G'day sports fans,

Classic quote: "Half the game is mental; the other half is being mental." Jim McKenny, Canadian Ice Hockey Player

🗞 In today's edition of Sport Journal:

📺 Bumper weekend TV guide

⚽️ Ronaldo on the move?

🐴 First Grade 1s of the season

🌍 World Sport

🔁 Manchester City are reportedly meeting with Cristiano Ronaldo's agent TODAY to discuss a historic transfer.

⚽️ EPL: Week 1 was a phenomenal weekend with full stadiums across the league, and the home teams rewarded their supporters with seven wins from the ten matches.

There were goals aplenty with an average of over three goals per game and the scoring looks set to continue in Matchweek 2.

📈 Player Stats:

• Roberto Firmino (Liverpool) has scored at least one goal in four of Liverpool's last six EPL matches against Burnley.

• Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) has been the first goal-scorer in each of his last two EPL appearances at Etihad Stadium.

➡️ According to Sky Sports, Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski wants a new challenge. What about...Aubameyang ➡️ Barcelona. Lewandowski ➡️ Arsenal ? (or am I dreaming?)

👟 Olympic 400m hurdles champion Karsten Warholm says carbon-technology shoes are "hurting athletes' credibility".

🏉 It has been a big week in Sydney, with the SRU announcing the cancellation of the 2021 Shute Shield Season, the first time such an event has occurred in 103 years. This was followed by cancellations to all winter rugby competitions in the Sydney and Illawarra regions.

In addition, the SRU also announced that Penrith Emus will not be offered a licence to compete in the 2022 season, a decision that has stirred considerable debate within rugby fans, especially in Western Sydney. (rugby)

⚾️ Shohei Ohtani pitched a career-high eight innings of one-run ball in a win over Detroit on Wednesday, improving to 8-1. He also hit his MLB-leading 40th HR. (Axios)

🇦🇺 AFL

Ten teams will see their season come to a close this weekend as Round 23 marks the final weekend of regular season footy.

It’s all on the line for the likes of Essendon, West Coast and Fremantle, while the race for the minor premiership heats up with a Friday night blockbuster between the Dogs and Port, followed by a 1st v 2nd battle on Saturday when the Cats host the Dees.

The Bombers can qualify for the finals with a win over Collingwood on Sunday, while the Hawks will be looking to send Alastair Clarkson off in style in his final game as coach.

There’s nothing like the drama of the final round.

📈 Round 23 Player Stats:

• Charlie Dixon (Port Adelaide) has kicked 2+ goals in each of his last seven appearances against the Western Bulldogs.

• Jack Riewoldt (Richmond) has kicked 3+ goals in six of Richmond's last nine matches as an underdog.

• Josh Kennedy (West Coast Eagles) has kicked 3+ goals in five of his last six appearances against Brisbane.

🏉 NRL

The Melbourne Storm have drawn level with the record set by the 1975 Roosters, seeing off a fast start from the Gold Coast Titans to seal a 19th-straight win, 34-20. (Fox)

Injured Rooster Luke Keary says he won't let the fear of suffering another head knock hold him back.(nine)

The finals are once again in focus this weekend with several sides fighting to keep their season alive.

Things heat up nice and quickly on Thursday night with a 1st v 7th battle between the Storm and the Titans on the Gold Coast, followed by the marquee game of the round, the Panthers and the Rabbitohs, kicking off on Friday from Suncorp.

The Sharks and the Tigers shapes as an intriguing battle on Saturday between two sides looking to book a spot in the eight, while the Roosters are looking to lock up their top four spot on Sunday in Toowoomba against the Dragons.

📈 Round 23 Player Stats:

• Josh Addo-Carr (Storm) has been the first try-scorer in five of his last 12 appearances.

• Reuben Garrick (Manly) has scored at least one try in each of Manly's last three matches.

• Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs) has scored two or more tries in each of his last six appearances.

🐴 Racing

The first Group 1 of the season will be run and won at Randwick on Saturday with a strong field of 14 stepping out in the $500,000 Winx Stakes (1400m).

In a race named after his mighty mare, Chris Waller has dominated the final acceptances as the champion trainer saddles up last year’s winner Verry Elleegant, as well as Kolding, Imaging, Star Of The Seas, and dual Group 1 winner Hungry Heart.

Annabel Neasham will be hoping to claim a second Group 1 with Rosehill Guineas winner Mo’unga, while there’s also a big watch on Godolphin’s Doncaster Mile winner Cascadian.

The Racing League Owner Reports:

Greylander: "Following on from Greylander’s jumpout on Friday, Tony has elected to send him to Embrook Stables for what he calls an “active spell”. He will have 10 days in the paddock and then 10 days working on the treadmill nefore coming back into us."

Hellbent X Queen of Kandy is just doing some light pace work here and Michael is really happy with how he is coming along and progressing on the track. He picks everything up so quickly and knows exactly what he has to do. There are no signs of shin soreness which is great to see so the team will now get his bones x-rayed and if they come back all good they will start some faster work with him. All in all he looks fantastic and his coat is now glowing.

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📺 Live sport 👇🏼

⛳️ 08:00 - Korn Ferry Tour, Boise Open, Round 1 (Fox Sports )

⚽️ 10:30 - Copa Sudamericana Quarter-Final - Club Libertad v Santos (BeIN Sports 3)

⚾️ 12:10 - MLB - Los Angeles Dodgers v New York Mets (Sky Sports 3)

🏉 18:00 - NRL - Canberra Raiders v Manly Sea Eagles (Fox League)

🇦🇺 19:50 - AFL - Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide Power (Fox Footy)

🏌🏼‍♀️ 20:00 - Major, Women's British Open, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🏉 20:05 - NRL - Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs (Fox League or Channel 9)

⛳️ 21:00 - European Tour, Czech Masters, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🚴🏼‍♀️ 21:20 - Vuelta a Espana (SBS on Demand or SBS Viceland)

⛵️ 23:00 - SailGP Denmark, Round 4 (Fox Sports)

SATURDAY

⛳️ 08:00 - Korn Ferry Tour, Boise Open, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🎾 09:00 - ATP Western & Southern Open, Quarter-Finals, Night 6 (BeIN Sports 1)

🎾 09:00 - WTA Western & Southern Open, Quarter-Final, Day 5 (BeIN Sports 2)

⚾️ 09:10 - MLB - Cleveland Indians v Los Angeles Angels (Sky Sports 3)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 10:00 - WNBA - Dallas Wings v Indiana Fever (SBS on Demand or SBS Viceland)

🏈 10:00 - NFL Pre-Season - Arizona Cardinals v Kansas City Chiefs (ESPN)

⚾️ 12:10 - MLB - San Diego Padres v Philadelphia Phillies (Sky Sports 3)

⚽️ 12:30 - MLS - LA Galaxy v San Jose Earthquakes (ESPN 2)

🇦🇺 13:35 - AFL - Richmond Tigers v Hawthorn Hawks (Fox Footy)

🇦🇺 13:45 - AFL - Sydney Swans v Gold Coast Suns (Fox Sports or Channel 7)

14:25 - Group 2, Silver Shadow Stakes (Sky Racing 1)

🏉 15:00 - NRL - Wests Tigers v Cronulla Sharks (Fox League)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 15:00 - Super Netball Preliminary Final - Giants Netball v West Coast Fever (Channel 9)

🐴 15:05 - Group 3, Show County Quality (Sky Racing 1)

🐴 15:45 - Group 1, Winx Stakes (Sky Racing 1)

🐴 16:25 - Group 3, Toy Show Quality (Sky Racing 1)

🇦🇺 16:35 - AFL - Brisbane Lions v West Coast Eagles (Fox Footy)

🏉 17:30 - NRL - Canterbury Bulldogs v Newcastle Knights (Fox League)

⚽️ 19:00 - J1 League - Yokohama F. Marinos v Vegalta Sendai (Optus Sport 3)

⚽️ 19:00 - J1 League - Vissel Kobe v Kashima Antlers (Optus Sport 2)

🐎 19:03 - G1, 3YO Australasian Premier Trotting Sale Final (Sky Racing 1)

🏍 19:10 - WorldSBK Navarra Superpole, Round 7 (Fox Sports More)

🇦🇺 19:25 - AFL - Geelong Cats v Melbourne Demons (Fox Footy)

🏉 19:35 - NRL - Parramatta Eels v North Queensland Cowboys (Fox League or Channel 9)

🇦🇺 19:40 - AFL - Carlton Blues v GWS Giants (Fox Sports)

🏉 19:45 - Currie Cup - Pumas v Free State Cheetahs (Stan Sport)

🐎 19:48 - Group 3 Pacers, Garrards Paul Fitzpatrick (Sky Racing 1)

⚽️ 20:00 - J1 League - Oita Trinita v Consadole Sapporo (Optus Sport 4)

⛵️ 21:00 - Sail GP Denmark, Round 4, Day 2 (Fox Sports)

🚘 21:30 - DTM Nurburgring Race 1, Round 4 (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 21:30 - Premier League - Liverpool v Burnley (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 21:30 - English Championship - Queens Park Rangers v Barnsley (BeIN Sports 2)

🐴 21:35 - G1, 3YO Australasian Premier Trotting Sale Final (Sky Racing 1)

🏍 22:00 - WorldSBK Navarra Race 1, Round 7 (Fox Sports More)

🏉 22:10 - Currie Cup - Golden Lions v Sharks (Stan Sport)

⛳️ 22:30 - European Tour, Czech Masters, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🏌🏼‍♀️ 22:30 - Major, Women's British Open, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🚴🏼‍♀️ 23:00 - Vuelta a Espana, Stage 8, 173.7km (SBS on Demand or SBS Viceland)

🏍 23:15 - WorldSSP Navarra Race 1, Round 7 (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 23:30 - German Bundesliga - SC Freiburg v Borussia Dortmund (BeIN Sports 3)

🏉 00:00 - Super League - Hull FC v Hull Kingston Rovers (Fox League)

⚽️ 00:00 - English Premier League:

• Aston Villa v Newcastle United (Optus Sport 2)

• Crystal Palace v Brentford (Optus Sport 3)

• Leeds United v Everton (Optus Sport 4)

• Manchester City v Norwich City (Optus Sport 5)

⚽️ 00:00 - English Championship - Sheffield United v Huddersfield Town (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 00:00 - The Hundred Women's Final (Fox Cricket)

SUNDAY

⛳️ 07:00 - PGA Tour Champions - Boeing Classic, Round 2 (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 07:30 - MLS - Columbus Crew v Seattle Sounders (BeIN Sports 2)

🎾 08:00 - ATP Western & Southern Open, Semi-Final 2, Day 7 (BeIN Sports 1)

⛳️ 09:00 - Korn Ferry Tour - Boise Open, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

👊🏻 09:00 - UFC Fight Night Prelims (ESPN)

⚽️ 10:00 - MLS - Philadelphia Union v CF Montreal (BeIN Sports 2)

🤼 10:00 - WWESummer - Slam (Fox Sports More)

🚘 10:40 - IndyCar Madison Bommarito Automotive Group Race (Fox Sports)

⚾️ 10:40 - MLB - San Diego Padres v Philadelphia Phillies (Sky Sports 3)

⚽️ 11:00 - MLS - Austin FC v Portland Timbers (BeIN Sports 3)

🥊 11:00 - Welterweight Title - Manny Pacquiao v Yordenis Ugas (Main Event)

⚽️ 12:00 - MLS - Vancouver Whitecaps v Los Angeles FC (BeIN Sports 2)

👊🏻 12:00 - UFC Fight Night Main Card - Kelvin Gastelum v Jared Cannonier (ESPN)

🇦🇺 12:15 - AFL - St. Kilda Saints v Fremantle Dockers (Fox Footy)

🏉 14:00 - NRL - St. George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters (Fox League)

🇦🇺 15:20 - AFL - Essendon Bombers v Collingwood Magpies (Fox Footy)

🏉 16:05 - NRL - Brisbane Broncos v Warriors (Fox League or Channel 9)

🇦🇺 16:40 - AFL - Adelaide Crows v North Melb. Kangaroos (Fox Footy)

🚘 18:15 - DTM Nurburgring Qualifying Race 2, Round 4 (BeIN Sports 3)

🏍 19:00 - WorldSBK Navarra Superpole Race, Round 7 (Fox Sports More)

🏍 20:30 - WorldSSP Navarra Race 2, Round 7 (Fox Sports More)

⛳️ 21:00 - European Tour, Czech Masters, Round 4 (Fox Sports)

⚽️21:00 - Scottish Premiership - Dundee v Hibernian (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️21:00 - France Ligue 1 - Lyon v Clermont Foot 63 (BeIN Sports 1)

🚘 21:30 - DTM Nurburgring Race 2, Round 4 (BeIN Sports 3)

🏉 21:30 - Currie Cup - Griquas v Western Province (Stan Sport)

🏌🏼‍♀️ 22:00 - Women's British Open, Round 4 (Fox Sports)

🏍 22:00 - WorldSBK Navarra Race 2, Round 7 (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 23:00 - Premier League - Wolverhampton Wanderers v Tottenham (Optus Sport 3)

⚽️ 23:00 - Premier League - Southampton v Manchester United (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 23:00 - France Ligue 1 - Montpellier HSC v FC Lorient (BeIN Sports 1)

🏍 23:10 - British Superbikes Race 2, Round 6 (Fox Sports)

🚴🏼‍♀️ 23:15 - Vuelta a Espana, Stage 9, 188km (SBS on Demand or SBS Viceland)

⚽️ 23:30 - German Bundesliga - TSG Hoffenheim v FC Union Berlin (BeIN Sports 2)