Sport
Hotshot Hawks prove they’re prime-time talent, even if Pies are not the scalp they once were
Sam Mitchell’s entertainers are taking football in a different direction. His main challenger for coach-of-the-year honours might be the coach of another team that started the season slowly. Meanwhile, the Bombers are wobbling and the AFL needs to get fair dinkum on the real issues of player safety.
- by Peter Ryan
Paris 2024
46 tests in 52 weeks: How China’s swimmers are being targeted by drug testers
Fresh details have emerged over the increasing number of drug tests China’s swimmers are being forced to take ahead of the Paris Olympics.
- by Tom Decent
7000 words on a five-foot, octogenarian weightlifting coach? The uber-long story you must read before the Olympics
He’s the supercoach who helped Dean Lukin win gold in 1984. And he has another unknown weightlifter ready to shock the world.
- by Emma Kemp
AFL
Updated
Match review
Why the AFL cleared Crow, Bombers over head knocks
The AFL has gone to extraordinary length in explaining why it cleared three players from Friday night’s Essendon-Adelaide clash for incidents involving head knocks.
- by Danny Russell
Analysis
AFL 2024
The quick fixes Carlton must make as they march toward finals
Carlton have taken major strides towards their first flag since 1995, but there are two key issues Michael Voss must address. One crucial question - are they better with two frontline ruckmen or not?
- by Jon Pierik
Insight & Analysis
Do more: These stars must lift as the finals fight heats up
For many teams, the difference between a deep finals run, an early September exit or missing out all together will hinge on key players returning to form.
Kane Cornes
AFL columnist
Were these AFL bans correct, or the suspensions that broke footy?
Debate is raging over the three-match bans upheld by the AFL tribunal for Toby Bedford and Charlie Cameron’s tackles. Is the reaction hysterical hand wringing, or is the game under threat?
Jon Pierik and Peter Ryan
Olympic Games: The truce is out there
The Olympic Games are full of grand, empty gestures. This time, though, the truce feels like it matters in a turbulent world.
Greg Baum
Sports columnist
Cricket
Updated
Australian cricket
Who is Cooper Connolly? The story behind Australian cricket’s newest wildcard
- by Daniel Brettig
Analysis
Australian cricket
Australia are about to tour England. This is why it’s bad for cricket
- by Daniel Brettig
Soccer
Basketball
Updated
Paris 2024
Bogut calls for ex-teammate Mills to be benched as Boomers give stacked Team USA a fright
The powerful US team began with the quintet of Steph Curry, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James and Anthony Edwards, but Australia were still within four points with just minutes to play.
- by Jon Pierik
She’s played at four Olympics, but this hoops legend has never felt so much pressure
She might be an all-time great, but Lauren Jackson has never felt so much pressure as she did before Australia’s Olympic basketball teams for Paris were announced. Like Patty Mills and Joe Ingles, she’s off to her fifth Games.
- by Roy Ward
Racing
Tennis
Nadal thriller four-hour win
Rafael Nadal advances to the ATP final in Sweden after defeating Duje Ajdukovic.
Analysis
Wimbledon
Out-served, outgunned, outplayed: Is this the end of the Djokovic era?
Doubting Djokovic is a dangerous game, but even he is starting to do it.
- by Marc McGowan
NRL
Also in Sport
Matildas lost luggage saga continues
The Matildas are still waiting for their lost luggage to be located, with all of their medical gear still not with them in Paris.
Sisters prepare for special Paris 2024 rivalry
Noemie Fox will compete against her superstar bigger sister Jess, who had the honour of being an official torch bearer ahead of the Olympic Games.
