ntnews.com.aulllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll SPORT Injured King holds out hope Farewell breaks traditions Finch lives Wembley dream INJURED Manly co-captain Jason King has next to no STEPPING foot on to the Suncorp Stadium turf WIGAN’S Australian halfback cannot wait chance of making it back should the Sea Eagles make usually means a trip to court and a hefty fine. Pitch to sample the atmosphere of a Challenge Cup rugby the NRL grand final, but that won’t stop him hoping. invaders or streakers are run down by security staff league final after being gripped by Wembley fever. King’s right arm is still in a sling after surgery for a and frog-marched off the ground in front of cheering The former five-eighth can hardly torn pectoral muscle, an injury with a four-month fans before being dealt with by the law. But in believe his good fortune in getting the chance to recovery period that ended his season three weeks honour of retiring Broncos icon , realise his ambition to play at Wembley in his first ago.‘‘Speaking to the doctors, the specialists and the thousands of fans will be allowed on to the famous season in England. The Warriors take on Leeds this physios I’ll be playing in March next year but I guess Brisbane football ground on Father’s Day next month weekend in the decider. ‘‘I can only imagine what it’s you always hold out hope,’’ he said yesterday. as part of his unique farewell celebrations. going to be like at Wembley,’’ Finch said. Cronk eager for late call-up

RUGBY LEAGUE BY JOE BARTON

MELBOURNE halfback Coo- per Cronk is poised to make a He’s given himself shock return for tonight’s NRL blockbuster against every chance, that’s Manly at . for sure Cronk didn’t travel with his teammates but was ex- pected to catch a later flight last night, increasing his every chance, that’s for chances of being a late in- sure,’’ Walters added. clusion for the hotly antici- Cronk’s likely inclusion pated top-of-the-table match. shows Melbourne’s desire to One of the Storm’s ‘‘big keep a club record 12-game three’’ with and winning streak going — but , Cronk in- also how much it values vic- jured his ankle in the round tory over the Sea Eagles. 23 win over Gold Coast and The two teams have forged would give the ladder leaders a bitter rivalry. a major boost against their fierce rivals Manly. NRL — Round 25 (NT times) ‘‘He didn’t travel with us, Tonight: Eels v Roosters at (7.05pm), Sea Eagles v Storm at but that’s not to say he won’t Brookvale Oval (7.05pm). The Roosters decided yesterday to show NRL bad boy the door be playing,’’ assistant coach Tomorrow: Bulldogs v Knights at ANZ said. ‘‘We’ll Stadium (5pm), Cowboys v Sharks at Dairy Farmers Stadium (7pm), Raiders v Pan- give him every chance to get thers at (7pm). himself right, so we’ll just see Sunday: Dragons v Warriors at WIN what happens.’’ Stadium (1.30pm), Broncos v Rabbitohs at Roosters give Myles the flick Suncorp Stadium (2.30pm). Considered little chance of Monday: Tigers v Titans at Campbelltown returning this week when Sports Stadium (6.30pm). NATE Myles has played his Carney and Frank Paul as any other club activity un- out of the door. Carney coach Craig Bellamy left him NRL Tips BRIAN WEBB (Territory FM): Sea Eag- last game for the Roo- Nuuausala — while on a der the terms of his con- has already been stood down out of the side named on les, Eels, Knights, Cowboys, Panthers, sters, with the NRL club team-enforced drinking ban. tract,’’ the Roosters said in for the remainder of the Tuesday, the Test and Dragons, Broncos, Tigers (120). sacking the Australian and ‘‘Following discussions a statement. regular season and will learn representative CHARLIE KING (ABC Grandstand): Sea Eagles, Eels, Knights, Cowboys, Panthers, Queensland representative with Nate Myles and his ‘‘The club acknowledges of his fate at the end of the has worked hard on his re- Dragons, Broncos, Tigers (115). yesterday. manager in relation to the Nate’s contribution over the season. covery in a desperate bid to ED COWLISHAW (Mix 104.9FM): Storm, The Gold Coast-bound for- recently issued breach no- past five years and wish him Should the 25-year-old be take on the Sea Eagles. Roosters, Knights, Cowboys, Panthers, Warriors, Broncos, Tigers (112). ward was also fined an undis- tice, it has been determined every success in the future.’’ axed, the NRL has yet to ‘‘He’s been improving, DAVID WHITE (NT News): Sea Eagles, closed amount following his that Nate will be fined an un- Meanwhile, Mitchell decide on whether it which is really good, and he’s Eels, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Raiders, latest alcohol-related breach disclosed sum and will con- Pearce hopes Carney finds a would register any contract a real professional with his Dragons, Broncos, Tigers (108). MATT BEATTIE (CARL): Sea Eagles, Eels, — a lengthy drinking session tinue to be excused from home somewhere in the NRL offered by another team for footy and looking after him- Knights, Cowboys, Panthers, Dragons, with fellow players Todd training and playing, as well next year if he follows Myles 2012 and beyond. self, so he’s given himself Broncos, Tigers (100). Hodges eyes finals denies rift with Henry Eels afraid of spoon QUEENSLAND star Willie isolation in will need to time this season against Tonga has dismissed specul- north Queens- PARRAMATTA players face the Titans can cause a have constant treatment on a Newcastle on Monday. ation a fallout with coach land, rather the longest weekend of their boilover against Wests back problem for the rest of Scans on Hodges’ ham- Neil Henry was behind his than any ill- NRL season if they can’t Tigers at Campbelltown.

his career to safeguard the string revealed a grade-one shock decision to quit the feeling towards notch a win over the Sydney Stephen Kearney’s men PUB: Broncos ace from repeated tear. And while the injury Cowboys and join Parra- Henry, was be- Roosters tonight. are currently last on 15 NTNE-WS-26-A51KGE:MDA-TE: Y-C-CO-LO-R: breakdowns with his trouble- will rule him out of Sunday’s matta next season. hind his decis- The Eels could claim their points, a single point behind some hamstrings. clash against Souths and Last November it was re- ion to seek a release from the first wooden spoon since 1972 the Raiders and Titans. The Broncos’ premiership Brisbane’s final round show- ported Tonga’s manager final year of his contract. on Monday if rivals for the ‘‘It is sometimes a downer hopes received a huge boost down with Manly, Griffin ex- Isaac Moses had started ‘‘I don’t have a problem unwanted prize, Canberra when you do look at it (the yesterday when coach Anth- pects the Test star to be avail- shopping his client around with Neil at all,’’ Tonga said. and Gold Coast, both win. table),’’ Eels hooker Matt ony Griffin revealed Hodges able for the opening week of the NRL amid suggestions Tonga, 28, says the prob- The Raiders host Penrith Keating said yesterday. would be on deck for the fin- the play-offs. the Maroons centre was un- lem was not the club, but his tomorrow night but the Eels Parramatta has lost six als, despite suffering a ham- Hodges signed a $1 million, happy playing under Henry. battle to settle in Townsville. will need to wait until Mon- straight, while the Roosters string injury for the third three-year deal in May. But Tonga says his sense of ‘‘It’s a shame,’’ he said. day night to know whether have won two straight. www.ntnews.com.au Friday, August 26, 2011. NT NEWS. 51