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Culina links with dad at Jets

The departure of Jason Culina to Newcastle does not make the future of Shane Smeltz at Gold Coast any clearer, says chief executive Clive Mensink.

Losing Their Cool Top melees: Sport's best of the biff+16 Hyundai Matchday Saturday Chat with Robbie & Boz on Facebook during show

Gold Coast have confirmed that Culina would be playing under his dad and Jets coach Branko Culina from next season.

The Socceroos midfielder still had another season remaining on his United contract but had been given permission to speak with other clubs.

The loss of their foundation marquee man was expected to free up some cash for the off-contract Smeltz, who had also been linked to the Jets.

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However, Mensink said nothing could be read into Culina's departure.

"Retaining Smeltz and Jason leaving are two separate issues," he said.

"We have all got to work under a salary cap.

"The decision with Shane will be made at the end of the season."

Smeltz has postponed contract talks until the end of the season - a deadline that has been extended following Gold Coast's finals run.

They are two wins away from a grand final berth after booking a showdown with Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday following last weekend's 1-0 win over two-time champions Melbourne Victory.

The finals series has been billed as an end of an era for the Gold Coast squad due to the looming player exodus.

Dino Djulbic, Steve Pantelidis, Zenon Caravella, Bas van den Brink and now Culina are all confirmed exits, with speculation swirling around Smeltz.

Culina, 30, had been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery after breaking down during Australia's Asian Cup campaign last month.

But Culina had kept the door open for a last ditch finals tilt as he fast-tracked his recovery.

As much as Mensink wanted Culina to run out for Gold Coast again before linking with the Jets, he hoped he didn't see the Socceroo in Gold Coast colours again this season.

"We are unsure but for the benefit of Jason's future it is probably better that he doesn't try and come back (for United)," he said.

"Personally I would rather see him rehab properly and not try and put too much pressure on coming back too soon because obviously that can be detrimental to his playing future.

"We wish him well. He has obviously been a great ambassador for the club - as our foundation marquee player and captain he has served us graciously."

Mensink did not think Culina's defection would disrupt United's finals tilt.

"Jason addressed the players today and they are comfortable with his decision," he said.

"Jason had sat down with us in the past and we agreed that he could speak to other parties, and then a decision was made.

"We just wish him all the best.

"Now we are concentrating on this weekend against Adelaide."

United aren't lacking depth despite the threat of more departures.

Their national youth league team won the championship for the second straight year this season, ensuring a steady production line of talent.

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JT named for Cowboys trial

In an odd twist, Johnathan Thurston may yet captain North Queensland in their NRL pre-season trial against Gold Coast Titans in Cairns on Saturday night - despite his fate as Cowboys skipper hanging in the balance.

2011 NRL Trial Matches

Saturday 5/2/2011
Warriors 22 draw with Knights 22, Wingham Park, Greymouth

Friday 11/2/2011
Sea Eagles 18 defeat Sharks 0, Brookvale Oval, Brookvale
Tigers 22 defeat Cowboys 10, Brothers Rugby League Club, Kirwan

Saturday 12/2/2011
Warriors 24 defeat Parramatta 4, International Stadium, Rotorua
Bulldogs 24 defeat Roosters 22, Leichhardt Oval, Sydney
Broncos 42 defeat Titans 18, Kougari Oval, Wynnum

Sunday 13/2/2011
Dragons 32 defeat Rabbitohs 10, ANZ Stadium

Friday 18/2/2011
Dragons 28 defeat Bulldogs 14, WIN Stadium

Saturday 19/2/2011
Titans 42 defeat Rabbitohs 4, Coffs Harbour
Eels 30 defeat Tigers 10, Campbelltown Stadium
Broncos 26 defeat Cowboys 4, Alice Springs
Storm 24 defeat Raiders 4, Bega
Panthers 28 defeat Knights 22, Port Macquarie

Saturday 26/2/2011
Broncos v Storm Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe
Bulldogs v Raiders Scully Park, Tamworth
Cowboys v Titans Barlow Park, Cairns
Warriors v Sea Eagles North Harbour Stadium, Albany
Knights v Sharks Olympic Park, Muswellbrook
Panthers v Eels, Centrebet Stadium
Roosters v Tigers, SFS

The classy halfback was on Tuesday named in a strong Cowboys side to tackle the Titans as speculation swirled over his future as leader.

The Cowboys have maintained that a final verdict on Thurston will not be made until just before the official season kick-off against the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on March 11.

A player leadership group featuring Matt Scott, Brent Tate, Dallas Johnson and Aaron Payne are believed to have a major say on whether Thurston should remain as skipper in 2011.

Adding to the intrigue, Payne stood in for Thurston in the Cowboys' 26-4 trial loss to the Broncos in Alice Springs last weekend.

Curiously there was no captain named for the trial clash against the Titans - but Cowboys football manager Peter Parr said nothing should be read into that.

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"It is the same thing that I have been saying since the end of last season - we will be making a decision on the captain before the commencement of the season," he said.

"And once the club has decided on who will captain the club for 2011 we will let everyone know."

But Thurston may yet captain the Cowboys trial side in far north Queensland this weekend.

"That would be a question for the coach (Neil Henry) and he will probably make up his mind this weekend - we have a number of players there who are capable of doing that," Parr said.

The season kick-off may be in little more than two weeks' time but Parr said the Cowboys were in no hurry to make a decision on whether Thurston retained the captaincy.

"We will do it internally like we have always done," he said.

"Johnathan is comfortable with the process like he always has been.

"We have our own internal process about how we will go about making our decision.

"That process hasn't changed over a number of years and everybody within the club is comfortable with the process."

Thurston has endured intense scrutiny over his future as skipper after being arrested on a public nuisance charge in Brisbane in September.

It added another chapter to Thurston's colourful history at the Cowboys.

The Test and Queensland Origin No.7 had also been charged with public drunkenness after being arrested outside his Townsville apartment semi-naked in January 2008.

While tongues continue to wag over Thurston's future, Parr said the club had not been distracted by the speculation over their playmaker's future.

"The speculation comes externally, internally we are comfortable with the process," he said.

North Queensland Cowboys: Matthew Bowen, Ash Graham, Will Tupou, Willie Tonga, Michael Bani, Ray Thompson, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Scott Bolton, Glenn Hall, Dallas Johnson. Interchange: Moses Pangai, Ben Jones, Ashton Sims, Ricky Thorby, Leeson Ah Mau, Tariq Sims.

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Manou holds the key for SA

On the cricket field, South Australia wicketkeeper Graham Manou always shows plenty of heart. The trouble is he has a hole in his own heart.

South Australia vs Queensland

Stumps

SHEF - Adelaide Oval21 February 2011 - Day 2, Session 3South Australia 1st Innings

Queensland won the toss and elected to Bat.

South AustraliaSouth Australia7/275 QueenslandQueensland347 BatsmenRunsBalls4s6sSRG. Manou801646048.78N. Lyon023000

The longstanding health issue, diagnosed when he was 11, threatened to derail his innings on day two of the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at Adelaide Oval.

Manou had a crushing feeling in his chest during his time behind the stumps on Monday and then battled with the aftermath of his heart issues on Tuesday as he compiled an unbeaten 80 to put the Redbacks in reach of first innings points.

"It was a bit of a different feeling to what I'm used to having. It worried me a little bit," Manou said.

"Normally when I get my episodes it feels like my heart is coming out of the chest but this time it felt like my chest was caving in and someone was squeezing my heart."

With three first innings wickets intact going into day three, South Australia will be looking to the 31-year-old to steer his side past the Bulls total in a match it must win to climb from the bottom of the shield table.

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At stumps on day SA was 7-275, still needing another 72 runs to match Queensland's first innings knock of 347.

Manou will be looking for his seven first-class century when he resumes and was well aware the responsibility was firmly his.

"In any game of cricket someone in the top six needs to go on and make those starts into a hundred and tomorrow I've got the opportunity to do that," he said.

Ironically, it could be former South Australia star Darren Lehmann who might bring the Redbacks undone.

Manou said the Bulls were already showing the influence of the former SA skipper who has taken on a coaching role with Queensland.

"I think he has just relayed all the experience he has in playing here," he said.

"In the past Queensland have been a little bit guilty of sticking to the Queensland bowling lines.

"What they've done is they've come more to an Adelaide Oval wicket in their areas and lengths.

"It was quite obvious to me out there that those little things had come from Darren."

Earlier in the day Aiden Blizzard hit a neat 64, James Smith made 37 and Cameron Borgas 29 to be among several SA players to squander solid starts.

Queensland's attack shared the spoils with Cameron Boyce taking 2-52, Luke Feldman 2-56, Michael Neser 2-27 and James Hopes 1-63.

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Titans flog Souths 42-4

South Sydney coach John Lang has a major headache ahead of the Rabbitohs' opening match of the NRL season after a 42-4 flogging by Gold Coast Titans on Saturday night.

2011 NRL Trial Matches

Already missing star signing Greg Inglis and with fellow internationals Sam Burgess, Isaac Luke and Michael Crocker under injury clouds as well, Lang's worries were heightened with a further injury to backrower Ben Lowe during the trial match in Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast.

Even accounting for the absence of his stars Lang would also be holding serious doubts over his attacking options as the tried and tested halves combination of Chris Sandow and John Sutton was virtually impotent against the Titans.

Gold Coast coach John Cartwright has no such worries.

In his first match at five-eighth for the Titans since Mat Rogers retired, Greg Bird overcame a shaky start to work into some form, culminating in a try in the 69th minute.

Gold Coast dominated early but were unable to convert opportunities, leading only 8-0 at half time.

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But the introduction of Preston Campbell after the main break caused the spark for Gold Coast as he scored two of their six second-half tries.

"He (Preston Campbell) has to be there, he just bobs up in the right place all of the time," said Cartwright.

"It's no coincidence that as soon as he got out there he made two breaks and scored a couple of tries.
"He just has that natural know how of where to be."

"We had a lot more numbers than Souths and they got a bit tired towards the end of the game but we stuck to it and I think it turned out good."

Lang took nothing positive from the performance of his men.

"We were flat as tacks, terrible," he said.

"I thought we had a bit of energy last week but we had no energy at all tonight.

"Our halves struggled, our forwards struggled, everybody struggled.

"I reckon there might have been three blokes who looked good at times but we were terrible.

"I can't believe they're unfit with all of the training they've done.

"You lack a certain amount of match fitness but we were just flat for whatever reason."

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Roar knock off Mariners 2-0

Central Coast Mariners' horror run at Bluetongue Stadium continues, with minor premiers Brisbane Roar winning the first leg of their major semi-final 2-0.

Central Coast vs Brisbane

R29 - 19/02/11

Bluetongue Stadium

Full Time

Central Coast CCM0 - 2BRIBrisbane 1st Half2nd Half 0-152’K. Barbarous… 0-272’M. McKay

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A-League Finals: Week One

Friday, February 18
Elimination final:
Adelaide United defeat Wellington Phoenix 1-0, Hindmarsh Stadium.

Saturday, February 19
Major semi-final, leg one:
Brisbane Roar defeat Central Coast Mariners 2-0, Bluetongue Stadium

Sunday, February 20
Elimination final:
Gold Coast United v Melbourne Victory, Skilled Park, 5.30pm (EDT)

(Elimination final winners meet in minor semi-final during week two. Losers are eliminated.)

Second half strikes to Kosta Barbarouses and Matt McKay extended the premiers' unbeaten streak to 26 matches and put them on course the convert their domination of the season into a championship.

The Mariners now head into next Saturday's second leg at Suncorp Stadium facing a momentous task, having to beat the Roar by more than two goals at a venue where Brisbane have not lost a match since January 16, 2010.

The winner of the tie will host the grand final on March 12 while the loser must face off against either Adelaide, Gold Coast or Melbourne Victory in the preliminary final a week earlier.

The Roar were clinical in their finishing but the Mariners were made to pay for not taking their chances, striking the post three times in front of a disappointing finals crowd of 10,166.

The contest had been fairly even before the Mariners gave away possession cheaply in the 52nd minute, allowing McKay to intercept a hospital ball from Daniel McBreen to John Hutchinson and feed the ball to Barbarouses.

The striker still had plenty to do but shrugged off challenges from Alex Wilkinson and Patrick Zwaanswijk before slotting the ball past Mathew Ryan for his 12th goal of the campaign.

The Mariners pushed hard for an equaliser and found it in the 64th minute when they were denied by the post twice in a matter of seconds.

Patricio Perez collected a misplaced ball from Thomas Broich and played in McBreen, but the striker fired a shot into the right upright before Matt Simon also hit the post with a follow-up effort.

The Roar, who have never lost a match at Bluetongue Stadium, twisted the knife when they added a valuable second away goal in the 73rd minute through Socceroos star McKay.

The midfielder played a neat one-two with Barbarouses and was left alarmingly unmarked to flick a clever header over Ryan's head.

Neither side had been able to make a breakthrough in an entertaining first half.

Barbarouses almost gave the Roar the lead in the 22nd minute but hit a shot wide on the back of a beautiful phase of passing from the Roar.

Central Coast's best chance of the half came when McGlinchey surged into the box with a sublime run, beating off Stefanutto and Matt Smith before his deflected shot cannoned off the post.

Oliver Bozanic was on hand for the rebound but his shot was also deflected and went out for a corner.

Ange Postecoglou was proud of the Roar, saying they did the job despite not being at their brilliant best.

"It was always going to be a tough game," Postecoglou said.

"It's a finals game and they were at home so, we knew there were stages in the game we were going to have to battle and work hard, that's finals football.

"We did what we had to do, scored two quality goals and in the end got the job done."

The coach played down any fears his side could become complacent heading into the second leg with a comfortable lead.

"It's halftime, that's the way we're treating it," Postecoglou said.

"We're in a good position that's for sure. From our point of view its about continuing what we've been doing and finishing off the tie."

Mariners coach Arnold admitted his side paid for not taking their chances, but vowed to "go for it" in the return leg.

"It was a game of chances, we had more chances in the first half than they did and in big games like that, you've got to convert them," Arnold said.

"... The benefit of finishing second is we've got a double bite at the cherry and we can just go for it.

"Obviously Brisbane at home are a very tough team, but if not we've got another game the week after."

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Watson aware of key role

Australia all-rounder Shane Watson said he had "big shoes to fill" but vowed to do his best to get his team off to flying starts in their quest for a fourth successive ICC Cricket World Cup.

Watson, who opens the innings for the defending champions, excelled in the limited time he had at the crease at the 2007 World Cup, when big-hitting pair Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist opened the batting.

"It is a much bigger responsibility opening the innings and trying to lay a great platform for the team, like Hayden and Gilchrist did, especially in World Cups," said Watson, who batted lower down the order in the Caribbean.

"They are big shoes to fill because they have always performed well."

Watson, 29, emerged as the key opener after the retirements of Hayden and Gilchrist, hammering back-to-back centuries against England and New Zealand to help his side win the 2009 Champions Trophy in South Africa.

He was also in top form during Australia's recent one-day series win over England at home, scoring 306 runs with one hundred and two half-centuries.

Watson is expected to play a major role in Australia's World Cup campaign not only as an hard-hitting opener, but also as a disciplined seamer.

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"I know it is a big responsibility. It is a great challenge," said Watson, who has scored 3,353 runs with five centuries and taken 127 wickets in 123 one-day internationals.

"I now have a lot more role (playing a long innings and then coming to bowl perhaps 10 overs) within the team. It will be good to play that role for team."

Watson said he was confident of delivering as an all-rounder, especially after having given a good account of himself against England.

"Even in the World Twenty20, I'd had an important role to play with the ball. I come behind bowlers who have a good bit of pace and my job is to keep the scoring rate down and pick up a few wickets as well," he said.

"I definitely have more of a role within the team and during the last few months I have been in a good place as a bowler, especially in the one-day series against England and I hope to continue that."

Australia lost both of their warm-up matches against India and South Africa but Watson said he was not fretting about those results.

"Hopefully, not too much should be read into them. They were practice matches and we were trying to find the right balance," said Watson, who rated India, South Africa and Sri Lanka as the danger sides.

"Everyone is jumping out of their skins because it is not too often you get an opportunity to play in a World Cup. The team that deals with pressure better will be the winners," he said.

Australia, who have not lost a match in the past two World Cups under Ricky Ponting, open their campaign against Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad on Monday.

They have lost just one of their 27 one-dayers against the African side.

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Sehwag smacks 175

Virender Sehwag blasted a career-best 175 to power India to 4-370 after they were asked to bat by Bangladesh in the opening match of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

Bangladesh vs India

live19:30 PM

CWC - Shere Bangla National Stadium19 February 2011 - Day 1, Session 2Bangladesh 1st Innings

Bangladesh won the toss and elected to Bowl.

BangladeshBangladesh1/56 IndiaIndia4/370 BatsmenRunsBalls4s6sSRT. Iqbal7130053.85I. Kayes342970117.24BowlersOMORWEconM. Patel0.50111.20

A sell-out crowd of 25,000 at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium watched in stunned silence as Sehwag lashed 14 boundaries and five sixes in a 140-ball stay for his 14th one-day century.

Young Virat Kohli chipped in with 100 not out to leave the Tigers with a daunting target of 7.5 runs an over in the first World Cup game between the two sides since Bangladesh upset India in the previous edition in 2007.

Sehwag narrowly missed his pre-tournament aim to bat out the full 50 overs, just as his teammate Sachin Tendulkar had done in 2010 while scoring the first-ever 200 in one-day cricket.

He was bowled by Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan in the 48th over soon after equalling former India skipper Kapil Dev's score of 175 against Zimbabwe during the Cup-winning campaign in 1983.

Sehwag hit the first ball of the tournament for four, rocking on the backfoot to punch Shafiul Islam to the cover fence, before reaching his half-century with a six.

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Sehwag and Tendulkar hammered 69 for the first wicket by the 11th over when Bangladesh broke through with a stroke of luck.

Tendulkar drove a ball to mid-on and charged down the wicket, but found no response from the other end to leave both batsmen at the non-striker's end.

Shakib's direct throw to the wicketkeeper ended the world batting record holder's innings of 28.

Gautam Gambhir continued the run spree by adding 83 for the second wicket with Sehwag before he was bowled off Mohammad Mahmudullah's second delivery for 39.

Sehwag had scored half the team runs when he reached his first one-day century against Bangladesh in the 32nd over, adjusting his strokeplay on a wicket where the ball came slowly off the deck.

Kohli took over after Sehwag suffered a leg injury and called for a runner in the 38th over, stroking eight boundaries and two sixes during a third-wicket stand of 203 with his Delhi captain.

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