Summary
So a few big statements made tonight across the codes.
In the Super Rugby Melbourne Rebels ended a three-year hoodoo for Australian rugby, winning a first game on NZ soil in over 1000 days as they downed the Blues. Conference rivals the Waratahs then edged a fifteen-try spectacle against the Reds, as the Crusaders also continued their winning run.
In the AFL, Richmond, Melbourne and Geelong all scored big and emphatic wins, while the Hawks shaded an absolute thriller in Tasmania as they pipped the Power by just three points.
Sam Stosur crashed out of Roland Garros going down to world No3 Garbine Muguruza, while the Lightning raced up the Super Netball table with a near-virtuoso solo hand from Caitlin Bassett, who like LeBron landed a remarkable 51 points for her side.
The Eels doldrums continue in the NRL, but at least it meant a return to the winners circle for the Knights. Thanks as always for your company - we’ll see you next Saturday, when Sportwatch, like Herbie, will ride again.
Full-time: Essendon 6.7 (43) lose to Richmond 17.12 (114)
Well. There ends Dreamtime at the ‘G and what a shot in the arm for Tigers fans; not that they’ve needed one, but with a bit of muttering pre-game that Essendon might be half a chance, they’ve definitely sent the rest of the league a warning shot tonight.
71pts the final margin in a game that just continued to get further and further away from the Bombers. Jake Stringer with a team-high 29 disposals but his crucial miss when Essendon were just 13pts behind was as close as the Bombers got.
Shane Edwards is awarded the medal for best-on-ground, a deserved moment for a guy who has worked very hard throughout the week promoting the Indigenous round, and even harder on the paddock tonight.
So back to the drawing board for the Bombers, as the Tigers purr back to their best.
Another late fixture from the West, this time in the Super Netball where it’s 1 v 2, but the home side West Coast Fever have started the brighter.
Jamaican Jhaniele Fowler is off to a flyer, shooting 22/22 across the first 20 minutes or so - the poor Giants GK, Sam Poolman, really has her work cut out tonight. Nat Medhurst involved heavily, feeding her shooting partner well.
We’re seven minutes into the second quarter, Fever leading 8-7 after an 18-17 opening quarter. Still just four in this.
Full-time: Eels 4-30 Knights
As feared, those early injuries and a sin-binning made for a tough old night for Parramatta, who might have fancied themselves pre-game against a Knights side that despite improving noticeably this season, has found themselves in some pretty rotten form over the past month or so.
Five tries to one but Josh Hoffman’s late consolation still quite a decent effort:
And @TheParraEels are on the scoreboard!#NRLEelsKnights#TelstraPremiership #NRL pic.twitter.com/AK2S0rfPNF
— NRL (@NRL) June 2, 2018
The headaches continue for Brad Arthur and his men, as they fall to their 11th loss of the season.
Over in Perth we have the final AFL game of the night but I’ll be honest, I’ve already chalked that one up as an Eagles win, despite the Western hoodoo being broken by Victorian teams last week (admittedly, against Fremantle and not the high-flying Eagles).
West Coast have kicked five each quarter to lead St Kilda 10.1 (61) to 5.3 (33). They let them out to a three-goal lead inside nine minutes, did the Saints, and in fairness, they’ve never really looked like reeling it back.
Full-time: Reds 41-52 Waratahs
A fifteen try affair, and would you believe, with the Reds still attacking in the 79th minute, if they’d not bombed one there we could have been looking at a 100pt match!
New South Wales bring up their highest ever score against Australian opposition. Their stars all stood up, and Melbourne’s short-lived reign at the top of the conference is over (for now).
Home fans might be disappointed with the loss, but they’ve still seen their side run in seven tries. What a game!
Updated
Three-quarter-time: Essendon 5.6 (36) trails 15.10 (100)
What a quarter from the Tigers - they’ve kicked six goals and limited their opponents to just one. Nankervis grabbing his second and Connor Menadue his first in the last few minutes of action to bring up the triple-figures and blow the lead out to 64.
It’s dead as a contest now, but for the neutral there’s some sumptuous stuff on display from Richmond. The Bombers for their part are struggling in transition and their defence appears to be guilty of marking space at times.
The tries are continuing to flow after the break in the Super Rugby, where with 20-odd to play it’s the Reds trying to hang in.
Nick Phipps keeping the momentum going a minute into the half before a horrendous bounce from a Reds kick-and-chase fell kindly to a rampaging Folau, who scampered through like the thoroughbred he is. A thoroughbred who needs to stay off Instagram, but a finely-muscled nag nevertheless.
The Reds then hit back with two of their own through forwards Alex Mafi and Caleb Timu, but just as they looked a sniff the Tahs struck back.
29-47 the score, and we’ve still got fifteen to play!
We’re back at the MCG and the Dreamtime marquee match of the Sir Doug Nicholls round is going south in a big way if you’re a Bombers fan.
After that deflating 19pt unanswered run at the back of the first half, it’s only got worse after the buzzer: Jack Graham and Dan Butler grabbing their first of the evening before guess who, Josh Caddy, popped up to help himself to a fourth. And the margin is out to 50!
Essendon looks to spark something, but the kick misses Stringer. It floats long and McDonald-Tipungwuti nabs it. He lines it up - and would you believe it: after 70-odd minutes of play, the Bombers land their first set shot!
And we’re at half-time in the sole NRL offering of the evening, where the Knights are leading comfortably 0-14 through Cogger’s early effort and a try to Sione “Juan” Mata’utia. Kayln Ponga with six points off the boot (two conversions and one penalty).
Have they been awful, the Eels? Well, no. But they do trail by almost every conceivable statistical measure. A third minute head-knock to Bevan French ending his night before Mitch Moses also succumbed to injury, with Michael Jennings sent to the bin just before the break. Still, they’ve got through a mountain of defensive work; let’s hope this doesn’t blow out late as they tire.
Half-time: Essendon 4.5 (29) trail Richmond 9.6 (60)
For a quarter that they more-or-less dominated for the first fifteen that was a bit of a kick in the guts for Bombers fans, as the Tigers finished with 19 unanswered points.
This from Edwards and Caddy but - phwaor:
Shane Edwards' ingeniously sets up Josh Caddy - it's champagne footy from the Tigers! 🍾#AFLDonsTigers #OhWhatAFeeling pic.twitter.com/OlTKYaVWrL
— AFL (@AFL) June 2, 2018
Love a good ‘soccer’, me.
Half-time: Reds 19-28 Waratahs
Wowee. A seven-try feast up in Queensland. Michael Wells with a rare try for the Tahs to level out Higginbotham’s effort before man-mountain Taqele Naiyaravoro showed all his strength to evade several tackles down the touchline to score in the corner.
Prop Taniela Tupou again responded immediately for the Reds, but after the half-time hooter it was Israel Folau who rose highest to pluck one from the heavens to give the visitors some breathing room. A big forty to come here, you would imagine.
Well the intensity has lifted here at the MCG, with the Bombers noticeably moving the ball a lot quicker this quarter.
Jayden Laverde kicks their fourth, they lead on goals 3-to-1 for the quarter. And now Jake Stringer rises for a big mark! The Package! But with the hard work done he fluffs the kick. Boo-urns. Inside a minute Shane Edwards goes up the other end and shows how it’s done - the Tigers out to 18 again.
Another moment of controversy as Hurley does well to spoil from Martin, but the umpires penalise the Bombers defend, who’s accused of a hold! To a chorus of boos around the ‘G, ol’ Dusty plugs it home.
Inside a minute and Caddy’s bagged his third! Eep, eight minutes ago Stringer was lining it up to go potentially seven behind, but now the Bombers trail by 31!
Updated
Game, set, match - Garbine Muguruza 6-0, 6-2 Sam Stosur
It took just 1hr and 2 minutes. Not the third round the veteran Australian would have wanted, but in fairness the world No3 gave her very little to pounce on. Venezuelan-born, Swiss-residing, it’s the Spaniard who progresses as she looks to replicate her 2016 championship win.
We’re back in the second quarter in the AFL, and the Bombers have continued a super minute either side of that buzzer, with Zach Merrett kicking their second goal. Richmond’s Shane Edwards with the reply, but it’s Fantasia back off the bench and running freely to get the red & black section of the crowd daring to dream.
18 points the difference - maybe they can make a game of this one the Bombers?
So, around the grounds while we pause for quarter-time at Dreamtime at the ‘G.
In Queensland the Tahs have hit straight back - only three minutes after that Reds opener through Curtis Rona to tie it up at 7-7. A massive lunge from Scott ‘go-go gadget arms’ Higginbotham though has given the Reds the lead again. He was being swarmed by about three defenders in blue about a metre out from the line, and despite all expectations the periscope’s gone out and slammed it down on the line. Great individual strength! 12-7 to the Reds with 15 played.
In the NRL it’s first blood to the Knights, with Jack Coggin crossing. A bit of a scrappy one, but he’s come from the clouds to ground this one, hasn’t he?
First points of the night... and first #NRL Try for Cogger!#NRLEelsKnights 0-6 after 14 minutes. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/DdJDZUDR5N
— NRL (@NRL) June 2, 2018
And on Stosur-watch: a tight fifth game of that second set has gone to Muguruza, and with the break in hand she moves out to a 6-0, 4-2 lead. I think we know how this one ends.
Updated
Quarter-time: Essendon 1.3 (9) trails Richmond 5.4 (34)
Oh dear. Michael Hurley caught in possession as the Tigers players swarm; where were the support runs? Caddy kicks an easy second and Richmond’s fourth. Has the occasion got to the home side?
Bit of a dubious free goes the way of the Tigers and Nankervis gets to line one up. Can he finish? Yep, and that’s five for the quarter. When your luck is out, your luck is out.
James Stewart flies and grabs a crucial mark for the Bombers. Here’s a chance to arrest the slide; ruh-roh, he’s hooked that for a third behind. Meanwhile Orazia Fantasia has already left the contest through injury, as had David Zaharakis who cuts a forlorn figure with ice on the shoulder.
With a minute to play, finally Essendon get it going - great movement on the far side to find Langford and Anthony McDonald-Tiungwuti gets their first just before the buzzer!
Suffice to say though, not the start the Bombers were looking for.
We’re also underway in our only NRL game of the evening where Parramatta play host to the Knights. A bit of a battle of the cellar dwellers this, but a key 2pts on offer tonight for one of these sides.
The all-Australian Super Rugby clash in Queensland has also got underway, and it’s a bright start for the home side who have bagged an intercept try inside three minutes. First blood the Reds, 7-0.
To the big one! We’re fifteen played at the MCG in the Dreamtime marquee match, and it’s Richmond making the early running. The Bombers opened with a behind but since then it’s been Tigers on top.
Callum Moore, Josh Caddy and Brandon Ellis all firing home majors - it’s 0.1 (1) plays 3.3 (21). They need to steady here Essendon, or all their good work from previous weeks goes out the window.
And for those of you hanging out for our ‘Australians remaining at Roland Garros’ watch, well look, it’s all gone a bit Gold Coast Suns in Paris.
Sam Stosur is currently on court with the 3rd seed and world no3 Garbine Muguruza, who has just served for the first set 6-0. Ruh-roh.
Suffice to say it’s not been our tournament between Kyrgios retiring through injury and Tomic going out in the first round. At least we still have Daria Gavrilova (who has been formally Australian for at least three of her 24 years) to fly the flag.
And it’s full-time in the all-NZ clash in the Super Rugby; the Crusaders consolidating their top spot in the NZ conference with an impressive 20-34 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton.
The home side gave it a fair shake, and it wasn’t until Luke Romano’s 76th minute try that the defending, and eight-time champions had this one locked down. An injury to Brodie Retallick a slight concern for the Chiefs/All Blacks though; we’ll wait to see how serious that proves.
Updated
Well, we’re not too far away from the big one - Dreamtime at the ‘G - as two in-form sides, Essendon and Richmond, go head-to-head. First bounce isn’t a million miles away. For those that don’t know too much about this fixture, or indeed the Sir Doug Nicholls round in general, here’s what the AFL website has to say:
Round named in honour of Sir Doug Nicholls
The AFL’s annual round recognising and celebrating indigenous players and culture is named in honour of Sir Doug Nicholls.
Sir Doug, who epitomised the spirit of reconciliation, played 54 games for Fitzroy and was a brilliant all-round athlete. The first Aboriginal person to be knighted, he also served as Governor of South Australia and was devoted to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Round 11 of the 2018 season kicks off on Friday, June 1, when the Sydney Swans host Carlton at the SCG. The marquee match of Sir Doug Nicholls round is the Dreamtime at the ‘G clash between Richmond and Essendon on the Saturday night.
All 18 clubs will wear special indigenous-themed guernseys during the round.
And if you missed any of those lovely jerseys (or guernseys if that’s your poison) do scroll back through our coverage tonight to see some of those in picture form.
Full-time: Gold Coast 4.12 (36) loses to Geelong 17.19 (121)
And look, it’s an absolute shocker for any loyal home fans who made it out to Carrara Stadium today. Their final quarter was almost as bad an their close to the first half, the Suns, with another measly behind their scoring ‘progress’.
The Cats almost apologetic in the end, with just the four final quarter goals, but in reality they were better in every category. Gary Ablett jnr making a bit of a statement on his return; 37 disposals, six marks and three goals - one of the best on ground for the Cats.
Geelong’s fourth win in five as they entrench their spot in the eight. For the Suns, well, at least there’s the consolation that the Blues, Lions and Saints are having it worse this season.
And for those of you salivating with expectation ahead of the forthcoming Fifa World Cup in Russia, here’s a terrific profile of Australia’s Group C rivals, Denmark that’s just dropped:
Christian Eriksen, eh? Ooh, I’ve heard of him..
Still, Australia’s preparations have been bubbling along nicely, if last night’s performance in Austria was anything to go by. One swallow does not a summer make, but you’d imagine coach Bert van Marwijk was pretty happy with this showing.
And while we’re on the topic of football and the Socceroos - if you missed this from a few days ago, it’s a great little way to while away the wait at the bus stop. Even if I do say so myself.
And a slightly better less-bad third quarter for the Suns, but some wobbly kicking hasn’t helped the miraculous comeback too much. They’ve kicked 2.6 to the Cats’ 3.4 - but they still trail heavily. 58 the difference up on the Gold Coast.
And as we get underway in the final quarter it’s definitely got ugly here for the Suns. Out of respect perhaps Gary Ablett had stayed off the scorers list during the first half, but he’s just kicked two in three minutes, adding to his first in the third quarter. 4.11 (35) plays 16.15 (111). Ouch.
Updated
No Australian sides in action in the second Super Rugby game of the day, but some proper rugby going on between the Chiefs and the Crusaders. At half-time it’s the Crusaders edging it 13-20.
I tell you what. You kids at home who want to learn how to line-out drive, hunt down the highlights of this try by the South Islanders. I’d link it, but poor old Sanzar’s social media game isn’t quite as flash as AFL/NRL’s. A terrific try but.
BTL commenter ‘WinnieofOz’ with a fair request:
Would love to see more photos of the Indigenous jumpers, given I’m o/s and won’t be watching any of the matches.
As always on the Sportwatch - your wish is our pleasure.
Hawthorn and Port Adelaide:
Western Bulldogs:
Geelong:
Melbourne (from last weekend in Alice Springs):
Ps there was a nice yarn from Craig Little last weekend discussing some of the initiatives surrounding the Sir Doug Nicholls round and grassroots Indigenous development programs in general if you missed it:
Updated
And it’s as many feared up on the Gold Coast; look away now if you’re a Suns fan.
2.5 (17) trails 10.11 (71) at half time - which side do you reckon Gary Ablett Jnr is grateful to be playing for today?
Tom Hawkins leading the onslaught with 3.1 with the Cats sharing the goals among seven other scorers. One measle behind for the Suns the only interruption to 13 scoring chances for the visitors. Horrorshow.
And here’s the stats behind this ‘historic’ Rebels win:
It’s more than 1000 days since an Australian Super Rugby side won a game on NZ soil - more than THREE years.
And it’s been a run of 32-straight losses. Ja-bless those Blues of Auckland!
Heads up any NZ fans following this blog though; I’ve been reliably informed there’s currently a repeat of ‘The Goonies’ on TVNZ 2, so there’s something. Every cloud, eh?
Updated
Full-time: Blues 10-20 Rebels
Howaaay the lads! Hot on the tail of the Tahs ending NZ’s 40-game winning streak over Australian sides, that other great record (what was it, something like 30-odd games consecutive lost on NZ soil?) has tumbled!
And if NZ-based liveblogs are to go off, they’re spitting chups up in Auckland over this one - and the locals are not happy with what Tana Umaga’s chargers have served up tonight. It looked in truth a poor game all-round. Bill Meakes with a double and Dane Haylett-Petty the tryscorers for the visitors, and with that, the Rebels go top of the Australian conference!
Updated
And in the random fun facts corner; this:
There’s a bunch of international football friendlies underway tonight, some with the World Cup in mind, others with perhaps less at stake.
Hard to think of one with less on the line than Kenya v New Zealand, but you’ll all leave tonight richer for this.
12 of Kenya’s 20 players to face the All Whites have surnames starting with ‘O’. I’m calling it, that’s a record. pic.twitter.com/A8qbgTpcdy
— Jason Pine (@pineyzb) June 2, 2018
Maybe you can drop this into a dinner conversation later?
And speaking of AFL - would you believe there’s more of it! Three more games tonight in fact, and our first stop is Carrara Stadium, where the Suns are trailing the Cats at quarter time.
2.4 (16) plays 3.5 (23) - Callum Ah Chee got the home side off to a seven point lead before goals to Lincoln McCarthy, Tom Hawkins and Tim Kelly put the Cats in front. Gold Coast dominating tackles and hit-outs but its Geelong shading disposals, inside 50s and contested possessions.
A missive from Martin out in Sydney’s west:
I’m in Granville waiting for a kids’ party to finish. I was hoping to watch the AFL in a pub but all they had on was super rugby, golf from somewhere and, bizarrely, a replay of Man City v Palace from the Premier League. So imagine my satisfaction when the blog fired up! Keep the posts coming!
We are, as ever, your humble servant, Martin. I hope there wasn’t fifteen litres of red cordial on the menu. Enjoy the car/train/ferry ride home.
Full-time: Sunshine Coast 64-56 Melbourne
And apologies netty fans, we got a wee bit caught up in that down-to-the-wire AFL clash in Tasmania.
It’s been an emphatic showing from the C-Bass, Diamonds skipper Caitlin Bassett bagging a remarkable 51/53 goals, at a rate of 96% - the Vixens with no answers.
Move over LeBron - here’s how you score 51 of your teams points, but actually also land the win! (Too soon?)
An all-important three bonus points as well, as having dropped the opening quarter, the Lightning have won the next three 15-13, 18-13, 16-13, to land a 7-pointer for the ladder. They temporarily move to 2nd - just one point off the Fever.
Updated
And some awful news filtering in from that early game; it’s feared Jake Lever may have done an ACL.
Pray to your household lares Demons fans, make an offering to the old gods and the new, because that’s horrific news for a player who was such a key off-season recruit.
Full-time: Hawthorn 9.10 (64) defeats Port Adelaide 9.7 (61)
And the Launie fans rise as one - what’s wrong with AFL in Tassie, Gillon! Are you not entertained?!
An absolute thriller in the end. They may be 9th and 10th on the ladder, but don’t rule out either of these sides from being in the mix come season’s end.
Port running out to a flying lead with a five-goal first quarter, but from there it was largely Hawthorn who dug in to level the scores by half-time. They took a seven-point lead into the final quarter, but from there the lead yo-yoed. Captain Roughead with the crucial winning kick - what a nailbiter!
Updated
Awful moment for Port fans! The Power with the kickout, but they’ve only found Impey! They know he doesn’t play for them any more right? The former Port darling lines it up.. but he shanks it. What a let off, he’s even missed the consolation posts and put it out on the full!
They’re still alive, Port Adelaide, about two minutes to play!
Okay, let’s take a close look at the Hawks-Power clash - where we’ve just over ten to play and it’s currently a one-point game!
Robbie Gray climbs and lands a huge mark; can he top this off with the goal? Can he $%^. Massive kick for the 3x All-Australian, he’s grabbed his fourth of the game, and Port are back in time for the first time since early in the second half!
Now it’s the skipper Roughead working hard for the Hawks, what can he manage. Ooh, we’ve a freekick! He lines on up now to lift his side back into lead - and he knocks it home! Hawthorn, back in front by 1!
And Luke Breust has come round the back of the pack to jag a mark from 30m out. Here’s the moment to win this game for the Hawks.. he lines up, he hits it... and he’s struck the post!
Hawks by 3, after Gunston also fires a behind from near the touch line.
Updated
Full-time: Bulldogs 7.9 (51) lose to Demons 15.10 (100)
And it’s triple figures for a fifth consecutive week for the Dees, as the side that kicked off Sir Doug Nicholls round in Alice Springs last week in style, has continued their emphatic winning run.
That’s six on the trot for Melbourne as they comfortably dispose of their cross-town rivals. Five goals to Jesse Hogan and four to Tom McDonald leading the rout, after the Dogs kicked the first three majors of the game. The only blot an injury to defender Jake Lever. Hope the knee’s okay.
Updated
Afternoon all! I hope this finds you hearty, hale and rugged up for those suffering inclement East Coast weather.
As detailed already, we’ve a busy Saturday Sportswatch in store. Let’s whip round the grounds first of to see what live action we have for you:
In the AFL, we’ve got a big final quarter in store in Launceston, Taswegia (as opposed to Launceston, Cornwall for those of you covering our coverage from that neck of the woods) where the Hawks are in a ding-dong classic with the Power. About twenty to play there and it’s the ‘home’ side 7.8 (50) playing 7.6 (48).
We’re also in the third quarter in the Super Netball where the defending champs the Lighting have a similar battle on their hands, they trail the Vixens 37-38 with each team having won a quarter so far.
And in the Super Rugby we’ve just started the second half in Auckland, where the Blues trail the Rebels 10-17. A first win for Aussie teams on NZ soil you say? Back it in 100%, because we’ve never seen any of our lot throw a lead over there in recent times.
Welcome
It’s Saturday, which means it’s sportsday, and have we got the sports for you. Sports!
We’ve five games of AFL as Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round continues, Hawks v Power and Bombers v Tigers perhaps the pick of these.
There are three big matches in the Super Rugby, including the state-against-stage, mate-against-mate battle as the Tahs take on the Reds.
In the Super Netball four of the more fancied teams lock horns as defending champs the Lightning host the Vixens and the Giants get on the road to take on the Fever.
And in the State-of-Origin-fixture-reduced round of the NRL its a battlers derby as Eels take on the Knights.
We might also cross to Roland Garros to keep an eye on our gal Sam Stosur, run our eye over today’s surfing action, and look, pretty much whatever else takes our fancy. Because you’ve worked hard this week. And you deserve it.
