Did Sydney back Crook?: Bozza

Support? ... Former Sydney FC coach Ian Crook (R), ahead of his resignation, with CEO Tony Pignata. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Following Ian Crook's shock resignation as Sydney FC coach, Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich wants the club to start answering the hard questions.

Crook stepped down on Sunday morning following the his side's 3-2 loss to rivals Melbourne Victory after leading by two goals.

Fans booed the tactical decisions Crook made against Victory, and after last week's humiliating 7-2 defeat at the hands of Central Coast the Englishman came under fire as well, from Bosnich in particular, for defending his team's apparent 'lack of heart'.

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Bosnish says he sympathises for Crook and wants to know what is going on inside Sydney FC that led them into this quagmire.

"I'm not surprised after what happened last week at Central Coast Mariners, and then the capitulation in the last 12 minutes (against Victory)," said Bosnich.

"(But) they can take a lot of credit out of the way they came back from last week's debacle. I do have a great sympathy for him.

"The only thing I want to take a little bit of issue with is when he turns around says 'the club never came for me and said we were poor'.

"If they didn't come for him after that Central Coast Mariners game then something is very deeply wrong within the club."

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However, Bosnich thinks that isn't the only thing wrong at Sydney, and he wonders how much support and control Crook ever actually had.

"Once he was appointed did he get the backroom staff that he wanted? Did he want Stephen Corica as assistant? We need to know this," says Bosnish.

"Did he get the players? The recruitment of the players, was that down to the manager as it should be, or was that down to (football director) Gary Cole? Did Gary Cole say 'these are the players that you're getting and that's it'?

"Because if that's the case, that's the wrong way to go about running a club.

"You get a manager in, you pay him good money, and you back him. Give him what he wants and the weapons he needs to make your team a winning team.

"If he doen't do it THEN you sack him."

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Proteas in charge after day three

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Quality ... Kallis salutes after bringing up his 44th Test hundred. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

Luck finally turned around for Australia as they reached 3-111 at stumps on day three of the first Test at the Gabba in reply to South Africa's mammoth first innings of 450.

1st Test - Gabba

9 November 2012 - Day 3, Session 3

Australia 1st Innings

E. Cowan	49	74	8	0	66.22
M. Clarke	34	57	5	0	59.65
V. Philander	8	0	24	0	3.00

Opener Ed Cowan remained unbeaten on 49 in a 71-run counter-attack with captain Michael Clarke (34 not out) after surviving a big scare in the second last over of the day.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith asked for a review when towering quick Morne Morkel's caught-behind appeal was knocked back by umpire Asad Rauf.

Hot spot technology showed Cowan gloved it but replays revealed a no ball.

It was a reversal of fortunes for Australia who had South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis out caught on 43 on Friday only for a replay to show quick Peter Siddle had overstepped the mark.

Kallis went on to make 147 in a 165-run stand with Hashim Amla (104) - who was dropped by Siddle on 74 - that set up the huge first innings total.

Initially nothing looked set to go right for Australia with the bat either as Morkel (2-25) cut loose.

Morkel had 2-0 after his first nine balls, including Ricky Ponting for a five-ball duck.

World No.1 Test bowler Dale Steyn (1-27) did the early damage, snaring opener David Warner (four) caught behind to reduce Australia to 1-13.

Steyn's heroics also ensured Rob Quiney's Test debut with the bat was reduced to a cameo.

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Follow all the action from day four of the first Test between Australia and South Africa with our LIVE and INTERACTIVE blog, from 10am (EDT) Monday.

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An attacking Quiney (nine) looked to have hooked Morkel for six before Steyn plucked the ball from the air, threw it back into the air as he avoided the boundary rope and casually caught it again.

Reeling at 2-30, Australia were soon on the ropes at 3-40 when Ponting was caught behind to extend his batting woes against the Proteas.

A man down after batsman JP Duminy was injured in a freak training mishap on Friday, South Africa needed something special to post a big first innings and Kallis and Amla provided.

They put on their 11th stand of over a century, making them the South African pair with the highest Test partnership aggregate (3636 runs).

And it could have been more. Amla was trapped in front by Siddle (2-111) but remarkably did not review it. Ball-tracking technology showed the delivery was bouncing over the stumps.

Kallis resumed on 84 not out on Sunday and reached his 44th Test ton - the second highest tally behind only Sachin Tendulkar (51) while also marking the highest score by a South African at the Gabba, surpassing Eddie Barlow's 114.

Earlier, world No.2 batsman Amla became the seventh South African to pass 5000 Test runs on his way to his 17th ton - his third in as many Tests against Australia.

After enduring 54 luckless overs trying to break the Amla-Kallis stand, Australia finally struck back with the ball on Sunday as South Africa tried to push the run rate after the day two washout.

James Pattinson (3-93) was the pick of the Aussie bowlers.

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Relive the drama from day three at the Gabba with our live blog!

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Reds, Glory battle out dour draw

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Hindmarsh ... Adelaide United's Fabio Ferreira holds off Perth Glory's Scott Jamieson. Source: Sarah Reed / News Limited

Adelaide United talisman Dario Vidosic scored again in a 1-1 draw with Perth Glory, but couldn't prevent the Reds losing top spot of the A-League on Sunday.

Vidosic's second goal in as many matches ensured a Hindmarsh Stadium stalemate, equalising after Glory attacker Billy Mehmet's opening half strike.

Adelaide's point for the draw wasn't enough to prevent Central Coast Mariners assuming top spot on goal difference after six rounds, while Perth remain in fourth position.

Both managers, Adelaide's John Kosmina and Perth Glory counterpart Ian Ferguson both said the draw was a fair result but Kosmina said there was some regret, given it was a Reds home game.

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"Every time you drop two points it is costly, but it's only six games into the season, there are still 21 to go,'' Kosmina said.

"If there is a bottleneck (at the top) and we're still in it with six games to go, I would be pretty happy."

Ferguson couldn't complain with the result: "both teams had some great opportunities and overall it was a fair game and an even game, 1-1 was a fair result.''

Glory had their chances for a precious away win after taking the lead courtesy of Mehmet's 43rd minute strike.
Mehmet scored after a copybook build-up as the Glory sliced through Adelaide's defence with a series of swift passes.

Nick Ward started the scoring sortie with a slick pass inside the box to Dean Heffernan, who in turn delivered an angled pass across the face of goal to the moving Mehmet.

The Glory striker finished clinically from a couple of metres out, scoring from Perth's only shot on target in the opening half.

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But Adelaide took just three minutes of the second half to equalise, when Vidosic goaled as Perth appealed for an off-side ruling.

Vidosic sprinted forward as midfielder Marcelo Carrusca delivered an insightful long pass which found the Adelaide star in space some 10 metre from goal.

Vidosic swivelled and an accurate right-footer just beat a diving Glory goalkeeper Daniel Vukovic.

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Relive the match with all the highlights and stats that matter in our A-League Match Centre.

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Some 15 minutes later, Perth were centimetres from again taking an ascendancy when Ward cracked a header into the cross bar from a Scott Jamieson corner.

Perth's star striker Shane Smeltz, returning from a hamstring strain which has restricted him to one game this season, was then brought from the bench with almost instant impact.

Smeltz was barely on for two minutes when he launched a low shot which Adelaide 'keeper Eugene Galekovic saved.

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Roar living in the past: Slater

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Past glories ... Brisbane Roar sit on the bottom of the A-League ladder after six rounds. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

It is easy to look good when your team is winning, but when you're losing, that is when a player's real character is exposed.

Brisbane Roar is finding that out. The back-to-back champions are living in the past and their results are proving it.

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It no longer matters what the Roar have done in the past two seasons. It's what they are doing now that counts.

During the next few weeks we are going to discover just how much Brisbane's shocking start to the season is hurting the players.

The Roar still has time to save its campaign and there is enough talent in the squad to resurrect its season.

But you find out a lot more about people when things are not going well for them.

While it is a big call to say the Brisbane squad no longer has the same hunger, this is a big test for every player to stand up and show what they are made of.

Rather than talking about how good they are, they need to show it.

The pressure is also mounting on Brisbane coach Rado Vidosic in what is a results-driven occupation.

Vidosic knew his every move was going to be scrutinised when he accepted the head coaching role after seven years as an assistant, the last of two of which were as master mentor Ange Postecoglou's right-hand man.

It is easy to say in hindsight, but Vidosic would have been better off starting his career as a head coach elsewhere.

It would have given him more time to succeed and put his own philosophies in place.

He is virtually on a hiding to nothing in Brisbane, where the expectation is now constant success after the club's deeds in the past two seasons.

There is no doubting that Vidosic is a great football person, who eats, breathes and sleeps the game. But he is such a nice guy and he has known these Roar players for so long, that it looks like it is an effort for him to get angry.

He was as white as a ghost when he described Brisbane's performance as "garbage" in their 4-1 loss to Melbourne Heart on Friday night.

As a head coach, you have to be able to mix things up.

An occasional Vidosic blast will ensure that his Brisbane players get the message that they can no longer consider themselves untouchable.

Rival teams no longer fear the Roar and are coming up with game plans to beat them rather than avoid losing.

Vidosic needs to make team changes for this Friday's home clash against Sydney FC.

The players Vidosic has stuck by are not getting results and a fourth-straight defeat would be disastrous.

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Social Grant no leader: Buzz

Social life ... John Grant must begin the business of running the game of rugby league. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

No wonder the NRL still can't find a chief executive, work out player salaries for next year, find a referees boss, or even decide the venues for our showpiece State of Origin series.

It's become too hard to drag chairman John Grant out of a social event or a meet-and-greet with Prince Charles, a flash restaurant, a hire car or the first-class cabin of a Qantas plane.

Rugby league has now officially become a laughing stock in Australian sport.

Not only are we still waiting for a new boss - it's now six months and counting - no one can tell us where next year's Origin games will be played.

Queensland was expected to have two matches at Suncorp - but we are now told that is all yet to be confirmed.

A commission meeting on November 20 will determine the venues following a late push from Melbourne.

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"It's all up in the air," one senior NRL executive said. "Like most things these days it's very hard to make a decision."

In Melbourne, you rarely see or hear from the AFL's chairman Mike Fitzpatrick.

He does his business from behind the scenes while Andrew Demetriou and to a lesser extent Gill McLachlan are the frontline faces.

Not so John Grant. Since stepping into the role at the beginning of the year, Grant and his lovely wife Helen have become social butterflies.

They were at Epsom Day at Randwick and later at the flash Century restaurant at Star Casino. They were in Melbourne last weekend for Derby Day.

The Maserati-driving multi-millionaire is also often seen in the company of Wayne Bennett and Bob Fulton.

He knows the enormous sway they carry in the game and has made a point of befriending them.

He's been to England - first class of course - on a holiday. It helps to explain the snail-like pace of decision-making at the NRL these days.

At least it's great news for NSW fans that they can't make their minds up about Origin venues. Only one game in Brisbane will help us.

The AFL has had its draw for the entire 2013 season for weeks while the NRL hasn't finalised club or representative schedules.

Blues coach Laurie Daley says he is not overly concerned about the venues.

"It doesn't matter where we play," Daley said. "We've still got to beat them, whether it's Melbourne or Brisbane. Obviously, the boys enjoy the home ground in Sydney with a full house at ANZ, but it's out of our control."

Some on the independent commission are in favour of again playing a game in Melbourne for both promotional and financial reasons.

The Victorian government has come to the table with a huge cash offer for games at Etihad Stadium. And you can bet John Grant will be there to hand out the trophies.

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Bozza's Save of the Week, R6

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Reflex ... Mark Birighitti denies Shinji Ono a near-certain goal. Source:FOX SPORTS

Newcastle Jets held on to beat Western Sydney 2-1 in Round 6, and they owe that largely to shot stopper Mark Birighitti making a string of impressive saves.

Wanderers produced arguably their best performance so far this season but were repeatedly thwarted by Birighitti in the Jets goal.

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Click on the video at the top to see the block Bozza nominated as Save of the Week and tune in to Sunday Shootout on Fox Sports 1HD every Sunday for analysis of every round of A-League.

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In particular was a quick reaction save from Wanderers marquee man Shinji Ono, who looked certain to score when put through on goal, only for Birighitti to rush off his line and block the shot.

"It was a very important save at a crucial period," said Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich.

"The ball was basically behind him. Great reflexes. He also manages to keep his body as upright as possible, which is very, very difficult when you come out like that.

"Just a magnificent athletic save at a crucial time of the game."

At the end of each round of A-League action, Fox Sports Football expert Mark Bosnich will nominate his Save of the Week on Sunday Shootout.

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Did you think Birighitti's save was the best from all the games in A-League round five? Leave a comment below to have your say on Bozza's pick!

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'It's not pretty at the moment'

Dejected ... Roar's defence looks on as Patrick Gerhardt celebrates his first-half goal. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich is joined by Brisbane Roar defensive midfielder Erik Paartalu to review the weekend's A-League action, with Paartalu accepting something's going wrong at the Roar.

Melbourne Heart 4 defeated Brisbane Roar 1 at AAMI Park

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Paartalu says: It's not pretty at the moment. Obviously we're not hiding from the fact that we were pretty poor against Melbourne. Before that game I could probably say we were unlucky in a few games which could have gone either way. But the result against Melbourne - we just didn't turn up and we've only got ourselves to blame. The players at the club know it wasn't good enough. We've had a long look at ourselves over the weekend and all we can do is pull together now. We're still the same players that have been at the club for two years and I believe we've got the character to turn it round.

Bozza says: As Erik says they are the same players, except perhaps for Ben Halloran who I believe has added to the side. Is that maybe the problem? What they've done in the last two years has been unbelievable. They've transcended the game in this country to a different level, but is it a case that they do need to tweak something a little bit just to give it a little bit of a shake up?

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Newcastle Jets 2 defeated Western Sydney Wanderers 1 at Parramatta Stadium

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Bozza says: Wanderers at minimum deserved a point, if not to win. You have to give a lot of credit to Mark Birighitti - he made two outstanding saves at crucial moments. But for the vast majority of the game, with the exception of the period maybe when Newcastle equalised, it was all Western Sydney. Deep down I think (Wanderers manager Tony Popovic) will still be very pleased. They created more chances in this game than for the whole season I would say. It was just the finishing and some fantastic goalkeeping, and sometimes you come up against a goalkeeper like that and it can be very difficult to cop. I can understand his disappointment totally.

Paartalu says: When the Jets brought in Emile Heskey everyone was thinking they're going to be a bit more direct now and it might change their whole game plan. But Heskey's been a quality addition. He's been the best player inside the 18-yard box in the league. Going away from home and getting points is a must in this league and they're certainly a strong side.

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Melbourne Victory 3 defeated Sydney FC 2 at Allianz Stadium

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Bozza says: Sydney FC can take a lot of credit out of the way they came back from last week's debacle (against Central Coast). What they need to do is very, very quickly find somebody (to replace Ian Crook) who is going to come in and give the whole place, not just the team, a bit of a shake. I think there's too many people there that haven't got clearly defined roles. The bottom line is, in football, the manager has got to be the boss. There's a reason why we call him the boss. What he says go. Ange Postecoglou wouldn't have it any other way, Erik will tell you that.

Paartalu says: You could see after the game that Crooky was obviously pretty upset from some of the fans' abuse. But you can take nothing away from Melbourne Victory, it was a great comeback from them. Sydney probably should have held on with 15 minutes to go, 2-0 up. But when you start talking about health problems, and if you're not really up for it, then the best thing is to move on, everyone clear out and let's get on with moving forward. I had Crooky as a coach when I was younger and I know the type of character he is and he wouldn't have made this decision lightly.

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Central Coast Mariners 1 defeated Wellington Phoenix 0 at Westpac Stadium

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Bozza says: It wasn't a game that reached any great heights, but I thought overall on the balance Mariners did deserve their victory. A fantastic defensive performance once again - they're a very solid unit. I think (Mariners coach) Graham Arnold will be very happy because after that win last week the easiest thing in the world is for a team to take their foot off the pedal, so to speak. Wellington's not a nice place, or an easy place, to go. Wellington have some problems. Three losses on the trot now. They've really, year in-year out, continued to prove all the critics wrong with their performances. Is this maybe the year where they start to slip a little bit? I don't think it will be but definitely three losses on the trot at any club is a bit of a crisis.

Paartalu says: The Mariners are a real team, and you can tell when you go across to Wellington and you're grinding out results that's a sign of a good team. I think they're definitely well positioned at the moment compared to us, so I think they've got to be favourites (for the title).

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Adelaide United 1 drew with Perth Glory 1 at Hindmarsh Stadium

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Paartalu says: (Adelaide striker) Dario Vidosic's finishing has been very clinical. He hasn't had to have too many opportunities in a game to find the back of the net. He's a very good player technically - we all know this - but he's banging in the goals and having a super season.

Bozza says: There's great competition for places at Perth. They've got a very good squad and that's going to become more and more important as the season progresses. To have someone like Shane Smeltz waiting in the wings surely makes you focus.

Paartalu says: Perth Glory are similar to us in terms of the core group being together for a couple of seasons now. Liam Miller's definitely a player that can unlock defences and change the game for them. You've got Billy Mehmet scoring goals, winning headers. What I like about them is that they put in for each other - they're a real team. Particularly when you're across the west coast of Australia, a lot of time is spent traveling and staying in hotels, they've got that togetherness. You can see it.

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SBW ready to sign for Roosters

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Unveiling ... Sonny Bill Williams could be unveiled by the Sydney Roosters on Tuesday. Source: John Grainger / News Limited

Controversial code-hopper and boxer Sonny Bill Williams will reportedly sign for Sydney Roosters and be unveiled on Tuesday.

According to Fairfax Media, Williams will formally return to the rugby league fold four years after walking out on Canterbury-Bankstown in 2008.

Speculation has been rife that Williams' move to the Roosters could be scuppered by his agent, Khoder Nasser's, lack of NRL accreditation.

However, the powerful forward was in no doubt were he would be playing in 2013.

"It's a done deal. I made it a long time ago," Williams said in October.

"I know where I'm playing next year and I'm ready to meet the challenge head-on. There's no more negotiations that need to be done."

Williams is currently contracted to a Japanese rugby union club and is now in Sydney recovering from surgery on a torn pectoral muscle, an injury that forced him to postpone a fight against South Africa's Francois Botha until February.

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