Power crash Tippet's party

Crash landing ... Port Adelaide spoil Kurt Tippett's Sydney debut. Source: BEN MACMAHON / AAP

Emerging star Chad Wingard inspired Port Adelaide to the upset of the AFL season, a slogging 18-point comeback victory against Sydney on Saturday.

The Power trailed at three-quarter time but Wingard triggered a late surge as Port won 10.12 (72) to 8.6 (54) at a sodden AAMI Stadium.

1.2 (8)	Q1	4.1 (25)
3.5 (23)	Q2	5.2 (32)
5.6 (36)	Q3	6.4 (40)
10.12 (72)	Q4	8.6 (54)

Chad Wingard 3	Adam Goodes 2
Angus Monfries 2	Kieren Jack 2
Matthew Broadbent 1	Kurt Tippett 2
Robert Gray 1	Tom Mitchell 1
Jake Neade 1	Mitch Morton 1
Jay Schulz 1
Justin Westhoff 1

Port ruined the comeback game of Sydney's prized recruit Kurt Tippett, who kicked a goal in the first minute and finished with two in an ominous debut for the Swans.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	12	11	0	1	143.00	44
2	Geelong	11	10	0	1	129.49	40
3	Essendon	12	9	0	3	131.57	36
4	Sydney	12	8	1	3	130.22	34
5	Fremantle	11	8	1	2	128.57	34
6	Collingwood	12	8	0	4	108.47	32
7	Port Adelaide	12	7	0	5	115.57	28
8	Richmond	11	7	0	4	114.27	28
9	Carlton	12	6	0	6	116.89	24
10	West Coast	12	6	0	6	111.53	24
11	Adelaide	12	5	0	7	103.55	20
12	Gold Coast	12	5	0	7	92.55	20
13	North Melbourne	11	4	0	7	111.13	16
14	Bulldogs	11	3	0	8	75.84	12
15	Brisbane	11	3	0	8	73.56	12
16	St Kilda	11	2	0	9	85.80	8
17	Melbourne	11	1	0	10	49.76	4
18	Greater Western Sydney	12	0	0	12	51.41	0

But in wet and windy conditions, Port kicked five goals to two in the last term to stun the Swans and climb into the top eight.

Wingard booted three goals, including two in the tense final stanza, while Port's acting captain Brad Ebert, Matthew Broadbent and veteran hard-nuts Dom Cassisi and Tom Logan revelled in the heavy going.

The Swans were superbly served by midfielders Josh Kennedy and Jarrad McVeigh and backman Nick Malceski was prominent.

But the flag fancies lost ex-skipper Adam Goodes, who was substituted at three-quarter time with an injured right knee.

The dual Brownlow medallist watched a final term in which the lead changed five times before Wingard helped to seal Sydney's fate.

The 19-year-old was instrumental in delivering first-year coach Ken Hinkley his greatest win after the Power slipped behind early as Tippett took centre stage.

Tippett took a mark just 11 seconds into his playing career at Sydney, and then converted, in an impressive comeback after an 11-match suspension for his illegal 2009 contract with his former club, Adelaide.

Tippett potted another some 17 minutes later as Sydney crafted a 4.1 to 1.2 advantage by quarter-time.

But the Port, in two quarters of water-logged work, snuck within four points at the last break.

The home side, inspired by Wingard, then overwhelmed the reigning premiers to bank their seventh win from 12 games this season.

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

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Wimbledon draw: the Aussies

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Wimbledon ... Lleyton Hewitt draws Swiss star Stan Wawrinka in the first round. Source: Jonathan Brady / AAP

Draw day at a Grand slam – when players find out their first round oppoenents and everyone else gets wwwaaayyyy ahead of themselves as to who is playing who in 10 days time, as if to wish away what happens between now and then.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

This Wimbledon has Serena playing someone else in the final.

And in the men's, 2 of the Big 4 (Djokovic, Murray, Federer, Nadal) would play in the Quarter Finals, thanks to the odd (at best) decision to put Rafael Nadal as the 5th seed behind David Ferrer at 4.

---

Wimbledon 2013 - Ultimate Guide

---

Yes, there was a procedure to follow – Wimbledon uses a special formula taking into account grass court performances and rankings – not just the latter, and the computer came up with the notion Ferrer is a better grass court player than Nadal right now. This does not compute.

Nadal has been punished for losing to Lukas Rosol in the 2nd round last year – he didn't admit injury at the time, but spending the next 7 months off was a fair indication – and also not playing a lead up event after the French Open.

Ferrer, an accomplished player who did well on the surface in 2012 (winning a title in Holland before a good run here), is lucky, and good on him.

But tennis failed to luck-out, because the vast majority wants to see the Big 4 in the last 4.

Anyway, short-term goals are what the Australians are about. Here's a look at their first-up tasks:

SAM STOSUR

Yes, drawing an 18 year-old Slovakian lucky-loser clay-court specialist looks a good draw for Sam, but seriously, who really knows. Her record at Wimbledon is the worst of the 4 majors – 6 wins, 10 losses, best result 3rd round, with just 1 win in the last 3 years. A horror show. But drawing Anna Schmiedlova first is surely a positive. Surely.

LLEYTON HEWITT

What do you do when you draw a talented Swiss one-handed backhand player? Practice with the best Swiss one-handed backhand player. Hewitt spent 2 hours on court with Roger Federer on Friday – and beat him too, to the point of frustration the defending champ at one stage flipped his racquet on the turf in disgust: the Halley's Comet of tennis. Hewitt-Wawrinka is the first round match neither man wants, but is the first round encounter most talked about after the draw. Hewitt is in good nick, as is Wawrinka who has made the final at the event in Holland (played Saturday night). A cracker awaits.

BERNARD TOMIC

Thanks in part to his father's situation and winning a few matches at the lead-up in Eastbourne, Tomic hasn't been sighted on the grounds yet, although he's expected to practice over the weekend. He played well at Eastbourne, losing a tight one to Gilles Simon, who played some brilliant shots on big points. Tomic gets Sam Querrey, the 21st seeded American who has a better win percentage on grass than any other surface. Not ideal, which is what happens when you don't have protection as a seed – which has occurred for Tomic because he's been unable to build on his impressive start to the season in Australia, winning just  1 of 7 matches in the lead up to Eastbourne.

MARINKO MATOSEVIC

9 Grand Slams played. 9 first round losses. It's not funny anymore. Big Marinko needs a break and gets one here with Frenchman Guillaume Rufin, ranked 89, aged 23 and winner of just 5 matches on tour this year. The Australian has the ability to think too harshly of himself when things go awry, but if he stays the distance mentally in this, ability should see him finally breakthrough for a win.

MATT EBDEN

Got a wildcard (good year to get it with every main draw player guaranteed at least 40 grand) before drawing Japanese star Kei Nishikori first. The South African born Ebden moved to Perth as a youngster, which turned out to be the perfect preparation for Wimbledon as the West Australian capital is a grass court haven and Ebden has spent a lot of time on them over the years, and he warmed up on Friday with a win over Tommy Haas in an exhibition match nearby. All of which will help - and he needs it against Nishikori who is playing career best tennis.

JAMES DUCKWORTH

The Duck has done it the hard way again – after qualifying at the French open, he did it again here at nearby Roehampton and will open his Wimbledon career against Denis Kudla – a Ukrainian-born American, ranked 105 in the world who made the quarter-finals at Queens a couple of weeks ago. Duckworth, who loves nothing more than a bit of hard work, will go in with confidence; this being his 3rd Grand Slam appearance of the year.

MATT REID

The real feel-good story of the past few days – ranked 213 in the world, Reid is 22 years old and ready for his career highlight. Like many of his age, he grew up watching Pat Rafter when he really should have been sleeping for school the next day. He got past Somdev Devvarman in the first round of qualifying 18-16 in the final set and then recovered to reach his first Grand Slam main draw at the 7th time of asking. A massive Wallabies fan, he's scheduled practice on Saturday around the first Lions test. Then on Monday he'll play Radek Stepanek – the former top tenner Aussie teenager Nick Kyrgios upstaged in the first round of the French Open. Earlier this year, Reid was playing challengers in places like West Lakes in Adelaide and Kunming in China. Now he gets play at the greatest place in tennis.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bartel to play after American trip

Thumbs up ... Jimmy Bartel is ready to take on Brisbane after returning from the USA. Source: JULIAN SMITH / AAP

Need all the late selection whispers and best FOX FOOTY SuperCoach and betting mail? Step into the Panic Room.

WHISPERS

Fear not FOX FOOTY SuperCoach fans, Jimmy Bartel is making the trip to Brisbane and will line-up against the Lions.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Since word got out that the Brownlow Medallist had his week off watching NBA in the US, it was presumed he would missing the following week at the Gabba.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

But Bartel has come back fresh and told the Cats hierarchy early in the week that he wanted to play.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

The Cats are happy to go with him - 90/10 is the percentage being thrown around his likelihood of lining up - given they are mindful of an improved looking Brisbane team and the bad look of so blatantly resting Bartel.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

While on the Cats ex-Gold Coast Sun Josh Caddy is expected to get a reprieve while Billie Smedts could be the man having a rest.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Our big watch player for the round is Chris Dawes. The last time we saw the Melbourne forward he was on crutches because of a badly sprained ankle and looked like a man who wouldn't be playing for a month - not in 12 days time.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

SUPERCOACH ALERT

If you're the only person in Australia who didn't draft in Sydney's Tom Mitchell after his extraordinary debut a few weeks ago, then do it now. He is the biggest steal in FOX FOOTY SuperCoach history at $115,900 given after two games he averages over 100 points.

The other bubble boy who has shown lots is Nathan Hrovat from the Western Bulldogs and at $114,500 he is perfect for a downgrade option to raise some cash.

MONEY MATTERS

The biggest moral of the weekend is the fact Sydney will go out of their way to get Kurt Tippett a goal early in his return to football in Adelaide.

To mark the occasion the bookies are offering odds on which quarter big Kurt will kick a goal. If you shop around there is $2.25 available for the opening term which, as they say in the business, is printing money.

ON NOTICE

This is the man who was brought in to help guide Mark Neeld through the hardship of senior coaching. He clearly failed at that so now he's in charge it's going to be very interesting to see what moves the former Crows coach has been keeping up his sleeve.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Farr-Jones reveals Lions regrets

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Regret ... Nick Farr-Jones still has sleepless nights after a failed Lions series. Source: Adam Knott / News Limited

World Cup-winning captain Nick Farr-Jones has ranked the pain of never winning a series against the British and Irish Lions as probably the biggest regret of his celebrated career and urged the Wallabies to seize the moment in Saturday's first Test in Brisbane.

Farr-Jones says even almost a quarter of a century after leading Australia to a 2-1 series loss to the Lions he still has sleepless nights about missing his once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conquer the best of the British and Irish.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"The further you get away from it, particularly when you've got a big tour going on at the moment and it becomes topical, yeah, it shits me,'' Farr-Jones said.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Farr-Jones AM achieved just about every major honour in rugby.

He helped the Wallabies complete the fabled grand slam tour in 1984 with victories over England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, also featured in triumphant Bledisloe Cup series against New Zealand and crowned his career by hoisting the Webb Ellis Cup next to the Queen at Twickenham in 1991.

But the champion halfback still tosses and turns about the 1989 series defeat against the Lions.

"At the time, yeah you regretted losing to the Lions. As I speak 20 years into retirement, since my last game, the cracks in the ceiling are getting wider at 2am in the morning,'' he said.

"You wake up and you really regret it because, as came to pass in World Cups, we got a second roll of the dice.

"I was a part of `87, the inaugural one and part of the disappointment of losing to the French (in the semi-finals).

"But at least I got another roll of the dice and we were lucky enough to win a World Cup.

"But when the Lions come down, you get one roll of the dice. And if I've got any damn regrets about the game looking back, it's that we didn't beat the bastards.''

Farr-Jones said the only other career disappointments that come close to losing to the Lions was not winning a first grade premiership in 14 seasons with Sydney University and seeing his great friend and teammate Tim Gavin miss the `91 World Cup through injury.

But it was the manner in which the Wallabies succumbed to the Lions in the pivotal and brutal second Test in Brisbane - known as the Battle of Ballymore - that gives Farr-Jones nightmares.

Farr-Jones was halfback and captain of Australia and the Lions hatched a plan for their forwards to monster him into submission.

"And it worked a treat,'' he admitted 24 years later.

With the Wallabies having crushed the tourists 30-12 in the first Test, Farr-Jones said cheekily winking and blowing a kiss at Lions hooker Brian Moore early on in Brisbane was a big mistake.

"He proceeded to rip me apart after that and all the other forwards ripped into me,'' he said.

Farr-Jones said as his game imploded at Ballymore, his teammates unravelled around him and he urged the Wallabies' 2013 pack not to let the Lions forwards do a similar job on Australia's influential No.9 Will Genia on Saturday.

"We should have knocked over the Lions,'' Farr-Jones said.

"I've got no problem with the tactics that they turned on, particularly in that second Test. My only problem is that we didn't match them toe-to-toe.

"So we've got to be combative up front and be very physical and we've got to try and give our backs that time and space. Genia is crucial.''

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Schleck to lead despite slump

Andy Schleck ... will be out to end a year-long form slump at this year's Tour. Source: AAP

Andy Schleck will lead the Radioshack-Leopard team at the Tour de France despite a year-long struggle with his form.

Schleck has been nowhere near his best since breaking his pelvis before the 2012 Tour but did show a little improvement in the recent Tour de Suisse, where he came home 40th overall.

The Luxembourg rider, who was handed the 2010 title when Alberto Contador was stripped of it over a doping, will be helped out by the likes of Haimar Zubeldia, Andreas Kloden and the seemingly ageless Jens Voigt.

But Schleck will not be alongside his brother Frank, who is serving a one-year ban for a doping offence in last year's race.

"Nobody in the team ever had doubts about the talent of Andy," team manager Luca Guercilena said in a statement.

"Little by little he has come back to the level where we expect him. The Tour de Suisse encouraged and convinced us to give him the role he deserves and to give him the opportunity to have dedicated riders surrounding and supporting him.

"Of course we don't put pressure on our champion. After the last twelve months it would be unrealistic to expect a podium place. On the other hand, the lack of stress and pressure can be a positive stimulus to a brilliant performance."

Team: Jan Bakelants, Laurent Didier, Tony Gallopin, Markel Irizar, Andreas Kloden, Maxime Monfort, Andy Schleck, Jens Voigt, Haimar Zubeldia.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Folau the key, greats agree

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Super skills ... Folau's size, speed and power make him a dangerous attacking weapon. Source:AAP

Test debutant Israel Folau could well prove to be the difference between the Wallabies and British & Irish Lions with his arsenal of attacking talents separating him from the other 29 players on the pitch.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

That's the opinion of rugby great Jason Robinson and George Gregan, who believe a debut on one of rugby's biggest stages won't be a problem for the soon-to-be dual-international.

Folau was on Thursday named alongside fellow Test debutants Ben Mowen and Christian Lealiifano with the former NRL star revealing he had no qualms about lining up on the wing despite playing most of his rugby at fullback.

"It's going to be a pretty challenging game for me personally as well so I've got to be switched on Saturday night," Folau said on Thursday afternoon.

"I've had plenty of time to prepare myself for playing on the wing. I feel very comfortable training there."

Speaking to Fox Sports News on Thursday morning, former Wallabies captain Gregan said Folau would have no trouble making his Test debut against the Lions.

The Wallabies vice-captain in the last Lions tour of Australia in 2001, Gregan believes Folau is the "x-factor" Robbie Deans needs as he seeks to retain the Tom Richards Trophy.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

"It's great news I think for Australian rugby," Gregan said of Folau's selection.

---

Tune into Rugby HQ from 8.30pm (EST) Thursday on Fox Sports 1HD for all your Super and Test rugby news!

---

"It's great news for Israel Folau, it's really a feather in his cap for all the hard work he's done since he's come over to rugby.

"It's a huge first Test playing against the Lions at Suncorp Stadium but he's used to playing in big matches and I think he'll respond really, really well.

"And I think it adds a nice sort of x-factor and match-winner for the Australian team from the back field – I can't wait to watch him play on Saturday night."

Dual-international Robinson, who set the Gabba alight in 2001 with the opening try of the series, said he's been astonished by what Folau had achieved over the last few years.

"He's amazing," Robinson said. "Not only has this guy played rugby league, he's played AFL and now he's in union.

"So he's a very talented player, he's got a lot to offer the Wallabies and he's certainly going to be a threat to the Lions."

Robinson said the Lions would have to be wary of the vast array of talents in Folau's game.

"They're (Lions) going to have to keep a close eye on him," he said.

"He's very skilful, he's got lots of pace, great ball-carrier, great offload and he's good in the air as well. He's going to be one to watch."

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

How the Milne and Lovett cases differ

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Leave ... Stephen Milne will take time away from football. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

St Kilda forward Stephen Milne has taken an indefinite leave of absence after being charged with four counts of rape on Tuesday.

The Saints terminated Andrew Lovett's three-year contract with the club upon his rape charge in February 2010 (he was later acquitted).

But the two cases are different as our timelines show.

THE MILNE CASE

March 13, 2004: St Kilda caps an electric month by winning the Wizard Cup grand final, defeating Geelong by 22 points. Stephen Milne and Leigh Montagna play in the Saints' winning side.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

March 17, 2004: It's revealed Milne, 24, and Montagna, 20, were interviewed by detectives over an alleged incident at a bayside home on the Sunday night, little more than 24 hours after beating the Cats. St Kilda says the allegations, made by one of two women who went to the house with the players, are of a "serious sexual nature''. No charges are laid.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

March 17, 2004: The AFL gives the green light to Milne and Montagna to play for St Kilda in Round 1 despite allegations of a serious sexual nature hanging over them. Asked if they should be allowed to play, AFL boss Andrew Demetriou says: "I wouldn't see why not. (If not) we are presuming what the outcome of the investigation is.''

March 18, 2004: The sexual assault inquiry involving the two St Kilda players formally becomes a rape investigation. Police sources say one of the two women involved in the alleged assault is pursuing the rape claims. Both players deny any wrongdoing.

May 6, 2004: Police says sexual assault charges are unlikely to be laid against Milne and Montagna.

May 8: 2004: Milne breaks his silence. "It's a weight off my shoulders - I have been vindicated,'' he says. "I've done nothing wrong. I have always maintained my innocence and I am relieved that it is all over.'' Montagna declines to comment. The two young women at the centre of the allegations continue to shun the public spotlight.

June 22, 2010: A former detective who led the investigation claims the rape case against Milne collapsed amid a campaign of threats and intimidation from inside Victoria Police. Former Brighton Sen-Det Scott Gladman tells Nine News tapes of interviews with the two Saints were stolen from his desk and the alleged victim's statement was leaked to the club during the six-week investigation. "We were told that if things went well, consider yourself a Saints person for life,'' he says.

June 23, 2010: Chief Commissioner Simon Overland says the Office of Police Integrity will investigate allegations that other police officers had tried to derail the rape inquiry. Mr Overland says the case could be reopened in an effort to ensure justice was not compromised.

June 24, 2010: Corruption investigators raid the Brighton police station as the probe into how the case was conducted grows. Victoria Police Ethical Standards Department officers involved in the swoop on Brighton CIU allegedly discover that vital evidence relating to the case was missing.

May 3, 2012: An Office of Police Integrity report recommends that police review the brief against Milne.

May 31, 2012: The decision not to charge Milne with rape is backed by the Office of Police Integrity. A Victoria Police spokesman confirms its review of the Milne brief of evidence, which the OPI recommended it carry out, was not finished. But Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton indicates he doesn't expect the review will result in charges being laid.

June 18, 2013: Milne is charged with four counts of rape relating to the alleged attack on a woman in 2004.

June 19, 2013: St Kilda announces Milne will remain a listed player despite taking an indefinite leave of absence.

THE LOVETT CASE

October 6, 2009: Andrew Lovett, 26, joins St Kilda from Essendon in exchange for the Saints' first-round draft pick (No.16).

November 14, 2009: Lovett, while on annual leave and celebrating his 27th birthday with friends at a private residence in St Kilda, is detained by police and charged with being drunk in a public place.

December 24, 2009: Victoria Police investigates allegations made by a woman against Lovett, following an incident in Melbourne in the early hours of that morning. St Kilda suspends Lovett indefinitely later that day.

February 2, 2010: St Kilda and Lovett undertake a grievance meeting, brought by Andrew Lovett's management and legal representation.

February 15, 2010: Victoria Police charges Lovett with one count of rape.

February 16, 2010: St Kilda terminates Lovett's employment with the club, effective immediately. A statement from St Kilda says it "relied on specific clauses within Andrew Lovett's Standard Playing Contract and the AFL Players' Code of Conduct, to permit termination of contract for breach of such clauses''. St Kilda CEO Michael Nettlefold says: "During Andrew's short tenure with the club, on a number of occasions he engaged in actions that were failures to comply with our standards of expected behavioural conduct. These failures related to his training commitments and a failure to contact club officials in a situation where he should have done so. We simply could not ignore such breaches. Nor could we ignore the damage being done to St Kilda's reputation and decided unanimously as a club to terminate Andrew Lovett's employment with the Saints.''

February 16, 2010: The AFL acknowledges St Kilda's termination of Lovett's employment. "The AFL respects the right of St Kilda to make this decision and we do not intend to interfere in the matter,'' says the AFL's then general manager of football operations Adrian Anderson.

June 11, 2010: St Kilda and Lovett reach a confidential settlement of the disputes relating to Lovett's employment with St Kilda and all associated legal proceedings.

July 25, 2011: Lovett is acquitted of rape by a County Court jury.

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More

Fergo banned for at least a month

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Canberra Raiders ... stick by Blake Ferguson. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Blake Ferguson will be required to undertake an extensive alcohol management program and will not be considered for selection for at least four weeks in the wake of his indecent assault charge.

The Raiders board determined the action today after the club met with Ferguson in Canberra following his dismissal from the NSW State of Origin camp.

"The NRL will review Ferguson's progress with the club after a four-week period and assess his eligibility at that point," the league said in a statement.

"Both the NRL and the Raiders will await the outcome of court proceedings to determine a final position in relation to a charge of indecent assault laid by NSW police yesterday."

Ferguson was on Monday arrested and charged with indecently assaulting a woman at a Sydney nightclub.

He was bailed to appear in Waverley Local Court on July 16. 

The 23-year-old Raiders centre is alleged to have groped a 23-year-old woman, who slapped him after the incident at a Cronulla bar on Sunday night.

Police sources said CCTV footage captured the alleged incident at 2230 Restaurant and Bar in Cronulla Mall about 10.30pm.

It is understood Ferguson's NSW teammate Josh Dugan, who was also drinking, has been cleared of any involvement by the CCTV footage.

Ferguson was reportedly ejected from the premises and then refused re-entry by security, who were acting on the advice of police.

But, according to a witness, Ferguson re-entered through a rear door before the alleged altercation took place. 

14.23 | 0 komentar | Read More