Sam Menegola had never tasted defeat at AFL level before the finals.The 24-year-old onballer took a convoluted path to senior football, spending time on both Hawthorn and Fremantles lists without playing a game before making an impressive debut for Geelong in round 18 this year.With Menegola quickly cementing his spot in the side, the Cats finished their season on a winning streak before edging Hawthorn in a thrilling qualifying final.Then Fridays preliminary final came around and things came crashing to earth, with Sydney smashing the Cats in a blistering performance at the MCG to book their third grand final appearance in five years.Describing the Swans as the fiercest opponents hed faced in his brief AFL career, Menegola said the loss showed Geelong had plenty to work on.We never stopped believing but it was probably pretty obvious throughout the night that we just couldnt get our game going the way we would have liked to and we really struggled to stop theirs as well, he said after the game.We thought we were well-placed if it was a grind and they just blitzed us early.Theres some good stuff to come out of the year but we need to improve. Tonight was pretty clearly showing that.The East Fremantle product struggled to make much of an impact against Sydney but was not alone in a side lacking contributors across the ground.Geelong will take his run of games, averaging 24 touches, three clearances and four marks, as a positive as it looks to build a stronger support cast for midfield stars Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood, who again carried much of the load against Sydney.Menegola, who bounced back from a knee injury sustained during this years preseason, says hes keen to see what he can do with an extended run.Theres a bit of me thats excited about what I can do with some continuity, he said.It would be nice to actually get the start of a season out after a solid preseason next year.Theres heaps of stuff that Ill take that are positives from this year and theres a heap of stuff that even before tonight wed identified as ways we could improve my game. 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With his new coach and six-time Grand Slam singles champion Boris Becker watching him during an official match for the first time, Djokovic appeared tentative early against the Slovakian player, who often appeared content to keep the ball in play.TORONTO - Some news and notes from the Blue Jays clubhouse: PILLAR SOAKS IT IN “It was everything I thought it would be,” said Pillar. “The bright lights, the noise, the stadium crowd, the speed of the game. Its definitely real when you play against guys you grew up watching.” Pillar made a highlight reel, head-long, diving catch to rob Bostons Jonny Gomes of a hit in the fifth inning. JOHNSON HAS MRI “Its kind of exactly where it was," said Johnson. “Kind of away from all of the repair and everything and never felt anything in there.” Performed by famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, Johnson had the Tommy John elbow ligament replacement procedure in 2007. The Blue Jays will send the results of Johnsons MRI to Andrews for further evaluation. ROGERS TAKES ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITY While Rogers didnt pick up the victory in Wednesday nights win, he left after six innings with the lead after allowing one run on five hits. For a guy whod allowed 20 earnedd runs in 12 1/3 innings over his previous three starts, it was a welcome turnaround.dddddddddddd “I dont care whos going to face me, whos going to pitch for the other side,” said Rogers. “A lot of people pitch (against me) like Verlander or Lester (Wednesday) night. A lot of good pitchers Ive faced this year. Im going to do my job. This is a big opportunity for me.” After being removed from the rotation days earlier, Rogers was making a spot start after Josh Johnson went on the disabled list with a right forearm strain. Manager John Gibbons suggested Rogers had earned the right to make another start. Esmil Rogers 28th birthday was a happy one. Josh Johnsons MRI on his injured right forearm revealed a strain. The diagnosis came as no surprise after the pitcher insisted the pain wasnt related to his elbow.Kevin Pillar went 0-4 in his major league debut on Wednesday night. Having never been to Toronto before, let alone play a baseball game in the city, Pillar was wide-eyed all night. ' ' '
