Wallabies to cap Skelton’s rapid rise

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WILL Skelton's barnstorming form in Super Rugby has thrust him firmly into contention for the Wallabies squad, pitting him in a showdown with former skipper James Horwill for a starting berth.

The 22-year-old Skelton has been in superb form for the Waratahs, and in the past month has displayed a mix of physically imposing power and attacking finesse that makes him an ideal candidate to grow into Australia's commanding lock by next year's World Cup.

On Thursday, Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie will announce a 32-man squad to take on France next month, and his selections will also have a view to the World Cup.

At 203cm and 135kg, Skelton was considered too raw and underdeveloped for Wallabies consideration at the start of the year.

But his rapid improvement during this Super Rugby season has coincided with the patchy form of Wallabies starters Horwill and Queensland teammate Rob Simmons.

While McKenzie is expected to include both in his squad, the addition of Skelton would not merely be as a bench option.

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The Reds are floundering at the bottom of the Super Rugby ladder and all of their players are struggling with confidence.

With captain Ben Mowen not expected to be chosen after agreeing to join French club Montpellier at the end of the season, the Wallabies will lose their chief lineout caller.

Simmons is the back-up caller and that gives him an edge, while Waratahs captain Dave Dennis - who calls the lineout for NSW - will potentially be looked at as second-row cover.

It would create a situation where Skelton and Horwill battle for the other starting berth if Leinster-bound Kane Douglas is also overlooked.

Skelton is a strong presence in the scrum, which was a key attribute in the selection of Sitaleki Timani late last year before he joined Montpellier.

If Skelton, born in Auckland, is selected it would cap a remarkable rise for the youngster, who knocked back an offer to join the Blues by former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry to remain with the Waratahs.

McKenzie will be without star five-eighth Quade Cooper for at least the first two Tests after he suffered a collarbone injury in last Saturday's loss to Melbourne.

Nathan Charles (L) could be a shock inclusions ar hooker. Source: News Corp Australia

Matt Toomua is the likely back-up, with Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley also in the frame.

With three hookers to be included in the squad, Western Force's Nathan Charles shapes as a bolter.

Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau will be the preferred match-day hookers, but the race for the third spot is wide open, with Saia Fainga'a now a bench player at Queensland and starter James Hanson's claims as uninspiring as the Reds' form.

McKenzie will not name a captain on Thursday, but rather wait until the camp gathers in June.

This will avoid the farcical situation previously faced by the team when all of their named captains got injured before Tests.

With two more rounds of Super Rugby to come before the Wallabies go into camp, much could change - as witnessed by Cooper's injury last weekend.

But it also highlights how uncertain the Wallabies leadership is at present, with Australia lacking an authoritative figure like New Zealand's Richie McCaw, South Africa's Jean de Villiers, France's Thierry Dusautoir or Wales's Sam Warburton.

In contention for the Wallabies captaincy are Michael Hooper, Stephen Moore, Will Genia and Horwill, the latter two who have previously held the title.

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Rebels chasing Welsh star

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BRITISH and Irish Lions star James Hook is considering a sensational defection to Australia to join the Melbourne Rebels.

The 75-Test Welsh playmaker has a release clause from his contract with French club Perpignan after they were relegated from the Top 14, leading to a frenzied chase between four countries for his services.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that the Rebels have offered Hook a two-year deal that would see him assume the troublesome No.10 jersey once worn by Danny Cipriani, James O'Connor and Kurtley Beale.

But the Rebels face stiff competition from Hook's old club Ospreys, who would hold a sentimental edge.

It was also revealed on Monday that South African Super Rugby franchises Sharks and Stormers are interested in signing Hook, while French club Lyon remain another option.

Hook, once likened to All Blacks superstar Dan Carter at the start of his career, is Wales's fourth highest all-time points-scorer and has played at five-eighth, centre and fullback at Test level.

The 28-year-old would certainly deliver the Rebels significant marketing exposure, but if he snubs their offer it would be a bitter blow for a franchise that has already been rebuked by Wallabies duo Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano.

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Melbourne is desperate to land a Test quality five-eighth after the departure of the three amigos left their stocks bare.

Meanwhile, Melbourne has been hit with another injury blow as they prepare to host the high-flying Waratahs on Friday night.

Halfback Luke Burgess has been ruled out for up to two months with a knee injury suffered in the win against Queensland last weekend.

It gives an opportunity for Josh Holmes to make a stunning return to Super Rugby against his old club.

Holmes was signed on a short-term deal by the Rebels after injury to their other halfback Nick Stirzaker.

Holmes, who has been running around in Sydney club rugby for Warringah the past year, will fight it out with rookie Ben Meehan for a place in the starting side.

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Brabham, the Bradman of motorsport

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GIANTS of the international racing community were reeling on Monday at the news of the death of Australian racing legend Sir Jack Brabham, whose name became synonymous with the Formula One format in its golden era of the 50s and 60s.

Brabham, who at 88 was the oldest living Formula One world champion after taking his titles in 1959-1960-1966, died suddenly at his home on the Gold Coast.

But the affable veteran of 126 Grand Prix with 14 wins was much more than just a racing driver.

He was a hugely talented engineer, a successful businessman, a talent spotter and a committed and passionate father and grandfather.

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He was also an old-school Aussie who came up the hard way, conquered the world, then relaxed into old age as a genuine statesman.

Brabham was deaf from his years of racing without earplugs and had suffered from failing health for more than a decade, having regular dialysis for eight years, but expired while having breakfast with his second wife, Lady Margaret.

Mark Webber credits Sir Jack as the inspiration for his drive to the top of Formula One and there are plenty of other successful people in motorsport who looked up to him.

"He was a great guy and, looking back on what he achieved, it was just amazing," said Mick Doohan, a five-time world motorcycle champion.

"I feel honoured to have enjoyed Sir Jack's company and expertise many times in my career. He always had time and a good story," said James Courtney, a V8 Supercar champion who was also an F1 test driver with the Jaguar team.

But it is not just drivers mourning the passing of the racer known as 'Black Jack', because of his stubble.

"Build them, race them, win them. We will never see another like the great Sir Jack Brabham," tweeted Eric Bana, the actor who also dabbles in racing.

Jack Brabham wins "The Mercury" Classic at Longford. Picture: Don Towell Source: Supplied

A former air force mechanic, Brabham learned his trade in dirt track racing in Sydney and then headed for Britain, where he cracked a job and a drive with the Cooper team in Formula One. His sliding sideways style and his take-no-prisoners attitude quickly took him to the front.

It helped that he was leading a transition to rear-engined racing cars, a challenge that allowed him to dip into his engineering background. But an exhausted Brabham also had to push his car over the line to claim the title in 1959 after a mechanic failed to fill it up for the deciding race at Sebring in Florida.

He repeated as champion in 1960 before leaving Cooper to set up his own team with technical guru and fellow Aussie Ron Tauranac, who is now retired in Sydney.

Sir Jack Brabham at Silverstone in 1961. Source: Supplied

Ahead of the 1966 season he convinced the Australian engineering company Repco to supply him with a locally-developed V8 engine and the combination became a world beater. Brabham was champion again, the only driver to achieve the feat in a car bearing their own name, and his teammate Denny Hulme repeated the dose in 1967.

Brabham joked about his advancing years and even wore a fake beard as he raced into his 40s in Europe, but was still a championship contender and race winner until his final F1 season in 1970. He was also the first man to be knighted for his success in motorsport.

He returned to Australia after his retirement, where he had set up a Ford dealership in Sydney as one of his business ventures, as his sons began to make their mark in racing.

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Geoffrey narrowly missed graduation to F1 but won the Le Mans 24-hour race and starred at the Indianapolis 500 — where his father drove the first rear-engined car in 1961. Gary was also a race winner and David, the youngest son of Brabham and his first wife Betty, had a short run in F1, is still a regular guest driver in V8 Supercars and has won Le Mans and multiple sports car titles.

The third generation of Brabham racers is now making their mark, with Matthew — son of Geoff — scoring multiple junior championships in the USA and aiming for the Grand Prix grid and Sam — son of David and Lisa in the UK — recently scoring his first win in the British Formula Ford championship.

Sir Jack Brabham with David Brabham at a tribute dinner. Source: News Limited

Tributes flowed for Brabham, who is likely to be honoured with a state funeral. Among those leading the applause are Ron Dennis, once Brabham's mechanic and now the boss of the mighty F1 McLaren team.

"Even as a callow youth, I could recognise greatness when I saw it, and I'll always regard it as an honour and a privilege to have worked for Sir Jack. I learned a lot from him too," Dennis said.

Alan Jones, the only other Australian to win a Formula One world championship in 1980, is an obvious fan.

"He is not only the greatest driver this country has produced, but is one of the world's best," said Jones. "He is up there with Sir Donald Bradman."

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Wilkinson calls time on stellar career

Johnny Wilkinson has called time on his career. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Limited

ENGLAND World Cup hero Jonny Wilkinson announced Monday that he will retire at the end of the season after Toulon's European and French Top 14 finals.

"I would like to take this opportunity to formally announce my retirement from playing rugby," the 34-year-old said in a statement on his club's website.

"I have an enormous number of people to thank for their support from all around the world but especially here in France and in England," Wilkinson said,

"This however is not at all the time to be concentrating on this as I would like to focus all my attention and energy on the team and these final two games of the season."

The fly-half, most famous for winning the 2003 World Cup for England with an extra-time drop goal against Australia, only ever played for two clubs during his 17-year long career, joining big-spending Toulon from Newcastle in 2009

Johnny Wilkinson holds up the European Cup Rugby trophy with his Toulon teammates. Source: AP

He played an integral part in Toulon's rise to the pinnacle of French rugby, but with his 35th birthday fast approaching, his retirement at the end of the season had been widely expected.

Wilkinson won 91 caps for England, and played in a second World Cup final in 2007 when they were beaten 15-6 by South Africa. He scored a total of 1,246 points, second only in the world to the 1,442 of All Black Dan Carter.

He was part of four Six Nations title wins for England with the peak being a Grand Slam under coach Clive Woodward in 2003, the same year England won the World Cup 20-17 in Sydney.

He also won six caps for the British and Irish Lions, but retired from international rugby in December 2011 after the World Cup in New Zealand to concentrate on playing for Toulon.

Johnny Wilkinson celebrates England's World Cup win over Australia. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited

Wilkinson's distinctive kicking style brought him great success and set a new benchmark for perfectionism in rugby which subsequently has been followed by a new generation of place-kickers.

The final two games of his career will see him wear the colours of Toulon on Saturday in the European Cup final against Saracens in Cardiff and the French Top 14 final against Castres at the Stade de France a week later.

Wilkinson enjoyed European Cup success with Toulon last year, when he was player of the year at the club, but he has yet to add a Top 14 title to his list of achievements, having played on the losing side in the last two years.

Of the starting line up for the 2003 World Cup final only Wilkinson and Mike Tindall remain as players although the latter is player/coach at Gloucester and is expected to soon announce his retirement.

Iain Balshaw, who came off the bench in extra-time in the final, is still with Biarritz, newly-relegated from the French top flight.

Johnny Wilkinson displays the Member of the Order of the British Empire. Source: AP

Former teammates lined up to sing the praises of the man whose boot brought them glory.

Fellow World Cup winner Richard Hill told the BBC: "On the pitch there have been players who have had as big an impact as Jonny, and Jonny would be the first to admit that the World Cup-winning team was about more than one man.

"But in terms of someone who has engaged and captivated such a wide diversity of supporters and non-rugby people, he stands alone."

Flanker James Haskell said that Wilkinson had been instrumental in raising the profile of world rugby.

"There's no way you can escape from it; everything he's done for rugby, the example he's set, the fact that he's kept his feet on the ground through everything," he said.

"He was as big as David Beckham. He put rugby on the map, he won a World Cup for England. He's such an incredibly humble guy and so professional."

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All eyes on Rogic in build-up to Brazil

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TOM Rogic admits the past few months of his career have been a test of his character as he makes his way back from injury.

The promising Rogic joined Melbourne Victory on loan from his Scottish club Celtic in a bid to get more game time ahead of the World Cup.

But he managed just 11 games in the four months he spent in Melbourne, before a groin injury ended his season early.

Still, Rogic, 21, insists his brief return to Australia was a success and he is slowly returning to form and fitness in the build-up to Brazil.

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"I came here and played a lot of games in a short amount of time," Rogic said.

"I got injured towards the end of that, which has been frustrating and unfortunate, but I still got to play week in and week out and it gave me match fitness.

"It's difficult, but every player goes through ups and downs and it's extremely frustrating when that happens. This year I've had a few injuries and it's been a bit stop-start.

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"It tests your character a little bit and that's when you get frustrated at times. But there's not a lot you can do about it except just keep working hard. It feels good to be back on the pitch now."

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Rogic was one of 15 squad members who took part in an open training session at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday, but no other player has been as closely scrutinised.

Despite his nine international appearances, the dynamic forward has yet to reach his full potential with the Socceroos.

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But Rogic insists he is paying little attention to what people are saying about him outside of his teammates and family.

"It doesn't really matter," he said. "They can write up whatever they want, good or bad, it's my job to just not pay any attention. Speak to any player and the main thing is you just need the people around you — in the dressing room, your family and the coaches — to be the ones who advise you. Outside of that, to me it's irrelevant and I do my best not to pay ­attention to it.

"I can't control it, all I can control is getting fit, playing and enjoying my football."

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Rogic played for the Socceroos in their most recent matches against Costa Rica and Ecuador and is likely to feature against South Africa in next week's farewell friendly.

But he doesn't expect the game to be a true reflection of how the Socceroos will perform in Brazil.

"The match against South Africa is a friendly and it's part of our preparation for the World Cup," he said.

"We certainly don't want to be peaking for that game. The tournament starts two or three weeks later, so I'm sure it will be a good test for us and hopefully it will be a nice way to send the team off to Brazil."

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Aussies feeling Lucky Nine in Singapore

Brett Prebble riding Absolutely wins the Singapore Airlines A380 London Stakes. Source: Neville Hopwood / Getty Images

AUSTRALIAN trainers and jockeys dominated Singapore's biggest day of racing as Hong Kong based Brett Prebble created history by winning his second consecutive KriyFlyer International Sprint at Lucky Nine at Kranji.

In a night of contrasting fortunes for the Australians, former Sturt footballer Jeremy Gask, who now trains in England, had his mount Medicean Man scratched behind the barriers after it pulled off a glue-on shoe.

Medicean Man, who was to be ridden by Damien Oliver, could not be replated behind the barriers because Gask did not want the horse, which has a history of hoof problems. shod with nails.

Lucky Nine could be headed back to Australia to have another crack at the Manikato Stakes, which he ran a narrow second in last year, but the horse failed up the Flemington straight last spring in the VRC Sprint.

Medicean Man (foreground) was scratched in Singapore. Source: Getty Images

Hong Kong based trainer Caspar Fownes said he would not race the horse on a track that didn't have a turn.

"It was a big effort again, he's blown them away," Fownes said.

"We were a bit unlucky in the Manikato, so we'd like to go back and see if we can nail that.

"It depends – we either go back there or go to Japan.

One of the attractions for Fownes is Moonee Valley's tight contours and the fact Lucky Nine is superior around a bend than down a straight.

"Absolutely," Fownes said when asked if Lucky Nine preferred to race around a bend.

"No more straight racing for him."

Prebble admitted he had a few sleepless nights and said he was at first sceptical about Lucky Nine going back-to-back.

But he said he grow more confident with the realisation that Lucky Nine was better than this time last year.

The Australian contingent dominated the rich program, winning eight of the first nine races.

Former Victorian trainer Cliff Brown, now based at Kranji, took just the opening three races to notch up a double. Brown's Zac Spirit ran third in the KrisFlyer.

He combined with the now Hong Kong based champion jockey Joao Moreira to win the opening race.

And it was left to former top Australian jockey Corey Brown to win the second race, while the Aussie flag flew again in the third race when Brett Prebble, now based in Hong Kong, rode Brown's Absolutely to victory.

Corey Brown, on Twickenham, got over the top of Damien Oliver's Eagle Storm on the line in the fifth race, after the Aussies failed in the previous races.

And Zac Purton, who heads the Hong Kong jockeys' premiership, rode Kate's Keeper to victory in the sixth race.

Beasley had to wait for the seventh race to ride his first winner, Martin, for New Zealand's Laurie Laxton who trained 1988 Melbourne Cup winner Empire Rose.

He then completed a winning double in the following race when he teamed with another of Australia's Kranji based trainers, Shane Baertschiger to win.

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Foley, Beale stake Wallabies claims

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WITH Quade Cooper gone and Kurtley Beale scoring inside 25 minutes on Sunday, Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie could have thought two things.

It was either problem solved, or problem doubled.

The likely absence of Cooper for the June Test series — MRI scans are on Monday expected to reveal a six-to-eight-week A/C joint injury — gave Beale the stage to audition as understudy, and in tearing up the Lions, the NSW No. 12 delivered.

But, as has been the case all season, it was a two-man show.

Right alongside him NSW no. 10 Bernard Foley turned a timely Wallaby trial himself, unfurling a man-of-the-match, 21-point performance to steer the Waratahs to a dominant win over the Lions at Allianz Stadium.

It was a telling victory for the Waratahs; arguably as important as any of the season. Where expansive play beat a like-minded Hurricanes last start, this time the same attitude overcame

a muscular Lions side whose scrum and defence has overcome good teams this year.

Bernard Foley turned in a man-of-the-match performance for the Waratahs. Source: Getty Images

At the heart of the NSW attack was Beale and Foley, and it would have been well received by McKenzie less than 24 hours after his Wallabies playmaking picture was thrown into disarray.

McKenzie, who names a 32-man Wallabies squad on Thursday, was set to show loyalty to Cooper for his No. 10 jersey, with burly Brumbies five-eighth Matt Toomua shifted out to No. 12.

The now-likely selection of Toomua at No. 10 in gold opened the door for Christian Lealiifano, Kyle Godwin, Pat McCabe or Beale to emerge grab the no. 12.

But with the Brumbies pair stumbling in a loss to the Cheetahs early Sunday morning (AEST), and Godwin — who some still strongly tip as a bolter — injured for the Force's loss to the Stormers, the door was open for Beale.

He skipped through it, being held up in the opening minutes, scoring a try in the 24th and laid on a with a brilliantly weighted kick to space for Adam Ashley Cooper's try.

Kurtley Beale played a starring role in the Waratahs' win over the Lions. Source: News Corp Australia

The problem for Beale came in the guy alongside him, who scored a try and used deft touch with the boot to give Beale his five-pointer.

Foley is arguably the best Australian ballplayer taking the ball to the line, and as importantly, using smarts when there. He slipped past a hooker to cross in the eighth minute, but then curled a stab grubber through on almost the same spot for Beale to score 16 minutes later.

It opened up the idea of Foley — who McKenzie capped four times last year — becoming a Wallaby No. 10 option for the coach, particularly when considering his seven from seven goalkicking effort might solve a problem at Test level as well.

The question was put to Waratahs coach Michael Cheika — could Foley, or even Beale, be considered as the replacement five-eighth for Cooper?

"I'd think they would pick Matt Toomua (at No. 10) wouldn't they? I'd say they would," Cheika said.

"I think both Bernard and Kurtley can do the job if necessary."

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Perhaps indicating he regarded Beale as a more natural No. 10, however, than centre Cheika said he appreciated the "sacrifice" he'd made by shifting spots for the Waratahs under their two-playmaker model.

"Kurtley has made a major sacrifice because he's playing for us where we want him to play, and it's probably hindering his chances to play (in the Wallaby No. 10), but I respect that in a player and a person," Cheika said.

When it comes to Test selection, however, the biggest hurdle Beale has to overcome is not due to NSW's attacking structure, but their defensive set-up.

Beale defends on the wing for the Waratahs, who have the strong-tackling Rob Horne able to move in. It is unlikely McKenzie would want to replicate it, so it would've encouraged the coach to see Beale defending at No. 12 and making good tackles for the last 15 minutes.

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Other Waratahs stepped on stage for McKenzie as well in their final audition before the Thursday squad.

Will Skelton would seem a moral to make the cut, with another robust display.

Horne reminded his old NSW coach just how much grit he carries into contact with a two-try effort, and Ashley-Cooper opened up the consideration for a return to the gold No. 13 ahead of Tevita Kuridrani with an industrious afternoon.

A freed-up wing spot could see a bolter like Rebels winger Tom English get a deserved nod.

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Thunder courting Cummins for BBL

Pat Cummins is set to be snapped up by Sydney Thunder for the BBL. Source: Colin Murty / News Limited

WESTERN Sydney's most ­exciting young cricketer, Pat Cummins, is returning home for the Big Bash.

Cummins is set to join the Sydney Thunder, while cricket's favourite Westie, Doug Bollinger, is also returning home and is poised to sign with the Sydney Sixers.

The Sixers are on the verge of recruiting damaging West Indian T20 all-rounder Dwayne Smith. A late withdrawal from the Perth Scorchers squad last season, Smith has been flying in the IPL.

He was the second-highest run- scorer in the tournament heading into Chennai's match overnight against Bangalore.

Smith has 440 runs at 45 with a competition-high five half-centuries, bettered only by Glenn Maxwell's rampant 517 runs at 52 with a strike rate of almost 200.

West Indian Dwayne Smith is on the verge of joining Sydney Sixers. Source: News Limited

The official Big Bash trade period begins on Monday but Cummins is unlikely to sign with the Thunder for five months.

Cummins spent the past two years contracted to the Perth Scorchers, who won the Big Bash title last summer, and is due to play for the Scorchers during the Champions League in September and October.

In other Big Bash player highlights:

●England's explosive T20 specialist Alex Hales looks set to leave the Adelaide Strikers to join the Hobart Hurricanes;

● Kevin Pietersen will join the Melbourne Stars as the Big Bash's marquee signing;

● Brad Hodge will leave the Melbourne Stars for the Adelaide Strikers;

● Callum Ferguson is keen to leave the Strikers for the Melbourne Renegades so he can bat in the top three;

● Michael Klinger is still contracted to the Strikers despite leaving South Australia to play Sheffield Shield and one-day cricket with Western Australia. The Strikers may require a suitable trade to release him; and

● David Hussey's desire to join his brother Mike at the Sydney Thunder has been quelled by a new role with Cricket Victoria.

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Horwill fumes after ‘gouge’ call

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IRATE Reds skipper James Horwill has fumed that the gouging send-off for Ed O'Donoghue was a farce and that Super Rugby is being ruined by a slow-down bug.

Horwill knew he was risking a $5000 fine or more with Saturday night's stinging post-match criticism but shot from the hip anyway at the pivotal call in the 30-27 loss.

Replacement lock O'Donoghue clearly gave Rebels skipper Scott Higginbotham, a former Wests clubmate, a heavy facial as they grappled on the ground.

It was stupid but it will be argued at his judicial hearing that it did not cross the line to raking or gouging of the eyes.

Reds lock Ed O'Donoghue was red-carded after this incident with Rebels captain Scott Higginbotham. Source: FoxSports

Horwill's angst was with the first movement of a Reds attacking lineout already starting in the 79th minute before the Television Match Official intervened and ultimately forced a red card decision from referee Steve Walsh.

He shifted play 50m downfield to a deciding Rebels penalty goal.

"I've played 150 professional games of rugby and I've never ever ever seen that happen before," Horwill said.

"This spectacle of Super Rugby is being ruined. There's too much going back and slowing of the game. It's getting beyond a joke.

"Super Rugby has always been about expansive rugby but it's going out of the game. The Rebels defended well but there were no repercussions, no yellow cards, for slowing tactics when we were in the attacking zone."

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Higginbotham looked to have nudged a head into O'Donoghue's head. It appeared to be the trigger but Horwill had no on-field joy trying to get Walsh to go back to that incident with the TMO.

"There was a pretty clear clash of heads, intentional or not," Horwill said.

"From my experience of eye gouging, there's a mark. There was no mark on Higgers.

"Higgers thought he was in trouble (for an infringement). He was surprised (at the gouging call). Come on.

"At every breakdown, there are hands, arms, elbows, knees. That's the reality of a physical game. You can't pick one moment out and not go back for every single one in every game."

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The emotion of a sixth-straight loss all fed into Horwill's despair and the feeling that referee Walsh failed to issue yellow cards on the Rebels were slowing the Reds attack close to the tryline.

Reds coach Richard Graham thought it "ridiculous" that play should be put on rewind when the lineout had already started.

Rebels coach Tony McGahan celebrated a hugely satisfying win as a "very important night for the club and the direction of this team."

He thought Walsh was justified with his red card call.

"Thankfully the fourth official came over the top, reviewed it and made a decision," McGahan said.

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Rebels flanker Scott Fuglistaller added: "Anything around the head you can't touch. It's sacrosanct."

Rebels matchwinner Luke Burgess was helped off with a twisted knee in the second half but McGahan said he did not expect it to be major damage.

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Dockers do it for milestone man, Pav

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AFTER carrying them for a fair chunk of his 300 games, Matthew Pavlich's teammates last night gave their inspirational skipper the best possible thank you - the chance to win the only medal he really wants.

Fremantle's top-four and premiership hopes remain alive after the Dockers survived yet another riveting contest against great rival Geelong at Patersons Stadium.

The 32-point victory, 13.18 (96) to 9.10 (64), sends the Dockers to their bye at 5-4 and with the toughest part of their draw in the rear view mirror.

Laced with the usual heady mix of brilliance and controversy these combatants so often serve up, a win against Geelong is always well-earned and this was no exception as the Cats suffered just the second loss of their season.

Hayden Ballantyne celebrates a goal with Stephen Hill (left) and Nat Fyfe. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Corp Australia

Fremantle's midfield was supreme and Pavlich and Hayden Ballantyne starred in attack with three goals each.

Geelong skipper Joel Selwood had 35 touches and nine clearances, but lacked support as Fremantle's all-star midfield triumvirate of David Mundy, Nat Fyfe and Michael Barlow held sway in the clinches.

The Dockers smashed the Cats in the clearance (45-29) and contested ball (162-120) counts, with ruckman Aaron Sandilands dominant and Stephen Hill slicing and dicing the visitors on the spread.

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The match-up between Geelong gun Steve Johnson and Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley was worth the price of admission in itself, and a series of incidents involving the pair remain huge talking points.

Held to just six disposals in the first half, an increasingly frustrated Johnson reacted.

His headbutt on Crowley in the second term will attract the attention of the Match Review Panel, while a comical incident in the interchange area in the third term was another major controversy.

Matthew Pavlich is carried off the field by Aaron Sandilands and Zac Clarke. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Corp Australia

The emergency umpire appeared to pay a free kick against Crowley for contact with Selwood around Geelong's interchange area, despite the Docker being dragged through the Cats' interchange gate by the guernsey by a cheeky Johnson.

Pavlich kicked all three of his goals in the first half to set the tone, leading the way in a frenzied opening as the Dockers ran the Cats off their feet in a five-goals-to-none stanza.

Dominant at the stoppages, Fremantle gained the early ascendancy to get the jump on the shell-shocked visitors.

The milestone man kicked the game's opening goal within a minute in a dream start, nailing a drop punt from an acute angle deep in the pocket.

Pavlich was involved in the next two goals as well as the Dockers had three majors within six minutes.

Joel Selwood attempts to gather under pressure from Nathan Fyfe and Aaron Sandilands. Picture: Daniel Wilkins Source: News Corp Australia

He had his second entering time-on of the opening term, bringing up his 600th career major and becoming just the seventh player in VFL/AFL history to achieve the 300-game/600-goal double.

The Cats hit back early in the second quarter with goals to spearhead Tom Hawkins, who finished with three, and Travis Varcoe as Fremantle missed a string of chances in front of goal at the other end.

Carrying a fracture in his cheekbone and playing without a helmet, Ballantyne whipped the crowd into a frenzy with his running goal mid-way through the quarter.

Pavlich added his third from a set shot to continue his big night but the home team's 30-point lead at half-time could have been far greater, with Freo spraying 2.8 in the second term.

The teams added three goals apiece in the third stanza, with the electric Ballantyne getting his second and then third goals as the Dockers kept Geelong at bay.

Jed Bews was solid in his AFL debut for Geelong. Source: Getty Images

Defender Harry Taylor was sent forward as the Cats looked for answers but a relentless Fremantle remained in control.

The visitors rallied against the odds in the last quarter, remaining an outside chance of stealing the match when Steven Motlop kicked his first at the 19-minute mark to close the gap to 19 points.

If there were nerves in the crowd of 38,565 they were quickly settled by youngster Tom Sheridan, whose set shot goal two minutes later restored a comfortable buffer on a night Fremantle paid a fitting tribute to its greatest servant.

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