Cowboys travel woes continue

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IT's official. North Queensland can't fire a shot on the road _ and stand accused as the biggest underachievers in the NRL.

They were the only conclusions to draw after the Cowboys' horror away form continued with a woeful 36-28 loss to the last-placed Knights in Newcastle.

Don't be fooled by the scoreline. Newcastle led 32-10 with 14 minutes to go and merrily clocked off, allowing the Cowboys to post three late tries.

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Beau Scott runs the balls for the Knights. Source: News Corp Australia

The absence of Origin II casualties Matt Scott and Brent Tate were seismic setbacks. Factor in the loss of Ray Thompson (hamstring) and Rory Kostjasyn (ribs) and North Queensland had some mitigation to explain a defeat they could live to regret.

But nothing can truly excuse the defensive fragility of a Cowboys side that has become the NRL's Jekyll-and-Hyde riddle.

Monday night's collapse in Newcastle was their seventh consecutive away defeat. And unless Paul Green's troops learn to play outside of Townsville and defend with consistency in the middle, season 2014 will be the Cowboys' latest train wreck.

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Cowboys Johnathan Thurston after being hurt in a tackle. Source: News Corp Australia

"We need to start winning those games, it's frustrating because we are a different team defensively (away from home)," coach Green lamented.

"We need to be better in that area. It's a number of things.

"It's a bit of confidence, a bit of trust in each other ... we need to look at that."

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The Cowboys looked set to wake from their travelling siesta when Antonio Winterstein crossed after just two minutes. But then their defensive structures fell apart as the embattled Knights raced in seven tries, including a double from Maroons hopeful Dane Gagai.

Newcastle's Kurt Gidley scores a try. Source: News Corp Australia

Even the talismanic Johnathan Thurston had an off-night, twice resembling a human speed bump as Maroons teammate Darius Boyd and Gagai ran riot.

The night finished controversially for Boyd, who was reported for a high shot on Thurston in the final minute of Newcastle's hatchet job.

The Cowboys finished the round 11th with a 6-8 record and now face a daunting home clash against big guns Souths this Saturday night in Townsville.

Amid the disappointment, Green refrained from going for the jugular, looking for a silver lining in his injury-depleted squad.

Newcastle's Jeremy Smith breaks the Cowboys defence. Source: News Corp Australia

"We're under the pump in that regard, Origin II hurt us and we copped a bit of the same here losing Ray and Rory," he said.

"We had guys playing out of position, Tariq Sims was at centre at one stage, so there were some courageous efforts.

"Matt (Scott) and Tatey are Test players and it has a huge impact on your game, but there's no point whingeing about it."

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Club powerbrokers must soon start seriously asking what is going wrong. Cowboys chiefs last year deemed coach Neil Henry wasn't the answer and duly speared him. But with Henry gone, surely the buck stops with the players.

Newcastle's Dane Gagai makes a break to score a try. Source: News Corp Australia

The relief for Green is that the Cowboys have sufficient time to resurrect their season. But when you make the lowly Knights look like the Brisbane Broncos circa 1992, alarm bells are ringing.

"We need to be more desperate in defence," prop James Tamou said. "We tried to talk ourselves up ... but talking only gets you so far."

NEWCASTLE 36 (D Gagai 2 D Boyd K Gidley J Leilua T Roberts A Uate tries K Gidley 4 goals) bt NORTH QUEENSLAND 28 (R Lui 2 C Rona T Sims A Winterstein tries J Thurston 4 goals) at Hunter Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Henry Perenara. Crowd: 11,925

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Knights pile pain on Cowboys

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IT hasn't exactly dug them out of the big hole they are in but it's a start.

Wayne Bennett's Knights ended 73 miserable days without a win by easily accounting for North Queensland at Hunter Stadium.

With fullback Darius Boyd heavily involved in just about everything, the Knights turned a 16-6 halftime lead into a commanding 36-28 win to finally end a seven-game losing streak.

Beau Scott runs the balls for the Knights. Source: News Corp Australia

Boyd scored a first half try and was heavily involved in a number of others but finished the game on report for an alleged high tackle on Cowboys skipper Johnathan Thurston.

Centre Dane Gagai did his hopes of an Origin 111 call-up no harm with two tries while Beau Scott, Jarrod Mullen and Kurt Gidley were other quality performers for the Knights.

The undermanned Cowboys have now lost all their seven away games this season with the loss leaving them in 11th spot.

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Cowboys Johnathan Thurston after being hurt in a tackle. Source: News Corp Australia

To make matters worse, they lost halfback Ray Thompson to a leg injury and hooker Rory Kostjasyn to broken ribs during the game.

The Cowboys scored four late tries to make the scoreline more respectable with replacement halfback Robert Lui's awarded his second try close to fulltime despite clearly losing the ball over the line.

Newcastle's Kurt Gidley scores a try. Source: News Corp Australia

The home side got off to the worst possible start with a Darius Boyd mistake gifting the Cowboys first points after just two minutes.

Under heavy pressure, Boyd fumbled a Johnathan Thurston bomb with winger Antonio Winterstein making the Knights fullback pay with the game's opening try.

It was the perfect start for the Cowboys but there were some early signs the loss of Origin prop

Matt Scott would hurt them defensively with the Knights finding opportunities up the middle.

Newcastle's Jeremy Smith breaks the Cowboys defence. Source: News Corp Australia

Playmaker Jarrod Mullen exposed them with a 25 metre bust that led to nothing but they hit back not long after when a Jeremy Smith one-on-one strip put them back on the attack.

This time, Newcastle worked a second man play to the left with Mullen, Kurt Gidley and Boyd handling before Leilua crossed.

Trailling 6-4, it was the Knights who were looking the more dangerous and they had the lead 22 minutes through Boyd.

Newcastle's Joey Leilua is tackled by the Cowboys defence. Source: News Corp Australia

The Knights fullback backed up on the inside after backrower Beau Scott broke free of a Thurston tackle and crossed under the posts.

After missing his first attempt, Gidley slotted home from in front and the Knights led 10-6.

The Cowboys lost halfback Ray Thompson to a leg injury straight after the try and went close to levelling it up when interchange forward Jason Taumalolo was grassed just short by Leilua.

Five minutes out from the break, Gidley gave his side some breathing.

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Knights teammates celebrate a try with Cowboys players looking dejected. Source: Getty Images

Playing at halfback, his third position in his past three matches, the Knights skipper stepped past Ashton Sims from close range and reached out to touch down.

In the closing minutes of the half, Thurston was denied by some desperate defence close to the Knights line to leave the home side 16-6 ahead at the break.

Two tries in the space of three minutes early in the second half to the Knights broke the game wide open.

Newcastle's Dane Gagai makes a break to score a try. Source: News Corp Australia

Centre Dane Gagai scored the first, standing up Thurston and pushing off backrower Ethan Lowe in a 30 metre bust to the tryline.

Then, Knights backrower Robbie Rockow sent Boyd away after slipping a great pass in traffic with the fullback finding Tyrone Roberts in support to complete an 80 metre try.

At 28-6, Newcastle was well in command and despite a Tariq Sims try which got the Cowboys back to 28-10, it was all over when Gagai scored his second soon after.

NEWCASTLE 36 (D Gagai 2 D Boyd K Gidley J Leilua T Roberts A Uate tries K Gidley 4 goals) bt NORTH QUEENSLAND 28 (R Lui 2 C Rona T Sims A Winterstein tries J Thurston 4 goals) at Hunter Stadium. Referee: Matt Cecchin, Henry Perenara. Crowd: 11,925.

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Matosevic upsets Verdasco at Wimbledon

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A MONTH after kicking a "giant gorilla" off his broad shoulders, Marinko Matosevic has thundered into Wimbledon's second round.

Unable to win any of his first 12 grand slam matches, Matosevic partially corrected the anomaly at the French Open last month.

And he went a significant step better at Wimbledon, where he caned 18th seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-2 to register a huge milestone victory.

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The powerful Victorian kept Court 8 spectators entertained as much with his thunderous winners as his incessant commentary.

Coached by Mark Woodforde, Matosevic has endured a rugged stretch of losses at the elite level, failing in often heartbreaking fashion to seeded opposition.

But his 30 winners, intensity and aggression were too much for Verdasco.

Fernando Verdasco hits a forehand return back to Marinko Matosevic on Wimbeldon's opening day. Source: AFP

Unlike at Roland Garros, where he rolled joyously in the red clay after finally breaking through, Matosevic this time roared in delight and thrust his arms outward in triumph.

Matosevic was the first to strike, breaking serve in the third game, but the ascendancy was short-lived.

The Victorian netted a smash in the following game of a testing Verdasco lob and the contest was back on an even keel.

The blunder prompted Matosevic to mutter: "Oh God."

Two games later, he berated himself with: "What's wrong with ya? Put it away."

Matosevic's persistence paid off when his aggression caused Verdasco to double-fault.

Serving for the set, Matosevic staved off two break points to reach deuce, only to slip while attacking the net.

"Yep, that can only happen to me," he said before averting the crisis.

Matosevic is a picture of concentration as he hits a double-handed backhand. Source: AFP

The burly Australian directed his running commentary towards Brazilian umpire Carlos Bernardes when his serve, which appeared to be an ace, was called wide.

"No way, off the line. Took part of the line, Carlos," he said.

Another slip caused Matosevic to yell "shoes" before he secured the first set in perfect conditions.

Australian Open semi-finalist Verdasco clambered back on terms with a composed second set.

But when Matosevic struck twice in four games to snatch the third set and lead the fourth bracket 2-0, the Spaniard was on the ropes.

Leading 4-2, and steaming towards victory, Matosevic slipped heavily as he charged the net.

By now unstoppable, Matosevic regrouped quickly — and broke serve — as a rattled Verdasco again misfired.

Five points later it was over, triggering another rich show of emotion.

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Stosur loses in Wimbledon first round

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SAM Stosur's Wimbledon's misery has deepened after the Queenslander's All England Club bogey returned to haunt her.

The 17th seeded posted her sixth first-round loss in 12 starts on the sport's highest stage, plunging to a 6-3 6-4 exit to Belgian's world No 69 Yanina Wickmayer.

Stosur's dismal Wimbledon record worsened to eight wins from 20 matches as the US Open champion unravelled in perfect conditions.

Coachless after splitting with Scottish mentor Miles MacLagan a week ago, Stosur was simply outplayed — and baffled.

"Yeah, pretty annoyed about it, to be honest," she said.

Samantha Stosur serves to 's Yanina Wickmayer during their first round match at the All England Club. Source: AP

"I don't have an answer 'cause, like I said, I do feel I played well; I think she played well and she stuck to it right from first point to last point.

"She did well to carry that through, and nearly without a blip.

"That's that. I still think I'm a good enough player to get through first rounds here, and for whatever reasons it's not happening."

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Stosur said she would not be rushed into finding a new coach, saying she would take her time.

Despite clubbing 13 aces to Wickmayer's four, the US Open winner could not match the Belgian from the baseline.

Stosur made a diabolical start, losing serve in the opening game as Wickmayer first paraded her lethal backhand.

Stosur hits a double-handed backhand to Wickmayer. Source: AP

Untroubled on serve, the Belgian maintained impressive pressure and momentum as Stosur searched for way to disrupt the baseliner.

Inspired by the courtside presence of former world No 1 Kim Clijsters, Wickmayer continued to hammer Stosur's flaky defences with her deadly backhand.

Pinning the Queensland deep into the backhand corner, Wickmayer earned a set service break — and the set — when Stosur netted a lame forehand.

The second set followed a similar pattern as Stosur struggled for rhythm as groundstrokes and nerves failed.

Wickmayer leaves the ground to hit a forehand return back to Stosur. Source: AFP

She slumped to what should have been a terminal service, allowing Wickmayer to serve for the match at 5-3.

For the first time in the contest, Wickmayer blundered to gift Stosur a lifeline.

But only four points later, Stosur faced another crisis at two match points down at 15-40.

She saved the first with a monster serve but she had no answer to the searing Wickmayer crosscourt forehand to bow out in 69 minutes.

Russian 32nd seed Elena Vesnina was the first player to reach the second round with a 6-4 6-4 thumping of Austrian Patricia Mayr-Achleitner

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Not a bad weekend for Bernie

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IT was meant to take Melbourne four months for Paul Roos to add the lick of cream his midfield desperately craves.

Bernie Vince fast-tracked that to just four nights but as the former Crow delivered a career-best 41-disposal match, North Melbourne's 41-point win highlighted how urgently the Demons needs to supersize Roos' order.

KANGAROOS TOO HOT FOR SLOPPY DEMONS

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Vince, 28, was on Gary Ablett pace as he walked off at halftime with three majors from 25 disposals, keeping a sloppy Melbourne in the hunt.

Roos declared on Tuesday the Demons' list priority was to find some Rolls-Royces to compete with the league's best onball divisions and as Vince leapt to that level last night Chris Salem showed two glimpses he will develop into a super slick midfielder.

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The first came as the No. 9 pick set up a James Frawley goal with a clever and courageous spoil in the second quarter and he backed that up with a pinpoint pass to Vince in the goalsquare moments later.

Salem, the hero last week, is the best kick Robert Shaw has seen in school footy with his bullet passes earning him a healthy 73 per cent disposal efficiency in last year's TAC Cup.

When he and Vince combined the Dees had finally — albeit briefly — hit the pause button on the Benny Hill music at the MCG, drawing within seven points.

Bernie Vince chases down the loose footy despite the attention of Levi Greenwood. Pic: Michael Klein. Source: News Corp Australia

But as Ryan Bastinac began to apply pressure to Vince's second-half disposals, the Roos finally busted the match open as the Demons continually made horror mistakes.

North's onslaught included six goals in 12 minutes as the Kangaroos applied a facelift to an ugly mess and the Demons' drain of engine room gloss was again laid bare.

Ten clubs have produced Brownlow medallists since Chaz was draped around Dee Shane Woewodin's neck in 2000, while Melbourne hasn't had an All-Australian midfielder since James McDonald won a place on the pine eight years ago.

Roos tried unsuccessfully to lure Brisbane Lion Tom Rockliff last year and there was scuttlebutt about an offer to Essendon's lethal left-footer David Myers.

Bernie Vince celebrates one of his three goals. Photo by Darrian Traynor Source: Getty Images

He wants to create a towering midfield in the Fremantle mould and could assemble a war chest should free agent James Frawley leave the club.

"We'd love to have a couple of really good midfielders, because probably the absolute class is what gets us at times," Roos said this week.

"The class of (Scott) Pendlebury and (Dane) Swan and you look at the Sydney Swans with guys like Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh and (Josh) Kennedy."

Vince slotted two first-quarter goals from long range to ignite his night, while he broke the 40-possession barrier for the first time in 142 AFL games as North's lack of a lockdown player again showed.

They are the only club to concede 23 disposals to a player in a half and have down so three times.

A physical Bastinac curtailed Vince's domination, but he isn't renowned for tagging efforts.

Former shutdown star Levi Greenwood has transitioned into a damaging ball magnet in his own right, and while Bastinac eventually got the Vince assignment, Roos was already using Daniel Cross and Jack Grimes to clamp down on Nick Dal Santo and Brent Harvey respectively.

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Saga won’t stop Bombers’ finals fling

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ESSENDON midfielder David Zaharakis says his teammates can defy the biggest legal stoush in AFL history and push hard towards finals over the remaining nine rounds.

Coach Mark Thompson delivered an brutal assessment of the toll the ongoing supplement crisis was taking on the suffering playing group, saying their win over Adelaide delivered some much needed "joy"into their lives and helped off-set feelings of "isolation" and "loneliness".

The players' concentration will face another test on Friday, when the club ramps up its legal battle against ASADA at a Federal Court directions hearing on the day of their next game against Geelong under lights at Etihad Stadium.

Ex-Cat Paul Chapman is a confirmed starter against his old side, while gun Bombers' defender Michael Hibberd (corked leg) and big man Jake Carlisle (knee) are in doubt for the Cats' clash.

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ASADA issued 34 players show cause notices over a banned substance allegedly used in 2012 but the club claims the 17-month ASADA probe was unlawful.

Zaharakis, who rejected the injections program due to his fear of needles, said the team was intent on delivering a stronger second half of the season that could help catapult it towards an historic September appearance.

The Bombers are four points outside the eight after holding off the Crows by nine points on Saturday night.

"History shows that the side that really takes the next step in the second half of the year is the one that goes into finals pretty hot," Zaharakis said.

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"That's what we are trying to do. Our consistency of training has been great and we are doing a lot of conditioning work so we don't drop off (later in the season) as we have in recent years.

"We know as a footy side we have the talent (on the list) but that can only get you so far. It is our effort that has wavered."

Zaharakis said while some players would feel the heavy strain of the ASADA probe at home, the games at the end of each week provided a welcome escape.

"As soon as the guys get here it is three hours of fun. It's the fun time of the week," he said.

"You are at a footy ground doing the things you love."

Midfielder Brendon Goddard said that the club's new Tullamarine training base had acted as a "sanctuary" to "block out the exterior expectations and perceptions".

Essendon players thank their loyal fans after the game. Source: Getty Images

"I guess we've only really got each other in these situations," Goddard said.

"When we come to training it's all about us and what we are trying to focus on."

Asked if the supplement mess was weighing on the players, Thompson said: "It sure is."

"We feel like everyone's against us and we've just got to go out and have fun and have some success and have some joy in our life," Thompson said.

"There's not much joy around.

"It would have been disastrous if we had have gone down (against the Crows) and lost again with a big lead two weeks in a row."

AND the AFL yesterday gave the all-clear to Ben Howlett's spectacular boundary line goal in the Bombers win against Adelaide.

Howlett threaded the tightest of angles from deep in the pocket but Adelaide players immediately complained to umpires that the ball appeared to glance the post.

While the goal umpire signalled a goal, the AFL said Howlett's shot also passed a goal line review.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane confirmed the decision was reviewed upstairs but said there was inconclusive evidence to overrule the goal umpire's decision.

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Port one win from finals safety

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PORT Adelaide is one win from qualifying for consecutive AFL final series for the first time since 2005. And it is still June.

Not since the heady days of its SANFL glory seasons has the Port Adelaide Football Club been in a position to plan so early for September - even before the tax man cometh. At 11-2 and one win clear of its rivals at the top of the AFL ladder, the Power is better placed than in its breakthrough 2004 premiership season (9-4, fourth) when the players were fuelled by the pain of three years of wasted opportunities.

The argument may begin that this young Power player group still has not paid its dues ... but then did the Baby Bombers who stunned the AFL by winning the 1993 flag or the Alastair Clarkson shark hunters of 2008 who netted Geelong?

Port coach Ken Hinkley is to learn plenty of his players in the next nine weeks. Last year, he watched them thrive on the edge of qualifying for the club's first final series since 2007. Such a script is never short of motivation, week after week. This season, there is the challenge of staying on the so-called "red line" for another three months - and the danger of taking short cuts, such as protecting the body be ready for confirmed appointments in September.

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The Power players returned to their Portress at Adelaide Oval on Saturday - after taking many pats on the back for a "gallant" four-point loss to Sydney at the SCG a week earlier - needing to prove the "fat head" tag thrust upon them earlier this season by North Melbourne premiership defender David King would not resurface.

The 72-point win against the lowly ranked Western Bulldogs was pretty much all Hinkley should have expected - and everything the Power players should have demanded of themselves in a competition that punishes teams that are satisfied in June.

Port lost the first quarter by four points (after being 16 points down in time-on) but - as a sign of a team with a clear focus and unbridled ambition - won the next three quarters by 16, 32 and 28 points while key forward Jay Schulz moved closer to personal success in the race for the John Coleman Medal as the AFL's leading goalkicker. His eight goals (four in the last term) matched the club's AFL record of eight from Hall of Famer Warren Tredrea against Carlton at Princes Park in 1998.

Port Adelaide celebrate their win over the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

Beyond the instant headline created by Schulz's eight goals, the other telling signs in a rather predictable game were the class of Robbie Gray, the appetite Ollie Wines has for contested football and the way captain Travis Boak sets the agenda when the Power needs to make its mark on the scoreboard.

The Power did again mix a heavy focus on defence with the critically important task of entertaining a demanding supporter base by breaking the watershed 100-point barrier for the seventh time this season. But it is still June ... and the question lingers on how ambitious and self-critical are Hinkley's players who are still competing against proven men from Sydney, Hawthorn and Fremantle for the flag?

Hinkley insists they are the coach's dream - self-motivated men led by a demanding captain, Boak, who returned from the SCG noting his teammates had lost a game and cannot put in a trophy cabinet whatever respect they supposedly won by standing up against the Swans.

Jay Schulz kicked eight goals in the win over the Western Bulldogs. Picture: Sarah Reed. Source: News Corp Australia

Schulz, who endured mediocrity at Richmond and in his early seasons at Alberton, notes: "We always come into Monday knowing there are still things we need to work on. Guys will go home (on Saturday night) to watch the game knowing what they did not do well enough. We don't need (Hinkley) to come down at quarter-time to tell us what we are not doing well - a lot of the guys know it already and they are not happy with it.

"That is the good thing about this group. We're telling each other - even before Ken has to - and we get on with fine tuning things, quarter by quarter; week by week. We know there is a long, long road to go - and we have to (turn up) every week.

"The next 10 weeks (to the finals) are not going to be a drag. We love playing footy - and we love competing, particularly against the best sides ... and there are some good ones coming up. We want to win every game and the only way we can do that is by improving each week.

"We are more demanding of each other, more demanding than any other group I have been involved in. We want to achieve something together. we want to keep winning."

What more could a coach want?

"They want to be as good as they possibly can be," Hinkley noted of his group. "Their appetite is as strong as it ever has been. Very strong. And (despite the early qualification to finals) we will not take our eye off the ball."

For the record, there are still 97 days to the grand final.

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Kangaroos too hot for sloppy Demons

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ONLY on the strange and wonderful universe of Arden St could North Melbourne ever be in danger of losing last night's MCG contest.

Only in the Land of Miracles - formerly known as the Melbourne Football Club - could the Demons be in the hunt midway through the third term.

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NOT A BAD WEEKEND FOR BERNIE

For two and a half quarters Paul Roos' Demons threatened to reprise last week's come-from-nowhere victory, outgunned and outscored and yet somehow still within touch.

At half time the Demons had been brutalised on the scoreboard with 15 shots to six yet still trailed by only 14 points.

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With Bernie Vince kicking goals from everywhere, and Robin Nahas missing them from point-blank range, the Demons dared to believe.

Yet even in a football world where magical acts like last week's The Play are possible, normal service usually resumes.

Up by just seven points after Chris Dawes' goal to start the third term, the Roos finally got value for effort with a seven goal third-term onslaught to end the game as a contest.

Drew Petrie gets the better of Tom McDonald in a marking contest. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

Vince's solitary effort was overwhelmed by a North Melbourne team effort that saw an even spread of midfielders and an array of goalkicking targets.

Amid 11 goalkickers (check) Drew Petrie continued his form revival and rawboned ex-Werribee giant Ben Brown showed he is worth more opportunities.

And with Andrew Swallow well-tagged and Ben Cunnington quiet early, the next tier in Levi Greenwood, Jack Ziebell and Shaun Atley just stepped up in their absence.

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The Roos would kick 7.4 in a dozen minutes in the third quarter, counterpunching just when it seemed the Demons were on the verge of really getting their act together.

Bernie Vince might have played a lone hand in the first half, but what a knock it was.

The 25 touches were scintillating, but the three goals topped it off and reinforced again what a value pick he has been despite the Demons giving up the no. 23 selection.

Jack Ziebell flies high but can't complete the mark. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

He bombed a long-range effort from 55m early and peeled off a left-foot snap from 40 metres on the run, utterly dominating the contest.

Yet this was the ultimate reminder for Melbourne that lightning rarely strikes twice.

In football you mostly get what you deserve, and the manic pressure and determination to close down opponents was rarely on show last night.

Lindsay Thomas checks his jaw after copping a stray elbow. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Jeremy Howe floated across packs for a couple of hangers and Chris Dawes led hard and strong, but that was about it.

The Roos just had to win this game to keep their top-four hopes alive, and after another humbling last week against Adelaide the bounce-back effect saw them bring plenty of heat.

Nahas was industrious early despite his howler - attempting to pass to Brown in the goalsquare from 20 out with no angle - but ended the day subbed out with a nasty shoulder injury.

Brown has been held back only by injury and showed glimpses rather than sustained brilliance, but has sure hands and converted a soaring high mark.

Of course there was an third umpiring controversy, because they happen with monotonous regularity.

Bernie Vince was excellent for Melbourne in the loss. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Jack Ziebell's 50m bomb was called a goal and yet after an interminable delay was over-ruled by technology as touching the post despite a lack of overwhelming evidence.

For Melbourne after repeated steps forward under Roos this was an almighty slide back to mediocrity.

Daniel Cross battled away, Nathan Jones racked it up and Jack Watts floated around to pad the stats sheet.

But the Demons fans out there who wish Melbourne would achieve victory with finesse would now realise under Roos you win because you turn it into a street-fight.

Eventually this game turned into a percentage booster for North Melbourne and a coaching tool for Roos and precious little else.

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Bulldogs too strong for struggling Raiders

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LAST week Des Hasler called for changes to the State of Origin schedule after the Bulldogs crashed to their third straight defeat without their superstar halves combination who were away on NSW duties.

But last night Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson both admitted the experience of playing for the Blues is going to make them even better players as the focus returns to club football and the run home to the finals.

Backing up two nights after NSW's historic victory, Reynolds and Hodkinson were instrumental in Canterbury's hard-fought 22-14 victory over Canberra that gave the former competition leaders their first win in a month.

The Raiders try their best to stop Tony Williams. Source: News Corp Australia

Reynolds set up two crucial tries leading up to half-time and landed a fantastic 40/20 kick, while Hodkinson inspired another vital try early in the second half that basically killed off the Raiders for the night.

"To get two wins in three days is a pretty great feeling," a jubilant Reynolds said after walking off the same field he made his debut on in the corresponding game three years ago.

Hasler said Hodkinson was actually ruled out of the game on Thursday with a cork.

But after passing a late medical Hodkinson said he wanted to pay back his Canterbury teammates after missing their last three losses.

"It still doesn't feel real at the moment," Hodkinson said.

"Obviously (Origin) has given me a bit more confidence, no doubt, having a couple of Origins under my belt.

Drury Low scores his second try of the night for Canterbury. Source: Getty Images

"Hopefully I can bring that experience and confidence back to the Bulldogs.

"We'd had a few losses lately so we were desperate for a win leading into the bye and Manly the week after."

After the game Reynolds looked like he could have fallen asleep on his feet as he stood outside the Bulldogs dressing rooms talking to the media.

But asked what benefit he would get out of playing in a winning Origin series, he said:

"The best way to describe it is it helps me get a bit mentally tougher.

"Me and Trent wanted to come back here tonight and bring energy to the boys and just show them we were here to play."

They certainly did that.

Jarrod Croker got the home side off to a good start but they could keep it up. Source: Getty Images

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With the Raiders keen for a big game on a nightclub legends gathered for the 20 year reunion of their 1994 premiership winning team, the home team started strongly to claim an 8-4 lead.

But Reynolds blindsided them in the countdown to the break when he laid on rapid fire back-to-back tries.

Quick hands from Reynolds created space for Corey Thompson to score in the 33rd minute and a brilliant sideline conversation from Hodkinson put the Dogs ahead for the first time in the match.

Josh Reynolds gets some close attention form the Raiders. Source: News Corp Australia

Two minutes later Reynolds was at it again when he produced a magnificent 40/20 kick — and from the next set Drury Low crossed for his second try to give the Bulldogs a 14-8 lead at the break.

Not to be outdone by his Blues halves partner, Hodkinson then sparked the Bulldogs' fourth try in the 50th minute with a terrific kick chase forcing a crucial mistake from Reece Robinson who dropped the ball while attempting to get himself back into the field of play.

Hodkinson's desperate defence forced the error as Tim Lafai swooped on the loose ball to score as the Dogs went to a 20-8 lead.

NSW Origin hero Trent Hodkinson has no problem backing up for the Bulldogs. Source: News Corp Australia

The match ended up four tries to two in Canterbury's favour after a late try to Anthony Milford at least gave the small crowd of 10,873 a late cheer on what turned out to be another disappointing night as the temperature dipped below zero degrees.

The loss leaves Canberra's finals' hopes on life support with Ricky Stuart's team stuck on 10 competition points after slumping to their eighth defeat in their last 10 matches.

But after the game Stuart was positive about the team's effort, if not their execution.

"I can't knock their effort, gee, they just never, ever give in," Stuart said.

"A lot of other teams would like to have what we have got in that regard but I'd like to be able to complete sets like other teams."

CANTERBURY 22 (D Low 2 T Lafai C Thompson tries T Hodkinson 3 goals) bt CANBERRA 14 (J Croker A Milford tries J Croker 3 goals) at GIO Stadium. Referee: Alan Shortall, Ashley Klein.

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League coach set Skelton towards Wallabies

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CRAIG Macleod remembers coaching Will Skelton in junior footy.

Even as a teenager Skelton was, you guessed it, a massive human.

"He would carry the footy and there'd always be about four or five guys hanging off him to put him down," Macleod recalls.

"The crowd came to their feet every time he got the ball and a lot of those guys, the defenders, are now playing first grade at different clubs so he wasn't playing against mugs."

It's worth noting at this point that Macleod could, in time, turn out to be a pivotal figure in Australian rugby.

Macleod was Skelton's coach in junior rugby league, not rugby, and those future first-graders are current NRL players.

But sensing the destiny of the 2.03m, 140kg lay in a rival code, Macleod not only encouraged his giant player to pursue rugby union, he literally drove Skelton to the game's doorstep.

Two years later Skelton became a Waratah, and today, four years on, the 140kg lock will make his Wallabies debut against France.

"Will was always a tremendous talent," Macleod said. "It's a great story. We're all very proud."

Now a cult hero at Allianz Stadium, Skelton's rampaging style is hoped to help the Wallabies clean sweep the French in today's third Test.

But were it not for Macleod's intervention — and a photo shoot with the Daily Telegraph — in 2010, Skelton may well have been hauling defenders for a rugby league team instead, perhaps even in the NRL.

Skelton grew up playing league and at the age of 17 was in the S.G Ball team for Wests, with the likes of now-Tigers stars James Tedesco, David Nofoaluma and Sauaso Sue.

"He was bloody massive," Tedesco said yesterday. "Hard to put down, for sure."

Skelton juggled league with union, however, and was also playing rugby for Hills Sports High.

The school rugby team was picked to represent Australia in a world schools tournament in Japan in 2010, and with Skelton one of several massive players, the 923kg forward pack posed for a photo with the Waratahs forwards. The 893kg NSW pack was dwarfed.

"I remember walking away from that thinking "holy heck, that's the future of rugby"," NSW prop Benn Robinson said yesterday.

Skelton posed in an individual picture alongside Wycliff Palu, and after reading the Tele's story, Macleod called his 2.03m S.G Ball second rower in for a meeting.

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"We sat down and talked about things," Macleod said.

"He was umming and aahing. I said you have lots of ability but you are juggling both, and I think you'd have a big future in rugby union. With your size and ability, union is going to suit your talents and you could seriously go places.

"We talked about Wycliff Palu, who played lower grades at St George. I used the analogy with Will, saying you have the same potential as him to kick on. But it's not going to happen in two minutes, so you need to go somewhere to learn. Go and learn off the best."

Macleod got a number for Sydney Uni colts coach Jack Farrer, rang and talked about this huge kid called Skelton.

"He knew about him," he continues. "So we drove up there and looked around the facilities.

"I told Will to sit down with your mum and Dad and have a good think about it. He chose that path, and the rest is history."

Skelton says Macleod's influence at the time "definitely" crystallise his muddled thoughts.

"It definitely gave me that push to pursue rugby," the Wallaby newcomer said this week.

"I wasn't 100 percent on either. I was on the fence. I thought I could go on and play with the Magpies, or maybe go to West Harbour, actually. My best mate was playing for them.

"But I wanted to learn the fundamentals and excel, and so we went up to Sydney Uni. They embraced me."

With hard-to-miss dimensions, Skelton's rise in the rugby ranks was rapid. He played colts for Sydney Uni, but after missing Australian under 20 selection, played for Samoa in the Junior World Championships.

Skelton as a junior alongside Wycliff Palu. Source: News Limited

(Skelton's little brother Cameron – who is actually bigger and also under contract with NSW – recently did the same).

A foot injury for most of 2012 delayed progress, but after trimming down puppy fat with a part-time job on a removallists truck, Skelton returned to action at the ARU National Academy.

In late 2012, the youngsters trained against the Waratahs.

"We had an opposed session and it was one of the Tahs' first proper contact sessions," Skelton recalls.

"But we'd be doing a lot of hard work prior to that, and our boys sort of finished on top. A few of us got picked to go train with NSW, and I was one of them."

Skelton never went back to the academy. NSW coach Michael Cheika spotted a live on and backed the 20-year-old, playing him in trials and though still very raw, then threw his x-factor potential into action for the Waratahs five months later.

The world stood up and noticed a few games later when Skelton, undaunted, played the house down against the British and Irish Lions.

"You have to give Michael Cheika and the Waratahs credit," Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said this week.

"They spotted him and put him in there; he probably wasn't set up to play at that level straight away but they persisted, and he made all the physical development and he obviously had the right attitude."

And at the Waratahs together. Source: News Limited

Bright and eager to learn, the commerce student has impressed Wallaby coaching staff in camp in recent weeks.

McKenzie said it was the skills, and not just size, of the big lock that secured Test selection.

Macleod clocked all of that years ago.

"I remember all the catch-pass drills we used to do … he was a bit of a natural in that stuff, which was amazing given his size," he said. "Will had a great work ethic, and was always like a sponge.

"He was certainly well respected by those sort of guys who were in the team. They loved playing with him, and are all really happy to see him doing well.

"People involved with that SG Ball team all talk about it. A few years ago he was running around with us, and now here is about to play for Australia in rugby."

Tedesco said he was "very proud" to hear of Skelton's Wallabies call-up this week.

"That's the highest honour, playing for your country," he said. "Rugby obviously suits him and his size perfectly, so he's made a good call there. He's a nice guy so I'm happy for him."

Macleod will be in the Allianz stands today, with zero-point-zero regret about steering Skelton away from league and towards his destiny.

After supplying the Daily Telegraph with a Wests S.G Ball team photo this week, another text from Macleod quickly pinged through.

"Hope it keeps the big fella smiling. He is a better bloke than a footy player, and he is one great footy player."

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