Folau, Beale deals all but done

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

Folau (L) and Beale could form a lethal combination at the Waratahs in 2014. Source:AAP

ISRAEL Folau has given his strongest indication yet that he will remain in rugby, suggesting he has made up his mind already and is just awaiting the paperwork to be finalised.

And Kurtley Beale is also set to announce, possibly this week, that he is returning to NSW Waratahs on a two-year deal.

It has been strongly suggested by insiders that Folau will commit to rugby for a further two years, and the superstar only reinforced that belief when it was put to him he had come to a decision.

"It's certainly just the logistics of it, and trying to get what I want all sorted out," Folau said. "That goes through a process and some things are taking a bit longer than others.

"Once that's all sorted then obviously I will come out and announce what I'm doing, but at this stage I'm just not ready yet to get it all sorted.

"Once it's done then I will come out and announce it publicly.

"This year has been a massive year. I have experienced a lot of things this year. The Lions was a great experience. All that stuff comes into the decision that I'm about to make.

Folau (L) and Beale could form a lethal combination at the Waratahs in 2014.

"It has all been good. I've got a good relationship with Cheik (Waratahs coach Michael Cheika) and all the players here and the staff, so like I said it's all just the logistics stuff that hopefully will get sorted soon.

"I said that about a month ago but it has taken a little bit longer than I thought."

While all involved in the deal, from ARU chief Bill Pulver to Cheika, remain extremely confident of securing Folau, they remain careful of not pre-empting the announcement.

Yet there is such strong sentiment from Folau, and a distinct lack of "ifs and buts", that any potential return to the NRL now seems fantasy. Folau, who the NRL would dearly love to have back, is in no rush to confirm his commitment to rugby but says it is imminent.

"Fairly close, there's no deadline or time line," he said.

"I'm leaving that up to my management team to sort out, and hopefully we can get it sorted. It's all stuff that will take a bit of time, but it all looks pretty good at the moment."

Folau will be a key member of Ewen McKenzie's Wallabies side that will attempt to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup from New Zealand for the first time since 2002 next month.

"If you get a chance to play against the All Blacks, I think it's the pinnacle, so it would be great," said Folau, who is recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained in the third Test defeat against the Lions.

"I'm not worried about it, it was only a grade one (tear) from the start. I've been running for a couple of weeks and doing a lot of strength stuff.

"I know that the All Blacks have held the Cup for a long time, and Australia obviously want to bring it back. This year we've got a great opportunity to get the job done and try to bring the Cup home, because the boys are still disappointed about the Lions series."

Meanwhile, Beale is likely to announce his move to the Waratahs before Folau finalises his contract.

Both players, managed by Isaac Moses, will bolster the Waratahs next year as they attempt to win their first ever Super Rugby title.

Beale was last week spotted at the Waratahs' offices and is understood to be very close to announcing his future at the club.

The playmaker/fullback departed Melbourne Rebels in less than amicable circumstances recently. The club said it released him but Moses is adamant Beale rejected the Rebels.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sick Seebohm focuses on backstroke

Emily Seebohm reacts after the her 100m backstroke heat at the FINA World Championships in Barcelona. Picture: Adam Pretty Source: Adam Pretty / Getty Images

EMILY Seebohm has revealed she has been struggling with illness and asthma as she confirmed she had withdrawn from the 200m medley final to focus on her preferred 100m backstroke event.

Seebohm eased her way through her 100m backstroke heats in 1:00.02, securing fifth place for the semi-final (early Tuesday morning AEST) as teammate Belinda Hocking placed ninth in 1:00.39.

For Seebohm though it was almost two seconds slower than her Olympic heat time of 58.23s, and she couldn't be happier.

She got slower throughout her event in London last year, but is determined to peak for the final this time around and build her races.

But with recent minor illness issues Seebohm decided to withdraw from the medley final, for which she was sixth fastest qualifier, to avoid risking excess fatigue the night before a backstroke final.

"I'm not really at my 100 per cent at the moment. I'm struggling a little bit with sickness which isn't unusual for me but when I've got two pretty tough races back to back it's hard to make that call when you want to do it but you know if you do it it could affect you in the one you really want to do well in," Seebohm said.

"It's just something that's more annoying than anything but I don't know how it will affect you the following day.

"I'm a little bit disappointed that I can't swim the IM but you know I've got to do what I can to get to where I need to be in the 100 back."

Sacrificing a spot in the final for the pursuit of gold is a smart play by Seebohm as she looks to make amends for last year's Olympic disappointment when she was narrowly beaten to gold by US star Missy Franklin.

Franklin was fastest qualifier on Monday in 59.13s, but then waited on pool deck to watch Seebohm as if expecting another round of heat fireworks.

But Seebohm has learned her lesson from 2012 and is prepared to keep her cards close to her chest until the final.

"My goal is to go faster each swim so that's a slowish start for me so hopefully that works out a bit better," she said.

"It probably didn't feel as easy as it looked but you know it was nice to just focus on the race and not have to worry about killing myself to make it through.

"It's all about just making it through. I don't need to be in lane four, that's not where I need to be, I just need to be in the field and get through and go faster.

"It wasn't as easy as that 58 I did in the heat of the Olympics, nothing felt that good. But you know it was on the way there and I've just got to clean up my skills a bit, my skills were a bit average.

"But otherwise I've got to keep going through and keep getting faster."

In the men's event Ashley Delaney enjoyed his first swim in Australian team colours since the 2011 world titles with a 53.60s heat time to qualify fastest for the men's 100m backstroke semi-finals.

Delaney's time was faster than what he produced at the selection trials in May to qualify for the team.

Rising star Cameron McEvoy set himself up for a crack in the 200m freestyle, posting the fifth fastest time of the heats in 1:47.34 as teammate Thomas Fraser-Holmes survived an anxious wait to qualify 12th in 1:48.05.

"It's always hard backing up, I felt a little cold, a little stiff but that was as expected," McEvoy said after a strong individual swim in last night's 4x100m freestyle relay final.

"I tried to do the best race I could and get through the next round."

Fraser-Holmes, an Olympic finalist last year, was fifth in his heat and then had to watch two more heats of 10 swimmers before securing a spot in the top 16.

"Yeah that wasn't very good was it," Fraser-Holmes said.

"It's a lane and tonight I just have to fire up. I'm not hurting or anything, it was all over in a second and I was like `What was that?' It was not very good."

Breaststrokers Sally Foster (1:07.59) and Samantha Marshall (1:08.33) qualified in ninth and 15th position for the 100m semi-finals (early Tuesday morning AEST) as Olympic champion Ruta Meilutyte stamped herself the one to watch with a 1:04.52 heat swim, just 0.07s off a world record set in the supersuit era.

The final event of the morning saw 14-year-old Chelsea Gubecka, who swam the 10km open water last week, swim the women's 1500m freestyle and finish 13th in a new personal best time of 16:21.82.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sea Eagles soar as Tiger flies

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

Freakish try ... David Nofoaluma flies as the Sea Eagles soar. Source: Fox Sports / FoxSports

YES, South Sydney are certainly the team to beat this year. The mighty Roosters are ready to rock too.

3 Tries 6
David Nofoaluma 10'	Justin Horo 6'
Robbie Farah 55'	Steve Matai 16'
Tim Simona 59'	Jamie Lyon 30'
	Jamie Lyon 48'
	Justin Horo 52'
	Daly Cherry-Evans 74'
3 Conversions 5
Benji Marshall 11'	Jamie Lyon 7'
Benji Marshall 56'	Jamie Lyon 32'
Benji Marshall 61'	Jamie Lyon 49'
	Jamie Lyon 54'
	Jamie Lyon 75'
0 Penalties 1
	Jamie Lyon 70'

A historic Rabbitohs-Roosters grand final looms for rugby league.

Yet fans in Sydney's east shouldn't get too excited just yet. The team they love to hate - Manly-Warringah - is back again, just as they have been for the past nine years.

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

The Sea Eagles love September. They have played in every finals series since 2005.

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

And it may just be that Manly ruins the promoters dream of a South Sydney-Roosters decider.

---

Re-live all the action in Match Centre, featuring detailed stats and match tracker!

---

A 36-18 win over Wests Tigers at Campbelltown last night pushed Manly above Melbourne and into third place on the NRL premiership table.

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

Many tipped Manly's demise when former coach Des Hasler walked away.

Geoff Toovey has done an exceptional job since, taking the Sea Eagles to within one game of a grand final last year with his side ready for another full-blown tilt this season.

Manly had Wests Tigers covered in every area last night.

Five-eighth Kieran Foran was exceptional, setting up three tries. He slaughtered Benji Marshall in the individual Kiwi match-up at five-eighth.

Skipper Jamie Lyon scored two tries and kicked six goals for an individual tally of 20 points.

Manly is all class. Never write them off in September.

The Sea Eagles scored two tries after half-time last night to lead 22-6 and kill-off any Wests Tigers fight back.

Mistakes killed Wests Tigers - and two veterans were the worst offenders.

Benji Marshall and Braith Anasta were guilty of numerous blunders, most gifting Manly tries.

Although he scored a try, Wests Tigers skipper Robbie Farah had a miserable 200th NRL game on Monday night.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Aussies desperate for spin strategy

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

Spin fix ... Australia need a strategy to counter spin-friendly pitches. Source: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

AUSTRALIA desperately needs to find a clear, wide-ranging strategy for dry-wicket cricket, suddenly its staple diet for off-shore Tests.

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

I'm talking everything from how to bowl spin to how to face it, how to prepare Australian wickets to allow our batsmen to face more of it, to the selection of sides designed to combat the challenges of crumbling decks.

All of these areas need urgent attention because the cricket world now knows this is the way to beat Australia and we seem to have no clear strategy.

It was an inevitable as night following day a sharp-turning wicket has been forecast for Old Trafford in Thursday's third Test.

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

England are preparing wickets to suit themselves and unless we can find a way to counter it we had better get used to it.

---

Watch the Ashes live and uninterrupted from Thursday at 7.30pm on FOX SPORTS 2HD and FOX SPORTS 2

---

I cannot remember going to an Australian groundsman when the West Indies were crushing the cricket world in the 1980s and saying "can we get a dry turner.''

It never happened. You got what you were given.

But times change.

I hope that when we play England in Australia this summer - hint, hint - we get hard, fast bouncy tracks because that would see Australia at our best.

I am not sure what Australia is doing with its spinners and I sense Nathan Lyon would not know either.

He took nine wickets in his last Test in India but has not played a Test since. Everyone is talking about getting the side to play with freedom but it looks like the opposite is happening.

The players appear to be looking over their shoulder and becoming restricted. Lyon must be down on confidence.

Ashton Agar was chosen in front of him for this series because Australia wanted a bowler who turned the ball away from right-handers but Lyon bowled quite well to the right handers in India.

Australia has been plucking spinners from everywhere and Lyon even had to cope with having another youngster who I had not actually heard of, Ashton Turner, tossed in with him in the touring game against Sussex.

Neither Agar or Lyon may have bowled well in the touring game, but I believe Australia might have to consider playing both - with Shane Watson to be the supplementary seamer - if the wicket looks like turning big time.

It's very difficult to fight the conditions in cricket.

There is a lot of negativity about the whole spin bowling issue (bowling it and facing it) with the Australians but here is the good news - you can improve.

Damien Martyn, raised on high bouncing pitches in Perth, got severely worked over during his early years at spin-friendly Sydney but worked so hard on this part of his game that in 2004 he managed four centuries and two 97s on the Indian subcontinent.

There is no perfect way to play spin.

Martyn liked playing back. Matthew Hayden, another who vastly improved his play against spinners, liked to sweep.

It's a matter of finding the right method for your game.

And working extremely hard.

Sachin Tendulkar has always played spin well and is one of the greatest players the game has seen yet it did not stop him from flying leg-spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan to Mumbai to bowl around the wicket into the rough to him for hours on end in 1998 to condition him for the threat of Shane Warne.

It's called going the extra yard and if Sachin can do it so must Australia's batsmen.

If Australia does play Agar I hope they use him differently than they did at Lord's where he bowled a negative line over the wicket.

It took so many forms of dismissal out of play.

I would ather see him bowl around the wicket and hunt for wickets.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Goals galore as Socceroos go down

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

Aaron Mooy smashes in a long-range stunner against China at the East Asian Cup. Source: Ahn Young-joon / AP

SOCCEROOS coach Holger Osieck insists his side's forgettable East Asian Cup finals campaign was a "valuable experience" despite Australia being the worst team at the four-nation tournament.

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

Australia's ordinary Cup finished with another loss, this time to China, who beat the Socceroos 4-3 at the Seoul Olympic Stadium in Jamsil.

It was looking far more ugly for the Australians, who trailed 4-1 late in a game played in steamy, energy-sapping conditions.

But consolation goals to substitute Adam Taggart and Mitchell Duke added some respectability to the scoreline.

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

However, there is no escaping from the fact that the experimental Socceroos squad, made up largely of A-League players, were outclassed in their three matches, having only a point to show for their efforts.

Ironically, that point came from the match in which they produced the worst performance of the finals, their 0-0 first-up draw with South Korea.

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

They somehow managed to escape from that wreckage without defeat, thanks mainly to heroics from goalkeeper from Eugene Galekovic.

But any cracks that were masked that night were well and truly exposed for the rest of the tournament, which Osieck described as the unofficial start of the Socceroos' 2014 World Cup preparations.

Australia will have a vastly different squad in Brazil  next year, when Osieck will be able to call on his first-choice players.

However, a host of fringe players had a chance at this tournament to push their World Cup cause.

And while the likes of Galekovic, Central Coast Mariner strikers Duke, new Western Sydney Wanderers signing Tomi Juric and China-based defender Ryan McGowan put their hands up at various times over the nine days, several others didn't take their chance.

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

"We have eight players in the group who have never played at national team level before, but I think it was a valuable experience for all of us to see where they stand and how much work there is ahead to really make it to this level," Osieck said.

"That was definitely the purpose to be here, to play against good Asian teams who are in full swing and in their season."

Osieck last made eight changes to the team that started in Australia's opening two matches of the tournament and gave Socceroos debuts to goalkeeper Mark Birighitti, his Newcastle Jets teammate Josh Brillante and substitute Connor Pain.

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

Used in the midfield at the Jets, 20-year-old Brillante admitted he struggled in defence, with centre-back Robbie Cornthwaite having a night to forget.

The only players to start in all three games were McGowan, Duke and seasoned utility Matt McKay, who had more caps combined that the rest of the team that started against China.

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

Poor defending allowed China to grab and early lead through Yu Dabao, and even though the Socceroos temporarily got back on level terms through a wonder-strike from Aaron Mooy, the Chinese outfit deservedly grabbed the leadt again 10 minutes into the second half through Sun Ke.

Late goals to Yang Xu and Wu Lei provided the icing on the cake, before strikes from Taggart and Duke eased the Socceroos' embarrassment on the scoreboard.

"We found it difficult to get into the game. Our midfield had been completely restructured," Osieck said.

"We made it a bit easy for them. We couldn*t find the right adjustment in midfield.  There was a lot of maturity in their game."

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Penthouse and Outhouse

FOX SPORTS AFL expert Julian de Stoop reviews round 18, waxing lyrical about dominant performances from Lance Franklin and Jeremy Cameron.

Buddy Franklin

The stage was set for Buddy.

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

Two weeks out, Friday night footy, top of the table clash against the Bombers and the star Hawk delivered with eight goals; his biggest haul of the season.

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

Franklin cashed in on some great service from up the field, was too slick for Jake Carlisle and converted from all distances.

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

Franklin now averages five goals per game against Essendon with a bag of nine and two hauls of eight.

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

When you see him strut his stuff like that on the big stage you just hope he re-signs with the Hawks.

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

Jeremy Cameron

If Franklin does head north, he will form a deadly partnership with Jeremy Cameron.

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

The 20 year-old lit up the MCG with seven goals to go beyond 50 for the year in a team that is yet to win a game. He has to be All Australian at season's end.

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

To underline his class, Cameron's two best games this season have been on the road against Collingwood and Essendon (six goals).

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

The best young forward to come into the game since Buddy back in 2005.

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

Ed Curnow

I'm not sure when Ed Curnow was told he would be tagging Gary Ablett, but if it was early in the week, I'm sure he would have had some sleepless nights.

Coming off 49 disposals against the Blues, Ablett had the potential to ruin the Blues finals hopes but the Carlton tagger did a sensational job.

Ablett still had 32 disposals and kicked a goal but his impact was limited by Curnow who found the ball 22 times himself.

He may not have been in the best three on the ground but Mick Malthouse would have loved the role he played in a vital Carlton win.

Nat Fyfe

Although ineligible for this year's Brownlow Medal, Fyfe - who has been so often compared with a young James Hird - looks destined to win one in the future.

In an otherwise scrappy affair, Fyfe was a standout in the Dockers win over the Crows gathering 29 disposals and kicking four goals in a different role up forward.

It's hard to believe the Dockers won the match comfortably despite going inside 50 just 33 times. It's the equal-lowest number of entries by a winning side since the stat was first recorded.

Luke Dahlhaus

The diminutive Dog was in the 'Outhouse' a few weeks back but in his side's upset win over the Eagles, Dahlhaus played arguably the finest game of his career.

The speedy forward finished with 29 disposals, kicked four goals and set up numerous others in a best on ground performance.

It was a fitting reward for a Dogs team that had been impressive against heavyweights Hawthorn and Essendon in the previous two rounds.

IN THE OUTHOUSE

David Evans resignation

The Essendon chairman's decision to resign is a sad day for the game.

Evans is a fine leader and a man of dignity who has done a admirable job in steering Essendon through the biggest scandal to hit an AFL club in the game's history.

The amount of supporter he received from his players via Twitter shows how much he is loved at the club.

To hear his health has suffered is a reminder that there is more to life than football. It's just a game after all.

The quicker this saga ends the better for everyone involved.

Lindsay Thomas

The North Melbourne forward has had a great season and has improved many aspects of his game, but staging for free kicks isn't one of them.

Time and time again against Melbourne, Thomas played for free kicks but he didn't fool the umpires as he finished goalless for the game.

It's a habit he needs to break.

Melbourne

Aside from their 148-point loss to Essendon in round two, this was Melbourne's darkest day for the season.

To kick just 4.4 at Etihad and have just two inside 50's in the first 40 minutes of football was embarrassing.

The 122 point loss was the Demons' 11th in a row against North Melbourne and their 14th consecutive loss at Etihad Stadium.

It was another step back for a club that has had the reverse beepers on for most of the season.

West Coast

A spate of injuries meant the Eagles were vulnerable against the Dogs, but the 22-point loss is the final nail in the coffin of a season the club would like to forget.

Tipped by many as premiership fancy pre-season, the Eagles never got going in 2013.

Injuries have been a factor, but West Coast have lacked the hunger of the previous two seasons and lost far too many games at home.

John Worsfold looks set to re-sign but after 12 seasons in the job, maybe it's time for a change.

Andrew Swallow's Achilles

Andrew Swallow has played every game since round one 2009, but the Roos' skipper is set to miss a sizable chunk of next season after rupturing his Achilles tendon.

Swallow is one of the most respected players in the game but remains underrated by many outside of North Melbourne.

Let's hope he can return bigger and better than ever, just like Hawk Jarryd Roughead who suffered the same injury in 2011.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pietersen in as England recall trio

Kevin Pietersen shakes off an injury concern to make England's squad for the third Test. Source:News Limited

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

Kevin Pietersen was included in a 14-man squad for next week's third Ashes Test against Australia at Old Trafford despite concerns over his calf injury.

Star batsman Pietersen will be given time to prove his fitness for the match, which starts at the Manchester venue on Thursday, with Nottinghamshire's James Taylor added to the squad as cover.

England have also altered their bowling options by bringing in Monty Panesar as a second spinner and recalling fast bowler Chris Tremlett in place of seamers Steven Finn and Graham Onions.

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

Pietersen, who has been sidelined for much of this year, suffered his latest fitness setback in England's crushing 347-run second Test win at Lord's last week and could not field in the second innings.

Taylor always looked the most likely candidate to be called up as cover after the ECB sought special dispensation for the diminutive batsman to guest for Sussex in their ongoing tour match against Australia at Hove.

The 23-year-old Taylor responded by making an unbeaten 64 on Saturday's second day of three.

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

Taylor played two Tests against South Africa last year but didn't make the England squad for the tours of India and New Zealand, falling behind the likes of Nick Compton and Joe Root in the England pecking order.

However, he has been in good first-class form this season, scoring 824 runs in 15 County Championship appearances, including an unbeaten double century against Sussex in June.

"Kevin Pietersen is continuing his recovery from a calf strain and he will be assessed by the medical team closer to the start of the Test and we have therefore included an extra batsman in James Taylor who has been in good form for Nottinghamshire this season," said England national selector Geoff Miller in a statement announcing the squad.

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

Meanwhile left-armer Panesar has been included in the squad alongside off-break bowler Graeme Swann on account of Old Trafford's reputation for providing spin-friendly pitches which has endured despite the ground not having staged a Test for three years because of extensive redevelopment.

Sussex bowler Panesar last played a home Test four years ago when he held out with the bat to help guide England to a draw in the 2009 Ashes opener at Cardiff but has featured nine times abroad in recent years.

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

Tremlett, who starred in England's 3-1 Ashes series win in Australia in 2010/11 has not played a Test for 18 months, with injuries checking his progress. But the giant paceman has impressed for Surrey this season.

Finn played in England's narrow 14-run first Test win at Trent Bridge but was dropped for the second Test at Lord's, with all-rounder Tim Bresnan selected in his place. Durham fast-medium bowler Onions was in the squad for the first two Tests but did not play in either match.

"Chris Tremlett has worked hard to regain fitness and form following a couple of injuries and his performances for Surrey this season have been very encouraging," said Miller.

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

"Including an additional spinner in Monty Panesar who has plenty of international experience provides (captain) Alastair Cook and (coach) Andy Flower with a number of options," former England off-spinner Miller added.

Victory at Old Trafford would see England, currently 2-0 up with three to play, clinch the series and retain the Ashes.

England squad: Alastair Cook (capt), Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior (wkt), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, James Taylor, Chris Tremlett, Monty Panesar

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Demetriou trip 'appalling': Kennett

Andrew Demetriou flew out to the US on Sunday. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

FORMER Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett last night unleashed an extraordinary outburst against AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou saying he had reached his use-by date and should be replaced by the league commission.

Kennett described a decision by Demetriou to fly out of Melbourne on Sunday for a fact-finding trip to New York as "appalling" and claimed it showed the league boss had lost touch.

"It is an indication that he is both out of touch and the AFL commission has absolutely no influence over his activities and it's time for Demetriou to leave his post," the outspoken Kennett said.

"Not only do we have the Essendon Football Club in chaos, we have the Melbourne Football Club going through life support.

"The code is under challenge as it's never been and the CEO Mr Demetriou is threatening to sue people, presumably football identities and now he has decided to leave the country."

"The time has come clearly with Andrew's departure today, as much as I say some of the work he has done has been very beneficial to the code, his use-by date, I think, has been stamped clearly today on his decision to walk away from all the turmoil that is currently in the code.

Kennett said Demetriou should have remained in Australia until ASADA announced it findings, whih are expected next Monday.

"It is absolutely unacceptable," Kennett said.

"And his 2IC Gill McLachlan is leaving Lords (England) to meet him in America with the other presidents.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cats make light work of Saints

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

Powerful ... Tom Hawkins marks on the lead in Geelong's massive win. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

ST KILDA'S season slipped from bad to horrendous on Saturday night with a string of key injuries and a 101-point hiding at the hands of Geelong.

Captain Nick Riewoldt will have scans today to determine the extent of a foot injury that badly hobbled the champ.

3.2 (20)	Q1	2.4 (16)
6.5 (41)	Q2	2.6 (18)
9.8 (62)	Q3	5.9 (39)
11.9 (75)	Q4	7.11 (53)

Nathan Fyfe 4	Tom Lynch 2
Chris Mayne 2	Ricky Henderson 1
Michael Walters 2	Jarryd Lyons 1
Matthew De Boer 1	Shaun McKernan 1
Zac Clarke 1	Scott Thompson 1
Stephen Hill 1	Bernie Vince 1

And there are again concerns about champion Lenny Hayes' future with another soft-tissue injury also ending his night prematurely.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	17	15	0	2	142.44	60
2	Geelong	17	14	0	3	136.85	56
3	Essendon	17	13	0	4	124.45	52
4	Sydney	16	12	1	3	142.26	50
5	Fremantle	17	12	1	4	122.80	50
6	Richmond	16	11	0	5	118.05	44
7	Collingwood	17	11	0	6	110.68	44
8	Carlton	17	9	0	8	112.99	36
9	Port Adelaide	16	9	0	7	108.66	36
10	North Melbourne	17	7	0	10	122.81	28
11	West Coast	16	7	0	9	104.30	28
12	Adelaide	17	7	0	10	100.86	28
13	Brisbane	16	7	0	9	82.40	28
14	Gold Coast	17	6	0	11	88.13	24
15	Bulldogs	16	4	0	12	76.90	16
16	St Kilda	17	3	0	14	79.18	12
17	Melbourne	17	2	0	15	52.62	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	17	0	0	17	51.34	0

They both sat out most of the last quarter with Hayes' hamstring to also be scanned on Sunday.

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

Backman James Gwilt suffered bone bruising to his troublesome left knee that has cost him more than 20 games in the past three seasons.

He left the ground after a seemingly innocuous knock in the first term, but returned only to hobble off again early in the second before being subbed out.

St Kilda coach Scott Watters tried to downplay the seriousness of the injuries, but doubts any of the trio will be available when the Saints travel to the Gabba to face Brisbane

"(Riewoldt) stayed out there for a period of time, we tried to hide him in the goalsquare, which is almost impossible these days with the risk factor involved in that (so) it was time to put him to sleep tonight," Watters said.

Should Gwilt miss any time, St Kilda's already undersized backline will be further stretched with the club already having made it a priority to attract at least one key defender next off-season and Sam Fisher (toe) already gone for the year and Sam Gilbert also sidelined.

Watters wasn't using the injuries as an excuse for the Simonds Stadium flogging.

"For a quarter and a bit we probably hung in there, aided by a bit of a breeze (in the first quarter)," he said.

"They were too good."

Geelong also suffered a serious injury with big Cat Dawson Simpson suffering medial ligament damage to his left knee after landing awkwardly at the opening ruck contest of the second quarter.

Simpson, 24, was taken from the ground on the mobile stretcher and immediately subbed out after clutching his left knee in agony.

But the Cats breathed a small sigh of relief when his initial diagnosis cleared him of ACL damage with scans in coming days to determine the full extent of the damage.

"The medical staff is confident it's not an ACL, which I guess is the good news," coach Chris Scott said.

"The bad news is, there appears to be something significant there.

"They (the medical staff) are still hopeful that 'Daws' can play a part in the rest of the season."

Geelong is still searching for its top ruck combination with Mark Blicavs, Nathan Vardy and Trent West still in the mix, while former Roo Hamish McIntosh is racing time after a series of injuries in his first year at Geelong.

Vardy was impressive, racking up 19 hitouts, 16 possessions and one goal after Simpson left the game.

Scott said he was "really proud" of Vardy's game.

"He's had a tough run. We've got a lot of optimism around the sort of footy he can play longer term, but recently he's been dogged by injury a little bit and hasn't had a full run at it.

"When Dawson went down we were a little bit hesitant to throw too much Vards' way, given his limited preparation.

"And I probably think he's a bit more of a forward than he is a ruckman. But he showed us tonight that he can shoulder that No.1 ruckman load for at least three quarters, so it's a real positive."

Geelong bounced back well after a shock loss to Adelaide last week, with an improved defensive effort pleasing Scott.

"Particularly after the first 10 minutes, but after quarter time, they only kicked a goal and I think they had 26 inside-50s for the game which is a really strong performance.

"We were disappointed with the way we played in patches last week and we thought tonight was a more consistent effort."

Click here to get all of the stats and scores in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dumped Sandow's betting crisis

Chris Sandow is facing a dark time on and off the field. Source: Justin Lloyd / News Limited

EXCLUSIVE: THE NRL Integrity Unit is aware of serious gambling issues involving Parramatta halfback Chris Sandow.

Sandow, who will play in the NSW Cup on Sunday with Wentworthville after being dropped by Eels coach Ricky Stuart, is working to break major gambling habits that have forced him to seek professional assistance. The NRL's player welfare unit are also involved in helping the troubled star.

There are fears within the Parramatta club that Sandow may be gambling beyond his means.

NRL chief executive Dave Smith is also aware of Sandow's plight.

The fact the Integrity Unit are involved suggests Sandow's gambling habits could have wider implications on the code and not just Parramatta.

Integrity Unit investigator Alby Taylor has been provided with a detailed brief of Sandow's situation by former Parramatta chief executive Ken Edwards.

Sandow's former club South Sydney have also been contacted to help provide any assistance.

When The Sunday Telegraph contacted Taylor to discuss Sandow's issues, our inquiries were referred to NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle.

Doyle would not confirm or deny the Integrity Unit's involvement, but he said: "The NRL RLPA Welfare and education team work with players on a regular basis on a range of issues, but clearly out of respect for the privacy of the individuals involved we do not discuss the details of that process."

The Sunday Telegraph spoke with Edwards about Sandow's issues prior to the Eels' former chief executive departing the club 10 days ago.

At the time, Edwards was unwilling to expand on the serious and concerning issues relating to Sandow saying only: "We won't be confirming or denying anything in relation to Chris or any other player.

"From a football point of view, we all hope Chris can put his head down, work hard and get back into first grade as soon as possible."

Reportedly earning $550,000 a season, Sandow's promising start to the year under Stuart has waned in recent weeks.

It led to the 24-year old's relegation to the NSW Cup two weeks ago. However, a leg injury has saved him from pulling on the Wentworthville jersey until Sunday.

Wentworthville play North Sydney, the Rabbitohs' feeder team, at Ringrose Park.

It's a sad fall from grace for a player who captured the imagination of the rugby league world after being named the 2008 rookie of the year.

So impressed by his talent was Stuart that he dubbed Sandow the Aboriginal Alfie, in reference to Queensland's great playmaker Allan Langer.

The Sunday Telegraph offered Sandow several opportunities to have his say on the issues, both through his agent Isaac Moses and the Parramatta club, but he declined to comment.

It's not the first time Sandow has faced questions about an alleged gambling habit.

Not long after he left South Sydney for the Eels at the end of 2011, Sandow denied his decision to sign a $2 million deal with Parramatta was so that he could settle gambling debts.

"People want to talk about it but I don't have gambling problems," Sandow said. "It's frustrating. People like to make up stories about me, but it's not something that bothers me because it's not true." 

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More