🗞 Long-term deal

July 28, 2020

G'day sports fans,

I'm relying on very bad hotel wifi, here goes...

Classic quote: "I think everybody gets caught up in superstitions. But I don't put much stock in them...knock on wood."- Jason Akermanis, Brisbane

In today's edition of Sport Journal (lite):

🏉 Age rule change to aid Suaalii deal

🇦🇺 Injury list & previews

⚽️ EPL transfer gossip

In a slight change of format, I've also added some direct links to articles 📖

🏉 NRL

Phil Gould has taken aim at a potential move by the NRL to change the minimum age rule after South Sydney

Barry Hall says he has the 'tools to knock over' Sonny Bill Williams as cross-code fight looms

Williams looks set re-join the NRL with the Roosters for the back end of the season since being released from his duties overseas with the Toronto Wolfpack, freeing him up for a mooted fight with Hall.

Talk of the match-up first surfaced earlier this year off the back of Hall's 'Code War' clash with Sharks great Paul Gallen.

Hall and his manager, former boxer, Danny Green famously snubbed Gallen for an immediate rematch opting instead to chase a clash with Williams.

Since then, Williams' manager, Khoder Nasser, has now given Hall's camp a commitment that the pair will square off, most likely in Sydney later this year.

Almost one in five NRL players will be out injured this weekend even with big names John Bateman, Josh Dugan, Jesse Bromwich and Viliame Kikau easing their way out of a bulging code-wide casualty ward.

🇦🇺 AFL

Tonight: Wester Bulldogs (1.95) v Richmond Tigers (1.90): The Dogs and the Tigers have put on some real classics in recent years and the market suggests we’re in for another tight one tonight. Stat: In 5 of Richmonds last 6 matches, the first quarter has been the highest scoring.

Who's struggling, who's a test? Check out the players from your club who are a little sore

Thursday: Melbourne (2.20) v Port Adelaide (1.65): The Power lost by 29 in front of their home fans last time out, but the trends suggest they should bounce-back against a Dees side still licking their wounds following a narrow loss to the Lions. Stat: Robbie Gray has kicked one goal in his last 4 matches.

Former Port Adelaide player Kane Cornes has cast doubt over the playing future of Collingwood forward Mason...

⚽️ Football

Bournemouth to discuss legal challenge after Premier League relegation

Bournemouth's board is expected to discuss whether to pursue any legal challenge over the goalline technology error in the Aston Villa v Sheffield United match in June.

Hawk-Eye apologised after the Blades were denied a goal in the match after the ball had crossed the line.

The match finished 0-0 and Villa ended the season one point above relegated Bournemouth in the Premier League. (BBC)

EPL Transfer Gossip

Manchester United have had an opening £89m bid for England winger Jadon Sancho, 20, turned down by Borussia Dortmund. (Bild, via Mail)

Chelsea will consider offers of more than £50m for Spain goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, 25, and will consider a long-term loan move. Burnley and England’s Nick Pope, 28, and Ajax and Cameroon keeper Andre Onana, 24, are potential replacements. (Mail)

🏏 Cricket

Stuart Broad has become the seventh bowler to ever take 500 Test wickets

In his 140th test, Broad knocked over Kraigg Brathwaite early on day five of the third Test between England and the West Indies.

Nearly three years ago the same Brathwaite was bowled by James Anderson, taking the England great to 500 Test wickets. spooky

Third Test, Emirates Old Trafford (day five of five)

England 369 & 226-2dec: Burns 90, Root 68*, Sibley 56

West Indies 197 & 129: Hope 31, Woakes 5-50

England won by 269 runs, win series 2-1

The most village thing ever 🤣

David Warner isn't going back to the IPL for redemption. He wants to return in a bid to lead Sunrisers to a...

⛳️ Golf

WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational preview

This will the 32nd time in-a-row that TPC Southwind has hosted the tournament and in the 12 years between 2007 and 2018, this event preceded the US Open. This year it precedes the first of the year's three majors - the US PGA Championship.

The 78-player field includes players from 19 different countries and the top eight players in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Venue: TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee

Course Details: Par 70 -7,237 yards

Defending Champion: Brooks Koepka

🌎 International

🏍 Polish speedway fans rented 21 cranes

So they could watch their team, Motor Lubin, while abiding by social-distancing rules and attendance limits.

Why Simmons will be an ‘absolute terror’ and awaken the NBA’s sleeping giant

“Good luck getting in front of him, trying to contain him or stop him in transition.”

That was the blunt message from Philadelphia 76ers big man Al Horford to the rest of the NBA as they try to come up with ways to stop Ben Simmons.

Simmons has not played an NBA game since February 22 when he suffered a back injury in the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Now he’s back and there are a few things that are different about the Australian All-Star and they have the entire league on notice.

There’s the move from point guard to power forward and then there’s claims that he is finally starting to back himself to shoot 3s. (Continue to article)

⚾️ White Sox fan Paul Garrett bought 100 cardboard cutouts of himself!

Roger Federer dropped the latest hint he is considering retiring by admitting: “I’m at the end of my career.”

📺 Live sport

Wednesday

⚽️ 05:45 - Serie A - Inter Milan v Napoli (BeIN Sports 1)

⚾️ 08:05 - MLB - Philadelphia Phillies v New York Yankees (Sky Sports 3)

⚽️ 10:00 - MLS R16 - Columbus Blue Jackets v Minnesota United (ESPN 2)

⚾️ 11:10 - MLB - Houston Astros v Los Angeles Dodgers (ESPN 1 or Sky Sports 3)

🏀 12:00 - WNBA - Minnesota Lynx v Seattle Storm (SBS Viceland)

⚽️ 12:30 - MLS R16 - Portland Timbers v FC Cincinnati (ESPN 2)

🇦🇺 19:10 - AFL - Western Bulldogs v Richmond Tigers (Fox Footy or 7mate)

⚽️ 19:30 - A-League - Melbourne Victory v Brisbane Roar (Fox Sports More)

Thursday

🐴 00:15 - Group 1, Sussex Stakes (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

⚾️ 09:10 - MLB - Houston Astros v Los Angeles Dodgers (ESPN 1 or Sky Sports 3)

🏀 10:00 - WNBA - Dallas Wings v New York Liberty (SBS Viceland)

🏀 12:00 - WNBA - Atlanta Dream v Las Vegas Aces (SBS Viceland)

⚾️ 12:10 - MLB - Los Angeles Angels v Seattle Mariners (ESPN 1 or Sky Sports 3)

⚽️ 19:30 - A-League - Adelaide United v Perth Glory (Fox Sports More)

🏉 19:50 - NRL - St George Illawarra Dragons v South Sydney Rabbitohs (Fox League or Nine)

🇦🇺 19:50 - AFL - Melbourne Demons v Port Adelaide Power (Fox Footy or 7mate)

⛳️ 21:00 - European Tour - English Open (Fox Sports)