Cherrington hoping for some good karma

Anthony Cherrington at Broncos pre-season training. Source: Tara Croser / News Corp Australia

THERE was a time when Anthony Cherrington feared he would rot in a jail cell.

Today, he talks with sincerity about being kind to people ... a "good karma" he hopes will sweep him towards a Broncos jumper in his shock rugby league resurrection in Queensland.

If the name has a familiar ring, it's with good reason. Six years ago, Cherrington was the NRL's next big thing at the Sydney Roosters. The Kiwi wrecking ball was just 20 when named in New Zealand's World Cup squad in 2008.

A year later, his world fell apart, with Cherrington lashed by a magistrate and narrowly avoiding a jail sentence after pleading guilty to assaulting his former partner.

The couple briefly reconciled, having two children, but Cherrington's football career never recovered. Crippled by three knee injuries, he played the last of his 19 top-grade games in 2009 and joined Penrith last year seeking a new start.

Anthony Cherrington at Broncos pre-season training.. Source: News Corp Australia

Now Cherrington finds himself in Brisbane, training weekly with the Broncos, his NRL flame still flickering after signing with Intrust Super Cup affiliate side Redcliffe.

At 26, the 194cm, 110kg Cherrington cuts a monstrous figure at Broncos training and is still young enough to rebuild a career shattered by injury and off-field turbulence.

"I only signed two weeks ago," said Cherrington, whose children Moses, 3, and Christine, 2, live on the Sunshine Coast.

"It's a bit of a change, but being out of Sydney will help me and bring me closer to my kids.

"One of the guys at Redcliffe, Luke Capewell, I played with him at Penrith and he told me he was moving back up here, so I thought why not go too?

"NRL is the goal. At the moment, I'm just trying to save money and get my life in order, but if an opportunity with the Broncos comes up, I'll grasp it with two hands."

Cherrington appreciates second chances more than most. One of six siblings, he has a brother in jail and Cherrington almost joined him when NSW chief magistrate Graeme Henson warned he was a "cat's whisker" from incarceration.

Anthony Cherrington at Broncos pre-season training. Source: News Corp Australia

Instead, Cherrington completed 150 hours community service. He is not proud of his past, but seeks solace in the future.

"I've learned about good karma," he said.

"I got labelled pretty badly over my ex. I had a scuffle with her and that is the most hurtful thing that happened to me. If you Google my name, that's the first thing that comes up.

"It's a bit embarrassing but I'm taking the good with the bad. I have two beautiful kids with that same woman, that shows you what sort of situation we were in, it was a love-hate relationship.

"That was rock bottom for me, but now I just want to be good to people and hopefully good things happen to me.

"I have two kids to provide for and I have to be positive for them. What's happened is in the past, I'm up here now so I just want to play good football and enjoy life."

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Barba can salvage his career: Lockyer

Ben Barba during training with the Cronulla Sharks. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: Gregg Porteous / News Corp Australia

BRONCOS great Darren Lockyer says Ben Barba is not a spent force in the NRL, insisting the Brisbane discard is still burdened by the expectation stemming from his Dally M heroics.

Lockyer watched Barba's career last season with particular interest because the troubled utility had stints in the Broncos' No.1 and No.6 jumpers synonymous with the former Maroons skipper.

But unlike Lockyer, Barba never fired at fullback and not even a late-season move to five-eighth could extract the best of the tackle-busting dynamo who terrorised NRL rivals in 2012.

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A dejected Ben Barba. Source: News Corp Australia

There are fears Barba will never again reach the heights of his glory days at the Bulldogs, but Lockyer is adamant the 25-year-old can resurrect his NRL career at the Sharks.

Lockyer is now a member of the Broncos' recruitment-and-retention committee which backed Wayne Bennett's pursuit of Darius Boyd, effectively leading to Barba's demise at Red Hill.

The former Test captain is disappointed Barba never found his niche at the Broncos, believing the Mackay product is still paying a price for the season that propelled him to NRL stardom.

"When Wayne (Bennett) first came back here, he pretty much declared that he wanted Darius at fullback so it was always going to be difficult for Ben in that situation," Lockyer said.

Ben Barba looks to offload during training. Source: News Corp Australia

"The hard thing for Ben is living with what he achieved in 2012 with the Dally M award.

"Everyone just compares him to that and that was just a freakish season, you can't keep repeating that year after year.

"Some of the half-chances Ben was getting last season (at the Broncos), he was often only an inch or two away from really breaking a game open.

"Unfortunately, it didn't work out here for Ben, but it's a professional game and player movement is getting more and more common.

"He's now got a fresh start at Cronulla, so I wish Ben well and if he backs himself he can have success there."

Ben Barba is tackled. Source: News Corp Australia

Boyd accepts he is under pressure to fire at fullback after Barba and Josh Hoffman were offloaded by Bennett to accommodate the Maroons ace.

"There's that expectation ... combinations are a key and they take a while to get going," Boyd said.

"Anthony Milford (five-eighth recruit) will be playing in a new position but we have a couple of trials and a long pre-season to get things sorted out.

"Everyone has been very welcoming. The Broncos are a very professional club, everyone is wanting to do their best from the players to the staff.

"The facilities are great, they give you the best chance to play well, that's what I'm used to back here and hopefully I can do that next season."

Will Ben Barba have a better year in 2015 then he did in 2014?

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Uate warns; ‘I’m not done yet’

Newcastle's Akuila Uate scores a try. Source: Brett Costello / News Corp Australia

HE may no longer be regarded as the world's best winger and one of the game's biggest drawcards.

But Newcastle's Fijian flyer Akuila Uate has news for the critics already writing him off as a spent force in the NRL, declaring: "I'm not done yet".

And he says the emergence of outstanding young talents like new Kangaroo Test winger Sione Mata'utia and his brother Chanel at the Knights last season has only made him want to work harder to regain his status as one of the game's best wingers.

After enduring a tough season with injury that ended early and saw him undergo an off-season knee operation, Uate was back at training on Thursday ahead of schedule, albeit on light duties.

In a frank and honest interview with The Daily Telegraph, Uate admitted he has some ground to make up form-wise in 2015 but is determined to return fully fit and get back to his best.

Resuming from injury, Akuila Uate, watches his team mates slog it out on Newcastle Beach. Source: News Corp Australia

"I have a point to prove to myself more than anything," he said.

"Next year is definitely a big year for me. I just want to play how I used to play and how I know I can still play.

"I was really down this year with my knee and with Alex (McKinnon) and everything. I had a lot of things affecting me and getting me down.

"I hurt my knee in the first couple of rounds against Canberra but I kept playing with it.

"I probably should have got something done straight away. The club didn't think it was that serious so I kept playing with it but it just got worse.

"Now I'm just trying to get my rehab done and move forward."

Uate, who underwent microsurgery after severe bone bruising was discovered in his knee, said he struggled mentally with the injury and his form deteriorated because of it.

Coach Rick Stone chats with Jeremy Smith and Akuila Uate. Source: News Corp Australia

"I was a bit filthy at myself but I just couldn't go 100 per cent at my best because of the knee and my head wasn't in the right space either," he said.

"But I'm feeling good now after my first session back with the boys doing the full skills session.

"I've got to keep working hard."

Uate denied he is feeling any extra pressure from the emergence of Sione and Chanel Mata'utia after both he and wing partner James McManus were sidelined towards the end of last season.

"I was very happy and really proud those boys got to play some first grade,'' he said.

"I was talking to them all the time and to see what Sione did — it was awesome. To come from Newcastle and play up through all the grades and go on to Australia was unbelievable at his age. He's made history.

"I've been down. This year has not been a good run for me but I'm not done yet. I'm 27 but I'm still learning all the time.

"Seeing all the young boys coming up and Sione playing for Australia — it just makes me want to work harder for next year."

Akuila Uate scores a try. Source: News Corp Australia

Knights coach Rick Stone is in no hurry to fast-track Uate's return to full-time training.

"Obviously, he's a valuable commodity for us so we are not in a massive hurry to get him back full-time," Stone said.

"The thing with him is I know Aku has still got plenty of fire in his belly and he's got a bit to prove.

"He hasn't been happy in his performance over the past couple of years. He's always heavily marked now but he knows he has to do a few things a bit better and prepare a bit better but the first thing is to get himself right and have some luck injury wise.

"The secret with Aku is getting him enjoying his footy and if we can do that, we'll see him return to the sort of footy we all know he can play."

Do the Knights have room in their starting side for Akuila Uate?

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McIlwrick sets sights on Friend void

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DESPERATE to cement a regular first-grade position in the NRL, Matt McIlwrick has taken an unconventional route — signing with arguably the deepest roster in the competition.

The junior New Zealand international was on Thursday announced as the Sydney Roosters' latest signing after gaining a release from the Canberra Raiders.

The Roosters have been searching for a replacement for injured hooker Jake Friend, who is expected to miss at least the first four weeks of season 2015 after undergoing off season shoulder surgery.

Since his debut in 2012, the 23-year-old has made 19 first-grade appearances in stints between the NRL and NSW Cup competitions.

"It's a good opportunity to maybe get a start at nine with Friend out, then with a few good performances hopefully I can cement a utility spot when he comes back," McIlwrick said.

"I definitely see myself as a utility, I think I'm primarily a hooker who enjoys playing lock, I suppose it's another string to my bow."

Matt McIlwrick has signed with the Roosters. Source: News Corp Australia

The Christchurch-born McIlwrick made the move across the Tasman to the nation's capital as a teenager where he lived with then-Raiders coach David Furner.

A string of quality performances towards the end of last season earned him a spot in New Zealand's Four Nations train-on squad.

"Unbelievable. It's always been a massive dream of mine to play for New Zealand," McIlwrick said.

"With some consistent footy week to week hopefully I can eventually make the step up to International level."

Sydney Roosters recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan said: "With explosive speed around the ruck and high workrate in defence, as well as his ability to slot into lock, Matt (McIlwrick) will add some great depth to our interchange and we look forward to his developing as part of our squad".

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High-profile admirers fight over Popa

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NOT surprisingly, Tony Popovic found himself the centre of attention at the AFC Awards in Manila.

The Wanderers coach was in the middle of being congratulated by FFA boss Frank Lowy for taking out the top gong - coach of the year - when Sepp Blatter butted in.

The controversial FIFA president knew all about Western Sydney's short but remarkable history and offered his personal congratulations to Popovic and the club.

Tony Popovic receives his coach of the year award. Source: AFP

There were no awkward run ins with Nasser Al-Shamrani, the Al-Hilal striker who was caught spitting at Matthew Spiranovic at the end of the ACL final but was still named AFC Player of the Year at the glitzy event.

But Popovic was approached by Al-Hilal legend Sami Al-Jaber, who warmly congratulated the Wanderers coach for beating his former club. That may have had something to do with the fact that Al-Jaber was unceremoniously sacked as coach in the middle of their ACL campaign.

Roar battle far from over

Don't expect things to go quiet on the Brisbane Roar front.

Even though sacked coach Mike Mulvey has kept silent on the manner of his dismissal, we hear a payout for him still hasn't been finalised. Mulvey refused to discuss it with us, but surely he won't have to go to court to get his money?

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Korean set to leave Mariners?

The Mariners have been quick to dismiss reports of Kim Seung-yong's imminent departure and strictly speaking, that's true - but only because the transfer window is closed.

Once it pops open again on January 6, Kim's teammates - who it should be noted rate him as a bloke - don't expect the Korean to hang around.

Arnie's invitation list

The invite list for the wedding of the year is getting compiled, and as you'd expect, Graham Arnold has invited his former teammate turned managerial rival, Tony Popovic, which could lead to some awkward exchanges over the buffet after the vitriol of this week. Could we suggest they high-five each other to break the ice?

Other invitees include Ange Postecoglou and most of the Socceroos coaching staff, but chances are they'll have to decline, given it's bang in the middle of the Asian Cup.

Archie was happy to get back to Melbourne. Source: News Corp Australia

Archie misses coffee fix

Archie Thompson may have been a bit flat during Melbourne Victory's stay in Sydney this week, but only because he had to go without his usual caffeine fix. The striker is a regular at the brand new Rocco and Co, a cafe part owned by Victory goalkeeper Nathan Coe.

Mahazi attracting interest

Talking of Melbourne Victory, the club's midfielder Rashid Mahazi could be on the move. He has been linked to the Wanderers and the Newcastle Jets - both of whom are in the market for a defensive midfielder.

Bozza helps out

Mark Bosnich might be an ex-Mariner but his friendships go back further, which is why he was happy to inspect the North Sydney Oval pitch on Wednesday on behalf of Kevin Muscat.

The Victory coach is seriously unhappy at playing there, so much so that he complained to FFA and the players' union - a touch ironic given the complaints other players have made about the Etihad Stadium surface over the years.

Celebrity All-Star match got a little aggressive. Source: News Corp Australia

Embrace the Asian Cup

It's time to start getting excited about the Asian Cup. With a global TV audience of over 800 million, January's tournament will be the biggest football event ever staged in Australia and all 32 games will be live on Fox Sports.

The iconic Bondi Beach hosted the official launch this week, where the highlight was a football match between Fox Sports pundits and the Asian Cup All Stars. There was nothing friendly about the game, with Mark Bosnich and, in particular Robbie Slater, in full combat mode.

Turning 50 hasn't tamed that on-field aggression, Robbie.

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Richardson leads at Indo Open

Richardson scored four straight birdies to take the lead after the opening round. Source: News Limited

AUSTRALIA'S Kalem Richardson has fired an eight-under-par 63 to lead by one shot over Padraig Harrington of Ireland after the first round of the Indonesia Open.

Richardson, who has achieved two top-five results in his last three events, rolled in eight birdies to steal the limelight from Harrington, who is making his debut at the $810,000 Asian Tour event on Sunday.

Three-time major champion Harrington produced his best score in 2014 with a 64 after birdieing his first two holes from close range at the Damai Indah Golf-PIK Course close to the capital Jakarta.

Australia's Adam Groom battled through a leg infection to score a 67 and tie in third place alongside India's Arjun Atwal, Thanyakon Khrongpha of Thailand and Bryce Easton of South Africa.

Starting from the 10th tee, Richardson stayed sharp on his first nine holes, which he said was because he had not played that stretch during the practice round, and was rewarded with four straight birdies.

"I guess when you haven't played the back nine, you concentrate more because you don't know where you are going. You really need to rely on the yardage book and good advice from your caddie," said the 26-year-old.

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