Not even an early Formula 1 exit can wipe Daniel Ricciardo’s trademark grin off his face while on summer holiday.
WA’s F1 ace has been at the center of a motorsport storm this week with reports his McLaren contract would be sensationally terminated early in favor of young Victorian-born racing star Oscar Piastri.
But it has not affected the overtake magician’s summer plans, posting a happy, sun-filled snap to Instagram from the pool.
The star looks relaxed, lounging in the water surrounded by palm trees.
The caption simply reads: “Hello ☀”
But Ricciardo’s return to the track on August 26 in Belgium will be anything but calm, with the Aussie in the middle of his second straight season of disappointment at McLaren, struggling with a car that can’t compete with the top teams.
The man from Duncraig sits 12th in the Driver’s Standings with a paltry 19 points from 13 race starts, while British teammate Lando Norris sits 7th with 76 points.
Ricciardo put out a heartfelt message on Twitter earlier in the season affirming his commitment to seeing out his contract at McLaren, but the star may not be given a chance.
An early announcement during the silly season of driver swaps from team Alpine said Piastri, who won the F3 and F2 titles back-to-back before getting a gig as a test driver for Alpine, would drive for them next season, replacing F1 rockstar Fernando Alonso, who is moving to Aston Martin to fill retiring Sebastian Vettel’s seat, but the 21-year-old denied the claim.
Daniel Ricciardo during the Hungarian Formula One Grand Prix at the Hungaroring. Credit: Darko Bandick/AP
Reports say there are clauses in Ricciardo’s contract that could allow him to leave the team if it was underperforming to his standards – not the other way round.
If he was to leave, he could also reunite with Alpine, the former Renault team he left for McLaren at the end of 2020.
A dozen West Aussie draft hopefuls have earned invitations to the national combine in Melbourne in October.
All up 67 players selected for the three-day testing from October 7-9 with Vic Country leading the way with 19.
It’s not expected to be as big of a WA draft crop compared to recent years after just one win from four matches in the national under-18s carnival.
Claremont are the best represented of the WAFL clubs with four players, followed by Swan Districts and East Perth with two apiece.
The Royals could have two players inside the first round with defender-turned-midfielder Reuben Ginbey storming up the charts after winning WA’s carnival MVP award and key back Jedd Busslinger also a strong chance to go early.
Powerful Swan Districts midfielder Elijah Hewett is another tipped to get picked up in the opening round.
From a Next Generation Academy point of view, classy forward Tyrell Dewar (Subiaco), part of West Coast’s NGA, made the cut after an eye-catching carnival.
The Eagles have priority access to Dewar, provided he falls outside of the top-40 picks which is likely.
Son of a gun Ed Allan, a rangy 194cm utility whose father Ben captained and coached Fremantle as well as playing in a premiership at Hawthorn, is among the famous names on the list.
The Claremont and Scotch College product’s dad was two games away from him qualifying as a Hawks father-son prospect.
Claremont midfielder and Hale School captain Harry Cole and his colts teammate and Christ Church defender Hugh Davies, both late additions to WA’s under-18s squad who made the most of their opportunities, were also included.
Peel Thunder key defender Jed Adams is another who has emerged this season, impressing in the final two games of the national carnival down back after coming in for Busslinger, with his booming left foot and ability to read the play and intercept standing out.
A whopping nine players were invited from NAB League powerhouse Oakleigh Chargers including top-10 fancies George Wardlaw, Elijah Tsatas, Matthew Jefferson and father-son gun Alwyn Davey Jnr.
Players can still be added with late-season form and enough interest from AFL clubs.
There will also be various state combines around the country, with WA’s to be held on October 16.
Around 50-60 players will be invited to those, likely to be revealed by next week.
Fremantle’s best forward line is unlikely to meet this week with a potential Sam Switkowski return dampened by Matt Taberner’s fresh injury concern.
Neither took part in the Dockers’ light recovery session on Monday but Switkowski is expected to come under selection consideration for Saturday’s western derby after recovering from back stress fractures.
Lachie Schultz said it would be a relief to welcome his fellow pressure forward back into the line-up.
But Fremantle are feeling for Taberner after his return to form in the win over the Western Bulldogs was cut short by a calf injury.
“He was a bit emotional but it’s all part of it and we back him to get back to 100 per cent really quickly,” Schultz said.
“He plays a massive part in our forward line and structure up there. To lose him hurt but we think we’ve got good depth and whoever comes in will fill that role.”
Switkowski hasn’t featured since Fremantle’s round 13 clash against Hawthorn, the Dockers manic pressure, points for and scores per inside 50 declining in his absence.
And while Schultz believes the Dockers were able to recapture that side of their game against the Bulldogs, Switkowski’s return is set to ease his workload.
Lachie Shultz and Michael Walters had fun at a wet Dockers training. Credit: Andrew Richie/The West Australian
“I feel relieved. I like to base my game on pressure as well so when there’s someone else of Switta’s caliber doing it, it makes it a lot easier for me,” Schultz said.
“We love what Switta brings to the team and forward line especially. It’s hard to compare anyone to his pressure on him so he’s a massive inclusion. Everyone else plays stronger and better.”
Fremantle also benefited from a mindset shift against the Bulldogs, choosing to play with more freedom instead of worrying about any final implications.
The club is now locked into the top eight with two rounds to come but, importantly, Schultz believes the Dockers have rediscovered their best football at the right time.
Lachie Shultz runs through the rain. Credit: Andrew Richie/The West Australian
“It was like we were protecting ourselves a little bit and what we’ve built this year,” he said.
“We had a big mindset to play more freely, really attack the game and play a more exciting brand of footy and put a score on the board. The past few weeks we haven’t been able to put up a big score which was probably due to our ball movement.
“Our confidence will grow from the weekend. A few boys were a bit down on confidence and a little bit of belief in their own abilities after the past month. To turn it around on the weekend will reverse that thinking.”
Schultz added it was a “big relief” retired Eagle Josh Kennedy won’t make one last derby appearance after kicking eight goals against Adelaide.
Rory Lobb looks on at Dockers training. Credit: Andrew Richie/The West Australian
“Knowing that he’s not going to be out there next week, I was sitting there thinking ‘thank god for that,’” he said.
“We’re going through all of those emotions this week with Dave (Mundy).
“I’m sure they’ll like to put a sour taste on our season and try and disrupt it. It’s a big game. We’ll treat it like any other week on the track.”
Fan favorite Martin Boyle enjoyed a fairytale return to Hibernian as he came off the bench to score a late equalizer against arch-rivals Hearts in front of a full house at Easter Road.
Lawrence Shankland’s first competitive goal for the Hearts in the 21st minute looked as if it was going to be enough to secure a third Edinburgh derby victory in succession for the visitors.
But the Socceroo Boyle, who has returned just seven months after leaving in a lucrative transfer to Saudi Arabian side Al Faisaly, struck with the last kick of the game, sparking a mini pitch invasion from the jubilant home support.
Martin Boyle left it late to score an equalizer against Hearts that sent Hibernian fans wild in the stands. (Getty Images/SNS Group: Rob Casey)
Manager Lee Johnson hailed Boyle’s “Roy of the Rovers” return.
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The 29-year-old Australia international only signed for Hibs on Saturday.
And after being introduced as a 62nd-minute sub, Boyle sparked bedlam inside a packed Easter Road as he struck with the last kick of the game.
“If you wrote a comic book strip and he was the star of the show, I’m not sure you could write it better than that,” Johnson said.
“He’s buzzing, but the boys were buzzing as well when we told them yesterday (that he had signed).”
Boyle had not played for six weeks prior to his Easter Road return and Johnson admits he had to weigh up whether to include him in the squad.
“It was about 9pm last night,” he said after being asked when he knew Boyle would be eligible.
“There was a bit of deliberation about whether I should play him, from one particular key figure at the club who didn’t think I should, but I will remind him gently — very, very gently — that’s my role.”
Livingston secured their first Premiership win of the season with a narrow 1-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.
Cristian Montano scored the only goal of the game — his first for the club — early in the second half.
Australian goalkeeper Mark Birighitti did well to block a shot from Joel Nouble, but when the ball fell to Montano he fired a thunderous 20-yard shot past the keeper.
It was a disappointing defeat for Dundee United, who now turn their focus to the second leg of their Europa Conference League third qualifying round tie against AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands on Thursday.
The Scottish side have a 1-0 lead after the first leg.
Minjee Lee has emerged from a day of high drama without the major spoils but with another one of golf’s most prestigious awards.
Lee fell tantalizingly short of becoming Australia’s first female golfer to capture the world-number-one ranking following a tie for fourth at the Women’s British Open in Scotland.
The Perth ace needed to win or finish second, but wound up three shots behind triumphant South African Ashleigh Buhai, who denied In Gee Chun in an epic, tension-filled sudden-death play-off that stretched four holes and ended under fading light on Sunday.
Buhai almost threw away the tournament with a disastrous triple-bogey seven on the par-4 15th before regaining her nerve to land the biggest title of her career.
After starting the day with a five-stroke leader, the 33-year-old finished at 10-under-par 274 following a closing 4-over 75.
South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai won the Women’s Open on the fourth hole of a playoff with In Gee Chun. (AP: Scott Heppell)
Chun carded a 70 but could not find the birdie needed in the play-off to claim a fourth career major.
Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, the 2019 Open champion, was outright third at 9-under, two shots ahead of Lee (69), Swede Madelene Sagstrom (71) and Ireland’s Leonie Maguire (66).
While Lee remains world number two and fell short in her quest to land a second major of the year, the 2022 Women’s US Open champion clinched another coveted accolade and further narrowed the gap on the top-ranked Jin Young Ko, who missed the cut.
The 26-year-old secured the Annika Major Award as the season’s best-performing player at the five annual major championships.
Minjee Lee won the second major title of her career with a four-shot victory in this year’s US Open. (Getty Images: Jared C. Tilton)
As well as her victory at Pine Needles and joint-fourth on Sunday, Lee was co-runner-up at the Women’s PGA Championship, 12th at the Chevron Championship and 43rd in the defense of her 2021 Evian Championship win in France.
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“I’ve had some really great finishes at the majors,” she said.
“I feel like I’m trending in the right direction and pretty excited for the rest of the season.”
Lee’s Australian fellow, Steph Kyriacou, closed with a 71 to tie for seventh at 5-under in an impressive encore to her tie for 12th last year at Carnoustie.
Kyriacou was 3-under for her round through five holes before three bogeys scuppered her chances as the 21-year-old Sydney talent somewhat ruefully settled for her best finish at a major.
“I played pretty solid the whole week. Today was a bit yucky. I hit maybe three bad shots that cost me more than three shots. But yeah, still lots of positives to take,” Kyriacou said.
“Still a couple things to work on but, yeah, everything for me is trending, which I can’t be too mad about that.
“I can’t really let that define my whole week so I definitely have confidence in myself.
“It might sound a bit arrogant but I think I’m going to win majors. It’s just a matter of time I feel.”
After starting the weekend as the leading Australian and right in contention, Hannah Green shared a 35th spot at 2-over following a disappointing 75 finish.
West Coast have given the AFLW a taste of their new-look forward line, comfortably kicking their highest-ever score in a pre-season clash with Hawthorn.
Pitted against the expansion side in what marked the Hawks’ first taste of match practice, the Eagles showcased a much-improved midfield-forward connection on their way to an 11.4 (70) to 6.5 (41) win.
Time will tell whether the 29-point victory stacks up against seasoned AFLW opponents, but the reigning wooden spooners’ improved fitness allowed the Eagles to put more speed on the ball.
Their forward line capitalized. Aimee Schmidt kicked two goals in the first two minutes of the game, Hayley Bullas hit the scoreboard, Kate Barlett looks ready to make the most of her second chance at the club, and 2020 draft pick Shanae Davison looks ready to cement her spot after a lively outing.
The club’s first draft selection Ella Roberts was strong in the air and used the ball cleanly going inside 50, while 2021 club champion Bella Lewis looks to have recaptured her best form after a subdued season.
West Coast’s first draft pick Ella Roberts in action. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Pictures
Pre-season signings Ella Smith and Sasha Goranova started in defense for West Coast, with the Eagles again undersized down back as Hawk Tamara Luke did the most damage with four goals.
But the Eagles midfield competed well even in the absence of Dana Hooker (illness) as West Coast also managed the minutes of their stars ahead of Saturday’s pre-season clash with Fremantle.
“There’s some really positive signs,” midfielder Aisling McCarthy said.
“We had a lot of new girls out there who brought a lot of energy and it’s always good to see some new girls pull on the blue and gold.
“We worked on a few things from last season. Our fitness and our run out there….we’ve worked on a lot on our standards and professionalism.
Beth Schilling was strong in defense for the Eagles. Credit: Daniel Carson/AFL Pictures
“Our composition at times probably needs a bit of a lift but I think our fight and work around the ball was good.”
Despite losing 14 players from their list at the end of last season, McCarthy said the Eagles’ off-field bond had helped them fast-track on-field cohesion.
“We’re still getting to know each other out on the field. But that’s what these two weeks are for,” she said.
“I think we have good standards and we all respect each other and I think no matter whether you’re 17 or 33, you can stand up and make your voice heard.
“We’ll get feedback from the coaches and things that we have to work on and bring that into the next week against Fremantle.”
Australia has become the first country to rack up 1,000 Commonwealth Games gold medals on the second last day of competition in Birmingham.
Day 10 saw some impressive team victories, including the Australian Women’s Cricket Team’s win over India and The Diamonds’ close win over Jamaica in the netball.
The victories by green and gold athletes means Australia maintains its lead at the top of the standings by 11 gold medals.
You can check out how theaction unfolded in our Commonwealth Games blog, or have a look at the medal winners and the top 10 medal standings by country below:
Day 10 medal standings:
Gold:
The Diamonds, netball
The Australian Women’s Cricket Team
Maddison Keeney, diving, 3m springboard
Kelsey-Lee Barber, athletics, javelin
Chris McHugh and Paul Burnett, beach volleyball
Georgia Baker, cycling, women’s road race
Cassiel Rousseau, diving, 10m platform
Silver:
Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Arcacho del Solar, beach volley ball
The Australian women’s cricket team now officially has it all.
The T20 and ODI World Cup winners are Commonwealth Games champions too after a nine-run win over India in front of a bumper crowd at Edgbaston.
When we talk about greatness in Australian team sports, surely now they must be counted amongst the very best we’ve ever seen.
“It was certainly a medal that we never thought we’d ever win, we never thought we’d be a part of a Commonwealth Games,” Australia all-rounder Ash Gardner said.
“We’ve won a lot of medals, but I think this one’s pretty special.”
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The Australians batted first and made 8-161, largely thanks to Beth Mooney’s 61 off 41 balls.
As she so often does, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur took control to put India in a dangerous position before Gardner dismissed her for 65.
“I thought they had control that chase for a long period of that batting innings of theirs,” Mooney said.
“But on the flip side, I thought that if we got a couple of wickets that we were in with a real shot of turning the screws and putting the squeeze on them, which is what happened.”
India needed 11 runs off the final over, with two wickets left.
But Jess Jonassen delivered the goods with the ball as the Australians claimed another major title.
A strange sideshow played out during the game.
On the morning of the match Australia all-rounder Tahlia McGrath tested positive to COVID-19, but she was still allowed to play.
Tahlia McGrath motions for her teammates to stay away after taking a catch. McGrath tested positive for COVID before the match started.(Getty Images: Ryan Pierce)
In bizarre scenes, McGrath had to socially distance from her teammates when she took a catch – never mind that they were all touching the same ball.
And all the COVID safe protocols were forgotten when she was swept up by her teammates in the festivities at the end of the match.
“It’d be pretty upsetting for someone like Tahlia who’s been in this team not being able to hug her teammates when we’ve won a gold medal,” Mooney said.
“So hopefully they turn a blind eye to that and forget that happened.”
Megan Schutt said the team felt bad for McGrath.
“It was so weird. We didn’t want to get in trouble,” Schutt told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“We felt bad for Tahlia at the end there.
“At the end, screw it. If we get COVID, so be it.”
Hockeyroos win silver after defeat to England
The Hockeyroos finished with silver in Birmingham, just like they did four years ago on the Gold Coast.(Getty Images: Mark Kolbe)
The Hockeyroos were outmuscled by England in the women’s hockey gold medal match at Edgbaston Hockey Club, with the home side deservedly winning 2-1.
The Hockeyroos lacked fluency and the killer instinct in the circle, while England was boosted by a buoyant home crowd to win gold for the first time.
But instead of slumping to the ground in tears, or comforting each other, for the most part, the Australians kept a smile on their face, patted each other on the back, and tried to appreciate what they’d managed to achieve.
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Several weeks after winning a bronze medal at the World Cup, the Hockeyroos wanted to make sure they celebrated winning silver.
Coach Katrina Powell — a two-time Olympic gold medalist — gathered all players and support staff in a huddle on the pitch, and passionately spoke to the team.
“[I told them] how proud I am of them and how we progressed while we’ve been away and how hard it is,” Powell said.
“Also [I gave them] a little reminder that you do win silver, hockey competitions are really interesting that [people think] you lose gold.
“We just won a bronze, so we saw how much happier we were than the silver medalists at the World Cup.
“And I think you miss out on that fun, that excitement, that experience, if you’re not happy with winning silver.”
That’s not to say the Hockeyroos are content with remaining second best.
Powell took over the team just before the Tokyo Olympics, where they were knocked out in the quarter finals.
It is a new look team on the pitch and behind the scenes.
Powell says everyone in the program is “rejuvenated and refocused” as they look towards the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“I think one of the things we’ve learned is that we’re not quite there yet,” she said.
“And that’s a really powerful thing going forward to know that you’re happy and okay with where you’re at, but certainly not satisfied.”
Melissa Wu has celebrated a full-circle gold medal at the Commonwealth Games after bouncing back from an SAS Australia injury that almost ended her diving career.
Wu won the synchronized 10m platform on Saturday with Charli Petrov, a 14-year-old who was not even born when a 13-year-old Wu won silver at Melbourne 2006.
Watch the gold medalists’ emotional interview in the video above
Stream Seven’s coverage of the Commonwealth Games 2022 for free on 7plus >>
Petrov became the star of the show after defying her lack of experience to win gold but Wu’s own journey is something to savor.
The 30-year-old, who won an individual bronze at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, has been a constant for Australia ever since making her international debut at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
It hasn’t always been easy for the Sydneysider, though, having dealt with back injuries since she was 21.
“I think I’ll be injured for as long as I dive,” Wu said in 2013.
The issue reared its head again late last year following a stint on Channel 7’s SAS Australia.
Melissa Wu pushed herself to the brink on SAS Australia, passing out during one challenge. Credit: SuppliedMelissa receives oxygen after a tough challenge on SAS Australia. Credit: Supplied
Wu proved to be among the toughest contestants when she pushed herself to the brink in several challenges, despite one setting off her back injury.
She eventually withdrew from SAS and immediately began to rehabilitate her body and mind ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
“This year has been a really big struggle for me with my body and injury,” Wu said after winning gold.
“I literally couldn’t touch my toes, I couldn’t even do daily activities and daily living. So to be able to push through and dive the 10m today means so much to me.
“I couldn’t even imagine diving off the 10m when I was in the depths of being really injured.
“I got the injury on SAS Australia but I took a lot of lessons from that. It is a bit ironic, but what I learned on the show also helped me push through the injury and I’m really proud of my efforts.”
Charli Petrov and Melissa Wu of Australia celebrate with their gold medals after winning the Women’s Synchronized 10m Platform Final during Day 9 of the XXII Commonwealth Games at the Sandwell Aquatics Center in Birmingham, England, Friday, July 29, 2022. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY Credit: DAVE HUNT/AAPIMAGE
EVERYEVENT:Check out the full Commonwealth Games schedule
TALLY MEDAL:Every gold, silver and bronze at Birmingham 2022
LATEST RESULTS:Detailed breakdown of every event at the Games
The comeback bid included integrating her training program with Petrov despite the challenge of living in different cities, not to mention the gap in age and experience.
But with gold around her neck, Wu championed the breath of fresh air that her teenage partner became during a taxing time in her career.
“I think that some things you don’t tend to appreciate as much – not that you don’t appreciate it – you just sort of get used to it, I guess,” Wu told Channel 7’s Weekend Sunrise later.
“But Charli’s experiencing everything for the first time and that makes me look at things a different way and look at things through those fresh eyes that I remember I had at her age.
“I think for me that’s been really special to be able to take it all in and appreciate the moments, because it’s never guaranteed.
“You’ve got to soak up every minute while you’re here.”
Charli Petrov (middle) has been a breath of fresh air for Melissa Wu. Credit: Dave Hunt/AAP
Wu made it clear, too, that the partnership with Petrov is just getting started.
“I’ve loved diving with Charli. Ella she’s been amazing so far, ”she said.
“She’s such an incredible young athlete with a really good head on her shoulders. That’s made it so easy for us to come together.
“It’s been such a pleasure to dive with her, I’ve loved every minute of it so far.”
In the video below: John Steffensen emulates Aussie gold medalist’s epic celebration
John Steffensen rips shirt off on Weekend Sunrise.
John Steffensen rips shirt off on Weekend Sunrise.
The pair finished seventh in Petrov’s international debut at the world championships in Budapest four weeks before the Commonwealth Games.
The wide-eyed teenager said it will take time before it has sunk in that she already has a gold medal under her belt.
“I don’t know how that happened but it was all an amazing experience,” Petrov said.
“I’m honestly speechless. It’s still – I don’t know if it’s hit me yet. I think it’ll hit me tomorrow morning when I’m fresh, like ‘wait, what happened? This isn’t a dream.
“I’m over the moon.”
Just like Tokyo 2020 on Seven, there will be one destination to watch every epic feat, every medal moment, every record attempt and every inspiring turn from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
7plus is the only place to watch up to 30 live and replay channels of sport, see what’s on when, keep up to date with the medal tally, create a watchlist to follow your favorite events and catch up on highlights.
Since finishing fourth in the men’s 800 meter final at last year’s Tokyo Olympics, Peter Bol has become a national hero.
Everyone knows his name, his face, his story, and he felt that he was coming into the 800 final at the Commonwealth Games.
“I felt like the favourite. I knew there was a lot of pressure, a lot of expectations,” he said after claiming silver behind Kenya’s Wyclife Kinyamal.
“But at the same time, in our sport pressure’s a privilege. We know it’s there. And I was relaxed, really confident. [I] felt really strong.
“I thought I could really win it tonight. I just came short and can’t say any more than that.”
After Oliver Hoare’s heroics in the men’s 1,500 meters final a day earlier, it was hoped Bol could produce another classic on the track.
The 28-year-old was in the mix for most of the race, but Kinyamal started to make his move with around 250 meters left.
Bol tried his best to stay with him, but couldn’t reel him in.
He called the result “bittersweet”, in what he described as a slow race.
“You look at the start list and there’s no front runners out there. So I just knew it was gonna be tactical and I knew I’m gonna come home strong and I think we did so I’m happy with that.”
Bol was thankful to finally win his first major international medal, after missing out in Tokyo, and his seventh place at the recent World Championships.
“I think the most powerful thing out of this whole 800, out of this whole athletics journey is the impact we’ve had off the track and how much support and love we’ve had.
“Even if I came [up] short, I think that love is consistent and that’s what I’m grateful for.”
Caldwell takes 1500m bronze, Buschkuehl long jump silver
Australia Abbey Caldwell ran home to take the bronze medal in the women’s 1500m in Birmingham.(AP: Alastair Grant)
Abbey Caldwell found something extra in the tank to power home and claim a bronze medal in the women’s 1500 meter final, behind Scotland’s Laura Muir and Northern Ireland’s Ciara Mageean.
“I don’t know where that came from, I just think I saw the girls in front and I found that extra gear,” she said.
Caldwell was contentiously left off the Australian team for the World Championships, despite being the national champion and running a qualifying time.
But she didn’t show any bitterness towards selectors.
“Why look back and regret decisions and dwell on that? Just do what you can, what’s in your control, and that’s what we’ve been doing,” she said.
“It just meant I was able to put all my eggs in this basket and I’ve had this in my mind for so long now and I’ve had time to train and it’s really given me that extra bit of hunger and it means so much.”
Brooke Buschkuehl capped off the night for Australia with her second straight silver medal in the women’s long jump.
