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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Cowboys put Knights to the sword

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NORTH Queensland coach Paul Green delivered halfback Robert Lui an ultimatum to perform this week "or else".

Lui responded in emphatic fashion, producing his best game of the season as North Queensland defeated Newcastle 28-2 in Townsville.

The rugby league truism that North Queensland's fortunes are decided by Johanthan Thurston's form does not hold true this season.

The Cowboys' win-loss record in 2014 will rely on halfback Robert Lui and fullback Michael Morgan performing well.

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James Tamou is tackled by Willie Mason. Source: Getty Images

In the Cowboys' first win following a three-game losing streak, Lui and Morgan were sensational.

So was Thurston, but the champion five-eighth always is.

Morgan bagged two tries while Lui had a better game than his halves' partner, creating line breaks, tries and busting tackles at will.

The Cowboys receive excellence from Thurston each week but only win games when his co-stars perform like main attractions.

Lui and Morgan combined for 10 tackle busts which was more than the Cowboys' entire forward pack.

Lui's form against Newcastle was vastly improved from previous weeks, proving Green was right to stick with the under-siege half.

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"Play better ... or else," Green responded with a smile when asked what he told the underperforming Lui during the week.

"I was pleased. He's made improvements but he needed to.

"Across the team our effort was better, particularly in attack.

"We showed some discipline.

"We need to do that week in and week out."

Morgan's second try was a solo special as he chased his own grubber, tripped over then somehow power-crawled to score in front 11,189 fans in Townsville.

More importantly, Morgan was error free for the first time since round one.

Ray Thompson scores for the Cowboys. Source: Getty Images

Lui and Morgan were central to two of the Cowboys' three first-half tries and their 16-2 lead at the break.

Green told anyone who would listen that North Queensland's woes would end if they cut their errors in half.

Last night they slashed their mistakes from 21 against the Titans the previous week to 11.

The Knights played like a team exhausted from processing one of the most tragic incidents in rugby league history.

Joel Riethmuller is tackled by Adam Clydsdale. Source: Getty Images

Their victory over Cronulla a week earlier was built on an emotional adrenalin dump in the wake of Alex McKinnon's awful injury.

Last night their performance was completely devoid of energy.

The Cowboys looked like scoring on most plays and used a simple structure with Thurston patrolling the left-side attack and Lui the right, until they got into the opposition's 20m line where Thurston roamed free.

North Queensland scored three tries in 10 minutes in the first half as Thurston, Lui and Morgan ran amok.

Matthew Wright celebrates scoring on his Cowboys debut. Source: Getty Images

Their second half was nearly as impressive but gun second-rower Taumalolo was taken from the field nursing his shoulder after a spectacular but unsuccessful dive for a loose ball.

Taumalolo's early diagnosis is a minor AC joint injury.

Last night's win was crucial for the Cowboys.

If they lost they would have been placed last on the ladder.

Now they are within striking distance of the top eight.

However, North Queensland face back to back games in Sydney against likely-finalists Wests Tigers and Manly.

The Cowboys could be without Tariq Sims who was placed on report for a shoulder charge that appeared to collect Knights' half Tyrone Roberts high.

NORTH QUEENSLAND 28 (M Morgan 2 B Tate R Thompson M Wright tries J Thurston 4 goals) bt NEWCASTLE 2 (T Roberts goal) at 1300SMILES Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton, David Munro. Crowd: 11,189.

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Live: Sri Lanka v India in T20 final

Indian captain M. S. Dhoni (L) with Sri Lankan counterpart Lasith Malinga. Source: PUNIT PARANJPE / AFP

SRI LANKA has won the toss and elected to bowl first as it aimts to make it third time lucky in the ICC World T20 final against India in Bangladesh.

The Sri Lankans are playing in their third final of the tournament, having lost the deciders in 2009 and 2012, while India is searching for its first title since taking out the inaugural trophy in 2007.

For a while it was looking like the biggest obstacle facing both sides was the Dhaka weather, with rain falling in the hour leading up to the match forcing the toss to be delayed.

MATCH CENTRE: LIVE COMMENTARY, FULL SCOREBOARD, ALL THE KEY STATS

However the weather cleared and the match was due to get underway 40 minutes later than scheduled. India will start the match as favourites having gone through the tournament undefeated so far.

The Indians qualified for the final after recording a comprehensive win over South Africa thanks to another brilliant innings by Virat Kohli, while their best bowler throughout the tournament has been unassuming leg-spinner Amit Mishra.

Sri Lanka has also had its fair share of spin success in Bangladesh via left-arm veteran Rangana Herath, tricky tweaker Sachithra Senanayake and newcomer Seekkuge Prasanna.

However, much of the focus will be on retiring superstars Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakarra, who have had underwhelming tournaments to date.

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Frosty the showman with Winton win

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MARK Winterbottom roared back into championship contention with the man they call "Frosty'' breaking Ford's 163-day winless drought with an emphatic victory at Winton Raceway.

Written off as a pretender following a slow start to the season, Winterbottom rocketed up to second place in the championship by blasting past Scott McLaughlin on lap 10 before holding off Holden's James Courtney and Tim Slade to score Ford's win since the Gold Coast 600.

Winterbottom made the most of a horror weekend for Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup with Red Bull Racing Australia slumping to their worst ever race weekend with both drivers barley managing to scrap into the top 10.

With Fabian Coulthard and Lee Holdsworth winning the first two races, five times series winner Whincup fell to fifth in the championship with his hopes of breaking the all-time championship record bruised by the surprise packet Winton weekend.

Winterbottom, who roared past Shane Van Gisbergen and McLuaghlin before his sole challenger Coulthard was taken out by a pit-lane penalty, claimed he was on track to finally win his first title.

Mark Winterbottom driver gets a kiss from his son Oliver after winning race 9 at Winton. Source: Getty Images

"You have to get points when the other guys struggle,'' said Winterbottom.

"They (Red Bull) don't struggle very often. They only have one or two bad rounds a year and you can't afford to have a bad round with them. You just can't catch them if you don't make the most of it. It was great that we could bounce back the way we did.''

Winterbottom rose from qualifying ruin to stun the field in a Ford that was regarded to be the slowest manufacturer on the grid. Ford Performance Racing's unspectacular start to the season looked like it would continue when the reigning Bathurst champion qualified for the first race in second-last place. He set up Sunday's gritty triumph by ploughing through the race one field to finish ahead of his Red Bull rivals.

"We dug deep to come back from 23rd,'' Winterbottom said.

"It didn't look like we were going to have a good weekend. We managed to 7th and then second and first. We were able to maximise how points for the weekend.''

Winterbottom admitted he thought his first race win would not come until after the Perth round when the team is due to receive several upgrades and a rare track test day.

Winterbottom was so dominant that he was only ever truly challenged by Holden's Coulthard. Source: Getty Images

"We are P2 in the championship,'' Winterbottom said.

"And I really didn't think we would be here yet. It is the best position we have been in at the start of a season and we have some good things coming. I really just thought I would be trying to survive these first few events and get to Perth. We have a big test and some new bits coming so I was expecting to be genuinely quick until then. We are in a good spot.''

The weekend that saw Mercedes win their first ever race ended with a safety car-free race dominated by Winterbottom, who was only ever genuinely challenge by Coulthard in his ever impressive Brad Jones Racing Commodore.

"It is disappointing that he was penalised,'' Winterbottom said.

"Because he was quick and I wanted to race him. That didn't happen but I am sure I will have the opportunity to race him soon.''

Coulthard was one of four drivers to be slugged with a black flag for breaking the pit-lane speed limit.

"They are the rules,'' Winterbottom said.

"We are warned and it is black and white. He was trying to make up time on me and he got caught. We all know what the penalty is.''

The series resume at the end of the month with an ANZAC day race in New Zealand.

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US team to join Formula One

Announcement ... Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone said a US team is likely to be admitted next season. Picture: AFP Source: MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP

FORMULA One commercial chief Bernie Ecclestone says a US-backed team headed by Gene Haas is among two new teams the sport is likely to admit next season.

Speaking on Sunday ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, Ecclestone said he had held discussions with the sport's governing body, the FIA, and there was agreement about expanding the grid next season.

"They will be accepted, and we've also accepted another team as well, although whether they'll make it or not is another story," Ecclestone said when asked about a possible Haas entry.

"I've spoken to (FIA President) Jean Todt and we agreed yesterday."

The initial deadline for a decision on new 2015 entries expired at the end of February, but an agreement between Ecclestone and the FIA would likely be able to override that deadline.

The new entries may replace existing teams rather than add to the grid, as several of the current F1 teams continue to struggle financially in the exorbitantly expensive sport.

The other 2015 bidder is believed to be an Eastern Europe-based entry backed by Colin Kolles, who formerly was at defunct teams HRT, Midland and Spyker.

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Review: Sydney up for seventh or second

Sydney's Terry Antonis, Alessandro Del Piero and Vedran Janjetovic. Picture: Gregg Porteous. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Corp Australia

SYDNEY FC has gone from a team in crisis to being in with a shot of finishing second on the ladder, as a host of teams jostled for the all-important places in the top six during the penultimate round of the A-League regular season.

A thrilling weekend of action provided a real tease ahead of the finals. But the way the cookie crumbled, there's still a lot to play for yet.

The race for second — and a crucial first week off in the finals, especially coveted by AFC Champions League participants Wanderers, Victory and Mariners, is still up for grabs.

There's now one point separating second and fifth after Central Coast's loss to Perth, and draws for Western Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne Victory, with one round to play, while Sydney FC is a further two points back and could miraculously be playing for second spot next weekend if a few results go their way.

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ADP WALKS ON WATER ... AND FALLS OVER

Alessandro Del Piero was the undoubted star of the show in Sydney FC's 4-1 win over Wellington Phoenix, but it was a performance tinged with controversy.

The veteran Italian looked to go down rather easily to earn an early penalty for the Sky Blues, prompting Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich and injured Phoenix star Paul Ifill to suggest Del Piero was up to something sinister.

But upon reviewing the tape after the match, both admitted they'd been a bit harsh on ADP.

"I said at half-time it wasn't a penalty, I apologised after the game, and I'll apologise again," Bosnich said on Fox Sports' Shootout. "For me it was a foul. The only question was whether it was inside or outside the box.

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"I think he went down easily, I still do, but I'm going to have to apologise too," piped in Ifill. "I thought it was a bit of a dive, but looking at it … I think there was enough contact there."

Del Piero went on to beautifully convert a free kick and the win was sealed in the second half with a superb team goal finished off by Sebastian Ryall.

The victory means Sydney remains in the box seat to secure sixth spot, but incredibly the Sky Blues could finish as high as second if all the results go their way. It's a fact that Bosnich feels everyone at the club deserves some credit for, given the club was seemingly in crisis just a few weeks ago.

"It's a wonderful fillip for Sydney and their supporters," Bosnich said. It's been a very tough season.

"For them to come back from that and be on the verge of qualifying for the finals … if the results go their way, they could actually finish second. That shows unbelievable character from not only their manager and coaching staff but their players as well."

MORE OF THIS, PLEASE

What magnificent scenes at Wanderland for the 'home farewell' to Shinji Ono. In just two seasons, he's left an indelible legacy in the A-League and will be fondly remembered at Western Sydney.

Shinji Ono signed off in style on Saturday. Source: Getty Images

The home side couldn't quite ride the emotion home for three points, but if that's an entree to what's coming up in a fortnight's time, bring it on.

The 1-1 draw was a clash where both sides enjoyed periods of ascendancy at an energetic tempo, but overall, Wanderers — via Brendon Santalab and Tomi Juric in particular — had enough clear chances to prevail.

Meanwhile, Kwabena Appiah escaped sanction for a late challenge that left Thomas Broich in agony. It was a tackle that left Bosnich shaking his head.

Appiah is a marvellous player and is going to be a fantastic player, but he just doesn't have to do this," Bosnich said

"I know it was an accident — he definitely didn't mean it — but he could have really hurt Thomas Broich badly.

"He doesn't need to do that. If he can't get the ball, lunging in like that isn't going to help. He's a wonderful talent, so next time just stay on your feet."

There were wonderful tributes by Wanderers fans. Source: Getty Images

FINALS BOUND

Josh Mitchell, what were you thinking?

The defender's late foul on Archie Thompson in the box handed Melbourne Victory the point it needed to secure its finals berth — sparing Kevin Muscat's side a nervous wait to secure its spot next week had it lost, while keeping them alive in the race for second.

Mark Milligan slotted home the penalty — bagging himself a brace after his opportunistic first-half header, but Clayton Zane must be mortified his side didn't secure three points to really keep the heat on Sydney FC for sixth spot.

Even stevens at Hunter Stadium. Source: Getty Images

The Jets started with a fantastic tempo; David Carney had his best club game for some time, Emile Heskey plotted some dangerous attacks and Adam Taggart and Joel Griffiths were an enormous handful getting in behind as the Jets utterly dominated a Victory side who didn't turn up for the first-half.

But …

"If you can't finish off teams like that, at home, who are there for the taking, you don't deserve to be playing finals football," Bosnich said.

Tom Rogic hobbled off for Victory as he continues struggling with his groin niggles, but it ultimately proved a catalyst, as James Troisi was their most lively option.

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RACE FOR SECOND ALIVE

Central Coast has continued to defy belief for most of the campaign, but on an emotional night at nib Stadium, they came across a Glory side who did not care about the race for second spot.

The match was less than 24 hours after Jacob Burns announced his retirement from football — and it could potentially be the last home game for a number of Glory veterans.

The skipper was in the spotlight in the first-half — winning and then giving away a penalty.

Both looked soft, given by Stephen Lucas in his first A-League start.

"I didn't think either were penalties but at least he's being consistent. You can't touch people in the penalty spot," Bosnich said.

Rudan added: "They wouldn't be free-kicks if they weren't in the area."

On a tricky debut for Lucas, there was more controversy in the second-half, with off-side doubts over Perth's goals.

Central Coast skipper John Hutchinson became the first player to notch 200 games for one A-League club.

Congratulations, Jacob. Source: FoxSports

JOSEP'S HEART STARTER

Remember when people were giving it to Josep Gombau? At the moment, the Spaniard is the flavour of the month, with his Adelaide United side positioning itself for a genuine finals tilt by overcoming all sorts of obstacles — this week, coming back with 10 men to draw late with a gallant Melbourne Heart.

Adelaide United scored after 25 seconds and the bizarre nature of the match didn't end there. Tarek Ehlrich's send-off for a headbutt against Aziz Behich was the flashpoint before Heart went up 2-1.

Josep Gombau is enjoying Adelaide's run to the finals. Source: Getty Images

"Credit to Gombau, his substitutions, bringing in attackers, showed a statement to go out and win a game, as they vie for second position," Rudan said on Matchday Saturday.

"His intentions were clear — he wanted to finish second. A deserved draw in the end."

Bosnich added: "Rudes always says the manager earns his real coin at half-time.

"He must've said something fantastic to these guys; they were down to 10 men and they out-possessed Melbourne Heart in the second-half. They were an absolute force in the second-half ... phenomenal."

Referee Ben Williams has come in for criticism for his abrupt man management of players during games this year, but on Ehlrich's off-the-ball incident, Bosnich said he got it 100 per cent correct, adding "on a football pitch, you just can't do that".

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Hawks tighten grip around Dockers

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HAWTHORN has increased its stunning psychological hold over Fremantle with a 58-point hiding that will weigh down the Dockers' flag aspirations all season.

The Hawks' shot to outright premiership favouritism ($3.70) in devastating fashion last night, again exposing the team they beat in last year's grand final as their 'bunny side', with a ninth win from their past ten meetings.

CLINICAL HAWKS SMASH DOCKERS

The MCG hammering reaffirmed the Hawks' view they can be better despite the departure of superstar forward Lance Franklin and overcome the key match day absences of captain Luke Hodge (groin), Ben McEvoy (calf), Ben Stratton (hamstring), Brad Sewell (hamstring) and Brian Lake (calf) last night.

Fremantle players walk off after the loss. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Worryingly for the Dockers, their injury toll grew with backman Garrick Ibbotson substituted out early with a dislocated shoulder and gun forward Michael Walters forced off the ground with an injured ankle.

Dockers' trio Hayden Ballantyne, Chris Mayne and Luke McPharlin also looked to be carrying injuries last night and will be under a fitness cloud for next Sunday's redemption bid against Essendon in Perth.

Chris Mayne rolls his ankle Picture Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

Only a late rally saved Fremantle from the embarrassment of eclipsing last year's 71-point loss to St Kilda in Rd 23 as Ross Lyon's worst loss as senior coach.

The Hawks blew Fremantle away leading by 30 points in the first quarter and had doubled the Dockers' possession tally by half time, putting the Hawks in the box seat to carry out their back-to-back premiership bid.

The Hawks next meet the Dockers in Rd 21 in Perth.

Melbourne champion and respected commentator Garry Lyon branded Fremantle's performance a "monumental failure" after starting the night $4 equal premiership favourites with Hawthorn.

"They have not turned up, Fremantle. This is disgraceful," Lyon said on Triple M.

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Lyon: No winners when whips cracking

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Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said he and his staff will review only the first half of last night's embarrassing loss to Hawthorn.

Lyon offered no excuses as the Dockers confront more injuries to key players in a bid to regroup at home to Essendon next round.

CLINICAL HAWKS SMASH DOCKERS

"Clearly, we have to go away and review, but it won't be a long review. We'll just look at the first 30 minutes and a bit of the second (quarter) just to show the areas we got well beaten,'' Lyon said.

The Hill brothers tangle. Picture Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia

"When the whips were cracking, there wasn't too many winners in their positions. I thought they dominated us all over the ground.

"In the second (quarter) we kicked 1.6, we tried to hit the scoreboard, but again all credit to them (the Hawks). We were really disappointed in nearly all positions and facets.

"It's not something we're proud of and we're disappointed for our fans and members, we're pretty keen to rectify it.

"At the end of the day the review is too late, you've got to try to get it done on the night. There's precious few opportunities to win games of football.

"We're really disappointed. We're licking our wounds at the minute. All credit to the opposition, Hawthorn really won the ball incredibly well, they spread and we couldn't find them.

"But I thought we found a way to have some resistance and resilience, but that honourable stuff late doesn't really thrill us too much.''

Garrick Ibbotson's bad luck continued when he dislocated his shoulder in the first quarter. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Fremantle will assess the damage with defender Garrick Ibbotson subbed out early with a dislocated shoulder and Chris Mayne and Michael Walters hobbling off with ankle injuries.

"It's not ideal, but that's life in the AFL jungle,'' Lyon said.

"I've been in bigger holes than this. I don't like the I, it's about me. I'm coach of Fremantle, certainly I never forget 2007 people coming over the fence then. It was a pretty difficult time.

"I learned a lot of lessons about a lot of things and what doesn't kill you makes you strong. I've certainly been in much bigger holes than this, more people coming over the fence than this one.

"Round 15 last year (loss to Geelong) was very similar to this. Conditions, attitude, effort, coaching performance, certainly as a coaching group it starts and stops with us. So we don't separate ourselves, we win and lose together.

"How do you leave losses behind like that? We did it last year and improved and keep going forward.''

Fremantle players walk off after the loss. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Corp Australia

Lyon didn't use the loss of Michael Barlow to injury and Nathan Fyfe to suspension as principle reasons why Hawthorn dominated the midfield duels and contested ball stats.

"We're a no-excuse football team. We won without those guys last year. Their midfield was way on top of ours,'' he said.

"Look, Mick (Barlow) is not going to be there for five or six weeks and Nathan still has another week to serve. But they're not irreplaceable, there's plenty of people with opportunities.

"You've got to be strong at the clearances which we really struggled with and we couldn't find them to cause turnovers. It's pretty simple.''

On whether he marvelled at the magic of Hawk Cyril Rioli's skills show, Lyon said: "He's a great player, but I don't sit there with my popcorn ... we're not 20 and zero, if we were I might get the popcorn out and enjoy his mark a little bit more.''

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