Vettel fastest, Webber relegated

Sebastian Vettel celebrates another pole position next to Lewis Hamilton (L) and Mark Webber (R). Source: AFP

RUNAWAY Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel grabbed pole position on Saturday for the Korean Grand Prix, ahead of Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

Vettel's Australian Red Bull teammate Mark Webber was third fastest in qualifying but a 10-place grid penalty from the previous race relegates him to 13th.

The German set a time of one minute, 37.202 seconds around the Yeongam circuit and did not even need to improve on his last flying lap, qualifying two-tenths of a second faster than Hamilton.

Lotus driver Romain Grosjean qualified fourth but will move up to third, ahead of the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg, Ferrari duo Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, Sauber pair Nico Huelkenberg and Esteban Guttierez, and Kimi Raikkonen in a Lotus.

Vettel claimed his sixth pole of the season and his third in a row. It will be the fifth time in succession that Vettel and Hamilton will line up on the front of the grid.

The two McLarens of Sergio Perez and Jenson Button and the Force India pair Paul Di Resta and Adrian Sutil failed to make the top 10.

Toro Rosso's Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Jean-Eric Vergne were also knocked out in Q2.

Williams drivers Valtteri Bottas and Pastor Maldonado, the Caterham pair of Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde, and Marussia's Jules Bianchi Max Chilton went out after the first qualifying.

Vettel has a 60-point lead over Alonso in the drivers' standings, with Hamilton a further 36 points back.

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Nadal returns to world No.1

Rafael Nadal during his semi-final win over Tomas Berdych at the China Open. Source: AP

RAFAEL Nadal will return to No.1 in the world rankings for the first time since July 2011, after his semi-final opponent Tomas Berdych retired injured on Saturday at the China Open.

Nadal only needed to make the final in Beijing to edge ahead of Novak Djokovic in the new rankings, which will be announced on Monday.

The Spaniard was a break up at 4-2 in the opening set when Czech Berdych retired soon after taking an injury timeout.

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Nadal has enjoyed a remarkable season, returning from injury to dominate the hardcourt tournaments with a win-loss record of 27-0.

Djokovic, who has topped the rankings for 101 weeks, plays Richard Gasquet of France in the other semi-final later on Saturday.

Nadal, sidelined for the second half of last year with a knee injury, has finished the season as No.1 twice before, in 2008 and 2010, and is unbeaten since crashing out of Wimbledon in the first round in June.

The 27-year-old, tipped to eclipse Roger Federer's record of 17 grand slam titles, has won 10 ATP World Tour titles in 2013. 

In the women's semis, top-ranked Serena Williams will play Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland and Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic takes on Serbia's Jelena Jankovic.

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Bolton honoured with Madden Medal

Champion ... Jude Bolton awarded the AFLPA Madden Medal. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited

Much-respected Sydney midfielder Jude Bolton has won the Madden Medal as the AFL's top retiring player.

The AFL Players Association award acknowledges off-field contributions to the community as well as on-field excellence.

Bolton retired after the preliminary final loss to Fremantle on 325 games and played in Sydney's 2005 and `12 premiership teams.

He was a key member of the player leadership group at Sydney and helped form the "Bloods'' culture that has been the foundation of their current successful era.

Bolton retired second on the Swans' all-time games list behind Adam Goodes.

He has also been an ambassador for Redkite, a young cancer charity group, and worked with the Volkswagen Environmental Program.

Two other Swans players have won the award in its seven-year history - Michael O'Loughlin in 2009 and Brett Kirk the following year.

"To be recognised by your peers is an honour and I'm completely chuffed,'' Bolton said at the awards function on Friday in Melbourne.

Retired ... Jude Bolton is chaired off after the preliminary final loss. Source: News Limited

"I count myself as one of the lucky ones to have played this game for the past 15 years.

"Football brings people together and some of the highlights of my career would have to be the grand finals.

"To be able to deliver a premiership to the Swans and South Melbourne fans after 72 years (in 2005) was really special.

"I sensed early on in my career that if you invested in the community, you get so much more out of it.''

Players Association president and Collingwood star Luke Ball paid tribute to Bolton, who is one of the game's most popular figures.

"He's laid more tackles than any other player in the history of the game and is one of the fiercest competitors I've come across,'' Ball said.

"Yet off the field he is such a gentlemen and give so much back to the community, so you can't help but respect everything about him.''

Other candidates for the award included St Kilda's Jason Blake and West Coast midfielder Andrew Embley and Adam Selwood, plus Essendon pair David Hille and Nathan Lovett-Murray.

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Cards, Dodgers cruise in openers

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THE St Louis Cardinals crushed the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-1 to launch their Major League Baseball playoff campaign with an emphatic win.

St Louis starter Adam Wainwright turned in seven brilliant innings as the Cardinals got their quest for a third-straight trip to the league semi-finals off to an excellent start.

The 32-year-old Wainwright struck out nine and allowed just three hits in the opening game of the first round playoff series.

Wainwright said he embraces the extra pressure that comes with playing in the post-season.

"I love to be that guy,'' Wainwright said. "It is important to have somebody out there you can count on.''

In the late game Thursday, Clayton Kershaw struck out 12 as the Los Angeles Dodgers cruised past the Atlanta Braves 6-1 to take a 1-0 series lead.

Cardinals starter Lance Lynn will face Pittsburgh rookie pitcher Gerrit Cole in Game 2 on Friday (Saturday AEST).

National League Central Division champs St. Louis scored seven runs in the bottom of the third inning in which eight straight runners reached base in front of a crowd of 45,693 at Busch Stadium.

"To be able to get out on a good first step and play well today, I think is big for our guys confidence-wise,'' said Cardinals manager Mike Matheny.

Wainwright set the tone in the first game of the best-of-five series by retiring the first 11 batters he faced.

"He had his good stuff going right from the beginning,'' said Matheny. "Breaking ball was sharp. Controlled the counts. He had everything really working from the top. When he does that, he's going to make for a long day for most people.''

Wainwright's only blemish was when Pedro Alvarez belted a solo home run to lead off the top of the fifth inning.

Carlos Beltran clubbed a three-run home run off Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett during the third-inning barrage, while 2011 World Series MVP David Freese batted two-for-four with a two-run single.

The Cardinals ended the regular season on a six-game win streak to hold off the upstart Pirates for the division crown and beat out Atlanta for the NL's best record.

Pittsburgh struggled in just their second postseason game since 1992.

The Pirates committed three errors, had a mere four hits and didn't get much help from starting pitcher Burnett.

Burnett walked four batters, gave up six hits and surrendered seven runs in a little over two innings of work.

Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said they are not reading too much into one game.

"We had a rough game,'' Hurdle said. "We're down one game in the series, and we'll move on.''

The Dodgers were able to steal home field advantage from the Braves who will also host game two of the best-of-five series on Friday at Turner Field.

Los Angeles scored five runs over their first four batters to set the foundation for Kershaw, who allowed just one run on three hits over seven superb innings.

Kershaw, who gave up four runs in only three of his 33 starts this season, finished his outing in spectacular fashion by striking out nine of the last 11 batters he faced.

The NL-West Champions finished with 11 hits, with nine of them coming off Braves starting pitcher Kris Medlen, who took the loss.

"You get runs early like we did tonight it gives you confidence,'' Kershaw said.

Atlanta's Medlen lasted just over four innings and was charged with five runs, including a two-run homer to Adrian Gonzalez in the third inning.

Cuba's Yasiel Puig had two hits, along with Mark Ellis and A.J. Ellis, who each scored a run and finished with an RBI. Skip Schumaker added a sacrifice fly in the victory.

"He is the guy that gives us great energy and enthusiasm and he is going to be a big factor for us,'' Gonzalez said of Puig.

The Braves, who managed just five hits on the night, were coming off their first NL East title since their run of 14 straight ended in 2005.

The Braves have lost seven consecutive playoff series with their last win coming in 2001.

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Rays blank Indians in wildcard stoush

Delmon Young hits a solo home run in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians. Source: Jared Wickerham / Getty Images

DELMON Young smacked a home run as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Cleveland Indians 4-0 to advance in the Major League Baseball playoffs.

By capturing the one-game wildcard matchup, the Rays reached an American League divisional series against the top-seeded Boston Red Sox, who went 12-7 against Tampa Bay this season.

Oakland and Detroit meet in the other AL playoff series.

Young led off the third inning with a solo homer to the left-field stands to put the Rays on top and Desmond Jennings added a two-out, two-run double in the fourth to give Tampa Bay a 3-0 edge.

The Indians, hosting their first playoff game since 2007, left the bases loaded without pushing home a run in the fourth inning and stranded two base runners in the fifth.

Cleveland stranded two base runners again in the seventh, when relief pitcher Joel Peralta entered for the Rays with two outs in place of starter Alex Cobb and struck out Nick Swisher to end the threat.

"The adrenaline was going pretty fast early in the game," Cobb said. "My stuff wasn't the best but the guys made it work. When Delmon hit that home run, it got a lot better."

In the eighth, reliever Jake McGee entered for Tampa Bay with two outs and a runner on first and struck out Ryan Raburn to end the inning.

The Rays added an insurance run in the ninth inning when Yunel Escobar singled to right field to score Ben Zobrist from third base,

Rays reliever Fernando Rodney entered in the final inning and retired the last three Cleveland batters to complete the triumph.

Tampa Bay and the Texas Rangers each finished the regular season 91-71, forcing a tie-breaker game Monday for the last playoff spot that the Rays won 5-2 at Texas to earn the right to face the Indians.

js/dw

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Cats cut Chappy, Pods

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TRIPLE premiership star Paul Chapman is set to explore opportunities at rival clubs after Geelong today informed the forward his services are no longer required.

Chapman, who starred in the Cats semi-final win over Port Adelaide with four goals, had a tough 2013 campaign hampered by hamstring problems.

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Cats coach Chris Scott said Chapman would go down as a legend of the club.

"Paul's record speaks for itself, but it doesn't show the fierce competitor and the determination to succeed that he has displayed every day," Scott told the club's website.

"He has decided that he would like to extend his career and we wish him well. No doubt he will bring his passion whenever he plays against us, as he should. Regardless of where he goes from he, he will always be remembered as a Geelong icon."

Chapman played 251 games for Geelong kicking 336 goals. He was twice named All Australian and won the club's best and fairest in 2006.

Meanwhile, veteran Cat James Podsiadly says he is exploring his playing options after being told by Geelong he won't be offered a contract for next season.

The Cats are leaning towards a new start without the 32-year-old or Paul Chapman.

Chapman has been told by the club he is not likely to be handed another contract, and mature-aged recruit Podsiadly is now an unrestricted free agent.

"I'll be forever grateful for the opportunity Geelong gave me to play at the elite level and to be a part of the ultimate success as a player is something I'll never forget," Podsiadly said.

"Geelong has developed some fantastic young players who now deserve the opportunity to take the club forward. I would like to wish the next generation all the best and I hope they all have as much fun playing for the Cats as I did.

"Going forward I'm currently exploring further playing opportunities. I will always appreciate how the Geelong members, supporters and staff embraced me from day one. Thank you for making Geelong FC feel like home."

Geelong coach Chris Scott paid tribute to Podsiadly's contribution.

"James has indicated that he may look to extend his career, and if he chooses to do so we wish him well. Regardless of where the future takes him, Podsy will always be a Geelong person and will hold a special place with his teammates, coaches, staff and supporters."

Podsiadly kicked three goals in the qualifying final against Fremantle and a solid 32.18 for the season but did not score in the semi-final or preliminary final.

The Cats seem keen to play VFL revelation Shane Kersten as a mid-sized forward, and will push Nathan Vardy into the forward line if Dawson Simpson stands up as a ruckman.

The Geelong list management group is closely scrutinising the decision on its veterans, after coach Chris Scott foreshadowed a more aggressive list transition after the preliminary final loss to Hawthorn.

The Cats are still awaiting medical judgment on the future of Tom Hawkins, aware he might need back surgery which could keep him out of the early rounds of next year.

They are yet to make a decision on that surgery, hopeful rest might allow him to recover more quickly.

But there is a concession that Hawkins will have to careful manage the degenerative condition for the rest of his career.

Josh Hunt has already retired, and is keen to play on at a rival club, while Corey Enright is expected to play on.

Midfield star Joel Corey is another who could be nudged into retirement.

The future of Trent West is unclear given he signed a two-season deal last year but played just 13 games, only two after Round 11.

Scott spoke after the Grand Final of respecting the team's veterans and making a decision on their futures with their input.

But there is no doubt the Cats will look ahead to what their team looks like in 2015 and 2016 as they make tough decision on loyal players.

"With our senior players I think everyone is acutely aware of our desire to gradually transition our list over the last couple of years and that will accelerate over the next year or two probably," Scott said.

"We saw six or seven sides finish outside the eight that are going to be extremely competitive next year so if we don't improve and our young players don't show the sort of commitment our senior players have shown, we will slip very quickly."

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A-League rate the recruits

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HYPE is really starting to build ahead of the A-League kick-off on Friday 11 October.

Most coaches have finished putting their squads together, pre-season friendlies have been run and won and now all eyes are set on a blockbuster round one.

Which club has done the best business?

How has your side fared?

This is the year of consolidation. Harry Kewell returns to our shores, but while there is no Del Piero or Heskey-esque swoop, there are a host of returning Aussies eyeing game time amongst a sprinkling of seasoned foreigners.

We run the rule over the ins and outs heading into the season. 

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ADELAIDE UNITED

Ins: Isaias Sanchez (Ponferradina), Sergio Cirio (Hospitalet), Michael Zullo (FC Utrecht, LOAN), Tarek Elrich (Wanderers), Steven Lustica (Hajduk Split, CRO), Jordan Elsey, Awer Mabil (youth team)

Outs: Iain Fyfe (Mes Kerman, IRN), Dario Vidosic (Sion, SWI), Fabian Barbiero, Evan Kostopoulos (released)

VERDICT: There's a fair bit of optimism around Hindmarsh Stadium after their first pre-season under Josep Gombau. Ballwork, fluency and creativity has been the word of the day and their two Spanish recruits Sanchez and Cirio are earning rave reviews. They're also playing their part for local talent, with Zullo and Lustica returning to the league as key players in this outfit. Lustica should provide midfield glue amidst their flamboyant foreign talent. 

MARK: 7.5/10

BRISBANE ROAR

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Ins: Liam Miller (Perth), Dimitri Petratos (Kelantan, MAL), Diogo Ferreira (Victory), Corey Brown, George Lambadardis (promoted from youth team), Matt McKay (Changchun Yatai)

Outs: Ben Halloran (Fortuna Dusseldorf, GER), Steven Lustica (Hajduk Split – loan expired), Matthew Jurman (Sydney FC), Massimo Murdocca (Heart), Stefan Nijland (loan expired)

VERDICT: There's a lot to like about Brisbane Roar, who have enjoyed their first full pre-season under Mike Mulvey. Adding proven A-League stars McKay and Miller to the ranks is a huge fillip for a side with an already impressive first-XI; depth hasn't been exposed yet, but there are some talented youngsters waiting in the wings. 

MARK: 7.5/10 

CENTRAL COAST MARINERS

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Ins: Marcel Seip (VVV Venlo, NETH), Matt Simon (Chunnam Dragons, KOR), Marcos Flores (Mariners), Storm Roux (Perth), Tom Slater (Sydney FC youth), Michael Neil, Hayden Morton (youth team), Joel Reddy

Outs: Pedj Bojic (Sydney FC), Patrick Zwaanswijk (retired), Oliver Bozanic (FC Luzern, SWI), Mat Ryan (Club Brugge, BEL), Bernie Ibini (Shanghai Dongya, CHI), Daniel McBreen (Shanghai Dongya – loan until October 30)

VERDICT: Losing prodigious youngsters Ryan, Bozanic and Ibini is a huge loss for the defending champions, but Graham Arnold has brought in capable replacements. The addition of Liam Reddy gives him two stoppers to vie for the No.1 spot; Marcel Seip will try to fill the void left by Zwaanswijk's departure and McBreen's late start, returning from China at the end of October, is mitigated by Matt Simon's return, the addition of Marcos Flores and the development of Mitchell Duke. Whether Arnie can get the best out of Flores, alongside fellow playmaker Michael McGlinchey, will be fascinating. 

MARK: 6.5/10

MELBOURNE HEART 

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Ins: Orlando Engelaar (PSV, NETH), Rob Wielaert (Roda JC, NETH), Harry Kewell (free) Massimo Murdocca (Brisbane), Tando Velaphi (Victory), Iain Ramsay (Adelaide), Aziz Behich (Bursaspor, LOAN), Stefan Mauk (promoted from youth team), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leeds United), Michael Mifsud (Valletta)

Outs: Clint Bolton (retired), Josip Tadic (Rijeka, CRO), Eli Babalj (AZ Alkmaar, NETH), Simon Colosimo, Matt Thompson, Fred, Marcel Meeuwis, Jamie Coyne (released)

VERDICT: John Aloisi has now had a full off-season recruitment drive to get the squad he wants. Gone is the experienced, older model he was working with last term, and there are sprinklings of attacking variety in his squad. All of his signings are experienced, either here or abroad, and he added the last piece of the puzzle with the addition of Malta captain Mifsud up front. Then there's the Kewell factor. Lessons have been learnt from the Victory experience and from all reports, he's been a positive influence on the club, especially the young brigade.

MARK: 8/10 

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Now it's time for you to do the recruiting! Fantasy A-League is now live - sign up now and pick your side for your chance to win $10,000!

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MELBOURNE VICTORY

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Ins: Kosta Barbarouses (Alania Vladikavkaz, RUS), Mitch Nichols (Brisbane), Pablo Contreras (Olympiakos), James Troisi (Atalanta - loan) 

Outs: Marco Rojas (Stuttgart, GER), Marcos Flores (Mariners), Billy Celeski (Al Shaab, UAE), Diogo Ferreira (Brisbane), Tando Velaphi (Heart), Daniel Mullen (Dalian Aerbin, CHI - loan expired), Spase Dilevski, Theo Markelis, Matt Foschini (released)

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VERDICT: Some popular Victory personnel left the club last term, but there's plenty to be excited about the way Ange Postecoglou's squad is shaping up. Keeping Mark Milligan is as good as a signing, and we all know what level Barbarouses and Nichols reached under their former Roar mentor. With Gui Finkler's return from injury, Australian international Troisi, plus the talented Connor Pain, there's a genuine potency - on paper - to the Victory's attack. But will they be able to fill Rojas's void? Like last term, Postecoglou will do it without an out and out marksman - but there's potential for plenty of goals from a high tempo midfield. Victory identified that an experienced centre-back was crucial - they got that with the experienced Portuguese Contreras, but how he copes with the pace of the league is another question. 

MARK: 8/10 

NEWCASTLE JETS

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Ins: Kew Jaliens (Wisla Krakow, POL), Nathan Burns (Incheon United, KOR - LOAN), Joey Gibbs (Wanderers)

Outs: Bernardo Ribeiro, Dominik Ritter, Marko Jesic (released), Jack Duncan (Perth Glory)

VERDICT: It's time for Gary van Engmond's talented crop to be entrusted with consistent game time, and to step up, because recruitment has been light on at Hunter Stadium this winter. The Jets have brought in 35-year-old Dutchman Jaliens to provide experience at the back, while former A-League starlet Burns returns with high expectations after a couple of seasons abroad. At his best, he can provide a talented x-factor to complement the Jets' exciting attacking options. 

MARK: 5.5/10

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PERTH GLORY

Ins: Ljubo Milicevic (free), Sidnei (Alki Larnaca, CYP), Ryan Edwards (Reading - LOAN), Cameron Edwards (free), Jamie Maclaren (Blackburn), Isaka Cernak (Wellington), Matthew Davies, Riley Woodcock, Daniel De Silva (promoted from youth team)

Outs: Liam Miller (Brisbane), Dean Heffernan (Wanderers), Storm Roux (Mariners), Matias Cordoba, Nick Ward, Nick Ward, Evan Berger, Neil Young (released)

VERDICT: At times, Perth have looked leg weary, but Alistair Edwards's first recruitment drive has left him with a real split between youth and experience. He'll get a real test of his management skills by gambling on Ljubo Milicevic, but if he can get him near his best, it will be worth it as he guides a side alongside Vukovic, Thwaite, Jamieson, Burns, Smeltz and co. Edwards built his reputation in youth development, so it's no surprise to see him bring through a number of fresh faces - including his two sons, Cameron and Ryan. Both have spent time at Reading, and Ryan is currently on loan from the Championship club. The headline of the crop is 19-year-old Maclaren from Blackburn, who impressed at the recent under-20 World Cup, while Edwards will have to ensure 16-year-old De Silva doesn't get too much expectation on him after impressing in Turkey as well. Edwards's recruitment could end up being as good as any, but relying on youth comes with it's risks, and it will be interesting to see how Perth's depth fares if they're all exposed at once. 

MARK: 6.5/10 

SYDNEY FC

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Ins: Richard Garcia (Heart), Corey Gameiro (Fulham), Pedj Bojic (Mariners), Matt Jurman (Brisbane), Nick Carle (Bani Yas, UAE – loan expired), Marc Warren (Airdrie Utd, SCO), Nikola Petkovic (Red Star Belgrade)

Outs: Joel Griffiths (Qingdao Jonoon, CHI), Kruno Lovrek, Fabio, Nathan Sherlock, Adam Griffiths, Paul Reid, Trent McClenahan (all released)

VERDICT: The artillery is there at Moore Park this season. Will the combinations and balance be? Frank Farina inherited a struggling squad last term and has changed it considerably, adding plenty of experience and proven A-League performers across the pitch. There's still a question over central midfield - particularly with Terry Antonis's unfortunate injury, but there will be big expectations on a side boasting Socceroos Garcia, Brett Emerton and the returning Carle and who can forget Alessandro Del Piero? Corey Gameiro, an impressive, pugnacious young striker, is a worthwhile addition to the mix as well. 

MARK: 8/10 

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WELLINGTON PHOENIX 

 

Ins: Carlos Hernandez (Prayag United, IND), Kenny Cunningham (The Strongest, BOL), Reece Caira (Wanderers), Lewis Italiano (Perth)

Outs: Isaka Cernak (Perth), Mark Paston (retired), Tony Lochhead, Alex Smith, Dani Sanchez, Jimmy Downey, Lucas Pantelis (all released)

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VERDICT: Wellington slipped from their competitive perch last year, but with Ernie Merrick at the helm, we can expect a much more organised outfit. There's certainly enough x-factor in the side with Jeremy Brockie and Paul, while Merrick is re-united with Hernandez, a signing late last term. But luring players to the Phoenix isn't easy and recruitment to a squad lacking depth has been thin, outside of 20-year-old Aussie left-back Caira and Costa Rican Cunningham. Can Hernandez return to his best under his old mentor? 

MARK: 5/10 

WESTERN SYDNEY WANDERERS

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Ins: Tomi Juric (Adelaide), Dean Heffernan (Perth), Brendon Santalab (Chongqing Lifan, CHI), Josh Barresi (promoted from youth team), Yianni Perkatis (Pomoted from youth team), Matthew Spiranovic (free agent)

Outs: Dino Kresinger (Zavrc, SLO), Joey Gibbs (Newcastle), Tarek Elrich (Adelaide), Reece Caira (Wellington), Rocky Visconte (Suphanburi, THA)

VERDICT: Western Sydney Wanderers' players promise there will be no second year syndrome as they strive to better their extraordinary opening season, with Tony Popovic putting them through an exhausting, but typically thorough pre-season. The Wanderers' success came without a successful out-and-out striker, but with the addition of impressive youngster Tom Juric and Brendon Santalab's return to the competition, he arguably has more firepower at his disposal. Australian international Matthew Spiranovic has long been touted for big things, but perhaps Popovic is the man to finally get the most out of the defender. With Nikolai Topor-Stanley and Michael Beauchamp already on the books, it will be fascinating to see where Spiranovic fits into the equation.

MARK: 7.5/10 

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Mummy leaves Swans for GWS

Shane Mumford is now a Giant. Source: George Salpigtidis / News Limited

PREMIERSHIP ruckman Shane Mumford is now a Giant.

The Sydney star has accepted an offer from Greater Western Sydney with the fledgling club finally finding the ruckman it has lacked.

The three-year deal was announced today, with the Giants posting this photo of Mumford holding a GWS jumper on their website.

Credit: GWS Giants Source:

Mumford, 27, has played 100 games since starting with Geelong in 2008 through the rookie draft.

Mumford was expected to be squeezed out of the Swans after their surprise monster offer to Buddy Franklin, which saw the Hawthorn superstar turn down GWS's $1.2m six-year offer.

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The signing also comes as a blow to Hawthorn, which was reportedly keen on the Bunyip product.

"The Giants  are an exciting club with a great future and I couldn't be happier to be moving across Sydney to join them," Mumford said.

"They have a talented young midfield and it's a great opportunity to help them go to the next level and achieve on-field success."

New Giants coach Leon Cameron said Mumford would fill the ruck void nicely.

"As our number one ruckman he will take some of the pressure off Jonathan Giles while we continue to develop Andrew Phillips and Tom Downie and gives us depth in our ruck stocks.

"We have every confidence in our list management strategy and will continue to be aggressive in the trade period to acquire the experienced players we need at the Giants."

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Brees shines as Saints crush Dolphins

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees was in deadly form against Miami. Source: Stacy Revere / Getty Images

DREW Brees threw four touchdown passes as the New Orleans Saints breezed to a 38-17 win over the Miami Dolphins in a clash of two unbeaten NFL teams.

Brees connected on 30-of-39 passes and 413 yards for the Saints, who were coming off a dominating 31-7 win over Arizona and are now 4-0 on the season.

Brees surpassed the 300-yard passing mark for the ninth consecutive game, tying his own NFL record set over the 2011-2012 seasons.

Jimmy Graham caught four passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns and Darren Sproles added seven catches for 114 yards and one touchdown for the Saints in front of a crowd of 73,118 at Superdome stadium.

New Orleans are off to their best start since winning the first 13 games of the season in 2009 before going on to win the NFL championship.

Marques Colston finished with 96 yards on seven catches in the win.

Ryan Tannehill struggled for the Dolphins, completing 22-of-35 passes for 249 yards with one touchdown, three interceptions and one lost fumble. Miami fell to 3-1 on the season.

Miami's Brandon Gibson caught six passes for 71 yards and Charles Clay grabbed a half dozen passes for 42 yards and a touchdown in the loss.

The Saints cruised through the second half, outscoring the Dolphins 17-7.

New Orleans reached the end zone on their first touch of the half as Brees hit Benjamin Watson with a four-yard touchdown strike.

Brees then found Graham down the right side for a 43-yard touchdown to give New Orleans a commanding 35-10 lead.

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Injured Clarke out of India tour

Michael Clarke has lost his race against time to be fit for the India tour.   Source: AFP

CAPTAIN Michael Clarke was ruled out on Tuesday of Australia's one-day tour of India this month with his long-standing back problem needing further treatment.

The star batsman was picked in the initial 14-man squad last month but the injury has failed to show as much progress as expected, with George Bailey assuming responsibilities as skipper.

''Michael Clarke has a long-standing low-back injury that requires ongoing management,'' said team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

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''During the recent England ODI series his injury flared up again and has been slow to improve with his regular treatment regime.

''Michael will therefore not be available to play the upcoming India ODI series and will require a more extensive rehabilitation period before returning to competitive cricket.''

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South Australia's Callum Ferguson has been called up to replace Clarke as Australia play a seven-game series in India from October 11, which will be coached by Steve Rixon while Darren Lehmann is rested.

Selectors would have been reluctant to take any risks with Clarke given his long history of lower back injuries which flared again during the recent tour to England, and given the big home summer coming up including the return Ashes series.

''Michael was very keen to captain the ODI team to India but unfortunately he hasn't progressed enough to be available for selection,'' said national selector John Inverarity.

Ferguson's form in 50-over cricket last summer earned him his recall to the national set-up.

He scored 271 runs at an average of 45 and a strike rate of 70 in the Ryobi Cup and, in three matches for Australia A against the England Lions in February scoring 149 runs at 49.66 with a strike rate of 91.

Veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin will take over as vice-captain following Bailey's promotion to leader for the tour.

The selectors also announced that highly promising NSW batsman Nic Maddinson was a late addition to the squad for the one-off T20 match against India on the tour.

''Nic showed some sparkling form on Australia A tours during the winter,'' said Inverarity.

''He will be in strong contention to open the batting with Aaron Finch in this game.''

ODI squad to play India: George Bailey (capt), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Callum Ferguson, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Phil Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Adam Voges, Shane Watson.

Australian T20 squad to play India: George Bailey (capt), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Xavier Doherty, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Mitchell Johnson, Nic Maddinson, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay, Adam Voges, Shane Watson.

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Smith steers Blues to Tassie win

Steve Smith continues his hot form against Tasmania. Source: Mark Kolbe / AAP

A MATURE innings from Test batsman Steve Smith and some sharp fielding and bowling enabled NSW to defeat Tasmania by 81 runs in the first domestic one-day cricket match of the season on Sunday.

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Opting to bat first, NSW made a mediocre 9-178 at Sydney's Bankstown Oval before dismissing Tasmania for 97 in 35 overs to claim a bonus point.

Smith (70 off 99 balls) held the Blues innings together, striking four boundaries and two sixes in a responsible innings on a slow wicket.

He came in at first drop, after Test opener David Warner (4 off 16) was caught at second slip in the fourth over.

The Tigers were reasonably placed at 1-51 in the 16th over, but their challenge crumbled as they lost 4-6 in just over six overs.

A combination of disciplined bowling, poor running and fine catching turned the match around.

Alex Doolan (24 off 49) and Jon Wells (2 off 7) were both run out.

The dangerous duo off Mark Cosgrove (0 off 8) and George Bailey (1 off 9) were the victims of sharp catches.

Cosgrove was snapped up at point by Warner, while Bailey fell victim to a sharp return catch from emerging paceman Gurinder Sandhu (1-15 off six overs).

When Ed Cowan (25 off 50) perished off the last ball of the 22nd over, Tassie were 5-57 and effectively out of the contest.

Moises Henriques (4-17 off 8), Doug Bollinger (0-12 off 8) and Josh Hazlewood (1-27 off 7), turned the screw along with Test spinner Nathan Lyon (2-23 off 6).

Earlier, Smith and Henriques (35 off 46), added 46 for the second wicket, before NSW suffered a mid-innings collapse, losing 4-21 to slump to 5-81 after 24 overs.

Smith and one-day debutant Kurtis Patterson (22 off 44) put on 53 for the sixth wicket, but the Blues added just 24 off the last 7.5 overs after Smith was bowled around his legs by Xavier Doherty (1-40 off 10).

Medium pacer Ben Laughlin (3-23 off 10) smashed through the bottom half of the order.

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Penthouse and Outhouse: GF edition

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FOX FOOTY expert Julian de Stoop takes a look at the AFL Grand Final with the Hawks proving too good for Fremantle at the MCG.

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IN THE PENTHOUSE

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BRIAN LAKE
12 months ago Brian Lake was sitting in the MCG car park drinking beer before the Grand Final now the former Bulldog is a Hawthorn premiership hero.
Lake's strength has always been his ability to intercept mark and in windy conditions he was at this very best in this aspect of the game.
Lake pulled in 10 marks including vital grabs in the final term. The veteran defender also gathered 22 disposals on his way to a deserved Norm Smith Medal…the first key defender since Carlton great Bruce Doull in 1981 to win the medal.

JACK GUNSTON
The Hawks' big three up forward Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead and Cyril Rioli didn't set the world on fire this finals series, kicking just seven goals between them.
The trio ended up playing a back seat to former Crow Jack Gunston who was arguably the player of the finals series.
The second year Hawk finished with 11 goals in his three finals and missed out on the Norm Smith Medal by just one vote.

HAWKS' RECRUITING
In 2008 former Port Adelaide star Stuart Dew played a key role in the Hawks premiership win and five years on some more shrewd recruiting paid off in a big way.
Brian Lake and Jack Gunston were the Hawks' best two players in the Grand Final and since that 2008 triumph the Hawks have also added former Kangaroos duo Josh Gibson and David Hale.
Jonathan Simpkin was delisted by Sydney and Geelong but is now a premiership winning Hawk while via the draft the club addressed a lack of leg speed via the recruitment of Isaac Smith and Brad Hill.

HAWKS' TACKLING
All the talk leading into the Grand Final was about Fremantle's defensive pressure but the Hawks beat them at their own game.
Hawthorn won the tackle count 80-65 with Liam Shiels leading the way with nine while Cyril Rioli created havoc up forward laying seven of his own.
The Hawks also won the clearance count by eight despite Aaron Sandilands dominating the ruck.

DAVID MUNDY
If people across the country didn't already know, this man is a star.
Mundy was instrumental in the Dockers' third quarter fightback and was clearly Fremantle's best player gathering 28 disposals, 7 clearances and 8 tackles.
With Mundy, Nathan Fyfe, Stephen Hill, Michael Barlow and the best tagger in the business in Ryan Crowley the Dockers boast a midfield that will be a force for years to come.

IN THE OUTHOUSE

FREMANTLE'S CONVERSION
Last year the yips struck the Hawks on Grand Final day and this year it was Fremantle's turn and ultimately it cost the Dockers any chance of winning.
Nat Fyfe set the tone early with two first quarter shanks while in the last quarter Hayden Ballantyne got the staggers as his team was making one last surge.
Ross Lyon suffered the same fate with St Kilda in 2009 when they went down to Geelong by 12 points.

GRAND FINAL AESTHETICS
The bar has been set high in recent years but this year's Grand Final wasn't one for the archives.
It wasn't a bad game by any means but it lacked the individual highlights of previous years. But I'm sure Hawthorn fans aren't complaining.

ZAC DAWSON
Dawson has been a fine player for the Dockers and played well on Grand Final day in the past with St Kilda but this time he had a shocker.
Jack Gunston was too nimble and too smart for Dawson and his four goals out of 11 played a huge role in the Hawks' win.

COUNTDOWN CLOCK
The atmosphere in the seconds leading up to the first bounce is so electrifying there is no need to add anything to it. The countdown clock to the most anticipated bounce of the season isn't necessary.

DOCKER FORWARDS
Matthew Pavlich and Michael Walters came into the game in the third term but for most of the game the Dockers' forwards had little impact.
Hayden Ballantyne and Chris Mayne were well below their usual standards while Zac Clarke has no impact at all.
Four of Hawthorn's top six possession winners… Grant Birchall, Brian Lake, Luke Hodge and Josh Gibson… are defenders, indicating Fremantle's famed forward pressure wasn't up to its usual standard.

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