Month: August 2022

Categories
Sports

Clarkson’s ex-manager advises coaching great to choose North Melbourne

Clarkson's ex-manager advises coaching great to choose North Melbourne

Alastair Clarkson’s former manager Liam Pickering says he would advise the four-time premiership coach to take the North Melbourne job.

The Roos are reported to have offered Clarkson a contract of at least five years and have gone all in on securing him as their senior coach, while he’s also met with GWS.

Those are the only two clubs currently on the lookout for a new senior coach, and given his credentials, it’s believed Clarkson has the pick of the job he wants.

Pickering and Clarkson have been friends for over 35 years, but the two parted ways in a managerial sense in 2013.

“I think he is (going to North Melbourne),” Pickering said on *SEN’s Off The Bench.

“I haven’t spoken to him, so I don’t know.

“I would be (advising him to take the North Melbourne job) because I don’t see Alastair living in Sydney.”

Pickering also added that following in the footsteps of John Kennedy Snr would mean a lot to Clarkson.

“It’s a great challenge, it’s his old club, and the other thing is he idolizes Kanga (John) Kennedy,” he added.

“Kanga went from Hawthorn where he was a legend as a coach and came across to North and coached North for (several years), he’s Alastair’s hero.

“It would just be great for the footy club if he could go there.

“Nothing against the Giants job, I think the Giants have got the better list. But if it was me advising him, I’d say, ‘Kanga job, just make it yours mate. It’s your club, your people’.”

Clarkson will likely make his decision before the end of the home and away season and there’s growing momentum an announcement could come next week.

He formerly played 93 games at North Melbourne between 1987 and 1995.





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Categories
Technology

BMW starts testing X5 M facelift SUV on the Nurburgring circuit

BMW starts testing X5 M facelift SUV on the Nurburgring circuit

BMW X5 M facelift

BMW X5 M facelift is likely to be introduced by next year. (Image: Autoexpress)

BMW has started testing its upcoming X5 M facelift SUV. It has been over a decade since BMW last slapped on the M-badge to its X5 SUV back in 2009. However, things are about to get interesting again now as the company was spotted pushing the new X5 M around the Nurburgring test track. The latest spy shots arriving from the UK suggest that BMW is working on a new X5 M, based on the upcoming facelifted X5 SUV.

Majority of the test car profile can be seen smartly hidden under thick sheets of camouflage, however some key details are still visible hinting at the remastered design of the SUV. At the front the car can be seen featuring a slimmer pair of headlight units. A similar design language was also seen on the company’s newly revealed 7 Series and iX electric SUV. The snout of the SUV can be seen sporting a new pair of kidney grilles with a more angular design. Also, the company hasn’t used any wider/larger grille design which has been a topic of debate among critics lately. Inside the new grille can be seen horizontal slats – a change from the vertical ones found on the existing model. Although, BMW has covered up details like a pair of fog lights and vertical cooling slats, the use of a reprofiled intake is evident.

(Also Read: BMW M4 Competition 50 Jahre M Edition launched)

The test prototype continues to ride on a set of 22-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. The wheels are also the same kind as found on the current Competition car. Other than this, details such as X5 M’s roof spoiler and quad tailpipe setup remain the same as the outgoing model, however, thicker camouflage around this section hint that it could feature minor design change on to the diffuser. Another key change expected on the rear profile is the use of new tail-lights which could be updated from the current model.

On the inside, expect the new X5 to come with BMW’s new iDrive 9 infotainment system that has appeared on the new i7 as well as the iX electric SUV. This infotainment system features a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen beneath a single sheet of curved glass. The company will also provide the car with a redesigned dashboard to accommodate the new infotainment system.

Concrete details on the upcoming X5 M facelift’s powertrain will be unknown in the later stage. However, the current X5 M Competition is available with a 4.4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 producing 616bhp and 750Nm of torque. Th new X5 M is also expected to retain the same drivetrain, albeit more power could be on the cards.

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Categories
Sports

McLaughlin: Dixon does not get respect he deserves at home

McLaughlin: Dixon does not get respect he deserves at home

Scott Dixon

Scott McLaughlin believes six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon does not get the respect he deserves back in New Zealand.

Dixon’s tally of six top-level North American open-wheeler titles is second only to AJ Foyt’s seven, and he moved to outright second all-time on another significant metric with his victory in the most recent race of the season.

The Brisbane-born Kiwi’s win at Nashville was his 53rd across CART (one win) and IndyCar, moving him past Mario Andretti after drawing level four races earlier at Toronto.

Again, only Foyt is ahead, on 67 wins.

Dixon prevailed only by a tenth of a second in Nashville, with McLaughlin following him across the finish line.

The latter became a full-time IndyCar driver last year and, having idolized his countryman in the #9 Chip Ganassi Racing entry, is thrilled to now count him as a friend.

“To go toe to toe with Scotty, it was awesome,” said McLaughlin of his battle with Dixon.

“There’s definitely that starstruck [factor] is gone.

“We’re probably more mates now, which is cool, and to call your hero ‘mate’ is pretty cool.

“He is just a phenomenal guy, he is the greatest of all time, in my opinion, and I think he doesn’t get enough respect in New Zealand for what he’s achieved.

“I think he is a phenomenal race car driver, phenomenal bloke, and to go toe-to-toe with him is a very cool thing for me in my racing career and it’s like a bucket list thing.”

Dixon is second in the series and McLaughlin sixth with three races to go.

The next event, the last of 2022 on an oval, is that at Gateway on August 19-20 (local time).

Every IndyCar race is live and ad-free on Stan Sport.

Categories
Technology

2023 BMW X5 M spied – update incoming for the lairy Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT rival

2023 BMW X5 M spied – update incoming for the lairy Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT rival

BMW has been spotted putting an updated version of its BMW X5 M Competition through final sign-off testing at the Nürburgring, leading up to its reveal either late this year or early next. The new M model will correspond with a wider range update for X5, but will pick up a selection of new design motifs specific to the M Competition, plus a few updates under the skin.

Its aesthetic changes will focus around a new look front and rear. It’s clear from these images that the new X5 will pick up a slimmer set of LED headlights and a reshaped grille, but specific to the M are new horizontal slats within the kidneys that will also be found on the upcoming M2 and flagship XM SUV.

Underneath, the new lower bumper will be reshaped, but otherwise retain a key function of supplying copious amounts of air to the twin-turbo V8, but we expect it to have an even more aggressive design in-line with BMW M’s new and more eclectic design language.

Out back, the changes are likely to be more subtle, with new lights and some reshaping to the bumper and tailgate, but the key M elements like its four drainpipe exhaust finishers and double-profile roof spoiler will remain. Inside, we expect the X7’s new interior to be essentially carried over wholesale, incorporating BMW’s curved dual-screen display, sat on a new dash that’s both slimmer and more ornate in its detailing.

We can’t yet say whether the X5 M will offer any more power than the existing car, but with 616bhp already available from the twin-turbocharged V8 engine, we’d be surprised if it did. From our experience, it certainly doesn’t need the extra power, as the X5 M is already one of the more extreme high performance SUVs, both in terms of performance and handling.

And to that end, we expect that like BMW’s done with its updated X3 M Competition, the X5 M Competition will be adjusted in its setup, rather than given a wholesale change. Unlike all of its rivals, it features technical elements like simpler coil-spring suspension and an electronically-controlled limited slip differential matched to an extreme rear-bias to the all-wheel drive system that genuinely makes it feel less like an aggressively set up SUV and more like a big saloon. But it’s how these elements are calibrated that make all the difference on the road.

We have a complex opinion of the current car. On the one hand, it’s sheer power, aggressive chassis tune and hilariously lairy handling balance make it one of the most enjoyable SUVs to pilot. Yet in order to achieve that capability, things like the basic ride quality have been completely compromised, making it more of a struggle to drive day-to-day than you’d ever expect of something with an X5 badge.

With BMW M’s current form, and the extent to which BMW is refining the new X5 M’s handling package for what would otherwise be a mild mid-life update, it’ll be interesting to see what it has in store.

Categories
Sports

AFL 2022: Melbourne defeat Carlton, Kysaiah Pickett goal, video, finals race, ladder

AFL 2022: Melbourne defeat Carlton, Kysaiah Pickett goal, video, finals race, ladder

Melbourne have broken the hearts of Carlton fans by snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in the final 15 seconds.

The Blues had their hands on a finals berth for the first time since 2013, holding onto a one point lead in the dying seconds when Melbourne surged forward.

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A long bomb inside 50 from Jayden Hunt went to ground and Kysaiah Pickett got on the end of a Jake Melksham loose ball get and sent a mongrel punt floating goalward.

As it sailed through you could pinpoint the moment Carlton’s fans hearts break.

The win launches Melbourne back to second spot on the ladder and leaves Carlton in a perilous position entering the final round of the home and away season.

“I’m speechless really I don’t know what to say, it’s good to be back on the winning list. We went down last week and to bounce back this week is unreal,” Pickett said after the win.

Dees skipper Max Gawn didn’t even kick his post-game interview off properly before asking just how long was left on the clock.

“That’s pretty clutch. Kozzie is a good player and he’s been playing some good footy this year and that was his moment, ”Gawn said.

“We were on the wrong end of the moments last weekend and we studied it a lot. The last 10 minutes of the Collingwood game we watched it a lot and you saw some good stuff in those last minutes, we were able to hold our nerve.”

Jake Melksham was a standout in front of goal for Melbourne, ending the night with four goals and kicking the second last goal of the contest to bring the Demons back to within a point.

The Blues held the ball with around 60 seconds left to play and looked assured of victory, but one simple miss kick opened the door and the Demons pounced.

Carlton need to secure a win against Collingwood in round 23 or pray Hawthorn can topple the Western Bulldogs next Sunday.

A loss next weekend and a Bulldogs win and the Blues will once again miss out on September action.

“It leaves already gutted, it leaves already disappointed. But I’m also really proud at the same time and I thought our players were really brave right through our whole night,” Blues coach Michael Voss said.

“It hurts. Important game for us but we didn’t quite get it right at the end but as far as the whole game goes I just thought the boys played really brave and played a great style of footy and it’s something we want to keep replicating.”

Fans watching on Saturday night simply couldn’t believe the ending they had just witnessed.

7 News reporter Emma O’Sullivan wrote: “I don’t even barrack for the Demons or the Blues but my heart is still in my mouth, that was wild.”

The Advocate editor Alex Fair wrote: “That was epic. Simply epic. What a reply.”

Broadcaster Darren Parkin wrote: “Nothing can kick you in the pills quite like footy can it? That’s brutal for the Blues.”

Former Brisbane and Port Adelaide player Tom Rockliff believes the final moments played into Melbourne’s hands.

“I think it was a clear tactic from Melbourne to load the corridor. Lever kicks to a 3 vs 1 in middle of ground. Doesn’t happen by chance, something they have trained – Carlton set up well down the line,” he wrote.

Read related topics:melbourne

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Categories
Technology

Tower of Fantasy: How to get Firecore

Tower of Fantasy: How to get Firecore

One of the many items required to enhance weaponry in Tower of Fantasy is the Firecore, a molten shard of the Fire element. Players must procure this resource to strengthen their elemental Fire equipment, such as the Scythe of the Crow or Negating Cube. Similar to Genshin Impacttheorycrafters are likely calculating what the best element in the Tower of Fantasy es. While it is unknown if Fire takes the top place like Genshin‘s Pyro and Cryo, this element will come in handy for both combat and exploration. Therefore, it is essential for players to know where to find Firecore in Tower of Fantasy.

Obtaining Firecore In Tower Of Fantasy

Obtaining Firecore In Tower of Fantasy

To get Firecore in Tower of Fantasy, players must find Firecore nodes within the open world. These nodes appear as large hive-like mounds with massive red cube-shaped crystals protruding from their surface. To break them apart and acquire the resource within, Wanderers must attack them with the Fire element.

Related:

Tower of Fantasy: How to Break Cracked Rock Walls

Ace wanderers progress through Tower of Fantasy‘s main story and explore its vast world, it is likely they will eventually acquire a weapon imbued with the Fire element. Accordingly, they can equip the armament and use it to break apart the Firecore nodes. On the other hand, those who do not have access to Fire-imbued weaponry can still destroy the nodes using a different method — Flame Cores. Flame Cores are small docile mobs that can often be found near Firecore nodes. If a Wanderer approaches one of these creatures, they will be prompted to “Lift,” picking up the fiery critter. With the Flame Core in hand, hurl the creature at a Firecore cluster to break it apart and retrieve its contents instantly.

Open world exploration is not the only way to get Firecores in Tower of Fantasy. According to gamepur, Wanderers can also acquire this resource by making a purchase in the Weapon Store, where Firecores can be procured in exchange for Black Gold ×1. Those who’ve participated in the gacha system of the game will recognize Black Gold as the currency acquired from using Gold Nuclei. However, bear in mind that the Daily Purchase Limit is ×10, so the Weapon Store is not the most efficient source of Firecores. However, it can be a convenient means to instantly obtain one or two required materials for enhancing a Fire-imbued weapon.

Tower of Fantasy is available on PC, Android, and iOS.

Source: gamepur

Categories
Sports

Melbourne Demons v Carlton Blues, Fremantle Dockers v West Coast Eagles fixtures, teams, ladder, odds, tickets, players

Melbourne Demons v Carlton Blues, Fremantle Dockers v West Coast Eagles fixtures, teams, ladder, odds, tickets, players

Melbourne’s four-goal hero Jake Melksham spoke to Channel Seven after the game…

Q: Congratulations on your win and also your performance.
A: Thank you. There is a lot of emotion down here at the moment. We were just talking off air either way, whatever way that went, it was massive for either team. For us to stick to tasks like we did at the end, we executed our win the game play. Kozzy kicks a great goal and we are standing here talking about how good it was. It was awesome.

Q: You talk about little things being enormous things. You are never quite sure what they are going to be Gee, there are a lot of little moments tonight – I mean Phil Davis was talking about your body craft there. Just the smothers, the touches, the tap-ones, the little hand balls, they add up.
A: Yes, they do. It is actually what we focus on at the club. We have a match review each week and we are presented with a videotape of our smothering tackling. It is called ‘Tackle and Tough’. It is the one-percenters we drive. That has been a massive difference for us the last 18 months, the little things we focused on. We see that tape Monday. He gives out Precision Footy which is one of his footies he patented. It’s great.

Q: It would be a pretty good tape to watch on Monday
A: Yes, it will be awesome. Back in defense was huge. They held up well for us all game. Mids great as usual and the forwards, we come good in the second half. I felt like in the first half we were too far away from the ball and they were cutting it off across halfback. We got that going in the second half and it went well.

Q: Angus talked about you felt like you were playing your game over the last few weeks, not getting reward. Can you tell us about what changed in the way in which you guys identified, “This is the style we want to play.”
A: I don’t think anything has changed in the style as much. Obviously we are going with a bit smaller forward line hence, myself being in. We have big Ben Brown down there and Max Gawn at times but it is our ability to just stick to task for the full 120 minutes. Like last week, we go down by a goal. Collingwood were just better for longer, they were cleaner, they
executed under pressure. That was a huge pressure cooker of a game last week and we just didn’t get it done. That’s what we focused on this week. It looked like with five minutes to go it was maybe heading that way again but like I said before, we execute our win-the-game play and we have a win.

Q: Take us through the win-the-game play.
A: Yes. So obviously when you are down as forwards we all just pulled back. You would have seen that on the screen. We just opened the forward line up. The mids will do their thing – I can’t say what the mids do. Some sort of attack work in there from Max and get it forward and in. We open the forward line up, put them under the pump, try and win your one-on-ones and scores. It is good.

Q: You said during the ad break, “Was it good to watch? Was it good to call? There is not many better games of football when there is so much on the line for both teams. With things going the way we expected to, you would have dropped out of the four for the first time since 2020 with a round to go and a trip to The Gabba.
A: Yes, footy is strange. Like you have got to be on every week. We managed to get it done at the end. We go to The Gabba next week, play a top-four team. They had a great win last night. We are looking forward to that. We travel really well. So we will go up there full of confidence and attack the game. Can’t wait.

Q: Just quickly on Carlton. They started 8-2. They are playing football finals until you give it to Kozzy and he kicks a goal. Kozzy kicks a point it is a draw and they play finals.
A: Yes. Crazy. It’s crazy. It just shows, like you have just got to stay in the game. And they did that really well as well. They were very brave. It was a toss of the coin tonight. We were lucky, Kozzy kicked a great goal. I hope they win and get in finals. I think they can do damage.

Q: To go back is really difficult. How hungry is the team and the club to be back there and to have that taste again, that victory?
A: Yes, they are super hungry. Like, I didn’t play (in the premiership) – this is everything to me. Like I’m at the end of my career. I don’t know what I will be doing in the next few months. Like, it means everything to me. There are heaps of players – like Jayden Hunt didn’t play. There is a few of us that didn’t play. Obviously it means a lot but Goody talks about it. He won a flag in his first two years. He is quite lucky. But after that, for the next 15 years, he only had the opportunity twice to win a flag. So to be in the position, to do it again is huge — to win a flag. We have recognized that. Now it is about making the most of it and executing under pressure in the big games and we will try and do it again. But have got to be there and put yourself on show every week. Put yourself out there. We are there and we just have got to execute.

Categories
Australia

Australia’s energy ministers power up renewables transition with new deal

Australia's energy ministers power up renewables transition with new deal

Australia’s national electricity is a set of goals that govern investments in and operation of electricity services across the country and has previously been limited to ensuring price, quality, safety and reliability and security of supply of electricity.

Renewables developers have insisted the lack of an environmental objective has delayed Australia’s clean energy transition and blocked the market settings needed to reward investment in green power projects.

“Australia is determined to reduce emissions, we welcome investment to achieve it and we will provide a stable and certain policy framework.”

Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen

Bowen said adding an environmental target sent a clear message to the nation’s energy market operators that they “must include emissions reductions in the work they do”.

“Now and into the future, they will need to cater for a requirement on behalf of all the governments of Australia to reduce emissions,” he said.

The ministers also signed an agreement to co-operate on the building program for huge new power line links that are needed to connect new renewable energy projects across state borders, and to develop new rules to empower the market operator to access private company information and better forecast potential energy supply shortfalls.

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The Clean Energy Council said its members had been calling for the change to the market’s objectives for more than a decade and its adoption would help drive investment in green energy.

“These decisions provide clean energy investors with further confidence and certainty that have been missing through years of inaction and neglect,” chief executive Kane Thornton said.

“Today we’re seeing a clean, green light for low cost renewable energy from hydro, solar, wind and storage to become the dominant source of Australia’s energy needs.”

A coalition of major renewable energy investors agreed, saying the inclusion of the emissions objective was long-overdue.

“It will ensure that future market design, and proposed investment in new infrastructure, must take into account the emission reduction benefits,” said Simon Corbell of the Clean Energy Investor Group, which represents a group of 19 companies including Neoen, Macquarie and Tilt Renewables .

“Clean energy investors will strongly welcome the leadership shown by ministers today to take control of the energy reform agenda.”

Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said the Andrews government had pushed for climate change to be included in the market’s objectives since 2016, “but were blocked by federal Liberal National governments”.

The ACT and Queensland governments have led calls for the emissions clause in recent years.

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Queensland’s Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said Friday’s agreement was a “step change” after years of inaction.

He took a thinly veiled swipe at the former federal energy minister, Angus Taylor, claiming that “governments of the recent past have not allowed the discussion to be had”.

NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean said the Morrison government had ignored its role in the clean energy transition.

“When there’s no action at the Commonwealth level, the heavy lifting is left to the states and territories, and that’s what’s been happening,” Kean said.

“Now we’ve seen everyone leaning into the opportunity, which is this global [energy] transition.”

Kean said cooperation between state and federal governments would create certainty for private investors, which will be needed to fund the hundreds of billions of dollars required to transition electricity grid infrastructure from a fossil fuel system to a clean energy system.

“For the first time, all of us are aligned in the direction we need to take our nation,” he said.

“The enormous opportunities of modernizing our electricity system underpins our manufacturing industry, which means investment, jobs and new era of economic prosperity for our country.”

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.

Categories
Technology

‘League Of Legends’ is making jungle easier

'League Of Legends' is making jungle easier

Riot Games has acknowledged that the jungle role in League of Legends is “in need of a touch up” and has outlined a series of planned changes for Preseason 2023.

in to lol pls blog published today (August 12), Riot has admitted that the jungle role – in which players roam across the map killing camps of enemies and assisting their team mates’ lanes – “hasn’t kept up with the times” and is “way too much” for new players to learn.

“Many League players see the wildly complex set of strategies and game knowledge required to be even slightly competent at the jungle and are scared away,” shared Riot. “We want to lessen this barrier to entry. One of the ways we’ll do that is by easing players in, showing them how to play the role, and adjusting mechanics so they’re less punishing and more intuitive. The goal here is absolutely not to dumb down the jungle or remove the ability to show off your jungle knowledge, but to make sure that jungle is complex in the right places.”

Riot added that it is exploring in-game aids to make learning the role easier, and new ways for junglers to communicate and co-ordinate strategies with their team. The blog also identified that too many champions in League of Legends are not competitively viable as junglers because they can’t keep up with how fast other champions can clear camps.

League of Legends Bel'Veth
League of Legends. Credit: Riot Games

“If jungle clear optimization is no longer a major barrier-to-entry for jungle viability, way more champions can be played there,” explained Riot. “The meta is less set in stone, the jungle itself isn’t telling you that you’re bad at the game just because you picked Warwick and wanted to take raptors.”

Finally, there will be major changes to the starting items that junglers can buy – including the addition of pets.

“These pets will help you do little things in the jungle like clearing or taking down epic monsters (think old Sated Devourer puppy),” said Riot. “As you jungle, you slowly raise and feed your pet until they’ve grown up enough to be able to empower you.”

While these changes are not final, Riot’s jungle changes will be implemented during Preseason, a time where Riot typically makes larger changes to League of Legends that are riskier for the game’s balance.

Earlier in the week, Riot Games revealed a rework for Udyr, one of League of Legends‘oldest jungle champions.

Categories
Sports

Sam Kerr nominated for Ballon d’Or for fourth time as Lionel Messi snubbed in 17-year first

Sam Kerr nominated for Ballon d'Or for fourth time as Lionel Messi snubbed in 17-year first

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The 35-year-old forward also won the prize in 2019. It was not awarded in 2020 due to the pandemic. Neymar also missed the cut this time.

Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe, Karim Benzema, Erling Haaland and five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo were all included, as were Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Kevin De Bruyne, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.

The men’s list features six Manchester City players: Phil Foden, Joao Cancelo, De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva, and new signing Haaland (formerly Borussia Dortmund).

Liverpool also have six nominees: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Fabinho, Darwin Nunez, Salah and Virgil van Dijk.

The awards will be presented on October 17.

Among changes announced in March, the award is now being awarded based on performances during a regular European season, rather than a calendar year. A reduction in the number of voters was among other changes, with the goal of streamlining the process. Voters also will no longer consider a player’s career accomplishments.

France Football magazine has given out the award to men every year since 1956 and to women every year since 2018 – when Hegerberg became the first female winner – though both were canceled in 2020 because of the pandemic.

with wires