Rugby league veteran to stay at NRL club amid horror start to season
Specialists say coaching ability not affected in immediate future
Craig Bellamy has been diagnosed with an unspecified neurodegenerative disorder but will remain as coach of Melbourne Storm in the immediate future, the club has said.
The club issued a statement 24 hours out from Melbourne’s NRL clash with the Dolphins in Brisbane, with the 66-year-old Bellamy recently undergoing a series of medical tests.
Continue reading...Tigers star agrees to $1.2m-a-season tax-free deal after PNG visit
Try-scoring record-holder Alex Johnston also confirms 2028 move
Jarome Luai has declared he wants to grow a nation after confirming he will leave Wests Tigers to take up a tax-free contact and become the face of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs in 2028.
Luai has signed a two-year deal with the Chiefs, which includes an option in his favour for a third year.
Continue reading...Australia No 1 defeated 6-3 6-1 by 19-year-old in second round
World No 8 has lost six of past 10 matches in alarming stretch of form
Alex de Minaur has suffered a startling defeat, crushed by the latest teenage Spanish wonder boy in the second round of the Madrid Open.
On a day when Carlos Alcaraz caused consternation by announcing his withdrawal from the upcoming French Open with a wrist injury, 19-year-old Madrid local Rafael Jodar filled his place seamlessly by blowing away the Australian 6-3 6-1 in 75 one-sided minutes.
Continue reading...Tribunal verdict upheld that St Kilda player guilty of conduct unbecoming
Reduced four-week suspension comes with two weeks suspended
St Kilda forward Lance Collard will serve a two-week suspension over his latest homophobic slur after having his ban reduced by the AFL appeal board.
Collard was initially banned for seven weeks, with a further two weeks suspended, after being found guilty of calling a VFL opponent a “fucking faggot” last month. He denied the allegation.
Continue reading...Australian loses 6-3 3-6 7-6 (15) to Ukrainian qualifier Daria Snigur
28-year-old drops from No 12 last April to world No 83 in next rankings
Daria Kasatkina’s career in Australian colours has plummeted to a new low at the Madrid Open after she suffered an agonising first-round defeat which will send her tumbling to her lowest world ranking for 11 years.
On a day when all four Australian women crashed out in the clay-court event, Kasatkina suffered the most frustrating reverse, succumbing 6-3 3-6 7-6 (15-13) to qualifier and lucky loser Daria Snigur after being unable to convert four match points.
Continue reading...‘You are loved’: father Ben Hollands shares public message
Blues player admitted to hospital on Monday night
Carlton’s management of Elijah Hollands’ public mental health episode will come under scrutiny from WorkSafe Victoria.
Hollands, 23, was admitted to hospital on Monday night, after his concerning and erratic performance in the Blues’ game at the MCG against Collingwood last Thursday night.
Continue reading...Coach Umaga calls for more support for union in Samoa and Tonga
Super Rugby club’s future in grave doubt beyond this season
All Blacks great and Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga fears the region’s talent will gravitate to league and derail the Tongan and Samoan Test sides without a Super Rugby presence.
The Super Rugby Pacific franchise is set to be disbanded after ownership on Wednesday confirmed it would not continue funding the “unviable” operation beyond this season.
Continue reading...Blues player displayed erratic behaviour in game against Magpies
Coach Michael Voss said 23-year-old was left ‘shattered’ by his performance
The AFL has joined Carlton in supporting a “shattered” Elijah Hollands after the Blues utility suffered a mental health episode during a close loss to Collingwood.
Hollands initially ended Thursday night’s 13.10 (88) to 12.11 (83) defeat at the MCG without registering a statistic, despite playing 75% of the match across the first three quarters.
Continue reading...AFL tribunal hands out seven-week ban to Saints player
Collard denied using slur though he had admitted using it in 2024
St Kilda forward Lance Collard has been banned for seven weeks by the AFL tribunal for directing a homophobic slur towards an opponent.
The penalty, which includes a further two-week ban suspended until the end of the 2027 season, was announced at a sanctions hearing on Tuesday afternoon.
Continue reading...Burrage and Dart overcome Hunter and Perez 6-3, 6-4
Australia to miss BJK Cup finals for second straight year
Australian team captain Sam Stosur’s fears of a “funky” upset have been realised as an understrength Great Britain sent Australia crashing out of Billie Jean King Cup contention.
After the visitors claimed both opening-day singles matches at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena, new British doubles pairing Jodie Burrage and Harriet Dart completed a 3-0 rout in the best-of-five qualifying tie on Saturday. Their 6-3, 6-4 win over Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez gave Great Britain an unassailable lead, sending last year’s semi-finalists into to September’s finals in China. It is the second straight year Australia have missed the eight-nation finals.
Continue reading...Sanction still to be determined after two-day tribunal hearing
21-year-old previously suspended for ‘highly offensive’ abuse in 2024
St Kilda forward Lance Collard has been found guilty of using a homophobic slur against an opponent, leaving his AFL career hanging in the balance.
Collard had rejected suggestions he called his Frankston opponent a “f*****” during a VFL match last month.
Continue reading...17-year-old defeats in-form Australian 7-6(4), 7-5 in qualifier
Harriet Dart beats Kimberly Birrell 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 in Melbourne
Australia’s quest to win a place in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals is off to the worst possible start, losing both opening-day singles matches, with spearhead Talia Gibson falling to British teen Mika Stojsavljevic.
Gibson was expected to get the tie at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena off to a flying start on Friday, but she was a shock loser 7-6 (7-4) 7-5 against the lowly ranked 17-year-old.
Continue reading...Australian golfer saddened by his ‘hero’ facing struggle with addiction
Five-time Masters champion to miss first major after car crash and arrest
Australian ace Jason Day has expressed sadness at Tiger Woods’ plight but taken issue with the golf great’s “selfish” judgement for driving under the influence.
Woods has reportedly checked himself into rehab in Switzerland after being arrested and charged on 27 March after crashing his car near his home on Jupiter Island in Florida.
Continue reading...Kangaroos star sanctioned for wiping blood on opponent’s face
Xerri admits incident during Essendon game was a ‘brain fade’
North Melbourne star Tristan Xerri would have risked a heftier AFL ban had he not shown remorse for wiping blood on the face of Essendon captain Andrew McGrath.
Xerri will miss North’s next three games after he pleaded guilty to his serious misconduct charge.
Continue reading...After years of trying, the AFL has locked in Minogue as pre-game entertainment for 2026 event
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Calls for Australian musicians to perform at the AFL grand final have been answered with pop royalty Kylie Minogue named as this year’s headline act.
The Melbourne-born singer says she is excited to return home for the pre-game show at the MCG in September.
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