National News

New finals format welcomed by the Storm and league

3:00 AM | Melbourne Storm throws its support behind decision to scrap McIntyre finals system.

National - Sport

Cooper gets kick out of comeback talk after giving injury the boot

3:00 AM | QUADE COOPER has signalled a potential early playing return is on the cards as his recovery from injury continues ''very much ahead of schedule''.

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Destiny to be free?

3:00 AM | On eve of 2012 season, AFL yet to finalise key element of free agency.

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Room for a view: triumphant launch to herald the beginning of brave new world

3:00 AM | WITH a significant new job title, David Gallop last night stood in front of Rugby League Central, with the nuts, bolts, windows and panels still glistening, and spoke of a defining night for the game. The new Australian Rugby League Commission chief executive said the code was in rarefied air. It may also be a defining season.

National - Sport

McIntyre system gone, and that's final

3:00 AM | THE realisation that it had become grossly unfair to force losing top-four teams to play away against lower-ranked teams in the second week of the finals series drove the decision to dump the McIntyre system.

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Club bosses set sights on $5m minimum for salary cap

3:00 AM | THE NRL salary cap is set to rise to $5 million next season after a meeting of club chief executives yesterday agreed that was the figure they would work on when signing players.

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United owners band together to push case to FFA

3:00 AM | FRUSTRATED A-League owners are considering forming their own organisation along the lines of the European Club Association to present a united view to Football Federation Australia over ways to improve the economics, and organisation, of the competition.

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NRL TV ad campaign extends the 'House'

3:00 AM | THE NRL are confident their ''Our House'' campaign will continue to be successful and build on the momentum of last year.

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Commission praised for scrapping McIntyre finals

3:00 AM | IT MIGHT have taken more than three years for the ARL Commission to come to fruition, but yesterday the newly-formed body showed that the long fight for the game's independence was worth it.

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Ponting sacking 'a wake-up call'

3:00 AM | Batting coach Justin Langer welcomes end of selection culture that rewarded mediocrity.

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Owners must take control of A-League

3:00 AM | A breakaway A-League competition could be the answer for soccer in Australia.

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Langer looking for the next Ponting to put up his hand

3:00 AM | JUSTIN LANGER has called on the next Ricky Ponting to stand up and reveal himself, and welcomed the end of a selection culture he said had rewarded mediocrity.

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Hayes faces highest hurdle in return from injury

3:00 AM | Lenny Hayes faces big test for his physical capabilities and ball-winning talent.

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Barnes 50-50 to face Queensland

3:00 AM | BERRICK BARNES will be given until 9am today to prove to Waratahs medical staff he is capable of taking the field for the Super Rugby season opener against the Reds on Saturday before coach Michael Foley weighs up his replacement options.

National - Sport

Another pina colada thanks, but we're drinking to a fine vintage for Reds

3:00 AM | So I am led to believe that we are going to be ''hunted" this year. The Queensland Reds are going to be targeted, while also being so riddled with complacency and the good life that they are incapable of mustering a whimper let alone a sweat.

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