Tinkler supported at Knights meeting

Support ... Tinkler received the backing of at least one KMC member on Monday night. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

A member of the Newcastle Knights board that approved Nathan Tinkler's takeover has called for caution over the rising rancour about the NRL club's future.

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

The Knights Members Club (KMC) directors and Hunter Sports Group (HSG) met on Monday night, with the former airing concerns about the direction of the club and Tinkler's spiralling debt.

Tinkler's right-hand man, HSG chief executive Troy Palmer, Knights boss Matt Gidley and coach Wayne Bennett addressed the KMC and did their best to allay fears at the meeting.

Palmer and Gidley reinforced their view that a tax bill of approximately $3 million would be paid, all of HSG's creditors would be paid, and that an audit report into the Knights' 2012 financial operations would reveal HSG had met all requirements.

Despite rumblings otherwise, KMC chairman Nicholas Dan wasn't ready to demand Tinkler hand back the NRL licence.

"It's a privately owned club and it's in their hands what happens from here," Dan said on Monday.

It was the first KMC meeting since the tax office moved last week to liquidate eight companies linked to Tinkler, including the Knights, and Newcastle Jets.

Tinkler's public perception problem has become a crisis over the past week, but one man who was sitting on the club's board when the white knight rode into town in 2011 leapt to his defence.

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

"It's disappointing that such a great bloke is sitting on hard times," said the board member who did not wish to be named.

"The good thing about him is the one love he has got is for his Knights and the players he's formed a bond with.

"You can pat a horse but it won't talk back to you.

"He'll bounce back and I know the players aren't worried."

Tinkler offloaded his prized racehorse All Too Hard on the weekend, with some suggesting the funds could be used to pay off HSG debts.

Even if the KMC was to make a stand against Tinkler, it's unlikely to happen before an independent audit into HSG's finances, which will examine whether Tinkler has met all obligations in his takeover.

Gidley and Dan agreed in principle last Wednesday to change the audit date from December 15 to January 21.

Brent Perkins, partner of Knights auditors Crosbie Warren Sinclair, noted on Monday the delay had nothing to do with Tinkler's precarious financial situation.

"As the financial reporting year is to 31 December, this (audit) obviously could not be completed and issued for the full year by that date (December 15)," Perkins said.

"We understand that the recently proposed amendments will allow the audit to be completed and our report to be issued by 21 January each year."

Even if HSG makes good on its debt-clearing promise, Dan still has concerns about the club's reputation.

"We're very happy with the way memberships have increased and the money spent on facilities but we've got to look more broadly at the brand,'' Dan told Sky Sports Radio on Monday.

"I firmly believe creditors need to be paid in a timely manner."

Palmer suggested there were issues HSG "should apologise for" but was steadfast the club was in safe hands.

"I talk to Nathan every day ... there is no chance of Nathan going under," Palmer said.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Shinji keen on extra year out West

Big boost ... Shijni Ono (L) has says he wants to stay longer at the Wanderers. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Western Sydney received another boost in their impressive debut A-League season with news Japanese marquee signing Shinji Ono wants to extend his stay at the club.

Just two days after scoring a dramatic 2-0 derby win over Sydney FC in front of a raucous crowd of 26,000 at Allianz Stadium, the 33-year-old on Monday said flares thrown by Wanderers fans won't hold him back from re-signing.

"I don't know what (the Wanderers) are thinking about next season," said Ono, who penned a one-year deal in September.

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

"But I can say I want to stay longer."

Ono was still buzzing from the impressive victory over the Sky Blues and believes it's no fluke the Wanderers have climbed to fourth on the ladder in their inaugural season given their "good mentality and fighting spirit."

And that strong bond will be severely tested over the next four rounds when they face fellow top-five sides Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne Victory and Central Coast.

But Ono says his best is yet to come.

"I think my confidence is getting better every day," he said.

Ono wasn't fazed by flares being thrown onto the ground against the Sydney FC, putting the incidents down to the passion of a crosstown rivalry.

Having played 112 games for Dutch club Feyenoord from 2001-05, Ono says that kind of fan behaviour highlights the intensity of the clash.

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

"When I was in the Netherlands, there were big derby games," said Ono of the rivalry amongst the three Rotterdam clubs.

"When I saw that (against Sydney FC) I knew it was a big game."

The attacking midfielder is looking forward to testing himself against a speedy Adelaide United at Parramatta Stadium on Friday night.

"They have a lot of good quality," Ono said of classy Reds including Fabio Ferreira, Jeronimo Neumann, Marcelo Carrusca and Cassio.

"But we have been preparing well.

"It's a tough challenge. But I have a good feeling."

Ono expects more Japanese players will make the move to Australia given his successful stint has created plenty of interest back home.

But one clash that would gain plenty of excitement in Japan is firmly on his radar - the A-League All Stars match against Manchester United next July.

Ono has put his hand up for the All Stars in a battle that could pit him against his compatriot and Red Devils star midfielder Shinji Kagawa.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Haddin in frame as Test batsman

On the radar ... Haddin has been in sparkling form for NSW this season. Source: News Limited

Australia selectors will consider picking former Test keeper Brad Haddin as a specialist batsman if captain Michael Clarke's injury rules him out of matches in Melbourne or Sydney.

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

The 35-year-old, who has controversially been overlooked for Matthew Wade this summer, could be thrown a lifeline if Clarke's hamstring problem stops him playing either of the remaining Tests against Sri Lanka from Boxing Day.

Haddin has averaged 67.40 in the Sheffield Shield for NSW this season and former captain Steve Waugh recently suggested he should be considered for a batsman-only role.

"We'll discuss that tonight (Monday night)," Australia coach Mickey Arthur said.

"That batter, whoever it is, would have to be part of our extended squad. There's possibilities.

"Haddin's one of them, (Rob) Quiney's one of them and certainly Usman Khawaja's very much in the frame.

"Alex Doolan has played well."

Australia will no doubt try to everything they can to get Clarke onto the MCG in a week's time but, if he is prescribed a rest period, vice-captain Shane Watson will almost certainly take over as skipper.

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

Former Test No.3 Khawaja has thrived playing for his new state Queensland with a brilliant century on a tough Hobart pitch and three 50s in Shield cricket so far.

Bulls coach Darren Lehmann believes Khawaja has addressed selectors' concerns about his sharpness at the crease and in the field.

Tasmania's Doolan made 161 not out for Australia A against South Africa, while Quiney would be getting a second chance after he made just nine runs in his two matches against the Proteas.

Injuries have decimated what had been a deep pool of fast bowlers, with Ben Hilfenhaus one of seven pacemen who could have been considered.

Selectors are likely to turn to 12th man for Hobart Mitchell Johnson, whose return in Perth after a 12-month absence was encouraging.

Tasmania's Jackson Bird sits atop the leading wicket-takers list for the second straight season and will be considered as back-up along with West Australian Nathan Coulter-Nile.

"All I can say is we've had a list of bowlers leading into our summer, and we're well down the list at the moment," Arthur said.

"The names that have been on everyone's lips are a guy like Jackson Bird, it could be Nathan Coulter-Nile, and that will form part of the discussions."

Complicating matters is a lack of first class cricket while the Big Bash League is completed.

The Sheffield Shield season was suspended at the end of November and the next match won't begin until the end of January.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bell, Trott secure England's series win

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

Super finish ... Bell was unbeaten on 116 when the game was declared a draw. Source:AP

England batted for more than two sessions on day five to secure a draw in the final Test in Nagpur and beat India 2-1 in the series.

4th Test - Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium

13 December 2012 - Day 5, Session 3

England 2nd Innings

I. Bell	116	306	16	1	37.91
J. Root	20	56	1	1	35.71
G. Gambhir	2	0	4	0	2.00

England needed to avoid defeat in the final Test to secure a first series triumph in the country in 27 years.

And the result was never in doubt on the final day as Jonathan Trott and Ian Bell both secured centuries before the players finally shook hands after tea with the tourists on 4-352.

Having resumed in the morning on 3-161, the first hour was always going to dictate how the day would play out, but Trott and Bell remained largely untroubled as they kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Bell, who had looked out of sorts after missing the second Test to return home for the birth of his child, brought up his half-century off 130 balls.

And then Trott, who had found himself at the centre of the action during a fiery fourth day, reached his century off 232 deliveries.

Piyush Chawla came closest to removing Trott in the final overs of the morning session - with a huge appeal after a quicker delivery held its line and struck the Warwickshire man on the back pad, however umpire Rod Tucker was unmoved.

It was more of the same in the afternoon session until Trott was finally out five overs before tea, tickling Ravi Ashwin straight into the hands of Virat Kohli at leg slip for 143.

He and Bell had put on 208 for the fourth wicket with Bell adding just 26 runs in the second session to move on to 87 not out, having had one escape on 75 when a fierce cut at Chawla was edged and put down by Virender Sehwag at slip.

He was joined by debutant Joe Root who promptly lofted the ninth ball he faced, from Ashwin, into the stands as England went to tea on 4-310.

They resumed after the break with the only remaining question being whether Bell would reach his 17th Test hundred and his first in India.

It, like the result, was a formalilty in the end and he got there with a leg glance from the 293rd ball he faced, eventually making 116 not out while Root remained on 20 not out before the players called it a day an hour into the final session.

Read more: http://www.skysports.com/cricket/match_report/0,,11066_13370_1,00.html
 

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Oldham fans set fire to rivals' hair

Lighting up ... Wanderers fans ignite flares during the Sydney derby. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Western Sydney may have its own issues with fan behaviour at the moment, but they can take comfort in the fact they don't have Oldham Athletic's supporters.

On several occasions the English third-tier club's fans have been caught trying, sometimes successfully, to light rival fans' hair on fire.

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

In recent matches multiple fans have reportedly been ejected from Boundary Park – Oldham's home ground – for the bizarre attacks, which has prompted the club to issue a warning to the culprits.

"Latics are warning fans that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated at Boundary Park," read a statement on the club's official website.

"We have recently had supporters ejected for such offences as bottle throwing and attempting to light people's hair with cigarette lighters.

"This is totally unacceptable behaviour and cannot be tolerated.

"Greater Manchester Police have "spotters" attending all games that are not policed and are aware of these incidents."

The League One side's drive this season to boost attendances with cheap £10 ($16) tickets is being blamed for the rise in anti-social behaviour at matches.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Sironen fears for Leichhardt Oval

Spiritual home ... Tigers fans love their rugby league at Leichhardt Oval. Source: News Limited

Leichhardt mayor Darcy Byrne says the current proposal to rebuild Balmain Leagues Club would have no impact on keeping Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.

Balmain great Paul Sironen on Monday handed nearly 5,000 submissions to the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure in support of bringing the leagues club back to its Rozelle base.

Sironen said the development was crucial to saving rugby league in the inner west, and would shore up the future of Leichhardt Oval - which could stop hosting games after next year, Wests Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys told a Sunday newspaper.

But Byrne said it was misinformation to suggest approving the 24-storey proposal at the Rozelle site would increase the likelihood of the Tigers retaining a base at their spiritual home, where they currently play three games a year.

"There's not a cent for the club in the redevelopment," Byrne told AAP.

"There's no cash payment to the club if this redevelopment is approved.

"The only benefit for the club is a 15-year lease at commercial rates.

"We had a representative of the club suggest in the paper on Sunday that this would be the last year the Tigers would play at Leichhardt Oval.

"Some people might interpret it as hypocrisy to suggest that we have to have skyscrapers in Rozelle to bring the Tigers home, whilst in the same breath agreeing to the government and the NRL's proposal to end rugby league at Leichhardt Oval."

Sironen admitted the future of the Tigers was in doubt if the latest proposal was blocked.

"It's dire alright. It could spell the end of (the fight to save the leagues club)," he said.

"That's how bad it is. We need support from the leagues club to help fund Tigers football.

"This has dragged on for a long time now. For the sake of Tigers football in the Balmain area we need some positive news."

While Sironen was pleased to have Byrne's support for keeping Leichhardt Oval operational, he urged the mayor to listen to the fans who want a rebuilt leagues club.

"It sounds like the mayor is fully supportive of keeping the football ground there and NRL games there, but I wish it was the same with the leagues club side at Rozelle," Sironen said.

"As the mayor said, listen to the fans. The fans want us to go back to Rozelle as well."

To which Byrne responded: "(The form letter) asks people to show their support for the Tigers return to Rozelle - you'll find no one who supports that more strongly than me.

"But to interpret people signing onto that statement as them supporting 24-storey skyscrapers in low-rise Rozelle is stretching the truth quite a bit."

Byrne said it was unlikely the latest proposal would be approved, saying independent assessors had given it the thumbs down.

"The independent advice that we've got from planning experts and the people who are most respected in their field is that the revised proposal will still have a disastrous impact on local traffic, local businesses and will draw Victoria Road to a standstill," he said.

"As desperate as I am to see the Tigers return to Rozelle through a sensible redevelopment, I'm not in a position to ignore the independent planning advice of experts.

"The proposal as it stands doesn't comply with a single one of the state government's own planning controls."

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Campbell diplomatic on boycott

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

Preston Campbell ... understands boycott threats for the All Stars game. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

The man who conceived the NRL's All Stars idea - Preston Campbell - said he would understand if players boycotted the rugby league showpiece over a salary dispute.

But Campbell hoped NRL players would consider the impact the game had on the community programs it helped fund before striking.

Campbell was in Brisbane on Monday to help launch the final stage of public voting for the 2013 All Stars clash on February 9 to be held at Suncorp Stadium for the first time.

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

However, Campbell admitted he was concerned the headline event may be a fizzer if big name players opted to stay away.

The Rugby League Players Association held their latest round of talks with the Australian Rugby League Commission last week in a bid to increase the NRL salary cap from $5 million to $6.5 million next season.

Players have refused to rule out an All Stars strike over the dispute.

Campbell said players deserved a pay increase but hoped they did not earn it by ditching the All Stars clash.

"I understand the boys want to get what they can," he told AAP.

"If the boys get a bit more then they deserve it. It's a tough environment playing rugby league.

"But at the same time players have to realise that without the support of the community, without people buying merchandise or going to games, switching the TV on to watch a match, the game wouldn't be as great - we need to remember that."

The All Stars concept has helped raise almost $5 million for NRL community programs in its first three years, with the ARLC hoping to increase the initiatives it supports next year.

The All Stars game was one of the projects that helped the ARLC take out Governing Body of the Year at this year's Beyond Sport Federation Awards in London.

"It would be disappointing if the game wasn't played," Campbell said.

"We would have to work a bit harder in trying to get the message out there.

"This is a great vehicle to get to a wider audience.

"It is making a big difference in so many people's lives."

Broncos star Justin Hodges said a strike would damage the good work the game did on and off the field.

"It would hurt everything,'' he said.

"As players we want to get paid like everybody else.

"We deserve it. We put our bodies through a lot of torture.

"But I will leave it to the players association.

"Hopefully we can get out there and play ... especially a game that means so much to our people."

Public voting on the Indigenous side and a 64-man NRL All Stars shortlist will end on January 14.

Laurie Daley will return as Indigenous All Stars coach while Wayne Bennett will again take up the NRL team's reins.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Private racetrack a real gem

Leadfoot ... Dean Wills built a private track on his property in Kulnura. Source: Liam Driver / News Limited

It's not Monaco, the Nurburgring or even Oran Park - this racetrack is NSW's best-kept secret.

The privately owned road in Kulnura, on the Central Coast, is a 5.1km Formula One-style track with 22 turns, described by one motorsport champion as the second-best track in the world.

The track, which is said to have cost $10 million, was built by car enthusiast and former Coca-Cola Amatil boss Dean Wills after he lost his licence for speeding on the old Pacific Highway in 1996.

Mr Wills wanted to enjoy his growing fleet of exotic cars - which included the only McLaren racing car ever sold privately - without having to worry about oncoming traffic.

Kulnara ... a windy part of the tack. Source: News Limited

His son Mark said the track was motivated by a lack of opportunity for "spirited" driving in a safe environment.

"In the early days it was possible to wake up early on Sunday morning and go driving," he said.

"It was becoming increasingly less safe so we really needed somewhere we could go where we wouldn't get into life-threatening situations.

"Safety was the most important thing, to be able to enjoy driving in the way manufacturers designed the cars to be driven without on-coming cars or cyclists.

"We don't do lap times, the only way we measure it is how long the smile lasts."

While from the air it looks every bit a hair-raising speedway, Mr Wills said it was deliberately built as a country road, without a race track's ripple strips, barriers or gravel run-off areas.

Guests have to adhere to strict road rules including "no racing" and it even features standard road signs with recommended corner speeds.

"It never really entered our minds to create a race track, we just wanted a country road to drive on."

Mr Wills would not reveal how much the family had ploughed into the road but a conservative estimate of about $60sq m for the bitumen alone puts the 40,000sq m of circuit at $2.4 million.

Getting to race on the track is akin to joining the mafia - someone has to vouch for you.

"It's all friends of friends," he said. "We know the people who are inviting (other people) here and we trust their judgment."

Those who have done a few laps include motorcycle champion Casey Stoner, the "Flying Scot" Sir Jackie Stewart and Formula One great Jack Brabham.

Mr Wills said Wayne Gardner described the road as his second favourite circuit in the world behind Suzuka in Japan.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hughes primed for third Test coming

Right call ... Hughes's move to Adelaide paid immediate dividends. Source: News Limited

A confident Phil Hughes hopes he can translate his sizzling domestic form into the Test arena when Australia's three-match series against Sri Lanka begins in Hobart on Friday.

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

Hughes cracked a match-winning 74 off 48 balls to help guide Adelaide Strikers to a six-wicket victory over Perth Scorchers at the WACA Ground on Sunday.

Chasing 163 for victory, the Strikers reached 4-164 with four balls to spare.

Hughes has been in sparkling touch this summer, averaging 51.8 in the Sheffield Shield ranks and 80.75 in one-dayers for his adopted state, South Australia.

The 24-year-old played the last of his 17 Tests a year ago.

But after making a minor technical tweak to his batting during the off-season and piling on a mountain of runs, Hughes is confident he can make the most of his third Test coming.

"The confidence is quite high at the moment," Hughes said.

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

"It's nice getting runs behind you. Hopefully I can start off well in the first Test against Sri Lanka.

"I'm really excited about it.

"I can't wait to get in camp with the boys.

"Having that (previous Test) experience behind me, I'm a bit more relaxed about going into camp because I've been in that environment before."

Meanwhile, Scorchers opener Shaun Marsh has been ruled out of Wednesday night's home clash with Melbourne Stars due to a hamstring injury.

Marsh returned to form with 57 runs off 45 balls against the Strikers, but suffered a minor strain to his right hamstring late in the innings.

Scans have cleared him of any serious damage, and the Scorchers are hopeful the talented left-hander will be fit for Sunday's away match against Sydney Sixers.

Although the injury is a blow to Marsh, Scorchers coach Justin Langer said he was pleased to see the 29-year-old regain his sparkling touch with the bat.

"I knew it was just a matter of time for him," Langer said of Marsh, who was briefly dropped from Western Australia's Shield and Ryobi Cup sides earlier this season.

"He's been preparing well. He played well in the practice matches during the week. It was nice to see him make some runs."

Former Scorchers skipper Marcus North is set to replace Marsh against the Stars, while the Scorchers will also need a replacement for Test-bound veteran Mike Hussey.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cousins to make playing return

Training run ... Cousins has agreed to play two games for Mullewa Saints in 2013.

Former West Coast and Richmond star Ben Cousins will make a brief playing return next year when he fronts up for the Mullewa Saints in Western Australia's Great Northern Football League.

Cousins has agreed to play two games for the Saints, but club president Brett Del Nero hopes the 2005 Brownlow Medallist will end up playing more.

The 34-year-old notched 238 games for West Coast and a further 32 for Richmond during a decorated but controversial AFL career.

Cousins was sacked by West Coast at the end of 2007 after his methamphetamine addiction spiralled out of control.

The West Australian made a successful AFL return in 2009 with Richmond, before retiring in 2010.

Del Nero said it wasn't hard to convince Cousins to play for Mullewa, which is located 450km North of Perth.

"But we also had to take into consideration the commitments he's got," Del Nero told ABC radio.

"He's got a young family and other commitments to different groups.

"He's very approachable and very well respected within our community."

As well as turning out for a couple of games, Cousins will also conduct training sessions with fellow ex-Eagles player Travis Gaspar.

The pair, who have joined forces previously to conduct clinics at schools in the area, will also provide life coaching to the players.

And in an added bonus to Mullewa, Del Nero said Cousins has offered to redirect his match payments to the club's academy.

Del Nero said the news of Cousins's arrival next year had already inspired the club's players to improve.

"I even had some players talk about doing a pre-season this year, which is unusual," Del Nero joked.

"That's Ben Cousins, and that's what he brings to football. I think it's great."

Life after AFL hasn't been smooth for Cousins, who earlier this year was committed to a mental health hospital as a result of prolonged psychosis related to his battle with drugs.

23.40 | 0 komentar | Read More