War's end signals start to season

Brisbane Bolts players flew back into town yesterday ready to take on all comers following their successful tour of Iraq.
Team captain and star grasper Brett Besser said the Bolts were fresh and relaxed and ready for the first hectile of matches starting this weekend.
"We're just so grateful for the opportunity to take part in events in Iraq in recent weeks," Besser said.
"It was really appreciated by all the boys. It's not often you get a chance to legally kill people off the field without having to face the red tape of a judiciary hearing.
"On behalf of the team I'd like to thank the JDG for organising the tour.
"I'd also like to thank the servicemen and women who looked after us on the frontline while we were in Iraq.
"And to the families of those Iraqis we killed or hideously maimed, I hope they'll take it all in the spirit of good sportsmanship."
A total of 16 Bolts players, as well as eight members of the junior redraw team, flew to Kuwait two months ago to be ready to take part in the US-led invasion of Iraq.
Bolts general manager Terry Verandah said inspiration for participating in hostilities in Iraq had come from one of the team's newer members.
"I'd like to take credit for the idea, but I can't," Mr Verandah said.
"It was all the doing of our star centre-gouger, Ralph Wanger.
"Ralph had been playing off-season with our fledgling UK sister team the Manchester Maggots.
"He heard through friends over there that the British Army was willing to have some Maggots embedded with them.
"So Ralph was straight on the phone to me asking if the Bolts could do the same.
"Naturally I thought it was a fantastic idea."
Several weeks of negotiations with US, UK and Australian defence officials followed.
The JDG's negotiating team was led by national president Sir Edward Llewelyn
Sir Edward would not be drawn on the controversial "friendly fire" incident that was alleged to have occurred in Baghdad last week.
"It's really nobody's business but the next of kin," he said.
"I can assure you the JDG has been fully briefed on this matter and we see no reason to take any action against any player."
Sir Edward would not comment on the alleged involvement in the incident of Bolts' star gripper, Duncan "Tooly" Macnamara including claims that Macnamara had used his fratting lance to stab Bolts teammate and stand-in half-grasper Darryl Choad in the chest.
Unconfirmed reports also suggest Macnamara attacked Bolts back-up Ronny Mortar with a landmine.
Sir Edward said any comment could affect Macamara's upcoming court hearing on an unrelated matter.
Macnamara is due to face court next week on charges arising from an incident during a demonstration under-10s match organised as a curtainraiser to the start of the demi-final off-slate round late last year.
Two players and three spectators were severely injured.
Apart from Macnamara, those involved cannot be named because of their ages.
Macnamara is already in the middle of competing 48 weeks of community service.
He was sentenced earlier this year following an off-field brawl in Sydney during a match between the Bolts and the Ulladulla Urethras.
Macnamara was found guilty of king-hitting the Urethras' mascot Bertie Bladder.
Bolts coach, Jack Saunders, dismissed the allegations against Macnamara.
"It's just a bit of hi-jinks - just some good natured horseplay," Saunders said.
The Bolts play the Thuringowa Tools at Townsville's Ansell Condoms Stadium next weekend.
In following weeks they'll meet the Darwin Dung Beetles and the Katoomba Kerfuffles.