Hat-tricks end Canberra's season

Manu Vatuvei of the Warriors celebrates. Source: Hannah Johnston / Getty Images

MANU Vatuvei and Shaun Johnson nabbed two of the game's three hat-tricks as a rampant Warriors kept their NRL play-off hopes alive with a 50-16 hammering of Canberra.

9 Tries 3
Elijah Taylor 2'	Jarrod Croker 17'
Manu Vatuvei 29'	Jarrod Croker 23'
Manu Vatuvei 32'	Jarrod Croker 75'
Manu Vatuvei 38'
Shaun Johnson 49'
Shaun Johnson 52'
Shaun Johnson 55'
Simon Mannering 64'
Ngani Laumape 68'
7 Conversions 2
Shaun Johnson 3'	Jarrod Croker 19'
Shaun Johnson 33'	Jarrod Croker 24'
Shaun Johnson 50'
Shaun Johnson 54'
Shaun Johnson 57'
Shaun Johnson 66'
Shaun Johnson 70'

Vatuvei took just nine minutes to get his first-half treble.

Johnson eclipsed that by requiring seven minutes to complete his in the second spell.

He also landed seven goals for a match haul of 26 points.

In all, the Warriors scored nine tries to three as they closed the door on Canberra's own finals ambitions, compounding the Raiders' off-field dramas of the past week and a half.

However, the visitors did have the last say, centre Jarrod Croker finishing off his own hat-trick three minutes from time.

Both teams were battling to keep their seasons alive and it was a tight encounter before the Warriors made it one-way traffic from late in the opening spell.

Down 12-10, the home side went on to score the next 40 points.

Vatuvei missed the birth of his third daughter, Eva, last weekend, after not being able get back in time from the Warriors' win over Gold Coast.

He seemed to have all the time in the world on Saturday by taking his try tally for the season to 15.

He began his first by defusing a bomb in his own half and was on hand to chase down Thomas Leuluai's kick into the in-goal.

The second featured quick hands, and a Feleti Mateo back-handed pass, as a group of Warriors worked a short-side play that ended with Vatuvei brushing past opposition fullback Reece Robinson.

The Kiwi winger completed his hat-trick two minutes from halftime.

He finished off an expansive backline move, with Robinson making a valiant but unsuccessful effort to stop him.

Johnson's opening try nine minutes into the second half highlighted his footwork and speed.

His second was a 70m intercept, while he chased his own grubber ahead for his third.

Johnson then laid on the pass for skipper Simon Mannering to touch down, before winger Ngani Laumape also got on the score sheet.

Earlier, the Warriors raced out of the blocks, a Leuluai short ball setting up second rower Elijah Taylor to score inside two minutes.

But the Raiders hit back with a Croker double, the first from a slick backline play.

Croker's second came when he swooped on a loose ball after Johnson's pass to no-one and sprinted 80 metres to dot down.

Croker added both conversions on the way to scoring all of his side's points.

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Saints farewell stars in style

Robbed ... Justin Koschitzke celebrates but replays showed he hit the post. Source: Scott Barbour / Getty Images

ST KILDA gave their retiring trio a fitting send-off by scoring a 71-point win on Saturday against Fremantle, who rested a third of their best side ahead of next week's AFL finals series.

4.3 (27)	Q1	1.5 (11)
5.4 (34)	Q2	2.5 (17)
	Q3
	Q4

Travis Boak 1	Kade Simpson 1
Brad Ebert 1	Chris Yarran 1
Tom Logan 1
Angus Monfries 1
Jay Schulz 1

All times are listed in EST

The Saints finished with a 5-17 win-loss record after their emotion-charged 16.16 (112) to 6.5 (41) triumph over the Dockers, who had made no secret they had one eye on next week's qualifying final.

Jack Steven and Leigh Montagna with 47 disposals each led St Kilda's dominance against Fremantle's under-strength midfield.

St Kilda were farewelling veterans Stephen Milne, Justin Koschitzke and Jason Blake.
Milne kicked two goals and defender Blake scored one.

Koschitzke in his 200th game booted four behinds, much to the crowd's disappointment.

The Dockers were forced to substitute Clancee Pearce off early in the first term because of a leg injury.
Fremantle remarkably failed to score at all in the first quarter.

The visitors trailed by 50 points at the 22-minute mark of the second term before Jack Hannath's strong mark and goal sparked the Dockers who scored four of the last five goals of the first half to narrow the margin to 33 points, 9.6 (60) to 4.3 (27).peThe Saints added three more goals in the third term to extend their advantage to 46 points at three-quarter time.

Blake's goal and Koschitzke's search for one were the main points of interest in the last term, as St Kilda kicked 4.7 to Fremantle's 1.0.

Fremantle made 10 changes on Thursday and also pulled out Garrick Ibbotson and Chris Mayne before the game on Saturday in a bid to keep star players fresh for next week.

Ross Lyon's side included three debutants: Josh Simpson, Craig Moller and Alex Forster.

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Five Aussies in Fedex playoffs

Adam Scott winning The Barclays golf tournament on Sunday, Aug. 25. Source: Rich Schultz / AP

IT'S week two of the Fedex Cup playoffs as the top 100 head to the TPC Boston course for the Deutsche Bank Championship and come the end of the event just 70 will be left standing to fight out the BMW Championship in Illinois

If the final round of the Barclays on the weekend is anything to go by we are in for a terrific playoff series. At one stage there were 4 guys tied for the lead and 5 players that were within three.  In the end though, it was like watching a game of ten pin bowling as nearly all of them fell over leaving one man standing, and that was Adam Scott.

TIGER WOODS: he played with back spasms last week at the Barclays he still ran second to a top quality field. The world number one has played eight times at the Deutsche Bank and only once has he finished outside the top 11. He won here in 2006 and even if he is still dogged by the bad back he will still be there late on Sunday, you can count on that.

ADAM SCOTT: he is coming off a terrific win at the Barclays and his record around this week's TPC Boston course is second to none. In eight starts at the Deutsche Bank Championship the Queenslander has posted a win in 2003, runner-up in 2004 and his past three trips to Boston have all been top 10's. His scoring average in that time is an impressive 68.61.  He is my pick this week.

PHIL MICKELSON: he is another player like Scott who has a superb record around the TPC Boston course. He won this event in 2007 and in the past two years has posted top 10's. He finished in grand style at the Barclays last week posting a final round 65 which included a bogey at the final hole.

The TPC Boston course has shown us in the past it suits a good long driver of the golf ball and that brings into calculation Dustin Johnson. He missed the cut at the Barclays last week but before that he was in contention at both the PGA and the Canadian Open. He has posted two top 4 finishes here in the past 4 years. Could be a darkhorse!

Here is a preview of the other Aussie contenders:

#16.    JASON DAY looks set to go all the way through to the final week even after dropping 2 spots last week at the Barclays. The 25 year old has posted two top 3 results around this course so he obviously likes the track. He has been playing consistently and this might just be his week.

#37.    The resurgence of MATT JONES this year has been a pleasure to watch. The Sydneysider has been in solid form posting four top 10's including a runner-up at the Greenbrier in July.  He is definitely assured of making the third playoff event the BMW but needs something special to break inside the top 30.  He has only played the Deutsche Bank on one occasion and that resulted in a share of 33rd in 2010.

#76.    After finishing near the tail of the field at the Barclays last week MARC LEISHMAN dropped 7 spots and now resides in 76th in the standings. He needs probably a top 15 result this week otherwise his playoff hopes are over for this year.

#93.    GREG CHALMERS top 40 result at the Barclays moved him up 29 spots last week. This will     be his 5th straight season he has made it through to week two of the playoffs. He needs     nothing worse than a top 5 this week if he is to progress.

#96.    And finally, STUART APPLEBY also made a great leap up the rankings with his T41st at the Barclays.  He like Chalmers knows that only a top 5 this week will get him inside the top 70 and make week three. The Victorian has played four times at the TPC Boston and is yet to break par.

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Murray through, Venus out

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ANDY Murray's US Open campaign is on track, the Scotsman winning through to the third round on a day that saw former champion Venus Williams sent packing.

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Murray defeated French veteran Michael Llodra in three, 6-2 6-4 6-3, as this year's Wimbledon champion looks to defend his 2012 US title.

The third-seeded Murray now goes on to face Argentina's Leonardo Mayer for a place in the fourth round.

For Williams, a three-hour struggle with China's Jie Zheng ended with the two-time Open champion exiting her 60th Grand Slam tournament early with a heartbreaking tie-break loss 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (5).

"I definitely wish that I was playing in the third round," Williams said. "I tried. She played well, went for every shot. Unfortunately I didn't play consistent enough."

Elsewhere in the women's draw, leading seeds Agnieszka Radwanska and Li Na reached the third round in comfortable fashion.

Radwanska, promoted to third seed after the injury-forced withdrawal of Maria Sharapova, defeated Maria-Teresa Torro-Flor, 6-0 7-5 while Li, the fifth seed, beat Sofia Arvidsson 6-2 6-2.

Radwanska, who has never got beyond the fourth round in New York, was on course for a quick-fire win over Torro-Flor, her second successive Spanish opponent, when she raced through the first set in just 21 minutes, losing just seven points.

But Torro-Flor, dressed in matching colours of blue and pink, made the Pole work for her win in the second set with three breaks of serve.

Radwanska, however weathered the unexpected storm, going through to a third-round clash against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, capitalising on her rival's 38 unforced errors and 10 double faults.

Li, playing in her 30th grand slam and a New York quarter-finalist in 2009, clinched her third career win over Arvidsson, who has now not progressed beyond the second round in seven attempts.

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Dogs boss says Izzy's rugby deal done

Folau looks set to stay with rugby. Source: AFP

ISRAEL Folau could soon end months of speculation and finally put pen to paper on a new deal with NSW Waratahs and the Australian Rugby Union, Canterbury-Bankstown chief executive Raelene Castle believes.

Folau had agreed to terms with the Waratahs but is yet to make anything official, keeping NRL hopes alive that he may return to the 13-man game.

But speaking at a press conference confirming Ben Barba's release from the Bulldogs, Castle revealed Folau was likely to announce a new rugby deal imminently.

"My understanding is that Israel Folau is going to sign for rugby and that's where it's at," Castle said.

"There should be an announcement any day."

The Bulldogs were one of a number of NRL clubs said to be interested in Folau while Waratahs coach Michael Cheika has remained quietly confident his star recruit would commit to rugby next season.

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Taufua stood down for spitting

Jorge Taufua for the Sea Eagles. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

MANLY star Jorge Taufua won't play again until the finals after being fined and stood down for spitting at a police officer.

The 3.35am incident occurred at Gold Coast nightclub Shooters last October.

After his arrest Taufua appeared in court the following morning his head and right eye heavily bandaged and his hands cuffed in front of him.

Manly chose not to take any action when charges were laid while the matter was under investigation.

Taufua originally didn't enter a plea but after changing legal firms chose to plead guilty, prompting the club to act.

He has been omitted from Manly's next two matches (against the Storm and Panthers), forfeited his match payments for these games and been hit with a suspended fine.

The club says Taufua will sight strong mitigating circumstances when he fronts the charges.

"I have learnt so much from this unfortunate incident about the value of responsibility and it's really helped me mature as a person," Taufua said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

"I'm deeply sorry and I hope that something positive can come from this matter."

Manly general manager David Perry said: "Since the incident, Jorge has shown unconditional remorse and regret, and has vowed to learn from such a setback.

"He has continued to meet outstanding and widespread community service for the Sea Eagles, including visits to school reading sessions, hospitals and homes for the disabled, less fortunate and under-privileged."

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Live: NRL round 25 teams

Blake Ferguson has not been named by the Raiders. Source: Sam Ruttyn / News Limited

BLAKE Ferguson has been left out of the Raiders line-up for the second straight week under interim head coach Andrew Dunemann.

But their comebacks are offset by injuries to Ashley Harrison (broken hand, season) and Mark Minichiello (fractured eye socket, season), while a mysterious TBC has been included on the bench.

With Ray Thompson (broken jaw, season) out for the Cowboys, Rory Kostjasyn moves to starting hooker, with Jayden Hodges to debut off the bench.

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Broncos v Knights, Friday, 30th August, 7:35pm, Suncorp Stadium

Broncos: Josh Hoffman, Corey Oates, Jack Reed, Alex Glenn, Jordan Kahu, Scott Prince, Ben Hunt, Ben Hannant, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Sam Thaiday, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker. Interchange: Peter Wallace, David Stagg, Dunamis Lui, Lama Tasi, Scott Anderson

Knights: Darius Boyd, James McManus, Dane Gagai, Joey Leilua, Akuila Uate, Jarrod Mullen, Tyrone Roberts, Willie Mason, Danny Buderus, Zane Tetevano, Robbie Rochow, Beau Scott, Alex McKinnon. Interchange: Kurt Gidley, Chris Houston, Neville Costigan, David Fa'alogo

Tigers v Rabbitohs, Friday, 30th August, 7:35pm, Allianz Stadium

Tigers: TBA

Rabbitohs: Greg Inglis, Nathan Merritt, Bryson Goodwin, Dylan Walker, Dylan Farrell, John Sutton, Adam Reynolds, Luke Burgess, Issac Luke, Roy Asotasi, Chris McQueen, Ben Te'o, Sam Burgess. Interchange: Luke Keary, Jeff Lima, George Burgess, Tom Burgess, Jason Clark, Matt King.

Warriors v Raiders, Saturday, 31st August, 5:00pm (3pm AEST), Mt Smart Stadium

Warriors: Kevin Locke, Jerome Ropati, Dane Nielsen, Konrad Hurrell, Manu Vatuvei, Thomas Leuluai, Shaun Johnson, Sam Rapira, Nathan Friend, Suaia Matagi, Elijah Taylor, Simon Mannering, Todd Lowrie. Interchange: Ben Matulino, Jacob Lillyman, Feleti Mateo, Dominique Peyroux, Ngani Laumape

Raiders: Reece Robinson, Bill Tupou, Jarrod Croker, Joel Thompson, Sami Sauiluma, Terry Campese (c) , Anthony Milford, David Shillington, Josh McCrone, Brett White, Josh Papalii, Joel Edwards, Paul Vaughan. Interchange: Glen Buttriss, Jake Foster, Dane Tilse, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Matt McIlwrick.

Bulldogs v Panthers, Saturday, 31st August, 5:30pm, ANZ Stadium

Bulldogs: TBA

Panthers: Lachlan Coote, Josh Mansour, Lewis Brown, Dean Whare, David Simmons, Isaac John, Luke Walsh, Tim Grant, Kevin Kingston (c), Sam McKendry, Clint Newton, Sika Manu, Ryan Simpkins. Interchange: James Segeyaro, Nathan Smith, Jeremy Latimore, Mose Masoe.

Sea Eagles v Storm, Saturday, 31st August, 7:30pm, Brookvale Oval

Sea Eagles: Brett Stewart, Jorge Taufua, Jamie Lyon (c), Steve Matai, David Williams, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Brenton Lawrence, Matt Ballin, George Rose, Jamie Buhrer, Justin Horo, Glenn Stewart. Interchange: Richie Fa'aoso, James Hasson, Tom Symonds, David Gower.

Storm: Billy Slater, Sisa Waqa, Will Chambers, Maurice Blair, Justin O'Neill, Brett Finch, Cooper Cronk, Jesse Bromwich, Cameron Smith (c), Bryan Norrie, Kevin Proctor, Ryan Hoffman, Ryan Hinchcliffe. Interchange: Jason Ryles, Tohu Harris, Jordan McLean, Kenneath Bromwich, Tim Glasby.

Sharks v Cowboys, Sunday, 1st September, 2:00pm, Remondis Stadium

Sharks: Michael Gordon, Sosaia Feki, Ben Pomeroy, Jonathan Wright, Beau Ryan, Todd Carney, Jeff Robson, Andrew Fifita, John Morris, Sam Tagataese, Luke Lewis, Wade Graham, Paul Gallen (c). Interchange: Isaac De Gois, Chris Heighington, Jayson Bukuya, Anthony Tupou, Bryce Gibbs.

Cowboys: Matthew Bowen, Wayne Ulugia, Brent Tate, Kane Linnett, Antonio Winterstein, Johnathan Thurston, Robert Lui, Matthew Scott, Rory Kostjasyn, James Tamou, Gavin Cooper, Glenn Hall, Joel Riethmuller. Interchange: Jayden Hodges, Tariq Sims, Scott Bolton, Ricky Thorby, Ashton Sims

Roosters v Titans, Sunday, 1st September, 3:00pm, Allianz Stadium

Roosters: TBA

Titans: David Mead, Kevin Gordon, Brad Takairangi, Jamie Dowling, Anthony Don, Aidan Sezer, Albert Kelly, Luke Douglas, Beau Falloon, Ryan James, Greg Bird, Ben Ridge, Nate Myles. Interchange: David Taylor, Luke Bailey, TBC, Matt Srama

Eels v Dragons, Monday, 2nd September, 7:00pm, ANZ Stadium

Eels: Jarryd Hayne, Ken Sio, Ryan Morgan, Vai Toutai, Semi Radradra, Ben Roberts, Luke Kelly, Tim Mannah (c), Matt Keating, Fuifui Moimoi, Reni Maitua, Mitch Allgood, Darcy Lussick. Interchange: Joseph Paulo, Peni Terepo, Pat O'Hanlon, Junior Paulo.

Dragons: TBA

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Twit Broad beefs up security in Oz

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STUART Broad has engaged in a very public Twitter battle with Aussie cricket fans at the same time as it was revealed he and his England teammates will receive extra security during the Ashes series in Australia.

England will step up security for the return Ashes series because they fear that Darren Lehmann's inflammatory call for the Australian public to "make Stuart Broad cry" could lead to attacks on their players.

Broad seemed non-plussed by these concerns when he engaged in a social media slagging fest with users from Australia.

The fight began when Broad tweeted that he had accepted an apology from Lehmann over his cheat comments.

The England paceman then took the bait when several Australian fans hit back.

The ECB have already voiced concerns over the "incitement" of the Australian public to show aggression towards Broad by the coach in a radio interview and Andy Flower, the England team director, said steps would be taken to try to ensure the players do not become targets when they defend the Ashes.

"You have to take the responsibilities you are given seriously," said Flower in the aftermath of England's 3-0 Ashes success. "I don't think that was a well-judged thing to say but we are looking forward to going to Australia.

"The public were excellent there last time so we hope that will be the case again. There will be extra security for everyone in light of what was said.

"We enjoyed our tour of Australia last time and there's always a little bit of barracking and what-have-you but, in the main, it's fairly good-natured. I hope it will be the same this time."

England will turn to their highly regarded security advisor Reg Dickason for guidance when they fly to Australia on October 24 and it is away from the cricket grounds where he is sure to recommend extra protection.

Broad is not the type to stay in his hotel room at night and, being tall and blond, stands out.

Lehmann was given a slap on the wrist by the International Cricket Council when they fined him around $3,000 during the final Test and England are privately surprised Cricket Australia have taken no action against the coach.

At least Lehmann expressed regret. "I've got to learn and improve," said the rookie coach. "It was a jovial setting but I've got to get better at that. The players aren't on their own in trying to improve."

He also revealed he had talked to Broad about his comments and that "now we move on".

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Stoner keen for Bathurst

Stoner can't wait for the longer Dunlop Series race at Bathurst. Source: Robert Cianflone / Getty Images

CASEY Stoner can't wait to get to Bathurst and stretch his legs in a longer V8 race.

The dual world MotoGP champion, who twice charged through the Dunlop Series field on Sunday, has been frustrated throughout his rookie V8s campaign at the lack of track time he's had.

And while the Red Bull Racing driver hasn't picked up a co-pilot's seat for Bathurst in October, Stoner can't wait for the longer race the second-tier category will get at Mount Panorama.

"I'm really looking forward to driving one of these cars around Bathurst. My last taste of it wasn't in as quite a good a machine as this, so I'm really looking forward to some high-speed corners, walls and things like that that really make your heart pump," Stoner said.

"Having had a little drive in a production car at Bathurst earlier in the year, I now know which way the track goes and the lumps and bumps and things like that.

"But braking points, gears, and everything like that is going to be completely different. We'll have to learn that, but it has given us a little bit more of an insight into what to expect."

Stoner was sent to near the back of the grid for today's pair of races after being an innocent victim in a huge smash on Saturday.

He improved to 22nd in race two, then charged from 31st on the grid to 16th in the third sprint.

"Today's races were a welcome change and I think we could've made up more positions if we weren't held up. There were a few guys running with some okay pace, so it was a bit more difficult to pass them," he said.

"I saw Steve Owen making some good passes which were a bit tricky and I just didn't quite have the confidence he had. We were still trying to get the car balanced throughout the race after yesterday's shunt.

"It was an okay result, but disappointing because we should be running further up the front. But number one, I've got to qualify well and number two I need to survive the first couple laps of a race without getting spun or crashed. It's making things tricky."

Jack Perkins won the final race of the Dunlop Series weekend, but Dale Wood finished second to take the round victory and extend his series lead.

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Storm decimate Eels in epic win

Billy Slater thanks the fans. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

SUPERSTAR Billy Slater scored a hat-trick as Melbourne Storm's premiership defence remained on track with a crushing win over lowly Parramatta on Sunday.

11 Tries 1
Ryan Hoffman 9'	Semi Radradra 4'
Billy Slater 15'
Ryan Hoffman 38'
Will Chambers 47'
Billy Slater 53'
Kenny Bromwich 56'
Billy Slater 59'
Tim Glasby 69'
Jesse Bromwich 72'
Will Chambers 75'
Maurice Blair 78'
10 Conversions 0
Cameron Smith 10'
Cameron Smith 39'
Cameron Smith 48'
Cameron Smith 54'
Cameron Smith 57'
Cameron Smith 60'
Cameron Smith 70'
Cameron Smith 73'
Cameron Smith 76'
Cameron Smith 79'

Parramatta scored the opening try of the afternoon but then it was all Storm, which exploded after half-time to register a stunning 64-4 win at AAMI Park. 

Storm scored eight second half tries to send an ominous warning to its premiership rivals as it prepares to meet bitter rivals Manly next Saturday night.

Coach Craig Bellamy would have been disappointed with his side's start.

They lead 16-4 at half-time but at times looked like they were just going through the motions.

Parramatta caught Storm's defence napping to go over after just four minutes through winger Semi Radradra.

It was an unexpected opening and it appeared to jolt Melbourne to life.

Back-rower Ryan Hoffman was soon over followed soon by Slater, who was on end on some good work from Cooper Cronk.

The home side struggled to find its rhythm early on, but a second try to Hoffman right on half-time gave it some breathing space.

Bellamy tore into his side at the break and it had the desired impact.

Centre Will Chambers found an opening to score not long after the resumption.

Then it was Slater's turn, which was followed up by Kenny Bromwich.

Bromwich ran hard to support a break by skipper Cameron Smith and was rewarded with his first NRL try. 

Slater wasn't done with it either.

The Storm fan favourite registered his hat-trick when he found a gap and exploded through it to bring up his hat-trick.

Tim Glasby – a late inclusion for Tohu Harris – then crashed over for his maiden first grade try.

Not to be outdone by his brother, prop Jesse Bromwich got his name on the scoresheet to bring up the half-century.

Chambers added the finishing touches when he went over his second try in the dying stages.

Centre Maurice Blair scored the final of the match when he pushed aside some shocking Eels defence to make it a 60-point win.

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