Summary
And that’s a wrap! All four games in the AFL ending up quite clear cut in the end, but all four of them at one stage or another very much in the balance. Essendon with perhaps the upset of the evening, as Richmond, Sydney and Geelong recorded wins that were perhaps expected.
And in the ‘battle of the top four’ in the NRL it was the lower placed teams producing the performances - South Sydney far too strong for a disappointing Warriors side, with Penrith putting on a near-perfect eighty minutes to down the top-placed St George Illawarra. The Roosters with another steady win as they came from behind to down the Titans.
In the Super Netball a massive result for the Firebirds who downed the previously unbeaten and top-placed West Coast Fever to keep their title push alive.
And in the Super Rugby, it was another double-helping of sad-times sundae as both the Waratahs and the Reds went agonisingly close to important wins over NZ sides, only to ultimately fall short. Lashing of George Orwell for the players at training next week no doubt. Yes Boxer, just work harder and it will all be fine.
Thanks for your company tonight - see you again next Saturday on the Sportwatch that never sleeps!
Updated
Full-time: GWS 8.12 (60) loses to Essendon 14.11 (95)
They kicked just one major in the third quarter but how’s this last quarter from the Bombers!
Leading by just four after Himmelberg’s miss, Essendon just flew home; Jake Stringer showning himself to be a flat-track bully with the two final goals to rub the Giants’ noses right in it.
35 points the final margin - and Essendon make it back-to-back wins!
Full-time: Geelong 11.7 (73) defeats Carlton 5.15 (45)
Gola gola! What an effort from Sam Menegola to crown this one, after Gary Ablett (jnr) misses a chance to add some nostalgia to his return to Kardinia Park tonight.
They’ve turned it on when it’s really mattered here, the Cats. A bit like Richmond in the earlier clash with the Saints.
They got within 8, did the Blues but they got steamrolled in those closing minutes.
So they bounce back from that shock loss to the Bombers last week, and it’s 6-4 for the Cats to sneak back into the top eight.
Big moment here - Tom Hawkins claims the mark, and with just ten to play he kicks just Geelong’s 9th of the night, and Hawkins’ second!
They go out to 16 points clear - surely the Blues can’t reel this in.
And nope - that has to be it; Hawkins with a second in as many minutes. 3.0 and what a time to fire them. Great experience from the Geelong full-forward.
Meanwhile at Kardinia Park we’ve got a grandstand finish on our hands as well!
Geelong came out and kicked the first of the final quarter, and who else but Dangerfield to put his side 18 points ahead. But the Blues have fired back with five consecutive scoring chances - and in fitting with their evening, four of them are behinds!
They’re doing this the hard way the Blues (just for a change) - fifteen to play and they trail by 8!
Harry Himmelberg with the first chance of the final quarter - and the Giants player hits the post! They could have taken the lead for the first time all game! The gap is reduced to just four.
Deary me. A push in the back and they’ve conceded a 50m penalty the Giants. That’s a coach-killer that is. It’s easy for James Stewart who fires home, and it’s the Bombers now by ten!
Orazia Fantasia picks up a loose ball - he looks to fire a quick-fire second.. but it veers to the side. Adds just the one and they’re back to 11.
And big moment here - Fantasia picks out Shaun McKernan, and he puts it on his chest! He turns around, fires that one home and it’s the Bombers rolling home here!
Not pretty for the home fans - they’re staring at just one win from their last six matches. Forget slump, they’re in freefall, the Giants.
Updated
Okay, let’s pick up the two AFL games, where we’ve got a banger of a final quarter in store both in Western Sydney, and possibly in Geelong as well!
With a goal after the buzzer to Jeremy Cameron to close that third quarter, the Giants - who remember have never led in this game - find themselves just five points in arrears: 7.9 (51) trails 8.8 (56).
Meanwhile, there’s just 12 points in it at Kardinia Park where but for some wayward kicking the Blues could be sniffing another big scalp against the Cats.
Having leapt to that 24-0 early lead, Geelong did stretch it back out to 20 points the margin - but two behinds and a goal to David Cunningham has the Blues lurking with intent. 4.11 being their downfall so far - won’t some of those feature in some middle of the night dreams tonight.
Full-time: Penrith 28-2 St George Illawarra
And confirmation of that top-of-the-table NRL result; and it’s a near flawless performance from the home side in front of a sold-out Panthers Stadium, with both Origin coaches in the house, and haven’t players like James Maloney and Nathan Cleary done themselves ever favour with this performance.
Too good from the Panthers, as the Dragons lose just their third game of the season; and if my maths is right, they go exactly level on points difference, but will remain second because St George have scored more? Something like that.
Full-time: Reds 15-18 Highlanders
Aaron Smith directing traffic for the Highlanders; they’re just playing low-risk one-off forward hit ups here. The Reds getting increasingly frustrated; they haven’t seen the ball for minutes. They concede the penalty, and surely that’s the match.
Too much experience from the Kiwi side who bounce back from their disappointing showing last week against the Waratahs. A big chance missed for the Reds tonight.
Updated
Five minutes to play, and both sides trading kicks. The Reds failing to make the most of a key turnover with a box kick that’s straight down the throat of the Highlander’s backline.
Sopoaga kicks for touch in turn, and the Reds make a key error from the line out. Big chance for the visitors here - they’re about 25m out and building momentum.
Deary me. One of the Queensland tall timbers tries to bring down a smaller opponent, but it’s a high tackle - and Sopoaga slots the penalty. 15-18 Highlanders with three minutes to play!
Updated
Try! Penrith 22-2 St George Illawarra (Kikau)
Well they’ve not been poor, the Dragons, but we have the remarkable situation where the league’s top side could be about to be held try-less.
Big statement here by the Panthers; it might be a question then of making sure they get through the representative season without losing this momentum. Viliame Kikau with the final nail in the coffin.
Let’s move our attention now to the Super Rugby where we’ve 8 minutes to play and it’s still locked 15-15 between the Reds and the Highlanders!
Updated
We’re still stuck around a 10-point margin halfway through the third in GWS v Essendon, where the home side have still never been in the lead, but nor have they ever been far away from it.
It’s one-goal a piece in the third stanza - 6.7 (43) trailing 8.5 (53). The Bombers with 60 tackles so far, they’re really scrambling and harrying well - but will it prove enough? It’s still right in the balance this one!
We’ve twenty to play in the Super Rugby and a converted try to the Highlanders has seen the South Island side square it all up at 15-15 after Hamish Stewart had scored for the Reds just after half-time.
Big final quarter of that match to come!
A reminder for cycling fans we’re underway with live Giro D’Italia action as well - here’s Nick Ames with all the action from Stage 20:
Can Chris Froome back up yesterday’s remarkable exploits?
Try! Penrith 16-2 St George Illawarra (Crichton)
James Maloney with a clever step to send Yeo through a gap. From the next player the Panthers play it wide and fast, and terrific strength shown by Christian Crichton out wide to stretch out the arm for the line.
That could be the game - and Maloney’s slotted the conversion from the sideline. It’s outside two converted tries, big ask for the Dragons, this.
Updated
A sickening injury from the Cats-Blues clash, here’s Australian Associated Press with the update:
Geelong’s AFL clash with Carlton has been marred by an ugly leg injury to exciting youngster Esava Ratugolea.
The 19-year-old’s right leg was trapped beneath him in a marking contest in the second quarter of the round 10 encounter at Kardinia Park on Saturday night.
Play was stopped for several minutes as medical staff tended to him before he was taken from the field on a stretcher and taken to hospital.
Some talk flying around it could be a broken leg or ankle. Awful news for a talented young player, if that’s the case.
We’re back in the second half at Panthers Stadium, where Penrith have gone just metres short of the St George Illawarra line once again; only to be denied by some excellent tryline defence from the visitors.
Isaah Yeo, denied for the second time tonight less than a metre out, with Cleary almost darting over for a second try.
Meanwhile an injury concern for State of Origin, with Ben Hunt leaving the field with a suspected leg injury. Queensland fans won’t like the look of this. Fingers crossed it could just be a corked thigh.
Meanwhile, the Dragons finally get on the board courtesy a penalty. 8-2 the score with 30 minutes to play.
A fine finish to the first half up in Brisbane, where the Reds have their noses just in front in the Super Rugby against the Highlanders.
It was just a penalty goal each until Tevita Li crossed for the visitors with 27 minutes gone, but in the shadow of half-time a big push saw Brandon Paenga-Amosa crash over.
The Reds leading 10-8. Can they make it back-to-back wins over the Highlanders for Australian sides?!
Both AFL fixtures proving very engrossing as we near half-time.
Having raced to a 22-point second quarter lead the Bombers have been grounded here as the Giants have kicked 3.2 to trail by just two with ten to play before the siren.
They’ve kicked just 1.0 this second quarter, where despite some wayward stuff from Jeremy Cameron the Giants have really showed some intent.
And at Kardinia, a remarkable turn of affairs where we’ve gone almost 40 minutes without a goal! Having raced to that 4.0 lead the Cats then gave up the next seven consecutive scoring shots - but Carlton could only manage 2.5 to crawl back with seven points.
Sam Menegola with a steadier for the Cats, they lead by 15 with about four minutes to play in the first half.
Half-time: Penrith 8-0 St George Illawarra
Well, it wasn’t high-scoring, but an incredibly engrossing first half for the top-of-the-table clash. One of those war of attrition type of encounters, but some fine moments of individual skill. The home side shading it, as reflected on the scoreboard. Both defences completing their tackles at over 90% so a tough and relatively low-error encounter so far.
Try! Penrith 8-0 St George Illawarra (Cleary)
He’s only just back from a serious leg injury but a brilliant individual effort from Nathan Cleary to finally breach the St George defensive line. Tyrone Peachey with great metres to set it up, but it’s the double dummy and angled run that fools the Dragons defenders.
James Maloney adds the extras, making it 2/2 after an early converted penalty.
We’ve got both State of Origin coaches inside a packed Panthers Stadium, so plenty of subplots for this one.
Updated
No points also 20 minutes in to the Super Rugby showdown in Brisbane where both the Reds and the Highlanders have traded penalties to gain field position, but neither side have made it count on the scoreboard.
Okay, quarter time wraps from the two AFL fixtures.
At Kardinia Park it’s the Cats by 11. They raced to 4.0 in an opening 10 minutes that was all Geelong; but it was Carlton who then responded with 2.1 over the next six minutes. Remarkably, from then on there was not a single point registered for the final 14 minutes!
And a bright start for the Bombers in Western Sydney, where they’ve picked up where they left off last weekend with a five-goal opening quarter. The Giants trailing 2.3 (15) to 5.2 (32). Let’s see how they respond before half-time!
Very close! Gareth Widdop with a crucial intervention as Maloney grubbers and looks to regain his own kick, but the former Storm man swoops to ‘soccer’ behind.
All this after Isaah Yeo is pulled down literally inches short of the line! Great tense drama this; St George defending manfully. And after twenty minutes played, we’re still without a score!
Updated
So, no score during the first ten minutes of this top-of-the-table NRL clash, with both sides keen to soften each other up. A few tough tackles but no clear points-scoring openings as yet.
Ben Hunt earning a few restarts for the Dragons with some clever in-goal kicks; they’ve marginally shaded the opening exchanges have the Dragons.
Now we’ve got two fixtures in the AFL to keep an eye across - we’ve just kicked off in Geelong where the Cats have already scampered to a three goal lead over the Blues.
And in Sydney its GWS playing host to a resurgent Bombers outfit, who have also already helped themselves to early goals. We’ll keep you abreast of both these clashes.
Finally, in the Super Rugby it’s Reds v Highlanders, which to be fair I’ve got down as a bye for the Landers, given how keen they’ll be to make amends for last weeks’ loss to the Tahs.
Updated
Right! Now to the big one. It’s 1st v 2nd in the NRL where we’re off to Penrith where the Panthers are playing host to the Dragons.
The players running out in beanies tonight - which I thought was due to the temperature but I’ve been informed it’s beanies for brain cancer week. A nice touch.
A sell out here in Western Sydney - let’s hope we get a game to match. Alle les footy!
Full-time: Brisbane 6.13 (49) loses to Sydney 10.7 (67)
And final confirmation from the AFL clash at the Gabba as well.
Another brave showing from the Lions who threatened to inch their way back into this one. But the Swans showing some game management skills to remain relatively comfortably ahead here.
Heeney, Hayward and Ronke with doubles for the Swans, with no Lions players kicking more than one goal. Josh Kennedy again huge in midfield with 34 disposals and seven tackles, but in fairness they were never more than 1pt behind from the opening whistle the Swans.
They go 7-3 and jump to third on the ladder with the Crows and the Demons still yet to play.
Full-time: Warriors 10-30 Rabbitohs
And a confirmation of the game up the road in Auckland where the Bunnies have blown away their competition rivals the Warriors tonight. They scored two tries whilst down a man, and some poor tryline defence set the tone for the home side.
They’ve threatened to mix it this season, but their Achilles heel of inconsistency has flared once again. 4th place leapfrogs third, and that’s a big body blow for the Kiwi outfit.
Full-time: Chiefs 39-27 Waratahs
Some cheeky stuff from the Chiefs who cross after the buzzer for a bonus-point earning try from McKenzie which he then duly converts.
It’s a final score that’s not reflective of what was until the 80th minute a very close-fought affair.
They continue to push the top NZ sides, do the Waratahs, but for the second time in three weeks they’re undone by the finest of margins.
Not to be, but another fighting effort.
Brillance from Folau, he regathers from the restart - and the Waratahs with a huge chance here!
They probe the line, they’re about 20m out; they wheel left, they wheel right. It spreads through the hands, and with the men in light blue about 10m from the line - it’s a penalty: Brodie Retallick has got his lumbering frame over the ball, and that could prove a game-saver!
Terrific work from the back rower; and that MIGHT just be the game.
Some desperate tryline defence from the Waratahs here with McKenzie looking to spark something to give his side some breathing room. The Chiefs were just 5m out but have been penalised for a player diving over the top.
We roll on, and with seven to play it’s the skipper Hooper who’s been penalised in turn. McKenzie lines one up from dead in front and about 30m out. He hits it - it drifts right.. but just inside the upright!
It’s 32-27, five points the margin with six minutes to play!
No further points up in Auckland in Warriors v Rabbitohs since Sutton’s 43rd minute try - it’s still 6-28 there with about fifteen to play.
And we’ve got another successful penalty to the Waratahs here from right in front, and it’s 29-27 in Hamilton with also around fifteen to play. Dare to dream, kids. Dare to dream.
Meanwhile, we’re back to three majors the difference at the Gabba, despite their mismatch on the ladder, the Lions are just threatening to hang within striking range still, as we reach the halfway mark of the final quarter.
6.9 (45) plays 9.6 (60) - we’ll let you know if that spices up over the final fifteen minutes. But surely the Lions can’t sneak this, can they?
Try! Chiefs 29-24 Waratahs (Pulu)
And I regret to inform you, the report of the revival of Australian Rugby has been premature. RIP.
Smart work from the Chiefs with the halves (Brad Weber, I think?) identifying a pace mismatch out wide and box-kicking a terrific ball to the wing. Pulu steaming past one of the lumbering Waratahs forwards to score in the corner. But once again, McKenzie strikes the post with the conversion.
Updated
Try! Chiefs 24-24 Waratahs (Beale)
Ooh, hello hello!
Folau combining brilliantly with Beale, who pins the head back, commits the covering defence with the dummy and slides through on the angle to score in the corner! Foley with a perfect effort from the sideline to add the extras.
Can anybody else smell this? It’s Tahs-mentum! Australian Super Rugby’s back, baby.
Updated
Try! Chiefs 24-17 Waratahs (Pulu)
Hmmm. That well.
A bit of a scrappy breakdown in attack there but terrific skill from Pulu to recover a loose ball, jink inside his opposite number and charge at the line. A Foley penalty had cut the half-time lead to just two points, but we’re back out to a converted try here.
McKenzie striking the post with the conversion attempt.
Nope, sorry whanau. I’m hopping of the Warriors train. We’re four minutes into the second half and the Bunnies have just strolled over for another one, John Sutton the scorer.
We’re 6-28 here and unfortunately without Johnson we’re not seeing too much razzle-dazzle from the home side. Let’s see how the Tahs are holding up.
And the Swans are out to a 23pt lead up in Brisbane, where the wet conditions have definitely kept the scoring low here.
Sydney playing perhaps the smarter footy though; not overcommitting to the loose ball. Every time the Lions look to get back into this one the Swans find an answer.
We’re just in the shadow of three-quarter time where it’s 4.6 (30) plays 8.5 (53).
Half-time: Chiefs 19-14 Waratahs
And it’s a closer affair just down the road in Hamilton where the Chiefs have turned around an early bright start from the high-flyers of the Australian conference (which in fairness is akin to me being a rapid schoolboy winger for the E’s).
Two very good backline set pieces for the Tahs led to tries, before McKenzie put Retallick into a hole from close range. But a terrible turnover about 20m from their own line gifted the Chiefs their second, and the momentum heading into the sheds.
Still, despite conceding the last 19 points, they’re not out of this, the Tahs.
If the Warriors keep capitulating over in the NRL, we might even shift our attention to this one for the second half. We’ll keep you posted.
Updated
Half-time: Warriors 6-22 Rabbitohs
Well, we thought it would be a tight affair as third hosted fourth in the NRL; but it’s been anything but so far with the Warriors very much second best, despite playing with a man advantage for ten minutes!
They did go very close just in the shadow of half-time but the Auckland-based outfit couldn’t muster the morale-boosting try, with the ball spilling loose over the line.
And a bit of stink from that early Saints-Richmond game, here’s the latest from Australian Associated Press:
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick has labelled the AFL’s score review system an “embarrassment” after Jack Higgins had a goal overturned during the Tigers’ victory over St Kilda.
The Tigers led by 13 points early in Saturday’s third quarter at the MCG when Higgins kicked truly from the forward pocket, only for the field umpire to call for a score review.
Replays showed the ball had clearly crossed the line before being touched by St Kilda ruckman Tom Hickey.
But the goal umpire’s decision was overturned and the Saints went on to kick four goals straight and snatch back the lead.
Richmond ultimately prevailed, surging home in the fourth quarter to secure a 15.15 (105) to 12.5 (77) victory.
But Hardwick, who has been a strident critic of the score review system, was still fuming about the decision after the game.
There you go! And I was thinking the Dustin Martin goal was the contentious one; you win some, you lose some, Monsieur Hardwick?
Try! Warriors 6-22 Rabbitohs (Burgess, T)
Deary me. They’re identical twins, and now they’ve scored identical tries! We know they’re big lumps of men, these Burgess lads, but surely the Warriors defence has to do better from that distance?
Back on the field after his early sin-binning and Burgess, T has made amends. Mannering the guilty party there, for a straightforward bash and carry try.
We’re 32 minutes gone and Warriors are in all sorts here.
Try! Warriors 6-16 Rabbitohs (Inglis)
The Bunker takes a good look at this for a possible obstruction; definitely a decent shout for it as Burgess, T runs into Mannering in defence. But it’s Big G.I. who barrels over, and they won’t take it off him.
Reynolds with one of the least convincing conversion attempts you’ve ever seen - how’d he miss that?!
Could be one of those nights for the Bunnies goalkicker - in his defence he did successfully slot a penalty a few minutes earlier.
And we’re about 20 minutes played in the Super Rugby clash between the Chiefs and the Waratahs, and it’s the Australian team making the brighter start once again!
Two converted tries to one the score (7-14) with the Tahs backs Cameron Clark and Curtis Rona the scorers. Big Brodie Retallick pulling one back for the Chiefs.
That one’s nicely poised, but don’t get too excited yet.. #RememberCrusaders
An update from half-time at the Gabba, where it remains a low-scoring affair between the Lions and the Swans in the AFL.
Not pretty watching for home fans who add just one behind to their score for the quarter, but the Swans only mustering 2.3 themselves.
2.3 (15) trailing 5.3 (33) as the visitors lead by three goals.
Try! Warriors 6-10 Rabbitohs (Jennings)
Remarkable! They’re the team with twelve players out there, but they’ve put on two tries in Tom Burgess’s absence.
Some terrific slick hands with G.I. joining the line and posing his usual nuisance. Reynolds shanks the conversion attempt, but it’s the Bunnies hopping to the lead; around 20 minutes played!
Through all the hands! 🙌#NRLWarriorsSouths#TelstraPremiership #NRL pic.twitter.com/jqs0IuBvrC
— NRL (@NRL) May 26, 2018
Updated
Try! Warriors 6-6 Rabbitohs (Burgess, G)
And if brothers Burgess were aggrieved seeing Tom sent to the bin, they’ve struck back in the best possible fashion.
Big George, he of the flowing locks, has powered over despite the attention from as many as five Warriors defenders. Brute force that. But could the defensive line have done better?
Reynolds adds the extras, and we’re game on.
Updated
We’ll stay with the NRL for a bit, given the top-of-the-table nature of this one, and some huge talking points!
Souths with a concerted effort to bounce straight back here, but RTS with a terrific one-on-one tackle to save a certain try as the Bunnies ran on the last! And less than a minute later, its Tom Burgess who’s been sent to the bin, with Souths pinged for consistently being inside the ten!
Oh dear, how much might this mad minute come to haunt them?
Updated
Try! Warriors 6-0 Rabbitohs (Paasi)
And it’s first blood to the hosts - Agnatius Paasi burrowing over from close ranger after the Bunnies concede three penalties in the first six minutes. They’ve started a little lacklustre have South Sydney - they can’t afford to let the Warriors get on a roll here.
Updated
We’ll also have Super Rugby action for you shortly, as the Waratahs take on the Chiefs in Hamilton, not a million miles away from Auckland where the NRL is happening tonight.
A big test of whether Australian Rugby is back, that one. Can the Tahs go back-to-back against NZ opposition? (Hint: probably not, no).
And that’s kick off in the Warriors v Rabbitohs clash!
Nice looking conditions in Auckland (which hasn’t been too regular of late). Rabbitohs get through their first set of six comfortably, and similarly Roger Tuivasa Sheck receives well under his first test.
Some interesting subplots to this one - former Rabbitoh Isaac Luke v Damien Cook with NSW State of Origin jerseys on the line, and of course no Shaun Johnson for the Warriors who’s out with an ankle injury.
Warriors with an early penalty and in trademark fashion don’t opt to take the two, but instead push for the six.
In the interim a recap of some big news from some other sports.
A huge statement in the Giro D’Italia where Chris Froome has defied his critics once again to launch himself back into the pink jersey. Sean Ingle has more:
And in the NBA, who else but LeBron James has played an emphatic hand to force it to Game 7 between the Cavaliers and the Celtics. Is there anything this guy can’t do?
A well contested start to our second AFL game of the night, where at quarter time the Lions are just trailing the Swans 2.2 (14) trails 3.0 (18).
Few clear-cut shooting chances in a tightly-contested opening salvo. Expect this one to open up as tired legs come into play.
And we’re about 20 minutes away from the first of our two huge ‘top-four only’ NRL clashes, where Mt Smart in Auckland is the venue for Warriors v Rabbitohs.
Full-time: Queensland Firebirds 71-61 West Coast Fever
And a huge statement in the Super Netball - the undefeated league-leaders have crumbled!
Tippett offering sublime support to Aiken in the end as the two Firebirds goalscorers launched six-unanswered goals to wrest this one away early in the final quarter.
26/28 goals and 27 goal assists for Tippett with Mahalia Cassidy shading the battle of the centres as well.
Big result, and a big shakeup in the netball.
Updated
Full-time: Roosters 34-14 Titans
If footy games lasted 34 minutes you’d say a terrific win for the Titans.. but alas it wasn’t to be today.
Twenty-eight points unanswered, including a cherry on top try from veteran Rooster Mitch Aubusson after some excellent work from Tedesco once more.
The one and only @jamestedesco93 starts it! Aubusson finishes it.#NRLRoostersTitans 34-14 with 3 minutes to go. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/wmj0QiP6xh
— NRL (@NRL) May 26, 2018
Back to the drawing board for coach Garth Brennan, whose side are already looking off the pace in the race for the finals.
And we’re underway in our second AFL clash of the day, where the Lions host the Swans at the Gabba. Seven minutes in and no score for either side.
An interesting third quarter in the Super Netball - where the Fever have finally won a term (securing a bonus point under the new scoring system) - I mentioned the two Jamaican sharp-shooters, Aiken and Fowler; well they’re both shooting at a remarkable 97%! Do you reckon it’s personal out there?
Fowler 37/38 and Aiken 35/36 leading the charge, but key contributions from GA from Tippett (16/17) for the Firebirds and the veteran Medhurst (10/13). The latter however missing three in the third quarter alone; will that come to haunt the Fever at full-time?
It’s still a five-point game though thanks to that strong second quarter from the Queenslanders. We’re a few minutes into the final stanza where it’s Firebirds 55-50.
Back to the NRL, and have we seen a turnaround!
Trailing 6-14 at half-time the Roosters have put on 22 unanswered points in as many minutes to steamroll the Titans!
Isaac Liu, Latrell Mitchell and Cooper Cronk the try scorers, with Mitchell adding three conversions and two penalties from the boot. Isn’t he enhancing his growing reputation, the young 20-year-old from Taree.
Full-time: Richmond 15.15 (105) defeat St Kilda 12.5 (77)
Well that gave that a real good rattle, did the Saints, and they gave the Tigers a decent third-quarter scare when they ran out to a 12pt lead.
But it was Richmond who purred to the finish line like a fine racing motor, despite the loss of Jack Riewoldt to an early concussion. Jade Gresham leading the line for St Kilda to make it a contest; but it’s an eighth win of the season for the Tigers who keep the pressure on West Coast at the top of the ladder.
Updated
It’s turning into the Caddy v Gresham show with both forwards firing season or career best efforts here for their respective sides.
Josh Caddy fires his fifth (5.1) to effectively close the door for the Tigers, but inside a minute it’s Jade Gresham with his sixth (6.0) for the Saints!
We’re two minutes to play, and Caddy’s just marked about 48m out - can the 25-year-old bang a sixth of his own; it flies far, it flies clean - yes he can! And there’s Richmond bringing up the triple figures.
Updated
They lead disposals, contested possessions, tackles and hit outs, but they just can’t quite match the top-end finishing of the Tigers here, can the Saints.
Tim Membrey with a solid effort to bring it back to a 15pt clash; before Vlastuin fires his third to ease the nerves for the home fans.
They’ll need to kick four to win this, so surely that’s goodnight to this plucky St Kilda challenge. Close but no cigar?
And the pressure is building here in the AFL, but the Saints are just hanging in there. FOUR consecutive behinds as the Tigers besiege their goalsquare, but they can’t quite find the knockout punch. Two of these were rushed behind, so the Saints backline working overtime.
14 points the difference, with about fifteen to play.
And there it is - finally they land the six-pointer, and its Dan Butler to put Richmond 20 ahead. That’s the largest margin of the game - surely the Tigers to close this out?
Updated
Wowee. A quick update from the clash-of-the-titans encounter over in the Super Netball; where Queensland Firebirds are putting on a clinic in the second quarter!
They’re running 17-9, to pull out to a nine-goal lead - and this against the only undefeated team in the league! Aiken and Gretel Tippett running the boards with 8 of the last 9 goals!
And we’re underway in the final quarter in the Richmond-Saints clash.
A contentious moment this - Dustin Martin with some more superb athleticism to fire one goalwards; but has it been touched on the line?
The video suggests perhaps a wafer-thing touch, but its inconclusive. We go back to umpire’s call, and it’s adjudged a six-pointer! Will that come to haunt the Saints?
Jade Gresham with his fifth goal - just his second 5-goal haul of his career, and we’re back at an 11pt lead for the Tigers. 20-odd minutes to play here.
And we’ve just hit half-time in the NRL - where it’s the visitors the Titans who finish the opening stanza the stronger:
Can't deny him this time!#NRLRoostersTitans 6-12 with 7 minutes until HT. #TelstraPremiership #NRL pic.twitter.com/gNsuNPikL7
— NRL (@NRL) May 26, 2018
Is Don, is good - Anthony Don, that is - in the corner with a fine pirouette and placement to take the Titans out to a 14-6 lead.
Yikes, and what a Jekyll and Hyde quarter that was over in the AFL!
Having left it with the Saints on a hot streak, the Tigers have roared back to life with 4.3 of their own unanswered to go into the final quarter with their noses back in front!
Two goals in as many minutes to Nick Vlastunin started the rout, before Josh Caddy fired a fourth major of the day, and then Dustin Martin rattled off a trademark effort to stretch it to a 15pt for the Tigers.
Dustin Martin with the fend-off and the finish from 55!#AFLTigersSaints pic.twitter.com/URaIUiETf0
— AFL (@AFL) May 26, 2018
Jade Gresham with his fourth as well to arrest the slide, but it’s still a 10pt lead for Richmond. Not insurmountable; we’ll watch this final quarter keenly for you!
Updated
In the NRL early fixture we’re about 30 minutes played and it’s Roosters and Titans locked up at 6-6 up in the Central Coast. Michael Gordon with an early penalty and then try for the Gold Coast after some sketchy work in the in-goal by the Roosters defence. But a classy one-handed effort from James Tedesco has leveled the ledger.
The @sydneyroosters hit back through @jamestedesco93!#NRLRoostersTitans - locked up at 6-6 after 15 minutes. #TelstraPremiership #NRL pic.twitter.com/4qiRg6r8KZ
— NRL (@NRL) May 26, 2018
Plenty to come in this one.
And we’re underway in the Super Netball, where Queensland Firebirds are playing host to the undefeated West Coast Fever.
They went down in a tight one last week to Giants Netball did the Firebirds - in fact both their losses this season have been by two or less goals - so they’ll be keen not to lose too much distance on the league leaders.
It’s been a fine start for the home side - they raced out to a 7-3 lead with just five minutes played with Jamaican sharp-shooter Romelda Aiken firing 5/5. But the Fever have recovered with their own Jamaican tall (to borrow an AFL term) Jhaniele Fowler shooting a rapid 6/6 of her own to tighten things up.
We’re just about to finish the first quarter and it’s Firebirds just edging it 16-15. This one should be a cracker.
Let’s start with a quick whip round the boards, and already there’s an interesting one on the boil in the AFL - where it’s St Kilda leading Richmond after a sharp third quarter turnaround.
Trailing by 13 at half-time, the casual observer might have presumed the Tigers were on their way to their 8th win in 10 - but it’s been 4.2 unanswered since the break with the Saints really with the bit between the teeth!
Some interesting half-time observations from the commentary team suggesting this was on the cards, based on the Saints’ around-ground pressure and high tackle rate.. we’ll keep an eye on this one!
Welcome
G’day all - wherever you’re following this coverage from. As usual we’ve a full dance card worth of sports action in store for you tonight.
Can Essendon pull off another stunning upset in the AFL? Will Richmond keep their strong early season form going against the Saints?
Can the West Coast Fever remain undefeated in the Super Netball?
We’ve got the top four all in action against top four opponents in the NRL - which of the Warriors, Rabbitohs, Panthers or Dragons will post an early blow to a title contender?
And can the Waratahs go back to back against NZ opposition in the Super Rugby?
We’ll have all the answers to these questions and more, here, on the one-and-only Guardian rolling Sportswatch, where too much sport is never enough.
