Dopers won't take bait: psychologist

Doping ... Psychologist Patsy Tremayne doubts guilty players will come forward. Source: Supplied

Former AFL Players Association psychologist Patsy Tremayne has termed the Australian Crime Commission's report release a "fishing expedition'' and doubts whether many dopers will take the bait.

Justice Minister Jason Clare said on Sunday some players had already come forward with pertinent information following the ACC's shocking revelations about widespread doping, links to crime and even an apparent case of match-fixing in Australian sport last week.

Clare had been forthright at Thursday's ACC announcement, warning professional sportsmen to not ''underestimate how much we know, and if you are involved in this come forward before you get a knock at the door''.

But Tremayne, an associate professor at University of Western Sydney, believed the stick being waved by Clare and his counterparts would be ineffective in most cases.

''I think they (players involved with doping or match-fixing) would be very torn right now, thinking 'should I come clean or not?' and 'will it get better for me?'.'' Tremayne said of the ACC's Project Aperio findings.

''I'm sure that they'll be weighing up whether they've done much to get caught or not.

''I believe a very small number of people would have come forward so far.

''I dont think there's going to be an avalanche by any means.

''I'm not sure, but I think with a lot of them the feeling would be 'well we can't trust the government' to a large extent.

''Unless they've been fairly blatant and they know that other people know ... or if they have a few enemies who might dob them in.''

Tremayne warned on Monday of the psychological challenges that dopers face.

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''These athletes are essentially living a lie by keeping their doping to themselves and hiding it from their friends and families, and the constant subterfuge would eventually take a toll,'' Tremayne said.

''I just think they're going to be left with a legacy of shame for what they have done.

''When their careers are over and they have children, they will feel deep regret and shame.''

However she was doubtful of just how widespread the issues were.

''In some ways that crime report is really just a fishing expedition it seems. That's my opinion, unless they bring out hard data.''

Tremayne said there was no simple answer to ensuring sports stars resist the temptations of doping, but that bringing them outside the club's bubble was crucial.

''A lot of footballers get into a situation where they don't mix with anyone outside the club.

''I think sports clubs could make a concerted effort to try and encourage them to have external people in their life more and do more external things, instead of having them in the bubble.''

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T20 withdrawal frustrate Bailey

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Withdrawals ... George Bailey believes the Aussie team can still entertain. Source: Theron Kirkman / News Limited

Frustrated Australia Twenty20 captain George Bailey understands why he will lead a depleted side against West Indies in Brisbane on Wednesday but fears it may compromise their World Cup countdown.

Bailey would have been forgiven for feeling like the last man standing in the T20 side as the 17-strong Australian squad assembled in India for their four-Test tour.

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And his team for the one-off T20 international may be depleted further after Queensland batsman Joe Burns was called in on Monday as cover for Adam Voges (hamstring).

As a result, the finale for Australia's international summer of cricket resembles a fizzer.

"It's frustrating. No doubt Cricket Australia have prioritised the Test series - I don't blame them for that,'' Bailey said.

"But we've got seven or eight games until the T20 World Cup (in Bangladesh in 2014).

"It (preparation) does feel a little compromised.''

And Bailey said if rumours of a change to the 2014 World Cup format were true, world No.7 Australia needed the best preparation available to get out of the "danger zone''.

The number of teams have been expanded from 12 to 16 at the 2014 T20 World Cup but Bailey appeared anxious over how many automatically qualified.

"I have heard they are going to change the format...there will be a certain amount who automatically qualify,'' he said.

"I have heard six and I have heard eight, and we are in that danger zone.

"So every game as a group is important...in terms of trying to maintain some structure and continuity.''

Ticket prices for Wednesday's T20 international ranged from $45 to $105 but Bailey baulked when asked if fans would be short changed.

"It is frustrating. I am sure they (fans) would like to see the best 11 available,'' he said.

"I don't think they will be short changed...but will the best players be there? Not necessarily.''

Burns is in line to make his international debut along with the likes of WA quick Nathan Coulter-Nile and NSW batsman Ben Rohrer on Wednesday after being placed on standby for Voges.

Voges twinged a hamstring during his match-winning 112 not out in Australia's 17-run ODI win over the Windies on Sunday night, completing a five-game sweep.

Bailey - who missed the ODI finale at the MCG - was confident he would overcome his own hamstring complaint.

Meanwhile, quick Ben Cutting denied he had been given a ``cheap cap'' before running out on home ground the Gabba in national colours for the first time.

"I have worked as hard as the other boys,'' he said.

"It's part and parcel of being a fast bowler. It gives you opportunities but it can also take them away with injury and what not.''

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Thurston cleared of hand injury

Cowboy ... Johnathan Thurston is clear to play on Saturday. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

North Queensland co-captain Johnathan Thurston has been cleared of a hand injury which threatened his start to the NRL season.

The Queensland and and Australian five-eighth underwent precautionary x-rays and scans on Monday after hurting his right hand in Saturday night's NRL All Stars game.

Thurston's hand was still sore on Monday, but the club confirmed there was no structural damage.

He is now safe to travel to Cairns on Thursday for the club's NRL pre-season trial against St George-Illawarra at Barlow Park on Saturday night.

Fellow co-captain Matthew Scott, Gavin Cooper, Dallas Johnson, Glenn Hall, Ashton Sims and Antonio Winterstein are expected to make their first appearance for the year in the trial.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys believe their latest re-signing Kane Linnett can break into representative football this season.

The 24-year-old centre, who played 24 of the club's 26 games in 2012, extended his contract until 2016 on Monday, much to the delight of coach Neil Henry and club football manager Peter Parr.

Linnett carried off the club's Most Improved award last season following a breakout year which included 12 tries to the former Rooster.

"We couldn't have been any happier with how Kane performed in his first season with the Cowboys,'' Parr said on Monday.

"He settled in straight away, had an excellent season in both attack and defence and we think there's still more development there in his game.

"He should come into contention for representative football in the near-future and it's a big positive for our club that he's committed long-term to the Cowboys.''

Linnett, who is three games shy of 50 NRL games, said he enjoyed the North Queensland lifestyle.

"Both the area and the club suit me. I already have some great mates here and you can tell we have a team capable of winning a premiership,'' he said.

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NSW ends Tassie Ryobi Cup hopes

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Opener ... David Dawson's maiden Ryobi Cup century helps NSW win. Source: Richard Jupe / News Limited

A five-wicket haul from teenage NSW quick Gurinder Sandhu has ended Tasmania's slim chance of sneaking into the domestic one-day final in a 37-run victory at Bellerive.

Sandhu, who claimed figures of 5-35 in just his second match, removed dangerman Tim Paine (30 from 44) and ripped through the Tigers tail after in-form opener David Dawson had struck a maiden one-day century in the Blues' 4-246.

Spin twins Luke Doran (3-64) and Adam Zampa (1-44) had orchestrated a Tigers' collapse with the home side needing a bonus point win to remain a mathematical chance of playing in the February 27 decider.

ODD - Blundstone Arena

11 February 2013 - Day 1, Session 2

Tasmania 1st Innings

E. Gulbis	45	54	4	0	83.33
A. Fekete	0	6	0	0	0
G. Sandhu	9.3	1	35	5	3.68

Doran bowled Tasmanian opener Jonathan Wells for a duck in the second over before removing Alex Doolan (21 from 19) and Jason Krejza (7 from 9).

It was leg-spinner Zampa, though, that snared the big one when he had Ricky Ponting caught behind after the former Australian skipper had looked ominous, cracking five fours in his 28 from 29 balls.

For Tasmania, only Jordan Silk (54 from 71) and Evan Gulbis (45 from 54) offered much resistance.

Tasmania stay fifth with the loss and NSW sixth despite their first one-day victory since September 16 last year.

The Tigers made a bright start, reaching 50 off just 61 balls despite the loss of Wells at 1-6.

Ponting departed at 2-58 and Paine without a run being added, caught behind off the impressive bowling of 19-year-old Sandhu.

Any chance of a bonus point looked gone when Doolan went at 4-101, and it was 5-119 when Daniel Hughes took an unusual catch that had ricocheted off the bowler's hands to dismiss Matt Johnston (8 from 20).

Sandhu took the last four wickets, including Silk's, to mop up the tail, the Tigers all out for 209.
Earlier, Dawson continued to torment his former state with an unbeaten 124 from 139 balls.
The 30-year-old put on 93 with Tim Cruickshank (61 from 85) for the second wicket to set up NSW's total after they had won the toss.
He made 75 in the first innings of last week's drawn Sheffield Shield match but his unbeaten 19 in the second was just as important as he saw off the final over of the tense draw.

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'Hird had input into supplement use'

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Denial ... Stephen Dank speaks for the first time on the ABC's 7.30. Source: ABC / Supplied

Controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank says Essendon club coaches and management were well aware of the fully legal supplement program that he oversaw.

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Speaking on the ABC's 7.30, Dank said head coach James Hird and high-performance manager Dean Robinson even had input into the program.

While he denied players were on illegal substances, Dank made the startling allegation that there were coaches and support staff on supplements that would not be allowed under the WADA code.

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As the code only applies to players, the coaches and staff had not breached it.

He also revealed he had been interviewed by the Australian Crime Commission (ACC) and told he had done nothing wrong.

Investigations into drug use are currently being carried out by the AFL, ACC and Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA).

Another of the allegations levelled at Dank was that players were given performance-enhancing supplements without their knowledge, which he denied, saying players signed consent forms and were briefed on the supplements given to them.

"There was a collective involvement, it wasn't just Stephen Dank, there was certainly input from other people into structuring the program," he said.

"Dean Robnson, James Hird, club doctor Bruce Reid, they were the main people involved in the knowledge of the program."

A program that Dank maintains was completely above board.

"I guess from our point of view - we were introducing a pretty broad range type program - we wanted them to be informed of what was to be undertaken during that program.

"Often times, especially in the early stages, we reaffirmed with the players that they knew what they were taking.

"I'm certainly very surprised (they've said they didn't know what they were taking) given how much time we spent discussing it with them."

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Essendon kick off their NAB Cup campaign on Friday night against Collingwood and Western Bulldogs, which can be seen live and exclusive on Fox Footy.

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Essendon sparked the debate into drugs in sport when they announced they had asked the AFL and ASADA to investigate their fitness regime in 2012.

"We want to get this investigation started. We want to get it done. We want to come out with a clean bill of health," Hird said last week.

"We want to move on with the footy season."

"I'm very disappointed - shocked is probably the best word.

"I believe we followed processes, we put in place the right sort of processes. My understanding is we worked within the framework given to us by the AFL and WADA."

Dank said players were introveniasly injected with vitamin B and vitamin C only, not the alleged illegal peptides.

During his time at Manly, Dank confirmed he had used calves' blood but said nothing illegal was given to players.

"We used a lot of supplements to be honest, but nothing different to other clubs," he said.

"We did use a little bit of calves blood there at one stage but that was no different to what was appropriate in the world of sport at the time.

"Any elite system pushes towards the boundary and it would be foolish to think Essendon are the only ones pushing the line and looking at these sorts of programs."

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Clarke's emotional AB medal win

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Winners are grinners ... Michael Clarke won his fourth Allan Border Medal. Source: Joe Castro / AAP

For once, Michael Clarke suffered from stage fright.

After collecting a record-equalling fourth Allan Border Medal, the Australian Test captain struggled to contain his emotions at the award ceremony in Melbourne.

Allan Border Medal: Michael Clarke

Test player of the year: Michael Clarke 

One-day international player of the year: Clint McKay

T20 international player of the year: Shane Watson

Belinda Clark Medal : Jess Cameron

Domestic player of the year: Phil Hughes

Bradman young cricketer of the year: Joe Burns

After being left alone on stage by compere Mark Nicholas, Clarke even half-jokingly asked for the commentator

to join him in front of the audience.

Clarke's misty-eyed response was one of few surprises on the night with the brilliant right-hander rightly awarded for a stunning 12 months in the baggy green.

He paid tribute to recently-retired teammates Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey and conceded their departures might have finally got to him.

"I really hope this team can do you guys proud," he said before trying to compose himself.

"Emotional ... it has been too many times this year ... have a great night."

If Clarke was looking for a role model for the testing 12 months he has ahead of him, he need look no further than the man that handed him the prize.

Not since Border carried the national team in the mid-80s has an Australian batsman been so central to side's success.

Instead of being daunted by the tour of India and back-to-back Ashes series, Clarke said his men were excited by the challenge and urged the Australian public to be patient.

"I think on the Test side of things, we are certainly improving," Clarke said.

"I think we are heading in the right direction.

"We have got plenty of players that are just making a start in international cricket and they need time to adapt to international cricket."

Clarke (192 votes) edged out Hussey (165) and Shane Watson (165) with the consistent seamer Clint McKay a surprise winner of the one-day award.

The honour saw Clarke match Ponting's haul of four Allan Border Medals.

Watson was named T20 player of the year while Phil Hughes collected the domestic gong.

Queensland batsmen Joe Burns picked up the Bradman young player of the year while Jess Cameron took out the women's award.

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Blues chasing former boss Mourinho

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Welcome home Jose? ... Chelsea are interested in bringing Mourinho back. Source:AAP

Rafael Benitez may have dropped hints he wants to extend his tenure as Chelsea boss beyond this season but it seems the struggling Blues have already set their sights on his replacement.

England's Daily Mail is reporting the club have contacted former manager Jose Mourinho, with a view to bringing him back to Stamford Bridge in the English off-season.

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The newspaper says that talks have only just begun, but billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich would back a swoop for the self-appointed 'Special One'.

Mourinho has endured a testing season at the helm of Real Madrid, whose shock loss to Granada on the weekend saw them fall 15 points behind great rivals Barcelona in La Liga.

Things aren't much better for European champions Chelsea and interim boss Benitez.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Man United	25	20	2	3	29	62
2	Man City	25	15	8	2	26	53
3	Chelsea	25	13	7	5	24	46
4	Tottenham	25	13	6	6	13	45
5	Everton	25	10	12	3	10	42
6	Arsenal	25	11	8	6	20	41
7	Liverpool	25	9	9	7	12	36
8	Swansea	25	8	10	7	6	34
9	West Brom	25	10	4	11	-1	34
10	Stoke	25	6	12	7	-6	30
11	West Ham	25	8	6	11	-8	30
12	Sunderland	25	7	8	10	-5	29
13	Fulham	25	7	7	11	-6	28
14	Norwich	25	6	10	9	-15	28
15	Newcastle	25	7	6	12	-11	27
16	Southampton	25	5	9	11	-11	24
17	Reading	25	5	8	12	-14	23
18	Wigan	25	5	6	14	-18	21
19	Aston Villa	25	4	9	12	-26	21
20	QPR	25	2	11	12	-19	17

A 3-2 loss to Newcastle United on the weekend saw them fall 16 points behind Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United.

Already bundled out of the Champions League, the Blues were last month sent packing from the Capital One Cup by Swansea, and only a late Fernando Torres leveller against Brentford in the FA Cup spared Benitez's side further embarrassment.

Now it appears Abramovich is ready to entice Mourinho - the man he sacked in 2007 - back in a bid to get the most out of his star-studded squad.

Mourinho enjoyed tremendous success in his three years at Chelsea, delivering two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups to Blues fans.

Chelsea's defence – a major weakness this campaign- was rock-solid during his reign and conceded a stingy 15 goals in the 2004-2005 season while they never lost an EPL home match with the Portuguese boss in charge.

If the two-time Champions League winner leaves the Bernabau, Chelsea won't be the only club vying for his highly-prized signature.

Mourinho is reportedly interested in the project at Qatari-backed Paris-Saint Germain while the Portuguese manager has never hid his desire to replace Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

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As it happened: Allan Border Medal

The best ... Michael Clarke took home the AB Medal for the fourth time. Source: Fox Sports

Michael Clarke took home his fourth Allan Border Medal in Melbourne on Monday night.

Australia's captain got quite emotional after receiving the most prestigious award in Australian cricket, while he also took out the Test player of the year gong.

It was a colourful night all round at Crown Casino, and foxsports.com.au was there for all of it, bringing our users interactive coverage of the AB Medal.

We were lucky enough to be joined by former Aussie ODI bowler and general funny guy Brett Geeves, who brought his unique insights to the proceedings despite nearly running out of Cornettos halfway through the ceremony.

Read on to check out how the night panned out, and how the world reacted via social media, and have your say by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.

For all the best pics from the glitz and glamour of the red carpet, check out our red carpet gallery here.

[View the story "Allan Border Medal Live Blog" on Storify]

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Aussie denies Armstrong bribe

Phil Anderson ... denies seeing Armstrong offer bribes to teammates. Source: Aaron Francis / News Limited

Australian cycling legend Phil Anderson has denied witnessing Lance Armstrong offer a bribe to help fix a race.

Two other former cyclists have alleged Armstrong offered inducements to rival competitors during a lucrative 1993 race series in the United States.

Armstrong scored a $1 million bonus by winning three successive races in the series.

New Zealander Stephen Swart gave evidence in a court case seven years ago that Armstrong offered his team $50,000 to not ride aggressively in the second race.

The ABC's Four Corners program asked Anderson if he was in the room when Armstrong made the offer to Swart's Coors Light team.

At the time, Anderson and Armstrong were riding together on the Motorola team.

"I don't recall being in that meeting," Anderson told the program. "I mean nah, it's ... $50,000, substantial amount, I'd remember that you know."

When contacted by AAP, Anderson strenuously denied witnessing the offer.

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"I have thought long and hard about it and I cannot remember it at all," Anderson said.

American Frankie Andreu also alleged that Armstrong offered money to two rival Italian riders during the third race.
Andreu said he saw Armstrong give the two Italians "a shoe box filled with money" after the race.

Anderson also said he did not recall Armstrong trying to bribe rivals during the third race.

Up until now, Armstrong's downfall has focussed on his doping and bullying of people who tried to expose him for using banned methods.

Australian anti-doping scientist Mike Ashenden again savaged Armstrong in the same program, calling him a professional and pathological liar.

Ashenden has insisted Armstrong doped during his 2009-11 competition comeback, something the disgraced cyclist strenuously denied during last month's Oprah Winfrey interview.

"He's a professional liar, for 15 years? - I don't think anyone should even blink at the prospect of maybe he told one more fib," Ashenden said.

He also disputed Armstrong's denial about making a payment to cycling's world governing body the UCI to cover up a positive test during the 2001 Tour of Switzerland.

"Armstrong would have us believe, even today, that he gave that money to improve the fight against doping," Ashenden said.

"I mean he's a doper, giving money to improve the system to try and catch himself, that's like a robber giving money to a bank to improve their security system.

"When you have a pathological liar telling you a story as farcical as that, you can be pretty sure there's something he's trying to hide."

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Brilliant Proteas rout Pakistan

Deadly quick ... Dale Steyn took 11-60 as South Africa hammered Pakistan. Source: AP

There were landmarks for AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn as South Africa beat Pakistan by 211 runs in the first Test.

De Villiers, who also made an unbeaten 103 in South Africa's second innings 3-275 declared, matched England wicketkeeper Jack Russell's Test record of 11 dismissals in a match while Steyn bagged his fifth 10-wicket haul in Tests.

The Proteas had set Pakistan an unfeasible 480 for victory following the tourists' hapless first innings 49 - their lowest ever Test score.

1st Test - New Wanderers Stadium

1 February 2013 - Day 4, Session 1

Pakistan 2nd Innings

J. Khan	9	23	2	0	39.13
R. Ali	3	9	0	0	33.33
D. Steyn	28.4	10	52	5	1.81

However, South Africa's attempt to end the match inside three days at the Wanderers in Johannesburg had been stifled by an unbroken 101-run stand between visiting skipper Misbah-ul-Haq and half-centurion Asad Shafiq on Sunday.

Asad and Misbah took their stand to 127 when they resumed battle with the South African bowlers on Monday but perished within a run of each other as Steyn had the former caught by Jacques Kallis for 56 and the latter by de Villiers for 64.

Facing a hopeless task, Pakistan's late order batsmen decided to go down swinging but Sarfraz Ahmed was bowled for just 6 by Vernon Philander and Saeed Ajmal became de Villiers' 10th victim behind the stumps as he nicked one from Morne Morkel having made 22.

Steyn and de Villiers combined again to remove Umar Gul for 23 and the Proteas paceman wrapped up victory by having Junaid Khan leg before for 9.

It gave Steyn, who took an incredible 6 for 8 in Pakistan's first innings, career-best Test figures of 11 for 60.

The second match of the three-Test series gets under way in Cape Town on February 14.

Read more: http://www.skysports.com/cricket/match_report/0,,11066_13539_1,00.html

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