G'day sports fans,

Classic commentary: Legend Dennis Cometti, on North Melbourne’s pint-sized Brent Harvey:

"He might be the only guy in the competition whose feet appear in his driver licence photo."

In today's edition of Sport Journal:

🇦🇺 AFL to go ahead - for now

🏉 Bulldogs lose another major sponsor

🏏 Siddle opens up on 'double life'

World's sh**test team mate!

Coronavirus impact on sport

The NBA has suspended the remainder of its regular season because of coronavirus. The league is currently meeting to discuss the next course of action.

A list of events currently suspended, or cancelled due to the Coronavirus now include:

• 🏀 NBA

• ⚽️ Italian Serie A

• ⚽️ Spanish La Liga

• 🏍 MotoGP events

• 🏉 Six Nations Rugby (Wales v Scotland is on)

• ⚽️ Socceroos matches

• 🏉 World Rugby Sevens

• 🏍 World Superbikes events

• 🎾 WTA & ATP Tennis

• ⚽️ UEFA Football matches

• ⚽️ MLS

• 🏀 College Basketball

You get the idea!

🇦🇺 AFL

AFL says season to go ahead – for now

The AFL will proceed with Round 1 as planned at this stage despite other sports suspending their season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the AFL is planning for the season's opener between Richmond and Carlton, and the whole of round one, to go ahead as fixtured, despite the potentially massive disruption of the season by the coronavirus.

The AFL would look to use the bye rounds as an option for rescheduling games in the worst case scenario that the coronavirus forced games to be cancelled. (TheAge)

Hawks ‘Hulk’, Bombers ‘beast’: AFL players reveal the strongest star at every club

Two Brisbane Lions players eat weights, according to one of their teammates.

While one Bomber just can’t resist showing off his ‘pipes’.

In their own words, AFL players reveal to foxfooty.com.au who the strongest men at their club are. (continue reading)

🏉 NRL

Another one walks away: Dogs lose second sponsor in days over schoolgirl sex scandal

Only days after losing a $2 million major sponsorship deal, the Canterbury Bulldogs have had another company pull its support following the schoolgirl sex scandal that’s rocked the NRL.

Family restaurant chain Rashays announced earlier this week that they would no longer pump money into Canterbury after revelations players Corey Harawira-Naera and Jayden Okunbor engaged in sexual activity with two high school girls while in Port Macquarie for a trial. (Fox)

Social media messages between Jayden Okunbor and a schoolgirl reveal how the Bulldogs star engaged with a Port Macquarie teenager during a pre-season trip that ended in scandal.

On the pitch: Young Eel’s 65th-minute try sinks desperate Dogs in chaotic NRL season opener

A Reed Mahoney try proved the difference as Parramatta opened the NRL season with an unconvincing 8-2 victory over an embattled Canterbury.

Still reeling from the sex scandal that resulted in the standing down of two players this week, a gritty Bulldogs pushed the Eels all the way on Thursday.

Scores were locked at 2-all for almost half of a sapping contest at Bankwest Stadium until Mahoney showed reacted quickest to post the game’s only try.

‘Is Parramatta a s***hole?’: Fletch and Hindy stitch up players with lie detector

Fletch and Hindy are back... and no NRL player is safe in 2020.

Fox League funny men Nathan Hindmarsh and Bryan Fletcher kicked the season off by putting some of the game’s biggest stars through a lie detector.

Cameron Smith, Clint Gutherson, Mitchell Moses, Cameron Munster, and Corey Oates were among those put in the chair and grilled by the retired legends.

“Do you live in Parramatta?” they asked Eels halfback Moses.

He replied no.

“Is that because it’s a s***hole?” Fletcher asked, to which Moses laughed.

They then asked Melbourne captain Smith if he owned a boat, to which he said “no” and got zapped by the detector.

🏎 F1

McLaren first F1 team to withdraw from Australia following positive virus test

Shortly after Lewis Hamilton publicly stated it was 'Shocking' the Australian was taking place...McLaren withdrew from the season-opening Australian Grand Prix after a team member tested positive for coronavirus, officials said on Thursday.

"McLaren Racing has confirmed this evening in Melbourne that it has withdrawn from the 2020 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, following the positive test of a team member for the coronavirus," read a statement.

⚽️ Football

Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners: (match preview) The competition's basement boys have gone eight straight matches without picking up a single point.

Sydney FC v Perth Glory: (match preview) Sydney FC have won 12 of their last 13 A-League matches against Perth Glory (L1), they have scored an average of 2.8 goals per game in that span.

Melbourne City v Western Sydney Wanderers: (match preview) The Wanderers have won only one of their last 13 A-League games in Victoria (D3, L9) and haven’t won at AAMI Park since November 2015 (D1, L6 since).

Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory: (match preview) Five of the last six Hyundai A-League matches between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory have ended in a draw, a 3-1 win to Victory the only different result in that span in last season’s Finals Series.

Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets: (match preview) Adelaide United are undefeated in their last six Hyundai A-League matches against the Newcastle Jets (W4, D2). The Reds have won each of their last two meetings.

🏏 Cricket

‘I’d f***ed up’: Peter Siddle opens up on ‘borderline alcoholic, double life’ in Test career

Peter Siddle has opened up on his battle with alcohol, revealing he would regularly black out during multi-day "benders" that put his career and life at risk.

The veteran fast bowler said he was a "borderline alcoholic" early in his career when he was living a "double life" as a cricketer by day and "party boy" by night.

Siddle said it was not uncommon for him to have blackouts during his marathon drinking sessions, during which he would consume "in excess of 25, 30 drinks" and recalled how he once drove for 50 minutes after a day of partying.

The Victorian seamer said he narrowly escaped an alcohol-related scandal during the 2009 Ashes tour when he was filmed during a physical confrontation with a local in Leeds.

Siddle also revealed his binge drinking nearly cost him his relationship with his now wife Anna, who returned to his house to find him in the company of another person.

Siddle, now a vegan and teetotaller, said he was approaching eight years without a drink. Had he not quit, he said he would most likely have been "sacked from cricket before I got to 30". Instead, he bowed out of the international game as one of the most respected cricketers in Australia. (TheAge)

🏀 B'Ball

NBL grand final series won’t be impacted despite Perth Wildcats players, coaches being on the same plane as confirmed carrier

The NBL grand final series won’t be impacted by the coronavirus despite Perth Wildcats players and coaches being on the same plane as a confirmed carrier.

The Wildcats flew back from Sydney on QF581 on Monday but weren’t seated near the infected person.

Onto game 2: Perth Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson has urged the referees to be on the lookout for some "borderline dirty" tactics from Sydney in game two of the NBL grand- final series.

Kings star Xavier Cooks irked Gleeson earlier this week when he declared Sydney needed to put Wildcats star Bryce Cotton on the deck a couple of times and tire him out.

Gleeson said it was now up to the referees to deal with the situation when the teams lock horns at RAC Arena on Friday night.

"If it's intentional that they're trying to hurt one of our players, then they (the referees) have got to have a response for that.

"So if they're doing it, it's borderline dirty and intentional, so the referees have got to make a call."

Perth lead the best-of-five series 1-0 after posting an upset 88-86 win in Sydney last week. (SMH)

NBA crisis deepens as SECOND All-Star tests positive for coronavirus after teammate's 'careless' act

Donovan Mitchell joined Rudy Gobert to become the second Utah Jazz player to test positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus), and some finger-pointing has already begun.

The Jazz made an announcement early Friday morning (AEDT) that a second player had contracted the virus, and ESPN was quick to report that the player was Mitchell; the team's other All-Star.

ESPN's additional reporting on Mitchell's positive test painted a picture of a 'careless' and 'cavalier' Gobert, who apparently 'touched other players and their belongings', not aware that he had contracted the coronavirus. He also is reported to have touched reporter's microphone's (YahooSports)

🐴 Racing

All-Star Mile 2020: Runner-by-runner preview and tips from Punter.com

The $5 million All-Star Mile is finally upon us, with Caulfield the scene of this year's race.

There has been plenty of late chopping and changing in terms of the field but the overall quality is high.

With rain forecast on Friday (8-15mm), there is a chance the track could be rain-affected, but a Soft 6 seems the worst possible case (working to a Soft 5).

Comprehensive runner-by-runner preview, speed map, tips and suggested betting play (continue reading)

Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup Day Preview (by SJ reader Scott)

After three top-rated winners on Wednesday, we end the Festival with Gold Cup day, will stick to the first four races.

TRIUMPH HURDLE

The media have pumped up two boom horses in this, Goshen, who has won his three hurdle starts by a collective 68 lengths, and Solo, which bolted it on British debut at Kempton recently. But I'm not sure either of them has beaten much or really been challenged. Allmankind for Dan Skelton is also unbeaten and won a G1 Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow, ahead of Cerberus (rival here) and Nordano, which has form through Goshen. That race had a high-speed rating, and that is a key stat for this. Solo will be in the mix while Aspire Tower can make up for his last start fall when odds-on fav for a G1.

1.Allmankind, 10.Solo, 2.Aspire Tower

COUNTY HURDLE

Another beast of a handicap and not a race to unload on. Ciel De Neige is still a maiden but only just missed out in the richest handicap hurdle of the season a month ago when starting favourite. He's another owned by JP McManus, who has had six winners this week at the time of writing and will give this a shake. Adjali looked like a juvenile gun last season but never quite went on with it. He's recently had a wind operation and races well fresh. You Raised Me Up was only just beaten in a big Irish handicap last time but isn't as fancied because his trainer is lower profile.

14.Ciel De Neige, 11.Adjali, 22.You Raised Me Up

ALBERT BARTLETT HURDLE

The race is colloquially known as 'The Potato Race' (the sponsor sells spuds), is a three-mile hurdle for novices, so we are looking at horses, which might be Grand National prospects in years ahead. Lieutenant Rocco has only had two starts under 'Rules' but has bolted in both times. Plenty more to come from him, big each-way chance. The Cashel Man was a handy stayer on the Flat who never quite made it to the level required to be sent to Melbourne in the Aussie spring. He was beaten 1.5L behind Thyme Hill in a G1 at Newbury over Xmas, yet he's 50/1, and Thyme Hill is 4/1 fav! The proper staying test in a big field will be right up his alley. Ramses de Teillee was fancied in the Grand National last season but has switched back to hurdling. Has won his last two, in with a shot.

11.Lieutenant Rocco, 17.The Cashel Man, 14.Ramses de Teillee

CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP

The headline race of the week. Al Boum Photo won this race last year and has had an identical preparation. This edition is no harder. Lostintranslation was the boom horse at the start of the season, then flopped in the King George. Has had a wind operation since and should be right in the finish. A longshot regularly runs into the placings of this high-pressure race, I'll add in Monalee for the place money.

1.Al Boum Photo, 8.Lostintranslation, 9.Monalee

Back on Monday....Wash ya hands!!

📺 Live sport

Correct at time of writing but you may want to confirm as it's all virus dependant

Friday

⛳️ 04:00 - PGA Tour, THE PLAYERS Championship, Round 1 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 04:55 - UEFA Europa League - LASK Linz v Manchester United (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 04:55 - UEFA Europa League - Eintracht Frankfurt v FC Basel (Optus Sport 3)

⚽️ 04:55 - UEFA Europa League - Sevilla v RomaOptus Sport 2 (981)

⚽️ 04:55 - UEFA Europa League - Istanbul Basaksehir v FC Copenhagen (Optus Sport 4)

🎯 06:00 - Premier League Darts, Round 6 (Fox Sports More)

🏉 06:45 - Super League - Hull FC v Warrington Wolves (Fox League)

⚽️ 07:00 - UEFA Europa League - Inter Milan v Getafe (Optus Sport 3) (982)

⚽️07:00 - UEFA Europa League - VfL Wolfsburg v Shakhtar Donetsk (Optus Sport 4)

⚽️ 07:00 - UEFA Europa League R16Rangers v Bayer LeverkusenOptus Sport 2)

⚽️ 07:00 - UEFA Europa League - Olympiacos FC v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Optus Sport 1)

🏀 07:00 - EuroLeague - Real Madrid Basketball v Crvena zvezda Basketball (Fox Sports)

🚘 10:10 - Melbourne 400 Qualifying Race 3, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

🚘 10:30 - Melbourne 400 Qualifying Race 4, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 11:00 - Copa Libertadores - Gremio v SC Internacional (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 11:00 - Copa Libertadores - Racing Club de Avellaneda v Alianza Lima (BeIN Sports 2)

🏒 12:00 - NHL - Calgary Flames v New York Islanders (ESPN 2)

🏎 12:00 - F1 Australian Grand Prix Practice 1 (10 Bold or Fox Sports)

🚘 13:50 - Melbourne 400 Race 1 (10 Bold or Fox Sports)

🏏 14:30 - ODI Series, Australia v New Zealand (Fox Cricket)

🚘 14:55 - Melbourne, Carrera Cup Melbourne Race 2, Round 2 (10 Bold or Fox Sports)

🏎 16:00 - F1 GPAustralian Grand Prix Practice 2, Round 1 (10 Bold or Fox Sports)

🏉 17:05 - Super Rugby - Chiefs v Hurricanes (Fox Sports More)

🏉 18:00 - NRL - Canberra Raiders v Gold Coast Titans (Fox League)

🇦🇺19:10 - AFLW - Geelong Cats Women v North Melbourne Kangaroos Women (Fox Footy)

⚽️ 19:30 - A-League - Brisbane Roar v Central Coast Mariners (Fox Sports)

🏉 20:05 - NRL - North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos (Fox League or Nine)

🐴 21:30 (TBC) Group 2, Alister Clark Stakes, 2,040m - SW, 3YO (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1)

🏀 21:30 - NBL Grand Final Series - Perth Wildcats v Sydney Kings (ESPN 1 or SBS Viceland)

Saturday

⛳️ 04:00 - THE PLAYERS Championship, Round 2 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 06:45 - English Championship - Fulham v Brentford (BeIN Sports 2)

🏉 06:45 - Super League Regular Season - Salford Red Devils v Wigan Warriors (Fox League)

⚽️ 07:00SoccerSpanish La LigaReal Madrid v Eibar (BeIN Sports 3)

🚘 12:00 - Melbourne 400 Race 2, Round 2 (Fox Sports or Ten)

🏉 12:40 - NSW Cup - Newcastle Knights ISP v Warriors ISP (Fox League)

🚘 13:00 - Melbourne Carrera Cup Race 3, Round 2 (Fox Sports or Ten)

🐴 13:25 - Group 3, Pago Pago Stakes, 1,200m - C&G7 or Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🐴 14:00 - Group 3, Magic Night Stakes (7 or Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central)

🏎 14:00 - F1 Australian Grand Prix Practice 3, Round 1 (Fox Sports or Ten)

⚽️ 14:00 - W-League Semi-Final - Melbourne Victory Women v Sydney FC (WomenABC or Fox Sports)

🏉 14:25 - Super Rugby - Blues v Lions (Fox Sports More)

🏉 15:00 - NRL Regular Season - Newcastle Knights v Warriors (Fox League)

🐴 15:10 - Group 2, Phar Lap Stakes, 1,500m - SW, 3YO (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central or 7)

🇦🇺 15:10 - AFLW - Brisbane Lions Women v Collingwood Women (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🚘 15:20 - Melbourne 400 Race 3, Round 2 (Fox Sports or Ten)

🐴 15:45 - Group 2, Ajax Stakes, 1,500m (Sky Racing 1 or Sky Thoroughbred Central or 7)

🐴 16:25 - Group 1, Coolmore Classic, 1,500m (Sky Racing 1or Sky Thoroughbred Central or 7)

🏉 16:35 - Super Rugby - Sunwolves v Crusaders (Fox Sports More)

🐴 16:45- Australian, All-Star Mile, 1,600m (Racing.com or Sky Racing 1 or 7)

⚽️ 17:00 - A-League - Sydney FC v Perth Glory (ABC or Fox Sports)

🏎 17:00 - F1 GPAustralian Grand Prix Qualifying, Round 1 (Fox Sports or Ten)

🇦🇺 17:10 - AFLW - St Kilda Saints Women v Richmond Tigers Women (Fox Footy)

🏉 17:30 - NRL - South Sydney Rabbitohs v Cronulla Sharks (Fox League)

🏇🏻 18:28 - Harness Racing, Pacers Non Group Race Charlie Furina Memorial (Sky Racing 1)

🏇🏻 18:57 - Harness Racing, Pacers Non Group Race (Sky Racing 1)

🏉 19:15 - Super Rugby - Reds v Bulls (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 19:30 - A-League - Melbourne City v Western Sydney Wanderers (Fox Sports)

🏇🏻 19:30 - Harness Racing, Pacers Non Group Race (Sky Racing 1)

🏉 19:35 - NRL - Penrith Panthers v Sydney Roosters (Fox League)

🇦🇺 19:40 - AFLW - Melbourne Demons Women v Carlton Blues Women (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🏇🏻19:47 (TBC) Harness Racing, 2YO Pacers G12YO SA Sale Classic Final, 1,609m (Sky Racing 1)

🏇🏻 20:00 - Harness Racing, Pacers Non Group Race, Ladyship Stakes, 1,609m (Sky Racing 1)

🏇🏻 20:32 - Harness Racing, Group 3 Pacers, King of Swing FFA, 1,609m (Sky Racing 1)

🏇🏻 21:05 - Harness Racing, 4YO Trotters, 4YO Trotters Foundation Series Final, 1,609m (Sky Racing 1)

🏇🏻 21:35 - Harness Racing, Pacers Non Group Race, Platinum Projex Pace, 1,609m (Sky Racing 1)

🏇🏻 22:32 - Harness Racing, Pacers Non Group Race, Woodlands Stud Pace, 1,609m (Sky Racing 1)

⚽️ 23:00 - Spanish La Liga - Leganes v Real Valladolid (BeIN Sports 1)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 23:20 - UCI Men's World Tour, Paris-Nice, Stage 7, 166.5km (SBS)

⚽️ 23:30 - Premier League - Watford v Leicester City (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 23:30 - English Championship - West Bromwich Albion v Birmingham City (BeIN Sports 2)

🦴 23:57 (TBC) - GreyhoundsGroup 1, Perth Cup, 520m (Sky Racing 1)

Sunday

⚽️ 04:30 - Premier League - Aston Villa v Chelsea (Optus Sport 1)

⚽️ 04:30 - Spanish La Liga - RCD Mallorca v Barcelona (BeIN Sports 1)

⚽️ 04:30 - German Bundesliga - FC Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (BeIN Sports 3)

⛳️ 05:00 - THE PLAYERS Championship, Round 3 (Fox Sports)

⚽️ 06:00 - MLS - Inter Miami CF v LA Galaxy (BeIN Sports 2)

⚽️ 07:00 - Spanish La Liga - Celta Vigo v Villarreal (BeIN Sports 1)

👊🏻 09:00 - UFC Fight Night, Prelims (ESPN 1)

🏉 10:00 - Super Rugby - Jaguares v Highlanders (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 10:00 - MLS - Atlanta United v Sporting Kansas City (BeIN Sports 1)

🏏 10:30 - ODI Series - Australia v New Zealand (Fox Cricket)

👊🏻 11:00 - UFC Fight Night - Kevin Lee v Charles Oliveira (ESPN 1)

🚘 13:00 - Melbourne 400 Race 4, Round 2 (Fox Sports or Ten)

🏉 13:05 - NSW Cup - Parramatta Eels ISP v Canterbury Bulldogs ISP (Nine)

🇦🇺 13:10 - AFLW Western Bulldogs Women v Fremantle Dockers Women (Fox Footy)

🏉 13:15 - Super W - Brumbies Women v Queensland Reds Women (Fox Sports More)

⚽️ 13:30 - W-League Semi-Final - Melbourne City Women v W. Syd. Wanderers Women (ABC or Fox Sports)

🇦🇺 15:10 - AFLW - Adelaide Crows Women v GWS Giants Women (Fox Footy or 7mate)

🏉 16:05 - Super Rugby - Brumbies v Waratahs (Fox Sports More)

🏉 16:05 - NRL - Manly Sea Eagles v Melbourne Storm (Fox League or Nine)

🚘 16:10 - F1 GPAustralian Grand Prix Race (Fox Sports or Ten)

⚽️ 16:20 - A-League Regular Season - Wellington Phoenix v Melbourne Victory (Fox Sports)

🏀 17:00 - NBL Grand Final Series - Sydney Kings v Perth Wildcats (ESPN 1 or SBS Viceland)

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

🏉 18:15 - NRL - St George Illawarra Dragons v Wests Tigers (Fox League)

⚽️ 18:20 - A-League - Adelaide United v Newcastle Jets (Fox Sports)

🏏 19:00 - ODI Series - India v South Africa (Fox Cricket)

⚽️ 22:00 - Spanish La Liga - Espanyol v Deportivo Alaves (BeIN Sports 3)

⚽️ 23:00 - Scottish Premiership - Rangers v Celtic (BeIN Sports 2)

🚴🏼‍♂️ 23:30 - UCI Men's World Tour, Paris-Nice, Stage 8, 113.5km (SBS)