COMMENT: Big, powerful and direct.

A documentary detailing the closing years of Adam Goodes’ career has highlighted how the delay the AFL took in responding to booing compounded the racist treatment of the dual Brownlow Medallist.

It’s Australia’s smallest British Open contingent in almost half a century, but Jason Day says don’t rule out the prospect of the Claret Jug finally returning Down Under.

Canterbury coach Dean Pay has hit out at the referees after his side copped another lopsided penalty count in their loss to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has been handed a six-week suspension from football and a 75,000 pound ($A133,000) fine for breaching betting regulations.

Piers Morgan trolled former Open champion David Duval after he made a horror 13 on the par 5 seventh at Royal Portrush.

Broncos winger Corey Oates was awarded a penalty try in Brisbane’s win over the Bulldogs that catapulted him to the top of the try scoring list.

Australia have survived their sternest test at the Netball World Cup, holding out a hard-charging New Zealand to win a thriller 50-49 in Liverpool.

The Knights are reportedly set to ban their players from certain Newcastle pubs and clubs after another incident at the weekend.

Bulldogs captain Josh Jackson emulated Panthers legend Scott Sattler with a brilliant try-saving tackle on Broncos winger Corey Oates.

Brisbane are still in the hunt for an NRL finals spot after their young forwards inspired a 28-6 victory over Canterbury at Suncorp Stadium.

Hawthorn great Jason Dunstall says veteran Hawk Shaun Burgoyne would be the “perfect person” for the Gold Coast Suns.

There were farcical scenes in the first half of the Broncos clash with the Bulldogs after Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs was placed on report for lifting his knee in a tackle involving Bulldogs forward Corey Harawira-Naera.

JOHANNESBURG — Tom Banks couldn’t be denied first crack at the Wallabies fullback jersey vacated by Israel Folau, according to Australian coach Michael Cheika.

Sydney FC manager Steve Corica has announced defender Alex Wilkinson as the new club captain, taking the armband from Alex Brosque who retired after the Grand Final victory against Perth Glory.

TOKYO — Australia have the potential to cause yet another Rugby World Cup surprise later this year in Japan, according to former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw.

Ryan Girdler has thrown up the Roosters as a possible destination for out of favour Tigers five-eighth Josh Reynolds.

Fijian No 8 Isi Naisarani will make his long awaited Wallabies debut while fullback Tom Banks and halfback Nic White are among the intriguing inclusions to tackle the Springboks in the Rugby Championship opener at Ellis Park on Sunday (1.05am AEST).

Ahead of the start of this year’s Rugby Championship, we take a look at some classic encounters from the competition as well as its predecessor, the Tri-Nations.

Matthijs de Ligt became the most expensive defender in Serie A history after completing a 75 million euro (A$120 million) transfer from Ajax on Thursday.

Need a hand with your AFL tips?

Former Australian cricket captain Ian Chappell has revealed that he has been undergoing intense radiation therapy after being diagnosed with skin cancer.

JOHANNESBURG — The Wallabies have covered all bases in their side to face South Africa in Saturday’s (Sunday 1.05am AEST) opening Rugby Championship Test at Ellis Park, including debutants, redemption stories and players rewarded for Super Rugby form.

Fremantle will be without captain Nat Fyfe for its crucial clash with Sydney.

St George Illawarra have confirmed the return of a key forward for their clash with the Panthers.

We’re coming up to Round 18, but for some players, their AFL season hasn’t even started.

Mark Coyne will resign from his high-profile rugby league position on the ARLC if he is asked following a foul-mouthed tirade at Singapore authorities.

Super Rugby’s leading tryscorer, Sevu Reece, has been named to make his All Blacks debut against Argentina while four more rookies are on the bench for the Rugby Championship opener.

Super Rugby coach Robert du Preez, who calls his media critics “cockroaches,” has quit the underperforming Sharks a year before his contract expired.

Josh Reynolds has opened up on being told by Wests Tigers to look for another NRL club.

JOHANNESBURG — Christian Lealiifano won’t be there to see it but he’s backing his Brumbies teammate Tom Banks to handle the Springboks at the Ellis Park cauldron in the Rugby Championship Test on Saturday (Sunday 1.05am AEST).

All the talk has been about his future but Chaz Mostert — with form at Supercars’ next event — has cast his gaze towards closing the gap on runaway championship leaders Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard.

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s fielding of a second-string team for their Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies shouldn’t be seen as a sign of disrespect, according to coach Rassie Erasmus.

It’s that time of year again!

JOHANNESBURG — The wheels are in motion to find a successor for coach Michael Cheika should the Wallabies not win the Rugby World Cup later this year.

A World Cup always seem to create magic moments and this final gave us possibly the greatest one-day international of all time.

NRL legend Gorden Tallis has tipped a monster upset this week as table-toppers Melbourne take on the cellar dwelling Titans.

Gold Coast executive chairman Dennis Watt has dismissed reports the club could move to Brisbane.

The most telling glimpse into Formula 1’s future has been revealed, with the sport unveiling further details around the planned 2021 regulation changes.

He finished on the Brownlow podium last year — and now a key Demon is being played out of position.

Amazon have announced they will be airing a Manchester City-style behind-the-scenes documentary with Borussia Dortmund — showing off all of the club’s secrets.

JOHANNESBURG — The Wallabies’ hopes of a breakthrough Rugby Championship win at Ellis Park have suffered a blow with a number of key players including Brumbies ace Christian Lealiifano sent home.

Welcome back to the latest edition of the RUMOUR MILL.

It was the moment that inspired a nation and put rugby firmly on the map: Japan stunning the Springboks 34-32 at the 2015 World Cup in Brighton to pull off the game’s greatest upset.

Will Snelling will make his club debut less than two months after Essendon selected the midfielder in the mid-season rookie draft.

Gold Coast halfback Ash Taylor will return to playing this weekend with Queensland Cup team Tweed Heads.

Geelong coach Chris Scott says it’s disingenuous for the AFL to claim it’s fair to schedule the Cats to host finals at the MCG just because they play a couple of nominal home games there every season.

Manny Pacquiao is 40 years old but his workout regimen in the lead-up to his title fight against Keith Thurman remains out of this world.

Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury has been given the “all-clear” from his surgeon to play against GWS on Saturday.

“We expect to be playing finals in 2020. Absolutely. I think anyone would expect our club to be aiming for that.”

St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor has defended omitting Ben Hunt as his side’s NRL season goes on the line against Penrith on Friday night, saying he put the million-dollar playmaker’s welfare first.

St Kilda will consider asking the AFL for a priority pick in the draft due to a season heavily impacted by unforeseen non-traditional injuries.

Former Hawthorn sharpshooter Ben Dixon has urged the floundering Gold Coast Suns to “trade every ounce of talent” they have and recruit a minimum of 12 established players the club can build a nucleus around.

Lewis Hamilton has backed “great” Sebastian Vettel to put his latest high-profile mistake behind him and re-emerge a stronger force.

St Kilda great Nick Riewoldt believes two moments from late in Richmond’s Round 17 win over GWS are proof they are “looming” in the premiership race.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has ruled out any interest in signing unwanted Tigers half Josh Reynolds as a replacement for James Maloney at the end of the season.

Ben Cousins appeared happy and healthy on a recent outing to an Asian restaurant in Perth with the brothel madam who he lived with last year.

Billy Vunipola has drawn a line under his homophobic comment supporting Israel Folau, saying he doesn’t want to harm England’s World Cup rugby bid.

A mid-season trade period could be implemented as soon as next year, with league football operations boss Steve Hocking confirming discussions are ongoing between the 18 AFL clubs and AFL officials.

St Kilda caretaker Brett Ratten has made his pitch to return to senior AFL coaching ranks, acknowledging his opportunity to audition for the vacant top job at the Saints while also refusing to rule out a potential return to Carlton.

Mystery surrounds the withdrawal of hot medal prospect Shayna Jack from the Australian swimming team just days ahead of the world titles in South Korea.

Sheffield Wednesday claim they are “taking the appropriate legal advice” after Newcastle United confirmed the appointment of Steve Bruce as their new manager.

Manly are expected to tie exciting back-rower Jack Gosiewski to a new deal, keeping him at Brookvale Oval until 2021.

Former Auckland Grammar School teacher and coach David James Gordon drew his last breath on Monday morning, just moments after protege Jimmy Neesham belted a six into the stands during the Cricket World Cup final’s thrilling climax.

Brooks Koepka doesn’t win golf tournaments. He wins majors.

England will look to spin their way to victory on a worn pitch in Taunton, in the lone Test of the women’s Ashes series beginning on Thursday.

Richmond young gun Jack Higgins won’t play again in 2019 following hospitalisation after a brain bleed.

Roosters star Luke Keary came agonisingly close to making his State of Origin debut for NSW this year, but a report suggests Queensland have not given up hope he could be ‘reclassified’.

Charles Leclerc admitted he raced “harder” than usual with Max Verstappen at the British Grand Prix following their controversial clash in Austria.

Brisbane star Lachie Neale has shown the full effect of Port Adelaide’s much-discussed niggling tactics from Sunday’s game — and given a Hawthorn legend a cheeky clip on the way.

Opener Jason Roy will make his England Test debut against Ireland at Lord’s next week after starring in England’s World Cup triumph, but paceman Jofra Archer is injured with a side strain.

Premiership Kangaroo Wayne Schwass has hit out at AFL football operations boss Steve Hocking, saying the latter’s desire to reduce tackling numbers will leave the game in worse shape.

Charlie Austin stunned Southampton teammates with an astonishing rant at boss Ralph Hasenhuttl.

With $240 million under his belt, Ben Simmons can do just about anything he damn well pleases — but his decision to dodge the World Cup has baffled a former Boomers guard.

Enes Kanter just couldn’t help himself.

Novak Djokovic has repeatedly shrugged off Nick Kyrgios’ podcast taunts — until now.

Adelaide coach Don Pyke has made it crystal clear that his coaches weren’t laughing at Gold Coast’s performance during their thumping win at Metricon Stadium on Saturday night.

I was out for dinner with Steve Bruce three weeks ago.

Details of Mark Coyne’s foul-mouthed arrest have been made public, with the charge sheet from Singapore Police alleging he abused an officer by calling him a ‘dog’ and a ‘c**k’.

Australia A have idled to a draw with the England Lions, who put up a stubborn resistance in their four-day match in Canterbury.

The final NBA domino left to fall is a second Chris Paul deal.

Should the Wallabies take out this year’s World Cup in Japan, every player will pocket a bonus $125,000 as part of a potential $5.5 million pool of money.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will leave Perth with a big smile on his face — and it’s largely thanks to his 17-year-old gun striker.

He was banished by the Sea Eagles for failing to meet “professional standards”.

Veteran lock Eben Etzebeth will lead a weakened South Africa in their Rugby Championship Test against the Wallabies in Johannesburg.

England right back Kieran Trippier has signed for Atletico Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur, the two clubs have announced.

Germany’s Hossein Ensan outlasted Italy’s Dario Sammartino and Canada’s Alex Livingston to claim the $10 million title at the 50th World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas.

A rival club is interested in trading in Hawthorn veteran Shaun Burgoyne to help him reach the 400-game milestone and help the club’s young list develop.

The 2019-20 NBL season is arguably the most anticipated in its history, and it’ll open with a Melbourne derby that features the league’s newest team.

Rugby league legend Mark Carroll has slammed the Dragons for resting million dollar star halfback Ben Hunt for their Round 18 clash with the Panthers.

A little more than a year ago, Caleb Ewan was devastated to be left out of the Tour de France.

The Tigers have reportedly told Josh Reynolds he is free to negotiate with other clubs about a new home in 2020.

Eight NRL clubs are circling, but Gold Coast are set to splash the cash to keep Jai Arrow at the club long term with the biggest contract in their history.

If their poor performance in the Premier League last season didn’t inspire Aaron Mooy to leave Huddersfield Town, then perhaps their new kit might.

Manchester United made it two pre-season wins from two as they signed off the Australian leg of their tour in style with a 4-0 thrashing of rivals Leeds in Perth.

Premier League club West Ham have announced the signing of striker Sebastien Haller from Eintracht Frankfurt for a club-record fee.

Dual North Melbourne premiership player David King has criticised St Kilda for its “disrespectful” handling of Alan Richardson’s departure.

With Socceroo legend Tim Cahill’s fingers not his feet working their magic in Kuala Lumpur, Australia have been drawn Nepal, Jordan, Taiwan and Kuwait in the second Asian qualifying round for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which also serves as first qualifiers for the 2023 Asian Cup.

Brisbane are mulling a positional switch to improve their defence against Canterbury.

Newcastle risked stoking the anger of their frustrated fans by hiring former Sunderland boss Steve Bruce as their head coach on Wednesday.