Mal sees Maroon over ticket prices

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MAROONS coach Mal Meninga has slammed Queensland Rugby League's State of Origin price hike, demanding officials apologise for their errors.

In a major embarrassment for the code almost 8,000 tickets remain unsold for the landmark 100th State of Origin game next week at Suncorp Stadium.

This is despite a minor reduction in the cost of select tickets last week.

The game should have been sold out in days as it is a truly historic moment for the code.

GUERRA SET TO DEBUT FOR INJURED THAIDAY

Queensland Maroons coach Mal Meninga. Source: News Corp Australia

However, rugby league's working class fans have baulked at ridiculous price hikes which have seen some tickets nearly double in cost from last year.

Officials could even have to give tickets away to junior clubs so empty seats don't ruin the spectacle.

Meninga said the QRL, which employs him, must swallow their pride and slash prices.

"Extremely disappointing," Meninga said of the slow sales.

"I guess the league has to make some tough decisions and say they're sorry and admit they're wrong and make it more available to our core supporters.

"Our blue collar workers, our mums and dads who love the game so much and want to come to Origin.

"We learn our lessons and hopefully we're strong enough to put our hands up and say we were wrong and make it a bit more accessible to our audience for game one and for game three as well."

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Last year's lone Origin at Suncorp Stadium attracted just over 51,690 fans.

It was the poorest crowd since the old Lang Park was redeveloped in 2003.

The QRL now has eight days to sell 7,500 seats.

For the first time ever, the governing body is running an advertising campaign to try and convince people to buy tickets for a State of Origin Game One.

Late last week the ARL Commission and the QRL released a limited number of silver category seats for $125, a third off the original price.

Queensland Maroons team. Source: News Corp Australia

Still, take up has been slow.

The QRL simply got their price point for State of Origin demand dramatically wrong.

Their membership special cost an outlandish $695.

The Maroons Membership gave supporters a ticket to the first and third Origin games plus other bonuses such as an $80 membership pack, a maroon wig and a tour of the Fourex Brewery.

Though some seats are as cheap as $80 for adults, prices spiral up to $370 for category one tickets and $250 for a seat in the upper tier of the western stand.

If Queensland head into Game Three with the series wrapped up, ticket prices will have to be halved.

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What you missed on TV last night

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AFTER the match review panel's findings earlier in the day, host Gerard Whateley and Mark Robinson gave their analysis on Sydney's Dan Hannebery being cleared.

Both were surprised.

"My gut feel is that he would be suspended only because of the rules," Gerard said.

"This is making forceful contact to an opponent from front on when an opponent has his head over the ball which is a reportable offence, so that's what I deferred to right across the weekend

Robbo believed Hannebery did have an alternative.

STEVIE J'S BROWNLOW HOPES LOOK BLOWN

"I just can't believe that people say 'well what alternative did he have?'

"I don't like them stopping and I know we don't like them doing that but he could have pulled up ... I didn't like it when I saw it."

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STEVE Johnson's head-butting charge on Ryan Crowley was shown and Robbo didn't hold back.

"This is the biggest joke I have seen this year," he said.

"Are you telling me this is worth missing one game of football?

"I enjoyed that contest (between Johnson and Crowley on the night) so much, because they're going each other ... for the MRP to come out and say you're missing a game of football for that, that is not on."

THE under-fire Tigers didn't take long to be brought up and the lads agreed Richmond simply aren't good enough.

WE BELIEVE IN OUR DIRECTION: TIGERS BOSS

Robbo suggested the Tigers needed to strip the game plan right back and "pick a theme" for the week.

"The stunning bit is the fall," he said.

"If you think we're having a big discussion on Richmond this week, if they get beaten by GWS next week, there will be carnage."

Gerard agreed with Robbo but said "you have to know where you are", and the Tigers may have drastically over-estimated their place on the premiership clock.

"I'm partially amazed ... (but) to me it looks real," Gerard said.

"I think this is probably a real reflection of where it is ... they're a poor team.

"They thought they were top-four material, and they're a long way from that."

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THE coaches, Melbourne's Paul Roos and Essendon's Mark Thompson, joined the panel and after a short highlights reel of Gary Ablett's weekend exploits, Gerard asked them about the 30-year-old's standing in the game.

Roos said he believed he was the best player he had seen and he was amazed by the Gold Coast skipper's consistency.

"We talked about him today (with the coaching group), and we talked about 'Is he an eight-goal player? Is he a 10-goal player?' It makes so much difference to the team.

"I'm taking nothing away from the other guys but he's an absolutely extraordinary player."

Thompson said Gazza's ability to continue performing at his level since joining the Suns had surprised him.

"I didn't think he could be playing as well in a poor(er) side," Thompson said.

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ROBBO asked Mark Thompson how the Bombers were tracking, and whether the continuing ASADA investigation was taking its toll on his men and whether he asked them if it was.

"I think we deal with it from a club point of view but I don't deal with it, it's not my job to deal with it," Thompson said.

"I just talk to them about football."

The Bombers coach said he didn't want to talk about the saga and was confident his team, 4-5 after nine rounds, could turn its form around.

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ON THE COUCH — FOX FOOTY

THE Gazza love-in continued on On The Couch, with Mike Sheahan — along with fellow panellists Gerard Healy and Jason Dunstall — marvelling at the Suns skipper.

Mike said he now rated Ablett alongside the player he believes the greatest to have played the game.

"I have him the equal of Wayne Carey," Mike said.

"Of all the great players that I've seen over the journey and Matthews has been one and Carey and Voss of their day, no-one has been clearly superior to the rest of the field like this bloke."

Jason agreed, saying Ablett did it every single week.

Stats show that in his 69 matches in a Suns jumper, Ablett has collected fewer than 20 disposals just twice.

THE THREE discuss the Dan Hannebery bump and Gerard thinks while still a "grey area", the right outcome was reached.

"I think at one stage both players had their eyes on the ball and one decides to use poor technique and one decides to use the correct technique and sadly we're in a position where if somebody elects to use poor technique we may have a savage injury.

"But I don't think Dan Hannebery can be held responsible for that ... The rule is in to stop blokes deliberately bumping blokes in the head," Gerard said.

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ATTENTION soon turned to Richmond and the panel agreed things have gone horribly wrong for the Tigers.

"I don't think anyone can understand what's gone wrong with this footy team," Mike said.

The panel says there was a boldness about the Tigers of 2013, but something has gone wrong and coach Damien Hardwick and the footy world doesn't know what.

"Maybe 2013 gave them a false sense of security about where they were and how good they were," Jason said.

ROBBO: TIME FOR HARDWICK TO GET RUTHLESS

Stats show the Tigers have dropped right off in every area.

Mike wondered if the Tigers were crippled by fear in matches, while Gerard said he believed the coach will stand by his players this week ahead of the clash with GWS.

"I get the feeling he (Hardwick) is giving them one more chance," Gerard said.

Jason thinks that would be the wrong move.

"To give them one more chance against a team languishing at the bottom, to me that doesn't achieve anything," Jason said.

Mike says Melbourne players want to impress coach Paul Roos. Picture: Alex Coppel Source: News Corp Australia

MELBOURNE won praise for its rejuvenation, with Jason saying he's pleased Jack Watts is reaping the rewards of his hard work.

"That last quarter, this is when he stood up (against Richmond) ... he had 10 possessions, kicked a couple of goals," Jason said.

Mike said he believes one man deserves the bulk of the credit for the Dees' upward curve.

"You know why (Melbourne players are improving)? Because of the coach. They want to please Roosy."

Matthew Pavlich had a happy 300th game, but how good were the Dockers? Source: News Corp Australia

THE panel paid tribute to Matthew Pavlich and said Freo's intensity was back.

However Mike was cautious in rating the Dockers' win over Geelong at the weekend.

"As good as Freo were, there are cracks at Geelong," he said.

Gerard, while reminding Mike he had history of going early in writing off the Cats, agreed some big-name Cats struggled at Patersons Stadium on Saturday night.

Gerard said Corey Enright, Jimmy Bartel early in the piece, Harry Taylor and Steve Johnson had all battled against Freo.

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SYDNEY Swans defender Ted Richards was the special guest, and the panel quizzed him on his side's turnaround from early in the season — especially the shock Round 1 loss to GWS.

"There's effort and there's absolute effort," Richards said.

"Unless you produce the absolute effort every week, you can get found out."

Asked his thoughts on teammate Dan Hannebery's clash with Bomber Michael Hurley, Richards said he had mixed thoughts.

"No free kick was paid so I thought it wasn't that bad but when I saw Hurley on the ground I thought maybe it was bad," he said.

"And then we kicked a goal and I saw a couple of replays and thought maybe he might be in a bit of trouble, and certainly the Essendon fans seemed to have a view on it."

SWAN MITCHELL SENDS STATS MEN SILLY

Richards admitted after being dropped in 2010 he contemplated moving to Sweden.

But two years later he was playing on Franklin in a winning grand final side.

Richards admitted he played on pain-killing injections in the 2012 grand final, having jabs in every quarter to get through the game.

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JASON got on his high horse and said AFL umpires were not rewarding the tackler.

A number of clips were showed from weekend matches where players with prior opportunity were not pinged.

BALL! NOPE. IF YOU DON'T MIND UMPIRE

Gerard argued that prior opportunity should also relate to teams and not only individuals.

"Prior opportunity was brought in for the bloke winning the ball, not for the bloke receiving the ball," he said.

Gerard Healy says Nick Riewoldt could have suffered a serious injuryagainst the Suns. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

THE panel ended the show on a serious note, saying they believed the AFL's match review panel failed in its duty by not citing Gold Coast midfielder Danny Stanley after he slid into the lower leg of St Kilda champ Nick Riewoldt on Sunday.

"That may have ended his (Riewoldt's) career in that collision," Mike said.

"This is not a go at Danny Stanley because he was attacking the footy but there was a rule brought in to eliminate exactly that incident

"Not only was there no free kick, I think the match review panel abdicated its responsibility ... I reckon they should have cited him on a reckless conduct charge."

Gerard agreed, saying Mark Evans needed to write to AFL clubs saying incidents such as the Stanley-Riewoldt clash should not be tolerated.

"It's a free kick yes, but if you're going that recklessly at the ball you can end somebody's career ... stay on your bloody feet."

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FOOTY CLASSIFIED — NINE NETWORK

NOT surprisingly, Richmond was first cab off the rank as the panel tried to address what was wrong at Punt Road.

Matthew Lloyd, Garry Lyon, Craig Hutchison and Caroline Wilson agreed the 16th-placed Tigers were battling.

"They have GWS this week so they're not at rock bottom yet," Lloyd said.

"If they lose that one there'll be big decisions made down at Punt Road."

Wilson questioned the "football direction" of the club, saying Damien Hardwick had lost support — such as key assistant Justin Leppitsch — while football director on the board Tony Free had to be questioned.

Richmond president Peggy O'Neal. Source: News Limited

Hutchison asked if we would hear from Richmond president Peggy O'Neal, while Lloyd went a step further.

"What does Peggy bring to the table as president that makes her a great president, or what can she bring?" he asked.

Wilson highlighted that O'Neal, the first female president in VFL/AFL history, had only been in the job six months.

ESSENDON'S decision to leave Jake Carlisle in the green vest was discussed.

Lyon said he couldn't understand Essendon's decision to leave Carlisle sitting on the bench when Lance Franklin was carving up the Bombers with four first-half goals at Etihad Stadium on Friday night.

CARLISLE SAGA TAKES GREEN TURN

Lloyd said he hopes Michael Hurley — who played on Franklin — can develop into an all-time great of the Bombers and wonders if he needs to shed some weight.

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FREMANTLE'S good recent record over the Cats is discussed, with Steve Johnson's report cited.

Ross Lyon's men have beaten Geelong in four of their past five, with a Cat being reported in each of those matches.

The Dockers' good run home is highlighted. Freo, now 5-4, appear headed for an assault on the top four.

Nathan Jones and Jack Watts are firing for the Dees. Source: Getty Images

TALKING FOOTY — 7MATE

MELBOURNE co-captain and fan favourite Nathan Jones was the special guest.

Watts, who booted three goals in the Demons' 17-point win over Richmond, is finally blossoming as a player but Jones believes his club could have better handled the no.1 draft pick's introduction to AFL football.

"From my opinion I don't think it was managed well at all," he said.

"I think one thing Roosy's addressed this year is there's not going to be a saviour or that the young players aren't going to come in with great expectation — they're going to learn their role and play their role ... they'll be ready to play footy without the expectation and pressure of them having to lift the club to where we all want it to get to and I think Wattsy found himself in that position.

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Van Gaal named Man United manager

New gig ... Dutch national football team coach Louis van Gaal has been appointed Manchester United manager. Source: Koen van Weel / AFP

NETHERLANDS boss Louis van Gaal will take over as the new manager of Manchester United, with Ryan Giggs as his assistant, the club has announced.

Van Gaal, 62, has signed a three-year contract to succeed David Moyes who was sacked in April after a disastrous run of results.

His contract with the Dutch national side means van Gaal will not be able to join up with United until after the World Cup in Brazil, which would not be until mid-July if the Netherlands reach the latter stages of the tournament.

Van Gaal, a disciplinarian who has won domestic titles and cups with Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich as well as the Champions League, will become the first manager from outside the British Isles to take charge of United.

Staying on ... Manchester United's interim manager Ryan Giggs has been appointed Louis van Gaal's assistant. Source: AP

He quickly emerged as the favourite to take over at Old Trafford after Moyes was dismissed.

Giggs, United's record-appearance holder and a player-coach under Moyes, was placed in caretaker charge of the team after the Scot left Old Trafford.

Moyes was the hand-picked successor of former United manager Alex Ferguson after his compatriot retired as British football's most successful boss at the end of last season.

But the former Everton manager struggled to adjust to life at Old Trafford and was dismissed just months into a six-year contract after United failed to qualify for next season's Champions League.

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Hodkinson can end Blues’ misery

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TRENT Hodkinson might just be the lucky omen NSW have been searching for to end eight long years of Origin pain.

Blues coach Laurie Daley will name his team on Tuesday and the Bulldogs halves combination of Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds is tipped to take over from the out-of-favour Roosters pairing of Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney.

WHO'S THE GREATEST? PICK YOUR BEST ORIGIN TEAM NOW

After just three wins from 12 Origin starts, Pearce's drunken bender is now set to cost him his Blues jumper, while Maloney has struggled for form and will end up as collateral damage from Pearce's axing.

It opens the door for the Bulldogs' table-topping duo to take over.

Reynolds and Hodkinson could take their Canterbury partnership to Origin football. Source: News Corp Australia

Reynolds has been one of the NRL's form players this year — and if Hodkinson gets the call-up it would make him the seventh player to wear the Blues' No.7 jumper since Andrew Johns inspired NSW's last series victory in 2005.

Our lucky No.7?

"No disrespect to Mitchell Pearce but if we do the same thing all the time we get the same result," said Steve Mortimer, the proud Bulldog who famously inspired the Blues' first series win in 1985.

Who would be the better pairing for NSW?

"Trent has a great attitude. He is tough. He can kick. He can goal-kick and he is now taking the ball to the line.

"I think Trent can do equally what (Pearce) did and probably even a little bit more. I think the change would be good."

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And a NSW jumper would also be the ultimate reward for Hodkinson's perseverance after he fought his way back from career-threatening knee and shoulder injuries.

Early last year Hodkinson was stuck in NSW Cup after playing just six NRL games in two years.

CONFIRMED: HAYNE WILL BE NSW FULLBACK

Since Johns's incredible ­series in 2005 the Blues have used a total of nine five-eighths and six halfbacks, including Craig Gower, Jarrod Mullen, Brett Kimmorley, Peter Wallace, Brett Finch and Pearce.

NSW will go into the series opener on May 28 at their longest TAB odds for an Origin at Suncorp — and the Blues are pretty much friendless.

Trent Hodkinson looks set to capitalise on Mitchell Pearce's off-field behaviour. Source: News Corp Australia

In NSW the TAB has taken 482 bets on the Maroons and just 115 on the Blues.

And it's no wonder given the recent history up north.

SIMS SET FOR ORIGIN CALL-UP

The Blues' last game one win in Queensland was in 2003 and since then they have only won three of 14 games at Suncorp — and two of those were dead rubbers (game three in 2009 and game three in 2007).

The series decider in 2005 was the last live game NSW won in Queensland. But Mortimer reckons the halves — and belief — are the keys this year.

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"Trent to me is like Cooper Cronk," Mortimer said.

"He might not be the most talented but he makes the most of his talent. The difference between NRL and State of Origin is mentality.

"You have to be strong in your thinking. You have to care for each other and look after each other.

"We have the talent in the backs and the depth in the ­forwards. Now all we need is a catalyst to steer them in the right area and that is a six and seven.

"And the way Josh and Trent are playing I would love to see them get the opportunity to wear the Blue jersey."

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Blues to turn Origin into a Dog fight

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NEW South Wales will turn to the Dogs of war to end Queensland's eight-year dominance with up to five players from table-topping Canterbury poised to dominate selection when the Origin I side is announced on Tuesday morning.

The Daily Telegraph understands Josh Reynolds, Trent Hodkinson, Josh Morris and Tony Williams are ready to be named for Origin I with Josh Jackson also being discussed as a bench player.

How the two teams will likely line-up. Source: News Corp Australia

Sydney Roosters star James Maloney will be dumped from the side and halfback teammate Mitchell Pearce is also expected to be axed.

Reynolds and Hodkinson are set to become NSW's new halves combination, while Morris will be picked at centre with Jackson and Williams looking at bench spots.

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MAROONS: GUERRA TO DEBUT FOR INJURED THAIDAY

NSW coach Laurie Daley wanted a club combination in his halves and couldn't ignore the claims of Hodkinson and Reynolds, two form players in a rampant Bulldogs side that has won its past seven matches.

Debutant Hodkinson will have the added pressure of the goalkicking duties, a role Maloney had last year. The Bulldogs' No. 7 has kicked 35 goals from 42 attempts this year for a robust 83 per cent strike rate.

Josh Morris will likely join four Canterbury teammates in the NSW side for Origin I. Source: Getty Images

The NSW side will be formally announced at a Sydney hotel at 11.40am on Tuesday.

On Monday night Queensland named just one change to the side that secured a historic eighth successive Origin series win last year, with Roosters backrower Aidan Guerra replacing Sam Thaiday. Superstars Billy Slater, Cam Smith, Matt Scott, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston will all be back to torment the Blues.

WHO'S THE GREATEST? PICK YOUR BEST ORIGIN TEAM NOW

As revealed in The Daily Telegraph last month, Maloney has been in modest form and been fighting to keep his NSW position from the start of this season.

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Conversely, Josh Reynolds has been in stellar form for Des Hasler's side. His aggression and energy will no doubt lift the NSW team.

Even as late as Monday, the NSW camp still hadn't nailed down several positions.

One wing spot was still open with Jorge Taufua, Will Hopoate and Daniel Tupou all in contention, with Tupou a strong favourite to debut at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday.

'T-Rex' Tony Williams has done enough to join the Bulldogs' Origin contingent. Source: Getty Images

The pack has been knocked around with the suspension of Greg Bird and injuries to Andrew Fifita, Glenn Stewart and Boyd Cordner.

Versatile Skipper Paul Gallen is likely to start in the back row but is expected to spend some time up front.

Manly's Anthony Watmough is expected to be in the 17-man squad, probably off the bench. Another candidate is North Queensland's Tariq Sims.

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Watmough is tough, durable and has State of Origin experience, something Daley will need in the Suncorp Stadium cauldron.

Melbourne's New Zealand Warriors-bound backrower Ryan Hoffman is another certainty.

As expected, Brett Morris will claim one wing position with Josh Morris and Michael Jennings to be named in the centres.

Jarryd Hayne's form for Parramatta has made him impossible to ignore. Source: News Corp Australia

St George Illawarra's Josh Dugan was discussed as a fullback option but Daley has always been a massive fan of Hayne.

And Hayne has been in supreme form during his past two games for Parramatta.

NSW enter camp in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday night before then flying further north to Brisbane on Sunday to prepare for the big game.

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Swings at golfer who played on

Game goes on ... Alastair Forsyth of Scotland (C), talks to fellow golfers after has caddie Ian McGregor tragically died on the 9th Fairway during the final round of the Madeira Islands Open. Source: Mark Runnacles / Getty Images

SCOTLAND'S Alastair Forsyth has defended his decision to finish his round of golf after his caddie died of a heart attack on the 9th hole.

Forsyth was playing his final hole at the Madeira Islands Open when his caddie Iain McGregor suffered a fatal heart attack.

A suspension of play was announced but officials decided that the tournament should go on. England's Daniel Brooks beat Scotland's Scott Henry on the first playoff hole.

"Everybody is in shock," Forsyth said. "Myself and playing partners Adam (Gee) and Tano (Goya) met tournament officials and spoke to (European Tour chief executive) George O'Grady before taking the decision to play on, because we felt that was what Mac would have wanted. "He was a guy I've known for 15 years and was very popular among the caddies. My thoughts go to his family. For something like this to happen so suddenly is so sad," he said.

"He's was far too young for this to happen. He was the life and soul of the caddies' lounge and a nice guy who will be sorely missed. I'm absolutely numb."

A minutes silence is held on the putting green for caddie Ian McGregor who tragically died on the 9th Fairway at the Madeira Islands Open. Source: Getty Images

Players including Sweden's Joel Sjoholm and Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano said tournament organisers should be ashamed to allow play to continue.

The European Tour released a statement extending "our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Iain at this time."

"Following consultation with the players and caddies involved, however, it has been decided that play should continue and the tournament should finish," the statement read. "A minute's silence has taken place at the clubhouse and play resumed at 6pm local time. All administration will be taken care of by The European Tour and we will help in any way possible."

Silence ... Golfers observe a minutes silence for Iain McGregor. Source: Getty Images

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Greenberg’s Tandy claim under cloud

Former Bulldogs boss Todd Greenberg. Source: News Corp Australia

THE contents of a sworn police statement have emerged which contradict NRL football boss Todd Greenberg's claims that he was not informed about Ryan Tandy's gambling on rugby league matches at a meeting with the late prop's betting agent in August 2010.

The NRL Integrity Unit has approached the two witnesses — Bulldogs football manager Alan Thompson and former racing reporter John Schell — who hold the key to Greenberg's survival, which hangs on an internal investigation into whether he lied about having knowledge of Tandy's bets on 2010 NRL games.

The latest probe into Greenberg's former role as Canterbury CEO focuses on an August 17, 2010 meeting with Thompson and Schell, who was placing bets on Tandy's behalf at the time.

Police witness statements and other documents relating to the Ryan Tandy match fixing investigation Source: Supplied

In both a sworn police statement and evidence before the NSW Local Court, Schell has testified that during that meeting he showed Greenberg and Thompson a betting ledger that recorded four separate wagers on NRL fixtures played in June 2010.

Over the next two months, Schell pursued Tandy for $30,370 worth of gambling debts, and met the Bulldogs pair at an Olympic Park cafe to personally express his grievance.

Tendered into evidence as part of the DPP case against Tandy, who was charged with four counts of lying to the NSW Crime Commission, Schell's hand-written ledger reveals $21,000 worth of rugby league bets.

Police witness statements and other documents relating to the Ryan Tandy match fixing investigation Source: Supplied

The issue was revisited in the wake of Tandy's recent death, with the ABC's 7:30 program last week approaching Greenberg and Thompson for response over why Canterbury never escalated Schell's allegations.

While Thompson declined to comment, Greenberg issued the program a categorical denial of being told about Tandy's NRL bets at the meeting.

''Mr Greenberg says at no stage during the meeting was there any suggestion or allegation of betting on rugby league matches,'' the spokesperson said.

''Mr Greenberg categorically dismisses any suggestion otherwise.''

Ex football player Ryan Tandy leaves the Sydney Police Centre. Source: News Limited

In Schell's police statement, sworn to detective senior constable Matthew Gibson on December 10, 2010, Schell contradicts Greenberg.

In Schell's police statement, sworn to detective senior constable Matthew Gibson on December 10, 2010, Schell recounts the meeting he had with the-then Bulldogs boss and Thompson at Raw café, adjacent to the team's former Sydney Olympic Park training base.

"I expressed my concerns over the debt that Tandy had to me and showed Greenberg and Thompson the betting ledger that I had kept and also my phone records which showed calls etc," Schell's police statement read.

Thompson's police statement, sworn to Gibson on 17 January 2011, also recalls the meeting, but is silent about the production of Schell's ledger.

"At this meeting Schell detailed the amount of money that Tandy owed him and also a number of bets that Tandy had been placing," Thompson's statement read.

Police witness statements and other documents relating to the Ryan Tandy match fixing investigation Source: Supplied

The two police statements concur that Schell did not wish to make a formal complaint at the time.

Instead it was agreed that he contact Tandy's agent, Sam Ayoub.

Concerned that he might jeopardise his chances of recouping the debt, Schell did not do so.

Schell's first contact with the Bulldogs came via Thompson, whom he had known socially for a year beforehand. The pair is still close and catch up frequently.

On Saturday the NRL announced it would pose questions in relation to the ABC report, which challenged Canterbury over its failure to properly escalate Schell's claims at the meeting.

It's understood the NRL administration at the time did not become aware of Tandy's bets on rugby league matches until some weeks later, when it hired veteran NSW Racing steward Ray Murrihy to investigate suspicious betting around the infamous Cowboys-Bulldogs match.

Former Bulldogs boss Todd Greenberg. Source: News Corp Australia

The Daily Telegraph can reveal both Thompson and Schell have received calls from the head of the NRL's Integrity Unit, commercial lawyer Nick Weeks.

Thompson refused to comment on Monday, while Schell said his ongoing co-operation would be determined by his initial meeting with Weeks.

Greenberg did not comment, while an NRL spokesperson said "the NRL takes such issues seriously and is making inquiries into the matter''.

Greenberg has already survived one internal probe since his appointment to League Central last August, with the Integrity Unit approving his handling of the Ben Barba drama over 12 months ago.

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Daniel Garb’s EPL team of the season

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WITH the EPL season run and won, it's time to look at the best performing stars of 2013-2014.

Fox Sports' Daniel Garb has picked his star performers from the year that was, and despite winning the title, just one Manchester City player makes his starting team.

Team of the year

Lloris

Coleman Terry Lovren Azipilicueta

Gerrard Toure

Lallana

Suarez Hazard

Sturridge

Bench: De Gea, Cahill, Jedinak, Henderson, Ramsey, Silva, Aguero

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Defence

Lloris is the best keeper in the league, pure and simple. And he performed in that fashion this season with little assistance from a very poor team. It's hard to oust the brilliant Pablo Zabaleta from the side but Coleman has become the best attacking full-back in the league, as his six goals have proven. John Terry was the best centre-back this season by the length of his rap sheet but picking his partner was the hardest task of all in this side. I've gone for Dejan Lovren over Gary Cahill as he didn't have the assistance of a great defender next to him.

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Southampton plays a risky, high defensive line and Lovren marshalled that superbly, especially early in the season. There may be some raised eyebrows at Leighton Baines's omission but having watched Chelsea on numerous occasions this season Cesar 'Dave' Azipilicueta did not get beaten. Ever. He has an incredible engine, amazing anticipation and he utilised those attributes on his less favoured left side. You have to be of the very highest class to keep Ashley Cole on the bench and he's now firming for a starting spot with Spain. A pure defender.

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Midfield

Let's be honest, it's a pretty easy central midfield pair to pick. Stevie G ran the show for the Reds, adapting to his new position, a super important role in Brendan Rodgers system. Add 13 goals to that including some high-pressure penalties and it's been a masterful season from the maestro in a role he is likely to excel in for a couple more years. Yaya Toure - 20 goals - only the second midfielder to hit that mark after Frank Lampard. The boss of all bosses bossed them to the title. Enough said, really. We all love Lallana, he's developed into England's best technical midfielder. My only concern is putting him in a central, free role, which means it puts to bed the superb Saints chant "He plays on the left, he plays on the riggghhhttt…Adam Lallana, makes Ronaldo look shite." But I'll live with it. Nine goals and ran the stylish Saints show.

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Attack

Eden Hazard faded a touch late, but when Chelsea launched their title challenge mid-season he was the catalyst. Fourteen goals is an excellent return for any winger and in a team bereft of dynamism in the final third on too many occasions, he carried them. If he worked a little harder he'd join the absolute elite of the game in pretty quick time. Suarez doesn't need any explaining, 31 goals for the season, only the seventh player to do so in EPL history. PFA and FWA player of the year. Sturridge makes my team off the back of his 21 goals but also because of his work with Suarez that elevated the Reds to title challengers. Premier League defences haven't seen a combination like it, and that's a fact. They are the first duo to finish first and second on the goalscoring charts from the same club in Premier League history.

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Bench

David De Gea's selection is similar to Lloris, he was flawless without much assistance from his teammates. Well deserved winner of United's player of the season. Cahill was super consistent this season and unlucky not to make the team. Ahh, it feels good to put an Aussie in there, but we all know Mile Jedinak deserves it. Led the league in interceptions and was the best pure defensive midfielder in the premiership.I always thought Jordan Henderson would come good, but not this good this quickly. Second only to Yaya Toure for chances created from central midfield, while his energy was the driving force for the Reds excellent season.

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It's a long season so it's easy to forget at times what happened in the first few months, but Aaron Ramsey was the best player in the league in that period and he gets in off the back of that. And finally the slick little City duo - David Silva is the ultimate linkman between midfield and attack, and while we expect so much from him now, he delivered again, perhaps more consistently than ever before. Seventeen goals from Sergio Aguero is a superb return in an injury-interrupted season. He'd have nudged the 30 mark without his troubles and much like Ramsey, lit the league up early to get City going under Manuel Pellegrini.

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Sterling finally sorry for ‘mistake’

One mistake ... Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling says he was baited to make racist comments. Source: Mark J. Terrill / AP

LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling, desperate to cling to his team, has finally apologised for racist comments he made to his girlfriend, saying he made "a terrible mistake."

"If I said anything wrong, I'm sorry,'' Sterling told CNN's Anderson Coope. "I'm a good [NBA] member who made a mistake, and I'm apologising and I'm asking for forgiveness.

"Am I entitled to one mistake, am I, after 35 years?'' Sterling, 80, asked said during the interview at his Beverly Hills home — his first since the scandal broke.

"I mean, I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It's a terrible mistake, and I'll never do it again.

"When I listen to that tape, I don't even know how I can say words like that ... I don't know why the girl had me say those things," insisted the billionaire real-estate investor, who was caught on tape telling his then-gal pal, V. Stiviano, not to bring black people — including hoops great Magic Johnson — to Clippers games.

Hasn't done enough ... Donald Sterling says Earvin "Magic" Johnson, pictured with wife, Cookie, says the NBA legend hasn't done enough to help minorities. Source: Getty Images

Cooper then pressed Sterling: "You're saying you were set up?"

"Well, yes, I was baited," Sterling said. "I mean, that's not the way I talk ... I don't talk about people."

He said he didn't know who leaked the tape.

"I thought she liked me and really cared for me. I guess being 51 years older than her, I was deluding myself," he said.

"I just wish I could ask her why — and if she was just setting me up.

"I'm not a racist. I made a terrible, terrible mistake. And I'm here with you today to apologise and to ask for forgiveness for all the people that I've hurt."

Despite his alleged contrition, Sterling still blasted Johnson as a bad role model for kids.

"He's a good person. I mean, what am I going to say?'' Stirling told Cooper, before adding, "Has he done everything he can do to help minorities? I don't think so. But I'll say it, he's great.

But I don't think he's a good example for the children of Los Angeles."

In a separate interview, Sterling's estranged wife, Shelly, told ABC's Barbara Walters that she believes her husband suffers from the "onset of dementia."

Dementia ... Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling, right, sits with his wife Rochelle, who says her husband has early onset dementia. Source: AP

She said he told her after the tape surfaced, "I don't remember saying that. I don't remember ever saying those things.

"I said, 'Well, this is the tape,' " Shelly Sterling said.

"And he says, 'Hmm. I don't remember it.' That's when I thought he had dementia.

"I don't love him. I pity him and I feel sorry for him," she said.

Shelly Sterling said she backs NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's push to force her husband to sell the team — but insists that she should have the right to buy it.

"I don't know why I should be punished for what his actions were," she said.

Last week, a new tape surfaced in which Sterling told a pal that he made the racist comments because he was trying to get Stiviano into bed.

"I'm talking to a girl. I'm trying to have sex with her," Sterling said in the recent conversation, a tape of which was obtained by Radar Online.

"I'm trying to play with her. If you were trying to have sex with a girl and you're talking to her privately and you don't think anybody's there, you may say anything in the world!"

The NBA disagreed. It said in a statement that her interest in the team would be "terminated'' under the league's constitution if it forces her husband to sell.

Her lawyer, Pierce O'Donell, replied, "We do not agree with the league's self-serving interpretation of its constitution.''

And in any case, he added, "California law and the United States Constitution trump any such interpretation.''

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Eels win but Daley’s Blues lose Fifita

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HE must have laughed in between the tears on Monday night.

Jarryd Hayne's miracle try for Parramatta on Monday brought some rare joy to a terribly disrupted preparation for NSW coach Laurie Daley.

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne on his way to scoring a great try. Source: News Corp Australia

The smile though disappeared when Daley realised he would be without giant Cronulla and Blues prop Andrew Fifita for six to eight weeks.

Fifita left the field in the 18th minute during last night's game at Pirtek Stadium with grade two syndesmosis.

He was at Westmead Hospital having an MRI scan before the match had even ended.

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Fifita will now miss the entire State of Origin series.

James Tamou, Paul Gallen, Trent Merrin and Aaron Woods would now be NSW's front-row contenders.

"I thought he (Fifita) rolled his ankle and hoped it wasn't too bad. I remember seeing him at halftime and he was on crutches. It wasn't a good sight," Hayne said.

Andrew Fifita leaves the field with an injured ankle. Source: News Corp Australia

In the end, Parramatta won the Johnny Mannah Cup 42-24 win over a disappointing Sharks side. Victory was special for Eels skipper Tim Mannah.

Parramatta looked a dangerous team at times. Good times lie ahead.

Andrew Fifita in the dressing sheds. Source: FoxSports

The night was lit-up by Hayne's dazzling first half try, where he beat four defenders in a scortching run to the tryline.

"The first one (try) was awesome. I have been doing a bit on my own to top up my speed," Hayne said.

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne celebrates his try. Source: News Corp Australia

Hayne is a dead-set freak. After the try, Hayne, returning on Monday night from a shoulder injury, blessed himself, looked skyward and then did the Hayne Plane.

"It was a great try," said Eels coach Brad Arthur. "I was happy with his attack and his leadership qualities.

"He got the football and ran. Tonight's effort was the best I have seen from him in a long time because he played through an injury and played tough.

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"If we can complete our sets then we can put him in a position to do that more often."

Mannah added: "He (Hayne) is really putting his body on the line and doing the dirty stuff which his team-mates appreciate.

"He has really taken his game to another level this year. He is playing with a lot more urgency and energy."

Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen after copping an elbow to his throat. Source: News Corp Australia

It was Hayne's eighth try in his last nine matches against Cronulla. He scored a second run-away try last night nearing fulltime.

NSW desperately need Hayne at his attacking finest to beat Queensland. He did though finish the game in the sin-bin for a professional foul and missed a few one-on-one tackles.

Jarryd Hayne tries to make a break. Source: News Corp Australia

Hayne was bold, as was halfback Chris Sandow and centre Will Hopoate.

Rather than a minute's silence, fans before the game were asked to stand and applaud for a minute to honour Mannah, who passed away at the start of last season.

Parramatta's Chris Sandow dives over for a try. Source: News Corp Australia

The Sharks actually led 12-4 before Parramatta scored the next 24 points. Arthur was pleased with the win - but not with his team's defence.

"It wasn't good enough," he said. "Moving forward, if we want to be taken seriously then we have to improve our defence.

"We did some good things with the ball but we have to play for the 80 minutes."

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Sharks coach Peter Sharp lamented another loss, saying: "We made way too many errors to compete at this level."

Gallen added: "Individually we were poor tonight. There were some missed one-on-one tackles that werent good enough for first grade."

PARRAMATTA 42 (J Hayne 2 K Sio 2 W Hopoate S Radradra C Sandow W Tonga tries C Sandow 5 goals) bt CRONULLA 24 (I De Gois S Feki M Gordon W Graham tries M Gordon 4 goals) at Pirtek Stadium. Referee: Alan Shortall, Adam Devcich. Crowd: 12,541

Re-live the action in our blog below:

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