🗞 Calling time on an illustrious career

G'day sports fans,

Monday Motivation: “Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just illusions” - Michael Jordan.

🏉 Raiders legend Jarrod Croker has reportedly, informing his teammates on Thursday the 2023 season will be his last. (Fox)

⛳️ It looks like Cam Smith will go back to back wins on the LIV golf tour. He’s currently -10, holding a 6 shot lead over the field, with 9 holes to play. (watch live on YouTube)

🎾 Alex De Minaur is the first Australian to play a Canadian final since 2001. The last Aussie to reach the title match here was Patrick Rafter – who lifted the 1998 trophy.

The final is due to get underway now [6am AEST] Let’s Go Alex.

🇦🇺 The AFL has admitted a hand pass given to Jeremy Cameron outside the boundary line during the final quarter of Geelong's defeat to Collingwood should not have been allowed.

Geelong star Cameron appeared to have marked Isaac Smith's kick outside the MCG boundary line during the third quarter but was ruled in play.

Cameron then slotted a superb goal - one of his seven for the night - leaving Collingwood players and fans furious.

🏉 Shane Flanagan has a huge job on his hands to rebuild the Dragons’ squad he is now reportedly planning to make a recruitment play to sign Joey Manu. (SMH).

The move comes after Flanagan reportedly informed Zac Lomax he will compete with Tyrell Sloan for the fullback spot in 2024.

Lomax, 23, signed a mammoth six-year contract in 2019, worth a reported $700,000-per-season.

At the time, Dragons powerbrokers believed Lomax could be the club’s long-term fullback and his contract reflected the expected move.

🐴 The unbeaten half sister of the great Winx has been moved from Melbourne to Sydney to join Joe Pride's stable in a surprise move.

City Of Lights, who has a one-from-one record, was moved to Pride's Warwick Farm stables late last week and will campaign in Sydney for him, after breeder-owner John Camilleri made the call to move the mare north from Anthony and Sam Freedman's stable. (racenet)

⚽️ As the Matildas prepare for the biggest match in Australian football history, cities around the country are racing to accommodate the legions of fans at live sites around the country.

The World Cup semi-final against England kicks off at 8pm AEST on Wednesday night, and there’s no shortage of places to watch the match surrounded by fellow fans.

• Sydney Football Stadium and the Western Sydney Stadium will open as live sites

• Ticketing information will be confirmed on Monday

• The Opera House and major landmarks will again light up in green and gold

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has confirmed AAMI Park will be opened up to show the game.

“Big game needs a bigger stadium,” Andrews tweeted.

⚽️ Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham began life after Harry Kane with an entertaining 2-2 draw against Brentford on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

⚽️ Chelsea and Liverpool played out a thrilling 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge as both sides showcased their attacking quality while the defensive deficiencies illustrated why Caicedo has become a prized target

[Chelsea are on the brink of signing Caicedo, 21, in deal worth £115m as the Ecuador international prepares to snub Liverpool]

Liverpool dominated the early stages, Mohamed Salah delivered a stunning pass for Luis Diaz to slide home the opening goal after 18 minutes.

Chelsea, in their first Premier League game under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, rallied and drew level with an equaliser from new signing Axel Disasi, who scored from six yards after Liverpool failed to clear a set-piece.

💰 Golfer Phil Mickelson has wagered more than $1 billion on different sports over the past three decades, according to an upcoming book by a renowned professional gambler Billy Walters.

Walters says it was not uncommon for Mickelson to "bet $20k a game on long-shot, five team NBA parlays. Or wager $100k or $200k a game on football, basketball and baseball."

Mickelson denies gambling on the 2012 Ryder Cup, saying he would "never undermine the integrity of the game".

⚽️ Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar is close to agreeing to personal terms with Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League. The deal is thought to be two-years at $100m a season.

🥊 Heavyweight Anthony Joshua spectacularly knocked out Robert Helenius with one punch in round seven, after boxing tentatively in the first half of the fight at London's O2 Arena.

⛳️ Lilia Vu produced a composed display to win the Women's Open at Walton Heath, her second major title of 2023.

Vu, the Chevron Championship winner in April, clinched victory by six shots from England's Charley Hull.

🏉 England captain Owen Farrell could miss the start of the World Cup as a result of his red card for a high tackle in the 19-17 win over Wales at Twickenham.

Scotland were edged out by World Cup hosts France (30-27) in an enthralling contest, in France.

🏀 The Philadelphia 76ers have ended trade talks involving 10-time All-Star guard James Harden and plan to bring him back to training camp for the start of the season.

The Sixers had periodic offseason conversations with the LA Clippers [Harden's desired destination] but no traction on a deal materialized, sources said.

The Sixers agreed to search out a trade upon Harden's request after he agreed to pick up his $35.6 million player option in June, but the Sixers' asking price was steep and no teams, including the Clippers, were willing or able to meet it, sources said. I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this.

TODAY

09:10 - MLB Regular Season - New York Mets v Atlanta Braves (ESPN)

19:45 - Men's Basketball Exhibition Match - Australia v Venezuela (GEM)

TUESDAY

03:30 - The Hundred - Welsh Fire v Trent Rockets (Fox Cricket)

05:00 - Premier League - Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Optus Sport 1)

05:30 - Spanish La Liga - Atletico Madrid v Granada (Optus Sport 5)

09:20 - MLB - Atlanta Braves v New York Yankees (ESPN)

18:00 - Women's World Cup Semi-Final - Spain v Sweden (7mate or Optus Sport 1)