🗞️ Bit of a Wombat

🐴 The 2024 WS Cox Plate, Australia's premier weight-for-age race, takes place at Moonee Valley on Saturday at 5:10 PM. This year's field features nine contenders, including favourites Via Sistina, who recently experienced a dramatic mishap but remains a strong contender, and Prognosis, a talented Japanese stallion.

Other notable participants include Pride Of Jenni, crowned Horse of the Year, and Mr Brightside, seeking redemption after a close second last year. The race offers a total prize pool of $5 million, with the winner taking home $3 million.

⚾️ Future Household name: Australian baseball player Travis Bazzana is gaining significant attention in the college baseball scene, aiming for a successful MLB career. After a standout freshman season at Oregon State, where he batted .306 and set multiple records, Bazzana continued to impress in the Cape Cod League, earning MVP honours, as he aspires to be the first Australian selected in the first round of the MLB draft.

🏏 Josh Hazlewood has signalled his intent to play every Test match for Australia this summer and believes the preparation the nation’s fast bowlers are enjoying leading into the Border Gavaskar Trophy is their best in years.

The champion fast bowler will play his first one-day match for New South Wales in three years when he joins Australian captain Pat Cummins in the clash against Victoria at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on Friday.

Their return to cricket follows the starring role Mitchell Starc played in a losing side in the Sheffield Shield game earlier this week at the 

MCG as Australia’s fast-bowling battery readies itself for the challenge to be presented by India over the summer.

“We field the same question every year. If you are fit, you play. If you’re not, you don’t play. It is as simple as that. No one rests from a Test match,” he said. 

👊🏼 Robert Whittaker was in fine form ahead of his middleweight showdown with Khamzat Chimaev, giving a handful of hilarious responses at the UFC 308 press conference.

The 33-year-old is vying for a title shot when he takes on the undefeated Russian grappler on Sunday morning (AEDT) as he searches for a third-straight victory.

Whittaker (26-7) made light work of Ikram Aliskerov on short notice back in June, while also surviving a brutal three-round war against Paulo Costa in February.

But the Aussie larrikin will face an incredibly tricky test in Saudi Arabia this weekend in the form of Chimaev, who is yet to lose in his 13 career fights.

When asked about Chimaev's home republic of Chechnya, Whittaker had the room laughing…

"I'm sorry, my geography is terrible," he said through laughter.

"I'm not even going to sit here and pretend I know half the places. I live at the arse end of the world in Australia and I'm a bit of a wombat, don't expand my horizons too much."

Melbourne United’s win over the Illawarra Hawks was somewhat overshadowed by controversy and a bitter post-game media interview by Justin Tatum.

Tatum took aim at the officiating and star United player Chris Goulding.

“We’re just happy that Chris Goulding didn’t hurt himself flopping in front of us. So I’m glad he’s injury free,” Tatum said with a hint of sarcasm.

Illawarra drops to 5-2 following the defeat.

🐔 Roosters half Sam Walker has avoided going to the open market, reportedly locking in a two-year $2.1 million deal to stay in Bondi.

In news that will be hard-to-take for hopeful Broncos fans who wanted to bring Walker back to his junior club, News Corp reported that although Walker hadn’t yet signed, he had “shaken hands” on a two-year extension, which also includes a car, to make him the latest player on over $1 million a season.

Earlier Angus Crichton dropped a hint about Walker’s future revealing the young halfback has been looking at properties in Sydney.

⚽️ EPL Whispers: Manchester City are interested in Sweden forward Viktor Gyokeres, Xavi wants to take Raphinha from Barcelona if he becomes Manchester United boss, and somehow Antony’s former Club Ajax is interested in taking him back.

❤️ Cyclist Sir Chris Hoy says he has been "blown away" by the number of men seeking cancer advice since he revealed his terminal diagnosis.

The six-time Olympic champion, 48, said at the weekend that doctors have told him he has between two and four years to live.

In a video posted on social media, Hoy said he had received "incredible kindness and support".

"I now have a deep resolve to turn this incredibly difficult diagnosis into something more positive," he added.

Sir Chris also said that he has written a book titled All That Matters, which will be released in November, about his illness and the story of his life since retiring from professional cycling in 2013.

🏀 Top international basketball prospect Oscar Goodman has committed to the Michigan Wolverines.

The 6-foot-8, 17-year-old power forward from Opunake, New Zealand, has been developing at the NBA Global Academy in Australia, where he has built a reputation as one of the most coveted international players committing to the college route in the class of 2025.

🏀 New Orleans Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray sustained a fractured left hand in Wednesday night's season-opening 123-111 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Tests confirmed the injury to the former All-Star, who will now be sidelined for an extended period of time.

🏎️ Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has added his name to the list of those sceptical of Red Bull's mystery ride height device.

In the lead-up to Monday's United States Grand Prix, it was revealed that the Milton Keynes-based squad has fitted a curious part to its car capable of changing the front ride height.

"My view is, from the distance of what I've seen and what I've heard, it's outrageous," he said.

While McLaren team boss Zak Brown went one step further… "I'd like to see the senior leadership, the former chief mechanics and the current mechanics sign an affidavit stating that they have never used or have no knowledge of it being used," Brown told the Daily Mail.

🎾 Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from next week's Paris Masters, potentially ending his 2024 season.

Djokovic is still in contention to qualify for the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin next month, but is currently sixth in the race for the eight-man field event with a number of players still able to overtake him.

"I have a lot of great memories, winning seven titles and I hope to be back with you next year. Sorry to everyone who was hoping to see me there."

For the first time since 2017, Djokovic will end the season without a Grand Slam title after victories for Italy's Jannik Sinner and Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the four majors.

🏏 New Zealand batter Chad Bowes broke the record for the fastest double century in men's List A cricket by smashing 200 off 103 balls in a domestic one-day match.

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TODAY

10:05 - AUS One-Day Cup - Victoria Men v NSW Men - Fox Cricket

10:30 - NBA - Dallas Mavericks v San Antonio Spurs - ESPN 2

11:00 - AUS One-Day Cup - Queensland Bulls v South Australia Men - Kayo Sports

11:15 - NFL - Los Angeles Rams v Minnesota Vikings - ESPN

13:00 - NBA - Denver Nuggets v Oklahoma City Thunder - ESPN 2

13:00 - AUS One-Day Cup - Western Australia Men v Tasmania Tigers Men - Kayo Sports

14:00 - PGA TOUR - ZOZO Championship, Round 2 - Fox Sports

14:45 - AUS One-Day Cup - Victoria Men v NSW Men - Fox Sports

15:00 - Test Match - India v New Zealand - Fox Cricket

16:00 - Test Match - Pakistan v England - Fox Sports More

17:45 - Test Match - Pakistan v England - Fox Sports

19:30 - NBL - Adelaide 36ers v Cairns Taipans - ESPN

19:35 - A-League Men - Macarthur FC Bulls v Newcastle Jets - Paramount+

21:30 - NBL - Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings - ESPN

SATURDAY

05:00 - Women's Friendly - Switzerland v Australia - Paramount+

06:00 - Premier League - Leicester City v Nottingham Forest - Optus Sport 1

10:30 - NBA - New York Knicks v Indiana Pacers - ESPN 2

11:08 - World Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Yankees - ESPN

13:00 - NBA - Los Angeles Lakers v Phoenix Suns - ESPN 2

13:05 - NPC Final - Wellington Lions v Bay of Plenty Steamers - Stan Sport App

13:35 - Gold Coast 500 - Gold Coast 500 Top 10 Shootout, Round 11 - 7mate, Fox Sports

14:00 - PGA TOUR - ZOZO Championship, Round 3 - Fox Sports

15:00 - Test Match - India v New Zealand - Fox Cricket

16:00 - Test Match - Pakistan v England - Fox Sports

16:15 - Gold Coast 500 - Gold Coast 500 Race 1, Round 11 - 7mate, Fox Sports

17:00 - A-League Men - Adelaide United v Central Coast Mariners - 10 Bold

17:30 - NBL - South East Melbourne Phoenix v Illawarra Hawks - ESPN

19:10 - Men's Pacific Bowl Group Game - Fiji v Cook Islands - Fox League

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

20:00 - NBL - Brisbane Bullets v Tasmania JackJumpers - ESPN

21:45 - A-League Men - Perth Glory v Wellington Phoenix - Paramount+

SUNDAY

01:00 - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Optus Sport 4

01:00 - Premier League - Brentford v Ipswich Town - Optus Sport 3

01:00 - Premier League - Aston Villa v Bournemouth - Optus Sport 5

01:00 - Premier League - Manchester City v Southampton - Optus Sport 2

03:30 - Premier League - Everton v Fulham - Optus Sport 1

03:30 - Premiership Rugby - Saracens v Leicester Tigers - Stan Sport App

05:00 - UFC 308 Main Card - Ilia Topuria v Max Holloway - Main Event

11:00 - NBA - Chicago Bulls v Oklahoma City Thunder - ESPN 2

11:08 - World Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Yankees - ESPN

12:35 - Gold Coast 500 Top 10 Shootout, Round 11 - Channel 7, Fox Sports

14:00 - A-League Men - Auckland FC v Sydney FC - Paramount+

14:30 - NBL - Sydney Kings v New Zealand Breakers - Channel 10, ESPN

15:00 - Test Match - India v New Zealand - Fox Sports

15:15 - Gold Coast 500 Race 2, Round 11 - Channel 7, Fox Sports

16:00 - Test Match - Pakistan v England - Fox Sports

16:00 - A-League Men - Western United v Western Sydney Wanderers - Paramount+

16:05 - Men's Pacific Cup Group Game - New Zealand v Australia - Fox League

16:30 - NBL - Melbourne United v Cairns Taipans - 10 Bold

19:00 - Netball Constellation Cup - Australia v New Zealand - Fox Sports