🗞 A harsh reality check

G'day sports fans,

Classic quote: “He dribbles a lot, and the opposition doesn't like it - you can see it all over their faces.” - Ron Atkinson (Soccer Manager).

🏉 The Wallabies are about to kick off against Wales (5am AEST). Flying Wallaby wing Mark Nawaqanitawase said he is eager to get at Wales’s famed tough defence as Australia look to keep their Rugby World Cup hopes alive.

Defeat to Fiji last weekend has left the Wallabies hopes hanging by a thread and another reverse against Warren Gatland’s Wales in Lyon would almost certainly see them heading home early from the tournament.

🏏 Australia's stuttering World Cup lead-in has been handed another harsh reality check as India romped to a series-clinching victory in the second ODI in Indore.

Centuries to Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer set a huge Indian total (5-399), which Australia never really threatened (217 all out). India won by 99 runs (DLS Method)

It's one of the strangest dismissals you'll see. David Warner faces up right-handed, so R Ashwin delivers a carrom ball, so Warner reverse sweeps, misses, and is lbw. Except replays showed he got an inside edge, but he didn't review.

🏉 Penrith have put themselves on track to pick up a third-straight premiership and they could do so after cleaning up at the Dally M awards.

As part of a shortlist announced by the NRL ahead of Wednesday's ceremony at Randwick Racecourse, the reigning premiers have been recognised for their success.

Nine Penrith players are in contention for roles in the team of the year, with five-eighth and hooker the only positions for which they don't have a contender.

Ivan Cleary is once again in the reckoning to be named best coach, while Isaah Yeo is in the frame for captain and lock of the year. (Full Shortlist)

🏎️ What a week it’s been for Aussie F1 rookie Oscar Piastri. On Wednesday, he was re-signed to the team on a bumper contract, taking him to the end of 2026.

On Saturday, he qualified on the front row for a grand prix for the first time in his career, making him just the fifth Australian to do so.

On Sunday, he took his first step onto the Formula 1 podium as the first rookie to finish inside the top three in more than six years. More F1 below.

🏅 This year's Brownlow Medal count is set to be a thriller.

With Collingwood gun Nick Daicos sidelined for the final three games of the home and away season, the race will be on to catch him in the last few rounds.

The chasing pack, led by Marcus Bontempelli, Zak Butters, Christian Petracca and Lachie Neale, did their chances no harm late in the season.

Bontempelli, who finished second in the AFL Coaches Association's champion player of the year award, could poll in each of the last four rounds despite the Western Bulldogs missing the finals.

The winner of the coaches' award, Butters also impressed in the final rounds, although teammate Connor Rozee also finished the season strongly.

While Petracca enjoyed another All-Australian season, the Melbourne star may be hurt in the Brownlow count by spending more time forward later in the campaign.

⚽️ Tottenham came from behind twice to secure a hard-earned point in the north London derby against Arsenal in a thriller at Emirates Stadium.

In a relentless encounter, Arsenal took the lead after 26 minutes when Bukayo Saka's shot was deflected into his own goal by Spurs defender Cristian Romero. Tottenham hit back through Son Heung-min with a deft finish from a James Maddison ball.

In the second half, Saka scored from the spot and Son slotted home after Maddison poached the ball from sub Jorginho near halfway.

Elsewhere in the EPL: Substitute Kaoru Mitoma's second-half double helped Brighton come from behind to beat winless Bournemouth (2-1).

Chelsea's stuttering start to the Premier League season took another turn for the worse as Aston Villa piled more misery on the 10-man Blues with a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

Darwin Nunez scored a fine goal as Liverpool saw off West Ham 3-1 to extend their unbeaten run to 18 games in all competitions.

Newcastle matched their record Premier League win with a scintillating display as they embarrassed winless Sheffield United 8-0 (eight) at Bramall Lane - with eight different goal scorers.

🏎️ Red Bull's Max Verstappen dominated the Japanese Grand Prix to take his 13th victory of the season and helped his team clinch the constructors' title.

The Dutchman fended off the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris at the first two corners and then motored away into a race of his own.

🏉 Scotland saw off stubborn Tonga with a bonus-point 45-17 victory to keep alive their hopes of progressing from Pool B at the World Cup.

🏀 Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes eligible to sign a contract extension on Friday, his first chance to recommit to the franchise since he signed a supermax extension before the 2020-21 season.

Antetokounmpo still has two years remaining on his contract, plus a player option for a third year, but his timeline toward free agency is ticking quickly.

The $45.6 million salary this season represents 33.55% of the Bucks' salary cap, below the maximum salary for a player that has 10 years of service or more.

Antetokounmpo will be the seventh-highest paid player in the NBA this season, behind Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Joel Embiid and Bradley Beal.

Because Antetokounmpo is considered to have two years left on his contract (the player option does not count), the deadline for him to sign an extension is Oct. 23, the last day before the start of the regular season. (ESPN)

🏃🏾‍♀️ Ethiopia’s Tigist Assefa obliterated the women’s marathon world record on Sunday as she won the Berlin Marathon, completing the course in 2:11:53 and shaving more than two minutes off the previous best.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge won a record fifth title in the men’s race, stopping the clock at 2:02:42, the fifth-fastest time of his career.

🎶 Yeah! NFL, and Roc Nation revealed that Usher would be the headline performer at the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show.

This highly anticipated event will take place on Sunday, February 11, 2024 (UTC) at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.

TODAY

06:25 - NFL - Arizona Cardinals v Dallas Cowboys (ESPN)

06:25 - NFL - Kansas City Chiefs v Chicago Bears (7mate)

09:00 - CPLT20 Final - Trinbago Knight Riders v Guyana Amazon Warriors (Fox Sports)

09:10 - MLB - Los Angeles Dodgers v San Francisco Giants (ESPN 2)

10:05 - Marsh One-Day Cup - Victoria v Tasmania Tigers (Fox Cricket)

10:20 - NFL - Las Vegas Raiders v Pittsburgh Steelers (ESPN)

20:00 - Awards Ceremony - Brownlow Medal (7mate)

TUESDAY

09:15 - NFL - Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Philadelphia Eagles (ESPN)

10:15 - NFL - Cincinnati Bengals v Los Angeles Rams (ESPN 2)

14:05 - Marsh One-Day Cup - South Australia Redbacks v Western Australia (Fox Cricket)

21:30 - ODI Series - England v Ireland (Fox Sports)