Van Gisbergen tops times in Top End

Shane van Gisbergen on his way to topping the times in final practice. Source: Daniel Kalisz / Getty Images

SHANE van Gisbergen will lead the charge in the Top End after heading Friday's final V8 Supercars practice session in Darwin.

On a day where form was hard to judge as teams sought to learn as much as they could on old tyres, Van Gisbergen was quickest of all when the brand new Dunlops were bolted on as the end of the session neared.

The Holden driver's 1m09.3476s lap headed Jamie Whincup, who set his good-tyre lap early, with James Courtney the only other driver to lap the Hidden Valley circuit in under 1m10s.

Rick Kelly followed up his Nissan teammates' session-topping effort earlier in the day to be fourth, ahead of Russell Ingall and Michael Caruso.

The Volvo twins were next, Robert Dahlgren ahead of Scott McLaughlin this time despite the Swede's car being pitbound for much if the session with an electrical issue.

Championship rivals Craig Lowndes and Mark Winterbottom rounded out the top 10.

Fabian Coulthard, third in the championship and fastest this morning, ended the day down in 20th sandwiched by Brad Jones Racing teammates Jason Bright and Dale Wood.

Saturday will see the V8s hit the track for two 10-minute qualifying sessions near midday ahead of two 100km-long races.

PRACTICE 2
NISSAN took a one-two sweep thanks to a string of late flyers from James Moffat and Todd Kelly.

Craig Lowndes headed most of the session until several cars opted to switch to soft tyres, with first Scott McLaughlin then the Nissan duo bettering his time.

Kelly initially held the top spot, only for Moffat to edge him with a faster lap as the chequered flags flew. Kelly was quicker again through the opening sectors of his final lap, but was unable to improve on Moffat's mark.

McLaughlin's Volvo was next ahead of Jamie Whincup and Lowndes. The Erebus Mercedes were next, Lee Holdsworth ahead of Will Davison, after the pair had sat in positions two and three ahead of the final flurry.

Jason Bright, this morning's fast man Fabian Coulthard and Moffat's Nissan teammate Michael Caruso rounded out the top ten.

Championship leader Mark Winterbottom ended the session in 15th, right behind all three of his Ford Performance Racing teammates.

Tyre conservation was the name of the game down at the Holden Racing Team, with Garth Tander the best of the four Walkinshaw cars in 18th with just six laps to his name, ahead of teammates Tim Slade and James Courtney who logged just two each.

Drivers were reporting that the track was becoming slippery as the high midday sun beat down on the circuit, with temperature playing a major role in the amount of grip on offer from the tarmac.

RESULTS - V8 Supercars Practice 2, SkyCity Triple Crown (20 min)
1. James Moffat (Nissan) 1m10.1537s
2. Todd Kelly (Nissan) +0.0569s
3. Scott McLaughlin (Volvo) +0.1852s
4. Jamie Whincup (Holden) +0.2930s
5. Craig Lowndes (Holden) +0.4657s
6. Lee Holdsworth (Erebus) +0.6300s
7. Will Davison (Erebus) +0.6730s
8. Jason Bright (Holden) +0.7496s
9. Fabian Coulthard (Holden) +0.8269s
10. Michael Caruso (Nissan) +0.9034s
11. Russell Ingall (Holden) +1.0779s
12. Chaz Mostert (Ford) +1.1760s
13. David Reynolds (Ford) +1.3159s
14. Jack Perkins (Ford) +1.3333s
15. Mark Winterbottom (Ford) +1.3671s
16. David Wall (Ford) +1.3721s
17. Shane van Gisbergen (Holden) +1.3760s
18. Garth Tander (Holden) +1.3865s
19. Tim Slade (Holden) +1.4717s
20. James Courtney (Holden) +1.5120s
21. Rick Kelly (Nissan) +1.7868s
22. Scott Pye (Ford) +2.0201s
23. Dale Wood (Holden) +2.0397s
24. Nick Percat (Holden) +2.0631s
25. Robert Dahlgren (Volvo) +2.4078s

Coulthard headed the early session. Source: Getty Images

PRACTICE 1
FABIAN Coulthard has topped the opening session of V8 Supercars practice ahead of this weekend's SkyCity Triple Crown in Darwin.

The New Zealander lapped the 2.41km Hidden Valley circuit in 1m10.5465s, marginally quicker than James Courtney and teammate Jason Bright who filled out the top three, the trio split by just 0.0523s.

"We bedded brakes in the first part (of the session), put on our used tyres and away we went," Coulthard told v8supercars.com of the session.

The hot conditions combined with a dusty first-day surface yet to be bedded in with rubber, leaving most drivers struggling for grip.

"That's standard," Coulthard explained. "We're all in the same boat. We know where we get here it's going to be slippery, high ambient – it's definitely a recipe for a lot of cars to be sliding around."

Jamie Whincup made it an all-Holden top four ahead of Will Davison in the first of the Erebus Mercedes and Scott McLaughlin in the leading Volvo.

Championship leader Mark Winterbottom ended the session in seventh, with Scott Pye, Shane van Gisbergen and Todd Kelly rounding out the top 10.

Title rival Craig Lowndes was quickest early, but was unable to improve on his early lap as he and others chased the right setup for the hot and slippery conditions.

After also sitting inside the top five early, Russell Ingall was forced to the garages so his crew could fix an oil leak in his Holden's transmission.

Tyre preservation will be the other main focus for teams today as they do their setup work on just two pre-used sets of tyres, with an additional brand new set of Dunlops likely to be saved for a qualifying simulation run at the end of the day when the track is at its best.

RESULTS — V8 Supercars Practice 1, SkyCity Triple Crown (20 min)
1. Fabian Coulthard (Holden) 1m10.5465s
2. James Courtney (Holden) +0.0295s
3. Jason Bright (Holden) +0.0523s
4. Jamie Whincup (Holden) +0.1468s
5. Will Davison (Erebus) +0.2782s
6. Scott McLaughlin (Volvo) +0.3463s
7. Mark Winterbottom (Ford) +0.3573s
8. Scott Pye (Ford) +0.3649s
9. Shane van Gisbergen (Holden) +0.3882s
10. Todd Kelly (Nissan) +0.4279s
11. Rick Kelly (Nissan) +0.5256s
12. Lee Holdsworth (Erebus) +0.5827s
13. Tim Slade (Holden) +0.6144s
14. Russell Ingall (Holden) +0.6195s
15. Jack Perkins (Ford) +0.6264s
16. David Wall (Ford) +0.6540s
17. Craig Lowndes (Holden) +0.6939s
18. Chaz Mostert (Ford) +0.6994s
19. James Moffat (Nissan) +0.7593s
20. Michael Caruso (Nissan) +0.7621s
21. Garth Tander (Holden) +0.7666s
22. David Reynolds (Ford) +0.8721s
23. Nick Percat (Holden) +1.0271s
24. Dale Wood (Holden) +1.0700s
25. Robert Dahlgren (Volvo) +1.1701s

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AFL ‘in the dark’ over doping charges

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AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says the league remains in the dark over the issuing of show-cause notices to Essendon players.

McLachlan stated he does not know what Essendon players were administered, what evidence ASADA used to justify the issuing of show-cause notices or the details of any offer of leniency.

BOMBSHELL: EMAIL TRACES TO BOMBER TALKS UNCOVERED

His comments come as Bulldogs president Peter Gordon calls on ASADA to drop its action against Bomber players, and the pharmacist who supplied peptides to the Bombers says neither ASADA or the players ae ever likely to know what they were injected with.

Essendon coach Mark Thompson says some players are coping with the stress of the drugs saga better than others.

"You go through all different phases, it's like grieving," he said at a press conference on Friday morning.

"In the end you just don't want to become mentally exhausted out of the whole process which is our danger.

"At times you get angry ... you want to fight, you want to vent.

"Some guys have been there and come out of it and some players might still be in there."

Essendon coach Mark Thompson keeps an eye on his players. Source: News Corp Australia

Gordon, who said he was not speaking on behalf of the Bulldogs but as "a lawyer of several decades' experience" said the players were "innocent victims" who should be cleared now.

In response to questions on ABC radio about ASADA's obligation to pursue players for possible anti-doping violations, Gordon said: "What ASADA have is an obligation to pursue their statutary objectives and to do so in accordance with fairness and proper process, and in my view, in the current circumstances and the evidence as it has now been revealed, the appropriate way for them to conduct themselves is to withdraw the show-cause notices."

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Gordon said the process had been "contaminated" by the extensive delay and revelations of extensive negotiations between the AFL and the anti-doping body before interviews started - and the possibility players volunteered information based on an understanding that a deal had already been struck.

The Bulldogs president said ASADA should continue to investigate Stephen Dank while the Bombers had already been punished.

"There has been references to some other club presidents this week saying Essendon should cop its right whack, well, it did last year."

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Speaking for the first time in an exclusive interview with The Australian , compound pharmacist Nima Alavi says neither ASADA or the players were ever likely to know exactly what players were administered with.

Alavi supplied a batch of Thymosin peptide to Dank in January 2012 and ASADA alleges it was used untested on Essendon players. Dank has denied the claims but if they are true Alavi says it's impossible to know if players were given Thymosin Beta 4, which is banned, a permitted peptide such as Thymodulan, or something else altogether.

"If he (Dank) hasn't got it tested then he has got some compounds that could have anything in them," Alavi said. "They could have any foreign substance in them. They could have viruses in them. You have got no idea. It is very disturbing."

Pharmacist Nima Alavi. Source: News Corp Australia

McLachlan said the AFL is still not privy to direct information from ASADA, despite show cause notices being issued more than a week ago.

The AFL Players' Association has urged ASADA to reveal evidence against Essendon players and McLachlan said the lack of open communication and visibility of the process was a "huge problem".

"I have spoken to Ben (ASADA chief executive Ben McDevitt), but with respect to the discussion with the players, the evidence against them on the basis of a show cause notice, I have no visibility at the moment and that is obviously a challenge," he told 3AW radio on Friday morning.

"It's the process as it runs. Simply, we are trying to get visibility — we don't have it."

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Essendon utility Brendon Goddard last night said an offer from ASADA to the Essendon players to accept a reduced ban in exchange for a guilty plea was "insulting".

"What's disappointing is getting an early-guilty plea (offer). A guilty plea for what?" Goddard said.

"The boys are adamant they've done nothing wrong. So is the footy club."

McLachlan said he is unaware of any offer.

"I don't know what the offer is, we don't have the visibility of it, again that's challenging and it's the situation we'd like to know I guess. I don't know whether it is an insulting offer or not, again, can't comment, because don't know," Mclachlan said.

"That is a huge problem as I see it right now, in this chair as chief executive of the AFL and you don't have visibility over this and players are saying they have an insulting offer and we don't know what it is, it has to be rectified going forward in my mind."

McLachlan said he had enormous empathy for the players and agreed the current system to deal with such an investigation is broken.

"I think this is incredibly challenging and we have to get through it, and when we do the system will be reviewed, but we are where we are with respect to this investigation and I think everyone agrees it's gone on too long and for the players sake and everyone's sake we want it brought to conclusion as quickly as we can."

McLachlan said he hoped the investigation would reach resolution quickly and would not be dragged through the courts.

"I hope it's not ... I hope we are able to get through and get to an outcome so that we are not sitting around in courts for two — three years."

McLachlan would not speculate on whether Essendon captain Jobe Watson would be stripped of his 2012 Brownlow Medal or whether board changes at club level should be mandated.

"There are so many angles that run off this, I'm committed to transparency — that time will come — but to speculate on all those difference angles is just unfair to the players and unfair to Jobe, there will be a time for that when we actually understand what's going on here."

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McLachlan did however acknowledge he can understand why there is a perception the AFL is responsible for ongoing leaks to the media around the joint AFL-ASADA investigation.

"It didn't come from the AFL ... I can't guarantee things from down below but it didn't come from my office. But what I do, do is that I accept the perception that it may have."

When you have more than two parties it is very difficult to know, with respect to leaking, where it is coming from. ASADA have got a roll to play going forward, as does the AFL, but how we streamline this process going forward — I know Ben McDevitt feels the same way as me, it has to be improved.

McLachlan said the League remained committed to an ongoing relationship with WADA and ASADA.

"In the end we are in partnership with the government and ASADA right now, what we both agree is the process can be improved going forward ... We are a signatory to an agreement with ASADA, they are our drug enforcement agency and we both agree it can be improved going forward."

The 34 current and former Essendon players issued show-cause notices by ASADA have been given an extension to respond to their charges.

The AFL Players' Association (AFLPA) confirmed on Thursday the anti-doping authority had agreed to its request to lengthen the response time.

The deadline is now July 11.

While the 34 players will have an additional two weeks to respond, it's unlikely to mean their cases are heard after the conclusion of Essendon's Federal Court action — the stated aim of the AFLPA.

The club's legal action will be first heard on June 27, along with the separate legal injunction filed by exiled coach James Hird.

On Wednesday, AFLPA chief executive Ian Prendergast called for an extension and for ASADA to hand over its evidence briefs against the 34 players.

Prendergast threatened legal action if the AFLPA was denied the briefs, though it's understood ASADA has yet to respond to that request.

For the first time, the June 27 directions hearing will be broadcast on television, with the ABC providing a live feed of the court.

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Super Tim a Sir-tainty for knighthood

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TIM Cahill's so good he deserves a knighthood, Robo Messi is running riot, a Cameroon player has lost the plot and headbutted his teammate while it all got a bit awkward for a match official who was snubbed for a handshake.

We're up on our feet for Cahill — and we're Up for the Cup! Read on.

SUPER TIMMY A SIR-TAINTY FOR KNIGHTHOOD

Tim Cahill put the exclamation mark on a spectacular Socceroos career by scoring one of the greatest goals in World Cup history in the early hours of Thursday morning.

So how best to commemorate one of the country's finest sporting stars? Easy, just throw a few more letters in front of his name. Arise, Sir Timmy Cahill.

Online bookmaker sportsbet.com.au has "slashed" the odds of Super Tim receiving a knighthood — a title which is back in fashion thanks to Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Where's my knighthood? Tim Cahill might be wondering. Source: News Corp Australia

Apparently our man was paying $9 before he took the field in Porto Alegre, and after that stunning strike against the Netherlands has been wound in to $6.

"Timmy is the role model all Australians should look up to, he's always risen to the occasion on the biggest of stages so let's hope punters are right and he rises once again — as Sir Tim Cahill," sportsbet.com.au's Will Byrne said.

Let's just hope if Cahill is awarded a knighthood, the PM gets his name right.

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HOW CAHILL'S GOAL WAS CALLED AROUND THE WORLD

Staying on Tim Cahill and THAT vicious volley — it's safe to say that it was a goal that was heard around the world.

In addition to the incredible reaction of pundits and fans across the globe , we've managed to track down some great pieces of commentary from overseas networks that captured the brilliance of the Aussie star's magic moment.

LISTEN TO SEVILLE RADIO STATION EL DESMARQUE CALL CAHILL'S GOAL BELOW

LISTEN TO FORMER EPL STAR ROBBIE SAVAGE CALL CAHILL'S GOAL BELOW

NO DISGUISING IT, ROOS WILL MISS THEIR STAR MAN V SPAIN

The only downside to Tim Cahill's epic performance against the Netherlands was that he picked up a yellow card.

It was the Socceroos star's second booking of the tournament, which means he'll miss Australia's final group clash against Spain.

Or will he? Judging by the terrific tweet below, maybe not ...

MESSI — TERRIFYING ON AND OFF THE FIELD

Lionel Messi running with the ball on a string at full pace is a sight to terrify any defender at the World Cup.

But the Argentine ace has a match in the frightening stakes off the field — Robo Messi.

Don't believe us? Watch the video below.

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CAMEROON PLAYER LOSES PLOT, HEADBUTTS TEAMMATE

A player down and four goals down on the scoreboard — things couldn't get worse for Cameroon against Croatia, right?

Cameroon's Benoit Assou-Ekotto lost his cool during his side's loss to Croatia. Source: AP

Unbelievably, they could. Following Alex Song's red card for an elbow on striker Mario Mandzukic, Cameroon's Benoit Assou-Ekotto did his best to join him in being sent off ... by launching an attack on a teammate.

Frustration — at the scoreline, at his haircut? — got the better of the Tottenham defender who lashed out at Benjamin Moukandjo with a headbutt.

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Cameroon coach Volker Finke was left stunned by the incident.

"It's unimaginable. I saw this happen and I need to find out exactly what happened, why exactly these two players exploded," he said.

"I really hate to see that. It's not the image of Cameroon I want to project."

It sparked memories of the infamous English Premier League stoush between Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer, which resulted in the Newcastle teammates both receiving red cards after coming to blows.

MATCH OFFICIAL STAYS COOL AFTER HANDSHAKE SNUB

Match officials have been coming in for a fair amount of abuse this World Cup, but blanking them before the game even starts would seem to be a tad harsh.

An important looking besuited chap was doing some pre-match handshakes in the tunnel ahead of Chile v Spain when this awkward little moment ensued .

After greeting Spain's captain Iker Casillas, the match official to the keeper's right offered his hand but the VIP just walked on by.

Keeping his cool, the official pulled the old "that's okay, was just rubbin' my head" manoeuvre, which met the smiling approval of a sympathetic Casillas, who at least did one thing right at this World Cup.

It all ended well, with Mr VIP realising his rudeness and returning for a quick greeting before heading off to do some presumably very important stuff.

MARACANA — A MORE THRILLING EXPERIENCE THAN YOU MIGHT EXPECT

If you've got a ticket for the top deck of the famous Maracana stadium in Rio at this year's World Cup, congratulations! You've also got a ticket to one of the most terrifying thrill rides in South America.

As can be seen from this video the wooden (?!) staircase that leads to the upper tiers of the legendary stadium shakes and rattles furiously as it transports thousands of fans inside.

Maybe it looks worse than it is. We can only hope so.

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THE REIGN IN SPAIN HAS TURNED INTO A WANE

Defending champion Spain's first round exit from the World Cup — after just two matches — stunned football fans everywhere.

So how did it go down back home?

We'll leave it to national daily newspaper Marca to sum up the mood in Spain.

Spanish newspaper Marca's response to Spain's exit from the World Cup. Source: Twitter

MARADONA 'BLOCKED' FROM WATCHING ARGENTINA?

He's synonymous with the World Cup, but Diego Maradona reckons he's having a hard time navigating the tournament in Brazil.

The Argentine great reportedly claimed that FIFA barred his access to his country's opening 2-1 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina — an accusation that the game's governing body has since denied .

Not Maradona but a man depicting him. Wonder if he had trouble gaining access to stadiums? Source: AFP

Spokeswoman Delia Fischer said FIFA had not received a complaint from Maradona "nor for anybody else."

"As long as he is going in with the right media access then there shouldn't be any issue," Fischer said.

"Maybe he went somewhere where we didn't have the necessary access but we have no record of it."

'MISS BUMBUM' BOOTED BEFORE RONALDO ARRIVES

(AFP): A former contestant in Brazil's "Miss BumBum" pageant who claims she slept with Cristiano Ronaldo has been ejected from a Portugal training session.

Andressa Urach, a former contestant in a pageant to choose Brazil's sexiest female posterior, was frogmarched out of Portugal's training ground by security staff just minutes before Ronaldo and his team took to the pitch.

Andressa Urach is escorted by members of security out of the grounds during a Portugal team training session in Sao Paulo. Source: AFP

Urach and the world player of the year have something of a history — or so says Urach.

British newspapers last year reported claims from her that Ronaldo, 29, had cheated on his girlfriend Irina Shayk with her. At the time, the Portuguese superstar angrily denied the claims, tweeting that he was "deeply outraged by a situation intended, in vain, to affect my personal life."

Urach, a co-host on a Brazilian variety program called the Muito Show, has been determined to get Ronaldo's attention at the World Cup.

She had a microphone in her hand and was apparently wearing official accreditation.

But, surrounded by a knot of photographers, she was unceremoniously ushered from the premises.

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Live: Watmough face NRL judiciary

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NSW AND Manly back-rower Anthony Watmough will face the NRL judiciary panel on Thursday evening in a bid to get his grade two dangerous throw charge downgraded.

Watmough was slugged with the charge after lifting Queensland prop Nate Myles into a dangerous position just after half-time in Wednesday's State of Origin clash at ANZ Stadium.

The 31-year-old was facing three games on the sidelines, including Origin three on July 9, with an early guilty plea. Although he has pleaded guilty to the offence, Watmough wants the charge reduced to a grade one offence which would see him miss just two games.

Maroon Nate Myles is put on his head by Anthony Watmough. Source: News Corp Australia

But he will miss four matches if he fails to convince the three-man panel at the hearing which will take place at Rugby League Central.

It is the second time a Blues player has faced the judiciary 24 hours after an Origin clash with Josh Reynolds fighting and winning his appeal against a similar charge grading in game one.

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Ennis signs with Sharks

Michael Ennis has signed a two-year deal with the Sharks. pic. Phil Hillyard Source: Philip Hillyard / News Corp Australia

BULLDOGS captain Michael Ennis is headed for the Shire having agreed to terms with the Cronulla Sharks.

Ennis will see out his career with the Sharks after signing a two-year deal.

DON'T MISS MICHAEL ENNIS' EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW ON NRL 360, LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 1 AT THE SPECIAL TIME OF 6.30PM.

The veteran hooker broke the news to his teammates this morning.

It had been considered a likely move for Ennis after he knocked back the advances of the Canberra Raiders.

Ennis' long term future at the Bulldogs was always under threat after the club signed rising star Michael Lichaa, ironically from the Sharks.

This will be the 30-year-old's fifth club having started his career with Newcastle, before stints at St George and Brisbane. He has been at the Bulldogs since 2009.

Which club did better out of the Michael Lichaa/Michael Ennis switch?

Cronulla CEO Steve Noyce said: "Michael is a quality player and one who will definitely complement the roster we have here at the Sharks at present.

"He has shown he can play 80 minutes which changes up the way we can do things with the interchange bench, has experience at the highest level and is a tough competitor with great leadership qualities.

"It is exciting to have him on board."

Cronulla captain Paul Gallen said: "Not only is he amongst the best hookers in the game, but Mick is just the sort of player you love to play alongside.

"His attitude is infectious to those around him in that he competes on every play and has a real will to win."

Canterbury CEO Raelene Castle said: "The Bulldogs are disappointed that we weren't able to come to an agreement with Michael for the future and we thank Michael for the enormous contribution he has made during his six years here.

"Everyone here holds him in high regard and supports his decision, which is ultimately in the best interests of his family and their future."

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Controversy rages over JWH elbow

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SYDNEY Roosters prop Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has not been charged by the NRL match review committee for an alleged elbow on Newcastle forward Jeremy Smith.

The Knights were fuming after Saturday's 29-12 loss to the premiers, claiming Waerea-Hargreaves deliberately targeted opponents with his elbows while in possession of the ball.

Smith was taken from the field late in the second half after attempting to tackle Waerea-Hargreaves in an incident not penalised by the on-field officials.

Jeremy Smith had to taken from the field following this collision with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves. Source: FoxSports

Should the NRL have charged Jared Waerea-Hargreaves for this impact on Jeremy Smith. Source: FoxSports

But in charges released on Monday, the NRL found the former Kiwi international had no case to answer.

Knights coach Wayne Bennett and captain Kurt Gidley were particularly scathing of the incident after the game.

"If that is acceptable in the game then the game needs to be changed," Bennett said of the alleged elbow lift.

Should Jared Waerea-Hargreaves have been charged for the 'elbow' incident that left Jeremy Smith injured?

"We all saw it on replay and the video referee saw it and they must have all thought it was acceptable.

"It is not acceptable but that was their take on it tonight. We will see what the future holds.''

Knights veteran Gidley claimed JWH was a serial offender. A similar incident saw club legend Danny Buderus stretchered from the field last year in the hooker's final rugby league match.

"I think he runs with his elbow raised," Gidley said.

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"As much as we are trying to protect players from leg injuries, well people getting hit in throats is just as dangerous. Personally I do think he runs with his elbow raised and I think there will be a few players here tonight that back me up."

Robbie Rochow and Kurt Gidley also came face to face with Jared Waerea-Hargreaves' elbow. Source: News Corp Australia

Roosters coach Trent Robinson maintained that Waerea-Hargreaves would not have a case to answer for the elbow lift.

"That was north-south," Robinson said.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves' elbow caught Chris McQueen in the Roosters clash with the Rabbitohs in late 2013. Source: Getty Images

"He is a tall guy and if you want to go high on him … He went north south with it and that is OK.''

Ahead of Gold Coast's clash with Melbourne on Monday night, the NRL has issued no charges from round 14.

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