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Magnussen fastest in 100m semi

Written By Unknown on Senin, 29 April 2013 | 23.40

Focused ... James Magnussen prepares before the Mens 100m Freestyle Semi Finals in Adelaide Source: BEN MACMAHON / AAP

A bad headache ensured a 'sloppy' 100m freestyle semi-final effort by world champion James Magnussen at the national swimming championships in Adelaide on Monday.

But he would have no doubt created some headaches for rivals ahead of July's world titles after backing up from a scorching heat time to qualify fastest for Tuesday night's 100m final.

Magnussen took a confident step toward post-London redemption by topping the 100m semi-final time sheets, clocking 48.24 seconds ahead of fellow controversial Olympic relay teammates Cameron McEvoy (48.63), Matt Targett (48.68) and James Roberts (48.83).

Magnussen sounded far from happy with his semi-final effort but had sounded his intentions by swimming the second-fastest 100m freestyle time of the year on Monday morning (47.97).

"I had a pretty chronic headache this arvo. It was hanging around. I knew I was going to be a bit sloppy (in the semis),'' Magnussen said.

"But I am doing a lot of work on staying positive, staying in the right frame of mind. That was a good test of that tonight.

"I think that got me across the line. I didn't quite have the spark tonight. But that won't be a problem tomorrow night" (Tuesday).

Magnussen's Monday heat time was faster than his Olympic 4x100m relay lead-off effort in London (48.03).

Magnussen's coach Brant Best had feared his charge would not be at his best in the 100m in Adelaide after dabbling in the 200m freestyle event at the national titles.

Magnussen is in the 4x200m freestyle relay team mix for Barcelona after clocking the third fastest time for the four-lap event before withdrawing ahead of Sunday night's final won by Thomas Fraser-Holmes.

Meanwhile, Olympic silver medallist Christian Sprenger set a national record (26.90) to win the 50m breaststroke title in the year's fastest time, a full second ahead of runner-up Max Ireland (27.90)

Olympic bronze medallist Bronte Barratt (one minute, 56.05 seconds) claimed her second straight 200m freestyle title and fourth overall by holding out London teammate Kylie Palmer (1:56.66) to book a flight to Barcelona.

Grant Irvine (1:55.32) is also bound for Spain after clocking the fastest 200m butterfly time of the year to win the final ahead of favourite Chris Wright (1:57.79).

It almost made up for Irvine missing out on London Olympic selection by just 0.27 of a second at last year's national titles.


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'Stuart would have given Eels spray'

Poor ... Hindy says the Eels' performance would have earned them a spray from Ricky Stuart. Source: AAP

In his weekly column, Fox Sports expert and Canberra assistant coach Brett Kimmorley offers his thoughts on round seven of the 2013 NRL Premiership season.

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Penrith Panthers v Parramatta Eels, Centrebet Stadium

Nathan Hindmarsh: The Eels boys would be disappointed. Some simple missed tackles weren't ideal and they'll have to go again next week. I'm sure Ricky Stuart would have given them a blast after the match. It's our local derby so it's a really disappointing result. But hats off to the Panthers on a superb victory over their rivals. Young fullback Matt Moylan on debut, I thought he was spectacular.

Gorden Tallis: Penrith copped criticism a couple of weeks ago about what Gus was doing, but this win shows that all the young kids coming through could produce big for them. Penrith have got a big future if they can hold on to their kids, who looked full of energy and enthusiasm against the Eels.

Sydney Roosters v St George Illawarra Dragons, Allianz Stadium

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St George Illawarra came prepared to play and they made that clear by scoring the first try of the game. Anzac Day always brings the best out of these teams with the match fast paced and of a high intensity. But within a 10 minute period the Roosters sent out a timely message as to why they are a force to be reckoned with this year. They scored some fast tries off the back of their mobile and athletic forwards. I don't think Michael Jennings has received much praise this season but he was outstanding and looks like he has his pace back. He is certainly living up to his expectations as a try scoring machine who seeks out the ball at any opportunity. Despite the score line, the Dragons certainly put in the effort for their coach who re-signed with the club on the same day.

Melbourne Storm v Warriors, AAMI Park

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This little derby wound up becoming a crackerjack game with an atmosphere to match its intensity. The Warriors have a habit of lifting against Melbourne and Anzac Day was no different. The game was marred in controversy with a 40/20 call going against the Warriors in strange circumstances. It was a gutsy decision for the touch judge to rule the ball had hit one side of the line and then after being questioned by Billy Slater he changed his mind. The next set of six it led to a try and Matt Elliott and his players would have been heartbroken about that call. The Warriors genuinely threatened the massive winning streak the Storm are on and should be very proud of their performance. Cameron Smith took control of his side and led them around, ultimately the Storms' class came to the fore and they handled the pressure better than their opposition. 

Manly Sea Eagles v South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brookvale Oval

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I feel like this win is an enormous one for South Sydney. Prior to the bye weekend, they had lost in Melbourne and wouldn't have wanted to lose to another top four side. It is never an easy task to play Manly at home and the Sea Eagles threw a lot at them physically in what was a faced paced match. Richie Fa'aoso is likely to be dealt a lengthy suspension for his two dumping tackles on Greg Inglis. A two nil score line at halftime resembled the class of both sides' defence but Adam Reynolds showed maturity in the second half and Inglis came up with some big plays, in particular a try straight after half-time. Sam Burgess dominated the middle of the field and Bryson Goodwin deserves a massive wrap for his defensive efforts on a very physical Steve Matai. Despite what the score might have you believe, the Sea Eagles were never really allowed in the game. The Rabbitohs were certainly the stronger side.

North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders, 1300SMILES Stadium

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The difference in these two sides came down to the class of Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen. I didn't think the Cowboys were overly impressive. There were a lot of errors from both teams at a slower tempo game to the others over the weekend. Both sides were simply hoping to find a victory. The Cowboys were down in confident while the Raiders had been on a roll in recent weeks. Positive for the home side was Tariq Sims' return to form and Bowen showed that age is just a number. There has been some doubt surrounding his playing future but he showed that not only does he still have his pace but the finesse to put the finishing touch onto everything he does.  Matt Scott and James Tamou did an effective job in leading a team under pressure. Canberra will be disappointed with their effort when the game was there to be won, poor defence and handling errors cost them dearly.

Wests Tigers v Brisbane Broncos, Campbelltown Stadium

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There's an overused cliché that 'it was a game of two halves' but this match typified that statement as truth. The Broncos first half was outstanding and without being able to predict the injuries that eventually happened to the Wests Tigers, the Broncos made their intentions clear in the opening half. Justin Hodges and Matt Gillett have been in form for a number of weeks now and continue to cause headaches for their opposition. The halves combination of Scott Prince and Peter Wallace is also gelling nicely. Brisbane are playing a lot straighter and when they do that it opens space out wide for Corey Norman to chime into the backline. I can see that combination becoming very damaging with the club tightening their defence more and more as the weeks go by. It was disappointing for the Tigers and especially Tim Moltzen with an ACL injury. With a host of players sidelined, I feel for coach Mick Potter who will struggle to put a football side together.

Gold Coast Titans v Newcastle Knights, Skilled Park

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I believe you need to ignore the score line in this match because the Titans were very dominant for a side with just one player on their bench. You couldn't help but feel for them, losing Luke O'Dwyer, Matt Srama and Ashley Harrison all in the opening 20 minutes. John Cartwright will be extremely proud of his side despite the score. Newcastle produced a typical Wayne Bennett coached performance, very professional with a high completion rate. Defensively they were strong and have won five games of football with a completion about 70 percent and on Sunday above 80. James McManus was very good, bagging two tries while Akuila Uate is the equal fourth highest try scorer in the Knights history alongside Robbie O'Davis.

Cronulla Sharks v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Blue Tongue Stadium

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This was a match where two sides were desperate and while Des Hasler won't be thrilled with how they won; the two points will ease some pressure while they wait for some of their stars to return. The Bulldogs had two weeks to prepare for this match and the star attraction was the State of Origin audition of Todd Carney going head-to-head with Josh Reynolds. NSW coach Laurie Daley has made no secret that the Blues five-eighth role is up for grabs. Reynolds' greatest strength is his competiveness and winning man of the match was a nice reward. These two men are very different players. Carney is a freaky adlib footballer where Reynolds is an Origin style, gritty, competitive player who can break the game open. The Bulldogs outside backs were very solid and their efforts were rewarded with tries. Cronulla fans should hold their heads high with their performing under adversity with ASADA interviews starting this week they put the effort in but at 12-8 lacked the class to score points. 


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Schwarz would return to club

Under Pressure ... Demons great David Schwarz casts doubt on the future of coach Mark Neeld. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Former Melbourne star David Schwarz has cast doubt on Mark Neeld's future as the coach of the Demons.

Appearing on Monday night's episode of Open Mike, Schwarz told Mike Sheahan he didn't think Neeld would be at the helm in 2014. 

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"I don't know him as a coach. I can only see what I can see on the field and if you can tell me in the first three rounds that the players were playing for the coach, you'd be lying.

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"I don't know him as a coach. I can only see what I can see on the field and if you can tell me in the first three rounds that the players were playing for the coach, you'd be lying.

"Is it (Neeld) a band-aid? I'm not sure. The footy club is in serious trouble.

"Our footy department has been a debacle. There hasn't been anything down in the football department that's worked.

"Cameron Schwab is probably the first step of many before this club is actually up and going. It's a proud club. I don't want to see my club go down."

When asked if he would like to return to the Demons as an administrator or coach, Schwarz left the door ajar.

"I actually want to go back and help," he enthused.

(I will do) "whatever needs to be done.

"If that means going on the board or if that means I gave up everything to become a coach, well I would do whatever needs to be done so my footy club does survive.

"Because without that footy club, I'm not sitting here." 


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Dons' receive independent review

Review ... David Evans on the day he revealed the Bombers would investigate its practices. Source: Tim Carrafa / News Limited

Essendon have received the findings of an independent review they instituted into irregular practices at the AFL club last year.

The review, headed by former Telstra chief executive Ziggy Switkowski, is separate from the ongoing Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) investigation into the club.

Bombers chairman David Evans met with AFL senior officials on Monday to brief them on the findings, The Age website reported.

The recommendations stemming from the review are expected to be released publicly later this week, when the Bombers are also expected to announce their response.

The review was launched in February soon after the announcement of the ASADA investigation into last year's supplement program at Essendon.

At the time, Evans said it was being carried out to examine the club's governance and processes that allowed 'irregular practices' to occur.

"I want to make sure that we are able to give answers to our members about what happened and why, and to put in place any changes needed to ensure that this doesn't happen again,'' Evans said at the time.


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In-demand Kruse better than Messi?

Big move ... Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen are eyeing Socceroo Robbie Kruse. Source: Damian Shaw / News Limited

Socceroos star Robbie Kruse is reportedly set for a switch to Champions League-bound German heavyweights Bayer Leverkusen.

Kruse ... a prime target. Source: Supplied

The 24-year-old has caught the eye of several clubs after an impressive season with Fortuna Dusseldorf, who are battling to avoid relegation from the Bundesliga.

German newspaper the Rheinische Post reports third-placed Leverkusen are set to announce the signing of Kruse on a 1.5 million euros ($A1.92 million) transfer.

The 24-year-old former Melbourne Victory player is apparently being signed on a three-year deal as a replacement for Chelsea target Andre Schurrle.

Kruse has been hugely impressive since joining the German club from the Victory in 2011.

He has four goals and nine assists in 30 appearances this season, with Dusseldorf sitting above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

You can see why the German club are after Kruse, if figures by leading statistician Opta are anything to go by.

According to Opta, Kruse is the third most fouled player in Europe, having been impeded 99 times this season.

That puts him ahead of the likes of ballon d'Or winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.


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