Sharks voted most deceitful club

Cronulla Sharks ... voted the most deceitful club in Australian sport, a new survey reveals. Source: Brett Costello / News Limited

Cronulla are officially the most deceitful sporting brand in Australia.

In a devastating blow for the Sutherland club, League Central can reveal the ongoing ASADA drugs crisis has crippled the image of an organisation whose logo has been worn by such legends as Steve Rogers, Andrew Ettingshausen and Gavin Miller.

According to an 'Asset Study' released today by Gemba, the largest sports research company in Australia, a whopping 12% of all Aussie sports fans now consider the Shire club dishonest.

Even Essendon, the AFL club also caught up in the current drugs crisis, fell well short of this mark.

While both Cronulla chairman Damian Keogh and CEO Bruno Cullen failed to return The Daily Telegraph's calls on Thursday night, a Gemba spokesperson confirmed NRL chief David Smith was among a host of sporting chiefs who would receive the report.

"Our information is widely used by organisations like the NRL, Cricket Australia and FFA," he said. 

"We're also used by the Federal Government and a number of large Australian companies who, when they're considering sponsorship, want to know exactly what type of values they're buying into."

Having been heavily criticised for their handling of the ongoing ASADA investigation, Cronulla topped the list of most deceitful NRL clubs – ahead of Canterbury (11%), Melbourne (6%) and Manly (4%). In the AFL, Essendon (9%) headed the list ahead of Collingwood (8%) and St Kilda (5%).

Across the other sports, which included A-League, Big Bash, NBL, even motor racing, no other organisation came close to the Sharks.  

Even worse for the Shire club, they also ranked highest in the category "losing momentum", placing ahead of strugglers Parramatta, St George Illawarra and Penrith.

There was, however, plenty of great news for rugby league with the resurgent South Sydney Rabbitohs polling in the top four of a variety of groups, including dedicated, inspirational, integrity and successful. 

When it comes to clubs "on the up", the Rabbitohs finished first ahead of reigning premiers Melbourne, who also featured heavily in the positive groupings.

In other key results: 

*Melbourne fullback Billy Slater was rated the most 'marketable' NRL star – heading a hot field that includes, in order, Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, Cam Smith, Cooper Cronk and Benji Marshall.

*South Sydney fullback Greg Inglis is regarded as the most competitive Australian athlete, winning ahead of stars like tennis ace Sam Stosur and cyclist Cadel Evans.

*Newcastle fullback Darius Boyd is considered the most "fake" leaguie.

*Penrith are the most unappealing NRL club.

*Sonny Bill Williams is league's best looker.

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Menzies to retire at seasons end

Former Manly Sea Eagle ... Steve Menzies holds up the trophy as the team celebrates the 2008 grand final win. Source: PAUL MILLER / AAP

Manly legend Steve Menzies has announced he'll retire from rugby league at the end of the current Super League season just two months before turning 40.

Midway through his third season with Catalan Dragons based in the south of France, the former NSW and Kangaroos back-rower used Twitter on Thursday to reveal his 21st season finishing in October will be his last.

"I am officially retiring at the end of this year. Thank you to everyone that has followed Rugby League & allowed me to travel all over the world playing a sport I love for the last 20yrs. Without you all this wouldnt have been possible. I will truly miss playing this great game!" tweeted Menzies.

Menzies, who made his debut with the Sea Eagles in 1993, moved to the UK with Bradford after helping Manly to the 2008 NRL premiership for what was expected to be a one-season career swansong.

But after two seasons with the Bulls he moved to the Perpignan-based Catalans where he's played against some Super League players that weren't born when he started with Manly.

Menzies is the most prolific try-scoring forward in Australian rugby league history, having crossed for 180 tries across 280 games for Manly and 69 matches for the Northern Eagles.

He pulled on the Blues jersey for 20 State of Origin clashes and won 19 Test caps for Australia. 

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Losses hound Blues, but mood upbeat

Carlton faces an acid test against Collingwood. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

Carlton, a team that last year performed an in-house execution in its quest for ultimate glory, now faces its most thorough examination of that decision in a season-defining game.

Lose to Collingwood and the Blues could find themselves three games out of the eight at weekend's close with just eight matches left.

Missing September will have supporters asking what has changed since the Blues replaced Brett Ratten with Malthouse? Its not as if they have been hit hard by injuries or suspensions, yet the mood at Visy Park remains particularly upbeat despite a win/loss record of 6/7 which is identical to 2012.

So what has changed? The internal view is overwhelming that last years axing of Brett Ratten was the right way to go.

Carlton CEO Greg Swann is confident of the clubs direction but admits tonight is vital.

"I think we are significantly ahead of last year on the basis that we are much more consistent. Last season our good was really good and our poor was really poor,'' said Swann.

"We still think our destiny is in our own hands. But if we lose this week everyone is coming after us and that is fair enough.''

Swann spoke of calmness before the storm, and of the relaxed manner of a coach sometimes perceived as having a quick trigger.

Certainly Malthouse has appeared composed in his new role, apart from delivering a couple of deserved in-house sprays to Mitch Robinson and Jarrad Waite and letting go with the odd clip to journalists just to keep his hand in.

Players are said to have responded to his inclusive style, and a level of consistency that wasn't always evident during Ratten's tenure.

And while the club is no better off than last season from a win/loss perspective Malthouse brings with him a standing that has kept the cynics at bay, a luxury Ratten was rarely afforded.

Anthony Koutoufides, who played 278 games with the club between 1992-2007, admits to being disappointed at the constant lapses that have cost the Blues games.

"I would have thought by this time of year they would have been cemented in the eight so they haven't tracked well,'' said Koutoufides.

"They haven't put four quarters together in any important game. There are glimpses when they are extremely good, but they fade away. When will they put four quarters together?''

Mark Maclure played in Premierships with Carlton in 1979-81-82 and these days delivers it like it is in his roles as a commentator for both the ABC and Fox Footy. He knows the record doesn't show it but believes the Blues are on the right track.

"Malthouse is changing the way they play. People want success in one minute but it just doesn't happen. He knows they need a few players and there will be some big changes to their list,'' said Maclure.

"But I have seen enough improvement to suggest they will set up well for next year. The key indicators are positive and he is getting the defence right.''

Maclure believes Carlton, apart from a bad loss to St Kilda, is about where it should be. He points to Collingwood as being a club with worries.

"Rather than talking about Carlton I would ask how is Collingwood going? I don't know if Bucks (coach Nathan Buckley) has got it,'' said Maclure.

"He talks well and sounds great but he wants a bunch of goodie two shoes that follow every move he makes. Not everyone lives a life like Nathan Buckley does.

"Malthouse is really good at getting the players on side. He protects them and understands the knockabouts help you win. I reckon that is a difference.

"The blokes at Hawthorn and Sydney aren't perfect. They do all the things that normal people do but they win football matches when its important.''

WHAT YOU THINK:
Stephen, 46, Camberwell: We are a significantly better team based on our performances against the leading sides. Our draw has been harder this season but it opens up from now on.

Sue, 51, Black Rock: Bootsma might become a good player but I can't work out why Malthouse keeps picking him ahead of Duigan or Laidler. He clearly has a stubborn streak.

Sam, 15, Altona: Last year we got beaten by spud teams like Port Adelaide and Gold Coast. Now we beat the spuds and just lose to the good ones. But I don't know how St Kilda beat us.

Trevor, 65, Warrnambool: Walker kicked 56 goals two years ago and we need goalkickers. The same year Yarran played really well off half back so why swap them?

Carol, 24, Geelong: We used to get smashed by teams like Hawthorn and last year Adelaide and Port Adelaide. Those last two were embarrassing. That doesn't happen anymore.

Dino, 38, Carlton: I can see where Malthouse is trying to take us but unless we get a forward who can take a contested mark then we won't be winning a 17th Premiership anytime soon.
 

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New deal soon for QLD V8 races

$2mil less ... Queensland's three V8 races look safe, but at a cost. Source: Megan Brayley / News Limited

The future of Queensland's three V8 Supercars events appears assured despite the Newman state government stripping $2 million in funding from them.

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The five-year deals for the Townsville 400, Gold Coast 600 and Ipswich 360 expire at the end of the year but a new three-year package deal, treating funding for the three events as one, is expected to be signed soon.

It is understood collective funding will be cut from an estimated $9.3 million a year to $7.3 million with the Gold Coast event to wear the brunt of the cuts.

The future of all three events has been clouded since the fall of the Anna Bligh Labor government.

Townsville is considered safe with a reported economic benefit for the region of $32.5 million return for the government's $2.5 million cash injection to V8 Supercars.

The Surfers Paradise street event has been in the firing line with the government handing over $6.5 million to run the event.

It has suffered since becoming a stand-alone V8 event after America's IndyCar Series ended their Gold Coast reign, although it is estimated the event still has an economic benefit estimated at $40 million.

V8 officials will meet the Government representatives for more talks next week with the new deal expected to be finalised by the end of the month.

Leading driver Rick Kelly has pleaded the case for the Townsville race, saying it was one of Australia's premier motor races.

"We visit a lot of great cities and great tracks around the world, and Townsville rates up there as one of the best," the 2006 V8 champion said.

"The event has only been on the calendar for five years, but it feels like it has been going here forever. As soon as the first race was run back in 2009, it instantly became one of those 'must win' races. It ranks up there with Bathurst and the Clipsal 500.

"The whole town and region really embraces it. For a regional town to attract over 150,000 people to the event consistently over the past five years is incredible. I can't imagine Townsville not being a part of our calendar.

"I can only hope that negotiations between V8 Supercars and the respective parties are positive and that an announcement about a new deal isn't too far away."

Rick's older brother Todd Kelly said that the sport and the region would be worse off without the event.

"I'm surprised a new deal has not already been announced," Todd said. "For me, its a home run.

"The support that our team and the whole V8 Supercars Championship gets is on par with all of the major V8 races.

"The climate is great, the city thrives while we're there and the track is extremely challenging. I think that V8 Supercars needs the race to stay just as much as the region needs us to return in the future."

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Watch the V8 Supercars action from Townsville in HD, Jul 6-7 at 7:30pm EST on SPEED (512).

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Good, bad and ugly of NRL 2013 buys

Rooster's ... Sonny Bill Williams throws a pass. Source: Philip Hillyard / News Limited

In this current salary cap environment, the ability to stockpile quality first grade players is impossible.

Recruitment has never been more important than at the current time. 

Buying the right star player and finding the value for money performer is the difference between a successful season and a poor one.

Leading into 2013 there was plenty of high-end player movement. 

Let's check out the buys that have had the biggest influence, the ones that have provided the value for money and the ones who are struggling.

THE FIVE BUYS OF MOST INFLUENCE

James Maloney (Roosters)

The signing of James Maloney has been one of the Roosters' best for many years. He might wear the number 6 but he has a number 7's mentality and has given the Roosters direction and taken a huge load off Mitchell Pearce.

James Segeyaro (Panthers) 

I find it incomprehensible how the Cowboys let this guy walk out the door. Segeyaro has been a revelation for Penrith and is a major reason they find themselves in the eight. His speed and energy out of dummy-half is the focal point of the Panthers' attack and his confidence and big personality has been invaluable to Ivan Cleary and Phil Gould rebuilding this team.

Ben Te'o (Rabbitohs)

South Sydney brought in Ben Te'o to replace Dave Taylor on the Rabbitohs' right side. For all Taylor's God-given abilities, he never earned the trust of coach Michael Maguire, who prefers consistency over talent. Consistency is exactly what Te'o has delivered and his presence on the right side has made a huge difference to Adam Reynolds' attacking game. Te'o is a back-rower who responds to a ball player's calls as opposed to imposing his own individual needs upon them.

Sika Manu  (Panthers) 

Another terrific signing for Phil Gould. Craig Bellamy was devastated to lose Manu from Melbourne last year. In Bellamy's ultra-tough school, Sika was one of his favourites.

Manu is a hard-minded professional who knows what is required to win. He is missing until round 22, but what he has already given to Penrith is invaluable.

Sonny Bill Williams (Roosters) 

When you talk about the Rooster's greatest ever signings, you talk about men such as Brad Fittler and Arthur Beetson, just to name two. Well put Sonny Bill in that category already. His influence has been phenomenal. I could write this whole article about his talents on the field, but off the field the benefits have been even greater. He has bought into everything young coach Trent Robinson has implemented, which has made Robinson's job so much easier, and Sonny's lifestyle of 100 per cent professionalism has rubbed off on his teammates. The Roosters are no longer the "Party Boys", they are competition heavyweights.

FIVE BEST VALUE FOR MONEY SIGNINGS

Justin Horo  (Manly) 

Last year Horo couldn't even earn a spot on the bench with wooden spooners Parramatta and the Eels decided to let him go. Geoff Toovey, realising his Manly pack was ageing and lacking depth, took a punt on Horo and now it's hard to believe Parramatta let him go in the first place. His size and speed has been a handful on Manly's left side.

Isaac John (Panthers) 

Phil Gould brought this relatively unknown back from England and even Gus must be surprised at how well he is performing. John reminds me of former Kiwi five-eighth Henry Paul in the way he plays and holds himself. Isaac John is 2013's biggest surprise packet.

Beau Ryan (Sharks) 

Whatever the Sharks have paid for Beau, he will repay it five times over. Beau is much more than just league's funniest man, he is a class act on the pitch as well. He has brought the Sharks profile, personality, try scoring ability and work ethic.

Brenton Lawrence (Manly) 

Began the season as a relative unknown, unwanted by the Gold Coast, now he is arguably 2013's best front rower. A really great signing for Geoff Toovey because without Lawrence's size, speed and work rate, I really believe Manly would have had a difficult season.

Sam Moa (Roosters) 

Roosters coach Trent Robinson spotted Moa playing for Hull FC in the Super League and decided to pick him up. And despite some injuries of late, he has been terrific. He doesn't have the flair or profile of Sonny Bill Williams or Jared Warea-Hargreaves, but Moa is big on toughness and reliability.

THE SIGNINGS WHO ARE STRUGGLING

Tony Williams (Bulldogs) 

Arrived at the Dogs with huge expectations and he has done a good job lowering them. Williams has really struggled to adapt to the Dogs' style of play. With the season getting towards the business end now, Dogs fans are rightly getting more restless week by week as their big off-season signing continues to struggle. 

Dave Taylor (Titans) 

For what Taylor is capable of, it's basically history repeating for Big Dave. Taylor has been used mainly as a bench player by John Cartwright as his coach awaits more consistency and quality. If Taylor can hit top form at the back end of the year the Titans can push for a top four finish. But as Dave's past coaches will attest to, that's a big "if".

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Lisicki v Bartoli in Wimbledon final

France's Marion Bartoli celebrates beating Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens in straight sets to advance to the women's final tomorrow night. Source: KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH / AFP

Sabine Lisicki became the first German woman since 1999 to reach a Grand Slam final when she defeated Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4 2-6 9-7 on Thursday in a thrilling Wimbledon semi-final.

The 24th seed Lisicki will face France's 15th-seeded Marion Bartoli, the 2007 runner-up, in Saturday's title match looking to become Germany's first champion at a major since Steffi Graf beat Martina Hingis to claim the 1999 French Open.

Earlier, Bartoli stormed into her second Wimbledon final, the French 15th seed crushing Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens 6-1 6-2 in their semi-final.

Bartoli was beaten by Venus Williams in her only previous Grand Slam final appearance at Wimbledon in 2007, but she finally has another chance to win a first major title after demolishing Flipkens in just 62 minutes on Centre Court.

"I just can't believe it, I played so well today," Bartoli said.

"It feels so great. Kirsten had an amazing run and played some unbelievable matches. She was a bit injured today and that must be hard in the semi-finals of Wimbledon.

"I gave her a hug because I wanted to show her respect."

Germany's Sabine Lisicki returns to Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland during their semi-final match at Wimbledon. Source: AP

Bartoli said she is playing better and better, having made the final without dropping a set.

"I saw the ball like a football. I was hitting it really cleanly, my footwork was sharp, my passing shots and lobs worked perfectly."

Bartoli, tormented by injuries and illness in recent months, has enjoyed one of the best spells of her career over the last two weeks.

Flipkens looked drained by her three-set win over Petra Kvitova in the previous round and Bartoli made her pay, hitting 23 winners compared to just 10 from the Belgian 20th seed.

Bartoli failed to even make the last 16 at the Australian and French Opens this year and this was her first Grand Slam last four appearance since Roland Garros in 2011.

But she had stunned another Belgian, Justine Henin, in her previous Wimbledon semi-final six years ago and once again she produced a superb display on the big occasion.

Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska stretches for a return to Sabine Lisicki. Source: AP

Bartoli, now coached by 2006 Wimbledon winner Amelie Mauresmo instead of her father Walter, used her piercing returns and accurate ground-strokes to overwhelm Flipkens, who was making her Grand Slam semi-final debut aged 27.

Flipkens, a former junior Wimbledon champion, had seen her ranking plummet to 262 after blood clots contracted during a flight from Thailand left her sidelined for several months last year.

She didn't even qualify for Wimbledon 12 months ago.

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