🗞️ Bradman’s Baggy Green

🏏 Bradman’s Baggy Green Sold

Don Bradman’s 1947-48 baggy green cap fetched $479,700 at auction, including fees. Worn during his final home Test series, where he averaged 178.75, the sun-faded cap was given to India’s 1948 tour manager, Pankaj Kumar Gupta, and is the only known cap from the iconic series.

🏏 Sam Konstas: Test Debut a Matter of When, Not If

Teen sensation Sam Konstas’ meteoric rise continues, with his latest century sparking speculation about a Test debut this summer. At just 19, the NSW opener became the youngest to score a Prime Minister’s XI century since David Boon in 1984. While likely a development season, Konstas’ Baggy Green feels inevitable.

🏏 Mystery Surrounds Hazlewood’s Omission from Second Test

Josh Hazlewood’s exclusion from the Adelaide Test has raised eyebrows, with Sunil Gavaskar suggesting a deeper mystery. Officially ruled out with a side strain, Hazlewood had shown no signs of injury after Australia's defeat in Perth. Gavaskar speculates team discord following Hazlewood’s comments blaming batters for the loss.

India, already leading 1-0, welcome back captain Rohit Sharma and boast a resurgent batting line-up. For Pat Cummins' Australia, recovering from their recent struggles and avoiding a fifth consecutive series loss to India looks increasingly challenging.

🎾 Neale Fraser: Australian Tennis Legend Dies at 91

Australian tennis great Neale Fraser has passed away at 91. Ranked world No. 1 in 1959, Fraser claimed singles titles at Wimbledon and the US Open while excelling in doubles, amassing 16 grand slam victories. Tennis Australia mourned the loss of a true icon of the sport.

🏎️ Jack Doohan to Make F1 Debut at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Australian Jack Doohan will make his Formula One debut at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, taking the wheel for Alpine a race earlier than planned. Replacing Esteban Ocon, who is moving to Haas for post-season testing, Doohan has a valuable opportunity to gain F1 experience before his full-time seat in 2025.

With high expectations set by standout rookie Ollie Bearman in similar situations, Doohan faces pressure to deliver. Alpine boss Oliver Oakes expressed confidence, saying, “Jack’s professional enough to handle it.” Fans will also watch compatriot Oscar Piastri in McLaren’s constructors’ championship battle, making Monday’s race a must-see.

⚽️ Live VAR piped into Stadiums

Match spectators and television viewers will hear live VAR announcements during men’s A-League matches for the rest of the 2024-25 season.

This follows a trial in the finals last year, and the success of this format in the recent Rugby Union internationals, which was met with praise across the board.

NRL NEWS

☎️ Daley's Cold Call Scores a Big Win for the Blues

It wasn’t a tackle or a game plan that secured Laurie Daley his first victory in his second stint as NSW Blues coach - Daley’s return marks only the second time a coach has re-entered the NSW arena after Phil Gould - it was a bold, out-of-the-blue phone call. The kind you make when you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Daley’s reappointment as Blues head coach on a two-year deal was big news on its own, but it was his audacious recruitment of Melbourne Storm legend Craig Bellamy as an advisor that stole the headlines. Bellamy, who famously declined the Blues job in September, citing the difficulty of coaching against his own club players, had every reason to say no. But Daley wasn’t taking no for an answer.

“I rang him out of the blue—just cold called him,” Daley told Nine's Today. A gutsy move for a man returning to the job he last held in 2017. “I thought that was going to be a no straight away, but he said he’d think about it. I told my wife, ‘We’re a chance.’”

💰 Pahulu Requests Release Over Bonus Snub

Rising Titans star Josiah Pahulu seeks an immediate release after being benched one game short of a $50,000 bonus. The 20-year-old Rookie of the Year, contracted until 2025, is unhappy with the club's decision, prompting interest from the Bulldogs as tensions rise over his future.

🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea Set for NRL Entry in 2028

Papua New Guinea’s long-awaited inclusion in the NRL has been confirmed, with an official announcement expected before Christmas. Backed by $600 million in government funding, PNG’s team will join the competition in 2028. Meanwhile, Perth Bears' slower-moving bid keeps their 2027 entry uncertain, though the NRL remains optimistic about their eventual inclusion.

AFL NEWS

🔁 Tom McCallum Joins Norwood After Port Adelaide Delisting

Former Port Adelaide defender Tom McCallum has signed with Norwood for the 2025 SANFL season. Delisted in September after two years at AFL level, McCallum played 30 SANFL games for the Magpies, showcasing versatility as a rebounding defender and wingman. The 20-year-old impressed in 2024, notably with a standout Round 13 performance featuring 16 disposals and two goals.

🦢 Dean Cox Begins Sydney Overhaul with Positional Shake-Up

New Swans coach Dean Cox wasted no time implementing changes, trialling key defender Tom McCartin as a full forward on the first day of pre-season training. McCartin, a junior forward turned defensive stalwart, adds versatility as Cox reshapes Sydney’s strategy after their Grand Final loss.

Cox plans a defence-first approach while experimenting with positional flexibility. “The best sides defend really well,” Cox said, hinting at adjustments to address Sydney’s recent big-stage struggles. Securing midfielder Chad Warner's future also remains a priority amid interest from Perth clubs.

👎🏻 Off a cliff: What has happened at Man City? 

Rumours are rife that Premier League is preparing to throw the book at them.

Below are some worrying stats for November, for the reigning EPL champions & Is Pep losing the plot?

• Apart from Haaland, the rest of the team vs Liverpool had scored (0) league goals this season.

• Goals Scored in November = 2nd worst in league (2)

• Goals conceded = most in league (15)

• Expected goals against = worst in league

• Big chances faced = worst in league.

🥇 Tebogo and Hassan Crowned World’s Best at Athletics Awards

Letsile Tebogo and Sifan Hassan were named Athletes of the Year at the World Athletics Awards in Monaco. Tebogo, 21, became Botswana’s first Olympic champion with a 200m African record (19.46s) and relay silver. Hassan made history with marathon gold and bronze in the 5,000m and 10,000m at Paris 2024.

🚴🏻‍♂️ Double Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel was taken to hospital after sustaining rib, shoulder blade and hand fractures in a bike crash during a training ride.

According to Belgian media reports, the 24-year-old crashed into an open door of a postal vehicle while he was on a ride in Oetingen, Belgium.

In 2020, Evenepoel fractured his pelvis in a horrific crash off a bridge at Il Lombardia.

📸 Photo of the Week: Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat rebounds the ball during the game against the Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada.

🏀 Giddey Shines in Bulls' Dominant Win

Josh Giddey recorded his first triple-double for the Chicago Bulls with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in a commanding 128-102 win over the Brooklyn Nets. Giddey led a shorthanded Bulls squad, stepping up in Coby White’s absence, while Nikola Vucevic and rookie Matas Buzelis added strong support.

The Nets, missing Ben Simmons, couldn’t match Chicago’s third-quarter surge. Now 9-13, the Bulls aim to build momentum against the Spurs and Pacers this week.

Giddey’s all-around performance proves he’s the playmaker Chicago needs to turn their season around.

🥊 Dubois Set to Defend Heavyweight Title Against Parker

Daniel Dubois will defend his world heavyweight title against New Zealand's Joseph Parker on 22 February in Saudi Arabia. Dubois, 27, stunned Anthony Joshua in September to retain his IBF belt, while former WBO champion Parker, 32, seeks a comeback. The card also features Artur Beterbiev defending his light-heavyweight crown in a rematch against Dmitry Bivol.

⚽️ EPL Whispers: Real Madrid are to make contact with Manchester United's Diogo Dalot, Mohamed Salah is willing to accept a one-year deal at Liverpool, and Manchester United have started talks about signing striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting in the summer.

🙋🏼‍♀️ The Road to F1: Women Drivers Edge Closer to the Grid

Formula 1 is paving the way for women on the grid, with initiatives like the F1 Academy and grassroots programs targeting talent from as young as eight.

Susie Wolff (wife of Maclaren boss Toto) has predicted a woman starting an F1 race within 10 years, as emerging stars like Abbi Pulling and Doriane Pin showcase their talents.

Pulling’s F1 Academy title and a funded GB3 seat highlight progress has been made.

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TODAY 

07:15 - Premier League - Leicester City v West Ham United - Optus Sport 2

10:00 - Global Super League - Victoria Men v Lahore Qalandars - Fox Cricket

11:00 - NHL - Boston Bruins v Detroit Red Wings - ESPN 2

11:30 - NBA Cup - New York Knicks v Orlando Magic - ESPN

14:00 - NHL - Vegas Golden Knights v Edmonton Oilers - ESPN 2

14:00 - NBA Cup - Denver Nuggets v Golden State Warriors - ESPN

20:00 - Women's Friendly - Australia v Chinese Taipei - Paramount+ or Channel 10

THURSDAY

06:30 - Premier League - Newcastle United v Liverpool - Optus Sport 2

06:30 - Premier League - Manchester City v Nottingham Forest - Optus Sport 4

06:30 - Premier League - Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Optus Sport 5

06:30 - Premier League - Southampton v Chelsea - Optus Sport 6

07:15 - Premier League - Arsenal v Manchester United - Optus Sport 3

07:15 - Premier League - Aston Villa v Brentford - Optus Sport 7

10:00 - Global Super League - Guyana Amazon Warriors v Rangpur Riders - Fox Cricket

11:15 - Men's NCAA - North Carolina Tar Heels v Alabama Crimson Tide - ESPN 2

11:30 - NBA - Miami Heat v Los Angeles Lakers - ESPN

13:15 - Men's NCAA - Duke Blue Devils v Auburn Tigers - ESPN 2

15:20 - Women's ODI Series - Australia v India - Channel 7, Fox Cricket

17:30 - NBL - New Zealand Breakers v Melbourne United - ESPN

19:00 - Test Match - South Africa v Sri Lanka - Fox Sports

19:30 - NBL - Tasmania JackJumpers v Cairns Taipans - ESPN

22:50 - Test Match - South Africa v Sri Lanka - Fox Cricket