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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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.

BOYD BEGINS SEARCH FOR HIS FATHER

WADDELL INJURY OPENS DOOR FOR BRONCOS SQUAD

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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