Summary
That’s all from me for today. Lots happened, quite how much of it will matter in the long run remains to be seen. All eyes now on the response to New Zealand’s travel restrictions and the impact they will have on domestic leagues.
For more on that, and the rest of the day’s sporting news Megan Maurice will be on deck tomorrow.
NRL: Rabbitohs 22-18 Sharks
An absorbing, incident-packed game ends in favour of Souths - just.
NRL: 79 mins: Rabbitohs 22-18 Sharks - Cronulla cross in the left corner, but it’s ruled out - correctly - for a forward pass! Morris was needlessly ahead of the ball in acres of space as play was swung from right to left. Huge let-off for Souths.
NRL: 73 mins: Rabbitohs 22-18 Sharks - It has been a chaotic end to this match with both teams coughing up the ball unnecessarily and the Rabbitohs looking a shadow of the side that cruised through the opening hour.
NRL: 67 mins: Rabbitohs 22-18 Sharks - Game very much on! What a finish from Katoa! His second in as many minutes, leaping like a salmon upstream from about five metres from the line to avoid crossing into touch. More superb play in the build-up from Johnson.
That's two tries for Katoa in a matter of minutes! #NRLSouthsSharks 22-18 with 14 minutes to go. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/ITGOxBmtbO
— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2020
Updated
NRL: 65 mins: Rabbitohs 22-14 Sharks - Beautiful try from Cronulla. Shaun Johnson flings a wicked pass out to the right wing where Sione Katoa holds on after a juggle to skip over in the corner. Game back on.
That pass from Shaun Johnson 👌#NRLSouthsSharks 22-14 with 15 minutes remaining. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/h3DXESudHJ
— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2020
Updated
A-League: Sydney FC 0-0 Perth Glory
It ends goalless in Kogarah, but Steve Corica is wondering how, after a second one-on-one in a matter of minutes goes begging. With the final kick of the match Trent Buhagiar was clean through after superb work from Milos Ninkovic, but he rolled his shot wide of the post.
For Sydney, it’s a point closer to an inevitable premiership. Perth remain locked in a scrap for a home final but after four games without a win are starting to look over their shoulder at the chasing pack rather than up towards the Asian Champions League qualification places.
AFLW: St Kilda 6.6 (42) v 0.3 (3) Richmond
The Tigers remain winless and bottom of Conference A, but the Saints celebrate their second win of the season and move up to 5th in Conference B - still some way short of the finals. Caitlin Greiser did the damage with 3.1.
In its sixth ever game, @StKildaFCW becomes the first #AFLW team to keep an opponent goalless
— AFL Live Ladder (@AflLadder) March 14, 2020
St Kilda 6.6 (42) ‒ Richmond 0.3 (3)https://t.co/SwME5SDo6Y
Updated
NRL: 50 mins: Rabbitohs 22-8 Sharks - They can score tries with 12 men so 13 almost seems unfair. The Bunnies are bouncing in the big NSW derby.
Ethan gets Lowe!
— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2020
The @SSFCRABBITOHS extend their lead. #NRLSouthsSharks #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/XNvufgCtAy
A-League: 87 mins: Sydney FC 0-0 Perth Glory - Clearest chance of the match so far but Reddy repels Ninkovic one-on-one. The Sydney star was clean through following a massive punt upfield from Redmayne but the Glory stopper was equal to the challenge.
NRL: 45 mins: Rabbitohs 16-8 Sharks - The Rabbitohs are back to their full complement of players and they’ll be delighted to have escaped Roberts’ sin-bin with their lead intact.
A-League: 80 mins: Sydney FC 0-0 Perth Glory - Still goalless with around ten minutes remaining at Kogarah. Chances have been at a premium all afternoon.
ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys and NRL CEO Todd Greenberg will address a media conference tomorrow morning at 10am at RLC to discuss the outcomes of tonight’s special ARL Commission meeting in relation to managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
— NRL Media (@NRLMedia) March 14, 2020
There will be no further comment tonight.
AFLW: 3QT: St Kilda 4.5 (29) v 0.2 (2) Richmond - It’s turning into a joyous occasion for the Saints, on track for just their second victory in AFLW.
Kate Shierlaw uses the wind 🌬#AFLWSaintsTigers pic.twitter.com/UofR1ztmQv
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 14, 2020
Updated
Super Rugby: Sunwolves 14-49 Crusaders
The lowly Sunwolves matched it with the mighty Crusaders for about an hour but the champions still ran out convincing winners. Who knows how much it matters in the grand scheme of things?
Updated
NRL: HT: Rabbitohs 16-8 Sharks - Calamity for Cronulla! Despite the man advantage they concede a try in the shadow of half-time. Souths darted down the short-side left from a play-the-ball 10m from the line and it ends with Campbell Graham touching down in the corner.
The @SSFCRABBITOHS extend their lead right on Half-Time. #NRLSouthsSharks 16-8 at the break. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/VqbGrmUDfk
— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2020
Updated
A-League: 56 mins: Sydney FC 0-0 Perth Glory - The visitors almost steal a lead but Bruno Fornaroli can’t redirect his header on target after loitering on the six-yard box, feeding off the scraps, following a corner.
NRL: 33 mins: Rabbitohs 10-8 Sharks - Souths have been on top for the opening half-hour but they’ve just seen James Roberts sent to the sin-bin and almost immediately Cronulla take advantage, ripping from right to left before Wade Graham bursts over the line.
Now it's the other captain's turn!@wadegraham17 gets the @Cronulla_Sharks back in the game. #NRLSouthsSharks 10-8 after 35 minutes. #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/kztxdG2ybP
— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2020
Updated
AFLW: HT: St Kilda 2.1 (13) v 0.2 (2) Richmond - The Tigers narrowed the margin in the second quarter but the Saints remain in pole position for a rare victory.
A-League: HT: Sydney FC 0-0 Perth Glory - The scoreline is goalless but it’s been an entertaining half of A-League football. Luke Brattan has been instrumental and he thought he’d opened the scoring, only for VAR to find a handball and rule out his effort. He later whipped in a superb free-kick that Rhyan Grant clipped over the bar. At the other end Diego Castro should have done better but he stumbled with a clear sight of goal.
NRL: 13 mins: Rabbitohs 6-2 Sharks - After Cronulla opened the scoring with a penalty Souths have hit the front courtesy of a converted Adam Reynolds try.
First game as captain, first try for the season for the @SSFCRABBITOHS!
— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2020
👏 @Rendiggiti #NRLSouthsSharks#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/WY0sNvuDAi
Updated
NRL: We’re underway in the big NSW blockbuster between Souths and the Sharks. All eyes on any politicians in the stands...
Here we go! #NRLSouthsSharks #TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/Epp1auAz9F
— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2020
AFLW: QT: St Kilda 2.1 (13) v 0.0 (0) Richmond - It’s a match that’s unlikely to trouble the finals but St Kilda won’t mind as they take a handy lead into quarter-time.
Super Rugby: HT: Sunwolves 7-14 Crusaders - The Sunwolves levelled matters at 7-7 but it didn’t remain that way for long with the competition heavyweights restoring their advantage shortly before the siren.
A-League: 18 mins: Sydney FC 0-0 Perth Glory - Best moment of the match so far sees Caceres draw a good save from Reddy after the Sydney midfielder darted down the right-hand side of the box. Le Fondre thought he was in with the follow-up but he had crept offside.
Quite how the A-League, NRL, and Super Rugby authorities are going to cope with New Zealand’s recent restrictions on movement is anyone’s guess.
Great insight from @Jesblair - Adam Blair's wife, on why @NZWarriors players shouldn't be forced to stay in Australia for three months. The impacts on family are too great. https://t.co/6IUbXeZRia
— Chris Garry (@ChrisGarry7) March 14, 2020
Updated
A-League: 10 mins: Sydney FC 0-0 Perth Glory - A neat opening ten minutes in Kogarah with both sides moving the ball nicely around the pitch without creating much in the way of goalmouth action. Kosta Barbarouses fashioned Sydney’s best opening with a turn that left Alex Grant for dead, while Joel Chianese has offered the most at the other end.
A-League: We’re underway in the first A-League fixture of the day with premiers-elect Sydney FC hosting the side they beat in last year’s grand final, Perth Glory.
Super Rugby: 30 mins: Sunwolves 0-7 Crusaders - In the day’s second Super Rugby contest the Crusaders are into an early lead, not that it’s likely to matter too much in the long run.
Super W: Waratahs 44-0 RugbyWA
The Waratahs continued their perfect start to the Super W season by thrashing last-placed RugbyWA at Sydney University. Maya Stewart dominated, running in four successive tries either side of the interval.
AFLW: Brisbane 2.2 (14) v 5.13 (43) Collingwood
Huge win for the Pies on the road in Queensland, weathering Brisbane’s storm in the third quarter and streaking away to a finals-boosting victory.
Three touches for Steph Chiocci in the chain to this Sarah D'Arcy goal, the skipper never stops running 🏃♀️#AFLWLionsPies pic.twitter.com/Zpqslx0hYL
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 14, 2020
Updated
NRL: Knights 20-0 Warriors
A comfortable start to the season for the Knights at a wet and windy Hunter Stadium. An uncomfortable start, and perhaps finish, to the season for the Warriors.
AFLW: 3QT: Brisbane 2.1 (14) v 3.10 (28) Collingwood - The Lions are digging deep and outscored the Pies two goals to nil that quarter but they still have plenty of ground to make up in the final term. 20 tackles to six in favour of Brisbane in that third quarter a clear indication of the increased intensity.
Cathy gets the first for the Lions, Svarc Park indeed 😏#AFLWLionsPies pic.twitter.com/oV8UOwP88b
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 14, 2020
NRL: 60 mins: Knights 20-0 Warriors - Newcastle are in cruise control.
Pearce & Ponga Perfection 🤤#NRLKnightsWarriors#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/GTn8rEXxm7
— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2020
Super Rugby: FT: Blues 43-10 Lions
A thumping bonus point victory for the Blues at home to the Lions, but what it actually means in context of the Super Rugby season remains to be seen given the New Zealand government’s announcement earlier today.
🔥🔥 @BluesRugbyTeam you entertain us.#RugbyRecoded pic.twitter.com/eq8LKKvrZx
— Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) March 14, 2020
Updated
NRL: 50 mins: Knights 14-0 Warriors - Newcastle’s lead is out to 14-0 courtesy of a couple of second-half penalties.
W-League: Melbourne Victory 0-1 Sydney FC
That early Veronica Latsko goal proved enough for Sydney FC to reach their seventh W-League grand final. The defending champions bounced back from a 3-1 defeat in the same fixture last weekend to hold their nerve despite an onslaught on their goal in the second half.
AFLW: HT: Brisbane 0.1 (1) v 3.7 (25) Collingwood - The Magpies are having a day out at Hickey Park. Brisbane, second in Conference A, are staring at only their second defeat of the season, against a rampant Collingwood, fourth in Conference B.
Brittany Bonnici leads the way for the Pies with 14 disposals while last week’s star Chloe Molloy is in the goals once again.
Clunk 🙌#AFLWLionsPies pic.twitter.com/mGmrzK6zrU
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) March 14, 2020
NRL: HT: Knights 10-0 Warriors - It’s wet and windy in Newcastle and the Warriors are enduring the matchday from hell. 40 minutes left in the match, and perhaps for the NRL season, for the Kiwi visitors.
W-League: 68 mins: Melbourne Victory 0-1 Sydney FC - The second half has been all Victory but their dominance of territory and possession has yet to convert into an equaliser. The latest chance falls to Ayres but her curling effort from the edge of the box floats agonisingly wide.
NRL: 22 mins: Knights 10-0 Warriors - This really is a day to forget for the Warriors. Their season is likely over just as it’s begun, and in the one match they’re going to complete they’re already two tries behind and have a man in the bin.
Edrick Lee crosses to push the Knights further ahead 👏🏼#NRLKnightsWarriors 10-4 after 20 minutes#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/l5zI5aFCoS
— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2020
And, with armageddon creeping over the horizon, a quick whip around the grounds:
- Melbourne Victory 0-1 Sydney FC - It’s all Victory in the early stages of the second-half but the Sky Blues remain ahead in the W-League semi-final.
- Blues 22-10 Lions - It’s going according to script in Super Rugby at half-time.
- Knights 6-0 Warriors - Newcastle are on top in horrendous conditions in the NRL, midway through the firs-half.
Daniel Saifiti crosses for the first points of the afternoon ✊🏽#NRLKnightsWarriors 6-0 after 10 minutes.#TelstraPremiership pic.twitter.com/WM3qPJB9lI
— NRL (@NRL) March 14, 2020
Coronavirus: The knock-on effects of the New Zealand government restrictions on Australian sport are obvious. Super Rugby is going to be hit hard. The Phoenix in the A-League and Warriors in the NRL are also going to suffer major disruption.
I can't see how the A-League, NRL or Super Rugby can continue under these conditions https://t.co/fjXzOZqsge
— Vince Rugari (@VinceRugari) March 14, 2020
Cricket: Breaking news - the Australia v NZ ODI series is now off after just one of the three matches. This coincides with New Zealand announcing a 14-day quarantine requirement for travellers to NZ from all countries bar the Pacific as of midnight Sunday.
The bulk of the squad will travel home this evening from Sydney #AUSvNZ https://t.co/NswVHXqP0A
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 14, 2020
BREAKING. NZ just cancelled ODI series. Going home today. No game tomorrow in Sydney or Hobart after that. pic.twitter.com/t8GnRD4tRK
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) March 14, 2020
Updated
FFA Cup: Craig Foster continues to demonstrate he is an ornament to Australian football.
Well done to all at @albionparkcity for a fabulous initiative with the Freedom Game in the @ffacup playing for all people stranded offshore and on for 7 years to let them get on with their lives 👏👏👊❤️ best part is, Freedom Game #2 to come! #GameOver https://t.co/JeB604PNZR pic.twitter.com/aDX88HxJF3
— Craig Foster (@Craig_Foster) March 14, 2020
W-League: HT: Melbourne Victory 0-1 Sydney FC - Victory began brightly but after Latsko put Sydney FC ahead this semi-final has been played largely on the Sky Blues’ terms.
Super Rugby: 20 mins: Blues 8-7 Lions - A converted Dan Kriel try briefly put the visitors in the lead but the Blues hit back swiftly with an Otere Black penalty.
W-League: 35 mins: Melbourne Victory 0-1 Sydney FC - A stoppage in play after Latsko receives a ball to the mush at close range. The doctor and physio are both on the field conducting a thorough concussion protocol before play continues. The TV broadcast has the benefit of Kate Gill on commentary, the deputy CEO of the players’ union, and involved in helping draw up that policy.
Super Rugby: 8 mins: Blues 5-0 Lions - The Blues, second-last in the New Zealand Conference despite a 4-2 win-loss record, are on their way to 5-2 with an early try against the Lions. The Johannesburg outfit are rooted to the foot of the South Africa Conference and look unlikely to improve their status in Auckland.
8' - R13KO
— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) March 14, 2020
5 - 0#BluesAllDay #BLUvLIO #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/v5rUq5pIUQ
W-League: 28 mins: Melbourne Victory 0-1 Sydney FC - Victory again fail to capitalise on a decent opening but Ayres doesn’t commit to attacking a Beard cross and Bledsoe claims.
Coronavirus: Naturally, thoughts are turning to the role of sport in times of crisis and how to put the disruption to making sporting events into some kind of context.
This is irrelevant. One benefit of force majeure is a sense of perspective, a reminder that football remains essentially a business of propelling a leather sphere into a netted rectangle. There is nothing to stop games resuming once public health advice allows it. On the other hand it may make better sense simply to dead-head the season. The circus will simply have to fit itself into the margins.
W-League: 20 mins: Melbourne Victory 0-1 Sydney FC - Since the goal Huerta has enjoyed a couple of half-chances on the break as Sydney consolidate their advantage.
Coronavirus: A reminder that if you are unsure of the state of play of major sporting activity around Australia, you can find out more via the links below.
The situation throughout the rest of the world is here:
W-League: GOAL! Melbourne Victory 0-1 Sydney FC (Latsko, 14) - Victory have looked the likelier in these early exchanges but they have gone behind after Veronica Latsko stole in at the front post to convert a teasing in-swinging Ally Green cross from the right.
Put on a plate by @ally_green5 🍽️
— Westfield W-League (@WLeague) March 14, 2020
Tucked away perfectly by @V_Latsko12 💯
Advantage @SydneyFC in the #BigBlue#MVCvSYD #WLeague🎥: @FOXFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/xKJIoVlnGD
Updated
W-League: 12 mins: Melbourne Victory 0-0 Sydney FC Victory should be in front but Longo shoots tamely at Bledsoe from just inside the box after terrific hold-up play from Dowie. Victory have the gusty wind at their back this first half so they’ll be keen to make it count.
Dowie, incidentally, has just been booked for absolutely nothing. Genuinely mystifying, especially so early in the match.
Cricket: In other actual sporting news, Australia rebounded from their ODI humbling in South Africa by defeating New Zealand behind closed doors at the SCG. Adam Zampa once again starred with the ball, dismissing Kane Williamson with a mighty googly.
W-League: 5 mins: Melbourne Victory 0-0 Sydney FC Victory have made a tidy start, creating a couple of decent early openings but neither Natasha Dowie nor Haley Hanson forced Aubrey Bledsoe into action.
W-League: Victory have timed their season to perfection. They spent the first seven rounds outside the top four and only climbed into the top three in the penultimate week, eventually finishing in a season-high second courtesy of a 3-1 win over - you guessed it - Sydney FC in the last round. That result means Victory, not Sydney host today’s semi at a windswept Epping Stadium.
W-League: Here are your line-ups for today’s semi-final. For Victory, Sham Khamis has joined as an injury replacement after Teagan Micah picked up a knock while on international duty. While Ally Green and Natalie Tobin come in for the Sky Blues.
Here's our line-up for today's Semi-Final! #MVCvSYD #WLeague pic.twitter.com/B916xUFvKi
— Victory W-League (@victorywleague) March 14, 2020
LINEUP | Here’s how we lineup for today’s massive @WLeague Semi-Final in Melbourne!
— Sydney FC (@SydneyFC) March 14, 2020
Couple of changes there as @ally_green5 & @Nat_Tobin start 👀 #SydneyIsSkyBlue #WeAreChampions #BigBlue pic.twitter.com/VdAbxG290B
Hello everybody and welcome to another action packed edition of Sportwatch. This is comfortably the most surreal session of live-blogging I am ever likely to undertake.
As I’m sure you are aware there is plenty happening around the country, and the world, with the Covid-19 situation unfolding by the minute. Improbably, against this backdrop, the show must go on.
Despite sporting competitions around the world suspending activity - and sport in Australia facing some restrictions now and further on Monday - we find ourselves in a brief window where leagues that wish to operate can do so relatively unencumbered.
So, that means the W-League semi-final between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC will go ahead at 2pm.
There’ll be Super Rugby with the Blues v Lions (2.25pm), Sunwolves v Crusaders (4.35pm), and Reds v Bulls (7.15pm). There’s also Super W action at 3.25pm when the Waratahs take on Rugby WA.
The NRL is open for business from 3pm with Knights v Warriors, followed by the blockbuster Souths v Sharks clash at 5.30pm. This evening the Panthers host the Roosters at 7.35pm).
The AFLW continues at 3.10pm with Brisbane v Collingwood, followed by St Kilda v Richmond at 5.10pm, then at 7.40pm Melbourne v Carlton.
In the A-League there’s a repeat of last year’s grand-final when Sydney take on Perth at 5pm, with the action rounded out by Melbourne City and WSW at 7.30pm.
Doubtless there’ll be breaking news throughout the day as well.
On with the show!
Top sport, particularly in Australia, is about brutal and beautiful theatre. The collision of bodies, the display of skill played for the adulation of the crowd. Empty crowds will soon turn people off. Sports betting will keep the sad interested. But what if we find we can live without it?