And that’s the end of that chapter. A cracking game to finish the weekend, and I’ll sign off to the spectacle of Fremantle singing and Brett Bewley having red Powerade poured over his head - which worryingly makes him look a little like Jahrome Hughes from earlier. Thanks for joining me today, I’ll catch you next time.
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AFL: Fremantle 10.13 (73) beat Brisbane 10.12 (72)
Words fail me. A grandstand finish. Michael Walters with the winner after the siren, hitting the post - but that’ll do. Great scenes as the Dockers celebrate. They deserved it - but blimey they made hard work of it.
AAP: Dockers beat Lions after siren
Fremantle forward Michael Walters hit the post after the final siren to lift his side to a one-point AFL win over Brisbane at Optus Stadium. The Lions led by 11 points early in Sunday’s final quarter, before the Dockers launched a frenetic fightback.
A Walters goal with six minutes remaining closed the margin to two points, and scores were level when Nat Fyfe’s long-range shot drifted in for a behind with two minutes to go. The Lions had repelled wave after wave of Fremantle attacks until then. But they were unable to survive the final launch - when Walters marked the ball 40m out with 25 seconds remaining. The siren sounded as Walters started his run-up, and Fremantle players celebrated wildly when the 49m set shot slammed into the goal post, giving the Dockers the 10.13 (73) to 10.12 (72) win. The result lifts Fremantle (5-5) into eighth spot, while Brisbane (6-4) slip to sixth.
Star Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale copped his fair share of boos and niggle on the way to 26 disposals and eight clearances. Neale was a fan favourite during his time at the Dockers, but he was enemy No.1 when he returned to his former stomping ground. His good friend - Fremantle skipper Fyfe - also dished out a bit of friendly niggle on Neale when he had the chance. Fyfe also outmarked Neale to kick an important goal in the third quarter.
Walters finished with two goals from 25 disposals in a star display. But a run by teammate Brad Hill (31 disposals) proved just as important. Lions goal sneak Charlie Cameron booted three goals - all in the opening term - while Hugh McCluggage tallied 26 disposals and a goal.
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AFL: Fremantle 10.12 (72) Brisbane 10.12 (72)
All square. The roar around the stadium says it all. Fremantle have all the momentum. Into the final minute.
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AFL: Fremantle 10.11 (71) Brisbane 10.12 (72)
Good lord this is tight. Fremantle get another behind and suddenly there’s one point in it. One goal now should do it. Three minutes to go and this is too close to call. Dockers in control but still behind.
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AFL: Fremantle 10.10. (70) Brisbane 10.12 (72)
Fremantle finally get the goal their pressure deserves - scoring from an inside 50 for the first time in too long. All the momentum with the Dockers as we enter the final five minutes - and they’re two points down.
AFL: Fremantle 9.7 (64) Brisbane 10.12 (72)
First signs of that tiredness I was talking about - the Lions’ checking goes to sleep and Fremantle pounce for an easy mark. But they don’t punish them - instead kicking another behind. Very frustrating for Freo fans. They have the territory but not the accuracy.
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AFL: Fremantle 9.9 (63) Brisbane 10.12 (72)
They’ve been on top for about five minutes now but Fremantle only have two behinds to show for it. Brave defending from the Lions but can they keep it up? You can almost see their energy levels draining into the turf.
AFL: Fremantle 9.8 (62) Brisbane 10.12 (72)
Into the final 10 minutes. Fremantle are starting to take the game to the Lions, just getting the edge in the arm wrestle in the middle, gaining territory - although they still aren’t making inroads into that lead. Fitness might play a big part as we enter endgame.
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AFL: Fremantle 9.7 (61) Brisbane 10.12 (72)
Dear oh dear. What did I just say? Should have been a goal from a set shot for Charles Cameron, but he hits the post. He’s got form for that too. The Lions could be enjoying a much healthier lead by now - then again the Dockers have had their wasteful moments too.
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AFL: Fremantle 9.7 (61) Brisbane 10.9 (69)
Here we go. Big final quarter coming up. Excitement she wrote. The one thing both teams have lacked is composure, whether it’s kicking for goal or decision making - it’s been too rushed sometimes. Still, it’s got us here so who am I to complain. Let’s hope it ends in a nailbiter.
AFL: Fremantle 9.7 (61) Brisbane 10.9 (69)
Well it’s three-quarter-time and - surprise surprise - it’s still tight as. The Lions just in front... which is pretty much the story of the game so far. If nothing else, it’s been exciting for neutrals. Not a bad way to end the weekend.
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AFL: Fremantle 9.6 (60) Brisbane 8.9 (57)
Hold that thought. Nat Fyfe with a mark right in front of the sticks. He boots it through as if it’s an after-thought. No idea which way this is going to go. Frustrating to watch Fremantle sometimes. Little errors costing them.
Nat Fyfe treating his old teammate Lachie Neale like a ragdoll!#AFLFreoLions pic.twitter.com/YPpqL7pm5m
— AFL (@AFL) May 26, 2019
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AFL: Fremantle 8.6 (54) Brisbane 8.8 (56)
Can the Dockers seize the momentum? No. No they can’t. The Lions roar back into the lead courtesy of Mitchell Hinge’s first career goal.
AFL: Fremantle 8.6 (54) Brisbane 7.8 (50)
The Dockers are juuuust starting to build a margin. Just like my jaw at the minute, things are starting to click. But the Lions refuse to lie down. They respond with a goal to bring it back to four points but the momentum is still with the Dockers - can they make the most of it though? They’ve struggled to seize their chances so far.
AFL: Fremantle 7.6 (48) Brisbane 6.8 (44)
Some poor decision making is costing the Dockers - it must be frustrating for the fans, especially when they’re very much in this game. A goal finally gets them in front but they’ve had to work harder than they needed to get there. Maybe they can kick on from here.
AFL: Fremantle 5.6 (36) Brisbane 6.8 (44)
We’re off again in Perth. This game is crying out for someone to grab it by the scruff of the neck, and I’m pretty sure both coaches will have rammed home that message during the break. It’s Brisbane who have come out the more livelier - a behind and a Lewis Taylor goal extending their lead.
NRL: Blues announce squad for Origin I
Nathan Cleary has retained his NSW State of Origin No.7 jumper with coach Brad Fittler naming the 21-year-old and five debutants in his side for State of Origin I.
Cleary had been under pressure to keep his spot after his club side Penrith’s lacklustre start to the season, the Panthers sitting second last on the NRL ladder. With Mitchell Pearce (groin) and Luke Keary (concussion) ruled out, Cleary was named to partner South Sydney’s Cody Walker in the halves.
Cleary was picked ahead of the Rabbitohs’ Adam Reynolds who picked up a leg injury in his side’s match against Wests Tigers on Saturday night, but was understood to be available for selection. Walker is one of five debutants along with Rabbitohs teammate Cameron Murray, Canberra pair Nick Cotric and Jack Wighton and Brisbane young gun Payne Haas. The Roosters’ Angus Crichton edged out St George Illawarra’s Tariq Sims for a spot on the bench.
There’s expected to be question marks over the fitness of Tyson Frizell, the Dragon under an injury cloud after being knocked out in a sickening head clash with Josh Dugan during his side’s match against Cronulla on Sunday.
The team will be captained by Boyd Cordner and includes 11 players from the squad that won last year’s series, while Josh Morris returns to the Origin arena after an absence of three years. State of Origin I will be played at Suncorp Stadium on June 5.
Queensland name their side on Monday.
NSW: James Tedesco, Nick Cotric, Latrell Mitchell, Josh Morris, Josh Addo-Carr, Cody Walker, Nathan Cleary, David Klemmer, Damien Cook, Paul Vaughan, Boyd Cordner, Tyson Frizell, Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: Jack Wighton, Payne Haas, Cameron Murray, Angus Crichton.
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Concussion: A timely interview with St Kilda’s Paddy McCartin about the potentially devastating effects of concussion. Considering the head knocks we’ve seen today alone (I half suspect Jahrome Hughes’ head is still gushing with blood), it’s worth a read. Eight concussions and he’s only 23.
AAP - AFL’s McCartin reveals concussion effects
Luckless St Kilda forward Paddy McCartin has opened up about the crippling effects of the concussion that has forced him out for the rest of the AFL season.
McCartin has not played a regular season game this year after he was concussed in a pre-season match against the Western Bulldogs in Ballarat. Fresh doubts hang over his career after he was placed on the long-term injury list on Sunday.
The 23-year-old, who wears a protective helmet, is believed to have been concussed eight times since 2014 and is still struggling to shake off symptoms from the head knock he sustained in March. He spoke to Triple M about the debilitating aftermath of the knock that occurred when he backed into a marking contest.
‘’(I’m) not great to be honest, it’s been a tough few months,” McCartin said. “I haven’t done a lot of anything, really, and that’s been the hardest part. I’ve lost my footy identity a little bit but also my identity as a person as well just because I can’t do stuff.
“I can’t go to a supermarket when it’s busy or a cafe with my girlfriend or drive my car. The hard thing is that there’s no real time frame on it. Hopefully I’m better next week but I could be better in a year or six months. I don’t know.”
McCartin is suffering from light and sound sensitivity, wakes up in pools of sweat and has headaches that require drugs to help him sleep. He has better days as his recovery drags on, but his worst days are just as bad as they have ever been. Despite all of that he isn’t considering retirement, but neither is he thinking about getting back on the field. “I haven’t thought about that much but playing is going to be a by-product of me feeling better again,’’ he said
McCartin’s horror run with concussion and injury has limited him to just 35 senior appearances since he was the No.1 pick at the 2014 draft.
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AFL: HT - Fremantle 5.6 (36) Brisbane 5.7 (37)
And there goes the siren for the main break. They trot off to the sheds, a Darcy Tucker behind bringing Fremantle back to within a point. They could be leading, but the Dockers will take that having been about 18 points behind not long before the end of the first quarter. Anyone’s game.
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AFL: Fremantle 5.4 (34) Brisbane 5.7 (37)
The Dockers are building a head of steam, with the Lions just starting to struggle to keep up. Fremantle are being a little wasteful though, which means the Lions are still ahead - barely. Both sides desperate to go into the main break with their noses in front. At the minute it’s the Lions, but some clinical kicking from either side could change the complexion of this game quickly. Both teams look a little rushed. Patience people, patience.
AFL: Fremantle 5.4 (34) Brisbane 5.6 (36)
Not entirely sure how that kick evaded everyone to bounce between the sticks but Brandon Matera has put the Dockers within a point. The Lions look completely unfazed, battling their way back up the pitch and putting in a couple of great tackles. They only get a behind for their troubles though.
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AFL: Fremantle 4.4 (28) Brisbane 5.2 (32)
Right *grabs popcorn* I can finally just sit and watch this one rather than jumping from one ground to the other. Looks like a good one too. Fremantle pull it back to four points thanks to a straight and true kick from Rory Lobb. On a side note, I’m loving the Lions kit. But considering my fashion sense, that’s probably a criticism rather than praise.
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AFL: St Kilda 9.14 (68) Carlton 8.7 (55)
And that’s all she wrote at Marvel Stadium too. The Saints manage to hold on to their margin comfortably enough. Despite a few moments of pressure from the Blues, they never looked like overhauling the Saints.
AAP - Gritty Saints prolong Carlton’s woes
Carlton’s nightmare AFL season has continued with an error-riddled 13-point loss to fellow AFL battlers St Kilda at Marvel Stadium.
Sunday afternoon’s 9.14 (68) to 8.7 (55) defeat was the Blues’ ninth loss from 10 games, magnifying the pressure on coach Brendon Bolton on a weekend in which North Melbourne counterpart Brad Scott announced his sudden resignation. The departing Scott denies having spoken to any other clubs but there is speculation he might link up with the Blues should they move on Bolton at season’s end. Bolton has led bottom-placed Carlton to just four wins from their past 42 games.
The Saints led for most of Sunday’s match but endured some nervous late moments before snapping a four-game losing streak to climb to 10th on the ladder. After a humiliating 93-point loss last weekend to GWS, the Blues appeared determined to respond and opened up an early lead. Held to one of his quietest performances in recent memory by GWS tagger Matt de Boer, star skipper Patrick Cripps made a sparkling start and was involved in two of the Blues’ first three goals despite close attention from Jack Steele.
But the Saints, led well by Steele and Jade Gresham, soon managed to slow the tempo and use their superior polish to control the play. The Saints dominated the third term to lead by 16 points at the final break and held off the Blues, whose lack of contributors was glaring.
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NRL: FT - Dragons 9-22 Sharks
A try in the dying seconds caps a good night for the Sharks. The Dragons huffed and puffed but couldn’t produce any fire. Gallen kicks the conversion and that’s the siren. Report to follow.
AAP - Injury-hit Dragons lose to Sharks
Tyson Frizell may enter State of Origin I under an injury cloud after failing to finish St George Illawarra’s 22-9 NRL defeat by Cronulla due to concussion. Frizell was knocked out late in the first half after a sickening head clash with Josh Dugan, before being ruled out for the rest of Sunday’s game.
The Dragons star was considered a certainty to be included in the NSW Origin team that was to be announced after the match in Wollongong. He was one of three first-half injuries that whittled the Dragons to 14 men for the entire second period, along with James Graham and Tim Lafai (ankle).
The injury toll cruelled any hope the Dragons had of holding onto a one-point half-time lead, and they slumped to a fifth straight defeat. The win for the Sharks came on the back of the electric return of Matt Moylan, who had a hand in two tries, and a Bronson Xerri hat-trick. Moylan’s inclusion added plenty of polish in a slick combination with Chad Townsend and Kyle Flanagan that thoroughly outplayed their counterparts.
It didn’t take long for Moylan to have an impact, swerving to take an out-ball and creating the overlap for Xerri to post first points. Dragons halfback Ben Hunt should’ve equalised only to drop the ball over the line, but Cameron McInnes saved his blushes by charging over in the 32nd minute.
Sosaia Feki matched Hunt’s bombed try when he collected a ball while standing on the sideline with the try-line open. That opened the door for Hunt to give his team a one-point lead at the break with the first field goal of his career in front of the 14,586 WIN Stadium crowd.But it wouldn’t take long for their lack of troops to tell on the scoreboard, beginning with Xerri grabbing his second in the 46th minute.
Sharks second-rower Kurt Capewell beat Jordan Pereira to a second-tackle Flanagan kick, and picked it up for Xerri to score. The Sharks rookie then completed his first career hat-trick when he took a no-look Moylan pass in the 60th minute, before Blayke Brailey scored on the siren.
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AFL: Fremantle 2.3 (15) Brisbane 5.2 (32)
I’ve not forgotten AFL fans in Freo, they’ll have my undivided attention shortly... although the Lions are looking good as the end of the first quarter looms.
NRL: Dragons 9-16 Sharks
The Sharks look like they’ve weathered the storm. Five minutes to go and the first signs that the Dragons’ heads are starting to drop after failing to find a way through the Cronulla line. Still, one try is all it would take to spook the Sharks - just can’t see it happening. The hosts look dead on their feet out there. Five straight losses looming.
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AFL: St Kilda 9.12 (66) Carlton 8.7 (55)
We’ve got a game on our hands. Very tense with about seven minutes to go. It’s tight out there, and with both teams desperate for a streak-breaking victory, they’ll be a lot of mental demons in play. Matthew Parker with a crucial goal to put the Saints’ lead back into double digits. The Blues have to respond quickly.
NRL: Dragons 9-16 Sharks
Xerri has made it three tries for the night to finally give the Sharks some breathing space. The Dragons are really fighting to get back into it though with just over 10 minutes left to play. Small errors letting them down a little but the Sharks have defended well - and they’ll need to keep it up. The Dragons are asking a lot of questions.
AFL: St Kilda 8.11 (59) Carlton 6.7 (43)
The Saints have a healthy margin but they haven’t been able to build on it for a while now. The Blues battling to stay in touch in the fourth quarter but time is running out, they need to start whittling down that lead. Patrick Cripps boots across the face from a semi-decent position - tick tock.
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AFL: Fremantle 1.0 (6) Brisbane 1.1 (7)
We’ve kicked off in Perth. Early days but it’s Freo who’ve drawn first blood. An opportunist goal from Andrew Brayshaw putting them ahead. It doesn’t last long - McStay booting Brisbane back in front.
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Super Netball: Just to emphasise how good Gretel Tippett is in goal attack - she shot 96 per cent today (27/28) ... which I think is technically a bad day at the office as the last time I read she was averaging 98 per cent for the season. A tip of the hat to Tippett.
NRL: Dragons 9-12 Sharks
Bronson Xerri is the man for the Sharks today, his second try has just put them back in front. He was in the right place at the right time to score from an early cross-field kick. The conversion is missed though, still anyone’s game.
Super Netball: FT - Thunderbirds 54-51 Firebirds
The late comeback from the Tippett-inspired Firebirds falls short. They won the final quarter 14-10 but the damage had already been done. The Thunderbirds are thrilled, they’ve won the battle of the birds. I’ll chuck on the full report here soon.
AAP: Thunderbirds hold off Firebirds’ challenge
The Adelaide Thunderbirds have returned to the Super Netball winners’ circle with a 54-51 win over a weakened Queensland Firebirds. The Thunderbirds had dropped their past three games after an opening round win but managed to hold off a fast finish by the winless visitors at Adelaide’s Priceline Stadium.
Once a powerhouse side, the Firebirds’ record is now four losses and a draw from five rounds to sit at the bottom of the Super Netball ladder. The hungry home side dominated the opening three quarters, picking up three bonus points as well as the four points for the win. After a low-scoring opening half the Thunderbirds led 16-13 with goalers Sasha Glasgow and Kiwi Maria Folau sharing the spoils.
Their lead was just two at the final exchange before the Queenslanders mounted their challenge. A goal by Gretel Tippett with five minutes to play locked the score up at 48-48 all but the Thunderbirds were able to kick away for the winning margin.
Youngster Glasgow finished with 28 goals from 32 attempts to lead Adelaide’s scoring while Folau netted 26 of 34 attempts. The Firebirds missed the services of star Jamaican shooter Romelda Aiken, who sat out with an ankle injury. World Cup goal attack certainty Tippett still performed admirably in her absence, shooting 27 from 28 goals. Aiken’s replacement Abigail Latu-Meafou, who spent last season with Adelaide, contributed 18 from 22.
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AFL: St Kilda 8.10 (58) Carlton 6.5 (41)
The Blues are really on the back foot and don’t seem to have an answer - they’re probably having flashbacks from last week’s mauling at the hands of the Giants (the horror, the horror). A brief spell of pressure comes to very little and it’s fumbles all round at the minute. Michael Gibbons gives them a glimmer of hope with a superb angled goal.
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Tennis: It’s also the start of the French Open this weekend, which would have been more interesting for Australian fans had chair-thrower-in-chief Nick Kyrgios not “fallen ill” a couple of days ago – just after he’d told the world that the tournament “sucks”. As Bill Heslop would say: “what a coincidence”. Easily the most polarising figure in the men’s game today, he has a fair few fans as well as critics – and one of those fans it seems is Cameron Norrie, AKA the guy he was due to play in the first round.
AFL: St Kilda 7.8 (50) Carlton 5.4 (34)
St Kilda have come roaring out after the main break, Carlton struggling to stay in touch - still plenty of time (we’re about halfway through the third quarter) but my earlier hopes for a thriller are starting to fade. Credit to St Kilda though, they’ve clicked into gear and are finally being clinical after a few wasteful attempts in the second quarter.
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NRL: HT - Dragons 9-8 Sharks
A field goal with seconds to go gives the Dragons the narrowest of leads just before the break. They deserve it but it’s been a bit of an arm-wrestle at WIN Stadium so far.
Super Netball: Thunderbirds 49-48 Firebirds
The Firebirds are leaving it late but they’ve come surging back in the fourth quarter against the Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds had a healthy lead at the end of the third quarter but there’s nothing in it now - with the Firebirds even grabbing the lead briefly.
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NRL: Eesh. Josh Dugan and Tyson Frizell go head to head - literally. That looked ugly, both players falling to the turf in a heap after clashing heads. Dugan walks off a little shaken, Frizell takes longer to recover but eventually gets up on his own steam. Brad Fittler must be banging his head in frustration. So to speak.
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NRL: Dragons 8-6 Sharks
The Dragons finally get over the line about eight minutes before half-time, Cameron McInnes barging over. Jai Field kicks the conversion and the hosts are finally in front as we approach the break.
NRL: I’ve been trying to find a shot of Jahrome Hughes that shows just how bad the hit to his head was - but also isn’t too gruesome looking. It’s a family blog after all. This is about the best photo I’ve found that doesn’t involve close-ups of blood pouring profusely out of his forehead. Sure to be a talking point after he was allowed to play on.
AFL: St Kilda 4.7 (31) Carlton 5.4 (34)
At the risk of jinxing things, this is shaping up to be a thriller. It’s a see-saw affair at the minute, with Carlton clawing their way back into the lead after limiting the damage from a spell of domination from the Saints. Tough one to call - just how I like ‘em. The fans are enjoying it too. Raucous stuff at Marvel Stadium. Just under three minutes to go until the main break.
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NRL: Dragons 2-6 Sharks
We’re about 13 minutes in at WIN Stadium, where the Sharks have their sensitive noses in front courtesy of a Bronson Xerri try. The Dragons are pushing and probing though - they’ve come agonisingly close to the line twice in the past couple of minutes.
Super Netball: Thunderbirds 32-28 Firebirds
Thunderbirds on top in Super Netball’s basement battle as they come out after half-time. Still early days, but the Firebirds are in danger of being stranded at the bottom if they lose another. Apart from the opening minutes, the Thunderbirds have been ahead all game.
AFL: St Kilda 4.5 (29) Carlton 3.4 (22)
All the momentum with the Saints since that sluggish start. They’ve got their noses in front for the first time after an early goal blitz to start the second quarter. The Blues somehow need to get back in the game before the Saints start building a margin - they’re clinging on. Just. A couple of misses by the Saints have given them hope.
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NRL: FT - Bulldogs 6-28 Storm
It wasn’t a vintage Storm performance but Craig Bellamy’s side has done enough yet again and were too good for Canterbury. Tougher for the Storm than the scoreline suggests but that won’t bother Bellamy too much. Full report to follow.
AAP: The NRL’s HIA policy is under fire with bloodied Melbourne fullback Jahrome Hughes allowed to play on after a sickening head clash in the Storm’s 28-6 win over Canterbury. Hughes was playing his first match since missing last week’s win over the Wests Tigers after being badly concussed in a Magic Round late shot that earned Parramatta winger Maika Sivo a sin-binning and one-game suspension.
But despite laying prone for several minutes while being treated for a nasty head gash after clashing heavily with Storm teammate Dale Funicane in the opening minutes at Belmore Sports Ground, Hughes wasn’t required to undergo a head injury assessment. Social media lit up in condemnation after only Fucinane was forced off.
In a cruel blow for Funicane, the under-rated back-rower failed his HIA and was denied one last chance to press his claims for a NSW State of Origin call-up. Melbourne prop Aiden Tolman was also sent for a first-half HIA as Hughes carried on with head strapping. The Kiwi-born fullback wasn’t the only one cut open, though, with Josh Addo-Carr slicing through the Bulldogs defence for a brilliant 60-metre solo try to send the Storm on their way to a ninth win of the season.
Addo-Carr’s was the only try of the first half as Melbourne took an 8-0 lead to the break. When the electrifying Blues’ winger started and finished the Storm’s second try early in the second half, the writing appeared on the wall for the Bulldogs. But an inspired effort from Sauaso Sue dragged the Bulldogs back into the contest, Dean Pay’s cellar dwellers trailing just 14-6 with half-an-hour remaining. In a show of great respect for the Dogs, Melbourne captain Cameron Smith slotted two penalty goals, rather than go for tries, to extend the Storm’s lead to 12 points.
Will Chambers and Nelson Asofa-Solomona sealed a hard-earned victory with Melbourne’s third and fourth tries late on as the Storm consolidated their place in the top two behind South Sydney entering the Origin period.
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AFL: Demons 10.8 (68) lost to GWS Giants 14.10 (94)
That’s all she wrote at the MCG. So much for hoodoos - although the Giants were never really under pressure, the Demons making the scoreline semi-respectable with some late goals. I’ll post the full report here shortly.
AAP: They haven’t quite consigned their MCG woes but GWS have showed that winning comfortably at the ground is possible after their 26-point AFL victory over the Demons.
The Giants registered a 14.10 (94) to 10.8 (68) result on Sunday, and dominated for three quarters of the match in what looked like a glorified training run. But a seven-goal splash by the home side in the final quarter narrowed the margin as the Giants eased to only their third win in 17 trips to the MCG.
It was their first at the ground since a 16-point victory against Collingwood in round two last season. Josh Kelly (31 possessions) and Harry Himmelberg (a career-best five goals) were the standouts as Nick Haynes marshalled a defence that limited the Demons to just one goal in the first half.
Melbourne fans could only ponder the extent of the damage and their dismal 3-7 record, ruckman Max Gawn a rare bright light in centre bounce duels and some timely marks. The Giants effectively had the contest wrapped up by half-time, such was their control of the ball and lack of opposition pressure. They led the inside 50 entries by more than double in the first half, 34-16, and the return of only six goals was more their own wastefulness. Their 35 point margin ballooned to 57 by the end of the third quarter, leaving the Demons only left to save some face in the final term.
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AFL: St Kilda 2.0 (12) - Carlton 3.3 (21)
There’s about six minutes left in the first quarter and it’s the Blues taking the early initiative - although the Saints have bounced back after taking some time to get off the mark. Both sides on awful runs and a little lacking in confidence, something’s gotta give.
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Formula One: Returning briefly to the overnight sport, it was perhaps inevitable that Lewis Hamilton capped an emotional week for Mercedes by winning pole at Monaco (with teammate Valterri Bottas completing yet another front-row lockout) and dedicating it to friend and mentor Niki Lauda. Also somewhat inevitably, there’s been more foot-shooting shenanigans at Ferrari. Leclerc, who has shown more maturity than most young F1 drivers, showed cracks in his composure after his team’s latest bungle left him 16th on the grid.
AFL: Demons 8.8 (56)- 14.9 (93) GWS Giants
I hinted at it in the preamble but just to confirm, the Giants are cruising home against the Demons - and have been for a while. Deep into the fourth quarter and the visitors are still switched on, the Demons making very few in-roads into the huge margin.
NRL: Bulldogs 6-14 Storm
The Bulldogs are finally off the mark, Sauaso Sue bulldozing over. They needed that. Rhyse Martin kicks straight and the hosts are back in it. Game on.
Cricket: You’ve probably seen this already, but Australia snuck home against England in a World Cup warm-up overnight. Steve Smith got a taste of what to expect from the Pom crowds over the next few months. And vice-versa it seems. Amid the boos and sledges, Smith carved out an excellent 116. Whatever your thoughts on the ball-tampering debacle, there’s no dismissing Smith’s uncanny composure and focus under pressure. He’ll need all of it in the coming weeks.
NRL: 2nd half - Bulldogs 0-14 Storm
Very, very tight at Belmore at the start of the second half, the Bulldogs very much in this with Josh Addo-Carr the only try scorer so far. Speaking of which... he’s just scored another. Kiss of death for the Bulldogs from yours truly. Addo-Carr made the initial break to put the hosts on the back foot, and is on hand at the end to put down his 50th try for Melbourne. Smith duly boots it between the posts.
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Netball: Melbourne Vixens 50-60 NSW Swifts
From AAP: The NSW Swifts have climbed to the top of the Super Netball ladder after handing the Melbourne Vixens their first defeat of the season.
The Swifts claimed maximum points in the convincing 60-50 win, leaving the sell-out crowd at Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena disappointed. It was the Swifts’ first ever win over the Vixens in three seasons of Super Netball.
With Australia’s squad for July’s World Cup to be named on Thursday and Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander in the stands, this was the last chance for players to impress. Featuring the two top-ranked teams heading into the round, the game was played at frenetic pace but the Swifts’ defence proved suffocating while their star shooter Sam Wallace finished with 45 goals from 47 attempts, converting at a stunning 96 per cent.
The Vixens got off to a strong start to lead 4-1 but, by the end of the first quarter, the visitors had opened up a 16-13 lead. That blew out to seven points before the Vixens swapped struggling goal attack Tegan Philip and shooter Caitlin Thwaites. The tactical move made an immediate impact with the home side piling on the next five goals.
The Swifts responded and pushed the lead out to eight, forcing Vixens coach Simone McKinness to look to her bench, with South African Ines-Mari Venter making her debut. It temporarily stemmed the goal flow with the NSW outfit taking a 30-24 lead into half-time for their second bonus point.
Philip, who is in the World Cup training squad, reappeared at goal attack in the third quarter but Vixens extended their lead to nine before ending the third term up 36-44. Thwaites, who held her side’s goal circle together shooting 28 from 32, made way for the return of Venter in the final quarter and although the home side continued to toil hard, they were unable to peg back such a commanding lead.
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AFL: Not exactly breaking news considering the emotion on show yesterday but just to confirm North Melbourne have officially parted ways with Brad Scott.
From AAP: The Brad Scott era at North Melbourne is officially over. Scott and chairman Ben Buckley fronted a packed media conference at the AFL club on Sunday to confirm what was widely known on Friday when news of their mutual decision to part ways was leaked.
As for why the decision was made 10 games into the season and with Scott contracted for next year, both parties agreed that with the club set to embark on a period of change, a new voice was required in the top job.
“The strategic direction (that I) presented to the board was with a view that I’ve always preached that you do what’s right for the club,” Scott said. “Put the club first in all of your dealings and let the cards fall where they fall.
“While I would love the opportunity to coach this great football club with all of the impediments removed, I said to the board the club needs fresh air in my view to do the things that it needs to do. This game is a fantastic game but a senior coach coaching for 10 years and undertaking a strategic shift ... I just felt the time was right for the club to get the fresh air that it needs.
“In order to do that, and with my philosophy of putting the club first above all else, I made the offer to step aside.”
Buckley confirmed assistant coach Rhyce Shaw will step in as caretaker for the remainder of the season. Scott’s players farewelled him with a surprise 25-point win over the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday, his 211th game as senior coach of the club he joined in 2010. He leaves with a 106-105 coaching record, having guided them to preliminary finals in 2014 and 2015 and elimination finals in 2012 and 2016.
But the Roos’ onfield struggles this season - they had won just two games after nine rounds - were a key factor in bringing forward his departure. Buckley said the board decided to accept Scott’s offer to move on at a meeting on Friday.
“(We) agreed with Brad that the time was right for him to step aside and we accepted his offer,” Buckley said. “Brad’s offer to step aside was nothing short of selfless and honourable - terms befitting his character. Brad has always been upfront, honest and preached a club-first approach ... he has stayed true to his word.”
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Preamble
Afternoon everyone, Richard Gadsby here welcoming you to another Sunday sportwatch.
Forget the election, this weekend it’s all about selection (sans sausages) – namely the State of Origin squads and the Diamonds team for the Netball World Cup. NSW will name their side later on and the Maroons and Diamonds will follow suit in the next few days, which essentially means this weekend is serving as a final audition for players. And while you’d suspect Brad Fittler, Kevin Walters and Lisa Alexander will have the bulk of their squads locked down already, one moment of brilliance or ineptitude means things can change quicker than you can say Blake Ferguson.
Anyway, you’ll get no selection predictions from me because if last week proved anything it’s that you can’t trust the polls. Plus, as the sporting cliché goes, if you focus on your club “then selection will take care of itself”. So with that well-worn motto in mind let’s take a look at today’s games.
There are a few under way already, or just finishing, but just about to start is the Thunderbirds v Firebirds clash (3pm) in Super Netball. There’s AFL action in the form of St Kilda v Carlton soon after (3.20pm), followed by the Fremantle v Brisbane game (5.20pm). The Giants and Demons are already into the third quarter - with GWS very much in the driver’s seat.
In the NRL, the Bulldogs and Storm are already in the thick of things just before half-time (Storm ahead 8-0). And the Dragons take on the Sharks in the evening kick-off (4.05pm).
And while I skip between the codes Karmichael Hunt-style, I’ll also squeeze in any overnight action and earlier results as time allows. So let’s get this show on the road.
