Moloney psyched to win gold

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AUSSIE boxer Andrew Moloney didn't need any psyche up from his coaches to get ready for his gold medal fight on Sunday morning.

His teammate Shelley Watts did that for them.

Watts, the slugger from Laurieton in NSW, became Australia's first-ever women's Commonwealth Games boxing champion when she beat India's Laishram Devi in the second fight on the program.

Andrew Moloney cops a stray elbow from Pakistan's Muhammad Waseem. Source: AFP

Moloney's bout against Pakistani Mahammad Waseem was scheduled immediately after the women's medal presentation.

"I was just about to go out and get in the ring and when I heard them playing the National Anthem there was no way I was going to come off second best," he said.

A 23 year-old personal trainer from Mitcham in Victoria, Moloney fought a well-devised and perfectly controlled fight against his more volatile opponent.

While Waseem would have liked to drag Moloney into a street fight, he stayed disciplined and recorded the tightest of wins, all three judges giving him the decision by just one point after the Pakistani took the final round.

Andrew Moloney (R) rocks Muhammad Waseem with a right. Source: Getty Images

With the finals moved to the magnificent 10,000-seat Hydro Arena, Moloney was fighting in front of easily the largest audience of his career but as he had in his previous bout against Scot Reece McFadden in front of a deafening parochial crowd, he cut out all distractions and stayed on task.

"I've been thinking about nothing else but this for four years, "he said. "I've had a picture of Glasgow as background on my phone so I'm surprised how calm I stayed the whole tournament. I put a lot of it down to our coach Kevin Smith because he is so quiet and relaxed in the corner.

"The game plan this time was to use my feet a lot more and try to come at the angles because he's a straight up and down fighter. It didn't work out as well as I would have hoped but I got the win so I can't complain."

Australia's Andrew Moloney (blue-corner) celebrates his win over Pakistan's Muhammad Waseem (L). Source: AFP

Which cannot be said of his opponent Waseem who, in the vernacular of the old-time boxing stadiums, "went off like a two-bob watch", when the judges' decision was announced.

Asked for a comment by the host broadcasting service immediately after leaving the ring, he said, ""F****ing crazy f**k. He cheating. The referee, the judges they're all cheating. Not happy with silver. Lying, f**ing cheating."

* * *

England's Joseph Joyce (red) dominated the gold medal bout against Joe Goodall. Source: AFP

IT was a case of too big, too strong, too experienced, too everything when the two Joes fought out the super-heavyweight final.

England's Joe Joyce gave Australia's Joe Goodall a valuable lesson that will hold him in good stead as he embarks on the difficult task of qualifying for Rio through Asia.

"He was just too big and experienced for me," said Goodall who has been boxing only four years.

"I tried to get a shot on him but I just didn't have anything. No excuses, he was really the first true world class super heavyweight I've ever fought and I'll learn a lot from it."

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Jockey in coma after crash

Victorian Jockeys' Association chief executive Des O'Keeffe says at this stage all the signs are good for Jack Martin, who is in intensive care. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

APPRENTICE jockey Jack Martin is in an induced coma after being involved in an accident on the Hume Highway on Sunday afternoon.

The 18-year-old was returning to his parent's home in Melbourne's west after riding in the third race at Seymour when he lost control of his car after apparently swerving to avoid a wheel or tyre that had come off another vehicle.

He was treated at the scene where he was placed in an induced coma before being flown to the Alfred Hospital where he was in a stable condition on Sunday night.

It's understood he's injuries include a possible punctured lung.

Martin, a third year apprentice to Flemington trainer Mick Cerchi, is also a year 12 student.

Victorian Jockeys' Association chief executive Des O'Keeffe said at this stage all the signs were good for Martin who was in intensive care.

He said Martin was in good spirits at Seymour on Sunday after riding the winner of the last race at Sale on Saturday, and a double at Wodonga last week.

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Hunt struggling with Hook’s sacking

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BOOM halfback Ben Hunt is enduring his first form slump, frustrated at Anthony Griffin's dismissal and trying too hard to ensure his mentor is hired again.

Fox Sports Stats reveal Hunt has played his two worst games of the NRL season over the past fortnight.

Hunt has been sensational this year and is one of the big reasons the Broncos surged to a firm grip on a finals position in June before losing five of their next six matches.

Since Griffin was told he would be replaced by Wayne Bennett next year, the Broncos have lost to Melbourne and Manly and their top eight chances are on life support.

Storms Ryan Hinchcliffe celebrates his try with Cam Smith as Broncos Ben Hunt watches on. Source: News Corp Australia

In both those clashes Hunt was barely recognisable from the confident halfback who slashed through defences like a man twice his size.

It is believed Hunt is still confused about why Griffin was sacked and his desire to ensure ''Hook'' is employed at another NRL club has caused him to overplay his hand.

Hunt was statistically the best playmaker in the NRL up until Round 19, when Griffin was tapped on the shoulder.

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In 17 games he amassed eight tries, 21 try assists, 16 linebreaks and 14 linebreak assists.

In the two games since, his only contribution to the Broncos' attack has been one try assist.

Against Melbourne, Hunt made four handling errors and missed six tackles, which were both season highs.

The performance occurred five days after Griffin was told his coaching role at the Broncos would end a year early.

In the game before Griffin's dismissal, a 28-22 Round 19 win over the Warriors, Hunt had one try, one try assist, one line-break and one line-break assist while only committing one handling error.

Ben Hunt takes on the Warriors defence. Source: News Corp Australia

Hunt's bond with Griffin caused him to place the weight of his mentor being dismissed squarely on his shoulders.

"It is our fault that 'Hook' got axed," Hunt told The Courier-Mail last month.

"There were a few games this year we should have won that we didn't.

"There were a few close calls and if we had gone better he would probably still have been here."

Ben Hunt in action for the Broncos. Source: News Corp Australia

If the Broncos are going to rally and qualify for the finals, they need Hunt in peak form.

Another impact on Hunt's form is Ben Barba moving to five-eighth.

While Josh Hoffman's switch to fullback has improved their defence and ability to work out of trouble through his strong kick returns, Hunt and Barba have not gelled.

Barba is playing better in the No. 6 jersey than he did at fullback but it is restricting Hunt's game.

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V8 Driver Rater: Ipswich edition

WHICH V8 Supercars drivers got the job done at Queensland Raceway? Do you think someone didn't pull their weight in Ipswich?

Have your say in our interactive V8 Supercars Driver Rater!

Relive all of this weekend's V8 race action in stunning HD on Tuesday from 7:30pm AEST on SPEED (Foxtel channel 512).

● SUNDAY: COURTNEY'S GAMBLE PAYS OFF

● SATURDAY: WHINCUP SWEEPS; CARUSO, MCLAUGHLIN CLASH

● FRIDAY: McLAUGHLIN SPEARHEADS YOUNG GUN ATTACK

● EREBUS ON CUSP OF FACTORY MERCEDES DEAL

● FAST FACTS: COATES HIRE IPSWICH 400

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1. JAMIE WHINCUP (Holden)

Red Bull Racing Australia

A virtually flawless weekend, but just lacked the car speed to make it a clean sweep. Will no doubt console himself with the points lead.

Our rating: 9

2. GARTH TANDER (Holden)

Holden Racing Team

Gained the most spots of anyone over the course of the weekend. Will be disappointed not to have been up the front with teammate on Sunday.

Our rating: 7

Holdsworth is now the V8 lap record-holder at QR. Source: Getty Images

4. LEE HOLDSWORTH (Erebus)

Erebus Motorsport V8

Would have hoped for much more from his team's home race, especially after last week's test day. Did set a new V8 lap record on Sunday.

Our rating: 6

5. MARK WINTERBOTTOM (Ford)

Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford

Sunday's puncture punctuated Frosty's dip in form in recent races. Will likely have won the race to Brisbane Airport.

Our rating: 7

6. CHAZ MOSTERT (Ford)

Pepsi Max Crew FPR Ford

Was the strongest performer of the FPR fleet all weekend, drove maturely in his Sunday scraps with Whincup and Moffat.

Our rating: 8

7. TODD KELLY (Nissan)

Jack Daniel's Racing

Tyre issue cost him badly in opening race and weekend didn't really pick up from there.

Our rating: 6

8. JASON BRIGHT (Holden)

Team BOC

A strangely anonymous weekend for the former title hopeful. All three BJR cars appeared to struggle at QR.

Our rating: 6

9. WILL DAVISON (Erebus)

Erebus Motorsport V8

Like teammate Holdsworth, would have been hoping for much more. Seventh in Race 23 was good, but slipped back as the weekend went on.

Our rating: 6

Coulthard slipped to fifth in the standings after Ipswich. Source: Getty Images

14. FABIAN COULTHARD (Holden)

Lockwood Racing

Another driver that slipped back as the weekend went on. Title hopes seem to be slowly fading away.

Our rating: 6

15. RICK KELLY (Nissan)

Jack Daniel's Racing

Solid weekend with some spectacular moments. Showed great racecraft to hold off Winterbottom for top five finish on Saturday.

Our rating: 7

16. SCOTT PYE (Ford)

Wilson Security Racing

Deserved every bit of his career-best fourth place finish on Sunday. Finally had one of his excellent Sunday drives rewarded with a top five result.

Our rating: 8

17. DAVID WALL (Ford)

Wilson Security Racing

Couldn't quite hang onto his teammate's coat-tails this weekend, but turned in a solid run on the team's home soil.

Our rating: 6

18. JACK PERKINS (Ford)

Team JELD-WEN

Jack, please don't buy a duck (see Townsville 500 driver rater entry).

Our rating: 5

21. DALE WOOD (Holden)

Team ADVAM/GB

Probably finished a close second to Winterbottom in the race to the airport. Tough weekend when the BJR cars lacked pace.

Our rating: 4

The low point of Sunday, when Courtney blew the power steering with his celebratory burnout.

22. JAMES COURTNEY (Holden)

Holden Racing Team

Gambled on saving a tyre set on Saturday for the run home on Sunday and it paid off in spades. Good to see Frank the Tank back.

Our rating: 8

23. RUSSELL INGALL (Holden)

Repair Management Australia Racing

Charged home with a wet sail on Sunday, but still managed just 13th. Also lost 'lap record holder' honours.

Our rating: 6

McLaughlin stormed to another pole position on Saturday. Source: Getty Images

33. SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN (Volvo)

Valvoline Racing GRM

Lost a potential race win through no fault of his own; lost a podium on Sunday with tyre failure. But once again, the kid was bloody fast. His time will come. Also, please keep the big number!

Our rating: 8

34. ROBERT DAHLGREN (Volvo)

Valvoline Racing GRM

Another learning weekend, but stayed out of trouble and equalled his best V8 finish of 16th on the Sunday.

Our rating: 6

36. MICHAEL CARUSO (Nissan)

Norton Hornets

Just can't seem to catch a break this year. Saturday's clash was avoidable but he did need to make a move. Sunday saw him lose seventh place on the line when he ran out of fuel. Again.

Our rating: 8

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47. TIM SLADE (Holden)

Supercheap Auto Racing

Didn't quite maintain his improving form in recent races. Will be hoping it's just a blip on his upward progress.

Our rating: 7

55. DAVID REYNOLDS (Ford)

The Bottle-O Racing Team

One top-10 finish from the weekend, lost any hope of a good Sunday result with yet another untimely puncture.

Our rating: 6

97. SHANE VAN GISBERGEN (Holden)

Team Tekno VIP Petfoods

Wasn't quite on the frontrunning pace this weekend. Strategy play on Sunday saw him snare a top 10 finish.

Our rating: 7

222. NICK PERCAT (Holden)

Walkinshaw Racing

Back-to-back good weekends for the youngest pilot at Walkinshaw Racing. Has he genuinely turned the corner? It seems so.

Our rating: 7

Moffat took his first V8 pole for Race 25. Source: Supplied

360. JAMES MOFFAT (Nissan)

Norton Hornets

Maiden pole on Sunday, went off trying to take a podium finish. Can't knock a bloke for having a go when he hasn't got a title on the line.

Our rating: 7

888. CRAIG LOWNDES (Holden)

Red Bull Racing Australia

Pole on Saturday, took a triplet of second places. Scored the most points of all over the weekend but wrote the least headlines of all the title contenders. Finally!

Our rating: 9

Lowndes had the strongest weekend of all title contenders. Source: Getty Images

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Why Dwyer’s big hit will live on

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SIMON Dwyer has been described as the ''Forgotten Man of Rugby League''. Which isn't exactly right.

"Occasionally I'll be walking down the street and run into someone who remembers me,'' he says with a smile.

"Or at least they remember the tackle."

Simon Dwyer's hit on Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Source: News Limited

Yep, the tackle. Sydney Football Stadium. September 11, 2010. Snarling Rooster Jared Waerea-Hargreaves charging towards a tiring Wests Tigers defence as, with 90 seconds remaining and his side trailing by a point, this champion enforcer looks to finish things. Then ... thwack.

Launching himself into what would, the following day, be dubbed ''Hit of the Century'' on this newspaper's back page, Dwyer not only handed JWH a ticket to Disneyland, but achieved instant cult status, announcing himself among the brightest prospects in the game.

"It was one of the best games I ever played,'' he recalls. "We eventually lost, which wasn't great, but it gave me something for the scrapbook."

Paul, Cheryl, Simon and Dale Dwyer at Simon Dwyer tribute night on Friday. Picture: Photo Jeremy Piper Source: News Corp Australia

And as for what he remembers of the tackle?

"I was trying to get back onside and, when I looked up, Jared was already charging at me,'' he grins. "I thought 'gee, I better throw everything at him' ... and the shot came off."

And so everyone went ''wow''. Now, however, ''what if?''

Almost four years after that tackle, both the NRL and Wests Tigers are on Monday donating Dwyer $10 from every ticket sold to Monday Night Football at Campbelltown Stadium.

The promising Macquarie Fields product who, a season after that tackle, would make another bell ringer on Canterbury rival Michael Hodgson — and not get up.

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Tearing five nerves from his spinal chord, the 25-year-old has had no movement in his right arm since. Nor has he received a cent in compensation. An injustice which rugby league is now trying to fix.

The Footy Show's Beau Ryan urged his old club to do the "right thing" and give Dwyer a job for life. The Channel 9 funnyman, whose network opened the evening with a $20,000 donation, revealed plans to have a similar dinner for Taniela Tuiaki, the Tigers winger who struggles to walk after a series of ankle surgeries forced him out of the game.

The NRL has donated Dwyer a new Holden while a grand final package they offered made $11,000 at auction. When counting is finished, organisers hope $250,000 will be raised.

For the game, it is a start. For Dwyer, the chance to leave rugby league with more than memories.

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Dark horse emerges in race to coach Knights

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NORTH Queensland Cowboys assistant coach Terry Matterson has emerged as the biggest threat to Rick Stone reclaiming the Newcastle Knights coaching job from Wayne Bennett next season.

Stone, the current Knights assistant, has been a warm favourite for the position since Bennett ­announced he was quitting the club at the end of the season.

He strengthened his grip on the job even further last Thursday when Knights officials met and decided not to pursue a rookie coach who has no top-grade ­experience.

Titans assistant coach Neil Henry is in the running for the Knights head coach job. Source: News Corp Australia

That left the likes of Penrith's much-touted lower grade coach Garth Brennan, who was heavily backed for the job by Panthers boss Phil Gould, and potential contenders such as Brett Kimmorley, Trent Barrett and Dave Fairleigh effectively out of the running.

The Knights will instead go after an emerging or experienced coach, and an interim board meeting tomorrow will likely ­settle on a shortlist and possible interview candidates.

The move brings the likes of former Cowboys coach Neil Henry, embattled Wests Tigers mentor Mick Potter, discarded Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Griffin and Stone heavily into the reckoning.

But The Daily Telegraph has learnt that Matterson, who qualifies under the criteria because of his seven seasons as head coach of Castleford in the English Super League, is highly thought of at the Knights and is the bolter in the field.

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And there are parallels with two of the NRL's best emerging coaches, Roosters premiership-winner Trent Robinson and South Sydney's Michael Maguire, who both did their top-grade coaching apprenticeships in the Super League before returning home.

Knights CEO Matt Gidley on Sunday refused to be drawn on where the club is at in relation to finding Bennett's successor and did not want to throw up potential candidates.

"We are still working through the process at this stage," Gidley said in Cairns.

"Obviously we would like to have it resolved as soon as possible but we are not going to rush into anything either as the decision we make is too important."

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Indian officials arrested over assaults

India has had a sour end to its Commonwealth Games, with reports two officials have been arrested over separate assaults. Source: Frank Augstein / AP

SCOTTISH police have arrested two Indian officials who were in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games for alleged assault, according to Indian media reports.

Indian Olympic Association secretary-general Rajeev Mehta was arrested over an incident in Glasgow on Saturday, the Times Now network reported.

Wrestling referee Virender Malik was also detained elsewhere in the Scottish city on Saturday for a separate case of assault, according to the network.

A Glasgow police spokeswoman told the network that a 45-year-old man and a 49-year-old man had been arrested but declined to name the pair or give details of the alleged incidents.

AUSSIE GOLD RUSH ON FINAL DAY OF GAMES

"It is expected both men will appear in Glasgow Sheriff Court tomorrow, Monday, the fourth of August," the spokeswoman said.

The arrests are the latest embarrassment for the IOA, which had elected officials accused of corruption related to the chaotic 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

The International Olympic Committee froze India's membership in December 2012 over the graft charges, meaning Indian athletes could not compete under the national flag at the Sochi Winter Games earlier this year.

The 14-month ban was finally lifted in February after the IOA agreed to revise its constitution, keep tainted officials out and hold fresh elections.

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LIVE Day 11: Gold for Diamonds and Kookas

Natalie Medhurst will be chasing revenge for the Diamonds' loss four years ago. Source: Adam Head / News Corp Australia

NETBALL, cycling and hockey all take centre stage on what promises to be a thrilling final day of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Follow all the action throughout the evening and replay our live blog of Australia's gold medal netball match against New Zealand below.

NO LUCK FOR AUSTRALIAN ROAD WARRIORS

AUSTRALIA'S quest to defend its Commonwealth Games road race gold medals has ended without a single rider on the podium, after our men also missed out.

A series of mechanical failures brought Australia's chances undone, with Simon Clarke and Mark Renshaw caught out just as the winning trio of Welshman Geraint Thomas, New Zealand's Jack Bauer and England's Scott Thwaites took off in the second half of the race.

Sydney rider Caleb Ewan launched a counter-attack in pursuit of the leading group but was unable to close down the gap and was eventually caught.

Caleb Ewan was Australia's final hope after the rest of his teammates fell out of contention in the men's road race. Source: Getty Images

Thomas later broke away from his fellow aggressors and rode solo to the finish, winning in 4:13.05, 1 min 21sec ahead of Bauer, who sprinted off Thwaites' wheel to claim silver.

There was drama on the final lap when Thomas had a puncture with just six kilometres remaining and took an eternity to receive a wheel change, but his advantage proved large enough to keep Thwaites and Bauer at bay.

SQUASH PAIR SQUEEZE IN ONE MORE GOLD

Australian veterans Rachael Grinham and David Palmer have added Commonwealth Games mixed doubles gold to their long list of achievements in squash.

The pair got the better of England in one of the last events of the Glasgow Games, downing Peter Barker and Alison Waters two games to zero, 11-8 11-10.

Rachael Grinham and David Palmer do battle against England's Peter Barker and Alison Waters in the gold medal match. Source: Getty Images

Grinham and Palmer were utterly dominant throughout the tournament, losing just one game along the way - to the Cayman Islands at the pool stage.

Palmer has the chance to snag a second gold when he teams up with Cameron Pilley in the men's doubles final later today.

DIAMONDS GET REDEMPTION AGAINST NEW ZEALAND

Australia salutes after collection Commonwealth Games gold in the netball competition. Source: News Corp Australia

AUSTRALIA'S netballers have ended 12 years of pain by claiming gold in emphatic style against the New Zealand Silver Ferns.

The Diamonds took a quarter to get going and were tied with their trans-Tasman rivals at the first change, but romped clear in the second half to win 58-40 and go some way to erasing the memory of their heartbreaking overtime loss four years ago.

Goal shooter Caitlin Bassett played the game of her life, missing just four goals from her 53 attempts, while captain Laura Geitz was instrumental in turning the game in Australia's favour.

REPLAY OUR COVERAGE IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW

GOLD FOR KOOKABURRAS IN ENGLAND ROUT

THE Kookaburras' generation next continued Australia's hockey dominance at the Commonwealth Games by powering home for the gold medal over India.

Chris Cirello scored three goals in the 4-0 victory to claim the Kookaburra's fifth straight gold medal and prove there is life after the all-conquering Ric Charlesworth era.

Coming after a dominant tournament, the Glasgow victory vindicated the bold gamble to leave Australian hockey icon Jamie Dwyer at home and throw faith in a young squad.

Australia was unstoppable in the gold medal match, putting four goals past India. Source: AP

The fresh faces repaid the faith, with a fast-paced performance in the final that India were not able to match.

But it was a veteran that powered them home, with 27-year-old Cirello matching the hat-trick he scored in the World Cup final win in June.

The Perth defender, whose grandfather played hockey for India, ended the Games as the leading goal-scorer.

AUSSIES MISS OUT IN WOMEN'S ROAD RACE

AUSTRALIA has missed out on a medal in the women's road race despite having two riders in the decisive breakaway of seven.

Tiffany Cromwell was just millimeteres away from a bronze medal in a sprint against South Africa's Ashleigh Pasio, while English duo Lizzie Armitstead and Emma Pooley executed the perfect one-two slingshot to grab the top two spots on the podium.

Australians Cromwell, Gracie Elvin, Melissa Hoskins and Shara Gillow were extremely active throughout the first half of the race before a breakaway of seven riders, including Cromwell and Elvin, formed inside the last 50km.

England's Lizzie Armitstead crosses the line to win the gold medal in the women's road race. Source: AFP

With 15km remaining Pooley attacked and quickly grabbed 15-second advantage, but the best was yet to come when Armitstead launched her own solomove, bridging the gap to Pooley and then racing past her and on to claim the gold medal.

Pooley, who was competing in her final race before retiring, finished 25 seconds behind Armitstead, while Pasio and Cromwell were a further 46 seconds behind.

MORE HEARTBREAK FOR ENGLISH NETBALLERS

English goaler Jo Harten is given a workover by Nicole Pinnock and Malysha Kelly. Source: Getty Images

AS if losing by a goal to the world's two top netball nations wasn't painful enough, England lost its bronze medal playoff game against Jamaica.

Again the English produced a thriller, with the scores tied at 37-37 at three-quarter time, but Jamaica found something extra in the final quarter to pull away and win 52-48.

The decision to leave towering goal shooter Jhaniele Fowler-Reid on the bench and replace her with fellow tall Romelda Aiken proved inspired for Jamaica, with Aiken shooting 44 goals from 52 attempts to lead her team to victory.

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