And this is where I must leave you for today.
There will be two cricket blogs later from the World Cup, first on the New Zealand versus Sri Lanka game, then on the Australia versus Afghanistan match.
And, of course, there will be a live blog of the Liverpool versus Tottenham Champions League final.
I will be back tomorrow afternoon.
The Guardian’s coverage of the Adam Goodes film was mentioned below in the comments. If you are wondering what it is about, have a read of Luke Buckmaster’s review:
AFL: the home side has a goal advantage in Geelong in what has been an enthralling encounter so far, with Lance Franklin having a fine match. At half-time it’s: Cats 7.2 (44).5.8 (38) Swans.
AFL: the visitors from Sydney are trailing at the end of the first quarter in Geelong. At quarter-time it’s Cats 5.1 (31).3.3 (21) Swans.
This goal is a thing of beauty, by the way.
The Life of Gryan!#AFLCatsSwans pic.twitter.com/rY8QphLanv
— AFL (@AFL) June 1, 2019
Updated
Super Netball: Melbourne Vixens 62-52 beat Sunshine Coast Lightning
Super Netball: it’s all over in the Sunshine Coast, with the visitors from Victoria emerging victorious. Final score: Lightning 52-62 Vixens.
From AAP:
Vixens crash Langman’s netball milestone
Laura Langman’s 200th elite game will not be remembered fondly by the New Zealand international after the Melbourne Vixens squeezed the life out of her Sunshine Coast Lightning in their Super Netball showdown.
Swarming defence paved the way for the 62-52 victory and ruined the atmosphere for the home crowd who had packed USC Stadium to celebrate Langman’s milestone on Saturday.
Vixens shooter Caitlin Thwaites scored 33 goals while her Vixens captain Kate Moloney responded determinedly to her Diamonds’ World Cup squad omission by winning her midcourt battle with Silver Ferns’ veteran Langman.
The Vixens overcame a slow start to claim the bonus points on offer for winning the first term.
Their midcourt defence restricted Langman’s influence as the attack line scored the last seven goals of the quarter.
The defensive crunch was both brilliantly conceived and executed.
Melbourne’s Renae Ingles’ performance was not statistically significant, but she clogged the central space normally controlled by Langman and snapped her connection with the Lightning’s shooters.
Such was the effectiveness of the shutdown engineered by Ingles and Jo Weston, the Lightning completely restructured their attack in the third quarter.
Goal attack Steph Wood moved out to wing attack to facilitate a goal circle partnership between Peace Proscovia and Cara Koenen but the back-to-back championships could not regain the momentum.
Updated
Super Rugby: Sunwolves 19-42 Brumbies
Super Rugby: it’s good news for the visitors in Tokyo, with the Brumbies dominating the locals, despite going behind early in the game. It was a vital win and finals probably beckon after this. Final score: Sunwolves 19-42 Brumbies.
From AAP:
Brumbies look set for Super Rugby finals
The Brumbies have all but guaranteed their Super Rugby finals spot, capitalising on the Rebels’ upset loss to the NSW Waratahs to beat the Sunwolves in Tokyo.
The Brumbies’ 42-19 bonus-point win on Saturday takes them to 39 points on the ladder, five clear of Melbourne with two games to play.
Second-year coach Dan McKellar, an unknown when the former ACT forwards’ assistant had replaced Stephen Larkham in 2018, has returned the Brumbies to form.
They have been without the best openside flanker in the world David Pocock for most to the season but have still found a way to win.
The Sunwolves are anchored to the bottom of the ladder but have beaten the Waratahs and Chiefs this season and had posed a danger to the Canberra outfit.
The home side scored the first try when the “Tongan Godzilla” Hosea Saumaki broke through in the opening minute but the Brumbies quickly responded.
Wallabies No.8 Pete Samu squared the ledger in the ninth minute before Irae Simone and Tom Banks scored from backline moves inside the half-hour.
Brumbies super-sub Connal McInerney replaced hooker Folau Faingaa at halftime and scored a hat-trick in the second half, all from rolling mauls.
He had never scored a Super Rugby try and becomes the fifth player in Super Rugby history to score three off the bench.
The Brumbies next face the Waratahs before hosting Queensland in the final round.
Updated
Super Netball: it’s three quarter-time in Sunshine Coast and the home side have fallen well behind to the visitors from Melbourne. It’s Lightning 35-48 Vixens.
AFL: GWS 19.12 (126) beat Gold Coast 6.7 (43)
AFL: an emphatic win for the home side at Sydney Showground. It finished GWS 19.12 (126) beat Gold Coast 6.7 (43).
From AAP:
Coniglio, Cameron star as GWS smack Suns
GWS vice-captain Stephen Coniglio gave a timely reminder of his AFL value at Giants Stadium on Saturday, where five goals from Jeremy Cameron helped the hosts hammer Gold Coast by 83 points.
Cameron, Jeremy Finlayson and Harry Himmelberg combined for 10 goals as GWS shored up their top-four spot, prevailing 19.12 (126) to 6.7 (43) in front of a crowd of 7,581.
Coniglio, who comes off contract at the end of this season, was best on ground with 36 disposals, eight tackles, three clearances and three goals.
The foundation Giant has been linked to clubs in Melbourne but GWS coach Leon Cameron is confident the in-demand on-baller will pen a new deal within a month.
The Suns were in the contest at halftime, trailing by 19 points, but GWS proceeded to grow their percentage thanks to their potent multi-pronged forward line and the class of midfielders Coniglio, Josh Kelly, Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto.
The only downside for the Giants was that stars Lachie Whitfield and Toby Greene both failed to run out the game.
Whitfield suffered a painful knock to his collarbone and shoulder in the fourth quarter when he was bumped by Gold Coast midfielder David Swallow.
Whitfield emerged from the rooms towards the end of the match in good spirits - and without a sling.
“He was a little bit sore but I think he’ll be fine. He’s a special player, cops a lot of attention most weeks and I’m grateful he’s on our side,” Coniglio told Fox Footy.
Greene played no part in the fourth quarter.
Jeremy Cameron, having booted a combined total of three goals in the preceding three matches, featured prominently as the Giants booted 9.5 in a lopsided final term.
Gold Coast’s Jack Bowes suffered a quad injury in the first quarter and played no further part in the match.
Updated
AFL: Fremantle 11.9 (75) beat Collingwood 11.13 (79)
AFL: wow, what a finish that was. In a game where the lead changed often, Michael Walters got the decisive score for the visitors from the west. It finished Collingwood 11.9 (75) 11.13 (79) Fremantle.
From AAP:
Late Freo charge snaps Magpies AFL streak
Fremantle have pulled off a stunning four-point win over Collingwood, Michael Walters the hero again with a goal to put his side in front with less than 30 seconds left at the MCG.
Saturday’s 11.13 (79) to 11.9 (75) will be much-debated after a Walters’ goal in the third quarter wasn’t overturned by the score reviewer despite it appearing to be touched off the boot by Chris Mayne.
Steele Sidebottom’s desperate lunge was clearly over the goal line but in a game decided by less than a kick, the Magpies appear hard done by.
Collingwood, who were aiming to make it eight wins in a row, led by as much as nine points in a frantic final term but Brandon Matera kicked two goals to keep his side in it.
As the clock ticked down, Nat Fyfe mistimed a torpedo punt that fell fortuitously into Walters lap inside attacking 50, the Dockers star winning a game off his own boot for the second week running.
In a scrappy contest where errors came thick and fast, the few players who were able to maintain their composure and execute skills under pressure stood out more than they usually would.
Brad Hill (29 possessions) and Fyfe (32) were those players for Fremantle, while Scott Pendlebury’s class shone out for the Pies, the skipper finishing with 29 touches and two goals.
Scores were level at the first break, but Jordan De Goey’s brilliant second goal helped the Pies to a 13-point lead at halftime.
The visitors looked set to break the game open with four goals in a row in the third quarter, but De Goey’s third late helped slice the margin to four points at the last change, setting up a pulsating finish.
Fremantle finished a player down after Alex Pearce limped off with an ankle injury and failed to return for the final term.
Collingwood will next take on Melbourne in the Queen’s Birthday clash, with the Dockers one of six teams not in action as the AFL’s bye rounds commence.
Updated
OK, this post isn’t anything to do with sport, but it caught my eye because I found it just plain odd. Musicians are no longer just (allegedly) smoking marijuana, they’re selling it.
Super Netball: it’s half-time in Sunshine Coast and the home side are trailing. It’s Lightning 25-32 Vixens.
Updated
Super Rugby: it’s half-time in Tokyo, and despite taking an early lead, the hometown boys are trailing the visitors from Canberra. It’s Sunwolves 12-21 Brumbies.
Super Netball: it is 13 minutes to half-time in Sunshine Coast, with the latest score Lightning 15-18 Vixens.
Updated
AFL: it’s three quarter-time at the Sydney Showground, and the home side is running away with it. It’s GWS 10.7 (67)-4.7 (31) Gold Coast. Ben King has scored his first goal, which must be exciting.
AFL: it’s three quarter-time at the MCG and the visitors have made a powerful comeback and will enter the final quarter with a slender lead. It’s Collingwood 8.6 (54)-8.10 (58) Fremantle.
This Michael Walters kick was paid as a goal, despite Chris Mayne's pleas for a touch.#AFLPiesFreo pic.twitter.com/7pFAs2wW2x
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) June 1, 2019
Football: more fine Champions League final writing, this time from Liverpool and Spurs fans, rather than journalists. It’s why they love the team they love.
AFL: it’s half-time in Sydney, and the homeboys are dominating. It’s GWS 6.5 (41)-3.4 (22) Gold Coast. Ben King has scored his first goal, which must be exciting.
The kick that ended Jack Bowes’ game.
Jack Bowes is done for the day after this kick for goal.#AFLGiantsSuns pic.twitter.com/U6AfBQqBVU
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) June 1, 2019
Updated
AFL: it’s half-time in Melbourne and the home side have powered ahead. It’s Collingwood 6.5 (41)-4.4 (28) Fremantle.
Some hard tackles have been going in.
Rory Lobb goals after getting taken out of the contest by Grundy #AFLPiesFreo pic.twitter.com/H1V0RRopUg
— Lace out (@laceoutofficial) June 1, 2019
Updated
Football: if you’re getting up at the crack of dawn to watch the European Cup final (of course you are), you will want to read this piece about how Mauricio Pochettino has weaved his special kind of magic at Tottenham Hotspur.
“When you see the arrow, you think: ‘It’s impossible. How am I going to break the arrow against my throat?’” the enigmatic Argentine says.
Updated
AFL: it’s quarter-time in the Sydney Showground, and it’s GWS 4.2 (26)-3.3 (21) Gold Coast. Ben King has scored his first goal, which must be exciting.
Ben King with his first goal in AFL Football!#AFLGiantsSuns pic.twitter.com/6Sbl8bO9Y8
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) June 1, 2019
Updated
AFL: it’s quarter-time at the MCG and scores are level. It’s Collingwood 3.3 (21)-3.3 (21) Fremantle. The game so far has included a somewhat controversial goal.
Brad Hill kicks a great goal on the run, but should Jeremy Howe have received a free kick?#AFLPiesFreo pic.twitter.com/xU7Sr9t07q
— AFL.com.au (@AFLcomau) June 1, 2019
Updated
Rugby union: if you have not already read Martin Pengelly’s story on rugby’s advance in the US, now is the time to do so. Sport with a serious social purpose gets the thumbs up from me. “Rugby was a good choice because it lets them let out some anger and aggression.”
Football: Jürgen Klopp has stated the bleeding obvious by saying Liverpool’s success or otherwise will be judged by silverware. It’s Liverpool, Jürgen, of course you’re going to be judged by what you win.
Football: the Socceroos are continuing their preparations for their friendly international against Korea Republic in Busan next Friday, where it was confirmed the match would be played in front of a capacity crowd of more than 54,000.
Bailey Wright, who is looking to earn his first Socceroos cap since early last year says he’s relishing the opportunity to be one of the more experienced players in the squad.
“We’ve got a young squad here, my leadership qualities have grown over the years, I’ve become club captain at Bristol City. I try and grow who I am but I don’t try and change who I am, those things happen naturally, I like to commentate whilst involved in sessions and I think that’s how I can get the best out of myself and my team-mates,” he said.
Also re-joining the Socceroos for this camp is Western Sydney Wanderers forward Mitchell Duke, who last played for the national team in 2013. The 28 year old recently returned to Australia after four seasons in Japan.“I experienced promotion and relegation in Japan, which is a great learning curve, it strengthens you mentally, it has helped me grow as a player. I think I’ve grown, I was a bit raw when I went there,” he said.
Australia’s match against Korea Republic will kick-off at 8pm local time (9pm AEST) on Friday 7 June and will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox and Network 10 (10 Bold).
Updated
Tennis: Kevin has, of course, also written about the women’s game, in particular, Johanna Konta.
Updated
Tennis: Kevin Mitchell, our man at Roland Garros, has the latest from the French Open.
Updated
Football: Richard Parkin, who is our man in Eindhoven, has written that the Matildas’ focus remains firmly on preparations for the World Cup in France.
Updated
Cricket: before we get into the afternoon’s games, have a read of Sam Perry’s fine article on how Australian cricket is moving into a new era.
Updated
Preamble
Good afternoon, or morning, depending on where you are looking at this blog from. I will be bringing you updates from AFL, netball, rugby and more for the next few hours.
