Live: Australian Open Women's Final

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WORLD no. 4 Li Na will be hoping it's a case of third time lucky when she takes on Slovakia's Dominika Cibulkova in the Australian Open women's final tonight.

A fan favourite and French Open champion, Na was runner-up at Melbourne Park to Victoria Azarenka last year and Kim Klijsters in 2011.

Cibulkova on the other hand is riding a wave of confidence after knocking over Maria Sharapova in the fourth round before crushing young gun Simona Halep and world no. 5 Agnieszka Radwanska to qualify for her first ever slam final.

Follow our rolling coverage and join in the conversation with our Scribble blog below:

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European Transfer Centre

Keep in touch with the moves made this January. Source: FoxSports

IT'S that time of the season where agents and clubs work overtime wheeling and dealing as teams fill the gaps in their rosters for the second-half of the 2013-2014 campaign.

Our ever-popular RUMOUR MILL will bring you the best gossip and speculation doing the rounds daily, while our European Transfer Centre will chronicle the major signings throughout the silly-season as they happen.

2014 JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW MAJOR MOVEMENTS

January 25: Juan Mata. From Chelsea to Manchester United, $70m.

January 24: Joshua McEachran. From Chelsea to Wigan Athletic, loan

Elliot Kebbie. From Unattached to Hull City, free.

January 23: Diego Forlan. From Internacional to Cerezo Osaka, undisclosed

Carl Valeri. From Sassuolo to Ternana, undisclosed

January 22: Tom Rogic. Celtic to Melbourne Victory, loan

January 19: Anderson. From Manchester United to Fiorentina, loan.

Kevin de Bruyne. From Chelsea to Wolfsburg, $33.9 (reports)

Jorginho Frello. From Hellas Verona to Napoli, undisclosed.

January 18: Shane Long. From West Brom to Hull, $13m.

Ryan Bertrand. Chelsea to Aston Villa, loan.

January 17: Ji Dong-Won. From Sunderland to FC Augsburg, undisclosed.

Nicky Maynard. From Cardiff City to Wigan Athletic, loan

January 16: Nikica Jelavic. From Everton to Hull, $12m

Nemanja Matic. From Benfica to Chelsea, $34m.

Kevin Phillips. From Crystal Palace to Leicester, loan.

January 15: Grant Holt. From Wigan to Aston Villa, loan.

Bryan Ruiz. From Fulham to PSV Eindhoven, loan

Stephen Ireland. From Aston Villa to Stoke City (was on loan, now permanent).

John Guidetti. From Manchester City to Stoke City, loan.

January 13: Jonás Gutiérrez. From Newcastle United to Norwich City, loan.

Michael Bradley. From AS Roma to Toronto FC, undisclosed fee.

12 January: Aidan McGready. From Spartak Moscow to Everton, undisclosed.

8 January: Keisuke Honda. From CSKA Moscow to AC Milan, Free.

Magnus Wolff Eikrem. From Heerenveen to Cardiff City, undisclosed.

January 6: Roger Johnson. From Wolverhampton to West Ham, Loan.

Neil Kilkenny (Australian). From Bristol City to Preston (was on loan, now a permanent deal).

January 5: Robert Lewandowski. From Borussia Dortmund to Bayern Munich (at end of Bundesliga season). Free.

January 1: Clint Dempsey. From Seattle Sounders to Fulham, Loan.

Bertrand Traore. From Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo-Dioulasso to Chelsea, Free.

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Greipel gets job done, wins Stage 4

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GERMAN sprinter Andre Greipel extended his record as the most prolific stage winner of the Tour Down Under when he claimed the fourth stage from Unley to Victor Harbor.

It was typical Greipel, taking advantage of tremendous work from his Lotto teammates to charge to the line with his trademark powerful sprinting finish.

Join us and blog LIVE from 11.10am for Stage 5 on Saturday

Teammate Jurgen Roelandts finished second and Elia Viviani third. Simon Gerrans finished fourth but gained vital time bonuses in the two sprints to close the gap to tour leader Cadel Evans to just seven seconds going into tomorrow's fifth stage at Willunga.

"This was the first opportunity for the sprinters," Greipel said.

"We finished first and second and it was a real team effort.

"I'm really happy we finally got the win. It was an incredible team effort and we deserved the win."

Replay our LIVE coverage of Stage 3 below

MORE: Misplaced cones cause freeway chaos

MORE: Cadel Evans now the hunted

GALLERY: Best pictures from Stage 3

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Live: Poms set big total for Aussies

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ENGLAND made a flying start to the fourth one-day international after being sent in to bat by Australia at the WACA Ground.

The tourists were 2-148 at the halfway mark of their innings, with Ben Stokes (35 n.o.) and Gary Ballance (6 n.o.) at the crease.

FOLLOW THE GAME WITH OUR MATCH CENTRE, FEATURING A FULL SCOREBOARD, BALL-BY-BALL COMMENTARY, LIVE STATS AND PITCH MAPS.

Under-fire skipper Alastair Cook, who before the start of the game said he was "desperate to continue in the captaincy just days after saying he would reconsider his role, made 44 at better than a run a ball before being clean bowled by Glenn Maxwell attempting a slog sweep.

Opening partner Ian Bell made it past 50 before he fell into a trap set by Dan Christian, caught at short fine leg by James Faulkner.

After being electric in the field during last Sunday's third ODI, the Aussies weren't quite as effective in Perth, with James Pattinson badly misjudging a catch on the boundary which ended up going way over his head, and Shaun Marsh putting down two very tough chances at slip.

Australia is fielding its weakest team of the summer, with Michael Clarke, David Warner, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin all rested ahead of the tour to South Africa.

The Aussie XI is loaded with all-rounders, with Maxwell, Christian and Faulkner all included, while spinner Xavier Doherty has been left out.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade is playing for Australia for the first time this summer.

Australia: Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Matthew Wade, George Bailey (c), Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Daniel Christian, James Faulkner, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Coulter-Nile, James Pattinson.

England: Alastair Cook (c), Ian Bell, Ben Stokes, Gary Ballance, Eoin Morgan, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Chris Jordan, James Tredwell.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR MATCH CENTRE.

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Storm sign halves Roberts, Romelo

Storm sign former Eel Ben Roberts. Pic Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited

MELBOURNE Storm has shored up its depth in the halves with two signings to complete its 2014 playing roster.

Storm has added some experience with former Eel Ben Roberts and former Penrith and Canterbury player Joel Romelo both accepting one-year deals.

Both are utilities that can play a number of positions, including in the halves.

"It gives us depth and it also gives us experience," Storm football manager Frank Ponissi said.

"We're really excited with our youngsters coming through and there's no doubt they can handle NRL.

"But it is a long season, so to be able to have some players that have been in the NRL for a number of years is certainly going to help the younger players and us in general."

Melbourne Storm army camp (ltor) Ryan Hinchcliffe and Joel Romelo. Pic Colleen Petch. Source: News Limited

Roberts - who has played 130 first grade matches - came onto Storm's radar late last year after he impressed with Parramatta when moved to the centres.

While Romelo has trained with Storm during the entire pre-season and won his contract after impressing coach Craig Bellamy.

While his preferred position is hooker, Romelo has been training in the halves during the pre-season.

He looks set to fight it out with young gun Ben Hampton and Cody Walker for the vacant No.6 jersey.

Both players will play in Storm's first trial match against Canberra at AAMI Park on February 8.

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Sanders storms into Fed Cup squad

Storm Sanders' impressive summer has been rewarded with a Fed Cup selection Source: Renee McKay / Getty Images

STORM Sanders has been rewarded for some excellent early season form with selection for Australia's Fed Cup tie, to be played at the site of her breakthrough moment.

The Australian team of Sam Stosur, Casey Dellacqua, Ashleigh Barty and Sanders will play Russia in the world group first round on February 8-9 in Hobart.

It was at the Hobart International earlier this month that 19-year-old Sanders, ranked 219th, upset world No. 39 Shuai Peng and pushed 19th-ranked Kirsten Flipkens before losing 7-9 in a third-set tiebreak.

GALLERY: AUS OPEN FASHION DISASTERS

Sanders said she "couldn't wipe the smile off my face" when told of her selection by Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik.

"Playing for your country is one of the best feelings you can get," said Sanders, who lost to Italian world No. 99 Camila Giorgi in three sets in the first round of the Australian Open.

"I've been playing some really good tennis lately, been working really hard. I think my hard work is starting to pay off and the results are showing."

Molik said she was keen to expose a youngster to the competition, similar to Davis Cup captain Pat Rafter's selection of teenagers Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis with Jordan Thompson as reserve for their upcoming tie against France.

"She's really proved herself, she's so dedicated, she's part of the future of Australian tennis," Molik said of Sanders.

"We're always very mindful in our team make-up. We start blooding the young players. We've seen Pat do it with the young guys in his team."

Meanwhile, Wally Masur will replace Nicole Bradtke in the Fed Cup coaching role Bradtke has held for eight years.

" Wally brings a different perspective, voice and influence to the players," said Molik.

"He's always been a mentor of mine."

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Bouchard date question 'sexist'

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SECTIONS of the Canadian media have accused Channel 7 courtside interviewer Samantha Smith of posing a sexist question during a post-match interview with teenager Eugenie Bouchard.

Smith, formerly Britain's top ranked female tennis player, asked Bouchard "who would you date?" after her stunning upset victory over Ana Ivanovic in the quarter-finals.

Bouchard answered "Justin Bieber", prompting light-hearted jeers from her supporter group the "Genie Army".

CANADA GOES BONKERS FOR BOUCHARD

Under the headline, 'After historic tennis win, Eugenie Bouchard answers the most sexist question in post-game interview', Simon Houpt of the Globe and Mail took aim at Smith's question.

"Who cares that Eugenie Bouchard became the first Canadian to advance to the semi-finals of the Australian Open last night?" Houpt wrote.

"Apparently the most important thing is that she would like to date Justin Bieber.

Canadian tennis glamour girl Eugenie Bouchard is asked who she would date if she could date anyone. Her answer? The Biebs. Courtesy Australian Open.

"Moments after knocking out Ana Ivanovic in a hard-fought three-set upset, Bouchard faced the double standard of the sports world head-on as the courtside interviewer Samantha Smith pointed up at a clutch of men in the stadium known as the Genie Army."

Houpt added a number of examples of social media outrage over the incident.

GALLERY: GLAMOUR GIRLS FACE OFF

Jennifer Dunning, writing on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation website, wondered whether Smith's question was "sexist or just plain stupid".

"When a 19-yearold is the first Canadian to reach a Grand Slam semifinal in 30 years, the question on everyone's mind is, of course, who would her dream date be ... right?" Dunning wrote.

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"A TV reporter asked Eugenie Bouchard which celebrity she would most like to date while they stood on court after the Montrealer defeated Ana Ivanovic at the Australian Open on Monday.

"Forget her obviously embarrassed answer (Justin Bieber) - the question has spurred eye-rolling around the world, begging some to wonder whether it was sexist or just plain stupid."

The National Post also questioned whether the courtside interview was tantamount to sexism.

"Not all the attention has brought positive results, though," the Post noted of Bouchard's victory over Ivanovic. "Bouchard was asked a question in the wake of the biggest win of her career that drew accusations of sexism."

The question had submitted by a Channel 7 viewer through the network's 'Fango' promotion.

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Tiger talls push for spots

Shaun Hampson has had an untroubled pre-season since joining Richmond from Carlton. Source: News Limited

RICHMOND is quietly optimistic about Shaun Hampson's prospects after a flawless pre-season from the injury-prone ruckman.

The Tigers traded pick 28 for the Blues tall last year, and while he has boundless talent he has played only 63 games in seven seasons.

Persistent knee injuries have held him back in the last three seasons, but he has barely missed a session in an encouraging pre-season for Richmond.

He is one of a raft of Tiger talls that the club believes will add selection pressure, with David Astbury, Ben Griffiths, and Liam McBean all pushing hard for spots this year.

Reece Conca (hamstring and ankle surgery) will be touch and go for Round 1, but there are few other injury worries.

LENNON EYES SPOT IN TIGERS' BEST 22

Chris Knights (knee) has trained strongly after surgery in May last year, with most experienced players having completed the pre-season.

Dustin Martin, who was controversially shopped around by his management before signing a new deal, has had an untroubled and productive off-season.

Young forward McBean is also ramping up his training after a badly injured ankle and is hopeful for pushing for a senior spot early in the year.

WHICH RICHMOND BIG MEN SHOULD PLAY IN ROUND 1? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW

Richmond football manager Dan Richardson said the Tigers were happy to keep a low profile during the pre-season slog.

"Most of the boys are going well. We are reasonably healthy at the moment. Like all clubs you are treading that fine line between working them hard and them breaking down, but we are reasonably happy with the state of our list.

""So far so good with (Hampson). He is pretty good, he has trained well, he's worked really hard and he's fitting in with the group really well, too."

Hampson, 25, is expecting his first child with model Megan Gale later this year.

Former top-10 draft pick Conca ruptured his hamstring tendon in the elimination final against Carlton, so has had a methodical build-up over the summer.

"We are not too sure about Round 1 or not, but he's not too far off getting back into the main group, so then it will just be a conditioning thing," Richardson said.

The club expects all of its 2013 national draft selections - forwards Ben Lennon, Sam Lloyd and Nathan Gordon - to be in the selection picture for Round 1.

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Sydney FC dismisses ADP Thai move

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SPECULATION that Alessandro Del Piero is bound for a cashed-up Thai club next season have been dismissed as just that by Sydney FC CEO Tony Pignata.

However, former Socceroos defender Shane Stefanutto reckons it is a matter of when, not if, the A-League's greatest import leaves Australia.

Del Piero, 39, is reportedly weighing up his future after a mooted lucrative offer from Thai club PTT Rayong, owned by the nation's richest company Petroleum Authority of Thailand.

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Del Piero's brother and agent will reportedly meet in Brazil with the newly promoted Thai Premier League club's representatives this week.

However, Sydney FC boss Pignata was not resigned to losing the former Juventus captain and World Cup winner.

"I don't like commenting on speculation because that is all it is right now," he told AAP.

"At the moment, he is contracted until the end of the season. "We will discuss his future when the time is right.

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"The deals that his brother and agent talk about is up to them but there is always speculation surrounding a player of his calibre." However, Roar defender Stefanutto said it would be no surprise if the man who helped put the A-League on the map left at season's end.

"To have him in the league has been an absolute honour," he said.

"He's contributed so much to football in this country in a short time.

Alessandro Del Piero signs autographs and poses for photos. Source: News Limited

"He's a gentleman, a wonderful footballer - it would be sad to see him go.

"But we are not going to keep him forever; there's no doubting that.

"It's been wonderful for the league that we have been able to attract a player of his calibre.

"When I started in the old NSL (National Soccer League), we would never think of getting high-quality footballers like this - (Brazil's) Fernando Rech was about as good as you could get back then.

"So good luck to him (Del Piero)."

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Stats show Sevens is heaven for fans

Shannon Walker and the Australian sevens team face a tough challenge in Las Vegas. Source: Brendan Radke / News Limited

WITH the IRB Sevens World Series resuming in Las Vegas at the weekend, I thought I'd share a few stats with you to shed some light on why the abbreviated game is going gangbusters around the world.

A lot of the growth is in countries that are not necessarily a rugby power, but with so much exposure in both the established and new markets, it's easy to see why the game is now an Olympic sport.

If it's action you want, Rugby Sevens will give it to you. The following stats from the first three events from the 2013-14 series present a highly fluid, end-to-end game:

- A try is scored every 74 seconds of game time.

- 68% of all tries are scored with no completed tackle or ruck/maul in the possession build-up

- Of those tries, 60% are scored with 3 or fewer passes

- 42% of all tries are scored from a possession that originated within the attacking team's half

The following shows that controlling possession is becoming a greater challenge:

- 42% of all tries are scored from a turnover in possession or a regain at the restart

- 78% of all restarts are contestable kicks (36% are regained)

- 22% of all tackle/ruck/maul situations are turned-over

The World Series is certainly more competitive nowadays. With a bit of luck and the right bounce of the ball, anything can happen. This is the most competitive the series has been to date.

- 38% of all matches are won by a margin of 10pts or less

- 35% of all pool matches are won by a margin of 10pts or less

- 43% of all knockout matches are won by a margin of 10pts or less

And to round things off, the ball is in play for 53% of the time. That's the highest in all rugby union forms and competitions.

This long weekend you can check it out as Fox Sports is screening all three days from the Las Vegas Sevens. The young Australian team is currently fifth on the overall standings but they have a major challenge getting through the 'Pool of Death'.

They've been drawn with Gold Coast champs New Zealand and Dubai champs Fiji. Scotland make up the pool and they've been very competitive with Australia in recent outings.

The Aussies suffered a major blow when captain Ed Jenkins suffered an injury in the gym before the team departed for the USA. Luke Morahan and Sean McMahon are back with their Super Rugby franchises and unavailable while veteran James Stannard is injured.

Ed Jenkins will miss the Las Vegas Sevens through injury. Source: News Limited

Experienced trio Cameron Clark, Alan Fa'alava'au and Jordon Tuapou make a welcome return after injury and will need to hit the ground running if Australia is to advance to the top eight and pick up valuable series points.

South Africa are the defending champs and hope to make it back to back titles after their exciting triumph in their own event in Port Elizabeth in December. The first three events in this series have produced a different Champion each time. Who will it be in Vegas?

Australian Sevens team for Las Vegas: Nick Malouf, Jesse Parahi, Alan Fa'alava'au, Tom Lucas, Sam Myers, Con Foley, Cameron Clark, Greg Jeloudev, Jordan Tuapou, Peter Schuster, Paul Asquith, Shannon Walker

LAS VEGAS SEVENS

All three days LIVE on Fox 1. All times AEDT.

Jan 25 - 10.55am-5pm

Jan 26 - 6.55am-9.55am, 11.20am-2.20pm

Jan 27 - 4.10am-7.15am, 7.40am-10.10am

Pools:

A: South Africa, Kenya, Wales, Canada

B: New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, Scotland

C: Samoa, Portugal, England, Uruguay

D: Argentina, France, USA, Spain

Current standings - Top 10

1: New Zealand 58

2: South Africa 56

3: Fiji 48

4: England 40

5: Australia 34

6: Argentina 33

7: Kenya 32

8: Samoa 32

9: Wales 27

10: France 23

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Azarenka not getting complacent

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DON'T try telling Victoria Azarenka that others have cleared a path for her to stroll to a third consecutive Australian Open title.

The defending champion said she won't sleep any easier now that third seed Maria Sharapova has joined top seed Serena Williams as fourth-round losers.

"You have to stay alert. It doesn't matter the level that you're No. 2 or whatever. Everybody has proven that anybody can beat anybody,'' she said after advancing to the quarter-finals with a 6-3 6-2 win against American Sloane Stephens.

"The way I approach the matches, I have to be ready 100 per cent for every player.''

Azarenka reckons the conquerors of those grand slam champions are just as dangerous and must be respected in the run to the weekend finals.

Victoria Azarenka in action against Sloane Stephens. Source: AFP

"The players who beat those players deserve all the credit because they've been better, so they are dangerous and they are competitive.

"For me it's important to just keep focusing on my game and play it one at a time. Quarter-finals of a grand slam is never easy, no matter who you play.''

The second seed's supposed grudge match with Stephens was devoid of controversy this time as the American again salvaged on five games, like their semi-final clash last year.

Both players dismissed an incident in the seventh game of the opening set when Stephens drilled a ball at close range that struck Azarenka in the midriff.

"I have never hit anyone in a match, so I wouldn't say it was a pegging war,'' Stephens said.

"I thought she was going to move and she didn't. I don't know what was happening, but didn't think that would ever happen.''

Musician Redfoo applauds as Victoria Azarenka celebrates after beating Sloane Stephens. Source: AFP

Azarenka said Stephens immediately apologised. "That's tennis. Maybe she had an open court, but she chose that shot. I have no problem with that. I'm just focused on the next one,'' the victor said.

The titleholder conceded only that she was now the betting favourite to win again after the demise of Sharapova and Williams.

"Well, by the rankings, probably yes. By the game, I don't consider myself just a favourite because I don't consider anybody as the favourite,'' Azarenka said.

"I just go out there and play my best, because anybody on any given day can bring their best game.''

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Thwack! Why this ball boy is a legend

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STOP the Australian Open. We're ready to crown a champion.

Yesterday, one of the Open's ball kids faced off against a missile from the racquet of German player Florian Mayer.

Mayer miscued a return and it flew towards the ball boy, who was standing alongside the umpire's chair, facing the court.

There was no time to react. Before the poor kid could even put a shocked expression on his face, the ball smacked right into ... well, his face. THWACK.

The impact made the boy snap his head backwards with more force than a Roger Federer forehand.

On the face of it, the boy had every right to collapse facedown in a screaming heap and subsequently retire from the match, citing his desire to be fit for the Davis Cup . Or something.

We would have taken the reasoning behind such a withdrawal at face value.

But this ball boy was made of sterner stuff than that. Apparently eager to save face, he immediately returned to his stance, hands behind his back, acting as though nothing had happened.

What poise. What class. Such stoicism in the face of extreme pain - it's the most impressive thing we've seen from a ball kid since this happened two years ago:

Face it. This ball boy's grit beats anything we saw from the army of Australian tennis players at the Open this year.

The blow to his face probably stung quite a lot, but at least he wasn't kicked in the guts by a bratty football star like this poor sod:

We don't know how Eden Hazard looks at his own face in the mirror every morning.

###

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Chappy has Bomber excited

Happy with Chappy. Paul Chapman (right) has been impressing on the track since arriving at the Bombers. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

NEW Essendon coach Mark Thompson has recast the Bombers forward line, excited by the summer progress of Paul Chapman and determined to play Jake Carlisle in attack.

While the Bombers were last week set back by a 4-5 week ankle injury to key ruckman Tom Bellchambers , he will be the only player not in full training this week.

The departure of Stewart Crameri (Western Bulldogs) and determination of Thompson to play Michael Hurley as a key defender leaves the forward line short of firepower.

But Thompson told a Twitter forum last week that free agency acquisition Chapman was "on fire" in the pre-season, and was impressing the group with his football knowledge.

He earmarked Ryder, Joe Daniher and key defender Carlisle as key forwards, and said he planned to use some midfielders as part-time forwards.

Carlisle, who has trained as a key forward this summer, played some scintillating football as a swingman last year but battled when started as a key forward.

HURLEY AT HOME IN BACKLINE

Yet if Hurley, Cale Hooker, Tayte Pears, and Dustin Fletcher all hold down key defensive spots Carlisle might be surplus to requirements as a backman.

Thompson said second-year forward Daniher had put on a dozen kilograms since arriving at the club, with Crameri's departure giving the young rising star an enormous opportunity.

Brendon Goddard, who suffered a calf injury pre-Christmas, has been running again for five weeks and is back in full training.

The Bombers take on the Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium on Monday February 17, then Port Adelaide at Etihad Stadium in their second NAB Challenge game on February 25.

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Touch and Jo for Federer

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UNPERTURBED by <span channel="!Print">the prospect of negotiating</span>a difficult second-week Australian Open path, Roger Federer is looking no further than the dangerous Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at Melbourne Park.

With a fifth Australian Open title on the line, Federer cast aside thoughts of what might eventuate, later this weekwhen he could potentiallyplay Andy Murray, ­Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in successive matches.

QUEEN ANA THE PICK OF DAY 7

ANALYSIS: WHO CAN MAKE THE FINAL?

TOMIC OUT FOR 12 WEEKS

For Federer, 32, coping with Tsonga in a grand slam blockbuster overrides everything else.

and a past that involves losing to Tsonga, Murray, Nadal and Djokovic at the highest level.

"I have had tough draws throughout my career," Federer said.

"This is clearly , you know, a tough draw I have had, especially looking forward now. "But important now for me is just that I keep playing well and I don't go crazy of who I play now."

"Not every time, but I have played what, 60 slams and many tournaments, so I remember tough draws in early rounds.

Federer has lost to Tsonga twice in grands and, despite holding a 9-4 head-to-headedge, over the Frenchman,is bracing for a rugged battle.

"He clearly is going to surprise you just by shot-making or whatever it is," Federer said.

"If he hits a winner, I know probably where he's going to go, what the percentage is. But then again, because he hits it so well and so consistently, that's what makes it hard.

then, you know.

"He's got a huge serve, which then is also a huge part of the game, which increases the pressure or noton your own service games.

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"He's a great mover. So, I mean, you just know what to expect, which is good for better tennis for both players."

Federer has the protection of his Australian Open lowest seeding - sixth - since 2002.

Seeded 10th, Tsonga wore down Federer at Wimbledon in 2011 after being two sets down and Helast season downed the Swiss in straight sets at the French Open, but there is the lingering matter of Melbourne Park revenge for defeats here last year and in 2008.

, becoming the first player to overhaul the Swiss at the All England Club from two sets down.

"For me it's going to be the possibility to have revenge," Tsonga said.

"Because last year I lost against him here in quarter-final.

"It's a good opportunity for me to play him again.

"And, you know, it's always nice to play against such a good player."

The winner of the clash will face the winner of third seed Murray and French lucky loser Stephane Robert.

Other fourth-round matches involve top seed Rafael Nadal and Japan's Kei Nishikori and Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov against Spain's Robert Bautista Agut.

Roger Federer

Switzerland

Age: 32

Ranking: 6

Height: 185cm

Weight: 85kg

Titles: 77

Prizemoney: $79m

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

France

Age: 28

Ranking: 10

Height 188cm

Weight: 91kg

Titles: 10

Prizemoney: $12.4m

Head to head

Federer 9 Tsonga 4

In 2013

Australian Open Federer 7-6 (7-4) 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-3

French Open Tsonga 7-5 6-3 6-3

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