That’s all for today, thanks for joining me for this mini version of our Sportwatch blog. I hope you’ve enjoyed my commentary on what turned out to be a thriller between Carlton and GWS at Etihad. Nice to see the underdogs get the win over the Giants. Looking forward to seeing you here again on another weekend soon. Don’t forget the hashtag #sportwatch and to tweet us @GdnAusSport.
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NRL Roosters beat Tigers 40-18
It’s all over at Campbelltown Stadium after the Tigers failed to capitalise on a competitive first half. It’s hard to see what more they can do to get that breakthrough win. Mitchell Pearce (below) was in career-best form for the Roosters and finished with two tries, while Guerra and Watson also scored two. That’s four from their last five as they head into the bye next week.
NRL 77th minute 18-40 Tigers v Roosters
Tigers just scored a consolation try through Sue but are well adrift in this one.
Vision of the @WestsTigers Try Decision in the 76th minute of #NRLTigersRoosters.#NRL pic.twitter.com/845js6QlIz
— NRL Bunker (@NRLBunker) June 11, 2017
AFL Carlton 10.11 (71) defeat GWS 9.16 (70)
Blues win an absolute thriller by a point. The Giants finally fail to steal one at the death after making a habit of it all season. They were metres away from scoring at least a point with seconds left; they’ll be bitterly disappointed. But this win is all about the Blues, what a win for the fledgling team.
I’ll check in on the NRL before we wrap up.
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AFL Q4 01:20 remaining Carlton 10.11 (71) v GWS 9.16 (70)
Carlton up by a point after Fisher misses a relatively easy one. Minute and a half remaining and the Giants have the ball, Whitfield out in plenty of space.
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AFL Q4 02:27 remaining Carlton 10.10 (70) v GWS 9.16 (70)
A rare error from Josh Kelly as he puts the ball out on the full despite having a few lead-up targets. The ball goes straight down the other end of the ground to Casboult. He misses. Scores level.
AFL Q4 05:15 remaining Carlton 10.9 (69) v GWS 9.16 (70)
The Giants can’t convert - even through late-game specialist Toby Greene. He has missed two in the space of two minutes.
AFL Q4 07:54 remaining Carlton 10.9 (69) v GWS 9.13 (67)
Dylan Shiel - who looks like a match winner - lines up for goal and slots it from 30m out. I sense a heartbreaker for the Blues, but that might be because I’m conditioned to expect the worst as a Bulldogs supporter.
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AFL Q4 10:56 remaining Carlton 10.8 (68) v GWS 8.13 (61)
Carlton get one back through Matthew Wright after Dale Thomas assessed the situation well and waited for Wright to present. He kicks it from 45m out. Crowd are getting into this one.
AFL Q4 12:48 remaining Carlton 9.8 (62) v GWS 8.13 (61)
Some controversy ensues after Heath Shaw appeared to be holding the ball. The Giants then get it to Greene inside 50 who appeared to play on. He hits the post from the toughest of angles almost 50m out. There’s a single point in it.
AFL Q4 15:20 remaining Carlton 9.7 (61) v GWS 8.11 (59)
He converts a wobbly one. The Blues are back in front. We’re goal for goal at the moment.
AFL Q4 16:04 remaining Carlton 8.7 (55) v GWS 8.11 (59)
Back on at Etihad. The Giants are back in front after a Dustin Martin-like goal to Dylan Shiel. He fends off Bryce Gibbs, and follows up his handball to Scully before getting on the end of a snap goal. He’s second only to Docherty in metres gained today and has 25 disposals.
Greene misses the chance to nail an important one. Now the ex-Giant Jed Lamb has a chance to convert.
NRL 43rd minute 12-22 Tigers v Roosters
What a start to the second half by the Roosters. They’re out to a ten point lead after a try to a familiar Tigers foe in Mitchell Pearce - that’s 11 in his last 15 games against Wests.
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AFL three-quarter-time Carlton 8.7 (55) v GWS 7.9 (51)
It’s a thriller here at Etihad, stay tuned for the final quarter as I go round the grounds briefly.
AFL Q3 01:15 remaining Carlton 8.7 (55) v GWS 7.9 (51)
Kreuzer lines up for a goal after a tough, contested mark and puts it out on the full. It’s a real stalemate at Etihad at the moment. These teams are second and second-last on the AFL ladder, but you wouldn’t know it. This is shaping up like classic.
Here’s some vision of that de Boer goal.
It wasn't pretty, but the result was exactly what the Giants needed. The ex-Docker de Boer finished it off. #AFLBluesGiants pic.twitter.com/WS6rtQAc9M
— AFL (@AFL) June 11, 2017
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AFL Q3 06:18 remaining Carlton 8.6 (54) v GWS 7.9 (51)
Fantastic goal there from the Giants, they evaded tackles and handballed over the Carlton defence about five times before they finally converted through Matt de Boer. That was just weight of numbers and pressure then.
AFL Q3 08:47 remaining Carlton 8.6 (54) v GWS 6.8 (44)
Toby Greene is playing like a frustrated man - he keeps swearing every time the ball eludes him, much to the delight of the Carlton fans on the boundary. The Giants in general look frustrated at only their second game in Melbourne. Things aren’t going their way today, as the ball bounces off Mumford’s chest.
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AFL Q3 12:28 remaining Carlton 8.6 (54) v GWS 6.8 (44)
Free kick to Charlie Curnow but he misses from 15 out, but Kreuzer converts after a free kick against Taranto for a ruck infringement. Strange one as the two umpires reached different conclusions - one awarding the free to the Giants.
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NRL 32nd minute 12-16 Tigers v Roosters
And that’s Tedesco over for his first try in 11 games. Tigers back within 4 points now after the conversion. I’ll head back to the AFL now.
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Football
Just before we get back to the AFL, it looks like Socceroos defender Trent Sainsbury is unhappy with the Australian public and media over their criticism of the national team. This is after their 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia, also notable for the minute’s silence debacle.
These quotes are from AAP:
“It just seems like everything we do these days is getting hammered, especially in the media.
“It would just be nice for the Australian public to be on our side for once.
“We’re working hard and trying to achieve the goals we’ve set out for each other, which is win and qualify for the World Cup our way and in our style.
“Because at the end of the day we’re never going to progress as a footballing country if we keep going as a group that’s ‘let’s just make it through’.
“We’ve got to change that mentality, and that starts with our generation.”
The Socceroos face world No1 Brazil at the MCG before they’ll go on to play powerhouses Germany, Chile and Cameroon at the Confederations Cup from next week.
NRL 28th minute 6-16 Tigers v Roosters
A try to Guerra for the Roosters after the review. That’s his first try for the season. Pearce involved again in that passage of play, he’s on fire with precision passing. And a straightforward conversion to Gordon.
NRL 24th minute 6-10 Tigers v Roosters
And Naiqama takes out some of the cheer squad... hope they’re OK.
😬 #NRLTigersRoosters #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/wkqqDevFA7
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) June 11, 2017
NRL 23rd minute 6-10 Tigers v Roosters
Judge for yourself on the (seemingly) late hit. Meanwhile Jake Friend has been ruled out of the game after some friendly fire earlier in the game.
Was this a late hit? #NRLTigersRoosters #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/1ZiUS1JEaf
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) June 11, 2017
NRL 20th minute 6-10 Tigers v Roosters
Tuimoala Lolohea unlucky there after he was clearly blocked - was it a shoulder charge from Gordon? He scored the first try for the Tigers who are now pressing after that run of tries from the Roosters.
NRL 12th minute 6-10 Tigers v Roosters
That’s two in a minute to the Roosters. Mitchell slices through and puts Watson over. No such mistake this time from Gordon.
Gordon adds the 2!#NRLTigersRoosters 6-10 after 14 minutes. #NRL pic.twitter.com/qW1CAJ1xJr
— NRL (@NRL) June 11, 2017
NRL 10th minute 6-4 Tigers v Roosters
Gordon misses a rare conversion in the 10th minute after Roosters immediately answered an early Tigers try.
Here’s the Ferguson try for the Roosters after a nice pass from Pearce.
Pinpoint precision from Pearce sees @Fergyferg4 score!#NRLTigersRoosters 6-4 after 10 minutes. #NRL pic.twitter.com/4O2B8ikc5H
— NRL (@NRL) June 11, 2017
AFL half-time Carlton 7.4 (46) v GWS 5.8 (38)
Fiery game here at Etihad, not much love lost between these two sides. The story so far is the form of Liam Jones (has he been played out of position all along? Or is this yet another show of fleeting brilliance?) The Blues are up and about and look on track for a stunning upset.
AFL Q2 03:13 remaining Carlton 7.2 (44) v GWS 5.8 (38)
Few punches being thrown here, surprise surprise Steve Johnson in the thick of it. Will be interesting to see what the MRP makes of it in the aftermath.
Silvagni has put them back in front just before half-time. They’ll be pleased with the form of Jones so far who has taken some nice intercept marks and spoiled plenty.
AFL Q2 08:40 remaining Carlton 6.2 (38) v GWS 5.6 (36)
Blues get the lead back with a nice mark and goal from David Cunningham (his second). Look to have found a player in a man playing only his sixth game.
AFL Q2 10:21 remaining Carlton 5.2 (32) v GWS 5.6 (36)
Great work there from Tim Taranto, smothered one, got a high free-kick and kicked a beauty from 40 out, tight angle. He’s holding his spot in a brilliant side.
AFL Q2 11:25 remaining Carlton 5.2 (32) v GWS 4.6 (30)
Now a snap goal to Ward and they’re right back in it. Midfield - Shiel in particular - looking dangerous. Whitfield has another shot now from 40 out, tight angle, but misses everything. Still in side the Giants’ 50. They’re pressing.
AFL Q2 12:56 remaining Carlton 5.2 (32) v GWS 3.6 (24)
Beautiful contested mark and goal from Jeremy Cameron outside 50 goes against the flow of play and momentum. That’s the Giants for you. Carlton will have to be at their best all day for this to be an upset.
AFL Q2 16:11 remaining Carlton 5.1 (31) v GWS 2.6 (18)
Some ferocious tackling here from the Blues. I’ve been impressed with their endeavour. Plowman in particular seemed to delight in dumping one of his old teammates.
Gibbs just benefited from a generous 50 (or was it 60?) and has nailed it from 45 out.
AFL
Since the NRL hasn’t started, just a quick update from AAP on the AFL. Jarrod Harbrow (Gold Coast Suns) will miss another match next week as part of his drink driving punishment, which means he’ll miss the round 13 home game against Carlton. He’s also making a donation to charity (admittedly only $5000) and will have to enrol in a traffic offenders program.
NRL
The game between Wests Tigers and the Roosters in Campbelltown hasn’t quite started yet, but there are a couple of late outs which the Tigers will welcome.
See all the changes and final teams for both sides for #NRLTigersRoosters!
— Wests Tigers (@WestsTigers) June 11, 2017
👥 TEAMS ≫ https://t.co/L7IMTaYzSp pic.twitter.com/ep1GrbbAM0
AFL Quarter-time: Carlton 4.1 (25) v GWS 2.6 (18)
Toby Greene hits the post after a snap around the corner, and Liam Jones takes a beautiful intercept mark after Heath Shaw sends the Giants inside 50. A quick turnaround sees David Cunningham kick one just after the siren. The Blues mean business today.
AFL Q1 02:16 remaining Carlton 3.1 (19) v GWS 2.5 (17)
Beauty from Ed Curnow in the pocket after a brave Sam Docherty kick opened the Giants up through the middle.
AFL Q1 03:10 remaining Carlton 2.1 (13) v GWS 2.4 (16)
Tight contest at the moment, Blues are keeping the Giants accountable, although they’d be concerned about the numbers Kelly and Johnson are racking up.
Here’s Jon Patton into the post (below).
Jon Patton collides with the post. #AFLBluesGiants pic.twitter.com/5MdWz4mhRZ
— AFL (@AFL) June 11, 2017
AFL Q1 06:56 remaining Carlton 2.1 (13) v GWS 2.3 (15)
Injury alert: Jon Patton looks in trouble here after landing into the goalpost, back first. Phil Davis also landed awkwardly on an angle, and is undergoing a fitness test.
Steve Johnson is up to 6 disposals and just tried to take his own downfield freekick. Patton comes in for it instead, seemingly recovered from his injury.
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AFL Q1 09:56 remaining Carlton 2.1 (13) v GWS 1.2 (8)
Here’s that Matthew Wright dribbler.
Matthew Wright got the right bounce as the Blues stormed forward. #AFLBluesGiants pic.twitter.com/Qre0moNWy9
— AFL (@AFL) June 11, 2017
AFL Q1 13:09 remaining Carlton 2.1 (13) v GWS 1.1 (7)
Jack Silvagni sets up Matthew Wright for a running goal. Wright was in plenty of space and with plenty of time and chose to dribble it from an angle about 5 meters out. Lucky it dribbled through.
AFL Q1 14:49 remaining Carlton 1.1 (7) v GWS 1.0 (6)
Speaking of maligned names, Levi Casboult is on the board for the Blues. GWS midfielders getting a lot of it though: Shiel, Kelly, Ward, the usual suspects.
AFL Q1 15:51 remaining Carlton 0.1 (1) v GWS 1.0 (6)
Who else but Matthew Kreuzer marks in front of goal - but misses. Some maligned names put together that one, with Daisy Thomas setting up Kreuzer after Liam Jones peeled off Patton in the back half. Jones getting a cheer every time he gets the ball.
AFL Q1 18:24 remaining Carlton 0.0 (0) v GWS 1.0 (6)
We’re underway here at Etihad, and there’s a bit of feeling in this one. None other than Toby Greene in the middle of the scuffle.
Patton slots an easy one from 5m out.
Tennis
Just before we get into the AFL, have a read of this amazing story about Jelena Ostapenko, who won the women’s French Open title in just her eighth grand slam event, unseeded. She is the first unseeded woman to win the French Open since Iva Majoli of Crotia in 1997 and the first Latvian to win a grand slam singles title. She’s also the first person to win their first tour title at a grand slam since Gustavo Kuerten in 1997. She defeated none other than Simona Halep, the pre-tournament favourite who would have made it to No1 had she won, to do it.
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AFL
Not far from the siren here at the Etihad, the Blues will be ready for the contest with Matthew Kreuzer playing his 150th today. He’s enjoying a career-best string of form at the moment, and is the heart of this footy club.
Get ready for Sunday afternoon football 👌Follow #AFLBluesGiants on the Macca’s Match Centre: https://t.co/YUEGAlBD6y pic.twitter.com/pFhqBCWFRn
— AFL (@AFL) June 11, 2017
Football
Speaking of England, the national football side escaped with a lucky draw over Scotland thanks to Harry Kane’s 93-minute equaliser in the World Cup Qualifiers. Scotland manager Gordon Strachan said the game “felt like a defeat” and described it as “probably the most emotional game of my managerial career” with the team now stuck in fourth in Group F. Scotland had raced to the lead with two Leigh Griffith free-kicks finding the back of the net, the first left and the second right of Joe Hart.
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Rugby Union
Some very sad news in local Rugby Union, with a Warringah Rats rugby player dying during a match in Sydney yesterday.
On the international stage, the British and Irish Lions forged an impressive 3-12 victory over the Crusaders, who had won all of their 17 games this year. Four penalties from Owen Farrell proved the difference in the try-less contest. Read more here.
Cricket
For those who aren’t aware yet, Australia was knocked out of the Champions Trophy last night by England at Edgbaston. The match was decided on the Duckworth-Lewis method, after rain affected the game, with England declared winners by 40 runs. Ben Stokes scored a brilliant century and Eoin Morgan slogged his way to 87 off 81. Stokes was 102 not out when the match was abandoned in the 41st over with England 4-240. England were close to victory, with Australia setting a total of 278 to win. Top-scorers included Steve Smith (56) and Aaron Finch (68) while Glenn Maxwell fell to an impressive boundary catch from Jason Roy on 21. The Australians then lost 5 for a measly 15. Their bowlers fired early, with Starc dismissing Jason Roy on the second ball of the innings, but Morgan was dropped on 12 in what was a sloppy day for the Australians in the field.
Australia haven’t won at Edgbaston now (in any form of the game) since 2001, and Smith said the team had “let ourselves down a little bit”. As a result of the loss, it is Bangladesh who will proceed through Group A with England.
You can read more here.
Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to this low-key version of Sunday’s Guardian Australia Sportwatch. I’m Kate O’Halloran. Here at Sportwatch we keep you up to date with what’s happening in the world of Australian sport, whatever your preferred shape of ball, with our rolling liveblog. Remember to Tweet us @GuardianAus and use the hashtag #sportwatch.
I wouldn’t say today’s lineup is full of blockbusters, although I will stay with the Carlton v GWS AFL game for its entirety, and keep you updated with the Wests Tigers v Roosters match happening at the same time. Shortly, I’ll also check out the Wires to let you know what news has emerged overnight.
Carlton v GWS is an interesting game if anything because of the close ties between the two teams in GWS’ short history. Blues legend Stephen Silvagni was of course GWS’ inaugural list manager, and he has subsequently - upon his return to Carlton - raided the Giants’ list with aplomb. For the critics, he has effectively assembled a list of GWS reserves players. Certainly some of his calculated punts have not paid off; the trade of Kristian Jaksch (along with Mark Whiley - who has since left - and pick 19) for Pick 7 springs to mind. On the other hand, Caleb Marchbank and Lachie Plowman have both played every game since crossing over, and look like key pillars of the Blues’ defence for many years to come. Of the recycled Giants, Marchbank, Plowman, Liam Sumner and Jed Lamb will play today. Sumner was quiet in the match against North Melbourne before the bye, but gets another chance today, while Lamb is also surely playing for his future. Speaking of, the Blues have also recalled Liam Jones from the wilderness. It will be interesting to see what he can do in a new role in defence after Mick Malthouse famously called him an “explosive animal” when he crossed over from the Bulldogs (before he, like Malthouse, became a poster boy for the Blues’ woes).
GWS go into this game as the form team of the competition, equal top on the ladder with a game in hand on the Crows, whose recent form has been much shakier. A win today would see them firm for flag favourites. It’s a scary thought when you consider the names still missing: Stephen Coniglio, Brett Deledio (who reinjured a calf at training this week), Ryan Griffen (who looks set to miss the season after also suffering a setback), Rory Lobb and Devon Smith amongst many more. I’m looking forward to seeing what rising star Josh Kelly can do this week. The youngster - who is rumoured to have been offered up to $12m over 9 seasons by the Kangaroos and Saints - has averaged 29.4 disposals, 5.1 clearances and 6.6 tackles, and five inside 50s per game this year. He seems unfazed or better still ignited by the contract talk. I’d be taking him over Dom Tyson and Christian Salem any day, no matter what Paul Roos might say.
In the NRL, which I’ll jump to in the quarter, half and three-quarter time breaks, we’ve got the Wests Tigers up against the Tricolours, the Sydney Roosters, at Campbelltown Stadium. This is the first game at Campbelltown since 2010, and the Tigers will be hoping it’s a welcome change of scenery. The Roosters have won their last 12 of 13 against the Tigers, and have accounted for them easily - with an average winning margin of 27 points of more in their last eight clashes. Daniel Tupou particularly enjoys playing against Wests, with 12 tries from seven appearances. Mitchell Pearce - who returns after his concussion in Origin I - has also scored 10 tries from 14 games.
While it’s hard to see a Tigers victory today, they did look a different side against St George Illawarra (despite the loss) last round. New recruit Tui Lolohea looked at home at five-eighth, despite tiring late, while James Tedesco was also in fine form. They’ll need Tedesco to fire again today if they are any chance today, with vice-captain Chris Lawrence out with a hamstring (although they regain Sauaso Sue from suspension). The Roosters meanwhile are riding a wave of momentum after a much-improved season this year. They’ve only lost four for the 2017 season, with three games decided by margins of 1, 6 and 8 respectively. They also managed a gutsy win over the Broncos last round despite missing Pearce and Anthony Milford, which takes them to three from their last four.
Back in a moment after I check Wires.
Kate will be here shortly. In the meantime, read how a young Australian entered the French Open history books overnight:
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