DAYNE Beams' return has lifted Collingwood above all rivals when it comes to star quality. Nathan Buckley's team is the only one to boast 10 players in the top 100 Official AFL Player Ratings. The Magpies' perfect 10 comprises All Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy (No.4), midfielders Adam Treloar (18), Scott Pendlebury (21), Steele Sidebottom (28), Taylor Adams (31), defenders Jack Crisp (44) and Jeremy Howe (61), ex-Lion Beams (65), wingman Tom Phillips (87) and emerging star Jordan de Goey (90). And that doesn't include influential trio in small forward Jamie Elliott, veteran midfielder Daniel Wells and swingman Darcy Moore, each of whom would be in contention for the top 100 had it not been for injury. In further reason for optimism for the 2018 grand finalist, the Magpies are one clear of Adelaide, which has nine top-100 performers – Rory Sloane (10), Matt Crouch (42), Hugh Greenwood (59), Bryce Gibbs (69), Richard Douglas (73), Sam Jacobs (74), Rory Laird (86), Eddie Betts (94) and Tom Lynch (96). Crows skipper Taylor Walker's ranking (106) drifted out to three figures for the first time since mid-2016. Rory Sloane (left) is the Crows' top-ranked player but the skipper has slipped a little. Picture: AFL Photos AFL 2018 Round 16 - Richmond v Adelaide Then comes 2017 premier Richmond and fellow top-four qualifier Hawthorn with eight each. The star-studded Tigers possess the No.1 player in the game in superstar midfielder Dustin Martin, along with Shane Edwards (17), Jack Riewoldt (34), Trent Cotchin (46), Kane Lambert (49), Alex Rance (54), Toby Nankervis (60) and Josh Caddy (88), while Dion Prestia sits at No.102 and his former Gold Coast teammate Tom Lynch is expected to leap up the list from his injury-impacted No.187. The Hawks are also well endowed with high-end talent with Ben McEvoy (13), Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell (15), Luke Breust (39), elder statesman Shaun Burgoyne (45), Jack Gunston (50), ex-Power star Chad Wingard (66), Jarryd Roughead (82) and Liam Shiels (100). Just outside this bracket are vice-captain Isaac Smith (104) and the rising James Sicily (136). The resurgent Magpies, who came within a straight kick of the premiership this year, also boast a competition-high six players in the top 50 (and that doesn't include Beams), followed by Richmond and Hawthorn with five apiece and Sydney's four. Essendon, tipped by many to enter premiership contention next year, has six top-100 players (equal-fifth in the AFL), courtesy of its recruitment of ex-Giants star Dylan Shiel, while several Bombers are hovering around the mark including Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (105), club champion Devon Smith (108), Adam Saad (109) and Jake Stringer (121). The acquisition of Dylan Shiel gives the Bombers six players in the top 100. Picture: AFL Photos AFL 2018 Media - Essendon FC Amart Sponsorship Launch

TOM MITCHELL will start next season as the most expensive AFL Fantasy Classic player following a record-breaking season. The Brownlow Medallist broke his own record for most Fantasy points scored in a season and will cost coaches keen to start with the ball magnet $938,000. While it is a significant chunk of the $12,800,000 salary cap, Mitchell averaged 129.2 points and is a reliable captain option to score the all-important double points. The $200K salary cap increase from last season mirrors the cap the list managers of the 18 clubs are required to navigate. How it works Players are priced according to their 2018 output. In simple terms, their average from the previous season is multiplied by the 'magic number'. There are some exceptions. If a player takes part in fewer than 10 games, a discount will apply in the form of 3 per cent per game. Discounted players are priced according to the higher of their last two seasons' averages. If they miss a full season, the discount can be up to 30 per cent – the price will be calculated on the player's previous season average. Sam Docherty (DEF, $593,000) missed all of 2018 after rupturing his ACL early in last year's pre-season. The newly appointed Carlton co-captain has received a 30 per cent discount, pricing him well below the 116.8 he averaged in 2017. The price of the cheapest players available remains at $170,000, with the top 50 draftees having a premium added to their price. Docherty's new team mate, No. 1 pick Sam Walsh (MID, $270,000) is the highest-priced draftee. Second pick Jack Lukosius (FWD, $268,000) is valued $2K less. That trend continues until the 52st selection, and all subsequent picks are basement priced. We will reveal all prices and positions, as provided by Champion Data, over the coming weeks ahead of the launch of AFL Fantasy in late January.

WHEN Hawthorn hosts Essendon in round 13 next year, all eyes will be on whether Bombers small forward Irving Mosquito plays, and the damage he inflicts on the Hawks. For the duration of his AFL career, Mosquito will forever be remembered as the player the Hawks passed up at pick 38 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft. Living in the Hawks' Next Generation Academy catchment area in Gippsland, Mosquito had moved from remote Western Australia as an 11-year-old. However, the Hawks opted not to match the Bombers' bid for him, instead holding fire with plans of their own for GWS Academy member Mathew Walker later in the draft. They're just two of a number of Academy and father-son prospects overlooked in the open draft by the clubs they were tied to since 2013. Irving Mosquito – Essendon (Pick 38, 2018 NAB AFL Draft) Arriving at Tullamarine at 72kg, he's got plenty of developing to do, but the Bombers are confident they've landed a small forward for the future. Not holding a pick until the second round after trading for Dylan Shiel, the Bombers had been watching Mosquito's name closely. When lodging the bid, the Bombers were over the moon when Hawthorn passed up the chance to match. Mathew Walker – Hawthorn (Pick 63, 2018 NAB AFL Draft) A member of Greater Western Sydney's Academy, the Giants were well aware of the Riverina forward's capabilities. Playing for the Giants' NEAFL side, he even booted five goals in a match against Gold Coast as a 17-year-old in 2017. He also played one game for Albury Tigers in the Ovens and Murray Football League in 2018 – for a premiership. But the Hawks pounced, nabbing him after the Giants decided not to match their bid. Declan Watson – North Melbourne (Pick 34, 2016 NAB AFL Draft) Hailing from Aspley, Queensland, Watson played six NEAFL games for the Lions during 2016 after impressing in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships. However, the Lions knocked back the chance to match North Melbourne's bid as he walked to Arden Street. Suffering an ACL in 2017, the key defender spent 2018 recovering but received a one-year extension for 2019. Josh Williams – North Melbourne (Pick 36, 2016 NAB AFL Draft) Blessed with blistering speed, Williams was nabbed by the Roos despite being a member of the Gold Coast Academy. Had moved from Townsville to Gold Coast to further his football as a 17-year-old, but the Suns opted not to match the Roos' bid. Played just two games in two years at the Roos and despite playing 16 VFL games this year, was delisted at season's end. Kobe Mutch – Essendon (Pick 42, 2016 NAB AFL Draft) Having been a member of the AFL Academy and GWS in 2016, playing for the Giants in the NEAFL, Mutch ended up a Bomber. The Giants had first rights to the half-back but opted to allow him to end up at the Bombers, where he debuted and played three senior matches in 2018. Has a contract until 2020. Harrison Macreadie – Carlton (Pick 47, 2016 NAB AFL Draft) Another who the Giants passed up the opportunity to recruit. Hailing from Henty – between Albury and Wagga Wagga – in south-west NSW, the defender debuted for the Giants in the NEAFL in his bottom-age under-18 year. However, Stephen Silvagni and his recruiting team liked what they saw in another 'Giant', Macreadie playing eight games in his debut season before hamstring and quad setbacks hurt his 2018.

FORMER Swan Dean Towers is taking charge of one of grassroots football's best-kept secrets next year. Towers' 57-game, six-season career at the highest level came to an end in October when he was one of four Sydney delistings, although he was keen to find a second AFL home. Instead, the 28-year-old forward signed as AFL Sydney club University of NSW-Eastern Suburbs' playing coach, which will coincide with him pursuing an exercise physiology university degree. Towers will reunite with ex-teammate and close friend Brandon Jack at the Bulldogs and is hoping to lure freshly delisted Swans midfielder Jake Brown. "I thought I had a bit more to give (in the AFL), hence why I put my hand up for a lifeline, but nothing eventuated," Towers told AFL.com.au. "They were playing young guys ahead of me throughout most of the year, so it wasn't too much of a shock, but everything turned out pretty well. "I'll be able to finish off uni in a couple of years and get to experience coaching while still playing, and my body's not too wrecked from playing AFL footy." UNSW-Eastern Suburbs has produced eight AFL draftees in the past nine years, most recently top-10 pick Nick Blakey, but also All Australian Dane Rampe and 2014 Hawks premiership hero Will Langford. Midfielder Errol Gulden, the AFL Under-16 Championships' best and fairest in 2018, is also tracking to be a first-round selection – like Towers himself was in 2012 – in two years' time. "They've had a few kids drafted out of there and they get a few of the (ex-AFL) talent coming back as well after they finish, so they're a pretty proud club," Towers said. "I'm looking forward to getting down there and getting stuck into it and throwing myself in the deep end a bit with coaching. "They won the premiership last season and their list is only getting stronger, so I definitely want to go for the premiership defence, for sure."

A NO.1 pick on the comeback trail, some new leaders in the west and a fiery training session in Tasmania rounded out the third week of the AFL Women's pre-season. Round one for Izzy? Last year's first pick Isabel Huntington is entering "a vital period" in her recovery from a right knee reconstruction and is holding out hopes for a round-one return. The Western Bulldogs forward ruptured her ACL in round two of the 2018 AFLW season in early February. "My rehab's going really well so far. I'm nine or 10 months in and all on track for this stage," Huntington told westernbulldogs.com.au. "Hopefully I'll be right for round one if I tick the boxes with physios in the next couple of months. "It's a pretty vital period we're going to go through, but at this stage it's feeling really good and I'm feeling comfortable … (and) excited to get back with the group." Huntington has now progressed to contact work and tackling and is hoping to be back in full training after Christmas. It isn't the first knee rehabilitation she has gone through, having ruptured the ACL in her left knee as a junior in September 2016. "A lot of things are pretty similar in terms of the recoveries. The last rehab was a bit longer. I took 18 months to play footy again and had a bit more time up my sleeve. I could take things a little more slowly, which was good," she said. "In saying that, this time around I've got the experience of having done a knee before and going through the whole rehab process. "Being at the club with access to the facilities and staff (is great). They know how to go through it and have been great support." Donnellan's deputies Kara Donnellan will captain Fremantle's AFLW side for a third season, but she will be working with a different leadership group than in seasons past. Best and fairest winner Ebony Antonio, uncompromising defender Evie Gooch and forward/midfielder Gabby O'Sullivan are official leaders for the first time. Marquee midfielder Kiara Bowers, who has yet to take to the field at AFLW level after battling knee injuries including a right knee reconstruction, retains her leadership position.

ON THE surface, Adelaide's 2014 draft haul doesn't look like a success. Only one of its eight players selected across the national and rookie intakes (plus elevated rookies) remains on its list four years on. But dig a little deeper and the Crows' quality record of recruiting comes through. Adelaide picked four players in the national draft that year: Jake Lever (pick No.14), Harrison Wigg (No.35), Mitch McGovern (No.43) and Harry Dear (No.58). They also upgraded rookie Charlie Cameron to the senior list that year, before taking Reilly O'Brien, Keenan Ramsey and Anthony Wilson in the rookie draft. Of all of the players the Crows brought into the club in 2014, only ruckman O'Brien remains. But the Crows haven't lost out. Through their trading, and ability to find talent deeper in the draft, they have turned one first-round pick in 2014 (Lever) into four first-round selections, one of which helped them land Bryce Gibbs from Carlton last year (himself a No.1 pick back in 2006). Lever's exit to Melbourne at the end of 2017 following the Crows' Grand Final loss saw the Crows pick up two first-round selections from the Demons with a swap of later picks. The Crows also spent last year's trade period negotiating the exit of Charlie Cameron, who wanted to head to Brisbane. The Lions finally gave away their pick 12 for the former rookie, who Adelaide had spotted in 2013 and taken a punt on. Adelaide drafted local forward Darcy Fogarty with the pick netted by Cameron's departure. McGovern's inconsistency saw him fall down the draft order in his under-18 year, but the Crows banked on his high marking and versatility and saw him flourish in his four years at the club. He quit at the end of this season despite being contracted, but the Crows were able to secure another first-rounder out of the deal, taking pick 13 from the Blues, as well as SANFL forward Shane McAdam. Clearly the Crows would have preferred to keep the players that have left the club. However, their record of recruiting low and then selling high means their list has continued to evolve and add young talent, such as this year's draft when the Crows grabbed Chayce Jones and Ned McHenry with top-20 picks. Of the other players taken by the Crows in 2014, Wigg was traded to Gold Coast last year and Harry Dear was delisted at the end of this season. Ramsay and Wilson, both rookies, were cut after 2016 and 2015 respectively. The Crows' key trades 2017 Out: Jake Lever, second round pick (No.35), 2018 third-round pick In: Pick 10, Melbourne's 2018 first-round pick, 2018 fourth-round pick Out: Charlie Cameron In: Pick 12 Out: Picks 10 and 16, pick 73, 2018 second-round pick In: Bryce Gibbs, pick 77, 2018 second-round pick, 2018 third-round pick

FREMANTLE hopes this week's training camp on the Gold Coast will help embed the team's gameplan and fast-track bonding within the revamped squad. The Dockers arrived in Queensland on Sunday, with players hitting the training track on Monday. Some fans have raised eyebrows as to why the Dockers would fly across the country for part of their pre-season, given the team travels so much during the season. But coach Ross Lyon believes the move will greatly benefit his young team. Lyon ran the same camps in 2009 and 2010 when he was coach of St Kilda and the Saints reached the Grand Final in both of those years. Fremantle has added 32 new players to its list over the past three seasons, including 10 this year. Former Demons forward Jesse Hogan, Travis Colyer, Reece Conca, and Rory Lobb are among the latest recruits. The Dockers have missed the finals for three straight years but their recruitment spree has given them confidence of snaring a top-eight berth in 2019. "We've got a huge number of new players," football operations manager Peter Bell said from the Gold Coast on Monday. "(This camp) is more a chance to get away, really embed the gameplan, and spend some quality down time together. "It's pretty similar to the schedule that we'd have back in WA, except there'll be additional gameplan sessions and education sessions, just to get everyone on the same page. "Ross has used this in his coaching history a few times to great effect and we think there's enormous value to get everyone together and get everyone on the same page, and to do a meaningful training week as well." One notable absentee from the Gold Coast camp was Stephen Hill, who is recovering from surgery on his troublesome left quad. Hill, who was plagued by the injury several times last season, won't be back on running duties for another six to eight weeks. The Dockers received a boost on Sunday when ruckman Sean Darcy re-signed for a further two years, tying him to Fremantle until the end of 2022.

REIGNING Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell says he doesn't need an official leadership role to feel he is contributing to that cause at Hawthorn. Jarryd Roughead's decision to step down as captain ahead of what could be his final season has presented opportunities for a number of senior Hawks to take on more responsibility. Vice-captains Isaac Smith and Liam Shiels appear the most likely candidates to replace Roughead, but Mitchell wasn't part of the leadership group at all in his first two seasons at Waverley Park. "It doesn't really faze me too much. Titles don't mean anything, really," Mitchell told reporters on Monday. "As long as you're contributing in that space (and) playing a part; you're helping others around you get better, helping the guys younger than you get better, then that's all you can do. "You still always want to be yourself, and everyone leads in different ways, and I always want to try and lead by example on the park. "There are other ways you can lead, and I'm learning from guys like Isaac Smith and Liam Shiels and working with all the coaches as well, (on) how I can develop as a leader. "The more leaders we have on board, the more guys we'll have driving the group, the better we'll be as a team." Mitchell officially returned to training last week, but made an early appearance in mid-November with the club's first-to-fourth-year players after arriving back in Melbourne from overseas. The 25-year-old's leadership was on display on that day and he also put to bed any doubt that the right AC joint injury he suffered in the finals loss to Melbourne would hamper his pre-season. "The shoulder's good. I've had about eight or 10 weeks' recovery time now, so I don't think it's going to affect me at all," he said. "It's feeling good on the track and in the gym, so I'm not worried about it. "I've started contact stuff – we did a little bit today – and it isn't affecting me and the medical team is right on top of it, so they've done a great job of looking after it." Mitchell has enjoyed his early interactions with fellow Brownlow medallist and new midfield coach Sam Mitchell and is keen to see what the relationship can do for his football. "He was a pretty special player, so I'm looking forward to working with him," he said. "He was a really smart player when he did play and his coaching speaks for itself as well, from the time we've had with him. "He was someone who was a strong leader at the club and also a highly skilled, highly driven player. "His mentality and the way he approached the game and some technical parts as to how he uses his hands and feet are some things I'll sit down and discuss with him when I get the chance."

FAST-TRACKING West Coast's ruck recruits will be a priority for new assistant coach Matt Rosa after returning to the west to help fill the void left by Sam Mitchell. Rosa is back in the Eagles' nest after requesting a trade to Gold Coast at the end of 2015, only days after he was the sub in the Grand Final belting from Hawthorn. The 32-year-old takes over stoppage and structures from Nathan van Berlo, who has stepped up into Mitchell's role as midfield coach. With premiership tall Scott Lycett departed to Port Adelaide and star ruckman Nic Naitanui (ACL) on the comeback trail, Rosa is tasked with building the understanding between new ruck arrivals Tom Hickey and Keegan Brooksby and West Coast's mids. "A lot of it will be trying to get that chemistry right, so we'll spend a lot of time getting those ruckmen with the midfielders at training, and also finding out their strengths and weaknesses and trying to get them to adapt as quickly as possible," Rosa said. "A lot of it is going to be around discussions, we'll be picking their brains and trying to find out what they can and can't do." Rosa said the Eagles were open to continuing with their two-ruck policy next season, but flag-winning big man Nathan Vardy and Hickey will both be competing for the main role over summer. "They're both pushing for that No.1 spot and I think they're both going to train that way, they're both competitors as well," he said. "They'll be having a crack and Tommy's been super impressive, he ran really well in the 2km time trial and he's really keen to put his hand up and play some AFL footy. "It's going to be interesting pre-season with a few boys battling it out for ruck spots." Rosa, who played 39 games for the Suns after 168 appearances at West Coast, believed existing relationships would be beneficial in his new role, for which he prepared by analysing and keeping a diary on his coaches during the second half of his 14-season career. He felt proud watching the Eagles salute in this year's decider, knowing the pain of 2015, and had no doubt the squad was still hungry. "Sitting up in the stands to see guys who I played with in 2015 achieve the ultimate, and I knew how much it hurt, I was super proud of what they were able to do," Rosa said. "They went through their struggles after the Grand Final and they were able to turn it around, which is hard to do. "The way they've come back in good shape shows they're still hungry and I'm sure they're keen for some more success." The Eagles sweated through a two-hour training session at Subiaco Oval on Monday, with a host of players on individual programs. Star spearhead Josh Kennedy (shoulder) pushed through a power of running, while Liam Duggan (knee), Chris Masten (hamstring) and Oscar Allen (shins) were among the players in and out of skills work.

ELLIE Blackburn has forecast more time in the midfield in 2019, as the Western Bulldogs try to cover for departed duo Emma Kearney and Jenna Bruton. Kearney, the 2018 AFL Women’s best and fairest, and young star Bruton moved to expansion club North Melbourne during the off-season. Blackburn, who captained the Dogs to the 2018 flag while standing in for the suspended Katie Brennan, had split her time between the middle and half-forward in the premiership-winning run. "They're two big-game players we will definitely miss, but that opens the door for other girls to step into the midfield group," Blackburn told AFL.com.au. "I played a bit more in the midfield last season, so the opportunity will open up for more game time there. "Monique Conti, who shone in the Grand Final (winning the best-on-ground medal), will obviously get a bit more midfield time, as will some of the recruits. "We've got a pretty versatile team, so I don't think you can just put it down to a group of four or six. A lot of girls will roll through there, which is great." Blackburn said recruit Belinda Smith, who was signed as a delisted free agent from Fremantle in June, had been impressive in pre-season training. "She has been phenomenal. Her leadership on the field is exceptional and she's training the house down, so I'm impressed with the way she's going about it," Blackburn said. "(Draftee) Eleanor Brown is slowly coming out of her shell and involving herself in everything. "Her fitness levels are incredible. She's been taking it to the top endurance girls in Brooke Lochland and Libby Birch in our running sessions." The Bulldogs are under no illusions and know their flag defence will be tough, especially given the turnover of players at each team and the short season.

When Virat Kohli's playing days are over, it won't be the runs, records or riches he's accumulated that will define his legacy. Instead, it will be how he has inspired a cricket-obsessed country to push boundaries, conquer fears and keep the national team at the apex of world cricket. At least, that's the desire of the man himself. "Honestly, numbers and all these things would be the last thing I would think of when I finish playing," Kohli told former Australia gloveman Adam Gilchrist in a wide-ranging interview on Fox Cricket. "For me, the most important thing is if I've been able to inspire the next lot to push themselves towards excellence and break their own barriers of any kind of limitations they have in their minds or bodies. "Anything like that, because that's what I believe in – to be able to play my cricket at the level I want until the time the time I (stop playing) is my goal. "If I can leave that legacy behind where people are striving for excellence every day in what they eat, how they train, how much they sleep, what their rest patterns are like, how they practice, how they think about the game and keep Indian cricket at that level. "If I can contribute to that even five per cent I'll be very happy at the end of my career." Kohli, at 30, is already widely regarded as the best white-ball batter in history. He's also the current world No.1 Test batter and leads the premier Test cricket team on the planet. Off the field he ranks among TIME magazine's Top 100 most influential people of 2018 and Forbes listed him as the 83rd richest athlete in the world, with earnings of US $24 million. Almost one year ago, Kohli married Bollywood actress and producer Anushka Sharma, whom he says has made him a better person. That kind of profile, both in and away from cricket, has seen Kohli gather an enormous following on social media, with more than 90 million accounts following his activities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. But Kohli does not let himself get caught up with the trappings of fame and the public fascination of his life. He sees it as an opportunity to inspire and entertain, to enrich his fans' lives and for that he says he is grateful. "My focus is on doing the normal things, just staying in the present, focusing on what I need to do in my sport and my life and not get too attached to anything else because it can get dangerous," he said.

India's injured opening batsman Prithvi Shaw is stepping up his unlikely bid to return to action in the second Test against Australia. Shaw, who suffered an ankle injury while fielding in India's tour game on November 29, resumed running on Monday. The 19-year-old is still wearing a protective brace on his left ankle but jogged around Adelaide Oval as his teammates prepared for Monday's final day of play in the first Test. The Indian camp still rate Shaw an unlikely starter in the second Test starting in Perth on Friday, with a return in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne more likely. "With youth on his side there might just be a case where he might recover quicker," Indian coach Ravi Shastri said last week. "We'll make a call as and when we get closer to Perth." Shaw is considered one of India's most exciting batting prospects and has already been dubbed the 'next Sachin Tendulkar'. Shaw, who turned 19 on November 8, made his Test debut in the two-game series against West Indies last October. He won the man-of-the-series award, making 134 - becoming the youngest Indian to score a century on Test debut - followed by 70 and 33.

Brisbane Heat coach and Test legend Daniel Vettori believes his squad for this summer's KFC Big Bash has been boosted by a man capable of becoming a "world-class allrounder". The Heat announced back in March the signing of James Pattinson, one of Australia's finest pacemen but also one of its most injury prone. But Vettori, who has been monitoring the progress of Pattinson in the JLT Sheffield Shield since his comeback to first-class cricket on November 3, said he envisaged getting the best value out of the Victorian as a fast-bowling allrounder. Following his return, Pattinson has taken eight wickets in four Shield matches, bowling 17 overs in each of his first three comeback games, and 14 ahead of the final day of the Vics' clash with Western Australia in Melbourne. "We've obviously been crossing our fingers, hoping he gets through (Shield cricket without incident)," said Vettori. "He's had a high workload, and speaking to him, he's starting to feel more and more confident in his body. "The reason we got him here is because we think he can be a game-changer. "He hasn't played a heap of T20 cricket, but if you look at the last few years of his overall cricket, he's really started to mature as an allrounder, and I think that's where we'll get the most benefit of him – as a strike bowler and looking to bat in that seven or eight role, which is a crucial role in the T20 game." After spending more than a year on the sidelines due to serious back surgery, Pattinson made tentative steps back toward the top level via Premier Cricket with Dandenong, before scoring a century in October in a lone appearance for Victoria's Toyota Futures League team. Throughout his decorated playing career at the top level, Vettori transitioned from a left-arm orthodox spinner to a genuine bowling allrounder; the left-hander didn't score a Test hundred until his 49th Test, but finished his 113-match career with six centuries and an average of 30. He believes Pattinson, who averages 25.14 with the bat in first-class cricket and has publicly voiced his desire to be considered an allrounder, has shown the potential to make a similar transformation. The numbers support the theory; from his past 19 first-class innings stretching back to an earlier comeback in February 2017, he averages 32.56. "If you follow the last couple of years – what he did at Notts (in county cricket), and what he's slowly doing with Victoria at the moment – you can see a cricketer who has developed a lot," Vettori said. "More around his all-round game. When cricketers have injuries, they do look to try and develop other aspects (of their game) and I think 'Patto' was always a batsman, but he's really come on with that. "There's hope that his bowling and his body stays (right), because it's a pretty special package, but when you add the batting to it as well, he could become one of those world-class allrounders."

NORTH Melbourne's successful trade period will make competition for senior spots fiercer than ever in 2019, but emerging midfielder Paul Ahern is embracing the challenge knowing the influx of talent will only make the Roos stronger. Although the Kangaroos missed their No.1 off-season target, West Coast wingman Andrew Gaff, they addressed their pressing need for outside run and class by bringing in Port Adelaide pair Jared Polec and Jasper Pittard, and Gold Coast's Aaron Hall. They also added to their inside midfield stocks with Demon and former Giant Dom Tyson. Ahern finished the 2018 season as one of North's most exciting young midfield prospects, having flourished after finally debuting in his fourth AFL season, a milestone that was delayed by two right knee reconstructions in 2016, his second and last season at Greater Western Sydney. The former Calder Cannon knows the arrival of the club's experienced recruits means he is no walk-up start for round one next year. But he wouldn't have it any other way. "The new boys have been good around the club already. On the track they've been showing really good leadership," Ahern said. "They all have their own skills sets, so everyone brings something different to the team, and I think it's really going to bolster our midfield this year. "To have Jared Polec on the wing, Aaron Hall running through there as well, and Dom Tyson as that really good inside midfielder, it's going to be tight for spots. But if you want to be in a good team, that's what you've got to have. "Come the season we've all got to work together and find out who fits where and obviously 'Scotty' [coach Brad Scott] will pick the best side that he thinks will help us win games." Paul Ahern is eager to learn from some of his hard-nosed teammates. Picture: AFL Photos AFL 2018 Round 15 - Essendon v North Melbourne For now, Ahern is focused on putting his "best foot forward", a determined attitude that was evident when he was one of several North youngsters who trained for nearly three weeks during the off-season at high altitude in Utah. The 22-year-old has also identified increasing his tackle numbers – he averaged 2.4 in 11 games last season – and improving his contested ball-winning and body work around stoppages as key focuses this summer. As he works to improve these areas of his game, Ahern is closely watching the example that senior Roos Ben Cunnington, Shaun Higgins and Ben Jacobs set on the training track. He has picked excellent role models.

Nic Maddinson has suffered a broken arm after copping a nasty blow in his debut JLT Sheffield Shield match for Victoria on Sunday. The day after posting a brilliant 162 in his first innings with his new state, Maddinson was forced from the field and retired hurt after being struck by Western Australia speedster Jhye Richardson. The left-hander had moved to 10 off 20 balls in the hosts' second innings at the MCG before a brute of a short ball from Richardson hit him on the right forearm. After being taken from the ground for scans, Cricket Victoria later confirmed he'd suffered a fractured ulna. He's set to be sidelined for four to six weeks, which will see him miss the start of the KFC Big Bash season with his new club Melbourne Stars. Richardson had immediately gone to check on the batsman’s well-being as Maddinson received medical attention. He recoiled in visible distress as the doctor performed a series of tests on his arm out in the middle of the ground. Maddinson had not been wearing an arm guard. "To see him go down when he's batting so well is disappointing," Victoria spinner Jon Holland, who earlier took 5-65 to bowl WA out for 296, said of Maddinson after play. "He's fitted in the group really well, he works hard, he's a good bloke," "We didn't know much until the Doc got out there and started pressing his thumb into his arm – it looked pretty painful. "He's batting as well as we've ever seen him bat."

Sydney Thunder rediscovered their form with bat and ball to record an impressive 28-run win over Brisbane Heat in a run-heavy Rebel WBBL contest at North Sydney Oval on Sunday. The Heat were bowled out for 164 off 18.5 overs in response to the home side's massive 4-192. The Thunder suffered a demoralising defeat against local rivals the Sixers on Saturday, but a day later they had numerous strong performers with the bat against the Heat's strong bowling attack. Harmanpreet Kaur top-scored with a whirlwind knock of 56 from 26 balls, including three sixes. The Indian T20 skipper reached her half-century off just 23 balls, failing just one ball shy of the competition record. Rachel Priest was not far behind her teammate scoring 49 off 28 balls, while fellow opener Rachael Haynes was more measured for her 36. In reply, the Heat were briefly on track as they found the boundary with regularity, only for a mid-innings collapse to cruel their chances. Heat opener Grace Harris impressed with 54 off just 28 balls but her dismissal kick-started a dramatic collapse of 6-10. Maisy Gibson (3-18) and Stafanie Taylor (3-23) did most of the damage with the ball.

Australia limited-overs star Chris Lynn warmed up for the upcoming KFC Big Bash League season with a swashbuckling T20 century in Queensland Premier Cricket on Sunday, while suspended duo Steve Smith and David Warner both scored half-centuries in the Kingsgrove Sports Twenty20 Cup in Sydney. Lynn was in fine touch for Brisbane side Toombul, with the explosive right-hander smashing 15 sixes on his way to a brutal 113 from just 45 deliveries in a victory over South Brisbane at Fehlberg Park. The Queenslander also turned out for Toombul on Saturday, hitting four sixes in a quickfire 19-ball knock of 37 as his side were defeated by Ipswich / Logan at home. But it was his innings on Sunday that turned heads ahead of the start of BBL|08 later this month, with Lynn bringing up three figures from just 37 balls with eight overs remaining in Toombul's innings. He then cleared the rope on another two occasions, before finally holing out for 113 from the bowling of Jamie Eccles. It was Lynn's first score of greater than 50 since he led all run-scorers at the JLT One-Day competition at the start of the summer, with the 28-year-old going through a run of outs recently for Australia in both 50-over and T20 cricket. In Sydney, Smith was in a particularly devastating mood, with the former Australia captain hitting five fours and three sixes on his way to an entertaining 61 from 33 deliveries. His efforts ensured Sutherland successfully chased down Sydney's decent total of 5-198 with two balls to spare at Drummoyne Oval. Zak Crawley had earlier scored an unbeaten century from 42 balls to help guide Sydney to their big score. A more patient Warner seemed to be on track to lead Randwick Petersham to victory over St George as he brought up his half-century with the required target of 140 within sight at Hurstville Oval. But he fell for 61 and his teammates couldn't pick up the slack as St George held on for a six-run triumph to progress to the conference final and knock out Randwick Petersham from the competition.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes on-field umpires around the world no longer look at the front line to check for no-balls, a trend he believes is "not right" and detrimental to the fielding side. Ponting said some "blatantly obvious" instances of India's Ishant Sharma over-stepping on day four of the first Test, none of which were called a no-ball on the field, indicated to him that the umpires were leaving no-ball decisions up to the third official in the case of a wicket falling. The issue came into focus on Sunday after Ishant dismissed Aaron Finch early in Australia's innings; Umpire Kumar Dharmasena raised his finger but Finch earned a reprieve from the third official when replays showed Ishant had overstepped. Television broadcasters subsequently showed that the right-armer continued to overstep during his spell, but a no-ball was not signalled on the field at any stage. "I've said this for a lot of years; I honestly don't think the umpires look at the front line anymore," Ponting told cricket.com.au. "Some of the ones we've seen today … he was 4-6 inches over the line. "I don't think the umpires are looking and I certainly don't think they were looking at those ones because they were blatantly obvious ones. "And as we know now, they'll only ever look at them if a wicket falls, which as far as I'm concerned is not right. "Part of umpiring is to get the no-ball decisions right as well. I'm not asking for everything to be spot on, but if you're six inches over then surely you can call it." Ponting said India had every right to expect to be told when Ishant had over-stepped so the quick could adjust his run-up and delivery stride and avoid the issue costing him a wicket. "If I was the fielding team, I'd want to know," he said. "If I was Virat Kohli and I knew that my bowler was bowling a no-ball more often than not, I'd want to know that so I could pull that back in line." Just two weeks ago, Sri Lanka's Lakshan Sandakan was shown to have over-stepped 40 per cent of the time during a spell in the third Test against England – none of which were called no-balls on the field – and he twice dismissed Ben Stokes from deliveries that the third umpire later ruled to be no-balls.

Australian captain Tim Paine has urged his side to dream of Dubai as they look to pull off a record-breaking victory against India in Adelaide on Monday. Almost two months on from Australia’s great escape against Pakistan in the UAE, Paine’s young team face an equally daunting task against the world’s number one Test side, needing 219 runs to beat India on Monday with six wickets in hand. If Australia are able to pull off their pursuit of 323 to win, it would be the highest-successful run chase ever in an Adelaide Test, eclipsing the current record of 6-315 set at the turn of the 20th Century. With the Dubai Test still fresh in the memory, when Usman Khawaja, Travis Head and Paine helped the Aussies bat out almost 140 overs and secure a draw, the young Australian side are daring to believe despite history being against them. "Tim was just saying that we’ve had that belief before when our backs have been against the wall," spinner Nathan Lyon said after the hosts finished day four on 4-104. "We’ve got a massive sniff here, I believe. "We still believe we can win this. "It’s about coming out tomorrow and winning the first ball, the first over, the first hour and just breaking it down. Cricket’s a very simple game and we just need to not complicate things and enjoy ourselves." Lyon also backed South Australian skipper Head to "make a hero of himself on his home ground" by scoring his maiden Test century on Monday and steering his side to victory. Head impressed in scoring 72 on debut in that fourth innings of the Dubai Test, a score he matched in the first innings here. Much of the responsibility on Monday will fall on Head, who will resume on 11 not out in just his third Test, and veteran Shaun Marsh (31no), who scored an unbeaten 163 to steer Western Australia to victory in a JLT Sheffield Shield game in Adelaide last month. Head received warm applause from his home fans when he walked to the crease on Sunday and Lyon, who presented the left-hander with his Baggy Green cap in Dubai, has backed the 24-year-old to produce the goods. "There’s a chance for Travis Head to come out a make a hero of himself on his home ground," Lyon said. "Everyone knows that I’m close with Travis and I’m a big fan of him. Play VideoInside Australia's emotional Baggy Green presentations "Both of those guys have my full support and I guarantee that whole change room is right behind those guys out there. "I think the pitch has quickened up a little bit and is doing a lot less for the seamers. "It's definitely spinning, and they've got a world-class spinner, so it's going to be a great challenge for … two left-handers, with Ravi (Ashwin) spinning it away.

There were myriad reasons why India’s cricketers might have missed cricket.com.au’s live stream of the South Australia-Western Australia JLT Sheffield Shield match as it reached its conclusion three weeks ago. Virat Kohli’s men had only just arrived, on various flights from multiple embarkation points, in Brisbane where their two-month tour of Australia was about to begin with a T20 international against the host nation at the Gabba. Had they logged on to the free coverage, they would have witnessed WA’s Shaun Marsh compiling a flawless and undefeated 163 on a final-day Adelaide Oval pitch as the Warriors cruised to their 313-run victory target, five wickets down. Having begun that final day staring at an eerily similar scenario to that which awaits the first Test’s conclusion tomorrow. Three weeks ago, WA ended the penultimate day 4-146 needing an additional 167 to win, with Marsh unconquered on 72. Tomorrow’s assignment is 219 runs with six wickets remaining, and the left-hander has already survived 92 balls in scoring an unbeaten 31. The fact that WA sauntered to victory for the loss of a solitary wicket on that final day is barely relevant, given the heightened consequence of a Test match and the reality that SA’s attack was hardly Ravi Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami. However, by effectively throwing away the latter half of their batting innings after expending so much effort to seize the ascendancy, India revealed they either did not know of recent last-day batting feats on an Adelaide pitch that seemingly ages better than Barossa shiraz. Or, if they were cognisant of that occurrence, they did not care because they doubted Australia’s fragile batting line-up was capable of chasing down a target beyond 300. Come yesterday’s lunch break, the visitors, who are chasing their first series win in Australia after seven decades of fruitless trying, were 275 runs in front and with five second-innings wickets – including specialist batter Ajinkya Rahane not out 57 – up their sleeves. While that lead did not translate as unassailable, the way that Pant and the subsequent lower-order heaved away in kamikaze urgency at Australia’s bowling suggested it had been decided over the midday buffet that they had their fill of runs. India’s assistant coach Sanjay Bangar begged to differ at day’s end, noting that it was hoped that India tail might have added an additional 25-30 runs which would have also soaked up an extra hour or so.

India entered this Domain Test Series bearing the expectation that they might never face better prospects of creating history by defeating Australia on their home turf. And needing six wickets while holding a 218-run buffer heading into tomorrow’s final day pf the campaign opener in Adelaide, it might also be ventured they have rarely held a stronger Test-match hand in territory where they’ve won just five matches in more than 70 years. Yet their path to victory remains blocked by Australia’s last recognised batting pair Shaun Marsh (31no) and Travis Head (11no) upon whose shoulders rests the equally unlikely responsibility of finding their team a remarkable win, or the bravest of draws. Either of those would represent a great escape given the dominance that India have slowly established over the past two days of a tightly fought contest. And provide some temporary relief from the searching scrutiny again focused on Australia’s top-order batting, and particularly the tenure of opener Aaron Finch. For the second time in three days, Finch found himself cast as lightning rod for a batting line-up weathering more than its quota of incoming storms. Having seen his stumps flattened like a beach hut in a typhoon on Friday morning, the novice Test opener found it was his grasp of technology more so than technique that was called into question on the stroke of tea today. Finch had reached 11 in a 38-run opening stand with debutant Marcus Harris when his forward prod against India’s trump card Ravi Ashwin saw the ball loop gently into the gloves of wicketkeeper, Rishabh Pant. England umpire Nigel Llong upheld India’s appeal for a catch, and Finch’s obvious uncertainty as to whether or not it had brushed bat or glove saw him consult Harris, which suggested a call for third-umpire review was imminent. However, that lack of clarity among the Australia pair saw them opt not to query the decision which, given it had been adjudged out on-field, was defendable given Llong’s ruling could only have been overturned upon definitive evidence being tendered to show he had erred. But that did not prevent Finch from being savaged by commentators and punters alike for his oversight, a sin seemingly compounded by his squandering of the good fortune that had blessed him at the outset of Australia’s innings. Not-so-fresh from his ignominious third-ball duck in the first dig, Finch was fired out lbw from the second delivery he faced today, a decision that he judiciously chose to review. Even before the video referee had heard expert evidence – which would ultimately have vindicated the on-field call – the case was turfed out upon confirmation that India quick Ishant Sharma had overstepped, and the delivery was illegitimate. After three earlier brushes with DRS technology over the previous 24 hours, all of which fell in India’s favour, Australia had due reason to believe fortune might be belatedly swinging toward them.

Tottenham Hotspur have pushed back against a claim for solidarity payments made by Redmond, Washington.-based youth club Crossfire Premier over the transfer of United States international DeAndre Yedlin, according to a source with knowledge of the case. Crossfire contends that it is entitled to a cut of the transfer fee Tottenham paid when it acquired Yedlin, 25, from the Seattle Sounders for a reported sum of $3.71 million in August of 2014. FIFA statutes state that five percent of the fee should be paid to youth clubs that developed the player. Crossfire asserts that in the case of Yedlin, he was registered with the club as an amateur player during a period beginning in 2006 and ending in 2010, and is thus entitled to a portion of the fee. One source has told ESPN FC that Crossfire is seeking around $100,000 of the fee that was paid to MLS and the Sounders. Crossfire has taken its case to FIFA's Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) in a bid to receive the funds it believes it is owed. Solidarity payments are a mechanism by which FIFA aims to compensate youth clubs for developing players. FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) stipulate that whenever a player is transferred prior to the end of their contract, and that transfer involves moving from one country to another -- a "change of association" in FIFA parlance -- then five percent of the transfer fee is to be allocated to the club or clubs that developed the player. The rules also stipulate that when a player signs their first professional contract, the pro club is obligated to pay training and development costs to the youth clubs that developed the player between the ages of 12 and 21. The Yedlin case only pertains to the payment of solidarity payments. The U.S. Soccer Federation has long forbidden the implementation of RSTP, however. Among the reasons cited are fears that RSTP violateslabourd labor laws or would result in litigation on anti-trust grounds by various stakeholders, including the MLS Players Association. The USSF has also contended that a consent decree contained in the case Fraser vs. MLS prevented it from enforcing RSTP. The source told ESPN FC that Tottenham are pushing back on three fronts. Tottenham allege that Crossfire is not a "training club" since its business model -- that of a non-profit in which team fees of other players helped subsidise those who couldn't afford to pay like Yedlin -- doesn't involve investing its own resources and taking a financial risk in order to produce players. This is despite the fact that Crossfire has other sources of revenue including sponsorships and charitable donations. Tottenham are also alleging that there is uncertainty as to the exact timeline of Yedlin's registration with Crossfire. Each player is supposed to have a "player passport" detailing the clubs that they played for starting at the age of 12, from amateur all the way to professional. Yedlin's passport, issued and maintained by the U.S. Soccer Federation, allegedly states that he was registered with Crossfire for an undetermined period of time between 2008 and 2010, not from 2006 to 2010 as the club claims. Tottenham asserts that in addition to the discrepancy, there is a general lack of evidence to confirm the exact period of the registration and that the DRC cannot simply take Crossfire's word in terms of when Yedlin was registered. Spurs are contending that the burden is on Crossfire to provide sufficient documentation as it relates to Yedlin. The final prong of Tottenham's defence is that during the negotiations, MLS told Tottenham that it was the position of the USSF that no claims for solidarity payments could be brought by U.S-based youth clubs due to provisions in U.S. law. And for that reason, no money needed to be set aside for solidarity payments.

MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has said he's had to "lose muscle" in a bid to rediscover his best form this season. Belgium international Lukaku scored 27 goals in his debut season at Old Trafford but has struggled in front of goal since the summer. But after scoring twice in his last two starts, the 25-year-old said a plan to lose some of the muscle gained at the World Cup was part of a process to get back to top form. "It was at the World Cup," he said after scoring his sixth goal of the season in the 4-1 win over Fulham. "I just felt great and I think I played great over there, and then when I came back it is a different type of style. "In the Premier League, I cannot play with the same amount of muscle as international football. That was something that, when I came back, I knew straight away: 'Nah, nah, I cannot play in this style like this.' "I had to lose muscle, basically. So you just stay out of the gym, drink a lot of water, and a lot of veg and fish and it helps." Lukaku was dropped for the 2-1 win over his former club Everton in October after going eight games without a goal, and was left on the bench for the recent 2-2 draw with Arsenal. But he has since scored against both Southampton and Fulham ahead of a week that ends with a trip to Anfield to face Premier League leaders Liverpool. "Me and the manager [Jose Mourinho] had good conversations in the last couple of days, where really he told me what he wanted from me," Lukaku said. "I know from my side I have to do better, and I just keep looking forward and improving, trying to add to my game and help the team to win. "I played with not enough aggression, I think. I think I played with intensity like everybody else did [against Fulham]. "For me, I was happy to play at a decent level again and now it's all about improving and continuing on a consistent basis." Lukaku said he had been "a bit tired" after the World Cup, adding: "I had the same thing in 2014 after the World Cup when I came back to Everton, I was really in a slump. "So now I think I am at a decent level again and ready to go again."

River Plate claimed their fourth Copa Libertadores title, 5-3 on aggregate, after defeating Argentine rivals Boca Juniors in 3-1 in a pulsating second leg at the Bernabeu that went to extra time on Sunday. In a match that was postponed and ultimately moved to Madrid thanks to fan violence outside River's Monumental Stadium, goals from Dario Benedetto and Lucas Pratto pushed the game to extra time, where Juan Quintero's sensational strike from distance and a late Gonzalo Martinez tally gave River a famous victory over their eternal rivals in the biggest edition yet of their Superclasico series. Benedetto put Boca in front one minute before half-time with a super solo effort after collecting a threaded Nahitan Nandez through ball behind the River Plate back line -- the striker taking a touch past the last defender and confidently beating goalkeeper Franco Armani with the inside of his right foot. The strike made Benedetto just the second player ever to score in the first and second leg of the Copa Libertadores final and semifinals, joining Raul Vicente Amarilla, who accomplished the feat with Olimpia in the 1990 edition. However, River answered Benedetto's opener in the 68th minute through fellow first-leg goal scorer Pratto, who coolly stroked home after a slick passing move down the right side found him unmarked in the middle of the Boca box. Neither team could find a winner before the end of regulation and the game went to extra time, where Boca immediately went down to 10 men after Wilmar Barrios received a second yellow card for a strong challenge near midfield. Boca managed to survive the first 15 minutes of extra time without conceding, but Quintero stepped up to play the hero early in the second period. After some quick passing at the top of the Boca box, the Colombia international settled and fired an unstoppable left-footed shot in off the underside of the crossbar to clinch the coveted crown for the Buenos Aires giants before Martinez added a last-second goal after Boca keeper Esteban Andrada had pushed into the Rover box in desperate search for an equaliser. "I didn't think about it," Quintero said of his goal. "Camilo [Mayada] passed it to me and I looked for space and then hit it. It was a lovely goal and you have to celebrate it." Martinez added: "We were the only team out there that tried to win. We played the whole match in their half of the field." The Copa title pulls River even with fellow Argentine side Estudiantes with four, fourth most in the competition's history but still two fewer than Boca. The victory also means they will represent South America in the Club World Cup that kicks off on Dec. 12 in the United Arab Emirates and guarantees them bragging rights over their neighbours for many years to come. The club are expected to fly directly to the Middle East but striker Lucas Pratto said the players would take some time to celebrate before their first match on Dec. 18. "We want to enjoy this because I don't think we'll win another Cup against Boca like this," said Pratto. The game was controversially moved 10,000 kilometres away from River's Monumental stadium to Madrid as Boca's team bus had been ambushed before the originally scheduled game, leaving several Boca players injured from the impact of the smashed windows and from tear gas that had been fired by police. It meant that instead of a home game with the exclusive presence of River supporters, Real Madrid's Bernabeu was equally-divided between fans of both sides, a highly unusual situation in the Copa Libertadores, South America's equivalent of the Champions League. The final, the first in the 58 years of the competition to be played outside of Latin America and the first between Argentina's two biggest clubs, provoked furious protests from both clubs, their fans and leading figures in Argentine football. Luis Cesar Menotti, Argentina's 1978 World Cup winning coach, called the switch "an aberration".