🗞 Cherry on Top

AUSSIE SPORTS
A Star is Born

🏎️ Oscar Piastri won his second F1 grand prix with success at the Azerbaijan GP.

The Aussie superstar overtook race leader Charles Leclerc down the inside on lap 20 after the McLaren driver qualified behind Ferrari pole-sitter Leclerc, and never looked back.

An ugly crash on the second-last lap between Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez ended both men’s races and saw the race finish under the virtual safety car.

"He's no longer the next big star coming into F1, the star has well and truly arrived," Karun Chandhok said on Sky F1.

Piastri's win now puts McLaren in the lead of the constructors' championship and makes him the first Australian driver to win multiple F1 races in a season since Daniel Ricciardo in 2018 (Daniel Ricciardo finished 13th in Azerbaijan).

🏏 England and Australia's T20 series ended in a draw after the third match at Old Trafford was washed out (not for the first time, at that venue).

Heavy rain throughout the day prevented any play and the series ends 1-1.

🎾 Olivia Gadecki has continued her magical run at a WTA 500 tournament in Guadalajara, scoring a fourth consecutive top-100 victory to reach the final.

The 22-year-old from the Gold Coast recorded a commanding 6-2 6-3 victory today against world No.80 Camila Osorio in the semifinals.

A confident Gadecki only dropped serve once, late in the second set, across the 79-minute encounter.

“I’m really happy with the way I played today and the way I carried myself,” Gadecki said. “And thrilled to be in the final.” The final takes place this morning (AEST).

🐴 Passionate owner Tony Ottobre has deferred "total control" to master trainer Ciaron Maher to determine Pride Of Jenni's spring campaign.

Runner-up Pride Of Jenni answered critics with a trademark gallant frontrunning display at Flemington last Saturday in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, only bettered by champion Mr Brightside.

The thrilling performance reignited the rivalry with Mr Brightside towards the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes in Sydney on October 19 and Cox Plate seven days later in Melbourne.

"I always wanted the King Charles but at the end of the day if Ciaron says ‘you know what Tony, we may not go there', I'll go by what Ciaron says.

👩🏼‍🦽 Australia's Madison de Rozario backed up from an emotional Paralympic Games, winning the Sydney marathon wheelchair race for the second year running.

De Rozario won two medals in Paris after learning of the death of her father just hours after the opening ceremony.

NRL NEWS
The Stage is Set

📄 The Sea Eagles outlasted the Bulldogs 24-22 in an epic sudden-death semi-final.

After trailing 22-12 with 25 minutes to play, tries to Daly Cherry-Evans and Tolu Koula ensured Manly would keep their season alive and move on to face the Roosters in week two. (Watch Koula’s try on Twitter)

🏟️ The NRL has confirmed the times and dates for Week Two of the Premiership Finals Series, Week 2.

• Semi Final: Friday, September 20, 7.50pm (EST), Allianz Stadium

  • Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks v North Queensland Cowboys

• Semi Final: Saturday, September 21, 7.50pm (EST), Allianz Stadium

  • Sydney Roosters v Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

AFL NEWS
Bid Incoming

🏟️ The AFL has confirmed the fixture for week three of the 2024 Toyota AFL Finals Series.

Sydney will host Port Adelaide on Friday night for a spot in the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final before Geelong plays Brisbane in a twilight time slot on Saturday.

The AFL has confirmed the fixture for week three of the finals, with the Swans to play the Power at the SCG at 7.40pm AEST on Friday night.

The Cats will then host the Lions from 5.15pm AEST on Saturday at the MCG.

🔁 St Kilda is preparing to launch an audacious bid to land Essendon skipper Zach Merrett, in what could be the trade of the off season.

According to 9news Melbourne's Tom Morris, the Saints will table a deal that may be too good to refuse for Merrett, who has been captain of the Bombers since 2023.

And while there's been no formal contract offer, the Saints will likely stop at nothing to bolster their stocks in the middle.

"I understand what's been formally tabled, equates to a Godfather deal, worth well over $1 million per season." - Morris 9news.

💰 Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley has been handed a $20,000 fine for his antics in engaging in taunting against Hawthorn players on Friday night.

After the Power's three-point win over the Hawks in their semi-final clash, Hinkley began shouting words towards Hawthorn forward Jack Ginnivan.

It follows Ginnivan earlier social media antics during the week, where he commented on Swans ruckman Brodie Grundy's post, "see u in 14 days", hinting that his Hawks would certainly beat the Power and reach a preliminary final against the Swans.

WORLD NEWS
Lego Cars

⚽️ Tottenham 0-1 Arsenal: Arsenal came out on top in a fiery north London derby as Gabriel's second-half header gave them a crucial victory at Tottenham.

The Gunners were without captain Martin Odegaard and key midfielder Declan Rice through injury and suspension respectively and survived a stern examination from Ange Postecoglou's side to spark ecstatic scenes at the final whistle.

It was Gabriel who made the vital contribution after 64 minutes, escaping the attentions of Cristian Romero to rise and power Bukako Saka's corner high past Vicario.

Arsenal are now 2 points off leaders Man City, who they play next.

⚽️ Harvey Barnes' stunning strike maintained Newcastle's unbeaten start after the Magpies came from behind to win at Wolves (2-1).

⚽️ Lamine Yamal, 17, scored twice as Barcelona ruthlessly maintained their perfect start to the season with a 4-1 away win at Girona.

🏈 Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered another concussion during his team's Thursday night game against Buffalo, is scheduled to meet early this week with neurologists.

Tagovailoa was diagnosed with two concussions during the 2022 season and took a third hit to the head that led to the NFL altering its concussion protocol, specifically with how they're reported and evaluated.

Multiple rumours have surfaced that legend Tom Brady may unretire for a second time, and play for the Miami Dolphins following Tagovailoa’s injury. 

🏎️ LEGO Technic engineers & McLaren built a McLaren P1 replica. It is constructed out of 342,817 pieces, with a top speed approximately 40 mph. Lando Norris took ti fro a spin around Silverstone. (article)

🥊 icymi: Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez remains the unified super-middleweight world champion after earning a unanimous decision over Edgar Berlanga on Saturday.

"I'm the best fighter in the world. It means a lot. It's an honour for me to represent my country on this day. I feel proud about it." - Alvarez.

⛳️ Rory McIlroy was denied a fairytale win in front of his home fans as Rasmus Hojgaard produced a storming finish to win the Irish Open by one shot in a hugely dramatic final round at Royal County Down. 

While Jon Rahm leads LIV golf Chicago going into the final round.

👊🏼 The UFC event at the Las Vegas SPHERE looked incredible. (watch on Twitter)

The Main Event saw Merab Dvalishvili upset Sean O'Malley to win the bantamweight title in a unanimous-decision win at UFC Noche in Las Vegas.

Georgia's Dvalishvili, 33, out-wrestled American O'Malley in a typically relentless display of grappling in the first sporting event to take place at the Sphere.

The bout saw some bizarre moments as Dvalishvili was warned by the referee for arguing with O'Malley's coach in the first round and kissing his opponent in the second.

In other UFC news; Jon Jones will defend his heavyweight title against former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in New York on 16 November (local).

The American pair were due to fight last November but the fight was cancelled after 37-year-old Jones suffered a pectoral injury in the build-up.

Meanwhile, Michael Chandler will face Brazil's Charles Oliveira in the co-main event.

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