On this day in 2004, the NFL’s New England Patriots won their 18th straight match, setting a record at the time for most consecutive wins in the league. The Patriots, led by quarterback Tom Brady, lost the following week.

This week, the NRLW’s Sydney Roosters will look to extend their record winning streak to 18 matches when they take on the Brisbane Broncos in the grand final. 

If they do so, they will achieve one of the rarest feats in sport: a ‘perfect season’. In other words, winning every single match in a season on the way to the premiership. 

That’s one thing that not even Tom Brady, the GOAT of American Football, ever achieved.

⚽ Nottingham Forest’s tough start under Australian coach Ange Postecoglou has gone from bad to worse, with fans chanting for him to be sacked after a 3-2 Europa League defeat to Danish side Midtjylland. The loss leaves Forest winless after six games under the Australian, making him the first permanent manager for the team in a century to go without a victory in his opening six matches. Despite the boos, Postecoglou says he “really believe[s] we are on the right track” as Forest prepare to face Newcastle United in the Premier League this weekend.

⛳ PGA of America president Don Rea Jr has apologised for downplaying abusive fan behaviour at last week’s Ryder Cup in New York. The event, won 15-13 by Europe, was overshadowed by vulgar chants aimed at Rory McIlroy and even abuse directed at his wife. Rea had initially compared the heckling to what you might hear at a youth soccer game, but in a letter to PGA members, he admitted “fan behaviour clearly crossed the line” and said CEO Derek Sprague had apologised to McIlroy, his wife Erica, and Ryder Cup Europe.

🛶 Australia has its first medal of the ICF Slalom World Championships, with Kaylen Bassett winning bronze in the men’s C1 at Penrith’s Whitewater Stadium. The 28-year-old trailed France’s Nicolas Gestin and Britain’s Ryan Westley in windy conditions to claim his best-ever world finish. Fellow Aussie Noémie Fox placed ninth in the women’s C1, but she’ll get two more chances when she races the kayak and kayak cross (the event where she won Olympic gold in Paris) later this week.

Grand finale season can’t afford to be taken out by a cold

Whether you’re playing, coaching, or cheering from the sidelines, staying well is non-negotiable. The Blackmores Immune Rapi-Melt is packed with nutrients like vitamin C, zinc and selenium to support immune system health – no pills, no water, just a quick citrus-flavoured melt that fits into your day. 

Take it in the car, on the field, or during your warm-up. It’s a simple way to help your immune system stay ready when it matters most.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. 

Talking points: The Wallabies will look to bounce back from last week's 33-24 defeat when they face the All Blacks in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup Test in Perth. Coach Joe Schmidt has made five changes for the Wallabies' final Test of the year on home soil, with halfback Jake Gordon and lock Will Skelton returning to the starting side and prop James Slipper set to play his 151st and final Test. Tane Edmed will start at fly-half, while Filipo Daugunu earns his first start of the year on the wing. While the Bledisloe Cup was retained by the All Blacks last week, Australia will be desperate to level the series in front of a home crowd and end the Rugby Championship on a high. 

How to watch: The match begins at 7:45pm tomorrow. You can watch it on Channel 9 and Stan Sport.

Talking points: The NRLW Grand Final will kick off the weekend’s rugby league action on Sunday as the Sydney Roosters face the Brisbane Broncos at Accor Stadium. The Roosters are unbeaten in 2025 and chasing consecutive titles, while the Broncos, who feature two-time Dally M winner Tamika Upton, have lost only once all season (to the Roosters in Round 3). Brisbane impressed with a dominant preliminary final win over Newcastle, while the Roosters edged the Sharks 17-16 thanks to Jocelyn Kelleher’s late field goal. The Roosters have won their last five matches against Brisbane, but if there’s any team that can put an end to the Roosters' perfect season, it’s the Broncos.

The NRL Grand Final will see the Melbourne Storm face the Brisbane Broncos at the same venue in Sydney. This grand final pits the losers of the past two grand finals against each other. The Broncos lost to Penrith in 2023, and the Storm fell to Penrith in 2024. The two sides have met twice this season, with the Storm winning 22-2 in Round 23 and the Broncos triumphing 30-14 in Round 27. This match sees Storm coach Craig Bellamy reach a record 11th grand final and chasing a fifth premiership as coach, the most recent being 2020. Brisbane, meanwhile, has stormed into the grand final after a remarkable comeback against Penrith to end the four-time reigning premiers' dynasty in last week’s preliminary final. The last time the Broncos won a Grand Final was in 2006 (against Melbourne). History favours Melbourne, who have won 17 of their past 19 matches against the Broncos, but Brisbane’s momentum makes this a genuine toss-up for the 2025 premiership.

How to watch: The NRLW Grand Final begins at 4:00pm on Sunday. The NRL Grand Final begins at 7:30pm on Sunday. You can watch both matches on Channel 9. The NRLW will also be available on Foxtel and Kayo.

Talking points: Formula One heads to Marina Bay this weekend for the Singapore Grand Prix, the sport’s original night race. All eyes are on Max Verstappen, who has recorded back-to-back wins in Monza and Baku and is 69 points behind Piastri in the drivers' championship. Verstappen has never won in Singapore. For Piastri, it’s a chance to rebound from his first non-finish of the season and to extend his 25-point lead over McLaren teammate Lando Norris, who was the winner of last year’s Singapore GP. McLaren can also wrap up the Constructors’ Championship (team title) if they collect just 13 points. Hot, humid conditions and the street circuit’s unforgiving layout promise a gruelling contest, with the potential for another surprise podium.

How to watch: The race begins at 11:00pm on Sunday. You can watch F1 on Foxtel or Kayo. 

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