From the scrap heap to the top: Head’s road to AB Medal
There have been plenty of setbacks in Travis Head’s career, but he has ascended to three-format superstar. He talks to DANIEL CHERNY about the road to the top.
Sport
Hero surgeon who saved spinner’s tour stunned by Kuhnemann
The quick-acting surgeon who answered a late-night SOS to save Matt Kuhnemann’s Sri Lankan tour has been amazed by spinner’s “incredible’’ comeback.
‘We’re not great yet’: Lyon’s rallying call as he eyes 2027 Ashes
They hold every available bilateral Test trophy as well as the World Test Championship crown, but Australia are still not a great team yet, according to Nathan Lyon.
Star Eagle cleared over street fight after investigation
Liam Ryan has been cleared by the AFL after the star Eagle appeared in a street fight in videos on social media. Read what the AFL had to say.
In-form Matilda sidelined by ankle surgery
The Matildas will likely be without in-form winger Sharn Freier for their next tournament in the US.
Flood carnage: Cowboys stars, staff on evacuation alert
Flooding in north Queensland is threatening to send Todd Payten’s pre-season preparations into disarray, with a Maroons star and multiple players and officials told to be ready to evacuate their homes.
Cricket journalist dumped by SEN over social media posts
Veteran broadcaster and former cricket writer at The Australian Peter Lalor has been dumped by SEN over “differing views” on conflict in the Middle East.
‘Serious talent’: ‘Merv’s little mate’ still going strong
Tim O’Brien stood 151cm when he made his debut for Footscray in District cricket. Twenty-five years later, he’s still rolling out his leggies, as captain of Werribee in the Victorian Sub-District association.
One-day icon Bevan honours Jones after hall of fame surprise
Two-time World Cup winning star Michael Bevan has become the latest inductee in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, and the first beneficiary of a recent change in criteria.
The delicate Travis Head dilemma Australia needs to confront
Australia faces a puzzling dilemma when it comes to handling Travis Head’s future, writes Robert Craddock. Plus, will Nathan Lyon follow in Shane Warne’s footsteps at the Allan Border Medal?
Mum’s the word on Healy’s future
All-conquering Australian skipper is likely on the last lap of her international cricket career as family life beckons.
IOC finally finds a spine to protect women’s sport
Now that Thomas Bach is rapidly losing his grip on the IOC, gender ideology will soon be usurped by biological reality.
Olympics boss rejects conflict of interest claim over $2.5bn arena
Stephen Conry insists he lodged declarations to address any ‘perceived conflicts of interest’ between his former high-flying corporate job and heading the agency charged with getting the 2032 Games build back on track.
Athletics’ civil war over whistleblower
Australia’s athletics governing body has rebuked the WA Institute of Sport over its treatment of whistleblower Paul Burgess, urging its leadership to support the Olympic gold medal-winning coach.
One question the Fox sisters can’t stop asking as focus shifts to LA
Jessica and Noemie Fox hit home waters for the first time since their Paris Olympic success after months of celebrations, honours, new opportunities and one very interesting conversation.
Bulldogs poach Warriors wrecking ball for 2025 season
Canterbury have produced a stealth signing ahead of the 2025 season by adding one of the most promising props in New Zealand to their NRL roster.
NRL predicted teams: Souths scramble after Walker blow
A pre-season injury to Cody Walker will test the Rabbitohs, who lost Dean Hawkins and Lachlan Ilias over the off-season. Full predicted round one teams
Why Sharks star hasn’t watched the past six NRL grand finals
Vegas-bound Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo hasn’t watched the NRL grand final for almost a decade – and until he makes one with the Sharks, he won’t be tuning in.
Insta DM, first date, house work: Kayla Fenech dishes on Bradman
Kayla Fenech, the daughter of boxing legend Jeff, reveals how Bradman Best courted her and why the Knights star isn’t allowed to lift a finger at home. That and more in Saint, Sinner, Shoosh.
Reid unsighted as fitness intrigue continues
While West Coast ‘think’ Harley Reid has escaped serious injury, the young star was again missing fron training on Monday. ELIZA REILLY has details plus more in track watch.
Jones hit with monster blow as Dogs’ injuries mount
The injury news keeps getting worse and worse for the Western Bulldogs, with a massive blow dealt to its defensive stocks after key pillar Liam Jones learned the extent of his hamstring strain.
Conspiracy? The real reason more first-round compo is coming
Last year, clubs were shocked St Kilda was handed first-round free agency compensation for Josh Battle. Now, the truth behind what happened – and why it will continue – can be revealed.
Horne-Francis on midfield move, solving Port’s forward line puzzle
Ken Hinkley wants more midfield time out of Jason Horne-Francis in 2025. But what does the Power star himself think of the change? Plus more track watch notes here.
‘We cannot get a fix here’ Ex-Wallabies skipper’s retirement fear
“You’d almost rather have a long-term injury.” Those are the words of former Wallabies skipper Dave Porecki, revealing he didn’t know if he’d be back from his gruelling battle with injury.
Waratahs trial standouts, Suaalii injury and a rugby dream for young gun
It’s a time he hated but this painful interlude in Waratahs young gun Henry O’Donnell’s life could well pave the way to his future success in the game. Tahs v Brumbies trial wrap
‘Best No.12 I can’: Rugby goal of son of an NRL gun Zach Fittler
After a code switch that surprised many, teen powerhouse Zach Fittler has spoken about his love of rugby, opening up on the rollercoaster that is playing with a famous rugby league surname.
Tahs suffer early Suaalii blow with injury icing debut
Superstar Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s hotly anticipated debut in the NSW Waratahs jersey has been cruelled by an injury.
Why half of all transfers end in tears
The curious thing about transfers is that despite the enormous amount of money spent on them, many simply just don’t work out.
Sam Kerr faces UK trial this week over police officer ‘harassment’
The Matildas captain will face a four day trial, two years after being charged with racially aggravated harassment of a police officer.
Young gun taunts Haaland as Ange’s Spurs bounce back
Arsenal blew Manchester City away to keep their title hopes alive, with Erling Haaland’s comments from last time around coming back to bite him. PREMIER LEAGUE WRAP.
Stan buy me: Optus mulls sport deal
Speculation over the future of Optus Sport as a standalone subscription offering at the telco has been rife, and its key asset for a potential buyer is the English Premier League.
Blue bolter? Unknown young gun turning heads at pre-season
The Blues are in no rush to decide on their final list spots for the upcoming season, but one VFL livewire is doing all he can at pre-season to get himself on the list.
‘Still see him every day’: Neal-Bullen on Goodwin connection
Alex Neal-Bullen might now be a ‘fully fledged Adelaide Crow’, but he still shares a special connection with his former coach. The new recruit opens up on the trade away from the Dees.
Lyon has created a three-headed spin monster
Australia’s second greatest wicket-taker finally has the support to take down the subcontinent giants on their own soil.
Humiliation as spin twins make short work of England
England had one of its best sessions of the tour only to capitulate to its worst ever Ashes series loss.
Perfection: How Aussies fared in historic Sri Lanka Test win
Australia has romped to a historic win by innings and 242 runs, consigning Sri Lanka to their biggest ever Test match loss. Find out how Australia’s XI rated here.
Freo track watch: Pearce injures ankle, All Stars hopes in air
Fremantle captain Alex Pearce was forced off the park on Saturday, with the Indigenous All Stars match just two weeks away. ELIZA REILLY has details and more in track watch.
Dons track watch: Opening Round hints, ruck roles, Tsatas stars
The Bombers took to the track on Saturday for some match simulation, revealing plenty of hints as to how they might shape up for Opening Round against the Suns. More here.
Smith lauds near flawless form as Kuhnemann cleans up
Steve Smith has lauded his side for a “near flawless performance” after Australia retained the Warne-Muralitharan Trophy by inflicting Sri Lanka’s worst shellacking in Test cricket history.
‘Positions up for grabs’: Leake keen for Giant start as Devils loom
GWS are looking towards the next generation and Tasmanian James Leake is eager to break into the side. Plus the young Giant touches on his future — with the Devils entering the AFL in 2028.
Building brands: How AFL stars are capitalising on fame
Whether it’s a podcast, cooking up a storm or slinging drinks, these AFL stars are making a splash off the field. It’s the new generation – and it’s only the beginning.
Angry Ange digging his own grave
The Australian’s tenure as Spurs has the same stench as his final days as Socceroos manager.
Sutherland century one for the MCG record book
England’s Betty Snowball was the closest a female batter had come to featuring on the MCG’s honour boards – until Annabel Sutherland went where no woman had gone before.
The self-doubt that haunted Mitchell Starc
With the veteran closing in on 100 Tests, he reveals that for years he was unsure whether he was good enough for Test cricket.
New Aussie spin King takes a stand
In the great VIP section in the sky, you imagine Shane Warne nudging Rod Marsh and Richie Benaud and telling them: ‘Take a look at this.’
Why sack Konstas in Sri Lanka? You wouldn’t run Winx in the Melbourne Cup
Cricketers are getting used to the selectors’ policy of horses for courses. It’s about time fans did too.
Storms threaten crushing win as Aussies seek decisive plan
More storms are forecast on Saturday as Galle’s fickle weather threatens to prevent a crushing Australian victory in the first Test.
Matildas star shuns A-Leagues for shock transfer move
A Matildas veteran’s new club has been revealed – and it wasn’t what fans expected. ERIN SMITH has the details.
Sri Lanka top order decimated after Khawaja heroics
Sri Lanka’s top order was decimated as Australia tightened its first Test grip on a record-breaking day at Galle International Stadium.
Barrel of laughs as Robinson makes a winning start at Pipe
Is this Jack Robinson’s year for the world surfing title? He’s off to a flyer at the greatest challenge in surfing.
Why Sam is keeping it simple
At a time when most of Australia couldn’t have been keener to see him play, Sam Konstas just took his demotion in his stride.
Who can fill Demons’ year-long positional void?
When Andrew Brayshaw retired weeks out from Round 1 last year, the Demons scrambled to fill his role. Twelve months on, they’re still scrambling. Here are all 18 clubs’ major positional battles.
Captain Smith finds that elusive single run that got away
Steve Smith needed one run. It took him one ball. Was he relieved to join the 10,000-run club? No. Emotional? Not even close. Doing cartwheels from one end of Galle to the other? No chance.
How Smith’s fellow Aussies got to 10,000
One did it with a push to mid-on, one with a cut shot to the boundary and the third a drive through covers. Here’s the tale of the first three Aussies to reach 10,000 runs.
Olympians demand authorities reinstate sacked hockey director
Eighteen elite Australian hockey players have demanded former Kookaburras captain Brent Livermore be reinstated after being sacked from Hockey NSW.
Desperation for Ex-Hawk to stand up as Tiger cubs stake Rd 1 claim
An ex-Hawk continues to train in defence as the Tigers look to cover two key pillars of the back six. Plus a number of draftees are in the frame for game time next month in the lead up to round 1.
Track watch: No love lost as spot fires emerge again in Sydney
The Warner brothers didn’t square up for round 2 this time, but yet again Sydney players had to be separated from one another as pre-season heats up. Plus more on a re-signed Swan.
McGuane: Lowly Blues backline has more questions than answers
The backline has to be in order to contend for a premiership. Aside from Jacob Weitering, what else do the Blues have, asks Mick McGuane. See where your club ranks down back.
Athletics’ bizarre rebrand to give sport ‘bold new identity’
The nation’s governing body for track and field events says it is “reimagining what athletics means to Australians” by renaming from Athletics Australia to Australian Athletics.
Who are Australia’s three leading run-scorers in all internationals?
Plus for which AFL club did tennis player Lleyton Hewitt’s father, Glyn, play and who was the last man to coach both England and the British and Irish Lions?
Coniglio on track for return as young Giants steal the show
Stephen Coniglio faced one of the “most difficult periods” of his career after injuring his shoulder last year, but is on track for round 1. Plus, see the latest from the GWS match simulation.
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