Fox Sports' winter wonderland

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Winter wonderland ... Fox Sports is the only place to be for the best sport in 2013 Source: Justin Lloyd / News Limited

Australia's leading sports broadcaster Fox Sports has unveiled a fresh new look ahead of the most exciting winter sports season it has ever embarked upon.

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The company's new headquarters on Sydney's north shore hosted politicians, industry executives, a raft of past and present Australian sports stars and members of the media to launch a new era.

Attending the launch was News Ltd CEO Kim Williams, NRL stars Todd Carney, Braith Anasta, Krisnan Inu and Tim Mannah, Leisel Jones, the Fox Sports NRL team including Peter Sterling, Matthew Johns, Matt Shirvington and Gorden Tallis and Fox Sports personalities Mark Bosnich, Phil Kearns and Tony Squires.

The launch and new brand reveal comes ahead of the broadcaster's biggest winter sports offering in history; including a seven-day NRL schedule, FOX FOOTY's live coverage of every match in the AFL Premiership , the A-League Finals Series and Socceroos' World Cup Qualifiers, plus the two biggest sporting events of the year - the British and Irish Lions Tour and The Ashes.

"On top of that, we now have 21 weekly entertainment shows across our sports, which is where we'll fuel the excitement of fans ahead of the weekend action," Fox Sports CEO Patrick Delany said.

"It's a phenomenal winter of live sport, our biggest ever."

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Fox Footy is the only place to see every game of the 2013 AFL regular season live in high definition and uninterrupted siren-to-siren.

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Fox Sports will bring fans closer to their game in 2013, with High Definition coverage, stunning new 'virtual' presentations and game-changing camera angles from FoxKopter, the FoxMobile segway, Ref Cam and Cornerpost Cam across different sports.

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"We're going to take fans to where they've never been with all of our exclusive in-play innovations. This is the year where fans come first," Delany said.

To mark the kick off to the winter sports season, Fox Sports revealed the name of the main studio at its new Sydney headquarters at a special ceremony.

The studio, which will house NRL coverage, has been named after Rugby League 'Immortal', Clive Churchill.

Head of  Channels, Gary Burns, was joined by the late Churchill's wife, Joyce, and son, Rodney, to unveil the Studio in front of South Sydney greats George Piggins, Bob McCarthy, Michael Cleary and Ron Coote.

Fox Sports Australia has also launched a new corporate logo in line with its global affiliate broadcasters.

"We're an established global brand stretching from USA, through Asia and into Australia. The brand thinks globally but acts locally," Delany said.

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Australia's second Test report card

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Shattered ... how will Australia recover from the second Test loss? Source: James Elsby / AAP

After one of Australia's heaviest defeats in recent memory, we present player-by-player ratings for the innings and 135-run defeat in the second Test against India.

David Warner
Rating: 3 out of 10
He may not have had tummy trouble this time around, but David Warner is still having a tough time of it over in India. Clean bowled by Kumar in the first innings and bowled around his legs by Ashwin in the second, he seems stuck between playing his naturally aggressive game and trying to occupy the crease.

Ed Cowan
Rating: 5 out of 10
Cowan was out to a contentious lbw decision in the first innings and showed his fighting qualities with a gritty 44 in the second, off 150 balls – a third of Australia's runs in that innings. That should have silenced some critics, although others will still be calling for him to take advantage of his good starts.

Phillip Hughes
Rating: 2 out of 10
Hughes continues to look completely out of his depth against India's quality spinners. The stat doing the rounds during this Test was that his last 39 balls against spin have yielded no runs and four wickets. Selectors face a tough decision on whether or not to drop him and bring Usman Khawaja into the side, or keep him in there in the hope of building his confidence in the lead-up to the Ashes.

Shane Watson
Rating: 3 out of 10
Watson's continued ability to look in fine touch before getting out cheaply must surely be starting to bug the all-rounder-turned-batsman. He looked to be in a dominant mood before falling to an ugly-looking pull shot for 23 on day one, and was out to a soft dismissal down the leg side in the second. Depending on where Clarke decides to move, Watson may go up one spot in the batting order.

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Join us @FoxCricketLive from 12pm (EDT) Wednesday as we dissect Australia's disastrous defeat in Hyderabad and debate what needs to be done to turn the side's fortunes around.

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Michael Clarke
Rating: 7 out of 10
Australia's shining light once again was their captain, although for once he fell short of a milestone when he was dismissed for 91 in the first innings. If his post-match comments are anything to go by, Clarke looks certain to move up the order, but it remains to be seen how much of a difference this will make. 

Matthew Wade
Rating: 6 out of 10
Wade was much improved from his performance in the first Test, and his efforts were all the more impressive given he had a fractured cheekbone. His fighting knock of 62 in the first dig prevented Australia from having the type of collapse that came in the second innings, while he looks to be getting more accustomed to the different method of wicketkeeping required on the sub-continent.

Moises Henriques
Rating: 2 out of 10
Moises Henriques got a dose of reality in his second Test outing, crashing back to earth with scores of five and zero, and picking up bowling figures of 0-45 off 21 overs. He'll need to rid himself of the inconsistency that has plagued his domestic career if he's to make it as a permanent Test fixture.

Glenn Maxwell
Rating: 5 out of 10
Probably Australia's most controversial selection in recent years, Glenn Maxwell went a way to justifying his baggy green call-up with four wickets, although plenty of damage had been done by then. He did extract a fair amount of turn and bounce on day three, but his ineffectiveness on day two would have been worrying. His performances with the willow wouldn't have done much to convince experts he's up to being a top seven Test batsman.

Peter Siddle
Rating: 3 out of 10
Siddle was once again economical, but continued to lack penetration without the assistance he usually receives in Australia. Deserves credit for picking up the tourists' only wicket on day two, but apart from that it was another barren spell for the lion-hearted Victorian.

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Watch the third Test between India and Australia, LIVE, EXCLUSIVE and in HD from 2.50pm (EDT) Thursday 14 March on Fox Sports 2HD.

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James Pattinson
Rating: 6 out of 10
Pattinson continued to mix up his bowling lengths and was once again rewarded with wickets, although he could only manage two of them this time around. He claimed the key scalps of Cheteshwar Pujara - admittedly after the Indian had already made 204 – and Sachin Tendulkar, and his 29 overs would have pleased those who thought he wasn't bowled enough in the first Test.

Xavier Doherty
Rating: 3 out of 10
The stats show Xavier Doherty picked up three wickets on his Test comeback and brought his bowling average down to 72, but those stats need to be taken with a grain of salt. His three victims were tail-enders, and the lack of turn he was able to extract from a spin-friendly deck will worry the selectors that showed so much faith in him.

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Buzz's top 50 NRL players

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Top 25 ... where do Smith, Hayne and Burgess slot in?

Phil Rothfield tackles one of the most difficult tasks in rugby league, naming his top 50 players in the game.

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In a two part series, over two days, Rothfield has picked over the roster of every NRL club before settling on the 50 players who top the pile.

We kicked off the countdown with 50-26 on Tuesday, and today we reveal Buzz's top 25 players in the game.

25. James Graham (Bulldogs)
The biting aside, this guy can play the game. The English international had a great debut season, becoming one of the best interchange players in the competition.

24. Glenn Stewart (Sea Eagles)
A vital part of Manly's right side attack, Stewart finished the 2012 season with 12 linebreak assists, the equal second most of any back-rower in the competition Also averaged 32.2 tackles per game.

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Re-live the players who make up 50-26 on Buzz Rothfield's countdown here.

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23. Jeremy Smith (Knights)
In the absence Paul Gallen, Smith showed his leadership abilities last season leading the Sharks to a finals appearance. In 2012 he averaged the most tackles for the Sharks with 29.5 per game.

22. Josh Dugan (Raiders)
The Raiders fullback will be desperate to win back his Origin jersey after injuries again disrupted his 2012 season. Despite these set-backs he averaged more metres than any Raiders player.

21. Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles)
The Kiwi international is still just 22 age and has already played 79 NRL matches and eight Tests. Finished the 2012 NRL season with 12 try assists and 12 linebreak assists.

20. Sam Thaiday (Broncos)
Took on the extra responsibility of the captaincy in 2012 and he had another solid season, averaging 11.1 runs and 34.9 tackles per game.

19. Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles)
Played all 27 matches for Manly in 2012 and was just one of two Manly forwards to average over 100 metres per game. Averaged 31 tackles per game.

18. Greg Bird (Titans)
Tough back-rower who averaged more metres than any other Gold Coast player, making 130 per game in addition to his five linebreaks and five linebreak assists.

17. Nate Myles (Titans)
The Representative Player of the year in 2012 and also had a great season at club level in his first season with the Titans. He averaged more tackles in 35.5 per game and runs, 15.4 per game.

16. Todd Carney (Sharks)
Overcame off-field distractions to prove his worth on the field last year, creating more tries and linebreaks than any other Sharks player over the season.

15. Matt Scott (Cowboys)
Tamou's fellow prop at the Cowboys also had a great 2012, once again cementing himself as one of the best forwards in the game. He averaged 53 minutes, 15.3 runs and 147 metres per game.

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14. James Tamou (Cowboys)
Had a breakout 2012 season, forcing his was into the NSW Origin and Australian teams. He averaged more runs and metres than any other prop, with 16.4 runs and 159 metres per game.

13. Sam Burgess (Rabbitohs)
Had arguably his best season in the NRL in 2012, averaging the most runs and metres of any Rabbitoh forward, with 15.7 runs and 133 metres per game.

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12. Jamie Lyon (Sea Eagles)
Again proved to be the key man in the Manly backline in 2012, finishing the season with 11 tries, 12 try assists and 10 linebreak assists.

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11. Benji Marshall (Tigers)
Not as highly ranked as previous years but still a great player. Despite his team struggling, Benji led the league in both try assists and linebreak assists with 37 in each category.

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10. Robbie Farah (Tigers)
The Tigers captain dealt with personal struggles in 2012 but cemented his place as NSWs hooker as he made an Origin record 63 tackles in Game 2.

9. Paul Gallen (Sharks)
The Sharks captain continued his incredible work rate in 2012, averaging the most runs with 22.4 per game and the most metres in the competition for the third consecutive season.

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8. Jarryd Hayne (Eels)
Although the Eels had a disappointing season, Hayne was again the saving grace. In just 12 matches, Hayne led the Eels in try assists with 14 and linebreak assists with 14.

7. Sonny Bill Williams (Roosters)
Sonny Bill Williams will make one of the most anticipated returns in the game's history after walking out on the Bulldogs in 2008. An absolute champion on his day.

6. Cooper Cronk (Storm)
The Storm halfback had a superb 2012 capping it off by winning the Clive Churchill Medal in the decider. In 2012 he led the league with five 40/20s, 29 forced drop-outs and 38 try assists.

5. Ben Barba (Bulldogs)
His recent problems aside, Barba capped off an incredible 2012 with a grand final appearance and by winning the Dally M Medal. His 22 tries were the most in the NRL. A freakish talent.

4. Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs)
After starting 2012 in the centres, Inglis moved to fullback in round 3 and had arguably the best season of his career. He busted 168 tackles, the most of any player in the competition.

3. Billy Slater (Storm)
Showed how vital he is to the Storm when they lost five of six matches he missed in 2012 with injury problems. Slater finished 2012 with 16 tries, 24 linebreaks, and 20 try assists.

2. Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
Proved once again in 2012 why he is regarded as a future immortal. His 35 linebreak assists were the second most in the NRL and he also finished the season with 23 try assists.

1. Cameron Smith (Storm)
Captained Storm, Queensland and the Kangaroos to victories in an unforgettable 2012. His 12 try assists were the most by any hooker and his 977 tackles were the most by any Storm player.

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Do you agree with Buzz Rothfield's assessment of Cameron Smith as the No.1 player in the NRL? Have your say.

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Barba: a tale of lost perspective

Fall from grace ... Barba's demise serves as a reminder of the pressures on NRL stars. Source: News Limited

Sometime before Christmas he was at the beach, enjoying his first off-season as the Dally M Medal winner. It turns out we didn't know how much he was enjoying it, and so nobody could see how hollow he was inside.

He was being interviewed for a start on NRL Profiles on Fox Sports and, with that slight stutter of his, which we all took for country shy, Ben Barba talked about football, and the pressures involved, and the way he got himself right each day.

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It is disturbing how differently we now hear his answer, knowing what we now do. Through the filter of an alcohol and gambling problem and an ongoing stint in rehab, Barba's fall from the NRL's greatest fairytale is complete.

It was a no-brainer that his hospitalisation has forced the NRL Profiles piece to be scrapped, although clips will now be shown on Fox Sports tonight, on NRL 360.

"If I can wake up happy and be happy then," he says at one point, "then I know I'm probably going to be pretty relaxed all day.

"So I guess it starts really from the morning for myself, and getting up and not being too stressful. And then it just plays out during the day and I take it into the game. It's helped me out so much this year, getting my head right."

The way he played, the way the smile came so easily, we all thought Ben Barba didn't have a care in his world.

He was the fairytale. The Little Train That Could.

A country kid from far North Queensland, everybody considered too small. But he was lightning quick.

He got homesick. So his girlfriend came down and soon they had two young daughters to set up family.

He was given up on, considered unteachable under the high ball. But new coach Des Hasler believed, and Barba rewarded him with one of the great seasons anybody ever put together.

It took not even three months later for it to end in tears. By then Barba had left his partner, taken up with a new girlfriend and got himself fully accredited, by way of a stomach tattoo, with some blow-hards calling themselves the Epic Bender Crew, as if they had invented the big night out.

Barba is every chance to miss this entire season, not so much for the gambling and drinking but for what chief executive Todd Greenberg said was behaviour anybody would look "dimly" upon.

Barba's fall highlights the pressure on NRL players, and whether the duty of care could be more thoughtfully addressed at clubs.

The same week he went into rehab a young man tore his pectoral muscle in a training accident and went home and killed himself.

Mosese Fotuaika was 21. His girlfriend was newly pregnant and injury looked like it was about to rule him out for the season. Fotuaika knew the contract option was in the Tigers' favour and it caused him considerable stress knowing he was now likely going to miss that chance and he came up with a solution that was as wrong as it was permanent.

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Given Barba put so much emphasis on "getting his head right" why was he allowed to stray to such a point that he got lost among this lot?

Ask anybody, waking up "happy" through the haze of a six-bell hangover is hard to do. Barba had clearly lost his way. And so players need help.

Digital media now makes the news cycle breathe 24/7. Social media means everybody can publish, and usually does.

There is no longer an off-season. The intensity never fades. Players have no right to complain because these are all the reasons behind their new television deal almost doubling from $580 million to $1 billion.

To protect them, the instinct of clubs is to circle the wagons.

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And it might well be the worst choice they can make.

Through what they believe is necessity, it makes club life their entire life, without realising that protecting players from the real world leaves them acutely vulnerable to real world pressures - because they have no real world perspective.

What man with two young daughters has the time to go on epic benders each weekend, excusing it as enjoying much needed time off?

Indeed, what man with two young daughters has time for anything outside of the kids and work? Not a responsible one. Circling the wagons worked when clubs were only part of the player's life, because he had work and, more often than now, a family to tend to.

It created perspective, and that's what's lost today.

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See Paul Kent with Ben Ikin on the premiere of NRL 360, 7.30pm (EDT) on Wednesday night on Fox Sports 1 and 1HD.

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Mick, AFL to meet over interchange cap

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Resolution ... Mick Malthouse will meet Kevin Bartlett following their public spat. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Having traded public barbs over the AFL's controversial interchange trial, Mick Malthouse and Kevin Bartlett will now thrash out the issue face to face.

Malthouse has accepted an invitation to meet on Wednesday with the league's rules committee, which features Bartlett, and no doubt the league's trial cap on interchange rotations will be the main topic.

The Carlton coach is vehemently opposed to the limit of 80 rotations per team in each game, which was trialled in last weekend's NAB Cup matches.

There will be no rotation cap during the regular season, but there is strong speculation the AFL could bring in a rule for next year.

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Malthouse had accepted the invitation before Saturday night's post-match media conference when he made some pointed comments about the rules committee.

"I sincerely hope that the rules committee are governed by people, who have got an understanding of the modern game, not previous long-ago coaches, or long-ago players, or new players that have no say, or new officials that just make up the numbers," Malthouse said.

"I hope it's not dominated by one or two people who seem to be able to push their way in and around, as a consequence it feels good to be in control, so therefore we'll make it 80 (rotations)."

Bartlett, now an AFL commentator, is an official AFL legend who played 403 games for Richmond and also coached the club.

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He hit back at old Tigers team-mate Malthouse on Monday.

"I really do hope he was talking about me, because that means I would be getting under the skin of the coaches," Bartlett said on SEN.

"Someone has got to be listening, watching and observing what the coaches say or do.

"They babble on at press conferences and after games, (we) have got to make them accountable."

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Malthouse was one of several coaches last weekend who hit out at the trial interchange rule, but Bartlett strongly backed it.

"The big surprise was no player collapsed through exhaustion playing under the 80 interchange rule, or had to be stretchered off because his body had been stressed to the point of no return, and players didn't drop like flies," Bartlett said sarcastically.

"I don't think the game suffered by having on average 100 less interchanges, was it so detrimental to the game that 100 players couldn't sprint to the bench?

"The game didn't suffer or go backwards because rotations were capped.

"Everyone survived and so did the game, and that was no surprise to me."

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Australia stumble in second dig

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Struggles ... Hughes was out to Ravi Ashwin yet again on day three. Source: William West / AAP

Australia's hope of saving the second Test are fading fast after reaching 2-74 in their second innings at stumps on day three.

2nd Test - Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium

2 March 2013 - Day 3, Session 3

Australia 2nd Innings

E. Cowan	26	100	4	0	26
S. Watson	9	27	0	1	33.33
R. Jadeja	3	2	2	0	0.67

Spinner Xavier Doherty claimed three wickets in Hyderabad but says he's not even thinking about whether his haul on Monday will be good enough to keep him in the team for the third Test against India.

And No.3 batsman Phil Hughes, after his fourth consecutive flop of the series, is facing a massive struggle to hold his place for the third Test in Mohali starting March 14.

The Australians need another 192 more runs to make the home side bat again in Hyderabad.

Ed Cowan is 26 not out with Shane Watson on nine.

Hughes was out for a duck on Monday - his second scoreless knock in four innings in the series - and he has just 25 runs at an average of 6.25.

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Relive all the action from day three and follow day four LIVE with our Match Centre.

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The South Australia batsman has been out to spin on all four occasions, three times to offspinner Ravi Ashwin.
Hughes and David Warner (26) were both bowled by Ashwin after attempting sweep shots.

India had resumed on 1-311 and were bowled out for 503 at tea for a first-innings lead of 266.

Debutant offspinner Glenn Maxwell claimed 4-127 and left-arm spinner Doherty removed three tailenders in his 3-131 off 46.1 overs.

"We came in today knowing we were up against it and we needed to put in a better day than yesterday," Doherty said.

"Today we took nine for 190 or something like that (9-192), which was a pleasing effort.

"But the damage was done yesterday so there's still a lot of work for us to do to get ourselves back into the game."

Doherty didn't take a wicket until his 43rd over and admitted his late flurry of three scalps was a confidence-booster after returning for his third Test and first since 2010.

Australia dropped offspinner Nathan Lyon for the Hyderabad match.

"Not even thinking about the third Test," Doherty said.

"It was pleasing in some ways to find a little bit of form during the spell.

"But the selection and that stuff, we've got a couple of days to worry about here before that.

"But Nathan is obviously a quality bowler and he's shown that over the last 18 months.

"I've got no doubt that he'll play again."

The 370-run partnership between Murali Vijay (167) and Cheteshwar Pujara (204) is the highest by an Indian pair for the second wicket in Test cricket.

No.5 Virat Kohli made 34 and skipper MS Dhoni clubbed 44 off 43 balls but India's innings fell away with the last six wickets tumbling for 43 runs.

Dhoni's India side lead the four-match series one-nil.

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Watch day four of the second Test between India and Australia LIVE, EXCLUSIVE and in HIGH DEFINITION from 2.50pm (EDT) on Fox Sports 1.

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Bombers boss promises: we'll be okay

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Message to fans ... Evans and Hird pledge to keep the Bombers afloat. Source: David Caird / News Limited

Chairman David Evans has promised Essendon fans that the AFL club will come through their doping crisis as a stronger organisation.

Evans and coach James Hird made emotional speeches on Monday night at the Bombers' season launch, thanking the players and fans for their support.

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The club is under a joint Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority and AFL investigation for supplements that the players used last season.

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Evans has also announced an independent review of the club as a result of the crisis.

The anti-doping investigation is likely to take months, meaning it will hang over the Bombers for much of the season.

"I understand the way you look at me tonight, looking for reassurance our beautiful place will be okay," Evans said.

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"I promise you that it will be.

"The hurt of the past few weeks is still raw, but it is this room that gives me strength - given how you all have stood behind the club in its hour of need.

"We will get through this and we will be a better, stronger organisation."

Evans also apologised for the circumstances that led to the crisis.

"Mistakes have been made and I sincerely apologise that they have occurred," he said.

"We will get to the bottom of what happened, we will make sure those mistakes never happen again.

"While we know some things, there is so much we don't know, and we're continuing to piece together a long and complicated jigsaw puzzle.

"I commit to you that we are making progress."

Hird said it had been humbling to coach the team in the past few weeks, adding the players had stayed focussed and disciplined.

"My family and this football club means everything to me and I will do everything that is in my power to get the club through this difficult time," he said.

"That means being the best coach I can be to this wonderful team of young men who wear our colours so proudly."

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Video: Big Merv's 'miracle' catch

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Old magic ... Merv Hughes after taking a catch in the crowd off a Dave Warner six. Source:FOX SPORTS

Merv Hughes retired from Test cricket long ago but you can't keep a good big man down.

When Australia's opening batsman David Warner hit a six at Hyderabad in the second Test against India on Monday, the last person he expected to catch the ball was Big Merv.

The former Test quick and ex-national selector was sitting in the stands at long-on with a tour group when Warner drove straight towards the most famous moustache in Australian sport.

Big Merv snapped it up like it was a chocolate cake at afternoon tea during his playing days and his former Test captain Allan Border could barely contain his excitement.

"That is the miracle of Hyderabad,'' TV commentator Border said. "If he was wearing a white shirt he would be a sight screen."

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Click on the video above to see Merv Hughes roll back the years and take a catch in the second Test!

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Collingwood too good for Eagles

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Scrap ... Collingwood's Jarryd Blair tackles Matthew Priddis of the West Coast Eagles. Source: By Joe Castro / AAP

Collingwood defender Ben Reid escaped serious injury despite jarring his knee in Sunday's 20-point pre-season cup victory over West Coast at Patersons Stadium.

0.4.3 (27)	Q1	1.2.1 (22)
0.7.3 (45)	Q2	2.4.5 (47)
0.8.6 (54)	Q3	2.7.8 (68)
1.10.7 (76)	Q4	3.10.9 (96)

Mark LeCras 4	Jamie Elliott 2
Dean Cox 1	Caolan Mooney 2
Jamie Cripps 1	Steele Sidebottom 2
Shannon Hurn 1	Jarryd Blair 1
Josh J. Kennedy 1	Travis Cloke 1
Scott Lycett 1	Sam Dwyer 1
Matt Priddis 1	Paul Seedsman 1
Scott Selwood 1	Ben Sinclair 1
	Dane Swan 1

Reid looked to be in some trouble when Eagles forward Josh Kennedy crashed into his leg during the third quarter.

But the 2010 premiership defender was later cleared of any serious damage and is expected to be fit well before the round-one clash with North Melbourne on March 31.

"We weren't going to take any risks tonight so we just put him on ice,'' Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley said.

"But he should be right. All reports are he's going to be fine.''

West Coast also had an injury scare when wingman Andrew Embley succumbed to a hamstring complaint in the opening term of the 3.10.9 (96) to 1.10.7 (76) loss.

However, West Coast's medical staff believe the injury is minor and coach John Worsfold is confident Embley will be fit for the March 23 showdown against Fremantle.

"He thought he felt something grab. Hopefully he might just miss next week, and that will be it,'' Worsfold said.

Eagles wingman Matt Rosa finished on the bench with ice on his left hamstring, but Worsfold said that was nothing more than a precautionary measure.

Collingwood's third straight win of the pre-season means they will reach the final if they can beat Brisbane in Saturday night's clash at Etihad Stadium.

The Magpies were well served by Scott Pendlebury, Paul Seedsman, Alan Toovey, Heath Shaw and Dane Swan against the Eagles.

West Coast forward Mark LeCras booted four goals in just his second match back from a knee reconstruction, while skipper Darren Glass was strong in defence and Scott Selwood tallied 29 possessions and a super goal.

Collingwood entered the match missing more than half of their first-choice side, with the likes of Luke Ball, Dayne Beams, Alan Didak, Darren Jolly, Dale Thomas, Andrew Krakouer and Clinton Young among a host of players absent.

But the Pies' greater work rate and hardness at the ball proved the difference, with their pressure in the forward half a particular highlight.

The Eagles, who take on Port Adelaide in Alice Springs on Saturday, are out of the running to reach the cup final after winning just one of their three games.

Collingwood recruit Quinten Lynch was solid without starring against the Eagles, tallying 11 possessions and eight hit-outs against his former club.
 

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Check out the full 2013 AFL premiership season fixture

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India masterclass punishes Aussies

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Dominant ... Cheteshwar Pujara plundered a vital century on day two. Source: Manjunath Kiran / AFP

Australia's spin-bowling dramas have taken a new and dark twist as their revamped attack claimed only one wicket in a day of batting brilliance from India in the second Test.

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The home side reached 1-311 at stumps in Hyderabad on Sunday, a lead of 74 with nine first-innings wickets in hand.

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Inexperienced pair Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay shared a record, unbeaten second-wicket partnership of 294.

2nd Test - Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium

2 March 2013 - Day 2, Session 3

India 1st Innings

M. Vijay	129	288	17	2	44.79
C. Pujara	162	251	25	1	64.54
M. Henriques	19	7	38	0	2.00

It was Pujara's fourth century in his 11th Test. The 25-year-old's unbeaten 162 has included 25 fours and one six from 251 deliveries.

The 14-Test opener Vijay, 28, is 129 not out from 288 balls in a fine supporting knock to the dazzling skills of Pujara, who reached his 150 by hooking paceman Peter Siddle for six.

Australia dumped frontline slow bowler Nathan Lyon after the hammering the offspinner received in India's eight-wicket win in the first Test in Chennai, where Lyon took 3-215 and 1-29.

Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc was also axed.

Their replacements, debutant offspinner Glenn Maxwell (0-55 off 10 overs) and three-Test spinner Xavier Doherty (0-85 off 26), were unable to break through.

Australia coach Graham Arthur defended the team selection and performance.

"We looked at Chennai. We thought the Indian middle order played the offspin particularly well,'' Arthur said.

"We wanted somebody who could turn it away as our primary resource, which gave Xavier an opportunity.

"I thought he went very well today. He toiled manfully. He went about three an over which was pretty decent.

"We thought we could get a little bit of offspin from Maxwell, along with batting and fielding. It lengthened our batting and it seemed a no-brainer at the time.''

Asked how Maxwell performed with the ball, Arthur added: "Not very well today. But he is an unbelievable talent.''

In Doherty's defence he did have Vijay dropped at slip on 71 and Pujara edged through slip on 157.

Pujara and Vijay's 294-run stand is a record for India for the second wicket against Australia.

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Relive the action from Hyderabad as India dominate Australia in our Test Match Centre, featuring all the important stats and ball-by-ball commentary.

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Former India allrounder Ravi Shastri questioned Australia's selection strategy.

"What kind of message does it send to Nathan Lyon to be dropped after taking four wickets in Chennai?'' the 80-Test veteran asked.

"I can't imagine this would be good for Nathan Lyon's confidence.\

"He came here as the frontline spinner and then he is upstaged in this Test by Doherty. It is a big call and unfortunately it could backfire for Australia,'' the TV commentator added.

Skipper Michael Clarke, a part-time spinner who has a long-term back problem and arrived in India earlier this month nursing a sore hamstring, didn't bowl.

Siddle struck in the fifth over of the day when Virender Sehwag was caught behind for six and Australia limited India to 1-54 at lunch before Pujara and Vijay cut loose.

Reporters also questioned why form Sheffield Shield spinner Steve O'Keefe was left at home.

"It's very easy to ask those questions. O'Keefe has got a really good record,'' Arthur said.

"We picked Xavier over Stephen primarily because we thought Xavier was bowling exceptionally well, which he was in the one-day series at that particular time.''

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