G'day sports fans,

Wild World Record: Pavel Trusov (RUS) holds the Guinness World Records for the most full extension punches in one minute. His official count is 334 punches.

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🏏 Squads announced

🏉 RTS to play in two world cups in two years

🇦🇺 AFLW kicks off (like, actually)

🏏 Cricket

🙋🏼‍♀️ Queensland coach Ashley Noffke is tipping new captain Jess Jonassen to take her batting game to another level in the middle-order when the domestic 50-over season begins on Saturday. (Cricket)

💥 With the promise of 'further innovation' next summer and an international player draft on the cards, BBL officials are pleased with how the Power Surge, X-Factor and Bash Boost have played out in BBL|10 (Cricket)

🦵🏽 The Sixers have released a statement saying fast bowler Mitchell Starc "underwent scans on his knees on Tuesday and is still awaiting results."

The worst Test pitch in Australia this summer

The SCG pitch has tumbled in the ratings and three other Test venues have also taken a hit as leading match referee David Boon scolded Australia’s top curators with his verdict on this summer’s matches.

Despite the fact three Tests produced an outright result while Sydney had a final-day thriller.

Sydney took the biggest hit, having been downgraded from “good” to “average”, the lowest pass mark.

MCG curator Matt Page took a surprise hit despite India claiming a famous eight-wicket win inside four days. Boon branded the drop-in pitch as “good” – a dip on last year’s “very good” against New Zealand. (TheAge)

⚽️ Football

Aussie bolter Watts savours 'surreal' first steps on Premier League journey | The World Game — theworldgame.sbs.com.au

The enormity of becoming the latest Australian to grace England’s Premier League hit home for Southampton’s Caleb Watts when he looked around for his opposite number and saw Arsenal’s Brazilian star Willian staring right back at him.

🛩 Newcastle Jets have announced the signing of former Young Socceroos striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (21) for the remainder of the 2020/21 season.

🦁 EPL Midweek: De Gea's mistakes prove costly as Man United's title challenge takes major hit vs. bottom Sheffield United as they lose 2-1. Tomas Tuchel's reign at Chelsea began with a 0-0 thriller v Wolves. Elsewhere it wasn't much more exciting with Brighton and Fulham drawing 0-0 and Leicester 1-1 Everton. Today it's Tottenham (3.20) v Liverpool (2.10).

💸 Real Madrid's gross debt rises to €901 million, around €200m less than Barça, which is now over €1B.

I'm no economist, but Barca letting players they paid over AU$125m for all leave on free transfers, might not be the best move financially. (Incl. Luis Suarez, Vidal, Rakitic, Rafinha)

💁🏽‍♀️ Sam Kerr and Chelsea are dominating the FAWSL

Kerr smashed home another goal last night, helping Chelsea to its eighth win of the season (4-0 vs Villa) - and its 32nd consecutive match unbeaten, a new record! She's now 3rd in the goal scoring standings (8).

🐴 Racing

Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet on Thursday cemented his $5m All-Star Mile credentials when trialling brilliantly at Geelong.

Despite the breathtaking performance, co-trainer David Eustace said the former international would still most likely be saved up for the world’s richest mile at The Valley on March 13.

Sir Dragonet is $9 and on the second line of betting in TAB’s all-in market for the All-Star Mile behind Arcadia Queen and Russian Camelot (both $6).

The Nation's Richest Races

• $15 million The Everest

• $8 million Melbourne Cup

• $7.5 million Golden Eagle

• $5 million Cox Plate

• $5 million Caulfield Cup

• $5 million All Star Mile

• $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes

• $3.5 million Golden Slipper

• $3 million Doncaster Mile

• $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes

• #52 races worth $1 million or more are run in Australia each season

🎾Tennis

Serena Williams praises 'super intense' Australian Open coronavirus quarantine rules

Seven-time Australian Open singles champion Serena Williams has backed Tennis Australia's quarantine rules ahead of the season-opening major amid criticism of the arrangements from other players. (abc)

Key points:

• Williams says tournament organisers are "doing it right" with their quarantine protocols

• The former world number one is among players quarantining in Adelaide

• Rafael Nadal wants players to feel privileged they have the opportunity to play at the Australian Open.

🏉 NRL

RTS set to leave Warriors at end of year for All Blacks World Cup goal

Warriors star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck looks likely to leave the club at the end of the season to try to break into the All Blacks squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

He was recently granted permission to negotiate only with New Zealand Rugby.

As first reported by NewsCorp Australia on Thursday, the 27-year-old Dally M Medallist intends to play out the 2021 Telstra Premiership season with the Warriors before trying his hand at the 15-player code to give himself enough time to break into the national team for the World Cup in France.

Warriors Coach, Nathan Brown told Triple M that he thought it would be "a bonus" if RTS played for the Warriors this year and said that "Roger does have a desire to represent the All Blacks like many, many young Kiwi kids".

It is understood the Kiwis would still be keen for Tuivasa-Sheck to play at the Rugby League World Cup at the end of this year in the United Kingdom even if he does decide to commit to union for 2022 and beyond. (NRL)

🤔 Quiz: The All Blacks have only ever signed one player who has not played union in New Zealand, who was it?

🇦🇺 AFLW

Tensions boil over between Carlton and Collingwood in fiery AFLW season-opener

The world is slowly returning to normality.

The arch-rival clubs — albeit young in their AFLW rivalry — tangled several times during Thursday night’s season opener at Ikon Park, with the Magpies recording a tight, upset win.

Collingwood survived a grand scare from a fast-finishing Carlton outfit, holding on to record a thrilling six-point win and send a statement to the competition in a fiery and grossly entertaining AFLW season-opener.

Led by potent forward duo Chloe Molloy and Brianna Davey, the Magpies stunned the Blues to boot four unanswered goals in the second term – while keeping Carlton scoreless – to set up a 26-point lead at half-time.

The Blues charged late with four of the last five goals of the game, but the Magpies hung on to win 5.3 (33) to the Blues’ 4.3 (27) in front of a COVID-safe sellout crowd of 6712 at Ikon Park. (Fox)

👋🏼 Adelaide Crows chief executive Andrew Fagan resigns ahead of 2021 AFL season. 

• Fagan resigns as chief executive after seven years with the club

• The club is seeking to fill the Fagan's position as soon as possible

• Fagan said the job was challenging and should not be a long-term role

🇺🇸 USA

Greg Norman has listed his 8-acre Jupiter, FL, compound for US$60M.

• 32,000sqft

• Movie theatre

• Pool, gym & tennis court

• Dock fits a 150-ft yacht

• Two 1,900-bottle wine cellars

🐶 The Heat will use coronavirus-sniffing dogs to screen fans ahead of tonight's game at AmericanAirlines Arena, when ~1,500 season ticket holders will be permitted inside for the first time this season.

A German study last year found that trained dogs were able to sniff out COVID-19 with 94% accuracy

⚾️ Catcher J.T. Realmuto and the Phillies have agreed to a five-year, $115.5 million contract.

🏀 Philadelphia 76ers give Los Angeles Lakers a taste of what an NBA Finals matchup could look like beating them 107-106.

☝🏼 Tobias Harris. Clutch. The Sixers beat the Lakers in a battle of two first-place teams with 2.4 seconds on the clock.

🗞 We'll be back on Monday!

🤔 Quiz answer: It was of course, dual international Sonny Bill Williams, who was lining up in club rugby in France in 2011.

📺 Live sport

TODAY

⚽️ 07:00 - Premier League - Tottenham v Liverpool (Optus Sport 1)

🏒 11:00 - NHL - Boston Bruins v Pittsburgh Penguins (ESPN 2)

🏀 11:30 - NBA - Houston Rockets v Portland Trail Blazers (ESPN 1)

⛵️ 13:00 - America's Cup, The Prada Cup Semi-Finals (Fox Sports)

🎾 13:30 - Mixed - A Day at the Drive, Day Session (Nine)

🏀 14:00 - NBA - Phoenix Suns v Golden State Warriors (ESPN 1)

🏀 15:00 - NCAA Men's - Arizona Wildcats v Stanford Cardinal (ESPN 2)

⛳️ 18:30 - European Tour, Dubai Desert Classic (Fox Sports)

⚾️ 19:00 - ABL - Brisbane Bandits v Melbourne Aces (Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 19:05 - A-League - Western Sydney Wanderers v Newcastle Jets (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 19:05 - W-League - Adelaide United Women v Melbourne Victory Women (Fox Sports More)

🇦🇺 19:10 - AFLW - St Kilda Saints Women v Western Bulldogs Women (Fox Footy)

🏏 19:15 - Big Bash League Eliminator - Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers (Fox Cricket or 7)

🎾 19:30 - Mixed - A Day at the Drive, Night Session (Nine)

⚾️ 21:00 - ABL - Perth Heat v Adelaide Giants (Kayo Sports)

🏀 21:30 - NBL - Perth Wildcats v South East Melbourne Phoenix (ESPN 1)

🐎 22:25 - 4YO Pacers G1, 4YO Classic (Sky Racing 1)

🏏 23:00 - T10 League - Pune Devils v Qalandars (Fox Cricket)

SATURDAY

⚽️ 01:00 - Indian Super League - FC Goa v SC East Bengal (Fox Sports More)

🎯 06:00 - PDC Ladbrokes Masters, Ladbrokes Masters (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 06:45 - Italian Serie A - Torino v Fiorentina (BeIN Sports 3)

🏉 06:45 - Premiership Rugby - Bristol Bears v Bath Rugby (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 07:00 - English Championship - Reading v Bournemouth (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 07:00 - Spanish La Liga - Real Valladolid v Huesca (BeIN Sports 1)

⛳️ 07:00 - PGA Tour - Farmers Insurance Open, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🏀 07:00 - EuroLeague - Saski Baskonia v Zalgiris Kaunas (Fox Sports More)

🏀 11:30 - NBA - New Orleans Pelicans v Milwaukee Bucks (ESPN 1)

⛵️ 13:00 - America's Cup, The Prada Cup Semi-Finals, Races 3 & 4 (Fox Sports)

⛳️ 14:00 - PGA Tour of Australasia, TPS Victoria, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🏀 14:00 - NBA - Utah Jazz v Dallas Mavericks (ESPN 1)

⛷ 14:30 - Winter X Games (ESPN 2)

🇦🇺 15:10 - AFLW - Gold Coast Suns Women v Melbourne Demons Women (Fox Footy)

🐴 17:00 - Group 2, Expressway Stakes (Sky Racing 1)

⚽️ 17:05 - A-League - Western United FC v Melbourne Victory (ABC, Fox Sports)

🏀 17:05 - W-League - Canberra United Women v W. Syd. Wanderers Women (Kayo Sports)

🇦🇺 17:10 - AFLW - West Coast Eagles Women v Adelaide Crows Women (Fox Footy)

🏀 17:30 - NBL - Brisbane Bullets v Cairns Taipans (SBS Viceland)

⚾️ 19:00 - ABL - Brisbane Bandits v Melbourne Aces (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 19:10 - A-League - Macarthur FC Bulls v Sydney FC (Fox Sports)

🏏 19:15 - Big Bash League Qualifier - Sydney Sixers v Perth Scorchers (Fox Cricket or 7)

⛳️ 19:30 - European Tour, Dubai Desert Classic, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🏀 20:00 - NBL - Adelaide 36ers v Sydney Kings (ESPN 1)

🐎 20:55 - Group 2 Pacers, Boden Projects Simpson Memorial (Sky Racing 1)

⚽️ 21:15 - A-League - Brisbane Roar v Adelaide United (Fox Sports)

🐎 21:40 - Open Trotters, VL Dullard Trotters Cup (Sky Racing 1)

🐎 22:15 -Pacers G1, 3YO Victoria Sires Classic (Sky Racing 1)

🏏 23:00 - T10 League - Bangla Tigers v Maratha Arabians (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 23:30 - Premier League - Everton v Newcastle United (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 23:30 - English Championship - Norwich City v Middlesbrough (BeIN Sports 2)

🎯 23:45 - PDC Ladbrokes Masters, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

SUNDAY

⚽️ 06:45 - Italian Serie A - Inter Milan v Benevento Calcio (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 07:00 - Premier League - Southampton v Aston Villa (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 07:00 - Spanish La Liga - Villarreal v Real Sociedad (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 07:00 - Copa Libertadores Final - Palmeiras v Santos (BeIN Sports 3)

🏀 10:00 - NCAA Men's - Tennessee Volunteers v Kansas Jayhawks (ESPN 2)

🏀 10:00 - NCAA Men's - Mississippi State Bulldogs v Iowa State Cyclones (ESPN 1)

🎾 11:00 - WTA Gippsland Trophy, Round 1 (Nine)

🎾 11:00 - WTA Yarra Valley Classic, Round 1 (Nine)

⛳️ 12:00 - PGA Tour of Australasia, TPS Victoria (Fox Sports)

🏍 12:00 - Supercross, Monster Energy Supercross (ESPN 2)

🏀 12:00 - NBA - New Orleans Pelicans v Houston Rockets (SBS Viceland)

🥊 12:00 - Super Middleweight Title - Caleb Plant v Caleb Truax (Fox Sports More)

🇦🇺 12:10 - AFLW - Geelong Cats Women v North Melb. Kangaroos Women (Fox Footy)

🏀 12:30 - NBA Regular SeasonBoston Celtics v Los Angeles Lakers (ESPN 1)

⛵️ 13:00 - America's Cup, The Prada Cup Semi-Finals (Fox Sports)

⚾️ 14:00 - ABL Regular SeasonBrisbane Bandits v Melbourne Aces (Kayo Sports)

🇦🇺 14:10 - AFLW Regular SeasonRichmond Tigers Women v Brisbane Lions Women (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🏀 15:00 - NBL Regular SeasonMelbourne United v South East Melbourne Phoenix (SBS Viceland)

⛷ 15:00 - Winter X Games, Day 2 (ESPN 1)

🏀 15:00 - NCAA Men's Regular SeasonArizona State Sun Devils v Stanford Cardinal (ESPN 2)

⚽️ 16:05 - A-League Regular SeasonCentral Coast Mariners v Wellington Phoenix (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 16:05 - W-League Regular SeasonMelbourne City Women v Brisbane Roar Women (ABC, Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 16:10 - AFLW Regular SeasonFremantle Dockers Women v GWS Giants Women (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🏀 17:00 - NBL Regular SeasonPerth Wildcats v New Zealand Breakers (SBS Viceland)

🎾 17:30 - WTA Yarra Valley Classic, Round 1 (GEM)

🎾 17:30 - WTA Gippsland Trophy, Round 1 (GEM)

⚽️ 18:05 - W-League - Sydney FC Women v Newcastle Jets Women (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 18:40 - A-League Regular SeasonMelbourne City v Perth Glory (Fox Sports)

🏏 19:15 - Big Bash League Knock-Out - Sydney Thunder v ??? (Fox Cricket or 7)

⛳️ 19:30 - European Tour, Dubai Desert Classic, Round 4 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 22:30 - Italian Serie A - Spezia Calcio v Udinese (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 22:30 - Indian Super League - Hyderabad FC v Chennaiyin FC (Kayo Sports)

⚽️ 23:00 - Premier League - Chelsea v Burnley (Optus Sport 1)

🏏 23:00 - T10 League - Team Abu Dhabi v Pune Devils (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 23:30 - FA Women's Super LeagueChelsea Women v Tottenham Women (Optus Sport 2)

23:45 - PDC Ladbrokes MastersLadbrokes Masters Quarter-Finals, Day 3 (Fox Sports)