North Queensland have begun the mind games ahead of their NRL preliminary final with Cronulla, vowing to target out-of-sorts playmaker Chad Townsend and questioning his place in the Sharks side.Townsend will head into the Sharks date with destiny against the Cowboys on Friday night at Allianz Stadium, battling mental demons after being hooked by coach Shane Flanagan in their last outing.The No.7 was benched midway through the second half of their week-one finals win over Canberra, replaced by young gun Jack Bird who moved in from the centres to help guide the side to a memorable come-from-behind victory.Just 24 hours before the two teams faced off for a spot in the grand final, Cowboys coach Paul Green applied the blow-torch to Townsend.While Green had to fend off questions about the headspace of Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote, after his shocker against Brisbane, he was quick to turn attention to Townsend.Green, himself a former Sharks halfback, said Townsends self-belief would have taken a beating after his forgettable display against the Raiders and warned he would be tested out.Hes probably a guy that we can target, Green said. You mentioned his confidence - that surely would have taken a hit after that game, being hooked. As a halfback, no one wants that to happen.In an attempt to rattle his opposition, Green even questioned whether Bird would start in Townsends place in the halves alongside James Maloney and said it was something Flanagan would have to be contemplating.Its something that would be going through his head, they moved Bird in there and hes a great attacking player, Green said.Theyve had the Maloney-Townsend combination all year but its a big call to tinker with that.However, Flanagan said his charge was feeling no ill effects from his benching.He has dusted himself and moved on, Flanagan said. He was probably over-thinking his game too much and you will probably see a different Chad Townsend tomorrow night.Meanwhile, Green dared the Sharks to target Coote, after the custodians error-riddled display in last weeks semi-final victory over Brisbane.The Cowboys No.1 almost derailed his sides premiership defence when he came up with a number of crucial mistakes, including his failure to haul in a kick which led directly to Jordan Kahus try on halftime.Green dismissed Cootes performance against Brisbane as an off night and predicted any ploy to turn the screws on him would blow up in the Sharks faces.If they want to target Lachlan Coote with kicks, hes probably the best positional fullback in the competition, Green said.If hes not the best, hes one of the best. He had an off night against Brisbane so Ive got complete confidence in Cootey.Thats the strength of his game so, if they want to target him, thats good. Itll bring him into the game and hell respond. 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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. Each week, Ill write about the sport I love: college basketball:Milestone time, baby! Congratulations to Kansas coach Bill Self on his 600th career win. He earned it when the Jayhawks beat UMKC last week. Rick Pitino got his 400th win as Louisvilles coach last weekend.Jayson Tatum lived up to his billing when I saw him during Dukes win over Florida. He is so smooth, handles the ball well at 6-foot-8, drives to the basket with an explosiveness. He missed the early part of the season, so the best is still to come. Duke is getting players healthy and when they have all the parts, watch out.The 2017 Jimmy V. Classic pairings were announced. Connecticut will meet Syracuse while Villanova faces Gonzaga. The Huskies recently beat the Orange at Madison Square Garden. Connecticut and Syracuse also played an epic game in 2009, a contest the Orange won in six overtimes.We have rankings that start in early November. My gut says rankings should begin when conference play starts!Everyybody in the SEC is playing for second place.dddddddddddd Kentucky is that good!Indiana State upset a ranked Butler team last week. It came on Larry Birds 60th birthday, a great present for a great Sycamore.How about a salute to UT Arlington. Last season, the Mavericks beat Memphis and Ohio State. This season, UTA has knocked off Texas and now Saint Marys. Scott Cross has done a great job coaching this team. Sun Belt foes need to take notice.Rhode Island suffered a tough loss at Houston. The Rams were shorthanded as forward and defensive star?Hassan Martin?was sidelined with a quad injury. Martin is out indefinitely.Sophomore Yankuba Sima has decided to transfer from St. Johns. He started eight of the teams first 10 games this season and averaged six points per game. Tariq Owens was given the starting assignment in the first game Sima missed. ' ' '