Ricciardo: ‘I can still win F1 title’

Never say die ... Daniel Ricciardo says he can still win the Driver's Championship. Source: Drew Gibson / Getty Images

DANIEL Ricciardo is refusing to rule himself out of the hunt for this year's Formula One world title until the mathematics say otherwise.

Other than Mercedes duo Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Ricciardo is the only driver to have taken the chequered flag this season.

But despite the Australian's second victory in Hungary on Sunday, to add to his maiden win for Red Bull in Canada in early June, Ricciardo appreciates the championship is for one of the Mercedes duo to lose.

"There are obviously a couple of opinions," said Ricciardo.

"When maybe some of us say it (the title) is over, it's just purely looking at the performance of Mercedes.

"On a normal weekend with normal conditions on pretty much all circuits, they've been dominant.

"Days like Sunday, with some changing conditions, some safety cars, it helps us keep our nose in the fight.

"As we saw, the win was up for grabs and we took it.

"If you look at it, I closed in on the championship, but realistically we're still a long way off.

"But Seb (teammate Vettel) is right in saying until it's mathematically over it isn't."

Ricciardo currently trails Rosberg by 71 points and is 60 adrift of Hamilton, with 225 to play for given the controversial double-points system for the final race in Abu Dhabi.

"With the system they've applied this year, it's still going to be pretty open until late on in the season," added Ricciardo.

"We'll just keep doing what we can. It doesn't really change the approach in any case.

"If we're in it or not, we still race for the highest position possible."

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Matt Johns: Don’t corner a Raging Bull

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ALONG with my wife, Gorden Tallis is the most honest human being I know.

His honesty can cause plenty of drama and controversy, but he simply can't help it.

Last Sunday, Gorden had no intention of landing Robbie Farah in the predicament he did, by telling the world that 15 months earlier, Robbie had told Gorden that Mick Potter can't coach. But when Gordon's credibility and integrity was questioned, all bets were off.

Everyone who's ever played with or against Tallis knows that if you back him into a corner, there's going to be carnage.

And carnage there was.

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Suddenly the Potter-Wests Tigers story went atomic!

Seconds after Gorden made the comments you could feel the fallout.

Outraged Tigers fans, at our Live Triple M broadcast, screamed support for Potter.

The phone lines jammed, the Twitter world erupted, the emails poured in and all the while Gordon sat there, stony faced.

FARAH IN COLD WAR WITH TIGERS MANAGEMENT

EMOTIONAL FARAH 'IN A DARK PLACE'

The very same stony face he held way back before exploding into a flurry of punches on the chin of Wigan front-rower Terry O'Connor.

And yes, the same stony-faced look when young Penrith prop, Ben Ross, challenged him back in the day as well. We all remember how that ended.

Ben Ross knows what it's like to be on the receiving end from Gorden Tallis. Source: News Corp Australia

As we went into an ad break Gorden sat there quietly, most probably contemplating how and why he got drawn into fighting Potter's battle.

Suddenly he told us why. "I hate seeing people bullied, particularly those who can't defend themselves."

Gorden has known Potter for a long time. Gorden was a young teenage back-rower, trying to find his feet at St George when Mick Potter was the Dally M-winning veteran fullback there.

Gorden tells me Potter is a very good man, as the Americans would say, "A stand-up guy."

He tells me there's no bullshit, no agendas, he's a very simple straight-up man.

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In the coaching world, things are very complex, NRL coaches survive not just on success but on allies as well.

Some coaches have friends in very high places, others know how to use the press.

NO ONE CALLS ME A LIAR, SAYS GORDIE

TIGERS IN DAMAGE CONTROL OVER POT SHOTS

When times are tough, they use these alliances to gain advantage, enable them to survive or to put a positive spin on a miserable season.

Potter is no such coach, and so as you can imagine, last Sunday Potter appeared very much out on his own.

When he walked into ANZ Stadium last Sunday, Potter was not only being eaten alive by club politics, but he didn't have a friend in the world ... until Tallis stepped forward.

Mick Potter had few people in his corner until Gorden Tallis spoke up. Source: News Corp Australia

When it comes to this sort of thing Tallis has form.

In 2004 I was up in Townsville for what would be Gorden's last ever game of rugby league. The Broncos were playing the Cowboys in a semi-final which the Cowboys would win.

I was working with Channel 9 at the time and always on the lookout for good stories and insights into the players for the coverage of the match.

With Townsville being Gorden's home town there were plenty of stories about him being passed on.

A bloodied Tallis leaves the field after a fight with Wigan's Terry O'Connor in 1997. Source: News Corp Australia

One really struck me: it was the day Gorden was almost expelled from high school.

Gordon was a student in Year 7, and while not a brilliant student, he was well-behaved and tried hard.

However one lunchtime Gorden's parents were shocked to receive a phone call informing them that Gorden was likely to be expelled for beating up a fellow student.

They were told, while the student was several years older than Gorden, the behaviour was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.

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By the time Gorden's parents reached the school, expulsion was no longer an issue, as the full story had been revealed.

A young crippled boy at the school had been getting teased and bullied by a couple of the older boys.

Young Tallis, the son of local legend Wally Tallis, was not known as a fighter, but suddenly something in him snapped.

Gorden grabbed the chief bully and unleashed fury. He hit the older, bigger boy hard, straight and often.

Wayne Bennett saw Gorden Tallis the worth of Tallis's passion and loyalty. Source: News Corp Australia

As Wayne Bennett would remark in an interview many years later, "Bloody Gorden, always sticking up for people."

As Paul Crawley wrote in Tuesday's Daily Telegraph, the way Gorden got the Broncos captaincy is legendary.

TALLIS: POTTER HAS EARNED HIS STRIPES

Wayne took the Broncos on a pre-season camp with Army Commandos, he split the squad into four groups, with each potential captain, Darren Lockyer, Petero Civoniceva, Shane Webcke and Gorden Tallis as group leaders.

From there the Brisbane players were dismantled, physically and mentally, through exhaustion and sleep deprivation. For the players, it was hard to work out what was reality and what was just a drill.

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Suddenly all four group leaders are called in and told, down the bottom of the mountain is a cottage, where a woman and children are being held, beaten and abused.

But the group leaders are told, under no circumstances are they to advance until reinforcements arrive.

All the four group leaders go back to their men and three of the leaders pass on the instructions perfectly.

Should Gorden Tallis have revealed Robbie Farah's comments?

Gorden, however, ignores instructions and instead, tells his men, "Pick up your packs, we're heading down to the cottage right now, going straight through the front door and taking it back by force."

The Army Commander approaches Wayne Bennett, points to Gorden and says, "There's your captain."

Robbie Farah is angry at Tallis repeating what were off-the-record comments more than 12 months ago. Source: Getty Images

Wayne, a little confused, said, "But he ignored instructions."

The Commander replied, "A leader knows when to follow instructions and when to ignore them."

Gorden has had plenty of support this week, but he's copped criticism as well.

Many believe he did the wrong thing, some of those are, like Gorden, former players, now in the media.

I guess that's what makes them themselves and what makes Gorden Gorden Tallis.

I know who I want to go into battle with.

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Wests Tigers overhaul hits a snag

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ONE of Australia's most successful businesswomen has rejected an approach to become Wests Tigers first independent chairperson, explaining the extensive delay for corporate governance reforms at the club.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal Joe Pollard — a non-executive director on the board of Nine Entertainment Pty Ltd — was the NRL's top pick to herald the joint venture's independence overhaul.

The development comes as another setback for the strife-torn Tigers, who could also lose rookie No.7 Luke Brooks to a shoulder tear, but will welcome back unhappy skipper Robbie Farah to training.

Ninemsn CEO Joe Pollard, with Nine Network CEO David Gyngell, has turned down the Tigers. Source: News Limited

A CEO of Pubilicis Mojo and Nine MSN, Pollard held lengthy talks about accepting the inaugural role after she earned the personal endorsement of NRL boss Dave Smith.

It's understood she had agreed in principle, but changed her mind when Smith revealed there would be no remuneration.

The NRL is looking for three independent directors — including a chairperson — to head-up a revamped board.

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The changes are being made in lieu of the NRL advancing the joint venture $4 million, with a seven-person board to replace the current 12-man operation. Both joint venture partners — Wests and Balmain — will have just two directors each. However, the Balmain appointees will not have voting rights until the money is repaid, meaning the three NRL independents will control the boardroom.

FARAH NOT HARD DONE BY, SAYS MAYER

The changes were signed-off in late March, at which time the current board expected them to be made within a month or two at most.

But four months down the track and the NRL has still been unable to find the right candidates. The delay has left the current board in a holding pattern, afraid to make long-term decisions on coaching staff and sponsors.

The Mick Potter saga highlights the need for change at the club. Source: News Corp Australia

Pollard's knock-back also illustrates the difficulty of persuading independents, with no passion or connection to the team, to give up their time for nothing. It's a stance Smith might have to alter should he wish to apply the template across all 16 clubs, as has been mooted in documentation threatening $1 million grant cut for non-compliance.

Both Pollard and the NRL were reluctant to talk publicly when contacted this week. "I really don't want to comment in any detail on discussions I have had with the NRL," Pollard said.

FARAH IN COLD WAR WITH TIGERS MANAGEMENT

NRL chief operating officer Jim Doyle said no comment would be made about any individual candidates, but dismissed talk that directors fees were an issue.

"As a general point, it is not unusual for Board members to be involved in an honorary capacity and we are grateful to them for that service," Doyle said.

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In better news for the Tigers, Farah will return to Concord Oval for training on Saturday morning after taking Wednesday's session off.

The hooker has struggled to deal with the stigma of being pinned as the prime force behind moves to sack coach Mick Potter, and has fallen out with sections of club management over what he perceives to be an orchestrated campaign against him.

TIGERS IN DAMAGE CONTROL OVER POT SHOTS

Farah will also attend Friday's fundraising dinner for Simon Dwyer at Campbelltown Leagues Club.

Brooks, however, is no certainty to be fit for Monday night's crucial clash against Melbourne. The boom halfback has suffered a small ligament tear in his left shoulder, and Potter faces a difficult choice over whether to risk more serious damage by playing him.

Should Wests Tigers have sacked Mick Potter?

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Thurston re-writes league’s great cliche

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JOHNATHAN Thurston has re-written one of rugby league's great cliches since returning to halfback, proving it does actually matter whether you have the No. 7 or 6 on your jersey.

The Cowboys have an unblemished record since Thurston returned to halfback. They have shot from 11th to seventh on the NRL ladder.

Three games, three wins, with an average score of 25.3 points per game.

Since Thurston returned to the position he became a superstar in, the Cowboys' attack has produced almost one extra try per game.

Johnathan Thurston runs the ball against the Bulldogs. Source: Getty Images

Thurston, who has "No. 7" tattooed across his ribs, was reinstated as halfback for the Cowboys' clash with South Sydney in round 16.

In the three games prior, with Thurston at five-eighth, North Queensland lost twice, including a drubbing at the hands of Newcastle who piled on 36 points.

Since the shift, Thurston has helped the Cowboys beat the Rabbitohs and engineered back to back wins in Sydney against Cronulla and Canterbury.

Tomorrow night in Townsville, the Cowboys host a rattled Gold Coast club who last week failed to halt their opposition's key weapon — Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne.

Gold Coast Titans captain Nate Myles perhaps put it best this week when he said "JT … well, he's JT".

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In the week leading up to their clash with the Eels the Titans about the need to contain Hayne, only for him to burn them with two second half tries.

It is a failure Titans coach John Cartwright has rammed home this week.

"He's a freakish player," Cartwright said of Thurston.

"We had one last week we didn't handle all that well.

"We'll do our homework on him and basically we've got to keep him quiet. If he plays well, generally the Cowboys win."

The 31-year-old Thurston excelled at half early in his career, winning the Dally M Medal twice, in 2005 and 2007, with the No. 7 on his back.

Thurston has not played halfback since the Cowboys lost their qualifying final against Manly in 2011, moving to No. 6 to coincide with the retirement of Queensland and Test pivot Darren Lockyer.

Johnathan Thurston passes the ball during a Cowboys training session. Source: News Corp Australia

Early this season, former Test pivot Scott Hill called for Thurston to be returned to his natural position while Thurston himself claimed it didn't matter whether he played five-eighth of halfback.

"There's not too much difference between the two positions. I'm pretty comfortable. We've switched a couple of things up already but there's no need for me to switch back to halfback," Thurston said in May.

The evidence since he switched proves it actually does matter.

Thurston requires just two points tomorrow night to become the 16th player in history to bring up 1500 career points, while five points will see him overtake Matt Orford (1502 points) to become the 15th leading point scorer in premiership history.

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Hollingsworth, Etoundi sent home

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WELCOME to our live coverage of Day 8 of the Commonwealth Games.

Stay with us for updates throughout the morning's actions. All times are in AEST.

It's been a horror day so far for Australian chef de mission Steve Moneghetti, who has sent athletics coach Eric Hollingsworth home for his attack on Sally Pearson and he's also had to revoke weightlifter Francois Etoundi's accreditation for allegedly fighting in the athletes' village.

MORE: MONEGHETTI SAYS HE IS 'NOT EMBARRASSED' BY MISBEHAVIOUR

MORE: MIKE COLMAN: GET WITH IT, MONNERS! STORY WAS 10 HOURS OLD

1.00am - DENNIS WINS SILVER IN TIME TRIAL

Rohan Dennis of Australia goes past The Tolbooth during the Men's individual time trial. Source: Getty Images

NINE seconds was all that stood between Rohan Dennis and redemption in Glasgow as he won a silver medal in the time trial at the Commonwealth Games.

Having endured a frustrating run of second placings in time trials on the WorldTour this season, Dennis led at the 26km checkpoint only to be cruelly denied gold by England's Alex Dowsett who won the 38.4km race in 47mins 41secs.

The 24-year-old Australian made no excuses for his narrow miss and said his silver medal was still a very good result.

"But to be second again - it's now four or five second places this year - so it's getting a bit annoying you could say," he said.

"At the same time you've got to take the positives out of it and it's still a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games which is still a huge result.

"I feel proud and bittersweet."

9.00pm — BRONZE TO GARFOOT IN WOMEN'S ROAD TIME TRIAL

Katrin Garfoot poses on the podium with her bronze medal from the individual time trial. Source: AFP

GERMAN-born Katrin Garfoot who only became an Australian citizen last October is now a bronzed Aussie after a stunning ride to claim third place in the women's road time trial in Glasgow, writes Jon Ralph.

Garfoot, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise in the sport, was 16th of 32 starters to roll down the start ramp and when she finished the 29.6km course with the fastest time of 43mins 13 secs, faced a nervous wait for the rest of the field.

When they arrived only two had gone faster — New Zealand silver medallist from Delhi Linda Villumsen (42:25) who swapped that for gold in Glasgow and English former world champion Emma Pooley (42:31).

"It's unbelievable, I'm very excited and had tears running out of my eyes before because it means a lot my first Commonwealth Games doing that for Australia," Garfoot said.

MORE: GERMAN-BORN GARFOOT BECOMES A BRONZED AUSSIE

7.00pm — DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR MONEGHETTI WITH ETOUNDI CENSURED

Francois Etoundi on his way to winning bronze in the men's weightlifting 77kg class. Source: AFP

AUSTRALIAN weightlifting bronze medallist Francois Etoundi has been stripped of his Commonwealth Games accreditation and evicted from the athletes' village for an altercation with a Welsh athlete, writes Todd Balym.

Australian team chef de mission Steve Moneghetti announced last night that the Commonwealth Games Federation demanded Etoundi's accreditation be revoked and the 29-year-old will be sent home in disgrace after he faces Glasgow Sheriffs Court on Thursday.

Etoundi is alleged to have left a Welsh athlete with a broken nose after a fight in the early hours of Wednesday morning with police making an arrest at 6am.

Moneghetti said it would be "speculation" to assume alcohol was a factor in the incident, adding there was "no alcohol in the residence of the village" where the fight occurred.

The Australian team boss had previously opened the Games refusing to issue a blanket ban on drinking for team members despite issues of misbehaviour in Delhi four years ago where an athlete threw a washing machine out a window.

MORE: ETOUNDI KICKED OUT OF ATHLETES' VILLAGE

MORE: HOOPER SLAMS 'VIOLENT' ACT BY ETOUNDI

6.30pm — HOLLINGSWORTH SENT HOME IN DISGRACE

Sally Pearson and Eric Hollingsworth in happier days, at the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games. Source: Getty Images

AUSTRALIAN chef de mission Steve Moneghetti confirmed Hollingworth's accreditation had been "revoked" for a breach of contract and he would be leaving Glasgow in the coming hours, writes Scott Gullan.

"We spoke to the section manager from athletics to decide on an appropriate sanction and as a result of that Athletics Australia withdrew Eric's nomination as head coach of the athletics section and this led to us revoking his accreditation," he said.

Athletics Australia acted quickly on Wednesday after Hollingsworth had launched an extraordinary attack on Pearson saying she was a "bad example" to the rest of the Australian team.

AA president David Grace immediately suspended Hollingsworth until a full review could be conducted after Glasgow although there is no way his contract, which ends in October, will be renewed.

The final nail in the coach's coffin came when he ignored management demands not to comment on his feud with the Olympic champion.

Eric Hollingsworth in a media scrum at Glasgow airport as he prepares to leave the country. Source: News Corp Australia

Eric Hollingsworth doesn't even get any peace while checking in for his flight. Source: News Corp Australia

The airport's security section and the departure gates beyond offer the only sanctuary. Source: News Corp Australia

MORE: SALLY FINE AS HOLLINGSWORTH SENT HOME

MORE: SALLY IS GOLDEN — TRASH HER AND YOU PAY PRICE

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Silver for Dennis in time trial

(L-R) Rohan Dennis of Australia, Alex Dowsett of England and Geraint Thomas of Wales celebrate with their medals after the Men's Cycling Road Time Trial. Source: Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

NINE seconds was all that stood between Rohan Dennis and redemption in Glasgow when he won a silver medal in the time trial at the Commonwealth Games.

Having endured a frustrating run of second placings in time trials on the WorldTour this season, Dennis led at the 26km checkpoint only to be cruelly denied gold by England's Alex Dowsett who won the 38.4km race in 47mins 41 secs.

The 24-year-old Australian made no excuses for his narrow miss and said his silver medal was still a very good result.

"But to be second again — it's now four or five second places this year — so it's getting a bit annoying you could say," he said.

"At the same time you've got to take the positives out of it and it's still a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games which is still a huge result.

Rohan Dennis goes past The Tolbooth during the Men's individual time trial. Source: Getty Images

"I feel proud and bittersweet."

This year alone, Dennis has been second in time trials at the Tour of California, Tour de Romandie, Criterium International and Circuit Cycliste Sarthe, and third at the Tour of Switzerland which highlights his incredible potential and consistency but doesn't make it any easier to accept.

The pain on his face after the race as he hugged girlfriend Melissa Hoskins, who is representing Australia on the track and road in Glasgow this week, showed what Commonwealth Games gold would have meant to him.

"I suppose it can only make you hungrier and I've been pretty hungry since (the Tour of) Suisse," said Dennis who rides professionally for Garmin-Sharp.

"I was pulled out of (Tour of) Austria at the last minute and that sort of fired me up a little bit.

"I was a little bit annoyed about it and like (David) Millar we put our head down to get the best result and second place was it."

The top nine riders across the finish at Glasgow Green were all WorldTour quality with Geraint Thomas claiming bronze and Dennis' Australian teammates Michael Hepburn (6th) and Luke Durbridge (9th) also producing strong rides.

Australia's Michael Hepburn starts the Men's Cycling Individual Time Trial. Source: AFP

Millar, the Scottish defending champion who will retire at the end of the season, was the 60th and final rider to start the course and he was cheered by the home crowd all the way to finish eighth.

Dowsett strongly and led at the 6km checkpoint and Dennis fought back to reclaim the lead midway through the race, but the 25-year-old Englishman who rides for Movistar finished stronger.

"The radio was pretty crackly, I couldn't really hear a lot but I could sense it was positive and heard 'five seconds up' but I think that might have been on Geraint Thomas," Dennis said.

"It was a bit of a shock when Alex came through and he was nine seconds up because I felt pretty strong the whole way through and had nothing left at the end.

"But physically to my ability today I rode it to perfection.

"I was really happy with the course, it was a great course and it suited me perfectly but it just wasn't my day."

Hepburn, Dennis and Durbridge won a team pursuit world title together in 2011 and yesterday they continued Australia's remarkable ability to transition young riders from the track to the road at a major Games.

Australia's Luke Durbridge feels the pain as he nears the finish of the time trial. Source: AFP

"We all rode together as juniors, then in the under-23 program and in 2011 with Jack (Bobridge) we won the worlds in the team pursuit," Hepburn said.

"It's a different sort of squad (riding the time trial in Glasgow) and I think you can also see that in the road squad that's been selected for Sunday, it's a younger crew and I think it's good that Australia has time triallists at our age able to get some really good results and we're only getting better."

Hepburn, 22, said he felt okay on the course and was hoping for a stronger finish but it didn't quite happen.

"I thought I was on a fairly good one and then G (Geraint Thomas) came past me with about 10km to go and that's pretty hard on the head (mentally)," he said.

"But I knew if I could keep within a couple of hundred metres of him I might be still able to do a good ride and overall I'm fairly happy, it wasn't perfect but it was a good ride."

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Queen pulls off best photobomb ever

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THERE's only one thing better than meeting the Queen.

That's meeting the Queen when you aren't expecting to.

Australia's women's hockey team were beside themselves after a chance encounter with royalty.

Queen Elizabeth is not known for making unscheduled stop-offs on the way to appointments but she noticed the Hockeyroos side warming down on the second pitch at the Glasgow Hockey Stadium after their 4-0 defeat of Malaysia.

And they certainly noticed her.

Within seconds several of the players whipped out their phones and took selfies of themselves in the foreground as the Queen walked past in the background.

Jayde Taylor was especially proud of her shot which will no doubt find a place on the wall of her home in Perth.

"We were warming down on the second pitch after our game and the Queen came out to meet Donny (team captain Madonna Blyth)," Taylor said afterwards.

"The security guard led us all round and we got to meet her.

"She asked us a bit about the pitch, how we were going and told us to enjoy our time here. She was lovely, really, really lovely."

And as she explained, the photo wasn't a complete accident.

"Brooke [Peris] and I planned it so that when she came out the door she would be behind us. And then she came out and smiled at the camera. We were in the right spot at the right time."

It must rate as the quirkiest shot of the Queen at a Commonwealth Games since she was photographed in Brisbane in 1982 holding a program which had a XXXX beer advertisement on the back of it.

It looked in the award-winning photo as if she was carrying the beer.

The Queen, who had opened the Games at the Opening Ceremony the previous night, was scheduled to attend the Wales-England match which followed Australia's game.

She came over and chatted to several of the Hockeyroos who were elated at their surprise encounter.

ROLLING COVERAGE: COMMONWEALTH GAMES DAY 1

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Penrith consider giving Packer a chance

Former Newcastle prop Russell Packer. Source: Peter Lorimer / News Limited

IT'S not often Panthers supremo Phil Gould second guesses himself, but this delicate scheme definitely warrants some wider consultation.

Over the past few weeks Gould has been quietly asking some of his most respected mates for their opinion on incarcerated Kiwi prop Russell Packer, who is serving a two-year sentence in Lithgow Gaol.

Should the 12-month parole he won on appeal be granted, Packer will be a free man on January 6, 2015.

Provided he's not deported to New Zealand upon release, the 24-year-old can then resume playing at the NRL's discretion.

Former Knights prop Russell Packer. Source: News Limited

Newcastle terminated Packer's three-year deal shortly after he pleaded guilty to assaulting a bouncer in November 2013.

Knights officials have monitored Packer's welfare behind bars, and are yet to make a call on whether they will welcome him back.

Enter Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, who debuted Packer with the Warriors in 2008 and needs a younger prop to replace Tim Grant next year.

Cleary has been unashamed about poaching his former New Zealand charges, enticing Lewis Brown and Elijah Taylor to the foot of the mountains in the past two years.

Russell Packer of the Warriors smashes his way through to score a try. Source: News Limited

Interestingly enough, Packer was out in Sydney with Brown on the night his life fell apart.

Cleary has spoken to Gould about his desire to pursue Packer for next year, and Knights officials are aware of Penrith's interest.

From what we've heard, Gould is still to be convinced after being rewarded with heartache for trying to rehabilitate troubled players such as Arana Taumata, Daine Laurie and Yilleen Gordon in recent times.

***

Parramatta forward Mitch Allgood Source: Supplied

The overhead projector has been binned, but that hasn't stopped Parramatta from telling players they are welcome to look elsewhere for next season.

Prop Mitch Allgood received the dreaded tap in the past week as the Eels attempt to create room in their 2015 salary cap, possibly in a bid to snare disgruntled Manly back rower Anthony Watmough.

They also re-signed boom teenage forward Tepai Moeroa.

One Eel who definitely won't be sticking around is winger Ken Sio, who looks like finalising a deal in the UK Super League.

***

Sam Kasiano of the Bulldogs celebrates after scoring a try. Source: Getty Images

In recruitment news up front at the Bulldogs, improving prop Tim Browne has agreed to a two-year extension while Sam Kasiano is still attracting rumours of a premature switch to St George Illawarra.

We're told Canterbury is desperate to create more salary cap space — and a first grade pathway — for rookie bookend Lloyd Perrett.

Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle denied any approaches for Kasiano.

***

The NRL is even more convinced Cronulla acted appropriately in sacking Todd Carney, having received damning statistics that revealed the infamous 'bubbler' photograph reached 80 per cent of Australia's population (about 18.4 million people) after going viral online.

***

Sharks, sea-sickness and big swells were all weighing on Michael Clarke's mind when he agreed to embark on this weekend's annual yacht race from Sydney to Gold Coast.

Clarke will be blessed to escape the trip without encountering at least one of the unholy trinity as he helps the Perpetual Loyal crew to overcome bitter rivals, Wild Oats.

Clarke will be sailing alongside one of his best mates, celebrity accountant Anthony Bell, who was instrumental in organising a fundraising lunch to farewell the Test skipper at Ivy Ballroom on Thursday.

***

Test all-rounder Steve Smith this week received a dividend from his latest investment; a four-year gelding named Bold Leo.

The Les Bridge-trained thoroughbred finished third in the final event of Wednesday's card at Canterbury; one of its first runs since Smith purchased a share.

The Sydney Sixers ace said he made the plunge for "a bit of fun".

He added: "I follow how he goes but I'm away so much with cricket that I don't get to see him live."

***

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Anthony Watmough went on a witch hunt through Manly HQ on Wednesday morning, after The Daily Telegraph published details of the final year of his contract, which is worth $970,000 thanks to deferred bonuses over the past three seasons.

Watmough even confronted Sea Eagles general manager David Perry to ask if the leak had come from head office.

Perry denied any involvement, and reiterated his desire to keep Watmough at Brookvale for life.

Discontent surrounding the decision not to re-sign Glenn Stewart has fuelled Watmough's suspicion that he might suffer the same fate next year.

Sea Eagles officials were planning to meet Watmough yesterday to assure him that won't be the case.

A two-year extension worth $1.2 million has been mooted.

***

NRL CEO Dave Smith. Source: News Corp Australia

The NRL is forking out more money on consultants to compile a shortlist of independent directors for the Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers.

The international recruitment firm, Spencer Stuart, that was used to shortlist the inaugural ARLC candidates has been engaged again.

NRL boss Dave Smith would prefer the appointees not be paid, but might offer between $30,000 and $50,000 per annum to speed up the process.

What already appears set in stone is the fact Matt Gidley will survive as Knights CEO, having almost finalised a two-year extension.

THE REAL DEAL

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Daniel Geale and Gennady Golovkin have chosen strikingly different preparations for Sunday's WBA Middleweight title bout in New York.

While Geale was yesterday mingling with his tight-knit crew and supporters at the Australian Hotel in mid-town Manhattan, Golovkin attended a stage musical theatre show of Rocky on 42nd Street.

One of Geale's fiercest supporters in the Big Apple is none other than Socceroos champion Tim Cahill.

The New York Red Bulls star has been rolling out the red carpet, even offering to accommodate his compatriot in the city in his mansion when Team Geale discovered their hotel rooms in Manhattan weren't ready this week.

Daniel Geale at "The Australian" pub in New York. Source: News Corp Australia

Cahill spoke to Geale on the phone, revealing Aussie rock icon Jimmy Barnes was also crashing at his pad.

Despite also being told he could have the use of a personal chef, Geale politely declined due to his heavy training and promotional commitments.

Cahill also has playing commitments against English Premier League giants Arsenal just a few hours before Geale enters the ring, but is hoping make a swift dash across the city that never sleeps to be ringside at Madison Square Garden.

***

The new SCG press room is bigger and more salubrious than most Paddington apartments, and now its tenants are about to get a further treat.

On August 26 the Trust will launch a Media Hall of Honour — a first for any stadium in Sydney.

There will be 15 inaugural inductees, whose names will be proudly displayed on a show panel on level three of the MA Noble Stand.

The late Frank Hyde and Bill O'Reilly are at prohibitive odds to get a start, with only four of the original inductees still alive and working.

***

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And while we're reminiscing about media highlights at the Grand Old Lady, Ray Warren's book launch in the Long Room on Wednesday attracted one of the most respected fields of sports voices imaginable.

Ken Sutcliffe, Phil Gould, Peter Sterling, Daryl Brohman and Paul Vautin were all there to celebrate Warren's amazing life.

Our favourite anecdote came from the man himself, with Rabs revealing that he'd never read a single book until the manuscript of his own memoirs was printed.

***

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Darius Boyd's personal problems deepened in earnest long before he and a female guest left a Hunter Valley hotel room with $1500 worth of damage last week.

We've been told Boyd and his wife were experiencing difficulties toward the start of Queensland's Origin campaign in May.

Things were repaired for a few weeks, only to deteriorate on the night of Game Three.

Sources close to Boyd claim the personal situation was to blame for his notoriously foul interview with a Channel Seven reporter outside Queensland's hotel the following morning.

On Monday Boyd's world came crashing down, when he suffered a breakdown and turned to those closest to him for help to fight depression.

***

WINNING

No-Doze inundated the ARU with sponsorship requests after last month's 6-0 Test win over France, but on the domestic front rugby hasn't felt this alive for a decade.

Saturday night's Waratahs-Brumbies semi final is threatening to draw a full house at Allianz Stadium, not to mention fans away from Sydney NRL fixtures.

DUNCE CAP

In the 1990s, the Dragons were renowned bridesmaids thanks to four losing grand finals.

Now it's even more humiliating. For the second time in as many seasons the Big Red V has been stood-up by a highly eligible coach.

Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy have both enticed St George Illawarra down the aisle, only to abandon them at the altar.

Daly Cherry-Evans kicks during Manly training. Source: News Corp Australia

SPOTTED I

Sea Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans poring over paperwork for more than an hour with a mystery businessman at a Dee Why beach cafe on Tuesday afternoon.

Sea Eagles officials are adamant the gun No. 7 has not agreed to terms beyond the end of 2015.

SPOTTED II

A fired-up Queensland FOG spoiling for a road rage incident from the window of his 4WD in Surry Hills on Tuesday.

SHOOSH

Which high profile forward almost cost his club a $10,000 fine this week, after refusing to get off when coaching staff deemed he was concussed.

The NRL reviewed the footage on Tuesday, but gave the player the benefit of the doubt.

PLAYERS FIND NEW PARTY SPOT

Rugby league's party bus has moved east from its usual Kings Cross haunts, The Sapphire Suite and Beach Haus. Last Saturday night the who's who of NRL were packed into classy Double Bay bar, Casablanca.

Having locked horns the night before, Parramatta and Rabbitohs players including Sam Burgess, Ben Te'o and Jarryd Hayne were spotted rubbing shoulders.

Sharks rookie Michael Lichaa was also on hand to celebrate his 21st birthday.

POOR TASTE

A certain NRL club's official podcast might need some tighter editorial standards after a recent show, during which the host declared: "He's had more touches than Rolf Harris".

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DCE denies he’s to blame for disharmony

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DALY Cherry-Evans hears the talk he is to blame for disharmony at Manly.

But he doesn't care.

"I just try and not read the papers and (try to) hose down these sort of situations as best as possible because I don't feel it is necessary," he said.

Told he may not read about it but did he feel the angst, Cherry-Evans said: "No."

Pressed on whether he was happy, he said: "I'm very happy."

UNSELFISH MANLY STARS SACRIFICED MILLIONS

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Manly's senior playing group salary sacrificed almost $3 million to help retain the current playing roster.

Asked did players accept less money to keep this team together, Cherry-Evans said: "I don't know what people have or haven't done for contracts.

"It wouldn't feel right for me to comment on other players' contracts so I won't be doing that.

"There has been adversity in this club for a long while but we always find a way out the other end. This is just another speed bump in the club and we will continue move forward."

PLAYER WELFARE NEVER BETTER, SAYS BENNETT

Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran during Sea Eagles training. Source: News Corp Australia

Asked had he personally accepted 'unders', Cherry-Evans said: "No, I haven't been in the NRL long enough to do that sort of stuff."

Teammate Kieran Foran yesterday admitted there were "issues" at the club.

"I don't know what Kieran is talking about in regards to what he just told you (the media) so I can't comment on that," Cherry-Evans said.

Then told Foran's comments were based around contracts and playing seeking releases, Cherry-Evans said: "Contract-wise there is definitely something to sort out.

FORAN CALLS ON MANLY TO RELEASE MATAI

Daly Cherry-Evans all smiles at Manly Warringah Sea Eagles training. Source: News Corp Australia

"We have a lot of people coming off contract soon so, of course, it's a hot topic."

Many feel Glenn Stewart's departure initiated all this angst.

"I'm not going to comment on other players' contract situations," Cherry-Evans reiterated.

Told the club may not release any players, Cherry-Evans said: "I think that's great. We have a great roster and there is no secret in the success this side has had."

Cherry-Evans described a $4m offer from Parramatta as "speculation".

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Manly winger Jorge Taufua was trying to avoid the subject.

"Personally, there is nothing unhappy about it (the roster)," Taufua said.

"I am pretty sure everyone is enjoying their time here, especially winning the last couple of games.

"I don't know what the talk has been. I don't read too much into the media."

He did add though when asked about players wanting to leave: "I have overheard people talking it, sometimes when I do flick on the news it does come up. In the paper, I read the headlines sometimes. I hope that's not the case."

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Generation next’s class of under 21’s

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It's Saturday, late afternoon. Roughly 24 hours before this young halfback makes an Australian Schoolboys debut which, come fulltime, will have League Land not just talking, but salivating.

Indeed, when you contact Wests Tigers recruitment boss Warren McDonnell this week, two years on, asking exactly when their Gen Y wonder boy arrived, he will tell you: "Hunt down tape of his Schoolboys debut in 2012 ... see for yourself what we saw".

Which is why, first, we must take you back to the afternoon prior.

Luke Brooks celebrates a try. Source: News Corp Australia

To Brooks laying bedridden in a Canberra college dormitory bed: sweating, aching and completely overcome with tonsillitis.

For two days now, the young halfback has been like this. Knocked down, laid up, yet still promising coach Peter Denham that, come game day, 'I'll be sweet'.

"But there was no way we could let him play,'' Denham recalls.

Luke Brooks in action. Source: News Corp Australia

"So Brooksy, he rang his parents and made them write out a clearance. Then, with tonsillitis, he went out there and killed 'em."

But the real kicker to this story?

"Mitchell Moses, his best mate, was just as good,'' Denham continues.

"Mitch scored three tries from five-eighth and their combination — amazing.

"It's incredible to think all the talk in recent years has surrounded the disappearance of great young halves ... then out of the ground pops these two."

Class of 21 part 1. Source: DailyTelegraph

And you thought rugby league's future was all bad tattoos and worse haircuts.

Despite having played just three NRL games together, The Daily Telegraph can today out Wests Tigers duo Brooks and Moses, still only 19, as the most promising combination in league.

A tag earned not only for their brilliance — or even those seven long years they've spent living from within each others' pocket — but a toughness that has seen them overcoming three broken legs, shoulder and thumb surgeries, even questions about size ... and all before leaving their teens.

Indeed, as revealed in our exclusive list above — compiled after consultation with scouts, coaches and analysts from Fox Sports Statistics — Brooks and Moses head a pride of Tiger cubs who, combined, comprise almost 25% of the most exciting footballers aged 21 years or under.

Class of 21 part two. Source: DailyTelegraph

A Black and Gold roll call which also boasts fullback James Tedesco, forward Curtis Sironen and winger Dave Nofoaluma.

"But for real hype,'' says one NRL recruiter, "stick with the two mates from Holy Cross College".

And so we step inside a combination beginning when this pair where 12.

Partnered together, ominously, in a NSW merit side for what would begin seven years rolling through Holy Cross, Balmain Juniors, Australian Schoolboys and now the NRL.

Mitchell Moses leaves the NRL field. Source: News Corp Australia

And, yes, together they boast more gifts than a Packer family Christmas tree.

In high school alone, winning championships for rugby league, touch footy, even taking out the State relay title with Brooks running anchor and Moses on the bend.

Yet better, there is real grunt behind that new car smell. Brooks having overcome breaking both his left and right legs — plus a thumb — in consecutive seasons, while Moses snapped, first, his shoulder, then leg.

Mitchell Moses pictured at Wests Tigers training. Source: News Corp Australia

"And then you have their combination,'' says Tigers assistant coach Todd Payten.

"An understanding between these two that, usually, takes years in the NRL to create".

Tim White, the Holy Cross teacher who first identified the duo, agrees.

"They have no secret calls, whistles or anything like that,'' he insists.

"But they have vision ... so much more than can ever be taught.

Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses. Source: Getty Images

"I mean, you're talking about two young men who could play 20 Origin games each. I'm not telling you they will, but our school hasn't had footballers like this since Benny Elias in the early 80s.

"These are once in a generation players — and they're together."

It is a bond forged, says Denham, by a pair of close friends who spend so much of their free time with Steeden in hand. "But like the Johns brothers did it,'' he says.

"Always mucking around. There has to be an element of fun".

Payten, meanwhile, has long lost count of the kicks one has produced for the other to score. "Although last year against Parramatta,'' he laughs, "they both kicked the footy in one play before Mitch crossed."

Back row- Ava Seumanufagai, Sauaso Sue, Tim Simona, Mitchell Moses, James Tedesco Front row — Luke Brooks, David Nofoaluma, Curtis Sironen the West Tigers Young Guns. Source: News Limited

It is a partnership extending off the field too.

While Brooks is quiet, almost shy, Moses has exactly the personality you'd expect from the nephew of bouncing Benny Elias.

And for proof, we take you onto the field for his Wests Tigers debut three games back. When defending his tryline, the makeshift fullback notices a teammate — among the club's most senior players — not working as hard as he should, and so delivers one almighty spray.

"And the player, he appreciated it,'' says one who was there. "At least to some extent."

Yep, this is the future of the NRL.

Mitchell Moses, Curtis Sironen and Luke Brooks.

An exciting Wests Tigers partnership which, come Sunday afternoon against St George Illawarra, will look bring down the very megastar against whom all their future success will be measured — Benji Marshall.

Here, truly, is Master versus Apprentice. Young buck versus old bull. But as for the winner?

"Oh, who knows,'' White shrugs.

"But after seven years watching these boys I can tell you one thing, whatever we see is only the beginning".

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