NRLW:
Cronulla Sharks remain the only undefeated after three rounds, after they came from behind to beat the Raiders on Saturday 24-12. The Sharks still have Origin star Emma Tonegato on the sidelines.
The Dragons caused the upset of the season so far, when the previously winless St George-Illawarra went up to Newcastle and defeated the defending champions 18-10. New Zealand rugby sevens gold medallist played her first game of the season after flying in from Paris.
There were more Olympic champions taking to the NRLW field, when the Broncos welcomed King’s kiwi teammate Stacey Waaka into the lineup, and the speedster helped Brisbane to their first win of the season. The 44-4 win over last year’s Grand Finalists Gold Coast was the Broncos’ biggest ever win and also the Titans’s heaviest loss. Broncos wrecking ball centre Mele Hufanga scored four tries - the second season in a row she’s achieved the feat.
In the other round three games, Parramatta were back on the winner’s list defeating the Cowboys, and the Roosters overpowered an injury-hit Tigers, leaving Wests as the only team without a win.
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL:
The Sydney Uni Flames delivered when it counted, winning the Women’s National Wheelchair Basketball League gold medal on the weekend.
Having been undefeated through the regular season, defending champions Perth Wheelcats met the Flames in the major semi final, but Gliders star Hannah Dodd and the imposing presence of Annabelle Lindsay combined effectively to defeat the Wheelcats on Saturday, then backed it up to repeat the same result in the decider.
Dodd was named both Player of the Season and MVP of the Finals.
BASKETBALL:
NBL1 Grand Finals
The five competing teams for the upcoming National titles have been decided, after the remaining four conferences crowned their Grand Final winners.
East - UC Capitals WNBL player Nicole Munger topped off an incredible season, helping lead Newcastle Falcons to the title over Sutherland. Munger was also conference MVP and Grand Final MVP.
South - it was a battle of the Southside Flyers’ WNBL champion co-captains… literally. Waverley’s Bec Cole and Keilor’s Maddy Rocci both competed for the ball in the first half and had a huge collision, with Bec required to leave the court for treatment. She returned and helped the Falcons to win in a quality game featuring many WNBL players on both sides.
Central -
Central Districts had three players scoring 20 or more points as they produced a huge 30-12 final quarter to come from six points down at the final break against Forestville and win.
West - Despite 30 points from Perth Lynx player Alex Ciabattoni, Rockingham were too strong for Cockburn. Three Flames players recorded double doubles, including Finals MVP Player Alex Sharp.
The four teams will join Queensland’s Southern District’s finals this week on the Sunshine Coast. Spartans replace North champions Rockhampton who are unable to take part.
CRICKET:
Australia A wrapped up a 3-0 T20 series win over an Indian A team in Brisbane.
Tahlia Wilson and captain Tahlia McGrath dominated with the bat during the series, while the bowlers shared the wickets - young Queensland spinner Grace Parsons’ 4/30 in game two was the biggest haul.
SURFING:
Aussie Sally Fitzgibbons won the Huntington Beach event in California, the second time she’s won that title. The victory secures her place on the famous location’s Surfing Walk of Fame. It also sees Sally jump from third to first in the WSL Challenger Series rankings.
CLIFF DIVING:
Aussie Rhiannan Iffland continued her dominance of the Red Bull Cliff Diving series, taking out the latest stop in Oslo, Norway, ahead of Canada’s Molly Carlson. Rhiannan increases her lead in the overall standings.
PARIS:
The final weekend of action from the Paris Games saw Aussie women add a few more medals, highlighted by three performances:
Having not won a medal since London 2012, the Stingers water polo side went into the gold medal match against heavyweights Spain guaranteed a medal. Despite having more time in possession, Spain’s defence was next level, and they won the match 11-9, giving the Aussies a much deserved medal after an incredible tournament where they were undefeated until the final game, eliminating triple Olympic champions USA along the way.
Also in the early hours of Sunday morning, runner Jess Hull made her season of incredible form count, producing a historic performance to win silver in the 1500m. Jess became just the third Aussie woman to win a track medal this century, and the first woman from Australia to medal in the 1500m.
The Opals won the final medal by Aussie women when, led by Ezi Magbegor’s greatest statistical performance ever by a woman at the Olympics, overcame a tenacious Belgium by four points in the bronze medal playoff. It’s Lauren Jackson’s fifth medal from five Olympics, and a great reward for the service of veterans such as Tess Madgen, Cayla George and Marianna Tolo. Alanna Smith’s consistent tournament was recognised with being named in the tournament All-Star 5, Ezi was in the Second Team, while young gun Jade Melbourne was named Rising Star at her first Olympics. USA won a cliffhanger gold medal match against France by just one point.