Weyman Hoping He Fits Dragons' Bill

BIG Mick Weyman readily admits fitness has never been his strong point.

Gorrell Set To Fight For Broncos Jersey

FORMER St George Illawarra hooker Aaron Gorrell is bracing himself for a battle royal with PJ Marsh for the Brisbane Broncos' vacant No 9 jersey.

Wounded Lions Fear Further Depletion

ENGLAND prop Maurie Fa'asavalu is in doubt for Saturday night's final World Cup group match against New Zealand in Newcastle due to a hand injury, while there are also fitness concerns over back-rower Jon Wilkin and five-eighth Leon Pryce.

Youth Given Springboard To Show Wares

On Monday, Australia leave for their most difficult end-of-season tour in years, with Wallabies coach Robbie Deans aiming to improve the team's fitness and skill levels and unearth some new international stars. Winning will also be crucial. Greg Growden reports.

Farina Expects Moore Highlights

BORN-AGAIN Socceroo Craig Moore will test his fitness limits tonight when Queensland Roar aim to reverse their terrible home record against a full-strength Adelaide United.

Bresciano And Grella Out, But Verbeek Will Never Say Never On Kewell

THE Socceroos will be without the services of injured trio Mark Bresciano, Vince Grella and most likely Harry Kewell for next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Brisbane after all three were withdrawn from Pim Verbeek's final training squad yesterday.

Bennett Fuels Fire For Semi

THE Brisbane Broncos usually give Craig Bellamy and the Melbourne Storm something to think about before a National Rugby League clash between the great rivals.

Melbourne Boosted With Hoffman Fit To Play

THE Melbourne Storm will go into tonight's elimination semi-final against Brisbane with a full-strength team after international back-rower Ryan Hoffman completed the team's final training session last night.

Dignity A Long Shot In Crass Stakes

COMPLETE the following opening line to a news report that was widely broadcast and published on Monday: Bookmakers across the country have suspended betting on the semi-final between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm because ...

Cross Believes Knights Primed

NEWCASTLE enforcer Ben Cross says weeks of sudden-death matches have steeled the Knights for tonight's final-round clash with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

Zeb Stakes Claim To Tackle Broncos

ZEB Taia is confident he can return from a month on the sidelines and slot straight into Newcastle's starting pack for tomorrow night's make-or-break clash with Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

Knights Coach Wants Nothing Left To Chance

WIN and were in is the only NRL finals scenario concerning Newcastle coach Brian Smith and his players as the Knights prepare for their last-round game against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Wounded Bombers Seek Fit 22

ESSENDON could be limited to 25 fit players for Saturday's clash with arch-rival Collingwood at the MCG. Essendon announced yesterday that long-term fitness guru John Quinn was leaving the club to "pursue other career opportunities".

Broncos Shuffle Around For Trip North

BRISBANE have been forced into a major reshuffle of their squad for tonight's clash with the Cowboys following the withdrawal yesterday of lock Tonie Carroll.

Lappin Aims For Last Crack At Finals

TRIPLE-premiership Brisbane Lions midfielder Nigel Lappin has admitted he may only have a couple of months of football left, with the four-time All-Australian battling to overcome an Achilles injury in time for what may be a last tilt at finals' action.

Wesser Stages Gutsy Recovery

PENRITH fullback Rhys Wesser is a chance to make a stunning return from an abdominal tear against Brisbane tonight at CUA Stadium.

Potent Dogs Poised To Feast On Lions

IF BRAD Johnson's record against the Brisbane Lions is any guide, the Lions should be afraid, but to the Western Bulldogs in 2008, that doesn't matter so much any more.

Verbeek Looks North In Defence

WITH Socceroo boss Pim Verbeek content for Lucas Neill to return to Sydney to gain fitness for Australia's match with China on Sunday week,Socceroo defenders Jade North, Michael Beauchamp, Chris Coyne, Rody Vargas and teenager Matthew Spiranovic know the pressure will be on them against Qatar in Doha this weekend.

Gidley Wants Clearance To Push Origin Claims

KNIGHTS utility Kurt Gidley will consult on Monday with the specialist who repaired his fractured cheekbone in a last-ditch attempt to prove his fitness for Origin II.

Fifa Sets Iraq Peace Deadline

IF WORLD governing body FIFA can broker a peace deal in Iraqi football, the Asian champions will bring a near full-strength squad to Brisbane for next week's World Cup qualifier against Australia, with two key players on course for a surprise comeback from injury.