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Positive Covid-19 test cartridge throws press conference into disarray, Manly vs Eels score

Positive Covid-19 test cartridge throws press conference into disarray, Manly vs Eels score

Friday evening’s press conference at 4 Pines Park was thrown into disarray after a positive Covid-19 RAT test was found in the venue’s designated media room.

The Parramatta Eels defeated the Manly Sea Eagles 36-20 in the Round 21 contest, with winger Maika Sivo scoring a double for the visitors.

But after the final siren, Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans opted not to conduct a post-match press conference after reporters discovered a positive RAT cartridge in the media room.

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Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler’s interview went ahead as planned, but Eels mentor Brad Arthur played it safe and conducted his press conference in the hallway outside the toilets.

Meanwhile, Parramatta’s players refused to do interviews after the game to avoid any risk of being exposed to the deadly virus.

Parra pounce on Sea Eagles at Brookie | 02:39

News Corp’s Martin Gabor tweeted: “Drama at 4 Pines Park. A positive RAT was found in the post match press conference room. Des Hasler did his press conference but DCE played it safe. Eels are concerned and it looks like their presser will be delayed and moved.”

AAP’s Scott Bailey posted: “Absolute shambolic scenes at Brookvale. Positive RAT cartridge sitting in the designated press conference room. None of the journalists behind it. DCE opted out of presser while Brad Arthur moved his outside and no Eels players spoke as a result.”

The positive RAT test was later removed by an NRL official. It remains unclear where the cartridge came from.

It was a back-and-forth affair at 4 Pines Park on Friday, with Manly taking a lead 20-14 after the halftime break.

But the Eels fightback began in spectacular fashion as winger Waqa Blake, playing his 150th game, dived for the corner to score a stunning try in the 55th minute.

Latching onto a perfectly-directed lofted pass from young teammate Jakob Arthur, the Eels flyer lunged and somehow managed to ground the ball with his knees inches from the turf in touch.

It proved to be the turning point for the Eels, who scored three late tries to blow the Sea Eagles away and leave Manly’s season on life support.

“It was a big moment wasn’t it?” Eels coach Arthur told reporters after the 16-point victory.

“It really got us back in the hunt. Good for Jake’s confidence too.

“Really pleased for Waqa, he’s the sort of player that doesn’t get a lot of accolades but he just competes at every contest for us. He’s had some injuries over the last couple of years but he always works the hardest to get back on the field.”

With four games remaining in the regular season, the Sea Eagles are now four points out of the top eight in 10th place on the NRL ladder, while the Eels have moved into fifth on 28 competition points.

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AFL world reacts after Collingwood defeats Melbourne, smashes Ed Langdon

AFL world reacts after Collingwood defeats Melbourne, smashes Ed Langdon

Collingwood has done the unthinkable, winning their 11th game straight in yet another thriller at the MCG.

The 15.6 (96) to 13.11 (89) result was yet another nailbiter for the 2022 Magpies, who have become the masters of the heart-stopping victory. The Pies have gone undefeated since round 9 and claimed eight of the streak for less than 10 points.

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The streak is the longest since the club’s 14-game run in 2011 but an absolute shock after a horrible season in 2021 – 17th-placed finish that saw Nathan Buckley’s tenure as coach end and significant boardroom upheaval.

What a difference a year makes.

Despite the close results, it’s clear it’s no fluke as the Magpies have firmed into premiership contention and now sit second on the AFL ladder, behind only Geelong on percentage — although the Cats play St Kilda on Saturday night for a chance to move a win ahead in the minor premiership race.

Speaking after the result, the Fox Footy team were blown away.

Demons great Garry Lyon said: “This football club, what they’re doing here now, it’s one for the ages, I can’t remember anything like it.”

Lions champion Jonathan Brown added: “The belief now, it’s become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The belief they’ve grown out of these close games, it’s no luck now. They train themselves and they believe in themselves in those situations late.”

Lyon said the result “doesn’t make sense”, as the Magpies were behind on disposals (409-316), contested possessions (161-139), clearances (52-32) and inside 50s (65-41) and yet still claimed the victory.

Fans were blown away by the result.

The Guardian’s Antoun Issa posted: “We are not pretenders. We’re the real deal.”

Presenter Nat Edwards wrote: “What a quacking final quarter of football from the Pies. Pressure out of this world.”

Radio presenter Andy Maher said: “You just gotta laugh, dip your lid and embrace the utter madness of it all.”

Nine’s Paddy Sweeney added: “This is off the charts. And if it’s a slice of what’s in store come finals, bring on September.”

Footy great Jude Bolton commented: “Sensational game of footy. Dug so deep once again the Pies. Huge win against the reigning Premiers. 11 in a row.”

Broadcaster Daniel Garb noted: “Collingwood’s pressure has been incredible. Seven of their last eight wins before tonight may have been narrow victories against bottom eight sides but they built up the most valuable thing in sport in that run – momentum.”

Journalist Jack Hudson added: “Heart, pressure and just raw hunger. Collingwood unbelievably impressive.”

Former footy star Robert Shaw posted: “Next level footy… Feet into 2nd spot.”

There was no shortage of spite during or after the match either as fans revealed in comments from Demons star Ed Langdon.

“They’re sort of all duck, no dinner in a sense. If they’re playing fast footy on their terms they’re a very hard team to stop,” Langdon said earlier in the week.

“They’re a bit of a one-trick pony at times, so hopefully we can dampen the way they want to play and off the back of that go out and offensively play the way we want to play.”

Ducks were all over the tweets after the game, while the players made sure they let Langdon know they’d heard his comments.

Pies came from everywhere after Brayden Maynard smashed Langdon early in the game.

“There’s his duck dinner right there,” commentator Luke Hodge said.

“They’ll come at him all night,” Brian Taylor added.

“It’ll be interesting to see how Langdon deals with that. He’s normally out on the wing… he’s going to be looking over his shoulder, ”Hodge said.

Speaking to Maynard after the match, he revealed the Pies had made it personal.

“We did use it as a source to look back on because I feel like Ed Langdon sometimes speaks in the media and doesn’t realize what he’s actually saying,” Maynard said. “When I got that first tackle on him, I let him know about it.”

This does not seem to be a Collingwood side you want to get on your bad side.

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Aussie John Millman slammed after Novak Djokovic tweet, weighs into US Open vaccination drama

John Millman has questioned Novak's US ban. Photo: AFP and David Caird

Aussie tennis star John Millman has sparked a Twitter firestorm after weighing in on Novak Djokovic’s US Open status.

Millman took to Twitter to reveal he had pulled out of an ATP 250 event in Mexico after he tested positive to Covid-19.

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But he also took the opportunity to question why Djokovic was currently barred from entering the US to play in the tournament.

“I’m out with Covid. I was just in the (United) states and it didn’t really feel like too many were following any recommendations or guidelines there. Which is fine, but therefore I can’t see then why @DjokerNole can’t come and compete,” Millman tweeted.

Millman entered the conversation. Photo by Michael Klein.Source: News Corp Australia

Djokovic has revealed he is “preparing to compete” at the final grand slam of the season although currently his refusal to get vaccinated for Covid will see him barred from entry to the US.

Under current rules, all visitors to the United States must be fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

Since his Wimbledon victory, Djokovic has been hoping for a change in the rules in America, despite more than 200,000 new cases and 1057 deaths on August 3. However the average has been around 400 deaths a day, while more than 12,500 Americans died during July according to USA Today.

Millman was slammed for his post and returned an hour later to clarify his stance.

“Let me be clear. If everyone in the country was following guidelines then I’m all for them enforcing a vax entry policy. But from what I saw pretty much no one was, the tournament allows non vax citizens to play and only 30% have had a booster…,” he wrote.

Tennis reporter Ben Rothenberg replied to the second tweet, posting: “Could be wrong, but I’m not sure there’s a non-vaxxed US citizen player whose ranking gets them anywhere near the US Open field currently? This remains an issue for one individual.

“And FWIW, media has to show proof of vaccination to get our credentials for US Open.”

Hours later, Millman replied: “Twitter is full of people having all types of opinions on different matters but when an athlete has an opinion on something that is not to do with their sport they are told to ‘stick to your sport’.”

Millman is currently ranked world No. 76 and has automatically qualified for the US Open.

Djokovic was named on the entry list for the grand slam late last month.

Novak is still hoping for US Open entry. Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFPSource: AFP

However, the US Open said it was just the process, not a hint about a possible exemption for the tournament which starts on August 29.

“Per the Grand Slam Rule Book, all eligible players are automatically entered into the men’s and women’s singles main draw fields based on ranking 42 days prior to the first Monday of the event,” a statement from the US read.

“The US Open does not have a vaccination mandate in place for players, but it will respect the US government’s position regarding travel into the country for unvaccinated non-US citizens.”

Late last month, Djokovic took to Instagram to post a picture of him training, hinting he’d be ready to go, even if there was a late change to the US’ entry rules.

“I am preparing as if I will be allowed to compete, while I await to hear if there is any room for me to travel to the US. Fingers crossed!,” Djokovic wrote on Instagram late last month.

There have been plenty of calls for Djokovic to be allowed into the country, including politicians and more than 46,000 people who have signed a petition calling on the authorities to allow a 21-time Slam winner into the country.

But Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic said he doesn’t believe the rules will change.

“There is always hope,” Ivanisevic told La Repubblica.

“Novak will do everything to be there, maybe he will get a special visa. But there are only two weeks.

And, personally, I have zero hope that [Joe] Biden will change the rules before the tournament starts.

“For me it is all nonsense and bull****.

If you are vaccinated but positive you can enter the United States. If you are not vaccinated but negative, you are banned. There is too much politics in sports.”

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Aussie Alex Winwood robbed in Commonwealth Games quarterfinals boxing ‘outrage’ vs Patrick Chinyemba, Harry Garside

Aussie Alex Winwood robbed in Commonwealth Games quarterfinals boxing 'outrage' vs Patrick Chinyemba, Harry Garside

Aussie flyweight boxer Alex Winwood has been robbed of a chance to claim a Commonwealth Games medal after the referee inexplicably waved the fight off following an early second round knockdown.

Fighting in the quarterfinals against Zambia’s Patrick Chinyemba, Winwood had won the first round on four of the five judges cards.

But 15 seconds into the second round, Chinyemba landed a huge one-two which left the Aussie on the canvas.

Winwood leapt straight back to his feet and headed for the corner. Although he didn’t stumble and seemed fine, the referee waved the fight off after counting to just three.

Channel 7 commentator Jon Harker was baffled by the quick decision.

“Oh no, hang on — she has waved it away already,” he said. “I find that impossible to believe. Absolutely impossible to believe.”

Tokyo bronze medalist turned professional boxer Harry Garside added: “It’s heartbreaking for Alex.”

Harker continued: “She didn’t give him a chance to get up, she was waving it away before he got to his feet. And look at the way he is walking, not a problem whatsoever.”

“That fight should not have been stopped. I’m not saying he was going to go on and win, who knows? But that is not a stoppage.”

Garside responded: “Yeah, no way known is that a stoppage. You got to give him time to get up and do the eight-count and then look into his eyes from him.”

“… And look at him and see whether he walks forward, see whether he wants to continue, see whether he wants to continue, see whether his legs are clear. That’s an outrage,” Harker finished.

It was a moment that shocked everyone, including the fighters.

The look on Winwood’s face said it all, while Chinyemba had walked to a neutral corner and looked ready to continue.

Chinyemba had defeated Winwood in the first round of the Tokyo Olympics last year as well.

Despite his shock, Winwood went to congratulate Chinyemba and his corner for the win and was respectful when speaking after the fight.

“I think it was a pretty fast call,” Winwood said on Channel 7.

“There’s been a lot of quick stoppages in this tournament, but you know, I won the first round, and I felt like I won it quite clearly. And I wasn’t hurt previously. Nor was I punched quite significantly.

“I just really wanted to have a shot and prove for myself, after going down. I know what I’m made of, I wanted to show Australia and the world what Australians are made of, we have a dig and once I got up, that was the first thing on my mind. I was like ‘okay, I went down but here is for the Aussies, here is for the black fellas, we are going to show them what we are made of’.

“Obviously I didn’t get an opportunity to do that, but it is what it is.”

Winwood said he had been training with the Andrew and Jason Moloney in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games and that he “felt like I was a more complete fighter than at Tokyo”.

But at 25, he’s going to move into the professional realm rather than to focus on getting through to the Paris Olympics.

Despite holding it together throughout his interview and the in-ring debacle, the proud Noongar man’s voice broke when he spoke directly to those at home.

“Thank you, thank you Australia, you mean so much to me, from the bottom of my heart, as an Indigenous Australian I love you all — up the Aussies. Thanks mate,” Winwood said.

Garside told Seven the post-fight interview from Winwood “gave me shivers.”

“It’s always sad after a decision like that,” he said. “He wasn’t hurt. He did turn his back on him, so I do give the referee a bit of empathy there, but I think you’ve got to wait until the opponent gets up.

“Until Alex gets up and then give him eight seconds and look into his eyes and see where his legs are, if he is moving around. She waves it off way too prematurely.

“I’m a firm believer she did the wrong decision there. She could have given Alex eight seconds to recover, he looked fine. He was surprised. He was totally fine and you’ve got to look into the fighter’s eyes, that’s where you’ll see if he is dazed or rocked. It’s always in the eyes. She didn’t get a chance to do that.”

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Commonwealth Games 2022: Australia win gold, redemption in Rugby Sevens, defeat Fiji

Commonwealth Games 2022: Australia win gold, redemption in Rugby Sevens, defeat Fiji

Australia have wrapped up the Commonwealth Rugby Sevens gold medal in a 22-12 win over Fiji in a dominant display.

It’s redemption for the Aussies after a heartbreaking loss at the previous Commonwealth Games in Australia.

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Australia lost an epic final in 2018 on the Gold Coast, down 17-12 in extra-time to New Zealand.

But after edging past the Kiwis in a dramatic semi-final and losing a pool game to Fiji, Australia made no mistake in the final.

Faith Nathan scored a first half double as well as a try to Madison Ashby opened up a massive 17-0 lead at halftime.

The Aussies then scored immediately after the half through Maddison Levi, making it a 22-0 lead.

Although the Fijians finally got a pass to stick and scored a try as well as a consolation two minutes after full-time, it was nowhere near enough as the Aussies claimed the gold medal.

It had been the one medal Australia had been missing, having won in Rio in 2016, and coming into the tournament as the reigning Rugby Sevens women’s world champions after winning four of the six tournaments in the 2021-22 World Series.

Aussie star Charlotte Caslick said it was nearly a perfect performance from gold medalists.

“I think in those physical contests, we dominated nearly every single one of those and that’s what we had to do,” Caslick said after the match.

“I wouldn’t say it was perfect (performance) but it was close to.

“We’ve had an amazing World Series and been dominant year so to be rewarded in front of an awesome crowd is pretty special.”

And it was more redemption after Australia was bundled out of the Tokyo Olympics in a 19-0 quarterfinal thrashing by Fiji.

While the women’s side will bring home the extra baggage of the gold medals, the men couldn’t follow suit.

After a semi-final loss to South Africa earlier in the day, the Aussies fell 26-12 to New Zealand in the bronze medal match to miss the podium.

It was a tough break for Australia who are second on the World Series ladder behind South Africa with one tournament left in Los Angeles in late August.

South Africa broke to the men’s title in a 31-7 obliteration of Fiji.

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Erin Phillips’ heartwarming Port Adelaide captaincy reveal melts AFL

Erin Phillips' heartwarming Port Adelaide captaincy reveal melts AFL

WNBA-turned-footy superstar Erin Phillips has brought her footy legend father to tears after revealing she would be Port Adelaide’s inaugural AFLW captain.

Erin, who has been a three-time premiership player, two-time league best-and-fairest and two-time Grand Final best on ground winner with the Adelaide Crows, revealed she would be joining Port Adelaide after winning last season’s decider.

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Erin’s father Greg Phillips was an eight-time Port Adelaide SANFL premiership player and the captain between 1991 and his retirement in 1993 — before the club joined the AFL in 1997.

Greg, who was a 1980 All-Australian, played 343 games for the club and an addition 84 games for Collingwood in the VFL in over 18 years in top-flight footy.

He was also named in Port Adelaide’s greatest ever team, is a life member of the club and is an inaugural inductee into the South Australian Football Hall of Fame and a 2020 inductee into the AFL Hall of Fame.

So it’s safe to say the club means a fair bit to him and the family.

When joining the club, Erin said she would wear her father’s No. 22 when joining the club.

But after getting Greg down to the club for a photo shoot, he immediately realized the jig was up when the No. 1, which is reserved for the club captain, was on the back of the jersey.

“What’s this number? What’s this? Put another twenty one numbers on … plus twenty one?” Greg asked.

“Well you know how you said the best part of being at Port Adelaide was being captain?” Erin said.

“Are you already?” Greg replied.

He immediately wrapped her in a hug.

Clearly emotional, he said simply: “Well done”.

“I don’t get to wear the 22 but I get to wear the No. 1,” Erin added.

“Oh good girl,” Greg added. “Did they vote that in?”

Phillips was voted captain, while Ange Foley was named vice-captain and Hannah Dunn, Gemma Houghton and Justine Mules also made up the leadership group.

But he couldn’t hold the emotion back rubbing his eyes, saying: “This is a shock”.

He then joked: “Are they sure you’re not too old?”

“Pretty special, huh?” Erin said.

“Well done, well done,” Greg said. “Well, it doesn’t matter what number you wear, I’m proud of you.”

They were lovely scenes and Erin also spoke about letting her dad know in the press release from the club.

“My dad always said to me the only thing better than playing for this club is being captain of this club and, he was right,” Phillips said.

“Telling him the news that I had been named captain was a very special and emotional moment for both of us.

“I’m so excited to be following in his footsteps and can’t wait to lead the team onto the ground for the first time. It will be yet another special moment for this group and for Port Adelaide.”

The 37-year-old Erin has had an incredible athletic career, having started as a basketball star and winning the WNBA twice.

She also won a World Championship gold for Australia in 2006, playing in two Olympic Games, including winning silver in 2008, and won 2006 Commonwealth Games gold.

She instantly made an enormous impact in the AFLW after retiring from basketball in 2017.

But in joining Port Adelaide for its first season in rugby league, Erin told Howie Games podcast with commentator Mark Howard being able to play for the Power was like going full circle.

“It was pretty emotional,” she said. “I reckoned the whole build up to deciding whether to stay at the Crows or go to Port Adelaide was very emotional. It was emotional for him. As a father, he was more concerned about me and just wanting me to make a decision and feel comfortable with it and then get on with life.

“When I told him, he obviously was ecstatic because it was Port Adelaide. He would have been just as happy if it was the Crows to be honest. I think he was just so relieved because he knew how hard a decision it was for me and now that I had made a decision and could just focus forward. He was absolutely pumped.

“I think the Port Adelaide part will hit him a little closer to when we run out for the first game. Running out the exact same race as he ran out.

“I’d be hanging over the fence trying to get a high-five from him and his teammates. It’s unbelievable to think I play for Port Adelaide, a team I was pretty much born into. It still blows my mind.”

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Aussie Bryce Street’s controversial run out for Frinton on Sea is within the laws of cricket

Should it have been out? Photo: YouTube

A rising Aussie cricket star has landed himself in the middle of a fierce debate after he ran out a rival in bizarre circumstances.

Queensland and Australia A representative Bryce Street is spending the Aussie winter in England, playing for East Anglia Premier League side Frinton on Sea.

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On Saturday, Street was bowling his right arm medium pacers as Saffron Walden built to 1/117. After Alex Peirson blocked a ball back to Street he began heading back to his mark, only to realize non-striker Nikhil Gorantla was leaning on his bat out of his crease.

Street tossed the ball onto the stumps, appealed and the umpire gave Gorantla out.

Gorantla had appeared to ground his bat over the line before lifting it again, as the run out occurred.

The batter had no choice but to accept the umpire’s decision, dismissed for 32.

This was just the start of the drama. A video of the incident posted by the East Anglia Premier League was deleted as questions were raised by bewildered fans.

While it is not a good look, the act is legal by the laws of cricket as many of the issues come down to the umpire’s discretion.

One of the issues people had with the incident was that the ball was dead. Law 20.1.1 states: “The ball becomes dead when it is finally settled in the hands of the wicketkeeper or of the bowler.”

But Law 20.1.2 adds: “The ball shall be considered to be dead when it is clear to the bowler’s end umpire that the fielding side and both batters at the wicket have ceased to regard it as in play.”

Law 20.2 continues: “Whether the ball is finally settled or not is a matter for the umpire alone to decide.”

Looked pretty settled in his hand. Photo: YouTubeSource: YouTube
Get your bat back over the line. Photo: YouTubeSource: YouTube
Street got the wicket. Photo: YouTubeSource: YouTube

Others believe it should have fallen foul under “fake fielding” of Law 41, which deals with unfair play.

Law 41.5 says: “It is unfair for any fielder willfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batter after the striker has received the ball.

“It is for either one of the umpires to decide whether any distraction, deception or obstruction is wilful or not.”

Asked about the incident on Twitter, Laws of Cricket adviser to the MCC Jonny Singer said while it was legal, it may not have been right.

“Whether the ball is finally settled is up to the bowler’s end umpire. I decided it wasn’t, so it’s not. I would have come to a different view, but I wasn’t on the field,” Singer said.

Wickets fell regularly from there and Saffron Walden was all out for 218, with Street taking 4/49 from 18 overs.

The wicket was key as earlier this summer, Gorantla had hit a century and double century for Essex’s second XI.

Street also scored 101 not out of 106 balls in a stunning all-round performance, but it was overshadowed by his controversial act.

Street has played 26 first-class matches, tallying 1500 runs at an average of 36.58.

He is contracted for Queensland again in the 2022-23 Australian domestic season.

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Caroline Wilson blasts Richmond coach Damien Hardwick’s apology after local footy outburst

Caroline Wilson blasts Richmond coach Damien Hardwick's apology after local footy outburst

AFL journalist Caroline Wilson has taken aim at Richmond coach Damien Hardwick’s apology after his outburst at a local footy game two weekends ago.

Hardwick was watching the Tigers VFL side dominate Williamstown in a 10.14 (74) to 2.7 (19) thrashing but took umbrage at an on-field incident between the Seagulls’ Darby Henderson and Richmond’s AFL-listed player Rhyan Mansell.

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Hardwick allegedly called Williamstown players “weak f***ing pricks” during the contest at Punt Road Oval but was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Hardwick fronted up and apologized for the incident.

“I understand in my position I’ve got to be better than that,” Hardwick said last Thursday, speaking for the first time about the incident.

“I’ve got to be probably judged to a higher standard, and I understand that. What I will ask is that (people remember) I am human.

“I’m going to make mistakes and there’s no doubt that I overstepped the mark.”

Hardwick added: “I probably didn’t need to lean over the fence and yell but that’s me.

“What makes me good makes me bad.”

He also said he had not been sanctioned by Richmond or the AFL but had received a scalding from his mum Pam.

“It’s funny how you’re still scared of your mother at the age of 49,” he joked.

But the apology got Wilson’s nose out of joint and she took aim on Footy Classified on Monday night.

“Damien Hardwick is not the first AFL coach to behave badly at the footy and then make a half-hearted apology,” she said.

“But that doesn’t excuse the Richmond coach’s disappointing effort five days ago.

“Damien’s abusive tirade issued at Williamstowns’s Darby Henderson did have a touch of Alastair Clarkson about it. And like Clarko and Mick Malthouse and Luke Beveridge also demonstrated a similar unwillingness to take full responsibility.

“’What makes me good makes me bad’, he said, ‘I need to be better’. And again to soften the blow he invoked the spirit of a woman in the family, mother Pam seems to be the new Mrs Hardwick.”

Wilson was referring to Hardwick’s penchant for mentioning his ex-wife “Mrs Hardwick” in press conferences, before the pair split up.

She added: “But Damien, as a national sporting leader, a renowned and championed statesman of the game, we do hold you to a higher standard and you do need to be better.

“No one expects perfection, but on this occasion an unmitigated apology would have been a lot better.”

The comments sparked some discussion on the panel, as Port Adelaide 300-gamer Kane Cornes defended Hardwick.

“It’s a harsh one. I think you’re being a bit hard on him. What more did you need from his apology for him there? Cornes asked.

Wilson: “’I absolutely did the wrong thing, nobody should abuse players and swear at players at the football. As a premiership coach I, of all people, shouldn’t do that’.”

Corners: “Didn’t he say that? He said ‘I need to be held to a higher account than the other people’.”

Wilson: “’But my mum got mad at me and I’m still scared of my mum’? Who is he? Scott Morrison? Seriously, that was not good enough.”

Corners: “I think you are being a bit harsh. I think that is not a serious offence.”

Wilson: “He is a champion coach, just off the back of a brilliant performance, people need to properly apologise. He has been told he had to apologise, he should have either refused or not apologised.”

Corners: “I took that as a heartfelt apology.”

Another narrative has emerged over the future of the three-time premiership coach. Hardwick has been at the helm of Richmond since 2010 and questions have been asked about whether 13 years is enough.

Essendon great Matthew Lloyd asked if Wilson would “move on from him” if she had the choice.

“I separate Damien Hardwick the coach and some of the other stuff,” Wilson said.

“I think like Alastair (Clarkson), and he also, as we know, he is also a champion coach, he did some terrible things in bad behavior off the field, junior footy game with a Port Adelaide supporter, punching a wall, swearing at journalists and Luke Beveridge as well.

“It’s not good enough. Apologies make the world go round and set examples to young people about how they should behave.”

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Commonwealth Games 2022: Mum’s drunken celebration on Sunrise, Rugby Sevens, Australia, medal tally

Commonwealth Games 2022: Mum's drunken celebration on Sunrise, Rugby Sevens, Australia, medal tally

The party is going strong on both sides of the world after Australia’s Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens gold medal triumph.

Taking to the field just before 6am AEST, the Aussies were unstoppable, leading 22-0 before two late tries gave some respectability to the scoreline in the 22-12 result over Fiji.

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The Commonwealth gold is the final piece of Australia’s trophy cabinet as the side won the 2016 Olympic gold and are the current Rugby Sevens World Series champions.

And while our stars were living it up, those left back at home were also getting in on the celebrations — just ask Richelle Levi.

The mother of the Levi sisters Teagan, 18, and Maddison, 20, was ready for the win, showing up on Channel 7’s Sunriseafter enjoying the spoils of victory.

Asked if the party was going to go on all day, Richelle was clearly already enjoying herself.

“100 per cent, two bottles of champagne already done — woo!” she said.

Sunrise host Natalie Barr and David Koch were in hysterics over the cross to the Gold Coast.

At a bowls club on the Gold Coast, Richelle said: “This is their little club, they used to sit out on that balcony …”

Weatherman Sam Mac added: “…while you were drinking champagne?”

He added: “I feel like the Olympics was all about Dean Boxall (Ariarne Titmus’ coach) in terms of passionate supporter, well I see your Dean Boxall and I raise you Richelle.”

Back in the studio, Edwina Batholemew said: “Imagine winning a gold medal and waking up the next morning with messages, ‘your mum’s on TV, she’s had two bottles of champagne, and she’s a riot”.

However, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise for the champion sisters who knew their mum was prepared for victory and was even more loose off camera.

“Mum had a bottle of champagne ready at 6 in the morning — she was ready to celebrate and I think she’ll be on it all day celebrating,” a jubilant Maddison Levi said after Australia’s historic maiden Sevens gold medal win over Fiji.

“I don’t know if I can say it on camera (what mum said) but they were definitely happy.

“There were tears of joy. It was a pretty emotional rollercoaster…. they’ve been with us through the highs and lows and to have two kids standing on that podium is pretty awesome.

“They definitely had tears. But lots of swearing, I can confirm.”

Fans may need to remember the Levi name as the duo are set for long careers in the sporting spotlight.

The Levi sisters have been pursued by rugby, AFLW and rugby league, such is their athletic prowess.

Maddison played eight games for the Gold Coast Suns in the AFLW, kicking three goals, before representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics. Teagan was drafted No. 6 by the Suns in the 2021 Draft before joining the Rugby Sevens tour.

But before the Games, Maddi revealed she would like to try everything.

“AFLW and NRLW is still there, which later down the track we’d love to give a go, but for now our heart is set on sevens,” Maddi told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“In sevens there is so much opportunity and it’s a growing sport. With the Olympics coming up and World Series [tournaments] every year, traveling the world with your best friend … there’s no other sport that compares to that.”

Teagan adds: “Mads has been my best friend since day one. I guess we do fight a little bit, but as we’ve grown older I wouldn’t change it for the world to finally play in an Aussie sevens team together. It’s a dream come true.”

The dream went next level this morning.

.

Categories
Sports

Commonwealth Games 2022: Mum’s drunken celebration on Sunrise, Rugby Sevens, Australia, medal tally

Commonwealth Games 2022: Mum's drunken celebration on Sunrise, Rugby Sevens, Australia, medal tally

The party is going strong on both sides of the world after Australia’s Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens gold medal triumph.

Taking to the field just before 6am AEST, the Aussies were unstoppable, leading 22-0 before two late tries gave some respectability to the scoreline in the 22-12 result over Fiji.

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The Commonwealth gold is the final piece of Australia’s trophy cabinet as the side won the 2016 Olympic gold and are the current Rugby Sevens World Series champions.

And while our stars were living it up, those left back at home were also getting in on the celebrations — just ask Richelle Levi.

The mother of the Levi sisters Teagan, 18, and Maddison, 20, was ready for the win, showing up on Channel 7’s Sunriseafter enjoying the spoils of victory.

Asked if the party was going to go on all day, Richelle was clearly already enjoying herself.

“100 per cent, two bottles of champagne already done — woo!” she said.

Sunrise host Natalie Barr and David Koch were in hysterics over the cross to the Gold Coast.

At a bowls club on the Gold Coast, Richelle said: “This is their little club, they used to sit out on that balcony …”

Weatherman Sam Mac added: “…while you were drinking champagne?”

He added: “I feel like the Olympics was all about Dean Boxall (Ariarne Titmus’ coach) in terms of passionate supporter, well I see your Dean Boxall and I raise you Richelle.”

Back in the studio, Edwina Batholemew said: “Imagine winning a gold medal and waking up the next morning with messages, ‘your mum’s on TV, she’s had two bottles of champagne, and she’s a riot”.

However, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise for the champion sisters who knew their mum was prepared for victory and was even more loose off camera.

“Mum had a bottle of champagne ready at 6 in the morning — she was ready to celebrate and I think she’ll be on it all day celebrating,” a jubilant Maddison Levi said after Australia’s historic maiden Sevens gold medal win over Fiji.

“I don’t know if I can say it on camera (what mum said) but they were definitely happy.

“There were tears of joy. It was a pretty emotional rollercoaster…. they’ve been with us through the highs and lows and to have two kids standing on that podium is pretty awesome.

“They definitely had tears. But lots of swearing, I can confirm.”

Fans may need to remember the Levi name as the duo are set for long careers in the sporting spotlight.

The Levi sisters have been pursued by rugby, AFLW and rugby league, such is their athletic prowess.

Maddison played eight games for the Gold Coast Suns in the AFLW, kicking three goals, before representing Australia at the Tokyo Olympics. Teagan was drafted No. 6 by the Suns in the 2021 Draft before joining the Rugby Sevens tour.

But before the Games, Maddi revealed she would like to try everything.

“AFLW and NRLW is still there, which later down the track we’d love to give a go, but for now our heart is set on sevens,” Maddi told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“In sevens there is so much opportunity and it’s a growing sport. With the Olympics coming up and World Series [tournaments] every year, traveling the world with your best friend … there’s no other sport that compares to that.”

Teagan adds: “Mads has been my best friend since day one. I guess we do fight a little bit, but as we’ve grown older I wouldn’t change it for the world to finally play in an Aussie sevens team together. It’s a dream come true.”

The dream went next level this morning.

.