Rampant Roar silences toothless Lions

Henrique De Silva of the Roar gets his side on the board in Perth. Source: Paul Kane / Getty Images

BRISBANE Roar has cruised into the last 16 of the FFA Cup with a 4-0 thrashing of Stirling Lions in Perth.

The A-League champions withstood some early pressure from the NPL Western Australia outfit before taking complete control of the contest.

Departed striker Besart Berisha wasn't missed as a Roar side minus a handful of regulars, including midfield trio Luke Brattan, Matt McKay and Liam Miller, strolled to victory in front of 1152 spectators at the Western Australia Athletics Stadium.

Brazilian livewire Henrique opened the scoring after half an hour with a clever bicycle kick from close range after the Lions defence had cleared a goal-bound header off the line.

Brisbane Roar turned on the style in a big win over the Lions. Source: Getty Images

The visitors doubled their lead about 10 minutes into the second half through Corey Brown, who was playing in an attacking role on the left rather than his usual fullback position.

Brisbane skipper Matt Smith further increased Brisbane's advantage in the 63rd minute when he headed home a pinpoint cross from Roar marquee man Thomas Broich.

Five minutes later it was 4-0, with substitute Jean Carlos Solorzano, who had earlier come on for Henrique, found the back of the net when he was first to the rebound after a Dimitri Petratos free-kick struck the post.

Henrique De Silva of the Roar opened the scoring for the visitors in Perth. Source: Getty Images

Petratos had also been denied by the woodwork in the first half when an intended cross crashed into the post with Stirling goalkeeper Aleks Vrteski well beaten.

The Lions were also frustrated by the post in the 11th minute, when Hayden Doyle's powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area had proved too good for Roar gloveman Michael Theo.

But that was as close as Stirling got to scoring as the Roar were rarely tested by the second-tier opposition despite the odd threat from Lions striker Moses Kalau.

It was a good night for Queensland teams, with Palm Beach Sharks having earlier also progressed to the last 16 of the FFA Cup with a 2-1 away win over Hakaoh Sydney City East.

The round of 16 draw will take place on Friday.

Re-live the action from Roar's big victory at our blog.

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Hackett out of darkness to inspire Aussies

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A SURPRISE dinner with former captain Grant Hackett is set to inspire the Australian swim team to confront the might of the US and prove their Commonwealth Games success was no one-hit wonder.

With his life back on track after a stint in rehab in the US for sleeping tablet addiction, Hackett made a surprise appearance when ex-swimmers mingled with the present team at a gathering organised by former Olympian Andrew Baildon in his home on Monday evening.

Hackett had not been near the swim team since his well-publicised personal battles emerged at the start of 2014 but the current stars were delighted at his presence as they prepare to face world No.1 US at the Pan Pacs on the Gold Coast tomorrow.

"Hacky is great, he is a superstar in and out of the pool," team leader Cate Campbell said.

"He is so supportive and has been an integral part of the team for so many years.

"I think having him back on board is great, we can learn so much from him and he is a real inspiration to all of us."

Rising distance star Mack Horton said he'd taken great optimism out of his chat with Hackett, with the two-times Olympic champ offering confidence that distance swimmers can repeat performances at successive major events as the team prepares to race just three weeks after the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

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"He was telling me how he always felt the second meet was his strongest so that gave me confidence in backing up at a second meet a couple weeks later so that should be good," Horton said.

At the last Pan Pacs in 2010 Australia finished with a medal tally of four gold, 12 silver and 10 bronze medals as the US romped to a comprehensive 26-15-7 victory.

Based on world rankings in 2014, Australia can expect anywhere from five to eight gold medals in the pool this week.

Head coach Jacco Verhaeren warned Australia needed to be wary of Japan who has become an emerging superpower in the pool and a nation capable of taking second place on the medal tally from Australia.

"Since arriving in Australia I sense there is a lot of talk about USA but the world is bigger than USA, there is Japan here with world-class athletes in the water," Verhaeren said.

"There are world-class athletes everywhere in the world and we can measure ourselves all the time, virtually or in the race and this week we are racing USA and Japan.

"The goal is going to be exactly the same, it's to race to the best of our abilities, maximise performance and take up the challenge.

"It's no more or no less (important) than the Commonwealth Games."

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Young guns named in 22Under22 squad

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ESSENDON midfielder Dyson Heppell is among a host of young AFL stars selected in the AFL Players' Association 22Under22 squad.

22Under22 was created in 2013. Source: Supplied

Heppell was named the captain of the 2013 22Under22 team and one of 11 players from the inaugural team selected in this year's squad.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL SQUAD

"It was a real honour getting selected in that side. There were some fantastic players from across the league picked in (last year's) team and I think it's a fantastic initiative from the Players' Association to have a 22Under22 side," Heppell said.

MORE: THE RISE AND RISE OF DYSON HEPPELL

The squad was selected by the nine-member AFL Players' board, led by president Luke Ball, and fans have the opportunity to decide the final 22 by voting via Facebook and Twitter.

TO SUBMIT YOUR 2014 AFL PLAYERS 22UNDER22 TEAM VISIT THE AFL PLAYERS FACEBOOK OR CLICK HERE

To be eligible players must be 22 years old or under for the entire 2014 season and Ball believes this concept acknowledges the standing of young players in the competition.

"Players that have managed to have a consistent impact on the competition at such a young age should be duly recognised," Ball said.

Every club has a nominee in the preliminary squad, with Gold Coast leading the way with eight.

Fremantle, Geelong, Sydney, Carlton, Melbourne, West Coast and Richmond have just one.

2013 22Under22 captain Dyson Heppell with vice-captain Jack Ziebell. Source: Supplied

Western Bulldog Marcus Bontempelli and Brisbane Lion Lewis Taylor are among eight first-year players in the squad.

Heppell endorsed the fans ability to decide the final team by voting via social media.

"I think it's fantastic (to see fans getting involved) — there are a lot of fans that watch the game quite intently and it was a good spread of players, from across a lot of different sides, in the team last year. It was great to see a lot of fans interacting with the concept."

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE 2013 22UNDER22 TEAM

When selecting their teams fans must choose seven defenders, seven forwards, seven midfielders and one ruck in their 22Under22 team.

The final team will be announced at the AFL Players' MVP awards night on Tuesday, September 9.

The fan whose team best matches the 2014 22Under22 team will win a prize pack including a limited edition 22Under22 jumper, New Era hat and set of select trading cards, all signed by the 22Under22 captain.

Daniel Talia is one of 18 defenders in the 22Under22 squad of 45. Pic: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

DEFENDERS

Brodie Smith (ADE)

Daniel Talia (ADE)

Jack Hombsch (PA)

Shaun Atley (NM)

Ryan Lester (BL)

Tom Langdon (COL)

Steven May (GC)

Trent McKenzie (GC)

Kade Kolodjashnij (GC)

Luke McDonald (NM)

Jack Newnes (STK)

Jarman Impey (PA)

Brandon Ellis is on track for his second 22Under22 selection. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

MIDFIELDERS

Adam Treloar (GWS)

Dyson Heppell (ESS)

Dion Prestia (GC)

Jaeger O'Meara (GC)

David Swallow (GC)

Jackson Macrae (WB)

Brandon Ellis (RIC)

Ollie Wines (PA)

Luke Parker (SYD)

Tom Liberatore (WB)

Dom Tyson (MEL)

Luke Dahlhaus (WB)

Lachie Neale (FRE)

Brad Hill (HAW)

Jared Polec (PA)

Cam Guthrie (GEE)

James Aish (BL)

Harry Cunningham (SYD)

RUCKS

Billy Longer (STK)

Jarrod Witts (COL)

Rising Star favourite Marcus Bontempelli is one of four Western Bulldogs in the squad. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

FORWARDS

Chad Wingard (PA)

Jack Gunston (HAW)

Harley Bennell (GC)

Jamie Elliott (COL)

Jake Carlisle (ESS)

Jack Darling (WC)

Devon Smith (GWS)

Tom Lynch (GC)

Jack Billings (STK)

Marcus Bontempelli (WB)

Jeremy Cameron (GWS)

Lewis Taylor (BL)

Troy Menzel (CAR)

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AIS runs with bid for footy players

AIS boss Matt Favier has a plan to convert NRL and AFL prospects into Olympic medallists. Source: News Limited

THE Australian Institute of Sport has sharpened its arrows in an aggressive bid to convert NRL and AFL prospects into Olympic medallists.

In what Matt Shirvington calls a "warning shot" to the major football codes, the second intake of the AIS Sports Draft will target potential athletics champions.

While former junior track and field prospects, NRL players Jarryd Hayne Hayne and Jamal Idris have been lost to the sport, Shirvington believes Olympic disciplines boast an incentive that money cannot buy.

"Becoming an Olympian is still a very big carrot," the Olympian and former 100m national record holder said.

"I'd love to see a Jarryd Hayne back doing hurdles or Jamal Idris back throwing the javelin.

"This is a warning shot but the most important thing is that it's opening up a pathway to Olympic sports that was not previously there."

Almost a year after the AIS held a draft targeting recruits for combat sports, it has announced the next round of testing aims to unearth medallists in athletics, cycling, rugby sevens, hockey, paddling sports and para sports.

The draft, which is an initiative from Australia's Winning Edge game plan, is looking for expressions of interest from athletes aged from 15 to 26.

Its aim is to convert athletes from different sporting backgrounds with a view to deepening the talent pool and ultimately winning Olympic medals.

AIS director Matt Favier said this intake would focus on speed, power and agility.

He believes Australian rules, rugby league and rugby union footballers can be introduced to athletics as sprinters or middle distance runners.

"The 400m (is an event) where you can identify raw talent," Favier said.

"It's an entry point and potentially a great platform."

Australia did not have an individual entrant in the men's 100m at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, a sign our male 100m and 200m sprinters are not globally competitive, according to Shirvington.

The AIS Sports Draft has the means to identify a raw speed machine from the football ranks and find a home for that athlete in athletics or cycling.

Melbourne teenager Dylan Anderson was yesterday presented as an example of why the Australian Sports Commission believes the program will work.

Anderson, 19, was a promising Australian rules footballer and schoolboy rower before entering last year's draft and coming out the other side in judo.

The rookie has already won several medals at major domestic competitions.

Those who make it through selection trials will be offered 12 months of high-performance coaching.

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