G'day sports fans,

I have no idea about Ice Hockey, but I read this stat a few months ago, and I'm still thinking about it.

Mind-blowing stat: Wayne Gretzky had 2,857 career points; 970 more than Mark Messier, who ranks second. Even if Gretzky never scored any of his 894 goals (also an NHL record), he would still be the league's all-time leading scorer with 1,963 assists. (you get a point for a goal or assist, oh and, Gretzky played 257 fewer games than Messier).

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🐴 You're a horse owner now (yes, you, reading this).

🏆 A-League Final

🚴🏼‍♀️ Le Tour begins

🇦🇺 AFL

TEAMS: Dees' big statement, Harvey turns to Cox, Freo's Fyfe call — www.afl.com.au

Check out all the line-ups for round 15

🦁 The Brisbane Lions sent a statement to the rest of the league after snapping Geelong's six-game winning streak with a 44-point victory, 3.16 (94) to 7.8 (50). Lions leapfrog Geelong into 3rd.

Geelong coach Chris Scott conceded Thursday night's loss to Brisbane was the Cats' worst defeat for a long time, but said there was no need to panic.

🏅Adelaide has inducted inaugural captain Chris McDermott and a trio of premiership heroes into its Hall of Fame (AFL)

🙋🏻‍♀️ Trailblazing AFLW coach Peta Searle will hang up the whistle, departing St Kilda after seven years. In 2021, she was the only female coach. (AFL)

✍🏼 Fremantle will be “busy” this trade period — and it already has its eyes on three players.

• Sam Petrevski-Seton, out of favour at Carlton and out of contract.

• Jordan Clark, out of favour at Geelong 

• Quinton Narkle, who's been dropped twice in the last month.

🏉 NRL

🙌🏼 There is something a little more special about a Sunday night State of Origin as the Maroons and the Blues take to Suncorp Stadium for a decisive Game 2.

Spirits are a little low in Queensland right now following a demoralising Game 1 loss, but if we learned anything about this Maroons side last year, it’s that you can never write them off as an underdog.

The Blues, meanwhile, will be looking to pick up right where they left off with Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic leading the charge towards a potential series-clinching victory on Queensland soil.

✍🏼 The Red Hill rebuild has taken another huge step forward, with the Broncos believed to have secured the services of Maroons and Panthers star, Kurt Capewell. (nine)

🏆 The World Cup could be postponed until 2022, primarily at the request of the NRL.

With the World Cup final on November 26, players will not return to their club side until February - Not only is that concerning clubs, but also the continuing uncertainty of the Covid-19 problems.

“We are dealing with the World Cup organisers, and they are aware of the difficulty we have concerning the clubs and players,” V’landys said.

👀 New Tech: Women’s Origin Team Will Use EyeGuide In Concussion Testing. 

The Queensland Women’s State of Origin medical staff will be able to analyse a player’s brain function in just 10 seconds following a head knock, by using EyeGuide’s rapid response sideline technology.

The system works by tracking eye movement to indicate brain function and involves players following a “white dot across an iPad screen while a camera captures 1200 images of the player’s eye movement.”

Further testing can be done during the recovery process and beyond and the “ongoing data can measure a player’s brain health over the course of their career and flag early warnings for further specialist assessment.” (MOS)

⚽️ Football

🏆 Almost six months to the day after the 2021 A-League season began, Melbourne City and Sydney FC will face off for the right to be called Champions of Australia.

It is the same two clubs that competed in last year’s decider at Bankwest Stadium, however with restrictions easing in Melbourne, the premiers will be able to host the finale at AAMI Park with 15000 fans in attendance.

Sydney FC won that arm wrestle thanks to an extra time goal from Rhyan Grant, and they will be chasing a historic third consecutive Grand Final win on Sunday.

As for Melbourne City, they will make their second A-League Grand Final appearance and look to complete a season double having already lifted the Premiers’ Plate.

While they may have been dramatic matches, they also have been incredibly low scoring with 11 of the 15 played, including the last four, finishing with two or fewer goals after 90 minutes. (Draw $3.45)

🥅 Brazil secured a 'controversial' 2-1 win over Colombia to qualify as group winners in the Copa America.

Roberto Firmino's late equaliser was allowed to stand despite the ball hitting the referee moments earlier, sparking lengthy protests by Colombia.

Brazil then scored the winner in the 100th minute in injury time.

✍🏼 Arsenal to complete Ben White transfer as Brighton defender closes in on £50m deal.

🤔 Argentina forward Lionel Messi, 33, has yet to make a decision over whether to stay at Barcelona, with just one week left on his deal at the Spanish club. (Marca)

🐴 Racing

🤬 Star jockey Nash Rawiller has been banned from entering Queensland because he went to a doctor at Bondi to have an annual medical check-up for his NSW riding license. He was due to ride Sweet Deal, a $13 chance for the Tatt’s Tiara, on Saturday.

It was with a heavy heart I took the decision to put the Sport Journal Club on pause for the foreseeable future. (To SJ Member's; I'll confirm how I'll sort your subs etc, in an email tomorrow).

The good news: We now all have an extremely exciting Colt's journey to be a part of. We own nice chunk of this handsome beast, thanks Liam!!

We also have a membership of The Racing Leagues Queensland Rogues to follow and will be sharing those in the regular newsletter from now on.

Watch Trainer Liam Howley's latest update to us below...

🚴🏼‍♀️ Cycling

Eyes down for the 108th edition of the biggest bike race in the world. Le Tour de France 2021 runs from Saturday, June 27th in Brest to Sunday (AEST), July 19th in Paris.

While romantics may dream of the Giro d’Italia, and hipsters suggest the Vuelta ranks as the coolest of Grand Tours, we all know in our hearts that Le Tour is the pinnacle of this sport – where legends are made, hearts broken and superstars shine.

Hard to choose between the joint favourites (both $2.70) Slovenian duo, Pogačar and Roglič for the top spot. I suspect Pog will shade it – I think Roglič wants it too badly, and that will get in his way. Geraint Thomas in third, because the course suits him best of Ineos’ leaders.

After just two last year (third-placer Richie Porte and sprint star Caleb Ewan), there will be 10 Aussies on the start line in Brest.

Caleb Ewen (Sprinter for Lotto–Soudal), is the favourite for the points classification ($3.25).

🌍 World Sport

🏒 NHL Play-offs (3-3 game 7 on Saturday), Intercepting a Lightning turnover just over a minute into overtime, Anthony Beauvillier blasted the puck from the slot, immediately dropped to his knees and slid into a dog pile of a celebration as the Islanders stole a 3-2 win in Game 6 of their Stanley Cup semifinal at Nassau Coliseum.

🏀 A capacity of 5,000 fans will be able to attend Games 3-5 of the Hungry Jack’s NBL Grand Final at John Cain Arena. 

Game three of the best of five Grand Final series between Melbourne United and the Perth Wildcats will take place on tonight (7:30pm AEST) at John Cain Arena. United leads the series 2-0. 

🏉 The British and Irish Lions' are playing a warm-up Test against Japan at Murrayfield on Sunday (AEST), before travelling to their 3 matches series against world champions South Africa.

👟 Six-time Olympic champion Allyson Felix has launched her own shoe brand in the build-up to this summer's Tokyo Games. (Time)

🏑 Pro-Hockey League: The final matches of the extended 2020-21 FIH Hockey Pro League will take place in Perth this weekend, with Australia’s men and women taking on great rivals New Zealand in an Oceania derby double header. 

• Current Men's FIH World Ranking: Australia: 1 | New Zealand: 8

• Current Women's FIH World Ranking: Australia: 4 | New Zealand: 6

🎱 Bowls Australian Open: Natasha Van Eldik became the first woman to win three Australian Open women’s singles titles as well as the first to go back-to-back after her final win over pairs teammate Jamie-Lee Worsnop on Thursday.

Van Eldik flew out of the blocks, jumping out to a 12-2 lead before Worsnop was able to wrestle some of the momentum back.

“I’m over the moon and a little bit speechless to be honest,” Van Eldik said post-match.

Men's pairs: It was a good old-fashioned shootout between the pairing of Matt Johnstone and Cody Packer against Gary Pearson and Cohen Litfin in the men’s pairs final, in a match that will be remembered for some time.

Both duos held nothing back, with the NSW and WA duo of Johnstone and Packer going on to win 22-20.

🏉 Rugby 7s: The Oceania Barbarians teams have been confirmed for today's Oceania Sevens tournament in Townsville. (Rugby)

Samu Kerevi's decorated career for Australia and Queensland makes him a potential X-factor for the men's rugby Sevens team in Tokyo.

The 27-year-old has returned from a season in Japan's Top League with Suntory Sungoliath to find himself in the hunt to Olympic gold with the men's Sevens side. (Rugby)

🎾 Former Australian tennis star Sam Groth says the short turnaround for next week's Wimbledon will impact Ash Barty and Nick Kyrgios. (nine)

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📺 Live sport 👇🏼

07:00 - Copa America - Bolivia v Uruguay (Optus Sport 1) 

09:10 - MLB - Cincinnati Reds v Atlanta Braves (Sky Sports 3)

10:00 - Copa America - Chile v Paraguay (Optus Sport 1)

10:00 - NHL Conference Finals - Montreal Canadiens v Vegas Golden Knights (ESPN 2)

11:00 - NBA Conference Finals - Los Angeles Clippers v Phoenix Suns (ESPN 1)

11:30 - Bowls, Australian Open, Day 14 Finals (7TWO, Fox Sports) 

12:10 - MLB - Los Angeles Dodgers v Chicago Cubs (Sky Sports 3)

14:00 - Men's Oceania Sevens, Day 1 (Stan Sport)

17:55 - Dutch MotoGP Practice 1, Round 9 (Fox Sports More) 

18:30 - Formula 1 Austria Practice 1, Round 8 (Fox Sports) 

19:30 - Men's Oceania Sevens, Night 1 (Stan Sport)

19:30 - NBL Grand Final Series - Melbourne United v Perth Wildcats (ESPN 1 or SBS on Demand or SBS Viceland)

19:45 - Women's State of Origin - QLD Women v New South Wales Women (Fox League)

19:50 - AFL - Richmond Tigers v St. Kilda Saints (Fox Footy) 

20:00 - WTA Eastbourne International, Semi-Final 1, Day 6 (BeIN Sports 1) 

20:30 - European Tour, BMW International Open, Round 2 (Fox Sports) 

21:22 - 2YO WA Westbred Classic Final C&G, 2,130m (Sky Racing 1) 

21:52 - 2YO WA Westbred Classic Final Fillies, 2,130m (Sky Racing 1) 

22:00 - WTA Eastbourne International, Semi-Final 2, Day 6 (BeIN Sports 1) 

22:00 - WTA Bad Homburg Open, Semi-Final 1, Day 6 (BeIN Sports 2) 

22:00 - Formula 1 Austria Practice 2, Round 8 (Fox Sports) 

22:10 - Dutch MotoGP Practice 2, Round 9 (Fox Sports More) 

SATURDAY

09:10 - MLB - Tampa Bay Rays v Los Angeles Angels (Sky Sports 3)

10:00 - MLS - Inter Miami CF v Orlando City SC (BeIN Sports 2) 

10:00 - NHL Conference Finals - Tampa Bay Lightning v New York Islanders (ESPN 2)

10:30 - NBA Conference Finals - Milwaukee Bucks v Atlanta Hawks (ESPN 1) 

12:10 - MLB - San Diego Padres v Arizona Diamondbacks (Sky Sports 3)

13:45 - AFL - North Melb. Kangaroos v Gold Coast Suns (Fox Footy) 

14:00 - Men's Oceania Sevens, Day 2 (Stan Sport)

15:00 - Super Netball - Sunshine Coast Lightning v Collingwood Magpies Netball (Nine)

15:05 - Shute Shield - Sydney University Rugby v Southern Districts (Stan Sport)

• Penrith Rugby v West Harbour Pirates

• Eastwood Rugby v Manly Rugby

• Gordon Rugby v Newcastle Wildfires

• Warringah Rugby v Western Sydney Two Blues

• Randwick Rugby v Northern Suburbs Rugby

15:58 - Group 1, Tattersall's Tiara, 1,400m - WFA, F&M (7TWO, Sky Racing 1) 

16:35 - AFL - Collingwood Magpies v Fremantle Dockers (Fox Footy) 

17:05 - Test Match - Maori All Blacks v Samoa (Stan Sport)

17:55 - Dutch MotoGP Practice 3, Round 9 (Fox Sports More) 

19:00 - Formula 1 Austria Practice 3, Round 8 (Fox Sports)

19:15 - 2YO Redcliffe Yearling Sale Race Final, 1,780m (Sky Racing 1) 

19:25 - AFL Regular SeasonEssendon Bombers v Melbourne Demons (Fox Footy)

19:30 - Tour de France, Stage 1, 198km (SBS)

19:30 - Men's Oceania Sevens, Night 2 (Stan Sport)

19:40 - AFL - Port Adelaide Power v Sydney Swans (Fox Sports or 7mate)

20:35 - Dutch Moto3 Qualifying, Round 9 (Fox Sports More) 

21:00 - WTA Bad Homburg Open, Final, Day 7 (BeIN Sports 2) 

21:30 - WTA Eastbourne International, Final, Day 7 (BeIN Sports 1) 

21:30 - Dutch MotoGP Practice 4, Round 9 (Fox Sports More) 

22:00 - Formula 1 Austria Qualifying, Round 8 (Fox Sports) 

22:00 - European Tour, BMW International Open, Round 3 (Fox Sports) 

22:10 - Dutch MotoGP Qualifying 1, Round 9 (Fox Sports More) 

23:30 - ATP Eastbourne International, Final, Day 6 (BeIN Sports 1) 

23:30 - Twenty20 Series - England v Sri Lanka (Fox Cricket) 

SUNDAY

07:30 - MLS - Sporting Kansas City v Los Angeles FC (ESPN 2) 

09:15 - MLB - Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees (Sky Sports 3)

10:00 - MLS - Chicago Fire v Philadelphia Union (BeIN Sports 3) 

10:00 - NHL Conference Finals - Vegas Golden Knights v Montreal Canadiens (ESPN 2)

10:30 - MLS - Nashville SC v CF Montreal (BeIN Sports 2) 

11:00 - Super Lightweight Title - Mario Barrios v Gervonta Davis (Fox Sports) More 

11:00 - NBA Conference Finals - Los Angeles Clippers v Phoenix Suns (ESPN 1)

12:00 - MLS - San Jose Earthquakes v LA Galaxy (BeIN Sports 1) 

12:05 - MLB - San Francisco Giants v Oakland Athletics (Sky Sports 3)

12:30 - MLS - Portland Timbers v Minnesota United (BeIN Sports 2) 

12:30 - Men's Oceania Sevens, Day 3 (Stan Sport)

13:00 - Super Netball - West Coast Fever v Melbourne Vixens (Nine)

13:00 - Super W - Rebels Women v Queensland Reds Women (Stan Sport)

13:10 - AFL - Hawthorn Hawks v GWS Giants (Fox Footy or 7)

13:30 - Australian Pro, MX Championship, Round 4 (Fox Sports) 

14:30 - Men's Pro League - Australia v New Zealand (Fox Sports) 

15:00 - Super W - NSW Waratahs Women v Western Force Women (Stan Sport)

15:20 - AFL - West Coast Eagles v Western Bulldogs (Fox Sports) 

16:40 - Group 1, Takarazuka Kinen, 2,200m (Sky Racing 2) 

16:40 - AFL - Carlton Blues v Adelaide Crows (Fox Footy) 

17:00 - Women's Pro League - Australia v New Zealand (Fox Sports) 

17:00 - NBL Grand Final Series - Melbourne United v Perth Wildcats (ESPN 1) 

17:05 - A-League Grand Final - Melbourne City v Sydney FC (Fox Sports) 

17:45 - Men's Oceania Sevens, Night 3 (Stan Sport)

19:00 - Dutch Moto3 Race, Round 9 (Fox Sports More)

19:00 - J1 League - Tokushima Vortis v Yokohama F. Marinos (Optus Sport or Optus Sport App)

19:30 - J1 League - Kashima Antlers v Consadole Sapporo (Optus Sport or Optus Sport App)

19:50 - State of Origin - Queensland Origin v New South Wales Origin (Nine)

20:00 - J1 League - Urawa Red Diamonds v Avispa Fukuoka (Optus Sport or Optus Sport App)

20:00 - Women's ODI Series - England v India (Fox Cricket)

20:20 - Dutch Moto2 Race, Round 9 (Fox Sports More) 

20:30 - Tour de France, Stage 2, 183.5km (SBS)

21:30 - European Tour, BMW International Open, Round 4 (Fox Sports) 

22:00 - Formula 1 Austria Race, Round 8 (Fox Sports) 

22:00 - Dutch MotoGP Race, Round 9 (10 Bold, Fox Sports More)