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The Guardian - AU
Sport
Sam Perry

Hawthorn beat Collingwood, Johnston scores five for Souths: sportwatch – as it happened

Jarryd Roughead
Jarryd Roughead of the Hawks is congratulated by team-mates. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

In summary

It was a day of Sunday sport that catapulted a few teams into contention, and just about ended the season of others. The Hawks, Saints, and the Brisbane Lions were in the AFL winners circle, and they were joined by the Wests Tigers and the Rabbitohs from the NRL. If you’re imagining an actual circle of mascots, as I am, include Boxing’s Jeff Horn in there too, after his upset win over legendary Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao.

Our feature match took us the MCG, where the Hawks accounted for Collingwood in an entertaining fixture. That will be cold comfort to Nathan Buckley, though, who’ll endure another cycle of scrutiny after his charges couldn’t make the most of their opportunities against an efficient Hawks. Both sides played some really attractive football in front of 50,000 at the MCG, and its result now begs the question: are Hawthorn a shot at the finals?

Elsewhere, the Lions knocked over Essendon in what was undoubtedly the upset of the (footballing) day. It seems you any mention of Brisbane must be prefixed with the term ‘young’ or ‘baby’ (in which case the word ‘Cub’ would suffice), but I very much digress. They hung in there with the Bombers, who led for the majority of the match, only to forego a sizeable three-quarter time lead, and thus, the four points. That’s two hard, tight losses for the Bombers now, whose season has been fairly checked by these results. For a neutral, it’s hard not to be happy for Brisbane, though, who’ve endured more than their fair share of hardship in the past few years.

Hardship was a theme that rolled with easy symmetry into our first NRL fixture of the day, where the Tigers were way too good for Newcastle. Most couldn’t split the two sides heading into the match – let’s be perfectly honest, they seemed as poor as each other. But the running game of Luke Brooks and some expert finishing saw the Tigers run out easy winners. It gives them some momentary respite in a season both clubs have already firmly categorised as ‘rebuilding’. In the Tigers case, you’d probably call that ‘re-re-building’.

That’s not where the best finishing of the day was though, after Souths hammered Newcastle 42-14 at Homebush. It’s a match that will be remembered for Alex Johnston’s five try haul, and they weren’t easy tries either. He was ably set up by Adam Reynolds and Sam Burgess, who laid the platform with a strong display. It’s a useful win for Souths too, for whom a loss would have probably ended their season. Penrith, meanwhile, don’t take too big a hit on the table, but you’d imagine the psychological damage from that kind of loss would be hard to come back from. Another five year plan for Gould? Or eight? It’s hard to keep up.

And finally, over to Subiaco, where the Saints firmed up their finals credentials with a spirited, last minute win away to Fremantle. Josh Bruce conjured the winning play, but it was the experience of Montagna and Riewoldt that provided the foundations for a superb victory. After a good few years out of the finals conversation, it’s wins like this that build the mettle for a sustained charge. Theirs was a particularly strong song, so I’ll leave you with that after another solid edition of Sportswatch. Thanks to all for joining me, and you can catch us again, next week, where we’ll fire up the blog on Saturday for more, and more, sport.

Updated

So, a couple of blowouts in the Rugby League, and legitimate nail-biters all in the AFL. Did a few finals contenders emerge? Summary to follow.

Fulltime: Fremantle 12.8 (80) defeated by St Kilda 12.17 (89)

St Kilda wins! They get the double-sealer too, courtesy of Josh Bruce. He kicks the goal as the siren sounds, and that’s a huge, huge win for the Saints. A great game.

Josh Bruce is on camera straight away. “Oh mate, it’s unbelievable,” he says. “Boyhood dream...” he puffs. “Some say our brand’s a little messy but we love playing messy.”

And on the penultimate, winning goal: “I didn’t know where I was meant to be. I saw it, popped it on the boot and it went in.”

Freo were more than valiant, they played well today. What a topsy-turvy season of football this has been.

AFL: Q4 01:42 remaining Fremantle 12.8 (80) v St Kilda 11.17 (83)

The ball spends a sustained period near St Kilda’s goal. Just about every player is back there trying to lock it in. It falls to Bruce - he snaps. GOAL! St Kilda back in front!

AFL: Q4 03:57 remaining Fremantle 12.8 (80) v St Kilda 10.17 (77)

Walters, off for thirty seconds, comes back on and makes immediate impact. He marks just about uncontested right in front of goal, and kicks another one. That’s his sixth, what a performance.

He’s been so good, the AFL Twitter page was bigging him up last quarter. He’s pushed on from there.

AFL: Q4 05:24 remaining Fremantle 11.8 (74) v St Kilda 10.17 (77)

The ball hugs the boundary line and St Kilda come up with it. Plenty of twists and turns left, it feels, as Freo try to apply some defensive pressure and force the long kick. The ball’s still in the middle of the park, no one’s breaking yet.

Tim Membrey of the Saints celebrates a goal
Tim Membrey of the Saints celebrates a goal Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

AFL: Q4 07:13 remaining Fremantle 11.8 (74) v St Kilda 10.16 (76)

...and he kicks it. Freo’s back in front. A huge seven minutes to go. Let’s stay with it. The ball goes to the other end and Membrey takes a pack mark. And it’s 50! Goal to St Kilda. They’re back ahead by two!

AFL: Q4 08:07 remaining Fremantle 10.8 (68) v St Kilda 9.16 (70)

Hotting up here at Subiaco as St Kilda enjoy a good spell. Membrey put the (Victorian) sea-siders in front, and defence has ruled the roost for the rest. As I type, Walters has a shot from a reasonable angle...

AFL: Q4 16:02 remaining Fremantle 10.7 (67) v St Kilda 8.14 (62)

Circumspect opening to the final quarter from both sides, as the score only shifts once via a long-range St Kilda miss that results in a behind. A hush around Subiaco as both teams feel their way into the quarter - a far cry from the end-to-end adventure of Hawks-Collingwood.

AFL: Three quarter time Fremantle 10.7 (67) v St Kilda 8.14 (62)

Another AFL nail-biter with five points separating these two combatants heading into the final quarter. For St Kilda, a spot back in the top 8 beckons - for Freo, well, they’re 13th at the moment and anything lower would probably spell season’s end. It all means a huge quarter ahead.

Will this Jack Steele tackle prove pivotal at game’s end?

AFL: Q3 2:41 remaining Fremantle 10.7 (67) v St Kilda 8.14 (62)

After a period of tight defence, Brad Hill breaks a short deadlock after some great hands from Weller.

Earlier, Sam Gilbert was unfortunately taken off via stretcher. He seems okay in the dressing room, though.

Updated

Report from Horn v Pacquiao

A few words on Horn and Pacquiao from the arena.

Did you catch the wash-up from the Lions win over the All Blacks yesterday?

A fairly significant victory for the touring side, who overcame a legendary All Black’s side on their home patch in Wellington. They hadn’t lost there in fourteen years. Here’s Robert Kitson’s piece, published on the bell.

AFL: Q3 10:00 remaining Fremantle 9.7 (61) v St Kilda 7.13 (55)

The Saints even it up through Josh Bruce, and they have the last five scores of the fixture. Actually, no they don’t, because Walters has just nicked one back for Freo, winning crumbs and finishing calmly - swivelling the ball onto his left boot. Back and forth here.

Sam Gilbert of the Saints passes the ball
Sam Gilbert of the Saints passes the ball Photograph: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Updated

Match report from the Bunnies’ big win over Penrith

This from the wires (AAP):

Alex Johnston ran riot while Adam Reynolds put on a kicking masterclass as South Sydney trounced Penrith 42-14 at ANZ Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Rabbitohs winger Johnston ran in five tries however it was Reynolds who orchestrated the rout, kicking for four of his side’s seven tries in front of 14,103 people.
Johnston’s five-try haul equalled the club record jointly held by Nathan Merritt, Eric Sladden, Ian Moir, Johnny Graves, Don Manson, Alan Quinlivan and Harold Horder and took him to the top of the try-scorer leaderboard for the season with 15.
The cardinal and myrtle faithful would have been questioning where that sort of performance had been all year as Michael Maguire’s side displayed a willingness to chance their arm and played with flair and precision.

AFL: Q3 17:30 remaining Fremantle 8.6 (54) v St Kilda 6.9 (45)

As we pick this back up, St Kilda has found their way back into the contest after a strong second quarter showing. It’s been a passionate affair, too, as yesterday’s minor brouhaha demonstrates. I’ll be spending a little more time with this, with most other sport now wrapped up for the weekend.

Fulltime: Souths 42 - Penrith 14

Five tries to Souths winger Alex Johnston equalled the Bunnies’ club record as the Rabbitohs easily accounted for Penrith at Homebush. It was a procession for the home side that leaves Penrith floundering. After such a strong finish to 2016 many were expecting them to kick on this year, but results like this will surely put paid to their top 8 hopes.

Here’s one of Johnston’s five four-pointers.

Fulltime: Hawthorn 18.10 (118) beat Collingwood 14.10 (94)

A four goal win for Hawthorn, where the scoreboard probably makes it look a little more comfortable than it was in reality.

The match see-sawed all the way from the first quarter to fourth, with both sides establishing dominance before the other clawed back. In the end, a few error and missed opportunities meant Collingwood fell fractionally behind, and that’s where it stayed, as the experienced triumvirate of Hodge, Burgoyne and Roughead put the game to bed.

“We took some big steps forward over in Adelaide, and it’s great to back it up,” said skipper Hodge after the game. “[The young guys] have been unreal. They’re taking big jobs and they’ve done really well.”

It was a game won on the margins, but it may have huge ramifications at season’s end. Both teams started on equal points, but the discussions will be vastly different now. Can Hawthorn make a late charge to the finals? They sit on the cusp of the eight now, and a string of wins may have some sides above looking over their shoulder.

For the Pies, though, the conversation won’t be so rosy. They sit nearer the foot of the ladder after today’s loss, and Nathan Buckley can expect another week of heavy scrutiny. They were quite good for large parts of the game today, but in the end it wasn’t enough to get home over a solid Hawthorn outfit.

I’ll have a match report up here soon. In the meantime, here’s Roughy with the match-sealer.

AFL: Q4 1:23 remaining Hawthorn 18.10 (118) v Collingwood 14.10 (94)

A bit of a party for Hawthorn now, as is often the case when one team kicks clear after a sustained close game. Breust gets the goal, the Hawks faithful roar, and they’re going to get home.

AFL: Q4 3:04 remaining Hawthorn 17.9 (111) v Collingwood 14.10 (94)

Roughead ices it. It looked like O’Brien might do it first - he was clear on goal with just a bouncing ball to pick up but it wouldn’t behave for him, as they say. Soon after the stoppage from the ensuing tackle (which was probably a free kick), it’s ‘Roughy’ with the snap in traffic, sending the ball at an acutely high angle to evade the bodies, and tumbling through the goal. That’ll do it, I’d say.

AFL: Q4 5:17 remaining Hawthorn 16.9 (105) v Collingwood 14.10 (94)

People going down everywhere - this time it’s Burton. Looks like an achilles, or an ankle. He’s probably done for the night. The Hawks control the ball before turning it over. The Pies carefully work the ball towards their goal and Maynard storms on to it, kicking on the run. It’s sailing, sailing, sailing, and strikes the post! That would have brought the house down. Buckley is disconsolate in the coaches box. Have they squandered too many chances, Collingwood?

Updated

AFL: Q4 7:11 remaining Hawthorn 16.9 (105) v Collingwood 14.9 (93)

There’s a start - Fasolo responds in kind, and there’s two goals in it. Nails are being worn thin. Can Collingwood go again?

AFL: Q4 9:23 remaining Hawthorn 16.9 (105) v Collingwood 13.9 (87)

Misses at both ends now as Elliott, right at the pointy end of his distance, fires into the post from 50 metres. Collingwood could have used that. Just as I type, Hawthorn march down-field and Mitchell has the ball in hand, 45 metres out. He, on the other hand, is perfect. It’s a three goal game now, and the Pies have it all to do.

AFL: Q4 12:19 remaining Hawthorn 15.8 (97) v Collingwood 13.8 (86)

Chance goes begging for Collingwood - they sweep the ball down field and it leaves Sidebottom charging in on goal, about 35 metres out. His running angle means he tries to snap it through when a drop punt may have sufficed. It slices off his boot for no score.

AFL: Q4 13:59 remaining Hawthorn 15.7 (97) v Collingwood 13.8 (86)

You guessed it, Hawthorn. This time it’s Mitchell, who’s had an outstanding year to date. He hits the ball beautifully just inside fifty after Collingwood are inaccurate in escaping their own territory. Pressure mounts back on the Pies, who look to have lost Darcy Moore for the night too. Can they come again? Based on the rhythm of the game, you wouldn’t rule it out.

AFL: Q4 15:33 remaining Hawthorn 14.6 (90) v Collingwood 13.8 (86)

Some silky lead up play from Treloar sees the ball fed to Pendlebury. The skipper returns the favour in-kind, giving it back to Treloar who has a chance at a steadier. He makes great contact, and it sails through to keep Collingwood in touch. Very, very difficult to separate these sides today.

Adam Treloar of the Magpies (L) congratulates team-mate Taylor Adams of the Magpies
Adam Treloar of the Magpies (L) congratulates team-mate Taylor Adams of the Magpies Photograph: Joe Castro/AAP

Updated

AFL: Q4 18:03 remaining Hawthorn 14.6 (90) v Collingwood 12.8 (80)

And now two goals for Hawthorn to start the fourth quarter. O’Brien starts it off, then Gunston joins in, and Hawthorn re-establish their advantage. Momentum back with the Hawks, all of a sudden.

NRL: 2nd half 53:12 gone Penrith 8 - Souths 34

Penrith on the end of a shellacking at Homebush, with Johnston running in four - repeat, four - tries with just under thirty minutes left. It’s the Reynolds and Burgess show though, as Penrith are being ripped apart.

AFL: Q2 18:51 remaining Fremantle 4.3 (27) v St Kilda 1.5 (11)

A strong start for the home side, who have goals through Ballantyne, Neale and two to Walters. For the Saints, only Gresham has properly troubled the scorers, though their kicking has been a little wayward to start.

In less positive news for Freo, it looks like Sandilands has done his hammy again.

Three-quarter time Hawthorn 12.6 (78) v Collingwood 12.8 (80)

Collingwood tries to see their way to half-time by moving the ball along the backline, but they cough it up in the process. It results in a set shot for Roughead. He’s thirty out, straight in front, the siren sounds, and he pushes it wide. Two points the difference heading into the straight.

AFL: Q3 1:57 remaining Hawthorn 12.5 (77) v Collingwood 12.7 (79)

Just under two minutes remain, and Hawthorn build patiently towards goal. There’s a slick interchange of passing before the ball comes in and is plucked by Collingwood’s Elliott. Before then, Burgoyne laid a powerful stiff arm on some poor Collingwood defender, before releasing the ball. Who’ll get the last score before three-quarter time?

AFL: Q3 4:25 remaining Hawthorn 12.5 (77) v Collingwood 12.7 (79)

The lead changes are mounting, as Collingwood storm back. First, Broomhead gets in on the act for the Pies, after a classy bit of pack work from Mason Cox. He gets the seconds, and brings them within a goal. Before you can blink, Fasolo has a set shot from in front and doesn’t miss. Hard to see anyone kicking away here.

AFL: Q3 7:48 remaining Hawthorn 12.5 (77) v Collingwood 10.6 (66)

Bang, bang for the Hawks, who - although being gradually outplayed on the field - are very reluctant to give up their lead. It’s O’Brien, then Breust who boot them fractionally clear. Langford could have made it three, but his set shot misses everything. Sense a close one brewing here.

AFL: Q3 10:23 remaining Hawthorn 10.5 (65) v Collingwood 10.6 (66)

Hawthorn retain some possession in the centre of the park, perhaps to steady things a little, before they turn it over to Collingwood. It goes nowhere though, and we have a ball-up in Hawthorn’s forward fifty. A little fatigue setting in? Looks like this is going down to the wire.

Darcy Moore of the Magpies kicks and scores
Darcy Moore of the Magpies kicks and scores Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Updated

AFL: Q3 11:50 remaining Hawthorn 10.4 (64) v Collingwood 10.6 (66)

Collingwood take the lead, again. Can they go on with it? Taylor Adams played in Alex Fasolo, who was able to run uncontested for 30 metres before kicking through the posts from 15 metres. A guttural roar from the Collingwood faithful follows, as the Pies grow into the contest.

Updated

AFL: Q3 13:47 remaining Hawthorn 10.3 (63) v Collingwood 9.5 (59)

Collingwood knocks on the door but they can’t open it. Sustained pressure on the Hawthorn goal sees Cox miss with a speculative banana, and same goes Moore. Looking slightly ahead, the Pies.

AFL: Q3 15:36 remaining Hawthorn 10.3 (63) v Collingwood 9.3 (57)

Not for long. Roughead has a shot from 40 out, but Lynden Dunn was adjudged to have encroached the mark. Roughead gets the fifty, runs forward and smashes it through.

AFL: Q3 18:34 remaining Hawthorn 9.3 (57) v Collingwood 9.3 (57)

So the second half commences, with both the pace and adventure a little more subdued to start proceedings. Eventually, Fasolo delivers the ball in near the goal-square, and Mason Cox outmarks them all. He’s on a tight angle on the wrong side for a right-footer, but he kicks truly. Hawthorn swarm him and push-and-pull him. He gives them the three fingers in reply (he has three goals). All square.

On the CA pay dispute

Things are starting to look a little gloomier on this front, and if you’re looking for some detail on how that gloom may or may not manifest, you’d do well to read Geoff Lemon’s piece for the Guardian yesterday.

If you’ve just joined us

We’re covering the Hawks v Pies fixture in detail. Here’s a scoreline summary if you just got here.

NRL: 1st half 19:15 gone Penrith 8 - Souths 6

An intense start to the match at Homebush here. Penrith skipped out to an 8 point lead before an intercept try to Souths brought them back to within two. An earlier fracas saw players from both sides sent to the bin, so there’s plenty of space for both sides to exploit. Here’s vision of Johnston’s runaway intercept, which came after a less-than-endearing sprial pass from Moylan.

AFL: Halftime Hawthorn 9.3 (57) v Collingwood 8.3 (51)

Would you believe it? Of course you would. Mason Cox takes a mark inside Collingwood’s forward fifty just as the siren sounds, and on a 45 degree angle from 30 metres, kicks the goal comfortably to bring Collingwood within a goal. That’s halftime, time to catch some breath and go around the grounds, where Penrith is taking on Souths and Freo is gearing up for their clash with the Saints.

AFL: Q2 1:34 remaining Hawthorn 9.3 (57) v Collingwood 7.3 (45)

Breathing space for Hawthorn again, as Taylor Duryea converts from 30 metres. What a high scoring game this is. Half-time nears.

AFL: Q2 2:12 remaining Hawthorn 8.3 (51) v Collingwood 7.3 (45)

A truly even contest now - after a helter-skelter beginning, the match finds its rhythm and Collingwood evens it up. That’s four in a row for them now, as Tom Phillips eventually finds the goal after Collingwood had numbers. But just as play gets underway, Burgoyne finds some space of his own and puts Hawthorn ahead again. Maybe this is the rhythm.

AFL: Q2 5:07 remaining Hawthorn 7.2 (44) v Collingwood 6.3 (39)

Hawthorn had found themselves four goals ahead but Collingwood has hauled them back. The pressure tells and Sidebottom snaps from the pack to bring them within a goal. It was that man Pendlebury who made the initial incision with the ball inside fifty. Controversy though, as it appears McEvoy took a fair mark before Sidebottom pounced. Boo’s abound.

AFL: Q2 8:36 remaining Hawthorn 7.2 (44) v Collingwood 5.3 (33)

But it’s that man ‘Pendles’, again. He provides a delicious delivery to the big American, Mason Cox. He doesn’t have to do too much more, steering his set shot through the sticks.

If you want some shockingly low-fi footage of Pendlebury in 2005, look no further.

Pendlebury pre-draft

AFL: Q2 10:41 remaining Hawthorn 7.2 (44) v Collingwood 4.2 (27)

The longest period without a goal now. Pendlebury, playing his 250th, registers his first set shot but he pushes it across the face from 45m out on an angle. Not the greatest start from the senior statesman, and the commentators point out his inefficiency in disposals.

Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies
Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

AFL: Q2 12:53 remaining Hawthorn 7.2 (44) v Collingwood 4.1 (26)

Henderson sits the ball up about 25m out from goal, but the pack cancels itself out and it results in a stoppage. For once, a forward entry doesn’t result in a goal. The pressure has just risen fractionally, as both sides look to tighten up their defence. Henderson has a shot from distance, but it misses everything.

AFL: Q2 16:23 remaining Hawthorn 7.2 (44) v Collingwood 4.1 (26)

And rally they do. Darcy Moore, amid a little traffic, is able to dribble the ball through the sticks to reply in kind. They nearly have a second, Collingwood, but Hodge - ‘the great quarterback, eh’, says Bruce - takes the mark on the line.

AFL: Q2 18:15 remaining Hawthorn 7.2 (44) v Collingwood 3.1 (20)

Great hands from Roughead releases Henderson, who gets Hawthorn starting positively after the break. They’ve kicked seven of the last eight goals now, have Hawthorn, and Collingwood will need to rally.

Josh Thomas of the Magpies tackles Ricky Henderson of the Hawks
Josh Thomas of the Magpies tackles Ricky Henderson of the Hawks Photograph: Joe Castro/AAP

Fulltime: Wests Tigers 33 - Newcastle 12

After racing out of the gates at half-time with a 24 point lead, the Tigers never looked threatened. The Knights briefly rallied with two straight tries after half-time, but the Tigers were comfortable thereafter. Both sides desperately needed a win, and it was the Tigers who got it. They move up from last position, now occupied by the Knights.

Fulltime: Essendon 11.16 (82) defeated by Brisbane 13.12 (90)

A good old-fashioned boilover at the Etihad, as Brisbane reel in Essendon’s three goal lead at the final turn to record a magnificent victory. A huge win for the young Lions, and two close losses for Essendon now will have them feeling the heat.

AFL: Quarter time Hawthorn 6.2 (38) v Collingwood 3.2 (20)

A quarter heavy on ball movement and heavy on points. Collingwood were out of the blocks quickly, but it was all Hawthorn after that, kicking the next 38 points to Collingwood’s 8. We’ll go around the grounds, shortly, where there’s been an upset in the AFL!

AFL: Q1 02:15 remaining Hawthorn 6.2 (38) v Collingwood 3.1 (19)

The Hawks should have scored earlier after Burgoyne delivered the ball in, but Collingwood scrambled it away. Not for long though, as a turnover sends the ball the way of Sicily, who hits one low, hard, and 55 metres for a goal.

A look at Tom Mitchell’s work this quarter.

AFL: Q1 04:13 remaining Hawthorn 5.2 (32) v Collingwood 3.1 (19)

Hodge and (Tom) Mitchell are having a great time of it recycling the ball through midfield and penetrating through the middle. They set Shoenmakers up for another set shot, but the left-footer can’t make it work from a tough angle. Both sides are moving the ball swiftly. Any danger of a stoppage? No, play on!

AFL: Q1 06:29 remaining Hawthorn 5.1 (31) v Collingwood 3.1 (19)

It’s end to end here, as now Hawthorn gets a set shot after Burgoyne squared it to him for a better angle. Liam Shiels kicks truly - it’s an uncharacteristically high scoring quarter.

AFL: Q1 08:35 remaining Hawthorn 4.0 (24) v Collingwood 3.1 (19)

After a fourth straight goal to Hawthorn and a second to Shoenmakers, Josh Thomas gets Collingwood back on track. We hear a little of Thomas’ story on the commentary (he was driving an Uber for a while), so there’s something of a pleasing comeback in his goal.

AFL: Q1 14:35 remaining Hawthorn 2.0 (12) v Collingwood 2.1 (13)

Grundy wins the tap, but Roughead gets the clearing kick for the Hawks and they shovel the ball forward. It falls to Duryea, and he finishes it. After a slow start, the Hawks have arrived it seems.

Updated

AFL: Q1 15:40 remaining Hawthorn 1.0 (6) v Collingwood 2.1 (13)

Hawthorn’s McEvoy steers one through from fairly straight range, though doesn’t he have a beautiful kicking technique? The ruckman earned himself a free kick, and converts his 10th straight set shot. Hawks away.

Updated

AFL: Q1 16:11 remaining Hawthorn 0.0 (0) v Collingwood 2.1 (13)

Collingwood with a couple of forward entries already. They’re moving the ball quickly, and Levi Greenwood takes a mark inside fifty, which he converts. Hawthorn look flat, as does the MCG crowd.

AFL: Q1 18:40 remaining Hawthorn 0.0 (0) v Collingwood 1.0 (6)

A fast start for the Pies which kicked off with a beautiful transition. Jamie Elliott kicks one from point blank range after a great passage of play.

Also worth noting that it’s Scott Pendlebury’s 250th. There’ll be some appreciation for him through the blog here.

NRL: 2nd half, 55:10 gone Newcastle 0 - 24 Wests Tigers

David Nofoaluma crosses now, and the Tigers backline is having a field day away from home. Lolohea finally blots the goalkicking copybook, missing from a tough angle. Apologies for the negative take, but given the Tigers’ woes, it’s hard not to be concerned for the Knights.

Team News: Hawthorn v Collingwood

Horn beats Pacquiao

Get your report from the wires here. ‘One of the greatest upsets’, it would appear.

AFL: Three-quarter time Essendon 9.13 (67) v Brisbane 7.6 (48)

So it’s the Bombers by three goals heading into the final quarter, and you’d probably expect them to see it out from here. I’ll bring you further updates as the game progresses, but we’ll be gearing up for the Hawks v Pies shortly.

Meanwhile, here was Cutler’s finish earlier after some great lead-up work from the young Lions.

Jeff Horn defeats Manny Pacquiao!

DJ Gallo has more over at the live blog, but I’ll just leave a small portion of it here for your own perusal:

Round 12

Horn came out throwing everything he had, while Pacquiao oddly didn’t seem to try to stay away to protect his lead. Credit to both men on putting together a great show from start to finish. Give Horn the round. And give him a ton of respect and credit for making it through all 12 rounds.

Guardian’s unofficial scoring: Horn 10-9 Pacquiao (Pacquiao 117-111 Horn)

and then...

Wow! Jeff Horn wins the WBO welterweight title in an upset!

In a unanimous decision -- by scores of 117-111, 115-113, 115-113 -- Horn does it!

Pacquiao - Horn boxing match
Pacquiao - Horn boxing match
 Photograph: Dave Hunt/EPA

AFL: Q3 4:40 remaining Essendon 9.12 (66) v Brisbane 7.6 (48)

Still trading goals, these two, as Essendon slowly work their way ahead. Brisbane have the last goal however, courtesy of a beautiful zig-zagging run from Taylor, which finishes with a ball speared in to Cutler. He makes no mistake, and the Lions remain in touching distance.

HALFTIME in the NRL: Newcastle 0 - 20 Tigers

And it could have been more. Tries to Watene-Zelezniak, Liddle and Naiqama, all converted by Lolohea, mean the Tigers are almost there against the so-far hapless Knights. Not that any Tigers fan worth their salt would ever consider the match over at this stage. But you have to hand it to them so far: all the territory, all the possession, all the points. A penalty goal to Lolohea inched them further ahead just before the half was out, too.

Malakai Watene-Zelezniak of the Tigers runs in to score a try (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Malakai Watene-Zelezniak of the Tigers runs in to score a try (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images) Photograph: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

Discontent at the Melbourne sun

It looks like the light at Etihad is hurting the TV experience of people at home, if Twitter discontent is anything to go by.

AFL: Q3 12:01 remaining Essendon 7.11 (53) v Brisbane 5.6 (36)

They traded a few goals, Essendon and Brisbane, but the Bombers have kicked the last two. First it’s Cale Hooker, then it’s Green with one after a clean breakaway from the restart.

Breaking news on the CA / ACA pay dispute

Apparently the players have refused to play in South Africa - where an ‘A’ tour is scheduled at the end of this week - unless an MOU has been agreed. Think we’re still at ground zero on this one. Article here:

AFL: Q3 18:01 remaining Essendon 5.11 (41) v Brisbane 4.5 (29)

The second half is underway and the Dons are out of the blocks early. There’s a turnover in defence and Orazio Fantasia streaks clear to an open goal to start things off. It’s been all Essendon since.

Updated

NRL: 1st half, 28:10 gone Newcastle 0 - 18 Wests Tigers

The Tigers are in again! Brooks takes the ball to the line and sends Moses Suli surging through. He draws Newcastle’s fullback and invites Naiquama to plant the ball adjacent to the points, where it’s duly converted. Very, very worrying for Knights coach Nathan Brown.

Boxing Update

DJ Gallo, who’s running the Guardian’s live blog on the Horn Pacquiao bout, has the vetern Filipino just ahead. To quote verbatim:

Guardian’s unofficial scoring: Horn 10-9 Pacquiao (Pacquiao 58-56 Horn)

If you missed it earlier, here’s the blog.

NRL: 1st half, 24:19 gone Newcastle 0 - 12 Wests Tigers

The Tigers look in control at the formerly named Marathon Stadium (it’s now called McDonald Jones Stadium). Luke Brooks’ running game is on show, and they’re putting some pressure on the Newcastle line as I type. And then, Liddle goes over! I’ll amend the score now. He picked it up from dummy half right in front of the posts, he dummied left, showed it right, then burrowed over himself. It’ll be converted. A handy lead for Ivan Cleary’s side.

HALFTIME in the AFL: Essendon 4.10 (34) v Brisbane 4.5 (29)

The Lions were in front for the briefest of periods, but Essendon have had their noses in front for the rest. They’re up by a kick in a game that’s ended the afternoon of young Lions defender Darcy Gardiner, who suffered a left elbow injury earlier in the match. Looked innocuous, but they often do.

Lang Park / Suncorp is rammed for the Boxing

This is a shot from the media box, I’d imagine, from Gerard Whateley.

Newcastle v Wests Tigers have kicked off too

And it’s a stellar start for the visitors, as Watene-Zelezniak crosses in the corner. It’s converted by Tui Lolohea, and the Tigers are away. Looks a beautiful day in Newcastle, too. We’ll be providing updates from this one as they come to hand.

Horn v Pacquiao is underway

For the latest, jump over to the other liveblog we’re running, where DJ Gallo is calling* it round by round. He’s got Pacquiao taking the first.

*blogging

AFL: Q2 02:32 remaining Essendon 4.9 (33) v Brisbane 4.5 (29)

A bit of a scrap developing at Etihad here. Victoria’s capital is bathed in sunshine for today, which would ordinarily make for some heavy scoring, but both sides have been a little profligate in front of goal. A strong showing from the Lions so far, though the Dons just recaptured the lead courtesy of a Daniher snap in front of goal.

This from earlier too: a bit of top knot action to ease into your Sunday with.

Updated

Preamble

Afternoon, evening, morning to all, and welcome to this – another edition of the Guardian’s Sportswatch. I’m Sam Perry, and at this point I’m exceptionally tempted to add the moniker ‘Sunday’ into the Sportswatch title, for simple alliterative purposes. ‘Sunday Sportswatch’ – it’s hard not to say it in a jock American accent. For that precise reason, I’ll stop saying it. Sportswatch it is.

As we round the season’s bend of both football codes, today throws up a couple of intriguing battles that will have genuine bearing on the shape of the finals. If you’ll allow, it’s a real contenders v pretenders afternoon of sport – as we catch a number of teams on their way up, pitted against some teams who’ve seen better days.

First, we head to Etihad, where the Bombers take on Brisbane. Fresh from a last week’s bout of Friday heartbreak against the Swans, the Bombers will look to atone for four points missed in their clash with the Lions. As this comes together, the Bombers are a goal up with 15 remaining in the second quarter. A long way to go, no doubt – but a sizeable win could conceivably have them into the eight by the weekend’s conclusion.

Staying with the (more) aerial code, our feature game today pits Hawthorn against Collingwood. The machinations of 2017 ensure this one isn’t as much a clash for the ages as it has been in the past, but that will matter little as both sides scrap to ensure they’re – as Julia Gillard used to say – moving forward, not just on the Premiership ladder, but ‘as a footy club’, as the AFL clubs are often wont to say. I’ll be staying with that one closely as the match pans out. With only percentages separating both teams, who sit 13th (Collingwood) and 16th (Hawthorn), the victor will be able to breathe a little easier, while the vanquished may face some scrutiny with rapidly diminishing time to salvage the season.

While this is going on, we’ll also be popping over to Newcastle, where I’ll bring you updates from the outright cellar-dwellars of the NRL – the Knights and the Tigers. It feels as though both the Knights and the competition have become accustomed to their residence at the foot of the ladder, but the Tigers have been so consistent in their mediocrity of late that the Novocastrians have been dislodged. The Tigers welcome back some Origin players this week, however, and it will be interesting to see whether they themselves can reverse their great shame from last year – they were the only side to lose to the Knights, meaning that this one is very much about pride.

The other twilight fixtures will see us cover the Rabbitohs (12th) and Penrith (9th) in the NRL, as both sides look to charge into the final straight of the season, and the scenario is very similar over in Fremantle, with the Dockers (13th) and the Saints (9th) positioning themselves for a run too.

As ever, please fire through your questions, comments, salvos and otherwise on Twitter or email – my details are here on the blog. I’m looking forward to linking you through to a couple of other stories doing the rounds – in particular the latest from Cricket’s growing pay dispute, as well as the Horn-Pacquiao fight, which is starting soon.

Here we go…

Updated

Sam will be here shortly. In the meantime, catch up on one of the biggest AFL stories of this week – featuring Bachar Houli, the AFL tribunal, the prime minister and a gold Logie award winner.

Updated

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