SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 03: Giants players sing their team song after winning the round 11 AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the Essendon Bombers at Spotless Stadium on June 3, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
STUMPS
Okay. It being 11pm on the east coast, that’s where we’ll leave for Saturday Sportwatch. Thanks for your company through the course of the afternoon and evening. We’ll be back tomorrow from 2pm. Till next time. Adios.
This was The Day That Was - or how I saw it from behind the keyboard at least. And here are those scores and recaps one final time:
AFL: Tigers 101 def North 66, Giants 117 def Bombers 101, Suns 80 def Eagles 77.
SUPER NETBALL: Giants 52 Magpies 51, Lightning 56 def Vixens 55.
NRL: Cowboys 20 def Titans 8, Roosters 18 def Broncos 16, Dragons 16 def Wests 12.
SUPER RUGBY: Brumbies 32 def Rebels 3, Chiefs 46 def Waratahs 31.
Updated
SUPER RUGBY. Half-time. Force 0 - Hurricanes 12. Not looking good for the lads out West, the Hurricanes converting two tries in the first half, the hosts yet to score. And that’s where we’ll leave this particular fixture for tonight.
THAT WAS THE DAY THAT WAS
PLAY OF THE DAY
The final term of the Giants and Magpies elimination final could probably fit into every category here. The Western Sydney hosts looked set for elimination from the post-season at the first time of asking after trailing by up to six goals in the concluding stanza.
After missing out on a double chance by a single goal - also at home - last week, it would have been a galling way for the Giants to end their campaign.
But they came from the clouds, scoring seven of the last ten goals of the game to hit the front. When Collingwood popped one in to level the game at 51 apiece with 17 seconds to go, they still needed a huge play. A turnover, meanwhile, could be fatal.
Enter Susan Pettitt. From the restart, she received the pass and threw long to the goal mouth where towering shooter Kristina Brice took a strong catch, turned, and sealed the win. Check it out. Clutch.
It earned a spot in next weekend’s Preliminary Final against the Melbourne Vixens, who were upset by the Sunshine Coast in the major semi-final earlier in the afternoon.
TODAY’S BIG WINNER
When GWS started their AFL journey it was largely with noses turned up from the traditional football centres. They were manufactured. Plastic. In a city that doesn’t care about the code. You get the picture. It wasn’t nice.
Well, today, in their sixth season, they have topped the ladder for the first time. Cop that. A glut of early injuries made going slow to begin the season, threatening to stop their premiership tilt before it started. But their classy win against the Essendon today capped a wonderful month of footy where they have made a habit of winning the close one.
Here, they showed they had another club in the bag too: putting away the opposition. While Essendon were gallant, bringing the margin to single digits in the last term at one stage, GWS held their nerve and ran out the game despite a six day break and returning from Perth last weekend.
That’s what real contenders do: find a way to win and win well even when it’s hard. And kick the ball beautifully. They do that too.
TODAY’S BIG LOSER
Sneaking ahead before half time, the Gold Coast Titans were well placed to push hard for an away win in Townsville against the Cowboys.
After, they didn’t get a sniff. Indeed, from leading the game at the break they didn’t score again, to be thrashed 20-8. What a mess.
COMEBACK OF THE DAY
It was only a two point deficit at the break that Richmond had to overcome against North, but it was a lot more than that too.
North had won seven of the last right at the Tigers, the previous time by 70 points. The Kangaroos have been in very good nick over the last five weeks, too.
Not to mention Richmond’s nagging habit - last Saturday aside - of finding ways to lose the unlosable. The primary issue there: letting it become close to begin with in games they otherwise dominated.
Not tonight. Piling on six goals in the third term, then kicking away in the final quarter, Richmond go to bed in the top four. They deserve to sleep well and enjoy the week off.
Richmond haven’t won a final since 2001, but it is performances like tonight that can give their loyal faithful belief that this is the year they break that hoodoo. At a minimum. Then? Who knows.
IF TODAY WERE A SONG
Speaking of Richmond. The man they call Dusty was best on ground. Again. He firms as Brownlow favourite.
He’s also a person of interest to, reportedly, multiple clubs at the end of this season. To the extent that North Melbourne supporters were seen with banners urging the superstar to join them.
After play when asked about his growing currency on the open market, Martin joked that it was a good result. I stress to Tiger readers: he was having a laugh. But still, Undercover Mart(i)n, based on that exchange alone, works if you ask me. Enjoy.
CRICKET: Good fightback from Sri Lanka at The Oval. The Proteas were cruising, but a couple of quick wickets - including ABdV for four. They are currently 213-3 in the 38th. Still on track for 320+, which is only par in the 50-over game these days. Keep following it on the mighty OBO with Nick Miller now, and the doyen Rob Smyth later.
TENNIS: Live action from Roland-Garros as well, with Andy Murray in action today. Indeed, he’s a set and a break up at the moment. Follow it game-by-game.
Updated
AFL: More from the Docklands, where the Tigers ended up doing it easy over North, taking the win by 35 points to bounce into fourth place on the ladder at the half way mark of the season. Via AAP.
A Dustin Martin masterclass has propelled Richmond to a 35-point win over North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.
The Tigers superstar was brilliant throughout but elevated his game even higher in a blistering six-goals-to-one third-quarter that set up the 14.17 (101) to 9.12 (66) win on Saturday night.
If Martin is the target of a North Melbourne free agency poaching raid, as has been widely reported, the Kangaroos will need to up their offer on the evidence of his 38-possession, two-goal game.
North couldn’t combat the bullocking midfielder’s trademark strength, but Martin also wowed the 36,100-strong crowd with breathtaking disposal by foot.
As good as the Tigers were in the pivotal third term, the Roos were equally bad.
Brad Scott’s side imploded with three 50m penalties and a free kick gifting Richmond scores as they turned a two-point half-time deficit into a decisive 28-point lead at three-quarter time.
SUPER RUGBY: 20 minutes. Force 0 Hurricanes 7. You thought it was all done, didn’t you? Well, nearly. In Perth, the final game of the evening is underway as the Western Storm host the Hurricanes I’ll keep an eye on it as we wrap up the day.
The Force are third in the Australian conference and will be encouraged by the Waratah’s loss earlier today; they can join them on points by winning this evening.
The Hurricanes are second in the NZ conference and bound for the post-season. Both teams won their previous encounter, but the ‘Canes have a 9-1 record against the Force in their last ten starts. Indeed, they have won 12 on the spin against non-Kiwi opposition.
The Force will be determined to show something for their home fans, though. Last time in Perth they were thrashed by 49 points when up against the Highlanders, their worst home loss. Ever.
SATURDAY SCOREBOARD
AFL: Final score Richmond 14.17 (101) def North 9.12 (66). Very impressive second half, from a two point deficit to a 35 point win for the Richmond Footy Club. Been a while since they had beaten the Kangaroos, but picked a good time for it. Dustin Martin, who North are trying to buy as well, spoke after the game. He said it was the quickest game he had played all year. Then joked that his Best On Ground performance wasn’t a bad outcome given clubs are after him. Brilliant subplot to season 2017, that one. But the main game is whether Richmond can not only make the final four, but win a final. Or a couple. Or a few. It’s been a while. But they were fast and furious when it mattered. Scarily so.
AFL: Q4 3:00 remaining. North 9.12 (66) Richmond 14.16 (100). Dan Butler kicks truly from a 48m set shot directly in front, extending the lead to 34 points. Are they contenders? It feels odd to say that. But turning at 7-4, kicking 100+ points tonight, coming back form a half-time deficit... all good signs. Especially from a side who have struggled to put games away.
NRL: And the Cowboys impressive comeback over the Titans in Townsville.
Maroons utility Michael Morgan helped put the disappointment of a State of Origin opening loss behind him by guiding North Queensland to a much-needed 20-8 home NRL win on Saturday night over Gold Coast.
With Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston still sidelined, Townsville junior Morgan played arguably his best game of the season, the halfback bagging a try and impressing with his kicking game all night.
Opposing Origin star Jarryd Hayne had a largely forgettable night, the Blues’ centre barely noticeable in a Titans side needing some attacking spark.
Outside of a 10-minute period up to halftime, the Titans struggled and were outscored 14-0 in the final term to slip to another listless loss.
North Queensland looked promising in attack and enjoyed 65 per cent of possession in the opening 20 minutes but couldn’t finish a number of half chances against resolute Gold Coast defence.
After a mountain of pressure and possession, the Cowboys were finally rewarded when Morgan powered over for a signature running try.
Winger Kyle Feldt missed an easy conversion attempt but, soon after, a penalty goal took North Queensland to 6-0 nearing halftime.
The Titans were then quick to pounce on a Cowboys error, as Dale Copley combined with Ash Taylor to send the Titans’ halfback over for an impressive 50-metre try.
While a stellar Lachlan Coote tackle stopped a certain Gold Coast try, a ruck penalty allowed Taylor to boot the Titans to an unlikely 8-6 halftime lead.
North Queensland started the second period with great attacking intent and were soon rewarded when standout rookie Coen Hess stormed over for his ninth try of the year to recapture the lead for the Cowboys.
Feldt added another penalty goal to extend the Cowboys’ lead to six and he added four more points shortly after with a smart finish from an inch-perfect Morgan cut-out pass.
The Cowboys went out further to 20-8 lead after the Titans gifted Feldt a penalty shot from in front when they failed to get a line dropout away in time.
SUPER RUGBY: Here is how the Brumbies got it done in the nation’s capital. Courtesy of AAP.
The Brumbies have clinched Super Rugby’s Australian conference with a 32-3 bonus-point thrashing of the hapless Melbourne Rebels in Canberra.
Saturday night’s four-tries-to-one victory means the Brumbies head into the June international break assured of playing finals for the fifth year running.
Heavy dew made things difficult for players on Saturday night with both sides making handling errors throughout the match.
Despite the slippery conditions, the Brumbies had no problem illustrating the gulf in class between Australia’s best and worst performed franchises this season in front of a 8,970 supporters at GIO Stadium.
The Brumbies controlled a scrappy first half and went to the break leading 11-3.
Winger Henry Speight took a quick tap from a penalty on the half hour mark and drew a slew of defenders as he attempted to dive over under the posts.
Two phases later Kyle Godwin found Jordan Smiler out wide, with the No. 8 breaking a 25-game try drought and scoring the only five-pointer of the first half.
The home side made a dream start to the second period with outside centre Tevita Kurindrani bullocking his way through the Rebels’ defence to score under the posts, and Wharenui Hawera added the points to extend the lead to 15.
A brilliant run from flanker Chris Alcock just before the hour mark gave halfback Joe Powell the chance to set up Hawera who crossed under the posts before converting his own try to take the Brumbies to a 25-3 lead.
A dashing break from winger Marika Koroibete late in the second half produced the Rebels best chance for a try, but he was denied by Tom Banks and Kyle Godwin metres from the line.
Nigel Ah Wong dived on a loose ball to score the final try of the game in the dying minutes to cap a dominant Brumbies performance.
Hawera notched both his penalty goal attempts while Reece Hodge scored the Rebels’ only points of the match with a long-range penalty goal mid way through the first half.
AFL: Q4 5:00 remaining. North 9.12 (66) Richmond 13.15 (94). Sorry, Tiges. I shouldn’t have said that thing about the bandwagon. A dated stereotype. You lot are thick and thin. Back to the Docklands, McDonald and Lloyd miss set shots for North and Richmond respectively as this game now looks certain to delivery four points to Punt Road.
AFL: Q4 10:00 remaining. North 9.12 (65) Richmond 13.15 (93). The steadier! Richmond under assault, but they aren’t giving this up. Kane Lambert slots it through and North need five goals in ten minutes. Richmond, if they get up, will be inside the top four overnight. Fire up that famous bandwagon.
NETBALL. The report from a ridiculous first-semi final in Western Sydney, the Giants getting over the line inside the final 12 seconds.
Giants Netball have produced an extraordinary final assault to overcome Collingwood Magpies 52-51 in a Super Netball minor semi-final nailbiter on Saturday night.
The Giants looked set for a season-ending loss when they trailed the Magpies by six goals with seven minutes remaining at the Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre.
However, the team that have battled without injured captain Kim Green since round five staged a courageous rally to score seven of the last 10 goals of the game.
The decisive moment came with 17 seconds remaining and the scores locked at 51-51, when veteran Susan Pettitt threw a long pass into the circle where goal shooter Kristina Brice gained the ball and held her nerve to sink the winner.
SUPER RUGBY. All over, the Brumbies account for the hapless Rebels, 32 to 3.
Who did what, via AAP:
BRUMBIES 32 (Nigel Ah Wong, Wharenui Hawera, Tevita Kuridrani, Jordan Smiler tries Hawera 3 cons 2 pens) bt REBELS 3 (Reece Hodge pen) at GIO Stadium. Referee: Nick Briant. Crowd: 8,970.
AFL: Q4 13.57 remaining. North 9.12 (65) Richmond 12.14 (86). Well. Castagna (CAN’T STAND YA) turns it over at half back, North go down the other end, the mark taken inside 50 by Hansen who turns around and knocks it in. So, we’re back inside four goals. Game on, yeah?
AFL: Q4 15:40 remaining. North 8.12 (60) Richmond 12.14 (86). Another moment of near-brilliance for North, this time Jarrad Waite getting through heavy traffic and snapping around his body. The goal umpire has said it has gone over the top of the post. Hmm. I reckon he’s still not to win the Bertochi Ham for goal of the week. North needed one of those to drop in order to have a realistic chance. But they do have the run of play since the final break. Oh dear: salt in the wounds here, a snap from big man Mason Wood from relatively close range popped out on the full. Brad Scott is laughing. Doubt the bloke in the cheer squad is who used to scare the life out of me when we played North as a kid. I bet he still sits there, too.
AFL: Q4 18:30 remaining. North 8.10 (58) Richmond 12.14 (86). Nearly one of the great AFL goals there from North’s McMillan, who collected the ball before half way, took a bounce and kicked an old-fashioned Malcolm Blight barrel from 90-odd metres. It took a leg break in the square and nearly rolled in, but the post got in the way.
CRICKET: South Africa have got their act together after a slow start at The Oval, sitting pretty at 129-1 in the 25th. Amal is 65. Naturally. Became the quickest man to 7000 ODI runs last week.
AFL: Three-quarter time. North 8.9 (57) Richmond 12.13 (85). Six goal to one quarter for the Tiges, and a 28 point lead. The highlight, this gem from Dusty. He’s having blinder. Again.
Absolute class from Dustin Martin. #AFLNorthTigers pic.twitter.com/YfqyxkN8Uh
— AFL (@AFL) June 3, 2017
SUPER RUGBY. 74 minutes. Brumbies 25 - Rebels 3. As expected, this is petering out. After scoring the initial field goal, the Rebels haven’t threatened the scoreboard again. With this win, the Canberrans stitch up top spot in the Australian conference. A big post-season awaits.
AFL: Q3 1:00 remaining. North 8.8 (56) Richmond 12.13 (85). “Guess who?” says BT on the call. Dustin Martin, of course. It’s a straightforward snap from close range after some clever hands close in. “He has to be firming for outright Brownlow favourite,” adds Luke Darcy. Sounds about right.
NRL: Full-time at Townsville, where North Queensland had comfortably held off the the Gold Coast 20-8 in the end courtesy of a 14-0 second half. Messy for the Titans.
AFL: Q3 3:00 remaining. North 8.7 (55) Richmond 11.13 (79). At last! Brilliant finish from Atlee, but they made hard work of that. Got out the back and they needed that desperately, North.
AFL: Q3 16:38 remaining. North 7.6 (48) Richmond 10.10 (70). Out of the blocks with four quicks goals to start the second half. On fire. Tiger Time. With the netball over, my attention will return to the Docklands to see this one through I think.
SUPER RUGBY: 56 minutes. Brumbies 18 - Rebels 3. A try in the minutes after the restart for the Brumbies to take control of this game. Built on the back of a solid scrum, Tevita Kuridrani over the line and Wharenui Hawera converts. Has a familiar, sinking feeling about it now for the battling Melbourne side.
NRL: The Cowboys have turned around the earlier deficit to open up a commanding 10 point lead with 20 minutes to go at Townsville, ahead of the Titans 18-8.
NETBALL: CLUTCH!
Congratulations to the @GIANTS_Netball! 👏 "What a performance." - @AnnieSargeant. #SuncorpSuperNetball pic.twitter.com/hjk4nx0C9r
— 9Netball (@9Netball) June 3, 2017
NETBALL: GIANTS WIN! Out of jail, down by four goals at one stage during the final term, but the hosts held their nerve. They progress to next week’s Preliminary Final at Melbourne against the Vixens. Detailed report coming soon.
Brice scores and the Giants win by 1! #GIAvMAG #SuncorpSuperNetball
— #SuncorpSuperNetball (@SuperNetball) June 3, 2017
NETBALL: How about the GRANDSTAND FINISH coming up!
Brown scores to level! 58 secs left! #GIAvMAG #SuncorpSuperNetball
— #SuncorpSuperNetball (@SuperNetball) June 3, 2017
NETBALL: Magpies early surge in the last! Can they knock of the Giants? The Sydney side were within a goal of a double chance, and might find themselves out of the comp altogether a week later.
We don't know where to look! 😱 Magpies lead by three, 45-42 with just under 8.30 on the clock. #GIAvMAG #SuncorpSuperNetball
— #SuncorpSuperNetball (@SuperNetball) June 3, 2017
AFL: Jumper punching. Who knew it was going to be the talking point of 2017? Anyway, Tomahawk’s in strife. And knows it, based on this AAP report from ABC earlier today.
Tom Hawkins can’t believe he jumper punched Adelaide’s Matt Crouch after the well-publicised AFL crack down, but the Geelong star remains hopeful he will escape suspension.
Hawkins admitted his angst over the second-quarter incident sat in the pit of his stomach after the Cats’ 22-point win over the Crows at Simonds Stadium.
The 28-year-old remonstrated with Matt and Brad Crouch after Geelong skipper Joel Selwood was taken to ground in a heavy tackle.
Hawkins’ 200-game milestone appears set to be marred by an AFL ban after he made contact with Crouch’s jaw - an observation he disputes.
“It was a bit of a funny one ... on a night when there was a bit of push and shove I felt like I got him in the chest,” Hawkins said on ABC Radio.
AFL: Half time also in the footy, North taking a two point advantage (48-46) to the long break over Richmond. I might flick over to that for the third quarter. Twitter suggests a tasty contest.
Richo: "There's not much in this game, you look across stat sheet..."
— Andrew Wu (@wutube) June 3, 2017
Ch 7 show time in forward 1/2 stat: R 70%, NM 30% #AFLNorthTigers
SUPER RUGBY. Half time. Brumbies 11 - Rebels 3. The try eventually came for the hosts in the 31st minute after getting the ball deep into Rebel territory but electing to tap rather than kick. Out to the left they went, Jordan Smller the try scorer. They did miss the chance to press home the advantage with a conversion. To the break with an eight point lead.
NETBALL: All happening at Western Sydney! Collingwood, the visitors, are leading GWS 33-32 in the third term. All to play for, the lower eliminated.
AFL: Looks like a cracking game in Melbourne, but Richmond not kicking straight. 5.9 to North’s 5.4 about half way through the second term at Docklands.
NRL: The Titans go to the half-time interval ahead of the Cowboys 8-6. They went ahead through a late penalty goal.
CRICKET: South Africa are 28-0 after nine overs at The Oval. Good start, by the looks, by Sri Lanka’s bowlers.
SUPER RUGBY: 27 minutes. Brumbies 6 - Rebels 3. Rebels on the board with a penalty goal via Hodge. Drained the kick from 50m. Nicely hit. But minutes later, the Rebels penalised for offside. Hawera gets it done. Two penalty goals to one.
I’ll swing around the other venues and get back to the ruggers before half-time.
SUPER RUGBY: 17 minutes. Brumbies 3 - Rebels 0. It is top versus bottom of Australia conference, nine points clear for ACT at top of the table, where this game is being played.
The Rebels can take some hope though - the only game they have won for the year was against the Brumbies, back in round eight. Could the bottom ranked side do the double over the top? Strange times.
ACT are coming off wins in South Africa and Argentina, further establishing their credentials as the team to beat from our part of the world. Statistically, there is no better tackling team going round.
NRL: Early try at Townsville.
The @nthqldcowboys finally crack the @GCTitans defence!#NRLCowboysTitans #NRL pic.twitter.com/D5zW81TQkU
— NRL (@NRL) June 3, 2017
NETBALL: Q2, 11 minutes remaining. Giants 17 - Magpies 13. After the Lightning’s upset earlier in the second semi-final (don’t make me say major and minor, I can’t do it, Page & McIntyre won’t allow it) the winner of the Giants and Pies will take on the Vixens next week in the Prelim.
The Giants blew their double chance opportunity last week, losing by a single goal at home to the Lightning. They are tonight’s host.
However, home ground advantage means little between these two. In round three the Giants won on the road, then in round nine the Pies did the same.
AFL: We’re already ten minutes into the North v Tigers match at Docklands, North leading 8-2. The Kangas come into the clash 13th on the ladder, while Richmond consolidated their top eight last week, currently sixth.
Last time they met was round 11 last year when North thrashed the Yellow and Black 70 in Tasmania. It’s the pattern of recent history between the teams, North winning seven of the last eight.
But overcoming Essendon in a classic Dreamtime match last week, Richmond snapped their dismal streak of close losses.
North are in decent nick too, winning four of their last five starts after stinking it up early on.
Want a stat? Richmond only concede 81 points a game and North scoring 96. Fairly obvious, then, this where this will be won and lost.
NRL: Here’s the AAP report of the thriller at the SFS, the Roosters holding off the Broncos for an 18-16 triumph.
“Two tries from Boyd Cordner have inspired the Sydney Roosters to a thrilling 18-16 win over Brisbane which moves them into the NRL top four.
Broncos goalkicker Jordan Kahu had a chance to send the game into golden point on Saturday night when Tautau Moga crossed with three minutes remaining.
But his sideline conversion hooked wide, and the Roosters survived a last-ditch scare to leapfrog the Broncos into equal-second spot with St George Illawarra and Cronulla.
Cordner, one of nine players backing up from Wednesday’s State of Origin opener, broke a 6-6 deadlock minutes before halftime with a trademark try on the edge of the ruck.
And that appeared to be the final try of the match before the game ignited with three late tries in the last 10 minutes to set up a thrilling finish for the hearty crowd of 12,232.”
(Only 12,232? Hmmm)
Let’s keep whipping around. Sri Lanka have won the toss and will bat against South Africa at The Oval in the first pool game of Group B in the Champs Trophy. Pick up the OBO with Nick Miller.
At the French Open Andy Murray is up today. We have rolling coverage from Paris in the game-by-game (I think it is called) over here.
NRL: The Roosters got over the line against the Broncos, but it was a close run thing. Sydney consolidated their top four standing with an 18-16 victory. More on that as it comes to hand.
Next up in a few minutes in that competition, Cowboys v Titans. They are coming into this game at Willows Sports Complex in Townsville 7th and 12th respectively.
Both sides are coming off the both and both are hard to get a read on for their inconsistency through 2017 so far.
When they last played round four, Gold Coast took the points at home over injury-depleted Cowboys. They will again tonight be missing Johnathan Thurston.
The Titans are also struggling with ongoing injury, but get Jarryd Hayne back for this clash. Handy inclusion.
AFL: Full Time. Giants 18.9 (117) v Dons 15.11 (101). The Giants have done it, moving to the top of the ladder for the first time in their six season history. For the most part, Essendon stayed with league leaders. The visitors can take plenty of that, but not the four points. A lot expected from GWS after reaching the final four last year. With one more game before their bye (Carlton in Melbourne), they should be able to consolidate their position heading into the back half of the season. A lot to like. Josh Kelly was best afield, collecting 38 touches and 12 score involvements. Toby Greene was also fantastic, finishing with three goals for the winners. SING THE SONG.
AFL: Q4 1:00 remaining. Giants 18.9 (117) v Dons 15.11 (101). Cameron hits the post from 40! Could have just about ran all the way in, he had a paddock. Greene has another chance, a set shot in an almost identical place on the field to where he missed earlier in the quarter. And he misses again. But it doesn’t go the distance, so the scrap continues, the ball ultimately ending up back in the GWS 50 after taking some time of the clock. Eventually Kennedy gets under a high bomb and he kicks the winner from close range. Bellchambers responds with one himself down the other end, but it’s all over now.
AFL: Q4 9:00 remaining. Giants 17.8 (110) v Dons 14.11 (95). They’re a classy outfit, the GWS. Moments like this that the really good teams, the true contenders, find a way through. After the short break and the travel. In spite of the injuries and the most start. Irrespective of the baggage from last year and the expectations on their shoulders to go two better in 2017. That was all embodied in this clinical response to two Essendon goals in a minute to make it a single-digit game. Immediately from the restart the switch was flicked with bodies flung at the ball. Quick hands from Scully got the ball out, composure from Williams shown to take an extra second before having his shot. He made no mistake. Quality.
AFL: Q4 9:00 remaining. Giants 16.8 (104) v Dons 14.11 (95). McDonald-Tipungwuti! Daniher takes his second strong mark at centre half forward in the space of a couple of minutes. He takes a shot but mishits it and the forward takes his second mark close to goal in the space of a minute. Taken on his chest in the end, poor defending from GWS. But he is, as Brown says on the call, rewarded for playing in front. Nine point margin, nine minutes left. Game on. Do the the hosts have the legs after their cross-continental journey? We’ll find out soon.
AFL: Q4 12:30 remaining. Giants 16.8 (104) v Dons 13.11 (89). They won’t go away! Just when it looked like GWS were going to waltz away with this one, Essendon have a penetrative few minutes with a handful of inside 50s. At last, one goes to hand with McDonald-Tipungwuti taking a strong grab and converting from 20. Maybe?
AFL: Q4 12:30 remaining. Giants 16.8 (104) v Dons 12.11 (83). James Stewart is gifted a set shot for a notional infringement in the contest. Had that been the application of the rule a generation ago Jason Dunstall would have kicked 1500. Anyway, he misses. I’m pleased. Essendon lament. That may have been their window. Down the other end again in a flash from the kick-off, Toby Greene is found on the chest inside 50. They’ve kicked so well tonight. But not so Greene here who misses out on what would have been his fourth.
AFL: Q4 17:30 remaining. Giants 16.7 (103) v Dons 12.10 (82). GWS with everything to play for here, a chance to go top of the ladder for the first time in their history if they can get the points. They’ll lead the comp going into the half-way mark as well. Cameron has another chance to extend the lead, a set shot from where the 50 meets the boundary line, but can’t thread it through, missing - just - to the near side. The spearhead is now equal leader in the Coleman after his goal moments earlier. Kelly misses another shot, albeit a chancier swing from outside the 50. Still: they’re once again peppering. One more should do it.
AFL: Q4 17:30 remaining. Giants 16.5 (101) v Dons 11.10 (82). Plenty of noise from the travelling Essendon fans, the Bombers chant audible around the ground. Giants have been good in close games with a string of single-digit victories, including an eight point triumph over the Eagles in Perth last week. But how much will that hurt now? (Nearly) the longest trip in footy, and all that, on a six day break. Oh, but Jeremy Cameron is having none of that! The star forward latches onto the contested ball in the pocket, composes himself and snaps truly. An old-fashioned steadier, right there.
AFL: Q4 18:30 remaining. Giants 15.5 (95) v Dons 11.10 (82). Two in a minute for Essendon and they have got it back to 13 points! Josh Green has got the first. Merrett put the ball into the 50 and the small-who-plays-tall snaked it through. The second came through a succession of handballs and a clever Colyer snap after a turnover in the pocket. “I think they are a big chance,” says Jonathan Brown on the telly.
Updated
Lions tour: I just saw we have a live blog going of their Barbarians tour match. Get on that if you fancy the minute by minute.
AFL: Three-quarter time. Giants 15.5 (95) v Dons 10.10 (70). Another exchange of goals keeps the margin to 20 points, where it has bounced around through this quarter. The Giants aren’t able to quite kill off the Dons yet. They’ll still have some work to do when the final stanza comes. Oh but as I write, de Boer gets another on the stroke of the siren. So, 25 points it is into the final change.
Updated
NETBALL: How it went down on Showcourt One, the Lightning getting over the Vixens by one goal. Brilliant start to the finals series. Here’s the AAP report.
“Sunshine Coach Lightning are through to the Super Netball grand final after they upset minor premiers Melbourne Vixens with a 56-55 win at Margaret Court Arena on Saturday.
The Lightning will have a week off before hosting the decider at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday 17 June.
The Vixens will get another chance next Saturday at Hisense Arena to qualify for the grand final when they host the preliminary final against the winner of tonight’s minor semi-final between the Giants and Magpies.
The major semi-final hung in the balance right up until the final minutes.
The Vixens led by two in early in the last quarter but the visiting Lightning finished stronger, thanks to the sharp shooting of Caitlin Bassett who scored 44 goals from 47 attempts in a MVP performance.”
AFL: Q3 11.00 remaining Giants 13.5 (83) v Dons 9.8 62). Another opportunity for Derm to talk about hitting blokes, saying that his classic shirtfront on Paul van der Haar in the 1989 second semi final “paid for his pool” before going on to call the Flying Dutchman a “great bloke.” All I’d say is that it’s an absolute disgrace that isn’t on youtube. I was sitting just above it as a five year old lad. Formative memories.
On the field, the sides have exchanged goals, continuing the pattern of the game where goals have come on a flurry. Josh Green’s for Essendon was a good’un, racing onto an open ball and opting to take a shot rather than giving it off. Back yourself, lad.
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NRL: Across town, a second converted try for the Roosters gives them a 12-6 lead over the Broncos at half time at the Football Stadium.
AFL: Q3 14:15 remaining Giants 12.5 (77) v Dons 8.8 (56). Bad missed shot from Hooker, 40 out and pulls it like Ricky Ponting. But then, not like him at all. Back to full-back, mate. GWS make them pay, racing it down from the kick in with a string of handballs, Williams pinpointing the inside 50 before Perryman in his third game collects and goals with poise. 21 points the margin, but you get the feeling they’re only a goal away from shutting this down.
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AFL: Q3 16:55 remaining Giants 11.5 (71) v Dons 8.7 (55). The definition of end to end stuff to start the second half. Fantasia collects and goals to get us underway and narrow the margin to ten. But within a minute Toby Greene busts through a tackle at the other end and collects his third major of the night. They’re talking about the strength of his hips on the call. They don’t lie, that much I know.
AFL: Back for the second half. Derm has a cracking stat. GWS kicking efficiency is 83 percent so far tonight. That’s equal to Hawthorn of 2008, who had the best rating on that measure for the time that stat has been measured (about 20 years). What a time to be alive that was. Can I indulge? I’m going to.
“Franklin. To Dew. He might kick this... AND HE HAS! He’s had the best five minutes of his footy life, and that includes the ‘04 Grand Final!” Thanks, Bruce. And yes, I know that by heart.
Little video as well? Why not.
NRL: We’re half an hour into the Roosters (5th) v Broncos (4th) blockbuster at the SFS, with the teams level at six apiece.
Five Sydney and six Brisbane played Origin on Wednesday and all are backing up. Tough as. Four of last five times this clash has occurred in Sydney, the visiting Brons have got up. They also knocked them off 32-8 in round six.
They are coming off a loss through, done 28-10 by the Warriors last weekend. One of those games that can be worth two at the end of the season with both teams in the running for a top four double chance.
In the rugby, the British and Irish Lions have started their 2017 tour of New Zealand against the Provincial Barbarians. And the hosts have the first try via Sam Anderson-Heather.
This is the first of five tour games the Lions play before their first of three Tests against the All Blacks beginning later in the month.
AFL: Whoa! Goddard, playing his 300th, has smashed over the lollies in the rooms at the half-time break. Proper tantrum. Given the milestone he can do what he wants, but his teammates will be quietly filthy at wasting the good stuff.
NETBALL: Thrilling finish! The Lightning have come from behind the knock off the Vixens 56-55. Wow, two weeks in a row Sunshine Coast have won by a single goal away from home in the second semi. They’ve earned their Grand Final birth, that is for sure. More details as they come to hand. The Vixens have to do it the hard way with their double chance, taking on the winner of the Giants and Magpies who face off in the first semi shortly.
NRL: The AAP report from the Dragons 16-12 win over Wests at the Olympic Stadium.
“NSW Origin lock Tyson Frizell was taken from the field with a rib injury as St George Illawarra held on for a 16-12 NRL win over the Wests Tigers.
The Blues starting forward was injured attempting a tackle on Tim Grant midway through the second half and played no further part in Saturday’s game at ANZ Stadium.
The blow comes just two-and-a-half weeks out from State of Origin II.
It’s the second time Frizell has had a rib problem this year.
He also failed to return against Manly in round six with a similar issue, but did not miss any matches.
In a further concern for the Blues, Josh Dugan appeared to suffer a knee injury late in the match and required attention from trainers, but stayed on the field as the Dragons survived a late scare.”
AFL: Half Time. Giants 10.5 (65) v Dons 7.7 (49). Wonderful football, Josh Kelly launching a picture-perfect tackle in the GWS forward 50, rewarded with a holding the ball free kick. He makes no mistake. That’s two goals in the final minute of the half to extend their lead to 16 as the siren sounds, a 28 point turnaround in the second quarter.
AFL: Q2 1:47 remaining Giants 9.5 (59) v Dons 7.7 (49). Time for GWS to go straight back up the other end. Beautifully set up by Patton, who find Whitfield on the lead, and smacks the set shot in from 55m. Some beautiful kicking from both sides tonight.
AFL: Q2 2:45 remaining Giants 8.5 (53) v Dons 7.7 (49). Oh, such a strong mark from Toby Greene. He’s a gun. Goes back from 42 and swings it like Damien Fleming right to left and through the middle. Important too, as it came just after Essendon tucked one back via Josh Green. But Essendon aren’t giving anything up here, the big ruckman Tom Bellchambers converting a set shot from behind the arc, Essendon’s second major of the quarter to keep the margin within a straight kick. Good game of footy, this.
Illustrative of that, here’s that Tom Scully goal from earlier that I was carrying on about.
Tom Scully puts his foot down and kicks a terrific goal. #AFLGiantsDons pic.twitter.com/vkODGGyiLz
— AFL (@AFL) June 3, 2017
My Dad has seen the GWS song story below and written in. “Their loss. Best jingle I ever wrote. Even had that “yellow and black” moment. Words even more relevant now they are a force. And thanks for remembering my birthday.” Call you later.
AFL: Q2 8:16 remaining Giants 7.4 (46) v Dons 5.5 (36). And again! Scully has three. GWS on point with their tweet about it, too. In control now. Bad set shot miss from Jobe Watson up the other end to stop the bleeding.
Moves like Jagger? More like moves like Kelly!
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) June 3, 2017
His incredible footwork sets up Scully's third goal of the night.#AFLGIANTSDons
AFL: Q2 11:10 remaining Giants 6.4 (40) v Dons 5.4 (34). Back in business, the Giants have the first three goals of the second term to get back into the lead. The best of the three: some swift movement across the traditional centre half forward line, precise kicking finding Tom Scully who finishes from 49m with no fuss at all. His second of the night. Toby Greene gets the next. On the call, I just heard Dermie saying something about putting a knee into Greene to stop him. Never change, Kid. Never change. 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
NETBALL: The Vixens have earned themselves some breathing room on Showcourt One. Can they lean on their home ground advantage and be the first team to quality for the competition’s first Grand Final?
(Yeah, Showcourt One. I know you can see what I am doing there.)
The Vixens take a four goal lead, with almost 5 mins gone in Q3. #VIXvLIG #SuncorpSuperNetball
— #SuncorpSuperNetball (@SuperNetball) June 3, 2017
AFL: quarter time Giants 3.3 (21) v Dons 5.3 (33). Well, the Giants, who could go top of the pops tonight, were up by 14 deep into that opening term. But Essendon have gone to the break a couple go majors up. Fantasia and Daniher kicked goals in the final minute of the term. So that’s four goals to nothing in the final ten minutes, with eight inside 50s to nothing in that period. Leon Cameron has a mic popped underneath him as he walks back to the coach’s box, and judging by his tone, he’s just given the Giants an absolute bake at the breather.
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Note in from Chris Hill. Thanks Hilly.
“GWS theme song just about the best in the league #joininthechorus”
Okay, quick story. There was a time when my Dad was peripherally involved with the Giants when they were starting up. His business at the time were pumping in some sponsorship cash, or something like that.
Anyway, he had a bloody good idea when working on the song. Use the Road to Gundagai music. Given the link to the ACT, and that general geographical direction, it was pretty great. So he wrote a song! And it was really good!
Back in my media manipulation days, I even got it written about in one of the newspapers.
I don’t remember what happened next exactly. But he was told the ditty came runner up to the Russian alternative that they end up going with.
No hard feelings from me though. Because a) I have this story (patchily as I’ve told it), and b) I’m with Hilly, the other song is great.
Oh blimey, it’s my Dad’s birthday! And it took this for me to remember. Better give him a buzz. Better yet, better direct him to the blog. Be right back.
AFL: Q1 2:26 remaining Giants 3.3 (21) v Dons 3.2 (20). Two in a minute for the Dons! First, some total football, moving the ball through the guts with a series of precise handballs before Irishman Conor McKenna gets on the end of it and converts on the run from 50. Pretty stuff all round.
Straight back inside 50 from the bounce, Daniher tries to go himself taking on a defender, but when tackled he has the presence of mind to snap to the kick-off line. Josh Green takes the mark and kicks the set shot.
NRL: Full-time at the Olympic Stadium, the Dragons withstanding a late surge from Wests, getting over the line 16-12.
And in the Super Rugby, the Chiefs have done enough to see off the Tahs in Waikato, winning 46-31.
Standby for a report from each of those fixtures as they hit the wires.
AFL: Q1 8:30 remaining Giants 3.2 (20) v Dons 1.1 (7). Another excellent finish for the G-Dubs. Contested ball won on centre wing and banged forward, some clever work at the bottom of the pack freeing up Zac Williams, who wheels around and drills it from 50. Loves a celebration too. As Dwayne and Derm say on the commentary, he’s on the way to an All Australian jumper come September.
AFL: Q1 11:16 remaining Giants 2.0 (12) v Dons 1.1 (7). Classssss from Tom Scully, latching onto a free ball and running around the boundary, taking a bounce and bisecting the big sticks to get the Giants their second. Absolutely no room for error there. Will probably be the goals of the week. Not a bad time to tune in. But Essendon go back down the other end within a minute, creating a turnover that lands with Cale Hooker. He converts the set shot, and Essendon have their first.
Netball: 13 each of two at quarter time in the major semi final between the Melbourne Vixens and Sunshine Coast Lightning. In other words, that’s first vs second, the winner progressing to the Grans Final.
The loser will play the winner of the Giants and Pies, who are up later tonight.
Home ground advantage was significant between these two sides in the regular season, the Lighting getting the job done 58-52 in round two before the Vixens squared the ledger 70-59 at Melbourne Park in round ten.
The Lightning won their double chance on the road last week though, overcoming the Giants 56-55 in a final day thriller. Early signs point towards the same again today.
AFL feature game: Giants v Bombers.
We’re about ten minutes away from kicking things off in Western Sydney where the hosts come in second, the visitors 11th.
GWS clocked their first ever win against the Eagles last week. It was in Perth last Sunday, so that’s quite the turnaround. But after a pristine three weeks they’re now in second spot and back to where most pundits thought they would be before injuries took their toll early on.
Last time they met in round 13 last year the Orangemen accounted for the depleted Dons by ten goals, but Essendon have won three of their last four games when heading over the Anzac Bridge.
It’s Brendon Goddard’s 300th game and that’s significant. A divisive figure at times, but one of the bigger figures in the game over the last 15 years. We wish him well. They got run over by Richmond late last week in the Dreamtime clash, so bouncing back is vital to remain on the cusp of the eight as we get to the business end of 2017.
Stats, stats, stats. Well, Essendon are 16th in the comp for inside 50s. That’s not pretty. The Giants lead the AFL for clearances per game. Make of those what you will.
Oh, and Stevie J is back at as well. Can’t forget him. That should do us. We’ll be up there shortly, after I’ve swung around and had a look at the netball for a tic.
Round the grounds, shall we? For the first time today.
Righto. In the AFL, it has started with a thriller on the Gold Coast! They’ve gotten over the line against West Coast by three point, Peter Wright taking a grab and converting with a couple of minutes to go.
It was the first time the Suns have knocked off the Eagles who are in some strife now. A double chance looks a long way away.
Three-quarters of the way through their NRL clash, St George Illawarra lead West Tigers 16-6 after jumping out to a 12-0 lead early on at the Olympic Stadium. That should pop the Dragons into the top two overnight, with Wests languishing near the less flattering end of the ladder.
In the Super Ruggers, the Chiefs have the Tahs covered comfortably, 39-17 deep into the second half. A poorly timed (likely) loss for NSW, who could be joined on points by the Force in Perth later tonight. We’ll being you that on Sportwatch.
A song? Yeah, a song. Because Arcade Fire released a new one yesterday, and that’s cause for celebration if you ask me.
Before we get into it, I should note that this always works better when we’re talking to one another. Do it on the email. Do it on the tweet. Want to do it on ICQ? I can probably arrange for that.
While you consider those options, here’s Andy Bull on what was a dreary old day at Edgbaston yesterday as Australia opened their Champs Trophy campaign with a washout against New Zealand. Never have I spent so long somewhere for so little payoff. Anyway, Andy explains it better.
Welcome to Saturday Sportwatch!
Afternoon. It’s your old friend Adam Collins here, ready and raring to nurse you through another heavily stacked Saturday of action from all the codes across all points of our big brown land. Welcome to Sportwatch.
They’re the two staples of Australian sport in winter: footy and netball. That’s what today is all about now that we’re formally ticked over to the coldest season. Of the former, we have all the codes coming up for you today. In the latter, two huge semi-finals.
To begin with AFL, we’re nearing a final siren in the Suns v Eagles clash before moving into our feature match of the afternoon, GWS hosting Essendon. The Giants have found their groove over the last three weeks, can they continue the surge? Or will the Dons find something special for Brendon Goddard’s 300th?
Later, the in-form North take on Richmond, who finally found a way to win a close one last week. Of course, it’s always enjoyable to keep a close eye on Richmond in 2017, so we will do exactly that.
North of the border, there’s an NRL blockbuster at 5:30pm between the Roosters and the Broncos, two big clubs sitting fifth and fourth on the ladder respectively. How will they deal with a host of Origin stars backing up after beating each other up on Wednesday?
Then the Cowboys host the Titans in Townsville, Jarryd Hayne returning for the visitors who slowly replenish their stocks after being whacked with injury so far this season.
In those aforementioned Super Netball finals, Melbourne’s Vixens take on the Sunshine Coast Lightning in the major semi-final. That’s the one with the double chance. The opening whistle has just been blown there, on Showcourt One at Melbourne Park.
Whoever loses that will play the winner of the elimination semi, where the Giants are hosting the Pies. That’s at 7pm in Western Sydney.
Last but not least, the game they play in Heav’n. We’ll feature the Brumbies and Rebels at 7:45pm, the Canberran side trying to further their lead at the top of the Australian division, Melbourne attempting to add to their one win. But it was in this corresponding fixture in round five, which isn’t for nothing.
Then to end the night, we’ll take a glance out west to see if the Force can hold off the Hurricanes, both sides with plenty to play for as we head towards the post-season.
Along the way, we’ll also check in with the French Open, Champions Trophy cricket and the British and Irish Lions as they begin their tour of New Zealand against the Provincial Barbarians.
And that, I expect, will be our fill. So settle in with a raspberry cordial and a packet of chicken Twisties. Despite being some awful hour of the morning here in London, it’s what I plan to do.
It’ll be all happening and it’ll be all here. Let’s play.
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Adam will be here shortly. In the meantime, something big happened in Brisbane earlier in the week and Nick Tedeschi wrote about it:
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