2012 » ob Dawson continues to put his name forward

RIO DE JANEIRO -- It took Swiss mountain biker Nino Schurter eight years to climb all the way up the Olympic podium, a slow ascent that was at times frustrating, heartbreaking and infuriating.He finally reached the top step Sunday.Schurter pulled away from reigning champion Jaroslav Kulhavy of the Czech Republic on the penultimate lap and rode solo to the finish, adding a gold medal to the silver he won at the 2012 London Games and the bronze he captured at the 2008 Beijing Games.I worked hard to complete my medal collection, Schurter said. My story is now perfect.The top two steps of the podium were a reversal of the finish from London, when Kulhavy overtook his biggest rival on the final section of turns at Hadleigh Farm.Schurter broke down in tears that day, so close to achieving his Olympic dream.Now looking back on London, he said, I think it had to be silver there. I worked hard to get stronger and better and Im really happy and satisfied.Schurter and Kulhavy worked together to establish a gap on the rest of the field over the mountain bike course, turned in some places to a quagmire by overnight rain. But the Swiss superstar and reigning world champion was able to up the tempo when it mattered the most.Schurter covered the seven-lap, 34-kilometer course in 1 hour, 33 minutes, 28 seconds. Kulhavy was 50 seconds back while Carlos Coloma of Spain was another 33 seconds adrift to take bronze.This was the most important moment of my career, Coloma said. I had perfect preparation. I had self-confidence. And this is a dream come true.Five-time world champion Julien Absalon of France, who intends to retire after this season, was eighth. World road race champion Peter Sagan had two flat tires and finished out of contention.Sagan decided to ride off road in Rio after scouting the climb-heavy road course and realizing it did not suit his strengths. But the decision earlier this year meant he only had time to squeeze in a couple of mountain bike races, leaving him ranked No. 900 in the world.That also meant he started with the final bib number in the very back of the pack.Just like he did in laying waste to a small race in Wyoming a couple of weeks ago, part of his post-Tour de France training plan, Sagan immediately went to the front of the field.His power came in handy given the conditions.The rain tapered off an hour before the start left, but it left the winding, technical course in the Deodoro neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro a soggy mess. Riders had to dismount and push their bikes over a few particularly slick climbs, slipping and sliding as if they were on ice.Some riders lamented they did not adjust their setup to the conditions.My bike was the same as yesterday, Kulhavy said, but maybe it was a little bit of a mistake because I had a very fast tire in the rear and I had a problem with the muddy hills.Sagans chances ultimately were ruined when his front tire went flat at the start of the second lap. He began working his way back through the field again only for his back tire to go flat.Hardly the only rider to puncture on the stone-strewn course, Sagan finished in 35th place.The race began to string out by the third of seven laps. Schurter and Kulhavy were never more than a few feet apart, the reigning Olympic champ and world champ clearly the strongest riders in the field. Coloma hung with them for a while before slowly losing ground.Absalon was two minutes down by the sixth lap, his chances of another gold medal gone.It was about that point that Schurter finally shook Kulhavy from his rear wheel, dropping the Czech champion with some daring riding on the tricky descents. He was 44 seconds clear at the start of the final lap, all alone on a course jammed with fans.By the final straightaway, Schurter was all alone.Eight years of so many close calls had been wiped away in less than two hours, Schurter at last allowed to step to the top of the podium and hear the Swiss national anthem.Im just really happy, he said. Really satisfied with my whole medal collection.Cheap Nike Shoes Sale .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Nike Shoes China Wholesale . Datsyuk will miss Tuesdays game against New Jersey and could be sidelined longer, while Cleary will likely miss at least the next three games. Its been an injury-plagued season for Datsyuk, who has suited up for just 39 games. http://www.chinashoesnike.com/ . LOUIS -- St. Buy Nike Shoes China Cheap Nike Shoes China Free Shipping . Scott won the Australian PGA last week in his first event in Australia since winning the U.S. Masters in April. American Matt Kuchar, ahead by two strokes with four to play and even with Scott with one to go, double-bogeyed the 18th after taking two shots to get out of a bunker.Each week, ESPN.com.au AFL draft expert Christopher Doerre - aka Knightmare - casts his eye over the countrys best junior footballers to give readers an early insight into the next generation of AFL stars.As well as attending live games, Doerre pores through match vision, analyses the stats and talks to industry sources to ensure he can offer the most insightful draft analysis.Aside from the weekly wrap, Doerre will also unveil his power rankings at the end of each month.And as we get closer to Novembers national draft, Doerre will also predict who goes where with his annual phantom draft.Player focusMurray Bushrangers key forward Todd Marshall continued his consistent run of form on Saturday against Dandenong with nine disposals, three contested marks, three tackles, three goals and two behinds. In his seven TAC Cup games this year, he has kicked three goals in six of them.The 198cm key forward has demonstrated considerable talent throughout the season and is seen as a top 10 selection, who may push inside the top five on draft day with a strong finals series.Marshall plays his best football close to goal. He is an appealing key forward prospect because he has excellent agility and explosiveness, which in combination with extremely clean hands below his knees at his height, have moved him into position to be the first key position player to be selected in this years AFL draft.As the season has progressed, Marshall has shown some glimpses of Collingwoods Darcy Moore - they are similar heights and boast excellent athleticism and ground level ability but also attack the ball in flight.Also impressive has been Marshalls reliability in front of goal, with 18 goals and five behinds in the TAC Cup this season. Overall the signs are that Marshall is converting the shots he should be and has the penetration to convert from 50-55m.Marshalls forward pressure has also been pleasing. In his past three games he has laid 13 tackles and has shown a willingness to chase and pressure opposition defenders in general play. His tackling was also a highlight on Saturday against Dandenong with several strong tackles and chasing efforts.Analysis?Despite his efforts this season, recruiters would be asking one another when is Marshall going to kick 6-plus goals? Or take 10-plus marks in a game? His goalkicking numbers have been consistent and hes also displayed flashes of brilliance here and there during games. The next stage in his progression is having a breakout performance that leaves recruiters feeling more confident that Marshall will be a No. 1 key forward at AFL level.Marshall will be looking to add further size and strength to enable him to become a stronger one-on-one mark while still maintaining his athleticism.He will also be looking to improve his endurance and over time develop the ability to push further up the field to become effective up the field as well as inside the forward 50m.Victorian prospect watchTAC CupKayle Kirby, a 181cm, 86kg, powerful forward had arguably his best game for the season with 18 disposals, 12 contested possessions, six marks (three contested), four tackles, two clearances, four inside 50s, four goals and four goal assists. Kirby was not selected to represent Vic Country during the AFL Under-18 Championships but has been invited to this years state screenings to be tested. At least two AFL clubs must nominate a player for them to receive an invite to the state screenings.Bottom-ager Cameron Rayner had a breakout game with 18 disposals, 11 contested possessions, eight marks (five contested), seven goals and one score assist. At 185cm, 84kg he is well built and a player to watch from Western in 2017.Ben Ronke, a 181cm forward, returned to the TAC Cup after two VFL games with an impressive 22 disposals, 14 contested possessions, four clearances, six inside 50s, three goals and two score assists. Ronke is one of the 100 players to receive a state draft combine invite and with his form over the second half of the season has come onto the radar of AFL clubs despite not representing Vic Metro during the under-18 championships.Bottom-ager James Worpel continues to put forward performances that suggest he is one of 2017s top midfield prospects with 27 disposals, 10 contested possessions, five tackles, four clearances, 10 inside 50s, two goals and two score assists.?Cassidy Parish, a bottom-age midfielder and the younger brother of Darcy, impressed with 26 disposals, 14 contested possessions, four tackles, nine clearances and two score assists.Dan Allsop again impressed for Dandenong up forward with 19 disposals, seven contested possessions, three marks, six tackles, two goals and three behinds.?Allsop from the first quarter was the danger man and the forward Murray locked down on thereafter. It was another game from Allsop where it felt like he could kick five or six goals.What again made Allsop so dangerous was his ground-level work. When the ball hit the deck, Allsop consistently inside 50m found a way to get to it first, even from behind his opponent at times. His evasiveness with ball in hand was also excellent, navigating and avoiding would-be tacklers easily and never looking like an opponent could lay a hand on him. Allsops pressure inside the forward 50m was very good, constantly chasing after the ball carrier when they were anywhere in his vicinity.The criticism of Allsop in this game was his finishing. He missed a shot on goal from 30m in general play and hit the post twice including what should have been a simple dribble finish from 15m. Improvement is still required. Further to this, Allsop will also need to build up his strength, as there were times that he got bumped off the ball when he was in prime position to win it.Allsop looks like a potential value selection late in the national draft or as a rookie for a club willing to put the time into him, with his talent and the impact he is capable of having on games substantial.Will Brodie was a key figure through Murrays midfield with 26 disposals, 17 contested possessions, eight tackles, 10 clearances, six inside 50s, four rebound 50s and one goal.?GWS Academy prospect Fletcher Carroll, a 175cm, 72kg midfielder, was impressive for Murray with 25 disposals, 18 contested possessions, six tackles and eight clearances. He won first possession regularly at stoppages and could be found at the bottom of seemingly every pack at the weekend.Ben Ainsworth put forward his strongest performance for the season with 34 disposals, 14 contested possessions, four marks, four tackles, six clearances, three goals, four behinds and three score assists.Collingwood father-son prospect Callum Brown was impressive through the midfield with 32 disposals, 16 contested possessions, four tackles, nine clearances, two goals and two score assists.Dylan Clarke was again excellent for Eastern through the midfield with 30 disposals, 14 contested possessions, eight marks (two contested), nine tackles, five clearances, one goal and two behinds.?Bottom-age ruck prospect and AFL Under-18 All Australian playerr Sam Hayes continued his progress through the ruck with 18 disposals, seven marks (three contested), 30 hitouts and two behinds.ddddddddddddSigns from Hayes are encouraging because he won the hitout battle and had an impact around the ground.Bottom-ager Jaidyn Stephenson continued his progress up forward with 17 disposals, seven marks (two contested), three goals and three score assists.Hugh McCluggage was impressive as always in his role rotating between half forward and the midfield with 25 disposals, 10 contested possessions, four marks, eight tackles, five clearances, four goals and one score assist. What has junior talent watchers so excited about McCluggage is that he not only finds the ball and uses it cleanly, but he also often hits the scoreboard and sets up teammates for shots on goal.Top-age 184cm excitement machine Cedric Cox continues his rise up draft boards. Cox put forward his strongest TAC Cup game for the season with 24 disposals, eight contested possessions, eight marks (one contested), three clearances, two behinds and one score assist.?What has everyone so excited about Cox is his running with ball in hand and quality of ball use.Willem Drew continued his consistent play with 23 disposals, 12 contested possessions, six marks (one contested), six tackles, six clearances, one goal and three score assists.Jarrod Berry, a 191cm, 80kg utility, put forward his strongest game for the season with 18 disposals, 11 contested possessions, three marks, five tackles, seven clearances, seven inside 50s and three goals. With a strong finals series for North Ballarat, he may push for a first-round draft selection.Matthew Signorello, a 184cm, 76kg midfielder, led the way for Northern with 30 disposals, 20 contested possessions, six marks (two contested), three tackles, nine clearances, five inside 50s and two goals. Signorello has been invited to the state screenings and is another player who was not part of Vic Metro, but has earned his way onto the radar of AFL clubs through strong TAC Cup performances.Bottom-ager Jack Higgins continued his strong form with 25 disposals, 10 contested possessions, nine marks (two contested), five tackles, four clearances, two goals and two score assists.Andrew McGrath was solid through Sandringhams midfield with 27 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five marks, five tackles and nine clearances.Jack Scrimshaw let himself down with inconsistency by foot but still had a solid 25 disposals, five marks, three tackles and two score assists.Tim Taranto also let himself down with some inconsistent kicking but also had respectable numbers with 25 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five marks (two contested), 10 tackles, four clearances and one goal.South Australian prospect watchSANFLLeagueBrett Eddy again showed why he is regarded by many as the best key forward outside the AFL with nine disposals, seven marks (three contested) and seven goals.Matthew Panos continued his strong run of form with 25 disposals, 14 contested possessions, six marks, three tackles, 10 clearances, six inside 50s and two goals.ReservesJake Comitogianni while not invited to the state or national combines, continues to earn a mention on back of continued strong performances with 27 disposals, eight contested possessions, five marks (one contested), three clearances, six inside 50s and five score assists. Comitogianni brings a distinct energy to the content, not unlike Western Bulldog Luke Dahlhaus.Ben Jarman continues his push for selection as a father-son prospect with 23 disposals, nine contested possessions, six marks, four tackles and three clearances.Under-18sLachlan Cameron, a 192cm defender who can push through the midfield, was impressive with 21 disposals, 13 contested possessions, five marks (one contested), 15 tackles and three clearances.Ruckman Peter Ladhams continues to show how effective he is around the ground with 21 disposals, six marks, five tackles, 30 hitouts, one goal and one score assist.South Adelaide forward Nick Steele put forward a performance to remember with 19 disposals, six marks (two contested), 10 goals and one score assist.Jake Wohling for North Adelaide was prominent with 40 disposals, 21 contested possessions, seven marks, nine tackles, seven clearances and one score assist.Lewis Young, a 198cm bottom-ager, showed some excellent signs with 23 disposals, 12 marks (seven contested), four goals and one score assist.Western Australian prospect watchWAFLLeagueGriffin Logue continues to perform at league level with 19 disposals, two marks and two tackles. The 193cm, 92kg utility has improved his numbers in each of the past three weeks at league level and has from his eight games dropped below 12 disposals only once. His consistent play in combination with his impressive strength and athleticism is catching the eye of recruiters who continue to move Logue up their draft boards.Sam Powell-Pepper backed up a strong league debut last week with a solid 13 disposals, four marks and four tackles.Exciting forward Liam Ryan had one of his best games for the season with 17 disposals, nine marks, four goals and five behinds. While Ryan was not invited to the AFL draft combine, he has received a state screening invite and substantial interest from AFL clubs on the back of his exciting performances this season.ReservesTim English, this years top rated ruck prospect, continued to impress with his work around the ground, with 20 disposals, eight marks, three tackles and 26 hitouts.Stanley Wright, a 175cm midfielder, looked at home for the second week in a row playing in the reserves with 25 disposals, four marks and five inside 50s.ColtsShai Bolton continues his push for a potential first-round position with 19 disposals, four marks, five inside 50s and two goals.Tarik Bayok, a 174cm midfielder who has had a strong season and receive a state screening invite, produced 24 disposals, four marks, seven tackles and two goals through the midfield for East Perth.Joshua Rotham continues to perform well with 18 disposals, six marks, eight tackles, four inside 50s and one goal.Sam Petrevski-Seton was again good through the midfield with 25 disposals, six tackles and four inside 50s.Division two states (Tasmania, Northern Territory, NSW/ACT, Queensland and Northern Academy) prospects watchGWS Academy:Key defence prospect Harrison Macreadie had 15 disposals and five marks in GWS convincing win.Sam Fisher also contributed well with 22 disposals, eight marks and seven inside 50s.?Gold Coast Academy:Jack Bowes showed positive signs for Gold Coast with 23 disposals, three marks, three tackles, five inside 50s and two behinds.?Bottom-age prospect Jacob Dawson continues to put his name forward as a likely 2017 draft prospect with 20 disposals, four marks, three tackles, three clearances and six inside 50s.?Brad Scheer continued his solid NEAFL form with 16 disposals, eight marks, four tackles and one goal.? 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