Another Australian is headed to "big-time American football," as former Australian Football League side Greater Western Sydney player JOSH GROWDEN has "accepted a scholarship and signed as a punter for Louisiana State University." Growden had been trained at ProKick Australia, which is run by former NFL Green Bay Packers punter NATHAN CHAPMAN. Former Carlton defender PAUL BOWER has also joined the ProKick ranks (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 2/3). ... Real Madrid's CRISTIANO RONALDO's agent said that he would sell for £300M ($455M) if Real Madrid decided to "let him leave tomorrow." JORGE MENDES said that the 29-year-old forward was the "best player ever." Ronaldo was voted the world's best player for a third time last month, beating Barcelona rival LIONEL MESSI to win the Ballon d'Or. Asked how much Ronaldo was worth, Mendes said, "Cristano Ronaldo? One billion. His buyout clause one billion, so it is one billion" (BBC, 2/3). ... England's record goalscorer KELLY SMITH "ended her international career." The 36-year-old forward "won 117 caps and scored 46 goals in an England career that lasted almost 20 years" (BBC, 2/3).
