'Maguire had to threaten Taylor'

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Dave Taylor ... at Rabbitohs training last year. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

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Fox Sports expert Matthew Johns has revealed South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire would have to threaten to axe Dave Taylor in order for him to perform last season.

The back rower was dumped by the Titans this week after breaching team rules and will miss two weeks of football as a result.

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Discussing Taylor's disciplinary issues since joining the Gold Coast Titans on Sterlo, Johns revealed that his former coach would struggle to motivate Taylor on a weekly basis. 

"He does a very good impersonation of someone who doesn't care," Johns said on Sterlo.

"When you watched him last year at South Sydney, you know there's a problem when he's playing at his barnstorming best and he's unstoppable and right in the middle of that purple patch, the Rabbitohs flag and say 'we want to let him go'. 

"Michael Maguire, to get (Taylor) to run a hole off young (Halfback Adam) Reynolds, he had to threaten to drop him continually. It's like re-painting the harbour bridge every single week threatening to drop Dave, to get Dave to buy in and obviously John Cartwright is going through the same thing.

"It makes you wonder why god would bestow such physical gifts on someone who is so unwilling to use it."  

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Demons axe Watts, Kerr back for Eagles

Back in action ... Kerr returns to the Eagles' line-up for their clash with the Demons. Source: News Limited

Melbourne Demons have dropped former No.1 draft pick Jack Watts among five changes as they seek to recover from their horror AFL season start.

David Rodan, Sam Blease and Daniel Nicholson were also dumped from the side that lost to Essendon by 148 points last round, while Tom Gillies (groin) was forced out.

Demons football manager Josh Mahoney said changes for Saturday's MCG clash with West Coast had been inevitable given the side's performances.

He said Watts's form had slipped after a promising pre-season.

"Unfortunately over the last two weeks, he hasn't performed at that level," Mahoney told Melbourne's website.

Rohan Bail was among the inclusions, after spending the pre-season and early season battling concussion-related issues.

The Eagles have been strengthened by the return from injury of star pair Mark LeCras and Daniel Kerr.

Winless Carlton have made four changes for Saturday night's meeting with Geelong.

Heath Scotland returns from a club-imposed suspension, tall forward Shaun Hampson from an appendix complaint, while Dylan Buckley, son of Blues three-time premiership player Jim, will make his AFL debut.

Geelong star forward-midfielder Steve Johnson will play his first game of the season, after recovering from knee surgery, but midfielder James Kelly (calf) is out.

Collingwood veteran ruck recruit Ben Hudson will debut for his fourth AFL club in Sunday's big MCG clash with Hawthorn, after the Magpies lost Darren Jolly to a rib injury.

Collingwood have also lost captain Nick Maxwell (wrist) but regained Dale Thomas.

The Hawks will be without midfield gun Brad Sewell (hamstring) and won't risk ex-Western Bulldogs recruit Brian Lake.

St Kilda have lost premiership players Adam Schneider (hamstring) and Sean Dempster (hand) for Saturday night's Canberra clash with Greater Western Sydney.

They've been replaced by debutants Tom Lee and Nathan Wright.

The Giants have lost Rhys Palmer (calf).

Fremantle welcome back Hayden Ballantyne from suspension for Friday night's match against Essendon in Perth.

The Bombers made two changes, losing Mark Baguley (ankle) and dropping Jackson Merrett.

Brisbane Lions have lost Claye Beams (knee) and dropped Patrick Karnezis and Ryan Lester as they seek their first win of the season against Gold Coast Suns on Saturday night.

The Suns will be without Tom Murphy (shoulder) and Dion Prestia (hip).

Former Gold Coast player Taylor Hine represents North Melbourne for the first time against Sydney Swans in Hobart on Saturday, while the premiers have lost Rhyce Shaw (abdominal strain).

Richmond have named ex-Adelaide Crows recruit Chris Knights in their extended squad for a potential Tigers debut against Western Bulldogs on Sunday, while backman Easton Wood returns from injury to the Bulldogs' squad.

Former skipper Dom Cassisi has been included in Port Adelaide's squad to face Adelaide on Sunday.

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Daley Mail: 'Storm are team to beat'

Real test ... Laurie Daley thinks the Storm will be the first true measure of the Rabbitohs. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Laurie Daley believes Saturday night's battle for top of the table between South Sydney and Melbourne will be the first real measuring stick of how far the Rabbitohs have come.

With the ANZ Stadium clash of the only unbeaten sides so far this year clearly round six's blockbuster match, Loz feels the Bunnies will have to bring an 80-minute performance to have any chance against the Storm.

"Melbourne are still the team to beat in this year's competition and I think Melbourne consistently produce good performances," says Daley.

"South Sydney, while they're unbeaten, they've had moments during their games which they may have lost had the opposition been good enough."

See what else Loz has to say in his video previews of the round below.

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Brisbane Broncos v North Queensland Cowboys, Suncorp Stadium, Friday 7.35pm (EST).

"This should be one of the games of the season given that both Queensland sides like to play against one another," says Daley.

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Sydney Roosters v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Allianz Stadium, Friday 7.35pm (EST).

"The Bulldogs haven't been at their best, but they've over the years proven that when their backs are against the wall they play their best football," says Daley.

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Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers, Hunter Stadium, Saturday 5.30pm (EST). LIVE on Fox Sports 1HD

"Newcastle are a side that, when they get it right, can be a dangerous team because they've got all bases covered," says Daley.

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Canberra Raiders v Warriors, Canberra Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm (EST).

"When I look at this Canberra side, they're well talented, they're well coached, but consistency is a huge problem," says Daley.

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Melbourne Storm, ANZ Stadium, Saturday 7.30pm (EST). LIVE on Fox Sports 1HD

"This biggest highlight, if Billy Slater plays, is the clash of the No.1's because they're both in scintillating form," says Daley.

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Manly Sea Eagles v Cronulla Sharks, Brookvale Oval, Sunday 2.00pm (EST). LIVE on Fox Sports 1HD

"Emotionally it's always tough to get up for games week in, week out when you've got things hanging over your heads (like Cronulla)," says Daley.

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Wests Tigers v St George Illawarra Dragons, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sunday 3.00pm (EST).

"If the Tigers can replicate what they did on Monday night, they're a good chance of beating the Dragons," says Daley.

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Gold Coast Titans v Parramatta Eels, Skilled Park, Sunday 6.30pm (EST). LIVE on Fox Sports 1HD

"Whatever team can control possession will win this game," says Daley.

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Campese questioned his career

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Terry Campese ... poised to make his NRL return for Canberra. Source: Gary Ramage / News Limited

Canberra Raiders captain Terry Campese admits he questioned whether he would ever play in the NRL again following two knee reconstructions.

Having been named to face the Warriors on Saturday night at Canberra Stadium, Campese will play his first game in 12 months.

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Recalling what went through his mind when he first got the news of the injury, the Raiders play maker feared he had laced up his boots for the last time. 

"I did tear up a bit, I have to admit that," Campese said on Sterlo. 

"It was definitely the toughest news I heard in my football career.

"Having to go through an ACL reconstruction twice, I knew how hard it was the first time… you even question to yourself in that 20 minute period whether you'll ever play again."

In searching for inspiration to make a successful return to the field, he needn't look far with North Queensland centre Brent Tate proof brighter days laid ahead for Campese. 

"I did a bit of research on ACL's myself and been looking at players in similar situations as myself," he recalled.

"Brent Tate is one. He's played for Australia (and) Origin after three knees and Adrian Peterson from the NFL. He almost broke the all-time rushing record. You look at players like that who can come back and still be the best there ever was in the NFL so there's still some promising times ahead hopefully." 

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Webber-Vettel feud intensifies

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Fired up ... Vettel didn't hold back when pressed about his action in Malaysia. Source:AAP

Sebastian Vettel intensified his fight with Red Bull teammate Mark Webber on Thursday, saying the Australian hurt the team in the past so he did not deserve consideration in the Malaysian team orders affair.

Vettel revealed at the Chinese Grand Prix that his decision to ignore team orders and pass Webber in the closing stages of the Malaysian race was "indirectly" related to past incidents when he felt Webber went against the best interests of the Formula One team.

"There was more than one occasion in the past when he could have helped the team and he didn't," Vettel said.

Asked if that was why he ignored the team orders, Vettel replied: "Indirectly so."

The world champion maintained he had not understood the team order to stay behind Webber, even though he acknowledged that the code "Multi-21" - meaning the No.2 car stays ahead of the No.1 car - had been in use at the team for a long time.

Despite his claims of a mistake, Vettel said he likely would have ignored any further order from the team to give back the lead.

"I would have thought about it and would probably have done the same thing because Mark doesn't deserve that."

Vettel's candid comments revealed the depths of division within Red Bull. Asked whether there was trust between him and Webber, Vettel said, "I would not call it trust, to be honest - we have a professional relationship.

"I never had support from his side (of the garage), I have a lot of support from the team and the team is supporting us both the same way."

The German had apologised to staff for breaking team rules but laughed when asked if he had been punished in any way: "There are lots of marks on my back," and "What do you expect to happen? Make a suggestion."

The relationship between Vettel and Webber appeared fractured beyond repair, and it looked unlikely that the Australian would get another contract after his one-year deal expires at the end of the season.

Webber said on Thursday that initial reports that he considered quitting immediately in Malaysia were wrong, but said the accumulation of incidents of perceived favouritism toward Vettel led to career options crossing his mind.

"Malaysia is not just one event in this scenario," Webber said. "There are lots of things that come into your mind. We have to try to keep the emotions down but it's part of our job.

"Year by year is how it's always been for me," he said, when asked about his future with the team.

"During the summer, I will talk to (Red Bull owner) Dietrich (Mateschitz) and we will go from there. I have never ever made decisions on my career at this point in the season. I don't see why I should make any decisions at the moment for my future."

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Live: Masters leaderboard

Buddies ... Woods loves the Augusta layout, as does Freddy Couples. Source: AFP

Tiger Woods starts as a raging hot favourite to win his fifth green jacket at the Masters.

The world No.1 has already won three times on the PGA Tour this year, while the man he deposed at the top of the rankings, Rory McIlroy, has struggled.

Follow the first round action in our Live Leaderboard below!

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