The Kookaburras sealed Australia’s final gold of the Birmingham games in a thumping 7-0 defeat of India.
Australia scored five first-half goals to all but seal the deal by the main break.
It’s the Kookaburra’s seventh-straight Commonwealth Games gold medal – they’ve won them all since Hockey entered the games in 1998.
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Kieran Govers opened the scoring mid-way through the first quarter with a blistering drag-flick that flew past Indian keeper PR Sreejesh.
Nathan Ephraums teamed up with Flynn Ogilvie for the second, Jeremey Hayward was unlucky to not make it three. Instead, a brilliant save from Sreejesh presented an easy clean-up opportunity for Jacob Anderson.
Flynn Ogilvie celebrates after scoring in the Kookaburra’s 7-0 over India to win Gold. Photo: Tim Clayton (Getty)
Tom Wickham was next to join the fun when he got one past Sreejesh from the top of the circle, and it was five when Anderson engaged Sreejesh right in front before punishing the ball against the backboards with the backstick.
At this point, even the normally straight-faced coach Colin Batch did a boogie in celebration.
Several brilliant saves from Sreejesh limited the Aussies to just two goals in the second half – to Flynn Ogilvie and a second to Nathan Ephraums.
Australia topped the medal tally with 67 gold medals.
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Commonwealth Games in pictures: Ozzy Osbourne and Tommy Iommi meet to close Birmingham 2022
Veteran Aussie golfer Cameron Percy has made a staggering revelation, claiming countrymen Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman are “gone” from the PGA Tour to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series.
Speaking ahead of the first of three FedEx Cup playoffs, Percy – a top-10 finisher at the Wyndham Championship – said the Australian duo were the latest players to sign with the financially lucrative rebel league.
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Aussie golfer Cameron Smith. (Getty)
The report comes amid a court hearing into whether three suspended players, who joined LIV Golf, should be granted a temporary restraining order.
Smith, who captured The Open Championship last month, was taken aback when probed about his name being thrown around as a potential defector to the rival tour – a claim he did not exactly deny.
“I just won the British Open and you’re asking about that. I think that’s pretty, not that good.”
Pressed further, Smith did not rule out a move, stating his team handled those affairs.
“I don’t know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff. I’m here to win golf tournaments.”
Now ranked world No.2, if Smith were to jump ship, he would be the highest-ranked player to leave the Tour for LIV.
Cameron Smith celebrates after winning the British Open. (Getty)
In addition to the bombshell revelation, Percy said the PGA Tour had known for some time that a subversive tour was going to challenge.
“I had a long conversation with Adam Scott and he was very interesting talking about it, just where it is,” he said.
“He said he met with these guys (LIV) in 2017 (and) they were ready (to) do all this. So, the Tour has known for a long time that this stuff’s in the works.”
Former world No.1 Scott previously endorsed LIV Golf, saying in April, “the schedule that they’re proposing is very appealing to probably most golfers” and he would “consider” making a move too.
But Percy voiced his criticism of players who had flawed to line their pockets, emphasizing the ethical issues surrounding how the league is financed.
“The more and more you look into it, some people don’t care, some people have got a conscience and do care,” he said.
“It really comes down to, you know, ‘they just executed 80 people this week, just chopped their heads off’. They’re not the nicest people in the world.
“Do you just look past that and go, ‘Oh well, I’m rich I don’t really care’. It’s a tough one, it really is.”
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The stars who’ve signed with Greg Norman’s LIV Golf tour
The brilliant contribution of Sydney and Fremantle’s young guns to their respective teams’ surges up the ladder this year have been recognised, with the two clubs making up a quarter of this year’s 22under22 squad.
The AFL Players’ Association on Tuesday night released the 40-man squad for the 10th edition of the 22under22 team, which recognized the best players aged 22 and under in a season.
Sydney, which sits fourth on the ladder, boasts a competition-high six nominations, while five players from the sixth-placed Dockers are in the mix for final selection.
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Nick Blakey, Tom McCartin, Chad Warner, James Rowbottom, Justin McInerney and Errol Gulden from the Swans have all been nominated, while Dockers young guns Hayden Young, Jordan Clark, Andy Brayshaw, Caleb Serong and Michael Frederick are all in line to be named in the final 22under22 team.
Remarkably, Serong is in line to be selected in the final 22 for the first time, despite his impressive first two seasons that included the Rising Star award in 2020.
Surprise packets Collingwood has four nominees (Isaac Quaynor, Nathan Murphy, Nick Daicos and Jack Ginnivan) as does Melbourne (Harry Petty, James Jordon, Kysaiah Pickett and Luke Jackson).
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Daicos, the odds-on Rising Star favourite, has is one of only two first-year players in the squad of 40, with Essendon’s Nic Martin the other. Hawks midfielder Jai Newcombe was nominated just over 12 months after he was picked up in the mid-season draft.
Bulldogs forward Aaron Naughton and Carlton midfielder Sam Walsh are looking to be selected for a fourth time in their final year of eligibility. If selected, they’ll join Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli (five selections) and Bombers defender Andy McGrath as the only players to have completed the feat.
Brayshaw, Adam Cerra, Bailey Smith and Max King are looking to be selected for a third time.
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Overall, 17 of the 18 clubs are represented in the squad, with no West Coast player in the squad.
The final 22-man team, which will derive from the squad of 40, will be announced online on August 23.
Players must have played at least 11 games in a year and be aged 22 and under for the entirety of the season, including the finals series, to be eligible for 22under22 selection.
Fans can vote on the 22under22 side by tapping here, with voting closing on Wednesday August 17.
THE 22UNDER22 SQUAD OF 40 FOR 2022
Adelaide Crows – 2: Sam Berry (midfield/wing), Darcy Fogarty (forward)
Carlton – 2: Adam Cerra (midfield/wing), Sam Walsh (midfield)
Collingwood – 4: Isaac Quaynor (defender), Nathan Murphy (defender), Nick Daicos (defender), Jack Ginnivan (forward)
Essendon – 1: Nic Martin (forward)
Fremantle – 5: Hayden Young (defender), Jordan Clark (defender), Andy Brayshaw (midfield), Caleb Serong (midfield), Michael Frederick (forward)
Geelong Cats – 1: Sam De Koning (defender)
Gold Coast Suns – 3: Noah Anderson (midfield), Matt Rowell (midfield), Izak Rankine (forward)
GWS Giants – 1: Tom Green (midfield)
Hawthorn – 1: Jai Newcombe (midfield)
Melbourne – 4: Harry Petty (defender), James Jordon (midfield/wing), Kysaiah Pickett (forward), Luke Jackson (ruck)
North Melbourne—1: Bailey Scott (defender)
Port Adelaide – 2: Connor Rozee (midfield/forward), Zak Butters (midfield/forward)
Richmond – 1: Noah Balta (ruck/forward)
St Kilda – 1: Max King (forward)
Sydney Swans – 6: Nick Blakey (defender), Tom McCartin (defender), Chad Warner (midfield), James Rowbottom (midfield), Justin McInerney (midfield/wing), Errol Gulden (forward/midfield)
West Coast Eagles-0
Western Bulldogs – 3: Bailey Smith (midfield), Aaron Naughton (forward), Cody Weightman (forward)
Go back a month and Warriors fans were probably licking their lips at the thought of facing a struggling Bulldogs side at home in Auckland, but come Friday night they will find themselves playing a revitalized Dogs team who pushed the second-placed Cowboys all the way in Round 21.
After leading with half an hour to go, the Bulldogs fell just short of jogging it with North Queensland but will have taken plenty of confidence from the performance and still have two wins from their last three matches, with their key players in good form.
The Warriors on the other hand were never in the contest against the Rabbitohs in an eventual 48-10 defeat, with a number of worrying defensive lapses which saw South Sydney at times stroll through for tries both in the middle of the park and on the edges .
Neither side will be playing finals football this year, but the Warriors will be desperate to perform well in their third game at Mt Smart Stadium this year, while Canterbury-Bankstown will want to continue their late-season resurgence with another victory.
The Rundown
teamnews
Warriors: Another change at five-eighth with Daejarn Asi back in the halves and Wayde Egan moving from No.6 back to his usual position of hooker. Freddy Lussick goes back to the bench and Taniela Otukolo drops to the reserves. Viliami Vailea is back in the centers for his first NRL game since breaking his jaw in Round 12, so Euan Aitken goes back to the pack in place of Bayley Sironen. Josh Curran is the new lock, replacing Aaron Pene who is out with a leg injury.
Bulldogs: Tevita Pangai Jnr has remained in Australia for family reasons and was unavailable for selection so Raymond Faitala-Mariner will start at lock as he did last week. Rookie Harrison Edwards joins the interchange after serving as the Bulldogs’ replacement player in Round 21.
key match-up
Tohu Harris vs. Josh Jackson: The forward leaders for their respective teams. Both topped the tackle count in their game last week, with Harris also averaging 10 meters each time he carried the ball against South Sydney. Jackson has been somewhat of an unsung hero in the Bulldogs’ improving attack, last week handling the ball more than anyone outside of his side’s halves and hooker.
Stat Attack
The Bulldogs thrive off the second-phase play generated by the likes of Tevita Pangai Junior, with Matt Burton and co always sniffing around for an offload, which the Bulldogs produce more of than any team bar the Eels and Raiders this year, at an average of 11.3 per game. The Warriors on the other hand have the lowest offload count in the competition at an average of 6.4 per game, despite having players like fullback Reece Walsh who are dangerous when plays can be extended.
After making a statement by beating the Broncos last week, the Roosters have another chance to prove their mettle against the second-placed Cowboys, who will hunt their fourth win on the trot.
The Tricolours have now put a win between themselves and the ninth-placed Raiders, with skipper James Tedesco in fine touch as he led them to a comfortable win over Brisbane, who up until that result had been among the frontrunners to claim a top-four place.
The Cowboys were made to work for it against the Bulldogs last week, with a late double to Scott Drinkwater helping them to a win which keeps the slim chance of them jumping past Penrith for the minor premiership alive for the time being.
When they met earlier this year it was the Roosters who were convincing 28-4 winners on the road.
The Rundown
teamnews
Roosters: Hooker Sam Verrills has been named but will need to pass the NRL’s HIA protocol this week after suffering a head knock against the Broncos. Egan Butcher returns after serving a one-game ban, replacing Ben Thomas on the bench. Lindsay Collins (concussion) and Siosiua Taukeiaho (cheekbone) remain sidelined.
Cowboys: After suffering a hamstring injury which denied him a place in the Origin decider, Jordan McLean is back on the Cowboys bench but winger Kyle Feldt remains sidelined with his own hamstring issue. Reuben Cotter comes into the starting side with Jamayne Taunoa-Brown going back to the bench.
key match-up
James Tedesco vs. Scott Drinkwater: Two of the NRL’s form fullbacks all year, who head into this clash fresh off impressive showings for their side in round 21. Drinkwater ran for a game-high 183 meters last week, helped by making three line breaks, with his two tries in the final 12 minutes helping his side get past the stubborn Bulldogs. While he didn’t get on the scoring sheet, Tedesco did just about everything else from the back last week, clocking 264 run meters to go with 14 tackle breaks and a pair of line-break and try assists.
Stat Attack
Gone are the days when a trip to Sydney would have been daunting for the Cowboys, with Todd Payten’s men now boasting the second-best away record in the competition with just two away defeats all year. They will fancy their chances even more given the Roosters’ rocky experience at the Sydney Cricket Ground so far this season, having lost four of seven games there.
A Brisbane school has clinched a deal with Manchester City to train the next generation of soccer champions through a new football program.
Key points:
Manchester City will establish a football school in partnership with St Laurence’s College, south Brisbane campus
It will include the coaching philosophy and methodology of Manchester City
A Manchester City coach will be employed at the school and students can train both during and after school
English Premier League’s Manchester City has established the state’s only Manchester City Football School at St Laurence’s College.
The football school will involve coaching programs delivered by a Manchester City coach for the St Laurence’s College students, making use of the FIFA-certified artificial football pitch at the college’s South Brisbane campus.
St Laurence’s College principal Chris Leadbetter told ABC Radio Brisbane the partnership had been in the works for some time, and he had struggled to not tell the students the exciting news.
Manchester City Football School has launched at St Laurence’s College in Brisbane.(Supplied: St Laurence’s College)
“They’ll implement a program in Year 5 to 7, it will be within the curriculum and also outside school hours,” Mr Leadbetter said.
“In Year 8 to Year 12 it will be a co-curriculum program, so before and after school, at our fields at the school or at our fields at Runcorn.
“So we’re very excited.”
While participation in the program is only open to St Laurence College students, budding soccer players from other schools will have the opportunity to participate in school holiday clinics.
“We are offering the program outside the school for next year and the year after, and there’s an information session at the college on September 7, to talk about the program,” Mr Leadbetter said.
The managing director of Football Education and Recreation for City Football Group Jorgina Busquets said it was a pleasure to bring the coaching philosophy and methodology of Manchester City to St Laurence’s College.
“As an organization we have a defined and innovative style when it comes to playing football and ensure that fun and development are intertwined as part of the experience,” she said.
Ben Simmons has been savagely exposed for leaving his teammates hanging during a crucial NBA playoff contest.
Simmons was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the middle of the 2021/22 season in a blockbuster trade that landed the Philadelphia 76ers James Harden.
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After having not suited up throughout the regular season, Simmons’ return to the hardwood gained momentum in the lead up to the playoffs.
The Athletic reported his return had been earmarked for the Nets in Game 4 of their first round series against the Boston Celtics.
Down 3-0, the Nets were on the brink of elimination and a Ben Simmons injection could have delivered the spark they required.
Prior to the do-or-die contest, Simmons pulled out due to back soreness that eventually required surgery. He did not sit on the bench alongside his teammates for the game which the Celtics won 116-112.
But now a new damning report has shown Simmons’ withdrawal went a step further. NBA analyst Ric Bucher spilled the beans, exposing Simmons’ bizarre snub.
“They’re having a team chat before game four, thinking he’s going to play against the Celtics, and from what I’m told, Ben just left the chat,” Bucher told Colin Cowherd on The Herd.
“They asked him, ‘Are you going to play?’ Ben left the chat. Like he didn’t even answer the question. He just left the chat.”
The damning report sent basketball social media into a spin with many rocked by the unbelievable move from the Aussie.
Podcaster Mike Golic Jr wrote: “Not sure anyone involved ever recovers and I’m only kind of joking.”
ESPN’s Sarah Spain wrote: “WELP”.
Barstool Sports’ Dan Greenberg wrote: “I’m sorry what”.
The news comes on the same day Kevin Durant’s bombshell trade demands came to light, with the superstar putting an ultimatum on team owner Joe Tsai.
The 26-year-old required surgery in May on his lower back after withdrawing from that crucial playoff clash with the Celtics.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Simmons needed back surgery after experiencing “pain soreness” the day before the Nets were eventually eliminated.
“Brooklyn Nets swingman Ben Simmons will require three to four months of rehabilitation after undergoing back surgery, but is expected to be fully recovered to return to the court well ahead of pre-season training camp in September, sources told ESPN on Wednesday,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote.
Ben Simmons’ rocky NBA career has taken another turn after the Brooklyn Nets guard reportedly left a players group chat before a decisive playoff game last season.
Simmons was drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft but found himself locked in a standoff with the franchise after demanding a trade.
The Australian was eventually dealt to the Nets as part of a package for All-Star guard James Harden, and was expected to don his new colors for the first time in the playoffs.
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The Athletic reported in April that Simmons was set to debut for Brooklyn in Game Four, during the first round of the playoffs.
Brooklyn were already down 3-0 to the eventual Eastern Conference champions Boston Celtics when he pulled out with back soreness.
But renowned NBA analyst Ric Bucher has made a stunning revelation about Simmons, saying that he left a players group chat without saying a word before Game Four.
“They’re having a team chat before Game four, thinking he’s going to play against the Celtics, and from what I’m told, Ben just left the chat,” Bucher told Colin Cowherd on The Herd.
“They asked him, ‘Are you going to play?’ Ben left the chat. Like he didn’t even answer the question. He just left the chat.”
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The 26-year-old required surgery in March on his lower back after withdrawing from that crucial playoff clash with the Celtics.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Simmons needed back surgery after experiencing “pain soreness” the day before the Nets were eventually eliminated.
“Brooklyn Nets swingman Ben Simmons will require three to four months of rehabilitation after undergoing back surgery, but is expected to be fully recovered to return to the court well ahead of pre-season training camp in September, sources told ESPN on Wednesday,” Wojnarowski wrote.
“The decision to undergo the surgery was reached after ‘consultation with multiple back specialists,’ the team said Wednesday.”
Simmons said that mental health was the reason behind his ugly exit from Philadelphia, as he opened up on his “dark times.”
However, sports radio host Ben Maller believed that it was just an excuse for the Melbourne-born talent to leave the Sixers.
“Ben Simmons in Philadelphia was a charlatan, a fake, a phony and a fraud,” Maller said on Fox Sports Radio in February
“This guy has been hiding behind the mental health card playing it from the bottom of the deck, knowing that it makes you untouchable in a polite society.
“The establishment media are afraid of even slightly criticizing someone who makes this claim, like Ben Simmons.”
The Sharks “have got a challenge in front of them” with five stars from their backline all free to talk to rivals since November 1.
Fullback Will Kennedy, wingers Ronaldo Mulitalo and Sione Katoa as well as centers Jesse Ramien and Siosifa Talakai come off contract at the end of 2023.
That means they can field offers from rivals in just under three months time which is why news corp journalist Brent Read pointed out on Triple M that the Sharks have “a huge month coming up” if they want to lock in all five players before the November 1 feeding frenzy.
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“I reckon Cronulla have got a huge month coming up,” Read said.
“I was talking to them this morning about Siosifa Talakai because they’ve been trying to re-sign him — he’s one of the November 1 guys.
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“The Sharks have been talking to him ages about trying to get a new deal done, they put it off during Origin but they’ve ramped them up again.
“What makes this really interesting is that if you look at the Cronulla backline — Will Kennedy, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Jesse Ramien, Siosifa Talakai and Sione Katoa — can all sign with another club since November 1. Basically their entire backline, the club’s got about three months to tie those guys down.
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“They’ve got a challenge in front of them in terms of keeping that squad together and you’ve got to hope that it doesn’t become a bit of a distraction during finals time.
Read also highlighted how Talakai’s value has undoubtedly increased since the Sharks began talks with him given the 25-year-old has made his State of Origin debut since then.
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“I would have thought his price has gone gangbusters since then,” he said.
Kennedy is also in line for a pay rise after claiming the Sharks’ Player of the Year honors last season, while Ronaldo Mulitalo became a Kiwi international this year and Jesse Ramien has been in red-hot form, as was Sione Katoa before his season- ending shoulder injury.
“It’s going to cost them a lot of money to keep all of those guys,” Read said.
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Winning the Australian Open is as important as claiming another major for the showpiece event’s newest recruit, Hannah Green.
Now the race is on to have her colleagues thinking the same way as organizers tackle the remaining roadblocks in getting more big-names to sign on.
This year’s Australian Open — held on December 1-4 at Victoria Golf Club and Kingston Heath — promises to be one of the biggest in recent memory with the men’s and women’s fields now combined, and playing for $1.7 million AUD in prize money each.
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Meanwhile, the pandemic has left some of Australia’s biggest players, such as Cameron Smith, homeick and eyeing extended stays down under this summer.
That plays into the hands of the Australian Open, which, after a three-year hiatus, could see a strong local contingent play, including the returning Smith and Marc Leishman.
And yet, organizers are still faced with a number of challenges in confirming more stars alongside Green, and world No.49 Lucas Herbert.
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Herbert is the biggest star from the men’s side to officially commit, while Green is the only confirmed player in the women’s field, although Karrie Webb is expected to make her appearance official in the coming weeks.
Green told reporters on Tuesday that she’s trying to give players a nudge to make the trip to Australia, but noted late-year sponsor events, the lack of a LPGA co-sanction, and Thanksgiving in America, as potential roadblocks.
Green said she is yet to speak to world No.2 Minjee Lee about joining her in Victoria, but anticipated that sponsor events elsewhere could leave the two-time major winner’s hands tied.
Meanwhile, Green flagged that Thanksgiving on November 24 could present a challenge for American players, such as 2019 champion and world No.3, Nelly Korda.
“It’d be great if Nelly could come back down,” Green said. “It is a hard time of year because of Thanksgiving a week prior to the Open but some girls might want to go on a holiday and make a trip out of it.
“It’s a long season. You can make some good money out of it (the Australian Open) and celebrate. So it’d be nice if Nelly and her sister Ella Jess could come down.
She added: “It would obviously be great if Minjee could attend. But I think it’s just important to have all the Australian players come back.
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“It sounds like Cam (Smith) wants to come back, and hopefully Scotty (Adam Scott) and Leish (Marc Leishman) and all the boys want to come back too, so I think just getting as many Australian players in the field as possible is important.”
Green said that freshly crowned Women’s Open winner Ash Buhai “really wants to come play” and is waiting for confirmation.
Meanwhile, the 25-year-old is eyeing a real piece of history, looking to make it a hat-trick of wins in Australia having taken out the mixed gender TPS Murray River, and the Victorian Open, on her last visit.
Should the 2019 PGA Championship winner be successful, she said the victory would be as important to her as claiming another major.
“I still think getting my hand on that trophy would be very important to me,” she said.
“It definitely depends on the field and I think it would make a difference if we still had LPGA players to come, but it doesn’t mean I’m not going to work just as hard to try and win that trophy depending on who comes at the end of this year.”
The Women’s Australian Open has historically been held in February but will now shift to December to align with the men’s competition.
As such, the women’s field now faces the challenge of having a number of stars eyeing time off after a long season.
That’s a familiar issue for the men’s competition, which has traditionally been held in November and December, and has had varied success in attracting a star-studded field.
Whether top international players will commit this year remains to be seen, but some of Australia’s biggest names are expected to be involved regardless.
Open Championship winner Smith told Fox Sports Last month he will have an extended stay in Australia this summer, which could include playing both the Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship.
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Leishman also told foxsports.com.au before The Open that he was looking forward to returning to play in Australia, although no confirmation has yet been given for either player, who has been heavily linked to LIV Golf.
Nonetheless, Green is confident both will commit for the historic tournament, which will be the first national Open worldwide to combine both men’s and women’s fields.
“We need to elevate both championships so I hope that combining them at the same venue at the same time is going to do that,” she said. “We’ve obviously seen success with the Vic Open with the same format that we’re going to try this year.
“It’s going to be hard for us females to not have maybe as strong a field as we’ve had in previous Aus Opens, but hopefully the attraction of the event, people will want to come back to Australia and play.
“It’s a great week. The Australian Open is definitely one of my favorites to attend so it’s just really nice that after the last few years of not having one to be able to get back and play.”
