Australia and New Zealand – Page 3 – Michmutters
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Manase Fainu: NRL rising star jailed, convicted of church stabbing

NRL young gun Manase Fainu has been jailed as he awaits sentencing over the stabbing of a Mormon church youth leader during a wild and bloody brawl.

A jury took just two hours to find Fainu guilty of plunging a steak knife into the back of Faamanu Levi at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Wattle Grove in October, 2019.

The Crown prosecution made a detention application for Fainu to be sent to prison after he was found guilty of one count of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years.

Defense barrister Margaret Cunneen SC previously flagged to the court the verdict would be appealed.

Judge Nanette Williams on Monday morning ordered the Manly Sea Eagles hooker to be taken into custody ahead of a sentence hearing later in the year.

During his trial, the court heard that one man Tony Quach had seen Fainu stab Mr Levi in ​​the back near his right shoulder blade during a late-night brawl in the church’s parking lot between two parked cars.

Another man, Kupi Toilalo, told the jury that he saw a man approach him and his friends with his left arm in a sling holding a knife.

It was not in dispute Fainu had undergone shoulder surgery a month earlier and had his arm in the sling at the time.

Fainu has been stood down from the NRL since the incident and has not played the last three seasons.

During the trial he denied playing any part in the stabbing or the brawl, claiming he stood back 10m because he was scared.

He said he began back-pedaling because he feared for his safety when he heard someone yell “knife, knife”.

Ms Cunneen told the court on Monday Fainu should be able to remain on bail after he had suffered an “enormous” and “unthinkable downfall”.

She said he needed time to adjust mentally and prepare financially for when he will be sentenced at a later date.

Ms Cunneen also tended to a character reference from Manly coach Des Hasler, who watched proceedings via audio visual link.

“This young man, Mr Fainu, had the promise of a most extraordinary football career ahead of him and that has been smashed,” Ms Cunnen said.

“Everyone would be entitled to say through his own fault he lost that.

“The necessary punishment the court must impose will also bring about the most extraordinary extra-curial punishment, that is the end of what had promised to be an extraordinary, exceptional stellar career in what Mr Hasler has described as the hardest game in the world. ”

The court heard he had previously battled prescription drug addiction and entered into rehabilitation.

His counselor Jan Earl told the court on Monday that Fainu had suffered a mental episode over the weekend, which involved him shaking uncontrollably, was being monitored by a mental health team and had to be prescribed anti-anxiety medication.

Ms Earl said that Fainu was feeling “great shame and remorse” and suffering depression, intrusive thoughts and suicidal ideation.

Ms Cunneen said that two of Fainu’s brothers, who were contracted to Manly, had paid his legal fees after the club advanced them money from their 2023 contracts

She argued he needed to make mental preparations to go into custody and ease the financial burden on his family, having been offered work as a laborer.

However Crown prosecutor Emma Curran said none of that amounted to special or exceptional circumstances.

During Fainu’s trial, the court heard that prior to the brawl, two of his friends – including Uona “Big Buck” Faingaa – were involved in an altercation on the church dance floor and escorted out.

Fainu told the jury he went to church dance with four of his friends because Mr Faingaa was seeking to collect money owed to him by a man for a concreting job.

He said he left the church grounds as his mates were being escorted out and apologized to a security guard for his friends’ behavior as he exited.

CCTV played to the jury showed Fainu, with his arm in a sling, jump the fence from an adjoining Coles car park back into the church grounds shortly before the brawl.

Fainu testified that he had told his friends that he would go inside to collect Mr Faingaa’s money by himself, however they followed him over.

Fainu told Ms Curran during his evidence he jumped the fence despite admitting that he could have walked back in the front gate.

More to eat.

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AFL 2022 Ben Rutten sacked as Bombers coach; Essendon board meeting, Alastair Clarkson, Paul Brasher, video

Essendon coach Ben Rutten could be sacked as early as today as the club holds a second meeting in the space of 24 hours.

3AW’s Neil Mitchell reports there is a strong belief that Rutten will not coach the final round of the season with assistant Daniel Giansiracusa to take charge of the team.

It comes as Essendon president Paul Brasher is understood to have stood down in the wake of their humiliating loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday.

The 84-point loss at Marvel Stadium looks likely to also spell the end for Rutten as well who was under intense pressure to hold onto his job just a season after leading them back into the finals.

The Bomber board will then decide whether to make a play for Alastair Clarkson.

The Hawks coaching great is the most talked about coach in the competition — and he doesn’t yet have a home, after leaving the Hawks in 2021.

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Essendon Press Conference | 03:59

The Bombers have a 7-14 win-loss record in 2022 ahead of the final match of the regular season, where they will play Richmond on Saturday night.

Brasher indicated he would step down at year’s end earlier in the season, but their sorry defeat on Sunday has seemingly sped up at that process.

“I think you’re going to see real improvement in the second half of the year,” he said at the time.“

“We don’t want honorable losses. We’re happy about effort, but that is the baseline and we’re looking to improve upon that and not going to take to light about losing to good sides by narrow margins.”

Dud Bombers pumped by Port | 01:39

An earlier internal review is said to have fallen short of what some believe is required, with AFL.com.au reporting that there is a push for an external review wanted by some.

Rutten slammed his side’s “embarrassing effort” after fans booed players from Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

“Were bitterly disappointed,” he said.

“It was the sort of game that our members and supporters who came to the game or were watching on TV… it’s not the sort of thing they should have to watch.

“It was an embarrassing effort from our guys. It’s not something we want to stand for and not something our members and supporters should have to watch at any stage.”

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‘Not going to tolerate it’: Bombers coach apologises to fans for ’embarrassing effort’ vs Power

TALKING PTS: Why Clarko ‘coup’ could open floodgates; star wasted by ‘arrogant’ club

Bombers coach Ben Rutten following their heavy loss at Marvel Stadium against the Port Adelaide Power on August 14, 2022 in Melbourne. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

Brasher has been unwavering in his support behind Rutten, but with the president gone a push for Clarkson has been made.

Clarkson has received formal offers from Greater Western Sydney as well as North Melbourne, with the Kangaroos tabling a five-year deal for the respected coach.

The former Hawks coach was said to have wanted to make his decision early this week, but a late push from the Bombers could see Clarkson want more time to make his decision.

On Sunday, Kangaroos great David King hit out at the Bombers for failing to make a serious play at Clarkson.

“For six months, if not 12 months, Alastair Clarkson has been sitting idle ready to be grabbed by a football club,” King said on First Crack.

“Why haven’t Essendon taken that step?

“Right now they lack system, they lack motivation and they lack standards as a footy club and I reckon the Essendon faithful are sick of it.

“Why are they gambling on a coach that is still developing when the absolute finished product is there?

“OK you’ve got to jump through a lot of hoops to get over the line, but if (Clarkson) signs at North Melbourne this week and Essendon could have got him with the list they’ve got right now, I think it’s a mistake they will rule for years.”

Dons fans heard slamming players | 00:46

King slammed the Bombers for failing to turn up and said some of the players were not playing to “AFL standard”.

“This is Essendon in a nutshell,” King lamented.

“How lax is this? Have a look at them just standing around, ambling around. This is the forward 50. There’s 10 players within arms reach of this stoppage. That (game style) is going nowhere.

“I can’t understand what they look at when they review games at the moment if that is the output of a weekend.

“We can only judge the actions they put in front of us – that is not AFL standard.”

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Sports

AFL news 2022: Essendon president Paul Brasher reportedly quits, Ben Rutten under threat

Essendon Bombers president Paul Brasher has reportedly stepped down from his position after the club’s embarrassing 84-point loss to Port Adelaide on Sunday evening.

After playing in finals last year, the Bombers have endured a horror season, slumping to 15th on the AFL ladder with seven wins in the opening 21 rounds.

Earlier this year, Brasher announced an internal review of the club with opinions split on whether it should have been an external review.

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Brasher told members the club was “examining every aspect of our football program”, with football director Sean Wellman overseeing the review.

“I think you’re going to see real improvement in the second half of the year,” he said at the time.

“We don’t want honorable losses. We’re happy about effort, but that is the baseline and we’re looking to improve upon that and not going to take to light about losing to good sides by narrow margins.”

But on Monday morning, several reports emerged Brasher had resigned after the Essendon directors once again pushed for an independent review at a board meeting over the weekend.

According to Herald Suncoach Ben Rutten, who is contracted for next year, is also under serious threat of losing his position, with the Essendon board preparing for a major upheaval.

Channel 7 journalist Tom Browne suggested Brasher’s resignation could prompt a last-minute play for legendary coach Alastair Clarkson, who led the Hawthorn Hawks to four premiership titles.

Essendon will reportedly hold another board meeting on Monday to determine the presidency.

Essendon recorded several unwanted milestones on Sunday, including Rutten’s biggest-ever defeat as coach, his most points granted as coach and Essendon’s second-biggest loss against the Power.

On Fox Footy’s coverage, a spectator was overheard screaming after the final siren: “This is f***ing embarrassing.”

Speaking to reporters in the post-match press conference, Rutten slammed his side’s “embarrassing effort” after fans booed players from Marvel Stadium.

“Were bitterly disappointed,” he said.

“It was the sort of game that our members and supporters who came to the game or were watching on TV… it’s not the sort of thing they should have to watch.

“It was an embarrassing effort from our guys. It’s not something we want to stand for and not something our members and supporters should have to watch at any stage.”

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Entertainment

Kyle Sandilands reveals he’s returning as Australian Idol judge

Kyle Sandilands has confirmed rumors he’ll be reprising his role as a judge on the returning season of Australian Idol.

The 51-year-old shock jock made the announcement on the Kyle and Jackie O Show on Monday morning, despite getting a text from an unknown figure saying, “Don’t officially announce that you’re on it.”

The new father, who welcomed his first child Otto with fiance Tegan Kynaston last week, revealed he’s set to be the first judge attached to the show – which has been off-air for more than a decade and is finally returning to screens on Channel 7 in 2023.

And true to form, Sandilands said he only agreed to the gig if Seven bosses delivered his contract personally so he could sign the papers live on-air.

“I think this week they’re bringing the contract, I said I’ll only sign it on the radio show, so all the big head honchos have to march into the studio with the contract. I’ll sign it live on-air,” Sandilands said.

Sandilands also claimed he was heavily involved in recruitment for his three co-judges, while he ruled out Osher Gunsberg’s return as host due to his multiple Channel 10 hosting duties.

“They can’t sign on someone else unless I sign off on it… I’m not going to be doing the show with a bunch of knobs,” Sandilands said.

“I’ve got a long list of knobs I won’t work with. I’d like at least one other Australian, and I would love a big name US and a big name UK, but it all depends, everyone’s touring around … But there’s a lot of big stars interested.”

When pressed by Jackie whether any of the original judges would be returning, including Marsha Hines, Ian Dickson and Mark Holden, Sandilands said, “No, none of them.”

“I’m the only one who’s still alive, I feel the others have all passed away… I mean alive on TV,” he clarified.

Sandilands said the show would follow a similar format, which would see contestants audition around Australia before a top 12 is chosen for live shows.

As for whether he would soften his infamous brutal honesty, Sandilands said he’d be sticking to what he knows.

“I like The Voicebut I won’t be one of them wishy washedy Voice judges that say, ‘No matter how disgusting you are to look at, you’ve got a great voice.’

“I’m not interested in that sh*t. I can only be myself.”

At this point, Sandilands got a text advising him not to officially announce his role.

“Yeah, okay. Well, I haven’t signed on yet but I’ve verbally agreed,” he added.

australian idol aired for seven seasons on Channel 10 from 2003 until 2009, and made big stars of contestants including Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy and Casey Donovan.

In 2020, the Seven Network announced at their annual upfronts that they would be reviving the series.

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Sports

St Kilda Saints urged to put stars on trade table, Leigh Montagna, list management, Brad Hill, Zak Jones, Jack Billings, Jade Gresham

St Kilda great Leigh Montagna has implored the club to trade out some of its star senior players to bring more youth into the club in a “reset”, saying he thinks it “needs to go back to go forward.”

The Saints had their final hopes dashed after losing to Brisbane, falling to 11-10 to continue St Kilda’s drop off after a promising 5-1 start to the season.

Since Round 7 St Kilda has ranked bottom six in the ‘Core Four’ stats — with the footy (15th), without the footy, clearance and post-clearance contest (all 12th).

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“They’re in a real predicament … this is 15 rounds of football, it’s a bottom-four profile, so they have really struggled with their game,” Montagna said on Fox Footy’s First Crack.

Asked if their issues lie with personnel or system, Montagna said: “I think it’s a combination of both.”

The Saints’ finals hopes are over (Photo by Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)Source: FOX SPORTS

It comes after St Kilda has aggressively recruited players via trade and free agency over the last four years, bringing Paddy Ryder (35 years old), Dan Hannebery (32), Tom Campbell (31), Brad Hill, Dean Kent, Mason Wood, Brad Crouch (all 29), Jarrod Lienert, Zak Jones (both 28), Dougal Howard (27), Dan Butler, Jack Hayes (both 26) and Jack Higgins (24) into the fold.

Looking at the age profile of those players combined with the rest of the senior core, Montgana questioned how much upside the Saints’ list has.

“This is the concern for St Kilda supporters when you think about where the improvement is going to come from in the years to come,” he said.

“How much room for improvement have they got these guys? How high is their ceiling? And that’s in conjunction with their core group of Seb Ross, Tim Membrey, Jimmy Webster, Jack Sinclair, Jack Billings, Rowan Marshall and Jack Steele, who are all 26 plus years old as well.

“There’s not a lot of ceiling room within the core group of players on top of that profile… the upside is a very small margin.”

“Heartbreak” awaits whoever finishes 6th | 02:27

Montagna did praise young guns Max King, Cooper Sharman (both 22), Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera (20), Marcus Windhager and Mitch Owens (both 19), who’ve joined the club over the same four-year period, but said he had “question marks” on their other youngsters.

He believes St Kilda should follow Port Adelaide’s blueprint from post 2018 and trade out their players with currency to try and bounce back quickly.

“I think they need to go back to go forward,” Montagna said.

“I think they need to trade out some of those players they’ve brought in and bring in some more young talent and reset — Brad Hill, Zak Jones and maybe Jack Billings or Jade Gresham to try and get some other young talent in.

“I look at Port Adelaide — they went through a period for five years where they were mid-table — then traded Chad Wingard, Jasper Pittard and Jared Polec when they were playing good footy — Jack Hombsch, Paddy Ryder and Dougal Howard.

“They made some change and got in those young players — Zak Butters, Xavier Duursma, Connor Rozee and Mitch Georgiades — then all of a sudden played in back-t0-back preliminary finals (in 2020 and 2021).

“I think there’s some concerns there for St Kilda, they need to have a real hard think about where their list is at moving forward.”

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Sports

Cricket news 2022: Marnus Stoinis seemingly accuses Muhammad Hasnain of illegal bowling action, The Hundred score

Australian cricketer Marcus Stoinis has sparked fury after seemingly accusing Pakistan paceman Muhammad Hasnain of having an illegal bowling action during the Southern Brave’s seven-wicket loss to the Oval Invincibles.

Stoinis top-scored for the Brave on Sunday evening, dismissed by Hasnain for 37 (27) after sharing a 55-run partnership with Captain James Vince for the second wicket.

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The 32-year-old all-rounder attempted to slap a 142km/h short delivery down the ground, instead gifting England’s Will Jacks a regulation catch at mid-off.

But as Stoinis made his way towards the pavilion, he implied the 22-year-old’s bowling action was illegitimate by miming a chucking motion – a not-so-subtle jab at his recent suspension from the sport.

In February, Hasnain was found guilty of having an illegal bowling action after a Big Bash League umpire reported him during the Sydney Thunder’s victory over the Adelaide Strikers.

Hasnain underwent biomechanics tests in late January, with the findings from the Lahore University of Management Sciences confirming his action breached the ICC’s 15-degree limit for elbow extension.

The Pakistani quick has since been declared fit to bowl again after undergoing remedial work, and Stoinis could face disciplinary action for the misdemeanour.

The Age’s Daniel Brettig tweeted: “This is poor. There’sa system in place to regulate bowling actions and it doesn’t include publicly questioning your opponent’s integrity.”

The Times’ Elizabeth Ammon posted: “Wonder if Stoinis will be in trouble for this implication.”

Stoinis is not the first Australian cricketer to accuse Hasnain of chucking; During last summer’s second Sydney Smash contest at the SCG, Sixers captain Moises Henriques yelled, “Nice throw, mate” to Hasnain after he unleashed a bouncer.

“Right from the first game he played and through to the tournament, it seemed that there was a few question marks there,” Henriques told reporters at the time.

“I didn’t have the protractor out.

“I guess from my point of view, we already knew it had been reported. I feel like the umpires are a little bit hamstrung in terms of what they can actually do on the cricket field, because they’re so worried about backlash and public opinion.

“I could definitely argue that what he was doing was not in the spirit of the game.

“And I also agree that possibly I got a little bit emotional and frustrated and I was a bit overt with my comments out in the middle. But you know, I called a spade a spade and that was my opinion.

“From afar, he seems like a good kid… hopefully he can get that action right and pass the test and hopefully he can have a long career.

“As long as he’s playing within the rules of the game that everyone else has to abide by.

“Good luck to him. It looks like he could have a long future if that all gets sorted.”

Hasnain has represented Pakistan in eight ODIs and 18 T20Is since making his international debut in 2019, taking 29 wickets at 33.68.

The Invincibles chased the 138-run target with 18 balls to spare on Sunday, thanks largely to a blistering century from Jacks – the second hundred in the competition’s short history.

The 23-year-old smacked an undefeated 108 off 48 deliveries at The Oval, clearing the boundary rope on eight occasions.

Hasnain finished with figures of 1/27 off 15 deliveries, while Invincible teammate Reece Topley claimed 3/24 to help restrict the Brave to 6/137 from their 100 balls.

Elsewhere, Australian superstar Glenn Maxwell scored an unbeaten 43 (25) and snared a wicket in the London Spirit’s victory over the Northern Superchargers in Leeds.

The Brave will next face the Manchester Originals at Southampton’s Ageas Bowl on Friday morning AEST, with the first ball scheduled for 4pm.

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Entertainment

McLeod’s Daughters actor Marshall Napier dead aged 70

McLeod’s Daughters actor Marshall Napier has died aged 70, after a short battle with brain cancer.

The New Zealand-born thespian, who has starred in a string of Australian TV shows and films over the years, passed away on Sunday surrounded by family.

His daughter, fellow McLeod’s Daughters star Jessica Napier, announced the sad news on social media.

“It is with great sadness that I share the passing of my beautiful dad Marshall Napier. After a short and intense battle with brain cancer he left us this morning. He was peaceful and surrounded by family,” Jessica wrote on Instagram.

“Dad you are one of a kind and I can’t even understand what the world will be like without you in it. Your charisma and charm was second to none. Your creativity and intellect was my inspiration. I love you so much and feel completely lost without you. I’m glad that you can dream free of the pain and confusion.”

Napier played Harry Ryan on the beloved Australian TV drama from for five years from 2001.

Prior to that, Napier had roles in All Saints, Water Rats and Police Rescue. Napier also had a sprawling film resume, having starred in Babe Down Under and Little Monsters.

Fellow Australian showbiz stars have paid tribute to the actor.

Napier’s McLeod’s co-star Rodger Corser wrote on Jessica’s post, “What a commanding presence he was on a screen and stage. He always loved working with your Dad, a drier wit you could not find. ”

Another co-star from the hit TV drama, Charlie Clausen, said he was “so sorry”. “I loved working your dad. He was so generous with his time when I was just starting out in my career. He also had such a great sense of humour.”

Packed to the Rafters actress Rebecca Gibney said, “So sorry for your loss Jess. Marshall was such a beautiful man and a wonderful actor”, while fellow rafters star Erik Thomson added, “What a man. This is big. He was such an inspiration to so many.”

Director Nash Edgerton added, “So sorry to hear. Much love.” While Patrick Brammall wrote, “I’m so sad to hear it. He was such a beautiful man.”

Over on Twitter, more figures from the entertainment industry have also expressed their sadness over the news:

Napier, a father of three, was born in New Zealand before moving to Australia with his wife and children in the late ’80s.

He initially worked as a worker, before successfully transitioning to acting after moving to Australia.

While he is most recognizable from his TV work, Napier was a regular figure in local theater productions, and in 2017 starred alongside Cate Blanchett for The Sydney Theater Company’s production of The Present.

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Sports

Essendon Bombers v Port Adelaide Power, big loss, record, coach Ben Rutten, Alastair Clarkson, David King, First Crack, fan anger, criticism, AFL standard

The Essendon hierarchy will “rue” the decision not to pursue four-time premiership coach Alastair Clarkson, Fox Footy’s David King has warned as the Bombers hit a new low on Sunday.

Players were booed by their own fans as they left Marvel Stadium after the 84-point loss to fellow non-finals contender Port Adelaide.

King said questions needed to be asked of the decision to implement the Ben Rutten handover from John Worsfold back in 2020.

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“For six months, if not 12 months, Alastair Clarkson has been sitting idle ready to be grabbed by a football club,” King said on First Crack.

“Why haven’t Essendon taken that step?

“Right now they lack system, they lack motivation and they lack standards as a footy club and I reckon the Essendon faithful are sick of it.

“Why are they gambling on a coach that is still developing when the absolute finished product is there?

“OK you’ve got to jump through a lot of hoops to get over the line, but if (Clarkson) signs at North Melbourne this week and Essendon could have got him with the list they’ve got right now, I think it’s a mistake they will rule for years.”

Essendon Press Conference | 03:59

Rutten remains contracted until the end of 2023, but has managed just seven wins this season.

The loss to Port Adelaide is their worst for 2022, and both the worst defeat and the most points conceded under Rutten.

King said matches late in a season showed the faith in a coach and the set up at a club when there was nothing but pride to play for.

“It’s very hard to get motivated and that’s when you find out what sort of football club you’ve got,” he said.

“That’s when you find out, can your coach continue to drive standards and continue to enforce non-negotiables?

“I’m looking at the Essendon hierarchy – are they ruthless enough from the top down?

“The 2020 Worsfold handover year, six and a half wins – Rutten was in charge of the tactical side of the game then. They won 11 games last year, they’ve won six this year.”

King showed vision from the second quarter when Bombers players were walking and allowing their opponents to get forward of the ball.

“This is Essendon in a nutshell,” King lamented.

Port Adelaide Press Conference | 03:57

“How lax is this? Have a look at them just standing around, ambling around. This is the forward 50. There’s 10 players within arms reach of this stoppage. That (game style) is going nowhere.

“I can’t understand what they look at when they review games at the moment if that is the output of a weekend.

“We can only judge the actions they put in front of us – that is not AFL standard.”

King said now was the time for “honest conversations” at the club after 2021’s surprising finals finish.

“I’m not just talking about the captain and vice-captain, I mean the whole football club,” he said.

“These guys have signed Ben Rutten – if they have to assess their own role in the football club and move on well so be it.

“When was the last time Essendon were genuinely ruthless as a football club? It was a long time ago.”

Speaking after the shocking loss, Rutten apologized to the club’s fans for the lack of effort on Sunday.

“It was the sort of game that our members and supporters who came to the game or were watching on TV… it’s not the sort of thing they should have to watch,” he said.

“It was an embarrassing effort from our guys. It’s not something we want to stand for and not something our members and supporters should have to watch at any stage.”

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Business

Mattress company Koala cuts 30 Australian jobs over economic uncertainty

Popular Aussie bedding and homewares company, Koala, has laid off 30 local staff due to unstable economic conditions.

The company shot up in popularity, particularly during the 2020 and 2021 lockdown periods, due to its competitive pricing, being all online and offering four hour delivery to metro areas.

However, just like many other companies, supply chain issues, inflation and surging interest rates have all taken their toll.

A Koala spokeswoman told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that uncertain economic conditions had resulted in 30 Australian staff members being made redundant last week.

Describing the former staff as “amazingly talented”, she said the company was supporting them with an outplacement service and professional connections.

According to the company’s website, Koala has “more than 200” employees.

The company also confirmed it had consolidated its offices in the inner-city Sydney suburb of Alexandria after previously also having employees located in the CBD.

News.com.au has contacted Koala for comment.

But it isn’t just the Australian staff that have been impacted, with 10 roles also being made redundant in South Korea following an expansion to the region last year.

The spokeswoman again told the publications “economic uncertainty” was behind the move, along with the need to “reduce our start-up cost in the market”.

“For the near term, our operations in Korea continue as we explore more efficient ways to serve the market,” she said.

The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age also cited claims from multiple industry sources that Koala had explored the possibility of listing on the Australian stockmarket, before abandoning the plan amid the recent the recent technology downturn.

The spokeswoman for the company strongly denied these claims.

“Like any private company with proven success as a market leader in our categories and markets, we are fortunate enough to receive countless inbound introductions from potential investors,” she said.

“They see the opportunity for Koala to continue to disrupt the global furniture market.”

She did not offer specific figures, but said Koala’s margins were double those of some of its competitors, adding that the decision to offer furniture and other homewares has led to “incredible growth” in non-mattress sales.

“We will continue to invest in our operations across Australia and Asia,” the spokeswoman said.

In October 2020, Koala copped significant backlash after announcing it would cease manufacturing its mattresses domestically and make them in China instead.

Staunch supporter of Australian-made products, Harvey Norman executive chairman Gerry Harvey, previously slammed Koala’s move, saying the name of the company implies the product is made domestically.

“Anyone selling imported mattresses are doing it because they can make more money,” Mr Harvey said.

“The marketing is dishonest… they are pretending they are Australian.”

The retail giant’s co-founder said overseas imports made it harder for local companies to compete in bedding and furniture.

Mr Harvey said his store predominantly sold made-in-Australia bedding, supporting local companies such as Sealy, SleepMaker and AH Beard.

When it was established in 2015, Koala marketed itself as a retailer of Australian-made furniture with a strong focus on sustainability.

However, most of its manufacturing has now moved to China and Europe, with the company deregistering itself in 2019 from using the Australian Made trademark.

“The decision to cease production of mattresses in Australia will provide significant innovation and quality improvements to help drive our continued growth across Asia-Pacific,” a company spokeswoman said at the time.

Koala said the move offshore would mean it would have greater influence in cultivating “sustainable behaviours” in its manufacturing and supply chain.

“We are always in search of the best manufacturers, suppliers, and makers around the world who meet or exceed our environmental and sustainability standards and conduct assessments to support this,” a spokeswoman said.

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Sports

F1 news 2022: Ralf Schumacher calls for Alpine not to block Oscar Piastri, Daniel Ricciardo

German racing legend Ralf Schumacher has pleaded for Alpine not to block Oscar Piastri’s path to Formula 1, arguing the team only has itself to blame for losing the prodigy driver.

Australian star 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.

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

Alpine then announced Piastri would replace Alonso in 2023, only for the 21-year-old Melburnian to reject the seat — a bold move for someone who is yet to drive in F1.

The Enstone team asserts that Piastri, Alpine’s reserve driver for 2022, should respect the contract, but the Victorian believes the commitment is not valid because an option clause expired.

The matter could be settled to the courtroom – Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer threatened to file a civil lawsuit to recover the millions of dollars spent on training Piastri this season.

“I expected more loyalty from Oscar than he is showing,” Szafnauer told Spanish publication The confidential.

“I started in 1989 in Formula 1 and I’ve never seen anything like this. And it’s not about Formula 1, it’s about integrity as a human being.

“For me, the way I grew up, I don’t need to sign a piece of paper and then have someone say, ‘You’re lying, because you signed this’.”

According to French publication Auto Hebdothe FIA’s Driver Contract Recognition Board has found that both Piastri’s Alpine and McLaren contracts are valid.

speaking to Sky F1 in GermanySchumacher argued Alpine’s contract woes were self-inflicted, calling on the F1 team to respect Piastri’s wishes.

“Piastri has done everything right,” he started.

“Now we can only hope that the sore loser – in this case Alpine – doesn’t put obstacles in the boy’s path. Piastri was with them, they had everything in hand, all they had to do was give him a contract.

“I’m sorry. I like Otmar, but he will be disappointed in his own performance, that he did not see it coming with Alonso and that he does not have a plan B. That’s the embarrassing thing about the whole saga.

“Accordingly, he has to blame himself. Oscar did nothing wrong. At the end of the day, Alpine could have questioned Alonso earlier and made it clear to Piastri that they would be relying on him in the future.

“He won Formula 3 in his first year, and Formula 2 as well. What should he be waiting for? I would have done the same if I had been offered a job.

“One thing was clear; Alpine wasn’t interested in putting Piastri in the car next year at the beginning because they saw that young drivers need a certain amount of time (until they arrive in Formula 1).

“They wanted to put him somewhere else for one or two years. There was an option from Alpine to (put Piastri in the cockpit), but it wasn’t taken because they didn’t expect Fernando Alonso to leave.

“When you have such a jewel, it’s criminal to let him go. If you’re then unable to get the contracts right yourself, you can’t blame the young man.

“You also have to remember one thing; Piastri’s manager Mark Webber has a very, very close relationship with McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl.”

On Friday, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem claimed the contract 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.”

Meanwhile, Ricciardo is reportedly seeking a whopping $21 million payout to walk away from his contract with McLaren.

The 33-year-old is reportedly only party who can break his contract with the team, which expires at the end of 2023.

A payout would clear the way for McLaren to officially sign Piastri.

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