became a free agent and signed his 5 million deal with the Yankees. | Forum
wzh123
Jun 5 '18
Saturday, October 1Western Bulldogs ($2. Ray Allen Jersey .40) vs Sydney Swans ($1.60), MCG at 2:30pmTeam news:The Bulldogs head into the grand final off the back of a much more ferocious and energy-sapping preliminary final than their Sydney rivals who breezed past a lacklustre Geelong on Friday night. The Dogs also have to front up with one days less rest, having defeated the Giants on Saturday evening.Lots of talk surrounds Lin Jong and whether the midfield will be selected. Three weeks ago against the Eagles, Jong suffered a broken collarbone, but miraculously recovered quicker than expected to lead the VFL side to premiership glory last Sunday -- claiming best on ground honours in the process. Luke Beveridge has a massive call to make.For the Swans, skipper Jarrad McVeigh is still a 50-50 and no certainty to play after failing to overcome a calf injury he picked up in the qualifying final loss to GWS.Exciting 13-gamer Aliir Aliir has been ruled out through injury, which is a huge blow for their defence. Hamstrung Rising Star winner Callum Mills is also expected to miss out, but Gary Rohan -- who played a key role in last weeks win -- looks a certain starter.Key head-to-head: Marcus Bontempelli vs. Luke ParkerThroughout this finals series, just about every AFL pundit has claimed that if the Bont can have a big impact, the Bulldogs might just win. Hes three out of three and the Dogs find themselves in a grand final -- another big effort and they may be premiers.It wont be easy against the star-studded Sydney midfield, particularly in his head-to-head battle with Luke Parker.Parker -- who finished second in Monday nights Brownlow Medal -- has been a match-winner for the Swans all year and will spend time throughout the day against Bontempelli.Both stars will have a huge impact on the match and are likely to feature in Norm Smith Medal calculations late in the final term.Teams:Bulldogs: B Jason Johannisen, Joel Hamling, Matthew Boyd HB Shane Biggs, Dale Morris, Easton Wood C Lachie Hunter, Marcus Bontempelli, Liam Picken HF Jack Macrae, Zaine Cordy, Jake Stringer F Tory Dickson, Tom Boyd, Clay Smith FOL Jordan Roughead, Luke Dahlhaus, Tom Liberatore I/C Toby McLean, Fletcher Roberts, Josh Dunkley, Caleb DanielSwans: B Jake Lloyd, Heath Grundy, Nick Smith HB Callum Mills, Jeremy Laidler, Dane Rampe C Kieren Jack, Josh P. Kennedy, Jarrad McVeigh HF Tom Mitchell, Lance Franklin, Luke Parker F Tom Papley, Kurt Tippett, Ben McGlynn FOL Sam Naismith, Dan Hannebery, Isaac Heeney I/C Gary Rohan, Zak Jones, George Hewett, Xavier RichardsField umpires:?Scott Jeffery, Matt Stevic, Simon MeredithBoundary umpires: Ian Burrows, Chris Bull, Rob Haala, Michael MarantelliGoal umpires: Chris Appleton, Adam WojcikGrand Final stats:The Bulldogs have won the past two clashes against the Swans - both at the SCG and by under a goal.This is the sixth grand final since 2007 that features a Victorian-based club and an interstate team. Victorian-based clubs have a superior 4-1 record.Stuart Dew has been involved in every leap year premiership since 2004. He is the Swans assistant coach in 2016.Every leap year since 2000, the side on top of the ladder after Round 1 has won the grand final. The Bulldogs topped the table after Round 1 this year.UBET verdict:Sydney have the upper hand when it comes to grand final experience, but the Bulldogs are brimming with belief after their six-point win over GWS. So, where does the all-important money trail point? Well, predictably perhaps, the early cash has come for the feel-good team, the Bulldogs, who are into their first decider in 55-years.Footy fans everywhere are buying into the Bulldogs fairy tale, with Luke Beveridges team capturing three quarters of the bets and two thirds of the money in the initial outright betting skirmish. Line money is also running in their favour at a 2:1 ratio.Sydneys certainly flying under the radar at this stage, but we fully expect the big money punters to step in closer to game day and smash the Swans, who are into their third decider since 2012.Norm Smith Medal betting will no doubt be huge. As it stands, veteran Josh Kennedy is the favourite at $7.00, followed by a few players who polled well on Brownlow Medal night in Luke Parker at $8.00 and Marcus Bontempelli and Dan Hannebery at $9.00. $10 million man Lance Franklin is a popular pick at $11, while $21 chance Caleb Daniel has been earmarked as value. As we have done in previous years, UBET will be trading live on the Norm Smith throughout the game.Weather: Mostly cloudy day with a top of 17 degrees. Possibly early showers which will clear by the first bounce.?Prediction:?Two very contrasting sides that rightfully deserve their place on the AFLs grandest stage.The Swans have been prolific in attack this year, averaging 100 points per match, while the Bulldogs have become the leagues stingiest defence, coughing up just 73 points per game.As much as everyone would love to see the Dogs fairytale continue, its hard to look past the seasoned Swans stars, particularly their midfield brigade. Throw in the ultimate X-factor in Franklin and its no surprise Sydney start favourite.However, if anyone can, the Bulldogs can.Tip: Swans by 10 pointsNorm Smith Medal: Tom MitchellEnter your ESPNfootytips AFL selections D.J. Augustin Jersey . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. Jerami Grant Jersey . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. http://www.shopthunderstore.com/Customized/ . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. NEW YORK -- Ready or not, Alex Rodriguez will play his final game in pinstripes this week.One of the most prolific hitters and polarizing figures in baseball history, the slumping slugger plans to take his final turn at-bat with the New York Yankees on Friday night and then become a special adviser and instructor with the team next year.A-Rod and the club made the announcement before Sundays 3-2 victory over Cleveland.This is a tough day. I love this game and I love this team, he said, often choking up. And today Im saying goodbye to both.The 41-year-old Rodriguez, who sat out the 2014 season while serving a performance-enhancing drug suspension, will play against Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium and then be released following Fridays game. New York will pay him the remainder of the approximately $27 million hes owed as part of his $275 million, 10-year contract.Rodriguez said the agreement arose out of conversations over the past few days with Yankees Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner. The two met face-to-face more than once, and A-Rod said he asked for one more chance to play in front of a New York crowd.Relegated to little more than a spare part lately, the three-time AL MVP acknowledged the last four weeks have not been fun.Its been very painful and embarrassing to sit on the bench. Its been awkward, Rodriguez explained. So from that sense Im very happy that we found this solution.But he made it clear he still thinks he could contribute on the field.Of course, I think I can play baseball. You always think you have one more hit in you, or help the team win one more game, for sure, said Rodriguez, who is four home runs shy of 700. That wasnt in the cards. That was the Yankees decision and Im at peace with it.A news release issued by the club indicated Rodriguez will be released after his final major league game to sign a contract that gives him a job working with minor leaguers throughout the Yankees farm system. He will report directly to Steinbrenner, and the deal runs through Dec. 31, 2017.A-Rod said hell go home to Miami following Fridays game, and he thought his new duties would begin in spring training. He thanked the Steinbrenner family for the opportunity to stay in baseball.General manager Brian Cashman acknowledged that Rodriguez has a right to change his mind and pursue any potential opportunity. And for his part, Rodriguez never used the word retire.So, if another team offered him a chance to play, would he consider it?You know, when Hal told me, I just told him: `Give me a few days. I need to kind of think on this, sleep on it. I have not thought past the pinstripes, and my horizon is Friday, he said.Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia said when Rodriguez makes decisions, theyre pretty much final.He played a long time, since he was 18 years old, Sabathia said. I know he has bigger goals and bigger dreams to do different things.A 14-time All-Star, Rodriguez is hitting .204 this season with nine home runs and 29 RBI in 216 at-bats. Hes started only once in 15 games since July 22.Its sad to see Alex going like this, teammate Brett Gardner said.New York manager Joe Girardi said hed talk to Rodriguez about possibly playing this week in Boston.If he wants to play in every game, Ill find a way, Girardi said.When the fourth-place Yankees (56-55) jettisoned veterans Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Carlos Beltran leading up to last weeks trade deadline, they made it clear they were turning toward a youth movement.On Friday, 36-year-old first baseman Mark Teixeira announced he will retire at the end of the season.We all want to keep playing forever, Rodriguez said. But it doesnt work thhat way. Andre Roberson Jersey. A-Rod trails only Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755) and Babe Ruth (714) on the career home run list and joins Boston bopper David Ortiz as iconic stars apparently in their final seasons this year.As much as hes gone through, the PED stuff and all the stuff thats kind of happened throughout his career, hes still one of my favorite players to watch as a child growing up, Rays outfielder Steven Souza Jr. said. Hopefully we can send him off with a thank you for a great career.Rodriguez has a $20 million salary this year and is owed $20 million more in 2017, the final season of a $275 million contract that was the largest in baseball when he signed it.After spending several days discussing this plan with Alex, I am pleased that he will remain a part of our organization moving forward and transition into a role in which I know he can flourish, Steinbrenner said in a statement.Rodriguez led the Yankees to their 2009 World Series title, but its been a tumultuous tenure since he arrived before the 2004 season in a trade with Texas.And right up until Sundays surprise announcement, his time in pinstripes has been filled with drama.He won his second and third AL MVP awards with the Yankees but has been a pariah to some since his 2009 admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs with the Rangers.Starting in 2008, Rodriguez made six trips to the disabled list in six seasons.Major League Baseball suspended him on Aug. 5, 2013, for the remainder of that season and all of 2014 for violations of baseballs drug and labor contract, caused by use and possession of numerous prohibited performance-enhancing substances and attempting to cover up his violations.On Sunday, Rodriguez said hes been to hell and back, and made every mistake in the book.Asked how hes managed to repair his relationship with Yankees management, he smiled and said: I have no idea. I wish I knew.I do want to be remembered as someone who was madly in love with the game of baseball, Rodriguez said. And also, Im going to be hopefully remembered for someone who tripped and fell a lot, but someone that kept getting up.Rodriguez returned from hip surgery and played while appealing the suspension, and the following January an arbitrator cut the penalty to all of the 2014 season.A-Rod made a successful return last year, when the Yankees made him a full-time DH, but his offense slid late in the season. He hit .250 with 33 homers and 86 RBI overall.His slump continued at the start of this season when he hit .185 with four homers and eight RBI in April. He batted .130 in May and was on the disabled list because of a strained right hamstring. His average rose to .267 with two homers and 13 RBI in June before dropping.Mechanically, I just never felt like I caught up, Rodriguez said. I thought I would have a strong finish and a stronger year next year, but again, that wasnt in the cards.Rodriguez started his big league career with Seattle in 1994 and signed a $252 million, 10-year contract with Texas before the 2001 season. When the Rangers decided to trade him, a proposed deal to Boston fell through before he was traded to New York. He agreed to shift from shortstop to third base with the Yankees, who already had Derek Jeter at shortstop.A-Rod opted out of the contract after the 2007 season, became a free agent and signed his $275 million deal with the Yankees.---AP Baseball Writers Ronald Blum and Ben Walker, and freelance writer Mark Didtler in St. Petersburg, Florida, contributed to this report. Wholesale Jerseys 2020 Stitched Jerseys Youth NFL Jerseys Wholesale Youth NFL Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL T-shirts Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys Cheap NFL T-shirts ' ' '
Share:
