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8/13/2022 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Caulfield, PB Lawrence Stakes day

8/13/2022 Horse Racing Tips and Best Bets – Caulfield, PB Lawrence Stakes day

Spring is in the air this Saturday at Caulfield, where it is PB Lawrence Stakes Day, with the 1400m feature a lead up towards the Memsie Stakes in two weeks time. The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is out nine meters for the entire circuit.

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Race 1. (12:10) Mrc 1St Renewal M Grumley Hcp 1600m

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Back Me

3MidnightBlue (BetNow: $10.00 TOP ODDS) is a fascinating runner. Former WA galloper that makes his Victorian debut for the Danny O’Brien camp. He hasn’t raced since New Years Day when a strong winner of the Perth Cup. I’ve been surprised by how well he has jumped out leading in, the latest being a win at Werribee, so watch the market.

danger

6 Chief Altony (BetNow: $2.40 TOP ODDS) has been up a while but is holding his form really well. He ran behind Lackeen a fortnight back at The Valley and was never a factor to beat the Godolphin horse, with that galloper stealing a march on the field, including Chief Altony. He likes Caulfield and hopefully he can settle closer in the run.

long shot

5 Thoughts Of That (BetNow: $4.80 TOP ODDS) is a watch for me. He’s talented when right, but he also can be quite hit and miss. He hasn’t raced since late May when down the track behind Mankayan but with the break, he’s had a jumpout and a hurdle trial, so whether that was to sharpen him up, or they have eyes on a maiden hurdle and this is a prep run, not sure. But he’s capable of winning this.

Race 2. (12:45) Senet Gambling Law Expert-Bm78 1600m

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11 Pitchhanun (BetNow: $8.50 TOP ODDS) is knocking on the door to win. Track was too wet for her fresh at Sandown behind Cyclone Sally. Ella then she went to Flemington three weeks ago where she was unlucky not to win, getting held up at a vital stage before getting clear and driving late to just miss. Hard fit now, she’s hard to beat.

danger

8 Unusual Culture (BetNow: $6.50 TOP ODDS) is a talented mare I feel for the Maher/Eustace camp. Just wish they’d get her to Flemington because she does look like a big track horse. Both Australian runs have come here, and each time she has crabbed around the turn, losing momentum then balancing up late. She can win, but backing her to do it is another thing.

long shot

9 Free Flying Star (BetNow: $17.00 TOP ODDS) has been up a while but is holding her form quite nicely. Last few runs have come at Sandown, where she has been quite consistent and thereabouts every time, last start seeing her finish third to Free To Move. Harder here, but in form, hard fit, she commands respect.

Race 3. (13:20) Fierce Impact Breed Elite-Bm90 1100m

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4 She’s All Class (BetNow: $2.60 TOP ODDS) should take beating for the Maher/Eustace camp. First run for the stable came at Caulfield several weeks ago when sitting off the speed before being presented wider and finishing off strongly when second to Chain Of Lightning in a good effort and strong return. Fitter, with class on her side of her, she’ll take beating against this lot.

danger

7 Throntari (BetNow: $6.00 TOP ODDS) have found winning form…can she hold it? Freshened up from 1400m to 1200m a few weeks back at Caulfield and the end result was a dominant win in testing conditions, helped by an absolute peach from Craig Williams, who is the form rider in Victoria at the moment. Back in winning form, she commands respect.

long shot

5Little Stevie (BetNow: $11.00 TOP ODDS) has been a ripping mare pretty much throughout her career but this time in she has established herself as a Saturday class horse. She got a peach from Cartwright to win several weeks ago at Caulfield, sitting off the speed before being presented clear air and away she went for a strong performance. Hard to knock how genuine she is.

Race 4. (13:55) Ive > (Bm78) 1200m

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I think 5 I Am Bene (BetNow: $3.80 TOP ODDS) is the best on the card. Andrew Clarken trained mare from SA that I reckon is using this run as a tune up and a look at Caulfield in readiness for the Cockram. She summarized in the Lightning at Morphettville and was very good in the worst ground behind a star in Extremely Lucky. That form is A1 for this and fitter, up to 1200m, I’m keen on her.

danger

1 Home Rules (BetNow: $4.40 TOP ODDS) can be hit and miss, but he is Saturday class when he’s on, as seen when an impressive winner at The Valley two weeks ago. He was given a lovely ride from Lane, sitting near the speed before being clicked up on the turn and away he went, safely holding a margin. He steps up to 78 grade, but he’s likeable once again.

long shot

Staying at 1200m is the knock with 3 attractive (BetNow: $14.00 TOP ODDS) but he’s a four year old with talent. He summarized at this track/distance three weeks back where he got back in the run and was never a factor, but liked the way he finished the race off behind Big Apple. J Kah on is a big tick and his best is good enough.

Race 5. (14:35) Vain Stakes 1100m

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If 5 Alpha One (BetNow: $3.20) can stretch its brilliance to 1100m, they’re cooking with gas. Arrogant win two back over 1000m at Hawkesbury before coming back to 955m at The Valley two weeks ago where he produced sustained speed from the front and gave nothing else to look in. He’s hard fit, in shape and with his racing style, he’ll take beating.

danger

i say 3 Millane (BetNow: $6.00) is here to rock and roll first up. Peter Moody trained colt that summarizes, having not raced since a strong debut win down the track at Flemington in March and after that win, he was touted as a Slipper horse. Instead he was spelled. He has come back and with three jumpouts under the belt, he’s ready to go IMO and the stable has been low flying with their first up horses recently.

long shot

6 Giga Kick (BetNow: $4.20) faces a good test here but all you can do is win and that is what he has done in two career outings. He summarized four weeks back down the straight at Flemington where he was a notable drifter in betting but it mattered not to him, winning comfortably. He beat nothing, but beware the unbeaten horse.

Race 6. (15:15) Quezette Stakes 1100m

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8 Winnertakestall (BetNow: $21.00) has come back in really good order. Team Snowden filly that summarized over 955m at The Valley where she had the suck run behind the speed before Dee angled her clear and in a driving go, she finished best to win and win well. Ella she’s got room for improvement and up to 1100m, she’s hard to beat once again.

danger

12 Waltz On By (BetNow: $6.00) is a very interesting runner. Peter Moody trained filly that resumes after a three run Autumn prep, where she placed in the Talindert before finishing around midfield in the Blue Diamond. Her recent jumpout from her was quite good and she maps ideally for Jamie Kah for a stable that is absolutely flying.

long shot

5 Ojai (BetNow: $17.00) looks a short course type so resuming at 1100m I do like for this James Cummings filly. She had a busy Autumn Carnival, contesting all the good races, and while she didn’t measure up, she was far from disgraced. Two trials leading in have been solid and stable loves to target these lower level blacktype races with their second/third tier gallopers.

Race 7. (15:55) Regal Roller Stakes 1200m

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Back Me

6 Showmanship (BetNow: $5.50) is a high quality horse when right and despite bigger fish to fry, he has the class/quality to round these up. He had one run for the O’Brien camp in the Autumn, which came in the Wangoom at Warrnambool when a narrow third to Frankie Pinot. Just one quiet jumpout leading into this run, but if he’s within range, he’s got the finale to overhaul them.

danger

This is a good test for 11 Uncommon James (BetNow: $2.40) but he does look quite a promising horse. 2/2 this time in, both starts and wins coming in Queensland, bolting up fresh at Eagle Farm before repeating the dose in style at Doomben. He’s probably the best of the O’Dea/Hoysted team that are in Melbourne so keen to see how he goes at this level.

long shot

7 Happy (BetNow: $19.00) looks to be back on track. She was a pretty plain return in the Monash behind Mileva but she bounced back to positive form with a fighting fourth in the Bletchingly behind King Of Sparta. Third up now and hard fit, we know her best from her is clearly good enough to beat these.

Race 8. (16:35) PB Lawrence Stakes 1400m

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Back Me

5 Buffalo River (BetNow: $12.00) tends to race well on the fresh side and with a soft lead, potentially, on the cards, I think he’s worth a gamble. I have had a frustrating Autumn/Winter prep, plagued by wide gates, ordinary rides etc. Caulfield 1400m suits his racing style from him, he’ll roll forward and with a bit of juice in the track, he’ll take beating.

danger

Class will carry 2 Mr Brightside (BetNow: $3.50) to long way. Team Hayes trained gelding that resumes, with eyes towards the Cox Plate, so how wound up he is, not sure, but he is the class runner having won the Doncaster last run last prep, which followed an excellent effort in the All Star Mile. He has to be respected.

long shot

I think the weather conditions are crucial to 3 Streets Of Avalon (BetNow: $15.00). He is a dead set dry tracker who summarized in the Bletchingly and he struggled to pick his feet up on a shifty track. Hopefully he finds a firmer deck and we know his class of him being a multiple Group l winner.

Race 9. (17:08) Millennium Services Group-Bm84 1400m

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4 Lucky Choice (BetNow: $9.00) is an improver. Peter Moody trained gelding that summarized behind Here To Shock a few weeks back at Caulfield and I thought he did a satisfactory job after doing work in the run on a somewhat testing track. Fitter, firmer deck (hopefully), he’s a key threat.

danger

10 Sig Positano (BetNow: $12.00) is racing well but is finding it quite hard to win. He ran behind Nerone at Sandown at the midweeks where he seemingly had every gain from near the speed and battled away okay but was well held late by the Laming horse. Back on a track he likes, surely he’s nearing D-Day.

long shot

14 Unbelievable Dream (BetNow: $16.00) deserves another chance. Maher/Eustace trained mare that summarized down the Flemington straight a few weeks back down the straight where she was near the speed throughout and tried hard, but condition just gave way behind Nicolini Vito. Fitter, she can bounce back.

BEST BET: Race Four Number 5 I Am Bene

NEXT BEST: Race Three Number 4 She’s All Class

LONG SHOT: Race One Number 3 Midnight Blue

Quaddie Tips (Races Six Through To Nine):

LegOne: 3, 5, 6, 8, 12

LegTwo: 1, 6, 7, 11

Leg Three: 2. 3. 4. 5

Leg Four: 4, 10, 11, 14, 16

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All Blacks v Springboks: South African writer slams ‘whinging’ Ian Foster and All Blacks over Kurt-Lee Arendse red card

All Blacks v Springboks: South African writer slams 'whinging' Ian Foster and All Blacks over Kurt-Lee Arendse red card

Beaudy talks about Sunday’s scary collision and looks ahead to this week’s game at Ellis Park. Video / All Blacks

A South African rugby writer has called out the All Blacks’ “whinging” over Springboks winger Kurt-Lee Arendse’s poor tackle on Beauden Barrett during last weekend’s test in Mbombela.

Arendse was red carded – and subsequently banned for four weeks – after he collided with Barrett mid-air during an aerial contest, causing the All Blacks first-five to fall dangerously on his head.

In an article on South African website Super Sport, rugby writer Brenden Nel admitted it was a “clumsy” challenge but said Ian Foster and the All Blacks were “trying to claim victimhood” and detract from their poor performances in their post-match reactions.

“They have tried to turn the attention to Kurt-Lee Arendse’s poor aerial attempt that left both him and Beauden Barrett leave [sic] the field after the horror clash,” Nel wrote in a piece titled ‘All Black whinging unbecoming of a great side’.

“No South African fan, pundit or anyone watching the game from these parts has defended Arendse. The team even said – politely – he got his timing wrong.

“The referee saw red – rightly so – and the judicial committee gave Arendse four weeks. It was deserved and he was a bit lucky not to get more.

“It was at best clumsy, at worse negligent and it was dealt with. End of story.

“On Sunday though, Foster came out firing, trying to claim victimhood in an arena where he needed something to cling to. So he took aim at Arendse.”

After the match, Foster said the tackle was “one of the worst I’ve ever seen” and claimed the All Blacks needed “more protection” in the air.

Beauden Barrett is tackled by Kurt Lee Arendse. Photo / Photosport
Beauden Barrett is tackled by Kurt Lee Arendse. Photo / Photosport

But Nel claims Foster’s reaction was “cynical” and “desperate”, after what was a disappointing performance leading to the All Blacks’ fifth loss in six tests.

“This after they won just six of the 16 aerial battles during the game. There were no other incidents even close to what happened in the 77th minute, and none warranting such an outcry. Yet here we are,” Nel wrote.

“Foster vowed to take the matter up with World Rugby and even sent Beauden Barrett out on Wednesday to front up in an interview and talk about how scared he was. Fair enough, it was a bad incident, and player welfare is always important.

“But the timing, along with the way the All Blacks have played it, has come across cynical, as if they want to influence referee Luke Pearce with their whinge. As if they want to deflect from their own failings by placing the spotlight on the Boxes.

“The aerial challenge is a part of modern rugby and most teams know it is coming when playing the Boks. In fact, normally the All Blacks use the tactic more than the Boks in these clashes, but they were outgunned in Mbombela.

“Still, when you think back to some of the All Black sides who have had controversy, who have shrugged and told their players to get on with it, the noise being made by Foster smacks of a desperate side looking for desperate measures to deflect from their own shortcomings.”

Ian Foster during an All Blacks press conference. Photo / Photosport
Ian Foster during an All Blacks press conference. Photo / Photosport

Nel also pointed to another aerial incident last year, when Jordie Barrett was red carded after his boot collided with Wallabies winger Marika Koroibete’s face during the All Blacks’ 38-21 win in Perth, suggesting Foster was hypocritical in his reaction to Arendse.

Barrett later had his red card expunged from his record and was cleared of a ban after the Sanzaar judicial committee found that the challenge was accidental.

“After all, it was the same Foster who denied the All Blacks had a problem when Jordie Barrett was rightfully red carded for a ‘kung-fu kick’ in the Bledisloe Cup test in Perth last year,” Nel wrote.

“At the time, this was Foster’s reaction to the red card – surprise.

“Fast forward to this week and you’d be right for seeing the irony in the whinging.”

Nel said SA director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, who tweeted a sarcastic response to a Beauden Barrett interview recounting the incident, was “perhaps a bit miffed” at the irony.

Nel also suggested Arendse and other Springboks chasers were consistently blocked by All Blacks players during aerial challenges.

“What Foster didn’t mention, and what the Boks could easily have complained about, are the blocking lines run by multiple players in their teams to try and put off chasers. An argument can be made that this – in all games – leads to the aerial contest being more dangerous, as players have to evade obstacles in their path while keeping their eyes on the ball.

“It’s something that is a blight on the game and all teams do it, but the All Blacks on Saturday did this multiple times which wasn’t picked up by the ref.”

Ultimately, Nel concluded that the All Blacks’ “victimhood mentality” was unbecoming and “desperate.”

“The bottom line though is, the All Black brand deserves better. They have been admired across the world for their style of play and success. The victimhood mentality doesn’t suit them and doesn’t suit the brand.

“We, as South Africans, are often faulted for complaining and are accused of playing victims. We have to get better as a rugby nation when things don’t go our way.

“But it was surprising to see the All Blacks so desperate to play this card this week. They should follow their own mantra and ‘just get on with it’.”

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Nick Kyrgios ATP rankings soar, Canada Open, video, highlights, US Open favorite

Nick Kyrgios ATP rankings soar, Canada Open, video, highlights, US Open favorite

Eight months after scoffing at the ATP world rankings, Nick Kyrgios has moved up 100 places — and he might not be done yet.

It was back in January, Kyrgios, 27, started the year in the 93rd spot. Soon after he dropped outside the top 100 and slid as far down as 137th in March.

All along though the outspoken Australian never feared about his slide down the rankings.

“Honestly, if I’m ranked 1000 or 10 in the world I know what I’m capable of and everyone knows what I’m capable of on Tour,” he said in January.

“I’m not a player that hasn’t come from themselves – I talk a lot but I also have beaten a lot of players and I’ve won a lot of tournaments so that’s not something I’m focusing on,” he said.

“I just want to go out there have fun and I want to put on a good performance.

“It’s the Australian summer and people expect me to put on a good show and I think that I’m still capable of doing that.

“I won Acapulco unseeded and I beat four top-10 players … I think the level of tennis has never been this deep, everyone can play, everyone’s capable of doing very, very well.”

Despite his runner-up finish at the All England Courts not counting towards his ATP ranking because of Wimbledon’s decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian players because of the war in Ukraine, Kyrgios has now moved inside the top 30 with his round of 16 win over Alex by Minaur on Friday.

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Demon no match for King Kyrgios | 02:16

After starting the tournament ranked 37, Kyrgios has moved to No.27 in the world after his two-set clinical showing at the ATP Montreal Masters

He will climb as high as No.21 should he prevail over eighth-seeded Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals on Saturday and could move inside the top 15 should he win the tournament. He has now won 15 of his past 16 single matches, including his past nine straight.

Nick Kyrgios was in sublime form against Alex de Minaur during Day 6 of the National Bank Open on August 11, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. Photo: Getty Images
Nick Kyrgios was in sublime form against Alex de Minaur during Day 6 of the National Bank Open on August 11, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

In a boost to his US Open hopes, Kyrgios’ victory over de Minaur means the volatile Australian will be seeded at the grand slam event.

“It was a goal, more so that I don’t get one of the big titans or gods the first-round, I can actually work my way through the draw, if the draw is kind,” he said.

“I always feel as if my game is right there. I feel like no matter who I play, today I felt amazing, and let’s keep it going.”

The Tennis world was blown away by Kyrgios’ clinical showing in Canada.

De Minaur had few answers against his Davis Cup teammate, who came to the net early and reeled off 22 winners and just nine unforced errors in the 62 minute demolition.

It was the type of tennis that saw Kyrgios progress through his maiden Slam final, where he ultimately went down to Novak Djokovic in a five-set epic.

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Premier League news, lineups, fixtures, Chelsea vs Tottenham, team news, Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, start time, scores

Premier League news, lineups, fixtures, Chelsea vs Tottenham, team news, Manchester United, Cristiano Ronaldo, start time, scores

A thrilling opening weekend saw the Premier League return with a bang. Liverpool and Manchester United were stunned, Spurs claimed a statement victory, while Erling Haaland made his mark for Manchester City.

Now attention turns to Matchday 2. Erik ten Hag faces a huge call over Cristiano Ronaldo as the Red Devils seek to get their season off and running, while Spurs visit Stamford Bridge in the first big-six blockbuster.

Here are the big storylines to watch out for this weekend.

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Reds star savaged over ‘atrocious’ brainfade; Spurs find missing piece of puzzle: PL Talking Pts

Ten Hag booed after United’s horror loss | 01:18

MANCHESTER UNITED SET FOR MORE PAIN?

Manchester United finished last season by losing their final six away games – a nightmare streak that ruined any hope of Champions League football. It was their worst run of road losses since March 1981 – but defeat at Brentford this weekend would make it their worst run since all the way back in 1936, when they lost ten on the trot away from Old Trafford.

But is it a serious prospect against a relative minnow in the Bees? Well, history hasn’t helped United much to start this season – their defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last week was their first-ever loss at home to the Seagulls.

Christian Eriksen starred for the Bees last season, winning 7 of his 11 games on the park, but struggled in a false nine position for United against Brighton.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival in the second half shifted Eriksen into the midfield, a move which benefited the team immensely.

Whether Erik ten Hag rushes Ronaldo into the starting line-up in search of a maiden Premier League win will be a crucial selection conundrum, especially since the Portuguese legend is still short of fitness.

But after conceding two goals in the first half in the opening week – and it could well have been three if VAR didn’t overrule a penalty early in the second half – ten Hag clearly has just as many problems in defense (especially on set pieces ).

With Brentford adding to their well-earned reputation for fighting out of tricky situations when they fought back for a 2-2 draw against Leicester, this one will likely be battled out until the final whistle sounds. It just might signal more woe for the Red Devils.

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Chelsea sell Werner back to RB Leipzig | 01:19

SPURS OUT TO BREAK HORROR RUN

It’s the first big-six clash of the season, and it should be an absolute beauty as Chelsea host Tottenham.

But there’s a heavy weight of history standing in their way: Spurs have won just once in their last 37 matches at Stamford Bridge. No wonder the Blues are favorites for this one, despite their ‘rusty’ 1-0 win over Everton last week – as coach Thomas Tuchel described it.

Spurs, on the other hand, fought back from an early deficit to win 4-1 over Southampton – a result that means they have scored the most Premier League in the 2022 calendar year to date.

Antonio Conte has enjoyed a full pre-season and a big transfer window in Tottenham, and this match will be a true litmus test for just how far they’ve come – and whether they can actually challenge at the pointy end this season.

“I think it’ll be a good test to mark whether they are really in the contest for the title,” former Spurs back Pascal Chimbonda told Sky Sports News.”

Perhaps the biggest key to their improvement is their depth: none of their six signings started against Saints. Some, like Richarlison, could start this time out, while Ivan Perisic might also hope to replace Ryan Sessegnon.

PREDICTED XI: Hugo Lloris; Eric Dier, Ben Davies, Cristian Romero; Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ivan Perisic, Emerson; Heung-Min Son, Dejan Kulusevski; Harry Kane.

Fulham frustrate Reds as Spurs fly high | 02:59

For Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel hasn’t been fully happy with his transfer window so far despite some big-name arrivals in Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling, and Marc Cucurella.

Koulibaly and Sterling both started and should start again this time out, while Cucurella came off the bench and could depose Ben Chilwell from the starting role. Christian Pulisic’s impressive bench cameo could also see him introduced to the XI.

If they fail to score from open play again, it could just nudge the new owners to push even harder to complete the signings of targets Frenkie de Jong and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Barcelona, ​​or Wesley Fofana from Leicester City – having already missed out on Manchester City’s Nathan Ake and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde.

The first heavyweight bout of the season is here, and it could have huge ramifications on the trajectories of two big-six members.

Predicted Chelsea XI: Edouard Mendy; Thiago Silva, Cesar Azpilicueta, Kalidou Koulibaly; Ben Chilwell, N’Golo Kante, Jorgino, Reece James, Mason Mount, Kai Havertz; Raheem Sterling.

Klopp rages as Liverpool cop HUGE scare; Spurs’ statement in crushing win: PL Wrap

Premier League Monday morning wrap | 03:00

STAGGERING LAMPARD STAT IN BATTLE OF ENGLAND GREATS

Frank Lampard might be a Premier League and England great, but this weekend he meets another man of similar pedigree – his old England teammate Steven Gerrard.

The duo met 34 times during their playing careers, and Lampard had the upper hand with 16 wins compared to Gerrard’s 11. Both will be desperate for victory this weekend in their first-ever managerial meeting.

For Lampard, the biggest worry – among many – is his staggeringly poor defensive record away from home.

In 38 games in charge of Everton and previously Chelsea, his sides conceded 73 goals at an average of 1.92 per 90 minutes. That includes a Blues side that would win the Champions League six months after his departure from him.

There were concerns about Everton’s squad entering this season (having sold star striker Richarlison to balance the books), and those only worsened on opening day when defenders Ben Godfrey and Yerry Mina both copped serious injuries.

Everton have since pulled a late signing swoop for Conor Coady and midfielder Amadou Onana (from Wolverhampton on Monday and Lille on Tuesday, in that order), while they added another solid defender in James Tarkowski from Burnley in pre-season.

Magpies overrun Forest, Leeds pip Wolves | 00:55

After Everton lost to Chelsea 1-0 and Gerrard’s Aston Villa lost to promoted Bournemouth 2-0, the pressure is on.

But where will the Toffee goals come from?

Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Andros Townsend are months away from returning, but Lampard welcomes back-up forward Salomon Rondon to the team after suspension.

And the club is reportedly chasing Southampton’s Che Adams to boost their stingy offence, having missed out on Burnley winger Maxwel Cornet who instead joined West Ham.

“We know there is a void in forward areas, we are short in numbers there,” Lampard said amid a difficult pre-season.

Arresting his poor defensive record on the road will be a key priority – but their lack of firepower up front could be just as worrying down the track.

Klopp laments ‘really bad’ Liverpool | 03:00

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Kevin Durant trade news, ultimatum to Joe Tsai, reaction, updates, Brooklyn Nets, Ben Simmons

Could Kevin Durant be heading down a similar path to Ben Simmons? (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)

Things got ugly for Ben Simmons in Philadelphia and if Kevin Durant is not careful, he could be heading down a similar path in Brooklyn — if he is not already.

But could that be all part of the Nets superstar’s master plan?

Well, Durant certainly got the NBA world talking earlier in the week then he issued an ultimatum that left Nets owner Joseph Tsai in a tricky situation.

Durant, who requested a trade in June, reportedly told Tsai he needs to choose between the 12-time All-Star and the pairing of head coach Steve Nash and GM Sean Marks.

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Green dominates Bulls with career high | 02:03

A subsequent report from The New York Post laid out Durant’s specific grievances with the team, including a lack of consultation over the Nets’ firing of assistant coach and director of player development Adam Harrington.

But not everyone in the NBA world seems to think that Durant actually wants Nash or Marks fired from the organization.

That is certainly the opinion of Fox Sports’ Nick Wright, who said on ‘The Herd’ with Colin Cowherd that Durant’s ultimatum is all about achieving one “single goal”.

“I don’t think Kevin Durant actually wants those guys fired,” Wright said.

“I think he just wants to be traded. I think if he wanted Sean Marks and Steve Nash fired, he would have gone to Joe Tsai a month ago when he did the trade demand and quietly and privately said: ‘Listen, if you don’t fire these guys, I’m going to demand a trade’.

“I read this differently than most. I read this as Kevin Durant asking for something he knew he would not get in order to make it untenable for them to bring him back because he was starting to get concerned they were actually going to bring him back.

“This was him upping the ante to a level that is pretty unprecedented. It’s why I think Durant understood Joe Tsai is not going to do it and they also, I don’t believe, can ask Steve Nash to now coach Kevin Durant. I think it was a really smart move if his single goal is to be traded and I think that is his single goal.

Could Kevin Durant be heading down a similar path to Ben Simmons? (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
Could Kevin Durant be heading down a similar path to Ben Simmons? (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

You see, it is not like Durant has much leverage in this situation, as NBA front office insider John Hollinger explained in a recent article for The Athletic.

Hollinger pointed towards two numbers in particular to prove that point — 34 and four — Durant’s age and how many years he has left on his contract.

“Throwing both his coach and GM under the bus — in many cases for moves that came with a wink and nod from Durant’s camp — certainly makes it less likely the Nets will find it tenable to reunite everyone in the fall,” Hollinger wrote.

“Of course, this gambit offers no guarantees. The trade offers in front of the Nets today aren’t any different from the ones they rejected yesterday, and it’s not clear how or if Durant’s latest demand will compel action.”

What it could do though is lead to a similar situation to the one Simmons found himself in Philadelphia last year, although there are a few key differences as Hollinger also pointed out.

“Seemingly the sharpest arrow left in Durant’s quiver is pure hardball: a holdout, one that would cost him a chunk of his $44 million 2022-23 salary for every day he sat out,” he wrote.

“It would, ironically, be a near carbon-copy of the situation a year ago in Philadelphia with Durant’s occasional teammate Ben Simmons.

“Here’s the thing: The Nets are working on a different timeline than the Sixers were.”

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Hollinger is right. Philadelphia had to move relatively fast to capitalize on Joel Embiid’s prime and as such was more inclined to reach a swift resolution in the Simmons drama.

The same cannot be said for the Nets though, as Hollinger argued.

“If anything, they would seem to have the opposite motivation,” he wrote.

“Yes, Brooklyn’s first choice would be to run it back with Durant, Simmons and Kyrie Irving (or a suitable replacement). But in the absence of Durant, wouldn’t the Nets’ second choice be to tank the season and try again in 2024? And wouldn’t a Durant holdout do anything more than accelerate the Nets toward that endgame?

“Brooklyn’s best-case scenario may be waiting until midseason, when this summer’s free agents are eligible to be dealt with. It seems less likely they’d let a year of Durant’s contract wither on the vine at his age and wait until next offseason… but it ca n’t totally be ruled out either given the tanking incentive.

Durant has told Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai that he must choose between keeping Durant or head coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks, The Athletic reported on August 8, 2022. (Photo by ELSA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)Source: AFP

What was consistent among a host of voices in the NBA media landscape was a sense of uncertainty, not knowing what exactly was coming next, again similar to the Simmons saga.

“The whole situation is a mess, but the kind of mess Brooklyn might happily sweep under a rug and ignore, if only it could,” The Ringers Rob Mahoney wrote.

“It’s impossible to replace Kevin Durant. Hell, it’s hard enough just to set a fair return for Durant in a trade, much less one suitors can realistically meet. Every ask sounds ridiculous because Durant is a genuinely ridiculous player.

“That might be the only reason he’s still a Net some six weeks after requesting a trade—and maybe the real reason KD is stirring the pot with this ultimatum in the first place. Does he really want Marks and Nash gone? Or is he just looking to send a shock through the Nets’ system?”

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The Athletic’s Alex Schiffer, meanwhile, pointed towards Durant’s strong endorsement of Marks after the Brooklyn’s four-game sweep at the hands of Boston as proof of just how confusing it all is.

“If Durant wanted Nash out but didn’t feel like putting him on blast to the media 10 minutes after the season ended, he could have discussed Nash’s future with an ‘I don’t know’ or ‘Now’s not the time for that’ . But he didn’t,” Schiffer wrote.

Schiffer agreed one “plausible explanation” is that this is Durant trying to force Brooklyn’s hand, to make the situation so untenable that the Nets back down.

Durant wants out of Brooklyn. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

The Heat have been heavily linked to Durant since he first requested the trade but are unlikely to have the assets to make it work, at least in a traditional two-team deal.

The Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang though Durant’s ultimatum was an important point in the drama, even if it still left “plenty of questions unanswered”.

“But in the wake of The Athletic’s report that Durant doesn’t want to work with Nash or Marks, the question is: Will this force the Nets to trade Durant prior to the start of training camp in late September to avoid any awkward tension and drama between the two parties? he wrote.

“That sort of deadline could take away some of the Nets’ leverage as the window to trade Durant before training camp shrinks as each day passes.

“The Nets could also decide to take Durant into training camp if a good enough offer doesn’t present itself, which would force Durant to decide whether to skip practices as he waits to be dealt or play through it.”

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NBA insider Brian Windhorst though was not so sure it would pay off, should Durant’s ultimatum have been a ploy to try speed up a trade out of Brooklyn.

“Doing it now is a manoeuvre, a manoeuvre that I don’t think worked because as I talk to teams out there, they don’t think this increased his trade demand. They think this hurt his trade value,” Windhorst said on ‘NBA Today’.

Windhorst brought up Tsai’s tweet earlier in the week as proof of it, in which the Nets owner claimed: “Our front office and coaching staff have my support. We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.”

“I want to point to the second half of the Joe Tsai tweet,” Windhorst said.

“I think it’s obviously important to look at the first sentence which is that he’s not going to fire Sean Marks and Steve Nash. But the second sentence is really the sentence that the league paid attention to it. And it seems benign when he says ‘We make decisions for the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.’

“But I’m going to decode that for you. What he’s basically saying is despite what Kevin Durant is trying to do here, we’re not going to change what our expectations are for a trade and if you are not traded, we expect you to be reporting to camp to continue the four years you have left on your contract.”

At this stage though, we are no closer to either party getting what they want, with Schiffer putting it best in his summation of the drama.

“During’s ultimatum,” he wrote, “opened a chest’s worth of questions while the clock to training camp continues to tick more loudly”.

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West Coast Eagles’ out-of-contract players: Who’s facing pressure to earn new deals?

West Coast Eagles' out-of-contract players: Who's facing pressure to earn new deals?

With just two rounds to go in the 2022 AFL season, West Coast have one eye on finishing the year and one eye on remodeling the nest for the tough years ahead.

With an important draft looming in the off-season, the Eagles will need to make room on their list to be able to bring in the young talent the club so desperately needs for its rebuild.

Following the retirement of spearhead Josh Kennedy, attention quickly turns to the other veterans on the list: Nic Naitanui, Shannon Hurn, jack redden and captain luke shuey.

The West Australian understands that Redden has reached his contract trigger, having played 19 games this season, and has earned a one-year contract extension, which he is keen to honour.

Hurn, who will turn 35 next month, is also expected to earn a new deal for 2023 on the back of solid form this season and is seen as an important figure in the club’s rebuild.

Three-time All-Australian Naitanui has played seven games this year but is in talks for a contract extension, while Shuey is also set to feature next year after managing 15 games this season.

Unfortunately for West Coast’s younger out-of-contract players, this shrinks the available space the club has on offer.

Connor West and jamine jones are both Category A rookies after signing one-year deals at the end of the 2021 season but remain without new contracts for next year.

Connor West.
Camera IconConnor West. Credit: Mark Brake/Getty Images

West has played 14 games this season but has been hampered by injury throughout. His latest setback from him, a wrist injury sustained against Gold Coast, has ruled him out for the remaining two games of the AFL season.

Jones has played 16 games this year, including the last eight matches and is thriving in a new role off the half-back flank. Both are unlikely to be deleted.

Meanwhile, ruckman Bailey Williams you have fallen out of favor at the wrong point of the season.

Bailey Williams.
Camera IconBailey Williams. Credit: Paul Kane/via AFL Photos

The 22-year-old, who has managed 16 games this season – many as the No.1 ruck in Naitanui’s absence – was dropped ahead of the western derby on Saturday.

His omission comes despite Callum Jamieson’s season-ending groin injury, with Josh Rotham brought into the side as Naitanui’s back-up ruck option.

Among the out-of-contract Eagles promoted to the 22 this week are jackson nelson and Hugh Dixon.

Nelson has been stuck playing in the twos, having not featured at the top level since reaching his 100-game milestone for the club against Geelong in round 14 – his 11th game for the season.

Dixon, the former Docker who signed with the club in the pre-season as a supplemental selection period player, has been brought in to cover the loss of Kennedy.

The 23-year-old has managed eight games this season but has been in and out of the side, playing five games in the WAFL.

patrick naishanother SSP selection for the club, played the first 10 games of the season but has only featured once since – against Adelaide in round 13. He’s listed as an emergency against the Dockers.

Tom Joycethe Eagles’ final SSP player, is on the inactive list after suffering a serious ankle injury before round one and will not feature this season.

The situation appears more dire for West Coast defender Alex Whiterden and small forward Isiah Winder.

Alex Whiterden.
Camera IconAlex Whiterden. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Pictures

Witherden has played 13 games this season, coming in and out of the side and featured as late as round 19 against St Kilda.

But with West Coast appearing to favor other small defenders, Witherden could be one of the most vulnerable out-of-contract Eagles.

Meanwhile, Winder, 20, has only kicked three goals across six games this season, all in one match against Greater Western Sydney.

A decision on his contract may come down to premiership forward willie rioliwho is understood to be weighing up his future.

West Coast has reportedly offered the 27-year-old a two-year deal, which Rioli is yet to sign.

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Riewoldt says Martin “all-in” at Richmond as ex-teammate casts doubt over future

Riewoldt says Martin “all-in” at Richmond as ex-teammate casts doubt over future

Jack Riewoldt has backed Dustin Martin to remain with Richmond on the same day as former Tiger Brett Deledio cast doubts on his future.

The three-time Norm Smith Medalist and premiership star is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and will not be seen again in the home and away season, but could return if the Tigers make the finals.

Riewoldt says it was a “smart move” by the club to announce Martin’s injury status so he can focus on getting himself fit for week one of the finals if they are lucky enough to be there.

“He just hasn’t been able to increase his running speed,” Riewoldt said on SEN Tassie.

“He’s had a couple of recurrences of just some awareness around the hamstring.

“The idea around it is to take away from the want to get him back and people trying to get information about when he’s going to get back. Even for himself to can the home and away season, let’s set all our sights on the first end if it comes to fruition.

“That gives you another week in between the home and away season and leading into a first final. I think it’s a smart move just for his own mental game to know that I’ve got four weeks to get myself right.

“Hopefully we’re there and hopefully he can come in and have a big impact. Smart move from the football club to take away all the innuendo about when he’s going to come back.”

Martin’s name continues to be included in trade speculation with some predicting he will leave Punt Road at the end of this year.

But from what Riewoldt has seen of Martin, he is confident the superstar is “all-in” at Richmond.

He was asked if we will see the 2017 Brownlow Medalist in Tigers colors again.

“I can’t see a reason why we wouldn’t,” he added.

“His buy-in has been great lately, he’s really invested in getting himself back out on the track which is the most important thing.

“He looks all-in.”

However, former teammate Deledio has his doubts.

The 243-game Tiger sees the Martin situation as “eerily similar” to his own when he experienced soft tissue injuries late in his career before joining GWS prior to the 2017 season.

“I’m a bit skeptical about the whole thing,” Deledio told abc sports.

“I’m not saying that it’s not a hammy, but I’m always nervous about players when there’s a bit of noise about them leaving and whatever else, and then it’s the convenience of, ‘Oh, he’s out, but he will play if there’s endings’.

“I don’t know. I’m just hearing a bit of noise around the big fella and I’m not sure I’m convinced on everything that’s going on.”

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Deledio wouldn’t be surprised if Martin were to up and leave the club even after hearing CEO Brendon Gale suggest he’s going nowhere.

“I think there’s a chance (he leaves),” he added.

“I’m just hearing some things out there. In saying that, I sat right next to Brendon Gale and he said, ‘He’s a Richmond person and he’s contracted for the next two years and (we’ll) be buggered if we’re going to be paying some of his wage for a good player like him to go and play at some other club’.

“If someone wanted to come and get him they’d have to pay a pretty hefty price in terms of draft picks and his salary, which you’d assume was back-ended.

“Don’t hang me on it, but I’m just reading the tea leaves a little bit.

“It’s a bit similar to my situation when I left. I had the calf (issues) and probably could have come back but then didn’t and then made my mind up that I was ready for a change.

“It’s just easier to sit out. We were never going to play finals, so that’s hanging over the head a little bit, but it just seems eerily similar.”

Martin, 31, is contracted with Richmond until 2024.

The Tigers meet Hawthorn on Sunday and a win would all but secure their spot in the top eight leading Round 23.





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PGA Golfnews 2022 | Cameron Smith gives biggest indication yet he’s joining LIV Golf

Cameron Smith has given the biggest indication yet he’s joining the rebel LIV Golf tour, declaring he’s “ready to cop some heat” during a TV interview.

Following his first round three-under at the St Jude Championships in Memphis – the first tournament in the FedEx Cup Playoffs – Smith was doing an interview with Sky Sports when he was asked if he had any sympathy for journalists on the tour asking him about LIV .

“That’s just their job – that’s what they’re there to do. They’re there to sell stories and I’m sure they’ve had a few looks at it the last few days,” he said,

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“You know I’m ready to cop some heat… but like I said I’m here to win the FedEx Cup Playoffs – that’s my number one goal and whatever happens after that will come from me.”

Currently the world No.2, Smith has repeatedly been evasive when pressed on the matter, and got prickly with a journalist who posed the question to him after his Open Championship victory in July.

The deal to get Smith to the Saudi league is reportedly worth $143 million. He is expected to make his debut in Boston next month, however confirmation of his defection isn’t expected until after the conclusion of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

Smith’s compatriot Cameron Percy told RSN Radio on Tuesday that Smith and fellow Aussie Marc Leishman were both “gone.”

Smith played his first round of the St Jude Championships with world No.1 Scottie Scheffler. The American may have been making his feelings about him about a potential LIV defection known when he appeared to break a core piece of golf etiquette, walking straight across Smith’s line while he was lining up a putt.

Smith shot Scheffler a look, but didn’t appear to say anything further.

Si Woo Kim and JJ Spaun share the overnight lead having both carded blistering eight-under 62s. Smith currently sits in a tie for 30th at three-under 67. Scheffler will have some work to do to make the cut after shooting a one-over 71.

Other Aussies in the field include Jason Day at five-under, Adam Scott at four-under, Cam Davis at three-under, Leishman at one-under, and Lucas Herbert at three-over.

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The stars who’ve signed with Greg Norman’s LIV Golf tour

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PACE to deliver first Gen3 Supercar chassis at Sandown

PACE to deliver first Gen3 Supercar chassis at Sandown

The PACE Gen3 chassis which became the prototype Ford Mustang

PACE Innovations will deliver its first Gen3 chassis to a Supercars team later this month at the Penrite Oil Sandown SuperSprint.

Brad Jones Racing will take delivery of the chassis, one of 16 that the Gold Coast-based engineering firm is constructing.

PACE is one of four such builders for the start of the Gen3 era in 2023, the others being Triple Eight Race Engineering, Walkinshaw Andretti United, and Erebus Motorsport.

“The first car is completed and is a Brad Jones car,” PACE owner Paul Ceprnich told Supercars’ official website.

“It’s completed here and awaiting delivery; it’s going to probably go in the Supercars truck to Sandown.”

PACE built the chassis for the prototype Gen3 Ford Mustang which most recently cut laps alongside its Chevrolet Camaro counterpart at The Bend Motorsport Park on the day after last month’s race event at the South Australian circuit

It will also produce those which will be raced by Ford homologation team Dick Johnson Racing.

General Motors homologation team Triple Eight is producing eight chassis, those being two each for itself, Team 18, and PremiAir Racing, plus two spares, while WAU and Erebus have received chassis kits from PACE.

As revealed by Speedcafe.com, the chassis went through a late redesign to achieve an increase in the width of the engine bay which will accommodate either the 5.7-liter GM powerplant or 5.4-liter Ford Coyote.

Triple Eight has proclaimed that it is ahead of scheduled on building cars, while Supercars expects the field to have all of its Gen3 hardware delivered by December.

While the grid is set to remain at 25 cars next year, there will be a more even split on brand lines given Walkinshaw Andretti United’s remarkable switch from General Motors to Ford, as revealed by Speedcafe.com.

The Clayton outfit (two cars) joins Dick Johnson Racing (two), Tickford Racing (four), Grove Racing (two), and Blanchard Racing Team (one) in the Blue Oval ranks, making a total of 11 Mustangs racing on a regular basis.

The balance will be the 14 Camaros, of Triple Eight, Team 18, PremiAir, Erebus (two), BJR (four), and Matt Stone Racing (two).

The 2022 Sandown event kicks off on Friday, August 19.

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David King’s All-Australian side for 2022

David King's All-Australian side for 2022

David King has named his All-Australian team for the 2022 AFL season.

The North Melbourne champion has made some brave selections, picking Geelong’s Mark Blicavs and Collingwood’s Josh Daicos on the wings.

It sparked a conversation with All-Australian selector Kane Cornes on SEN Breakfast.

“My wings are Mark Blicavs and Josh Daicos,” King said.

Cornes reacted: “Does Blicavs play wing?”

King replied: “He does, yes, he has regularly.

“He’ll start on the wing and he’ll roam from there, whether he goes forward, takes over a bit of ruck, goes behind the ball for support, or tags the opposition’s best player.

“He’s such a versatile guy, he is the wingman for me.”

Cornes: “He’s been more of an on-baller / back-up ruckman / tagger than a wingman, hasn’t he?”

King: “From the wing. He’s starting on the wing.”

Check out King’s side below:

Defense

“My back six is ​​Tom Stewart, Steven May, Adam Saad, Dan Rioli, Sam Taylor, Brayden Maynard with the seventh defender being Jack Sinclair on the bench.”

Center and wings

“Mark Blicavs, Clayton Oliver, Josh Daicos.”

forwards

“Would you have a problem with Shai Bolton, Charlie Curnow, Christian Petracca, Jeremy Cameron, Tom Hawkins, Charlie Cameron?”

followers

“Tim English, Touk Miller, Andrew Brayshaw.

“I think English has been a terrific ruckman this year.”

bench

“Marcus Bontempelli, Patrick Cripps, Lachie Neale and Sinclair.”

2022 Teams Fields GFX (6)

Watch to Kingy go through his side below:





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