Bombers out of finals, Hird banned

James Hird fronts the media to discuss his 12 month ban from all official involvement in the AFL.

SUSPENDED Essendon coach James Hird says the club has been "unfairly dealt with this year", while his lawyer says the Bombers great was "heroic".

Hird held a press conference outside his Toorak mansion this morning after he was suspended for 12 months in a sensational climax to the saga.

"I am deeply sorry for what happened at our football club in 2012," Hird said.

"I do take a level of responsibility for what happened.

"I should have known what was going on, I should have done more and I'm very disappointed that I didn't."

Asked if he broke the rules, Hird said "not at all".

"I didn't break the rules that I was charged with, those charges have been dropped and we've agreed to move on."

Following the press conference, Hird's lawyer, Julian Burnside QC, said the suspended Bombers coach was "heroic" for accepting the AFL's 12-month ban.

"He (Hird) has been brutally maligned in the press over the past six months - I don't know how he has managed to survive it - and he has wanted to show that he is not guilty of anything,'' Burnside told 3AW.

"But against that, he wanted to do the right thing by the club and the game.

James Hird speaks to media at his house on Wednesday. Picture: Mark Dadswell

"I reckon what he did ... was nothing short of heroic.''

Burnside and fellow lawyer Steven Amendola have been among Hird's advisers during the supplements crisis.

Amendola was insistent that the AFL did not find Hird guilty, but rather reached an agreement on his 12-month suspension.

"Fact: he did not admit any charge. Fact: he was not found guilty of breaching (AFL rule) 1.6. Fact: the charges were withdrawn against him,'' Amendola told ABC radio.

Jobe Watson says his teammates would welcome James Hird back. Picture: Colleen Petch

"What happened was there was a negotiation and an agreement about consequence. There was no individual finding against him, in terms of a breach of 1.6.''

While Hird felt he didn't break any laws, he said that senior coaches were "responsible for a lot of things at a football club".

"There were things that went on at our football club that shouldn't have happened last year, and as senior coach I have to take some responsibility for what happened and not doing more to stop it," Hird said.

The Bombers were last night dramatically booted from September action and fined $2 million, with Hird apologising to the AFL Commission and accepting his ban.

But while Essendon has lost its first two draft picks for this year and the 2014 national draft, dogged negotiations delivered it a selection after the first round of the draft next year.

Essendon has been thrown out of this year's finals series as punishment for its 2012 supplements program.

Hird's ban expires on August 25 next year and while he cannot have an official role with his club until then, he could return to play a key role in the 2014 finals.

Hird said he was glad the saga had finally ended.

"For the good of the game and for the good of our football club, and most importantly for two entities, for our players and our supporters, I'm so glad this is finished and the game can move on."

Hird said he had spoken to his players and they were upset with the sanctions handed down.

"Speaking to the players last night and speaking to them this morning, I think we're all disappointed at the level of sanctions that have been put on the club. But we understand that some sanctions had to be placed on our club," Hird said.

"Our football club is a great football club and it has been unfairly dealt with this year. We do own those mistakes but the way it has been treated I don't think is fair."

Hird said ending his Supreme Court fight against the AFL was the "right nothing to do" even though it was a "matter of principle".

While Hird said he was disappointed not to be coaching next year, he said he was keen to return in 2015.

"I've been an Essendon supporter since I was born, it's part of my family, I don't think I could ever step away from the Essendon Football Club," Hird said.

"It's part of who I am, and it's part of who I'll always be."

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He endorsed senior assistant coach Mark Thompson to take his place next year, saying he was "the obvious choice".

In the meantime, Hird said he planned to take some time away with his family before deciding on his next move.

But he said he wanted to "tell my side of the story" in coming days to better explain what happened at Essendon last year.

Meanwhile, Essendon captain Jobe Watson says his teammates would welcome Hird back as senior coach once he has served his AFL-imposed suspension.

Speaking on Wednesday, Essendon captain Jobe Watson says his teammates would welcome Hird back as senior coach once he has served an AFL-imposed suspension.

Watson said the team didn't feel Hird had betrayed them.

"I don't think that's the right word," Watson told Fox Sports.

"In hindsight, people made mistakes. And I think people have accepted responsibility for that.

"I don't think anyone set out to intentionally cause the situation we found ourselves in."

Essendon chief Ray Gunston told Channel Nine at Windy Hill this morning that Hird was "shattered".

"He is obviously disappointed but that is the outcome of the hearing," he said.

AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick reveals the sanctions handed down to the Essendon Football Club, James Hird, Danny Corcoran, Bruce Reid and Mark Thompson.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said he would be making no apologies for the tough penalties.

"This reminds everyone that young people, young men that want to play our game should know that when they go to a football club they will get the best care, the best training that will be welcomed into the most, the absolutely best professional environment," Demetriou said on 3AW radio.

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AFL deputy Gillon McLachlan told 3AW that no date had been set the $2 million fine to be paid.

"I think, rather than being too overt about it, it is over a few years," he said.

It comes as controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank refused to answer questions about the sanctions imposed on Essendon.

As he left his Ascot Vale home this morning, he would not say whether he had spoken to the AFL or if he planned to speak to ASADA investigators.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and chairman Mike Fitzpatrick hand down Essendon's punishment.

Thompson, who received a fine, but no ban last night, is the favourite to be Essendon's caretaker coach. Essendon assistant coach Simon Goodwin will coach the club in Saturday's dead rubber against Richmond.

Essendon chairman Paul Little last night said Hird would not only return as senior coach, he would accept a new contract which is believed to include a two-year extension which would take him through to the end of 2016, although he cannot be paid by Essendon.

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"James is very keen to continue his coaching at Essendon and the Essendon Football Club is very keen to have him," he said.

Essendon chairman Paul Little says outgoing coach James Hird accepted the penalties for the good of the club.

"I don't want to give you precise details, but there is an undertaking for James to continue coaching at Essendon."

Hird can attend Essendon matches in 2014 in preparation for a return.

Essendon's VFL side can play finals this weekend.

Essendon players were anxious for the club to come to a settlement, which provided Little with a mandate to strike a deal over their finals participation.

Bombers coach James Hird leaves AFL House.

"The players made their point of view very clearly that they wanted it as a priority to be cleared up now and they did not want it to linger," Little said in accepting the penalties.

Demetriou said Essendon players were still eligible for the Brownlow Medal and All-Australian honours.

Essendon will officially finish ninth.

Hird expressed remorse to the AFL Commission, but that contrition was undermined when his QC Julian Burnside said he had "done absolutely nothing wrong" and had been "heroic" in accepting penalties for the club and players' sake.

AFL Chair Mike Fitzpatrick hands down sanctions to the Essendon Football Club.

While Demetriou said ASADA was still reviewing Essendon's case, he stressed the AFL had not issued infraction notices to players when it reviewed ASADA's interim report.

Little made it clear yesterday he did not believe there would be infraction notices.

But he apologised for Essendon's conduct, saying "we have let down a lot of people ... and we are genuinely sorry".

Essendon great Tim Watson said this morning the matter wasn't completely over, with it still unclear whether there will be sanctions against players including his son Jobe.

Essendon chairman Paul Little responds to the sanctions handed to Essendon by the AFL Commission.

"It is still a little bit unresolved. So in terms of being a parent this morning, I am not feeling completely comfortable about exactly what is going to happen from here on in either because as Andrew and others said last night there is still an ASADA investigation that is to be completed."

Club legend Matthew Lloyd said his club might take a decade to recover, and was not only worried about the "mental scarring" to Essendon players next year but the club's future without key picks.

"For Essendon it's like losing Michael Hurley, Dyson Heppell, Joe Daniher and David Zaharakis; that's four players they could lose out on in the next two years," Lloyd said.

"The draft picks in the first two rounds, it's not often Dyson Heppell can step in and have an automatic impact, but it will hit them in three years' time, those four picks they have missed out on, what a hole it has left. It is something that will haunt them in a few years' time," he told 3AW.

"As little as 14 days ago they couldn't wait for finals. They were all about getting themselves right for a finals game in two weeks' time.

"Just what this does to them, we won't know the spirit it breaks and the damage it does over the coming months and years. The scarring is not just for the next 12 months - it could be for five to 10 years."

Thompson told Channel 9 last night he was unsure if he would step in as the caretaker coach.

"After the two days I have had it's hard to think what I really want to do," he said.

Little said he could see Hird playing a role on the coaching staff if Essendon were finalists in 2014.

"James Hird told the Commission tonight that he took responsibility for the shortcomings in the club's 2012 supplements program... so the club could move on," Little said.

- with Tom Minear

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bosses show little support for NBN

Shadow Communications minister Malcolm Turnbull defends Rupert Murdoch on Labor's NBN, saying the media mogul probably doesn't expect the NBN to be completed.

It will cost about $40 billion, but a significant number of Australia companies don't think the NBN will make any difference to their business.

The Galaxy poll of more than 400 senior executives found more than one third said it would not boost their productivity.

Fifty-one per cent of respondents said it would make a positive difference their business.

The Coalition claims the NBN project could blow out to $90 billion but the government maintains it will be delivered for $37 billion.

This comes as economists warn the budget is likely to face a further downgrade after the September 7 election. UBS yesterday warned the budget won't return to surplus in 2016-17 as forecast by Treasurer Chris Bowen in the pre-election update.

"We expect a new budget to forecast larger and persistent deficit in coming years," UBS economist George Tharenou said.

But Mr Tharenou is upbeat there will be a post-election bounce in business confidence, if the Coalition wins, supporting a pick-up in the economy in 2014.

Opposition leader Tony Abbott this week abandoned a previous pledge to return the budget to surplus in the next term of parliament.

Mr Abbot declared it would be "foolish" to promise a surplus as the budget was under huge pressure.

The Galaxy survey, commissioned by executive office supplier Servcorp, shows that 62 per cent of corporate Australia is dissatisfied with the Federal government's support for business.

A Coalition victory was regarded by 45 per cent of executive respondents as being better for business, but 37 per cent believe it will make no difference who wins.

Servcorp's chief operating officer Marcus Moufarrige said the NBN rollout is not getting anywhere near the level of cut through with business that it should as a major productivity saving tool.

"There is doubt over whether the infrastructure will be delivered at all: with 30 per cent of the budget already spent, less than five per cent of the NBN has actually been delivered," he said.

"Faster broadband will boost productivity which is a positive for business but the current execution of the plan is the problem. The NBN needs to be more flexible in its approach to technology."

The Coalition and Labor are locked in a battle over the cost of their competing delivery systems to bring high-speed broadband to homes.

Opposition communications spokesperson Malcolm Turnbull claims Labor's $37 billion broadband network could end up costing around $90 billion due to cost blowouts and overoptimistic pricing assumptions.

Labor's NBN pledge is to deliver fibre to 93 per cent of premises in Australia by June 2021 with a peak speed of one gigabit per second.

The Coalition's $29.5 billion plan promises speeds of up to 50 megabits per second by 2019 for at least 90 per cent of consumers using fibre cable to "nodes" up to 800 metres from premises, and then leverages the existing copper infrastructure from the node to homes and businesses.

stephen.mcmahon@news.com.au

###

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Organ trafficker' gouges boy's eyes out

A six-year-old boy in China had his eyes gouged out by suspected organ traffickers. Courtesy China State TV

A SIX-YEAR-OLD Chinese boy who had his eyes gouged out does not know he has been blinded and asks his family why the sun has yet to rise.

The boy, surnamed Guo, was found covered in blood in the northern province of Shanxi after he went missing while playing outside, Chinese media reported previously.

His eyes, gouged out by an attacker, were recovered nearby, a police officer in Fenxi county who declined to be named said.

The boy was being treated at an eye hospital and was not yet aware that he has been left blind for life, the Beijing Youth Daily said on Wednesday.

The boy's devastated father. Picture: Austral International Source: Austral International Press Agency

A Chinese boy lies in hospital after his eyes were gouged out in what is believed to be an attack by an organ trafficker. Picture: AFP

"He asks why the sky is always dark ... and why the dawn still hasn't come," it quoted an uncle of the boy as saying.

"We could only tell him that his eyes had some injury and have to be bandaged. (We tell him that) they will be fine after the bandage is removed.

"It is such a difficult question to explain to him. It is the most heartbreaking thing," he said.

Earlier Chinese media reports said the corneas were missing when the boy's eyes were found, leading to speculation that the attacker was an organ trafficker.

The kidnapped 6-year-old boy's mother hugs a relative at the hospital. Picture: Austral International Source: Austral International Press Agency

But police said on Wednesday the corneas had been found attached to the eyeballs and ruled out organ sales as a motive, although they were unable to provide an alternative explanation for the attack.

"We are still working on it so we cannot offer any comment or make any assumption on the motives," the Fenxi officer said.

Police offered a 100,000 yuan ($17,918) reward for information leading to the arrest of the sole suspect, who they said was a woman. Reports said she drugged the boy before gouging out his eyeballs.

No-one had been detained by late Wednesday afternoon, domestic media said.

The boy recovers from his shocking ordeal in hospital. Picture: AFP Source: AFP

A video posted online on Tuesday showed the boy - who had a cleft palate - writhing in agony on a hospital bed. Pictures posted online on Wednesday showed him still heavily bandaged, apparently in less acute pain.

The brutal attack has shocked internet users in China, who offered sympathy for the boy and demanded retribution against his attacker on the country's hugely popular microblogs.

His plight was the most searched news story on Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter, on Wednesday.

"This poor child, he must be suffering more than if he was dead and he has to live in darkness forever," said one poster. "We have to capture the criminal!"

Another wrote: "This is so cruel. I hope we can quickly capture the suspect and bring justice back! She is worse than a monster."

Doctors plan to implant artificial eyeballs in the boy's eye sockets after his inflammation subsides so that people will not be scared by his appearance in future, his uncle said according to media reports.

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kid on motorbike holds on for dear life

This girl can be seen clinging on as the motorbike driver darts through traffic. Source: Supplied

SHOCKING video has emerged of a man riding a motorbike with a young girl wearing only a cheap bicycle helmet clinging to his t-shirt.

The video already has 8000 views on YouTube where parents have expressed disgust that a man would drive so recklessly with a small child on the back.

The incident took place in Edenvale, South Africa.

Chairperson for the Edenvale Community Police Forum (ECPF), Mrs Linda McKenzie, told the Bedfordview-Edenvale News that the man's registration as well as the video clip had been handed over to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) for immediate action to be taken.

"We as the ECPF speak out in the strongest terms possible against this type of endangerment of our young children, the devastating consequences were not even considered when this man put that young girl on the back of his bike and drove the way he did," she said.

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Teen who went 'Into The Wild' found dead

Johnathan Croom's body has been found in the Oregon wilderness. Source: Supplied

Johnathan Croom, 18 was obsessed with the 2007 film, 'Into the Wild' starring Emile Hirsch.

THE body of a teen obsessed with the movie Into The Wild has been found in the Oregon wilderness with his dad saying he died of a broken heart.

Douglas County sheriff's spokesman Dwes Hutson said in a statement that the body of Johnathan Croom, 18, was found 300 metres from where he abandoned SUV was found last week. He said police are investigating his death as a suicide.

Johnathan's father, David Croom, said his son was grieving the end of a relationship with "someone back in Phoenix", where the family lives.

"He was a young man who had a broken heart and headed out to try to find himself," Mr Croom said. "We're looking forward to finding out exactly what happened."

The teenager had spoken with his parents about the film Into The Wild, the biographical movie about Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), who left home and disappeared into the Alaskan wilderness in the early 1990s where he lived, and eventually died, in an abandoned bus.

Johnathan's mother, Monica Croom, said her son was travelling alone back from Seattle where he had been visiting a friend. He was due to start college in Arizona on August 17.

"He talked with his parents about 'Into the Wild,' and in text messages we've looked at, he does specifically talk about running away, kind of just running away from his life," the sheriff's spokesman Mr Hutson said.

 

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bombers out of finals, Hird banned

James Hird fronts the media to discuss his 12 month ban from all official involvement in the AFL.

SUSPENDED Essendon coach James Hird says the club has been "unfairly dealt with this year", while his lawyer says the Bombers great was "heroic".

Hird held a press conference outside his Toorak mansion this morning after he was suspended for 12 months in a sensational climax to the saga.

"I am deeply sorry for what happened at our football club in 2012," Hird said.

"I do take a level of responsibility for what happened.

"I should have known what was going on, I should have done more and I'm very disappointed that I didn't."

Asked if he broke the rules, Hird said "not at all".

"I didn't break the rules that I was charged with, those charges have been dropped and we've agreed to move on."

Following the press conference, Hird's lawyer, Julian Burnside QC, said the suspended Bombers coach was "heroic" for accepting the AFL's 12-month ban.

"He (Hird) has been brutally maligned in the press over the past six months - I don't know how he has managed to survive it - and he has wanted to show that he is not guilty of anything,'' Burnside told 3AW.

"But against that, he wanted to do the right thing by the club and the game.

James Hird speaks to media at his house on Wednesday. Picture: Mark Dadswell

"I reckon what he did ... was nothing short of heroic.''

Burnside and fellow lawyer Steven Amendola have been among Hird's advisers during the supplements crisis.

Amendola was insistent that the AFL did not find Hird guilty, but rather reached an agreement on his 12-month suspension.

"Fact: he did not admit any charge. Fact: he was not found guilty of breaching (AFL rule) 1.6. Fact: the charges were withdrawn against him,'' Amendola told ABC radio.

Jobe Watson says his teammates would welcome James Hird back. Picture: Colleen Petch

"What happened was there was a negotiation and an agreement about consequence. There was no individual finding against him, in terms of a breach of 1.6.''

While Hird felt he didn't break any laws, he said that senior coaches were "responsible for a lot of things at a football club".

"There were things that went on at our football club that shouldn't have happened last year, and as senior coach I have to take some responsibility for what happened and not doing more to stop it," Hird said.

The Bombers were last night dramatically booted from September action and fined $2 million, with Hird apologising to the AFL Commission and accepting his ban.

But while Essendon has lost its first two draft picks for this year and the 2014 national draft, dogged negotiations delivered it a selection after the first round of the draft next year.

Essendon has been thrown out of this year's finals series as punishment for its 2012 supplements program.

Hird's ban expires on August 25 next year and while he cannot have an official role with his club until then, he could return to play a key role in the 2014 finals.

Hird said he was glad the saga had finally ended.

"For the good of the game and for the good of our football club, and most importantly for two entities, for our players and our supporters, I'm so glad this is finished and the game can move on."

Hird said he had spoken to his players and they were upset with the sanctions handed down.

"Speaking to the players last night and speaking to them this morning, I think we're all disappointed at the level of sanctions that have been put on the club. But we understand that some sanctions had to be placed on our club," Hird said.

"Our football club is a great football club and it has been unfairly dealt with this year. We do own those mistakes but the way it has been treated I don't think is fair."

Hird said ending his Supreme Court fight against the AFL was the "right nothing to do" even though it was a "matter of principle".

While Hird said he was disappointed not to be coaching next year, he said he was keen to return in 2015.

"I've been an Essendon supporter since I was born, it's part of my family, I don't think I could ever step away from the Essendon Football Club," Hird said.

"It's part of who I am, and it's part of who I'll always be."

MANAGER SAYS AFL SHOULDN'T RECEIVE DONS' $2 MILLION FINE

He endorsed senior assistant coach Mark Thompson to take his place next year, saying he was "the obvious choice".

In the meantime, Hird said he planned to take some time away with his family before deciding on his next move.

But he said he wanted to "tell my side of the story" in coming days to better explain what happened at Essendon last year.

Meanwhile, Essendon captain Jobe Watson says his teammates would welcome Hird back as senior coach once he has served his AFL-imposed suspension.

Speaking on Wednesday, Essendon captain Jobe Watson says his teammates would welcome Hird back as senior coach once he has served an AFL-imposed suspension.

Watson said the team didn't feel Hird had betrayed them.

"I don't think that's the right word," Watson told Fox Sports.

"In hindsight, people made mistakes. And I think people have accepted responsibility for that.

"I don't think anyone set out to intentionally cause the situation we found ourselves in."

Essendon chief Ray Gunston told Channel Nine at Windy Hill this morning that Hird was "shattered".

"He is obviously disappointed but that is the outcome of the hearing," he said.

AFL Commission Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick reveals the sanctions handed down to the Essendon Football Club, James Hird, Danny Corcoran, Bruce Reid and Mark Thompson.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said he would be making no apologies for the tough penalties.

"This reminds everyone that young people, young men that want to play our game should know that when they go to a football club they will get the best care, the best training that will be welcomed into the most, the absolutely best professional environment," Demetriou said on 3AW radio.

AFL's INTEGRITY AT HEART OF PENALTIES
AFL PLAYERS TAKE TO TWITTER

AFL deputy Gillon McLachlan told 3AW that no date had been set the $2 million fine to be paid.

"I think, rather than being too overt about it, it is over a few years," he said.

It comes as controversial sports scientist Stephen Dank refused to answer questions about the sanctions imposed on Essendon.

As he left his Ascot Vale home this morning, he would not say whether he had spoken to the AFL or if he planned to speak to ASADA investigators.

AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou and chairman Mike Fitzpatrick hand down Essendon's punishment.

Thompson, who received a fine, but no ban last night, is the favourite to be Essendon's caretaker coach. Essendon assistant coach Simon Goodwin will coach the club in Saturday's dead rubber against Richmond.

Essendon chairman Paul Little last night said Hird would not only return as senior coach, he would accept a new contract which is believed to include a two-year extension which would take him through to the end of 2016, although he cannot be paid by Essendon.

READ THE FULL CHARGE SHEET HERE
DONS THE ALL-TIME AFL VILLAIN
MIDFIELD FIX MUCH HARDER TO FIX
DANK HAS A LOT TO ANSWER FOR

"James is very keen to continue his coaching at Essendon and the Essendon Football Club is very keen to have him," he said.

Essendon chairman Paul Little says outgoing coach James Hird accepted the penalties for the good of the club.

"I don't want to give you precise details, but there is an undertaking for James to continue coaching at Essendon."

Hird can attend Essendon matches in 2014 in preparation for a return.

Essendon's VFL side can play finals this weekend.

Essendon players were anxious for the club to come to a settlement, which provided Little with a mandate to strike a deal over their finals participation.

Bombers coach James Hird leaves AFL House.

"The players made their point of view very clearly that they wanted it as a priority to be cleared up now and they did not want it to linger," Little said in accepting the penalties.

Demetriou said Essendon players were still eligible for the Brownlow Medal and All-Australian honours.

Essendon will officially finish ninth.

Hird expressed remorse to the AFL Commission, but that contrition was undermined when his QC Julian Burnside said he had "done absolutely nothing wrong" and had been "heroic" in accepting penalties for the club and players' sake.

AFL Chair Mike Fitzpatrick hands down sanctions to the Essendon Football Club.

While Demetriou said ASADA was still reviewing Essendon's case, he stressed the AFL had not issued infraction notices to players when it reviewed ASADA's interim report.

Little made it clear yesterday he did not believe there would be infraction notices.

But he apologised for Essendon's conduct, saying "we have let down a lot of people ... and we are genuinely sorry".

Essendon great Tim Watson said this morning the matter wasn't completely over, with it still unclear whether there will be sanctions against players including his son Jobe.

Essendon chairman Paul Little responds to the sanctions handed to Essendon by the AFL Commission.

"It is still a little bit unresolved. So in terms of being a parent this morning, I am not feeling completely comfortable about exactly what is going to happen from here on in either because as Andrew and others said last night there is still an ASADA investigation that is to be completed."

Club legend Matthew Lloyd said his club might take a decade to recover, and was not only worried about the "mental scarring" to Essendon players next year but the club's future without key picks.

"For Essendon it's like losing Michael Hurley, Dyson Heppell, Joe Daniher and David Zaharakis; that's four players they could lose out on in the next two years," Lloyd said.

"The draft picks in the first two rounds, it's not often Dyson Heppell can step in and have an automatic impact, but it will hit them in three years' time, those four picks they have missed out on, what a hole it has left. It is something that will haunt them in a few years' time," he told 3AW.

"As little as 14 days ago they couldn't wait for finals. They were all about getting themselves right for a finals game in two weeks' time.

"Just what this does to them, we won't know the spirit it breaks and the damage it does over the coming months and years. The scarring is not just for the next 12 months - it could be for five to 10 years."

Thompson told Channel 9 last night he was unsure if he would step in as the caretaker coach.

"After the two days I have had it's hard to think what I really want to do," he said.

Little said he could see Hird playing a role on the coaching staff if Essendon were finalists in 2014.

"James Hird told the Commission tonight that he took responsibility for the shortcomings in the club's 2012 supplements program... so the club could move on," Little said.

- with Tom Minear

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Six-point' Diaz a no show

Jaymes Diaz cut-out at the Greenway election forum / Pic: Phil Rogers Source: Supplied

Liberal candidate for Greenway, Jaymes Diaz gets grilled by Ten reporter John Hill. Here are the highlights. Courtesy Channel Ten

THE elusive Jaymes Diaz was a no-show at a federal election forum for the federal seat of Greenway last night.

With about 100 locals in the audience at Blacktown RSL Club, candidates fielded questions on costs of living, local business, paid parental leave, coal seam gas, childcare, party preferences and how they would represent the interests of Greenway on the national stage.

However it was difficult to avoid the elephant in the room in the absence of Mr Diaz, who is currently favoured to win the marginal seat.

DIAZ DODGES QUESTIONS AT COMMUNITY FORUM

The other candidates posed with a cardboard cutout of the infamous Liberal, while members of the audience called him a coward for not showing up.

Mr Diaz made an embarrassing gaffe earlier this month when he was unable to name the key points in the Coalition's border protection policy.

Anthony Belcastro, candidate for Katter's Australia Party, took it upon himself to pose the question on everyone lips - "Where is Jaymes Diaz?"

"Here we have a candidate who wants to take your voice to Canberra and what do we end up with - an empty chair," he concluded.

Sitting Labor MP Michelle Rowland was keen to point out her list of achievements over the past three years including grants secured for community projects such as Com4Unity, increased funding for local schools, the redevelopment of Blacktown Hospital and the arrival of the National Broadband Network.

TEN's John Hill talks to Liberal candidate for Greenway, Jaymes Diaz. Courtesy Channel Ten

"In short I believe in equality of opportunity and I don't believe you should be limited by the postcode you grew up in," she said.

"I've delivered on every promise I made in my maiden speech to parliament."

Ms Rowland took aim at the generosity of the Coalition's proposed paid parental leave scheme.

"I don't think it is socially equitable," she said.

"It is more important to maintain our existing scheme as it is being used and it is affordable."

All candidates at the forum made a commitment against coal seam gas mining and promised to push for increased child care funding.

Chris Brentin from the Greens defended the carbon tax while arguing Australia's future lies in the use of renewable energy.

"We care about people and we care about the environment and the harmony between the both of them," he said.

"Clean energy is going to create 70,000 new jobs for western Sydney."

The heated debate had its lighter moments, including when Palmer United Party's Jodie Wootton was forced to defend Clive Palmer's plan to build Titanic 2 in China.

While Mr Diaz never responded to his forum invitation, Tom Lillicrap from the Australian Sex Party and Allan Green from the Christian Democratic Party declined the opportunity to attend.

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Caine slams Connery Alzheimer's claims

British actors Michael Caine, left, and Sean Connery in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Caine has rejected a story in which he is alleged to have said that his friend Connery had "lost his senses." Source: AP

SIR Michael Caine has slammed a German newspaper report alleging he revealed his pal Sir Sean Connery is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Editors at Bild reported the Alfie star said Connery was struggling to cope with dementia, and was quoted as saying, "One must have serious concerns for him.''

However, the article has come under fire from Caine, who is baffled as to where the newspaper got it from.

He tells Britain's Daily Mirror, "It's all bulls&#nbsp;&#nbsp;&#nbsp;, completely preposterous. I did some interviews over in Germany for a new film and I can only assume someone has twisted my words or got the wrong end of the stick.

"I haven't seen Sean for a couple of years, but my wife and I spoke to him on the phone on his birthday this week and he was very well.

"He was fine, in complete control of his senses and his usual self. This stuff about Alzheimer's is just nonsense. I have no idea where they are getting it from.''

Bond star Connery has been plagued by rumours of ill health for several years, and only makes rare public appearances after retiring from life in the limelight in 2011.
 

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Four killed in Connecticut plane crash

A firefighter surveys the crash scene in in East Haven, Connecticut. Picture: AP Source: AP

Investigators in the Connecticut plane crash that killed four people say they've found no obvious signs there was anything wrong with the plane.

Crews removed charred sections of the plane as National Transportation Safety Board investigators worked to determine the cause of the crash.

NTSB investigator Patrick Murray said the plane was upside down upon impact at about a 60 degree angle.

He said the pilot was making his first approach to the airport and did not declare an emergency before the crash.

Before analysing any data, Murray said at a news conference in New Haven: "We don't have any indication there was anything wrong with the plane."

A preliminary NTSB report on the crash is expected within 10 business days. A more in-depth report could take up to nine months.

Authorities previously said as many as six people could have been killed.  Two children, ages 1 and 13, have been missing since the plane crashed into their home.

Firefighters work at the scene of the plane crash. Picture: AP

Earlier, it was revealed a former Microsoft executive and his teenage son were among four people killed after the plane crashed into two houses as it tried to land at a nearby Connecticut airport on Friday.

Emergency crews pulled the bodies of pilot Bill Henningsgaard, his passenger son Maxwell, 17, and two young children in a home struck by the plane, from the site on Friday night.

East Haven Fire Department deputy chief Anthony Moscato said the bodies were found just before midnight and are believed to be the only victims.

The multi-engine, propeller-driven plane struck the two small homes near Tweed New Haven Airport just before noon Friday (2am AEST). The aircraft's left wing lodged in one house and its right wing in the other.

The 10-seater plane, a Rockwell International Turbo Commander 690B, flew out of Teterboro Airport in New Jersey before crashing.

The remains of the victims were sent to the Connecticut medical examiner's office as the National Transportation Safety Board continued its investigation of the crash.

A family member said the pilot was former Microsoft executive Bill Henningsgaard, who was taking his son, Maxwell, on an East Coast tour of colleges.

The family learned it was Bill Henningsgaard's plane through the tail number, said his brother, Blair Henninsgaard, the city attorney in Astoria, Oregon.

It wasn't his first crash.

In April 2009, Henningsgaard was flying a small plane from Astoria to Seattle when the engine quit and he tried to glide back to the airport. As he wrote 10 days later on a blog post, the plane crashed into the Columbia River after a harrowing five-minute descent. He and his mother, a former Astoria mayor, climbed out on a wing and were rescued.

Henningsgaard was a member of Seattle-based Social Venture Partners, a foundation that helps build up communities. The foundation extended its condolences to his wife and two daughters.

"There are hundreds of people that have a story about Bill - when he went the extra mile, when he knew just the right thing to say, how he would never give up. He was truly all-in for this community, heart, mind and soul," the foundation wrote in a post on its website.

Tweed's airport manager, Lori Hoffman-Soares, said the pilot had been in communication with air traffic control and hadn't issued any distress calls.

"All we know is that it missed the approach and continued on," she said.

A neighbour, David Esposito, said he heard a loud noise and then a thump: "No engine noise, nothing."

"A woman was screaming her kids were in there," he said.

Esposito, a retired teacher, said he ran into the upstairs of the house, where the woman believed her children were, but he couldn't find them after frantically searching a crib and closets. He returned downstairs to search some more, but he dragged the woman out when the flames became too strong.

He spent 14 years at Microsoft in various marketing and sales positions, according to his biography on Social Venture Partners website. He was a longtime board member at Youth Eastside Services, a Bellevue, Washington-based agency that provides counselling and substance-abuse treatment, and led the organisation's $US10.7 million ($11.7 million) fundraising campaign for its new headquarters, which opened in 2008.

A vigil for the victims of the crash is planned for Saturday night at Margaret Tucker Park in East Haven.

23.08 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rogers ton puts Aussies in charge

A maiden Test century to Chris Rogers has guided Australia to 5/222 at stumps on Day Two in Durham, trailing England by just 16 runs.

VETERAN opener Chris Rogers scored his maiden Test century, as he combined with Shane Watson to put Australia back on top after the second day of the fourth Test at Chester-le-Street.

Rogers and Watson came together just after lunch with Australia in deep trouble at 4-76, and the English bowlers making good use of ideal swing-bowling conditions.

The pair then forged a vital 126 stand that turned fortunes Australia's way, before Watson became England paceman Stuart Broad's fourth victim, caught down the legside for 68.

ROGERS SHOULD INSPIRE YOUNG 'UNS

Australia was 5-222, with Rogers 101 and Brad Haddin 12 when bad light stopped play. That left them just 16 runs short of England's first innings 238.

Rogers, 35, became the second-oldest Australian batsman to record his debut century, behind Arthur Richardson who was 37 and 351 days when he scored his first century against England at Leeds in 1926.

Chris Rogers reflects on his maiden Test century on Day Two at Durham that put Australia in control of the Fourth Test.

Although not before Rogers experienced some anxious moments in the nineties. Twice, he almost spooned catches to the circling fielders; then spent 30 minutes stranded on 96, before finally sweeping his tormentor, English off-spinner Graeme Swann, for four.

When the milestone finally came, Rogers seemed more numb than elated. It took some time for the first-class journeyman to raise his arms and celebrate a moment he must have thought, having played his lone Test before this series against India in 2008, would never come.

ROGERS SHINES AMID UNCERTAINTY

Watson, demoted to No.6 for this Test having failed to re-establish himself in his favoured opening position, played an almost equally valuable role in Australia's recovery, with an unusually measured innings.

Both Rogers and Watson were given lives. Rogers was dropped at second slip by Swann when on 49, and Tim Bresnan grassed a sharp caught and bowled from Watson when he was 5.

Chris Rogers brings up his first Test hundred at age 35, and the look on his face tells the whole story.

Rogers also had to survive the uncertainties of the DRS.

First, an LBW referral by Broad was refused. Later, Rogers was given out caught behind. But, after his referral, Hot Spot showed the ball had hit his pad. However, to Broad's annoyance, the replay also showed Rogers would have been LBW if the umpire had given him out for that.

ROGERS REACTS TO HARD-WON CENTURY

Otherwise, against some devilish swing bowling under a cloudy sky, Rogers and Watson repaired the early damage done by Broad who took Australia's first three wickets in a brilliant pre-lunch spell.

Broad, who finished with 4-48, bowled David Warner for three when the Australian opener attempted a cramped, defensive shot with an angled bat. Then, in his next over, Usman Khawaja was caught behind for a duck.

It was a particularly disappointing return from Warner, who had been elevated to his preferred position at the top of the order after batting at No.6 in the third Test.

Captain Michael Clarke, so often the saviour, was also caught by Prior, his swat at Broad's ball well outside off stump an uncharacteristic mistake.

BROAD QUESTIONS 'ODD' LBW CALL

Rogers and Steve Smith took Australia to lunch. But, immediately, after the resumption, Smith was caught behind sparring at a ball from Bresnan he should have left.

Earlier, Australia had taken little time to complete the day's housekeeping, wrapping up the England innings without allowing them to add to their overnight score.

Jackson Bird got justified reward for his tight and probing bowling on the first day, when he bowled James Anderson for 16. Although not before hitting the England No.11 with a bouncer, and breaking his helmet.

Nathan Lyon finished with 4-42, which comprised the top order wickets of Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell and Jonny Bairstow.

REVIEW SYSTEM DESCENDS TO HIGH FARCE

Chris Rogers brought up his maiden Test hundred on day two at Chester-le-Street.

DRS caused confusion again with Chris Rogers being the subject this time.

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