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Gal to ride naked through Cronulla

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 07 April 2013 | 23.01

NSW origin ... captain Paul Gallen and his new Harley Davidson. Source: John Fotiadis / News Limited

NSW and Sharks captain Paul Gallen will ride his Harley Davidson motorcycle naked through Cronulla to raise $10,000 for charity.

Sportsbet.com this morning issued the challenge and put up the $10,000 donation, with Gallen later accepting on Triple M radio. 

Today's development follows a bet this week between Gallen and Parramatta coach Ricky Stuart - Gallen's former coach at Cronulla and NSW. 

Stuart told the media on Tuesday that Gallen said he would walk down a main thoroughfare in the Sutherland Shire naked if his Sharks lost to the Eels this weekend. 

"He (Gallen) said that if we beat them he's going to walk down the Kingsway naked," Stuart said. 

"I'll hold him to that and I hope we can beat them just so I can be there to see that."

Gallen later said the bet was a "gee-up" by Stuart. 

But the Eels duly ground out a dogged 13-6 win over Cronulla last night to take out the Jon Mannah Cup, with Sportsbet.com intervening this morning to up the ante on the bet to include the motorcycle and offer a $10,000 donation.

Gallen last month participated in the "Hogs for Homeless" charity Harley Davidson ride, which also featured former NRL stars Nathan Hindmarsh and Brad Fittler.


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Injuries sour Roar's win over Reds

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Stunning strike ... Luke Brattan is swamped by Roar teammates. Source: David Mariuz / AAP

Brisbane Roar could lose three key players to injury because of a short turnaround for their A-League semi-final against Western Sydney Wanderers.

But Roar coach Mike Mulvey refused to criticise the scheduling of the semi-final, despite conceding it could cost him players.

The defending champion Roar ended Adelaide United's season with an ominous 2-1 away triumph in Sunday's elimination final.

But influential midfielder Thomas Broich, goalscorer Luke Brattan and defender Jack Hingert all suffered game-ending injuries in the Hindmarsh Stadium victory.

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The trio face a race against time to overcome their ailments for a Friday night semi-final against the Wanderers.

The other semi-final between Central Coast and Melbourne Victory will be played on Sunday.

Mulvey said the day's difference between the semi-finals could prove decisive for the chances of his injured players fronting against the Wanderers.

"In those cases, it might have helped,'' Mulvey said of an extra day's rest.


Miss the action? Re-live it here in our A-league Match Centre, featuring video highlights.


"But from a playing perspective ... I have got no problems in terms of fitness, the mental state, the preparation, the style of things. We will have no problems being ready for Friday night.

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"It's just on those particular injuries that a day (extra) might have helped.''

Broich suffered a corked achilles tendon and was substituted at halftime.

Hingert limped off as his right ankle swelled "like a balloon'', Mulvey said. "The game might come too quickly for him on Friday,'' he said.

And Brattan, who drove the first nail in Adelaide's coffin with a long-range goal in the 27th minute, limped off late after suffering a knock to his calf.

Brattan's strike was followed by a goal from industrious midfielder Ivan Franjic just before half-time.

Adelaide, outplayed and outclassed, never threatened until an 89th minute goal from Dario Vidosic raised false hopes of an escape.

"We conceded two goals that shouldn't happen in finals,'' dejected Adelaide caretaker coach Michael Valkanis said.

Valkanis refused to publicly comment on whether he would now apply for the permanent coaching job at Adelaide for next season.

But with two wins from 10 games since being appointed interim coach when John Kosmina quit, Valkanis appears at long odds to be the next full-time coach of the Reds.


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Hawks power away in the heat

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Hot game ... Sam Mitchell gets a kick away against the Eagles. Source: Paul Kane / Getty Images

Lance Franklin and Cyril Rioli combined for nine goals to guide Hawthorn to a convincing 50-point victory over West Coast in Sunday's AFL clash at Patersons Stadium.

1.3 (9) Q1 6.1 (37)
6.6 (42) Q2 11.2 (68)
12.6 (78) Q3 15.7 (97)
15.8 (98) Q4 23.10 (148)

Josh J. Kennedy

5

Lance Franklin

5

Jack Darling

3

Luke Breust

4

Josh Hill

3

Cyril Rioli

4

Jamie Cripps

1

Grant Birchall

2

Andrew Embley

1

David Hale

2

Andrew Gaff

1

Bradley Hill

2

Callum Sinclair

1

Jarryd Roughead

2

Shaun Burgoyne

1

Isaac Smith

1

P W D L % Pts
1 Essendon 2 2 0 0 255.08 8
2 Port Adelaide 2 2 0 0 202.27 8
3 Sydney 2 2 0 0 147.65 8
4 Fremantle 2 2 0 0 135.44 8
5 Collingwood 2 2 0 0 117.65 8
6 Richmond 2 2 0 0 112.02 8
7 Geelong 2 2 0 0 105.67 8
8 Bulldogs 2 1 0 1 124.24 4
9 Hawthorn 2 1 0 1 122.51 4
10 Adelaide 2 1 0 1 91.75 4
11 Gold Coast 2 1 0 1 85.34 4
12 North Melbourne 2 0 0 2 90.70 0
13 Carlton 2 0 0 2 90.13 0
14 St Kilda 2 0 0 2 84.13 0
15 West Coast 2 0 0 2 69.53 0
16 Greater Western Sydney 2 0 0 2 64.17 0
17 Brisbane 2 0 0 2 60.99 0
18 Melbourne 2 0 0 2 28.39 0

Hawthorn, coming off a six-day break and playing in 32 degree heat, looked vulnerable when West Coast closed the margin to 19 points at the final change.

But the Hawks flexed their muscle when it mattered most, slamming home eight goals to three in the last quarter to cruise to the 23.10 (148) to 15.8 (98) victory.

Franklin booted five goals and Rioli finished with four, while Luke Breust (four goals), Grant Birchall, Luke Hodge and Sam Mitchell were also key contributors.

Hawthorn skipper Hodge, in his first match of the season, tallied 25 disposals in defence and played out the entire match.

The Eagles were well served by Josh Kennedy (five goals) and midfielders Chris Masten and Matt Priddis.

But with ruckman Nic Naitanui, forward Mark LeCras, Sharrod Wellingham and Matt Rosa still sidelined, the Eagles look a shadow of the team that started the season as genuine premiership fancies.

West Coast are now 0-2, but should notch their first win of the season next week when they take on struggling Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.

The Eagles were shellshocked early as Hawthorn raced out to a 39-point lead in the second quarter.

Big guns Rioli, Franklin and Jarryd Roughead were all prominent in front of goal, but it was West Coast's lack of pressure through the midfield that handed the ascendancy to the visitors.

It took until midway through the second quarter for West Coast to finally hit their straps, and they made the most of the momentum switch to slam on four unanswered goals within the space of five minutes.

Kennedy and Jack Darling were influential during the onslaught as Hawthorn's lead was whittled down to 14 points, but late goals to Breust and Roughead eased the pressure on the visitors.

Hawthorn were back in the box seat after kicking the opening two goals of the third quarter.

But once again West Coast fought back, closing to 19 points at the final change.

Hawthorn coughed up a 30-point lead in their loss to Geelong on Monday, but they dug deep to ensure history wouldn't repeat.

West Coast should have finished the stronger in the final term given they had 15 days to prepare for the match, but it was Hawthorn who powered home to notch their first win of the year.
 

Click here to see all the stats that matter in FOX FOOTY's Match Centre.


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Raiders revival steals victory

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Jarrod Crocker ... seals victory for Canberra v Sydney Roosters. Source: Phil Hillyard / News Limited

Canberra centre Jarrod Croker has capped off his 100th game in the NRL with a match-winning try and conversion against the Roosters at Canberra Stadium to lead his side to a 24-22 victory.

4

Tries

4

Edrick Lee 45' James Maloney 20'
Sam Williams 50' Michael Oldfield 30'
Sandor Earl 66' Mitchell Aubusson 35'
Jarrod Croker 76' Anthony Minichiello 54'

4

Conversions

3

Jarrod Croker 46' James Maloney 21'
Jarrod Croker 51' James Maloney 36'
Jarrod Croker 68' James Maloney 56'
Jarrod Croker 78'

The Raiders fought back from a 16-0 halftime deficit to record the biggest NRL comeback in 2013.

The round five loss ended a three game winning streak for the Roosters.

Raiders captain David Shillington was inspirational for the home team, making 144 metres in attack and forcing several turnovers with his confrontational defence.


Re-live all the action in our exclusive NRL Match Centre featuring, commentary and stats!


The Raiders' handling skills began well below par once again, completing less than 50 per cent of their sets in the first half and leaving many of the 10,669 spectators less than impressed.

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Their errors allowed the Roosters to race away to a 16-0 lead through tries to James Maloney, Michael Oldfield and Mitchell Aubusson.

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The Roosters were just 35 minutes away from becoming the second team in rugby league history to win three consecutive games without conceding a point, when Croker sparked the comeback by throwing a flick pass to unmarked winger Edrick Lee.

The then Raiders grew another leg and earned back-to-back sets before halfback Sam Williams threw a dummy and wriggled his way over the line for the Raiders second try and an 18-12 deficit after 68m.

It took some magic from Roosters second-rower Sonny Bill Williams to stem the flow, splitting the Raiders defence before throwing a no-look pass to Anthony Minichiello who scooped the ball off his toes and dived over for the 55th minute try as the Roosters extended their lead to 22-12.

But the Raiders hit back again with just 15 minutes on the clock, Sandor Earl leaping above two Rooster defenders to snatch a Sam Williams crossfield kick to bring it back to a four point ball game.

Sustained pressure from the Raiders then saw Lee return the favour to Croker with a great no-look pass, giving the Raiders a memorable win.


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Bosnich: Perth red card wrong

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Talking points ... week 1 of the A-League finals didn't disappoint. Source:News Limited

The first weekend of the new-look sudden death A-League finals series lived up to expectations, with a drama-charged Victory-Glory clash before the champions proved they aren't giving up their crown without a fight.

Friday April 12

Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar

Parramatta Stadium, 7.30pm

Sunday April 14

Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory

Bluetongue Stadium, 5pm  

Winners to play in the grand final

A-League finals are just packed with drama and talking points and Friday night's clash between Victory and Glory was no exception. 

"I thought the Melbourne Victory penalty wasn't a penalty and I didn't think it was a hand ball either," Mark Bosnich said on Sunday Shootout. 

"But … once you put your hands on a player in the penalty box, you leave it up to the referee to make that call.  

"For me, no penalty ... but defenders … when someone's got their back to goal, put your hands out to the side. He's not going anywhere."

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As for Steve Pantelidis's red-card, Bosnich added: "I don't think Jarred Gillett had to send him off. How do you expect him (Pantelidis) to react in a massive game when he's just received a decision he doesn't like. 

"He is going to be fuming because he doesn't think it's a penalty. I'm very, very disappointed about that."

Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill, a guest on the show, said: "every now and then you wish (A-League referees) would take an extra second or two to control themselves and ... realise how much (a decision) influences the game". 

The last-gasp drama has dominated the analysis, but Victory were strangely subdued for a long period of the game - a lot to do with Alistair Edward's well organised, determined and sharp Glory outfit.

Connor Pain, Archie Thompson and Marco Rojas were well contained for the most part, as Victory couldn't conjure their swashbuckling width or movement.

Glory, meanwhile, were clever, marshalled expertly by Jacob Burns and Liam Miller. 

They punctuated Victory's rhythm and as the home side tried to rouse themselves for a comeback, the stop-start nature of the game did not suit them at all. 

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But when it comes to finals football we can start to call Ange Postecoglou "Sir Alex" for the way his Victory and Roar teams never give up at the final stages.

Sure, it should have been all over when Smeltz, one of the A-League's great marksman, rattled the bar from the penalty spot. 

"I made a schoolboy error I think, in just as I was about to take the penalty, something caught my concentration to the left," Smeltz admitted after the match. 

But you sensed there was more to come at Etihad Stadium. 

And so another A-League final came to the party; Gillett falls further down Jacob Burns's Christmas card list and Mark Milligan gets his chance to show his mettle with the season on the line.

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Marcos Flores added a new dimension and it's fitting that vintage Victory prized Glory open when the game was on the line. Thompson resumed his role on the left and it was the Argentine, with the ball in his own half, who unleashed Rojas, before the fleet-footed Kiwi laid it on a tee for Thompson to prod home.

"I thought that game was over but when they missed that penalty there was always an opportunity for us to score," Thompson said.

"You see how (Victory coach) Ange (Postecoglou) has won his grand finals the last two years, in extra time or with a minute to go.

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"The goal was one of the highlights of my career. We were pretty much down and out and to come back like we did was amazing."

And don't tell the coach, on the cusp of a third-straight grand final, that Victory were lucky. 

"You saw out there at the end of that game, 22 players were absolutely spent. To get a win in that kind of scenario, it's never lucky," Ange Postecoglou said.

"Finals always end up being tense, tight affairs, and that's what makes them so special and so hard to win.

"To win a finals game, every player out there, regardless of how they're feeling, are going to give every ounce of energy and more.

"It was a ridiculous finish, but I've been involved with those before.

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"In finals games, the most important thing is that you've got your nose in front at the final whistle - whichever way you can. And we got our nose in front."

As for Glory, they're left thinking what might have been for a second season in a row. 

"I think last year I held my tongue when decisions went the wrong way that were clearly wrong," skipper Jacob Burns said.

"But this time I honestly don't understand how a referee like Jarred Gillett gets our game again and how he can make such poor judgment once again."

Not only a great escape by Postecoglou's side – but by Rojas, too, as Thompson wielded the corner flag in celebration! 


Get set. The champions are taking on the champions-elect for the right to play in the grand final. 

Brisbane came out of the blocks looking every bit the 'dark horses' that they've been anointed ahead of this finals series and the home side were left behind at Hindmarsh Stadium.

"The way they played in the first-half I haven't seen them play as well all year," Bosnich said. 

"Any team will be fearful of meeting them. 

"They were outstanding in the first-half. Absolutely on fire." 

The signs of the Roar in form where there early: Thomas Broich slipping into the left channel, Shane Steffanuto overlapping, before drilling the ball for Besart Berisha, probing in the box. 

Roar were fluid, a rejuvenated Mitch Nichols added plenty of punch and Steve Lustica had a controlling influence over proceedings. 

"That's probably the best we've played this season – first-half," Mulvey told Fox Sports after the match. 

"We've got momentum … it's really important at this time of year. You can't just flick it on and off We came out with belief and focus. The quality was there for all to see."

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And it was a night Cassio will not remember fondly. 

After Brisbane's brilliantly-executed corner - Broich floating it for Luke Brattan to confidently volley on goal - the Brazilian fluffed a clearance to swing the ball into the net. He was then beaten to the punch by Ivan Franjic just before half-time off a pin-point ball from Mitch Nichols from the left flank. 

"(It's a) big difference when Mitch Nichols plays … they look a far more creative unit … in finals football, you're not going to win anything by going out to keep a clean sheet.

"You've got to create chances." 

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Adelaide certainly came out flying in the second term but it wasn't until Dario Vidosic's first-goal from open-play this term that Adelaide breathed belated, frantic life into the game.

The way these A-League finals swing and turn it wouldn't have even surprised to see Eugene Galekovic prod home a late equaliser for the home side. 

But the final flurry came after the game looked like petering out. Mike Mulvey will be furious with Ben Halloran, Mitch Nichols and Stefan Nijland's lax approach in the final third over the final 15 minutes of the match. 

It's a short turn-around for the Roar and they'll be sweating on Broich's fitness. He picked up an Achilles knock and couldn't feature in the second-half. Luke Brattan (calf) also hobbled off, while Jack Hingert is in grave doubt with an ankle injury. 

In the end, it was about momentum.  Adelaide had none at all.  Brisbane have it.

"(Wanderers-Brisbane) could go to penalties, Neil said. Maybe Brisbane. They've got the momentum," Neil said.


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Neill: no one will tell me I'm retiring

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Determined ... Lucas Neill's eyes are set firmly on Brazil. Source: William West / AFP

Socceroos captain Lucas Neill has thrown down the challenge to Australia's next generation of players to demand selection in Australia's first-XI and declared: "I'm playing for my country as long as I can".

Neill, who described his recent stint at Sydney FC as "anti-climactic", was asked by Mark Bosnich on Fox Sports' Sunday Shootout program if Australia's 'golden generation' of stars had stayed on for too long, stunting the progress of our next batch of players. 

The centre-back, who said his focus for the next year is solely driven by being ready for Brazil, said it is not up to him, or the other veterans, to step aside, but for the new brigade to prove their worth.  

"My response to that is – when I was a young guy … I never got my chance handed to me," Neill said. 

"I had to fight for everything … prove myself, make news all over the world, in Europe, and really be consistently playing well for my club to even get a sniff in the squad. 

"I think I trained 15 times in the Terry Venables era before I got a look. 

"Once I got that look I got a chance and I was going to take it

"I think the onus is on the player themselves. Not whether they play or who they play with; a big club or small club, but if they get their chance, they're playing for Australia. 

"Once you play for Australia, it's not a job, it's an honour. No one is going to tell me I'm retiring from Australia. I'm playing for my country and I'll play for as long as I can.

Group B P W D L GD Pts
1 Japan 6 4 1 1 10 13
2 Jordan 6 2 1 3 -6 7
3 Australia 5 1 3 1 0 6
4 Oman 6 1 3 2 -3 6
5 Iraq 5 1 2 2 -1 5

"It's up to somebody else to come and say: right, I'm better than you now; a better leader and a better defender.

"And I'll step aside."

Indeed, Neill pointed to the Socceroos' recent draw with Oman in Sydney as an example of the important role he believes the older players play in Holger Osieck's squad. 

"(In the) old v young debate at the moment – if it wasn't for an older player, Timmy Cahill, we would've lost that game," Neill added. 

His next 12 months - and his choice of club - is focused on being in peak condition for Brazil.

"I'm confident we'll make Brazil and next year is arguably the biggest of my career because I need to be at my best to make sure Australia has the best chance in Brazil," he added. 

Whether Moore Park remains the place to achieve those goals is yet to be determined. 

"My thought was: let's get Sydney into the finals. Let's play really competitive football. Then focus all my energy on getting Australia to Brazil. My focus now is purely on getting Australia to Brazil and getting as fit as I can be for the three massive games we have coming up," he said.

"Sure, I'd love to consider staying in Sydney. 

"But the situation is a little bit out of my hands. There's marquee players, different situations, certain amount of people on the roster, and other options … a lot of clubs are starting to focus on next year. Also in Europe, and other places around the world … and I'll look at everything." 

Neill, who talked about his disappointment at not being able to "stamp my authority" on a Sydney FC game during his stint, described Sydney FC's seventh-place finish as not acceptable for a club of the Sky Blues' stature. 

"The squad we had is fantastic – the envy of a lot of clubs in the league. 

"But if I'm being extremely honest: this squad, this whole club, should never be in this situation. 

"Finishing seventh in the league. A huge club, type of team that want to be in the finals every year." 

To watch the full interview with Lucas Neill on Sydney FC, the Socceroos, and his future, watch the video at the top of the page.


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'Magpies, Blues is one for the ages'

Classic ... Scott Pendlebury celebrates a goal for Collingwood. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Fox Sports AFL expert Julian de Stoop believes Collingwood's win over Carlton will go down as one of the best between the long-time rivals.

Meanwhile, Geelong's win over North Melbourne was one of the strangest games in recent memory and Melbourne hit a new low. Read Jules's review of the round two action below.

Richmond Tigers 14.15 (99) def St Kilda Saints 12.10 (82)
There's no doubt the Tigers are on the up and St Kilda are going backwards. Scott Watters knows his team needs to rebuild. The Saints will be nuisance value all year because they've got a lot of good players but I don't think they'll win more games than they lose. The difference was Jack Riewoldt, he kicked eight goals (against St Kilda) last year, and kicked seven on Friday night, which just highlights St Kilda's problem of not having a strong key defender. Reece Conca played his best game for the Tigers while for the Saints, Stephen Milne's form is a bit of a concern. He's playing higher up the ground but he's just not tackling. There's already been calls that maybe his spot is in jeopardy. The good news for Richmond is they've been challenged in two games and won, whereas last year they probably would have lost.

Sydney Swans 17.12 (114) def Gold Coast Suns 11.7 (73)
They're not at their best, the Swans, but you wouldn't expect it given they were the premiers and started later than anybody else. That's probably the good thing about having the soft draw, they can just ease themselves into it. Kieran Jack and Nick Smith were a good tag team on Gary Ablett and Jarrad McVeigh was excellent, he's probably still an under-rated player. Gold Coast have definitely improved, to be competitive with the premiers for most of the day was a good effort. Jaeger O'Meara showed what a player he is going to be in only his second game, he was fantastic. They just need some of their young talls to come on, at least Charlie Dixon was good in probably his best game.

Western Bulldogs 11.12 (78) def by Fremantle Dockers 16.10 (106)
The first quarter was the difference, the pressure Fremantle put on the Bulldogs. Unfortunately the Dogs couldn't really handle it but the good sign was - when last year they would have got beaten by 80 or 90 points - at least this time they fought back. Adam Cooney looks to be back in form, he broke the lines and ran at full pace and young Tom Liberatore, he's a terrific player in the clearances. The Dockers, they probably weren't in top form but did what they needed to do. Nat Fyfe was terrific, if he can stay fit he's going to be some sort of player. The fact that that goal umpire got injured broke Fremantle's momentum and probably stopped them going on to a bigger win. The poor old umpire, it looked like a pretty nasty injury.

Brisbane Lions 10.17 (77) def by Adelaide Crows 14.12 (96)
It was a really good game this one. At three-quarter time, the momentum was with Brisbane but some magic from Patrick Dangerfield got the Crows across the line. That goal on his left, on the run, from 60m and the one from the boundary a couple of minutes later shows why he is one of the star players in the competition. Brisbane were a lot better than the week before but leading at three-quarter time and at home, they'll be disappointed they didn't go on to win it. Daniel Rich needs to learn how to play with a tag, he's been taken out of the game the last two weeks. Jonathan Brown needs some help up forward as well, you can't rely on him to kick a winning score all the time. Given how poor Adelaide were in week one, it was a good victory.

Essendon Bombers 28.16 (184) def Melbourne Demons 5.6 (36)
Hard to believe the Demons could get worse but that second half - 17 goals to one, Essendon kicked the last 14 - was just uncompetitive. There's major confidence issues, there's major leadership issues and they're a team that look like they've gone backwards when everyone thought after a year under Mark Neeld and a good summer they might go forward. The club is in crisis. It's good the club has backed Neeld but he can't have too many more results like that before his job comes into question. Essendon's got everything going for them. They've got a full list to chose from, unlike last year, Dyson Heppell looks like is going to become an elite midfielder and Jobe Watson just keeps knocking up best on grounds. The good thing is their percentage is almost like another win but I think we'll get a more accurate gauge when they play Fremantle next week.

Port Adelaide Power 19.20 134) def Greater Western Sydney Giants 11.12 (78)
There was a lot of emotion during the John McCarthy tribute and the worry was it might work against the Power after the first quarter. However, once they got control of the game, they were good. It was probably one of the best games Justin Westhoff has ever played, it just comes down to whether Ken Hinkley can get him to do it on a weekly basis, because he has a lot of talent. A couple of their kids looked good; Chad Wingard has taken another step in his second season and Jasper Pittard, who's hardly played because of injury, had a good game. It's the same old problem for the Giants. They'll be competitive for parts of the game but playing four quarters is going to be tough. Similar to Essendon, the Power play Adelaide in the Showdown and that will give us a better indication of where they're at.

Geelong Cats 16.16 (112) def North Melbourne Kangaroos 17.6 (108)
One of the more bizarre games you'll ever see, just for the fact we had rain at Etihad Stadium. Brad Scott probably went too far with that official but if you've got forecast rain and an indoor stadium then you should probably shut the roof. I don't think it was the reason North lost the game, they had a 41-point lead and conceded more than 40 inside-50s in the second half, so I don't think they can blame the weather. In the first half, the Kangaroos plan of playing keepings-off worked beautifully but the Cats never give up and just know how to win. Joel Selwood had an ordinary match but was fantastic in the final quarter and the move of Harry Taylor onto Drew Petrie was a good one. The Cats' slow starts are a worry, you can't keep coming back from seven goals down every week, so I'm sure Chris Scott will have something to say about that.

Collingwood Magpies 17.15 (117) def Carlton 15.10 (100)
The hype was massive and it was an instant classic. It was an arm-wrestle in the first half in the rain and it opened up after that when Collingwood just ran harder. The Magpies have done well again, they lost Darren Jolly in the first quarter after losing Dayne Beams and Heath Shaw before the game last week, so they're very resiliant. Quinten Lynch was fantastic against a really good player in Matthew Kreuzer, last year, Chris Dawes wouldn't have been able to do that. The small forwards for Carlton looked like they were going to haunt Collingwood again - this time it was Jeff Garlett and Chris Yarran - but in the end is was probably the Magpies' small forwards who were the difference. Little Jamie Elliott was a great player. Carlton played better this week, so you can probably say they can match it with the big guns, but a lack of a tall forward still hurts them. You can't rely on you're small players all the time.

West Coast Eagle 15.8 (98) def by Hawthorn 23.10 (148)
It was a great win for the Hawks. Coming off a six-day break, travelling over to Perth in 30-degree heat and to kick something like 23 goals was a great effort. Luke Hodge made a good comeback, a few of us raised an eyebrow when he was named but I thought he was magnificent. Luke Breust doesn't get much credit but he's a really important player for the Hawks. For the Eagles, I think they're really missing Nic Naitanui, not only because he's a good player but other teams are just running Dean Cox into the ground. The Hawks had three ruckman on Sunday with Roughead, Hale and Bailey. Josh Kennedy was strong, which is a good sign, but for a team who has ambitions of winning the premiership, they're going to need to get moving soon. In saying that, they've got Melbourne next week, so they should open their account there. The Hawks showed why they are one of the teams to beat and it will be a huge game on Sunday when they take on the Magpies.


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Noddy's Weekend Wash Up: R5

Johnny Mannah Cup ... Hayne soars on special day. Source: Renee McKay / AAP

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

Caterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Manly Sea Eagles, ANZ Stadium

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Manly was given a confidence boost pre-game with the withdrawal of Bulldogs forwards Greg Eastwood and David Klemmer. Already missing Krisnan Inu through suspension, the Bulldogs are also missing their ball playing big men in Sam Kasiano and James Graham. This gives their opposition a lot of confidence and Manly took full advantage of the Dogs missing players. The Sea Eagles made a statement that they are a force to be reckoned with which was ignited by their brutal forwards. Jamie Lyon produced a spectacular performance and in the end, the score line was a good indication of how dominant the visitors actually were.

Gold Coast Titans v Brisbane Broncos, Skilled Park

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You couldn't help but think the Titans were going to win this game until Albert Kelly went down injured. Already without Aidan Sezer to a hamstring injury, Kelly's injury unsettled the team. There had been a question over the Broncos creativity in past weeks but they answered their critics in the second half. With Anthony Griffin being a coach under pressure, his players responded with great fight. Corey Norman has been brilliant since he settled his future to join Parramatta and it is a real shame he won't be at the club next season. Justin Hodges, Ben Hannant and Alex Glenn led by example and provided plenty of aggression in a desperate win.

Parramatta Eels v Cronulla Sharks, Parramatta Stadium

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After being walloped by 50 points last week, Ricky Stuart showed a lot of faith in his Parramatta players and that belief was returned. It was an emotional match for Parramatta and Cronulla who were playing for the inaugural Johnny Mannah Cup. The atmosphere was electric which was typified by the minute of clapping to celebrate John's life. Tim Mannah laid the platform with some tough runs while Luke Kelly had a calming influence on the Eels' structure. Although Jarryd Hayne had copped some criticism over his captaincy in challenging the referees, he was outstanding on Saturday. His positioning at the back was brilliant, he caught a lot of the kicks on the full and showed his willingness to get involved in the game. I thought it was his best game with the captaincy yet and would like to see him continue leading by his actions and not his words.

North Queensland Cowboys v Penrith Panthers, 1300SMILES Stadium

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Dropping Luke Walsh during the week, Penrith were never going to revive their attack when they produced as many errors as they did. The Cowboys have been disappointing in the opening few weeks but playing at home they were fired up. With a convincing lead in their favour by half time, resulted in the second half being scrappy, but Neil Henry will be pleased by their dominance and the fact they were able to keep the opposition scoreless. Having made some changes at hooker which were rewarded, his biggest concern will be Robert Lui's fitness after he left the field with a leg injury.

St George Illawarra Dragons v Newcastle Knights, WIN Jubilee Oval

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This was an outstanding game of football that went down to the wire. The Warriors showed their character on Sunday. Matt Elliott has done an outstanding job to lift them out of oblivion. Shaun Johnson and Konrad Hurrell stood up while Ben Matalino, Russel Packer and Feleti Mateo challenged the Rabbioths forward pack. They should be extremely proud of their performance but the Rabbitohs class again outshone their opposition. Adam Reynolds was brilliant while Sam Burgess was overshadowed by his younger brother George who scored the winning try.

Warriors v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Mt Smart Stadium

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The return of Wayne Bennett to the home of the Dragons would have been a challenge Steve Price and the club was looking forward to. Last week the Dragons beat the Sharks through playing creative football and two players who allow you to play like that is Dan Hunt and Trent Merrin. They have been outstanding and Merrin has showed why he is in contention for a NSW Origin jersey. At lock he is allowed to float and offers second phase play which has been the key to breaking up their predictable structure. It looks like they have found a balance between the two. It was a great step to the future with Josh Drinkwater making his debut with Jamie Soward shifting to fullback. Having taken some of the ball playing responsibility away from Soward he was able to produce a quality game.

Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters, Canberra Stadium

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At half time, I thought this match was a lot closer than the 16-0 score line would have you believe. The Roosters scored three soft tries but the Raiders were the aggressor but key errors cost them. It was a terrific come from behind victory from the Raiders. They showed they can produce points quickly and Josh McCrone's shift to dummy half certainly played a role in creating havoc around the ruck. Anthony Milford provides a lot of x-factor. I expect to see him play a lot more first grade this year. To top it all off Jarrod Croker scored the final try and kicked the winning goal in what was his 100th game of first grade.


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