Summary
Well, what a day we’ve been through! Some big changes happening across the sporting landscape with doubtless more to come over the next week. We’ve already seen the end, for now, of the Super Rugby. While the AFLM, AFLW, NRL and A-League are still scheduled to go ahead next week, albeit behind closed doors, advice is changing multiple times a day and who knows if those next games will happen next week, or at all?
The Newcastle Jets look pretty comfortable in Adelaide, up 3-0 halfway through the second half, while in Wollongong the Tigers have pulled ahead, leading the Dragons 18-14 with 15 minutes remaining.
Until we meet again, in whatever form Sportwatch takes over the coming weeks, good night, stay safe, socially distant and clean. So long!
NRL: Here’s that footage of Cameron Smith with his take on how the NRL should be handling the competition in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.
The @NRL's most respected player, @camsmith9 with a measured take on how the league should handle the coronavirus situation. #NRLManlyStorm #NRL pic.twitter.com/WeIoWlVdbW
— Adrian Arciuli (@Adrian_Arciuli) March 15, 2020
NBL: The Perth Wildcats are one win away from securing the NBL premiership with a win over the Sydney Kings in game three of a best of five grand final series played behind closed doors today.
The world has officially gone crazy 🙀
— NBL (@NBL) March 15, 2020
For the first time since 1996, the road team has won the first 3 games of a Grand Final series with the @PerthWildcats getting the BIG road W and taking a 2-1 lead over the @SydneyKings in the best of 5 game series.#SeeIncredible #NBL20 pic.twitter.com/LG1JGtFNKq
NRL: Melbourne’s Cameron Smith has added his voice to the debate on continuing the NRL, believing the competition should be suspended for two weeks. More from AAP:
Cam Smith calls for NRL to be suspended
Cameron Smith has called for the NRL to be suspended for at least two weeks in a bid to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Smith said he was speaking for all Melbourne players when he highlighted his concern around family members and the team’s constant travel load.
“There is something in place tomorrow to avoid being around groups larger than 500 people, and there are more than 500 people at airports and we’re going to be doing that every second week,” Smith said.
A-League: Adelaide 0-1 Newcastle at half-time
This game was scoreless for most of the half, until Dimitrios Petratos slid it across to Roy O’Donovan for a simple tap in in the 41st minute to put the Jets ahead. Newcastle have been pretty ordinary on the road this year, so they’ll be hoping to snatch just their second away win of the season if they can see this lead through.
A goal to the good at the break thanks to Roy's strike in the 41st minute! #ADLvNEW #ALeague #MadeOfNewcastle pic.twitter.com/zzvQdUKjqb
— NEWCASTLE JETS FC ✈️ (@NewcastleJetsFC) March 15, 2020
NRL: St George-Illawarra Dragons 12-8 Wests Tigers at half-time
The Dragons got the early points in this one, before the Tigers hit back. But Zac Lomax was on hand to deliver another blow for the Dragons, putting pressure on the Tigers fullback Corey Thompson that forces and error and lets Lomax sneak over for an easy try, before adding the conversion. Lomax was lucky his own error didn’t prove costly later as he dropped a simple kick return right on the Tigers’ tryline, but the Dragons defence was good enough to hold the Tigers out.
We take the lead into the second half 🔥 #redv #NRLDragonsTigers pic.twitter.com/UhkivvOmib
— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) March 15, 2020
AFLW: Gold Coast beat West Coast 5.3 (33) to 1.2 (8)
Despite West Coast finally managing to snare a goal in the final quarter, this game was all about the Gold Coast Suns. It was a dominant display from start to finish and keeps their finals hopes alive going into their match against Adelaide next week. Kalinda Howarth continued her form into the final quarter, finishing with four goals for the game.
“It was an awesome game today,” she said. “We love playing in the dry - it was a really great opportunity to show off our skills. It was awesome to be able to get on the board and hopefully we can keep pushing through and keep winning.”
Another TWO in less than a minute for Kalinda Howarth 🤯#AFLWEaglesSuns pic.twitter.com/0mJsfggEAK
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 15, 2020
Just a reminder that if you want a quick rundown of everything that’s happening in Australian sport with regards to coronavirus, this story has all the latest updates.
AFLW: Gold Coast leads West Coast 4.3 (27) to 0.2 (2)
The Suns have really started to assert their dominance on this game, with some impressive stats coming out of their side of the scorecard. Jacqui Yorston has been a menace in defence, with nine tackles and eight disposals, while Kate Surman with 17 disposals is working like a machine. Kalinda Howarth has been on fire with the boot, kicking three of the Suns’ four goals.
Spud just can't help herself 🎤#AFLWEaglesSuns pic.twitter.com/z8cTfwXIu2
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 15, 2020
Rugby Sevens: Here is more on that story I mentioned earlier about possible coronavirus cases coming out of the Australian Sevens camp, via AAP.
Australian Sevens program possibly hit by virus
Two members of the Australian sevens program have been tested for coronavirus after showing signs and symptoms associated with the pandemic. Rugby Australia didn’t specify whether they were players or staff, only announcing two people had self-isolated after experiencing symptoms this weekend.
Both had attended the RA high performance centre within its Moore Park headquarters in Sydney during the past week. As a precautionary measure, the governing body’s headquarters will be closed for two days for an intensive clean.
All administrative staff have been advised to work from home, and the Australian men’s and women’s sevens teams will not attend the facility on Monday or Tuesday. Results of the tests are expected to be known within 72 hours.
A-League: Wellington Phoenix 3-0 Melbourne Victory
The Phoenix finished off their last home game for the forseeable future in style, with a 3-0 takedown of the Victory in Wellington. A second half goal to David Ball sealed the deal and their defence held strong to deny the Victory any goals. It was a measured performance that will see them edge ever closer to Melbourne City on the ladder, sitting just outside the top two.
55' | BALLLLLYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!#KiaTauTeRangimārie #WELvMVC 💛 (3-0) 💙 pic.twitter.com/LTi1kj5SyN
— Wellington Phoenix (@WgtnPhoenixFC) March 15, 2020
Rugby Sevens: An interesting little piece of info from Georgina Robinson on Twitter here, we’ll keep an eye on this story and see how it progresses.
Two @Aussie7s players are being tested for COVID-19 after displaying symptoms, Rugby AU Sydney headquarters shut down for two days for "an intensive clean".
— Georgina Robinson (@geerob) March 15, 2020
NRL: Manly 4-18 Melbourne
Well I predicted someone would blink before too long in the second half and it was Manly in the end - Melbourne were able to score the first try of the game in the 61st minute with a little chip over the top to winger Suliasi Vunivalu. Two minutes later Vunivalu was over again and Tom Eisenhuth put the icing on the cake in the 74th minute. An ominous start to the season for the Sea Eagles, who tend to rely on their parochial home crowd to get them over the line at their Brookvale fortress. The crowd couldn’t do it today and from next week they will be unable to even get through the gates.
Tom Eisenhuth
— NRL (@NRL) March 15, 2020
has scored his first NRL try 👏#NRLManlyStorm pic.twitter.com/qqYAIdHrao
AFLW: Gold Coast 2.2 (14) leads West Coast 0.1 (1) at half-time
Things aren’t getting any better for the Eagles, with still no goals on the board. It hasn’t been a complete performance from the Suns so far, but they’ve done enough to stay on top and will be feeling pretty confident heading into the sheds for half-time.
A Kalinda Howarth rocket from the pocket gets the Suns their first 🚀#AFLWEaglesSuns pic.twitter.com/yjiomU8b7A
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 15, 2020
Super Rugby: Brumbies 47-14 Waratahs
A huge win for the Brumbies as the Super Rugby grinds to a halt while travel restrictions are enacted. Seven tries for the home side in this game, while the Waratahs couldn’t manage to score again in the second half. Tom Banks scores an absolute belter at the death just to really send the Waratahs home with their tails between their legs. The Brumbies are comfortably on top of the Australian conference, while the Waratahs are languishing down near the bottom, just ahead of the Sunwolves.
Absolutely dominant from the @BrumbiesRugby! #BRUvWAR
— FOX SPORTS Rugby (@FOXRUGBY) March 15, 2020
📝 Match Report: https://t.co/z1cJGJsFBN
📱Match Centre: https://t.co/0EeUN3cBPk pic.twitter.com/D1CTd9pAH8
Formula One: Giles Richards’ fascinating chat with former world champion Alan Jones (not the one from the radio) is well worth a read, some interesting thoughts on the Albert Park cancellation.
Jones was hugely disappointed at the cancellation but accepts it was the right thing to do. The indomitable Australian can-do spirit tempered by the reality of the coronavirus. ‘From my point of view I would have gone ahead and done it anyway but you have to be sensible about the whole thing,’ he says.”
AFLW: Gold Coast leads West Coast 1.2 (8) to 0.0 (0) at quarter-time
A defensive-heavy game so far, with Kalinda Howarth sneaking through a goal in the 11th minute after a couple of behinds from her teammates. A very unhappy outing from the Eagles so far, with plenty of tackling but no reward.
A-League: Phoenix 2-0 Victory at half-time
The Phoenix are making the most of what will likely be their last game in New Zealand for some time. They have been clinical this first half, taking their scoring opportunities and limiting Victory’s time in possession. Ulises Dávila scored early for the home team, with Gary Hooper heading through the second in the 21st minute.
Clever use of the head from Gary Hooper 😯#WELvMVC #ALeague 🎥@FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/FOxlfquq35
— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) March 15, 2020
A-League: An update via AAP on the situation with the Wellington Phoenix with travel restrictions coming into effect from tonight.
Phoenix commit to Australian A-League stay
Wellington have committed to playing out their A-League season in Australia, even though it means undergoing a self-isolation period after border restrictions introduced to Australia to combat coronavirus. With doubt surrounding the continuation of the league, the Phoenix are proposing to spend at least six-straight weeks in Australia in pursuit of a maiden title.
Wellington will host Melbourne Victory on Sunday at Sky Stadium, hours before travel restrictions take effect at midnight on both sides of the Tasman. Phoenix general manager David Dome said his third-placed team had all but bought into playing out their campaign on Australian soil under extraordinary circumstances. They couldn’t play for 14 days while undergoing mandatory isolation, and then would have an intense run of games, probably in empty stadiums.
Wellington would be unable to play road games scheduled next week, against Sydney FC on Wednesday and Newcastle on Sunday. They would bank on FFA rescheduling both games, while two matches - which were to have been played in Wellington in April - would need to be relocated to Australia.
“We didn’t want to capitulate and not play out. We had to play out; we had to do our best to get into the finals series,” Dome said. “The disappointing thing for us is that the fans won’t be there to enjoy it.”
Dome said the team would likely self-isolate in central Sydney accommodation and emerge only for controlled training sessions. Dome said players would have the choice to commit to a full Australian stay of at least six weeks.
“We don’t want to force players to go. We won’t mandate it because there are some players with families. There are some players who are expecting children and do we really want to take them away from their newborn babies?”
Super Rugby: Brumbies 21-14 Waratahs at half-time
Meanwhile in the code where trying scoring is usually much less frequent, there has been a bit of a try-fest down in Canberra in a high scoring first half between these two old foes. The Waratahs got on the board first through Rob Simmons, but the Brumbies hit back soon after and lead three tries to two. Solomone Kata managed two in eight minutes for the home side. With the Super Rugby suspended after today when travel restrictions into Australia and New Zealand come into place, this will be an important win to get.
Plenty of points in this one! #BRUvWAR pic.twitter.com/uZLPCZsWEs
— Plus500 Brumbies (@BrumbiesRugby) March 15, 2020
NRL: Manly 4-2 Melbourne at half-time
A very low scoring start to the season for these two teams with the match resembling rugby union more than league - three penalty goals are all that has troubled the scorers in the first half. Both sides have been phenomenal in the defence of their lines, but early season lack of fitness is likely to plague one or both sides in the second half and we could see some late tries sneak through.
HALF TIME 🛑
— NRL (@NRL) March 15, 2020
Manly: 04
Storm: 02#NRLManlyStorm pic.twitter.com/VtEAzGNMp1
AFLW: GWS beat Adelaide 4.2 (26) to 3.3 (21)
A strong win for GWS over last year’s premiers, sending them into second place on the Conference A ladder. Another goal from Cora Staunton sealed the deal as they kept up their defence all the way to the end. A late goal from Courtney Gum for the Crows wasn’t enough to bridge the gap and the Giants celebrated the win. An emotional response from Staunton showed just how important this game was to the GWS team.
“Obviously it was a big game for the club,” said Staunton after the match. “We knew coming in it was a big game for the club...it was a massive win for us. We wanted consistency in our game and we showed that today.
“It’s disappointing that there’s no crowd, but we obviously understand that people’s health is a lot more important than sport.
“It’s been just over 10 months since I shattered my leg and had four breaks. I didn’t know if I’d be back...it was a physical and mental battle to get back.”
Our first win over the Crows in @aflwomens and we're into second spot on the Conference A ladder!#NeverSurrender #AFLWCrowsGIANTS pic.twitter.com/Q9fBj3CVe2
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 15, 2020
More perspective on cancellations, this time out of the UK from Barney Ronay.
There will be a clashing of gears over all this and no shortage of legal threats as time and resources are divvied up. Sport will survive. The beauty, the grace, the basic pleasure of these gaudy entertainments will remain unaffected. But a great deal of practical help will be required to ensure it is not offered only to those victims of this nasty little bug who can shout the loudest, that precarious livelihoods and the infrastructure of amateur sport are also protected.”
AFLW: GWS leads Adelaide 3.2 (20) to 2.3 (15) at three-quarter time
Another low scoring quarter - the stifling defence from the Giants is doing the job here as they keep their noses in front. It’s an exhausting style of game to play though, so it will be interesting to see how their fitness holds up in the last quarter. Alyce Parker is doing a power of work, with 25 disposals and six marks to her name. Brittany Tully scored the goal to ease the Giants ahead, just four minutes before three-quarter time.
Britt Tully makes the most of a 50m penalty to give us a valuable goal against the breeze!
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 15, 2020
Crows 15 GIANTS 20#NeverSurrender #AFLWCrowsGIANTS pic.twitter.com/5OPyL7T5nR
W-League: The match report on Melbourne City’s dominant semi-final win is up now.
Some good info here from Tom Kludt on the North American perspective of sport in the time of coronavirus and those who will be hit hardest by league suspensions.
Schauder says the deepest, and most immediate implications, will be felt by those employed by the stadiums, which play host to other entertainment ventures along with sporting events, as well as nearby businesses that capitalize on those gatherings.”
AFLW: GWS leads Adelaide 2.2 (14) to 2.1 (13)
As predicted, this game remains a tight struggle, with just one goal that quarter - to the Giants’ cross-coder Jodie Hicks (also a cricketer with the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL). Last season’s best and fairest for the Giants Rebecca Beeson has continued her dominance, with 10 disposals and three tackles for the match. Strong defence from the Giants is frustrating the Crows, the team in orange will need to keep that up and continue to stifle as the match plays out.
A tough contest that quarter, but we hold the Crows scoreless and take the lead.#NeverSurrender #AFLWCrowsGIANTS pic.twitter.com/fxDtPa10xr
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 15, 2020
F1: A bit of a mess this week with the cancellation of the F1 after all spectators had arrived and were waiting to get in. Giles Richards breaks it down for us in this story.
It was merely mismanagement that had crowned what increasingly appears to have been at best an optimistic decision to bring thousands of F1 personnel from a Europe already creaking under the assault of coronavirus to a mass gathering event that attracts up to 100,000 people a day. In the light of sport across the world curtailing activity to restrict the spread of the virus, that F1 felt it could escape unscathed seems hopelessly naive.”
AFLW: Adelaide 2.1 (13) lead GWS 1.1 (7) at quarter time
A strong first quarter from the Crows with Courtney Gum and Marijana Rajcic in the goals. Cora Staunton scored for GWS, who will feel that they are still in the game at this point. Tait Mackrill and Rebecca Beeson have both been strong for the Giants, with plenty of disposals in the first quarter. It’s shaping up to be a cracker of a game.
QT: We lead the Giants by one straight kick thanks to a late goal from our No. 32 💪 #weflyasone #crowsaflw pic.twitter.com/S95wYSLO3h
— Adelaide Crows AFLW (@CrowsAFLW) March 15, 2020
W-League: Melbourne City 5-1 Western Sydney Wanderers
City have booked their spot in the W-League grand final with a decisive win over the Wanderers. Kyah Simon was happy with the performance and said the team is focusing on improving to ensure they play their best game in the grand final against Sydney FC next weekend.
“I’ve played with a lot of the Sydney FC girls and spent a lot of my career there in the sky blue,” she said. “Priority is to play our own game and focus on what we do well.”
Interesting to see elbow bumps taking place between the two teams after the game considering the level of the goal celebrations taking place. Possibly each team believes they could only spread viruses through opposition and not teammates?
FT| We are into our fourth Grand Final in five years! #MCYvWSW #4history pic.twitter.com/cqG9tRl4ij
— Melbourne City FC 🏙️ (@MelbourneCity) March 15, 2020
A-League: News just in from AAP on the potential suspension of the A-League:
Travel restrictions could shut A-League
The A-League could be suspended with the governments of Australia and New Zealand imposing compulsory 14-day self-isolation periods to combat the coronavirus. Wellington Phoenix will host Melbourne Victory at Sky Stadium on Sunday, with travel restrictions taking effect in Australia and New Zealand at midnight. On Saturday following New Zealand announcing its health plan, the Phoenix said it would be “impossible” to host matches at home due to international travellers having to self-isolate for two weeks.
Well in this very strange week the coverage of sport has looked quite different to usual. This interesting piece from Jonathan Liew talks about sport bringing the brutal reality of coronavirus to the front of many people’s minds.
For so many of us, sport isn’t simply a way of passing the time but a way of marking it. It offers a liturgy, a structure on which to measure the passing days and seasons...In frightening times, virus or no virus, these are the rituals that offer the veneer of normality, a background noise as reassuring and immutable as the ticking of the clock.”
Super W: Brumbies 12-24 Reds
Not a happy outing for the Brumbies, being comprehensively beaten by the Reds in Canberra. The Reds were dominant in every facet of the game and with this win, have earned the right to host next weekend’s Super W playoff. Tries to Shannon Mato, Okeroa Manihera and Ivy Kaleta sealed the win for the Reds, with a 100% conversion rate from Lori Cramer.
AFLW: Dockers beat Bulldogs 10.6 (66) to 8.3 (51)
This swung back and forth like a pendulum and was very close throughout most of the match, but in the end the Dockers were able to put the foot down and come away with a strong 15 point win. Ashley Sharp was dominant for Fremantle, kicking three goals, while Mia-Rae Clifford finished with two. It was a valiant effort from the Bulldogs who are well down the Conference B ladder, taking it to the highly fancied Dockers who remained undefeated at the top of Conference B.
How did Ebony Antonio manage this? 😱 She receives, dummies, bounces and finishes, a certified @SpecialKAus Strong Play 💪 #PoweringYou #RiseWithUs pic.twitter.com/xAoHErm65R
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 15, 2020
NRL: An interesting story from AAP on potential responses the NRL are considering.
NRL take advice from biosecurity expert
ARL commission chairman Peter V’landys has revealed a north Queensland resort has reached out to the NRL to be considered if all 16 clubs are to be relocated to play a ‘Magic Round’ style competition.
As NRL bosses navigate one of the most complex challenges in the game’s history due to the coronavirus pandemic, V’landys has confirmed every option to keep the competition alive is being considered.
That includes relocating all 16 NRL teams to a warmer climate such as Queensland where the virus is less likely to thrive, isolating teams in one location, and playing all games at one stadium to ensure the broadcast can proceed. A resort in far north Queensland has already emailed the NRL to advise they have vacancies to accommodate all 16 NRL teams should the competition be moved.
However, it all hinges on a report from an appointed biosecurity expert who will assess which solution is safest for players.
“We need to get our biosecurity experts to have a look at that facility and how we would eliminate any risk. There’s an element of thought that you might put greater risk by having all the players in one area,” V’landys told Triple M on Sunday. “We have to look at all contingencies and ensure that we are providing the best biosecurity measures to eliminate any risk of the players catching the virus. The biggest risk for us is a player or official catching the virus, which means there would be isolation of some of the players and teams and that’s when we can pull the lever on suspending the season.”
Other options understood to be considered are postponing the season for a month and extending the competition through until the end of October and playing catch-up games during bye rounds. There is also the option for rescheduling games should a player be diagnosed with coronavirus and restructuring the competition for games to be played later in the season.
Games are already closed to crowds from round two but conversations will continue with clubs over the next week as the global situation remains fluid. It’s still to be determined if lower grade and junior competitions will need to be shut down, with the state authorities to make those decisions in the coming days. However, V’landys said it was inevitable there would be changes made.
Coronavirus updates: Head to this story if you want to keep track of where Australian sports are at with postponing, cancelling and locking out spectators as the coronavirus continues to have an effect on sport around the world. We’ll keep it updated throughout the day as information comes in and situations change.
W-League: Melbourne City 3-0 Western Sydney Wanderers at half-time
A big half for City who have all but booked their place in the grand final after a dominant first half. Goals from Kyah Simon, Claire Emslie and Rebekah Stott put City on the board, though the goal celebrations were not entirely in keeping with social distancing protocols - it will be interesting to see how this trends across sport this weekend.
HT| A strong opening 45 minutes sees us in front at the break! #MCYvWSW #WLeague pic.twitter.com/jB9zGjvdmc
— Melbourne City FC 🏙️ (@MelbourneCity) March 15, 2020
Preamble
Well, what a weekend this is. At this stage we have plenty of live sport to get through, although many sports are locked out to crowds. But today may be the last day we see this much sport for a while - the Super Rugby will be postponed at the conclusion of the current round following travel restrictions to New Zealand coming into effect tonight. The NRL is continuing with round two at this stage, though crowds will be locked out after the conclusion of round one this evening. The Super Netball has cancelled the Team Girls Cup preseason competition that was due to be held from 27-29 March.
It’s certainly not the usual Sportwatch for a weekend - I’ll do my best to keep you updated on all the latest developments as they unfold. Don’t forget to tweet, email or leave a comment with your thoughts on how the sports are responding.
