Hey Hawks, Cats got your tongue

Hawthorn star Lance Franklin jostles with nemesis Geelong full-back Tom Lonergan. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Wayne Ludbey / HeraldSun

IT IS the Kryptonite to the AFL's superhuman forward line.

Hawthorn, fresh from one of the most complete performances of the season against Essendon on Friday night, boasts a firepower that petrifies its rivals.

Lance Franklin, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Breust, Paul Puopolo, Jack Gunston, Cyril Rioli and Jordan Lewis represent the attacking pack that could propel the Hawks to this year's premiership. But the only problem is a glaring problem. There's one defence they simply can't break.

You guessed it - Geelong.

The side that has owned the Hawks for the past five years is this year making the brown and gold threat look more like Clark Kent than Superman.

To best illustrate the defensive hold the Cats have on Hawthorn, we need to detail just how good the Hawks' attack has been in 2013.

After 19 rounds, they average 7.3 points a game more than their rivals and back this up by ranking fifth in points-against.

They average 9.6 more inside 50s, ranked second. Once inside 50m they goal 30.8 per cent of the time, ranked No.1, while averaging 15.1 marks inside 50m per game, also No.1.

The Hawks haven't generated as many turnovers forward of centre as Geelong and Sydney, but they make up for this by punishing the opposition 40.5 per cent of the time.

Roughead's 54 goals are the equal-most in the AFL, Franklin is No.1 for groundball gets (2.6 per game), Breust has racked up the most score assists (34) and Puopolo is the best forward 50m pressure man in the league.

Then there's Lewis; of the top 50 kickers inside 50m, his result in a mark 28.4 per cent of the time - ranked fifth in the competition.

They are a formidable combination.

But like the caped crusader when confronted by the green stuff, they come spectacularly unstuck against Geelong.

When the ball has been inside Hawthorn's 50m arc this year, Buddy and Roughy and Co. have kicked a goal 32.7 per cent of the time. Against the Cats this plummets to 17.6 per cent.

Marks inside 50m drops from 15.1 to 11 and the points-for average falls dramatically from 123.3 to 79.

Hawthorn hasn't struggled to get the ball inside 50m against the Cats either, advancing it inside its attacking arc an average 62.5 times this year compared with 56.4 against other sides.

They simply can't generate a score. Harry Taylor gets Roughead, Tom Lonergan has subdued Franklin, Corey Enright has a good record on Rioli and Josh Hunt and Andrew Mackie share responsibility for Breust and Puopolo.

There's no Kennett curse in that.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Race is on for Cowboys top job

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Paul Green ... expresses interest in the Cowboys top job. Source: Colin Whelan / AAP

FORMER Maroons halfback Paul Green has expressed his interest in the Cowboys post after the club on Monday formally parted ways with Neil Henry.

As revealed by News Limited on Monday, North Queensland are seeking a new coach after the besieged Henry was informed by chairman Laurence Lancini he is not required for next year.

Henry informed Cowboys staff of the decision Monday. He will see out the season, with the Cowboys needing to win all six games to make the finals - starting with this Saturday night's home clash against ladder leaders South Sydney.

With the Cowboys position now officially vacant, a number of frontline contenders have emerged, led by Broncos great Kevin Walters, NSW Origin assistant Trent Barrett and former Eels caretaker Brad Arthur.

Green is another firmly in the mix. Currently the Roosters' under-20s mentor, Green is contracted at Bondi until the end of next year, but the club is unlikely to stand in his way if the Cowboys look to launch his career as an NRL head coach.

"I'm not sure on the process, but I'm certainly interested," Green said.

"I've had no formal discussions with the Cowboys, but ... I'm interested in being a head coach in the NRL.

"My wife is from up there, so it would be a good fit. The Cowboys have a good roster. Now the club has made a decision I will see what the next step is."

Green has ties to North Queensland, playing 35 NRL games in 1999-2000 before his shift to the Sydney Roosters.

Cowboys boss Peter Jourdain issued a statement Monday confirming Henry's termination, with the quest for his replacement to begin immediately.

"The board has decided that at this time the club needs to head in a different direction," Jourdain said.

"Neil will continue as head coach for the remainder of this season as everyone in the club focuses on finishing as high as we can on the competition ladder in 2013.

"It is important to highlight that this decision has been reached on a professional and amicable basis.

"Despite media speculation to the contrary, out of respect for Neil we have not sought out anyone to be his replacement beyond this season.

"To be fair to both Neil and the club, we have decided to make this decision now to allow both of us to explore our options for next year.

"The search for a new head coach will begin this week.

"The Cowboys wish to thank Neil for all of his work and dedication as our head coach, including the huge amount of time he has dedicated to our community programs.''

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Old Dogs show pups new tricks

Bulldog Robert Murphy in action against West Coast. Picture: Getty Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

BRENDAN McCartney has stood firm as Western Bulldogs coach despite a lack of obvious success since he took over in 2012.

He has always said it will be a long journey for the yelpers but every now and then we see a genuine glimpse of a rosy future and McCartney takes his place in this week's Team of the Round.

Joining him are some of his pupils in Robert Murphy, Adam Cooney and Luke Dahlhaus in a rare week where the Dogs have four inclusions.

And then there are some new faces in Cameron O'Shea and Marley Williams, two young men who have put together highly impressive seasons.

LIVE CHAT WITH JON ANDERSON FROM 11AM BELOW:

Run and carry ... Marley Williams provided plenty of dash off half-back Source: Getty Images

B: Cameron O'Shea (Port Adelaide): The quiet achiever in the success story team of the season.
Michael Johnson (Fremantle): Where is his name when All Australian selection is mentioned?
Marley Williams (Collingwood): Just another example of how productive the rookie draft can be.

HB: Andrew Mackie (Geelong): Another sublime display of rebound defence.
Lachlan Hansen (North Melbourne): Become a different player since returning to defence.
Robert Murphy (Western Bulldogs): The old bloke has a bit of run left.

Hawk Sam Mitchell on his way to 31 disposals. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source:

C: Kieren Jack (Sydney): Hard midfielders who can kick goals are valuable commodities.
Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn): In terms of in and unders they don't come any better.
Adam Cooney (Western Bulldogs): When his body allows him, a rare talent.

HF: Ryan O'Keefe (Sydney): Arguably in career best form despite his 32 years.
Jeremy Cameron (Greater Western Sydney): The comparisons with Royce Hart are fully justified.
Nathan Fyfe (Fremantle): As it stands is arguably Freo's best player.

Lance Franklin celebrates one of his eight goals. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source:

F: Steven Motlop (Geelong): Is he the most improved player in the AFL?
Buddy Franklin (Hawthorn): A handy time for Bud to start strutting.
Luke Dahlhaus (Western Bulldogs): A busy bee small forward that every team would love.

R: Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton): Big Humphrey is making a few eat their words.
Tom Liberatore (Western Bulldogs): Maybe he is the most improved in the game.
Travis Boak (Port Adelaide): You can see why Geelong sent a posse to Port for him.

Joel Selwood runs away from the pack as Lenny Hayes watches on. Source: News Limited

I: Joel Selwood (Geelong): Has had some very big games so expect to hear his name on Brownlow night.
Dane Swan (Collingwood): The tattooed man lifted when disaster threatened.
Jarryd Roughead (Hawthorn): If Buddy doesn't get you, Roughy must.
Substitute: Billie Smedts (Geelong): As the pressure heats up for spots so do the performances from those on the edge.
Coach: Brendan McCartney (Western Bulldogs): With apologies to Alastair

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Titans haul Cartwright in for talks

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Chooping block ... John Cartwright faces a nervous wait about his future at the Titans. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

JOHN Cartwright will be summoned to face Titans hierarchy as the club seeks urgent solutions to avert the Gold Coast missing the finals for the third consecutive season.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Titans head coach Cartwright and his assistants will meet with interim CEO Darryl Kelly on Wednesday to discuss a sweeping restructure of the club's football operations for 2014.

Hello, you either have JavaScript turned off or an old version of Adobe's Flash Player.

Kelly personally wants Cartwright on deck next season but concedes the foundation coach's fate may ultimately rest with a newly created Titans board, set to be instituted by season's end.

Contracted until the end of 2016, Cartwright's future has become increasingly tenuous.

Some Gold Coast players are losing faith in his methods, expressing frustration at a perceived lack of feedback from Cartwright.

The Titans had been entrenched in the top six but four heavy losses in a row have seen the Coast slump to 11th ahead of Sunday's must-win clash against Wests Tigers at Skilled Park.

Kelly wants answers from Cartwright, who heads up Gold Coast's football committee.

"We are undertaking a review of the football department, and John is a part of that, as are the other people in the football department," said Kelly, who outlaid $3.25 million last year for a 31.8 per cent stake in the Titans.

"Obviously we are not happy with where we are sitting - it's just above the Cowboys and Broncos, which is not what anyone's aim is.

"We have aspirations to make the eight, and we still think we can. But it is becoming a harder road for us."

Sacking Cartwright would be an expensive exercise.

His deal is worth an estimated $350,000 annually, meaning the Titans must deal with a $1 million payout if they decide to axe Cartwright.

Cartwright has the lowest winning percentage of any NRL coach to complete a full season since the start of 2011 - winning just 24 of his past 66 games for a 36.4 per cent success rate.

But Kelly is keen for Cartwright to coach the Titans in 2014, regardless of whether the club misses the finals for a third straight year.

"The coach is not under review," he said.

"We are looking at ways to improve the performance right through the club, including the under-20s and our junior-development program.

"John Cartwright has my full support. He is an integral part of our club.

"We are meeting to make some decisions about how we can structure the football department next year, and what resources we throw at it to improve the performances."

It is understood Titans players have been frustrated with the lack of feedback they receive from Cartwright.

"There has been some discontent around feedback and a few players were concerned with the lack of attention their individual games were receiving this season," a source close to the team said.

"In some cases, the players were searching for feedback outside Cartwright because they knew their form was falling away, but were unsure why.

"The players I have spoken to respect Carty, but know this team should be top-four."

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Dons take Little breath

New Bombers chairman Paul Little speaks to the media. Picture: Getty Source: Michael Dodge / Getty Images

PAUL Little's first public utterances as Essendon chairman were a game-changer in the war between James Hird and Andrew Demetriou.

When Hird and Little met at the weekend to discuss all things Essendon, Hird is understood to have told Little everything he knew about the first week of February, and the subsequent discussions since, including those held late last week leading up to David Evans' resignation.

There were - and are - secrets between Evans and Hird, and a small group of others at Windy Hill.

It centres around the events leading up to the Bombers "self reporting" to the AFL and the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority on February 5.

Two days later, on February 7, the Australian Crime Commission report into drugs in sport was delivered in Canberra.

Evans, who is at his family farm, was at loggerheads with Hird about the details of a telephone call between Evans and AFL chief executive Demetriou on the night of February 4.

It was the week of madness.

The Bombers yesterday took a deep breath.

Hird, of course, was delighted with the club's response.

He told Little what he knew, what others knew, and what conversations had been held at the club between key people.

Little's response was emphatic.

"James Hird has also got not only my full and complete support but the board's full support, and we look forward to James taking us to a successful finals campaign," Little said.

That came after frank discussions between the new president and the coach at the weekend.

Evans is said to be less stressed since his decision to resign.

He had previously said Demetriou did not pass on information about the club allegedly using banned drugs.

Demetriou has consistently denied passing on any information to Evans.

Two testimonies to ASADA, believed to be from Hird and head of football Danny Corcoran, differ from that of Evans and Demetriou.

It's believed others at Windy Hill will add to the debate in the coming days.

Perhaps it is a breakdown in communication, a case of people having different versions of events, as Demetriou has said.

Perhaps the war is only just beginning.

Hird, meanwhile, says he's going nowhere.

Asked if he would continue coaching the Bombers yesterday, he said: "Definitely."

Evans' standing at the club is strong, although in the robust world of politics, Little is said to be very strong.

"It's a pleasure to be here today to confirm my appointment as chairman. I wish it had been under more favourable circumstances but that's the way things are," Little said. "I'd like to just confirm that David Evans has done a marvellous job for this football club.

"David will continue to help and assist me in my role as chairman and obviously coping with the demands of the current investigation that's under way.

"The ASADA report we understand will be made available to the club within the next week or two and we look forward to the opportunity of being able to use this report to answer a lot of the allegations and concerns that have been voiced in relation to the Essendon Football Club."

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More