RTS urges Roosters to re-sign SKD

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ROGER Tuivasa-Sheck has urged the Roosters sign Shaun Kenny-Dowall long term after he teamed up with the rocks-or-diamonds Kiwi international to stop the Paul Gallen inspired Sharks from pulling off a shock upset.

Kenny Dowall scored a 90m intercept try before Michael Jennings put him in the corner to seal a thrilling 24-18 victory that ended a three match losing streak and kept the Sharks anchored to the bottom of the table.

Paul Gallen's return provided a huge boost for Cronulla. Source: News Corp Australia

Tuivasa-Sheck set-up a contender for try of the year by dancing, darting and dashing past five defenders before putting James Maloney in for a spectacular 24th minute Remondis Stadium touchdown – but the future fullback claimed Kenny-Dowall was the "man-of-the-match'' following a dominate display on the left wing.

Shaun Kenny-Dowell celebrates with Boyd Cordner. Source: News Corp Australia

Kenny-Dowall – off-contract at the end of 2015 – made the most of a switch to the wing with a dominate display that could become a permanent move with Tuivasa-Sheck to play fullback next year and Blake Ferguson expected to join Michael Jennings in the centres.

Tuivasa-Sheck claimed the Roosters had to sign the player they allegedly tried to offload last year on a long term deal following the win that coach Trent Robinson said put his sides premiership defence back on track.

Sosaia Feki can't break away from a crowd of Roosters. Source: Getty Images

"He was brilliant tonight,'' Kenny-Dowall said.

"Big ups to him because he was the deserved man-of-the-match. He was awesome. I want him to stay at this club. He is an awesome player and we need him here. We haven't spoken about the off-field stuff about Ferguson but we are happy with the way SKDs is playing and he has earned a spot.''

Shaun Kenny-Dowall makes a line break — with a little support from Anthony Minichiello. Source: Getty Images

The Sharks looked set to pull off a shock victory when Sosaia Feki scored a stunning 80m try set-up by Michael Gordon to lock the scores at 18-18 with just 12 minutes to go.

The Sharks always looked a chance with the surprise return of Paul Gallen turning the 2014 rabble into the competitive force they were last season with the same roster.

But Kenny Dowall ended the brave fight that gave all Sharks fans hope and Peter Sharp reason for optimism when he scored a flukish try that came from a Mitchell Pearce kick.

Following his giant killing switch to the wing, Kenny Dowall said he would happily play on the flank.

Paul Gallen and the Sharks are left dejected after yet another loss. Source: News Corp Australia

"I enjoyed it because I could just concentrate on my attack,'' Kenny-Dowall said.

"I got to get my hands on the ball so it was good. I can't control what the club does in the future but I can control how I play. I am still here now and that is my focus. I will just play my best and I am happy to play on the wing if it means I am on the field.''

Tuivasa-Sheck said the stunning 24th minute run that gave the Roosters a 12-6 lead was all "instinctive''.

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"It was great to get that freedom and space,'' Tuivasa-Sheck said.

"I hit the space and waited for the defender to react and avoided him. I went head down and charged for the space and waited for them to come at me and I avoided them. I didn't know Jimmy was coming, I just turned and he was there so I popped it to him.''

Following three loses, Robinson said that last night's match was a "must win'' encounter that will help put the Roosters season back on track.

"We had to win that,'' Robinson said.

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"We have had a lot of criticism but it has been warranted. The boys have all put their hand up and shared the blame around and they have approached it the right way. We improved a lot tonight and hopefully that is the start.''

Robinson also said he was encouraged by James Maloney's performance while counterpart Peter Sharp declared having Gallen back would give his side a fighting hope.

Sydney Roosters 24 (S Kenny-Dowall 2 B Cordner J Maloney tries J Maloney 4 goals) bt Cronulla Sharks 18 (S Feki W Graham R Leutele tries M Gordon 3 goals) at Remondis Stadium. Referee: Alan Shortall, Henry Perenara. Crowd: 12,163.

Re-live all the action in our blog below:

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Saints won’t lose focus: Richardson

Lenny Hayes tries to escape the Dyson Heppell tackle. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Corp Australia

ST KILDA coach Alan Richardson said his team would not get caught up in finals speculation, despite an impressive 16-point win over Essendon that has the Saints in the top eight.

"We won't change our focus, our focus is to make sure that we get our footy right,'' Richardson said. "And that looks like we're going to be a really good defensive team, a hard team to score against and that we're going to be really trustworthy in the contest.''

REPORT: RIEWOLDT, SAINTS STUN BOMBERS

Richardson said he was not interested in talking about ladder position or how many wins the team had for the season.

"Whatever happens in terms of win-loss then that will be, but it's all about the way we want to play,'' Richardson said.

"Twenty seven news players in three years, we've had to really go back to the drawing board in terms of methodology, attack on the man, attack on the footy, team defence, so we won't change from that focus.''

A crowd of 36,041 watched St Kilda concede five of the opening six goals before hitting back hard and running all over Essendon, which looked flat after its six-day break returning from Perth. The Bombers scored just four goals after quarter-time, two of them in the dying minutes of the match.

St Kilda players belt out the club song after beating Essendon. Source: Getty Images

"I can't really speak for Essendon and where they're at based on their trip,'' Richardson said. "There was certainly a bit of noise made about that during the week, but we'll only focus on what we did, and given how poor we were … here against Adelaide (last weekend after playing the Eagles in Perth), we're just really pleased with the way the guys responded.''

The Saints coach said the most pleasing aspect of the win was ''the way we defended''.

"To keep them to 45 entries and nine goals, when you consider they had five on the scoreboard at half time ...'' he said.

The Saints had a good mix of contributors, with veterans Lenny Hayes, Leigh Montagna and Nick Riewoldt (five goals) leading the way, but youngsters Jack Billings, Luke Dunstan and Jack Newnes adding real spark. Forward Tom Curren excelled in a defensive forward role on Dyson Heppell, restricting him to 17 disposals.

Adam Schneider had some important touches in the Saints win. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: News Corp Australia

St Kilda could regain key defender Sam Fisher, who has been missing through injury since Round 10 last season. The dual best-and-fairest made his return to football via the VFL earlier in the day and was among Sandringham's best players in the 35-point win over North Ballarat.

Both clubs now have a six-day break before Anzac Day engagements, with St Kilda flying to New Zealand on Tuesday for its twilight match against the Brisbane Lions in Wellington.

Rugged midfielder David Armitage remained in hospital on Saturday with an infected knee and is not expected to play against the Lions.

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Folau’s flying start enough for Tahs

Israel Folau celebrates his try after just 30 seconds against the Bulls at Allianz Stadium. Source: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

A FLEETING glimpse of royalty was enough to sink the Bulls at Allianz Stadium — and it happened before Prince William had even arrived.

The Duke of Cambridge hadn't taken his seat when the man wearing the undisputed crown as Australia's biggest rugby star, Israel Folau, scored a decisive try in the Waratahs' tight victory.

Just 28 seconds on the clock had passed when Folau swooped in for the season's fastest try and it proved crucial after a gritty 79-minute battle against the South Africans then unfolded.

The seven-point margin remained the difference between the sides in the 19-12 win — the Waratahs' first victory against the Bulls since 2005; the year Prince William graduated university with a nice girlfriend on his arm called Kate.

"That's the thing with a special player like him. You can plan but he just needs one bit of space and he can create something out of nothing. He is a world-class player," Bulls coach Frans Ludeke said of Folau post-match.

MATCH CENTRE: Full scores, stats and video highlights

Folau's try was a tonic for his frustrations over the "throat-gate" affair last week but kept quiet by the Bulls kicking tactics for the rest of the night, ultimately it was a muscular performance by the Waratahs forwards that got the job done for the home team.

Israel Folau carries a couple of Bulls defenders with him. Source: Getty Images

Led by the irrepressible Michael Hooper and with the cult-hero twins Jacques Potgieter and Will Skelton barnstorming in support, the Tahs pack matched the Bulls' physicality and got them out of trouble in the second half when the visitors clawed back into the game.

Having pushed out to a 13-0 lead after 21 minutes, the home side failed to kick on with a stuttering attack and the Bulls rallied to 13-9 midway through the second period.

But grim defence and Hooper's magic at the breakdown allowed Bernard Foley to kick the Waratahs home to a seven-point win, which keeps their finals hopes alive at the competition halfway point.

"It wasn't a diamond performance but there was plenty of good hard work going on out there, and sometimes that's what you just need," coach Michael Cheika said.

"We had some really good opportunities and we scored one.

"There were another two or three in the first half that we could have converted but in the second half the momentum changed a little bit in the game, and to be honest, sometimes in games like that when you do attack a lot and the momentum goes away from you, sometimes you can fall into a bit of a hole there.

"We did well to stay mentally switched on and stay in the game and just find a way out."

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Folau looks set to become the first player in history to become odds-on as first try scorer after breaking his own season record by seven seconds just after kick off.

Two nice touches from Adam Ashley-Cooper were instrumental; the first winning the ball back from the kick-off and the second a nice fend-and-offload in the ensuing phase.

The quality of Folau's support play — and how much it was missed in the past three weeks — was instantly apparent, but the play moved away from him for the rest of the game and a Tahs' strategy to seek field position didn't help.

Cheika joked later he would have told his team to kick less if knew the future King was watching, but in reality, an Englishman would have loved it and it was the right tactics against a Bulls side intent on doing likewise.

It also showed the attack-minded Waratahs aren't blinded by their run-first, run-often strategy, and have the smarts to find a way to win. A week earlier in Perth they became predictable for the Force defence by running too much ball.

Lock Will Skelton powers ahead for the Waratahs. Source: Getty Images

"Sometimes there we got a bit lost in our strategy but the boys decided to keep pushing down there and in the end they were the right decisions, to push the ball back to them down the middle (with kicks)," Cheika said.

"It wasn't the way we'd normally do it, but we also have to be a bit unpredictable. It sounds a bit silly, but we can't show the same thing all the time."

The Bulls basic game requires unyielding pressure to work but the visitors too often let the Waratahs off the hook with poor discipline and handling errors.

They were pleased to hang in and make the game close but the ruthless Bulls of old would have squeezed the life out of a Waratahs side on a middling night.

"The first 30 they were really on top of us and we did well in defence, and clawed our way back into it," Ludeke said.

"We could have easily squeezed a draw out of it but credit to the Waratahs. They had the opportunities and were accurate in converting the pressure into points.

NSW WARATAHS 19 (Israel Folau try Bernard Foley con 4 pens) bt BULLS 12 (Jacques-Louis Potgieter 3, Handre Pollard pens) at Allianz Stadium. Referee: Rohan Hoffman.

Relive all the action from the Waratahs v Bulls clash with our match blog below

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2014 Cup should’ve been Dylan’s stage

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HAD Dylan Tombides' life continued on its intended path, he would be the young player Socceroos fans would be salivating over heading into the 2014 World Cup.

Instead we are mourning his death just a month after his 20th birthday after a 33-month battle with cancer.

Tombides first came to my attention after scoring a double against Arsenal's reserves age 16.

In March 2011, I interviewed West Ham's senior manager Avram Grant and expected him to be coy on Tombides.

We caught up two weeks after Tombides' 17th birthday and Grant intimated the striker would have already made his Premier League debut had the Hammers not been in a relegation scrap.

"It's difficult with the position we are in but he might play before the end of the season, even when we are fighting relegation,'' Grant said.

"He is a player that I like, I took him to the first team, not even from the reserves but from the academy. We haven't taken him just because he's young, but because we can see he has the talent.''

TRIBUTES FLOW IN FOR DYLAN

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Tombides was six months younger than Harry Kewell when he made his Leeds United debut in March, 1996.

So the next question was obvious. Does he have the potential to emulate Kewell?

"Harry was a good player, and I think Dylan has the potential to do it,'' he said.

"I think he can be good for Australia, I am sure about this. He is a different player to Harry, but he has the potential to be like him.

"It's not computers, you need to have a good eye to analyse his potential, then it's our job and his job to maximize his potential.

"To be in a Premier League squad you need to have quality and he has the quality and the potential to play in the Premier League in the future but he needs to prove it.''

I asked whether he might loan him out in the 2011-12 season for experience.

"We are not discussing it at the moment because he is one of the players that we plan to have in the squad for next season,'' Grant said.

West Ham youth coach Tony Carr signed the raw 14-year-old from WA whose family had just relocated to London after a brief stint in Hong Kong.

Carr has produced Paul Ince, Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Glen Johnson, Michael Carrick and Joe Cole in his 41 years as head of West Ham's academy so he knows talent when he sees it.

"What impressed me was his calmness in front of goal, he was calm and his finishing was technically always good, he'd make good contact with the ball,'' Carr told me.

"He's a good target player, good in the air, good receiver of the ball in tight positions and a good mover with the ball so he can receive it under pressure and keep possession and has a good eye for goal.

"He's a good striker and a good goalscorer. He's a left footer but his right foot is close to it, he's two footed.

"Yes he's done very well, we like what we see and he's playing and he's scoring goals for the reserves, and that was as a 16 year old against Arsenal.

"So obviously his first season as a full time player he's made some great strides but the important part for a young player is that they keep continuing to improve and don't hit the wall or stop.''

Grant was sacked but Tombides still managed to get on the teamsheet for West Ham's final game of the season in May, before joining the Joeys for the FIFA U17 World Cup in Mexico.

Not only was he the standout player but his positivity was infectious, with roommate Jesse Makarounas recalling the words he'd often repeat to his teenage teammates.

"You can't tell me the sky's the limit when the footprints on the moon. He was often saying that,'' Makarounas said.

It was the end of that tournament when Tombides discovered he had testicular cancer.

He had a passion for golf and often played with father Jim. And long stints in hospital for chemo treatment didn't prevent him making his debut in September 2012 at home to Wigan.

He recovered from a liver operation a year ago which ruled him out of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey last June and set his on West Ham's first-team, while contemplating a loan deal with Andy Carroll, Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te ahead of him in the queue.

"Physically I'm back up to where I was at the World Cup in 2011, I'm 83 kg (he was 84kg then) and I dropped right down to 68kg at one point," Tombides said in November.

"I knew I'd get through it eventually, but it made me realise how helpless I was. I needed mum, dad, my brother (Taylor), it wasn't pleasant feeling. I could barely keep my eyes, I hardly moved and getting out of bed was a rarity.

"It's been a stop-start, I had to go through my cancer and operations but now it's just the radio frequency ablation (RFA) that put me out for a couple of days.

"But I don't feel like it's holding me back, and I feel I'm ready to play now and I want to look at things as though nothing has changed, I want to push for the first team.

"I not as sharp as I was, but I'm not far off."

Tombides needed a medical clearance from West Ham to play for the Olyroos in Oman in January – his last Australian appearances – it's something he wanted to keep quiet, he just wanted to be regarded like anyone else.

Aware that I had put him up front in a projected Socceroos team for the 2014 World Cup, he too had ambitions of overcoming the odds.

"Wouldn't mind being in the starting XI for the first game,'' he texted.

He followed up by, good naturedly taking exception to some photos we were running of him online.

"They're using pics of me when I looked like Casper the ghost,'' he said.

So Dylan had arranged for four fresh shots of himself to be emailed.

In Oman, he told Olyroos teammate Nick Ansell that he would have another course of chemo when he returned to London and hoped that would be it and teammates said if not for the hair you wouldn't have known he was battling such was his positivity.

Everyone was shocked when it was announced he passed away on Friday morning with his family by his side.

Condolences to Jim, Traceylee and young Taylor.

Dylan, Rest in Peace!

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Season over, focus shifts to ADP future

Sydney FC player Alessandro Del Piero says goodbye ... but for the last time? Source: MAL FAIRCLOUGH / AFP

HEARTBROKEN Sydney FC will now turn its attentions to the future after its season was cruelly ended by a 92nd minute winner by Gui Finkler.

The Sky Blues pushed Melbourne Victory all the way at Etihad Stadium last night and coach Frank Farina said his side "deserved better" after creating enough chances in the second half to have won the game.

But it didn't win - and now Farina and marquee star Alessandro Del Piero will await talks regarding next season.

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Del Piero, 39, is out of contract after two stunning seasons in Sydney.

But he put the ball back in Sydney's court last night by saying in a post-match interview that he wants to play on in 2014-15.

Farina said he had not yet spoken to the Italian about his future, but expected a quick resolution either way.

"We don't know yet," Farina said.

"He's been fantastic for Australian football both on the field and off the field, and for Sydney, as a city and as a club, he's been wonderful. But we've got to respect and see what he wants to do with his career and future.

Sydney FC captain and marquee Alessandro Del Piero hugs the travelling fans. Source: AFP

"The football club will always move forward, irrespective of whether one player stays or goes. Nothing is built around one person or one individual.

"Discussions have to be had. I think it will be relatively quick now in terms of discussions and a decision, but that's up to Alessandro with what he's thinking. I think he's most probably going to need a bit of time after this game to settle his head."

Have we seen Alessandro Del Piero for the last time in the A-League? Source: News Corp Australia

It has long been suggested that Sydney had to finish in the top four for Farina to trigger a clause in his contract that would see him coach on next season.

But Farina last night denied he was now an uncontracted coach.

"It's a decision that's not in my hands," he said.

"I still do have a contract by the way. I do actually (have a contract for next season) but that's to be discussed.

"It's a big club, a big city ... there are big expectations and the last few years have been pretty lean, but I think we've made progress, positive progress, contrary to what some people may think."

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Tombides loses battle with cancer

Young Australian Dylan Tombides has lost his battle with cancer. Source: Arfa Griffiths / Supplied

YOUNG Australian footballer Dylan Tombides has lost his battle with cancer, passing away on Friday morning in England.

Tombides, 20, has battled testicular cancer for three years, after being diagnosed in 2011.

His club, West Ham, will honour him with a minute's applause ahead of its Premier League fixture with Crystal Palace on Saturday and the club's players will wear black armbands.

Tombides joined West Ham as a youth player in 2010, and made his senior debut for the Hammers in 2012 in the League Cup.

He represented Australia at under-17 and under-23 level, as recently as at the AFC under-22 championships earlier this year, and was long touted as a future Socceroo.

West Ham paid tribute to the Tombides in a statement on Friday.

"Dylan's amazing resilience and positivity saw him through months of surgery and chemotherapy, while his outstanding talent saw him make his first-team debut in a League Cup tie with Wigan Athletic at the Boleyn Ground in September 2012."

"Away from the pitch, Dylan did a huge amount of work to raise awareness of male cancer, supporting the One for the Boys campaign at a number of high-profile events alongside the likes of Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson, snooker star Jimmy White and fellow Australian Peter Andre.

"Dylan was respected by everyone who knew him for his intelligent views on the game and his larger than life character. He was a loving son, amazing brother and well-respected member of the West Ham squad. He will be hugely missed by everyone who had the honour of knowing him."

Leave your tributes to Dylan in the comments section below.

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Broncos rock-solid as Knights crumble

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NEWCASTLE had no answer to the Great Wall of Brisbane on Friday night.

In one of the best defensive efforts of the season, the Broncos tackled the Knights out of the contest before cashing in with a couple of late tries as the score line blew out.

Off the back off the steel in their defence, fullback Ben Barba finally produced the sort of performance Brisbane fans have been craving.

Alex Glenn of the Broncos scores a try. Source: Getty Images

He may have been a rung below his brilliant best but the signs were there.

He broke his try duck for the club, had a hand in two others and saved two Knights tries with some desperate defence in a great all round effort.

But he had plenty of mates.

Backrowers Corey Parker and Matt Gillett were also outstanding while halfback Ben Hunt continues to grow in confidence and hooker Andrew McCullough tackled himself to a stand-still.

Jarrod Mullen of the Knights looks dejected as he leaves the ground. Source: Getty Images

Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin was understandably a contented man after his side's win.

"Last week, I thought we nearly earned a win through our defence and we were a bit unlucky but tonight, we definitely did," he said.

"They had 10 sets more than us in the first half so to come in 10 in front, I think that was probably the ball-game there. It set the whole win up through that defensive effort.''

Griffin praised Barba.

Ben Barba of the Broncos catches the ball. Source: Getty Images

"He scored his try, he saved two or three – he was good. Credit to him. As I've said every week he's his biggest critic and he's got that off his chest now."

Skipper Justin Hodges also singled out his fullback.

"I thought he was fantastic," Hodges said.

The Knights threw plenty at Brisbane but in 80 minutes, came up with just one try.

Broncos players celebrate a try. Source: Getty Images

Remarkably, they were held up over the line on four separate occasions, twice by Barba.

Knights coach Wayne Bennett wasn't unhappy with the way his side played.

"We had opportunity. I mean we got to the tryline four times and got held up so it's not like we didn't get across the line,'' he said.

"A couple of their tries, they had a bit of luck."

Willie Mason of the Knights tackles Ben Hunt of the Broncos. Source: Getty Images

Knights captain Kurt Gidley admitted the final score line had left his side in a bit of shock in the dressing room after the game.

"I didn't think the score line reflected the effort," he said.

"They were just more desperate then us with their defence."

In a further blow for the Knights, prop Willie Mason, who was held up over the line twice in the game , faces an anxious wait after he was placed on report in the second half for a shoulder charge on Parker.

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The Knights dominated possession early in the game but virtually from the opening whistle, met some almost impenetrable resistance from the visitors.

As so often happens after a team survives an early onslaught, Brisbane were the first to score through backrower Alex Glenn.

Dane Gagai of the Knights is tackled by the Broncos defence . Source: Getty Images

It was 16-0 before the Knights finally got on the board through interchange forward Korbin Sims, who crashed over next to the posts four minutes from halftime.

It was to be the Knights only joy with a try to winger Dale Copley opening the flood gates late.

BRISBANE 32 (B Barba D Copley M Gillett A Glenn B Hannant J Hoffman tries C Parker 3 B Hunt goals) bt NEWCASTLE 6 (K Sims try T Roberts goal) at Hunter Stadium. Referee: Ashley Klein, Adam Gee. Crowd: 22,254.

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Adelaide United wants trophy now

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ADELAIDE United captain Eugene Galekovic's says his players desperately want to win this A-League championship.

The Reds gloveman says the entire squad wants to claim silverware now, not next season.

Galekovic believes he's speaking for the group after coach Josep Gombau has always claimed the Reds would win the title in 2015.

"I think it's easy to say 'we'll try to do our best and try to achieve as much as we can','' Galekovic said.

MORE: REDS GO FROM LIGHTWEIGHTS TO GENUINE CONTENDERS

"But in 10 years (of Reds existence) we haven't won anything at this football club and I want to win a trophy and the group in there (dressing room) is very motivated as well.

"I think the coach is here for another three years and if we can win three or four (titles) in the next years it will be a success.

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"It's definitely very hard, everyone tries to win a championship we're a good chance to win one now and why not.

Adelaide needs to win three consecutive matches to achieve the dream starting with the elimination final clash against Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Saturday afternoon.

Adelaide last hoisted a trophy in 2006 when the Reds claimed the premier's plate for being the best side in the home-and-away series, a prize deemed to be the most important by most football leagues around the planet.

Former Reds boss John Kosmina held up the silverware with then captain Ross Aloisi before Galekovic claimed two trophies an A-League season later when his former club Melbourne Victory won the premier's plate and the grand final.

But since arriving in Adelaide in 2007 Galekovic hasn't tasted team success.

Adelaide has come close with an AFC Champions League final loss to Gamba Osaka in 2008 and a 2009 grand final loss to Victory.

Now Galekovic is determined to win a trophy despite the rhetoric from his bosses this season.

But Adelaide's away record this season — three wins and three draws from 14 road trips — and its away finals record — seven losses from seven matches — suggests United won't be comfortable before kick off at least psychologically.

Mariners, however, may be feeling some degree of tension before the clash.

Whether the side losing an AFC Champions League group stage clash in cruel circumstances when skipper John Hutchinson turned the ball inside his own net to deliver a stoppage time 1-0 win for FC Seoul on Wednesday has dented morale is one for Adelaide to exploit.

But Reds stopper Nigel Boogaard who penned a one-year extension yesterday says his old club Mariners won't be affected by Wednesday's loss.

MORE: INSIDE JOSEP GOMBAU'S DREAM FACTORY

"If anything I think they'll do the opposite,'' Boogaard said.

"They'll galvanise obviously Hutch (Hutchinson) was distraught after the game you could see that on TV after the own goal.

"But he's a strong character as they have around the club."

But Mariners having another Champions League group stage clash away when it faces Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday is a situation Adelaide must use to its advantage.

Scoring an early goal would force Mariners to ditch its counter attacking game and play into the Reds possession based game plan.

But if Adelaide does concede first statistics this season have proven the Reds will struggle to get back into the contest to win the clash.

In the seven matches Adelaide has conceded first the side has only managed to snare a point whereas Mariners have conceded first in 10 matches, won two and drawn two.

A-LEAGUE ELIMINATION FINAL

Central Coast Mariners v Adelaide United at Central Coast Stadium

Referee: Ben Williams

Kick off: Saturday, 4pm

TV: Fox Sports

** If the game is tied after 90 minutes, 30 minutes of extra time will be played.

If it's a draw after 120 minutes a penalty shootout will determine the winner

*** If Adelaide beats Mariners the Reds will face Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium on April 27

LINE UPS
MARINERS

Formation: 5-4-1

GK: Reddy

DEF: Roux Anderson Montgomery Bosnar Rose

MID: Hutchinson

Fitzgerald Kim Sterjovski

FWD: Simon

SUBS: Pasfield, Sim, Cernak, Griffiths, Sterjovski

ADELAIDE

Formation: 4-3-3

GK: Galekovic

DEF: Elsey, Malik, Boogaard, Zullo

MID: Isaias

Carrusca, Watson

FWD: Ferreira, Djite, Cirio

SUBS : Izzo, Neumann, Mabil, McKain, Konstandopoulos

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ARU throat call still raw for Folau

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A visiting Japanese player bore the brunt of Israel Folau's frustrations on Tuesday in training as the Waratahs argued for player opinion to be given more weight on injury matters.

Folau, who was controversially withdrawn from the Waratahs' clash with the Force by the ARU based on risks relating to a fractured throat, is set to be again named by NSW for Saturday's clash with the Bulls.

The Tahs will delay naming their side until medical clearance is given, however, and Folau saw a specialist on Tuesday to assess the ongoing level of risk attached to him playing.

But in a strong and visible statement of intent later in the afternoon, Folau threw himself into a full-contact training NSW session and tackled without apparent concern about copping a blow to the neck.

Several players visiting from Japanese club Suntory took part in the session and one had the misfortune of lining up against Folau, who channelled David Gillespie in a strong, front-on tackle.

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It was, to use the old cliche, Folau doing his talking on the field after he blasted the ARU last week for not communicating with him directly prior to withdrawing the star no. 15 from the Perth clash.

Folau said later he'd be content to take the risk of his airways being compromised but Bill Pulver said on Sunday ARU chief doctor Warren McDonald had overruled the Tahs because "coaches and players are not qualified to make medical decisions, despite their eagerness to return to play following injury."

Waratahs assistant coach Nathan Grey said yesterday that Folau's views should have been taken into account, and that players were used to assessing risk of injury throughout their careers.

"You'd like to think the most important person in the whole thing would be consulted, so you take that information on board," Grey said.

Folau prepares to bump off an opponent during a contact drill at training. Source: News Limited

"Lots of different players have that during their career, to make those decisions based on experts opinions and based on what they're feeling, and whether they're happy to adopt a certain level of risk. That's a real individual thing and I am sure Izzy has probably gone through that process."

Grey conceded players should not have final say but argued they have some say.

"The welfare of the player is always at the forefront of decision making, and players are always informed on what they're risks are. It is not always up to them (but) it is a consultative matter," Grey said. "You just have to take as much information as you can and make the best decision."

The Waratahs will continue to train with alternatives to Folau at the fullback, should he be ruled out again. Interestingly, Grey said Kurtley Beale would be the likely No.15 in Folau's absence — not Jonno Lance, who replaced him against the Force.

The shaggy-haired Tatafu Polota-Nau was also very visible at Waratahs training. Source: News Limited

Wycliff Palu remains a good chance to return from an ankle injury to the Waratahs side but the big No.8 has been given the week off after his father passed away last week.

NSW prop Sekope Kepu, who joined members of the Waratahs' "Team Tonga" in paying traditional respects to Palu's family last night, backed his friend to play.

"He will push through, and I am sure if he gets the opportunity on Saturday night it is another channel to release his emotions," Kepu said.

While not as headline-grabbing as Folau's, Palu's absence in Perth was noticeable, with his powerful work in contact, and offloading, sorely missed.

"There are moments in a game that he can change, with big runs or where he flattens somebody or in terms of mental attitude that weakens the opposition," Kepu said.

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Blindness no barrier for Chamoun

Malek Chamoun trains at his home gym in Summer Hill while his father George looks on. Source: Brett Costello / News Corp Australia

MALEK Chamoun was seven when he was diagnosed with a condition that would eventually blind him.

His father George didn't tell him for several years.

"He wanted to be play footy with his mates and all that," George says. "And for a while, he could and he did."

When retinitis pigmentosa began to severely diminish Malek's sight as he entered his teens, George raised the idea of his boy taking up the sport in which he once represented Australia: weightlifting.

To gauge how rough the road ahead would be, George closed his eyes and lifted.

"I tried it myself and it is definitely difficult. You need a lot of balance, you need to see what you're doing," he said.

"But you know, football was not going to be easy. So I started thinking, what else can he do?

"Let's try weightlifting and see how he goes."

A dozen years on and Malek Chamoun has, by any measure, gone well. Inspirationally well.

The 24-year-old has become the first legally blind athlete to ever be nominated for Australia's Commonwealth Games team, and will compete against able-bodied athletes in Glasgow in the 85kg weightlifting division.

Malek takes a break from lifting and towels himself down while George watches on. Source: News Corp Australia

With his dad and coach George next to him literally every step, as always, Malek qualified by smashing his personal best at the recent trials, where he finished as pound-for-pound the best Australian lifter.

"I am here, I made it and it's a great accomplishment," Malek said.

"There have been a lot of hard years of training. There have been some disappointing times. I didn't make the last Commonwealth Games because I was injured.

"Then the year after I made the world championships in 2011 but this Commonwealth Games, it amazing for me."

Malek was back training in the garage of his dad's home in Summer Hill this week, banging down weights on the 2000 Olympics weightlifting platform that George bought him for $500 at auction. The bond of father and son is clearly a strong one.

"I have been training for many years and I've had my Dad with me, I can't thank him enough," Malek says.

"He has put more effort into me than any other coach would. Pretty much everywhere I go he is there holding me and guiding me, whether it is training venues, or competitions.

"He is my personal coach and my carer. I honestly couldn't do any of this without him."

Now totally blind, Malek relies on George to accompany him on the stage during competitions and though now practised at setting his grip by feeling notches on the bar, his dad will occasionally help him "if a bar is old and worn, or twisted or something."

Malek adjusts the weights on his bar during a practice session. Source: News Corp Australia

The Paralympics were never an option for Malek, who regards himself as the equal of any sighted lifter.

"I don't even think about it (blindness) as any big thing," he explains.

"All I know I am competing in a normal sport, that's it. Obviously there will be a bit of disadvantage, with balance and technique and stuff like that. But I don't think about it. I don't put it in my mind.

"If anything, it actually helps me. It motivates me more, that I am blind and competing against able athletes. There is nothing holding me back, I am just as good as everyone."

Malek won't need to see the green and gold uniform to feel immensely proud, and he hopes his presence in Glasgow will inspire others who need hope in dark times, as he once did.

"Not just kids with no sight, any kid with disability," he says. "And not even just that. Even normal people who have problems. I hope I can show them they can overcome obstacles and break through any barrier."

Australian Weighlifting Federation head coach Michael Keeler said Malek will even inspire his teammates.

"It's a big thing for any person to do it, let alone someone who's had the challenges to face that Malek has faced. It's remarkable," Keelan said.

... Malek then hoists the bar over his head and straightens his back. Source: News Corp Australia

"We are focused on putting all the necessary support structures around Malek and a long as we have these things in place we can expect big things from him I believe."

Given George, a respected coach, was not selected as one of the Australian weightlifting team officials, there have been rumblings of concern in weightlifting circles about the provision of 24/7 care for Malek in Glasgow. Some have called for George to replace one of the nominated coaches but Keeler said the AWF has requested an extra spot be granted for George to attend as a carer.

While it needs to be ticked off by Glasgow organisers, the Australian Commonwealth Games Association expects it will be a formality and George is confident he will be by his boy's side in Scotland as both carer and coach, as he always has been.

Team Chamoun believe another personal best improvement of 10 more kilograms is required for Malek to win a gold medal and given what he's done so far in life, confidence mixes in with the garage's thuds and clanks.

"I am very proud of him, but we don't want vision to ever be an excuse," George says.

"He has put the effort in but there is no excuse there because it is up to the mind how confident and positive you are, not the eyes.

"If he believes in himself, he can do what he wants to do. He has already proved that."

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