Perth Glory chasing signature of Melbourne Heart star Richard Garcia for next ... - NEWS.com.au

Richard Garcia ... lure of home may prove too much. Source: AAP

The lure of home may rob Melbourne Heart of their reigning best and fairest winner.

Perth Glory has written to Heart asking for permission to talk to Socceroo Richard Garcia, a request that has been granted.

Garcia signed a one-year deal with Heart last year but played in Melbourne while his family remained in Western Australia.

The 31-year-old attacker is currently in Perth and has not returned to pre-season training at Heat.

Heart football operations manager John Didulica said the club is still in negotiations with Garcia's management.

"We've had a lot of constructive discussion to try and work through how we can put a deal together,'' Didulica said.

"He's obviously from Perth originally ... we recognise that we need to put together a package that will entice him to bring his whole family over here.

"We're committed to trying to bring him here and we'll keep working at it. He's certainly someone we want to have at the club next season.''

To have both Garcia and Harry Kewell at his disposal in the front half would be ideal for Heart coach John Aloisi this season.

Didulica said he remained "quietly confident'' Garcia would remain at the club.

"I think Rich enjoyed his football with us last season, he's got a great relationship with John and Hayden (Foxe), so it's all very positive,'' he said.

"It's just about the normal back and forth you have with contract talks.

"The season is still three and a half months away, so I don't think it's a decision he wants to rush in to and certainly we don't want him to make a decision that he's not entirely comfortable with as well.''

Woman raped by man who walked with her in Melbourne CBD streets - Herald Sun

Police are closely examining CCTV cameras along the route before a woman was raped in a Melbourne laneway. Picture: Cameron Lestrange Source: Herald Sun

DETECTIVES will scour CCTV cameras from a 1km stretch of city streets in their hunt for a brutal sex attacker.

The predator walked with his victim for hundreds of metres, at one stage trying to hold her hand, before dragging her into a lane where he sexually assaulted and bashed her.

The 23-year-old, who had been on her way home after a night out, remains in hospital with head injuries from kicks and punches.

Her ordeal began when she was approached by a man near the intersection of King and La Trobe streets about 2.45am yesterday.

The man tried to talk to her, but she made it clear she was not interested.

He tried to hold her hand and continued to walk along King St with her, then into Victoria St and Chetwynd St, North Melbourne.

As the woman passed Brown Lane, the man grabbed her in a bear-hug and dragged her 5m down the lane.

He punched her several times to the head and knocked her to the ground, kicking her in the head before sexually assaulting her.

Detective Senior Constable Brett Sniegowski, of the sexual crimes squad, said the woman cried for help.

Her ordeal ended when a courageous passer-by heard her screams.

"It is quite fortunate, considering the nature of her injuries," he said.

"It's a frightening attack."

BROWN LANE, NORTH MELBOURNE

The attacker stole her handbag and Sen-Constable Sniegowski said anyone finding it or anything else that could be linked to the crime should come forward.

Police will analyse CCTV footage taken along the route where the man first approached the woman and in Brown Lane. Sen-Constable Sniegowski said he hoped members of the public who had seen the pair would come forward.

The woman was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious injuries and remains in a stable condition.

Sen-Constable Sniegowski said she was distraught at what had happened.

The attacker is described as being of either Asian or Indian sub-continental appearance, of medium build with short, black cropped hair and unshaven with stubble.

He was wearing a black top, blue jeans and an open leather jacket. He was last seen running south along Chetwynd St.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppers.com.au

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Young Wests Tigers winger Tim Simona sparks win over second-placed ... - Fox Sports

Wests Tigers ... Benji Marshall and Liam Fulton embrace after try against Melbourne. Source: Sam Ruttyn / News Limited

Benji Marshall called it season-defining and Robbie Farah rated it Wests Tigers' most complete NRL performance in recent times after they upset defending premiers Melbourne 22-4 at a rain-sodden Leichhardt Oval.

4 Tries 1
Tim Simona 28'	Maurice Blair 23'
Blake Ayshford 37'
David Nofoaluma 69'
Benji Marshall 80'
2 Conversions 0
Benji Marshall 30'
Benji Marshall 80'
1 Penalties 0
Benji Marshall 48'

Young wingers Tim Simona and David Nofoaluma were outstanding in the treacherous conditions on Saturday night and were instrumental in three of the Tigers' four tries, with the former producing two game-changing long-distance runs.

They were also galvanised by the efforts of NSW Origin forwards Farah and Aaron Woods.

Prop Woods ran for 181 metres while hooker Farah pulled off 52 tackles.

It was a fourth win in their past five starts for the Tigers, who produced their best defensive display of the season as they kept the opposition to single figures for the first time this year.

"It was a season-defining win in terms of trying to make the top eight,'' said Marshall, who capped of a memorable Tigers' performance with their final try in the last minute.

Farah added: "It was probably the most complete 80-minute performance we've put in in a long time."

The Tigers moved to within a win of eighth spot, but Farah wasn't talking up their finals prospects.

"We're heading in the right direction, but the fact of the matter is those seven losses in a row mean that we need to win footy games," Farah said.

"We're not in the eight, our for and against is terrible... we've just got to keep winning."

The result meant Melbourne suffered successive losses and could drop to third if the Sydney Roosters beat Manly on Monday.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy said the Storm looked like a team thrown together for the game.

"We tried reasonably hard but we just didn't have that cohesion there tonight," Bellamy said.

Halfback Cooper Cronk, who captained the side in the absence of the injured Cameron Smith, said the Storm didn't play smart.

"It was very unlike Melbourne Storm, we normally go out there and grind out a performance and work together and commit to the full 80 minutes and it wasn't that tonight," Cronk said.

Maurice Blair scored a try in one of Melbourne's first forays into Tigers' territory, but the home team piled on 22 unanswered points.peOn the half hour, Simona ran 80 metres to score after swooping on the ball when winger Sisa Waqa dropped a pass from fullback Billy Slater.

Seven minutes later, Simona set up one of the tries of the NRL season.

Collecting a Slater kick in his own in-goal area, Simona charged 60 metres into Storm territory and linked with Farah and Marshall to set up centre Blake Ayshford for a top-drawer four-pointer.

Veteran Storm prop Jason Ryles left the field within the first 40 seconds of the second half with a medial ligament knee injury.

New chapter looms in O'Brien's Melbourne Cup story - Sydney Morning Herald

Aidan O'Brien.

Could Ernest Hemingway write Irish master trainer Aidan O'Brien back into the Melbourne Spring Carnival script?

The Tipperary-based horseman has given Victoria the cold shoulder for the past five years, ever since he fell foul of local chief steward Terry Bailey after the latter recalled O'Brien to Flemington for a grilling hours after the Melboune Cup had been run and won following the disappointing performances of his trio of raiders - Septimus, Alessandro Volta and Honolulu - in 2008.

But his four-year-old galloper Ernest Hemingway, an easy five-length winner of the Group 3 Curragh Cup over 2800 metres on Sunday at the headquarters of Irish racing, could be just the sort of horse to end the Coolmore trainer's exile if he was minded to make the long trip to Melbourne once again.

The son of Galileo was having only his sixth start in a race and his first over an extended trip when he careered away with the Euro 62,500 prize, winning by five lengths from a previous Irish St Leger winner Royal Diamond, with Dermot Weld's promising mare Voleuse De Coeurs - who had been touted as a potential Cup candidate herself - back in third spot.

O'Brien agreed that the lightly raced coltm who showed a terrific turn of foot to go clear inside the final furlong, might be an ideal sort of candidate for the Flemington race, but stopped short of saying the $6 million staying test was on his radar.

"He had run once over a mile and a half (2400 metres) but we used him in the Arc (as a pacemaker) and it wasn't a fair trial. He's a very good moving horse, and he showed good acceleration." O'Brien said

He suggested that the rich Ebor Handicap at York (often a good proving ground for potential Cups raiders) or the Irish St Leger (won by Cup runner up Red Cadeaux in 2011) might be his more immediate targets.

Ten's Melbourne newsreader steps down - Ninemsn

TV audiences in Melbourne will mark the end of an era when Mal Walden steps down as senior newsreader for Network Ten.

The network announced on Monday that Walden, who has spent 40 years in Melbourne's newsrooms, including 25 years with Ten, will be stepping down at the end of 2013.

"I've had a wonderful journey which began more than 53 years ago, including the past 40 years on Melbourne television," Walden said in a statement.

The senior newsreader thanked Ten for the support it offered him and for allowing him to choose when he was to leave.

Ten said Walden will continue to present the news in Melbourne for three days a week until December.

Recently-appointed Ten CEO Hamish McLennan said in a statement Walden's departure was a "sad day" for Ten.

"For the past 25 years, he has brought the big news stories to Ten's viewers with authority, integrity and passion."

Do you have any story leads, photos or videos?

Neil Craig at three-quarter-time on Saturday. Photo: Pat Scala - Sydney Morning Herald

Neil Craig at three-quarter-time on Saturday. Photo: Pat Scala

Interim Melbourne coach Neil Craig is yet to declare if he wants to apply for the job next season but the veteran mentor's competitive juices are flowing freely after guiding the Demons to a rare win against the Western Bulldogs.

The former Adelaide mentor boasts a 1-1 win-loss record since taking over from sacked head coach Mark Neeld.

Melbourne (2-11) gave its long-suffering fans a rare thrill on Saturday night, claiming just its second win of the season, 15.13 (103) to 15.10 (100) at the MCG.

The Bulldogs (3-10) fell 44 points behind midway through the final term but almost snatched victory with seven consecutive goals.

Melbourne's former No. 1 draft pick Jack Watts, kicked a personal-best haul of four goals and marked strongly in defence in the tense final stages.

''Towards the end of the game he was fantastic,'' Craig said. '' He's had an all-round game.''

AAP

Poll: Who was the player of round 14 in the AFL premiershop season 2013?

Jobe Watson (Essendon)

28%

Craig Bird (Sydney)

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Brad Ebert (Port Adelaide)

7%

Harry Taylor (Geelong)

12%

Tom McDonald (Melbourne)

4%

Sam Mitchell (Hawthorn)

14%

Brent Harvey (North Melbourne)

2%

Trent Cotchin (Richmond)

23%

Total votes: 2122.

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Relief as Melbourne's median house price jumps to $545000 - Herald Sun

Handing Over the House Keys in Front of a Beautiful New Home. Thinkstock Source: Supplied

MELBOURNE'S median house price leapt 4 per cent in the past financial year on the back of record low interest rates.

At the end of June, the median price in Melbourne was $545,000.

It created some relief for homeowners who saw property values fall by a median 7 per cent in the 2011-12 financial year.

But in a bleak outlook to be released today, BIS Shrapnel said price growth in the next three years would be at 5 per cent.

This will be among the lowest rises in the nation as the slowing Victorian economy and an oversupply of new houses and apartments keep a lid on growth.

And this could see any gains stripped away by rising cost of living. "After accounting for inflation, prices are actually forecast to fall by 4 per cent in real terms," study author Angie Zigomanis said.

In the same period, the Sydney market is expected to rocket ahead 19 per cent, Brisbane 17 per cent and Perth 15 per cent.

"Further growth in Melbourne's median house price is likely to be muted given the lack of pent-up demand and weakness in the state economy," Mr Zigomanis said.

"Nevertheless, with interest rates at their current low levels, and with the prospect for further easing in rates in 2013, there should be enough to edge prices up despite these negative factors."

Mr Zigomanis said the nation's record low interest rates played a role in the rising values over the past financial year.

Since June last year, the Reserve Bank head, Glenn Stevens, has slashed rates by 0.75 percentage points to 2.75 per cent in a bid to prop up the economy as the mining boom fades.

Mr Zigomanis said price growth in the past year was concentrated in inner and middle-ring suburbs, where the population had been less exposed to the weaker sectors of the economy.

"Record levels of new dwelling construction from 2009-10 and continued strong supply of apartments have meant that supply is exceeding underlying demand and should result in vacancy rates rising," he said, adding "growth drivers for the state economy are subdued".

jeff.whalley@news.com.au

Ten's Melbourne newsreader steps down - The Australian

TV audiences in Melbourne will mark the end of an era when Mal Walden steps down as senior newsreader for Network Ten.

The network announced on Monday that Walden, who has spent 40 years in Melbourne's newsrooms, including 25 years with Ten, will be stepping down at the end of 2013.

"I've had a wonderful journey which began more than 53 years ago, including the past 40 years on Melbourne television," Walden said in a statement.

The senior newsreader thanked Ten for the support it offered him and for allowing him to choose when he was to leave.

Ten said Walden will continue to present the news in Melbourne for three days a week until December.

Recently-appointed Ten CEO Hamish McLennan said in a statement Walden's departure was a "sad day" for Ten.

"For the past 25 years, he has brought the big news stories to Ten's viewers with authority, integrity and passion."

Woman kicked in face, sexually assaulted in 'frightening' Melbourne laneway ... - Yahoo!7 News

Police are searching for a man who bashed and sexually assaulted a woman in a Melbourne laneway.

The attacker followed the 23-year-old victim from King Street in the CBD to North Melbourne in the early hours of Sunday morning.

After the victim rejected the man's advances, he dragged her into a laneway where he punched and kicked her repeatedly in the face before sexually assaulting her.

Fortunately somebody heard the woman's cries for help and intervened.

The attacker then stole the woman's handbag and ran off.

Detective Senior Constable Brett Sniegowski says the victim is recovering in hospital, where she is in a stable condition with facial injuries.

"When we investigate this incident it's actually a frightening attack to consider - the injuries, the open attack in an open area - it's concerning," he said.

Police are checking CCTV footage and want to hear from anyone who may have seen the man.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Hunt for attacker after sexual assault - The Age

A 23-year-old woman was only a short distance from her home in North Melbourne when she was subjected to a brutal sexual assault, police say.

Describing the early morning attack as "frightening", Detective Senior Constable Brett Sniegowski from the Sexual Crime Squad said the woman was stalked for about one kilometre before her attacker dragged her into a lane, kicked her in the head and sexually assaulted her.

The ordeal began about 2.45am on Sunday, when the woman encountered her attacker at the intersection of King Street and La Trobe Street after leaving a nearby club.

The man tried to engage the woman in conversation and attempted to hold her hand, but the woman rejected his advances and continued walking along King Street.

The man persisted, however, and walked alongside the woman, following her up King Street, along Victoria Street and into Chetwynd Street.

As the woman passed Brown Lane, the man suddenly grabbed her in a bear-hug and dragged her into the lane.

He punched her several times to the head and knocked her to the ground, before kicking her to the head and sexually assaulting her.

Senior Constable Sniegowski said the attacker only subsided after a passerby heard the woman's cries for help and intervened.

The offender then stole the woman's handbag and fled on-foot down Chetwynd Street.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the woman was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with significant facial injuries.

Senior Constable Sniegowski said the attack appeared to be opportunistic.

"It's not a common assault, given it was in an open area," he said.

"I would say it's a frightening and the nature in which she has attacked."

Senior Constable Sniegowski said the assault took place in a residential area with a “considerable amount” of pedestrian traffic nearby.

In light of Sunday's attack, which follows the recent jailing of Adrian Bayley for the rape and murder of Jill Meagher, Senior Constable Sniegowski issued a warning for anyone travelling alone at night.

"Whenever anyone is walking around at night, male or female, you should be aware of your surroundings," he said.

Detectives are in the process of canvassing the area for CCTV footage of Sunday's assault and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward to police.

The offender is perceived as being of either Asian or Indian sub-continental appearance, medium build with short, black cropped hair and unshaven with stubble.

He was wearing a black top, blue jeans and an open leather jacket.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au .

North Melbourne forward Drew Petrie in action against Greater Western Sydney - Herald Sun

Drew Petrie has kicked five goals as North Melbourne cruised to an 86 point win over Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium.

Kangaroos forward Drew Petrie kicked five goals against GWS. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

WHAT do you get out of a game like that?

Not much stumped North Melbourne full-back Scott Thompson yesterday but that question got him.

"It was a bit different," he said. "They put so many behind the ball. I've never played when there has been 11 back so it was a bit different."

That new experience came courtesy of Giants coach Kevin Sheedy after the Roos kicked eight goals to one in the opening term.

Sheeds hit the damage control button sent five loose GWS players in North's forward line at different times.

SuperCoach scores, stats

This left Thompson to his own devices given the Giants only had a two-man forward structure and he finished as the leading possession winner on the ground with 28.

It was a pleasant surprise for the key defender given he'd arrived at Etihad Stadium expecting a much harder afternoon.

He'd spent all week watching edits of Giants young gun Jeremy Cameron but an hour before the game got the good news that his man was a late withdrawal.

So let's have another go at that question. What do you get out of an 86-point win over the worst team in the competition?

"Our talk was a lot better," Thompson said. "We're working on that, our communication, and trying to get our defensive shape set up."

The biggest battle for the Roos is to hang onto the belief that there season isn't lost given they're now three games out of the eight.

"Obviously we're 5-8 now. Brad (Scott) has talked to us and said don't worry about finals. After Round 16 we'll see where we're at and hopefully we're 8-8," Thompson said.

"We can't drop too many more games but we just want to equal the level of wins and losses and then see where we can go."

Kangaroos forward Lindsay Thomas will come under scrutiny for headbutting Giant Jacob Townsend. Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun

It was obvious early that this game was going to be one of those days where the GWS were for the most part non-competitive.

The late withdrawal of Cameron sucked the life out of the contest for most spectators and clearly his teammates.

After the first-quarter onslaught - Lindsay Thomas and Drew Petrie both kicked three goals - the game was cooked.

From there it was just looking for individual moments of brilliance to pass the afternoon.

At least GWS produced the best with youngster Will Hoskin-Elliott running 80m to kick the goal of the day late in the second quarter.

He intercepted a poor backwards kick from North's Brad McKenzie which was supposed to end up with full-back Scott Thompson.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott says he was very pleased with his sides efforts around the contest.

Instead Hoskin-Elliott intercepted and from there it was a foot race which he was never going to lose.

Unfortunately that was it for the Giants who in the second half went to farcical lengths to limit the damage.

The flooding worked to a degree given the Roos only managed three goals in the third term but it reduced the game to one almighty yawn fest.

In the end Petrie finished with six goals while Thomas got four and Brent Harvey recovered from 'Pinchgate' to get three from 24 touches.

Probably the only bonus for the Giants hierarchy was the fact Buddy Franklin was in Tasmania so he missed the debacle.

Woman kicked in face, sexually assaulted in 'frightening' Melbourne laneway ... - ABC Online

Updated June 30, 2013 20:01:25

Police are searching for a man who bashed and sexually assaulted a woman in a Melbourne laneway.

The attacker followed the 23-year-old victim from King Street in the CBD to North Melbourne in the early hours of this morning.

After the victim rejected the man's advances, he dragged her into a laneway, where he punched and kicked her repeatedly in the face before sexually assaulting her.

Fortunately somebody heard the woman's cries for help and intervened.

The attacker then stole the woman's handbag and ran off.

Detective Senior Constable Brett Sniegowski says the victim is recovering in hospital, where she is in a stable condition with facial injuries.

"When we investigate this incident it's actually a frightening attack to consider - the injuries, the open attack in an open area - it's concerning," he said.

Police are checking CCTV footage and want to hear from anyone who may have seen the man.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Topics: assault, crime, law-crime-and-justice, melbourne-3000, vic

First posted June 30, 2013 18:02:51

Roos win big but ugly - The Age

NORTH MELBOURNE 8.3 12.6 15.10 19.16 (130) GWS 1.3 5.3 6.6 6.8 (44)

GOALS North Melbourne: Petrie 5, Thomas 4, Harvey 3, Mullett, MacMillan, Ziebell, Adams, Bastinac, Tarrant, Goldstein. GWS: O'hAilpin 2, Corr, Sumner, Reid, Hoskin-Elliott.

BEST North Melbourne: Harvey, Swallow, Hansen, Thompson, Petrie. GWS: Scully, Treloar, Reid, O'hAilpin, Hoskin-Elliott.

UMPIRES Hay, Farmer, Leppard.

CROWD 15,438 at Etihad Stadium.

North Melbourne inflicted an emphatic 86-point drubbing on Greater Western Sydney on Sunday, but the Kangaroos will almost feel like they let an opportunity slip to release a few frustrations on an exasperating day at Etihad Stadium.

With their finals aspirations put on life support by four losses of four points or fewer in their first 12 matches, the 13th-placed Roos looked poised early on to give the competition's new boys a record beating.

Spoiler: Nick Haynes attempts to stop big Roo Drew Petrie taking a mark. Photo: Mal Fairclough

A week after Brent Harvey was harassed to distraction by Ryan Crowley, he received the attention of the Giants' Toby Greene, who played a lot wider of the master onballer, with Harvey revelling in the greater freedom.

In a meeting notable for a lack of physical aggression and contested ball, the Giants managed just 33 tackles for the entire match.

The Kangaroos kicked just four goals in four quarters of football against Fremantle last week, but equalled that tally in the first 14 minutes against the Giants.

Kevin Sheedy's youngsters were given plenty of time to rest up during their bye and they played like their minds were elsewhere as the Roos ran riot early.

Drew Petrie and Lindsay Thomas kicked three goals each in the opening term with the ball never far away from an attacking 50 they patrolled with intent.

Thomas' third goal was a sign of the Giants' lethargy as three defenders looked on as the goalsneak wheeled out to his left to make six points a certainty from the tightest of angles.

Setanta O'hAilpin was the late inclusion when Jeremy Cameron was withdrawn with a virus, and the Irishman at least provided a bit of spark with his side's only goal of the quarter, but the Kangaroos were in control, leading by 42 points.

Sheedy had clearly seen enough and went ultra-defensive. Time and again up to 11 Giants would start a centre bounce from behind the defensive side of the square.

It didn't make for enjoyable Sunday afternoon viewing for either set of fans, but it did stem the flow as the Roos failed to navigate their way through the sea of orange that confronted them more often than not.

Content to try to absorb pressure and counter-attack, Greater Western Sydney equalled North Melbourne's four goals in the second term, with Will Hoskin-Elliott's 60-metre dash and goal a highlight for the Giants.

North managed to edge just three points further in front by half-time, but booted the first three goals in the first eight minutes of the third quarter to put the easy kill that many Roos' fans would have hoped for back on the table.

But that was all Brad Scott's men could muster as the Giants' flood once again confounded their opponents and brought boos echoing down from the sparsely populated stands.

The Giants trailed by 58 points at three-quarter time and were on track for their average losing margin of 69 points this season, but a combination of their tiring legs and the Kangaroos' desire to break the game open saw that margin blow out.

North Melbourne got some measure of satisfaction, with the only four goals of the quarter setting up the 86-point win that leaves just the slightest glimmer of hope that they may be able to salvage something from the second half of the season.

NIGHT AND DAY

Etihad Stadium saw 56,771 rugby fans cram into every available space to watch the Wallabies take on the British and Irish Lions on Saturday night, but that fiery cauldron of national pride had more of a cavernous aircraft hangar feel just hours later. Even with two thirds of the top deck closed to the public, there was still plenty of room to move for the 15,438 fans who turned up.

SHOOTOUT SHUTDOWN

The anticipated shoot-out between Coleman Medal hopefuls Lindsay Thomas and Jeremy Cameron failed to materialise when the prodigiously talented young Giant was a late withdrawal with a virus. Thomas kicked four goals in his rival's absence to strengthen his bid for the goal-kicking prize.

OFF TO THE RACES

The Giants' desire to get players behind the ball in the second quarter put Will Hoskin-Elliott in the rare position of having the entire field vacant in front of him when he intercepted a Brad McKenzie pass meant for Scott Thompson in the defensive half of the centre square. To his credit the young Giant made the most of the situation, showing the pursuing Thompson a clean pair of heels as he took four bounces and goaled.

Kangaroos stroll to victory - Fox Sports

Comprehensive ... Drew Petrie leads Tim Mohr to the contest. Source: JOE CASTRO / AAP

Greater Western Sydney have taken a step closer to an unwanted piece of AFL history with their 86-point hammering by North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The Giants have now lost all 13 matches this season, and are closing in on being the first team in AFL/VFL history since Fitzroy in 1964 to go through a season winless.

Critical to the Giants breaking their duck this season appears next Saturday's clash with fellow strugglers Western Bulldogs in Canberra.

		P	W	D	L	%	Pts
1	Hawthorn	13	12	0	1	144.98	48
2	Geelong	13	11	0	2	128.85	44
3	Essendon	13	10	0	3	129.51	40
4	Sydney	13	9	1	3	131.15	38
5	Fremantle	13	9	1	3	124.55	38
6	Richmond	13	9	0	4	124.39	36
7	Port Adelaide	13	8	0	5	118.17	32
8	Collingwood	13	8	0	5	104.79	32
9	Carlton	13	6	0	7	113.90	24
10	West Coast	13	6	0	7	110.02	24
11	Adelaide	13	6	0	7	105.72	24
12	North Melbourne	13	5	0	8	114.25	20
13	Gold Coast	13	5	0	8	90.94	20
14	Brisbane	13	4	0	9	74.34	16
15	St Kilda	13	3	0	10	85.61	12
16	Bulldogs	13	3	0	10	75.19	12
17	Melbourne	13	2	0	11	54.01	8
18	Greater Western Sydney	13	0	0	13	50.16	0

The Bulldogs lost to another battling side in Melbourne this weekend, and have won just three of their 13 matches this campaign.

Sheedy admitted he had not considered the prospect of the team going through their sophomore season without a win.

But he admitted the importance of the Bulldogs game had been a topic of post-match conversation after the Giants' 19.16 (130) to 6.8 (44) defeat by a dominant North in an otherwise forgettable game.

"It's an opportunity for us to try and search for our first win, and I've been speaking about that to the players,'' Sheedy said.

"I haven't thought about that (the prospect of a winless season) to be honest.

"The task you take on when you try to build this club from the real, deep foundation ... is you suffer some losses early like the Brisbane Bears did and the Swans did.''

The Giants' hopes of an upset were extinguished by the end of the first quarter - the Kangaroos piling on an eight goals to one term to set up the victory.

Drew Petrie booted five goals and Lindsay Thomas four for the Kangaroos.

GWS moved into damage limitation mode in the second term by putting players behind the ball - a tactic which worked to a degree as the sides booted four goals apiece in the quarter.

But the Kangaroos had the better of a dire second half, restricting the Giants to just one goal as the visitors continued to play extra men behind the ball for the rest of the match.

North now have a 5-8 win-loss record, keeping alive their faint chances of making this season's finals.

Coach Brad Scott admitted he was pleased with how his team had coped with the Giants' unusual defensive tactics.

"The main thing we take away from that is the opposition threw something pretty strange at us, and we were able to respond really quickly,'' Scott said.

"I called for an organised effort from our boys, and after halftime we really got that.''

North's only concern to come out of the match centres on Thomas, who faces match review panel scrutiny after what appeared a possible headbutt on Giants youngster Jacob Townsend.

North now have a 5-8 win-loss record, and will need seven wins from their remaining nine matches to have any realistic hope of reaching the finals.

Form sides Richmond, Geelong, Essendon and Hawthorn dot the Kangaroos' run home, and they remain three wins out of the top eight in 12th place.

But their percentage is best of any of the teams currently outside the eight and better than one of those inside - eighth-placed Collingwood - whom the Kangaroos will play in the final home-and-away match of the season.

"We play really good sides on the way home,'' Scott said.

"We just look at playing footy that's capable of beating them (opposing teams). And then if we get the numbers we need, then we'll get there.

"If we don't play good footy along the way, the good sides just get you.''

North take on Richmond next weekend, with the Tigers having now won four successive matches after their 64-point win over St Kilda.

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

Netball: Adelaide Thunderbirds to host grand final after downing Melbourne Vixens - ABC Online

Updated June 30, 2013 18:52:19

Adelaide Thunderbirds' composure under fire was the difference as they stormed to a 49-39 win over Melbourne Vixens on Sunday to secure a home trans-Tasman netball championship grand final.

The Thunderbirds displayed their characteristic never-give-in attitude to come from behind and snatch the major semi-final victory at Netball SA Stadium.

Despite being strangled by the Vixens early, a final-quarter burst of 18 goals to nine proved the Thunderbirds were a force to be reckoned with.

"Under pressure, you hope those things (spirit and composure) will be your default," coach Jane Woodlands-Thompson said.

"There was total composure the whole time. No one panicked even when we were one down at half-time ... We had total faith in what we had out there."

Melbourne star goal shooter Sharelle McMahon was placed into goal attack in the second term and the Vixens looked likely to run away with the game, outscoring the visitors 13 goals to eight, putting them 21-20 ahead at the main break.

Adelaide's midcourt was unable to feed the ball into goal shooters Carla Borrego and Erin Bell, with the two given no room by the Vixens defence of captain Bianca Chatfield and Geva Mentor.

Woodlands-Thompson credited captain Nat von Bertouch for her ability to take the game on and provide the much-needed run through the middle when the game was in the balance.

"Nat played a real captain's game and has been meticulous with her preparation and I've got a lot of confidence in this group," she said.

"I'm stoked. I knew we could do it and it's a testament to the courage and composure and the way this group plays as one."

Thunderbirds captain Natalie von Bertouch told Grandstand that she was pleased her side fought hard until the final whistle.

"That's something we've been really working on this year is to get that for the 60 minutes," she said.

"We know we come home strong and we know we've got the fitness to keep running out the full 60 minutes.

"It's huge credit to the girls that they were able to put that performance out for the whole 60 minutes today."

But von Bertouch took nothing away from the Vixens' efforts in the tense clash.

"They're a fantastic side and we know that they're going to come at us and come at us and we're going to come back at them," she said.

"That's just the momentum throughout the game and we had to just ride that out and make sure we weren't going to be second-guessing ourselves."

Melbourne Vixens coach Simone McKinnis said she was disappointed with her side's inability to maintain the momentum and finish off the game.

"We were in the game and doing some great stuff but, in the last quarter, our intensity dropped right off and we made some mistakes and we didn't play out the game," McKinnis said.

"You don't win these matches without a four-quarter quality performance."

Adelaide Thunderbirds have a week to recover, with the grand final set to be played at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday July 14.

The Vixens secured the double chance and will play Queensland Firebirds, who beat New Zealand's Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 53-50 across the Tasman on Sunday evening.

ABC/AAP

Topics: netball, sport, adelaide-5000, sa, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted June 30, 2013 14:20:09

North sends GWS south - The Age

Brent Harvey gets on his bike.

NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS 8.3 12.6 15.10 19.16 (130)

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY GIANTS 1.3 5.3 6.6 6.8 (44)

Goals: North Melbourne: D Petrie 5 L Thomas 4 B Harvey 3 A Mullett J MacMillan J Ziebell L Adams R Bastinac R Tarrant T Goldstein.

Greater Western Sydney: S O'hAilpin 2 A Corr L Sumner S Reid W Hoskin-Elliott.

Best: North Melbourne: Brent Harvey, Andrew Swallow, Lachie Hansen, Scott Thompson, Drew Petrie

Greater Western Sydney: Tom Scully, Adam Treloar, Sam Reid, Setanta O'hAilpin, Toby Greene

Umpires: Sam Hay, Luke Farmer, Matthew Leppard.

Official Crowd: 15,438 at Etihad Stadium.

North Melbourne inflicted an emphatic 86-point drubbing on the GWS Giants on Sunday, but the Kangaroos will almost feel like they let an opportunity to release a few frustrations slip on an exasperating day at Etihad Stadium.

With their finals aspirations put on life support by four losses of four points or less in their first 12 matches, the 13th-placed Roos looked poised to put a record beating on the competition's new boys early on.

A week after Brent Harvey was harassed to distraction by Ryan Crowley, he received the attention of the Giants' Toby Greene who played a lot wider of the master Roo onballer, with Harvey revelling in the greater freedom.

In a meeting notable for a lack of physical aggression and contested ball, the Giants managed just 33 tackles for the entire match.

The Kangaroos kicked just four goals in four quarters of football against Fremantle in their 38-point loss at Patersons Stadium last week, but they equalled that tally in the first 14 minutes against the Giants.

Lindsay Thomas does it with his eyes closed.

Kevin Sheedy's youngsters were given plenty of time to rest up during their bye leading into the round 14 clash and they played like their minds were elsewhere as the Roos ran riot early.

Drew Petrie and Lindsay Thomas eyed career-best outings with three goals each in the opening term with the ball never far away from an attacking 50 they patrolled with intent.

Thomas' third goal was a sign of the Giants' lethargy as three defenders looked on as the goalsneak wheeled out to his left to make six points a certainty from the tightest of angles.

Setanta O'hAilpin was the late replacement when Jeremy Cameron was withdrawn with a virus and the Irishman at least provided a bit of spark with his side's only goal of the quarter that set up the 42-point deficit at the first break.

Sheedy had clearly seen enough and went ultra-defensive from there on in.

Time and again up to 11 Giants would start a centre bounce from behind the defensive side of the square.

It didn't make for enjoyable Sunday afternoon viewing for either set of fans, but it did stem the flow as the Roos failed to navigate their way through the sea of orange that confronted them more often than not.

Content to try and absorb pressure and counter attack, the Giants matched North's four goals in the second term with Will Hoskin-Elliott's 60 metre dash and goal a highlight.

North managed to edge just three points further in front by half-time, but booted the first three goals in the first eight minutes of the third quarter to put the easy kill that many Roos' fans would have hoped for back on the table.

But that was all Brad Scott's men could muster as the Giants' flood once again confounded their opponents and brought boos echoing down from the sparsely populated stands.

The Giants were on track for their average losing margin of 69 points this season when 58 points down at three-quarter time, but a combination of their tiring legs and the Kangaroos' desire to break the game open saw that margin blow out.

North got some measure of satisfaction with the only four goals of the quarter setting up the 86-point win that leaves just the slightest glimmer of hope that they may be able to salvage something from the second half of the season.

Woman kicked in face, sexually assaulted in Melbourne laneway - Yahoo!7 News

A search is underway for a man who bashed and sexually assaulted a woman in a Melbourne laneway.

The attacker followed the 23-year-old victim from King street in the CBD to North Melbourne in the early hours of this morning.

After the victim rejected the man's advances, he dragged her into a laneway, where he punched and kicked her repeatedly in the face before sexually assaulting her.

Detective Senior Constable Brett Sniegowski says the woman is recovering in hospital, where she is in a stable condition with facial injuries

"When we investigate this incident it's actually a frightening attack to consider - the injuries, the open attack in an open area - it's concerning," he said.

Man injured in Melbourne hit and run - Yahoo!7 News

A man has been left with serious leg injuries after a hit and run incident in Melbourne's Middle Park.

The victim was walking south along the bicycle lane of Beaconsfield Parade around 12:45pm (AEST) on Sunday, when he was struck by a dark sedan which veered into the lane and pinned the man against a parked car.

The car then sped off, and was seen heading north along Mills Street.

The victim - an English national in his 30s - was taken to the Alfred Hospital with serious leg injuries.

South Melbourne police are investigating and are appealing for information.

Officers are yet to find the car, but it is believed to be damaged on the bonnet and front passenger side.

Death of police officer at Melbourne station 'not suspicious' - Yahoo!7 News

Victoria Police says the death of a police officer at a station in Melbourne's east yesterday is not being treated as suspicious.

The male officer aged in his 30s was found dead at the Boronia police station about 4:00pm AEST on Saturday.

His death is being investigated by Crime Command and overseen by the Professional Standards Command, in line with standard police procedure.

The police force says it is providing support to the officer's family.

Netball: Adelaide Thunderbirds to host grand final after downing Melbourne Vixens - Yahoo!7 News

Adelaide Thunderbirds will host the 2013 trans-Tasman grand final in two weeks' time after they defeated Melbourne Vixens 49-39 in the major semi-final on Sunday.

The minor premier Thunderbirds managed to blow the fourth-placed Vixens away in the final quarter 18-9 after a see-sawing game that saw just one point separating the two sides at the final break.

Star shooter Carla Borrego made all 11 of her shots to put the contest to bed, finishing with 33 from 38 attempts.

She was ably assisted by Erin Bell, who added 16-of-21 to the Thunderbirds' scoresheet.

The Vixens were led by the efforts of goal shooter Karyn Howarth, who missed just six of her 35 shots, including a 10-of-11 second quarter that reasserted her side's intentions.

The winner of the minor semi-final between Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic and Queensland Firebirds later on Sunday will take on Melbourne next weekend to determine who the Thunderbirds will face in two weeks' time.

More to follow.

Death of police officer at Melbourne station 'not suspicious' - ABC Online

Posted June 30, 2013 08:42:56

Victoria Police says the death of a police officer at a station in Melbourne's east yesterday is not being treated as suspicious.

The male officer aged in his 30s was found dead at the Boronia police station about 4:00pm AEST on Saturday.

His death is being investigated by Crime Command and overseen by the Professional Standards Command, in line with standard police procedure.

The police force says it is providing support to the officer's family.

Topics: police, boronia-3155, melbourne-3000

British Lions: Jamie Roberts performs with Manic Street Preachers at Melbourne ... - WalesOnline

28 Jun 2013 12:02

The Lions centre was pictured on stage with the Manics during a sound-check at Melbourne's Festival Hall today

Former England rugby star Lewis Moody tweeted this picture from the gig

Jamie Roberts fulfilled his dream of playing live on stage with the Manic Street Preachers tonight as they performed in front of thousands of fans in Melbourne.

The Lions star, who has been ruled out of tomorrow's second Test through injury, joined the band on stage to strut his stuff, with fans' hailing the rugby star's performance.

Roberts played the hit track You Love Us towards the end of a 19-song set list that opened with Motorcycle Emptiness and finished with a rousing rendition of Tolerate.

The keen guitarist was invited to be a guest guitarist during the band's concerts in Melbourne today and Sydney next Friday.

The Manics, who had a top-10 hit with the song ’Australia’, are huge rugby fans and they have lined up the concerts to coincide with the Lions’ second and third Tests against the Wallabies.

The Welsh band are also planning a special free gig in Melbourne tomorrow - just hours before kick-off in the crunch second Test.

Ahead of the tour, Roberts said: “I have had a chat with James Dean Bradfield about that and he suggested I get up on stage to play a bit of rhythm guitar.

As soon as the star appeared on stage, pictures spread across social networking sites Twitter and Instagram

View gallery

Jamie Roberts performs on stage with the Manic Street Preachers in Melbourne

View gallery

“He would have to let me know which song so I can get a bit of practice in! That would be pretty cool.

“This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours was one of the albums I grew up with and one of those albums I know the word to every song.

“Their song ’Australia’ sticks in the memory for me. It is a wonderful song and I am sure they will finish the gigs with it!

“James is a wonderful bloke, a true Welshman, a big Cardiff Blues fan and it is great to see them playing gigs in Australia alongside the Lions.”

On the 2009 Lions tour of South Africa, Riki Flutey and Roberts were the Lions’ guitar heroes.

Last year, Roberts borrowed an acoustic guitar from Bradfield to help pass the time as he recovered from knee surgery.

“That was pretty cool,” Roberts said.

“I have still got the 2009 signed guitar in my house, which is a nice momento," he added.

Here's how Jamie's magical night unfolded...

British and Irish Lions fans in Melbourne - Sydney Morning Herald

Melbourne's CBD has turned red and white as British and Irish Lions supporters flood the city for Saturday night's match against the Wallabies.

Most are content to wear the regulation team shirt. But others have gone the extra mile, adorned in kilts, flags, three-piece Union Jack suits, red-and-white bodysuits, scarves – even lion heads.

At Federation Square and the surrounding pubs and bars the British and Irish almost outnumber the locals. Drinking holes closer to Etihad Stadium are also starting to fill up.

Some fans have just arrived in Australia, content to watch the Melbourne and Sydney games of the three-Test series. More hardcore fans, like Tom Cummings, were here for last Saturday's first Test in Brisbane.

"We'll win by 30 points," said Mr Cummings, 19, of Yorkshire. "(Star player) Tommy Bowe should do quite well. He's got a bit of gas.

"Melbourne is really good. Quite cold though – a bit like being back home."

Mr Cummings said that, overall, League was more popular than Union in the UK although there were regional differences.

"The Union down south is probably bigger than up north," he said. "League is big in the north but down in the south it's probably not as big."

Union fans were fanatics, he said. "It's really big," he said. "Everyone enjoys it, everyone talks to each other about rugby when you go to the pub. It's a good atmosphere, a really good vibe."

Sam Flint, 26, of Hampshire, dressed up with his friends in Union Jack suits for the occasion. He also predicted a Lions win. "It's going to be tight, but you have to be confident when you're dressed like this," he said.

"We've been along the Great Ocean Road, the Yarra Valley and now we're going to have a look around the city and see what it has to offer."

Like Mr Cummings, the weather was a mild surprise to Mr Flint. "It's cold – it's good to be back in the cold," he said.

Wallabies v Lions: Melbourne mop-up - Fox Sports

Decider ... the Wallabies level the series against the British and Irish Lions. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

It was a game the Wallabies never should have won and was far from the spectacle we witnessed in Brisbane, but the hosts held firm to set up a mouth-watering decider against the British and Irish Lions in Sydney.

Foxsports.com.au reviews the Wallabies and Lions match in Melbourne.

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THE MATCH

It was do-or-die for the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions in the second Test and after 80 heart-wrenching minutes the hosts forced the series to a decider. The Wallabies had no right to escape with victory after committing 14 handling error and an incredible 19 turnovers. From the opening whistle, the Lions pressured the Wallabies at the breakdown and with rushing defence and completely out played the Wallabies in the opening stanza, and for the whole match for that matter. The first half saw sharpshooters Christian Lealiifano and Leigh Halfpenny trade penalty goals with Halfpenny missing his first shot of the match. Surprisingly, the Wallabies were dominated across the park but their set-piece, especially their scrum, kept them in the game. At the break the Lions led 12-9 as both teams struggled to hold onto the ball. The second half continued in the same vein, dropping ball and kicking penalty goals. At 15-9 and with ten minutes remaining, Wallabies captain James Horwill resisted the temptation to take three points, backing his team's scrum and packing down. Although the Wallabies bungled their set move from the scrum, they were gifted good field position after a poor clearance by Jonathan Sexton and in the next phase scored after James O'Connor went to the short side and put Adam Ashley-Cooper through a hole. Lealiifano converted the pressure kick to give the Wallabies a one-point lead with three minutes to go. Another turnover from the Wallabies gave possession to the Lions and they earned a penalty on halfway. Halfpenny had the chance to seal the series put the distance was too much for the Welsh fullback.

TURNING POINT

In a game dominated by penalty goals it took a gutsy captaincy move from James Horwill to shun a guaranteed three points in pursuit of a greater reward. It proved to be a masterful call as the Wallabies converted their field position into seven points via Adam Ashley-Cooper and Christian Lealiifano. It didn’t happen instantly however, with Israel Folau spilling an inside ball from James O’Connor in the first play after Horwill opted for a scrum. The Lions were only able to clear their line by 15 metres however and after the Wallabies sucked in a few defenders in tight, Ashley-Cooper ran an excellent line to burst through for the try. Liam Gill’s amazing lineout steal with three minutes on the clock was also crucial.

LIONS' BEST

The much maligned Sam Warburton proved to all the doubters that he is the man to lead the British and Irish Lions after a sublime performance in Melbourne. The 24-year-old flanker was the best on ground, scoring three breakdown penalties for his side and pilfering on two other occasions. However, late in the second half Warburton was the victim of a fierce cleanout, trapping his leg and hyper-extending it which forced him from the field. The injury looked remarkably like the injury Horwill suffered in the 2012. "I felt something in my hamstring in a ruck area, so I guess I’ll get it assessed by the medics. "I'll be icing it tonight and I'll see how it is in the morning," said Warburton. Let's hope he is available for the deciding Test in Sydney because he is a talented and exciting player.

WALLABIES' BEST

He may have been overshadowed by Israel Folau’s sensational debut in Brisbane, but no one was going to deny Will Genia the limelight at Etihad. The Wallabies No.9 was at his sniping best in and around the ruck, and kept backing his ball-runners despite some poor handling from both backs and forwards. His service was, as usual, exemplary and he played a key role in the lead-up to the game’s only try as the Wallabies forwards finally got a roll on. Special mention must go to Adam Ashley-Cooper however, with the outside-centre probably the second-best player on the field.

NEXT WEEK

After making several key changes for the second Test despite winning at Suncorp, Lions coach Warren Gatland could wield the axe again for the deciding game in Sydney. If Sam Warburton's injury forces him out of the game, Sean O'Brien will grab the starting spot (not a bad replacement). Lions centres Jonathan Davis and Brian O'Driscoll have been surprisingly quiet in the opening two Tests, opening the door for Jamie Roberts if he can overcome a fitness test. Wallabies coach Robbie Deans who won't tinker with a winning formula but improved lock Rob Simmons will return to the starting side if James Horwill is found guilty of stamping. The Wallabies will need to improve their handling in the greasy Sydney conditions after dropping a mountain of ball despite the roof on Etihad being closed. After two Southern Hemisphere referees for the opening Tests, French whistle blower Romain Poite will control the match. This has the potential change the dynamic of the game completely.