OK that’s it from me people, to say there has only been three big games it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster evening - a backs-to-the-wall victory, golden point shenanigans, and a seven-try monstering all sandwiched into a few fun hours.
And I see Isner has managed to pull a set back in his match with Khachanov, so it could be a little longer until Sam Stosur gets on court in France. Anyhoo, until next time, thanks for joining me and enjoy what’s left of your evening.
If today were a song
Tough one, I was toying with the idea of “Just Can’t Get Enough” as a reference to the Panthers’ try-haul but considering the defeat for Fremantle, injuries for Collingwood, the agony of the Raiders’ amazing comeback-that-wasn’t and a humiliating loss for the Bulldogs, I think this old one from St Vincent does it for me.
Play of the day
NRL: Bit of a tough one because arguably the best two pieces of play today came from players on losing sides. First there was Mario Mandzukic’s goal for Juventus in their 4-1 loss. What a corker. But I’m going to give it to Jarrod Croker of the Raiders for his post-siren kick to send the game against the Sea Eagles into golden point. It wasn’t the cleanest kick, it wasn’t right on the sideline either - but in terms of pressure, it was right up there. With a braying home crowd and DCE getting in on the act with a bit of mind games before the punt, I was convinced he was going to scuff it. Instead he curled it home with a Travolta-esque swagger. Well played sir.
NRL: Here’s that comeback try from Mansour, sealing a huge victory over the Bulldogs for the Panthers. I’m a sucker for a good comeback story, and you can see how much it means to him.
“It’s been a long seven months - I was the only one in rehab and training by myself for a while... I’m just really grateful to come back,” said Mansour.
Excuse me, I’ve just got something in my eye...
Battlers of the day
AFL: Love ’em or hate ’em, there can be no doubt Collingwood deserve this one. Despite dropping like flies, and with more than one player soldiering on at the death when it was obvious they were injured, they somehow managed to finish the stronger team against Fremantle.
This clip sums it up. After yet again being reined in by Fremantle at 80-80 in the last quarter, Jamie Elliott gets injured in the build-up play to this great effort from Adam Treloar to put the Pies back on top.
NRL
This shot of Josh Mansour after his late try against the Bulldogs says it all. After his long spell out following a knee reconstruction, his return to action could not have gone any better. Not only did the Panthers smash Canterbury-Bankstown, Mansour also ended up on the scoresheet and racked up a game-high 195m.
Penrith coach Anthony Griffin praised the performance of his captain post-game, singling out a defensive play in the second set of the match when he forced an error from Kerrod Holland.
“I thought his first play of the game defensively set the tone for the team,” he told AAP.
“For the day we had a focus about coming here and being able to do a job for 80 minutes defensively. For the team to see their captain fly out of the line like that and get an error in the first set, that set the tone.”
NRL
Just a quick snapshot of the potential casualty list from the Raiders v Sea Eagles game.
Dunamis Lui’s season could be over due to a possible anterior cruciate ligament tear. The Raiders are more hopeful over Shannon Boyd’s knee problem, however, which is only a minor medial strain.
Manly didn’t escape unscathed, with Jorge Taufua - who was carried from the field late on - suspected of tearing his ACL.
Updated
Tennis
Or if the sound of leather on willow isn’t your thing, check out the grunting and groaning at the French Open with our liveblog. Sam Stosur, who is chasing a place in the quarter finals, should hit the court after the Isner v Khachanov match.
Updated
Cricket
Well that was an intense few hours... and pretty depressing for Bulldogs fans. If you’re still keen for more sport though, check out the Pakistan v India match in the Champions Trophy which is just about to kick-off.
Updated
AFL: Collingwood 15.15 (105) overcome Fremantle 12.13 (85)
Despite several injuries and a battling effort from Fremantle, the Pies hang on for a memorable victory at Domain Stadium. Fully deserved and suddenly they’re right back in the finals mix.
Updated
AFL: 4Q 01:04 remaining Freo 12.12 (84) v Magpies 15.15 (105)
AFL: 4Q 01:49 remaining Freo 12.12 (84) v Magpies 15.15 (105)
Fremantle skew one wide from between the posts and surely that’s it for Freo. The effort has been there but the class has been lacking. Collingwood deserve this one - and Howe boots one over just to seal the deal.
Updated
AFL: 4Q 05:45 remaining Freo 12.11 (83) v Magpies 14.14 (98)
Crocker with a goal from a scramble just in front of the sticks. Surely that’s enough breathing space now. Fair play to Freo for battling all game - but the Pies deserve this. The clock is ticking.
Updated
AFL: 4Q 07:30 remaining Freo 12.11 (83) v Magpies 13.14 (92)
Is it just starting to slip away from Freo? The Pies have injuries mounting up but it still looks like they have enough to get over the line. Brave efforts all around the park from Collingwoo. Can they hold on? This is getting tense.
AFL: 4Q 10:00 remaining Freo 12.10 (82) v Magpies 13.14 (92)
This is cracking stuff, fast-finishing Freo asking all sorts of question of the Pies who are clinging on for life after leading almost all day. Just when it looks like they’re about to crack, Hoskin-Elliott races up the other end and boots it home.
AFL: 4Q 12:30 remaining Freo 12.9 (81) v Magpies 12.14 (86)
This is turning into a grandstand finish - both teams exchanging goals as Freo inch closer and closer. It looks like Hill is going to kick them back to parity... but he fluffs it from 15m. Dear oh dear. How did he miss? Far too casual. Players on the sidelines too, injuries mounting.
AFL: 4Q 16:30 remaining Freo 11.7 (73) v Magpies 11.14 (80)
Never rule them out! Fremantle with a goal from a spillage. Kersten the man to scoop up the dropped ball and put Freo back in it. A wide follows and the gap is reduced to seven.
AFL: 4Q 18:30 remaining Freo 10.6 (66) v Magpies 11.14 (80)
Moore with an early mark... but he skews it wide from 35m. How Fremantle must wish they had Aaron Sandilands - they’ve battled hard to stay in this game but there’s no doubt he’s a big miss and could’ve made a difference. That said, they’re still in this. They’ve been behind almost the entire game but never out of sight.
AFL: 3Q - Freo 10-6 (66) v Magpies 11.13 (79)
The Pies seem happy to play down the clock as we get closer to the final break. The Dockers have everyone back - but that doesn’t stop Moore making a cracking mark. It comes to nothing, but when the ball returns to the 50, Jamie Elliott takes the ma - then kicks it home after the siren.
AFL: 3Q - 02:30 remaining Freo 10-6 (66) v Magpies 10.13 (73)
Moore with a great mark to relieve some pressure for the Pies. He takes a long run up - and absolutely nails it. This has been the best quarter so far, end to end stuff. Who’ll crack first?
AFL: 3Q - 04:20 remaining Freo 10-6 (66) v Magpies 9.14 (67)
The Magpies miss another fairly straightforward kick - but Elliott makes up for it with an excellent goal under pressure. They lead again but Freo immediately go up the other end - only to be foiled by an alleged touch on the line. It goes to review and they get the points. Game on.
Updated
AFL: 3Q - 06:20 remaining Freo 9-6 (60) v Magpies 8.12 (60)
Another Freo goal and we’re all square again. The hosts just refuse to roll over. There is literally nothing in this game - Collingwood have looked like running away with it at various points but Freo have scrapped and scraped their way back into it. Great stuff.
AFL: 3Q - 09:00 remaining Freo 8-6 (54) v Magpies 8.12 (60)
Mundy with a mark just inside the 50. After a frenetic few minutes, he takes his time, lines it up... and boots it clean through. It looked too high for a second there but it was straight and true.
AFL: 3Q - 14:20 remaining Freo 7-5 (47) v Magpies 8.10 (58)
A goal from Elliott after an excellent mark - although he almost shanked it wide. The Pies trying to find some breathing space.
AFL: 3Q - 15:10 remaining Freo 7-5 (47) v Magpies 7.10 (52)
Frustration for the Pies as Pendlebury boots a wide after charging forward. Treloar then kicks accurately, but it doesn’t have the legs on it and Freo pluck the ball from the air before it can reach the line. On another day Collingwood would be 20 or 30 points ahead - instead they’re neck and neck.
Updated
AFL: 3Q - 17:00 remaining Freo 7-5 (47) v Magpies 7.9 (51)
Fremantle get us back under way with an early goal. McCarthy boots another one less than a minute later and, boom, suddenly the Dockers are right back in it. Just four points separating the sides now - the Pies must be baffled by how close this is. Fair play to Freo, though, they’ve made the perfect start to the third quarter.
Updated
NRL: Rampant Panthers crush Bulldogs 38-0
Emphatic doesn’t really cover it. The Panthers have absolutely battered the Bulldogs, who are on a dangerous downward spiral. Seven unanswered tries. Des Hasler has a lot to chew over - none of it pleasant.
Here’s a brief match report from AAP.
Des Hasler celebrated his 350th game as coach but someone forgot to invite Canterbury to the party, with the Bulldogs crashing to their equal-heaviest defeat under their boss on Sunday. A listless Bulldogs were wiped out 38-0 by a relentless Penrith side at ANZ Stadium, extending their losing streak to four and re-igniting questions over their premiership ambitions.
While the Bulldogs were invisible, the Panthers were everywhere and their mid-season resurgence is now in full swing after extending their winning streak to three. A month after dropping to second last spot, the Panthers turned in arguably their most impressive effort of the season to inject new life into their premiership tilt.
Replacement hooker Mitch Rein scored twice in his first appearance of the season, while skipper Matt Moylan made a strong first impression at five-eighth. Winger Josh Mansour also made a successful return from a knee reconstruction, racking up a game-high 195 metres and adding a try on fulltime for good measure.
Updated
AFL
Updated
AFL: HT - Freo 5-5 (35) v Magpies 7.9 (51)
Only 16 points in it as the teams trudge off. Collingwood were dominant again but they haven’t managed to pull away as they might have hoped. Freo have to improve to stand a chance of clawing this one back but if they do, and with the crowd behind them, they’ll certainly be in with a shot.
Updated
AFL: Q2 00:50 remaining - Freo 5-5 (35) v Magpies 7.9 (51)
Hill with a stunning solo effort to give Freo a glimmer of hope as we head into the main break. A lovely low kick after a shimmy to lose his man - he was all alone up there. The hosts are clinging on.
Updated
AFL: Q2 02:10 remaining - Freo 4-5 (29) v Magpies 7.9 (51)
A few signs of tiredness on the oval, players taking a bit more time with the ball. Not that Collingwood are any less dominant, one goes around the corner from Pendlebury to edge the Pies further ahead. Greenwood limping a little after a tussle close to the sticks.
Updated
AFL: Q2 05:50 remaining - Freo 4-5 (29) v Magpies 7.7 (49)
The tables have been turned in terms of kicking accuracy, with Fremantle struggling to find goals. After three failed attempts, the Pies go on the counter and a drop punt straight through the middle puts them even further ahead. It’s been all Collingwood this quarter.
AFL: Q2 08:04 remaining - Freo 4-4 (28) v Magpies 6.7 (43)
Crocker boots one just wide. It’s one-way traffic at the minute and Freo are stuck in reverse. A rare foray into Pies’ territory produces a point, and they get another one soon after, but they need goals - and fast.
AFL: Q2 10:00 remaining - Freo 4-2 (26) v Magpies 6.6 (42)
Well it’s arguably been a tighter quarter but Collingwood have pulled away courtesy of their much-improved accuracy in front of the posts. Another goal and there’s daylight on the scoreboard. Freo have to grab this game by the neck, and quick, before it gets away from them. Collingwood looking good.
Updated
AFL: Q2 11:50 remaining - Freo 4-2 (26) v Magpies 5.6 (36)
De Goey extends the Pies’ lead with a kick right through the middle of the sticks. They’re looking much sharper with the boot this quarter and it’s showing in the scoreline.
AFL: Q2 15:20 remaining - Freo 4-1 (25) v Magpies 4.5 (29)
The Magpies probing for an opening and finally get a mark between the sticks. Pendlebury boots it home from just inside the 50 - and the Pies are back in front.
AFL: Q2 18:20 remaining - Freo 4-1 (25) v Magpies 3.5 (23)
A goal to Langdon gives Freo the momentum at the start of the second quarter... and they follow it up with a toe right on the line to put their noses in front. They could not have asked for a better start. The Pies must be scratching their heads at how they’ve fallen behind.
Updated
NRL: 44 mins - Bulldogs 0-14 Panthers
Back at ANZ Stadium, it’s still the Panthers in the driving seat - despite a decent start to the second half by the Bulldogs.
AFL: Q1 - Freo 2.1 (13) v Magpies 3.5 (23)
Well it’s been a poor opening quarter for the Dockers but it could have been a lot worse. Collingwood haven’t had their shooting boots on and should probably be more than 10 points ahead. That said, you’d still prefer to be in the Pies’ shoes at this stage. The Dockers will really need to raise their game
Updated
AFL: Q1 01:30 remaining Freo 2.1 (13) v Magpies 3.5 (23)
Kiss of death for the Dockers from yours truly. De Goey wins a mark and boots the ball home to give Collingwood some breathing space. An excellent kick from distance.
Updated
AFL: Q1 02:30 remaining Freo 2.1 (13) v Magpies 2.5 (17)
Shrewd defensive work from Johnson denies the Pies on the break. They’ve really looked out of sorts but they’re still breathing down the Pies’ necks. If it stays this way at the first break, they’ll be happy enough. Lots of room for improvement.
AFL: Q1 05:30 remaining Freo 2.1 (13) v Magpies 2.4 (16)
Fyfe boots it home under pressure and suddenly Freo are hot on the Pies’ heels. They really shouldn’t have been allowed to get into that position after a couple of poor decisions in the 50. The Pies must be wondering how the scores are so close after all that early dominance. Freo have their tails up now.
Updated
AFL: Q1 07:35 remaining Freo 1.1 (7) v Magpies 2.4 (16)
Finally Freo show signs of life, Lachie Neale keeping them in the mix with their first goal. The good news is that they’re not that far behind despite their early struggles. Surely they can only get better from here.
Updated
AFL: Q1 09:10 remaining Freo 0.1 (1) v Magpies 2.4 (16)
It’s not quite panic stations yet for the Dockers but the Pies are making hay while the sun shines. Moore with the goal this time, making up for his previous effort. Just a solitary point for the Dockers.
Updated
AFL: Q1 10:15 remaining Freo 0.1 (1) v Magpies 1.4 (10)
Hoskin-Elliott with a straightforward mark in front of the posts ... and finally we get a goal. Collingwood making their early dominance count.
AFL: Q1 12:20 remaining Freo 0.1 (1) v Magpies 0.4 (4)
Only wayward finishing is thwarting the Pies at the minute, they should really be further ahead. Almost 10 minutes without a goal so far, not from lack of trying. Freo look like they’re still carrying some scars from last week’s shellacking.
AFL: Q1 15:01 remaining Freo 0.1 (1) v Magpies 0.3 (3)
Moore with a cracking mark... but then wastes it with a poor kick. The Magpies have started strongly, Freo a little slow out of the blocks, but the visitors haven’t made the most of it - just three to show for their efforts so far.
AFL: Fun as all this NRL action has been so far today, it’s time to share the love with AFL. Freo and the Pies ready to go at it at Domain Stadium.
NRL: 22 mins - Bulldogs 0-10 Panthers
That smart try from Rein, completely fooling the Bulldogs defence to stretch the Panthers’ lead.
Updated
NRL: 20 mins - Bulldogs 0-10 Panthers
The Panthers in again - Rein with a smart dummy close to the line, then diving over for the try. Centimetres over the paint but they all count. The conversion is good and the Panthers are into double digits.
Updated
NRL: 17 mins - Bulldogs 0-4 Panthers
That opening try for the Panthers. Well deserved, but they’ve taken their foot off the gas since then.
NRL: 15 mins - Bulldogs 0-4 Panthers
Better from the Bulldogs. Have they weathered that early storm? Great move down the right flank to make good yards but it comes to nothing. The game levelling out a little.
NRL: 11 mins - Bulldogs 0-4 Panthers
The Bulldogs reek of a side lacking confidence, second best to every ball so far. While there’s only four points in it there’ll have that glimmer of hope though. They finally make some inroads in the Penrith half... but Morris loses it just as he closes in on the try line.
NRL: 7 mins - Bulldogs 0-4 Panthers
The conversion is missed so just the four points in it - which doesn’t reflect all of Penrith’s possession. It’s been an onslaught so far.
Updated
NRL: 4 mins - Bulldogs 0-4 Panthers
For once the Panthers have flown out of the traps. The Bulldogs are under all kinds of pressure and finally, inevitably, Penrith score the first try - Harawira-Naera the man who goes over.
Updated
NRL
Well I think my hands have just about recovered after that thriller. There’s no rest for the wicked though, the Bulldogs and Panthers are about to kick off at ANZ.
NRL: Sea Eagles 21-20 Raiders - golden point
Boom! DCE’s match-winning kick for the Sea Eagles. Quality stuff from the Manly talisman.
NRL: The Sea Eagles beat the Raiders in golden point - 21-20
Cherry-Evans boots it over from between the sticks and that’s all she wrote. More golden-point heartbreak for the Raiders at the hands of Manly. They worked so hard to get things level then blew it at the first chance.
NRL: Golden point - Sea Eagles 20-20 Raiders
Sea Eagles get the first attack but they can’t get themselves into a scoring position and the Raiders respond by charging up the field... only to spill it in their own end on tackle one. Dear oh dear.
NRL:
Have some of that. Croker kicks it over to level things up for the Raiders. Cracking stuff. They looked like they might get run over at half-time.
NRL: 80 mins - Sea Eagles 20-20 Raiders
Croker does it! It’s golden point - again. Nerves of steel from the Raiders man.
NRL: 79 mins - Sea Eagles 20-18 Raiders
Surely the Sea Eagles can’t lose it from here? They’re chewing up the clock but the Raiders will get at least one more attempt to attack again. Here they go... and they get a penalty. The siren goes but they’ll get the chance to level things up.
Updated
NRL: 78 mins - Sea Eagles 20-18 Raiders
The Raiders throwing everything at the Manly line... but a brilliant interception by Hastings stops the danger about 5m out. It would have been a certain try under the posts if he’d not made that.
Updated
NRL: 76 mins - Sea Eagles 20-18 Raiders
No try - for the Raiders this time. A brilliant looping pass while falling under pressure turns out to be forward (there must have been inches in it) and it’s immediately ruled out. Nerves fraying.
NRL: 74 mins - Sea Eagles 20-18 Raiders
No try! Just as the Sea Eagles look like they’ve sealed it with a late try, the ref overturns it for interference on the Canberra defence. It’s as you were.
NRL: 73 mins - Sea Eagles 20-18 Raiders
Deja vu anyone? This is all looking a lot like round eight, just two points in it as we enter end game. The Sea Eagles are on the attack, determined to put this game to bed after a frustrating second half.
Updated
NRL
NRL: 70 mins - Sea Eagles 20-18 Raiders
Rapana, who else, gets the Raiders back into it with 10 minutes to go, dodging and weaving his way through the Sea Eagles line to run all the way to the line. He’s dragged the Raiders back into contention just when it looked like they’d missed their chance. Croker nails the kick and there’s two points in it.
Updated
NRL: 68 mins - Sea Eagles 20-12 Raiders
Another try to the Sea Eagles at this stage would do it. They really bash the Raiders line but can’t find a way through. It’s turned over but Canberra are being made to work for every yard up the pitch.
NRL: 65 mins - Sea Eagles 20-12 Raiders
Quality kick from DCE to get the Sea Eagles back on the attack. For all their possession this half, the Raiders really haven’t made the most of it. Rapana gets a whack from Taufua in the in-goal and the hosts finally get a spell of pressure. It’s temporarily stopped though as Taufua himself gets mushed by Clydsdale. It didn’t look good on the replays and the physio takes some time to make sure he’s OK.
NRL: 62 mins - Sea Eagles 20-12 Raiders
How the Raiders must be cursing that final 15 minutes of the first half. There’s been nothing between the teams this half, in fact the Raiders have probably shaded it after a sluggish opening five minutes. The Sea Eagles have defended well though.
NRL: 60 mins - Sea Eagles 20-12 Raiders
Leilua with a poor catch to hand over possession - and perhaps a sense that the Raiders are starting to lose a little steam after that surge from the try. The Sea Eagles making ground now, grinding out yards before DCE tries a kick to the corner which is shepherded out easily enough.
NRL: 56 mins - Sea Eagles 20-12 Raiders
DCE with a good kick to the corner. Sensible stuff as it buys his side a bit of breathing space and a chance to take stock. They’re still in the driving seat but the Raiders are building a bit of momentum - they look a different side to the one that went into the sheds. The Ricky Stuart factor at work.
NRL: 53 mins - Sea Eagles 20-12 Raiders
This is the best spell the Raiders have enjoyed so far - they need to make the most of it though. They get another set about 30m out and put more pressure on the hosts, switching the ball to the right as Rapana looks to get in again. The Sea Eagles do just enough to keep them at bay and the pressure eases.
NRL: 50 mins - Sea Eagles 20-12 Raiders
That try seems to have shocked the Sea Eagles a little, understandably so - it looked like they were cruising. The Raiders caught them off-guard. They’re almost in again after a high kick into the corner. Quick hands aaaaalmost put them over the line but a great interception saves the Sea Eagles. Game on.
Updated
NRL: 45 mins - Sea Eagles 20-12 Raiders
Ha! Shows what I know! Rapana nips in at the corner after the Sea Eagles switch off for a second. Is that the spark I was just talking about? Great sideline conversion from Croker and suddenly the Raiders are back in this.
Updated
NRL: 42 mins - Sea Eagles 20-6 Raiders
Whitehead with a poor pass that Sezer just manages to scoop up off the floor. It’s typified the Raiders’ game so far, just a little too much sloppiness. They need to find some spark soon or this will run away from them.
Updated
Football
We’re almost ready to go again at Lottoland so no time to really discuss all the overnight sport – from the look of it, the rest of the site has it pretty much covered anyway - but it would be remiss of me not to at least tip my hat *tips hat* to Real Madrid for winning back-to-back Champions League trophies. The size of that achievement cannot be overstated. And no I’m not going to give an opinion on Ronaldo v Messi. This blog will get smothered if that debate kicks off. The highlights are worth a watch if only for the goal from Mario Mandzukic – exquisite stuff.
Rugby
Of course, this isn’t the only big game that’s taken place on the peninsula this weekend – the always popular “Battle of the Beaches” between the Manly Marlins and the Warringah Rats produced another nailbiter to thrill the thousands of fans who turned up at Manly Oval. The Rats defied the form book to once again triumph over their previously undefeated derby rivals – this time by the slenderest of margins, 17-16. In a year where Australian rugby hasn’t exactly showered itself in glory, these games are always a huge boost for the game’s grassroots.
NRL: That smart kick by Walker to put DCE through - the two players who’ve tormented the Raiders most in the first half.
NRL: Half-time - Sea Eagles 20-6 Raiders
As Ron Burgundy once said, that escalated quickly. It was looking like a tight tussle for the first 20 odd minutes but the Sea Eagles have really stepped it up a notch against a Raiders side who seem to be fading fast. No doubt Ricky Stuart will have a few words at the break but has the damage already been done?
NRL: 38 mins - Sea Eagles 20-6 Raiders
Dear oh dear, a nightmare 10-15 minutes for the Raiders gets even worse. Walker breaks free and a shrewd kick sets DCE and Uate on the chase - it’s DCE who gets there first for an easy four points. The conversion is missed again though.
Updated
NRL: 35 mins - Sea Eagles 16-6 Raiders
Taufua is in again! Kelly with a superb pass off the floor under pressure, Taufua leaps on it and scores in the corner. Manly making the most of a a fatigued-looking Raiders. This could get away from the visitors quickly unless they step up. They’ll be thankful for the break. Wright misses the conversion though.
Updated
NRL: 33mins - Sea Eagles 12-6 Raiders
Another good set from Manly, with Walker kicking into over the line - it’s all Wighton can do to smother it under pressure from DCE. Sea Eagles turning the screw as the Raiders start to tire.
NRL: 29 mins - Sea Eagles 12-6 Raiders
The Sea Eagles get a scrum between the sticks and make the most of it, Taupau the man who finally goes over after Manly switch it to the left. Costly mistake from Croker to give them the chance in the first place. No mistake from the conversion and Manly are back in front.
Updated
NRL: 26 mins - Sea Eagles 6-6 Raiders
Lovely break from Canberra but it comes to nothing, Croker the instigator with some quick hands but an attempted grubber at the death was always a little optimistic and it runs out behind. Nothing in this at the minute, Raiders arguably looking more dangerous but the Sea Eagles holding their own.
Updated
NRL: 18 mins - Sea Eagles 6-6 Raiders
Canberra have responded well since that early try and, it took a while, but they finally make the breakthrough after a good run to set up Austin for the try. Croker curls it between the sticks and we’re all square again.
Updated
NRL: 9 mins - Sea Eagles 6-0 Raiders
A poor error from the kick and Canberra are immediately on the attack close to the Sea Eagles line. The Manly defence holds up well though and just do enough to keep Canberra at bay. Silly stuff from the Sea Eagles after such a good start, they made up for it though.
Updated
NRL: 6mins - Sea Eagles 6-0 Raiders
Lovely pass from DCE to set Walker through for the opening try - Cherry-Evans did all the hard work for him, such was the quality of the ball. Walker picks up where he left off against the Raiders. The conversion is good and the Sea Eagles are up and running.
Updated
NRL: 4mins -Sea Eagles 0-0 Raiders
We’re off at Lottoland. Solid start from the Raiders but the Sea Eagles are standing up to it. Boyd in the thick of things for the Raiders, already taking a couple of hefty knocks... he looks a little dazed and off he hobbles. Not surprised.
Updated
NRL: If the Sea Eagles are serious about making a challenge this year they need to sort out their home form fast. Fortress Brookvale seems to have died with the name – now every time an away team visits Lottoland they hit the jackpot. For the Raiders, that fearsome back five are enough to scare the doings out of any side in the league, yet still they languish outside the eight after last night’s results. Last week’s win over the Roosters will have been a huge confidence boost but decent results here and there aren’t good enough for a side with so much potential. They need to string a run together fast if they want to become contenders.
Updated
And as I’m such an amiable, outgoing, social kind of guy – and definitely not a bitter, introverted journalistic dinosaur with barely any social media presence – feel free to email or whisper tweet nothings to me throughout the day. You can tweet to @GdnAusSport, remembering to use the hashtag #sportwatch. You can get me on richard.gadsby.casual@theguardian.com, or you can leave comments below.
Preamble
Afternoon and welcome to today’s Sportwatch liveblog – where I’ll be bringing you comprehensive covfefe* of all the day’s Australian sport no matter what shape or size the ball of your choice. As sport watches go I can’t promise it’ll be as good as the one Rafael Nadal wears at the French Open, but it’ll definitely be better than the knock-off Casio I bought in Bangkok a few years ago.
And jiminy jillickers have we got an action-packed day of sport for you. Well, no actually. In the spirit of full disclosure there are only a handful of matches across the big codes today but that never stopped this gobby hack from waffling on for hours at a time. But it’s quality not quantity - and the games we’re focusing on have the potential to be crackers. In fact, the almost-upon-us Sea Eagles v Raiders game already has been a cracker. Anyone remember round eight? Golden-point decider? THAT try by Jordan Rapana? Kyle Walker going from hero to villain to hero so much he could have been a WWE wrestler? Well here’s a little reminder in case you missed it. If we get half the entertainment there was in that game, we’ll be in for a treat.
After that, the Bulldogs v Panthers will round off the weekend’s NRL action. The struggling Bulldogs are in desperate need of a shot of the arm but after finally ending that run of five straight defeats, the Panthers are on something of a roll – and with Bulldogs blood in the air, they will fancy their chances at making it three straight victories today. That said, they made hard work of their wins over the Knights and Warriors, and another slow start tonight could prove more costly against a side with a solid defence.
At about halftime during that clash, Sportwatch will hop on a Guardian Airways flight to WA for full coverage of the Fremantle v Collingwood clash in the AFL. The Dockers have been struggling to sit down all week after that 100-point spanking at the hands of the Crows last weekend. And it had all been going so well for Ross Lyon’s men, who will be hoping it’s a blip rather than the start of a dip. For the Magpies, another victory tonight and they will officially achieve the prefix “resurgent”. They’ve made just two changes to the team that overcame Brisbane last week with Ben Crocker and Jackson Ramsay back in the side in place of Jarryd Blair and Alex Fasolo.
If my fingertips haven’t withered off by the end of that game, there might be a chance for me to wrap things up by catching Sam Stosur in action against Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko in the French Open.
*I’m highly aware of the risk of taking the Michael about a typo when I’m about to write a blog for eight hours – especially when I have names like Watene Zelezniak and Harawira-Naera to type today (and that’s just the Panthers).
Richard will be here shortly. In the meantime, have a read of Kevin Mitchell’s excellent piece on recent goings-on in the world of tennis.
