through back then reminds him of what he sees emerging today.

Richards was famously on the receiving end of that freakish Marshall flick pass in the 2005 decider that led to one of the most celebrated tries in grand final history.

But after conquering all there is to do in the English Super League, he says the future has him excited about returning home and helping the Tigers get back to where they were when he left.

"I remember when I was at the Tigers before there was a really good crop of kids coming through then and we ended up getting some success out of out," he said.

"A lot of people are very excited about what these kids can do and I'm really looking forward to getting back and playing with them.

"I watched them go last year and they have some great talent."

Richards will run out for Ireland on the weekend in their World Cup clash against Australia in Limerick with a personal cheer squad of about 40 family members in the crowd.

"It is going to be a special occasion," he said.

02 Oct 2005 NRL Grand Final - Wests Tigers vs Nth Qld Cowboys at Telstra Stadium. Pat Richards celebrates a try. Source: News Limited

"My parents are both Irish. They moved to Australia when they were 20 so it's a good opportunity to play against the country from where I was born in Ireland and I have a lot of family coming over from Dublin to watch the game."

While Ireland probably won't represent much of a challenge to the tournament favourites, plenty of focus will be on Richards to see where his game is at after an unbelievably successful stint at Wigan.

During his time over here Richards has won two Super League crowns and two Challenge Cups as well as taking out the competition's most prestigious individual honour, the Man of Steel in 2010.

But he says probably the most rewarding experience was the lifestyle his young family enjoyed.

"It's been a terrific experience for us as a family," he said.

"I have enjoyed living over here and the culture and the opportunity to travel is great.

"One day we had the day off on the Wednesday so we flew to Paris on the Tuesday night and just spent the day there. Things like that you can do all the time.

"It is only like an hour away and you can be anywhere in Europe.

"I was married (to wife Kim) before I left but we had both our kids over here.

Sport. Pat Richards with wife Kim and children Aidan and Brianna at Keswick in the lakes district, England. Supplied Source: Supplied

"We had our first son (Aidan) the second year we were here and (Brianna) next.

"My kids have never lived in Australia so they have the little English accents but they are looking forward to being around family, too.

"It will be great for all of us."

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Potter begins life without Benji

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WELCOME to life at Wests Tigers without Benji.

The Concord-based club officially unveiled their new-look coaching team on Wednesday which will start preparing for a new season without Benji Marshall for the first time since 2002.

Head coach Mick Potter has been retained and will be joined by new assistants David Kidwell and Todd Payten.

Marshall wasn't at Concord Oval on Wednesday - but his name still echoed around the arena.

"We are a team again - it's not Benji Marshall and Wests Tigers. It's the team, the Wests Tigers," Potter said.

"Benji has been great for the Wests Tigers and has left a fantastic legacy for the game as well as fans here at the club.

"There are millions of people that have seen him play and enjoyed what he brought to the game.

"In a week or so (when players return to training) he won't be here, it will be a different feel. He was a professional at every single training session. I can't fault him.

"In a way I am bit sad that he won't be here but things change and we move on. We are evolving and it's time for someone else to step in."

Grant Mayer, Boss of the Wests Tigers, talks to his coach, Mick Potter. Source: News Limited

And that "someone" will be Luke Brooks, the new playmaker at Wests Tigers.

Potter sent out a warning to fans about expectations for Brooks.

"Not much fazes Luke," Potter said.

"I am sure he feels the pressure but he takes it in the right spirit of 'it's a game of rugby league. That's what I do well. I go out and play'.

"There will be expectation on him. I don't think that will change and I don't think his attitude will change.

"I am sure he will be tested out and it will be a big test for him. And not just week one, it will be every single week."

Coach Mick Potter point the way during Wests Tigers training. Source: News Limited

Payten added: "We've got no choice but to chuck him in but the members and supporters need to realise he is 18 years old and hasn't got a monster pack around him.

"The kid is super talented but he will have some ups and downs along the way. We need to be patient and support him."

Wests Tigers experienced a horror season, missing the season and battling a wretched run with injury, a split board, new CEO, Marshall's exit and a coach who fought to save his job.

"The fans have been really understanding about what we went through this year,'"Potter said. "They've been really supportive. You don't think the amount of injuries we had will happen again.

"On the flip-side of that adversity is the opportunity being presented to a lot of the young kids.

"It's a new era with the changes that have gone on within the footy department and upstairs (the front office). There have been some enormous changes. The club as a whole is changing, it's evolving."

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Matterson living American dream

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THREE weeks ago, Brisbane Broncos premiership winner Terry Matterson was about to celebrate his son's birthday on Magnetic Island when one of sport's great fairy tales began.

Matterson's holiday was interrupted by a phone call with the bizarre news that the USA Tomahawks wanted him to coach their maiden Rugby League World Cup campaign.

Since accepting the challenge, Matterson and the Tomahawks have registered 60-plus hours of travel across three continents, engineered three major upsets and booked a Rugby League World Cup quarter-final against Australia.

RLWC officials thought so little of USA's chances they booked them a flight out of England one day before their pool would be officially decided, when the Cook Islands play Wales this Sunday.

USA was 90 to one to make the quarter-finals and now Matterson finds himself in the midst of a history-making achievement.

When he first said "Yes" to Tomahawks' general manager Steven Johnson he knew just three of the 24-man playing squad.

His first day as coach was spent Googling that list to ascertain the talent level at his disposal.

Pulled from all corners of the globe, the Tomahawks have a 6'4" youth worker, a Hawaiian fire dancer, the CEO of a rugby league club in New York, a gas-fitter, a rail-road worker and several personal trainers.

United States rugby league team. Source: Supplied

This unheralded group has become the story of the RLWC.

"I was on my way over to Magnetic Island with my son for his birthday and my wife said I had an email that Brian Smith pulled out as coach and they wanted to offer me the opportunity," Matterson said.

"I had been an assistant coach for two years and thought this would be a great chance to be a head coach again and develop myself.

"Eight days later I was on a plane. I had not spoken to any of the players. All I had was a text from Clint Newton and a phone call from Matt Petersen.

"I had nothing organised. Just thought that I would get over there, see what we had and go from there."

The Tomahawks' have since gained press in the football-dominated back pages of The Sun and The Times in England and the New York Times.

Their Cinderella story even prompted international children's music sensation The Wiggles to film a video tribute to the Tomahawks.

The obstacles Matterson's men have had to overcome are incredible.

They play three pool games in nine days, the toughest draw in the competition, with their game against Scotland tomorrow morning (Friday morning AEDT) their last round-robin match.

Their victory over France in a pre-tournament friendly occurred on the back of four plane flights in two days and one training session.

They beat Wales, in Wales, 24-16 last Sunday just four days after they upset the Cook Islands in Bristol.

Not one player or staff member is being paid. There is not even an allowance.

"As far as expectations, there weren't any," Matterson said.

"I just wanted to coach and teach young men who wanted to learn about rugby league.

"The experienced NRL players we have in Matt Petersen, Clint Newton, Eddy Pettybourne and captain Joseph Paulo are brilliant in how they inspire their team mates."

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Titans make play for Karmichael

GOLD Coast Suns are facing a battle to retain Karmichael Hunt after the Titans expressed interest in bringing the former Bronco back to the NRL.

Titans boss Graham Annesley said they have room in the salary cap to make a legitimate play for Hunt, who is off contract at the end of next season.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Hunt has been on the Titans' radar for months, with former chief executive David May first meeting with the three-code athlete's management in June.

Gold Coast Titans and Gold coast Suns at a one-off training session where the clubs traded tips on defence and ball skills. Karmichael Hunt and Nate Myles catch up. Pic Glenn Hampson Source: News Limited

Club sources say May made a preliminary approach with the blessing of Titans shareholder Michael Searle, who has previously snared big guns Jamal Idris, Nate Myles and Dave Taylor.

May resigned soon after registering interest in Hunt, but his departure has failed to temper the Titans' enthusiasm for one of the most accomplished athletes in Australian sport.

Social media speculation suggested Hunt had already signed a two-year contract with the Titans. Annesley insists that is not the case, but agrees the Titans could strike a major blow in the Gold Coast sporting turf war by luring Hunt from the Suns.

Gold Coast Suns training at Metricon Stadium, Carrara - Karmichael Hunt Source: News Limited

"Karmichael is not off contract until the end of next year but we would certainly be interested in someone of his quality,'' Annesley said.

"Our salary cap situation is tight for 2014, although it is a different ball game in 2015.

"We haven't had internal discussions, but we wouldn't immediately say no to someone like Karmichael.

"There is no rush, Karmichael has another year to go anyway, but we are as interested in him as any other NRL club.''

The push for Hunt to return to the NRL gathered momentum after his turbulent season with the Suns. The former Queensland Origin utility battled hamstring tendinitis and played only nine matches, well shy of the 34 he compiled in his first two seasons in AFL.

Gold Coast Suns training at Metricon Stadium, Carrara - Karmichael Hunt Source: News Limited

The Suns have no intention of losing Hunt and one impediment for NRL suitors could be his $1 million-plus AFL salary.

"A lot will come down to what we have available under the cap and the club's requirements going forward,'' Annesley said.

"But Karmichael is a huge star anywhere in Queensland and in southeast Queensland in particular because of what he has done in the AFL.

"There is no question he would be a massive drawcard for the Titans and rugby league.''

GC Suns players Karmichael Hunt and Gary Ablett. Source: News Limited

A fortnight ago, Brisbane centre Justin Hodges urged his good mate to make an NRL comeback with the Broncos. Hunt's manager David Riolo said the 26-year-old had given no indication he wanted out of the Suns.

"At least this year he is off contract so he can attract offers,'' Riolo said. "I don't want to speculate. His future will pan out as the season progresses.''

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The dollar that paid off handsomely

Gai Waterhouse's year has ended in triumph with Fiorente giving the trainer her first Melbourne Cup win.

IMAGINE turning $1 into $118,652 after getting the Melbourne Cup first four straight out?

Well, one lucky Victorian TAB punter did just that when he correctly selected Fiorente, Red Cadeaux, Mount Athos and Simenon to be the first four horses over the line in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington yesterday.

He was one of the big winners on the race that stops a nation as punters wagered $90.6 million through the NSW and Victorian TABs on the Melbourne Cup.

Fiorente was the first favourite to win the great race since Makybe Diva in 2005 but the Gai Waterhouse-trained champion has already been installed as the $10 favourite for a repeat triumph in next year's Melbourne Cup.

Fiorente paid $7 for the Win on the NSW and Victorian totalizators, as well as $7.00 in TAB Fixed Odds betting.

One NSW TAB punter had $27,500 at $7.00 on Fiorente just before the race and collected $192,500.

The $90.6 million in turnover on the Melbourne Cup race, which was down 2.0% on the previous year, included:

#$47.5 million in NSW TAB betting.

#$34 million in Victorian TAB betting.

#$9.1 million in TAB Fixed Odds betting across both states.

Total NSW and Victorian TAB turnover on the 10 races at Flemington was $133.7 million, down 4.8% on 2012.

A punter at Sportingbet $24 into a life changing $107,190 after correctly picking the first four across the line in the 2013 Melbourne Cup.

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The punter from Dampier in Western Australia, who requested to be known only as Jados, selected Fiorente, Red Cadeaux, Mount Athos and Simenon in a boxed first four, which costs a total of $24 as it allows for 24 possible winning combinations.

Jados placed the bet online at Sportingbet.com.au on the morning of the Melbourne Cup.

"I'm Big Kev excited," said Jados. "The kids picked two horses and I picked the other two so I suppose I have to give them some of the credit.

"I've told all my mates but none of them believe me. My missus is completely stoked and she's already got a new car picked out.''

Sportsbet said one punter placed a $40,000 bet at $7 on Fiorente and collected $280,000.

Other big bets on Fiorente include $25,000 and $15,000.

"The punters got this one right with Fiorente. He had the best form, and punters who stuck with him were rewarded,'' Sportsbet's Shaun Anderson said.

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Ponting secure with legacy

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FORMER Test captain Ricky Ponting is at peace with his legacy despite disparaging leadership comparisons with successor Michael Clarke from Shane Warne.

Far from lamenting three Ashes losses as skipper, Ponting concedes it was his 'destiny'.

Warne has unloaded on old teammate Ponting - citing the 168-Test batsman's criticism of close friend Clarke in his autobiography At The Close of Play as driven by 'jealousy' at losing three Ashes series to England.

Asked about Warne intermittently questioning his regimented tactical style while lauding Clarke's innovative approach, Ponting said: "At the end of the day I think my captaincy record will stand up for itself."

Ponting led Australia to 48 Test wins in 77 starts - bettered only by South African Graeme Smith with 51 from 104.

Ponting insists he had no free ride as skipper of a golden side - emphasising the exodus of titans including Justin Langer, Warne and Glenn McGrath in 2006-07, Adam Gilchrist in 2008 and Matthew Hayden in 2009.

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"A lot of people only think of me captaining a great team. I only had that team for three years. I took over in 2003 and they all left in 2006," said Ponting, whose revered predecessor Steve Waugh enjoyed a 71 per cent Test winning rate.

"I took over a young team and we were still able to maintain some pretty high standards and be competitive in every series we played."

Ponting led Australia to a gripping, revenge Test series win in South Africa during 2009 and noted England prevailed here in 2010-11 to eventually clinch No. 1 Test status.

"The only time I lost a series was against the No. 1 ranked side at the time," said Ponting, who has been promoting his book across Australia.

Ricky and Rianna Ponting attend the Melbourne Cup. Getty Images. Source: Getty Images

Australia's failure against England in 2005, 2009 and 2010-11 cut Ponting deep, a proud man and true Mowbray scrapper - but that was his lot in a stellar, 13,378-run, 20-year career.

"People can be critical, that's fine. I will be defined by the three Ashes losses I had and as a leader that is your destiny sometimes," said Ponting.

"In 2005 they beat us and in 2006-07 we were able to bounce back and play some of the best Test cricket that has ever been played."

Ponting isn't fretting about the controversy his book has generated saying he had been open and 'honest'.

Ponting will be itchy when the first Ashes Test starts at the Gabba from November 21 and will 'probably be sitting on the couch with his whites on' but knows his time has passed.

Ponting has also come in for a baking from Mark Taylor over his book but said the former Test skipper was also on Cricket Australia board during the national side's period of decline from 2004.

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How Ollie made it happen

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GAI Waterhouse says Damien Oliver's ride on Fiorente delivered her first Cup win.

"I think that was the crux, that's what won the Cup,'' she said. "The horse was fit and healthy for the Cup, but I had someone who knew the horse.''

Waterhouse dropped a Spring Carnival bombshell when she punted Nash Rawiller and put Oliver on board her favoured runner.

Oliver never once panicked on Fiorente and waited until the 600m to get motoring.

He had the field covered, but took a little longer to reel in the ageing stubborn English raider, Red Cadeaux.

Melbourne Cup favourite Fiorente claims the 2013 crown, pipping Red Cadeaux by a length on the final straight.

THE START

FIORENTE jumps well with Dandino and Brown Panther, who drew either side of him.

The pair kick clear of him in search of a good position.

Brown Panther ends up in a three-way battle for the early lead with Waterhouse's other entrant, Tres Blue, and Rusdhcello steaming over from their wide gates.

1ST WINNING POST

DAMIEN Oliver parks Fiorente midfield with plenty of galloping room.

He has Dandino to his inside and Simenon pushing forward on his outside. Red Cadeaux is in the group just ahead of him.

OUT OF THE STRAIGHT

VEREMA races with Masked Marvel behind Fiorente before the French mare breaks down.

The speed is still solid and Fiorente looks to get into a good rhythm. "I had visions of being in the first third of the field. but I ended up just off midfield. We had a pretty good run,'' Oliver said.

1000m TO GO

RIVALS Mount Athos and Red Cadeaux start to make their runs and roll forward, while Oliver refuses to panic.

Super Cool and Simenon sit just in front of him, with Royal Empire parked half a length behind him on the outside.

Australia's first lady of racing, Gai Waterhouse, has won her maiden Melbourne Cup with Fiorente, but not before a summons to the Stewards sent a scare through the camp.

THE 600M MARK

OLIVER is surrounded by runners, but still has plenty of galloping room and starts to quicken. He knocks Royal Empire out of the way and swings wide, following Ethiopia into the straight as Fawkner starts his own run down the outside, and Red Cadeaux and Simenon do their best to reel in Mount Athos up front.

"I slowly eased the horse to the outside and actually got closer to the lead than I expected to,'' Oliver said.

Early leaders Tres Blue and Ruscello have run out of gas and called it a day, dropping back through the field.

250M TO GO

FIORENTE quickly sweeps past Ethiopia and Simenon, but Red Cadeaux is proving to be a bit more stubborn. Red Cadeaux almost looks to fight back for a second, before Fiorente digs in. "I knew Red Cadeaux would take me a fair way, I picked him off at the 200m, but the last 200m seemed to take a long time,'' Oliver said.

100M FROM HOME

FIORENTE starts to get the better of Red Cadeaux and Oliver has his third Cup in the bag. Fawkner and Dandino finish down the outside.

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Ricciardo: Abu Dhabi a letdown

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That wasn't a great race, definitely not one for the scrapbook. We had a good grid spot but couldn't get the car off the line.

Our starts have been a bit hit and miss this year. The last few have been good but today was a miss. We got swamped on the way to Turn One and in the end I went wide to avoid a collision - though JEV (Scuderia Toro Rosso teammate Jean-Eric Vergne) and myself may have had some light contact.

After that things didn't look too clever. The position we're in at the moment is that the car isn't fast enough to mount that sort of major recovery. If we start in the top 10 and stay there on the first lap, we have the ability to race and defend a good position - but if we're out of sequence it's hard. Unfortunately that's the race we had today.

Coming into the race, the nominal strategy was to attempt a one-stopper, albeit with the hedge of pushing on the first stint and seeing how far we could go with the tyres. One consequence of getting away poorly was to come out of the mix behind Esteban Gutiérrez. He was on the prime tyre and as we've seen in recent races, the Saubers have really good straight line speed. I couldn't get past and sitting behind him we weren't really making good use of the tyres.

At that point I asked if we could go onto Plan B, and the next lap I was called into the pits. A two-stopper was the way forward, but ultimately it didn't improve our situation much.

When you're in that situation the race in front of you looks very long. A poor start tends to play on your mind for a few laps. It's very frustrating. It doesn't show up in the driving: it's not like I start locking brakes or driving like an idiot - but it's there, in the back of your mind. It's a couple of seconds when the lights go out but you can't take it back. All you can do is think about contingencies like a safety car and how you might be able to shoehorn-in a viable strategy around something like that. Beyond that you just try to have the best race you can - but it's definitely not got the same buzz as when you're hunting down points.

Racing aside, it's been a good weekend. This is one of my favourite venues. We haven't really done anything out of the ordinary but it's nice to sit out on the terrace, enjoy the heat and people-watch. Here that's mostly people on boats, which is a bit of a novelty. One regret is not getting to any of the live gigs that have been going on over the weekend. Everyone who's been down to the arena has raved about how good they've been, but we've had too many hours at the track to get away.

Hopefully I'll get to rectify that in Austin. We're going out early and I'm planning a proper night out before the grand prix: have some ribs, go see some live music and soak it all up. After that I'm going to nail the weekend. It'd be nice to be going there right now: I've got plenty of surplus energy to channel.

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Ashes dark days sparked fire

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ENGLAND'S current Ashes dominance was born in the repeated humiliations delivered by Warne, McGrath, Ponting and Co.

Ian Bell, England's middle-order maestro, said the lessons learned, particularly in the 2006-07 whitewash in Australia, still resonate with the current team and has been a catalyst in the turn around as the visitors aim for their fourth successive Ashes win this summer.

"Coming on tours when I started with England it wasn't the feeling of winning a series, it was trying to not make it as bad as it possibly can,'' Bell said yesterday in Hobart preparing for tomorrow's tour game against Australia A.

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"Now, there is no doubt that obviously the one (last series) in England and here we've come as favourites, which is a different pressure all together.

"It is a lot different culture in the English team now, not just against Australia but generally against whoever we play people from our side of things media-wise and people at home expect us to win."

He said the lessons of success were rammed home by the great Australian side that didn't lose an Ashes series from 1989 until 2005 and then retook the prized urn with a drubbing in the '06-07 series.

Bell initially struggled in the Ashes contests, being dubbed "the Sherminator" by perennial England baiter Shane Warne, but has now become arguably the visitors most consistent batsman, highlighted by his series high 562 runs at 62.4 during the winter in England's 3-0 win.

"Certainly in 2005, I think it was my fourth Test match, mentally and technically I wasn't ready for Test cricket but in a way it gave me a good lesson because I was playing against Warne, McGrath, Ponting _ you go from one to 11 (they are all) legends of the game," he said.

"They showed me certainly when we came here and lost 5-0 what proper Test cricket was all about.

"If I wanted to make a career in Test cricket I had to improve in a lot of areas and they were the lessons I took away from it.

"I wouldn't say I looked back with bad memories, they were just massive lessons I learned in my career.

"And I can honestly say I was lucky to play against some of the best players who have ever played the game, hopefully I've tried to learn a little bit from each of those guys and put it into my game."

England did not train yesterday but confirmed captain Alastair Cook and batsman Kevin Pietersen would both play against Australia A after sitting out the tour opener in Perth.

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Adam has drive to break record

Adam Scott follows through on a bunker shot at the 2013 Tour Championship tournament in Atlanta. Source: Jason Getz / AP

POWER-striking Masters hero Adam Scott has been tipped to set a new course record 62 at Royal Pines, where a drivable 280m par four is to be set up to spike crowd excitement at the Australian PGA.

Gold Coast-based Victorian pro Steve Jones predicted Scott could make the course-best 63 redundant with a light breeze, a hot round with the putter and the 2013 precision he has used to win three titles and more than $5 million in prizemoney.

The 193cm Jones, one of Australia's longest drivers off the tee with recorded 300m-plus drives, relished the plan to shorten the 344m eighth into a feature hole where the field could attempt to smote the ball to the green with a single blow for an eagle putt.

Scott is sure to go for broke there.

His drawing drive, by bunkers, to the green at the 343m par four fourth hole, when the tournament was at Palmer Coolum Resort in 2011, was one of the more remarkable shots of that week.

Thursday's opening round is likely to pitch crowd magnet Adam Scott and American Brandt Snedeker, the world No.9, into a feature afternoon three-ball.

"I've probably played Royal Pines as often as anyone in the field. It'll play harder than many people think but a guy who hits it phenomenal like Adam Scott can break that 63 if conditions are right," Jones said.

"Ask most pros and they love courses with a short, drivable par four with that real risk-reward factor. It's a great idea for the tournament."

Andrew Langford-Jones, director of tournaments for the PGA of Australia, has spent 12 months nutting out ways to raise the adrenalin of entertainment with course tweaks on the largely flat Gold Coast layout of wide avenues between the trees.

"There is a new tee block in play on the eighth where we can shorten the hole to around 280m which is definitely a plan for one round to give the players a drive at the green," Langford-Jones revealed.

Tweaking the eighth is a forerunner to a permanent change when the earthmoving equipment of course architect Graham Marsh gets active in February.

"We'll pull the green forward closer to the water, put gallery mounds behind the green and play it, say, 280m off the forward tee block to create an exciting stadium hole with the most powerful club in a player's hand," Marsh said.

With the ninth's switch from a birdie-friendly par five to a par four, the course will play as a par 71, rather than the regular 72, so the best round of the event will stand as the new course record.

Cameron Percy, who played on the PGA Tour in the US, said yesterday's 40km/h wind gusts during a practice round were a strong defence for the course as well as the firm greens.

"The fans want to see guys ripping the driver not playing a hole with three iron and wedge so I'm all for a short par four because we are basically entertainers," Percy enthused.

"Scotty could shoot a 62 with the way his golf swing and confidence are right now but I reckon I fixed only one pitch mark on a green all round because they are so firm."

Scott will likely play practice holes today before showing off his fabled Masters green jacket for tonight's traditional Dinner With The Stars scene-setter at the Royal Pines resort.

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Poms praise Aussie influence

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AS if losing consistently to England was not bad enough, a lot of the old enemy's success has been built on Australian coaching and know how.

In former Victorian and Tasmanian quick David Saker as England's bowling coach and with Jason Gillespie in charge at Yorkshire, Australia's influence is high.

And to top it off, even current Australian coach Darren Lehmann coached at Yorkshire and has had current squad members Joe Root and Monty Panesar refining their craft at his Adelaide cricket academy.

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England spearhead James Anderson rated Saker as the best bowling coach he has played under.

"I think just the way he works out a batsman and comes up with plans for me, we are on the same wave length for that sort of thing," Anderson said yesterday in Hobart.

"We build up the pressure around that.

"He's probably more tactically minded than technical from a coach's point of view.

"He's probably the best bowling coach I've worked with tactically.

"At the stage of my career, I don't really need any technical help, it is more the tactically side I need help with."

While on his first Ashes tour of Australia, opening batsman Root was down under during the last Ashes campaign attending the Darren Lehmann Cricket Academy and playing Adelaide club cricket for Prospect.

"He (Lehmann) didn't spend a lot of time at the Academy but it was good to get his thoughts on a few things about batting," Root said.

"He's obviously had a very good career as a player and had a good start to his coaching career as well so it was good to get some tips and help from him."

Root has also benefited from Gillespie's tutelage at Yorkshire, as has fellow tourists Jonathan Bairstow and Gary Ballance.

"He's been brilliant, he's done a fantastic job at Yorkshire, he's just a really nice bloke," he said.

"He's a fantastic coach and I've learned a lot from him.

"All the lads at Yorkshire respect him very highly for what he did in the game as a player but more so as a coach as well."

However, Root said Gillespie had not turned complete traitor when it came to national secrets.

"Australians don't like to give too much away but he's been very good in helping me develop my game over the past two years and he's done everything he can to try and progress my cricket as you would expect from your coach," Root said.

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Trott: I have ironed out flaws

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JONATHAN Trott claims it was just a perception that he failed to handle the short ball during the last Ashes series.

Attack leader Ryan Harris has made a blunt assessment of the way the Australians unsettled Trott in England, restricting him to a series average of just 29.

However the former South African under 19 batsman insists his lack of productivity was due to technical flaws.

"I think that is part of Test cricket. People are going to bowl short balls and yorkers and all sorts to try to get you out," Trott said in Hobart yesterday as England prepared for the match against Australia A, beginning tomorrow (Wednesday).

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"I got out to full balls a lot more than short balls. It's one of the things people's perception is. Everyone is entitled to their own perception.

"I know what I've got to focus on this series and what I did when we came here [last time].

"Ryan Harris played then, a pretty similar bowling attack then ... I have got good memories of being here so I wouldn't say I'm particularly worried about anything specifically delivery-wise, it's more about me getting my game in good nick and feeling good."

After a debut century during the last Test at The Oval in 2009 which won England the Ashes, Trott averaged 89 on his previous tour of Australia three years ago as the touring batsmen filled their boots.

It was the first Ashes loss to England in Australia for 24 years.

Trott believes he has identified the reasons why he did not have the same significant impact during the most recent series in England earlier this year.

"I got myself out a few times and first Test at Trent Bridge I got a weird review. I'm still scratching my head about that," he said.

"I technically had a few flaws which I have hopefully ironed out.

"To look back at the summer and be disappointed would be foolish because we won the series 3-0.

"Just because I averaged 30 (29) doesn't make it a huge train smash. I still had some hands in some important partnerships and it was an exciting and eventful series."

Trott was also unconcerned about the likely recall of Mitchell Johnson, who worked the batsman over with short bowling during the one-day series that followed the Ashes.

"I wouldn't say blows, he got me out once, and he bowled really well," said Trott.

"That's what fast bowlers do. There's nothing new to that. It's not a new thing in cricket.

"Again I probably created my own downfall in the way I was playing and technically probably wasn't doing what I normally do.

"I created that scenario myself, not so much the Australians.

"I think Mitch is bowling really well. He has gone away and worked really hard on his game. That's good to see from a player."

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