Yesterday, we asked you to tip both the AFL and NRL games. 

The most popular combination was Hawthorn and Dolphins (32%), but Fremantle came from 19 points down in the final quarter to spoil that one. 

The correct answer, Fremantle and Dolphins, was actually the least popular pick, with just 20% of the vote.

So, it's not just me who's bad at tipping?

🏉 Fremantle have won eight games in a row for the first time since 2015 after coming from 19 points down in the final quarter to beat Hawthorn 88-73 on Thursday night. The Dockers booted the last five goals of the game, with Michael Frederick and Jye Amiss kicking three each overall. At 8-1, it is their best start under coach Justin Longmuir, and they sit alone atop the AFL ladder. Hawthorn lost defender Tom Barrass to a hamstring injury in the second quarter.

🌎 The International Olympic Committee has lifted all restrictions on Belarusian athletes competing in Olympic-sanctioned events, including team sports and under their national flag. The move clears the way for a full Belarusian delegation at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, though Russian athletes remain suspended. World Athletics responded with a statement to media within hours, confirming its ban on athletes from both Russia and Belarus will stay in place until there is "tangible movement towards peace negotiations" over the war in Ukraine.

🏉 The Dolphins demolished the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 44-12 at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night. Dolphins star Jamayne Isaako scored three tries and kicked six goals for a 24-point personal haul, while hooker Jeremy Marshall-King marked his return from a pre-season knee injury with a try in his first game of the year. The Bulldogs lost five-eighth Matt Burton to illness before kick-off and have now lost six of their nine matches this season. 

🏉 Brisbane Lions player Koby Evans has been banned for four matches after using a homophobic slur during a VFL game against Coburg. The 18-year-old self-reported the incident and apologised to his opponent during and after the match. Evans will miss rounds 9 to 12 and undertake LGBTQI+ inclusion education. The AFL Players Association said the league's reliance on punitive measures alone is not working, calling for more “meaningful engagement” with LGBTQIA+ community leaders.

Skip the takeaway this weekend

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Find them in the freezer at Coles and Woolworths.

Talking points: The Reds host the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium tonight with four rounds left in the regular season and the finals race tightening. The Chiefs sit third on the ladder and have won five straight, while the Reds are in fourth and need wins to hold off the Crusaders and Brumbies below them. It is also one of Les Kiss' final home games as Reds coach before he takes over the Wallabies.

How to watch: The match kicks off at 7:35pm tonight (AEST). You can watch it on Stan Sport.

Talking points: The A‑League Women's semi-finals continue this weekend with the second legs. Each semi-final is played across two matches, with the team that scores more goals across both progressing to the grand final. Melbourne City will host Melbourne Victory in another derby on Saturday after winning the first leg 1-0, before Brisbane Roar cross the ditch to Porirua Park to face Wellington Phoenix on Sunday. The Roar arrive with a two‑goal advantage after last week’s win. Wellington has encouraged fans to fill the venue as they look to stay alive in their first finals campaign since joining the competition in 2021. In the A‑League Men’s competition, semi-finals begin this weekend with Auckland FC playing Adelaide United tomorrow afternoon and Sydney FC meeting Newcastle Jets tomorrow evening.

How to watch: The City v Victory match kicks off at 2pm on Saturday (AEST), and the Phoenix play the Roar at 12:30pm on Sunday. You can watch the matches live on Paramount+ and 10 Drama.

Talking points: Collingwood’s Scott Pendlebury will play his 432nd AFL game on Saturday night, equalling Brent Harvey's all-time VFL/AFL games record. The 38-year-old, who made his AFL debut for the same club in 2006, returns after being rested last week. On the field, these two teams have produced a string of close finishes, with Geelong winning five of seven meetings since 2021 by an average of just 10 points. The Cats (6th) beat North Melbourne comfortably last round, while Collingwood (8th) is yet to beat a top-eight side this season. It’s set to be an entertaining Saturday night at the MCG. 

How to watch: The match will begin at 7:35pm on Saturday (AEST). You can watch it on Foxtel and Kayo.

Following your team interstate – or dreaming about catching a game overseas – adds up fast

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