Summary
So plenty of action across the various sporting codes. Some big statements issued in the NRL opening round, with North Queensland, Wests Tigers and New Zealand Warriors starting with wins.
A nerve-settling win for the Victory in the A-League, but it was a spectacularly mad finish to the F3 Derby that was the highlight of the night, with the Mariners almost squandering a shock 3-0 leader in their first game under former Matildas coach Alen Stajcic, only to survive an injury-time penalty - taken twice - and a frenetic finish from their sworn rivals, the Jets, to hold on 3-2.
Heartbreak for the Kangaroos and the Demons whose AFLW seasons finish without finals berths (despite winning more games than teams in Conference B - but let’s not re-open that can of worms).
Good wins for both Queensland sides in the Super Rugby and Super W competitions respectively, and much, much more - including an eighth pole position for Lewis Hamilton at Albert Park.
We’ll have live F1 tomorrow night - join my Richard from another mother, Gadsby, for that one. Thanks for your company!
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A-League: Melbourne Victory 2-1 Brisbane Roar
So, comfortable enough in the end for the home side, who land just their first win in five games after a lean run, to keep the pressure on Sydney FC in second spot (just one point ahead), and extend their lead over fourth to ten points (with Wellington also in action tomorrow).
Kosta Barbarouses’ double the difference, while Kenny Athiu’s goal hunt continues, having struck the base of the post in the big striker’s 18th appearance.
NRL: North Queensland 24-12 St George Illawarra
And life after JT has started in fine fashion in Townsville, with Jason Taumololo leading his side to a solid home win, after a gritty and tense first half.
Good hands from Michael Morgan were another feature of the performance, stepping up in the playmaking role, but it was a remarkable 300m+ evening from the new JT that fired the home side.
St George scoring first, and last, but losing the other 70-odd minutes in the middle.
TAUMALOLO 👊
— NRL (@NRL) March 16, 2019
One JT retires and another one steps up! #NRLCowboysDragons #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/40Z0AqcyKb
AFLW: Fremantle 7.10 (52) defeat North Melbourne 4.1 (25)
And in the Conference A “do-or-die” clash between two of the form teams of the competition there’s been heartbreak for the Kangaroos, ending their AFLW debut season, despite a 5-2 record.
Fremantle were good value as they secured second spot, Kiara Bowers running the midfield with 22 possessions and a whopping 13 tackles, but the Dockers will wait nervously with two of their stars, Sabreena Duffy and Dana Hooker, both picking up injuries.
A-League: And a shock against-the-run-of-play goal for the low-lying Roar; surely we haven’t got another epic comeback on our hands here, against the Victory?
Frenchman Eric Bautheac with sublime improvisation to loop home over a stranded Matt Acton, whose pass out to Rael Baena was well-closed down by Thomas Kristensen and played into the path of the former Lille-forward’s path. 2-1 with thirty to play.
Super W: Queensland 12-0 Brumbies
A brave effort from the Brumbies but they left Brisbane scoreless. For Queensland, who slipped up to a narrow loss against the reigning premiers, the Waratahs, it was a bounce back to winning ways - with Cecilia Smith scoring both tries.
They will comfortably finish top two now, the Reds, just a question of whether points difference will keep them ahead of their southern nemeses, who still face the Rebels in the final round next weekend.
NRL: And we’re just inside the second half for the late NRL fixture, where it’s another arm-wrestle, this time between North Queensland Cowboys and St George Illawarra.
They went to a six-point lead, the visitors, but it was a former Dragon, Nene Macdonald who popped up to haunt his former club. 8-6 the lead at the break. Lovely from Te Maire Martin in the lead up too.
Nene serves up a classy meat pie to his old colours 💯#NRLCowboysDragons 8-6 at half time. pic.twitter.com/TKyruSR5nA
— NRL (@NRL) March 16, 2019
A-League: And as we approach half-time in Melbourne for the late fixture between Melbourne Victory and Brisbane Roar it’s a second goal to Kosta Barbarouses. His first came in the 24th minute, and was celebrated with a beautifully poignant bow in Islamic fashion in tribute to the victims of Christchurch. And with six minutes to play he’s in again, the Kiwi flyer, beating Roar youngster Brendan White at his near post with a driven finish to put Kevin Muscat’s side very much on top.
Hockey: And it’s not to be two-from-two in the Pro League today in Sydney, with the Hockeyroos going down narrowly to Argentina.
Here’s Australian Associated Press:
An energetic Argentina spoiled Hockeyroos goalkeeper Rachel Lynch’s 200th game with a 1-0 win in the Pro League match at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday.
Las Leonas captain Delfina Merino scored the decider in the 24th minute, slapping home a cross while Hockeyroo Mariah Williams was in the sin bin. It was the Hockeyroos’ first loss since their opening weekend upset to lowly Belgium and drops them to equal third on the table.
Argentina - fitter, faster and more skilful – jumped to second behind world No 1 the Netherlands.
“That hurts. I hate losing,” said Lynch, who pulled off several good saves in the first half. “I’m really proud to get to this point [200 games], but we need to show some character against New Zealand tomorrow.”
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NRL: Wests Tigers 20-6 Manly Sea Eagles
So a return to the NRL for Madge Maguire and a return to Manly for Des Hasler, but it was two-other age-worn warriors that decided this one.
Ever-green Robbie Farah and Benji Marshall the stars - Farah with two tries, and Marshall, wearing the skipper’s armband for the evening, the creator for the other.
Vintage @robbiefarah on full display. 👌#NRLTigersManly 20-2 with 13 minutes to go#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/YyJUkwNvSB
— NRL (@NRL) March 16, 2019
A promising start for faithful Tigers fans, who have no doubt enjoyed their night out at Leichhardt Oval.
A-League: Newcastle Jets 2-3 Central Coast Mariners
We’re in the 94th minute of one of the most dramatic halves of A-League you’ll ever witness - 0-0 after 45, 3-2 after 90 - and referee Adam Kersey has pointed to the penalty spot!!
VAR checks. We have interminable tension. It’s a tug of the shirt on Roy O’Donovan from Jonathan Aspro. But did it start inside, or outside the box? VAR says no clear and obvious error from the ref - and we go to the spot kick!
O’Donovan lines it up - and would you believe it! It’s a huge save from Ben Kennedy! But it spills loose - and Daniel Georgevski tucks home!!
3-3.
But if that’s not enough for you - we’ve gone back to VAR - because replays suggest Georgevski had encroached before the penalty was taken!
This is mayhem. Pure mayhem.
Yes, says VAR. And it’s a penalty retake!
O’Donovan wants it again. He’s already missed one! And would you believe it - Kennedy’s saved it again!!
He’s pushed it clear, it rebounds to Georgevski again - but he can’t fire it home this time!
This is deadset the maddest five minutes of A-League I think we’ve ever seen.
100 minutes is on the clock. And we’ve got some terrific bust-ups happening on the pitch. The Jets players are fuming. The Mariners celebrating. And there FINALLY is the whistle!
A first win for Alen Stajcic, and the Jets butcher the chance to jump up the table!
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A-League: My, oh my. We’ve got ten to play up in Newcastle, and you won’t believe it - the Jets have pulled this back to 3-2!
Fox’s Simon Hill dusted off the old “Surely not even the Mariners could throw this away!” at 3-0 up, and he’s tempted every fate in football’s pantheon.
After 51st, 64th and 67th minute goals to Jordan Murray, Jem Karacan and Connor Pain gave Central Coast fans the most unlikely of scorelines, goals to Roy the boy (74th minute) and Ronnie Vargas (81st minute) has made for a VERY lively last ten minutes.
23 goals in the last three games they’ve played in, the Mariners. So probably don’t rule out the potential of one more!
A-League: Wowee, wow. They’ve had a septem horribilis (mensis and annus as well, you’d have to say), the Mariners, but would you believe, they’ve just gone 2-0 up against the Jets! Jem Karacan the man with the armband in the absence of Matt Simon, and he’s doubled a shock lead - and in the F3 derby of all games!
And faster than I can type this - they’ve made it three!! Remarkable stuff. This time last week they’ve been beat 8-2 by the Phoenix. EIGHT-TWO. And now they’re staring at a big, big win - just their second of the season! Western United bound Connor Pain the man to make it three! They’ve never scored three in Newcastle, they have now.
Deary me, poor old Ernie Merrick. Did the Jets players think they had this one won already? A huge blow with a spot in the top six seemingly begging to be taken by Newcastle. Back to the drawing board.
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Formula One: And news from final qualifying ahead of tomorrow’s race: it’s a remarkable run from Lewis Hamilton who has secured his sixth-consecutive pole position, notching up an Australian Grand Prix track record on the way! Do you reckon he likes Albert Park?
Here’s our eyes on the ground, Giles Richards, with the report:
AFLW: Melbourne Demons 1.2 (8) lose to Adelaide 10.8 (68)
Ay, ay, ay.
Conference A was balanced on a knife edge with plenty expected from this clash in particular - but the Dees have saved their worst performance of the season for their final game!
Take nothing away from Adelaide, who have really sent a message to the rest of the league. They do secure top spot, and but for that opening round one-point loss to the Bulldogs could have completed a flawless season.
Skipper Erin Phillips again the inspiration for the Crows, with Irish sharp shooter Eilish Considine bagging two goals, as did vice captain Angela Foley.
A-League: So, around the grounds - it’s 0-0 at half-time in the F3 derby, with debutant Mariners coach Alen Stajcic no doubt the happier of the two. The Jets creating a few decent chances, only for former shot-stopper Ben Kennedy to deny his erstwhile home fans. The Jets also striking the base of the post, and Roy O’Donovan picking up a yellow card for a nasty attempted overhead kick that only struck his opponent (where have we seen that before..?)
Also half-time in the NRL where as mentioned before it’s another tough tussle with defences on top. 2-0 the score at the break, with just a penalty from Manly separating the two sides.
NRL: And I should have mentioned, the Tigers-Sea Eagles clash underway is not just Madge’s return, but also a return for prodigal coach Des Hasler, back with Manly.
It’s looking like an arm-wrestle out there in slippery, treacherous conditions - no tries with just a few minutes to play in the first half. Defences on top, you’d have to say.
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Toss Gascoigne (from the ACT) has written in:
Nothing on big Brumbies win over Waratahs?
Haha. You’ve got me Toss, always blind when it comes to a ‘Tahs loss.
I’ll plead the defence of Saturday sportwatch and that being an overnight result, but yes - if you missed it: a key win in Canberra, with the Brumbies edging it 19-13.
Coach Darryl Gibson deeming it a “deserved” win for the home side: “They really capitalised on the pressure they were able to exert when they got in our 22. There were a couple of key moments they won.”
Concerns for former NSW coach Michael Cheika watching on no doubt, as several of his more experienced Wallabies stars were showed up in that one. Watch that space, I guess.
Hockey: And good news for the Australian men’s team who have continued their winning ways in the Pro League, edging Argentina 3-2 in Sydney.
Here’s Australian Associated Press:
Penalty corner expert Jeremy Hayward powered Australia to their fourth straight win in hockey’s new Pro League, but there were plenty of late nerves before downing Argentina 3-2 at Sydney Olympic Park.
Hayward netted twice in a dominant opening quarter to give the Kookaburras the ideal start in front of a crowd of more than 3,000 on Saturday.
Blake Govers made it three on the stroke of halftime with another penalty corner rocket and it looked like being a walkover for the home team. But Argentina hit back with two corner goals of their own in the second half and had other excellent chances to take the match to a shootout.
Australia now has 13 points from six games while Argentina has seven points from five games.
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AFLW: Wowee. And with finals spots on the line it’s a grim old start for Dees’ fans at home - half-time in today’s AFLW fixture and cover your children’s eyes:
Melbourne 0.0 (0) trails Adelaide 5.4 (34).
Do you reckon the Crows have their hearts set on that top spot in Conference A?!
Also, we’ve kicked off in the first of two A-League fixtures, where it’s an A-League debut for new Mariners coach, Alen Stajcic, and of all places, in the F3 Derby! Inclement conditions in Newcastle, so a slight dampner on the usual derby atmosphere.
And in the second of three NRL fixtures it’s Madge Maguire’s debut as Tigers coach, as his side play host to Manly. No score after ten in that one.
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Super Rugby: Sunwolves 31-34 Reds
And it’s a morale-boosting come-from-behind win for the hitherto winless Reds who put on 21 unanswered points in the second half to break the hearts of a plucky Sunwolves outfit.
Youngster Hamish Stewart slotting a 79th minute penalty to crush home fans’ hopes, after the Japanese side had raced to a commanding 21-5 half-time lead.
Brad Thorn’s chargers jump above the Japanese to move to fourth in the Australian conference.
NRL: New Zealand Warriors 40-6 Canterbury Bulldogs
“It was commanding, it was destructive, it was impressive” - so assessed the matchday commentary team at full-time after an emotional but inspired performance from the New Zealand Warriors, who began life after Shaun Johnson with aplomb, with captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck dedicating the win to grieving whanau from Christchurch.
Seven tries to one, with the Warriors running rampant - debutant Adam Keighran having a game to remember, kicking 6/7 including slotting some terrific conversions from the sideline and also crossing for a try, while halves partner Blake Green ran the show, putting on three first half tries.
As always the challenge for the Auckland razzle-dazzlers will be maintaining such performances across an entire NRL season, but a hugely impressive start to the campaign.
Kia ora koutou - hello to all, from wherever you’re following this blog, and with heavy hearts we say kia kaha to our friends around New Zealand.
As promised an update on the Super Rugby clash between the Highlanders and the Crusaders, which was scheduled for a 7.35pm (local time) kick-off, but has been cancelled following the senseless massacre in Christchurch yesterday.
This from Australian Associated Press:
“Advice from police and venue management was that the fixture could go ahead, however, with strong agreement from both teams we have made the final call not to proceed as a mark of respect for the events that have occurred in Christchurch,” NZR chief rugby officer Nigel Cass said.
Players were encouraged to go home to their families, while the Highlanders said all ticket refunds would be processed over the next three weeks. Both teams will take two competition points from the match.
Crusaders chief executive Colin Mainsbridge said the club, players and community were deeply shocked by Friday’s events. “All other issues and considerations pale in significance,” Mainsbridge said. “We will now regroup and make arrangements for the team to return home.”
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Preamble
Plenty of sport from around Australasia, on what remains a sombre day after the events in Christchurch yesterday. Sport is so often an escape from the woes of the world, but when a crime as horrific and hateful as that occurs even the sporting world is affected. News has just come through the Super Rugby clash between the Highlanders and Crusaders in Dunedin has been cancelled, more on that shortly.
We’ve still got three games in the NRL, AFLW action, two fixtures in the A-League including a first match in charge of the Mariners for former Matildas coach, Alen Stajcic. Some Super Rugby and Super W fixtures to keep across as well, and of course F1 qualifying action from Albert Park.
We’ll bring you what we can, at your one stop-shop for sport, here at Guardian Australia.
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