Blues late show stuns Eagles

The Carlton Blues have come from behind to win a thriller against the West Coast Eagles.

Zach Tuohy celebrates the Blues' win on the final siren. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

IT SEEMED Carlton had run out of legs to end an unfortunate couple of days of untimely mishaps.

Sure, the Blues had the same number of bodies as West Coast on Etihad Stadium's turf, but the imbalance was the quality and balance of the personnel.

Like lone ruckman Robbie Warnock being eventually overwhelmed by the Eagles imposing talls Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui.

And captain Marc Murphy bereft of support in the midfield battles with most of his injured onball colleagues watching helpless from their grandstand seats.

West Coast was steadily grinding down the brave if depleted Blues, particularly at the crucial centre clearances.

Carlton players swamp captain Marc Murphy after the final siren. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Corp Australia

Already missing Chris Judd and Ed Curnow from the midfield group, Carlton's woes started when David Ellard pulled up sore in a calf muscle after Friday's training. And it worsened when back spasms forced Andrew Carrazzo to withdraw before the game.

That was compounded when back and hamstring issues forced rebounding defender Chris Yarran to be subbed out midway through the third quarter.

West Coast Eagles coach Adam Simpson addresses the press following his sides loss to Carlton.

But Carlton simply refused to yield to eventually pull off what could be a season-defining three-points victory against all odds.

The Blues seemed dead and buried when Eagles sub Dom Sheed stretched the lead to 22 points with a goal on the run to break 10 minutes of stalemate in the final quarter.

Low on energy but overloaded with determination, Carlton players kept coming, amazingly booting the last five goals to snatch the unlikely victory, 14.8 (92) to 12.17 (89).

Josh Kennedy celebrates a goal with West Coast teammates. Source: Getty Images

Jeff Garlett, Zac Tuohy and Lachie Henderson converted from set shots to breathe life before late replacement Dylan Buckley deadlocked the scores with a snap shot heading into time-on.

A brilliant run down the dockside wing by Murphy set free sub Troy Menzel to goal on the run to grab back the lead.

The desperate Eagles had chances to snatch it back - Scott Selwood hit the post with a shot on the run from 30m with 1.53 on the clock before Josh Kennedy's soccer kick in the goalsquare hit the bottom of the post with 56 seconds left.

It was a heart-thumping finale to a pulsating contest in which the first three quarters proved nothing, just the chance for everyone to catch their breath and reload for another half-hour of frenetic speed and rebound.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse was not a happy man at three-quarter time. Source: Getty Images

Carlton came out chock-full of energy and a forward set-up loaded with height and strength provided by Jarrad Waite, Henderson and Levi Casboult.

And yet it was another tall Blue Warnock who started the scoreboard ticking with a left foot snap from a pack of players on the edge of the goal square inside the opening minute.

Carlton Blues coach Mick Malthouse addresses the press following his sides win over the Eagles.

When Waite slotted two goals and Robinson bagged another, the Blues had run to a 24 points lead after 12 minutes.

But West Coast regrouped and started to threaten by taking over the midfield clearances.

Luke Shuey enjoyed a damaging patch late in the first quarter. He kicked two goals and won the centre clearance that finished with Cripps' accurate set shot to give the Eagles a slender lead after a fast and furious opening term.

West Coast midfielder Matt Rosa takes a classic mark against Carlton. Source: Getty Images

That fluctuating pattern continued in the second quarter with Carlton in control early, stretching the lead to 18 points before West Coast hit back late.

Garlett set the Blues alight with a set shot after a 50m penalty and then a clever left foot snap off the outside of the boot.

Carlton's five points lead at the long break should have been greater. Casboult butchered two set shots from almost the same spot only 30m out, the first fading across goals to sail out on the full and the second hooked and failing to score on the other side of the posts.

No problems for Murphy who ran onto a handpass inside the forward 50, baulked Wellingham and then swerved past Sheppard to goal from close range in a solo run that will be on the highlights reel over the weekend.

BEST

CARLTON: Murphy, McLean, Simpson, Garlett, Walker, Gibbs.

WEST COAST: Priddis, Shuey, Cox, Selwood, Masten, Yeo

VOTES

3. Marc Murphy (Carlton)

2. Matt Priddis (West Coast)

1. Brock McLean (Carlton)

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Inquiry to hear abuse of WA boys

Former brothers and members of the Catholic Church's hierarchy are also expected to be called to give evidence throughout the inquiry. Picture: File Image Source: News Limited

BOYS as young as five were raped, tortured and emotionally abused for decades at four Christian Brother's homes in WA, a national inquiry into child sex abuse will hear on Monday.

And many of those children were sent to Australia from the UK and Malta after the war for what was supposed to be a better life.

Janette Dines, chief executive of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse, revealed the harrowing details ahead of the first WA public hearing which will start on Monday.

She said the commission would this week be looking specifically into the experiences of those former residents who were sent to Castledare, Clontarf, Bindoon and Tardun orphanages from the late 1940s up until the 1960s.

"Some of these men were sent to the residences as child migrants from the UK and Malta, while others were wards of the state," she said.

"Tragically, some of the boys experienced abuse from as young as five years old and that abuse continued throughout their residency."

The details come after it emerged the Catholic order knew of the widespread abuse in WA for decades but covered it up.

A secret report, which has never been made public in full, was prepared for bosses in Rome during the 1990s and contains evidence of correspondence between Brother PA Conlon, the principal of the order in WA during the 1940s, and another brother about the possibility of "scandals".

It also contains notes written by Brother Conlon where he says there was a need to hide the complaints from "outsiders" so they "do not become aware" of the abuse.

Ms Dines told The Sunday Times since commission began, it had received more than 700 calls from people in WA want to share their experiences. As a result it had held more than 161 private sessions - and there were plans for several more.

She said the commission was also looking at other institutions, with another hearing scheduled for next month.

So far around 170 WA institutions have been reported to the commission.

It is understood 12 former residents are expected to share their stories to the commission this week.

Former brothers, members of the Catholic Church's hierarchy as well as state representatives are also expected to be called to give evidence throughout the inquiry.

Adults Surviving Child Abuse president Cathy Kezelman said she hoped this week's hearing would not only serve to bring justice to victims but also hold the Catholic Church and successive WA governments to account.

Norman Johnston, who was sent to Clontarf from the UK when he was just eight, said survivors have been waiting all their lives for the truth to be made public.

"We hope this royal commission goes a long way to getting the answers for how we were allowed to be treated so cruelly in Australia but the truth about how we got here is also essential," he said.

Mr Johnston also said survivors wanted the UK Government to set up a judicial inquiry to explain why children "were taken from their beds and trafficked to Australia".

Around 25 survivors and their families are expected to hold a vigil outside the hearing this week.

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Perth light rail plan gets reboot

Dean Nalder said State Governments had been "too reactive" to transport issues caused by Perth's growth. Source: News Limited

NEW Transport Minister Dean Nalder has vowed to get Perth's delayed $2 billion light rail back on track – saying it may be faster and "smarter" to split the project into two parts.

In a wide-ranging interview on how to fix Perth's congestion problem, Mr Nalder said he was investigating "breaking up" the MAX Light Rail plan.

Mr Nalder said he considered the north-south route connecting Mirrabooka with the CBD a priority ahead of the proposed east-west line between Victoria Park and Nedlands.

He hopes staging the 22km scheme would allow construction of the Mirrabooka-CBD corridor to be brought forward "as much as possible" from 2019.

After six weeks in charge of the Transport portfolio, Mr Nalder also revealed:

● There will be no congestion charge for private motorists in Perth;

● He will investigate putting Perth's train stations and freeway junctions underground;

● Traffic congestion really is hurting WA's productivity;

● State Governments have been too reactive to Perth's transport problems;

● He wants a transport blueprint for Perth at five million people.

Work on the MAX scheme was supposed to start in 2016, but was pushed back by three years after the state lost its prized AAA credit rating.

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‘Confused and nervous’ in hospital

A man has been detained after banging on the cockpit door of a Virgin Australia plane flying to Bali.

FRIENDS of the Australian plumber accused of trying to hijack a Virgin flight to Bali have visited him in the police hospital where he is being held, and say he seemed "confused and nervous".

Four of Matt Christopher Lockley's friends have visited him in the police hospital where he is being held in Bali.

One of them, a Balinese man who said his name was Wayan, said he was surprised when he heard about the incident on the Virgin flight.

He said he had been called by police on Friday afternoon to come and help calm Lockley down after a dramatic arrest at gunpoint.

"Police told me to calm him. But I can't go that afternoon, as I still working. I said that I will come once I finished," Wayan said.

He went to Bali Police Station at around 7pm.

"I meet him. He looked calm, just felt confused and nervous," Wayan said of his friend.

"He said that he didn't try to hijack the plane. He just knocked on the door as he thought that it was the toilet. He just want to go to toilet at that time," Wayan said.

He said he had known Lockley for the past year.

Wayan said Lockley had not mentioned anything to him about problems with his wife.

And he was not aware of any psychological problems.

Wayan said Lockley visited Bali frequently.

MID-FLIGHT SCARE: Man 'thought cockpit was the toilet door'

Hospitalised in Bali ... Indonesian Police secure the room of the Police Hospital where Australian Matt Lockley was taken after being arrested for triggering a mid0flight emergency. Source: Supplied

Lockley may escape any formal charges after telling police he was not drunk and mistakenly knocked on the plane's cockpit door instead of the toilet door after taking painkillers.

He was questioned for several hours by police and is now under police guard in a Bali hospital after officers said he appeared to be in "a bad condition".

He told police he was stressed over not being to make contact with his Indonesian wife for several weeks before his flight on Friday.

The Queensland plumber was described on Friday as drunk by airline and Indonesian authorities, but yesterday insisted he had only consumed soft drinks before the Brisbane to Bali flight and taken some painkillers.

Visitor arrives ... to see Matt Lockley in the Police Hospital in Bali. Source: Supplied

Police said they were waiting on the results of drug and alcohol tests and had yet to officially declare him a suspect or make a decision on what if anything he will charged with.

Bali police spokesman Adj. Senior Commissioner Hery Wiyanto said yesterday police had inquired whether Lockley, 27, had any history of mental illness but they were told he did not.

Comm Wiyanto said that Lockley had told them he had meant to knock on the toilet door but instead had been hammering on the cockpit door. This caused the pilot and crew to report an emergency and authorities in Bali were then put on a hijack alert.

In happier times ... Matt Christopher Lockley who is in hospital after being arrested in Bali. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

Full security was swung into action and when the flight, from Brisbane to Bali landed at Denpasar airport, it was surrounded by heavily armed officers who bundled Lockley off the plane at gunpoint.

Police said yesterday that Lockley's father lives in Bali, in a villa in Canggu and that Lockley's wife was from Bandung, in West Java, Indonesia.

Images from the Facebook page of Matt Christopher Lockley, 27, who was held in an Indonesian police cell after a Virgin pilot set off a hijack alarm on the flight Matt was on to Bali. Source: Supplied

They said that Lockley told them he was stressed about not being able to contact his wife for the past two weeks after she had returned to Indonesia from Australia.

Comm Wiyanto said Lockley told them that once he got on to the plane, he fell asleep in his seat (30A), after having taken some painkillers and drinking two soft drinks.

Runway chaos ... Matt Christopher Lockley being arrested by Indonesian air force soldiers after landing on the Virgin Australia 737-800 plane at Ngurah Rai airport in Denpasar. Source: AFP

"He slept for three hours. He woke up when the stewardess offered food. Once he woke up, he went to the toilet. When he went out from toilet, he felt that someone was following him. He then sat down again in his seat. But then he went to the toilet again. As he panicked, he knocked on the cockpit door, " Comm Wiyanto said.

"Matt said to police that before he got on to the plane from Brisbane, he consumed two Voltaren, four panadols and two bottles of Coca Cola," the officer said.

"He didn't have a desire to knock on the cockpit. He wanted to knock on toilet door. But, because he was hallucinating, he knocked on the cockpit door.

He said that Lockley told them he was stressed about the situation with his wife.

Mixing with locals ... Matt Christopher Lockley, who was held in an Indonesian police cell after a Virgin pilot set off a hijack alarm on the flight Matt was on to Bali. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

Comm. Wiyanto said that tests last night showed Lockley to be unstable and he was given a chance to rest in Trijata hospital to improve his condition before facing further questioning.

The pilot and crew were expected to be questioned by police late yesterday in a big to shed further light on what happened on the plane.

If charged, Lockley could face aviation laws of endangering flight safety which carries a two year jail sentence.

Lockley was yesterday being guarded in hospital by six police personnel. He was accompanied by Australian officials believed to be from the Australian consulate.

Police said Lockley had still been unable to contact his wife.

The plumber's Queensland based family said they were concerned about his welfare.

unwell and in need of help ... Matt Christopher Lockley when he was arrested by Indonesian police officers after landing. Picture: Sonny Tumbelaka Source: AFP

They said they made contact with Australian consular officials in Indonesia to find out what is likely to happen from here.

Family and friends have rallied around Mr Lockley's mother Madeline at her Tweed Heads home but the family was too upset to talk to media.

A regular visitor to Bali ... Matt Christopher Lockley, who was held in an Indonesian police cell after a Virgin pilot set off a hijack alarm on the flight Matt was on to Bali. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

A source close to the family said they were anxious as to what sort of penalty Mr Lockley might face under Indonesia's tough justice system.

"They still don't really know anything yet," they said.

He could face two years in jail if charged under Indonesia aviation law with endangering a flight's safety and security.

Looking for his wife .. Matt Christopher Lockley is seen at a holding room in Bali, Indonesia. Picture: Firdia Lisnawati Source: AP

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Passenger jets almost collide

Jetstar and Singapore Airlines passenger planes came within 305 metres of one another while flying over the Northern Territory. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited

TWO passenger jets nearly collided while flying over Australia on Thursday afternoon.

The Jetstar A320 and Singapore Airlines A330 aircraft had their near miss as they went over the Northern Territory.

Air-traffic control cleared the Jetstar flight from Darwin to Brisbane to climb through the Singapore's jet's altitude en route from Brisbane to Singapore.

The incident, called a "loss of separation", occurred 75km southeast of the RAAF Base Tindal, near Katherine.

A "loss of separation" is when the risk of collision is increased when planes fly within 305 metres vertically and 9.26 kilometres horizontally of each other.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) Team Manager Mark Walker said they were investigating what caused the incident.

"At this stage we don't have any further information. We're in the process of working out what happened," he said.

"We've requested the radar information and we'll be interviewing the controllers next week.

Until we do all that it's a bit hard for us to comment."

There are over 100 'loss of separation' incidents a year in Australia occurring on average once every three days.

"It can be a range of things, actions of controller, actions of flight crew, sometimes it can happen in civil airspace or in military airspace," Mr Walker said.

"Some of them obviously get closer than others; some even though they're close things are still under control."

DRUNK PASSENGER SPARKS MID-AIR EMERGENCY ON VIRGIN FLIGHT

The ATBS declined to say how close the aircraft came to each other.

A Jetstar spokesman said no passengers were injured during the incident.

"Jetstar is aware of a loss of separation incident occurring near the top of flight JQ 673's climb out of Darwin," he said.

"While following air traffic control directions our pilots became aware of the issue and immediately followed appropriate procedures to re-establish the required separation distance.

"There was no impact to passengers and the aircraft landed safely and without incident at Brisbane Airport as scheduled."

The ATSB in October last year released a publication into loss of separation incidents between 2008 and 2012.

The report said there had been an increase in LOS incidents reported to the ATSB in the two years to June 2012.

However that number represented fewer incidents than between 2005 and 2008 despite "traffic levels have generally increased during the same period."

It said there are on average six occurrences every year with an elevated risk of collision with the majority having no or minimal risk.

The report said aircraft separation has many levels of defences to avoid "errors that will inevitably be made from time to time by air traffic controllers and pilots.

"The defences ensure that even if a LOS does occur, the chance of an aircraft collision is still very remote."

The ATSB report into the incident is expected to be completed in November.

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Facts and myths of flight 370

Authorities have yet to find any signs of MH370's wreckage despite examining almost all of the search zone.

Search will go on ... Flight Lieutenant Phil Wade manning the Mission Commander station during the search for missing 370. Source: AFP

THE fate of MH370 has been shrouded in mystery, misinformation and more myth than fact in the 50 days since it disappeared.

FACT — Malaysia Airlines flight 370 departed from Kuala Lumpur airport at 12.42am on Saturday March 8, the pilot signed off to Malaysian air traffic control at 1.19am and at 1.30am it disappeared from civilian radar. Last detected by military radar at 2.15am near Penang in the Malacca Straits.

MISSING PLANE: The Flight 370 conspiracy theories you haven't heard

MYTH — Various reports have suggested that the plane flew up to 45,000 feet, down to 12,000 feet and even plunged to 5000 feet to fly like a stealth fighter jet to avoid radar detection. None of these reports have been confirmed as true.

FALSE HOPE: Debris washed up on WA beach not from Flight 370

FACT — None of the passengers on board have been confirmed to have attempted to make a mobile telephone call from the time the plane took off to its disappearance.

FLIGHT 370: Prime Minister Tony Abbott vows to keep searching

MYTH — Reports that the chief pilot made or received a phone call from a mystery woman using a SIM card purchased in a fake name in the moments before the plane took off have been denied by Malaysian authorities. So too have reports that the copilot's phone was turned on and tried to connect with a tower at some stage as the plane flew over the Malaysia peninsular after turning around.

FACT — The pilot, Capt Zaharie Ahmad Shah, had a homemade flight simulator at his home which was examined by police and aviation experts. It showed "nothing sinister".

Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah. Source: Supplied

Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah with his family. Source: YouTube

MALAYSIA AIRLINES FLIGHT: 'Thrown around like jet fight' to avoid radar — claim

FACT — The plane was carrying mangosteen fruit and lithium-ion batteries in its cargo hold. The full cargo manifest has not been released.

JETLINER LOST: Tony Abbott says a search rethink will occur

MYTH — The plane was rumoured to be carrying tonnes of gold bullion in cargo.

FACT — Investigators used technical and complex methodologies, never used before, to work out the Boeing 777-200's flight path after it disappeared from radar but continued communicating with an Inmarsat satellite.

Minisub ... Bluefin-21 being recovered from the Indian Ocean after another fruitless search. Picture: Australian Defence Source: AFP

MYTH — Investigators now believe the plane may have landed somewhere and not be in the Indian Ocean at all.

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Drunk passenger sparks flight scare

The pilot of a Virgin Australia plane flying from Brisbane to the Indonesian holiday island of Bali reports a hijacking attempt, after a passenger tries to enter the cockpit. Sarah Toms reports.

Allegedly tried to enter cockpit ... Australian Matt Lockley, 28, is escorted by Indonesian Air Force officers at Ngurah rai Airport in Bali.

AN allegedly drunk passenger on board a Brisbane to Bali flight sparked a major drama, causing Denpasar airport to close and go on high alert when it was initially reported he was a hijacker.

Matt Christopher Lockley, dressed in flip-flops, white shorts and a T-shirt, was arrested by military police and taken in for questioning after the

Virgin Australia flight landed safely at Ngurah Rai airport.

Handcuffed and being led away from plane at gunpoint ... Matt Lockley is taken from the Virgin Australia flight at Denpasar. Source: Supplied

NEAR MISS: JETSTAR, SINGAPORE AIRLINES COME WITHIN 305M

The mid-air drama began when the plane's crew pressed an emergency button which sent an automatic signal to air traffic controllers in Denpasar and Makassar.

It was about 30 minutes before the plane's scheduled landing time and the plane was 180 nautical miles from Denpasar.

Authorities in Bali believed the plane had been hijacked and rushed to put in place emergency procedures.

Attempted to enter cockpit ... Matt Lockley, 28 was arrested and is taken to police at the airport in Denpasar, Bali. Source: News Corp Australia

The 27-year-old Lockley was last night being held in custody and interrogated by police. Authorities were still contemplating whether he would be criminally charged and with what offence. They have not ruled out charging him with hijack or causing fear in the community.

Two psychiatrists were brought in to examine him. Urine and blood samples were taken for analysis of alcohol or drugs.

Co-manager at Bali airport, I Gusti Ngurah Ardita said that Lockley's condition looked "unstable".

He said that during interrogation Lockley told police that he banged on the cockpit door because he needed medication which was in his baggage. The pilot had pressed the emergency button. Medication was in Lockley's possession and authorities were still checkingwhat it was for.

As Lockley was moved from one office to another by officials he made no comment. Photographs of his arrest show him being led from the Virgin Australia plane by heavily armed military police.

He was initially taken in for questioning by the military which has jurisdiction at the airport but was later handed over to Bali police who said they would interview him along with the plane's cabin crew.

Heavily guarded ... Matt Lockley is taken into the airport after being arrested on arrival at Ngurah Rai airport. Source: AFP

Police revealed Lockley is the holder of a Queensland driver's licence and had a licence to perform high risk work and a plumbing industry council card, which were displayed during a press briefing.

Under Indonesian aviation law a person who commits an act to endanger flight safety and security faces two years in jail or one year for those who disturb a flight.

Lockley was later taken to Bali police headquarters in Denpasar where he was being further questioned.

Bali Police Chief, Inspector Benny Mokalu, said no-one had been injured in the incident.

All passengers had left the plane and gone to the hotels and holidays.

He said that after banging on the cockpit door, Lockley had been taken to the cabin crew area and was sitting there when heavily-armed police entered the plane at Ngurah Rai airport.

Insp Mokalu said that cabin crew had told police that Lockley appeared to be "paranoid" but it wasn't clear why.

Refused to comment ... Matt Lockley is seen at a holding room in Bali, Indonesia, Friday, after allegedly trying to attempt to break into the pilots' cockpit. Source: AP

Col Sugiharto Prapto Waluyo, the commander of base operations at Ngurah Rai, said information was first received about 2pm local time when it was reported that the plane had been hijacked.

Treating the information seriously, Bali police, military and airport officials immediate went into hijack mode. The airport was closed and personnel were deployed to handle a hijack drama.

"We received information about a hijacking at 2pm local time from the airport general manager and air traffic control Makassar. We then conduct the procedure, as the initial information is a hijack.

"We didn't know if there was something dangerous in the plane or not. Is there a bomb or what. When the plane landed we steered the plane to park in two seven runway because we can't communicate with the pilot," Col Waluyo said.

In dramatic scenes, police had positioned a vehicle in front of the plane after it stopped and armed officers raced to the scene.

"We implemented the hijack arrest procedure as we didn't know if it's a hijacker or not. Our team then caught him, handcuffed him and brought him from the plane.

Escorted into questioning ... Matt Lockley is handcuffed and pushed by Indonesian Air Force soldiers into Ngurah Rai airport in Denpasar. Source: AFP

The Virgin Australia flight 41 from Brisbane to Bali had 139 passengers on board including 137 adults, two children and six crew members

As the drama unfolded, air traffic control in Bali diverted seven incoming flights to Surabaya, in East Java, one to Lombok and five flights were delayed and stopped from taking off.

Initial reports from Indonesian military and media that suggested the plane had been hijacked was quickly dismissed when it became apparent the would-be cockpit impostor was reportedly a drunken or drug-affected Australian passenger.

Lockley was alleged to have been banging on the cockpit door of the plane, causing the pilots to become worried about a hijack. This was later dismissed.

Virgin's Bali manager Heru Sudjatmiko said it was a "miscommunication".

"I repeat, this is just a miscommunication. How the miscommunication occurred, I cannot answer because I wasn't there. But it's not true to say that the plane was hijacked," Mr Sudjatmiko told Idonesia's Metro TV station.

"I don't know exactly what happened when the pilot communicated with the air traffic controller at Ngurah Rai," he said.

The Denpasar City Police chief Adj. Commissioner DjokoHariutomo told Kompas media that a drunk passenger tried to enter the cockpit of the Boeing B737-300 plane.

"We deployed a lot of personnel because we are informed that an aircraft was hijacked," Djoko said.

Arrested and handcuffed and taken from commercial flight ... Police hold licenses of Matt Lockley who allegedly attempted to enter the cockpit of a Virgin Australia flight.; Source: Supplied

Palani Mohan, a passenger on a Garuda flight that was about to take off from Bali, said they were told an alleged hijacking had taken place at first, which would delay their flight.

"I saw at least five vehicles including military-style trucks, filled with men in uniform, rushing towards the plane.

"Then the Virgin plane taxied away, followed by the convoy of security forces. The flight attendant said it's been taken off to a different part of the airport.

"Bali airport seems to be in lockdown, we've been told no planes will be departing or arriving. The pilot's not allowing anyone off our plane."

A Virgin Australia spokesman said one other flight was affected en route from Sydney to Denpasar, and was diverted to Darwin Airport.

It was a decision made by the Indonesian authorities to shut Denpasar Airport, leaving multiple flights in the lurch.

"It depends on crew hours, but it is most likely that the plane will be refuelled tonight and then continue on to its destination," the spokesman said.

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Brothers’ decades of sex abuse

A secret report handed to Christian Brothers bosses in Rome revealed a 'sex underworld' in some Australian orphanages. Picture: Supplied Source: Supplied

A SECRET report handed to Christian Brothers bosses in Rome ­revealed a "sex underworld" in some of the order's Australian ­orphanages, with some monks raping up to 50 boys each.

The report, prepared in the early 1990s by the order's official historian, contained damning evidence the order's hierarchy in Australia knew decades earlier about the widespread abuse, but hid it.

"As long as outsiders do not ­become aware, we may hope for better times after the war," the principal of the Christian Brothers in Western Australia, Brother PA Conlon, wrote in 1941, according to the report.

In 1935, Brother Conlon had written to another brother about the possibility of "scandals".

Despite knowing of the abuse, the order negotiated with Catholic rescue societies in the UK and Malta for thousands of child ­migrants to be shipped to Australia. Picture: Supplied Source: News Limited

The report, which has never been made public in full, has been ­obtained by the child sex abuse royal commission. The commission is sitting in Perth next week to investigate the handling of abuse by the Christian Brothers at its four notorious ­orphanages in Western Australia.

Despite knowing of the abuse, which stretched back at least to 1920, the order negotiated with Catholic rescue societies in the UK and Malta for thousands of child ­migrants to be shipped to Australia.

Among the homes were Castledare, St Vincent's, St Mary's Agricultural School and Bindoon Farm School, all which will be investigated by the royal commission.

The existence of the report, written by Brother Barry Coldrey in 1993 and sent to the Superior-General of the Christian Brothers in Rome, surfaced in a NSW Supreme Court case the following year, brought against the order by more than 200 migrants. The case was settled and the report was suppressed by the court.

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SW on high alert for MH370 clues

Debris washed up on a beach in WA is being examined to determine if it's from missing flight 370.

THE debris found on an Augusta beach might not have been from MH370, but locals are now on high alert for wreckage from the missing plane.

The South-West town had the eyes of the world on it for a few short hours last night and this morning after a person found a piece of alloy metal on a lonely East Augusta beach.

Local farmer Preston Boley was this morning firing up his two-seater light aircraft to scour the coast for any sign of wreckage.

■ MH370 search: Debris found on WA beach not from missing plane

Augusta farmer Preston Boley, who wants to help in the search for MH370 debris. Picture: Trevor Paddenburg

"The bit they found might not have been from MH370 but who's to say there's not other stuff floating around out there that could be from the plane," the veteran farmer and pilot of 40 years said.

East Augusta local Steve Fisher said the beaches in the area were popular with campers, quad bikers and fishermen.

"We had a lot of people camping for the Easter break so I'm guessing someone was down there and stumbled on this piece of debris," he said.

Farmer and pilot Preston Boley takes off from Augusta to scour the coast for any plane wreckage. Picture: Trevor Paddenburg

"It's pretty remote and a few years ago no one knew about the tracks, but these days lots of people are down there."

Lucerne farmer Jasper Grugeom's property has 2.7km of beachfront in the area and he too believed campers or holiday-makers had found the debris at a fishing spot known as Blue Gums.

While authorities have ruled out any connection with MH370, locals are now on high alert and vowed to keep scouring the coast for any signs of wreckage or debris.

Augusta Sea Rescue commander Paul Higginson said his team would remain vigilant on the water during normal duties.

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Litchfield teen killers sent behind bars

Tauri Litchfield, 28, who died after he was allegedly chased by a group of teenagers in Mandurah on St Patrick's Day, 2013. Source: Supplied

THREE teenagers convicted of Mandurah sailmaker Tauri Litchfield's death were sentenced to four-and-a-half years detention today – while the "pack's" ringleader was slapped with an extra year behind bars.

The sentences came after Mr Litchfield's "broken" mother confronted the teenagers in court this morning, urging them to rehabilitate and make a better future for themselves.

The court was also told of two of teenagers' violent pasts, with one boy previously involved in an attempted group sex attack.

Children's Court president Denis Reynolds sentenced the four boys, aged 15 and 16, this afternoon, after he last month convicted them of manslaughter, but cleared them of murder.

They were found to have assaulted and chased the 28-year-old to his death on St Patrick's Day last year in Mandurah. Mr Litchfield fell or tripped over a wall and hit his head while trying to escape the teens.

With time already served, the instigator, sentenced to five-and-a-half years, could be free in less than two years. The three other boys could be released after serving another 14 months.

In sentencing today, Judge Reynolds said the boy who tried to pickpocket and then punched Mr Litchfield – after he slapped the youth on the back of the head – wanted to show the older man that he was the boss.

"You likely felt demeaned (by the slap) in the presence of the group," Judge Reynolds said.

Despite suggestions during the trial that Mr Litchfield had been agitated after celebrating St Patrick's Day with friends, Judge Reynolds found he did not engage in any unprovoked violence. "Different boys were being a real nuisance to him in one way or another," Judge Reynolds said.

He said Mr Litchfield's personal space was closed off by the boys, which would have made him feel intimidated.

Judge Reynolds said Mr Litchfield was "extremely fearful" for his own safety from the "pack" of youths and was trying to escape to avoid being further assaulted.

Tauri's girlfriend Lisa Emes, sister Kirra Litchfield and dad Clive Litchfield.

He said deterrence was an important consideration to prevent similar violence in the community.

"People should be able to walk in public alone," he said.

The judge also noted that Mr Litchfield's family and friends were enduring "everlasting pain".

"Sadly, his death is real," Judge Reynolds said.

Judge Reynolds questioned the level of remorse from each teenager.

The court heard that two of the boys did not have criminal records, but two others had violent records including one who was involved in an attempted group sex attack and another who threw a brick at a person's face.

Each boy has already been in custody for about a year – part of which was at the adult facility, Hakea Prison, because the Banksia Hill juvenile detention centre had been trashed in a riot.

They will be eligible for supervised release orders after serving half of their sentences.

A fifth boy was acquitted of any crime against Mr Litchfield, while a charge against a sixth boy was dropped during the trial.

TAURI'S MOTHER SPEAKS TO TEEN KILLERS

Earlier today, Mr Litchfield's mother told the boys to make a better future for themselves, while she would "take this pain to my grave".

Kerry Biggs read her victim impact statement to the Perth Children's Court this morning during submissions ahead of the boys' sentencing for manslaughter.

She said her son was about to take on a managerial role at work, was going to travel, and wanted to buy a house and have children before his tragic death.

She said she was "broken" by the loss of her son who would never achieve those goals.

"I will take this pain to my grave," she said.

"I am unable, and find it very hard, to think of the future."

Ms Biggs said she struggled to cope with everyday life without counselling and antidepressants.

"Tauri will never be gone because he will be remembered in our family," she said.

"I will carry his heart in my heart forever."

Ms Biggs told the guilty teenagers that while her family would deal with their grief for the rest of their lives, the boys could still change their lives.

"You have an opportunity to choose how to use the rest of your lives, to make a better future for your family, your community and your children," she said.

Ms Biggs said there were no words to describe the agony and anguish she felt.

"When you have your own children, then you will understand what you took from us," she said.

In sentencing later, Judge Reynolds said he hoped the boys would take note of her comments in their rehabilitation.

Mr Litchfield's girlfriend, Lisa Emes, said in a victim impact statement that her partner was a friendly person who loved adventure and exploring.

"With Tauri by my side, I had everything," she said.

Ms Emes said it was "incomprehensible" to lose Mr Litchfield and said she screamed for him to wake up in the hospital so she could see his blue eyes again.

The four teens, who were cleared of Mr Litchfield's murder after a lengthy Children's Court trial in February and March, were found to have chased then assaulted the 28-year-old to his death, on March 17 last year.

A fifth teenager, who is now 15, was cleared of all charges and released after 12 months in custody.

When Judge Reynolds handed down his verdict on March 28, he said he considered each of the accused's role on the day and while he thought the actions in relation to four was "threatening" and "intimidating behaviour" he did not think it constituted murder.

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Big crowds to honour Anzac centenary

Big crowds are tipped at the Anzac Day dawn service at Kings Park

Records crowds are expected at the Kings Park State War Memorial for the Anzac Centenary dawn service. Source: News Limited

FINE weather and a mild morning are set to boost record crowds expected at tomorrow's Anzac Day dawn service at Kings Park in Perth.

The commemorative service in the WA capital is the biggest of its kind in the world and its popularity has become a juggernaut, according to organisers the Returned and Services Leagues Club.

Police are predicting a similar or higher turnout to Anzac Day last year when a record 50,000 families and young people joined war veterans and their relatives for the pre-dawn pilgrimage at Kings Park, up from a crowd of 38,000 in 2012.

■ How do you celebrate Anzac Day? Share your pictures with us: readerpics@perthnow.com.au #myAnzacDay

Giant screens have been erected along Fraser Avenue so crowds can see the wreaths being laid.

The service is now so popular the RSL scheduled extra wreath-laying sunset services every evening this week in Kings Park.

The weather bureau said tomorrow should be partly cloudy with a mild low of 16C.

The day of remembrance, gratitude and national pride starts with archival footage played on large screens from 4.30am.

Lights will be turned off at 5.50am and at 6am the dawn service will begin at the State War Memorial.

■ FULL COVERAGE: Anzac Centenary

A Royal Australia Air Force flyover is scheduled for 6.20am before Captain Angela Bond, the commanding officer of HMAS Stirling, delivers the dawn service address.

The early-morning commemoration will be followed by the Anzac Day Parade from 9.30am through Perth City from St Georges Terrace to Barrack Street, Riverside Drive and into the Supreme Court Gardens for the a memorial service.

Fraser Avenue and Wadjuk Way will be closed until 9am tomorrow and vehicle access to Kings Park is available via Saw Avenue or Poole Avenue, but patrons are urged to use public transport if possible.

The Kings Park Kiosk and Botanical Cafe will open at 4am tomorrow.

Those who can't make it to Kings Park can watch the dawn service live on Channel Nine for the first time.

Meanwhile, dawn services will be held in Fremantle and across Perth as well as in most country towns around the state, including Albany where a ceremony will be held atop Mount Clarence.

This year marks the 99th anniversary of the landing on Gallipoli in Turkey.

The service will conclude when the Ode is read and the Last Post played while the sun rises.

Younger post-Vietnam military veterans will be brought toward the front of this year's parade, said RSL state president Graham Edwards.

Mr Edwards attributed the growing popularity to the emphasis placed on Anzac Day by schools and the fact that next year marks 100 years since the Gallipoli campaign.

"Our students now spend more time studying Anzac and its history and its heritage," he said.

Curtin University expert Graham Seal said WA suffered disproportionately high losses in World War I and at Gallipoli, meaning it was close to the hearts of many West Australians.

From November this year, the Anzac Centenary will begin, marking 100 years since WWI.

Commemorations across the country begin in Albany, where the first convoy of the Australian Imperial Force departed bound for the Great War in November 1914.

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Six brothers in arms lost to war

Story remained secret for almost 100 years ... Chris Fox with photos of his relatives who served in the Great War. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe Source: News Corp Australia

Keith Harris, a 15-year-old crew member of the S.S. Matunga in 1917, describes in this diary entry how the ship was captured by the German Raider, 'Wolf'.

ALMOST a century ago the seven sons of a humble Australian rural couple called Frederick and Maggie Smith marched off to the Great War.

Just one came home and he died under a tram in 1923.

ANZAC CENTENARY: Special Section

ROYAL VISIT: Princes William and Harry to attend Gallipoli centenary

The tragic true story of the six Smith brothers killed in action during the 'war to end all wars' makes the fictional Hollywood movie Saving Private Ryan look like a picnic. It is also unique in the annals of Australian military history.

The Smith Brothers ... Left their home in South Australia and never came back. Digitally altered image Source: Supplied

The Smith boys, including the two youngest — Errol and Aubrey — who used false names to avoid parental consent for under 21s, went to war from the tiny South Australian hamlet of Yongala.

The six killed in action were Herbert William, Frederick Walter, Alfred Ernest, Clarence Leslie (Military Medal), Errol Victor and Aubrey Lyall. The lone survivor who died in 1923 was the oldest brother Francis Hume Smith.

PATRICK CARLYON: A soldier's legacy lives on through his diaries

PLAYING TWO UP: What your odds really are

GALLIPOLI: TV networks fight for your attention

Clarence Leslie Smith (Military Medal) with younger brother Errol standing. Source: Supplied

Alfred Ernest Smith died in Belgium in October 1917. Source: Supplied

The Great War is littered with tales of brothers lost as cannon fodder for generals who regarded mass casualties as a necessary byproduct of warfare.

In fact more than 2800 sets of Australian brothers perished between 1915 and 1918 at Gallipoli, Palestine and on the Western Front.

More than 150 families lost three sons and at least five more lost four, but no other family's sacrifice comes within cooee of that suffered by Frederick and Maggie Smith from Yongala (population 240) on the Clare to Peterborough Road.

The incredible story has remained secret for almost 100 years and has only come to light due to the efforts of the brothers' great-nephew, Adelaide businessman and convener of the 2015 Camp Gallipoli national sleep-out, Chris Fox.

When he was a lad his maternal great-grandmother Lottie, the only girl in the Smith family of eight, took him aside and handed him her most important possession. It was a one penny Australian stamp that had been attached to a letter from the front written by the youngest and her favourite of the seven brothers Aubrey Lyall "Jack" Smith.

GALLIPOLI: Pupils cannot believe what soldiers their age did 99 years ago

HENRY PARSONS' STORY: Longing for the Southern Cross

Many diggers used the back of stamps to send clandestine messages home away from the prying eyes of tough military censors.

Lottie's red stamp featured the image of the King and carried the simple inscription, "I go out to return, Jack.''

"My great-grandmother took me to the shed and told me that the stamp was the most precious thing she owned. She said to me, 'I want you to have and protect it'," Mr Fox told News Corp Australia.

"That stamp haunts the hell out of me. He knew he was not coming back."

A World War 1 penny stamp and its message on the back. Source: Supplied

"I go out to return" was written by Aubrey Lyall "Jack" Smith. Source: Supplied

The precious memento is mounted in glass and preserved for future generations of the family.

Lottie lived until she was 99 and apart from the stamp episode she never spoke of her dead brothers. It was the only time Mr Fox saw her express any emotion.

"In our family it is the unsaid," he said.

According to Mr Fox the farm belonging to Francis Hume Smith had been sold from under him while he was away at the front and he never recovered from that setback and the loss of all of his brothers.

"We don't know if his death in 1923 was accidental or deliberate," he said.

Aubrey Lyall Smith (standing) and Francis Hume Smith. Source: Supplied

Herbert William Smith (seated) and Frederick Walter Smith. Source: Supplied

Mr Fox said he hoped that Camp Gallipoli, to be run nationally with up to 200,000 participants on the night of April 24, 2015, would assist young Australians who can't be at Anzac Cove to celebrate the birth of the Anzac Spirit.

"It is amazing that such a thing could emerge from such adversity," he said.

Great War historian Professor Peter Stanley from the Australian Defence Force Academy said the story of the six Smith brothers was unique.

He said thousands of men enlisted under false names and hundreds of those simply disappeared without trace after being killed in action.

Professor Stanley said tracing the three brothers whose fate is unknown would be difficult given that 5000 people enlisted during WW1 using the surname Smith.

"This story would have to be unique or one of only a small handful of such deep family tragedies," he said.

There was no official government policy on removing surviving siblings from the fighting during World War 1 or World War 2.

The Hollywood movie Saving Private Ryan was loosely based on the 1948 US 'sole survivor' policy where surviving siblings would be excused from service after the loss of their brothers.

The price of war ... Baby Lottie Smith with brothers Herbert, Frederick and Alfred. Picture: Nick Hooper Source: Supplied

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Dad of burning car girl faces court

A MAN accused of crashing a car with his three-year-old daughter inside and leaving her as it burned has appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court.

Bevan Stanley Cameron, who allegedly crashed a car with his three-year-old daughter inside and leaving her as it burned. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

Ebony Simpson with her mother Caitlin Simpson. The little girl was rescued after being abandoned in a burning car, allegedly by her father. Picture: Facebook Source: Supplied

A MAN accused of crashing a car with his three-year-old daughter inside and leaving her as it burned has appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court.

Bevan Stanley Cameron, 25, is facing 10 charges relating to an alleged violent disturbance that started in Ellenbrook on Easter Sunday night.

He appeared this morning in Perth Magistrates Court via video link in Hakea Prison in a wheelchair.

About 10.10pm on Sunday police were called to an Ellenbrook home over reports of a domestic disturbance.

Mr Cameron is accused of being armed with a metal baseball bat, hitting the 16-year-old niece of his ex-partner with it and damaging the window of the house before taking off with his three-year-old daughter, Ebony Simpson, in a Kia Carnival that he stole from the property.

Police will allege when they next spotted the Carnival, it was being driven with its lights off along Lloyd Street in Midland and when they tried to stop it, the driver kept going.

It will be further alleged Mr Cameron then crashed the car into the Roe Highway off ramp on to Great Eastern Highway in Midvale, running off and leaving his daughter inside as the vehicle burned.

Officers from Midland Police Station managed to rescue Ebony, using fire extinguishers to allow them to get her, with the fire flaring again during the rescue.

The girl was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital by ambulance with serious injuries – including a tear to her bladder.

She had to have emergency surgery to stop internal bleeding and is in a spine splint as a precautionary measure. She remains in hospital in a stable condition.

This morning Cameron applied for a one-week adjournment to find a lawyer. He did not apply for bail.

He will next appear on April 30.

Twitter: @KaitlynPST

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Buddy Franklin involved in Rose Bay car crash

AFL star Lance 'Buddy' Franklin has crashed into four parked cars in Sydney's east.

SYDNEY Swans' $10 million recruit Lance "Buddy" Franklin has been caught in a new bingle.

The club's star recruit was last night interviewed by police after a car crash in Sydney's east.

A policeman at the scene of the incident / Picture: Tim Hunter Source: News Limited

Franklin, 27, was understood to have been driving west along New South Head Rd, Rose Bay, near Cranbrook Rd, when he lost control of his vehicle and slammed into four parked cars at about 7.05pm. The car he was driving, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, is believed to belong to his girlfriend, television presenter and model Jesinta Campbell.

The scene of the car crash last night. Source: News Corp Australia

Photos of the crash quickly appeared on Twitter, with Rose Bay resident Craig McDonald tweeting: "Buddy Franklin has just totalled three parked cars on New South Head road outside my place."

One of the cars being taken away last night. Source: News Corp Australia

Mr McDonald told The Daily Telegraph he heard a loud bang and called the police. "Someone said they overheard him say there was a car close behind him, possibly tailing him," he said.

The car believed to be Jesinta Campbell's / Picture: Simon Palan/Twitter Source: Twitter

Jesinta Campbell and Buddy Franklin / Picture: Instagram Source: Supplied

Pictures show the 4WD smashed head-on into the vehicles, causing serious damage to the hood and deflating the airbags. Police attended the scene and were seen taking a statement from Franklin about the crash.

One of the cars involved in the crash. Source: News Corp Australia

A spokesman from Rose Bay police station said Franklin returned a negative blood alcohol test. Police said no one was injured in the crash and the driver was believed to be travelling alone at the time.

Three cars involved in the crash / Picture: Craig McDonald/Twitter Source: Supplied

Police at the scene last night. Source: News Corp Australia

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Council agrees on begging ban bid

A beggar pleads for help in Perth city. Source: News Corp Australia

PERTH councillors have described the "intimidating" behaviour of some beggars as they agreed to ask the State Government to outlaw begging in WA.

Police Minister Liza Harvey today said she'd yet to receive formal notification from the City of Perth, but added: "On the surface this appears to be a matter for local government."

Councillor Judy McEvoy told Tuesday night's council meeting begging "was not something new" but had "changed dramatically" in the last few months.

She said CBD and Northbridge ratepayers had complained that the behaviour of beggars was "off-putting" and "intimidating".

Cr McEvoy told how one beggar threatened to "break the legs" of a shop manager who asked him to move-on.

Councillor James Limnios said he had been criticised by "keyboard warriors" for speaking out about the rise in begging.

He said critics misunderstood his position and explained that it was "society's duty" to support those with a "genuine need".

Cr Limnios described how he was contacted by a shopkeeper who said a beggar had threatened to "rape his daughter" after asking him to move-on.

"When you put in 50c instead of a gold coin and you get told off, that is what makes people scared to be in our city," he said.

Councillor Reece Harley said he found the issue "troubling" and after thinking "long and hard" could not support the proposed action.

Cr Harley said he'd been unable to find any evidence that showed making begging an offence had actually diminished the rate of begging.

Begging is not illegal in WA, New South Wales or the ACT, but is an offence in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.

Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said council rangers, who do not have powers to move-on beggars, had received a lot of aggression lately.

Ms Scaffidi said a person regularly seen begging on Hay Street lives in a Homeswest unit, while another spends takings on their gambling problem.

She went on to give another example of recently witnessing a man harass a woman aged in her 80s for 40 paces on Murray Street Mall.

"She did not deserve to be harassed when she was on her monthly trip to the city by a not very tidy looking person. That is not the kind of city we want," she said.

Ms Scaffidi said "not all begging is homelessness" and the Australian social welfare system is such that "nobody need beg".

"Technically there is no need. It's a desire to have more money, but that's a desire that's not exclusive towards beggars," Ms Scaffidi said.

She said Perth was copying a scheme introduced in the City of Melbourne last year to tackle aggressive begging.

There, begging is an offence but those who are charged and taken before the courts can enter a diversionary program run by the Salvation Army to have their fine waived.

Ms Scaffidi said the current approach to begging in WA was "ad hoc" and a coordinated strategy was needed to channel people into "better ways of life".

"(This is) a far more Christian approach than I think we have been given credit for," she said.

Council also agreed to survey beggars and call a meeting of agencies to introduce a diversion program to tackle the causes of begging.

A campaign to deter people from donating to beggars and to donate instead to charitable organisations would also be developed.

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WA bushfire warning downgraded

A BUSHFIRE near Mount Clarence in Albany, WA, where a historic war memorial is located has been downgraded to an advice warning.

A watch and act warning was issued earlier this evening for properties on Watkins Road, Thomas Street and Burt Street as firefighters battled the out-of-control blaze.

It has now been downgraded to an advice warning.

There is no threat to lives or homes but there is a lot of smoke in the area.

Residents have been told there is no immediate danger you need to be aware and keep up to date in case the situation changes.

The bushfire is moving slowly in a northerly direction.

Forty five career and volunteer Fire and Rescue Service firefighters and Bush Fire Service firefighters are on the scene.

The cause of the fire, which was reported at 3.42pm (WST), is unknown.

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Dockers to discuss Simpson’s ‘issues’

Lance Franklin made a significant contribution as the Swans scored a 17-point win over Fremantle at the SCG.

Fremantle's Luke McPharlin against Sydney Swans' Lance Franklin at the weekend. McPharlin is adamant that the Dockers don't have a culture issue. Source: News Corp Australia

Josh Simpson, in action against Essendon, missed a Fremantle training session this morning. Source: Getty Images

FREMANTLE defender Luke McPharlin is adamant the AFL club doesn't have a culture issue, but admits a minority of the player group needs to clean up their act.

Josh Simpson's immediate playing future hangs in the air after the midfielder's refusal to make the trip to Sydney as the club's travelling emergency last week.

Simpson, the No. 17 pick from the 2012 national draft, missed training again this morning.

He is dealing with some sensitive family issues in his remote hometown of Yalgoo, and the Dockers are unlikely to end his AFL dream just yet.

However, given his workrate has come under the spotlight in the past, he is sure to earn some form of punishment from the leadership group.

Late today, Fremantle's general manager of football operations Chris Bond said: "The club has advised Josh Simpson and his management that we will be having ongoing discussions throughout the week with regards to the issues at hand.

"Until those discussions have been finalised, Josh will be on leave from the club."

Forward Hayden Ballantyne is also in the bad books of coach Ross Lyon after being suspended for the fourth time in two years.

■ HAVE YOUR SAY: Does Hayden Ballantyne's talent justify his discipline record?

Ballantyne will miss Friday night's Len Hall game against North Melbourne at Patersons Stadium after pleading guilty to kneeing and striking Sydney's Rhyce Shaw in Saturday's 17-point loss at the SCG.

His ban came just a week after high-profile recruit Colin Sylvia copped a two-week suspension for an off-the-ball hit in the WAFL.

McPharlin said the string of recent discipline issues shouldn't reflect the culture of the wider player group.

"We believe our culture is very strong, and has been for a number of years now," McPharlin said.

"We've had a couple of incidents early in the season that we wish didn't happen. But this is part and parcel of trying to organise and manage 40 players from different walks of lives.

"For the great majority of our playing group, it's a very strong brand and culture. Unfortunately some players fall by the wayside, but we deal with them internally."

McPharlin urged Simpson to revive his career by following in the footsteps of teammate Michael Walters.

Walters was banished to the WAFL in 2012 for substandard fitness standards.

But the goalsneak worked hard to win back the trust of his teammates, and is considered as one of the best small forwards in the competition.

"No one really thought he'd come back and play, but he certainly turned it around," McPharlin said.

"I don't think you can every write anyone off, but the incident on the weekend (involving Simpson) was pretty serious and we'll have to look at it."

Ballantyne's suspension, combined with the season-ending loss of Walters (ankle), has robbed the Dockers of their two premier small forwards.

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Aussie retail’s dirty, big secret

Retailers routinely slug Australian shoppers with a higher price. Source: ThinkStock

IT'S being dubbed the 'Australia tax', the dubious honour of being slugged a premium price on everyday goods simply for living under the Southern Cross.

Australians have a love affair with online shopping. We love the convenience of clicking away rather than battling crowded car parks and apathetic shop assistants, parting with $15 billion online in the year to February, according to NAB.

And while local brands have cried foul over a perceived imbalance in GST collection against overseas sites, Australians are still spending most of their money at local e-commerce outlets, a dominant 74 per cent in fact.

So it's natural for major international retailers to eye our sunny shores and look to grab some of that discretionary cash that consumers in a stable economy have to spend. But some of them are taking a little too much advantage.

It's something most of us have probably encountered already — watching the price fluctuate wildly between the Australian price and the (mostly) American price.

For example, this morning on the Australian version of the J. Crew website, a major US retailer who started shipping to Australia in 2012, a "silk chiffon sweet meadow dress" was listed at $AU323.90. Switch over to the American site and the same dress is listed at $228. Accounting for the exchange rate, it's a $AU79 difference, or a 32 per cent mark-up. Ouch. And that's just one example.

Expect to pay more on the Australian site. Source: Supplied

Spot the difference? Same dress, but much cheaper. Source: Supplied

But why, you might ask? J. Crew has no Australian operations so no higher local wages to pay and shipping costs are a separate charge. Whole threads on forums including Whirlpool and Vogue have seen incensed shoppers gather to fume over the price difference.

A couple of posters included purported replies they received from J. Crew which said it takes into account the cost of doing business internationally and, "our prices are reflective of the value we deliver in the context of each local market." In other words, J. Crew will charge Australians what it thinks local consumers will bear because we're already used to high prices from local brands.

Our friends over the ditch in New Zealand have had similar experiences, notably with All Blacks gear during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Choice head of media Tom Godfrey said in a statement: "Whether it's IT products, cosmetics or clothes, it's never been easier for Aussie consumers to compare prices between Australia and overseas stores and it's not pretty viewing.

"It seems the 'Australia tax' is the new black in the rag trade, with major international manufacturers and distributors working to block Australians from getting a better deal."

Choice also compared a number of products from major multinational brands such as Uniqlo, The North Face and Coach, and found a significant price difference between what Australians pay versus what Americans pay.

J. Crew doesn't have a physical presence in Australia, so why the huge mark-up? Source: AP

"We're comparing online stores with online stores so there should be no reason Australians are being forced to pay more," Mr Godfrey said. "This has nothing to do with higher costs of doing business in Australia and everything to do with slugging us with the 'Australia tax'.

"Our advice is that if you're being blocked by an international retailer from getting the best deal, don't get angry, get savvy. Consumers using a virtual private network and a third-party delivery service that is happy to estimate shipping costs can navigate around the geo-blocks."

Getting around geo-blocking can make all the difference. Many local companies provide a VPN service for a very small fee (starting at $2 a month) which tricks international sites into thinking your IP address is based elsewhere. Using VPNs to skirt geo-blocking is controversial in some circles but while he was in office, former federal attorney-general Robert McClelland said it wasn't illegal.

There's a smarter way to shop online. Source: ThinkStock

While some sites will require an American credit card, some consumers have experienced a go-around by using their Australian credit card but pairing it with either an American billing address or a US postcode. Some people have also had success in signing up for a US PayPal account. Some third-party delivery services (which forward on your purchases through a US street address) also offer a personal shopping service in which they will make the purchase on your behalf.

Of course, the whole issue becomes even more complicated when you consider Australians are clamouring for more international retailers to open up here, lured by the variety and cachet. Each retail launch, including H&M, Zara and Topshop, has been met with enormous fanfare.

But it's also led to complaints from savvy shoppers who've commented the range on offer locally doesn't meet the same standards they've seen overseas or the prices here are just that much more. The price issue on international retailers with a local physical presence can be complicated by higher Australian wages.

Pottery Barn opened its first Australian store in Bondi Junction by then-premier Barry O'Farrell. Source: News Limited

But there is also another downside to when international retailers open shop here as services previously accessible to Aussie shoppers get blocked.

When US giant Williams-Sonoma set up its Pottery Barn and West Elm outlets in Sydney and Melbourne, it also established Australian websites. As a result, customers who have previously been able to purchase from the US Pottery Barn and West Elm websites found themselves blocked with those sites no longer accepting Australian shipping addresses.

The problem there is the American sites have a far greater range of products and the local stores won't assist you in importing or purchasing products on the American sites that aren't available through its Australian operations. Why would they when they have their own budgets to hit?

Of course, the upside is you can now buy the retailers' furniture, which it didn't ship internationally.

It's a similar story with Amazon. If Amazon established an Australian version of their site, it might block the UK and US versions to Australian customers.

The lesson here? While Australian shoppers often get a raw deal, a little ingenuity will open a whole new world of possibilities for the savvy consumer.

J. Crew has been contacted for comment.

Have you come across a blatant price difference for the same product? What do retailers do that gets your goat? Sound off below in the comments or on Twitter @newscomauhq or @wenleima

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Williams ‘deeply sorry’ after avoiding jail

COLLINGWOOD footballer Marley Williams has apologised to all those hurt by my actions after avoiding jail for an assault outside a WA nightclub

COLLINGWOOD footballer Marley Williams has apologised to 'all those hurt by my actions' after avoiding jail for assault.

This morning, Williams narrowly avoided immediate jail time for breaking the jaw of 29-year-old Matthew Robertson during a fight outside the Studio 146 nightclub in his hometown of Albany on Boxing Day 2012.

The 20-year-old was found guilty of one count of grievous bodily harm after a four-day trial in February.

Williams pleaded not guilty to the charge, saying the punch outside the Studio 146 nightclub was in self defence after he had been set upon earlier in the venue's toilets.

He will now return to Melbourne to play for the club's VFL team "as soon as he is physically and emotionally ready", according to club officials.

Collingwood has released a statement on the footballer's behalf, with Williams stating his acceptance that he had made a mistake.

"I would like to apologise to all of those hurt, one way or another, by my actions," he said.

Collingwood defender Marley Williams has been handed a 12 month suspended sentence for breaking a man's jaw outside a WA nightclub, but avoided immediate jail time.

"I'm deeply sorry for the pain I've caused a lot of people. The last 16 months have not been easy for anyone involved.

"I want to thank my family, friends and football club for their support throughout an extremely trying time. I look forward to quietly getting on with my life with a new understanding of the harm one bad decision can cause.

"I have certainly learned that, regardless of the circumstances, you have to be strong enough to walk away. To be the better man.

"I'm relieved and grateful for the opportunity to return to football, a game I value and respect in a new way after what I have put myself and others through."

In sentencing, District Court Judge Julie Wager said while Williams' punch was not in self defence, it was not premeditated.

She sentenced him to a 12-month prison term, suspended for 12 months.

Collingwood footballer Marley Williams leaves the Perth District Court after being given a 12-month suspended sentence for a one-punch attack. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper

Outside court, Collingwood chief executive Gary Pert said Williams would return to Melbourne and continue training as soon as he is physically and emotionally ready.

"He'll be playing with our VFL team and then will be available to play in the AFL," he said.

Pert said Williams would not be commenting on the sentencing.

"You can imagine it's been a very stressful, emotional time," Pert said.

"He's very relieved, at the same time he's very sorry for what he's created, not only to the victim and the impact that that's had, but to his family and friends, especially to his mother."

Pert said Williams feels he had let down his family, friends, teammates and club.

Collingwood CEO Gary Pert speaks to the media outside the Perth District Court after footballer Marley Williams avoided jail over a one-punch attack. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper

"This is something that's been out of character for him and he wants the opportunity now to go on with life and be a better person," he said.

ASSAULT 'NOT SELF DEFENCE': JUDGE

Earlier, during the sentencing hearing, Judge Wager said she accepted Williams was a victim of an "unprovoked verbal abuse and low level physical violence" in the nightclub toilets, but he chose to leave the nightclub when his attackers were evicted.

"You weren't asked to leave the nightclub. You chose to leave because you were angry over what happened," she said.

"You didn't have to walk up to them, though when you saw them, you chose to.

Marley Williams looks on during a Collingwood training session last week. Picture: Getty

"What occurred was not in self-defence."

"You should never have punched him in the way that you did."

Judge Wager said while the injuries were at the lower end of the scale, a grievous bodily harm charge warranted jail.

She said it was "unfortunate" Williams chose to defend his actions by trial because of the remorse he showed immediately after the punch.

She noted the case was however "very different" to the grievous bodily harm case involving West Coast Eagle Murray Newman, who was sentenced to a one-year jail term.

As the sentence was handed down, Williams' many supporters in court gasped with relief.

Collingwood director of football Rodney Eade (front left) leads Marley Williams into the Perth District Court for his sentencing. Picture: Justin Benson-Cooper

SENTENCING SUBMISSIONS

Williams' lawyer Tom Percy QC would not comment outside of court, but had told the court his client was the victim of an unprovoked attack in Studio 146's toilets, possibly because of his AFL profile.

"He was bewildered, upset and wanted to see what was going on downstairs with these men who attacked him, it appeared for no reason," Mr Percy said.

He said it was not a premeditated attack, based on the fact "it was a blow delivered with a non-preferred hand"

Mr Percy said the publicity surrounding the case had a "significant effect" on Williams and should be treated as a mitigating factor.

Marley Williams at Collingwood training. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

He submitted jail would be inappropriate and a suspended sentence should be given.

Prosecutor Tony Loudon said Williams acted in revenge and the notoriety he has received should not be a mitigating factor.

"This is simply a case where a footballer has brought his club into disrepute," Mr Loudon said.

He said submitted it was acceptable for Williams to be sentenced as a case of general deterrence for alcohol fuelled violence and called for an immediate term of imprisonment.

"Mr Williams swung that punch and swung it quite deliberately," Mr Loudon said.

"He swung at a man who had his arms folded."

CHARACTER WITNESSES

Collingwood director of football Rodney Eade gave a character reference for Williams this morning, telling the Perth court the 20-year-old's violent behaviour in December 2012 was "completely out of character".

Eade told the court Williams is highly regarded by the team's leadership group.

"He's a very quite lad and just gets his work done," he said.

"He's certainly regarded as a future leader of the club."

Eade said he felt Williams' behaviour in Albany in 2012 was "completely out of character" and he has continued to do volunteer work with the Salvation Army in Melbourne after his mandatory 10-week program.

Williams pleaded not guilty to the charge, saying he hit his victim in self defence after he was bailed up by a group of men in the club's toilets.

Melbourne Salvation Army Commander Brendan Nottle was another character reference and said Williams had continued to volunteer over the last year in the homeless program.

He said during his time working with the Salvation Army Williams had been in confronting situations, but never reacted with violence.

"He's been in circumstances where he could have reacted in a violent way and he chose not to," he said.

Mr Nottle attributed Williams' behaviour in 2012 to a "different Marley" and one who reacted in "basically self defence."

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274 fined for not wearing seatbelts

Hundreds of WA drivers were caught driving without seatbelts over Easter, and 64 cars were impounded during the Easter break

MORE than 270 WA drivers have been caught behind the wheel without seatbelts over Easter while over 2400 motorists were pinned for speeding.

Another 148 drivers were caught talking or texting on their mobile phones.

Senior police officers labelled the figures "disturbing" in what has been a tragic Easter on WA roads with five fatalities in total.

Three of the five people who died were young men aged just 17, 19 and 20.

Police figures released today show that since Wednesday night:

● 148 mobile phone offences were issued to drivers

● 274 drivers were fined for not wearing seatbelts

WA Police issued 2481 speeding infringements over the Easter holiday. Picture: File Image.

● 94 motorists were charged with drink driving, another 19 were done for drug driving

● 2481 speeding infringements were issued; and

● 64 cars were impounded.

Commander Alf Fordham described the amount of people driving and using mobile phones at the same time over Easter as unbelievable.

"It's unbelievable with the amount of attention this issue has received over the last couple of weeks that we were able to apprehended 148 people using mobile phones," he said.

"278 people not wearing seatbelts, in this day and age there is no excuse for not wearing your seatbelt. 'I was just going to the shops', 'I was just going around the corner' is not an excuse for not wearing your seatbelt. It's just not good enough.

The scene of a fatal crash in Margaret River on Sunday night.

"It's something the community has to get behind … it's not acceptable not to wear your seatbelt, it's not acceptable to speed and use a mobile phone while you are driving."

Commander Fordham said police will be out in force once more targeting drivers over the ANZAC Day holiday this weekend.

Double demerit points be in place again from 12:01am on Thursday through to 11:59pm on Sunday.

ROAD TOLL: Five killed on WA's roads over Easter

REVEALED: WA's 25 most deadly and dangerous roads

The wreckage of a Toyota involved the fatal crash near Margaret River on Sunday night.

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Badly hurt child left in burning car wreck

A three-year-old girl has been injured after being left in a burning car allegedly stolen by her father.

The Roe Hwy on-ramp off Great Eastern Hwy in Midland, where the burning car was found. A man has been charged over the incident. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: News Corp Australia

The Roe Hwy on-ramp off Great Eastern Hwy in Midland, where the burning car was found. A man has been charged over the incident. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: News Corp Australia

The Roe Hwy on-ramp off Great Eastern Hwy in Midland, where the burning car was found. A man has been charged over the incident. Picture: Marie Nirme Source: News Corp Australia

A FATHER allegedly abandoned his toddler in a burning stolen car after a domestic dispute in Perth's eastern suburbs overnight.

Police attended a disturbance at an Ellenbrook house at about 10.10pm last night, where a man was damaging the house and a 16-year-old girl had been seriously assaulted.

The Ellenbrook home belonged to the man's former mother-in-law, where his ex-partner and their daughter were also staying.

It will be alleged the man was invited over for the night, but started to drink and become agitated.

East Metropolitan District Office Acting Superintendent Steve Byrne said it appeared the family, including five children, ran outside to escape the man but he chased after them.

It will be alleged he then started to bash his ex-partner's 16-year-old niece with a baseball bat on the front lawn, inflicting injuries on her arms and wrists, while his former partner ran back inside.

Police say he then bashed down the front door with the bat and when he could not find his ex-partner, he grabbed the three-year-old girl and drove off in a Kia Carnival.

At about 11pm, the car was spotted being driven along Lloyd Street in Midland without headlights on.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver failed to stop.

Because of the child in the car, officers did not start a pursuit but did monitor the movements of the car.

It was found on fire a short time later after it had crashed into a concrete barrier on Great Eastern Highway near the Roe Highway on-ramp.

It will be alleged the man had already left the scene on foot, leaving his daughter inside the burning wreck.

Acting Supt. Byrne said he believed the child was in the front seat of the car and not in a proper child seat.

Officers from Midland Police Station managed to rescue the child, using fire extinguishers to allow them to get her, and the fire flared again during the rescue.

The girl was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital by ambulance with serious injuries — including a tear to her bladder.

She had to have emergency surgery to stop internal bleeding and is in a spine splint as a precautionary measure. She remains in a serious but stable condition.

The man was found 150m away from the crash scene hiding behind a vehicle on Beaconsfield Avenue, Midvale, where he was arrested and taken to Swan District Hospital by St John Ambulance for treatment to injuries he received in the crash.

Acting Supt. Byrne said he found the situation "abhorrent".

"The violence inflicted on the family by this gentleman is unfathomable," he said.

"To leave a child like that, to flee, for your own concern and not have any concern for your own child, I just can't imagine."

Acting Supt. Byrne said he had been told the man was upset over the recent death of a brother in a car accident.

A 25-year-old man from East Victoria Park will face several charges:

■ armed in a way that may cause fear

■ aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm

■ criminal damage

■ stealing a motor vehicle

■ no authority to drive

■ failing to stop

■ dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm

■ driving with a blood-alcohol level in excess 0.08

■ failing to give assistance after traffic incident

■ failing to give name or address

The man was refused bail and will appear in the Perth Magistrates Court today, Monday April 21. He was returned to hospital and may require a bedside hearing.

Twitter: @KaitlynPST

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Facebook’s extremely creepy new feature

Your location could permanantely be traced. Source: Supplied

FACEBOOK has introduced a new feature for its mobile users allowing them to share their location with friends. It is an "opt in" feature, meaning you don't have to sign up for it. On the surface, it seems to be a useful tool for people to use.

But the new Facebook "feature" is pretty dangerous. It is sending your location information on a continuing basis into a network run by Facebook. Among the problems: your GPS is always on if you use this app, meaning you can be followed by hackers, intruders or government agencies more or less at will. And Facebook itself, which is not a secure system, also can be targeted by the same folks.

Facebook has also revealed that it plans to share your Nearby Friends data with advertisers. It is far from clear if the opt-in feature matters in collecting and sharing this information.

Social media are sometimes lots of fun, but they also leak a lot of information about your life, your relationships, your preferences, and your comings and goings which you may not want in untrusted hands. People who use these apps seem to be oblivious to the risks. Yet, on a daily basis, we read about people being hounded and abused through social media. There are many cases of such abuse.

Facebook's latest Android app update looks like this. Source: NewsComAu

People also forget that smartphones, tablets and PCs are high-risk devices — with the smartphone leading the pack as the worst of the worst. Why? Because the smartphone has few, if any, safeguards against hackers. There are no firewalls or security barriers; antivirus and other tools tend not to work on smartphone platforms, and marketing and advertising people in cahoots with telephone carriers are using the platforms as a way to access your information and influence you to buy products, vote for candidates, or convince you to support some opinion or another.

We are at an early stage of exploiting smartphone marketing features. But, if I know where you are, what you had for dinner and at what restaurant, whether you are in your car or on foot, where you work and where you live, I have some really potent information that I can, and certainly will, exploit to the fullest. Maybe it is just a nuisance when advertisers barge into your life. But it has far greater consequences — a haven for crooks, criminals and psychos.

Recently an iPhone update turned on the Bluetooth feature in all of the latest iPhone models. Why? Because Apple is now in the business of helping store owners' flash messages to clients in the stores in proximity to a local Bluetooth transmitter. The reason: to push advertising. Say you are looking at a bicycle in a big outlet store. All of the sudden you get a "recommendation" on your smartphone: you will like a certain bike and it is safer than others. Would you pay attention? Most likely, yes, and that is what Apple and the store owners are shooting for.

But at the same time, now your Bluetooth is on all the time, just like the Wi-Fi that is on all the time if you opt in with Facebook. Not only will this suck your battery dry, provide critical information on your location and on your behaviour, but it also leaves your phone wide open to hackers.

Like? We'd rather give this feature a massive 'unlike'. Source: Supplied

Nothing on the horizon is going to stop the exploitation of personal privacy now in high gear in our country. Our courts have stepped aside and, in fact, condoned our government ripping off our phone's metadata, forget about the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. Google has announced that it not only scans all your emails, but actually, you grant it a worldwide license automatically when you send anything, especially any attachment, through their Gmail system. Now Facebook wants to make sure that you keep your GPS humming so your location can be tracked all the time.

The gradual and sometimes voluntary surrender of personal privacy is increasingly dangerous not only for personal security, but in the end, to the preservation of our rights and freedom. This latest Facebook "feature" is a step in the wrong direction.

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