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CRICKET

The man who set the Blues on course

George Henry Bailey Gilbert The first NSW captain, George Gilbert, was cut from a different cloth, writes Peter Roebuck.

A-LEAGUE

Brosque roams into a revival

Alex Brosque Alex Brosque is leading Sydney's resurgence under John Kosmina, writes Greg Prichard.

FOOTBALL

The Galaxy with a single star

David Beckham NO WONDER David Beckham is so anxious to continue representing England. Playing for the LA Galaxy alone can't possibly give him the satisfaction he requires as a footballer.

THE FITZ FILES

Remind me, which are the dumb animals?

WHERE to begin with the whole Western Force quokka thing?, writes Peter FitzSimons.

LEAGUE

Ray of hope for day grand final

The push for a return to day grand finals gathered momentum yesterday when NRL chief executive David Gallop held talks with Channel Nine boss David Gyngell over the contentious issue - but maintained the league would not need the network's go-ahead to make the switch.

RUGBY

An article of faith

Alan Jones Alan Jones believes the Wallabies are far from a lost cause, writes Roy Masters.

HORSERACING

They're on - or off, as the course caller puts it

Brooke Sexton HOW has Brooke Sexton, a clerk of the course at Royal Randwick, spent her days while Sydney racing has been tucked up in bed with a sniffly nose because of this wretched equine influenza?

GOLF

Kiwi veteran takes age to make the cut

STEVEN BOWDITCH continued his fightback from a debilitating bout of depression, while Bob Charles struck a blow for senior citizens everywhere at the New Zealand Open yesterday.

BOXING

Relaxed Mundine sees a vision splendid

Anthony Mundine PERHAPS it has as much to do with last weekend's election result as the new perspective his career-threatening eye injury has given him.

AFL

Cats shock as Ablett walks out

Nathan Ablett The playing future of Geelong premiership forward Nathan Ablett is in extreme doubt after the son of Cats legend Gary Ablett walked out on the club this week.

MOTORSPORT

Tander keeping Whincup on his toes as title goes down to the wire

Garth Tander HOLDEN'S Garth Tander yesterday struck the first blow for those still in V8 supercar championship contention at Phillip Island, with a top-two practice finish boosting hopes he can deny Ford and Jamie Whincup the title.

CYCLING

Kelly primed for one last shot at gold

SHANE KELLY, at 35 years of age, has never been short of inspiration in a career that will span five Olympic Games if he makes the Australian track cycling team for next year's Games at Beijing.

ANDREW WEBSTER

Hammered quokkas hopping mad: we'll get them dirty Rottnest scoundrels

THE quokka allegedly flung through the air like a hammer throw has come out of hiding to send a chilling warning to the Western Force: "We want revenge - and we will get it."

PASS THE SUGAR

The wrap

Glenn Jackson He shoots, he scores; David Beckham shows a fair bit of grace and humility during a whirlwind trip to Sydney, writes Glenn Jackson.

SQUARE EYES

Jones factor may be the only thing viewers rate

LET'S say you're a disillusioned rugby fan, someone who's been disappointed so often by the way the Wallabies perform you can scarcely bring yourself to watch them play. What would it take to get you and thousands like you tuning in again regularly next year when the Test telecasts start in June?

SIDESWIPE

Good call - Cadel is a champion among champions

THE public's decision to vote Cadel Evans as the inaugural Sports Performer of the Year has created enormous debate, writes Greg Prichard.

LETTERS

For God's sake - and theirs - give our golfers a break, Fitz

I am willing to stand corrected, but I question whether Peter FitzSimons is right when he says that Adam Scott and others have never been the brunt of abuse in the media (Fitz Files, November 24).