With Tillman looking pudgy, he was no match for the Kiwi, who launched a barrage of punches, with a left hook leaving Tillman with nowhere to go but down.

And Williams' wild celebrations were more entertaining than the contest, and not worthy of the opponent, as ring mentor Anthony Mundine looked on.

The win takes Williams' fight record to five wins from five bouts.

The loss was the 34-year-old Tillman's ninth of a career that has included 11 wins and two draws.

Williams, who has also been a Kiwi rugby league representative, now turns his attention to the Super rugby competition with the Chiefs.

Williams said he was already contemplating his next bout after claiming the the first-round stoppage in Hamilton.

"In saying that, I just have to see how my boys are going on the footy field," he said.

"If everything falls into place, we'll do it, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there."

And Williams said the weigh-in incident served to stiffen his resolve.

"He caught me by surprise," he said.

"I thought it was just push and shove and he tagged me. That gave me extra motivation to come and try to tag him. God willing, it all worked out."

He admitted he had been nervous before the bout and he was pleased it was out of the way.

"Probably, on the world stage, it's just a blip," he said of the belt he has won.

"But for me ... this was my world title."

Williams has had his doubters ever since he first stepped into the ring in 2009 and he thanked Australian boxing legend Tony Mundine, who prepared him for the Tillman fight, for helping him with the basics of the sport.

"He took me back to the old school," Williams said.

Mundine, whose son Anthony Mundine was also in Williams' corner, praised his charge's performance.

"I thought he fought a great fight," Mundine said.

"He was a bit nervous, but it's one of those things that a young guy like him goes through. I think, myself, he can go a long way."

While he hadn't expected the bout to last just one round, Mundine had felt that Tillman was "pretty slow and open to be hit".

The promising young pitcher is currently preparing to help the Melbourne Aces progress past Perth in the Australian Baseball League championship series beginning on Friday, but now has a much bigger goal for 2013 and beyond.

A product of the MLB Australian Academy on the Gold Coast, McGrath will finish year 12 and complete his VCE at Whitefriars College in Melbourne in November before fully turning his attention to baseball.

McGrath was at home on Tuesday night when the family received the call from Red Sox Australian scout and Australian national coach Jon Deeble.

He's already been to Boston several times to watch the Red Sox play as a spectator, and McGrath didn't hesitate in leaping at a chance to one day take the mound at the fabled Fenway Park.

"It was an easy decision in the end. Jon Deeble called us and mum said we'd let him know within ten minutes and she called him back twenty seconds later," McGrath said.

"It was pretty unbelievable actually, it's always been a childhood dream to play for the Boston Red Sox."

McGrath is planning on heading to the Red Sox spring training facility at Fort Myers, Florida in April for three weeks to get a taste of what to expect in 2013.

However, the MLB Australian Academy has already given him a fair idea as it's modelled on what it's like to be a minor league player in the United States.

Spending a couple of months at the facility each year for the past three years, McGrath would train in the morning, play a match in the afternoon and then complete his school work in the evening for six days straight each week.

The director of Major League Baseball International in Australia, Tom Nicholson believes the rigorous schedule has prepared McGrath well for the next phase of his career.

"He's actually our 171st graduate that has come out of the MLB academy and to be able to have such numbers at that level validates what we're doing in this territory," Nicholson said.

"By the end of the season they'll have a 45-50 game schedule completed ... it's taxing.

"These guys are pushed to the limit but they also get a taste of what professional ball is all about.

"I know his family are huge Red Sox fans, so this is like all their Christmases come at once."

The Kangaroos initially refused to expand on the reasoning behind the suspension, claiming it was "not in a position to elaborate" on the issue.

But after a social media backlash and intensely damaging speculation as to the exact nature of Daw's transgression, the 'Roos backtracked and revealed all on an afternoon radio show.

Scott revealed Daw had been quizzed about his whereabouts - and had lied.

"The reason for Majak's suspension was soley because he breached recovery protocols and rehab protocols," Scott told 3AW in Melbourne. 

"And then he was untruthful when confronted about that."

The club then issued a further statement, which also revealed that Daw owed a teammate money, and is also going out with the ex-girlfriend of another former player.

“Our main focus is to support Majak wholly and we take his welfare very seriously," Scott said.

"The statement we released was generic for a reason, to attempt to protect Majak. There were no lies told, there was no cover up. I’m now being forced to clarify that statement because of disappointing rumours and innuendo.

“Let me be clear, Majak was suspended for two reasons only in that he breached rehab protocol by going out when he should have been resting his knee and because he lied to me about going out.

“Any other player would have been treated the same and until he complies with our standards and expectations, he won’t be welcome back into the group.

“I’ve been in constant dialogue with Majak and he is extremely remorseful. I know at heart, he is a terrific young guy and that’s why we will support him. We are not interested in hanging him out to dry.

"With a player of his profile, we can’t suspend him from the football club without people knowing, so we made the decision to release that information in the interests of being up front.

“Unfortunately, there is an element out there that want to bring Majak down and have seen fit to spread rumours about him.

“The other issues that have been raised, have absolutely nothing to do with his suspension and I have known about them for some time.

"He owes a player money, he is working to repay that player. It’s less than a thousand dollars and is a trivial matter. Majak’s conduct is completely above board and he has done nothing wrong in seeing the ex-girlfriend of a former player.

“There are some media organisations which want to hang him out to dry. He’s had to deal with some things which are unfair. He’s been racially abused at a VFL game. He’s had to deal with things that men of his age shouldn’t have to deal with and we also have to take into account his unique background having come to Australia from Sudan.”

In a press conference earlier in the day, the 'Roos said they would stick by the promising ruck prospect.

North chief of football Donald McDonald said the club's leadership group had met Daw, who is yet to play an AFL game.

"Sure the club's disappointed but it's the bigger picture," McDonald told a media conference.

"A guy who might have been a little bit more experienced might be a little bit sharper in a few of the areas."

McDonald declined to answer questions about whether Daw had problems with alcohol or his attitude.

"He just has to satisfy the leadership group that he's on the right track and he understands where they're coming from," McDonald said.

"He's a young bloke. He's had an enormous amount of pressure put on him and some high expectations within the community.

"He's a North Melbourne boy and we'll support him 100 per cent."

- With AAP

Brown missed an entire season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in February 2011, then fracturing his right kneecap while on a mid-season training camp in Arizona.

"They're both tracking really well," Collingwood's football and coaching strategist Rodney Eade said on Wednesday when asked about the two key defenders.

"We had match simulation today and both of those players got involved.

"We're pretty confident Ben will probably play round two of the (pre-season) cup.

"Browny has just got a bit more work to do on his knee, but we're reasonably confident he might be able to get the last trial (game) or two in."

Eade said Reid was a week or two ahead of schedule.

"He's done competitive work now, but he needs a little bit more fine-tuning," Eade told the afl.com.au website.

"He won't play (in the first round of the pre-season cup) but there's a reasonable chance he might get a half in (the second round)."

Dual All-Australian Alan Didak tore a groin muscle at training on Monday but Eade said it was on the minor end of the scale.

"Alan's really positive about it. He was limping around yesterday, but he was walking around quite well today," Eade said.

"We're fairly confident it will only be the four weeks. He might get in one or two games toward the end of the (pre-season) cup.

"It wasn't a huge tear."

Collingwood play Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs at Blacktown Oval on February 18 in round one of the pre-season cup, followed by a round-two clash with Melbourne at Etihad Stadium on March 3.

Lui jogged at training at North Beach Rugby League Club in Perth on Monday afternoon with his progress delighting the Cowboys’ medical staff according to the club website.

The former Tiger has been kept busy with physio three times a day as he tries to get himself right for Round 1.

Lui’s Cowboys teammate Tariq Sims travelled with the NRL squad for the camp in Perth and resumed outdoor running on Tuesday afternoon.

The back-rower broke his tibia and fibula in a match against Cronulla in late August.

“He is not expected to be available for any of the pre-season trials as the Cowboys carefully manage his return,” according to the club website.

Meanwhile New Zealand Warriors prop Jacob Lillyman will have surgery on his damaged right bicep on Thursday.

The Queensland Origin representative lasted only 10 minutes of last Saturday's trial against Gold Coast before reeling out of a tackle holding his right arm.

The 124-game NRL veteran’s bicep tendon tore from its elbow insertion on the bone and requires surgery which has been scheduled for Thursday.

"It's disappointing for him and for all of us,” Warriors head coach Brian McClennan said of losing Lillyman.

“While Jake might be having a low right now, you only have to look back to last year when he played in the grand final and the State of Origin.

"He had plenty of joy there.

“He's a good character is Bull.

"He's philosophical about this and understands the game and knows this is just the nature of it.

"You have your lows, you have your highs."

Lillyman will be sidelined for at least three months before he can make his return to the field.

In many cases clubs even boast how significantly accomplished their player welfare processes are.

So, it is hardly good policy to banish a player like Majak Daw from North Melbourne and the Kangaroos summer training back to VFL affiliate Werribee.

Roos management sent the developing Sudanese-born powerhouse ruck hopeful back to Werribee after he was reported as having missed some important rehabilitation scheduling as the 20-year-old continues recovery from knee surgery back in December.

If he remains important to North’s longer term future, Daw should be disciplined right under the nose of the club’s head coach and player welfare staff.

He is hardly going to get the necessary levels of full-time, daily reconnaissance and constant assessment of his progress training back at the second-tier level and only the few times a week with a VFL outfit.

North sent Daw back to the second-tier and semi-professional level for an indefinite term.

That further complicates just what levels of fitness and skill development he might have to reach before being afforded an invitation to resume his full-time job.

North coach Brad Scott ultimately explained publicly that his club-imposed suspension for Daw was because the emerging talent had "breached protocols" in relation to prescribed rehabilitation.

Daw had then deceived Scott and club management when confronted on his own neglect to duty.

A sanction is fine.

But keep a wayward and developing talent under the welfare personnel to assist his overall education and not discard him completely as someone else's responsibility.

It seems derelict in duty for the master body, in this case North, to send the player scurrying and out of senior management’s hands.

Fremantle did the same with an overweight Michael Walters over in the west.

The just turned 21-year-old turned up for January training with significantly excess baggage from too much Christmas pudding.

New Dockers coach Ross Lyon has been unrelenting on trimming his adopted playing list down significantly.

The former St Kilda boss is renowned for his ruthless style and approach to fitness and health disciplines for players and told Walters he would not even train with the senior squad until his skin folds tests dropped substantially.

Walters just ran laps at training in his weight-reduction bid and was eventually sent back to his WAFL club Swan Districts and told “not to come back” until he is thinner.

Lyon has his troops appreciably trimmer and leaner.

Gun forward and veteran play-maker Matthew Pavlich is the biggest Fremantle name player to publicly confess to a weight loss, in the region of 3kg.

Pavlich, 30 and with 256 Fremantle games under his belt, is not being groomed to play in the Dockers midfield.

His leaner and impressive taught 97kg frame has been lurking permanently forward in all Fremantle match assimilation training over summer.

Giant ruckman Aaron Sandilands as well as crucial key defender Luke McPharlin, versatile big men Michael Johnson and Kepler Bradley are all distinctly leaner on the back of Lyon’s strict weight loss regime.

So what happens when Walters fails to comply to required tests standards at some later stage into his undetermined penance back in the WAFL.

Any failed fitness level standards from the likes of Daw and Walters cannot be retrieved into the new premiership season for these sanctioned players.

Their remedial and disciplinary programs should be run by club welfare personnel.

It is an abdication in duty to send these sorts of issues back to semi-professional bodies and expect them to rectify players with disciplinary problems.

By contrast, Andrew Strauss’ top ranked team is in the doldrums, after an embarrassing 3-0 loss to Pakistan in the Middle East where the middle order which came and conquered Australia wilted in the desert in front of the Pakistan spinners.

When asked whether he had taken any notice of the series, and the result, Arthur’s eyes widen as does his smile.

“Yeah I did (take notice),” Arthur said.

“I was really impressed with how Pakistan played.

"Conditions were very suitable for them though and I think that has to be held in isolation, that conditions definitely favoured Pakistan.

“England had come out of a cold winter, they hadn't played any cricket.

“I don't think they were battle hardened at all and I think that came out in the way they played.

“They'll be properly prepared for their summer and for when we get there.”

Despite Arthur making the right noises about the remarkable renaissance of the scandal-hit Pakistanis, the former South African coach would love a crack at the oldest enemy at a low ebb - while warning them his side is improving all the time.

“I wouldn't mind it actually. I wish it was this summer in England,” Watson said.

“But we're building nicely, we're bubbling away and I'm happy with where the team's at at the moment. And confident we are just getting better and better.”

With the Australians building a bowling pool to rival the one which so dominated the last Ashes series, James Pattinson is set for a return in the latter stages of the tri-series after bowling in the nets with the international group last weekend.

Teenage tearaway Pat Cummins has been ruled out of the tri-series against India and Sri Lanka, with the tour of the West Indies his goal.

“Pattinson we could see at the back-end of the one-day series,” Arthur confirmed.

“Cummins we probably won't see until around the West Indies time, if we are comfortable that he's done everything possible and we're comfortable to select him.”

An experienced fighter, Tillman has a record of 11 wins (six by knockout), eight losses and two draws in a 21 bout career that began in the United States.

He knows that his career is dead in the water should he lose to four-fight rookie Williams - and with a right hook to the chin of Williams at the weigh-in he sent a message to the 26-year-old.

Williams is giving away 17kg and far less experience but will take in the mentality of the bigger they are, the harder they fall.

His opponent, 34, has been living in New Zealand since 2010 however without residency cannot claim the Professional Boxing Association heavyweight title even if he is victorious.

Tillman was a late replacement for original opponent Richard Tutaki who was dumped after it emerged he faced serious drugs charges.

To the ill-informed punter at home, the dinosaur has no hope against a hard hitting athlete cut from the mould of a Greek god.

What you don’t know is that despite being a ring-in, Tillman is prepared.

In fact, the New Orleans-born giant had already been in the gym training for his fight against former NRL player Solomon Haumono in Albury on February 18.

On the other side of the fence Williams has never boxed more than six rounds in his previous four fights.

Tonight’s bout has been scheduled for 10 rounds and sure to test the fitness of both men, one are Williams certainly has the wood on his opponent.

Despite suffering from a hamstring strain, Williams is super-fit and trained fulltime by Anthony and his father Tony Mundine.

He has sparred regularly against Australian heavyweight champion Michael Kirby and Kiwi Olympic prospect Joe Parker, he is ready.

Williams said he would rank winning the New Zealand heavyweight belt alongside his Rugby World Cup medal and NRL premiership ring should he be victorious on Wednesday night.

Not only will he claim the vacant title but is sure to attract a lot of attention from the boxing world.

One man who has already shown his interest in tackling the superstar rugby player is retired AFL star turned boxer Barry Hall.

This fight means big money for both camps although this fight would cause just as much fanfare regardless of the outcome from Wednesday’s fight.

A lucrative deal with pay-per-view provider Main Event, sell-out crowds to watch it live and an opportunity for Hall to lift his career in the squared circle off of the ground.

What this fight provides is the platform for Williams to show the country he serious about the sport and not simply using it as another form of payment.

It will see him become a true sporting icon; a master of rugby league, rugby union and boxing.

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS

Height: 1.91cm

Weight: 108kg

Age: 26yo

Record: 4 wins (2 by KO), 0 losses.


CLARENCE TILLMAN III

Height: 1.96cm

Weight: 125kg

Age: 34yo

Record: 11 wins (6 by KO), 8 losses, 2 draws

SNF TIP: Williams KO in Round 8.

But Australian coach Mickey Arthur has hinted that it may take more than one club hit-out for Watson to convince selectors he is ready to resume his previously pivotal role in the Australian line-up.

“It's been frustrating for us and frustrating for Shane, it really has,” Arthur said.

“I speak to Shane weekly and keep track of where he is and I guess it would be true to say we thought we'd see Shane back a lot earlier.

“We haven't, but it's good because he's built his body up to where it needs to be and hopefully we can get sustainable performances out of Shane once he gets back in.

“Hopefully it goes well for him this weekend, then we can reassess where he is and hopefully get him back for the one-day comp.

“I don't think we can put a timeframe on that. We've got to be happy and he's got to be happy. He's got to be happy his body can sustain batting and bowling.”

Watson had been Australia’s shining light in a struggling side for the past two years, blitzing his way to successive Allan Border medals with his powerful top-order hitting and more-than-useful bowling.

But as he was continually frustrated by setbacks with his calf, Australia stumbled upon another Test opening pair in Ed Cowan and David Warner, while Matthew Wade and Warner are making a convincing early case for a sustained spell as one-day openers.

That would leave selectors a conundrum of where to bring Watson, as well as when.

“I'm not sure really (when he will return),” Arthur said.

"As long as we are all happy and he fits the bill, then I'm sure we'll consider bringing him back in.

“There's no doubt he is (still a key player).

"But people who have been given opportunities through this summer have all stepped up.

“So again the competition for places around our side and the options we have available are starting to get better and better every day.

“He can bat anywhere. I think ultimately he'll bat down the order and bowl at some stage.

"We need to have that discussion.

“We've broached it once or twice before but nothing definite.

"And I guess it's where best he fits for us and where best it fits for him.

“He is going to be doing some bowling and Michael (Clarke) has used him wisely through the period he had him before this summer.

"And it's how he can sustain that bowling and open the batting, that's going to be the question.”

The ball cannoning into the stumps silenced the Indian supporters in Perth, and stretched out the seemingly interminable search for the historic milestone.

After Virender Sehwag’s nightmare tour of Australia had continued, as he fell in typical fashion for ten, focus again fell on the legendary Little Master.

Virat Kohli was giving able support with another fifty in an auspicious summer, as India reached 3-123 after 26 overs.

Rohit Sharma was the third man out, caugh brilliantly by Tillakaratne Dilshan off Thisara Perera. 

Sehwag had burst out of the blocks to smash two boundaries in two overs to again threaten a masterclass.

But an attempted slash over the infield from paceman Lasith Malinga only found Nuwan Kulasekara at third man, who pouched the chance and again put the tourists on the backfoot.

Earlier, a timely half-century to Dinesh Chandimal lifted Sri Lanka to a modest 8-233 in their one-day clash with India at the WACA Ground.

Chandimal struck 64 off 81 balls and former skipper Tillakaratne Dilshan (48) and Angelo Mathews (33no off 28 balls) chipped in with handy scores in what was otherwise an uninspiring batting effort from Sri Lanka.

Indian paceman Zaheer Khan claimed the key wickets of Kumar Sangakkara (26) and Upul Tharanga (four) to finish with 2-44 off 10 overs, while spinner Ravi Ashwin (3-32 off 10 overs) also played a key role to ensure Sri Lanka's innings never reached any great heights.

Chandimal stood tall while his more experienced team-mates failed, ensuring Sri Lanka at least reached a defendable total.

The 22-year-old played a level-headed innings for the most part, but was brought undone when he embarked on a rare charge down the wicket, with MS Dhoni completing the stumping after a slight fumble.

In an innings bereft of highlights, the most entertaining moment came in the 47th over when fieldsman Suresh Raina toppled over the top of a seated security guard while attempting to save a boundary.

The boundary was saved and both Raina and the security guard were fine.

India opted against resting Sachin Tendulkar for the match, instead giving Gautam Gambhir the day off in order to accommodate the return of Virender Sehwag.

with AAP

While most bidders are pushing for a 2013 inclusion, Gallop said no one will be considered until the new television rights deal is sewn up and some key indicators are met by potential clubs with Gallop weary of not “stretching the pie.”

“Expansion will come,” Gallop told ABC News 24's Grandstand program.

“You are maybe stretching your playing rosters and the strength of your playing rosters.

“All of the potential bid areas that we’ve got have pluses but they’ve also got minuses, there’s a lot more work to do.

“You need to be doing two things - you need to have a business model which is going to work long term and you also need to be bringing something to the table that the whole game benefits from.

"I’m not sure that we’re quite there with any of the potential bid teams at the moment.

“With a couple more years work and a bit more money in the overall pie we can start to think about stretching it.”

While Gallop conceded that the NRL would boast more teams in a variety of areas in eight years time, one of his top priorities is to ensure rugby league’s heartlands are taken care of.

Gallop believes although there is not a great room to expand in Sydney, markets like Cronulla and Manly still must be serviced and saturated.

“We know how important Sydney is,” he said.

“We know rugby league’s strength is in its saturation of Sydney so let’s keep our Sydney clubs strong.

"We know how successful New Zealand is; we know that a national profile could be important to the game.

"We know how important South-East Queensland is to the game.

“There’s a lot of things to toss up but we’ll definitely have more teams in more places.”

Having been cruelled as a result of expansion in the Super League era, Gallop is cautious of maintaining a competitive product.

“You need to be careful not to dilute the closeness of your competition,” he said.

“That’s the real magic around rugby league, at the moment and in the last few years every game is a close game... fans can turn up believing they can win.

“Our clubs need more money so what I’m saying is let’s get our TV deal done, let’s make sure our existing clubs and players get the benefits of that for the first couple of years and then we can start to look at expansion.

“Rugby league has learned lessons in the past when it has expanded unsuccessfully so perhaps with those lessons in our pocket, we make sure that those eight games are exciting and compelling.”

But Arthur’s masterplan of developing two players for every position in his side means he also wants to blood the New South Welshman as soon as he can, meaning he is steeling himself for an awkward conversation.

“I thought that was a really clinical performance on Sunday - so really happy with that, we do need to see Peter Forrest at some stage,” Arthur said.

“That is tomorrow’s problem but it is likely Peter Forrest might get a go, but we still have to have a lot of discussion.

“I am not sure yet where he fits in.

“Nobody wants to rest which is great, the guys want to keep playing and they realise we are starting to develop a really good talent pool now.

“Places are at a premium and there are a lot of competition for places, so no one wants to relinquish their position, which is perfect and which is right.”

WACA officials would not be happy if Dave Warner was rested, given his pyrotechnic century in the Test, while Matthew Wade’s exploding onto the international scene has impressed all who have witnessed it

“Matthew Wade has been outstanding. But that was what I expected from Matthew,” Arthur said.

“He's a terrier, he's a fighter, he's got a lot about him, he's got a good technique when he bats and he's very good behind the stumps.

"It's great that we've got so much competition in every place in the Australian cricket team at the moment.

“Nobody is guaranteed a spot. Performance gets you in the team and performance keeps you in the team.

"It's good to have those guys pushing from behind, I'm really happy and I'd love to see how that competition unfolds later on."

Arthur also said Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Mike Hussey were invaluable for the team.

“The value of Ricky and Mike is sensational around the group, they come in, they are still are our best trainers and still definitely our fittest players,” Arthur said.

“For Peter Forrest and our younger guys to be around those two is inspirational for them.

“They certainly get what is required for them to become international players and have sustained careers.

"It is really important they are still around the group.”

That would leave Dave Hussey in the firing line - if not for his sensational 61 off just 30 balls at the MCG on Sunday.

And with Dan Christian offering a dangerous bowling option to his skipper the Australian selection meetings over the next 24 hours promise to be tricky ones.

The veteran Tiger is out of contract at the end of the 2012 AFL season and looms as one of the biggest targets for other clubs to lure if Deledio goes onto the open market.

Deledio, 24, could wait until the end of the season to complete any negotiations with Tigers management if uncertainty on his free agency qualifications continues.

AFL football operations boss Adrian Anderson will release a full list of free agency candidates late into March, expected to be within days of the new premiership season launch.

Deledio will have played eight seasons at Richmond and under proposed rules would become what will be designated as a ‘restricted’ free agent.

A ‘restricted’ free agent will be able to switch to another club of his choice, if his original club is unable to match any new financial package on offer.

A player that has served 10 years or more at the one club will be able to move to any new outfit totally unrestricted.

St Kilda ace Brendon Goddard is out of contract at the end of 2012 after 10 seasons with the Saints and shapes as the biggest free agent on the poaching market.

Player agents and a number of league clubs are seeking a clearer clarification on whether a player in Deledio’s case will be considered an ‘unrestricted’ free agent at the completion of any contract he may sign before the end of his eighth season.

An uncertainty appears to be that if the star Tiger signs a deal before the end of this season, he will still be considered a ‘restricted’ free agent at the end of that agreement.

It is unclear that if Deledio signed a new Tigers agreement before the end of his eighth season, that when his newest contract expired he would still fall in a ‘restricted’ player category.

Logical argument calls for Deledio to be considered a totally unrestricted agent and free to move wherever he might choose at the end of a 10-year term with the Tigers, regardless of when he signs his new contract.

It is understood the classy midfielder and Tigers management could agree to a new two or even a three-year deal, if the league and AFLPA can confirm that Deledio would be a free agent and not restricted at the end of an 11-year career based at Punt Road.

Deledio is already a proven Tigers servant with 150 games as well as a two-time fairest-and-best winner from 2008-09 and was runner-up to the club’s top award last season, behind brilliant young gun Trent Cotchin.

The club’s star recruit signed to a four year deal reportedly worth $550,000 a season shone for South Sydney last year in what made him a sought after commodity.

Despite the huge price tag to his name, Hindmarsh says it is important that the club doesn’t rely on the nifty play maker to win games similar to that of last season when the pressure was piled onto Jarryd Hayne.

“We’re not relying on Chrissy to win us games,” Hindmarsh told sportsnewsfirst.com.au.

“He’s going to help us win games but it’s going to be a team effort.

“Just like a lot of new players we bought, the Tonga brothers, we’re a long way off stating the season but as long as they can continue to do what they did at their previous clubs they’ll be good for us.”

Facing Sandow in his representative debut for the Indigenous All Stars in the Gold Coast clash last Saturday, the back rower was impressed by the 23-year-old’s first hit out for the year.

“He was solid,” Hindmarsh said.

“I think once he gets a few more games under his belt, you’ll see what Chrissy Sandow can do.

“What he did for Souths last year was pretty impressive so hopefully he can continue that at Parra.

“He’s a quality player, very skilled, very scary, when he does have the ball in his hands you have to watch out.”

One dilemma Eels coach Stephen Kearney faces is who he will appoint as the clubs first choice goal kicker.

Winger Luke Burt has long been the man for the club however Sandow also has a stellar strike rate with the boot.

According to Hindmarsh, it is a pleasant headache to have and will be tested at this weekend’s trial.

“We’ll probably use both kickers,” he said.

“We’ll have to wait and see, the good thing about that is if one kickers not hitting them the way he should be, we’ve got a back-up.”

When quizzed about his future, the 32-year-old who has had been reported as retiring at the end of the season maintained he has yet to make a decision on whether he will play beyond 2012.

“I’m just happy to chug along and keep doing what I’m doing,” he said.

“When I’m ready to go I’ll let everyone know as I’ve been saying.”

Eels v Tigers at Blue Tongue Stadium, Central Coast, Saturday 11 February, Gates Open 3.15pm.

Parramatta: Jarryd Hayne, Luke Burt, Ryan Morgan, Esi Tonga, Ken Sio, Ben Roberts, Chris Sandow, Tim Mannah, Matt Keating, Mitchell Allgood, Nathan Hindmarsh, Ben Smith, Justin Horo, Casey McGuire, Taulima Tautai, Fuifui Moimoi, Taniela Lasalo, Cheyse Blair, Joseph Paulo, Justin Poore, Shane Shackleton.

Wests Tigers: James Tedesco, Beau Ryan, Blake Ayshford, Joel Reddy, Matt Utai, Benji Marshall, Tim Moltzen, Aaron Woods, Pat Politoni, Keith Galloway, Adam Blair, Gareth Ellis, Chris Heighington, Liam Fulton, Matt Groat, Matt Bell, Tom Humble, Ben Murdoch-Masila.

It's understood the police will allege the Raiders star was driving on a suspended licence while travelling at more than 105km/h in a 60km zone in August.

Mr Sutton said he had spoken briefly to his client since the charges were published in the media.

"Obviously he's embarrassed because things are written in the paper," he told AAP.

"That's not what anyone wants - something negative about themselves in the paper."

He said Dugan, who is in talks with the Raiders to extend his contract, will argue that he was unaware his licence had been suspended.

"He didn't know and I certainly didn't know," Sutton said.

Raiders chief executive Don Furner rejected a suggestion the club had tried to keep the matter under wraps.

"As per the allegation that we tried to hide it, it was in the police records that he got done for speeding," Furner told reporters in Canberra.

Dugan, who impressed in the NRL All Stars' eight-point win on Saturday, is travelling with the rest of the Raiders squad on a regional community carnival ahead of their opening trial against Melbourne on Saturday.

Riewoldt, 29, will captain the Saints for the seventh time since being drafted to the club 12 years ago.

The imposing centre half forward said he saw his role as a way to mentor the younger players at the club.

“We’re in a fantastic position at the moment to really attack the future that lies in front of us,” Riewoldt said on Wednesday.

“Obviously we would all love to play in the league together - as is the case with all the guys up here - but unfortunately that’s not the case.

“So there is going to be a very strong succession element to this leadership group and my role in captain.”

Saints coach Scott Watters said five-time best and fairest Riewoldt would “cherish” the captaincy.

“Nick has proven over many years what a great leader he is of the St Kilda Football Club,” Watters said.

“It’s a role I know Nick cherishes and recognises not only the responsibility, but also the honour that comes with the position as captain of this club."

The club announced the elevation of young ruckman McEvoy to the leadership group, with veteran Lenny Hayes a notable omission.

Hayes will take on a “leadership mentoring role”, working across the player list and as a support to the leaders, as he continues to recover from a full knee reconstruction.

“Lenny is a natural born leader who is held in the highest regard by his peers and everyone associated with the club," Watters said.

“The process of determining the leadership group has been a very thorough, collaborative club process given the significance of the roles.

“Our 2012 leadership group strongly represents our internal values and ensures we are well placed to drive the development of our club and build on the culture of excellence we are committed to."

The Federal Court ruled Optus did not breach copyright law by broadcasting matches on free-to-air television delayed - by up to two minutes - through its mobile TV Now service.

Telstra has the exclusive online broadcast rights for both AFL and NRL.

Its latest online deal with the AFL for the 2012 to 2016 season cost the telco $153 million.

Media analysts have said the ruling makes multi-million dollar exclusive rights deals worthless.

Gallop says the sporting bodies had an urgent need for the Government to introduce new laws to circumvent the court's ruling or risk seriously de-valuing the product.

“We really have some urgency around this issue and we think a relatively simple amendment to the copyright act will fix it,” Gallop told ABC News 24's Grandstand program.

“We are talking about something that can seriously de-value our rights, something that was never intended.

"You’ve effectively got an asset of the sport which is the copyright in our content something we consider to be valuable and in our balance sheet as valuable and it’s ended up in someone else’s balance sheet namely Optus.”

The NRL, AFL and Cricket bosses discussed the ramifications of the ruling and measures to protect their rights under the Copyright Act with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Sports Minister Mark Arbib, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and Attorney-General Nicola Roxon.

With the AFL commanding $153 million for their new rights deal, the amendment is vital to the NRL’s negotiation. Although it is premature, he push for a change in legislation has been positive with both the government and opposition receptive to the proposal, according to Gallop.

“The change will still mean people can record the footy with their video recorder ...that was what the amendment was put in place a number of years ago for,” he said.

“It was never intended that copyright holder’s interests would be impacted and that’s what we’ve got here so a relatively simple amendment to that amendment will fix this.”

The NRL is desperate for a “simple amendment to the Copyright Act” so they can begin negotiations for their new television rights deal with their current deal to expire at the end of 2012.

As it stands, the ruling has an impact on all the exclusivities offered by the game with talks of a draft amendment set to take place later this week.

“I would be hopeful we can get it done in a matter of weeks,” he said.

“It is a serious issue and one that is acting on all sports.

“It’s more about the personal use and not having a third party coming in and commercialising it.

“We sell these rights and we want to maintain our ability to do that.”

- With AAP

But the Blues dismissed the reports on Wednesday, claiming the important big man would be available sometime in the NAB Cup tournament, which starts next week.

The club says Jamison will be ready for the Blues’ Round 1 clash with Richmond on March 29.

Carlton chief executive Greg Swann said the injury wasn’t serious.

"He has got a bit of a hot spot in his back, but it's not a serious one,” Swann told SEN in Melbourne.

“I think he's just going to be backed off training over the next two or three weeks.

"It's not ideal, but it's not the end of the world for us."

Blues will travel to Adelaide for the first round of the NAB Cup, to play the Crows and Port Adelaide on Sunday February 26.

It says it did an exhaustive investigation that included interviews with independent witnesses.

Police have said Bryant took the man's mobile phone in August, apparently thinking it was being used to take his picture during a Sunday service at the St Therese of Carmel Church in San Diego.

The man went to a hospital for treatment of an injured wrist.

Bryant has denied the allegations.

The accuser's name has not been released.

The Sudanese-born big man missed rehabilitation sessions and behaved “in a manner unbefitting of the club’s culture and expectations”, according to a statement.

"The club understands there will be great interest in the circumstances which led to Majak's suspension, but it is not in a position to elaborate," the club said.

Daw, 20, has been on the Kangaroos’ rookie list for two seasons and had been expected to make a serious push for senior selection this year.

The young ruck prospect will train with Roos VFL affiliate Werribee until further notice.

North Melbourne vowed to work hard to help Daw return to Aegis Park as soon as possible.