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🗞 ‘Extraordinary drama’
Matildas will have over 80,000 fans roaring them on to victory at Stadium Australia and millions more across the country.
Sport Journal
August 15, 2023
G'day sports fans,
Match Day Motivation: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don’t like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.” – Bill Shankly.
🚌 You know by now if there’s a bandwagon passing by, we’re jumping on!
🇦🇺 The string of high-profile AFL retirement announcements continue, with the news that Richmond great and triple premiership player Jack Riewoldt has told teammates that his 17th season at Punt Road will be his last.
“To be honest, it‘s probably been from the start of the season that I’ve known that this would more than likely be my last year,” - Riewoldt.
Jack Riewoldt (34) glittering career by the numbers:
Drafted: By Richmond, pick 13, 2006 AFL Draft
Debut: 2007
Games: 346*
Goals: 786*
Premierships: 2017, 2019, 2020
3 x Coleman Medallist
3 x All-Australian
2 x Richmond Best and Fairest
This is our moment
⚽️ For the first time ever, England and Australia will meet in a FIFA World Cup match, both men’s and women’s.
The rivalry between the two nations is one filled with rich history across several sports.
Until now Matilda’s v Lionesses have only met in friendlies - the Matildas won 2-0 in an April contest that broke the Lionesses' 30-game unbeaten run. While England are ranked six places higher (4) with Australia at (10).
No meeting has ever had quite the hype, pressure and expectation that the Matildas’ semi final against the Lionesses tonight has, at least not since the 2003 Rugby World Cup final.
England are the bookies favourites going into the clash and it is hard to argue otherwise given they are the reigning European champions and have a stacked roster.
But the Matildas will have over 80,000 fans roaring them on to victory at Stadium Australia and millions more across the country.
Sam Kerr is passed at ‘fit’ but was spotted with support and ice on her “good calf”, after training on Tuesday. Coach Gustavsson dropped a hint that Kerr will again come off the bench.
An early good luck to the @TheMatildas
Just keep an eye out in case the Poms ask to change the ball 🤣🤣🤣 @TheBarmyArmy— David Warner (@davidwarner31)
12:33 AM • Aug 15, 2023
🥊 Canterbury prop Tevita Pangai Jr is poised to quit the NRL at the end of the season to pursue a career in boxing.
The 27-year-old, contracted for 2024 on an estimated $750,000, informed the Bulldogs of his desire to focus on family and fighting this week and will continue to work with them on the details of his exit. (7news)
NRL biffs: Melbourne Storm’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona will make his boxing debut alongside other NRL stars in October.
The Kiwi representative, who is the biggest player in the NRL at two metres tall, will fight on the same card as North Queensland forward Jason Taumalolo and Eels prop Junior Paulo.
🏉 After weeks of speculation, Payne Haas has re-signed with the Brisbane Broncos for a further three years.
The Broncos prop has been subject to speculation over whether he'll join an NRL rival or switch codes to rugby union after months of negotiations with his current club.
The new deal will see Haas earn up to $1.2 million per season, making him the highest paid Broncos player in the club’s 35-year history. (abc)
MATILDAS SPECIAL WITH DABBLE
Prepare for it to be a nervy affair early on, expecting 0-0 half time.
Then, [drum roll]… Sam Kerr enters the fray in the 55th minute, grabs the game by the scruff of the neck, and slams home the winner! 🙌🏼
🇦🇺 Brisbane Lions star Lachie Neale has admitted his current form is “average”, but has insisted he is close to rediscovering his Brownlow Medal-winning best in time for finals.
While the Lions have locked in another top-four finish under coach Chris Fagan, Neale’s output has been lacking in comparison to the lofty heights he has scaled in recent years.
“I think at this time of year every player is a little bit sore. We’ve played 21 games now so there’s a few bumps and bruises across the whole competition. That’s certainly no excuse for me,” - Neale said.
🏉 Official team lists, updates and injury news for Round 25 of the season. (NRL)
Cowboys: A boost for the Cowboys with back-rower Jeremiah Nanai named to return.
Sea Eagles: Brad Parker and Ben Trbojevic sit out under the concussion protocols.
Eels: Mitch Moses gone for the season, the responsibility of steering the ship falls to Dylan Brown.
Roosters: Angus Crichton makes his return from a knee injury from round 17. Sam Walker has been named as 18th Man as he nears a return to the NRL.
🏏 Pat Cummins sparked some concern when he was seen sporting a brace on his left hand, having suffered a “small fracture.” Cummins is confident it won’t stop him from returning before the One-Day World Cup tournament, which begins in October.
⚽️ West Ham are considering pulling out of a deal for Manchester United centre-back Harry Maguire, 30, because of the amount of time it is taking to complete.
🏈 Michael Oher, the retired NFL player whose upbringing was chronicled in The Blind Side, filed a lawsuit this week alleging he was never actually adopted by the Tuohys (the family that took him in), and that they made millions from his story by tricking him into entering a conservatorship, which allowed the family to have the legal authority to make business deals and decisions in his name.
⛳️ North Korea is inviting golfers to play in a tournament at Pyongyang Golf Course for the 1st time.
The course holds great history in the country as, according to local media reports, it was the site of Kim Jong-iI’s historic 38 under par, which included 11 hole-in-ones in his first ever round of golf.
Pyongyang Golf Course
⚽️ Spain will play for its first FIFA Women's World Cup final after Olga Carmona's goal in the 89th minute lifted La Roja to a 2-1 victory over Sweden in the semi-final.
Spain, which overcame last year's near mutiny by its players against coach Jorge Vilda, will play the winner of tournament co-host Australia and England on Sunday in the final in Sydney.
🏉 France fly-half Romain Ntamack has been ruled out of a home Rugby World Cup (starts Sept 9th) because of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
While England’s Owen Farrell is free to play again after his sending off in England's 19-17 win over Wales was overturned, the RFU said on Tuesday.
I feel seen!!
📺 Live Sport TV Guide
TODAY
10:05 - MLB - Texas Rangers v Los Angeles Angels (ESPN 2)
15:35 - NPC - Hawke's Bay v Waikato (Stan Sport)
19:45 - Men's Basketball Exhibition Match - Australia v Brazil (GEM)
20:00 - Women's World Cup Semi-Final - Australia v England (7, 7Plus, Optus Sport 1)
THURSDAY
05:00 - UEFA Super Cup - Manchester City v Sevilla (Stan Sport)
12:10 - MLB - Los Angeles Dodgers v Milwaukee Brewers (ESPN)
19:45 - Men's Basketball Exhibition Match - Australia v South Sudan (GEM)
19:50 - NRL - North Queensland Cowboys v Cronulla Sharks (Fox League)