G'day sports fans,

No witty quote today, just a reminder to add [email protected] to your email contacts, to ensure you get each edition.

Oh, go on then; “We could have had Jesus Christ playing down there tonight and I reckon he would have struggled on him, to be fair.” – Richmond coach Damien Hardwick was impressed by Western Bulldogs youngster Aaron Naughton.

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🇦🇺 People are getting excited about Matt Rowell

🏉 Thursday night preview & Kalyn Ponga signs a big deal

⛳️ PGA Heritage Preview

...and lots more.

🇦🇺 AFL

AFL greats rally around teenage phenomenon, 'Young Bull' Matt Rowell

The comparisons are coming thick and fast for Gold Coast's Matt Rowell but the teenager hopes they don't define him as he intends to "write his own story" in the AFL.

The No.1 draft pick became the least-experienced player to collect a perfect 10 coach votes for his performance on Saturday night, in a win that validated the hype and steeled a young Suns team that many had written off.

Rowell's phone was running hot post-game, with messages from Hawthorn star Tom Mitchell and Geelong's Joel Selwood among the pats on the back.

Selwood didn't even wait until the final siren to endorse the man many recruiters had compared him to, tweeting "Going to enjoy watching Rowell for the next 15 years. #youngbull," as the Suns pulled away from the Eagles at Metricon Stadium.

The Oakleigh Chargers product said it was a buzz to read a message from the Cats captain but that he wouldn't spend his career trying to replicate his mentor.

"I've grown up idolising him; he's been one of my childhood heroes," he said of Selwood on Tuesday. (nine)

No love for Gov: Eagles star to miss Brisbane clash after AFL Tribunal fail

West Coast superstar defender Jeremy McGovern will miss Saturday night’s showdown with Brisbane after failing to have his suspension overturned at the AFL Tribunal. (Fox)

The Dockers took a knee, so a member was refunded.

The Fremantle member that threatened to hand back his memberships if Dockers players took a knee on Saturday has been refunded $1800 — and an Essendon fan has bought the tickets. (Fox)

🏉 NRL

Knights v Broncos (Thursday Night):

Fitzgibbon to return; Staggs out, Glenn and TPJ back.

The Knights lost no admirers in a 26-12 loss to Melbourne in which they threatened to produce an almighty second-half comeback.

This round they're up against a Broncos side that showed character to narrowly lose to Manly in round five after being shellacked 59-0 by the Roosters the week prior.

Newcastle Knights re-sign Kalyn Ponga on multi-million dollar NRL deal

Newcastle have re-signed star fullback Kalyn Ponga for four seasons in one of the most important deals in the club's history.

The deal is believed to be worth around $4.4 million, which will make him one of the highest paid players in the NRL.

The 22-year-old Queensland fullback was originally signed until the end of next year with an option for 2022, but has opted to remain with the Knights as they chase their first premiership since 2001.

"I feel at home here," Ponga said.

"It's no secret I want to win a comp in Newcastle, I want to hold the trophy up here.

"It's very exciting and a very proud moment for myself and my family. (nine)

Keen for Green: Cronulla linked to shock bid for Cowboys coach

Cronulla coach John Morris faces a battle to keep his job, with another celebrated coach tipped to take charge should the Sharks board look to replace him. (Fox)

⚽️ Bayern wrap up eighth straight Bundesliga title

Breaking: Werder Bremen 0-1 Bayern Munich FT.

What a job Hansi Flick has done since replacing Niko Kovac in November.

Their recent run - played: 23, won: 22, draw: 1.

They dropped to seventh at one stage but claim another title with two games to spare.

Still on track for a possible treble.

⚽️ Premier League return: Club-by-club guide

One hundred days after Leicester City hammered Aston Villa 4-0 on 9 March, the Premier League resumes with the first of 92 games to be played behind closed doors over the next six weeks.

While Liverpool, who lead the table by 25 points, are all but certain to be crowned champions of England for the first time in 30 years, there are lots of other issues to be resolved.

Who will qualify for the Champions League? Which teams will be relegated? Will bottom club Norwich pull off a great escape?

Every club assessed ahead of restart (continue to article)

In Costa Rica, footballer Jonathan McDonald swapped his name for a game. Another great campaign signed by Burger King who never misses the opportunity to scratch his rival.

🐴 Royal Ascot - Day 1

Summary:

• Seven races behind closed doors on day one at Royal Ascot

• Jim Crowley was aboard three of the days' seven winners

• Battaash wins King's Stand Stakes in impressive style

• Frankie Dettori triumphs on Frankly Darling

• Circus Maximus takes Queen Anne Stakes in photo finish

• For first time in her 68-year reign the Queen will not be in attendance

⛳️ RBC Heritage PGA Preview

Following an epic return to PGA action this past weekend.

The leader down the stretch, Xander Schauffele witnessed a gut-wrenching lip out on 17 to move him back to second place.

The tournament then came down to a sudden-death playoff between Daniel Berger and Collin Morikawa.

Berger was able to come away with his first playoff career win.

This week the RBC Heritage in South Carolina takes centre stage.

First-time winners have historically made their mark at the RBC Heritage.

The last four RBC Heritage winners claimed their first PGA Tour victory at Harbour Town Golf Links.

That bodes well for young, talented players who are still looking for their first win like Abraham Ancer (61.0), who enters the 2020 RBC Heritage having finished in the top 15 in five of his last eight starts on the PGA Tour.

Rory McIlroy (12.0), Justin Thomas (15.0) Bryson Dechambeau (15.0) open up as favourites.

A couple at reasonable prices who were going very well at times last weekend were Justin Rose (34.0) & Gary Woodland (34.0).

🏏 Where’s the money gone?’

Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts has resigned after months of criticism over his handling of the coronavirus crisis.

The 47-year-old was criticised for his cost-cutting measures, including asking 80% of staff to take a pay cut.

Australian cricket legend Allan Border has called out the board of Cricket Australia following the dumping of CEO Kevin Roberts, saying Roberts does not bear sole responsibility for CA’s present financial woes.

“I think you can’t just lump it all on Kevin Roberts. Surely there’s other people, particularly the directors of the Australian cricket board. Where’s their culpability in all of this?

“It was only a couple of years ago we had a couple hundred million dollars in the bank, then all of a sudden we’re broke by August this year?

“There’s a huge television rights deal. That should be enough to cover expenses, surely, from year to year. To me it just doesn’t ring true that you can be in such a strong position one minute [and then this]. (Fox)

🎾 Nick Kyrgios criticises 'selfish' US Open organisers over tournament plans

Nick Kyrgios says the United States Tennis Association is being "selfish" by intending to stage the US Open from 31 August.

On Tuesday, organisers are expected to set out how the Grand Slam will go ahead behind closed doors.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Simona Halep have all voiced concerns over the plans with New York still recording hundreds of coronavirus cases per day.

"People that live in the US of course are pushing the Open to go ahead - selfish," the Australian world number 40 posted on Twitter.

"I'll get my hazmat suit ready for when I travel from Australia and then have to quarantine for two weeks on my return." (BBC)

'We have to make sure it's safe'

Ash Barty joins players concerned over US Open timing. Reports suggest the US Open will begin in late August, but world number one Ash Barty is not yet convinced it's safe to do so. (abc)

🏈 Roger Goodell encourages NFL teams to sign quarterback

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell says he would "encourage" a team to sign former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick, 32, began kneeling during the US national anthem in 2016 in a protest against racial injustice and has been a free agent since 2017.

The National Football League banned players from protesting in such a way but now says it was "wrong" to do so.

Goodell said he will "support" a club wishing to sign Kaepernick.

"If he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously it's going take a team to make that decision," he told ESPN.

"I welcome that, support a club making that decision, and encourage them to do that."

Back on Friday!

📺 Live sport

Wednesday

⚽️ 06:00 - Liga - Barcelona v Leganes (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 21:00 - K League 1 - Busan IPark v Daegu FC (Optus Sport 2)

Thursday

🐴 00:00 - Group 1, Prince of Wales's Stakes, Royal Ascot (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

⚽️ 02:30 - Bundesliga - Eintracht Frankfurt v Schalke 04 (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 03:00 - Premier League - Aston Villa v Sheffield United (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 03:30 - La LigaEibar v Athletic Club Bilbao (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 03:30 - La Liga - Real Valladolid v Celta Vigo (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 04:30 - Bundesliga - Borussia Dortmund v Mainz 05 (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 05:00 - Coppa Italia Final - Juventus v Napoli (SBS)

⚽️ 05:15 - Premier League - Manchester City v Arsenal (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 06:00 - La Liga - Osasuna v Atletico Madrid (BeIN Sports 1)

🎮 08:00 - EsportsBasketballNBA 2K League (ESPN 2)

🚘 09:00 - Supercross, Monster Energy Supercross (ESPN 1)

🇦🇺 19:40 - AFL - Richmond Tigers v Hawthorn Hawks (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🏉 19:50 - NRL - Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos (Fox League or Nine)

🐕 21:13 (TBC) GreyhoundsGroup 1Gold Cup, 710m (Sky Racing 1)