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Demons edge Power in NAB Cup

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 03 Maret 2013 | 23.01

Tussle ... There was very little between the Demons and Power in Renmark. Source: News Limited

Key forward James Sellar kicked five goals to inspire Melbourne Demons to a two-point triumph over Port Adelaide in Sunday's NAB Cup game in South Australia's Riverland region.

0.2.3 (15) Q1 0.4.3 (27)
0.5.3 (33) Q2 0.8.5 (53)
0.8.4 (52) Q3 0.9.6 (60)
1.10.7 (76) Q4 0.12.6 (78)

Daniel Stewart

3

James Sellar

5

Hamish Hartlett

2

Aaron Davey

3

Sam Colquhoun

1

Dean Kent

2

Jake Neade

1

Michael Evans

1

Ben Newton

1

Luke Tapscott

1

Chad Wingard

1

Aaron Young

1

The Demons held off a fast-finishing Port to win 0.12.6 (78) to 1.10.7 (76) before more than 3,000 spectators in Renmark.

Sellar's haul was supported by three goals from evergreen Aaron Davey while James Magner and Neville Jetta were prominent as Melbourne lodged their first win from three outings this pre-season.

Port forward Daniel Stewart booted three goals, with rookie Kane Mitchell and first-year players Oliver Wines and Sam Colquhoun among their best.

The Demons were without co-captains Jack Grimes (rested) and Jack Trengove (foot), while regulars Jack Watts, Chris Dawes, Mark Jamar, Nathan Jones and Jeremy Howe were rested.

But after Sellar kicked the initial goal of the game, Melbourne never relinquished their lead in a match played in 30 degree heat.

The Demons led by three goals at half-time, 0.8.5 to 0.5.5, against an inefficient Port, who couldn't capitalise on having more disposals and more entries into their attacking 50 metre arc in the opening half.

But the Power's Stewart sparked a revival in the third term as Port crept within two points - only for Sellar to then boot his fifth goal and restore Melbourne's advantage.

The Demons extended their lead to 19 points early in the final quarter when Davey snared his third major to seemingly seal victory.

But Port came steaming home, with a super goal from Hamish Hartlett helping reduce the margin to the final two points.

Melbourne host St Kilda on Saturday while Port travel to Alice Springs to meet West Coast on Saturday night as the NAB Cup continues.


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Rojas helps Victory shoot down Jets

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Melbourne Victory ... Mark Milligan scores his second penalty in their smashing of Newcastle. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Archie Thompson's comeback has helped Melbourne Victory soar out of an A-League form slump to hand 10-man Newcastle a five-goal hiding.

Marco Rojas and Mark Milligan both scored twice, Milligan's goals both from penalties, as the Victory won 5-0 at AAMI Park on Sunday to climb to third.

P W D L GD Pts
1 Western Sydney 23 15 2 6 14 47
2 Central Coast 23 13 6 4 24 45
3 Victory 23 12 3 8 3 39
4 Adelaide 23 11 3 9 1 36
5 Newcastle 24 8 6 10 -11 30
6 Brisbane 23 8 4 11 1 28
7 Heart 23 8 3 12 -2 27
8 Sydney 23 8 3 12 -10 27
9 Perth 23 7 4 12 -3 25
10 Wellington 24 6 6 12 -17 24

It broke a run of three losses which culminated in last round's shock 6-2 defeat to Central Coast.

Thompson, sidelined with a hamstring injury while his team lost those games, was in the thick of it on return as the Victory scored three times in the first 30 minutes.

He played the ball which put Rojas clear into the box for an easy goal in the eighth minute.

Rojas, who was given far too much space by the Jets' defence, was again involved in the next, seven minutes later.

The New Zealander's corner kick found Victory skipper Adrian Leijer, who firmly headed home from the near post.

There was almost a replay two minutes later when another Rojas corner found the Victory's other central defender, Daniel Mullen, who also headed truly.

The goal was disallowed as Milligan was penalised for making contact with the head of Newcastle defender Ruben Zadkovich.

That didn't stop the home side for long.

Thompson was brought down after weaving into the box, earning the Jets' Taylor Regan a yellow card and Milligan a 30th-minute penalty, which he converted.

Victory coach Ange Postecoglou acknowledged Thompson's impact and how his presence gave his teammates more freedom.

"Obviously the opposition have to pay attention to him and it makes us look more threatening in different areas," Postecoglou said.

"Probably the last few weeks because of absences of players we've been pretty easy to shut down."


Re-live all the goals and key stats from Melbourne Victory's demolition of Newcastle Jets at our A-League Match Centre.


Things went from bad to worse for the visitors early in the second half when Regan gave away another penalty and picked up his second yellow - for dragging down Mullen off the ball - allowing Milligan his second goal from the spot and reducing the Jets to 10 men.

With the win safe, Thompson was subbed off.

But the Victory kept surging.

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Rojas showed off his fast feet to dribble past a defender and keeper Mark Birighitti and walk the ball into the net to make it 5-0 in the 66th minute.

But their goal difference sank to minus 11, which could prove costly given the tight fight for the bottom two spots in the top six.

The Victory are all but guaranteed of a home elimination final but remain six points shy of the second-placed Mariners.

Newcastle coach Gary van Egmond, who rested strikers Emile Heskey and Michael Bridges and was missing Zenon Caravella and Sam Gallaway to injury and James Brown and James Virgili to illness, said his side still should have shown more.

He said defenders ignored instructions by playing too high, allowing the Victory attackers too much space.

"I was screaming," Van Egmond said.

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He was critical of the scheduling under which the Jets were coming off a midweek clash in Wellington.

"It didn't help but I'm not going to use it as an excuse," van Egmond said.

"I really felt today we could have got something out of this game.

"It's just certain positioning and certain decisions that people made at moments which let us down."


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Saints' late surge downs Swans

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Battle ... St Kilda's Sean Dempster takes on Jesse White of the Swans. Source: David Crosling / AAP

St Kilda took control in the last term for a 23-point win over Sydney in their AFL pre-season game at Etihad Stadium.

0.1.2 (8) Q1 0.3.2 (20)
0.6.6 (42) Q2 1.5.6 (45)
0.8.9 (57) Q3 1.7.9 (60)
0.13.12 (90) Q4 1.8.10 (67)

Trent Dennis-Lane

2

Andrejs Everitt

2

Sam Dunell

2

Jake Lloyd

2

Ahmed Saad

2

Jed Lamb

1

David Armitage

1

Dane Rampe

1

Clinton Jones

1

Sam Reid

1

Beau Maister

1

Dean Towers

1

Terry Milera

1

Jesse White

1

Leigh Montagna

1

Farren Ray

1

Arryn Siposs

1

The Saints trailed at every change, but kicked five goals to one in the final quarter to win 0.13.12 (90) to 1.8.10 (67).

The win could come at a heavy cost, with Saints key position player Rhys Stanley to have scans on Monday for a knee injury.

The Saints experimented with Stanley as a key defender and it paid off as he kept Swans star Sam Reid quiet. Stanley then hyper-extended his knee in the third term and was subbed out of the game.

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Height in defence is a weakness for the Saints, who finished ninth last season.

Midfielders David Armitage, Leigh Montagna and Clint Jones were solid for St Kilda, while Swans onballer Dan Hannebery had a game-high 30 disposals.

Sydney kicked three goals to one in the opening term and then cleared out to an 18-point lead at the start of the second quarter.

Dane Rampe kicked a super goal for the Swans, but the Saints closed out the half better and only trailed by four points at the main break.

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The Swans were again on top with the first two goals of the third quarter.

Saints small forward Ahmed Saad then snapped a goal and dished off another to Armitage, reducing the gap to three points at the last break.

When Terry Milera goaled at the start of the final quarter, it was the first time the Saints had led since the opening term.

Former Swan Trent Dennis-Lane sealed the win with a running goal 20 minutes into the quarter.


Check out the full 2013 AFL premiership season fixture



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Video: beware A-League's little men

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Diminutive stars ... Alessandro Del Piero and Marco Rojas light up round 23. Source:AAP

They may be small in stature, but Alessandro Del Piero and Marco Rojas looked a class above their rivals in round 23 of the A-League, each netting goals different in nature, yet equally delightful to watch.

Entrants must be 18 or over and hold a current full Australian driver's licence.

The competition commences on, 27 January 2013 at 8:30pm AEDT and closes on 5 April 2013 at 5:00pm AEDT and is divided into 10 weekly periods.

Each weekly period opens on Sunday at 8:30pm AEDT and closes on the following Friday at 5:00pm AEDT.

One entry per weekly entry period.

This competition is authorised under NSW Permit No. LTPS/13/00440, ACT TP13/00141, Victorian Permit No. 13/117 & SA Licence No. T13/61.

Rojas left his fingerprints all over Melbourne Victory's demolition job of Newcastle Jets on Sunday, the 'Kiwi Messi' bagging two goals and set up two others in a performance that would have left a huge smile on coach Ange Postecoglou's face with the finals fast approaching.

Heading into the game, Rojas hadn't scored in the A-League since Australia Day, but his twinkle toes and ice-cool finish led Newcastle Jets a merry dance as the Victory put five goals past their opponents.

Sydney FC might have gone down to Perth Glory on Saturday night, but don't blame marquee man Alessandro Del Piero, whose apparently weaker left-foot lit up nib Stadium.

Just how good was Del Piero's long-range effort? Good enough to get opposition coach Alistair Edwards to admit to enjoying it from the Glory dugout.

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Fast running out of plaudits, Western Sydney Wanderers fairytale season keeps on rolling, Labinot Haliti's goal against the Mariners helping the competition's new boys smash fortress Bluetongue and jump to the top of the A-League.

It might not have been as spectacular as Del Piero's or Rojas's efforts, but the context and sheer occasion earn it a place in this week's nominations.


Fox Sports and Hyundai are giving fans the chance to win by voting in the Goal of the Week competition.

The major prize winner will drive home the all-new Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. Delivering both street presence and dynamic performance, with 150kW of grunt and 265Nm of torque delivered by a twin-scroll turbocharged engine, you'll be the envy of all of your friends.

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The runner-up prize winner will win tickets to a corporate box at the Hyundai A-League grand final including return economy flights, transfers and two nights' accommodation to enjoy with three friends.

There is also a weekly cash prize of $300 up for grabs.

To enter, simply visit our competition page here each week to vote for your favourite goal and submit your details below.

Enjoy the video, good luck, and don't forget to return weekly from 830pm (EDT) each Sunday for your feast of great goals and chance to win!


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Collingwood too good for Eagles

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

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

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

Mark LeCras

4

Jamie Elliott

2

Dean Cox

1

Caolan Mooney

2

Jamie Cripps

1

Steele Sidebottom

2

Shannon Hurn

1

Jarryd Blair

1

Josh J. Kennedy

1

Travis Cloke

1

Scott Lycett

1

Sam Dwyer

1

Matt Priddis

1

Paul Seedsman

1

Scott Selwood

1

Ben Sinclair

1

Dane Swan

1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Check out the full 2013 AFL premiership season fixture



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India masterclass punishes Aussies

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

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

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

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

2nd Test - Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium

2 March 2013 - Day 2, Session 3

India 1st Innings

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

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

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

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

Left-arm quick Mitchell Starc was also axed.

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

Australia coach Graham Arthur defended the team selection and performance.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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Gunners deny takeover reports

Rejected ... Arsenal reject claims they have been approached by a Middle East consortium. Source: Adam Davy / AFP

Arsenal have received no approach over a potential takeover and insist majority shareholder Stan Kroenke has no plans to sell up.

Reports claimed a Middle East consortium are preparing a £1.5b bid to buy out the Barclays Premier League club at around £20,000 a share.

However, the club insist they have received no contact from potential bidders and that Kroenke would have no intention of selling his controlling stake.

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"Stan Kroenke is committed to Arsenal for the long term and has no intention of selling his stake," said Mark Gonnella, the club's communications director.

"There has been no contact from any potential investors."

Kroenke pushed through his £430m-plus takeover in April 2011, and now holds 66.83% of the club to give him overall control.

The Kroenke Sports Enterprise Group has a history of sustained involvement in all of his sporting interests in the United States, which include the Denver Nuggets of the NBA and the Colorado Avalanche in the NHL, as well as MLS side Colorado Rapids.

Arsenal's second largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov, who does not currently have a seat on the board, is also reported to have no interest in selling his 29.96% holding.

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11670/8537337/Arsenal-have-denied-takeover-claims-and-insist-owner-Stan-Kroenke-has-no-plans-to-sell-the-club


Watch the Barclays Premier League LIVE and Exclusive, and in High Definition, on Fox Sports.


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Covic heroics add to the fairytale

You come from a Croatian family. When did they come to Australia, and was football always a part of their life too?

They came in the late 60's, my dad was from Split, a Hajduk fan - so it was natural for me to start playing with Hurstville Zagreb, as it was a Croatian social event for my parents as well. I've got an older brother - he followed my dad's footsteps into plumbing, and I have a younger sister who works in childcare.  My brother loves football too - he plays over-35s for Hurstville Zagreb, and he comes to watch my games in Parramatta.

For most of my time at Hurstville, I played outfield, normally up front. There was only one year when I was 13, (when I went to Sydney Croatia) that I played as a keeper. I had a bit of talent as an outfield player, but my endurance has never been the best - I couldn't last the full 90 minutes! Becoming a keeper happened a bit by accident. We were playing Division 3 State League at Hurstville, and the coach put me in goal. A year later, I got spotted by APIA Leichhardt Tigers. It was a bit unexpected.
Covic appeared recently on Fox Sports' Kick Off program. Check out the interview, in full, above

Who were your goalkeeping heroes and influences?

One of my best friends was an Inter fan, so I looked up to Walter Zenga a lot. Also players like Peter Schmeichel, Oliver Kahn - they were on top of their game when I was growing up. In a coaching sense my biggest influence was Tony Pezzano. He was the coach at APIA, but he also did drills with me because there was no specific keeper coach. He saw something in me, and believed that there was potential - he helped me take the next step into the NSL.  

Did you have a club you followed as a fan?

My family were Hajduk - so I grew up knowing more about them - but the other one for me was Liverpool. Part of the reason was Craig Johnston, that caught my attention. These days, I still have a soft spot for Liverpool. I'd love to see them go back to the days when they were successful. 


Covic was the penalty-save hero when the Wanderers met the Heart earlier this. Re-live the exploits in the video at the top of the page!


MAKING THE GRADE 

How did the move to APIA Leichhardt come about?

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I was so comfortable playing for Hurstville with all my mates, training twice a week and having a good time. I almost didn't want to go and trial. I was a bit daunted. I'd never been brought up through an elite system, never played rep football because my dad wasn't the sort of person who pushed me - so all of a sudden to jump into the state league seemed massive. The first year I was with the juniors, but Tony gave me my senior chance; and in the second year, I had the spot to myself.  

The next move up - to NSL club Marconi Stallions - came very quickly. Who initiated that?

I had a very successful second year at APIA, winning the goalkeeper of the year award, and Tony (Pezzano) had a name in Sydney as a very successful goalkeeper during his playing days. I had interest from Sydney United and Wollongong too - but Tony took me to Marconi, and introduced me to a few people.  Zoran Matic was the coach then - he offered me a contract.  It was still semi-pro, I had a job five days a week in imports and exports in the city. It was a bit stressful, travelling from work to training in Fairfield. Within six months, I had to make a decision as to whether to put all my energy behind it. I couldn't do both. It was an easy choice to give football a shot.

Do you remember your debut?

It was against UTS Olympic at the SFS, and I was man of the match - but Nick Carle, who was only 15 then, scored the winner. Brett Emerton played and I had a blinder - but in the last minute, Nick hit the top corner. I remember the pitch was terrible but playing at the SFS was massive for me at the time. It was a dream. There was a wealth of talent at the club. Brad Maloney was the captain and a real leader. There was Vlado Zoric, who was so skilful, and we had a Korean import Kim Pan-Keun, an international defender, in his 30's then, but really classy.  

HARD YARDS AS AN AUSSIE ABROAD

At the end of your second season, you moved overseas (to Greece with PAOK) how did that come about?

I had two very good seasons at Marconi - and Peter Kokolis, who'd coached me at APIA, said he could get me to Greece if I was interested. I trialled for a week at PAOK under Arie Haan, who was the coach at the time, and he was happy with what he saw, so he signed me up.  

You didn't really establish yourself in Greece. What went wrong?

I probably wasn't ready for it to be honest. Everything happened so quickly at the start of my career and, with hindsight, it wasn't the best first move into Europe. The keeper who was ahead of me had been there for ten years. He had a lot of friends, and I didn't feel welcome to be honest. Arie then got sacked, Dusan Bajevic came in - and that was pretty much it. He put me back in the reserves, and towards the end of the first season, I got loaned out to Kavala. That's where I played most of my football in Greece.  

Football in Greece can be a challenging environment. How did you cope?

You hit the nail on the head. The training sessions were very intense. Plus, the way the fans reacted to a loss. Sometimes we couldn't leave the stadium for hours, because the fans were waiting for us! Then, in the second year, the owner had financial problems, and I didn't get paid for five months. As a foreigner, it really tests you. I had to take the club to court. Then, I re-signed with them, just until the end of the season because their regular keeper had an injury, and we won the Greek Cup for the first time in 32 years! It was the lowest of lows to the highest of highs ... and just as quickly the other way again, when they couldn't pay me for a second time. So back to court we went again. In Greece, contracts are just pieces of paper. Thankfully the PFA here - Brendan Schwab especially - helped me, and I won both court cases.

You then had a brief spell at Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia but didn't play a game. What happened there?

Tomislav Butina, the national team keeper, was on the verge of being sold to Bruges, but his move fell through.

After that, realistically, I wasn't going to play, so I packed my bags and came home - that's when Bernie (Mandic) gave me a call to go to trial in Sweden. 

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Which is where you moved in 2002 with Hammarby. Is it fair to say that's where you really made your name?

Yes, they were five of the most enjoyable years I've ever had - I loved Stockholm, although on the first day, I wanted to go home, because it was minus 10, and we were training on a gravel field. That feeling lasted for two weeks but in the end, I had to bite the bullet and ask myself if I really wanted it. I'm very grateful that I signed. Their fans were second to none. If I can compare - the fans were like the Wanderers fans now, from a working class area of Stockholm. A great bunch of lads, and I was a regular starter too. I haven't got a bad word to say about Hammarby, especially as I met my wife while I was there.  

WORLD CUP DREAM

And then came your international debut v Bahrain in 2006 under Guus Hiddink. Was that a surprise?

A bit. I thought I was playing well enough to warrant a call earlier, but it never came. But for his first training camp in Holland, I got the call from (FFA staffer) Gary Moretti. I remember it as clear as day. I was 30 then, but better late than never. I think I set myself up in that camp. I was on fire. Probably the best two weeks I've trained in my career I think. I was a regular for a few years after that.  

All of which led to a spot in the World Cup squad in Germany 2006, as third choice keeper behind Mark Schwarzer and Zeljko Kalac.  Was that your proudest moment in football?  

Without question. I don't think anything can top going to a World Cup, even though I was third choice, and had buckleys of getting on the field! Just to be in that environment, and to say you are going to a World Cup after you have watched it on TV. The buzz that was around the team and the nation - definitely the highlight of my career. You dream of that stuff. I even got Buffon's jersey after the Italy game.

Any stories from that World Cup you'd like to share?

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Well, after we'd been knocked out by Italy, I was the only one left in the hotel at Ohringen. My wife had returned to Sweden because she was eight months pregnant and the others had gone, so I was on my own. I invited one of my mates (Brett Ritchie) to stay for our last night in Germany. Let me tell you, whatever the other players left behind, he cleaned up! Moorey's shorts, Bresciano's training kit ...Brett took the lot!   

What was so special about Hiddink?

He had this thing about him that every single player respected what he said. He was able to get the most out of them without having to yell. He had this aura. Guus was also extremely good tactically. He knew how to read each team individually, and work out a system for us to play against them. He simplified things to such an extent, that you'd just go "wow, why didn't I think that?"

HOMECOMING

You decided to come home in 2007 to Newcastle. Why?

Post-World Cup, Hammarby wanted me to stay on, and there were a few clubs from the Netherlands and elsewhere interested too. But the issue was my visa. I could never get one to go and play in some of these countries, including the UK.  It all seemed a bit difficult, and that's when the Jets came in. I had a meeting with Remo Nogarotto, and we thought it could be a good thing for the family, as we had just had our first daughter. Sometimes I think that, at 31, maybe I should have stayed in Europe, but I won my first title with the Jets, so I can't look at it as a negative.  

That Jets team was quickly broken up afterwards though . Were you disappointed at how it all unravelled?

Yes. For whatever reason, that team was torn apart. We had some great players who should have stayed, we had a great bond. The year after we won it was very frustrating. There was a huge turnover of players and, if I'm honest with myself about that year, I am disappointed at how I reacted. It was the worst year of my career. My focus was on off-field events when I should have taken it by the scruff of the neck and moved on - but it was a great learning curve. Things don't always goes smoothly.  

So back off to Sweden you went with Elfsborg, where you played in the UEFA Cup (now Europa League) - against some big clubs too.

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I'd left Sweden with a good reputation and I got the call from Elfsborg when we were playing in the Asian Champions League in China with the Jets.  Within a week, I was on a plane going over there. We had a really good team at Elfsborg and the UEFA Cup ties were great. I remember playing Braga the year after they reached the final of the UEFA Cup. Then we played Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico, which was a huge buzz. The next year we got Napoli - and what a daunting place that is.  I've never heard a louder crowd than that. 

CAVANI, KOLAROV, RIQUELME ...

In those ties you were beaten by goals from Edinson Cavani and Aleksander Kolarov - two big names in world football. Who is the best you have faced in all your years as a pro?

Cavani was on fire the year we played them, but back when I was at Hammarby, we played Villarreal in 2003, and they had Riquelme. The guy barely moved, but he always had the ball, always had space. He was different class.

NOW ... 

You came back home in 2011 to Melbourne Victory - and while the team had a season to forget, you had a blinder, winning the Victory medal.

Yeah - personally it was a fantastic year - but you don't want your keeper winning those type of awards. I enjoyed my year at Victory. The fans took to me, and the club has the best set-up in Australia. It was all fantastic apart from the results. At times it was an unhappy place but not because there was bitching between the players. It was unhappy because it was a big club being unsuccessful. There were reports about Harry (Kewell) splitting the dressing room, but that's bollocks. The guy is class, he's a pro.  

You weren't kept on by Ange Postecoglou. Were you disappointed by that?

Surprised and disappointed. Even though they did have two keepers signed up, I thought I had done enough to get another deal. The family was settled in Melbourne, my daughter had started school.  But contract extensions were never discussed. Ange clearly had his views, and he stuck to them, so I can't really point the finger at him. It was never personal with me - or about money - because we never actually had those discussions.  As it turned out though, it's been a blessing in disguise. 

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Which brings us to your homecoming to Western Sydney. Has it gone better than even you could have imagined?

When I first signed up, we had six players and I thought it was going to be a tough year. But the more players signed, the more confident I became. Popa is a fantastic coach who has instilled a huge amount of belief.  The more it has gone on, the more we have believed. People have labelled us "second-chance off-cuts" but we've got a good side. If anything, I'm more surprised at what has happened off the park with the number of fans we've got. You could feel from day one it was something special, and I knew there was a market here, but they've been awesome. 

You've won only one more international cap since your debut in 2006. Does that frustrate you?  

When I was young, I thought I had no chance of even playing NSL, so to go to a World Cup, I can't be too disappointed. But when you get a taste of something, you want more - and, as proud as I am, it's also frustrating. I can't fault Schwarzy, who was my competition, although sometimes when those friendly games against smaller nations came around - and Schwarzy would always make himself available - I'd think "come on man - please!" But I look at him and see his drive and that's why he is still playing EPL at 40, and I respect that about him. I'm 37 now, and I don't want to give anyone a game - as much as I like Jerrad Tyson and respect him, I don't want to give him a run. If anyone takes my spot, they're going to have to earn it. So that's why I respect Schwarzy.


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