Summary
That’s all from me here after an early start to Australian Sportwatch. To begin the day, I live blogged all the action from the women’s Interstate Challenge between New South Wales and Queensland. It was a big day for women’s rugby league, with the game televised and sponsored for the first time, and many women paid for the first time also. The Blues put on a show for their home crowd, with debutant Jess Sergies scoring a hattrick for her home state as her team won 22-6. Player of the match went to her teammate Kezie Apps, who was instrumental in setting up several of their tries. The game ended in some carnage for existing and prospective Jillaroos - the most high-profile of those being NSW fullback Sam Bremner with an ankle. I hope she’s OK and back out there soon. Tough day at the office for the Maroons - if you read my preview pieces on the game, you’ll know how much this loss will sting.
I then stayed with the crucial, top-4 defining clash between Richmond and GWS, which the Tigers won convincingly in the end. GWS had no answers for their top playmakers in Martin and captain Cotchin, and played like a frustrated young side, typified by Toby Greene’s elbow to Alex Rance’s chin that’s sure to cost him two weeks. I don’t think he’ll have many sympathisers out there, given his run of misdemeanours. For the Tigers, it’s yet another sign that they’re the ‘real deal’ in 2017 - although we all knows what happens to the Tigers once you pump them up and start believing. I tentatively want to say I believe.
When I had a spare moment I took you across to the NRL clash between the Dragons and Sea Eagles, where the Dragons surprised everyone by running out 52-22 winners. I was particularly impressed with their debutant Dufty. I know his performance didn’t surprise Dragons fans, who have been calling for this for a while now. You’d be hard pressed to find a non-believer now after two try assists, two line breaks and a try.
Finally, I stayed with the Collingwood v West Coast match, which looked for the most part like a regulation victory to the superior Eagles. Kennedy was on fire in his 200th match, and kicked a bag of 6. Still, the Pies would not be denied, and aside from inaccurate goalkicking and skill errors that have dogged them all season, looked up for the fight. They stayed with the Eagles until the end, and their superior thirst for the contest saw them outlast West Coast in a victory for club passion and pride. Well done to Buckley, McGuire and all the Collingwood team who have been written off all season.
I’m just about to sign off but thought I’d add that the NRL match between the Tigers and Eels has just finished - and the Eels have eeked out a win with a field goal in the 77th minute!
FIELD GOAL for @TheParraEels! #NRLTigersEels 16-17 77' #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/QUHIPNeUwZ
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) July 23, 2017
That’s all from me, but I hope you’ll join me for the next Australia Sportwatch blog. Thanks to all those who tweeted, commented, read and gave this blog some colour.
Collingwood 13.15 (93) beat West Coast 13.7 (85)
HUGE loss for the Eagles - they were up by 24 points up in the final quarter, vying for a spot in the top eight and let it slip. That said, the Pies showed plenty of heart, especially without skipper Pendlebury, and during the game, Moore and Varcoe, to win it from that far behind. That’s what their supporters have been waiting for.
Adam Treloar is emotional after the game in his interview with Daisy Pearce - it seems the season and the scrutiny has taken a toll on the players as much as coach Buckley. He finished with 34 disposals - including 12 contested possessions and 5 clearances (still, his efficiency let him down at 59%). Best on ground for the Pies was ruckman Grundy. He had 19 disposals, but 42 hitouts, 8 contested possessions, and 3 marks. He dominated Petrie in the ruck. Jordan de Goey was also huge, especially in the second half, with 4 goals as a makeshift forward.
The Eagles’ milestone players - Kennedy, Yeo and Shuey - will be desperately disappointed, especially Kennedy who could do little more with six goals. Their side needed the win much more than Collingwood - since the Pies look well out of the finals race, while the Eagles are still well in it.
One man who was smiling after the game was Nathan Buckley - it seems the club has responded well to the announcement that he’ll be safe until the end of the season at least.
AFL Q4 00:40 remaining Collingwood 13.15 (93) v West Coast 13.7 (85)
Fasolo kicks it - think they’ve won it from here. Pies in a big upset.
Updated
AFL Q4 00:56 remaining Collingwood 12.15 (87) v West Coast 13.7 (85)
Treloar wins the clearance, and it’s held up inside the Pies’ 50. Treloar again, gets it inside 50, the Eagles try to clear and Fasolo gets a holding the ball after he chases down an Eagles’ defender.
Free kick to the Pies for a block on Schofield - I can’t see the logic behind that decision. The Pies milk some more time by kicking it back to Fasolo.
AFL Q4 02:06 remaining Collingwood 12.15 (87) v West Coast 13.7 (85)
Huge tackle by de Goey, who has had an enormous second half. He wins the free for holding the ball, and hits up Jamie Elliot in the 50. I sense multiple clubs behind Collingwood (aka those vying for a spot in the 8).
Has he kicked it? It looked touched on the line - but wasn’t! PIES in front!
AFL Q4 03:52 remaining Collingwood 11.15 (81) v West Coast 13.7 (85)
Collingwood are running all over the top of the Eagles here- all the momentum is going their way with the crowd behind them. An upset is on the cards.
Ouch, horrible mistake by Levi Greenwood, who second-guessed himself in the middle before handballing over his teammate’s head. That could cost the game - and the Eagles look to have steadied. They’re trying to run down the clock now.
AFL Q4 05:46 remaining Collingwood 11.15 (81) v West Coast 13.7 (85)
Free kick to de Goey for a hold from Will Schofield. He kicks his fourth - for 4.2 for the afternoon. Only 4 points in it. Exciting stuff from the Pies - who have so had so many more shots on goal. This is a crucial match that will shape finals - the Eagles can’t afford to drop it.
AFL Q4 06:19 remaining Collingwood 10.15 (75) v West Coast 13.7 (85)
Brayden Maynard was unlucky not to get 50m, after he was held up after taking the mark. He tried to bomb the ball in long - but hit the man on the mark. Down the other end, Elliot Yeo has the chance to kick the sealer - and hits the post.
Is there one more twist in this? Collingwood are within 10 points after a goal to Levi Greenwood.
AFL Q4 10:07 remaining Collingwood 9.15 (69) v West Coast 13.6 (84)
Guess who - Josh Kennedy is lining up for his sixth. This one uncharacteristically goes out on the full.
AFL Q4 11:10 remaining Collingwood 9.15 (69) v West Coast 13.6 (84)
Almost a massive goal from Treloar, who burst through the middle and hit the post from outside 50m. They’ve kicked 15 points now - and would rue their lack of accuracy.
Here’s that opportunistic goal from de Goey earlier. Impressive.
Q4 | It's Jordan De Goey providing the 💥 once again. @CollingwoodFC is not done with yet. #AFLPiesEagles pic.twitter.com/fjC5q1ZWVx
— AFL on 7 (@7AFL) July 23, 2017
Updated
AFL Q4 12:43 remaining Collingwood 9.14 (68) v West Coast 13.6 (84)
Leigh Matthews says the difference between the two sides is the presence of the two key forwards in Josh Kennedy and Jack Darling. We all know how highly-publicised the Pies’ woes up forward are. It hasn’t helped that Darcy Moore has been off for most of the game, but they have had good return from de Goey and Reid.
Speaking of de Goey, he kicks another point from a difficult angle, 50m out.
AFL Q4 14:11 remaining Collingwood 9.13 (67) v West Coast 13.6 (84)
Ben Reid can’t convert - that’s a big miss in the context of the game. That would have given him three for the day, and taken the Pies within a couple of goals.
Updated
AFL Q4 16:20 remaining Collingwood 9.12 (66) v West Coast 13.5 (83)
Another goal to de Goey! That’s his third - he simply threw his boot at that one, after it floated awkwardly into the 50 - he’s at his opportunistic best today.
AFL Q4 19:12 remaining Collingwood 8.11 (59) v West Coast 13.5 (83)
First goal of the quarter goes to Jack Darling (2 goals) after he was gifted a 50m for a push in the back after he marked. Undisciplined from Collingwood.
Confirmation that Travis Varcoe is out for the game, so the Pies are indeed two players down.
AFL Q2 15:57 remaining Brisbane 8.2 (50) v Carlton 1.4 (10)
Over at the Gabba, the home side are well on top of Carlton. Dayne Zorko has 13 disposals, with 6 contested possessions and 2 goals. Meanwhile, for the Blues, captain Marc Murphy leads the way with 9 disposals (3 clearances).
NRL H2 48:54 Wests Tigers 8-10 Parramatta Eels
Here’s the Semi Radafara try in the 31st minute which put the Eels in front. Scores remain as they did then - with the Eels 2 points ahead. Gutherson missed the resultant conversion.
The Semi Trailer at full speed!#NRLTigersEels 8-10 after 32 minutes.#NRL pic.twitter.com/urLH4WQx5s
— NRL (@NRL) July 23, 2017
AFL three-quarter-time Collingwood 8.11 (59) v West Coast 12.5 (77)
Yeo runs into an open goal to stretch the lead back out to three goals- that’s a killer for the Pies (and Buckley) as it came with only three seconds to go after a much-improved Collingwood quarter. The Eagles had plenty of overlap out the back and made them pay for the turnover.
AFL Q3 02:54 remaining Collingwood 8.10 (58) v West Coast 11.5 (71)
A panic kick from Treloar just outside 50 falls to Hurn, who takes a high tackle from Sidebottom. He passes off to Shuey about 10m closer to goal - a strange decision given how far Hurn can kick. Shuey, however, rewards the decision and kicks straight. That’s two back for the Eagles after a Collingwood onslaught.
Updated
AFL Q3 06:10 remaining Collingwood 8.9 (57) v West Coast 10.4 (64)
Travis Varcoe hasn’t returned for the Pies - they might be two down for the rest of the match at this rate. Jordan de Goey had a golden opportunity to put the Pies in front with his third goal in a row, but hit the post. That’s scores level.
I take that back - the ball rockets down the other end of the ground for a minor score for the Eagles - and they’re back in front by the slimmest of margins.
I take that back also - Cripps has just snapped a wonderful goal from 35m. This is the joy of blogging - by the time you write it, it’s old news.
AFL Q3 09:08 remaining Collingwood 8.7 (55) v West Coast 9.3 (57)
Pressure has really lifted here from the Pies.
Here’s the nasty looking Varcoe incident. Really hope he’s OK.
Travis Varcoe was helped from the ground following this incident. #AFLPiesEagles pic.twitter.com/886q5fzzIq
— AFL (@AFL) July 23, 2017
Updated
AFL Q3 10:58 remaining Collingwood 8.7 (55) v West Coast 9.3 (57)
Some vision is being shown of Mick Malthouse sitting with Eddie McGuire - Brian Taylor wonders if he’s there “for an interview”.
Snap by de Goey results in his second goal (narrowly avoiding some WCE fingertips) and the Pies are only 2 points behind all of a sudden.
AFL Q3 11:52 remaining Collingwood 7.7 (49) v West Coast 9.3 (57)
Travis Varcoe looks to be concussed after a nasty fall onto his head. Not dissimilar to the Dale Morris fall that broke his forearm last night. For the record, Luke Beveridge said that could be the end of his career, which would be very sad indeed.
Meanwhile, de Goey scores a goal for the Pies and they’re back in the contest.
AFL Q3 14:16 remaining Collingwood 6.7 (43) v West Coast 9.3 (57)
Taylor Adams gets one back for Collingwood - after a Wells fresh air shot left the ball behind. Adams swooped opportunistically to cut the lead back to 14 (the same margin the Pies led by in the first quarter).
Updated
AFL Q3 15:17 remaining Collingwood 5.6 (36) v West Coast 9.3 (57)
Kennedy juggles a contested mark with one hand - he was far too strong for Goldsack. That’s his sixth - maybe Franklin’s record is under threat after all.
Updated
AFL Q3 18:45 remaining Collingwood 5.6 (36) v West Coast 8.3 (51)
Another nice contested mark to Kennedy, who technically took the free for chopping the arms. That’s 5.1 for him in his milestone game.
AFL Q3 19:50 remaining Collingwood 5.6 (36) v West Coast 7.3 (45)
News coming through that Darcy Moore is off to hospital with neck soreness - the Pies stress that they are being cautious more than anything. That means the Pies will be one dow for the rest of this game.
NRL H1 26:30 Wests Tigers 8-6 Parramatta Eels
The Tigers hit the lead at ANZ Stadium, with a penalty goal converted by Tuimoala Lolohea. Both sides have one try each. The Eels opened the scoring with a try to Bevan French in the third minute, which Clint Gutherson converted. The Tigers then returned fire through James Tedesco in the 12th minute, and Lolohea followed with a conversion.
Here’s the penalty tackle, which Eels supporters are unhappy about.
Was this a high tackle? #NRLTigersEels #9WWOS pic.twitter.com/esr24VdK8w
— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) July 23, 2017
Ninja Warrior
Anyone been watching Ninja Warrior? I admit that I haven’t – but it seems the nation has, with Erin Riley reporting that its ratings have already eclipsed our major sports (with only State of Origin games and Australian Open men’s tennis final out-rating Warrior so far). In her piece on the Japanese franchise, Riley argues that the course gifts an unfair advantage to men and the able-bodied, making it anything but the ‘great equaliser’ it promises to be.
Football
There’s a couple of football stories emerging. The first is that West Ham have announced a record club signing – welcoming Marko Arnautovic from Stoke City on a five-year deal for a club-record fee of up to £25m, with a guaranteed £20m plus an additional £5m in potential add-ons. Arnautovic said he felt “special” to be a West Ham player:
“Everyone knows that West Ham is a big Club, with big history and I’m happy to be a part of it now. I can’t wait to get started.
“I played against West Ham at the old stadium – I didn’t play last year at the new stadium because I was suspended – but I came to the game and I can only say it is a massive club with a lot of fans. They are crazy for football and this is what I like. The club is still growing, getting better and better and that’s why I’m here.”
Stoke had rsejected two earlier bids for the 28-year-old, but eventually relented. The Hammers have also added Pablo Zabaleta and Joet Hart on loan, and will soon welcome Javier Hernandez.
The second is that Jose Mourinho has ‘100%’ guaranteed David De Gea will stay with Manchester United, and not move to Real Madrid, who are known to be keen on De Gea’s services. De Gea of course nearly moved to the Spanish club two years ago before the transfer collapse on the final day of the 2015 summer window.
AFL half-time Collingwood 5.6 (36) v West Coast 7.3 (45)
Reid can’t convert his third and is well left in his attempt at goal. He seems to be the Pies’ primary target at the moment, with Darcy Moore off the ground with an injury concern.
That’s half-time, with the Pies down by 9 points.
I’ll go around the grounds and be back for the second half of this game.
AFL Q2 03:49 remaining Collingwood 5.5 (35) v West Coast 7.3 (45)
There’s a trio of Eagles milestones today – the man I was just talking about, Josh Kennedy is playing his 200th game, Luke Shuey his150th and Elliot Yeo his 100th. The Eagles have plenty to play for given they desperately need a win to keep clubs level and below them at bay – including the Bombers, and fast-finishing reigning premiers the Bulldogs. They have had an inconsistent season, however, and have not won two games in a row since round eight – and have won three of their last eight games. I’m backing them in to win today, with a big bag from Kennedy (he might not beat the record for most goals in your 200th though - that sits with Buddy Franklin who kicked 9).
Updated
AFL Q2 05:58 remaining Collingwood 5.5 (35) v West Coast 7.3 (45)
That man Josh Kennedy kicks a brilliant set shot goal from 45m out on a tight angle - that’s his fourth - he’s got 4.1. Has been an unbelievable acquisition for the Eagles since he came over all that time ago from Carlton.
AFL Q2 07:56 remaining Collingwood 5.5 (35) v West Coast 6.3 (39)
Nice set shot from Ben Reid gets the score back to 4 points the difference. That’s his second goal for the day.
Updated
AFL Q2 10:03 remaining Collingwood 4.5 (29) v West Coast 6.3 (39)
Fairly tight game here at Etihad as Josh Kennedy soccers through his third. Same old story for Collingwood - plenty of inside 50s and possession, but some questionable ball skills.
St George Illawarra Dragons beat Manly Sea Eagles 52-22
This game is over at WIN Stadium, with a thumping 52-22 upset victory to the Dragons. The Sea Eagles scored four second-half tries - to Walker (42m), Lussick (48m), Trobjevic (51m) and Uate (54m) to put a scare through the Dragons’ camp, but they responded with four of their own - to Vaughan (59m), Nightingale (62m), Aitken (67m) and the impressive debutant Dufty (79m). Widdop converted well at 8 of 9 attempts.
Dufty also had two line breaks and two try assists for the Dragons, while Jack de Belin ran 251 metres and had 30 tackles (McInness had 39). For the Sea Eagles, Jake Trbojevic had 45 tackles, and ran 159 metres - while his brother Tom ran 233 metres.
Here’s that Dufty try. I know the Dragons fans have been calling for his debut for a while now, and he’s proved why.
On debut! Makes it a half century for the @NRL_Dragons.#NRLDragonsManly #NRL pic.twitter.com/E1zx7U3Hsd
— NRL (@NRL) July 23, 2017
I’ll have a very short break and come back with the rest of the Collingwood v West Coast clash (after some other round-the-ground updates).
AFL Richmond 9.10 (64) beat Greater Western Sydney 6.9 (45)
Great win for the Tigers, who, as Anthony Hudson aptly puts it, went from “no hopers” last year to top 4 this year. Who knows what this side can achieve. I say that both sincerely and with some cynicism given we all know how up and down this side can be (remember the first half against St Kilda a couple of weeks ago?) Still, they looked back to their best today, and there’s no stopping Dustin Martin as far as I can tell. They’ve got Gold Coast next week, and a fairly soft run towards the finals. I’m backing them in to stay top 4.
For GWS - it was a disappointing day that told the story of their last month of football, during which they’ve had just the single win over the Lions (and draws against Geelong and Hawthorn). Toby Greene looks likely to spend a couple of weeks on the sidelines, and Shiel looked in plenty of pain when he left the ground in the final quarter, not to return. They’ve got Fremantle at home next week - they should surely bounce back then, or there’ll be much more scrutiny.
AFL Q4 00:08 remaining Richmond 9.10 (64) v GWS 6.9 (45)
Josh Kelly misses an easy shot at goal to cap off a miserable day for his team. Kelly has been well down by his lofty standards with 21 disposals, but only 66% efficiency and just the one clearance.
AFL Q4 02:33 remaining Richmond 9.10 (64) v GWS 6.7 (43)
That’s the sealer - Castagna kicks a scrubber to make a certainty of the Tigers’ victory. Well done to the Tigers - they’ve defended their lead much better after that run of close losses earlier in the season.
The win will put both Richmond and GWS on 44 points after this round.
AFL Q4 04:55 remaining Richmond 8.9 (57) v GWS 6.7 (43)
Consolation goal to Jon Patton with just under five minutes remaining. Don’t think they’re close enough to challenge, but they’ve kept pushing, the Giants.
Updated
AFL Q4 07:25 remaining Richmond 8.9 (57) v GWS 5.7 (37)
Dylan Shiel is down again - this time it looks like a right shoulder. Again - there was no opposition contact, he merely slipped and thumped into the turf. The ball is locked up inside the Tigers’ 50 with only 7 minutes or so to go.
Updated
AFL Q4 10:04 remaining Richmond 8.9 (57) v GWS 5.7 (37)
Deliberate out of bounds goes against Phil Davis to gift the ball back to Richmond. GWS have dominated possession this quarter but can’t make any meaningful inroads on the scoreboard. Brandon Ellis takes crucial seconds off the clock before setting the ball up to the top of the square. Another ball-up takes yet more seconds off the clock. The ball eventually lands with Kane Lambert who again milks the clock.
Updated
AFL Q4 14:10 remaining Richmond 8.9 (57) v GWS 5.7 (37)
Very nice work by Jonathan Patton to find Steve Johnson on the boundary line - he showed some incredible agility and poise in pouring rain. Still, even Johnson can’t kick a miracle goal and it is rushed through for one behind.
AFL Q4 15:23 remaining Richmond 8.9 (57) v GWS 5.6 (36)
Jack Riewoldt looked to kick one for the Tigers but upon review it seems to have hit the point post. GWS couldn’t pull off another come-from-behind victory in the last quarter, could they? I’m going with no in these conditions.
Updated
AFL Q4 16:45 remaining Richmond 8.8 (56) v GWS 5.6 (36)
The Giants get one back through Kelly - the Richmond crowd don’t like it after a deliberate out of bounds call went against Rance. Nice roving goal by Kelly who has struggled to get into the game after quarter-time.
AFL Q4 19:00 remaining Richmond 8.8 (56) v GWS 4.6 (30)
Nice work from Toby Greene, who drew a high tackle and picked out Will Setterfield. He misses to the left - that would have been his first goal in the AFL. Let’s see if there’s any fight left in the Giants.
NRL H2 42:44 St George-Illawarra 30-6 Manly Sea Eagles
It took until the 42nd minute, but Manly have finally got a try back thorugh Dylan Walker. Cherry-Evans makes no mistake with the conversion.
Before that, the Dragons scored through all of Nightingale, Lafai, Widdop, Aitken and Host, with five conversions from Widdop to boot.
The @SeaEagles hit back with a 4 pointer in the first minute of the second half.#NRLDragonsManly 30-6 after 43 minutes.#NRL pic.twitter.com/HkIsC74anA
— NRL (@NRL) July 23, 2017
AFL three-quarter-time Richmond 8.8 (56) v GWS 4.5 (29)
Miserable quarter from GWS to the scene of some miserable-looking rain at the MCG. Looks like the Tigers will hold onto their top-4 spot after this game, while the Giants’ premiership favouritism is no question in doubt.
AFL Q3 02:52 remaining Richmond 8.7 (55) v GWS 4.5 (29)
An unlikely goal to ruckman Toby Nankervis to put the Tigers up by 26. He awkwardly lumbered towards goal (in typical ruck style) before producing a beautiful snap.
Here’s the previous team goal thanks to a smart tap by Jack Riewoldt.
How good was the tap here? #AFLTigersGiants pic.twitter.com/yMgh89Dxyd
— AFL (@AFL) July 23, 2017
Updated
AFL Q3 05:07 remaining Richmond 7.7 (49) v GWS 4.5 (29)
Another goal to the Tigers - a beautiful team effort results in a Caddy goal. Another goal assist to Dustin Martin. I’ll be sharing some footage of that once I get it.
AFL Q3 06:20 remaining Richmond 6.7 (43) v GWS 4.5 (29)
The unthinkable happens and Dustin Martin is caught holding the ball after trying a triple-fend off. Still he’s up to 23 disposals, 14 contested possessions, 9 clearances and 9 inside 50s (and a goal). You can understand why he still hasn’t signed his contract.
Rain has started pouring down at the MCG, which will suit Richmond.
AFL Q3 08:43 remaining Richmond 6.7 (43) v GWS 4.5 (29)
The Giants finally hit a target inside 50 through Toby Greene who has been pushed onto the ball. Good move by Cameron - he couldn’t get into the game at all, and needs an outlet for that aggression. Haynes has an important shot at goal - and the defender kicks it.
AFL Q3 11:44 remaining Richmond 6.7 (43) v GWS 3.5 (23)
The Tigers have had several opportunities to put the Giants away but have kicked two shots at goal out on the full - the latest just then to Shaun Grigg. However, the Giants boot one out on the full through Wilson - Kennedy punches it away in frustration and gives away 50m. This is a comedy of coach killers. Kamdyn McIntosh makes them pay with a goal.
Updated
AFL Q3 12:53 remaining Richmond 5.7 (37) v GWS 3.5 (23)
Further signs of frustration from the Giants here, with Jon Patton losing patience with his teammates after a few ignored leads and miskicks.
AFL Q3 15:55 remaining Richmond 5.7 (37) v GWS 3.5 (23)
It’s all unravelling for the Giants - they can’t seem to find any momentum whatsoever and have given away several unnecessary free kicks. They look like a very frustrated team - and like a team that has only won one game from their last five. Let’s see what they have in them - but their last goal was the 22nd minute mark of the first quarter.
AFL Q3 19:15 remaining Richmond 5.6 (36) v GWS 3.5 (23)
Questionable choice from Mumford to centre the ball there, it allowed Martin to intercept and hand off an easy goal to Jack Riewoldt. This quarter has started as the last finished, with Dustin Martin taking another free kick in the centre for yet another clearance.
I’ll be back shortly with the 3rd quarter of the AFL clash between Richmond and GWS.
NRL H1 16:00 St George Illawarra 12-0 Manly Sea Eagles
It’s another try to the Dragons after yet another set-up kick by McCrone. Tim Lafai fumbled it but put it down for the Dragons. Widdop strikes the conversion nicely to put them 12-0 up early. Manly fans wanted obstruction for an early jump by Nightingale but the bunker cleared the try.
NRL H1 12:39 St George Illawarra 6-0 Manly Sea Eagles
Just going quickly around the grounds while we’re at half time. An early try here to the Dragons through Jason Nightingale. Nice pass by McCrone, who picks him out across the field. Widdop converts to give them the six points.
Straight into Nightingale's lap! Can we smell a hat-trick coming on?#NRLDragonsManly 6-0 after 9 minutes.#NRL pic.twitter.com/ToxUFu82mN
— NRL (@NRL) July 23, 2017
AFL half-time Richmond 4.6 (29) v GWS 3.5 (23)
18 inside 50s to 6 for the Tigers that quarter, for 4.4. Both Dustin Martin and Brandon Ellis are up to 15 disposals each, with 9 contested possessions and 5 clearances for Martin, as well as a goal and 5 inside 50s. They’ll need to do something about him if they’re any chance, the Giants.
AFL Q2 00:26 remaining Richmond 4.5 (29) v GWS 3.5 (23)
Mark to Edwards after a big contested mark by Martin and bomb inside forward which looked to be touched by Lobb before he marked it. He misses, which might be some kind of justice after he seemed to play on.
GWS horribly out of form and confidence this quarter.
AFL Q2 03:00 remaining Richmond 4.5 (29) v GWS 3.5 (23)
The Giants accidentally concede a behind after an awful clanger from Phil Davis. He’s on top of Riewoldt at the moment but his team are under intense pressure - which, so far, they’re failing to handle whatsoever.
Updated
AFL Q2 05:30 remaining Richmond 4.4 (28) v GWS 3.5 (23)
Goal to Jack Riewoldt - the Tigers are all over the Giants at the moment - largely thanks to their leaders in Martin and Cotchin, but Riewoldt is now also finding his way into the game. Heath Shaw can’t get anywhere near him - he’s only had the one possession this quarter.
AFL Q2 07:30 remaining Richmond 3.4 (22) v GWS 3.5 (23)
The Tigers get another one despite Martin’s pass to Rioli bouncing straight off his chest. The ball luckily bounced into Lambert’s hands, who goals.
A quick stats update - Brandon Ellis has 12 disposals for the Tigers at 83.3% disposal efficiency, while Dustin Martin is now up to 12 also - after being initially well held by Matthew Kennedy. Martin has 6 contested possessions, 3 clearances and a goal.
For GWS Callan Ward has 16 disposals, including 7 contested possessions, 4 clearances and a goal.
Updated
AFL Q2 10:09 remaining Richmond 2.4 (16) v GWS 3.5 (23)
A real stalemate ensuing here with plenty of ball-ups. Jack Riewoldt finally gets a possession, hitting up Grigg just outside 50 who in turn hits up Dustin Martin for an easy shot at goal. He kicks truly to get some momentum going for the Tigers.
AFL Q2 12:15 remaining Richmond 1.4 (10) v GWS 3.5 (23)
Shiel is back on in good news for the Giants. The game has slowed right up after the Giants dominated the first quarter. Richmond however, have blazed away a couple of times at goal. This time Scully misses for GWS.
AFL Q2 14:00 remaining Richmond 1.4 (10) v GWS 3.4 (22)
Rory Lobb is tackled after what looked like a clear mark - did his teammate Patton have some of the ball? Play on was the call in an unlucky turn of events for the Giants.
Dylan Shiel remains off but it’s not clear what the injury is - he appeared not to take any contact when he grabbed his lower leg.
AFL Q2 16:23 remaining Richmond 1.4 (10) v GWS 3.4 (22)
Dylan Shiel is limping off with what looks like a right ankle. Meanwhile the Tigers are pressing with another point to Edwards.
Toby Greene has given away another 50m this quarter, apparently not heeding the words of his coach Leon Cameron who sought him out at half time after the elbow to Rance’s chin.
AFL Q2 18:15 remaining Richmond 1.3 (9) v GWS 3.4 (22)
Back on at the MCG with a single point to Richmond through their star Dustin Martin.
Edwards finally hits up Rioli about 10m out for what should be an easy goal. He converts to get a major on the board for the Tigers.
Tour de France
In Tour de France news, Chris Froome is starting to look unbeatable, cruising to a 54 second lead after the stage 20 time trial. In an interesting quirk, Froome looks set to become the third rider in Tour history to win the race overall without taking any of the individual stages (as Oscar Pereiro did in 2006 and Greg LeMond in 1990). Romain Bardet – who trailed by 23 seconds at the beginning of the time trial now appears unable to challenge Froome, and faces a fight to retain third place from Mikel Landa (Bardet remains in third, but is only a second ahead of Landa). Bardet was overtaken by Rigoberto Uran, who now moves into second overall, while Maciej Bodnar enjoyed his fourth Tour de France victory with the stage win. Froome came in third, and came within six seconds of taking the stage from Bodnar.
Interesting article from James Tapper here, who asks whether Froome can win British Hearts.
AFL quarter-time Richmond 0.2 (2) v GWS 3.4 (22)
Patton misses narrowly to the right. He’s having a huge month, though. Great comeback for someone with perennially dodgy knees.
He gives his captain Callan Ward a chance to improve on his effort with a nice pass inside 50. His kick misses altogether.
The Giants are dominating, but failing to capitalise on their 7 scoring shots to 2, and almost 40 more disposals than their opponents.
AFL Richmond Q1 03:22 remaining 0.2 (2) v GWS 3.3 (21)
I’m going to jump straight into the Richmond v GWS game now, which is almost at quarter-time. It seems the Tigers are struggling, with just the two points on the board.
Toby Greene has been dragged to the bench after an elbow to the face of his opponent. Should cost him a week at least - but who knows with the MRP.
NSW Blues beat QLD Maroons 22-6
The Blues have won their second Interstate Challenge, to go back-to-back after an incredible run of 17 losses to their opponents (followed by a draw).
Kezie Apps tells Fox Footy that she’s feeling “fantastic” after breaking her leg back in February. “I love my Blues family, and the Blues girls. To nearly play 80 minutes, I’m stoked.” She’s won player of the match for the second year in a row - Jess Sergies might feel somewhat hard done by after her hattrick.
Well done to the NSW Blues - they dominated the Maroons from the beginning of the match with some impressive line breaks and ferocious tackling. Maddie Studdon’s boot was critical, as was the early work of Sam Bremner as fullback, the weaving and passing game of Caitlin Moran who replaced her, and the brute run of Vanessa Foliaki who had a big second half. Then of course there was player of the match Apps’ superior run, and Sergis’ brilliant hattrick. Overall though it was an impressive team effort, played with some passion.
Tough loss for the Maroons, but I have no doubt they’ll be back with that trademark QLD spirit.
Rugby League H2 77:40 NSW 22-6 QLD
Another penalty goes the way of the Blues to thwart the Maroons’ push forward. NSW coach Ben Cross had come down to ground level, confident his job is done.
Rugby League H2 76:11 NSW 22-6 QLD
Yet another injury time-out here. I’m not sure there’s going to be any Jillaroos left at the conclusion of this game.
Rugby League H2 73:11 NSW 22-6 QLD
This has been a brutal (and impressive) game of hard tackles. NSW are penalised for an illegal tackle which sets QLD up for another shot at a consolation try. Hancock falls just short of the line thanks to a nice defensive effort from the Blues - but the Maroons have got two tackles to go in this set.
Brigginshaw looked set to cross over, but the QLDers lose the ball through an obstruction penalty. Very frustrating for them.
Updated
Rugby League H2 70:00 NSW 22-6 QLD
Ballinger’s pass goes out on the full, a really disappointing result as she tried to find Amelia Kuk. The Maroons look rattled with under 10 minutes to go.
Rugby League H2 64:40 NSW 22-6 QLD
Finally some luck for the Maroons as the Blues drop the ball. It has all unravelled somewhat for QLD, with a kick out on the full following Sergis’ hattrick. Despite Hancock’s bullocking run they can’t find the try line. They do, however, get a penalty against the Blues 25m out to restart their set.
Rugby League H2 64:40 NSW 22-6 QLD
Moran’s ball lands just short of the cross bar. Some photos are finally coming through so I’ll add those now!
Rugby League H2 61:53 NSW 22-6 QLD
Caitlin Moran is fired up and is dodging and weaving her way through the QLD defence with some inside-out passes that are bamboozling the Maroons. The Blues take a penalty only 10m out. A dummy run from captain Ruan Simms works out perfectly and results in a hattrick for Jess Sergis!
Here’s the earlier try to Foliaki - loved the fend off.
Keeping @QLDMaroons at bay! Lead extended.@NSWRL lead 18-6 after 57 minutes.#WomenInLeague #NRL pic.twitter.com/SNeVkKrFT1
— NRL (@NRL) July 23, 2017
Rugby League H2 58:00 NSW 18-6 QLD
Have loved the boot of Studdon today - but this time QLD captain Brown takes the ball nicely from the air. The Maroons have been hit hard with injury - with Kody House off with another ankle injury.
Updated
Rugby League H2 56:22 NSW 18-6 QLD
Foliaki - the QLD resident who argued successfully for the opportunity to represent her state of origin - finds the line again for the Blues. Smart backhanded offload from Moran set that up.
Moran just misses an even more difficult conversion attempt.
Here’s that previous try for the Blues thanks to Studdon’s boot:
Studdon sends it high, straight into the bread basket for McGregor!@NSWRL lead 14-6 after 53 minutes.#WomenInLeague #NRL pic.twitter.com/EVPTkGqHx6
— NRL (@NRL) July 23, 2017
Rugby League H2 53:29 NSW 14-6 QLD
Moran takes a very difficult conversion, with the ball falling short.
Rugby League H2 52:00 NSW 14-6 QLD
Penalty to the Blues sees them only 3 metres out with a full set to go. Elianna Walton draws four QLD defenders in a big, bullocking run toward the line but falls just short. Weight of numbers eventually tells with a perfect kick from Maddie Studdon to find Corban McGregor in space for a nice double-handed overhead take.
First job for the Bunker - but it’s a clear try to the Blues.
Updated
Rugby League H2 49:19 NSW 10-6 QLD
Confirmation that Sam Bremner won’t be back with a sprained ankle. She also suffered a head knock in the captain’s run before the game in a horrid run of injuries. That’s a big blow to her personal hopes of representing the Jillaroos later this year.
Sammy Bremner is down and taken from the field. Caitlin Moran shifts to fullback#uptheblues pic.twitter.com/MUmNiXDhn8
— NSW Rugby League 🏉 (@NSWRL) July 23, 2017
Rugby League H2 47:09 NSW 10-6 QLD
Really nice suburban feel at the ground with crowds milling on the hills.
Play resumes with the Maroons challenging Moran with an awkward ball forward. She missed it on the full, which made the bounce difficult. She’s replacing Bremner at fullback.
Not a bad crowd at @WINSportsEnt for the Women's Interstate Challenge. Half time 10-6 @NSWRL leading the @QLDmaroons. #WomenInLeague pic.twitter.com/3JxS2HmerS
— Melissa Russell (@MelRussellWIN) July 23, 2017
Rugby League H2 45:25 NSW 10-6 QLD
Bad news here with Sam Bremner collapsing onto that troublesome right ankle. There was no contact involved that time, which makes the prognosis much worse. She’s helped from the ground by a couple of trainers. Big loss after she’s already had 1 try assist for her team.
Rugby League H2 44:12 NSW 10-6 QLD
The sides trading sets at the moment after those early errors.
Here’s that great half-time interview with the star of the show to date, Jess Sergies.
Hear from Jess Sergis at HT.#WomenInLeague #NRL pic.twitter.com/wbp7iaTi20
— NRL (@NRL) July 23, 2017
Rugby League H2 41:00 NSW 10-6 QLD
Error from Foliaki gifts the ball to the Maroons to resume play, but House drops the ball to give it back to the Blues. The sides are trading errors at the moment, with Apps then dropping the ball for the Blues. It’s back with the Maroons - ping pong league!
Updated
Golf
Just while we’re waiting for the second half to resume, here’s some golfing news. Branden Grace has become the first man in history to post a 62 in a major championship (par at Royal Birkdale is 70). Grace achieved the feat at at 3:16pm on Saturday – but the South African was unaware that he had broken the all-time major record. Grace is well-known in South Africa for his philanthropy – earlier in the year, he donated a significant sum to help victims of devastating forest fires in Knysa, where he first played golf.
Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth looks set to claim the Open, and the third part of a career grand slam. He has a three-stroke advantage, at 11 under after his second round of 65 for the week, and looks the overwhelming favourite. You can read Scott Murray’s play-by-play report here.
Kevin Mitchell has also penned this piece on Alfie Plant, the only amateur to make the cut on Friday with a one-under par 69. The feat means he takes his place in the history books alongside Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in winning the Silver Medal for the leading amateur at the Open. He is three over par going into the final day of the tournament.
Rugby League half-time NSW 10-6 QLD
Some beautiful pictures coming through showing the stadium’s ocean views. Seems the crowds are really filing in now.
WIN Stadium has to be my favourite stadium at half time- ❤️ the ocean 🌊 ⛵️ views! 😍 #womeninleague #interstatechallenge pic.twitter.com/U2By3IRc1o
— Michelle Baillie (@BaillieMichelle) July 23, 2017
Rugby League half-time NSW 10-6 QLD
Jess Sergis’ teammates are happy with her after her double in the first half.
When you score a double on debut for your state... In 11 minutes! 👏🏼#uptheblues pic.twitter.com/XHUXM573hF
— NSW Rugby League 🏉 (@NSWRL) July 23, 2017
Rugby League half-time NSW 10-6 QLD
Maroons tried a big raking kick to test the NSW defence but they come down with the ball - great work from the Blues.
The ball back with the Blues, Lavina Phillips beats not 1, but 3 QLDers to advance right to the 10m line. The Blues, however, blow a golden opportunity and are penalised for obstruction. That looks to be it for this half.
Some fantastic, tough play by both teams at the moment. Jessica Sergies tells Fox League that she’s “stoked” with her first-half double after being “so nervous”.
Updated
Rugby League H1 35:00 NSW 10-6 QLD
Some big gains being made by both teams at the moment - around 80m per set. The game looks to have opened up with both teams running out of puff pre half-time.
Ball back with the Maroons.
Rugby League H1 33:44 NSW 10-6 QLD
Poor bass from Bremner - she’s back out there but seems affected by that ankle injury. Missed her teammate in plenty of space just short of the try line.
Ball back with QLD - although they have plenty of ground to make up. They’re still in their 20m zone.
Rugby League H1 31:23 NSW 10-6 QLD
Great work from Karina Brown to dive back into play out of the QLD in-goal. She’s relishing the opportunity both to captain her state and also play in the fullback position - a position she’s eyeing off for the Jillaroos.
The Blues have the ball back but run into a brutal Jenni-Sue Hoepper tackle. I’m glad I’m not out there.
Rugby League H1 29:32 NSW 10-6 QLD
Here’s the last try from Jenni-Sue Hoepper in her ‘welcome back’ game from maternity leave.
Welcome back to rep footy!@NSWRL lead 10-6 after 23 minutes.#WomenInLeague pic.twitter.com/TUPGikjj6J
— Jillaroos (@AusJillaroos) July 23, 2017
Updated
Rugby League H1 28:41 NSW 10-6 QLD
Really nice offload from Hancock drives her side forward, that’s a 41m gain for the Maroons, and Caitlin Moran manages to keep the Blues just in play after the kick on the 5th. The Blues get the relieving penalty, but Sam Bremner appears to have a serious ankle injury, perhaps accidentally stomped on in the last tackle. This will be a massive loss to the Blues if she can’t get back on.
Rugby League H1 25:29 NSW 10-6 QLD
Here’s what everyone’s playing for today - the Nellie Doherty Cup.
.@NSWRL & @QLDmaroons play for the Nellie Doherty Cup in the #InterstateChallenge. Action on @abcgrandstand. LISTEN: https://t.co/HabqlSUOfq pic.twitter.com/3GvlIThKpZ
— Ralph Tucker (@rtuck17) July 23, 2017
Rugby League H1 22:17 NSW 10-6 QLD
Penalty to the Maroons for a high-tackle and QLD have another good chance to advance on the scoreboard. Kunst almost dives over but runs into a NSW brick wall. Jenni-Sue Hoepper, however, finds a gap inside and dives over. She’s just returned to representative league, after the birth of her 19-month-old child. The Maroons are on the board!
We have another casualty, with Elianna Walton very slow to make it up off the turf.
Beautiful conversion by Chelsa Baker (with resplendent dyed pink hair, btw) to take the Maroons to 6.
Ballinger is still off the ground and struggling to return for QLD.
Rugby League H1 19:00 NSW 10-0 QLD
Here’s the earlier double for Sergis while we’re waiting for play to resume.
Rinse and repeat! Sergis gets a double.@NSWRL lead 10-0 after 13 minutes.#WomenInLeague #NRL pic.twitter.com/A6N3s1s1Ns
— NRL (@NRL) July 23, 2017
Rugby League H1 19:00 NSW 10-0 QLD
Studdon kicks the ball out on the full, in the first big error made by the Blues. Time-out here for some medical assistance to Heather Ballinger. The women are going in as hard as you can imagine.
Rugby League H1 17:16 NSW 10-0
Karina Brown (QLD captain) runs into a massive Ruan Sims (NSW tackle) - that looked dangerous, as she speared her into the ground and onto the flat of her back. The penalty goes to the Maroons to give them their best chance yet of a try.
Fantastic defense by the Blues who drag the dangerous Amelia Kuk out to touch.
Rugby League H1 12:12 NSW 10-0 QLD
HUGE try-saving tackle by Ballinger after yet another 74m gain by the Blues with a massive run and line break by Nakia Davis-Welsh. But they can’t hold the Blues at bay, with Sergis in for another try after a beautiful kick pass from Maddie Studdon. This time Caitlin Moran converts to send the Blues to a 10-0 lead.
Here’s the earlier save by Sam Bremner - the game is only 10 minutes young but she’s my player of the match so far.
An early Try saver thanks to @SammyBremner!#WomenInLeague #NRL pic.twitter.com/TsbjZua2Nq
— NRL (@NRL) July 23, 2017
Updated
Rugby League H1 09:30 NSW 4-0 QLD
What a start by the Blues - Kezie Apps broke through the QLD defence for a huge 80m gain for her team in that set. The ball is back with the Maroons, however.
Updated
Rugby League H1 07:16 NSW 4-0 QLD
The Blues are over for the first try of the match through Jessica Sergis! That was set up by a fantastic run from Isabelle Kelly who broke the line. Bremner was involved again with a deft pass by foot. Caitlin Moran, a Jillaroo and Indigenous All Star, misses the conversion narrowly.
As some of the viewers have pointed out, it’s fantastic to see so many of the Indigenous All Stars women out there for both teams.
Hard to pick a side when theres so many Indigenous Women's All Stars playing in the Interstate Challenge! #NRLIndigenous #WomeninLeague pic.twitter.com/lcWmAuK6oO
— Michelle Baillie (@BaillieMichelle) July 23, 2017
Updated
Rugby League H1 03:09 NSW v QLD
Ballinger dives over but is stopped by Sam Bremner! She has started on fire - and kicks the ball away from her QLD opponents for a dropout.
Updated
Rugby League H1 01:35 NSW v QLD
Here we go! QLD finish their opening set with a kick forward, NSW fullback Sam Bremner takes a huge grab, all courage in a huge collision with that woman, Steph Hancock, from QLD.
Updated
Rugby League - Women’s Interstate Challenge
Some are complaining that the game isn’t on free to air - but apparently you can also stream it live on NRL.com.au - good news!
Such a shame it's not on Free to Air, until it does #WomenInLeague will remain a second tier game #InterstateChallenge
— Robbo Maroon (@robbomaroon) July 23, 2017
Updated
Rugby League - Women’s Interstate Challenge
And here’s NSW player Sam Bremner talking to the media ahead of today’s history-making clash. We’ve just gone to a break in the TV coverage and will be under way very shortly.
Hear from @SammyBremner ahead of the Women's Interstate Challenge.#WomenInLeague #NRL pic.twitter.com/syOZ2OhkCB
— NRL (@NRL) July 23, 2017
Updated
Rugby League - Women’s Interstate Challenge
Karina Brown’s captaincy has started well, winning the toss for her team in today’s Interstate Challenge. For those following the game on twitter, try the hashtags #interstatechallenge and #womeninleague
#QLDER Women's captain Karina Brown wins the toss before today's Interstate Challenge match. #womeninleague pic.twitter.com/UfIvGsWyLc
— Queensland Maroons (@QLDmaroons) July 23, 2017
Updated
Rugby League - Women’s Interstate Challenge
Who wins?
While NSW are technically favourites, the Blues have shied away from the term ‘defending’ champions. As skipper Ruan Sims puts it, “We’re not really looking at it as defending the Cup, we’re going to go out there on Sunday to win it again.
“Queensland’s history, 17 years of dominance, is unprecedented in the men’s and women’s game. They’re a phenomenal team, their history, they’re legacy is so rich and for NSW we’re trying to build our own and last year was the start of that.”
“We have been pretty pissed off for 16 years before that. There are still a few girls who were part of those smackings before last year. They haven’t forgotten what it feels like. We are out to win in 2017. Defend is a word I have outlawed. What happened last year means nothing.’’
This game is about ready to go, so as I said earlier, I’ll stick with this before we jump across to the all-important clash between the Richmond Tigers and GWS Giants in the AFL. Both teams are vying for spot in the Top 4, and a coveted second-chance in the finals (something Richmond could surely do with given their history). I’ll then preview the Collingwood v West Coast clash, today’s other feature game, and update you on any important news to launch over night (time permitting – let’s see how busy things get!)
Updated
Rugby League - Women’s Interstate Challenge
As I said there are plenty of firsts for this game – and it’s the first time ever that the Interstate Challenge will be televised live on Fox Sports – as a double-header with the St George-Illawarra Dragons clash against Manly. It’s also the first time in the history of women’s Rugby League that the Bunker will be used, which should make for good viewing, and accurate decision-making. We hope.
This will be a great audition for the many women out there aspiring to a birth in the national side, the Jillaroos. The World Cup will be held later this year in Australia, and for the first time ever, women and men will play at the same tournament; the women’s final will be played as a double-header with the men’s decider at Suncorp stadium. Their pool games and semi-finals will also be played at Southern Cross Group Stadium in Cronulla.
Here’s QLD player Renae Kunst speaking to the media ahead of her final Interstate Challenge.
Hear from Renae Kunst ahead of the Women's Interstate Challenge.#WomenInLeague #NRL pic.twitter.com/vps2EmJVEI
— NRL (@NRL) July 23, 2017
Updated
NRL - Women’s Interstate Challenge
There’s plenty of fantastic individual stories out here today. One person to watch is Talesha Quinn, who grew up in NSW, and when she enlisted in the Australian Army, asked to be stationed in Townsville, because she knew a strong women’s rugby league competition was in place there. However, once she arrived, the competition folded, forcing her to play rugby union for four years. During that time she played through a dislocated hip, and has refused to give sport up despite several major injuries.
When she saw NSW win the Interstate Challenge for the first time last year, she decided to leave the Army to come back to Sydney to chase her love of rugby league. Luckily contracts are being offered to female players in NSW for the first time in 2017, and she was able to stay in the Army and play footy for Cronulla-Caringbah.
Rugby League - Women’s Interstate Challenge
Here are our final teams, thanks to NSW Rugby League.
(I imagine this is why all the NSW women have their teams listed, while the QLD women haven’t been elaborated upon!)
TEAMS CONFIRMED
— NSW Rugby League 🏉 (@NSWRL) July 23, 2017
The final line-ups have been set for today's Harvey Norman Interstate Challenge.
👥 https://t.co/HLxhdAu5PH pic.twitter.com/6j7IJconLi
Harvey Norman NSW Women’s team:
1. Samantha Bremner (Helensburgh Tigers)
2. Jessica Sergis (Cronulla-Caringbah)
3. Corban McGregor (Cronulla-Caringbah)
4. Isabelle Kelly (North Newcastle)
5. Nakia Davis-Welsh (Redfern All Blacks)
6. Caitlin Moran (North Newcastle)
7. Maddie Studdon (Redfern All Blacks)
8. Ruan Sims (Cronulla-Caringbah)
9. Rebecca Riley (Redfern All Blacks)
10. Elianna Walton (Greenacre Tigers)
11. Kezie Apps (Helensburgh Tigers)
12. Talesha Quinn (Cronulla-Caringbah)
13. Simaima Taufa (Mounties)
14. Lavina Phillips (Redfern All Blacks)
15. Rebecca Young (North Newcastle)
16. Ruby Ewe (Cronulla-Caringbah)
17. Vanessa Foliaki (East Brisbane Tigers)
18. Jasmin Allende (Redfern All Blacks)
Coach Ben Cross
Harvey Norman Queensland Women’s Team:
1. Karina Brown
2. Chelsea Baker
3. Amelia Kuk
4. Jenni-Sue Hoepper
5. Courtney Robinson
6. Zahara Temara
7. Ali Brigginshaw
8. Stephanie Hancock
9. Brittany Breayley
10. Heather Ballinger
11. Renae Kunst
12. Tazmin Gray
13. Rona Peters
14. Sasha Mahuika
15. Kody House
16. Asipau Mafi
17. Chelsea Lenarduzzi
Coach: Adrian Vowles
Updated
Rugby League - Women’s Interstate Challenge
Steph Hancock
How’s this for a story that illustrates what a loss it is to the sport to not nourish the women’s game? Steph Hancock, former QLD captain, and 35, has played in many an Interstate Challenge win in her career.
Her father Rohan also played for Queensland in the first State of Origin match in 1980 and told The Guardian this story about his daughter.
“When she was eight years old, she wanted to play footy, and I was the assistant coach of a little side in Killarney,” recalls Rohan Hancock. “I’d coach the kids on a Tuesday and then they’d go in and get coached by a bloke in Warwick on a Thursday. Anyway, this day the kids got beat 60-4.
“The next time we played them, the coach said, ‘you ought to let your daughter have a run’. She went out there and against the same side, she scored four tries and kicked two goals and the team won 30—4. A selector of junior football come over to me and said, ‘that boy there will be a representative player one day, mark my words’. I said, ‘hey Steph, take your headgear off’.”
For the record, Hancock says losing last year to the Blues was “the most devastating game of football I’ve ever played in my entire life. Losing a World Cup? I can handle that. I’ve been part of it for so long, and being the captain, I didn’t want to be part of a side that lost to NSW after 17 years. That didn’t sit well with me, obviously because of the history, family-wise, and also because of how passionate I am about Queensland. My blood’s boiling and it’s not just me – all the girls feel exactly the same way.”
She can rest assured that her NSW opponents feel the same way. Fullback Sam Bremner, for instance, has said she will take inspiration from the desolation experienced by the men’s side after their Origin defeat. She said she felt especially for five-eighth James Malone, who looked “gutted” after the game.
“I don’t want to feel like that. I don’t want any of us to feel like that. The whole team was shattered and I keep thinking of that game. How much it meant to them. It will be motivating me. Motivation for all of us. Like them, we don’t just play for ourselves. We play for everyone, all the Blues fans. It means a lot to all of us.”
You can rest assured that every woman out there today will be putting everything on the line for their state.
Updated
Rugby League - Women’s Interstate Challenge
The changing face of the women’s game
This year will bring many welcome changes for the women’s clash, with this being the only time the game has been sponsored– by retail giant Harvey Norman - and the NSW Blues women also receiving pay for the match for the first time. While the men’s state representatives receive $30,000 per match, the women will now receive just enough to cover daily costs, as well as a small match payment. Forward Rebecca Young, who, at 35 has two young children and a full-time job, said the news was a welcome change indeed. Reflecting on the state of the women’s game, Young admitted they were still a while off a national league akin to the AFLW:
“I would say we are in the middle ... timeframe wise we are talking about the next five years. We have to get it right. If there’s one thing I know about rugby league it’s that we need longevity. We can’t just have a six to eight-week program and it’s over with,” she told the ABC.
“We are building the grassroots’ levels, eventually the participation numbers will continue to grow, we need good quality and quantity of players.”
NSW in particular has faced challenges with the growth of women’s NRL. Until recently, girls could play in junior competitions until 12, but then had very few options to continue playing until the age of 17, when they could re-join the open division.
Thanks to Harvey Norman’s sponsorship, there will be some changes to grass-roots and junior women’s league, with the Queensland Rugby League Academy of Sport girls program expanding to help ensure under-14 and under-16 girls continue to gain opportunities to experience representative football. That’s fantastic news for a sport that has seen a 27% increase in women playing rugby league, with the figure at 428,000 women and girls nationally currently. With promising increases in participation, the NRL hopes to introduce a national competition by 2020.
“I know that every sport says that… but it truly has. I’m probably just a pioneer of the current stage but there’s plenty of women who’ve gone before me that have done it a lot tougher. We’re reaping the rewards of the hard yards they put in years ago and I believe the young girls… are going to be reaping the rewards of what we’re doing now. I think that excites, not just myself and NSW [but] I know the Queensland girls feel exactly the same.
“We’re just passionate about the game, we absolutely love it and I think that’s why people love watching women’s rugby league, especially the Interstate, especially the Jillaroos-Kiwis, because they can see the passion we have for the sport.”
Updated
Hello and welcome to today’s (early) Guardian Australia Sportwatch blog. I’m Kate O’Halloran, and here we keep up to date with what’s happening in the world of Australian sport, whatever your preferred shape of ball, with our rolling liveblog. Don’t forget to tweet us @GdnAusSport with the hashtag #sportwatch.
I’m here early today so I can cover the women’s rugby league Interstate Challenge between New South Wales and Queensland, otherwise known as the ‘Nellie Doherty Cup’ from 11:45am at WIN Stadium in Wollongong. In case you’re wondering, it’s televised on Fox League (for the first time ever!) and will also be covered by ABC Grandstand. The cup is so named because Nellie Doherty was instrumental in the staging of the first ever female league game in 1921. This is not, however, technically a ‘State of Origin’ since in the women’s game players are selected based on the state they live in currently, rather than their state of ‘origin’.
That said – this is mostly an issue of money and logistics, and there have been exceptions to the rule. As Joe Gorman reports, NSW second rower Vanessa Foliaki lives in Burnleigh Heads where she plays in the South-East Queensland competition. Hailing from Sydney’s western suburbs and a self-defined ‘true blue’, however, Foliaki last year requested that she be able to play for NSW. The QRL and NSWRL eventually agreed to let her play for the Blues, in what may be a game-changer for women’s interstate challenges from now on (which surely don’t have the same ring as ‘State of Origin’).
Ironically, Foliaki now lives in Brisbane with her partner Karina Brown, and both play for the Easts Tigers. Brown will today represent Queensland, while Foliaki will play for NSW. As Foliaki puts it, “for 80 minutes we’re enemies,” she says, “but after that it’s OK, we can be friends.”
The name withstanding, these games are played in exactly the spirit you’d expect of State of Origin. For the first time in a very long time, Queensland will go into the game as underdogs. Although no-one – not even NSWRL or QRL – has kept accurate records of these games, we do know that the Queensland side went unbeaten between 1999-2015. In 2015, the game was drawn, and in 2016, the NSW Blues broke through for a long-awaited victory. Here’s a stunning visual representation of Queensland’s dominance (below).
Can @NSWRL Women’s team win two straight or will @QLDmaroons Women dominate the #interstatechallenge? #NRL #womeninleague pic.twitter.com/9Ew8ELhrHr
— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) July 23, 2017
The Blues will start with 10 Jillaroos (national representatives) in their start-studded line-up, although newly-crowned QLD skipper Karina Brown says her side should not be under-estimated.
“You only have to look at the men’s Origin to see that it doesn’t matter who is on paper but who is willing to go the extra mile for their teammates and fight the hardest on the day. That’s the Queensland way,” she told the Courier Mail.
Brown was surprised to find she will take the captaincy from Steph Hancock – a QLD legend who I’ll tell you a bit more about later – and will play alongside former captains and teammates Karyn Murphy and Hancock.
I’ll be giving you a rolling preview of this game before it starts, before I go to the crucial AFL clash between Richmond v Greater Western Sydney (which will ultimately shape the top 4), and finally the Collingwood v West Coast Eagles game. As always I’ll keep you up-to-date with the other games as they happen in breaks, and will give you snippets of the latest sport news in other codes.
Kate will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Joe Gorman on the Nellie Doherty Cup and the clamour for a women’s State of Origin:
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