Jose helps PSG plot Barca downfall

No love lost ... Jose Mourinho would love to see PSG get past Spanish rivals Barcelona. Source: Dani Pozo / AFP

Jose Mourinho would love nothing more than to see Paris Saint-Germain get past Spanish rivals Barcelona in their Champions League tie, and the Madrid boss has lent a hand to the French side.

French newspapers are reporting that Mourinho - having twice got the better of Barcelona this season - has sent tapes to PSG with detailed instructions on how to stop Messi and the Catalan giants.

While the outspoken Mourinho hasn't confirmed the reports, he is a close friend of PSG's technical director Leonardo and has had several heated run-ins with Barcelona in recent years. 

Barcelona will be favourites when they meet PSG while Real Madrid have a quarter-final tie of their own against Turkish football side Galatasaray, who have Wesley Sneijder and Didier Drogba on their books.

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Will Jose's tapes work for Paris Saint-Germain? Have your say.

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Coaches fume as Pies surge past Roos

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Scrap ... A clash of heads between Ben Reid and Lindsay Thomas sees tensions boil over. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

Depleted Collingwood's gutsy AFL win over North Melbourne has had an angry aftermath, with coaches Nathan Buckley and Brad Scott trading barbs over an off-the-ball incident.

Travis Cloke kicked four goals and Steele Sidebottom three as the Magpies held on to win 15.13 (103) to 13.9 (87) on Sunday.

5.2 (32)	Q1	3.5 (23)
8.4 (52)	Q2	8.6 (54)
9.7 (61)	Q3	12.10 (82)
13.9 (87)	Q4	15.13 (103)

Lindsay Thomas 4	Travis Cloke 4
Lachlan Hansen 2	Steele Sidebottom 3
Ryan Bastinac 1	Tyson Goldsack 2
Ben Cunnington 1	Quinten Lynch 2
Sam Gibson 1	Jarryd Blair 1
Todd Goldstein 1	Brent Macaffer 1
Aaron Mullett 1	Scott Pendlebury 1
Drew Petrie 1	Dane Swan 1
Robbie Tarrant 1

 Already missing a long list of injured players including Dale Thomas and Luke Ball, Collingwood were forced to make Dayne Beams (thigh) and Heath Shaw (illness) late pre-game withdrawals.

It meant two more debutants - Josh Thomas and Jack Frost - joined another, Sam Dwyer, in the Magpies' 22.

Collingwood then lost Ben Johnson to a leg injury in the second term and key defender Ben Reid to a head clash in the third.

Reid was forced out in the after a clash of heads with Kangaroos forward Lindsay Thomas, who bumped him off the ball.

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While Buckley took enormous pride in the Magpies' courageous effort to hold on, he was fuming at Thomas, describing the act as ``pretty average'' and suggesting it warranted sanction.

"I don't want to preempt anything, but clearly if it's behind play and it's high, you're in a bit of strife," he said.

He also accused Thomas of faking injury after the incident, a sore point with the Kangaroos, who were furious when the forward was accused of diving during a tribunal hearing last season.

Scott was bitterly disappointed his team couldn't down the wounded Magpies but reacted even more savagely to Buckley's words.

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"I don't know what incident Nathan Buckley saw," the North coach said.

"A head clash is a head clash, it does happen in football, we play a contact sport.

"Bucks should just keep his opinions to himself when it comes to decisions and things that should be taken care of by the powers that be."

He also blasted his own players' skill level during the game as being at its worst for 12 months.

Within two points at halftime, the Kangaroos conceded six of the next seven goals, with Scott blaming that game-turning patch mainly on avoidable turnovers.

"I can't remember a good loss but you just walk away from that game feeling bitterly disappointed," he said.

Buckley, whose side had three AFL debutants, including late inclusions Jack Frost and Josh Thomas, said he felt like he must have walked under a ladder and kicked a black cat given his side's injury run, but perseverance paid off.

"We discussed before the game that it's not really what happens to you but what you do about it," he said.

"I thought the players that were asked to play their roles and fill voids, we prepared the depth of our list for this eventuality and we weren't perfect but it was a gritty win."

Midfielder Scott Pendlebury (30 disposals) was superb for Collingwood, tackling hard, winning the ball in tight and using it with poise.

Sidebottom ran hard and showed great class, Swan gathered 31 touches, Cloke was a constant attacking threat and Nathan Brown nullified North danger man Drew Petrie.

For the Kangaroos, captain Andrew Swallow and Ben Cunnington won plenty of contested ball, Daniel Wells showed class and Todd Goldstein dominated the ruck.

Click here to see all of the stats and score in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

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Wanderers mourn loss of media man

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Tragedy ... Australian sport's media has lost a fine figure. Source:Supplied

Western Sydney Wanderers media manager Rod Allen has died in a cliff fall on Sydney's Cockatoo Island a day after watching his team win the A-League's Premiers' Plate.

Mr Allen's body was found at 8am EDT at the base of a cliff on Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour, police said.

He had been camping on the island as part of a former colleague's 50th birthday party celebrations when the incident occurred.

A police spokeswoman told AAP that investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident were continuing.

Wanderers Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman said football had lost a great friend, a wonderful man and an incredible contributor to the club and football.

"Our thoughts are with his beautiful wife Laila and their extended family.''

Mr Gorman said his last last time with Mr Allen was in Newcastle on Friday night where "we celebrated a wonderful night in our club's history after winning the Premiers Plate.''

Aaron Mooy Tweeted: "terrible news about Rod Allen are media manager at Wsw top bloke who was very nice to me thoughts go out to his family". 

Tahj Minniecon wrote on Twitter: "shocked and saddened at the news of our Media Manager Rod Allen passing away over night. A great guy who did a fantastic job. Thoughts and prayers are with his family. R.I.P".

Mr Allen has been involved in the media industry for more than 20 years. During his journalistic career he had been managing editor of sport for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sun-Herald newspapers and had managed Fairfax Media's coverage of the Olympic games in Beijing.

In 2009 Mr Allen established the public relations consultation firm, Rocket Group.

He also was heavily involved with the Australian football community having worked as head of media relations for Football Federation Australia in which he managed all aspects of the media for Australia's bids for the 2022 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, the Socceroos' campaigns for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.

His PR group worked for a range of clients in the sporting world. As news of Mr Allen's death became known on Sunday tributes began to flow on social media networks.

Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata tweeted that his thoughts were with Mr Allen's family, while many former fairfax colleagues also expressed their sympathies.

One of his fromer colleagues tweeted "Rod Allen was an inspirational sports editor and a wonderful mentor for all who worked with him."

Australia Olympic Committee spokesman Mike Tancred said the AOC was deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of Mr Allen.

"I am not sure that in the nine years I have known Rod that I have ever seen him happier or prouder when it came to football.'' 

He said Mr Allen managed the AOC office in the Main Press Centre at the London Olympics.

"Our Media Team in London was one of the best ever and Rod Allen was key to that success''

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Knights put the sword to Canberra

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Adam Cuthbertson ... scores his second try for Newcastle. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Move over Kurt Gidley - there's a new halfback in town.

5 Tries 2
Akuila Uate 15'	Joel Thompson 29'
Anthony Quinn 21'	Josh Papalii 33'
Tyrone Roberts 50'
Adam Cuthbertson 63'
Adam Cuthbertson 77'
4 Conversions 2
Kurt Gidley 17'	Jarrod Croker 30'
Tyrone Roberts 52'	Jarrod Croker 34'
Tyrone Roberts 65'
Tyrone Roberts 79'

 For the second successive week young Tyrone Roberts has laid claims to being Newcastle's long-term No.7, scoring a superb try to help his side to a come-from-behind 28-12 win over Canberra on Sunday at Hunter Stadium.

Skipper Gidley missed last week's impressive victory over North Queensland with a calf injury and although he returned to face the Raiders, it was at hooker, before being forced out of the game with concussion at halftime.

But seven-time premiership-winning coach Wayne Bennett said Roberts is likely to keep his spot - for now.

"He sold one dummy there and I was waiting to see someone else running and he got to the line before I realised he still had the ball," Bennett said of Roberts' 51st-minute try.

"He does that well, Tyrone, he has that little bit of class.

"It's a great show and go he's got and it works for him. It confuses defenders.

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"But no-one is No.1 for anything. He's doing a good job there at the moment and Kurt has got a head knock.

"Kurt only made himself available yesterday, no-one thought he was going to play and I wasn't going to change the team at that late notice."

Trailing 12-10 at the break after squandering a 10-0 lead, Roberts restored the Knights' advantage 11 minutes after the restart, with an outrageous right-foot step that fooled the Raiders defence, then ran through the subsequent gap to score.

It was almost a carbon copy of the his try against the Cowboys last Monday and on this evidence Gidley may have to get used to sharing hooking duties with Danny Buderus this season.

The Knights opened the scoring on the quarter-hour mark through Akuila Uate who hauled in a delicious kick from Jarrod Mullen that curled over the head of Jack Wighton and into the arms of the NSW winger.

Bennett's side continued to press and the advantage was stretched six minutes later when Anthony Quinn scored his first try since returning to the Knights from Melbourne.

The Raiders claimed there was an obstruction against Josh McCrone in the build-up to the try, but the video referee ruled in favour of the home side.

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Gidley missed the extras but Quinn's four-pointer woke up the Raiders who scored two unanswered tries to take the lead.

Joel Thompson grabbed the first when he got his fingertips onto a well-judged Sam Williams grubber-kick before Josh Papalii added a second when he ran straight over Gidley to score from 10 metres out, while Jarrod Croker converted both.

But Roberts' try settled Wayne Bennett's side down in the second period and despite close efforts from Blake Ferguson and Thompson, who could only put the ball down on the foot of Uate as he lurched for the line, were good value for their win.

Back-rower Adam Cuthbertson iced the result for the hosts just after the hour-mark when he bulldozed his way to the line and scored his first try since the 2011 semi-final for St George Illawarra against Brisbane.

The former Manly and Cronulla man then added his second just before the siren to seal a third win of the season for his side.

In a further blow for the Raiders, Wighton left the game with an arm injury.

Raiders coach David Furner was seething at his side's insipid second half display and slammed the kicking game of his halves combination Josh McCrone and Sam Williams.

"Our last play options and kicking game were pretty ordinary in the second half," Furner said.

"We didn't give ourselves a chance in the first half, we visited their line four times and didn't even get a repeat set, it makes it hard," Furner said.

The Raiders mentor was also upset about a shoulder charge by Danny Buderus on Blake Ferguson that went unpunished.

The Knights hooker poleaxed the centre, but referee Brett Suttor ruled the incident was merely a collision and allowed play to continue.

"I just saw it again on the video, and I was very surprised," he said.

"There's been a lot of hoo-ha about this recently, and what I saw summed it up.

"Going off what we've been going off it was most certainly a mandatory penalty."

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Shootout Awards: season's bests

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Best of the best ... Adam Peacock and Mark Bosnich select their A-League highlights. Source:AAP

The 27 rounds of the regular season have concluded and even with a grand final winner yet to be decided, it's widely accepted that this has been the best A-League competition we've ever witnessed.

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The Wanderers' fairytale run to the Premiers' Plate has captured the hearts of fans while three high-profile marquee stars delivered on the enormous hype that came with their announcements.

Ange Postecoglou worked wonders with a youthful team in his first year at the Victory while on the other end of the age spectrum, veterans Daniel McBreen picked up the golden boot and Alessandro Del Piero the Alex Tobin Medal.

On Fox Sports' Sunday Shootout, Mark Bosnich and Adam Peacock reflected on the end of the regular season by offering their highlights, including best goal, save, player and match.

Did the Italian magician and his one-man mission at Sydney FC earn him a nod or did the duo opt for one of Tony Popovic's inspirational troops or an ever-consistent Mariner?

Sit back and enjoy the great video at the top of the page and let us your choices of best goal, player, save and match of the season below.

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How Poppa inspired an entire squad

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Thrilling scenes ... Western Sydney celebrate their Premiers' Plate success. Source: Dean Lewins / AAP

Rocky Visconte put the icing on the cake of Western Sydney Wanderers' history-making win over Newcastle Jets with a searing strike.

The same Rocky Visconte who couldn't get a game at Brisbane Roar for the first-half of this season, and who was making just his second appearance for Tony Popovic's side.

But that's the Wanderers. The A-League Premiers' Plate winners. And the great sports story of the year. 

"Since day one, he's (Popovic) brought in the culture that everyone's important, whether you're 17 or three years old," Wanderers striker Labinot Haliti told Sunday Shootout. 

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"And at some stage of the competition you'll be called up to do your job – the best you can." 

So on a night where the pressure was on to grab the point needed to secure top spot - missing Shinji Ono, Aaron Mooy, Adam D'Apuzzo, Jerome Polenz and Iacopo La Rocca - the Wanderers rose to the mark - yet again.

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Was Visconte's goal the best of the round? Watch the contenders for Goal of the Week above and and vote right here for your chance to win!

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Their 3-0 win ensures they remain undefeated in 12 rounds, having capitalised on Central Coast Mariners' brief stumble a few weeks back to siege control of the A-League ladder. 

Fox Sports football expert Mark Bosnich paid tribute to Popovic's ability to rotate his squad through the season.

Indeed, Haliti found himself on the bench in the derby despite scoring a brace the week before against Heart, while being the goal-scoring hero against the Mariners. 

"One of the most difficult things, especially in a successful team, is to keep people who are not playing happy," Bosnich said. 

"We're seeing that game in, game out. Tarek Ehlrich … comes in against Newcastle and looks like he's been playing all season. 

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"Great team spirit … the easiest thing in the world for a player when he's left out is to put his head down and that can sometimes spread through the whole dressing room." 

Players have sung Popovic's praises all season for the way he has moulded his squad so quickly. Haliti joins that chorus. 

"Credit goes all to the coaching staff and to the boss," he said. 

"The way he prepares the team is like nothing I've seen before – probably the best I've been under.

"I've learnt a lot and I'm sure the rest of the guys have learnt. It's showing on the field."  

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Labinot Haliti: from Kosovo to the Jets to the Premiers' Plate.

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Haliti was renowned as a bit of a super-sub after 12 goals in 66 games at the Jets. But like so many in the squad, he has found a new gear this term. 

"(The preparation is) a level I've never experienced before," he said.

"I go into every game comfortable, ready, and I'm sure the rest of the players feel the same." 

The Wanderers' season has made the broader Australian sporting audience sit up and take notice. 

But have they convinced the football purists with their pragmatic style? Bosnich went into bad for the side. 

"I'm sick and tired of people diminishing their achievement," he said.  

"These guys play winning football in the right areas of the pitch. 

"When they've got the chance they can play as good a one and two touch football as anyone in the competition … it is a phenomenal achievement." 

So as Haliti and his teammates dream of finals success to go with their Premiers' Plate win and AFC Champions League qualification, does Haliti envisage himself scoring the grand final winner and flinging his short off in his renowned jubilant style?

ELIMINATION FINAL 1, FRIDAY APRIL 5:

Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory, Etihad Stadium 7:30pm EDT

ELIMINATION FINAL 2, SUNDAY APRIL 7:

Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar, Hindmarsh Stadium 5:00pm EST

SEMI-FINAL 1, FRIDAY APRIL 12:

Western Sydney Wanderers v Lowest-ranked elimination finals winner, Parramatta Stadium 7:30pm EST

SEMI-FINAL 2, SUNDAY APRIL 14:

Central Coast Mariners v Highest-ranked elimination finals winner, Bluetongue Stadium 5:00pm EST

GRAND FINAL, SUNDAY APRIL 21:

Winner Semi-Final 1 v Winner Semi-Final 2, Venue TBC, 4:00pm EST

"I guess I'll have to ask the boss!," he quipped. 

Indeed, that says a lot about the side's success. 

"They can celebrate now in the change room and enjoy the bus trip back," Popovic said after the game on Friday night. 

"But there's still more to come. There's still more to do."

And with him in charge, good luck to the others trying to stop them.

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POPPA'S PIONEERS

There's been plenty said about how the rookie coach has brought together journeymen and players looking for another chance to earn the most unlikely of A-League Premierships. It's no cliche. Here's the proof:

Ante Covic: unwanted at Melbourne Victory by Ange Postecoglou

Jerrad Tyson: clubless after Gold Coast United folded

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Shannon Cole: out of favour at Sydney FC after 95 games. 

Reece Caira: looking to prove his worth after coming through ranks at Aston Villa

Iacopo La Rocca: 29-year-old journeyman Italian trying something new in Australia. 

Adam D'apuzzo: after 102 matches with Newcastle, D'apuzzo gave up on his football career to pursue career in accounting - before Popovic called. 

Jerome Polenz: the under-19 and under-20 German international's career was at the crossroads before the 26-year-old joined the Wanderers in August. 

Tarek Elrich: also on the outer under van Egmond at Newcastle, the western Sydney local was one of the first men lured to Wanderland looking to kick-start his A-League career. 

Nikolai Topor-Stanley: an inspired signing by Popovic. The former Sydney FC, Perth Glory and Newcastle Jets was always a regular performer in the competition, but Popovic has taken him to new heights.

Michael Beachump: he might have been to two World Cups, but Popovic's skipper hasn't quite been settled at club level, moving from the Mariners to Germany, Denmark, the UAE before Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart. Like NTS, has gone to another level of consistency.

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Aaron Mooy: an important signing for the club and an important move for a player at St Mirren in Scotland. Deal has been an inspired one for both. 

Shinji Ono: a great example of Popovic's ability to motivate and inspire. The 33-year-old Japanese legend, with 56 national caps, left Shimizu S-Pulse disillusioned. It's fair to say he loves the game again. 

Jason Trifiro: plucked from the Victorian Premier League. 

Mateo Poljak: 23-year-old former Croatia under-19 international, looking for a fresh start after failing to graduate from Dinamo Zagreb's youth squad. 

Youssouf Hersi: 30-year-old Dutchman was a shrewd pick-up by Popovic. After a slow start he has shown lived up to his reputation after a decade in the Eredevise to become one of their x-factors 

Rocky Visconte: joined Popovic's squad mid-way through the season from Brisbane Roar, looking for a chance. 

Tahj Minniecon: dubbed overweight and seemingly on the scrapheap, he was thrown a lifeline by Popovic. 

Mark Bridge: an extraordinary renaissance. Had it all ahead of him after moving from the Jets to Sydney FC, but slipped off the radar. A star this season, who has found his goalscoring boots again. 

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Labinot Haliti: from a super-sub to a genuine match-winner.

Kwabena Appiah-Kubi: Popovic has shown he's willing to throw youth in, and the exuberant 20-year-old has shown great promise when used this year in his rookie season.

Dino Kresinger: the 31-year-old Croatian has been a polarising choice up-front for Popovic's side - yet he has persisted with him and sees him as a vital cog in his side, despite his lack of goalscoring prowess.

Joey Gibbs: a perennial fringe A-League player, Gibbs trialled and trialled and trialled until Popovic had to give him a go. 

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Moment that sunk Sydney's heart

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Clutch save ... Vukovic broke Sydney's hearts with his last-ditch save. Source: Tony McDonough / AAP

Perth Glory fans have a lot to thank Danny Vukovic for.

If he hadn't clawed Dario Vidosic's superb free-kick away with the last touch of Perth Glory's 1-1 draw with Adelaide United on Saturday night, Sydney FC would have progressed to the finals at his side's expense.

Simple as that. A clutch play from a player whose heroics in the final two rounds have gone a long way to seeing Perth seal a remarkable rise from the foot of the table to a finals spot. 

"Bottom line was that Danny Vukovic's save kept Perth in the six," Mark Bosnich said when explaining his choice for the round 27 Save of the Week. 

ELIMINATION FINAL 1, FRIDAY APRIL 5:

Melbourne Victory v Perth Glory, Etihad Stadium 7:30pm EDT

ELIMINATION FINAL 2, SUNDAY APRIL 7:

Adelaide United v Brisbane Roar, Hindmarsh Stadium 5:00pm EST

SEMI-FINAL 1, FRIDAY APRIL 12:

Western Sydney Wanderers v Lowest-ranked elimination finals winner, Parramatta Stadium 7:30pm EST

SEMI-FINAL 2, SUNDAY APRIL 14:

Central Coast Mariners v Highest-ranked elimination finals winner, Bluetongue Stadium 5:00pm EST

GRAND FINAL, SUNDAY APRIL 21:

Winner Semi-Final 1 v Winner Semi-Final 2, Venue TBC, 4:00pm EST

"Had that shot gone in, Sydney would've made the six.

"For the importance of the moment, I gave it (the vote) to Danny Vukovic."

 It certainly caused a huge sigh of relief from Alistair Edwards, the architect of Perth's admirable revival. 

 "The last seven weeks have been a bit of a rollercoaster. It's just great to be in the finals," Edwards said.

 "It was a bit nervy I must admit, when they get a free kick with a few seconds to go. 

 "But Danny Vukovic does what he does best and keeps the ball out of the net."

While Bosnich doesn't give the Glory as much of a chance as he gives Brisbane Roar of causing damage in the finals from spots No.5 and No.6, he says their revival has been a success in its own right. 

"After the way they've come from last - I was one of those people who said they can't make the six. So congratulations for proving me wrong. 

"I think this has been an achievment in itself, coming from last.  

"They'll find it very difficult playing Melbourne Victory with Archie Thompson and  Marco Rojas at home." 

But with big-stage displays in recent weeks, inspired selections - like Dean Heffernan up front on Saturday night - and experience cashing in on late-season form after making last year's grand final, could Perth cause an upset in this sudden death finals format?

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Noddy's Weekend Wash Up: R4

Greg Bird ... Noddy says the captaincy is having a positive effect on his form. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

In his weekly column, Fox Sports expert and Canberra assistant coach Brett Kimmorley offers his thoughts on round four of the 2013 NRL Premiership season.

Manly Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers, Blue Tongue Stadium

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It was a scrappy opening twenty minutes with Wests Tigers given plenty of opportunity to put points on early. The most bizarre thing to come out of this game, other than the try to Daly Cherry-Evans was Robbie Farah was replaced at four nil and didn't return until the game was almost over. Farah had a great kicking game which was building pressure so I'm not sure while you would replace your most creative player who didn't seem tired or injured. With Farah off the field, the Sea Eagles halves began to build some shape in their attack and off the back of that, Brett Stewart was able to get out the back and cause headaches for the defence. While Manly weren't great they played ugly and grinded out a win.

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs, ANZ Stadium

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This match was billed as a big game and it lived up to expectations. With the return of Ben Barba and Frank Pritchard, Canterbury got off to a flying start and they will only improve when Sam Kasiano and James Graham return. Once again, Josh Reynolds was outstanding but with the game in the balance, the loss of Michael Ennis threw the side out of whack. That was a turning point and the Rabbitohs began to wear them down. In the second half they steamrolled them all over the park from the forwards to the outside backs. Add the exceptional kicking game of Adam Reynolds and they give their opposition very little to play off. Michael Maguire also sent a message to all his players by dropping skipper Michael Crocker.

Brisbane Broncos v Melbourne Storm, Suncorp Stadium

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I expected Melbourne to win this game by more than 40 points after seeing the first 10 minutes. Brisbane surprised me with their ability to fight back. I believe the Broncos were robbed of a penalty when Sam Thaiday was held back in a scrum which resulted in a try to Billy Slater. They showed great character for a club under pressure. Corey Norman was outstanding at fullback and I'm sure the club is gutted he has signed for Parramatta. Their halves still need work but improved on last week, however the Storm's ability to shut out a game was the difference.

Cronulla Sharks v St George Illawarra Dragons, Sharks Stadium

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They say form goes out of the window in a local derby. I should know, I've played in enough of them and I've always found the underdog tends to get the points, which is what happened on Saturday. No club was more under pressure than the Dragons and they stood up. They played an adlib style of football and while they normally struggle to make metres, against the Sharks they marched up the field. The halves ran the football and kicked well, which is something they had been missing in the opening rounds. Jamie Soward was a standout and his goal kicking was phenomenal. They showed glimpses of the Dragons side which won the competition in 2010, although the Sharks were very poor. Ultimately the Sharks errors cost them in the end.

Penrith Panthers v Gold Coast Titans, Centrebet Stadium

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Some players grow when they are given a captaincy role and this has definitely been the case for Greg Bird. Having overcome dramas at a number of other clubs, he has stood up with the extra responsibility. He seems very happy on the Gold Coast and looks as if he has the confidence to pull off any play he wants, be it in defence or attack. The Titans halves continue to impress and the more time they spend together, the better they will become. The Titans wore Penrith down. The home side had ample opportunities but errors and a beefy forward pack were too much. 

Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders, Hunter Stadium

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I thought whoever had the momentum and lead the physical battle was able to score points. Newcastle scored two early tries off the back of a great kicking and passing game from Jarrod Mullen. Halfway through the first half the momentum changed and Canberra were able to get the momentum in their favour, but errors from the visitors stopped them from building any pressure. The Knights were patient and drained the fuel out of Canberra which forced them to defend their big pack. Wayne Bennett showed tremendous faith in Tyrone Roberts by leaving him in the halves and he was repaid with a brilliant performance which included a solo try that sealed the victory.

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