TUESDAY APRIL 30 2019 SPORT 23 Moore’s Moses crusade

MURRAY WENZEL since Ben Hunt’s departure to Billy says Eels’ half ideal for Broncos if Nikorima exits St George Illawarra last year. BILLY Moore has implored But, alongside No.6 An- Brisbane to “go hammer and union with Wayne Bennett. match against the Rabbitohs. star Moses up for grabs and the tre it’s significant change and thony Milford, the 25-year-old tong” for Mitchell Moses as While unlikely, Nikorima Moore sees the sense in Ni- recent departures of experi- the next crop isn’t there yet.” has struggled for consistency two of the NRL club’s biggest could be a Warriors player this korima’s move to Auckland, enced duo Josh McGuire and Moses is off contract be- in a 2-5 season that has seen names are linked to exits from weekend if the papers are filed where Blake Green’s groin in- Sam Thaiday. yond this season, with a repor- plenty of criticism thrown their Red Hill. by this afternoon. jury and Shaun Johnson’s “The Broncos are horren- ted three-year deal from the way. “They’ve played together Halfback Kodi Nikorima is That would leave Broncos shock pre-season exit has gut- dously imbalanced (in terms of Eels still on the table. for a long, long time. If anyone reportedly the target of a War- coach Anthony Seibold to ted them in key positions. experience) and Moses is the “If I could get Moses I’d go thinks that combination’s get- riors poaching raid, while noise blood highly-touted 18-year- But he says Brisbane would perfect fit there,” former hammer and tong; a swipe of ting better they’re wrong,” remains around gun centre old Tom Dearden or raw Syd- be brave to rely on either of the Queensland forward Moore the pen and you’re sorted,” Moore said of the long-time James Roberts’ potential re- ney Roosters recruit Sean untested halves, particularly said. “If you’re losing a mem- Moore said. friends. turn to South Sydney and a re- O’Sullivan in Thursday’s grudge with off-contract Parramatta ber of the spine and a star cen- Nikorima has taken the reins “If anything it’s regressing.” Maclaren on Experience a mission to Write us places Scott erase pain of off, says in Maroons’ title drought Rudan Origin frame MELBOURNE City striker MATT Scott’s State of Origin Jamie Maclaren has pledged to career is a chance of being re- play through the pain as his vived at age 33 with the vet- club’s A-League season goes eran prop the most on the line in Sunday’s elimin- experienced player available to ation final against Adelaide. Queensland coach Kevin Wal- That is because there is a ters. deeper level of hurt the Socc- Scott hasn’t played for the eroo does not want to feel Maroons since 2016, after he again; the anguish of getting missed 2017 with a knee injury, within touching distance of a before being overlooked last big prize but to miss out. year. Maclaren, 25, sees this sea- However, Queensland are son as his best chance of silver- facing something of a leader- ware after two near misses at ship gulf in 2019, after they lost his previous A-League homes. 267 games of Origin experi- In 2014, the emerging star ence in the past two years lost the inaugural FFA Cup through retirements. final with Perth Glory to the Scott’s 22 games for the Ma- same team and at the same roons make him the most ex- venue that will host Sunday’s perienced Queenslander do-or-die affair; Adelaide available for selection, given United at Hindmarsh Stadium. Darius Boyd was one of several In 2016, Maclaren scored to players to retire from rep- put Brisbane Roar three goals resentative football last year. up in their semi-final with Scott is also back to show- Western Sydney, only to suffer ing improvements in his sec- an extraordinary 5-4 loss. ond year back from his knee “I know all about those sort reconstructions, with his work- of finals feelings. I know all load increasing for North about the hurt you can have,” Queensland. he said. “He’s a good old pro and “(For Brisbane) we were we’re lacking a bit of experi- one game short of a grand Perth’s zeroes in on goal against the Wellington Phoenix in Perth Picture: GETTY ence across everywhere this final. We were 3-0 up after 20 year and he could be the one minutes and we chucked it. DEFIANT Wellington from fifth to sixth on the said. “I don’t really care what , who provides that,” Walters “We’ve got guys in this Phoenix coach Mark Rudan ladder — pitting them in an anyone else says, because I goalkeeper Filip Kurto and said. “He’s been much better dressing room that have won has dared the critics to write away elimination final know my team and I know Alex Rufer from Sunday’s this year than what he was put- things in this league and off his team yet again, against Melbourne Victory my players.” loss to Glory. ting up last year. there’s guys that have been claiming Sunday’s 5-0 loss on Friday night. Rudan said any criticism Newly-crowned golden “We’ll see how the next knocked out. Winning titles is to Perth Glory won’t dent Victory will start that would be used as fuel for his boot winner month goes but no doubt he’ll the best feeling.” their title hopes one bit. match as hot favourites, but side. “I know you guys will and Michal Kopczynski only be wanting to get back in a Ma- Asked whether City can win Rudan rested a host of Rudan fancies his team’s talk the score up. For me made cameo appearances roons jersey as well.” a first grand final, Maclaren key players for the trip to chances of causing an upset. and for us, the more you from the bench. Walters’ comments come doesn’t hesitate. Perth, and Glory feasted And he dismissed want to do that, the better it Rudan defended his after Cowboys coach Paul “100 per cent. We’ve been with a goal-scoring rout in suggestions the 5-0 loss to is for us,” Rudan said. decision to field such an Green told his cast of represen- speaking about it for a number the final regular game of the Glory may have robbed his “We’ve been outsiders inexperienced side. tative players on Friday night of weeks now,” he said. “Finals season. The heavy defeat team of vital confidence. from day one.” “It was all about the their Origin spots would be in football, anything can happen meant Wellington slipped “It’s irrelevant,” Rudan Rudan rested skipper bigger picture,” he said. danger due to the club’s poor ... we believe we can do it.” form. Winning treble returns Savige to premier form

GREG ALDAM Savige started proceedings She did so when holding out Rob Brown, and hot favourite There Jerry powered home home, suggesting she could be in race one with Coolazar Not A Bulldozer again for the Mileeka for Simon Nathanael, late to tip out fellow kennel- one to follow over the shorter THEY call him the “friendly causing a boilover, defeating unlucky Bolton over 312m. who bombed the start much to mate Sunbaker, making it a sprint distances. pirate” and by his own ad- the heavily-supported Not A The final leg of Savige’s the punters’ frustrations. quinella for Lasker. Other winners on the night mission he has had a lean run Bang for Steele Bolton, when treble was Island Girl, who Andrew Lasker also had a The other impressive winner were Sunset Licorice for of it recently. he found the lead early and stretched out to the 537m jour- good night of it with a double, was Quetzalli in the last race for Graeme Ferns and Imitate But on Sunday night, Dar- was untroubled over 312m. ney and showed good early and that included Betty Turpin Harry Brown, when she (Leta Smith). win Greyhound Association’s Rapido was Savige’s next speed to lead clearly down the in race four. showed terrific early speed to Racing returns to Winnellie premier trainer Russell Savige winner in race three, and this back straight. That was quickly backed up burn off hotpot Balkan Babe. Park on Sunday night, and as it was back with a treble on the enigmatic bitch has the pro- She then held off the fast- in the next race when kennel- Quetzalli comfortably held is a long weekend it promises eight-race program. pensity to bob up occasionally. finishing Pete’s Kitchen for mate and old marvel Out her rival at bay in the run to be an outstanding meeting.

V1 - NTNE01Z01MA