'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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Rampant Roar run over Sydney

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Brisbane Roar ... book their place in the A-League play-offs. Source: Dave Hunt / AAP

Whatever nerves Frank Farina felt ahead of his Suncorp Stadium homecoming will be nothing compared to what awaits this weekend after Sydney FC lost 3-1 to Brisbane Roar on Thursday night.

Two-time A-League champions the Roar can launch a title defence after locking up a finals spot with the vital win in their regular-season finale - but it remains to be seen whether Farina's Sky Blues will join them.

Farina would have been riding an emotional rollercoaster ahead of his first game back at Suncorp since he was sacked as Roar coach for drink-driving in 2009.

		P	W	D	L	GD	Pts
1	Western Sydney	26	17	3	6	17	54
2	Central Coast	26	15	6	5	25	51
3	Victory	26	12	5	9	2	41
4	Adelaide	26	12	4	10	1	40
5	Brisbane	27	10	5	12	4	35
6	Sydney	27	9	5	13	-10	32
7	Perth	26	9	4	13	-2	31
8	Newcastle	26	8	7	11	-12	31
9	Heart	26	8	3	15	-8	27
10	Wellington	26	7	6	13	-17	27

However, there is no let up in sight for the Roar's former favourite son as he sweats on Sydney FC's finals fate over the Easter weekend.

The Roar thrilled the 19,010-strong crowd by locking up fifth spot, leaving just one finals berth left.

Sixth-placed Sydney FC (32 points) face a white-knuckle ride as they look to hold out Perth (31) and Newcastle (31), who finish their regular season against No.4 Adelaide United and leaders Western Sydney Wanderers respectively.

The Roar will play the Victory in Melbourne next week on Friday night or Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday week in the finals' first round.

It capped a remarkable rise under Mike Mulvey who took over the reins from Rado Vidosic in late December with the Roar all but written off.

"I don't feel relief - it's excitement,'' Mulvey said.

"I am very proud of the guys. We have had our moments since I have come in but tonight is something that they can take great credit for - they deserve it.

"We are focused now. We are ready.''

Farina was fuming after turnovers "gift wrapped" the first two goals but hoped they would live to fight another day in the finals.

"They were horrendous mistakes and we got punished," he said.

"You don't want to rely on other results at this stage but we don't have much choice."

A simple finals formula faced both sides in Brisbane on Thursday night - win and you're in.

But a more complex equation now awaits the Sky Blues if they are to scrape into the finals.

Ideally, Sydney FC would want Perth and Newcastle to lose but can still seal sixth if the Glory lose and the Jets draw.

Winning at Suncorp was always going to be a tough ask for Sydney FC.

They had savoured victory just three times in their past 18 games at the venue and last won way back in 2007.

In contrast, the Roar have won their past eight home games against Sydney FC.

German import Thomas Broich looked dangerous early for the Roar but it was teammate Besart Berisha who drew first blood in the 29th minute.

Proving that he is human after all, Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero's clumsy pass caused a turnover and Broich pounced, providing a perfect pass for Berisha to knock in his 14th season goal and 27th in as many games at the venue.

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Re-live the action with our A-League Match Centre.

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Whatever Farina said at halftime initially seemed to work as they came out with intent but it was the Roar who scored again off another Sydney FC turnover.

The Roar made Sebastian Ryall pay for his gaffe as Steven Lustica combined with Berisha to score in the 51st minute.

Ivan Franjic's wonderful 79th-minute curling strike into the far corner made it 3-0 before Del Piero's 84th-minute penalty shot finally put the visitors on the board.

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'I've got better without Barba'

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Reynolds ... is hoping to push his case for an Origin jersey in 2013. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

Josh Reynolds is not the kind of guy to wish bad fortune on a teammate but if anyone found a silver lining in the absence of star fullback Ben Barba, it was the Canterbury-Bankstown No.6.

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With State of Origin just around the corner, Reynolds admits to having selection "in the back of my head" and he believes he's taken a step in the right direction while filling the Barba hole as the Bulldogs' go-to man.

"I have enjoyed it and like you said, last week (against the Storm) was a big test for us," Reynolds told Sterlo as a special guest on Thursday night.

"I'll learn from that. I shouldn't have put that kick in at the end - there was only a couple of sets to go.

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"But we can't rely on Benny to just pull us up all the time. Me and Kris (Keating), we really have to step up."

While Barba's absence may have been the trigger for Reynolds to take on new responsibility, he takes inspiration from Melbourne's ultra-consistent "big three".

The 23-year-old has played some spectacular games over the past 12 months, but stringing them together has not come easy.

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"Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater and Cameron Smith, you never hear of them having a bad game, you know," Reynolds said.

"And for me as a player, I just want to bring that consistency to my game.

"Origin's getting tossed up a bit. It's in the back of my head because it's obviously what you want to do growing up, because who doesn't want to play the pinnacle of our sport.

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"Last year I felt at stages when things were going wrong, I didn't really step up. That's what I want to do, when things are on the line I want the boys to be looking for me."

Matthew Johns, for one, is looking at him, potentially as a key building block in a new-look NSW side under Laurie Daley.

"If you keep going like you are at the moment, I know you're only a young player, but I don't know how they're going to keep you out of the side," Johns said.

"I watched you last week against Melbourne, and when the Melbourne Storm side ran on you stood there at the halfway and you were like 'I'm ready for this'."

But will his newfound responsibility as the player the Bulldogs look to when things get tough continue now that Barba's back?

Reynolds hopes so, but for now he's just glad to see his mate happy and healthy again.

"Things have changed in his life but as a bloke towards the boys and as a person he's still the same guy; he's still the same funny guy to have around training and he's come back really positive, which has given the team a boost," Reynolds said.

"I think he came back and the boys didn't know what to say to him but he's came back and said: 'look, everything's the same boys, let's get on with our footy', and it's really helped us." 

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Richmond survive scare

Party Time ... Dustin martni celebrates a wonder-goal as the Tigers start with a win. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Richmond's dream AFL season start almost became their worst nightmare, as they barely held on to post their first win over Carlton in five years at the MCG on Thursday night.

The Tigers downed the fast-finishing Blues 14.22 (106) to 14.17 (101) in front of 80,971 fans, only surviving thanks to three missed Carlton shots for goal in the dying minutes.

3.3 (21)	Q1	2.9 (21)
4.6 (30)	Q2	9.14 (68)
9.12 (66)	Q3	14.18 (102)
14.17 (101)	Q4	14.22 (106)

Eddie Betts 2	Brett Deledio 3
Jefferey Garlett 2	Tyrone Vickery 3
Bryce Gibbs 2	Jake King 2
Chris Judd 2	Luke McGuane 2
Matthew Kreuzer 2	Reece Conca 1
Marc Murphy 2	Bachar Houli 1
Shaun Hampson 1	Daniel Jackson 1
Chris Yarran 1	Dustin Martin 1

Luke McGuane made himself an unlikely hero, producing a ferocious tackle on Carlton youngster Josh Bootsma to win a free kick and seal the game - fittingly by booting a behind - as the siren sounded.

Richmond had earlier dominated the first half to lead by 38 points at the main break and still led by 36 points at the last change, despite a Carlton third-term surge.

But the Blues refused to give in, kicking the only five goals of the last quarter to close within seven points in time-on, after Jeff Garlett booted his second in succession.

But ruckman Matthew Kreuzer, who had kicked his second earlier in the term, missed a difficult set shot from a tight angle.

And Chris Yarran missed two simpler chances, the first from a close-range shot and the second from about 40m on the run to narrow the gap to four points with about a minute to go.

New captain Trent Cotchin was excellent for the Tigers, as was Shane Tuck and fellow midfielder Brett Deledio, who kicked three goals, while key forward Ty Vickery booted three majors in the first half.

For the Blues, Chris Judd and Bryce Gibbs were stand-outs along with Kreuzer.

Carlton's woes extend beyond the loss with Chris Yarran on report for striking and a concussion that forced Mitch Robinson out of the game.

Click here to view all of the stats and scores in the FOX FOOTY Match Centre.

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Thurston v Sterlo: a champ tells all

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North Queensland ... Cowboys skipper Johnathan Thurston in action. Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

North Queensland skipper Johnathan Thurston has revealed some of the deepest secrets that have made him arguably the best player in the NRL right now.

In a wide-ranging interview with Sterlo host, Peter Sterling, Thurston explained how he looks for dents in opposition defensive lines, what he does to prepare for a game and reveals in which game he's most felt 'in the zone".

We give you a taste of the interview, with Thurston's take on:

Pre-game prep: Pretty relaxed, calm. I've been around for a while now, so I know how to prepare for a game and get my body right and get my mind right mentally and physically.

Superstitions: Playing for the Cowboys I always have to have my socks the one colour. I've been doing that since I was at the Bulldogs, and I've just followed that through, so that's probably about it.

Targeting opposition defenders: Obviously as a team we do plenty of video on the opposition's defence and we look out for the weaknesses there and we target them.

The Cowboys' gameplan: Most of it's structured, but I've always been a player who likes to play what's in front of me. If I see something that's not to the structure we're playing, I'm certainly going to play that. I always have my eyes forward, I'm always scanning across the line to make sure I know if there's any holes across the defence, you know, if someone's lagging behind or a little bit injured. And I just try to expose them.

The show and go: If there's a big man in front of me, I try to expose them a little bit. Probably the show and go is my strength. It's about standing up the big man in front of me, exposing him a little bit on his inside shoulder or his outside shoulder. If he's not square. If his hips or his shoulders are turned out a little bit, well then I know I've got him.

Exposing the Storm on the edges, setting up two tries in their round two encounter: The first one was a turnover. Bowen passed the ball to me and we had a bit of an overlap. I could see their winger, his shoulders were turned in and he came straight in for our centre. So that made my job easier. I could see Tones (Antonio Winterstein) there on the wing, so I hit him there and put him through and I think Kane (Linnett) scored on that one. And the second one we just had a block shape off me and I could see the centre, Will Chambers, and the winger Matt Duffie, turned in on Mango (Matt Bowen). And I could see Antonio on the wing by himself. So both times I hit him on the chest, which is alright.

Goal kicking: I make sure I'm comfortable. I'll wear a headgear and a shoulder brace and do my routine: I take my steps back and my steps to the side and I focus on a target on the ball. I count my steps in when I'm going in to kick and I just imagine that. I need to aim a fair bit right (of the posts) on both sides. I can take it if I miss to the right of the posts but I can't stand missing to the left because that means I haven't given enough room for my hook.

Being in 'the zone': Probably game three of State of Origin last year. I can remember being camped down, I think they put a good kick in and we were battling to get off our line. I went from the left side over to the right and told Sammy T (Thaiday) to run a block off Cooper (Cronk) and that got Mitchell Pearce in a little bit. I threw a dummy and he fell for that and I ran 40m and handed the ball inside to Brent Tate and I think two or three plays later I ended up scoring beside the sticks.
 

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