Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jonathan Howcroft

Sportwatch: Eagles beat the Blues, Roosters thrash Titans - as it happened

Carlton and West Coast
Carlton and West Coast battle for possession at Marvel Stadium. Photograph: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Summary

With just the Lions vs Bulldogs contest the only fixture remaining in play I think it’s about time I took my leave for the afternoon.

Don’t forget to join the Ashes liveblog which will be underway in an hour or so to kick off what promises to be a thrilling day of Test cricket.

As always, thank you for your company. I’ll see you again here soon.

NRL: Dragons 4-12 Eels

The Eels secure the two points with a workmanlike performance away to the Dragons. Despite the win Parramatta remain sixth on the ladder but now with a four point buffer to the chasing pack in the race for the finals.

AFL: Carlton 11.9 (75) lost to West Coast 15.9 (99)

Eight wins out of eight in Melbourne for the Eagles and they’re going to be hard to stop in their quest for both the minor premiership and the flag. It was a strong all-round team performance, topped by Liam Ryan’s four goal haul. Despite the defeat it was another encouraging performance from David Teague’s Blues but Carlton were powerless to withstand the second quarter barrage that decided the contest.

Tom Hickey
Tom Hickey collects the mark for West Coast against Carlton. Photograph: Julian Smith/AAP

AFL: HT: Brisbane 7.7 (49) v Western Bulldogs 2.8 (20) - The Lions remain on course for the four points at home to the Bulldogs with a handy 29-point lead at half-time. Mitch Robinson has the Gabba crowd in the palm of his hand. He’s kicked a couple in an all-action display topped by a bulldozing contested mark and goal right on the siren.

Updated

AFL: 3QT: Carlton 8.6 (54) v West Coast 14.7 (91) - The Eagles have extended their advantage over a willing Carlton at Marvel Stadium and look destined to be one of three sides sharing 56 points on the top of the ladder by the day’s end. Liam Ryan has four goals for the 2018 champions as they reassert their premiership credentials.

AFL: QT: Brisbane 4.3 (27) v Western Bulldogs 0.5 (5) - The Lions bandwagon rolls on apace with Brisbane ripping through the Bulldogs in the opening quarter at the Gabba. If they see the job through they will end the round just percentage away from the top of the ladder.

AFL: Underway in the final AFL contest of the round, and the Lions are off to a fast start against the Bulldogs.

NRL: HT: Dragons 0-10 Eels - Tries to Maika Sivo and Dylan Brown have given the Eels a handy lead at half-time away to the Dragons.

Super Netball: Thunderbirds 46-46 Magpies

What a finish in Adelaide! The Magpies claimed the last three bonus points but it still wasn’t enough to overhaul the four-point deficit from the opening quarter and they have to settle for a draw against the Thunderbirds. The result eases Adelaide away from the Firebirds on the foot of the ladder but hampers Collingwood’s chances of catching the Giants in the race for the finals with just three rounds remaining.

Geva Mentor and Maria Folau
Geva Mentor and Maria Folau battle for possession during Collingwood’s draw with Adelaide. Photograph: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Updated

Super Netball: 3QT: Thunderbirds 34-32 Magpies - A second bonus point for the Magpies away to the Thunderbirds and they are not giving up this contest without a fight. With the Giants prevailing earlier in the day this has become a must-win fixture for Collingwood and after a slow start they are growing into their work nicely. It’s a pretty even stats sheet aside from the penalty count with the visitors conceding a whopping 49 compared to their hosts’ 35.

Updated

AFL: HT: Carlton 6.3 (39) v West Coast 9.5 (59) - This is a super game of footy between two in-form teams at Marvel Stadium, and at the main break the Eagles have forced their way into the lead. In the second quarter they pummelled the scoreboard in a run that included seven goals from ten entires inside-50. Liam Ryan typified that attacking quality, kicking a major after holding onto one of the marks of the season, running into traffic following the flight of the ball.

NRL: The final fixture of the afternoon in the NRL is underway with the Eels looking to advance their standing among the finals contenders.

Super Netball: HT: Thunderbirds 24-21 Magpies - The Magpies pinched the second bonus point of the game but the Thunderbirds retain a three point lead at half-time. The visitors levelled briefly but are shooting at just 72% accuracy, a figure that is hampering their efforts to chase down the Giants in the race for the finals.

NRL: Roosters 58-6 Titans

A comprehensive demolition job at the SCG with the Roosters carving the Titans open at will to fly up to second on the ladder. Latrell Mitchell bagged 26 points, Brett Morris nabbed a hat-trick, and James Tedesco powered forward for 280 metres gained. Not a bad day for Cooper Cronk to celebrate a career century of tries.

AFL: QT: Carlton 4.1 (25) v West Coast 2.5 (17) - Carlton’s renaissance under David Teague continues apace with an impressive opening quarter against the powerful Eagles. Nic Newman kicked a couple and Sam Walsh already has 12 disposals to his name as the young Blues took it to their more fancied opponents.

AFL: Collingwood 18.12 (120) beat Gold Coast 8.3 (51)

A handy percentage-boosting day out for Collingwood at the MCG. Will Hoskin-Elliott kicked four, Adam Treloar commandeered 35 possessions, and Brodie Grundy did pretty much everything in a very nice 69 point victory. The Pies will feature in September but they’re going to need a series of unlikely results to go their way if they’re any chance of a late dash into the top four. The Suns remain rooted to the foot of the ladder and deserving of little further commentary.

Updated

Super Netball: QT: Thunderbirds 15-11 Magpies - The hosts have secured the opening bonus point of the match at Priceline Stadium in a scrappy opening quarter. Both sides were shooting at just 79% accuracy but with the Thunderbirds dominating possession they hit the first break in front. Shamera Sterling starred for Adelaide with three gains.

Updated

NRL: 60 mins: Roosters 46-0 Titans - In a season of low points the Titans are plumbing new depths at the SCG. The Roosters are on their way back up to second on the ladder and with a healthy points difference boost to boot.

Super Netball: And we’re underway in the second Super Netball contest of the afternoon with the fifth-placed Magpies keen to keep the pressure on the Giants in the race for the finals. They have ventured to Adelaide to battle the second-from-bottom Thunderbirds.

AFL: We’re underway in the second AFL contest of the day with the Eagles facing the awkward proposition of a rejuvenated Carlton at Marvel Stadium. An away win will move West Coast level on points with Geelong on top of the ladder.

AFL: 3QT: Collingwood 16.8 (104) v Gold Coast 6.3 (39) - If Nathan Buckley needed a run out to help boost his side’s confidence this is the fixture he would have dreamed of. The Pies are embarrassing the Suns at the MCG.

Updated

Super Netball: Giants 63-58 Firebirds

The Firebirds put up one heck of a fight in Canberra but they remain last on the Super Netball ladder and winless for the season. The Giants recovered from their early scare to prevail in a bruising encounter, securing two bonus points along the way to help shore up fourth place with just three rounds remaining. Jo Harten was named as the player of the match with 34 goals from 40 shots.

Jamie-Lee Price and Erin Burger
Jamie-Lee Price and Erin Burger clash during the Giants victory over the Firebirds in Super Netball. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images

Updated

Drugs in Sport: While Shayna Jack is making headlines, what is it actually like to be suspended from professional sport for a doping infraction? Cyclist Ben HIll opens up in a powerful firsthand account.

I returned to my parents’ place in rural New South Wales and sank into depression. I sat on the couch for months. There was this big hole in my life, and nothing could fill it. Cycling was my dream – my career had been heading in the right direction – and suddenly it felt over. I felt abandoned by the cycling community. Cycling Australia didn’t offer any support; they made an example of me.

NRL: HT: Roosters 28-0 Titans - This was always likely to be a one-sided affair, and so it is proving at the SCG.

Super Netball: 3QT: Giants 49-41 Firebirds - That strong early burst by the Firebirds now seems an age away. After wrestling control late in the second quarter the Giants tore clear in the third, establishing what should be a match-winning margin.

Tennis: Nick Kygrios has been at his swaggering brilliant best this week in Washington DC, and with the help of the crowd and no shortage of trick shots he’s through to the final of the 500-point Citi Open. It’s been far from a vintage season for the Australian but he’s now just one match away from his second title.

AFL: HT: Collingwood 10.6 (66) v Gold Coast 5.2 (32) - The Suns kept the Pies honest early on in this contest but it was one-way traffic in the second quarter with Collingwood bolting to a substantial lead. Jamie Elliott and Travis Varcoe both have braces while Treloar is up to 21 possessions.

NRL: 10 mins: Roosters 12-0 Titans - And the Roosters have already crossed twice! This could be a long old day for Gold Coast.

NRL: The first NRL fixture of the day is underway with the Titans making their first appearance at the SCG to take on the Roosters.

Football: Some sad news to report from this weekend with the death of Damien Lovelock, one of the most interesting and idiosyncratic figures in Australian sport and Australian sport broadcasting. Andrew Stafford sums up a life well lived.

Above all, he was a fabulous raconteur. Lovelock was a big man with a big voice and a hell of a lot of stories. Silence wasn’t in his vocabulary. Even in his yoga sessions, he peppered his students with anecdotes that had them trying to maintain poses in between contortions of laughter. This combination of physical mastery and people skills saw him hired as an instructor by, among others, the New South Wales State of Origin rugby league team.

Super Netball: HT: Giants 28-29 Firebirds - The Firebirds haven’t celebrated a win all season but they remain ahead of the finals-chasing Giants this afternoon - but only just. In a physical contest with plenty of incident the hosts fought back late in the second quarter to snatch the bonus point on offer and reduce the deficit to a solitary goal. Despite her grisly injury Gretel Tippett is 14 from 14 for the visitors.

Football: Thomas Deng is emerging as a leading figure for Australian football on and off the field, as Lucas Radbourne reports.

It’s our time. The right time for someone to speak out and be a voice for Africans in Melbourne. We need to show ourselves more.

AFL: QT: Collingwood 4.4 (28) v Gold Coast 3.2 (20) - The Suns kicked the opening couple of goals at the MCG but the Pies responded to sneak into the lead in the shadow of quarter time. Adam Treloar already has a goal and 12 disposals to his name.

Super Netball: QT: Giants 13-15 Firebirds - It was a funny opening quarter in Canberra and it ends with the underdogs ahead by a couple of goals. The Giants turned in an error-strewn performance and deservedly went behind early, and despite a late rally they failed to secure the bonus point. The major talking point was the facial injury sustained by Gretel Tippett but she’s been patched up and is back on the bench for the Firebirds.

Cricket: Before we forget about the Ashes (for now) I thought this little nugget was worth sharing, from the stat master Ric Finlay. I wonder if WinViz includes a dedicated Steve Smith weighting? If not, they look questionable numbers considering the state of the pitch and the form of Australia’s number four.

Super Netball: Oof! Trouble early for the Firebirds and Gretel Tippett. The star forward doesn’t look good clutching her face on the bench. That could be a nasty break.

Updated

Cricket: Finally, for now, some reaction from the protagonists, and Chris Woakes’ head-scratching over the impossible job of troubling Steve Smith.

The pace has gone out of it, so you almost have to build pressure, maybe attack at the other end and hold the other. But Steve doesn’t make many mistakes. We’ll look at a few plans overnight and see what we can come up with.

Cricket: The England perspective is provided by Barney Ronay and his salute to Stuart Broad.

Broad has loved these contests. Unlike Anderson, whose numbers take a dive against the Aussies, Broad’s game rises to meet England’s most consistently cussed opponents, particularly in the English summer.

Cricket: Steve Smith was also the focus of Geoff Lemon’s attention, and his eye was trained on more than the former skipper’s batting.

The interesting thing about this is that Smith has not finished his punishment. His year-long ban from playing has ended, but not the second year’s ban from holding leadership positions in any Australia team. So it was equally interesting to see him in the slip cordon as Australia tried to take the last few English first-innings wickets, directing traffic in the field as smoothly as he ever did while captain.

Cricket: Before we become consumed with all the live action we should probably take stock of the overnight Ashes action. The opening Test at Edgbaston remains beautifully poised, thanks in the main to the amazing Steve Smith.

Here’s how Vic Marks saw things.

Yet again Steve Smith is the obstacle driving the English to distraction. While he is still at the crease nothing can be guaranteed. In front of another packed house here England made some solid progress: a first-innings lead of 90 and three early scalps when Australia batted again. But Smith, who reminded us on the first day how he can transform an innings, remained.

Preamble

Hello everybody and welcome to another busy Sunday sportwatching.

As the various races for the finals intensify we’re across the AFL, NRL and Super Netball before our attention turns to what’s happening on the other side of the world and the engrossing start to the Ashes.

The first action of note is underway around 1pm with the Giants continuing their push for the Super Netball playoffs against the bottom-placed Firebirds. There’s a second helping of Super Netball later on when the Magpies will bid to keep their finals hopes alive against the Thunderbirds. That begins at 3pm.

In the AFL Collingwood will be confident of snapping their two match losing streak at home to Gold Coast from 1.10pm before West Coast travel to an in-form Carlton at 3.20pm. The round concludes at 4.40pm with Brisbane hosting the Bulldogs in a fixture that could see the Lions move joint-top on the ladder.

The NRL is open for business at 2pm with the Roosters licking their lips at a percentage-boosting opportunity against the Titans. At 4.05pm the Eels can improve their finals equation against the Dragons.

If you want to join in the fun you can shoot me an email or a tweet, while comments should be open for you to gossip below the line.

Scott Pendlebury
Scott Pendlebury warming up prior to Collingwood taking on Gold Coast at the MCG. Photograph: Graham Denholm/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Updated

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
E. coli cases are on the rise in the United States, and the internet rightfully blames RFK Jr.
Who wants raw milk anyway?
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
'It Made Me Shy Away': Barry Keoghan Says Online Hate About His Looks is Affecting His Confidence
Barry Keoghan has opened up about the impact of online hate, saying negative comments about his appearance have become a serious issue affecting his daily life.
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
The internet is convinced Jeffrey Epstein was just spotted alive in Florida and the viral footage is genuinely haunting
The internet is absolutely buzzing right now thanks to a viral video showing a man dubbed “Palm Beach Pete” cruising through South Florida, and people are convinced he’s none other than convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This footage has really lit up social media, sparking immediate comparisons.
The Mary Sue
The Mary Sue
Not just boys: The overlooked story of ADHD in women and girls
When people think about attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), they often picture a hyperactive young boy running around a classroom, not the quiet girl daydreaming in the corner, the chatty student who can’t finish her work or the mother who is chronically late and constantly searching for her keys.
The Conversation
The Conversation
A new start after 60: I went on 75 first dates – and wrote a book of Kama Sutra-inspired poetry
Zack Rogow thought he was ready for love after the end of a long relationship – but not everyone agreed. How did he get over the rejections?
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
New social media study identifies the children ‘more likely to develop anxiety’
Experts from Imperial College London suggest the relationship between social media and mental health is ‘complex’
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play