St Kilda has blown a golden opportunity at the wrong time, falling to Brisbane by 15 points in game there to be won late with the Saints’ season on all the line to all but end their final hopes.
Brett Ratten’s side recovered from a slow start to come charging back into the game in the second half, but wasn’t able to convert its opportunities including a wasteful 0.5 kicking display from Max King.
Saints legend Nick Riewoldt said he hoped the club wouldn’t put all the onus on its goalkicking inaccuracy in the second half, lamenting its lackluster start to the contest.
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“They had the game where they wanted it… but I hope it doesn’t turn into a ‘we just didn’t take our opportunities’, conversation. Because early in the contest when the game was there to be won, they weren’t necessarily up for it,” he said on Fox Footy post-match.
The Saints’ final hopes were dealt a massive blow (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS
“Then when it gets desperate you take it on. I hope it’s a really learning experience this game for St Kilda. When they played with a bit of desperation, especially with the footy, then they put the Lions under pressure and looked like a finals team.
“If you’re looking at it with a narrow lens, you would say they didn’t take their opportunities. Max King was bit of a liability in front of goal, he didn’t look he wanted the ball in the end, so he’ll be really disappointed that he couldn’t convert.”
St Kilda ended up winning the disposal count (327-310) and inside 50s (50-49), but converted 9.12 of its shots at goal (43 per cent) compared to Brisbane’s 12.9 (57 per cent), with Cam Rayner the match winner for the Lions with three of his four goals in the last term.
Demons legend Garry Lyon was much more encouraged by St Kilda’s style when it had more urgency and played faster and direct.
“The competitive, go slow style they’ve been playing has been left behind largely … that’s the learnings I would hope they get from it, because when they went with some stuff that looked unscripted, that’s when they looked most dangerous,” he said.
It’ll likely go down as another wasted season for the 11-10 Saints despite such a promising 5-1 start to 2022 to emerge as a premiership dark horse as Ratten was rewarded with a contract extension.
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But they’ve now won just three of their last 10 matches and would need nearly everything to go right by the way of other results for them to make finals from here including beating an in-form Swans outfit next weekend at Marvel Stadium.
Former Hawthorn sharpshooter Ben Dixon was however still giving St Kilda hope to finish in the top eight and was left unconvinced by Brisbane’s performance, calling it the “sweep escape”.
“I think Brisbane was given that game, they didn’t win it… if Richmond and Carlton lose they’ve (the Saints) still got a heartbeat. I’m giving them hope,” he said on Fox Footy Live.
But St Kilda champion Nick Dal Santo doesn’t believe his former side is currently playing a good enough brand to hold up in September.
“You want your finals series to be teams that are currently in form or capable of causing an upset from the bottom of the top eight,” he said.
“The form that the Saints have played of recent, no, I don’t think their in the best eight teams in the comp right now.”
Others responded on social media to the Saints’ blown opportunity.
Parramatta prop Junior Paulo has been elected to play for Samoa in the World Cup, becoming the latest player to knock back the Kangaroos.
The burly front-rower has never represented Australia, but was considered a near certainty for selection for the tournament at the end of the year.
“It’s been a tough one, I’ve been torn between [the teams],” he said on 9News.
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It comes just a week after fellow Origin prop Josh Papalii also elected for the blue jersey rather than the green and gold.
Just like Papalii, and others including Brian To’o, Paulo said the feelings that stirred inside him when he thought about playing for Samoa were simply different.
“Gus Gould really hit the nail on the head when he said, ‘What nation do you cry for when you sing the anthem?’
Junior Paulo in action against Souths on Friday night. (Getty)
“That plays a big part for me, and for me that’s being proud of my home, and that’s Samoa,” he said.
According to the 28-year-old, he wants to repay the sacrifices made by the generations before him that enabled him to succeed.
“I’ve got my two grandmothers, who are both overseas and while they’re still alive I want to be able to make them proud.”
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And much like his elders set him up, he wants to motivate the next generation to follow in his footsteps.
Blues big bopper has try taken off him
“I want to be able to inspire the next kid who is coming through the ranks and will be at home, or whether they’re in the islands watching that World Cup thinking they want to be able to represent their country,” he said.
But one thing is for sure – his decision won’t change his desire to continue to play for New South Wales.
“I’m just as passionate about both jerseys,” he said.
“One’s just a darker shade of blue, and the other one’s lighter.”
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Paul Green’s life in pictures: From Sharks prodigy to premiership-winning coach
Veteran rugby league referee Ben Cummins has opened up about his infamous mistake during the 2019 NRL grand final, confessing he felt “ashamed” and “worthless” after the incident.
Scores were tied at 8-8 late in the second half of the decider between the Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders when Cummins called “six again” after a Raiders attacking kick came off one of their players.
Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton grabbed the ball and charged into the defensive line believing it was the first tackle of the set, but Cummins reversed his call as the tackle was being made, meaning Canberra had to hand over the Steeden.
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Moments later, Sydney fullback James Tedesco dived over to give the Roosters a 14-8 lead at Sydney Olympic Park.
It was undeniably a major turning point in the contest.
“I realized I stuffed up big time and I tried to correct the call – which would have been the right call,” Cummins said.
“But Jack Wighton didn’t see that and he got tackled and the Roosters get the ball and go down the length of the field in the next set and score.
“I realized then that this was big at eight-all in a grand finale.
“It doesn’t get much bigger than this.
“I walked into the tunnel and cameras were all on me… my heart sunk.”
Referee Ben Cummins. Photo by Matt King/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Referee mistakes are not uncommon, and Cummins inevitably copped a tsunami of abuse from disgruntled rugby league fans for the error; even Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe joined the pile-on.
But the veteran referee, who has officiated more than 400 NRL games, has also revealed his teenage daughters were targeted after the ordeal.
“When you sign up to referee at the top level, you know that it comes with fans who are passionate, and people can say things about your performance,” he explained.
“But when it brings in your family and your home, it’s sort of to a different level. I found that really hard.
“I can’t say it was easy for them. My son was copping a lot of abuse at school and my daughters (were) online – because they are on social media. That was really tough.
“I basically locked myself in my house for a week.
“It was pretty dark times. I didn’t want to talk to anyone about it. I had some thoughts about what I wanted to do with my life and they were pretty negative.
“You feel ashamed and worthless, embarrassed. I wasn’t sleeping. I just wanted everything to go away.”
Radio presenter Gus Worland, founder of mental health charity Gotcha4Life, spoke to Channel 9 about the importance of mental strength among Australian men after former Queensland coach Paul Green was found dead in his Brisbane home on Thursday morning, the day after his son’s ninth birthday.
“It was so sad to hear this morning about Green,” he said on Thursday evening.
“This is a line in the sand moment for us as sport and us as a nation to say, ‘Enough is enough’.
“Let’s stop talking about awareness, let’s put some action into place.
“It’s all about manning up and speaking up now, Not manning up and shutting up, which is what we’ve been told all our lives to do.
“This is an opportunity to build some emotional muscle, put you hand up if you need some help and support. That’s the bravest thing you can do.
“Why are we so good in this country at helping people, but not good at asking for help?
Veteran rugby league referee Ben Cummins has opened up about his infamous mistake during the 2019 NRL grand final, confessing he felt “ashamed” and “worthless” after the incident.
Scores were tied at 8-8 late in the second half of the decider between the Sydney Roosters and Canberra Raiders when Cummins called “six again” after a Raiders attacking kick came off one of their players.
Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton grabbed the ball and charged into the defensive line believing it was the first tackle of the set, but Cummins reversed his call as the tackle was being made, meaning Canberra had to hand over the Steeden.
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Moments later, Sydney fullback James Tedesco dived over to give the Roosters a 14-8 lead at Sydney Olympic Park.
It was undeniably a major turning point in the contest.
“I realized I stuffed up big time and I tried to correct the call – which would have been the right call,” Cummins said.
“But Jack Wighton didn’t see that and he got tackled and the Roosters get the ball and go down the length of the field in the next set and score.
“I realized then that this was big at eight-all in a grand finale.
“It doesn’t get much bigger than this.
“I walked into the tunnel and cameras were all on me… my heart sunk.”
Referee mistakes are not uncommon, and Cummins inevitably copped a tsunami of abuse from disgruntled rugby league fans for the error; even Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe joined the pile-on.
But the veteran referee, who has officiated more than 400 NRL games, has also revealed his teenage daughters were targeted after the ordeal.
“When you sign up to referee at the top level, you know that it comes with fans who are passionate, and people can say things about your performance,” he explained.
“But when it brings in your family and your home, it’s sort of to a different level. I found that really hard.
“I can’t say it was easy for them. My son was copping a lot of abuse at school and my daughters (were) online – because they are on social media. That was really tough.
“I basically locked myself in my house for a week.
“It was pretty dark times. I didn’t want to talk to anyone about it. I had some thoughts about what I wanted to do with my life and they were pretty negative.
“You feel ashamed and worthless, embarrassed. I wasn’t sleeping. I just wanted everything to go away.”
Cummins’ revelation comes after former Queensland coach Paul Green was found dead at his Brisbane home on Thursday morning, the day after his son’s ninth birthday. It has been confirmed he took his own life from him.
Radio presenter Gus Worland, founder of mental health charity Gotcha4Life, spoke to Channel 9 about the importance of mental strength among Australian men.
“It was so sad to hear this morning about Green,” he said on Thursday evening.
“This is a line in the sand moment for us as sport and us as a nation to say, ‘Enough is enough’.
“Let’s stop talking about awareness, let’s put some action into place.
“It’s all about manning up and speaking up now, Not manning up and shutting up, which is what we’ve been told all our lives to do.
“This is an opportunity to build some emotional muscle, put you hand up if you need some help and support. That’s the bravest thing you can do.
“Why are we so good in this country at helping people, but not good at asking for help?
AFL and Essendon club legend James Hird has thrown his support behind the female soccer players at Port Melbourne Soccer Club after their involvement in the 2023 Women’s World Cup was ripped out from beneath them.
Less than six months after being selected by FIFA as one of 13 official training venues for the tournament, Port Melbourne SC was surprised and devastated to learn that City of Port Phillip council had withdrawn the site.
A planned upgrade to facilities at the JL Murphy soccer pitch as part of FIFA’s legacy investment in women’s football was agreed to by the council, only to be reneged this week, a decision described as “heartbreaking” by Sharks player Gabrielle Vittori.
The club would have required upgrades to the pitch and facilities in order to meet FIFA training site standards.(Getty Images: Michael Dodge)
“They signed an agreement … [but] we found out only a couple of days ago the council withdrew its support. They went directly to FIFA without contacting the club, its women, its participants, anyone,” Vittori told The Ticket.
“That’s just heartbreaking for us.”
Vittori said local community support had always been strong and following the success of England’s Lionesses at this month’s European championships there was a buzz around next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“It was magnificent, it really shone a light on how amazing women’s sport is, and to pull the funding for our venue to be a training facility is just gobsmacking for us,” she said.
“I speak on behalf of the girls I play with, my daughter’s on my team, I speak for my club and I speak for the girls and women in our municipality who are consistently overlooked by our council as a sport and as a community that wants to develop and grow.
“I’m gobsmacked by it all, I just don’t know what to do anymore.”
The council had previously celebrated the selection of its site, stating on its website that FIFA’s selection of its facilities was a “great recognition of council’s focus and support for female sport participation and a reward for our desire to improve facilities that can support inclusive opportunities” .
The sudden U-turn by the council has led others to question whether the council’s commitment was ever genuine.
Hird has been part of the Port Melbourne sport community for the past five or six years through his three sons playing there.
Former Essendon coach James Hird, whose sons (pictured) play locally, has criticized the council’s withdrawal from the site.(Getty Images: Scott Barbour)
He says the council’s decision is short-sighted.
“It’s a great community club. It’s 50 to 60 years old and a wonderful place,” he said.
“When it was announced three years ago that Port Melbourne were going to be one of the training centers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the excitement around the club was huge, and particularly for the women involved.
“Behind the Olympics, this is one of the biggest sporting events we’ve ever had in this country […] not just for the community but for the young girls and boys who can look up to these players and spark some sort of interest in the game.
“The male game is at capacity, but for women in football, the opportunities are just growing more and more. I think it’s a bit of a slap in the face, really, for not just the women but everyone, that the council have pulled their support, unknownst to the club.
“The club found out on Wednesday by chance, because the council hadn’t let them know. It’s a strange occurrence and one that everyone at the club and in the area is wondering why.”
The chief executive of Port Phillip council, Peter Smith, said in a statement to the ABC that upgrades to the ground were thought to be achievable until June this year.
“FIFA said the installation of a $500,000 drainage system on Pitch 1 was required for the grounds to remain as a training venue,” Mr Smith said.
“FIFA also required a lighting upgrade costing $120,000 and improvements to make bathroom facilities more ‘female friendly’.
“These three non-negotiable requirements totaled $700,000.
“While FIFA offered to contribute $100,000 towards these drainage works, there is currently no council budget to make up that shortfall.
“Compounding the issue, it is highly unlikely we would be able to meet FIFA’s deadline for the drainage to be completed.
“We are, however already undertaking the female-friendly changing room upgrades and our lighting is suitable for community sport.”
Mr Smith said the council understood the disappointment of local clubs.
Gabrielle Vittori said if the council was genuine in its support for women’s sport it would have looked elsewhere for funding support.
She had a private conversation with FIFA Secretary-General Fatma Samoura to express her concerns.
FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura (centre) was in Australia recently to celebrate One Year To Go until the 2023 Women’s World Cup.(adrienne reardon)
“It was a private conversation. I won’t go into what she said however I did voice my concerns exactly like I am with you right now and she did take interest in what was going on,” Vittori said.
“I know the council did not go to state government or any other institution to request funding.
“We’ve been involved in conversations regarding other facilities in the future and federal government representatives have been involved in those meetings and they’ve been so thrilled at the thought of developing facilities in our municipality to support not just the sport but women as well .
“Our council did not apply for any grants or any assistance in funding from the state government.”
The council confirmed it had not looked elsewhere to cover the shortfall in the cost of upgrades.
“It’s incredibly disappointing. I started playing this game at the age of 44, so well beyond the age you see most girls joining,” Vittori said.
“My daughter played up until about the age of seven but, because of the lack of facilities, the lack of support, she didn’t want to play with boys anymore.
“She wanted to play with girls.
“We didn’t have the facilities to include more girls and grassroots teams.
“She’s since come back and now she’s playing in my team, which is a little bit disappointing because she’s 15, I’m 53. She needs to be playing with girls of her own age.
“This is not about me, this is about the girls that I play with that are much younger. This is about the young girls that are coming through in our community that want to play for years and years.”
In a short statement FIFA said it was committed to ensuring the provision of pristine pitches for the World Cup — a fact known to all councils who submitted a bid to be selected as a training site.
With regards to the selection of training sites in host countries, we can confirm that all prospective training sites and local authorities were consulted at the start of, and throughout, the ongoing selection process and agreed to meet international standards that will be required for the 32 teams who will participate at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Following regular discussions with the local stakeholders, FIFA has taken note of the decision by The City of Port Phillip to withdraw JL Murphy Reserve as a prospective training site for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
While the council’s decision appears to be final, Vittori and the local football community say they are prepared to fight on hoping the girls and women of Port Melbourne SC can have their ground returned to the FIFA Women’s World Cup legacy program.
“This is the great thing about the Port Melbourne community: they never lie down, they’ve got a strong committee and really strong people,” Hird said.
“On Sunday, there’s going to be a rally at the club to draw attention to this, to try and get it back on track and see if we can find the money somewhere.
“It would be very, very sad if the Port Melbourne football club can’t host a team and leave a legacy for girls and women in the community around such a great event.”
Isaiah Papali’i has drawn a considerable dose of empathy amid his contract shambles because of Michael Maguire’s axing.
The hesitant thoughts of the Parramatta back-rower are reasonable, many believe, because he signed a deal with Wests Tigers thinking Maguire would be his coach.
Billy Slater doesn’t buy that argument.
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Billy Slater has delivered Isaiah Papali’i an unapologetic message as the back-rower considers a contract backflip. (Getty Images)
“If you sign with a club, go to the club,” Slater said on Nine’s post-match coverage of the Rabbitohs’ defeat of the Eels.
“You’re signing with a club. You’re not signing with a coach, you’re not signing with a player — you’re signing with a club. Go to the club.
“You’re not allowed to walk away from a contract. It’s just pressure, public pressure if you want out.
“If you sign with a club, you want to take that money and you sign the deal, go to the club.”
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Star considers backflip on Tigers
Papali’i penned a three-year deal with Wests Tigers in November 2021, tying him to the joint-venture club from the 2023 season.
But the New Zealand international’s commitment to the contract has waned, with the 23-year-old revealing this week he’ll decide on his future at the end of the season.
A common belief is Papali’i’s second thoughts were triggered by Maguire copping the boot in June.
“You sign with the jersey, the club,” Brad Fittler said.
“I can’t believe (in these) contracts they’re able to walk away.”
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Paul Green’s life in pictures: From Sharks prodigy to premiership-winning coach
St Kilda coach Brett Ratten has said star forward Max King “won’t be seeing anybody outside the club” to help improve his set-shot routine, instead backing in those at the club to help steady the 22-year-old’s game.
King imposed himself in the air during Friday night’s loss to Brisbane at Marvel Stadium, but kicked five behinds and ended up goalless as the Saints’ final hopes were all-but dashed.
Speaking post-game, Ratten was staunch in his defense of King.
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“It’s part of the game and you look through great forwards to have played the game, they’ve had a night where they haven’t scored like they wanted to,” he said.
“The pleasing part we know about Max is that Tuesday was a day off for the players and he was at Marvel Stadium for an hour-and-a-half having goal-kicking practice. Every day we’re at the footy club or not at the footy club he’s there having extra goal-kicking and really rehearsing and fine-tuning his game to make sure he gets the opportunity to score on game-day. He’s doing a power of work.
“What I do know is I want Max King in my corner. He’ll be at our footy club for 10 years and when we look back we’ll be saying what a great player he is and what he’s done. Tonight he had a night where it didn’t work for him.
“He did everything right but finish, for great forwards that’s happened in the game. He’s 21 years of age, we love what he brings to the footy club, he’s developing and we know that he’s doing the work. Sometimes you don’t get the reward all the time but he’ll keep doing that and you watch, he’ll turn it around.”
King has enjoyed a relatively impressive season in front of goal, booting 47 goals from his 21 games.
There have been occasions, however, where inaccuracy has plagued him, most notably his return of one goal and seven behinds in round six and two goals and five behinds in round 20 before tonight’s five behinds.
Ratten said a myriad of factors were at play for King.
King kicked five behinds on Friday night (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images).Source: Getty Images
“I wouldn’t say high pressure, I think sometimes the goal-kicking, it’s got so many elements to it,” he said.
“It’s the technical aspect, the mental aspect, the fatigue, what part of the ground, people score from different parts and score easier when the ball is on the right side versus the left.
“I want to go to war with Max because he delivers and he will deliver.”
The Saints in 2021 knocked back Max King’s request for help from Essendon champion Matthew Lloyd – who also coached King at Haileybury College – instead opting to leave King’s goal-kicking practice to those internally.
Asked on Friday night if there had been a change since then, Ratten’s response was firm.
“He won’t be seeing anybody outside the club, he doesn’t need to. We’ve got people with the skillset to keep working there,” he said.
“As I said to you, it’s not just all about the technical aspect, there’s a mental aspect to it as well. With goal-kicking, it’s a closed skill and there’s different elements to it.
“It’s not just we bring somebody in and they fix up the hand drop or anything like that. He hasn’t got many flaws, but sometimes it can go against you.”
Junior Paulo has handed the Kangaroos a major blow as the Parramatta prop confirmed he will play for Samoa at the World Cup.
The 28-year-old male is yet to represent Australia at international level but has nine State of Origin games for New South Wales under his belt.
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Paulo also has nine caps for Samoa to his name and although he was “torn” between the blue shirt of the nation or the green and gold of Australia, it was a quote from Phil Gould that ultimately swayed his decision.
“Gus Gould really hit the nail on the head when he said, ‘What nation do you cry for when you sing the anthem,’” Paulo told 9News.
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“That plays a big part for me, and for me that’s being proud of my home, and that’s Samoa.”
Paulo joins Canberra forward Josh Papalii as well as Panthers duo Brian To’o and Jarome Luai as NRL stars who have confirmed they will represent Samoa instead of Australia at the World Cup.
The Parramatta star also hopes that by not choosing to play for the Kangaroos, it could inspire several youngsters to be proud of their home nation when it comes to representative footy.
“I want to be able to inspire the next kid who is coming through the ranks and will be at home, or whether they’re in the islands watching that World Cup thinking they want to be able to represent their country,” Paulo said.
The Blues star is also hoping that by playing for Samoa, he can make his family proud as punch.
“I’ve got my two grandmothers, who are both overseas and while they’re still alive I want to make them proud,” Paulo said.
Nick Kyrgios’ nine-match winning streak has come to an end at the Montreal Masters, eliminated in the quarter-finals by Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
The Wimbledon runner-up lost 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (5/7), 6-1 after coming to the court with 15 victories from his past 16 matches.
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The Australian complained of body soreness after the match, and it was clear he was impacted during proceedings as he tried to keep up the pace of the match in the first two sets before wilting in the final frame.
The Aussie was annoyed as his opponent left the court for a change of clothes at the beginning of the third, saying his body was heavily impacted by the stoppage.
Nick Kyrgios of Australia favors his knee in the match against Hubert Hurkacz of Poland during Day 7 of the National Bank Open at Stade IGA on August 12, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) (Getty)
Players are given a maximum of three minutes once they have entered the toilet while they also receive two minutes for a change of attire.
The issue at many tournaments other than the majors is that the changing room facilities are not near the main arenas and such is the case in Montreal. Hurkacz was gone for nearly eight minutes.
On the live broadcast, Kyrgios vented his frustrations.
“We’re not f—ing machines, bro,” Kyrgios said.
“We can’t just go and stop, go and stop, go and stop.”
The world No.27 was also annoyed at the fact Hurkacz felt a need to change his clothes despite the relatively cool weather.
“No-one needs to change f—ing clothes in f—ing 15 degree heat,” Kyrgios said.
“15 f—ing degrees bro.”
Speaking after the match, a measured Kyrgios explained his frustrations surrounding the change of clothes.
“Obviously when you’re playing and you stop for like five to 10 minutes, it doesn’t help your body,” Kyrgios said.
“My body was so stiff after that, I couldn’t move properly.
“I mean, it’s within the rules. I’m not going to complain. I completely stiffened up.”
Kyrgios reacts after getting the ball over the net for a point. (Getty)
The Aussie said he powered through pain issues in the last week, but it eventually caught up with him.
“My body hasn’t been feeling great the last week,” he said.
“I was feeling the abdominal (muscle) a little bit before the match. My knees hurt.
“I’m not a machine. I’m a human.”
Kyrgios has all but secured a seeding for the US Open, but said he needs to take time out before playing in Cincinnati, and then the US Open, which begins August 29.
“I feel good, but the US Open is still two and a half weeks away. I have Cincinnati next week. That’s all I’m focusing on,” Kyrgios said.
“I’m focusing on today, tonight, recovery, food, then just resting, then Cincinnati. That’s where my mind is at.”
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The backstories and controversies that have ignited feuds involving athletes
“We were devastated [on Thursday] when we heard the news,” V’landys said. “It just shows you how fragile life is and that we should take care of each other.
“We all go through doubting ourselves, we all go through some terrible times. But it doesn’t hurt to talk to somebody about it.
‘His humor was really important, his brutal honesty was really important and his vision as a coach was special.’
Trent Robinson
“This is the classic example. I hope if anything comes out of this – which is one of the saddest things I have been involved in in rugby league – that people do reach out when they are troubled.”
Green’s two most recent clubs, the Roosters and Cowboys, will meet in a top-eight shootout at the SCG on Saturday, with both teams to wear black armbands in tribute to the former Rothmans Medalist, who led North Queensland to their maiden title in 2015 .
The Roosters’ squad gathered to speak about their feelings on Friday morning and look at photos of Green wearing the tricolours as a player and as an assistant to Robinson in 2013. Green was Roosters player No.998.
“He was just an amazing coach and an amazing guy,” Robinson said. “His humor was really important, his brutal honesty was really important and his vision of him as a coach was special. We’re just really sad, a lot of the staff here. Some of the players have had a bit to do with Greeny [as well].
Cowboys coach Todd Payten.Credit:Getty
“It just highlights the personal side of what we do and the need for support. I remember Greeny was my last coaching hire [in 2013]. He’d won a couple of comps at Wynnum Manly, he’d been with Wayne [Bennett] at Brisbane and he came down.
“I still remember his first session. He came in and we were getting all our systems in play and he got straight into the coaching. He was really confident about his knowledge of him and he got straight into his style of him, his forthright approach of him… and the players really loved him for that.
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Green’s name had been linked to several jobs since leaving the Cowboys midway through the 2020 season, before he returned to elite coaching with Queensland in last year’s Origin series.
He was instrumental in lobbying for the opening match of the COVID-affected series to be played in Townsville, the first time Origin has been played in north Queensland.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten said Green would be “sorely missed.”
“It’s been a difficult 24 hours, and as a club and as a group, we’ll just have to put our arms around each other,” Payten said.
“Some guys [here] have a long history with Paul. We understand that grief affects people differently at different times, and the club have been great at putting in resources around staff and players to make sure that they can come up with strategies to best deal with that and talk through how they’re feeling.”
For help in a crisis call 000. If you or anyone you know needs support, you can contact Lifeline 131 114, or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
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