Morning guys.

Remember: Success isn't owned, it's leased. And rent is due everyday! - JJ. Watt, (Houston Texans).

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🏆 Super Bowl predictions come true

🏉 Launch of the 2020 State of Origin series

🏏 Australia ring the changes

📺 Vintage Mourinho: Jose Mourinho’s reaction (in Tottenham's 2-0 win over Man City) when his assistant realised that Sterling should’ve got a second yellow card for diving,

🇦🇺 AFL

Melbourne gives luckless midfielder Harley Bennell a rookie lifeline

Harley Bennell has officially been granted an AFL lifeline, signing with Melbourne in a bid to reignite his luckless career at a third club.

The Demons confirmed on Tuesday night that Bennell, who’s relocated to Melbourne and been training at Gosch’s Paddock since December, had officially joined the club via the AFL’s pre-season supplemental selection period (SSP).

The signing comes despite the latest of dozens of calf setbacks, which restricted Bennell to just two games for the Dockers in four years. (Fox)

AFLW is back for 2020 with new teams, a longer season and more reasons to watch

The fourth edition of our national women's competition is upon us, bringing to an end another long and evolutionary AFLW off-season.

As is to be expected for a league still in its early years of growth, change is once again afoot — four new teams, plenty of player movement and a longer season than ever before. (abc)

🇺🇸 'Merica

Kansas City Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV 31-20 over San Francisco 49ers after 21-point fourth quarter

Super Bowl Predictions come true...

Spencer Shaw had forgotten all about the prediction he made in his senior high school yearbook six years ago, until his sister emailed him a photo of the page last month.

The slogan was the brainchild of Jane Eisner, the wife of former Disney CEO Michael Eisner. In 1986, New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms became the first MVP to say, "I'm going to Disney World!"

Since then, every Super Bowl MVP has had the same post-season vacation plan. And yes, the MVPs who've said the line actually do go to Disney World, where they are treated to a celebratory parade.

Guy who slept through Super Bowl in a $10k seat

Declan Kelly, 51, sat in the back row of the coveted first tier of endzone seats at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami with his legs crossed, hands folded and mouth open catching flies.

🥊 Boxing

"I had a gun in my lap" - Wilder

Deontay Wilder reveals suicidal thoughts after battling depression over daughter’s disability.

World champion Wilder, 34, was just 19-years-old when his eldest child was born with spina bifida in 2005.

“But in 2006 it became very rocky for me, to the point where I lost my family, to the point where I had a gun in my lap and I was ready to commit suicide myself.

Wilder — working as a waiter at pancake restaurant IHOP at the time — first picked up the gloves in October 2005, aged 20, as a last-ditch effort to make money to support his sick daughter.

Fast-forward three years and the heavy-hitter became a bronze medallist at the 2008 Olympic Games before becoming world champion after 33 fights in the paid ranks.

Boxer April Hunter makes bold gay rights stand on social media

Homosexuality is illegal on the Indian Ocean islands, in adherence with Islamic Shariah Law. But Hunter, 24, stood up for her and millions of others' freedom with the social media picture.

She captioned it: "Illegal to be gay in the Maldives and other Muslim countries still, in this day and age is mental, anyways this is our thought.

🏉 NRL

Do it for the ‘hurting’ people of NSW

Was Freddy’s rallying cry in Blues’ three-peat Origin bid.

NSW Origin coach Brad Fittler will draw upon the hardships the entire state of NSW has faced over the last 12 months in this year’s State of Origin series.

Fittler and Maroons coach Kevin Walters officially launched the State of Origin series for 2020 in Adelaide on Tuesday.

The Blues have won the past two series with last year’s game III going down to the final play when James Tedesco sealed the Origin Shield for NSW. (Fox)

Israel Folau: Hull KR lead Super League revolt over new Catalans Dragons signing

Correspondence delivered last week to Catalans warning them of legal action was sent by Hull KR's owner.

In an email obtained by the BBC, Neil Hudgell wrote to the Dragons to put them "on notice" if his club suffered "financial loss" due to the signing of Folau.

Outlining the circumstances in which that might happen, the Hull KR chairman added: "For example, if title sponsor withdraws, or external investment is not secured, or quantifiable reputational damage is caused to the brand of Super League and its members." (bbc)

Souths fight to keep teen sensation from Wallabies

Rabbitohs to open wallet for young gun. South Sydney will look to upgrade gun 16-year-old Joseph Suaalii to fend off approaches from rival code rugby union.

Word is, Dave Rennie visited the player to try and lock him into a Wallabies switch. (Australian subscription).

🏌🏻‍♂️ Pebble Beach

Similar to The American Express, all golfers will play one round apiece at the three courses. After the 54-hole cut, the final round will be played on the historic Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Although the three courses are similar in length and layout, the weather plays a huge factor in scoring if the winds decide to pick up. With nine holes set along the Carmel Bay, the tournament’s difficulty can shift year-to-year.

DraftKing's Preview:

Dustin Johnson - Coming off a second-place finish in the Middle East, Johnson comes back to Carmel Bay ready to get back in the winner’s circle. Length is not needed on any of the three courses, especially not his type of distance. What’s going to help and what has made him successful here is his wedge play.

Brandt Snedeker - Another course-history play is Snedeker, who loves playing in California, especially on poa annua greens, ranking sixth in Strokes Gained: Putting over the past 50 rounds on the aforementioned surface.

(Continue reading preview)

⚽️ Football

Man Unite players want Pogba gone

The Manchester Evening News says Pogba's teammates believe 'his head is not currently at the club' and 'the majority of United players want him to leave for the benefit of the dressing room'.

Reports in Italy earlier this month claimed Juventus are determined to land a reunion with the player they sold to United for £89million back in 2016.

🔁 Melbourne Victory have bolstered their squad with the addition of former Central Coast Mariners midfielder Giancarlo Gallifuoco.

The 26-year-old was released by the Mariners last month and has joined Victory for the remainder of the Hyundai A-League 2019/20 Season.

🤕 Ikonomidis has suffered a serious ACL injury

A major blow to the reigning Premiers’ title ambitions.

The 24-year-old Socceroos forward lasted just 15 minutes off the bench in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Melbourne Victory before his knee collapsed after an innocuous pass.

The club has since confirmed Ikonomidis suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, revealing he is expected to be out between nine and 12 months.

“Obviously we’re all hugely disappointed for Chris,” said Glory Football Director Jacob Burns. (A-League)

🏏 Cricket

Australia has rung in the changes for its next limited-overs assignment as things continue to take shape for this year’s T20 World Cup.

Once-forgotten men have been recalled for Australia’s tour of South Africa, but there is no room for those who had record-breaking seasons in the Big Bash League with bat and ball.

Here are the winners and losers from Australia’s ODI and T20 squad announcements.

LOSERS include: Marcus Stoinis

If a record-breaking season can’t get Stoinis back into Australia colours then what can? His historic haul included the league’s highest individual score of 147 not out.

WINNERS include: Glen Maxwell

Left out of Australia’s ODI squad for the tour of India after an up-and-down World Cup campaign, Maxwell is back and will be out to make himself a lock in the side once again.

Australia’s middle-order lacked power in India, stalling after the strong starts provided by its top three. The Victorian’s introduction, if he can find his best in the format quickly, should remedy that. (Continue reading)

🍕 Eat it or Bin it?

📺 Today's sport

⚽️ FA Cup - Incl. Liverpool v Shrewsbury (6:45am)

🏒 NHL regular season matches (from 11am)

🏀 NBA regular season matches (from 1pm)

🥎 Summer Slam Softball, Day 3 (5pm)

🎾 ATP Maharashtra Open, Round 2 (8:30pm)

Back on Friday!

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