Death, taxes and Dean Boxall providing box office reactions when Ariarne Titmus is in the pool.
The legendary coach endeared himself to the Australian public during the Tokyo Olympics last year when Titmus took home the gold medal in the women’s 400m freestyle.
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The best ever – McKeon wins 11th Gold | 00:24
As Titmus raced home and touched the wall first, Boxall channeled his inner ‘Ultimate Warrior’ from WWE and frightened a poor Tokyo official who had no idea what to do to keep Boxall in check.
And Boxall was back at it again at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, albeit nowhere near as wild as the Tokyo celebrations.
Boxall was watching the Australian’s women’s 4 x 200m freestyle relay in which Titmus was competing alongside Madi Wilson, Mollie O’Callaghan and Kiah Melverton as Emma McKeon did not take part in the event.
MORE COVERAGE
Day 3 Wrap: ‘Extraordinary’ Aussies break world record, McKeon makes history
Medal Tally: Aussie gold rush continues as Women’s 7s erase Tokyo pain
‘Oh my goodness’: World record holder’s ‘shock’ result in ‘unbelievable’ boilover
Hang it in The Louvre. Picture: Channel 7Source: Channel 7There’s nothing quite like a Dean Boxall embrace. Picture: Channel 7Source: Channel 7
With Titmus winning the gold medal in the 200m individual freestyle event, the Aussies were always set to be a red-hot favorite going into the event.
Unsurprisingly, the girls in gold swimming caps delivered in spades as they set a time of 7:39:29, 12 seconds ahead of second-placed Canada while host nation England took home the bronze medal.
It was Titmus’ anchor split in particular that had Boxall going bonkers.
Titmus clocked 1:52:82 in a blistering spell that is also the fastest 200m freestyle relay split of all time.
It also helped Australia set a new world record for the event to truly assert their dominance.
Boxall, along with several others on social media, were left with their mouth agape at what had transpired.
Tabraiz Shamsi’s maiden five-wicket Twenty20 international haul sealed South Africa’s 90-run thrashing of England on Sunday as the Proteas completed a 2-1 series win.
The 32-year-old left-arm wrist-spinner took 5-24 as England, set 192 for victory, collapsed to 101 all out with 20 balls to spare at Southampton after losing their last eight wickets for 49 runs.
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Earlier, in-form South Africa opener Reeza Hendricks hit 70 — his third fifty of the series — and Aiden Markram made an unbeaten 51 as the Proteas posted a competitive 191-5.
Recalled left-arm quick David Willey took 3-25.
Shamsi’s haul was all the more impressive given his expensive return of 0-49 in England’s series-opening win in Bristol.
But South Africa have been much improved in the field since that 41-run defeat and this win gave them a first T20 series success in England, as well as their first white-ball bilateral series victory in the country since 1998.
By contrast, defeat left England still searching for a first series win under new white-ball captain Jos Buttler following one-day international and T20 reverses against India and a drawn ODI campaign with the Proteas.
Moeen SMACKS fastest 50 ever for England | 01:46
MORE COVERAGE
‘I’ll have nightmares’: Aussie star in cricket ‘hall of infamy’ for cardinal hat-trick sin
‘How on earth?’: Gardner saves the day as Aussies pull off epic comeback
‘Strong as it’s ever been’: Cricket chiefs dismiss ODI concerns amid ‘healthy’ boost
Jonny Bairstow (27) was the only England batsman to make more than 20, but Buttler and white-ball coach Matthew Mott do have at least seven matches at this level scheduled in Pakistan in September in which to turn things around before the T20 World Cup in Australia.
England’s chase suffered an early setback when Buttler was out for 14, caught at short third man off spinner Keshav Maharaj.
The out-of-form Jason Roy fell for 17, caught behind off Anrich Nortje — in after South Africa decided against risking fellow fast bowler Kagiso Rabada’s injured ankle ahead of next month’s three-Test series in England.
And when Moeen Ali was brilliantly caught one-handed by a leaping Tristan Stubbs off part-time spinner Markram, the hosts were 59-4.
Shamsi then cleaned up Liam Livingstone before taking two wickets in two balls, with Sam Curran caught in the deep before Willey was clean bowled.
Jos Buttler is still yet to win a white-ball series as England skipper. (Photo by Steve Bardens / AFP)Source: AFP
Chris Jordan survived the hat-trick only to be lbw to Shamsi. Adil Rashid holed out off Shamsi before Maharaj ended the match when he dismissed Bairstow with the aid of a catch by David Miller — a memorable way for the South Africa captain to finish his 100th T20 international.
England’s decision to recall Willey in place of Richard Gleeson reaped an early reward when he had potential danger man Quinton de Kock chopping onto his stumps for a three-ball duck.
But South Africa recovered, with the Proteas 53-1 at the end of the powerplay. Hendricks completed a 42-ball fifty and he then upped the tempo with three boundaries in a 16th over bowled by Curran.
He was eventually well caught by wicketkeeper Buttler off the expensive Jordan (1-52).
But Markram, back in South Africa’s T20 team for the first time since last year’s World Cup, having first provided solid support, went on to a 36-ball fifty before Miller chipped in with a quickfire 22.
LIVE: Emma McKeon has cruised into another final as the Australian swim sensation continues her assault on the history books on Day Four of the Commonwealth Games.
On Day 3, McKeon broke the Commonwealth Games record with a stunning 11th career gold medal, and her meet isn’t finished yet with more medals still up for grabs.
In the swim finals scheduled for Tuesday morning (AEST), McKeon heads a raft of Australians including Kyle Chalmers, who withdrew from one event to prioritize the massive 100m freestyle final.
Follow all the action from Day Four at the Commonwealth Games in our LIVE BLOG below! See the full schedule at the bottom.
Medal Tally: Aussie gold rush continues as Women’s 7s erase Tokyo pain
McKeon was back in the pool – and is now back in another ending.Source: Getty Images
McKeon once again hit the pool on Day Four in the women’s 100m freestyle heats, with fellow Aussies Shayna Jack and Mollie O’Callaghan also successfully qualifying for the semi-finals.
O’Callaghan qualified first in 54.28s, ahead of Jackthird in a comfortable 54.28s.
“I was definitely trying to hold back,” Jack said after her race.
McKeon only managed third-fastest in her heat and sixth-fastest overall as she cruised to the finish in 55.36s.
The 28-year-old won the same event at the Tokyo Games last year and is a massive chance of doing the same in Birmingham.
Read more on the rest of the swimming results below, or skip to the morning finals’ schedule at bottom.
ALL-TIME COMEBACK FALLS JUST SHORT
Australia’s men’s triples lawn bowls team came within an inch of pulling off one of the all-time great comebacks only to fall just short in a gold medal heartbreak.
Barry Lester, Carl Healey and Ben Twist – all sporting brilliant gold-dyed haircuts – were down by as many as 12-1 to England’s team of Louis Ridout, Nick Brett and Jamie Chestney.
But the Aussies charged back into the fight as the home side began to fall apart, with Australia snagging four in the 12th end en route to tying the scores up at 12 apiece.
England didn’t score from the ninth end until the 16th, but claimed a single on that second-last leg and then did the same on the last leg – after Australia missed a host of chances at the death.
DIAMONDS DEMOLISH SA… BUT COP BIG BLOW
In easily their toughest test of the Commonwealth Games so far, the gold-medal-favorite Diamonds went up a gear to defeat South Africa 74-49.
From the start, the Diamonds were in fine form, shooting with outstanding accuracy and harrying the South Africans all over the court with exceptional pressure.
Australia is undefeated after three Pool A games. They play Wales tomorrow before a huge match with more-than-dark-horses Jamaica.
But a calf injury to Paige Hadley, who had played just 15 minutes in the second game after missing the opener, looms as a potentially defining moment in their campaign.
FULL STORY.
Diamonds’ dream run soured as star sidelined with calf injury
Kyle Bruce nearly claimed an incredible gold medal with this lift.Source: Channel 7
AUSSIE ROBBED IN WILD HEARTBREAK
Kyle Bruce has been controversially robbed of a gold medal in the men’s 81kg weightlifting after a heartbreaking judges’ decision.
23-year-old Bruce was a gifted rugby flanker who only entered the gym to improve his ability on the field, before swapping to weightlifting full time and going on to claim a silver medal four years ago.
This time around, I have finished second in the snatch portion of the competition by lifting 143kg before twice failing to lift 147kg.
He successfully lifted 180kg in the clean-and-jerk portion for a stunning total of 323kg which had him in a second. Then, with the gold medal on the line, he attempted to lift 183kg on his final attempt.
He struggled with the lift and was wobbling, but was initially given three green lights from the judges to indicate a successful lift… only to have it overturned almost immediately afterwards by the jury, who spotted a small movement of Bruce’s left elbow.
That relegated him to a silver medal, behind England’s Chris Murray in a Games Record 325kg total.
He said: “It got overruled for a press-out. I haven’t seen the video so I’m not sure. But sometimes this is how sport goes and you know, congratulations to Chris on winning it
“He was the good lifter on the day and I just got a bit unlucky there, but it is what it is, I’m humble in defeat and I’m happy.”
He adds: “Coming away with a silver, not gonna lie, is quite disappointing… I’ll be ready for 2026. I’ll come back and I’ll have some redemption.”
FULL STORY: ‘Devastated’ Aussie in tears after gold ‘stolen away’
Meanwhile, Sarah Maureen Cochrane competes in the women’s 64kg final at 11pm AEST.
Resilient Chalmers sets Games record | 00:27
CHALMERS WITHDRAWS AS AUSSIES SURGE INTO MORE FINALS
Kyle Chalmer has withdrawn from the 100m butterfly so that he can focus on his 100m freestyle final in the evening session.
His scintillating semi-final swim last night (local) has him the firm favorite to claim gold in his favored event, and it’s no surprise he’s going all-in.
Teammate Cody Simpson qualified fifth for the semi-finals in 52.47s, just behind fourth-placed Matt Temple, the Australian record holder touching in 52.28s.
“It’s a great heat swim for him,” Ian Thorpe declared on Channel 7 of Temple.
Simpson has already won a gold medal for his involvement in the first heat of the men’s 4 x 100m freestyle relay, although he did not swim in the final.
FULL STORY: Legends not surprised as Chalmers pulls out of event at last minute
Australian swimmer Kyle Chalmers won his 100m freestyle semi final. Picture: Michael KleinSource: News Corp Australia
Meanwhile, Kaylee McKeown qualified fastest for the 200m backstroke final (2:10.95s), with fellow Aussie minna atherton also making it through in third (2:11.38s)
McKeown won the event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the recent 2022 World Championships in Budapest.
She also reached the final of the women’s 200m individual medley, qualifying behind Abbey Harkin in equal fourth with 2:13.24 and Ella Ramsay in km in 2:14.03. McKeown was seventh in 2:14.23s.
All three Aussies also qualified for the Women’s 100m Breaststroke semi-finals: Chelsea Hodge fourth in 1:07.68, Jenna Strauch fifth in 1:07.80, and Abbey Harkin sixth in 1:07.85.
debutante Grayson Bell qualified for the semi-finals of the men’s 50m breastroke in fifth after winning his heat in a personal best 27.63s. Sam Williamson won his own heat in 27.20s to qualify third-fastest. Joshua Young also qualified with his 27.96s.
Recent world championships silver medalist Lani Pallister qualified first for the final of the women’s 800m freestyle with a strong 8:32.67s. Ariarne Titmus qualified second-fastest with a very measured 8:36.17. Kiah Melverton was fourth-fastest in 8:40.29. Could we see another podium sweep?
MORE COVERAGE
Day 3 Wrap: ‘Extraordinary’ Aussies break world record, McKeon makes history
‘It is shocking’: Thorpe stunned as England world record holder toppled in ‘unbelievable’ boilover
AUSSIES SET TO RACK UP LAWN BOWLS MEDALS
Australia’s day has started in sensational style in the Lawn Bowls, with three teams all winning their semi-finals.
Carl HealeyBarrie Lester and Ben Twist are into the men’s treble final (9pm AEST) after beating Fiji 26 – 13. They will face England, who beat Wales 15-5 in the other semi-final.
Damian Delgado and Chris Favel are into the men’s pairs B6-B8 final after beating England 17-4.
And serena bonell and Cheryl Lindfield are into the women’s pairs B6-B8 final after seeing off South Africa 19-12 in their own semi. Both Para Pairs B6-B8 Finals take place on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, Aussie Ellen Ryan competes in the finals of the women’s singles at 1.30am AEST on Tuesday.
Ellen Ryan of Team Australia is into the women’s singles final.Source: Getty Images
SIX-TIME COMPETITOR LEADS AUSSIE BRONZE
Australia’s six-time Commonwealth Games competitor Jian Fang Lay has led the Aussie team to bronze in the women’s table tennis.
She won the opening doubles with yangzi liu, who won her own singles game before Jian Fang Lay sealed the 3-0 over Wales with a singles victory of her own.
Jian Fang Lay now has eight minor medals to her name.
minhyung jee was the other member of the team.
Jian Fang Lay led the Aussies to bronze in table tennis!Source: Getty Images
KEY OVERNIGHT EVENTS
SWIMMING
In the morning session (4am AEST Tuesday), medals are on offer in the:
– men’s 100m freestyle final (Kyle ChalmerWilliam Xu Yang, Zac Incerti)
– women’s 200m backstroke final (Kaylee McKeown, Minna Atherton)
– women’s 200m individual medley final (Kaylee McKeown, Abbey Harkin, Ella Ramsay)
– men’s 50m freestyle S7 final (Matthew Levy, Joel Mundie)
– women’s 100m breastroke SB6 final (Isabella Vincent, Ella Jones)
– men’s 50m backstroke final (Ben Armbruster, Andrew Jeffcoat, Bradley Woodward)
– women’s 50m butterfly final (Alex Perkins, Emma McKeon, Holly Barratt)
– men’s 4x200m freestyle relay final (Australian team)
HOCKEY: The Kookaburras play their second game of the Games – facing NZ at 6am AEST.
JUDO: Aussie judoka Joshua Katz (60kg) and brother Nathan (66kg) are both competing for bronze medals overnight.
DAY FOUR SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES AEST)
Lawn Bowls and Para Lawns Bowls, 5.30pm
Hockey, 6:00 p.m.
Table Tennis and Para Table Tennis, 6.30pm
Weightlifting, 6.30pm
Judo, 7.00pm
Swimming and Para Swimming, 7.30pm
Badminton, 8:00 p.m.
Boxing, 9:00 p.m.
Netball, 9:00 p.m.
Squash, 9.00pm
Artistic Gymnastics, 10.00pm
Track and Para Track Cycling, 11.00pm
Hockey, 11:00 p.m.
Weightlifting, 11.00pm
Beach Volleyball, 11.30pm
Boxing, 3:30 a.m.
Weightlifting, 3.30am
Hockey, 4:00 a.m.
Swimming and Para Swimming, 4.00am
Beach Volleyball, 4.00am
Basketball 3×3 and Wheelchair Basketball 3×3, 4.30am
Follow all the action from Day 4 of the Commonwealth Games in our LIVE BLOG below!
A lawyer for two brothers accused of being hired “muscle” in the alleged kidnapping of Stuart MacGill has told a court that the cricketing great was a regular cocaine user and “actively” involved in a drug deal central to the case.
Richard and Frederick Schaaf are awaiting trial over the alleged abduction of Mr MacGill from outside his home on Sydney’s lower north shore last year.
The pair on Monday appeared before the Supreme Court in an effort to be danced while they fight the charges.
Their barrister attacked Mr MacGill’s credibility, arguing that he went willingly with a group of men to an abandoned house in southwestern Sydney and said there was no physical evidence that he had been brutally assaulted.
Stuart MacGill has alleged he was abducted from outside his Cremorne home. Picture: Adam Yip/Daily TelegraphSource: News Corp Australia
The pair have pleaded not guilty to charges of take/detain in company with attempt to obtain advantage, with the matter expected to go to trial mid next year.
They were arrested along with four other men, including Mr MacGill’s de facto brother-in-law Marino Sotiropoulos, after the former Test spinner alleged that he was taken to a Bringelly property.
He has claimed that he was threatened with a gun, assaulted and demands were made for money over a drug deal gone wrong.
The court was told on Monday that Mr MacGill allegedly introduced Mr Sotiropoulos – the brother of his partner Maria O’Meagher – to a cocaine dealer.
Mr Sotiropoulos has since been charged with a supply of a large commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and will stand trial alongside the Schaaf brothers.
Mr MacGill alleges that a group of men forced him into a car outside his home and confronted him after the drug deal ended in a “rip off”.
The two men watched from Bathurst Correctional Center on Monday as their barrister Avni Djemal argued they should be released on bail ahead of a trial next year.
Mr Djemal said there was evidence that Mr MacGill had willingly participated in a meeting at the Bringelly house and agreed to look at photos in a bid to identify the drug dealer.
Mr Djemal said Mr MacGill was released at Belmore and allowed to get into a cab.
Richard Schaaf has appeared before the Supreme Court in a bid to be released on bail. Pictures: Facebook.Source: SuppliedFrederick Schaaf has pleaded not guilty to allegedly kidnapping Stuart MacGill. Picture: SuppliedSource: Supplied
“The evidence implies Mr MacGill to a high level. I’m surprised he’s not charged with the actual drug transaction that he says, in his evidence, ‘I had nothing more to do with it, I just introduced the brother-in-law, Mr Sotiropoulos, to a person who I knew used to sell drugs’,” Mr Djemal said.
“The gentleman, now a registered source, he says that this gentleman, MacGill, was an avid user of cocaine and said to be on it all the time or drunk or desperate for money.”
Mr Djemal further told the court that Mr MacGill had an “active” role in negotiating the weight of the drugs involved in the deal to the point that the dealer had offered him a gift because he “put this deal together”.
The Bringelly property where Mr MacGill was allegedly held captive. Source: 7 NEWSSource: Supplied
He further said there was no evidence to support Mr MacGill’s assertions that he had been punched to the front and back of his head, knocked to the ground and suffered a concussion.
Mr Djemal said the only evidence of any injuries was Ms O’Meagher saying she felt a lump on Mr MacGill’s head.
“He doesn’t have one physical injury after those events,” Mr Djemal said.
“If the hits to the front of your face have produced no lumps and you say the onslaught was to the front, the side, knocked you to the ground, how could that be?
“How could his word be that there was a kidnapping? What if he went, saw photos and got brought back?”
Mr Djemal argued that Frederick Schaaf should be released so he could undergo dental treatment because he was at risk of losing his teeth.
The hearing before Justice Richard Button continues.
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 Socceroos’ path to the 2026 World Cup will be a 16-match journey – provided the Australians are among the Asian Football Confederation’s top six qualifiers.
To be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 edition of the tournament will expand to include 48 nations.
With 16 more countries to qualify than the 32 at this year’s World Cup, the AFC will have at least eight representatives and a maximum of nine.
Provided, as expected, the Socceroos are at the time among the AFC’s top 25 nations, they will join the race to reach the 2026 World Cup in the second round of the preliminary qualifiers, which is set to start late next year and will involve 36 teams who will be divided into nine groups of four.
Each nation will play six games in a round-robin, home and away format, with the top two from each group – 18 in total – to advance to the stage known as the AFC Asian Qualifiers.
The 18 teams – who will be divided into three groups of six – will play 10 matches in a round-robin, home and away format, with the top two from each group to qualify directly for the World Cup.
The teams finishing third and fourth in each of the three groups will be drawn into two further groups of three and play two matches in a single round-robin format.
Both of the group winners will qualify for the World Cup.
The two second-placed teams will meet in a playoff, with the winner to represent the AFC in an Intercontinental playoff, where a World Cup berth will be up for grabs.
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.”
Port Adelaide president David Koch has gone nuclear after his club was once again denied the opportunity to wear the famous prison bars.
Koch let rip after it was revealed the club’s request to wear the prison bar Guernsey’s for the round 23 showdown against Adelaide had been denied.
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The Power were famously denied the chance to wear their black and white stripes in 2021, and warned they could be stripped competition points if they went against the AFL’s wishes.
Instead they produced an act of elite-level trolling in the dressing rooms after the game when the club changed their jumpers to the club’s controversial black and white stripes Guernsey.
The heritage jumper has been at the center of one of football’s most petty feuds and it’s back in the limelight after Koch’s latest spray as he shut down suggestions the club was advised back in March their request would be denied.
“That is the greatest load of rot I’ve ever heard,” Koch said on FIVEaa radio.
“In fact, two weeks ago the Collingwood president Jeff Browne rang me out of the blue and said: ‘Kochie look mate, we’re taking your request really seriously, we understand how important it is to your members, we understand the history of it … I’ve been canvassing opinions both in Melbourne and South Australia and I’m putting it to my board (last week) and I don’t want to get your hopes up, but I’m quietly confident we could have good news for you.’
“So that was just two weeks ago the president of the Collingwood Football Club rang me out of the blue and told me this.”
Koch said they had been taken advantage of by Collingwood as the ugly saga drags over into another season.
“Remember Collingwood have always said: ‘We own black and white in the AFL/VFL. They are our colours’ – as if you can own two colours. Don’t get me started on that,” he said.
“On the weekend, Collingwood VFL played the Southport Sharks in the VFL who are black and white. So why can’t we play in our traditional prison bar guernsey, Showdown in Adelaide, that’s all. Not against Collingwood. Not for the rest of the year. I don’t think it’s unreasonable.
“I can’t help but feel that we’ve been played in this for being nice and a bit mislead by the club and also conversations I’ve had with the president.
“It just shows, dare I say, the pettiness of this which has got completely out of hand. I don’t know whether it’s a case of the big Victorian clubs once again going: ‘Hey, you just keep in your place you interstates, South Australian clubs. We run this competition, you do as we say.’”
Port Adelaide entered the AFL in 1997 with an agreement in place the prison bars could only be worn during heritage round. The league no longer has a dedicated heritage round with clubs holding their own celebrations each year.
“Yes, an agreement was signed when we came into the AFL – that’s 30 years ago. Times have changed and clubs are celebrating their heritage,” Koch said.
“Why can’t we declare a Showdown as celebrating our heritage?
“I’m fuming because we have done the right thing, we’ve just quietly gone about it, and I can’t help feel as though that good nature has been played.
“You look at virtually every AFL club being allowed to play in their heritage guernsey this year … but we’re not allowed to do the same.”
K-Pop fans are excited over a new coffee range inspired by boy band BTS that has landed in Coles for half price.
One eagle-eyed shopper took to TikTok to share that they had spotted the range at their local supermarket in Melbourne last week.
A clip posted to TikTok that showed the two different beverage options stirred excitement among fans, with many claiming they would rush to the supermarket.
“Going to cabbages asap,” one social media user said.
Another added: “We’ve come such a long way. Growing up I would have screamed in excitement seeing someone looking like me represented on tv which was so rare!”
A third said: “Only time I’ll ever drink coffee.”
Another added: “OMG we need to get down to Coles right now.”
There are two beverages in the range – a ready-to-drink Vanilla Latte and a delicious cold brew Americano coffee in specially designed bottles featuring the band.
Coles Senior Category Manager Dave Evans said: “Coles is the first national Australian supermarket to offer our customers the popular Korean pop band, BTS’s Hot Brew Vanilla Latte 270mL and Cold Brew Americano 270mL coffee.
“BTS is one of the biggest Korean pop acts in the world including in Australia where their passionate fans love to engage with the group, and a key reason why we wanted to offer our customers – and fans of BTS – a unique and special BTS branded product.
“The ready-to-drink coffee range is aromatic and sweet with authentic espresso-based hot brew extract, flavored with vanilla to create the perfect balance.
“BTS Hot Brews and Cold Brews are available at around 220 selected Coles supermarkets, for a limited-time only and while stocks last.”
This week, the drinks are just half price at $2.75 each.
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has tied the knot with Becky Boston in front of a star-studded crowd in Byron Bay.
The couple walked down the aisle on Friday afternoon, but only shared the news with the world on social media on Monday evening.
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Cummins, 29, and Boston, 31, held their glamorous reception at the Chatuea Du Soleil in Byron Bay.
The couple uploaded the same image to their social media accounts on Monday, showing them holding hands in a garden surrounded by white flowers.
A host of big names were in attendance at the ceremony with Andy Lee and his girlfriend Bec Harding.
Fellow cricket stars Travis Head, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon were also among the guests.
The news comes hot on the heels of Ash Barty marrying her long-term partner.
Cummins proposed to Boston back in 2020 after a banner 12 months which he capped off by dropping down to one knee.
Boston posted a photograph of the two having a picnic in a picturesque farm setting with the caption: “My forever person. I am the happiest girl in the world right now.”
Cummins also shared the news on social media and was widely congratulated by the cricket world.
“Big boy. Took you long enough haha congrats guys!” wrote Peter Siddle.
“Congratulations guys. A champagne to settle the nerves,” added Mitchell Johnson.
Cummins went public with the Brit-born interior designer back in 2014 and she is regularly seen on his arm at red carpet events and cheering from the stands.
The couple welcomed their first child, Albie, in 2021.
