🗞 Story of the night

G’day Sports Fans,

🗣️ “Golf is a game in which you yell fore, shoot six, and write down five.” – Paul Harvey (American Broadcaster).

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🏉 At AAMI Park, the Storm secured a narrow victory over the Broncos, winning 34-32 to kick off Round 5. The match was packed with excitement, keeping fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.

But the standout story of the night was Broncos captain Adam Reynolds. Unfortunately, he was sidelined for the second half due to a suspected hamstring injury, forcing him out of the game at halftime.

🇦🇺 Melbourne's gritty 10.18 (78) to 8.15 (63) victory wasn't always pretty, but ensured a fourth consecutive triumph for Simon Goodwin's men and condemned Adelaide to yet another defeat amid a troubled start to its campaign.

Christian Petracca (29 disposals, eight clearances, six tackles, one goal) was a difference-maker from the midfield, while Bayley Fritsch (eight disposals, three goals) turned the game with his second-half performance.

🐴 The Championships have arrived, and four huge Group 1 feature races headline Day 1 at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The first five gallopers past the post in the Golden Slipper have accepted into the Inglis’ Sires field, and shapes as one of the best editions of the race since the turn of the century.

Sole filly Zardozi will attempt to overcome Riff Rocket, Tom Kitten, Ceolwulf and Wymark in the time-honoured Australian Derby, while Imperatriz and I Wish I Wish will face off for the first time in the TJ Smith Stakes.

If that wasn’t enough, the $4 million Doncaster Mile has attracted an open and capacity field, rich with interstate and international Group 1 talent, and it continues to shape as one of the best betting races of the season!

🏉 The Eels are now the clear favourites to sign Dragons star Zac Lomax next year after it was revealed that Brad Arthur met with the disgruntled outside back on Wednesday night.

🇦🇺 Bailey Humphrey is a good chance to add to Gold Coast's selection jumble after training strongly on Thursday morning.

Humphrey missed the Suns' last-start loss against the Western Bulldogs with a shoulder injury and was put through his paces at People First Stadium in humid conditions.

🏉 Dragons skipper Ben Hunt has [reportedly] backflipped on his release request and is now reportedly in talks for a contract extension beyond his 36th birthday. 

Hunt repeatedly asked for the an immediate release in the second half of last season after the club sacked his coach and long-time mentor Anthony Griffin. 

But new coach Shane Flanagan refused to release the club’s best player and after the Dragons’ impressive start to 2024, he’s convinced the halfback to stay.

🏏 Tayla Vlaeminck boosted her injury comeback as Australia's women's cricket team wrapped up a triumphant tour of Bangladesh with a 77-run victory in the third T20 international.

Pace bowler Vlaeminck took 3-12 from her four overs as Bangladesh were dismissed for 78 after Australia posted 6-155 from their 20 overs at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium on Thursday.

🏎️ Ferrari expect Max Verstappen to be the dominant force in this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix despite their one-two in the last race in Australia.

Verstappen failed to win for the first time in 10 races in Melbourne as Carlos Sainz led Charles Leclerc across the line.

Charles Leclerc said: "This track will expose the teams more to high speed and we will understand a bit more where we stand compared to others on those types of corners. For now, I would expect Red Bull to still have the upper hand this weekend."

🎾 Saudi Arabia will host the WTA Finals for the next three editions, the Women's Tennis Association said on Thursday, following widespread speculation and criticism from some of the game's greats.

In just the latest high-profile Saudi sporting acquisition, the capital Riyadh will first hold the season finale featuring eight singles players and doubles teams from November 2-9.

🏒 The NHL clash between the New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night started with a bang, literally, as a brawl involving all 10 players erupted from the opening face-off.

All 10 players also received five-minute fighting penalties.

The Rangers went on to win 4-3 on a late power-play goal by Chris Kreider.

⚽️ Barcelona player Joao Felix revealed in an interview that Portugal teammate Bernardo Silva has asked him about life at FC Barcelona and also wants to wear the number 10 shirt.

Silva has been linked with a possible move to the Catalans by Mundo Deportivo [newspaper], which cited anonymous sources when reporting that the Manchester City star is keen to leave his current club.

🏎️ Lewis Hamilton says he would love to see former title rival Sebastian Vettel take his place at Mercedes next season in what would be a shock F1 comeback story.

🏀 Detroit Pistons reserve point guard Malachi Flynn gave a rare 50-point performance in Wednesday night's [local] 121-113 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

It was just the third game of 50 points or more by a player off the bench since starters were first tracked in 1970-71.

⛳️ Rory McIlroy has consulted Tiger Woods' former coach Butch Harmon in a bid to address the issues in his game prior to his latest bid to win The Masters.

McIlroy has made nine unsuccessful attempts at Augusta to become the sixth player to win all four men's majors if he wins next week's Masters.

"He's sort of half golf coach, half psychologist in a way. It's fun to go out there, I went and spent probably four hours with him in Vegas. He said a couple of things to me that resonated.”

🥊 Mike Tyson insists he is training all day every day for his controversial fight with Jake Paul. 

Tyson will come out of retirement to take on the YouTuber in Texas on July 20 at the age of 58, four years after his last appearance in the ring, and almost two decades since his final professional fight. Concerns have been raised about the heavyweight legend's health ahead of the bout, but Tyson insists he will be prepared.

📺 WATCH a 15-year-old Mike Tyson knock a guy out in 8 seconds. (YouTube)

TODAY

07:00 - PGA TOUR - Texas Open, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

07:15 - MLB - St. Louis Cardinals v Miami Marlins (ESPN 2)

10:30 - NBA - New York Knicks v Sacramento Kings (ESPN)

11:00 - NHL - Nashville Predators v St. Louis Blues (ESPN 2)

13:00 - NBA - Los Angeles Clippers v Denver Nuggets (ESPN)

13:30 - NHL - San Jose Sharks v Los Angeles Kings (ESPN 2)

14:16 - Men's Hong Kong Sevens, Day 1, Round 6 (Stan Sport)

17:05 - Super Rugby Pacific - Blues v Western Force (Stan Sport)

17:10 - AFL - Brisbane Lions v North Melb. Kangaroos (Fox Footy)

18:00 - NRL - Canterbury Bulldogs v Sydney Roosters (Fox League)

19:35 - Super Rugby Pacific - Rebels v Fijian Drua (Stan Sport)

19:45 - A-League Men - Western Sydney Wanderers v Brisbane Roar (Paramount+)

20:00 - NRL - Newcastle Knights v St. George Illawarra Dragons (Fox League or Channel 9)

20:10 - AFL - Port Adelaide Power v Essendon Bombers (Fox Footy)

SATURDAY

01:00 - Indian Premier League - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Chennai Super Kings (Fox Cricket)

04:05 - MLB - New York Yankees v Toronto Blue Jays (ESPN 2)

06:00 - Super League - Leeds Rhinos v Warrington Wolves (Fox League)

06:00 - Super League - Hull Kingston Rovers v London Broncos (Fox Sports More)

06:00 - Super League - Castleford Tigers v Salford Red Devils (Fox Sports)

07:00 - PGA TOUR - Texas Open, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

10:00 - NBA - Indiana Pacers v Oklahoma City Thunder (ESPN)

12:40 - NSW Cup - South Sydney Rabbitohs NSW Cup v Warriors NSW Cup (Fox League)

13:16 - Men's Hong Kong Sevens, Day 2, Round 6 (Stan Sport)

13:30 - AFL - West Coast Eagles v Sydney Swans (Fox Footy or 7mate)

15:00 - NRL - South Sydney Rabbitohs v Warriors (Fox League)

15:05 - Shute Shield - Sydney University Rugby v Northern Suburbs Rugby (Stan Sport)

15:05 - Shute Shield - West Harbour Pirates v Eastern Suburbs Rugby (Stan Sport)

15:05 - Shute Shield - Newcastle Wildfires v Randwick Rugby (Stan Sport)

15:05 - Shute Shield - Western Sydney Two Blues v Gordon Rugby (Stan Sport)

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

15:05 - Shute Shield - Eastwood Rugby v Manly Rugby (Stan Sport)

15:30 - A-League Men - Western United v Macarthur FC Bulls (Paramount+)

16:20 - AFL - Fremantle Dockers v Carlton Blues (Fox Footy)

17:05 - Super Rugby Pacific - Chiefs v Moana Pasifika (Stan Sport)

17:30 - A-League Men - Central Coast Mariners v Wellington Phoenix (Paramount+)

17:30 - NRL - Manly Sea Eagles v Penrith Panthers (Fox League)

19:35 - NRL - Dolphins v Wests Tigers (Fox League)

19:35 - Super Rugby Pacific - Brumbies v NSW Waratahs (GEM or Stan Sport)

19:45 - A-League Men - Melbourne Victory v Melbourne City (10 Bold or Paramount+)

20:10 - AFL - Western Bulldogs v Geelong Cats (Fox Footy or 7mate)

22:30 - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Manchester City (Optus Sport 1)

SUNDAY

01:00 - Premier League - Aston Villa v Brentford (Optus Sport 4)

01:00 - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v West Ham United (Optus Sport 5)

01:00 - Premier League - Luton Town v Bournemouth (Optus Sport 6)

01:00 - Premier League - Fulham v Newcastle United (Optus Sport 2)

01:00 - Super League - Hull FC v Huddersfield Giants (Fox League)

01:00 - Indian Premier League - Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore (Fox Cricket)

02:30 - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal (Optus Sport 1)

03:00 - NHL - Pittsburgh Penguins v Tampa Bay Lightning (ESPN 2)

03:00 - PGA TOUR - Texas Open, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

05:05 - Super League - Catalans Dragons v St Helens (Fox League)

05:30 - NHL - Boston Bruins v Florida Panthers (ESPN 2)

08:09 - NCAA Men's Semi-Final - Purdue Boilermakers v North Carolina State Wolfpack (ESPN 2)

10:49 - NCAA Men's Semi-Final - Connecticut Huskies v Alabama Crimson Tide (ESPN 2)

12:30 - AFL - Gold Coast Suns v GWS Giants (Fox Footy or Channel 7)

12:49 - Men's World Series - Men's Hong Kong Sevens, Day 3, Round 6 (Stan Sport)

15:00 - A-League Men - Newcastle Jets v Sydney FC (10 Bold or Paramount+)

15:00 - Formula 1 - Japan Race, Round 4 (Fox Sports)

15:20 - AFL - Richmond Tigers v St. Kilda Saints (Fox Footy)

16:05 - NRL - North Queensland Cowboys v Gold Coast Titans (Fox League or Channel 9)

17:10 - AFL - Collingwood Magpies v Hawthorn (Fox Footy)

18:15 - NRL - Canberra Raiders v Parramatta Eels (Fox League)

20:00 - Indian Premier League - Mumbai Indians v Delhi Capitals (Fox Cricket)