Salvo quits as Valencia president

<div align="left" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Layhoon Chan will take over the role after the 48-year-old stepped down, citing personal reasons, along with a number of executives.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Valencia president Amadeo Salvo has stepped down from his post with the Liga club, citing "personal and family reasons".</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Salvo departs the club along with sports director Francisco Rufete, secretary Fabian Ayala and five others, with the former's exit reportedly due to his father's battle with cancer.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The 48-year-old said he felt he had improved the Mestalla club's fortunes in recent times, with Valencia back in the Champions League for the first time since 2013.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Two years ago the club was definitely worse off than now," Salvo said in a statement.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"It was a club in decline and today it is thriving and there is a new-found excitement.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Now, Valencia CF are in good hands and the club has a great future ahead with Layhoon [Chan] and [owner] Peter Lim.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I ask the fans to continue to always support the team, as I will now do from my seat at Mestalla as a fan - as I did before becoming president."</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Chan has taken over the presidential reins.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Personally, this is a difficult period for me, but I'm sure that Valencia CF is above all of us and that we will emerge stronger in no time," she said.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"My goal is to gain the trust and support of the fans and shareholders."</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRm52mTr9LS12T_gnho5xSnAukeNoG_oQQRhCjE25TF5L1_nzzS7xMQB-ftBGue7H5_dDqmdukh7xBnNqIi6oYVQAQQosK0bWkOaOqTTda0SD7Eb7V1hU-xFJqOC4KHzGPknnL_2ZpA/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRm52mTr9LS12T_gnho5xSnAukeNoG_oQQRhCjE25TF5L1_nzzS7xMQB-ftBGue7H5_dDqmdukh7xBnNqIi6oYVQAQQosK0bWkOaOqTTda0SD7Eb7V1hU-xFJqOC4KHzGPknnL_2ZpA/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Salvo quits as Valencia president

Layhoon Chan will take over the role after the 48-year-old stepped down, citing personal reasons, along with a number of executives. Vale...

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Liverpool announce Sebastian Coates’ Sunderland move

<div align="left" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Liverpool have confirmed that Sebastian Coates has left the club to join Sunderland permanently, as per the club’s official website.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Uruguayan spent the previous campaign on loan at the Black Cats and made ten Premier League appearances for the club, including the last six games when north-east side avoided relegation under Dick Advocaat.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He signed for the Reds in a £7 million deal back in 2011 from Nacional in his homeland (fee via Independent) but struggled to make much of an impact at Anfield; he played just 12 times in the top flight, though he did score a spectacular goal against QPR during the 2011-12 season.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">he 24-year-old was signed largely off the back of his impressive displays for Uruguay during their victorious 2011 Copa America campaign, but due to injuries and a lack of playing time, Coates has lost his starting place for the national team and he will hope his move can lead to a recall.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Coates is Sunderland’s second summer signing following Ricardo Alvarez’s arrival last month; however, the club reportedly only signed the Argentine due to a mandatory clause in his loan agreement.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Advocaat will be hoping to make more additions over the summer in order to avoid becoming embroiled in a relegation battle again next season and has been linked with a move for West Ham’s Stewart Downing, as per the Shields Gazet.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKVvRdyXkmDfetI73T09arw6VcI3qPDSyPGrGXc4-YSGfDnBxZNdzPDNsgjp7JNkmiCTa-4ipJwGTRIZKl1Bla1Prf9T03cXW4GCmG_-HS9iio7UPOR_VSR_EM843kE-hjgFTVHmCCQ/s1600/coates1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKVvRdyXkmDfetI73T09arw6VcI3qPDSyPGrGXc4-YSGfDnBxZNdzPDNsgjp7JNkmiCTa-4ipJwGTRIZKl1Bla1Prf9T03cXW4GCmG_-HS9iio7UPOR_VSR_EM843kE-hjgFTVHmCCQ/s400/coates1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div>

Liverpool announce Sebastian Coates’ Sunderland move

Liverpool have confirmed that Sebastian Coates has left the club to join Sunderland permanently, as per the club’s official website. The ...

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Origin: Darius Boyd says Greg Inglis's move to fullback will not effect Queensland Maroons' fluency

<div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Queensland winger Darius Boyd is confident he can strike up an understanding with Will Chambers to match his prolific partnership with Greg Inglis.</span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Playing outside Inglis for almost all of his 22-game State of Origin career, Boyd has run in 15 tries.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">In that time Inglis has scored 11 of his Queensland record 16 Origin tries.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The duo will be separated for next week's series decider in Brisbane, with Inglis to replace the injured Billy Slater at fullback with Chambers coming across from the right wing to left centre.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Boyd says the switch does concern him and he is confident it will bring out the best in Chambers, who plays centre for Melbourne in the NRL - albeit on the right-hand side.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"I've known Will for a long time now, known him since he came through the Queensland Cup (with Norths Devils) so we've been pretty good mates for a little while now," Boyd said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"I don't think it will take too long to get a bit of a connection going.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"He's obviously shown in his first two Origin games how much he has developed and how good a player he is and he deserves his spot here."</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Inglis and Chambers aren't the only players affected by Slater's injury, with Dane Gagai poised to make his Origin debut on the right wing.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Despite the high stakes of the match, Boyd says Gagai's time already spent around the Origin squad will prepare him well for the challenge that lies ahead.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"Gags has been here the whole series so far," Boyd said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"Everyone knows their job and it's just a matter of fine-tuning things before the game.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"He'll be nervous before kick-off and on game day but once you get out there and get your first touch you get into the flow of the game."</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAsU6xqEYISWUorE4ZkEBoY4IR9nuISZxlKIfhad2MWwg9d2g_OfDa2h61O-Qh0RiPkBFeRqgLy36d_7DLpCcgQXvrQl_UcCau53vQuNS5k0WJhojcMiaLw4UwD7BQ7iceaCK5I6dWQ/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfAsU6xqEYISWUorE4ZkEBoY4IR9nuISZxlKIfhad2MWwg9d2g_OfDa2h61O-Qh0RiPkBFeRqgLy36d_7DLpCcgQXvrQl_UcCau53vQuNS5k0WJhojcMiaLw4UwD7BQ7iceaCK5I6dWQ/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>

Origin: Darius Boyd says Greg Inglis's move to fullback will not effect Queensland Maroons' fluency

Queensland winger Darius Boyd is confident he can strike up an understanding with Will Chambers to match his prolific partnership with Greg...

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Sepp Blatter maintains innocence amid FIFA scandal

<div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sepp Blatter, president of the world soccer governing body FIFA that is embroiled in corruption investigations, has told a German magazine he has a clean conscience and believes he will "go to heaven one day".</span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">US prosecutors have not accused Blatter, 79, of any wrongdoing, but his stewardship of FIFA is under scrutiny, sources familiar with investigations in the United States and Switzerland have said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Blatter announced on June 2 he would step down as FIFA president after an election that is likely to take place late this year or early next year.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"I have a clean conscience," the Swiss told German magazine Bunte in an interview published on Wednesday.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"Whoever calls me corrupt will have to prove it, but nobody can prove that because I am not corrupt."</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Blatter said he was open to criticism. "But if anybody calls me corrupt because FIFA is corrupt, I can only shake my head. Everybody who says something like that should go to jail."</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">He said he was a religious person and that his faith had given him strength during the last weeks.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"I own a golden cross that has been blessed by Pope Francis. I believe I will go to heaven one day," Blatter said.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">A US-based lawyer said on Tuesday Blatter would not travel to Canada for Sunday's final of the women's World Cup for personal reasons.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Some lawyers with experience in international criminal cases have said Blatter would be ill-advised to travel after an indictment announced on May 27 by US prosecutors against nine current and former FIFA officials and five sports marketing businessmen. </span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y_R_9m5bETX5IRazFhfOLj9KzxyqLTyV_jCb9ZSUYBkB5sEcCMWzCvi_bM5ZaatiZ9H4LB_1RGmXJN1EJnaY9mNXP7Z52DVXlSsiFqJrOeRl-JijmmJboAJWzHFBO10LP30Dw1FHrA/s1600/footballnews1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Y_R_9m5bETX5IRazFhfOLj9KzxyqLTyV_jCb9ZSUYBkB5sEcCMWzCvi_bM5ZaatiZ9H4LB_1RGmXJN1EJnaY9mNXP7Z52DVXlSsiFqJrOeRl-JijmmJboAJWzHFBO10LP30Dw1FHrA/s400/footballnews1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>

Sepp Blatter maintains innocence amid FIFA scandal

Sepp Blatter, president of the world soccer governing body FIFA that is embroiled in corruption investigations, has told a German magazine ...

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Sydney is looking to move into the top 4 with a win over Port Adelaide at the SCG Thursday night

<div class="story-intro" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;"> <div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: LiberationSerifBold, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">JOSH Francou says a ruthless mission to shatter Port Adelaide’s season without star imports Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett is the true ‘test’ of Sydney’s vaunted Bloods culture.</span></div> </div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> However it’s Francou’s former club Port entering Thursday night’s SCG clash under enormous pressure in 12th spot and the Swans assistant coach contests the notion any side needs a “dip” before rebounding as a premiership force.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> Francou says Sydney must secure a top-four passage at the expense of Port who would need to win eight of nine games to make the finals with defeat at the SCG.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “We lose our two key forwards and Tippo has been spending a little time in the ruck so we lose that a well and it is a big test for the playing group,” said Francou with Tippett and Franklin serving one-game suspensions for incidents in last Friday’s loss to Richmond at the SCG.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> Sydney has only been without high rollers Franklin and Tippett once since last season when it conquered Brisbane at the Gabba.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> Canadian ruckman Mike Pyke will be a crucial addition with Tippett out as Sydney attempts to keep a four point-buffer between fourth and fifth placed rivals Hawthorn and Collingwood. Sam Reid is set to resume his 2012 premiership pairing with Adam Goodes in attack.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “You talk about Bloods culture and the different roles that individuals play within a team and we bring back guys that have played good senior footy for us,” said Francou, promoted from a development role to assistant midfield coach with former Power teammate Stuart Dew.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “Mike Pyke comes back into the side and others will fill the role with Buddy and Tippo not playing.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “There’s always upsets and we have to perform. I wouldn’t have thought there are too many times we lose two in a row at the SCG.”</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> Richmond stunned Sydney in an 18-point win with spearhead Jack Riewoldt’s six goals proving the difference.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> Sydney coach John Longmire has demanded his men return to the trademark contested possession and gut running that traditionally chokes visiting sides.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “Horse is no different to other coaches, he sets high expectations of the playing group and staff,” 2002 All-Australian and Brownlow Medal runner-up Francou told<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: LiberationSerifItalic, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Advertiser.</span></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “If there’s issues there, he wants them fixed so there is a high degree of accountability.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “I have learnt a lot off him about the game and being exposed to the Bloods culture has been a really good experience.”</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> It ‘hurt’ Francou to watch the club he served with distinction almost go to the wall in the pre-Ken Hinkley era. However Francou must ‘divorce’ himself from past allegiances Thursday night as Sydney attempts to inflict more pain with a 12th win in 13 games against Port.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> While hailing Hinkley’s contribution at Alberton since 2013, there’s no credence to the theory any side need falter to find the resilience to win a flag.</div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “I think that is a furphy and if you asked the supporters they would say that too,” said Francou, who missed Port’s 2004 premiership while sidelined by a knee reconstruction.</div> <br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> “They have had a bit of a dip but you can sense the players play for Ken and (he) has some really good stuff going for him.”</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiewKym8SaoMxd_h-3jbC2ag59J6xgpj1AkFkPkxfsqZZ3RPq6eAYZoFqi-XkH10mW0h5sz34IHS_0kuB237e08zwc3oxPSnXmNH1PXBeuSQz7W_N0ncL-zTWS8htv06Rky3arkWFtjA/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiewKym8SaoMxd_h-3jbC2ag59J6xgpj1AkFkPkxfsqZZ3RPq6eAYZoFqi-XkH10mW0h5sz34IHS_0kuB237e08zwc3oxPSnXmNH1PXBeuSQz7W_N0ncL-zTWS8htv06Rky3arkWFtjA/s400/10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: LiberationSerifRegular, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 19px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 23px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 14px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;"> <br /></div>

Sydney is looking to move into the top 4 with a win over Port Adelaide at the SCG Thursday night

JOSH Francou says a ruthless mission to shatter Port Adelaide’s season without star imports Lance Franklin and Kurt Tippett is the true ‘t...

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Jack Riewoldt signs contract extension with Richmond to stay at Tigers until 2019 AFL season

<div class="first"> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Less than a fortnight after Alex Rance's crucial AFL re-signing, Jack Riewoldt has given Richmond more good contract news.</span></div> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Riewoldt has agreed to a three-year contract extension, tying him to the Tigers until the end of the 2019 season.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It means he will most likely be a one-club player.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The two-time Coleman Medallist would have qualified for free agency at the end of next season.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I'm absolutely rapt that the club came to me and showed interest in me signing an extension," Riewoldt said in a club statement.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The most important thing for me is to get this stuff over and done with.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I jumped at it pretty quickly."</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The emerging Tigers have had a great run of player contract negotiations.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apart from Riewoldt and Rance, captain Trent Cotchin and fellow star midfielder Dustin Martin have also signed new deals.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"He had no interest in playing anywhere but Richmond and had no hesitation in extending his contract," Tigers football manager Dan Richardson said.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"To extend his contract demonstrates a great faith by Jack in the direction the club is heading, and his willingness to be a part of it.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Jack has been an incredibly consistent performer on field during his career so far, and has grown to become one of our most respected leaders."</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Riewoldt won the 2010 club best and fairest award and made the All-Australian team in the same year - also the first of his two Coleman Medal seasons as the league's top goalkicker.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He has topped Richmond's goalkicking every year since 2010.</span><br /> <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Riewoldt has kicked 415 goals for the Tigers in 169 games since his 2007 debut, including 34 in 12 matches so far this season.</span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCr6OnmdENAdXdke-gWEXJUBA9Nu7u_m4MPra6IMcKqY1cGa9NrxMhUkNCiGKBH0naRUPHBHbg3tGL6llVRCNZrNgKtzKqa24CFoj1OclGM5oolQy6lkFGkTwXqn-Ad01SH-XmNbi_Q/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCr6OnmdENAdXdke-gWEXJUBA9Nu7u_m4MPra6IMcKqY1cGa9NrxMhUkNCiGKBH0naRUPHBHbg3tGL6llVRCNZrNgKtzKqa24CFoj1OclGM5oolQy6lkFGkTwXqn-Ad01SH-XmNbi_Q/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br />

Jack Riewoldt signs contract extension with Richmond to stay at Tigers until 2019 AFL season

Less than a fortnight after Alex Rance's crucial AFL re-signing, Jack Riewoldt has given Richmond more good contract news. Riewoldt ha...

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