en try, Antonetti said.I almost fell out of the booth, Che

Superstar Johnathan Thurston has backed the ARL Commissions hardline stance to ban Andrew Fifita and Semi Radradra from the Australian team.The trouble-plagued pair had their hopes of representing the Kangaroos on the Four Nations tour scuppered when the powers that be ruled they would not come under consideration because of concerns it would be a bad look for the game.Fifita is under investigation by the NRL integrity unit after writing a message of support for convicted killer Kieran Loveridge on his wrist strapping while Radradra is awaiting trial on domestic violence charges.The Rugby League Players Association said it had concerns Fifita and Radradra had been pre-judged however coach Mal Meningas decision received the backing of Thurston.Its a stance the game is taking, we want to see more people and fans come through the gates and more people watching our game, Thurston said at the launch of the Auckland Nines on Wednesday.If the game feels as though thats the best decision to make, then as a senior player I fully appreciate what the game is doing and stand up for that.Fifita was a controversial omission from the Australian side after starring in Cronullas historic grand final win over Melbourne on Sunday.He was also overlooked for Luke Lewis for man of the match in the grand final, however NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg dismissed suggestions he was ruled out of the running for the Clive Churchill Medal.Greenberg said Fifita wasnt considered for a green and gold jumper because of his history of poor behaviour, including abusing a referee at a junior match last year for which he was suspended for six weeks.Radradra has flagged his intention to plead not guilty to charges of domestic violence against his former partner.After the Fijian-born winger made his controversial debut in the mid-year Test against New Zealand, he was replaced by Penriths Josh Mansour for the Four Nations.Greenberg said while he wasnt pre-judging Radradras case, he was concerned it would prove a distraction. 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CLEVELAND -- Two days later, the pain has diminished -- a little.The cruel sting of losing Game 7 hasnt completely left the Cleveland Indians.We all want to hoist that World Series trophy, team president Chris Antonetti said Friday, so it hurt when we lost.At the same time the Chicago Cubs were parading down Michigan Avenue after winning their first title in 108 years, the Indians -- who pushed the NL champions into extra innings in an unforgettable season finale before losing 8-7 -- took the first steps toward getting back to the Series in 2017.For Antonetti, who has been with the club for 18 years, there is some comfort in what the Indians did this season. But hell never be satisfied completely until Clevelands title quest is finished.We went to Game 7 of the World Series, that in and of itself is an accomplishment, he said. Not the ultimate one were striving for, but still a great organizational accomplishment.With deadlines approaching and no time for pity, the Indians jumped right into the offseason by locking up manager Terry Francona through 2020.The club exercised its contract options for 2019 and 2020 on the 57-year-old manager, who did a remarkable job in steering the Indians around numerous obstacles to get them to their first Series since 1997.Cleveland overcame key injuries, suspensions and questions about their legitimacy as title contenders under Francona, who in his fourth season got the Indians within one win of their first title since 1948.He did a masterful job, Antonetti said. The way in which Tito is constantly thinking about how to place individual players in a position to be successful, to most impact the team, is always extraordinary. He does that first and foremost by building really deep relationships with guys, where they know he cares and he has their best interest in mind, and hes always going to find a way for them to be the best versions of themselves.Hes done that from the day he got here. As high as our expectations were for Tito when we hired him, hes gone beyond that. Were really fortunate to have him.Antonetti and general manager Mike Chernoff also praised Franconas willingness to include everyone in Clevelands front office on major decisions.Hes five steps ahead of all of us (on the field), Chernoff said. Thats just a small part of it. Hes broken down barriers organizzationally for us, whether its scouting, player development, that connection people feel internally, and hes done it on the field with the team and in the clubhouse.dddddddddddd. And the culture he has helped to build, a lot of the resiliency you see, the grit you saw in this team, is a product of that culture. Its not any one move that he made.The Indians have had four straight winning seasons under Francona, who won two titles with Boston. Hes become wildly popular in Cleveland, where he can be seen riding his motorized scooter to the ballpark and where fans have embraced his everyman persona, enthusiasm and self-deprecating sense of humor.Along with rewarding Francona, the Indians exercised their $12 million option on slugger Carlos Santana for next season. The move was expected after Santana belted 34 homers while splitting time at first and designated hitter.Cleveland declined a $13 million option on outfielder Coco Crisp, who gets a $750,000 buyout.Antonetti also said the club has expressed to first baseman Mike Napoli and outfielder Rajai Davis that they would like to re-sign the potential free agents. The team has until Monday to make qualifying offers to both. Napolis is worth $17.2 million.In his first season with Cleveland, Napoli reached career-highs in homers, plate appearances and RBI. The 35-year-old struggled in the postseason, but Antonetti said the team will take into account the balance of the season.Mike did a phenomenal job for us, he said. He made a huge impact for us on the field and in the clubhouse, and I think thats the lens through which well view it.Davis, too, helped the Indians to their first AL Central title since 2007. The 35-year-old led the league in stolen bases and helped them offset the loss of All-Star Michael Brantley.And for a little while, Davis hit the biggest homer in Cleveland history. His two-run shot in the eighth inning of Game 7 off Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman tied the score 6-6 before Chicago scored two in the 10th.Antonetti and Chernoff were together in a suite and couldnt contain their emotions.I didnt even try, Antonetti said.I almost fell out of the booth