Today, we’re trying out a new Friday newsletter. We’ve changed up the format a little bit to something that we think makes more sense as the last newsletter before heading into a full weekend of sport.

As always, let us know what you think by leaving feedback at the end of the newsletter or replying directly to this email.

⚽ Matildas star Steph Catley has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or Féminin, the most prestigious award for an individual in women’s football. The 31-year-old defender, who played a starring role in Arsenal’s Champions League victory this year, is one of 30 nominees who have been shortlisted. The winners of the men’s and women’s awards will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on 22 September.

🏉 Hawthorn has moved into fifth on the AFL ladder after defeating Collingwood 110-46 last night. Collingwood copped an early blow as defender Jeremy Howe left the field after he was knocked out in a collision with Hawthorn’s Jai Newcombe. Collingwood were premiership favourites midway through the season, but have now lost four of their past five games. They still sit second on the ladder.

🏉 The Melbourne Storm kicked off the NRL’s Indigenous Round with a 22-12 win over the Brisbane Broncos last night. It was a particularly tough night for Brisbane as star players Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds, and Selwyn Cobbo all left the field with suspected hamstring injuries. The Storm are now first on the ladder on points differential, but a win for the Raiders over the Sea Eagles tonight would see them regain top spot.

🎾 18-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko delighted her home country’s fans with a victory at the Canadian Open in Montreal. On the way to her first WTA title, Mboko defeated four grand slam winners, including four-time major winner Naomi Osaka in the final. Meanwhile, at the men’s Canadian Open in Toronto, American Ben Shelton defeated Karen Khachanov in the final to secure his first Masters 1000 title.

If you yawned while reading this newsletter, it might be time for an Iron Rapi-Melt

What’s that? The Blackmores Iron Rapi-Melt is a dissolvable supplement that relieves feelings of tiredness and fatigue when your dietary iron intake is inadequate..

How does it work? Simply place one on your tongue and feel it dissolve in under 3 minutes.

When do I take it? In the shower, on your commute, while you’re watching the game – they’re designed to be taken anytime, anywhere, so you can continue living your best life while supporting your overall health and wellbeing.

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. 

Talking points: After beating South Korea in the opening match of their Asia Cup campaign, the Boomers play their second group stage match against Lebanon. It is a rematch of the 2022 Asia Cup final, which the Boomers narrowly won 75-73. Since joining the competition in 2017, the Boomers have never lost at the Asia Cup and will be looking to keep things that way in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

How to watch: The match begins at 1:00am on Saturday (AEST) and will be live on ESPN, Kayo and Disney+. 

Talking points: This match sees the two new additions to the NRLW this season pitted against each other. The Bulldogs, currently fifth on the ladder, have fielded a women’s team in the NRLW for the first time this season, while the Warriors (10th) have returned to the competition after being forced to withdraw during COVID. The player to watch is Bulldogs’ winger Elizabeth MacGregor, who has scored two tries in each of her first two NRLW appearances. The match is a double-header, with both clubs’ respective men’s teams taking to the field afterwards for another hotly anticipated contest. 

How to watch: The match begins at 5:15pm on Saturday and will be live on Channel 9, Kayo, and Foxtel. 

Talking points: Australia and South Africa will meet on Sunday in the first of three T20s between the two sides. It marks the first time Australia and South Africa have played each other in the T20 format since 2023, when Australia swept the South Africans 3-0 on their home soil. The Aussies come into the series on a five-match winning streak against South Africa, who lost to India in final of the T20 World Cup last year. Australia is hosting the series with two matches in Darwin and one in Cairns.

How to watch: The match begins at 7:00pm on Sunday (AEST) and will be live on Kayo and Foxtel. 

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