G'day sports fans,

Happy Holidays, thank you for taking the time to read Sport Journal.

We're nearing a tribe of 30k readers, which I think makes us one of the biggest newsletters in the country. Big plans for 2022!!

I'll be back on 3rd Jan.

Classic quote: "Gatting at fine leg - that's a contradiction in terms" - Richie Benaud

🇦🇺 Aussie Sport

😷 According to abc.net.au - Sports made up 30 percent of Australia's most talked-about topics in 2021. I have no idea what the other 70% could possibly be.

🏉 On This Day 2010: The NRL confirms it will register the contract of Greg Inglis after the Rabbitohs freed up room under their salary cap by releasing centre Beau Champion, who signs for three years with the Melbourne Storm.

🏏 Australia coach Justin Langer has suggested Mitchell Starc will play in a third Ashes Test in quick succession, but Josh Hazlewood will again miss out with a minor side strain.

Starc, 31, has bowled more than 75 overs in the series and felt twinges in his back during the second Test.

Captain Pat Cummins should return for the third Test, aVictoria'sa's Scott Boland has been added to the squad "It's nice to have this nursery of bowlers," said Langer.

Following a disappointing return of 3 and 9 not out at the Gabba, and 3 and 23 at Adelaide, Harris' batting average has fallen to 22.19 from 23 innings acroBrattan'sches. He's the man under pressure.

✍🏼 Sydney FC have turned to Amini after an ambitious plan to sign Socceroos midfielder Aaron Mooy on loan from Shanghai Port failed to bear fruit. Following Luke Brattan’s season-ending knee injury. (@FTBLcomau)

🥊 After demolishing Darcy Lussick, inevitably the narrative for Paul Gallen swayed towards a fight with Sonny-Bill Williams.

Gallen went on to reveal Williams has been dodging a multimillion-dollar deal put forward by Hearn.

The proposed deal would see the pair fight twice next year, with each earning $4 million in total for both fights.

"You would have read in today's paper, we were offered $4 million each to fight twice next year and it's not happening," Gallen said.

"The ball is in his court. I've said for years let's do it but there's going to come a time where I say no more and I bet you that's when he says let's do it.

🐴 Liam has sent an update on the Sprt Journal horse Station One. His win first time out was certainly one of my sporting highlights of 2021.

Here's to a big 2022.

🏉 The first nine rounds of the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific season will feature Australian and New Zealand derbies after competition organisers unveiled a revamped schedule for 2022 today.

New Zealand's response to the Omicron outbreak in Australia meant the borders wouldn't allow the initial draw to be fulfilled.

Instead, the first crossover games are now slated for week 10, when all 12 clubs will converge on Melbourne for a 'Super Round.'

🌍 World Sport

🏏 Joe Root has claimed Australia are 'not much better' than England as he prepares for Boxing Day's crucial third Test at Melbourne.

🗓 The Premier League has postponed Liverpool's game against Leeds United and the match between Wolves and Watford because of coronavirus. Both games were scheduled for Sunday, 26 December.

🔁 Newcastle United face competition from Manchester United and Tottenham in the race to sign England defender Kieran Trippier, 31, from Atletico Madrid. (90min)

NFL Week 16 upset picks, bold playoff predictions and league buzz: Who will win Coach of the Year? Is David Culley on the hot seat? — www.espn.com.au

🎾 Andy Murray has been given a wildcard for the main draw of the Australian Open in January.

❤️ Olympic diver Ian Matos (32) has died following long health battles spawning from a lung infection.

🏈 QB Joe Burrow, says Cincinnati is too boring to get Covid. “Fortunately, there’s not a ton to do in Cincinnati. Nobody is going out to clubs and bars and getting COVID.” - This comes as more and more players are succumbing to the virus.

💰 Triller (Tik Tok competitor) is best known to boxing fans as the company behind a series of boxing events and music showcases featuring Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, and alike is going public via a reverse merger with SeaChange, (not to be confused with the late 1990s Australian soap opera by the same name).

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📺 Live sport 👇🏼

🏀 11:00 - NBA Regular Season - Philadelphia 76ers v Atlanta Hawks (NBA League Pass, SBS on Demand or SBS Viceland)

🏈 11:00 - Gasparilla Bowl - Florida Gators v UCF Knights (ESPN 2)

🏈 12:20 - NFL Regular Season - Tennessee Titans v San Francisco 49ers (ESPN)

🏀 12:30 - NBA Regular Season - Dallas Mavericks v Milwaukee Bucks (NBA League Pass or Sky Sports 2)

🏏 15:30 - Big Bash League Group Game - Hobart Hurricanes v Melbourne Stars (Fox Cricket)

BOXING DAY

🏀 06:30 - NBA Regular Season - Milwaukee Bucks v Boston Celtics (ESPN)

🏈 08:30 - NFL Regular Season - Green Bay Packers v Cleveland Browns (ESPN 2)

🏀 09:00 - NBA Regular Season - Phoenix Suns v Golden State Warriors (ESPN)

🏏 10:30 - Test Match - Australia v England (Channel 7, Fox Cricket)

🏀 12:00 - NBA Regular Season - Los Angeles Lakers v Brooklyn Nets (ESPN)

🏈 12:15 - NFL Regular Season - Arizona Cardinals v Indianapolis Colts (ESPN 2)

⛵️ 12:30 - Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, Day 1 (7mate)

🏀 13:00 - NBL Regular Season - Tasmania JackJumpers v New Zealand Breakers (10 Peach, Fox Sports More)

🏀 14:30 - NBA Regular Season - Utah Jazz v Dallas Mavericks (ESPN)

🏀 15:00 - NBL Regular Season - Sydney Kings v Melbourne United (10 Peach, Fox Sports More)

🐴 16:10 - Group 3 - Summer Cup, 2,000m - Quality, 3YO & Up (Sky Racing 1)

🐴 16:22 - Group 3 - BJ McLachlan Plate, 1,200m - SW, 2YO (Sky Racing 1)

⚽️ 17:05 - A-League Men Regular Season - Newcastle Jets v Western Sydney Wanderers (Paramount+)

⚽️ 17:05 - A-League Women Regular Season - Melbourne Victory Women v Melbourne City Women (10 Bold, 10 Play or Paramount+)

🏀 17:30 - NBL Regular Season - Brisbane Bullets v Cairns Taipans (ESPN)

🐴 17:40 - Group 1 - Arima Kinen, 2,500m (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🏏 18:05 - Big Bash League Group Game - Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers (Channel 7, Fox Cricket or 7mate)

🏏 19:00 - Test Match - South Africa v India (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 19:45 - A-League Men Regular Season - Melbourne Victory v Western United FC (10 Play, Paramount+ or Channel 10)

⚽️ 19:45 - A-League Men Regular Season - Macarthur FC Bulls v Sydney FC (Paramount+)

🐕 20:58 - Group 1 - Sale Cup, 650m (Sky Racing 1)

🏏 21:15 - Big Bash League Group Game - Perth Scorchers v Melbourne Renegades (Channel 7, Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 23:30 - Scottish Premiership - St. Johnstone v Celtic (beIN SPORTS 1)

⚽️ 23:30 - Premier League - Liverpool v Leeds United (Optus Sport 3)

⚽️ 23:30 - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Watford (Optus Sport 2)