Sports – Page 142 – Michmutters

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Newcastle Knights, Adam O’Brien, David Klemmer future, news, latest, transfers, Sam Walker, Rabbitohs, Latrell Mitchell

Newcastle Knights, Adam O'Brien, David Klemmer future, news, latest, transfers, Sam Walker, Rabbitohs, Latrell Mitchell

The divide in the Newcastle dressing room has been simmering for the past few months with Knights coach Adam O’Brien telling the playing group after a recent loss: “I know what you blokes are saying about me. I’m going nowhere.”

The point blank message from O’Brien can be revealed as the Knights go into damage control in the wake of the coach’s loose carry press conference last Sunday.

O’Brien fronted the media again on Tuesday to try and walk things back off the cliff but by that stage the cracks in the Newcastle dressing room had been prized wide open.

The David Klemmer situation has only driven a further wedge into the struggling club which has only managed five wins out of 19 games this year.

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The Knights started this season full of optimism after back-to-back wins over the Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers before going on a run of seven losses leading into Magic Round.

It’s been slim pickings since with Newcastle now having the worst defensive record in the NRL having leaked 522 points at an average of 27.47 points per game along with currently having the worst differential in the competition of minus 238 points.

There’s no question O’Brien’s penchant for a blow-up is wearing thin with elements of the Newcastle playing group.

The problem for O’Brien is in 2022 it’s so much easier to get rid of a head coach than it is to completely try and turn over a roster.

The old saying goes you’ve never really been a head coach until you’ve lost four games in a row and the heat is on – which is exactly where O’Brien finds himself now.

‘AT A TIPPING POINT’: Knights at a crossroads, O’Brien feels for running ‘soft ship’

David Klemmer’s future at Newcastle is clouded. NRL PHOTOSSource: The Daily Telegraph

The Knights are adamant O’Brien will remain as the head coach next season but the biggest immediate challenge the Newcastle coach faces is getting the playing group all back on the same page.

New Director of Football Peter Parr has arrived at Newcastle and could only be shaking his head at the bun fight he’s walked into.

O’Brien is signed with Newcastle until the end of 2024 which if the Knights stay the course would mean he’s had a five-year tenure at the club.

After the events of the past week it’s now become blatantly clear the Knights coach needs a fast start to next season to ensure his own job security.

Let’s call the Klemmer play from Newcastle for what it is – the Knights are clearly trying to free up some money to try and go in a different direction next season.

Klemmer is on $800,000-plus which would give Newcastle some serious money to go to the open market with.

Plenty of ex-players are happy to tell you middle forwards often protest against being dragged from the field.

Newcastle have clearly identified they no longer want the ex-NSW and Australian prop at the Knights and so have started the process of steering him towards another club.

Adam O’Brien has come under scrutiny this week. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

ROOSTERS MOVE TO LOCK UP WALKER

The Sydney Roosters are set to launch a multi-million dollar play aimed at keeping young gun halfback Sam Walker at the Tricolours long-term.

Walker, 20, will be a free agent for rival clubs to approach as of November 1 but like all the good clubs the Roosters will try and make sure they strike a deal well beforehand.

The other rookie who has everyone talking at the Chooks is emerging superstar Joseph Suaalii. The Roosters clearly value his contribution to the team at the point where champion frontrower Jared Waerea-Hargreaves has been bringing him into leading the club’s team song over the past fortnight.

Jared has long been the Roosters leader in charge of leading the team song. Even after the Roosters were disappointed with their round 20 win over Manly, JWH still insisted on Suaalii riding shot gun with him leading the celebrations.

Nofoaluma vows to honor Tigers deal | 01:16

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DRAGONS CHASE ROOSTERS HOOKER

THE Gold Coast Titans aren’t the only club having a crack at signing Sydney Roosters hooker Sam Verrills.

The St George Illawarra Dragons are also making a play for the premiership-winning no.9.

Where it gets interesting is the Dragons have had a tough conversation with current hooker Andrew McCullough.

McCullough, 32, still has a year to run on his contract next season but the Red V are clearly exploring going in a different direction.

McCullough is one of the ex-Broncos clique of Dragons players who enjoys a close rapport with Red V coach Anthony Griffin.

The hooker, Dragons captain Ben Hunt and Josh Maguire all played in an under 20s grand finale with the Broncos in 2008 when Griffin was the coach.

‘This is what gives me the s****!’ | 02:04

FARAH GETS HANDS ON IN TIGERS FRONT OFFICE

The Wests Tigers putting the band back together with Tim Sheens, Benji Marshall and Robbie Farah is a smart play from the struggling club.

What’s equally as smart is Farah’s new contract stipulating that he’s also set to learn the ropes in terms of front office administration with the club.

The Tigers have long been laughed at by rival clubs about the way the club has been run.

Getting a figurehead like Farah who has bled for the club more hands-on in this department makes a lot of sense.

SOUTHS MOVE TO KEEP LATRELL, CODY AT REDFERN

We told you last week how South Sydney had a delicate $6 million balancing act on their hands around the re-signings of superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell and five-eighth star Cody Walker.

We were told there was a big chance the two key position players would wait until after November 1 to re-commit to South Sydney.

The Rabbitohs have swiftly moved to try and nip the scenario in the bud by meeting with the star duo earlier this week.

Both Latrell and Cody are off-contract at the end of next season but with talks progressing positively there’s every chance they can soon re-commit to the Bunnies.

It will be a huge coup for the red and green club and also for CEO Blake Solly.

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Commonwealth Games 2022: Rohan Browning 100m finals result, star ‘bitterly disappointed’

Commonwealth Games 2022: Rohan Browning 100m finals result, star 'bitterly disappointed'

Cult hero Rohan Browning has finished sixth in the final of the 100m at the Commonwealth Games.

Just an hour after he became the first Australian to reach a Commonwealth Games 100m final since 2010, Browning endured a disappointing final run that left him just 0.06 seconds short of the bronze medal at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham.

It was the closest Australia has got to winning a medal in the men’s blue ribbon event since Matt Shirvington’s lightning time of 10.03 still wasn’t enough for him to get a medal at the 1998 Games.

Australia has never won a medal in the men’s event since the Commonwealth Games changed the distance to 100m in 1970. Now we have to wait at least four more years.

Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala won gold in 10.02 and reigning champion Akani Simbine won silver in 10.13. Sri Lanka’s Yupun Abeykoon took bronze with 10.14 with Browning crossing the line in 10.20.

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24-year-old Browning exploded out of the blocks and was right there in the mix with 40m to run. However, he slipped back slightly in the final run to the line and had to settle for a result that Aussie athletics great Tamsyn Manou said would have made him “bitterly disappointed”.

“He wasn’t far off,” she said in commentary on Channel 7.

“He looks bitterly disappointed, but I’m OK with that because that means he wanted more.”

In a cruel twist, Browning’s time of 10.10 seconds he set in the heats would have been enough for the silver medal.

Browning was philosophical when assessing his performance after the race.
Browning said he “didn’t quite have the gas”.

“It’s nice to make a final and go through rounds of running. It’s a step in the right direction, I would’ve loved to be on the podium,” he added.

“I’m not satisfied by any means, but not too beat up. It’s been one of those seasons, and always learning.”

Browning is also just the fourth Aussie to make a Commonwealth Games 100m final in the past 30 years.

He joins Aaron Rouge-Serret (fifth in 2010) and Patrick Johnson (sixth in 2006) in the list of Aussies who have fallen agonizingly short.

Browning produced his best run of the year to send a message in the heats on Tuesday night (AEST).

He won his heat in a time of 10.10 in a spectacular turnaround from the World Championships in Oregon last month where he was unable to get out of the heats.

Browning, who famously ran 10.01 to win his heat at the Tokyo Olympics last year, looks like he is the real deal once again.

He said part of his bounce back from the world championships is the “humiliating” factor of failing to reach the semi-finals.

“I try not to take it to heart,” he said.

“There’s always that humiliation element when you get run out in the heats, but just trying to bounce back from it and not take it to heart and just trust that the form is there, it’s just in the execution. I think I’ve tapped into a good vein of form.”

Jake Doran, Australia’s second-fastest man, was unable to reach the final, finishing eighth in Heat 2 in a time of 10.40 seconds.

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Alpine abuse and Piastri furore as Hamilton makes American football move – GPFans F1 Recap – GPFans F1 Recap

Alpine abuse and Piastri furore as Hamilton makes American football move - GPFans F1 Recap - GPFans F1 Recap

Lewis Hamilton has become a part of the ownership group for the NFL franchise the Denver Broncos.
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Alpine and Ocon suffer vile online abuse after Alonso move

Alpine has been on the receiving end of vile online abuse after it was announced Fernando Alonso is to leave the team and join F1 rivals Aston Martin next season.
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Alpine face storm as Piastri denies F1 promotion

Alpine has been hit with another twist in its driver situation for 2023 after Oscar Piastri denied he will drive for the team in F1 next year.
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Verstappen issues Red Bull warning after Hungarian GP recovery

Max Verstappen has warned Red Bull it cannot afford a repeat of the problems he experienced at the Hungarian Grand Prix even though he holds a commanding lead in this year’s F1 title race.
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Hamilton’s Ferrari torment after Scuderia strategy that made “no sense”

Martin Brundle believes Lewis Hamilton’s drive to runner-up in Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix will have ‘tormented’ Ferrari after it delivered a strategy which made “no sense”.
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Alpine reveal how it discovered Alonso Aston Martin switch

Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer has revealed he only learned of Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin switch via the latter’s press release.
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Red Bull and Honda extend power unit support agreement

Red Bull has reached a deal with Honda that will see the Japanese manufacturer continue its technical support of the team’s powertrains department for the next three years.
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Is the F1 title Verstappen’s already? – GPFans Stewards’ Room Podcast

Max Verstappen completed a stunning recovery drive from 10th to win the Hungarian Grand Prix but his path was eased by yet more errors from Ferrari.

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Dockers identify forward as potential trade target

Dockers identify forward as potential trade target

Fremantle has identified Adelaide forward Elliott Himmelberg as a potential trade target, according to SEN SA’s Michelangelo Rucci.

The 24-year-old, who comes out of contract at season’s end, made his first AFL appearance since Round 9 last week.

Himmelberg replaced the injured Riley Thilthorpe for the Crows’ upset win over Carlton, finishing with eight disposals and a goal.

The Crows tall kicked four goals twice against Port Adelaide and Richmond earlier this year before losing his place ahead of Round 10.

Rucci understands the Dockers are doing their due diligence on Himmelberg.

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“Fremantle are putting together their list of how they overcome the issues of what they’ve got in attack, or don’t have in attack,” Rucci told SEN SA’s The Run Home.

“The player that they’re identifying – I stress identifying, they’re doing their due diligence – is Elliott Himmelberg at Adelaide.

“They think he’s the fit for them.

“He’s had five years at Adelaide, 37 games, 38 goals. We know he’s a tall player who can play forward and ruck – they want him as a forward. They desperately need to shore up their attack.

“He is growing with interest at Fremantle.”

Himmelberg was selected by Adelaide with pick 51 in the 2016 National Draft.





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David Klemmer fiasco shows what a mess Newcastle Knights have become

David Klemmer fiasco shows what a mess Newcastle Knights have become

As it stands, Klemmer, having been issued with the show-cause notice, can’t even train with the team. The club has supposedly drawn a line in the sand by standing down the man leading the players’ player voting for seemingly caring too much.

Klemmer is renowned for his short fuse. There is no doubt he should have handled the situation better and listened to instructions rather than fire off an expletive-laden tirade at trainer Hayden Knowles. However, anyone who sits on the sideline at an NRL game will tell you that you’d struggle to go through a round without seeing something similar.

O’Brien is in Klemmer’s corner. According to sources at the Knights, he has privately thrown his support behind the embattled prop despite the power he once yielded seemingly diminishing by the day.

The question that has been asked during the past 24 hours, since Newcastle sent out a press release confirming the decision, is whether there is more to the story. There has to be, right? The course of action seems out of context with the incident.

Apparently not. Suggestions there was a post-match altercation between Klemmer and Knowles have been strongly denied.

Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien is under pressure to keep his job.

Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien is under pressure to keep his job.Credit:Getty

Klemmer was taken away by Sport Integrity Australia testers and did not return to the change rooms until much later, otherwise there may have been another heated exchange, judging by the steam coming out of his ears during the team’s hapless performance against his former club.

Knowles and Klemmer had history. The trainer, who joined the Knights from Penrith this year, is the right-hand man of NSW coach Brad Fittler. Klemmer was controversially left out of the Blues squad a couple of years ago.

The 28-year-old prop wasn’t the biggest fan of the alternative methods of Knowles and Fittler, but has embraced Knowles’ ways at the Knights in 2022. It’s said the outburst on Sunday was not as a result of bad blood between the pair.

The red pen was put through his name for the Blues due to his attitude, NSW insiders have said. Despite playing 14 games for NSW between 2015 and 2019, Klemmer was not named in Fittler’s 27-man squad for the 2020 post-season Origin series.

Those connecting Parramatta’s pursuit of Klemmer on Monday and Newcastle’s sanctions are off the mark, too.

Klemmer is comfortable with the club not letting him leave. In fact, it was Klemmer who stopped the potential switch in his tracks for family reasons, given he would have to leave his wife and four children for up to 10 weeks.

Now he finds himself at a crossroads in his career. He has one year left on his Knights deal, worth about $800,000.

The club’s salary cap is not in great shape. A club with one of the best junior league nurseries in the world is now relying on a recruitment manager based in Queensland, who is close to the chief executive.

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Perhaps the seemingly excessive action against Klemmer isn’t a lack of judgment, but a move with desired intentions. Time will tell.

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What next in F1’s messy Alpine/Piastri contractual tug of war?

What next in F1's messy Alpine/Piastri contractual tug of war?

It has been an extraordinary and tumultuous two days for the Alpine F1 team.

In the space of just 48 hours, the Anglo-French outfit lost Fernando Alonso and also appears to have lost their highly-rated junior driver Oscar Piastri in one of the most remarkable F1 rows of recent times.

The chaotic events have seen the 2023 driver market explode into life and led to a messy public dispute. But how did we get here?

making sense of madness

Ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix – the final race before the summer break – Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement from F1 at the end of the 2022 season.

Naturally, thoughts quickly turned to who might replace the four-time world champion. Alonso, whose contract with Alpine was expiring, seemed like a dream statement signing for Aston Martin.

Although the Spaniard refused to completely rule a switch out, everything pointed towards him staying put for 2023. That’s what Alpine also believed, with Alonso assuring the team he had not signed with anyone else as the team prepared to leave Hungary on Sunday night.

The following morning, Aston Martin confirmed they had signed Alonso on a multi-year contract beginning in 2023, sending shockwaves through F1.

The bombshell news took Alpine by surprise, with team principal Otmar Szafnauer telling reporters in a press conference on August 2 that he first learned of Alonso’s departure when he read Aston Martin’s official press release.

Just hours later on late Tuesday afternoon, Alpine announced that Piastri, who won last year’s F2 championship, would make his F1 debut in 2023 “in line with the commitments made by the team to the young Australian”.

But Piastri responded by tweeting that he had “not signed a contract with Alpine for 2023 and will not be driving for them next year”. The 21-year-old said the announcement was “wrong” and had come “without my agreement”.

Prior to Alonso’s shock exit, Alpine had been looking to find Piastri a spot on the grid, with Williams at one stage appearing to be Piastri’s most likely destination.

The nature of Piastri’s public condemnation of Alpine’s announcement suggests he is confident about having another deal already lined up. Piastri, who is managed by ex-F1 driver Mark Webber, is understood to have an agreement with McLaren.

What happens next?

The dramatic stand-off, which appears to have been orchestrated by Alonso – who, just minutes after Piastri’s tweet, posted a video of him sticking his thumb up on Instagram – is set to rumble on.

Both parties believe they are in the right and a contractual tug-of-war looks set to follow during what is meant to be F1’s quietest period since the season began.

The unraveling contract saga echoes a similar motorsport dispute that is ongoing between Chip Ganassi Racing and McLaren over the destination of reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou.

Ganassi has issued a lawsuit against Palou after the Spaniard denied the team’s announcement that he is under contract for 2023 and beyond. Hours later, McLaren issued their own press release claiming that Palou had signed with them.

A similar situation occurred in F1 back in 2004 when BAR-Honda and Williams were both convinced they had legitimate deals with Jenson Button, who had tried to quit BAR to rejoin Williams.

BAR ultimately won their fight with Williams for Button to drive for them in 2005 after F1’s Contract Recognition Board (CRB) ruled in their favor.

Intriguingly, Szafnauer, then vice president of Honda Racing, was also involved.

Should the Alpine/Piastri dispute end up in a legal battle, the outcomes are seemingly two-fold; either Piastri stays and races for Alpine in 2023, or some kind of settlement deal with McLaren is reached.

Where does this leave Ricciardo?

The complicated tussle leaves question marks surrounding the future of Daniel Ricciardo, who is under contract at McLaren until the end of the 2023 season.

Should Piastri get his way, he will replace his compatriot at McLaren.

Ricciardo’s future has been the subject of intense speculation ever since McLaren boss Zak Brown admitted the under-performing Australian’s time with the team had not met expectations.

However, on July 13, Ricciardo issued a statement insisting he would not walk away from F1 and underlined his commitment to seeing out the rest of his McLaren contract.

If McLaren end up fielding Piastri alongside Lando Norris next season, they will have to pay off Ricciardo, and that won’t be cheap.

While Alpine hopes that Piastri will fill the seat vacated by Alonso, alternative options will be considered should the team not be able to keep the highly-rated youngster, who is considered a future F1 star.

As an eight-time grand prix winner, Ricciardo would be the most attractive and obvious option on the market for Alpine, despite the fact he left the Enstone team after just two years to join McLaren in 2021.

It would be a potentially awkward move, given Ricciardo’s decision to quit did not go down well with the Renault hierarchy. However, Alpine’s team management has since changed and they could be left facing a driver market limbo if they lose Piastri.

Speaking prior to the Piastri development on Tuesday, Szafnauer did not rule out a return for Ricciardo.

Plenty more twists and turns are likely before this driver market drama is resolved.

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CONFIRMED – Diogo Jota signs new long-term Liverpool contract – Liverpool FC

CONFIRMED - Diogo Jota signs new long-term Liverpool contract - Liverpool FC

Diogo Jota has put pen to paper on a new five-year contract with Liverpool, with the club rewarding the excellent form of their No. 20 since joining in 2020.

Jota has provided an excellent addition to the Reds’ attacking ranks since his £45 million transfer from Wolves two years ago, with 34 goals in 85 games.

Such has been his emphatic form that the long-standing front three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have undergone a more comfortable shift, with a new-look attack now in place.

Salah is among those to have signed a new contract this summer, and now Jota has joined the Egyptian in agreeing an extension to his deal.

Liverpool have announced a new long-term deal for Jota, which is believed to be for five years and on a significant increase on the terms finalized back in 2020.

“Really proud, I have to say,” the Portuguese told LiverpoolFC.com.

LONDON, ENGLAND - Wednesday, March 16, 2022: Liverpool's Diogo Jota celebrates after scoring the first goal during the FA Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

“Obviously since I arrived two years ago I established myself as an important player in this team – that’s what I wanted from the beginning.

“Now, signing a new long-term deal, it’s obviously from the club’s perspective proof of the belief in myself as a player.

“For me, obviously it’s really good to establish I’ll be here for a while.

“So, the beginning of a new season, let’s do it.”

Jota’s new deal follows extensions for Salah as well as James Milner and Joe Gomez, with Naby Keita and Harvey Elliott expected to be next in line.

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Commonwealth Games 2022: Sam Gaze wins mountain bike gold, Ben Oliver takes silver in New Zealand 1-2

Commonwealth Games 2022: Sam Gaze wins mountain bike gold, Ben Oliver takes silver in New Zealand 1-2

Sam Gaze wins gold and Ben Oliver wins silver in the men’s cross country mountain biking. Video/Sky Sport

By Kris Shannon in Birmingham

Four years after seizing gold with a snarl, Sam Gaze claimed his second with a smile.

The Kiwi mountain biker today blew away the field to win the men’s cross country race at Cannock Chase Forest, with only compatriot Ben Oliver capable of following his commanding lead.

Gaze earned his third Commonwealth Games medal in a time of 1:34:19, finishing 31 seconds ahead of Oliver in a second after dropping his teammate with a blistering attack on the sixth of eight laps.

It was the third straight Games in which New Zealand recorded a 1-2 in the event, after Anton Cooper pipped Gaze in Glasgow before that outcome was acrimoniously reversed on the Gold Coast.

Sam Gaze (right) and Ben Oliver celebrate their 1-2 finish. Photo / Photosport
Sam Gaze (right) and Ben Oliver celebrate their 1-2 finish. Photo / Photosport

The Birmingham edition came with slightly less drama, owing to a combination of Cooper’s absence through Covid and Gaze’s dominance on the bike.

Having been caught out by a Cooper attack near the finish line in 2014, Gaze later said he had “felt a bit robbed” by the result.

Those simmering feelings would boil over in 2018, when Gaze outsprinted Cooper for gold, accused his compatriot of poor sportsmanship and showed him a middle finger.

Gaze would be the one fined for unsportsmanlike behavior and he expressed remorse over his actions, but the only thing better than time to heal those wounds would have been another gold medal.

Particularly one secured with Cooper watching from an isolation hotel, his ill-timed illness denying today’s race some intrigue but doing nothing to lessen the Kiwi stranglehold on the event.

“It’s been very challenging – the last four years have been pretty turbulent,” Gaze said. “I’m very grateful for it, in hindsight. It’s made me who I am today and to come back this year, I like to think as a version of myself I’m proud of, is very special.

“To perform in the way I did and have Ben here with me is very special.”

From LR, Ben Oliver, Sam Gaze and Alex Miller celebrate their medals. Photo / Photosport
From LR, Ben Oliver, Sam Gaze and Alex Miller celebrate their medals. Photo / Photosport

Gaze immediately hit the front as the field started to string out through the picturesque setting outside of Birmingham, with Oliver right on his shoulder in a front group of 11.

That group didn’t last long, although chief podium contenders Charlie Aldridge of Scotland and Cameron Orr of Northern Ireland had at least remained on the Kiwis’ wheel at the first time check.

But by the end of the first of eight laps, with Gaze stopping the clock at 12:26, ​​he and Oliver had already opened a six-second lead, one that would only grow.

A quarter of the way through the race, with their advantage at 23 seconds, Gaze for the first time allowed Oliver to lead the way, having exchanged a word and a glance while crossing the finish line.

Gaze took the opportunity for a long look over his shoulder on one straight, but he needn’t have worried. England’s Joe Blackmore had bridged the gap to make it a chase trio, but they were surely racing only for the minor placings.

Halfway through the race, crossing at 47:23 and having extended their advantage over the British trio to almost a minute, only calamity could prevent another Kiwi 1-2.

The pair exchanged in further discussion as they rode together across the line, no doubt knowing their teamwork had locked up the top two steps of the podium.

Midway through the sixth lap, though, that teamwork came to a sudden end. On the hilly Twin Peaks section of the course, Gaze seized his chance to attack and Oliver could muster no response.

“He’s a hard man to follow on a hill like that,” Oliver said. “I kept the same speed and Sam just got quicker. I kept hard on the pedals all the way to the line to see if Sam was going to fade, which he obviously didn’t.”

Clearly the strongest rider in the field, Gaze was now racing towards a second straight gold medal.

The 26-year-old completed the sixth lap in a time of 1:10:45, with his compatriot 25 seconds back. And with Oliver holding a one-minute edge over the pursuing pair of Orr and Blackmore, silver was still firmly in his grasp of him, eventually coasting in 90 seconds ahead of Namibia’s Alex Miller who mounted a final-lap surge for bronze.

Gaze’s lead at the end of the seventh lap had grown to 42 seconds, leaving his final ride around the circuit little more than a procession, one that soon ended in triumph for both Kiwis.

“It’s special to race with your teammate at this event, especially Ben,” Gaze said. “I’ve known him since he was 14 years old, and he’s a great guy.

“We had a plan going into it that I wasn’t wanting to shake him straight away – we wanted to help each other out and secure the first two medals.”

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Day 6, full schedule, order of events, Australians in action, Ariarne Titmus, live updates, results, medal tally, Rohan Browning 100m, athletics, swimming

Day 6, full schedule, order of events, Australians in action, Ariarne Titmus, live updates, results, medal tally, Rohan Browning 100m, athletics, swimming

LIVE: It’s Day 6 of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and it’s set to be another cracker for the Aussies.

After 11 golds and 32 medals total on Day 5, Australia will be targeting more success – with a packed schedule in the Athletics, plus the final action in the pool.

Follow all the action in our live blog below and check back for regular updates!

Superstar Peter Bol opened his campaign in style, cruising into the end of the 800m after crossing the line in his heat in first place. While sprint star Rohan Browning is back in action in the 100m semis – and hopefully the final at 6.30am AEST.

In the pool, Ariarne Titmus hunts gold in the 400m, while Se-Bom Lee hits the water in the 200m individual medley.

There’s also plenty of other action on offer, with the Kookaburras back on the hockey field after the Hockeyroos’ comfortable victory early on day six, plus our Aussie women’s cricket who are on top against Pakistan.

That’s not to mention beach volleyball, table tennis, lawn bowls, or mountain biking and so on …

LIVE MEDAL TALLY: Keep up with the Aussie charge to the top!

EVERY AUSSIE MEDAL: Read the day-by-day recap of the Comm Games

Aussie heartbreak! Poms steal GOLD in OT | 00:25

DAY FIVE NEWS

WRAP: McKeon makes history after epic upset as Aussies surge with ELEVEN gold

‘Clunky’ Diamonds get job done as focus shifts to massive battle with Jamaica

English swimming star apologizes after backlash to ‘arrogant’ interview

Cody Simpson has blown us all away at the Commonwealth Games

Aussie cult hero goes bang at Commonwealth Games after ‘humiliation’

‘Blood in the water’: The ambush we should have seen coming as next Aussie superstar emerges

CHALMERS, AUSSIES FALL SHORT IN MASSIVE BOILOVER

Despite a sizzling anchor leg from Kyle Chalmers, Australia failed to win the men’s 4 x 100m medley relay as England caused a major upset to snare the gold.

England finished with a time of 3:31:80 while Australia touched the wall at 3:31:88.

Chalmers swam a split of 46.86 as it looked for all money that he would catch up to English swimmer Tom Dean, but it wasn’t enough.

TITMUS BEATS TEEN SENSATION TO WIN FOURTH GOLD

Ariarne Titmus has set a new Commonwealth Games record after winning the women’s 400m freestyle.

Titmus – the world record holder, defending Commonwealth Games champion, and the Olympic champion – beat 15-year-old Canadian sensation Summer McIntosh who ultimately came second in the race while Aussie Kiah Melverton took home the bronze.

Titmus touched the wall at 3:58:06, a few seconds off her personal best, but it did the job as she won her fourth medal in Birmingham.

STARC BATTLES SERIOUS INJURY AMID MEDAL TILT

Brandon Starc doesn’t look comfortable, grimacing as he deals with a reported foot injury in the men’s high jump final.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games champion needed two attempts to clear 2.15m then missed his first two efforts at 2.19m.

“That was not displaying much purpose. He did not get up off the ground, the foot injury no doubt playing on his mind, ”Channel 7’s David Culbert said.

Starc is battling a foot injury. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Starc is battling a foot injury. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

“With the troubles he has had you can see the body language is a bit of concern, does not look like the sort of athlete up and about feeling 100 per cent.”

Starc recovered with his third and final jump at 2.19m to stay alive, giving a little smile after nailing the height. Seven’s Matt Hill said: “Really good facial expression in contrast to what we saw a few moments ago.”

He then went on to clear 2.25m to throw down the gauntlet to the rest of the competition.

– via James Matthey, news.com.au

AUSSIE STAR SECURE GOLD IN EPIC BATTLE OF ENDURANCE

Sam Short has won the gold medal in the men’s 1500m freestyle in a physically grievous battle.

Short, who is just 18 years of age, touched the wall at 14:48:54, at a time that smashed his previous personal best by 10 seconds.

Speaking after the race, Short couldn’t hide his beaming smile as he can count himself among the elites of Australian swimming like Kieren Perkins and Grant Hackett.

“All those names are incredible to me,” Short said.

“Standing here today, I didn’t think I would be in the same sentence as them. Four years ago I watched this event and didn’t know I would be in the same position.”

Ariane Titmus won gold in the women’s 800 meter freestyle and backed it up with a strong swim in the 400m to qualify in third spot for the final. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia

Lani Pallister and Kiah Melverton made it a one-two-three for Australia in the heat.

FAVORITE BOWL FOR 800M FINAL

Peter Bol is once again turning heads, having flown into the men’s 800 final.

After a disappointing finish at the world championships, Bol returned to the form that made him a household name at the Tokyo Olympics and blitzed the field in the second heat, posting a time of 1:47:01.

“It’s great to be here,” Bol told Channel 7. “Unbelievable crowd as well. It’s an awesome feeling.

“Two championships in a row. It’s almost like it’s a second chance. I ran exactly how I wanted, and now four days off and back for the final.”

Australia’s Peter Bol (R) reacts after finishing in first place during the second heat of the men’s 800m at the Alexander Stadium, in Birmingham. Photo: AFPSource: AFP

The news wasn’t so good for fellow Australian Charlie Hunter, who missed out on the final after posting a time of 1:49:94.

Meanwhile, Steve Solomon has qualified for the semi-finals of the men’s 400m. The 29-year-old finished second in the opening heat of the event.

“I’m really happy with today’s run,” he said.

“I’ve had a challenging season to put it lightly. I’m really looking forward to coming back Friday night.

“I just wasn’t able to get the body right for (the world’s) and I’m proud of how I’ve refocused. It’s exciting times.”

STAR DUO SMOKE PAKISTAN

Australia remains unbeaten in cricket, after a clinical 44-run win over Pakistan.

Early on though and a big victory seemed a long way off.

The world champions slumped to 2-19 after the early exits of Alyssa Healy (4) and captain Meg Lanning (4), before opener Beth Mooney (70* off 49) and Tahlia McGrath (78* off 51) put Australia in the driver’s seat with their 141-run unbeaten third-wicket stand. In the end Australia finished 2-160 to set an imposing target.

Pakistan never really were in it, losing wickets regularly and finished 8-116.

McGrath took 3-13 and a run out to go along with her fabulous half-century, while Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown, Jessica Jonassen and Alan King each took a wicket.

Tahlia McGrath and Beth Mooney hit half-centuries during Australia’s big win over Pakistan. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

FLYING HOCKEYROOS

The Hockeyroos’ perfect start continued, as Katrina Powell’s side had a comfortable 2-0 win over Scotland.

The victory sealed top spot in Pool B for the Hockeyroos and a place in the final four.

Grace Stewart celebrates with teammates after scoring their side’s first goal against Scotland on day six of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

While Powell’s side dominated much of the game, they had to wait until late in the second term to find the back of the goals as Grace Stewart finished nicely to put Australia in front.

Shanea Tonkin then doubled Australia’s lead to confirm a comfortable victory.

SELECTED SCHEDULE (MORE TO COME)

ATHLETICS

Men’s 100m – 6:30am (Thursday)

HOCKEY

Men’s Group Matches – Australia v South Africa (6am)

LAWN BOWLS

Tons of action from 5.30pm AEST, culminating in theFor Women’s Pairs B6-B8 Gold Medal match – Australia v Scotland (midnight)

SWIMMING

Night session from 4am

Men’s 200m Individual Medley Final, Women’s 200m Freestyle S14 Final, Men’s 200m Freestyle S14 Final, Women’s 400m Freestyle Final, Men’s 50m Freestyle Final, Women’s 50m Backstroke Final, Men’s 1500m Freestyle Final, Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay Final, Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay Final, Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay Final

LIVE BLOG

Follow all the action from Day Five of the Commonwealth Games in our LIVE BLOG below! Can’t see the blog? CLICK HERE!

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Commonwealth Games 2022: Muzala Samukonga collapses in men’s 400m heat results, athletics news

Commonwealth Games 2022: Muzala Samukonga collapses in men's 400m heat results, athletics news

You don’t win gold in the qualifying rounds — and now teen star Muzala Samukonga knows it better than anyone.

The Zambian runner smoked the field in the heats of the men’s 400m at Alexander Stadium on Wednesday night (AEST), powering all the way to the finish line to shave 0.13 seconds off his personal best.

However, he collapsed on the ground after crossing the line and appeared to be in distress as officials attended to him.

The 19-year-old won Heat 5 by more than 10m from his nearest competitor and went through to the semi-finals with the fastest time of 44.89 seconds — the first time he has ever gone under the 45 second mark.

However, he might have paid a hefty price for running the personal best and he was seen clutching at his left hamstring after crossing the line. In a confronting sight, he was also seen to be punching his upper leg as he grimaced on the ground.

After attempting to get to his feet, Samukonga fell back to the ground before a wheelchair was brought out to carry him out of the stadium.

It appeared to be a case of severe cramp and Aussie athletics great Tamsyn Manou said she suspects Samukonga was suffering from “lactic acid pain”.

“He’s in liquor there. Definite all sorts,” the former Olympian told Channel 7.

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

When asked what that feels like, Manou responded: “It’s horrendous. He’s got it that badly. He’s got it really bad. He’s going to take a while to recover from that.

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

His participation in the semi-finals on Saturday morning (AEST) has not been confirmed.

Former British middle-distance runner Tim Hutchings told the Commonwealth Games host broadcasting service Samukonga brought it on himself.

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

“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 seconds and dare I say, he’s the word naive.

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

Aussie Steve Solomon also moved through to the semi-finals as the sixth-quickest overall qualifier after finishing second in his heat with a time of 45.98 seconds.

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