Syked Greens poised for title redemption

THE Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union season kicks off on Saturday with Merewether out to atone for last year's play-offs letdown. Can Hamilton break an 11-year curse on defending premiers or will Maitland's young guns go one better than last year?

FOOTY BRIEFS

SWANS CAN FLY: GOODES

Fighting fit back crosses sports

THE brutal nature of Ultimate Fighting Championship-style mixed martial arts and the beautiful game are not a natural fit, but for Broadmeadow's Josh Piddington there are benefits in crossing the two sports.

Fevola not welcome at Crown

BRENDAN Fevola��s punting skills have been restricted on and off the park after he was allegedly refused entry to the gaming floor in Crown casino, while his new club said he is not fit enough to play seniors.

Game to stop a subcontinent

INDIA'S parliament is shutting up shop at 2.30 pm. A large screen has been erected in the halls of debate. Mumbai's taxi drivers are taking the day off. Companies are asking their employers to arrive at 7 am promising to stop work in time for the first ball. They, too, have put up screens in offices and on factory floors. Otherwise no one would turn up for work. Meanwhile, space has to be found at the small local airport for an extra 50 private planes.

'Predatory' doctor wants licence back

A FORMER doctor banned for life ��� after he had sex with five vulnerable patients and thought this conduct was allowed ��� wants his licence back.

Vuna ruled out as Rebels' injury woes start to bite

THE Melbourne Rebels have one less fitness test to conduct today with coach Rod Macqueen yesterday confirming that Cooper Vuna has been ruled out of this weekend's clash against Western Force.

Panthers trio fit for Broncos clash

PENRITH are hopeful halfback Luke Walsh might miss just one game with the bruised shoulder and fractured collarbone that has ruled him out of Friday night's visit to Brisbane. Club officials said Walsh could be back on Saturday week, when they play Canberra at Centrebet Stadium, and Lachlan Coote (foot), Luke Lewis and Nigel Plum (both thumb) all passed fit to take on the Broncos. Hooker Kevin Kingston will wear the No.7, with Masada Iosefa to start at dummy half.

A dream match on the biggest stage of all

Bigger than Ben Hur. Of course it's a cliche but it fits the bill. India against Pakistan - as far as sport is concerned, it does not get any bigger. Certainly it's a mouth-watering prospect. It is also a reminder of the power of sport, and especially cricket. After all, the four semi-finalists come from predominantly Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian nations. Cricket ought to project itself as a melting pot and a healer. It cannot resolve all conflicts but it can open eyes and loosen tongues.

Melting pot a recipe for success

BIGGER than Ben Hur. Of course it's a cliche but it fits the bill. India against Pakistan ��� as far as sport is concerned, it does not get any bigger. Certainly it's a mouth-watering prospect. It is also a reminder of the power of sport, and especially cricket. After all, the four semi-finalists come from predominantly Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian nations. Cricket ought to project itself as a melting pot and a healer. It cannot resolve all conflicts but it can open eyes and loosen tongues.

Rate hike has Phipps at No.2

MELBOURNE Rebels half-back Nick Phipps has moved up a peg to be Australia's No. 2 half-back after an impressive start to his first Super Rugby season, injured teammate and former Wallaby Sam Cordingley said yesterday.

To be, or not to be�

An interstate move forced Soraya Cary and her husband, Stephen, to look for a new school for their sons in Sydney - never an easy task. However, the process provided them with the opportunity to reassess what they really wanted from a school for their boys. And their choice has proved to be the perfect fit.

Bomber relaunch is ready for take off

WELL, that was rather impressive. Even the crustiest cynics of pre-season form would have to dip their lid to James Hird and his revamped Essendon this morning.

Knights bashed at Brookvale

THE Newcastle Knights were left to pick up the pieces and lick their wounds after a bruising, brutal 26-12 loss to arch rivals Manly at Brookvale Oval yesterday.

Parish turns its back on traditional congregation

THE inscription on June Cameron's family prayer book commemorates her aunt's confirmation at St Clement's Anglican Church in Marrickville in 1910.

Sea Eagles pluck Newcastle's bench clean

Manly 26 Newcastle 12

Second Serves

"It might be my personal opinion [to vote yes], but I definitely want the members to show up on Monday and ask questions themselves and find out a little bit about the Tinkler group and their vision."

Feather light, they glide through the zoo

IT IS no bigger than a briefcase, with luxurious features such as ventilation, heat pads and double locking, but it can snugly fit six of Taronga Zoo's feathertail gliders, furry mammals that fit snugly into the palm of a hand.

Dressed to succeed

It was 19th century wit Mark Twain who commented: "Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society."

Bill and then

The NBL referee who's seen it all in 32 years bows out, writes Martin Blake.

i fit? Yes you can

Along with showy applications, smartphones can help put the skip into your step, reports Adam Turner.

Crows take down Hawks

IT WAS as if the script was set - Adelaide celebrated its 20-year anniversary in the AFL last night with a terrific 20-point win against its very first opponent Hawthorn at AAMI Stadium.

Lighter, fantastic

Michelle Bridges recalls the weight-loss journey of one of her clients: a wife and mother who got motivated - and stayed that way.

The Long goodbye

Socceroo Lucas Neill thought his time may have been up. Now, a new fitness program has him looking forward to four more years, writes Daniel Lane.

Selectors will have to make hard calls

AFTER the failure at the World Cup, the Australian selectors will be making some tough calls on players.

Knights out to do the bending at Brookie

KNIGHTS coach Rick Stone says his table-topping team will need to match Manly's in-your-face intimidation in tomorrow's showdown at Brookvale Oval if they are to extend their unbeaten run.

Grand Prix spree

Stephen Ottley laps the Albert Park race track in a potent twin-turbo V8 Mercedes AMG 'coupe'.

Battery-caged freedom

THE old saying about treading softly and carrying a big stick is being proven true by American car maker Tesla, which has become one of the leaders in pure electric car technology.

Murder and mayhem

Batavia Peter FitzSimons Random House, $49.99 Storyteller Peter FitzSimons brings to life the bloody tale of the Batavia shipwreck, writes GLEN HUMPHRIES.

Lisiua's number up for Country title bid

NEWCASTLE enforcer Marty Lisiua has finally let the cat out of the bag.

Victory beats off Heart challenge

MELBOURNE Victory has trumped Melbourne Heart and is set to extend its Costa Rican connection by signing Brisbane Roar's on-loan striker Jean Carlos Solorzano to spearhead its attack for a fresh tilt at the A-League championship under a new coach.

Stone demands ruthless approach

KNIGHTS coach Rick Stone says his table-topping team will need to match Manly's in-your-face intimidation in tomorrow's showdown at Brookvale Oval if they are to extend their unbeaten run.

Rock around the clock

THE old excuse of never finding the time to go to a gym has been rendered invalid.

Geelong happy to fly under the radar

WHATEVER happens to Geelong against St Kilda tonight, the Cats have already had a win of sorts, namely keeping themselves out of the limelight.

LETTERS

Poster-girl protest provokes a witch-huntThat Tony Abbott is prepared to stand and speak in front of posters that read "Get rid of the witch" and "Bob Brown's bitch" shows that he is not fit for any sort of public office, let alone that of prime minister ("Abbott forced to prove that he's revolting, too" March 24). Such vilification is completely unacceptable and he has a responsibility not to be seen endorsing it. It is completely hypocritical and indecent of this man who pretends to be a Christian.

Debate rages as concussed Blue has early night

CARLTON'S Jarrad Waite created history last night ��� but not in the way he would have liked. The veteran forward was the first player substituted off as part of the new interchange system after being diagnosed with concussion.

Accused 'covered in blood'

WHEN Shane Bond got home at 5.30am on December 7, 1994, a witness says he was covered in blood.

Moment to reflect on wider world merely that

A YOUNG Italian journalist created a discordant moment at an Albert Park press conference yesterday when he interrupted a stream of technical questions about tyre performance, track temperature and rear wing design to ask Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi if the sport of formula one "should organise any action of solidarity with the Japanese people".

A wonderland for walking

You don't have to start with a three-day trek. There are plenty of easy strolls to whet your appetite for a walkabout, writes Bruce Elder.

Councils a natural climate fit

TOMORROW'S Earth Hour will promote saving energy "beyond the hour", but three Hunter council managers know their legacies will be scrutinised years from now.

Tahu in line to cap quick return by playing against in-form Sharks

GOLD COAST coach John Cartwright might bring forward Brad Meyers into his 17, but he will make a final decision today on the squad to face Brisbane at Skilled Park tonight. The Broncos are expected to be as named.

The perfect fit

Weird and wonderful exercise routines are sweeping the city. Annabel Ross road-tested 10, complete with calorie counter and heart rate monitor.

Should I buy Funeral Insurance

Should I buy Funeral Insurance Funeral insurance is really targeted life insura ...

Motlop on outer as Primus lays down the law

DANIEL Motlop's AFL career is again at the crossroads with the talented but troubled footballer left out of Port Adelaide's season opener for disciplinary reasons.

Pop parodist as 'out there' as a fourth-grade class clown

WEIRD AL YANKOVIC Rating: 1.5/5 The Palais, St Kilda, March 23

Plenty of dreaming, but mad scramble shows reality is here

IF YOU��RE anything like me, the last few hours before last night��s season opening clash between Carlton and Richmond were spent frantically making some last-minute adjustments to your Toyota AFL Dream Team. However, for those of you who haven��t entered a team, don��t despair ��� it��s still not too late to enter the competition or even join the SMH league. And who knows, perhaps round one will provide potential

Motlop on the outer as Primus lays down the law ADD LIB

Young pups: Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore, both sons of Footscray stars, have been named in the Bulldogs squad this weekend. SPORT 23

Open season on sporting comebacks

I HAVE nothing against young women. The ones I know personally are interesting, articulate and respectful of the 25 or so years I have on them. But go up against them in a team sport and a weird metamorphosis takes place. I don't understand it but it's not pretty.

Quick looking to play through pain in final

UNIVERSITY quick Josh Bennett will make a final attempt today to prove his fitness for this weekend's Newcastle first-grade grand final against Hamilton-Wickham at No.1 Sportsground.

BACK IN A MONTH

PREMIERS St George Illawarra are confident they can have NSW prop Michael Weyman back on the field in a month after their worst fears were allayed yesterday.

'Round peg, square hole' a great fit

Paul Giamatti makes a perfect curmudgeon in Barney's Version, writes Stephanie Bunbury.

Spotlight on: BELLA WORNER BUTCHER Hockey

Age: 15. Lives: Kiama. School: Kiama High School.

Watchful Tigers keen to snare Blair as rivals start to drop off

WESTS TIGERS have emerged out of nowhere as the leading contender for the signature of New Zealand international forward Adam Blair and they could land him in the next week.

Profile Deborah de Williams

This cancer survivor is set to become the first woman to run around Australia.

STAY IN TOUCH...

JOHN GORDON is no stranger to the airwaves. Apart from penning the Wendy Matthews hit Inexorably Yours, the Queensland muso/songwriter collaborated with Aboriginal artists on the well-received 2010 compilation Turlku 4 - New Music from the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Gordon, pictured, also records his own songs, but his latest single has run into a wall - a wall of tailings, topsoil and waste rock. Australia (Whore of the World) is an anti-mining ballad with a lyrical punch. (See johngordon.com.au for a link.) "Australia," he sings, "I can see those ships lined up for you, girl ... Like some sad street girl who can't say no to the money ... You know I find it so perverse, I'm callin' this our national curse." With an acoustic guitar and provocative local themes, it sounds like a natural fit for regional radio, but no. "Mainstream radio won't touch the song," Gordon says. ABC Toowoomba told him in an email: "Look, I think it's a good song, but we are having to tread pretty carefully about appearing to take one side over the other when it comes to this mining debate. As you'll appreciate, it's a very sensitive issue and by playing a song that direct in its stance would tip that balance somewhat."

Suck it and See

Hawk Matt Suckling to be rewarded for a big pre-season, writes Martin Blake.

Your best behaviour

Science can be added to the process of selection.

Abbas back on radar

NEWCASTLE Jets have reopened talks with livewire Iraqi Ali Abbas but coach Branko Culina played down speculation linking the club with a move for former Socceroo Scott Chipperfield.

Accountants at the blackboard

IF YOU ask an eye specialist to operate on a case of bowel cancer you may not get a particularly successful result. The same applies to the Treasury's ultra-secret report on NSW government schools compiled by Boston Consulting, "the world's leading adviser on business strategy". Using business consultants to analyse the state education system ignores a fundamental problem: state schools are not a business. Some business methods may be transferable, but the profit-and-loss assumptions on which businesses run will fit an education bureaucracy poorly.

Weyman fears worst after injuring groin

A DEVASTATED Michael Weyman will have scans on his injured groin today, fearing a repeat of fitness problems that plagued him last season after he lasted only 18 minutes of the Dragons' shock defeat to the Sharks last night.

Countdown for reality to influence fantasy

THERE are just three days left to finalise your Toyota AFL Dream Team before the deadline for round one, making this one of the most crucial periods as coaches rush to make late changes to their team.

Tait, Rychart show at WEC

A COUPLE of one-time Wollongong boys gave the Hawks fits on Saturday night.

Contrite Connors eager to earn his stripes in new Tiger role

Defender-turned-wingman tells Steve Butler he means to repay his debt to Richmond.

Referees' boss Harrigan backs Shortall after controversial ruling

NRL referees boss Bill Harrigan has admitted that a controversial disallowed try to Warriors forward Feleti Mateo should have been awarded but wants whistleblowers to continue backing their own judgment.

Young Cats get set for debut against Saints

WITH injury concerns still hanging over a clutch of senior players, Geelong is a chance to debut several young Cats.

Scorching run showed Carroll at his greatest

OVER the course of his career, Queenslander Pat Carroll became used to playing second banana to the boy from Ballarat, Steve Moneghetti.

Judiciary could resolve Elliott's Tahu dilemma

THE NRL judiciary could determine whether Timana Tahu makes his debut for Penrith next weekend.

Slater breaks record as Storm thrash Titans

Melbourne 40 Gold Coast 12

Taufua's hard yards off field

KNIGHTS enforcer Mark Taufua is training like a man possessed as he strives to make up for lost time.

Players fit in Asia

IF THE drift of top Australian players to lucrative Asian Leagues has been a trickle in recent years, it may become a short-term flood as footballers seek ways to stay fit and sharpen their skills during one of the longest off-seasons in history.

Minimise churnover

Kath Lockett looks at why staff leave and how to keep them keeping on.

Handle with kid gloves

Kindergarten is important in childhood development, writes Kristie Kellehan.

Is the caring profession for you?

Expert advice could land you a job in nursing or energise your career, writes Melinda Ham.

League log

VOW TO FIGHT RORT CLAIMS

ON THE MARCH

Some new names, and some familiar names in new roles, have impressed in the pre-season. Now to take that form into the regular season.

Postscript

IS THE crisis in Fukushima a tragic lesson on the dangers of nuclear power or proof the technology is fit for whatever the Earth can throw at it?

VITAL SIGNS VITAL SITES

VITAL SIGNS

Tigers look to kicking game for redemption after bad start

COACH Tim Sheens has offered no excuses for the Wests Tigers' poor start to the season, but did concede the off-field drama surrounding star playmaker Benji Marshall had been an unwanted distraction for the club.

Save your energy

A new range of houses fits VicUrban's requirements to a T, writes Sue Green.

STEPHEN CUMMINGS has local landmarks on his mind as a musical mission plays itself out, writes Kylie Northover

IT'S fitting that Melbourne singer-songwriter Stephen Cummings chooses the European for lunch ��� like Cummings himself, the Spring Street bistro is something of a local institution and (at the risk of labouring the analogy), an often under-rated one.

Captains present united front to slam new substitute rule

CLUB captains yesterday added their powerful voice of dissent to the introduction of a substitute, saying the AFL had not listened to concerns raised by players about a prospective spike in fatigue-related injuries, and that the rule had not been adequately trialled and would drive some players out of the game.

Collingwood's depth to help against GWS raid: Maxwell

PREMIERSHIP captain Nick Maxwell believes Collingwood is strong enough to withstand a raid from Greater Western Sydney even if one of its out-of-contract stars is lured to the expansion club.

Not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy

RICKY Ponting picked his nose last night. It was an ugly incident, drawn-out, messy, devoid of all the style and grace Ponting used to display as a young nose-picker. Plainly, the Australian captain is not dealing at all well with his nose-picking decline.

Only way is up for Panthers with Jennings cleared to take on Eels

THE Panthers have breathed a sigh of relief, with the club declaring Michael Jennings fit to take the field against the Eels at Parramatta Stadium tonight after overcoming a hamstring complaint. The centre admitted he came back too early in Penrith's 42-8 defeat by Newcastle last Sunday but has trained in every session this week. Parramatta are 1-17.

De Bruyn's finally off the bench and raring to make most of game time

BEMUSED Cheetahs halfback Tewis de Bruyn says he won't run out of puff tomorrow night against the Waratahs despite having spent just 12 minutes on the field this season.

Who Roo?

Potentially North��s next captain, according to coach Brad Scott

Durakovic searches for positives from loss

MELBOURNE Victory caretaker coach Mehmet Durakovic tried to grab some solace from his side's defeat in its first game under his control but acknowledged that Victory needed to improve its defending from set pieces, play with more width and improve its fitness, pace and sharpness if it was to compete with Asia's best.

Driven Goodes seeks to raise bar again

HE MAY be the "other side of 30" and already won two Brownlow Medals, but Sydney co-captain Adam Goodes still hopes he has better football to come this season.

Mire of the Tigers

RICHMOND is resigned to there being no quick-fix to the ball movement issues so painfully evident in last Friday's demoralising practice match loss to Adelaide, and won't compromise its long-term goals in the pursuit of a better showing in the season-opener against Carlton tomorrow week.

Season ends for Storm's Stanley

MELBOURNE Storm centre Chase Stanley played on after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against Manly last Saturday and has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Carney's return a big boost for Roosters to face winged Sea Eagles

WHILE their opponents Manly have been hit hard by injuries and suspension, Sydney Roosters are set to be at full strength for Sunday's match at the SFS after star playmaker Todd Carney proved his fitness at training yesterday.

Aunty Pam in another marathon effort

WHEN Pastor Doug Nicholls received the MBE in the 1957 Queen's Birthday honours he quipped that it stood for "More Black than Ever".

Single-lap format adds variety while keeping the best of previous years

IT'S the run with million-dollar views.

Back Swan: Lewis fit and ready to fly again

LEWIS ROBERTS-THOMSON has had enough of the frustration. It's been eight long months since he last played, and all he wants to do is "get out there and have a kick and a catch". His exile ends on Saturday.

The Roar has form and a plan

IF THERE is any justice, Brisbane Roar, the premiership plate winner, will take the championship crown when it meets the Central Coast Mariners in today's A-League title decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Fev given LA fitness regime

THE Casey Scorpions have given Brendan Fevola a seven-day fitness program to complete overseas, which they hope will prove he is serious about playing in the VFL this season.

Electric storm comes our way

REVOLUTION moves fast in the modern, connected world. Recent events in the Middle East show the potency of an idea once it gathers momentum. Queensland's community spirit in the face of floods and cyclones suggests we humans can summon that bit extra when the chips are down.

Focus on an electric future

FORD says an electrified version of its Focus small car is "the logical fit" to become the company's first emission-free vehicle to go on sale in Australia.

Lang lets loose: Red faces all round as Rabbitohs cop their first roasting of the season

AFTER emerging from the dressing room at half-time beetroot-faced from the spray he had just given his players, South Sydney coach John Lang was jumping up and down on the sideline in the dying minutes of last night's match as the Rabbitohs almost snatched a remarkable win.

Slater set to make a point

MELBOURNE Storm full-back Billy Slater has declared full confidence in his repaired shoulder for tonight's NRL opening-round clash against Manly Sea Eagles ��� a game where coach Craig Bellamy's manner has left little doubt to its importance, with the Storm set to play for competition points for the first time since last April.