Summary
So, that’s where we’ll leave Sportwatch. A very packed dancecard across the codes, with plenty of action across Australasia.
A big result in the Super Rugby with the Highlanders halting a ten-game winning streak for the Brumbies, as the Australian conference leaders succumbed to their first loss of the season in the dying seconds.
Key wins in the AFLW for the Kangaroos, Suns and Dockers, by reasonably comfortable margins - especially in the inaugural Western derby in front of a bumper 35,000+ crowd in Perth.
A key win in the A-League for Wellington as they look to cement their place in the top six, while Wanderers did their finals chances no benefit in a lacklustre home draw with Newcastle.
Sydney FC sent a warning shot to the W-League that they’re not done despite losing key players to overseas leagues and the Brumbies won well in the Super W. And that’s a wrap!
Wow! A great upset in the NRL Nines women’s final as the Dragons down the much-fancied Broncos 28-4 to land their inaugural Nines title.
A try just before half-time from Kezie Apps might have been a morale-booster for St George - but they’ve got it done in both halves, against a hugely experienced outfit from Queensland.
What a result for the women’s game - great to have challengers.
Full-time: Western Sydney 1-1 Newcastle Jets
It’s a result that does neither team any favours, and a chorus of boos rings around Parramatta Stadium. They’ve not won at home since October, the Wanderers. A new coach - but the same old result.
The Jets were good value for their point in the end - some might say they even deserved all three. A decent first showing under Carl Robinson and his staff - that point takes Newcastle off the bottom of the table.
They did hit the post at 1-0 the Wanderers, before really going into their shells. The margins on which football games turn. Another frustrating evening for Western Sydney faithful - a finals push, on this form, looks beyond them.
Updated
A-League - 88 min: It’s still Newcastle making the late running as Petratos looks to pick out his teammate, Hoffman. A last sub from JP de Marigny who brings on youngster Mo Adam as playmaker Nikolai Mueller succumbs to cramp. Petratos with another shot-on-sight, but it flashes over - a tough one from that distance.
A-League - 82 min: They’re starting to really press, the Jets. Petratos lines up shots from distance in quick succession, but on both occasions they’re blocked by some desperate defence.
They’re looking a bit ropey, the Wanderers. What’s happened here? Was it one of those cases of scoring a little too early and then looking to sit and hold a lead? They need to lift - they’re home fans won’t tolerate a loss against the bottom-placed side.
A-League - Goal! Western Sydney 1-1 Newcastle (Millar)
74 min: Hello! We’re back level, and on balance of play - you’d have to say a fair reward for the visitors? New coach Carl Robinson has emphasised the need for heart and he’s been one of their best, the right back, Millar. Some question marks on the ‘keeping - it was a shot that beat Lopar at his near post. Could the Swiss have done more to prevent that?
Eep - some ugly news out of the NRL Nines, where there’s a bad injury for Dragons hard-man Korbin Sims.
Horrible news with Korbin Sims suffering a re-fracture of the forearm he injured last season (a complete fracture of the ulna (forearm bone), required surgery & 7 weeks return to play). Best case scenario is a 4 week recovery, but more likely 6-10 weeks with a re-fracture #NRL9s
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 15, 2020
His side still get up over the Titans, 8-6 though, and have booked their spot in the final against the Cowboys who win the all-Queensland semi-final 19-10.
Updated
A-League - 62 min: So, we’ve hit the hour mark in Western Sydney where there’s still a bit of bite in this one. Steven Ugarkovic comes together with Keanu Baccus to the chagrin of the homefans.
They’ve registered seven shots on target the visitors - to the seven of their hosts - so we’ve not been starved of action. As we’ve seen across recent months though, for the Jets it’s one thing to get shots away, it’s another to turn them into goals.
Super Rugby: Brumbies 22-23 Highlanders
Oh my, this is a nervy finish here. They’re besieging the line, the Highlanders, and after a series of penalties the Brumbies have been reduced a man! Yellow card for repeated fouls, that last an early contact in the line out.
They look to use their man advantage - and have they got over the line here?! Yes they have! It’s a try in front, and it’s converted to boot! Heartbreak at the death - they’ve done the Brumbies for a fifth consecutive time!
Updated
AFLW: Fremantle win first Western derby by 45 points
It finishes 9.6 (60) to 2.3 (15) in favour of the original WA team, the Dockers. They go 2/2, having led from start to finish against the Eagles.
They’re the benchmark for the new club who showed plenty of promise despite the scoreline mismatch. They’ll learn from this, and hopefully come back stronger for the footballing education handed down by their rivals.
My, oh my - just saw the crowd figure for this one. Incredible - great work to all involved.
Official attendance for today's game - 35,185 🏟#foreverfreo #RACDerby
— Fremantle Dockers AFLW (@freodockersAFLW) February 15, 2020
Updated
Super Rugby - Try! Brumbies 19-16 Highlanders (Fainga’a) - 68’
Unbelievable - it’s another hattrick of tries for the hooker Folau Fainga’a! Check the record books on that, this kid’s prolific.
And they’re back in front the Brumbies: can they stay so from here?
It’s beginning to really team down with rain in the ACT and now Josh Ioane has a chance to level things from the boot.. but he hooks it left! It’ll be a tight finish from here, you’d warrant.
Updated
A-League - half-time: Western Sydney 1-0 Newcastle
45 min: There’s the major break, and for the home side it comes at a good time with the Jets building in confidence later in that half. Burns’ foul on Bruce Kamau and the subsequent penalty the difference thus far. He was a peripheral figure under Markus Babbel, but he’s made an impact in recent weeks, Kamau, playing in this new unfamiliar role at right wing-back.
AFLW - 3/4 time: West Coast 1.2 (8) trail Fremantle 7.6 (48)
They have to hang tough here, the new side, or we could be on for a big score. They were competitive for large swathes of the early play but it’s the Dockers that continue to bother the scorers. All about playing for self-respect now - let’s see if the Eagles can lift and get on the board once again.
A-League - 33 min: That’s not a million miles away! Arroyo looks to flick on a Burns cross, and it angles just past Lopar’s left-hand post. They’ve come back into this a little the Jets, despite going behind to that early penalty. A key 10 minutes before half-time - can Newcastle drag their way back into this contest?
So - let’s wrap some results from the men’s comp at the NRL Nines over in Perth:
Knights 7-14 Eels, Dragons 17-14 Panthers, Titans 24-0 Sea Eagles, Cowboys 20-6 Rabbitohs.
Which makes the semis: Eels v Dragons & Titans v Cowboys.
Cody Ramsey continuing his fine tournament with a hattrick of tries against the Panthers, while Titans v Cowboys could be a tasty all-Queensland clash.
And in the women’s draw it will be a Dragons v Brisbane final - despite the Red V narrowly going down to the Roosters in their last hitout, 14-13. Broncos strong favourites there, you’d have to say after dominating the group pool.
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Super Rugby - half-time: Brumbies 12-13 Highlanders
They’re scratching their heads a little, the home side - having worked so hard twice to get ahead, they go into the sheds behind. That fortuitous charge-down try and a few penalties has the visitors with their noses in front.
“We still back ourselves and our skills” says skipper James Slipper. We’ll see if he’s right.
A-League - Goal! Western Sydney 1-0 Newcastle (Duke, pen)
5 min: Well, it hasn’t taken long for first blood! It’s a foul from the young left back Bobby Burns who’s beaten for pace inside the box and downs his man. The Wanderers’ skipper Mitch Duke steps up and slots it calmly past Lewis Italiano. And that’s the tea.
AFLW - half-time: West Coast 1.1 (7) trails Fremantle 5.3 (33)
More of the same from the Dockers in that second quarter, but great to see the West Coast on the board for their home fans. It’s pretty even across the statistical indicators but Freo leading well in terms of inside 50 marks and really dominating in the tackle count.
Gemma Houghton, Roxanne Roux and Jasmin Stewart with the goals; McKenzie Dowrick with the Eagles sole effort.
Super Rugby - Try! Brumbies 10-3 Highlanders - 3o’
And there over again men from the capital, and it’s the driving maul again that gets it done.
But oh my - can you believe this! From the kickoff there’s a charge-down and Jona Nareki has one of the simplest finishes you’ll see! Highlanders hit straight back: 12-10!
Okay, we are ready for A-League action in Western Sydney. A first home-game in charge for JP de Marigny, a first game in charge for Carl Robinson with the Jets.
Great contest this could be - all players will be 100% raring to earn their places - we’ll keep a close eye on this.
AFLW - quarter-time: West Coast 0.0 (0) trails Fremantle 2.2 (14)
First blood to the old heads, as new kids on the blocks the Eagles are second to the bounce. Katie-Jayne Grieve and Gabby O’Sullivan the goalscorers for the Dockers.
It’s $3 tickets in the West with proceeds going to the bushfire appeal. Great stuff, and great to see a very big crowd roll in to support this initial derby.
Updated
And as soon as I’ve written that - we’ve a delay in the A-League as a fierce electrical storm rolls through Sydney’s west. Kick-off will be 20 minutes later.
Better news from the Super Rugby (from an Australian perspective) where Folau Fainga’a has just crossed for the opening try. A great rolling maul from the lineout and the big hooker crashes over. 5-3 the early score, about 15 played.
So - plenty more ahead! We have the late fixture in the A-League where it’s Western Sydney Wanderers hosting Newcastle Jets. A first game in charge for Welshman Carl Robinson, while WSW’s interim coach JP de Marigny is only a few weeks in the chair himself since Markus Babbel’s departure. Key game for both these clubs - for the Jets to get off the bottom of the table, for the Wanderers to spark a late run for the finals.
In the AFLW my spies are telling me there’s a uuuge crowd in attendance for the first Western derby - great to hear. It’s West Coast v Freo (in case you’re new to this) there - lots to look forward to. And in the Super Rugby, it’s the Brumbies playing host to the south islanders from Otago - the Highlanders - looking to arrest an already worrisome run of results for Australian clubs, you’d warrant.
Clare Lawrence has written in regarding that Sydney derby in the W-League:
Big statement from Sydney leading into finals and what a way to show that we can score without Foord and Logarzo. Amy Sayer showing that she can step up and deliver in her first start for the club. Great game to be at (for a Sydney fan).
Cheers Clare, love the extra intel. And you’re right - with the UK’s Women’s Super League clubs coming knocking for leading Matildas there have been a few departures from the W-League lately; but as you say - one door closing, another door opening.
And here’s what’s happening in the golf from the Royal Adelaide Golf Club - courtesy our partners at the Australian Associated Press:
South Korean golfing icon Inbee Park will have to hold off her country’s new guard to capture the Women’s Australian Open.
Former world No 1 Park, a seven-time major winner, holds a three-shot lead after a superb third round at Royal Adelaide on Saturday.
As hopes of an Australian winner faded, Park, eyeing her 20th LPGA title, carded three-under to gain precious breathing space from a chasing pack.
But that pack is headed by Park’s 19-year-old compatriot Ayean Cho at 12-under.
Cho is yet to play fulltime on the LPGA Tour but has won twice on the Korean tour, where she was rookie of the year last year.
The teen fired a four-under 69 on Saturday to take outright second, while American Marina Alex is at 11-under and French duo Perrine Delacour and Celine Boutier lurking at 10-under
Delacour produced the round of the day, firing a six-under par 67 highlighted by six birdies on her initial 10 holes.
Chasing her maiden LPGA title, Delacour deliberately avoided looking at the leaderboard throughout her hot streak.
“I was just trying to hit a good shot and be in the present, which is hard because I was playing pretty good golf,” she said.
“I wanted to keep making some birdies but don’t really look at the leaderboard.
“But I’m pretty happy with what I did.”
Perth’s Hannah Green is the best-placed Australian local at seven-under.
Green endured a topsy-turvy Saturday, her one-under 72 containing four birdies and three bogeys.
World No 8 Minjee Lee, the top-ranked Australian a field boasting 15 major winners, and 21-year-old compatriot Robyn Choi are three-under.
The only other Australians to make the cut, Katherine Kirk (two-over) and Karis Davidson (six-over) are out of contention.
Updated
W-League: Sydney FC 3-0 Western Sydney Wanderers
A very different story to what happened the last time these two met. In December it was a 5-0 shellacking handed out by the upstarts from out West, but a few months on it’s a sharp turnaround. Sofia Huerta adding an injury-time third goal to rub salt into the wounds. Their season has plateaued a little in recent weeks, the Wanderers, after a very bright start. Their opponents leap past them into second on the table, with City still on top of the pile.
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A-League: Wellington 1-0 Melbourne City
They’re untouchable in Auckland (which can’t be said for their predecessors the Knights, alas) the Phoenix - a seventh game undefeated in the north of the north island at Eden Park. A big win in the scheme of their season, having lost two of their last three and beginning to look over their shoulder down the table at clubs like Brisbane and Adelaide charging up the table.
A fine defensive effort from both sides, but City’s inconsistent season continues, despite sitting near the top of the pile.
AFLW: Gold Coast 5.3 (33) beat Richmond 2.10 (22)
A maiden AFLW win for the Suns and a great response to last week’s low-scoring defeat. They were out on their feet in the last quarter at Metricon but held firm, and benefitted from some poor kicking for goal for Richmond, to take the points. Kate Surman is an absolute gem. The Suns are belting out the club song right now. And I mean belting out. Think one of the girls might have popped a larynx. They are pumped. And rightly so.
Richmond wasteful kicking proved costly as the Suns took out their first #AFLW win
— SuperFooty (AFL) (@superfooty) February 15, 2020
GC 5.3.(33) def Rich 2.10.(22)#AFLWSunsTigers pic.twitter.com/4PqqKI5sot
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So - a quick around the grounds. In the A-League we’ve about 15 to play in Auckland, where it’s Wellington Phoenix holding a slim 1-0 lead courtesy David Ball’s goal.
In Sydney in the W-League we’re still at 2-0 in the Sydney derby between FC and Western Sydney Wanderers. Amy Harrison’s rattle of the crossbar is as close as the visitors have come, they still trail 2-0, and are down to 10 women after Kristen Hamilton’s sending off.
On the Gold Coast, it’s the home side still leading visitors Richmond in the AFLW on the home stretch by just under two goals. Let’s take a closer look at that one as it comes to a close.
Kia ora! A hearty welcome to you and yours from wherever around the world you’re following our coverage. Are you one of the 15,347 watching the Phoenix from Eden Park in Auckland? There’s a lovely crowd in there - and a decent spectacle going on between the Nix and Melbourne City.
Plenty more sport going on from stadia around Australasia. As always on Sportwatch it is our duty, nay - privilege - to bring to you. Let’s leap in.
OK my lovelies, that’s me for the day. The good news is Uncle Richard is in the house to take you through to stumps. Take it away, Mr Parkin!
A-League: GOAL! Wellington 1-0 Melbourne City (Ball 58’) A goal that was coming - well, it kind of did come in the first half but for VAR - and it was a pretty goal at that. A great run from Hooper down the right flank to latch onto Devlin’s pass, and though the City defenders flooded back the cross to Ball’s feet was centimetre perfect and the striker did the rest from close range.
58' | GOOOOOOOOAAAAAAL!!!!#StandUpWithYourNix #ERereTeKeo#WELvMCY 💛 (1-0) 🤍 pic.twitter.com/WNFND1V9oS
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) February 15, 2020
Super W: Brumbies 29-10 Rugby WA
The scoring certainly dried up after that breathless beginning to the game, but the Brumbies did what they needed to for this opening-round victory. Plenty of positives for the Brumbies to take out of the game, including the excdellent debut performance of tennage debutant Ella Ryan.
Victory huddle for the Brumbies Women pic.twitter.com/KpY1lV5TqK
— GIO Stadium Canberra (@giostadium) February 15, 2020
NRL Nines: No quarters given by Knights, Titans
Newcastle and the Gold Coast have made a statement for their new coaches, winning through to the quarter finals of the NRL Nines after an undefeated run through the preliminary rounds in Perth.
Adam O’Brien and Justin Holbrook watched on after a pre-season of hard work as the Knights and Titans emerged along with North Queensland as the only teams to win both of their round robin games. Led by returning legend Kurt Gidley, the Knights will take on tournament favourites Parramatta in the first game of the finals after the Eels scraped through on their for-and-against differential.
Newcastle followed up 34-0 thrashing of the Warriors on Friday with a 16-4 over Penrith while the Titans, conquerors of Canberra in game one, edged the West Tigers 14-13.
St George Illawarra will take on the Panthers in the next game, but will be without star fullback Matt Dufty who has been rushed to hospital with a suspected fractured cheekbone. South Sydney have also made it through to the quarter finals and will play the undefeated Cowboys, while the Titans will play Manly.
The winner of each game will progress through to the semi-finals later in the afternoon.
- with thanks to AAP
AFLW: HT: Gold Coast 4.3 (27) v Richmond 2.4 (16) A dominant quarter from the Suns, kicking two goals and restricting the Tigers to just two behinds. Kate Surman is playing a blinder and seems to be everywhere. Great skills and vision to set up this six-pointer.
Britt Perry gets separation and runs into an open goal after an impressive chain out of a contest from the @GoldCoastSUNS 👏#AFLWSunsTigers pic.twitter.com/ciqTAIAWYA
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 15, 2020
A-League: HT: Wellington 0-0 Melbourne City Plenty of intent, a few chances, a goal that wasn’t but it’s still zero plays zero at Eden Park.
Lovely evening @edenparknz supporting @WgtnPhoenixFC#WELvMCY #YellowAndBlack #StandUpWithYourNix #ERereTeKeo #COYN pic.twitter.com/zDoZfkrlXh
— #DistanceDerbyDolly (@DollysOnTour) February 15, 2020
W-League: HT: Sydney FC 2-0 Western Sydney Those two early goals continue to separate these teams. Sydney FC could have had more to the break - Ellie Brush, scorer of the game’s second goal, missed a shot towards the end of the half that she might normally score. But though Western Sydney are coming all honours are theirs, and a win here will see Sydney FC leapfrog the Wanderers into second spot.
✋ HALF TIME@SydneyFC took an early lead in this derby clash but @wswanderersfc continue to edge towards goal#SydneyDerby #SYDvWSW #WLeague pic.twitter.com/75jeQm8MUz
— Westfield W-League (@WLeague) February 15, 2020
NRL Nines: Saturday women’s results (so far)
- Roosters 0-16 Broncos
- Warriors 7-29 Dragons
That’s two pretty convincing wins for the Broncos, while the Dragons and Warriors have a win apiece. The Roosters are zip and two and would need a minor miracle to take part in tonight’s grand final.
In the men’s game, here’s how the quarter-finals are shaping up:
On to the Quarter Finals 🔥#NRL9s pic.twitter.com/tZ6nQ4KWHb
— NRL (@NRL) February 15, 2020
A-League: 34 mins: Wellington 0-0 Melbourne City What was that about VAR being the thief of drama? The Phoenix faithful were cock-a-hoop, and convinced that Steinmann’s scrambled goal was legit, but VAR deals in centimetres - not romance or drama or ambiguity - and offside is the ruling. No fun, VAR, no fun at all.
What’s the point in football anymore? VAR has completely trashed it. I don’t care about the call, the amount of faffing around is killing the game. #WELvMCY
— Jay Harvie (@JayHarvie) February 15, 2020
AFLW: QT: Gold Coast 2.2 (14) v Richmond 2.2 (14) Not even a split cigarette paper between these teams at quarter time. The Suns got off to a flyer, which was good to see after their aggregate score of eight points in round one, but the Tigers enjoyed the better of proceedings as the term wore on to restore parity to the scoreline.
Mon Con sends it over the back and it's an easy tap in for Christina Bernardi 👟🏉#AFLWSunsTigers pic.twitter.com/TC1XF2i1uB
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 15, 2020
Super W: HT: Brumbies 21-5 Rugby WA Three tries to one for the Brumbies, who are full value for their lead at a sodden GIO Stadium. Fyfe got the ball rolling when she crossed in the first minute of the game, with Smith (7 mins) and Burrows (19 mins) following suit. Hira-Herangi has Rugby WA’s only try, doing so after 12 minutes in what was a frenetic start to this contest. Wood is having a good day with the boot, converting three-from-three for the Brumbies.
So great to be in Canberra for the @BrumbiesRugby ladies v @westernforce ladies. Great to see #SuperW underway for 2020 #StandUp pic.twitter.com/g0IJGUrok0
— Raelene Castle (@raelenecastle) February 15, 2020
W-League: GOAL! Sydney FC 2-0 Western Sydney (Brush 14’) That’s two goals for Sydney FC and the game has barely got going. Ellie Brush rises highest from a corner to head home and double the lead, leaving the Wanderers shellshocked and me thinking I should give my dad’s dubious wisdom the basil brush.
there's a group of young girls here in @ntigersofficial jerseys – Ellie Brush's @NPLNSW club – who went absolutely mental when she scored just now 🥰 #SydneyDerby #WLeague pic.twitter.com/FdsJkqM8a2
— Samantha Lewis (@battledinosaur) February 15, 2020
W-League: GOAL! Sydney FC 1-0 Western Sydney (Latsko 2’) A (very) early goal in the Sydney derby with Veronica Latsko’s trusty left boot beating the keeper after just two minutes. My father has a theory - the team (in any sport) which scores first and early never wins. We shall see, old man.
2' GOALLLLLLLLLL!!!!!! What a start for the Sky Blues as some great play ends with @schuerta crossing for @V_Latsko12 to volley home at the far post! 1-0#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions #SydneyDerby pic.twitter.com/smkpLVGPlN
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) February 15, 2020
I love it when Twitter does my job for me ...
👟 KICK OFF @EdenParkNZ
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) February 15, 2020
We’re under way across the ditch! Plenty riding on this one as 5th hosts 2nd 👊#WELvMCY #ALeague pic.twitter.com/D7UYGNXIfR
🏙️👇 Here's your #Nix Line-Up in Auckland 👇🏙️
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) February 15, 2020
Matti is back 💪@HOOP588 starts ⚽️@twihongi starting debut 💛#StandUpWithYourNix #ERereTeKeo #WELvMCY pic.twitter.com/hqKonmfKw1
Our starting XI is in for this evening's clash with Wellington. 💪 #WELvMCY #ForeverCity pic.twitter.com/qPjL8Bsuep
— Melbourne City FC 🏙️ (@MelbourneCity) February 15, 2020
AFLW: North Melbourne 6.1 (37) beat GWS Giants 2.7 (19)
The Kangaroos notch their first win of the season, and though the win was richly deserved you wouldn’t think the Giants players and coaching staff will sleep too well tonight. While North were generally clinical and polished, GWS had more scoring shots but squandered possession, missed easy shots and gave away one or two unnecessary free kicks. Still, take nothing away from the Kangas - this was a good response to their narrow defeat in round one.
WINNERS! What a way to bounce back.
— North Melbourne AFLW (@NorthAFLW) February 15, 2020
Home by 18 points in Launceston, with Kearney, Garner and Bruton all terrific. #AFLWRoosGiants #OurTimeIsNow pic.twitter.com/2PNVyWco75
NRL Nines: Saturday men’s results (so far)
- Knights 16-4 Panthers
- Roosters 14-8 Warriors
- Sharks 25-4 Bulldogs
- Eels 15-7 Dragons
- Rabbitohs 29-8 Raiders
- Titans 14-13 Tigers
So where do these results leave the pool standings? I’m glad you asked. The Knights are sitting pretty atop Pool 1 with the Panthers taking second spot; Pool 2 is a total mess with each team winning and losing a game - but the Dragons have the best points differential ahead of the Eels; the Titans are the kings of Pool 3 with the Rabbitohs snaring second spot; and Saturday’s Pool 4 matches are yet to be played.
Jai Whitbread barges his way over! #NRL9s pic.twitter.com/jDdC8q38Jt
— NRL (@NRL) February 15, 2020
AFLW: 3QT: North Melbourne 5.1 (31) v GWS Giants 2.4 (16) The Kangaroos extend their lead in Tassie, with the Giants continuing to waste much of their possession and North’s Elisha King kicking a nice goal on the run after her set shot fell short and was returned straight back to her.
3QT: One quarter to play, our lead is 15 points.
— North Melbourne AFLW (@NorthAFLW) February 15, 2020
Jenna Bruton up to 16 disposals. She's been fantastic, as have Emma Kearney (16) and Jas Garner (15 and 2 goals). #AFLWRoosGiants #OurTimeIsNow pic.twitter.com/V3ZpqWNf0x
NRL Nines: Dufty the latest to count the cost
St George Illawarra fullback Matt Dufty has been taken to hospital with a suspected fractured cheekbone after an ugly collision against Parramatta in the NRL Nines in Perth.
The 24-year-old was caught high in a collision at HBF Park and was immediately taken from the field for a head-injury assessment as his eye swelled. The incident happened soon after the kick-off as he chased the restart. If a fracture is confirmed, he is facing around a month on the sidelines.
South Sydney forward Ethan Lowe will also undergo a fitness test on Saturday to assess whether he can take the field for day two of the tournament after he suffered a minor MCL sprain on Friday.
Brisbane are still sweating on playmaker Anthony Milford, who was taken from the field after tweaking his left hamstring on Friday night. The Broncos star is yet to undergo a full assessment, but is out for the rest of Brisbane’s program.
Wests Tigers have confirmed Paul Momirovski will miss the next two to three weeks with an ankle sprain he suffered against the Rabbitohs on Friday.
Meanwhile, St George Illawarra forward Holli Wheeler is facing a long recovery after suffering an ACL tear against the Broncos on Friday. The 30-year-old Australia and NSW representative twisted her knee in a tackle and was stretchered off the field.
- with thanks to AAP
Matt Dufty off for a HIA after this heavy double collision, obvious concern for concussion but also facial fracture (eye socket/cheekbone). Any fracture would usually result in at least a month on the sideline, fingers crossed for him #NRL9s pic.twitter.com/4HeIHVdoEP
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 15, 2020
Women’s Australia Open golf: Park strolls into the lead
Decorated South Korean golfer Inbee Park has taken outright leadership of the Women’s Australian Open. The seven-time major winner moved to 12 under, two shots clear of the chasing pack, early in her third round at Royal Adelaide on Saturday.
Park started her round as joint leader at 10 under with England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff, who double-bogeyed the third hole to slip to eight under. Frenchwoman Perinne Delacour is the big mover - she’s six under through 14 holes to be 10 under for the tournament. Delacour shares second spot with American trio Elizabeth Szokol, Marina Alex and Jillian Hollis.
Local hope Hannah Green is the best-placed Australian at seven under after 12 holes, as compatriot Minjee Lee slides from contention - the world No 8 is three under nearing the end of her round.
Sydneysider Robyn Choi is two under through 13 holes while fellow Australians Katherine Kirk (two over) and Karis Davidson (six over) have completed their rounds.
- with thanks to AAP
Solo leader at 11-under @InbeePark leads in Adelaide
— LPGA (@LPGA) February 15, 2020
Watch now on @GolfChannel! pic.twitter.com/rQgxEWYmQf
AFLW: HT: North Melbourne 3.0 (18) v GWS Giants 1.3 (9) The scoreboard would suggest the Kangaroos have been doubly as good as the Giants, but general play would suggest this isn’t the case. GWS had plenty of ball in that second term, but where North Melbourne were converting their chances the Giants were not. Haneen Zreika really should have two goals, not just the one, and the Sydney team will hope they don’t look back on her incredible miss with regret.
There’s plenty of time for the Giants. But there’s also plenty of time for Jasmine Garner to keep playing like this.
Jasmine Garner is in the mood this afternoon 😤#AFLWRoosGiants pic.twitter.com/IiX8shLSqO
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 15, 2020
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When I was 15, I was sleeping in (a lot), starting to notice girls, getting excited about learning for my L-plates, transitioning from hair-removal cream to shaving blades and generally being awkward.
I certainly wasn’t scoring goals in a professional football league.
AFLW: Q2: 5mins remaining: North Melbourne 2.0 (12) v GWS Giants 1.2 (8) Our first live update of the day and it’s the Jasmine Garner show at York Park. She accounts for the entire Kangaroos score, two straight goals, but the Giants are breathing down their necks and in fact should, would, be in front had Haneen Zreika not missed a sitter from the top of the goal square. Still, she has plenty in the bank ...
The @GWSGIANTS reply, as Haneen Zreika puts her hands up and clunks it at the top of the square 🙌 pic.twitter.com/8BFbchxO0g
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 15, 2020
Preamble
Hello and welcome to Sportwatch on this fine mid-February Saturday. There plenty to keep us busy and out of trouble, as ever. Australia’s women’s cricketers were to be playing a T20 World Cup warm-up against West Indies in Brisbane, but that game has been abandoned. So we are left with three AFLW matches, one of which is already under way, a couple of A-League contests, W-League, Super W and Super Rugby, NRL Nines, Australian Open women’s golf and anything else we can poke our stick of curiosity at. Phew. I need a lie-down after that. While I rest my noggin, feel free to drop me an email or a tweet @scott_heinrich. I’ll take a look when I stir.
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