Australia’s Commonwealth Games netball campaign has been dealt a blow, with the Diamonds falling to Jamaica in a thrilling pool match in Birmingham.
Key points:
The Diamonds led by six goals ahead of the final quarter
Jamaica captain Jhaniele Fowler was outstanding with 47 goals
The Diamonds will play either England or New Zealand in the semi-finals
Jamaica trailed by as many as six goals heading into the final quarter, but finished in resounding fashion to overhaul the Diamonds with a 57-55 victory.
It is the first time in Commonwealth Games history that Jamaica has defeated Australia in netball.
The win means unbeaten Jamaica tops Pool A ahead of the Diamonds, who will play either England or New Zealand in the semi-finals.
Jamaica captain Jhaniele Fowler, who plays for West Coast Fever in Super Netball, had a starring role in her team’s win with 47 goals.
Jamaica was rewarded for its persistence in its shock victory over Australia.(Getty Images: Matthew Lewis)
Shanice Beckford provided a valuable 10-goal haul.
Gretel Bueta was the Diamonds’ top scorer with 36 goals, while Steph Wood added 19.
Fowler was unstoppable for Jamaica, with no-one in the Diamonds squad able to counter her size and strength.
Jamaica’s game plan was evident from the outset: get the ball to Fowler early and often, and by whatever means necessary.
It turned the center third into a battleground as players hit the deck on numerous occasions.
The Diamonds had not lost a single quarter all tournament, but on the back of Fowler doing what she wanted Jamaica jumped out to a 7-3 lead.
The Diamonds worked their way back into the contest with Bueta matching Fowler’s 10 first-quarter goals as they took a one-goal lead to the first break.
They started imposing themselves in the second quarter to open up 27-23 lead, but to the delight of the crowd Jamaica stormed home to get within one goal at the long break.
The third quarter was dominated by the Diamonds, who jumped out to a six-goal lead before Jamaica’s late surge in the final term.
Gold Coast wizard Izak Rankine has had his head turned by a $4 million, five-year offer from Adelaide as the Crows close-in on a trade heist.
Rankine, 22, was moving towards a new long-term deal at the Suns as recently as last month and bought a house on the Gold Coast earlier this year.
The Suns had been confident of keeping the 22-year-old, who has started to blossom in 2022, believing he would follow Ben King, Jack Lukosius and others in re-committing to Stuart Dew’s project.
Lukosius (pick 2), Rankine (pick 3) and King (pick 6) were all taken by Gold Coast at the pointy end of the 2018 draft.
But the Suns’ confidence of keeping Rankine is quickly evaporating given they can’t compete with the financial package presented by the Crows.
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Gold Coast’s offer is said to be solid, but they are under salary cap pressure and face delicate dealings with their batch of young guns in the coming years as they look to keep their list together.
Officially, Rankine is undecided on his future, but sources at both clubs believe he is now more likely to return home than stay in Queensland where he has previously been settled.
The only decision Rankine has made is to reject an approach from Essendon, whose offer was believed to be very similar to that put forward by Adelaide.
The Bombers presented Rankine with a package that involved a prominent role in the Dreamtime at the ‘G blockbuster, The Long Walk, and other indigenous aspects of life at the club.
But the Crows offer Rankine with the chance to return home and reunite with family, four years after he was drafted out of West Adelaide.
Rankine is out of contract, but not a free agent, and the Suns would demand Adelaide’s first-round pick be involved in any deal.
The forward is said to want to avoid any scenario whereby the Crows could use the threat of the pre-season draft in any negotiation, which is what Carlton did with Jack Martin in 2019.
Rankine was plagued by hamstring and hip injuries that stopped him from making his debut in his first season at the Suns, but he has shone this year, kicking 27.19 from 16 games.
Erik ten Hag said it was “unacceptable” for Cristiano Ronaldo and other Manchester United players to leave Old Trafford before the end of Sunday’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano.
After taking a strong team to Oslo to face Atletico Madrid on Saturday, United wrapped up their pre-season preparations against another Spanish side the following day.
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United drew 1-1 with Rayo at Old Trafford as star man Ronaldo made his first appearance of pre-season, playing the first 45 minutes.
The 37-year-old missed the pre-season tour of Thailand and Australia due to a family issue, and the wantaway forward was pictured with Diogo Dalot leaving Sunday’s game before full-time.
Ten Hag did not speak to the media after the match but has now expressed his annoyance to broadcaster Viaplay.
“There were many more (as well as Ronaldo) who went home,” the United boss said. “This is unacceptable for everyone,” he said. “I tell them that it’s unacceptable, that we are a team, a squad and that you should stay until the end.”
Ten Hag will take charge of his first competitive match as United manager on Sunday, when they face Brighton at home in the Premier League.
It comes a week after Ronaldo returned to training for talks with the coach about his future at Old Trafford.
Ronaldo, who missed the club’s pre-season tour to Thailand and Australia for personal reasons, wants to leave the club he rejoined last year.
I have arrived at United’s Carrington training base with his agent Jorge Mendes. Former United manager Alex Ferguson was also seen arriving.
New United manager Ten Hag said earlier this month that Ronaldo was “not for sale”.
“We are planning for Cristiano Ronaldo for the season and that’s it and I’m looking forward to working with him,” he said.
“I have read it, but what I say is Cristiano is not for sale, he is in our plans and we want success together.” The former Real Madrid and Juventus player finished as United’s topscorer last season with 24 goals.
But the campaign was a huge disappointment for the club, who finished sixth in the Premier League, missing out on Champions League qualification.
Australia has suffered a historic three-goal loss to Jamaica at the Commonwealth Games, rocking their gold medal campaign in Birmingham.
The Diamonds had been expected to sail through their Pool A matches and meet the second ranked team in Pool B in the semi finals.
But they coughed up a six-goal lead heading into the final term to suffer their first ever loss to the Sunshine Girls.
A brilliant 47 goals from international superstar Jhaniele Fowler and some remarkable defensive efforts from Shamera Sterling ensured Jamaica nailed a 57-55 win.
Fox Netball’s Catherine Cox said the Diamonds “just shut up shop” in the last quarter as Jamaica ran home with the win.
“Australia couldn’t win the ball back – it was some brilliant defensive work from Jamaica. They really just lifted another level in the fourth quarter,” she said.
Questions will be asked of coach Stacey Marinkovich’s selections, with just Sunday Aryang entering for four minutes in the second term and Sarah Klau coming on to a rejigged defensive line with four minutes remaining in the match.
Gretel Bueta finished the pick of the Diamonds attack, despite being silenced in the final quarter by Sterling, with 36 goals from 39 attempts.
Steph Wood’s night ended with 19 goals at 86%.
QUARTER BY QUARTER MATCH REPORT
Australia opted to start Gretel Bueta at goal shooter, with Steph Wood and Liz Watson out in front of her. Kate Moloney got the nod at center with Ash Brazill, Jo Weston and Courtney Bruce rounding out the defensive trio.
For Jamaica, Jhaniele Fowler started at GS, with Beckford and Williams at GA and WA respectively. Nicole Dixon-Rochester was center with Super Netball trio Jodi-Ann Ward, Latanya Wilson and Shamera Sterling the starting defenders.
The world’s best shooter started the match with a bang, with five quick goals to open up the first break of the match for Jamaica.
Courtney Bruce kept her West Coast Fever teammate in Fowler as high as she could, but Shanice Beckford was brilliant around the edges to keep feeding from close range.
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FULL MEDAL TALLY >
Browning finishes 0.06 off a medal! | 00:25
Bruce and Jo Weston got early tips, but it was Jamaica who were able to convert while down the other end the connection to Gretel Bueta just fell away.
“The Diamonds are stunned here,” commentator Sue Gaudion said.
Australia scored just three goals in the opening seven minutes, before Steph Wood went from range and leveled up scores.
A Jodi-Ann Ward intercept gave Jamaica the lead once again as the long ball caught Weston’s eyes down.
“They exposed the Diamonds defense again,” Gaudion said.
A quick double play by Bueta ensured the Aussies took the lead with less than two minutes remaining in the first term.
Coach Connie Francis was left less than impressed when the Sunshine Girls threw away a brilliant Sterling intercept.
“But that is the issue – the conversion of those brilliant moments,” commentator Cath Cox said.
By the first break, it was Australia leading by one goal.
The Aussies went unchanged for the second term – the first time this tournament coach Stacey Marinkovich has opted for no changes after a break.
A big Sterling rebound gave Jamaica the first opportunity, but they couldn’t convert as Courtney Bruce’s brilliant hands over disrupted play.
“There’s plenty of feeling out there,” Cox said.
“Courtney Bruce giving the death stare to Beckford.”
The Aussies chanced their luck feeding Bueta with Sterling in hot pursuit but the move continued to pay off.
When Shanice Beckford found the top of the circle, the Sunshine Girls opted for a rare straight ball feed to Fowler.
“On the circle edge, feeding to Fowler – unbeatable,” Cox praised.
A rare mistake by Bueta saw the replay called, but once again Jamaica couldn’t convert as Khadijah Williams was penalized for footwork.
“It’s the simple things letting Jamaica down isn’t it,” Cox said.
Sunday Aryang was introduced at goal defence, joining her Fever teammates Bruce and Fowler in the goal circle.
And she almost had the immediate impact, getting a tip on a high ball to Fowler, but ultimately couldn’t stop the conversion.
Beckford had a brilliant intercept in front of Ash Brazill and suddenly the margin was back to one.
“Connie Francis willing them on,” Gaudion praised.
Wood backed her teammate Bueta when she went with the feed from the transverse, and the Firebird didn’t let her down with beautiful hands.
“The courage to let that go over the best goal keeper in the game… look at that take,” Cox praised.
By half time, it was Australia leading 30-29.
Weston returned to the court as some bad hands by Wood allowed the Sunshine Girls to draw level early in the third.
Jamaica managed to pull down another deflection but once again threw it away in the midcourt.
“That long outlet ball, if they just shortened it up and do one safety ball, I reckon they’d get themselves on the attack,” Cox said.
A rare shooter contact call on Fowler handed Australia the chance to pull away. Sterling’s cheeky pickup when Bueta put the ball down to set the penalty didn’t go unnoticed by the umpire as suddenly the lead was back out to four.
The physicality stepped up in the third, with Brazill getting under the skin of Adean Thomas and sent sprawling into the goal circle off the ball.
Once again, a Ward pick up on the circle edge ended up sailing over Fowler’s head as another turnover was wasted.
A second straight rejection from Sterling was called for obstruction as the crowd started to find their voice.
A misdirected midcourt ball ensured another turnover as the Diamonds extended the lead to six – the biggest of the match.
A strong take by Bueta over Sterling in the dying seconds pushed Australia out to a 46-40 lead at the final change.
Marinkovich went unchanged once again for the final term as Jamaican wing defender Jodi-Ann Ward came through with the deflection to help her side close within three.
Williams’ return at WA lifted the Sunshine Girls’ attack in the final term as they looked to find their rhythm to Fowler once more.
And when Wood couldn’t regather the short ball, and got done for replay, Jhaniele Fowler made the Aussies pay seconds later to close within one goal.
Liz Watson overcooked the lob to Bueta, and remarkably the Sunshine Girls took the lead with eight minutes to play.
“We haven’t seen that this game – that is the pressure. Mistakes like that have been few and far between for the Diamonds,” Cox said.
Despite Jamaican assistant coach Rob Wright pleading with his defenders to shut down Wood’s influence, it was Bueta they silenced as Wood had to step up.
And the Lightning star was up to the challenge with three successive mid-range shots.
Another Diamonds turnover, this time from Weston to her Vixens’ teammate Watson, gave Jamaica a two-goal buffer as injury time was called.
Weston headed to the bench, Bruce pushed out to GD and Sarah Klau was introduced for her first minutes of the night.
When Shamera Sterling came up with the big rejection and regather, Jamaica pushed out the lead with just a minute to play.
And in remarkable scenes, the Sunshine Girls held on in the thrilling final seconds with Shanice Beckford landing the final goal of the match.
In the end, it was Jamaica who claimed the win 57-55.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster has begun his fight for survival by making four changes to his starting team for the test against the Springboks in Mbombela, South Africa on Sunday morning (NZT).
Following the 32-22 defeat to Ireland in Wellington last month, which confirmed a 2-1 series loss and resulted in assistants John Plumtree and Brad Mooar being dismissed, the All Blacks are likely to have to win at least one of their two Rugby Championships tests in the Republic to prevent Foster being sacked by NZ Rugby.
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Jeff Wilson urges All Blacks coach Ian Foster to be bold against South Africa as he fights for his job.
With lock Brodie Retallick unavailable because of a fractured cheekbone, Foster was always going to have to tinker with his combinations in the forwards.
He has made three changes to the pack that started against Ireland in Wellington.
Scott Barrett, who was a late withdrawal from the third test because of injury and had to be replaced by Akira Ioane at blindside flanker, starts at lock.
Samisoni Taukei’aho will start at hooker in place of Codie Taylor, and Angus Ta’avao comes in at tighthead prop ahead of Nepo Laulala. Taylor and Laulala have been dropped since the match-day 23. It will be the first run-on start of the season for Taukei’aho and Ta’avao.
Foster has also brought Caleb Clarke on to the left wing, in place of Sevu Reece. Clarke wasn’t considered for the Ireland series because of a hamstring strain.
Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Samisoni Taukei’aho will start at hooker for the All Blacks against the Springboks.
The reserves bench has also had a makeover. Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa’i, Shannon Frizell, Finlay Christie and Quinn Tupaea have been added, with Dane Coles and Richie Mo’unga the only survivors from the Wellington test.
Loose forward Dalton Papalii, halfback Folau Fakatava and midfielder Roger Tuivasa-Sheck – all were in the substitutes in Wellington – are notable absentees. There is also no room for lock Patrick Tuipulotu, with Vaa’i to provide back-up for Barrett and Whitelock.
Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Caleb Clarke will start on the left wing for the All Blacks when they play the Springboks on Sunday morning (NZT).
Although contracted through to next year’s World Cup in France, Foster is clearly on thin ice with his paymasters at NZ Rugby. Four losses from the last five matches, an all-time low of No 4 in the World Rugby rankings, are an indication of how far the All Blacks’ standards have declined.
A win in Mbombela would go some way to helping Foster convince NZ Rugby that he should be retained. The second test will be played in Johannesburg next weekend.
Hagen-Hopkins/Getty Images
Jason Ryan has replaced John Plumtree as the All Blacks forwards coach.
Following the departures of Plumtree and Mooar, Jason Ryan was added to the coaching group. Ryan, who had assisted Scott Robertson at the Crusaders for six years, has filled Plumtree’s position as forwards coach and Foster has taken over Mooar’s backline attack portfolio.
With less than two weeks to familiarize himself with the All Blacks’ environment, Ryan is likely to have been cautious about overloading himself and his forwards with too much information.
One of his most important tasks will have been to analyze why Ireland was able to score two tries off rolling mauls, and then fix the problem.
“What a great way to start this year’s Rugby Championship,” Foster said. “It’s always an exciting tournament to be part of. This year’s draw means we have a massive challenge of two games here in the South Africa.
“We have settled in well in Mbombela and are preparing for what is always an intense game against our old foe. Many of our squad are here in South Africa for the first time. This gives us another opportunity to add new experiences and grow our game.”
The Springboks have predictably selected a massive pack loaded with experienced physical specimens, and with Malcolm Marx at hooker, they will aim to use his bulk and power to hunt for tries off attacking lineout drives.
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All Blacks coach Ian Foster is under immense pressure to keep his job. The All Blacks have lost four of their last five tests.
Experienced locks Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager and flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit are likely to be Marx’s main lineout targets, with Jasper Wiese and Siya Kolisi also providing options.
The Springboks have also stacked their bench with six forwards, a clear indication they will want to use brute force to break down the All Blacks in the second half.
The two teams haven’t played each other in South Africa since 2018 because of the pandemic.
Last year they played each other twice in Australia. They shared the spoils, winning one match a piece, but it was the All Blacks who claimed the championship title.
All Blacks: Jordie Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (captain), Akira Ioane, Scott Barrett, Sam Whitelock, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bower. Reservations: Dane Coles, Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax, Tupou Vaa’i, Shannon Frizell, Finlay Christie, Richie Mo’unga, Quinn Tupaea.
Cycling: Grace Brown of Australia now leads the time trial, 4.53s ahead of Henderson after 8.9km of Black Country slogging.
Athletics: Ofili of Nigeria wins the latest heat in the women’s 200m, 22.71 the time. Gina Bass of Gambia comes second.
Women’s hockey: New Zealand have beaten South Africa 4-1; in 12 minutes, England will play Wales.
Cycling: At the first timing point, 8.9km in, Anna Henderson of GB leads – though not everyone has reached it yet.
Athletics: Natalliah Whyte of Jamaica eases through the third 200m head, cruising home in 23.62.
Athletics: Hima Das of India wins the second 200m heat in 23.42; Rhoda Njobvu of Zambia and Jacent Nyamahunge of Uganda also qualify. Meantime, in the hammer, Camryn Rodgers, the favorite and silver-medalist in Eugene, ails a Games record of 73.48m in her first throw. Smack: laid down.
Hima Das of India wins his 200m heat. Photograph: David Ramos/Getty Images
Cycling: The last racer is in the process of setting off in the women’s time trial; we’ll see how stuff shakes out as we move through the morning.
Athletics: Christine Mboma of Namibia, the Olympic silver medalist, wins the first heat of the women’s 200m in 23.20. She’ll fancy herself here, given Shericka Jackson, the world champ, has withdrawn, and Elaine Thompson-Herah, though she won the 100m last evening, is n’t in her best form.
Cycling: “It’s called the race of truth,” says Hayley Simmonds of the road race time trial – and she should know, having taken bronze in 2018. “In the end it’s just you and the pain in your legs and the thoughts in your head, ” she surmises quite beautifully.
Netball: Jamaica beat Australia 57-55! That was a great match, and what a performance from the Sunshine Girls! In the semis, they’ll meet whoever loses the evening match, between England and New Zealand; all four have what it takes to win gold.
Jamaica win an epic against Australia! Photograph: James Ross/EPA
Athletics: Lindon Victor of Grenanda, the defending champion of the decathlon, finished fifth in Oregon, but he nails his 100m here, running a faster time than he did there – 10.76. But Australia’s Cedric Dubler, his main rival, comes second and is well in touch after one event.
Netball: Hello! Jamaica have pulled it back, and with three minutes left in Q4 lead Australia 53-52!
Hockey: South Africa have stabilized, but still trail NZ 3-0 and we’ve got 11.30 left in Q4.
Let’s have some Commonwealth musicfor I cannot stop listening to this – from Ghana, and King Promise’s new album.
Jeanette Kwakye is on BBC talking about last night. You could tell how much she loved it, and we cut to see Liz and Eilish enjoying the moment, again. Great stuff.
Cycling: The women’s time trial is away.
Netball: Australia have stretched away. At the end of Q3, the Diamonds lead 46-40.
Athletics: In this sesh, we’ve got the first three disciplines of the men’s decathlon which are – no cheating – the 100m, the long jump and the shot. We’ll also see the 200m heats for both men and women, so yes, we’ll get some Fast Elaine action, plus round 1 of the men’s 1500m women’s hammer qualifying and women’s high jump qualifying.
The cycle, then: the way it works is that each rider sets off on their bill – the men go for 37km, the women 29km – and whoever records the fastest time wins. Easy.
Netball: It’s still tight as, Australia leading Jamaica 34-32 with 10.30 left in Q3. It’s a terrific contest – get the telly on if you can.
It’s close in netball. Photograph: James Ross/EPA
At 10am BST – so in 13 minutes from now – we start both the cycling time trials and the athletics. Not bad.
This has absolutely nothing to do with the Commonwealth Games, but it’s just too brilliant not to share.
Women’s hockey: NZ lead South Africa 3-0 with three to go in Q2; the look near-certs to move into the last four with Australia while, from the other pool, India and England are in control.
Netball: Australia lead Jamaica 15-13 at the start of Q2; whoever wins this wins the pool, with New Zealand and England waiting in the semis. Those two meet this evening, again to determine first and second place.
On the main BBC channel, we’re watching Canada’s Ryan Bester play Wales’ Daniel Salmon in the sectional bit of the men’s bowls. You may remember Salmon from Tuesday – he won gold in the pairs – but he’s just been nailed 21-10. He’s got another game later on, though, so all is not lost.
Preamble
Morning all and welcome to day seven of the Commonwealth Games!
I’ll level with you: I’m not even close to recovered from yesterday. Granted, Eilish McColgan celebrating gold with Liz is prime eyeball-sweating fodder for the middle-aged, but even if we ignore that aspect, the last 500m of that women’s 10,000 – the look on McColgan’s coupon, the pain she overcame, the way she dredged up that finish from the depths of her soul – was the absolute height of sport. “The race I always knew she had de ella in her de ella,” said her mum, eyes moist with naches. Just absolutely beautiful.
But today – ready or not, here it comes. We begin with the time trials of the men and women’s road races – Geraint Thomas, fresh off his Tour de France third-place, is in that – and also have some morning athletics, most particularly the start of the decathlon, then tonight we’ ll enjoy the final of the men’s 110m hurdles and women’s steeplechase among other things.
In the water, the swimming meet might be over but the diving is just getting going – Jack Laugher goes in the 1m springboard – and we’ve also got England v New Zealand in the cricket, winners to top the pool, just as we do in the netball. So stick with us as we coax you through it all!
Plenty is on the line when the Roosters host the Broncos at the SCG on Thursday night with the former hoping to hang onto the top eight and the latter looking to keep in touch with the top four.
The Roosters sit eighth after three consecutive wins but a loss to the Broncos could see them drop out of the eight if the Raiders beat a depleted Panthers outfit on Saturday.
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On the other side of the coin, the Broncos look set to return to finals footy and have their eyes on a top four finish — but a shock loss to the Tigers last week has seen them drop to fifth.
Both coaches have been forced into making key changes to their side with Roosters duo Lindsay Collins (concussion) and Egan Butcher (suspension) out as well as Broncos star Patrick Carrigan, who copped a four-week ban for a hip-drop tackle.
Trent Robinson has promoted Matt Lodge to the starting side and brought Terrell May and Ben Thomas onto the bench.
Meanwhile, Kevin Walters has replaced Carrigan with Kobe Hetherington and Rhys Kennedy joins the bench.
In other key changes for the Broncos, Origin star Selwyn Cobbo returns on the wing from the concussion he suffered in game three, while Jake Turpin is back in the 17 at the expense of Cory Paix and will start at hooker with Billy Walters dropping back to the bench.
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TEAMS
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Joseph Manu 5. Joseph Suaalii 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Matthew Lodge 11. Angus Crichton 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Ben Thomas 16. Drew Hutchison 17. Terrell May. Replacement player: 19. Fletcher Baker
Broncos: 1. Tesi Niu 2. Corey Oates 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Deine Mariner 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Ezra Mam 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Thomas Flegler 14. Jake Turpin 10. Payne Haas 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Jordan Riki 13. Kobe Hetherington 9. Billy Walters 15. Rhys Kennedy 16. Corey Jensen 17. Keenan Palasia. Replacement player: 18. Te Maire Martin
Follow the action live in our blog below. If you can’t see it, click here.
The Brisbane Lions have emerged as a genuine contender to land the signature of the biggest name in the AFL.
The future of Lance ‘Buddy’ Franklin has been one of the biggest talking points in Australian sport since news emerged the Swans star may not remain in Sydney beyond this season.
Wide World of Sports understands Franklin has informed the Swans that he will depart at the end of 2022, and it’s believed he and wife Jesinta are motivated to move north to be close to family on the Gold Coast.
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Lance Franklin of the Swans celebrates kicking a goal at the SCG. (Getty)
Franklin’s desire to play on at the age of 35 is strong and fueled by a motivation to win more premierships.
It’s for that reason the Lions have emerged as the leading destination for Buddy.
It’s understood conversations between Brisbane and Franklin’s management have taken place about a possible move to the Gabba.
Lance Franklin. (Getty)
As an unrestricted free agent, Franklin can join any club in the competition without Sydney having the option to match a bid.
The potential arrival of Franklin would add even more star power to the Lions’ forward line, joining Joe Daniher, Eric Hipwood and Charlie Cameron.
Dan McStay is expected to depart the Lions at the end of the year, with Collingwood reported to be the likely destination and Brisbane unlikely to be able to match the offer put to the restricted free agent.
A McStay departure would open a big hole for Buddy to slot in at the Lions.
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Broncos coach Kevin Walters has been around the game long enough to know that no amount of attacking flair will deliver the club a long awaited seventh title if there defense isn’t in order.
With Adam Reynolds calling the shots, Payne Haas making meters and Kotoni Staggs making magic, the Broncos can pile on points with the best of them, but premierships are built on the ability to stop points, and that’s why last week’s loss to Wests Tigers had alarm bells ringing at Red Hill.
Not only did the top-four hopefuls suffer a shock defeat to the team running last at the time, they gave up 32 points in the process, leading to plenty of soul searching in the lead-up to tonight’s clash with the Roosters.
“Our defense wasn’t up to scratch [against the Tigers] and we’ve put some good energy into that space and that’ll hold us in good stead,” Walters said.
“We had a bit of a hiccup last week but if we can get our defense right then our attack will flow off the back of that.
“We have some guys that can really hurt one-on-one defensively so we have to make sure we get that right and come together as a group in that manner.
“Plenty of things to work on for us and no better opposition to do it against than the Roosters who have been a good club for a long time.”
Included in the Roosters’ distinguished list of achievements in the past decade are three premierships, all built on a defensive work ethic every coach craves from his men.
Back in 2013 in Trent Robinson’s first year at the helm, the Roosters conceded just 13 points per game during the regular season before keeping Manly scoreless in an epic qualifying final and going on to defeat the Sea Eagles in the decider.
In their back-to-back glory years of 2018-19, the Roosters gave up just 15 points per game during the home-and-away rounds, before the Storm raised the bar in 2020 by keeping their opponents to just 13.8ppg.
The loss of prop Pat Carrigan, who averages 32 tackles per game in 2022, is a blow to the Broncos’ plans to shut down the potent Roosters attack, but Walters is confident Kobe Hetherington can step up.
The hard-working Hetherington has played 18 of 19 games this season, averaging 23 tackles per match at 93 per cent efficiency.
“Kobe did a great job for us earlier in the year when Pat was injured and he’ll come in and do a job again,” Walters said.
“We have to take it [Pat’s suspension] on the chin and move on.
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“Payne [Haas]Fleg [Thomas Flegler] and Kobe will be our starting middles for us against the Roosters and I’m sure they’ll do a good job for us.
“We’ve just got to go out and be the footy team we can be as individuals and then collectively as a group.”
Helping to ease the blow of Carrigan’s four-game ban for a hip drop tackle is the return of fellow Maroon Selwyn Cobbo from the concussion he suffered in Origin Three.
Cobbo hasn’t played for the Broncos since Round 16 against the Cowboys but his coach is in no doubt the gifted 20-year-old will be ready to go at the SCG.
“Selwyn trained well [on Wednesday] and he’ll be ready for whatever they throw at him,” Walters said.
“It’s great to have him back, he hasn’t played for us for quite some time, but he’s ready. He’s a footballer, Selwyn.”
Phil Mickelson and Ian Poulter are among 11 LIV Golf players who have filed an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour to challenge their suspensions.
The group includes three players – Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones – who are seeking a temporary restraining order to allow them to compete in the FedEx Cup play-offs, which get under way next week.
The complaint and application for a temporary restraining order were filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.
Bryson DeChambeau, Abraham Ancer, Carlos Ortiz, Pat Perez, Jason Kokrak and Peter Uihlein are the other players putting their names to the suit, arguing that the PGA Tour is trying to hurt their careers.
“The Tour’s conduct serves no purpose other than to cause harm to players and foreclose the entry of the first meaningful competitive threat the Tour has faced in decades,” the lawsuit states.
“The purpose of this action is to strike down the PGA Tour’s anticompetitive rules and practices that prevent these independent-contractor golfers from playing when and where they choose.”
The PA news agency has contacted the PGA Tour for comment.
Poulter was one of three DP World Tour members who successfully gained a temporary stay of their suspensions from July’s Scottish Open, pending determination of their substantive appeals.
The players had also been fined £100,000 for competing in the first LIV Golf event in June after being turned down for the required releases.
Speaking on Tuesday, former Ryder Cup captain Davis Love said PGA Tour players could take the “nuclear option” of boycotting events if the LIV rebels successfully challenge their suspensions.
“If the LIV guys sue and are allowed to play on the PGA Tour, the players are enough fed up with it,” Love said in a press conference ahead of the Wyndham Championship.
“We understand that we make the rules on the PGA Tour and the commissioner is enforcing our rules and we don’t want those guys playing, coming and cherry-picking our tournaments.
“We hold all the cards. We say to the FTC [Federal Trade Commission] and to Washington, ‘No, we support the rules. We don’t want those guys playing. We don’t care what the courts say.
“The nuclear option is to say ‘Fine, if they have to play in our events we just won’t play’.”
Being suspended by the PGA Tour means players such as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed cannot represent the United States in September’s Presidents Cup, when Love will captain the side.
“I told the players that I’ve talked to that have gone or thinking about going, it’s your decision and you do what’s right for you, but understand [the] consequences,” Love added.
“I tried to sound like my dad and I probably wasn’t very good at it. I didn’t argue. I said you can be Tiger Woods or you can be banned from the game, take your pick.
“But understanding the consequences, you signed up for these rules. I had to commit by last Friday or I don’t get to play this week. I have to play 15 tournaments or I don’t get to vote and I don’t get my retirement money. You have rules that you have to adhere to.
“I said you’re fixing to break a rule that’s a big rule and you’re going to get penalized for it.
“And Jay’s [Monahan, PGA Tour commissioner] been saying it for a year and some of them understood that, some of them said it’s not going to happen, and some of them just flat out lied, [saying] ‘I’m not doing this, I’m not doing that’.”
Love admits that he was “dead wrong” to say six months ago that LIV was not going to happen and that Phil Mickelson would be the only player to jump ship, but added: “I don’t know what’s going to happen from here on out, but I know it’s going to be a fight and the players are getting more and more unified against it.”
