Australia’s most watched women’s sports competition kicks off tonight with the NRLW!

You may have clocked the wave of headline rugby union players switching codes this year (which makes my rugby union loyalist heart wilt a little), but it is hard not to be excited about what it does for the league. The talent boost is real and it sets up an exciting season.

Scroll down to find out which players have crossed codes this season.

Two.
The number of years the WTA Tour finals were held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On Thursday, the WTA confirmed the season-ender will move to Indian Wells, the location of what's often nicknamed the fifth grand slam.

“I had a chip on my shoulder. I wanted to return well and show that I still love the game and want to be one of the best… I've been working really hard on, it’s called metacognitive awareness. It's the notion that you're not your thoughts, you're purely an observer of them.”
Geelong star Bailey Smith in an interview with 7NEWS, reflecting on the 2025 season and crediting cognitive behavioural therapy with his psychologist for his changed attitude. Last season, AFL boss Andrew Dillon warned Smith about his behaviour, which included joking about using cocaine and flipping off a fan. Smith returns with the Cats tonight against Brisbane after illness. He has averaged 32 disposals and seven score involvements across 14 games this season.

Two of the red cards handed out at this year’s World Cup (so far) wouldn’t have been given in previous tournaments. They’re due to a new rule banning players covering their mouths during a confrontation. The International Football Association Board unanimously approved the rule in April, after an incident in the Champions League targeting Vinícius Jr. Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón became the first player to be sent off for it in their 1-0 win over Türkiye last month, and Ecuador’s Piero Hincapié became the second in their 2-0 loss to Mexico yesterday.

From country Victoria to the Premier League — via a Deakin degree.

For Calvin Philp, it started with an Exercise and Sports Science degree at Deakin University - including a semester abroad at San Diego State through Deakin's international exchange program, an experience he says was one of the best of his life.

From there, he spent 4.5 years at the Tasmanian Institute of Sport, was on the bench running the rotations for the Western Bulldogs' 2016 AFL premiership side, before holding a senior Strength and Conditioning role at Port Adelaide.

In 2024, he landed his current position as First Team Physical Performance Coach at Everton FC in the UK.

Inspired by Calvin? Your journey could start at here – at the #1 sport science school in the world and global leader in sport education*

^{*Shanghai Ranking of Sport Science and Departments 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and QS World University Rankings by Subject Transparency: This is a sponsored part of the newsletter - the best way to keep the newsletter free for you.}

🥊 Boxing Australia CEO Dinah Glykidis has resigned weeks before the Commonwealth Games begin on 23 July. The organisation is now without a head coach, integrity manager, CEO, or permanent high performance manager. Head coach Santiago Nieva resigned in December, while integrity manager Kelly Loakes told the ABC on Monday the organisation “was no longer aligned to my professional values”. At the same time, high performance manager Jonathan Hall is on leave. In his stead is former national coach Jamie Pittman, who chose not to contest findings last year that he had sexually objectified women and has since served a six month suspension. Glykidis’ departure comes against this background, as well as last week’s social media posts from Olympic boxer Marissa Williamson Pohlman alleging the organisation bullied her, which Boxing Australia has denied. Glykidis said she was “proud of what has been achieved during [her] time”.

🎾 Coco Gauff won her second straight grass court match for the first time since 2024, beating Solana Sierra (6-3, 3-6, 7-6) at Wimbledon. The win came seven years to the day after she stunned Venus Williams on the same court as a 15-year-old. Meanwhile, Barbora Krejčíková upset Mirra Andreeva after saving six match points, and Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, and Jessica Pegula all advanced in tight matches. Novak Djokovic raced past Stefanos Tsitsipas in 98 minutes, saying he felt “happy and satisfied”.

🏉 St Kilda and Essendon have emerged as surprise contenders for Brisbane midfielder Lachie Neale, the dual Brownlow medallist who is off contract at the end of this season. In January, Neale stood aside as co-captain of the Brisbane Lions after confirming his marriage had ended and that it was the right time for the team to move forward with new leadership. Neale is expected to meet Saints coach Ross Lyon this weekend, according to 7NEWS. Collingwood also emerged as another contender for Neale earlier this month.

Claude, the AI for scientific discovery

Researchers at Australia's Garvan Institute are partnering with Claude to do what wasn't possible before: analyse genomic data at massive scale to understand how our genes cause rare diseases, and accelerate treatments to cure them. When science and AI come together, the future of human health gets a little brighter.

Here’s the latest on the FIFA World Cup.

England came from behind in Atlanta to beat Congo DR 2-1, sealed by two late goals from captain Harry Kane. Brian Cipenga struck early for the DRC before both sides created a string of chances but failed to find the back of the net. Kane headed the equaliser in the 75th minute and then fired the winner into the near post 10 minutes later. The result pushes England into the Round of 16 where they will face co-hosts Mexico on Monday (AEST), at the Mexican team’s home stadium. It also means Kane has overtaken Pelé on the list of the most men’s World Cup goals.

Belgium produced a stunning turnaround to beat Senegal 3-2 after extra time. Senegal led 2-0 and looked set to advance before Romelu Lukaku sparked a late comeback and Youri Tielemans scored twice, including a penalty in the final seconds, to complete one of the tournament’s most dramatic finishes.

Co-hosts the U.S. beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 despite playing more than half-an-hour with ten players. Folarin Balogun scored before being sent off after stepping on Tarik Muharemović’s ankle. Even down to 10, Malik Tillman was able to bury a late free kick to secure the result. The U.S. will face Belgium on Monday.

There are three games tomorrow. Spain faces Austria, Portugal takes on Croatia, and Switzerland faces Algeria.

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The 2026 NRLW season kicks off tonight, with all 12 clubs beginning their campaigns for this year’s premiership.

The season-opener sees the Cronulla Sharks host the Newcastle Knights at Sharks Stadium in Sydney.

Here's what you need to know before kick-off.

The NRLW is Australia's premier women's rugby league competition and enters its ninth season this year.

The league has grown rapidly in recent years, expanding from six teams in 2022 to 12 clubs by 2024. Last season also welcomed two new teams: the New Zealand Warriors and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.

Each club has strengthened its squad during the off-season, with some of the biggest signings including Indie Bostock (Titans), Krystal Blackwell (Raiders), Keilee Joseph (Eels), Kirra Dibba (Knights), Shaylee Bent (Wests Tigers) and Warriors duo Gayle Broughton and Mele Hufanga.

The Brisbane Broncos enter the season as the team to beat after winning last year's premiership and are aiming for back-to-back titles.

They’ve added former Knights star Tamika Upton, who reunites with halfback Jesse Southwell, while Queensland and Jillaroos prop Shannon Mato strengthens an already powerful forward pack.

Young players including Ivana Lauitiiti, Kasey Reh and Ryvrr-Lee Alo are also tipped to make an impact this season.

One of the biggest storylines this season is the number of elite rugby union players switching to rugby league.

Fifteen players with rugby union backgrounds have joined NRLW clubs, continuing a trend of athletes moving between the two sports.

Olympic Rugby Sevens star Teagan Levi headlines the list, joining the Titans after six years with Australia's national program and a stint with the AFLW's Gold Coast Suns.

Madison Ashby also returns to rugby league after becoming one of Australia’s most successful Sevens players, while Olympic gold medallist Sariah Paki joins the Roosters.

The 15-a-side game has also lost experienced talent, including former Wallaroos Player of the Year Ashley Marsters, who joins the Cowboys, and Wallaroos veteran Layne Morgan, who has signed with Parramatta.

All 12 teams will play each other once across 11-regular season rounds before the top six qualify for a three-week finals series to decide the 2026 NRLW premiers.

Every match will be broadcast live on Channel 9, Foxtel and Kayo.