Diamonds sparkle in Barbados mismatch
A NEAR-perfect first quarter netball masterclass from Australia set-up a Diamonds demolition of Barbados at the Gold Coast Convention Centre.
Australian Team
Comeback king Kyle wins 200m gold for ‘fun’
HE claims he needs more practice swimming the 200m, but that didn’t stop Kyle Chalmers mowing down his rivals to win gold ahead of fellow Aussie Mack Horton in a huge personal best time.
Sprint supremos drop the hammer on rivals
IN THE house that Anna Meares built, Matthew Glaetzer and Stephanie Morton confirmed their status as Australia’s sprint king and queen with back-to-back gold medals.
Emma’s syked for sevens heaven
EMMA Sykes was late for school the morning the Australian women’s sevens team won in Rio in 2016. Now she’ll be leading the team around the park in its quest for Commonwealth gold.
Swimmer’s dad captures the heart of a nation
STEVE Titmus captured the hearts of the nation on swimming’s opening night with his frenzied cheering as daughter Ariarne went within a fingernail of winning the women’s 200m freestyle.
Birdman charts his flight path on gold pursuit
DANE Bird-Smith will have the depth of first-hand knowledge of a course which normally falls to golf greats like Greg Norman and Tiger Woods when he strives to win Australia’s first 20km walk gold on Sunday.
Boomers show why they’re favourites for gold
AUSTRALIA were a long way short of their best given late withdrawals, late arrivals, injuries and a lack of match fitness in the NBL-based squad, but they rallied to send a stern warning to their rivals.
Families set to party with our golden heroes
THE families of South Australia’s newest Commonwealth Games cycling champions were anxiously waiting to celebrate with their gold medal heroes in Brisbane on Friday.
Mum’s depression fears for Cate after Rio
FOR Cate Campbell’s mother Jenny, the sight of her daughter slicing through the water on the way to a world record-breaking relay win on Thursday night brought emotions of pride, exhilaration … and relief.
Diamond advice: Behave, you’re on show 24/7
BEING at the Commonwealth Games is a privilege and one every athlete and official has a duty of care to respect. The world is watching. Diamonds coach Lisa Alexander gives us exclusive insight into live in the village.
World on notice as men’s relay team finally delivers
HOMETOWN hero Cameron McEvoy says Australia’s men are looking to repeat the efforts of their female counterparts by snaring relay gold in record time on Friday night.
World record falls in pursuit of happiness
THE men’s team pursuit world record fell with a breathtaking ride as Australia dominated the first night in the velodrome with three gold medals.
Revenge and redemption on record breaking night
CATE Campbell, who returned from the Rio Olympics shattered and uncertain of her future, rebounded by handing in the fastest relay split of all time on a night of glory for Australia with world records and five gold medals.
She’s back! Cate’s incredible comeback
IN her first major international meet since taking a post-Rio sabbatical year in 2017, Cate Campbell put her rivals on notice with a gobsmacking time as she and her relay team-mates smashed their own world record en-route to gold.
Mack turns up heat to burn rivals for gold
MIGHTY Mack Horton turned cold-blooded racer supreme to deliver the first gold of Australia’s medal rush just a month after he feared Queensland’s heat would boil away his superpowers in the pool.
Ariarne mus-sed it by that much
ARIARNE Titmus was meant to be the 17-year-old who upset the apple cart against world championship medallist Emma McKeon. But someone forgot to tell Canadian teen Taylor Ruck.
The inside story of Sally’s Games heartbreak
THE early warning signs we should have seen and the brave face in a time of true grief at the opening ceremony – the full story behind Sally Pearson’s Commonwealth Games withdrawal.
What’s next for golden girl Sally?
SALLY Pearson must be increasingly flexible about her training schedules if she hopes to bounce back from her Gold Coast disappointment at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Nurse Lynch saves scrappy Roos
NURSE Rachael Lynch became the Hockeyroos emergency services operator as the Australians were given a sobering jolt in the first round of their title defence.
Rain clouds have silver lining for Birtwhistle
JAKE Birtwhistle has thanked the Gold Coast crowd for braving a downpour and helping him storm home for Australia’s first medal of the Commonwealth Games.
Gentle’s medal bid runs out of legs
AN emotional Ashleigh Gentle says she has been left shattered after a poor run leg cost her a medal in the women’s triathlon on the opening day of the Commonwealth Games.
Jack’s the heartbeat of relay team
WHEN swimmer Jack Cartwright’s max heartrate soared over 200 beats per minute during Commonwealth Games selection trials, his Gold Coast hopes looked headed into an ambulance right along with him.
‘Bad, shocking, terrible’: True cost of Sally loss
THE news sent shockwaves around our loungeroom.“Sally Pearson has just called a media conference,” said an obviously stunned triathlon commentator Dave Culbert.
Smile and focus on the athletes
THERE were fashion disasters, grating television hosts but nothing beats the look of wonderment and joy on every athlete’s face as they enter the stadium, writes Mike Colman.
Just another test for young swimmer
SHE’S already had to skip university exams to compete on the Gold Coast, but 18-year-old swimmer Laura Taylor had to undergo another undesirable test on Sunday, and one that’s not proved ideal for her Games preparation.
A ‘beautiful night’ that went horribly wrong
CHARLOTTE Caslick has told of the “beautiful night” that went horribly wrong when Australian rugby sevens captain James Stannard was coward punched.
The Games event fit for a hero
HE may be the most decorated soldier in Australia’s history and a coveted Victoria Cross recipient, but MG Ben Roberts-Smith revealed a surprising sport he will be glued to during the Commonwealth Games.
Perkins: Sally just happy to play her part
SALLY Pearson won’t be miffed in any way at not being chosen as flagbearer, says KIEREN PERKINS, and may yet get her moment in the limelight at these Games.
Tegan hopes to lift medal back home for “Team Napper”
LOTS of Australian athletes are looking forward to competing at a “home” Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast this week.But it will be even more special for Adelaide-based weightlifter Tegan Napper, who hails from the host city.
Youngest guns lead the way
EMMA Adams was the youngest member of Australia’s shooting squad at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games four years ago.Now the 19-year-old’s best friend, Tori Rossiter, has that title ahead of this week’s event on the Gold Coast.
From rivals to Commonwealth Games teammates
BEACH volleyballer Chris McHugh spent the past decade building up a fierce rivalry with Victorian Damien Schumann. Now they’re set to team up at the Commonwealth Games.
Representing small club on international stage
STARPLEX Swim Centre high performance manager Stephen Garner saw James McKechnie’s potential seven years ago. Now McKechnie is set to make his Australian debut at the Commonwealth Games.
Bikinis, bodies, selfies: Athletes settle into Games village
IT looks more like a luxury resort holiday rather than one of the most competitive sporting events in the world, with competitors kicking back and relaxing in style at the Gold Coast athletes’ village. SEE THE PICTURES. (Pic: Instagram/@declancarruthers)
Alexander chuffed to land starring role
AUSTRALIAN netball coach Lisa Alexander first thought she was in trouble when contacted by Commonwealth Games organisers last week. But her worry soon turned to delight when she was asked to read the Coaches’ Oath at the opening ceremony.
Quiet achiever perfect fit to carry flag
MAL MENINGA calls him Cameron Smith with a hockey stick and he might just be the most honourable Australian sportsman you have never met.
Knowles to restore pride to Australian sport
SALLY Pearson has been pipped for the honour of carrying the Australian flag at Wednesday night’s Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in favour of hockey legend Mark Knowles.
Nipper’s best birthday present ever
GEORGIE Holyman turns 11 on Wednesday and will celebrate with a starring role in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.
Perkins: Two world records, one furious coach
IT’S not often the thrill of breaking a world record is quickly followed by the sensation “Oh man, I’m in trouble” but that was exactly my reaction after the 1500m freestyle final in 1994, writes Kieren Perkins.
No hard feelings as Aussie chases NBA dream
BOOMERS coach Andrej Lemanis holds no grudge against Mitch Creek for pulling out of the Australian team on the eve of the Commonwealth Games.
Gymnastics success on Georgias’ minds
GOLD Coast-bred gymnasts Georgia Godwin and Georgia-Rose Brown have been selected to spearhead the women’s team with pivotal roles in their hometown Commonwealth Games.
Horton won’t ease stance on drug cheats
MACK Horton says he would have no hesitation in calling out cheats again if athletes were found to have brought drugs into the Games village.
Trophy-hunter Goulding chasing gold
FRESH from leading Melbourne United to the NBL title and claiming the Larry Sengstock Medal for grand final MVP, Chris Goulding has his sights set on Commonwealth Games gold.
Sharni Layton opens up on ‘mental health injury’
NETBALLER Sharni Layton says she has felt “really alone at times’’, breaking down as she talks about a “mental health injury” which has sidelined her for the Commonwealth Games.
Parker back from brink for Games chance
LAUREN Parker starts a new chapter in her life on Saturday, 354 days after she was convinced she had little to live for.
Lukin gets angry and grabs huge gold
AUSTRALIA had won Commonwealth Games gold medals in weightlifting before but no one had ever seen anyone like Dean Lukin.
‘We need you, Sally! Heroes are hard to find’
WITH Australia embroiled in a sporting armageddon, Hollywood superstar and Rabbitohs owner Russell Crowe sees a saviour on the horizon. Enter Sally Pearson! And she’s up for the challenge.
How to get your exclusive Comm Games pin
ONLY 7 days to go! Get into the Games spirit with limited edition Gold Coast 2018 Official Borobi Pin Collection, available via the token in The Courier-Mail from Wednesday, April 4. Pin your hopes on the Aussies and collect all five!
Must-watch Comm Games showdowns
THEY are here! Some of the best athletes from around the world have hit the Gold Coast for the Commonwealth Games. Before things officially kick off, check out some of the biggest head-to-head battles we can’t wait for.
Perkins: Cate the key to Dolphins, Aussie hopes
A REFRESHED and confident Cate Campbell is in the form and mindset to trigger a Dolphins gold rush and our swimmers, in turn, will set the tone for the entire Australian team, writes Kieren Perkins.
Kurt Fearnley’s unforgettable Delhi debut
THE heat and craziness of Delhi in 2010 holds a special place in the heart of wheelchair champion Kurt Fearnley.
Cricket cheats won’t overshadow Comm Games
AUSTRALIA’S Comm Games competitors have the chance to restore the country’s pride on the back of the cricket cheating scandal that has left a disillusioned public questioning whether athletes can be considered role models.
When Tracey was queen of the pool
TRACEY Wickham was closer to pulling out of her final race than swimming for Commonwealth Games glory in 1982 when it took a crazy, horn-honking bus ride to get her to the blocks in the right mood.
Jamaica netball danger team at Games
It’s official. Australia’s biggest threat to their defence of netball’s Commonwealth Games gold is not New Zealand.
Riley puts 18th birthday plans on hold
RILEY Day will delay her 18th birthday celebrations this week to focus on a Commonwealth Games preparation which now includes a 200m race against Jamaica’s Olympic sprint double champion Elaine Thompson.
Confused, exhausted but McMahon nails it for Diamonds
THE gold medal match for netball at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester is remembered for being one of the greatest matches in the sport’s history.
Shooter heads to Commonwealth Games – at age 16
TORI Rossiter is in high school, learning to drive and loves going to the movies with friends. She is also heading to the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games next month with an air rifle – as the youngest member of Australia’s shooting team.
Shy kid who swam her way into Aussie hearts
AT only 15 years of age, Hayley Lewis became a household name with an inspiring performance at the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
Diamonds prepared for Silver Ferns form
AUSTRALIAN netball coach Lisa Alexander is expecting old foes New Zealand to perform far better than anyone expects at the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
NSW Swifts down England in Games practice
THEY are the team touted as the most likely to cause an upset at the Commonwealth Games but the NSW Swifts have beaten England in a major upset.
Why Bruton says Boomers are right on target
CJ BRUTON was always proud to wear the green-and-gold singlet of Australia. But the Boomers guard remembers an extra imaginary feature on the basketball uniforms at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Sevens squads unveiled for Commonwealth Games
AUSTRALIA has unveiled its sevens rugby squads for the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, with the code making its women’s debut at the tournament and the men looking to better their bronze medal from four years ago.
Match that broke Steve Waugh’s heart
STEVE Waugh loved every moment of the 1998 Commonwealth Games but losing the final to below strength South Africa left him furious.
Mottram’s perfect MCG race spoiled by an ‘unknown kid’
CRAIG Mottram says his kids don’t believe him when he tells them he owned the MCG for a night at the Commonwealth Games in 2006, but he did.
Genius swifty that left them all in Wenden’s wake
HE is one of the greatest Australian swimmers of all time but qualifying for the 1970 Commonwealth Games was one of the most bizarre experiences of his swimming career.
How Rocky steered Boyle to ‘82 victory
IT was the event which made her a Commonwealth Games legend but Raelene Boyle cannot hide the truth … she hated it, writes Robert Craddock.
Rising 800m star to face his biggest test yet
THE next lesson of Queenslander Joseph Deng’s athletics education will be to race two top Englishmen in Brisbane before his Commonwealth Games debut.
Gentle finds silver lining in hard fall
ASHLEIGH Gentle’s early disgust at crashing out of the opening round of the world triathlon series has turned to gratitude after she realised how close she came to missing the Commonwealth Games.
Hauser gets big boost in Mooloolaba
SOUTH African Richard Murray may have sealed the win but it’s Aussie young gun Matt Hauser that’s likely to have taken the most confidence from the Mooloolaba World Cup after finishing a close second to the triathlon heavyweight.
Bobby Knuckles wants his boots back
ROBERT Whittaker is set to again create history in April when he becomes the organisation’s first champ to compete at a Commonwealth Games.
The ‘Miracle Mile’ that almost killed a runner
IT was dubbed “the Miracle Mile”. But by the end of the marathon, a world record holder had wilted in the extreme heat and collapsed — within sight of the finish line — after covering a gruelling 27 miles.
‘The home crowd cheer would hit your heart’
THERE is nothing like a home crowd to spur you on to success. Just ask our history making female gymnasts who dominated in Melbourne in 2006.
How an unknown Aussie knocked off a giant of athletics
WITH a 50m lead heading into the final lap, reigning Olympic 5000m champion John Ngugi looked home for all money, but then Andrew Lloyd dug deep and something special happened. WATCH THE VIDEO.
Newley chasing golden piece of Games history
BRAD Newley is the only player left from Australia’s gold medal-winning Commonwealth Games team from 2006. Twelve years on, the veteran is aiming to become the only Boomer to win two Commonwealth titles.
Smile please! Meares’ bizarre pre-race request
ANNA Meares won three gold medals at the Delhi Commonwealth Games but she will remember the event fondly for a completely different reason.
Victory lap! Susie O’Neill’s act of rebellion
AT the 1998 Commonwealth Games Susie O’Neill owned the pool and decided to celebrate in an unusual fashion.
Crash fright for Games hope Ashleigh Gentle
ASHLEIGH Gentle has suffered a major fright on treacherous roads ahead of her bid to win Commonwealth Games triathlon gold.
Carnage as Gentle crashes in Abu Dhabi
COMMONWEALTH Games medal hope Ashleigh Gentle has survived a massive scare after coming off her bike on a dangerously slippery course in the opening round of the World Triathlon Series.
Pearson bombs ahead of Comm Games
AUSTRALIA endured a day to forget on day three of the world indoor athletics championships as main medal hopes Sally Pearson and Ryan Gregson crashed out in their semi-finals.
Lionhearted Willian kicking Games goals
IN HIS backyard fairytale, Luke Willian joined the Brisbane Lions’ Fab Four to kick them to premiership glory — but it’s the Gold Coast rather than the Gabba that holds the key to Willian’s sporting dreams.
Glasgow golden girl’s shock Games snub
DEFENDING Commonwealth high jump champion, Eleanor Patterson, has been sensationally overlooked for selection in Australia’s 109-member team for next month’s Games.
Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/commonwealth-games/australian-team/page/6