🗞 Is he unbeatable?

October 15, 2020

G'day sports fans,

Classic quote: "You'll never make a footballer while your arse points to the ground." - the late Jack Charlton (player and coach) to a young player.

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🐴 Everest Preview

🇦🇺 NFL without pads is called AFL

🏉 Cry babies say they're not cry babies

...and much more!

🇦🇺 AFL

Port Adelaide (1.80) v Richmond Tigers (2.0) - The Power will host their first Preliminary Final in Adelaide since 2004 on Friday night in what is shaping up to be one of the games of the year.

Richmond, meanwhile, returns to the Prelim for the fourth year in a row, only this time around the Tigers won’t have the added advantage of 90,000+ behind them at the MCG.

These two sides played out an absolute classic earlier in the year that has certainly added some spice to the rematch.

  • Round 11: Port Adelaide 13.15 (93) d Richmond 11.6 (72)

  • Three Port Adelaide players – Travis Boak, Tom Rockliff and Ollie Wines – average more disposals than Richmond's top ball-winner Dustin Martin in 2020 (20.6 disposals per game).

  • Port Adelaide have won their last 6 at the Adelaide Oval

Check out the final standings in AFL.com.au's Brownlow Predictor.

Brisbane Lions (1.74) v Geelong Cats (2.10) - The Lions and the Cats have put on some absolute classics in recent years and it would come as no surprise to witness another at the Gabba on Saturday night.

Brisbane has enjoyed a week’s rest to prepare for their first Preliminary Final since 2004, the same year they lost the flag to Port Adelaide.

The Cats, on the other hand, come in red-hot following a monumental 68-point win over Collingwood last week that caught just about everyone off guard.

  • Round 6: Geelong 11.7 (73) d Brisbane 6.10 (46)

  • Both teams are undefeated at the Gabba in 2020. Brisbane are a perfect 10-for-10, while Geelong has won all four of its matches by an average of 56 points.

  • It should be no surprise which two Geelong players have stepped their game up the most from the home and away season to the finals. Joel Selwood is averaging 15.8 AFL Player Ratings points a game during the finals, up from 8.6, while Patrick Dangerfield is at 17.7, up from 13.6.

🏉 NRL

Signings Tracker

✍🏼 The Canberra Raiders have announced the signing of Panthers fullback Caleb Aekins (22) for the 2021 season.

👋🏼 Reserve Sharks hooker Cameron King has announced his retirement after a 10-year career that featured stints at the Dragons, Cowboys and Eels.

✍🏼 Canterbury have continued their re-stock of playing talent heading into 2021 by signing Jack Hetherington to a two-year deal.

✍🏼 Kane Evans is joining the Warriors and Stefano Utoikamanu is off to the Wests Tigers

❌ While Jai Field, Andrew Davey, Rhys Davies, Jaeman Salmon and Brad Takairangi will not have their contracts renewed.

Previews

Storm (1.47) v Raiders (2.75): Munster named; Canberra unscathed (match preview). After a shock loss at AAMI Park in last year’s finals, the Melbourne Storm will be looking for revenge against the Canberra Raiders when they compete for a spot in the 2020 Grand Final.

This time they will play at Suncorp Stadium, which still holds home-ground advantage for the Storm, who have won eight straight in Brisbane.

  • Three of the last four games have been decided by no more than a try.

  • Josh Addo-Carr (Storm) has scored at least one try in his last 8 at Suncorp Stadium.

  • Canberra has lost each of their last 4 at Suncorp by 1-12pts (3.0)

Panthers (1.45) v Rabbitohs (2.85): Capewell replaces Kikau; Souths unchanged (match preview). The Panthers find themselves back in the Preliminary Final for the first time since 2014 as they hope to extend their record-breaking winning streak to 21 on Saturday against the Rabbitohs.

The Rabbitohs, on the other hand, are perhaps the most dangerous side remaining after recording their third consecutive double-digit victory last week.

  • Seven of South Sydney's last 8 games at ANZ Stadium, have gone over total points line (44.5pts)

  • Josh Mansour (Panthers) has scored at least one try in each of Penrith's last 7 matches.

  • Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs) has scored a try in each of South Sydney's last 3 matches. (23.0 to score first)

📺 on Twitter

🏉 NRLW

Roosters v Broncos: The Roosters will be keen to break their head-to-head duck when they meet two-time defending premiers Brisbane in a grand final preview at ANZ Stadium on Saturday. (match preview)

  • The Broncos are the competition's most formidable attacking unit. Brisbane rank first for points (46), tries (8), goals (7), tackle breaks (65) and try assists (4)

Dragons v Warriors: Apps, Kelly out; Warriors make changes. Neither the Dragons or Warriors can make the grand final after consecutive defeats, but they'll both be desperate to finish their campaigns with a victory. (match preview)

  • The Dragons must be alert in defence because the Warriors have thrown more offloads (19) than anyone else so far this year.

⚽️ Football

A-League Round Up

  • Kristian Popovic has signed for Xanthi FC from Perth Glory.

  • Wellington Phoenix midfielder Matti Steinman is set to sign for East Bengal.

  • Josh Brillante has signed for Xanthi FC after leaving Melbourne City.

  • Newcastle at risk of collapse because of poor finances (ftbl)

  • After leaving Brisbane Roar, Aaron Amadi-Holloway is set to follow Robbie Fowler to East Bengal.

  • Newcastle Jets Head Coach, Carl Robinson and his assistant, Kenny Miller have departed the Club to take up roles at Western Sydney.

Socceroos line up a date at Wembley

The FFA are quietly using the vote or lack of (England sided with Colombia bid for the host of the Women's 2023), as leverage in negotiations with the FA for a showdown in the November international window at the famous Wembley Stadium – where Australia has never played before.

England were lined up to play New Zealand who have pulled out due to Coronavirus and quarantine complexities. (SMH)

The Socceroos would have a squad of European based players because of coronavirus restrictions.

🐴 Racing

Everest: Nature Strip unbeatable?

Nature Strip has been a source of frustration for punters throughout his race career but now is not the time to “jump off the bandwagon”.

This is the advice of one of the nation’s leading form experts, Gary Crispe, who believes if Nature Strip produces his best, he is simply too good for his rivals in the $15 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Crispe rates Nature Strip’s big danger as Godolphin’s Bivouac. (racenet)

Nature Strip and Classique Legend share favouritism at $4.20 ahead of Gytrash at $6.

Glenn Boss, the defending The Everest champ, having won on crack colt Yes Yes Yes last year, thinks it is between two. His ride Bivouac (surprise) and the joint favourite Classique Legend.

The Sport Journal Club members took a hit earlier in the month when their slot horse - Rothfire pulled out injured as part of the mirunners syndicate. We're now right behind Eduardo and top jock, Rachel King.

Good luck whoever you're cheering on!

Co-trainer Sam Freedman sees little similarities with last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare in Warning’s build-up to his big spring assignments.

⛹🏻‍♀️ Super Netball

2020 Grand Final preview

There's no surprise Grand Final is between the Melbourne Vixens (1.67) and West Coast Fever (2.20).

A true strength-vs-strength matchup, we’re about to see if the league’s stingiest defensive unit in the Melbourne Vixens can slow down a Fever attack end that has scored an average of 69 points per game in 2020.

The 2020 Grand Final will be played by two teams that win in very different ways. We take a deep dive into some of the tactics we can expect to see from the Melbourne Vixens and West Coast Fever.

🏉 Rugby

Second Bledisloe Test

New Zealand (-15 on the handicap). Beauden Barrett starting at 15, after injury.

The form book went out of the window last week and we'll be hoping for more of the same this week.

New Zealanders were left shocked as the Australians were able to hang in there and should have probably won the opening Test match in Wellington. - Has anyone checked on

"That type of play on the field has got to be dealt with by the ref. There were several occasions where there was some off-ball incidents, but it’s got to be dealt with properly on the field. - Cried NZ Assistant Plumtree

The series heads to Eden Park in Auckland; a ground the visitors haven’t tasted victory at since 1986.

A Rugby Championship without South Africa

Reports are that South Africa will be withdrawing from the Rugby Championship.

Expected to be confirmed today.

SA Rugby are concerned about, amongst other things, their player's welfare having only returned to competitive rugby in recent weeks.

The Championship will be held in Sydney and Brisbane over a week from October 31.

There has been a suggestion the Springboks could be replaced by a Barbarians side in the tournament to ensure the draw stays in intact.

European Heineken Champions Cup

In Europe it's the final of the Champions Cup. The Paris Party Boys - Racing '92 (3.0), including Finn Russell, Simon Zebo, Teddy Tomas, take on the agricultural Farmers from Exeter (1.50)

🐕 Greyhounds

Million Dollar Chase

When: Tonight 22:03 (AEDT)

TV: Sky Racing 1

The stage is set for the world’s richest greyhound race – the TAB Million Dollar Chase, tonight at Wentworth Park.

The WA star, Tommy Shelby, currently priced up at (3.0) looks to be most experts pick . His three runs at Wenty have been spectacular and box eight with all the speed drawn down near the fence looks ideal. Loved his semi-final win and he looks all set to run a bottler.

Although it goes without saying that favourite - Flying Ricciardo (2.7) will be hard to beat from trap 3, coming off 4 wins in a row.

A syndicate comprising 70 owners are on the brink of living one of racing’s greatest fairy tales in tonight’s TAB Million Dollar Chase Grand Final

🇺🇸 USA

LaMelo Ball, a potential #1 pick in the 2020 NBA draft, has signed a multi-year shoe deal with PUMA.

LaMelo also hinted that a PUMA signature shoe might be in the works.

Will Tom Brady's Bucs hand Aaron Rodgers' Packers their first loss of the season? Who wins the highly anticipated AFC North tilt: Browns or Steelers? Gregg Rosenthal picks every game on the Week 6 slate.

📺 Live Weekend Sport 👇🏼

🏉 05:45 - Super League - St Helens v Wakefield Trinity (Fox League)

⛳️ 08:00 - PGA Tour, The CJ Cup, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⚾️ 08:07 - American League Championship Series - Houston Astros v Tampa Bay Rays (ESPN 2)

🚘 09:45 - Bathurst 1000 Practice 4, Round 10 (Fox Sports)

⚾️ 11:08 - National League Championship Series - Atlanta Braves v Los Angeles Dodgers (ESPN 1)

🚘 11:35 - Dunlop Super2/Super3Super2/Super3 Qualifying Race 1 (Fox Sports)

🐴 16:55 - Listed Race, Murray Bridge Gold Cup, 1,600m (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🏉 17:05 - Mitre 10 Cup - Hawke's Bay v Northland (Fox Sports)

🏍 18:55 - MotoGP Practice 1, Round 11 (Fox Sports More)

🏉 19:50 - NRL Preliminary Final - Melbourne Storm v Canberra Raiders (Fox League or Nine)

🇦🇺 19:50 - AFL Preliminary Final - Port Adelaide Power v Richmond Tigers (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🎾 21:00 - ATP - St. Petersburg Open, Quarter-Finals (ESPN 2)

🎱 21:45 - English Open Quarter-Final (Eurosport 1)

🐕 22:03 - Australian, Million Dollar Chase, 520m (Sky Racing 1)

⛳️ 22:30 - European Tour, Scottish Championship, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🏍 23:10 - Aragon MotoGP Practice 2, Round 11 (Fox Sports More)

Saturday

🏏 01:00 - Indian Premier League - Mumbai Indians v Kolkata Knight Riders (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 04:00 - France Ligue 1 - Dijon FCO v Stade Rennais (BeIN Sports 1)

🏉 04:00 - Super Rugby Unlocked - Cheetahs v BullsFox Sports

🎱 04:45 - English Open Snooker Quarter-Final, Night 5 (Eurosport 1)

⚽️ 05:45 - English Championship - Derby County v Watford (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 05:45 - Scottish Championship - Heart of Midlothian v Dundee (BeIN Sports 3)

⛳️ 06:00 - PGA Tour Champions, Dominion Charity Classic (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 06:00 - France Ligue 1 - Nimes Olympique v Paris Saint-Germain (BeIN Sports 1)

⛳️ 08:00 - PGA Tour, The CJ Cup, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🏈 09:00 - NCAA - Tulane Green Wave v Southern Methodist Uni. Mustangs (ESPN 2)

⚾️ 09:07 - American League Championship Series - Tampa Bay Rays v Houston Astros (ESPN 1)

🚘 09:10 - Bathurst 1000 Practice 6, Round 10 (Fox Sports)

🏉 12:05 - Mitre 10 Cup - Manawatu v Bay of Plenty (Fox Sports)

🏉 12:05 - Mitre 10 Cup - Wellington Rugby v North Harbour (Fox Sports More)

⚾️ 12:08 - National League Championship Series - Atlanta Braves v Los Angeles Dodgers (ESPN 1)

🏉 12:30 - NRLW Premiership - St George Ill. Dragons Women v Warriors Women (Fox League or Nine)

🏈12:30 - NCAA - Houston Cougars v BYU Cougars (ESPN 2)

🐴 12:30 - Non Listed, Victory Vein Plate (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central or 7)

🐴 13:25 - Listed Race, Gothic Stakes (7 or Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🚘 13:30 - Dunlop Super2/Super3Super2/Super3 Qualifying Race 2 (10 or Fox Sports)

🐴 14:15 - Listed Race, Reginald Allen Quality (7 or Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🏉 14:35 - Mitre 10 Cup - Auckland Rugby v Tasman Mako (Fox Sports)

🐴 14:50 - Non Listed, The Kosciuszko (7 or Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🐴 15:10 - Listed Race, Alinghi Stakes (7 or Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🐴 15:45 - Group 2, Caulfield Sprint (7 or Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🚘 16:00 - Dunlop Super2/Super3Super2/Super3 Race 2 (10 or Fox Sports)

🏉 16:00 - NRLW Premiership - Sydney Roosters Women v Brisbane Broncos Women (Fox League or Nine)

🐴 16:15 - Non Listed, The TAB Everest, 1,200m - WFA7 or Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

⚽️ 17:00 - J1 League, Cerezo Osaka v Yokohama F. Marinos (Optus Sport 1)

🚘 17:05 - Bathurst 1000 Top 10 Shootout, Round 10 (10 or Fox Sports)

🏉 17:05 - Mitre 10 Cup - Southland v Taranaki (Fox Sports)

🐴 17:15 - Group 1, Caulfield Cup, 2,400m - HCP (7 or Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🐴 17:50 - Group 2, Tristarc Stakes (Racing.com or Sky Racing or 7TWO)

⚽️ 18:30 - K League 1 - Seongnam FC v FC Seoul (Optus Sport 2)

🏍 18:55 - Aragon MotoGP Practice 3 (Fox Sports More)

🐎 19:22 - Group 3 Pacers, Aquagait Equine Centre Ladyship Pace, 1,609m (Sky Racing 1)

🐴 19:30 - Listed Race, R.S. Crawford Stakes (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🇦🇺 19:40 - AFL Preliminary Final - Brisbane Lions v Geelong Cats (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🏉 19:50 - NRL Preliminary Final - Penrith Panthers v South Sydney Rabbitohs (Fox League or Nine)

🐎 20:32 - 3YO Victoria Trotters Oaks Fillies, 2,240m (Sky Racing 1)

🏍 21:00 - WorldSBK Portugal Superpole, Round 8 (Fox Sports)

🏏 21:00 - Indian Premier League - Rajasthan Royals v Royal Challengers Bangalore (Fox Cricket)

🏍 21:35 - Aragon Moto3 Qualifying, Round 11 (Fox Sports More)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 21:45 - Giro d'Italia, Stage 14, 34.1km - ITT (Eurosport 1)

🎾 22:00 - ATP St. Petersburg Open, Semi-Final 1, Day 6 (ESPN 2)

⚽️ 22:00 - Spanish La Liga - Granada v Sevilla (BeIN Sports 1)

🐎 22:0 - 22YO Trotters, 2YO Home Grown Classic Final Trotting C&G, 1,720m (Sky Racing 1)

🏍 22:20 - WorldSSP, 300 Portugal Superpole (Fox Sports)

🏍 22:30MotoGP of AragonAragon MotoGP Practice 4, Round 11Fox Sports More

⚽️ 22:30 - Scottish Premiership, Celtic v Rangers (BeIN Sports 2)

🚘 22:30 - DTM Zolder Race 1, Round 8 (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 22:30 - Premier League - Everton v Liverpool (Optus Sport 1)

🐎 22:32 - 2YO Home Grown Classic Final Trotting Fillies, 1,720m (Sky Racing 1)

🎱 23:00 - English Open Semi-Final, Day 6 (Eurosport 1)

⛳️ 23:00 - European Tour, Scottish Championship, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

🏍 23:10 - Aragon MotoGP Qualifying 1, Round 11 (Fox Sports More)

Sunday

🎾 00:00 - ATP St. Petersburg Open, Semi-Final 2, Day 6 (ESPN 2)

🏍 00:00 - WorldSBK Portugal Race 1, Round 8 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 00:00 - Italian Serie A - Napoli v Atalanta (BeIN Sports 1)

🏍 00:10 - 2Aragon Moto2 Qualifying, Round 11 (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 00:30 - German Bundesliga - TSG Hoffenheim v Borussia Dortmund (BeIN Sports 3)

🚘 01:00 - World Rallycross Championship - World RX of Catalunya, Round 7 (Fox Sports More)

🏉 01:00 - Challenge Cup Final - Leeds Rhinos v Salford Red Devils (Fox League)

⚽️ 01:00 - Premier League - Chelsea v Southampton (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 01:00 - English Championship - Bournemouth v Queens Park Rangers (BeIN Sports 2)

🏏 01:00 - Indian Premier League - Delhi Capitals v Chennai Super Kings (Fox Cricket)

🐴 01:40 - Group 1, British Champion Stakes, 2,000m (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

⚽️ 03:00 - Italian Serie A - Inter Milan v Milan (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 03:30 - German Bundesliga - Arminia Bielefeld v Bayern Munich (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 03:30 - Premier League - Manchester City v Arsenal (Optus Sport 1)

🎱04:45 - English Open Snooker Semi-Final, Night 6 (Eurosport 1)

🥊 05:00 - Super Lightweight Title - Lewis Ritson v Miguel Vazquez (Fox Sports More)

⛳️ 05:30 - PGA Tour Champions, Dominion Charity Classic, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 05:30 - German Bundesliga - Borussia Monchengladbach v VfL Wolfsburg (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 05:45Italian Serie AFC Crotone v JuventusBeIN Sports 1

⚽️ 06:00 - Premier League - Newcastle United v Manchester United (Optus Sport 1)

⚾️ 07:38 - National League Championship Series - Los Angeles Dodgers v Atlanta Braves (ESPN 1)

⛳️ 08:00 - PGA Tour, The CJ Cup, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

👊🏻 10:00 - UFC Fight Night Main Card - Brian Ortega v Chan Sung Jung (ESPN 2)

🏉 11:15 - Mitre 10 Cup - Otago v Counties Manukau (Fox Sports)

🚘 11:30 - Bathurst 1000 Race, Round 10 (10 or Fox Sports)

⚾️ 11:37 - American League Championship Series - Tampa Bay Rays v Houston Astros (ESPN 1)

⛹🏻‍♀️ 13:00 - Super Netball Grand Final - Melbourne Vixens v West Coast Fever (Nine)

🥊 13:00 - Lightweight Title - Vasyl Lomachenko v Teofimo Lopez (Fox Sports More)

🏉 14:00 - Bledisloe Cup - New Zealand v Australia (10 Bold or Fox Sports)

⚽️ 15:00 - J1 League - Consadole Sapporo v Kashima Antlers (Optus Sport 1)

🏉 16:00 - Shute Shield Semi-Final - Eastern Suburbs Rugby v Eastwood Rugby (7TWO)

⚽️ 16:00 - J1 League - Yokohama FC v FC Tokyo (Optus Sport 2)

🐴 16:00 (TBC) - Listed Race, Seymour Cup, 1,600m - HCP (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🚘 18:20 - World Touring Car Cup - Race of Hungary (Eurosport 1)

🐴 18:35 (TBC) - Group 1, Shuka Sho, 2,000m (Sky Racing 2)

🏅 19:00 - Awards Ceremony, Brownlow Medal (7mate)

🏍 20:00 - Aragon Moto3 Race, Round 11 (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 21:00 - J1 League - Kawasaki Frontale v Nagoya Grampus (Optus Sport 1)

🏏 21:00 - Indian Premier League - Sunrisers Hyderabad v Kolkata Knight Riders (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 21:00 - K League 1 - Pohang Steelers v Ulsan Hyundai (Optus Sport 3)

🏍 21:00 - WorldSBK Portugal Superpole Race, Round 8 (Fox Sports)

🚘 21:00 - World Touring Car Cup - Race of Hungary, Race 2, Round 4 (Eurosport 1)

🏍 21:20 - Aragon Moto2 Race, Round 11 (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 21:30 - Italian Serie A - Bologna v Sassuolo (BeIN Sports 3)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 22:00 - Giro d'Italia, Stage 15, 185km (Eurosport 1)

⚽️ 22:00 - Premier League - Sheffield United v Fulham (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 22:00 - English Championship - Preston North End v Cardiff City (BeIN Sports 2)

⛳️ 22:00 - European Tour, Scottish Championship, Round 4 (Fox Sports)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 22:30 - UCI Men's World Tour, Tour of Flanders (SBS Viceland)

🏍 22:30 - WorldSSP Portugal Race 2 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 22:30 - FA Women's Super League - West Ham United Women v Manchester United Women (Optus Sport 2)

🎱 22:45 - English Open Snooker - Final (Eurosport 1)

🏍 23:00 - Aragon MotoGP Race, Round 11 (10 Bold or Fox Sports More)