Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry

NRL top-four hopefuls Canberra want to deliver more than just a sucker punch to the Warriors on Saturday.They intend to pepper them with jabs and wear down their equally-massive pack at GIO Stadium.The Raiders have named four forwards on their bench, boasting a combined weight of 410kg.With back-up hooker Kurt Baptiste out injured (ankle), coach Ricky Stuart has loaded his interchange bench with firepower - headed by 110kg wrecking ball Paul Vaughan and the experience of Sia Soliola.It is a big pack and thats what we need against a big Warriors, skipper Jarrod Croker said.With the four blokes on the bench they can probably use a bit more energy a bit earlier, knowing that they get an extra spell, so it works to their advantage.Hopefully they dont blow out too quick.Lock Luke Bateman, returning from suspension, is hoping to make an immediate impact when he gets a run off the bench - even though he his one of the smaller players.Everyone will be going their hardest while theyre out there, Bateman said.He is also open to relieving Josh Hodgson at dummy-half if the English international cant hold out for the full 80 minutes in the absence of Baptiste.Ive been throwing a few passes at training so if worst comes to worst I can step in and hit the halves on the chest, he laughed.The Raiders sit fifth and have an opportunity to leapfrog Canterbury into the top four with a win this weekend.They have won their past three matches and are feeling refreshed after a bye last week.Croker, who has only twice made the finals since joining the club in 2009, said this season is the first time hes been asked about the prospect of finishing the season in the top half of the ladder.The times we have played finals football, weve sort of come from nowhere and made a run for it, Croker added.Its good to be thinking about it but its not a priority at the moment. Theres still seven weeks of footy left and anything can happen in that time.STATS THAT MATTER* Canberra have won six of their past seven clashes, and each of their last five matches at home* The Warriors have lost four of their past five away games, two of them in golden point* An average of 53 points have been scored in total in the past six meetings between these sides, five of which have been decided by 22 points or more.(Source: Fox Sports Stats) Cheap Air Max Black Friday . The nimble-footed quarterback got his wish, dashing through the snow and a weary defence all the way into the NCAA record book. Air Max Black Friday Online . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations. http://www.blackfridayairmax.com/ . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Air Max Black Friday For Sale . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Clearance Air Max Black Friday . Two pressure cooker bombs exploded near the finish line of the April 15 race in an area packed with fans cheering the passing runners. Three people were killed and more than 260 injured, including at least 16 who lost limbs. Western New York Flash forward Jessica McDonald was named the National Womens Soccer Leagues Player of the Week on Tuesday for her hat trick against the Boston Breakers.The Flash defeated the Breakers 7-1 last Friday night. McDonald scored in the 28th, 43rd and 49th minutes, and also added an assist. It is the first time McDonald has eaarned the honor.ddddddddddddIt was the first hat trick in the NWSL this season. The seven total goals were a franchise record for the Flash.Western New York (6-4-0) sits in third place in the NWSL standings. ' ' '