having earned a spot on the third team in 2015. A

He rates Cameron Smith the best in the NRL, but Josh Papalii reckons Canberra teammate Josh Hodgson will give the Melbourne hooker a run for his money in Saturdays grand final qualifier.Papalii believes they are the two form players of the competition and is excited to see them go head-to-head at AAMI Park, in what will be the Raiders first preliminary final of the NRL era.The Australian and Queensland enforcer has played alongside both - with Hodgson in the nations capital the past two seasons and Smith at representative level several times over the years.They are the two best hookers in the game right now, Papalii told AAP.It will be a big challenge for Hodgo, going up against someone who has been doing it for years in the NRL - the Australian captain, the Maroons captain, and especially when hes leading Melbourne down there.Its going to be a tough ask ask to go and do a job on them, but its a challenge I reckon Hodgos looking forward to.Hodgson said Smith was one of a number of NRL players he kept a close eye on as a young player in England and throughout his Super League career.And he is relishing the chance to test himself against a man who has received almost every accolade in the game.Theres no point playing the game if you dont want to be the best. Whats the point in playing if you just want to be average? he said.Thats what I was always taught from when I was younger and what Ill always stick by until Im an old fellow in my chair.Hodgson has been key to the Raiders charge towards the final four this season, just his second in Australia.He earned plaudits all-round for his performance in his sides semi-final win over Penrith, having miraculously overcome a serious ankle injury suffered a week earlier and a stomach bug that struck on game eve.The 26-year-old was bed-ridden just hours before kick-off at GIO Stadium and was 1.5kg down on his usual weight, but was influential as ever from dummy half.Its a good sign of his professionalism, Papalii added.Its going to be a good match-up and I think the NRL are looking forward to it.Rugby League Immortal Andrew Johns is tipping Hodgson to win this years Dally M Medal, despite losing three points in the award over a one-game suspension. Will Harris Jersey . Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes. Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Golden State, which rebounded from a loss a night earlier in Oklahoma City and snapped a two-game skid. Marvin Jones Jr Youth Jersey . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. http://www.authenticnfllionslockroom.com/Youth-TJ-Hockenson-Elite-Jersey/ . There are surprises among the Vezina candidates, but most of the others are standard top-tier performers, even if the two Hart Trophy runners-ups have never been quite as good as they have been through the first half of the season. Kenny Golladay Lions Jersey .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. T.J. Hockenson Youth Jersey . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. Two student-athletes from the Southeastern Conference were named to the 2016 CoSIDA Academic All-America? Division I Volleyball Team, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).Aubrey Edie of Ole Miss is a repeat selection to the team, having earned a spot on the third team in 2015. A senior setter from Fayetteville, Ark., Edie is an elementary education major with a 3.97 G.P.A. Edie set the career (4.834), single-season (1,322) and single match (63) assists records at Ole Miss. A three-time CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, she was named to the SEC Community Service Team.Krystal Rivers of Alabama earns her second CoSIDA Academic All-America? award after being a third team selection inn 2014.ddddddddddddA senior from Birmingham, Ala., she is a Spanish major with a 3.65 G.P.A. Rivers was named to the AVCA All-South Region team and was selected as the 2016 SEC Player of the Year. She led the league in kills (705) and points (803.5) while finishing her career as Alabamas leader in kills and points.FIRST TEAM Aubrey Edie (3) - Mississippi - Sr. - Fayetteville, Ark. - 3.97 GPA - Elementary educationSECOND TEAM Krystal Rivers (*) - Alabama - Sr. - Birmingham, Ala. - 3.65 GPA - Spanish(3)-2015 CoSIDA Academic All-America? Third Team (*)-2014 CoSIDA Academic All-America? Third Team ' ' '