54 SPORT SATURDAY MAY 13 2017 AFL stands by recruiting age

THE AFL has no plans to let teenagers finish school before focusing on football, yesterday ignoring a surge of support to lift the draft age to 19. As coaches, former greats and player managers urged the AFL to take the pressure of football off prospects as they complete Year 12, the league said that would only make the eventual transition more diffi- cult. “It was our view that the gap to AFL football from the levels below is already very signifi- cant,” the league said in a statement. “Delaying a player’s entry to an AFL club by a further 12 months would only increase that gap, making the adjust- ment for new players even slower and more difficult. “Also, our sport is obviously seeking access to the best available talent. If we delayed opportunities … (we run) the risk of having talented athletes choose other sport options.” Nadal schools Nick on clay

NINE-TIME French Open champion Rafael Nadal hand- ed Australia’s Nick Kyrgios a clay court lesson at the Madrid Open yesterday. Cricketers (City Cyclones), (Northern Tide), Nathan McSweeney (Southern Storm) and Dean Fry (Desert Blaze) are looking forward to donning Fourth seed Nadal won 6-3 their new colours for the inaugural Strike League starting this weekend Picture: KATRINA BRIDGEFORD 6-1 in 72 minutes in a match which showed promise early but quickly became a pro- cession. Nadal served first, racing to a 30-0 lead before Kyrgios made an early declaration of Territory stars return intent with a stunning two- handed return. But the hometown hero took the first set 6-3. It took until the fifth game of the second set for Kyrgios to get on the board and avoid the ignominy of his first bagel — a home for new league set without winning a game — on the men’s tour. JOSH SPASARO fered a few things to me,” ern Districts at Fred’s Pass an McSweeney will play for “I played a lot better,” said Weatherald told the NT News. today. the Storm, alongside Territori- Nadal, who struggled in a star Jake “But then I heard this comp Weatherald’s South Austra- an and three-set win Fabio Fog- Weatherald had offers to play was on — I thought it would be “I’m excited lian teammate Tom Andrews slugger D’Arcy Short. nini on Thursday. “It was a big County in England a lot easier. I’m excited about is another huge drawcard for “I’ve watched him on TV in step forward.” over the traditional off-season, the concept. about the the Strike League, the left-arm the Big Bash, so hopefully I’ll but instead he chose the Top “The weather’s nice, and the spinning all-rounder to play take a few tips, and listen to End’s new Strike League. games won’t get washed out concept” for the Cyclones, and Darwin what he has to say,” McSwee- In a huge coup for NT like they would in England.” at club level. ney said. “Hopefully one day I Rugby talk all Cricket, the proud Territorian As revealed by the NT JAKE WEATHERALD “Already (the Strike can play on TV as well.” will turn out for the Northern News, four franchises — the League) has got a bit of media Southern Districts’ Dean crock: Cronk Tide in the inaugural short- Tide, Southern Storm, City Cy- against the with it attracting contracted Fry, 17, will play alongside Bris- format competition starting on clones and Desert Blaze — will XI on Octo- players from different states bane Heat batsman COOPER Cronk has dis- June 4. play four 50-over and two ber 15 last year, belting 141 around the country,” Andrews at the Blaze. “I’ve played a cou- missed speculation he is con- He is delighted with his de- games, all at Marra- from 104 balls. said. “These concepts make the ple of club games with him and sidering a switch to rugby cision — one which will have a ra. He’s hoping to provide the younger guys stronger, and it’s exciting,” Fry said. union in 2018. massive positive spin-off for The final on June 25 will be Strike League with more fire- that hopefully makes NT “This is a serious step up. It The Kangaroos halfback the game throughout his home 50 overs each. works, while feeder club Tracy Cricket stronger.” gives you a picture of where will leave NRL club Melbourne region. Weatherald hit a brilliant Village will benefit from his ex- PINT star and Queensland NT Cricket is going and how at season’s end to join his Syd- “A few clubs in England of- maiden Matador Cup ton for pertise starting against South- under-19 representative Nath- you can get somewhere now.” ney-based fiance, TV presenter Tara Rushton, but is yet to de- cide if he will continue playing. But Cronk laughed off talk Dowling finds mental strength for winning edge that he may be tempted to play for Super Rugby outfit NSW RHYS Dowling recently en- ing me how to think positive game from Holmes’ grasp. “He was controlling the Waratahs next year. listed the expertise of a sports thoughts when you are down The No.7 seed was in con- pace and I knew I was fitter “That won’t be happening,” psychologist to help with the in those games,” Dowling said. trol from that point as he than him so I should’ve upped he said. “Everyone has their mental side of his squash. “I try to think of one point worked his opponent around the pace.” right to an opinion but I It proved fruitful in the sec- at a time and that the game the court. The 22-year-old said it was haven’t had any conversation ond round of the NT Open isn’t over until the last point. “It was a slow start. I am not a boost playing on the Darwin with rugby union and I have no yesterday. The Territorian “I look to feel positive. If known for my strong starts, I courts he knows so well. intention.” fought from 5-8 down in the you get that, you will start no- think that’s a weaker side of “It’s great fun having all my Speculation of a switch built first game against Jason ticing more positive body lan- my game,” he said. supporters and home crowd momentum after Wallabies Holmes to claim the best-of- guage on the court.” “It’s just about getting into behind me, pushing me on,” he coach Michael Cheika claimed five match 13-11, 11-2, 11-1. Dowling’s supreme fitness my rhythm more, stop hitting said. Cronk would be a rugby suc- “I’ve been doing a lot of and agility enabled him to unforced errors, straighten up Dowling advances to the cess while code hopper Kar- work in Brisbane with a sports snatch the momentum from and make him (Holmes) move quarter-finals today against michael Hunt also backed the NT hope Rhys Dowling psychologist, he’s been teach- the minute he stole the first around the court more. No.3 seed Josh Larkin. Melbourne No.7’s move.

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