Williams’ time at Manly appears over

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DAVID Williams' season is over — and his colourful time with Manly appears to be up as well.

As the highest profile scalp to emerge from the NRL's betting audit of 1500 registered players and officials, Williams is likely to accept Manly's recent push for him to play elsewhere next year.

The NRL on Thursday rejected the winger's plea to have his suspension reduced, outing him for the remainder of 2014 and handing down two-match bans to four other players who were found to have bet on games involving their teams: Ethan Lowe (Cowboys), Cody Nelson (Titans), Hymel hunt and Slade Griffin (Storm).

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In addition, twelve casual game day officials — including lower grade touch judges — were either terminated or suspended for the rest of the season for illicit betting. Another dozen registered NRL players, staff and officials were also found to have bet on matches, but NRL Integrity Unit boss Jim Doyle said their wagering only warranted a reprimand. One of those players is also at Manly — back rower Daniel Harrison.

Williams was by far the most active of the 29 individuals who were identified, with dozens of illicit multi and stand-alone bets made across the past three seasons. Williams also appears to be one who bet on matches he played in, although Doyle stressed there was no evidence of match-fixing in any of the cases.

What do you think of the suspension handed down to David Williams?

"It's very clear that you can't bet on rugby league and they've made mistakes," Doyle said.

For Williams, the mistake could well be fatal to his future at the Sea Eagles. 'The Wolfman' signed a two-year extension at the end of 2013, but has been given permission to look elsewhere after being dropped to NSW Cup in May.

A former NSW Origin and Test cult hero, Williams made an inspiring return to form from a string of season-ending injuries — including a broken neck in 2011 — last season.

Then came his forgettable performance in Manly's grand final loss to the Roosters, which sent him AWOL during the off-season.

The Cowboys' Ethan Lowe has received a two-match ban for illegally placing bets on NRL matches. Source: Getty Images

Williams reported for pre-season training on time, but has been unable to recapture his best form and has subsequently fallen down Manly's pecking order behind young speedsters Jorge Taufua, Peta Hiku and Clint Gutherson.

The breach is not enough to justify Manly terminating his contract. Sea Eagles officials were last night tight-lipped on their next move, focusing on Williams' mental wellbeing.

David Williams at Manly training on Wednesday. Picture: Bradley Hunter Source: News Corp Australia

Should Williams leave the club, there would appear to be plenty of options for his services. The Daily Telegraph has already spoken to one high-ranking Sydney club official who expressed a strong interest in throwing him a lifeline for 2015.

Future transgressors will find themselves in a similar position, with Doyle declaring that a "no tolerance policy" would now apply.

"If you are betting you will spend a long time on the sidelines or you will be sacked — no matter how small the bet," he said.

NRL BETTING INVESTIGATION:

· More than 1,500 registered players, officials and staff audited

· 29 players, officials and staff found to have made illicit bets on rugby league.

· One player — Manly winger David Williams — banned for the rest of 2014 after betting on a number of matches, including several that he played in.

· Four players — Ethan Lowe (Cowboys), Cody Nelson (Titans), Hymel Hunt and Slade Griffin (Storm) — banned for two matches. All four bet on one game involving their respective clubs, but did not participate in that fixture.

· Three casual game day officials terminated and nine others suspended for betting breaches.

· The remaining 12 players, staff and officials were let off with warnings.

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Crows closer to uniting Crouch brothers

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ADELAIDE could be on the verge of unleashing the Crouch brothers, Brad and Matt, together for the first time against Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on Friday night.

The Victorian-born siblings who are aged just 15 months apart will be the first brothers to play together for the Crows since the Jarmans in the mid-'90s, if 19-year-old Matt is a last-minute replacement for midfielder Scott Thompson, who remains under an injury cloud.

Will the Crows keep their winning run going against the Hawks?

Crows coach Brenton Sanderson on Thursday said Matt — who had 42 disposals and 13 clearances in the SANFL last week — was an ideal replacement for Thompson should he not recover from a hamstring injury in time to face the Hawks tonight.

The Crouch brothers have been hailed as a key pillar of Adelaide's future after they were both drafted from TAC Cup side North Ballarat.

Crows brothers Brad and Matt Crouch could play together for the first time at AFL level against Hawthorn, if Scott Thompson is ruled unfit. Picture: Mike Burton.

Rebels coach David Loader watched both of them pass through his under-18 team but he still rues the fact that he never got to see them play together.

It would have happened in 2012 had Brad not been snapped up by the Crows as one of two 17-year-olds along with Jaeger O'Meara pre-selected by an AFL club before their time.

"It would have been phenomenal for us," Loader said.

"We went within a kick of winning the competition without Brad playing (in 2012) so you put him in the side and think 'gee maybe that might have been enough to get us over the line'.

"But I think we're all looking forward to seeing them play together at AFL level.

"And even more so when their bodies develop and they've got some real experience at AFL level, pity the side that comes up against the Crouch boys in full flight.

Brad Crouch in action for North Ballarat, the last time he played in a team with his brother.

"In AFL terms, Brad is really young and Matt's a baby so in four or five years time they're going to be a tough package."

Although they played their first senior game together in the SANFL last month, tonight could mark their first appearance together at AFL level.

Brad, 20, was on Thursday night named to start on the ball while Matt was listed as an emergency for Thompson who will be given until the 11th hour to prove his fitness.

Loader has known the Crouch family ever since he played against the boys' father Phil in the Mininera Football League in country Victoria in the 1990s.

Almost two decades later he found himself coaching Phil's sons in the TAC Cup which was their stepping stone to AFL football.

"He (Phil) was a great player, he was as tough as nails and one of those blokes who would belt the suitcase out of you on the field then be the first one to come and have a drink with you after the game," Loader said.

The Cannons' Jake Lever spoils against North Ballarat's Matt Crouch in a match last year.

"So it was great when the boys came along and the apple didn't fall far from the tree with the competitive side of things which is a characteristic we love when the boys play.

"They're similar in they're both really competitive, they love the challenge, they're both extremely brave on the footy field and they play the game because they love playing footy."

Loader remembers both Brad and Matt as outstanding TAC Cup players.

"In Brad's bottom age (year) he broke his leg and missed about eight games," Loader said.

"We brought him back for the first final and just the impact he was able to have against really good quality opposition.

"I remember him running out on a half forward flank, picking up the ball under enormous pressure and handballing it 30 metres to a running player inside 50 and the guy never broke stride.

"I'd never seen anyone do that and be that clean, apart from perhaps Greg Williams, he was an exceptionally talented player.

"And Matt's stoppage work was second to none, in the two years we had Matt in our system, there was no one better at the stoppage.

"It didn't matter which ruckman was winning it, it ended up in Matt's hands."

While Brad joined Adelaide in 2012, Matt followed suit in November last year when the Crows swooped with Pick No. 23.

When he arrived at the club, Matt's new teammates nicknamed him 'Bob', which stood for brother of Brad.

But the teenager quickly made a name for himself and although he hasn't cemented his spot in the side after seven games this season, going back to the SANFL and dominating with 42 disposals and 13 clearances is just as impressive.

Speaking in the lead-up to Round 1 of this season when Brad played against Geelong and Matt was an emergency, Crows forward Jason Porplyzia described the younger Crouch sibling as "exceptional".

"He's a really clean player and a great decision maker for a young guy. He's going to be a really good player for this club for a long time and it will be great to see him get a chance."

Brad meanwhile described their brotherly rivalry growing up in their Ballarat backyard as typically competitive.

"We just always want to win," Brad said.

"We always have been, like most brothers I guess."

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Riled Reds out to channel Maroons

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LOSING Israel Folau has not made the NSW Waratahs half the side, but their impregnable look now shows a crack for tomorrow night's smash-up derby against the Reds.

On the same day that top flanker Liam Gill was surprisingly released from sevens duties to the Reds bench, Folau was scratched to rest a corked thigh before the finals.

Gill is a kick of buzzsaw energy for the fierce forward battle against Waratahs skipper Michael Hooper.

Equally, the Reds' defence, the most fragile area of their game, has been spared the daunting task of muzzling fullback Folau, who has tormented rivals with 12 tries this season.

The Waratahs lost two out of three games without Folau when he had a throat injury. Minus that lethal weapon the sides are 10 points tighter on the scoreboard.

The margin between top footy sides is only ever a couple of per cent and often in the mental intensity brought to a gun fight like this one at Suncorp Stadium.

The clash has haunting similarities to league's midweek State of Origin clash on the same turf. One side in blue had the trophy locked up and less to play for. The other was stung, playing for pride and a roaring pit of home fans.

Liam Gill returns for the Reds on Saturday night. Source: News Limited

The top-ranked Waratahs are still heading into a replenishing week off and a packed house semi-final in Sydney on July 26 whether they win or lose by 20 points on Saturday night.

If that and losing Folau softens their intensity just a bit, the Reds are riled enough to reach a point in this game when an upset is possible.

The difference between league's Maroons and rugby's Reds is that there is no Inglis, Slater or Thurston.

The Reds are down on big weapons so it will truly take a team effort and every player bottling some of James Horwill's edge: "I just don't like losing against our oldest rivals."

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Horwill may do a Corey Parker for the old-and-bold with a blinder while line-busting 106kg centre Samu Kerevi and flanker Curtis Browning are the best chance for a rookie to arrive like Aidan Guerra.

"There are strong similarities for us as a Queensland team in terms of how much there is to play for," Reds coach Richard Graham said of the Origin comparison.

Graham said there would be no ill will towards Queensland stalwart Stan Pilecki when he presents the best player medal struck in his honour at the Reds Ball next month.

Pilecki's "disgust" at what he called a lack of effort in the poor loss in Perth last weekend has irked the Reds.

"Stan's Stan. He's a very passionate guy and bleeds Red but his comments were inaccurate," Graham said.

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Cup final pits Pope against Pope

Pope versus Pope ... the World Cup final pits Pope Francis' Argentina against Pope Benedict's Germany. Source: AP

THE Vatican says it is unlikely that Pope Francis and his predecessor, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, would get together to watch their home teams in the World Cup final on Sunday.

A Vatican spokesman, the Reverand Federico Lombardi, said on Thursday that the hour of the final is late for Francis' routine, and acknowledged with a chuckle that Benedict wasn't known as an avid sports fan.

Still, he didn't rule anything out, saying, "We'll see in the coming days."

Pope Francis has already given his word that there would be no papal intervention in Argentina's fortunes, promising he wouldn't pray for any team. German-born Benedict's interests are known to lean more toward intellectual than athletic pursuits.

Rev Lombardi said that "both would want the better team to win, without taking sides."

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Crows ready to upset the Hawks at Adelaide Oval

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BRENTON Sanderson says the Crows finally feel at home at Adelaide Oval and that "the stage is set for us to hopefully upset Hawthorn''.

Sanderson admitted Adelaide — which has lost David Mackay to a hamstring injury and is sweating on the fitness of key players Scott Thompson and Ben Rutten for Friday night's 7.20pm clash — had taken time to adjust to its new playing arena.

Will the Crows keep their winning run going against the Hawks?

But he said the team now felt comfortable at the world-class ground, boosting its chances of upsetting the premier and making a major move towards a finals spot.

"We do like playing here now,'' coach Sanderson said, noting the Crows have won their past four matches at their "Crowval'' venue after dropping three of their first four there.

"It took us a little while to get a bit of a feel for the dimensions of the ground, there are very narrow pockets.

"But we are slowly getting a feel for how this ground needs to be played and it does suit us, the way we play.

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"We are a corridor side, we come through the corridor as much as any other team, and there are less contests here when we come through the corridor.

"Our form in our past four matches here has been pretty good, we've beaten top eight sides (Collingwood, Gold Coast, North Melbourne and Port Adelaide) and we think we do have an advantage here now.''

Sanderson, declaring midfield gamebreaker Patrick Dangerfield (knee) and standout defender Daniel Talia (corked buttock) fit for the Friday night blockbuster, said his players were "jumping out of their skins to play well against Hawthorn'' and force their way into the top eight.

"Friday night footy brings out the best in players and teams and we understand the rest of the competition is watching what we do,'' he said.

"We are actually rolling along quite nicely and our form is good but we have to execute now. Words mean nothing, it's our actions that are required.''

Adelaide boasts the second-highest average home crowds this year, with its 47,613 average trailing only Collingwood's 53,128.

It tonight hopes to break its season-high crowd of 50,552, which saw it upset the Power in Showdown 37.

Sanderson said fitness decisions on ace on-baller Thompson, who has bruising and inflammation at the base of a hamstring, and veteran full back Rutten, who has to pass more concussion testing, could be left until late.

"Thompson might be a game-time decision for us,'' he said.

"We are not trying to hide anything, it's just the reality of a six-day break and a Friday night game.

"We'll probably have to keep a few people in the dark until the umpire bounces the ball.

"And Rutten will speak to our doctor again before we make a decision there.''

Sanderson, who unexpectedly lost Mackay with a sore hamstring and recalled veteran Jason Porplyzia, said prized rookie Matt Crouch and key defender Luke Thompson remained on standby for the doubtful pair.

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McIlroy shoots record to take lead

Rory McIlroy has shot a course record to take the lead at the Scottish Open. Source: Mark Runnacles / Getty Images

NORTHERN Ireland's Rory McIlroy muscled his way to a one-stroke lead with a course record on the opening day of the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen.

McIlroy grabbed eight birdies, including four in succession mid-round, to break the existing course record by two shots with an seven-under-par 64 on the par 71 links gem.

It handed the double major winner, who is contesting the event for a first time in four years, a one-shot clubhouse lead over Sweden's Kristoffer Broberg.

McIlroy's score lowers the existing mark of local Royal Aberdeen club champion, Mark Halliday by two shots, and it adds to a growing number of course records on both sides of the Atlantic that the 25-year-old holds.

The pick of those is an Old Course record of 63 set on the opening day of the 2010 British Open championship and a similar score in the 2009 WGC — HSBC Champions event in Shanghai.

"It depends where it is whether or not setting a new course record is special to me but then there are a few that are a little better than the others," he said.

"I just hope nobody betters the 61 I shot at Royal Portrush, as I have been holding onto that one for years.

"But it was just a great start and anytime you can start a tournament like that you have to be very pleased and it's obviously something I can build on for the next three days.

"More importantly I was more pleased in how I controlled my game out there and controlled my ball flight, and after having practised those shots over the last ten days, it was good to go out and trust it today in a tournament round."

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland talks to the media during a press conference after shooting 64 during the first round of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. Source: Getty Images

McIlroy's impressive display off the tee was no better highlighted when he drove the green at the downwind 399-metre par four 13th, much to the amazement of the three player group in front and still on the green that included defending champion Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald and Holland's Joost Luiten.

Broberg had just 24 putts in his round, four fewer than McIlroy.

"I played really, really well and I hit very good shots and a lot of close ones, so this helps a bit," he said.

Donald along with Scotland's Marc Warren are well placed with four under par 67s and one fewer than Mickelson with the defending champion eagling the sixth hole but then dropping a shot at the last.

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