Richmond survive scare

Party Time ... Dustin martni celebrates a wonder-goal as the Tigers start with a win. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Richmond's dream AFL season start almost became their worst nightmare, as they barely held on to post their first win over Carlton in five years at the MCG on Thursday night.

The Tigers downed the fast-finishing Blues 14.22 (106) to 14.17 (101) in front of 80,971 fans, only surviving thanks to three missed Carlton shots for goal in the dying minutes.

3.3 (21)	Q1	2.9 (21)
4.6 (30)	Q2	9.14 (68)
9.12 (66)	Q3	14.18 (102)
14.17 (101)	Q4	14.22 (106)

Eddie Betts 2	Brett Deledio 3
Jefferey Garlett 2	Tyrone Vickery 3
Bryce Gibbs 2	Jake King 2
Chris Judd 2	Luke McGuane 2
Matthew Kreuzer 2	Reece Conca 1
Marc Murphy 2	Bachar Houli 1
Shaun Hampson 1	Daniel Jackson 1
Chris Yarran 1	Dustin Martin 1

Luke McGuane made himself an unlikely hero, producing a ferocious tackle on Carlton youngster Josh Bootsma to win a free kick and seal the game - fittingly by booting a behind - as the siren sounded.

Richmond had earlier dominated the first half to lead by 38 points at the main break and still led by 36 points at the last change, despite a Carlton third-term surge.

But the Blues refused to give in, kicking the only five goals of the last quarter to close within seven points in time-on, after Jeff Garlett booted his second in succession.

But ruckman Matthew Kreuzer, who had kicked his second earlier in the term, missed a difficult set shot from a tight angle.

And Chris Yarran missed two simpler chances, the first from a close-range shot and the second from about 40m on the run to narrow the gap to four points with about a minute to go.

New captain Trent Cotchin was excellent for the Tigers, as was Shane Tuck and fellow midfielder Brett Deledio, who kicked three goals, while key forward Ty Vickery booted three majors in the first half.

For the Blues, Chris Judd and Bryce Gibbs were stand-outs along with Kreuzer.

Carlton's woes extend beyond the loss with Chris Yarran on report for striking and a concussion that forced Mitch Robinson out of the game.

Click here to view all of the stats and scores in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

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Thurston v Sterlo: a champ tells all

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North Queensland ... Cowboys skipper Johnathan Thurston in action. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

North Queensland skipper Johnathan Thurston has revealed some of the deepest secrets that have made him arguably the best player in the NRL right now.

In a wide-ranging interview with Sterlo host, Peter Sterling, Thurston explained how he looks for dents in opposition defensive lines, what he does to prepare for a game and reveals in which game he's most felt 'in the zone".

We give you a taste of the interview, with Thurston's take on:

Pre-game prep: Pretty relaxed, calm. I've been around for a while now, so I know how to prepare for a game and get my body right and get my mind right mentally and physically.

Superstitions: Playing for the Cowboys I always have to have my socks the one colour. I've been doing that since I was at the Bulldogs, and I've just followed that through, so that's probably about it.

Targeting opposition defenders: Obviously as a team we do plenty of video on the opposition's defence and we look out for the weaknesses there and we target them.

The Cowboys' gameplan: Most of it's structured, but I've always been a player who likes to play what's in front of me. If I see something that's not to the structure we're playing, I'm certainly going to play that. I always have my eyes forward, I'm always scanning across the line to make sure I know if there's any holes across the defence, you know, if someone's lagging behind or a little bit injured. And I just try to expose them.

The show and go: If there's a big man in front of me, I try to expose them a little bit. Probably the show and go is my strength. It's about standing up the big man in front of me, exposing him a little bit on his inside shoulder or his outside shoulder. If he's not square. If his hips or his shoulders are turned out a little bit, well then I know I've got him.

Exposing the Storm on the edges, setting up two tries in their round two encounter: The first one was a turnover. Bowen passed the ball to me and we had a bit of an overlap. I could see their winger, his shoulders were turned in and he came straight in for our centre. So that made my job easier. I could see Tones (Antonio Winterstein) there on the wing, so I hit him there and put him through and I think Kane (Linnett) scored on that one. And the second one we just had a block shape off me and I could see the centre, Will Chambers, and the winger Matt Duffie, turned in on Mango (Matt Bowen). And I could see Antonio on the wing by himself. So both times I hit him on the chest, which is alright.

Goal kicking: I make sure I'm comfortable. I'll wear a headgear and a shoulder brace and do my routine: I take my steps back and my steps to the side and I focus on a target on the ball. I count my steps in when I'm going in to kick and I just imagine that. I need to aim a fair bit right (of the posts) on both sides. I can take it if I miss to the right of the posts but I can't stand missing to the left because that means I haven't given enough room for my hook.

Being in 'the zone': Probably game three of State of Origin last year. I can remember being camped down, I think they put a good kick in and we were battling to get off our line. I went from the left side over to the right and told Sammy T (Thaiday) to run a block off Cooper (Cronk) and that got Mitchell Pearce in a little bit. I threw a dummy and he fell for that and I ran 40m and handed the ball inside to Brent Tate and I think two or three plays later I ended up scoring beside the sticks.
 

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Sandhu wins Steve Waugh medal

Rising star ... Gurinder Sandhu caps off a remarkable season. Source: Mark Graham / AAP

Gurinder Sandhu has announced himself as a star of the future by taking out the Steve Waugh Medal for NSW cricketer of the year, despite playing just two Sheffield Shield and four one-day matches this season.

At a ceremony in Sydney on Thursday night, Sandhu became the first rookie player to win the award, pipping the favourite former Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin by three votes.

The Steve Waugh Medal is decided through a 3-2-1 vote by players at the end of each Shield and one-day interstate cup match - tallied together to determine the winner.

The 19-year-old Sandhu took 5-31 in 11 overs on his Shield debut against Victoria and, from his two four-day games, he took 14 wickets at 11.85.

In a bumper breakout year for Sandhu, he also made his debut for the Sydney Thunder, Chairman's XI and Australia A.

Sandhu was also named NSW's Ryobi Cup Player of the year.

In the other award categories, Australian women's World Cup star Alex Blackwell took out the Belinda Clark Medal and Trent Copeland won the Sheffield Shield player of the year.

Luke Feldman was the Sydney Sixers player of the year and Dirk Nannes voted the Sydney Thunder's best.

Cricket NSW acting chief executive Michael Dalton congratulated Sandhu and Blackwell on their Awards.

"Gurinder and Alex have both had fantastic seasons for NSW," said Dalton.

"Gurinder has become the first rookie to win the award and it is amazing to think that he only played two out of 10 Shield matches and half the Ryobi Cup season.

"He is an impressive young man who has been a great addition to our squad and has shown that he has the ability and temperament to perform in all three forms of the game.

"Alex also had a superb season. She is a great role model and sets a tremendous example as captain of the Breakers. To lead the side to victory in all competitions this season and be part of a World Cup-winning side is a very special achievement. She deserves all the praise she gets."

The late Amy Hudson and Norm O'Neill, as well as former Test spinner Greg Matthews were inducted into the Cricket NSW Hall of Fame.

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Tiger fans breathe easy

Tigers Flying ... Jake King reacts quickest to kick a goal ahead of Aaron Joseph. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

They're not called long-suffering Tigers fans for nothing.

For five years they've been waiting to get one over their bitter enemy Carlton.

3.3 (21)	Q1	2.9 (21)
4.6 (30)	Q2	9.14 (68)
9.12 (66)	Q3	14.18 (102)
14.17 (101)	Q4	14.22 (106)

Eddie Betts 2	Brett Deledio 3
Jefferey Garlett 2	Tyrone Vickery 3
Bryce Gibbs 2	Jake King 2
Chris Judd 2	Luke McGuane 2
Matthew Kreuzer 2	Reece Conca 1
Marc Murphy 2	Bachar Houli 1
Shaun Hampson 1	Daniel Jackson 1
Chris Yarran 1	Dustin Martin 1

For 12 months they've watched as their team has found any number of ways to lose close matches.

For 12 years they've fronted up in round one full of hope and optimism only to watch it gradually evaporate at various stages before September.

All of those ghosts from seasons past looked to have been banished midway through the third quarter when the Tigers were dominating, full of energy and run as Brett Deledio kicked consecutive goals to stretch the lead to a seemingly insurmountable 42 points.

Particularly when their coach Damien Hardwick had spoken in the pre-season  about how their primary focus over summer was the defensive structure and the defensive aspects of the players all over the ground.

Yet the Tiger nerves started jangling when Chris Judd produced a two-minute purple patch late in the third quarter, managing three shots - two of them goals - to reduce the margin to 21 points.

Those same nerves were soothed, though, when new skipper Trent Cotchin stamped his authority on the match.

Cotchin, who had never experienced victory in his previous seven matches against the Blues, looked determined to break his duck. In one particularly brilliant passage of play, he gathered a floating ball, produced a Robert Harvey-like body swerve to wrong foot an approaching Blues defender, and drilled a precise pass to Luke McGuane for a goal.

By the final change the margin had been restored to 36 points and all looked well in the yellow-and-black camp.

But the Tiger nerves were fraying again when Carlton kicked the first three goals of the final quarter to reduce the difference to 19 points. They were numb as they watched their boys simply stop running, tighten up and make poor decisions, leaving the door ajar for the unthinkable.

Tigers fans were contemplating a whole new brand of suffering when Jeff Garlett slotted home two goals to get the Blues to within seven points 23 minutes into the final term.

They couldn't watch when Matthew Kreuzer pulled in a mark moments later, when Chris Yarran first snapped and then streamed into an open goal. But thankfully for them all of these shots missed. With a minute to play and just four points the difference, it was anyone's game.

Surely a moment of class or luck or umpiring would decide this match now.

As it turned out, it may actually have been that long-suffering yoke that made the difference. 

Only five of Richmond's starting 22 had ever played in a Tigers win over Carlton: Chris Newman, Brett Deledio, Shane Tuck, Jake King and Daniel Jackson. In fact, going into the match, the Tigers team had played a combined 131 matches for Richmond against Carlton, for a grand total of 13 wins.

One of the 17 was Luke McGuane, who had trudged from the field on the previous six occasions to the tune of "We are the Navy Blues''.

With about 35 seconds remaining, and the ball in the hands of Carlton defender Josh Bootsma, a desperate McGuane launched himself into a fierce tackle that earned him a free-kick and bought enough time to ensure victory.

His point sealed the five-point win.

In truth it had been set up over the first three terms. 

Cotchin was superb, with 16 of his 33 possessions contested. He also influenced the play numerous times when he didn't have the ball, most notably in the second quarter when he chased down and tackled Andrew Carazzo to set up a Tyrone Vickery goal.

Brett Deledio was the architect early, with clean hands and crisp skills when the ball was hot in the first half.

Ivan Maric produced a typically bullocking display in the ruck, while Alex Rance and Steve Morris stuck at their roles of quelling Carlton's main goal threats.

Judd and Bryce Gibbs tried hard throughout, and Michael Jamison kept Jack Riewoldt out of the match.

In the end, though, the difference was that more Richmond players seemed to want it more.

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Fa'aoso charge downgraded

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Escape ... Richie Fa'aoso will miss just one week for his hit on Ash Harrison. Source: COLIN WHELAN / AAP

Manly coach Geoff Toovey has called for an overhaul of the NRL judiciary's grading system after Richie Fa'aoso's grade three dangerous contact charge was reduced on Wednesday.

The former Melbourne and Newcastle forward was facing a four-game ban if he lost his appeal following his challenge on Gold Coast back-rower Ashley Harrison last Sunday.

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Fa'aoso caught Harrison with his shoulder, but the Queensland State of Origin star was knocked out following a clash of heads between the pair after contact had been made.

The 28-year-old is the latest in a long line of players who have secured a victory at the judiciary after fighting the grading of a dangerous contact charge, including Ben Te'o and Greg Inglis last year.

It prompted Toovey to call for more transparency from the match review committee when grading offences.

"I said last year that the grading system needs an overhaul," he said.

"I think that we need to protect the players and we have laws about contact to players' heads.

"You can ban the tackle altogether if you really want. That is the way to get around it.

"We accept the decision by the people that make the rules. Any contact to the head is unacceptable.

"But there needs to be a better system. But we think the panel did a great job, and we got a very fair hearing."

Fa'aoso's counsel, Nicholas Ghabar, conceded the hit on Harrison was illegal but successfully argued it was comparable to an incident involving Billy Slater in round two, and he'll now only miss Thursday's clash with the Wests Tigers.

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Storm star Slater was slugged with a grade one charge when he raced crossfield and used his shoulder to knock over North Queensland winger Antonio Winterstein in the lead up to a try for the Cowboys but escaped a ban by taking an early guilty plea.

NRL prosecutor Peter Kite argued that Fa'aoso made a deliberate choice to instigate the illegal action and by doing so created the possibility of a head clash.

Kite also claimed the incident wasn't comparable to Slater's as the fullback was coming across the field to chase down an opponent and Fa'aoso raced out of the line and had time to pull out of the challenge.

Toovey said the challenge was worthwhile but acknowledged the welfare of players was the most important thing in the game.

"Richie made the tackle now which is illegal and we accept that," Toovey said.

"We hope Ashley Harrison is OK to play this weekend. Players' welfare is at the forefront of everyone's mind.

"Richie was very remorseful during and after the game and worried about his fellow player."

The three-man panel of Don McKinnon, Michael Vella and Sean Garlick took 20 minutes to make the decision.

Fa'aoso will be free to return for the match against Canterbury next Friday at ANZ Stadium.

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I can still play with Beale: Delve

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Gareth Delve ... says he can still play alongside Beale despite the punch. Source: David Crosling / AAP

Melbourne Rebels skipper Gareth Delve says he would have no trouble playing alongside wayward Wallaby Kurtley Beale despite being punched by his teammate while on tour.

Beale's future at the Super Rugby franchise is in doubt after he and Test winger Cooper Vuna were sent home from South Africa in disgrace.

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Following their 64-7 loss to the Sharks in Durban and a team outing to a nightclub, Beale punched captain Gareth Delve and when Vuna intervened they traded blows.

Vuna then tweeted about the incident, calling Beale a "grub" in another breach of team protocol.

The Rebels announced on Wednesday night after a hearing that Vuna would be available for their game against the Western Force in 10 days time, taking into account his previous good behaviour and community work.

Vuna has been banned from using social media.

The club and Australian Rugby Union inquiry into Beale's actions is continuing with a resolution likely on Thursday.

He may face a lengthy suspension or even have his contract terminated.

After the hearing, Vuna apologised for the embarrassment he caused the club.

"During my time with the Melbourne Rebels I have turned my life around," he said in a statement.

"The outcome of this incident in Durban is not consistent with the values of my family, my church and my football club."

Vuna, a father of two, has been on a self-imposed alcohol ban for the last six months and dropped 10kg in the process.

The rugby league convert is trying to add to his two Test caps earned last year.

Meanwhile, Delve says he would have no trouble playing alongside wayward Wallaby star Beale despite the punch.

"I'm a professional rugby player. For the most part, my relationship with Kurtley has been excellent," Delve said.

"It's not something I can't get past.''

Beale and Vuna apologised for their antics before starting their trip back to Australia.

The Rebels are attempting to put the crisis behind them as they prepare to face the in-form Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this weekend.

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The Cheetahs are returning from their most successful Australasian tour after victories over the NSW Waratahs, Highlanders and Western Force.

Delve said the players would be out to try to repair some of the damage from both the crashing defeat and the brawl.

He said they needed to make it up to the coaching staff and Melbourne fans.

"We've got a great opportunity to come out this week to turn things around and to put things right," Delve said.

"We owe everyone a big performance this week."

Coach Damien Hill is set to ring the changes following the Durban game, where the Rebels finished with the sorry tally of 19 turnovers and 31 missed tackles.

Richard Kingi is set to start on the wing in place of Vuna while prop Paul Alo-Emile will start ahead of Laurie Weeks.

Rookie flanker Jordy Reid will also get his first start replacing Scott Fuglistaller.

Wallabies back-rower Scott Higginbotham has been cleared of any shoulder damage while centre Mitch Inman is on the mend after a stomach bug.

Hill said the players were aware of the importance of the game.

"Everyone was embarrassed and angry post-game but they've had a good look at themselves and, as a result, the team's even more focused.

"I've been pleased with the way they've stuck together."

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Maguire backs shoulder charge

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Greg Inglis' ... infamous shoulder charge on former St George Illawarra Dragon Dean Young. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

South Sydney coach Michael Maguire has backed the reinstatement of the shoulder charge to the game of Rugby League.

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Despite being rubbed out of the game, the controversial tackle is back dividing opinion.

On NRL 360 on Wednesday night, Maguire said he believes there should be strict penalties for those players who make contact with a player's head with the current system too hard to police. 

"I think it's going to still continually create controversy on what is and what isn't a shoulder charge," Maguire said on NRL360. 

"As a rugby league lover I love those clashes.

"I would say if it got contact with the head then obviously ramifications have got to come.

"To watch last year when Greg Inglis picks up the ball on a kick return and Chrissy Sandow comes down and bounces off him, we all probably had a chuckle. It was actually great contact, you miss those sorts of parts of the game."

However Australian coach Tim Sheens disagreed, stating the modern game has no room for such risky practice. 

"Old scrums are gone and getting stomped on the ground is gone and getting hit behind the ear is gone," Sheens said. 

"Today the game is about a certain amount of safety and the shoulder charge it's alright to say (penalise him) if he hits him in the head but if he does (hit his head) it can kill him."

On Wednesday night, Manly forward Richie Fa'aoso was successful in downgrading a dangerous contact charge which threatened to wipe him out for four matches.

Instead he will miss one as a result of an off-the-ball tackle which concussed Gold Coast back-rower Ashley Harrison and forced him from the field in a neck brace.

The NRL's crackdown is seemingly struggling to get through to many players, Sheens and Maguire agreeing that it is an instinct for players to use the shoulder in certain situations.

"It's actually a very ineffective tackle," Maguire said. 

"They get a quick play the ball out of it. No coach is going out there and saying we're doing it. It's just a reaction.

Sheens added; "Sonny Bill Williams who everybody was waiting for the shoulder charge. He's gone to Rugby for a period a time when you weren't allowed to do it, he's come back and not missed a tackle and I don't think anyone has missed seeing Sonny do a shoulder charge. He's playing good football with just good defence." 

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Thurston reveals his secrets

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North Queensland ... Cowboys skipper Johnathan Thurston in action. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

North Queensland skipper Johnathan Thurston has revealed the secret behind when he chooses to deploy his patented 'show and go'.

In an exclusive one-on-one interview with Peter Sterling to be broadcast on Sterlo this Thursday, the Kangaroos five-eighth has opened up on when a defender is likely to fall for his dummy.

"If he's not square," Thurston said is a defender's tell-tale sign.

"If his hips or shoulders are turned out a little and then I know I've got him." 

In an interview that any aspiring superstar must see, Thurston exposes his secrets on when he decides to attack the opposition line head on.

"If there's a big man in front of me I try and expose them a little bit," he said. 

"The show and go is my strength and that's about standing the big man up in front of me, exposing him a little bit and getting to his outside shoulder or inside shoulder."

---

Catch the entire one-on-one interview on Sterlo, Thursday 6.30pm on Fox Sports 1HD.

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Socceroos' hopes shaky after draw

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Crucial ... The Socceroos can only manage a draw against a spirited Oman side. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

The Socceroos' World Cup hopes hang in the balance after being held to a 2-2 draw by Oman in their qualifying match at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday.

Staring down the barrel of a 2-0 loss after the first 50 minutes, deadly aerialist Tim Cahill brought the game to life for Australia with his goal in the 51st minute while a Brett Holman missile levelled the score in the 85th.

The 105-ranked Oman stunned the Socceroos early with a goal through Abdul Aziz seven minutes in, while disaster struck right after the break with Mile Jedinak netting an own goal.

The world No.37 Australia remain in second spot in their group but level on points with Oman and seven points behind runaway leaders Japan, with only the top two teams securing an automatic berth to next year's showpiece.

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With three matches left on the road to Brazil, including an away clash against runway group leaders Japan, Australia can ill afford to draw another match.

The Socceroos had a sloppy start to the game, not creating many chances and being too easily dispossessed, perhaps missing the leadership and vocal presence of suspended skipper Lucas Neill.

In contrast it was a well organised Oman side who took to the field not letting the Australians make any real inroads with their wayward crosses doing them no favours.

Aziz broke the deadlock early, outpacing Michael Thwaite to put his strike into the back of the net in the seventh minute, silencing the 34,600-strong crowd.

Holman had one of the few opportunities of the half and looked like levelling just before the break, forcing a save from Oman's Wigan 'keeper Ali Al Habsi after Cahill headed the ball back to him for the shot.

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Jedinak continued his woeful night in the second half, sticking his foot out to stop a strike from Omani midfielder Raed Saleh only to send it into the net just after the break.

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Cahill got one back for the hosts, heading home off a Wilkshire corner, seemingly sparking the Socceroos into action.
Cahill struck again with a header moments later, drawing a superb save from Al Habsi.

Group B		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Japan	5	4	1	0	11	13
2	Australia	5	1	3	1	0	6
3	Oman	6	1	3	2	-3	6
4	Iraq	5	1	2	2	-1	5
5	Jordan	5	1	1	3	-7	4

Wlkshire continued the assault on Oman's goal and looked like levelling in the 59th minute with his long range strike.

But it deflected off a defender to hit the crossbar then the post with Cahill just unable to direct the ball into the net.

Cahill threatened yet again with another header in the dying minutes but despite peppering the Omani goal with several dangerous headers it was Holman who found the equaliser with a sensational shot from about 25 yards out.

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Cahill Socceroos' saviour again

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The man for a big occasion ... Tim Cahill rose to drag the Socceroos back against Oman. Source: Craig Greenhill / News Limited

Tim Cahill is in a class of his own - world class

His aerial power is breath-taking. The first man to score a World Cup finals goal for Australia, in Germany seven years ago, is still the man most likely. Who cares if he is 33 years old?

Who cares if he no longer plies his trade in England's mighty Premier League, but across the pond in the US?

Take him out of the Socceroos, and the national team can start to look very ordinary indeed.

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He was the inspiration behind Australia's CPR (cardio-pulminary resuscitation) job against Oman, spurring his side to a draw from two goals down. Cahill nodded home his team's first from a corner and was extremely unlucky not to head himself onto the scoresheet on three further occasions.

His leaping ability is phenomenal, and he generates enormous power from his headers. He forced two superb saves from Oman's goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.

Cahill and Al-Habsi turned this qualifier, in many respects, into a two-man show. At the end, honours were probably even.

Group B		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Japan	5	4	1	0	11	13
2	Australia	5	1	3	1	0	6
3	Oman	6	1	3	2	-3	6
4	Iraq	5	1	2	2	-1	5
5	Jordan	5	1	1	3	-7	4

"We were unable to compete in the air with Cahill," admitted Oman coach Paul Le Guen.

"He is one of the best players in the world in the air. He has a good jump and is very difficult to control.''

Australian coach Holger Osieck agreed, praising Cahill's jumping ability and timing, and describing him as a "permanent threat".

Osieck has many problems to solve if the Socceroos are to get over the qualification line for Brazil 2014 in their final three matches in June. The most pressing is in the centre of defence, where Robert Cornthwaite and Michael Thwaite were tried for the first time together.

The sooner Lucas Neill - suspended for this match - returns, the better. Without him, the central defensive cupboard is bare. Australia can also be thankful for the spanking right boot of Brett Holman.

Despite being out of favour with his club side Aston Villa, and short of game time, he plugged away all night until he found the space to ram home Australia's equaliser.

It was similar, if not off quite as long a run, as the cracker he scored against Serbia in South Africa's 2010 World Cup. Cream always seems to rise to the top in World Cup matches. But no-one rises quite like Tim Cahill.

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