🗞 It's like being punched in the face

April 22, 2021

G'day sports fans,

Classic Quote: "Goaltending is a normal job, sure. How would you like it in your job if every time you made a small mistake, a red light went on over your desk and 15,000 people stood up and yelled at you?" - Jacques Plante, NHL.

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🏃🏽‍♂️ Wildest Race you've never heard of.

🏉 Round 7 Previews

⛳️ Golfers turned social media influencers

Big Dog's Backyard Ultra: The toughest, weirdest race you've never heard of

Think you can run 4.16666 miles in an hour? Probably.

Could you do it again the following hour? Quite possibly.

How about the hour after that? The legs might be feeling it by now.

What if you had to do it every hour for the next two or three days?

It's hard to say exactly how long you'll be running for - because this race only finishes when there's one person left standing.

The trouble is, some runners can keep going for quite a long time. The current record - held by a Belgian dentist - is 75 hours, or 312 miles.

"It's like being punched in the face," chuckles organiser Gary Cantrell. "Not hard, just a little bit. But you do it again, and again, and again. Eventually you start to flinch when you see the punch coming."

🇦🇺 AFL

Up to 85,000 people will be allowed into the MCG for two blockbuster games this weekend, with the Victorian government lifting crowd numbers at the home of football.

Capacity has been capped at 75 per cent in Victoria for the past month, but that will increase to 85 per cent. (AFL)

Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir has dismissed the prospect of Stephen Hill retiring just so the club can snare a player at the AFL's mid-season draft.

Hill has been plagued by soft-tissue injuries over the past three years and is sidelined with a long-term hamstring issue. (AFL)

Richmond Football Club and a number of former and current doctors are being sued over claims they were negligent and breached their duty of care in the treatment of a back injury to former player Ty Zantuck (ABC)

Aged 8, Brianna Davey wrote to then-AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou pleading with him to allow girls to play AFL footy.

18 years later, she was named joint-winner of the AFLW's best and fairest award.

Now that's the stuff that dreams are made of...

🏉 NRL

Knights fight but no answers to Panthers juggernaut: A brilliant return from injury from fullback Dylan Edwards added another dimension to Penrith's attack to guide the home side to a 24-6 win despite a brilliant effort from Kurt Mann to keep Newcastle in the fight for almost 70 minutes.

NRL Round 7 Previews

Titans v Rabbitohs: Is Don, is good to go; Bunnies shuffle backline (match preview)

  • Gold Coast have covered the line 8 of their last 9 games after a loss. (+6).

Eels v Broncos: Brown ban ends; Levi comes straight in (match preview)

  • Maika Sivo has scored at least one try in five of Parramatta's last six matches against Brisbane.

Sharks v Bulldogs: Johnson's good news; Napa, Thompson new props (match preview)

  • William Hopoate has scored a try in each of Canterbury's last three matches against Cronulla.

Cowboys v Raiders: Payten sticks solid; Ricky wields axe (match preview)

  • George Williams has scored at least one try in four of Canberra's last five Saturday night matches as a favourite.

Wests Tigers v Sea Eagles: Chee Kam swung into centres; Hasler stands pat (match preview)

  • Each of the Wests Tigers' last nine home matches have gone OVER the total match points line. (over 44.5pts)

Roosters v Dragons: Verrills returns; Lawrie's leg-up (match preview)

  • St. George Illawarra has failed to cover the line in seven of its last eight matches at the SCG (-6.0)

Storm v Warriors: Papenhuyzen out; Outside backs reshuffle (match preview)

  • David Fusitu'a has scored two tries in each of his last two appearances against Melbourne at AAMI Park.

⚽️ Football

⚽️Ten-man Western United held Wellington Phoenix at bay to earn a 1-1 draw and move within touching distance of the A-League's top six. (SBS)

🙋🏻‍♂️ Tony Popovic will become the Melbourne Victory's new manager, the club has announced.

“Tony will formally takeover as A-League Head Coach of Melbourne Victory in July and will oversee the entire A-League program," the club said.

After the European Super League lasted about as long as an Arsenal title challenge, The Sun reported on Thursday that Glasgow giants Celtic and Rangers may be invited to participate in an 18-team English top-flight, which is in dire need of a facelift, according to club powerbrokers. (FOX)

or

The European Super League is on "standby" despite nine of the 12 founding teams withdrawing, says Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

After a furious backlash against the proposed tournament that was announced on Sunday, all six Premier League clubs involved withdrew on Tuesday.

Spanish club Atletico Madrid and Italian sides AC Milan and Inter Milan have also formally pulled out.

"We're going to continue working," said Perez. "The project is on standby."

🏏 Cricket

🙋🏻‍♂️ Will Pucovski is expected to open the batting alongside David Warner in next summer's Ashes series, but the 23-year-old has reportedly been overlooked for a Cricket Australia contract. (nine)

Can you name all the village things in this photo?

There are at least six. 👇🏼 (We've had a go at the answers at the end of the mail).

🐴 Racing

🐴 All Aged Stakes Day marks the final Group 1 meeting of the season in Sydney on Saturday as a bumper lineup of 14 will step out with $600,000 in prize-money on offer. 

William Reid Stakes winner Masked Crusader has opened the early short-priced favourite, but there is a case to be made for most of the top five with Kolding, Newmarket Handicap winner Zoutori, and Doncaster Mile winner Cascadian taking their place.

Further down, Savatiano will take on the boys in the hopes of securing back-to-back Group 1’s, while Prague returns on the quick backup after making up good ground for third in last week’s Arrowfield Sprint. 

🙋🏻‍♂️ Tommy Berry will be aboard the two Group 1 favourites at Randwick on Saturday but winning the highway this week would top the lot.

Earlier this week, Neville ‘Nifty’ Layt died after a short battle with illness, aged 76.

Layt was the man that gave a young Sydney apprentice Tommy Berry his first big shot aboard flashy sprinting filly Karuta Queen.

“His support to leave me on Karuta Queen at a time when I was very wet behind the ears, very green myself, it’s something I’ve never forgotten,” Berry said. (racenet)

🏉 Rugby

Club Corner: regular season sets in across the country

🏉 Nearly 9 months ago, the Rebels ended the Waratahs finals hopes. On Saturday, the Tahs are looking to return the favour. (rugby)

🏉 The battle for second place continues as Super Rugby Aotearoa enters the final two weeks of the regular season. (rugby)

🌍 Sports World

💰 US PGA Tour will be handing out $50m in player bonuses in a new program to reward players who “move the needle” on and off course.

The system is designed to detract players from the Saudi-backed Premier Golf League by compensating those who produce the most engagement from fans and sponsors, with the player considered most valuable set to receive more than $10m. Expect Mark Leishman dancing in a Tik Tok video.

🏠 Lionel Messi’s family just purchased a US$7.3M condo in Miami. A move to David Beckham's Inter Miami on the cards?

🥊 Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul has been tentatively set for June 5, per @TheAthletic

🃏 Topps MLB NFTs (lovely, lovely acronyms). Topps launched their series 1, Major League Baseball digital blockchain cards this week.

Reports are that 160k people tried to get in on the release, with packs priced between $5-$100. Over US$2million has been traded so far on the secondary market. The record as of today is US$87k, for this Mike Trout #1.

🏎 The Indianapolis 500 is set to be the largest sporting event in the world since the start of the pandemic with 135,000 spectators permitted to attend "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" next month. It'll be 40 per cent of venue capacity. (nine)

🚘 The South Australian government is moving to sell-off the infrastructure used by now-defunct Adelaide 500 Supercars race, potentially putting an end to any attempts to revive the iconic event. (nine)

🥊 Paul Gallen produced an incredible performance to beat former world title holder Lucas Browne. Gallen has since shut down any suggestions former WBA heavyweight champion Lucas Browne took a dive.

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Village Cricket from above (by no means an exhaustive list):

  • People walking through the middle of the game

  • No bails

  • No boundary

  • A player umpiring

  • A blow in fielding at fine leg

  • Dirty polo and oversized shorts at slip

  • Keeper wearing short sleeves

  • Keeper wearing a lid standing 6Ms from the stumps

  • Black shoes with whites is the biggest village move ever.

  • No boundary fence

  • I think that's a Kite?

📺 Live sport

TODAY

⛳️ 05:30 - PGA Tour, Zurich Classic of New Orleans (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 06:00 - Spanish La Liga - Barcelona v Getafe (BeIN Sports 1)

🏄🏻‍♀️ 07:00 - Women's Narrabeen Classic, Day 8 (Fox Sports)

🏄🏻 07:00 - Men's Narrabeen Classic, Day 8 (Fox Sports)

🏌🏼‍♀️ 08:00 - LPGA Tour, Hugel-Air Premia LA Open, Round 2 (FoxW) 

⚽️ 08:00 - Copa Libertadores - Fluminense FC v River Plate (BeIN Sports 2) 

🏀 09:00 - NBA - Milwaukee Bucks v Philadelphia 76ers (ESPN 1)

⚾️ 09:40 - MLB - Chicago Cubs v New York Mets (Sky Sports 3)

🏒 10:00 - NHL - St. Louis Blues v Colorado Avalanche (ESPN 2) 

🏀 11:30 - NBA - Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN 1) 

⚾️ 12:10 - MLB - Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres (Sky Sports 3)

17:00 - Bowls Premier League, Day 4 (Fox Sports)

🏉 17:05 - Super Rugby Aotearoa - Chiefs v Hurricanes (Stan Sport)

🏉 18:00 - NRL - Gold Coast Titans v South Sydney Rabbitohs (Fox League) 

🥊 19:00 - Featherweight - Brock Jarvis v Nort Beauchamp (Fox Sports More) 

⚽️ 19:05 - A-League - Melbourne Victory v Western Sydney Wanderers (Fox Sports)

🐎 19:30 - ANZAC Trotters Cup, 2,240m (Sky Racing 1)

🏀 19:30 - NBL - New Zealand Breakers v Cairns Taipans (ESPN 1 or SBS on Demand)

🏉 19:45 - Super Rugby AU - Western Force v Reds (Stan Sport)

🇦🇺 19:50 - AFL - GWS Giants v Western Bulldogs (Fox Footy) 

🏉 19:55 - NRL - Parramatta Eels v Brisbane Broncos (Fox League) 

🎾 20:30 - ATP Barcelona Open, Quarter-Finals, Day 5 (BeIN Sports 1) 

🏀 21:30 - NBL - Perth Wildcats v Brisbane Bullets (ESPN 1 or SBS on Demand)

🎾 22:00 - WTA Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, Quarter-Finals, Day 5 (BeIN Sports 2)

⛳️ 23:00 - European Tour, Gran Canaria Open, Round 2 (Fox Sports) 

SATURDAY

⛳️ 05:30 - PGA Tour, Zurich Classic of New Orleans, Round 2 (Fox Sports) 

🏄🏻 07:00 - Men's Narrabeen Classic, Day 9 (Fox Sports)

🏄🏻‍♀️ 07:00 - Women's Narrabeen Classic, Day 9 (Fox Sports)

🏌🏼‍♀️ 08:00 - LPGA Tour, Hugel-Air Premia LA Open, Round 3 (FoxW) 

⚾️ 09:10 - MLB - Detroit Tigers v Kansas City Royals (Sky Sports 3)

🏀 09:30 - NBA - Brooklyn Nets v Boston Celtics (ESPN 1)

⚾️ 11:45 - MLB - San Francisco Giants v Miami Marlins (Sky Sports 3)

🏀 12:00 - NBA - Golden State Warriors v Denver Nuggets (ESPN 1) 

🇦🇺 13:45 - AFL - Geelong Cats v West Coast Eagles (Fox Footy) 

🇦🇺 13:45 - AFL - Gold Coast Suns v Sydney Swans (Fox Sports or 7mate)

🐴 14:20 - Group 1, Champagne Stakes, 1,600m - SW, 2YO (7, Sky Racing 1) 

🏉 15:00 - Shute Shield - (Stan Sport)

  • West Harbour Pirates v Newcastle Wildfires

  • Southern Districts Rugby v Warringah Rugby

  • Randwick Rugby v Eastern Suburbs Rugby

  • Sydney University Rugby v Eastwood Rugby (15:30)

🐴 15:40 - Group 1, All Aged Stakes, 1,400m (7, Sky Racing 1) 

🏉 16:00 - Shute Shield - Northern Suburbs Rugby v Gordon Rugby (Stan Sport)

🇦🇺 16:35 - AFL - Carlton Blues v Brisbane Lions (Fox Footy) 

⚽️ 17:05 - A-League - Central Coast Mariners v Sydney FC (Fox Sports) 

🏉 17:30 - NRL - Cronulla Sharks v Canterbury Bulldogs (Fox League)

🏀 17:30 - NBL - Melbourne United v Adelaide 36ers (SBS on Demand or SBS Viceland)

🐎 18:50 - 2YO Australian Pacing NSW Gold Bullion Final Fillies (Sky Racing 1) 

⚽️ 19:10 - A-League - Macarthur FC Bulls v Melbourne City (Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 19:25 - AFL - Melbourne Demons v Richmond Tigers (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🏉 19:35 - NRL - North Queensland Cowboys v Canberra Raiders (Fox League)

🏉 19:45 - Super Rugby AU - Waratahs v Rebels (GEM or Stan Sport)

🐎 19:53 - 2YO Australian Pacing NSW Gold Bullion Final (Sky Racing 1) 

🏀 20:00 - NBL - Illawarra Hawks v Sydney Kings (ESPN 1 SBS on Demand)

🇦🇺 20:10 - AFL - Fremantle Dockers v North Melb. Kangaroos (Fox Sports) 

⚽️ 21:30 - Premier League - Liverpool v Newcastle United (Optus Sport 1) 

🏉 21:30 - Premiership Rugby - London Irish v Harlequins (Fox Sports) 

🏉 22:00 - Pro14 Rainbow Cup - Benetton Rugby v Glasgow Warriors (Stan Sport)

⛳️ 22:30 - European Tour, Gran Canaria Open, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🎮 00:00 - E-Prix Valencia, Round 5 (Fox Sports) 

🏉 00:00 - Premiership Rugby - Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints (Fox Sports)

🏏 00:00 - Indian Premier League - Rajasthan Royals v Kolkata Knight Riders (Fox Cricket)

🏉 00:00 - Pro14 Rainbow Cup - Bulls v Lions (Stan Sport)

SUNDAY

🏄🏻‍♀️ 07:00 - Women's Narrabeen Classic, Day 10 (Fox Sports)

🏄🏻 07:00 - Men's Narrabeen Classic, Day 10 (Fox Sports)

🏌🏼‍♀️ 08:00 - LPGA Tour, Hugel-Air Premia LA Open (Fox Sports or FoxW) 

⚽️ 08:00 - MLS - Los Angeles FC v Seattle Sounders (ESPN 1) 

⚾️ 08:10 - MLB - Cleveland Indians v New York Yankees (Sky Sports 3)

👊🏻 10:00 - UFC 261 Prelims (ESPN 2)

🏀 10:30 - NBA - Dallas Mavericks v Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN 1) 

⚾️ 11:10 - MLB - Los Angeles Dodgers v San Diego Padres (Sky Sports 3)

🏉 12:00 - NSW Cup - Western Suburbs Magpies v Blacktown Workers (Fox League)

🇦🇺 12:30 - AFL - Hawthorn Hawks v Adelaide Crows (Fox Footy) 

🏉 13:35 - Super Rugby Aotearoa - Crusaders v Blues (Stan Sport)

🏉 13:45 - NRL - Wests Tigers v Manly Sea Eagles (Fox League) 

⚽️ 14:05 - A-League - Brisbane Roar v Perth Glory (Fox Sports) 

🏀 15:00 - NBL - Brisbane Bullets v South East Melbourne Phoenix (SBS on Demand or SBS Viceland)

🇦🇺 15:20 - AFL - Collingwood Magpies v Essendon Bombers (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🏉 16:05 - NRL - Sydney Roosters v St. George Illawarra Dragons (Fox League or Nine)

⚽️ 16:10 - A-League - Wellington Phoenix v Adelaide United (Fox Sports) 

🐴 16:50 - Group 1, Chairman's Sprint Prize, 1,200m - Speed Series (Racing.com or Sky Racing 2)

🏀 17:00 - NBL - Cairns Taipans v Perth Wildcats (SBS on Demand or SBS Viceland)

🐴 18:00 - Group 1, Champions Mile, 1,600m (Racing.com, Sky Racing 1) 

🏉 18:15 - NRL - Melbourne Storm v Warriors (Fox League) 

🐴 18:40 - Group 1, Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HKJC), 2,000m (Racing.com, Sky Racing 1)

🇦🇺 18:40 - AFL - Port Adelaide Power v St Kilda Saints (Fox Footy) 

🏏 20:00 - Indian Premier League - Chennai Super Kings v Royal Challengers Bangalore (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 21:00 - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Burnley (Optus Sport 1)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 21:30 - UCI Men's World Tour - 259.5km (SBS on Demand or SBS Viceland)

⛳️ 22:00 - European Tour, Gran Canaria Open, Round 4 (Fox Sports) 

🏉 22:00 - Pro14 Rainbow Cup - Newport Gwent Dragons v Scarlets Rugby (Stan Sport)

⚽️ 23:00 - Premier League - Leeds United v Manchester United (Optus Sport 1)