Jenni to be Lightning’s ‘Screen saviour’

Jenni Screen this year captained an Opals touring team before retiring from international play. Source: Richard Gosling / News Corp Australia

ADELAIDE Lightning have signed warrior swingman Jenni Screen for the rest of the WNBL season and are hoping to suit her tonight against Melbourne at Adelaide Arena.

Screen, who this year captained an Opals touring team before retiring from international play, was released by Adelaide ahead of this season and signed to play in Poland.

But a knee injury which required minor surgery meant the 32-year-old stayed in Adelaide and with Lightning currently in a losing skid, securing the versatile 180cm guard-forward was a no-brainer for coach Jeremi Moule.

"The two areas where we have struggled — defence and resiliency — are two of Jenni's greatest strengths," Moule said.

"She became available after recovering from minor knee surgery and given that we haven't exactly been cutting the mustard, the opportunity was there to have a chat."

That chat led to Screen training with the squad last week and Adelaide is optimistic it will have her release from Poland in time to suit against the Boomers.

"She's looked really good, fitting in seamlessly at training," Moule said.

Adelaide was beaten 78-61 by Melbourne in Melbourne, its two South Aussies, Tess Madgen and Olivia Thompson dominant.

But the Boomers also boast Opals tyros Bec Allen and Nat Burton, import Laurie Koehn and playmaker Bec Cole in a solid rotation.

"Our next three games are at home so if we're to make a move, we have to make it now," Moule said.

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‘Socceroos must have shot at Asian Cup’

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THE Socceroos do not need to win the Asian Cup to regard the tournament as a success but anything less than a semi-final berth would be unacceptable.

That is the opinion of Socceroos great Brett Emerton, who has called for patience as national coach Ange Postecoglou builds a team for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

"As far as World Cups are concerned, as a nation we need to make sure we qualify each and every time," Emerton said.

"We don't need to win this Asian Cup (but) we definitely need to perform well. We need to at least qualify for the semi-final, if not the final itself.

"In major tournaments, once you get to that stage anybody can win it, so we need to make sure we're in the mix.''

Emerton, who made 95 appearances for the Socceroos, is a supporter of Postecoglou's regeneration of the national squad despite the run of poor results this year.

Josh Kennedy of the Socceroos celebrates heading the ball to score a goal during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Asian Qualifier match in June last year. Source: Getty Images

"Since Ange has taken over he has experimented quite a lot, but now is the time where we need to start finalising a squad of players for the future," the former Blackburn Rovers midfielder said.

"People need to be patient with the team and the results we're getting at the moment, and give them some time.''

Emerton's former Socceroos teammate Mark Bosnich will be in the Queen Street Mall today from 11.30am for the Brisbane leg of the Asian Cup Australia 2015 Trophy Tour.

The Asian Cup starts on January 9 when Australia meet Kuwait in Melbourne.

Suncorp Stadium will host seven games, starting with Saudi Arabia versus China on January 10.

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Khalfallah finds a home in Victory ‘family’

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FAHID Ben Khalfallah's face lights up when he talks about his time in Melbourne so far.

Before the question is finished the Melbourne Victory attacking utility interjects with "perfect" in his French-tinted accent.

"I was very excited when I came, but I am very, very happy," he says.

"I was surprised by the soccer, the fans, a lot. The level is good, the grounds are very good, and especially here it is fantastic because we play in front of 25-30,000 fans, 40,000 for the derby."

The 32-year-old has wasted little time settling in.

On the pitch he is flying, as evidenced by his third-placed running in the NewsCorp Player of the Year award.

Khalfallah takes on Jamie MacLaren of Perth Glory. Source: News Corp Australia

Off the pitch, ask anyone at Victory about him and they'll tell you he's a "cheeky little" ... well, you know.

He may be doing private English lessons once a week, but the language barrier — the Tunisian is naturally fluent in French — isn't getting in the way of his transition.

He says he loves the city — "I like to explore because it is fantastic" — the food — "every day I eat in different restaurants" — and his new digs — "I love the poker and I live just in front of the casino so it's dangerous".

His wife, Amanda, and six-year-old daughter, Anna, will arrive permanently on Tuesday.

But family aside it is soccer that has his heart.

"I want to play every game," Beh Khalfallah says.

"I'm not the same player when I train. Training for me, I know it's important, but I love the competition. I don't like friendly games, I don't like the training.

"If I can play until 40, 41, 42 if I will because it is my passion.

"I was born with a ball because my father was a professional too (in Tunisia and France), so soccer is my life."

Spend 15 minutes in Ben Khalfallah's presence and it's hard not to be won over by his infectious personality.

But he turns serious when asked about his form.

And, surprisingly, he is far from satisfied despite his and the team's barnstorming start to the season.

"I am feeling good, but I can do better," he says.

"I am sure because I know myself. I think I can score more.

"But my goal this year is to win the league. Everyone knows it's the 10th birthday so it's very important for the club, for (coach) Kevin (Muscat), for the club, for the staff, to win this year.

"For me, three, maybe four teams can win, but I am thinking really that we are the best team.

"I am sure we can win because everyone works, every day, really hard."

Khalfallah celebrating after scoring a goal for Victory. Source: News Corp Australia

Ben Khalfallah was born and raised in France, but played for Tunisia as his parents hail from the north-African nation.

He refused several international call-ups in the past because "for me the timing wasn't good" and will not add to his 14 caps now after moving down under.

"It's very different, you don't have international break. It's far and I promised Kevin if I come to Melbourne I stop my international career."

The biggest move of his career came in 2010 when he made the near $7 million (AUD) switch from Valenciennes FC to Bordeaux.

His three-and-a-half year stint at the French giant was "amazing", but he says "the feeling" he has from his two months at Victory so far is "the same".

"Before I come here I didn't know what I think about soccer in Australia, I know nothing.

"But from the first time when I opened the door in the locker room the music was (loud). In my head I was thinking it was like in the USA because when I watch the NFL and in movies it's the same thing.

"Every day we laugh. We eat together in restaurants. Every day we have together five or six hours so it's important to have a good atmosphere.

"Really, it's a family."

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Chip shots: Marchesani forging own identity

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ROOKIE pro James Marchesani is no longer going to be introduced as Frank's son because more fine 68s like yesterday is the surest way to his own strong sporting identity.

The impressive youngster yesterday gave a terrific spin on how his competitive instincts were honed growing up with two brothers and a footballing father Frank, who played for Carlton and Fitzoy in the old VFL of the 1980s.

"Growing up, we had a chipping green out the back of home (in Rosebud). We'd always be competing even if it was just for the best spot on the couch to watch TV," Marchesani said at the Australian PGA.

"People have certainly always known me as Frank's son. That's good but it's cool to see my name on a leaderboard."

***

CONTROVERSIAL MP, mining magnate and resort owner Clive Palmer was on the menu at the Dinner with the Stars function at the RACV Royal Pines resort.

Clive was devoured by a succession of speakers following the drama-charged 2012 Australian PGA when Palmer effectively drove the tournament out of his Coolum resort.

Take your pick ... dinosaurs, painted signs on the fairways that ambushing tournament sponsors, vintage cars appearing on tee boxes and threats of a bulldozer tearing up the ninth green.

The entree was PGA of Australasia boss Brian Thorburn referreing to the 2012 tournament as the "Clive Crisis''.

MC Richard Champion served up the main course by saying Clive had sent his apologies because he was still attending a buffet breakfast meeting.

Dessert was served by Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek who said he loved that "Clive loves dinosaurs so much'' because it meant the tournament was now on his Gold Coast patch.

***

CAMERON Smith is one of a host of pros pulling a purple shirt from the cupboard to show support for a worthy cause at the Australian PGA today.

Fans and players have been encouraged to get behind Purple Day, a supportive nod to the representative colour of the representative colour of Pancreatic Cancer research being undertaken by the Avner Foundation.

***

TOP job by Brisbane's Matt Guyatt to qualify for the Japanese Tour by closing the cut-throat six-round qualifying event with rounds of 65-66-68 in freezing conditions.

Matt Griffin and Won Joon Lee also won through with top 35 finishes.

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Fowl territory: Wanderers wary of pink poultry

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THEY'VE had dirty tricks in China, and now the Wanderers fear fowl play in Morocco.

To say the Western Sydney players have been underwhelmed with the food in their hotel in Rabat at the Club World Cup would be an understatement, but one meal in particular left stomachs turned.

Slices cut from a cooked chicken proved as pink in the centre as the Mariners' annual charity strip, and reserve goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis saw pink and went green.

Luckily other players also left the poultry untouched and - at the time of writing - none had been struck down.

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Lederer takes one for the team

FIFA provide 35 business class flights for clubs involved in the Club World Cup, and there were plenty of gleeful looks among staff used to the strictures of economy class.

But in total the Western Sydney party has mustered 36, so who was the unlucky member not to be on the FIFA gravy train?

Fortunately it was the man most able to afford the costly airfare himself... chairman and majority owner Paul Lederer.

Chairman keeps Wanderers in focus

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson is in talks to take over Newcastle - or could the chairman of the Scottish Premier League side be wanting to make a film about the Wanderers?

Having watched Adelaide beat Western Sydney last Saturday, Thompson flew to Sydney with the Wanderers party - and spent most of it deep in conversation with the club's cameraman. John Cusack is already favourite to play Tony Popovic.

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson Source: Getty Images

Sasa takes in Wanderers game

Sasa Ognenovski was spotted in the stands at Pirtek Stadium during Western Sydney's loss to Brisbane Roar last week and we hear it's not the first time the Sydney FC defender has been seen taking in a game at his rival's fortress.

Given there is no love lost between the Wanderers and Ognenovski, it seems a curious choice of venue for him to spend his downtime at.

It's a credit to Wanderers fans that by all accounts there have been no 'boos' directed his way.

Veteran chases new home

Daniel McBreen is shopping around for a new club. The 37-year-old has spent the last season at Chinese Super League side Shanghai Dongya after transferring from the Central Coast Mariners, but he only penned a one-season deal with the club.

First, though, McBreen has a more pressing matter to attend to - the striker tied the knot on Thursday. Congrats!

Daniel McBreen is still kicking around at 37. Source: News Limited

Gamiero enters media world

Corey Gameiro has undergone successful knee surgery on his ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, but the young Sydney FC striker now faces a lengthy rehabilitation process.

To bide his time, Gameiro plans to jump to the other side - this side - and do some media work.

Best he steers clear of those marble floors at Fox Sports though.

Owusu embraces new role

Lloyd Owusu is also branching out into new ventures.

Footballer, coach, player consultant, model... now actor. That's how Sydney FC's football community manager and current Hakoah Sydney City player describes himself on Twitter.

Owusu will make his acting debut next month in a show called Danger 5.

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Button, Alonso confirmed for McLaren

Jenson Button (right) will remain at McLaren to partner returning driver Fernando Alonso (left) in 2015. Source: Clive Mason / Getty Images

JENSON Button will remain at McLaren to partner returning driver Fernando Alonso in 2015, the British Formula One team has confirmed.

The announcement follows weeks of speculation over whether Button, world champion with Brawn in 2009, or rookie Dane Kevin Magnussen would be retained to team up with Alonso, who returns to the team from Ferrari.

"I am extremely excited to be embarking on my 16th year in Formula 1 and my sixth season for McLaren," Button, 34, said in a statement on the McLaren website.

"Like Fernando, I am certain that McLaren and Honda will achieve great things together, and I feel sure that, working together, all of us will pull incredibly hard to create a brilliantly effective winning team."

McLaren chief executive officer Ron Dennis took his time before plumping for Button over 22-year-old Magnussen, having held a meeting with board members to discuss the matter last Thursday.

Magnussen finished in 11th place in the drivers' championship in his maiden campaign, three places behind Button. He will remain at McLaren as test and reserve driver.

Alonso, world champion with Renault in 2005 and 2006, spent the 2007 season at McLaren before returning to Renault. After two years at Renault, he moved to Ferrari, where he finished twice three times in five seasons.

But Ferrari failed to compete with the dominant Mercedes team last season, with Alonso finishing 223 points behind champion Lewis Hamilton in sixth place.

"I am joining this project with enormous enthusiasm and determination, knowing that it may require some time to achieve the results we are aiming for, which is no problem for me," the 33-year-old Spaniard said.

"Over the past year I have received several offers, some of them really tempting, given the current performance of some of the teams that showed interest.

"But, more than a year ago, McLaren-Honda contacted me and asked me to take part, in a very active way, in the return of their partnership — a partnership that dominated the Formula 1 scene for so long."

Dennis said: "As regards drivers, McLaren's policy has always been to assemble the strongest line-up possible, and in Fernando and Jenson I firmly believe that is exactly what we have."

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