I think that’s about all we’ve got time for tonight!
An imperious showing from Adelaide has booked them an AFLW finals spot against Carlton, as they crushed Geelong by 66 points. In the Super W, NSW are back to a grand final as well, after they scored 66 points against the Rebels.
In the AFL the Saints have survived a nailbiter against the Suns, while the Giants have hammered the Bombers.
The Eels and Tigers have won big in the NRL, and the Reds have put on an impressive Super Rugby win over the Brumbies.
And that’s Sunday Sportwatch!
Full-time: Wests Tigers 34-6 Warriors
And so, another chapter in the perennial mystery “which Warriors side will show up tonight”? After a ruthless showing in round one the Jekyll-and-Hyde NZ outfit have crashed back to earth against what was an impressive Tigers team. Ken Maumalo’s try early in the second half was met in response by four unanswered tries from the home side, as Campbelltown in Sydney was treated to a show from Madge’s men, in light drizzle.
AFL - half-time: Fremantle 11.9 (75) lead North Melbourne 6.0 (36)
And in our late fixture from the West, a run of eleven straight scoring shots has put the Dockers in a solid position at the major break, with four goals from Cam McCarthy and an all-action showing from Nat Fyfe leading the way. Fremantle’s defence also shutting down the big men well, with Ben Brown winning none of eight contested possessions inside the 50.
NRL - half-time: Tigers 12-0 Warriors
A lively end to a well-fought half with the home side putting on two tries just before the break.
The Tigers completing their sets and dominating most of the statistical categories before a flying Farah pass opened up the contest.
Corey Thompson scores off a beautiful ball from Robbie Farah 🔥#NRLTigersWarriors#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/mVLomS9DJC
— NRL (@NRL) March 24, 2019
Full-time: GWS 16.16 (112) defeat Essendon 5.10 (40)
When you think that the Bombers bagged the last fourteen points in this one, it makes it seem comparatively almost “respectable”. But the reality was they were never at the races today, and that’s with the Giants missing a few key players and even missing some very getable set shots.
Very early days, of course, but not the type of performance you’d expect would endear John Worsfold to Essendon fans, especially as expectations have once again been raised over the off-season. Watch this space?
Full-time: Canterbury 16-36 Parramatta
New Eels, who dis?
The wooden-spooners of 2018 have started this campaign brightly, adding the Bulldogs to their impressive scalp last week of the Panthers.
Gutherson and Ferguson both crossing inside five minutes of the second half to rendering whatever coach Dean Pay said at the break virtually worthless.
Youngster Dylan Brown capping the performance with this try after back-to-back intercept tries.
What a try!
— NRL (@NRL) March 24, 2019
Ripping stuff from Dylan Brown. 👏#NRLBulldogsEels #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/BY4U2wCLAb
Full-time: Reds 36-14 Brumbies
They’ve beaten the Reds 23 times and only lost seven, but loss number eight was pretty emphatic for the David-Pocock-less Brumbies. Henry Speight’s try early in the second half got the ACT side within three, but from there the Reds just found another gear in pretty warm Queensland conditions. Five tries to two the end margin as the Reds consolidated a really bad week for the Sunwolves by sending them bottom of the Australian conference.
AFL - three-quarter-time: GWS 10.13 (73) lead Essendon 3.8 (26)
They’ve increased their lead every quarter and even the most dyed-in-the-wool ‘Dons supporter would have to admit this one’s unlikely to come good.
Stephen Coniglio with 26 disposals, seven marks and six tackles, as well as two goals, to fire the home side - Tim Taranto offering valuable service as well with 22 touches, three marks and seven tackles and a solitary major.
Super W: Waratahs 66-12 Rebels
The inaugural champions have booked another grand final spot, after an emphatic ten tries to two win over the Rebels in Bathurst. The home side adding 26 points without breach in a comfortable second half.
Shanice Parker putting on four tries, as NSW warmed up for a repeat of the ye olde grudge match against a Liz Patu-less Queenland.
FT | WARW 66 - 12 REBW
— NSW Waratahs (@NSWWaratahs) March 24, 2019
UNDEFEATED! Your NSW Waratahs Women finish the regular season with a solid win over the Rebels in Bathurst. #SuperW Home Grand Final 🔐 locked in!#WARWvREBW
Match Centre: https://t.co/zQEBad9A7o pic.twitter.com/U7AHooU1kj
Super Rugby - half-time: Reds 10-0 Brumbies
Their record historically against the team from Canberra is pretty average, but it’s the Reds enjoying things so far in this one. Having withstood a weight of early pressure - the Brumbies at one stage putting on 27 phases - it was veteran Scott Higginbotham who muscled over for the only try of the first half.
NRL - half-time: Bulldogs 10-12 Eels
It was an impressive start for the home side, with Kieran Foran involved for a try and a try assist - the opener off an excellent Lachlan Lewis kick - but despite looking largely second best, it’s the Eels who sneak the lead at the break.
Blake Ferguson crashing over for his first in Eels yellow, before skipper Clint Gutherson backed up a terrific dummy-half burst from Reed Mahoney.
Brilliant dummy half scoop. Brilliant support. 👏#NRLBulldogsEels #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/Kve9ggndY7
— NRL (@NRL) March 24, 2019
AFL - half-time: GWS 7.8 (50) lead Essendon 2.5 (17)
They went ahead through a behind to Dylan Shiel but that’s about as good as it got for the Bombers. Wasteful early on in front of goals, Essendon could only watch as the Giants slotted three unanswered for the opening quarter.
Lachlan Keeffe and Jeremy Cameron both with doubles - the latter’s booming effort after the half-time siren pouring salt in the wounds, taking the lead to a game-high gap of 33.
Big second half needed from Jake Stringer and his mates.
So a quick around the grounds, where we’ve a few games just starting to kick off. In the Super Rugby, the Reds have started well against the Brumbies, leading by a converted try with around fifteen gone in Brisbane.
In the NRL, the Bulldogs have also skipped to a converted try lead early on against the Eels out at Homebush in Sydney.
And we’ll bring you a half-time summary of our second AFL fixture shortly, where GWS are positioned nicely against Essendon.
Super W - half-time: NSW 40-12 Rebels
And for those from WA or ACT sweating on the unlikely result of the Waratahs slipping up, look away now. It’s been the kind of powerful performance we’ve come to expect from NSW so far.
They’ve improved week on week, game on game, the Rebels, but it’s likely to be back-to-back wooden spoons for the Victorian franchise.
A big storm rolling in over Bathurst, so there could be treacherous conditions for the second half.
Full-time: Saint Kilda 13.7 (85) defeat Gold Coast 13.6 (84)
And having picked up a rushed behind to draw level, only Jack Lonie’s behind bothers the scorer to put the Saints back in front!
He had the chance to add six, but in the end the one proved good enough.
Huge relief for the home fans, it’s a four point “w” to start the season.
Josh Bruce with three goals for the Saints, Alex Sexton and David Swallow with four and three goals for the visitors.
AFL: And what a game this has turned into between Saint Kilda and Gold Coast!
It’s been scrappy at times, but the final quarter has really exploded. About ten to play between the Saints and the Suns, and we’ve just had our third lead change of the quarter, and fifth of the game.
They started the final stanza 12 points ahead, the home side, but the Suns have fired three majors to one to lock this up. 84-84.
Updated
Tennis: Ash Barty is through to the fourth round at the Miami Open after a pretty clinical 6-0, 6-3 win over compatriot Sam Stosur. She remains the last Australian standing after Alja Tomljanovic also fell 6-7, 6-2, 6-7 to the Estonian Anett Kontaveit.
Photograph: Gaston De Cardenas/AP
Nick Kyrgios and Jordan Thompson are still to come in the men’s third round.
AFL: And it’s getting lively in the third quarter between the Saints and the Suns, where having surrendered a 17-point lead to then trail by 12, the visiting Gold Coast have pulled back to lock up scores at 58 a piece!
Goals to Ben Ainsworth and Alex Sexton to tie it up with ten to play in the third. Both these sides only won 4/22 last season - who will land the morale-boosting first round “w”?
Full-time: Adelaide 11.7 (73) defeat Geelong 1.1 (7)
They got four minutes away from what would have been a flawless victory, but credit Geelong who scrapped until the end - they didn’t deserve to end with donuts, so nice for the Cats to get on the board, albeit late.
Ponter and Marinoff enjoying extra icing on the cake late on - over 13,000 fans will have absolutely loved this - and you’d expect most of those will be back again for next week’s final against Carlton.
Plenty for the Blues analysts to ponder as they pour over the tape of this one, but simply spectacular stuff from the Crows - a second grand final in three seasons!
AFLW: final quarter
35 Inside 50s plays 11, which tells you a few things - a) the incredible dominance of this Crows side, but also b) how resolute their defence has been - even when the Cats have enjoyed half a sniff, they’ve been well marshaled.
Jess Foley - did I just hear correctly that outside representing her country in basketball, she’s worked in mining and completed a medicine degree? On this form, add an AFLW semi-final goal to her name, gee, they’re underachievers these lot.
Their biggest win this season has been 60 points, the Crows - and they’ve already enjoyed 4x 60+ scores this season; but are they about to break those records today?
AFLW - three-quarter-time: Adelaide 7.6 (48) leads Geelong 0.0 (0)
Eek. They’ve not been poor Geelong, but they just don’t have the answers for this unstoppable Adelaide outfit. Considine grabs a goal to celebrate her transition from Gaelic football, and it’s the youngster Ponter who grabs a second. They’ll be cheering her on in the Top End, no doubt - terrific talent.
We’ve a quarter to play, but you’d have to stop it now if it was a boxing bout. The Crows simply too good!
PONTER 🙌 🙌 🙌#AFLWCrowsCats pic.twitter.com/34WPKpFrwr
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 24, 2019
Updated
AFL - half-time: St Kilda 9.4 (58) lead Gold Coast 7.3 (45)
It started okay after conceding the opening goal, the Suns, as they then went four majors unanswered, but the wheels came off in the second quarter a little as the Saints scored four of the last five before the big break.
The Saints dominating disposals, inside 50s and contested possessions, with Josh Bruce, Matthew Parker and Tim Membrey boasting two goals each.
AFLW: third quarter
It’s opportunistic after a loose ball, but a sharp finish nonetheless, and it’s a second major to Scheer!
They finished the regulation season with two goal-shy performances, the Cats, and it’s looking like a bridge too far today again, especially against this red-hot Crows outfit. But who do you single out? The midfield is buzzing, the forwards are pouncing on everything. They really are the benchmark in 2019, Adelaide.
Eb Marinoff is having herself a game 🔥
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 24, 2019
1 goal
13 disposals
5 tackles pic.twitter.com/PHbbieK2e7
Updated
AFLW - half-time: Adelaide 4.4 (28) leads Geelong 0.0 (0)
And that’s perhaps the pick of the goals! A fumble in defence from the Cats but superb hands once again from Stevie-Lee, who bats a loose ball into the path of the speedster Eloise Jones. She drops it onto the outside of the foot and bananas it home for a fourth! Terrific skill, a lightning raid, and they go into the sheds well in command, the Crows.
Huge task for Paul Hood and his Cats staff to get their chargers back into this one.
AFLW: second quarter
Huuge mark from Danielle Ponter - and the NT-grown youngster slots coolly under pressure! It’s a third goal for the Crows, and already it’s starting to look like the Cats have a mountain to climb.
Rebecca Goring with some good defensive work for the Cats, but Forth isolates her in the tackle - as soon as they’re on defence, they spring back into action again, the Crows! They’re pinning their visitors in their own 50 - they just can’t get clear.
AFLW - quarter-time: Adelaide 2.2 (14) leads Geelong 0.0 (0)
More fine work from Marinoff who puts a belting kick onto the chest of Renee Forth inside the 50. It’s from a relatively acute angle, but the former Opal floats the set shot just wide for a minor.
It’s nine inside 50s to three for the home side, as the Irishwoman Ailish Considine also lets fire, but it doesn’t trouble the scorers.
The Cats back line is doing a pile of work, but they can’t stop Chloe Scheer, who fires another bomb of an effort, from near the pocket - and there’s a second goal!
Updated
AFLW: first goal! Adelaide 1.0 (6) lead Geelong 0.0 (0)
And we’ve first blood to the Crows! They enjoy the lion’s share of the opening 4-5 minutes play and make the first attacking incursions inside the 50, and it’s a fine left-footed bomb home from Ebony Marinoff off the smart hands of Stevie-Lee Thompson!
A gift from Stevie-Lee gets Ebony Marinoff the first goal of the day! 🎁👏#AFLWCrowsCats pic.twitter.com/4KxwEZEekJ
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 24, 2019
AFLW: first bounce!
Cats win the toss - can the fairytale continue? Year one and they’re in the finals. At the other end it’s a vastly experienced and powerful Crows outfit - 50+ goals this season already.
And at risk of posting a photograph that portrays a female sportstar displaying remarkable athleticism - how’s this snap of Katie Loynes from yesterday’s semi-final.
Updated
First bounce just around the corner, and it’s looking a fine day for it over in Radelaide.
They’ve looked nigh on imperious this season, the Crows, with just that opening round one-point blot on their copybook this season - can the Cats conjure something special to stop them?
Here they come! Go Crows! We’re excited! Hoping for a great game. #AFLW #AFLWCrowsCats #weflyasone @CrowsAFLW pic.twitter.com/kxJxyHRsZx
— Keith Conlon (@KeithConlon) March 24, 2019
We will start with AFLW today, where all eyes will be on the second semi-final which kicks off shortly. But in the interim, for our avid Super Rugby fans there’s been further disappointment for Rebels supporters out of South Africa - here’s Australian Associated Press’s wrap on their loss to the Sharks:
An undermanned Melbourne Rebels have fallen short in their quest for an elusive Super Rugby win in South Africa, going down to the Sharks in Durban 28-14.
Missing injured skipper Dane Haylett-Petty and three rested Wallabies, including in-form halfback Will Genia, the Rebels produced a roller-coaster performance.
They scored two excellent first-half tries through winger Tom English and fullback Jack Maddocks but failed to add to their score after halftime on the back of 21 handling errors to the Sharks’ three.
Their second successive loss meant they surrendered top spot in the Australian conference to the Waratahs, who upset the Crusaders.
Just quietly though, how bout that Tahs’-Crusaders result though. Not to go on about it.
Hi all! Hello to you from wherever you’re following our coverage today. Is it from Nur-Sultan, the newly re-named capital of Kazakhstan? Or perhaps from Sint Maartin - still dining off your nation (dependency?)’s stirring 4-3 win over fierce rivals Saint Martin last night?
Wherever it is, do drop us a line via email or twitter to join the conversation here today on Sunday Sportwatch. As our side-topic de jour is the historic disintegration of the Netherlands Antilles any experts on Aruba or Curacao are also most welcome. Or just send us your best insights on some sporting contests a little closer to our shores.
The best linguistic derby in world football takes place today, as Sint Maarten take on Saint Martin.
— Mani Djazmi (@BBC_Mani) March 23, 2019
Updated
Preamble
Much has been written about AFLW’s mismatched conference system but after Carlton’s stunning win over Fremantle yesterday, can Conference B’s debutants Geelong really upset the applecart and down the high-flying Crows in today’s second semi-final? Almost certainly, nope, but then stranger things have happened in sport across the years.
In the AFL, St Kilda start their campaign against the Gold Coast in the first of three matches to round out the opening set of fixtures, with GWS v Essendon and Fremantle v North Melbourne the mains and dessert.
It’s also the final round of Super W, where only a miracle it seems will prevent old adversaries (at least from last season) NSW booking another final showdown against Queensland, with Western Force and the Brumbies going head to head and sweating on a Rebels upset against the Waratahs.
Then there’s NRL action where the Bulldogs and Eels grapple up first, before the Tigers play host to the hugely impressive (in round one) Warriors.
As always, we’ll have plenty more from around the grounds and live sports news as it breaks - at the one-stop shop that has everything except Antony Green.
Updated
