NRLW:
The return of NRLW saw both of 2023 Grand finalists win their opening match of the season, while the two semi finalists lost in very different circumstances.
Premiers Newcastle opened the season with a gritty win over the Roosters. The Knights lead 10-0 with just 12 minutes remaining before the Roosters scored two late tries, including one in the final minute. Had tryscorer Jocelyn Kelleher kicked the conversion, the game would’ve gone to golden point, but the Knights held on.
The Parramatta Eels have already equalled their win record from last year after a seriously impressive win against the Broncos in Brisbane. The Eels had 62% of the ball, helped by Brisbane giving away a massive 12 penalties, and looked a different side to 2023. Cassey Tohi-Hiku was good in her first match in the halves, as was Rachael Pearson with her kicking game. The only negative was a small fight near the end of the match involving Annetta Nu’usuala and Cherrington sisters Kennedy and Rueben. Nu’usuala faces time on the sideline for striking and dangerous contact.
Cronulla look like a side who might make a charge at finals this year after doing enough in wet conditions to defeat a disappointing Cowboys. The North Queensland side had more possession and opportunities but couldn’t find the tryline. The Sharks did all the scoring in the first half, with former Rugby Sevens player Cassie Staples crossing twice.
On Sunday, 2023 Grand Finalists Gold Coast Titans looked good in their win over the Dragons at a very windy Wollongong. Lauren Brown was on fire with her kicking game, making almost 400m for her team as well as landing a sideline conversion into the wind from one of Emily Bass’ three tries, while Evania Pelite scored a try and ran over 200m. Opposite fullback Teagan Berry was good for the Dragons when she got involved, scoring one try and setting up another.
In the final game, the game was essentially over after 20 minutes as the Canberra Raiders ran out to a 22-0 lead against the Tigers. Raiders captain Simaima Taufa led her team in both tackles and running metres, while Tigers co-captains Bo Vette-Welsh and Kezie Apps tried hard to get their team back into the match.
SUPER NETBALL:
We have our grand finalists.
Melbourne Vixens will play the Thunderbirds in Adelaide for the trophy on Saturday after a heart stopping win over West Coast Fever in the Preliminary Final.
After a fairly even first half, the Vixens started to get on top of Fever shooting star Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, double teaming her in defence. With Jhaniele taking 54 of the Fever’s 58 shots, the tactic worked as West Cosst were unable to provide her assistance at the shooting end, forcing uncharacteristic errors and turnovers from the Jamaican star. At the other end, Kiera Austin was outstanding for the Vixens, keeping her side in the game early with deadly accurate shooting, while fellow Diamond Sophie Garbin was back to her best after a quiet game last week.
It’s the second season in a row the Fever have lost the Preliminary final by one goal. The grand final sets up a rematch of last week’s major semi, and the Vixens will be working hard this week to ensure they reverse the result from that match.
CRICKET:
The Hundred tournament in the UK is almost through a week of matches, with Aussies having an impact for their teams. Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning and Georgia Redmayne are all in the top ten for runs scored at this early stage, while Amanda-Jade Wellington sits on top of the wicket takers, with Heather Graham, Annabel Sutherland and temporary replacement Erin Burns also in the top group of bowlers.
Lanning and Redmayne’s London Spirit and AJW’s Oval Invincibles are the only two undefeated teams so far.
PARIS 2024:
Australia’s women led the way over the weekend, claiming all four of Australia’s gold medals - Grace Brown in the Cycling Individual Time Trial along the wet cobblestone roads of Paris; Ariarne Titmus defended her 400m Freestyle title; the 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay team made it four titles in a row, with Emma McKeon claiming a record sixth gold medal; and Jess Fox’s incredibly tense and emotional Kayak win, which none of us who got up to watch will ever forget.
There were first up wins for the Hockeyroos, who came from behind to defeat South Africa, the Stingers water polo team against China, and the Aussie Sevens girls are looking good after winning their opening two matches - they play again Monday night in the final pool game before the quarter finals early Tuesday morning. Maddi Levi has been incredible with seven tries already across the two games.
Then there were the Matildas and an 11 goal game that can only be described as wild. Trailing 5-2 into the second half, the Tillies made some changes and put the Zambian defence under a heap of pressure, forcing errors and a penalty in the box. Veteran Michelle Heyman was the super sub, scoring with just minutes remaining to give Australia a 6-5 win and keep their hopes alive of progressing. They’ll face a much tougher test against USA, who were very impressive against Germany with a 4-1 win.
Plenty of Aussie rowing crews moved through the next stage, with genuine medal chances among them including Tara Rigney (Single Sculls) and McIntyre/Morrison (Pairs). Also on the water, Skiff sailors Olivia Price and Evie Haseldine started well in their first three races.
Some athletes made finals and put in great efforts, including Chloe Covell in Street Skating, Anabelle Smith/Maddi Keeney in 3m Synchro Diving, and Bec Henderson’s 13th in the Mountain Bike.
Others came up against tough first opponents in early stages. World number four Surfer Molly Picklum’s loss on day one put her against sixth ranked Johanne Defay in order to progress, and was eliminated in round two - Tyler Wright is still there for Australia. Tennis stars Ajla Tomljanovic and Daria Saville, who came up against Coco Gauff and Qinwen Zhang respectively, suffered first round losses. Gauff and Jess Pegula were also too good for Saville and Ellen Perez in doubles. Badminton debutant Tiff Ho did her country proud in a first match loss, and shooter Elena Galiabovitch was 37th in Air Pistol Qualifying.