Bryant looks to have torn Achilles'

Kobe Bryant ... goes down injured in Lakers win. Source: AAP

Whenever Kobe Bryant's career is truly on its last legs, it might not be any more dramatic than Friday night.

After playing all 48 minutes for the first time in six years last game, Bryant nearly did it again - despite multiple moments where his body began breaking down - and then could go on no longer when he suffered a probable torn Achilles' tendon. 

He will have an MRI on Saturday.

The Lakers haven't drawn inspiration from Bryant's individual efforts all that often here in his 17th NBA season, but they were able to finish off the Golden State Warriors, 118-116.

Bryant went down when fouled with 3:08 left.

His left ankle was severely sprained earlier this season and he has been playing through a bone spur in his left foot for years. 

Bryant couldn't put pressure on that left foot - although he stayed in the game to make two free throws and tie the score, 109-109, before limping off to the locker room.

Bryant shook off a twist of his left knee early in the third quarter and another problem with his right leg.

The Lakers avoided a potentially catastrophic blow to their playoff hopes. Had they lost after Utah beat Minnesota earlier, the Jazz could've kept the Lakers out of the eighth and final Western Conference playoff slot for sure by winning its final two games.

Now, if the Lakers win their final games, they're in for sure. There is even some hope of moving up to seventh if Golden State doesn't win again and the Lakers don't lose again. 

The Lakers finish with home games against San Antonio and Houston; the Jazz finishes on the road against Minnesota and Memphis.

Warriors guard Stephen Curry poured in 47 points on 17-of-31 shooting. Curry hit nine 3-pointers in 15 attempts, one shy of Peja Stojakovic's record of 10 3-pointers by a Lakers opponent.

Resurgent Pau Gasol had a triple-double for the Lakers: 26 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists. Dwight Howard had 28 points, and Bryant had 34.

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West Coast notch first win

Comeback ... Mark LeCras makes a successful return from injury. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

West Coast have piled more misery onto Melbourne, thrashing them by 94 points in their AFL match at the MCG.

The Eagles won 27.15 (177) to 13.5 (83) on Saturday, breaking the 25.16 they kicked last year for their highest score against the Demons.

4.1 (25)	Q1	5.3 (33)
9.2 (56)	Q2	10.6 (66)
10.3 (63)	Q3	21.9 (135)
13.5 (83)	Q4	27.15 (177)

Mitchell Clark 3	Jack Darling 5
Colin Sylvia 2	Josh J. Kennedy 5
Jack Trengove 2	Dean Cox 3
Shannon Byrnes 1	Ashton Hams 3
Aaron Davey 1	Mark LeCras 3
Michael Evans 1	Callum Sinclair 2
Jeremy Howe 1	Jamie Cripps 1
James Sellar 1	Andrew Embley 1
Luke Tapscott 1	Andrew Gaff 1
	Josh Hill 1
	Shannon Hurn 1
	Chris Masten 1

The belting was West Coast's first win of the year and leaves Melbourne 0-3.

It means more pressure on coach Mark Neeld after a tumultuous week when Melbourne chief executive Cameron Schwab was told to resign.

The team also spent a night together at Sorrento outside Melbourne in an effort to regroup.

Melbourne were much more competitive in the first half, but were blown away with 11 goals to one in the third quarter.

Eagles ruckman Dean Cox was best afield, while key forwards Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling kicked five goals apiece.

Demons fans had early concerns when West Coast opened with two goals, but Melbourne kicked the next four to lead by 10 points.

While the Eagles kicked two more for an eight-point lead at quarter-time, there were plenty of good signs for the besieged Demons.

They kept coming and another run of four unanswered goals in the second term gave them a nine-point break. 

High-flying forward Jeremy Howe also took a superb mark over Andrew Embley on the wing.

But late in the second term, Melbourne's challenge ran out of steam.

Eagles players such as Cox, Matt Priddis and Daniel Kerr lifted and took the contest back to Melbourne.

Kennedy and Darling were well held early, but they also started looking more dangerous.

Leading by 10 points at halftime, the Eagles cut loose in the third term to pile the misery onto the hapless Demons.

West Coast's 11.3 was the best third term in club history, beating the 11.2 they kicked against the Western Bulldogs in 1991.

Melbourne fans again booed their team at three-quarter time.

Kerr, who was playing his first game of the season after off-season knee surgery, was subbed off for the last term.

West Coast also lost Beau Waters in the warm-up with a calf muscle injury.

Click here to view all of the stats and scores in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

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Veteran Cowboy to hang up boots

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North Queensland ... veteran Ashley Graham to retire at seasons end. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

Cowboys veteran Ashley Graham has cleared up confusion surrounding his future by revealing plans to retire at season's end due to an arthritic ankle.

Speculation last month suggested Graham was contemplating pulling the pin, prompting North Queensland's official website to report the 28-year-old had not ruled out playing on in 2014.

But ahead of the Cowboys' derby clash with Brisbane tonight at Suncorp Stadium, Graham told The Courier-Mail he is treating the 2013 campaign as his NRL swansong.

The Maroons Origin hopeful has been one of the code's most underrated performers, with Graham just two tries shy of 100 career four-pointers and needing a further nine games to reach the 200-match milestone.

Graham wasn't named to face the Broncos, but has travelled with the Cowboys squad and is expected to replace Kalifa Faifai Loa on the flank tonight.

The former Eels threequarter is off-contract at season's end and it is understood Cowboys management do not expect to hold a fresh round of negotiations.

"At the moment I'm looking at retiring at the end of the season," Graham said.

"I'll see how the year goes for me, but I'm looking at retiring and enjoying this as my last season."

Graham is only 29 in June, but has done well to carve out a decade-long career after suffering a shocking fracture of his ankle during his formative years at Parramatta.

The onset of arthritis has made Graham's footballing life increasingly difficult, making his 21-try effort last season even more commendable.

"My ankle is not the best in the world," he said with a wry grin.

"It's probably the right time in my life to start a new chapter.

"I've had plenty of injuries and been playing with them for a while now.

"I'll finish my sports-science degree at the end of this season so hopefully I can pursue that. If not, I'm not sure what I'll do, but I'm not too concerned at the moment because playing well for the Cowboys is my main focus.

"The body is hanging in there. It's only the start of the season so it's going to get worse, but hopefully it will be another good year for me."

Cowboys teammate Brent Tate, who himself has battled an assortment of injuries, said Graham did not get enough kudos for his proficiency on the wing.

"I room with Ash and I know he's been thinking about it (retirement)," Tate said.

"He is one of the best wingers I have played inside. He's a true gentleman of the game as well and a quality all-round guy.

"I told him that you are a long-time retired but I don't talk to him too much about it because that's his call."

Tate said a maiden Queensland Origin jumper would be the ultimate reward for Graham in his final season.

"I know he would dearly love it ... he's such a bloody professional and he's so underrated," he said.

"Even when the Cowboys were struggling he was still playing well and he was our leading tryscorer last year.

"I'm so thankful for what he's brought to our team." 

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Eels to sign England Test duo

Gareth Hock ... and Lee Mossop to be signed by Parramatta. Source: AAP

Parramatta are on the verge of signing English Internationals Gareth Hock and Lee Mossop.

Eels recruitment manager Peter Nolan has travelled to Great Britain to finalise negotiations and a transfer fee with the pair's club, Wigan.

It's understood complex talks have been ongoing for months to sign the forward duo, which will add enormous grunt to Parramatta's pack from next season onwards.

The Eels pursued Hock late last year, but could not afford Wigan's transfer fee at the time. Although he's still contracted to the Warriors, Hock is now playing with Widnes on a loan that expires in November.

The 29-year-old has played a total of eight Tests for England and Great Britain and is renowned as one of the UK Super League's most aggressive players.

Mossop, 24, made his International debut during last season's Tri series against Wales and France.

Eels officials this afternoon confirmed Nolan will watch Mossop in action this weekend and are hopeful of both deals being sealed by Monday.

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Preview: Wanderers v Roar

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Big stage ... who will be a gamebreaker on Friday night? Source:News Limited

Foxsports.com.au bring you everything you need to know about Friday night's A-League preliminary final between Western Sydney Wanderers and Brisbane Roar.

WHAT, WHEN, WHERE: Wanderers v Roar, Friday 7.30pm (EST), Parramatta Stadium, Fox Sports 1 HD 

FORM GUIDE: Wanderers (BWDWWW), Roar (WWWLDW)

MATCH ODDS: Wanderers $1.90, draw $3.40, Roar $3.75 (TAB - as of 11/4/2013)

THE NEXT STEP: simple: the winner goes to the grand final. The loser starts planning for next year. 

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TALE OF THE TAPE

It's fitting that should Tony Popovic's side go on and achieve a phenomenal double that they should have to knock the back-to-back champions off their perch on the way. 

Friday night's match-up pits the in-form Roar against the Wanderers' juggernaut. They have lost all three clashes against the new boys. 

The Roar are through to the penultimate game after disposing of the internally-combusting Adelaide Untied at Hindmarsh Stadium last week. Brisbane had far too much quality for the Reds – but promisingly for the defending champions, energy, tempo and structure was more like the Roar of old, especially in the first hour. 

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The media has been on Thomas Broich watch all week and it looks as though the German star will play on Friday night. Coach Mike Mulvey declared "I fully expect him to play" after the skipper went through his paces for an hour on Thursday.

There's no doubt Roar are peaking at the right time, but Western Sydney have been in form for three months. The perennial finals questions about coping with expectations, the (dis)advantage of a week's rest and the pressure of a cup-tie have all been asked, but the Wanderers have enough wins under the belt not to be rattled by all that talk. 

They're on the cusp of something monumental. Players, staff and everyone involved with the club say they aren't ready to reflect yet because there's still a job to do. 

LAST MEETING

An improved second-half, with goals from Mark Bridge and Youssouf Hersi, saw the Wanderers peg back Mitch Nichols's first-half goal to complete their treble of wins over the champions. There was a tinge of controversy with the winner, with complaints Ono was in a 

STATS AMAZING

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Stats re-enforce the fascinating contrast in styles we'll see on Friday: the Roar lead the league in passes and pass accuracy (85.5 per cent) but the Wanderers bring up the rear with the least passes and lowers accuracy (76.2). 

That won't bother the organised Wanderers' outfit, who have dominated territory in 13/14 home matches this year. 

Brisbane are undefeated in their last seven finals matches, having scored two or more goals in each game. This year, the Wanderers have lost all three of their home games when conceding two goals. 

There should be plenty of goal mouth action too, with the Wanderers (first, 15.9 per game) and Roar (third, 13.7) leaders in firing shots at goal.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Shinji Ono v Thomas Broich. The two stars have been under an injury cloud, but in big games like this, big players are the difference. 

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Broich is at the centre of everything good that happens at Brisbane, and against the stubborn, organised and determined Wanderers' structure, he could provide that moment of magic to unlock their defence. 

Ono has evolved into a fan favourite at Wanderland and it's no wonder, given his charm and class on and off the pitch. The Roar will likely dominate possession – they always tend to, with Steven Lustica, Mitch Nichols and co providing excellent energy in the midfield.

But the Wanderers don't care if their opponents spend more time on the ball, because they're working just as hard off the ball, ready to pounce on the break or any loose ball. There will be plenty of hard work done in the middle, but when the moment comes to unleash a Mark Bridge or Youssouf Hersi, or even surge forward through the middle, Ono is the man for the moment. 

The bigger contributor could go a long way to deciding the game. 

WHAT THEY SAID

Tony Popovic: "It's been a tremendous journey. With each victory, this playing group has shown they want more. They continue to raise the bar. They went 10 games in a row – that's not easy to do. It's really encouraging to see that with this playing group and they'll bring that commitment and desire on Friday night and we hope to continue that on Friday night."

Shinji Ono: "This is the system I know now and I want to get one more championship with this team.

"This (the Wanderers) is the best team, but Australian people like more big games.''

Mike Mulvey: "I've got every confidence in him. There's no question in my mind  he's travelling, he's playing. 

"He wants to play, which is the most important thing, and I expect him to be on the field tomorrow night.

"He's got bruising and it's a question now of coping with that bruising."

Luke Brattan: "We're experienced in that and it's a one-off game and anything can happen.

"I think on our day we can beat anyone and we've shown that in the last couple of weeks that we're back to our best and taking momentum into the finals."

ROBBIE'S VERDICT

"At home, with the amazing support they're going to have, I have to go with the Wanderers. 

I always go back to their quality - although Brisbane have gotten better, they're up against the meanest defence in the league. 

If Broich plays, he's not going to be fully fit. I just think the Wanderers, with Ono, Hersi, their structure - they will have their measure. 

Of course Brisbane are a chance, and plenty of peoplpe can see them winning, but the Wanderers absolutely deserve favouritism."

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Broich named in Roar squad

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Heel ... Thomas Broich named to play on Friday night. Source: Peter Wallis / News Limited

Brisbane Roar have named influencial midfielder Thomas Broich for their preliminary final clash against Western Sydney Wanderers despite an injury cloud.

Broich was in doubt after suffering a heal injury in the Roar's win over Adelaide United last Sunday but is on track to play on Friday.

For the Wanderers, Shinji Ono, Aaron Mooy and Jerome Polenz have all been named to return from injury.

Meanwhile, Central Coast Mariners have bolstered their team with several key inclusions; Josh Rose, John Hutchinson, Bernie Ibini and Michael McGlinchey.

The Victory have added Diogo Ferreira, Jimmy Jeggo and Francesco Stella to the squad but three players will drop out before Sunday's game.

---

Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar, 7.30pm (EST) Friday at Parramatta Stadium

Western Sydney Wanderers: 1. Ante Covic (GK), 2. Shannon Cole, 4. Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 5. Michael Beauchamp, 6. Jerome Polenz, 7. Labinot Haliti, 8. Mateo Poljak, 9. Dino Kresinger, 10. Aaron Mooy, 11. Tarek Elrich, 13. Joey Gibbs, 14. Kwabena Appiah-Kubi, 15. Reece Caira, 16. Rocky Visconte, 17. Youssouf Hersi, 19. Mark Bridge, 21. Shinji Ono, 23. Jason Trifiro, 24. Yianni Perkatis, 25. Josh Barresi, 30 Carlos Saliadarre (GK) (four to be omitted)

Ins: 6. Jerome Polenz, 10. Aaron Mooy, 21. Shinji Ono (all return from injury), 25. Josh Barresi (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 3. Adam D'Apuuzo (foot), 20. Jerrad Tyson (back - season), Tahj Minniecon (foot - season) 18. Iacopo La Rocca (suspended – 3 matches)

Brisbane Roar: 1. Michael Theo (gk), 3. Shane Stefanutto, 5. Ivan Franjic, 7. Besart Berisha, 8. Massimo Murdocca, 9. Stef Nijland, 10. Henrique, 11. Ben Halloran, 13. Jade North, 14. Steven Lustica, 15. James Donachie, 17. Mitch Nichols, 18. Luke Brattan, 19. Jack Hingert, 20. Matt Acton (gk), 22. Thomas Broich (c), 21. James Meyer, 25. George Lambadaridis, 26. Corey Brown (three to be omitted)

Ins: 10. Henrique (promoted), 21. James Meyer (promoted), 25. George Lambadaridis (promoted), 26. Corey Brown (promoted)

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 2. Matt Smith (hip – season)

Referee: Alan Milliner

Central Coast Mariners v Melbourne Victory, 5pm (EST) Sunday at Bluetongue Stadium

Central Coast Mariners: 1. Mathew Ryan (Gk), 2. Daniel McBreen, 3. Joshua Rose, 4. Pedj Bojic, 5. Zachary Anderson, 6. Patrick Zwaanswijk, 7. John Hutchinson (c), 8. Adriano Pellegrino, 9. Bernie Ibini, 11. Oliver Bozanic, 13. Brent Griffiths, 14. Michael McGlinchey, 15. Brad McDonald, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 17. Anthony Caceres, 18. Nick Montgomery, 19. Mitchell Duke, 20. Justin Pasfield (Gk), 21. Mile Sterjovski, 24. Hayden Morton, 29. Nick Fitzgerald (six to be omitted)

Ins: 3. Joshua Rose, 7. John Hutchinson, 9. Bernie Ibini, 14. Michael McGlinchey, 16. Trent Sainsbury, 18. Nick Montgomery

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: 23. Adam Kwasnik (knee – season)

Melbourne Victory: 1. Tando Velaphi (GK), 5. Mark Milligan, 6. Leigh Broxham, 9. Marcos Flores, 10. Archie Thompson, 11. Marco Rojas, 13. Diogo Ferreira, 14. Billy Celeski, 17. Jimmy Jeggo, 18. Francesco Stella, 21. Spase Dilevski, 23. Adrian Leijer, 26. Andrew Nabbout, 27. Christopher Cristaldo, 30. Jason Geria, 31. Scott Galloway, 32. Connor Pain, 33. Daniel Mullen, 34. Dylan Murnane, 39. Nathan Coe (GK)
(three to be omitted)

Ins: 13. Diogo Ferreira, 17. Jimmy Jeggo, 18. Francesco Stella.

Outs: Nil

Unavailable: Gui Finkler (knee), Adama Traore (ankle)

Referee: Strebre Delovski

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Bubba the Master of blubber

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Blubbering ... Bubba Watson fights back a tear as he's asked about donning the green jacket. Source:AAP

US Masters champion Bubba Watson is well known for his antics on course and is becoming just as well known for his waterworks off it.

The American has burst into tears for the cameras again, this time after an innocuous question about the famous green jacket he won in 2012.

"I'll probably cry again," Watson warned. And promptly did.

Telling the story of introducing his then one-month-old adopted son Caleb to one of sport's most iconic items, Watson started weeping.

"I went home and wrapped Caleb up in it," he said.

"That's the only thing I did with it. Out of respect, out of honour.

"Out of respect and honour for Augusta National, as one of the greatest clubs we have, as one of the greatest tournaments, out of respect for them I didn't do any of my funny antics that I normally would do."

Watson's extrovert nature, and his waterworks, have endeared him to the public but not everyone.

Former major winner Colin Montgomerie wasn't impressed, pointing out 12 months had passed since Watson's triumph and that should have been plenty of time to get his emotions in check.

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Marshall out for at least a month

Turf toe ... Marshall will miss the Test against Australia. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Wests Tigers five-eighth Benji Marshall will miss at least a month of NRL action after scans confirmed the New Zealand Test star had fallen victim to a turf toe injury in Monday night's loss to Melbourne Storm.

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The club had feared Marshall could be out for up to three months but, despite scans revealing he had picked up the dreaded toe ligament injury, coach Mick Potter remained confident the 28-year-old would return for the Tigers' round-nine clash with Cronulla Sharks.

Marshall will stay in a moon boot for the next fortnight, ruling him out of Friday week's Test match against Australia in Canberra.

Marshall was named to face St George Illawarra Dragons on Sunday, with a replacement yet to be confirmed.

Tim Moltzen has experience in the halves, and a move would allow youngster James Tedesco to shift from the wing to his preferred role at fullback, while halfback Jacob Miller was only recently dropped to reserve grade.

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Lake says he's ready to go on Sunday

Comeback trail ... Brian Lake is hopefully of playing this weekend. Source: Stephen Harman / AAP

Hawthorn's new key defender Brian Lake has put his hand up to play against Collingwood on Sunday.

Lake declared himself ready to go after pulling up well following a hitout in the VFL last weekend.

The Hawks face a decision whether to bring in the former Bulldog to help contain Magpie tall targets Travis Cloke and Quinten Lynch or rely on the same back six that did the job against West Coast in Perth on Sunday.

Fellow defender Josh Gibson said Lake believes he's ready to play his first game for his new club if the selectors give him the nod.

"It was his first hitout since NAB one (first week of NAB Cup) and he got through well. It's only Monday so I can't tell you how they're going to pick the side, but speaking to him this morning he has pulled up well and he's just rapt to be playing footy again," Gibson said.

"It would be a nice little delicacy if we can slot him in there, but so far the guys have been doing a fantastic job."

"So, if he gets up to play, that would be great, but we can't rely on just hoping he will play.

"He'll speak to the fitness staff and assess.

"I don't know how many minutes he played in the VFL and whatnot. That will all be taken into consideration before they make a call on whether he plays or not.

"He's always chomping at the bit.

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"Everyone wants to be playing senior footy, especially for a new club.

"I know he was pretty excited this morning that he got through and didn't have any sore spots.So look out this week."

Gibson said the Hawks' defenders were relishing another challenge to curb twin towers up forward for the third consecutive week.

"Those two (Cloke and Lynch) have just started playing together," he said.

"Before it was Dawesy (Chris Dawes) and Cloke and they were pretty damaging.

"It seems that every week some team has got two big forwards.

"We had Pods (James Podsiadly) and (Tom) Hawkins and then it was (Jack) Darling and (Josh) Kennedy.

"So it was just another week at the office, having to play on gorillas.

"But we love playing on the best guys and the back six has been playing well as a unit."

Midfielder Brad Sewell, subbed off in Perth with hamstring soreness, was being assessed on Tuesday on whether he can play at the MCG on Sunday.

"I saw him out there this morning going for a walk-jog. I've heard he had a scan. The medical team will meet this afternoon, but he was jogging," Gibson said.

Gibson marvelled at the work by small forwards Cyril Rioli and Luke Breust inside the forward 50 against the Eagles.

"Their defensive pressure was really good and they got some reward by kicking goals," Gibson said.

"When you've got those guys getting at the feet of Haley (David Hale) and Bud (Lance Franklin) and Rough (Jarryd Roughead), it's pretty damaging down there.

"It's a great challenge for us, getting to play the best teams early and we're really looking forward to the clash on Sunday before a big crowd.

"When you're playing the top sides, you're not going to control the game for the four quarters, but the pleasing thing was when they had control of it, we were able to get it back on our terms."

And he said captain Luke Hodge had pulled up well after his first AFL game of the season and the long flights.

"He's a warrior, you see the way he attacks the footy, it gets the side up. And he was pretty excited to be back out there too," Gibson said.

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'Why I nearly walked out on Cats'

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I nearly walked ... Scarlett tells Mike Sheahan plenty. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

Matthew Scarlett has revealed how close he came to leaving Geelong at the end of 2006 when he threatened to walk out on the Cats if assistant coach Daryn Cresswell was appointed to replace Mark Thompson as senior coach.

In an in-depth interview with Mike Sheahan on Open Mike on Monday night, a candid Scarlett spoke of his displeasure at rumours circulating about Thompson's future at the end of a wretched 2006 season that saw the club finish 10th.

"I'd heard that a few of the board members had already thought that [Cresswell] was going to be our next coach and he'd already been chosen," Scarlett said.

"I'd also heard Cresswell was saying that he was going to be the next coach.

"I think I'm a pretty good judge of character and I was just hoping that that wasn't the case and I was going in to bat for Bomber.

"I said that if Bomber had left I would have left and I'm sure there would have been a lot of other players who would have left as well.

"We were around at Tommy Harley's house. We'd had a couple of beers, not too many, and we were having a chat about the direction of the club and I just thought I wanted to go in to bat for a bloke who was under siege.

"There was no one else at the footy club going in to stick up for Bomber, so I thought I was the man to do it.

"I had grave concerns that he was going to go and the footy club would have to be rebuilt again … it would have been a massive mistake."

Geelong went on to win the flag the year after that tumultuous off-season, while Creswell was arrested and convicted on fraud charges in 2010.

In the wide-ranging interview Scarlett also talks about his comfort at his decision to retire at the end of the 2012 season, his belief that the Cats will win the premiership this season, his famous dust-ups with St Kilda great Robert Harvey and Fremantle's Hayden Ballantyne and a less-publicised confrontation with teammate Steve Johnson.

"Me and Stevie Johnson nearly had a punch-on one day," he said.

"We both weren't happy with each other over a game. Our relationship wasn't great early on. It's terrific now, but we nearly had a bit of a dust-up at the club.

"I thought sometimes Stevie would be playing for himself and Stevie was annoyed with me with some of the things I was doing as well. We didn't have a lot of respect for each other.

"I probably didn't understand Stevie and he didn't understand me, but once we built that relationship now we're really good."

Scarlett also shines a light on the pivotal period in Geelong's history that included a brutally honest player meeting, which helped turn a talented but erratic team into a premiership powerhouse.

"We obviously had a lot of talent at that stage (at the end of 2006), but we were doing a lot of things wrong off the field," he said.

"We weren't respecting each other or the game of footy. I think that was a pivotal moment in the cultural change at our club."

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Foxtel commits $20m to football

Future looks bright ... Foxtel is supporting grassroots Aussie football. Source: Supplied

Foxtel has pledged $20 million over the next four years to support grassroots and elite football in a major boost to the sport in Australia.

The partnership was announced at a special launch at Fox Sports' new Sydney headquarters on Monday.

News Limited chief executive Rupert Murdoch hailed Foxtel and Fox Sports' coverage of the world game and said the program would help develop Australia's next crop of football stars, while encouraging participation in team sport. 

"Fox Sports together with their professional partnership with FFA have helped raise the profile of the sport in Australia," Murdoch told an audience including A-League stars Daniel McBreen and Brett Emerton.

"They support the dreams and aspirations of kids and parents alike."

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Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop couldn't hide his excitement about what the program would mean to football at a time when the sport is "going gangbusters".

"Today is another bloody good day for Australian football," Gallop said.

"Let me tell you a few things that make football unique. Football is the game that represents Australia in all of its diversity. Football is international.

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"The cool kid at school is into football.

"It's the most played sport at youth level in this country."

Under the new deal, Foxtel will extend its financial support of the game as well as offering two grassroots programs to allow kids achieve their footballing dreams.

Socceroos superstar Tim Cahill will join the Foxtel All Stars Ambition program, designed to promote an active and healthy lifestyle for kids of all ages and walks of life.

The initiative will deliver 10 two-day clinics to kids across Australia, which Foxtel chief executive Richard Freudenstein says will help grow the sport in Australia.

"Together with Fox Sports, our long association with the game has given viewers the best view of the game," he said.

"We want to help more kids play sport and be healthy. We want to encourage next generation of football stars."

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Masters cub puts fear in Tiger

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Hunted ... Tigers Woods is wary of Chinese prodigy Guan Tianlang. Source: Robyn Beck / AAP

Tiger Woods fears almost nothing in golf, but having 14-year-old Chinese prodigy Guan Tianlang set to become the youngest starter in US Masters history has sent a shiver down his spine.

Guan had not been born when Woods won his first major title at the 1997 Masters, but the Asian schoolboy has been inspired by Woods and has spent the past month in Augusta preparing for his historic debut on Thursday.

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"It's frightening to think that he was born after I won my first Masters," Woods said. "I mean, that's just frightening."

Woods, 37, played in his first Masters at age 19 and Italy's Matteo Manassero, at age 16 in 2010, had been the youngest player in Masters history until now.

Guan qualified for his historic moment at Augusta National Golf Club by winning last year's Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand.

"I'm so excited," Guan said. "I'm really happy to become the youngest player at the Masters."

Guan, a native of Guangzhou, was born on October 25, 1998 and has intently studied Woods, who has served as an inspiration for young talent globally in collecting 14 major wins, four shy of Jack Nicklaus' career record.

"It's exciting that I have inspired kids to play and not just here in the States but obviously in China and around the world," Woods said.

"The game has become global. There are more countries represented on the PGA Tour than ever.

"It's only going to increase, and we're going to have a lot of players from countries that traditionally haven't been into golf that are going to start to play this game at a high level."

Helping that cause has been golf's inclusion in the list of Olympic sports starting with the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Games.

"With the Olympics being involved, government funding is going to be involved trying to get these kids to that type of level, and that's only going to make it better for the game of golf."

That could put Woods and Guan, rivals this week for the green jacket symbolic of a Masters champion, on a collision course once again in three years for another epic prize - Olympic gold.

"It is every athlete's dream to represent their home country to compete at the Olympics," Guan told AFP last month.

"It will be the greatest honor to me if I can represent China at the 2016 Olympics, and I will definitely keep working hard on it."

Guan began playing at age four and won the world junior title by 11 shots in 2011 in San Diego. Last year, he became the youngest player in a European Tour event when he played the Volvo China Open at the age of 13 years and 177 days.

Facing the undulating greens of Augusta National and the intense spotlight of a major championship, Guan said making the 36-hole cut will be an achievement this week.

"It's an honour for me to be able to play with the best golfers in the world," Guan said.

"To me, the only goal is to enjoy the event and give my best and, of course, if I can make the cut that would be even better."

But Guan already hungers for the ultimate prize of every elite golfer around the world.

"I have a dream since I was a little boy," Guan said.

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Cats come from behind to stun Roos

High flyer ... Josh Caddy takes a hanger over Scott McMahon. Source: George Salpigtidis / Herald Sun

Jimmy Bartel has kicked a goal inside the last minute to hand Geelong a stunning four-point win against North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

4.0 (24)	Q1	7.1 (43)
6.4 (40)	Q2	12.3 (75)
13.8 (86)	Q3	15.5 (95)
16.16 (112)	Q4	17.6 (108)

Allen Christensen 3	Lindsay Thomas 5
Tom Hawkins 3	Drew Petrie 4
Paul Chapman 2	Robbie Tarrant 2
Steven Motlop 2	Leigh Adams 1
Jimmy Bartel 1	Liam Anthony 1
Josh Caddy 1	Shaun Atley 1
Mitchell Duncan 1	Ryan Bastinac 1
Tom Lonergan 1	Aaron Mullett 1
James Podsiadly 1	Daniel Wells 1
Joel Selwood 1

With the Roos clinging to a slender lead Nathan Grima was penalised for a push in the back to Bartel inside the Cats' attacking 50. A difficult set shot from 35m out became a certainty when Michael Firritto then kicked the ball clear to give away a 50m penalty.

The Kangaroos got off to a flyer and led the Cats by 19 points at quarter-time before extending their advantage to 35 points at half-time.

Geelong fought back to trail by nine points at the last break before kicking three goals to the Roos' two in an epic final term.

Lindsay Thomas kicked five goals for North while Tom Hawkins kicked three for Geelong.

More to come.

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Fierce Dragons down Knights

Jamie Soward ... gets round Tyrone Roberts during St George Illawarra v Newcastle. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

He's still waiting to find out if he'll be in charge of St George Illawarra next year, but coach Steve Price continues to have the wood on Wayne Bennett's Newcastle as the Dragons held off the Knights with a breathless 19-16 win on Sunday at WIN Jubilee Oval.

3 Tries 3
Brett Morris 12'	Darius Boyd 46'
Jason Nightingale 52'	Timana Tahu 65'
Tyson Frizell 60'	Akuila Uate 80'
2 Conversions 2
Jamie Soward 14'	Kurt Gidley 47'
Jamie Soward 61'	Kurt Gidley 66'
1 Penalties 0
Jamie Soward 7'
1 Field Goals 0
Jamie Soward 40'

Price was Bennett's assistant when the joint-venture won the 2010 grand final and was then handed the reins when the seven-time premiership winner moved north in 2011.

But his tenure has not been a smooth one with the club openly courting Melbourne's Craig Bellamy and refusing to guarantee his future after opening the season with three successive losses having missed out on the finals last year.

But in three meetings with his former boss Price is yet to taste defeat and he'll be able sleep a little easier as he side chalked up a second successive and deserved victory in front of a crowd of 14,226.

Former NSW five-eighth Jamie Soward opened the scoring after eight minutes with a penalty in front to the posts and the Dragons extended their lead through Brett Morris just before the quarter-hour mark.

It was a bright start from the hosts with Morris putting the finishing touches to a sweeping right to left move.

The Knights have been comfortable winners in three of their first four games, victories which have all come at Hunter Stadium.

But on the road they look a different proposition and produced little in attack in the opening stanza which concluded with a 35-metre field goal from Soward that clipped the left post before clearing the crossbar for the Dragons to lead 9-0 at halftime.

Bennett's side were much improved after the break and former Dragon Darius Boyd raced to the line eight minutes after the restart for his side's opening try.

To compound the blow for the home team, Gerard Beale was forced off with a knee injury leaving them down to 16 players for the remainder of the game.

Jason Nightingale hit back almost immediately for the home side and the Dragons were over again nine minutes later through young back-rower Tyson Frizell who scampered home after Boyd was clattered by Morris and Nathan Fien to knock the ball loose.

Timana Tahu ensured a tight finish with a try 15 minutes from time that was converted by Kurt Gidley.

Despite the Knights throwing the kitchen sink in the final stages, the Dragons defence held firm, with a Akuila Uate try in the final seconds nothing more than a consolation for the visitors.

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