🗞 "He Can't Even Run"

G’day Sports Fans,

📺 Huge weekend of sport ahead: Don’t forget to check out our LIVE TV guide;

• 🏎️ Aussie F1

• 🏀 NBL Finals

• 🏉 Roosters v Rabbitohs

• 🐴 Golden Slipper

📧 P.S. First time reading? Subscribe here for free.

🇦🇺 St Kilda has handed Collingwood another loss to leave the reigning premier in a 0-3 hole to start the season.

The Magpies appear to be a shadow of last year's side at the moment, as the Saints completed a 15-point victory, 14.10 (94) to 12.7 (79), after holding off a final-quarter surge.

Talking point: Mason Wood was the victim of friendly fire, clashing mid air with teammate Zaine Cordy as the pair leapt for the ball in the first quarter.

He was seen talking to medical staff and moving his arms as he was driven away in a medical car.

🏉 Nathan Cleary, the hero of last October's grand final, once again proved his prowess against Brisbane at BlueBet Stadium on Thursday.

Leading the premiers to a commanding 34-12 victory, Cleary showcased his talent with three try assists, three line break assists, and four tackle breaks.

Meanwhile, Dylan Edwards impressed with 307 meters run as the Panthers secured their seventh win in eight games against Brisbane.

Talking point: The night started badly for the Broncos when fullback Reece Walsh was forced from the field after just for minutes following a head clash with Taylan May and was unable to return (stitches and loss of vision).

May was placed on report for failing to lower his body height and attempt to make a tackle.

🏉 Melbourne Storm legend Cameron Smith was picked up on a hot mic claiming Cameron Munster’s injury is perhaps worse than initially feared, claiming the star five-eighth “can hardly run.”

Munster remains sidelined with a groin injury he aggravated when he slipped while getting out of the shower during the Storm’s pre-season trip in Fiji.

Although Storm general manager Frank Ponissi was “very hopeful” Munster would return after the club’s bye in Round 5, Smith’s concession paints the star’s injury in a worrying light.

Speaking on his Captain’s Run show on SEN with former Bronco and co-host Denan Kemp, a hot mic picked up Smith’s claims and was accidentally uploaded as part of a podcast.

It was quickly deleted from all platforms, but not before fans had saved the hot mic moment as it circulated on social media. (Twitter)

🏏 In the Marsh Sheffield Shield final, Sam Whiteman stepped up in the absence of his usual opening partner, Cameron Bancroft, who was sidelined due to an injury.

Whiteman's sparkling century, scoring 104 runs from 154 balls, propelled Western Australia's charge for a third consecutive first-class title.

Cooper Connolly also made a notable impact (73* from 79 balls), highlighting the team's determination in this do-or-die contest.

Stumps: Western Australia are 8-325.

⚽️ The Socceroos took another step towards the 2026 World Cup on Thursday night, overcoming Lebanon 2-0 in Parramatta, but the night was marred by a pair of injuries  to star left-footers Riley McGree and Jordy Bos.

🐴 This Saturday; Rosehill Gardens hosts FIVE Group 1 races, including the prestigious Golden Slipper for two-year-olds, the world's richest race of its kind.

Undefeated colts Storm Boy and Switzerland will face off for the first time, promising an exciting showdown.

Alongside other top races like the Ranvet Stakes, Rosehill Guineas, George Ryder, and The Galaxy, it's shaping up to be a day full of thrilling competition.

The main event: Storm Boy ($3.25 fav) stamped himself as one to watch with consecutive wins in Sydney and Brisbane before giving them a galloping lesson in the Magic Millions Classic.

Having returned to action with another easy win in the Group 2 Skyline Stakes, he steps out in peak order this week, while the booking of reigning Golden Slipper winner Ryan Moore adds further confidence.

🏏 Annabel Sutherland hit a memorable unbeaten fifty before Australia dominated with the ball to make a statement in their first ever ODI in Bangladesh

Australia have overcome early troubles with the bat to thrash Bangladesh by 118 runs in the opening one-day international in Dhaka.

Match Report: Australia Women win by 118 runs

🏎️ Daniel Ricciardo has said a difference between his car and RB teammate Yuki Tsunoda has been addressed – and potentially rectified – for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix. 

🇦🇺 In an AFL-first, Adelaide is launching a new post-game show, Crows Live, to give members and fans greater access to players and coaches following its games at Adelaide Oval.

In a format similar to talkback radio, Crows Live will be live streamed via the Club’s App and website, giving people the opportunity to send in questions or thoughts during and after all Crows home matches throughout the 2024 Toyota AFL Season. (afc.com.au)

🏏 The new season of the Indian Premier League, franchise cricket's premier and most lucrative competition, gets underway on Friday night (local time), starting nine weeks of top class, swashbuckling action.

Defending champions Chennai Super Kings kickstart the tournament (01:30am Sat AEDT) at their home ground against the newly renamed Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Aussies abroad: Who's going to the IPL in 2024

🏀 KD passes Shaq: Kevin Durant passed Shaquille O'Neal on Wednesday for eighth on the NBA's all-time scoring list (28,598 points). Next up: Wilt Chamberlain (31,419).

👊🏻 Conor McGregor is the most drug-tested fighter under the UFC's new anti-doping regime as the Irishman continues to tease his return to fighting.

McGregor has been drug tested five times, external since January 1. No other fighter has been tested more than twice.

The former UFC champion has spoken at length this week about his desire to return this summer having not fought since 2021.

McGregor is expected to fight lightweight contender Michael Chandler on his return. But the UFC are yet to officially announce.

⚽️ Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are interested in Shakhtar Donetsk's 21-year-old Ukrainian midfielder Georgiy Sudakov, who is valued at 100m euros (£85m).

⚾️ LA Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani's longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Dodgers on Wednesday for allegedly stealing millions from Ohtani to cover his gambling debts with illegal bookmaker Matthew Bowyer, whose home was raided in October. ‌

On Tuesday, Ohtani's camp said he helped Mizuhara with his debts. By Wednesday, they labeled Mizuhara a thief, sparking speculation online about Ohtani's involvement. ‌

However, all parties, including Bowyer, who has no reason to protect Ohtani, denied Ohtani's involvement. Ohtani's camp claimed he was unaware of Mizuhara's debts with an illegal bookmaker, shifting the narrative to theft to avoid legal repercussions.‌

⚽️ Bayern Munich honorary president Uli Hoeness says the club are competing with Liverpool to appoint Xabi Alonso as manager.

Spaniard Alonso, a former player of both clubs, is on the brink of guiding Bayer Leverkusen to their first German Bundesliga title.

TODAY

05:00 - PGA TOUR - Valspar Championship, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

10:00 - NBA - Orlando Magic v New Orleans Pelicans (ESPN)

12:30 - Formula 1 Australia Practice 1, Round 3 (Channel 10, Fox Sports or 10 Bold)

13:00 - Sheffield Shield Final - Western Australia v Tasmania Tigers (Fox Cricket)

13:30 - NBA - Phoenix Suns v Atlanta Hawks (ESPN)

14:55 - Melbourne SuperSprint Race 2, Round 2 (Channel 10, Fox Sports)

16:00 - Formula 1 Australia Practice 2, Round 3 (Channel 10, Fox Sports or 10 Bold)

17:05 - Super Rugby Pacific - Hurricanes v Rebels (Stan Sport)

18:00 - NRL - Warriors v Canberra Raiders (Fox League)

19:30 - NBL Championship Series - Tasmania JackJumpers v Melbourne United (10 Peach, ESPN)

19:35 - Super Rugby Pacific - Brumbies v Moana Pasifika (Stan Sport)

19:40 - AFL - Adelaide Crows v Geelong Cats (Fox Footy or 7mate)

20:00 - NRL - Sydney Roosters v South Sydney Rabbitohs (Fox League or Channel 9)

SATURDAY

01:30 - Indian Premier League - Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore (Fox Cricket)

03:00 - Men's NCAA Tournament - NCAA Men's First Round (ESPN 2)

05:00 - PGA TOUR - Valspar Championship, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

06:45 - Premiership Rugby - Leicester Tigers v Gloucester Rugby (Stan Sport)

06:45 - Premiership Rugby - Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints (Stan Sport)

11:00 - NBA - Miami Heat v New Orleans Pelicans (ESPN)

12:05 - Super Rugby Pacific - Fijian Drua v NSW Waratahs (Stan Sport)

12:30 - Formula 1 Australia Practice 3, Round 3 (Channel 10, Fox Sports)

12:40 - NSW Cup - Canterbury Bulldogs NSW Cup v Penrith Panthers NSW Cup (Fox League)

13:00 - Sheffield Shield Final - Western Australia v Tasmania Tigers (Fox Cricket)

13:30 - NBA - Los Angeles Lakers v Philadelphia 76ers (ESPN)

13:45 - AFL - North Melb. Kangaroos v Fremantle Dockers (Fox Footy)

14:35 - Super Rugby Pacific - Chiefs v Highlanders (Stan Sport)

15:00 - NRL - Canterbury Bulldogs v Gold Coast Titans (Fox League)

16:00 - Formula 1 Australia Qualifying, Round 3 (Channel 10, Fox Sports)

16:35 - AFL - Hawthorn v Melbourne Demons (Fox Footy)

17:05 - Super Rugby Pacific - Blues v Crusaders (Stan Sport)

17:30 - NRL - St. George Illawarra Dragons v North Queensland Cowboys (Fox League)

17:40 - Melbourne SuperSprint - Melbourne SuperSprint Race 3, Round 2 (Channel 10, Fox Sports)

19:30 - AFL - Sydney Swans v Essendon Bombers (Fox Footy or 7mate)

19:35 - NRL - Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks (Fox League)

19:35 - Super Rugby Pacific - Western Force v Queensland Reds (GEM or Stan Sport)

21:00 - Indian Premier League - Punjab Kings v Delhi Capitals (Fox Cricket)

SUNDAY

01:00 - Indian Premier League - Kolkata Knight Riders v Sunrisers Hyderabad (Fox Cricket)

03:00 - Men's NCAA Tournament - NCAA Men's Second Round (ESPN 2)

04:00 - PGA TOUR - Valspar Championship, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

06:00 - Friendly - England v Brazil (Optus Sport 1)

10:25 - Melbourne SuperSprint - Melbourne SuperSprint Race 4, Round 2 (Channel 10, Fox Sports)

13:00 - Sheffield Shield Final - Western Australia v Tasmania Tigers (Fox Cricket)

13:00 - AFL - Western Bulldogs v Gold Coast Suns (Fox Footy)

15:00 - Formula 1 Australia Race, Round 3 (Channel 10, Fox Sports)

16:00 - AFL - Richmond Tigers v Port Adelaide Power (Fox Footy)

16:05 - NRL - Parramatta Eels v Manly Sea Eagles (Fox League or Channel 9)

17:30 - NBL Championship Series - Melbourne United v Tasmania JackJumpers (ESPN)

18:15 - NRL - Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm (Fox League)

18:50 - AFL - West Coast Eagles v GWS Giants (Fox Footy or 7mate)

21:00 - Indian Premier League - Rajasthan Royals v Lucknow Super Giants (Fox Cricket)