🗞 Clubs sweat on Origin Stars

AUSSIE SPORTS
Formal Apology

🗣️ The board of Volleyball Australia has issued an apology to former players who suffered through "an environment of fear," coercive control, physical and psychological abuse.

The apology was issued to players in the Australian women's indoor team who were based at the Australian Institute of Sport between 1997 and 2005 who were as young as 14.

In a statement the board wrote: "We have heard that you experienced an environment of fear, unacceptable and punitive training practices, a lack of coach accountability, coaches disregarding advice from medical and performance support staff, limited athlete support and inadequate complaint handling mechanisms.

"We are deeply sorry for the ongoing effects these experiences have had on your life, and on your relationship with the sport of volleyball and with Volleyball Australia.

"We unreservedly apologise for that harm," the statement says.

🏉 Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made wholesale changes to his team for the rugby Test against Georgia in Sydney on Saturday.

Veteran prop Allan Alaalatoa will become the third captain in three weeks, starting in the front-row alongside rookies Isaac Kailea and Billy Pollard.

The trio are among 10 changes to the starting side as Schmidt rotates his squad after the tough 2-0 series sweep over Wales.

Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu and Tom Wright are the only remaining faces in the starting 15 from last week's second Test win against Wales.

NRL NEWS
Bumped & Bruised

A bruising Origin decider has taken its toll on club football, with several players exiting the brutal contest injured or suspended, including Brisbane stars Pat Carrigan and Reece Walsh.

Following an all-in melee during the first half, 10 players were charged by the NRL’s Match Review Committee.

Elsewhere, Eels halfback Mitchell Moses suffered a season-ending injury, while a Maroons forward was seen following a moon boot on the morning after the decider. (NRL.com)

AFL NEWS
Free to Play

The AFL community is in confusion after Charlie Cameron and Toby Bedford had their three-week bans overturned by the AFL Appeals Board on a technicality.

Cameron's suspension was thrown out due to a procedural error under Rule 18.7.1 of the Laws of Australian Football, which protects players from unreasonable conduct likely to cause injury by opposition players.

The Appeals Board determined that while the Tribunal found Cameron's act unreasonable, it did not sufficiently explain how it was likely to cause injury. Had this been clarified, Brisbane's appeal would likely have failed.

Bedford's appeal was then successful on the same grounds.

Consequently, both players have been cleared to play this weekend due to procedural issues, reminiscent of past instances such as Patrick Cripps' clearance from suspension during his 2022 Brownlow-winning season.

🐯Frustrated Richmond superstar Dustin Martin will miss a third consecutive AFL match as he struggles to overcome a lingering back injury.

Martin was substituted out of Richmond's June 30 loss to Carlton with back spasms and has already missed games against Fremantle and GWS. (news)

WORLD NEWS
Bad Golf

⛳️ A frustrated and disconsolate Rory McIlroy signed for a seven-over 78 as his quest to win a second Open title floundered on a wet and windy opening morning at Royal Troon.

DeChambeau returned a scorecard for five-over 76.

The world number two finished 10 shots behind American two-time major winner Justin Thomas, who rolled in a 25-footer at the last, to set the clubhouse target on three under.

🎾Rafael Nadal's preparations for the Olympics continued with an impressive straight-set win over Britain's Cameron Norrie in the second round of the Swedish Open.

Nadal, 38, overcame the fifth seed in Bastad 6-4 6-4 to set up a quarter-final with Argentine Mariono Navone.

👊🏻 Conor McGregor says he has two fights left on his UFC contract, seeing potential for a future fight in BKFC (Bar Knuckle Fighting Championship).

On top of all his businesses and responsibilities, the Irish superstar has vested interest in Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, becoming a part-owner of the promotion back in April. But, apparently that's not all that's at stake for McGregor, as he hints his fighting future may come in the BKFC ring.

🚴🏻 Belgium's Victor Campenaerts emerged from a breakaway trio to clinch victory on stage 18 of the Tour de France 2024.

Campenaerts, Michal Kwiatkowski and Matteo Vercher remained clear heading into the closing stages of the 179.5km route from Gap to Barcelonnette.

General classification after stage 18

1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) 74hrs 45mins 27secs

2. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Visma-Lease a Bike) +3mins 11secs

3. Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Soudal- Quick Step) +5:09

⚽️ Ange Postecoglou's name has emerged amid the feverish speculation about who will become the next England manager, but the Australian is adamant it's all news to him.

"I am at the start of pre-season and am the Tottenham manager, so I have got nothing else but trying to bring success to this football club," Postecoglou told Sky Sports News.

"Until I do that, there is no point in me thinking about anything else.

"I had a nap this afternoon so I have no idea what is going on."

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