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Erin SmithSports reporter

Erin Smith is a sports reporter for the National Sports Network and CODE Sports. She is die-hard sports fan with a passion for football, women’s sports and Olympics.

@_Erin_Smith

Erin Smith

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Sport

NCA. PARIS FRANCE 2024 OLYMPIC GAMES. Australian mens hockey player Tom Craig was arrested for allegedly buying cocaine on the streets of Paris on Tuesday night. Tom walks free from a Paris Police station. Picture: Michael Klein

Disgraced Olympian slugged with monster cocaine ban

Australian hockey star Tom Craig has learned his fate over the Paris Olympics cocaine scandal – with the Kookaburras gun set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines.

Socceroos

Australia's coach Graham Arnold (C) reacts to the referee as Australia's Awer Mabil (L) and Indonesia's Calvin Verdonk (R) wait during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification football match between Indonesia and Australia at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on September 10, 2024. (Photo by ADITYA AJI / AFP)

Wasteful Socceroos’ fatal flaw exposed by world’s 133rd best team

If there are three key components to football, the Socceroos scaped pass marks for two of them against Indonesia. But the one they got wrong could doom their World Cup qualification campaign.

Socceroos

DOHA, QATAR - JANUARY 13: Keanu Baccus of Australia is challenged by Lalengmawia Apuia of India during the AFC Asian Cup Group B match between Australia and India at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Socceroos road to 2026 World Cup set to get even harder

Socceroos midfielder Keanu Baccus says he only expects qualifying for this and future World Cups to get harder as more and more Asian countries invest more into national football teams.

ExclusiveA-League

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 02: Tameka Yallop of the Roar celebrates after scoring a goal during the A-League Women round 18 match between Brisbane Roar and Melbourne City at Perry Park, on March 02, 2024, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Revealed: Brisbane Roar’s plan for new home

Brisbane Roar CEO Kaz Patafta has revealed the team’s $10 million plan to revamp Perry Park, without the need for government funding, reports ERIN SMITH.

A-League

Sydney FC's new Brazilian and former Juventus and Bayern Munich world football superstar DOUGLAS COSTA has arrived in Sydney to a large welcome by Sydney FC fans at Sydney International Airport. Costa touched down at 5.30pm on 31 August 2024, and was greeted by Sky Blues and Brazilian fans waving flags and banners. Picture: Supplied - MUST CREDIT Jaime Castaneda

How Costa’s OnlyFans deal will grow ‘intimate connection’ with fans

Millions of fans around the world will get a sneak peek into life as an A-Leagues player with superstar Douglas Costa penning a deal with social media platform OnlyFans to promote his time at Sydney FC.

Women's Football

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - JULY 31: Alanna Kennedy #14 of Team Australia shows her dejection after losing the Women's group B match between Australia and United States during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de Marseille on July 31, 2024 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Why cash-strapped Matildas are failing to keep up on world stage

After a horrible 12 months from the Matildas, and a crucial lead in to the 2027 World Cup ahead, Football Australia is pleading for funding for women’s football or it could quickly be left behind.

Surfing

SAN CLEMENTE, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 5: Jack Robinson of Australia surfs in the practice session prior to the commencement of the Lexus WSL Finals on September 5, 2024 at San Clemente, California. (Photo by Pat Nolan/World Surf League via Getty Images)

Aussie hopes crash at World Surf League finals

Olympic silver medal winner Jack Robinson won’t have any extra silverware to add to his trophy cabinet after being bested by Brazilian surfer Italo Ferreira at the World Surf League finals.

Socceroos

GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 05: Australian Head Coach Graham Arnold looks on during the round three 2026 FIFA World Cup AFC Asian Qualifier match between Australia Socceroos and Bahrain at Robina Stadium on September 05, 2024 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Socceroos’ biggest problem exposed in shock Bahrain defeat

Australia’s long road to the World Cup is off to a poor start following a surprise 1-0 defeat to a side ranked 60 places below it which highlighted a familiar problem for Graham Arnold’s side.

Football

The Wanderers have secured one of the biggest signings in A-League's history, signing former Manchester United star Juan Mata. Picture: Getty Images

Wanderers land World Cup winner in massive signing coup

The Western Sydney Wanderers have pulled off one of the biggest signings in A-League’s history – luring a former Manchester United and Chelsea star to the club.

Football

The Aussie football team gifted an extra 95 years of life

There’s one big difference between Australia’s newest national football team – the Blue Heelers – and the Matildas and Socceroos. If things had gone differently, every player in their squad would be dead.

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