🗞️ Super Dad

🏏 McSweeney’s Spot in Doubt as Teen Sensation Konstas Looms

Nathan McSweeney’s Boxing Day Test spot is under scrutiny after a string of low scores, failing to reach double figures in five of his six Test innings. Selectors are reportedly considering replacing him with teenage prodigy Sam Konstas, who has racked up 736 runs this summer across formats.

With Australia’s top three struggling, Konstas, fresh from a century for the PM’s XI, has earned praise, including Michael Vaughan’s call for his inclusion either in Melbourne or Sydney for a potential series decider.

🏏 Renegades Rout Hurricanes as Wade injuries calf ‘on air’.

The Hobart Hurricanes crumbled for just 74, with the Melbourne Renegades chasing it down in 9 overs to secure their first win of the season. Adding to the Hurricanes' misery, veteran keeper Matthew Wade suffered a calf injury during his 100th BBL game.

Speaking to Fox Cricket while mic’d up, the 36-year-old admitted to feeling a “twinge” early in the Renegades’ innings and later left the field for assessment. Wade’s absence could leave a significant void in the Hurricanes’ lineup as they look to recover from a record-breaking loss.

📸 Photo of the week: Isaac Cooper (AUS) competes in the men's 50m backstroke semi-final during the short course World Aquatics Swimming Championships at the Duna Arena, Budapest.

⚽️ Financial Windfall from International Transfers

A-League clubs have collectively earned approximately AU$17.5 million in international transfer fees during the 2023-2024 period, marking a 125% increase from the previous cycle. This surge is attributed to a modernized domestic transfer system that incentivizes investment in player development. Central Coast Mariners led the way with seven transfers, including the notable move of goalkeeper Joe Gauci to Aston Villa for $2.5 million AUD plus add-ons.

✍🏼 Five-eighth Kyle Flanagan has signed a new NRL contract with St George Illawarra, a day after the club announced breakout playmaker Daniel Atkinson would join from 2026.

Flanagan will now remain with the Dragons through 2027, having bounced between Cronulla, the Sydney Roosters and Canterbury earlier in his career.

🏀 NBL's Festive Season Schedule

The NBL has announced a festive schedule featuring 15 games over 12 days, including a pioneering Christmas Day match. This initiative aims to entrench basketball in the nation's sporting culture during the holiday season, offering fans a yuletide feast of hoops action. (full schedule)

Last year, over 375,000 people watched the Christmas double-header — Tasmania v South East Melbourne and Sydney v Illawarra, a record.

The bitter rivalry between the state rival Kings and Hawks could be a top-of-the-table clash by Christmas night, adding even more spark to what is one of the league’s must-watch fixtures for hoops.

“We always start our plans thinking through the lens of the fan first, with a focus on families,” - NBL CEO Dave Stevenson said.

🇦🇺 Melbourne Demons Captain Max Gawn's Injury

Max Gawn, captain of the Melbourne Demons, sustained a fractured larynx (which will be hard to swallow) during a pre-season training session.

This injury will sideline him from physical activity for two weeks, followed by four weeks of non-contact training.

Despite the setback, Gawn is reportedly in good spirits. Additionally, players Bayley Fritsch and Christian Salem have returned to full training after surgeries, while Jake Lever is expected to resume full training by the end of January.

EVERYDAY HERO 🦸🏻‍♂️

🚴🏻‍♂️ Shoutout to: Stu Place (a legend of a dad) who is cycling 15,451kms from Melbourne to the towns of Moon and Back in the USA. Stu is raising money to fund a life-saving treatment for his son will who was born with a rare neurogenetic disorder.

Some other legends have already joined him on the journey (Trent Cotchin & Nedd Brockmann)

If you want to get pumped up (and have a little cry), check him out on YouTube - A Dad's Will: To the Moon and Back.

You can donate here - to give this man a pat on the back, and hopefully a cushion for his bike seat.

*thanks to SJ reader Mark for putting this on our radar

🏀 Warriors Top NBA's Most Valuable Teams at US$9.14 Billion

The Golden State Warriors lead the NBA’s franchise valuations at $9.14 billion, followed by the New York Knicks ($8.3 billion) and Los Angeles Lakers ($8.07 billion), according to Sportico’s annual report.

Golden State trails only the Dallas Cowboys ($10.3 billion) among U.S. sports franchises. The average NBA team’s value has surged 15% to $4.6 billion, nearly doubling in just four years, with assessments factoring in ownership’s real estate and related businesses.

🥊 Usyk v Fury 2: Heavyweight Clash

Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury will face off once more on December 21 in Riyadh (local), Saudi Arabia, in a rematch of their historic bout six months ago. Usyk narrowly defeated Fury via split decision to become the modern era’s first four-belt heavyweight champion.

The highly anticipated sequel promises to deliver an early Christmas treat for fight fans. Ringwalks are expected around 09:15am Sunday AEDT.

Can Fury avenge his only loss, or will Usyk’s flawless career roll on?

⚽️ EPL Whispers: Manchester City consider a move for Palace’s Marc Guehi, Atletico Madrid are interested in Marcus Rashford, while Chelsea's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could move to Arsenal.

🏟️ The Friedkin Group (who also own Italian side Roma) has completed its majority takeover of Everton, ending the turbulent tenure of Farhad Moshiri.

The deal is believed to be worth in excess of AU$800m and the Toffees become the 10th club in the Premier League under majority American ownership.

✍🏼 Confirmed: Premier League strugglers Wolves have appointed former Porto boss Vitor Pereira as their new head coach.

⚽️ Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was left bloodied and bruised after suffering a horrendous facial injury during a crunch clash with Monaco.

I’ll save you the image at this time of the morning but the Italian goalkeeper showed off the full extent of his horror facial injury which required 10 staples.

🏎️ Ferrari Unfazed by Hamilton’s Struggles

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has dismissed concerns over Lewis Hamilton's challenging final season at Mercedes, where George Russell out-qualified and outscored the seven-time champion.

Despite Hamilton finishing 22 points behind Russell, Vasseur highlighted his strong performances in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi, attributing his struggles to the emotional toll of a final season with Mercedes.

Hamilton joins Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc in 2025, with Vasseur confident their rivalry will drive the team forward. "They have huge mutual respect," he said. "It’s better to fight for wins than for 19th. This competition will push the team to improve."

🏎️ New Zealander Liam Lawson will race for Red Bull alongside world champion Max Verstappen in 2025 following the team's decision to ditch Sergio Perez.

The announcement that Lawson was moving up from second team Racing Bulls came a day after Red Bull and Perez announced they had agreed a termination deal following a weak season by the Mexican.

The 22-year-old moves into the Formula 1 front-line after just 11 grands prix spread over two seasons.

Although Lawson has not convincingly beaten team-mate Yuki Tsunoda over that period, Red Bull preferred him to the Japanese.

💰 You cost me my multi: Angry gamblers are behind 48% of the 12,000 social media posts that have been deemed abusive towards tennis players this year, according to an artificial intelligence-led detection system.

📙 Why is LeBron always on page one of every book in a photo?….

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TODAY 

11:00 - NBA - Orlando Magic v Oklahoma City Thunder (ESPN 2)

12:15 - NFL - Los Angeles Chargers v Denver Broncos (ESPN)

13:30 - NBA - Minnesota Timberwolves v New York Knicks (ESPN 2)

17:30 - NBL - New Zealand Breakers v Sydney Kings (ESPN)

19:15 - Big Bash League - Adelaide Strikers v Melbourne Stars (Fox Cricket)

19:30 - NBL - Brisbane Bullets v Cairns Taipans (ESPN)

19:35 - A-League Men - Adelaide United v Sydney FC (Paramount+)

SATURDAY

06:45 - Premiership Rugby - Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins (Stan Sport App)

09:00 - Women's ODI Series - New Zealand v Australia (Fox Cricket)

11:30 - NBA - Cleveland Cavaliers v Milwaukee Bucks (ESPN)

14:00 - NHL - Anaheim Ducks v Colorado Avalanche (ESPN)

15:00 - A-League Men - Auckland FC v Western United (Paramount+)

15:20 - Women's ODI Series - New Zealand v Australia (Fox Sports)

16:00 - Big Bash League - Hobart Hurricanes v Perth Scorchers (Fox Cricket)

19:15 - Big Bash League - Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers (Fox Cricket)

19:35 - A-League Men - Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City (10 Bold)

20:00 - NBL - South East Melbourne Phoenix v Adelaide 36ers (ESPN)

23:30 - Premier League - Aston Villa v Manchester City (Optus Sport 1)

SUNDAY

02:00 - Premier League - Brentford v Nottingham Forest (Optus Sport 2)

02:00 - Premier League - West Ham United v Brighton & Hove Albion (Optus Sport 3)

02:00 - Premier League - Ipswich Town v Newcastle United (Optus Sport 4)

02:05 - Premiership Rugby - Leicester Tigers v Bristol Bears (Stan Sport App)

04:30 - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Arsenal (Optus Sport 1)

04:30 - Premiership Rugby - Newcastle Falcons v Bath Rugby (Stan Sport App)

04:30 - Premiership Rugby - Sale Sharks v Exeter Chiefs (Stan Sport App)

06:00 - Heavyweight Title - Oleksandr Usyk v Tyson Fury (Main Event)

08:30 - NFL - Baltimore Ravens v Pittsburgh Steelers (ESPN)

11:30 - NBA - Atlanta Hawks v Memphis Grizzlies (ESPN)

14:30 - NBL - Illawarra Hawks v Perth Wildcats (Channel 10, ESPN)

17:00 - A-League Men - Western Sydney Wanderers v Wellington Phoenix (Paramount+)

19:15 - Big Bash League - Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers (Fox Cricket)

23:00 - ODI Series - South Africa v Pakistan (Fox Cricket)