Summary
So, that’s where we’ll leave Sportwatch. What a uuuuuge day across so many codes.
The story of the night was the Maori All Stars - winning back their pride after last year’s capitulation, but it was a game very much in the balance for nearly 70 minutes. They’ll go home satisfied on the Gold Coast, even those supporting the Indigenous All Stars, but the fans saw some terrific rugby league there.
I’m not even going to attempt to wrap all the A-League, W-League, AFLW, Super Rugby, Super W and Cricket T20 World Cup action we’ve had today - feel free to scroll back through this at your leisure.
The standout results perhaps the AFLW win by Freo over conference rivals Collingwood, and the Reds’ thumping Super Rugby win over the Sunwolves. We’ll be back tomorrow with more of the same - thanks for your company!
NRL All-Stars: Indigenous 16-30 Maori
They faded late in the contest last year - it wasn’t to happen twice - as the Maori All Stars run home comfortable winners in the final quarter.
Brandon Smith with a brace of tries, Kayln Ponga huge at the back, and it’s plenty of smiles for those in green at full time. Great celebrations, and their fans in the crowd are delighted.
A tough, fast, high-quality contest. What a start to the 2020 NRL season.
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NRL All-Stars: Try! 1’ to play - Indigenous 16-30 Maori
They kick for the corner, and there’s a moment of havoc as the first defender misses it! It bobbles in goal, but Hughes eventually tidies. A big smile as he takes the tackle - they can run down the clock from here, the Maori.
But they don’t! Hughes kicks centre-field and Latrell misses it! A very fortuitous bounce and it’s Dylan Walker rushing through the middle to score under the posts!
They let Adam Blair take the final conversion - and he slots it.
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NRL All-Stars: 3’ to play - Indigenous 16-24 Maori
A bit of a silly penalty to concede as Latrell flops on Ponga after the tackle was effected. They’re running out of minutes, the IAS, and now they have to defend another set of six.
They do, but it’s a scrabbly start to their set. Eventually we stop for a knock-on against MAS, so they do have time for perhaps one last crack the home side.
NRL All-Stars: Try! 4’ to play - Indigenous 16-24 Maori (Smith)
This lad is a man on a mission! Brandon Smith has ducked the head and beat the line. For the third time in nearly as many minutes the Wombat gets among it.
151 run metres, and now - two tries! What a game from the bloke who can’t even get a game at the Storm.
NRL All-Stars: 6’ to play - Indigenous 16-18 Maori
No try! It’s the man they call “the Wombat” who burrows over - and does he catch the line? The video men say “no” - that’s a double movement. Oh my, that’s a tight call. He deserved a double, Smith - gee he’s a hard worker.
NRL All-Stars: 7’ to play - Indigenous 16-18 Maori
From the kick off, IAS have pushed the margins, but Proctor takes it with a foot on the line! Into touch - we have a 50m penalty and re-start for the Maori. Big opportunity to put this game to bed here.
NRL All-Stars: Try! 10’ to play - Indigenous 16-18 Maori
Big play! The Maori strip one-on-one about 30m out from IAS’ line, and they stay down this end. And Brandon Smith sells his marker with the dummy and ducks the head from dummy-half and beats through 2-3 would-be tacklers to score under the posts!
Ponga converts - and the Maori are back in the lead!
NRL All-Stars: 12’ to play - Indigenous 16-12 Maori
They put it on the toe on the last, the MAS - but it’s a bit of a damp sock, a dribbling kick from Bromwich, easily tidied up 20m out.
IAS then grind through a rugged, straight-forward set of six, and the MAS bring it out from 20m out from their own line.
NRL All-Stars: 15’ to play - Indigenous 16-12 Maori
They were within two metres of the line, the Kiwis - but Addo-Carr cleans up with a desperate tidy.
Jack Wighton looks to clear the IAS’s line with a booming kick - that must have flown 60m or so - but it’s gone into touch! Pressure still on.
And we have our first “captain’s challenge” - and it’s unsuccessful! They thought there was a strip, the IAS players - no dice say the men with the TV screens.
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NRL All-Stars: No try! Indigenous 16-12 Maori
They thought they’d struck straight away, the Kiwis, but there’s a slight knock-forward in the build up and their four pointer is ruled out. Frenetic stuff, once again - two minutes in.
So - there’s three-quarter-time.
They’ve been immense the Maori All-Stars, physically, but a few too many missed tackles have crept into their game, with the Indigenous All-Stars enjoying 55% of the possession, and completing better than their opponents - 20/27 v 15/25.
You have to say, this switch to four quarters does make for a more high-octane game of footy. Plenty of time to suck in some deep ones, and watch for the hits inside the first few minutes.
Mind you - there have been some very heavy injuries this game; you don’t want NRL going the way of NFL with teams of 60 players getting broken and then disappearing. Surely player safety has to be forefront of the considerations as well.
NRL All-Stars match: Try! Indigenous 16-12 Maori (Roberts)
They’ve struck late in the quarter once again, and it’s the teenage wrecking ball, David Fifita, who gets the run going, before James Roberts turns Ponga inside out to score 10m to the right of the posts!
Ferguson adds the extras from the boot, and they’re in the lead for the first time.
Okay! I think that’s everything else in bed.
Let’s take home the All Stars game - we’ve got almost a full half to play, and it’s still 10-12, the visitors marginally leading.
A-League: Newcastle Jets 1-1 Melbourne Victory
You have to say, it’s a draw that does nothing for anyone. The Victory players said pre-game that they “had to win three points”. They didn’t. Hard on the home fans, Newcastle were arguably the better side, and they would have loved the two extra points today. Great to see Wes Hoolahan finally make his A-League bow after missing most of the season through injury.
It was a high-energy and exciting game, all things said though - with Victory offering a better showing after the break. Still - they’re not going to feature in the finals if they can’t get some wins - the club with claims to being the biggest in the country.
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And here’s a cracking headline for you - lovers of Olympics diving. I’ll let you click through and tell me more about this piece. I’ve got A-League to watch:
And a small caveat apology to our followers from across the dutch for the lack of diacritics or macrons throughout our coverage today. As Guardian readers are notoriously the most demanding of observers when it comes to glyphs etc let us both assume that every time I’ve written Maori, I clearly have meant Māori. But for me to do that on this keyboard while simultaneously covering 57+ sports today is just not feasible, or put otherwise, it would be tu meke. Chur.
NRL All-Stars: Indigenous 10-12 Maori - half-time
He lit up last year’s contest with a special backflip, and Blake Ferguson has struck again just before half-time! Kodi Nikorima put the Maori back in front - despite the visitors going down to twelve after Hughes’ sin-binning, but it was Ferguson - the man from Wellington (NSW) - who stung the Kiwis with an effort in the corner. Big half (or two quarters) to come!
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Super Rugby: Reds 64-5 Sunwolves
Wowee. That was pretty emphatic. A terrific home performance from the Queenslanders who were simply a gear above for most of the 80 minutes. The Sunwolves crossing late to spare their blushes, a little, but that was an utter rout. Isaac Lucas and Joshua Nasser with the final tries to snuff out any hint of a revival. Champagne in the showers stuff for the Reds.
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Women's T20 World Cup: West Indies beat Thailand
Well, it was closer than many may have expected, but they’ve got there in the end, the Windies. The skipper Stafanie Taylor seeing the Calypso Girls home with her knock of 26* with support from Shemaine Campbelle (23*) at the other end.
They run down the Thai total of 78 with 20 balls to spare - 3/80 (16.4) the final tally. A big sigh of relief - that’s game one from Pool B down and dusted.
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And some Olympics news for those that are passionate about their canoeing (canoevians?)
It’s another gold to the prodigiously talented Jess Fox, but a young Tassie lad could also be Tokyo-bound after a fine showing in the men’s C1:
Super W: Rugby WA 5-80 Queensland
It was 40 at the break, it’s 80 at the final whistle. Too much experience, too much muscle, too much fast running. As a slight consolation at least the home side get on the board this half, but it’s a real rugby lesson they’ve been handed today.
Still, plenty of young players coming through the ranks in WA - they’ll be better for this experience.
💨 A sneaky interception and pure pace from Maraea Tupai as @Reds_Rugby women put on a masterclass in Perth against @RWA_Community. #SuperW #RWAWvREDW
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) February 22, 2020
WRAP: https://t.co/x2CUGnSUaC pic.twitter.com/zu6CiNC7aC
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AFLW: Fremantle 5.3 (33) defeat Collingwood 4.6 (30)
What an absolute cracker! They had almost 100+ more possessions, the Magpies, but their kicking has not matched the quality of the Dockers when it mattered. It was the battle of the undefeated teams, but it’s Fremantle who stay top in Conference B.
They didn’t score at all in the second quarter, and notched just one behind in the final term, but they’ve squeaked home. A thriller - great contest.
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A-League - Goal! Newcastle 1-1 Melbourne (Toivonen)
48 min: It didn’t take long after the break, and honestly: who else. It’s Ola “Goala” Toivonen - the Victory skipper and talisman who gets his side back in this game. They looked down and out almost all the first half, but the giant Swede has hammered home a delightful far-post header to level the ledger off Tim Hoogeland’s perfectly-weighted cross. Game. On.
NRL All-Stars: Indigenous 6-6 Maori - quarter-time
They draw level just before the first break, the home heroes as Josh Curran crashes over near the posts. It all turned on that Addo-Carr interception: if the Maori go in 12-0 makes this an entirely different contest. Still: 3x 20 minutes still to come.
A few rule changes here tonight: four-quarter footy; unlimited interchange, and captains can argue the ref’s toss. A brave new world.
Now, sports sometimes like to over-egg a narrative some time, but if you’ve read anything about this little fella - well, he just melts your heart.
Quaden Bayles. He’s the nine-year-old Murri boy who also has dwarfism, and a confronting video of the bullying that he deals with on a daily basis has gone all around the globe. I saw him interviewed, so quietly decent and stoic about just trying to live his life as him. Honestly, it’s heart-wrenching. But he’s been embraced by the entire Indigenous All Stars team this week - meeting his heroes at training - and what a night this will be for him.
Absolute little legend. Let’s hope others feel better from his example.
A-League: Newcastle Jets 1-0 Melbourne Victory - half-time
It’s been a hard watch for the Victory faithful, they’ve been second best in almost every category. Some head-scratching decisions from interim coach Carlos Salvachua who has winger Marco Rojas trying to pull the strings as a No 10, and defensive midfielder Giancarlo Gallifuoco deputising at right back. Needless to say, it’s not exactly clicked for them.
Still, plenty of talent on the pitch to turn it around.
9 min: Oh my - this is Harlem Globetrotters stuff from the Maori All-Stars! They’ve hardly trained together, and they’ve almost gone coast-to-coast with a sublime passage of play - but Addo-Carr has produced a try-saving interception about 5m outside his own line! The noise from the fans is at fever pitch - this is unbelievable rugby league already.
NRL All Stars - Try! Indigenous 0-6 Maoris (DWZ)
4 min: It’s a terrific pass out from Jahrome Hughes and they get it to the man in the corner and it’s Dallin Watene-Zelezniak who drops a casual one-handed superman to score in the corner!
A flying start, and what a fine conversion from Ponga from the sideline.
And from the restart Josh Addo-Carr has just been absolutely crunched! Gee, there’s some big hits flying round out there already.
So - we’re just moments away from the Indigenous v Maori All-Stars clash. Latrell v Ponga at fullback. What a contest that’s going to be. Really strong lineups for both sides.
And if you were already fizzing for this one, check this hype video. Great scenes.
WHO'S READY?! #NRLAllStars pic.twitter.com/oVfqdZkP2V
— NRL (@NRL) February 22, 2020
First whistle - and we’re away: and the first tackle is an immense hit! Gee, you hope everyone’s warm, that was ferocious.
And some big news trickling in from the Women’s T20 World Cup as we approach the halfway point of the West Indies’ innings - and they’re not exactly doing it easy.
They’re 3/37 off 9 overs. The Thai debutants are bowling brilliantly here - but some of the running between the wicket has been questionable. Two run outs among the three wickets lost - or, rather thrown away.
42 runs off 66 is the equation. And suddenly, this one’s not a foregone conclusion!
Super Rugby: Queensland Reds 36-0 Sunwolves - half-time
Well, they started off scoring at a point a minute, and they appear to have liked it so much they decided to continue in that fashion. I saw the stat that this is the most first-half points in a Super Rugby game for the Reds in a decade. Lovely stuff. Tate McDermott and then the Wallabies duo of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and James O’Connor with tries to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
As you know, I’m not one to go too hard, too early - but I think we can conclusively call it after just a handful of rounds: Australian rugby is back, baby. (*Ducks for cover*)
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A-League - 22 min: Petratos catches the crossbar! He’s a crafty player, Dimi, but even he may not have entirely meant that, as the wind catches his curling corner and almost deposits it in Lawrence Thomas’ top-left bins.
And can you believe this - they’ve rattled the frame again! We’re having a VAR check, at first glance it looked to have hammered off the crossbar - but the computer men say it’s crossed the line!
Goal to Newcastle Jets - it’s a first on his return to Newcastle for Roy the Boy - a terrific, fast transition raid following a fine cross from Petratos!
And for Victory supporters trying to work out what’s happening to their side - here’s a pretty succinct summary from one of the faithful:
We are dogshit. #NEWvMVC #aleague
— Ben Williams (@BenitoWill) February 22, 2020
Dark days. Still - plenty of time in this one. And you’ve still got Big Ola.
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Super W - Rugby WA 0-40 Queensland Reds - half-time:
Look away Twiggy, it’s not going so well over in the West. This has been a masterclass from the Reds, but that will surprise few, given they put 112 on the Rebels during round one.
Former national team skipper Liz Patu helping herself to a hattrick of tries. You would say she’s looking hungry, but I promised myself no biting jokes. 70% possession to the visitors; this has been very dominant. Still, plenty of young talent in this WA squad.
AFLW - Fremantle 3.0 (18) lead Collingwood 2.5 (17) - 2nd qtr
It’s been all the Magpies during this second quarter, with former Diamonds star Sharni Layton really putting herself about in the middle of a crowded pack. But they’ve been defending resolutely the home side, scrapping and fighting for every contested ball. They started brightly, Freo, with Roxxy Roux and Gabby O’Sullivan combining well once again, but you sense they’re in a real battle now.
A-League - Goal! Disallowed!
8 min: They thought they’d taken the lead, the home side - but to the fans’ chagrin it’s been chalked off. Thurgate with the curling effort, but it’s deflected off the back of referee Alireza Faghani, who’s decided to rule out his own “assist”. It’s the correct decision - the goal only comes about because of the deflection off the man with the whistle.
A-League - Newcastle v Melbourne - kick-off!
And we’re underway in the Hunter. Huge test this, with the Victory players calling this clash their “grand final” given how badly they need to pick up points if they’re to make a late push for the top six and finals football. An interesting subplot for Jets fans - it’s only taken 20 rounds, but marquee signing, Wes Hoolahan is officially ready for action: he’s on the bench and could come on for 20-25 minutes late on.
Super Rugby - Try! Queensland Reds 19-0 Sunwolves - 15’
Wowee. They’ve come to play at Lang Park. Liam Wright got the Reds moving after just five minutes, before Taniela Tupou crashed over just minutes later. But on the quarter-hour mark it’s a first ever Super Rugby try for the youngster Hunter Paisami! He’s in the side due to the season-ending injury to rising star Jordan Petaia; but have the Reds found the next “Big Thing” of Australian rugby?
A blistering start - let’s see if they can keep it up. Sunwolves are shellshocked.
If you missed the opening game last night there was of course a bit of a boilover. We knew pre-tournament they were a bit of a dark horse, but India have thrown down a huge gauntlet to the rest of the field - knocking over the Southern Stars, on home soil, if you don’t mind. Geoff Lemon was our eyes and ears at the ground last night - here’s his match report:
Women’s T20 World Cup: Thailand 9/78 (20) - end of innings
It’s the West Indies sitting pretty in the opening match from group B - with the firepower at their disposal you’d have to imagine they’ll run down a relatively small total like this.
Huge credit to the Thai XI appearing at their first World Cup, booking the final qualifying spots, alongside Bangladesh. Nannapat Koncharoenkai the standout for them with 33 with the bat. Let’s hope they can grab an early wicket or two to at least make this one a little nervy.
So - what’s up next, you ask, as my fingers already begin to be reduced to bleeding stumps.
Well, there’s two matches from the Women’s T20 World Cup, Super W action, AFLW as Freo take on the Pies, a second A-League fixture Jets v Victory, Super Rugby with Reds v Sunwolves, and of course - the big one: the Indigenous v Maori All Stars season curtain raiser. Latrell Mitchell at fullback, you say? Sure, why not.
A-League: Brisbane Roar 1-1 Perth Glory
They have a reputation for scoring late goals - a testament to the strong sense of team purpose that Robbie Fowler has forged up in Queensland this season - but would you believe it; they’ve snatched a late goal against Perth, for the second time this season. It’s the English centre back Macaulay Gillesphey who’s popped up with a header from the corner. Tony Popovic would be steaming, as the win would have put Perth in clear second on the ladder. Perhaps the midweek Asian Champions League exertions saw the Glory fade a little late on.
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Super Rugby: Chiefs 14-26 Brumbies
And they did hang on! Good to see at least somebody in the Australian conference is winning games - they’ve pulled five points clear already at this early stage of the season, the Brumbies. A fine performance from Noah Lolesio who guided his pack around the park brilliantly, with some resolute defence and fine work at the breakdown late on prevents the inevitable Chiefs’ come back. Big win. Great for the Australian game.
AFLW: Gold Coast Suns 4.4 (28) draw Brisbane 4.4 (28)
I’ll confess, I’ve got about four screens going and I missed this one - but that steady hand on the tiller Scott Heinrich had his eyes across it. A pulsating finish to the inaugural QClash - here’s his summary:
A ripper, a gripper, a tugger of the nerves at Metricon for the first AFLW QClash and, in the end, no winner but footy itself. These teams put on a real display and left nothing out on the park, nothing at all. The Suns came home hard and drew level courtesy of a sweetly-struck set shot from Kalinda Howarth, her third goal for the game, five minutes from time. But they could do no more and this rivalry begins with a draw, the fourth in AFLW history. Can we please have one of these each week?
And some bad news ahead of the NRL season in the final trial match between the Warriors and the Storm. Again, from AAP:
The Warriors’ 18-16 trial loss to Melbourne Storm has been soured by serious-looking injuries to two rising front-rowers.
The visitors scored four tries to three in a tight encounter in Palmerston North on Saturday, securing victory through a late try to second-rower Chris Lewis.
While a Melbourne side comprised largely of second-stringers appeared to emerge with no injury concerns, the Warriors faced the worrying sight of young props Jackson Frei and Phillip Makatoa being assisted from the field.
Both appeared to have damaged a knee, the ailments coming in the wake of first grade prop Bunty Afoa having been ruled out for most of the season with an ACL tear.
Cooper Johns, son of legendary Matty Johns, hooker Harry Grant and wing Sandor Earl crossed before halftime to put Melbourne 14-12 ahead after the Warriors created tries to halves Paul Turner and Chanel Harris-Tavita.
Winger Setu Tu put the hosts in front midway through an error-prone second half before Lewis’s match-winner came via a neat pass from fullback Nicho Hynes.
NRLW: Indigenous All-Stars 10-4 Maori Fers
They lost the inaugural clash last year, and based on the scale of the celebrations, that certainly meant something very special to the Aussie girls.
The Ferns took the lead after just three minutes through Kerehitina Matua, before Steph Mooka levelled the ledger after 12 minutes. It was right in the balance until near the end, when Nakia Davis-Welsh clinched a terrific take from the skipper Talisha Harden off the kick of Jenni-Sue Hoepper.
Plenty of mob from all across New South Wales and Queensland getting along to this match - what a great celebration of a game that means so much to regional communities.
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Super Rugby - 76 min: The Chiefs are laying siege to the Brumbies’ line, they have a 5m lineout feed - but would you believe: they’ve been pinged for the throw being not in straight! A huge error, in the context of this game. And can they hang on from here, the team from Canberra? Would be a big result - Australian sides don’t win too many “across the dutch”.
Super Rugby - 70’: Chiefs 14-26 Brumbies
About ten to play in the Waikato, where they’re huffing and puffing like the big, bad wolf, the Chiefs. As mentioned, the Brumbies shot out to a 0-26 lead - tries to Tom Banks, former leaguie Solomone Kata and Pete Samu saw the visitors dominate the first half. A second to Samu saw more of the same after the break, before Aaron Cruden and Anton Lienert-Brown finally got the home side on the board. Let’s keep eyes on this one now.
Some news for our motoring enthusiasts - it’s not been a great news week for the Holden brand, but one man’s still flying the flag. This from our colleagues at Australian Associated Press:
Holden legend Jamie Whincup will start the season-opening Supercars race at the Adelaide 500 in pole position.
Fresh off confirming he would be racing on next year, the Red Bull star produced a blistering lap in the top-10 shootout on Saturday.
The 37-year-old will be gunning for an 11th win around the South Australian capital’s street circuit after claiming the 84th pole of his career.
“It’s a good feeling. I don’t know if there was a little bit in going out with a hot car straight after (qualifying),” Whincup said.
“The car felt great, I got the most out of it and very happy to be P1.
“It’s crazy close. 78 laps this afternoon is going to be intense but (I’m) looking forward to it.”
Whincup will start ahead of Erebus’ David Reynolds and Milwaukee Racing’s Will Davison, who rounded out the top-three.
NRLW - 3/4 time: Indigenous All-Stars 4-4 Maori Ferns
It’s a concept we’re not used to in league, but this game is being played in four quarters. Just the one try each, with both teams going hammer and tonge. NZ’s Harata Butler the standout performer so far, with hard-won metres up the guts. Shakiah Tungai also playing brilliantly for the Indigenous women. A shout out too to Kelsey Parkin - no relate, I believe - I’ll have a dig into her backstory.
And, as I write this the Indigenous All-Stars are finally in again! It’s put to the sky and the skipper Tallisha Harden brings it down well, and it’s finished off by, was it Nakia Davis-Welsh? Either way it’s 10-4 to the home chargers, kick converted.
So - a quick round the grounds: we’re in the shadow of 3/4-time in the NRLW Indigenous v Maori All-Stars match - a bit more on that shortly. We’re midway through the third in the all-Queensland AFLW clash with the Lions just edging the Suns, a goal and a behind the margin. I was about to say that in the Super Rugby it’s the Brumbies sitting very nicely - they were 0-26 leaders away to the Chiefs. But would you believe it, Damien McKenzie’s had other ideas and that one has really tightened back up. And, in the A-League we’re still 0-1 to Perth from Dolphin Stadium on the hour mark.
Thanks umpire, thanks ball boys. And cheers Scotty. Eep. Indoor cricket’s a ruiner isn’t it? I’m in action tomorrow with the gentle left-arm tweakers. Hopefully the entire Guardian blogsquad aren’t cruelled in one weekend.
But enough on that - we’ve got more than enough sport to jump back into. It’s almost like there’s more of it with every passing weekend..
Righto, all good things must come to an end. And just to prove that this is a fate that befalls bad things too, my contribution to this all-time classic is over. As promised earlier, Richard Parkin is here to grab the baton and run as far away from me as possible. Given I ripped a hole 15cm long in my left calf muscle playing indoor cricket last Tuesday, that won’t be hard. Ta ta!
A-League: HT: Brisbane Roar 0-1 Perth Glory Fornaroli’s goal remains the difference between these two teams. The Glory might have had another, and in a way dseserved another, but the Roar will need to show greater attacking intent, and start to pass the ball with a bit of meaning, if they’re to get anything out of this game.
Re Bruno The Beauty, toss this one onto his pile of great goals.
Bruno bags his 11th of the season to give Glory the lead at the break...
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) February 22, 2020
(0-1) #BRIvPER #OneGlory pic.twitter.com/RzMOUGctLm
W-League: Sydney FC 1-2 Perth Glory
Try as I might - you might say, at the end of the day, I give 110% - to avoid cliches, this was a case of too little, too late for Sydney FC, who played like winners but end this gamer as losers. An own goal deep into injury time saw them get onto the scoresheet, and this they deserved to do, but goals either side of half-time to Morgan Andrews see Perth go home with all three points tucked safely inside the kit bag. The Glory took their chances, rode their luck and sucked up Sydney’s pressure.
Speaking of Morgan Andrews, how’s this for a free-kick?
Pick that one out!
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) February 22, 2020
A stunning strike from in-form midfielder @MorganEAndrews gives Glory a half-time lead against @Sydney FC.@WLeague #OneGlory pic.twitter.com/3kvVYPWWTm
A-League: GOAL! Brisbane Roar 0-1 Perth Glory (Fornaroli 33’) Bruno Fornaroli, it has to be said, is a pleasure to watch. But such is his taste for goals, he must be a nightmare for defenders. There was a hint of offside here, and it seemed VAR was all set to poop all over Perth’s party, but Fornaroli’s goal - all touch, evasion and class to curl it home with his left foot - was allowed. It’s his 11th of the season and eighth in his past eight starts. Almost machine like.
AFLW: QT: Gold Coast 0.0 (0) v Brisbane 2.0 (12) The Lions strut into their quarter-time huddle after an impressive start to this inaugural AFLW QClash. Better still, Rheanne Lugg goes into the trivia books as the first goal kicker in games between these rivals. And on her 30th birthday. Very good.
Rheanne Lugg gives herself the best birthday present of all 🎁#AFLWSunsLions pic.twitter.com/zDhnG8kdcO
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) February 22, 2020
Super Rugby: 22 mins: Chiefs 0-12 Brumbies An electrifying start from the Brumbies, who have shown a lot this season and are doing nothing here to dent their burgeoning reputation. An early try to Tom Banks was followed up moments later with an array of slick passing and field movement to set up Solomone Kat. And it doesn’t look like they’re done yet. The Chiefs, no mugs by any definition, have their backs to the wall.
#ScoreUpdate
— Grit Sports Live (@Grit_Sports) February 22, 2020
• Chiefs 0 - 12 Brumbies ‘20min #LIVE #SuperRugby #CHIvBRU #GritSportsRugby pic.twitter.com/QF9sSEL4sn
W-League: GOAL! Sydney FC 0-2 Perth Glory (Morgan Andrews 58’) That’s two goals for the Glory, two goals for Morgan Andrews, and a mountain of headaches for a Sydney FC team which has had plenty of play, and plenty of chances, but nothing to show for it.
⚽️ GOAL, @SydneyFC 0-2 @PerthGloryFC (58 mins)
— Westfield W-League (@WLeague) February 22, 2020
Morgan Andrews picks up her 2⃣nd of the afternoon and 6⃣th of the campaign, moving her to joint 2⃣nd in the Golden Boot race!#SYDvPER #WLeague pic.twitter.com/y4UWnfht4l
A-League: 5 mins: Brisbane Roar 0-0 Perth Glory So far, so good. So far, no goals.
TEAM NEWS | We are 🔒in for a massive afternoon in Redcliffe!#RoarAsOne #BRIvPER pic.twitter.com/hAc5xvLdUk
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) February 22, 2020
The team is in; Jacob Tratt earns his first start of the @ALeague season, as D'Agostino starts.#BRIvPER #OneGlory pic.twitter.com/9GLOiAWX9x
— Perth Glory FC (@PerthGloryFC) February 22, 2020
Show time! 💥 #RoarAsOne #BRIvPER pic.twitter.com/EeheTvk1B4
— Brisbane Roar (@brisbaneroar) February 22, 2020
AFLW: Western Bulldogs 4.6 (30) lose to Carlton 8.3 (51)
The Doggies threatened to do something either side of half-time but Carlton were maximum value for this win and were far too polished going forward compared to their opponents. The Blues booted five goals in the second half to kick away from the Dogs, with diminutive forward Georgia Gee (three goals) a standout performer.
W-League: HT: Sydney FC 0-1 Perth Glory That’s gotta hurt. Sydney FC enjoy the better of the first half in the Gong but it’s Perth Glory who head to half-time with the lead after Morgan Andrews curled her free-kick over the wall and into the back of the net after 41 minutes.
.@BJTMarts HT | A dominant first 45 from the Sky Blues, but a goal against the run of play sees the away side in with the lead.
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) February 22, 2020
Second half coming up...#SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions #SYDvPER pic.twitter.com/eyvk5s5adY
Super Rugby: Rebels 24-36 Sharks
Some positives to be extracted here for the Rebels, but ultimately they were unable to land any sort of blow and will rue not taking full advantage when the Sharks were down to 13 men. There was only five points in it early in the second half but, restored to their allotment of 15, the Sharks scored successive tries to put the issue beyond doubt. A late converted try to Rangi denied the Sharks a bonus point, but they were deserved winners of this contest. The Rebels? Well, there’s something to work on - and they have plenty to work on - but this is already their third loss of a season that’s starting to slip away.
👊 The big don't argue from Michael Wells. #SuperRugby#REBvSHA Wrap: https://t.co/Uau1l0AwGe pic.twitter.com/2Z93mGR05S
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) February 22, 2020
W-League: 32 mins: Sydney FC 0-0 Perth Glory No goals at WIN Stadium but it seems all Sydney FC with chances to Siemsen, Huerta and Kennedy all going begging. The Glory were forced into an early substitution, with an injury to McKenna bringing Lowry on after 21 minutes.
AFLW: Q3: 9 mins rem: Western Bulldogs 2.3 (15) v Carlton 4.2 (26) The Blues are holding sway but the Doggies are still in this. A goal just a moment ago to Georgia Gee, her second of the game, was Carlton’s first major since the first quarter. But the Dogs are finding scoring even harder to come by at a windy Whitten Oval.
Groundwork from Tay. Goal from Gee.
— Carlton Womens (@carltonfc_w) February 22, 2020
Teamwork makes the dreamwork. 👊#AFLWDogsBlues #BoundByBlue pic.twitter.com/o2VKaFKIaq
Super W: Rebels 22-25 Brumbies
A tight contest earlier on at Mars - the stadium, not the planet or choccie bar - but the Brumbies did enough to make it two from two this season. The Rebels came hard in the closing stages, with Walker’s try after 63 minutes making the scoreboard all square, but a penalty to Woodie 10 minutes later gave the Brumbies a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. A bitter pill to swallow for the Rebels, and this was certainly an honorable defeat, but a loss is a loss and they are yet to register a win in the early stages of the Super W campaign.
😃 Brumbies win an epic contest. Great game @MelbourneRebels ! #SuperW #REBvBRU pic.twitter.com/ptgnyxI74D
— Plus500 Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) February 22, 2020
Super Rugby: 49 mins: TRY! Rebels 17-22 Sharks Yes, the Rebels are now making them pay. Sheer weight of numbers, and the gaps that come with a 15 v 13 battle, sees Marika Koroibete advancing to the line for what looks a certain try. He somehow drops the ball at the crucial moment, knocking it backwards, but all’s well that ends well as Isi Naisarani scoffs the crumbs and scores the try. And with Andrew Deegan converting, we now have a five-point ball rugby game.
Super Rugby: 46 mins: Rebels 10-22 Sharks This doesn’t make great reading for Rebels fans but a late try in the first half to Madosh Tambwe gave the Sharks a lead that looks comfortable, but isn’t entirely commensurate with what’s happening out on the field in Ballarat. And the Rebels are pressing hard in the early stages of the second stanza. The Sharks are defending stoutly, but they need to. And now the the visitors are down to 13 men, with Tambwe sent to the bin for 10 minutes. Surely the Rebels will make them pay. Surely?
Half-time and a last-minute try to Madosh Tambwe has the @MelbourneRebels in a 12-point hole at the break. #REBvSHA #SuperRugby
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) February 22, 2020
LISTEN LIVE: https://t.co/Uau1l0AwGe pic.twitter.com/jO7zIS4G1T
Fortunes have been contrasting for Australia’s cricketers over the past 24 hours. A very nice win for the men over in South Africa - caps doffed to Ashton Agar - but the national women’s team has some work to do in the T20 World Cup after their loss in the opening round to India. News to you? Then read on.
Preamble
Hello and welcome to y’all. Today is another big day of sport and Sportwatch is here in all its reliable, dependable - yet, at the same time, boldly exhilarating - glory to do what it says on the tin: watch the action and bring you the news, goss, scores, updates and moments that matter. Don’t mention it. The likes of my good self and Richard Parkin (who’s asleep now but will be cutting literary shapes later on) do get paid, but we’re not just in it for the money. So what’s on today? We have three games of what is proving to be an excellent AFLW season, Super W and Super Rugby, A-League, W-League, the NRL All Stars games and, this evening, the continuation of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Yowser. That’s a congested dance card. If you’d like to tango with me, you can do so by Email or Twitter - @scott_heinrich.
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