No doping at Manly: Hasler

Clean ... Des Hasler supports under-seige Stephen Danks. Source: Tim Hunter / News Limited

Two-time premiership-winning coach Des Hasler has broken his silence on his dealings with Stephen Dank, claiming he had "no qualms'' with the practices employed by the under-siege sports scientist during their time together at NRL club Manly.

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Dank, whose lawyers on Sunday announced the launch of a $10 million defamation claim against various media outlets, has found himself at the centre of the doping scandal uncovered by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) last week.

AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan confirmed on Sunday that Essendon - who employed Dank in 2012 - was the one AFL club being investigated for possible multiple breaches of the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) code, while another player from an unnamed club was also under investigation.

The Sea Eagles also employed Dank from 2006-10 when he worked closely with Hasler, a period in which the club used cutting edge practices which included the injection of calves' blood into players.

But Hasler, now head coach at Canterbury, said he never had any reason to question Dank's methods as he leapt to the defence of his former club.

"Steve Dank is a great thinker - he's a great analytical thinker,'' Hasler said.

"In his time at Manly there, he did a lot of work with GPS and a lot of statistical science.

"He did a lot of work in (hypoxia) and that.

"I've got no qualms, 100 per cent, we worked entirely within the policy of the WADA and ASADA guidelines. There's no drama there.''

Manly are reportedly one of six NRL clubs under investigation by the ACC, the NRL refusing to confirm the identity of any possible transgressors saying the league was still not in a position to inform the clubs which are under the microscope.

The AFL had no such restraint.

"I think it's reasonable to say, given that the Essendon football club has come forward to the AFL and to ASADA, and proactively advised us of concerns they have, it's reasonable to talk to that,'' said McLachlan.

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"The AFL is aware of potential multiple breaches at that club.''

A single player from another club was also being investigated, but McLachlan refused to reveal his identity.

"The AFL is aware of one case involving the possibility of WADA-prohibited performance-enhancing drug use by one player at one club,'' said McLachlan.

Hasler said the league fraternity had no such specific information.

"There's been a lot of speculation ... a lot of accusation,'' he said.

"Everyone now is waiting to see the accountability.''

The NRL said it could be another two days before it could inform clubs, but even then, it would be up to the individual clubs to come forward to the public.

"The NRL is in close and productive negotiation with the Australian Crime Commission to establish a formal mechanism by which we can inform individual clubs that they have been the subject of intelligence gathering by the ACC,'' the NRL said in a statement released on Sunday.

"This framework should be established in 24-48 hours.

"Once this information is passed on, the NRL will not, under the guidelines outlined by the ACC, be able to identify the clubs publicly.

"This will be a matter for the individual clubs to consider in consultation with ASADA, the ACC and the NRL.''

ASADA released a statement on Sunday commending the full cooperation given by sporting organisations to work with the agency in protecting the integrity of their sports.

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Gazza rushed to intensive care

Hospitalised ... Paul Gascoigne has often struggled with alcohol addiction. Source: AAP

Paul Gascoigne, one of England's most celebrated footballers, has been rushed to intensive care after struggling to cope with a rigorous alcohol detox programme.

The 45-year-old has struggled throughout his adult life with alcohol problems and was reportedly in the United States to start treatment for his addiction.

However it would appear that the former England midfielder was unable to cope with the rehabilitation at a clinic in Tucson, Arizona, and was taken to hospital after becoming seriously ill.

Several celebrity friends are footing the bill for Gazza's treatment, including former England teammate Gary Lineker, comedian James Corden and DJ Chris Evans, which is believed to cost $50,000 for the two-month programme.

Lineker took to Twitter to update fans on the situation, saying: "Gazza is struggling, Let's hope he can hang on in there. Others have generously offered help. #GetwellGazza."

Current England captain Steven Gerrard and his England teammates have gone to the FA with the intention of contributing as well, according to manager Roy Hodgson.

"Many of them looked up to him as the star player of the day, and I can only back that up," The Daily Mail reported Hodgson as saying.

Fortunately Gascoigne's condition is now stable, but it is unknown when, and if, the former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur player will be able to resume his rehab.

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Why are the Wanderers so good?

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Point to prove ... Mark Bridge has been superb for the Wanderers. Source: Dean Lewins / AAP

Mark Bridge scored 17 goals in 80 appearances for Sydney FC.

He's already got eight for Western Sydney Wanderers.

Fans at Allianz Stadium must scratch their heads as to where that gliding running style, confidence and cool finishing was during his time at Moore Park.

His move across town has re-ignited his career - seeing a transformation from the scrapheap to being a key player in a team eyeing the A-League finals is the epitome of the Wanderers superb success this campaign. 

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Bridge's superb strike is one of the three contenders for this week's Goal of the Week, up against Nick Kalmar's delightful free-kick for Melbourne Heart, and Alessandro Del Piero's history-breaking goal for Sydney FC.

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"Tony Popovic has been sensational," he told foxsports.com.au.

"He's brought in players who have a point to prove and players he knows have quality. 

"He's put full faith in the senior boys, mixing it with some of the younger boys – Poppa just seems to have everybody happy, his management must be fantastic. 

"I think (players having a point to prove) has had a lot to do with their success. It will be interesting to see how they go again next year after the novelty of having a point to prove wears off. They're all quality players."

All the little tweaks made by Popovic are, so far, working wonders.

"For us, he's a winger, he's not a midfielder and if he was playing deep he wouldn't have the amount of chances he does, " Popovic said after the game. 

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"It's the same with Youssouf (Hersi). They've got chances every game and good chances, not half chances.

"That's a positive for us and we're becoming more clinical in the final third."

While Michael Bridges lauds the quality of the likes of Aaron Mooy and Shinji Ono as reasons for the Wanderers' success, he picked out another former Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets player to back up the example made by Bridge. 

"Nikolai Topor-Stanley, for example, I always rated him at the Jets. He's gone to the Wanderers and lost 7kgs, changed his game, changed his lifestyle. 

"These players have got points to prove and it's a credit to them, they've been sensational."

So, can they actually go all the way? 

After being at close quarters to witness their fifth win on the trot, Bridges thinks they can, particularly with the Mariners about to encounter Asian Champions League distractions. 

"Everybody was laughing at the beginning of the year, saying they were going to get the spoon. They were getting players from here, there and everywhere. 

"But I tell you what; they are playing some magnificent football."

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Harbhajan called for first Test

Recall ... Harbhajan Singh is included in India's first Test squad. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Harbhajan Singh, the fiery spinner who sparked the "Monkeygate'' scandal during the Sydney Test of 2008, has been recalled to India's squad for the first Test against Australia in Chennai on February 22.

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The 32-year-old offspinner was dumped during the home series against England earlier this summer but now could be set to form a three-pronged spin attack alongside Pragyan Ojha and Ravi Ashwin.

The cheeky Harbhajan, who claimed match figures of 5-102 for Rest of India in the five-day game against Mumbai which ended in a draw on Sunday, was happy to stoke the fire of the rivalry between the two sides.

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"I bowled really well (in the Mumbai game). Now I've got the opprtunity to play against Australia, my favourite team,'' he said.

"Hopefully I'll do well against them.''

Legspinner Piyush Chawla makes way for Harbhajan after Chawla went without a wicket in England's second innings of the fourth Test in Nagpur in December.

Harbhajan is remembered in Australia as the man who was suspended for three matches after his clash with Andrew Symonds in 2008. However the ban was reduced to a fine on appeal.

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The spinner's over-the-top celebrations after dismissing his "bunny'' Ricky Ponting have also left a stain on his standing within Australian cricket, although the pair will have the chance to work on their friendship when they play for the Mumbai Indians in April in the Indian Premier League Twenty20.

Harbhajan, who is one match shy of reaching the 100-Test milestone, praised Ponting after his November retirement from Test cricket and said the Australian is one of the greats of the game.

India's 15-man squad for the first two Tests of the four-match series against Australia doesn't included opener Gautam Gambhir, who has been axed.

Gambhir will captain India A in a three-day game against Australia in Chennai starting on February 16.

India squad: MS Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravi Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Ashok Dinda.

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Can youth alone make the finals?

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Poise ... Mark Birighitti has been a tower of strength for the Jets. Source: Tracey Nearmy / AAP

Can you succeed in the A-League riding on the exuberance of youth?

It's a fine balance – just ask Sydney FC, revelling in a win on Sunday afternoon, but who have yet to harness the brilliance of Alessandro Del Piero because of the inexperience of those around him in an injury-riddled season.

Down the F3, Newcastle Jets have also suffered from the inconsistency jitters. 

The club are still well into the finals race, but are relying heavily on a lot of the youth. But in the Hunter, youth has always been a key part of Gary van Egmond's strategy. 

Veteran striker Michael Bridges still maintains the side will sneak into the six – they're currently one point behind Sydney FC – but acknowledges that his younger teammates are still grasping the ardours of A-League football. 

With Jobe Wheelhouse and Tiago Calvano's mid-season departures, the Jets rely heavily on Ruben Zadkovich, Ryan Griffiths, Emile Heskey and Bridges - who has been told to look elsewhere next season - to shoulder the burden of responsibility amongst an inexperienced squad. 

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The Jets might have lost to the Wanderers, but their No.1, Mark Birighitti, starred with another save that earns him Bozza's vote for this week's Save of the Week. Enjoy the video at the top of the page. 

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"(Having a squad full of youngsters is) great when it's going well, but when the chips are down and you've got 13,000 or 20,000 on your back and you're going to places like Western Sydney Wanderers or Melbourne Victory, it's going to affect you," Bridges told foxsports.com.au.

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"That's where we've got to have a fine balance.

"I know what Gary's trying to achieve with a young team, trying to win something. 

"But realistically, these kids have got to have a shoulder to cry on. 

"For us (senior guys), we've played in stadiums with hundreds of thousands of people there, throwing things at you, places like Galatasaray; we know how to handle it. Hopefully we can take the distractions away."

The class of Craig Goodwin, James Virgili, Sam Gallaway, Connor Chapman et al have shown glimpses, but Bridges pinpoints one youngster who has had a breakthrough year, and been one of the Jets' best.

Goalkeeper Mark Birighitti. 

"His injury (a fractured cheekbone against Wellington in November) was a horrendous knee clash - he looked like the elephant man, I was taking the mickey out of him a bit too much!

"For him to come back into the game; you think he'll be vulnerable with crosses – but he hasn't.

"He's been our standout player this season.

"He's the one I can say single-handedly – him and Emile. What he's got: he's a great shot-stopper, his distribution for a goalkeeper is fantastic and he's also getting save of the week as well!" 

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Aussies sweep Windies at MCG

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Sweep ... Brad Haddin and Aaron Finch appeal for a West Indies wicket. Source: Andrew Brownbill / News Limited

Australia completed a clean sweep of the five-match one-day cricket series against the West Indies, beating them by 17 runs at the MCG on Sunday night.

5th ODI - Melbourne Cricket Ground

10 February 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

West Indies 1st Innings

K. Roach	2	4	0	0	50
T. Best	0	3	0	0	0
C. McKay	9.5	0	52	3	5.29

Adam Voges was man of the match with an unbeaten 112 to help Australia recover from a poor start and make 5-274 in the fifth and final game.

Opener Johnson Charles top scored with 100 as the West Indian were dismissed for 257 in 49.5 overs.

Clint McKay claimed two wickets in the last over, although West Indian captain Darren Sammy was far from pleased with his caught behind decision.

Voges' outstanding form resurgence this summer continued with his first one-day international century.

McKay and Mitch Johnson took three wickets apiece.

Mitchell Starc, now on the Indian tour, was named player of the series.

After the tourists lost opener Kieran Powell for two, a 106-run stand from Charles and Darren Bravo (33) put them in contention.

Charles was on 77 when he skied a chance to substitute fielder Ryan Carters at deep mid-wicket, who dropped the straightforward chance.

Phil Hughes also dropped a towering skied chance from Dwayne Bravo but, in his defence, the conditions were very windy.

Charles brought up his century with a four and McKay claimed his wicket with the next ball, having him caught at backward square leg off a rushed pull shot.

The West Indians kept pressing, with Kieron Pollard and Devon Thomas putting on 42 from 40 balls for the sixth wicket.

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Relive the action from Australia's series-sweep clinching win over West Indies in our ODI Match Centre, featuring all the important scores and stats.

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Then came the crucial wicket, with a sharp throw from Shaun Marsh running out Thomas for 19 in the 45th over with the score on 228.

Pollard had to try some big-hitting and he holed out to Aaron Finch at deep mid-on for 45 off James Faulkner in the 47th over, effectively ending his team's hopes.

The tourists won the toss and sent in a side that was missing captain Michael Clarke, because of hamstring soreness, and also Matthew Wade and Glenn Maxwell on the Indian tour.

West Indian paceman Tino Best made an instant impact when stand-in captain Shane Watson played onto his stumps from the first ball of the match.

When Best removed fellow opener Aaron Finch in the next over, Australia were 2-2.

The hosts steadily rallied, with Shaun Marsh scoring 40, but were still shaky at 4-82 when Voges and Brad Haddin came together.

It could have been much worse - Voges was dropped on seven and then was lucky to survive a mid-pitch mix-up with Haddin with the score on 84.

But the pair rallied and put on 111 for the fifth wicket before Haddin, who replaced Wade, was dismissed for 43.

James Faulkner belted 31 as he and Voges put on 81 in 52 balls at the end of the innings.

Australia amassed 100 from the last 10 overs.

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Bellamy set to announce future

Future ... Craig Bellamy has been Melbourne Storm's coach since 2003. Source: Tim Hunter / News Limited

NRL premiers Melbourne Storm are set to make an announcement on the future of coach Craig Bellamy on Monday.

Bellamy is out of contract after the coming NRL season and has been heavily courted by St George-Illawarra.

But speculation over his future will finally come to an end with the club to make a major announcement at 1.10pm (EDT) on Monday.

The announcement will come shortly before the Storm head to the UK for the World Club Challenge.

Bellamy has been Melbourne's coach since 2003 and captured the 2012 premiership as well as the stripped titles in 2007 and 2009.

Stay tuned to Fox Sports as Bellamy and the Storm announce their future.

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Thurston to have scans on wrist

Precautions ... Johnathan Thurston was injured during the All Stars match. Source: Peter Wallis / News Limited

North Queensland's champion playmaker Johnathan Thurston has been booked in to have precautionary scans on an injured wrist on Monday.

The Cowboys star, who suffered a heavy head knock in a full blooded collision with Willie Mason towards the end of Saturday's All Stars clash at Suncorp Stadium, hurt his wrist earlier while leading the Indigenous side to a magnificent 32-6 upset.

A Cowboys official told AAP on Sunday night that scan was ``purely precautionary''.

Thurston returned to the field with five minutes of the All Stars game remaining when he and forward giant Mason crashed into each other while attempting to field a high bomb.

Thurston was dazed and left the field but said after the game he was not injured.

However his wrist was a little sore on Sunday morning and he has been booked in for a scan to rule out anything more than bruising.

The Cowboys will confirm a player re-signing on Monday but, despite rumours Thurston has decided on his future after 2013, the announcement is not about him.

It's also not about Thurston's Queensland and Australian teammate Matt Scott, who is also weighing up his options at the end of the season.

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