Foul on Fabio robs Reds of momentum

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ADELAIDE United and Western Sydney Wanderers' 0-0 draw was marred when Fabio Ferreira was forced off the park with concussion but the aggressor was allowed to stay.

The game swung Wanderers way when star Reds winger Ferreira was smacked off the ball by Wanderers Adam D'Apuzzo at Pirtek Stadium on Saturday.

MATCH REPORT: REDS EXTEND WANDERERS' WINLESS RUN

Before the incident Adelaide was in control.

D'Apuzzo shoulder charged Ferreira in the 20th minute with the ball 10m away when the left back was already on a yellow card for a crude foul on the Portuguese winger just 10 minutes earlier.

Delovski allowed the second cynical foul to pass without another caution leaving D'Apuzzo with a lucky pass to stay on the park before Ferreira looked dazed and lasted until the 31st minute before he left for treatment.

When Jeronimo Neumann was unloaded off the bench to replace Ferreira Wanderers took control of the clash until the half-time break.

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Adelaide for all of its possession and movement off the ball troubled Wanderers gloveman Ante Covic into making just one routine save from Bruce Djite's 20m effort before the break as Marcelo Carrusca and Ferreira missed the target despite sublime Reds attacking build ups.

With Wanderers only fielding three starting players that made the midweek AFC Champions League trek to face China's Guizhou Renhe (1-0), the reigning A-League premier struggled to find any consistent rhythm but still managed to trouble the Reds with direct football.

But Carrusca created the game's best chance in the second half.

His brilliant pass inside the box allowed Neumann to open the score but the Argentine sliced his shot wide from 7m with only Covic to beat five minutes after the break.

Right back Jerome Polenz then gave the home side much needed width in the second half as the German made space to pump crosses inside the box but Adelaide dealt with the danger comfortably.

Shannon Cole was then cautioned in the 55th minute for up-ending Carrusca who was on a goalbound run on the flank but Adelaide drew a blank from the angled set piece.

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Carrusca had a another opportunity on the hour to force at least a save from Covic but his volley from 7m after Neumann sped past D'Apuzzo to cross the ball inside the box was wide.

With tiring legs changing the pattern of the game Aaron Mooy then forced captain Eugene Galekovic into an easy save with a 25 effort with the Reds stretched in the 65th minute.

But with the game heading for a draw fringe FIFA World Cup Socceroo Michael Zullo was unloaded off the bench to replace Djite as coach Josep Gombau reshuffled his XI to find a winner.

Neumann was shifted to central striker as Zullo became the Reds third right winger in 70 minutes.

But it was Wanderers threatening to score when Mooy had Galekovic scrambling to make a save after 77 minutes after former Red Tomi Juric was thrown into the fray to search for a winner four minutes earlier.

Juric forced Galekovic with a spectacular save in the 90th minute in the last shot on target in the clash.

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Thompson strikes late to break Perth

Archie Thompson's late goal saw Victory leapfrog Western Sydney into second place. Source: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

MELBOURNE Victory striker Archie Thompson scored a late winner in his side's 2-1 A-League triumph over Perth at nib Stadium on Saturday night.

The game appeared headed for a draw after Victory skipper Mark Milligan cancelled out his 27th-minute own goal with a 39th-minute penalty.

But Thompson secured all three points when he pounced on James Troisi's well-weighted pass to slot home the winner in the 90th minute.

WATCH THE HIGHLIGHTS AND GET THE STATS IN THE MATCH CENTRE.

Michael Thwaite gets his groove on to celebrate his opener for Perth. Source: News Corp Australia

The triumph lifted Victory into second spot on the table, giving them a one-point buffer over third-placed Western Sydney with just four rounds remaining.

Perth Glory remain bottom of the table after their winless run stretched to nine games.peThe Victory, who were playing their third game in the space of nine days, now have to back up for Tuesday's Asian Champions League clash with Japanese outfit Yokohama F. Marinos in Melbourne.

There was drama during the warm-up when Glory young gun Danny De Silva was knocked unconscious after being struck in the side of the head by a wayward ball.

Jacob Burns gets to grip with James Troisi. Source: News Corp Australia

De Silva was replaced on the bench by Adrian Zahra, and Glory took a surprise lead in the 27th minute when Michael Thwaite's header deflected off Milligan and into the back of the net.

Glory goalkeeper Jack Duncan pulled off a brilliant fingertip save to deny Tom Rogic three minutes later.

But Victory were back on level terms before half-time when Milligan converted a penalty after Troisi was pulled down by Glory defender Matt Davies.

Clear-cut chances on goal were few and far between in the second half.

But Thompson made no mistake when a golden opportunity finally fell his way, with the fringe Socceroo slicing his way behind Glory's defence before nailing the late winner in front of 7068 fans.

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Kane wins prestigious award in Sochi

Australia's Toby Kane in action in the giant slalom at the men's Paralympic Games. Picture: Getty Images Source: Tom Pennington / Getty Images

AUSTRALIA'S only medallist at this week's Sochi Paralympics, Toby Kane, has become the first from his country to win the prestigious Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award in recognition of his service to sport and humanity.

Just hours after closing the book on his alpine skiing career which took him to three Paralympic Games for two bronze medals, the 27-year-old was honoured at a special ceremony in Rosa Khutor.

One male and female athlete is chosen for the award at every games and the female winner in Russia is Dutch snowboarder Bibian Mentel-Spee.

Kane, a single leg amputee who won bronze medal in the standing super-combined on Friday, is considered the heartbeat of the Australian team on the snow and is just as respected off it as he prepares to finish his medical degree in Melbourne.

He said he was "honoured and humbled" to have been nominated and then chosen from 17 other male athletes to receive the award.

Australian Paralympic Committee chief executive Jason Hellwig said Kane had always been a leader but most recently he played a crucial role in helping his teammates deal with the death of snowboarding teammate Matthew Robinson just a month before the Games.

"He is an outstanding person not just an outstanding athlete and when you think about the words that define the Paralympic movement - courage, determination, quality, there is no athlete that I think embodies that better than Toby," Hellwig said.

"In this particular campaign he's become the leader in a really difficult month for the whole team.

"He was the guy we all looked to to help bring everyone together and to focus. Absolutely after Matt passed away we needed someone in the athlete group with the leadership ability and character to help get everyone through it."

Australia's Toby Kane celebrates winning bronze at Sochi. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

The Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award honours athletes who most exemplify the spirit of the Paralympic Games and excite and inspire the world.

Meanwhile on day eight of competition in Sochi, Victorian Mitchell Gourley crashed out of the giant slalom after going into the race as the world number one, but said he was satisfied he at least went down with a fight.

He was fourth after the first run and attempting to break onto the podium, lost control just metres from the finish of his second.

"We came here saying we'd rather go down fighting than ski conservative and come eighth," Gourley said.

"I'm gutted but in saying that I think I can hold my head high, I went down swinging and I had to.

"You look at the three guys on the podium and they've all won a bunch of medals this week and are incredible skiers.

"I was one one-hundredth of a second out off there going in and I had to to put it down, I did everything I could to do that and unfortunately came up short four gates from the bottom.

"It's been a tough games, 0.2 off a medal yesterday, a good ski in the downhill then some battles with three DNFs but it is what it is."

Gourley said he was undecided about whether he would ski on to 2018.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure what I'm doing with my future and I've said that all along," he said.

"I need a little bit of time away from the sport and have a bit of reflection then cross that bridge when we come to it."

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Shaun’s trade to pay off for Port

Former Port Adelaide player Shaun Burgoyne celebrates the 2013 premiership with Hawthorn. The players Power gained for his trade are about to come of age. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Salpigtidis George / News Limited

SHAUN Burgoyne's parting gift to Port Adelaide is ready to be unwrapped.

Five years after the premiership midfielder became a trade target for Hawthorn, then Power recruiting manager Blair Hartley's equally strategic use of the three top-20 draft picks - two delivered by Burgoyne - is ready to pay off.

In a game with no quick fixes, Port Adelaide on Sunday opens the 2014 AFL premiership season with all three 2009 draftees carrying important roles in coach Ken Hinkley's on-field program. Key forward John Butcher (call No. 8) has to answer the Power's need for a tall forward to work alongside Jay Schulz and the versatile Justin Westhoff.

MORE: POWER TO RISK FOUR NEW PLAYERS AGAINST BLUES

Andrew Moore may be externally undervalued in a league that has the critics rate midfielders on statistics.

But within the inner circle at Alberton no-one underestimates the 22-year-old's toughness or appetite for the contested footy - and standing up in brutal clinches.

And defender Jasper Pittard has finally made it through a pre-season physically - and with a form line that makes him a critical part of the Power's defensive game ... and allows Hinkley to rely on Pittard while committing Matthew Broadbent and Brad Ebert to the important midfield rotations.

It may have taken five years for Hartley's investment in youth to pay-off, but the return could make his 2009 draft plan a critical cornerstone of Port's next premiership challenge.

Pittard is 22, as are Butcher and Moore.

He has played 31 games. And he has learned plenty in his demanding apprenticeship.

"From the day I got to the club to now, I've certainly learned a lot," Pittard said.

Port Adelaide's class of 2009, from left, Jasper Pittard, then coach Mark Williams, Andrew Moore and John Butcher.

"I was probably immature when I got here.

"I loved my football, but I did not really know the kind of work you have to put in 100 per cent of the time to be a great player.

"There is a difference between wanting to be a good player - and then wanting to be a great player in a winning team.

"Once you appreciate how much work it takes to make that leap, the path becomes easier.

"Managing my body has been a huge lesson for me.

"But really it is hard work that gets you through. From year one to now, my workload has increased each year. I've now found a level that I need to do all the time."

Butcher, Moore and Pittard all arrived at Alberton in the summer of 2009-10 with one common bond - they were Victorians drafted to a football club they hardly knew.

"We also all had slower starts with injury - and with the team (struggling), it was going to be hard for us to find our feet (in the AFL)," Pittard recalls.

"But those initial tough years brought us together. All three of us have been under pressure - at times - to produce.

"We were all high draft picks and supporters expect much when you carry that tag ... but sometimes it takes time."

The Hinkley influence - in particular the faith the senior coach shows in young talent - has ensured Pittard, Butcher and Moore are now primed for their time in the toughest football competition in the land.

"We've learned what Ken wants from us individually - and we know what he expects from us," Pittard said. "But his faith also makes you want to work hard.

"Knowing what is expected from us makes us more comfortable.

"Some guys will come into the AFL and pick it up quickly - but others will take longer because of injury or opportunity or needing that time to adapt.

But once you learn what to do - on and off the field - that is when you start to find the form you want and the consistency you need in the AFL."

Hinkley arrived at Alberton 17 months ago inheriting a young playing group needing not only a coach with a vision - but a father figure with strong principles.

He made the difference between Parker picking great talent and the Power developing sound AFL players.

"Ken is hard on me, he keeps me on my toes and honest but he always backs me in,' Pittard said.

"There were times last year when I had a couple of poor games and he brought me in the office and he instilled confidence in me.

"In the past I've been prone to getting down in the dumps.

"Ken has taught me to brush the mistakes aside and worry about the next contest and the next game and how I can get better."

Pittard's cunning read of the play has made him such a promising part of the Port defensive system for this season.

The more often Hinkley can rely on Pittard to cut opposition plays, the more often the Power can get use Brad Ebert and Matthew Broadbent in midfield rotations.

But there is the risk factor with Pittard who will never die guessing by taking chances, some that work against him.

"You are always going to make mistakes," Pittard says.

"It is about limiting those mistakes - and with more experience you learn when and when not to pull the trigger.

"I'm still learning that, but Ken wants to me continue with that but be smarter."

Pittard last week was part of the four-man roll-out - along with Ollie Wines, Justin Westhoff and Cam O'Shea - of Power players committing to new deals at Alberton.

"It was pretty simple," Pittard says of his decision to sign a three-year extension.

"In the past 18 months there have been so many important changes made around the club that it is easy to get the sense of direction we are taking.

"Those three years before the changes were still a valuable learning experience for me - and the rest of the group. Why would you leave when the club is building momentum? You don't want to miss out on that.

"I don't want to be back in Victoria looking across the border and wondering did I make the right decision to leave?"

CLASS OF 2009

PORT Adelaide recruiting manager Blair Hartley went to the 2009 AFL national draft loaded with the No. 8 draft pick after the Power's collapse from grand finalist in 2007 to 10th in 2009 - and picks Nos. 9 and 16 traded by Hawthorn for premiership midfielder Shaun Burgoyne.

The players called by Parker are now primed to shine in coach Ken Hinkley's plan to build a premiership squad at Alberton.

No. 8 JOHN BUTCHER

KEY forward who already commands some of the game's best defenders - and the seemingly never-ending script about his dodgy kicking from set shots in front of goal. Dubbed "The Future", Butcher is now aged 22, has made it through his longest pre-season program and this season is capable of doubling his 20-game count.

No. 9 ANDREW MOORE

MIDFIELDER who lives up to the theme of being "tough as teak". Of the three 2009 draftees, Moore has played the most AFL games - 41. The 22-year-old lives up to coach Ken Hinkley's vision for midfielders carrying insatiable appetites for tacking and contested football.

No. 16 JASPER PITTARD

SWEEPING defender who signed three-year contract extension last week. Has finally made it through a pre-season without injury setbacks - and that strong grounding has allowed Pittard to cement himself as a critical part of Port Adelaide's defensive patterns. Also aged 22, Pittard has played 31 AFL games.

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Magpies’ Docker shocker

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COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley casually mentioned that it might be an ideal time to take a shot at Fremantle.

Well, if the Dockers are indeed a trifle underdone, pity help those who have to confront them, particularly in Perth, in coming weeks.

Fremantle simply absorbed the Magpies' opening quarter physical blitz, boldly queried "is that the best you've got?'', then cruelly and almost comically ran away with what could only loosely be described as a contest at Etihad Stadium last night.

BUTCHERS COST MAGPIES

LYON:LOSS OF LIFE BIGGER THAN GAME

BUCKLEY: BALL USE WAS "AWFUL"

From time-on in the first quarter until a similar stage of the third term, the dominant Dockers embarked on a 12-goals streak to impress the unbiased observers and embarrass the 37,571 fans, predominantly the black and white army, into eerie silence.

Collingwood's tackling pressure in the first term was the only thing to smile about. Picture by Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Aside from the spirited first quarter, Collingwood was outclassed in every key area. How these demoralised Magpies rebound will be more important than the eventual 70 points humbling.

At least Buckley and his assistants have a fortnight to try to sift through the mess before another critical test against Sydney on a Saturday night at the Olympic Stadium.

Even prolific possession-winners, like Dayne Beams and Luke Ball, butchered the ball, former skipper Nick Maxwell had the fumbles down back and the disjointed forward structure collapsed against the disciplined Dockers back half, led by the ice-cool Michael Johnson, to scrounge five goals. Yes, just five under the closed roof in perfect conditions.

Any hope of a Collingwood second half revival was immediately snuffed out. From a kick out, the Dockers whisked the ball straight down the centre for Hayden Ballantyne to casually goal on the run. And then Tendai Mzungu slipped not one, but two Magpie tackles to further add to the early third quarter statement.

Aaron Sandilands got the better of Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts Picture Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Collingwood's intensity in the opening quarter had initially caught Fremantle by surprise. A Jarrod Witts tackle, for instance, to dispossess Lee Spurr near the centre circle set free Scott Pendlebury to slither through the first goal after just two minutes.

While Collingwood's workrate was admirable, it was always going to be an issue of whether the players could sustain it.

All the key indicators pointed to a Pies domination in that first quarter. The tackle count was a staggering 18-4 in the forward half and they also led the clearances 12-3.

But they paid a heavy price for not hitting the Dockers where it would have hurt them most — on the scoreboard.

Ball missed two set shots from inside 50, Steele Sidebottom sprayed another and they just couldn't get the ball within reach of Travis Cloke who was being double-teamed anyway.

Collingwood's one point lead at the first change always looked shaky. And Fremantle didn't take long to make them pay.

When that manic Magpie pressure dropped off just a notch early in the second term, the Dockers applied their own more subtle squeeze that started with Aaron Sandilands at the centre bounces.

Dockers tall target Matthew Pavlich found the space that Cloke was denied at the other end to mark and goal and ground level exponents like Nathan Fyfe, Stephen Hill, Ballantyne and Clancee Peace sliced and diced through the Pies defence to stretch the scoreboard buffer.

Seven unanswered goals from 21 minutes in the opening quarter right to half-time illustrated Fremantle's remarkable turnaround and complete domination.

As a final insult, that barren second term was only the second time Collingwood has been held goal-less for a quarter against the Dockers.

COLLINGWOOD: 5.16.46

FREMANTLE: 17.14.116

BRUCE MATTHEWS' BEST

Fremantle: Johnson, Barlow, Mzungu, Mundy, Sandilands, Hill, Pearce.

Collingwood: Beams, Pendlebury, Swan, Langdon

Nathan Fyfe flies high in the second term. Picture Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

MATCH IN A MINUTE

NEW DAWN OF THE SWARM (Q1)

Collingwood turned the clock back to 2010 and 2011 in forward pressure in the opening term. A desperate Jarrod Witts tackle in the middle of the ground resulted in the first goal to Scott Pendlebury.

ORDER RESTORED (Q2)

Wow. That's all you can say about Fremantle's second term. Six goals came for the Dockers as the Pies' field kicking disintegrated and Nat Fyfe showed why he might be a Brownlow winner by September.

SCORING STREAK (Q3)

If Magpie fans thought it couldn't get worse, they were sadly mistaken. Six more goals meant 12 in a row for the Dockers before the Pies finally ended 61 minutes without a goal late in the term.

THANK GOD THAT'S OVER (Q4)

Not the intense season-opener the AFL would have wanted, but we learnt two things. The Pies have a long, long way to go, and the Dockers look the real deal.

Glenn McFarlane

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Mourinho: I do respect English rivals

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CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho insisted that he has a high regard for the Premier League leaders' major English rivals after being accused of lacking "respect'' by Manchester City's Yaya Toure.

Mourinho's side are seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table ahead of Saturday's trip to Aston Villa.

Three days later they have the chance of securing a place in the Champions League quarter-finals if they beat Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their last 16 tie, which is poised at 1-1.

With Arsenal and Manchester City exiting the Champions League this week at the hands of Bayern Munich and Barcelona respectively, Mourinho's team are the only English club still in contention to be crowned champions at home and in Europe.

However, the Portuguese manager continues to play down Chelsea's prospects of winning the Premier League by pointing out that City, who already have a better goal difference, can close the nine-point gap to the Blues by winning their three games in hand.

His claims prompted a reaction from City midfielder Toure, who earlier this week accused Mourinho of a lack of "respect'' by discussing the prospects of rival teams.

"It's his (Toure's) opinion,'' Mourinho told a news conference at Chelsea's Cobham training ground south of London on Friday. "I respect it.''

However, he added: "If, to say before the Munich match and before the Camp Nou match (in the Champions League)... if to say the English teams can do it, this is not over, Arsenal and City have enough quality to go there and turn things around, if supporting the teams from the country where I am and work, if this is a lack of respect, okay it's a lack of respect.

"The same as me saying City are capable of winning their three matches in hand to go top of the league.

"If that is a lack of respect, he (Toure) has a strange concept of a lack of respect.

"I've tried to be respectful with the two English teams. I want to say the same in relation with Man United.

"I think they are a better team than Olympiakos (United trail 2-0 after losing the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Greece).

"I think they can do it, and I hope they do. If (Wayne) Rooney, (Robin) van Persie, (Michael) Carrick or (Rio) Ferdinand says Mourinho is not being respectful, I think they are wrong because I support the English teams and I was not happy the English teams were out of the competition.''

As for Chelsea's chances of a domestic and European double, Mourinho said the west London side were hampered by the fact January signings Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah were ineligible to play in the Champions League.

"If you ask me can we go all the way in the Champions League and Premier League, I think it's very difficult. Our squad is quite short.

"On top of that, two of our players cannot play in the Champions League. So it's 20 minus two, so 18, minus (injured) Marco Van Ginkel is 17, so it is not a huge squad in terms of numbers or experience.''

Mourinho added winning either the Premier League or Champions League, let alone both, would be tough.

"To win the Premier League we have to win nine matches and we have to wait for Man City not to win every match.

"To win the Champions League we have to beat Galatasaray and somebody in the quarter-finals and somebody in the semi-finals, and somebody in the final. And by somebody, I mean the best teams in the world.

"So I think both are very, very difficult. But let's go match by match and see what happens.''

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Lyon: loss of life bigger than game

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FREMANTLE coach Ross Lyon said this week's death of his former Victorian schoolboys teammate and one-time coaching competitor Dean Bailey put into context last year's Grand Final loss to Hawthorn.

Asked if he was still affected by what happened last September, Lyon said it was completely overshadowed by Bailey's loss, at only 47.

MATCH REPORT

"You know what, in 1984 I went with Dean Bailey to Ireland with the Victorian schoolboys' side — with Garry Lyon and Steve Silvagni and those guys," an emotional Lyon said after the 70-point win over Collingwood.

"Dean Bailey was a part of that, and he has lost his life to cancer. We have all been affected by it.

"Then you read the Daniel Morcombe (case) and it is horrendous, and you have to question where society is going.

"It is (only) a Grand Final loss. Those things tend to sober you up. In my world, footy is really important, but we are not sitting around feeling sorry for ourselves."

Lyon and Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley both wore black arm bands in honour of Bailey.

Lyon said getting off to a strong start was crucial for his team as it was coming off an abbreviated pre-season after making the Grand Final for the first time.

"It was really important to get some momentum by getting a win on the board early," he said.

"We have got some things to work on. I thought our clearance work and ball work early was poor, but when we did get it, we looked really dangerous."

Nat Fyfe was outstanding before being subbed out at three-quarter-time after copping a slight knock to the leg. But, but Lyon said it was purely for precautionary reasons.

BUTCHERS TAKE TO MAGPIES

The Dockers coach said he was excited to have a fit and fired up Aaron Sandilands to start the season, with the ruckman going up against young Magpie talls Brodie Grundy and Jarrod Witts.

"I thought it was bold," Lyon said of the Magpies' decision to favour Witts ahead of the more experienced Ben Hudson as Grundy's back-up. "They backed their youth with Witts and Grundy.

"Grundy is going to be a star of the competition. It would have been easy to play Hudson from the outside, but you can lose and go forward.

"And clearly those ruckmen will go forward against a specialist ruckman like Aaron."

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Buckley: Ball-use was “awful”

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COLLINGWOOD coach Nathan Buckley says last night's thrashing from Fremantle will put senior Magpies under immediate selection pressure.

The Magpies coach lamented some "awful" ball-use as the Dockers kicked 15 goals to Collingwood's three after quarter time in the 70-point rout.

Buckley commended his young ruck pairing of Jarrod Witts and Brodie Grundy but said other senior players who had underperformed would feel some early-season heat.

"It has to," Buckley said of the selection pressure.

FULL MATCH REPORT

BUTCHERS TAKE TO MAGPIES

"When there's such contrast in the way that you perform from quarter to quarter it puts heat on everyone.

"We will more than likely sit at the bottom of the ladder with our percentage at the end of Round 1, but we will be four points away from the top.

"It's a loss, a poor loss, but we don't wrap the season up.

"We've clearly got some players that performed really well … but we just didn't have enough support.

"There weren't enough troops or weight of numbers for long enough, so yeah the heat goes on if you don't perform.

"Players and coaches and administers alike."

That sinking feeling ... Picture Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

The Magpies were without key forwards Ben Ren Reid and Jesse White due to calf injuries, but Buckley said the pair could have played in three or four days' time and were expected to be available for their Round 2 clash against Sydney in a fortnight.

Surprisingly, the club opted to leave out experienced big men Quinten Lynch and Ben Hudson.

But Buckley stood by the decision, saying Gundy and Witts "broke even at worst" against Aaron Sandilands.

"What would he (Hudson) have changed?" Buckley said.

"Grundy and Witts I thought they competed really well against (Aaron) Sandilands."

Buckley said missed chances in attack cost the team a "three or four goal lead" at quarter time, after dominating the early midfield battle.

He said the players could take some encouragement out of the first quarter performance, but urged the players to maintain that standard for longer in games.

"The churning in the guts that we are all feeling at the moment is not something you just ignore," he said.

"We had the game on our terms, we were pretty happy at quarter time with how we approached it.

"We did not take our chances and we could not have spent more time on that over the off-season in regards to set shot goal kicking and conversion.

"The message (to players at game's end) was we had 30 minutes of footy that worried the grand final side, worried the premiership favourites throughout the year.

"But if we are going to be a good side we have to do that for longer."

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Horwill’s Reds can sink hoodoo gurus

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JAMES Horwill's hoodoo-busters plan to hit the Sharks pack with an aggressive "win it or ruin it'' mentality to pull off an upset in Durban.

The Reds forwards privately feel they can disrupt the leaders at their core despite an avalanche of forecasts painting the opposite picture.

Being unloved seven-point underdogs in a shot at history is exactly how the Reds like it for Sunday morning (Qld time).

This game has all the hallmarks of the 2011 visit to Cape Town when they shocked the ladder-leading Stormers.

The unrated Reds that day showed they were legitimate title contenders with a highly disciplined 19-6 win full of dominant tackles to snap an eight-year drought in the city.

New Reds coach Richard Graham should be grateful that former coach Ewen McKenzie left office with hoodoos still to conquer.

"This squad enjoys the history of the game and milestones so, yes, the boys know the Reds haven't won in Durban since 2004,'' Graham said.

"It's a challenge they are really enjoying. If we are genuine contenders this year you have to beat teams away from home.''

Rob Simmons wins a lineout for the Reds against the Cheetahs last round. Source: Getty Images

Reds forwards James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Ed Quirk and Jake Schatz have stolen lineouts this season to show they can rattle Sharks pillar Pieter-Steph du Toit and co there.

"Win it or ruin it is our mentality to affect the quality of ball from their set piece because it is a big part of the Sharks game,'' Graham said.

Only one team has a better scrum success rate than the Reds (92 per cent) while the Springbok-laden Sharks scrum (14th) has had hiccups.

"It's been highlighted that Jake White knows what makes Aussie teams tick because of his time at the Brumbies but it's fair to say we have a similarly strong understanding of the way he coaches,'' Graham said.

No team passes the ball less than the Sharks, who bludgeon momentum with runners at the gain line.

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The return of top prop James Slipper and hooker Saia Faingaa to the starting side is not just an experience lift.

Faingaa's ankle-cutting tackles are vital to fell battering-ram runners like 118kg Sharks flanker Willem Alberts and hooker Bismarck du Plessis before he gets his side rolling.

Graham said the Reds were training as if expecting Springbok JP Pietersen to play outside centre despite only this week flying home from his Japanese club.

The excellent comeback of Rod Davies has won him a wing spot. Dom Shipperley was the winger to miss out in team selections on Thursday when Lachie Turner was ushered back after beating a knee niggle.

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Benji lands his make or break chance

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JUST how well Israel Folau is mastering rugby at fullback will be measured in a new light this weekend with Benji Marshall stepping into the unknown.

Fellow code-hopper Marshall has earned his first start for the Auckland Blues against the Lions in Johannesburg late Saturday night (Qld time).

It will be a tricky initiation on many levels, not the least being his first taste of kicks sailing prodigious distances in the thinner high-altitude air.

Benji Marshall in action for the Blues. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited

You can so easily be caught out of position. The former Kiwi rugby league star had time at fly half during the pre-season but just 15 minutes of airtime during the opening three rounds of Super Rugby.

Coach John Kirwan has wisely elected to let him learn with the major burden of playmaking responsibilities elsewhere.

We are about to find out if Marshall, at 29, is up to it. There'll be mistakes and hesitation as Folau, Wendell Sailor, Sonny Bill Williams and co all found initially in their code switches.

Show some patience and we'll get the true measure of Marshall in May or June.

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The Western Force and Queensland Reds both flopped with their tactics to limit Folau's ball-running and kick-return dynamism earlier this season.

Now, the brains trust at the ACT Brumbies have their chance in Canberra on Saturday night in a must-see clash against the NSW Waratahs.

The Brumbies will pose questions too, especially if they find ways to get Fro Bro Henry Speight into explosive stride from the wing.

The Fijian-born Speight plays his 50th game for the Brumbies on Saturday night and becomes eligible for Wallabies selection on September 11.

The extra feeling to any Brumbies-Waratahs and Reds-Waratahs clash is all-important when Australian rugby needs such feisty drawcards.

***

SPECULATION that the expanded Super Rugby format from 2016 will actually reduce the number of derby games is a bad joke.

Played home-and-away, there is a great square-up appeal to the second spectacle of every series.

To contemplate going back to just one Reds-Waratahs match a year must be fought at every turn. Forget how the Kiwis and South Africans want to reorganise Super Rugby in their interests.

How about the Australian Rugby Union fighting for Australia's best interests?

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A fresh twist in ASADA drama for Dank

Stephen Dank will reportedly have to respond to a disclosure notice from ASADA. Source: News Limited

STEPHEN Dank's moment of truth has finally arrived, with ASADA potentially preparing to issue charges against him over Essendon's 2012 supplement program.

The sports scientist last night confirmed he'd recently received a show cause notice, an official signal of ASADA's intent to take action against him.

The Daily Telegraph understands the potential infractions relate only to the supplement program Dank devised at Essendon two season ago. It's believed the show cause letter makes no mention of his involvement at Cronulla in 2011, when players were allegedly subjected to an 11-week program of peptide injections, creams and tablets. Dank has denied giving any players banned substances.

Stephen Dank was often doorstopped outside his home, as on this occasion. Source: News Limited

It's presumed ASADA intend to charge Dank on the basis that he was a support person at Essendon, who hired him on a full-time basis in late 2011. Dank's status as a support person at Cronulla is less certain because the Sharks neither employed nor paid him.

The notice's link to Essendon is likely to make the AFL club and its players extremely nervous. For the length of the yearlong ASADA investigation, Bombers officials have lived in hope that the grey nature of the peptide used in 2012 — AOD-9604 — might see their players escape charges. The fact Dank's show cause letter relates to Essendon carries the natural imputation that ASADA believes banned substances were used at Windy Hill.

But the absence of any mention of Cronulla in the show cause notice does not necessarily mean Sharks players can breathe easily. The Daily Telegraph this week revealed ASADA is preparing to issue four members of the 2011 squad with show cause notices. Evidence unearthed by an independent Sharks report a year ago indicates that while Dank was key to devising the program, he had little or no role in actually treating players.

The fate of the lone player to be suspended thus far, ex-Raiders winger Sandor Earl, also hangs largely on Dank. Earl is attempting to earn a substantial assistance discount on his four-year ban for use and trafficking of CJC-1295 by providing ASADA with information about Dank. Claims the show cause notice only relates to Dank's activities at Essendon would make Earl less confident about his chances of winning a reduced ban.

James Hird has been suspended as Essendon coach for 12 months due to the peptides scandal. Source: News Corp Australia

Dank last night he would not "respond or react" to the show-cause notice. He's instead ordered his legal team to take the fight to ASADA in court. ASADA rules permit him to challenge the show cause notice in both the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and Federal Court.

"We will also write to the attorney general and ask for an explanation about how this information — and information about four Cronulla players — has been leaked," Dank said.

ASADA opted not to interview Dank as part of its investigations into Essendon and the NRL.

An ASADA spokesperson said: "ASADA is unable to discuss an ongoing investigation or operational matters associated with an investigation until such time as its legislation permits".

Meanwhile, the NRL yesterday gave the Sharks and their suspended coach Shane Flanagan an extra 24 hours to indicate whether they would appeal punishments over the 2011 supplements program. Both parties have until 5pm today.

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Bayern boss sentenced to prison

Uli Hoeness, president of Bayern Munich stands in the courtroom during his trial for tax evasion. Source: Pool / Getty Images

BAYERN Munich president Uli Hoeness has been found guilty of tax evasion and sentenced to three years, six months in prison.

The 62-year-old Hoeness, one of the most powerful figures in German soccer, was charged with dodging 3.5 million euros ($5.4 million) in taxes through an undeclared Swiss bank account.

When his trial opened on Monday he admitted to avoiding 15 million euros more. Then it came out through an examination of documents he provided to investigators shortly before the trial that he owed 27.2 million euros in total.

German news agency dpa reported prosecutors demanded 5 years' jail and his defence was looking for a suspension of sentence on probation, arguing that he had turned himself in for tax evasion and provided details to the court.

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Wake-up call: We must save our stars

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THE NRL's head doctor has warned rugby league has a responsibility "to protect players from themselves" - and the whole concept of contact sport "has to change".

In the early 1980s, Ron Muratore was the doctor responsible for getting rid of the "magic sponge in a bucket of water" as the preferred method of treating injured players.

Now he has called on everyone in the game to unite as the concussion debate explodes in potential lawsuits in contact sports across the globe.

Sonny Bill Williams will miss the Roosters' next three NRL games after pleading guilty to a shoulder charge.

The veteran league doctor predicted "it is only a matter of time" before the NRL is forced to confront its own legal fight similar to what is happening in the US.

More than 4500 former NFL players are currently locked in a $765 million class action over concussion-related brain injuries.

Former rugby league hardman Ian Roberts is the latest retired star to claim that he suffered brain damage as a result of concussion injuries.

Asked if he feared a future lawsuit in rugby league, Muratore told The Daily Telegraph: "With lawyers involved I think it is only a matter of time. There has got to be some legal thing I am sure.

Todd Lowrie goes off. pic Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

"But we have also got to remember that we treated people according to the information that was available at the time.

"And our game is completely ­different to NFL.

"They actually crash into each other on purpose. We don't do that."

The NRL this year introduced a world-leading game-day concussion test that could potentially save the game from bankruptcy.

The 15-minute SCAT3 test, which is also endorsed by the International Olympic Committee, FIFA and the International Rugby Board, came into play in the NRL last weekend when a record 12 players were taken from the field to be assessed for concussion.

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The four-page test asks a wide-ranging series of questions covering everything from balance and disorientation memory questions such as day of the month it is.

"On the weekend I got 12 reports. We have never had to have reports before," Muratore said.

"Out of the 12, from my memory, I think six or seven didn't go back and at one club (Newcastle) there were two who didn't go back.

"People are doing what is supposed to be done, not that they haven't done what was supposed to be done before."

Asked if he also feared for the future of contact sport, Muratore said: "I think contact sport has to change.

Tyrone Roberts of the Knights is taken off the field after a heavy knock. Source: Getty Images

"I don't know if I fear for the future of it but things have to change. We have to be ultra conservative. And I think we have to be ultra conservative with kids.

"We have to protect players from themselves. When you look at the shoulder charge for example, lots of players will say 'this is stupid, we are making it a soft game'. I don't think we are making it a soft game. I think we have to make it so we can protect them as much as we can."

While Muratore admits there is always a danger of suffering concussion in any contact sport, similar dangers exist in any school yard.

"Some of the worst concussions I have seen has been little kids falling in the playground," he said.

"No one mentions that. And you are not going to stop letting kids play.

"Concussion can happen anywhere, we just have to manage it properly."

Muratore watched Roberts' interview on the Channel Seven Sunday Night program and admits he was upset at the league legend's plight.

"He was a hard man," he said.

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"I felt really sorry for (Roberts) but in those days you were a wuss if you came off.

"We have a whole culture we have to change. We have to teach people you are not a wuss. If you have got to come off you have to come off. That is going to take a little time."

There has also been some criticism that the NRL is allowing club doctors and trainers to monitor the new SCAT3 concussion test and not using independent doctors.

But Muratore argued: "There just aren't enough doctors going around. There has also been a trial in the States I think and there was a short trial in rugby where the independent doctor got it wrong more often than the guy who knew the player.

"I am very happy with the way things are working at the moment.

"It is early days yet but I don't think we will go backwards, we will go forward from here. We have to make sure we look after these people."

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Shackles off stars a win for fans

Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess has slapped a media ban on himself so far this season. Picture: Getty Images Source: Mark Nolan / Getty Images

NRL CHIEF executive Dave Smith will lead a complete review of the code's media protocol to ensure all 16 clubs and rugby league's biggest names do more to promote the game.

Reacting to a torrent of debate directed at the NRL in the wake of disappointing round one crowd figures, Smith said he would call on key stakeholders across the code including clubs, players, sponsors, club members and the media to participate in the review.

The review, to be conducted throughout the season, is similar to what the NRL has already conducted following major changes to the salary cap and rule changes.

"The media access guidelines are ready to be reviewed,'' Smith said yesterday.

"But they need to be reviewed as part of all the activities that support the NRL and clubs' shared objective of growing the game and reaching new fans and members.''

"The NRL will lead clubs, players, sponsors and media through a process that allows everybody to put their views on the table, test their interests and, ultimately, we will make a decision on a set of promotional guidelines.''

Both South Sydney and the Sydney Roosters have felt the brunt of the criticism after only 27,000 people turned up to ANZ Stadium last Thursday, a match that was billed as a blockbuster clash between Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess, both of whom failed to promote the game through the media, in the days prior to the match.

As a result, what was supposed to be a bumper kick-off for the opening match of the season turned into a public relations disaster after an alarming drop-off in attendances and a dip in TV ratings.

Fans haven't heard from Roosters champion Sonny Bill Williams this year. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Smith said he was aware what the fans wanted - to hear from their favourite stars - and that now it was about ensuring the player's follow what is expected to be a new strict set of guidelines.

"Fans are important to us and want to see our stars talking about upcoming games,'' Smith said.

"We know how much our fans, especially children, look up to the marquee players and we want the players to continue to help us draw more people to our game.''

Two clubs aware of their responsibility to promote the game, the Wests Tigers and Parramatta, supported Smith's promise to ensure rugby league is the most popular football code in the country.

"It's sport, its entertainment, lets promote it,'' Wests Tigers chief executive Grant Mayer said.

"We are very clear in regards to what our obligations are under the NRL's guidelines and it is a very rare day indeed that we won't fulfil those obligations.

"We understand the importance of the media and the promotion of our games and the game as a whole.''

Eels CEO Scott Seward added: "This pre-season our players have done an especially good job promoting the club and our Membership growth is a clear product of that."

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Keep Glenn at all costs, urge teammates

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EMOTIONAL Manly players have upped the ante on club officials to keep stalwart Glenn Stewart, using last month's season launch to personally campaign for the 30-year-old to be retained.

The Daily Telegraph has learned at least two players made their feelings known to a high-ranking club official during the 27 February event at Le Kiosk on Shelley Beach.

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Multiple sources close to the players have confirmed they approached the official to warn him of the damage Stewart's release would inflict on the NRL's tightest playing group.

Stewart was hoping to secure his future prior to last weekend's opening round, but has been left waiting for word from the Sea Eagles.

The long-running saga has the potential to alienate the senior playing group, sparking emotions similar to those witnessed at Newcastle when favourite son Matthew Johns was forced-out in 2000.

Heavy backloading of Stewart's current contract has created much of the angst, with all salary cap increase bonuses for the past four seasons falling due this year.

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That means Stewart is on the 2014 books for around $800,000.

It's understood NRL permission was granted to back-end the contracts of Anthony Watmough and Kieran Foran via a similar formula, meaning they will both absorb a huge proportion of Manly's salary cap next year.

The players have been willing to postpone their biggest paydays in order to keep the nucleus of a side that's contested four of the past seven grand finals together.

Their sacrifice not only illustrates the tight bond at Brookavle, but has deepened it.

Watmough and Foran, along with fellow stalwarts Steve Matai and Brett Stewart, know they would be opposing forces if not for such unselfish accounting measures. Hence their fierce loyalty to Stewart.

Glenn Stewart jumps the bars during training. Source: Getty Images

Speaking to reporters less than a week after the season launch, Foran said the club "needs to do whatever they need to do" to keep the 30-year-old.

''I think everyone wants Glenn to stay,'' Foran said.

"He is great for the club not only on [the field] but off it as well. He and his brother have been a huge part of the success over the years. I think the club needs to do what they need to do to keep them here.''

Stewart is realistic about his value going forward.

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There's been interest from Canberra, but he's loathe to leave and would be willing to accept less to finish-up on the Northern Beaches.

With the back-ended deals of Foran and Watmough creating another cap headache next year, Manly are struggling to formulate a deal that reflects his standing as a NSW Origin and Australian Test representative.

The Sea Eagles also need to warehouse cash to restock their depleted front row, and co-captain Jason King is also off contract at the end of this year.

Manly's Glenn Stewart looks to pass during Manly Sea Eagles training. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

Stewart's manager Mike Newton was unaware of players fronting officials on his client's behalf when contacted Thursday night.

He also denied any talks had taken place with St George Illawarra.

"I had a productive meeting with Manly two weeks ago and we're now waiting to hear back," Newton said.

"We were hopeful of working something out before the start of the season, but it hasn't happened. There's no doubt Glenn wants to stay, so we'll keep working with the club to try and sort something out."

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Sterlo's five things we learnt: Rd 1

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THE NRL is back - but round one was chock full of drama and controversy.

There was no shortage of talking points.

NO EXCUSES

I am sure there are fans out there irate that Sonny Bill Williams and Andrew Fifita have been suspended for shoulder charges last weekend. They are out for a total of five games.

The apologists will suggest rugby league has lost its spectacular collision and banning the shoulder charge will take away some of the game's toughness.

Whether we like it or not, the rules are now in place. Players cannot shoulder charge, it's that simple.

They know the rules and have to abide by them otherwise they will be on the sidelines for a few games, like Williams and Fifita.

Williams and Fifita placed their clubs in difficult positions. The shoulder charge lives in the past. It has no place in the future.

Players rubbed out for shoulder charging only have themselves to blame.

TAKE PART IN OUR SUPERCOACH CHALLENGE!

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FIFITA

The question has to be asked…why did Andrew Fifita leave Cronulla?

Sharks fans will be shattered he has decided to join Canterbury on a rich four year deal.

The Sharks did a lot for Fifita - they really turned around his flagging career. The money difference between the two offers apparently wasn't that much so I can only assume the Bulldogs offered more stability and you have to wonder if he felt he had a better chance to win a premiership.

I am just happy Fifita decided against joining rugby union. We didn't want to lose another player after Sonny Bill and Sam Burgess decided to leave rugby league.

But I am disappointed Fifita left the Sharks. He owes them a huge debt of gratitude.

Catch the full replay from the North Queensland Cowboys' clash with the Canberra Raiders at 1300SMILES Stadium

EXPERIENCE

Round one showed me, yet again, the value of having experienced halves in your side.

I always thought Peter Wallace and Jamie Soward would be a successful combination for Penrith, and that was proven on Saturday afternoon against Newcastle.

I thought their experience and kicking game was the key factor late in the match. They will play a huge role in Penrith moving up the competition ladder this year.

Gareth Widdop was exceptional in his first game for St George Illawarra. I noticed Saints skipper Ben Creagh said Widdop brought a calmness and coolness to the Dragons side.

That's what great halves do.

And what more can be said about Johnathan Thurston? He didn't panic when his Cowboys fell 16 points behind Canberra. He doesn't play, North Queensland don't win.

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PENALTIES

I see there were an extra two penalties per game over the eight matches in round one compared to last year. Were the refs knit-picking?

Generally speaking there are always a few additional penalties in round one with refs trying to assert their authority, especially under new interpretations.

I noted too the blocks of penalties awarded to one side in some games. It gives that side so much momentum.

Three or four penalties in a row can change a match in minutes - like we saw when Melbourne took control in the second half at Brookvale.

Personally I don't think the refs were knit-picking. I really enjoyed the decline of the wrestle in the play-the-ball.

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PARRA POWER

I cannot write a column without mentioning the early success of my Parramatta Eels.

I know they won in round one last year and went on to collect the wooden spoon but I think things are different this year.

I saw some really positive signs under new coach Brad Arthur.

The most outstanding aspect of their win over New Zealand was their defensive line speed. At times last year that was virtually non-existent.

Will Hopoate was impressive in his first NRL game in two years. You can't imagine how difficult it must have been returning to the NRL after that time away.

Parramatta's enthusiasm was wonderful, as it should be in round one. But the signs are there that Parramatta are ready to make a significant move under the competition ladder.

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ASADA circles four Cronulla players

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THE ASADA investigation into banned drug use at Cronulla has been narrowed down to four members of the 2011 team, who are set to be issued with show cause notices by the end of this month.

Well-placed sources have confirmed the first wave of action against Sharks players is imminent – more than a year after Cronulla was identified as the club at the centre of ASADA's probe into the NRL. It is not known whether show cause notices are being prepared for any of the dozens of players from rival clubs who were interviewed last year.

ASADA interviewed around 20 players who were part of Cronulla's 2011 squad, which an internal investigation found was treated with peptide injections, creams and tablets over an 11-week period. ASADA also possessed evidence suggesting selected Sharks players remained in private contact with the two men who allegedly engineered and executed the program – sports scientist Stephen Dank and supplement salesman Darren Hibbert. Both Dank and Hibbert have denied giving players banned substances.

Stephen Dank has denied giving players any banned substances. Source: News Limited

It is not known whether action against Cronulla players will be limited to the quartet. From the NRL's perspective at least, there has been a long-held sense of compassion for Sharks players whose lone connection to the probe may have come from obeying the direction of their coaching staff.

ASADA cannot make such distinctions. If the anti-doping watchdog believes there is enough evidence of banned drug use against any player – no matter what the circumstances – it will order the NRL to issue an infraction notice.

However, ASADA must first issue a show cause notice directly to any player it intends to charge. The show cause notice is a preliminary procedural step, which gives recipients have the opportunity to argue why they should not be placed on ASADA's register of findings and charged with a doping offence.

Should an athlete decide to challenge ASADA's process, their case will be heard in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). Unsuccessful challenges to the AAT can be appealed to the Federal Court. Both the AAT and Federal Court generally suppress the names of athletes who challenge show cause notices, although the proceedings themselves can be made public. Athletes are generally permitted to continue competing while their challenges are being heard.

Darren Hibbert has also denied giving players banned substances. Source: News Limited

Suspensions would not take effect until the NRL issued an infraction notice, which occurs when the player either accepts the show cause notice or exhausts their appeal avenues to the AAT and Federal Court.

Two weeks ago, ASADA boss Aurora Andruska indicated closure to the 13-month investigation was imminent, telling a Senate Estimates Committee that the evidence gathering phase was over.

Andruska revealed briefs of evidence were being prepared in relation to each player interviewed. Show cause notices will only be generated if the briefs contain enough evidence to support a charge, with former Federal Court judge Garry Downes engaged to make the final call on each individual.

The Daily Telegraph has been told that ASADA now believes there's sufficient evidence to issue notices to four members of Cronulla's 2011 squad. Recent reports have suggested up to 12 members of Essendon's 2012 list are also in the firing line.

Solicitor Richard Redman – who represents nine Sharks players who were interviewed last year – declined to comment when contacted last night. Sources close to the Sharks claim the players have heard nothing from ASADA since October last year.

NRL boss Dave Smith also declined to comment, stating the step of issuing show cause notices was a decision for ASADA.

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NRL advertising campaign a lie: Kent

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THIS is for you, in seat 17B ... For you in 36, 37 and 38J.

For the ones who make them feel stronger when you march into the stadium. Who make them hurt less after a defeat, because they know you share it with them.

This is for you ... for you ... for you ...

Because the clubs are really about me, me, me.

A week in and the NRL's advertising campaign is in tatters.

Not just a failure, but revealed as a lie.

Despite a concerted campaign to drive membership figures and make it about the fans, NRL fans stayed away to record the worst opening round figures since 2004.

Dragons fans show their support during the round one match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium. Source: Getty Images

The question is, why?

Why did the South Sydney-Sydney Roosters game draw just 27,000, when pre-game estimates had the crowd somewhere between 35,000 and 50,000?

The game's two biggest names were Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess, in a photo finish from Greg Inglis.

Yet I can't remember seeing them promoting the game.

What did they do to make us aware that two heavyweights were coming together?

Burgess spoke to South Sydney's website. The Rabbitohs knocked back a Channel Nine request for a Burgess interview on his behalf, even though Nine wanted to promote the game around Burgess v Williams.

And Williams did no interviews.

Not one.

This is despite his massively broad appeal, one of less than a dozen NRL players who can be recognised by non-NRL fans.

There are people all around the world famous for being famous. Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, the Real Housewives living next door to the Big Brothers.

The game's two biggest names were Sonny Bill Williams and Sam Burgess did not promote the round one clash between their rival sides. Source: News Corp Australia

They flourish because we live in a celebrity driven culture, which bows to one absolute truth: fans want stars.

Sport and entertainment are competing for the same consumer. Sport's advantage is the tremendous achievements of their athletes. At least they've done something.

So give us the names, like those on the NRL ad, asking for our money.

But no, the clubs treat us with contempt. They all say they're happy to promote the game ... just so long as it's someone else promoting it.

It didn't get any better for the Rabbitohs after the game.

Inglis, scorer of three tries, emerged as the story of the night. But he declined to be interviewed. Sam played brilliantly, and happily walked out the front. But he did not stop for interviews.

So fans don't know what Sam thought of the game, or Inglis or even SBW.

The following night, Bulldogs against Brisbane, the Bulldogs refused to let media in the dressing room after the game, a direct contravention of NRL media rules, so no players were interviewed.

The Bulldogs refused to let media in the dressing room after their game against the Broncos. Source: Getty Images

Finally, under club protest, Trent Hodkinson was brought out of the dressing room - at the same time Ben Barba was gladly facing the press conference. So all but a few media was there, anyway.

They're too clever, the Dogs.

Clubs still behave as if they are talking to the media, when they are really talking to you.

Their fans.

But what sort of relationship is it, really, if it only ever goes one way?

The following night Brett Stewart failed to return from half-time and dressing room cameras showed him icing his hamstring.

Fox Sports asked Sea Eagles assistant Steve Georgallis for an update on Stewart.

"He'll be back,." Georgallis said.

He wasn't.

Don't you deserve the truth?

What was Georgallis trying to achieve by concealing the injury when the game was half over?

This weekend's blockbuster is South Sydney against Manly on Friday night.

Manly's Brett Stewart was injured during the clash against the Storm. Source: Getty Images

On Monday an email from the Telegraph's director of sport Tim Morrissey to Rabbitohs media manager Jeremy Monaghan said: "Can we get an interview with George Burgess and set up photo for our League Central cover story."

Monaghan's response, the following day: "Doesn't really work for us this week. We'd prefer to look at something like this down the track when we have a home game."

In other words, we have nothing to sell fans this week. We'll take their money when it goes into our pocket, not Manly.

By the way, this weekend is billed as Member's Round. Promise to dig deep, the clubs would be hurt if you didn't.

ROOSTERS UPSET OVER SBW

ANYBODY who bothered to compare Sonny Bill Williams' hit on George Burgess with his shot on Willie Mason last year can see why the Rosters are upset.

There is hardly a difference, yet Williams faces a 350-point grading for shoulder charge against the 175 points he faced last year for dangerous contact.

The NRL has subtly changed its interpretation, so the Roosters have a reason to be upset.

For different reasons, we should be happy.

Sonny Bill Williams will miss three weeks for this shoulder charge on George Burgess. Source: Supplied

On Sunday I said Williams should have been put out for longer, which you can imagine ruffled a few at the Roosters.

This was based on the fact he shoulder charged Ben Lowe earlier in the game despite clear warnings from the NRL to all players that, starting last year, the shoulder charge was banned.

As we fight to save concussions, players will begin to take notice only when their coach taps them on the shoulder and says "We can't afford you sidelined for that long".

It's Players Night on NRL 360 tonight with Knights prop Willie Mason and Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah joining Ben Ikin and Paul Kent to dissect all the big issues from Round 1 - from 7.30pm on Fox 1.

BLOG WITH PAUL KENT BELOW FROM 1PM TODAY

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High Slipper hopes for Oakleigh Girl

Craig Newitt rides Oakleigh Girl to a strong win in heat 8 of the Warick Farm barrier trials. Picture: Mark Evans Source: Mark Evans / News Corp Australia

CRAIG Newitt reckons there wouldn't be a quicker two-year-old in the country who can explode out of the gates like Oakleigh Girl.

The speedy filly burst to the front in a Warwick Farm trial on Tuesday and never looked back, winning her trial comfortably and sending a timely reminder to Golden Slipper punters.

Oakleigh Girl will have just one more trial and go into the Slipper first-up, despite no horse ever getting the cash in the $3.5 million feature when resuming.

Ten minutes after Oakleigh Girl won her 800m heat out west, Unencumbered, the horse who beat her home in the Magic Millions Classic, cruised to his own trial triumph in a 47.5 seconds, half a second quicker than the filly.

"The Golden Slipper is all about the barrier draw, it's been like that for the past 10 years, and if she draws a barrier, she'll put herself straight in the box seat - she'd lead any two-year-old in the country she's that quick,'' Newitt said.

"She proved in the Magic Millions she could take a sit in just behind, but she was at the end of a long preparation, and it took Unencumbered - who looks well above average - to beat her.

"I couldn't fault her trial this morning. She just jumped, she was quick, she was only out there to stretch her legs, and not do anything special.''

Bougoure said Oakleigh Girl would have one more trial at Rosehill, and pointed out her two first-up runs had been dynamite.

Sebring had the longest let-up - seven weeks - when he won the Slipper in 2008.

"She's had two first-up runs and they've been electric, so I'll only give her one more trial and then straight into the Slipper,'' Brisbane-based Bougoure said, who flew down to Warwick Farm to meet Newitt, who himself jetted over from the Adelaide Cup the night before.

Oakleigh Girl is a $26 Slipper chance. Unencumbered, an $11 Slipper fancy with TAB Fixed Odds, won his trial by a widening four lengths for Tommy Berry, who warmed the saddle for twin and the horse's regular rider, Nathan Berry.

"All I'll say is I'm excited for Nathan now,'' said Tommy, who won the Slipper last year on Overreach.

"The most impressive part about his trial today was he's always got to the front and had a look around, but today he went on with it and got the job done.''

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Hodges’s father racially abused

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RUGBY league has been hit with a fresh racism saga with the father of Broncos star Justin Hodges revealing he was verbally attacked while coaching a junior team in Brisbane.

Revelations of Roy Hodges abusers came as Broncos forward Sam Thaiday, a Torres Strait Islander, yesterday called on the ARL Commission to crack down on racist elements in the code.

On a day in which the NRL indefinitely stood down an 18-year-old man for racially abusing Broncos star Ben Barba, Roy Hodges has spoken of his own battle with racism.

Justin Hodges's father was called a "black bastard" while coaching an under-13s side. Source: News Corp Australia

Hodges was coaching an under-13s side on Brisbane's northside last Sunday when he was left stunned after being called a "black bastard" by a male parent from his own team.

The parent is then alleged to have thrown his son's jumper at Hodges, who subsequently ordered his racial abuser from the ground. Shocked onlookers reported the incident to officials at Hodges' junior rugby league club, which is now investigating the attack.

While insisting racism is not rife in the code, Hodges Sr warned rugby league's governors not to be complacent.

"I haven't spoken about this before but this has got out of hand," Roy Hodges said last night.

"We should have bans and maybe even fines to sit racists on their backside. I've seen too much nonsense on the sidelines and it needs to be cleaned up.

"To see superstars like Ben Barba put down and racially abused is sickening ... it just brings down the good people in rugby league."

Roy Hodges: "I was hurt about it, I was humiliated." Source: News Limited

Hodges Sr, who is a coaching volunteer at his junior club, admits he was rattled by the racial spat.

"I was hurt about it, I was humiliated," he said. "People were watching the incident and the young kids around were upset by the whole ordeal. Young kids don't need to see and hear those things. The man in question brought his son along to fill in for our team, so I didn't know him at all.

"His son came off with a foot injury and I didn't want to put him back on and that's when his dad went at me.

"He took his son's jersey off, walked towards me, threw it at me and called me a black bastard.

"The kids and parents were shocked and I told him to leave the venue because it's not on. His son was very upset about the whole thing.

"This sort of thing should be stamped out across the game. Maybe cracking down will make people think twice about doing it."

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Proof Ferguson’s back on the booze

Former Origin star Blake Ferguson leaves Sutherland Court. Picture: John Appleyard Source: John Appleyard / News Limited

EXILED rugby league star Blake Ferguson is back on the grog again, spending Sunday afternoon knocking over schooners instead of opponents.

Just four months after converting to Islam and vowing to give up alcohol, the former Canberra Raiders star is now drinking regularly.

This is the same man who also recently told a magistrate in Sutherland court, when found guilty of indecent assault, that he was no longer drinking.

Ferguson is appealing the verdict in a higher court.

From midday on Sunday afternoon, the State of Origin star was spotted drinking in the beer garden at the Caringbah hotel.

The image shows Blake Ferguson with a friend drinking from a full schooner of beer with another schooner in front in the beer garden. Source: Supplied

Our photo shows him with an unidentified male friend. Witnesses said he was there for several hours.

Only two weeks ago he was also spotted having a late session at a King Cross nightclub.

In fairness Ferguson is not misbehaving and just minding his own business.

He originally converted to Islam because his life was spiralling out of control on alcohol-fuelled benders.

"Alcohol has been my problem for the last five years," he said, "It's brought me down to where I am now. I've had enough. From here on I'm not drinking."

That was in November. He has since been spotted at the Clovelly Hotel, Kings Cross and now Caringbah.

Disgraced Origin star Blake Ferguson leaves Sutherland Court. Source: News Limited

His mate and mentor Anthony Mundine continues to stick by him, despite all the broken promises.

Mundine himself is too busy to keep a 24/7 watch on Ferguson while preparing for his next fight against former world champion Joshua Clottey in Newcastle on April 2.

He stands by the troubled footballer because "he's family."

"Blake's just looking forward to changing his direction in life," Mundine said recently, "No drinking, no drugs, no parties."

At this stage there is no indication if or when the 23-year-old centre will play football again.

Despite interest from a number of clubs, it's highly unlikely the NRL will register a playing contract this year unless he wins an appeal against the indecent assault conviction.

His best hope would be a 2015 comeback.

Ferguson did not return phone calls or text messages on Monday.

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Ange gets no-Good Socceroos news

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SOCCEROOS defender Curtis Good may have played his last club game of the season after he was on Monday ruled out for up to six weeks with hip flexor strain, sustained in last week's friendly.

While coach Ange Postecoglou has declared that regular soccer is a must to be considered for the 2014 World Cup, Good's star turn against Ecuador could secure him a Brazil berth as he faces the prospect of no club soccer between now and June.

Dundee United, where he is on loan until the end of the season, plays its final league game against Celtic on April 5 before facing Rangers or Albion Rovers in the Scottish Cup semi final on April 12/13.

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After that Dundee would only play the Scottish Cup final on May 17 if it wins its semi-final, by which stage the Socceroos will have started their World Cup camp in Gosford.

The Good blow comes in the wake of long-term injuries to Robbie Kruse (knee reconstruction) and Rhys Williams (achilles), who are both clinging onto the slimmest of hopes that they will be fit for June's World Cup.

Good, 20, was impressive in his Socceroos debut before limping off in the 68th minute of the 4-3 defeat to Ecuador in London last week while still leading.

He had scans over the weekend which confirmed a grade 2 iliopsaos (hip flexor) strain and Newcastle United medical staff have ruled him out for 4-6 weeks.

Ecuador's Luis Antonio Valencia, left, dribbles past Australia's Curtis Good. Source: AP

He has returned to parent club Newcastle United for medical treatment.

Postecoglou urged Good to seek a loan move to get regular minutes after he was impressed with his performances for the Olyroos in January's AFC U22 Championships.

Meanwhile Williams is holding out hope of being fit for Brazil although his Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka warned him not to become "obsessed" about making the squad.

Williams is in Perth continuing rehab on the Achilles he damaged in January, but having missed the last World Cup Karanka said the next fortnight is vital for him.

"The most important thing for Rhys is that he concentrates on his rehab and what he needs to do in the next few weeks," Karanka said.

"If he starts thinking about the World Cup in the summer, there is a risk he could suffer a new problem that would wreck everything for him.

"It is better for him to concentrate on the work that he has to do, and then if the World Cup becomes a possibility, that will be great. He needs to focus on the next couple of weeks, and then one or two weeks before the end of the season, we can all look at where his recovery is.

"It is better for us all to be very careful with him. But if his rehab goes well, then he can play the last few games here and possibly play in the World Cup too. That would be very good for everybody."

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League money talks so Fifita’s in Dog house

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ANDREW Fifita will become the richest prop in rugby league's 108-year history after deciding to accept an $850,000-a-season offer from Canterbury, which has exploited Ben Barba's departure to steal the Sharks superstar.

Barba's exit to Brisbane means Canterbury are operating $400,000 below the salary cap for the next two years, enabling them to slot the Kangaroos bookend into a star-studded front row that already includes International pair James Graham and Sam Kasiano.

Cronulla's Andrew Fifita during the Cronulla Sharks and Gold Coast Titans round 1. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

NRL rules enable clubs with current cap space to front load future salaries, which is how the Roosters managed to recruit Sonny Bill Williams, James Maloney and Michael Jennings in a single swoop last year.

An announcement on Fifita's four-year deal is expected this week, along with news that Graham has inked an extension to remain at Belmore.

The Daily Telegraph was yesterday told Kasiano might be considering a shock defection to European rugby, but Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle denied any knowledge and the Kiwi prop's manager, Mario Tartak, did not return calls.

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Cronulla's Andrew Fifita during the Cronulla Sharks and Gold Coast Titans round 1. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

Castle said Fifita had not put pen to paper as of Monday night, when he was preparing to break the news to Sharks team mates in the wake of their opening round clash against Gold Coast at Remondis Stadium.

"We have a couple of things to announce this week," she said.

When pressed on how the Bulldogs could afford to invest such a large proportion of their cap into the front row, Castle replied: "We have some significant money to spend because we don't have a fullback. The salary cap can be difficult to manage, but there are mechanisms in place to do certain things."

Cronulla Sharks NRL player Andrew Fifita watches from the crowd during the Super Rugby match between the NSW Waratahs and Western Force at Allianz Stadium, Sydney. Pic Brett Costello Source: News Corp Australia

Fifita spent the weekend in torment over leaving the Sharks, who put together an offer just $50,000-a-season shy of what Canterbury tabled.

The Daily Telegraph understands Cronulla were prepared to make Fifita their highest earning player, offering him $750,000-a-year - plus a car - to remain in the Shire.

Fifita spoke with several Sharks team mates before making up his mind to switch clubs late on Sunday.

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He also spoke with the Rabbitohs, Roosters, Sea Eagles and ARU, but, from those suitors, only South Sydney were initially prepared to match the money on offer from Canterbury and Cronulla.

Fifita's defection is a huge blow for the Sharks, who have also lost promising hooker Michael Lichaa to Canterbury.

Bulldogs coach Des Hasler has long viewed the 21-year-old rake as a successor to co-captain Michael Ennis, who is expected to hand-over the hooking reins in 2016.

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Sharks skipper Paul Gallen was desperately hoping that Fifita might display loyalty in return for Cronulla plucking him out of reserve grade at Wests Tigers two years ago.

Now Gallen is more than likely to finish his career in the front row, with Cronulla desperately short on big men in 2015.

Doubts over Bryce Gibbs's ability to continue another year leaves Sam Tagataese as the only recognised prop, meaning Cronulla will most likely have to enter a bidding war for off-contract Melbourne bookend Jesse Bromwich.

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‘Enabled’ Amy dancing her way to the top

An Instagram photo of Amy Purdy. Source: Supplied

AMY Purdy lost both her legs at the age of 19 but in Sochi this week she's snowboarding by day and dancing by night.

American TV series 'Dancing With The Stars' has sent a crew to Sochi so Purdy can practice for her debut on the show in Los Angeles next week.

The 34-year-old from Las Vegas is competing in snowboard cross on Friday as the only double amputee in the field, courageously taking on single amputees and those with both their legs but another physical impairment.

After competition she flies straight to the US for the series premiere which will be shown nationwide.

The snowboarder, motivational speaker, actor and model this week Tweeted a photo of her dance partner Derek Hough:

"Just finished snowboard training for the day and looking forward to meeting this hunk on the dancefloor."

Purdy is one of the most marketable athletes in the US and has inspired thousands of people to overcome their own obstacles.

At the age of 19 she graduated from high school and became a massage therapist when she went home one day with what she thought was the flu.

Within 24 hours she was on life support in hospital and given a two per cent chance of surviving when diagnosed with bacterial meningitis.

In the next two months Purdy lost her spleen, kidneys, hearing in her left ear and both legs below the knee.

"When my parents wheeled me out of the hospital I felt like I had been pieced back together like a patchwork doll," she says in a speech titled 'Living Beyond Limits' which has been viewed more than 625,000 times on YouTube.

"I thought the worst was over until weeks later when I saw my legs for the first time.

"The calves were bulky blocks of metal with pipes bolted together for ankles and the yellow rubber foot with the raised rubber line from the toe to the ankle to look like a vein."

Purdy, who has been snowboarding since she was 15, said her biggest fear at the time was how she would travel the world and ever snowboard again.

After weeks of struggling to get out of bed, she eventually "let go of the old Amy and embraced the new Amy".

She found feet that she could snowboard in, received a new kidney from her father, got back on the snow and in 2005 co-founded an organisation to help young people with disabilities get involved with action sports.

Purdy said she wouldn't change a thing about her journey.

"Because my legs haven't disabled me, if anything they've enabled me.

"They've forced me to rely on my imagination and to believe in the possibilities.

"In our minds we can do anything, we can be anything, it's believing in those dreams and facing those fears head on that allows us to live our lives beyond our limits."

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Eels must cut Sandow, says Sterlo

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PARRAMATTA'S greatest halfback Peter Sterling has urged Eels hierarchy to jettison Chris Sandow, insisting the troubled playmaker needs a fresh start to have any hope of reviving his NRL career.

Sterling's stance came as the prospect of a Queensland homecoming appears doomed, with the Broncos, Titans and Cowboys baulking at a lifeline for the Cherbourg product.

Sandow was hailed as Parramatta's finest halfback hope since Sterling when he signed in 2012, but instead he has become the Eels' high-maintenance $550,000-a-season headache.

Instead of calling the shots in Parramatta's season opener against the Warriors yesterday, the recovering gambling addict turned out for NSW Cup side Wentworthville 24 hours earlier.

Four-time premiership-winner Sterling had hoped Sandow would be the man to break Parramatta's 27-year title drought, but fears the halfback's position at the club is untenable.

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"I think it would be mutually beneficial if Chris Sandow pursued his career elsewhere," said Sterling, a veteran of 227 first-grade games who piloted the Eels to their last grand-final victory in 1986.

"The writing is on the wall really that he is going to struggle to play first grade again at Parramatta.

"It's a shame to see what has transpired, but both parties need a fresh start and maybe that might be the best thing for Chris' career as well.

"It would be good for Parramatta and Chris if they severed ties."

It is understood the Eels are amenable to an immediate release and would help subsidise any move, but it is unclear how many NRL rivals are prepared to roll the dice with Sandow.

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The former Queensland Emerging Origin squad member's name was thrown up to the Broncos, but Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin said on Friday he had no interest in the pint-sized schemer.

The Titans are unlikely to be interested given that they axed him in 2008 for disciplinary reasons, while the Cowboys have three halfback options in Robert Lui, Michael Morgan and Ray Thompson.

Sterling said the Eels had the ability to move on from Sandow, praising the potential of new scrumbase pairing Luke Kelly and former Broncos utility Corey Norman.

"I like Corey Norman. The fact he has been paired with Luke Kelly is a good sign," he said.

"Luke is a level-headed guy, not a flashy player but he plays with good control.

"He is the kind of No.7 the Eels need to get them to where they need to be and that will allow Corey to play his natural game and play a bit of football. That can be a nice combination and one that suits the team.

"I don't know if Chris Sandow has any other offers, I don't know if it's an urban myth but there is talk around the Broncos could be showing interest.

"Parramatta might have to carry a significant amount of the contract money Sandow is on if he went elsewhere, but that would free up some money to add to the team in other areas."

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