Shattered Watson quits tour

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Stood down ... Shane Watson didn't meet team guidelines. Source: Rick Rycroft / AP

Australia's selection crisis took an extraordinary twist tonight with Shane Watson quitting the tour to be with his pregnant wife in the wake of his sacking for the third Test.

In one of the most dramatic days in Australian cricket history, coach Mickey Arthur dropped a bombshell on the team by dumping Watson, Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson and Usman Khawaja for breaching team discipline.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The quartet were stood down from selection for one match for failing to take part in a peer review of the side's dismal performance in the second Test.

But the team was rocked by a second ruction late tonight, with vice-captain Watson deciding to leave India to be with wife Lee, who is heavily pregnant and due to give birth.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

It is unknown if Watson's sacking was the driving force behind the decision but coach Mickey Arthur said yesterday he was left shattered when informed of his demotion by Australian hierarchy.

Shane Watson exits the team hotel. Source: News Limited

The departure of Watson is a savage blow to the Australian team and could have huge ramifications for his future as vice-captain.

In a landmark day for Australian cricket, coach Mickey Arthur revealed the quartet have been stood down for one match for not taking part in a written review following the side's heavy innings defeat in the second Test.

The 16-man touring party was asked to complete a personal review of the team's culture and expectations and the improvements needed to be made for the third Test starting Thursday.

Arthur said Watson, Pattinson, Khawaja and Johnson had failed to submit a personal analysis - prompting team hierarchy to immediately rule the group out for the Test in Mohali.

The coach said the quartet are "gutted". He added it was the toughest day of his coaching career, but a step necessary in his goal to make Australia's the No.1 Test side in world cricket.

While the contingent will be considered for the fourth Test in Delhi, Arthur said the decision was a "line in the sand" for Australian cricket.

The fallout is particularly severe for Watson, who is the Australian vice-captain and has been under pressure after a dismal run of form at Test level in the past 18 months.

Arthur said that after going two down in the series the team was "really hurting."

"We were discussing ways to get back in the series. I asked the players to give me a presentation individually.

"I wanted three points from them - technically, mentally and team - as to  how we were going to get back into the series.

"Unfortunately four players did not comply with that.

"We pride ourselves on attitude - we have given the players a huge amount of latitude to get culture and attitude right. 

"We believe those behaviours were not consistent with what we want to do with this team, how we want to take this team to be the best in the world.

"The teams that are best in the world have best attitudes, have best behaviour patterns and have a good hard ruthless culture."

Pattinson is Australia's leading wicket-taker in the series with eight wickets at 23.62. Watson has scored 77 runs at 19.25.

Former Australian captain Allan Border said he was surprised the players had been axed for the reasons given  and labelled the decision as an "over the top reaction".

"It seems a bit of a strong measure for a coach or captain to take," Border told Fox Sports News.

"I'm surprised that's the penalty for something so mundane. It seems like it was on a schoolboy tour or something. It's an over the top reaction.

"I haven't seen anything quite like this - there have been players stood down for bad behaviour or breaking curfews but something like this where you have basically refused to fill out a performance review, it's the first time I've ever heard of it."

"I'm stunned," said former Test player Mark Waugh. "I just want to know what would have happened if eight of the guys hadn't filled in the form, we wouldn't have a team for the game.

"I've never heard of this sort of thing before at top level in any sport.

"When you are losing there are niggling things there but they're grown men, it's not school boy stuff. It's not under 6s, this is Test cricket… there would have been a better way." 

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Reds shatter Heart's finals hopes

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Teetering ... Melbourne Heart look unlikey to make the finals after losing to Adelaide. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Adelaide United have all but locked in a home A-League final and left Melbourne Heart's top-six chances creaking with a 2-0 win at AAMI Park on Monday night.

Dario Vidosic's first-half penalty and a second-half goal to winger Iain Ramsay snapped the Reds' indifferent form and Heart's good home run.

The victory lifts Adelaide nine points clear of fifth place with three matches remaining, with the third and fourth-placed sides at the end of the A-League regular season guaranteed home finals.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Western Sydney	24	16	2	6	15	50
2	Central Coast	24	13	6	5	22	45
3	Victory	24	12	4	8	3	40
4	Adelaide	24	12	3	9	3	39
5	Sydney	24	9	3	12	-8	30
6	Newcastle	25	8	6	11	-12	30
7	Brisbane	24	8	5	11	1	29
8	Perth	24	8	4	12	-2	28
9	Heart	24	8	3	13	-4	27
10	Wellington	25	6	6	13	-18	24

But Heart now slide to second-bottom after other weekend results went against them, though they are just a win out of the top six in the closely congested battle to make the playoffs.

In front of a crowd of just over 5,000, Heart were left to rue some missed early first-half chances.

Midfielder Nick Kalmar had three good attempts in three minutes and Reds goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic was forced into two outstanding saves.

Adelaide United coach Mike Valkanis was thrilled with his side's whole-hearted victory after several weeks of inconsistency.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"We've had our ups and downs in form and we spoke about it during the week that we have to flick the switch on, and keep it on," Valkanis said.

"We can't keep thinking that we've got games in front of us and we'll be playing finals.

"It was a good professional performance."

Heart coach John Aloisi admitted the defeat would make it difficult for his side to make the playoffs, and felt they should have made Adelaide pay early when they had the chances.

---

Re-live all the action from the Reds' convincing win at our A-League Match Centre, with video highlights and all the stats you need.

---

"It's still close. We've still got a chance of making the six. We just have to believe that we can," Aloisi said.

"We've made it hard for ourselves. We should have punished them. Three great chances ... and they weren't causing us problems.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"Then they got the penalty and we struggled. They were better than us after that."

Heart now need maximum points from Saturday's home match against table-topping Western Sydney Wanderers to re-ignite their top-six challenge.

The Reds face a quick turnaround to host Newcastle Jets on Friday night at Hindmarsh Stadium.
 

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Are you not entertained NRL fans?'

Set of Six ... Cronulla complete emotional victory over Gold Coast. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

'Are you not entertained?' Russell Crowe's Rabbitohs thumped their fierce rival; the Hayne Plane soared with his little co-pilot, Chrissy Sandow, steering the craft; and Jonathan Thurston re-signed with the Cowboys on a small five-year wage.

1st tackle

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

So, yes - game one, round one. Good to have the grand old girl back, isn't it? You sports bet it is.

On Thursday night, giant thick swadges of humanity filled Allianz near to the brim and were entertained as if Russell Crowe had asked, "Are you not entertained?"

Oh yes, Rusty! Yes! The Rabbitohs looked strong. And big. When they trot out, all four of these great thundering Burgess boys will shake cities.

On the back of punishing, hard-boned hit-ups, Souths' backs had pill on the hop and space to complete, repeat, and torch the Roosters out wide, with winger Nathan Merritt adding a hat-trick to his club record 42,278 tries.

With the big yins rumbling, five-eighth John Sutton found holes, Adam Reynolds found support, and Greg Inglis found the Chooks defence to his liking.

At 105 kegs with pace, footwork and the mother-of-all fends, there's no harder player to bring down than great big GI. Certainly the Chooks struggled. And they were plucked like their sponsor's product.

2nd tackle 

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Had a yarn with the great Joseph Johns the other day, talking shop about rugby league for Rugby League Week, and he reckoned Jonathan Thurston was a player he'd pay to see (y'know, if Joey was ever made to pay to get in).

"The bigger the stage, the better he plays," said Johns. "Everyone knows what he's going to do. And everyone works on it all week at training. But it's one thing knowing and another thing stopping it."

As the Dogs found out on Saturday night when Thurston's simple, lethal dummy carved them like mum's Sunday roast.

Thurston is a master liar in body language and it's little wonder the Cows opened many vaults to keep him.

Behind a pack of monsters rumbling forward and support from Mango Matt and Neckbrace Brent, Thurston can win the Cows the comp.

3rd tackle 

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Next time you're listening to a windbag at work holding court about who's going to win this weekend (or, er, reading one), remember this: they're probably half-right. Knowing which half is the trick to wiping the smile off old smiley, Glenn Munsie.

Again the NRL looks harder to predict than a maiden at Moe.

Sure – it's round one and form lines should sort themselves out. But you could study team lists and trial form, motives and motivation, speak to punters, bookies, players, journos, coaches and sundry officials, and consult the entrails of a thousand Bogong moths, and still come up with, as I did, "Canberra by 12" and "Warriors by 18", tips so wrong as to be nearly illegal.

No wonder old mate Muns looks happy reading odds on the telly. Each time he opens his mouth in floods a river of gold.

4th tackle 

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Whatever form of transport Jarryd Hayne chooses to shape-shift into - Plane? Train? Hybrid Flying Caboose? - it's safe to say this: when Hayne is humming, rugby league is a happy place.

Taking the ball on the balls of his bouncing feet he makes people sit forward in their seat. What's he gonna do?

That is a fun footballer. And if he can sneak up on some of the form that made the end of 2009 so freaky – and if his little mate Chrissy Sandow can bounce about like Zebedee the Spring – the Eels will win more than lose.

Yes, yes, yes – mighty big "Ifs" in a long season. And Eels' supporters have been hurt before. Still, you don't mind winning your first game by 30 points, not no how.

5th tackle 

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Vision of Peter Sharp addressing the Sharks at half-time stuck in the craw like a mangled macaw.

Good fellah, Sharpy, they say. But this is Shane Flanno's team. These are his boys.

When Paul Gallen took over for his captain's address, there was a resignation about him. Even a sadness.

(Could just be me.) But in the post-game presser he looked haggard, drawn, and not because of 80 minutes rough-n-tumble.

As Gallen said: the game was the easiest thing he did all week. The game? The Sharks played rock-hard footy against committed Titans, and the Shire folk leapt about like happy trout. And the team felt the love. But is love enough? Can love find a way? Can the Sharks pull themselves from this abyss on pure goodwill?

These hard-eye emissaries of ASADA and the Crime Commission are not given to sentiment. They talk goodies and baddies and busts. Player X took Substance Y? Book him, Danno. And if you're on the wrong side of their ledger, they'll hunt you like Mounties. So, good luck, Shark People. You're gonna need it.

Last tackle 

After a "summer" of cricket longer than a verbal retelling of the Hundred Years War, how good is it having footy on the telly every night of the week bar two? As good as Brazilian gold bullion, friend. That good. Then the other two nights you can watch people gibbering about it. Good times.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ioane pays price for misdeeds

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Banned ... Digby Ioane will sit out the Reds next game. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Past misdemeanours have come back to haunt Digby Ioane as the Queensland Reds on Monday sought to improve a flagging team culture by axing the Wallabies winger for one match.

Despite being the Reds' second best player this season, behind flanker Liam Gill, Ioane has been stood down for Saturday night's Super Rugby clash with the Western Force following an incident in a Melbourne hotel on the weekend.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Victorian police are still investigating an alleged assault following an altercation between Ioane's older brother and another patron in a Prahran hotel on Saturday afternoon.

But the Queensland Rugby Union have been quick to act and send a strong message ahead of any police findings after being unhappy with a continued slip in standards expected at Ballymore.

"We're taking a stand at this point in time that this type of behaviour is not what we're about," said Reds director of coaching Ewen McKenzie.

"This isn't just a message to Digby but to all our players about what we think is acceptable and what isn't.

"It's irrelevant of what's going in terms of the police investigation. It's how we want to be seen in the rugby community and how our young players see our senior players."

The pub incident took place the same day Reds teammate Quade Cooper posted a picture of him, Ioane, James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale as well as Hawthorn star Lance Franklin and other bare-chested men in gangster-style poses in a spa on a Melbourne rooftop.

QRU chief executive Jim Carmichael and McKenzie were both unhappy about how it represented their code.

A role model for other young Polynesians at the Reds, Ioane's been guilty of letting his behaviour lapse before the weekend, and has persisted in playing a mug lair in public.

"There's been bits of things over the years and there's always a cumulative impact," McKenzie admitted when asked whether the 27-year-old had been guilty of other misdeeds. "But it's subtle things and we know how we want to be perceived.

"Our culture is very important to us.

"Sport is about culture as much as anything.

"There's been lots of things over time, and lots of players, and we've got to this point in time that enough's enough.

"We've taken a stand ... and this type of stuff has to stop."

Queensland normally have ample depth in their outside back division to replace the tackle-shedding Ioane against the Force but they're also missing another Wallabies flyer Dom Shipperley, who injured his back in the 23-13 win over the Melbourne Rebels, as well as Rod Davies (hamstring).

Teenager Chris Feauai-Sautia and one-cap Wallaby Luke Morahan, dropped from the 22 to play the Rebels, are now set to start on the wings.

In good news for the Reds, Wallabies halfback Will Genia will make his long-awaited return from a knee reconstruction on Saturday night and captain James Horwill (ankle) is on track to play the following week against the Bulls.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Noddy's Weekend Wash Up

Smiling assassins ... Chris Sandow and Parramatta Eels. Source: Renee McKay / AAP

In his new weekly column, Fox Sports expert and Canberra assistant coach Brett Kimmorley offers his thoughts and predictions for round one of the 2013 NRL Premiership season.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Allianz Stadium

The opening 15 minutes was an aggressive period and gave us all an insight into the future of the Roosters under new coach Trent Robinson. South Sydney has picked up from where they left off last season and won the battle of the forwards which ultimately won the game. The Burgess Brothers and Roy Asotasi laid the platform for Adam Reynolds and Greg Inglis to carve the Roosters to pieces. Inglis set up two tries for Merritt with two of the best cut out passes I have seen in a long time. They like to play the right to left shift with Inglis chiming in around the back and that pet-play sealed the game.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Brisbane Broncos v Manly Sea Eagles, Suncorp Stadium

The first 40 minutes of Friday's match showed Scott Prince and Peter Wallace are building a nice partnership but when the game needed to be aggressive and someone had to stand-up, it was Manly who took control. I thought the game was on the line around the 50 minute mark and Manly upped the tempo with Brent Kite leading the way, while Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran ran the football at Prince's edge testing the veteran's defence. Ultimately the halves were the difference. Being able to create something out of nothing and getting rewards, the Sea Eagles are only going to get stronger when Glenn Stewart and Jason King return to the side.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Parramatta Eels vs Warriors, Parramatta Stadium

If you make Jarryd Hayne happy the rest of the team is probably going to be happy. This is a philosophy I believe Ricky Stuart will be working by this season. I can't recall the last the last time Hayne had such a big smile on his face. He genuinely looked as if he was enjoying himself and "The Plane" soared. The same can be said for Chris Sandow.  Sandow looked relaxed Sandow and as if he has found the spark he was missing last year. Sandow showed maturity, calmness and clear direction while the Warriors finished the start of the season the same way they finished last year. The Eels exposed the Warriors weaknesses through the forwards and on the edges. It's something we will see a lot of in a Ricky Stuart game plan.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs North Queensland Cowboys

The Bulldogs were always going to play a similar style to that of last season but without Ben Barba, Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard and James Graham they suffered. The absence of their ball-playing forwards hurt them while last season a chunk of their tries were long range plays involving Barba. Without him they lacked spark, although they put in a gutsy effort with plenty of their young players stepping up. For the Cowboys, the inclusion of English hooker Scott Moore only makes them more of a threat thanks to his running game. They have two outstanding Australian front rowers who eat up meters and showed just why the Cowboys are genuine contenders to win the competition.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Penrith Panthers vs Canberra Raiders, Centrebet Stadium

This wasn't a pretty game of football. Penrith were the more aggressive and enthusiastic of the two sides while neither team managed to create any real beautiful passages of play. Luke Walsh was magic with the boot for the Panthers while Tim Grant and Sam McKendry offered a lot in terms of second-phase play. It was a disappointing afternoon all round for Canberra who trialled well in the pre-season but early errors on a hot day hurt them. The difference was that Penrith gelled as a team. Too much time spent defending their line ultimately cruelled them in what I believe will be a wake-up call for the club.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Melbourne Storm vs St George Illawarra Dragons, AAMI Park

The differences in these two sides is the halves, hooker and fullback. The Dragons are lacking in this department as they trial new combinations. When they won the competition in 2010 they were defensively great. They are a great defensive unit but struggle to score points and that has been an issue for some time. The Storm is such a well drilled unit with class across the pitch. We haven't had back-to-back premiers in quite some time and they are already showing why it is going to be very hard for someone to take the trophy from them this season.

Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans, Sharks Stadium

I must congratulate the Cronulla fans for the atmosphere and support they created and that probably rallied them home in the end despite a valiant fight back from the Titans. The Titans halves showed a lot of promise and will continue to grow while Dave Taylor and Greg Bird looked very sharp and showed signs that better days are ahead for them. The game was full of emotion. They threw some good football at each other with cross field kicks to the right hand edge, the scoring play for both sides. The game didn't present a whole lot of scoring opportunities but it did go end-to-end which made for entertaining viewing. Todd Carney had a tremendous game in a limited pre-season thanks to an achillies injury. The Sharks new signings were very strong as was Wade Graham. It goes to show the confidence Shane Flanagan instilled in these players over the pre-season held up despite being thrown a thousand distractions.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Mentality' lost the Premiers Plate

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Fragile ... Central Coast have seen the Premiers' Plate slip from their grasp in recent weeks. Source: Dean Lewins / AAP

So, who is happy that there's a finals series now?

With Central Coast Wanderers five points adrift of the Western Sydney Wanderers' juggernaut, Graham Arnold's attention will likely have to turn to the A-League finals series – a format he hasn't been shy to criticise – for a shot at silverware this season.

Arnold declared the Premiers' Plate run and won after his side's loss to Sydney FC - the first time his Mariners side have lost back-to-back games since he joined the club – saying Wanderers have "two hands on the trophy".

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

His side's trough has coincided with the side's arduous AFC Champions League campaign and whispers questioning whether the side has the killer instinct to get the job done when the pressure is on.

All of a sudden, Arnold is also throwing the gauntlet down to his players, after a lethargic performance against Sydney FC – their second loss to the Sky Blues this term.

"Probably the biggest disappointment was we lost the fight, the battle. You'd think we'd want it more than Sydney, but that wasn't the case," Arnold said after the game.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Western Sydney	24	16	2	6	15	50
2	Central Coast	24	13	6	5	22	45
3	Victory	24	12	4	8	3	40
4	Adelaide	23	11	3	9	1	36
5	Sydney	24	9	3	12	-8	30
6	Newcastle	25	8	6	11	-12	30
7	Brisbane	24	8	5	11	1	29
8	Perth	24	8	4	12	-2	28
9	Heart	23	8	3	12	-2	27
10	Wellington	25	6	6	13	-18	24

"Sydney really turned up ... their home record is extremely strong.

"If anything, I'm just disappointed by the lack of leadership from senior players in those types of games, and situations."

It's been well-documented that the Mariners are the competition's perennial Mr Consistent, but who haven't got the grand final silverware to go with it. Arnold has been a vocal advocate of the Premiers Plate being the No.1 prize in Australian football – but this year, that even looks like slipping from their grasp after setting the pace for so long this season.

Is it physical? Is it mental? Is the Champions League an excuse?

"There's two sides to fatigue; physical and mental," Arnold said.

"There's signs showing me the physical side is OK.

"They could be mentally fatigued. With that comes decision making and they're doing things they don't normally do. They're turning over possession, taking time on the ball.

"That could be a reason, but they've got to be bigger and better than that. But that's international football.

"Maybe we're not mentally strong enough to handle it."

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

To exacerbate the perception of 'choking', the club's horrific record in penalties was lampooned last week. That overshadowed the fact that the Mariners were actually quite unlucky in three tough matches in quick succession, just lacking a killer edge to some polished play.

Against Sydney FC, they dropped the ball. They were outplayed - and even when presented with three or four decent chances – they weren't good enough to take them.

"Mariners won't want a great season to start to fall apart," Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich said.

"They were exceptional in all three games last week, but today they weren't.

"They need to pick themselves up and their mentality is very important."

Arnold wasn't completely displeased with the performance - but wonders where the finished product has gone.

"We found the spaces easily, got into good areas easily, we just lacked that final punch in front of goal."

A month ago, when the Mariners were the top dogs, Fox Sports football expert Gary Phillips told foxsports.com.au he feared that in the big games, the Mariners might lack the x-factor.

As we reach the business end of the season, is that prediction coming to fruition?

"While they're a very good unit, when it comes to a semi-final or a final, you need special players. While they've got very good players there, I'm not sure they've the special ones to win the championship," Phillips said at the time.

So how can a fatigued Mariners revive that killer instinct? Will be it be youth? Will it be the underdog tag? Or have the Mariners run their race?

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

This time around, it's Arnold's turn to play the mind games to try and conjure some late season pressure on the Wanderers.

"The  pressure is definitely on them.

"There's nothing better than being in front; a test of character and mentality to withstand the pressure of being in front. Last year we were in front for 20 of the 27 weeks, this year, for 16 of the 22.

"Combining two competitions isn't easy. (Especially when FFA squads are restricted to) 23 players, and we've got three season ending injuries, which makes it tough.

"You don't want to use it as an excuse.

"Look at where we were two weeks ago before the ACL started, now it's made it a lot tougher."

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sydney in pole position for finals?

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Sitting pretty ... Sydney battle the Heart, Glory, Roar and Phoenix for a finals berth. Source: Dean Lewins / AAP

Back up into fifth position, pending Melbourne Heart's clash with Adelaide United on Monday, Sydney FC have that finals sniff about them again.

Which two teams will make the A-League top six?

Their excellent 2-0 win on Saturday night has them in marginal pole position ahead of Newcastle, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne Heart in the race for the final two spots in the finals.

But while their run home features Victory, Wanderers and Roar, they couldn't have got off to a better start than in an energetic display against the Mariners.

Two goals were the difference for the home side – but it was work without the ball that defined this performance – and could set the tone for the final weeks of the season.

In fact, two moments defined the display.

On 80 minutes, young midfielder Chris Triantis flung himself at a shot in the box in a sensational piece of commitment at the back end of a lung bursting display in midfield.

Ten minutes later, captain Terry McFlynn, the much maligned skipper at Moore Park, received a standing ovation from his home fans.

Earlier this season, he suffered the indignity of being booed by the same gallery, but the Northern Irishman has put his head down, worked hard and received a new contract.

He might cop plenty of stick in forums around the country, but no one at the ground could doubt his contribution in thwarting the former competition pace setters. The captain covered many a mile and read the play expertly.

If Sydney want to be a major player and walk the walk come finals time, they need to be able to beat the big teams.

Was this them at their most fluent best? Not at all. But the effort and discipline was the key.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Western Sydney	24	16	2	6	15	50
2	Central Coast	24	13	6	5	22	45
3	Victory	24	12	4	8	3	40
4	Adelaide	23	11	3	9	1	36
5	Sydney	24	9	3	12	-8	30
6	Newcastle	25	8	6	11	-12	30
7	Brisbane	24	8	5	11	1	29
8	Perth	24	8	4	12	-2	28
9	Heart	23	8	3	12	-2	27
10	Wellington	25	6	6	13	-18	24

They can tick the Mariners off that list, twice. And the template was there for the home fans to see the discipline and organisation they have craved all season.

"They just did everything they cold to win. Wasn't the greatest, but Sydney did everything they needed to win. The pitch helped Sydney, the Mariners could not get their passing game together either and they definitely looked lethargic," Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich said.

Rhyan Grant – who Farina lauded as arguably Sydney's best this season – gave Bernie Ibini no freedom and Sebastian Ryall's solid form was rewarded with a crucial goal.

The biggest problem for the Sky Blues?

Just as they need a run of form, they need to find something they've lacked all year: consistency.

But at home, they're on a roll, winning six on the trot. They'll be in Sydney for the next two weeks – a Big Blue, followed by a derby at Parramatta Stadium in a fortnight, which is set to be an epic, finals-like stage.

"We haven't had a run really all season. There's three games to go ... we need another three or six points," Farina concluded.

North of the border, what does Brisbane Roar coach Mike Mulvey make of the equation, now that his side is one point adrift of sixth?

"We've got three games left; two at home. The performance is the key, I'm really happy with it. If we continue in that vein, we should be okay."

---

So, who will squeeze in? Vote in our poll at the top of the page and join the debate!

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sharks fans savour return to footy

Emotional ... Sharks winger Beau Ryan echoes the thoughts of many of the Sharks' faithful. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Maybe Cronulla should try and organise a scandal every week.

While the seriousness of a drugs scandal which has already resulted in four men losing their jobs, a coach being stood down, and the careers of as many as 14 players hanging in the balance is no joking matter, Sharks officials - those that are still left - could not have asked for a better response.

The 17,541 fans which all-but filled Sharks Stadium sounded more like 77,000.

This was a night about football, not about boardroom politics.

While there were banners around the ground calling for coach Shane Flanagan's reinstatement and a brief 'Bring back Flanno' chant early in the game, this was 80 minutes about football.

The players responded in kind, a determined effort in the toughest of circumstances.

Skipper Paul Gallen described playing the game as the easiest thing he had done all week.

Attempts to organise an official 'show of support' didn't really come off, but the Sharks didn't need to manufacture unity - the fans gave it too them in bucket loads.

A standing ovation greeted the players' entrance, and accompanied their departure.

The rendition of 'Up, Up, Cronulla' has rarely been sung with more gusto, either by the crowd or the players in the dressing room afterwards.

But it didn't take long for the reality of the situation to again hit home.

Skipper Paul Gallen had the look of a broken man as he addressed the media in the press conference.

This was not the face of a man who had led his side to a gutsy victory.

The 80 minutes of football was over.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Roar, Victory in pulsating draw

Equaliser ... Ivan Franjic beats Nathan Coe to score. Source: Peter Wallis / News Limited

Brisbane Roar continued to thwart Melbourne Victory and their former coach Ange Postecoglou with a 1-1 draw in an enthralling A-League encounter at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

While the defending champions were far more welcoming of their old mentor than back in round two, Postecoglou endured a frustrating second return to Brisbane as the Victory failed to end a seven-match winless run against the Roar.

Diminutive midfielder Leigh Broxham scored the first headed goal of his career, and the visitors could well have led 3-0 at halftime, but the home side finished the stronger on a patchy surface.

After a month of rain and a series of rugby union and league matches, the pitch failed to deliver the even surface the Roar are used to at home.

But it did not prevent two quality goals and an entertaining contest in which Brisbane had a 12,624-strong crowd expecting a late winner as Ben Halloran made a huge impact off the bench.

The draw left third-placed Melbourne five points behind second-placed Central Coast on the A-League table while Brisbane are out of the six, but just one point from fifth.

Melbourne had lost in their past four visits to Brisbane, including the 5-0 rout in round two when anti-Postecoglou signs and chants were the order of the day.

Despite an enterprising opening 25 minutes by the home side, Melbourne looked in control and set for the three points at 1-0 approaching the hour mark.

But a superb pass by classy midfielder Luke Brattan put Ivan Franjic in the clear down the right sideline and the winger finished brilliantly by blazing past goalkeeper Nathan Coe.

---

Re-live the end-to-end action from Brisbane Roar's draw with Melbourne Victory in our A-League Match Centre, featuring video highlights.

---

Counterpart Michael Theo had until then kept the Roar in the match with some desperate reflex saves, stopping close-range efforts by Daniel Mullen and Archie Thompson.

Theo had no way of preventing a stunning opening goal by Broxham, against the run of play in the 11th minute.

Thompson had perfectly timed and weighted a lofted cross in the box for the 169cm Broxham who leapt high onto the back of Franjic, Australian Rules style, and headed over Theo.

The Roar, with captain Thomas Broich taking a far more direct approach on goal, continued to outflank Melbourne for most of the first half but the Victory's defence was up to each foray.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Lions beat Magpies to reach Cup final

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

High flying ... Magpies defender Jack Frost climbs over the pack. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Brisbane will have to travel for the AFL pre-season final against Carlton, despite the Lions being the only unbeaten team.

Brisbane beat Collingwood by 34 points on Saturday night at Etihad Stadium and will play the Blues next Friday night at the same venue.

0.2.4 (16)	Q1	0.2.3 (15)
0.4.8 (32)	Q2	0.4.7 (31)
0.6.10 (46)	Q3	0.9.12 (66)
0.7.12 (54)	Q4	0.12.16 (88)

Dayne Beams 2	Rohan Bewick 4
Quinten Lynch 2	Aaron Cornelius 3
Tyson Goldsack 1	Jonathan Brown 1
Ben Kennedy 1	Joshua Green 1
Caolan Mooney 1	Pearce Hanley 1
	Stefan Martin 1
	Daniel Rich 1

"Etihad Stadium was chosen as the location for the grand final as the Gabba was not available to the AFL as Brisbane's home ground, due to cricket commitments,'' the league said in a statement.

"The largest possible crowd would be drawn at Etihad Stadium ahead of any potential game at Metricon Stadium (on the Gold Coast).''

Trailing by a point at halftime, the Lions kicked clear at the start of the third and fourth quarters at the same ground and won 12.16 (88) to 7.12 (54).

Brisbane and Collingwood were unbeaten going into this match with the winner guaranteed of going into the final against the Blues.

Midfielder Daniel Rich starred for the Lions with 26 disposals and Rohan Bewick kicked four goals in front of only 12,093 fans.

Dayne Beams was Collingwood's standout with 23 possessions in the midfield.

The Blues' superior percentage meant they secured the other final berth, despite losing to Adelaide on Friday night by three points.

Brisbane welcomed back captain Jonathan Brown, Rich and Daniel Merrett for this match and were much closer to full strength.

The Magpies were missing several key players, including Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan and Travis Cloke.

Brisbane took control immediately after halftime, kicking three goals in the first seven minutes of the third quarter.

They then kicked the opening two goals of the final term to ensure the win.

In his first game for the year, Brown hit his shoulder hard against a point post late in the third term.

Typical of arguably the game's hardest player, Brown shrugged off the blow as the post wobbled for several seconds.

Brown has suffered several heavy blows to the head, but they have not dented his ferocious playing style.

Collingwood made full use of the unrestricted interchange with 168 rotations - more than double the league's controversial trial cap of 80 per game.

This was one of three Victorian games on Saturday where the AFL abandoned the interchange trial because of the hot conditions and Brisbane had 143 rotations.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More