AFL considering cap backflip

Rotations ... Danye Beams and Luke Ball change on the boundary line. Source: Stephen Harman / News Limited

THE AFL is considering a backflip on the proposed interchange cap for next season as player rotation numbers stabilise.

Clubs were bracing for a recommended cap of 80 rotations a game next year, but a review of recent figures has prompted a rethink. The issue was discussed at a recent laws of the game committee meeting, with some members of the view a cap was now unnecessary.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The issue is expected to be canvassed at an AFL Commission meeting on Monday.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The league was worried that interchange numbers would continue to soar, increasing the speed of the game and the risk of injury, after an average of 131.3 rotations a game last season.

According to Champion Data figures, there was an average of 91.9 interchanges a game in 2009.

But numbers have flattened out this year with only a small increase to 131.9 interchanges, prompting a view that rotations have perhaps reached an optimal level.

It has been identified that any increase above that mark can be counter-productive for a team, as more frequent changes can leave players out of position and spending too much time swapping near the interchange area.

Changes in the game to help facilitate more continuous play has also helped slow players and reduce the risk of collision injuries stemming from explosive stop-start football.

While a final decision has not been made, the re-think will delight coaches and players, with many vehemently opposing the cap over the past year.

Attitudes towards a cap in the corridors of power have softened since AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou declared in March a cap would be introduced for the start of 2014.

"The fact of the matter is, unless people have got amnesia, the AFL Commission has already passed the rule," Demetriou said.

It said at the end of the year the cap's coming in.

"There's no going back on that - that is already put in place."\

The AFL commission last year deferred the laws of the game committee's recommendation to introduce a cap to analyse more data.

The bulk of clubs routinely register between 120 and 140 rotations. Fremantle averages the most interchanges with 146. Sydney has the lowest with an average 122.

Adelaide coach Brenton Sanderson said a cap of 80 would change the type of players clubs recruited.

Melbourne co-captain Nathan Jones called the proposal "irresponsible'.

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson said a 80 rotation cap would be an "enormous risk" to the game.

"It's a pretty dramatic change to go to 80, and no one really knows what's going to happen to the game," Clarkson said.

"Hopefully, common sense will prevail, and if they want to introduce a cap, then cap it at something sensible like 120.

"Then we can see what a minor cap on the interchange does to the game rather than take it to 80."

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wicket adds to Ashton's party tricks

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Debutant Ashton Agar celebrates his first wicket in Test cricket. Source: Gareth Copley / Getty Images

TEENAGE sensation Ashton Agar has continued an extraordinary debut, claiming his first Test wicket on the third morning of the first Test at Trent Bridge.

Less than a day after he blazed a history-making 98, the 19-year-old left arm spinner had England captain Alastair Cook caught at slip by Michael Clarke for 50.

By lunch England had moved to 4-157, an overall lead of 92, with Ian Bell unbeaten on 20 and Jonny Bairstow 13 not out on a slow, low pitch not conducive to stroke play.

The delivery deceived Cook with its bounce as he played across the line and Clarke leapt high to gather it one-handed.

Agar was mobbed by excited team mates as he celebrated with unrestrained joy. 

The England skipper has a poor record at Trent Bridge. It was his first half-century in seven Tests at the ground. 

---

Follow the first Test action LIVE with our Ashes Match Centre, featuring videos of every wicket and ball-by-ball commentary.

---

Agar's breakthrough came shortly after Australia claimed the vital wicket of Kevin Pietersen.

Resuming on 35, Pietersen had played carefully for 64, his 31st half century in 95 Tests.

However his 23rd century eluded him when the former South African attempted to punch a delivery from James Pattinson off the back foot and dragged the ball into his stumps.

Cook and Pietersen added 110 in almost four hours such was the care they took with their batting.

Pattinson thought he had another wicket when an inswinging yorker hit Bell low on the front pad.

The initial appeal was turned down and a review showed the ball clearly swinging down the leg side, leaving Australia without a review for the remainder of England's second innings. 

Agar may have been a hero with the bat but he knows his real job is with the ball.

He finished with 0-24 on the opening day when he was a surprise inclusion and had 0-29 from nine overs when England went to stumps on the second day at 2-80 in their second innings, an overall lead of just 15.

Agar's early introduction on day two was understandable given that Pietersen has a well known weakness against left arm spin and the dangerous batsman played the rookie with care.

Having been dismissed for a history-making 98 on the second day, would Agar prefer a century or five wickets?
 
"I'd like either one but it'd be nice to take five for now that I didn't get the hundred," he said before play.

Shane Watson bowled for the third day in a row despite concerns with a left calf niggle which kept the injury prone all-rounder to just four overs in the first innings.

Having bowled three maiden overs on the second day, Watson did not concede a run yesterday until the fourth balls of his sixth over, when Ian Bell opened the face of his bat and steered the ball behind point for two.

---

Get all the reaction from social media with our LIVE BLOG.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Magpies dent Crows' finals hopes

Milestone ... Luke Ball celebrates his 200th game with a goal against Adelaide. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

THERE was a saying in 1970s cricket, that if Lillee didn't get you, Thommo would.

2.2 (14)	Q1	6.3 (39)
9.5 (59)	Q2	8.7 (55)
13.6 (84)	Q3	10.11 (71)
17.9 (111)	Q4	12.12 (84)

Andrew Krakouer 3	Tom Lynch 4
Travis Cloke 2	Jarryd Lyons 4
Brent Macaffer 2	Jason Porplyzia 3
Scott Pendlebury 2	Richard Douglas 1
Ben Reid 2
Dane Swan 2
Luke Ball 1
Steele Sidebottom 1
Marley Williams 1
Jarrod Witts 1

At Collingwood, it's a case of if Swan doesn't get you, Pendlebury will.

And if they're ripping a game apart together, as they did last night, then heaven help the opposition.

Pendlebury had 42, eight clearances, five tackles and two goals.

Swan had 31, three tackles, six clearances and two goals.

They are Lille and Thompson.

The Len Pascoe equivalent - who was first change behind Lillee and Thommo - would have to be Luke Ball.

He mostly always plays third fiddle behind his superstar teammates, but his stats don't. He had 30, five tackles, seven clearances and a game-high 18 contested possessions.

The three-pronged midfield attack, plus an array of scoring avenues - the Pies had 10 goalscorers to Adelaide's four - proved too overwhelming for Adelaide on Friday night.

The finals score was 17.9 (111) to 12.12 (84).

It's two weeks in a row Swan and Pendlebury have combined to rally the Magpies after a lethargic first quarter.'

They didn't do it alone.

Andrew Krakouer kicked three goals in the second quarter, Travis Cloke took 11 marks and kicked 2.5, Sidebottom off a back flank is proving to be productive move, and Dayne Beams acquitted himself well with 25 touches.

In many ways, the first half was a replay of last week when Collingwood played Carlton

The Crows led at quarter-time, the Pies cranked up in the second quarter to lead at half-time.

But unlike the Blues who raised the white flag in the second half, the Crows scrapped to about midway through the final quarter before Swan, Pendlebury, Travis Cloke and Pendlebury again condemned the Crows to missing the finals this year.

Swan had 22, including 15 handball receives.

As such, he appeared to be cared for by rotation rather than shut down, but Crows coach Brenton Sanderson swapped Nathan Van Berlo from Pendlebury to Swan for the second half, with mixed results.

While Swan was subdued by Van Berlo, Pendlebury took control.

He had 19 in the first half, although not all on Van Berlo, and then 22 in the second half.

It was vintage Pendlebury, if that can be said of a 25-year-old.

The Crows had three multiple goalkickers in the first quarter, which was promising yet undermining.

Jarryd Lyons kicked two goals, one coming after unchecked running through centre half-forward, the other from a free kick paid against Heath Shaw for high contact when Shaw was shepherding.

Another was Tom Lynch who had Ben Reid as an opponent, and the third was Jason Porplyzia who gave headaches to Ben Sinclair and Heath Shaw.

The Crows were efficient early. They kicked 6.3 form 14 entries to Collingwood's 2.2 from 13 entries.

Swan had 13 and Pendlebury nine, but their numbers did not translate to scores.

It was the difference. The Pies led contested ball (39-28) and the Crows led tackles (19-11), so the effort was reasonably even.

As we will come to expect as the season progresses, Buckley moved Reid forward after quarter-time.

It worked for the Pies. Reid kicked the first two goals from two marks, underlying his ability to be a game-changer.

It was the quarter the Pies surged.

But to surge, you must kick goals.

Krakouer kicked his three goals in 11 minutes from the 15th minute, bascially doing what he does best: skirting and grafting and finding space in a phone box.

Macaffer got another one the same way, and then Cloke marked on his chest against three opponents - Talia, Douglas and Henderson - to kick his first of the night. Before then, he had two behinds, while another gettable goal dropped short.

Who knows when or where Buckley will employ the Cloke-Reid combo, but when it happens it's as frightening as dealing with Franklin-Roughead.

The Pies applied considerable heat in the second quarter.

They kicked 7.2 from 17 entries to Adelaide's 2.4 from just eight.

The Pies lifted their work rate and led tackles at the half (31-27, meaning the Crows laid just eight tackles for the quarter).

It took nine minutes to record the first goal in the third quarter, when Macaffer again found himself in the right place at right time, and Ball followed soon after with an intercept and goal from 50m.

The goals came from two handball mistakes from Scott Thompson and Matthew Wright, and in an unrelenting third quarter, they would prove crucial.

Macaffer's influence across half-forward is decidedly improving. He was used earlier in the year as a stopper, but has become accustomed to playing as a type of third tall beside Cloke and Witts/Reid.

Macaffer can mark, is good low, and his agility post knee-op is dangerous enough.

The Crows, to their credit, didn't relent to late in the final quarter.

Already hamstrung by a shoulder injury to Patrick Dangerfield - why was he out there? - the Crows lacked forward options and midfield clout.

In the end, Collingwood's superstars got them over the line, which is a statement we've become accustomed to. 

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Daley: We all feel Gal's pain

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Paul Gallen realises the gig is up on his fitness bid. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

IF any of my Blues players needed a reminder of just how big this game is on Wednesday night, they got it on Friday when I called the players together after training because Paul Gallen wanted to speak to them.

You could hear the emotion in our skipper's voice as Gal told them he wouldn't be leading them on to ANZ Stadium. Gal was devastated, and we were all shattered for him.

It's hard to describe what the feeling within the group was like at that moment.

Here is a bloke who has trained his entire life to get himself into this position, where he was the captain of NSW going into the biggest game in State of Origin history.

To have it taken away from him like this just doesn't seem fair on anyone.

When Gal called me yesterday morning at about 8am you could hear the concern in his voice even then.

We'd initially said Sunday was going to be D-Day for a final decision on his fitness but unfortunately the foot injury just wasn't improving at the rate we'd hoped.

I'll admit our doctor Nathan Gibbs was probably more worried than I was because I had this gut-feeling that Gal was going to be OK.

I don't know why, all week, I just thought he'd be right.

He just always seems to get himself on the field no matter what the injury or how much pain he is in.

But when we spoke about it on Friday morning, you could just tell deep down he knew that he was running out of time.

I told him not to stress at that point.

I said to him: 'Just wait and see how it pulls up after training and we'll go from there'.

When we went down to the oval Nathan put him through a series of drills where Gal had to test out his speed and how he handled changing direction and that sort of thing.

The decision made itself.

If he was even at 50 per cent he probably could have given it more time but that just wasn't the case.

After training Gal came over to us, the coaching and medical staff, and said it just wasn't right on the team to drag it out any longer.

He said that he didn't want to risk letting them down.

That's how he said it: 'I just don't want to stuff everything up for everyone else'.

I just felt so sorry for the bloke. I've been there myself before as a player. I remember going into a State of Origin once not feeling 100 per cent - and looking back years later, I know that I didn't do the team or myself justice by playing.

I know that is how Gal would have been feeling on Friday.

He may have been able to take the field next week and taken the chance. He might even be right next weekend to play for the Sharks.

But he just didn't want to run the risk of breaking down in the game and leaving his team short.

When we called the players over to break the news my heart was beating for him, it really was an awful feeling.

I know what this game means to these blokes.

They say every State of Origin is the most important ever but I really do believe this is the most important game NSW has ever played.

Which is why we now have to move on and win this game.

I don't know if we can use Gal as our motivation, I just know we are going to have to fight as hard as we have ever fought over the last eight years.

Gal is not only a wonderful player with an amazing work ethic, he is also a quality man and a tremendous leader.

It's everyone's job now to take up the slack.

Robbie Farah will take over as captain on the night and I know he will be an inspiration.

To be honest, when we were together as a team after training I didn't even mention to the players that Robbie was taking over. I guess everyone just knew that would be the case.

He's a leader at Wests Tigers and he is a bloke who puts his heart and soul into every game he plays.

Robbie Farah won't let anyone down.

Neither will Aaron Woods who comes into the front-row for the biggest game of his life.

I know Gal is going to be down for a few days but he knows he has to pick himself up because he still has an important role to play for his state.

Even though he won't be out on the field at ANZ Stadium he will be with them in spirit on Wednesday night.

This game means everything to us - and Gal means everything to this team.

That will never change. 

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Warne set for Hall of Fame induction

Shane Warne ... the Spin King will accept his crown. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

AUSTRALIA leg-spinning great Shane Warne is to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame during the second Ashes Test.

Warne, credited with reviving interest in leg-spin outside Asia, was the first bowler to take 700 Test wickets and represented Australia in 145 Tests between 1992 and 2007. In all he took 708 Test wickets at an average of 25.41.

The ceremony will take place during the tea interval of the second day of the second Ashes Test between England and Australia at Lord's on July 19.

---

Re-live every Ashes moment with Match Centre, featuring video highlights.

---

Warne also took 293 wickets in 194 one-day internationals at an average of 25.73 and was a member of the Australia side that beat Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup final at Lord's where his teammates included fellow Hall of Famers Glenn McGrath and Steve Waugh.

His return in the final of 4-33 in nine overs saw Warne named man-of-the-match.

"I'm very honoured and proud to be announced as an inductee into the ICC Hall of Fame later this month and I'd like to thank the voting academy very much for even considering me,'' said Warne, currently in England working as a TV commentator during the ongoing Ashes series.

"I'm looking forward to celebrating my induction with my friends and family in front of the crowd at Lord's during the second Ashes Test.''

His tally of 3,154 Test runs is the most by any player without making a hundred.

Warne is the 69th male member of the Hall of Fame and the 18th from Australia.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rojas scores in Stuttgart debut

Prolific ... Marco Rojas in action for Melbourne Victory in the A-League. Source: AAP

New signing Marco Rojas, who has been dubbed the 'Kiwi Messi' and voted the Australian A-League's player of the year, has scored on his debut for Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart in a pre-season friendly.

The 21-year-old New Zealander left Melbourne Victory on a free transfer in April and signed a contract with Stuttgart until 2017, having scored 15 goals in the A-League last season.

Having been named in the starting line-up on Wednesday, Rojas put the German Cup finalists 4-0 up just before the half-time break on his first appearance against an invitation team as Stuttgart ran out 5-0 winners.

"That was a nice run out, our finishing was missing and we didn't score enough goals, but all in all it was a nice friendly game,'' said coach Bruno Labbadia.

Having spent two years at both Wellington Phoenix, then Victory, scoring 17 goals in 72 A-League appearances, Rojas made his debut for New Zealand in March 2011, going on to play 15 times for the All Whites.

Stuttgart play a friendly against Spanish side Valencia on July 20, then open their Bundesliga season at Mainz on Sunday August 11.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Richard Brown departs Western Force

Japan bound ... foundation Force player Richard Brown is heading to Japan. Source: DIANNE MANSON / AAP

Foundation Western Force back-rower Richard Brown is the latest Australian to announce he'll continue his career in Japan.

After eight seasons with the Perth-based Super Rugby franchise during which he won 23 caps for the Wallabies, Brown will take up a two-year contract with the Honda Heat in the Japanese Top League.

Australia Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Brumbies	10	3	2	141	7	59
2	Reds	9	4	2	23	6	54
3	Waratahs	8	7	0	42	4	44
4	Melbourne Rebels	4	11	0	-134	8	32
5	Western Force	3	11	1	-105	5	27
New Zealand Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Chiefs	11	4	0	84	9	61
2	Crusaders	10	5	0	131	8	56
3	Blues	6	9	0	-7	12	44
4	Hurricanes	6	9	0	-63	9	41
5	Highlanders	3	12	0	-121	7	27
South Africa Conference		W	L	D	PD	BP	Pts
1	Bulls	12	3	0	135	7	63
2	Cheetahs	10	6	0	24	6	50
3	Stormers	8	7	0	37	6	46
4	Sharks	7	8	0	34	7	43
5	Southern Kings	3	11	1	-221	2	24

The 28-year-old will play his 89th and final game for the Force when they host the Brumbies on Saturday night.

Brown is keen for a different rugby experience.

"I think I was at risk of becoming stale and that wouldn't have been good for either me or the club,'' Brown said.

"It was a very hard decision to step away from the Force and experience something new.

"At this point of my life I just didn't want to run the risk of being here eight years and not experiencing something different.''

Brown will join former Force teammates Cameron Shepherd and Haig Sare - now a coach at the Suzuka-based Honda club - as well as ex-Waratahs centre Sam Harris.

Brown's departure will leave captain Matt Hodgson and prop Pek Cowan as the sole remaining foundation players at the club from its inaugural season in 2006.

Waratahs utility back Berrick Barnes and Melbourne Rebels winger Cooper Vuna are amongst those to leave Australian rugby at the end of this Super Rugby season to play in Japan.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

LIVE: First Ashes Test, day two

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Ashton Agar of Australia hits out off the bowling of James Anderson. Source: Gareth Copley / Getty Images

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  

LIVE: Join us as the first Ashes Test resumes at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.

Australia is precariously placed at 4/75 after they rolled England for 215 on day one. Can the Aussies settle in or are the wickets going to continue to tumble?

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.

End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.

JOIN US FOR LIVE COVERAGE OF EVERY MOMENT OF THE ASHES SERIES FROM THE FIRST BALL, INCLUDING A LIVE MATCH CENTRE WITH SCORES, STATS, HAWKEYE DISPLAY OF EVERY DELIVERY AND VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS THROUGHOUT EACH SESSION

---

[View the story "Live: First Ashes Test, Day Two" on Storify]

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

LIVE: Tour de France, Stage 11

Race leader Chris Froome is an outstanding time-trialler and expected to dominate tonight's 33km stage. Source: Doug Pensinger / Getty Images

JOIN cycling expert Reece Homfray tonight as Tour de France leader Chris Froome attempts to consolidate his time advantage over his main GC rivals in the first individual time-trial.

Enter the live chat for Stage 11 from Avraches to Mont-Saint-Michel in the window below.

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More

Live: first Ashes Test, day one

James Pattinson celebrates the wicket of Alastair Cook during the first session at Trent Bridge. Source: AAP

Welcome to our live coverage of the first Ashes Test from Trent Bridge.

For all the best late mail, scroll further down this story for an excellent analysis from the Herald Sun's Jamie Tate.

Otherwise, stay tuned for all the latest scores, analysis, videos and reaction from social media.

Join us for live coverage of every moment of the Ashes series from the first ball tonight, including a live match centre with scores, stats, Hawkeye display of every delivery and video highlights throughout each session.

[View the story "Live: First Ashes Test, Day One" on Storify]

The first of 10 Ashes Tests to take place over the next six months kicks off tonight at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.

If the series lives up to half the hype, we're in for a gripping contest.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

So what can we expect this evening?

TEAMS

BREAKING SELECTION: Australia all-rounder Steve Smith will make his Ashes debut, beating Dave Warner for Australia's No.6 spot.

Warner was heavily tipped to play in the opening Test at Trent Bridge despite not having played for a month after being stood down for behavioural reasons.

Smith adds an extra spin option for Darren Lehmann's side, with the pitch expected dry-out towards the back-end of the Test.

Fast bowlers Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson all rested from Australia's optional net session last night at which fellow quicks Ryan Harris, Jackson Bird and James Faulkner all took part.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

It was a sure sign Siddle will join Starc and Pattinson alongside Nathan Lyon tonight.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

England has one decision to make - Steven Finn or Tim Bresnan. Bresnan might win out for his ability to deliver reverse swing, especially considering talk of a very dry pitch.

Bresnan has taken four or more wickets in a Test five times - three of those have been at Trent Bridge.

---

PITCH

MICHAEL Clarke noted with surprise when he first saw the pitch last Sunday that it was ready to play on then.

Maybe it's a CEO's pitch. Maybe the Wednesday start has conspired to produce a batsman-friendly strip that's sure to last five days. When every day at the 16,000 capacity is a sellout, there's a lot of coin on the line for England cricket authorities.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Notably, the pitch has been under cover the past two days despite plenty of sunshine and no threat of rain. Is the curator worried about the pitch deteriorating too quickly?

Expect the captain who wins the toss tonight to bat without hesitation and a first-innings score of 400 will be the pass mark.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The past nine Tests have all been results, expect this to provide a winner, too. The team batting first has won six of those matches.

---

BIG THREAT

GRAEME Swann looms ever large.

He has a modest Test record at his home county ground, three wickets at 65 runs apiece, but with hot weather and an Australian batting line-up loaded with left-handers, he could be the decisive player come days three, four and five.

This bloke should really be playing for us. You have to love the attitude of a man who had this to say at a lead-up press conference: "Hopefully we can provide a lot of people with a lot of reasons to get very drunk ... If I wasn't playing in this series I would be standing in a pub come Thursday afternoon for six weeks solid cheering on England.''

---

THE PUNT

UNLESS nerves take hold of batsmen, this match could be a slow burn to start with before catching fire at the end.

Don't be surprised to see plenty of runs on the first three days, which would open up betting opportunities.

If you like either England ($1.95 at the TAB) or Australia ($3.50), don't take the odds offered pre-match, wait for something around $3 for England and/or $7 Australia inside the first two days.

When the pitch wears late in the game, those odds could bring gold. The draw is currently $3.75 and should stay tight in the first two or three days.

Shane Watson could hardly be in better touch and looks a strong option to be Australia's highest scorer in the first innings ($4.50 at the TAB).

Kevin Pietersen's Test average at Trent Bridge (465 runs @ 38.8) is better than any of his teammates at the venue. He's also $4.50 to score most first innings runs for England.

But the England group is a much more open market. Watson is by far the better value.

Australia's XI: Shane Watson, Chris Rogers, Ed Cowan, Michael Clarke (C), Phil Hughes, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, Peter Siddle, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon.

Join us for live coverage of every moment of the Ashes series from the first ball tonight, including a live match centre with scores, stats, Hawkeye display of every delivery and video highlights throughout each session

20.47 | 0 komentar | Read More