Storm ask NRL to tackle inconsistency

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MELBOURNE Storm will seek an explanation from the NRL over an ­astonishing lack of consistency regarding dangerous lifting tackles.

On the same day Alex McKinnon was transferred from Melbourne to a Sydney hospital to continue his recovery from devastating spinal injuries, the NRL's match review committee chose not to charge two players for incidents that were similar to the one that led to Jordan McLean's seven-match suspension.

THOMPSON, FALLOON NOT CITED FOR LIFTING

RD5 HIGHS, LOWS AND BIG BLOWS

FALLOON'S LIFT TACKLE THE WORST OF BAD TIMING

Beau Falloon was cleared over this tackle on Melbourne's Will Chambers. Source: Getty Images

The Storm were infuriated that the Gold Coast's Beau Falloon was cleared over a lifting tackle on Melbourne's Will Chambers on Sunday.

St George Illawarra's Joel Thompson also escaped punishment after sending Greg Inglis crashing into the turf on Saturday night, while the Dragons' Jack de Belin only copped a grade one charge for his dangerous throw on Sam Burgess.

De Belin will miss one week if he takes the early guilty plea.

A Storm spokesman said the club would be putting in a written request for "clarification" from the NRL on both the Falloon and de Belin tackles.

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Thompson was involved in a three-man tackle on Inglis that brought a stunning reaction on the night from Fox Sports commentator Warren Smith, who said in commentary: "Boy oh boy, the penny will drop at some stage with everybody. Nothing good is going to come from a situation like that."

But it doesn't appear as though the penny has dropped at Rugby League Central because the consistency of the match review committee charges continues to mystify fans and experts.

As NRL fans vented their anger on social media, the NRL's match review committee chairman Michael Buettner attempted to clarify why Falloon and Thompson weren't charged.

"Under the rules, for a player to be charged with a dangerous throw we have to be satisfied that a player has been lifted into a position where it is likely that the first part of his body that will make contact with the ground will be his head or neck," Buettner said.

The Dragon's Jack de Belin was given a grade one charge for this throw on Sam Burgess. Source: News Corp Australia

"With the Joel Thompson tackle, we did not believe a charge was appropriate as, while there is a lifting action, Inglis retains one leg on the ground for much of the tackle and he clearly lands on his forearms. He doesn't reach a dangerous position.

"With the Beau Falloon tackle, again there was a lifting action but we do not feel he is put in a position where it is likely his head or neck will make first contact with the ground.

''It is his forearm that makes first contact with the ground, then the shoulder, and in our opinion a penalty was sufficient."

Melbourne forward Dayne Weston will miss a week with an early guilty plea on the charge of dangerous contact — unnecessary head/neck pressure.

Thompson took to Twitter to explain his tackle on Inglis, ­saying: "I was only trying to pull GI's leg out to unbalance him not put him in a dangerous position".

But fans throughout the game were understandably stunned.

One fan posted: "NRL you are a disgrace! Beau Falloon's tackle was more dangerous than anything Jordan ever did and he's not even charged?! I'm done.''

From another: "Did Chambers also need to break his neck for Falloon to be charged?''

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Henry in mix for Warriors job

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TITANS assistant Neil Henry and former Dragons mentor Nathan Brown are on the Warriors' coaching radar after the club yesterday parted ways with Matthew Elliott.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail, Elliott's 18-month tenure at the Warriors is officially over, with the club appointing former Raiders halfback Andrew McFadden for the rest of the 2014 season.

But McFadden's installation in a caretaker role suggests the Auckland-based outfit is buying time to identify the coach who can deliver the Warriors' maiden premiership.

That opens the door for Henry and Brown, the latter of whom was sounded out three weeks ago as Warriors powerbrokers began plotting Elliott's demise.

NZ WARRIORS SACK ELLIOTT WITH MCFADDEN IN CARETAKER ROLE

KANGAROOS COACH TIM SHEENS CHASING NZ WARRIORS JOB

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St Helens coach Brown is off-contract at the end of 2015 but has get-out clauses in his contract and is the front-runner for Elliott's position.

However, he will not be the only coach interviewed. It is understood Henry is another on the Warriors' hit list, with the club first expressing interest in the former Queensland Origin assistant two years ago following Brian McClennan's sacking.

At the time, Henry was entrenched at the Cowboys and could not foresee the political ructions that saw him axed last August, prompting his shift to the Titans.

The 53-year-old remains unsigned for next season, but Titans boss Graham Annesley hopes Henry is not lost to the club.

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"We would love him to stay here, but ultimately the decision will be Neil's," Annesley said.

"We haven't commenced any formal discussions for next year and while Neil is happy at the moment, I understand he is an experienced first-grade coach.

"He has been a wonderful assistant already to John (Cartwright) but he is a head coach of high standing.

"From my discussions with him, he is enjoying being in an assistant role.

"We haven't discussed anything beyond this year at this stage. We have got no plans whatsoever to bid him farewell, but we have to be realistic as well."

Henry declined to comment last night but said in January: "I want to keep my options open for that head-coaching position if there's one available, but I've settled in quickly here."

While Warriors' management yesterday tried to peddle the line that Elliott resigned, the coach was pushed out of his Auckland office.

Who should be the Warriors' next coach?

Senior Warriors players will have a major role in deciding the appointment as they were key architects in Elliott's shock demise.

It is understood the playing group was divided on Elliott, with some star players major supporters of the veteran coach.

However, there were a handful of dominant personalties who did not believe in Elliott.

Warriors football manager Dean Bell admitted the players had to take responsibility for last week's dismal 37-6 loss to Cronulla.

"For Matt to take the blame for that performance would be ridiculous," he said. "The team has got to take responsibility for that kind of performance."

Caretaker McFadden is held in high regard by the playing group but the wealth of Warriors owners Owen Glenn and Eric Watson allows them to be aggressive in the market.

The club is also in danger of losing captain Simon Mannering, who is being chased by overseas rugby clubs and admits crossing codes is appealing.

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Frawley names his price

Melbourne defender James Frawley puts price on his head to switch clubs. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Corp Australia

MELBOURNE defender James Frawley has put a $800,000 bounty on his head to switch clubs.

The out-of-contact Demon has delayed contract talks with his club and his manager has spoken to several clubs under the free agency rules.

It's understood two clubs, believed to be Carlton and Hawthorn, have been told that $800,000 is the ballpark figure which would extract the All Australian from the Demons.

It's also believed Fremantle, an active player in the free-agency market last year, would be another interested party.

St Kilda, where his uncle Danny Frawley captained, and Greater Western Sydney would also be suitors.

Frawley's manager Alex McDonald did not return calls last night.

If Frawley does leave, and Melbourne finishes last on the ladder, it would get pick No.1, and then pick No.2 as compensation for Frawley.

If a club was prepared to pay Frawley in the vicinity of $800,000, it would make Frawley the highest paid key defender in the competition, and among the highest-paid 25 players in the competition.

Frawley remains undecided about his future, but the Demons privately are concerned that, at the moment, they are not playing the kind of football which would encourage Frawley to commit long-term.

The 25-year-old has played 121 games over eight years, but is his eligible for unrestricted free agency because his front-ended contract meant this year he was not among the highest paid players at the club,

It means Frawley could walk without a trade.

It was revealed in January, Frawley put contract talks on hold because he wanted to ''see the direction of the club'' in 2014.

McDonald said at the time: ''James is keen to let the season take shape before we start focusing on contract discussions.''

In February, Frawley joked that if coach Paul Roos agreed to sign on for a third year, he would re-sign with the club.

After a promising NAB Challenge, the Demons have struggled in the season proper and are on the bottom of the ladder with a percentage of 47.4

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How the NRL table has turned

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REMEMBER round one? How confident you were submitting your footy tips?

You had some hard and fast guidelines. The 'givens'' that would ensure that, finally, you finished ahead of that cocky bloke in the warehouse.

The Eels? A board so dysfunctional it made a crèche finger-painting class look as efficient as a German automotive plant. Can't win.

Wests Tigers? No Benji, no money, no hope. Can't win.

Gold Coast? A place where you go to get a sun tan and two points. Can't win.

SUPERCOACH WRAP: BURGESS BOOM

VOTE: THE PEOPLE V PAUL KENT

RD5 HIGHS, LOWS AND BIG BLOWS

The Roosters, Souths, Melbourne and Manly. Just let them play rock, paper scissors for the trophy and we can go to the pub. Certainties.

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Now? Of the 14 tipsters on the Daily Telegraph panel the best result from the first seven games of round five was three winners. Three tipsters got one out of seven. You can do better throwing a dart at a copy of League Central.

So unpredictable are results the NRL ladder only makes sense standing on your head. None of the first six teams is rated better than a $15 chance to win the competition. Stop the music now and the three favourites would miss the play-offs altogether.

Yes, we are only five weeks into the season. Yes, just two points separate second and 14th (something that escaped the Warriors when they sacked coach Matthew Elliott).

But after five rounds last year Melbourne (5-0), Souths (5-0), Manly (4-1) and the Roosters (3-2) were first, second, third and fifth. Suggesting Melbourne, Souths and the Roosters would be ninth, 10th and 11th at the same time this year wasn't a prediction. It was grounds for committal.

So why this sudden footballing egalitarianism?

Melbourne Storm results are yet to match up to expectation. Source: Getty Images

Veteran coach Brian Smith points to the refereeing. With the pocket ref stationed closer to the action and what he calls the "garbage'' removed from the play the ball — the niggles and leg pulls — we are going into warping speed. This creates the potential for chaos.

"The speed is counting against the more powerful and the more structured teams like the Roosters and Souths,'' says Smith.

"I reckon Manly are more adept at playing more expansive, more reactionary footy. But even they've had their problems.''

Smith wonders if, like previous refereeing edicts, the current emphasis on fast play will be a distant memory by the end of the season. Either way he expects the Roosters, Souths and Manly to adapt.

But, for now, the unpredictability is giving tipsters ulcers and bookmakers sports cars. Particularly the rise of last year's easybeats.

James Tedesco has been crucial to the Tigers' excellent start. Source: News Corp Australia

Turns out the Eels and Tigers were wearing socks when they finished last and second last, they were just buried deep in their boots. Credit to their respective coaches for pulling them up.

At the same time the favourites have made sluggish starts. The Roosters had 17 players return from representative football in the off-season and put a heavy emphasises on winning the World Club Challenge. Now, as the titleholders, they are mumbling about how every team plays them at grand final intensity.

Souths rebounded well against the Dragons on Saturday and Sam Burgess broke his silence. Maybe that will prove a circuit breaker for a team seemingly labouring under the weight of enormous expectation and distracted by Burgess's impending defection.

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No doubt the terrible injury to Alex McKinnon, and Jordan McLean's subsequent penalty, has had an impact at Melbourne. The Storm have since suffered an unusually heavy loss to the Bulldogs in Perth and Sunday's heartbreaker against the Titans.

A dubious penalty got Gold Coast over the line. But how are even the improving Titans 26-26 with minutes to play against Melbourne at their AAMI Park fortress unless there is something not quite right with the Storm?

The depth across the competition has increased. While the Bulldogs flourish the cheque book the players currently on the payroll are again standing up, Penrith's five year plan seems to include winning football games and even last placed Cronulla has stirred despite multiple distractions.

Are we in for a season of such unpredictability even the bloke in the warehouse is left scratching his head doing his tips? If you know the answer you probably tipped the card.

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What you missed on TV last night

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AS the fallout from Round 3 continued, Carlton was the main focus.

The Blues' horror loss to Essendon on Sunday night overshadowed almost everything that came before it.

Respected journalist Gerard Whateley summed up the situation surrounding Visy Park in his introduction.

"It's the type of loss that exposes all levels of the club," he said.

Herald Sun chief football writer Mark Robinson said there needed to be some big decisions made around the club regarding the Blues' future.

"It makes you assess the decisions of the past and start to question the future," he said.

"Just 30 games ago, Carlton beat Essendon by 96 points and one week later Brett Ratten was sacked, after the Gold Coast game.

"They lose to Melbourne ... God, almighty."

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The conversation then shifted to the Brisbane Lions, who lost the QClash to rivals the Gold Coast Suns for the first time in six matches.

Robinson said the game was over almost as soon as it started.

"I thought the game was over two minutes into the game, the way Brisbane were playing," he said.

"I actually turned the game off in the last quarter, I was so disappointed.

"When (Daniel Rich) went down on the weekend - they haven't got a power forward beside Jonathan Brown and he can't touch the ball - I just thought ..."

"This is really hard to say, but Jonathan Brown is finished.

"He can't get away on the lead. He's just playing on heart ... and the delivery is so poor."

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■GERARD questioned whether the match review panel had once again delivered the wrong verdict after Lion Daniel Merrett was handed a two-week ban for a swinging arm to David Swallow's head.

After Nat Fyfe received two weeks for an accidental high bump and Shaun McKernan got the same penalty for a deliberate elbow to the head of Brad Sheppard last year, Whateley called on the AFL to appeal to the tribunal.

"It's manifestly inadequate," he said.

"The AFL should send this to the tribunal tomorrow and ask 'is this manifestly inadequate'.

"The AFL didn't like the McKernan result last year and they gave themselves extra powers and they must simply use them.

"I've got this in the 3-4 (weeks) region."

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■NORTH Melbourne defender Nathan Grima was Monday's special guest and reflected on the Kangaroos' gutsy win over Port Adelaide on Sunday.

"We needed it, didn't we, after last year," he said.

"We knew Port finish well and we've had a big pre-season. At the end of the game, I think we were still running across the ground better than Port.

"You look at the Essendon game and we were smashed off the park, after that, we went back to basics.

"The Bulldogs game wasn't a great spectacle but we scrapped it out. Then we got the balance right against Port.

■ESSENDON coach Mark Thompson and Melbourne mentor Paul Roos then came in to discuss their respective results.

Roos addressed the Demons' loss to Greater Western Sydney and the team's final quarter fade out.

"We're at the stage where we're teaching the non-negotiables of footy," he said.

"You're trying to get to where Geelong started, to where Hawthorn started.

"That's where we are, the starting point. We're at a completely different stage.

Robinson asked Roos if skill errors or lack of effort was more difficult to deal with, pointing out the exchange with defender Dean Terlich after he made a glaring error.

"You can cop the skill errors. What you need to bring is effort for 120 minutes, knowing you're going to make mistakes," he said.

"For 91 minutes we were good but we have to concentrate on the 21 minutes we weren't.

"There's frustrating, players don't not try, so we've got to figure out why they are dropping off.

"(On Dean Terlich) Sometimes it's premeditated, I knew walking off the bench what I was going to do.

"He's been terrific but in that moment he did the wrong thing and I needed to reinforce that.

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■ROBBO said be believed Richmond hadn't regressed from last season despite the loss to the Western Bulldogs

"No ( they haven't regressed), they've got some mental issues.

"It's not the sign of a good team. They need to iron that out and get some consistency - not between games - but between quarters."

ON THE COUCH

CARLTON was once again at the top of the agenda with Jason Dunstall saying the club lacked depth across the board.

"I think the toughest and most confusion is where you're at as a club and I don't think Carlton have that right," he said.

"I think they've got some serious issues. They're lacking midfield depth and key position depth. I think they need to rebuild.

"I'm not seeing enough from their senior players.

"The greatest indictment for me was when Brendon Goddard was getting into Dylan Buckley ... there should have been 3 or 4 blokes straight in the face of BG, telling him you can't do that to one of ours.

Respected journalist Mike Sheahan concurred saying Mick Malthouse was brought in to deliver a premiership but didn't have the cattle.

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"They appointed Mick Malthouse to win a premiership. The Malthouse polish was going to take this group to a premiership," he said.

Injured Carlton ruckman Matthew Kreuzer gave an exclusive interview to Sheahan, saying he didn't feel hard done by despite a horror run with injuries.

"Hopefully (the foot) is all fixed now," he said.

" I went in last year and had the surgery on my fifth metatarsal ... I got through the pre-season but it flared up when I started playing games.

"We ended up biting the bullet and going in to get it fixed.

■BROWNLOW Medallist Gerard Healy then moved to Fremantle's heavy defeat to Hawthorn in the Grand Final rematch on Friday night.

"I don't think the Dockers brought their effort at all. They weren't working," he said.

"I don't think this group has mentally committed to this season yet.

"For me, it wreaks of runners-up hangover. They've reached the summit without drinking from the Cup and haven't committed yet."

The Adelaide Crows were also disappointing in a loss to Sydney.

Dunstall said the team looked unfit.

"Their starts have been poor, their finishes have been poor. They're getting absolutely smashed by the opposition," he said.

"They're going backwards, backwards, backwards ... and they just end up kicking to a contest and it comes back.

■WESTERN Bulldogs coach Brendon McCartney was the special guest after a fantastic win over Richmond.

McCartney said he was pleased his players stood up when challenged in the fourth quarter.

"(Richmond) are a very good team and to their credit that were able to come back and their high-end talent took over," he said.

"To our credit, we were able to work back into it.

"It was a great day for our club. It's only Round 3 but we had our VFL team have a win and we ground out the win."

"I did challenge some players after the North Melbourne game. We did ask for more - not magical things - but just help each other out.

"(We'll approach the GWS game) the same as every week. They're much improved and have added the maturity.

"Our young boys are on the right path and will get a great opportunity to build a career together.

"We're building something we think is going to be good too."

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■THE boys finished by having a look at the Tigers, with Sheahan sharing some very strong views on their immediate future and current struggles.

"Jack Riewoldt. He had three touches in the first half and the Tigers were out of the game. He had a brilliant second half and they almost pinched it," he said.

"Dustin Martin doesn't work hard enough. You see what he can do maybe four or five times a game instead of 15.

"Trent Cotchin - for mine - doesn't kick enough goals. He kicked the first one but missed important goals at key times.

"Brett Deledio is a nice player but he's not a match-winner. When the game is there to be won, he doesn't get it done."

"Ty Vickery is the key domino in all this. They want to make him a player, even at the expense of Jack Riewoldt, which I just don't understand.

FOOTY CLASSIFIED - CHANNEL 9

GARRY Lyon called it a horror night for the Carlton Football Club.

Caroline Wilson said the decision to sack Brett Ratten in favour of Mick Malthouse would come back to haunt the club.

"The decision to sack Brett Ratten and hire Mick Malthouse to win a premiership will come back to haunt them," she said.

"You've got to ask the question - a man who turns 61 later this season - is he the man to rebuild this football club.

"It's one thing to rebuild at Collingwood 10 years ago, it's quite another thing at Carlton."

Blues president Stephen Kernahan said he expected a better performance from the players against Melbourne.

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"We were ordinary and to tell you the truth it could have been more," he said

"The last think I'm worrying about is if we're being coached well.

"I am (angry). I was angry last week and the week before. We just didn't represent the club well last night.

"I fully expect Mick to shape the side and I fully expect us to be better than last night.

"I expect our blokes to come out on Sunday night firing and snarling. I expect it and want it."

Former Essendon spearhead Matthew Lloyd said he had concerns about the Blues leadership.

"I've got grave concerns for their leadership. I want to know what Marc Murphy has to offer," he said.

"James Ashby - a first game player - walked up and chested Murphy.

"He wouldn't do that to Joel Selwood because Selwood would have come at him so hard. Murphy can't let some guy just try and walk over him."

TALKING FOOTY - CHANNEL 7

FRESH from his Sunday night heroics, Essendon's Paul Chapman was the special guest.

The former Geelong premiership player said he wasn't expecting to play every game as he looks to stay injury free this season.

"I'd like to play every week but I don't think it would be good for me to do that," Chapman said.

"It might be this week, hopefully not, it might be the St Kilda game, not too sure.

"I just need to keep backing up and getting ready and it will be the coach's call."

While Collingwood spearhead Travis Cloke is under pressure after a slow start to the season, he got some support from AFL great Wayne Carey.

Carey said the Magpies were being too predictable kicking to Cloke in one-on-one situations.

"He is a bit of a victim of his own strength," Carey said.

"He's been down, hasn't been all his fault, they haven't used him well and they've gone to him at times when they shouldn't have gone to him."

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Spain goalie to miss World Cup

Barcelona's goalkeeper Victor Valdes reacts after being injured against Celta Vigo. Source: Manu Fernandez / AP

BARCELONA goalkeeper Victor Valdes will miss the rest of the season and Spain's defence of the World Cup having been sidelined for seven months after knee surgery.

"Victor Valdes underwent surgery on his torn anterior cruciate ligament on Monday morning with doctors Ulrich Boenish and Ricard Pruna in Augsburg, Germany," Barcelona said in a statement on Monday.

"They made an incision in the internal meniscus of the right knee and the surgery was completed in a satisfactory manner.

"The estimated time out will be seven months."

The 32-year-old had been primed to push Spain captain Iker Casillas for his place in goal at the World Cup in Brazil later this year given the Real Madrid man's lack of first team action this season.

Instead, Manchester United's David de Gea is likely to go as back up to Casillas and Napoli's Pepe Reina.

It is expected that Valdes has also played his last game for Barcelona when picking up the injury in a 3-0 win against Celta Vigo last week after declaring his intention to leave the club when his contract expires in June.

Valdes has been linked with a number of clubs including Monaco and Manchester City, but has made no official announcement on where he will play next season.

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‘Batsmen lack strategy for spin’

Cricketer Saqlain Mushtaq in action in 1999. Source: News Limited

A LACK of strategy in batting against spin has contributed to slow-bowling success at the World Twenty20, former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq said Monday.

"The tactics are changing and the batsmen don't seem to have the kind of strategy they used to have to face spin bowling,'' said Saqlain, a spin consultant for the West Indies team. "I feel the mentality of spinners has changed and they are also getting help from pitches here."

Saqlain is seen as an important member of the team management for defending champion West Indies, which has done well in the conditions to emerge as one of the top contenders.

The West Indies faces Pakistan in the last Group 2 game on Tuesday to decide the second qualifier behind unbeaten India.

Saqlain is credited with inventing the "doosra," or the off-spinner's concealed away-going delivery. He said the shortest format of the game was now settling well with both fast and slow bowlers finding success.

"I feel the format is now more balanced. There are fast bowlers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar of India, Umar Gul of Pakistan and Krishmar Santokie of the West Indies who are doing well here. Spinners are, of course, getting wickets and it's up to the batting coaches to think, try to bring in something to counter spinners,'' Saqlain added.

Saqlain praised the Indian pair of legspinner Amit Mishra and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who have bagged two man of the match awards each to help the 2007 champions complete four straight wins.

Shane Watson gets bowled during the World Twenty20 match with Bangladesh. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

"They're bowling with great control. If you see, nine of the top 10 bowlers in T20 rankings are spinners and we've the top two spinners in our team,'' he said in reference to off-spinner Sunil Narine and legspinner Samuel Badree.

The 37-year-old Saqlain, who bagged 208 wickets in 49 tests and 288 in 169 ODIs, fancied defending champion West Indies' chances against Pakistan.

"We've some good spinners, but I'd still expect the whole team to back them and it's not just the spinners who'll always win you matches,'' said Saqlain, who was the fastest in the world to take 100 ODI wickets but never played Twenty20 internationals.

Saqlain said he was also helping the West Indian batsmen devise ways of facing up to the Pakistan spin attack led by Saeed Ajmal.

"Ajmal has been playing for a long time. Technology gives all the information nowadays but when the batsmen come to me asking about Ajmal, about the kind of deliveries he bowls, I obviously give my tips since I have seen him over the years in Pakistan,'' Saqlain said.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy conceded that his team needed to face up to Pakistan's spinners better.

"We've to rotate the strike," Sammy said. "In our game against India, which was spin-oriented, 60 per cent of the balls we played were dot balls. It's a difficult game against Paksitan but it's a step we're ready to take."

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Buzz: Let’s start a revolution

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An expanded 18-team competition with two new teams and two new conferences would bring back tribalism and blockbusters to the NRL almost every weekend of the footy season.

It would also allow the NRL to produce a fairer and more equitable season draw, replacing the current lopsided schedule with 25 rounds of football and stand alone Origin weekends.

New clubs from Brisbane and Perth would not only provide an extra game and more television revenue but allow all nine Sydney teams to go into their own conference.

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BUZZ: DRAW DEBACLE ROBS TOP TEAMS

Almost every week would become a heritage round with more derbies and traditional-rival showdowns.

It would give Sydney clubs the chance to attract more away-team fans, unlike now when they host the Titans, Cowboys, Warriors or any of the out-of-town teams in front of 10,000 to 12,000 fans.

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Clubs in each conference would play each other twice for 16 games before meeting clubs from the out-of-town conference once for nine games.

The top four clubs from each conference make up the top eight.

The Penrith Panthers are a good example of why the game needs to revamp the schedule.

Here's a club trying to fight off the AFL threat and desperately working to build on sluggish crowds from recent years.

The Storm warm up at nib Stadium in Perth. Source: Getty Images

Yet they host only five Sydney teams this season at Sportingbet Stadium.

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Glamour clubs the Roosters and Sea Eagles plus the exciting young Wests Tigers don't play at Penrith at all.

The conference idea has the support of influential figures including super coach Wayne Bennett and the game's longest serving CEO, Shane Richardson.

It saves all the Sydney clubs, maintains tradition and guarantees four Sydney clubs make the finals each year.

State of Origin should be given a stand-alone weekend, writes Phil Rothfield. Source: News Limited

It ensures national and regional exposure from four out-of-town clubs in the finals every year.

The other benefits are less travel and accommodation costs for Sydney clubs.

The Perth team would open up new timeslot for TV broadcasters.

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The second Brisbane team ensures we don't have to watch the Broncos every Friday night and also stops the Broncos from having such a huge commercial monopoly.

Stand-alone Origin weekends could be used to play the Nines and City-Country to keep the broadcasters happy.

The NRL's head of football Todd Greenberg says expansion will be discussed in the off-season.

Todd Greenberg says possibly the NRL will be discussed but queries whether the depth is strong enough. Source: News Limited

"I get where you are going," he said, "The problem is whether we can sustain two new clubs in those markets.

"Is there enough talent to go around for another two teams? But you're right to be exploring it.

"As for conferences, it's important to maximise the attendances by having our big Sydney clubs playing against each other.

"We're still trying to find the right balance. Everyone at the NRL is working very hard and we're open to all suggestions."

Embattled owner of the Newcastle Knights Nathan Tinkler. Source: News Limited

Premier coach Trent Robinson argues there is enough players to support two new teams.

"This is a good debate to have," he said, " I think Brisbane having a second team and Perth is vital for the future of our game.

"We've got to back ourselves to produce more players.

"I disagree we don't have enough. In Australia and New Zealand, there is enough talent there.

Roosters coach Trent Robinson supports a second team in Brisbane and a side based in Perth. Source: News Corp Australia

"We've got enough good coaches out there to put good systems in place at two new clubs."

Souths boss Shane Richardson supports the idea of a Sydney conference.

"It would certainly build sustained rivalries in the Sydney market and enable the NRL to build marquee events such as our Heritage round at the SCG and Good Friday at ANZ stadium on an annual basis with more of the clubs," he said.

"The artificial way we conduct the draw at the moment needs a revamp at the very least."

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NRL shattered by McKinnon diagnosis

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FORMER Newcastle great Matthew Johns said on Monday night that all of sport and not just rugby league will be in total shock today at the news young Knights forward Alex McKinnon is facing life as a quadriplegic.

The 22 year backrower, still in a critical condition in a Melbourne hospital, has only limited feeling in his left arm and faces the heartbreaking likelihood of never being able to walk again.

Alex McKinnon is tackled by Trent Merrin, Beau Scott and Nathan Fien. Source: News Limited

Johns told Fox Sports last night the tragic news, reported on Channel Nine last night, will reverberate through all sport in Australia.

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"Everyone in sport, not just rugby league are in total shock," Johns said.

"It was always a chance it was going to be this type of terrible news but everyone was praying that it wouldn't be.

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"Then you get the news come through of this young boy who is so universally liked and respected in rugby league may not walk again."

The NRL, caught by complete surprise by the report, responded cautiously in a statement:

"I understand this has been reported on Channel 9 but we've not received this advice by the Knights or Alex's family in regards to these reports," NRL spokeperson Sandy Olsen said.

"Out of regard for Alex and his family, it is not appropriate to comment at this time.

"Our thoughts continue to be with Alex for his recovery. The NRL and the Knights are providing all the support we possibly can at this time."

The Newcastle team in a huddle before the clash with the Sharks in a tribute to Alex McKinnon. Source: Getty Images

Newcastle fans show their support for Alex McKinnon. Source: News Corp Australia

The Newcastle Knights were also left largely in the dark by the news.

"The club will continue to liaise with Alex's family and issue the appropriate update. At this stage, we have no further update," their spokesperson said.

McKinnon was brought out of an induced coma on Sunday and hopes of a recovery were raised when it was revealed he was breathing on his own without the assistance of a ventilator and communicating with his family.

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But according to Channel Nine, the prognosis for McKinnon is grim.

"McKinnon and his family have been told he is a quadriplegic," the report stated.

"He is in rehab and care and will hopefully recover. His spinal cord is not severed.

"Not surprisingly, he is struggling with the news."

McKinnon was due to get a visit today by Knights teammates including captain Kurt Gidley but only coach Wayne Bennett made the trip down to Melbourne.

Alex McKinnon has touched plenty of hearts at the Knights. Source: News Corp Australia

Bennett did not want to comment on the report when asked by The Daily Telegraph.

Director of St Vincents Hospital Emergency Department Professor Gordian Fulde would not comment on the McKinnon case last night but described the diagnosis of quadriplegia as "a life sentence".

He said the injury would renew the tackle debate.

"I think this is going to stimulate the whole matter of how people are tackled because the neck vertebrae in a human are very fragile, "he said.

He said the outlook for McKinnon wouldn't be able to be known for at least a year.

"You don't give the final ability until at least twelve months because of the ability of a young body to compensate and there are also a whole lot of scientific advances," he said.

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Giggs: United are not underdogs

David Moyes, right, and Ryan Giggs at the press conference on Monday. Picture: Jon Super/AP Source: Jon Super / AP

MANCHESTER United veteran Ryan Giggs said that his side will not consider themselves underdogs when they tackle all-conquering defending champions Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

While Bayern have gone from strength to strength under new coach Pep Guardiola, successfully defending their Bundesliga title in record time, United have endured a torrid season under their new manager, David Moyes.

United are currently 17 points off the pace in the Premier League and probably need to win the Champions League to qualify for next season's competition, but Giggs said on Monday that they are undaunted by the prospect of facing Bayern in Tuesday's first leg at Old Trafford.

"Bayern are a fantastic team,'' said the midfielder at Monday's pre-game press conference.

"They are the holders and Pep Guardiola has taken over and added a few new players, and they are a very strong team.

"They're the favourites in most people's eyes. But we are Manchester United and at Old Trafford we have had so many great nights.

"We don't see ourselves as underdogs; we see ourselves as Manchester United playing at home. It is going to be tough, but it is always is in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. We are looking forward to it.''

Giggs, 40, is the only surviving member of the United team that famously stunned Bayern with two injury-time goals in the final of the 1999 tournament in Barcelona.

He has now taken up a player-coach role, but when he was asked by a journalist if he could ever see himself succeeding Moyes, he was prevented from answering by the United press officer.

United's struggles have seen Moyes's position come under scrutiny in recent weeks, particularly in the light of 3-0 losses at home to both Liverpool and Manchester City.

However, the Scot was bullish when asked about the prospect of taking on Guardiola, who led former club Barcelona to victory over United in the final in both 2009 and 2011.

"I am really looking forward to coming up against him,'' Moyes said.

"It is the first time I have done, but I have no doubt I will be doing it many times in the future.''

Giggs, seated beside Moyes in a suite at Old Trafford, also sought to play down media speculation that he had fallen out with the former Everton manager.

The Welshman's appearance in the 3-0 win over Olympiakos in the last 16 was his first start in seven weeks, but he said that he was happy to be used sparingly.

Asked about his relationship with Moyes, he said: "The relationship is good. Of course, as a player you want to play all the time.

"I normally play every two or three weeks to get the best out of me. The last game was probably my first for seven weeks, but you are not sulking. You just have to be ready to play your best for the team.

"There is no problem with the manager. I don't know where that came from.''

Giggs is the oldest player to have scored in the post-1992 incarnation of the Champions League, having found the net against Benfica in September 2011, and he said that he had not decided whether this will be his last season in the competition.

"I don't know. I'll tell you after tomorrow (Tuesday)!'' he joked.

"I am just trying to enjoy this season and then at the end I will take stock and see what I want to do.''

Moyes, meanwhile, gave short shrift to a question about Bayern midfielder Toni Kroos, with whom United have been linked in the British media.

"I don't know where you have your information from, but I think Bayern Munich have a lot of good players; not just Toni Kroos,'' he said.

United have injury doubts over Rafael and Tom Cleverley, both of whom missed Monday's pre-match training session, while Juan Mata is cup-tied and Robin van Persie has been sidelined by a knee injury.

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