🗞 "Categorically available”

G'day sports fans,

 “I’m allergic to grass. Hey, it could be worse. I could be allergic to beer” - Greg Norman

🏉 Inspired by Ryan Papenhuyzen's return to the starting side and a double from electric debutant Sualauvi Faalogo, the Storm overcame the Broncos 32-22, with the two clubs every chance of meeting again next week

The Broncos now need the Panthers to lose to the Cowboys in order to claim their first minor premiership since 2000.

🐴 icymi: One of Australia’s greatest ever jockeys, Damien Oliver, is set to retire.

Oliver will ride on in one final Spring Carnival before hanging up the silks following the West Australian Carnival, his home state.

His career to-date includes an incredible: 3,167 winners – 128 of those in Group 1s – plus approximately $256m in prize money. (racing.com)

🏏 Tim David will be given the chance to make a second last-minute push for a World Cup spot in as many years as the star T20 finisher earnt his maiden ODI call-up.

After blazing 64 off just 28 balls in Australia's opening T20I against South Africa overnight, David's secondment for the ensuing one-dayers was announced only hours later as the visitors shored up their middle-order.

🦘 Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans is set to be rewarded for arguably the best NRL season of his illustrious career with selection in Australia’s 20-man squad for the upcoming Pacific Championships.

“I reckon Chez has had his best year, and we are picking a squad,” - Meninga said.

🧑🏻‍🦽 The Australian Wheelaroos are set to make history by playing a three Test series against the United States in Las Vegas ahead of the NRL's opening round fixture at Allegiant Stadium in March.

🇦🇺 Gold Coast Suns forward Mabior Chol is reportedly “Categorically available” to be prised out of the club with two years remaining on his current contract. (Fox)

🎾 A year after New York City played host to the biggest moments of Ajla Tomljanović's career, her 2023 campaign has ended in heartbreak, with another injury forcing her to withdraw from the tournament.

There are now no Aussie women left in the singles draw after Tomljanović's injury and Daria Saville's 6-3, 6-4 loss to world number one Iga Świątek.

⚽️ The draw for the UEFA Champions League has been completed, with the first round of matches to begin 19/20th September. Group F looks tasty. 

• Group A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Copenhagen, Galatasaray

• Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV, Lens

• Group C: Napoli, Real Madrid, Braga, Union Berlin

• Group D: Benfica, Inter Milan, RB Salzburg, Real Sociedad

• Group E: Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic

• Group F: PSG, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle

• Group G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys

• Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Antwerp

👊🏻 The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has secured investment from SRJ Sports Investments in a deal that sees Saudi Arabia make its first move into mixed martial arts (MMA).

The tie-up will see SRJ pump more than US$100m into the PFL, according to Sportico, and funds will be used to support the promotion’s global expansion, helping it recruit top fighters and build its fanbase.

SRJ’s deal for a minority ownership stake in the PFL also sees it become an investor in the new ‘PFL MENA’ regional league, which is due to launch in 2024.

🏈 Rookie’s at the Ravens had to announce their name, school and signing bonus to the squad. First round pick WR Zay Flowers revealed his $7m bonus, and everyone lost it 🤣

🏎️ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will continue as Mercedes' driver line-up for at least the next two years.

Hamilton has signed a new contract that will extend his period with the team to 13 years and keep him in F1 well past his 40th birthday.

And Russell, who joined Mercedes in 2022, has also signed a two-year deal.

🏐 The University of Nebraska laid claim to the world record for largest attendance at a women’s sporting event with 92,003 spectators filling Memorial Stadium on Wednesday for their volleyball match against Omaha.

⚽️ Spain forward Ansu Fati is set to complete a surprise season-long loan move to Brighton from Barcelona.

Fati became Barcelona’s youngest ever scorer at the age of 16yrs and 304 days. And, is one of the most promising young players in Europe.

Tottenham had also been linked with Fati but he is understood to have been impressed by Brighton's style of play under manager Roberto de Zerbi.

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09:00 - CPLT20 - Barbados Royals v Jamaica Tallawahs (Fox Cricket)

11:40 - MLB - San Diego Padres v San Francisco Giants (ESPN)

17:05 - NPC - Northland v Hawke's Bay (Stan Sport)

18:00 - NRL - Manly Sea Eagles v Wests Tigers (Fox League)

18:30 - Men's Basketball World Cup - Germany v Georgia (ESPN)

18:40 - Men's Basketball World Cup - United States v Montenegro (ESPN 2)

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

22:10 - Men's Basketball World Cup - Slovenia v Australia (ESPN)

23:30 - Men's Basketball World Cup - Canada v Brazil (ESPN 2)

02:00 - T20 Series - South Africa v Australia (Fox Cricket)

03:00 - T20 Series - England v New Zealand (Fox Sports)

05:00 - Super League - Wigan Warriors v Salford Red Devils (Fox League)

05:00 - Premier League - Luton Town v West Ham United (Optus Sport 1)

09:00 - Major League Baseball - MLB Strike Zone (ESPN)

12:05 - NPC - Bay of Plenty v Otago (Stan Sport)

12:05 - NPC - Canterbury Rugby v Taranaki (Stan Sport)

14:35 - NPC - North Harbour v Waikato (Stan Sport)

15:00 - NRL - Dolphins v Warriors (Fox League)

17:05 - NPC - Wellington Lions v Counties Manukau (Stan Sport)

17:30 - NRL - Penrith Panthers v North Queensland Cowboys (Fox League)

17:30 - Men's Basketball World Cup Classification - Finland v Venezuela (ESPN)

18:45 - Men's Basketball World Cup Classification - New Zealand v Egypt (ESPN 2)

19:30 - ODI Asia Cup - Pakistan v India(Fox Cricket)

19:35 - NRL - St. George Illawarra Dragons v Newcastle Knights (Fox League or Channel 9)

21:10 - Men's Basketball World Cup Classification - Japan v Cape Verde (ESPN)

21:30 - Premier League - Sheffield United v Everton (Optus Sport 1)

22:30 - Men's World Cup Classification - Jordan v Mexico (ESPN 2)

23:00 - Spring Series - Cheetahs v Western Force (Stan Sport)

00:00 - Super League - Warrington Wolves v Castleford Tigers (Fox League)

00:00 - Premier League - Brentford v Bournemouth (Optus Sport 6)

00:00 - Premier League - Chelsea v Nottingham Forest (Optus Sport 4)

00:00 - Premier League - Manchester City v Fulham (Optus Sport 3)

00:00 - Premier League - Burnley v Tottenham (Optus Sport 5)

00:15 - Spanish La Liga - Real Madrid v Getafe (Optus Sport 2)

02:30 - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Newcastle United (Optus Sport 1)

02:30 - Spanish La Liga - Deportivo Alaves v Valencia (Optus Sport 2)

05:00 - Spanish La Liga - Real Betis v Rayo Vallecano (Optus Sport 2)

10:00 - CPLT20 - Barbados Royals v St. Lucia Kings (Fox Cricket)

12:05 - NPC - Southland v Auckland Rugby (Stan Sport)

14:00 - NRL - Gold Coast Titans v Canterbury Bulldogs (Fox League)

14:35 - NPC - Tasman Mako v Manawatu (Stan Sport)

16:05 - NRL - Cronulla Sharks v Canberra Raiders (Fox League or Channel 9)

17:30 - Men's Basketball World Cup - Australia v Georgia (ESPN)

18:40 - Men's Basketball World Cup - Greece v Montenegro (ESPN 2)

19:00 - Big Bash League - Big Bash League Draft (Fox Cricket)

19:30 - ODI Asia Cup Group Stage - Bangladesh v Afghanistan (Fox Sports More)

21:10 - Men's Basketball World Cup - Germany v Slovenia (ESPN)

22:00 - T20 Series - South Africa v Australia (Fox Cricket)

22:00 - Spanish La Liga - Girona v Las Palmas (Optus Sport 2)

22:40 - Men's Basketball World Cup - United States v Lithuania (ESPN 2)

23:00 - Formula 1 Italy - Formula 1 Italy Race, Round 15 (Fox Sports)

23:00 - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Optus Sport 4)

23:00 - Premier League - Liverpool v Aston Villa (Optus Sport 3)

23:30 - T20 Series - England v New Zealand (Fox Sports)