Neeld sure he can mend a down club

Melbourne Football coach Mark Neeld is taking steps towards rebuilding the Demons. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

Melbourne coach Mark Neeld has high hopes for former Port Adelaide star David Rodan and believes his finals experience will benefit the club. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

DAVID Rodan is a short man with a long job description at his new employer, Melbourne.

The Demons want him to win contested ball, break the lines, add some pizzazz . . . and in his downtime become a father figure.

Melbourne has been criticised in some quarters for a scatter-gun recruiting approach, but coach Mark Neeld is adamant Rodan and others were targeted for a reason.

"One of David's roles will be to take Jack Viney under his wing and give him a little bit of support on and off the field," Neeld said.

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Viney, Melbourne's prime father-son pick, will be carefully managed and not rushed, with Neeld delivering more than a passing hint that the club got it wrong with another glamour pick, Jack Watts, four years ago.

"We want to do it correctly. We don't want unrealistic expectations," Neeld said.

"The role David will play with Jack we see as really important.

"There's a couple of examples at our club where there's been some unrealistic expectations on some guys and they're still battling through it now four years into their career."

Rodan, offloaded by Port Adelaide, is often derided for being a human highlights reel without a team-first mindset, but Neeld is adamant he will be an invaluable addition to a developing list.

"Why we were keen on someone like a Rodan is his experience. He'll be our most experienced player . . . he's played in finals . . . a Grand Final," Neeld said.

"When we sat down and chatted with David we acknowledged there are still certain things in his game that he needs to improve.

"We made it very clear these are the reasons we want you . . . experience, very good in contested ball, very good in clearances and you've got that dynamic speed that simply we don't have.

"There's very few perfect players, I get all that. It is his third AFL club, we're across that. We just need to make sure we're getting the balance right."

Like Rodan, other high-profile Demons newcomers Chris Dawes and Shannon Byrnes have played finals and Grand Finals. It was a key criteria when the club went hunting.

"I was really keen to get some players in who had been in really good footy clubs and had played finals or Grand Finals," Neeld said.

"There is a lot of internal leadership that can be built within a group.

"I've had finals and Grand Final experience in coaching teams. I can tell them. Leigh Brown, Dave Misson and Neil Craig the same thing . . . but it is more powerful if it comes internally from the players."

A year after recruiting Mitch Clark to be the deep forward, Dawes will be the man to play closer to goal this season, allowing Clark to roam further up the ground and help out in the ruck.

"The role we want Dawesy to play is the stay-at-home forward. I was involved with Dawesy at Collingwood when he played that role really well.

"Mitch (Clark) has got great agility and between he and Cam Pederson they will share the second ruck role. It allows Mitch to get on his bike a bit more and we're keen for that."

Neeld indicated it would have been irresponsible of the club not to chase Dawes.

"You've got a 24-year-old key position player on the move . . . the right thing for our footy club to do was go and ask the question," Neeld said.

"We're rapt. He is a minimum 100-game key position player for us."

Bringing in so many recycled players has led to questions about Neeld looking for a quick fix - a respectable seven to eight wins next year to escape the heat.

But he said self-preservation was never a factor.

"I maintain strongly that the role of a senior coach is every decision you make needs to be for the betterment of the footy club, otherwise you've got the wrong role," Neeld said.

"All the decisions we make are for three, five, 10 years down the track. I'm really big on that. I see that as my role."

Neeld said nobody should be shocked at the turnover, saying it would become more common with free agency and a tendency to more closely mirror player movement in US sports.

"In my experience (at clubs), 10 to 12 list turnovers is normal," Neeld said.

"What I can gather from the reaction of the Melbourne supporters is that's not the norm here.

"I'm really clear on the type of footy we want to play, we're really clear on the type of training we want to see and we're really clear on the type of people we want to build a culture we think will take the club forward. All the decisions we made were based around that."

Matthew Bate and Ricky Petterd were delisted, Brent Moloney and Jared Rivers walked under free agency and Cale Morton left in a fire-sale trade to West Coast.

Neeld was typically pragmatic about the exits of Moloney to Brisbane and Rivers to Geelong.

"Brent's decided with what he wants to achieve and the way he goes about it, it is best suited elsewhere. That's OK," Neeld said.

Asked if his relationship with Moloney became strained, Neeld said the pair continued to talk.

"We had regular conversations. No doubt, he must have been thinking 'Hang on a minute, this is not the way it's supposed to pan out'," Neeld said.

"Brent didn't have -- and I hope this is not seen as dumping on Brent -- he didn't have a great year."

The departure of Rivers was about the opportunity to play finals.

"He believed this was going to be his last contract, and he wanted to, if he could, ensure himself that he could play finals immediately," Neeld said.

"That's one of the reasons free agency was pushed so hard by the AFL Players' Association. That's OK."

Morton was given every opportunity, but did not fit the Neeld mould and "the Eagles offered him the opportunity to move back to Perth and continue playing footy there".

Neeld said it was an era of "more mature conversations" between players and coaches and out of all the talk it was clear Melbourne was not the best fit for Morton right now.

Asked if the prodigiously talented but frustrating Morton had the ability to bite the Dees on the backside, Neeld said: "I don't look at it like that. Everyone hopes he does do well."

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Hirdy has Bombers off and running

Essendon's Michael Hurley is enjoying the club's switch to a more run-based pre-season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: Herald Sun

ESSENDON'S Michael Hurley has backed the switch to a more run-based pre-season, saying it could have a big impact on his aerobic effectiveness.

Speaking before he left for a training camp in Colorado, Hurley said the evolution of the game meant pre-seasons would always change.

And Essendon's decision to move away from its weight-building plan, which came in for criticism after a wave of soft-tissue injuries in 2012, sits fine with the key position Bomber.

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" 'Hirdy' (coach James Hird) touched on those things that we can do, some longer distance-type running, that can harden the body and might help," he said.

"That's an area that I would like to find in my game."

The 22-year-old said a greater aerobic capacity was important to the game now as it was "non-stop".

Hurley maintains faith in the club's fitness staff to adapt and do the things required to ensure the club does not fade away as it dramatically did in the second half of 2012.

"We've got full faith in the (fitness) guys," he said. "And we are lucky enough to have the chance to go to America for three weeks, which is a new challenge.

"It (the camp) will be about fitness for starters, but also a bit of leadership as well. The leadership is coming over as well as the core midfielders."

Hurley will join nine other Bombers for 18 days on the fitness and bonding trip.

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Power wins London exhibition

Port Adelaide defeat Western Bulldogs in a thrilling exhibition match at The Oval in England.

Campbell Heath of of Port Adelaide loses control of the ball in contact with Clay Smith of Western Bulldogs during the AFL European Challenge game in London. Picture: Jan Kruger Source: Getty Images

NEW Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has started his coaching career with a thrilling one-point victory over the Western Bulldogs in the AFL's exhibition match at The Oval.

A brilliant goal by Power midfielder Brad Ebert from a set shot 50m out near the boundary line with less than a minute to play sealed the victory, 14.4 (88) to 13.9 (87).

At one stage early in the third term, Port trailed by 39 points before unleashing a nine-goal unanswered burst to take the lead midway through the final quarter.

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Much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd of about 10,000 Londoners, the Dogs snapped out of their funk and kicked the next four goals to seemingly have victory assured.

Port Adelaide players celebrate their victory with the cup after the AFL European Challenge Game against the Western Bulldogs at The Oval. Picture: Christopher Lee Source: Getty Images

But two goals in the final two minutes got Hinkley and the football club a much-needed boost given the horror couple of months they've endured following the death of Port player John McCarthy in Las Vegas in September.

New recruit Angus Monfries kicked three goals while defender Jackson Trengove and acting captain Hamish Hartlett were influential.

"I said to the players before the game that you always want to win and it doesn't matter if it's an exhibition game or anything for us," Hinkley said.

Ayce Cordy of Western Bulldogs spoils a mark for Brad Ebert of Port Adelaide during the AFL European Challenge game in London. Picture: Jan Kruger Source: Getty Images

"We are a club that needs to learn to win a little bit.

"Both sides put on a really good game I think for the fans, to get a one-point game you'd be happy with that from an AFL point of view. We're a bit happier because it was one point our way.

"We've been together three seconds and I'm not sure if we knew what we were doing but the coaching staff that are here have told me all along that there is some talent here to work with and it's nice to see that."

Acting Bulldogs captain Shaun Higgins led the way with three goals while Patrick Veszpremi kicked two as did Liam Picken who provided the highlight of the night with a spectacular mark in the second quarter.

Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney said he used the 16-a-side game as a learning tool for his young players.

"We saw a few get kicked against us and we thought let's see what they do without actually giving them too much help," he said.

Hamish Hartlett of Port Adelaide handballs under pressure from Shaun Higgins of Western Bulldogs during the AFL European Challenge game in London. Picture: Jan Kruger Source: Getty Images

"A couple of the younger guys were a bit slow to react to what was happening, they (Port) played well and got a bit of momentum but we then fought back.

"We weren't doing a lot of coaching, it was just have a look at them and let them run around."

He was pleased with the performance of new recruit Koby Stevens who joined the club from West Coast during the trade period.

"He's going to help our younger midfielders, he has got a strong body as well and looks like he will be a good acquisition," McCartney said.

The victory by Port means they have won the right to be involved in next year's London game with the AFL committed to building its profile in Europe.

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Ebert's touching tribute to J-Mac

Port Adelaide defeat Western Bulldogs in a thrilling exhibition match at The Oval in England.

Port Adelaide players celebrate their victory at The Oval - their first match without the late John McCarthy. Source: Getty Images

THE moment the ball swung back through for the goal, Brad Ebert immediately thought of his best mate.

He turned to the black arm band on his left arm, kissed it and then pointed to the sky where he knew John McCarthy would be looking down on him.

The goal - a brilliant kick from 50m out near the boundary line - sealed a one-point victory for Port Adelaide over the Western Bulldogs in the AFL's exhibition game at The Oval.

Power wins London Exhibition

But for the Power this game was more than just a scratch match in a foreign land. It was about finally getting the chance to move on from what has been a horrible couple of months following McCarthy's tragic death in Las Vegas in September.

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"It has been a tough season and the post-season, it has probably been some of the toughest times of my life to be honest," an emotional Ebert said afterwards.

"There have been a lot of emotions going through the last few months and Dani was here tonight, John's girlfriend.

"Over the last year we have got on really and he was my best mate so it was great to be able to kick that goal and even though it was only an exhibition game, it was really nice to able to do that and give him a litle bit, give him a salute."

Ebert said John's friends had urged Dani, who was in tears after the game, to come to London on the trip which she'd planned with her boyfriend months earlier.

"She was initially going to come over with John and then after everything that happened she was going to cancel it and that sort of stuff but the flight was already booked and we just said to her, 'Why don't you come across?'," he said.

"My girlfriend Bec was here and Nathan Blee's girlfriend Jess came across so they were able to stay together for the last five nights in London and Edinburgh.

"It was good for her to get away as well otherwise she would have just been in Melbourne. Being able to get over here, get around the girls and try and have a bit of fun...I think it has been good for her to get away."

Port Adelaide midfielder Brad Ebert kicks the winning goal againts the Western Bulldogs at The Oval. Source: Getty Images

The Power have a memorial planned for McCarthy at their first home game next year in Round 2, but Ebert said playing the exhibition game in London was going to help the club move forward.

"While we will always have J-Mac's memory with us, we really wanted to make sure this off-season that we would be able to move on," he said.

"And while it still will hurt for a long time, we need to be able to use that on the footy field going forward and really start afresh.

"For me personally, I got over here for a few weeks before and that was great to be able to come away with my girlfriend, catch up with a few mates and just get away from everything that was going on in town and try and enjoy yourself.

"Hopefully going forward we will get back to Alberton and really make sure everyone is switched on because we all know how hard the last season has been."

The thrilling victory - 14.4 (88) to 13.9 (87) - was a great start to the coaching career of Ken Hinkley who has spent only a couple of days with his players after being appointed last month.

Former Essendon forward Angus Monfries was the star for the Power kicking three goals and engineering an impressive third-quarter comeback which saw his team kick nine unanswered goals to come from 39-points down to hit the front.

It looked like it was going to amount to nothing with the Bulldogs hitting back with four straight goals midway through the last quarter to wrestle back the advantage before Ebert, with the spirit of J-Mac on his side, produced something special with just 40 seconds remaining in the match.
 

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Mighty Joe a steal for the Dons

Bombers coach James Hird is licking his lips at the prospect of the 201cm father-son selection dominating in the ruck and full-forward for the next decade. Watch exclusive footage and analysis of him ahead of the AFL draft.

Joe Daniher, who was drafted to Essendon under the father-son rule, with his happy parents Anthony and Joanne. Picture: Michael Klein Source: Herald Sun

JOE Daniher sprinted towards the half-forward flank. As he reached top speed, he gathered the ball, swung on to his trusty left boot and slotted the goal.

All from outside 50m and hemmed in on the boundary.

The magical Round 8 moment remains Calder Cannons coach Marty Allison's favourite when discussing Essendon's father-son pick.

"It was just ... yeah. I had to pick my jaw up off the ground," Allison said.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Watch highlights of Daniher and get our expert analysis in the video player above

Vic Metro coach Rohan Welsh had a similar reaction as Daniher slotted 6.4 against Western Australia at Etihad Stadium this year.

Daniher has played 10 games in the past two years, sitting out 2011 with growth plate issues, but it's these glimpses that have Bomber insiders salivating.

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A rival recruiter confirmed Daniher "had all the tools" to be a No.1 pick, if he hadn't been tied to the Dons.

Cannons talent manager Ian Kyte went a step further, declaring Daniher could finish as the TAC Cup's best product yet.

"I saw (Chris Judd, Trent Cotchin and Tom Scully) come through and Joey could finish up as good a player, a different sort, but at that level," Kyte said.

"He marks at the highest point, and with long arms and at a jump, he's taking it at 3 1/2 to 4m. If he can continue to do that on the lead, he'll be hard to beat.

AFL Under 18 Championships at Etihad Stadium. Joe Daniher shoots for goal. Picture: Michael Dodge Source: Herald Sun

"With that leap he could be like Dean Cox, going in and out of the forward line and changing with the ruck. The potential is unlimited."

Essendon recruiter Adrian Dodoro said last month when Daniher was signed, the club was "extremely blessed" to land the left-footer at pick 10.

It's high praise but comes with a rider.

"The Bombers supporters should be excited, but they need to lower their expectations and not expect him to play straight away," Allison said.

"He's missed a lot of footy and has a lot of development left."

Daniher remains raw and, after brother Darcy's injury curse, will be carefully managed. He also has some areas he needs to improve.

His inaccurate kicking and desire to go the impossible instead of the team option frustrated at times this year.

Daniher completed a 2km time-trial with the Dons yesterday and said he felt at home walking into Windy Hill, greeted by a painting of uncle Terry on the wall.

The 18-year-old is tipped to spend most of next year developing in the VFL under the guise of Hayden Skipworth, the man who trained Daniher before school three times a week last year.

"He put on 8-9kgs on in (2011),'' Skipworth said earlier this year.

"So we worked on weights and also running techniques, which will hopefully help his hamstrings later on in his career.''

The Dons told Daniher two years ago they would draft the talented teenager, who is now teammates with Dustin Fletcher - who made his AFL debut 335 days before Daniher was born.

THE JOE DANIHER FILE

Age: 18
Height: 201cm
Weight: 89kg
From: Calder Cannons:
Position: Full-forward/ruck
Draft range: Pick 10 to Essendon (father-son)
Plays like: Paul Salmon

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Tippett just wants to be a Swan

Despite an AFL investigation in salary cap breeches, Kurt Tippett is still keen on moving to Sydney to kick goals for the Swans. Picture: George Salpigtidis. Source: Herald Sun

KURT Tippett still wants to play for Sydney, despite the Greater Western Sydney push to pluck him from the Swans' grasp.

Yet even the Swans admit it will take something exceptional for the Adelaide forward to find a way to the reigning premiers in the national or pre-season draft.

Sydney has two realistic chances at procuring Tippett at the expense of GWS - the Giants are bluffing and will overlook him, or he puts a large enough price on his head that even Kevin Sheedy is scared off.

Sydney chief executive Andrew Ireland has been in regular contact with Tippett, who has identified the Swans as the only club he wants to play for.

But as Ireland said this week, given Sydney has only pick 23 in the national draft and the final pick in the pre-season draft, challenges lie ahead.

Some Sydney officials believe the club's hopes of drafting him are fast fading.

``We are hopeful. The reality is when you go to the draft and someone you want is in there, you have to hope the circumstances work out well if you are deep in the draft,'' he said.

``One thing we know is we can't control what other clubs do, we can only control our end. We are still hopeful and Kurt is still hopeful of playing for the Swans.''

Israel Folau's sudden rejection of AFL has less relevance to the Tippett deal than their determination to save some salary cap room for their clutch of high draft picks.

Coach Kevin Sheedy believes if the Giants can secure Tippett and fast-track their contention for the premiership it might off-set the salary cap room it takes up given the kids will want to stay.

Sheedy said yesterday Tippett was the prototype of the type of player he wanted to recruit.

``We would be derelict in our duty if we didn't talk to the young man,'' he said.

``We need a ruck/forward who would be handy for us. The Swans are after him, but we need a marquee player like that. Why wouldn't you want to come to our club?''

Tippett is more likely to put himself in the pre-season draft given there are fewer picks, but GWS has the first pick in that draft.

The Giants have five picks ahead of the Suns in the national draft - 1, 2, 3, 12, 13 - so could use any of those if forced to select him through that draft.

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Dees backs lead time trial

Melbourne defenders Tom McDonald and Daniel Nicholson win today's time trial. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

Melbourne mature-aged recruit David Rodan edges out emerging swingman Jack Watts. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

Melbourne father-son selection Jack Viney toughs it out during the three-kilometre time trial. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

MELBOURNE defenders Tom McDonald and Daniel Nicholson led the Demons in today's three kilometre pre-season time trial around Princes Park.

Nicholson, who turned 22 yesterday, put in a strong performance just days after being promoted to the senior list.

The rebounding defender played 20 matches as a rookie including 11 of the last 14 in 2012.

He missed two matches late in the season with a jaw injury.

Mature-aged rookie James Magner was next over the line followed by co-captain Jack Trengove and Rohan Bail.

The Demons No.26 pick in the national draft, father-son selection Jack Viney, finished in the forward half of the field.

Melbourne elite performance manager Dave Misson was buoyed with the results ahead of "structured" pre-season training on Monday.

"Today was about showing what they really did in the off-season and whether they've come ready to go in the pre-season," Misson told Melbourne's website.

"We've had probably 10 PBs (personal best) out of 20 odd players, a lot of players reached their target times and the ones that didn't, weren't too far over it.

"The boys have got a really good foundation to work from and we're really pleased with the program in place."

Tagger Jordie McKenzie put in a bold front-running effort in his first time-trial while co-captain Jack Grimes ran on his own at AAMI Park.

Meanwhile, veteran David Rodan edged out swingman Jack Watts on the finish line.

The delisted Port Adelaide goal sneak was handed a lifeline by the Demons during last month's trade window.

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Stevens ready to take next step

Western Bulldogs coach Brendan McCartney (left) urged recruit Koby Stevens to train hard and put his best foot forward after playing a bit-part role at West Coast. Picture: Getty Images Source: Herald Sun

THERE were a variety of reasons why Koby Stevens left West Coast and one very big one for joining the Western Bulldogs.

The chance to play with one of his best mates from childhood was a no-brainer and one which has made the people at Bairnsdale's Patties Pies factory very happy.

Stevens and Dogs midfielder Clay Smith played junior football together for Lucknow in the East Gippsland Football League.

Their families have been close for years with Stevens' father a manager at the pie factory where both of Smith's parents work.

"We've known each other for 10 years," Stevens said. "Clay and I grew up together and played footy together. He would play in the U/14s and I was playing U/16s but most week's he'd come up and play in the U/16s.

"At Lucknow my old man was the coach and Clay's old man was the runner."

Smith, who was the Dogs first-round pick last year, said the pair spent most weekends together growing up.

"My mum and dad were in a cleaning business and then they got out of it," he said. "They were looking for a job and Koby's dad pretty much got them a job which they've been doing for the last eight or nine years.

"It's pretty exciting how it's all worked out now."

Stevens spent three years at the Eagles and played 11 games but the Bulldogs had kept an eye on his progress and made their move in trade week snaring the 21-year-old in exchange for pick No.44.

"It was a great experience the three years I had there, I had some great coaches and learnt a lot," Stevens said. "I suppose my body over the three years I have got it in good condition that it's AFL ready now.

"There were some pretty good players in my position at West Coast and I was pretty much emergency all through the year which made it tough.

"When I spoke to Macca (Dogs coach Brendan McCartney) he said there was an opportunity here as long as I trained hard and put my best foot forward."

It was a Gippsland Power reunion yesterday with two of Stevens best mates, John Butcher and Campbell Heath, in London with Port Adelaide for the AFL's exhibition match.

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Port face first game without McCarthy

Port Adelaide Power footballer John McCarthy in action. Picture: Sarah Reed Source: adelaidenow

PORT Adelaide players will be free to choose how they honour John McCarthy's memory in Sunday's AFL exhibition match against the Western Bulldogs in London.

The encounter at The Oval will be the first time the Power have played since McCarthy's death on an end-of-season trip to Las Vegas in September.

``It is completely up to the individual. If players want to wear armbands or make a tribute to him they are certainly able to do that,'' acting Port Adelaide captain Hamish Hartlett said.

Port Adelaide have pencilled in a memorial match for the former Collingwood and Power player on April 6 against Greater Western Sydney at AAMI Stadium.

A US coroner last month ruled the cause of McCarthy's death was accidental and Hartlett said McCarthy's passing had pulled the players closer together.

"That bond will continue forever,'' he said. "There is a common link, a few of the Western Bulldogs players were over there (Las Vegas) at the same time and everyone has dealt with it in their own way.

"There is no doubt it has galvanised the group.''
 
Both Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs have plenty to prove next year following disappointing campaigns, finishing 14th and  15th respectively this year.

Acting Bulldogs captain Shaun Higgins said a forgettable season meant the south London clash took on more significance.

``If you had a successful year last season it may be a bit of a throw away game,'' he said.

``But for us it is a great opportunity to get together again and to continue building.''

The match, starting at 1530 local time (0230 Sunday AEDT), will be an opportunity for ex-Geelong assistants Brendan McCartney and Ken Hinkley to lock horns for the first time as senior coaches.

McCartney and Hinkley were part of the brains trust during the Cats' 2007 and 2009 premiership campaigns.
McCartney has completed one season in the hot seat at the `Dogs while Hinkley was only handed the top job at
the Power three weeks ago.

``We are pretty lucky that we have spent a lot of good times together and we have had some great success and now an opportunity to use what we have learnt and apply that to our own teams,'' Hinkley said.

``Macca has been doing that for 12 months, I have been in the seat for three seconds and feel like I am not sure what I am doing.

``So when we are finished here, I will talk to Macca and get some clues.''

McCartney said his players would be ordered to entertain an expected crowd of more than 10,000 in south
London.

``We are going to let our boys go for hangers and play and have a bit of fun out there,'' he said.

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Hunt backs Izzy move

Karmichael Hunt has backed Israel Folau's decision to walk away from the AFL. Picture: Kym Smith Source: The Daily Telegraph

AFL convert Karmichael Hunt believes Israel Folau made the right decision to walk away from the AFL rather than continue playing a game his heart wasn't in.

Hunt, who was the first to stun the rugby league world when he walked away from the Brisbane Broncos to sign with the Gold Coast Suns on a multi-million dollar deal, was told of the news while completing altitude training with the Suns in Arizona.

The former Origin and Kangaroo star said Folau had made the right decision for himself.

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"Obviously he felt his heart wasn't in it and I guess it would have been unfair to a lot of people, including himself, if he carried on," Hunt said.

"It's a pretty brave decision on his behalf and I respect his decision."

Hunt said it was unfair to make a judgment on Folau's AFL ability.

"Obviously he has got a lot of potential and ability and I guess that is one question we will never know the answer to," Hunt said.

Hunt also reiterated his strong desire to remain in the AFL.

Folau set to sign with Parramatta

Suns coach Guy McKenna, who has guided Hunt's transformation to legitimate a legitimate AFL player, said fans often under estimated how difficult code-hopping was.

"At times I think we do take it a bit for granted what they have to go through," he said.

"You look at K and (Sydney's) Mike Pyke is the same.

Phil Rothfield: Folau comeback a triumph for NRL

"We shouldn't see this lightly and its massive for these blokes who haven't grown up in the sport."

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