Farah injured as Tigers roar home

Robbie Farah of the Tigers drives towards the try line to score under the posts. Source: Brett Hemmings / Getty Images

WESTS skipper Robbie Farah was taken to hospital in an ambulance on Saturday night after the Wests Tigers' captain suffered a suspected dislocated elbow in his side's 16-4 win over the Cowboys.

The club was unable to confirm the severity of the injury until after the scans, nor whether the joint was able to be put back into place in the dressing sheds following the game.

Robbie Farah is taken off the field in the second half after he was injured in a tackle. Source: DailyTelegraph

"Robbie's in a bit of pain, with two minutes to go he's dislocated his elbow I think," coach Potter said after the match

The injury soured a proud performance by the Tigers, who were left without two vital members of their spine after James Tedesco missed the match with an ankle injury and Braith Anasta served a suspension.

They were also without stand-in fullback Curtis Rowe for the majority of the second half after he vacated the field with a hip complaint.

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"I'm proud of the players for the way they performed tonight under adversity," Potter said. "How they held together and did whatever it took to get the job done... They frustrated North Queensland."

Farah himself scored the first try of the night just before half-time for the Tigers after the Cowboys had earlier led 4-nil, a score the visiting side failed to add too.

"I thought that Robbie, up until he got injured, was playing out of his skin."

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"It was an opportunity there and that just set us away and got us on a little bit of a roll.

"We didn't come up with a lot more points after it, but I thought that it did help us kick along a little bit at the back end of the half."

The other issue for the Tigers is getting a crowd to Campbelltown to watch these exciting youngsters play.

CEO Grant Mayer even issued an ultimatum to the club's Campbelltown fans — show up or else.

Robbie Farah leaves the field with an elbow injury. Source: DailyTelegraph

The home side produced one of their grittiest wins of the season against the Cowboys, but only 6456 supporters showed up at the club's traditional home ground, almost 10,000 less than were at Leichhardt last Sunday.

"It is incredible to think 16,000 sat and stood in the rain to watch the team win against one of the competition heavyweights (Manly), but six days later we have 6000 at one of the greatest venues in rugby league in Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

"(The Round 11 game against the Broncos) is a last throw of the dice for Campbelltown to come and show they support their club," Mayer said at half-time.

Johnathan Thurston pass the ball. Source: Supplied

What the absent fans missed was centre Tim Simona producing a number of line breaks which highlighted the team's depth.

Without two vital members of their regular spine, Simona was shifted to the fullback early in the second half and also applied enough pressure on a running Johnathan Thurston to fumble the ball as the five-eighth looked set to score.

Blake Austin — himself filling in for the suspended Anasta in the halves — scored the match-turning try six minutes after the half-time break, while Pat Richards eventually sealed the match in the left corner with just five minutes remaining.

Bodene Thompson is brought to the ground. Source: Supplied

Afterwards debate raged over the turnout.

CEO of Wests Leagues Club Campbelltown, Tony Mathew, hit back at Mayer, questioning the consistency in promoting the event.

The $10 ticket deal was announced late in the week as an incentive for fans that arrived early to watch the junior and lower grades.

"I think there needs to be a consistency so people know what it is, so they don't leave things to the last moment so that they don't consider what the weather."

Blake Austin of the Tigers celebrates with team mates after scoring. Source: Getty Images

Mathew, whose leagues club is no longer a shareholder in the joint-venture, also questioned the amount of interstate teams who appear at the stadium.

The Cowboys, Broncos, Raiders and Storm will all visit the region, meaning the Tigers will face no fellow Sydney teams at Campbelltown this year.

"There's a pool of clubs that we quite often play and we would like more variety out here so we get to see all the stars," said Mathew.

Aaron Woods (L) of the Tigers reacts after the Tigers score. Source: Getty Images

"I think the ground can hold 20,000 people and we'd like to see more games in Campbelltown against other Sydney teams.

"Then, certainly there'd be a question if another Sydney team brought a lot of supporters whether we could accommodate them and whether we couldn't."

WESTS TIGERS 16 (B Austin R Farah P Richards tries P Richards 2 goals) bt NORTH QUEENSLAND 4 (B Tate try) at Campbelltown Sports Stadium. Referee: Gavin Morris, Gavin Reynolds. Crowd: 6,456.

Re-live the action in our blog below:

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Tears reality check for Championships

A visibly upset Winona Costin gives injured filly I Am Snippety a hug in distressing circumstances. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: Simon Bullard / Supplied

STANDING in the middle of a Randwick bog, a tearful Winona Costin reached up to give I Am Snippety one final hug before the filly was humanely destroyed.

If you ever wanted proof The Championships wasn't going to be all about the glitz and glamour, you only had to watch the emotional scenes unfold after the Group 3 Widden Kindergarten (1100m).

I Am Snippety and apprentice Costin led the field for home before the youngster pulled up quickly and appeared to break down.

It was later revealed I Am Snippety, a last-start winner of the time-honoured Wellington Boot, had fractured her off-front leg.

As the James and Bart Cummings-trained Hallowed Crown went on to victory, Costin and two clerks of the course awaited for the vets to arrive.

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Costin had tears in her eyes when she returned, and the stewards thought it best not to ask her to relive the miserable moment.

Costin choked up when At The Track asked her about one of her favourite horses later in the day.

"I have a soft spot for her, she's been very good for me, she tries hard and was a lovely little filly,'' Costin said, the apprentice currently on loan to Gai Waterhouse.

"I thought she'd run a really nice race today, and the way she travelled into the corner was unbelievable, but ... that's part of racing.''

Costin said she had plenty of favourite horses, but I Am Snippety was "in my top five, for sure''.

ATC officials attend to the ill-fated I Am Snippety after she fractured her off-front leg in the home straight in first race. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: Supplied

Gai's afternoon doesn't have a lot to Offer

VICTORY by The Offer ended what was becoming a worrying dry spell for Gai Waterhouse.

After preparing just one winner from 37 starters during the three-week Rosehill carnival, Waterhouse's start to the day at HQ yesterday was just as forgettable.

Jockeys Tommy Berry and Nash Rawiller were both hauled in to explain the flops of Echo Gal and Equator in the first two races, with the pair beaten a staggering 69.2 lengths and 11.3 lengths respectively.

Chief steward Ray Murrihy ordered Echo Gal — a one-time Magic Millions Classic favourite — back to the trials.

"I didn't think she'd come to a halt that quickly,'' Berry said of Echo Gal, while Rawiller said of Equator: "He was entitled to let down a lot better.''

Star loses shine in the rain

ZOUSTAR was scratched from the T.J. Smith Stakes because of the wet — and now there's every chance the $20 million colt won't race in Sydney again.

The two options awaiting Zoustar is the Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) against the three-year-olds, or the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) in a fortnight.

But given the crummy weather, trainer Chris Waller is now weighing up whether to head straight to England and possibly give Zoustar a lead-up race before Royal Ascot.

It will be up to the owners.

One horse who is unlikely to travel across the globe with Zoustar is Red Tracer, the glamour mare who was being aimed at a French race.

Meanwhile, Boban had a ''solid workout over 1000m'' at Rosehill yesterday after being scratched from the Doncaster, and appears on track for next weekend's Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Casino cash aimed at Nathan Berry Fund

GLYN Schofield was pinged $300 for failing to make the weight on Casino Dancer, then immediately asked for the money to be donated to the Nathan Berry Fund, which has been established to raise funds for research into Norse syndrome, which claimed the life of young Nathan — and Schofield's son-in-law — last Thursday week.

Casino Dancer was eventually ridden by Glyn's son Chad, with the horse crunched from $81 into $26 before she finished second.

Trainer Mike Van Gestel, who only has the one horse in work, admitted he had a nibble at the $130 on offer at the start of the day, but didn't know anything about the on-track plunge.

Van Gestel, who speaks with a thick Belgian accent, is giving thought to backing up Casino Dancer in next Saturday's ATC Oaks.

Some things never change

IT DIDN'T take long for Corey Brown to be reminded about Sydney's famous traffic. The Singapore-based hoop missed the opening race on Kaepernick because of the crawl getting from the airport to Randwick.

Wet day out on the nose

NOT ONLY did the hoops have to put up with one of the wettest Randwick decks presented in years, they were again forced to live with a shocking stench in the jockeys' room. A troublesome pipe in the laundry has made life unpleasant for the little fellas at HQ for months.

$3 can clears path for stairway to heaven

THE $150 million grandstand at Randwick had a few issues when the escalator on the ground floor kept stalling throughout the day. We're told a $3 can of WD40 didn't do the trick.

Peter Moody is not a happy camper. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited

Moody blues reverberate out of the south

PETER Moody had a Group 1 blow-up this week over Key-Gate, which involved the stewards in bleak city demanding the keys to all stables at Caulfield and Flemington.

Moody labelled his fellow trainers ``spineless'' for agreeing to hand over the keys so quickly, but was more filthy with the lack of action taken by the Australian Trainers' Association.

That might explain why we're now hearing talk of a breakaway group from the ATA.

We asked ATA boss John Alducci about it, only for him to say he'd monitor any developments.

You only have to go back to 2008 when the Sydney boys went it alone formed the NSW Trainers' Association, which is now one of the best-run and respected groups in the industry.

For what it's worth, NSW stipes have the pin codes for stables, but won't enter any area if it's not staffed.

Hats off to the helmet-cam

CHANNEL 7 provided some cool footage of the racing action yesterday courtesy of helmet-cam.

Injured hoop Peter Robl was seen before each race handing over the pocket-sized device. It turns out the jocks have to sign a waiver, which prevents them from calling on the footage during a protest.

It would have been fascinating viewing when the camera was fixed to Blake Shinn's helmet as he knuckled down on Hooked and tried to hold out ATC Australian Derby winner Criterion.

Emerald City Classics? No thanks

YOU KNOW The Championships weren't always going to be called The Championships. The Emerald City Classics was one suggestion. Yuck. Or how about the Sydney Grand Prix? Zzzzzz.

I'll have some Moore of those boxes

MACAU'S leading trainer Gary Moore has popped up on the Australian Turf Club's radars to take out some boxes.

The vacated stables at Tim Martin has led to no shortage of requests from trainers, including Moore, who is in the hunt for ''25 to 30 boxes''.

Moore is also said to be sweet with a move back to Randwick, or Warwick Farm.

Former T.J. Smith winner Takeover Target with his owner Joe Janiak and dancer Clare Cavele. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia

Joe delivers magic line and receives one better

WE LOVED seeing Takeover Target and trainer Joe Janiak at the Young Professionals in Racing luncheon on Friday, which helped promote interest in The Championships.

Janiak, who travelled the globe with his bargain-buy gelding, told the story how he stood next to Her Majesty at Royal Ascot, and overheard her watching a TV screen, and muttering how the barrier staff should load a horse.

"You should be a trainer,'' Janiak said to Queen Elizabeth, only for her to reply: "Maybe I should, but I'm not giving up my day job.''

Comedy routine hits the mark
ALSO at the YPR luncheon was comedian Vince Sorrenti, who came up with this belter about our favourite state, Queensland.

"Queensland have won the Origin series eight years in a row. The only other thing they do eight years in a row is ... kindergarten,'' Sorrenti said.

Billionaire big on cancer research

US BILLIONAIRE B. Wayne Hughes attended his first-ever Easter Sales durig the week and bought three yearlings for Team Hawkes.

But what you won't know about the 80-year-old self-storage king is he pumps millions of dollars into cancer research each year.

Hughes told us he had recruited the best scientists across the US to concentrate on ALL, or acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Thommo stuck in the nervous nineties

ROBERT Thompson had a quiet week with zero winners to remain on 3992 career winners. Maybe Thommo is waiting to fire up after The Championships so he gets the proper kudos.

Waller's wads of cash a Mile high

CHRIS Waller collected a cool $285,000 when four of his horses were first across the line in the Doncaster.

Trainers pick up 10 per cent of the winner's cheque, which worked out to be $28,500 a second during the race. This column lost $20 during that same period.

Froggy, you are a star. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Froggy cannot stop thanking connections

IF EVER there was a bloke deserved a Group 1, it was Craig Newitt.

The bloke gave up his Doncaster ride on Weary at the start of the week for Tommy Berry, whose late brother Nathan had a close association with the horse's owners.

Froggy then came out and won the TJ Smith Stakes on Lankan Rupee. He thanked the owners of Lankan Rupee for sticking with him after he opted to ride stablemate Samaready last start in the Newmarket.

"There isn't a lot of loyalty left in the racing industry, but for the owners to put me back on, I can't thank them enough,'' Newitt said.

"If ever there was going to be racing karma, it was today.''

Blake, just add three zeroes to that one finger. Picture: Simon Bullard Source: Supplied

Shinn brings up 1000th career win

BLAKE Shinn was given a rock star reception when he brought up his 1000th career winner late in the day.

Shinn kicked home Arabian Gold in the Adrian Knox Stakes, then posed for a few souped-up punters in the members, and gave the thumbs up to countless other punters who were clearly feeling the love.

It's a remarkable effort for a bloke who is just 26.

Final leg ruins extraordinary windfall

WHICH baby-faced media bloke who loves a punt lost out on the final leg of a multi, which would have turned $10 into $20,600?

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Hinds: Officaldom in the dark ages

(l-r) AFL boss Andrew Demetriou, FFA CEO David Gallop and ARU chief Bill Pulver. Picture: Brett Costello Source: Brett Costello / News Corp Australia

THE heads of our major sports bodies climbed into their ivory tower again. This time the message was homophobia.

To be more accurate, anti-homophobia. Although, given how far most sport lags behind the rest of society on gay rights, it surely knows more about the disease than the cure.

Despite the inevitable platitudes sprouted by the leading administrators who signed this new Hooray For Gay! pact, the very idea of a gay athlete remains so ridiculously novel that they must be gently coaxed out of the closet. ''It's OK, we're down with the whole gay thing now and we'll treat you as an equal,'' sport was saying. ''It might even be good for merchandising!''

Admittedly this was not the entire message. There were encouraging noises from the various acronyms (NRL, AFL, FFA, ARU and CA) doing more to promote awareness and understanding about homosexuality in their ranks. About ensuring the environment for a gay athlete who felt emboldened — as, depressingly, he would still need to be — to express his sexual preference was supportive.

But as the self-appointed, self-congratulatory cause merchants they have become, our leading sports officials could not help but revel in their role as educators and inspirations.

The AFL is always eager to link itself to a cause and — coincidentally — milk the promotional opportunities and government funding that might come with it. So it had already initiated a campaign in which players looked down Big Brother style from giant stadium screens and lectured crowds on the treatment of homosexuals.

On the NRL website an editorial lauded the NRL's involvement in the anti-homophobia campaign and planted a flag on the moral high ground. The game is in a powerful position to educate, has taken a genuine leadership position and so on.

None of the administrators pledging their support seemed faintly embarrassed about how self-serving and self-deluded such statements seemed to anyone who bothered to take a peek over their back fences.

None seemed to realise if gay rights was the Tour de France, they would be stuck on the start line with a flat tyre while the rest of us tackled the Alps. Or that the major football codes and cricket preaching about sexuality is akin to a visiting North Korea dignitary lecturing the Senate about democracy.

Admittedly this is the perception of someone living in an inner-city suburb with a diverse and mostly tolerant demographic. And it is certainly not to suggest that homophobia has been defeated and gay rights fully achieved. Visit Canberra or cyberspace if you think otherwise.

But as the mardi gras has become more of a victory parade than a protest, there are relatively few occasions where homosexuality is not considered — again RELATIVELY — passé. That sport still debates the very idea of gay athletes because its environment has discouraged an open acknowledgment of sexuality leaves it in the dark ages.

Meanwhile, for many of us, the sexuality of our workmates, our friends or the bloke in the bottle shop is a matter of indifference. We can joke with a mate that we will only support his right to get married if having children is compulsory — because he and his husband should have to suffer like the rest of us. Sport tiptoes about the subject as if walking through a minefield.

Some sports are still trapped in an age where the possible presence of a gay athlete in the sheds is an issue. If not among a hopefully more enlightened generation of players, then among some older coaches and support staff who think: ''Well, you know, he might look at our blokes in the shower.''

Meanwhile the rest of us change at public baths or the gym and couldn't care less whether the guy at the next locker dates Michael or Michelle, and can't imagine why you would.

Has it therefore occurred to the sporting bodies jumping aboard the promotional bandwagon that they are the ones needing the lecture? That because of the retrograde environment they have fostered it is more likely to be the players on the big screens, rather than those in the crowd, who harbour objections to having a gay colleague in their workplace?

The same can be said of some of the other causes which sport purports to champion. The NRL, for example, will hold its Women in League round next month.

We'll all feel pretty in pink. But it won't change the fact females are badly under-represented at board room and administrative level, or that the overwhelming female presence on game day is scantily clad nymphettes jiggling about for the gratification of a — not surprisingly — male dominated audience.

The message might be right. But it tends to be less powerful when the messenger has so little credibility.

Time for O'Farrell to consider NRL

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell stood in the Members Pavilion at the SCG a few weeks ago and told the visiting LA Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks they would be playing in the greatest sports stadium in Australia.

As much as the statement might have bemused the fiercely parochial burghers of the self-proclaimed ''sports capital of the universe'' Melbourne, O'Farrell had a case to make.

The SCG's eye-catching, on-going redevelopment has given Sydney the world class facilities local sports fans deserve. Well, it has given cricket and Swans fans the stadium they deserve.

On Sunday the Swans play their first game at the SCG since the completion of the new grandstand. Great seats, great sight-lines, excellent catering. The experience AFL fans enjoy throughout the country.

The NRL? Outside Sydney the game is well catered for. The NRL drove the development of Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, AAMI Park in Melbourne and the Gold Coast stadium among other projects.

But Sydney will remain a black hole until ANZ is set free of AFL and reconfigured for rectangular sports, Allianz Stadium is modernised and – perhaps – a new purpose-built 45,000 seater is built in the west.

Which is why the half-baked $29 million refurbishment of Parramatta Stadium that will add only 1800 seats, along with local member Tony Abbott's pledge to spend $10 million on Brookvale Oval, are badly misguided.

Government spending on Sydney stadiums should be concentrated on improving/building facilities that will attract and cater for larger crowds in greater comfort. Then O'Farrell can puff out his chest about the stadiums in which Sydney's main game is played.

Not quite The Man he said he was

ASSUMING he overcomes a bad case of indigestion from eating so much canvas, Anthony Mundine will fight on. But now seems a good time to consider The Man's legacy.

In a nutshell: Nowhere near as good as he said he was while promoting his pay-per-boo fights with faux-Ali bravado. But far better than many of us thought he would ever be.

If not quite one of Australia's boxing greats, Mundine has earned his place in the worthy realm of the very good.

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Simpson finds positives in big loss

Elliott Yeo kicks the Eagles into attack ahead of James Kelly. Source: Quinn Rooney / Getty Images

ADAM Simpson has praised West Coast's second-half endeavour despite the Eagles failing to kick a goal after quarter-time in a record-breaking loss to Geelong at Simonds Stadium.

But the first-year coach said the Eagles could welcome back up to five players for Saturday night's clash against Port Adelaide and was confident Nic Naitanui would play.

The star ruckman failed to take a mark and was substituted out of the 16.11 (107) to 4.8 (32) hammering in the third quarter after Simpson was forced to make six changes to his previously undefeated side.

Captain Darren Glass (hip), Luke Shuey (suspension), Matt Rosa (ill) are expected to return.

West Coast made a bright start, trailing by just two points at the first break but finished with its lowest ever score against the Cats and was held goalless for three quarters for the first time since 1992, a premiership year.

Dean Cox's milestone game was soured by the heavy defeat. Source: Getty Images

"It probably shows us where we're at a little bit. The first three games were really pleasing, but they made us pay tonight," Simpson said last night.

"I thought the second quarter was disappointing, but they gutsed it out. I know it didn't look like it on the scoreboard, but the endeavour was there.

"We didn't kick a goal after quarter-time, but I wasn't really looking at that."

Simpson refused to accept the pre-game decimation as an excuse, declaring: "Our depth was tested and it didn't come up.

"We had 22 out there and we got beaten in all facets."

In a short press conference, he branded the second quarter "disappointing" as Joel Selwood ignited the Cats to a 6.1 to 0.1 spree, with West Coast's solitary behind coming with just 11 seconds left.

"It's not an excuse having (players out)," Simpson said.

Nic Naitanui was subbed out in the third quarter. Source: Getty Images

"We lost Rosa before the game with gastro, and that probably tipped the balance a little bit in the midfield.

"I don't think we won one stat, so we'll have a look at it. But it all starts around winning the ball, so we can't blame our forwards, (we) can't blame our defenders and our mids were undersized and bullied.

"We're still pretty positive about where we're heading. We were missing six or seven players tonight, and like I said we got showed up."

The Eagles generated just 32 inside 50s and had 100 fewer uncontested disposals as Selwood (27 disposals, three goals) and the sometimes wayward Steve Johnson (39 disposals) beat up on the second-string midfield.

Simpson was unsure if he had any winners but did praise defender Eric Mackenzie's effort on Tom Hawkins.

On Naitanui, Simpson said: "It was a precautionary thing. He was a little tight and we didn't see any reason to keep him out there."

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Ruthless Macaffer blankets Cotchin

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WE'RE told Brent Macaffer is a footy connoisseur. He watches it, listens to it and reads about it.

So we can only assume he will enjoy his diet of football coverage over the coming days because his performance last night was an enormous factor in Collingwood's win over Richmond.

GREAT SCOTT INSPIRES BRUTAL WIN

In a ruthlessly hard tag, Macaffer restricted Trent Cotchin to a paltry 13 disposals at 46 per cent efficiency. It was a complete a negating job as you're likely to see this year.

Brent Macaffer brings Trent Cotchin to the ground. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Macaffer pushed, shoved, bumped and had an arm thrust across Cotchin for every painstaking minute the Richmond captain was on the field.

People can question the ethics of Macaffer's role — not looking at the ball and showing total negativity — but he rarely strayed into illegal territory. When he did he was penalised, and Cotchin received four free kicks.

No, this was an incredible display of concentration and discipline against a player who had racked up 38, 25 and 28 possessions in Richmond's opening three rounds.

Cotchin trudged off the MCG last night with his lowest disposal tally since Round 16, 2010.

Macaffer is not new to the so-called dark arts. He was a forward in Collingwood's 2010 premiership side, but his transformation from injured attacker to shutdown specialist was completed last year.

Dane Swan, Brent Macaffer and Harry Lumumba sing the song. Photo by Quinn Rooney Source: Getty Images

The man from seaside town of Kilcunda made waves when he muzzled Nick Dal Santo in Round 6. He then went on to silence some of the game's greats in a season that saw him recognised with a sixth-place finish in Collingwood's Copeland Trophy.

Nearly 12 months on he would arguably be the second-best tagger in the caper behind Ryan Crowley. But unlike the Fremantle antagonist, there appeared to be no verbal and little, if any, behind-the-play niggle.

Cotchin is one of the game's great workers, but by half-time he appeared to have almost lost the will to run. You didn't have to be a body language expert to see he was in a dark place.

Dustin Martin briefly tried to block for his mate, Dan Jackson had a brief crack at Macaffer and Shaun Grigg offered a snippet of resistance. Cotchin went to a rampant Scott Pendlebury in an attempt to escape Macaffer's suffocation and he had a spell at full-forward, too.

None of it worked.

Then, late in the third term Macaffer took Cotchin to full-back to further salt the wound. No Richmond player went to relieve their skipper of the burden, but that's a whole other story.

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Great Scott inspires brutal win

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IT was supposed to be the summer of heartache that would be the making of the Richmond Football Club.

But at some point in the six short months since last year's elimination final loss, the wheels have fallen off the Tiger train.

After three unconvincing weeks, the Tigers fell to a 1-3 record after last night's 38-point loss to Collingwood at the MCG.

While finals are not an impossibility, no team has made September from the same low-point in the past four years, save for Carlton's free finals pass at Essendon's expense last year.

Did they believe their own hype, the Tigers? Ease off the accelerator over pre-season? Or simply fail to execute when the expectation, in Damien Hardwick's fifth year as coach, was turned up to top-four levels?

Brent Macaffer wore Trent Cotchin like a glove all night. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Hardwick must answer those questions, and look for a way to restore bereft confidence levels, under a kind of heat that he has not yet had to experience in his time as senior coach.

Richmond captain, Trent Cotchin was held to 13 possessions last night, something that has not happened since 2010.

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Collingwood, on the other hand, gathered some much-needed momentum last night, led superbly once again by Scott Pendlebury.

Thriving under the captaincy that seemed bestowed upon him in his second season, Pendlebury brushed off the Matt Thomas tag and then won a one-on-one shootout with Cotchin, running to the end.

Pendlebury started the week in a moon boot and finished it with another three Brownlow votes.

But most importantly for Nathan Buckley's cause is that the unrelenting skipper had mates, this time. Dayne Beams and Dane Swan found the kind of form that together, makes them one of the most potent midfields in the game.

Dayne Beams kicked three goals from the midfield. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Forward Jesse White also emerged as a dangerous foil for 200-gamer Travis Cloke, giving the forward line much-needed depth and helping validate the last season's trade.

The win means the Pies this morning wake up back on an even keel at 2-2, breathing a sigh of relief after a win over the Swans and a commendable effort against the Cats in recent weeks.

But this match was never about the winner. A pre-season that almost universally stamped Richmond as a genuine top-four contender may have already gone down the gurgler amid major concerns in each third of the ground. They rallied in the last quarter, but that's the frustrating part with the Tigers, they turn it on and off like no other team.

Most worryingly, though, is the lack of pace, endeavour and accuracy in the back half. They are butchering the ball by foot, Richmond.

Dane Swan played forward most of the night, but was back to his bullocking best. Picture: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

Nick Vlastuin, Cotchin and Dustin Martin were all operating below 40 per cent kicking efficiency heading into the three-quarter time break. And when they turned the ball over, their defence was exposed without Alex Rance and Brett Deledio to run the other way.

Richmond played pulsating footy last year, but they move the ball at snail's pace this season. The flair is gone, and panic seems to have set in.

There is no respite, either. Next weekend's clash against Brisbane away is a danger game and then the Cats and Hawks follow, leading into the bye.

It was an indictment on the Richmond side that at half time first-gamer Sam Lloyd was the Tigers' most dangerous player.

Dayne Beams and Scott Pendlebury were two of Collingwood's best. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Taking the place of out-of-favour hard nut Jake King, the man from Deniliquin in New South Wales showed so much natural goal sense, snapping cleverly across his body then curling home a dribbler in the second.

But he was the only bright note and they were the Tigers' only two goals to half time.

You could hardly believe that the ball had been in Richmond's possession 53 per cent of the game to that point, but they were wasting it at every turn.

The tall forward setup including Jack Riewoldt, Ben Griffiths and Tyrone Vickery was toothless again on a wet night.

As hard as the stagnant play made it for the Tiger forwards, Vickery looked a lonely man on the MCG with only two handballs at the main change.

He looked uninterested at times, unwilling at others. But he was also hurt, and subbed off at half time with ice on his leg. Some in the crowd clapped the crowd announcement that he had put on the red vest, early in the third.

RICHMOND: 10.12 (72)

COLLINGWOOD: 16.14 (110)

JAY CLARK'S BEST

COLLINGWOOD: Pendlebury, Beams, Macaffer, White, Ball, Swan, Witts

RICHMOND: Lloyd, Jackson, Astbury, Conca, Houli

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Sam struck in the face by female fan

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The NRL will today commence the hunt for a female fan who lashed-out at Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess with flag as he was walking from the field last night.

In the latest drama to dog the Englishman, Burgess was struck in the eye while entering the tunnel, but declined to comment on the incident afterwards.

IMPASSABLE SOUTHS SET DEFENCE RECORD

A NIGHT FOR MERRITT TO TRESSURE

However, his mother Julie witnessed it and vented her anger on Twitter straight away.

"Would love to meet the woman (I'm being kind) who hit Sam with a stick as he was leaving the pitch," she tweeted. "Sorry Penrith people but that's not OK."

Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson reported the incident to both the ground manager and Penrith opposite Phil Moss, ensuring the NRL will launch an investigation. The culprit faces a lengthy ban if they are found to have committed the assault.

South Sydney's Sam Burgess is tackled by the Panthers defence. Source: News Corp Australia

It was an unjust response for Burgess, who was one of South Sydney's best in an historic defensive performance that saw the team miss just five tackles from a total of 316. Burgess finished second on the tackle count with 37, although his 63rd minute miss was recorded as South Sydney's first blemish of the night.

Burgess has already endured a difficult start to the season, after announcing his decision to quit the Rabbitohs for English rugby at the end of this year.

Nathan Merritt celebrates scoring a try with team mate Sam Burgess. Source: Getty Images

He's been at the centre of rumours over a fallout with fellow star Greg Inglis and also been a target of rival props Jason King and Aaron Woods.

However, last night's effort proves Burgess remains one of the most feared — and hardworking — forwards in rugby league.

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Loss to Brumbies a low blow for Reds

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ACT Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore remarkably escaped any penalty for a blatant punch which incited 30,004 Reds fans to yell for justice.

Boos for referee Steve Walsh reverberated around Suncorp Stadium at full-time when the gallant Reds fell short 23-20, having seemingly been down and out at 20-3.

The Reds had pulled themselves out a first half stupor to roar onto attack on the Brumbies tryline early in the second half with their season on the line at 23-10 behind.

Red-haired flanker Ed Quirk had set himself on the side of the Reds ruck and did clearly grab a piece of Moore's jersey.

Moore's indignation at being held back in such a moment of desperation ignited into a left hook which sent Quirk flying. The crowd erupted and the mood was only amplified with every big screen replay sought by experienced Test referee Walsh.

Reds halfback Will Genia had dotted down in the pivotal moment but the least expected outcome unfolded for all.

Walsh told his touch judges it was a "clear try" but dialled it down to a penalty on the other side of the field because he couldn't allow it through Quirk's jersey grab and Moore "taking the law into his own hands."

Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore "taking the law into his own hands". Source: FoxSports

Graham chose his words carefully when dissecting a moment which may have swung the match and the course of his team's season.

Graham said he believed Moore was part of the ruck when Quirk grabbed his jersey and therefore was entitled to do so.

"I felt he was entitled to hold him and I think the try should have been awarded (to Will Genia)," Graham said of the controversial incident in the 49th minute.

He bit his lip when not commenting on whether Moore should have stayed on the field or been hit with a yellow or red card for a left hook than Anthony Mundine would have liked in his armoury midweek.

The incident was being reviewed late on Friday night by a SANZAR citing commissioner.

The incendiary moment did have the effect of shaking the Reds out of their worst first half of rugby for five years, one in which the Brumbies commanded 71 per cent of possession and made five times the running metres of the stagnant, error-prone and over-kicking Reds.

Reds star Quade Cooper is tackled by Brumbies flyhalf Nic White. Source: News Corp Australia

What followed was astonishing. The Reds scrum had been under early pressure but put on a huge shunt on a Brumbies put-in at the 62-minute mark.

The Brumbies scrum, with fresh brothers Ruan and JP Smith as props, buckled into a heap as Reds front-rowers James Slipper, replacement Jono Owen and Saia Faingaa asserted dominance. Quirk jubilantly fell on the ball for a pushover try.

Quirk had a monster game after being put on notice this week that more running was expected off him. Aggression dripped from everything he did. Moore was excellent as well. The fired-up contest was riveting for the final 40 minutes.

For the Brumbies no one was better than Wallaby winger Joe Tomane, who finished off an excellent Brumbies try late in the first half and made a big ball-strip on Quade Cooper to save a try midway through the second half.

For all the fight and heart to the second half, Reds skipper James Horwill painfully admitted that one stout half was not good enough.

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The hurt in Horwill's eyes was obvious. He realises that a string of close losses has made the play-offs a distant hope.

The extraordinary sight of the Reds scoring a tighthead pushover try to rally against the Brumbies is one rarely seen in top rugby.

"The forwards went out there with a bit of a chip on the shoulders. I feel we front up every week and get very little credit, especially the guys up front (the front-rowers)," he said.

"To score a tighthead pushover try against a scrum which has earned two penalty tries recently is something you just don't see."

Hooker Faingaa, in his 100th Super Rugby game, and prop Slipper splintered the Brumbies front-row into ruin in that mighty scrum.

The momentum that the Reds rode in the second half was a huge contrast to the first 40 minutes.

"The Brumbies are very good at squeezing teams. We gave them some soft possession and were poor in some little things and it hurt us in that first half when we just didn't hold onto any ball."

The loss dumped the Reds to their worst start (3-5) since the 2009 season and more bricks were knocked from Fortress Suncorp because they have now suffered back-to-back losses at home for the first time since that same year.

Quade Cooper is denied a try by a brilliant Joe Tomane tackle. Source: Getty Images

The Reds (16 points) now sit nine points behind the Brumbies on the table and making the play-offs would require a mini-miracle

How easily the Brumbies outflanked the flawed Reds defence out wide in the first half and the lack of line-piercing factors for the home side will be problems for the Reds coaching staff to stew over on their bye week.

Errors killed the Reds too. A strong Pat McCabe-Robbie Coleman tackle jolted the ball free from Cooper in the opening 10 minutes to gift forward Scott Fardy a try and a lead that was never relinquished.

Full credit to the Brumbies. They were gutsy and clinical when it mattered.

BRUMBIES 23 (Scott Fardy, Joe Tomane tries Nic White 2 cons 3 pens) bt QUEENSLAND REDS 20 (Ed Quirk, Beau Robinson tries Quade Cooper 2 cons 2 pens) at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: Steve R. Walsh. Crowd: 30,004.

MATCH CENTRE: Full scores, stats, video highlights

Relive all the action with our Reds v Brumbies match blog below

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Aussie caddie pack in mix at Masters

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SOMEWHERE in Queensland, let's hope there's a young lad who once caddied for Steve Bowditch as a 13-year-old.

Because it could continue one of the more extraordinary golfing circles that took another magical turn on Thursday.

Bowditch joined John Senden and Ian Baker-Finch in the traditional Masters par-three contest on Thursday, the trio linked by an extraordinary quirk.

In the mid 1980s, just when Baker-Finch was forging a path through Australia's pro ranks, a starry-eyed Senden bowled up and carried his bags in the Jack Newton Classic at Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast.

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Flash forward to the mid-1990s, with Senden now following IBF's path and an exuberant young Bowditch bowled up to his fellow Queenslander at the same venue and became his caddie for a day.

Let's call it the inspirational circle of golf.

"It's amazing, you never know when you're going to be inspired as a kid, or inspire someone else," Senden said.

"It's hard to believe that story, but it's true."

At which point, Bowditch, now his neighbour in Dallas, can't contain himself.

John Senden with his trophy after winning the Valspar Championship in March. Source: AFP

"He barely remembers — and only because I told him," Bowditch ripped.

"But I'll always remember that ball flight. It was a low, boring ball flight that got to about 100 yards then just seemed to fly straight up — it was pretty cool.

"We used to call it the 'pro flight' when I was a little kid and I always remember that, just stuck in my brain.

"And now I'm here playing the Masters with him, it's unbelievable. I might get him to carry the bag for a hole or two, get him to return the favour."

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Senden's silky swing isn't news to anyone.

A product of a long and ongoing relationship with another Queenslander, coach Ian Triggs, his ball-striking is the stuff of swing gurus' dreams.

A few times in his career, Senden has shown flashes of short game prowess to match and the result is nothing less than world class.

The latest exhibition of the potent combination was at Tampa last month when the 42-year-old won his second US PGA Tour event to secure his Masters berth, but more importantly prove to himself that all his continued work was still paying off.

Senden's swing and ball-striking are key features of his game. Source: AFP

It's also another strange quirk that Triggs and Baker-Finch worked jointly to help out Senden, whose putting is occasionally hindered when his forearms become tense.

"At the Aussie Open (last) year I gave him a helping hand there at the weekend and he started to putt really well," Baker-Finch said.

The pair met again in Florida in late February and had another fruitful session in concert with Triggs.

"Putting is all about feel and it's all very well someone explaining something they feel, but until the student actually experiences it themselves, it's hard to build confidence.

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"But once John finally got the feeling, the results speak for themselves.

"He's such a sweet guy and has such a wonderful rhythm and tempo (in his long game), it would always hurt me to watch him putt with tension under pressure when nothing else looked like it had any tension in it."

Triggs said the key visually for Senden fans was to watch for him to stand up over the ball, not leaning back in his putting stance.

Remarkably, Senden made more birdies than champion Adam Scott did in his green jacket run last year — a stat that gives him great confidence despite his 35th place finish.

Senden with his son Jacob during the par 3 contest in the lead-up to the start of the Masters. Source: AFP

"I know I have it in me to perform here ... by keeping my belief I can be as good as Scotty at certain times and win one of these big tournaments," Senden said.

"My short game here through probably 48 holes last year was great and I was right around the lead through three rounds and that was the difference.

"I didn't come in with great ball striking really it was just a matter of me feeling good around the greens and I actually feel a bit the same this year.

"My putting has been feeling great and my ball-striking is something I am still trying to get back to my best but I'm confident and excited to get started."

Begins April 11 at 4.45am EST on FOX SPORTS 3HD & 3 with 4 additional channels offered through the Red Button.

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Son of a gun blazing own trail

MMA fighter Sean Gauci with his father Darren. Source: Supplied

SEAN Gauci could have followed in his father's footsteps and ridden horses for a living, but instead he wants to create his own path fighting inside a cage.

Last Saturday night, in front of almost 2000 people at Adelaide Arena, Gauci stepped inside a 24-foot cage for the first time to fight Gavin Toyama at MMA Down Under 5.

The 17-year-old braved an early head kick to win the bout by unanimous decision.

"I had been training for 16 weeks for the fight," Sean said. "So I'm just happy it's over now and I got the win."

The flyweight was nervous, but not nearly as bad as his father — highly regarded veteran jockey Darren Gauci — before his debut.

"I don't think I was ever so nervous in my life, I was worried and I was concerned," Darren said.

"He handled himself really well and I'm glad he got through the fight all right.

"He surprised me, I was more than proud of him, I knew he had it in him."

Sean and Darren Gauci pictured in 1999 Source: News Limited

It was a big day for the Gauci family. Just hours earlier Darren rode Wrist Watch to a win at Morphetville Racecourse.

Currently in Year 12, Sean found it difficult to balance training and school work, but credits his father for his work ethic.

"He's super hard working and I think I got that from him," he said.

"You've got to work for your goals, that's what he's always taught me."

Sean plans on fighting again this year.

"My number one goal is to continue a career in fighting and my school is my backup. Just in case something happens you've got to play it smart," he said.

And although Darren isn't thrilled about the idea of his son continuing to fight in the cage, he supports him.

"It is dangerous the nature of the way they fight," he said.

"But it's the same with my game.

"That was the first time (I had seen him fight) and maybe the next time I'll be better.

"But he's a grown man now and I'll be 110 per cent behind him."

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Skye’s the limit for turf queen

Skye Bogenhuber pilots King Ludwig to victory at Eagle Farm in February last year. Source: News Limited

SKYE Bogenhuber has made history a few times in Toowoomba and she would dearly love to help rewrite the record books again aboard Miss Imagica in Saturday's Weetwood.

Last year Bogenhuber won both the Weetwood (Miss Imagica) and Toowoomba Cup (Bang On).

She also won the riding premiership a second time after becoming the first female to win the title in 2011-12.

Miss Imagica chases an unprecedented third win in the race on Saturday.

"The owners have been very good to me and I have a lot of faith in her,'' Bogenhuber said.

"It was a dream come true winning last year. Every Toowoomba jockey dreams about winning the Weetwood and I was able to do it at only my second ride in the race.

"The Toowoomba Cup was great to get as well, but the Weetwood meant so much.

"It's a great day for Toowoomba and the whole town is buzzing.''

Bogenhuber started her career in NSW and after spending a short time in Brisbane, found herself on the country circuit before an opportunity came knocking with top trainer Tony Gollan.

"I was able to go on loan to Tony at Toowoomba and my career really took off from there.

"Tony gave me a good chance and he's been a great supporter of mine.''

Bogenhuber is keen to win a third title, although she currently trails Brooke Stower.

"Brooke is going great guns at the moment, but I would love to win another one and hopefully I can catch her before the end of the season,'' she said.

Bogenhuber described the new Strathayr track as "brilliant to ride on'' and said the immediate spin-off has been far more competitive racing.

"Previously when you had a good ride, it was just a matter of turning up, but now there's four and five chances in most races,'' she said.

"It's definitely making it much more competitive. I can see the difference in the type of horses we are getting there now as well.''

Miss Imagica has a 5.5 length deficit to turn on her last start conqueror Kempelly, who was installed the $4.20 favourite by TattsBet yesterday.

■ The funeral for Larry Pratt will be held at Annerley Catholic Church on Monday at 11am.

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Buffering cursed by an inside run

Damian Browne is not overjoyed by Buffering's draw for the T.J. Smith Stakes. Source: Peter Wallis / News Corp Australia

A CLOSE examination of statistics from inside barriers at Randwick underline why jockey Damian Browne cringed when learning of Buffering's draw for Saturday's $2.5 million T.J. Smith Stakes.

Ordinarily, barrier two would be welcomed by connections in a feature race. But both Browne and Lankan Rupee's trainer Mick Price, have expressed concerns after they drew 1-2.

Statistician and professional punter Daniel O'Sullivan, from Smartform Racing, said the pair now faced a very difficult task, particularly given the likelihood of wet ground.

"In general, drawing inside barriers in massive fields is a losing proposition,'' O'Sullivan said.

"But at Randwick, the figures are even worse.''

O'Sullivan said since 2008, backing fancied horses from barriers one and two at Randwick (up to $10 in the market) had produced a 32 per cent loss on turnover.

"It's even worse over the 1000m and 1200m there, with a 42 per cent loss and strike rate of just 9 per cent.

"The remarkable thing is that you could have made a 6 per cent profit backing every other runner (at $10 or under) in that time.''

O'Sullivan said the inside has been "off'' at Randwick on wet tracks since it was refurbished.

"I'm surprised Buffering is second favourite,'' O'Sullivan said bluntly.

"I just can't imagine a scenario where he gets to the right position in running. The same applies to Lankan Rupee, who has a similar in-run profile.''

O'Sullivan said Buffering will have to be hunted early and is unlikely to get any chance of a breather in the run, a fear shared by Browne.

"I was keen for him to draw double figures or worse,'' Browne said.

"On what he had done in the past couple of weeks, I felt he was going to be a real top chance, but he's going to need a bit of luck now.''

Trainer Rob Heathcote is happy with the progress Buffering has made since running seventh in the Challenge Stakes first up, but he is concerned the inside section might be the worst place to be.

The market is likely to react and already Buffering is easing as rain closed over Randwick yesterday.

Lankan Rupee has also moved to a more juicy price, as money rolls in for Gordon Lord Byron.

The import loves wet ground and the muddier Randwick becomes, the more suited he will be, as he's sure to be strong at the business end in a real slog.

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Scott to become golf’s next statesman

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IT has been a year of great change for Adam Scott, not least of which is his new US Masters hidey-hole.

Scott returned this week knowing he had to leave the green jacket he had fought so hard to attain on the premises.

On the upside, though, he gets to leave it in the champions' locker room — away from the "plebs" at the other end of the clubhouse.

Just like the dinner he hosted on Wednesday night, his new digs are populated by the who's who of the Masters. Only those who have slipped on the green jacket can set foot inside one of few off-limits places for players and officials.

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With lockers limited in the champions' room, new members share lockers with greats of yesteryear.

And Scott was wide-eyed when he was "paired" with the legendary Gary Player this week until a classic moment on Wednesday revealed an "issue" with which he'd have to deal.

"He gets a lot of mail, so there's not a lot of room for myself in there," Scott said.

"But we make it work — that's OK. My stuff's kind of scattered around a bit on the floor … so I don't know how he feels about that."

For his part, Player was diplomatic.

Scott will only get to leave Augusta with the green jacket if he successfully defends his Masters title. Source: AP

"I'm so delighted to share with Adam — he's such a thorough gentleman,'' he said.

"When he played in my Presidents Cup team years ago, I told him, 'You are going to win major championships', and now here we are, neighbours at Augusta."

But Player is far from alone in his admiration of Scott.

THE GROUPS: SCOTT PAIRED WITH DUFNER

INTERACTIVE: ADAM'S MOMENT OF DESTINY

THE COURSE: HOLE-BY-HOLE GUIDE

THE PLAYERS: WHO'S WHO AT AUGUSTA

As a nation, Australia fawned over Scott when he made his green jacket tour in the summer, noting his diplomacy and manners were the equal of his sublime golf.

On Wednesday, as the world's media fired their questions, Scott handled the half-volleys with equal respect as the rearing short ball.

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The answers were measured, insightful and expansive without being dull. In short, it's the type of stuff that the American media, in particular, feed off as they seek the game's next statesman.

And as he wandered around in his afternoon four-ball with three fellow Aussies, the reverence with which the crowd treated their new champion was clearly evident.

Who knows how long Scott will be a talking point and/or a sounding board at Augusta National?

But for someone who treats the customs of the game's most storeyed venue with such honour, you can perhaps see the next Player in the making.

Scott watches a putt intently from his broomstick putter. Source: Getty Images

Right down to the Champions' Dinner menu — an Aussie barbecued "surf and turf" highlighted by his hometown delicacy, the Moreton Bay bug.

Asked if they were the real deal from Queensland, Scott was adamant.

"They are. They are legitimate bugs, the real deal," he said to howls of laughter.

"I'm not going to serve up anything second rate. I've got to go all out to impress these guys."

Mission accomplished already.

Begins April 11 at 4.45am EST on FOX SPORTS 3HD & 3 with 4 additional channels offered through the Red Button.

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Perth aim for straight sets in final

Wildcats captain Damian Martin is wary of an Adelaide 36ers fightback in Game 2 of the NBL final. Source: Paul Kane / Getty Images

SWEEPING Adelaide in the NBL's best-of-three grand final is Perth's only goal on Friday, according to the Wildcats' tenacious captain Damian Martin.

Having the safety net of a 1-0 series lead after Monday's 92-85 success at Perth Arena and the benefit of hosting a potential decider there on Sunday is of no interest to the Wildcats.

"Absolutely our mindset is to win Game Two and that's all we've talked about," Martin said.

"The last thing you want to do is give a great team like Adelaide confidence for a third game.

"We're expecting 8000 loud 36ers fans and a hostile environment.

"But I guarantee you even if we're down by 20 with just a few minutes left, we'll still be pressing and trying to get stops to win the game."

Martin said Perth was mindful of the Sixers' potential, copping a stark reminder during Game One.

"We'd built a 12-point lead late in the fourth quarter and suddenly they hit some shots, we gave up penetration and they quickly showed what they could do," he said.

The 36ers were 14 down with 7:36 left, clawed that back to seven, saw it blow back to 11 at 73-84 with 3:32 to go, then had it to 85-88 with 18 seconds left.

Two sets of free throws by Perth import Jermaine Beal bulged the final margin.

Martin said every player was primed to give his best performance but admitted the Wildcats had more to play for after twice in succession losing grand finals to New Zealand.

"If you can't get up for a grand final, there's something wrong," he said.

"But when you've been on the receiving end of a grand final loss, you never want to feel that pain again.

"It really motivates you in the off-season and through the pre-season."

Martin, a starter in Perth's 2010 championship and 2012 runner-up, was injured during last year's series, making it doubly difficult.

His absence brought Brad Robbins out of retirement, Robbins dropping out mid-season and replaced by current Adelaide 36ers combo-guard Rhys Carter.

When he ran out for the 36ers against Perth on Monday, Carter joined Cal Bruton as the only men to play against the club they played for in the grand final the previous year.

Bruton played for Brisbane against Adelaide in the 1986 grand final and for Perth against Brisbane in the 1987 championship series.

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Mundine suffers unanimous points loss

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ANTHONY Mundine's career is in great doubt following the toughest fight of his 25-bout career in Newcastle on Monday night.

The Man was floored five times by a dominant Joshua Clottey during a one-sided fight but showed enormous courage to get back on his feet and go the distance.

Mundine refused to speculate on his future immediately after the fight.

"I don't want to think about that now," he said.

"I want to take some time off and relax. Who knows?"

Anthony Mundine and Joshua Clottey lock horns. Source: News Corp Australia

Mundine's first knockdown came in the third round when he was caught with a straight right.

He went down twice in round six and again in round eight and round 10 but got back up on each occasion to see out the fight.

"I got caught early and didn't recover the way I wanted to," Mundine said.

"My defence wasn't tight enough but I finished the fight on my feet."

Anthony Mundine takes an upper cut and lands on the mat. Source: News Corp Australia

Clottey stepped into the ring having suffered just four defeats in his 37 bout career.

All four were to world champions - Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Maragarilo and Carlos Baldomir.

And while he had fought only twice since he went the distance with Pacquiao in 2010, there was no sign of any rustiness.

Anthony Mundine gets the count from the referee. Source: News Corp Australia

Right from the opening bell, Clottey was the aggressor and Mundine had no answer to the Ghanaian's rock solid defence.

Mundine's usual crisp jab rarely found its mark and he was scurrying for cover as Clottey came at him with big lefts to the body and over-head rights.which found their mark.

Mundine, on the other hand, rarely pierced his opponents defence.

It wasn't until the later rounds that Mundine, in an all or nothing bid for a knockout, even troubled Clottey.

Joshua Clottey victorious. Source: News Corp Australia

It's was no surprise Clottey goes by the nickname "The Hitter".

Right from the outset, his punches had far more venom.

Not surprising, Clottey was a unanimous point's winner with the three judges calling the fight 116-108, 115-109 and 117-108.

In the main supporting bout last night, former Australian Commonwealth games gold medallist Brad "Hollywood" Pitt suffered his first professional defeat – a brutal fourth round knockout at the hands of Team Mundine prodigy Dave Aloua.

Aloua floored Pitt with a sickening blow to the head but the referee surprisingly allowed the fight to continue after Pitt struggled to his feet.

Seconds later, it was all over.

Re-live all the action from the Newcastle Entertainment centre by following our blog below:

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Stars align for women champions

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WOMEN'S cricket may still lag considerably behind the men's game, but the Twenty20 format is cricket's best opportunity to bridge the gender gap.

Australia's successful Southern Stars received a heroes welcome when they returned home from Bangladesh after securing their third straight World Twenty20 title.

It's an unprecedented achievement and certainly one that will draw more attention to the women's game.

But the fact that both the men's and women's tournaments are played concurrently and, toward the latter part, at the same venues, is already adding valuable exposure.

Australia's captain and star batter Meg Lanning believes it's a fantastic initiative.

"If we can use the men to try and get a little bit more exposure, I think that's only a good thing," she said.

"I think the TV ratings went well and we enjoy playing on the big stage. We certainly love playing before the men, we love to have an atmosphere at our games and to bring more people to women's cricket. It's been a great initiative."

All-rounder Ellyse Perry, who hit the winning runs in the final against England, has been involved in all three of Australia's T20 triumphs.

She agrees that the atmosphere when both tournaments are played simultaneously is wonderful for the game.

"I think it's worked really well," she said.

"Just to be involved in that atmosphere — Bangladesh as a country really embraced it and being close to India and Sri Lanka and other cricket crazy nations, it was fantastic to have such a wonderful atmosphere.

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"We also overlapped with the Australian men's team in our hotel as well, so from a cricket point of view it was wonderful."

Less than a year ago Cricket Australia announced a new salary structure for the country's women cricketers, a vast improvement on the previous payment plans.

And Lanning, 22, believes it won't be too long before it becomes financially viable to play cricket professionally, provided the team continues to capitalise on its success and more people are introduced to the game.

"Obviously if we're very successful then it's certainly going to help," she said.

"At the minute we're happy with the level of support we get and I'm sure in the future it will only increase.

"It's just about trying to keep improving. I don't think we can ever think that we've done enough. Obviously we're very proud of our achievements, but we've got to look forward eventually.

"It would be great to see our matches televised a little bit more, that would certainly bring more people to women's cricket. They don't know much about it, but once they actually see the sport I think they will really enjoy it. So it's just about introducing people to the game."

At just 23, Perry is already a veteran of the side and, with the bulk of Australia's team under the age of 25, the Southern Stars look set to dominate women's cricket, particularly in the T20 format, for a while yet.

"That's certainly exciting for us and a really good challenge as well — to continue to progress our game and the way we play," Perry said.

"It's at an exciting time in terms of the developments that have been made and the progression that's continuing to happen."

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Jones misses target with first drive

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ALL Matt Jones has wanted to do since he took up golf at age six was drive down Magnolia Lane and play the Masters.

But in a hurried first appearance at his dream event after qualifying by winning the Houston Open just a day earlier, Jones took what turned into a comedic wrong turn.

"I didn't drive down (Magnolia Lane) — I had no idea where I was going, so I had to follow (Kevin) Stadler because I stayed with him last night," the Sydneysider said on Tuesday.

"He had to go to the caddie area, so I followed him … so I never drove down. I'll get to do that tomorrow," he joked.

It's been that sort of 24 hours for Jones, who was remarkably calm despite vaulting up to 41 in the world rankings with his win in Texas and into a venue he promised he'd never visit until he qualified — a feat he achieved with a remarkable chip-in from 35m in a playoff.

Jones celebrates with his caddie Scott McGuiness after chipping in for birdie in the Houston playoff. Source: AFP

"It's been a whirlwind. I finished (regulation play), chipped in, which I can remember actually, which is a good thing to remember," he said.

"Then I had to go do all the media and all the family and friends and talk to them.

"It's just been amazing trying to get in touch with everyone and get back to everyone from all the texts and phone calls I've had and emails.

"And now organising family and friends coming to town. It's going to be a great experience for the first time here."

Jones said his older brother Brett, who's based in New Jersey, would caddie during the par-three contest on Wednesday, while his parents, Vicki and Kevin, will today be midair en route to Georgia, along with a host of mates from his Arizona base.

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His manager did a ring-around on Sunday night (local time) to find a house that will accommodate them all for what will be an emotional reunion.

"My mum was crying and drinking champagne (after the win). It's been a long time coming for them. They have been through a lot," Jones said.

But away from the niceties of the moment, Jones is hell bent on not wasting his opportunity and arguably his most important guest will be long-time coach Gary Barter, the head coach at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney.

"The win was huge. But every time you tee it up to play golf is to win, and that's the same thing coming here," he said.

Jones is congratulated by former American President George Bush after his victory. Source: AP

"My goal is to win. I'm a rookie (here) and iIt doesn't happen too often, but I've been playing great and I'm playing against the same guys I do every week and I've beaten them before — it'll be a good week.

"I've been hitting the ball great for a long time. So ball striking's never been my issue and Gary is one of the best golf coaches no one would know of in the world.

"I put all my trust in him in the golf swing, what we have to do to get my game to the next level, and it's working."

"Gary comes over a lot now — six or seven times a year. And I'd actually like him to come more, but he has a family back in Australia."

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Jones laughed when asked whom he'd take advice off about his first couple of rounds at Augusta National.

"I'm going to play with Adam (defending champ Adam Scott) on Wednesday, so that's a pretty good person to take some advice from," he said before confirming a round today with 1982 champ Craig Stadler.

"I'm very excited to see the golf course … just to get out there and experience it and see Nos. 12, 13, 15, 16 — all those shots that you see on TV and hear people talk about.

"It's going to be pretty cool to get out there and hit the shot myself."

Begins April 11 at 4.45am EST on FOX SPORTS 3HD & 3 with 4 additional channels offered through the Red Button.

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Back up fast, Ellison tells Rebels

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TAMATI Ellison has urged Melbourne to quickly learn from its mistakes as the Rebels prepare to challenge the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday night.

The All Black centre lamented Melbourne's sloppy execution in its 33-30 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday.

A quiet but highly influential member of the Rebels' backs, Ellison approaches every match believing victory is possible.

And while toppling the defending Super Rugby champion at home is a huge assignment, Ellison has told teammates to use the bitter lessons from last week as a spur.

"I think it depends how you use it (failure)," he said.

"If you let it break you, it probably will.

"If you go back and get stuck in the game and think about it for weeks and weeks, it will help you.

Ellison offloads the ball during a Rebels training session at Visy Park. Source: Getty Images

"We can learn from our mistakes and work on getting it right.

"That's all you can do. You have only five or six days and the Chiefs aren't a bad side are they?

"We've got to get on for the next team but before you do that, you've got to get your own things right.

"We need to get things right as a team and individually and there's not much time."

Melbourne suffered from its inability to exit cleanly from its defensive zone because of shoddy kicking.

The Highlanders hammered Melbourne — sometimes dubiously — as the Rebels tried to clear their own half.

Bryce Hegarty was concussed only two minutes into the match, while Stirzaker was illegally tackled by Kurt Baker at the ruck.

Baker was suspended for six weeks after being found guilty of foul play.

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Melbourne coach Tony McGahan expects a sharp improvement in kicking against the Chiefs after several attempts against the Highlanders ended in conceded points.

While the Rebels have an injury depleted list, the Chiefs also have their own problems with Aaron Cruden out for eight weeks with a broken thumb.

"He's started every game for us since 2012 so he's been a big part of our success and you do miss players like that because they're world class, but we're fortunate we have depth in that position and we're keen to give Gareth Anscombe a run," Chiefs' coach David Rennie said.

Winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma (knee) is also unavailable along with Robbie Fruean, Robbie Robertson, Charlie Ngatai and James Lowe.

"We get used to playing with certain players out, and others have to stand up and front for us, but there is no reason we can't go out with a competitive side and get the job done," Rennie said.

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Moore won’t underestimate wounded Reds

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BRUMBIES hooker Stephen Moore says his side will need to match the hunger of an increasingly desperate Queensland on Friday, with the Reds' season — and some players' careers — potentially on the line in Brisbane.

Following a week on the sidelines with a knee injury, Moore will return to the Brumbies side to take on a Reds team treading water in 11th spot after just three wins from seven games.

The straight-talking Moore cited the words of Reds players on Tuesday in addressing the danger of the wounded Queenslanders, who fell to the Force at the weekend by three points.

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"They are clearly pretty desperate after their loss and they have said openly their season is on the line this Friday," Moore said.

"So we will expect that kind of desperation. It will take nothing less than our best to win."

Losing at home last week also prompted Reds CEO Jim Carmichael to issue a general warning to the squad that the glory days of 2011 are long-forgotten.

"Every player we expect to play to their pay grade every week," Carmichael said.

Moore said these comments would only add to the Queensland fire.

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"Their CEO has made some remarks this week in the press about the playing stocks and that will no doubt add to their motivation as players, as it would," Moore said.

We need to make sure our desperation matches theirs."

Queensland suffered a blow with news Lachie Turner will be sidelined for five weeks after requiring surgery on his ankle.

The Brumbies also welcome back Scott Sio but will require either Tom Staniforth or Jack Whetton to step into the second row for an injured Sam Carter.

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Bledisloe ceasefire set for centenary

Israel Folau would be a great chance to play fullback in a Anzac XV against the British Lions. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

ASSEMBLING a star-studded Anzac XV to set Suncorp Stadium abuzz next year has trans-Tasman backing to commemorate the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign.

Queensland Sports Minister Steve Dickson and Martin Welsh, New Zealand's Consul-General to Australia, are both avid backers of turning this worthy idea into a rugby union showpiece to honour the birth of the proud Anzac tradition.

The mouth-watering concept of Will Genia, Israel Folau, Sonny Bill Williams and Dan Carter linking in the same backline behind a pack uniting Richie McCaw and James Horwill to play the British and Irish Lions is no longer in the too-hard basket.

"Let's make it happen. There is not one breathing Australian or New Zealander who wouldn't want to represent our forefathers and pay back that memory,'' Dickson said on Tuesday.

"It is the reason we are here today as nations.''

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Former Australian Rugby Union supremo John O'Neill last year called for a one-off blockbuster between an Anzac XV and the Lions at Twickenham next November, when all players could be brought together in London after the Rugby World Cup.

Welsh put the idea of a formidable Wallabies-All Blacks coalition to Dickson at a Parliamentary function in Brisbane last week when the epic reach of the concept was hypothetically broadened to Auckland, Brisbane and London.

"I couldn't be more excited,'' Dickson said. "What was a 100-1 dream quickly became a 66-1 shot and I now feel there is a great concept ready to go for rugby to pursue with our support.

"Australia and NZ are on side with it which is a big start.

Long-time foes Australia and New Zealand would become teammates in the proposed Anzac XV. Source: News Limited

"Martin said the idea was born in Queensland and that's where the Anzac XV should play. We'd fill Suncorp Stadium 10 times over.''

Dickson revealed he spoke late last week with ARU chief executive Bill Pulver and Queensland's Federal Sports Minister Peter Dutton.

"Bill Pulver thinks it is an excellent concept and Peter Dutton said he'd love to see it happen,'' Dickson said.

Pulver has already forecast a multi-million dollar loss for the ARU next year because of the truncated home Test program in a World Cup year.

A new June 2015 blockbuster makes great financial sense but the historic significance of the code honouring the fallen at Gallipoli is more compelling.

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Dave Gallaher, captain of the first NZ side to be known as the All Blacks in 1905, was among more than 100 rugby internationals who died during World War I while many, like Wallabies great Tom Richards, had their lives shortened by the lingering effects of poison gas and war wounds.

It is implausible that the Lions would assemble for an unscheduled one-game visit next year so a World XV replicating the top talent picked for a one-off match in Cape Town against South Africa on June 7 would be the option for Suncorp Stadium next year.

The Lions only play as a touring entity but assembling for a one-off game at Twickenham against the Anzacs after the World Cup would be a wonderful commemoration.

Suncorp Stadium last year cracked the 10 million patrons milestone since the redeveloped venue opened in 2003.

POSSIBLE ANZAC TEAM FOR 2015

Israel Folau (Aus), Julian Savea (NZ), Conrad Smith (NZ), Sonny Bill Williams (NZ), Ben Smith (NZ), Dan Carter (NZ), Will Genia (Aus), Kieran Read (NZ), Richie McCaw (c, NZ), Scott Higginbotham (Aus), James Horwill (Aus), Sam Whitelock (NZ), Tony Woodcock (NZ), Stephen Moore (Aus), Owen Franks (NZ).

Reserves: Keven Mealamu (NZ), James Slipper (Aus), Charlie Faumuina (NZ), Rob Simmons (Aus), Michael Hooper (Aus), Quade Cooper (Aus), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Aus), Aaron Smith (NZ).

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Reds happy to play Mogg mind games

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THE Reds have ignited a calculated plan to ruffle ACT Brumbies game-breaker Jesse Mogg by calling him out as a top target on Friday night.

The Queenslanders are rarely so overt with their mind games, yet they have hit a desperation point with this must-win meeting at Suncorp Stadium.

Both coach Richard Graham and senior figure Will Genia on Monday rolled the dice on finding a decisive chink in Mogg's game for a second time.

At his dynamic best, fullback Mogg is the weapon who scored a try, scythed through eight tackles, made 11 runs and was error-free against the Hurricanes.

The Mogg whom the Reds want to deal with, is the non-factor whose composure was rattled even before his late multi-fumble in Canberra on February 22.

He botched a kick pick-up on his own tryline which gifted a game-clinching try to the Queenslanders.

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"It worked in the first round, so it's no secret we're going to make sure we put pressure on him again," halfback Genia said.

Added Graham: "He's a guy with enormous influence with his speed and his kick so you have to try to apply it."

Mogg, a Brisbane product, shrugged off the extra attention by saying the Brumbies were vastly improved since their 10-point loss in Canberra.

"If sides say they are going to pressure you, it's no more than anyone else in this comp," Mogg shrugged.

"A lot of the Brumbies game is based on being a team rather than relying on an individual doing something brilliant so we have plenty of outlets to go to.

Mogg says the Brumbies are vastly improved since losing to the Reds by 10 points earlier this season. Source: Getty Images

"Personally, I was disappointed with that last bit of the first game when I got caught up thinking what we needed to do to grab a win (from 20-17 down).

"You learn from a mistake like that to stay in the moment not get ahead of yourself.

"We've worked harder on a lot of things since that reality check and we're all looking forward to this great rivalry coming out again against the Reds."

While the Brumbies have kicked on to a new level over the past six weeks, the same cannot be said for the Reds with their chequered displays.

Genia called the season "stuttering" but one still full of ambition and confidence.

For the first time, Genia admitted the Reds method of attack had been tweaked because of the loss of line-busting impact runners Scott Higginbotham, Radike Samo and Digby Ioane in recent seasons.

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"They are obviously players you do miss but we have a fabulous squad and it's about playing to the strengths that we have," Genia said.

"If you don't have the players we once did to bend the line, it's more about multiphase and building pressure that way to score through mismatches and overlaps and forcing penalties.

"You can't rely on two or three individuals to bend the line for you. It's a group thing to take on and guys are going to have to put up their hands up to carry (more)."

This is the defining game of the season. Win it and the Reds will hit their bye with a 4-4 record and impetus to make a run at the play-offs.

"More than anything, this the big game for us this season so we've got to prepare well to win this game and stay alive in this competition," Genia said.

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Browning to come out firing for Reds

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CURTIS Browning is set to be promoted so the Reds can hurl more running grunt from the backrow against the ACT Brumbies on Friday night.

The former Australian Under-20s captain has played just 51 minutes off the bench this season but his developing game is prized by the Reds camp.

The rookie's two bullocking runs in the pre-season trial against the Chiefs in Toowoomba have been too rarely replicated since by the Reds' first-choice backrowers.

Red-haired flanker Ed Quirk is likely to make way for Browning, 20, whose role for this crunch game must be designed around ball-running even if a little workrate is sacrificed.

Browning in full flight during Reds training on Monday. Source: News Corp Australia

Quirk has been a consistent performer in every area but ball-running, so the time is right to punt on finding some extra drive from the 108kg Browning.

Flanker Beau Robinson missed training at Ballymore on Monday with a gastro issue, so Browning, Schatz and Quirk ran in the top pack.

Chris Feauai-Sautia (hamstring) ran in the session, which points to a welcome wing recall against the Brumbies.

Ben Tapuai's best game of the season against the Western Force dictates that he stays at outside centre.

A repeat of the sharp footwork, clever grubber kick that Rod Davies didn't quite turn into a try and three line breaks would be gold against the Brumbies.

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Equally, Ben Lucas, at fullback, was ever-reliable as a busy presence who made every tackle and showed how much he always pours into every Reds cap.

Fox Sports Stats measured eight line breaks in all for the Reds in the loss to the Force, which is more than enough to win most games.

"A wrong option on whether to pass or carry the ball, not finishing as well as we can … we're stuttering," halfback Will Genia said.

"We'll get a big flow-on effect through our whole game when we nail those things as we must."

Key Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore (knee) is fit to return on Friday night.

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Link’s bold plan for Wallaby trial

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EWEN McKenzie is planning an inter-squad game next year during the Wallabies' World Cup preparations, with the country's best players to face off for national jerseys.

The plan is in its infancy, although McKenzie said it would be different to the All Blacks' Probables vs Possibles matches of the past.

"Possibles versus probables? I've got a few ideas about next year, about how that might work with the way the season might pan out with Super Rugby running straight through and then the Test matches," McKenzie told the Daily Telegraph.

"I think there's some windows of opportunity there to do things a little bit differently.

"I have had a look at that, maybe not in that context but seeing more players play in different environments.

"The World Cup year has a different calendar so it allows us different opportunities, so I've definitely got ideas for next year, but this year it's impossible with the way the calendar is structured."

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Given the Wallabies play France in three Tests in June, go back for the Super Rugby finals, then play in The Rugby Championship before embarking on an end of year tour to the United Kingdom, McKenzie has no need to conduct a face-off match this year.

"We saw the issues last year with the Lions, trying to get Test matches and other games in there and the way Super Rugby was torn into a different timetable," McKenzie said.

"One of my learnings from last year was when the Brumbies came in to that week before the Bledisloe, after the final and all that travel, they were pretty bushwhacked.

"So we need to be mindful of that.

"It's hard to add more games in there, they actually play a full whack now.

"In terms of this year I don't think I'll need it, but as we go through and when everyone is focused on the World Cup and we try to find ways to find out where everyone is up to, I've definitely got thoughts about doing something in that space.

"I wouldn't call it Possibles vs Probables, I do have views about that but they're not developed enough yet to talk about."

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Given the ARU's financial problems, selling the match to a broadcaster could be a lucrative proposition.

Not since McKenzie's predecessor Robbie Deans held an inter-squad match in 2009 at Riverview have the Wallabies held such a trial, largely due to the high volume of Super Rugby and Test matches packing the calendar.

But with no inbound Tests next year and a gap between the Super Rugby season and the Test campaigns, the Wallaby face-off would be valuable for players to get match-hardened and stake a claim for a starting place.

In a mouth-watering teaser to how the game might look, there are several key match-ups this weekend between rival Wallabies players, including Quade Cooper versus Matt Toomua when Queensland host the Brumbies on Friday, and Wycliff Palu versus Ben McCalman when NSW takes on Western Force on Saturday.

The Waratahs flew utility back Ben Volavola to join them in Perth yesterday, having lost wingers Peter Betham (broken left foot) and Alofa Alofa (right knee medial strain).

NSW expects star fullback Israel Folau to play against the Force after a two-week absence due to a swollen throat.

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