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Sports

F1 news 2022: FIA finally breaks silence on Oscar Piastri contract saga, Daniel Ricciardo

F1 news 2022: FIA finally breaks silence on Oscar Piastri contract saga, Daniel Ricciardo

The FIA ​​has finally broken its silence on the Oscar Piastri contract saga, confirming the ongoing dispute between McLaren and Alpine will be resolved without having to go to court.

Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo became embroiled in F1’s mid-year silly season following reports he will be replaced by young compatriot Piastri at McLaren next year.

The news erupted last week after two-time world champion Fernando Alonso blindsided the F1 world and jumped into Sebastian Vettel’s vacated seat at Aston Martin.

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Alpine then announced Piastri would be the man to replace Alonso, only for the 21-year-old Melburnian to reject the seat — a bold move for someone who is yet to drive in F1.

Alpine believes that Piastri should respect the contract, but the Victorian believes the commitment is not valid.

The French team threatened to file a civil lawsuit to recover the millions of dollars in training it has spent on Piastri this season.

“Going to the High Court is over 90 per cent certain that’s what we’ll do,” Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer told Reuters.

“If the CRB (Contract Recognition Board) says, ‘Your license is only valid at Alpine’, and then he (Piastri) says, ‘That’s great, but I’m never driving for them, I’ll just sit out a year ‘, then you’ve got to go to the High Court for compensation.”

On Friday, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem claimed the issue would be solved through their own means instead of in the courtroom.

“The FIA’s Driver Contract Recognition Board (CRB) was set up to deal with contract priority issues between drivers and F1 teams,” he tweeted.

“That’s why we rely on their decision to resolve any conflict.”

According to French publication Auto Hebdothe CRB has found that both Piastri’s Alpine and McLaren contracts are valid.

The CRB, a group made up of independent lawyers, was set up to determine the legality of driver contracts and settle disputes between teams.

The body was founded in 1991 after seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher signed for Benetton despite having agreed to discuss a contract with Jordan.

Szafnauer also hinted at a potential collusion between Piastri’s manager Mark Webber, Alonso and his manager Flavio Briatore.

Webber and Alonso are close friends after their time in F1, while Briatore, who was a former team boss at Bennetton and Renault, has been Alonso’s long-term manager.

“Look, I have no record of it, but this is Formula 1 and maybe in a couple of years someone says that they have evidence of shared information, I would not be surprised,” Szafnauer said.

“I always tell everyone that in Formula 1 you have to act as if everyone knows everything. That there are no secrets in these things. When you ask someone not to say anything, they act like everyone knows.

“That’s how I’ve run my business in Formula 1 for 25 years. And if this (information sharing) has happened, you should not be surprised.”

Meanwhile, former F1 driver turned pundit Christian Danner said Piastri’s tactics “clearly has the handwriting” of Briatore.

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Business

5 ASX directors loading up on their companies’ shares in August

5 ASX directors loading up on their companies' shares in August

Two men lok sxcited on the trading floor.

Image source: Getty Images

When board directors spend bucketloads of their own money buying more ASX shares in the companies they run, it’s a pretty clear sign of confidence.

To reiterate, we’re not talking about the exercising of options or rights issues. Nor director’s remuneration (where the issuing of new shares forms part of a director’s salary package). We’re talking about on-market trades using personal cash savings, super funds, or monies held within companies they own or control.

Who’s been buying shares in the ASX companies they run?

Listed companies are required to publicly advise the ASX when a director has purchased shares.

In a statement this week, Straker Translations Ltd (ASX: STG) told the ASX that director Steve Donovan had acquired 40,000 shares in an on-market trade worth more than $1.7 million on 3 August.

On Friday, the Straker share price closed at $1.13, up 7.1% for the day and down 29.4% year to date.

Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) director Nicholas Politis AM has also made a series of share purchases through his companies, WFM Motors Pty Ltd and NGP Investments (No 2) Pty Ltd.

Politis has been buying more ASX shares in Eagers for several weeks. In July, I spent $1.5 million buying Eagers shares. By the end of the month, I have held more than 70.33 million shares.

He’s bought another 100,000 Eagers shares in August, the latest being a 10,000 parcel bought on Thursday.

On Friday, Eagers closed at $13.10, making his stake in the ASX 200 company worth about $922 million.

Eagers has a market capitalization of $3.47 billion with approximately 257 million shares on issue.

The Eagers share price dipped 3.1% on Friday and is down 6.1% year to date.

Also this week, United Malt Group Ltd (ASX:UMG) told the ASX that three directors had bought shares.

Independent chair and non-executive director Graham Bradley AM purchased 75,000 shares on the ASX between 3 and 8 August. The average price was $3.04 per share for a total consideration of $227,994. He now directly owns 196,395 shares in the company.

United Malt CEO and managing director Mark Palmquist purchased 50,000 shares on 4 August at an average price of $2.95 per share for a total consideration of $147,625. He now directly owns 543,222 shares in the company.

Independent non-executive director Gary Mize purchased 17,317 shares on 4 August at an average price of $2.85 per share for a total consideration of $49,353. He now owns 48,200 shares in the company.

The United Malt share price closed Friday’s session at $3.29, up 1.9%. It’s down 27.2% year to date.

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Technology

After 5 Years, Apple Is Bringing Back the Battery Percent Indicator on the iPhone. Why It’s Going to Make Your Life So Much Better

After 5 Years, Apple Is Bringing Back the Battery Percent Indicator on the iPhone. Why It's Going to Make Your Life So Much Better

Last week, Apple rolled out the most recent version of its iOS 16 beta, and it almost broke the internet. That’s obviously a bit of an exaggeration, but it definitely seemed like it if you paid attention to reaction online.

That’s because Apple added back the battery percentage indicator in the status bar five years after it disappeared. If that doesn’t seem controversial to you, it’s probably because you don’t care about beta software and don’t spend all of your time on Twitter–both of which are totally normal ways to live your life.

Even if that’s the case, you should care about the change because it’s going to make your life so much better. First, however, I should mention that since this is a beta version of iOS, Apple could still make changes or it might choose not to include the new design at all. I hope it does because it’s so much better than the current version.

First, let me just say that if Apple includes the new version exactly as it is in the public release this fall, a lot of people are going to have strong feelings. It’s definitely different, and, in the case of the beta, Apple just turned it on for everyone (you can turn it off within Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage).

Of course, some of you are thinking “what’s all the fuss, my iPhone has the percentage on the screen?” If that’s you, it’s because you are still rocking an iPhone 8 or earlier, or have one of the newer iPhone SE models.

The reason it disappeared on newer iPhones is pretty simple. When Apple switched to the iPhone X design with a notch, it lost real estate at the top of the screen for the status bar. Now, anything it might want to show you has to fit into the two smaller “ears” on either side of the camera and Face ID sensors. So, Apple just switched to showing an icon that is supposed to give you a visual representation of how much battery remains.

I had no idea how bad this design was until I saw the beta version on my own iPhone. The best thing about the change, however, isn’t that the percentage is back, it’s the way Apple incorporated it into the status bar.

Under the current design in iOS 15, the battery icon slowly appears to deplete over time as your battery drains. The new version is simply a numerical indicator of your remaining battery percentage, inside a battery-shaped icon that is completely filled in. The key is that the background of the battery icon doesn’t change–it’s always filled in.

inline images

If you get down below 20 percent, the indicator does change colors, but it still appears “full,” if you will. For someone (like me) who gets battery anxiety, this is so much less stress-inducing. I say this as someone who has unfollowed people on Twitter because they post screenshots of their iPhone which happen to have less than 20 percent battery remaining.

In fact, I wasn’t sure I really needed a more overt reminder that all batteries eventually die. The thing is, this new design has the opposite effect.

Here’s why I love this: It gives you the information without the anxiety. If you want to know your battery percentage you can have that information without the visual image that your battery and–therefore, your device–is slowly headed to death.

There are, obviously, very good reasons you might want to know how much battery life you have. You might be traveling. You might be headed out to work and notice that you forget to plug in your iPhone the night before. You might be headed to a kid’s soccer game after work where you want to capture videos and photos and need to know if you should charge first.

It doesn’t really matter why you want to know how much charge is left, the point is you should be able to get that information without it inducing anxiety every time you glance at your phone. Now, you finally can.

The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.

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Sports

Sydney Swans break Collingwood streak to mount finals charge

Sydney Swans break Collingwood streak to mount finals charge

It was the Swans’ sixth successive victory. Another win over 10th-placed St Kilda at Marvel Stadium next Sunday would likely guarantee them a double chance and a final in Sydney depending on percentage.

Swans coach John Longmire was also delighted with his team’s defence.

“We were really sound defensively at the contest,” he said. “We gave up a couple of easy goals. But apart from that, I think we’re really, really strong with what we had to do at the contest and when we didn’t have the ball and that laid a good foundation for a pretty strong four-quarter effort.”

On a day when Josh Kennedy walked a farewell lap at half-time after announcing his retirement during the week, the Swans’ next-generation midfield of Callum Mills, James Rowbottom and Chad Warner combined with veteran Luke Parker to dominate possession.

Up forward for the Swans, Lance Franklin kicked three goals in a match dominated by defenses. Tom Papley and Isaac Heeney in his 150th game both kicked two. Papley has kicked at least two goals in each of the Swans’ last six games.

Collingwood were unable to cope with the Swans’ smothering defence, which kept the Magpies to just three goals until the 21-minute mark of the third quarter, when Darcy Cameron kicked his side’s fourth.

Papley responded for the Swans almost immediately, restoring a 33-point lead, but the Magpies once again showed their ability to respond in adversity.

Tom McCartin scuffles with Mason Cox as tensions bubble over.

Tom McCartin scuffles with Mason Cox as tensions bubble over.Credit:Getty

Late in the quarter, with the Swans seemingly having the game locked up, Collingwood kicked successive goals for the first time in the match thanks to Ash Johnson and Mason Cox.

The margin was reduced to 23 points at the last change and gave the Magpies hope, but the streak was short-lived.

Rowbottom continued an excellent game by snapping the first goal of the final term.

The Magpies were gallant but ineffective as they failed to find a reliable avenue to goal.

The sellout crowd’s biggest contribution was booing Collingwood’s controversial small forward Ginnivan for receiving a free kick for a high tackle, which had made the bottle blond such a talking point in recent weeks.

The free kick was entirely justified after a desperate second quarter tackle from the otherwise excellent Paddy McCartin coathangered Ginnivan, who kicked Collingwood’s only goal of the term.

The vocal crowd were already jumpy about a free kick count which was 10-5 to in favor of the Magpies.

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De Goey suffered his hip problem at training on Friday but traveled Sydney before being ruled out on Sunday. He was replaced by Trent Bianco, with Callum Brown the medical substitute.

The Swans looked the better side for much of the day but didn’t always make the most of their opportunities.

It was fitting that rugby league markings were still obvious on the otherwise pristine SCG given the at times crowded nature of the game around the ball.

Tom and Paddy McCartin were strong for the Swans alongside Dane Rampe, who snuck forward to kick just the seventh goal of his long career.

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Business

Cost of living: Product ‘shrinkflation’ tipped to continue as shoppers warned to ‘get used to’ higher costs

Cost of living: Product 'shrinkflation' tipped to continue as shoppers warned to 'get used to' higher costs

We’ve all been hearing a lot about inflation but it’s shrinkflation that shoppers really need to worry about.

Shrinkflation is where manufacturers charge the same or even more for smaller servings, betting on most consumers not noticing the difference.

And with rate rises and cost-of-living pressures hitting many hard households, these reductions are offering less and less value for money

Consumer group Choice has been getting tip-offs from peeved Aussies about products that have been downsizing, recently verifying Smith’s crinkle cut potato chips had been trimmed by 5g — or about three chips — to 170g per pack.

Shrinkflation is where manufacturers charge the same or even more for smaller servings, betting on most consumers not noticing the difference.
Camera IconShrinkflation is where manufacturers charge the same or even more for smaller servings, betting on most consumers not noticing the difference. Credit: The West Australian

There has also been a 20g drop in large packs of Red Rock Deli potato chips to 165g and boxes of Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes have shed 30g.

And sweet-toothed shoppers have been left with a sour taste with Cadbury family-sized chocolate blocks going from the once-standard 250g to 180g.

The latest to drop weight is Maltesers, with a spokeswoman for manufacturer Mars Wrigley saying it was “facing unprecedented cost pressures” like many Australian businesses.

“From time to time, external factors make it necessary for product changes so that we can continue to ensure the availability of our products to all Australians,” she said.

Choice spokesman Liam Kennedy said shrinkflation was a global trend that was expected to continue.

“Most of the examples that we see, a lot of the tips we receive, are in that snack area, cereals,” Mr Kennedy told The West Australian.

But it has hit pet food too, with bags of Purina One cat food contracting by 100g to 1.4kg but costing more.

Choice says 'shrinkflation' is a global trend expected to continue.
Camera IconChoice says ‘shrinkflation’ is a global trend expected to continue. Credit: Rebecca Le May/The West Australian

Owner Nestle blamed that on recipe changes and higher costs for raw materials, packaging and transport, Mr Kennedy said.

“A lot of business are feeling that right now,” he added.

Elizabeth Jackson, a food supply chain systems expert at Curtin University, warned shoppers to expect ongoing pain at the checkout, mainly due to high transport costs, saying the current inflation spike was reminiscent of that seen in the oil crisis of 1973.

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Technology

Genshin Impact 3.0: The Morn a Thousand Roses Brings Launches Next Week

Genshin Impact 3.0: The Morn a Thousand Roses Brings Launches Next Week 19

August 24, 2022. This is the date that Genshin Impact fans across the world will bid adieu to the updates of v2.x, and start welcoming the updates of v3.0. During a livestream in the wee hours of this morning, developer and publisher Hoyoverse (Fmrly. Mihoyo) confirmed that Genshin Impact 3.0: The Morn a Thousand Roses Brings will be launching on the PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, iOS and Android platforms starting on 24 August 2022. With this update comes the fourth nation of Teyvat, Sumeru, along with Dendro gameplay mechanics, a major update to the game’s main campaign and much more.

Located west of Liyue, the massive region of Sumeru is divided into two main parts: rainforest and desert. Upon its release, players will be able to explore the dense rainforest and multiple settlements nestled within it, including Sumeru City and Port Ormos. Known as the Nation of Wisdom, Sumeru has the most prestigious historical institution called the Akademiya, founded by scholars loyal to the previous Archon Dendron, the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata. When Lesser Lord Kusanali succeeded the previous Dendro Archon 500 years ago, making her the youngest of The Seven, the Akademiya has come to power as the governing body of the state, turning knowledge into a resource that is strictly managed.

Along with a brand-new series of elemental chain reactions. the Dendro element will become playable for the first time. The Dendro element can trigger three different basic reactions: Burning, Bloom, and Catalyze, if used with the Pyro, Hydro, and Electro element respectively. In combat, Bloom and Catalyze can evolve into further reactions. When Dendro meets Hydro, the Bloom reaction will spawn one or more Dendro Cores, dealing delayed explosive Dendro damage. If these Dendro Cores come into contact with Pyro or Electro before exploding, they can trigger the Burgeon reaction and increase their AoE Dendro DMG, or trigger the Hyperbloom reaction which turns Dendro Cores into Sprawling Shots that can track down nearby enemies. The Catalyze reaction stems from Dendro and Electro, and can apply the Quicken effect to affected targets and increase their damage taken from the next Dendro or Electro hit by triggering the Spread or Aggravate reaction. That may seem like a bit of a word salad now, but I expect it will soon become second nature on the battlefield, like all other elemental interactions.

In the Sumeru rainforest, plants and creatures with Dendro characteristics can take on various polymorphic transformations by coming into contact with the Hydro, Pyro, and Electro elements. Monsters can switch between different states or attack sequences, and can produce different drops, while certain plants and mushrooms can provide useful effects. Meanwhile, the humid tropical areas provide ideal living grounds for a wider variety of wildlife. Shroom-Kin have evolved into a special species called the Fungi, to protect their homeland. The new boss enemy, the Jadeplume Terrorshroom is a type of Fungus with a strong animalistic nature and becomes quite territorial and aggressive. Another new Boss enemy is the Electro Regisvine, who also awaits Travelers in the depths of the forest.

Preview Screenshots of Genshin Impact Version 3.0
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Genshin Impact 3.0: The Morn a Thousand Roses Brings Launches Next Week 18

A new major expansion means that players can look forward to a range of 4-star and 5-star characters being recruitable through the in-game wish “gacha” system in the coming months – aligned with both the dendro elemental and previous elements. . As the Traveler, players can unlock the power of Dendro at the Statue of The Seven in Sumeru, and have a chance to recruit two Dendro archers. The five-star character Tighnari is a warm-hearted young researcher and Forest Watcher. Both his Charged Attack and Elemental Burst can deal damage over multiple phases, making Tighnari a great choice to trigger chain reactions based on the Dendro element. Tighnari’s pupil Collei will be joining as a four-star, and for a limited time, players can recruit her for free by completing 3.0’s main seasonal event, the Graven Innocence.

In addition to Dendro characters, the four-star Electro support character Dori will also join the game. Dori is an elusive merchant in Sumeru and wields a claymore. She can help restore HP and energy for nearby team members with her Elemental Burst from her. Tighnari, Collei, and Zhongli will be available in the Event Wishes during the early half of the update, followed by Dori along with Ganyu’s and Sangonomiya Kokomi’s reruns.

According to Hoyoverse, more optimizations and features will be implemented with the expansion to enhance gameplay as well. Three new tools, the Boon of the Elder Tree, Ultra-Hot Burner Lamp Test Model, and Fishing Line Stabilizer can be acquired to make the wood farming, cooking, and fishing process easier. Colored shadows are also applied to make Teyvat “a more vivid world”.

Genshin Impact 3.0: The Morn a Thousand Roses Brings Launches Next Week 19

Genshin Impact 3.0 will be launching on 24 August 2022, with plans to shorten the time between each update from there to just five weeks. According to the details shared by Hoyoverse (above), Version 3.1 is expected to release on 28 September, 3.2 on 2 November and 3.3 on 7 December. While subject to change, this means that your time to collect new characters via wishes for the rest of the year may be cut slightly shorter.

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Sports

AFL scores, updates 2022, Port Adelaide Power def Essendon Bombers, Round 22: Scores, result, stats, blog

AFL scores, updates 2022, Port Adelaide Power def Essendon Bombers, Round 22: Scores, result, stats, blog

Essendon has been demolished by Port Adelaide – 23.8 (146) to 9.8 (62) – in a dismal showing sure to ramp up the pressure on the Bombers heading into the off-season.

Barring a third-quarter fightback, Port Adelaide was barely troubled by the Bombers, kicking its highest score of the year.

It marks a welcome pressure release for Port Adelaide and sets the stage for a Showdown with Adelaide to close out its season.

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QUARTER-BY-QUARTER RECAP

There were no late changes for either side. Ben Hobbs (Essendon) and Jackson Mead (Port Adelaide) were the medical substitutes.

Port Adelaide got off to the perfect start, with Travis Boak finishing off a crisp bit of play in the first 15 seconds of the match.

Essendon responded via Nic Martin, who streamed into the forward 50 and finished cleanly.

Todd Marshall and Mitch Georgiades combined for the next two majors, then a brilliant mark from Charlie Dixon was followed by an assured set shot, giving the Power some breathing room on the scoreboard.’

Mid-season draftee Massimo D’Ambrosio helped bring his side back into the mix, kicking his first AFL goal and then his second just minutes later.

Essendon gave away a costly free kick during a scuffle with Jeremy Finlayson, which resulted in Sam Powell-Pepper kicking a goal just before the quarter-time siren.

Port Adelaide led by eight points at the first change.

Powell-Pepper’s late goal was only the beginning of the Power’s surge, with Ken Hinkley’s side running rampant over Essendon as the second term began to unfold.

Essendon barely fired a shot as Port Adelaide kicked four goals in seven minutes, with some passaged dubbed “a training drill” by Fox Footy commentator Dwayne Russell.

The Power continued to pile on the goals, with Karl Amon making it a 52-point margin and eight unanswered goals.

“It seems like they’ve given up in a sense Essendon,” Jordan Lewis said on Fox Footy, pointing to the Bombers’ lack of communication and effort.

By half-time, the Bombers trailed by 51 points.

Todd Marshall kicked the first goal of the second half, but Essendon was then let off by a couple of misses from Port Adelaide in front of goal.

An Archie Perkins set shot finally broke Essendon’s goal drought, but Zak Butters restored a 60-point lead for his side with a goal shortly after.

Peter Wright and Nick Hind got back-to-back goals for the Bombers as they began to show a bit more fight through the middle of the ground, but Port Adelaide still managed to get looks at goal.

By three-quarter time, Essendon had won the quarter, reducing a 51-point margin to 49.

Unfortunately for Essendon fans, the final quarter was far from impressive, with Port Adelaide rapidly extending its lead.

Several goals for the visitors came with alarming ease as the margin continued to grow as much of the Bombers crowd began to head home.

THE 3-2-1

3) PRESSURE SOARS FOR BOMBERS AFTER BRTUAL LOSS

Ben Rutten must be wondering why the message didn’t get through to his players.

The Bombers were well beaten by Greater Western Sydney last week and, heading into Sunday, the focus was clear.

“We need to respond really quickly, in particularly in and around the contest,” Rutten told Fox Footy pre-game.

“Our ability to tackle and win our share of contested ball and pressure the opposition… we’re really looking forward to seeing how we shape up against them tonight.”

With such a focus on the contest, it must’ve been quite alarming for Rutten at the main break, with his side conceding 43 points from stoppage while scoring just seven on its own end.

“Around the contest it’s terrible … they’d been the number one stoppage team in the last month of football but were smashed last week and were absolutely smashed around the football today, especially in the second quarter,” Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy at half-time.

“It started from the centre-bounce in the first quarter but then around the ground in the second quarter.

“They’ve given up seven goals from stoppage, which is an unbelievable number for a game of football let alone a half.”

The midfield responded with a better showing in the third quarter, but limped to the finish line, doing nothing to mask questions the Bombers must address ahead of a searching off-season.

“Parish is there, Shiel is back, Merrett is there, they’ve got dominance in the ruck because Draper has height over Finlayson … they need to change something,” Brown said.

“I’d be saying if I was Ben Rutten, ‘if you boys want to play in the midfield you need to earn it, so out’.”

Such was the scale of the loss, Brown in the immediate aftermath noted: “I don’t know what to say.”

2) ALIIR’S GREAT STRIDES

Aliir Aliir has been a tremendous intercept defender, but perhaps that description is selling him short.

Few players this season have been able to stop Peter Wright from having an impact on the scoreboard or up the ground, but Aliir provided an exception to the norm.

“He’s been outstanding, Aliir Aliir,” Jonathan Brown said.

“I’ve been really impressed. He’s not just a zone-off defender. Peter Wright is one of the best key-position forwards in the competition this season.

“He has not only shut him down, he’s had an impact offensively as well and been able to get across and spoil not just Peter Wright but other opposition players as well and help out his teammates.

“I think he’s had an outstanding game and I think it highlights his development as a key defender.”

1) RIVETING RUCK CONUNDRUM

Ken Hinkley has a lot of headaches after a disappointing season, but perhaps a good one is in the ruck.

Scott Lycett’s injury early in the season certainly hurt the side in the short-term, but as the season has progressed there have been promising signs in that department.

Sam Hayes came in for a lengthy period and showed promise with the number one ruck mantle, then Brynn Teakle burst onto the scene as a mid-season draftee, showing plenty before going off injured on his AFL debut.

Jeremy Finlayson, however, could be the pick of the bunch and a shrewd bit of recruiting.

Many questioned the need for Finlayson when he came across via trade at the end of last year, but he has shown some incredibly impressive potential when handed the reigns in the ruck.

On Sunday, he demolished opponent Sam Draper and made the ruck case even more curious for Port Adelaide in 2023.

“We’ve pumped up Draper a lot this season, we think he’s going to be a really good ruckman in the competition going forward,” Jonathan Brown told Fox Footy.

“He’s had four disposals, his opponent Jeremy Finlayson has had 21, four clearances and two goals.

“It shows the difference in the day, it also shows the impact a player like Finlayson can have.”

Recap Essendon v Port Adelaide in our blog below!

If you can’t see the blog, tap here.

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Sports

Sydney Swans v Collingwood Magpies, Jack Ginnivan, controversy, injury, hamstring, boo, booed, sidelined, Jon Ralph, respect, high tackle, ducking, drop knees

Sydney Swans v Collingwood Magpies, Jack Ginnivan, controversy, injury, hamstring, boo, booed, sidelined, Jon Ralph, respect, high tackle, ducking, drop knees

Sydney fans have been labeled “grubs” by Collingwood star Taylor Adams for booing his injured teammate Jack Ginnivan during the Swans’ 27-point win on Sunday.

Ginnivan had been subbed out of the match at half time, moments after winning a high tackle free kick that led to Collingwood’s third goal of the day.

He returned from the rooms with his right hamstring heavily iced and sat on the bench for the final half.

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When his face was put on the big screen, boos rang out from the record crowd of more than 44,000.

Ginnivan’s injured teammate Adams took to social media to slam the treatment of the 19-year-old.

“Imagine booing an injured player. Grubs,” I tweeted.

Ginnivan pulled a pout when he was initially shown on the screen as the boos began before then laughing as he was again shown and the boos increased.

Fox Footy’s Jon Ralph called on those in the crowd to “have some respect” for Ginnivan.

“I just think we’ve got to have a bit of respect,” Ralph said.

“We understand he’s become the pantomime villain of the AFL.

“He’s also said a couple of times now as recently as this week that he’s battled with the mental health issues. You can talk about whether the media has inflated some of that, but I think you need to have a little bit more respect for Ginnivan there, especially when he was injured.”

Commentator Alister Nicholson agreed with Ralph’s assessment.

“I reckon Jack Ginnivan is extremely stiff and its got to be a bit unwarranted that you’re injured and still getting booed by the crowd,” he said.

AFL commentator Dale Thomas said Sydney fans should know better, given the treatment of their star Adam Goodes that led to his early retirement.

Goodes was widely booed at every ground around the country late in his career.

“Even without the Adam Goodes stuff, I think its absolutely disgraceful (the booing of Ginnivan),” he said on 7’s Sunday Session.

“He’s a young kid going about his business, he’s injured and they pan to him on the bench and the Swans fans boo.

“I don’t think that’s the right thing.”

Demons rob Blues on the Buzzer! | 03:03

Ginnivan’s injury summed up a tough day for the Pies that began with star Jordan de Goey a late withdrawal for the match with the Swans with a hip flexor issue.

“This is far from ideal for the Collingwood Football Club at the worst possible time of the season,” Ralph said.

“(Ginnivan) will have to play potentially a qualifying final a day or two short of the perfect 21-day recovery time after he was subbed out with that hamstring soreness.

“The very best case, the Pies are going to have to play Taylor Adams first up off a 30-day break with that groin tear and Ginnivan with a question mark on his body and won’t be sure if either of those players will last out the game.”

Fox Footy’s David King said Goey’s Collingwood shouldn’t risk for the clash with Carlton next week – despite the result determining their top four hopes.

“I think it’s a no risk policy for me,” he said.

“I’m not risking losing him for an elimination final next week. If it costs you one position on the ladder, so be it.”

Brad Johnson agreed and said the club should take a “100 per cent fit or not” policy from this point on.

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Categories
Australia

Sport, music and culture shine at Barunga Festival 2022 after COVID postponements

Aboriginal Dancers dance on sand.

The dust barely settles as it drifts across thousands of spectators circled around traditional dancers from Groote Eylandt kicking up a storm this weekend in the remote NT community of Barunga.

Historically, the buŋgul, a meeting place of dance, song and ritual, at Barunga Festival is largely admired from the sidelines — but this year was different.

“Barunga is one of those different places, it brings so many people from different communities to try to share together in one place, that’s what Barunga is all about,” Groote Eylandt dancer Leonard Amagula says.

“It is reaching out to other communities, reaching out to the young ones, to grow up and see we are doing wonderful things.”

Dancers on sand can be seen through the crowd.
The crowd is invited to take part in traditional dances. (ABC News: Max Rowley)

It starts as a trickle, and then legions of people from the crowd swirl into the centre, and press together behind the Groote Eylandt Anindilyakwa experts, billowing sand across the tiny community about 400 kilometers south-east of Darwin.

It’s one of those special moments that makes the three-day festival what it is; a place where both historic agreements are made and the promise of treaties echoes loudly.

And a place where remote Indigenous culture is strengthened simply by sharing in it.

A ‘rough but happy’ beginning

The festival has a long and important history that started over three decades ago in 1985.

Mr Amagula has been a regular attendee since his teens.

Back then, he says, it was “kinda rough but happy” and much larger with far more people traveling in from other Aboriginal communities.

A man in a hat files a Didgeridoo at Barunga.
Cultural workshops including yidaki (didgeridoo) making ran all weekend. (ABC Katherine: Roxanne Fitzgerald)

This year, after the festival was postponed due to COVID, creative director Michael Hohnen says that balance was almost struck again.

“Because it was not a long weekend, [there] was probably a few less people and the date change, a lot of people can’t plan for that date change, but I actually like this energy a lot,” he said.

“We didn’t push it at all in anywhere but remote communities … that’s what Barunga [Festival] is supposed to be, the community invites visitors in.”

weaving workshop
Festival attendees learn weaving from Barunga elders. (ABC Katherine: Roxanne Fitzgerald)

A succession of local NT bands took to the main stage across the three days, as MCs called musicians up for their slot and announced the winners of sport trophies in between sets – the by-product of a festival thin on staff running on ‘Barunga time ‘.

On Saturday night, singer and political activist Walmatjarri elder Kankawa Nagarra – who toured with Hugh Jackman in Broadway to Oz – opened the main stage concert delivering a string of songs that delved into a life of hardship as she moved from mission to mission.

A woman playing guitar on a stage at barunga festival.
West Australian political activist, singer and songwriter Kankawa Nagarra was a special guest at the festival. (ABC News: Max Rowley)

Then Salt Lake and Eylandt Band from Groote fired up the crowd.

A link to political past

Dissimilar to past years, where the rallying cries for action from leaders have been loud and fearless, it was quieter on the political front, leaving the festival’s roots in sport, music and culture to shine.

But at a festival steeped in political history, the past couldn’t be ignored.

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Categories
Sports

Kysaiah Pickett targeted in racist attack, Melbourne investigating fan behavior

Melbourne star Kysaiah Pickett has become the latest indigenous player to be subjected to horrific racial abuse, with the 21-year-old targeted after his game-winning heroics.

Pickett bobbed up to kick the goal that gave Melbourne a five-point lead with just 11 seconds left in a thrilling contest against Carlton on Saturday, with the result leaving the Blues’ final hopes on a knife’s edge heading into the final round of the season .

Melbourne confirmed the club and the AFL were conducting an investigation to determine the identity of the person involved in abusing Pickett.

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“The Melbourne Football Club strongly condemns racial vilification of any kind,” a club statement read.

“Last night a Melbourne player was again subjected to racism on social media. This sort of behavior is abhorrent and needs to stop. It is saddening, angering and unacceptable that this behavior continues to occur.

“It is important that we, as a football community, call this behavior out and hold these individuals to account. It is simply not OK to remain silent.

“The club will work with the AFL integrity department to see if the account holder responsible for the comments can be identified.”

Pickett is the second indigenous player to be abused by a fan in a matter of weeks, after Brisbane’s Callum Ah Chee was also targeted in an online attack following a clash with the Blues.

“How can this still keep happening? Why can’t my brothers and I just play the game we love without having to worry about shit like this?” Ah Chee said last week.

“If my son grows up playing the game, I hope he doesn’t have to deal with this hate.

“It hurts and I’m sick to death of seeing it.”

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