Summary
So, that’s almost everything in bed - with just the late AFL fixture from the West rolling over. Freo have kicked five of the last six through David Mundy and Brandon Matera, so I’m going to go ahead and tempt fate and just hand them the four points now with 20 to play, even if the margin is still under three goals. If that blows up, don’t @ me, Dockers fans.
Some impressive first showings on the opening day of season three of Super Netball with the Vixens and Magpies winning well, while in the AFL, Brisbane roared back to life in the Q2 clash, and GWS emerged from the Sydney derby with bragging rights once again.
The Broncos bounced back to life in a big way against the Sharks in the NRL, while Wests Tigers also picked up an impressive win.
Thanks for your company tonight - we’ll be back tomorrow with more sport. Always, for you, the people.
AFL: Sydney 12.7 (79) lose to GWS 18.12 (120)
Ooph. It’s a fifth-straight loss at the SCG, as the Giants put on an 11-goal second half to hammer their rivals. The man they call “Cogs” have a stormer of a night - four goals for Stephen Coniglio, with 24 touches, five marks and three tackles in there for good measure.
No Lance Franklin for the Bloods but it’s a sorry start to the season, they’ve gone 1-5 to start the season - and while top eight isn’t gone at this stage, looking round the table and seeing yourself below Carlton normally means you’re in trouble.
A-League: Western Sydney 0-1 Melbourne Victory
It’s a 16th loss of the season and a fifth consecutive loss to the Victory. Two seasons in a row without finals football - simply put, it’s not good enough for a club of the Wanderers’ stature.
Kevin Muscat’s men putting in a professional shift without ever really setting the hearts racing - they finish third overall, behind Sydney FC and runaway Premiers, Perth.
A crucial off-season ahead for Babbel’s rabble. Hopefully the new stadium brings this proud club a return to the fortress-like days of the club’s early seasons.
AFL - three-quarter-time: Sydney 10.6 (66) trail GWS 13.10 (88)
The cross-town rivals won the first quarter, the Swans the second, and then the Giants again the third. If the pattern continues we’re set for a fun last quarter; but there were just a few hints that it’s the Giants finishing the stronger in this one.
Taranto, Kelly and Hopper getting through a power of work for Greater Western Sydney - not enough in red and white matching the intensity of veteran Josh Kennedy. They need a few more heads to lift to make this one lively.
Super Rugby: Waratahs 10-23 Sharks
Ach. We bigged it up all day as a key opportunity for the Tahs to keep the heat on the Rebels in the Australian conference, and ill discipline has ruined the evening for NSW.
Jed Holloway seeing a red card for deliberately elbowing his opponent, before Jack Dempsey joined him temporarily on the side line for a tip-tackle. Hard to storm home when it’s 13 playing 15. The positive being that they managed to contain the Sharks to just 13 points, I guess.
NRL: Broncos 29-6 Cronulla
There she is - just win number two, but an emphatic one for Anthony Seibold’s struggling tyros! What confidence will they take from this?
It was marginally better from the Sharks after the break (they only lost the half 8-6) but by then the damage had already been done. Injury to insult with star recruit Shaun Johnson leaving the field with a hamstring complaint - the same injury that already sees Matt Moylan out, with Josh Dugan also a mid-game casualty. Bad day at the office.
AFL - half-time: Fremantle 6.7 (43) leads Western Bulldogs 6.6 (42)
Hello. We’ve got a game over in the West. Four lead changes in that second quarter alone as the Dockers and Dogs have traded goals like heavyweight sluggers. Technically it’s a 3-2 side hosting a 2-3 team, but you’d have to say Fremantle have looked a grade above so far this season.
The Bulldogs with plenty about them tonight though, with Lachie Hunter here, there, and everywhere for the visitors. Can they go the distance though?
A-League - half-time: Western Sydney 0-1 Melbourne Victory
It’s a bullet header from Ola Toivonen - and I know that term is often overused in football, but watch this and tell me if I’m wrong - that splits these two sides at the break.
Ola Toivonen with an absolutely THUMPING header to put @gomvfc in front!
— FOX Sports Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) April 27, 2019
🔥🔥🔥#ALeague #WSWvMVC pic.twitter.com/UZiaJdAPiI
A thirteenth goal in just twenty games for the big Swede, and what a recruit he’s proving.
Just the three shots on target from both sides, but it was the Victory with nearly two-thirds of the possession. Will the second half see a few more chances?
Super Rugby - half-time: Waratahs 10-10 Sharks
It’s a tight affair for the Waratahs’ first game at Western Sydney’s fancy new stadium in Parramatta, and we’re all locked up at the break. It was the visitors who crossed first through forward Dan du Preez, before Jake Gordon pulled a try back for the Tahs.
The Rebels have a bye this weekend (you’ll recall), so a good opportunity to go top of the Australian conference if they can find something here, NSW.
NRL - half-time: Broncos 21-0 Cronulla
Here we go! Our very own Matt Cleary wrote an insightful feature midweek on the Broncos, on how they weren’t a million miles off, despite their 1-5 start - and it looks like he’s had the crystal ball out.
They’ve enjoyed over two-thirds of the pill and completed at 83% to Cronulla’s 68%, conjuring up a remarkable 26 tackle breaks. Do you reckon they’ve got fire in the bellies tonight, the Broncos?
Some of the defence hasn’t been too flash, it has to be said - watch the whole Corey Oates glides into here for the opener:
Corey Oates strolls on through! #NRLBroncosSharks#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/BN2E4PfTE1
— NRL (@NRL) April 27, 2019
AFL - half-time: Sydney 7.3 (45) trail GWS 7.8 (50)
And didn’t that just roar back to life in the second quarter, as a three-goal salvo from the Swans prompted a lead change, for the first time since the fifth minute - Blakey, Heeney and a second to Reid boosting home hopes. The Giants continue to dominate disposals, inside 50s and contested possessions though, and goals to Greene and Lloyd put them back in front ahead of the major break.
EPL: For our international football fans, the first of the day’s action from the UK is kicking off, with an all-London affair first up. Follow that, live with Scott Murray, here:
Around the grounds: So, we’re underway in the Sydney derby from SCG, where it’s the visitors GWS are making the early running, and the late fixture from the West between Freo and the Bulldogs isn’t too far away.
In the NRL, the Broncos and Sharks have kicked off and it’s first blood to the struggling Queensland outfit, courtesy a try to Corey Oates. And we’re just about to kick off in the A-League late fixture between Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers, while in Super Rugby the Waratahs have just kicked off against the Sharks.
Super Netball: Collingwood 57-43 Sunshine Coast
They only won three games all season last campaign, but with big recruits at each end, there was a bit of a chat that the Magpies would be a different prospect this year. Geva Mentor having a huge influence at the back, keeping the Lightning’s C-Bass-less front line pretty quiet, while at the other end 46 goals from Shimona Nelson single-handedly had Sunshine Coast covered.
A bright start for the Magpies, now to back it up week-in, week-out.
A-League: Newcastle Jets 2-0 Sydney FC
It’s a shame for Jets fans the season didn’t run another six weeks - but it’s been too little, too late, with the Novacastrians picking up 7/13 wins after just 3/14 in the first half of the season. Roy O’Donovan’s suspension playing a big part in that, as did injury to livewire forward Joey Champness.
But at least they’ve sent the home fans off with a solid win. Sydney FC will need to just shrug this one off, and hope that a hamstring injury to Rhyan Grant won’t keep the dynamic full-back out of the finals.
NRL: Wests Tigers 30-14 Titans
Ay-ee. Well they got the first quarter right, the Titans; but the last sixty? No dice.
Jennings and Fonua both with second half doubles, before the man with the flowing mullet made it a hat-trick late on. 30 unanswered points for the Tigers, and a fun night out in Tamworth for regional rugby league fans.
Make that a hat-trick for the Mullet 🔥#NRLTigersTitans #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/NzsKTd6ngX
— NRL (@NRL) April 27, 2019
AFL: St Kilda 10.8 (68) lose to Adelaide 15.7 (97)
So after flying out of the blocks with a 4-1 start to the season, it’s a perhaps more characteristically “St Kilda” performance tonight? Is this the real St Kilda sneaking through, or just a bad day at the office for the home side?
Big Tex finished 4.2 with Matt Crouch and Rory Laird especially lively across the turf. Not too many standouts for the Saints, whose wayward first quarter kicking came back to haunt as the Crows grew into the game.
They move into the eight, albeit possibly temporarily - is this the kickstart Adelaide needs?
Super Netball - half-time: Collingwood 27-23 Sunshine Coast
Another tight tussle from our second game from the opening round - it was the home side ahead 15-10 after a quarter and looking good, before a second stanza swing with the Lightning nosing it 13-12 for the bonus point.
Off-season Thunderbirds recruit, young Jamaican Shimona Nelson, top-scored with 12 first-quarter points, with new strike partner Nat Medhurst relatively subdued, but a 7-3 run to start the second had the Lightning right back in the contest, with Cara Koenen impressing. Keep an eye out - this one’s nicely poised.
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A-League - half-time: Newcastle Jets 1-0 Sydney FC
As “go-ahead goals” (to borrow some US soccerball parlance) rate, a scrappy melee from a corner just before the half is right up there, and after being on the back foot for a lot of the opening exchange it’s the Jets who have their noses ahead, through the unlikely source of Ben Kantarovski.
He’d scored three career goals in about 12,000-odd minutes of game time, the defensive mid before a goal-glut last season (five); so now a ninth for the scrapbook.
Sydney FC have handed an A-League debut to young defender Joel King, but apart from that it’s in no means a weakened line-up from the team sitting second. Let’s see how hard they chase this second half - the result won’t affect the ladder, but you can imagine Steve Corica still wants to head into the finals in decent form.
NRL - half-time: Wests Tigers 16-14 Gold Coast
It’s a tight one in Tamworth, as Wests take NRL north-west towards God’s/cotton country. They scored the first 14 points, the Titans, but from there it’s swung like a pendulum, with Mahe Fonua, Robert Jennings and Esan Marsters crossing in a 12-minute purple patch for the “home” side.
The hands and the offload from Ryan Matterson for Fonua’s opener probably the pick of the action.
The Tigers answer back and are on the board! #NRLTigersTitans#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/2GcuA8qJme
— NRL (@NRL) April 27, 2019
Round the grounds: Okay, we’re hotting up now in terms of sporting action, so let’s fire round and see what’s in play.
AFL - half-time: St Kilda 5.6 (36) trail Adelaide 8.1 (49)
He’s come in for his fair share of flak early in the season, but when Tex is on, the Crows take wing. An early goal in the second quarter from the boy from Broken Hill, and then a four-goal run to the visitors has blown this one wide open - only a late Matthew Parker goal keeping the score respectable for the Saints, after Adelaide pulled to a 19-point lead at one stage.
A big response needed from the Saints after the break - do they have it in them?
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Super Netball: Vixens 73-61 Firebirds
They gave the Firebirds an 8-1 headstart, but they closed stronger and stronger as the game went on, the Vixens, winning the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters to close out the game comfortably in the end.
Liz Watson running the court for the home side with 37 goal assists and 46 feeds, with Caitlin Thwaites emphatic inside the arc, shooting 50/51.
Emily Mannix picking up player of the match, as one of the season favourites starts in flowing style.
AFL - quarter-time: St Kilda 3.6 (24) lead Adelaide 3.0 (18)
And we’re underway in our second AFL round six clash of the afternoon, and it’s a solid enough start from the home side, although with some better finishing they could really have had the visitors on the ropes, after fashioning 9-3 scoring shots. Skipper Taylor Walker and Eddie Betts keeping it respectable for the Crows, but they’ll need to lift their ground game from here, Adelaide.
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Super Netball - half-time: Vixens 35-35 Firebirds
Ooph. And we’ve started in fashion in the season three of the Super Netball, with scores locked at the major break! The visitors looking imperious around the ring with Romelda Aiken and Gretel Tippett shooting 19/20 to race to a four-point lead at the first pause.
But Vixen’s GD Jo Weston came back into the contest, while at the other end Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip shot a flawless 20/20 to lock scores up.
Surfing: And if you missed the final results from Bells Beach, I’m happy to report that everybody survived the “50-year storm”, including John John Florence who had a particularly nasty near miss on Friday after being whipped near rocks. But he’s bounced back and his reward is an inaugural Bells crown. Courtney Conlogue also in intimidating form, ending the giant-killing run of Malia Manuel.
AFL: Gold Coast 9.8 (62) lose to Brisbane 16.15 (111)
The reports of their demise it appears were overstated, the Lions. After resounding defeats at the hands of the Essendon and Collingwood in rounds four and five, the early-season high flyers came scudding back to the pack. But they’ve set the ship straight today.
Mitch Robinson and Cam Rayner with three a piece, with the former putting in an all-action performance including 25 touches, eight marks and five tackles. Lachie Neale also back to his buzzing best with 26 disposals and six tackles, and even 1.1 to boot.
And, there’s a case to answer that it could even had been more if a few more Lions had packed their shooting slippers.
Yikes! 😵#AFLSunsLions pic.twitter.com/UvLpiERvM8
— AFL (@AFL) April 27, 2019
Yikes, indeed.
Hi all - from wherever on this sphere we call Earth that you’re following our coverage today. We’ve got a couple of moving scores already so we’ll jump right into it today.
I’ll be in the chair for the next 4-5 hours or so - so do fire me an email or tweet if you’d like to get your name up in lights in our coverage. Like Craig here:
Poor TBirds fans #SuncorpSuperNetball #supernetball pic.twitter.com/0gPwkL8Hif
— 💧Craig Moyle (@Old_Rando) April 21, 2019
Normally, I ask for interesting stats, knowledgeable insights, or fun facts - but you know what, because I’m feeling quixotic today I’ll also allow BANTZ. Hit me up.
Preamble
It’s the opening round of Super Netball - and in the words of Netball Australia CEO Marne Fechner in Season three “you’re going to have more contest, more physicality, dare I say it, more devastating impact.” As many have pointed out, as long as those with the whistles adjust accordingly we could be for some hard-fought, high octane Netty.
There’s four matches from AFL’s round 6, with the Q2 Clash and the Sydney derby the standout battles, while in the NRL the Broncos will be desperately keen to not go 1-6 at home against the Sharks, and the Titans and Tigers will be hunting for a place in the eight.
It’s the final regular round of the A-League, but look - it’s basically only pride on the line in tonight’s two fixtures, while in the Super Rugby the Waratahs will be keen to keep the heat up on conference leaders the Rebels as they take on the Sharks.
But we start with the Super Netball, where it’s Vixens hosting Firebirds in our opening match of the 2019 season.
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