How Premiers Plate race unfolded

Epic match-up ... the A-League's eyes will be on Bluetongue this weekend. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Cast your mind back to 6 October 2012. A-League round 1. The debut of Western Sydney Wanderers.

Western Sydney Wanderers 0. Central Coast Mariners 0.

No one would’ve walked out of that game predicting nearly five months later we’d be counting down to the same fixture as one of the most anticipated A-League round matches in recent memory. 

1 v 2. 

Not quite a Premiers’ Plate shoot-out, but a classic six-pointer at the top of the table. 

It’s been quite the ride since we held our breath hoping Tony Popovic’s hastily assembled squad would buck the trend and provide some hope for A-League expansion. 

Two rounds later, the goals hadn’t come yet. Would they? Could they? 

If ever a monkey – make it a gorilla– was lifted off a back, it came in the most unlikely circumstances. A win against the two-time defending champions – away from home. 

They haven’t looked back.

For the Mariners – they picked up their consistent regular season form pretty quickly after round one, and have been setting the pace ever since. 

Missing in the big games? What about the gutsy effort to hold Victory to a 2-2 draw in Melbourne, despite battling with 10 men for 40 minutes? 

Lose Tom Rogic? Arnie doesn’t care; keeping faith in his systems and structures.

Boring and methodical? Try 7-2 against Sydney, 5-0 against Wellington or 6-2 against Melbourne Victory. 

Lacking creativity? How about re-inventing Daniel McBreen, getting the best out of Bernie Ibini or Michael McGlinchey? 

Both sides have been saluted for their organisation and defensive prowess. Popovic has been much-lauded for helping players reach their career best form.

As we count down to the weekend’s A-League epic, we recount some of the seminal moments in the Mariners’ and Wanderers’ rise to the top of the table clash. 

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MARINERS

Round 5: 7-2 win against Sydney FC at Bluetongue Stadium 

A big crowd turned up expecting to Alessandro Del Piero. He was injured, but it was Daniel McBreen who was the star of the show with a hat-trick and two assists. Tom Rogic and Michael McGlinchey added to a result that had people in Italy questioning their hero's move as the Mariners ran riot.

Round 7: 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory at Etihad Stadium

Zwaanswijk got his marching orders on the 50-minute mark, and the gutsy Mariners held out with 10-men against a rampant Victory, until Marcos Flores joined Patrik Zwaanswijk on the pine.  

Round 8: 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar at Bluetongue Stadium

In the midst of a nine-game unbeaten run, the Mariners lined up against their old sparring partners and got away with an 81st-minute winner, via Tom Rogic. One thing that can't be questioned about this side is their character. 

Round 23: 6-2 win over Melbourne Victory at Bluetongue Stadium

A game that turned heads in the competition as the Mariners got their top spot back off the Wanderers, and told the next best rival exactly what they thought of them. Fluid, high tempo and classy, the Mariners put on a show and tore the Victory to shreds. 

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WANDERERS

Round 4: 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar at Suncorp Stadium

Who would've thought? We didn't yet know the struggles that the Roar would suffer, but at the time, this was a monumental fillip for the new boys. The much-maligned Mark Bridge, looking to establish himself after dwindling at Sydney FC, scored the winner off a player we were about to hear a lot more about: Youssouf Hersi. Energy, purpose, enthusiasm - Brisbane couldn't keep up! 

Round 11: 2-0 win over Sydney FC at Allianz Stadium

You can be taken a whole lot more seriously when you upstage your big brother. Two clever finishes in either half from Hersi and then Michael Beachamp silenced and embarrassed Sydney FC and made everyone take the Wanderers a whole lot more seriously. 

Round 12: 6-1 win over Adelaide United at Parramatta Stadium

Momentum. It's a crazy thing. After the derby win, the Wanderers enjoyed the golden moment piling six of the best against a hapless Adelaide in front of a rapturous gallery. That man Bridge nabbed a hat-trick, Shinji Ono started to show form that befitted his reputation  - even Dino Kressinger scored!  

Round 21: 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park

The great wins keep coming for the Wanderers, and amidst a seven-game winning streak, they travelled to Melbourne and claimed Victory's scalp, away from home. Sceptics said that the match would teach us a lot about the Wanderers. Indeed, it did. It catapulted them into bookies' favouritism, before they went on to temporarily snare the premiership lead last Saturday night. 

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Penalty miss costs Mariners in ACL

Tussle ... Zac Anderson and Mariners teammate Daniel McBreen take on Eddy Bosnar. Source: William West / AAP

The Mariners missed a penalty and a great opportunity to claim all three points against South Korea's Suwon Bluewings in their ACL opener at Bluetongue Stadium on Wednesday night.

It was a evenly-matched contest all night, but it was the home side who had the best opportunity to come away with the win.

Unfortunately for them, skipper Nick Montgomery wasn't able to convert a late penalty after a handball from Bluewings defender Kwang-Seon Kwak.

The Mariners now turn their focus to a top of the table clash with Western Sydney Wanderers on Saturday.

More to come...

View the original article here

Video: NRL team-by-team preview

NRL season 2013 ... How will your team fare this year? Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Former Test star Mark Gasnier and Fox Sports commentator Matt Russell preview the 2013 NRL season in a comprehensive team by team guide.

With the new season almost upon us, our NRL experts will tell you everything you need to know about your team before the first ball is kicked on March 7.

"It's just amazing that seasons can keep getting better and better," Gasnier said, as he and Matt Russell gave their predictions.

What do the experts have to say about your team?

Watch the video at the top of the page to see what's in store Melbourne Storm, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Manly Sea Eagles, North Queensland Cowboys and Cronulla Sharks.

Sydney Roosters, South Sydney Rabbitohs, Brisbane Broncos and Newcastle Knights fans watch the video below for all the news on your team.

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Who will be in your NRL SuperCoach team? Register now for your chance to win $30,000.

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What do Gaz and Matt Russell think about Canberra Raiders, Penrith Panthers, Wests Tigers, New Zealand Warriors, Gold Coast Titans, St George Illawarra Dragons and Parramatta Eels? Watch the video below to find out.

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An insight into camp Popovic

Coach ... Tony Popovic puts his players through the paces. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

There has been plenty of praise dished out to rookie coach Tony Popovic this A-League season.

But what is the secret ingredient he has added at Parramatta Stadium?

A glimpse into the rigours he puts the squad through is one example. Take last week - after the side had just notched their sixth win on the trot. How did Popovic reward his Wanderers charges?

With a gruelling double session on Tuesday, to raise the intensity after a couple of lighter weeks.

They went on to beat Perth. Now it's the Mariners, and the possibility of eight straight. 

"He motivates the squad to work hard every day," Wanderers defender Adam D’Apuzzo told foxsports.com.au.

"Tony will put on a drill and ensure the boys take it on themselves to take on the drills with very high intensity. Although it is hard work, it is always focused tactically on the opponents we are taking on."

The Wanderers, in their foundation season, could take their extraordinary rise one step further this weekend in the 1 v 2 showdown against the Mariners. They've jumped every hurdle this season - why not another? 

We asked D’Apuzzo, who has played 17 matches this season, what the secret to Popa's style was – and how he has dealt with the squad's recent rise to Championship favourites.

"What I’ve seen from Poppa is his level of detail – down to the small details in the game," D’Apuzzo said.

"He and (assistant coach) Ante Milicic really analyse the game for hours on the opposition, so we improve and know what to counter.

"It’s something I haven’t experienced to that level before.

"Also, the level of respect they ensure we have for each other, and the level of professionalism in the team is huge. Everyone is on board in trying to achieve the same goal."

Popovic has had the luxury of few injuries through the season, which has allowed him to rotate his squad and give fringe players the chance to excel. Some have queried that approach – but D’Apuzzo says it’s a secret behind keeping the side grounded.

"He really makes sure the guys don’t get ahead of themselves.

"Everyone is quite humble and knows the job isn’t done just yet.

"Especially with the depth in the squad, there’s no room for complacency.

"We’re happy with six in a row but we know it takes hard work."

While the Wanderers are a rags to riches story as a collective, they are only as good as the sum of their parts. Their squad is filled with intriguing football journeys, hardships overcome and careers rejuvenated.

D’Apuzzo’s contribution is as unlikely as any player.

The 26-year-old had quit the A-League after the 2010-2011 to take a job at PriceWaterhouseCoopers after five seasons at Newcastle Jets.

He’d won a grand final there, had enjoyed a solid career and was looking forward to establishing himself in his new occupation.

Then came a call from Popovic.

D’Apuzzo admitted there were nagging doubts. But for now, there’s plenty of time for accounting later.

"It could’ve gone either way," D’Apuzzo said. "But it’s been an absolute fairytale.

"No one would’ve picked what we’ve done.

"We had 10 players signed just a few weeks before the season and I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.

"But I had the belief in Tony and Ante that we were going to do something special and I had an inkling, how hard we were working, that we would get there.

"I still keep in touch (with work) and it’s still waiting for me; I’m still young, loving what I’m doing and I’ve got plenty of time to do that."

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Can the Wanderers make it eight straight? Watch from 745m (EDT), Saturday on Fox Sports 1HD to find out. 

View the original article here

Marshall dumped as Kiwi captain

Benji Marshall ... still a vital part of New Zealand push for World Cup glory. Source: RENEE MCKAY / AAP

Benji Marshall has been stripped of the New Zealand rugby league captaincy ahead of this year's World Cup and he's not happy about the demotion.

Marshall was relieved of the captaincy by coach Stephen Kearney, who said the decision had been made in the best interests of the team.

"It was a very tough conversation," said Kearney.

"Benji is an immensely proud New Zealander and his desire was to continue in the captaincy role.

"Although this decision has been a difficult one, it has been made in the best interests of the team and Benji will remain an integral part of the Kiwis going forward."

Marshall, 29, played a key role in New Zealand's shock World Cup final defeat of Australia in 2008, with the Wests Tigers playmaker scoring a try and kicking two conversions in the 34-20 win.

New Zealand Rugby League's general manager of high performance Tony Kemp said: "Because of who he is, he carries a massive workload for rugby league in general.

"Our respect for him is immense and we appreciate that he's hurting now but we believe this decision will ultimately lift some weight from Benji and give the Kiwis every opportunity to defend the Rugby League World Cup."

The new captain will be named at a media conference in Auckland on Friday with Warriors captain Simon Mannering the leading contender. 

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Swan's hunger dipped: Buckley

Hunger ... Nathan Buckly says Dane Swan is back to 100 per cent. Source: Wayne Ludbey / News Limited

Collingwood coach Nathan Buckley admits Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan's hunger dipped a bit last season.

But he says it's understandable given his remarkable previous four years.

And the Magpies boss says the premiership star has given every indication he is back to his most driven.

"Even the most professional disciplined players ebb and flow," Buckley said.

"It was probably about time, given the three years prior he won three Copeland Trophies (as Collingwood's best and fairest from 2008-10) and a Brownlow (in 2011).

"In the last four years, he's one of the most consistent players to ever play the game.

"When I say that I reckon there's an extra couple of per cent in him, it's not saying that he hasn't been a great performer and a very consistent performer.

"That's just a coach asking for a little bit more and I ask that from all of the players."

Swan was suspended by the club late last season for an alcohol-related disciplinary breach.

But Buckley said while Swan made a very poor decision, he wasn't the only player who needed to fractionally lift their commitment from last year.

He said Swan's lapses attracted more public attention than others.

Buckley said while the midfielder was a "different character" who wasn't solely focused on football, he took enormous pride in his performance.

"If he can't have the influence on games that he wants to, he identifies that pretty quickly," he said.

"He came back with a real hunger to have a great pre-season.

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Will Dane Swan be your No.1 midfielder in FOX FOOTY Supercoach? Join Australia's biggest fantasy sports game and have a shot at $50,000.

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"He's been able to do that.

"I think you'll see, as the season progresses, I think you'll see a really hungry footballer who'll find that extra couple of per cent this year compared to last and who has the drive to want to play and influence it as much as he can."

View the original article here

Everton progress in FA Cup

Progress ... Everton's Leon Osman celebrates with Kevin Mirallas. Source: Nigel French / AAP

Everton succeeded where Merseyside rivals Liverpool had failed by beating Oldham Athletic 3-1 on Tuesday to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Third-tier Oldham eliminated Liverpool in round four and held Everton to a 2-2 draw in their initial fifth-round meeting 10 days ago, but their cup heroics were ended in the replay at Goodison Park.

Goals from Kevin Mirallas, Leighton Baines and Leon Osman took David Moyes' side into the last eight, where they will face Wigan Athletic, with Oldham's cup talisman Matt Smith replying for the visitors.

"We've been close a couple of times and that whets your appetite. We want to go further, but we've got a tough tie next,'' Baines told ITV.

"We're at home so we'll be favourites, but we've had tough games against them the last couple of seasons and they're coming off the back of a good win (over Reading) at the weekend, so they'll be confident.''

Beaten semi-finalists in last season's competition, Everton were without the injured Marouane Fellaini but made a purposeful start and took the lead in the 15th minute.

After a patient build-up, Darron Gibson shaped a beautiful cross into the box from deep on the right and Mirallas stole in to finish with an adroit half-volley from eight yards.

Oldham almost drew level immediately through former Everton youngster Jose Baxter, who seized on a loose ball on the edge of the box but saw his curling shot bounce back off the right-hand upright.

The visitors then had a penalty appeal turned down when Phil Jagielka's clearance struck Gibson on the arm.

Their resurgence proved short-lived, however, as Baines helped Everton stamp their authority on the tie.

Having seen a vicious strike saved by Oldham goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis minutes earlier, the England left-back doubled his side's advantage from the penalty spot in the 34th minute after Connor Brown was penalised for handball.

Everton centre-back Jagielka blazed over the Oldham bar early in the second half, while Bouzanis saved from Osman.

In response, Oldham introduced giant striker Smith, scorer of two goals against Liverpool and an injury-time equaliser in the first game with Everton.

Oldham rallied, Lee Croft firing wide from a good position, but in the 62nd minute, Everton struck again.

Steven Pienaar whipped a cross into the box from the left and Osman's flicked header deceived Bouzanis, who was distracted by the onrushing Nikica Jelavic.

Smith replied immediately, nodding in a right-wing corner from close range, but Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard resisted Oldham's efforts to claw their way back into the game.

View the original article here

Aussie Day flies the flag in Arizona

Jason Day ... will join the world's best golfers in the final 16 in Arizona. Source: Julie Jacobson / AP

Jason Day has moved into the round of 16 at the World Golf Championships Match Play event after an extra-holes victory over American Russell Henley.

In a tight-fought match, Day needed 19 holes to dispatch the recent US PGA Tour winner - after Henley birdied the last in regulation - to book a showdown with Masters champion Bubba Watson in the next round.

"I think Russell only missed one green today, which was very, very frustrating on my side, because he hit it great, so that means you have to make birdies," Day said.

"I just did enough today to win. He was clutch on 18 to actually hole the putt and get it back to all square. Fortunately, I hit a nice tight one into the 19th hole, and he missed his birdie putt and I holed one, which was nice."

The news wasn't as good for the lone other Australian left in the $US8.5 million ($A8.35 million) event with Marcus Fraser going down 4 and 3 to Swede Fredrik Jacobson.

Fraser found himself 2-down after the opening two holes and was unable to fashion any birdies to claw his way back, losing his match on the 15th hole. His second-round exit should still be enough to move him to 51st in the world, closer still to the top 50 and a Masters berth.

After Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods were booted out in round one, the upsets continued in round two with third seed Luke Donald, fourth seed Louis Oosthuizen and fifth seed Justin Rose all losing.

View the original article here

NRL forgets to invite Immortals

League Immortals ... Graeme Langlands Reg Gasnier and Johnny Raper left off the NRL season launch invite list. Source: Sam Ruttyn / News Limited

The NRL forgot to invite league legends Johnny Raper, Graeme Langlands and Reg Gasnier to Wednesday night's gala season launch.

The three Immortals were inexplicably left off the invite list before the NRL was contacted on Wednesday afternoon to enquire about the oversight.

An NRL spokesman said it was “an embarrassing mistake”.

“There was a mix-up with a number of invitations and we have sought to rectify that immediately,” he added.

“We have now been in contact with John Raper and he and Caryl are both coming, and we are trying to contact the other members who did not receive their invites.”

Earlier, the 73-year-old Raper was planning to spend the evening in his Kirrawee apartment.

“I’m bloody well disappointed,” he said, “You get older and they forget about you.

“Maybe they don’t remember my name or what I did.

“I didn’t bother ringing to complain. If they don’t want me there, they don’t want me there.

“I’ll never turn my back on the game. It’s been too good to me.

“I go to every function that I’m invited to as my way of supporting the game.

“Not to worry. There will be other functions on.”

Later, he was picked up in a hire car to be driven to the launch.

"The main thing is I’m going," he said.

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NRL Preview Show: At 5.30pm (EDT) on Wednesday on Fox Sports News (Ch.513), Join Matt Russell and Mark Gasnier as they look ahead to another big season. They’ll examine all the big team changes for 2013, look back on last year’s season-defining moments, provide SuperCoach advice and much more. The show is repeated that night at 10:30pm and 7:30am on Thursday.

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Aussie ready to decapitate Mariners

Homecoming ... Eddy Bosnar's free-kicks are renowned. Source:FOX SPORTS

You probably should know a lot more about Eddy Bosnar.

He should have played for Australia by now.

He could have played in the A-League by now.

He would have played in the overseas league that hogs our eyeballs – the Premier League – but for injury.

A career unfulfilled? Not on your life.

On Wednesday night, a unique experience – he gets to play at home here in Australia, a foreign land football-wise, with his foreign club, Suwon Bluewings in the AFC Champions League opener against Central Coast.

The Mariners, marshalled by Graham Arnold – Eddy’s second coach as a professional – with Northern Spirit back in 1997.

It’s the latest little story in a career of twists, turns, disappointment, and satisfaction.

He left Australia as a 20 year-old for Dinamo Zagreb and grew up quick.

"A hard place to do well in, learn a lot for football there, learn a lot from life there," Eddy tells foxsports.com.au.

"Make it there, make it anywhere."

From Croatia, to Austria’s Sturm Graz, European football and the eyes of scouts in England.

He joined Everton at the same time Tim Cahill did. One became an Everton legend. The other never played a game for them.

"I had a pevis injury, had an ankle injury, blood infection after groin surgery – out for nine months," says Eddy, without blinking but making eyes water. 

"I went back to Croatia to get fit again but that’s just the way it happens – I don’t regret anything that I’ve done. I’ve tried everything possible in my career to play at the highest level, and have done a decent job, anyway." 

From re-building himself in Croatia, he went  to Holland then to Japan and now his second season in Korea. 

Season 1 wasn’t bad... like the day he could have decapitated a goalkeeper, had he got in the way.

Check it out in the video at the top of the page!

Only one thing is missing. It’s obvious. He brings it up.

"I tell you one sore point, mate – that’s the national team. I’ve got nothing against anybody, but if you’ve played where I’ve played, you get a chance," he points out; a point hard to argue with.

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Watch Central Coast take on Suwon on a super Wednesday line-up of football on Fox Sports. Start your day with Barcelona v Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final from 7am (EDT) on FS 1 HD. The Mariners' ACL clash is at 7pm (EDT) on FS 2 HD, directly after an A-League clash between Wellington and Newcastle Jets.

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The resume doesn’t lie, but situation after situation has conspired to make a mockery of what should be fact.

"It’s not meant to happen mate, it’s not meant to happen!" he says with a laugh.

"When they needed someone, maybe I wasn’t playing well. When I was playing well, somebody was playing better. 

"It’s a little bit sad."

But what can you do? Farina and Verbeek were in touch and interested, but both times it fell apart.

Holger Osieck has been in touch, but even then, fate is doing its best to derail good intentions. They met up in Korea before the Socceroos' friendly in November. Holger said he’d watch Eddy play. Eddy got sick for three days and didn’t play.

What. Can. You. Do?

Asian football expert John Duerden charts the rise of Suwon Bluewings. Read more here.

He loves what he does, and speaks as enthusiastically as any player at any level – champions League to chumps in the park – about a new season, which starts against Central Coast.

Eddy hasn’t had word, but you’d think with the Oman World Cup qualifier a month away, someone involved with the Socceroos will be watching. 

Especially with Lucas Neill suspended, Matthew Spiranovic currently injured, Rhys Williams out of form and Sasa Ognenovski (for some reason) out of favour.

Socceroos, aside, Australia still appeals to the 32 year-old.

"My dream is to play in the A-League one day. You want that feeling, being at home, get mum and dad to watch my games," he says. 

The option is still there, but football clubs are like bridal parties – you don’t ask to be in them.

He’d take a call if one came – from an A-League club or the Socceroos – but he’s not hanging by the phone.

The fairytale finish, in the main, doesn’t exist and it won’t define Eddy Bosnar the footballer. 

He’s quite happy with what he’s become. Isn’t that all you can ask? 

View the original article here

Are Jets viable option for Kewell?

Harry Kewell ... could he partner Emile Heskey in Newcastle's attack next season? Source: GREG WOOD / AAP

Could Harry Kewell resurrect his career with the Newcastle Jets? In the wake of Ryan Griffiths's decision to head to China, there could certainly is an opportunity.

Griffiths, who was signed until the end of the 2014-2015 season, stunned the Jets on Tuesday by announcing his immediate departure for China to link up with Beijing Baxy. With five games remaining and their finals hopes hanging by a thread, the Jets are now without their top scorer.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Central Coast	22	13	6	3	25	45
2	Western Sydney	22	14	2	6	13	44
3	Adelaide	22	11	3	8	2	36
4	Victory	22	11	3	8	-2	36
5	Heart	22	8	3	11	-1	27
6	Newcastle	22	7	6	9	-7	27
7	Sydney	22	8	3	11	-9	27
8	Brisbane	22	7	4	11	0	25
9	Perth	22	6	4	12	-4	22
10	Wellington	22	5	6	11	-17	21

Kewell would unlikely be an asset this season though, more an investment for the future.

"We’ve talked about Harry Kewell before and he’s been a fabulous player for the A-League,’’ Jets chief executive Robbie Middleby said.

"So that’s definitely an option . . . potentially he’s a player we could look at."

Kewell has kept open the option of returning to the A-League after reportedly turning down an offer in China to resume his club career.

The 34-year-old has also split with the celebrity agent he defected to last year.

Kewell has parted ways with James Erskine, the man who ovsersaw Shane Warne's metamorphosis from cricketer to socialite, after failing to land a club deal since he left Melbourne Victory at the end of last season.

The Socceroo had split with his long-term manager and adviser, Bernie Mandic, in November 2011 - the divorce between one of Australia's most significant player-manager relationships shocking the football industry.

Instead Kewell signed with Erskine but it's understood they have agreed to part ways.

It comes as Kewell reaffirmed to his intention to keep playing, despite missing the entire season so far and spurning on an opening in the Chinese Super League.

It has also emerged that the 34-year-old turned his back on a deal worth $2.1m over two years when he quit Victory last year, after a falling out with club officials.

Ange Postecoglou had been prepared to construct his attack around Kewell but with the deal agreed he decided instead to take his family to England, reportedly to be close to his mother in law as she battled cancer.

Since then Kewell has repeatedly stated his desire to play onto to next year's World Cup in Brazil, despite not having played for the Socceroos since last June.

Kewell insists he is still looking for a club "that's the right one for me and my family", and bizarrely pointed to Sydney's re-signing of Alessandro Del Piero as proof that he has "a few seasons left".

"He's a good example of someone who is still competitive and he's, what, 38 or 39?," Kewell said of Del Piero.

"Football has changed, I think. It used to be that you would start considering retirement after 30 but guys now are playing well on into their thirties.

"Obviously to be considered for the Socceroos again I need to get a club. I would move back to Australia again, definitely.

"I would consider any offer. I'm open to all suggestions. I feel like I still have a few good seasons left. But whatever the decision is it has to be the right one for me and my family."

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Switkowski to head Bombers review

Governance ... Essendon Chairman David Evans has revealed the club will undergo a full external independent review of its practices. Source: Tim Carrafa / News Limited

Essendon have commissioned an independent review to get to the bottom of "irregular practices'' at the AFL club.

Bombers chairman David Evans announced the board had signed off on a full external review of the club's governance and processes, which comes as the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) continues to investigate the club for possible illegal performance-enhancing drug use over their supplement program last season.

The review will be headed by former Telstra chief executive Dr Ziggy Switkowski and Evans said it would help the club to provide both members and fans with answers.

"The board and I are now aware of irregular practices by the club that are being investigated by ASADA and the AFL,'' Evans said.

"That is why we have decided to call an independent and external review into the governance and processes that have led to us being in the position we are today.

"In announcing this review, I want to make sure that we are able to give answers to our members about what happened and why, and to put in place any changes needed to ensure that this doesn't happen again.

"Three weeks ago, I asked for the AFL and ASADA's assistance in reviewing the 2012 supplements program of the Essendon Football Club.

"Since then, the principle concern of the board has been to put the interests and welfare of our players first, and to do this we must ensure continued cooperation with the ASADA and AFL investigation.''

Dr Switkowski is currently the chancellor at the Royal melbourne Institute of technology (RMIT), chairman of Suncorp, a board member of the Business Council of Australia, and chair of Opera Australia.

The review will also draw on expert assistance of Dr Andrew Garnham, a specialist sports and exercise physician and senior lecturer at Deakin University.

The Bombers say the review will start with the governance of the club, from board level down.

"The review will also investigate practices in other clubs and other sports, to measure our actions and processes against best practice,'' Evans said.

"Dr Switkowski will be given all the resources he needs to conduct this review, and the board will expect a report and recommendations.

"We cannot commit to a firm timeline.

"We expect it to be completed before the ASADA investigation.''

Evans said when finalised, the report would be sent to the AFL Commission and ASADA, and he expected it to be made public.

"Our members deserve to know what happened, and to have faith that we will take responsibility to fix any problems,'' Evans said.

View the original article here

Biggest hitter in game shows drive

Big shot ... British golfer Joe Miller is arguably the world's hardest hitter of a golf ball. Source: Gregory Bull / AP

Weighing 19 stone and standing six-foot, four-inches tall, Joe Miller looks like should be tackling NRL players instead of fairways.

But the little-known linksman is also golf's Mr Big Shot, literally, having built a successful career out of his powerful swing in the growing game of long drive.

In 2005, in his first competitive event, Miller won the European Long Drive Championship with an incredible 474-yard strike.

In 2010 he became the first European to win the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championships with a 414-yard drive. It broke the record for a winning margin by 43 yards and Miller put so much force into the shot he broke his toe.

The big-hitting Brit holds the world record for ball speed, at 225 mph, and has been developing his game since the age of 15, when he realised his amazing swing was ideally suited to the sport of long drive.

Asked about his future plans, Miller said: "My main focus is on introducing long drive to the UK and the rest of Europe because it’s still new to everyone over here. We are trying to build awareness."

Now Miller is in Australia, and Brett Ogle took the chance to watch the big hitter in action and pick his brains about long driving.

Asked whether he felt nerves facing the sport's biggest names at the world championships, Miller replied: "Nerves don't come into it.

"Adrenaline comes into it, don't get me wrong," he said.

"It's one of those things. You've got the crowd going, the TV is on you, there's a lot of pressure. We're not chipping and putting here so it's not going to be delicate ... it's all-out war when it gets to that final competition."

Watch the full interview above.

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Heavyweight showdown over putters

Broomstick ... Brett Ogle used a long putter during his playing days. Source: Colin Murty / News Limited

Are we heading for a showdown between the worlds governing bodies over the banning of the anchored putter?

Fighting out of the blue corner you have the PGA Tour, the PGA of America and the National Golf Course Owners Association which considered by many is a highly influential voice in the game of golf in America plus most of the major equipment companies that make belly and long putters.

All of them have stated that banning the anchoring of a putter would be a huge mistake.

On Sunday during the Accenture Matchplay final, USPGA Tour boss Tim Finchem said that 13 of the 15 players on the PGA Tour advisory board were against the ban.

"The essential thread that went through the thinking of the players and our board of directors was that in the absence of data or any basis to conclude that there is a competitive advantage to be gained by using anchoring, and given the amount of time anchoring has been in the game, that there was no overriding reason to go down that road," Finchem said.

"The game globally is stronger than it’s ever been and that on the heels of having anchoring as part of it for the last 30 or 40 years. You can’t point to one negative impact of anchoring.”

Over in the red corner and for the ban are the tradionalists led by the games two governing bodies, the US Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient.

Alongside them and vocal about the banning are some of the game’s biggest names in Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Greg Norman and Arnold Palmer.

There argument is: "The game has always been about whether you can handle your nerves under pressure and especially putting and no doubt the long putter helps control that".

That’s a fair call and I totally agree with. There is no doubt in my mind I would not have won the Hawaiian Open on the US Tour back in 1994 if I wasn’t using the long putter.

It certainly helped me control my stroke when under pressure.

But the crux of it is that the long putter has been around for over four decades and if they were going to ban the method they should have stepped on it back in the ‘80’s or ‘90’s. But they didn’t.

C’mon you guys open your eyes!  Why would you (the USGA) specifically give the thumbs up to anchoring on two separate occasions and now do a back-flip just because a couple of guys have won Majors.

It’s not about the professionals you idiots it’s about the millions of others that play the game and need a long putter to enjoy this wonderful game.

Now back to the golf and this week the PGA Tour moves to the first event of the Florida swing, the Honda Classic.

It’s played on one of the toughest golf courses you will find anywhere in the world, the Jack Nicklaus designed PGA National.

The course boasts one of the most fearsome stretches of holes in all of golf and is simply known as “Bear Trap”. Holes 15-17 are talked about each year and that will be no different this week.

Rory McIroy is back to defend his title he won a year ago and so is the runner up Tiger Woods.

Woods closed last year’s championship with the low round of the tournament, an eight under par 62. Both players will have plenty to prove this week after shock first round losses at the WGC event in Arizona. 

No doubt the American players will be out to avenge a terrible run at this event with 7 of the last 8 winners all being international players. And I feel the trend will continue this year.

Watch out for Charl Scwhartzel. Played great at the Northern Trust Open a couple of weeks ago finishing one shot out of the playoff.

Six of his eight rounds played on the Nicklaus course have all been under par. Finished T5 in 2012.

After missing the cut in his first event of the year Frederick Jacobson has light it up.

He posted back to back top 10’s and then last week made it through to the 3rd round. Has two top 10’s at this event the past four years.

There are 10 Aussies in the field this week and no doubt the standout is Jason Day. In four starts in 2013 the Queenslander has posted three top 10s.

Coming off a great effort last week at the WGC event where he beat Ian Poulter to finish 3rd. 

Have a great golfing week everyone!

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