Its exciting to be able to be one of the leaders

At 3-0, the game was already wrapped up, but Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas ran the length of the field anyway.Max Beister had just put the finishing touch on Victorys third and final goal against Western Sydney on Saturday night, and Thomas got running.He was one of the first players to reach the clubs new signing, laying his great big glove on the Germans head as he celebrated in front of the Victory bench.As someone that started his career feeling on the outer, Thomas knew how much it would mean.From a personal experience when you come into a football team, the best way to feel involved and part of the club is when you have an impact on game day, he said on Tuesday.For him to come in and be scoring, it was the best thing that could have happened for him to feel a part of the club and feel welcome.Beister, who arrived at Victory on loan from German side Mainz just a few weeks earlier, took a great stride with that goal.The 26-year-old made a perfect start at his new club, but also in rebuilding a long-lost career.Beister has made just one senior start since battling a debilitating ACL injury suffered in early January 2014.Thomas, who was forced to travel a long road himself to earn the nod as Victorys No.1, could sense it was a special moment for a player who had taken the risk of re-booting his career half-way across the world.Thats why I ran the whole way up the field. I was pretty tired running back actually, he said.I thought it was important to share that moment with him.I think he was really excited and maybe surprised by the atmosphere.I dont know if he expected that from Australian football. He came in and said wow it was really loud ... I think its made a big (impression) on him and making him feel at home.Without a match this weekend due to the earthquake that has affected Wellington Phoenixs home ground Westpac Stadium, Beister could improve his conditioning to contend for a first-team berth against Newcastle in their next outing.Thomas had a personal connection to the earthquake, with a younger brother currently holidaying in New Zealand.My mum called me a bit worried ... I ended up hearing back from him, he was out quad riding so he was alright, he said. Robby Anderson Youth Jersey . The Browns coaching search remains incomplete. Jachai Polite Jets Jersey . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. http://www.authenticnyjetspro.com/Cj-mosley-jets-jersey/ . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. Sam Darnold Youth Jersey . Andreas Johnson had a goal and two assists while Jacob de la Rose also scored for Sweden (2-0-0). Esa Lindell and Rasmus Ristolainen replied for Finland (1-1-0) Lindell opened the scoring for Finland just 41 seconds into the game, but the hosts quickly regained their composure and tied the score less than four minutes later on Wennbergs first of the game. C.J. Mosley Jersey . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Ryan Braun apparently has some work to do to repair his friendship with Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Describing himself as shocked and disappointed, Rodgers said Friday after the Packers first training camp practice that Braun "looked at me in the eye on multiple occasions and repeatedly denied the allegations" that the Milwaukee Brewers slugger was using performance-enhancing drugs. Braun this week accepted a season-ending 65-game suspension after admitting to violating baseballs rules against using PEDs. Rodgers felt duped by his buddy and business associate, a sentiment being expressed by many others in Wisconsin. A Milwaukee restaurant is named for two of the states most well-known athletes, and Rodgers last year defended his friend on Twitter, going so far as to betting his multimillion-dollar salary that Braun was clean. "Its disappointing, not only for myself as a friend but for obviously Wisconsin sports fans, Brewer fans, Major League Baseball fans," Rodgers said before a throng of media surrounding his locker. "It doesnt feel great being lied to like that, and Im disappointed about the way it all went down." Rodgers and Braun have spoken since the sluggers suspension. Asked if he considered themselves friends, Rodgers didnt answer directly but said in part, "I trusted him, and thats the thing that probably hurts the most." The future of their business relationship -- theyre involved in a licensing agreement for the 8-twelve MVP Bar and Grill -- was yet to be determined, Rodgers said. With the benefit of hindsight, Rodgers plans to take a more measured approach next time if faced a similar situation in the future. "People make mistakes. I definitely believe in forgiveness and moving forward," Rodgers said. "Obviously, (Braun) has a tough task in front of him moving forward with his career, on and off the field." All the attention at the first practice was atypical even for Rodgers, a former Super Bowl and NFL MVP who leads one of most dangerous passing attacks in the league. He was smiling and laughing on the field Friday, running through drills like the rest of his teammates on an overcast, breezy morning. In the locker room, however, the off-thhe-field questions didnt stop at Braun.dddddddddddd Earlier this week, former Packers receiver Greg Jennings -- now with the archrival Minnesota Vikings -- criticized of his ex-quarterback. In an interview with the Star Tribune, Jennings questioned Rodgers leadership and implied the quarterback had become bigger than the team. "Dont get me wrong, 12 is a great person," Jennings was quoted as saying, referring to Rodgers. "But when you hear all positives, all positives, all positives all the time, its hard for you to sit down when one of your teammates says, Man, come on, youve got to hold yourself accountable for this. Its hard for someone to see that now because all theyve heard is Im doing it the right way, Im perfect. In actuality, we all have flaws." Rodgers said he wasnt spending time or energy on Jennings comments. "To me, Im concerned with the opinions of the guys in this locker room and the guys we have here," Rodgers said. "Its exciting to be able to be one of the leaders of this football team, and Im very confident in my style." Not surprisingly, the current Packers had the quarterbacks back. "It is what it is," receiver Randall Cobb said about Jennings remarks. "Aaron is a great leader. He puts us in some great situations on and off the field. He makes it easier for us to have someone to look up to for support and leadership." Rodgers had one of the best offseasons of his nine-year career, according to coach Mike McCarthy. "Hes in good shape. Hes ready to go. He really understands his role as far as the leader and one of the veteran leaders on our football team," McCarthy said. "I think Aarons off to a great start coming off a very good off-season." As for practice itself, McCarthy liked what he saw. Its just the first day, so he and the coaching staff plan to take a closer look at tape for a better evaluation. The tempo has picked up a little from previous years, in part because music is being played on loudspeakers during what are being called "TV timeouts." Its designed to give players a breather and, in part, to mimic the routines during games. Rodgers favourite tune in the rotation? Darius Ruckers version of "Wagon Wheel." ' ' '