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Margot Robbie sent Neighbors cast champagne for finale

Hollywood star Margot Robbie has told how she will be “eternally grateful” to soap Neighbors after it launched her acting career.

Margot, 32, who began her TV career as Ramsay Street’s Donna Freedman from 2008 to 2011, appeared in the show’s finale, which aired last Thursday.

While the A-lister filmed her scenes for the final show in Los Angeles, she made a sweet gesture to her fellow castmates, sending 37 bottles of champagne to the Melbourne set, as revealed by Neighbors actress Christie Whelan on social media last week, The Sun reports.

Robbie said that the final episode marks “the end of an era”.

Now Hollywood’s highest-paid actress, she said: “I owe so much to neighbors.

“There are so many of us that owe [the show] for giving us a big break.

“It wasn’t just about giving me a break either – it gave me a real chance to work on my craft. It was the perfect training for Hollywood and I will always be eternally grateful.”

thursday’s neighbors finale saw Robbie return alongside a host of other fan favourites, including Jason Donovan, Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce, Holly Valance and Natalie Imbruglia.

Anne Charleston, who played Ramsay Street legend Madge Bishop, also returned – with her late character appearing as a ghost.

Remembering her time on the soap, Robbie said it was only when she moved to London that she realized how widespread neighbors‘popularity was.

“It really is an end of an era for fans. When I lived in London, I understood at its peak how big it was. People would come up to me and tell me how they watched it every day after school.”

From fruit farm to Hollywood Hills

The actress, who grew up on a fruit farm on the Gold Coast, moved to LA after leaving neighbors in 2011 and landed a role in US TV show Pan Am.

But it was her part opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf Of Wall Street that caught the eye of movie bosses in 2013.

Soon after, she moved to South London where she shared a four-bedroom pad in Clapham with six other friends that they dubbed “The Manor”.

Her housemates were friends she had met filming wartime flick French Suite – including the assistant director and her now-husband Tom Ackerley.

Robbie went on to star in 2015’s focus opposite Will Smith and played The Joker’s girlfriend Harley Quinn in 2016 hitSuicide Squad.

In 2016, she and Ackerley also married, and the following year they swapped their Clapham flat for a $3.6 million villa in Hollywood.

But she said leaving London had not been an easy move for the couple.

She said: “It was such a hard decision to leave, but I just couldn’t keep living out of a suitcase.”

Back in LA, the actress went on to star as Tonya Harding in I, Tonya – which she also produced – and alongside Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron in Bombshell.

Both roles won her Oscar nominations.

She also starred as rising movie star Sharon Tate in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywoodappearing with former co-star DiCaprio as well as Brad Pitt.

Next year will see her hit the big screen in neon pink and sky-high heels after she was cast as Barbie in a romantic comedy about the iconic doll.

Directed by Greta Gerwig, the film also stars Ryan Gosling as Barbie‘s love interest Ken.

Robbie said: “When I read the script, I genuinely thought, ‘This is one of the best scripts I have ever read.’ I needed to be part of this story.

“I remember speaking with Ryan before we started shooting and we were just so excited to be part of this incredible script.

“Whatever people expect the Barbie movie to be like, they need to totally rethink it because Greta has done something special here.

“And Barbie is such a role model. She was a surgeon back in the early ’70s when a tiny percentage of females were applying for medical school.”

It is expected that in the hands of director Greta – whose last films were Lady Bird and Little Women – Barbie will get a thoroughly modern makeover.

‘Things have changed a lot’

It comes after Hollywood’s own makeover in recent years following the #MeToo scandals.

That movement was the focus of 2019 movie Bombshell, which was based on the sexual harassment of women working at Fox News.

Robbie, who starred as Kayla Pospisil, told at the time that it was only while working on the film that she realized what sexual harassment was.

She told Net-A-Porter: “I’m in my late twenties, I’m educated, I’m worldly, I’ve travelled, I have my own business – and I didn’t know. That’s insane.

“I didn’t know that you could say, ‘I have been sexually harassed,’ without someone physically touching you.

“That you could say, ‘That’s not OK.’ I had no idea.”

The actress also said that she has experienced harassment, but “not in Hollywood”, adding: “I struggle to find many women who haven’t experienced sexual harassment on some level.

“So yes, lots of times. And to varying degrees of severity throughout my life.”

Speaking last week, Robbie said: “I think things have changed in Hollywood over the past few years.

“There have been some difficult conversations and very brave people.

“We live in hope that all this courage that has been shown means nothing like this ever happens again.”

This story originally appeared on The Sun and is republished here with permission

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Tennis: Alex de Minaur collected his sixth ATP title by winning the Atlanta Open

Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur is on the verge of re-entering the top 20, only four weeks out from the US Open after winning the Atlanta Open for the second time.

The 23-year-old powered to his sixth career ATP title – all at 250 level – and first for 2022, with a 6-3 6-3 defeat of American Jenson Brooksby in 91 minutes.

de Minaur’s victory preceded Australian Open champions Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios claiming the Atlanta doubles final 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 over countrymen Jason Kubler and John Peers.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis have now won 14 of 16 matches together this season, including reaching the Miami Masters semi-finals as well as their maiden grand slam title.

de Minaur’s victory was his second title in Atlanta having also won the singles title in 2019, beating another American, Taylor Fritz, before going on to make the last 16 at that year’s US Open, which begins at the end of August.

The tournament wasn’t held the following season because of the Covid-19 pandemic, while Minaur skipped last year’s edition while recovering from the virus.

Fellow Australian and close friend Matt Reid stepped in to coach him for the week, with his usual mentor, Adolfo Gutierrez, to link up with him at this week’s ATP 500 event at Washington.

Australian Davis Cup assistant coach Jaymon Crabb also supported him in Atlanta.

“My coach (Gutierrez) is currently traveling to Washington. He’s on the plane and hasn’t been able to watch the final, so hopefully when he lands he’ll get a nice, little notification on his phone,” de Minaur said.

“I’ve got Matt Reid over there, who’s helped me out this week. He’s made time out of his very busy schedule to come out here and help me out and we’re undefeated as a team, so thank you very much.

“Jaymon Crabb’s here on Davis Cup business but he’s (also) put in a lot of hours in the hot, hot Atlanta summer.”

Third-seeded de Minaur proved far too strong for Brooksby in their first meeting, breaking the world No.43 four times while dropping serve himself just once.

The match turned in the Australian star’s favor in the sixth game of the opening set when he snatched a 4-2 lead, after staving off a pair of break points three games earlier.

That was enough for de Minaur, who came from a set down in the previous two rounds, to take a one-set lead before the rivals traded breaks to start the second set.

Neither player faced another break point until the seventh game, when de Minaur wore down Brooksby with some extended rallies before the American dumped consecutive tired forehands into the net to concede serve.

The result will see the Australian rise from his current ranking of 30 to 21 – and within sight of his career-high ranking of 15.

de Minaur reached the fourth round at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year but will try to at least match his career-best quarter-final run at the 2020 US Open when he competes in New York.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis smashed 15 aces past Kubler and Peers and converted the only break of the match in the final game to seal a tight straight-sets victory.

It was an unlikely turn of events for Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios, who withdrew before his first-round singles clash in Atlanta with a left knee soreness but continued in the doubles.

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Greg Norman LIV golf mess could end in player boycott, Davis Love III says

Davis Love III has a proposition to solve the divide that the LIV Golf Invitational Series has caused.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, the World Golf Hall of Famer and captain of the US Presidents Cup team expressed frustration over how LIV is plucking players from the PGA Tour and disrupting the sport. So he suggested that he could see a scenario where players boycott a major championship to motivate golf’s governing bodies to ban LIV players from competing in them.

“Well, here’s the biggest lever; and it’s not the nice lever,” Love told Michael Rosenberg of Sports Illustrated. “But if a group of veterans and a group of top current players align with 150 guys on the Tour, and we say, “Guess what? We’re not playing,’ that solves it, right? If LIV guys play in the US Open, we’re not playing. If they sue in court, and they win, well, we’re not playing. You know, there won’t be a US Open. It’s just like a baseball strike.”

The PGA Tour has issued indefinite suspensions to players who are participating in LIV, which in turn has made them ineligible to participate in this year’s Presidents Cup, which is run by the PGA Tour. It also hinders their ability to play in the Ryder Cup, since players need to earn qualifications through Tour events and be a PGA of America member.

While the PGA Championship, US Open and the British Open have all acknowledged the headache LIV Golf has caused, these major championships still allowed qualified players to play in their tournaments this year.

Back in April, Masters chairman Fred Ridley said Phil Mickelson was not prohibited from playing as a past champion despite the fact that the six-time major championship winner was clearly headed toward signing with LIV. Love said he exchanged several messages with Mickelson, who was ultimately one of the first players to go.

Love has tried to convince players they could be making a long-term mistake and has asked if they are comfortable with never playing in the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup again.

“Some of them understood it,” Love said. “Some of them think they are going to court or whatever and are going to prevail, and they’re gonna get to come back. What they don’t seem to understand is that players make the rules. So we can strengthen the rules rather than loosening the rules, right?”

With the deadline to make his captain’s selections for the US President Cup team just a few weeks away, Love has to recognize that players for both teams could potentially leave prior to then and after the FedEx Cup playoffs. LIV is scheduled for two events in September before the Presidents Cup.

This article was originally published by the New York Post and reproduced with permission

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Ne-Yo’s wife, Crystal Renay, accuses him of cheating: ‘8 years of lies and deception’

Looks like Ne-Yo’s wife is about to become “Miss Independent.”

Crystal Renay shared an impassioned statement via Instagram on Saturday, in which she accused her husband of cheating on her with “numerous” other women over the course of their nearly decade-long relationship, reports the new york post.

“8 years of lies and disappointment. 8 years of unknowingly sharing my life and husband with numerous of women who sell their bodies to him unprotected… every last one of them!” her statement from her began.

“To say I’m heartbroken and disgusted is an understatement. To ask me to stay and accept it is absolutely insane. The mentality of a narcissist. I will no longer lie to the public or pretend that this is something it isn’t,” she continued.

Renay, 36, added that she would be focusing on herself moving forward, writing, “I choose me, I choose my happiness and health and my respect.

“I gained 3 beautiful children out of this but nothing else but wasted years and heartache,” the model added of the three kids she shares with the 42-year-old singer — sons Shaffer Chimere, 6, and Roman Alexander-Raj, 4 , as well as 13-month-old daughter Isabella Rose.

She concluded on a conciliatory note that nonetheless conveyed an air of finality: “If someone can’t love you the way you deserve then it’s up to you to love yourself. With no hate in my heart I wish him nothing but the best.”

A spate of celebs and influencers proclaimed their allegiance to Renay in the comments section, offering both condolences and words of support.

“Stand in your truth boo. Now it’s just time for the next chapter in your story. Sending you all the good vibes,” wrote social media personality Landon Romano.

“So sorry,” wrote model and dancer Bria Myles, adding five melancholic crying emojis.

By Sunday afternoon, Ne-Yo responded to Renay’s post via Twitter.

“For the sake of our children, my family and I will work through our challenges behind closed doors,” he explained.

“Personal matters are not meant to be addressed and dissected in public forums. I simply ask that you please respect me and my family’s privacy at this time.”

Renay first started dating Ne-Yo sometime after the two met in 2015 to discuss potentially collaborating on the musician’s upcoming album, according to People.

The R&B star’s ex-fiancee, Monyetta Shaw, 42, — with whom he shares Madilyn Grace, 11, and Mason Evan, 10 — claimed in a 2016 New York Post op-ed that she learned of his involvement with Renay in 2014 , one year after he’d broken up with Shaw over the phone.

In any case, the One in a Million crooner successfully proposed to Renay in 2015, and the two wed a little under a year later — at which time she was nearly nine months pregnant with their first child.

The couple briefly split in 2020 before remarrying in 2022, throwing a lavish ceremony in Las Vegas to celebrate their reunion.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and was reproduced with permission.

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England beats Germany, wins women’s Euros: Football news, reaction

England won a major women’s football tournament for the first time as Chloe Kelly’s extra-time goal secured a 2-1 victory over Germany at a sold out Wembley on Monday morning (AEST).

In front of a record crowd of 87,192 for any match in the history of the European Championships, Kelly prodded home a loose ball from close range to end English football’s 56-year wait for a World Cup or Euro victory.

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England looked set for victory in the 90 minutes when substitute Ella Toone’s sublime chip over Merle Frohms put the hosts in front.

Germany showed remarkable resilience to bounce back as Lina Magull leveled 11 minutes from time.

But for once, England were not to be denied a major tournament success. Kelly fought back from an anterior cruciate ligament tear to be fit in time for the tournament and made herself a national hero by being in the right place to pounce when Germany failed to clear a corner in the 110th minute.

The Manchester City winger tore her shirt off in celebration in scenes reminiscent of Mia Hamm’s famous reaction to scoring the winning penalty for the USA at the 1999 World Cup.

Fortune did not favor Germany, who lost captain and top goalscorer Alexandra Popp to a muscle injury in the warm-up.

But England will feel their time for some luck was due as 12 months on from the Three Lions’ defeat on penalties to Italy in the Euro 2020 men’s final, the nation’s women went one better.

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‘Punched in the face’: Chris Rock reacts to Will Smith’s apology

Hours after Will Smith took to social media to apologize for slapping Chris Rock during the 2022 Oscars, the stand-up took to the stage to wax poetic over the moment.

Rock compared Smith to former Death Row Records executive and currently incarcerated hothead Suge Knight, reported Page Six.

“Everybody is trying to be af***ing victim,” Rock, 57, said during a gig at Atlanta’s Fox Theater Friday night.

“If everybody claims to be a victim, then nobody will hear the real victims. Even me getting smacked by Suge Smith… I went to work the next day, I got kids.”

“Anyone who says words hurt has never been punched in the face,” Rock added, according to People.

The comic is currently touring his new material as part of his Ego Death World Tour. He also touched on the subject during recent shows in New Jersey and New York, co-headlined by Kevin Hart.

Smith’s latest apology — as he also apologized to Rock via social media days after the notorious incident — revealed that Rock has refused to speak to him so far about the moment he deemed “unacceptable.”

“I reached out to Chris, and the message that came back is he’s not ready to talk, but when he is, he will reach out,” Smith said in the video posted to YouTube. “I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I’m here whenever you’re ready to talk.”

Smith, 53, also apologized to Rock’s mother and brother Tony Rock.

“That was one of the things about that moment that I didn’t realize,” he continued. “I wasn’t thinking about how many people got hurt in that moment. I want to apologize to Chris’ mother, to Chris’ family of him, especially his brother, Tony Rock. ”

Tony, who previously worked with Smith on an early-2000s sitcom All Of Ustook Smith to task over hitting his brother, leaving the Oscar winner with the impression that their relationship is now “probably irreparable.”

“Disappointing people is my central trauma.

“I hate when I let people down, so it hurts psychologically and emotionally to know that I didn’t live up to people’s image and impression of me,” he further explained. “The work I’m trying to do is I am deeply remorseful, and I’m trying to be remorseful without being ashamed of myself.”

This article originally appeared on Page Six and was reproduced with permission

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s unprecedented pressure after 12 hellish days

The very best thing about being Harry and Meghan, Duke and Duchess of Sussex, right now, as far as I can tell, is that no one is going to make them go to Birmingham. On Friday, the Commonwealth Games opened in the Midlands city and in the coming days, various members of the royal family will be sent forth to do their flag-waving best.

Never mind that much of Europe is busy slathering on the SPF 50 or that the Queen has begun her usual summer hols or that the beaches of Mustique are calling. To be a working member of the British monarchy this week requires that all available HRHs front up while looking jolly pleased to have to wear a Team GB polo shirt and watch badminton.

Having absconded more than two and a half years ago for sunnier climes and fatter bank accounts, this sort of tedious duty is no longer part of the Sussexes’ lives.

Small mercies, huh?

However, aside from the fact that the couple won’t have to contend with so much polyester and so many hours of archery anytime soon, things are not exactly looking that rosy over Montecito way, with the couple having taken hit after hit over the last 12 days or so.

Rewind to July 18 and Harry and Meghan were jetting into New York where they had an appointment at the UN, with the duke having been asked to give the address to mark Nelson Mandela Day. In the couple strode to the famed building’s foyer, a masterful demonstration of what has become a hallmark of their post-royal careers – purposefully marching into the important buildings for supposedly important meetings and events after which … nothing much would seem to happen.

Anyway, they were back! Back at doing their quasi-royal darnedest! Harry had a speech, Meghan had a Jackie O-esque black dress – what could possibly go wrong?

Well, for one thing, not that many people turned up. As the Duke of Sussex gave his address to him, talking about climate change (conveniently forgetting that the family uses private jets on the reg), disinformation and abortion rights (all the good stars on these fronts) the vast majority of the seats were visibly empty.

For whatever reason, the bulk of the great and good of the international body would seem to have decided to be elsewhere and not watch the sixth in line to the throne have a crack at international statesmanship. (Maybe the UN cafeteria was serving waffles?)

If Harry looked grim when the couple was caught by the paparazzi leaving Italian restaurant Locanda Verde, he had every reason to look sour. That week saw the publication of biographer Tom Bower’s Revenge: Meghan, Harry and the War Between the Windsors.

Bower’s book is a largely unrelenting, highly unflattering take on the Sussexes, casting them as fueled by ego and some misguided notion that Meghan was going to be Diana mark two, aside from the fact that, in the biographer’s telling, she seemed to have no interest in the monarchy, no willingness to learn its fusty ropes and little enthusiasm for the boring parts of HRH-dom.

As the week progressed, Bower did the press rounds, offering a series of caustic takes including that he thought “they pose a real threat to the royal family” and labeling the duchess “a very scheming” person.

What is surprising has been the reaction from Montecito, with the Sussexes having so far not commented. While in the past, the duo have filed multiple court cases against various media outlets and sent out legal letters during the storm over their daughter Lilibet’s name, however in this instance they have remained staunchly silent.

Then came the development playing out in a court in Florida when lawyers for the duchess got into the “subjective” nature of truth. Earlier this year, the former actress was sued by her estranged half-sister Samantha Markle for allegedly telling “false and malicious lies” during her bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview last year.

This week, the Duchess of Sussex’s lawyers moved to dismiss the case, with legal papers filed by their side arguing that Meghan’s description of growing up “as an only child” during the interview was “obviously not meant to be a statement of objective fact” and was “a textbook example of a subjective statement about how a person feels about her childhood.”

While it’s an argument that has more than a tinge of Philosophy 101 (what is truth?) this strategy then raises an obvious question: If Meghan’s characterization about her upbringing was “subjective” then were any of the other devastating claims she made during the two -hour tell-all “subjective” too?

One bright spot on the horizon for the duo during all this was Harry’s successful appeal to the High Court for a judicial review over the Home Office’s decision to no longer automatically grant him full-time bodyguards when he is in the UK.

Except, even this was not exactly a slam dunk; just because the review was granted does not mean it will automatically be successful.

Then there is the cost of the whole legal imbroglio. the Sun has reported that the UK government has spent $156,000 on the case from September last year to May 2020. If Harry’s costs are similar then that would mean he has also spent well into the six figures to argue the case over his security arrangements which only pertain to the handful of days per year he has spent, on average, in the UK since quitting.

That bill could only go up if he ultimately loses the case, with the Home Office having previously said it will look to recover costs if they win.

While August is a traditionally quiet month on the Planet Royal, the rest of the year is shaping up to be a barnstormer of a doozy.

Harry is looking down the barrel of some of the most monumental months of his life since the sonic boom of Megxit, with news his memoir will be published before Christmas and with Page Six having reported that Netflix wants the couple’s “at home” docu series (shush you in the back there yelling “reality show”!) to hit screens this year too.

This book and show will very likely prove to be huge commercial successes for the couple, much needed professional wins after having released exactly no content up until this point for the streaming giant, since 2020 – but at what cost?

If either or both of these projects are focused on little more than the Sussexes launching a fresh volley of complaints about their treatment by the royal family, interspersed with some vignettes of them doing some caring, then they could be playing with fire.

If this scenario came to pass, they would run the risk of looking dangerously like little more than perpetual whingers who are clinging to the self-appointed victim status inside their $20 million mansion at a time when war, fire, floods and monkeypox are blighting the world.

Then there is what toll these two releases could take for his tattered relationship with House of Windsor, a bond that is reportedly hanging by a thread.

as the Sun’s former royal editor Duncan Lacrombe recently told the Daily Beast: “Once the book is out, William will have to make a decision about what he is going to do about Harry, but he is not going to do a thing until he knows what is on.” every page of that book. The reality is that if, as a senior member of the royal family, you have written a tell-all book, you have broken rule No. 1 of the royal family.”

If Harry’s book and/or their Netflix series sees them paint big fresh targets on the monarchy’s backs then will Queen & co. sit idly by and suffer through a fresh hellish round of monarchical character assassinations?

Thus far the Sussexes’ repeated media provocations have been met with a certain imperiousness and contrived dismissiveness from London but should the duke and duchess continue to bait the royal family but we might soon discover that The Firm has some very sharp teeth.

For example, the duo do still, of course, use their gifted Sussex titles from the Queen, day in and day out. While only parliament could officially revoke those titles, that is not to say the weight of the Crown and Harry’s father and brother could not be brought to bear pressure on them to no longer use them.

Would Prince Harry and Meghan Mountbatten-Windsor (or Prince Harry and Princess Henry of Wales) as they could only then call themselves be quite so marketable for Hollywood?

There is so much on the line for them in the coming month – their image, reputations, careers and potentially even a large chunk of money. But, there is always a sliver lining: At least no one is going to be making them sit through a table tennis match any time soon.

Daniela Elser is a royal expert and a writer with more than 15 years’ experience working with a number of Australia’s leading media titles.

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Brisbane Lions loss to Richmond, MCG losing streak, Chris Fagan press conference, why was Darcy Fort sub, Zac Bailey injury

The Brisbane Lions’ premiership hopes took a significant hit on Sunday afternoon, with Richmond putting the side’s top-four hopes in jeopardy following a stunning come-from-behind win at the MCG.

Brisbane at one stage in the first half held a 42-point lead, but was reigned in during a thrilling second-half that ultimately ended in the Lions’ 11th straight loss at the MCG, with the side still yet to win at the venue since 2014.

Despite the loss, Fagan said the MCG hoodoo remained an external talking point rather than a genuine phenomenon.

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Brisbane Lions press conference | 06:30

“It’s our best performance at the MCG for a long period of time I would’ve thought,” he said post-game.

“It doesn’t matter to me but I thought anyone watching the game would’ve thought it was a fantastic game of football. We were in it all the way to the end.

“Richmond had a really strong team tonight outside of Dustin. They had a lot to play for, as did we, we were trying to cement ourselves in the top four, now we’re in a battle, they’re trying to get back in the eight … there was no lack of effort on our side or theirs, it was a good reply in that regard.”

Not helping the Lions’ cause was an injury to Zac Bailey in the opening half, which forced Darcy Fort – a ruckman – into the contest as his replacement.

It was a move that raised eyebrows, but one Fagan was coy on when asked post-game.

“In hindsight it was the wrong decision to have Darcy as the sub. It’s probably something I’d rather keep in-house to be honest,” he said.

“I appreciate you asking the question, but we have our reasons and they’re good reasons, but in reflection tonight it would’ve been better to have a running player for sure.”

Speaking on Fox Footy, Dermott Brereton said Fagan had every right to be more frustrated with his side.

“I wouldn’t like to be sitting on one of the wooden seats inside the rooms as coach Fagan decides to give them a recital of what he’s just seen in the last 60 minutes,” he said.

Richmond Tigers Press Conference | 08:42

“Even though they got to within two goals at three quarter-time, I felt like they could still stabilize, Brisbane. Not until Rioli bombed one from 55m did I go ‘woah, this is really dangerous for them now’.”

Co-host Nick Dal Santo said the MCG factor was less of a concern than the sheer collapse the side suffered in the second half.

“Yes the ground conversation will get brought up and I think rightly so, but more damning and more disappointing from a coach’s perspective and the leaders of this football club is they weren’t able to shut the game down during the third quarter, let alone the last quarter,” he said.

“Lachie Neale got enough of the football, so my question becomes what went wrong and who didn’t stand up?

“Because you can’t ask a lot more from their key forwards, particularly in that first half, but it dropped off so quickly and their inability to minimize the momentum when the Tigers had it.”

Asked if there were elements of a “choke” in the Lions’ loss, Dal Santo said: “You’d have to say yes. But to what degree of a choke, I’m not quite sure.

“But when you’re up by 42 points, you are well and truly in control.”

Brereton added: “I thought they put in well enough to say it wasn’t a choke. Richmond just went back to their tried and true formula.”

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Jake Paul vs. Hasim Rahman Jr. cancelled, why was it cancelled, weight issues, statement, latest, updates

Just one week out from the fight, Jake Paul’s scheduled bout against Hasim Rahman Jr. has been canceled due to Rahman Jr. having serious issues with his weight cut.

The New York State Athletic Commission forced Rahman Jr., who normally fights at heavyweight, to submit regular weight checks to ensure he was cutting weight safely after the 31-year-old was given just one month to prepare.

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But according to Rahman Jr.’s promoter Greg Cohen, he was struggling badly with the weight cut and was sitting at 214 pounds just one week out from the bout.

It forced a complete cancellation of the event and prompted a strongly-worded statement from Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions.

“On Friday, Rahman submitted a weight check to the NYSAC that demonstrated he had lost less than 1 pound since originally signing to take the fight 24 days prior,” the statement read.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 12: Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman face-off during a press conference at Madison Square Garden on July 12, 2022 in New York City.  (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 12: Jake Paul and Hasim Rahman face-off during a press conference at Madison Square Garden on July 12, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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“This prompted the commission to declare that it would not sanction the fight at less than 205 lbs. Still, Jake Paul was prepared to move forward with the fight at this new weight and a new contract was sent to Rahman’s promoter reflecting a 205 lbs. limit, impose strict penalties should he fail to make weight.

“Upon receiving this new contract Saturday morning, Rahman’s camp indicated for the very first time that he planned to weigh 215 lbs. at the official weigh-in and would not agree to weigh-in at 205 pounds and informing Most Valuable Promotions that they are pulling out of the fight unless the fight was agreed to at 215 pounds.

“MVP and Jake Paul will not reward someone that has conducted themselves in such a deceiving and calculated manner. Therefore, MVP is left with no choice but to cancel the August 6th event.

“This forced outcome impacts Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano and every other fighter on this card who have trained endlessly over the past few months for this event. The boxing community must hold Hasim Rahman Jr. liable for his lack of professionalism.”

Rahman Jr. stepped in on one month’s notice as Paul’s fight against Tommy Fury collapsed for the second time.

Fury, the younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, first withdrew due to broken ribs and a chest infection in December last year and then pulled out in July because of visa issues trying to get into the US.

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Entertainment

WWE news: Randy Orton and wife caught out having sex at Madison Square Garden, Big Show

Madison Square Garden is a special place for WWE superstar Randy Orton and his wife, Kim Orton.

On the latest episode of “The Wives of Wrestling” podcast — which is hosted by Jon Alba and also featured Kim and Giovanna Angle, who is the wife of WWE Hall of Famer and Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle — Kim recalled having sex with Orton at The Garden during the most festive time of the year, the New York Post reports.

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“Big Show walked in on us in Madison Square Garden,” Kim recalled.

“He told us the room to go in. A security guard walked in on us. That’s when he had both titles. New, fresh love. There’s nothing better.”

Alba pointed out that the WWE took over MSG around Christmas time in 2013, when Orton was the WWE World Champion. The 42-year-old is currently sidelined with a back injury.

“You f***ed in Madison Square Garden at [WWE’s] Christmas shows? What is wrong with you, woman? Alba asked.

“What do you mean?” Kim asked. “We’re showing Christ our love. I’m so glad my kids don’t like me enough to listen [to the podcast] anymore.”

Kim and Orton welcomed their daughter Brooklyn Rose Orton in November 2016 — a year after the couple tied the knot in Las Vegas. She has three sons from her first marriage, Anthony, Robbie, and Michael. Orton also has a daughter, Alanna, from his first marriage to gymnast Samantha Speno.

“Why do you think my husband fell in love with me, Jon?” Kim asked. “He’s like ‘wait a minute, this chick is something else. She’s a freak.’”

Orton proposed to Kim during a romantic getaway to Bora Bora, and they tied the knot four months later on Nov. 14, 2015. The couple met at a live event in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 2012, while she was a member of his fanclub.

Kim brought up the sex story after the group discussed the cleanliness of title belts after they are won.

“People that have titles, when you first bring that title home make sure you alcohol swab that sh*t down,” said Kim.

“Me and Kurt may or may have done it with his medal… I just had them on. You heard ‘clink, clink, clink,’” Giovanna quipped of her Olympian husband.

This article originally appeared on the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.

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