G'day sports fans,

Classic Masters Golf quotes: "Every shot is within a fraction of disaster, that's what makes it so great." - Gary Player

"The course is perfection, and it asks perfection." - Nick Faldo

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🏉 State of Origin II

⛳️ Masters Preview

🥇 World Record

...and much more!

🏉 NRL

State of Origin II: Cordner out, Keary dropped; Holmes, Lui to start

• In eight of the last nine Origin series, the team that lost Game I has covered the line in Game II.

• Nine of the last 11 Origin matches at ANZ Stadium have gone UNDER the total match points line.

Blues (1.32) Maroons (3.50) - Blues -8.5 on the handicap

Venue: ANZ stadium, Sydney

Against all odds, the Maroons head to Sydney with the chance to wrap up the Ampol State of Origin series.

The Blues led 10-0 at half-time of the opening clash but couldn't contain the Queenslanders in the second half and lost 18-14.

However, as Daly Cherry-Evans was quick to point out, the Maroons won game one last year and lost the series. The job is far from done.

The Blues haven’t lost in Sydney since 2017, while this was also the site of their series clinching win in Game 3 last year.

Brad Fittler has trimmed his NSW Blues squad to 19, leaving Luke Keary out of his Origin II plans altogether along with Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Keary was last week singled out and dropped to the reserves after NSW’s shock loss to Queensland in Origin I.

Now he’ll be forced to watch from the stands after his name wasn’t listed in a reduced 19-man squad unveiled on Tuesday night.

Campbell-Gillard will also be forced to miss out on Origin II, which takes place on Wednesday night at ANZ Stadium.

Meanwhile, Wayne Bennett also trimmed his 21-man squad down to 19, leaving Brenko Lee and Corey Allan out.

📈 Player Stats

• Valentine Holmes has been the first try-scorer in four of his five previous Origin appearances. (15.0)

• Tyson Frizell has scored a try in each of New South Wales' last three Origin matches when trailing in the series.

• Josh Addo-Carr has scored at least one try in each of the last two Origin II matches.

✍🏼 Signings

• November 9: Blake gets Green light for Knights return. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Blake Green have reached an agreement that will see the five-eighth remain with the Newcastle Knights for the 2021 season

🥇 World Record

Apologies if you're squeamish to about to eat but I had to let you know - Michelle Lesco devoured 5lbs or 2448 grams of mayo in 3 minutes or 180 seconds, setting a new guinness world record from the previous 815.5 grams.

⛳️ The Masters

Venue: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia.

Course Details: Par 72, 7,475 yards, stroke average in 2019 - 71.87

Last year's champion: Tiger Woods

The 17-month wait finally comes to a close on Friday as the lavish greens and fairways of Augusta National plays host to the 84th edition of The Masters tournament.

Just like last year, a wide-open pack of contenders will be in attendance this week, hoping to cap off the year with a green jacket and a share in the eleven million prize purse.

Augusta plays longer than its yardage because the fairways are all cut in the same direction - towards the tee-boxes - so balls tend to land and stop fairly quickly. It's going to play even longer again this time around with the move from Spring to Autumn.

Augusta National is NOT a catch-up course, and a fast start is imperative.

Last 5 winners:

• 2019 - Tiger Woods -13

• 2018 - Patrick Reed -15

• 2017 - Sergio Garcia -9 (playoff)

• 2016 - Danny Willett -5

• 2015 - Jordan Spieth -18

US Open winner Bryson Dechambeau (8.50) headlines the top line of the market (will he be able to gouge his way around Augusta?),

Read: 'Soft' Augusta National gives Bryson DeChambeau' ginormous advantage.'

He's followed closely by the usual supporting cast of Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, and Justin Thomas (all-around 11.0)

Will McIlroy (13.0) finally achieve his Augusta dream, or can Jason Day (41.0) back up last weekend's return to form?

Other contenders:

Xander Schauffele (15.0): A runner-up last year, who has finished in the top-five in half of his appearances at the majors. One of the game's brightest talents, for whom a first major feels a case of when rather than if.

Brooks Koepka (13.0): His odds have shortened dramatically over the weekend, after a brilliant finish at the Houston Open. He has struggled with injury, but his reputation for rising to the occasion at majors is indisputable, and it would be foolish to rule him out.

Looking at the market alone, you could look towards Tony Finau (29.0) or Webb Simpson at higher prices.

I'm on Tyrell Hatton at (96.0) earlier in the year as my "outsider" now (29.0).

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🇦🇺 AFL

Curnow booked in for surgery after another knee setback

Carlton forward Charlie Curnow's horror injury run has deepened with the excitement machine to undergo surgery to repair another knee setback.

Curnow suffered a fractured kneecap while completing his rehabilitation on the same knee that has haunted him for more than two seasons.

He will undergo surgery on Wednesday.

While the club was unable to put a timeframe on his return on Tuesday night, they suggested last year an injury of a similar nature would take at least 3-4 months to recover. (AFL)

Trade Tracker - November 10, 2020

🔁 Stefan Martin to Western Bulldogs, Lachie Young to North Melbourne

• Western Bulldogs receive Stefan Martin from Brisbane Lions

• Brisbane receives a fourth-round pick (currently No.63) from North Melbourne.

• North Melbourne receives Lachie Young from Western Bulldogs

• North Melbourne receives a fourth-round pick (currently No.70) from Brisbane Lions

🔁 Braydon Preuss to Greater Western Sydney

• Greater Western Sydney receives Braydon Preuss from Melbourne

• Melbourne receives a second-round pick (currently No.31)

🔁 Mitch Hannan to Western Bulldogs

• Western Bulldogs receive Mitch Hannan from Melbourne

• Melbourne receives a future third-round selection from Western Bulldogs

🔁 Peter Wright to Essendon

• Essendon receives Peter Wright from Gold Coast Suns

• Gold Coast receives a future fourth-round selection from Essendon

⚽️ Football

FFA blocks new W-League team two days before official reveal

Just two days before Wellington Phoenix were set to unveil their new W-League team, Football Federation Australia made a shock call to block the side.

The issue is with FFA CEO James Johnson, blocking a change to league regulations, which would have allowed New Zealand players to be classified as Australians for the purposes of the competition.

Without this change in W-League regulations, the Phoenix women’s side could only have a maximum of five New Zealand players with the rest having to be Australian.

It’s not clear why there is a reluctance by Johnson and FFA to bring the W-League competition rules into line with the A-League, but it means the Phoenix women’s side is now stalled just short of the start line.

It’s understood the Phoenix had the backing of all other W-League clubs to join the competition. (Fox)

🔁 Transfer Talk

The inspiration for the Samual L. Jackson character 'Glass' in the movie "Unbreakable" - Jack Wilshere has reportedly turned down an offer from the A-League (Athletic).

Paris St-Germain and Brazil forward Neymar, 28, has told the club he wants to sign a new deal and is even helping the French giants scout new players. (Telefoot, via Daily Mail)

Bayern Munich and Austria defender David Alaba, 28, is open to a move to the Premier League with Liverpool and Manchester City interested. (90 min)

Vague word from India that Swansea City icon Wilfried Bony is in talks with Sydney FC.

Goalkeeper Daniel Margush has left Perth Glory (reportedly heading to Western Sydney)

🏀 WNBL

The WNBL season tips-off today in a hub in north Queensland. Matches will be played in Cairns, Mackay and Townsville.

If you’re a fan of women’s hoops, strap in because you’re in for an absolute treat, a jam-packed season that will last six weeks.

All 60 games of the fast-tracked, North Queensland-based WNBL season will be shown live as part of the league’s broadcast deal (check out the bottom of the mail for times and channel)

Southside Flyers head into the season as even money favourites and for good reason. To say the Southside Flyers have loaded up for a title tilt would be an understatement. After making it to the big dance last season, Southside isn’t messing around in 2020 and have added incredible talent to what was already an exceptional roster.

Check out the full rosters (here)

🏏 Cricket

Abbott ton gives NSW a sniff of unlikely victory

Having been bowled out for just 64 on day one, NSW need eight Tasmanian wickets on the final day to win

Australian paceman Mitchell Starc was left furious with New South Wales skipper Peter Nevill's decision to declare (once Abbott brought up his ton) with the Test star needing just 14 runs to bring up his maiden first-class century.

The captain's decision clearly didn't sit well with Starc who tossed his bat away as he walked off the pitch.

The last time Starc came close to bringing up a century was back in 2013 when he was dismissed for 99 against India in Mohali.

Stumps: Tasmania need 322 runs to win

Superb Rohit Sharma fifty sees Mumbai Indians to their fifth IPL title

Defending champions Mumbai Indians won the Indian Premier League for a record-extending fifth time after beating the Delhi Capitals by five wickets in the final.

In reply to Delhi's 156-7, Mumbai cruised to 157-5 in 18.4 overs on the back of captain Rohit Sharma's 68 off 51 balls and spoiled the Capitals' first appearance in the final.

Delhi struggled against Mumbai's pace, led by Trent Boult's 3-30, including a wicket with the first ball of the final.

Delhi skipper Shreyas Iyer, who won the toss, made an unbeaten 65 and Rishabh Pant notched his first half-century this season before falling to Nathan Coulter-Nile for 56.

Mumbai dominated Delhi this season, winning all four of their matches.

They become only the 2nd side to defend a title.

🌏 Rest of World

🇺🇸 Legend

Chris Nikic made history on Saturday, becoming the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon — swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles and running a 26.2-mile marathon.

Chris Nikic crossed the line in 16 hours 46 minutes nine seconds - less than 14 minutes under the official cut-off time at the Visit Panama City Beach Ironman in Florida - to earn official recognition from Guinness World Records.

"Goal set and achieved," posted the man of the hour, a keen public speaker. "Time to set a new and bigger goal for 2021."

🏈 NFL Week 9 - Wrap Up

New York Jets 27-30 New England Patriots: Nick Folk makes last-gasp kick to clinch win to end 4 games loss streak.

Tom Brady suffered the worst loss of his career as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost 38-3 to the New Orleans Saints. Brady, also saw rival quarterback Drew Brees overtake his record of most touchdown passes.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger led a six-play, 79-yard drive with 2 minutes left. The visiting Pittsburgh Steelers eked out a 24-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, to remain unbeaten.

• Raiders 31, Chargers 26

• Bills 44, Seahawks 34

• Vikings 34, Lions 20

• Falcons 34, Broncos 27

• Texans 27, Jaguars 25

Dolphins 34, Cardinals 31: Rookie Tua Tagovailoa - locked in a battle against fellow 23-and-under quarterback Kyler Murray - threw two touchdown passes as Miami defeated host Arizona to win their fourth straight game, its longest streak in four years.

Chiefs 33, Panthers 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes passed for 372 yards and four touchdowns to lead host Kansas City past Carolina.

• Titans 24, Bears 17

• Ravens 24, Colts 10

• Giants 23, Washington 20

🇻🇳 Vietnamese Grand Prix dropped from 2021 F1 schedule

The Vietnamese Grand Prix has been dropped from the 2021 Formula 1 calendar, raising doubts that the race will ever take place.

A street race in the capital Hanoi was due to make its debut in April this year before it was called off as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The date of the Vietnam race, 25 April, has been left blank on a 22-race schedule for 2021 published on Tuesday. The calendar could extend to 23 grands prix - a new record - if F1 can find a replacement for Vietnam.

The 2021 season is scheduled to start in Australia on 21 March and end in Abu Dhabi on 5 December.

Friday's edition will include:

🐴 Preview the weekend's racing

🏉 Women's State of Origin Preview

...and much more!

📺 Live sport 👇🏼

⚽️ 06:45 - Betfred Cup - St. Johnstone v Dundee United (BeIN Sports 2)

🏏 11:00 - Sheffield Shield Group Game - South Australia Redbacks v Queensland Bulls (Kayo Sports)

🏏 11:00 - Sheffield Shield Group Game - Tasmania Tigers v New South Wales Blues (Kayo Sports)

🏏 11:30 - Sheffield Shield Group Game - Victoria v Western Australia (Fox Cricket)

🏈 12:00 - NCAA - Buffalo Bulls v Miami RedHawks (ESPN 2)

🏏 14:20 - Sheffield Shield Group Game - Victoria v Western Australia (Fox Sports)

🏏 14:30 - Women's Big Bash League - Perth Scorchers Women v Sydney Sixers Women (Fox Cricket)

🐴 16:55 - Listed Race - Ladies Day Cup (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🏀 18:00 - WNBL Regular Season - Adelaide Lightning v UC Capitals (Kayo Sports)

🏏 19:05 - Women's Big Bash League - Brisbane Heat Women v Sydney Thunder Women (Fox Cricket)

🏀 20:00 - WNBL Regular Season - Perth Lynx v Townsville Fire (Kayo Sports)

20:10 - State of Origin - New South Wales Origin v Queensland Origin (Nine)

⚽️ 21:00 - J1 League - FC Tokyo v Consadole Sapporo (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 21:30 - J1 League - Shonan Bellmare v Yokohama F. Marinos (Optus Sport 2)

THURSDAY

⚽️ 01:45 - Friendly - Greece v Cyprus (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 03:00 - AFCON Qualifiers - Senegal v Guinea-Bissau (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 04:00 - Friendly - Romania v Belarus (Optus Sport 6)

⚽️ 04:00 - Friendly - Norway v Israel (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 06:30 - Friendly - Luxembourg v Austria (Optus Sport 2)

⚽️ 06:45 - Friendly - Italy v Estonia (Optus Sport 6)

⚽️ 06:45 - Friendly - Germany v Czech Republic (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 06:45 - Friendly - Belgium v Switzerland (Optus Sport 3)

⚽️ 06:45 - Friendly - Netherlands v Spain (Optus Sport 4)

⚽️ 06:45 - Friendly - Portugal v Andorra (Optus Sport 5)

🏈 12:00 - NCAA Regular Season - Western Michigan Broncos v Toledo Rockets (ESPN 1)

🏀 19:00 - WNBL Regular Season - Melbourne Boomers v Sydney Uni. Flames (Fox Sports More)

🏀 21:00 - WNBL Regular Season - Bendigo Spirit v Southside Flyers (Kayo Sports)