🗞 A monster six-year deal

G'day sports fans,

"They're full of s---," "I tell them all the time, all of them, you didn't come here to f---ing grow the game."

"But some of these motherf---ers want their cake and eat it too.” - Harold Varner III on the move to LIV golf.

🇦🇺 Aussie Sport

🏉 Cronulla Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes has signed a monster six-year deal which will make him the first $1m player in the club’s history.

The 26-year-old reigning Dally M Medallist was still contacted until the end of the 2024 season but the Sharks have moved to lock him in until the end of the 2029 season, with a deal set to earn him $7m across its length.

🐴 Australia’s highest-rated horse Anamoe will face two significant international challengers as he seeks a tenth Group 1 win in Saturday’s (8 April) AU$5 million (approx. HK$26.455 million) G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) which will be simulcast from Randwick.

The first is William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour given that the trainer and jockey Tom Marquand combined to win the race in 2020 and 2021 with Addeybb, who upstaged the locals' champion mare Verry Elleegant on each occasion.

The second is Japanese front-runner Unicorn Lion, who is prepared by Yoshito Yahagi who has enjoyed extraordinary international success in the past four years with Group 1 wins in Australia, Hong Kong, USA, Dubai and Saudi Arabia.

While no Japanese-trained horse has yet won the race, the past two to contend performed with distinction.

🇦🇺 The Western Bulldogs have added a sporting prodigy to its list, signing James O'Donnell as a category B rookie.

O'Donnell will add to his family's lineage in the VFL/AFL after his grandfather, Kevin, and father, Simon, played for St Kilda during the 1940s and 1980s respectively.

Simon O'Donnell, more recognisable as a former international cricketer, also represented Australia in six test matches and 87 ODI matches. He is now a leading horse racing commentator.

🏉 Kalyn Ponga has been cleared to make his return from concussion, with Newcastle targeting their Round 8 clash against North Queensland for his comeback.

Ponga returned from Canada late last week after advanced neurological assessment, following his fourth concussion in the space of 10 months in Round 2 against the Wests Tigers. (espn)

🏏 Marcus Harris has returned to Australia’s list of centrally contracted players in a sign the left-hander is front of mind for selectors ahead of the Ashes.

The Victorian opener only managed one Test match in the previous year following his omission from the CA roster but has been rewarded for his consistent run-making at the domestic level after he posted 601 runs and two centuries in the Sheffield Shield this summer. Does this show he’s preferred to Usman Khawaja.

🇦🇺 St Kilda wingman Mason Wood has been cleared to face Gold Coast as coach Ross Lyon hopes he can continue with his red-hot start to the season.

Wood is averaging 24 disposals, eight marks, a goal and goal assist in his first three games as he makes effective use of his 192cm frame and precise left boot on the wing, with Lyon pleased he pulled up well from his best-on-ground performance against Essendon.

💰 Make sure you check out all of out weekend punts on Dabble, some tasty looking Same Game Multi’s in the NRL and AFL, and some Masters Picks (Dabble)

🌎 World Sport

⚽️ Frank Lampard says he will "focus on the job in hand" after being named Chelsea's caretaker manager, rather than trying to land the role full-time.

Lampard has completed a surprise return to Chelsea for the rest of the season, replacing the sacked Graham Potter.

The decision to bring Lampard back to Chelsea "looks unprofessional" and will not inspire the players, according to former Aston Villa and England full-back Stephen Warnock. (Independent)

🏏 New Zealand white-ball captain Kane Williamson is likely to miss this year's World Cup after rupturing his anterior cruciate knee ligament.

⚽️ David Beckham’s Inter Miami are willing to offer Paris St-Germain's Argentina forward Lionel Messi, 35, an equity stake in the club to convince him to join this summer. (Independent)

🏀 The Bucks secured the NBA's best record and clinched the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference with their 105-92 win Wednesday night against the Bulls despite being without star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

⚾️ The private sale of a bat used by Babe Ruth circa 1920-21 for $1.85 million, a record price for a baseball bat.

The previous record also belonged to a Ruth bat, one that sold privately for $1.68 million by Heritage Auctions last August.

According to Hunt Auctions, the new record holder is the "only known example to offer photographic corroboration."

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📺 Live Sport TV Guide

TODAY

09:20- MLB - Atlanta Braves v San Diego Padres (ESPN 2)

09:30- NBA - Philadelphia 76ers v Miami Heat (ESPN)

12:00- NBA - Phoenix Suns v Denver Nuggets (ESPN)

12:30- NHL - Seattle Kraken v Arizona Coyotes (ESPN 2)

15:00- A-League Men - Western United FC v Central Coast Mariners (Paramount+)

15:05- Shute Shield - Newcastle Wildfires v Randwick Rugby (Stan Sport)

16:05- NRL - Canterbury Bulldogs v South Sydney Rabbitohs (Fox League or Channel 9)

16:20- AFL - North Melb. Kangaroos v Carlton Blues (Fox Footy)

17:00- A-League Men - Adelaide United v Sydney FC (Paramount+)

17:05- Super Rugby Pacific - Crusaders v Moana Pasifika (Stan Sport)

19:15- Shute Shield - Warringah Rugby v Sydney University Rugby (Stan Sport)

19:35- Super Rugby Pacific - Queensland Reds v Brumbies (Stan Sport)

20:00- NRL - North Queensland Cowboys v Dolphins(Fox League or Channel 9)

22:15 - Women's Friendly - Australia v Scotland (Channel 10 or Paramount+)

00:00- Indian Premier League - Lucknow Super Giants v Sunrisers Hyderabad (Fox Cricket )

SATURDAY

03:00 - Italian Serie A - Lecce v Napoli (beIN SPORTS 3)

05:00- English Championship - Middlesbrough v Burnley (beIN SPORTS 2)

05:00- Italian Serie A - Milan v Empoli (beIN SPORTS 3)

09:00- NBA - Washington Wizards v Miami Heat (ESPN)

09:00- Major League Baseball - MLB Strike Zone (ESPN 2)

11:00- T20 Series - New Zealand v Sri Lanka (Fox Cricket)

11:30- Men's Singapore Sevens (beIN SPORTS 1)

12:30- NBA - Los Angeles Lakers v Phoenix Suns (ESPN)

13:45- AFL - Adelaide Crows v Fremantle Dockers(Fox Footy)

14:35- Group 1 Racing - Australian Oaks (Sky 1, 7)

15:05- Shute Shield (Stan Sport) Eastern Suburbs Rugby v West Harbour Pirates, Western Sydney Two Blues v Gordon Rugby, Northern Suburbs Rugby v Southern Districts Rugby, Eastwood Rugby v Manly Rugby

15:05- NSW Cup - Penrith Panthers NSW Cup v Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles (Fox League )

15:15- Group 1 Racing - Sydney Cup (Sky 1, 7)

15:55- Group 1 Racing - Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sky 1, 7)

16:35- Group 1 Racing - Queen Elizabeth Turf (Sky 1, 7)

16:35- AFL - Richmond Tigers v Western Bulldogs (Fox Footy)

17:05- Super Rugby Pacific - Highlanders v Hurricanes (Stan Sport)

17:30- NRL - Penrith Panthers v Manly Sea Eagles (Fox League)

19:30- AFL - Sydney Swans v Port Adelaide Power (Fox Footy or Channel 7)

19:30- AFL - St. Kilda Saints v Gold Coast Suns (Fox Sports)

19:35- Super Rugby Pacific - Rebels v Blues (GEM or Stan Sport)

19:35- NRL - Brisbane Broncos v Canberra Raiders (Fox League)

19:45- A-League Men - Macarthur FC Bulls v Western Sydney Wanderers (10 Bold or Paramount+)

20:00- Indian Premier League - Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Capitals (Fox Cricket)

21:30- Premier League - Manchester United v Everton (Optus Sport 1)

21:30- Scottish Premiership - Celtic v Rangers (beIN SPORTS 2)

23:30- German Bundesliga - Borussia Dortmund v FC Union Berlin (beIN SPORTS 2)

23:30- Super League - Leigh Leopards v Salford Red Devils (Fox League)

00:00- Premier League - Tottenham v Brighton (Optus Sport 3)

00:00- Premier League - Wolves v Chelsea (Optus Sport 6)

00:00- Premier League - Brentford v Newcastle United (Optus Sport 4)

00:00- Premier League - Fulham v West Ham United (Optus Sport 5)

00:00- Indian Premier League - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings (Fox Cricket)

SUNDAY

02:30- Premier League - Southampton v Manchester City (Optus Sport 1)

02:30- Champions Cup Quarter-Final - Exeter Chiefs v Stormers (beIN SPORTS 2)

03:00- NHL - Detroit Red Wings v Pittsburgh Penguins (ESPN 2)

05:00- Spanish La Liga - Real Madrid v Villarreal (Optus Sport 2)

05:00- France Ligue 1 - OGC Nice v Paris Saint-Germain (beIN SPORTS 2)

05:30- NHL - Dallas Stars v Vegas Golden Knights (ESPN 2)

10:00- NHL - Boston Bruins v New Jersey Devils (ESPN 2)

12:00- UFC 287 Main Card - Alex Pereira v Israel Adesanya (Main Event)

12:50- Men's Singapore Sevens (beIN SPORTS 1)

14:10- AFL - Essendon Bombers v GWS Giants (Fox Footy or Channel 7)

16:05- NRL - Gold Coast Titans v St. George Illawarra Dragons (Fox League or Channel 9)

17:20- AFL - West Coast Eagles v Melbourne Demons (Fox Footy)

18:15- NRL - Newcastle Knights v Warriors (Fox League)

20:00- Indian Premier League - Gujarat Titans v Kolkata Knight Riders (Fox Cricket)

21:00- France Ligue 1 - Lyon v Stade Rennais (beIN SPORTS 3)

23:00- Premier League - Leeds United v Crystal Palace (Optus Sport 1)