Fresh faces helping Socceroos evolve

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ASIAN Cup success was fantastic for Australian football, but the Socceroos must continue to evolve, so it's great to see some fresh faces in the national squad for the upcoming friendlies against Germany and Macedonia.

The plan that worked so well for Ange Postecoglou at the Asian Cup — increasing our pool of players to ensure we've got depth — isn't about to change just because the Socceroos have become the kinds of the continent.

Our long-term plan is not just qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia but a bold showing at the tournament.

Tarek Elrich, right, battles Michael McGlinchey for possession. Source: Getty Images

That's why the likes of Luke DeVere, Tarek Elrich, Aaron Mooy and Chris Ikonomidis — all of who were not part of Australia's Asian Cup win — have been picked in this squad.

Brisbane Roar defender DeVere made a couple of Socceroos squads four years ago but has been in the wilderness since then.

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However, he's just 25 and still has virtually his whole career in front of him.

His talent is undoubted, as has been seen in his few games for the Roar since returning to Brisbane.

Postecoglou knows very well what DeVere can do, having coached him at the Roar.

This is a great chance for DeVere to establish himself in the national set-up. I'm sure he won't waste it.

Aaron Mooy's hot A-League form warranted selection in the Socceroos squad. Source: Getty Images

For Elrich, his selection is a reward for persistence and consistency in the A-League over a number of years.

He can play on the right or left sides of the defence, and I'm intrigued to see how he'll go in the Socceroos environment.

Mooy was unlucky to miss Asian Cup selection, but he's a better for player for his omission.

He went back to the A-League, worked hard on his game and has been Melbourne City's best player in almost every game.

He possesses fantastic ability physically, has skill and has a great ability at set pieces that could prove invaluable to the national team.

Chris Ikonomidis has been plying his trade in Italy. Source: Supplied

Ikonomidis is someone I've had continued communication for the past couple of years while he has been plying his trade in Italy.

This is a wonderful and deserved chance for him. He's still just 19 and could have been picked in Australia's Olyroos squad for this month's first stage of the Rio qualifiers.

But if you're good enough, you're old enough for the Socceroos.

Postecoglou has always been very brave and bold in his selection policy, and this is another example of that.

Under Postecoglou, there are continually going to be opportunities and change.

If players.do the right thing, play consistently and play well, they will get their chance.

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Gold rush could put 15s in Sevens heaven

Israel Folau has expressed a desire to play in Rio. Source: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

WHEN National Sevens coach Geraint John said his 2016 Rio Olympics squad would only include players who could train with him from January 1 next year, it afforded a few old timers the opportunity for a bit of a giggle.

For many years the mecca of International Sevens Rugby was Hong Kong.

In 1978, the team Australia chose for that tournament was a handy enough group which included future Wallaby captains Tony Shaw, Paul McLean and Mark Loane and the man who scored four tries in one afternoon against the All Blacks later that year at Eden Park, Greg Cornlesen.

It was an excitable squad of 12 young players who met at Sydney airport before departure, with none of them having given any thought to the fact the ARU had opted not to attach a coach to the team.

Kurtley Beale playing for the Waratahs. Source: Getty Images

I can't swear to this, but I'm fairly certain a captain hadn't been appointed either.

I think by dint of the fact he was Queensland captain at the time, Mark Loane took charge, as both captain and coach, and at the first training session on arrival in Hong Kong began proceedings by asking if any of the assembled throng had ever played Sevens before.

Two hands were raised.

Suffice to say, Sevens rugby has moved on somewhat since then and is now given far weightier consideration by the code's administrators.

Indeed, as an Olympic sport, some argue that once this year's Rugby World Cup is done, the main focus for the year ahead should be ensuring Australian success in Brazil.

Quade Cooper would be a natural Sevens player. Source: Getty Images

That provides a whole bucket load of logistical issues and when the heads of our Super Rugby teams butt up against those of the ARU bosses on Tuesday to, among other things, try and find a solution to this quandary, the fallout will be fascinating.

How do you prioritise the best interests of the Wallabies, the Super 15 teams, the quest for an Olympic gold medal, the players themselves, and at the same time keep everybody satisfied. The answer is you can't.

If seeking Olympic glory were the top of the wish list, our very best team must include some of the games best athletes, and the majority of those are currently involved in the 15-man program. How would this look for a 12-man squad out of the Super 15 teams?

Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Scott Higginbotham, Matt Hodgson, Michael Hooper, Samu Kerevi, Sean McMahon, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight.

Choose them, and immediately several players who have committed themselves to Sevens over recent years with an eye firmly on Brazil are squeezed out.

It doesn't seem fair, but nor does it seem fair to ignore the opportunity, not only of giving ourselves the best chance of winning an Olympic gold medal, but from rugby's point of view being seen by a market that otherwise could not be reached.

Michael Hooper's speed and power makes him a perfect fit for Sevens. Source: News Corp Australia

On the surface it would appear overly expectant to toss every last resource at Rio, but the potential leg-up rugby in this country would reap from an exciting and successful Olympic campaign is inestimable.

Admittedly they are different games, but success in Rio would undoubtedly generate enormous curiosity from parties previously uninterested in any form of the code.

A gold medal would have to prick some interest in the more common version.

The next problem of course would be that 15's rugby retain this potential new market by providing regularly exciting spectacles as well as plenty of success from Australian teams. Neither of these can be considered a given, but the Rio hurdle is the first one that must be jumped.

It's a complex web and there are no certain outcomes.

Even with a questionable preparation in 1978, Australia still were only very narrowly defeated in the semi-finals in Hong Kong.

Let's hope all the debate and disagreements certain to ensue before our Sevens team jumps on the plane to Rio, there might be a golden end to all the squabbling.

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Ricciardo escapes foot-in-mouth moment

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DANIEL Ricciardo would have gone into this weekend's Australian Grand Prix full of confidence after scoring an enormous psychological victory over his major rival Lewis Hamilton.

I speak of course of him recording the fastest-ever lap by an F1 driver in Top Gear's Celebrity in a Reasonably Priced Car segment, knocking Hamilton off the top of the whiteboard.

He was lucky, not only because the conditions were exactly what he said he was hoping for when I interviewed him at an indoor ski centre outside London a few days earlier, but because the show was still going when he climbed into the car.

A few weeks later and he would have been standing there with his helmet in his hands as Top Gear star Jeremy Clarkson was led away in chains.

Clarkson interviews Daniel Ricciardo. Source: DailyTelegraph

Okay, maybe not in chains, but given the reaction here in England to Clarkson's suspension from the show, you'd swear he has been sentenced to the gallows.

At last count the petition to have him reinstated has passed the 750,000 mark and even Prime Minister David Cameron has weighed in, saying he hopes the ultimate motor mouth is back in front of the cameras sooner rather than later.

It's really quite remarkable just what a huge story this is over here.

Every TV news bulletin seems to start and end with updates on the latest Clarksongate development, with snippets about inconsequential things like the latest atrocities in Syria or ructions within the leadership of the European Union squeezed in between.

One day I turned on the telly to see a debate on the issue between a former tabloid newspaper editor and a university lecturer.

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Needless to say, the editor, mindful of what sells newspapers, was very much on Clarkson's side. The professor, not so much.

One commentator summed it up perfectly when he said of Clarkson: "He's a Marmite character — you either love him or hate him". (For those who don't know what Marmite is, just think Vegemite without the flavour.)

Personally, while I wouldn't go so far as to pledge my undying love, I have become rather fond of Clarkson.

He can be quite funny and it's a nice change to listen to someone who doesn't give a toss about political correctness.

Which, of course, is how he gets himself into so much trouble.

People just aren't supposed to say some of the things that Clarkson says — even if they are thinking them.

Jeremy Clarkson after he was suspended by the BBC. Source: AP

They certainly aren't allowed to say them in public, which is probably why they are so pleased that Clarkson says them. Sort of political incorrectness by proxy.

Although, the latest pickle in which Clarkson finds himself has nothing to do with racism, sexism or any of the other isms that have got him into trouble in the past.

This one is over the lack of a hot meal when he returned to his hotel at 9.30pm after a long, tiring day of work.

According to eyewitnesses (a family staying at the same hotel who gave an exclusive interview to a crack investigative reporter) Clarkson abused the producer whose job it was to arrange a feed for the on-camera team, going so far as to threaten to have him fired.

Fancy that. Imagine someone being threatened with the sack for not doing their job.

Honestly, who does Jeremy Clarkson think he is? The BBC's highest paid — and earning — personality who is largely responsible for earning hundreds of millions of dollars for his employers?

Well yes, actually, that's exactly who he is. So I wouldn't be too worried if I was one of those 750,000-plus people who have signed the Save Jeremy petition.

He's survived more of these scrapes than he's had hot dinners and — as long as the ratings stay high — he's still got a few laps in unreasonably priced cars to drive before he hands back his BBC security pass.

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Roar on mission to stop marquee Marc

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IN his role as players' union president, Matt McKay wants Marc Janko to star in the A-League for years to come.

But the less Brisbane skipper McKay sees of Janko this afternoon at Allianz Stadium the better for the Roar in their clash against Sydney FC.

Stop Janko and the Roar have a very good chance of stopping the Sky Blues.

The Austrian international striker was last Thursday named Professional Footballers Australia A-League player of the month, and with good reason.

If Janko finds the back of the net today, he will set a record for scoring in seven consecutive A-League matches.

Marc Janko has a target on his back. Source: News Corp Australia

"Marc's form has lit up the A-League and the impression he has made on Sydney FC but also on the whole competition has been massive," McKay said while wearing his PFA presidency hat.

"His goals record stands for itself but his general play, work ethic and drive to be successful have been just as evident throughout his time in Australia.

"It is integral for Australian football to attract players of the highest possible calibre, which Marc most certainly is, and hopefully we will continue to see him play in the A-League for a long time to come."

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Former Sydney assistant coach Rado Vidosic, now back on the Roar's coaching staff, was anything but surprised Janko led the race at the start of the round for the Golden Boot with 13 goals.

"At the moment he's on fire but for me there was never any doubt that he would be a good goalscorer for them," Vidosic said.

"He's a great person and he's a great footballer. He's very good in the dressing-room and he's very good to have around the club. He's the right marquee for Sydney."

Janko, contracted until the end of the season, yesterday said he wanted to stay in Sydney beyond his current deal.

Brisbane skipper Matt McKay has praised Marc Janko's ability in front of goal. Source: News Corp Australia

"I can definitely imagine myself staying here for another season or maybe longer ... but first of all we have to find out what the club is thinking, what the club is planning and then we can speak about further options," the 31-year-old marksman said.

Janko will provide a stern test for in-form Roar centre-back Luke DeVere, who will again partner James Donachie in the heart of Brisbane's defence in the ongoing injury-enforced absence of Jade North (groin).

DeVere's form has earned him a call-up to the Socceroos squad for this month's friendlies against German and Macedonia.

The Roar are today bidding for their fifth win in their past six A-League matches.

"The team is very confident that if we keep playing the way we are playing and we can secure a place in the finals, the other teams won't be looking forward to playing us," DeVere said,

Elsewhere in Brisbane's defence, Corey Brown, again available after serving a one-match suspension, is tipped to displace Shane Stefanutto at left back.

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Rest is the key to Kay’s success

Becky Kay at the RACV Ladies Masters. Source: Scott Fletcher / News Corp Australia

GOLD Coast golfaholic Becky Kay has been elevated to Golf Australia's national amateur squad but even one of the country's brightest prospects needs a rest.

An inflamed ligament in her left wrist is forcing her to take this week off but the ever-chirpy Year 11 student from Palm Beach Currumbin High will put the break to good use before tackling a packed schedule next month.

"It's just a little overuse injury. I can still pick up a pen and there's plenty of school work to catch up on," Kay, 16, said yesterday.

Kay's breakout summer, which has included her classy sixth among the pros at the RACV Ladies Masters at Royal Pines and her role in the Commonwealth's Astor Trophy amateur teams victory, has been recognised.

"Becky has just scratched the surface of what she can achieve and we're delighted that we can look after her in the development process," Golf Australia high performance director Brad James said.

Rebecca Kay with her father, Scott. Source: News Corp Australia

"Becky is just 16 ... what she did at Royal Pines was outstanding in just her second professional event."

One concrete spin-off will be the financial backing for Kay to develop her game at events in the US and Europe.

"It's exciting. I'll have a bigger team around me and more opportunity for spots into big events," Kay said.

"My school has been great in letting me have a few extensions and allowing me the time to play golf but I take the books away with me to stay on top of it."

Kay has won selection in Queensland's senior team for the first time for the Women's Interstate Teams matches, from April 27, which will enable her to fulfil the dream of playing at Royal Melbourne for the first time.

Playing the Australian Girls' Amateur and Girls' Interstate Teams series, both in Adelaide, will be a busy lead-in.

The Queensland men's team will be aiming to improve on last year's third with Taylor Macdonald (No. 41) and Malaysian Amateur champion Cory Crawford (No. 59) both ranked in the world's top 100 amateurs for next month's quest at Huntingdale.

Men's State Team: Cory Crawford, Taylor Macdonald, Jake McLeod, Blake Proverbs, Anthony Quayle, Jack Sullivan, Simon Viitakangas, Shae Wools-Cobb.

Women's State Team: Robyn Choi, Karis Davidson, Gennai Goodwin, Kirsty Hodgkins, Rebecca Kay, Amy Walsh.

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Carney wins unfair dismissal case

Todd Carney has won his appeal for unfair dismissal. Source: Matt Blyth / Getty Images

IN an extraordinary development Todd Carney has won his case for unfair dismissal with the NRL appeals committee.

Tribunal chairman, Ian Callinan QC, has ruled the Cronulla Sharks failed to allow the 28-year-old due process prior to tearing up his contract following the appearance of a lewd 'bubbling' photo on social media last June.

Callinan's independent committee found that the high-profile five-eighth should have got an opportunity to plead his case in front of the Cronulla Sharks board.

As a result of this decision, a small window for Carney to return to the NRL has been edged slightly ajar.

Whether Carney chooses to, is now a decision for the fallen star and his management.

A processing error looks to have given Todd Carney a way back into the NRL. Source: Getty Images

With his image in tatters as Cronulla became the third club to terminate his contract, after Canberra and the Sydney Roosters, the former NSW State of Origin star has been forced to pick up the pieces of his career in France with English Super League Club, Catalans.

The NRL's decision also provides Carney with the option of taking a legal standpoint and the possibility of an unfair dismissal claim with the Industrial Relations Commission — which could prove an exhaustive and expensive process.

Cronulla chairman Damian Keogh said the club would accept the decision of the NRL appeals committee, admitting they had failed to follow the correct process.

However, despite Cronulla failing to score a single try in 80-minutes against Brisbane last Friday night, Keogh indicated the likelihood of the board backflipping on the decision and reinstating the playmaker, who is currently injured in France with broken ribs, was remote.

The infamous image that cost Carney his job. Source: Twitter

"The big oversight was that someone needed to check that the process being followed was correct,'' Keogh told The Sunday Telegraph.

"What's important to remember here is that it's not a question of the facts, it's a question of the process, but the reality of the situation is, the decision would likely have been the same.

"I wouldn't rule out Todd Carney returning to the NRL one day, but from my point of view there has been a lot of water that has flown under the bridge since last June.''

Should Todd Carney be allowed back into the NRL?

Interestingly, Keogh's opinion is in contrast to a players poll conducted by Rugby League Week magazine last August which indicated that 78 per cent of the players polled believed Carney should be allowed back to the game.

It was amid the maelstrom circling a shattered Carney following his sacking that he claimed former chief executive Steve Noyce was a large reason for his swift departure from the Shire-club.

Carney has been playing for French club Catalans in the English Super League. Source: Supplied

"I got a phone call late and he (Noyce) asked me what I thought should happen," Carney said last June.

"I said that I wanted an opportunity to talk to the players firstly and talk to the board and the staff. He said he'd let me know about that.

"Then the boys got a text message 10 minutes later saying there is a release that's going to happen. I felt betrayed and lied to.''

The NRL told The Sunday Telegraph it was premature to suggest Carney's NRL career was over saying: "There's no contract before us to have Todd Carney registered with the NRL so it's not a matter for the NRL at this stage.''

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Titanic headache as stars near return

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NEIL Henry expects star trio Greg Bird, Dave Taylor and Beau Falloon to be training this week as the Titans coach found rays of hope amid the wreckage of Saturday night's 40-0 rout by Penrith.

Henry gave the strongest indication yet the five players fighting cocaine-supply charges will have their suspensions lifted to boost a Titans side crushed by the Panthers in Bathurst.

Independent legal eagle Tony Bannon was engaged to review the club's handling of the affair and Henry is confident his banned top-liners will be on deck as early as Monday.

Jamal Idris of the Panthers is tackled. Source: Getty Images

If Saturday night was any evidence, the Titans need a supply of troops more than ever after the Panthers ran riot with a second-half demolition to inflict the Coast's second straight defeat.

Trailing 8-0 at half-time, Gold Coast fell apart after the break, former Titan Jamal Idris returning to haunt his former club with a hat-trick as Matt Moylan and Jamie Soward pulled the strings.

But Henry found a silver lining after the drubbing, expecting Bird, Taylor and Falloon to run out against the Knights this Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium.

"We hope to have them back," he said.

Matt Moylan of the Panthers runs the ball. Source: Getty Images

"It's a holding pattern, we are hopeful there will be a resolution early in the week and a couple of guys will be available, if not all five will be available for NRL or Q Cup selection.

"I'm hopeful by (Monday) or Tuesday that will happen.

"The indications are that is the case, that the information the board were seeking from the Queens Counsel has happened and we are just waiting for that decision and the boys can rejoin the playing group."

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Their return would be welcome relief, but it's hard to argue the triumvirate's presence yesterday would have saved the Titans from a Penrith blitzkrieg at Carrington Park.

The Coast created enough chances but their execution in Penrith's red-zone was terrible. And with a slew of unforced errors, the Titans laid the platform for Moylan and Soward to unleash a Panthers backline inspired by the destructive Idris.

Jamal Idris of the Panthers scores a try. Source: Getty Images

The 195cm monster opened the scoring in the 21st minute and when he celebrated his hat-trick in the 53rd minute, the Coast were toast at 20-0.

"He's physical," Titans skipper Nate Myles said of his former colleague Idris.

"Jamal is a big, strong man and we didn't help ourselves with our field position.

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"When you give him fast, early ball he is going to hurt you and he did ... we played to his strengths."

Henry lamented the Titans' 52 per cent completion rate after an enterprising start.

"It ended up being a comprehensive victory, six tries in the second half wasn't good enough," he said.

Titans players look dejected. Source: Getty Images

"There's no doubt there's been a lot of distractions but we can't make excuses for that performance.

"For us to fall away like that is disappointing, we were outgunned ... we just didn't get any continuity in the second half."

PENRITH 40 (J Idris 3 D Whare 2 B Cartwright G Jennings S Manu tries M Moylan 4 goals) bt GOLD COAST 0 at Carrington Park. Referee: Alan Shortall, Gavin Morris. Crowd: 6,240.

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