And that, as they say, is that. A tremendously enjoyable day of sport, to offset the seriousness of the election. Thanks for your company, until next time.
AFL: North Melbourne 10.12 (72) vs 11.11 Sydney (77)
And yet more drama in Hobart as North push the Swans all the way to the siren, but the Swans hang on by the skin of their teeth to register victory. Despite this towards the end:
Robbie Tarrant gets a goal and we've got a ball game!#AFLNorthSwans pic.twitter.com/Eq0Oc45PBQ
— AFL (@AFL) May 18, 2019
Super Netball: Fever 63-63 Vixens
Well, well, well, something of a shock result in Perth as the Fever, bottom of the ladder and winless so far this season heading into this round, hold the Vixens, unbeaten and top of the ladder heading into this fixture! It’s enough for the Vixens to go back to the top of the ladder though, after the second drawn match of the season! Fowler finishes with 51, missing just three attempts, and can take much of the credit for Fever’s result.
AFL: Essendon 8.12 (60) vs Fremantle 7.11 (53)
Freo give the Bombers something to think about as the clock winds down, kicking three late goals from free kicks to draw within eight points, but it’s not enough in the end and Essendon hold on to end their three-game losing streak.
Dylan Shiel, who kicked two late goals for Essendon: “Fantastic. Certainly after that last five-minute surge by Freo. There wasn’t much energy left in the legs.”
Updated
Golf: This just in from Ewan Murray at Bethpage, on Tiger Woods’ unexpectedly early exit from the PGA Championship.
Comparisons with Tiger Woods are not so much a well-worn path as proven worthy of ridicule. It is of course legitimate for young golfers to have aspirations to reach the status of Woods, arguably the finest player ever to lift a club, but history does not reflect well on those afforded the prefix of “Tiger-esque”. He has never been typical, let alone easily replicated.
Super Rugby: Reds 32-40 Waratahs
The whistle blows at Suncorp and the Waratahs get a penalty – game over! NSW emerge from Queensland with yet another victory on enemy territory. No Israel Folau, no problem tonight as the Waratahs bounce back from two defeats in South Africa.
Michael Hooper: “It was a really enjoyable game. Both teams were playing some exciting rugby. When [Kurtley Beale] has got the ball in two hands it’s difficult to find a better player. This fixture is always a huge one in our calendar. It’s always a massive hit out. It’s always difficult playing up here.”
A disappointed Reds captain Samu Kerevi: “We didn’t get the result. We weren’t good enough tonight. We had a lot of the momentum but made some minor errors. It’s not good enough at this level.”
AFL: 3QT: North Melbourne 6.7 (43) vs 10.10 Sydney (70) - The Swans are looking comfortable in Hobart, and lead by 27 with one quarter to go.
How good is George Hewett going tonight. He's leading the way on the @EquifaxAU stats sheet at 3/4 time. pic.twitter.com/dET3AyVjB0
— Sydney Swans (@sydneyswans) May 18, 2019
NRL: Canberra 12-16 South Sydney
The Bunnies hold on at the death, despite intense late Raiders pressure, to spring to the top of the NRL standings! A real nailbiter in Canberra, but a monumental defensive performance from the Rabbitohs is enough – just. The Burgess boys were immense. Cody Walker too.
“I don’t think the game opened up at all. Our defence was very good. We gave away too many penalties. I gave away five myself, which is comical really. Cody Walker is exceptional. He called a play to win the game at the end. When the game’s on the line he’s there.”
Asked if he made it personal with some of the Raiders players, Burgess smiles “no”. He then adds as he walks off: “It is what it looks like.”
AFL: 3QT: Essendon 5.11 (41) vs 4.9 (33) Fremantle - It’s hardly high-scoring at Marvel, but it’s intriguing stuff as the Bombers open up an eight-point lead heading into the final term.
Classy finish from David Mundy!#AFLDonsFreo pic.twitter.com/SbqeQXetFZ
— AFL (@AFL) May 18, 2019
Super Netball: HT: Fever 32-32 Vixens - It’s all-square at the main break in the top v bottom clash in Perth. Jhaniele Fowler continues to star for the hosts, shooting at 93% for her 25 of 27 attempts, but Kaylia Stanton has chipped in with 7/10 (70%). For the Vixens, Caitlin Thwaites (17/19 at 89%) and Tegan Philip (15/16 at 94%) have managed to pull their side onto level terms. An intriguing second half awaits.
Rugby union: Rugby Australia has said its integrity unit will investigate reports that Wallabies hooker Tolu Latu was charged with drink driving in the early hours of Thursday morning. Latu was reportedly discovered sleeping in his vehicle in the east of the city and when tested returned an alcohol reading of 0.135 – a mid-range offence in NSW. Tonga-born Latu, who has played 12 Tests for Australia and was in action for the Waratahs in Brisbane earlier tonight, recently returned from a six-week suspension for a reckless challenge in Super Rugby. (Reuters)
AFL: Geelong’s win over the Bulldogs might have come at a cost with Patrick Dangerfield in doubt for the Cats’ next few games after spraining his ankle at GMHBA Stadium.
“He’s rolled that same ankle previously – I think it was a couple of weeks ago [against Essendon] when he hurt his knee as well,” said Geelong coach Chris Scott. “The feedback we’ve got is it’s a slightly more severe sprain of that ankle but nothing dire. So for those who saw him hobbling around on the crutches post-game, it’s all part of the Danger Show from what we can tell. He’ll pull himself together. It seems if he’s going to miss [any games] it will be on the minor side.”
Rugby union: Danny Cipriani. Remember him at the Rebels? It didn’t turn out too well for him in Melbourne but he’s turned his fortunes around back in the UK and has just enjoyed a fantastic season in the Premiership. A few Australians also make Rob Kitson’s team of the season.
Super Netball: QT: Fever 19-17 Vixens - Jhaniele Fowler is tearing it up at RAC Arena in the second of today’s netball matches. The Jamaican is shooting at 89% for her 18 goals so far tonight. For the Vixens, Caitlin Thwaites and Tegan Philip are sharing the load under the hoop, combining for the Melbourne side’s 17 points – here’s Erin Delahunty’s column earlier this week on this very issue:
AFL: HT: North Melbourne 5.3 (33) vs 8.6 Sydney (54) - What a quarter for the Swans, who storm back with a seven-goal period to reel in the Kangaroos and open up a 21-point lead.
Papley is on fire!#AFLNorthSwans pic.twitter.com/OSZrOZQcfz
— AFL (@AFL) May 18, 2019
AFL: HT: Essendon 3.7 (25) vs Fremantle 3.5 (23) - The Bombers have got their noses in front at Marvel, a half that included this spectacular period of play:
Joe Daniher and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti get Bomber fans on their feet with a couple of outstanding grabs. #AFLDonsFreo pic.twitter.com/UscSuqcSMz
— AFL (@AFL) May 18, 2019
Super Rugby: HT: Reds 15-14 Waratahs – The siren sounds at Suncorp and it’s the Reds (well, maroons, really, in this QLD v NSW affair) head into the sheds a point to the good thanks to Sefanaia Naivalu’s 28th minute try. Plenty to play for after the break in Brisbane.
NRL: HT: Canberra 6-4 Souths – It might be lacking in points and aesthetics, but not in intensity or grit in the nation’s capital. Sam Burgess survived that half, but he is, in his own words, “frustrated”. “But also proud of our defence,” he says on the way into the sheds. “Some of the penalties we’re getting out there are disappointing.”
American football: Crazy to think that stories like this exist – a former college football standout at the University of Oregon has been credited with tackling an armed student at a Portland, Oregon, high school before anyone was injured. This, from PA:
Super Rugby: 21 mins: Reds 10-14 Waratahs – Kurtley Beale scores the Waratahs’ second of the night, to add to Bernard Foley’s early opener. Actually, there’s some confusion over the identity of the scorer, with Michael Wells piling in and possibly getting the ball down over the line. Foley nails the kick and visitors from NSW lead by four in the Australian derby.
NRL: 28 mins: Canberra 4-2 Souths – I’m going to call this early: Sam Burgess is going to end up in trouble tonight. He’s bringing the heat down in chilly Canberra and is visibly fired up. The Raiders have just taken the lead after a disputed call that Burgess challenges vociferously. The referee isn’t interested, and that’s not going to help his mood.
AFL: Quarter-time score updates – North Melbourne lead the Swans by nine after the first term in Tassie while the Dockers are six to the good against Essendon in Melbourne.
Football: Some more European football now: Lyon are playing Barcelona in the Women’s Champions League final overnight (another 2am AEST kick-off), a match with enough intrigue as it is, without the speculation that Netherlands midfielder Lieke Martens will swap the Catalan club for Lyon after the match.
NRL: 3 mins: Canberra 0-0 South Sydney – A heartfelt minute’s silence is held with a double meaning in the nation’s capital – for the passing of former PM Bob Hawke and former Raiders player Quentin Pongia.
I mentioned earlier this would be a ground-breaking game – it is the first time six Englishmen are playing in the same NRL fixture: Souths’ Burgess brothers, Sam, Tom and George, and Josh Hodgson, Elliot Whitehead and Ryan Sutton of the Raiders.
AFL: Sydney are under way against North Melbourne in Hobart, where the Kangaroos have raced out to a 2.0 (12) to 0.1 (1) lead, thanks to a pair of Kayne Turner goals, early in the first quarter. And at Marvel Stadium, Freo are up and running against Essendon, thanks to a Ed Langdon goal.
Super Rugby: Blues 23-8 Chiefs
Across the ditch, the Blues have ended their hoodoo against the Chiefs at Eden Park, but they too had to come from behind to do so, after they fell behind to an early Mitchell Karpik try. Coming up: the Reds against the Tahs.
NRL: Cowboys 17-10 Eels
There goes the siren at 1300Smiles Stadium too. A great win for the Cowboys, who had to come from behind for victory. Tom Opacic was outstanding, and scored the decisive try with six minutes remaining. The Eels’ woes away from home continue, meanwhile, although they’re back at Bankwest next round, against the Panthers.
AFL: Geelong 21.7 (133) vs 13.11 (89) Western Bulldogs
And it’s all over at GMHBA Stadium. No late wobbles for the Cats, who blow things out for a very comfortable win in the end – by 44 points, if my maths is correct. And their lead at the top of the ladder extends back to four points. The following from AAP:
Mature-aged recruit Darcy Fort made a dream debut with three goals. The 25-year-old has taken the long road to the top level, beginning his career with local club South Barwon before stints with Werribee and Footscray in the VFL and SANFL outfit Central District. With No 1 ruckman Rhys Stanley a late withdrawal due to an adductor injury, another inexperienced big man Ryan Abbott and Fort were left to ruck against Bulldog Jackson Trengove. But it was up forward where Fort had his biggest impact, marking strongly and kicking three goals as the Cats booted the last six goals.
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NRL: 74 mins: Cowboys 17-10 Eels - Kahu ices the victory for the Cowboys with a one-point field-goal. The celebrations suggest that’s all North Queensland need – Parra need more than a converted try to get back into this one now.
Football: Speaking of Vincent Kompany, as Troy Deeney was earlier, this is a great interview with the great man, who tells Deborah Linton about the wrong path he nearly took as a teenager, “lunatic” politicians and life after football.
NRL: 72 mins: Cowboys 16-10 Eels – Worth noting we’re heading towards a thrilling conclusion up in Townsville, where there are seven minutes remaining and the hosts have just taken the lead, thanks to a some tired defensive work by Parra, Blake Ferguson the culprit. Tom Opacic takes advantage and crosses for a try, adding to the one Kyle Feldt ran in earlier that tied things up.
Top Opacic capitalises on a Parramatta error. #NRLCowboysEels North Queensland leads 16-10 with 5 minutes remaining ⏰.#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/AlSxRXlzdq
— NRL (@NRL) May 18, 2019
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Football: There’s a little bit of interesting football action coming up over in the UK later tonight: it’s the FA Cup final. Manchester City are gunning for a domestic treble, while their opponents Watford are hoping to cause an almighty upset. Hornets striker Troy Deeney reckons if he’s on his game he can give Vincent Kompany and City a run for their (substantial amounts of) money. We’ll find out soon enough – you can follow the game with the Guardian’s liveblog later on, kick-off is 2am AEST.
Cycling: The Giro d’Italia moves to Tortoreto Lido on the stunning Adriatic coast today (later tonight over here), for the eighth stage to Pesaro. It was a decent day for Lucas Hamilton, the 23-year-old from Ararat, who finished stage seven in fourth place for Mitchelton-Scott, behind winner Pello Bilbao of Spain. Italian Valerio Conti retained the overall leader’s pink jersey.
Cricket: This is well worth reading, by Raf Nicholson on the struggles women coaches face in cricket, despite some advances being made. How’s this for an opener?
“I get given uniform that is down to my knees – they say it’s unisex but it doesn’t fit me. I’m humiliated trying to work in this environment that’s already intimidating.” This is the recent experience of one female coach working in men’s cricket in England.
Hello there. And thanks Jonathan. Still to come tonight: the denouement of Cowboys-Eels in the NRL before a ground-breaking meeting between Canberra and Souths (more about how exactly that ground will be broken in a bit); we’ll see how Geelong fare in the final quarter against the Bulldogs, before North Melbourne play Sydney and Essendon take on Freo in the AFL; the Reds welcome the Waratahs to Suncorp for what promises to be a super rugby game; and the Fever and Vixens wrap up today’s Super Netball action.
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Thanks for your company this afternoon. It’s time for me to take my leave and settle in for a massive night worshipping at the altar of Antony Green.
Mike Hytner will be along shortly to see you through sportwatch after dark.
I’ll be back again to do this all tomorrow.
TTFN.
AFL: 3QT: Geelong 15.6 (96) vs 12.9 (81) Western Bulldogs - Geelong remain on course for a return to that four point lead on top of the ladder but the scoreboard continues to flatter them somewhat. It’s an even contest all over the ground but the Cats’s efficiency inside-50 is the difference between the sides.
Geelong have four multiple goal-kickers, led by Tom Hawkins with four.
Marcus Bontempelli sheesh!#AFLCatsDogs pic.twitter.com/V1hFlcpWkq
— AFL (@AFL) May 18, 2019
Super Rugby: HT: Blues 10-8 Chiefs - The Blues recovered well after the horror mistake to put their noses in front at half-time against the Chiefs. These are the two weakest sides in the NZ conference with neither likely to make an impression in the playoffs.
NRL: HT: Cowboys 6-6 Eels - One try apiece at the interval but the Cowboys will be fuming in the sheds after they saw three tries rubbed out on review for obstruction. North Queensland have controlled through the middle but the flying Parramatta backs have looked dangerous on the break.
Cricket: A Little cricket snippet, just to remind you this upcoming World Cup is going to be like nothing you have ever seen before. The 50-over game has been transformed in the last few years and it’s a revolution led by tournament hosts England who are routinely scoring well in excess of 300 runs with ease. They did so again last night to continue their terrifying form with the bat against Pakistan.
NRL: 28 mins: Cowboys 6-6 Eels - Dodgy defence must be catching because the Cowboys have gifted the Eels a way back into the contest. North Queensland have seen two tries rubbed out for obstruction and Jordan Kahu rubbed salt into the wounds by spilling a grubber in his own in-goal area.
Jordan Kahu fumbles ➡ Brad Takairangi scores!#NRLCowboysEels 6-all#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/eUlGIRi6ZC
— NRL (@NRL) May 18, 2019
Super Rugby: 15 mins: Blues 0-5 Chiefs - We’re also underway in the NZ Super Rugby derby and the deadlock has just been broken by the Chiefs who score an improbable try that’s worth catching on replay when you can.
The Chiefs kicked to the corner on a break, chased hard, and then hounded the Blues into coughing up the ball on their own try line allowing the rampaging Karpik to smuggle the ball over. Absolute horror show by the home defence but great opportunism by the visitors.
Ta'avao showing his strength. Nanai-Seturo with the chip chick. Karpik with the try!
— Gallagher Chiefs (@ChiefsRugby) May 18, 2019
0-5#BLUvCHI
Back to hashtag election songs, The Beatles’s Revolution deserves a guernsey surely?
NRL: 15 mins: Cowboys 6-0 Eels - We’re underway in Townsville for the second NRL fixture of the day and there’s already an early lead to the Cowboys.
The old bull has still got it 🐮 🙌#NRLCowboysEels Cowboys lead 6-0 #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/Yn9lHOh23P
— NRL (@NRL) May 18, 2019
AFL: HT: Geelong 11.4 (70) vs 7.6 (48) Western Bulldogs - Despite Geelong’s early ascendancy this has not turned into the procession the home fans might have hoped for. The half-time lead is much more comfortable than expected for most of the second quarter courtesy of three quick goals in the shadow of the siren.
There’s nothing between the sides on the stats sheet at the main break with Tom Hawkins’s 3.0 and Gary Rohan’s 3.1 the standouts.
Aaron Naughton gets to the right spot!#AFLCatsDogs pic.twitter.com/zn4ZO6baJR
— AFL (@AFL) May 18, 2019
Vincent Kompany, always a captivating interviewee, here on his roots, inequality, preparing for life after football and why ‘the world doesn’t belong to politicians’https://t.co/27qymRaE1k
— James Dart (@James_Dart) May 18, 2019
Boxing: The heavyweight division looked to be reaching a thrilling crescendo a few months ago but now the protagonists are all avoiding each other in pantomime fashion. Ahead of a run of glorified sparring matches for the big three, Bryan Armen Graham has taken a look at a sorry state of affairs.
Only five and a half months ago, the sport’s bellwether division appeared on the cusp of a new dawn when two of the big men with legitimate claims to the title of world’s best heavyweight fought to a white-knuckle split draw in downtown Los Angeles punctuated by a meme-friendly climax straight out of a Rocky movie. Deontay Wilder kept the WBC’s version of the long-fractured heavyweight title he’s owned since 2015. Tyson Fury retained his stake to the lineal championship he earned when he ended Wladimir Klitschko’s decade-long reign the same year. And Anthony Joshua, the Olympic gold medalist who’s consolidated the WBA, WBO and IBF belts to boffo box-office numbers, abruptly dropped from the most comfortably perched of the trio to, one could reasonably argue, the least.
AFL: QT: Geelong 6.2 (38) vs 4.1 (25) Western Bulldogs - Ladder leaders Geelong are on course to retain their one-game advantage in top spot after a fast start against the Western Bulldogs. Gary Rohan is in the goals again with 2.0 early on at Kardinia Park.
Reasonable finish from the Danger man!#AFLCatsDogs pic.twitter.com/BmO9jH2QZO
— AFL (@AFL) May 18, 2019
NRL: Titans 16-22 Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have stormed from an early 16-point deficit to overrun the Titans in Queensland. Dale Copley’s early brace was soon forgotten once Marcelo Montoya and Jayden Okunbor crossed before 21-year-old halfback Jack Cogger sealed matters with a dazzling solo effort.
The result barely affects the ladder with places 14th and 15th traded.
Jack Cogger does it himself!#NRLTitansBulldogs 16-22 with eight minutes to go. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/ibO54mxFxi
— NRL (@NRL) May 18, 2019
AFL: Brisbane 13.15 (93) vs 13.14 (92) Adelaide
That was a belter of a contest befitting two sides who are both likely to be around in September. The Lions hang on by a point with Eddie Betts kicking a goal on the siren to bring the margin to just a single point.
Charlie Cameron was a constant menace for his 3.5 while Lachie Neale ended with 39 touches. Dayne Zorko (12) and Jarryd Lyons (11) both racked up double figures in tackles.
The victory sees Brisbane replace Adelaide in fourth spot on the ladder, level with West Coast, on six wins from nine games.
A Dejection of Crows? An Exhaustion of Crows? #AFLLionsCrows pic.twitter.com/j1t3zxc0nG
— edwyatt (@edwyatt) May 18, 2019
AFL: Q4 4.30 mins remaining: Brisbane 13.14 (92) vs 12.13 (85) Adelaide - No sooner had I posted the Lions were home than Eddie Betts kickstarted the comeback with a trademark dribble. Three goals unanswered for Adelaide and they’re within touching distance again at the death.
A-League: Staying with tomorrow’s grand final, Football Federation Australia have announced the 22 mascots on the day will all be female.
Sarah Walsh, Football Federation Australia’s general manager of participation and women’s football, said the move is an attempt to inspire a new generation of female footballers.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” Walsh said. “For a long time, boys have grown up seeing their heroes on TV, and I think this year’s change will be an especially memorable moment for young girls.
“It might seem like a small gesture, but not only is this going to encourage more young girls to follow their sporting dreams, it’s also going to show the little boys that women have an equal place on the sporting field.”
A-League: Tomorrow is the final fixture in the A-League season, the grand final between Perth Glory and Sydney FC at what promises to be a 60,000 sellout at Optus Stadium. In advance, I have written a scene-setting preview and David Squires has brought the funny.
Meanwhile Liam Reddy has been speaking to AAP about the prospect of another penalty shootout following his heroics in the semi-final.
“Hopefully it won’t go to that. Hopefully we’ll wrap it up in 90 minutes,” Reddy said. “But we’re prepared to go 120 minutes and then if it goes to penalties, we’ll be confident going into that too.
“When it was sudden death (against Adelaide in the shootout) there was more pressure on the kicker. I tried to psych them out as much as possible and it worked.”
Updated
AFL: Q4 13 mins remaining: Brisbane 13.13 (91) vs 9.11 (65) Adelaide - Much like the earlier match of the day the final quarter looks decisive with Brisbane finally pulling clear of Adelaide.
The steal and the roost from way inside the centre square.
— AFL (@AFL) May 18, 2019
Lovely play from Dan McStay!#AFLLionsCrows pic.twitter.com/H3XjpUoO7k
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NRL: 62 mins: Titans 16-18 Bulldogs - Ah Gold Coast, you’ve done it again. After scorching into an early 16 point lead the Titans have watched the Bulldogs claw their way back into the contest and now take a late lead.
Okunbor has a double!
— NRL (@NRL) May 18, 2019
The @NRL_Bulldogs hit the lead! #NRLTitansBulldogs 16-18 with 18 minutes to go. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/tq51ZOYMBA
AFL: Collingwood 17.10 (112) vs 10.11 (71) St Kilda
This was nip and tuck for three quarters but Collingwood’s class shone through in the final term when they outscored St Kilda six goals to one.
Steele Sidebottom came to the fore when it counted and he’ll be in the running for Brownlow votes with his two-goal, 29-disposal afternoon, as will Adam Treloar for his 38-possession outing but the dominant force on the ground was arguably Brodie Grundy who dominated in the ruck, winning 49 of the 77 hitouts.
Collingwood move alongside Geelong on seven wins at the top of the ladder, resuming their one-game advantage over West Coast following the Eagles’ victory over Melbourne last night.
The Cats begin their home fixture against the Bulldogs shortly.
BRING BACK THE BARREL!#AFLPiesSaints pic.twitter.com/rVRvuztRcJ
— AFL (@AFL) May 18, 2019
AFL: 3QT: Brisbane 11.11 (77) vs 9.11 (65) Adelaide - The Lions remain likeliest to leave with the four points but they still can’t put the Crows away at the Gabba. Lachie Neale is up to 34 disposals.
Tennis: A tennis wrap wouldn’t be complete without a grimace towards Nick Kyrgios whose carry-on in Rome has made it even harder for those sympathetic to his maverick behaviour (like me) to present a positive spin. He began the week serving underarm to upset Daniil Medvedev in a classic display of good Nick - the cheeky, creative, brilliant and entertaining version - then morphed into petulant tantrum-throwing bad Nick in his default to Casper Ruud, via a podcast interview that can be admired for its candour and slaughtered for its disrespect. He is an enigma, and I hope he figures himself out eventually.
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Surfing: Another lay day has been called by organisers at the World Surf League event in Bali as a forecast south-west swell heads towards the Keramas break.
“We are expecting to see that swell show up overnight, so there is a strong chance we will be on and running for the next few days straight,” competition director Kieren Perrow said.
The next competition call will be made at 6.25am (0825 AEST) on Sunday.
From AAP.
Tennis: This is turning into one of the most unpredictable seasons in years - on both tours - and the chaos continued overnight at the Italian Open, the last major stop before Roland Garros.
In a tournament full of injury-enforced withdrawals and retirements, Naomi Osaka and Roger Federer both walked away from their quarter-finals without hitting a ball. They join the likes of Serena Williams and Petra Kvitova on the sidelines with the French Open just a matter of days away.
The big winner was Osaka’s opponent, Kiki Bertens. The recent Madrid Open champion may well be the world number two by Monday and favourite for the clay court grand slam. The Dutchwoman is breaking new ground for tennis in the Netherlands and surely one of the least heralded superstars of world sport.
Another nominee for the election song list, a personal favourite from one of the greatest albums of recent times.
NRL: HT: Titans 16-12 Bulldogs - So, yeah, maybe I spoke a little too soon about this one. The Titans are not to be trusted. All to play for in the second half.
What a try 👏#NRLTitansBulldogs 16-12 after 33 minutes. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/DkwODIUAhw
— NRL (@NRL) May 18, 2019
NRL: Some sad news coming through today with the announcement of the death of former New Zealand skipper Quentin Pongia from cancer. The 48-year old played 137 NRL games and 35 Tests for the Kiwis, winning the 1994 premiership with the Raiders.
AFL: 3QT: Collingwood 11.4 (70) vs 9.11 (65) St Kilda - This is turning into a humdinger with the lead changing hands on multiple occasions and both teams executing some sumptuous skills as the weak autumn sunshine leaks through the gaps in the MCG. Tim Membrey is up to 4.0 for the Saints while Adam Treloar is the leading ball-winner around the ground with 29 disposals.
Okay Robbie Young, you've got our attention!#AFLPiesSaints pic.twitter.com/AdmIC6WGli
— AFL (@AFL) May 18, 2019
“Hi Jonathan,” hi Brendan Brown, “Election songs?” Yes please, go right ahead. “I heard Duran Duran’s ‘Election Day’ on Nova this morning which I found as difficult to stomach as the thought of seeing Damien Barrett’s black heart or the umpires costing Essendon another win tonight against Freo. Have fun with your blog”.
Thanks Brendan, it really is a stinker. Although I think I read that technically it isn’t actually a Duran Duran single as it’s by Arcadia, a DD side project.
Golf: Brooks Koepka is in total command of the USPGA at the halfway mark and cruising towards his fourth major championship.
As Ewan Murray reports from Bethpage: “Closing time drunks may have more of a hit rate than those seeking to topple this major specialist. The 29-year-old has two rounds left to conclude a successful defence of the US PGA Championship. Koepka’s lead, which for now sits at seven, has not appeared under serious threat at any stage over the first 36 holes at Bethpage. This bears all the hallmarks of a sporting procession.”
Rugby: The major sporting story in Australia this week has been Rugby Australia’s decision to terminate the contract of Israel Folau. Wade into all the controversy below, including Bret Harris’s take on a situation set to end in a landmark judicial ruling.
All of this leads to the conclusion that the matter was always heading to a court of law where it will almost certainly become a test case – a legal action whose purpose is to set a precedent. There has certainly been nothing like the Folau dispute in the history of Australian sport, perhaps even workplace relations in general, where contract law is pitted against freedom of religion.
Election 2019: Politics is sport, right? The great Nye Bevan said it was a blood sport (an omen for the Swans tonight perhaps?) so if you’re comfortable with multiple tabs on the go you can keep up with all the latest from the election over here:
NRL: 20 mins: Titans 16-0 Bulldogs - Neither of these outfits are likely to be causing much trouble in September but Gold Coast are enjoying the afternoon so far, punishing Canterbury Bankstown early on in Queensland.
That's a double for @dalecopley!#NRLTitansBulldogs 14-0 after 12 minutes. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/tZG2j4jHmE
— NRL (@NRL) May 18, 2019
AFL: HT: Brisbane 7.8 (50) vs 6.8 (44) Adelaide - Just percentage separates these sides on the ladder and there’s only one kick between them at half-time at the Gabba. Brisbane keep threatening to establish a handy lead on the back of Lachie Neale’s 25 disposals but the Crows, led by the returning Bryce Gibbs (2.1 from 16 possessions) are proving difficult to shrug off.
Dayne Zorko from outside 50!#AFLLionsCrows pic.twitter.com/k1L6uCxr2m
— AFL (@AFL) May 18, 2019
AFL: HT: Collingwood 6.2 (38) vs 4.9 (33) St Kilda -Not a lot between these two Victorian rivals at half-time at the MCG. The Magpies are understrength though after listing Jordan De Goey and Darcy Moore as late outs.
Mihocek gets to the right spot and finishes it off.#AFLPiesSaints pic.twitter.com/oNOYSgfiTW
— AFL (@AFL) May 18, 2019
Super Netball: Swifts 57-59 Lightning
The first result of the day is a big one with the NSW Swifts suffering their first defeat of the 2019 Super Netball season at the hands of the resilient Sunshine Coast Lightning 59-57, at the Quaycentre on Saturday.
The Swifts took a 32-31 lead into the halftime break in what was a very hard-fought first half, and both sides were bringing plenty of physicality onto the court as they jockeyed for second spot on the competition ladder.
Sam Wallace (33/36) and Helen Housby (24/26) continued to show their chemistry up front, but it was the Lightning’s Peace Proscovia who was shining the brightest with 25 points before halftime, making life extremely tough for the home team’s defence.
The Swifts rallied after the break and raced out to an eight-point lead during the third quarter, however the injection of Cara Koenen sparked a comeback for the visitors. Koenen scored 18 points in her cameo and put her side on the front foot, allowing them to overcome a fairly heavy deficit in a really strong come from behind win on the road.
Swifts coach Briony Akle conceded the decision of counterpart Noeline Taurua to bring on Koenen at goal shoot for Peace Proscovia (27/29) was crucial as her side failed to adapt to the move. “I thought it was interesting they took their starting shooter off but Cara did a great job for them when she came on,” she said. “She really made our defenders work hard and we probably didn’t adjust to what she was doing.”
Akle was disappointed but confident the Swifts would bounce back for next weekend’s clash with the ladder-leading Melbourne Vixens. “We went on a 7-1 run at one stage so it is very disappointing to let that go and allow the momentum to shift the way it did but there is plenty to learn from today,” she said. “I think we didn’t handle the pressure in attack towards the end of the game which we will certainly have to work on.”
The Swifts, Vixens and Lightning are all on three wins but the Vixens have a game in hand away to the Fever later tonight.
From AAP
Down to the wire. Goal for goal until the end. But Lightning come away with the victory!
— Sunshine Coast Lightning (@sc_lightning) May 18, 2019
Lightning 59 defeat Swifts 57#SSNSwiftsLightning @SuperNetball pic.twitter.com/N7yFUlAk63
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Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to an extra special democracy sausage edition of sportwatch. Hopefully you’ve all exercised your democratic right already allowing you to settle back, savour that tubular meat grease coagulating in your intestines, and enjoy wall-to-wall sport from here until the end of time. Which may come sooner than you think if Kerri-Anne Kennerley is correct.
During my daylight stint on the blog we’ll catch up on the overnight action, look at some interesting talking points from the week, and cast our eye over the first few results of the afternoon coming through (sporting, not electoral ones).
The AFL has the strongest line-up, beginning with Collingwood and St Kilda (1.45pm) followed by Brisbane and Adelaide (2.10pm) and Geelong vs Bulldogs (4.35pm). Later this evening Essendon host Fremantle and North Melbourne take on Sydney (both at 7.25pm).
The NRL opens with the cellar dwelling Titans and Bulldogs facing off from 3pm before the Cowboys do battle with the Eels from 5.30pm. After dark it’s the headline act, featuring the Raiders and Rabbitohs (7.35pm).
In amongst all that we’ve got Super Rugby, Super Netball, and whatever else crosses my radar.
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Perhaps we could pepper the blog with our favourite election-themed songs? I’ll open with the now elderly golfer Alice Cooper and his riot of 70s noise.
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