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The “warning sign” in Collingwood’s McStay pursuit and the AFL’s ‘contract with’

The “warning sign” in Collingwood's McStay pursuit and the AFL's 'contract with'

Kane Cornes wonders what Collingwood would be thinking after watching Brisbane’s Dan McStay play on the weekend.

The Magpies continue to be linked with the Lions forward with some reports suggesting they have offered the 27-year-old a five-year deal worth $600,000 per season.

While the Pies are in need of a key forward, they could perhaps be unconvinced by his performances in 2022, particularly given he has returned just 16 goals from 16 matches.

Cornes believes another goalless showing in the loss to Richmond on Sunday should be a “warning sign” to Collingwood.

“It’s another example for Collingwood, it’s a warning sign,” he said on Channel 9’s Footy Classified.

“You got to see McStay on the big stage and it is the eighth time this year that he’s been goalless out of 16 games.

“This is what you are going to get, a player who has kicked 16 goals.”

The Port Adelaide greatly raised concerns of what he believes to be a ‘contract with’ in the current AFL landscape when players are coming out of contract.

He referenced a number of examples of players being paid and offered what he deems to be overs.

“There is a ‘contract with’ going on in the AFL,” Cornes added.

“The contract with is when you pay for a Mercedes but you get a Toyota. Your value increases just because you are out of contract.

“There’s some names there this year – Karl Amon, I’m hearing five years at 650 (thousand), they’re yet to realize that every third possession he hands it back to the opposition.

“Luke Jackson’s the same, he’s in really ordinary form. I understand why you would pay him, but you’re paying more than what he’s worth. (Jordan) De Goey is the same and McStay.

“Then the previous contract cons in the past. Rory Atkins, just because he was out of contract, (Jared) Polec, (Aidan) Corr last year.

“I can’t stand the (Angus) Brayshaw deal, six years, I can’t believe Melbourne have paid that, that’s extraordinary. Tom Boyd to the Bulldogs is another example.”

McStay is out of contract this year and is yet to re-sign with the Lions as he ponders a $3 million offer to join the Magpies.





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Former world featherweight boxing legend Jean-Pierre ‘Johnny’ Famechon dies, aged 77

A man wearing a tuxedo smiles for the camera, using a crutch as he stands with a woman before a sporting ceremonial dinner.

One of Australia’s greatest boxers, Johnny Famechon, has died, aged 77.

Born Jean-Pierre Famechon in France, he emigrated with his family to Australia at the age of five.

The son of a French lightweight boxing champion and nephew of a French and European featherweight titleholder, Famechon followed in their footsteps, skipping amateur boxing to begin his professional career at the age of 16.

With a fighting style based on quick movement, smart boxing and solid defence, he was described as “the classiest boxer in Australia” by the media.

In a nine-year career, he would amass a record of 56 wins (20 by knockout), six draws and five losses.

Famechon beat Les Dunn in 1964 for the Victorian featherweight title. He went on to win the Australian title and later the Commonwealth title in 1967.

He fought Cuban boxer Jose Legra at the Albert Hall in London and won a tough points decision to become the undisputed world featherweight champion in 1969, holding the belt at the same time as fellow Australian Lionel Rose.

A boxer poses for a picture bare-chested, in his trunks, with fists clenched, facing the camera.
Johnny Famechon won the world featherweight boxing title in 1969, and successfully defended it twice.(Getty Images: Express/A. jones)

Famechon would successfully defend the title twice, against former world flyweight and bantamweight champion Fighting Harada of Japan, who Rose had beaten to win the latter crown.

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The first fight was controversial as the referee first called the result a draw before changing it to a win for Famechon. He would win the rematch by knockout in early 1970 before retiring later that year after a loss to Mexican Vicente Saldivar.

His career made him a household name, and he was named Melbourne’s King of Moomba in 1970.

In 1991, he suffered life-changing injuries when hit by a car whilst jogging — before he was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997.

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Former world boxing champion, Barry Michael, said Famechon overcame the odds to claim the world title in London.

“It was the universal world title then,” Michael said.

“To beat Jose Legra, Famo was a huge underdog and then he went and beat him convincingly.

“Then he went along and fought Fighting Harada and they had the draw in Sydney, which they later gave to Famo on a recount, then they fought again on Tokyo and he knocked Harada out [in the 14th round].”

Famechon was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985.

In 2018, a bronze statue of Famechon was unveiled in his hometown of Frankston in Victoria.

He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in this year’s Queens Birthday Honors for significant service to boxing at elite level.

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Cricket Australia fears pandemic will create missing generation of players

Two children prepare to start cricket training

Cricket Australia is worried a pandemic-induced dive in the number of first-time cricketers could lead to a “missing generation” of kids taking up the sport around the nation.

Its annual cricket census for 2021-22 has revealed a 10 per cent drop in participants in the organisation’s Blast programme, largely caused by closures to centers in major cities as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns.

“It’s absolutely something that is a worry for us,” James Allsop, who heads up the community arm of Cricket Australia, said.

“It’s something we are mobilizing around as part of the new strategy that we’re about to launch in the next couple of years.”

A year of new, young cricketers have been lost, according to Allsop, and cricketing authorities are desperate to ensure it does not happen again for fear of losing a generation of budding batters, bowlers and fielders.

“We’ve lost one year. I’m really confident we’re not going to lose two years,” Allsop said.

“But we might have lost some kids as six-year-olds but we can get them back as a seven-year-old.”

Allsop pointed to Cricket Australia data which underscores the importance of attracting first-time cricketers at a young age.

Ninety per cent of participants play for the first time before the age of 12, according to the data, and, last year, 70 per cent started before the age of nine.

“Cricket is probably unique from other sports in that you do have to come in at an early age to develop those skills,” he said.

A group of junior cricketers pose before a match
The cricket census paints a positive picture on the whole. (Getty Images: Kelly Barnes)

First-timers aside, the cricket census paints a positive picture, in spite of more than two years of disruptions to community sport.

Club cricket has grown. Junior club registrations rose by 5 per cent on the year prior, and six per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Senior club registrations have risen, too, by 5 per cent.

The number of girls registered for junior club cricket lifted too on pre-COVID levels.

A big reason the sport has been able to grow despite the pandemic is timing. Winter sports like AFL and NRL were hit harder by state-based lockdowns.

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Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos, teams, Matt Lodge exit from Broncos, payout, Kevin Walters

Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos, teams, Matt Lodge exit from Broncos, payout, Kevin Walters

Further details of Matt Lodge’s exit from the Broncos have emerged as the front rower braces to face his former side when Brisbane battle the Roosters on Thursday night.

The Broncos agreed to pay up to $1 million of Lodge’s salary to facilitate his departure from Red Hill, a move that came under intense scrutiny at the time.

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“You try not to be critical of Brisbane as a former player but I don’t think we can believe anything that’s coming out of that place at the moment,” Brent Tate said on ‘NRL Tonight’ in the wake of Lodge’s exit to the Warriors.

“Kevvie came out and said they’d stay and if Matt Lodge goes, honestly, I think clubs are built on trust and at the moment there doesn’t seem to be that at that club.

“There’s different messages coming from all different people within the ranks and I hope for Matt Lodge’s sake he gets to go to a club because he’s been so up in the air and I know how difficult that would be for a player who plays on passion and emotion.”

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Matt Lodge left Brisbane in 2021. (AAP Image/Darren England)Source: AAP

Now though, a report from news corp has revealed more details on Lodge’s exit while chairman Karl Morris also explained why Brisbane was willing to chip in to speed the process up.

“Matt Lodge was a redemption story and it was great to have him back,” Morris told news corp.

“He did all the tough work he had to do while playing for Redcliffe to get back into the NRL. He completely gave up the drink and was a model citizen while he was with us.

“For whatever reason, culturally, it didn’t work with him and the new coaching staff and we decided to part ways.

“Kevvie wants a certain type of player and person at the Broncos and he just didn’t suit the type of team Kevvie was trying to build.”

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the news corp report claims that Lodge’s character was not the best match for what Walters was trying to build at Red Hill, with suggestions he cut corners at training.

Lodge is also said to have been sprayed by one Broncos official for his attire around the club.

But speaking to news corp ahead of Thursday’s game, lock forward Pat Carrigan was full of praise for his former teammate.

“Lodgey always plays well and I’m sure he will step up against us, I’m excited for him,” he said.

“He’s a halfback in a front-rower’s body, he’s actually a very smart footballer and he taught me a lot about the game.

“I am grateful for a lot of the stuff Lodgey did for us younger blokes here. He gave us that introduction to first grade. We had some good battles on the training ground so he will be up for this one and we will be too.”

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Australia’s Charisma Amoe-Tarrant lifts for her late mother and uncle, while England’s face of the Games, Emily Campbell, wins gold

An Australian weightlifter stands on stage and points her finger to the sky after clinching a Commonwealth Games medal.

Australia’s Charisma Amoe-Tarrant pumped her arms, thanked the crowd, and pointed to the sky to as she secured a bronze medal in the women’s 87+ kilogram category at the Commonwealth Games.

“That’s for my mum, and also my uncle who passed away from cancer, and I know he was also very supportive of my lifting, like my mum,” she said.

“All the lifting is for them.”

Amoe-Tarrant was born in Nauru and lived there until she was 12 years of age.

Her mother died of kidney problems in 2009, so she and her siblings were adopted by their grandparents, who brought them to Australia.

Four years ago, Amoe-Tarrant won a silver medal for her country of birth, and now the 23-year-old has one as an Australian.

“I’m representing both countries and I’m proud to be Australian and I’m also proud to be a Nauruan at the end of the day, so no one can take that away from me,” she said.

Amoe-Tarrant says she felt a lot of pressure coming into the Games and carried knee and elbow injuries into the competition.

Spurred on by a rapturous crowd, Amoe-Tarrant summoned everything she had to produce a clean and jerk that secured the bronze medal by 1kg.

“The crowd at the last Games was good. Here it’s just amazing,” she said.

“They were really the ones that helped me get that second lift [to clinch a medal].”

England’s Emily Campbell lives up to expectations to win gold

An English weightlifter closes her eyes and shouts out as she locks her arms to complete a lift at the Commonwealth Games.
England’s Emily Campbell delighted the home crowd with a combined total of 286 kilograms to win gold in the women’s 87+kg weightlifting.(Getty Images: Ryan Pierce)

Being the “face” of an Olympics or Commonwealth Games in your home country can be a blessing or a burden for many athletes.

Cathy Freeman is the most enduring Australian example from Sydney 2000 and, in Birmingham 2022, the mantle has fallen to England’s co-flagbearer Emily Campbell.

And, just like Freeman, she created her own magic moment in history.

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Campbell became the first female British weightlifter to win an Olympic medal, with silver in the 87+kg category in Tokyo last year.

In Birmingham, she was clearly a cut above the rest, lifting a Games record 286kg across the snatch and the clean and jerk to win gold.

Campbell took off her belt and whipped it around her head in elation, as the home fans let loose in celebration.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had a crowd that immense and so reactive. It was sensational. They were enjoying every minute and embracing every athlete,” she said.

“Some will say it’s a perfect Games, to walk out for that kind of opening ceremony was immense for starters, to lead out the home nation at a home Games.

“It’s a very special privilege and something I’ll remember forever.”

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Why the boss of Allens runs with staff (or tries to)

Why the boss of Allens runs with staff (or tries to)

How does it work being the boss of your wife?

That’s not how I would describe it [laughs]. We were at uni together and then we joined the firm together. We have a pretty good understanding of what’s work, what’s home, and keep the barriers pretty clear.

my wife [Belinda Thompson] is in litigation, I was an M&A lawyer back in the day.

Do you do any other exercise?

I’m nowhere near as fit as I would like. I do try to fit in exercise most morning, injury permitting.

I’m an old man, I’ve got an achilles problem at the moment I can’t shake. So, I’m mixing up my routine a bit to try, as my physio says, to do a bit of load management.

I’m also often meeting people out in the suburbs. It might be a run or walk around the Tan or meeting clients out in the suburbs for a coffee or walk while people are working from home.

Richard Spurio, managing partner at Allens, with staff from the firm’s running club. (2nd from left in white cap). Supplied

If you are doing something alone, it’s a great way to think through issues and sometimes a solution might come to you while you’re running around the Tan.

But getting involved in a group exercise with people can be a great way to switch off and practice a bit of mindfulness, ’cause you got your mind focused on something else.

Do you have a personal trainer?

Once a week, my wife and I try to make an early morning, outdoor personal training session. But it’s pretty cold at the moment in Melbourne. On a Saturday morning, there’s a group of guys that we have been kicking the footy with for 25 years.

We have been doing it for many years at Gosch’s Paddock, but at the moment we are at Victoria Park because Gosch’s Paddock is being re-seeded.

Who do you follow in the footy?

I follow Carlton. I don’t mind wearing my Carlton jumper around Victoria Park. I’m not involved with the club in any way other than as a supporter, but they have certainly given me a bit more joy this year.

What’s your coffee?

Short macchiato. I try and make sure I don’t go beyond three. We have a coffee machine at home, but that’s for weekends. Usually, I grab one on the way in. I grab one mid-morning when I usually grab someone to go for a walking meeting, then usually grab one after lunch.

Richard Spurio: “Engaging with people, talking to them, to understand what’s happening with their work or environment is a really good way to keep the pulse on how the firm is going.” Sam Mooy

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Retiring WA footy greats Josh Kennedy and David Mundy pay tribute to each-other

Retiring WA footy greats Josh Kennedy and David Mundy pay tribute to each-other

Retiring WA footy greats Josh Kennedy and David Mundy have paid tribute to each other after both the West Coast and Fremantle veterans announced their retirements this week.

Kennedy revealed his final curtain call will be against Adelaide at Optus Stadium on Sunday and Mundy said it wasn’t a round too soon for the Dockers.

“When his announcement came out, obviously it wasn’t a great surprise but he’s had a great career,” Mundy told SEN WA.

“I’m most thankful that he decided this week will be his last week and not the derby (the following round) because I just know he would have got up and kicked eight and won the game for them after the siren.

“He’s been an incredible player for the West Coast Eagles and he should be celebrated like a true champion.”

Josh Kennedy.
Camera IconJosh Kennedy. Credit: Paul Kane/via AFL Photos

Mundy joked that the Eagles spearhead, who will retire as the club’s all-time leading goalkicker, has been “an incredibly big thorn in our side”.

Meanwhile, Kennedy, 34, acknowledged how universally respected the Fremantle stalwart was, saying: “I think we all love David Mundy.”

“He’s been an absolute superstar. Not only for the Fremantle Dockers but for WA footy,” Kennedy said.

“He’s always been a humble family man and being on the opposition, I’ve always loved being able to; one, play against him but then; (two), watch from afar what he’s been able to achieve.”

Kennedy said it was a testament to the 37-year-old that he’s still performing at a high standard after more than 17 years at the top level.

Mundy had 35 touches against Melbourne on Friday night.
Camera IconMundy had 35 touches against Melbourne on Friday night. Credit: Paul Kane/via AFL Photos

“To achieve what he’s achieved over the course of his career and to be doing what he’s still doing at his age is a credit to him,” Kennedy said.

“To see what he’s done towards the back end of his career as well, a lot of guys will obviously fade out and he’s never faded out, he’s still playing some unbelievable football.”

Mundy will hang up his boots at the end of Fremantle’s 2022 campaign.

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news Phil Gould comments, more to David Klemmers axing than Newcastle Knights are willing to reveal after incident with trainer

It is not uncommon for a player to refuse to leave the field or voice their grievances at a trainer when being assessed for signs of concussion, says legendary former Blues coach Phil Gould.

His comments come in the wake of Newcastle prop David Klemmer’s bizarre axing after he reportedly refused to leave the field as directed during the Knights’ loss to the Bulldogs, before allegedly yelling at trainer Hayden Knowles.

“It’s normally the case. I don’t know how many occasions where it wouldn’t be the case that you ask someone to come off the field – particularly a senior player – and he says, ‘No go away’. [He] certainly wouldn’t be the first trainer to cop a gobful off a player,” he told Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus.

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“As much as we’re all mates and we’re all working for a common cause, when you’re in that sort of heat of battle you will say things on the football field, you will react each way. That’s just part and parcel of the game and part and parcel of being close as a group.”

Because of the surprise of Klemmer’s dropping from outside the club, Gould believes there must be a skirmish developing at the Knights behind closed doors.

“I don’t want to put words in their (the Knights’) mouth, but I can only imagine there’s more to this. It’s not just because he didn’t come off the field or he had words with a trainer, I mean that’s not uncommon at all.

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“There has to be more to it.

“You’ve got to put it in context, you’ve got to tell me what else was happening in the game or what else was happening around the relationship or what else has been said at half-time, pre-match, during the week or whatever.

“So unless they divulge that or unless someone knows the answer, it’s worthless even trying to speculate.

“If you’re only taking our information through the media, then we’re not getting the full story.”

According to Gould, Newcastle’s response to Klemmer’s on-field behavior is disproportionate when an altercation between players and staff can be resolved with a quick check-in.

“If in fact you had taken offense to the fact that he did that, that’s a two or three minute conversation – grab the trainers and sort it out,” he said.

“I’m not saying it’s right or that you condone (that sort of behaviour), it’s usually sorted after the game.”

The incident comes in a week of turmoil for Klemmer after it was reported the Eels tried to snatch him from the Knights before the August 1 deadline. However, Newcastle refused to let him go.

According to The Mole, it is likely the veteran prop will part ways with the club at season’s end despite having another 12 months to run on his lucrative contract.

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The sporting stars we’ve lost in 2022

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Watch the moment Zambian athlete Muzala Samukonga collapses in agony after winning men’s 400m heat at Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

Watch the moment Zambian athlete Muzala Samukonga collapses in agony after winning men's 400m heat at Commonwealth Games in Birmingham

It was a blistering run.

At just 19, Zambian Muzala Samukonga ran a personal best of 44.89 seconds to comfortably win his men’s 400m heat at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games on Wednesday.

See the moment Samukonga collapsed after the race in the video player above

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Not only that, he was the only qualifier of the semi-finals to run under 45 seconds.

But the rising star seems to have put himself at risk of missing his next race on Friday.

Samukonga had gained an approximately 10m lead with the finish line in sight on the final straight, but rather than slowing down towards the end as most athletes would do, he continued his sprint to the finish line to extend the margin.

He appeared elated but collapsed after the finish line and stayed on the ground for a number of minutes.

Samukonga was unable to walk after the race. Credit: 7Sport

And when he made it to his feet, he could not stay standing up.

Samukonga remained on the ground again and repeatedly slapped and punched his upper leg, before doctors determined he couldn’t walk.

He was wheelchaired out of the venue.

Channel 7 commentator Tamsyn Manou speculated the young runner could be suffering from lactic acid.

Samukonga needed to be wheelchaired out of the stadium. Credit: 7Sport

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“He’s in licorice there. Definite all sorts,” the Australian former sprinter said.

“That’s just lactic acid pain pulsating through those legs.

“He’s got it that badly, he’s going to take a while to recover from that.

“He’s going to need an ice bath for a while.”

Muzala Samukonga of Zambia reacts as he crosses the finish line. Credit: Alastair Grant/AP

Former English middle-distance runner Tim Hutchings was more critical, saying Samukonga had put himself in unnecessary distress and was unable to see a reason for him sprinting out the race.

“Maybe he thought I may never get a chance to run sub-45 (seconds) again,” Hutchings said in games commentary.

“I think most coaches would say, ‘it’s great to run a personal best, but actually this is just extravagant and you will pay for it’.

“That’s a 10m winning margin – and more by the time he hits the line.

“Really, really unnecessary, no one else goes under 46 seconds.

“He runs 44.89 and dare I say, he’s the word naïve.

“An incredible run, but I hope that’s not the last we see of him in Birmingham.”

Just like Tokyo 2020 on Seven, there will be one destination to watch every epic feat, every medal moment, every record attempt and every inspiring turn from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

7plus is the only place to watch up to 30 live and replay channels of sport, see what’s on when, keep up to date with the medal tally, create a watchlist to follow your favorite events and catch up on highlights.

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NRL 2022: David Klemmer, Newcastle Knights, contract, news, show cause notice, latest, video

NRL 2022: David Klemmer, Newcastle Knights, contract, news, show cause notice, latest, video

David Klemmer’s future at the Knights continues to hang by a thread, but coach Adam O’Brien reportedly is stuck at “arm’s length” over the Newcastle star’s situation.

According to veteran league journalist Brent Read, Klemmer and O’Brien reportedly have “no issue” with each other, with Read revealing on Fox League’s NRL360 that Klemmer apologized to his coach for blowing up at a trainer – an incident that subsequently saw Klemmer issued a show-cause notice by the Knights.

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Read also shut down a “conspiracy theory” linking the Klemmer saga to an aborted 11th-hour move to the Eels last week, although fellow NRL expert Phil Rothfield revealed deeper concerns at the Knights over Klemmer’s performances and attitude this season.

Read told NRL 360: “As I understand it, Klem’s apologized – he sent a text to Adam O’Brien on Sunday night acknowledging that he could have handled things better.

“I don’t think he’s got an issue with Adam O’Brien. I don’t think the coach is off him at all.”

Rothfield was doubtful that the Knights are genuinely hoping for Klemmer to leave the club, especially given an “awkward situation” between O’Brien and the player.

“I’m not convinced they do want him to go,” he said.

“And there’s a really awkward situation there where his manager is also the manager of Adam O’Brien, the coach. So how is the coach going to back him to sack one of his manager’s players? It gets too difficult.”

Read replied: “This is why Adam’s at arms length. This is (the responsibility of the new Director of Football) Peter Parr. Adam’s been told, ‘Stay out of it’ … My understanding is Adam has no issue with David Klemmer.”

There have been widespread rumors that Klemmer’s possible axing by the Knights is due to deeper problems, and not a reflection of this isolated incident.

NRL 360 host Paul Kent asked Read about the “conspiracy theory that it’s linked to the potential move to Parramatta”, earning an emphatic reply.

“That’s rubbish,” Read said. “Dave didn’t want to go to Parramatta. This happened after they’d already decided he wasn’t going to go.”

Parramatta had sought to sign Klemmer for the remainder of the season to boost their final hopes, but the Knights shut down the move prior to the August 1 deadline.

But Rothfield added that there have been lingering concerns in the club over Klemmer’s performance.

“Something I do know factually,” he said. “This is not an isolated issue with David Klemmer. I’m not saying there was anything as dramatic as him abusing the trainer.”

Read pointed out that Klemmer had “no other show causes, no blot marks on his record”.

But Rothfield countered: “But there’s still some issues that have happened at that football club behind the scenes. I mentioned some of them on Monday night: his failure to be able to carry out a game plan, (his tendency) to take one or two (too) many hit-ups.

“Some people have called him selfish, that he’s out there to make his meters and not follow what they’ve been training to do all week. They’re not getting quick play-the-balls.”

Pointing to video footage, Kent noted: “He’s been tackled there, but he continues to fight for three or four more seconds, which takes all the momentum out of your attack, which then leaves the rest of his team with no momentum to attack on the next play.”

But Read questioned: “So what are we saying, that they’re using this as a conspiracy to sack him?”

Nevertheless, Read opined that the single incident was not enough to see Klemmer’s contract torn up.

“It’s not a sackable offence… The terminology he used is freely used in that football club. It’s sprayed around,” Read said.

“My understanding is there was some language sprayed back at him as well.”

The situation remains murky in Newcastle. As Kent declared: “The whole thing’s weird. The whole thing’s crazy. It’s a very naive club.”

And with the latest drama engulfing the club, Rothfield added that O’Brien’s future at the club is under an increasingly dark cloud.

“I’ll be fair dinkum. I think we’ll know at 6 o’clock on Sunday night,” he said. “If they come away with nothing at Campbelltown, in light of the Klemmer drama and a few other things that have happened: I think there’ll be major drama next week.”

Originally published as ‘That’s rubbish’: Knights coach Adam O’Brien has ‘no issue’ with David Klemmer after apology

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